#it’s coming rivalshippers I promise

[gx-gameon]

Yugi raise Jaden Part 6

Start - previous - next

No sooner had Yugi stepped out of the pod had Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl summoned themselves. The Dark Magician had a fond smile on his face as he looked upon Yugi, while the Dark Magician Girl did nothing to hide her excitement.

“Welcome Yugi Mouto to the Egyptian afterlife.” Came Dark Magician Girl melodic voice. “Our Pharaoh has waited for you, though I don’t believe he thought you’d arrive so soon.” Yugi’s blood turned to ice for a second. Was…was he dead? Was Mokuba wrong? Were he and Kaiba dead? Did he just abandon Jaden forever? “Peace my king. Your heart still beats, I am just saying that the Pharaoh will be pleased to see you.” Dark Magician Girl quickly tried to assure Yugi that he was still alive.

The Dark Magician sent his apprentice a disappointed look before flying down to Yugi and offing his hand to help Yugi down from the pod.

“Thank you.” Yugi thanked the spirit, who responded with a smile and a nod. “Though I have to ask why you appeared now.” Yugi questioned turning his head between the two spell-casters.

“The soul’s of our human reflections are nearby. Seeing as they are normally near the Pharaoh we thought we could lead you to them.” Dark Magician Girl explained.

Yugi realized she was probably speaking about Mahad and Mana, Atem’s friends from his time as Pharaoh. “That would be great!” Even if Atem wasn’t with them, they would probably know where Atem was. And wherever Atem was is where Kaiba would be.

The two spirit smiled at him before floating off in the direction of the palace. Yugi quickly followed after the two. They arrived into town, there were people milling about, but they stopped upon seeing Yugi. Pointing at the young man and his strange clothing and whispering. It had been a long time since a new spirit had joined them.

Yugi was starting to get uncomfortable with the stares when suddenly the Dark Magician disappeared from in front of him. “What-”

“It is alright my king.” Dark Magician Girl assured. “The Pharaoh and his guest must have started their daily duel. I’m sure Dark Magician was called to serve our Pharaoh.”

“Ah.” Yugi nodded along but speed up his pace. So Kaiba had gotten what he wanted, to duel Atem again. Judging by the fact that it was a daily duel and the fact Kaiba had yet to return home, Yugi had a sneaking suspicion that Joey was right. Kaiba hasn’t come home yet because he hadn’t won yet.

Yugi could feel anger rising in him. Anger at Kaiba for disturbing Atem’s peace. For not coming home and worrying Mokuba. For forcing Yugi away from his son! Yes it was Yugi’s choice to go, but no one else could have made the trip.

He followed Dark Magician Girl into the palace and followed her to the Pharaoh’s meeting chambers. The room was huge and ornate. With the pharaoh’s throne against the back wall, standing tall and proud. But Yugi’s eyes were drawn to the two opposite sides of the room.

On one side stood Seto Kaiba. Decked out in all of his tech, just as he was during there last duel, the blue lights from the duel disk shining around him perfectly mirroring the blue glow from his Blue eyes white dragon that hovered protectively above him. Even though Yugi was furious with the stubborn man, he could admit that this was Kaiba in his element. The man look near ethereal with the blue glow reflecting off his white coat.

But at the other end of the room stood someone Yugi hadn’t thought he would ever see again.

Atem.

If Kaiba looked ethereal then Atem could rival the divine. His white tunic was pristine. The royal purple cloak flowing behind him. He was decked in gold, from his legs to his wrist, to the multiple necklaces, to the crown upon his head. He looked every inch the regal pharaoh he was in life. Yugi could understand why the ancient Egyptians believed their Pharaoh’s to be gods, for he could see Atem as one.

Just as Yugi entered the room Atem summoned Slifer the Sky Dragon. The magnificent beast descending from the sky, if there was once a ceiling there there wasn’t one anymore, as Slifer’s thunder clouds filled the hall.

Atem ordered his final attack and Slifer destroyed Blue eyes white dragon. The duel ended. Atem was the winner.

“This isn’t over Pharaoh, I’ll beat you yet.” Kaiba called out full of rage and determination.

Yugi had been in awe at seeing his partner duel once again, until he heard Kaiba’s words. Then all of his fury returned to him.

“Kaiba! This ends now!” Yugi called out. All of his attention on the stubborn CEO in front of him. Kaiba’s whipped around to meet Yugi’s furious gaze with wide eyes as Yugi stormed his way towards him. Completely unaware of the Pharaoh staring at him in equal parts awed devotion and heart stoping fear.

