Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Virus ❯ Chapter 12

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

Got some more reviews in, thanks all!

Highqueenofthegods suggested that I could get more people to read the story if I changed the initial summary. What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

Mokuba demanded some time in the fic, so the battle sequence will be put off for another day.

More monster names as follows:
Mystical Elf = Shala (made up name)
Summoned Skull = Zarek (Persian for 'May God protect the king')
Spirit of the Harp = Koto (Japanese for 'harp')
Pegasus' yami = Chikan ("pervert" or "molester")

This chapter is still PG-13, but Pegasus does some thinking about our kawaii Yugi. *shudders*

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh, and no money is made from this story.

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Virus - Part 12

It was very quiet in the Kaiba household. The four friends, Joey, Tristan, Tea, and Ryou, were gathered in the kitchen with Mokuba. They had decided to have lunch with Mokuba to help calm the young boy, then Joey, Tristan, and Ryou would begin their search for answers.

They had been surprised about an hour after the yamis and Kaiba had disappeared when Ryou's eyes had glazed over. He was acknowledging the call of his yami.

/I'm here, yami. I can barely hear you, though./

//Pharaoh cannot contact his hikari. I wanted to make sure our bond was not affected.//

/No, I can still feel you. It is very faint, though. Is everything going well so far?/

//We are outside the Dark Citadel. It's almost morning here; soon there will be few shadows to hide in.//

/Morning? There are mornings in the Shadow Realm? It's just past noon here. Is there a time difference as well?/

//The darkness you remember was merely one small area in a vast dimension. As for time, it is fluid. One's perception of the continuum as it unfolds in one dimension can be drastically different from the perception in another.//

/I see./

//No you don't.// Ryou could hear the smile in his gruff yami's voice.

*Sigh.* /No, I don't./

//You should pay more attention in your mathematics classes. Don't worry. The Pharaoh and I understand and that is all that is required. Let us just say that time passes differently in the Shadow Realm. We may be here for months, but it would only seem like days in the mortal realm. Or vice versa. You must trust me.//

/I do trust you, Bakura. I trust you to bring everyone home safely. And that includes you. DO YOU HEAR ME YOU OLD THIEF?/

//I think the entire Shadow Realm heard that.// A bark of laughter accompanied Bakura's response. //Be well, hikari. I will return to you.//

When Bakura's words faded, Ryou returned his attention to his companions. He told them about his conversation with his yami.

"I feel so bad for Yami. He must be so worried about Yugi," Tea sounded near tears.

"Yeah. Especially since he's practically on top of the kid and he still can't contact him through their link. That's gotta be tough." Tristan was worried, too. Had something even more terrible happened to their friend?

Mokuba had been quiet while the older kids were talking, but he had to know. "Ryou, did Bakura say anything about Seto? Is he OK?" In their worry, Ryou and the others had almost forgotten about the Kaibas.

"I'm sorry, Mokuba, but he didn't. I am sure he would have said something if Seto wasn't all right. After all, Seto is under Bakura's protection."

The little boy nodded and left the table to go to his room. He passed by his brother's closed bedroom door, then turned back and went inside. He walked around the room, touching his big brother's belongings. If he kept Seto fresh in his mind, the elder Kaiba would surely be all right. Mokuba liked Yugi and his friends a lot; they were interesting and made his brother laugh sometimes, but they weren't family. He needed his big brother. Mokuba crawled onto Seto's bed and stared up at the ceiling, which depicted a beautiful rendition of the Blue Eyes White Dragon. He put his hands behind his head and placed one of Seto's pillows beneath his neck. His hands brushed against a square object that was stuffed in the pillowcase. Pulling it out, Mokuba saw it was a photograph of Yugi.

From the surroundings, it must have been taken at the Duelist Kingdom. It was a very good picture. Yugi was standing near the top of the steps of Pegasus' castle and was looking straight into the camera. Mokuba knew that Yugi must have actually been looking at Seto. The little numbers in the corner of the picture told him the photo was taken by the briefcase spy camera.

It was a little worn in places, as if it had been handled many times. Plus, it was in Seto's pillow in Seto's bed. Mokuba was young, but he wasn't stupid. Maybe his big brother had finally found someone. He put the picture back where he found it. Surrounded by things Seto loved, Mokuba drifted off to sleep.

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Pegasus was bathing in a freezing cold lake near the Keep. The shocking cold had nearly stopped his heart, but his yami kept him moving. It felt better after a while, and he was glad to be clean again. Back in the castle, a search through the abandoned chambers revealed old but elegant and serviceable clothing.

Refreshed, Pegasus set the monsters to cleaning the castle and preparing the dungeons. Ah, yes. The dungeons were about to receive a very special guest. The yami had told him that a light, a powerful innocent, was in the Shadow Realm. The yami also told him that if he could capture the light and sacrifice it in the special Dark Soul Ritual, the doorway between the mortal world and the Shadow Realm would be opened and they would be free.

"I refuse to keep calling you "the yami." What is your real name?"

//I was known as 'Chikan'; that is all I can remember from my mortal life.//

His yami's response to Pegasus' question amused him. Great gales of laughter erupted and the sounds echoed down the nearly deserted halls of the Forbidden Keep. The yami did not understand what was so funny.

