Holy crappers! XD I just finished chapter 15 and it took me a whole week! blinks rapidly wow... That's part of the reason it's taken me a few days to update. I've been super busy babysitting and crap like that! sighs Now I was writing chapter 15 when I happened to notice the fact that I had 15 reviews and went: Holy cow! I have to put a section of this chapter into a preview... (then I screamed as I realized just how long chapter 15 was.) So I split chapter 15 into two parts. the first is certainly longer then the second and the preview comes from the first part... Good? Good!

Now, onto my lovely reviewers!

I'd like to thank: tediz-leader, mistress-oblivion, Queen Thief, and dragonlady222. Thank you guys so much! And I'll take your thoughts into consideration! But please! I still need more opinions! Who do you think Ryou should end up with? What do you think I should have happen in this story? Should I make any side stories? And please I need more names! I can't stress that enough!

Thank you so much for your time and energy! The preview (or should I say teaser?) Will be at the bottom of this chapter.

Sekhmet


Hollow Destiny

By Embodiment of Sekhmet

Chapter eleven: Mana

...Mana...

Two weeks later...

"But Sakura! You can't go! You haven't finished training us!" Yugi yelled grabbing Sakura's arm.
Sakura smiled weakly at Yugi.

"I'm sorry Game, the Pharaoh has summoned both me and my sister to him. I told you that the war has begun and he needs all the warriors and healers he can get." Sakura said glancing up at the Harpy pair that stood near the back of the room.

Both gave her a smile and waved merrily. Sakura sighed and turned her attention towards Ryou.

He was apparently deep in thought, his eyes clouded over. Beside him stood Joey, his expression grim.

"When my sister and I take our leave, I'd like it if you and your friends would do me a large favor and go to a cousin of mine's place. She lives quite a ways north of here. Up in the mountain area near Tiam." Sakura glanced at Mariku.

"As soon as we leave I know this place will be converted into a hiding place for the Pharaoh's soldiers, you all would be unsafe..."
Mariku took a step forward. Sakura glanced up at him.

"Yes?"

"Yugi has told me that you've had a vision that involved Yugi and myself and I'd like to hear it." He said coldly.
Sakura sighed and glanced at Yugi with a slightly disappointed and scolding expression on her face.

Yugi blushed and bowed his head releasing her arm.
Sakura glanced up at Mariku.

"It was not just you and Yugi, but Joey, Ryou, and Tristan as well as..." She glanced over at the blonde Harpy before glancing back to Yugi.

"The blonde harpy."
Yugi glanced over at Mai and Melody. They both seemed to be listening to Sakura intently now, waiting for her to continue.

"I had a vision that Yugi, Ryou, Joey, Tristan, and Mariku, in that order were lined up beside a mirror wall...there reflections lined up beside them, only the mirror wall was like those in a fun house, it did not reflect their exact images, and they were black, like shadows..." Sakura closed her eyes for a moment and sighed.

"Moments later the mirror shattered and they all disappeared in the shards... The shards rained down until they slowly turned to feathers, feathers that attached themselves to the blonde harpy and became a pair of wings that sprouted from her back. She was then surrounded by a volley of shadows that resembled harpies. Eventually this image faded and I awoke." Sakura opened her eyes.

Yugi was about to comment when high pitched screechy laughter sounded through the place.

Yugi winced and turned to see Mai standing frozen in shock, her hand covering her mouth and Melody laughing so hard, she was nearly in tears.

"What's so funny harpy?" Hotaru snapped coming over to stand beside her sister.
Melody recovered somewhat, holding her stomach to try and contain her laughter.

"She gained a second set of wings did she?" Melody laughed a little more.

"Your vision is funny because it shows the impossible! If she were to grow a second set of wings that would mean she was a royal harpy! There hasn't been a royal harpy in our kind for half a millennia! You know what that means?" Melody giggled.

"That you would be saying that she is going to be the QUEEN of our kind, and for half a millennia, harpies have had no ruler of their own!"
Yugi blinked and studied Mai for a moment.

She had told him much about her kind during the last two weeks, like how Harpies had spread out all over the world in random locations. A Royal Harpy would draw all of the remaining harpies together... would that be such a bad thing?
Melody smirked and huffed, placing a hand on her hip.

"She isn't even a natural clutched Harpy! I changed her when we were little children! Why would she be a royal harpy when she was born featherless?" Melody snapped before turning and stalking off.

