The Queen of Water: Thanks as always for the review! ^-^
Aqua Girl 007: I'm glad you did and as always thanks for the review!^-^
Wow well here is no lie to what I've said before, but my longest chapter so far. Sorry it's so much,but there was just so much planned to happen and I didn't really want to cut it into two smaller chapters. I'm pretty sure of the upcoming ones are still fairly long, but not as much as this one...I think. Ah well I hope you enjoy this chapter as always! ^-^
Kiyomi: Feriua doesn't own anything that pertains to Yu-Gi-Oh at all, all rights belong to their rightful owners. She does own her original characters and plot.
~Chapter 36: Mirror Images~
Yugi let out a low groan as he rubbed his eyes. "Why did it seem like this transport into the Astralux seemed a little rougher than before?"
"It did seem rougher," Atem agreed as he massaged his temples to defer the pounding in his head from getting worse. Alara's had her hands resting on her knees as she stared at the floor taking in short painful breaths. She jumped when she felt a hand on her back, and she turned to see Yugi looking at her with worry in his eyes.
"Are you okay?" Yugi asked softly. "You've been getting rather jumpy lately."
"I'm fine my nerves are a little on edge with everything," Alara responded as she forced a smile on her face. She started to look around, and check their surroundings for any sign of the Daemonia.
'Something else deep down is bothering her, and I wish she would just talk to us about it so we can try to help,' Atem commented to Yugi as he watched Alara closely.
'I know, but you know how stubborn she can be about things,' Yugi replied. He had a feeling he knew about most of what might be bothering her already, but he had a feeling there was more. With every passing day something else just seemed to add to that growing list as he was noticing how much her normal fun and outgoing personality was slowly diminishing.
'I realize that, but it's starting to get worse. I feel like she's hiding something, something big, and I'm almost afraid to even know what it could be. I just wish she would talk to us like she's done before. Something can't be that so terrible she can't tell anyone, can't it?'
'I'm not sure,' Yugi whispered as he swallowed nervously, and made sure to block Atem from his next statement. 'In reality it is, and it kills me, as well as the others, to keep you in the dark so much. I fear when the time comes that you learn the truth should it play it out like how we believe it will.'
Alara took a cautious step forward as she noticed how normal their surroundings were. Usually in the Astralux everything was distorted and broken, but everything seemed perfectly fine except for everything being in different shades of pink. She took another step forward, but stopped to watch the ripple that moved away from her foot. As it moved outwards the floor changed to a reflection of their surrounds, and showed the true environment of the Astralux. Everything was destroyed, twisted, or mangled in different ways. But the surroundings were not what had caught the small group's attention, but their reflections starting back at them.
"What the hell is this?" Atem whispered as a dark grin spread across each of their reflection's faces.
"A mirror image of ourselves," Yugi said unable to look away. "Our exact opposites…our darker halves." Laughter from the other three filled the air as they kneeled down, and touched the ground. They pushed their hands through, and began to cross to the same side as Atem, Yug, and Alara.
"I thought I get rid of you for good," Alara said in disbelief as she moved backwards. The darker woman just tilted her head as she took a step towards her. She looked exactly like the woman from Alara's most recent vision. Atem's double looked just like Hotaru, while Yugi's copy had the same colorless features as Hotaru.
"What do we do?" Yugi asked as he moved back from the approaching double.
"Do what we're supposed to do," Atem growled as his khopesh appeared in his hand. "We take them down along with this Daemonia." Alara nodded with renewed confidence as her spear came to life. Similar darker versions of their weapons appeared in their double's hands as they prepared for battle. A simple black short sword appeared in the darker Yugi's hand while the other took a step back nervously.
"Oh come on," Yugi whined. "I don't have an actual weapon to defend myself."
"You have magic," Atem pointed out.
"That's not going to help much against an actual sword."
"Has Sorran not taught you any spells to manifest weapons or anything like that?" Alara asked.
"No he doesn't really trust me with sharp objects." Atem and Alara glanced at each other before covering their mouths to stop the laughter that threatened to escape. Yugi crossed his arms with a pout as he glared at them. "Seriously you two are not helping, and are being major asses."
"Think on your feet," Alara smirk as she rushed toward her double to start the fight. Atem swung at his double, and it was matched perfectly as their blades locked together. Yugi threw fireballs to distract his double as he frantically looked for something he could use as a weapon.
Alara leaned back as the dark spear made a slice at her throat just barely missing it. She released her spear temporarily as she leaned back onto her hands, and quickly kicked up hitting her double's hand sending the spear flying. It flew towards Atem's head as he continued his own fight. He barely saw it coming towards him as a shadow arm jumped up, and knocked the spear away in another direction.
"Watch where you're sending that thing flying," Atem yelled as he struck at his double's exposed chest.
"My bad!" Alara yelled as Atem was able to hit his target. The double yelled out as he stumbled back, and pressed a hand to his chest. When he pulled it away he could see black blood covering his hand. He let out a growl as he leaped toward Atem with his khopesh swinging wildly.
