Ria: I don't own Yugioh or any mythical creatures that happen to appear in this fic… thank you.
Yami: You seem to be getting the hang of Yaoi, Ria.
Ria: Think so? wrinkles nose I have yet to try anything raunchy though. What do you think Yami? Should I try a lemon or lime with Bakura and Ryou in "Will He Ever Learn?"
Yami: let the readers decide.
Ria: Kay. So…summary, and I claim now that I was struck by the lightning of inspiration on this one while looking through a book at the library. Only thing is, I don't know what to write.
Yami: sweatdrops and whispers something into Ria's ear
Ria: okay, good idea. This is AU and takes place in a magical land, whose two kingdoms are currently at war, basic good versus evil. What will happen if the two rulers end up meeting and fall for each other with one not realizing the other's status? Will peace settle, or will chaos rule the land? Yaoi. YY/YB. Oh yes, if anyone would like a copy of the list of magical creatures I'm going to use with basic descriptions of them, review and give me your email address.
… time/scene change
Division of sides (major characters):
Good
Yami
Yugi
Jonounchi
Honda
Malik
Evil
Bakura
Ryou
Seto
Duke
Marik
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As night faded to dawn and the sun started to rise, silence and peace blanketed the land of Anthalasa. Peace and quiet was rare, since Anthalasa was currently in the middle of a war that pitted all creatures against one another, so the silence and peace was savored when it occurred. To be honest, it was only those conditions when everyone was sleeping, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.
In fact, the only person awake and about was none other than Yami, ruler of the kingdom of Trina, who fought for and with the good creatures. Yami sighed and settled himself on the top of a grassy cliff that overlooked the ocean to watch the sunrise.
"It's beautiful, no?" asked a gentle voice. Yami idly looked over his shoulder at the Pegasus that had emerged from the nearby forest and was now approaching him and smiled.
"It is very beautiful. I'm surprised to find you awake at this hour Randalan," Yami teased, returning his gaze to the ocean as Randalan folded his wings after stretching them and laid next to the young ruler.
"As equally surprised as I am to encounter you here," Randalan responded as Yami ran a hand idly through the pure white locks of mane.
Yami chose not to respond to that and leaning against the Pegasus' flank, fell into a light sleep since the sky was no longer colored. 'Just like when he was young. Never could stay awake for very long if gotten up early,' Randalan mused shifting a wing so that it covered Yami as a sufficient blanket.
The two friends laid like that for a good hour. Just as Randalan was drifting of into a light doze, the sound of hoof beats alerted him. Standing up, Randalan completely forgot about the person who happened to be using him as a pillow.
"Ow! What did you do that for Rand?" Yami demanded rubbing the back of his head and standing, but trailed off when he saw his mount's tense pose. "What is it?"
Randalan outstretched his wings and raised them to where it looked like he lust landed after a flight. "Don't you hear the hoof beats?"
Yami listened. "It sounds like Yugi's mount, Irulen," he said, a frown spreading across his face. Getting onto Randalan's back, Yami urged the winged horse to meet the other, wondering what could be wrong.
"Brother!" Yugi called as they spotted him astride Irulen, "a scout came back to the palace with news that he would not disclose unless you were there. He sounded panicked."
'Damn it!' Yami thought, 'Balorn's leader must be marching his troops again.' Stopping Randalan, Yami slid off his mount. "Randalan! Go round up the good creatures and get them to the safety of the palace!" Yami called.
Randalan bowed his head in acceptance and then sprung majestically into the air. Yami swung up on Irulen behind Yugi and the Unicorn, accustomed to the weight, galloped back to the palace. Arriving in the palace courtyard, Yami jumped off Irulen and giving the Unicorn a quick pat of thanks, headed into the palace and to where the scout would be waiting.
Entering the conference room, Yami noticed one of his most faithful scouts, a griffin, pacing restlessly. "What is this news Swif?" Yami asked. The Griffin, Swiftalonsal, or Swif for short stopped pacing and bowed.
