This is going to be my last update for twelve days... I'm going on holiday out of reach of any internet, so I thought I'd treat you all and give you one last chapter before I go.
Yami: This has to be quick, you still need to pack.
Yeah, and I'm leaving tomorrow! My sister will kill me if she finds out!
Ryou: We'll cover for you.
Yugi: Yeah, the fans deserve something before you go. And you'll have lots of reviews to welcome you when you come back home. Right Readers?
Yugi! I had no idea you could break the fourth wall!
Yugi: *rubbs back of the neck* hee hee, sorta.
Yami: *hands list* a few reviews to reply to then the readers can get reading.
Right! Let's get a move on! *takes list* the first person on my list is...
MissKenniGurl672
I hope that they'll get their asses out of the castle too, it's dangerous to stay there! and they have all those villagers in there as well! *worry* Well you'll find out now.
EmpressFreyja
Yep, everyone's out of jail, but not of the castle, now comes the tricky part. The brother's reunion, so classic and sweet, hope everyone liked that part. Dartz talking and sleeping with his money, yep that's both funny and werid, we must have more reasons to mock him! Rex and Weevil are pains in the ass, anyone who wishes to hurt them out of the chapters can be my guest!
SuperSpeed
I know, Weevil should just live in a barrel because that will be his torture in hell, and in his nightmares; barrel! I hope that they'll all get out soon too. Let's uncross those fingers and toes before you get cramps, the next chapter is here and we will soon know their fate! Your english is wonderful, don't be sorry and I have no idea how to spell that either.
Begecko-chan
I'll take that as both a completment and insult if you don't mind, because I just love to torture the dweebs. It's so much fun! You try it!
Singingstar09
I'm glad that the prisoners are all okay too, Yami knows when to get lost, I think. He'll be fine! Dartz talking in his sleep... it's a new dirty little secret that we must use to mock him! and Sucking his thumb... yea that's pushing it. :)
spazbat90
I know, Yugi sleeptalking is adorable! Dartz... must use the information to mock him! Ooh trust me, you'll get your dose of puppyshipping before this chapter is over. (Just kiss already!) The brothers will always make people smile, I'm glad people have recognised that, and thanks for the cookied. Yami likes that you called him badass, and I am inclined to agree. :)
Pandamonium
I think that referance in chapter nine was from barbie. But I just used it becuase I remembered it and it sounded funny. :) I have no plans as of yet to have Bakura killed, but that may change according to my sadistic levels when I write.
Alverna
I am freewriting now! The ending of this is now of my own creation. Just wait, you'll soon see. I feel sorry for your nerves; there is Character Death!
TimeAndRhythmDoesIndeedSleep
Yep I loves all the love and fluff, brotherly, lover-ly and friendly. Yugi and Ryou have been put in a safe location, I'm thinking with a bit of force and promises for 'things' later (hint hint). Malik and Ishizu are in the infinite city caring for the people, Yugi and Ryou would never leave their lovers. Weevil is going to be haunted by barrels in his nightmares! (insert evil laugh, the world Barrel lost all meaning)
DOWN WITH THE PHONEY PHARAOH! And more fluff is in demand, but we shall see. Thanks for the long reviews. No spoilers.
That's everyone! WARNING! CHARACTER DEATH is in this chapter, but I won't say who.
Yami: *pales* it's me isn't it?
Yugi: Nooo! *hugs him*
No spoilers, please enjoy!
Yami put the last of the sacks on the cart, via the spur of the moment genius on his part. Bakura was just below him, pulling the money into the carts. He had come alone wondering how Yami was doing and had nearly laughed out loud at the creative way of putting money in the cart.
Bakura caught them and placed each one in the cart, some trying to fall off. Bakura waved at Joey in the corner as Yami held up three fingers, the number of bags he had left to steal. Joey, who was leaning around the corner watching and waiting for them to be ready for the great escape, nodded and turned and waved at Seto and Marik. Marik was keeping a watch out for patrollers and was tying up any who came too close to their little escape party.
