Ranko: I have been rather lazy when it comes to updating this story.
Yami: Also When Life Gives You Lemons.
Ranko: Shush! I want to focus all my attention on that story when I am done with my other two ongoing stories. Oh…but that means that Checkmate has to end and then I'll be sad…
Yuugi: Its okay, Ranko.
Ranko: Then those dang plot-bunnies!
Yuugi: What now?
Ranko: I want to try my luck at a Tendershipping story but we'll see, so don't get your hopes up. Alright, let's answer some reviews!
GirlsRule2013: Yes, I do realize that by Yuugi finding the ring then that cancels out Joey rushing in excitedly and thus sets the wheels in motion, I've got it all figured out, deary; don't worry ;)
Animesaki: Well, it's Mokuba's fault for being so dang cute! Duke is just awesome like that, which is why I just had to put him in somewhere. Yeah, I don't think that Joey is getting that cash either =/
SincerelyChristina: Aren't we all closet Tristan/Duke shippers inside? I mean, come on, they are so cute! Let me ask you this though, do you think that Tristan is the man or the woman in the relationship? I personally think he's the woman for reasons unknown. It is how my mind works ^^" I want to smack Tristan and Yuugi for just being so slow to realize their feelings. Care to join me in hitting them?
anonimous: You don't have to apologize, deary! What do you mean when ever you were talking about Tiana and Naveen's parents? I think I misunderstood, mind clearing it up for me? I might do the alternate ending, but you may like the original ending more and not want there to be an alternate ending. Also, I'm lazy.
SincereJoyy: Fangirls are sadistic. Come on, admit it ;) nothing to be ashamed of. We're just plain crazy :)
Magi Magi Magician Gal: No problem, deary. I am glad that you liked it, I was definitely not confident about this chapter. Phew! Yep, I'm nervous too, and I know everything that is going to happen! Hmm…are you sure I wouldn't do something like that? I mean, I am a fangirl and I have heard that fangirls are sadistic ;) I honestly don't know if I want to kill Joey off yet, I better hurry up and decide though.
Yuugi: Ranko twin loves all of the reviews she got! Even the ones she didn't answer!
Yami: You know the drill, Ranko twin owns nothing!
Ranko: Enjoy!
-/-
At the Mazaki estate, Anzu stood outside the guest house. She was fidgeting in her white ball gown wedding dress. She bit her lip nervously as she knocked on the door once more. "Prince Atem?" She knocked against. "Prince Atem? Are you almost ready?" She giggled nervously. "We don't want to be late to our own Mardi Gras wedding."
"Just one more moment, darling," she heard her prince call through the door. "I just need to finish up on a few things and then I'll be ready." She jiggled the doorknob and noticed that it was locked.
Anzu huffed and put her hands on her hips. "Alright, I'll be waiting for you, sweetie." She picked up her dress and ran back towards the driveway, shouting as she went, "Daddy, start the car!"
Inside the guest house Seto was pacing. He ran his fingers through his hair nervously as Malik tapped his foot relentlessly and Bakura played with his deck of cards, his shadow was animatedly biting his nails anxiously.
"Oh Ra, oh Ra, what do I do? What do we do?" Seto asked himself as he continued to pace. He stopped whenever a card flew towards his head and hit his forehead. "Ow!"
"You have nothing to worry about, Seto!" Bakura barked. "You don't have your soul riding on this! If the shadows don't find our little frog-prince then I'm the one that is doomed!"
In that moment, the charred logs in the fireplace burst to life. The flames were high and an unnatural red color. Then the shadows rushed in from the cracks in the window and the door, plastered to the walls and slithering against them like snakes. Dark Necrofear came in carrying a little frog prince that was struggling against the invisible grip.
Malik stood up straighter and backed away from the wall where all the shadows were.
Bakura grinned in relief and glee. He took his top hat off his head and held it out to Dark Necrofear. The shadow-monster dropped the frog prince into the hat and he quickly snatched the little creature in his hands before it had a chance to hop away. "We are back in business, boys!" Bakura held up the still struggling frog for the shadows to see, as if he was flaunting a trophy.
