Worst Fears, Best Pleasures (Rei no Kaado)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato blinked at Teddie's words. Nanako-chan...? Oh, that was the name of Souji's cousin, that's right...

"Yeah, just like Nanako-chan," Minato said. If he remembered right... Nanako had gotten better because Teddie had cared so much for her. That's what Souji had told him, anyways.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji looked confused at the direction the topic had taken. However, Minato seemed to understand. Teddie shifted his weight uncomfortably as the response. Yeah, just like Nanako. Just like the girl he'd almost lost himself over, and Souji had to rescue him... Souji, who now couldn't rescue much of anyone.

An idea occurred to the bear then, and he found himself wondering why he hadn't thought of it before. Maybe... just maybe it was his turn to rescue Souji. He looked up at Minato and hesitated for a moment before giving a firm nod. He seemed determined now.

"I won't give up," he stated. In a way, it was one of the most mature sounding things Minato had ever heard him say. The determination was comparable to the maturity Teddie had held when he told the friends he had made that their friendship would connect them to Souji no matter where he went. Teddie managed a genuine smile, "After all, he has the courage to bear his feelings, we should do the same!"

Ryoji winced as Teddie snirked, what the blond had just done dawning on him. Had that... really been necessary? Teddie seemed a lot more relaxed as he turned around and headed inside. Ryoji still looked in a bit of pain from the joke as he turned towards Minato.

"That... was painful..." Ryoji remembered he had done something like that in the hospital, "Does he do that all the time?"

----------

"Honda-kun, I'm sorry," Yuugi said. Honda tore his eyes away from Atem and Dark Malik at Yuugi's words, "You're right, we have to help him. I don't like it, but we have to help him!"

The short teenager was digging into his pocket even as he spoke. Honda clicked what Yuugi was doing and dug his own deck out from his pocket. Dark Malik had paused to laugh at the effect Black Magician had had on Iron Death Viser Death. The death glare from the Pharaoh indicated he knew exactly how it had happened. That was right, for three turns no attack would hurt his Ka, and Black Magician was fated to be destroyed by the end of that. There was still a risk from the Pharaoh, though. He had always been good about trap and spell usage. Three lights shot up from his deck before Atem could do much more.

"Don't worry, Pharaoh," Dark Malik laughed, "I'll make sure your death is very painful."

Atem had been watching Dark Malik very closely during the fight. Even while glaring, possible strategies had been running through his head. The other teenager wasn't stupid enough to simply rush him. Even without the Ka, he was outnumbered. It was what created the standoff here. He'd also noted that Dark Malik didn't seem to need to pick out the specific card from his deck to use it. That could only mean the only thing you needed to use a card was the knowledge that you owned it.

The former Pharaoh had intended to handle the situation via a spell or trap, but he'd fought Dark Malik's torture deck before. While it was likely he was using Malik's deck at the moment, Viser Death's presence was sign enough there were too many similarities to run in blindly. Dark Malik had done something that caused three lights to go up... probably setting something to counter anything he tried to do to Viser Death. It was looking like he was going to have to risk it...

While Atem was having his stand off with Dark Malik, a result of the traps and tight area, Yuugi had picked a card. Honda was very nervous about how little Dark Malik seemed to be doing. He knew there was something important about those lights... traps, maybe? However, there was some reason Black Magician wasn't having an effect on Dark Malik's card. When Yuugi lifted his card, Honda had a knee jerk reaction and lifted the card he was looking at.

The two lights shot up an materialized to either side of Black Magician, both a bit back. To Black Magician's right and ahead of Yuugi, Black Magician Girl showed up. To its right and ahead of Honda, Commander showed up. Honda winced at the massive attack difference between his monster and those of Yuugi and Atem. The former Pharaoh noted the arrival of allies, and realized his friends were giving him support in any way he could. An idea occurred to him, and he pulled a single card up from his deck.

