#Tristan Sand

[ladamedemartel]

@lordofthestrix liked for a starter

"We look nothing like that!" Aurora pouted as she laced her arm through Tristan's to depart the theater after a disappointing evening seeing some new film. It was supposed to be about a vampire, the first of it's kind, and that had intrigued Aurora, but the resulting film had left Aurora disappointed. "And, I don't like that they got the bit about sunlight right." Supposedly, the film had been based on Bram Stoker's novel, but Stoker had hardly gotten anything right about his vampires, but this film threatened to expose an actual weakness. "I don't like it, Tristan. And I think that you or I could make a much better film."

[victoriadallonfan]

Tristan: “So what was the first fan thing asked of you, when you became a superhero?”

Victoria: “Furniture.”

Sveta: “What?”

Victoria: “A friend asked me to help carry down a couch from her room. Before I got any fan mail or autographs handed out, I was asked to move furniture.”

Tristan: “Makes sense. I helped out some friends because I’m stronger than regular people. At least you drew a line in the sand right?”

Victoria: Thousand yard stare as she recalls the giant hole she made in the doorframe from accidentally pushing too hard, the couch folded in half. Her best friend crying about how she’s so grounded, Victoria awkwardly sneaking out through the window.

Victoria: “Yes.”

Sveta: “Sweety, you stood there for five minutes in complete silence.”

[the-forest-library]

June 2024 Reads

Jingo - Terry Pratchett

Royal Scandal - Aimee Carter

Swiped - L.M. Chilton

Summer Fridays - Suzanne Rindell

Take Two, Birdie Maxwell - Allison Winn Scotch

Such a Bad Influence - Olivia Muenter

Love is for Losers - Wibke Brueggemann

Treacle Walker - Alan Garner

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky - Kwame Mbalia

Your House, My House - Marianne Dubuc

Willow the White House Cat - Jill Biden

The New Girl - Cassandra Calin

Homebody - Theo Parish

The Friday Afternoon Club - Griffin Dunne

First Love - Lilly Dancyger

Heartberries - Terese Marie Mailhot

There's Always This Year - Hanif Abdurraqib

The Klansman's Son - R. Derek Black

The Conscious Style Guide - Karen Yin

The Ritual Effect - Michael Norton

How We Show Up - Mia Birdsong

Come Together - Emily Nagoski

The Emotion Code - Bradley Nelson

Unlearning Shame - Devon Price

Hello, Higher Self - Bunny Michael

A Sand Country Almanac - Aldo Leopold

The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook - Yumma Jawad

The Salad Lab - Darlene Schrijver

Bold = Highly Recommend

Italics = Worth It

Crossed Out = Nope

Thoughts:  Really enjoyed Griffin Dunne's memoir. I have a small fascination with Hollywood and filmmaking, so I loved hearing those bits, but his family's story is the star here.

Goodreads Goal: 220/300 2017 Reads | 2018 Reads | 2019 Reads | 2020 Reads | 2021 Reads | 2022 Reads | 2023 Reads | 2024 Reads

[jj-maybanks-daughter]

but daddy, i love him!

jj is not fond of y/he new boyfriend.

tristen was toppers son. he was a kook. kooks and pogues didn't mesh, as jj tried to warn y/n

"uhh daddy?" 16 year old y/n asked through the halls of the chautue, coming from a long day at school.

"he's in his room" john b muttered, not looking up from the tv screen infront of him.

"oh ok" she but her fingernails and titled through the house, like she was getting a midnight snack, even though nobody was out to get her

"daddy?" she asked shyly looking through the crack he had left from the hall to his room

"what's up" he smiled, putting down his phone to focus his attention to y/n

"uhhh... I gotta tell you something" she tucked a start piece of hair behind her ear as she looked down to her shoes. "I don't know if you'll like it, daddy" she bit her gotten lip

"your scaringme, what's going on" his smile faded into slight anger and worry

"i-i um... I'm dating someone..." she started

"who?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows

"uhhh... tristen?" she said in an asking voice

"tristen thornton?" he confirmed

she only nodded her head

"y/n what have I gold you about that family?!?" he yelled, intresting the rest of the pogues "do you know what his dad did to your uncle?!? I thought I told you enough times!"

"b-but daddy-" she whispered, wiping her tears. she hated it when he dad was mad, especially when it was to her

"do you want to see the scars?!?" he continued to yell, pointing his finger to her

"daddy..." she cried but quickly got cut off again

"no lets go see those scars, come on" he grumbled, grabbing her hand, taking her to another room

"daddy, I've seen them but he's not like-"

"NO! Y/N let me talk!" he yelled, letting go. "you are not to be around that boy"

"but d-daddy" she cried

"you won't ever see him ag-" he started as he paced

"but daddy, I love him!" she screamed, cutting him off

"no, you dont mean that" he mumbled "AND WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT YELLING AT ME"

"your such a hypocrite, ypur lottery screaming in my face right now" she sobbed

"im the parent! you dont-" she cut him off by turning b her heels to walk away

"y/n, I'm sor-" he said, following her. he felt super guilty. she had a point. he went to grab the back of her arm to talk to her

"no daddy! you don't get it! just because you and topper don't get along doesn't mean we cant!" she cried back after turning back around to face him. neither one of them had yelled at each other like they did today.

the rest of the pogues went outside to give them space, even though they wanted to know what was going on

"I'm going surfing" she muttered after the long silence.

"you can't go alone, y/n" he grumbled, continuing to walk behind her

"I'm not a three year old, dad! I can make my own choices!"

she grabbed her stuff and walked oit of the chautue

jj noticed her bike was gone and rolled his eyes. he got on his own to try to find her at the beach. she had left her phone at the chatue so he wouldn't be able to track her

he thought on the way to the beach. maybe trusted wasnt like his dad, as long as she's happy, ect.

he hopped off the bike and walked onto the beach. "y/n?" he called. he walked down further, not seeing her anywhere. "shit" he mumbled.

he spotted her bike, so he knew she was here. "y/n?" he called out again, until he spotted her and tristen nuzzled up together on the beach, lookingbout to the ocean. he sighed in relief

"I love y-" Tristan started before he saw jj next to him "uh uh hi sir" he quickly stood up "i-im uh tristen" he stuck his hand out for a handshake but jjs arms stayed crossed

"daddy" y/n huffed, rollingher eyes "its fine, just leave us alone"

"y/n we need to talk" jj spoke sternly. by that time, tristen hand was in his hair, messing with is as he did when he was nervous

"can this wait?" she asked, looking up to him from the sand she was sitting on

"just come over here" jj motioned her over with his finger, stepping away from tristen.

"sorry babe, ill be right back" she whispered, giving him a little kiss on his shoulder

tristen sat back down in stress and played with his hair

"y/n..." he started

"yes daddy?" she looked at him with puppy dog eyes

"look,if he make you hap-" she started squealing

"thank you daddy! I love you!" she squeezed him in a hug

"but if he breaks your heart, dont expect me not to break his neck, got it?"

"yes daddy. thank you" she cheered

"be back by 8. and no funny business you too" he gave tristen the I've got my eyes on you look before he got back on his bike.

she sat back down and cuddled with tristen

[devilrose]

Tristan Legend and Giuseppi Mezzoalto from the Sims handheld series camping out in the Strangetown desert. The number of incredible tales that Tristan can share surely increases with the amount of beers had.

Commission for @just-ornstein - thank you for giving me an opportunity to do something with this concept :D

Ever since we discussed the idea of Giuseppi having kind of a crush on Tristan, I've been wanting to write a small fic about it, and working on this commission gave me the kick in the pants I needed. The bonus fic is under the cut. 388 words. It probably takes place a couple hours before the moment in the artwork.

Passenger seat

The desert eats people, they say, and they're right. It's not just the giant scorpions - it's the wind that rips out the dew from within your throat, it's the sky that's too tall and wide and blue and heavy; best to keep your mouth shut and your head down. The desert goes on, infinite wherever it spreads; a limitless space bisected by one straight road, a matter of basic geometry - that's where you drive fast and steady, alone for days in all directions, unless someone is filming some cheesy car commercial. The desert is the space of nothingness - but if you go there, you're searching for something, and you'll sure find it.

Tristan had been at the wheel for a few hours now. It had been baking hot all morning and afternoon; now the sun was finally going down, and in a couple hours it'd be the cold and dry night of the desert. Giuseppi stretched in the van's passenger seat. Not even a lone funky saguaro in the window to distract him from his thoughts. He turned to look at Tristan instead: in the late afternoon light, the stray frizz of his hair against the sun drew a golden halo. He was always like this, carrying that perfect glow, that dazzling charm, that winning smile. Giuseppi squinted his eyes to shield himself from that stupid brightness. What else could he do? Of course it hurt to see; someone like Giuseppi belonged firmly to the night, where dressed in black he concealed the wrinkles on his too-young face, the roughness that would never become smooth again. Tristan, instead, was all gold and shine, in spite of everything - what envy; and what delight. When he considered himself burnt enough, Giuseppi turned away to look at more rocks and sand. Strangetown was how many miles away now? There's nothing behind, and there's nothing ahead. The van drives on. In that moment, that's where the whole world began and ended.

