Happy Fanfic Friday! It's 1:30am so I'm a bit past the deadline but I completely forgot where I left off with this story so rereading it after work took up a bit more time than I wanted. I hope everyone enjoys the chapter and we have one more to wrap up Duelist Kingdom before moving on to the big bad Battle City!

My AO3 account is up, however. Nothing is posted yet and this story most likely will not be posted on that site. This thing was born on fanfic and it will end on fanfic.

Reviews are appreciated, especially with the resurrection of this story.

Please enjoy and I apologize for any spelling and grammar mistakes.

DarkxSonata

Where am I? What . . . what happened?

I felt like I was floating and sinking all at the same time. My body was placed in a type of suspension and I didn't know which way to go. It was lonely, there was only darkness surrounding me. I could hear distant sounds of a battle going on. Explosions of both light and sound were beginning to come into view as I walked towards it. There was a familiar feeling in this darkness. Have I been here before?

Wait . . . who am I?

"Do not fear." Who was that? "I am here to guide you."

"Guide me where?" The question was asked but sound hadn't come out of me. My feet continued to move towards to sounds of the battle. Soon, the darkness began to shift. I was walking on dark sand that was shifting beneath me with every step I took. I was walking in the desert at night. Stars were beginning to shine and for a brief moment there was peace and beauty. A city stood on the horizon that seemed to be calling me towards it. The sounds were beginning to become louder. Cries of anguish and fear along with roars of rage and destruction. What was happening?

Suddenly, the city became alight with fire. My feet moved faster, leading me towards the danger instead of away from it. The city burned with screams circling the air. The closer I got there seemed to be a shape coming into focus. Looming over the city was a large creature. Was a duel going on?

A fierce roar was heard above me. Shifting my gaze to the sky and large red dragon flew towards the looming shadow. To the side a golden bird flew to join its brother while a blue hulking form joined together to attack the shadow.

I froze at the edge of the city. The shadow defeated the gods. It's piercing red eyes gazed at me, but it glanced away to look down at a figure standing in the center of the destroyed city. The shadows massive hand moved down to crush the figure striking fear in my heart. I would know that silhouette anywhere.

"AT-" The hand made contact with the ground sending a ripple of power sweeping over the city. I was flown back into the desert landing in a dune. My heart was pounding but I couldn't hear anything. The desert was gone and I was once again lost to the darkness.

Yugi!

My eyes shot open. Yugi . . . Yugi was in trouble. I didn't know how or why but I just knew that something had happened. Closing my eyes, I focused on trying to reach out for them. Even if I didn't know where I was, I still wanted to be there for them. Other Yugi needed strength and Yugi needed protection.

"We're here." I opened my eyes finding the others. Yugi was in Anzu's arms while Honda, Jonouchi, and Bakura stood guard. I looked from the gang to Other Yugi offering him a smile.

"You can do this." I felt myself fading from them. I was rooting for them and I knew they would be successful. They would defeat Pegasus together. I don't know what happened but I could sense a stronger connection between Yugi and Other Yugi.

The feeling of worry faded leaving me standing still in the dark. I didn't know how to leave or what I was doing there. So, the easiest solution seemed to just start walking. The further I went the colder it seemed to become. The heat of the desert faded to a damp chill. My body tensed feeling pain in my throat, shoulders, and legs. Had I been walking so long my legs were starting to hurt? How had the duel ended? Was everyone alright?

I hated this.

I stopped walking looking down at my feet. I always seemed to be getting myself into trouble. I didn't duel so I could never fight my way out of it, and I constantly relied on Other Yugi to handle things. Would things be easier if I wasn't around? Would they be better off without me? I wanted to stay for selfish reasons of keeping my friends, but if I was causing them so much worry was it really worth it?

"Someday, I'm going to figure how you manage me make me feel better no matter what is happening. You truly are a gift to me." Other Yugi's words came to mind. I worried everyone because they cared about me. It would be wrong to leave them, but I couldn't stay as I was now. I needed to be able to help them, rather than just relying on them.

The ground below me began glowing with the darkness peeling away to let light shine through. I closed my eyes feeling my body become heavy. I couldn't move but I knew I wasn't standing anymore.

I blinked to guard my eyes from the light only to find myself in the dungeon. Right, Pegasus had gotten a hold of me. How long had I been out? Was the duel over? Looking over to Kaiba I could see that his eyes were open but he still seemed a bit out of it. I slowly reached over finding that movement was an effort and tapped his shoulder. He looked at me but it didn't seem like he really saw me next to him. A sound from the door broke me away from him seeing the guard opening the cell.

"It's over. You're free to go." They won!

Kaiba stood as if he wasn't thinking about the action and just going on instinct. I followed close behind him helping him not to bump into things while he walked. He seemed to know where he was going, but it felt like he was following something. After we reached the main floor things started to seem familiar. Seeing the main doors, I moved ahead of him to push them open for him. I didn't want him walking into a metal door.

The fresh air filled my lungs and the sun on my face felt like a warm hug. Keeping close to Kaiba to make sure he didn't trip down the stairs, I took in the surrounds taking a glance back at the castle. Once I figured out what was going on with Kaiba I would find the others.

"Big Brother!" That was Mokuba!

"Mokuba!" Life finally seemed to come to Kaiba's face. I stood back and watched Mokuba take the stairs two at a time leaping into his brother's arms. It was a beautiful moment. I had to bite back tears seeing the two of them together again and looking so happy.