"My dear yami, 'chikan' is another name for…for molester!" More laughter from Pegasus. He hadn't laughed this hard in a long time. "I guess we can safely assume you weren't the hero-type like Pharaoh Yami."

//No. But I wouldn't laugh so hard if I were you. You can't be much of an hikari if you were destined to have me for a yami!// The yami actually seemed upset at Pegasus' little outburst of hilarity.

"Chikan, do you know the identity of the light?"

//I do not. I merely know that the light shines like a beacon in the darkness.//

"Hmmm. I may not know him well, but I do know that Yami's little hikari has a penchant for finding trouble. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the light we are looking for turns out to be Yugi-boy."

The yami was intrigued. It would be a glorious vengeance upon the Pharaoh if the Pharaoh's own precious light was the sacrifice. If it were Yugi, the yami would have to tread very carefully with the Other. Chikan wanted to ensure that Yami was present when his hikari was desecrated, but he knew better than to frustrate the Other. They could capture the light today. The preparations for the sacrifice would be ready by tomorrow night.

//It's time. Gather our monsters. We must make for the Dark Citadel.// Chikan told Pegasus that the Citadel was the Pharaoh's Shadow Realm residence. That only served to solidify Pegasus' feeling that Yugi was the light they were seeking.

It was too bad, actually. The boy really was quite beautiful. And passionate! If he brought into the bedroom even half of the enthusiasm he brandished while dueling, Yugi would be a prized bedmate, indeed. His innocence drew Pegasus to him, as Cecelia's innocence had drawn him to her. Carefully keeping the thought blocked from his yami, Pegasus wondered if there were another way, a way that did not involve killing Yugi Motou.

Pegasus shrugged off his musings and called to his 'troops.' A pathetic gathering, really, but Chikan seemed to believe they would do the trick. His yami was very confident of his ability to direct Pegasus in and out of the Citadel without fear of discovery.

"Have you been to the Citadel before?"

//Yes. I used to be a frequent visitor to the Pharaoh's dwelling. It was a long, long time ago.//

Now it was his turn to block thoughts from his host. His memories were piece-meal and very fuzzy, but he could remember attending great victory feasts at the Citadel. Was it possible that he and the Pharaoh had been allies? If so, from where did this all-consuming hatred stem?

The loyal monsters gathered before their master. Among them were Bubonic Vermin, King Fog, and the Mask of Darkness. Of those staying behind to finish the preparations were the numerous Skull Servants. The ragged procession, led by Maximilian Pegasus, made its way towards the Dark Citadel.

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Yugi descended the stairs and found the main dining hall. It was easy to locate as Siji had said. All he had to do was follow the scent of fresh-baked pastries; he also heard the droning sounds of voices in conversation.

He stood in the doorway for a moment and looked over the occupants. The Mystical Elf, whom he heard called by the name 'Shala,' was deep in conversation with the Summoned Skull, whose name was 'Zarek.' The Spirit of the Harp, 'Koto,' played softly in the background. Silver Fang was curled near the hearth.

The two most animated beings sat at the far end of the table. The Dark Magician was seated at the head and the Celtic Guardian sat to his right. The Magician was shaking his head no; Siji was gesticulating wildly, and seemed to be trying to make a point. Whatever Siji was saying, the Magician was obviously not happy. His forehead was creased, and his lips were turned down in a scowl. The breakfast diners jumped when Magician's hand suddenly slammed into the table accompanied by a sharp "Enough!."

Yugi jumped as well, and his gasp of fright alerted them to his presence. Shala and Zarek greeted him warmly and escorted him into the room. Magician gestured to the seat on his left, and Yugi took his assigned place. Siji's head was down, and he was toying with his food. The blush high on his cheeks hinted at the furious emotions roiling within.

"Were you talking about me?" Yugi asked timidly, not wanting to draw the Magician's ire.

"We were discussing castle security. I had to remind some," Magician cast a pointed glance at Siji, "that your presence here will attract undesirables. Steps must be taken to ensure your safety."

Siji stood abruptly. He refused to look at anyone for a moment, then he quietly said, "Do not fear, Yugi. I hereby pledge myself to protecting you from anyone," he raised his head and looked the Magician in the eye, "and I mean anyone who tries to harm you in any way whatsoever." The elf made to leave the dining hall, but before he had gone three steps, the call to arms sounded. The Dark Citadel was under attack.

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Yami's focus was drawn to the entrance of the castle proper. Some of his most powerful monsters were running out the door: the Celtic Guardian, Mystical Elf, Summoned Skull, and Silver Fang. But where was the Dark Magician? And where was Yugi?

"You'll pay for your treachery now, Pharaoh!" spat Beaver Warrior Castor.

Bakura prepared his dueling deck. He looked at Castor, then turned to Yami and smirked, "Nice beaver."

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How was that? Please r/r, thanks!

Hopefully, tomorrow will find the Shadow Duel between Dark Magician and Yami/Bakura/Seto for Yugi. Keep in mind that Pegasus is on his way, and the Other is still lurking nearby!