Never Too Late

Author Notes: Well within this year alone i've done 2 yugioh gx series involving my fav spiritshipping...one with Jesse/Jaden and the other with Haou/Jehu. Welp...may as well complete my obsessive fangirling this year with the Japanese name pairing Juudai/Johan.

And just in time for the part 2(for this year part 3) of my holiday hell. Winter holiday one shot week...Let's get this started ladies and gents. As much as I love some of these characters to a terribly unhealthy degree, I do not own Yugioh.

3rd P.O.V

Shadows were all that he could see as he opened his eyes. "What the?" His emerald gaze widens in shock as he looks all around him. "Where?" His body was starting to shiver, aches and chills run up and down his spine. The last time he felt this numbed chill was when Yubel took over his body.

Then he hears faint whispers. "Who's there!?" He can't discern the voices or what they were saying, but there was a sinking feeling in his gut. Fear was coursing through his veins as panic set in. "Stop it!" Desperately he searches for someone-anyone to help him.

His friends, his cards-someone. He didn't want to be alone anymore! "AHHHHHHH!" That fear grew tenfold hearing that pained scream. "No!" Ignoring the warning signals going off in his head the Scandinavian duelist rushes towards the sound.

Cringing as the sensation of hands ghosting through his legs as he sprints in whatever direction the scream came from. His lungs were on fire, along with the rest of his body-a complete one-eighty to the frozen state he was in before. But it didn't make him feel any better.

"Juudai!" Not when the reason for him being hyped up on adrenaline is laying there on the floor motionless. Skidding on his knees Johan grabs at his friend, taking in his unusually pale complexion and blood dripping from his mouth.

He shakes the unconscious male, praying for him to awaken. "Come on Juudai! Don't do this to me." For a moment Johan was able to forget about the darkness surrounding him as his dear friend stirred. Tiredly, Juudai cracked open his eyes, causing the bluenette's face to blur for a moment.

When those brown orbs were finally able to bring the world around him into focus, the two-color haired teen gave a soft smile. "J-Johan..." With shaking fingers, Juudai reached his hand up, meeting the much warmer, steadier hand that belonged to his companion.

"I'm...sorry. Sorry I couldn't protect-" Johan's heart cracks as the boy in his arms coughs, spewing blood. "Don't push yourself!" This was his worst nightmare. Silently he begged to whatever deity that could hear his prayer.

Please...don't let him die. "It's ok." No-it wasn't! None of this was ok. "Looks like...I couldn't be the hero this time around. Night Johan." With a final sigh Juudai closed his eyes, going limp in his Johan's arms. "Nooooooo!"

With a sharp gasp Johan opened his eyes, sitting up as he took in his surroundings. "Oh thank god!" Pulling his knees up to his chest, he rests his forehead on the bony top, trying to calm his nerves. It was just a dream.

A horrible, vivid and-considering who it was about realistic dream. But still, it wasn't a memory of the past, just a figment of his worst fears brought forth from his subconscious. He was fine. And though he hadn't heard from Juudai since his graduation three years ago-he was sure he was fine as well.

Though this wasn't the first time he's had such horrid depictions of Juudai, of him...dying, this wasn't like the others. For whatever reason this particular night terror just couldn't be shaken off. HE couldn't stop shivering. "Kyuu!" Within an instant the duelist found himself surrounded by the spirits of his deck.

His precious family, the Crystal Beast's had sensed his distress and came out. Each of them gave him a look of concern, with Ruby specifically nuzzling her master's side. A small smile came to his lips as he uncurled from his shell.

"Deep breaths Johan, you're safe." It wasn't really him he felt worry or fear for, but he held his tongue, only offering a nod in thanks towards his white tiger. It was unknown how long the young man sat on his bed, taking in the calming reassurances he was receiving from his companions but time had indeed past.

The sun slowly crept up on him, bringing forth light into his room. Sighing the bluenette stretched his arms over his head, cracking his jaw with a large yawn. He could feel tears at the corner of his eyes, whether it was from his his mini panic attack from the dream or him just being tired was up in the air.

Immediately he brushed them away before getting out of bed. Today was going to be a chill day, as the bluenette made his way into the bathroom to brush his teeth to get ready for the day. Johan was essentially on vacation.

There were no tournaments he had to worry about attending, and even if he wasn't doing online college courses, it was the dead of winter-holiday season. "Best get the chores out of the way then." Feeling far more relaxed then when he first woke up, get goes about his morning ritual.

A light breakfast, cleaning up the small bits of trash scattered throughout the house, the dishes. With each task the Crystal Beasts found themselves satisfied enough to leave him be. Offering small feelings of encouragement should Johan need them for anything.

Though Ruby Carbonicle stayed, wanting to keep her favorite human company. "How bout we take a walk at the park?" The purple spirit chirped before climbing onto Johan's shoulder in excitement. Donning the typical winter necessities...especially in the chilly European countries, the two stepped forth.

Trembling as a huge gust of icy wind smacks him right in the face. Ripping right through the layers with hardly any effort. Despite the chilly start to the day, it was beautiful, as it had snowed the day before. The quaint little town he lived in was bathed in pure, fresh snow.

It was still fairly early in the morning. So there wasn't anyone else out and about. The only sounds that could be heard was Johan's soft, cloudy breaths, the crunch from his shoes embedding into the snow, and Ruby's little noises as she skids and leaps onto the white surface. Brightening her friend's mood all the more.

His nightmare retreating to the farthest corner of his mind by the time he reached the park. A smile came to his face as he took note of a few kids out and playing despite the chill and early morning. "Snowball fight~" Chuckling he takes a seat at an unoccupied bench.

