November 29th - now: - 2792 words
The continued absence of a certain blonde Duellist was making Atem nervous, though no one except Seto and Mahado were aware of it, as no one else could read Atem well enough to see it.
They’d managed to get into the cave system finally, which was the only reason Atem had yet to summon one of his most powerful creatures to destroy everything that was stood between him and his hikari, and in the game of who could blast the most monsters he and Kaiba did appear to be neck a neck, though he’d stopped playing a wave and a half ago when the power of the creatures had increased and, for some reason, their trap cards had stopped working, however none of this helped the Pharaoh’s nerves.
It didn’t help that ever since he’d arrived here he’d had a really bad feeling and far too many years of his gut instinct being right had taught him to listen when his heart was telling him that something was wrong.
It had been incredibly hard to let Joey go when all Atem had wanted to do was exactly what he’d sent the blonde to do, but his friend’s logic had been sound. It did make more sense for the two main targets to stay within plain sight of the bad guys while Joey, who was, more often than not, overlooked by everyone, snuck in and did the job.
It wasn’t, in Atem’s mind at least, fair, but it was logical.
“I think that’s the last of them.” Mahado commented as he looked around, only to find that, while they had suffered a few casualties, the last wave had been defeated and there didn’t appear to be more on the way.
“Good.” Seto, who had, in fact been more limited in what he could do once his Blue Eyes White Dragons had been ground bound by the size of the cave, snorted, “I would suggest you get going.” He told Atem, “I don’t think I can put up with your complaints any longer.”
Atem just rolled his eyes before taking Mahado and doing just that, heading deeper into the cave system, where the dragons couldn’t follow. Subhan caught up to them easily, nodding to Mahado before he fell into step behind them, the two Dark Magicians hopefully more than enough to back Atem up should he need it.
The Pharaoh didn’t get very far as someone came pelting around the corner and crashed into him, knocking him down. Subhan was on the offensive almost instantly, only to have his staff knocked away by a blazing sword as Joey picked himself up.
“My Pharaoh, are you alright?” Mahado asked, concerned as Atem shrugged off his help and turned to Joey.
“Where’s…?”
“He didn’t come this way?” Joey asked, growling as he did so, looking around, his Jinzo and Flame Swordsman doing the same.
“You saw him?” Atem asked, “And you let him get away?”
“I didn’t have much of a choice, Yami. Medan used Magical Hats and the pair of them vanished.” Joey sighed, gathered himself for a moment, as if expecting Atem to snap at him then added, “Yami,” He said heavily, worrying the Pharaoh, “We have a problem.”
“What?” The Pharaoh asked warily.
“It’s Yuge. Something’s happened to him. I don’t know if Medan’s brainwashed him or what, but…” Joey cut off when the roar from a Blue Eyes White Dragon echoed down the corridor.
Atem’s look could have murdered anyone it was aimed at. “What do you mean Joey?” He asked, afraid he already knew.
“It means you might want to go help your friend with the dragons.”
The group wheeled around to find a Kuriboh looking at them.
“Boh?” Joey asked, confused.
“No. Not Boh.” The Kuriboh shook his head, “A friend of, but not Boh.”
“What…?”
“Your friend is fighting Boh’s partner.” The Kuriboh told them. “I don’t know where Medan is. He left Boh’s partner to it.”
“Why’re you helping us?” Atem asked with a growl.
“Boh’s a friend.” The Kuriboh gave the impression of shrugging, unconcerned by the rage. “I thought he was here but he wasn’t. His partner was though.”
Joey scowled, wondering how the hell Yugi had slipped past both him and Atem and got to Seto.
“Yugi’s fighting Seto?” Atem asked with a scowl.
“Medan’s got Yuge under some sort of mind control.” Joey nodded, “I tried to break it but…” Joey shook his head, “I was actually hoping he’d run into you guys.” He indicated Mahado and Atem, “Cause…”
“Yugi snapped you out of it using your favourite card and the Millennium Puzzle.” Atem nodded, understanding, even as he made up his mind to Shadow Game Medan for his crimes against his hikari, then bring him back and play him again.
