Memoria

I'm done for the summer! So happy. Enjoy and have an awesome day.

Chapter 17: The Cavern of Memories

Mai and Seto were waiting in his car for Yugi and Isis. They were about to go to the airport, but something had been nagging at Mai for days now. She turned to Seto and he sighed. “Yes?”

“What do you get out of all of this?” She asked and folded her arms across her chest.

Seto slouched in his seat and rested his hands on his thighs. “Relief from guilt? The fact that I’m trying to set a wrong right that I basically made in the first place? I don’t know Mai, it’s not something I can really explain to you. What do you get out of this?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m helping a friend Seto Kaiba. You don’t really need more than that.” Seto nodded at that. “But I’ve been wondering…and I’ve noticed it since we left Davida’s palace, you really looked out for Joey.” She noticed him tense but his face revealed nothing. “Does he have something to do with this?”

The back door opened and Yugi jumped in, “hey guys! Ready to go?”

“We should be asking you that.” Seto said his voice tense.

Mai smirked smugly and looked back. “We’re all set.”

The other door opened and Bakura slid silently into his seat. “I take it you’re supposed to be guarding us from now on?” Seto said looking back at Bakura.

“As like you Seto Kaiba there are personal reasons other than for Yugi’s sake as to why I am here. You’re not a hard man to figure out.” Bakura said roughly. “Yes, I will be guarding you.” He finished and clipped in his seat-belt.

Seto was not comfortable. Mai was on his case, now Bakura. When was this all going to end? Oh, right. “We don’t have much time.” Seto mumbled and started on the way to the airport. “Mai…I don’t really know.” He said softly which made her sigh.

“Don’t worry hun, I think I get it.” She said and pat him gently on the arm. “Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

Yugi shot curious glances at the two but ignored it. He instead turned his attention to Bakura. “So, what are we going to do about Seth?”

Bakura smiled faintly at him. “Just leave that to me. The only thing you need to worry about Yugi is getting that diamond. He’ll be trouble. He can’t get his hands on Yami, so he’s trying to stop the one thing getting in his way, you. Once Yami no Yugi is back here, Seth can be dealt with more easily.” He explained and held his chin in thought. “The others who are protecting Yami right now won’t need to do so and will also be able to help deal with Seth.”

Yugi nodded and sat back. “How do you know all of that?”

“I’ve been waiting for this to happen for a long time.”

*

Malik stopped beside his sister out of breath. “He was here!” He shouted angrily. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Isis turned to her brother and sighed. “Would it have helped anything? You emotional like this is fact enough that you would have been a hindrance to them.” Malik went quiet and he flushed madly. “Seth is after them at all times, they wouldn’t have needed the drama between you and Bakura to add to the mix. Bakura is stronger than you are, and I have come to trust him more. You may not be happy with him…but this is something he has to do for himself.”

Malik ran his fingers tightly through his hair and groaned in frustration. “He didn’t even tell me why! I don’t understand his actions…I don’t know…”

Isis rested a hand on Malik’s shoulder and smiled. “He’s trying to make amends with his past little brother. He’s trying to make it so he doesn’t have to battle his demons anymore…so that he can be with you without any of those ties.”

“Freakin’ idiot…I wish he could’ve just told me.”

“Maybe he didn’t feel like he could have.” Isis said thoughtfully. “Well, when he spoke to me…he said he didn’t want you to know about the actions he had taken against anyone. He wanted to resolve his past and then leave it behind so he could move on, Malik.”

“It would have been no problem to me! I…I need to go for a walk. I’ll be back at the place later.” He huffed and walked off.

Isis smiled at his retreating back and sighed. “All these lovers being foolish…funny that no one is working out…except for Otogi and Tristan…” She chuckled to herself. “What a mess.”

*

The flight to Canada seemed short. The drive was a little lengthy but Yugi was nervous. He didn’t know what was going to happen with this one. Isis said that it was only in a cave called the Cavern of Memories. But from previous experiences he expected that something else would come about. Not even she knew, but she said it would be best to be on their guard. They got out of the rental car and hiked down a wooded trail. “Isis didn’t say anything about this one?” Mai asked.

