Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Yugioh The College Years: The Different Story ❯ Chapter 9
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Yuugi Motoh 
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.28.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.1K | Visits: 224 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.28.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.1K | Visits: 224 | Status: Work In Progress
CHAPTER 9
MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE THAT WAS NOWHERE...
The room was dark, save for the sullen glow of a fire somewhere off to one side and a pool of light directed down at a table, around which four figures sat. The light fell full on the surface of the table, and on what appeared to be a basin of water in the center of the table, but it barely touched the figures at all.
Mirrored in the waters of the basin (if water it was, if it was a basin of water at all) was the back of the sedan. The view was centered on Yugi, but Tèa, Joey and Bakura were all at least partly visible.
"As you see," a woman's voice said, "he sleeps."
"Yes, but the other doesn't," a second voice-- a man's, slightly nasal, slightly fussy, like the sterotypical teacher that no one quite likes but is just a little too afraid of to misbehave. "It's useless to try to gain any kind of knowledge or influence now."
"Agreed," a third voice, another woman's voice, said. This speaker was younger, slightly impatient. "But what do we do in the meantime?"
"We have plans." The last speaker, an older male, still hearty. "Don't think we are leaving this all to Diaz. The stakes, as they say in this age, are too high. And he underestimates the strength of the Light."
"He's a brat," the second woman said, voice rising a trifle. "How can Yugi Motoh POSSIBLY be any threat to us? LOOK at him. He's so caught up in his own compassion he won't risk anything for fear of hurting someone. There's no backbone, no will, there at all."
"And now YOU are underestimating him." The older man again, disapproval clear in his tones. "Do you think being sundered has made the Pharoah weak? On the contrary. It was the worst possible thing that could've happened. However, so long as Yugi considers himself to be the lesser of the two, we have a chance to drive a wedge between them. Mark my words: in the day Yugi Motoh discovers his ultimate destiny, the power of the Pharoah--and of the Millenium Puzzle--will be forever beyond our reach. We must not allow that to happen, no matter what. If it necessitates our waiting another 5000 years, then we will do so."
"So why not pull Diaz out now?" First woman's voice.
"Because right now there is a good chance he can take control of the Prince and leave the King vulnerable." A hand waved over the water; it changed, this time showing a different room, where a figure bent over a computer console. "HERE is our second stumbling block."
"Kaiba?" Second man. "Kaiba is useless. He won't lift his nose from those precious computers of his long enough to see what's going on, let alone admit what's been shown to him already. Even the Pharoah's servant, Ishizu, couldn't convince him."
"True. But there is always the possibility that something will finally break down that facade of reality Kaiba clings to so fiercely. If that happens, we will have HIM to deal with as well. I do NOT want that happening."
"What of the others?" Another wave; the basic flickered through views of the others-- Joey, Tristan, Bakura, Mai, Pegasus, and Tèa last of all.
"Worrisome." The first female again. "The Pharoah's followers are increasing in number-- and in strength. And of course, they have a Maker among them now..."
"Pegasus," the second man said, with a definite note of avarice.
"Darkness take it! Who slipped up and let this happen?!" Third woman, furious now.
"Calmly," the older man answered. "We didn't 'let' anything happen. Fate drew them together. They are not a matter we should concern ourselves with too much, though. If Diaz succeeds in convincing Yugi to abandon the Pharoah, none of the others will matter. Meanwhile... our second project. How goes that?"
"The first stage is complete," the second man said, a slight note of pride entering his voice. "So far, there's a 50 percent chance of survival."
"Only 50 percent?"
"May I remind you, sir, the other attempts were failures from the first moment. This time the subjects survived. That in itself is a positive note. If all continues as I expect, we should be ready in a year."
"A year is MUCH too long!" A hand struck the tabletop as the third female stood. "By that time they could've been to Egypt ten times over and found out-!"
"I agree." Older man. "Push up the timetable. We must be ready in six months or less. We will give Diaz one last chance. If he fails in his next attempt, then we will leave him to the Pharoah's justice and proceed with our own plans."
**********
Darkness.
Warm, comforting, quiet.
Yugi stirred. With a little murmur he shifted, curling up again, vaguely aware someone was holding him. There was a heartbeat close at his ear, its rhythm soothing.
'Aibou...'
Mou hitori... Oh... Is it time to wake up now?
'Yes, young one. Wake up. All our friends are here. We've been worried.'
Worried... With an effort Yugi pushed the drowsiness away. I'm sorry...
'Don't concern yourself. Everything is all right now.'
Yugi reached up. Ah... you're crying?
'It's nothing. You are here, that's all that matters.'
Here? Have I been gone?
'I'll tell you later. For now, please, open your eyes.'
Yugi did so, though it wasn't easy. He kept wanting to slip back down into slumber. He'd been dreaming, he knew, dreams he didn't want to leave, important dreams. Rolling his head to the left, he saw Tèa seated in a chair by his bedside, dozing. Around the room the rest of his friends--Bakura, Joey, Tristan-- were similarly draped over various pieces of furniture. How long? he asked. And where am I? This doesn't look like home.
'A day and a half.' Yami appeared and perched on the side of the mattress. 'And this is Pegasus's home in Nevada.'
Nevada?! No way! What are we doing here? What happened at the tournament?!
'We... left the tournament. Something happened that required our resigning.'
You... resigned...? Quit? YOU?!
Yami sighed. 'Someone at the tournament stole your soul. We had to leave to find you. All told, from the moment you were taken from us to now is almost five days.' Quickly Yami sketched out the details.
When he was done Yugi just put his head down on his knees for a moment. "I don't remember any of it..."
"Mm..?" Tèa stirred. "Yugi!" Immediately she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh God, you're awake!"
"MMMFH!" Yugi flailed his arms, gasping. "Tèa, too... tight..."