Dark Malik happened to catch the color of the card Atem had grabbed. He knew those three cards well enough... that in combination with the non-standard color had him laughing again. He wouldn't let the Pharaoh do that. His entire deck was being lifted into the air with his left hand half a beat before Atem was willing a card forward. Yuugi noticed the card Atem was favoring and was opening his mouth to shout as a beam of light shot up from Dark Malik's deck.

"Atem, do-"

A huge explosion could be heard above the group, causing Yuugi to cut off his statement in surprise. A thick bolt of lightning shot down from the sky and branched into there points before crashing through and completely destroying the three Ka on Atem's side of the battlefield. As the Ka vanished, all three teenagers found themselves wincing at the pain of what was basically a part of themselves being destroyed. Honda took it the worst, his hand shooting to the side and one knee hitting the ground. Commander wasn't even that large a draw on his spirit, but he hadn't had a clue that was how the cards functioned here.

The blue card Atem had been holding seemed almost to spark with light, but it did nothing. Atem jerked his head towards the card. Without the tributes, the god should have still summoned. He had summoned Ra once before without them! He hadn't even felt a pull on his spirit, either... and Obelisk was not his native Ka. That meant something he hadn't accounted for was going on, and Dark Malik wasn't showing signs of being smug about it... an outside influence?

Dark Malik not only wasn't acting smug, but he was moving onto his next phase of attacking. He didn't seem surprised that the Pharaoh hadn't been able to summon Obelisk. As far as he knew, the gods would still need Tributes. He hadn't missed that both the Pharaoh and Yuugi had summoned Tribute monsters without them. He had merely chalked the difference up to those two not being gods. He laughed as Viser Death flew forward, and Atem's eyes widened as he realized it was heading straight for him, a chance to defend himself blown by his surprise that Obelisk hadn't been summoned. He didn't even have time to brace himself for the attack...

...that never came. Honda and Yuugi both jumped back in surprise as someone dressed in blue and black rammed into Dark Malik with the force a quarterback might tackle someone in American Football. Atem had jerked at the movement and the sudden disappearance of Dark Malik's Ka. The platinum blond's cards flew out of his left hand and scattered on the ground as he hit the wall with enough force to leave yet another dent. Atem turned his head towards the new arrival, unable to hide the surprise. Yuugi and Honda both followed suit.

There was what had to be an Egyptian man holding Dark Malik to the wall. After the initial impact, he had put his left hand onto Malik's right wrist and squeezed. The reaction was a clear indication of the pain, as the teenager was writhing a fair bit from the pain. His expression made it clear he didn't have the slightest idea what had hit him. When he glared into the eyes of his attacker, the new arrival suddenly hit him in the head hard enough to cause a bit of bleeding and Dark Malik finally crumpled to the ground, the mark on his forehead fading as a clear indication his body had finally taken enough damage to pass out. The blue haired arrival turned towards Atem, his expression and tone of voice extremely serious.

"*************************"
("Pharaoh, are you alright?")

Atem's eyes widened at the words... and language he was being addressed in. Honda blinked in surprised confusion and turned towards Yuugi. The short teenager caught the movement despite his own completely baffled state. He turned towards Honda and gave a worried shrug and shook his head. He didn't have the slightest clue what had happened. He didn't know who the arrival was or what language he was speaking. Atem seemed to understand, and it only seemed to completely catch him off guard.

"Who..."

Atem shook his head. He looked at Malik's unconscious body and thought about the events. The man was addressing him in his native language, one he only knew thanks to regaining his memories. He looked back up at the man, who hadn't moved an inch. He was like some kind of sentinal with the way he was standing. He seemed to be waiting patiently for Atem to continue, but the former Pharaoh had caught a moment of hesitation when he spoke.

Atem realized it was possible the man didn't understand Japanese... he addressed the man in the same language he had used. Yuugi's eyes widened as he realized if Atem was speaking the same way, there was only one possible language they could be speaking. A language Yuugi had only ever seen used by Malik... How did this man know Ancient Egyptian!?

