Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Truth through Deception ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

By: JMYoda

Disclaimer: I own nothing, I swear! Please don't sue me; it'll be a waste of time as I am just a poor college student.

A/N: To anyone still reading this story - I am so sorry. My simply horrible schedule last semester along with a bad case of writers block left me in the position of having this chapter partially completed for months. I am just starting my final semester for my degree so updates will be, as always, sporadic at best. I have not and do not plan to abandon this story. I have every intention of finishing it. Also, I am writing a Fullmetal Alchemist story if anyone is interested in that series; the story is an alternate universe and I am attempting to answer the question of what would the series be like if Ed had grown up in our “real” world and been transported to the FMA world. To anyone not following that anime and manga, I highly recommend the series! Now, (finally) onto the next chapter!

Truth Through Deception

Chapter 9

After discussing things with the rest of the court while waiting for Yugi to wake, the decision of what to do with Weevil, alias Agent Mothman, was bought up.

“The logical course of action is to execute him; eliminate any threat, present and future, and give local morale a lift at the same time.”

This of course was the ever logical Seto. Jou, interestingly had a different view.

“No, we should keep him alive. In prison to be sure, but alive. He may still have useful information.”

The debate continued on for several minutes before Arain finally put a stop to it.

“We shall keep him alive for now I think. Killing off a high level agent like Mothman is dangerous at any time, but even more so now with Specter captured as well. Also, as Jonouchi said, he may have some relevant information to our cause. Besides, Yugi's beginning to wake up.”

As literally all eyes in the room turned to look at the figure o the bed, each person saw that Arain was correct: Yugi had started to sleepily blink his eyes as they adjusted to the brightness of the room. Time seemed to stand still for several moments as the occupants of the room stared at the individual on the bed and the individual stared back with deceptively innocent eyes. As the seconds wore on and Yugi's memories presumably straightened themselves out, Yugi's eyes went from innocent to calculating. He was in trouble and he knew it. Yami's was the voice that broke the silence.

“Yugi, it appears you've been keeping secrets from me.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Drop the innocent routine, you and I both know what happened back there. I just want to know why. Are you just another one of Pegasus' lackey, or do you have some grievance against me?”

“Pegasus? How could you even accuse me of being one of his lackeys?! I hate the man! I hate him and wish he would never bother me again! I wish I had never had the misfortune of drawing his attention in the first place.”

“Is it because of Solomon?”

At Arain's mention of the former general the room instantly went quiet and panic showed clearly in Yugi's violet eyes.

“You look just like he did at your age Gioco. I should know, when he was your age he was just a lieutenant in the home guard that I would follow around as a child. I once babysat your father when I was twelve. He cried for his parents the entire night; many years later when my late wife watched over you while your own parents were away over night; she discovered you were the same, except you stopped crying when my son threw a stuffed toy at you. This apparently led to yours and Yami's first game of strategy. I'm told there was no clear winner with both sides suffering heavy destruction. My point being Gioco, you are among friends, some of the earliest ones even if you don't remember making them. It is likely I could tell you about your first meeting with most of the people in this room, but I doubt we have that kind of time available to us at the moment. Why are you trying to resist our help?”

“That's just it. You can't help me. No one can now. He always said I'd have to make a choice and when the time came to be sure I could live with it.”

“Who said that Gioco?”

“My grandfather, the only other person who has called me by my given name and not meant it as an insult.”

Arain sighed audibly knowing it was unlikely they would get any truly useful information from Gioco at this time.

“We'll leave you to your thoughts for now. Just consider this carefully: I am sure that by now Pegasus already knows of your actions in the gardens and thus considers you an enemy. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain by silencing you.”

With a stern look at the rest of the room's occupants he left, with the rest following him slowly.

“Father, why did we leave? We need answers!”

“Gioco has been manipulated his entire life. If he believes we are only trying to get information from him it is doubtful he will willingly help us. He needs to trust us, trust that we have only the best intentions for him. Thus far, Solomon is the only person who has earned that honor. Yami, I know you want to help him, but he needs to want it first.”

“So what do we do now?”

“Wait. It will not be long until this impasse is broken, I just don't know which side will start it.”

TRUTH*THROUGH*DECEPTION*CHAPTER9*TRUTH*THROUGH*DECEPTION

We only want to help you Gioco

`But I don't want your help! Anyone that tries to help is only put in the line of fire. Granted he's the King of Seier so he was probably already rather far in that line to begin with, but best not to take chances. Seriously though, can Pegasus even hurt Arain? I mean they're both Kings, except the one is a paranoid schizophrenic with a god complex. But is it a god complex or is he just an egotist? Arain's right I do need help, but the mental kind since I'm having an argument in my head. But am I really sick in the head if I know it or is it only if I think I'm normal and actually am insane? Ouch! Note to self: too much thinking equals bad headache, avoid at all costs. Maybe I'll just stare blankly at the white ceiling and wait for the medication to wear off. Maybe it's not really the medication though…Ouch!'

