Kei-kei Yuki: Hi everyone! Kei-Kei Yuki is back with another chapter, but first off let me just say thank-you all who have help me write this story, and thank-you for those who have favorite, follow, and review. I'm always receiving such funny and heartfelt reviews from you guys. I love all my fans, and those who love my stories. Thank-you so much! It is because of you awesome people that I was able to become the writer that I am today. So keep supporting me and my stories!
Yugi: We love the fans!
Yami: Keep shipping puzzelshipping! Aibou belongs only to me.
Joey: But the writer love both Yami and-
Honda: Wait! Don't mention him until he appear!
Beta by: Pure Red Crane ( She is really a sweet person and awesome beta!)
Chapter Fourteen
Hurt and Betrayal
Those who stood outside the palace grounds or inside, glanced out their windows, or walked out to a balcony. Those scattered around, standing outside got a better look at the pitch black cloud that now stood over the castle, blocking most of the sky. The only light in the sky was the crimson red moon itself, bringing brought forth an even more sinister presence. Suddenly, like heavy rains, black drops began to befall from the sky, forming dark puddles on the ground.
A maid started running for shelter when she felt something grab hold of her left ankle. Taking a look back, her frightened eyes saw a black skeleton arm that came from out the dark puddle, which grew the more the black rain fell. Adding to the black skeleton hand, an arm appeared, followed next by a head. The woman released a terrified scream when the skeleton figure fully emerged from the puddle.
Dark red eyes stared down at the woman, who tried to run now that her ankle was freed, but she never got the chance. A sword in the hands of the skeleton slashed her right down the middle. The sword then started to adsorb her blood into its blade. This began happening all over the palace as these creatures mercilessly began slaying the workers and anyone in their sights, painting the palace ground with their fresh blood, their loud screams of utter terror and fear echoed all over.
In a room, a blue eyed brunet burst open a pair of doors, ready to questions those inside, only to have his questions already answered once he took a look inside. Those lying on the ground already passed over into the afterlife, as he carefully stepped over their bodies. "No wonder our defense shield did not raise." Only gifted and highly powerful magicians were allowed in this room. It was their role to use their magic to summon forth powerful shields and barriers to keep intruders outside and from entering the palace grounds.
"You were smart enough to eliminate the threat that would put a hindrance to your plan. Isn't that right, Captain Michael?" Stepping into the light, the dark haired male smiled, arms behind his back. He gave the impression of a duke, stepping more into the light that came from the round large sphere in the room. It let them see the chaos and horror of the black skeletons figures that were popping up all around the palace as more black rain continued to pour from the sky.
"I would expect none the less coming from you, Royal Chief Advisor, Kaiba Seto. But I must not take all the credit, as most of it was my master's plan. Say, how about we negotiate a deal in order for you to stay alive. Swear off all your loyalty to your current king, and place them in favor of the new upcoming king of the Dark Shadow Kingdom. What do you say?" Michael held out his hands, eager to see if Seto would accept the deal.
A large light blue spell circle appeared underneath Seto's feet, sparks of lightning appearing all around. A burst of light concealed him and shot through the roof. Michael watched this with a smirk, retracting his hand back behind his back. "So I take this is your answer?" Attached to a silver chain necklace was a blue dragon eye surrounded by silver and two blue gems. A dragon resting on top began shining brightly.
"Awaken, Magic Conversion." Similar to Joey, Seto's appearance became different from before. He was now dressed in an all-white, long sleeve, concealing trench jacket, showing twelve silver buttons on the front. The cuffs, the collar flaps, and the inside were blue, lined in silver along with the rest of the jacket. Worn with it were white dress pants with matching dress shoes. The tail of his jacket blew in the chilly wind, sparks of electricity sparking all around the room, blue eyes darkening as they glared at the gentleman before him.
"Definitely your answer." Following Seto's lead, Michael did the same thing. His appearance now matched the presence of a Duke. He was dressed in fine dark black clothes, with gold armor attached to his shoulders, arms, and legs. In the darkness of the room, a pair of huge dark heavy bat wings hung from his back. The tense silence of the room was interrupted when a huge tremor shook the room.
"I say the fight between kings has started." Michael looked up towards the ceiling, knowing that many floors above them, the fight between Lucius and Yami was taking place.
"And so it has..." came the simple reply of Seto.
Up in the sky, flying on the back of the Faith Bird, was Yugi and Joey, but neither of them were prepared for the sight they met. Once they reached the palace, to Yugi, it was a reality version of a horror movie. Yugi's hands trembled, wanting to tear her eyes away from the massacring down below, but found herself unable to do so.
