Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ You Are Not Alone ❯ Nephystis ( Chapter 6 )

A/N: Hello, hello! I'm back in action! Anyway, hope you appreciate my last chapter…guess what some people do! And they're greatly appreciated !!!

And back to my story…

You Are Not Alone

Chapter VI-

Just Your Average Saving the World Mission…right?!

Black- Hooded Nephystis

Day 8-

The Growing Force of Light

"I am absolutely sure there's something wrong about the aura I'm feeling, I dearly hope it's not a Shade…" Aktu trembled.

"Aktu?"
"Ah, Master Marik?"

"You haven't slept for hours yet…would you like me to take over? I'm well-charged plus, I can defend myself."

"A creature like me requires little sleep, but if you say so…" Marik watched Aktu took his position under the tree.

"Ok." Marik stood up and watched around.

Wwwwwwwwwwwooooooosssssssssshhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Huh?" Marik looked around. "Wh-what…?"

Ssssssswwwwwwwwwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

"Now this is strange. It must be something weird…" Marik gazed at the tree. "That's weird…really weird…"

The tree waved its branches temptingly. It's as if it wanted Marik to come.

"Very very weird…"
Marik thought as he drew closer…

Closer…

Closer…

"What on earth is up with this…" Marik stepped so close to the tree, that it was already an inch away from its bark when…it turned into a hooded figure in purple and blue.

"TREE…AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" Marik tumbled down, dropping the Millennium Rod.

Yugi, Ryou and Aktu jumped awake. "Marik?"

"The tree changed into something…ACK! LET ME GO STUPID TREE!" Marik growled as the tree…or what was the tree before…choked the blonde.

"It's a Shade!" Aktu swallowed. "And it's very angry…"

"Marik fight it!" Ryou said.

"Argh, why won't it let me go?!" Marik choked.

"Let's just… see how hard headed it really is!" Yugi whammed the Shade's head with the dropped Millennium Rod. The Shade screamed in pain as he let the boy go.

"Geez, nice landing!" Marik groaned as he pushed himself up.

"I'll handle this!" Aktu waved at once his claw, and a strange weapon appeared. Hovering it dangerously to the Shade, he poised to attack. The Shade swept around, wheezing.

"Shut up and go to the hell where you belong!" Aktu attacked the Shade.

The Shade at once jumped away but Aktu swiped at the creature, and it was hit by the blade. The Shade swept away from him.

"Does that thing ever get wounded?" Marik wondered. "It doesn't bleed."

"It's a ghost." Aktu said. "It doesn't get hurt by an ordinary weapon, but I guess with my Blade I weakened it a bit. If it gets too weak if just vanishes."

"Good luck…" Yugi stared as the Anubite struggled against the Shade.
"Aren't we supposed to help him?" Ryou asked.

"Good idea, can you tell me how though?" Marik asked.

"Any other bright plans?" Yugi asked.

"Uh…"

THUD!


"Kami-sama, Aktu!" Yugi ran to the Anubite.

"He's out." Marik said. "That Shade's mad at us!"

 "What're we gonna do, Yugi-chan?" Ryou asked.

"The Shade…we must beat it…" Yugi said.

"Or at least make it go away!" Marik added.

"And here it comes…AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" The Hikaris separated once the Shade attacked them.

BLAG!

"Great, Ryou!" Marik gasped as the shade pinned the ivory haired boy down.

"RYOU!"Yugi screamed.

Ohno,ohno,ohno,ohno! WhatdoIdo?WhatdoIdo?WhatdoIdo?!!! Ryou chanted to himself as the Shade raised its clawed hands at him.

Then…the Millennium Ring glowed brightly, in a bright shade of green…

Ryou blinked, Yugi gasped and Marik froze…

The Shade was screaming and twisting in terror, it's as if…

It's afraid of me…but why? Ryou thought. But the Shade's reaction didn't end there. Other trees nearby turned into Shades and were filled with terror as they fled their enemy, screaming wildly away.

"And it's not only that Shade that made a get away." Marik noted.

"But…what did I do?" Ryou blinked.

"Your Millennium Ring glowed." Yugi explained. "And when it did, the monsters went running like crazy. Something about the Millennium Ring scared them."

"Thank goodness they're gone, what of Aktu?" Ryou asked.

"Besides some sprains, he's Ok." Marik informed.

Ryou glanced at his Millennium Ring, nod then smiled.

"Anyway, we'd better be going, those creatures could come back any minute! I'll carry Aktu!" Marik said as he forced Aktu on his back, the heavy body on his shoulders. "Let's move."
"Un." The others nod as they made their way to Osiris' Palace.

/I can feel them…/ Seth's voice croaked, echoing down his-I mean, Osiris'-bedroom.

/Are they coming?/ The Serpent hissed, unwrapping his coils gently from the bedpost.

/Surely, and…/ Sehkmeth licked her lips. /It would be great to taste blood again, after so many years…/

/Human blood, yes, but not now. I will handle them, while we will move Phase Two of the Plan./ Seth said.

/Damn, and I thought I had the chance!/ Sehkhmeth growled angrily.

/You will rip up that Child of Osiris soon, but what is important is that we'll get enough time to complete the spell. / Seth reminded.

/Do whatever you want, but remember, the Bearer of Ra is mine to rip!/ The Serpent snickered, whipping his tongue out like a dangerous weapon.

/And the Child of Osiris is mine to ruin!/ Sehkmeth's eyes were shining with blood lust.

/But I should deal with the Avenger of Horus for now, I remember that we had an agreement earlier./ Seth said.

/Oh, and may I forget to inform that I have Sehkti's job well done? That Millennium Tauk bearer will soon have a show of her life…/ The Serpent growled excitedly.

/Argh, stop boasting!/ Sehkmeth said, rolling her green cat like eyes.

/You're just JEALOUS you stupid feline!/

/I'm a GODDESS just to inform you scum bag!/

/…Argue all that you want. I'll be doing what I've got to do./ Seth frowned then left. Sometimes, I'd rather be with that Mouto and his friends than with these two!

"Well, we're here!" Yugi beamed at the huge black and green mansion at the end of the Nile river, which was obviously the Palace they were seeking.

"?! That quick? I was hoping for more baddies!"

"Marik be thankful that we didn't have to risk our necks more than thrice!"
"Hmph, that's what you always hope for, baby Yugi Mouto!"
"MARIK!"

"…Are they always like this?"

"No, but when they see each other all the time, I'd say yes, Aktu." Ryou shrugged. "Hey, they're like our two friends…"
"Oh, I know, I know!-the seahorse and that baka dog!"
"That's Kaiba and Jou Marik!" Yugi corrected. Marik in reality just loves, in his nicest way, teasing people.

"Whatever, I don't know those guys too much anyway…"
"Guys, do you know how to sort priorities?!"

"?!" Marik and Yugi blinked.

"Guys, stop teasing each other for a while and let's bust into that mansion! Our YAMIS need US now, duh!"

"He's got a point there, buddy. Shall we?" Marik said.

"Hmm…OK!" Yugi grinned. "YAMIS, HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Before all this excitement shouldn't we contact them first?"

"Good point, Ryou…why don't you try yours?" Marik said.

"Ba-Bakura?" Ryou stuttered. "But…he's mad…at me…"
"Aw, just do it! It's just the mental link, if he blocks you then so what?! He can't kill you,can he?"

"Ok…" Ryou sighed as he concentrated…

"How long are we supposed to sit in this crammy old prison anyway?" grumbled an annoyed Bakura.

"There must be a reason for cooping us up here for so long! I just wonder what!" Yami stood up and glanced at what's beyond the cellar door.