“Just that it was in a sacred cavern of some kind.”

Seto opened a brochure. “Well, the locals say that it’s a place where you’re met with the memories and emotions of the person you most care about…sounds like some romantic fantasy getup.” He said.

“It probably has to do with the Diamond.” Bakura said.

“Yeah, Isis said it had to do with memory.” Mai reminded them. “She really skimped out on the details for the last three.”

“Well, nothing we can do about that.” Yugi said and noticed a cave up ahead. “There it is…” He paused and the others looked back at him.

“What’s wrong?” Mai asked.

Yugi shook his head. “It’s just…” He caught up to them and they continued on slowly. “I didn’t think we’d make it here.” The reality sunk in with the other two and Bakura just sighed.

“Well you did make it here. You’re Yugi Motou with a goal…I don’t think anyone could have stopped you even if they tried.” Seto said.

“You did all this with a crazy mad dead guy after you. I think you should pat yourself on the back.” Bakura said as they entered the cave.

“Well, we’ve been lucky.” Mai said and turned on her flashlight. “We should go into items collections services or something. We do pretty well.” She laughed.

Seto shook his head but couldn’t help smiling. However, he noticed a familiar blond up ahead. “Hey did you guys…” There was nothing but rocks there. “Um, okay.”

“What?” Yugi asked.

“Nothing…I-.” Seto was suddenly hit with a smiling face. A beach lay out around him and the sun was high in the sky.

“Some on Joey! We should go for a swim!” Serenity exclaimed and shot her fists into the air. “It’s so good to finally be able to see the ocean.”

Joey raced past her.

Seto found himself on the ground with a worried Yugi hovering over him. “Are you okay?” Seto looked around to find him back in the cave. “Seto? What happened?” Yugi however became very quiet and fell before him. Seto didn’t hold his consciousness for much longer. He collapsed completely to the ground. Mai was a little ways off trying to wake Bakura.

“Joey…”

*

Yugi was face to face with Yami but he was looking past him. “Come on Yugi we’re going to be late.” He called.

“I’m coming. Sheesh, why are you so excited about this?”

“I always enjoy watching you duel.”

*

“It doesn’t matter to me.” Malik whispered. “We’ve been through enough Bakura.”

*

“What is going on?” Mai wondered looking over the three. She snapped her fingers and found the brochure Seto brought with him. “Let’s see…personal accounts…~I came to this place to see if the person I truly loved was my wife. I discovered it to be true all thanks to the memories and the power of this Cavern…~ Really is a romantic fantasy thing. Does this mean…they’re all facing memories of the people they love?” Mai asked out loud and crumpled the paper between her hands. “Then what about me?”

She looked around the cavern to see if there was a spot where the diamond could be or some other exit. She looked far down into the cavern and sighed. “How are we supposed to find this thing?”

“Mai…” She looked over at Yugi to find him awake.

“Yugi! Are you okay?” She said coming to his side quickly.

“It…” He wasn’t able to finish as he fell unconscious once more.

*

Yugi looked around and sighed. “I need to find you!” He called out but the memories kept zooming beyond him. “I already know who I love the most, no one, not even a diamond needs to tell me that.” He said aggravated. “…I can’t get him back if I don’t know where to go.”

The scene changed and he found himself back outside the cave. A young boy with short brown hair ran past him quickly. ‘Bring that back boy!’ Someone called from behind him. Yugi looked back briefly to see a man chasing after him. Yugi turned his attention back to the boy and noticed a pouch in his hand. He suddenly knew, the diamond was in there. Taking off after the boy he followed him into the cavern and the boy ran far within. But then he stopped and pulled a back a boulder. He dropped it inside and pushed it back. Yugi watched him go further into the cavern and the man ran past. “So that’s it.”

*

Mai paced back and forth. “Why are boys always so difficult?” She roared and it echoed down the length of the cave. “Does this mean I don’t really love anyone?”

“Mai…what’re you talking about?” Yugi asked painfully. He felt like he had been hit with a sledge hammer.