—————————————————————————

Atem had had a long month.

It started when Seto Kaiba arrived in the palace. For a moment Atem’s heart had dropped. It hadn’t been long since he’d moved on, none of his friends from the present should be joining him yet.

He knew about Diva and the havoc that was occurring. After all he had been keeping an eye on Yugi and his friends, but that danger had passed. Atem had taken care of it personally. A feat of power that had blocked him from seeing into the world of the living for the past few months. He had been worried about his friends in the present but he never thought one of them would die.

Nor did he expect Seto Kaiba to choose to come to the Egyptian afterlife. There were several afterlife’s you could go to, the Egyptian one wasn’t as common a choice as it once was since their gods had fallen out of popularity with the living.

But Atem had hoped that at the very least Yugi would choose to come here when he passed on. He wanted his aibou to live a long and happy life, but he was selfish enough to hope Yugi would choose to spend eternity with him. In truth he hoped all their friends did, Joey, Téa, Tristian, Bakura, Serenity, Duke, Mai, the tomb keepers, and the Kaiba brothers. Though he had less hope for the final two with Kaiba’s stanch refusal of their past.

So it was quite surprising to see Seto Kaiba approaching his throne. Upsetting because how did Kaiba manage to die in the few months that Atem wasn’t watching over his friends? How was Mokuba holding up? How was Yugi and their friends taking the loss? Yet he was also a little pleased that Kaiba of all people chose to come to this afterlife.

That is until Kaiba opened his mouth. “Pharaoh I’ve come all the way here just to duel you and prove once and for all that I am the superior duelist.”

And who was Atem to deny a dead man his wish. They would have it out and then Atem could ask his friend what had happened to end his life so early.

But after the duel when Atem approached his friend to inquire after his death, Kaiba had looked him in the eyes and responded with “I didn’t die you fool. I build a dimensional transporter just so I could beat you.” He said it as though Atem’s idea was the crazy one.

Atem had been furious with him. You can’t force yourself into the afterlife. The two had argued with Atem trying to convince Kaiba to go home before he damaged his body or soul, while Kaiba refused to leave until he defeated the Pharaoh.

This stalemate had been going on for a month now. Kaiba demanding to duel and Atem ordering him to go home. Since Kaiba was stubborn and Atem did enjoy dueling him, Atem agreed to one duel a day, far less then what Kaiba wanted, but Atem worried over the strain dueling here might put of Kaiba body and soul.

Their duels were always an event. Many people would come to watch, excited to see if this was the day the man from the living finally accepted that their Pharaoh could not be beat.

Today’s duel played the same as all the others. Kaiba was giving Atem a run for his money, with Blue eyes white dragon on the field to protect him. But Atem had his Dark Magician and kuriboh on the field. With a quick multiply card on kuriboh he had the three sacrifices he needed to summon Slifer. The gods were still willing to join him in battle, he had the feeling they enjoyed a fun duel as much as he did.

He could hear the crowd gasp and murmur, but that was normal when he summoned one of the gods. He directed his attack at Blue eyes and wiped out the rest of Kaiba’s life points.

The crown cheered his victory, and Seto made his normal dramatic speech. “This isn’t over Pharaoh, I’ll beat you yet.” Atem knew that it was coming, but it still frustrated him that Kaiba was being so stubborn about this. He needed to go home. He was playing with powers they didn’t understand.

But all of Atem’s annoyance at Kaiba left him when he heard another voice raise above the crowd. A voice he hadn’t expected to hear again for many years. “Kaiba! This ends now!”

Atem couldn’t believe it. He turned his head to see Yugi. His aibou had grown since he left. Yugi stood tall, the soft lavender of his shirt and deep violet of his vest drawling attention to his amethyst eyes. For a moment Atem was filled with both elation and dread, because Yugi is here!

Yugi is here meaning he died young and never got to truly live his life, something Atem would rage against the gods for.

Yugi is here meaning he chose to come to this afterlife to be with Atem.

Yugi is here wearing the same duel disk and bracelet as Kaiba, except his had a gentle violet glow instead of Kaiba’s electric blue, surrounding his aibou with light just as he had always brought light to Atem’s darkness.

Yugi was wearing the same tech as Kaiba….

“Yugi what are you doing here?” Kaiba asked just as shocked as Atem to see the other duelist here. Yugi was storming his way towards Kaiba not looking at anyone else, and Atem could see the king in Yugi, the one that demanded respect, his aibou had truly grown into himself.

