[IC] Yugioh: The King's Shadow

[MegaraFoxfire]

She shook her head and swung her back over her shoulder. "I got it, its not too heavy at the moment. Come on, if we are going to get back to the shop before Yami wakes up and has a problem, we have a lot to do" She headed out the door, Joey right behind her.

They made their way towards downtown, Serena limping slightly but seemed to do better as they went. She looked over at Joey and asked "So if you don't mind my asking, how did you get wrapped up in all of this? From what I've heard, your not tied to the past like Yugi and Kaiba are"

[Jazz]

Joey wondered what she was talking about. All he knew was that Yami was exhausted from the worry, stress and stress. Which was odd for Joey had never seen him exhausted because of all that. Though followed Serena. Along making their way toward downtown, Joey walked with Serena, though glanced here and there, not just around them, but looked to her every now and then. Hearing Serena ask him a question, he smiled and shrugged. "I'm not. But that doesn' matter to me at all. I'm Yugi and Yami's best friend. They have been there for me like I have been there for him. As for Kaiba, he's a pain our reel, but he has come a ways. He's like our friend and rival." Joey shrugged again as he looked ahead. "I may not be part of their past or anything, but that doesnt matter to me or our friends. We've been there to help Yugi and Yami, even Kaiba though he was a total jerk." He explained to her as he walked.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Serena smiled and said "That is very noble of you...you remind me of someone dear to me...he would have said the same thing..." She paused outside a nice apartment building and said "I need to stop here...A few things I need to pick up"

They got to a room, Serena pulling out a set of keys and unlocking the door. She stepped inside and said "I'll just be a few minutes, please make yourself comfortable" The apartment was huge, a modern style with touches of history, mostly from Asia and Africa. The place didn't seem to be Serena's, all the pictures and items were to remember Serena and showed that someone cared about her. There were pictures all over the place, of a younger Serena smiling and laughing with a older young man with dark hair and bright eyes. He looked familiar to Joey, and he should. He looked exactly like Mahad before he became Dark Magician.

[Jazz]

Joey for some reason couldn't help but grin when hearing that. Though stopped with her at an apartment building. Walking with her into the building, Joey looked around till the two were standing infront of a room that Serena pulled keyes out unlocked the door, letting him know what was going on and to make himself comfortable.

Walking in, Wheeler looked around the place, curious as he noticed pictures that drew his attention. Joey wondered if this was her apartment or someone she knew owned or rented it though had to admit that it was huge. Looking at the pictures closely. Joey saw a picture of her from what seemed to be a younger time, an older man that Joey did see to be familiar but took him a while to figure out that it was someone he knew well enough. His eyes widened as he looked surprised. "Whaaa?! No way. But how?" Joey couldn't believe it. Mahad got a second chance too? But how if he was the Dark Magician? It didn't make alot of sense to Joey.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Serena walked back in, holding a bigger bag that was stuffed. She walked over to him and saw him holding one of the pictures. She sighed and said "That's my brother...this is his place...I have been crashing here when I can't take Adam anymore..." She looked away, fighting tears. She took a deep breath and then saw his face. "Joey? Something wrong?"

[Jazz]

Joey heard her talk about this being her brother's place and how she would crash here sometimes. It wasnt all that bad but Wheeler was still wondering what was going on. Hearing Serena ask if something was wrong. Looking to her, Joey looked back to the photo. "Who is this guy? He looks familiar to me is all."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Serena looked at the photo and she said "That's him, that's Aaron. That picture is when we went to the beach years ago...seems like another life now..." She turned away and went to the fish tank on one of the walls, feeding the fish in the tank. "Joey...his the reason I'm fighting the Brotherhood...Aaron was one of their first victims...his in a coma, just like the others. The police found him, a young girl trying to help him. She had been attacked and Aaron jumped in to help her...she's about Yugi's age I think...her dad is a professor I think...I never caught her name..." Serena didn't look at Joey this time, her head lowered. "If we could keep this between us...I don't want to worry the others...and Adam already knows..." Silent tears were running down her face, her head bent forward.

[Jazz]

Hearing her explanation, Joey was quite surprised how this all started. At least for Serena. But also knew that she was feeling quite sad just by her voice and tears. But was willing to keep this to just him and her. "Sorry to hear that. I know what it is like to fight for someone you care for. Its hard but its what keep you going." He looked to the picture. Decided to change the subject a little. "This Aaron guy. He looks like someone Yami and I know. Rather strange." Joey shrugged, setting the photo back where it was before looking to Serena, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Its alright Serena. These guys have no idea what we are capable of. Just gotta have some faith and keep going."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Serena looked up at Joey, her eyes filled with tears. "Aaron looks like someone? Who?" She turned to face him, wiping her tears away. "They won't know what hit them...because I'll make them pay for all the people they have hurt...mark my words on that..." She picked up the picture again, touching the glass with her free hand.

"I won't be able to come back here for a while...I better take this with me...a reminder..." She put it in her bag, then turned to Joey. "Alright, one stop down, one more to go. I want to try and figure out what God we are dealing with...and there is one place I know we can find it. The Museum. Come On"

Back at the house Yugi was pacing outside of his bedroom, worried about Yami. The boys had brought a still sleeping Yami up to the bedroom, Yugi filled with even more guilt then before. He looked at the door, trying to think of something to make it up to Serena and Yami the trouble he had caused.

[Jazz]

Joey heard all that she said and asked. Though surprised that she was that determined to make these goons pay for what they did. Though followed her out of the room, toward the Museum of which seemed to be the next stop for them. Once out the door, Joey walked with her in silence for a bit, though something seemed to be eating at him a little. "Hey Serena. About that Aaron guy. He looks alot like the Dark Magician, Yami and Yugi's favorite card. If my memory serves me right I believe he was also a Egyptian priest that served the pharaoh way back when. His name was Mahad or whatever he was called. You friend looks alot like'em."

Kaiba watched from where Yugi wasn't paying attention, at the end of the hall, watching him pace after coming up to check on him and Yami. He didn't know why he did it, but did. Honestly it was a bit annoyed that Yugi wasn't in there with his tri-color haired look alike. So Kaiba finally spoke up, leaning on the wall near the entrance toward the hallway. "How long are you going to stare at your own bedroom door. And why pace in the hall way. Yami's only sleeping. Though after all thats happened, it is odd for him to just fall asleep. Guess he pushed it limit but its not like we will ever know. But besides the point that your pacing in the hallway and infront of your own room. Rather odd I would say."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Serena looked at Joey and said "Mahad? I guess brother and dark magician look alike...but what does that have to do with anything?" She waited at the street light, her senses coming back slowly. Something was eating at her, but she could t place it.

Yugi jumped a little when Seto spoke up, turning to face him. "It's not odd...I don't want to wake him...and I'm...trying to figure out what to say to...make up for what happened...and to ask Serena to forgive me...it's because of me she didn't want me or Yami with her now."

[Jazz]

"Well when you thinking about it I guess some people look alike from their past lives I guess. I mean Kaiba for example. He looked like Priest Seth. That Aaron guy looks like Mahad, Ishizu looks like that priestess lady. Isis I think. We saw them back when we were helpin' Yami figure out his past and all." Joey explained to Serena.

Seto shrugged. "Honestly I doubt you could wake him up. As for Yami, you know by now that he knows its not your fault. Plus you were out cold till Serena saved you. You have no reason to be sorry in my opinion. Plus have you considered that maybe you and Yami arent really the problems? Besides. Joey's a thick headed numb skull. I know that he can handle his own and can handle helping her. If you wanna know so badly, trying asking her why when she comes back. Maybe its not what you think." Kaiba suggested, though suggestions and pep talking wasnt his strong suit, pointing out the facts were.

[MegaraFoxfire]

They crossed street and Serena looked at him. "Past lives? Wait, you think Aaron is a soul returned? That's not possible...his not part of anything" they walked up the stairs to the museum and Serena paused, something seeming off. "Joey...if Seto is the only other one with ties to the past...who watches over Yugi apart from Yami?"

Yugi nodded then his cell buzzed with a text message, Yugi pullin it out and reading the message. "I guess you were right...she just texted me. She needs my help with something downtown. I better get down there in case there's trouble" he left the hallway, grabbing his deck and jacket and heading for the door.

[Jazz]

Joey shrugged. "Im just guessin'. Though Joey seemed to be thinking about that question. "Well. If someone was watching over Yugi apart from Yami, then it's just Yami. They've been together since Duelist Kingdom. Maybe months before that."

Seto nodded, though he wondered about something that seemed to place oddly. Though for now shrugged it off. "I'll come with. Make sure we don't have another accident like last time." He warned as he followed Yugi. The last thing he wanted was Yami to rip his head off for something happening to Yugi again.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Serena looked at Joey, panic in her eyes. "Last night that guy at the ER saw Yugi with Yami....Yugi signed me in at the hospital...Joey, they could try and get to Yami thru Yugi...and with Yami down for a while...crap" she took off running, now knowing what the feeling she had was. A monster was in the human world again.

The pair were downtown and Yugi paused outside a shut down club. He tilted his head and said "an odd place to meet up...but Serena is kinda interesting" he opened the door and walked inside, Seto following. When they got inside they saw a woman standing in the middle of the room. Yugi smiled and said "Serena, there you are. Where is Joey?" The woman turned and her eyes glowed green, freezing both boys in their tracks. "All that matters is that your here...and that I am here....and that your both all mine now..." Yugi stepped back, but without the puzzle or Yami's powers to protect him, his eyes clouded over and turned green. The woman chuckled and said "welcome to my world boys..."

[Jazz]

Joey's eyes widened. "That can't be good." Joey started running to keep up. Incase, his duel disk activated. Making sure he was ready to take a stand. "Where we goin' now?"

Seto felt that this was completely off. He doubted that this club was a place to meet. Seto stayed real close to Yugi, waiting for something to just try and lay a hand on him or the boy. What he didn't expect was this 'woman' to have glowing green eyes. His disk active, Seto growled as his own deck glowed. The power of his blue eyes came to life, his own blue eyes glistened with that light blue color as the dragon appeared and roared and with its size, made itself almost protective over its master, its tail wrapped around him almost. "If you want to take Yugi, your going to get through me and my Blue eyes will stand against you as I am. Trust me, you don't want her as your opponent." Seto said in a calm tone, his flame burned bright as the Dragon tried to protect Yugi, a female voice familiar to him, spoke out only for him to hear. "Yugi. Yugi. Come back to us. You are strong. Fight this witches power."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Serena pulled out a card from her deck and kissed it, her hound appearing once more. "We find Yugi now. My hound already has his scent. I pray we aren't too late"

The woman laughed and said "I don't need to fight you...all I want his him..." She waved her hand and Yugi started sliding towards her, his eyes clouded green. "Once I have him under my spell, the king of shadows will have to come for him...and then I will have the whole set for my master..."

Yugi tried to fight back, but with his guilt weighing on him, his will to fight back wasn't strong enough.

[Jazz]

Joey felt the anger and fear rise within him as he followed Serena. "This can't be happening. Yugi is troubled by what happen. He's gonna doubt himself."

The woman's cocky attitude was getting on Seto's nerves. He wasn't going lose Yugi if that he had anything to say about it. The Blue-eyes growled, Kaiba feeling his dragon's irritation of how she was not able to get Yugi to snap out of it which was a tad odd for the young man. "You are getting away that easy. You are going to have to fight me for if you want Yugi. I challenge you." Though was interrupted with a glow from the young boys deck. "...Yugi. Yugi!..." A voice calling out to the young boy.

(In the Kame Game Shop)
Yami still rest on his bed. A sensation rose in him, a sense of danger, doubt. The Puzzle glowed it gold color. In Yami's mind, opening his eyes, Crimson orbs looked groggy but felt that Yugi was in danger. He could not get over all he was feeling, wrapping his arms around him as one word was spoken. "...Yu..gi..." His eyes wide, and awake in his mind, the danger he was feeling was from Yugi. "Oh no...Yugi. Yugi!" He reached out to his partner's mind, not knowing what he was achieving exactly. Only to try and stop his sense of doubt and sadness. He hated to see Yugi sad, see him in pain.

(Club)
The glow from Yugi's Deck to blind those in the room to dim and the Dark Magician appeared with an attack on the Woman that dared place him under a spell. A large dark magical ball struck at the Woman while the magician wrapped his arms around his charge. "You will not take this boy. Not while he is protected by the Gods you, wretch!" Mahad declared. Holding the boy tight.

[MegaraFoxfire]

The woman got up, brushing herself off and her cloak fell off. "Dark Magician...I thought you might show up...but its too late. His mine now whether you like it or not..." She stood, showing she was in fact a duel monster like Mahad, the Invader of the Throne. She smirked and said "The boy has lost all faith in himself...having been part of hurting the Guardian and her nearly dying pushed him to the darkness...and now his soul will be consumed by that darkness..." Yugi was shaking badly in Mahad's arms, his eyes green and glossed over.

There was a slam and the doors burst open, showing Serena and Joey. Serena looked around and cursed softly. "I should have known it was you...who else would be summoned for this kind of job..." Serena ran over to Mahad, pulling her staff free and holding it ready. "Magician, keep Yugi away from that witch...leave the fighting to me and Seto and Joey..." She moved to face the Invader, the woman frowning. "I'm surprised you up already, Guardian...I can fix that..." She vanished and reappeared behind Serena that hit her hard in the back, sending Serena flying to the ground but the others, her back screaming in pain. She cursed, trying to get up despite the pain. "We need a plan...we can't send her back to the shadows before Yugi snaps out of this...if we do he will be forever trapped..." She fought to get up, wishing that Yami was there. She felt stronger when he was by her side. She felt useless. Then she looked at Yugi and said "What could have happened that make Yugi doubt himself so much that she could get into his head..." Serena didn't know Yugi blamed himself, or the other fears clouding his mind.

Yugi heard the voices but the Invaders voice was in his head, making it hard to hear anything but her.

[Jazz]

Mahad glared daggers at the woman that told him about the darkness that floated within his heart. How he doubted himself. There was no doubt that the Dark Magician sensed this for his connection between the two look alikes. Sensing the danger and Yami's worry for Yugi was the reason why he was here. Mahad pointed the staff to the Invader and about to be ready for another attack when he heard the doors slam. Seto looked back only as his Blue-eyes concentrated on the monster to see Serena and Wheeler. Joey saw his best friend in the arms of the Dark Magician and then the Duel monster Invader. Joey pulled out a card from his Deck played it. "Axe Raider" The warrior appeared before Joey and readied himself for a fight. Only to see Serena go flying. The Axe Raider got between Joey and the Invader with the attempt to attack. Joey focused on Serena. "Serena!" His attention back on the Invader. "Leave her alone freaky lady!" He shouted. Mahad brought himself away from the Invader to protect Yugi. Seto growled as the Dragon went to make her attack if Axe Raider's attack did not go through.

"...Yugi...Yugi...Speak to me...please." The pharaoh's mind tried to reach out as he noticed a twinkle of his presence though tried to use Mahad's presence that brought the magician to Yugi in the first place.