Tristan slowed down, ready for a break. Giuseppi had promised to himself that he wouldn't slip back to his old ways, but maybe he had in him one last crime, if he would find the courage - to steal some sunlight from his lips. Would it be so bad?

//

[gabiioartist]

"reina realized the sound in her head, the scream, was her own. Anger or anguish, misery or mourning, all of the above. She felt the softness of earth beneath her hands and realized she was kneeling prostrate, channeling her pain into the sympathy of sodden ground. She felt something lashing gently over her forearms, slithering out from her pals. Like vines; like threads of consequence." and/or "Yes, Callum thought, I understand it now, Tristan, the meaning of life, it all makes sense. We are given exactly as much time as we need to be a human as we are, and that's it. That's the entirety of the magic. We're not gods, or maybe you are, or Reina is, but I'm not a god, Tristan, I'm just very sad and stupid! I have been looking for inspiration and it turns out I'm not inspired, I'm lazy! I only want to hold your hand! I don't wan't to rule the world, I don't want to control it, I don't even want to influrence it. I want to sit beside you in a little garden, I want to put your needs before mine, I want to laugh at your jokes, even the bad ones, and bury my head in proverbial sands." and/or “This was it, the chronic condition—the only meaning Parisa had left in life. It wasn’t a secret society, it wasn’t an ancient library, it wasn’t an experiment that had taken two decades to design, it was waking up every fucking morning and deciding to keep going. The tiny, unceremonious, incomparable miracle of making it through another goddamn day. The knowledge that life was mean and it was exacting. It was cruel and it was cursed; it was recalcitrant and precious. It was always ending. But it did not have to be earned.”

second piece from my review of @olivieblake 's the atlas series. I love these characters so deeply, and these three in particular, in their twisted discoveries of their personnal philosophies, and what ever can let them survive, was inspiring to read, and meant a lot to me. all three piece's speedpaints are up on my youtube channel!:)

[doomspaniels]

Today we are learning Civil Engineering! We are exploring canals and irrigation.

Afterwards we went through the wading pool a few times and then dumped it. That's some fine, dusty sand, and it makes sticky sloppy mud. Good day for it, though, still under heatwave conditions.

[Video Description: Tristan, a black and white cocker spaniel, splashes in water at the edge of a puddle. As he splashes, he digs out the edges of the puddle, and water flows toward him in new rivulets. The first time he jumps backwards as the water rushes towards him, but afterwards he lets it run--has he done this before, with a bigger puddle? Sounds: splashing in water, and behind us, horses banging buckets as they eat.]

Good grief he's adorable 😄

[releasing-my-insanity]

Leave it to Siegfried to jump all over Tristan every time he even MENTIONS the army and then complain that Tristan doesn't talk to him about the army.

Siegfried, he's TRIED. He started to talk about his small involvement with a particular campaign and you accused him of lying about it. He said it's hard to climb over sand dunes and you acted like he'd made that up.

No wonder he doesn't talk to you about it, you won't let him.

[madhattersez]

I finally got my hands on something I've been looking for (for a reasonable price) since I was just a lowly little level 12 hornball - A "Marvel Swimsuit Special!"

This is the second issue in the series (though the third book of its kind), and it was released in 1993 when... times were different.

The coolest thing about them (other than the totally radical '90s hunkeroos and baberinos in general) is the amount of really talented artists that submitted pieces - So many industry-leading folks putting their spin on the self-aware, low-brow, tongue-in-cheek project.

This first image was by Joe Jusko, a super popular cover artist at the time. I remember his Conan covers the most.

I'll eventually scan the whole thing in high quality, but for now, I'll take some preview pics to show you some of my favorite and/or goofiest pages:

Here is Domino, looking like we might need to race her to a Dermatology appointment. She's apparently tacky enough to wear a swimsuit with a domino print on it.

And check out Cable in the back - Sun's out, cyberbun out! He's ready to catch some waves on a totally-worth-the-money-and-production-time rocket-powered machine gun surfboard.

I really appreciate this artist's commitment to all the "Liefeld pouches" here. I hope they're waterproof, or all those Tic Tacs inside 'em are gonna get ruined. :(

Penciling by Chris Batista, ink by Hector Collazo, coloring by Mark McNaab.

Let's kick off the "after the jump" part properly with this glorious image of Pip. Because this is certainly what people bought this book for.

It just so happens that this fuzzy little asshole narrates the entire issue, so he's to blame for the inherently sexist captions on all the pictures.

Jesus Christ, he's got two big toes on each foot.

Pencilking by Darick Robertson, ink by Andrew Pepoy, coloring by Tom Smith.

I love me some Cloak and Dagger.

Tandy looks as gorgeous as ever. Surely she owns stock in boobie tape by now.

Tyrone, however, is getting so much sand stuck to him right now... I don't think he digs being used as a beach blanket. I'm... not even sure he's ever had to wash his cloak before today! Yikes. He's all like:

Penciling by Joe Madureira, ink by Terry Austin, and coloring by Gregory Wright.

I can't stop laughing at how much Thunderstrike looks exactly like the Genetic Freak, Big Poppa Pump Scott Steiner in this picture:

The work is entirely by Lou Harrison. It may not surprise you to learn he's also a Fantasy artist.

I've always had a thing for Silver Sable, and this page is just fantastic.

That being said, my favorite part is Sandman sitting there, looking like a dope, shaped like a sand castle. Which, while it seems silly, was probably the most challenging and detailed thing I've ever seen him do with his powers. Worth it for the shot, I suppose!

Line work and ink by Steven Butler, a favorite of mine. He did penciling for the "Silver Sable and the Wild Pack" series (which got me attached), but he's also known for designing the Scarlet Spider suit. Coloring by Gregory Wright.

If you thought I wasn't going to Morb out on this post, you were undead wrong.

Just look at that ridiculous batpackage. Also... Is he really serving a cape over a leather jacket, but with absolutely no pants? Damn, dude.

Penciling by Gary Barker, ink by Jimmy Palmiotti, coloring by Tom Smith.

I can spot Adam Hughes' work a mile away, wow. I guess I didn't realize he was doing work for Marvel this far back.

A fierce-as-ever, short-haired Natasha who looks like she got slammed so hard against a rocky wall that it cracked, got up, emptied out the rest of her clip, and still had enough time and energy to pose during a reload.

Black Widow, bay-bayyy. ♫

Oh my god, Ghost Rider is just so naughty. Wearing nothing but his birthday bones.

This scene just looks like it smells awful.

Artwork by Tristan Shane.

Shulkie in a metal bikini (function over fashion?), bursting out of the lava from an active volcano. You wanna talk "hot tub?" Sure, this gets a feature.

Penciling and ink by cover artist Steve Geiger, coloring by Paul... Mounts.

Deezamn, Bishop. Never seen guy looking so buff before.

Instead of just Bishop, this looks like Hank McCoy and Bishop had a child together. Does he have any other mode than "arm vein p-pop?"

Penciling by Dwayne Turner, ink by Mark Farmer, coloring by Gregory Wright.

Ah, one of the more famous '90s Psylocke images that wasn't done by Jim Lee.

This centerfold was used in lots of comic store ads for several years after this issue came out. I remember seeing posters in the shops themselves. Trading cards of this picture are one of the most costly to collect.

It's beautiful, and the colors/lighting/shading are all fantastic.

Penciling and ink by the wonderful Art Thibert, creator of the Raft max security prison and inker of some of the most iconic X-title covers.

Coloring by Paul Mounts, who did the coloring in hundreds and hundreds of just Marvel comics alone - I didn't mention that earlier because I was snickering at his name earlier in the She-Hulk feature. My bad.

Well, this wouldn't be Tumblr without a cat picture, yeah? Or a catgirl picture, I suppose.

This is the most adorable scene in the book. Just Tigra innocently taking a cuddle nap with some... um... wow, I don't know what the fuck those things are. Snuggle up anyway!

Penciling and ink by Amanda Conner, coloring by Gregory Wright.

Huh. Of all the characters in this book, I really didn't expect to see Dr. Cooper... Either which way, the swimsuit under the detective get-up is pretty choice, honestly.

This is, of course, another Adam Hughes line art joint. Ink by Mark Farmer, coloring by Gregory Wright (who did a lot of these, huh?).

What's this? A parody ad that you'd more expect to see in an issue of "What The--?!" that only '80s kids will understand? Yup, totally.

This was in the back of the book and doesn't fit the theme at all, but it gets a mention because of the weird inclusion and also to stall time until I had the final image ready, because I needed time to prepare...

THIS.

This is the one.

How could I not end this little "show and tell" without this beauty right here?

Here, we have remorseless killer Frank Castle flexing his best end-of-catwalk pose in front of a... wrestling match between a bunch of lady demon dinosaurs battling... for his affection? To tip him American cash? Or maybe all those hearts come from their love of beating each other up? I'm not here to judge.

