November 24th: - 1999 words
Atem hadn’t realised how much they’d come to rely on Harry as a relay for the mind link until he wasn’t there to bridge the gap between their minds while Yugi wasn’t wearing the Puzzle.
Without Harry to act as a rely, the link was practically nonexistent while Yugi wasn’t wearing the Puzzle, a fact that, once, had been first and foremost in the minds of the Pharaoh and his reincarnation, especially after the fire in the warehouse, when the Puzzle had stolen and Yugi had nearly died reclaiming it, and using only the incredibly tenuous connection to his hikari, Atem couldn’t even tell if Yugi was still alive, yet alone if he was hurt or in danger.
A gold glint caught his eye and he looked down, only to realise that it was only sunlight glinting off of the Millennium Puzzle, something he would have been used to in Egypt. He sighed as his fingers traced the Puzzle’s eye of Anubis, where once he would have been completely comfortable with wearing the item, and even now, on occasion, had moments where a stray thought from his ancient self would pass through his mind that he should be the one wearing it even though Yugi had held it for much longer than he ever had, the weight of the Puzzle just reminded him of his failure to protect the other half of his soul during the fight at the Game Shop and his continuing failure to be of any help now.
He couldn’t have known what pulling Mahado away from the search could have cost them, couldn’t have known that Mahado had managed to trace the path that Yugi’s attackers had taken through the shadows, but had barely been holding onto that trace when he’d been summoned by an impatient, sick Pharaoh who had been too stubborn to admit when he should have stayed at home.
Now the route was lost and any chance they had at finding Yugi was gone.
There was no way Medan would stay where he was, not now that they knew where his camp was, staying at the ruins was just asking for trouble. Atem had thought about using the beacon that hung around his neck, the only thing he would wear that could possibly tangle with the chain of the Puzzle, but unless Yugi activated his, his wouldn’t be much use as it wouldn’t work.
They were heading towards the ruins anyway, hoping that either they hadn’t moved yet or there was someone or something that could help them work out where they’d gone.
Atem staggered as something shattered, losing his footing and only avoiding meeting the ground because Subhan, the blue Dark Magician whose card rested in Yugi’s deck, caught him before it could happen.
“Are you alright, my Pharaoh?” He asked, concern in his tone as Atem righted himself, confused as to what had happened.
“Yes.” Atem nodded, confused as to what had just happened, looking around to see if he could see what had broken and noting that, even as Mahado was still aggravated at him, his sudden weakness had brought him a concerned look from his old friend, especially considering that, with the link they shared, Mahado would have known what he’d just felt, “I am fine.”
Mahado frowned slightly, but watched as Subhan nodded and moved away from the teenager, watching him carefully, afraid he might fall again.
He wasn’t the only one watching over the Pharaoh, Mahado realised as he watched the group of Duel Monsters, those who had followed them back to the camp, instead of heading for the palace, everyone was, in some way, shape or form looking out for him, concerned, just as he was, for the safety of the King.
Kisara let out a roar, one of welcome, not of challenge, and two voices answered her, another of her kind and one Atem knew rather well.
“I believe Tobias found us.” Atem commented dryly as he looked up and spotted the Red Eyes Black Dragon through the foliage.
“One of Kisara’s sisters too.” Mahado nodded, having heard the second Blue Eyes White Dragon clearly, just as the rest of them had.
“Hey Atem!” Atem looked skyward, surprised as a voice called down to him, a human one...
“Joey?” He bellowed back, hoping his voice would carry well enough that he could be heard.
“The one and only.” Atem snorted at Joey’s tone, easily able to imagine the look on his friend’s face, “Guess who else joined the party?!”
Atem frowned slightly, wondering who it could be... or what...
“Oh, by the way, check your beacon!” Joey shouted down to him.
Atem’s eyes widened and he pulled the small black disc out from underneath his black top. On it a small purple arrow was pulsing, pointing towards Medan’s camp. “Yugi activated his beacon.” Atem breathed, relief coursing through him.
“He did?” Mahado asked, coming over to look, having seen the small pendants before but having never seen them in action, though he was aware of what they were and how they worked since Mana had helped Kari do the research for them.