"Sorry..." Tèa loosened up a little, gently brushing back Yugi's bangs to look into his face. "You scared us half to death, you know." Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to his forehead. "You scared ME half to death, anyway." She laughed a little. "Guess I'd better wake up the others so they can see you're all right. If I don't, I think Joey and Tristan would throw me off the nearest skyscraper." Reaching back, Tèa thumped Joey on the leg with a fist. "Hey, Snoring Guy, wake up."
"M'not snorin'," mumbled Joey, opening an eye. "J'st ask Yuge dere if I sn-- YUGI!" He catapulted himself out of the chair and all but teleported across the room, grabbing Yugi up in a fierce bear hug.
"ACKKK!" Yugi flailed again. "Joey... air... would be... nice-!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry about dat, bud." Joey let go, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Yuge, man...." he awkwardly rubbed his face with the back of one hand. "Gotta warn ya, dis desert air really chokes up a guy..."
"Joey... cut it out." Yugi swiped at his own face, not bothering to make excuses for the tears at the corners of his eyes. "I'm glad to see you too. Is everyone here? Is everyone safe?"
"Yeah, we're all hunky dory. Kinda wish ya coulda seen it though. We opened a whole case a' whipa-- uh, buttkicking, yeah, dat's it, buttkicking-- on some security goons, me an' da Pharoah. Even Peggy was laying down some real cool moves, kinda that Shaolin monk stick stuff."
"Peggy?!" Yugi said, incredulous. "Are we talking about--"
"That would be Maximilian Pegasus, yes," Bakura confirmed from across the room. "Hallo, Yugi, welcome back."
"Thanks, I think. I mean, as far as I knew I didn't GO anywhere, but from what the Pharoah says, I guess... I guess I sort caused everyone a lot of trouble."
"Skip it." Tristan said, lazily waving a hand in mid-air. "No apologies, Yugi. You didn't have anything to do with it; you were the victim, remember? No apologies. We just did what we do best-- stick together."
Yugi nodded, giving Tristan a smile. "Right. Okay. This is Nevada, right?"
"Pegasus's home, yes." Bakura stood stretching. "Your kidnappers--"
"Casino, right. The Pharoah explained that to me."
"Don't suppose you remember anything that might be helpful? Such as, why they wanted you in the first place?"
"Sorry..." Yugi shook his head. "I... I remember dreaming... I think I was asleep, somehow, or maybe in some kind of trance that was LIKE sleeping. But I can't remember what I was dreaming about now. I get the feeling it was important, though, and it's making me a little nuts because I DON'T remember."
'Don't struggle too hard to recall it. Hopefully if what you say is true, the knowledge will re-surface on its own in time, when something jogs your memory.'
I'll try. But that's sort of like a purple cow.
'...A what?'
A purple cow-- oh, right. Okay. I challenge you to a game. For the next ten seconds, don't think of a purple cow, all right? You absolutely can't think of a purple cow or you lose. Got it? -GO! ...Well, did you? I bet you did.
Yami scowled.
That's what I meant. The thing you try hardest not to think about is the one that you almost CAN'T stop thinking about.
'Point taken. But if you have nightmares about purple cows, don't blame me.'
"Hmmm.... how about this." Tristan also stood, grabbing a chair from a desk at one end of the room and dragging it over to sit on it backwards, leaning his arms across the backrest. "Yugi, what do you know about Egyptian holidays?"
"Oo, that's right!" Bakura smacked his forehead. "Diaz said something much earlier about Isis and Osirus, didn't he? I think you asked about that earlier too."
"Yeah, Busby brought it up. Um, 'Busby' equals Doppleganger, Yugi. Apparently he kind of hangs out in the real world with Pegasus. Sort of his majordomo, man at arms, general gofer, that kind of thing. --Anyway. The 'day when Isis finds Osirus'-- mean anything to you?"
"Let me think..." Yugi frowned. "It's definitely a holy day in the Egyptian calendar, I remember that much. I THINK it has to do with the whole story of Osirus's rebirth. See, Osirus was killed by his brother Set and cut up into pieces--"
"Jeeeeez, nice guy, huh, real sibling rivalry dere," Joey quipped.
"And Isis, who was Osirus's... uh, I'm not sure if she was his wife then or not, I'm a little shaky on that part of the myth... but Isis searched for the parts of Osirus and brought them back together, and healed him by use of her magic. Isis was supposed to be the most powerful mage in the world at that point, you see. The only thing she couldn't do was bring him back to life because his soul had already passed on. So he became the god of the afterlife at that point, and his son, Horus, sort of took over running the world of men. Horus was also sometimes known as Ra, the sun god. I think that's also when Isis became a goddess; because of her devotion to Osirus, she was bestowed with divine status. It was sort of an analogy of the cycle of the seasons-- the harvest and growing seasons were tied to the flooding of the Nile, you know."
"So the day when she found him would be the day she found his pieces parts and put 'em back together, maybe?"
"I guess so." Yugi nibbled his lower lip. "If I remember right, that was celebrated in... either the beginning or middle of our month of November."
"So whatever Diaz meant about his being 'made whole' had something to do with that particular date, which may or may not have already passed." Bakura folded his arms and paced up and down. "But that's a dreadful coincidence, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" Tristan shrugged. "I don't follow you, Bakura."
"Well, why exactly would Diaz make that particular statement? Drawing on Egyptian mythology, I mean. After all, 'Diaz Russio' doesn't sound like a very Egyptian name. To my way of thinking, either it had some particular significance to him, or he thought it would have some significance to the only person among us that has an Egyptian bent... the Pharoah."
"It ain't like he din't already know about da Pharoah," Joey pointed out. "I mean, he knew about Yuge's whole magic whatziz bond with him, right?"
"Yeah..." Tèa looked thoughtful. "But, guys, every time in the past someone's challanged the Pharoah, it's been the PHAROAH they were after, not Yugi."
"She's right. This is the first time anyone's been after me, ME me, rather than using me as a way to get to the Pharoah." Yugi wrapped his hands around the Puzzle, staring down at it. "What else did Diaz say?"