And then there's a sign for 75 cent hotdogs, but it's been covered with another sign for... $20 tooth brushes? What in the shit is going on here?

There is one thing I do know, though. The artist wants you to think that The Punisher has at least $2.75 worth of hotdog under that massive crotch skull.

[joseopher]

two questions, what's your favourite callum quote,

and second, what callum quote wrecked you completely?

OOOOO GOOD QUESTION!

Atlas Complex spoilers undercut

Favourite:

Tristan: Are you romanticizing murder?

Callum: It’s not NOT hot, Tristan. It’s not my fault we make the game of cat and mouse look so damn cute

Wrecked completely:

I’m not a god, Tristan, I’m just very very sad and stupid! I have been looking for inspiration and it turns out I’m not inspired, I’m lazy! I only want to hold your hand! I don’t want to rule the world, I don’t want to control it, I don’t even want to influence it. I want to sit beside you in a little garden, I want to put your needs before mine, I want to fetch you a glass of water when you’re thirsty. I want to laugh at your jokes, even the bad ones, and bury my head in proverbial sand.

[starsfic]

Prompt idea when you can take one

“I love your father. I do. But… he’s almost like a pet to me.”

(Quote from invincible, do with this what you will)

"I love your father. I do. But... he's almost like a pet to me."

"Piper?" Her dad sounded startled, which made sense. Hugs between them had always been rare, especially considering Tristan McLean's schedule. Still, he was here and Piper just had to hug him.

Especially considering the most recent conversation with her...mother.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, burrowing her face into his shoulder. He smelled like surf and sand, despite them having lived in Oklahoma for a year now. "I just...really need to hug you."

Her father's arms wrapped around her.

Aphrodite might view him as a pet, but Piper knew who he was- the parent who loved her.

[carolrain]

Neither WIP nor Wednesday

Oh, @jamilas-pen thank you for tagging me in your non-Wednesday non-writing WIP post, which is exactly the kind of post I can do. And thank you to @mammameesh @a-noble-dragon @mostlyinthemorning @leofdaeg-sand and @ramonaflow who are also in my recent mentions.

Like @jamilas-pen I have been working in the yard. In January, an ice storm took out one of my trees (a hawthorn) and last weekend I planted a new one (a cherry).

This is the "before" view. The "after" is still currently kind of scrawny, unphotogenic, and surrounded by dirt and dandelions. You can just imagine it. It's about as tall as I am, if that helps.

And yesterday, my kid and I made doughnuts for the first time (recipe here). They're apple.

And I have written a little, but I regret to tell you it's a couple of thousand words about a dying cat. It has an audience of zero and is, for reasons unknown, in second person. Here is a little excerpt (feel free to skip it!):

But it doesn’t seem like he’s better now. You hold him like a baby. He has always loved that. Now that he has one fewer front legs, he fits even more snugly against your chest. He rests his head on your shoulder and you rest your hand on his back. He weighs about as much as your daughter did when she came home from the NICU. You remember how she felt in the same spot—her curled up legs pressing against you, her diapered butt in your palm. Her oxygen tubes got in the way, though, and she was wiggly and restless. He is a better cuddler.

Here is the cat in happier days. His name was Tristan, and I miss him lots.

If anyone wants to jump in with cooking, crafts, gardening, or some other kind of work, please do! Also, everyone go look at @jamilas-pen's pretty flowers.

[twisted-art-wounders]

YGO AU: Breaking the Seal 16

Chapter 16 Eclipse

Yami Yugi sets out to face Raphael in a duel that will change everything between him and Yugi.

The night was quiet in the dessert; a dry wind blew across the landscape of sand and rock, in the RV Yugi and his friends were all fast asleep. Everyone had to find a less then comfortable spot in which to sleep; Joey, Tristan and Duke found spots next to the kitchenette area, while Rebecca slept at the bench near the dining table.

Tea and Yami Yugi sat in two chairs about a foot apart form each other, while Tea had fallen asleep relatively quickly Yami Yugi was wide wake. He sat in the dark his eyes closed and duel disk in his lap, finally opening his eyes he decided now was the time to leave. He got up silently and attached the duel disk to his arm. Rebecca had stured a bit opening her eyes slowly she saw Yami get up and head towards the door.

“Yugi...” she spoke softly making Yami stop and look back at her, he put his finger to his lips to 'shh' her before walking out of the RV.

Yami walked down the steps and headed towards Mai's Jeep; Mai was fast asleep in the back of her vehicle with a velvet eye mask on keeping her vision dark, she snored a lot louder then had Yami expected from her. This was perfect since his sights were set on her motorcycle that sat a few feet away from the Jeep with the matching red helmet sat on the drivers seat. Yami picked it up and put it on, he released the bike off it's kick stand making the bike stand up then started to walk away with it. Luckily for him it wasn't too heavy even in a neutral state so he quietly escorted the bike away from their camping site.

Yugi appeared in his ghostly form and watching Yami pilfer the bike, Yugi's expression wasn't very pleasant as he spoke.

//Other me! You can't steal Mai's bike! She's gonna be furious!//

//Partner, sometimes it's better to beg forgiveness then ask permission. Besides this is an emergency she'll understand.// Yami responded shrugging off his concerns.

//That's just it I'm not sure if she's really the most forgiving person...Besides we barely have experience on a motorcycle...// Yugi pouted a bit hoping Mai wasn't going to blow her top fully at them when this was all over...

//Yugi, this is the fastest way to get to Death Valley and we don't have moment to waste.// Yami instantiated //Besides the sooner we get there the sooner we can recover your soul...//

Yugi watched Yami as his voice went lower and under his breath he uttered to himself

<i>“I wont be useless...”</i>

Finally once they were far enough away from the campsite Yami mounted the bike as best he could and started the engine. As the motor roared to life he revved the engine a bit before he took off down the dirt road heading towards the direction Rebecca had pointed to earlier that night. Unannounced to the pair another pair of duelists Rex and Weevil were following behind them on an burnt out tandem bicycle. Below on a path that ran parallel the one Yami was on; Yami was picking up a lot more speed then they could really muster but the thought of getting their hands on the Orichalcos card kept them going at fast pace.

--

Mai was stured awake by the sounds of muffled yelling just outside of her Jeep, thanks to her eye mask she couldn't see right away. Pulling up one side and peering out she found the yelling to be coming from the RV. She grumbled pulling the eye mask off fully and hissed out.

“God, what now?” She sat up and reached for a bottle of water sitting in her cup holder and took a swig off of it to help combat the stickiness in her mouth.

She opened the door of her Jeep and got out ready to storm over the RV and ask why they were up at- <b>4 AM?!</b> Causing god knows what kind of ruckus. Just as she started her walk she heard the sound of something behind her, spinning around she saw a shape was approaching the area something or someone was coming their way...

“Rebecca! How could you just let him take off like that!?” Joey barked at the younger blonde girl being held in Tea's arms.

“Joey come down! You would have done the same thing!” Tea scolded Joey.

“No, WE would have talked some sense into him!” Tristan answered back just as annoyed.

Joey was about to get ready to run out and go after Yugi when they all heard a frantic knock at the RV door. Duke had gone and opened it to find Mai was in the doorway, beside her holding onto her as best he could was Professor Hawkin's looking warn out and exhausted from his long walk back.

“Grandpa!” Rebecca shouted and raced to the door to grab her Grandfather who look relived to see she was safe.

“I found him outside...” Mai explained allowing the professor to be escorted into the back of the RV to rest.

“Professor, what happened? Are you okay?” Tea asked.

The older man sat down on a chair and looked up with worry “I'm going to fine with some rest...but where is Yugi?” He looked around not seeing him.

“He left in the middle of the night to go and find the dude who kidnapped you!” Joey said.

//Left? But how?// Mai asked to herself before stepping back outside and finally noticing her bike was missing causing her scream out.

“That thieving little-!”

--

As Yami drove along the rocky dirt road that ran along side a cliff face Yugi couldn't help but think about the events that had happened to him in last 3 days. From DOMA challenging him to duel and losing the god cards, encountering the powerful ancient evil magic of the Seal of Orichalcos which he somehow had the power to break. The monster in the sky that stole half of his soul, all these weird and horrible dreams his mind was giving him. He couldn't help but feel so overwhelmed but one thing seemed to be the centre of it...Dartz. He didn't even realize how much his trauma was effecting him until he met Dartz and started to experience all the nasty emotional whiplash all at once...

Then there was that 'dream' duel against Pegasus, only for it to be revealed it was real and he actually took his soul! Or maybe he didn't? Maybe DOMA was lying to try and hurt him? But then again what happened earlier with facing Joey whom he thought was Yami Marik...They seemed to have power over his captured soul and could make him think and do what they wanted...how could he trust himself at this point?

Yugi looked over to Yami as his eyes wavered a bit...he remembered his promise to Dartz about keeping their meetings a secret...But Yami was his partner and like he said he can't keep things from him forever. Yugi sighed and decided perhaps now would be a good time to explain to his other self about this man and maybe get his option on things.