Mai watched her leave quietly before her eyes locked with Yugi's.

She gave him a faint smile and wink before turning to follow Melody.

"Sister! Sister!"

Yugi was pushed roughly aside as Aten shoved past him.
Mariku growled and caught Yugi by the arm to steady him before he fell.
Sakura smiled warmly at her younger brother.

"Yes Aten?" Sakura answered ruffling his hair gently.

"Could you give this letter to the High Priest's charge? He was one of my good friends when I was there..." Aten asked pulling a small white envelope from his pocket. Sakura took the small letter and slipped it in her own pocket.

"I'll do my best..."

----SCENE CHANGE-----

Noa's eyes snapped open. Energy recharge was complete.

He glanced around and noted that he was in a primitive laboratory hooked up to various machines which all lead to a main central computer.

He sat up and a woman who was standing near one of the computers jumped.

Noa turned and looked at her. She shivered and came over.

"Hey there, how you feelin'?" She asked a nervous smile plastered on her face.

"Fine, thank you for recharging me, I'm guessing your Sol's girlfriend?"
The woman nodded.

"I'm Artemis. Sol told me your name was Noa, is that right?"
Noa nodded and shifted so his legs where hanging over the table's edge. He drummed his fingers against the side for a moment.

The Tomb Robber had been trying to contact him...

Noa's eyes dilated as he accessed one of the computers in his brain to send a message to the Tomb Robber. His location also transmitted.

Noa's eyes went back to normal and he offered Artemis a smile.

"I really am very grateful for your assistance, but I must be going now..." Noa said slipping off the table and padding over to the door.
Sol appeared in the doorway as Noa came over, he smiled at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Where do you think your going?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest and blocking the door. Noa looked up at him.

"I need to continue my mission."

"So your just gonna leave just like that? Don't bet on it." Sol glowered at Noa his golden eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.

"You owe us a few explanations, such as, who you are, and what your doing here."
Noa shrugged and glanced back at Artemis.

"It's actually none of your concern really, I was sent on a mission by one of the Pharaoh's court to retrieve the body of criminal." Noa glanced back up at Sol.

"You have a snake on your shoulder."

Sol blinked.

"What?"

There was a loud hiss and Sol screamed as a gigantic snake sunk it's fangs into his neck. Noa stepped back as Sol toppled over onto the floor. Noa frowned.

"You didn't have to kill him! He was the one who helped me!" Noa yelled at the figure who now stood over Sol's lifeless body.

The Tomb Robber smirked as he glanced at Artemis who was staring in horror at her dead boyfriend.

"Then I should thank them then." He gave Sol's body a sharp kick to the side then turned to leave.

"Let's go Noa..."

Noa turned and gave Artemis a sympithtic look before following the Tomb Robber, making sure to step over Sol.

"I'm sorry..."

---BIG TIME AND SPACE CHANGE----
A few days later...

Yugi made a grunting noise as he and Joey lifted a log that blocked the hole in the large stone wall that surrounded the temple he and the others were staying at.

"Are you sure this is such a good idea Joey?" Yugi asked as Joey bent down to crawl through the hole.

"Come on Yuge! We've been cooped up in dat temple for two days straight! Terry's boyfriend Eros is driving me nuts!" Joey said squeezing through the hole.
Yugi sighed.

Terry was Sakura and Hotaru's cousin, and Eros was her "guardian" though occasionally they did act like a couple.

"Eros is a nice guy." Yugi said following Joey through the hole to the outside.

"Yeah, yeah... So Yuge, I'd say we explore till noon, den we head back, dat way Mariku can't get on our backs for bein' gone to long." Joey said after he had come out the other side.
Yugi stood up and dusted himself off.

"Sounds good to me!" Yugi replied.
Joey winked at Yugi and motioned to the forest in front of them.

"I saw dis huge lake on dah way up here, wanna go check it out?"
Yugi nodded and the started out toward the lake.

---SPACE FOR RENT-----

There was complete silence has the Tomb Robber and Noa walked into Angel Foryer.

"How hard could it be to find a bloody corpse? We've been all over this blasted city and we haven't found a single trace of that Falcon!" The Tomb Robber snapped. Noa sighed and shook his head and glanced up.

A woman with purple hair was sitting on the railing of the balcony her legs swinging off of the side. She looked vaguely familiar however Noa couldn't remember where he had seen her.

"Maybe he came here..." Noa muttered looking back at the agitated snake master.

The Tomb Robber growled.