"Hmph, I'm getting bored!" Bakura groaned as he stretched his arms.

"Wanna play something?"

"Anything you play Ishtar means Danger Zone." Bakura said.

"Don't start with me!"
"WILL YOU TWO PLEASE!" Yami groaned. "The situation is already bad as it is!"

"Hmph."The other two Yamis turned away. Yami sweatdropped. "You guys are not helping me!"

Geez, first I'm stuck with the Idiotic Pharaoh and the Ishtar's Yami who is in a sort of bad mood…how long am I gonna be stuck here?!

/Ya…/

//?! Was that…?//

/Uh…Bakura…?/

//RYOU WILL YOU JUST TALK TO ME STRAIGHT?!//

/!!!!/

?! What-did I scare him?  //Uh-what do you wanna say anyway?//

/Uh…I was wondering…are you OK?/

//Yeah, and you?//

He's worried…about me?! Ryou thought. /Uh…a bit…/

//A bit, hmm ok…wait a mi-A BIT?!//

/Well…there was this monster that attacked us…then comes a Shade who nearly killed me…/

//So, where are you now?!//

/Uhm…outside Osiris' Palace why?/ Ryou was glad he and his Yami were friends again. Well at least he thought (and hoped) they were.

//I don't know what Seth is planning, most likely to get you Hikaris.//

/Uh…how did…/

//He mentioned earlier about hurting you. I couldn't do anything…//

/It's OK./

//Just…//

/Hmm?/

Bakura sighed to himself, as if it took courage to say those four words…but finally he said it…//Just take care Ryou…//

Did he ACTUALLY say that? Happiness flooded over Ryou. Did his Yami really care?

But when he was about to respond a cry made him alert. "Doushitanou? [What's wrong?]"

"SETH! SETH'S HERE!"

//Ryou what's wrong?// Bakura stood up quickly, ignoring the looks on the other Yamis' faces, because he sensed Ryou's fear through their link.

/Seth-Oh God, Seth's here Yami!/

//HE'S WHAT?!//

/He's here Yami, he's here to get us and…AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!/

//RYOU?!//

/…/

"Bakura?Hey Bakura!" Malik, pushing his foul mood aside, waved his hand in front of the dazed spirit. He had never seen this expression on his fellow Yami's face. He looks so worried and afraid…but what…or FOR what?

"Back in reality?" Yami shook Bakura, a "Is he asleep or what?!" look on his features.

Bakura's eyes snapped open. "Shit…" and hurried to the cellar door.

"Bakura no baka, what's with you?" Malik demanded as he stood up.

Yami stared at the spirit too. It was unusual for Bakura to act so panicky and confused-or worried.

"BAKURA!"Malik shouted for the nth time, impatient and worried.

"They…they're in danger…" Bakura whispered. "The Hikaris…Seth's cornered them…Ryou told me earlier…"
"WHAT?!" Yami and Malik gasped at the spirit in unison.

"What if…what if…shit how are we supposed to get out of here?!" Bakura growled and fell to his knees, his hands grasping on the bars. "I look like a weak caged animal here!" Not now…I can't be weak now…

…not when my Hikari needs me…

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"RYOU!"

"Ugh…what…SHIT!" Aktu stood up alert.

"Oh god…" Yugi whimpered. Marik swore under his breath.

Seth floated above the air. Beside him was an eerie looking hyena. Its red eyes were on Ryou and Marik.

"How lucky of you to come this far Yugi Mouto." Seth sneered. He obviously took form of a mortal body, which was confirmed by Aktu when he said…

"Taking a form of mortal aren't we Seth?"

"Oh, even in mortality, I'm still all powerful!" Seth snickered.

"Laugh all you want, but you shall soon see that Master Osiris and Master Horus are indeed stronger than you!"

"Let me see how strong he is now…" Seth concentrated and shouted…

Shadow Strings!

Yugi, Ryou and Marik froze on their tracks.

"What…" Yugi gasped.

"I can't…" Ryou whimpred.

"…move…" Marik concluded in fear.

"What- SETH YOU TEME!" Aktu growled as he attacked.

"Hayen (ha-yeen)!" Seth motioned his hyena.

At once it grew large and it attacked Aktu.

"AKTU!!!!!" Marik and Yugi gasped.

"He's OK!" Ryou said, as he glanced Aktu fighting the Hyena off.

"Hmm…you say Osiris is strong eh? Well we'll soon see if he can defend his little Bearer or not…" Set picked up Ryou by the head and made an attempt to crush his skull.

"RYOU!"Marik screamed.

"Ryou…damn it…" Yugi couldn't move, every part of him hurts when he tries. "RYOU!"

Everything was a blur to Ryou now. He could feel his head slowly creaking, crushing, breaking. Bakura might beat him up before, but it doesn't hurt THIS much…  this wasn't like ANYTHING he felt before…

"Itai…Itai yo…[It hurts, it hurts…] Da…dasketekure…

Yami… oniichan…

/D…daskete…kure…Yami…oniichanR 30;/

//RYOU?!//

Bakura stood up from his position. //RYOU WHAT-WHAT'S GOING ON?!//

/…/

Bakura buried his head against his pulled up knees. What the fuck is happening?!

"Bakura what the fuck is wrong with you?!" Yami shouted, noticing Bakura's odd behavior again.

"Ryou-Ryou was asking for help a while ago-I don't know what's wrong with him!" Bakura looked up. No matter how hard he tried, the tears brimming on his brown eyes were obvious.

It's as if it was he was crying for the first time in 5000 years, since Shinji died.  Yami was taken aback. Bakura-the tomb robber, as in THE cold, sadistic, out-of-this-worldly annoying tomb robber is crying?

"WHAT?!" Malik stood up and immediately contacted his Hikari. //Marik…//

/MALIK!/

//Marik are you all right?//

/Honestly speaking, you contacted us in the wrong time-SETH'S LITERALLY CRUSHING RYOU'S SKULL RIGHT NOW!!!/

//…SERIOUSLY?!//

/Of course I'm serious-OH MAN GOTTA GO!/

//Marik-MARIK!//

/…/

I don't want to be weak anymore…I want to be strong…I can't watch Ryou die… Yugi felt the pain, as if stepping forward was as painful as being wrapped tightly against dozens of barbed wire, but he didn't care.

I'll save Ryou, I'll save Marik and Aktu, I'll save everyone and Yami, I'll save the world…and this *simple* PAIN can't stop ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"YUGI!"
"Ba-bakana!"

Yugi's body erupted with blood along with the now fading silver aura: he was free from the spell by his will power. It hurts like 'stupid hell' but he cared less for himself and gave Seth a mighty shove.

Seth in surprise dropped Ryou and fell off.

"RYOU!"  Marik was free from the spell and helped the unconscious Ryou up. His head was soaked, even his silver hair, with blood. It was dripping everywhere. He didn't look like he was going to live.

"RYOU!!!!!!!!!" Yugi forced himself to Ryou's side.

Ryou stirred awake. "I…I'm fine…" he choked.

"Can you stand?" Marik asked.

"I guess so…" Ryou forced himself up. "Guys, be ready. Seth's not over with…"

"I think I know…" Yugi's eyes blazed… Horus help me!

Then his mind was filled with the words…

"LIGHT OF TRUGHT!"

Yami and Bakura looked intently at Malik. "MALIK WHAT HAPPENED?!" They chorused.

"Ryou's in big bad trouble-Seth thinks he's a grape!" Malik panicked.

"AND IN ENGLISH WHAT IS IT, OH WISE ONE?!" Bakura groaned at Malik's phrase.