"***********************************" Atem was speaking rather deliberately.
("Who are you and how do you know me?" Atem was speaking rather deliberately.)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato was a little amazed by how determined Teddie looked, especially as he spoke. It was probably the most mature thing he'd heard Teddie ever say. It would have amazed him more had the bear pun not hit him the moment after Teddie stopped speaking. He winced at the pun. Oh god that was bad.

Minato looked over toward Ryoji with a pained look on his face as Teddie headed back toward the apartments.

"Unfortunately, yes." Minato was once again reminded of Ikutsuki. Teddie and that bastard would have gotten along just fine. And worse still, Ikutsuki would have probably "borrowed" some jokes from Teddie, too... Minato could just imagine it.

[mugenginga]

The new arrival glanced at Yuugi and Honda. Atem immediately tensed up, and his stance and expression changed to dead serious. A list of the cards, spells, and traps he could utilize were running through his mind as the Egyptian man turned back to him. He took a step forward wtih his left foot, and Atem opened his mouth to warn him off. He barely got a sound out before the man was dropping to one knee and bowing his head. Atem lost whatever he was about to say.

Yuugi had grabbed another of the cards from his side deck. Honda's stance had shifted to something far more aggressive. Yuugi was reading Atem's language for the situation, but he didn't think the person was dangerous. It had been sudden, but the way he saw it they'd been saved by the man. Every bit of worried tension dropped when the man went to one knee, and even Honda lost his posture from his confusion.

"****************************. **** Asim Kader *************************************************************************."
("Forgive my trespass, Pharaoh. I am Asim Kader, manifestation of the Nile in the form of Obelisk and Guardian to the Gods.")

Yuugi looked towards Atem as the man had spoken. There had been a name there. Asim Kader? Was that this person's name? The only thing that outweighed Yuugi's confusion was his concern. Atem had taken a startled step back as the man had kneeled and seemed even more startled by whatever he had said. Honda was keeping a very close eye on the man, but also on Atem's actions. What was going on?

"Atem...?" Yuugi asked.

"He... says he's Obelisk," Atem stated as calmly as his voice would let him.

"This guy says he's one of the god cards!?" Honda shouted.

"I don't..." Atem shook his head. Given everything that had happened so far, he supposed it was possible. However, that didn't explain the bow, "********************************************************************************************?"
("I don't..." Atem shook his head. Given everything that had happened so far, he supposed it was possible. However, that didn't explain the bow, "I may have been a Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt, but if you're a god then why are you bowing to me?")

Asim lifted his head slowly, and he seemed surprised. He shook his head quickly as Atem spoke. Yuugi was looking increasingly uncomfortable with the situation, and Honda just kept an eye fixed on the man. Asim lowered his head again.

"*******************************************************************.******************************************."
("I can do nothing but, Pharaoh. Your position places you as my ruler. To do otherwise would be unforgivably rude.")

Atem looked irritated, "**********************!*****************************************! ***************************. ****************************************************!"
(Atem looked irritated, "I am no longer Pharaoh! I discarded that position for the present! Even if I were, I am no god. Get up, I'm not in a position you should grovel to me!")

"*************************?"
("Is that an order, Pharaoh?" Asim seemed a bit confused with the situation.)

"Atem, are you okay...?" Yuugi was looking back and forth between Atem and Asim now. Were they fighting? He didn't like not being able to follow the conversation.

"We're leaving," Atem said, once again speaking in Japanese. He turned to go, and Asim was on his feet with surprising speed.

"*************! ******************************************************************! Ha.. *****************!"
("Pharaoh, wait! It is my duty to provide you protection as the head of the pantheon! Ha.. Ra has ordered it!")

Honda had intended on letting Atem go past him. He didn't like this guy, and being unable to follow the conversation had only made him trust the man less. Yuugi had been able to figure out the man had pissed Atem of somehow, but he couldn't figure out how. He could read some hieroglyphics, but he knew the meanings not the pronunciation. He jerked his head up as Atem had turned, but the former Pharaoh had stopped and looked back at Asim at his words.