"Typical," Atem smirked. "Deal a lethal hit, and they'll attack without thinking. Which leaves them wide open for the final blow to end it all." When the double was just a few feet away Atem side stepped out of the way of the wildly swinging blade into a portal, and reappeared again just a few seconds later directly behind him. He drove his blade into its back, and through his heart. He let out a choked cry before collapsing to the ground and slowly fading away. With a sigh of relief he looked around to see how everyone else was doing.
Alara was still standing strong, but it appeared to be struggling a lot which was definitely not normal for her. Many cuts that were lightly bleeding covered her arms, and a couple was on her cheeks as well. Atem quickly looked over to Yugi as he heard a shout, and saw the enraged look on his face. He had never seen Yugi that mad except when he had lost control that one time and hurt Alara. He took two quick steps towards him to try and help, but a quick glare shot in his direction from Yugi made him stop in his tracks. He stood there watching him wondering what he was going to do to get out of his current predicament. He couldn't help but feel a little helpless and curious to why Yugi didn't want his help.
Yugi dived to the ground avoiding the down slash of the sword as he continued to franticly search for some kind of weapon. His eyes widened as they finally landed on something he could actually use. He started to scramble up for the pipe, but fell back down with quick cry of pain. He looked back to see the deep cut on the back of his calf, and the blood that was starting to stain his jeans. He pushed the pain to the back of his mind as he pushed himself onto his feet, and started limping towards the broken pipe on the ground.
"That's it," dark Yugi chuckled as he slowly followed him, and flicked the sword splattering the floor with blood. "Run away like the scared little boy you are. You are weak, your friends think you're nothing but a waste of space, and as much as you try you'll never be as strong as them."
"That's not true," Yugi growled through clenched teeth as his anger began to rise to an all new level. He collapsed to his hands and knees as a sharp pain shot up his leg. He looked up and saw the broken pipe just within reach so he stretched his arm out to grab it. His fingers barely brushed it as it rolled slightly towards him before a swift kick was placed in his stomach causing him to curl up in pain.
"That's right you can't even defend yourself without the help of your precious Pharaoh and Queen. I guess it'll be a relief when I kill you, and take your body so I may pass into the real world."
"I won't let it happen…" Yugi gasped through the pain as he made a reach for the pipe one more time. He saw the glint of the sword moving over him, and it made him quicken his efforts. He glanced up to the see the sickening smirk on his double's face just as he was able to wrap his fingers around the pipe.
"I'll let you in on a little secret before I kill you," he whispered as he kneeled down, and placed the tip of the sword over his heart. "Tea doesn't love you like you think she does, and she never truly wanted to be with you. She was actually in love with the Pharaoh, and only wanted to be with you so she could get to him."
That was the last straw as Yugi's eyes widened as he began to see red, and rage began to course through his body. He knew that was nothing, but lies were coming from his mouth. In his heart he knew the truth about his relationship with Tea, and the deep bond that he shared with his friends. Adrenaline began to course through his veins as the sword pulled up, and began to make its descent to end his life.
"LAIR!" Yugi screamed as he swung the pipe, and struck his double across the head. He jumped up immediately not feeling the pain in his leg and stomach anymore as rage contorted his face. His double was knocked back throwing his senses off from the blow to the head. His ears were ringing as he placed a hand to the side of his head, and pulled it away to see it covered in blood. With a growl he stood up, and had to fight off the dizziness that threatened to overcome him.
As Yugi waited for the oncoming attack his eyes flickered towards movement, and saw Atem start to move towards him. He gave him a quick glare that stopped him in his tracks before returning his attention back to the fight he was determined to win. Any other time he would appreciate the help from his friends, but he felt as if he needed to prove not only to them but himself as well that he could fight and defend himself.
"You little shit," the double snarled.
"That's what you get for spitting lies about my friends and girlfriend. You try to sway me with your words to break my defense, but you are wrong. I know the truth in my heart, and that's all that matters!" Yugi snarled as he flinched slightly from shifting his weight, and feeling the warmth of more blood began to run down his leg. "My friends love me for who I am as well as Tea. With every passing day and moment that I train with Alara, Atem, and Sorran my strength increases so that I can be able to defend myself without much issue."
"You're so confident in yourself, but there is still fear in your heart," he said as he slowly pushed himself back to his feet.
"There will always be some kind of fear of something in my heart that is human nature. Now you are the one that will be dying, and not leaving this world."
"With the measly pipe you can't do a damn thing," he laughed as he swung his sword. Yugi tightened his grip on the pipe before bringing it up, and knocking the blade aside with ease. His double let out a growl before swinging again with more force. Yugi blocked again but the force of the objects impacting made him stagger backwards before falling to one knee as his injured leg collapsed from underneath him. "Come on you're trying to prove yourself as man than come and defeat me."