"Maria!" Mokuba reached out and I walked over ruffling his hair glancing up at Kaiba. Giving him a smile I went to head down the stairs when I felt him take my hand and give it a light squeeze. Nodding to him and returning the gesture I moved down waving to the gang. I paused though seeing everyone's somewhat angry expressions. I rubbed the back of my head. I was in so much trouble.

"Maria." Jonouchi stomped his way to the bottom of the steps. I went to take a step but he and Honda quickly charged up putting their arms around my shoulders with Jonouchi rubbing his fist into my head. "We told you to rest!"

"Nowhere in that means wander around the castle and get yourself lost!" Honda yelled while they pulled my cheeks. I waved them off quickly skipping down the remaining stairs hiding behind Anzu.

"Oh no, I'm with them on this one." Anzu folded her arms and tapped her foot causing me to pout. I looked over to Other Yugi and gave a shy smile. He rolled his eyes with a smirk but I could tell I wasn't getting any help from him either. I took a deep breath and looked down knowing what I had to do.

"Everyone." I paused my hands to meet their eyes. "I owe you all a very big apology. I've kept so much from all of you thinking it would help, but instead I've only caused worry and trouble for you all." Taking a deep breath, I continue. "I don't want to be a burden anymore, so no more secrets. I came to Japan for the chance to get a surgery to help me speak again. It's risky and my not even happen, but coming here was the best thing that could have ever happened to me and I truly value you all as friends."

"I'm going to start showing that from now on. I don't want to just rely on you all for everything. I want to change and be able to be there for all of you the same way you all have been there for me. I promise, I'm going to get better." I finished just looking between all of them. Other Yugi seemed surprised, Anzu looked pleased, and Jonouchi and Honda were chuckling.

"Maria, it's important for friends to rely on each other, and you've helped us out plenty." Jonouchi hit my back. "Glad there aren't any more secrets."

"That would be cool if you could talk again." Honda added laughing as it seemed everything was fine. I blinked looking between everyone.

"Um . . . where's Bakura?" I asked watching the others look around just as confused.

"He was just here." Anzu said.

"I'm here." He waved suddenly coming into view. A chill ran up my spine but I tried to ignore it. I'd have to keep an eye on him. The Kaiba brothers made their way down to the group with Other Yugi switching to Yugi.

"Kaiba, take care of Mokuba." Yugi said. Mokuba came over to me and I decided to tune out the boys to talk to him.

"Maria, thank you for everything." Mokuba couldn't quite meet my eyes and it was too cute. I reached out giving him a tight hug. He returned the gesture and I felt his shoulders shake a bit. "I don't know how I would have done without you, you really kept my hope up." I pulled back tapping his nose.

"Keep your chin up and look after your brother. Keep him honest." I placed my hand on his cheek after signing.

"Maria, is it okay if I still come visit every once in a while?" Mokuba asked.

"Visit whenever you like, and you can even bring Kaiba this time." I smiled to him seeing the boy beam.

"Thanks Maria!"

"Mokuba, we're going." Kaiba said getting his brothers attention.

"Wait? How are we getting home?" I heard Jonouchi yell. I stood, about to move back over to the gang when Mokuba grabbed my hand leading me over to Kaiba.

"Big brother, let's give them a ride." Mokuba said making both Kaiba and myself look at him with surprise.

"What?" Kaiba growled out.

"We do owe them." Mokuba pointed out. Kaiba gritted his teeth but shook his head.

"Fine." He turned heading to his helicopter.

"Come on guys, we're giving you a ride!" Mokuba yelled dragging me along. I heard the gang cheer and soon we all found ourselves shoved into a helicopter that was too small for this amount of people. I lucked out being able to sit in the front with Mokuba in my lap. The gang had a harder time being shoved into the back.

"Thank Kaiba." I signed looking back at the gang.

"Once we're back, we're even!" Kaiba yelled looking back at them.

"Hey! Take me with you!" The voice was faint, but it was Mai's.

"Here!" Jonouchi kicked down the rope ladder. "Grab on!" I smiled seeing her begin to climb up but shook my head when Jonouchi almost fell out the side door. Everyone seemed to calm down once Mai climbed in and the door was shut with her taking Jonouchi's seat forcing him to sit on the floor.

"Aw man! We've got to go back to school." Jonouchi whined. Everyone laughed expressing their different opinions on being back in classes and once again getting back to a normal routine. I still couldn't believe that everything that had happened all took place in one weekend.

"What about you Maria, looking forward to class?" Anzu asked. I turned thinking about it for a second before feeling my face fall.

"I won't be going back to class right away. I'll have to be checked into the hospital so they can make sure everything is alright and I'll most likely get a lecture and another routine stay for a few days to monitor my condition." They all seemed to be getting worried but I waved them off with a smile. "So, I get a bit of an extension on this fun little adventure."

"You are feeling better, right?" Yugi asked. His tone was light but his eyes were beyond worried.

"Yes, I am feeling better." I answered honestly but decided to keep my hands to myself after that and let them chat about silly things until we landed. Everyone practically fell out of the helicopter and stretched trying to get used to the feeling of moving again. Everyone seemed very tired and were already departing home to get some rest.

"Maria?" Yugi asked as we left the building. I looked over at him seeing him pointing in the direction that we normally walked home together. "Are you coming?" Anzu was also standing by. I was about to go with them when the night by the ocean came to my head.

"I should go see Sophia, and you'll probably want to catch up with your grandpa." I waved and started walking away before they could really change my mind. I needed to stop hovering. Crossing the street, I made my way to Sophia's office building. The walk wasn't bad and it gave me a few minutes to think about what I wanted to say. I was tired of making excuses and I was tired of always needing others to protect me. I wanted to become someone dependable.