“Mokuba sent me to come get you. You’ve scared him Kaiba, he’s worried sick over you.” Yugi wasn’t yelling but his tone was firm, one not to be argued with.

Once again Atem’s world stopped. Yugi came after Kaiba. He’s not dead. Relief instantly filled him, he didn’t want Yugi’s life to be cut short. But he was also furious, not with Yugi, never with Yugi, but with Kaiba. The man was already risking his own body and soul to be here, and now because of his stubbornness Yugi was here risking his as well.

To Kaiba’s credit he did look throughly shammed over worrying Mokuba. “He knew I might take a while to return.” It was a weak defense. His brother was always his weak spot.

Yugi seemed to soften to. “Knowing that you’ll be gone and having you gone for a month are different. Go home Kaiba. Your life is waiting for you, you’ve got to go live it.”

Atem didn’t know when he had started moving towards them, that’s a lie he started walking as soon as he saw Yugi, but now he was right behind his aibou. “Yugi.”

The boy drew in a sharp breath before turning around to face Atem. The two stared at each other for a moment, taking each other in, before tears welled up in Yugi’s eyes and he launched himself forward to hug Atem. Atem caught him with ease, wrapping his arms around Yugi’s waist as Yugi wrapped his around his neck.

“I missed you, I missed you so much.” Yugi told him holding on to him tightly.

Atem tightened his own grip. “I’ve missed you to, more than you can imagine.”

Yugi let out a wet chuckle, “wanna bet?”

“This is very touching but I’m not leaving till I’ve won.” Kaiba interrupted them. Atem could kill him for real this time.

Yugi pulled away from, but didn’t fully let go of, Atem to turn his attention back to Kaiba. “Kaiba it’s over. You lost. It’s okay. But we have to go back.” Yugi turned to look at Atem again. “I miss Atem too,” he paused blinking away new tears and turning back to Kaiba “but we can’t stay here.” There was so much emotion in his voice. The longing to stay with Atem mixed with his desperation to return as soon as possible to Jaden.

Atem looked sadly at his aibou. This was hard for both of them. Saying goodbye the first time had felt impossible and now they had to do it again.

“No Yugi you don’t get it. I have-” Kaiba started in on his grand speech but Yugi had had enough.

“I understand perfectly.” Yugi snapped. “I understand that you want to win. I understand you’ve tried for a month. I understand that Mokuba is worried enough to ask me to come after you. And I understand that my son is waiting for me to come home.” Yugi practically spat the facts at Kaiba, furious with this man’s stubborn nature. Did he not understand that his friends and brother were worried about him and wanted him home?

Atem and Kaiba froze in their spots as soon as Yugi’s last sentence left his mouth. Yugi could feel Atem go ridged in his arms. Could see Kaiba gaping at him like a fish. What was their problem?

“Your son?” Atem spoke so quietly Yugi would have missed it if they weren’t standing so close. He turned to face his friend once more to see Atem’s shocked face. “You have a son?”

[pridewhatpride]

ok so I read your view on GX rivalshipping and how things would get messy when johan shows up because I was curious about another GX rivalshippers opinion, and holy you and I have the EXACT same thoughts.

Ive went on and on about how manjoume as a rival (and as someone who could have had the ability to support judai) was tossed aside as soon as johan shows up + turned into the comedic relief chara and nobody ever really knows what the hell im talking about LOL. a big thing for me is just how DIFFERENT that would be for manjoume as well? in the seasons before johan shows up judai is so clingy towards him, always busting into his room and being in his personal space...

then mr. buff arms big smile shows up with his frilly lilac blouse and homo dragon and suddenly judai is like. smitten. which like youve pointed- out who could blame judai? johan is hard to hate and hes kind of perfect in every way. I always imagine what that would do to manjoumes self esteem in particular, because as we all know it IS a bit fragile at times, especially when it comes to being the best he can be.

I think having johan around would make him feel absolutely insignificant not only as someone who LIKES judai, but even just as judais friend. is he really so horrible at being a support that judai needs a stranger to lean on? even though he never asked for judais help much, is he really such a burden when he needs to be saved? why is judai acting like hes never been able to connect with manjoume, who can also see duel spirits, before? whoever said opposites attract obviously havent seen judai and johan! thoughts like that.

