Painful Agony

By: DJ Rodriguez

(Author's Notes: Here is what happens next. This takes place five weeks after Airo's little talk with DMG. Tragedy strikes, and it affects both Duel Monster and human. And the question; will Airo go on when the one she loves is gone forever? We'll soon find out!

Now, enjoy the fanfic!)

Epilogue

It was a very dark and sad day, for both Duel Monster and human. Inside the Shadow Real, the skies were dark and gloomy. Rain poured forth in a torrent, as if the heavens themselves cried out. It was because of tragic news that had arrived three days ago; the Pharaoh's hikari, Yugi Moto, was dead. Nearly all the Duel Monsters in the Shadow Realm were still grieving for the small boy. However, the one who took it the hardest was Airo. Upon hearing the news, she had bolted back to her room and locked it. She did not emerge, even until now. No food, no drink, and also no rest. She was now lying on her bed, her face tear-stained and her cheeks red from crying. She was dreaming, on what had happened prior up to Yugi's death.

{Flashback: Five weeks had passed since Airo's little talk with DMG. All this time, the young Harpie Lady remained steadfast in her profound love for the young Yugi Moto. She was now watching him and his girlfriend Rose, emerge from a theater. It was nighttime, and they were out quite past their curfew. The dark-fuchsia haired woman gave a small pout as she saw the two cuddling with one another, going through the park to get home. "Ugh, I don't need to watch this.", she stated in disgust. Mind you, she was not the only one who was watching the boy. Injection Fairy Lily, Mystical Elf, and DMG were also watching the blossoming romance between the two humans. Airo stood up, straightened out her hair, and started to walk out of the small room. "If anybody needs me, I'll be in the Courtyard sparring with my sister Keraino.", she told them. Keraino was the blonde one of the Harpie Lady Sisters. After saying good-bye, Airo left the scene.

Yugi and Rose were walking through the park, happy as can be. Yugi always felt special around Rose, his heart soaring on wings and beating wildly. Rose felt the same too towards her boyfriend. As they slowly strolled on the sidewalk, they looked around them and saw that the natural beauty of the park. Lush emerald grass, beautiful flowers, and tranquil streams of water encompassed the trio in a serene state. Then, they gazed into each other's eyes. Slowly, as if drawn by a magnet, they leaned towards one another for a sweet kiss. The scene, however, was about to be shattered by a man hiding in the bushes nearby. It was a rogue Rare Hunter, the last one of them all. After Marik was defeated a year and a half ago, his group of Rare Hunters was disbanded. However, this young man looked up to the maniac as a god and now wanted revenge against Yugi and Yami. Thus, he had been trailing the hikari for weeks. "I will avenge my Master, by bringing that insolent whelp to Anubis himself!", he vowed silently. Then, that is where he made his move.

He lunged from out of the brush, quickly interrupting the sweet couple. He forcefully intervened, grabbed Rose, and held her like a shield with a large dagger to her throat. "Who are you?!", Yugi demanded. The cloaked man replied icily, "None of your business, brat! Now, do what I say or your girlfriend here will take a trip to the Underworld!". Yugi slowly nodded, not wanting any harm to come to Rose. The crazed man ordered, "Get on your knees, and lower your head!". Without hesitation, Yugi did what the man ordered to do. He was puzzled on why he would make such a request. When he was down on his knees and his head lowered, the crazed Rare Hunter slowly approached him with Rose still in tow. Rose whispered fearfully, "What are you going to do?". The man sneered at her and replied, "You will soon see.". When he was a foot away from Yugi, he yelled out, "Yugi… DIE!!!". Swiftly pushing the woman out of the way, he then stabbed Yugi through the back, the dagger protruding slightly from where his heart was! He let out an unearthly scream of pain that filled the park, and Rose let out a horrified scream that sliced through the very air.

Back in the Shadow Realm, the two women witnessed the entire scene with horror and terror. Snapping to her senses, DMG shot out from her position on the floor and scrambled to a nearby windowsill. She frantically searched the area below the castle, and finally found Airo and Keraino. The two were sparring with one another, slashing and soaring a little above the ground. DMG shrieked, "Airo, Keraino!!". The two Harpie Lady Sisters stopped their fighting and turned behind them, looking up. "What is it, DMG?", Airo asked while panting slightly. The magician replied in the same tone, "Come quickly! Something has happened to Yugi!!". With those three words and the tone that was tied to it, Airo swiftly flew from the Courtyard and back inside the castle. Keraino followed suit, also worried about the young boy. As fast as the wind, the dark-fuchsia haired femme fatale entered the castle and made her way to the main foyer. When she arrived, the sight before her almost made her stop dead in her tracks… as well as her heart.