"He'd better have..." Aten walked nervously toward them. He didn't recognized the Tomb Robber in his new form, but he knew who Noa was.

"How can I help you?" He asked bowing to them both.
The Tomb Robber snorted and rolled his eyes.
Noa shook his head.

"We're looking for a vampire who was poisoned. He might have come here to be healed."

"You can't heal that poison..." The white haired snake master muttered.
Aten's eyes widened and he thought a minute. This was his chance to get back at Mariku! He smirked evilly and was about to say something when he felt a heavy gaze on him.
He glanced up at the balcony.

The Blonde Harpy was now standing next to the other harpy. She was glaring at Aten.

Aten chuckled.

"Your looking for Falcon and his friends aren't you?" Aten said.
Noa's eyes widened and he nodded.

"Yes! Yes! He has friends with him?"

'You'll betray your sister's trust just for petty revenge little boy? You'd send Tristan, Joey, Yugi, Mariku, and Ryou to their doom?' A whispery voice murmured in his ear. Aten ignored it and nodded.

"They came here awhile ago. Falcon shortly after. After Falcon was healed he stayed here for awhile, my sister sent him and his four friends up to-"
A loud screech pierce the air as Melody transformed and dived at Aten, talons extended. She landed dead on, her claws sliced through his chest as she used her weight to crush Aten underneath her. Aten let out a blood curdling cry as he felt many of his bones snap and break under the harpy.

There was a loud hiss and Melody shot up into the air just missing Diabound's strike. She hovered in the air a few moments, the fresh blood that covered Melody's claws and feathers flying everywhere.
Noa's eyes narrowed.

"Harpy! You were the one who attacked me!" He yelled.

"Noa! Check the boy! I'll deal with this!" The tomb robber yelled as his eyes glowed red and a long sword sprouted from his arm.
Noa rushed to Aten and bent over him.

"T-tiam." Aten sputtered as blood began to spill from his mouth. Noa nodded and turned to look at the Tomb Robber.

He was too fast for the harpy, as she dived and continually tried to slash the snake master only to cut through the air.
But the harpy could dodge as well, the Thief only managing to swipe the air when he tried slashing. But the snake master had landed a blow to the harpy's leg, making her slower.

The harpy dived again but let out a fowl screech when she felt something wrap around her neck and snatch her from the air.

As soon as she touched the ground she felt the same thing coil around her in a crushing embrace.

The white-haired demon smirked as his sword disappeared and he walked over to the harpy who was trapped in Diabound's clutches.

Once he was inches from the the harpy he sneered at her.

"A silent harpy, is a dead harpy."

Then Diabound's powerful embrace turned deadly as he crushed her throat.

---sweatdrops MORE SPACE FOR RENT!----

Yugi shivered.
"Hey, you okay Yuge?" Joey asked turning to gaze at his friend. Yugi nodded.

"I just got the chills all of the sudden, it's nothing..." Yugi said then glanced around.

"Joey, I think we're lost."

"Nah, I now where I'm goin'!" Joey said frowning and looking around. Yugi sighed. They had been walking around in the woods for hours, and there was still no sign of the lake.

"Joey, I think we should go back." Yugi said.
Joey sighed.

"Alright, lead the way!"
Yugi blinked.

"But I don't know the way back, I thought you were keeping track."

"Uh..."

"HELP SOMEONE PLEASE!"
Yugi and Joey both turned as a loud scream sounded. They both looked at each other before nodding and taking off toward where the voice had come from. After running for awhile they came upon a girl who had her leg stuck under a log as a mountain lion approached her.

Joey immediately went into action, picking up a rock he chucked it at the cat.

"Get away from er!" He yelled as the rock hit the cat's side.
Yugi rushed to the girl's side.

"Are you okay?"
The girl blinked as her large emerald green eyes landed on Yugi.

"Prince?" She asked before shaking her head. Her blonde hair flying everywhere. Yugi ignored the comment and began to push the log off her leg while Joey dealt with the cat.

Joey growled and crouched a bit, waiting for the cat to strike. As it did he shot under it he turned quickly and grabbed it's tail. Yanking it backwards he made the cat screech and turn to slash him. He pulled back as it did so and glared.

"This isn't working, gotta try somethin' different." He muttered before he grabbed a nearby stick and went to slash the beast.
The cat swiftly side stepped the clumsy swipe and turned to pounce on Yugi and the girl.