Atem nodded, “We’re heading the right way. These will lead us straight to him.”
Neither of them mentioned the fact that it would work only as long as Yugi was still wearing it.
Far above them but heading in the same direction, Tobias fell into the slipstream of the two more powerful dragons, watching as Kisara lambasted Elise only for Kaiba to interrupt.
When Hermione had gone back to the human world for a while, Seto had sent Mokuba back with her but, when offered a lift back, had refused, stating that Yugi wasn’t allowed to just up and vanish on him until after Seto had defeated him.
It was laughable that Kaiba thought he had to hide the fact he wanted to help Yugi.
Joey knew full damn well that, while Kaiba mostly liked Joey because his buttons were easy to push and Seto found it amusing to snap back when Joey bit in response to Seto’s prodding and Atem was considered Kaiba’s rival, Seto tended to treat Yugi with an odd combination of the respect he gave Atem and the trust he put in Mokuba, possibly because of the way Yugi had always treated him with respect and with attempts at friendship.
Attempts that before Kari and before Hogwarts had been blown off... Both had changed a lot of things.
“Hey Tobias, could you give Mahado the heads up that Kaiba’s with us?” Joey asked his partner monster.
I already have. Tobias sent back, amusement obvious. When you shouted down to the Pharaoh, I figured that even if you plan on springing Kaiba on the Pharaoh, Mahado should probably know about the third Duellist.
“Heh.” Joey snorted, amused. “What’s the importance of having Duellists with you anyway? Beyond the obvious fact that we’re awesome?”
Tobias snorted, amused at his Duellist’s grandstanding, well aware it was a front to cover the fact Joey was worried, You Duellists have an advantage over us. We can’t use the sorts of spells and traps you can. Even Spellcaster types have trouble pulling off some of the spells you can pull from your deck.
“I can’t...”
You don’t need Shadow magic to pull those stunts off here. Not that I doubt you’ll have any trouble doing it in your world now the Shadows are loose, but here it’ll be as easy as breathing.
“And yet you can’t do it.” Joey caught sight of Kaiba, who was on Elise’s back, repeatedly glancing at Kisara.
We lack the ability to do so, yes.
“So how do you know we can do it?” The blonde risked taking a hand off of Tobias’s ridges to run a hand through his hair, before holding on tightly again, disliking heights tremendously and only running the risk of flying because his friend was in danger.
We’ve had Duellists here before, or their equivalent anyway. Tobias informed him.
“Oh...” Joey thought about the answer. A question popped into his mind that he wasn’t sure he liked but felt he had to ask. “Tobias... how many Duellists have you had?”
Two. Tobias replied quickly, Just you and that child that held my card before you got it. I don’t remember his name, he didn’t hold it long.
Joey snorted, amused. “And have you worked with many people? Before there were Duellists I mean?”
I’m quite young. For a Duel Monster. Tobias shook his head, I’m only about a hundred years old. I’m not the only Red Eyes though and the eldest of us was actually the Ka beast of your pre-incarnation.
“Seriously?” The surprise carried over into Joey’s tone and caused Tobias to chuckle.
Seriously. He didn’t want me to mention it though, since you seemed happy with me as your partner and you had no interest in your former self.
“Hey, just because I like who I am now, doesn’t mean that, considering all this stuff that’s happened, I wouldn’t like to know more about my ancient self, especially since he was as good at kicking ass as I am.”
Tobias let out the draconic version of a laugh. Nen was and is very good at that. He allowed, Perhaps the pair of you should meet, once Prince Yugi is home safely.
“You shouldn’t call him that.” Joey commented out, “Yugi doesn’t like it when people treat him differently.”
Yugi is Yugi but he is the heir. Tobias stated. When Atem leaves Yugi will be King and the Shadows will be his to rule.
“Wait what?” Joey demanded.
When Atem fell during the memory world, Zorc freed the Shadows in what some Duel Monsters call the Day of Darkness. Even though Yugi saved Atem, the Shadows are still free and though they do not hunger as much without Zorc drawing on them, someone will need to keep them and anyone that can use them in check, that is the duty of the Pharaoh.
“Who told you that?”
That is what legend states.
“Man... tough job.”