Yugi was on the ground, lying in a pool of his own blood. The Rare Hunter, after skewering the poor young man, fled into the night laughing crazily. Rose recovered from her shock and immediately went to Yugi's side to see on what she could do. She turned Yugi, who was doubled over and crumpled on the ground, over to see the wound. The dagger had cut clean through his heart, and her heart pounded rapidly. She knew that Yugi was fading away fast, slipping away from the living quickly. Alas, even the boy knew his time was just about up. Rose whispered in a painful voice, "Its okay, Yugi. You're going to be okay! Just hold on!". She clutched to him, holding his head against her chest and her eyes threating to let out a torrent of tears. Yugi knew that even if he did try to hold on, he wouldn't make it anyway. He slowly and gently lifted his right hand, and cupped and caressed Rose's cheek. Her beautiful eyes were now open, shimmering with moisture. Her tears were now imminent. He started to whisper his final words to her hoarsely, "Rose. I'm sorry, but we know that is not true.". The woman looked at him, and shook her head frantically. "No, no! Please, don't say that Yugi!", she whispered fiercely to him. He smiled sadly and stated, "I want you to know… that I'm glad I met you. You brought… light to my life.". Rose just clutched to him tighter, sobbing quietly now. "Please, Yugi! Stop it! You're going to make it! Please!", she cried out. He then took her hand and kissed it. He said, "I… love you. Please… don't forget… about me.". With that, his eyes slowly closed, his hand falling limp, and his breathing ceasing. It was over. Yugi Moto… was dead.

Airo was now breathing hard, her breathes coming in and out rapidly. The girls were now in tears, crying and sobbing from Yugi's heartfelt declaration and death. Airo shook her head slowly, her eyes wide in horror and anger. She tentatively walked towards the magic mirror, a clawed hand stretched out in false hope to actually touch Yugi. "No… no…", she whispered over and over again as she approached the mirror. With a mere touch, the picture vanished and all that was left was air. Airo's clawed hand slowly retracted back, both arms now covering her chest. She was backing away slowly, her head shaking rapidly now in denial. "No… no… NOOOOOO!!!!", she screamed out in pure horror. The scream came from the depths of her soul, vibrating all around the castle. It could be heard throughout all the four corners of the Shadow Realm. All the monsters heard it, and wondered on what it was. The heart and spirit-broken Duel Monster fled from the room, shooting past a shocked DMG and a startled Dark Magician, who had come in to see on what was happening. Airo shot through the rooms, her eyes now brimming with tears and her heart very strained from sadness, anger, and shock. She climbed some flights of stairs, and soon came to her chambers. Running in, she slammed it shut and locked it tight. Sobbing heavily, she threw herself on the bed and started to cry her heart/soul/spirit out.}

Thus, that was what happened three days ago. Since then, everyone had been in a gloomy mood when DM was informed about the situation. In the human world, Yami had felt on what had happened and quickly rushed to the park. He had also gathered everyone up, telling them that something terrible happened to Yugi. In fifteen minutes, all of Yugi's friends and acquaintances had arrived at the park. However, when they got there, a terrible sight awaited them. In the middle of the park, they found a sobbing Rose hovered and clutching tightly to a still and bleeding Yugi Moto. Yami was in totally shock, as was Tea, Mai, Serenity, Ishizu, Shadi, Tristen, Joey, Seto, Mokuba, Mako, and Espa Roba. The group quickly approached them, Yami reaching a hand to Rose to try and touch her shoulder. She quickly shoved it off the moment she felt contact and clung to Yugi more like a lifeline. She told them in gulping sobs on what had happened, and soon the whole gang was now in tears. Tea took out her cell phone and dialed for both police and the hospital. Yami instantly knew on who the attack was when Rose told them the story, and his anger burned clearly in his eyes. He vowed revenge, but now was not the time. It would have to wait.