"Oh no you don't!" Joey yelled as his eyes flashed gold. He grabbed the creature by it's back legs and flung it behind him, right into a tree. The cat let out a pained yell as it hit the tree then it lie still.

Joey stared at it for a few minutes panting...

Where had that burst of strength come from?

"Joey! Are you okay!" Yugi's concerned voice brought Joey from his thoughts. He shook his head and turned around. Yugi was helping the girl up and looking at Joey with a worried expression. Joey came over and helped Yugi pull the girl to her feet.

"I'm fine Yuge.."
The girl leaned on Joey for support as she gazed at the cat.

"That thing's been chasing me for a while. Thanks." She said.
Yugi smiled at her.

"No problem, but why was it chasing you?" He asked.
She sighed.

"I'm looking for someone very important to me. He's like an older brother to me, an unfortunately he has something of great value on him and many people are after him because of it..." She glanced down at the brown, muddy boots that were on her feet. Her eyes filling with tears.

"I'm the only one who can find Karim! So that thing was sent to find me and bring me back to their boss!" She said tears dripping down her face.

"They already got Shada! I've got to get to Karim before they learn how!"

"Hey! Calm down! It's gonna be okay!" Joey said putting an arm around her shoulders. The girl sniffled. Yugi thought a moment before a determined look crossed his face.

"Tell us how we can help you!" He said his eyes sparkling.
The girl looked down at him and smiled as she wiped her eyes.

"You'd really do that? For me?"
Yugi nodded.
The girl smiled.

"There's a lake right near here. That's where we can find Karim. If you two would just come protect me that would be great!" She exclaimed turning and bouncing off.
Joey and Yugi stared at her a moment before shooting each other a glance.

"COME ON!" She shouted over her shoulder.
Yugi and Joey quickly took off after her.

"By the way, my name's Mana! What's yours?" She asked as she skipped along.

"I'm Joey, and dis is Yugi." Joey replied.
Mana glanced over at Yugi and blinked.

"Do you have any relation to a man named Atemu, Yugi?" Mana asked as she continued to skip along.
Yugi shook his head.

"Nope, why do you ask?"
Mana giggled.

"Well you look a lot like a guy that I know..." Mana muttered before she smiled sweetly.

"He was one of my best friends when we were children!"
Yugi smiled.

"Oh!"
Mana giggled and came to a sudden halt in front of a bunch of bushes.

"We're here!" She yelled pulling out a long staff.
Joey blinked.

"Where dah heck did you just pull dat from?" Mana laughed.

"As Master always used to say: That's a trade secret!"

She lifted the staff up and tapped the bushes twice.
The bushes wiggled for a moment, much to Joey and Yugi's surprise, before parting to reveal a small path.

"Well? What are we waiting for! Come on!" Mana cried before she started to skip happily down the path.
Yugi and Joey quickly behind her.

Once they reached the end of the path Yugi gasped at what he saw.

A beautiful crystal blue lake lay out before them, the water sparkling and shining in the bright warm sun. Fresh green grass surrounded the lake, along with various wild flowers and herbs. Mana took a deep breath and sighed.

"Come on guys Karim's waiting just down the there!" Mana said pointing her staff toward an unseen dock.
Yugi shifted his gaze and spotted a tall man in white robes sitting near the end of the dock. Yugi could tell from the distance he was at that the man was tan and muscular with chin length black hair that was billowing softly as a soft breeze blew by.
Mana started towards him followed by Joey and Yugi.

"Karim! Karim!" Mana called stepping on to the dock, Yugi and Joey following quickly after.
Karim turned his head to look at Mana. As soon as he did his green eyes sparkled with happiness.

"Mana!" Karim called as he stood up and turned. He started walking towards her but stopped when he spotted Joey and Yugi.
He frowned.

"Mana?"
Mana stopped walking towards him and bowed swiftly.

"M'Lord..." She murmured. "These two rescued me from Pegasus's servant a while back, they offered to assist me in anyway they could..."
Karim raised an eyebrow, an amused glint in his eyes.

"Did they now?" Mana nodded and held out her hand to Yugi.

"This is Yugi!" She held out a hand to Joey. "And this is Joey!"
Karim nodded not really looking at the two.

"If my vision wasn't as bad as it is now I probably would have been shocked when you first brought the little one that look's like Atemu." Karim muttered smiling. He came a little closer and gave Joey a look over.

"Is that Jono?"
Mana gasped and twirled around dramatically to stare wide eyed at Joey.