//Uhh...Other Me...I have something I need to talk to you about...// Yugi spoke sheepishly drawing Yami's attention to him.

//Hm? What is it Partner?//

//Well...the last few nights I've been sleeping alot...and I-//

Suddenly Yami could feel the bike start to shake violently as it started to come very close to the edge of the cliff they were currently riding alongside. He panicked and tried to regain control over the bike to bring it back over to the wider road, he had just enough time to get control again and bring the bike back in the safe zone.

Yami panted harshly, some sweat running down his face from that scare they just had.

//I'm sorry Yugi, but I need to concentrate on the road right now, we can talk more after my duel with Raphael I promise!//

Yugi panted trying to calm his nerves, he knew full well what could happen if Yami lost control over the bike like that again and didn't want to risk it so he only said.

//Right! P-please pay attention to driving so we don't end up like road pizza...// Yugi gulped.

Yami only nodded keeping his eyes on the road doubling down on his efforts to stay focused.

//I'm gonna rest in my soul room for a bit, call for me once we've arrived okay?//

Yami only have a quick “huhm.”

Yugi then vanished from sight.

--

Joey, Tristan, Duke and Mai had gathered together in her Jeep; Mai already changing clothes to something less lax and more sporty. The Jeep roared to life while Tea stood beside the vehicle, Rebecca was inside helping her grandfather rest in his bed. After he explained that the blonde man known as Raphael had allowed him to leave a while ago, the group decided to go after Yugi in Mai's Jeep while Tea and Rebecca would stay behind with the Professor.

“I still don't get why we can't take my car.” Duke asked as he sat in the back with Tristan.

Joey was up front with Mai who answered his question flatly.

“You wanna drive an open top Cadillac in the middle of the desert and not a 4x4 all terrain Jeep... Do you know how crazy you said right now? ”

Duke only looked away a bit embarrassed to be called out like that, Joey leaned out of the window and called out to Tea.

“Tea, keep and eye on the Professor! We'll bring Yugi back in no time!”

“Will do, just be careful guys!” she said still a bit worried.

“And keep and eye out for Rex and Weevil...no telling what those two are up to.” Tristan added since no one had seen the likes of them for hours and while it was a bit of relief to not have to worry about them, it wasn't uncommon for them to be to no good.

Tea nodded as Mai started her Jeep driving off in same direction Yugi and Yami had already gone on.

//Good luck you guys...// She thought watching them disappear into the desert night.

--

Yugi found his way into his soul room...well what he hoped was his soul room since it all seemed to be covered in a thick fog. He looked from side to side and noticed the room was empty, even if it was just square room with four walls it somehow felt bigger? Endless even. This had to be a result of his soul fading away...it scared him just how much of himself was vanishing from this world.

Yugi started to walk and look around hoping to at least run into a wall maybe? That's when his foot stepped on something. He looked down and saw it was the deck of tarot cards Dartz gifted him a few days ago. Yugi knelt down and picked up the cards confused by the fact they seemed to be the only other object in his room besides himself...that's when he felt a pulse of energy come from the deck almost like it was a heart beat.

That's when Yugi remembered what Dartz told him about the cards.

<i>“Keep them close to your heart, that way you know inside you will always hold the answers.”</i>

Yugi pressed the cards to his chest and thought

//Maybe they'll give me the answers I need...//

He then sat himself on the ground and started to shuffle the cards. He's was going to give himself a basic three card reading just like Dartz had shown him before. While he didn't know exactly how to read tarot cards he could just remember what the outcome was and then ask Dartz to help interpret them again.

As he shuffled the cards he closed his eyes and tried to relax, all he had to do was concrete and ask the cards a question. But that was the problem. What question should he ask to get the answer he needed? What did he need to know in order to fix himself and save the world...

“Can I...trust Dartz?”

Yugi put the deck down and drew his first card that represented the past; 'The Star' well that was promising? he'd hoped. His second card the one in the present was 'The Hanged Man' but for some reason it was upside down...he was very confused by this and knew he'd have to ask why that happened...Finally the last card the one that foretold the future 'Judgment' Judgment for what?

Yugi groaned and fell backwards onto the what he thought was the ground and looked up to see just more fog! URGH!! Why was it so foggy!? Yugi held his head and kicked his feet accidentally spreading the rest of the cards in front of him as he did. He let out a frustrated scream into the foggy void before letting his body go limp.

Yugi continued to stare up into the endlessly foggy ceiling letting out an exhausted sigh before saying

“Can the universe <i>please</i> just give me a straight answer for once?”

He sniffled a bit and rested his hand on his forehead trying to fight some tears that fell from sides of his eyes then ran down his face.

“I feel more lost then ever...”

Yugi closed his eyes and started to breath in and out slowly hoping this would help him calm down more. He then felt the warmth of a bright light shining above him, Yugi opened his eyes slowly as he saw this brilliant bright green light floating above him in the shape of a star in the sky.

“The Star...” Yugi said as his eyes became transfixed on the light he could hear a voice...someone or something was calling to him.

In his mind he again thought back to something Dartz had recently told him

<i>“If you ever feel lost Yugi, the light will guild you back home...”</i>

“Home...”

Yugi's voice was just as entranced by the light as his eyes started to glow in the same green energy. Yugi's body slowly stood up, he kept his eyes on the light as he started to walk towards it reaching out a hand to grasp it's light.

“There's no place like-”

Suddenly he felt the ground shift under his feet rocking him back and forth a few times waking him from the trance as the air around him became warm? Yugi blinked shaking his head he saw the whole room had changed to just an endless desert. He looked around and saw nothing but dunes of sand all around him. A hot wind blowing past his face and sending more sand into his eyes forcing him to cover them.

Before Yugi could say a word he felt the ground below change into a swirling vortex opening up under him. He barely had a chance to jump away before he felt his legs start to sink into the vortex. He gasped as he fell onto his knees, the sand was pulling him down and sinking him deeper into the ever widening hole that grew to be the size of a large pool in seconds.

“Urgh! What's going on!?”

Yugi grunted as he tried to get hold of something, anything! But all around him was more sand that only slipped through his fingers giving him no friction to try and pull himself away. He felt the walls of sand started to close around him pulling him down harder. Yugi looked down and nearly chocked when he saw in the center of this sinking hole looked to be the eye of Wadjt. The same eye that was on his Millennium Puzzle in fact this very thing <i>was</i> his Millennium Puzzle! A gigantic version of it at least 10 times bigger then himself, making it half the size of real pyramid. It rose up from the center of the sink hole, as the center eye was glowing a bright golden light like it always did but this time the power coming out of it was controlling the sand around him. Making waves of cascading sand flow and fall downwards like a water fall below.

“No! Why are you doing this again!? Stop it let me go!”

Yugi was scared and even more confused as the why this was happening to him again?! Why was the puzzle trying to hurt him? Looking down at his chest he saw his puzzle was also glowing. Then suddenly he felt the chain around his neck loosen and break causing the puzzle to drop from his neck and sink into the sand below.

“No!”

Yugi screamed and tried to reach down for it but it only sank deeper heading towards the center where the giant puzzle rested. Suddenly the newly broken chain shot up and warp itself around his wrist. He gasped as he felt another chain grab his other wrist and pull him down with it.

“ARGH! Stop let go!”

Yugi struggled trying to pull against the chains while also fighting the sand that kept caving in around him. He started to sink into the sandy vortex, like something caught in a draining sink heading towards the dark abyss. Yugi tried desperately free himself but it was no use he couldn't fight the chains or the sand he was completely out matched.

“No please! Stop stop it! Other Me, Help!”

Yugi screamed trying to reach out hoping someone-anyone would reach down and pull him out, but the chains were too strong they kept his arms down and continued to drag him below.

Again Dartz's words rang through his mind...

<i>“Chains are very strong and good at keeping the things we love bond and safe...but we can become so entangled in them we don't realize those same chains can and will drag us down if we are not careful...”</i>

Yugi's eyes widened as he felt his heart break the sand finally reached around his neck before fully pulling his head under. The green glowing light above was gone and soon the enclosing darkness was all he could see. He slowly closed his eyes as he couldn't breath anymore and started to surcome to his fate.

“...Yugi...” a voice whispered to him.

“...Yugi! ” it spoke again closer this time...who was-

“Partner!” Yami called out making Yugi snap awake quickly.

//AGHHH!!!// Yugi yelled out making Yami jump a bit.

“Yugi! What's wrong?” Yami looked at his partner with worry in his eyes.

Yugi was panting and shaken as he looked to see he was back in the real world again, just outside of his body with Yami Yugi in control. Yami sat on the motorcycle which had stopped on top of a large cliff, looking down below into a canon and with a giant flat rock island.

//I... it was...a dream?// Yugi tried to calm himself down once he saw he wasn't in danger anymore; his puzzle was back around his neck as usual, the chain still intact and not around his wrists like in his...dream? Was it a dream? Wasn't he just in his mind? What-

“Yugi?” Yami asked again waiting for an response.