Joey pulled out his gemstone, and smashed it. The magic pulse went out, invisible and unnoticeable by anyone but Mahad.
Now Mahad would chant a spell to open the large stone gates that needed about ten men to push open, and he'd also have to enchant the carriages to move on their own while Yami, Joey and Bakura kept the guards busy. This was going to be the hardest part…
Yami nodded at Bakura "Just one more" he hissed down to Bakura who was pulling out his dagger to defend himself.
Dartz mumbled again "I'll kill you… I'll have you head Yami Atem! Yugi's mine! Mine… mmm" Yami looked at the drooling man in disgust. What did Yugi do in a past life to deserve a brother like him?
Yami was just about to tie the strings of the money sack onto the rope when three things happened at once; one there was a low groan of the huge stone doors opening, two the bag of gold ripped open and the coins spilled all over the floor, and third the door of the room burst open and a screaming Rex and Weevil burst in, awakening Dartz.
"Master Dartz!"
"Yami Atem is-"
Yami and Dartz's newly awaked eyes met and Dartz's mismatched glare steeled. Yami swore and jumped out of the window onto the cart, followed by a scream of "Guards! Guards! Yami Atem is here! Attack him! Kill him!"
Bakura winced and looked around as the guards all ran towards Dartz screaming voice.
Seto, Joey and Marik all pulled out weapons, some taken from downed guards, and stood ready to defend the people who were cowering into their carriages. Bakura pulled out his gemstone and smashed it to tell Mahad to hurry the hell up!
Guards ran along the upper walls of the Palace and along the rooftops as well as the courtyards. Yami fired arrows at as many as he could, and returned the ones that missed him when he ran out. Bakura sliced swords and shields and bare flesh at any who came too close but there was just so many.
Joey was thrown back against Seto and they looked over their shoulders as they stood back to back. Joey winced as he duelled with another soldier "Seto! If this is it! I never hated you!" he said over his shoulder as he kicked another guard away but gained a cut on his cheek.
Seto tensed but recovered in time to throw another over his head in a judo styled heave. Seto pulled Joey to face him and kissed him very fiercely on the lips, pushing away almost as soon as it turned into a kiss and fighting on "Me too Puppy" he said lowly as they assaults began again.
Mahad ran into the grounds, pulling men off the walls with his magic staff and holding several spells in his hands, waiting to be fired at the carriages and carts.
Marik saw Mahad approaching "Mahad!" he yelled "This way!" he ducked and rolled away from a volley of arrows and then jumped up and gave rude gestures to the archers who were firing at him! "You wanna piece of me?!" he roared up at them.
Mahad touched his shoulder and fired a spell at the archers before turning to Marik fully and saying "Don't waste time, where are the carriages?"
Marik nodded and lead the way to the courtyard. Mai had both Noah and Leon hiding under her arms and Seto and Joey defended them, Teá and Vivian were screaming and Raphael was the only one sensible enough to grab a spear and defend himself with it.
Mahad blinked in shock "That's a lot of people" he gasped out.
Marik used Mahad's tall shoulders as leverage and leapfrogged over him to intercept three thrown spears, his legs kicking two away and his borrowed dagger cutting off the head of the third. Marik landed in a crouch and growled over his shoulder "Can you move them all?"
Mahad nodded and threw the spells at the carriages, they glowed gold for a moment then each stood up like there was an invisible horse at the front. People gasped and clutched at each other in shock.
They were going to escape.
Yami lost his footing when his cart moved, the invisible horse appearing at the head as it had with the others. Yami tumbled off the back, which was a good thing as he missed the dagger thrown at him by Rex. Bakura saw him fall and grabbed his elbow as he neared the earth and hauled him up, his arm protesting at the sudden weight "Nice time to get clumsy!" he snapped at Yami as the crimson eyed teen regained his footing.
"Stop them! Kill them! Kill them!" Dartz kept screaming.
Yami gasped and fired an arrow up at Dartz who was leaning out of the window, it missed as Dartz pulled back inside the room. Yami growled, why can't you die? He thought angrily.