“Oh Yugi…if this whole cavern thing is true how come I didn’t see anything, any memories?” She asked but shook her head. “Nevermind, it doesn’t matter. How are you feeling?”

“Like I was bludgeoned with a hard object,” he said and got back onto his feet. “Come on, I know where the diamond is.”

“But, what about these guys?”

“They’ll be fine once we get the diamond I think.” Yugi said and began walking down the expanse of the cavern. Noticing the boulder he raced over to it Mai not far behind. “To think people have been looking for this thing for ages and they didn’t look behind this.” Yugi tried to move the boulder, soon Mai was helping him and within a small cubby rested the little green bag. Yugi was about to reach in but he stopped.

“What’s wrong Yugi?”

Yugi didn’t reply he stared at the small bag and sighed. “If I take it, this place won’t be the Cavern of Memories anymore.”

Mai shut her eyes and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Well, we’ll just have to bring it back when we’re done with it.” Yugi smiled and reached in and took the bag. He opened it and reached inside and pulled out the small tear drop shaped diamond. “I thought it was going to be bigger than that.” She huffed and smirked.

“Whatever Mai…I think it’s cute.” He said and put it back in the bag and stuffed it into his pocket. “We should go and check on the others.”

They made their way back and found them conscious and as in pain as Yugi looked. “Well, finally up?”

“What happened? Why do I feel like I have a hangover?” Seto asked his vision blotchy and spinning.

Yugi burst out laughing and pat him on the shoulder. “Who did you see?”

Seto was about to respond before his eyes narrowed. “None of your business.”

Bakura got to his feet and took a deep breath. “Nothing else happened right?”

“No, there was no Shadow Magic, no crazy Seth, just memories.” Yugi answered and put his hand in his pocket. “We found the diamond.”

“You wouldn’t believe how small this thing is.” Mai huffed and placed her hands on her hips. “It’s pretty though, I’ll give it that.”

“Let’s go. We’re almost done this.” Seto urged seemingly uncomfortable.

*

They landed in Domino early the next morning. Yugi felt excitement and happiness well up inside. He couldn’t wait to be done, couldn’t wait to have Yami back. “We’re heading over to Isis right now.” Mai said pushing Yugi along.

“I have to go.” Seto said and without another word was gone.

“He’s in a rush.” Yugi muttered and the three hailed a cab.

“Wonder if it has anything to do with the cavern.” Mai said knowingly.

*

Mana sighed heavily as she sat in the far corner of the makeshift room. Yami was still sleeping, but she could feel him slowly coming into consciousness. She rose when she felt the barriers around the room fluctuate. She placed her hands on the walls and cursed quietly. She raced over to Yami and shook him. “Yami, wake up.” She hissed and the dull red eyes opened. He rubbed his face and looked around.

“Where am I?”

“Shh, I don’t have time to explain. Listen to me, Seth has finally found us. You need to run. No matter what you do do not use your shadow powers. Understand?” He nodded and she smiled. “You’ll be fine.”

“Mana…”

“No, everything will be fine. Your little hikari has all the items now and he should be able to save you.” She gripped his shoulders tightly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t have saved you from all of this beforehand.”

Yami shook his head and smiled. “You kept me safe here. That helps enough.”

Her lower lip trembled. “I meant…I meant before Yami…” He nodded in understanding and held her wrist gently.

“It wasn’t your fault. You don’t need to beat yourself up for that.”

“How touching…it’s not like she could have done anything for you anyway. She was dead after all.” Both looked over to Seth and Yami’s eyes widened. However he felt himself sinking and he fell through the floor.

“Mana!” He called out dust as Shadow Magic engulfed her. He hit a hard surface and looked around. Getting up quickly he ran. He didn’t know where but he just ran. He bumped into a hard body and looked up from the ground. “Dark Magician…”

“Seems you need some help, Yami.”

***tbc

I seem to be channeling my want of finishing this in this chapter...I apologize for that ha ha. Seriously though we're almost there. I'm really excited, not because I hate this story but because I think it truly is about time it was finished. Thanks for the review :-)

Frozen-Wings