"IT MEANS SETH'S CRUSHING RYOU TO DEATH, OH SADISTIC ONE!" Malik shot back.

"WHAT?!" Bakura screamed.

"Can't you two cut it out with the screaming?"  Yami groaned as he patted his ears.  "Screaming is bad for the speakers' throats-not to mention the listener's ears."

"I mean-how-why are they-aren't the Hikaris helping him?" Bakura stuttered.

"No idea, he didn't say anything." Malik shrugged.

"Great now-uh oh…" Yami heard the door creak.

===

"Argh!"Seth growled as Yugi hit him with the attack.

"Haven't got enough Seth?" Yugi said.

"You are SO persistent! Much like Horus!" Seth grimaced as the pain grew.

"Well you're gonna know how persistent WE are now!" Ryou, with Marik's support, hit Seth with Green Blast.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Seth, in his confusion, dropped two of the Talismans. "Argh!" The god cursed as he swooped down to take the pendants but…

"VENOM WRAP!"

Bandages wrapped the pendant and one of the Talisman fell in Ryou's hands, the other was tossed to Marik.

"Ba-bakana! Naze…OSIRIS!!!" Seth raged.

"But…who…" Ryou blinked.

"How?"Marik stared in surprise.

Aktu threw the Hyena off the cliff and with its fatal wound fell off the canyon to the Nile below.

"Hikaris, are you all right?" Aktu rushed over them.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it when Seth got me!" Ryou said sheepishly.

"What matters is you're not dead Ryou…" Aktu said. "And all of you as well, I'm so glad you fought him off anyway."

"Well, then we have a question for you…" Marik gestured over the newly found talismans.
"AH! That Talisman, it is all too familiar!" Aktu said.

"Really?"Marik said. "They all look the same…"
"No, I know now why Osiris wants them back, especially that one Ryou, so badly…within your new Talisman Ryou, is Osiris' beloved wife, Isis, and yours, Marik is Osiris son, Anubis. And now, Marik and Ryou, you are given the task of setting them free…"

"Ha?!" Ryou and Marik chorused.

"Don't ask me, ask Osiris!" Aktu shrugged.

"…He's helping." Marik humphed.

"Hey, I'm not Osiris." Aktu shot back.

Marik ignored this and just stuck out his tongue. Yugi laughed loudly while Ryou sweatdropped.

"Tonikaku [Anyway], this place is not safe-we must leave. Let's go find the Yamis." Aktu advised.

"Wakata, ikuse mina! [I understand, let's go!]" Yugi said.

"Rig-AH!" Ryou stumbled weakly down the ground.

"RYOU!"

"I'm-all right." Ryou choked as he forced himself up.

"No you're not-oh-…" Yugi fell back, clutching his head.

"You guys are tired!" Malik said. "Let's take a-"

"NO! The Yamis need us-AS IN RIGHT NOW!"

"Uh… no comment about the shouting." Marik whispered.

"Hey, Isis is the Goddess of Healing-she might help you." Aktu suggested.

"Uh-one problem: she doesn't seem to like me." Ryou sighed dejectedly.

"Well, make her like you!" Marik said.

"That's the problem. She doesn't trust me!" Ryou said.

"How many problems do we exactly have?" Aktu mused.

"One, our Yamis are missing; Two, my head hurts, Yugi's weakened and Ryou's tired; Three, our Talisman Gods don't trust us; And Four, your sick sense of humor." Marik rolled his eyes.

"YOU REALLY HATE ME DON'T YOU?!"

"Really I have no comment about the shouting part!" Marik growled.

"GUYS!"

"Sorry Yugi."

"*Sigh* I hope Anubis likes me too…" Marik held the golden tan talisman hopefully.

"There's only one way to find out-…" Ryou glanced at Marik who nodded.

"You are not thinking…" Yugi guessed as he watched Ryou and Marik glow then collapse.

~*~

Ryou stepped on the ground, looking around.

He was in a brightly pink room, surrounded by drapes and silk curtains.

There, he approached a pink canopy bed lined with golden designs-most likely ribbons with lilies. It was fit for a princess-or a queen.

Then Ryou heard a noise and turned around.

Behind him was a beautiful young woman dressed in white and gold, her hair adorned with gold and silver jewels. She had light skin, brown eyes and rosy red lips. Ryou had never met anyone so beautiful-yet he reminded himself beauty can be deceiving.

She stepped up at Ryou, gave a hard stare at him and said. /Who are you?/

"Me-I'm Ryou, Ryou Bakura." Ryou said, uncomfortable at the woman's-most likely Isis' herself-stare.

/You must be the one who bear my Talisman, aren't you?/

"Uh-hai."

/I am not interested at the trouble you caused. I assure you fighting won't win us anything but blood and corpses./Isissaid.

"But you don't understand! If we let Seth win, we'll be in big trouble!" Ryou pleaded. "Please come fight with us!"

/I don't understand what you see in fighting!/ Isis said. /I don't understand what you see in all this useless brawl!/

"But will that stop Seth? We tried didn't we? We've come this far! We can't back off now!" Ryou explained.

/Can't you see-it will just make you lose more people! And I honestly don't think you can put up with this!/

/Mother, can't you give him a chance?/

/Anubis?/ Isisturned around to see the familiar black jackal headed God adorned with a gold and blue robe. Beside him was a smiling Marik.

"He does like me!" Marik smiled widely.

"Mine doesn't." Ryou said dejectedly.

/I think they can do it, they have reached this far. What's the sense of quitting?/  Anubis reasoned.

/Do you think THEY can easily defeat Seth when Horus nearly died several times before when he even tried to do so? We can't defeat Seth with only us!/

/But Mother--/

"LOOK WILL YOU STOP BEING SO PESSIMISTIC?!" Ryou thundered, surprising the trio.

Ryou ignored their reactions and went on. " LOOK IF YOU WILL JUST SIT THERE AND NOT DO A DAMN THING, YOU KNOW WHAT IT THINK-FINE! JUST SIT BACK THERE AND WATCH THE WHOLE WORLD ROT IN FRONT OF YOU! AND YOU KNOW WHAT I FEEL-I THINK YOU'RE DAMN WRONG, BECAUSE HOW COULD YOU KNOW WE WILL BE KILLED-WE HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED YET?! IT JUST SHOWS YOU'RE AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU THINK AND FEEL IS RIGHT!" Ryou gasped out.

"He learned something from Bakura, didn't he?" Marik muttered.

Anubis blinked.  "Who's Bakura?"

"The last person you'd wanna meet… but he's nice sometimes-though eerie." Marik harshly described.

Isisshook her head. Ryou stared at everyone then whispered to Marik. "Did I burst out a little TOO much?"

"Honestly, I think you're becoming Bakura Jr." Marik said. Ryou made a face.

/I-I just can't end up facing another battle…/ Isiscollapsed in tears.

Anubis made a move to comfort her but Marik stopped him and pointed Ryou who moved to Isis' side.

/All my life the only things I've seen are these stupid fights that end up with loses and killings. I've lost my beloved husband, watched my sons suffer under cruelty and cry at my fallen people's pains. I can't stand seeing all of these happen again-I can't lose what I have now. I  can't be parted from my son Anubis too-this is all too much./

Ryou was slowly beginning to realize why Isiswas hesitating-she feared losing Anubis.

Marik gave a "Wow, she really loves you" stare at Anubis while the God blushed.

"It's going to be all right." Ryou said soothingly, placing an arm around Isis. "You know, I was afraid of fighting too-but when I realized what's at stake-that the people I endear are at stake, I must stand up-- because if I don't, I'll end up losing them without even doing something to protect them.