"Oh I plan on it!" The double lunged forward bringing his sword in a downward slash. Yugi quickly pushed himself back on his feet to brace himself for the impact as the blocked the attack. As they collided he felt the vibrations run through his body before throwing the sword aside. With a quick thrust up he threw his left fist into his double's jaw making him stumble back.
'Now that we have a little bit of distance between us I have a few seconds to figure out how to get that sword away from him. If I can try to make him drop it I might be able to use it for my own offense.'
"That was a cheap shot, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt it was a good one," he said as he rubbed his jaw.
"A compliment like that seems out of place from you. I was expecting more of an insult."
"I'll remember that for next time." Dark Yugi swung his sword in a wide arc aiming for the other's exposed and weakly defended right side. Yugi ducked down with a smirk quickly as he found the perfect moment to strike. He had seen this exact same attack during one of Alara's and Rikku's practices, and he knew how to easily disarm him. The way he had swung his sword was a long fluid motion that took a lot of energy to do, and once you started you had to see it through to the end because it was very hard to stop.
Everything seemed to slow down as Yugi looked up, and watched the blade pass harmlessly over his head. As it fully cleared his head he stood back up, and swung the pipe into the other's wrist. The impact sent pain coursing through his wrist and up his arm. With a shout his hand involuntarily opened, and the sword fell from his hand clattering to the ground. Yugi knew it was going to hurt, but he was going to need the extra few seconds for his plan.
Yugi kicked his double in the chest sending him sprawling to the ground as he cried out in pain, and his vision briefly flashed white. He dropped to the ground, and started to feel for the sword as his vision slowly came back into focus. His hand found the blade first as it nicked his hand before lightly tracing up until his hand brushed the hilt. He grabbed the grip just as his vision fully focused back in, and stood up quickly pointing the sword at his double as he heard him getting up with a low groan.
'What the hell how is this little pipsqueak actually being able to best me so easily,' he thought as he pushed himself to his feet. As he looked up he was shocked to see the point of his sword right in front of his face. A smirk slid across his face as laughter began to build from his chest as he figured out his plan.
A scowl crossed Yugi's face as he wondered why he was laughing and had that smirk on his face. There was no way out of the position he was in, and with one quick blow he was going to win. Was there something that his double knew about that he didn't?
"What the hell is so funny?" Yugi asked as he took a step forward closing the distance more between them.
"You think you can kill me with my own sword, but I'm sorry you must be severely mistaken."
"What're you talking about?"
"A sword created of shadows can only be controlled by its master. So you a person of light can't control it." As if on cue a crack appeared in the blade, and quickly spread before shattering to pieces. Yugi looked at the empty grip in his hand with shock as fear began to creep into his heart again. His eyes flickered up momentarily as a copy of the original short sword appeared in his double's hand.
'My whole plan is now ruined. I have no true weapon of my own,' Yugi thought as his head dropped down.
"COME ON YUGI YOU CAN DO IT!" Atem yelled not believing he was just about to give up for how much he had been just fighting. "THINK YOU CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING TO USE! YOU HAVE TRUE PASSION, AND A FIGHTING SPIRIT BURNING IN YOUR HEART AND SOUL! DON'T GIVE UP NOW, SHOW THEM YOU'LL NEVER BE BESTED BY THE SHADOWS!" Atem's word echoed in Yugi's head as he felt something starting to stir. He wrapped his hand around his crystal as it began to pulse with soft reds and oranges.
'Burn…burn…that's it!' Yugi's head shot up as a satisfied smirk crossed his face, and he gave Atem a confident nod. He knew what he was going to have to do as he raised up the broken sword in front of his face.
"Ha what're you going to do throw the grip at me?" Dark Yugi laughed.
"No I'm going to defeat you with a weapon of my own making." Using the new shadow sword as a quick reference Yugi imagined every detail of the sword as he quickly put together a spell in his head. He just hoped his wording would be correct, and the outcome wouldn't work against him. "In medio ignis, et figura quae."
Nothing happened for a few seconds before flames shot out from the crystal, and swirled around Yugi's body. He started to panic that the spell wasn't working, but he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. If he started to panic now then he might lose control of the flames, and wouldn't get them to do what he wanted. As if on cue they headed towards the hilt, and swarmed upwards taking the exact shape of the blade that had only been there a few moments ago. A nice clean, sharp edge could be seen as the flames move up and curled off the tip.
"You were saying," Yugi smirked confidently as he spun the flaming sword once to test the weight. He was immediately pleased that it felt like no weight had been added at all. It would just work in his favor on how fast he could swing, but the only thing he had to do now was test the durability.
"That thing won't be able to protect you," the darker growled as he lunged forward for the first attack. With a quick twist of his wrist Yugi caught the other blade with ease and it held strong. He felt the drain on his energy to keep the flames solid enough to hold the other blade away from him. He was going to have to end this quickly before he passed out from using too much energy or before he could be killed.