//Uh! Oh sorry! I just...// Yugi held his head then rubbed his face up then down before letting it go.

//Sorry I had a nightmare...//

“A nightmare?” Yami wanted to press more only for Yugi to give him a small smile.

//Y-yeah I'm alright! Let's just move on okay, are we here?// Yugi tried to quickly change the subject.

“Yes...” Yami looked down now at the rock island below there was a figure, Raphael was waiting for him to arrive.

--

Raphael stood in the center of the rock island arms crossed and waiting for the Pharaoh to arrive, he looked down at his deck and placed a hand over it. He could feel the power from his monsters beating like a heart in his hands, the aura of his main monster Guardian Eatos took the form of hawk that spread it's wings around him holding him closely.

//It's almost time...//

He thought before looking up and hearing the roar of a motorcycle pull up at the top of the cliff above him. Yami revved the engine of the motorcycle again as he backed it up a little, Yugi was about to ask how they could climb down the cliff face safely only for Yami to drive the bike off the cliff ledge and ride it down towards the bottom of the ravine skidding to a stop just in front of a rope bridge that lead to the lone island. Removing his helmet and placing it on the seat of the bike as he dismounted it.

Yugi on the other hand felt his heart in his throat and was certain they were about to die from that stunt, only for Yami to act so nonchalantly about the whole experience and walk away like nothing happened.

Yugi felt his face turn red in anger as he shouted

“What was that about!? We could have been killed!”

“It was the fastest way down.” Yami said flatly heading towards the rope bridge.

//<b>Falling</b> would have been just as fast... //Yugi grumbled under his breath as he watched Yami cross the rope bridge and stand face to face against the towering Raphael who looked as strong and stoic as ever.

“Glad you finally made it, Yugi.” Raphael smirked slightly.

“I held up my end of the deal! Now release Professor Hawkins!” Yami shouted.

“He's already been set free. He should have reached back home by now. But you on the other hand...”

Raphael quickly discarded his long purple over coat to the side before bending down and picking up a pair of axes at each of his sides. In one quick motion he threw the axes at Yami who barely had time to react as the blades blew past his face, quickly hitting the poles of the rope bridge behind him causing the bridge to collapse effectively trapping them both on this lone rock.

Yami glared back at Raphael who continued

“Wont be escaping our fated duel. I have to admit I'm honoured to fight you as true duelist Yugi Muto...”

Yami grinned closing his eyes for moment “Don't make me laugh. You call yourself a true duelist?” he opened his eyes and growled at him “A true duelist would never use Duel Monsters for evil!”

“Hmph! You think We're evil? Alright let me ask you then, what is justice to you? We all believe in different things, we all have our own sense of justice. Is DOMA's path evil or good? That will be up to history to decide wont it? ”

Raphael watched Yami Yugi who answered.

“DOMA's path is evil and as long as you follow them you're already on the path of devastation! Your sense of 'justice' is skewed and I plan on proving you wrong in this duel!” Yami narrowed his eyes at the blonde man.

“But I have two conditions; One: <i>When</i> I win you will release my partner's soul from the shard of Orichalcos you're carrying it in, That's right I know you've been using that stone to control him!”

Yami pulled out the stone necklace he was wearing and showed it to Raphael.

“Two: You wont use his soul like some kind of puppet like you did back at Industrial Illusions! Keep his soul out of this, Got it!?”

Raphael grinned and closed his eyes “Fine, but from where I stand the only one whose 'puppeting' him around is you. But you did pick a strong vessel I'll give you that.”

That comment made Yami Yugi glare and fume even harder, he certainly was more fired up then ever to not only prove this man wrong but get his partner back.

Raphael opened his eyes again and looked directly towards Yugi.

“If I may address your vessel for moment?”

He asked making Yami hiss a bit. Yugi himself then appeared in his ghostly form beside the Pharaoh, Yami shot a quick look to his side eye and saw Yugi nod so he responded

“<i>We're</i> listening.”

Raphael rolled his eyes a bit at his response before continuing

“Vessel- no I wont disrespect you like that, you're more then just his vessel. I'll call you by your real name- Yugi. I've watched you duel on your own twice now and I have to say I was wrong about you. I thought of you as just a weakling who needed the Pharaoh's help at a moments notice. This is why we singled you out at first, but then I saw you do the one thing I've never seen anyone do...You broke the Seal of Orichaolcos not once but twice. The purity you carry inside of you is remarkable to say the least.”

Yugi listened quite intently to his comment he didn't realize just how impressive breaking the seal really was...purity? He was that pure of heart?

“You are a rare gem that exists in this tainted world, one of the very few humans who can wield such power without corruption...This is why I can tell you with confidence, you don't need him to be strong. You have strength of you're own and you should be proud of that. <i>Don't let him corrupt you, Yugi.</i>”

Raphael kept his gaze on Yugi as the sun started to raise up before them. Yugi's eyes widened; corrupt him? What did he mean by that? Yami's eyes narrowed into dangers, he was beyond enraged by his comment.

“Enough! I'll show you my justice, Raphael!” Yami yelled as he activated his duel disk, Raphael doing the same as they both yelled out.

“Duel!”

--

As the duel began Yami and Yugi both felt a powerful aura that surrounded Raphael, his intensity as a duelist just increased 10 fold. Both Yugi and Yami were shocked to feel this kind of power coming from the man, Yugi warned Yami to be careful Raphael wasn't an ordinary duelist...And he certainly wasn't a push over in the slightest. He manged to active 'Guardian Treasure' and by discarding five cards he could draw two cards and with every turn from then on. At first Yami was confused as to why he would do that, toss out his whole hand just to increase his draw...then it hit him he wanted the Seal of Orichalcos!

Yami was impressed with Raphael's Guardian deck all his monsters worked together to protect each other and their duelist from danger. The cards of Guardian Grarl and Backup Gardna on his duel disk were warn out to the point they looked like they would fall apart. Raphael explained while the backings were replaced so the cards wouldn't be marked, he'd never part with these cards.

Raphael had gone onto to explain about how his life was torn apart by the tragic loss of his whole family on a cruise ship that sank into the ocean. He was the only survivor who washed up on a deserted island. While he was devastated by the loss the only thing that kept him going was the thought of his family still being alive waiting for him. And of course the help of his monsters who kept him company and protected him for the three years he spent trapped on that island.

Never speaking to anyone and only having his cards as his family, he one day saw an island out in the middle of the sea. He sailed to it only to be pulled into the ocean by the waves, as he sank into the sea he saw a powerful light that revealed an ancient city below him, then he heard a voice calling to him.

<i>“The boy who commands Duel Monsters... Return to me when you learn everything.”</i>

He was soon recused and returned to society only to find out his entire family really was lost at sea, the only thing of them left were grave stones with their names on them. He then discovered the rest of his relatives took his father's inheritance and used him only for publicly. Walking the streets alone he wondered why did he return to this horrible world? Why was he the only one to survive? That's when he knew the only way to answer destiny is to accept it no matter where it may lead. That is what did that day when he joined DOMA to answer his destiny.

Yugi listened to his story and felt a great deal of empathy for him; Yugi knew what it felt like to be alone...but to lose everyone you hold dear and to be trapped alone for so long. Only to come back to a world of cruel people with no friends or family to support you. It must have been devastating for him no wonder he turned to DOMA if he felt this lost...just like Yugi was feeling lost too. Is Raphael right? Is DOMA really evil...or-

Yami on the other hand while he could see Raphael was in pain recalling his past, even seeing tears roll down his cheeks as he asked him why he was left alone in a cruel world. He still couldn't bring himself to agree with the man, he knew DOMA was evil and that was that! No amount of sympathetic back story was going to change his mind, this man was evil and he had to stop him to win Yugi's soul back.

“I almost pity you Pharaoh...We're a lot alike you and I, Destiny played us both and now it has pitted us against each other but only one of us will come out of this with their soul.” Raphael said.

“I don't intend to lose this fight!” Yami yelled back.

“Neither do I. One last thing Pharaoh. I don't plan of playing my Seal of Orochalcos in this duel.”

Yami was shocked he was sure this is what Raphael wanted form the start, the get to use the Seal of Orichalcos faster, but now he says he wont use it at all...

“I don't need that card to defeat you.” He finished saying.

As their duel continued Rex and Weevil finally arrived and tumbled down the cliff together landing just at the bottom, they decided to hunker down a bit and watch the duel hoping for an opening they could use to get the blonde man from DOMA to let them join him.

--

Yami had his back against the ropes; Raphael truly was a powerful duelist he managed to have him on his toes with each move. But now the tables would turn since he finally drew his Timeaus card and merging it with Dark Magician Girl he made Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight. He'd made a promise to her not only to save the two worlds but to save Yugi as well and he wasn't going to let either of them down. With their combined power Yami managed to send Guardian Grawl to the graveyard.