"I know the price of battle: loss, sorrow and pain. But if we'll just let Seth crush us to dirt, what'll become of us? And worst of all, what'll become of the defenseless people that need our help? We can't let Seth win. I know you're very strong-strong enough to help all of us.

"Bakura had told me of the Goddess Isis: she's merciful, compassionate and trusting-like a mother." Isislooked up at the speaking Ryou who continued. "I never had a mother-she died way too soon-and she never loved me anyway. The pain and emptiness of not having one still aches here. I thought that 'The Goddess Isiswas said to be a mother to anyone who are lost, so why can't she be the mother I longed for to me?'" Ryou blushed then looked away. "Sorry for that. Guess I was being too honest here…"

To his surprise, he felt his head rest against the Goddess' breast.

/I'm sorry too, Ryou./He heard Isiswhisper.

Marik was making a fake crying gesture while Anubis was telling him to cut it out.

Ryou smiled as he pulled away from Isis' embrace and said. "Thanks."

Then a green light surrounded the room. Isisstood up and looked bewildered. Anubis looked as if a war was going to happen in the area. Marik rolled his eyes and gave Ryou a 'This guy's weird' look.

Then in a flash, fresh linen bandages swept throughout the area and from it stepped out-

"OSIRIS IS THAT YOU?!" Marik and Ryou gasped.

What Marik and Ryou heard from their Yamis is that Osiris is a not so handsome guy wrapped in mummy bandages-but this one looked as if he was born to become a chick magnet. He had smooth black hair, shining black eyes and light tan skin. He wore a flowing red robe and on his neck was the familiar shiny Talisman.

"He doesn't look like the God Card Osiris, does he?" Marik mused. Ryou groaned. 'You're stupid you know that?' he thought.

"Oh Ra…" Anubis gasped. He had been with Osiris for quite some time but had never seen him in such splendor.

Isis' eyes were flooded again with tears. "Osiris?"

The God turned and smiled. "Isis."

It was like any familiar romantic scene: Isislooked as if Christmas had come. She quickly ran and fell against Osiris' arms.

Marik made the all familiar gesture again, but Ryou and Anubis were holding their fists in the air and threatened him to stop.

"Geez, you guys have no sense of humor…" Marik sobbed.

"MARIK!"
"Sorry, Ryou."

"I thought I'd never see you again!" Isissobbed against his chest. "Why didn't you tell me all this time you were here?"

"I need you to learn to trust the boy on your own, Isis. I'm sorry." Osiris kissed his wife gently before turning to Ryou and smiled. "Thank you, Ryou and Marik. Send my thanks to Yugi and Horus too."

"Horus!" Anubis brightened. "Horus is here?"

"With our friend Yugi, why?"Ryou said innocently.

Strangely, Anubis' eyes twinkled mischievously. "Excellent!"

"ANUBIS!"

"Sorry, Mother, Father."
Ryou and Marik blinked. Gods can honestly be so weird.

"Guess we're going now." Ryou waved as he and Marik were slowly fading. "Bye Isis, Anubis and Osiris."

"Wait-I thought Nephystis was with Yugi as well?" Osiris remembered.

"Oh-I forgot about her. Yeah, she is!" Marik said before he and Ryou faded.

"MOTHER IS WITH THAT YUGI?" Anubis thought for a while. "I've got to get to know that guy."

*--------*

Day 8.2

Cross of Sacrifice…

Yugi and Aktu were glad that the situation between Marik and their new found Talisman Gods' situations are resolved (not to forget the fact that they were all healed of their injuries).  Ryou looked especially pleased.

"You look happy." Aktu finally commented.

"He couldn't be happier." Marik grinned. "And to make Ryou the happiest Hikari in the planet, let's go find the Yamis!"

"Yes sir!"

"Wait, I thought I'm the leader!" Yugi pouted.

Yugi and the others searched the entire castle for their Yamis, but there was no sign of them.  It's as if no one had even stepped in the castle.

"Aktu, we've searched the entire castle, yet there is zero evidence that our Yamis are here!" Marik said.

"Where could they be?" Aktu mused.
"Maybe Sehkmeth took them away while we were fighting him off in the Main Hall!" Yugi guessed.

"Shit, just when we're so close…" Ryou unexpectedly punched the wall. Yugi and Aktu jumped.

"We WILL find them and beat Seth to Hell, Ryou!" Marik said, pretty determined.

"But what now…?" Ryou asked.

"Hmm…is there any other place in the World both here and above that Seth can stay?" Yugi asked Aktu.

"Actually, I have only one place in mind…" Aktu said.
"Well, it'll be a lot helpful if everyone here in this empty palace would know." Marik said.

"Well, there's only one other place where Seth could be…"

"Where?"The Hikaris chorus.
"Does anyone of you know the Realm of the Undead?"

"Realm of the Undead?" Yugi cocked his head.

"It's the Realm where cursed people lie.  Seth was never permitted to step back on the Court of the Nile. So the Realm of the Undead is the most  likely place he should be."

"Yami never mentioned such a realm…" Yugi remembered.

"Ay, it was supposed to be a secret from Mortals.  Anyway, we should head up to the end of the Dark Nile River, then head straight ahead from the void there…then when we finally encounter light *which God knows how long* that's the River of the Fortress of Souls."

"Can you repeat that please?" Marik asked dumbly.

"SHUT.UP!" Aktu growled, annoyed.

"What-what did I do?" Marik blinked innocently.

"Do we even bother…?" Ryou and Yugi muttered.

"Anyway, let's beat this place! We've gotta find that Realm of the Undead thingy so that we can have our Yamis back." Yugi said.

"But it will take us days to reach the place." Aktu added.

"THIS.TOTALLY.SUCKS!" All Hikaris chorused.

"Isn't that cursing?" Aktu pointed out.

"GAH!I've lost my innocence! Oh why, oh why did I do the hated deed-I've now become one of you peers-peers of cruelty!"

"Yugi-did someone ever tell you that you'd do great in a soap opera?" Ryou sweatdropped while Marik laughed like crazy. Yugi blushed.

"Can we just leave now?!" Aktu said loudly.

"Uh-right…"

Yugi and his friends stood by the murky banks of the Nile River.

"We're near the end, fellas." Yugi pointed a dark gateway.

"Obviously, but I'm tired…" Ryou sighed.

"But we don't have time to rest!" Marik argued.

"Ryou, we've walked for hours.  Give us a break!" Ryou panted as he sat down the ground.

"Marik, calm down! It's not that we'll rest for a week! And why are you hurrying so much?! You know it's senseless-you've got to recharge your power from time to time!"

"But Seth won't give us THAT time we need!"

"Look, if we'll just CHARGE into battle without even being PREPARED, then we're surely FINISHED before Seth can even be in full battle mode!  Can't you just THINK about YOURSELF for a moment?!"

"Ryou why can't-?!"

"STOP ARGUING!" Yugi shouted, standing between the arguing pair.  "You're just making things worse!"

"It's his fault!" Marik pointed accusingly at Ryou. 

"It's no one's fault!" Yugi pressed on. "If we're going to find the Yamis, we're going to find them together, not in solo-and fighting is not one of the things I had in mind!"

"For one thing, I just don't understand," Marik exclaimed.  "I don't know if you guys can sort priorities!"

"Look, we're smart enough to know that doing reckless things is NOT the solution-it's simply spells S-U-I-C-I-D-E, you get me?!"  Ryou explained hotly.

"Uh-" Aktu motioned to say something.

"STAY OUT OF THIS!" Ryou and Marik shouted.

"Right-"Aktu shushed.

"Well what do you want us to do RYOU?!" Marik growled. "Sit around and wait for Seth to give us an opportunity to fight?!"