Yugi pushed the sword off to the side as he threw his elbow up, and slamming it into his face. The darker half stumbled back trying to quickly regain his balance before Yugi could make a lethal hit. As he looked up he saw that he was now gone, and was immediately confused to how someone who was so injured could move so fast. He was given a seconds warning as he heard roaring of flames, and whipped around to see the flaming sword coming towards him. He moved to block the attack, but he was too late as the sword plunged through his chest. His eyes widened as he slowly looked back up, and took in a choked breath.
"I've won," Yugi said lowly with a neutral face. "The darkness shall never control me, and shall always fall." Yugi pulled the blade out, and released the magic as the flames died away. He dropped the useless grip on the floor as his double collapsed and faded away. He let out an exhausted breath before falling to his hands and knees as his vision blacked out momentarily. Footsteps approached and he knew that Atem was by his side.
"Yugi that was amazing I didn't think that was even possible," Atem said as he wrapped one of Yugi's arms around his neck and lifted him up.
"I didn't either it was just an idea you gave me."
"Now we know that your magic seems to have no bounds to it."
"All magic has some bounds to it one way or another just look at that the difference of things that you and Alara can do. Anyways we should see how Alara is doing." Atem nodded as they moved towards the sound of her battle. During Yugi's battle they had been slowly moving farther and farther away.
"Yugi I heard what you're double said. Is it true that you thought all of those things, especially about Tea?" He was quiet for a few seconds as he thought through his answer carefully.
"At one point I did, and I guess as I moved past them they just lied dormant in my heart. I felt weak and defenseless because I always had the bullies picking on me when I was younger. Tea, Joey, and Triston were always there to help me when they could. I was just afraid that I would never grow up to be strong enough to stand up for myself, and throw the torment they put me through back into their faces."
"Is that why you stopped me from helping you?"
"Yes I didn't mean to cast such a hard glare towards you, but I needed to stop you before you jumped in. I felt as if I could conquer my own fears, and darkness by myself I could prove to myself I was strong enough to defend myself on my own now. Plus the fact you were able to witness me doing that makes me feel like I've truly proved myself to someone else. Besides I figured if I got into a tight spot, and couldn't figure a way out of it you would help me."
"Of course I would, but you know you don't have to prove anything to us especially me. You know that I've seen you grow stronger and more confident over the years. Even if it didn't show a lot I knew deep down you had the power."
"Thank you Atem that means so much. As for Tea yes I was afraid that she was taking more of an interest in me, because of you. I thought she had a crush on me, and it almost appeared to grow when you showed up. I figured it was because how much more confident you acted."
"We know that's not the case now. Besides I did influence and help you to be more confident in yourself, and I think that helped a lot."
"It did, and I'm grateful for it." Yugi let out a small cry as the pain returned full force as the adrenaline running through his body started to decrease.
"Are you going to okay?"
"The sooner we get out of here the better, but I'll be fine for now." They stopped a few feet away from the fighting women as they took in the scene. Alara was still having issues, but it looked like she was starting to finally gain some ground.
"We need a find a way to help her," Atem commented as he slowly set Yugi down.
"We can't interfere this is her fight and hers alone," Yugi said.
"What do you mean?"
"I kind of figured it out by what some of my double was saying. This Daemonia basically has the power to create a mirror image of us. These doubles are our darker half made from some of our darkest fears in our hearts."
"So to overcome this Daemonia we must overcome our fears."
"Yes whatever ones that we are being presented with. Did yours say anything?"
"No it was a quick and clean fight."
"Yours was probably much easier, because you've already fought him once. You've faced your fears already so it was an easy task for you to take him out."
"I thought it seemed rather easy. What do you think is holding her back from winning?"
"Who knows it could be just about anything since we don't know what she's facing. We just have to stand by her, and support her until the end."
Alara was thrown to the floor as she rolled twice before stopping on her stomach. She coughed as the pain in her chest increased, and added to the rest of the throbbing pain throughout her body. She slowly pushed herself up to her knees, and wiped the blood coming from her split lip before glaring up at her double. A confident smirk was plastered on her face as she moved closer, spinning her spear around.
"Come on oh great Queen of Light," the woman snickered. "I thought you'd be more of a challenge, but here I am basically tossing you around like a ragdoll." Alara stood all the way up with a low growl as her mind continued to whirl with so many things it was hard to sort through them. "I remember you saying that you would never turn into me, and would easily defeat me. Yet I don't see your fighting spirit anymore. Where did it go? Did it run away like a scared puppy dog almost like how you look right now?"
"SHUT UP!" Alara yelled as she spun around, and kicked her in the chest. As the kick landed she grabbed Alara's ankle, and flung her to the side as she fell back. She quickly jumped up as she took a deep breath from getting the wind knocked out of her before advancing towards Alara where she was pushing herself back up also.