"Uh." Tristan boggled. "You're asking ME? We, uh, kind of had a few other things to think about at the time."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to sound snarky. Whatever he said might hold some clue, that's all."
"One way to find out." Bakura stepped to the door. "Let's ask Pegasus-- or rather, Doppleganger." He opend it, then gave a little scream as a tall form loomed over him.
"Yooooou raaaaang?" the cadaverous giant in the doorway said.
"AGH! Doppleganger, turn it off!" Bakura clutched his chest, panting. "Good heavens! I mean, yes, it's a perfect Lurch, but really-!"
"Sorry, Blondie." A violet whirlwind exactly like the Tasmanian Devil in the Warner Brothers cartoons replaced 'Lurch', resolving itself into Busby's form. "What'cha need?"
"Wow, cool," Yugi said, sitting forward to see a little better.
"Oh! Hey, Your Royal Shrimpness." Busby waved. "Just in time for lunch, which is why I'm here, the Boss sent me. But you were saying something about Diaz-?"
"You were watching when Diaz attacked Yugi," Tristan said. "What exactly did he say, do you remember?"
"Of course. You want an exact replay, or just a voiceover?"
"Stick with the voiceover. Joey might punch you out if you do too good a Diaz impersonation. Heck, I might punch you out for that matter. I owe that guy big time. We ALL do."
"Rightee-oh. Lessee here... 'Forgive me. But you took something from me once. It is only right you should, yourself, give back what was taken.' Steal soul, steal soul. Then he said, 'Little Prince, it IS you. At last. Don't be afraid. No harm will come to you. --Amos. Take us from this place.' Weird mojo, weird mojo. 'Tell the King that I will care for the Prince as if he were my own. Tell him it is useless to seek us. On the day when Isis finds Osirus, I shall be made whole-- and the King will be no more. Prepare yourselves. The Age of Chaos is upon you.' Poofity, gone."
"He DID call Yugi 'little Prince'," Tèa said. "I remember that now. And.. it's so creepy--" she shivered. "But he really seemed... affectionate. As if Yugi were someone he cared about a lot. He wanted us to let Yami know Yugi wasn't in any danger from him."
"More than that," Bakura pointed out, "someone he'd been searching for. He said ' it IS you. At last', too. That to me implies he's been looking for Yugi specifically, and probably looking for him for some time."
"But... but WHY?" Yugi shook his head. "I don't get it. What's so special about me?"
"Aside from da fact you're da nicest guy I know, an' if heart meant height you'd be about, I dunno, ten feet tall an' bulletproof?" Joey shrugged. "Beats me, Yuge."
"I don't think nice enters into it." Tristan rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe it's just me, but I get the feeling there's a lot more to it. And I don't think this is the end of it, either. We should probably be ready for more freaky stuff, and soon." He gave Yugi a half-smile. "Sorry, Yugi. I know you were hoping most of the weird stuff was over."
"Yeah..." Yugi looked down at his hands, still holding the Puzzle. "It's hard sometimes. I don't mind having the Puzzle; I don't mind having friends. That was what I always dreamed of having-- people I could trust, people that could trust in ME, no matter what. I didn't know what I'd be buying into, but... do ANY of us every really know what life's got in store for us? We just do the best we can, and try to stay true to the person we are and the people we care about. As long as I have you guys... ALL of you, and that means you too, Pharoah... I know I'll make it through." He looked up, face determined. "No matter what Diaz throws at me, I can take it."
"Way ta go!" Joey grinned and gave Yugi a high-five. "Atta boy."
"I think we've talked enough about it for right now. How about that lunch, everyone? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starving. I could REALLY go for a cheeseburger."
**********
"Aha, enter the conquering hero," Pegasus said as the group of kids walked in. "Good afternoon, Yugi."
"Pegasus." Yugi gave the man a tight little nod.
Pegasus favored him with a small wistful smile. "Would it help any if I said I was sorry? For everything?"
"Actually... it would. It does. I saw your diary... we all did." Yugi ducked his head. "I didn't mean to pry into your personal life, Mr. Pegasus. But I understand... you had your reasons. The Pharoah said you were a big help in rescuing me. That means a lot too." He crossed over to hold out a hand. "I'm willing to start over if you are."
"Absolutely." Pegasus took Yugi's hand and shook it. "Though I suppose your grandfather might take a bit more winning over."
"Yeah, I'd give it a few months for him to get used to the idea." Yugi laughed a little. "I bet Kaiba's about ready to blow his stack, though."
"Mm, I wouldn't doubt it."
"Hey, considerin' the way Peggy here cut him down when we left th' island?" Joey leaned on the top of Pegasus's head. "I tell ya, it was poetry in motion."
"Kaiba can't help it, it's just the way he is," Yugi protested as Pegasus made little shoo-ing motions at Joey, who gave him a cheesy grin in return.
"Possibly, but as for me, I think he'd be MUCH happier if he took hold of that poker in his nether regions and yanked it out," Bakura observed. "As would the rest of us-- be much happier, that is."
"You've got a point," Mai said, strolling in from the veranda. "Hi, Yugi."
"Mai!" Yugi reached over to take her hands in his for a moment. "You're here too!"
"Well, SOMEONE has to keep an eye on Joey," and Mai winked. "It's a tough job, but I'm a tough lady." She took a seat, helped herself to coffee. "So now what? This is all very pleasant, but eventually we'll have to leave this little vacation paradise. Though I've got to admit, Pegasus, this has been a refreshing chance of pace from the Monaco-Paris-New York circuit."
"Why, thank you, Mai. What you REALLY need to see, though, is the castle at Christmas. You wouldn't believe the size of the tree I can cram into the great hall."
"In your case? I'd believe anything."
"Well," Pegasus continued as everyone else sat down, "I'll be heading to New York in the next few days, to the Industrial Illusions offices there, with a quick little stop by Domino to touch base with Duke Devlin. I need to shake up a few things at my business. I think some of my employees might've gotten a bit slack during my, ah, sabbatical, let us say? Then... I believe I might just head back to the castle and try my hand at a bit of painting. As for the rest of you (if I may make a suggestion), try to get back to life as usual for a while."