“Jinzo said…” Joey hadn’t even realised that they had started moving when Atem had asked his question, leaving the Kuriboh far behind them, and, before he realised what was going on, they had reached the entrance to the cave.
“Yugi!” Atem called to his light, darting down onto the battlefield.
Joey saw something that he hadn’t in his fight with Yugi as he followed the Pharaoh into battle, staying at his side. The blank look in Yugi’s eyes was replaced by a look that was as much hope as it was anguish and fear for a few seconds, before the hollow, empty look returned. It was enough to ignite some hope though.
For all of Medan’s gloating, Yugi was still in there and they could reach him.
“Stand aside, Atem.” Seto growled, furiously scowling at the heir, who was currently backed up by a Summoned Skull. “He destroyed my dragons.”
“It’s not his fault, Seto.” Atem shook his head as Mahado took his place between Atem and the six star Fiend monster. “Let me deal with this.”
Joey quickly checked something as Atem drew and Seto, begrudgingly, stepped aside, letting out a relieved sigh when he spotted that Yugi was still wearing the pendant that his equip spell card had given him.
“Joey, Seto,” Atem spoke, his tone low and quiet, as if he didn’t want to be overheard, “I’ll free Yugi, you find Medan.”
“Why should...”
“If he isn’t here to direct the battle himself, he must be up to something.” Atem interrupted Kaiba, “And we probably won’t like it.”
“Medan’s controlling Yuge, so it was Medan who blasted your dragons.” Joey pointed out to the CEO. He would rather be here then chasing the red Dark Magician who had started all of this, but agreed with Atem that someone had better go after Medan before he vanished again or did something else that would cause them trouble.
Irritation crossed Kaiba’s features. Only momentarily but it was enough for Atem to catch it. “Please, Seto?” The Pharaoh asked, surprising the CEO who just gave him a patronising look in response, in too foul a mood too play nicely with the King.
“Listen, Atem.” Seto snapped at him, “I’m going to tear Medan apart, so put any thoughts you had of revenge to rest, got it?”
Atem nodded with a small smirk. “I understand.”
Seto stalked off, still fuming, and Joey, giving Atem a look that clearly stated his amusement at Kaiba’s attitude as he patted the Pharaoh on the shoulder, followed.
“Alright Yugi.” Atem turned his full attention to his hikari, who just stood there, unresponsive, “It’s just you and me now.”
“And soon it’ll just be one.” Yugi spoke.
Except it wasn’t Yugi. Atem knew Yugi’s voice better then he knew his own, and Yugi’s voice didn’t have that slight echo behind it, or that vindictive twist that was so foreign in his hikari’s voice.
Yugi gestured towards his Summoned Skull who attacked Mahado.
The purple Dark Magician easily dodged the assault, countering with his own, boosted, attack that blew away the twenty five hundred point Fiend.
Yugi staggered momentarily but recovered quickly and summoned a pair of Goblin King.
The pair of Fiends immediately glowered at each other and started bickering.
“Will you two cut that out?” Yugi snapped irritably. The pair in question looked from him, to Mahado, then back to each other, and then started arguing again.
“It appears you don’t have much control over your creatures.” Atem commented, appearing unconcerned by what was going on, “But then I’m not surprised considering that’s not your deck.”
Subhan, pursing his lips, moved to Atem’s side, not wishing to join the fight against his Duellist but not willing to side with him while he was like this.
“And I’m afraid that trick won’t work,” Atem continued, “Mahado, if you would.”
Mahado cast the spell Thousand Knives, only for the knives to get blown away in a burst of wind that radiated from the Heavy Storm card in Yugi’s hand. “Subhan, I might need you.” Atem murmured to the blue Dark Magician, as he cast Mage Power on Mahado only for Yugi to counter with Pestilence, equipping it to Mahado, who wavered on his feet and nearly fell, suddenly weak, and only the support of Atem prevented it.
“Mahado!” Atem yelped, concerned for his old friend.
“I’m…” His attack points had risen and fell many times over the years, but he’d never had them drained to zero before and it was only the fact that Atem needed him that kept him from passing out.
Atem glanced to his hikari, concerned that Medan would take the opportunity to strike a decisive blow, only to find Yugi struggling with a decision as he looked at his hand.