"I see I hit that sensitive spot again. Let's see how bad I can do it this time by reminding you of some of your worst fears, and the secrets that are hidden deep in your heart." Alara looked up to see Atem supporting Yugi as they were making their way closer to them.
'I have to either end this or hope they don't hear any of this. There are just some things that they don't need to know about now or ever.'
"Let's see such a long list," the darker woman teased. "Your fear of failing everyone as their souls are claimed by the shadows, your death before you can complete your tasks, losing the one person who has truly loved you…my you are such a wonderful book to read."
"Stop…it..."
"Losing your soul to the darkness, never unlocking your powers, and one of my favorite losing control and killing everyone you love. But of course the list doesn't end there."
"ENOUGH!" Alara yelled as she threw a blast of energy out, and sending the woman flying backwards. She knew the things she was afraid of, and it didn't need it to be announced to others. They worried about her enough already, but she didn't want them to hover her any more than what they do already. She was just glad she stopped her before the last one was said, and the real truth of everything was out. These darker fears she tried to keep under tight lock and key even from Lanea. Even though she did know about some of them; they had been discussed a little due to them pertaining partially to something that had happened recently.
These were the things she was going to have to work through on her own. They were her own personal problems, and she wasn't going to bother anybody with them. Her eyes flickered towards the boys as she heard their muffled voices as they were still slowly drawing closer. With renewed determination she rushed to where her double was just now finally starting to get up. She was going to end this, and end it right now. Her spear reappeared glowing brightly as she charged it with a large amount of energy, and brought it down towards her double's heart.
Alara was surprised to see the dark spear show up at the last second, and stop her attack immediately. A smirk crossed her double's face as a dark chuckle escaped her lips before pushing back allowing her room to stand up.
"There it is that fighting spirit," she said as she posed ready to fight. "Come on bring it I want to see that true power of yours." With a growl Alara quickly jumped forward stabbing at any open spot she could find in hopes to injure her. "Come on you're not thinking I thought Rikku taught you a lot better than this." She ducked under Alara's spear, and spun around taking her feet out from under her.
"Damn it," Alara hissed as she rolled away from the spear headed toward her face. 'She's right I need to take a second to clear my thoughts. If I don't I can't fully analyzing my situation, and be able to get around her defenses.' She jumped back up as she took in a slow deep breath to relax herself. She willed her thoughts away as she focused on the woman that was approaching her. She took in every detail about her that she was already familiar with as she began to play defense.
As Alara watched a couple of her movements she started to realize something that she started to beat herself up for not noticing earlier. Yes this woman a mirror image of herself, and worked in basically same way expect for her dark and twisted mind. Her double fought just like she did, and she noticed the similar patterns that she always stuck to when she fought. It was mainly quick attacks that did little damage, but could end up bringing that person down as they wore them out. Even she could feel her own energy began to drain away because of the cuts that covered her body. All she had to do was see if there was a pattern to the double's attack, and then she could find an exposed area she could attack.
'Left upward jab…downward slash…right upward jab…rotate behind back then slash across chest…slash at the throat…spin in front of body then left upward jab…there it is!' A confident smirk crossed Alara's face as she dodged the round of attacks again. As the spear flew towards the left side of her face again she took that moment to break through her double's defenses, and began her attack against her. She ducked under the blade, and threw a quick punch into her exposed side. The woman stumbled backward as she wrapped her arm around her side. She looked back up at Alara with eyes full of shock before anger began to contort her face.
"That was a cheap shot," she growled.
"All's fair in love and war," Alara smirked.
"Besides you never use hand combat just your magic, spear, or spirits."
"Times and things are changing, and you must be flexible and able to adapt to just about any situation. If not you will lose and lose quickly. With the upcoming war it is a matter of life or death in every single battle, at every single moment."
"Very well spoken, but can you finally put your actions where your mouth is?"
"Oh I plan on it!" Alara jumped forward, and tackled the other to the ground as they rolled around trying to pin the other down. She let out a huff of air as she was roughly pressed against the ground. She looked up as a flash of dark light caught her eye, and quickly threw up a force field to stop the spear from plunging into her chest.
Alara threw both her knees up sending the woman flying over her head, and crashing onto the ground behind her. She scrambled after her, and summoned her spear preparing to finally end it for good this time. The blade was sent plummeting towards the exposed chest, but there was a small flicker of movement from the woman before the spear hit the ground below.
"What the hell?" Alara whispered. Her double was still below her, but appeared to be on her hands and knees staring back up at her. "That's a dirty trick!"
"Just using my environment to my advantage," she smirked as she moved a few steps away. Within a few seconds she passed through the floor to the other side. Not wanting to wait any longer Alara rushed towards her. Their spears locked together as they pushed against other struggling to overpower each other. Both of their arms collapsed as they stumbled backwards, and stared each other down slightly out of breath.
"It seems that now we're evenly matched," the double whispered.
"That's where you're wrong," Alara growled. "I've always been stronger, and no matter the situation I will always be."