Watching with content as chaos broke through. It brought back fond memories of Duel Academy. There wasn't snow over there, since it was an island with an active volcano of all things, but that feeling of joy, of being with friends...there was nothing like it.

Though his time there could've gone without the danger, he didn't regret going there. Especially when a certain brunette came to mind. For a while he becomes lost in thought. His heart thumping painfully in his chest as memories drift towards his crush. "I wonder what he's doing now?"

Tilting his head up Johan takes note of the clouds moving across the sky. Time passing along with the clouds. "Looks like we're going to get hit with another storm today." He huffs a puff of air, smiling as it becomes visible.

"Koo!" Johan blinks, startled for a moment as a familiar sound hits his ears. "Huh?" He had to be hearing things. "KOo!" But he kept hearing it. Like him Ruby was moving her head back and forth, having heard the cry as well. "KOO!" At this point Johan was standing up.

His eyes searching in all directions until he finally found his target. Knowing instantly who it was despite the time that's passed. "Winged Kuriboh?" Much to the bluenette's panic and surprise...the flying furball was alone. The little spirit was flapping his wings as fast as possible.

Calling out to whoever could and would hear him. Ruby dashed ahead, using her master as a spring board to get some extra momentum. "Kyuu!" She shrieked as loud as she possibly could to catch her old friends attention and when she did, Kuriboh changed directions, heading straight for her and Johan.

In a matter of seconds, his ghostly form smashed into the duelist's chest. "What's wrong little guy? Where's Juudai?" Another pained shout left the creature as he moved, doing a complete circle around him before dashing off towards the streets.

"H-hey! Wait up." Hardly anyone noticed when Johan took off into a mad sprint. Actually as he further followed with duel spirit, a strange sensation took over him. Glancing around he found himself seeing the world around him come to a stop.

Time and everyone except for him seemed to have frozen. "What's going on?!" His dream suddenly returned to his mind along with a sense of dread. "Koo!" Winged Kuriboh took a sharp turn into an alley, making his follower stumble and nearly fall from the slick snow.

He catches himself on the brick wall leading to the shadows. Panting, that dread transforms to full on fear. "Yubel!?" The demonic spirit was a shock to see period, the last time he had seen her was when she had been using his body to kidnap Juudai.

Before his friend disappeared after graduation Johan as well as many others tried asking for details when it came to that final battle. The most they had gotten was Juudai giving a fatigued smile, promising that the spirit would never harm any of them ever again.

The Crystal Beast duelist wanted to trust those words. However he couldn't help but become paralyzed with fears as so many twisted memories fluttered in. Though her being there wasn't what was terrifying him. No, it was her appearance-her being coated in blood and the fact that she was crying.

Her wings were enfolded around her, as if she were protecting herself. A sense of pity hit him as she continued to cry, as if unaware of his presence. "Yubel?" Her name comes out softer then before, somehow gaining her attention.

"Johan Anderson?" Carefully he moved towards her, sweat dripping down his face from adrenaline. Despite his slow, deliberate movements Yubel flinches, shuffling backwards against the wall. This wasn't like her at all. "D-don't! Don't come closer Johan Anderson!"

It was somewhat ironic, the demon that caused him ptsd to the point where he had to take a break from dueling for a while was acting as if HE was the threat. That SHE was scared of HIM. It really hit him as he looked on, unable to quell the sympathy in his heart.

Even if she did hurt him and his loved ones in the past, thanks to their temporary merge and Juudai, he knew it wasn't completely her fault. So he holds his hands up, showing his desire for peace. Even if he was angry-he didn't want to fight her.

"I'm not here to fight you Yubel. I just want to see where you're hurt." She shakes her head then, her face contorted with an agony that Johan's never seen before. Her behavior was reminding him of a caged animal. Just what happened? "Not me."

His brows furrow in confusion, it takes a moment for the pieces to come together. For Johan to realize that no- Yubel wasn't protecting herself. "Please...help him!" She was protecting Someone. Unfolding her wings, reveals Juudai.

Injuries covered him from head to toe, his breathing coming out in short puffs. No sooner does Johan's gaze latches onto the bleeding male does he leap into action. Running towards them. Yubel flinches again, but stays where she is.

Doing her utmost to keep her wings from instinctually wrapping around her injured master. Johan gingerly checks Juudai's condition, his emerald eyes flashing with determination. "We need to get him out of here."

She's long lost the energy to materialize. Let alone use her magic, it was all it took for her to keep Juudai alive this long. But unfortunately for both him and her...time was running out. Time that Johan refused to waste anymore of.

With a grunt the blue haired duelist picks up his friend. "Ah!" A pain ripples through Yubel as she vanishes from view. Returning to Juudai's body. "Yubel!" Kuriboh whines, nuzzling his partners dirty two toned locks. Tears falling from his big purple eyes.

"Hang on Juudai." Holding the shorter boy close to him, Johan heads straight for his home. He had no idea what was happening. But there were more important things to worry about than his questions being answered. In his dream...he was too late to save Juudai. No matter what-he wouldn't fail.

The end

Author Notes: So...not exactly how i imagined it but this came out well all the same. I'm contemplating making this a two shot for a fluffy happy ending...but i'm in a doom and gloom kinda mood. And my other story for this pairing had a happyish ending so i think i'll leave it like this.

All else fails i may add a chapter in the future, but what happens after that i'll currently leave up to your guys to think about. But that is it for now. Guys thank you all so much for reading. If you like please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton. Tchao for now.