Without having to think, Atem knew what was going on. Medan would want Yugi to attack and wipe Mahado out now, while Yugi wouldn’t want to harm his friend and favourite monster, nor would the memories Yugi had that belonged to the person he and Yami had once been, want any harm to come to the purple Dark Magician.
“Subhan, look after Mahado.” Atem ordered as Yugi fell to his knees, eyes closed tightly, an expression of pain on his face, obviously trying to resist the order to attack. The blue Dark Magician took the purple one from Atem’s grip allowing the Pharaoh to dart around the bickering Goblin Kings and to his light’s side. “Yugi.” He grabbed Yugi’s arm and almost instantly could hear the fight going on within Yugi’s mind.
“Yami?” Yugi’s eyes opened, the shock and sheer relief coursing through him powerful enough to push the controlling force away temporarily. “You… You’re…”
“I’m here.” Atem nodded, knowing he had little time but giving Yugi a reassuring smile.
“But you’re… Medan said…” Grief flickered across Yugi’s face and Atem, not removing his grip from Yugi’s arm, half afraid that it was only that that was allowing Yugi to keep complete control, took the Puzzle off with his other hand and slipped the chain over Yugi’s head.
Instantly the link returned and they could sense exactly what each other were feeling.
“You’re alive.” Yugi breathed, the joy running through him powerful enough to cause tears.
Atem nodded, swearing that if Joey and Seto didn’t destroy Medan, he would in the most painful manner possible. He caught a thought from Yugi, hoping that the red Dark Magician had lied about Harry too. He didn’t get a chance to reassure Yugi on that front through as he sensed Yugi panic and felt the spell attempt to suppress the heir’s mind again.
“Yami… I can’t…” The Pharaoh could sense the difficulty Yugi was having trouble pushing back at the spell and attempted to bolster his partner’s mind, but he couldn’t get a firm foothold. Yugi shoved his partner away, concerned for his safety, just milliseconds before the spell took full control again.
Atem scowled as he scrambled to his feet, moving back to Mahado and Subhan’s side, swiftly calling Mana to his aid, summoning the first Dark Magician Girl even as he reached out to Yugi’s mind, wishing he could afford enough time to dart into the corridor between his and Yugi’s mind.
Pain coursed through him momentarily, causing him a shudder slightly and let out a hiss. He swiftly searched through his deck, done battling the new way, pulling out his Mystical Space Typhoon and using it to dispel the Pestilence spell on Mahado, causing the Dark Magician’s attack points to shoot back up and allowing Mahado to get to his feet properly again.
“You don’t have anything in that deck that can beat mine.” Atem said, with a low growl, “So I suggest you release my hikari from your control, or when I find you I will rip you to shreds.”
‘Yugi’ laughed. “You honestly think I’m scared of you, Pharaoh?” He asked, full of confidence.
It was fake though. Now Yugi had the Puzzle, Atem could sense his hikari’s mind and Yugi was fighting to break free.
“You should be.” Mahado snorted, still feeling slightly woozy and glancing at his, incredibly pissed off, charge wondering if Medan had any idea of what he had gotten himself into by doing this to Yugi. “That is, if you had any sort of sense.”
“It doesn’t matter if you free this vessel.” Medan, through Yugi, gloated. “I have the keys I need to finish my plan.”
“What?” Mana yelped, eyes widening, suddenly very glad they’d managed to clear out the castle before she’d been summoned to Atem’s aid.
“You’ll see.” ‘Yugi’ snorted, summoning a Power Invader to his aid.
“If that’s the best you’ve got, then you’re going down.” Atem growled back, “Mahado!”
The first Dark Magician went to blow the fiend away, only for the attack to swerve off and strike Yugi instead, causing the heir to be blasted off of his feet and go crashing to the floor with a pained cry before lying, unmoving, on the ground.
The Power Invader went to attack Mana, who backed off, about to cast something to defend herself when Subhan counter attacked on her behalf, the fiend too close to Subhan’s blast for the blast to veer off. Yugi shuddered as his creature shattered into about a million pieces and vanished, but didn’t get up.
“Thank you.” Mana smiled at Subhan, who gave her a small smile back.