"What about you, Mai?" Joey asked. "Where ya plannin' on goin' next?"
Mai smiled. "Don't you remember, Joey? You asked me over to your place for a movie night. This weekend good for you?"
"Huh?" A clatter as Joey almost upset his plate, grabbed it hastily, then stared at her. "You... you mean it?"
"Why, you chickening out on the invitation?"
"NO WAY! I mean, I'd love t'have you over, yanno, I just--" Joey's face lit up. "Mai, dat'd be great."
"Better have something good lined up for me to watch. I expect a lot out of you, Joey." Her gaze lingered on his just a heartbeat longer than it needed to-- or maybe just as long as it needed to; Joey's eyes widened, then softened, and a gentle, almost shy smile crossed his features. Everyone else at the table suddenly found the furnishings in the room immensely interesting and deserving of immediate attention.
********
The rest of winter passed without incident. There were a few tense moments at Christmas when Grandpa Motoh and Pegasus crossed paths (Pegasus simply appeared on Christmas Eve with an armload of presents, much like Ebenezer Scrooge) but by the time the evening was over the two of them were talking cards and gaming in general like old friends. The worst that happened was a resurgence of people wanting to Duel Yugi, mostly college students who'd found out the King of Games was on campus and were eager to try their luck at beating him.
Mai was a frequent visitor during that time as well, so much so that Tristan started teasing Joey about 'getting a new roomie soon', for which he earned a shirtfront of snow. It became almost commonplace to see the two of them sitting and talking together, or taking long walks in the early evening when the first stars were coming out, and if someone had been watching VERY closely they might've seen more than a few stolen kisses on those walks.
"Mai looks really happy," Yugi mused on one occasion, looking out the window as Joey said good night to Mai. "I don't think she's ever been this happy."
"I bet she hasn't." Tèa sat down by Yugi. "I think if it were me, I'd been really bored and lonely not having any real friends. I dont think I'd ever want to be really rich."
"Me either." He shifted, glanced up shyly at Tèa. "Um... Tèa..."
"What, Yugi?"
"Are you.. are YOU happy? I mean, you dreamed of going to America and being a dancer. You're still going to do that someday aren't you?"
"Maybe." Tèa looked out through the window. "Dreams are important, Yugi, but sometimes you have to choose which dream is the most important. Sometimes chasing after one dream can mean you lose the others. I don't think I want to do that." She took his hand in both of hers. "I guess it's about time we had that talk I promised you--um, sorry, promised the Pharoah."
"Talk? About what?"
"About... us." Tèa lowered her head a little. "You and I have been friends since we were in elementary school, right? We've always thought we'd be there for each other forever. Then we grew up and realized that we'd eventually go our own way. That's what usually happens, anyway. But I thought that our friendship ritual would help remind me of all the good times we had and the bond that's between us. It DOES....I'm not saying that's changed, but-- oh, gosh-- Yugi, when you were gone, and we were trying to find your soul-- I realized I wanted more than that. I didn't just want a memento of the times we had; I wanted us to go on being together. Coming to college with you wasn't just to keep us all together, for me. It was a way... of being with YOU a little while longer. I don't want to lose you. I don't EVER want to lose you."
"Tèa--" Yugi broke off, his heart pounding. "Do you-- does that mean that--"
"Yugi, I guess... I guess you've already figured out I'm in love with the Pharoah. What I'm trying to say is I'm in love with you too. It doesn't feel the same, but then you're not the same person. It's taken me this long to figure out I can love you both just as much, even if I don't feel exactly the same way about you both." Tèa dropped Yugi's hands, put her hands on either side of his face. "I really love you, Yugi Motoh, and I never, ever want to be without you." With a little smile, she leaned forward and kissed him.
It was sweet and shy, that first kiss, and if it wasn't full of a wild passion, there was an innocence and wholeheartedness that was just as wonderful in its own way. Drawing back, Tèa had to blink back tears. Nothing in her whole life had ever felt that right, and she wrapped her arms around Yugi, holding him close. "If you two think you can put up with a pushy, mouthy girl like me..." she whispered into his hair.
"You're k-kidding, right?" Yugi pushed away a little, looking up into Tèa's face. "I've only been in love with you forever, Tèa. I just didn't think..."
"Shush. Don't want to hear what you 'thinked'." She kissed him again.
"WOO WOO WOO!"
The shout made them jump apart, and Tèa glared daggers at Tris and Joey, who were leaning on the doorjamb grinning ear to ear. "How long have you two-?!"
"Long enough," Tristan said. "Mr. Wheeler, the goods, if you please?"
"But a'course, Mr. Taylor." Joey waggled a digital camera where Yugi and Tèa could see it. "Heh, ya want 8 by 10 glossies or satin finish dere?"
"KILL!" Tèa launched herself at the pair, who took off down the hall. They MIGHT have actually outdistanced her, except for a leg that emerged from a doorway ahead of them to trip Tristan, who in turn brought Joey down with him.
"Now then, gentlemen," Yami said, smirking, "what was that about 'glossies'?"
"Ahhh nuts." Tristan grimaced. "No fair, three against two."
"I see nothing whatsoever unfair in the situation. Except, of course, for one thing." Yami reached over and took hold of Tèa's wrist, tugging her to him. "You have only HALF the story recorded."
"Wha-" Tèa started to say, then found herself being dipped and kissed.
"Alllll right Pharoah! --Quick, Joey, take the pic."
"Got it." Joey snapped off a few shots, then scrambled to his feet. "Quick, Tris, let's get dese on ya computer before she snaps out of it."
As they ran off, Yami murmured, "The answer, Tèa, is 'yes'. We CAN put up with a girl like you. Most willingly, and with all our heart."
"Oh..." Tèa rested a hand on his chest. "Wow... between you and Yugi, I think I'm in trouble."