"Then where is this so called strength. I've seen nothing, but weakness."
"I don't belt it all out in the beginning for I feel as if the fight is over too quick I can't learn from my mistakes even if they are on purpose or not. Besides I can't find a weakness of my opponent's that I can use later on to help me more like I've done with you."
"I have no weakness!"
"You do because you are a mirror copy of myself so I'm recognizing my own weakness and faults in you. I can't make myself perfect, but seeing these things allows me to be able to strengthen myself further. It also allows me to defeat you!" Alara rushed forward again, and the spears locked together as the struggle continued. But this time it wasn't for long as she acted on her plan. She braced herself against her spear before releasing one of her hands, and sending the fist into the other woman's stomach. She stumbled back as she felt the wind knocked out of her.
Not wanting to waste one second to let her recover at all Alara swung her spear around, and took out the woman's feet from under her. Her scream pierced the air as Alara placed a deep cut across her chest.
"Told you wouldn't win, and I was stronger," Alara said evenly as she headed towards the others waiting for her. She had only made it halfway back to them when she noticed they were staring past her, and their eyes were slowly widening. "What?"
Yugi slowly pointed to behind her, and she whipped around to see what was happening that had grabbed their attention. A deep pink light was emanated from the cut on the woman's chest. It grew in intensity consuming the body before shifting upwards, and fading away to reveal a different girl. She looked to be around eight years old hugging a small, round mirror to her chest. Her hair fell past her waist that was a medium shade of pink, and she wore a thin, white dress.
"Who is that?" Atem asked glancing at Alara.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling it's the Daemonia's true form." She took a step towards the girl, but stopped as fear flashed across her face before being replaced with anger. The mirror flashed once, and they watched her age to about seventeen years old and clear transparent wings appeared on her back.
"What the hell just happened?" Yugi asked in shock.
"She's adapting herself to be in a better fit to fight," Alara answered as she started heading towards her. The mirror flashed again and two copies of the Daemonia appeared on either side of her causing her to stop in her tracks once again.
"I don't know which one is the real one," Alara growled as her eyes flickered between the girls looking for a clue to be able to differentiate between them.
"I think it's the one on the far right," Atem suggested.
"I can't tell so I'm just going to hit them all at once," Alara swiped her hand in a large arc, and a blast of energy shot forward. The women held out their mirrors, and they absorbed the attack. They flickered once before disappearing, and then reappeared the next second surrounding Alara.
"My mirror has absorbed your light, and now I'll send it back with double the strength," all of the woman said as the their mirrors glowed brightly. Alara's eyes widened as she tried to throw up a force field, but moved too slow as the attack fired from all five mirrors and hit her head on. A scream of pain rang out as the boys shielded their eyes from the blinding light that was completely obscuring her from sight.
"ALARA!" Atem yelled.
"They're not letting up on their attack we have to step in," Yugi said.
"Are you sure we can?"
"It's not her double anymore, but the true form of the Daemonia it shouldn't be an issue."
"That's all I really needed," Atem said as he took off running. "I just hope they don't try to absorb my attacks." He raised his hand up, and shadows sprung up from the ground creating a barrier between Alara and the attack from the mirrors. He spotted a small gap between two of the woman, and jumped through it, stopping in front of where she had collapsed to the ground.
"Alara are you okay?" Atem asked as he brushed some of her hair aside. He got no response from her as he realized she had been knocked unconscious. Now that he was much closer to her he could see how much she had actually taken a beating from this fight. He stood back up determined to stop this fight, and get her out of here. She was not in a good enough condition to fight anymore.
Atem noticed that he couldn't see any light from around his shadow wall. He dropped it to see they had stopped their attack, but as soon as they locked onto him the mirrors began to charge up for another attack.
"I'm not going to let you attack again," Atem growled as he dropped low. He spun around with an arm held out, and his shadows replicated the movement knocking into the women and sending them flying. As each one hit the ground they disappeared with a small flash of light until only one remained. "Well it looks like I've found the real one."
Shocked crossed the woman's face as she scrambled to her feet as Atem stood to follow her. With every step he took she took another back as she tried to think of a way to fight back. She knew she couldn't control the shadow magic he used; it would overwhelm her too easily.
Atem could tell she was distracted as he picked up the pace, closing the distance without her really noticing. He was only a few feet away when she looked back up at him, and pointed the mirror at him. He stopped to wait and see what she was going to do. She touched the surface, pulled her fingers away, and spun her arm around her head. A faint light followed the path that her hand took as the light began to fall down around her body. When it had fully wrapped around her body it flashed brightly once before fading away, and taking the woman with it.
"Did that seriously just happen?" Yugi asked breaking the silence after a few seconds. "Did she just run away from the fight?"
"I think she did, but I think I'm a little more worried about how the hell we're supposed to get out of here," Atem sighed as he turned around, and headed back towards Alara. He stopped next to her and bent down to pick her up, but stopped as she shifted slightly and a low moan sounded out from her.