"Get your filthy hands off of me!" Atem shouted, squirming with all his might; he hoped that Bakura would loosen his group so he would have a chance to slip away, but the Shadow Man was strong. He took one of the frog prince's arms and held it out for Seto who was approaching him the glass snake talisman.
"Seto? What are you doing?" Atem cried out.
"I am so sorry, cousin."
Elsewhere ~
People chanted out "Mardi Gras!" excitedly as passengers walked down the plank of the boat and children rushed ahead of their parents to get to the parade quicker. Tristan walked down blowing his horn as the three other jazz musicians followed him down, playing their own instruments.
Yuugi hopped down to the dock and stood up on his two back legs, looking around worriedly. He noticed a speck of light that was floating by Tristan's head and Yuugi waved animatedly. "Joey!"
The little firefly looked over and saw his frog friend. He smiled brightly and floated down beside Yuugi. "Hey Yuugi, what's up?"
"Have you seen Atem?"
Joey chuckled. "Whoa, you two have only been engaged for twenty minutes and you two can't get enough of each other! Come on, let me see the ring!"
Yuugi looked puzzled. "What are you…?" He trailed off and his eyes widened. "Oh, Joey, about that, I didn't really accept Atem proposal; that is why I need to talk to him right now!"
Joey's jaw dropped. "Are you serious? You didn't accept?"
"Well, he didn't actually ask…" Yuugi said meekly; Joey didn't hear him, he just continued talking.
"I can't believe this!" Joey buzzed around in a frenzy. "You are so stupid, Yuugi!"
Yuugi gaped. "Now wait just a—"
Joey shook his head. "No! You two are perfect for each other! I cannot imagine you both with anyone else!"
Yuugi shook his head. "No, Atem wouldn't be happy with me, I'm just a waiter."
"I can't believe how stupid you are!" Joey shouted; Yuugi jumped. "Don't you realize that you are the only thing that will make him happy? All he needs, Yuugi, is you. I know that if both of you aren't together than you two will be miserable for the rest of your lives! Then you will regret not accepting Atem, you want to know why? Because you love him!"
Yuugi gaped at the firefly as tears collected in his eyes.
Joey let out a little noise of surprise. "I'm so sorry, Yuugi! I didn't mean to shout at you, it's just—"
Yuugi laughed and wiped his tears. "No, Joey, I'm not crying because of you; these are happy tears," he explained. He looked up at the evening star, whispering softly, "Thank you, Serenity."
"Yuugi, wait; catch me up, why are you crying?" Joey asked, his head spinning.
"You're right, Joey! I love Atem!" Yuugi cried joyously before hopping off towards the main street where the Mardi Gras parade was going on.
Joey just floated there for a moment, waiting for his mind to catch up with what just happened. Then when his brain processed it, he broke out smiling and let out a loud, "Whoop!" He flew off after Yuugi.
"Yuugi!" Joey cried, seeing him disappear into the crowd of people standing on the side of the street. There was gleeful laughter and cheers all around and people on floats were throwing beads to the watchers down below. "Yuugi, wait!"
"I know what I have to do now," Yuugi said to himself as he hopped past the legs and feet. "Joey is right, the only thing that will make me happy is Atem! I have to find him, and I have to tell him that I—"
"Yuugi!"
The boy in question finally heard his name being called; he turned around and saw Joey trying to catch up.
"What are we looking for again?" he asked, almost seeming to be out of breath.
Yuugi continued to hop along; he found a street sign that rose above the crowds. He climbed up it, slipping a few times before sitting on the street sign, scanning the floats. "You just keep your eyes are for the largest and gaudiest float with a Mardi Gras princess about to kiss…" Yuugi deflated suddenly. "A…a frog?"
Joey had caught up with the boy and saw exactly what Yuugi had seen. There was a Mardi Gras float that resembled a wedding cake. It was huge and it was pink. Like a tradition wedding topper, there was a beautiful bride dressed in white, with her dazzling husband-to-be next to her. Except there was a problem, the bride and the groom were Anzu and Atem in his human form.