"**************? **************************************?"
("Did you say Ra? As in the one depicted on the god card?")

"*********************************************************************** Pegasus*****. ******************************************************************************."
("He is the one whose power has been split by the actions of the man named Pegasus, yes. He is the superior to both myself and Osiris. He is second only to you, Pharaoh.")

Honda and Yuugi had exchanged a quick glance at what the man had said. They had clearly heard Pegasus' name there. Atem looked away from Asim for a moment, and then looked down at Obelisk's card in his hand. Obelisk, huh? It wasn't that he was having trouble with the fact that Obelisk was here. It was that he seemed to regard him as a god... one superior to even Ra, the head of the Ancient Egyptian pantheon. He looked up and glared at Asim.

"***********************************. ******************************. **************************************************************. ***************************************************. *********************************************************************************. ********************************."
("I am not nor have I ever been a god. I stand as a person, not a god. I don't need the protection of a pantheon of a deceased country. I was once Pharaoh, but now I'm just a normal person. If Ra sent you to me, then return to him and tell him I am of no part of his world. I am not Horus, I am simply a man.")

"Honda-kun, can you get Malik?"

"************************."
("Pharaoh, please allow me.")

Atem jerked his head up and glared at Asim, "******************************? ***********************************************! *****************! ************************************************************!"
(Atem jerked his head up and glared at Asim, "Haven't you heard a word I said? You are not my servant and I am not your master! Don't grovel to me! This is not Ancient Egypt, I have no kingdom and no servants!")

Asim paused for a moment, his mouth hanging open in objection. Atem turned towards Honda and glared at him. The expression was returned, and Atem's glare softened. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Honda-kun. Could you get Malik?"

"I don't know, Atem-kun," Honda stated, an aggressive expression turning towards Asim, "He's not light."

Something occured to Asim. Well, there had been times throughout history they had been associated, after all...

"***************... Atem. ********************************** Malik *******************************..."
("Forgive me, Pha... Atem. If you would allow me to take this Malik as a favor rather than a service...")

Atem had frowned at Honda's words. That was an issue, wasn't it? He looked back towards Malik again, trying to figure out how they could handle it, when Asim spoke again. Yuugi's eyes had widened as Asim began to use Atem's name. The short teenager looked towards the former Pharaoh, who seemed to be considering something. There was a clear expression of conceding and he finally nodded.

"****************... **************************************************."
("As a favor, then... I'm only doing this because I refuse to abandon him.")

Asim nodded, and got to his feet. He walked over to Malik, noting that the taller of the Pharaoh's two companions was still glaring at him. He turned away and carefully hoisted Malik up. As Honda had pointed out, Malik wasn't light, but Asim seemed to be having no problems with him. A bit of careful adjusting to avoid further damaging the teenager's hand, and he had Malik swung over his back.

Atem didn't say anything else, simply walking past Honda and Yuugi. Yuugi slipped forward and carefully gathered Malik's cards off the ground, wiping them gently on his pants to get rid of the bit of moisture from the snow. Asim had stepped forward to follow Atem, but Honda stepped in front of him and glared at him. Asim responded by looking down at him with a flat stare.

"I don't know if you can understand a word I'm saying, but I'm keeping my eyes on you," Honda stated, pointing at his eyes and then at Asim's. The Egyptian's expression didn't change.

"H-Honda-kun, let's go..." Yuugi said, walking past him. Honda waited for Asim to move forward before falling in step beside him.

----------

"Minato, do you need a shower? Cause you're sore? The hot water might help," Ryoji said. In truth he wanted one, but Ryoji was more concerned about Minato, "I can start the water for you..."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

"A shower would be great," Minato admitted. "I think I'm going to lay down after that shower... I am never running that fast for that long ever again."