"Why does it feel like someone took a jack hammer to my head and entire body?" Alara questioned as she rubbed her head, and pushed herself up onto her elbow.
"Well you did just take five attacks at twice the power you used head on," Yugi commented.
"That fully explains it, but wait where is the Daemonia? Did you take care of it Atem?"
"No," Atem replied as he shook his head. "It took off when I started to go after it."
"What the hell it just ran off?! I don't understand that has never happened!"
"I know, but we're all exhausted and running low on energy so I'm kind of thinking of it as a blessing."
"Except for the fact there is a Daemonia running around free. I'm just pissed that this one got away. Let's just hope it doesn't start to wreak havoc on everything, and we run into again so we can get rid of it for good," Alara sighed as she slowly pushed herself to her feet. She stopped half way as she wobbled slightly threatening to fall over, but she found her balance and finished standing. "So how are we supposed to get out of here?"
"We're not sure," Yugi answered. "I guess we were just hoping that since she's gone the Astralux should fade on its own unless another Daemonia is lurking around." As if on cue the world around them began to flicker, and transfer them back into the food court of the mall.
"Thank Ra that actually happened, because I didn't want to be in there much longer," Alara sighed.
"YUGI, ALARA, ATEM!" They turned toward the voice to see the group running back up to them.
"Did you guys take care of everything?" Joey asked slightly out of breath.
"We took care of Bakura and Malik until they decided to run away again, but the Daemonia escaped from us," Atem answered.
"Dae-what?" Kaiba questioned.
"A demon created from the darkness within a human's heart."
"So this demon is just running around?"
"Basically"
"Why didn't go you after it then?"
"We could only do so much," Atem snapped at how annoying he was getting with his sudden twenty questions. "We're all running low on energy, Yugi has a bad injury, Alara took a very powerful hit, and it's kind of hard to chase something if you don't know where it's teleported to."
"What happened to you?" Tristan asked turning towards Yugi. With a wince he pushed himself back to his feet, and turned around revealing the nasty, deep cut. Dried blood was caked around it, and the stress he put on his leg from standing back up had opened it again making it start to bleed again.
"Atem help him to the fountain," Alara said as she moved towards it herself.
"What're you doing?" Yugi questioned as he let himself be supported.
"I'm going to clean that, and heal it for you."
"No Alara seriously it can wait until later. You're really weak and tired I'll survive until we get home."
"Yugi sit now!" Alara snapped as she pointed down, and he sat down obediently as Atem released him from his grip. "I'm not going to let that sit any longer especially if there are any residual amounts of shadow magic. It'll get infected ten times worse than any normal cut so it'll be done now. Besides it won't kill me to do this."
"Do you realize the amount of bacteria that's probably floating around in this water?" Yugi countered quickly.
"I kind of figured that in the first place, but we have to wash as much of this off. When I'm closing the wound and purifying any of shadow magic it'll take care of the bacteria as well. Now take off your boot and your sock."
"Damn just about as obedient as the dog over here," Kaiba smirked as he jammed his thumb in Joey's direction.
"Why don't you shut the hell up?" Joey yelled as he jumped towards him.
"JOEY ENOUGH!" Haruka yelled as she stepped between the two men. Every one gave her a shocked not expecting the outburst from her being normally quiet girl during these arguments.
"All of you that's enough," Alara snapped next. "At one point or another we're all going to most likely have to work together to overcome this. I suggest you start practicing on working together now!" The two boys crossed their arms in front of their chests, and turned away with a scowl. Even if they didn't want to admit it and pained them they could feel the truth in her statement.
"Oh yea Kaiba," Yugi said as he watched him out of the corner of his eye. He waited until Kaiba's icy glare turned his way before giving him the finger quickly, and then leaning over to remove his boot.
"Oh you spikey haired little shit," Kaiba raged, and started to storm towards them. He was knocked back slightly as he ran into an invisible wall.
"Kaiba for Haruka's sake and for some other currently unknown reasons stay over there," Alara threatened before turning her attention back to Yugi. She took in the sight of his blood soaked sock before placing a swift smack across his head.
"Ow what the hell was that for?" he said as he rubbed the sore spot with a pout.
"Didn't I just yell at them to not start shit, and you try it next?"
"He started it," he murmured as he focused on the water next him.
"Oh all of you quit acting like Ra damn five years old, and finish taking your sock off." Alara turned her glare towards Atem who was snickering behind her. "You have nothing to laugh at I could say the same thing to you a few times. Now please come over here I'll need your help. Yugi put your foot in the water." He did as he was told, and shivered slightly at the chilled water. Alara reached down, and filled her cupped hand and began to run it down his leg. Atem watched her do it again, and got the idea of what she was doing and began to help her do the same thing.
"Keep doing this as I heal it so it continues to get washed off." Atem nodded as she gently placed her hand over the cut, and Yugi flinched and let out a hiss as the pain began to pulse through his leg. "I know it hurts, but you have to sit as still as possible." He nodded slightly, and she began the process of healing him.