Yami, having sensed Yugi’s mind waver when he’d been hit by Mahado’s blast and then just stop fighting, took the opportunity to dart into the corridor between his and Yugi’s mind, only to find Medan leaning against Yugi’s, closed, Soul Room door, though Atem could tell that this wasn’t the real one.
“I should thank you.” The image of the red Dark Magician said, “If you hadn’t blasted him, I wouldn’t have been able to shut him in there.” The red Dark Magician nodded towards Yugi’s Soul Room, “After all you were lucky not to lose both of them in that attack.”
“What?” Atem snarled, concern for Yugi coursing through him, since he was fully aware that Yugi’s Soul Room door opened inwards, so Yugi wasn’t as trapped as Medan thought, and yet his hikari had yet to pull the door open.
“Yugi’s Ka beast is stronger than the Dark Magician.” Medan answered, “But you powered Mahado up to the point where the pair of them were equal. If Yugi was further along in his transformation, you’d’ve lost them both. As it was all you achieved was knocking Yugi out.”
A trace of guilt ran through Atem but he pushed it away, calling on his powers to attack the image of the Dark Magician who yelped as Atem loosed a blast of dark energy which blew him away.
With the destruction of the image of the Duel Monster who had started all this, the spell it represented was dispelled.
Atem darted into Yugi’s Soul Room, which was much darker than usual, partly the effect of Yugi’s own thoughts and feelings and partly because of how close Yugi had come to destruction, and rushed to Yugi’s side, rolling his hikari over to lie on his back, and taking the young man’s hand, sending the heir some of his own energy to bolster Yugi’s flagging strength.
It took a while, but Yugi finally opened his eyes, looking exhausted, and gave his dark half a small smile. “Yami…”
“Hey.” The Pharaoh smiled back, “Its ok, you’re safe now.”
“Harry?” Yugi asked, biting his lower lip, afraid of the answer in case…
“He’s alright. We sent him home to rest.” Atem said, reassuring his hikari, not needing the sense Yugi’s emotions to see the relief on his features and the way that Yugi relaxed. “You should go too.”
Yugi shook his head. “It’s not over, Yami.” Yugi tried to get to his feet, but needed Atem’s help to do so. “Medan has my Ka beast.”
They’d managed to get into the cave system finally, which was the only reason Atem had yet to summon one of his most powerful creatures to destroy everything that was stood between him and his hikari, and in the game of who could blast the most monsters he and Kaiba did appear to be neck a neck, though he’d stopped playing a wave and a half ago when the power of the creatures had increased and, for some reason, their trap cards had stopped working, however none of this helped the Pharaoh’s nerves.
It didn’t help that ever since he’d arrived here he’d had a really bad feeling and far too many years of his gut instinct being right had taught him to listen when his heart was telling him that something was wrong.
It had been incredibly hard to let Joey go when all Atem had wanted to do was exactly what he’d sent the blonde to do, but his friend’s logic had been sound. It did make more sense for the two main targets to stay within plain sight of the bad guys while Joey, who was, more often than not, overlooked by everyone, snuck in and did the job.
It wasn’t, in Atem’s mind at least, fair, but it was logical.
“I think that’s the last of them.” Mahado commented as he looked around, only to find that, while they had suffered a few casualties, the last wave had been defeated and there didn’t appear to be more on the way.
“Good.” Seto, who had, in fact been more limited in what he could do once his Blue Eyes White Dragons had been ground bound by the size of the cave, snorted, “I would suggest you get going.” He told Atem, “I don’t think I can put up with your complaints any longer.”
Atem just rolled his eyes before taking Mahado and doing just that, heading deeper into the cave system, where the dragons couldn’t follow. Subhan caught up to them easily, nodding to Mahado before he fell into step behind them, the two Dark Magicians hopefully more than enough to back Atem up should he need it.
The Pharaoh didn’t get very far as someone came pelting around the corner and crashed into him, knocking him down. Subhan was on the offensive almost instantly, only to have his staff knocked away by a blazing sword as Joey picked himself up.
“My Pharaoh, are you alright?” Mahado asked, concerned as Atem shrugged off his help and turned to Joey.
“Where’s…?”