Mahad jumped up onto the front of one of the carts and bowed his head "Marik, I'll need to use a lot of strength and all my concentration. Could you please keep the arrows and spears away from me?"
Marik blinked but nodded "Sure, pops" he said affectionately. Marik whistled and got Joey's attention "Prepare to escape!" he bellowed at the people, especially those who were fighting. Marik shielded Mahad with all his effort. Mahad chanted, his form gaining a purple glow as he used his power to order the carts to move…
People screamed as the carts jerked forwards and moved, gaining speed as they all raced towards the gates. Yami and Bakura grabbed onto the money cart as it began to leave, Bakura sliced the rope that was still through the window and cheered as they were off.
"Shoot them! Kill them!" Dartz commanded from his window, he vanished again and ran to get to a better viewing place.
Yami held on and looked at Bakura in between ducking arrows and spears, and shooting back his own arrows. They actually did it! They were going to escape! Bakura gasped out "Man onto gods, I'll never let the people live this down!" he cackled as the Palace gates came into sight.
Seto and Joey were hanging on for dear life. Joey whooped in joy "Yeah! Let's get outta here! On to the infinite city!" The people cheered and cried in joy.
The horseless carriages charged towards the gates in a triangle formation, Mahad at the lead with Marik waving a fist at the Palace guards in triumphant glee. He had a mad smile with an even crazier laugh to match. Seto and Joey were towards the middle, holding onto the back of a wagon with all their strength. Joey was laughing and pounding his fist on the wood of the beam, he couldn't believe it!
Seto had a grin over his face and he smirked at Joey "Remind me to thank you later, puppy" he grinned at him. Joey blushed and nodded at the same time.
Yami and Bakura were at the back of the formation, sitting on top of the money they had stolen. Yami was still firing arrows at men who were trying to close the gates with brute force, but it was no good, they'd never close it in time. The carts were simply travelling too fast.
Bakura slapped Yami on the back "Let's get home, we've got that Prince of yours back at the Valley of the Kings" he reminded Yami.
Yami beamed widely, yes… Yugi and Ryou had persistently followed them, in the end Yami had allowed Yugi and Ryou to stay and wait for them at the Valley of the Kings with Isis. Now all they had to do was lay the false trail, go to the valley, make sure that their trail was lost for good. Then they'd be able to return to the city… Yugi would be waiting for him, so proud and-
A young girl screamed loudly as the first of the carts crossed the Palace gates.
"Rebecca!"
Mai, Leon, Mokuba and Noah watched in horror as Rebecca fell from the cart and got left behind. She jumped up and began to run after them, teddy under her arm and her eyes flowing with tears.
"Mai! Don't leave mee!" she wailed.
Yami saw, to his horror, that the girl wasn't going to make it out of the gates in time. Yami threw his bow to the side and leapt off after her. Bakura cursed "Yami!"
Yami ran to the girl, and jumped over her to punch the guard who was going to slice her down! The guard fell back with a grunt. Yami didn't wait to see if he got up.
Yami turned and partly skidded because he was running at such fast speeds and began running the other way, back towards the gates that were fast closing. Yami grabbed Rebecca's free hand, if she didn't get out the guards would kill her… Yami dragged her along behind him as he full out sprinted for the large gates.
Rebecca ran as fast as her little legs would let her, being dragged helped her a lot but even she could see that they'd be too late. Bakura swore loudly and jumped off his cart to run and help, he ran for the gates as well. All the carts had been out a long time ago. Marik dropped off as well to help, running back towards the Palace.
Yami knew that there was no hope of getting out now. Yami picked up the girl, noting that it was the little orphan Rebecca who had been left behind. He put on a last burst of speed and then threw the girl as hard as he could as the last meter of space between the stone gates closed.
Rebecca screamed. But was caught by rough arms as the dreaded sound of the gates closing shut was heard.
Yami slammed his hands against the stone gates that had locked him inside to stop his crazed run. He leaned his head against the cool stone. He was trapped.