Raphael stood in shock this was the one thing he was afraid of...Timeaus' power would give Yami the edge he needed to get ahead but Raphael was prepared and wasn't going to go down as easily as Yami had hoped. Using 'Self Tribute' he managed to keep his monster out of the graveyard thus keeping his continuous spell “Purity of the Cemetery' in effect which was already chewing away parts of Yami's Life Points due to it's effect.

“Nameless Pharaoh do you know why I'll never lose to you? It's because we at DOMA have a strength you lack. The strength to admit we have darkness in our hearts.”

“How exactly is that a strength Raphael?”

“Just as there is light inside of our hearts there also exists darkness, just like the balance of scales the world has both darkness and light. If you are bond by the light in your heart then DOMA is bond by the darkness in our hearts. ” Raphael touched the shard of Orichalcos that hung around his neck and continued

“Yes, the darkness we share is the abyss of despair, its an abyss so deep that you can't see it with your self-righteous sense of justice. Our greatest burden in this world is despair and sadness...”

“You're wrong! What can you achieve with nothing but revenge and destruction? All there will be left is emptiness! ” Yami shouted making Raphael chuckle.

“That's the point, If I act halfheartedly only emptiness will be left...but what if there is no emptiness? DOMA's true goal is nothingness! To return history to zero, wipe everything out and start over again from scratch!”

“What!?” Yami shouted confused.

“DOMA has existed from the start of civilization to lead mankind on the path they should follow, supporting culture or using cruel tactics to guide history. But time and time again humans repeated the same mistakes for millennia, not knowing their place in the world. Humans are meant to be the guardians and protect this world, this is why we were granted wisdom! But look- ” He gestured behind him to see the dead land that surrounded them.

“Beyond the horizon, selfish people are ruining this world and shedding unnecessary blood, pain and sorrow, this is all humanity has managed to create in all this time we've spent on this world...they've gone beyond what DOMA imagined and will soon destroy the world! And so DOMA's changed it's goal. Now it's time to finally put an end to it once and for all, by resetting history.”

Yugi listened and realized this is exactly what Pegasus told them earlier about DOMA, leading the world secretly guiding human history...and now their goal was to reset the world...using that giant monster!

“You- you can't do that! It's insane!” Yami shouted “You don't get to make that choice for yourself!”

“It's not our choice...it's DOMA's leader's decision. The one who ruled and brought paradise to this world once and he will do it again...” Raphael placed a hand over his chest and looked towards the sky.

“Then you're leader is just as delusional as you!” Yami growled.

Raphael chuckled again closing his eyes “I think I get it now...”

“Get what?” Yami shouted annoyed.

“Why you're so desperate to get his soul back...he's your counter balance.”

“...What?”

“Think about it, just like everyone you have darkness in your heart, but your soul was sealed away for millennia, did you ever wonder why that was? Or what kind of Pharaoh you really were? Can you say you really were a righteous king?”

Yami stayed silent as he thought back to what he saw in Battle City; when he and Kaiba had a vision of their past and how the entire kingdom was seen in ruin and darkness...did he cause that devastation?

“Perhaps you were sealed away for the evil you carry inside of you...and now you've returned but in the body of one of the most purist souls, the only soul that has managed to break through the darkness...the only soul pure enough to keep your evil in check?”

Yugi appeared again and took Yami's shoulder //Don't listen to him! He's just trying to upset you...//

Yami closed his eyes and gripped his fists tightly “That's not true! I know I was a worthy Pharaoh! A righteous one! I stopped the darkness! And I'll do it again!”

Raphael grinned as he knew he was finally starting to aggravate him enough for his plan to finally work.

“Then prove there is light inside of you're heart...”

The duel continued and Raphael drew two cards from his deck, placing one face down before activating his set card 'Exchange' normally they'd both have to pick of card from each other's hand but since they both only had one card each they would just swap cards. Yami was annoyed enough and now he had to swap cards with this maniac? Lovely, he rolled his eyes.

As they walked up to each other Yami handed his card to Raphael “Necromancy.” he said before commenting this card wouldn't have helped him anyway since Raph had no monsters in his graveyard for Yami to summon. Yami just huffed and demanded he hand over his card already, impatiently holding out his hand. This made Raph grin again as he simply handed the card over saying

“Take you're card of destiny, Pharaoh.”

Yami took the card swiftly before turning around and walking back to his side //What did he man 'Take my card of destiny?'// Yami thought as he finally looked down at the card in his hand and froze.

“N-no...why would you give this to me?”

It was the Seal of Orichalcos...the very card Raphael told him he would not play in this duel and now he held it in his hands...

“I know you have a piece of the Orichalcos you took off Gurimo around you're neck...”

Yami looked down and saw the stone necklace had started to glow a little bit making him grab it and hold it tightly trying in vain to hide it.

“It's time for you to finally prove yourself to me Nameless Pharaoh! If you truly believe you can rely on the light inside of you then you can play that card as effectively as Yugi did. Prove to me you don't need him to conquer the darkness within yourself!”

Yami looked at the card again only for Yugi to pop up and shout //Stop! Whatever you do don't play that card!//

//Yugi.//

//You saw what that card did to me! You can't fall to it's evil!//

Yami gave a small smile to him //Don't worry partner, I can win without using that card.//

--

As Joey, Mai, Tristan and Duke drove along, Joey asked if she knew where she was going since they weren't using a map right now.

“Are you sure you're not getting us lost? I mean we don't even have a map!” Joey asked

“Will you relax I know where I'm going! ”Mai growled pointing to her phone on the dash board, there was a blinking light on the screen following a tiny map.

“That is the tracker on my bike, wherever Yugi took it my tracker will find it and we'll find him!”

“You have a tracker for you're bike?” Tristan asked making Mai nod.

“Obviously! I'm not letting a bike that hot go missing without anyway to find it again, you know how many bike thieves are around these days?”

//Also I don't think I'd forgive myself if I let something happen to Yugi...He may be a thieving brat right now but he's still my responsibly...//

Mai narrowed her eyes before checking her map again and pressed on the gas forcing everyone back a bit in their seats as they drove over higher rocks and rougher terrain. Duke held on the seat as he felt them all go over a particularly larger rock and land back down hard.

“Okay you were totally right taking a 4x4 is better then a Cadi...I think we would have fallen out if we used my car...”

“And this is why you trust the adult~” Mai hummed and they continued on.

--

Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight was trapped in the 'Crystal Seal' Trap Raphael had activated, Yami took a direct attack from Guardian Kayest dropping his Life Points down even more. He knew the only way to free Dark Magician Girl was for her attack points to change...he could do that is he played-

//Other me calm down! We can get through this!// Yugi was begging him at this point to keep his head on straight.

Yami shock his head and and nodded to Yugi //I know Yugi! I'm trying but we're in a real pinch here!// Yami drew which caused him to lose another 600LP thanks to 'Purity of the Cemetery'.

“So we're finally down to wire, if you can't make a comeback in this turn you're going to lose next round due to 'Purity of the Cemetery's' effect, and your only strong monster is still trapped in the 'Crystal Seal'. Now you could change the outcome if you played the Seal of Orichalcos but then again you'd be overwhelmed by the darkness inside of your heart...unless I'm wrong and you really do have the purity necessary to wield that card.” Raphael folded his arms and watched with a smirk.

“So make your final move.”

Yami thought about his promise to Dark Magician Girl and his partner, using that thought he gained the power to draw getting 'Card of Sanctity' and drew a whole new five cards, while Raphael also drew a new hand stating it was a hopeless endeavour for him at this point. Disappointingly Yami had nothing in his hand that could save him, he could feel the power of the Orichcocls stone around his neck glowing again this time more brightly as he looked at the card in his hand...

//This may be my only chance...// His hand shakily reached for the seal and pulled it from his hand ready to active it only to feel his arm being pulled against, he looked over to see it was Yugi holding onto him for dear life.

//Yugi! Let go of me!// He yelled.

//Stop it! Can't you see this is exactly what he wants!?//

//We are going to lose! Don't you see this is my only chance!//

//Your only chance?! What are you even talking about! Are you even hearing yourself?!//

//...Yugi I-//

//URGH! Will you just listen to me for once!? I'm telling you he's-//

Yami finally snapped <b>“BE QUIET!”</b>

Yugi's mouth shut instantly as he lost the grip he had on Yami's arm, his eyes were wide in fear from his voice.

//Other me...you-//

Yami snapped his head towards Yugi glaring at him with anger and frustration.

“I told you to be <b>quiet</b>! I don't need you to act like an angel on my shoulder telling me what's right and wrong I can think for myself!”

“This is <b>my</b> fight! This is <b>my</b> justice! <b>My</b> beliefs are on the line! And I don't need you butting into everything I do! Do you hear me!? Be quiet and stay out of this!” Yami then pulled his arm away from Yugi pushing him away and onto the ground in the process.

Yugi was speechless, he couldn't believe his other self had just spoken to him like that...

//Other Me...// he meekly whimpered out.