"That's why he looked familiar! I knew he looked like someone from home but I just couldn't place it! He must be Jono's reincarnation!" Mana spouted. She twirled around to face Karim again.

"You know what that means don't you?" She yelled excitedly.
Karim chuckled merrily and nodded.

"Of course I do! You can be the one to give the good news to Atemu when you return to the palace!"
Mana vigorously nodded her head and squealed with delight.

"What's goin' on? Who Jono?" Joey asked looking from Mana to Karim and back again.
Karim took a few steps closer and smiled.

"Back home, he was one of my close friends..." Karim gave Joey a sad smile.

"He died in an unfortunate accident some time ago..."
Joey's eyes widened and he looked down at the ground.

"Oh, I'm sorry..." He muttered.

"Don't be. After all he did make a promise to me that we would meet again, and here you are, his very reincarnation! I for one am glad I got to see you now before my time is done."
Mana blinked and glared at Karim.

"What do you mean time is done?" She yelled stomping her foot on the ground.
Karim frowned and let out a long sigh.

"Mana... Shada is gone... so is Mahaado, this much you already know..." Karim looked at Mana sadly.

"When the three of us became priests we vowed to always be there for one another, to stick by each other, to be brother's in magic..." Karim glanced at Yugi.

"When Mahaado died, Shada and I made another vow." He glanced back at Mana.

"To watch over and continue to train his apprentice until we no longer had the ability to do so. But, because Mahaado died, our souls were no longer complete..." Karim shifted his gaze to Joey.

"Shada and I were not as strong as the others, we had to use the power of our items to keep us alive, and in doing so our soul's were drained of their energy..." Karim closed his eyes.

"Now that Shada is dead... My spirit longs to join him and Mahaado... And even if I do not want it, I will slowly fade away..."

"But you can't leave me all alone!" Mana yelled bursting into tears. Karim sighed.

"Mana, you'll never be alone... didn't Lord Shimon teach you that a long time ago?"
Mana whimpered as she bawled into her hands.
Karim opened his eyes and gazed at Joey.

"Before I go there is something I must do..." He walked over to Joey so he was just a few feet away and smiled at him.

"I was afraid I was going to have to give this to Mana. She is a free spirit you must understand and wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility, or have the will to take on this burden. So..." Karim's face became solemn.

"I'm trusting you with this great responsibility... As you share the same spirit as the strong willed man who was once my childhood friend and Guardian of the Pharaoh. You have enough courage and strength to take on any challenge." Karim held out his hand palm up and a golden orb of light sprouted from it. The orb glowed for a minute before moving up and shaping into a golden scale.
Mana gasped.

"Karim! You can't give him that!" She exclaimed.
Joey stared at Karim for a moment then shifted his gaze toward the Scale.
Karim closed his eyes.

"This is my destiny, and now it is yours... Please... Take it."
Joey turned and looked at Yugi.
Yugi thought a moment before nodding.
Joey turned back and hesitantly took the scale from Karim.
As soon as he did Karim let out a relieved sigh and smiled.

"Thank you Joey..."
Joey examined the item.

"What is dis thing?" He asked flicking on of the scales with his fingers. Karim chuckled tiredly.

"That, is the Millennium Scale. I'd tell you more, but I'm afraid I'm running out of time."
Yugi gasped as he noticed that Karim had started to become transparent.

Joey blinked his eyes widened.

"Wait! Isn't dis one of the sacred Millennium Items! W-what am I suppose tah do with it?"
Karim closed his eyes.

"All answers will come in due time..." Karim muttered as he faded away from view.

Joey, Mana, and Yugi all stood there for a moment before Mana broke out into hysterical sobs and fell to her knees.

"KARIM! NO! YOU CAN'T GO! I NEED YOU!" She yelled pounding her fists onto the dock.
Yugi bowed his head sadly.

Joey stared at the Millennium Item in his hands.

"W-what-"

The eye in the center of the scale flashed before it melded back into a golden orb and disappeared.

"How- What- I don't understand."
Yugi was about to say something when a sharp jolt ran up his spine. He gasped his eye's widening.

"This place is going to-"

"Collapse..." Mana sputtered from her spot on the dock. She turned to face them.

"It's going to collapse because Karim disappeared. You both have got to run out of here. I'm going to forget I ever saw either of you so I don't have to bring you to the palace..." Mana stood.