Bakura looked at the girl that he'd caught by instinct, and placed her in Marik's arms instead as he punched the thick stone wall in front of him. "Yami!" he shouted.
Yami heard Bakura and looked up at the top of the gate "Bakura?"
Marik, Bakura and Rebecca on Marik's back in a piggy back all sighed in relief. "Yami, man you alright?"
Yami looked over his shoulder and saw the gathering soldiers with swords and turned to face them all nervously. He was cornered, there was no escape, not one gap in the ranks, and they just kept coming… pouring in from every possible entry to the courtyard. "No, no I'm not!" Yami shouted back to Bakura "Look, forget about me! You have to get her out of here!"
Bakura nodded at Marik and the man took off with the girl on his back. "Already done, now get your ass out of there!"
Yami shook his head "Don't worry about me! Just run!"
"But Yami-"
"There's more archers coming on the wall tops! You're in the open where you are! You have to run!"
Bakura cursed loudly when he bought Yami's bluff. "You'd better survive this! Or I'll kill you!" he threatened as he turned and ran towards the moat out of archer range.
Yami sighed when he heard running. Now there was only the possibility of him dying…
There was a low and evil sounding chuckle as a hulking mass pushed towards the front of the semi circle Yami was trapped in. Yami clenched his fists as Ushio, awake and angry, made his way to the front with a club that was on fire. The guy had put oil on it and lit it so that it would cause twice the pain when it hit someone.
Ushio chuckled darkly "Well well… look what we have here. Yami Atem, all trapped and alone" he drawled out.
Yami glared and stood tall, he took a breath and knew that there was only one way of getting out of this, and even then it wasn't that likely. "Finish it then" he said to Ushio as the guy prepared to charge and hit Yami with his new weapon.
Ushio smirked and ran at the crimson eyed teen. Yami waited until it was almost too late and then ducked and rammed his elbow as hard as he could into Ushio's stomach. He heard the man retch but didn't stop moving. He snatched a spear and a sword from two surprised soldiers and managed to slice a little path.
Yami dug the spear head into the ground and pole-vaulted himself to the edge of the soldiers, as soon as his feet hit the ground he ran. He didn't know where he was going because he wasn't expecting to actually pull that stupid move off. High jumping over a sea of soldiers was very stupid, he thought that at least one would have the sense to try and take a stash at him. Yami winced as he heard the pursuit, he guessed being brainwashed made you stupid…
Ushio snarled as he chased Yami across the courtyard. "Seal off all the exits! Trap him inside!" he ordered, the mass of soldiers spreading out to do just that.
Yami looked around and saw an open door, he darted inside and got about two seconds to catch his breath before soldiers footsteps were heard. Yami cursed and forced his legs to run, he took the spiral stairs two at a time as the door was flung open.
"There you are!" Ushio roared.
Yami swore. In the distance he heard Dartz roaring for someone to kill him, Yami's legs were burning as he reached the first door. He opened it and came face to face with an army of spears, soldiers holding them at the door and running. Yami slammed the door shut and bolted it with a wooden beam as the spearheads pierced through the wood.
He looked over his shoulder and saw Ushio's head come around the spiralled corner. "Got you!" he roared and tired to hit Yami with the flaming club.
Yami yelped and jumped over it, some of the oil flew off and landed on one of the wooden beams that held up the outer walls. Ushio tried to hit Yami again and only hit the wood and caused more fire.
Yami flew up the stairs again and winced as he stumbled. Ushio smirked and tired to hit him again, Yami rolled just in time then saw in horror the lower floors of wood were starting to go up in flames "Ushio! Stop the fire-"
The hulk just tried to hit him again, Yami punched Ushio's jaw and scrambled a few steps ahead of him. Ushio grabbed onto the back of Yami's cape, Yami at once pulled the thing over his head and kept running. Ushio threw it aside, it landed on the fire and only fed it more…
Yami reached the top floor, a single rounded room with only two windows, one facing inside the Palace grounds and another facing out. Ushio reached the top and Yami looked behind him with growing dread. Ushio's instincts got the better of him when he saw that Yami was more scared of something over his shoulder than of him, he looked… and yelped in terror when he saw the staircase beams were ablaze!