"My King, there is a vast army of Formorians and other minions of Balorn creeping through the forest. Their leader must be planning on laying siege on the castle, or attack it outright!" Swif replied, straightening from his bow.
Yami groaned just as Randalan entered through the balcony doors and bowed even though he knew Yami hated formalities. "Yami, all of the creatures that serve and with you are gathered safely in the courtyard awaiting your orders. The army of Balorn is drawing close," Randalan announced.
"Thank you Randalan. Both of you go and organize your ranks of Pegasi and Griffins. I'll take care of the ground troops' preparation. We are taking it to them hard and fast," Yami ordered. Receiving acknowledging bows, he swept out of the room to run straight into Jonounchi and Honda.
"Sorry about that Yami," Honda apologized as he caught Yami to keep him from falling.
Yami waved the apology away. "It's alright. Both of you come with me to get our men ready," he said striding off.
"What's the matter?" Jonounchi asked catching up to their friend.
"Balorn's leader is targeting the palace. We need to be ready," came the serious reply. Honda and Jonounchi exchanged grim glances, knowing exactly the reaction of their fellow squad leader, Malik, when he heard the news.
An hour later, everyone in Trina palace was ready. The creatures stood grim and silent with men among them. Yami's winged allies of Phoenixes and Firebirds circled the grounds restlessly; all eyes focused on the advancing shadow of troops.
…
As Yami's troops watched the mass halt at the edge of a gigantic meadow, their evil leader was farther away on a plateau looking over the battlefield. "What do you think Baralkin?" he asked turning to the creature next to him.
Baralkin beat his wings twice and tossed his regal head. "You're nuts Bakura," he replied.
"Need I remind you who it was that saved your hide from captivity?" Bakura spat at his mount.
"You didn't let me finish."
"Then speak! Already my patience with you wears thin," came the deadly hiss from the Dark Pegasus' rider.
"As I was saying, you're nuts to let your foolish soldier, Duke, ride me in your place. Why do you cower behind the mask of secrecy when you can bask in glory at your unstoppable might?" Baralkin demanded, his ebony ears shifting to listen to the preparation of his battalion of Dark Pegasi.
"What, does Duke pull too hard?" Bakura mocked.
"That oaf is too heavy. I'd be honored to carry you into battle for once."
Bakura smiled genuinely at his mount. "I know it's only right that I ride you, but I want to keep my identity a secret. I also would gladly consider moving you back in the battalion so that is possible to ride you, but you're the biggest and strongest Pegasus I have. You need to be up front, where your rightful place is," he soothed.
"At least let Ryou ride me," Baralkin tried once more.
"Enough!" Bakura thundered, his demeanor changing instantly, "Duke's riding you as always, and that's that! No stop your whining and let's get on with this battle!"
Baralkin shrunk away from his master, scared for his life. He hated it when Bakura was mad, and always tried to stay on his good side…if there was one at all. "Yes Master," he replied meekly and kneeled so Bakura could mount easier. Once Bakura was on, he galloped to where the rest of the flight was waiting.
Once Bakura changed mounts with Duke, Baralkin led the way, galloping straight off of the plateau and into the air. As they neared the palace, the Dark Pegasi looked on as the good Pegasi rose into the air and flew straight at them, thus commencing the battle.
Yami rode upon Randalan towards the back of the ranks, dressed in Honda's officer's garb. He knew Honda was on the ground filling Yami's role as ruler, and felt confident with his friend's abilities to pass as a leader. Looking ahead, Yami ducked to avoid a sword slash, and chased after the one who attacked him.
…
The battle had raged for about two hours, when, Randalan, trying to avoid three strokes at once, didn't swerve in time, and got stabbed in the wing joint right near Yami's thigh and let out a painful whinny.
"Randalan! Are you okay?" Yami asked. Randalan shook his head and couldn't flap anymore to keep them aloft, so he started gliding into a descent. It was then that Yami noticed that he had sort of an escort down. As Randalan tried to land near the Trinan lines, the dark Pegasus would dive in front of them, causing Randalan and Yami to bank towards the Balorn lines. Finally this cat and mouse game grew tiring to the Dark Pegasus and his rider, so they took matters into their own hands.