I could go on and on but I dont want you to have to read my 2746373 word long ask about them. id love to hear any thought or analysis you have on GX rivalshipping because its my favourite and the shippers are so rare, so I encourage you to post them whenever you feel like it!

Dear anon.

You can't ever know just how happy receiving this in my inbox made me. I can't fully express how grateful I am at the simple fact that you read my long rambles and reached out to me. I respect your anonimity if you want to keep it, but honestly, DM me whenever, if you want to. I think I'd like to talk to you if you're comfortable with it? I really do want to read your "2746373 word" essay on them. For the rest of my life.

I might get a little personal in terms of my view on this, so just... be aware.

The thing is that the way Manjoume is cast aside is just... a big fear of mine. "Sure, we might be friends now, but I'm not all that good and you know it. You won't mean any harm by it, but you'll find someone you like better and I'll be alone again." That kind of line of thought is probably something that goes through Manjoume's mind? He doesn't really... have friends outside of Judai. Maybe Fubuki. And Daichi? Except he disappears into nothingness very quickly. But that's it. And he certainly had none before that: just lackeys who pretended to like him because he was rich and perceived as promising. He lost that and suddenly found himself isolated.

It's nice to think that he bonded with the other members of the gang, but... he didn't. Shou certainly never really stops disliking/making fun of him. You could say it's meant as like... friendly teasing. But it doesn't read that way because there is nothing to indicate actual affection. Kenzan, Aster and the transfer students just... barely interact with him? Like have they actually ever spoken to eachother? I doubt it. Ryo is just the admirable upperclassman. Again, barely any interaction. Asuka is... a mess I don't want to get into, but again, she would probably file a restraining order if she could.

So yeah. Manjoume has one friend and the taller and cooler guy just kind of takes that away. Of course Johan is not aware of this! He wouldn't have been able to do much to change it, either way. It was Judai's own choice and that's what hurts the most, to me.

If shifting the focus and making minor changes to canon is something you like to do, here's a thing I think about a lot. "Teardrop", the Season 3 opening, except it's what Manjoume feels when seeing Judai's suffering and desperation. You know.

As you hang your head and smile, a single tear lands on your cheeks

You pretend to be strong, but underneath You’re hiding sighs; your smile is cloudy It sticks into me Like shattered glass

It’s OK to talk about the pain in your heart

Your smile Has always saved me You can cry now I’ll stay here with you

I can't bring myself to blame Judai or Johan for it, but I think Manjoume- if he'd been written like an actual character past a certain point- would have been quite devastated by this.

As you said, it's not just being abandoned, it's also being indirectly told that he was never truly someone worthwhile, that he is little more than extra weight. What of his supposed status of equal rival and all that? Nothing. Judai is just... on a different level than him. So Manjoume is simply left to stagger behind in a desperate attempt to chase after greatness. He wasn't good enough for his brothers and Judai stood up for him. But in the end he wasn't good enough for Judai either.

I like to think that Manjoume made an effort to get along with the others. He just didn't quite know how and couldn't just... switch off his more prideful persona. And he ended up paying quite the steep price.

I know I'm extra melodramatic when it comes to my favourites, but it's something that bugs me. I understand why the manga decided to approach Manjoume's character in a completely different way and it's the reason why I like to read Manjoume's personality as a mix of manga and anime canon. I really have to mention this- how can one even pretend that the writers gave a shit about Manjoume when they joked about how stinky he was in a scene that could have been... emotional in some way. Judai frees Manjoume from the influence of the Society of Light by reminding him who he really is (I don't want to talk about Kenzan being too strong to be manipulated because that is fucking stupid and besically the equivalent of saying "ahah, the light got you because you're not strong willed enough @ Asuka @ Manjoume. Get rekt"). And like... great! They are actually showing off how much they care for eachother as friends despite the rivalry! But no. Judai ends up basically saying: "You smell and your coat has stains on it!" and Manjoume's just: "Oh yeah, I'm goth I hate wearing white, nvm."

... I swear someone on the writing team looked at Manjoume and went: "Let's bully him!" Ugh ;; Can you tell I'm hyper biased towards Manjoume yet?

This was hilarious to read, by the way: "mr. buff arms big smile shows up with his frilly lilac blouse and homo dragon"

But yes, this mess is now officially over. I will be spouting gx rivalshipping nonsense left and right because we were robbed of their dynamic and I'll never get over that. Also I really want to draw them, so that helps.

Ending this post by saying that this ask made me feel like I didn't waste time writing all that, that someone can get something out of it. I'm really glad.