"Indeed, you may well be." Yami's smile deepened. "But I promise you, your troubles will be most enjoyable."
Tèa blushed.
MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE THAT WAS NOWHERE...
The room was dark, save for the sullen glow of a fire somewhere off to one side and a pool of light directed down at a table, around which four figures sat. The light fell full on the surface of the table, and on what appeared to be a basin of water in the center of the table, but it barely touched the figures at all.
Mirrored in the waters of the basin (if water it was, if it was a basin of water at all) was the back of the sedan. The view was centered on Yugi, but Tèa, Joey and Bakura were all at least partly visible.
"As you see," a woman's voice said, "he sleeps."
"Yes, but the other doesn't," a second voice-- a man's, slightly nasal, slightly fussy, like the sterotypical teacher that no one quite likes but is just a little too afraid of to misbehave. "It's useless to try to gain any kind of knowledge or influence now."
"Agreed," a third voice, another woman's voice, said. This speaker was younger, slightly impatient. "But what do we do in the meantime?"
"We have plans." The last speaker, an older male, still hearty. "Don't think we are leaving this all to Diaz. The stakes, as they say in this age, are too high. And he underestimates the strength of the Light."
"He's a brat," the second woman said, voice rising a trifle. "How can Yugi Motoh POSSIBLY be any threat to us? LOOK at him. He's so caught up in his own compassion he won't risk anything for fear of hurting someone. There's no backbone, no will, there at all."
"And now YOU are underestimating him." The older man again, disapproval clear in his tones. "Do you think being sundered has made the Pharoah weak? On the contrary. It was the worst possible thing that could've happened. However, so long as Yugi considers himself to be the lesser of the two, we have a chance to drive a wedge between them. Mark my words: in the day Yugi Motoh discovers his ultimate destiny, the power of the Pharoah--and of the Millenium Puzzle--will be forever beyond our reach. We must not allow that to happen, no matter what. If it necessitates our waiting another 5000 years, then we will do so."
"So why not pull Diaz out now?" First woman's voice.
"Because right now there is a good chance he can take control of the Prince and leave the King vulnerable." A hand waved over the water; it changed, this time showing a different room, where a figure bent over a computer console. "HERE is our second stumbling block."
"Kaiba?" Second man. "Kaiba is useless. He won't lift his nose from those precious computers of his long enough to see what's going on, let alone admit what's been shown to him already. Even the Pharoah's servant, Ishizu, couldn't convince him."
"True. But there is always the possibility that something will finally break down that facade of reality Kaiba clings to so fiercely. If that happens, we will have HIM to deal with as well. I do NOT want that happening."
"What of the others?" Another wave; the basic flickered through views of the others-- Joey, Tristan, Bakura, Mai, Pegasus, and Tèa last of all.
"Worrisome." The first female again. "The Pharoah's followers are increasing in number-- and in strength. And of course, they have a Maker among them now..."
"Pegasus," the second man said, with a definite note of avarice.
"Darkness take it! Who slipped up and let this happen?!" Third woman, furious now.
"Calmly," the older man answered. "We didn't 'let' anything happen. Fate drew them together. They are not a matter we should concern ourselves with too much, though. If Diaz succeeds in convincing Yugi to abandon the Pharoah, none of the others will matter. Meanwhile... our second project. How goes that?"
"The first stage is complete," the second man said, a slight note of pride entering his voice. "So far, there's a 50 percent chance of survival."
"Only 50 percent?"
"May I remind you, sir, the other attempts were failures from the first moment. This time the subjects survived. That in itself is a positive note. If all continues as I expect, we should be ready in a year."
"A year is MUCH too long!" A hand struck the tabletop as the third female stood. "By that time they could've been to Egypt ten times over and found out-!"
"I agree." Older man. "Push up the timetable. We must be ready in six months or less. We will give Diaz one last chance. If he fails in his next attempt, then we will leave him to the Pharoah's justice and proceed with our own plans."
**********
Darkness.
Warm, comforting, quiet.
Yugi stirred. With a little murmur he shifted, curling up again, vaguely aware someone was holding him. There was a heartbeat close at his ear, its rhythm soothing.
'Aibou...'
Mou hitori... Oh... Is it time to wake up now?
'Yes, young one. Wake up. All our friends are here. We've been worried.'
Worried... With an effort Yugi pushed the drowsiness away. I'm sorry...
'Don't concern yourself. Everything is all right now.'
Yugi reached up. Ah... you're crying?
'It's nothing. You are here, that's all that matters.'
Here? Have I been gone?
'I'll tell you later. For now, please, open your eyes.'
Yugi did so, though it wasn't easy. He kept wanting to slip back down into slumber. He'd been dreaming, he knew, dreams he didn't want to leave, important dreams. Rolling his head to the left, he saw Tèa seated in a chair by his bedside, dozing. Around the room the rest of his friends--Bakura, Joey, Tristan-- were similarly draped over various pieces of furniture. How long? he asked. And where am I? This doesn't look like home.
'A day and a half.' Yami appeared and perched on the side of the mattress. 'And this is Pegasus's home in Nevada.'
Nevada?! No way! What are we doing here? What happened at the tournament?!
'We... left the tournament. Something happened that required our resigning.'
You... resigned...? Quit? YOU?!
Yami sighed. 'Someone at the tournament stole your soul. We had to leave to find you. All told, from the moment you were taken from us to now is almost five days.' Quickly Yami sketched out the details.
When he was done Yugi just put his head down on his knees for a moment. "I don't remember any of it..."
"Mm..?" Tèa stirred. "Yugi!" Immediately she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh God, you're awake!"
"MMMFH!" Yugi flailed his arms, gasping. "Tèa, too... tight..."
"Sorry..." Tèa loosened up a little, gently brushing back Yugi's bangs to look into his face. "You scared us half to death, you know." Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to his forehead. "You scared ME half to death, anyway." She laughed a little. "Guess I'd better wake up the others so they can see you're all right. If I don't, I think Joey and Tristan would throw me off the nearest skyscraper." Reaching back, Tèa thumped Joey on the leg with a fist. "Hey, Snoring Guy, wake up."