"This is bad, very bad. The palace protection barrier was not activated. Either someone's getting fired, or...something serious has happened while we were away. More importantly, just where did those creepy black skeletons come from?! There are about a thousand of those things popping up all over the palace!" exclaimed Joey, a frown on her face.
Hearing this, Yugi noticed something down below. It was a large black puddle, and coming from that puddle was a black skeleton, its red eyes gleaming with blood thirst, holding a sword in its hands. "It's the black rain! They're coming from the black rain!"
"The black rain!?" Joey looked back at Yugi in pure confusion, until her eyes caught sight of the black skeleton figure reaching out. It seized Yugi by the back collar of her shirt, before tossing her overboard. Brown eyes could only watch in terror, reaching her hand out to catch the other, but it was too late. Yugi's body began descending down the ground.
"YUGIIII!" Joey yelled desperately.
Falling from the sky, Yugi's sight of Joey's terrified look began getting smaller and smaller. She felt nostalgia wash over her. 'Huh...Hasn't this happen before? Oh, that's right. When I first came here, I was falling from the sky, wasn't I? At the time I was ready to accept death, but...I'm not ready die. I don't want to die!' Yugi closed her eyes tightly, bracing herself for the upcoming impact.
In the garden of the palace, a loud impact was heard, gathering a large pile of dust. Lying in a deep crater, amethyst eyes opened in surprise, rising herself up from the deep large crater. Raising a shaking hand, Yugi couldn't help the shaking of her body. Seeing as she had been close to death, but somewhere during mid-flight, Yugi heard a voice, but different from the one in her dreams, say. . .
"I can't allow you to die just yet."
'Just…whose voice was that?' It was at this point that Yugi began fearing for her own sanity, wondering if she was really hearing voices inside her head, or if she was spiraling down the void of insanity. Either way, both thoughts scared her. She clenched a hand over her beating heart. Her ears perked up when they sensed footsteps approaching the crater.
"Oh my...It's the little doll! I'm so happy you're alive!" Looking up, Yugi saw long platinum blonde hair, and smiled once she recognized the woman.
"Thank-you, Alice-san." Yugi thanked the woman, who helped her out of the crater, helping her brush off the all the dirt off of her black attire.
"No big deal. I'm always happy to help out a friend. I came out here to get anyone I find to the safety room. It's a secret that we only use during emergency situations such as these. I myself am just as terrified. I haven't been able to locate Rose-chan anywhere. The royal army soldiers are now scattered all over the palace, fighting against this threat, while helping others get to shelters. Being a Royal Concubine, I must make sure all of the King's concubines are safely ushered to safety. The lives of the harem rest in the Royal Consort's hands." Yugi felt touched to hear such sincerity come from the blonde. A bright smile lit up the younger girl's face.
"Wow, Alice-san is really such a kind, and caring person." Yugi smiled. She really did feel touched, but just slightly. Yugi couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she sensed something that felt off.
"I heard that the king is currently facing the one who is the cause behind the threat. I fear that he may- Ah." Alice was surprised to see the other on her feet, making her way towards the palace, until she called after her.
"J-Just where are you going?" Alice hurriedly called out the small teen, who looked back at her and answered with a monotone voice.
"Yami. I must go to Yami." Her voice sounded as if she was being possessed by something, or someone. Her eyes were blank, before momentarily returning back to normal as Yugi blinked her eyes a couple of times. 'Huh? Did something just happen?'
Platinum blonde bangs shielding her face, Alice asked. "And why, I ask, are you in such a hurry to go to the king?" Yugi wondered why the temperature in the garden dropped a couple of degrees, resisting a shiver even though she was wearing a jacket. The black thick socks she wore with her shorts were no longer keeping her legs warm.
"Answer me, Muto Yugi." Yugi wondered why the tone of Alice's voice attained a demanding cold attitude.
"B-Because he...might need me." Yugi had to blink her eyes a few times due to the shock at what happened next. Thanking whoever was above, more likely due to her Joey training, her reflex improved. In her hand was a one of her daggers, blocking a sharp pointed needle that, if she was just a one second late, would have without doubt stabbed her right in the neck.
"A-Alice…s-san?" Cruel, cold, and obsessed eyes glared right down at the confused amethyst pair that was staring up at her. A twisted smile appeared on her face.
"Wrong answer."
"Don't think I'll allow you to live, after you dared to betray me." The once grand and expressive throne room was now on the verge of destruction. Yami was dressed in a long black jacket, lined in silver with dark purple gems at the collar and on the sleeves. The shirt he wore was black as well, the section in the middle purple with silver chains going down the center. A silver design was at the neck with a dark purple gem in center. He had black pants, and knee high black boots with a silver bottom, and designs going up the front and back.
