Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Fraudulant Shadows ❯ The Dragon's Rescue ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10

The Dragon's Rescue

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Joey and Yugi found Raphael, after they had fought their way through the mob of parents and students.

Yugi gripped Raphael's arm, trying not to run pass him. "Where is Sugoroku? Why isn't he here?" He asked frantically.

Joey stood off from behind them; listening to the conversation and watching a black, scaly mound rustle about on the destroyed school building.

Raphael had a look of intense fear as he stared down at Yugi. "Our…son…he's trapped in that rubble. He started calling for help, but we had to make him stop because we didn't know what the dragon would do if he heard him."

A look of pure relief crossed Yugi's features. "So, he's still alive?"

Raphael nodded, smiling weakly.

Joey took a few steps ahead of the others, staring intently at the black mound. "T-that's the Red Eyes," he gasped. "What other dragon could knock out the Red Eyes?"

"There are many other dragons that are stronger than the Red Eyes, Joey," Yugi explained. "Like the Blue Eyes for instant."

"Do you think the Blue Eyes was responsible for this?" Joey asked.

Yugi shook his head. "The Blue Eyes is a docile dragon who wouldn't attack unless threatened. It's the same as the Red Eyes."

Joey peered at Yugi and then back to the dragon now lying motionless on top of the rubble. "So what you're saying is that the Red Eyes was attacked for no reason?"

"That's not always the case," a deep voice said from behind Yugi.

Yugi turned to see Mokuba approaching, sword in hand. "He may have been attacked because he was carrying food in his mouth." He pointed to a few cow limbs lying on the ground beside the dragon's head. "Or he may have been crossing into the other dragon's territory."

"Mokuba!" Joey exclaimed. He stared at Seto's brother in scorn. "Where were you? Weren't you supposed to be here before this happened?" He pointed to the ruined school building. "Thanks to you not being here on time, there's a boy and probably other children trapped underneath the dragon."

Mokuba glowered at the teen. He knew the teen was right, but he was in too much pain to admit it. He stepped up to Joey, positioning his sword under the other's chin. "Don't push me, Joey. I've had a bad day as it is. I'm getting to the point where I can't handle this job anymore. There has been more than one time that I've been close to death…" He closed his eyes as he smiled in apprehension. "…and today may top off all the other days." He lowered his sword from Joey's chin and started to approach the fallen dragon.

Joey didn't understand. What was Mokuba saying? He peered down at the ground, noting the curved trail of blood that followed the raven-haired man. He then peered at Yugi and Raphael whom were staring at the trace of crimson as well. He immediately ran pass Mokuba and stood in front of him. "If I'm correct, Mokuba, you're planning to die, aren't you?"

The man's eyebrow rose in interest. "Since the day I started this job, I was prepared to die. Every slayer must be prepared," he explained.

"Then, I bet you weren't prepared for this," Joey sneered.

Mokuba stared at him flustered and then gasped when the blonde teen turned abruptly and ran toward the fallen dragon. "Joey! You idiot. What are you doing?"

"I'm saving a lives…maybe more!" Joey replied, his voice dropping to a sorrowed tinge. He stopped at the Red Eyes' head, noticing how big the dragon really was. He tensely reached out for the dragon's head and winced when its eye opened, staring up at him.

The beast let out a soft grumble, causing everyone in the crowd to stir nervously.

"I-its…okay…Red Eyes. Don't you remember me?" Joey chuckled. "You probably wouldn't after nineteen years."

The Red Eyes let out another moan and closed its eye in response. It allowed Joey to pet just above its eyebrow and then the horns that adorned the back of its skull.

Joey let out a shuttering breath. /If its anything like a dog, it'll sense my fear/, he thought uncertainly. /And then attack me./ He reached out another hand and started to stroke the dragon's snout. "Okay…boy…girl…er…You're going to have to get up. There are kids trapped underneath the rubble and they need our help to get them out."

The dragon opened both of its eyes and turned its head slightly toward Joey. It let out a muffled roar and weakly started to stand.

Joey was relieved to know the Red Eyes wasn't moving just to have him for lunch, or he hoped not. He stood back from the loose debris falling from its scales. "Good, Red Eyes. Come this way." Joey put his hands forward, coaching the dragon to follow him.

The Red Eyes replied as he approached the blonde on all fours.

The teen had never seen the Red Eyes walk on his legs before. He had always seen him floating in the air. He moved back around toward the building, still leading the dragon. He looked over his shoulder, searching for where the boy might be. "Hey…Sugoroku. It's me, Joey. Where are you?"

There was silence for a moment and then a soft whimper. "Mr. Wheeler?"

Joey grinned with relief. "Yeah, it's me! Where are you at?"

Sugoroku wiggled his fingers through a crevice and then his whole hand. "Over here!"

"Good! I can see you!" Joey reassured. He noted the large, square block that probably fell from the ceiling. "Are there any other kids down there, Sugoroku?"

"Yeah, there's three more!"

"Alright. I want you to get them as far away from the crevice as possible."

"Okay!" Once again, there was silence and then a quick confirmation from the kid. "We're ready!"

Joey nodded as he patted the Red Eyes on the leg. "Red Eyes, I want you to lift that big block out of the way."

The dragon stared at Joey and then nodded once. It approached the heavy cement slab, gripped its teeth around it, and lifted it aside.

"Good job, Red Eyes!" Joey complimented excitedly and ran up beside the beast. He peered down into the hole and spotted the four children waving happily at him. "Great! Now, Red Eyes, use your tail to get them out."

The dragon lowered its tail into the opening and waited for them all to grip on tightly. It lifted them out without a single scratch.

Joey smiled warmly at the Red Eyes and was surprised when the dragon started nuzzling his face. "Hey! Cut that out! It tickles!"

Everyone applauded the teen's courageous act to save the children. The parents, who had lost there children, including Raphael and Yugi, walked up to Joey and thanked him graciously. They ignored the fact that the dragon was still looming over them. However, the children thanked it for saving them.

The beast replied with small nuzzles and purrs. Go figure a dragon could feel the same honor and pride as a hero for saving someone.

After finally breaking away from the parents, he noticed that Mokuba had fainted during the excitement. He became concerned as he hurried toward the fallen slayer. "Hey! Mokuba?" He gently shook the man's body. There wasn't even a moan of a response. "Mo…kuba?"

Yugi, Sugoroku, and Raphael stood behind him, staring at the lifeless body.

A few doctors rushed in and checked Mokuba's vital signs. "He'll live, but he's lost a lot of blood." They lifted the man's body onto a stretcher and pushed him to the ambulance.

Joey released a breath that he didn't even know he was holding. "Thank gawd!" He let a few tears slip and stared down at the crimson colored ground where Mokuba had lain. "At least…he won't die." In addition, without thinking, he murmured, "Bakura will be happy."

"I think you're right," someone sighed.

Joey peered up at the x-bandit standing in front of him, tears easily sliding down his tan face.

To Be Continued

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Sisco: Yeah! I updated the day after! Go me!

Seto: You probably won't update tomorrow.

Sisco: Erm…maybe?

Seto: >->

Sisco: n.n;;;;

Joey: …

Alister: I'd like to know when I'm going to be in the story.

Sisco: Wasn't your son good enough?

Alister: >-> …no.

Sisco: -sighs- Okay, you'll be in this story…soon…I think. o.o

Alister: -glares-