Yami looked around for an escape. Ushio turned to him. "This is all your fault!" he shouted.
Yami blinked "How?" he demanded stupidly, before ducking as Ushio swung the club again, making more oil drip off and more flames to be born. Yami tripped the giant and kicked the club out of his hand. "You idiot! You've killed us both!" he shouted at him.
Ushio looked and saw that the stairs were no longer an escape point and the only other way would be to jump out of the windows…
Yami ran to the one facing the inside of the Palace and looked out of it. Ushio ran at him from behind and planned to throw him out of the window so he'd be important enough to be rescued by the other soldiers.
But Yami heard his approach and moved, just in time for Ushio to fall head first out of the window. Yami tried to catch a hold of hit clothes but he wasn't quick enough. Ushio fell screaming and met his end with a sickening thud…
Yami gasped in horror when he saw the sprawled out body of Ushio, the official ex-tax collector of Egypt, lying on the stones of the Palace courtyard. Dead as a dodo… Yami felt a little sick at the sight of him, he saw other soldiers and guards staring at the body in horror before then yelling 'murderer' at him before pulling out spears and arrows.
Yami moved back inside as the arrows flew, safe from the arrows but not from the fire that was still spreading. Yami edged around to the other widow and climbed onto the ledge as the heat rose. Yami frantically looked for an escape.
Bakura looked up at the burning tower as the hungry flames consumed it. Damn… he thought, not quite believing what he was seeing. The Palace always seemed so safe. Bakura gasped when he saw the familiar form of Yami climb out of the window, "You crazy son of a bitch" he gasped out.
Dartz was on the same outer wall that the tower was burning on. He glared at Yami's form and muttered "Burn, Yami Atem. Die before me, right now!" he chuckled as Yami looked up and began to climb.
Yami grabbed the ledge over his head and hauled himself up onto the roof, there was more space for his only, desperate move. Yami backed up until he was within archer range then ran for the other side of the flat roof.
Bakura saw him running and jumped up "Yami!" he shouted in panic. Dartz's jaw dropped, the guy wasn't seriously thinking of jumping and landing in the moat was he? The look on his face said; yes, yes he was going to try.
Dartz growled "Shoot him!" he screamed at his archers.
Yami leapt off the side of the tower with as much force as he could. Yami crossed his hands over his chest and straightened his legs as the dark of both sand and water came up to him.
Bakura gasped, as Yami's form was swallowed by the water "You impossible bastard… you fucking made it!" he breathed out in shock at what he had just witnessed.
Dartz screamed "Kill him! Kill him!"
Yami's head broke the surface and he swam towards the opposite bank, showered in a rain of arrows. Yami disappeared back under the water as the constant rain slowed. Bakura leaned forwards, towards Yami's last seen point, biting his lip and shaking his head.
No… you can't die now… look how far you've come! Bakura thought as he frantically searched for Yami in the water.
Dartz also leaned forwards, smirking and his breath quickening in excitement. Is this it? Have I finally gotten rid of you? He gripped the secret weapon under his robes, getting it out and setting it up just encase. I won't take any chances. He thought as he placed a tiny splinter of the Orichalcos stone onto the tip of an arrow…
The archers stopped firing, the man was practically out of range if he survived anyway…
Bakura gasped as a little puddle of blood made its way to the surface. He slumped backwards in shock "No… no…" he shook his head in denial as he stared at the blood. No… he can't… he's survived so much… no… Bakura sat in shock as Dartz, Weevil and Rex all celebrated when they saw the patch of blood as well.
Bakura put his head in his hands. "Oh Ra…" he's dea-
"Ah!"
Bakura jumped a meter in the air at the loud noise.