“He didn’t come this way?” Joey asked, growling as he did so, looking around, his Jinzo and Flame Swordsman doing the same.
“You saw him?” Atem asked, “And you let him get away?”
“I didn’t have much of a choice, Yami. Medan used Magical Hats and the pair of them vanished.” Joey sighed, gathered himself for a moment, as if expecting Atem to snap at him then added, “Yami,” He said heavily, worrying the Pharaoh, “We have a problem.”
“What?” The Pharaoh asked warily.
“It’s Yuge. Something’s happened to him. I don’t know if Medan’s brainwashed him or what, but…” Joey cut off when the roar from a Blue Eyes White Dragon echoed down the corridor.
Atem’s look could have murdered anyone it was aimed at. “What do you mean Joey?” He asked, afraid he already knew.
“It means you might want to go help your friend with the dragons.”
The group wheeled around to find a Kuriboh looking at them.
“Boh?” Joey asked, confused.
“No. Not Boh.” The Kuriboh shook his head, “A friend of, but not Boh.”
“What…?”
“Your friend is fighting Boh’s partner.” The Kuriboh told them. “I don’t know where Medan is. He left Boh’s partner to it.”
“Why’re you helping us?” Atem asked with a growl.
“Boh’s a friend.” The Kuriboh gave the impression of shrugging, unconcerned by the rage. “I thought he was here but he wasn’t. His partner was though.”
Joey scowled, wondering how the hell Yugi had slipped past both him and Atem and got to Seto.
“Yugi’s fighting Seto?” Atem asked with a scowl.
“Medan’s got Yuge under some sort of mind control.” Joey nodded, “I tried to break it but…” Joey shook his head, “I was actually hoping he’d run into you guys.” He indicated Mahado and Atem, “Cause…”
“Yugi snapped you out of it using your favourite card and the Millennium Puzzle.” Atem nodded, understanding, even as he made up his mind to Shadow Game Medan for his crimes against his hikari, then bring him back and play him again.
“Jinzo said…” Joey hadn’t even realised that they had started moving when Atem had asked his question, leaving the Kuriboh far behind them, and, before he realised what was going on, they had reached the entrance to the cave.
“Yugi!” Atem called to his light, darting down onto the battlefield.
Joey saw something that he hadn’t in his fight with Yugi as he followed the Pharaoh into battle, staying at his side. The blank look in Yugi’s eyes was replaced by a look that was as much hope as it was anguish and fear for a few seconds, before the hollow, empty look returned. It was enough to ignite some hope though.
For all of Medan’s gloating, Yugi was still in there and they could reach him.
“Stand aside, Atem.” Seto growled, furiously scowling at the heir, who was currently backed up by a Summoned Skull. “He destroyed my dragons.”
“It’s not his fault, Seto.” Atem shook his head as Mahado took his place between Atem and the six star Fiend monster. “Let me deal with this.”
Joey quickly checked something as Atem drew and Seto, begrudgingly, stepped aside, letting out a relieved sigh when he spotted that Yugi was still wearing the pendant that his equip spell card had given him.
“Joey, Seto,” Atem spoke, his tone low and quiet, as if he didn’t want to be overheard, “I’ll free Yugi, you find Medan.”
“Why should...”
“If he isn’t here to direct the battle himself, he must be up to something.” Atem interrupted Kaiba, “And we probably won’t like it.”
“Medan’s controlling Yuge, so it was Medan who blasted your dragons.” Joey pointed out to the CEO. He would rather be here then chasing the red Dark Magician who had started all of this, but agreed with Atem that someone had better go after Medan before he vanished again or did something else that would cause them trouble.
Irritation crossed Kaiba’s features. Only momentarily but it was enough for Atem to catch it. “Please, Seto?” The Pharaoh asked, surprising the CEO who just gave him a patronising look in response, in too foul a mood too play nicely with the King.
“Listen, Atem.” Seto snapped at him, “I’m going to tear Medan apart, so put any thoughts you had of revenge to rest, got it?”
Atem nodded with a small smirk. “I understand.”
Seto stalked off, still fuming, and Joey, giving Atem a look that clearly stated his amusement at Kaiba’s attitude as he patted the Pharaoh on the shoulder, followed.