There was also a priest on the top of the cake, performing a wedding ceremony. Mr. Mazaki was dressed as a European king and was sitting on a throne, watching the ceremony happen and smiling pleasantly.
Anzu was clinging to Atem's arm, staring up at him with stars in her eyes; Atem was looking at her with the same adoration, a look that he had never given Yuugi before. Anzu smiled softly and rested her head on his shoulder, squeezing him arm slightly.
He couldn't take any more of this. Without Joey noticing, Yuugi slipped away.
"Oh no, this can't be right," Joey said, still thinking that Yuugi was beside him. "He loves you, I know that he does; he told me. And how can you still be a frog? Duke Devlin told us…" Joey looked over and saw Yuugi was no longer where he was before. He began to look around frantically for his lost friend.
He flew off in a random direction to find Yuugi.
He ended up at a cemetery. Joey could only figure out one reason why Yuugi would be here. After Serenity died, Joey's parents divorced. It broke his heart. He needed some kind of reassurance and comfort, so he visited his sister's grave. He knew that Yuugi, during this time of grief, would go to his mother's grave.
"Yuugi?" Joey called out. "Yuugi, where are you?"
Joey heard the faint sound of crying. He quickly followed that sound and saw that Yuugi sitting on a grave marker, hugging his legs to his chest and hiding his face in his knees; he was sobbing quietly. He noticed that the boy had something hidden in his fist.
"Yuugi," Joey said softly, approaching the hurt creature. "I know what we saw didn't…well, it didn't look good. But I am sure that if we go back there we will get an explanation and your dreams will come true."
"Just because you wish for something doesn't make it true," Yuugi said quietly, more to himself than to Joey.
Joey sighed and smiled encouragingly. "You know, what Serenity always told me was—"
"Serenity is dead, Joey!" Yuugi suddenly burst out. He stood and Joey saw that he was shaking. "She is dead; what she says shouldn't matter anymore. Dreams don't come true, wishing will never bring you anything in life. You have to work hard for yourself because fairytales aren't real." Yuugi hopped away.
Joey stared after Yuugi, completely shocked. He looked up at the evening star, his smile faltering slightly. "It's okay, sis; a couple of words spoken out of broken heart won't bring your big brother down. Come on, we're going to show Yuugi the truth!"
Elsewhere ~
A top the wedding cake, the priest continued the wedding ceremony. "If any of you object to the union of this man with this woman…"
Bakura observed the ceremony from the watch tower of a grand cathedral. He had a voodoo doll of Mr. Mazaki in his hand and needle ready to stab the man's heart as soon as "Atem" muttered the words, "I do."
"Speak now or forever hold your peace."
"Me! I object! Stop this wedding at once!" Atem cried from a locked chest that was resting by the imposter Atem's feet.
The priest began the vows.
Joey was flying above the float whenever he saw the chest rattling and shaking. He buzzed down and looked through the keyhole. "Atem, buddy, is that you?"
"Joey!" he heard the man say in relief. "Quick, get me out of this thing!"
"I do," Anzu said, giggling slightly.
"And do you, Atem…"
"I'm on it, my friend!" Joey said as he began to work at the lock.
"Goodbye, Mr. Mazaki," Bakura said from the watch tower of the church. He didn't notice that small shadow that was rising behind him.
Joey heard the satisfying click of the lock being broken. The chest popped open and Atem jumped out.
The shadow behind Bakura pounced on him, sending them both tumbling to the ground. The voodoo doll and needle flew out of his hands. They rolled around on the floor, both trying to gain the upper hand. The smaller body finally pinned Bakura to the ground, straddling him and in the dull candle lighting of the church Bakura saw who it was.
Atem jumped at the imposter Atem's throat, grabbing the cord of the talisman and pulling with all his might. The shock and the force of it sent the man and the frog tumbling off the cake float, landing right in front of the church doors. The imposter quickly snatched up the frog.