It is. Tobias sounded hesitant, as if there was more to say but he didn’t know how to say it. The ruined castle came into sight in the distance, cutting off the conversation. We’re nearly there.
Joey nodded, realising belatedly that Tobias couldn’t see it.
“We shouldn’t go too far ahead of the others, unless you think we can take an entire camp of Duel Monsters on our own...?”
We do have Kisara and Elise...
Kaiba glanced over his shoulder at him, giving him a considering look.
Kisara says her Duellist wants to know if you plan on attempting to soften them up for when the Pharaoh gets here. Tobias told his Duellist,
“How long before Atem and the others catch up?” Joey asked, considering it.
About an hour.
“Not yet.” Joey shook his head and Kaiba nodded, understanding. “Tell Kisara that I’d rather try it when we have backup close. I don’t want us going in now, only for them to hurt Yuge cause we have no one on the ground.”
Tobias nodded and passed the message along, before snorting. She gets it. She also mentioned something about you doing something smart for a change.
“Hey!”
Tobias chuckled. I know somewhere close that we can land.
“Take us there.” Joey nodded, wanting to invade the camp now and only refraining from doing so because he wasn’t sure if the three of them could take the sheer volume of creatures he’d seen there before and he didn’t want to risk them using Yugi as a shield against them.
We’ll be back for him, Joey. Tobias promised. But we can’t do it alone.
Kaiba looked over his shoulder at him, an odd expression on his face and Joey didn’t know what he... oh...
Kaiba expected him to go in, guns blazing, no matter how bad it looked and rely on luck to get them all out safely... to be fair that had kind of been Joey’s plan and the random chance thing had always worked in his favour before...
“Oi! Rich-boy!” Joey bellowed to Kaiba who gave him an irritated look, “You go back to Atem and tell him I’m going to do a fly over.”
Kaiba gave him a disbelieving look.
Joey just smirked, “You can come with me.” He invited, well aware that Kaiba enjoyed blasting weak monsters as much as Joey enjoyed beating up thugs.
“Someone has to make sure you stay out of trouble, Mutt.” Kaiba bellowed back.
Joey just smirked as Kisara changed direction, getting ready to make a pass of the camp.
It was days like today that made Joey wonder just how different he and Kaiba really were...
Without Harry to act as a rely, the link was practically nonexistent while Yugi wasn’t wearing the Puzzle, a fact that, once, had been first and foremost in the minds of the Pharaoh and his reincarnation, especially after the fire in the warehouse, when the Puzzle had stolen and Yugi had nearly died reclaiming it, and using only the incredibly tenuous connection to his hikari, Atem couldn’t even tell if Yugi was still alive, yet alone if he was hurt or in danger.
A gold glint caught his eye and he looked down, only to realise that it was only sunlight glinting off of the Millennium Puzzle, something he would have been used to in Egypt. He sighed as his fingers traced the Puzzle’s eye of Anubis, where once he would have been completely comfortable with wearing the item, and even now, on occasion, had moments where a stray thought from his ancient self would pass through his mind that he should be the one wearing it even though Yugi had held it for much longer than he ever had, the weight of the Puzzle just reminded him of his failure to protect the other half of his soul during the fight at the Game Shop and his continuing failure to be of any help now.
He couldn’t have known what pulling Mahado away from the search could have cost them, couldn’t have known that Mahado had managed to trace the path that Yugi’s attackers had taken through the shadows, but had barely been holding onto that trace when he’d been summoned by an impatient, sick Pharaoh who had been too stubborn to admit when he should have stayed at home.
Now the route was lost and any chance they had at finding Yugi was gone.
There was no way Medan would stay where he was, not now that they knew where his camp was, staying at the ruins was just asking for trouble. Atem had thought about using the beacon that hung around his neck, the only thing he would wear that could possibly tangle with the chain of the Puzzle, but unless Yugi activated his, his wouldn’t be much use as it wouldn’t work.
They were heading towards the ruins anyway, hoping that either they hadn’t moved yet or there was someone or something that could help them work out where they’d gone.
Atem staggered as something shattered, losing his footing and only avoiding meeting the ground because Subhan, the blue Dark Magician whose card rested in Yugi’s deck, caught him before it could happen.