Dark black markings formed underneath his eyes, his eyes gained a darker and fiercer edge to them. In his hand, a black bladed sword looked as if it was forged by the darkness itself. The entire halt was black as the night, a dark purple gem embedded right up top in the center. The sword gave off a dangerous vibe, filled with sharp killer intent. One slash from this sword brought the tall and mighty pillars in the throne room down, chunks aimed directly for his opponent. Lucius merely deflected them away from himself.
"Is that the best you've got, ex-king?" Appearing as a true ruler of the night, Lucius was dressed in black tight fitted clothes, and silver armor. A cape was draped over his shoulders, while his long hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Bringing his own hand to his mouth, he bit himself, drawing blood. With his arm stretched out, he used the blood from his wound make a sword.
"Rain, A Thousand of Blood Slashes." With one swing of his sword, he brought forth thousands of heavy and powerful slashes made from his own blood. Yami tried shielding himself from the attack, but found himself crashing into the stone wall.
"Noticed something different, my king? My power will subdue you." taunted Lucius. Picking himself off the ground, Yami noticed the bright red light that was beaming where a large piece of the roof was missing, giving a good view of the black sky, and the crimson red moon that was shining through.
"The moon..." Yami smirked, standing on his feet. He turned back to Lucius. "So that's why you waited until now to carry out your plan. You were waiting for the night of the blood moon. If I remember correctly, the blood moon has a special effect on certain Magic Vessels, correct?" This earned a chuckle from the once noble.
"You are correct, my dear ex-king. A few Magic Vessels gain a special boost of power on the night of a full red moon. Which is why, on this night, I will overpower you, Yami. Tonight will be your last night existing in this world. You shall end." In a flash, both men clashed swords against one another. Each time their swords clashed, it created loud shock waves throughout the throne room.
Yami flew towards Lucius with his sword, only to have the other summon a blood shield, blocking the attack. "Rain, A thousand Blood Needles." Thousands of needles shot out of the shields. Trying to block the incoming needles, Yami was distracted. He was unable to see the powerful punch that landed itself in his left jaw, sending him crashing into a fallen pillar.
Just as Yami tried to pick himself up, a powerful blow landed itself in his gut, having him cough up large amounts of blood. Hardened crystallized blood covered Lucius arms. "Poor King. You're so pitiful. You never deserved the crown."
A crystallized hand reached out and seized Yami's neck, bringing him forward only to harshly slam him back against the wall, creating a small crater. "You are a fool just like your mother. She didn't have the strength to rule this kingdom, just like her husband or his brother. There's never been a rightful sovereign to this kingdom, but today, that will all change. I will become this kingdom's ruler!" announced Lucius, having Yami in a strong choke-hold.
"You're a fool if you think…everyone in this kingdom...will bow down to a tyrant such as you. They will rebel against you." replied Yami, struggling to breathe.
"Then I'll make them to bow down and obey me. To think I promised my darling Alice that I would keep you alive. She really loves you. It's to the point of obsession. That girl definitely takes after me, especially when it comes to her killing techniques. Don't you agree?" A cruel sadistic smirk was pointed straight at Yami, who began taking in what he said, putting the pieces together. Slowly, piece by piece, the picture began to form.
'Alice was the one killing the concubines...' A flashback to the gruesome scene he stumbled upon played back through his head, remembering the words he said about the killer who killed his mother was in the palace. 'The techniques are the same, but slightly different. Then who...?' That was when his eyes widened. Filling the blood in his system was none other than rage, pain, and hate.
"Ah, it seems you finally understood. I guess I may as well come clean on the day of your death. The one who killed your dear mother... was none other than I. I am the one who slayed her." Lucius had a twisted, dark and inhuman smile on his face.
Yami's mind went back to that moment, that moment when he opened those doors, the day when he saw warm blood on the floors and on the bottom of his foot, the horrible scene that he would never forget. His once beautiful mother had her limbs separated from her body, her once warm and cold crimson eyes, missing from her sockets. It took many years for him to recover from that tragic nightmare of an event, and even now, he still relives that scene.
Yami, though he had gotten rid of those who double crossed his mother, had missed the one person who was personally responsible for her death. This man had stood by his side for years, hiding behind an innocent mask. For once, Lucius' eyes widened, feeling the magnitude of Yami emotions double the amount they were before, taking a slight step back when crimson gleamed on him. Those eyes spoke one word that was aimed just for him: death.