He stared as Yami breathed in as he climbed out of the moat, coughing slightly as he cleared the water from his nose. Bakura stared then laughed once, strained and relieved "You just can't die, can you?" he got out.
Yami spluttered and looked up at Bakura with a weak grin "I thought I was a gonner" he admitted, covering the bicep that had gotten slashed by an arrow, causing the blood on the water as he had swam underwater to the other side, his hair also being mistaken for blood as he neared the surface.
Bakura crawled forwards on his knees and slapped Yami on the back in both happiness and punishment "Don't you ever do that again!" he growled while grinning like a fool.
Yami nodded as he stood up "I don't plan on it" that had been terrifying!
Dartz stared in disbelief as Yami got out of the river, he stood as pale as ice and as vivid as blood red anger as the man stood up, apparently not even hurt! Dartz screamed in denial and raised the small but powerful, black metal crossbow with a single arrow positioned at the ready.
"No! I'll Kill you!" he roared, his forehead a mass of veins and his eyes bloodshot so you couldn't see more than three specks of white.
Bakura turned to the horizon "Let's get back to Isis and get your arm looked at" The Valley of the Kings wasn't too far from here, even if the men had horses they'd be able to hide and dodge and get clean away.
Yami laughed, sounding confident and nodded eagerly, one person on his mind "Yes-Ah!" he screamed in agony and collapsed onto one knee, both hands going to his back.
Bakura fell at his side and put both hands on his shoulder "Yami!" he demanded alarmed. Yami couldn't talk, he was in agony, a sharp pain in the back of his ribs. Bakura looked at his back and saw, his eyes widening in horror, a black crossbow bolt buried in the left side of Yami's back. It was just above his lowest rib, it looked deep and Bakura wasn't sure if he should chance pulling it out. He knew that just pulling them out just like that could cause more harm than good.
Yami looked up at Bakura, his cheeks stained with tears as the pain grew again "Baku-"
Bakura shook his head "Don't talk, you'll be fine" he tired to reassure, his own eyes unable to look away from the arrow in his friend's back. Yami's shirt was growing red with blood…
Bakura heard Dartz screaming for soldiers to capture them and he swore. Yami was just about passing out from pain and Bakura knew that they had to get out of there. Bakura pulled Yami's arms over his shoulders and carried him in a fireman's lift, grunting under his weight and thanking Ra that Yami wasn't any heavier.
Bakura began to run into the desert, he knew this land back to front, he'd get them out of here.
Yami had the vague sense that he was being carried, he groaned in pain as every little jerk made the pain flare and the arrow would shift and cause more blood. Yami's vision blurred and his head pounded.
Bakura sensed that Yami was weakening and looked at his face, glaring "Don't you dare die on me! Everything will be alright!" he growled out as he pushed himself faster. He had to outrun the soldiers, they had armour and weapons and had to stick together. Bakura was used to running with sacks of gold, yes Yami was heavier than the average loot but Bakura was strong and wasn't going to stop for the world.
The last thing Yami heard was that promise… everything will be… alright…
Ryou: Oh no! Yami's been shot!
Yugi: *whimpering* no, Yami!
Yami: *in shock* D-did I just die?
You'll find out in the next chapter, Ryou and Yugi will be in that chapter too. Ushio died in this chapter for definate, Dartz shot Yami in the back with an arrow and now Bakura's running to safety as fast as he can go. Will Yami survive?
Yugi: *hugs Yami* Please don't kill my Yami!
Puppyshipping was in this chapter. Everyone got out. This is what Old Lady Rebecca meant by Yami Atem saving her life, he got her out of the castle.
I based the end of this chapter off the Disney version 'Robin Hood Alternate ending' you should watch it on youtube.
Ryou: Amme-chan... is Yami going ot die?
*sigh* no spoilers. This is my last update until I come back from holiday. Please review, give me long ones to make me happy. Even if it's just saying that you liked-disliked something write it and let me know, that's what reviews are all about.
Let's all pray for the surival of our hero, because with an arrow in the back I think he may need it... (Yami and Yugi hold each other tightly)