Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight's Paradox ❯ Goodbye ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: There are slight 10thAnniversary movie spoilers in here. And because the plot of this story can really get confusing, I split this supposed one-shot into multiple chapters.

 

A/N: Credit for movie translation (of which I've based this story on), goes to gönderen Elemental Hero

 

OoO

 

Twilight's Paradox

 

Chapter 1

 

OoO

 

“Leaving so soon?” A bewildered Yami wondered with a slight lure to his tone. His downy blonde bangs skimmed across his chiseled features as he turned his head to visually address both of his new-found comrades, YÅ«sei and JÅ«dai. The more silent of the three of them took a step towards the spiky haired former pharaoh with a confident smirk on his face. “Yeah, but I've got a feeling we're definitely going to meet again sometime in our lives.”

“Yeah you got that right!” A jubilant JÅ«dai expressed, throwing a fist in the air. “I can't wait for that! We can all duel each other and have a blast finding out each others strengths!” Yami nodded to the exuberant youth in mirth. He had never seen such a gleeful young duelist and just knowing that such an individual existed pleased Yami. Curiously, his amaranthine gems drifted notably towards the taller male that took a step near him with an extended hand. Proudly, Yami returned the gesture and the two of them shook hands in the echo of an unspoken promise to indeed meet again. “And when we do see each other again, I'd greatly appreciate it if we dueled,” YÅ«sei commented.

“As would I,” Yami agreed in a tone that could have passed for both certainty as well as inviting on more levels than presented. As to not be rude, YÅ«sei took it as the former and nodded firmly. “Well, I guess it's time for us to part ways.”

A flicker of disappointment thrived in Yami's reflective orbs for only a fleeting second from those words, but the trademark smirk never left his face. “As long as we continue to believe in the heart of our decks and the bonds we've made with the other, we will always find ways back towards the other. The two of you will always be dear to me as close friends,” he declared, taking in the sight of them both in their entirety. JÅ«dai appeared beyond exhilarated and gave a spirited thumbs up to show it, while YÅ«sei mutely studied Yami rather sagaciously. It wasn't an offensive stare, more akin to that of a careful one, as if he wanted to remember every aspect about the “original” legend of Duel Monsters for his own personal reasons. Yami could easily decipher that whatever discoveries YÅ«sei made, he was keeping them to himself when he returned to his proper time. It was something that Yami could respect and admire, not only as a duelist, but as an individual.

 

“It was great to finally meet you! See ya around!” JÅ«dai beamed to Yami, then turned on his heels. The older two males watched their enthusiastic partner start to leave; an intriguing air settling between them. It felt as if there was an invisible string latching the two of them together. There was a specific connection between them that was withheld by YÅ«sei and unspoken by Yami. Interested in this odd bonding, Yami looked up to YÅ«sei casually, wordlessly observing the way his wild hair absorbed the warmth of the setting sun about its fringes. Perhaps when they had more time, he would ask how his outrageous hairstyle was inspired.

 

“Crimson Dragon will take him back safely to his own time. I'll be sure of that,” YÅ«sei confirmed with a slightly faraway timbre to his tone, keeping his eyes in the direction of the younger teen in the distance as he mounted YÅ«sei's D-Wheel. But to Yami, it sounded more like the tanned male was affirming this more so towards himself.

“Very well. Your company was much appreciated,” Yami stated truthfully. YÅ«sei said nothing, but gave a small nod towards the legend and followed after JÅ«dai. A light gale passed through Yami's bold locks and whispered over his body as he watched the two of them and the mystical beast and take off. The dimmed sunlight enhanced the fiery wings of the dragon as they spread vastly, gliding through the skies on some other entity that was much more inexplicable and more awing than air itself. Soon, the two of them were gone. The hushed glow of the sun spiraled in Yami's eyes, masking his discontent in being left alone.

 

It wasn't until the extravagant and over-exaggerated vocals of Pegasus encircled his ears that Yami realized he had been holding his breath, and released it. Slowly, he turned to gaze behind him at the podium the American game creator stood atop. The silver-haired man was boasting lavish accolades about his latest creation, the Malefic Red Eyes Black Dragon. Seeing this, Yami sighed, relieved. Everything seemed to be back to normal as it was before Paradox showed up and started destroying everything and maiming innocents.

Innocents...

Grandpa.

Remembering the upbeat old man that his younger counterpart loved so much, Yami searched around for him amongst the crowds of people. Upon locating him nearest to Pegasus, eagerly reaching to accept the free card, Yami inwardly glanced towards his other. A transparent imaginary image of YÅ«gi manifested at Yami's side. “There is your grandfather. He seems...very well,” Yami chuckled lightly, to which YÅ«gi mirrored. “Yeah. I'm glad he's all right and all of us were able to defeat Paradox together.”