Crashing his mount into the crippled Pegasus, the rider knocked Yami unconscious and pulled him onto his mount's back as Randalan crashed into the trees, unable to pull out of the fall. Binding Yami's hands behind his back, the rider flew up to where the other dark Pegasi were hovering in wait.
"Did you bring the rider?" Bakura demanded from where he was now perched on Baralkin's back. The rider pulled back his face cover to reveal brown hair and cold blue eyes and nodded. He then dragged Yami over Bakura's lap onto Baralkin's back.
"Good job Seto," Bakura praised while rolling the unconscious captive onto his back so he could look at his face. There was something intriguing in that face, that Bakura couldn't put his finger on.
"Can we go home now?" Ryou asked sidling up to his older brother on his own Pegasus.
"Once Marik rejoins us," Bakura replied.
"Which won't be happening for a long while," Duke sneered. At Bakura's inquiring look, Duke pointed down to where they could see the crumpled body of what used to be Corrinda, Marik's mount.
"Please tell me that Marik is alive," Bakura groaned.
"He is, I saw him being dragged away to the palace bound, gagged, and thrashing soon after Corrinda was shot down," Ryou offered, pointing to Trina castle.
Bakura nodded in acceptance, and wheeling Baralkin around headed for Balorn castle to make their new 'playmate' comfortable. His remaining troops, which was way more than half, following once they saw the great Pegasus fly off towards their own kingdom.
…
Yugi stood upon the wall that surrounded the palace and looked out over the meadow. There weren't many bodies. More were actually injured and just played dead. The Mermecolions, Gluons, Centaurs, and Phoenixes were going through the Balornian troops strewn about the field and dispatching of any ones that were still alive. What he didn't see, was his brother or Randalan anywhere.
"Malik, did you see Yami?" Yugi asked as the said captain passed below him.
Malik stopped and looked up at one of his friends. "No, I didn't. I haven't seen Rand anywhere either," Malik said and continued on his patrol.
Yugi sat down with a sigh. Usually Yami would be there now, relieving the tension of battle in his army by joking, singing, and helping with the dirty work, Rand at his side.
His thoughts were interrupted as a fledgling Pegasus and a pixie flew up to him. Pixies were very shy and tended to stay in the deep forest away from humans, and fledgling Pegasi were just plain adorable with tiny wings and are the size of newborn infant (like baby Pegasus in the Disney movie Hercules)
"Master Yugi! Come quick!" the pixie, cried.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Yugi asked holding out his hand and the pixie landed on it.
"Randalan was found!" the Pegasus, Powder, piped up, beating his wings fiercely to stay aloft.
"Where?" Yugi asked.
"Follow us and we'll show you!" Yugi wasted no time in calling another Pegasus, Flashfoot, over and jumping off of the wall to land neatly on his back.
"Yugi! Where are you headed?" Jonounchi called as Flashfoot galloped past him. Yugi stopped Flashfoot and looked at his three friends. "Powder and a pixie found Randalan in the forest," Yugi replied.
"Wait a minute and let us go with you. Balorn's leader might have left Karkadanns, Manticores, or worse in the forest," Malik said, as Honda's, Jonounchi's, and Malik's Pegasi trotted up. As soon as they mounted, the four galloped into the forest.
Spreading out enough to overlap their field of vision so nothing would sneak up on them, the others followed Yugi as Powder led him and Flashfoot on. Suddenly, Powder came to a dead stop in a clearing, Flashfoot almost plowing into the baby Pegasus.
"What's wrong?" Malik asked coming up. Powder pointed upwards. Looking up, the four noticed a big tunnel of sorts leading from the sky to the clearing, broken branches and limbs strewn and dangling in it.
"That looks big enough…"
"For a winged horse to plummet through at very high speeds," Honda finished for Jonounchi.