"It will not be me who dies tonight. By my word, I will end your entire existence, Milford A. Lucius. By the gods, I swear I will not allow you to live!"
Fighting against the creatures that rose from the black puddles was the royal army. They were issued all over the palace grounds. The monsters were weak and had no fighting skills, but even though it was easy to kill them, their numbers continued to grow the more the black rain continued to fall from the dark sky.
"Don't these things know when to stop?" asked Otogi, breathing heavily, holding a pair of shurikens in his hands. His back was against Honda's, who had a thin sheet of sweat on his forehead. Running on foot was Joey, who was searching for Yugi.
'Yug! Where are you?' Joey ran in the direction she believed the other may have fallen. Elsewhere, Mokuba was trying to keep Mai alive.
"Will Mai make it?" Beside Mai, a deeply worried Rebecca stood. After doing the last finishing touches, Mokuba looked up at the young concubine.
"I did all I can. She's badly wounded, and lost a large amount of blood. If we had been any later, it would've definitely been too late for her, but now...it's up to her if she can pull through or not." Mokuba took a look at the older blonde lying in the bed, bandaged up and unconscious.
"Whoever is behind this knew what their way around the palace. They blocked the escape routes, and emergency chambers. No way to escape, cornered inside a locked cage, this... is a coup d'etat." Mokuba stated. Suddenly, they heard the sound of footstep against tile floors, alerting the two that a figure was leaning against the now open door.
"Oh, if it isn't doctor-san, and little blondie concubine. I see Rose-chan didn't finish her job as well as she thought she did. Alice is not going to like this..." The figure playfully shook his head. Registering the man's words, Mokuba's eyes widened.
"Alice assigned Rose to kill Mai..." Mokuba analyzed Captain Lee's stance, his large eyes narrowing. "So it was Lucius who is the one behind the coup d'etat."
Captain Lee gave the young boy a round of applause. "I expected nothing less from the brother of a genius. Still funny how a woman born from such low scum bears such intelligence and gifted sons."
"Shut up! How dare do you insult our mother?!" yelled Mokuba. The man gave a smirk, taking a step inside the room.
"If I remember correctly, your mother was a personal maid who served under Gozaburo Kaiba, leader of the most well-known and powerful clan in the kingdoms. You were both seen as trash of the lowest scum by your clan, due to you mother's low-breed blood flowing within you. Much later, the clan had a power-struggle erupt between members, leading to its own destruction. Many were killed, including your own mother and father. You two were the lone survivors."
The raven haired boy glared.
…
Located across from Mokuba, Seto was having his own battle with Michael, who had brought up his past. The roof of the tower they were in was blown apart, a pair of large silvery white dragon wings were attached to Seto's back. The brunet was glaring down at the Michael, who tampered with a sphere globe, showing Captain Lee reciting the same thing to Mokuba.
"You're burning with fury. Honest as ever, advisor. Captain Lee and I only speak the truth-"
"Shut up!" shouted Seto, losing his cool for the first time.
"Poor advisor, can't handle the truth of how you're nothing but a half-breed, despite how highly you hold yourself. The world is not pure, as Captain Lee shall display to you shortly. Watch with your own eyes as your precious brother meets his fate." Michael pointed to the globe. Frightened blue eyes looked at the sphere and saw Captain Lee pointing a silver steel pistol at Mokuba.
"Mokuba!" Seto was about to take flight in young boy's direction, when-
"Dark Rush." muttered Michael, charging his body with magic energy. In the blink of an eye, a powerful punch hit the brunet in the gut, sending him flying into a tower.
"I will not allow that to happen. Midnight Swarm." Gathering his magic, Michael created chibi bat creatures in the air. It looked close to fifty. He pointed his finger at Seto. The swarm engulfed Seto, who tried fighting them off, only to feel his energy weakening, the wings on his back disappearing, dropping to the concrete floor below.
"My little swarm likes to feed on magic energy..." Seto saw the tiny bats before him begin grow, no longer looking weak and cute, transforming into beasts. "They tend to get scary, strong, and meaner." One of the bats attacked Seto, folding its body and ramming into him, slamming his body against the concrete wall. Michael looked at the sphere, eyes narrowing.
"…They're no escaping."
…
Mokuba had a gun pointed at him. Rebecca gave a hopeless look over to the teddy-bear located on the outside of the room. "No hard feelings, kid. I never had anything against you. It's just your brother I despise, but Michael will soon take care of him. I hope you get to meet your mother in the next world.