“Yes...” Yami nodded. However, despite their triumph, he could help but feel a tad bit guilty from the course of action taken. Perhaps Paradox was misunderstood, or misunderstood something about his own path in life. Yami could remember times when he was informed that he was once a dark, and even, evil, ruler in Egypt. He refuted being evil, but not all of his memories had securely returned to him yet. There was plenty of room for doubt. Perhaps somewhere along the line, he had been misunderstood in his methods too?

“Pharaoh?” YÅ«gi's boyish voice called to him.

“Yes?”

“You've having second thoughts aren't you?”

“About?”

“Teaming up to defeat a man who was only trying to preserve his own future.”

Of course, YÅ«gi hit the nail on the head. With a deep sigh, Yami turned to YÅ«gi, “YÅ«gi, I...”

“It's ok, really. You don't have to tell me. You have your own reasons for your opinions. That's why they're yours to begin with. I was just concerned.” And that was true, he was concerned. But the thought never crossed his mind that the Pharaoh was roughly in the same boat as Paradox. In essence, since he inhibited YÅ«gi's body, he already had changed his future, but needed to unlock his past in order to secure it. For YÅ«gi, that was a naive way of observing things, but for Yami, his point of view was more obscured. He had to know, just what made his plight so different from Paradox's? Was it because he was perceived as such a great and honorable friend? Or maybe it was because he didn't go around slaying innocents to get where he wanted? Or perhaps, there really was no difference? Now it was YÅ«gi's turn to become subdued in deliberation. Yami's thoughts had intermingled with the little one's own. Swiftly, he changed the subject.

 

“Do you wish to be with your grandfather, YÅ«gi?” The sudden baritone of Yami pulled YÅ«gi out of his trance and he shook his head. “I do, but you deserve more time to yourself right now. Besides, he's got his hands full,” YÅ«gi smiled sheepishly, as he observed his grandpa holding an armful of cards to his chest, while still managing to wave to his grandson. A light blush touched YÅ«gi's cheeks, and Yami waved back on his other's behalf. Mr. Mutou shouted something about whippersnappers Yami didn't quite completely catch before returning his attention back to Pegasus. “Thank you, YÅ«gi,” Yami smiled. The younger of the two returned the smile; his transient form beginning to fade. “No problem, Pharaoh. I think I'm gonna take a nap. Just let him know you might be back after dark and watch yourself, okay?”

“I will.”

 

OoO

 

Only an hour had passed but it felt like several had slipped through time instead. After leaving the festivities, Yami made his way through a common alleyway before reaching the outskirts of Domino. Silently, he contemplated the day's events from atop the roof of an old warehouse. YÅ«gi and Joey would often frequent this place to talk and to just get away from the bustle of the city. The atmosphere was odd for sightseeing, but the scope of the city was a sight to behold. A dash of a smile laced Yami's lips as his warm-hued orbs rested atop Kaiba Corp in the distance. Prestige, honor, and respect were only few of the words Yami would use to describe the building. Although at times he wondered if he truly saw the skyscraper as such, or the blue eyed prideful male who ran it. Something deep, and annoying, ran through the two of them, but neither of them ever had given themselves the time to explore it more thoroughly. If they had, who knew how things between them would have turned out. A steady and mutual friendship would have been nice. And something beyond the platonic realm of friends would be even better...

 

Slowly, Yami's thoughts began to drift towards the new friends he had made. JÅ«dai was one of the most energetic and excited individuals he had ever witnessed, especially when it came to dueling. As for YÅ«sei, never before had Yami beheld raw fierceness that brimmed within such mild eyes. However, the passion immersed in their depths was an entity Yami also shared. Because of their intensity, YÅ«sei's eyes never seemed cold, despite their icy hue, like a certain other blue eyed male Yami had swiftly become fond of. Candidly, he wondered when, and if, they would meet again. He could tell there was a tension between them that YÅ«sei chose to not express. There was something about him that reminded Yami so much of himself, yet he could also tell they were also completely different. Such a contradicting paradox.

 

“Paradox...” he uttered, the gentle wind around him carrying the soft spoken word within itself. The 3 of them had more in common than he could possibly imagine. Although he welcomed the concept, he also feared its meaning. Hating to feel cloaked in uncertainty's obsidian, Yami pushed himself away from the metal railing. The density of the wind increased, sending his hair fluttering in every which way. He had loitered long enough. In a few hours, it would be nightfall and he wanted to make sure YÅ«gi received proper rest. With a heavy sigh, Yami left his worries where he stood and turned. But the unexpected sight that filled his awed eyes made him freeze in his tracks.

 

There before him was the magnificent floating visage of the Crimson Dragon, as well as the quiet male that harnessed it. Yami's breath immediately hitched in his throat and he blinked several times to make sure this was actually occurring. “Y... YÅ«sei...?”

 

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No, I have not seen the movie and no, I can not link you to it. I CAN, however, tell you of how I read a translation of the movie, however. Just copy and paste this into Google: gönderen Elemental Hero and click the first link that shows up. It should be a fan-translation of the movie ^^

 

-Mel