<b><i>“I DONT NEED YOU!” </i></b>

Yami scream at Yugi just before he glared at Raphael and said “I'll show you my power! I play the Seal of Orichalcos!”

With that declaration the side slot on his duel disk opened up and he placed the card inside, the activation sound chimed out as Yami watched the stone around his neck start to glow brightly and overtake him. He yelled out as the green energy burst out of his body, below his feet the circle of the Orichalcos appeared and grew out pushing Yugi away and out in a powerful energy blast.

Yugi screamed as he felt his whole body vanish from the duel; a pillar of green energy shot up into the sky, as both Yami and Rapheal were encased in the seal's power. Not to far away Mai, Joey, Tristan and Duke could all see the pillar of light coming from not too far away. They followed the pillar hoping they weren't too late to try and save Yugi. Rex and Weevil had both watched Yami Yugi active the card and had to cover their eyes due to the intensity of the light.

As the light subsisted inside stood Yami Yugi and on his forehead the glowing symbol of the Orichalcos appeared, his eyes had a hint of reddish pink in the corners and dark scowl on his lips as he glared at Raphael, who only grinned before asking

“So...how do you feel?”

[millenniumdueled]

When Other Yugi comes to, it isn't in the mangled remains of a derailed train. Though every muscle in his body aches as he shifts, nothing seems to be broken.

Most importantly, he's alive.

Groaning, he pushes himself up, trying to get his bearings as he sits on the dusty ground of the canyon.

"Téa...? Téa?!" he calls out, panic suddenly overcoming the aching. He scrambles to shaky feet. He's alright, somehow. But where is his friend? Where is Weevil?

Where is the fucking train?

Is this a dream?

Maybe he isn't alive after all.

Maybe this is the Afterlife.

Is he supposed to believe in an Afterlife?

He raises a hand to his head and groans again. That dull throbbing feels very much alive to him. He calls out for his friend again, to no response. The aching in his body is nothing compared to the pain inside his chest.

First he lost his Partner. Then separated from Joey and Tristan. And now?

The Pharaoh is truly alone.

Where is he supposed to go? What is he supposed to do now?

"I need to find my friends..." he half sobs, quietly, to himself. Why shouldn't he cry? There's no one to hear him. But there aren't any tears left, either. He's exhausted, physically, emotionally, completely. "I want my Partner..."

As the words leave his dry lips, the Other Yugi swears he feels a pulsation from the Puzzle that hangs around his neck. Some sliver of a sensation inside his chest, pulling his attention in one direction. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's just his imagination. But he can't just stand here and feel sorry for himself, either. Following the feeling inside his chest, he puts one foot in front of the other.

He's never been a fan of hiking.

The hot morning sun beats down on him. Did he really live like this once? In the heat of a desert? He can't imagine it. Sweat slicks his skin, makes his hair cling to his face as he continues on, following the pull in his heart.

He swears it's growing stronger.

Maybe that's the heatstroke.

But he can't stop.

The pulsation leads him up a cliff, along a narrow, crumbling ridge, back down another canyon, up another steep incline. How many miles has he walked now? He doesn't have his phone to check.

Eventually, after what feels like hours under the oppressive sun, that pull disappears. Other Yugi stops in his tracks, finding himself standing over another canyon. But this one isn't so empty.

Two concentric circles lie carved in the rock and sand, surrounded by the remnants of several large, stone arches and structures. Something about the sight gives the Pharaoh an uneasy feeling. As he surveys the scene far below the cliff where he stands, something else catches his eye in the center of those circles.

He swears he sees a person standing there, amongst the boulders and ruins. A person with blond and black hair.

No.

That must be a mirage, Other Yugi tells himself. A trick of the desert, a hallucination brought on by heatstroke and exhaustion.

Still, the Pharaoh feels himself choke on another dry sob as he gasps in disbelief.

"Partner--"

[munsonownsmyass]

Selkie! Tristan Thorn x reader

Summary: Having to move back home to help your grandfather as his health declines, your life changes forever when you meet a mysterious stranger.

Notes: This is my contribute for The Moon in May challenge and the word i chose for the first week was "shift".

Also thanks to @albatrossandivys for the idea and shoutout to @firefly-graphics for the beautiful dividers.

I had to make this an AU (and a modern one) for obvious reasons. Hope that's okay 🤣

Warnings: None? Talk of floods, ocean and seals, so maybe triggering for people with thalassophobia? Also some fluff.

Words: 2.3 K

You needed the break. Life had been so damn hard lately after the breakup that you just needed to escape. Disappear for a while. Everything back home reminded you of him, of the life that you no longer shared, so when your mother mentioned your grandparents needing help, you volunteered instantly.

The move had been easier than you thought, switching out your hectic life in Edinburgh for a quiet village on the shore. Your grandparents had lived there their whole lives, your grandfather managing the little lighthouse. Now that he had gotten sick, you had taken over much to his dismay.

But you did a good job and when you weren’t helping out at home, managing the lighthouse or reading, you often found yourself looking out over the sea. Captivated by the waves, the soothing sound finally giving your soul some much needed peace.

At the end of the day, just when the sun would start to set, you would walk along the shore. Listening to the waves gliding over the sand, feeling the breeze in your hair. You’d always loved the sea, been drawn to it for a long as you could remember.

Growing up, you had spent every summer here. Spent the days bathing in the sea, fishing by the pier. Some days you could even see the small colony of seals that lived here sunbathing on the rocks. They are still there today, curious heads breaking the surface, curious eyes following you.

Sitting down for a while, you watch them in the distance. The older seals snoozing as the young ones play, splashing in the surface. And then… there’s one of them, just standing stagnant in the water. Eyes and snout just above the surface, eyes fixed on you.

You recognize him immediately. He’s been around for as long as you have, a mere seal cub when you were a kid. He had special markings, they all did, so you could easily tell them apart. This one you call Bangs, because of the longer tuft of fur on his head. Very unusual for a seal, you’ve been told.

Actually never been up close with them, curiosity takes over and you slowly walk closer to the rocks near the pier, climbing them carefully. Bangs are still watching you, inching closer in the water as you struggle on the wet rocks. You lose your footing, falling down towards the cold water when suddenly everything goes black.

Waking up, you feel a throbbing pain in your forehead and… a hand on your cheek. Looking up, you see a man hovering over you, his hazel eyes looking at you in concern. You should be scared, screaming and wondering how you were completely alone on the beach a few minutes ago and now find yourself in the arms of the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen.

“Are you alright?” He asks, his soft voice enveloping you like a warm embrace. He helps you sit up, eyes never leaving yours.

“I-I guess…” You groan, your body aching. You probably hit more than just your head in the fall. And then it dawns on you. You could have drowned. If this stranger hadn’t come by, you could’ve…  You look into his eyes, hazel eyes so deep you could drown in them, and shiver.

“Thank you for saving me.” You say, voice almost breaking. His hand is still caressing your cheek, the motion so soothing. He just gives you a nod in return, his fingers slowly making their way down the column of you neck, stopping to inspect the silver chain that adorns your neck. You shiver under his gaze and his touch is so timid, so curious, that you don’t even question why this stranger has no apparent knowledge of personal space.

“Of course, Mo Ghráidh.” He counters softly, eyes again finding yours. It’s odd. Somehow, you feel like you know him, feeling weirdly at peace in his embrace. His… naked embrace.

You flinch back an inch, realizing he’s sitting naked before you. “You’re naked!”

“Well, yes. I suppose I am.” He looks down, smiling when his eyes return to yours. There’s a sweet innocence over him that you can’t help but love. Which is crazy! You don’t even know this man, besides him being your savior. A beautiful, sweet and naked stranger, but a stranger, nonetheless.

“Where did you even come from?” You smile, still not sure whether all of this is a dream and in a few minutes from now you’ll wave up gasping for your life in the water.

“Oh, I come from Wall.” He smiles gently, fingers playing with a strain of your hair.

“Wall?” You huff out, almost snorting. “That’s not possible.” Everyone had heard tales of Wall. A city in England, just on the other side of the border, which had been swallowed by the unforgiving waves of the ocean hundreds of years ago. Some say there’s still ruins down there today, though now its only sea creatures residing in them.

“Christ lassie! Are you okay?” You see your grandfather walk as fast as he can down the stairs to the beach. Behind you, the water slashes as something breaks the surface and when you turn, the mysterious stranger is gone.

“I saw you fall down the rock and hit your head.” He falls to his knees with a groan, inspecting the cut on the side of your head. “We need to get this checked.”

“Where did he go?” You ask, looking between your grandfather and the ocean. All that was left of your stranger, was his footprints in the sand, disappearing into the ocean.

“Who?”

“The man.” You touch a footprint before the waves wash up and remove the last trace of your encounter. “The man who saved me.”

“I didn’t see anyone, hen. Come on.”

With some difficulty you both get on your feet, making your way back to the house. As you reach the pier, you look back towards the sea and see Bangs looking at you, his little face barely above water. His kind eyes keeping an eye on you, never leaving his spot before you reach the house.