"Go! Now!" She yelled.
Joey and Yugi turned and began to run toward the path to the woods. Just as they reached the woods the ground began to shake.
Yugi tripped over a rock and fell, scraping his knees and hands as he tried to catch himself.

He let out a hiss as he pulled himself up.

Joey picked him up by the waist and carried him as he raced down the path.

As soon as they went past the bushes the ground stopped shaking.
Joey gasped and turned.

Behind where the bushes had been, was a tall tree...

Joey opened his mouth to say something when a tremendous bolt of pain zipped through his head.

He yelped and fell to his knees trying his best not to drop Yugi.
Yugi gasped.

"Joey! What's wrong!" He yelled.
Joey groaned as his eyes flashed red and rolled back into his head. He froze for a moment before he passed out.
Yugi screamed.

"JOEY!"

He shook Joey a little before he rose to his feet. He was about to call out for help when a tingling sensation ran down his spine. He felt nervous, a strange sense of foreboding coming over him.

He became short of breath and light headed.

He stumbled forward as his world became very blurry.

His mind, from Sakura's training instantly came up with the reason why...

Something was coming...

Something was near...

A threat...

Mariku was in danger...

"Mariku..." Yugi muttered right before he blacked out.

And he dreamed...

He dreamed of a young Egyptian boy.
His eyes were indigo, his hair was white.
He wore a white tunic and stood before his own burning city.
"Momma... Papa... Rinae..." The boy transformed into a teenager, he now wore a red robe over his white tunic.
Beside him was what looked to be a coiled up cobra.
"I will avenge your deaths... Mark my words!"
He turned and Yugi gasped as the man glared at him.
"Your time is done!" Yugi took a step backwards as the boy transformed again,
his hair growing longer, the red robe turning blue, and his eyes changing to the color of dried blood.
"Who are you?" Yugi yelled his voice sounding strangely different.
The man laughed.
"I am the King of Thieves! The Master of Snake demons! Tomb Robber of Eygpt!"
The Cobra beside him hissed and burst into dark green flames.
Flames which surrounded the white haired man.
Yugi shielded his eyes as the flames engulfed everything.
When he looked again there was nothing but blackness that surrounded him.
Ryou appeared beside him.
Ryou stared into the blackness before murmuring the name of the man...

...Bakura...


I do not own YuGiOh or any of it's characters though I do own Duchess and Virazuka.

This is where I left off the last time I posted this story. Right before Bakura came in... Anyway onto the names...

Terry- Belongs to a good friend of mine, who happens to be named that...

Eros- Belongs to O.S. Acious

Thank you all so much for reading thus far. Before I show the preview I'd like to take the time to list all of the previous reviewers who read up to this point last time before I took that story down... They are:

Lavender Insanity
Dark Magician Girl Hikaru
SoulDreamer
LadySaturnGirl
Shinigami
opastromio
Robin Rainyday
Nachzes Black-Rider
ferahgo89
Cao
koriaena
tiger witch
O. S. Acious
Classical Sorrow
the forgotten shadow
harleybabe222
ladywolfTerri
tati1
BlackEyes
YugiFan
VampireGirlie

I hope you all are still reading this, and if not well you probably found something better to do... Another thing, if you guys who are reading this now know anyone of these guys tell them what's up!

And now the moment you've all been waiting for... The preview!


Hollow Destiny

Chapter 15 previews...

"Start off small Yugi."

Yugi nodded and closed his eyes and concentrated.

He was ready this time though. He remembered his vision and felt the soft brush of warm fur against his cheek as a shadow cooed softly in his ear.

"Okay, come on out... I know you can hear me." Yugi said before opening his eyes again.

Mako was staring at Yugi with an amused expression on his face.

"When I said little... I didn't mean THAT little Yugi..." He chuckled.

"Huh? What do you-"

"Koooorrooorrr!" Something shouted, pouncing on Yugi's head.

Yugi yelped and looked up only to stare straight into a pair of huge green eyes.

He yelped again and stumbled, landing on his butt.

Mako laughed as the small creature floated off of Yugi's head and landed on Yugi's lap.

It was a giant ball of brown fur. The only visible characteristics were the four green claws that served as it's feet and hands, and a pair of extremely large green eyes.

Yugi gave it a watery smile and ran his hand through brown fur.

It cooed and closed it's eyes happily.

"Yugi, how is that little furball going to help you defeat Arkana?" Mako asked overcoming his laughter.

The little one stiffened at the words "little furball" and let out an angry noise.