"That's not my point, Marik!"

"Well that's what you're showing me!"

"You always have to be judgmental, don't you?!"

"None of your business!"

"Uh guys-" Aktu muttered.

"SHUT UP!"

"Again…" Aktu groaned as Ryou and Marik began arguing again.

The argument went on. Yugi shook his head and forced the tears back…

…his two best friends were arguing…

…just when he needed them to be together for him the most…

…just when he needed them the most…

…just when he thought he can be a strong and confident leader…

…just when he thought he can do something right for once…

"STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

An air of dreaded silence swept through the scene as Yugi's fists balled up, his voice still ringing against the cold stale sky.

 "GUYS, LISTEN TO ME" Marik and Ryou stared at the younger boy. "-First of all, shouting at each other will just make matters worse!  And second, your fight is pointless! You're becoming like your Yamis… and of all situations it has to happen NOW!  You know, I really DON'T think you know how to sort your priorities-if you want to change my impression if things, bury the DAMN HATCHET and make things straight!"

With that, Yugi darted away from the group and sped across the sandy shores leading to the far dark void of the Nile.

Yami stirred awake.  "Where am I…?" Then something flashed in his mind.  "Bakura? Malik? Where the hell are you guys?!"

Bakura sat up and groaned.  "Ouch-what did you call me for Pharaoh?"
"Yeah-we're here!" Malik added.

"What happened? Are you guys fine?"

"Since when were you worried about us Pharaoh?"

"SINCE NOW, STUPID- SO ANSWER MY QUESTION!"

"We're fine, except something still hurts in my head…" Malik rubbed a sore spot on his head.  "And it still does…"

"Ok… since we're all fine I guess…" Yami stated when he heard a voice in his head…

/STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/

//?! YUGI?!// Yami gasped.  But his light didn't seem to hear him.

/You know, I really DON'T think you know how to sort your priorities-if you want to change my impression if things, bury the DAMN HATCHET and make things straight!/

//YUGI!//

/…/

Yami reflected on his Hikari's thoughts.  Pain and a huge drop of confidence swept through their link.

What's wrong, my Hikari? Yami thought.  What's wrong with you?

/I thought…/

//?!// Yami blinked again.  Yugi must be thinking by himself again without realizing their link was open. He listened intently first.

/I thought… I can be a leader… I thought I can finally do something right, and make what I have always hoped for come true… for once, I can be strong like my Yami… but I was wrong…/

Yami's heart ached at those words.  Aibou…

/I thought I can help…I thought I'm up to this challenge… but the farther I go…the worse it gets…oh, how I wish you were here Yami./

//Aibou?//

/?! YAMI!/

//Aibou, is everything all right?//

Sniffles and tears came through the link.  /I'm-I'm all right, Yami./

//You don't sound like so, aibou.//

/You see, Ryou and Marik were arguing a while ago… and… I don't know if I can still face them again…/

//Did you do something wrong?//

/I just can't be like you Yami…you're born to be a leader, I'm born to be a loser./

//AIBOU DON'T SAY THAT!// Yami shouted mentally.  Malik and Bakura noticed the dazed look on Yami's pale face then said.  "He's talking to his Hikari again."

/?!/

//Aibou, charisma and confidence aren't just born within a person-it's developed by and within a person.  Do you think it's easy to be strong? Do you think it's easy to face your fears? I'll answer it for you-NO, IT IS NOT.//

/You've got to be kidding me Yami!  You're the best leader I've ever known-you're brave, strong and confident.  Almost the whole world looks up to you!/

//Courage isn't something that can be brought out easily! Why do you think am I doing my best to be brave…why am I doing my best to be strong?  Yugi, can't you see that a person only becomes stronger because he has a reason to believe in himself? A person can only become a great person if he has a meaning why to be one!//

/Then why are you striving so hard to be brave? What is behind you being strong, confident and the great you that almost no one can beat?/

//…//

/Yami tell me!/

//Isn't it obvious?//

/…Is it because of me?/

//Why do you have to ask that?//

Somewhere, Yugi paused for a moment.  /Yami, I never thought…/

//People, as I have said, don't just come out as heroes.  NO ONE is born to be heroes…it's them that make themselves heroes.  And I know that I can become strong because of you and your friends, aibou.//

/I'm sorry./

//What for?  Yugi, you have a reason to be strong right now.  Believe it or not, I think the others are worried about you.  //

/Really?  But I-/

//Let's just say you knocked some sense into them aibou. You're their leader-they need you.  Think about it OK?//

Yugi smiled. /I'll wait for them here./

//Wait-where are you ANYWAY?//

/The end of the Nile, why?/

//THE WHAT?!// Yami jumped up from his sitting position. 

Malik and Bakura jumped back surprised. "Ouch, my ass!" Bakura muttered. Malik gave him a look.

/Yami, what's wrong?/

//Yugi, are you near as in about three meters away from the black void at the end of the River?//

/Uhm... most likely only a meter away…/

//SHIT- YUGI GET OUT OF THERE NOW!//

/Yami what's.../ Yugi paused then turned around to see a towering shadow above him. "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

===

DS: Is it me or this is what yah call a bad cliffhanger?

DCOH: Aww sop it up, Master, you promised the readers that there is one more Day for this chappie!

DS: Oh yeah-but I'm cold hearted so-

DCOH: Just get on with the typing!

DS: Threaten me and I will absolutely remove Ryou from this story!
DCOH: AY! (Hushes up)

DS: As if I'll stop there… I was just kidding… ^^

===

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Yugi?"Marik turned around to the direction where the voice came from.

"Marik, did you hear that?" Ryou shouted.

"Yugi's in danger…shit he can't be…" Aktu bit his lip.

"What's wrong Aktu?!" Ryou and Marik chorused frantically.

"He must be VERY near the end of the Nile River…and there's something lurking down there…something so powerful no one can tame it-not even Lord Ra-and nothing can kill it-but it can be put to sleep…" Aktu trembled.

"Shit…this is all my fault!" Marik stamped the ground.  "If it weren't for me, Yugi would still be with us."

"Marik, we will find him!" Ryou placed a comforting hand on Marik's shoulder.

"-not to mention apologize to him." Marik added.

Aktu smiled.  "Follow me…"

Yugi struggled against the coils of something that looked like a cross between a spider and an octopus…

It was oily black, and its tentacles, which had weird sort of snake heads, were as if they have minds of their own… and they were slowly strangling Yugi to death.

//Yugi! YUGI!//

/Yami-can't-breath-help-/

//YUGI PLEASE HANG IN THERE-YUGI PLEASE!// Yami wished he could take over now, but something was blocking him from doing so. //YUGI!//

/I-can't-sorry-/

//AIBOU NO!!!!!//

"SHADOW RAY!"

The creature wheezed and screamed, dropping Yugi in the process.

"TEMPEST WING!" Yugi shouted involuntarily, and then he floated slowly down the ground.

"YUGI!"
Yugi turned around at the source of the voice and smiled.  "RYOU! MARIK!"

Ryou darted towards Yugi ahead of Marik held his hands frantically.  "Are you all right? Did that-whatever that is-hurt your or-"

"Woah, Ryou, you're sounding like my Yami in my head!" Yugi grinned, cocking his head.  Obviously, Yami was ranting on Yugi's head questions about his safety…and Yugi wasn't *exactly* enjoying them.

"Yugi you're OK!" Marik looked as if he was going to hug Yugi, but Yugi beat him to it as he hugged Marik and Ryou tightly.  "I'm like so so glad you're back at being friends again."