"M'not snorin'," mumbled Joey, opening an eye. "J'st ask Yuge dere if I sn-- YUGI!" He catapulted himself out of the chair and all but teleported across the room, grabbing Yugi up in a fierce bear hug.
"ACKKK!" Yugi flailed again. "Joey... air... would be... nice-!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry about dat, bud." Joey let go, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Yuge, man...." he awkwardly rubbed his face with the back of one hand. "Gotta warn ya, dis desert air really chokes up a guy..."
"Joey... cut it out." Yugi swiped at his own face, not bothering to make excuses for the tears at the corners of his eyes. "I'm glad to see you too. Is everyone here? Is everyone safe?"
"Yeah, we're all hunky dory. Kinda wish ya coulda seen it though. We opened a whole case a' whipa-- uh, buttkicking, yeah, dat's it, buttkicking-- on some security goons, me an' da Pharoah. Even Peggy was laying down some real cool moves, kinda that Shaolin monk stick stuff."
"Peggy?!" Yugi said, incredulous. "Are we talking about--"
"That would be Maximilian Pegasus, yes," Bakura confirmed from across the room. "Hallo, Yugi, welcome back."
"Thanks, I think. I mean, as far as I knew I didn't GO anywhere, but from what the Pharoah says, I guess... I guess I sort caused everyone a lot of trouble."
"Skip it." Tristan said, lazily waving a hand in mid-air. "No apologies, Yugi. You didn't have anything to do with it; you were the victim, remember? No apologies. We just did what we do best-- stick together."
Yugi nodded, giving Tristan a smile. "Right. Okay. This is Nevada, right?"
"Pegasus's home, yes." Bakura stood stretching. "Your kidnappers--"
"Casino, right. The Pharoah explained that to me."
"Don't suppose you remember anything that might be helpful? Such as, why they wanted you in the first place?"
"Sorry..." Yugi shook his head. "I... I remember dreaming... I think I was asleep, somehow, or maybe in some kind of trance that was LIKE sleeping. But I can't remember what I was dreaming about now. I get the feeling it was important, though, and it's making me a little nuts because I DON'T remember."
'Don't struggle too hard to recall it. Hopefully if what you say is true, the knowledge will re-surface on its own in time, when something jogs your memory.'
I'll try. But that's sort of like a purple cow.
'...A what?'
A purple cow-- oh, right. Okay. I challenge you to a game. For the next ten seconds, don't think of a purple cow, all right? You absolutely can't think of a purple cow or you lose. Got it? -GO! ...Well, did you? I bet you did.
Yami scowled.
That's what I meant. The thing you try hardest not to think about is the one that you almost CAN'T stop thinking about.
'Point taken. But if you have nightmares about purple cows, don't blame me.'
"Hmmm.... how about this." Tristan also stood, grabbing a chair from a desk at one end of the room and dragging it over to sit on it backwards, leaning his arms across the backrest. "Yugi, what do you know about Egyptian holidays?"
"Oo, that's right!" Bakura smacked his forehead. "Diaz said something much earlier about Isis and Osirus, didn't he? I think you asked about that earlier too."
"Yeah, Busby brought it up. Um, 'Busby' equals Doppleganger, Yugi. Apparently he kind of hangs out in the real world with Pegasus. Sort of his majordomo, man at arms, general gofer, that kind of thing. --Anyway. The 'day when Isis finds Osirus'-- mean anything to you?"
"Let me think..." Yugi frowned. "It's definitely a holy day in the Egyptian calendar, I remember that much. I THINK it has to do with the whole story of Osirus's rebirth. See, Osirus was killed by his brother Set and cut up into pieces--"
"Jeeeeez, nice guy, huh, real sibling rivalry dere," Joey quipped.
"And Isis, who was Osirus's... uh, I'm not sure if she was his wife then or not, I'm a little shaky on that part of the myth... but Isis searched for the parts of Osirus and brought them back together, and healed him by use of her magic. Isis was supposed to be the most powerful mage in the world at that point, you see. The only thing she couldn't do was bring him back to life because his soul had already passed on. So he became the god of the afterlife at that point, and his son, Horus, sort of took over running the world of men. Horus was also sometimes known as Ra, the sun god. I think that's also when Isis became a goddess; because of her devotion to Osirus, she was bestowed with divine status. It was sort of an analogy of the cycle of the seasons-- the harvest and growing seasons were tied to the flooding of the Nile, you know."
"So the day when she found him would be the day she found his pieces parts and put 'em back together, maybe?"
"I guess so." Yugi nibbled his lower lip. "If I remember right, that was celebrated in... either the beginning or middle of our month of November."
"So whatever Diaz meant about his being 'made whole' had something to do with that particular date, which may or may not have already passed." Bakura folded his arms and paced up and down. "But that's a dreadful coincidence, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" Tristan shrugged. "I don't follow you, Bakura."
"Well, why exactly would Diaz make that particular statement? Drawing on Egyptian mythology, I mean. After all, 'Diaz Russio' doesn't sound like a very Egyptian name. To my way of thinking, either it had some particular significance to him, or he thought it would have some significance to the only person among us that has an Egyptian bent... the Pharoah."
"It ain't like he din't already know about da Pharoah," Joey pointed out. "I mean, he knew about Yuge's whole magic whatziz bond with him, right?"
"Yeah..." Tèa looked thoughtful. "But, guys, every time in the past someone's challanged the Pharoah, it's been the PHAROAH they were after, not Yugi."
"She's right. This is the first time anyone's been after me, ME me, rather than using me as a way to get to the Pharoah." Yugi wrapped his hands around the Puzzle, staring down at it. "What else did Diaz say?"
"Uh." Tristan boggled. "You're asking ME? We, uh, kind of had a few other things to think about at the time."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to sound snarky. Whatever he said might hold some clue, that's all."