“Alright Yugi.” Atem turned his full attention to his hikari, who just stood there, unresponsive, “It’s just you and me now.”
“And soon it’ll just be one.” Yugi spoke.
Except it wasn’t Yugi. Atem knew Yugi’s voice better then he knew his own, and Yugi’s voice didn’t have that slight echo behind it, or that vindictive twist that was so foreign in his hikari’s voice.
Yugi gestured towards his Summoned Skull who attacked Mahado.
The purple Dark Magician easily dodged the assault, countering with his own, boosted, attack that blew away the twenty five hundred point Fiend.
Yugi staggered momentarily but recovered quickly and summoned a pair of Goblin King.
The pair of Fiends immediately glowered at each other and started bickering.
“Will you two cut that out?” Yugi snapped irritably. The pair in question looked from him, to Mahado, then back to each other, and then started arguing again.
“It appears you don’t have much control over your creatures.” Atem commented, appearing unconcerned by what was going on, “But then I’m not surprised considering that’s not your deck.”
Subhan, pursing his lips, moved to Atem’s side, not wishing to join the fight against his Duellist but not willing to side with him while he was like this.
“And I’m afraid that trick won’t work,” Atem continued, “Mahado, if you would.”
Mahado cast the spell Thousand Knives, only for the knives to get blown away in a burst of wind that radiated from the Heavy Storm card in Yugi’s hand. “Subhan, I might need you.” Atem murmured to the blue Dark Magician, as he cast Mage Power on Mahado only for Yugi to counter with Pestilence, equipping it to Mahado, who wavered on his feet and nearly fell, suddenly weak, and only the support of Atem prevented it.
“Mahado!” Atem yelped, concerned for his old friend.
“I’m…” His attack points had risen and fell many times over the years, but he’d never had them drained to zero before and it was only the fact that Atem needed him that kept him from passing out.
Atem glanced to his hikari, concerned that Medan would take the opportunity to strike a decisive blow, only to find Yugi struggling with a decision as he looked at his hand.
Without having to think, Atem knew what was going on. Medan would want Yugi to attack and wipe Mahado out now, while Yugi wouldn’t want to harm his friend and favourite monster, nor would the memories Yugi had that belonged to the person he and Yami had once been, want any harm to come to the purple Dark Magician.
“Subhan, look after Mahado.” Atem ordered as Yugi fell to his knees, eyes closed tightly, an expression of pain on his face, obviously trying to resist the order to attack. The blue Dark Magician took the purple one from Atem’s grip allowing the Pharaoh to dart around the bickering Goblin Kings and to his light’s side. “Yugi.” He grabbed Yugi’s arm and almost instantly could hear the fight going on within Yugi’s mind.
“Yami?” Yugi’s eyes opened, the shock and sheer relief coursing through him powerful enough to push the controlling force away temporarily. “You… You’re…”
“I’m here.” Atem nodded, knowing he had little time but giving Yugi a reassuring smile.
“But you’re… Medan said…” Grief flickered across Yugi’s face and Atem, not removing his grip from Yugi’s arm, half afraid that it was only that that was allowing Yugi to keep complete control, took the Puzzle off with his other hand and slipped the chain over Yugi’s head.
Instantly the link returned and they could sense exactly what each other were feeling.
“You’re alive.” Yugi breathed, the joy running through him powerful enough to cause tears.
Atem nodded, swearing that if Joey and Seto didn’t destroy Medan, he would in the most painful manner possible. He caught a thought from Yugi, hoping that the red Dark Magician had lied about Harry too. He didn’t get a chance to reassure Yugi on that front through as he sensed Yugi panic and felt the spell attempt to suppress the heir’s mind again.
“Yami… I can’t…” The Pharaoh could sense the difficulty Yugi was having trouble pushing back at the spell and attempted to bolster his partner’s mind, but he couldn’t get a firm foothold. Yugi shoved his partner away, concerned for his safety, just milliseconds before the spell took full control again.
Atem scowled as he scrambled to his feet, moving back to Mahado and Subhan’s side, swiftly calling Mana to his aid, summoning the first Dark Magician Girl even as he reached out to Yugi’s mind, wishing he could afford enough time to dart into the corridor between his and Yugi’s mind.