Captain Lee plastered a fake sad look on his face, his finger pressing to release the trigger. The magical spirit of a wolf appeared, charging towards their prey. Mokuba braced himself, Rebecca screamed and fire covered the three. "Flame Wall!" The two found themselves protected by a blazing shield.
The wolf vanished once the flames were set upon it. Stabbed into the ground was a large orange sword, a figure kneeing on the ground behind. Rising up the figure glared, setting her fierce auburn eyes on the figure before. Mokuba found himself filled with a variety of emotions, two of which were relief and happiness. Eyes locked onto the blonde hair that danced wildly inthe flames.
"You okay, Mokuba?" asked the auburn haired warrior.
"J-Joey!" Tears of relief filled Rebecca and Mokuba's eyes.
"My, so you finally appeared my blonde beauty!" The captain looked happy to see the other, despite the hard and fierce auburn eyes that were glaring at him with hate and disgust.
"You know, I never liked you. Something about you always turned me off. I guess I was right to stick with instinct. I don't know what hell is going on here, but I don't want you targeting those whom I deem close, ya bastard." Joey picked up her sword. "But first…Mokuba, tell me who put Mai in such a state. Was it this bastard, or someone else?" asked Joey. Her hand that was clenching her weapon tightened.
"It was Rose, on the orders of Alice. Lucius is staging a coup d'etat, and sealed off the emergency exits and chambers. There's nowhere to run, escape, or hide." explained Mokuba.
"Rose, huh? So I guess that's my next target. Once I'm done with you." All the flames in the room gathered to Joey's sword. Her sight locked onto the one before her, who readied his gun. "You seem to enjoy belittling people. You think of people's lives, theirs past, as something to toy with, too please your own amusement. I'll show you what people, born with half-breed blood, or those born from the lowest of the low, can accomplish!" Joey swung down her sword. Flames burst through the roof.
"Wrong answer, Muto Yugi. I can't not allow you to run to the king. He belongs to me and only me. I won't let anyone else have him. He's mine! Mine!" Yugi took a step back from the blonde who once had a beautiful face. Now she looked like a completely different person.
"A-Alice-san?"
"I'll kill anyone who dares to try and steal him away from me. I'll kill anyone who dares to think they can look upon him, laugh with him, love him, share his pain. His everything will belong to me, and me alone!" This was not the same sweet lady that Yugi once met, this person was someone else.
"You're obsessed...with Yami." Yugi flinched when Alice's cold eyes glared directly at her.
"Don't you dare call him by name! I never once liked you since you first came here. You bear too much of a resemblance to that wretch of a princess, the one who stole him from me once before! But not this time. This time, I will have him. And there's nothing in this world that can stop me." Alice vowed.
"Y-You're mad!" exclaimed Yugi. This in return earned her a twistedly sweet smile from Alice, who stood straight, removing a few locks of her hair from her face. "Maybe I am, but love does that to a person."
"That's not love. That's crazy! No sane person would act like this for the person they love. Your love is an fixation that has corrupted and turned you into a madwoman." Yugi could see clearer now. That Alice she saw before was nothing but a mask created to hide her obsession. "…It was you who killed those combines, wasn't it?"
"Of course! They had to go. They were getting to close to my darling~! Just like you. At first when he look at you, it was filled with nothing but hate and pain, but nowadays, that look has changed into something else. So, in order to stop a repeat of what happened before, I will eliminate you just like I eliminated Mai."
"You did...what? R-Repeat that a-again." The air around Yugi suddenly dropped.
"Your precious Mai-san no longer exists in this world. My dear Rose-chan killed her. She's dead." Alice bluntly stated without any care. Meanwhile, Yugi couldn't believe what she was hearing. She didn't want to believe that the sweet and motherly blonde, who was the first to show her such warmth, was no longer in this world, that once again she was unable to protect someone she cared about.
"You...You must pay!" Yugi exclaimed hastily. Tears of pain ran down her cheeks. She summoned her bow without calling out for the help of Silent Magician, a dagger in the other, as she positioned it in her bow.
"The little mouse grew a backbone while she was way, didn't she? Fine, I always liked a challenge. Noble of the night, Vampire Grace. Magic Conversion." A swirl of red wind covered Alice. When it disappeared, Alice was dressed in a very provocative and exposed outfit with armor. Her eyes locked onto Yugi, only to be caught by surprise as an arrow that was suddenly in her line of sight.
Quick to mask her expression, she simply dodged her head to side, the arrow missing her, but in her mind, "I didn't hear her when she fired it. Neither the wind nor her time of release could be heard. It was silent."
"Is that the best you got, Mousy?"
"You'll pay for what you did to Mai-san!"
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter!