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[The response is somewhat delayed.]

Bakura-kun... Is that you?

[Too many things are happening right now and he's not sure he should even trust his own communicator.]

It is! [[his voice is worried and a little stressed]] Something's happening, I think Madness is starting to seep into the city, where are you?

Edited 2012-11-04 17:51 (UTC)

['A little stressed' wouldn't really begin to describe Yuugi's own tone.]

I'm at my apartment... The other me-- [He cuts himself off with a sharp intake of breath and there's a brief silence before he goes on, his voice strained.] I think he's here, too...

You think...?

Yuugi-kun, what's going on?!

[[Running now! MUST PROTECT]]

[If only he could answer that question. A sliver of panic edges its way into his tone now.]

I... I don't know... But he's upset. I let him down...

[He nearly chokes on the admission, even as he realizes deep down that something isn't right about this situation; the other Yuugi and the pharaoh wouldn't both be in this world at the same time, would they? And sometimes the other Yuugi doesn't seem to be here at all, fading like a ghost only to reappear a moment later and ask him those impossible questions again.

'I waited for you, partner... But you never came back. Why didn't you come back?'

And that expression on his face, so deeply serious but underneath the surface, where only Yuugi can see it, lingers all the hurt, the frustration, the profound disappointment.

'Do you not believe I can win?'

There's a sudden muffled gasp followed by a loud clattering as Yuugi drops the mirror, and he makes no efforts to retrieve it.]

Yuugi-kun!

[[Crap!]]

Yuugi-kun, listen to me: Would the other you ever be upset at you for something like that? You never let him down! Never! You never let any of us down!

Listen, there's something wrong here, Madness is-- when it gets to you, it makes things that you don't want feel like they're happening! For me-- for me it feels like the Ring is back in me again, laughing at me whenever I try to do anything-- even though I know he can't be there!

It's just your fears-- your worries, it's not the other you!

[There's a long silence, punctuated only by an occasional ragged breath, almost inaudible due to Yuugi's distance from the communicator. And then--]

I-it's not the other me...

[He's trying to reassure himself, trying to grab on to Bakura's words and hopefully regain some semblance of control, but it's very difficult when he's alone in his apartment with his illusions.]

It's just what you're worried about. Because you miss him, right? And you feel like you were taken away from him when he needed you most-- But time isn't moving back home! You didn't leave anyone. When you go back, it'll be like you never left! You'll be there for him when he needs you, like you always are!

[[pardon the crazy camera as he reaches the building and has to get the doors open.]]

[Yuugi isn't even looking at the mirror anymore; he slides to the floor a few feet away with a soft 'thump', pressing the back of his head against the wall behind him and trying to focus on Bakura's words.

Madness... It's the Madness causing these feelings, these hallucinations. His other self isn't really here. He doesn't really believe that his partner has failed him.]

Bakura-kun...

[It still isn't enough just to know that this isn't real; he needs help if he's going to break the power that the Madness has over him. On his own, he can't shake it...]

I'm almost there! [[there's the rumbling echo of feet pounding on stairs now. The elevator would be too slow!]] Just focus on my voice, okay? Having someone else there, it helps! Just focus on me!

[Yuugi nods, forgetting that Bakura can't see him. He's trying to do exactly what his friend told him, to concentrate on Bakura's words and find some stability there.

The door to his apartment is unlocked; it didn't seem important to lock it earlier when he'd stumbled back--feeling oddly ill after staying so late at the carnival--and found his other self waiting in the living room. Or thought he'd found him.]

I'm almost at your floor, just hang in there!

[[Bakura's a touch breathless now. He may be in far better shape than he was back in Domino, but the stairs are still winding him.]]

Just a moment more!

[[Down the hall, counting doors until-- there!

The door is all but flung open]]

Yuugi-kun!

[[He scans the apartment quickly, dashing back to the living room, the most likely room before hurriedly kneeling down before his friend.]]

I'm here, it's okay!

[[He'd make it okay. He owed Yuugi that much!]]

[The moment Bakura kneels down, Yuugi reaches for him, taking hold of his arm with one cold and faintly shaking hand.

It is okay. Or it will be. He's so weak when he's alone but now that Bakura is here...

Now that Bakura is here, he can push these feelings aside and meet the situation head-on. Something is clearly wrong, and not just with him. Bakura had said the whole city was affected; this is a lot bigger than just one person and Yuugi has to toughen up if he's going to help anyone else.]

Bakura-kun... Why is this happening? What's going on?

[[Bakura shifts to be holding Yuugi's hand tightly in his own]]

Something happen that's letting Madness in. I don't know what it is... It's starting to effect everybody, Psii was just--- [[he breaks off, shaking his head. Not for now. Later]]

Can you resonate with me? That helps push it aside. Even though we're both Weapons, it should be enough.

[Yuugi doesn't need to be told twice; he remembers what Mello said about resonance being the best way to fight the Madness and he's almost desperate for some stability right now. He is not about to refuse Bakura's offer. Gripping his friend's hand a little more tightly, he nods once and allows the resonance from his side, reaching out for Bakura's wavelength.

Training with Takuto has given him a lot of practice with this, so he isn't nearly as reluctant as he was the first time. Initially, the effects of the Madness are very evident in his own wavelength, leaving him tense and jumbled and even afraid, but the presence of his friend does a great deal to steady him almost immediately.]

[[Bakura's own presence is a warm, comforting embrace, the want to help, the need to support his friend.]]

'Just stay with me and we'll be fine. No matter what.'

I'll protect you.

[[It was a small, unbidden addition, but one that was very earnest. Yuugi was his best friend who had supported and believed in him. Now it was his turn.]]

[A part of Yuugi welcomes that warm comfort, even as another part of him struggles with it. He can't let everyone protect him forever...

But right now, he needs his friend. He needs that support.]

'Okay... Then I'll protect you, too!'

[Compared to just a few moments ago, when he seemed almost ready to fall apart, his eyes and soul are suddenly burning with a determination that seems almost unbreakable. The Madness still claws at his heart, tears at his mind, and he can't forget the echoing sound of the not-other Yuugi's words, but the very real presence of his friend and the very real knowledge that others are probably in danger right now override everything else.

Still holding Bakura's hand tightly, he struggles to his feet.]

It doesn't sound very good out there! [It's unnecessary to say the words aloud, but he does anyway. And it's true, even in the short time that Bakura has been here, a strange assortment of unsettling sounds have been rising outside. Another thing Yuugi doesn't need to express aloud is his desire to get out there and see if there's anything they can do to help.]

[[Bakura helps him up, keeping his hold]]

Because of the Madness... last time this happened, they put it in the water and then sent down an invasion... but this is different, I think.

[[He looks out towards the window, expression distant]] It's outside... like when we're out on missions. But normally the city's protected against it, which means something happened...

[[He's quiet a moment before shaking his head, turning back to his friend]] Ne... even if we're both Weapons, did you want to see if we can work together, until we find Takuto-kun? It won't be as strong as with a Meister, but it can work.

[[after all, he had just made it work with Ryuzaki on the way down from the island that morning....]]

[Yuugi suppresses a small shiver when he learns that this--Madness infecting the city itself--has happened before; that is highly disturbing but it also motivates him even more right now.]

Okay. Let's see if there's something we can do!

[His attention catches on something (or rather, someone who isn't exactly there) in the far corner but he quickly tears his eyes away, his soul giving a shuddering jerk before righting itself again. And with that, he forces himself to head towards the door, trusting Bakura to keep in step with him.]

Do you want to transform? But you'll have to tell me how to use your weapon form...

[Ah, and he's not sure he'd be such a good 'meister' anyway. It's not like he's ever even fought in a real battle before; beating up dummies in a practice field doesn't exactly count.]

[[Bakura easily keeps step, long since used to matching stride with Yuugi]]

Un... we haven't practiced any and it's a little tricky with the d10...

[[And Bakura was too antsy to take the passive role right then.]]

What's your weapon form? Would it be easier for you to transform?

[Matching stride with Yuugi is, admittedly, not a difficult thing to do.]

A sword... A longsword. I don't know if that would be any easier.

[He's not entirely certain about this; fighting with a longsword requires practice, too. Even Takuto had some trouble at first, and he was used to fighting with swords.]

[[It is when you have to make sure to keep your steps shorter to not out pace the person you're keeping in stride with]]

Heeeeh, really? That's a little surprising! [[But Bakura's all smiles]] That could be really helpful, we wouldn't need to use any special attacks that way! Want to try it?

Yeah... It surprised me, too.

[Yuugi's still a little unsure; it's... not terribly easy to imagine Bakura fighting with an actual sword. Maybe if it was a game that involved swords.

But he's going to have faith in his friend.]

We can try it. [He stops suddenly, tugging on Bakura's hand and urging the other boy to also stop and meet his eyes.] But, look... If it gets really dangerous, you have to transform too! That way you won't get hurt.

[His concern is clearly evident through the connection that resonance provides them; he absolutely does not want anything bad to happen to his friend... again.]

[[Bakura nods, turning with a smile]] Of course! It's a lot easier to hide as a d10, don't worry. It's almost a reflex now. [[admits with a small laugh, doing his best to project reassurance and confidence. Really, Bakura's gotten so practiced that he can transform instantly, roll a few feet and then jump back. Since he was no good fighting, he'd practiced quite a few tricks in the 'getting the hell out of the way' variety, thanks to Leo.]]

Want to try it now? Before we head out there?

[That does reassure him; though he hates the idea of running away, even that is far preferable to Bakura being hurt.

Now that they're on the ground floor, the strange noises from outside are even louder and more pressing. Loud clattering, a frightened scream, something like heavy wing beats, and a strange screeching... Yuugi doesn't hesitate; he just nods once, holds Bakura's hand a bit more tightly, and then concentrates on the transformation. His form glows and then smoothly changes shape, until it comes to rest in his Weapon form, leaving Bakura holding a long and fairly heavy sword.]

'Will this be okay?'

[[Bakura shifts his hold slightly, adjusting for the sudden weight in his hand. It feels...

Right.

Heavy enough to be solid, but not so heavy that it would need two hands to support the weight, even if it felt like it should.

He smiles warmly. Of course, he and Yuugi were best friends, a similar in many ways and different in ones that didn't clash. As if there had been any doubt that they would work well.]]

Un, it should be. Let me try a swing, okay?

[[He shifted his stance, trying to remember how swords like these were held in games and movies. Left hand to support the balance, lift and swing-- only in slow motion since it was just getting the feel.

Yes. Yes he could do this. There was a simmer of nervousness under it all, but with Yuugi with him, he could ignore it. For Yuugi, he could be strong. Would be strong. Deep breath. His hand tightened around the sword hilt before he nodded again.]]

Ready?

[In his Weapon form, Yuugi feels even more resistant to the Madness. There are very few distractions, nothing now but to support his friend.

Since resonating with Bakura is very different from resonating with Takuto--Yuugi doesn't constantly feel as though he's about to be swept away by the other's wavelength if he isn't careful, for one--and he has to take a moment to adjust as well, drawing back ever so slightly to compensate for his friend's lack of forcefulness. He senses the nervousness and tries to provide the sense of an encouraging hand on Bakura's back, just letting his friend know that he is right here no matter what.

The practice swing is slow, yes, but it feels smooth. They can do this...]

'I'm ready. Let's go!'

[[There's a return feeling of warmth at the encouragement.]]

Un!

[[With another deep breath he pushes open the door, looking up for any sign of anything from above before nodding again and starting to walk swiftly towards where the gondolas were, fingers tight around his friend's Weapon form. Knowing Takuto, he'd be having similar thoughts... dashing into action in top form. They just had to get there without any trouble... or at least not any they couldn't handle!]]

Yes.

[He may look strong but it's an act. He's doing that thing where he just pushes all the stuff he doesn't want to face aside. He knows it's madness that's pooling in the city, and he also knows he's going to do something about it.

Or die trying.]

Where are you?

With Yuugi-kun! [[He holds up the familiar sword in his hand, his chest heaving a bit.]] Ran into some trouble already... Thankfully nothing too big yet so we could handle it!

[[But two Weapons teamed up are not strong enough on their own...]]

Someone said there's something on the island that's causing this! We'll be stronger, all three of us together, right?

[Takuto's eyes widen a little--he hadn't expected Ryou to try wielding Yuugi. But the weapon was right; two weapons weren't nearly as strong as a meister-weapon pair... or a trio.

He's just going to keep telling himself he can do this. He has to do this.]

Right. I can wield both of you. [He's pushing some benadryl into a bit of hamburger and feeding it to his puppy--the little guy will be too drowsy for the next few hours to even miss Takuto--and throwing on his coat and heading out the door.] Can you two make it to the gondolas?

[[Resonance was the best way Bakura knew to keep the madness at bay and with the emergence of creatures in the city, it was far easier for him to take the lead than for Yuugi.]]

Un! [[he nods]] We'll meet you there! Be careful, there's already things running around down here, like before with the earthquake!

[He's got a pair of Watch-issued custom swords by the door, and he snags them before he locks the door behind himself.]

Thanks for the warning. I'll see you soon!

[He's going to click off the feed before he starts freaking out. Like the earthquake? Like the invasion? Zombies? Insects? Things? Caves? No no no, no caves.]

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