"I don't get it, he was right here," Powder whined slightly, perching in front of Yugi, "I saw him laying here,"
"Look!" Malik pointed. Following his finger, they saw a drag mark and in the distance heard painful and frightened whinnying.
"Hang on Randalan! We're coming!" Yugi called, Flashfoot galloping down the path as fast as he could. Reaching another clearing, the four stopped in surprise. There in the center, was Randalan. He was all cut up, he was favoring his front right leg, and one of his wings hung limp at his side. To make matters worse, a Manticore, three Karkadanns, and two harpies were attacking him.
Jonounchi immediately unslung his bow and firing four quick shots, brought down the harpies. Now that the creatures were aware of them, the humans were the targets. Malik, unsheathing his sword, started fighting the Manticore, leaving a Karkadann for each of the others.
"Pegasi, protect Randalan!" Yugi said as they dismounted. Immediately, the four Pegasi went and circled protectively around Randalan. Within fifteen minutes, all of the beasts were defeated.
"How do you manage to take those down single handedly?" Jonounchi demanded as Malik cleaned his sword of Manticore blood.
"Easy," Malik replied giving his sword one last wipe before sheathing it, "With one person, you have all the room in the world to move and dodge the teeth, claws, and tail."
"Somehow Malik, I think you make it sound easier than it is," Yugi scolded lightly. Malik would have replied, but Randalan cut through his reply with a painful whinny.
"Sire, please don't move as much," Flashfoot pleaded with Randalan, "You need to rest!"
"No! I need to go after them! I need to find Yami!" Randalan argued as he tried to get up again, but put his weight on his injured foreleg, causing the mighty Pegasus to fall back down.
"Where's Yami?" Yugi asked, kneeling by Randalan.
Randalan lifted his head in surprise. "You do not know?" Seeing Yugi shake his head, Randalan decided to tell him. "Lord Yami, your brother, was taken captive by a rider of Balorn's Pegasi battalion. He was wearing officer's garb, so they probably wouldn't kill him," he told Yugi hesitantly, hearing the gasps come from the five other Pegasi and the humans around him.
…
Marik winced as they threw him none too gently into a cell, locked an ankle shackle on him, slammed the door shut, and locked it. "And they're supposed to be the good kingdom," he muttered, rubbing his temples with his bound hands. Shuffling to the far wall, Marik laid his head back and fell into a light doze. He didn't know how long he was asleep, before he was awoken by the murmur of quiet voices. Realizing that a changing of guards had awakened him, Marik merely cracked his back and neck to get rid of the stiffness and returned to his position against the wall.
"Great, I was being watched by a centaur. Those creatures are useful but deadly and dumb," he groaned out loud after he heard the unmistakable beat of a centaur's hooves quickly fade away.
"Maybe in Balorn, but not here. These centaurs don't care much for violence and are quite intelligent," a familiar voice replied with a snort, scaring Marik half to death, "What kind of scum enemy are we facing that doesn't even know the beasts that side with their enemies?"
"And what would you know about Balorn's beasts, scum?" Marik shot back angrily, wondering why the voice sounded faintly familiar.
That did it. Marik could see the outline now of his guard at the barred window of the cell, the torchlight casting a shadow on his face. "I have my ways, just like how I could kill you now without the slightest bit of remorse since my good friend was taken captive by your ruler," he hissed at Marik.
Marik struggled to his feet and went as close to the door as his ankle shackle would allow. "I'm not afraid of you."
The guard stopped himself from replying harshly. "Do I know you?" he asked curiously, "Because your voice is very familiar." Marik tipped his head to the side in a curious manner.
"Maybe, my name is Marik. Third in command of the country of Balorn."
The guard gasped and snatching a torch from the sconce in the wall, stepped back and put the torch in front of him to light up his features. "My name is Malik. Captain of the guard and ground troops of lord Yami."
Marik chuckled suddenly of the irony of their meeting conditions and stared into Malik's wide lilac eyes, eyes that were identical to his own except for the width. "Well, then it's been a very long time since I last saw you…brother."
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Ria: Well? Did you like it? Read and review please!