"One way to find out." Bakura stepped to the door. "Let's ask Pegasus-- or rather, Doppleganger." He opend it, then gave a little scream as a tall form loomed over him.
"Yooooou raaaaang?" the cadaverous giant in the doorway said.
"AGH! Doppleganger, turn it off!" Bakura clutched his chest, panting. "Good heavens! I mean, yes, it's a perfect Lurch, but really-!"
"Sorry, Blondie." A violet whirlwind exactly like the Tasmanian Devil in the Warner Brothers cartoons replaced 'Lurch', resolving itself into Busby's form. "What'cha need?"
"Wow, cool," Yugi said, sitting forward to see a little better.
"Oh! Hey, Your Royal Shrimpness." Busby waved. "Just in time for lunch, which is why I'm here, the Boss sent me. But you were saying something about Diaz-?"
"You were watching when Diaz attacked Yugi," Tristan said. "What exactly did he say, do you remember?"
"Of course. You want an exact replay, or just a voiceover?"
"Stick with the voiceover. Joey might punch you out if you do too good a Diaz impersonation. Heck, I might punch you out for that matter. I owe that guy big time. We ALL do."
"Rightee-oh. Lessee here... 'Forgive me. But you took something from me once. It is only right you should, yourself, give back what was taken.' Steal soul, steal soul. Then he said, 'Little Prince, it IS you. At last. Don't be afraid. No harm will come to you. --Amos. Take us from this place.' Weird mojo, weird mojo. 'Tell the King that I will care for the Prince as if he were my own. Tell him it is useless to seek us. On the day when Isis finds Osirus, I shall be made whole-- and the King will be no more. Prepare yourselves. The Age of Chaos is upon you.' Poofity, gone."
"He DID call Yugi 'little Prince'," Tèa said. "I remember that now. And.. it's so creepy--" she shivered. "But he really seemed... affectionate. As if Yugi were someone he cared about a lot. He wanted us to let Yami know Yugi wasn't in any danger from him."
"More than that," Bakura pointed out, "someone he'd been searching for. He said ' it IS you. At last', too. That to me implies he's been looking for Yugi specifically, and probably looking for him for some time."
"But... but WHY?" Yugi shook his head. "I don't get it. What's so special about me?"
"Aside from da fact you're da nicest guy I know, an' if heart meant height you'd be about, I dunno, ten feet tall an' bulletproof?" Joey shrugged. "Beats me, Yuge."
"I don't think nice enters into it." Tristan rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe it's just me, but I get the feeling there's a lot more to it. And I don't think this is the end of it, either. We should probably be ready for more freaky stuff, and soon." He gave Yugi a half-smile. "Sorry, Yugi. I know you were hoping most of the weird stuff was over."
"Yeah..." Yugi looked down at his hands, still holding the Puzzle. "It's hard sometimes. I don't mind having the Puzzle; I don't mind having friends. That was what I always dreamed of having-- people I could trust, people that could trust in ME, no matter what. I didn't know what I'd be buying into, but... do ANY of us every really know what life's got in store for us? We just do the best we can, and try to stay true to the person we are and the people we care about. As long as I have you guys... ALL of you, and that means you too, Pharoah... I know I'll make it through." He looked up, face determined. "No matter what Diaz throws at me, I can take it."
"Way ta go!" Joey grinned and gave Yugi a high-five. "Atta boy."
"I think we've talked enough about it for right now. How about that lunch, everyone? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starving. I could REALLY go for a cheeseburger."
**********
"Aha, enter the conquering hero," Pegasus said as the group of kids walked in. "Good afternoon, Yugi."
"Pegasus." Yugi gave the man a tight little nod.
Pegasus favored him with a small wistful smile. "Would it help any if I said I was sorry? For everything?"
"Actually... it would. It does. I saw your diary... we all did." Yugi ducked his head. "I didn't mean to pry into your personal life, Mr. Pegasus. But I understand... you had your reasons. The Pharoah said you were a big help in rescuing me. That means a lot too." He crossed over to hold out a hand. "I'm willing to start over if you are."
"Absolutely." Pegasus took Yugi's hand and shook it. "Though I suppose your grandfather might take a bit more winning over."
"Yeah, I'd give it a few months for him to get used to the idea." Yugi laughed a little. "I bet Kaiba's about ready to blow his stack, though."
"Mm, I wouldn't doubt it."
"Hey, considerin' the way Peggy here cut him down when we left th' island?" Joey leaned on the top of Pegasus's head. "I tell ya, it was poetry in motion."
"Kaiba can't help it, it's just the way he is," Yugi protested as Pegasus made little shoo-ing motions at Joey, who gave him a cheesy grin in return.
"Possibly, but as for me, I think he'd be MUCH happier if he took hold of that poker in his nether regions and yanked it out," Bakura observed. "As would the rest of us-- be much happier, that is."
"You've got a point," Mai said, strolling in from the veranda. "Hi, Yugi."
"Mai!" Yugi reached over to take her hands in his for a moment. "You're here too!"
"Well, SOMEONE has to keep an eye on Joey," and Mai winked. "It's a tough job, but I'm a tough lady." She took a seat, helped herself to coffee. "So now what? This is all very pleasant, but eventually we'll have to leave this little vacation paradise. Though I've got to admit, Pegasus, this has been a refreshing chance of pace from the Monaco-Paris-New York circuit."
"Why, thank you, Mai. What you REALLY need to see, though, is the castle at Christmas. You wouldn't believe the size of the tree I can cram into the great hall."
"In your case? I'd believe anything."
"Well," Pegasus continued as everyone else sat down, "I'll be heading to New York in the next few days, to the Industrial Illusions offices there, with a quick little stop by Domino to touch base with Duke Devlin. I need to shake up a few things at my business. I think some of my employees might've gotten a bit slack during my, ah, sabbatical, let us say? Then... I believe I might just head back to the castle and try my hand at a bit of painting. As for the rest of you (if I may make a suggestion), try to get back to life as usual for a while."