"Are you alright?" Anzu asked frantically.
"Just one moment, I need a minute to compose myself!" the imposter called up. He scowled at the little frog in his hands. He threw open the church doors and slammed them shut.
Bakura struggled underneath the body that was pinning him, which was stronger than he expected. "Ryou…"
"I'm not letting you hurt anymore people, Bakura."
"Why are you doing this?" Atem asked, still struggling in his captor's grip.
"Because I know that this is the right thing to do," Ryou said, his eyes watering. "I can't take the pain anymore, this is the only way."
"Is it really?" Atem asked.
"You are not the one that should be asking questions in this situation!" Ryou snapped. "Now answer me this question…"
"Why are you helping Bakura, don't you know that he is evil?"
"Because of what I promised him," Bakura said smugly.
"What was it?" Atem asked the imposter
"That I could bring his lover back from the dead."
Atem's eyes widened.
"You can't be serious?" Ryou asked. "You know that is impossible; there is no way to bring the dead back to life! Why lie to him?"
"Bakura would never lie to me!" the imposter Atem spit out.
"Because I needed a pawn, you play too nice, Ryou," Bakura said, narrowing his eyes.
"You truly are as evil as you say you are, aren't you?" Ryou questioned. "I don't understand how you can hurt and use Malik like that."
"I'll tell you why!" Bakura suddenly barked out. "Ryou, you always wonder how I could use dark magic and I'm surprised you didn't catch on sooner. You were always above me, Ryou. You were always above me in our studies and everything else! I had to beat you at something for once, so I turned to dark magic to help me."
"But why?" Ryou asked.
"I did it all because I love you, that's why!" Bakura burst out.
Atem squirmed to try and get free. He squeezed his arms out of the imposter's grip and reached for the cord of the talisman. Joey flew up behind the imposter Atem's head and pulled at the wildly spiked hair. Hands flew up to swat the creature away and Atem escaped, pulling the talisman with him.
The magic melted away and Malik was revealed to be underneath it. "No!" he cried, searching around desperately.
"Joey!" Atem called, tossing the talisman to the bug.
Joey caught it and nearly fell. He hefted it up and flew out the church doors with it, not nearly as fast with the heavy talisman weighting him down.
Malik snatched up the frog before he could escape too. He grabbed a knife out of his pocket and approached one of the pews of the church. Atem saw his cousin, Seto, tied up and gagged. His blue eyes widened when he saw Atem, and then Malik holding the knife.
"Please, Malik, I know that you are not evil! You can't do this! What would Marik want you to do?" Atem cried. Malik raised his arm above his head and brought it down quickly.
Seto clenched his eyes shut, hoping that his death would be a quick one. The descent of the knife quickly came to a halt whenever they heard the sound of screeching laughter. They looked up and saw shadows slithering across the ceiling and following Joey out the church doors.
Malik gasped; he quickly brought the knife down and sliced through the ropes around Seto's hands. Seto and Atem stared in confusion. Seto quickly freed himself, taking the gag out as Malik cut through the ropes around his ankles.
"Something is terribly wrong…" Malik muttered.
"What do you mean?" Ryou asked, still recovering after Bakura's confession.
"The shadows are loose," Malik explained.
"What shadows?" Seto asked.
"The shadows from the Other Side that I called for to help me, they are free; I no longer control them," Bakura said.
"That's bad, right?" Seto asked.
"These shadows are beyond human capabilities. If they are not controlled then they can wreak havoc on the city, maybe even take over the world," Bakura explained.
"Then why doesn't Bakura stop them?" Atem cried. "He's the one that is supposed to control them, right?"
"I couldn't stop those demons even if I wanted to, and I do want to," Bakura said solemnly.
"They can't possible be running through without someone controlling them but I know that it isn't Bakura," Malik said as he pondered this thought. "I think I might have an idea of who can be controlling these things."
"Who?" Atem asked.