"Even the smallest parts have usefulness Mako." Yugi replied.

The little creature seemed to take offense again at being called little and puffed out, batting Yugi's hand away.

Mako laughed and it growled.

Yugi shook his head.

"Just look at me." Yugi muttered.

Green eyes seemed to do just that, waiting for Yugi to finish.

"Here I am, going against a veteran shadow master, and I'm just starting... There's no way I could possibly ever win against Arkana..." Yugi pulled the ball of fur into a hug.

"But I'm going to keep trying. I need all the help, no matter how powerful, I can get..." Yugi said softly, burying his face in the creatures soft fur.

The creature let out a soft coo before Yugi felt a pair of claws clutch at his jacket.

'Kuri will try master. Kuri won't let master down!' A small childlike voice echoed in Yugi's head and Yugi smiled.

"Thank you Kuri..." Yugi said softly his eyes watering slightly.

---Two for the price of one! If that wasn't enough, here's a little more action for you all! This takes place near the end of the chapter!---

Yugi watched in horror as the third and final magician came through the curtain and aimed it's staff at the pair.

"Kill them!" Arkana spat cruelly.

"Kuri! Tekka! Look out!" Yugi yelled some how knowing Arkana would destroy his own magician to win.

'Why yell forKuri and Tekkamaster?' Kuri yelled popping off the dazed magician's face. She squealed when she spotted the large energy blast coming toward her and clung to Tekka's chest, who gave her a confused look before spotting the blast. His face contorted into that of shock and surprise before both monsters shattered.

"How could you do that!" Yugi yelled.

Arkana laughed.

"A small sacrifice to pay to win! Now if you want to live you'll summon another! Or were those small beasts your only monsters?"

Yugi eyed the last magician.

His calm, sad green eyes stared back at Yugi remorsefully. This was the magician whom he had first run into.

Yugi grimaced.

"I summon Celtic Guardian! Aidan!" Yugi shouted as the green elvan warrior appeared in front of Yugi.

Both Arkana and the third magician seemed a little shocked at his appearance, but recovered quickly.

"Well, well, maybe we'll get a real fight this time! Attack!" Arkana shouted.

The red magician shot forward, but Aidan moved to meet his attack head on.

Yugi gasped as they met with clash of their weapons, the wizard not using his magic quite yet.

"Come on Aidan." He muttered under his breath, then noticed that the Dark Curtain Arkana had summoned earlier was still there.

'Aidan? Why is the spell still here? Shouldn't it have disappeared when the third magician came?' Yugi asked the Celtic warrior using his mind.

'According to the rules preset you are allowed to summon one more monster. Sensing this, the spell still remained in effect...' Aidan replied dodging another swing of the staff.

'So you're saying that if I wanted to I could summon another monster?'

'A magician of course, but yes...' Aidan replied just as one of the strikes connected and sent him barreling backward. He caught himself before he fell off, but hung vulnerably on the edge.

"No!" Yugi yelled.

The red magician's master gave a loud cackling laugh.

"That's it little Game, your warrior is no more! You might as well give up now!" He yelled.

Yugi clenched his eyes shut. What was he going to do? He couldn't loose, there would be no one to rescue him if he did, with Mariku gone and his other friends off on their own missions.

Would he never see anyone he loved ever again?

Why did he even have to meet Mariku? Why did he have to care for him the way he did?

He was all alone now, with no one to help him...

'...You are never alone my chosen one...' A voice said from deep within the shadow realm.

Yugi's eyes snapped open.

"W-what?"

'Summon one of the Pharaoh's most trusted friends. Summon the spirit who was once the wielder of a millennium item... Summon him!' The voice growled.

Yugi raised his hand toward the curtain and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Please hear my plea and listen to me! Once great friend and servant rise again to help win this battle and many more! Magician I summon you!" He yelled.

"Now my servant obliterate that elf!" Arkana yelled seconds afterwards.

There was a great flash of light that blinded both shadow wizards as the Dark Curtain appeared in front of the Celtic Guardian.

In moments the Curtain was obliterated by thered magicianand Arkana laughed in triumph.

"No! This can't be the end!" Yugi said falling to his knees as the light faded and his guardian was no where in sight.

"I win little Game! Your life is mine!" Arkana laughed.

---

Cliffy! Hehehe... Enjoy that? Yeah, there's your preview guys... Remember I need names! Till next time people!

-Embodimet Of Sekhmet-