“Are you alright, my Pharaoh?” He asked, concern in his tone as Atem righted himself, confused as to what had happened.
“Yes.” Atem nodded, confused as to what had just happened, looking around to see if he could see what had broken and noting that, even as Mahado was still aggravated at him, his sudden weakness had brought him a concerned look from his old friend, especially considering that, with the link they shared, Mahado would have known what he’d just felt, “I am fine.”
Mahado frowned slightly, but watched as Subhan nodded and moved away from the teenager, watching him carefully, afraid he might fall again.
He wasn’t the only one watching over the Pharaoh, Mahado realised as he watched the group of Duel Monsters, those who had followed them back to the camp, instead of heading for the palace, everyone was, in some way, shape or form looking out for him, concerned, just as he was, for the safety of the King.
Kisara let out a roar, one of welcome, not of challenge, and two voices answered her, another of her kind and one Atem knew rather well.
“I believe Tobias found us.” Atem commented dryly as he looked up and spotted the Red Eyes Black Dragon through the foliage.
“One of Kisara’s sisters too.” Mahado nodded, having heard the second Blue Eyes White Dragon clearly, just as the rest of them had.
“Hey Atem!” Atem looked skyward, surprised as a voice called down to him, a human one...
“Joey?” He bellowed back, hoping his voice would carry well enough that he could be heard.
“The one and only.” Atem snorted at Joey’s tone, easily able to imagine the look on his friend’s face, “Guess who else joined the party?!”
Atem frowned slightly, wondering who it could be... or what...
“Oh, by the way, check your beacon!” Joey shouted down to him.
Atem’s eyes widened and he pulled the small black disc out from underneath his black top. On it a small purple arrow was pulsing, pointing towards Medan’s camp. “Yugi activated his beacon.” Atem breathed, relief coursing through him.
“He did?” Mahado asked, coming over to look, having seen the small pendants before but having never seen them in action, though he was aware of what they were and how they worked since Mana had helped Kari do the research for them.
Atem nodded, “We’re heading the right way. These will lead us straight to him.”
Neither of them mentioned the fact that it would work only as long as Yugi was still wearing it.
Far above them but heading in the same direction, Tobias fell into the slipstream of the two more powerful dragons, watching as Kisara lambasted Elise only for Kaiba to interrupt.
When Hermione had gone back to the human world for a while, Seto had sent Mokuba back with her but, when offered a lift back, had refused, stating that Yugi wasn’t allowed to just up and vanish on him until after Seto had defeated him.
It was laughable that Kaiba thought he had to hide the fact he wanted to help Yugi.
Joey knew full damn well that, while Kaiba mostly liked Joey because his buttons were easy to push and Seto found it amusing to snap back when Joey bit in response to Seto’s prodding and Atem was considered Kaiba’s rival, Seto tended to treat Yugi with an odd combination of the respect he gave Atem and the trust he put in Mokuba, possibly because of the way Yugi had always treated him with respect and with attempts at friendship.
Attempts that before Kari and before Hogwarts had been blown off... Both had changed a lot of things.
“Hey Tobias, could you give Mahado the heads up that Kaiba’s with us?” Joey asked his partner monster.
I already have. Tobias sent back, amusement obvious. When you shouted down to the Pharaoh, I figured that even if you plan on springing Kaiba on the Pharaoh, Mahado should probably know about the third Duellist.
“Heh.” Joey snorted, amused. “What’s the importance of having Duellists with you anyway? Beyond the obvious fact that we’re awesome?”
Tobias snorted, amused at his Duellist’s grandstanding, well aware it was a front to cover the fact Joey was worried, You Duellists have an advantage over us. We can’t use the sorts of spells and traps you can. Even Spellcaster types have trouble pulling off some of the spells you can pull from your deck.
“I can’t...”
You don’t need Shadow magic to pull those stunts off here. Not that I doubt you’ll have any trouble doing it in your world now the Shadows are loose, but here it’ll be as easy as breathing.
“And yet you can’t do it.” Joey caught sight of Kaiba, who was on Elise’s back, repeatedly glancing at Kisara.
We lack the ability to do so, yes.