"My shadow," Bakura said. "When I first made a deal with the shadows to use dark magic, they allowed me to be in control of one of there most dangerous shadows. It became my shadow. That thing has been the real mastermind behind this entire plot. That thing is what turned me evil. But now I am no longer in control of it. It is free and it is controlling some of the strongest shadows that can be summoned. We have to find a way to stop them."
"How do we know we can trust you?" Seto asked, rubbing his sore wrists.
"Because I love you," Bakura asked. "You just have to trust me when I say that all this time I have had no control over what I have been doing. It has been my shadow's fault all along."
"I say that we can trust him, Seto," Atem said. "He is the only one who knows what is going on and he is the only one who can help us right now. And we need to save Joey before something terrible happens."
The three took off out of the church.
Elsewhere ~
"Yuugi!" Joey screamed in a panic as he flew through the cemetery. He saw Yuugi sitting forlornly on a random gravestone. "This proves that what we saw isn't the truth!" He dropped the talisman in Yuugi's arms.
"What is this?" Yuugi asked, staring into the glass snake's eyes.
"Its some weird voodoo talisman that the Shadow Man has been using to—" Joey was cut off when he heard this haunted howling. He saw the shadows coming closer to them. Slithering across the ground and hopping along the shadows of the gravestones. "Yuugi! Run!" He began to push on Yuugi's back frantically.
"What?"
"Run! We can't let the Shadow Man get this! Get out of here!" Joey said.
Yuugi bit his bottom but did as he was told and took off in the opposite direction, hopping along the uneven cobblestone.
"You don't scare me, you big ugly shadows!" Joey said. He shot at them like a bullet, hitting the shadows with his firefly bulb, just as Duke had done with his fire. The shadows died with an ear piercing screech. Joey laughed as he took out one after the other. "Come on! Is this the best you got? Who's next?"
He was suddenly stopped when he felt an odd pressure on his wings. It felt like there was someone holding his wings but there was no hand. He turned around and realized that the Shadow Man's shadow was holding his own shadow's wings. Joey jerked and struggled, trying to free himself. It didn't feel like he would ever get loose.
The shadows he had taken out had reformed themselves and were grinning widely at the little firefly. Bakura's shadow let out a maniacal laugh, squeezing the little wings tighter between his fingers. Joey shouted out in pain. It was so strange; he didn't feel anything on his wings but the pain still registered in his mind.
The shadow Bakura threw the firefly down on the ground, forcefully and raised his foot.
"I don't think so!"
Flames shot from above and hit the shadow Bakura straight in the chest. The shadows screeched and dispersed quickly. Bakura's shadow regenerated quickly and let out a howling scream when another few fire balls almost hit him. The shadow took off to find the little frog boy.
Duke Devlin stood atop a mausoleum with smoke rising from his fingertips. "No one messes with my friends but me."
Elsewhere ~
Yuugi ran as fast as he could, clutching the talisman close to his chest. He looked over his shoulder whenever he heard the screaming and the howling; it sounded so much like the noises one might hear coming from the pits of hell. He saw the shadows were in hot pursuit of him and it looked like there were more than before.
He saw a dead end coming up ahead and wondered what he would do. He was stopped short whenever Bakura's shadow appeared on the wall before him, coming out of no where and scaring Yuugi.
The boy screamed and quickly turned around to run the other way but saw the other shadows standing in his way. He looked quickly between the two and then steeled his expression. He raised the talisman above his head and shouted out, "Stop right there! Or I am going to break this thing into a million pieces!"
Bakura's shadow halted but then he grinned again. The shadow did what no other shadow should be able to do. He peeled himself off the wall and stood on its own. The shadow surrounded Yuugi a smoky cloud.
Yuugi coughed, blinking his eyes rapidly; it felt like he was being caught in a sandstorm. Then his world went black.
-/-
Ranko: Again, I want to apologize for the late update, but at least this chapter is longer!
Yuugi: Did I die?
Ranko: Nope! And Joey didn't die either! Yay! You guys can thank me now.
Yami: What happened with Bakura?
Ranko: I wanted to redeem his character somehow. Tell me what you thought of this chapter in your review!