The next week you find yourself looking out over the ocean more than before, wondering if you could catch the stranger walking around on the beach. You had even borrowed some books at the local library about Wall, feeling silly as you skimmed through the pages as if they could give you an answer. When a few weeks had passed, you had given up hope of seeing him again, boiling it all down to the head trauma.

Distracted by some seal cups playing in the ocean, you barely notice the footsteps beside you, until someone sits down beside you. With a smile, you greet the stranger, relieved that he was in fact real and not just a figment of your imagination.

“Hello again.” He smiles softly, mimicking you by swinging his legs out over the pier, letting them dangle like yours. You instantly see that he is less naked this time, a pair of worn trousers hanging low on his hips.

“You’re not naked this time.” You say, seeing how his cheeks flush red.

“No. You… You didn’t seem to like it.”

“It’s not that I didn’t like it. You’re very han-” You stop, closing your book before looking at him again. “It didn’t bother me, but thanks.”

He looks down at your book, his fingers running along the spine, tracing the delicate letters. “What is it?”

“My book?” You question, smiling wide when you see his curious nod. You show him the front page, watching as his eyes go wide in wonder. “It’s Treasure Island.”

“It’s about the sea?” He looks at the cover, captured by the little pirate ship on the blue waters.

“No. Well, sort of.” You giggle softly, giving him the book to hold. “It’s about a young man named Jim Hawkins who finds a treasure map, so he goes on a journey to find it. On his journey he meets this pirate called Long John Silver.”

“Could… could you tell me the story?” He asks, his wide puppy like eyes staring into yours, making it impossible to say no. So that’s what you do. Over the next few days, you meet the stranger, who you’ve come to know as Tristan and read to him. Every day around sunset you sit on the pier, Tristan listening as you tell the tale. In between, he asks questions, and you ask yours in return.

There’s much you don’t know about him, but as the days go by you get closer to Tristan, feeling yourself drawn to him. Thinking about him when he’s not there. Such a kind and warm soul, his smile always brightening your days and the small fleeting touches sending shivers through you. You know you shouldn’t, but you feel yourself falling for him.

“You spend so much time looking out over the water, I’m fearing you’ll get lost in it.”

You tear your eyes away from the waves to find your grandfather standing next to you, leaning on the railing. For some time, you just stand there silently, listening to the waves.

“I just-” You start, but don’t even know what to tell him. That you meet Tristan every day and you believe he lives in the ocean? He’d have you admitted to a psych ward in no time. “Could you tell me about Wall again?”

“Hen, I’ve already-” He looks to you, seeing the quiet plea in your eyes. He just sighs, pointing out over the water. “Hundreds of years ago, there was no ocean here. Instead, just on the other side of the border, was the small town of Wall.”

“According to the stories, it was a wonderful place. But sadly, one day, the entire town was swallowed by the sea.” He pauses, nudging your shoulder before pointing over at the small colony of seals on the rocks. “Legend has it there was magic surrounding the place, turning all the inhabitants of Wall into Selkies.”

“Selkies?” You frown, looking at the seals. “So… seals?”

“No, no, Hen. A selkie is a creature that can shed its seal skin and become human.” He states, laughing when he sees the disbelief on your face. “Aye, it may be old folk tales, but stories of the selkies have been around for hundreds of years. They are rumored to be so beautiful in their human form, that we can’t resist them.”

He talks a little more, but you don’t hear a word. It couldn’t be real, could it? This had to be tales for children, dreamers. Your grandfather had always been a little superstitious, so you weren’t even that surprised that he’d believe something like this.

When he leaves you alone once more, you sit down on the pier, looking at the seals. Just below your feet, you see Bangs break the surface, his big eyes finding yours. With your grandfather’s tale still fresh in your memory, you just smile at Bangs.

“So tell me, Bangs… Are you really a selkie?” You giggle, feeling silly. But when you see him nod, you freeze. Wait, did he nod? No, you’re just imagining things. “Did you just nod?”

Raising his head just a little more above water, he nods again and… smiles at you? Okay, it’s official. You’ve lost your mind. You’re talking to a seal.

“Right… Okay…” You say as you get up and walk away, muttering under your breath how you must be tired and this is all just results of banging your head all those weeks ago. But at a large thud, you stop, feeling the wood vibrate under your feet.

You turn around to find Bangs on the pier, never truly realized just how big seals are. Or is it just him? Taking a few steps closer, you timidly close the distance to him. in the next second, he rises to his feet and if it weren’t for the railing, you would have fallen into the sea again.

Gently, like shedding a coat, the beautiful grey fur falls away, making way for human skin. There in front of, naked as the first time you met him, is Tristan with a pile of seal fur at his feet. If you hadn’t just witnessed it yourself, you’d have thought you had gone mad. Well, maybe you had.

“Y-you’re a-a selkie?” you stutter, frozen in place. Tristan just smiles, stepping closer to you, leaving the seal skin behind him.

“Yes. Please don’t run away.” He steps closer, gently taking your hand in his. His beautiful hazel eyes find yours as he closes the distance further, cupping your cheek with a tenderness that makes you shiver.

“I’ve wanted to tell you for years, but I was afraid you’d never speak to me again.”

You reach out to touch him with trembling fingers, your hand lands on his chest. Somehow, you still need to feel him to know he’s real.

“I’ve watched over you for years, missing you when you weren’t here.” His free hand reach for a loose strain of your hair, tugging it gently behind your ear. “Waiting for the day I was brave enough to tell you.”

And it’s true. For a long as you can remember, he has been there. Always watching on the rocks, swimming playfully by your side whenever you’ve ventured into the ocean. Like a guardian angel, making sure you were safe.

“Would… Would it be okay if I kissed you?” He asks nervously, almost as if he expects you to say no. And you should, because of what he is. There are a million questions in your mind about how you could make this work, but every thought is drowned out as he looks into your eyes.

The whispered ‘yes’ barely leaves your lips before he kisses you, the touch of his lips as sweet as him. But the sweetness soon gives way to a hunger like you’ve never known before. Tristan has ignited something in you, a fire only he can soothe. And just like that your fate is sealed.

Tagging: @itwasthereaminuteago @e-dubbc11 @mattmurdocksscars @lavenderursa @yarrystyleeza

[fatestayyuri]

Finished Ward Arc 3

TL;DR: taking an indefinite hiatus you can all unfollow me now

okay so like. first things first; probably gonna take a break for my own sanity’s sake! not the Biggest fan of his writing and the fact that from everything i’ve heard it only gets worse from here Does Not Assure me. anyway,

tattletale is so fucking funny Victoria just shows up and goes “fuck youuuuuu” and blames her for the [????] that amy did (i still have no idea what amy did) and lisa’s just like. “yeah. whatever. stop being a cop idiot.” then fucks off and leaves. the thing about wildbow’s writing is that while lisa comes off as like. kind of an annoying (endearing) loser who feels the need to overexplain to literally everyone i’m pretty sure wildbow intended her as his take on a Holmes-like all-knowing smart person? that’s honestly way funnier than any of his jokes tbh

the thing about arc 3 is that it’s not particularly objectionable enough to be a fun hateread and the annoying bits are subtle enough and caked in enough to the character moments that it just kind of blends into a big slog. Tristan and the other one’s dynamic reads INCREDIBLY gauche and all of the other stuff i’ve seen as part of the book club don’t lead me to read it kindly. i think that’s the problem actually by reading it all at once as a group we’ve been inundated with so much Wildbow moments so quickly that i kind of stopped reading it “with love” as it were; I kind of just see the artifice of a deeply copbrained liberal sockpuppeting characters and getting them to compliment his writing.

I think a large part of this is that i don’t actually particularly like superhero settings wait no actually i just remember that like my #2 favourite web serial is a superhero one i think i just hate wildbow’s writing i think

yeah it’s like, i don’t think wildbow should write fight scenes they kind of suck. Victoria “flying brick / cop Dallon doesn’t really have an interesting enough skillset to carry 2 million words of fights around. sorry. all of it tends to boil down to “punch really hard physically or emotionally” and i’m Bored. even the fight scenes as metaphor for emotional moments is Boring. it doesn’t do enough.

and like, i can’t actually take the [whatever untitled group] thing seriously since i got spoiled that Tristan is gay and the other one is straight so like. this just comes off as blaringly homophobic in the “what if the world was made out of pudding” sense. fuck off

yeah it’s really really hard to justify continuing to read this, when i am told that it only gets worse from here. like, genuinely wondering why i should spend that time when instead i could finish reading good serials, or the VNs on my backlog, or do literally anything else

sorry Certified Wardheads (all three of you) but like. indefinite hiatus for my mental health this shit sands away at my brain. i could probably say more but like, unlike the other stuff i’ve subjected myself to (Tsukihime) i’m not even promised something like, Good good in spite of all the forks. there’s other stories where you just have to do jury duty for 40 hours instead of eating forks for the sphagetti. i have a newfound appreciation for VNs that are just boring before they get good now