To the present day, a funeral was now being held for the young hero. Everyone that he had ever knew and helped had gathered together to see their friend/hero one last time. There, in the Domino Mortuary downtown, Yugi was laying down in a small black coffin. Friends and family where there to send in condolences to Yami, Solomon, and the gang. Yugi was cleaned up, and dressed with his usual school uniform on. He looked as if he was in total peace, his hair still in the same appearance and his face serene and peaceful. Yami and the gang sat in the left row at the very front, their eyes red from crying all night and also not getting much sleep. The dark-half of Yugi stared at the coffin, a deep shuddering breath coming out. He soon zoned out, now in his Soul Room. Formally, it was a labyrinth of mazes and puzzles. But now, it was like a grand pyramid from Egypt's past. He was now bringing the funeral from the human world, to the Shadow Realm. Yugi's body came up in astral form, him lying on a stone alter and dressed as a royal prince. White robes replaced the clothes he was wearing at the funeral in the real world, lined with gold and making him look like royalty. Nearly all of the Duel Monster were present, kneeling down to pay their respects to the boy who had made a difference in all of their lives. Dark Magician was situated near his master, his serious face now etched with sorrow. Yami turned around and saw that DMG was approaching him. He looked at her curiously and asked, "What is wrong, DMG?". The tear-stained girl magician replied meekly, "There is someone who is not here, but should be.".

A soft knock was heard as Airo was sleeping, hidden under the sheets and blankets on her bed. The Harpie Lady did not respond, just whimpered softly underneath the sheets. She was trying to find some hidden warmth that sadly could not be found. The door then magically unlocked itself, and two people stepped in; the Dark Magician Girl and Yami. DMG told and explained to Yami everything that she possibly could. Yami indeed pitied the broken-hearted Duel Monster very much. Sighing while shaking his head slightly, the Pharaoh went over and gently sat down on the bed next to Airo. Gently lifting the covers and sheets off of her. He was not surprised to see her slightly more thin then usual, and her face streaked with tear stains. "Airo…", he whispered gently. She whimpered softly, acknowledging his presence. She whispered painfully as she rose into a sitting position, "It hurts, Yami. It hurts so much.". He put a comforting hand on her shoulder, as did DMG. "I know, Airo. I know.", he replied. DMG said softly, "Airo, the funeral for Yugi is starting right now. If you want to see him, now is your last chance.". The Duel Monster nodded slowly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and attempting to stand up. Yami and Dark Magician Girl helped her up, hoisting her up by the shoulders. Yami whispered to Airo, "Airo, when this is over, come with me. We will find the one who killed Yugi, and wreck terrible vengence on him.". That statement brough some sort of comfort and relief, to see the one that killed Yugi at the end of her claws.

Airo soon arrived at the little funeral in the midst of Yami's mind. She was escorted by Yami himself and DMG. The Duel Monsters bowed in respect, both to Yami and Airo. Airo saw her love and crush lying on the stone alter, and her heart and stomach nearly plummented right there. Yami and DMG released Airo, knowing full well she needed to do this on her own. "Go on, friend. He is there, waiting for you.", DMG whispered. Using what little strength she had left, the Harpie Lady staggered over to where Yugi was lying at. Soon, she was a mere foot away from him. Seeing his peaceful face, she felt like crying right there. Slowly, she lifted a hand to try and caress his face. Alas, it just went right through him. She thus put her hand next to him, taking in the morbid fascination of once again being near him. She lowered head, her forehead barely touching his and whispered, "I'm sorry, Yugi. I'm sorry I was not there to protect you.". She silently cursed herself for being a Duel Monster at that point. She continued on, "I will find whoever did this to you, and I swear on my own life he will pay dearly.". Seeing that her time was nearly up, she then planted a kiss on Yugi's lips, though it just went through the projection. Airo then whispered, "I love you.". With that said, she backed down from the stone alter and returned to the group. Her sisters offered some comfort to their oldest sibling, but it was of little use. Airo now wanted revenge, fire and hate burning in her eyes.

(Author's Notes: Now, this were I stop at for now! So, how did you like this one? Was it sad, no?

Here are the questions for you Yugi fangirls out there: How do you feel about Yugi's death? Would you be like Airo if you heard and seen the event with your own eyes? Finally, would you like to join Airo in avenging Yugi's death?

R&R, no flames, and enjoy!)