"Hey, I can't stand being mad at this guy forever!" Marik poked Ryou's head.  "Can't stand seeing this wimp cry all over me!"

"Shut.up!"

"Haven't I heard that bef-"

"MARIK!"

"Fine, Ryou."

"GUYS HELP ME HERE!"
"Oh damn…" Marik turned around. "AKTU!"

"Light of Truth!" Yugi raised his hand and attacked.

"Sand Storm!" Ryou hovered the familiar sand whirlwind at the creature.

Aktu slashed the creature again.  The creature screeched, then grabbed Aktu by its tentacles.

"I've been waiting for this!" Aktu shouted then turned to the Hikaris.  "Run to the portal-NOW!"

"But Aktu I-we-no!" Yugi said quickly.

"Just go now!" Aktu struggled against the tentacles tightening grip.

Marik grabbed Yugi.  "Let's go!"

"But-…"

"YUGI!MARIK!" Ryou grabbed his friends' hands and entered the void.

At the corner of his eye, Yugi gasped when he saw Aktu glowing black and red.

"Seal of Sacrifice!!!!!!"

A bright light shot around the area and created a nova that surrounded the area where the creature was.

At once, Yugi knew…

But he dearly wished it wasn't a fact…

But it was…

"AAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

*---------*

Day 8.3

Believe the impossible!

Yugi pulled his knees up to his chest and sobbed lightly.  He's gone…

"Yu-Yugi I'm so sorry… I…"  Marik seemed lost for words.  It was just seconds ago Aktu was with them… now…

"NO!" Yugi punched the wall.

"YUGI STOP!" Ryou stood up and forced Yugi away from the wall.

"LET ME GO!!!" Yugi pushed Ryou off and punched the wall again with such force that the rock wall cracked deeply and that Yugi's fist was dipped in crimson blood.

"Yugi…" Ryou pleaded.

Yugi sighed deeply then forced tears back.  "We're moving on."

Ryou and Marik gasped.  "A-are you sure you're all right now Yugi?"
"Aktu died for us…I'm not going to waste that-and I'm certainly not going to lose anyone of you guys again!" Yugi gave a small smile.  /Yami?/

//Yugi…I'm sorry…//

/It's Ok…/

//Are you Ok? Somewhere in the link hurts-//

/Oh-I just picked a fight with the cave wall…/

//In Egyptian?//

/Uh-I punched the wall?/

//Oh-YOU PUNCHED THE WALL?!//

/Uh-twice?/

//YUGI!//

/Sorry? ^^/

//YUGI JUST BECAUSE I'M NOT THERE DOESN'T ME YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!//

/…I really didn't want to do that you know…/

//Whatever! If I find you did that again I swear to Ra I'll…//

/Fine, I won't do it again… stop being so worried-I'm the one who should be worried about you!/

/Oh fine… be careful out there all right Aibou?/

//I'll contact you soon Yami-I promise.//

Yugi cut off his connection with Yami.  "Guys, let's go!"

"Yeah!"

~*In another Realm…*~

"I'm winning this!  I'm winning this!"

A wooden stick clashed against the other as two figures clad in armor and linen sparred against each other.

"That's what you think, Celtic!"  the purple armored figure shouted, making an attempt to hit the Elf on the shoulder.

The Celtic Guardian whipped away then made a move to strike again.  "And I send those very words back, Gaea!"

"You two do nothing more than spar all day, don't you?"

A new character dressed in purple and black bearing a staff in one hand and books on the other frowned.

Celtic Guardian rolled his eyes.  "And all you do is to show off to the world what kind of a wet blanket you are, Darky."

"CELTIC GUARDIAN!"

"Dark Magician, you're definitely no fun at all are you?"  The other one, Gaea the Fierce Knight, mock drawled.

The mage sighed and set down his books.  "You just don't know how to appreciate the real specialties of gaining knowledge."

"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Books-are-my-life."  Celtic Guardian rolled his eyes.

The Dark Magician groaned and walked towards the nearby house.  "Dinner will be set in ten minutes.  You two better get yourselves ready-if you wanna eat."

"That wet blanket!" Celtic Guardian shook his head disapprovingly.

"Celtic, het's just not so interested in our little games."  Gaea pointed out.

"I guess so."

"Never mind niichan!"

"Hoy, Darky the Second!" Celtic Guardian waved at the sky blue clothed blonde sitting on the branch tree.

"You know niichan!"  The Dark Magician Girl plopped down lightly on the ground.  "He's a very serious mage-always locking himself in the study to dig out scrolls he read probably thousands of times."

"Well, Mr. No-Emotion-Book-Worm seems to only come out of the crummy attic which he considers his bedroom when Yugi-sama and Yami-sama are in need of him."  Celtic Guardian pointed out.

"Well of course he does!"  Dark Magician Girl raised an eyebrow.  "Yugi-sama and Yami-sama are his masters after all…no, they're our masters."

"He doesn't care about anything!" Celtic insisted.  "It just shows that he is the Mr. I-don't-care-about-the-world we all know."

"That hurts!"
"Ok-you're his sister-you're different!"

"Yet that's too much to say about someone." Gaea agreed.

"Geez, I was just kidding!" Celtic Guardian shrugged.  "He IS our friend… of course he cares for us…well uh a bit."

"At least he does." Gaea shrugged.

"We go this way!"

"NO I SAY HERE!"
"SINCE WHEN WERE YOU RIGHT?!"
"Oh dear-SHE paid us another visit didn't she?" Gaea slapped his hand to his forehead.

"That's not nice." Dark Magician Girl crossed her arms.

"Yeah, can you blame a feisty, fickle someone with a weird sense of dire-…"

"In the name of Ra Celtic, can you please stop teasing someone for once?!"

"You are becoming like that wet blanket bro of yours!"

"SHUT.UP!"

"…Yow-Change!" Gaea steered up his horse and trotted towards the lone figure at the end of the aisle.

"Hey it's Celtic!"

"No it's Dark Magician!"

"IT'S CELTIC!"

"IT'S THE DARK MAGICIAN!"

"I SAID IT WAS-"

"Guys, I'm Gaea the Fierce Knight-and stop arguing!!!" Gaea groaned at the fickle figure. She had a fair pale face, a long green robe-but with a weird sort of hairdo, not to mention the wings-one half was blonde haired with angel type wings, the other is dark brown haired with leather skin wings.

"It's her fault!" The girl pointed herself with her high sweet voice shouting.

Then suddenly, her voice changed into a rash cold female one. "NO IT'S NOT!" her "new" self shouted.

"Guys!"Gaea smacked lightly the Change of Heart's head.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" The sweeter voice of Change whispered.

"Right."Gaea muttered then waved at Celtic to come over.

"Where's Dark Magician Girl?" Change asked.

"Currently calling her 'beloved' niichan why?" Celtic asked.

"I came here to talk about something…" Change spaced out a bit then the harsher voice took over. "Are you feeling something strange at the outer world?"

"Like what?" Gaea turned serious.

"Something dark."

Celtic and Gaea stared at each other with a dark look.  "Are you sure?"

"Of course I am." Change growled something.  "My master gives off the very same aura."

"The Tomb Robber?"

"Ah." Change nodded.  "But this time, it's worse-Master never gave off this type of aura before-well he did before, until he finally stopped beating up Master Ryou-he became nicer…"

"I don't know how to explain this but something is going on at the upper side…" Change said.

"I hope Master Yugi is all right." Celtic said sincerely.

"Oh and Change do us a favor…" Gaea whispered when he noticed Dark Magician and his sister approaching.

"What is it?"

"Don't mention this to Dark Magician."

Change looked perplexed.  "Why?"