“So how do you know we can do it?” The blonde risked taking a hand off of Tobias’s ridges to run a hand through his hair, before holding on tightly again, disliking heights tremendously and only running the risk of flying because his friend was in danger.
We’ve had Duellists here before, or their equivalent anyway. Tobias informed him.
“Oh...” Joey thought about the answer. A question popped into his mind that he wasn’t sure he liked but felt he had to ask. “Tobias... how many Duellists have you had?”
Two. Tobias replied quickly, Just you and that child that held my card before you got it. I don’t remember his name, he didn’t hold it long.
Joey snorted, amused. “And have you worked with many people? Before there were Duellists I mean?”
I’m quite young. For a Duel Monster. Tobias shook his head, I’m only about a hundred years old. I’m not the only Red Eyes though and the eldest of us was actually the Ka beast of your pre-incarnation.
“Seriously?” The surprise carried over into Joey’s tone and caused Tobias to chuckle.
Seriously. He didn’t want me to mention it though, since you seemed happy with me as your partner and you had no interest in your former self.
“Hey, just because I like who I am now, doesn’t mean that, considering all this stuff that’s happened, I wouldn’t like to know more about my ancient self, especially since he was as good at kicking ass as I am.”
Tobias let out the draconic version of a laugh. Nen was and is very good at that. He allowed, Perhaps the pair of you should meet, once Prince Yugi is home safely.
“You shouldn’t call him that.” Joey commented out, “Yugi doesn’t like it when people treat him differently.”
Yugi is Yugi but he is the heir. Tobias stated. When Atem leaves Yugi will be King and the Shadows will be his to rule.
“Wait what?” Joey demanded.
When Atem fell during the memory world, Zorc freed the Shadows in what some Duel Monsters call the Day of Darkness. Even though Yugi saved Atem, the Shadows are still free and though they do not hunger as much without Zorc drawing on them, someone will need to keep them and anyone that can use them in check, that is the duty of the Pharaoh.
“Who told you that?”
That is what legend states.
“Man... tough job.”
It is. Tobias sounded hesitant, as if there was more to say but he didn’t know how to say it. The ruined castle came into sight in the distance, cutting off the conversation. We’re nearly there.
Joey nodded, realising belatedly that Tobias couldn’t see it.
“We shouldn’t go too far ahead of the others, unless you think we can take an entire camp of Duel Monsters on our own...?”
We do have Kisara and Elise...
Kaiba glanced over his shoulder at him, giving him a considering look.
Kisara says her Duellist wants to know if you plan on attempting to soften them up for when the Pharaoh gets here. Tobias told his Duellist,
“How long before Atem and the others catch up?” Joey asked, considering it.
About an hour.
“Not yet.” Joey shook his head and Kaiba nodded, understanding. “Tell Kisara that I’d rather try it when we have backup close. I don’t want us going in now, only for them to hurt Yuge cause we have no one on the ground.”
Tobias nodded and passed the message along, before snorting. She gets it. She also mentioned something about you doing something smart for a change.
“Hey!”
Tobias chuckled. I know somewhere close that we can land.
“Take us there.” Joey nodded, wanting to invade the camp now and only refraining from doing so because he wasn’t sure if the three of them could take the sheer volume of creatures he’d seen there before and he didn’t want to risk them using Yugi as a shield against them.
We’ll be back for him, Joey. Tobias promised. But we can’t do it alone.
Kaiba looked over his shoulder at him, an odd expression on his face and Joey didn’t know what he... oh...
Kaiba expected him to go in, guns blazing, no matter how bad it looked and rely on luck to get them all out safely... to be fair that had kind of been Joey’s plan and the random chance thing had always worked in his favour before...
“Oi! Rich-boy!” Joey bellowed to Kaiba who gave him an irritated look, “You go back to Atem and tell him I’m going to do a fly over.”
Kaiba gave him a disbelieving look.
Joey just smirked, “You can come with me.” He invited, well aware that Kaiba enjoyed blasting weak monsters as much as Joey enjoyed beating up thugs.
“Someone has to make sure you stay out of trouble, Mutt.” Kaiba bellowed back.
Joey just smirked as Kisara changed direction, getting ready to make a pass of the camp.
It was days like today that made Joey wonder just how different he and Kaiba really were...