Pain coursed through him momentarily, causing him a shudder slightly and let out a hiss. He swiftly searched through his deck, done battling the new way, pulling out his Mystical Space Typhoon and using it to dispel the Pestilence spell on Mahado, causing the Dark Magician’s attack points to shoot back up and allowing Mahado to get to his feet properly again.
“You don’t have anything in that deck that can beat mine.” Atem said, with a low growl, “So I suggest you release my hikari from your control, or when I find you I will rip you to shreds.”
‘Yugi’ laughed. “You honestly think I’m scared of you, Pharaoh?” He asked, full of confidence.
It was fake though. Now Yugi had the Puzzle, Atem could sense his hikari’s mind and Yugi was fighting to break free.
“You should be.” Mahado snorted, still feeling slightly woozy and glancing at his, incredibly pissed off, charge wondering if Medan had any idea of what he had gotten himself into by doing this to Yugi. “That is, if you had any sort of sense.”
“It doesn’t matter if you free this vessel.” Medan, through Yugi, gloated. “I have the keys I need to finish my plan.”
“What?” Mana yelped, eyes widening, suddenly very glad they’d managed to clear out the castle before she’d been summoned to Atem’s aid.
“You’ll see.” ‘Yugi’ snorted, summoning a Power Invader to his aid.
“If that’s the best you’ve got, then you’re going down.” Atem growled back, “Mahado!”
The first Dark Magician went to blow the fiend away, only for the attack to swerve off and strike Yugi instead, causing the heir to be blasted off of his feet and go crashing to the floor with a pained cry before lying, unmoving, on the ground.
The Power Invader went to attack Mana, who backed off, about to cast something to defend herself when Subhan counter attacked on her behalf, the fiend too close to Subhan’s blast for the blast to veer off. Yugi shuddered as his creature shattered into about a million pieces and vanished, but didn’t get up.
“Thank you.” Mana smiled at Subhan, who gave her a small smile back.
Yami, having sensed Yugi’s mind waver when he’d been hit by Mahado’s blast and then just stop fighting, took the opportunity to dart into the corridor between his and Yugi’s mind, only to find Medan leaning against Yugi’s, closed, Soul Room door, though Atem could tell that this wasn’t the real one.
“I should thank you.” The image of the red Dark Magician said, “If you hadn’t blasted him, I wouldn’t have been able to shut him in there.” The red Dark Magician nodded towards Yugi’s Soul Room, “After all you were lucky not to lose both of them in that attack.”
“What?” Atem snarled, concern for Yugi coursing through him, since he was fully aware that Yugi’s Soul Room door opened inwards, so Yugi wasn’t as trapped as Medan thought, and yet his hikari had yet to pull the door open.
“Yugi’s Ka beast is stronger than the Dark Magician.” Medan answered, “But you powered Mahado up to the point where the pair of them were equal. If Yugi was further along in his transformation, you’d’ve lost them both. As it was all you achieved was knocking Yugi out.”
A trace of guilt ran through Atem but he pushed it away, calling on his powers to attack the image of the Dark Magician who yelped as Atem loosed a blast of dark energy which blew him away.
With the destruction of the image of the Duel Monster who had started all this, the spell it represented was dispelled.
Atem darted into Yugi’s Soul Room, which was much darker than usual, partly the effect of Yugi’s own thoughts and feelings and partly because of how close Yugi had come to destruction, and rushed to Yugi’s side, rolling his hikari over to lie on his back, and taking the young man’s hand, sending the heir some of his own energy to bolster Yugi’s flagging strength.
It took a while, but Yugi finally opened his eyes, looking exhausted, and gave his dark half a small smile. “Yami…”
“Hey.” The Pharaoh smiled back, “Its ok, you’re safe now.”
“Harry?” Yugi asked, biting his lower lip, afraid of the answer in case…
“He’s alright. We sent him home to rest.” Atem said, reassuring his hikari, not needing the sense Yugi’s emotions to see the relief on his features and the way that Yugi relaxed. “You should go too.”
Yugi shook his head. “It’s not over, Yami.” Yugi tried to get to his feet, but needed Atem’s help to do so. “Medan has my Ka beast.”