"He's having little sleep lately-"

"Which is why he has become a worse wet blanket than the last time…"

"CELTIC!"

"Sorry Gaea." Celtic whispered.

"Anyway," Gaea continued.  "Something's disturbing him for exactly eight days."

"You know how to count?"

"CELTIC!"

"Fine…"

"I'm not so sure what it is…but he's got already enough burden behind him… we're just worried that the stress will-uh-go way too much in his head and all…I mean, we all know how much he cares about our Masters-"

"Especially Master Yugi." Celtic added.

"Finally, the pranks master said something right."

"GAEA!"

"Hey the roles reversed." Change noted then sighed. "I understand."

"Hey what are you doing there-nice to see you here, Change-are you going for dinner?"

Change hesitated then nodded.  "I came to-uh-eat dinner with you guys-the house is so lonely and all-right that's it-…"

Dark Magician raised an eyebrow then turned to the other two.

"Oh-that's what we're talking about!" Celtic grinned.

"Right!"Gaea supported Celtic's answer.

Dark Magician shrugged. "Come on in." He led the small group to his house. But at the back of his mind he was thinking of something else.

What could these guys be hiding from me?

~* Back at Yugi's*~

"We'll be heading upwards now-let's hang in there!"

"Easy for you to say, shorty!"

"Shut up Marik."

Yugi climbed up the steep rock wall as he headed upwards.  "At least the Talismans provide light…"

Ryou held out his own Talisman of Osiris.  "You're right-we'll be lost without them."

Yugi shook his head furiously as a cloud of dust came out of nowhere.  "Man this place must have scared the janitors out of their noses!"

"Smells like dead bodies." Marik added.  "But they're not yet close to the way embalmers smell-yet."

"How do you know that?" Ryou asked.

"Once you get in one of those ancient embalmment rooms, you'll get the idea."

"Hey do you guys hear that rumbling thingy?" Yugi looked up.

"Yugi what's-…" Ryou was cut short when Yugi screamed. "BOULDERHEADING NORTHWARD! GET DOWN NOW! NNNNNNOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!"

"FUCK!"  Marik swept down the rocky wall first followed by the other two Hikaris.

"Yugi hurry!" Ryou noticed Yugi was slow in catching up.

"I'm trying-I'm try-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Yugi accidentally released his grasp from the rock.

"YUGI NO!!!"

A bright light flashed from Yugi's Talisman…

And the rest of the area glowed…

--In a faraway area…--

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH-OOF!"

Yugi rubbed his back and groaned.  "Gee, nice landing!"

"For someone who had fallen from something nearly ten feet high, that landing as you call it is more merciful."

"Ryou?"Yugi looked up.

"Yes, Yugi?"Yugi gasped and turned around. Ryou was right behind him, as well as Marik.

"Wh-what're you guys doing here?" Yugi asked.

"When your Talisman glowed, we sort of-uh-went along.  But anyway, why did you call me?" Ryou said quickly.

"Because I thought you said something-…"

"No I didn't!"

"But then who-?"

"I did, Yugi."

Yugi turned around again.

Before the trio was a silver haired boy in flowing green and blue robes.  He had his hair on a ponytail and he was smiling at them.

"Who-who're you?" Yugi stuttered in amazement.

"Shouldn't you guess this by now, Ryou?" The figure stared at Ryou who was digging in his mind for answers, then…

"You're-you're the one who appeared in my dreams-meaning you're-SHINJI?!" Ryou guessed.

"Exactly."

"Wow, I can't believe I'm actually meeting Bakura's ototo!" Ryou said excitedly.

"Hey, the Tomb Robber's got a bro?  Hmm, something I can tease about him later…" Marik said mischievously.

"For the reincarnation of the calm, kind Haru Ishtar…you're uh rather the opposite version of him."

"Judging by your looks-you MUST be Akari."  Yugi guessed.

"I knew you'd figure it out Yugi-being my reincarnation, you must have some of my sharpness."

The new figure who was shorter than Shinji appeared, and he reflected Yugi's tri-colored hair and innocent though clever purple eyes.

"Akari?"Ryou and Marik repeated.

"Yes, Yami's best friend!" Yugi smiled.  "Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too."Akari smiled back.  "Coming this far just to save the world-you're a strong person Yugi, just like your Yami."

"Yugioh?"Yugi said.

"Yes.  He was a strong leader-unkind back then, yes, but strong and capable.  He can stand for himself even without the help of his advisors.  But unfortunately, pride and strength can be easily ripped out of a person,"  Akari turned serious.  "when he loses the true meaning to be strong."

"Hey you mentioned some guy named Haru, right?"  Marik asked.  "So where is he?"

"I'm right here."

A platinum blonde haired boy with purple robes approached the group.  "I'm Haru."

"And I'm Meiji!" A perky black haired boy with blue robes appeared. And for some reason, he seemed to remind Yugi of the funny and kind Mokuba Kaiba.

"So I see the whole group is here." Akari mused.

"Yap!I wanna see Ryou, Marik and Yugi for myself-" Meiji had his raven eyes at Yugi.  "I have to say he has your qualities Akari-a perfect replica of you."

"No, he has Yugioh's confidence and potential…probably even more."  Akari corrected.  Yugi blushed at this.

"Anyway, you have to get moving.  You have to get on with your mission-…"

"We know, we know-stop Seth from ruling the world and all." Marik cut him short.

"Exactly."Akari said.
"But why Ryou, Marik and I, Shinji?" Yugi asked.

"Because the Ishtar bloodline were said to be the Priests of Ra.The Bakuras were known to be Seers of Osiris, and the Moutos were Messengers of Horus. You were given the Talismans because they chose you." Shinji explained.

"But how…I don't have the strength you have Akari!" Yugi said.

"That is not true, you're every bit as strong as I am." Akari said.

"So are you Ryou, you're as strong as I am." Shinji said.

"Why do you say so?" Ryou asked.

"Because Yugi and Ryou… you are us…"

"WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"  Yugi screamed.

"Woah-like that's totally confusion zone!" Ryou added.

"You, Yugi, are me.  We're each other… I failed my task before, and now you're born to do what I have failed to do.  And I honestly believe you can do what we should've done." Akari said softly.

"But-we're incapable of doing so-you just-…" Ryou stuttered.

"You can be every bit as strong as I am…just believe…" Shinji said supportively.

"Hey but what the hell is Meiji's and Haru's roles here?" Marik noted.

"I am you Marik…a Seer to Ra…but I just failed to help the Talisman bearers before…now your mission is to assist them." Haru said.

"Oh…but what of Meiji?"

"I'm…uh…who's that guy with black hair?"

"MOKUBA?"Yugi guessed.

"Ah, I'm him…" Meiji said smilng.

"But-…"

"Oh and we don't have much time…I think the barrier's thinning." Shinji noted.

"Barrier-thinning?"

"Uh-this is just a temporary barrier for you…I think you're gonna fall somewhere else…" Akari noted innocently.

Then, a huge hole appeared and the trio fell right through…

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yugi and Ryou screamed as they fell, with Marik adding a "THANKS A LOT!"

---

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Yugi fell through the hole and landed sharply on a bush.

"Ouch…where the hell am I?" Yugi looked around.  The surroundings were dark and murky.

"What is this-ah!" Yugi screamed when he saw what looked like a nine-foot tall black tiger growl at him.

"Aw man-AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!" Yugi quickly dashed off as the beast dashed after him.

"HELP ME! SOMEONE, ANYONE PLEASE!" Yugi sobbed as he made way towards a street away from the strange dense forest.

Behind him were now SEVEN tigers, all barring their teeth.