As Gioco stared blankly in front of him, thoughts raced through his mind.

`What will Pegasus do though, seriously? Who will achieve the dubious honor of being his next victim? Grandpa, I could really use your guidance right now. You always know what to do!'

As Gioco sat contemplating his circumstances the light suddenly changed. Looking to the main source of lighting available in the room, the window, he saw why. A figure was approaching the window of his room. The figure came closer and Gioco felt his dread rise. He recognized the creature; after all Pegasus' correspondence ravens were hardly scarce around the Cecilian palace. Pegasus primarily used his ravens for threatening, gloating, or a high ranking order change.

`I wonder which one it is for me.'

As the raven flew through the hospital room's window and landed silently on the bed next to him, Gioco glared at the bird with obvious disdain. He had never liked them as messengers and they seemed to return the favor. Looking at the raven, Gioco lowered his gaze to the bird's talons. Sure enough, just as Gioco had known it would, the bird tightly clasped a roll of parchment. Hesitantly Gioco moved forward to take the letter from the bird. Surprisingly the raven did not take flight as it was relieved of its burden. Gioco noted it must have been instructed to wait for a response. Gioco slowly and cautiously unrolled the letter as though afraid it would suddenly gain teeth and bite his hands. Finally Gioco could read the note in its entirety.

My dearest Gioco,

I would like to say I was surprised at your duplicity; unfortunately for you I was not. Your actions have wounded me deeply as I always saw you as one of my greatest students. All of this, however, is now behind us. This situation that you and you alone have created has come to a head. I am afraid that poor old Solomon may be the one to pay the price for your rebellious actions. As hesitant as I am to punish dear Solomon for your actions, if I do not I will break my half of our agreement. I am sure you recall the one I speak of even though you yourself have already broken it with betrayal. I am not without mercy though. Return to Cecile and face your King and your actions as a man. Returning can only help your circumstances as it will greatly improve my demeanor. Perhaps we will even be able to put this incident behind us after much hard work. Come home and face me Gioco. Come and face your fate. I eagerly await your response. Do not wait to long before deciding, my patience is not endless. Farewell and good health.

Pegasus of Cecile

Lord and King

`This is it' Gioco thought with a sense of shocked calm.

`This is the moment Grandfather always spoke of, the moment of truth. Pegasus is right about one thing; I am returning to Cecile, but not to crawl to the foot of his throne and beg forgiveness. This ends now, one way or another. Yami, I'm sorry but this is one last battle I must face alone. I cannot drag you down with me.'

Casting a look about the room, Gioco carefully listened to his guards outside and realized they were unaware of his feathered visitor and the letter he had received. Slipping silently from his bed, Gioco moved to the window.

`I'm in luck, it's just a short jump to the next roof and then I can make my way out of Seier. They'll send someone to check on me soon, it's now or never.'

Without another thought, Gioco climbed up onto the window and vanished from his room never realizing he had left the very letter that caused him to leave behind. The next several hours past quietly for the occupants of the healing ward. Due to a mistake in scheduling, no one had been assigned to check on Gioco's vitals. Ryou eventually came back across Gioco's room during his rounds, being closely followed by Bakura.

“Bakura, would you at least allow me to complete these rounds in peace?!”

“What about you're next session of rounds? Can I…distract you then?”

“Baka hentai. Why can't you at least control yourself when I'm working?”

“Oh, but all work and no play makes me a very unhappy Bakura.”

“More like anything other than play makes a very unhappy….Bakura?”

“Yes Ryou?”

“Do you notice anything missing?”

“Hmm…like what?”

“The patient!”

“What? Where did he go? Yugi! Uh..Gioco? Midget! Where the hell are you?”

“This is bad, this is very bad. Where could he have gone? How could he have even left his bed? He shouldn't have been able to get two steps from his bed without collapsing.”

“Let's check with the guards. It's a long shot, but they could have heard or seen something.”

“And if they didn't?”

“Then we're going to have a rather unpleasant conversation with Yami and his royal father.”

The two briefly questioned the guards stationed outside Gioco's door and around the ward but were unsurprised that none had seen or heard anything. With heavy hearts, Ryou and Bakura made their way to the throne room to inform the two royals of Gioco's latest disappearance.

TRUTH*THROUGH*DECEPTION*CHAPTER9*TRUTH*THROUGH*DECEPTION