"What about you, Mai?" Joey asked. "Where ya plannin' on goin' next?"
Mai smiled. "Don't you remember, Joey? You asked me over to your place for a movie night. This weekend good for you?"
"Huh?" A clatter as Joey almost upset his plate, grabbed it hastily, then stared at her. "You... you mean it?"
"Why, you chickening out on the invitation?"
"NO WAY! I mean, I'd love t'have you over, yanno, I just--" Joey's face lit up. "Mai, dat'd be great."
"Better have something good lined up for me to watch. I expect a lot out of you, Joey." Her gaze lingered on his just a heartbeat longer than it needed to-- or maybe just as long as it needed to; Joey's eyes widened, then softened, and a gentle, almost shy smile crossed his features. Everyone else at the table suddenly found the furnishings in the room immensely interesting and deserving of immediate attention.
********
The rest of winter passed without incident. There were a few tense moments at Christmas when Grandpa Motoh and Pegasus crossed paths (Pegasus simply appeared on Christmas Eve with an armload of presents, much like Ebenezer Scrooge) but by the time the evening was over the two of them were talking cards and gaming in general like old friends. The worst that happened was a resurgence of people wanting to Duel Yugi, mostly college students who'd found out the King of Games was on campus and were eager to try their luck at beating him.
Mai was a frequent visitor during that time as well, so much so that Tristan started teasing Joey about 'getting a new roomie soon', for which he earned a shirtfront of snow. It became almost commonplace to see the two of them sitting and talking together, or taking long walks in the early evening when the first stars were coming out, and if someone had been watching VERY closely they might've seen more than a few stolen kisses on those walks.
"Mai looks really happy," Yugi mused on one occasion, looking out the window as Joey said good night to Mai. "I don't think she's ever been this happy."
"I bet she hasn't." Tèa sat down by Yugi. "I think if it were me, I'd been really bored and lonely not having any real friends. I dont think I'd ever want to be really rich."
"Me either." He shifted, glanced up shyly at Tèa. "Um... Tèa..."
"What, Yugi?"
"Are you.. are YOU happy? I mean, you dreamed of going to America and being a dancer. You're still going to do that someday aren't you?"
"Maybe." Tèa looked out through the window. "Dreams are important, Yugi, but sometimes you have to choose which dream is the most important. Sometimes chasing after one dream can mean you lose the others. I don't think I want to do that." She took his hand in both of hers. "I guess it's about time we had that talk I promised you--um, sorry, promised the Pharoah."
"Talk? About what?"
"About... us." Tèa lowered her head a little. "You and I have been friends since we were in elementary school, right? We've always thought we'd be there for each other forever. Then we grew up and realized that we'd eventually go our own way. That's what usually happens, anyway. But I thought that our friendship ritual would help remind me of all the good times we had and the bond that's between us. It DOES....I'm not saying that's changed, but-- oh, gosh-- Yugi, when you were gone, and we were trying to find your soul-- I realized I wanted more than that. I didn't just want a memento of the times we had; I wanted us to go on being together. Coming to college with you wasn't just to keep us all together, for me. It was a way... of being with YOU a little while longer. I don't want to lose you. I don't EVER want to lose you."
"Tèa--" Yugi broke off, his heart pounding. "Do you-- does that mean that--"
"Yugi, I guess... I guess you've already figured out I'm in love with the Pharoah. What I'm trying to say is I'm in love with you too. It doesn't feel the same, but then you're not the same person. It's taken me this long to figure out I can love you both just as much, even if I don't feel exactly the same way about you both." Tèa dropped Yugi's hands, put her hands on either side of his face. "I really love you, Yugi Motoh, and I never, ever want to be without you." With a little smile, she leaned forward and kissed him.
It was sweet and shy, that first kiss, and if it wasn't full of a wild passion, there was an innocence and wholeheartedness that was just as wonderful in its own way. Drawing back, Tèa had to blink back tears. Nothing in her whole life had ever felt that right, and she wrapped her arms around Yugi, holding him close. "If you two think you can put up with a pushy, mouthy girl like me..." she whispered into his hair.
"You're k-kidding, right?" Yugi pushed away a little, looking up into Tèa's face. "I've only been in love with you forever, Tèa. I just didn't think..."
"Shush. Don't want to hear what you 'thinked'." She kissed him again.
"WOO WOO WOO!"
The shout made them jump apart, and Tèa glared daggers at Tris and Joey, who were leaning on the doorjamb grinning ear to ear. "How long have you two-?!"
"Long enough," Tristan said. "Mr. Wheeler, the goods, if you please?"
"But a'course, Mr. Taylor." Joey waggled a digital camera where Yugi and Tèa could see it. "Heh, ya want 8 by 10 glossies or satin finish dere?"
"KILL!" Tèa launched herself at the pair, who took off down the hall. They MIGHT have actually outdistanced her, except for a leg that emerged from a doorway ahead of them to trip Tristan, who in turn brought Joey down with him.
"Now then, gentlemen," Yami said, smirking, "what was that about 'glossies'?"
"Ahhh nuts." Tristan grimaced. "No fair, three against two."
"I see nothing whatsoever unfair in the situation. Except, of course, for one thing." Yami reached over and took hold of Tèa's wrist, tugging her to him. "You have only HALF the story recorded."
"Wha-" Tèa started to say, then found herself being dipped and kissed.
"Alllll right Pharoah! --Quick, Joey, take the pic."
"Got it." Joey snapped off a few shots, then scrambled to his feet. "Quick, Tris, let's get dese on ya computer before she snaps out of it."
As they ran off, Yami murmured, "The answer, Tèa, is 'yes'. We CAN put up with a girl like you. Most willingly, and with all our heart."
"Oh..." Tèa rested a hand on his chest. "Wow... between you and Yugi, I think I'm in trouble."
"Indeed, you may well be." Yami's smile deepened. "But I promise you, your troubles will be most enjoyable."
Tèa blushed.