"Of all times, I wish Yami or any of my Duel Monsters were here!" Yugi muttered.  "ACK!" Yugi tripped on a dead end.

And the tigers were surrounding Yugi.

"Aw damn!" Yugi shielded himself by placing his arms before his face.

Then a loud clash of a sword came…

Yugi looked up and he saw four of the tigers hit the wall due to some strange strong force...all stabbed dead.

The other tigers, frightened, ran for their lives back to the forest.

"Are you all right?" a voice whispered.

Wha-who is that? Yugi caught a glimpse of his rescuer. But he couldn't believe it. Oh Ra, this can't be! But it's-

Then everything for Yugi went blank.

"What's taking him so long?" Gaea muttered.

"For simply buying some stuff from the market…Celtic sure takes his time." Dark Magician said, leafing through a book.

"Where's your sister?" Gaea remembered.
"Sleeping."

"Oh so-…"

"I'm back!" Celtic Guardian muttered, pushing the oak door open.

"What took you?" Dark Magician asked.

"Yeah, you've been out for minutes!" Gaea piped up.

"Well, I can't believe at the reason myself…Darky, can you do something about Master Yugi?" Celtic asked.

"What do you-…?" Dark Magician wondered aloud, but then…his book came tumbling down the ground at the sight of who it was on the Elf's arms.

Gaea's eyes bulged out of his head.

"MASTER YUGI?!"

===

DS: YAY! I've added the Duel Monster Cast here!
DCOH: Oh, and may I remind you that the next chappie will be Yugi-centered?

DS: So Yugi fans out there, you're gonna love the next part of the story…

Chap. 7 Preview:

When Yugi woke up, he didn't expect that the realm he's landed in ended up to be where his own Monsters dwell.  He gets to meet his very own Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, Celtic Guardian, Gaea the Fierce Knight…and for some strange reasons, Exodia…even the Dragon Osiris himself! But Yugi is definitely not there for vacation-can he find another way to re-enter the world above and at the same time defend his friends from the clutches of the evil that had followed him to the Realm? Find out in Chap. 7-What a Wonderful World

Day 9- One Day with my Monsters

"There's got to be a way to send you back." The Dark Magician said as he shuffled a scroll back up on the rack.

"Does he want me out of here?" Yugi asked Celtic.

"Of course he does."

A flash of pain reflected on Yugi's face.

"No, Master. He just wants you safe up in your own realm, but if we have a choice…well, I'm pretty sure he wants you down here just like everyone else." Celtic said quickly.

"So…he's just-…"

"You might not notice it on first impression but-he cares for you deeply, more than I can remember- and I mean it when I say 'he does'." Celtic said.

"Really?"

"I mean…he's always been there for you hasn't he?" Celtic pointed out while the Mage sat down on his desk again, flipping through a book. "Plus, he's been worried about you and Master Yami lately-that's what's keeping him awake all night-I mean all week."

Yugi patted the Dark Magician on the back.  "Don't worry…we'll find a way back for me together.  Anyway, I don't mind staying with you guys…I think it's rather fun."

Dark Magician turned at Yugi.  "Are you sure you want to stay longer?"

"With all of my monsters here-why shouldn't I?" Yugi grinned.

The Mage sighed and closed the book.  "Oh all right you can stay."

Day 9.2- Wavering Decisions…

Yugi backed off from the enslaved Anubite.  "S-Seth, let him go!"

/Oh but I can't miss the entertainment it'll give me if I don't!/

"AH!" Yugi rolled off as the insane anubite tried to attack Yugi.

"I've gotta go tell the others!" Yugi dashed off but halted. Damn, what if they get in trouble too?! "AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!" Yugi felt a wound burst up on his shoulder. He got me!

Then the Monster came up at Yugi and was about to give a killer blow.

"AH NO!"Yugi screamed.

Then Yugi felt himself being pulled up.  "GAEA!"

"Are you all right Master Yugi?" Gaea asked, concerned.

"Uhn…I'm ok…" Yugi glanced behind him to see Dark Magician and Celtic Guardian corner the monster.

"Oh no…DARK MAGICIAN!" Yugi screamed but it was too late…

The Magician was struck by the Anubite by his side.
"DARK MAGICIAN!" Celtic shouted.

Dark Magician stumbled then coughed. "Don't let him get away!"
The Elf nodded and struck after the Anubite.

"DARK MAGICIAN NO!" Yugi jumped off Gaea and knelt beside his Duel Monster.  "Are you Ok? Please say something!"

"Master Yugi…" The Dark Magician's voice seemed weakened. "I'm glad you're-all right-…" he muttered before collapsing.

"Dark Magician-Dark Magician say something-DARK MAGICIAN!" Yugi screamed.  One of his Duel Monsters, one of his friends got hurt…all because of him.

/They will all die because of you…/

And for once, Yugi sighed tearfully in agreement.  "It is my entire fault…"

Day 9.3- _______ (Can't decide yet!)

Yugi dashed up the staircase.  "I have to find her-and rescue the Dark Magician Girl!"

He knew his Monster friends would fret at what he had done, but he knew he was doing the right thing.

"Oh please don't go after me any sooner!" Yugi prayed.  "I hope you guys can find my note before going up after me…at least by then I'm either with Dark Magician Girl or dead…"

Cut it! A voice shouted in Yugi's head. You know they're worried about you! And you're just stressing them even more.

I've got to do this! Yugi shouted back. I know they will be worried, but I'm doing this for them…I can't stand them getting hurt because of me-not anymore!

"Ok, I'm awake now-hey Celtic!" Dark Magician called, sitting up from the bed.  "Where's my staff?"

"Here, take it," The Elf threw him his wand. "hug it even!"

The Mage gave him a stern look. "Where's Master Yugi?"
"Uh… where IS Master Yugi?" Celtic piped at Gaea.

"I dunno…" The Knight said.  "I think I…oh damn I must've fallen asleep earlier!"

"Oh great-none of you thought about watching over Master Yugi?!" Dark Magician frowned.

"Come on, he's not a baby who needs to go to the Daycare Center." Celtic reasoned.  Gaea noticed a folded paper on the coffee table. "Hey guys…it's from Master Yugi…"

At the sound of their Master's name, Celtic and Dark Magician looked up and approached the young mage who read the note:

---

Everybody-

I'm sorry I have to do this, I just want to do something right-what I feel is right.  Seth had taken Dark Magician Girl earlier…and he told me to fight to get her… and that I shouldn't alert you guys about it. 

I don't want to risk anyone of you guys getting hurt-worse, lose you.  I've already lost my father and mother…Yami's gone far away…and I don't even know where my friends are.  When I was in the forest…I felt so alone.  And back then I thought to myself 'what if they don't want me for company? What if they just bear with me just because I'm their Master…' But no matter what you answer to that, I've got something to say for that question:

You've been great company…I don't how to repay you for your kindness, and I was so happy with each and every second I've spent with all of you. You made me happy not because I'm your Master…because I am your friend…and I'm happy with that…at least I hope it's true-and I hope you agree with me.

  And Dark Magician, if you're reading this, I'm sorry you got hurt because of me.  I assure you it won't happen again. 

I love you all very much…

Please forgive me…

And thank you for everything…

-Yugi

PS:  Take care! I'll miss you…always…^^

---

"Celtic, can I worry now?!" Dark Magician paled noticeably, while Gaea trembled with fear by his side.

Celtic gave a frightened nod. Master Yugi…

===

DCOH: Everybody just loves Yugi-is that a reason why you want him so much to get hurt?!
DS: ^__^ Yap, anyway, please RxR to make me happy and love you guys! (Raises her Yugi and DM plushie)