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Yu-Gi-Oh GX - Shatter (6/8)
Chapter Title: The Right Way
Author: Heleentje
Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh GX
Rating: T for this part, T overall
Characters: Gem Beasts, Johan, Juudai
Word Count: 1038
Warnings/spoilers: spiritshipping-if-you-squint, spoilers for season three and four
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh GX or any of its characters
6. The Right Way
Struggling against the chains of their advanced forms is tiring, and ultimately it seems to be utterly pointless. There’s no way to break free, not as long as Johan is possessed by that… that monster! How dare she hurt him! What gives her the right?
Rainbow Dragon roars and lashes out, but smacks right into the invisible barrier that prevents them all from helping, and they can only watch helplessly as Hell Kaiser, the one they fought so long ago, is beaten by their advanced forms.
At least he loses on his own terms, loses with such splendor -such magnificence- that he might as well have won. But they still have to mourn for him. His brother is crying, and Amethyst Cat starts sobbing too. She was the first to attack, and she hates herself for having the special effect that can hurt all their opponents immediately. This fight… They wanted to prevent all the fights, but they never succeeded. It’s hopeless.
The worst part is staying conscious. Maybe if they didn’t realize they were trapped, didn’t know the horror they caused, this would all be bearable. But that’s not the way it is, nor is it the way they want it to be. Their only chance of freeing Johan is staying awake and taking the first chance they can get.
Juudai is calling out now, and they want to answer him so badly. Topaz Tiger jumps up, but he only smacks into the barrier and he roars in frustration. He doesn’t even feel the pain.
If only they could talk to him… He can help Johan, he can save them all!
Ruby keeps trying. She tries until her body is battered from the constant impacts. Cobalt Eagle catches her and shields her with his wings to protect her and stop her from trying again. She struggles weakly to get up again, but to no avail. She’s exhausted. They’re all exhausted.
Even worse than being conscious is knowing where Johan is and not being able to reach him. Even Rainbow Dragon himself can’t wake him up, even though he’s been trying from the very beginning. If only Johan hadn’t been so enthralled with the dragon, if only his soul hadn’t been so easy to separate from his body!
It would be so easy to blame Rainbow Dragon, but they know how happy Johan was when he found him. They were all happy. And no matter what, Johan’s happiness (all of their happiness) is much more important than any petty grudges they might carry. It isn’t the Dragon’s fault, he’s just a victim. They all are.
Why did she have to show up! Their family had finally been completed…
And now Johan’s body is so weak, it might give out any second, and then all their efforts will have been completely useless. Amber Mammoth stomps on the surface they’re standing on, trying to make it crack, but the attempt fails like all their other attempts.
There’s another victim. They don’t have to duel him this time, but that doesn’t lessen the pain. They know who he is and even though they never really liked him, they mourn for him as well. They can hear him scream, and the echo all around them makes his words so painfully appropriate and ironic at the same time. It’s like even the resonance wants to mock him.
Sapphire Pegasus unfurls his wings and tries to fly, but fails, just like all the other times. Emerald Turtle retracts his head until they can only see the glow of his eyes.
At least Johan’s body won’t give out anymore, they can feel that it’s regained some of its strength.
But there’s commotion now, and they can see Juudai. Angry, concerned and loyal Juudai, who will be able to help them. For a while, they can hope.
Until Cobalt Eagle lets out an anguished shriek and covers his head with his wings. ‘Cause how can Juudai help them? If he wins, Johan dies, and if he loses, they’ll all be trapped here forever! What if he dies? He can’t die! Johan!
She’ll never allow him to go free…
And now the duel is already underway, they’re too late to stop it. There’s nothing they can do, they’re forced to attack the only person who can help them and-
Why is he shouting?
He’s found Johan!
Maybe Juudai really can turn this around, maybe they can hope again!
If only he doesn’t lose… But now he’s defenseless, and Sapphire Pegasus has to attack!
And then everything changes.
There’s a glimpse of Hane Kuriboh, and suddenly the barrier all around them shatters and they’re free! Juudai’s with them, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll be able to reach Johan now. It might be enough, it might be…
Please let it be enough!
And right there, right there, they can feel their bond being restored. Johan’s awake again, and even though they’re being sucked back into their prisons, even though Topaz Tiger has to bear the consequences, it’s worth it. They did it! It’s only a matter of time now…
Rainbow Dragon roars loudly, and the barrier around them shatters with such a tremendous force that they all duck for cover. But they’re free, and Johan is finally back with them!
Juudai did it! They did it!
But of course Yubel isn’t going to let him go that easily. Even while Rainbow Neos is still on the field, she tries one last time to hurt them all. They’re not worried. Juudai immediately saves Johan, and even if he hadn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered, they would’ve saved him themselves. In this dimension they can be real. They can finally help again.
Of course, Yubel is still around. But they know it won’t take long now. Juudai will beat her and they will finally be able to go home. This nightmare will be over at last. Johan will recover and they’ll be together as one family. They have to help Juudai one last time, but they’re more than happy to do so. He’s the one who saved them all, so now they will protect him in return. It’s what Johan wants. It’s what they all want.
They’ll make it happen. Together.