Everyone watched in awe over the next few minutes as the small amount of shadow magic crawled out of the cut and disappeared, and then the cut closed up leaving no scar to show it was even there. Alara stopped when she felt the cut had finished healing and the light faded away. Her vision blacked out momentarily, and she rocked slightly threatening to fall over. She shook her head slightly trying to push away the exhaustion that was hanging over her. Her eyes lazily moved up to meet Atem's as he watched her closely as he continued to run the water over Yugi's leg.
"I'm fine," she whispered with a weak smile. She could feel his uneasiness and worry. "Now that it's healed just rub it few times to get the rest of the dried blood off." He unwilling broke his gaze away to finish up. With a sigh Alara stood up and began to move towards the rest of the group that was waiting quietly.
"I still have your bags," Joey said with a cocky smile as he lifted them, and Alara couldn't help but laugh at his action to lighten the tension in the air.
"Thanks Joey you're…" Alara stopped as her vision turned fuzzy, and heard her heart began to race in her ears. She could just barely make out muffled shouts as everything in front of her began to move towards her as she felt herself falling forward. It felt like she falling in slow motion as she waited to hit the ground, but before darkness fully took over her mind she felt herself hit something a little softer.
Everyone watched as Alara froze, and her eyes grew wide before she rocked back and forth. All the boys shouted her name as they all made a mad dash to catch her before she could hit the ground. The closest person dropped to his knees, and slid across the ground as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He stopped her descent just before she could hit the ground, and pulled her back against his chest. With a sigh of relief Kaiba relaxed slightly before standing up, and lifting Alara up into his arms.
"I do say that was a nice catch," Joey complimented as Triston reached over, and placed a hand on his forehead. "What the hell are ya doing?"
"Checking to make sure you don't have a fever consider you just gave him a compliment."
"I was just being nice."
"Thanks anyways," Kaiba said as he tried to fight the smile that tugged at his lips. "Besides I think we all felt the truth in her words we're going to all have to work together. Even if we all can't use magic, and I rather not get pulled into your madness."
"Odd usually you wouldn't normally agree to help us in any shape, way, or form," Atem said as he crossed his arms. "What's with the sudden change?"
"I have a feeling if I try to avoid you geeks at all costs, and not get involved I'm going to get dragged into it all one way or another. Most likely by her considering she has a way of bringing us together, and making us actually work and function together."
"He's got a point," Yugi said finally pulled his boot back on, and everyone nodded in agreement.
"I think it might be a good idea to get out of here," Haruka suggested as the sound of sirens from outside began to reach their ears.
"Yea let's take the back entrance," Atem suggested as he took Alara from Kaiba, and everyone rushed out the backdoors. "You've seriously got to stop overwhelming yourself like this every time." They stuck together to avoid the police that were starting to surround the area, and when they got far enough away they spilt off towards their own homes.
Atem set Alara down on her bed, and set her bags beside her closet. When he turned around he was surprised to see Isamu lying down next to Alara's bed.
"Kimi and Rikku are at the shop, and they want to discuss everything that happened."
"Rikku?"
"A little mad about what happened, but smug since he was right about taking the day off."
"Yea well lessoned learned, but at least we got a little bit of relaxing out of it."
"Yet what you did was reckless she could have been killed today."
"She wasn't…"
"But she was fairly close to doing that or even causing severe damage to herself," Isamu cut off quickly with a snarl. "Even now I can feel her energy levels are lower than what they've ever been before. I know she tends to push herself to be stronger, but she's slowly getting more reckless about it. Right now she needs to do nothing, but rest for a while she will need all of the energy she can muster tomorrow. She has a very hard task ahead of her, and if she can't work through it then we'll all be in jeopardy."
"Is it really that bad?"
"From what Moru can predict, yes. If she doesn't do this then she can't get her powers under control, and unlock the true power hidden deep within that is begging to come out."
"How bad could it get? I mean we've had some of those scares in the past."
"Those are nothing to what she could do, and if it reaches that point it will be the death of us all, intentionally or not. As her overall strength continues to grow so will the strength in her outbursts, and the frequency of when they are happening. There could even be a possibility of her having an outburst without any external stimuli to cause it, like what's has happened with the rest."
"You've seen this happen in a vision…haven't you?"
"At one point we did, but the future is ever changing based on our decisions and actions in the present. We can't truly predict what's going to happen, and that's what makes us so wary of everything she does. One wrong thing could turn this all for the worst, and even if we might seem cruel at times it's for everyone's sake. We're trying to guide her down the right path the best way we can think of, and avoid as much of this as possible." Atem nodded in understanding as he turned his attention towards the sleeping form of Alara as he absorbed the information. He knew there were extreme dangers with everything, but he had been downgrading everything to make himself feel like everything would truly be okay in the end and they would pull through.
"You should really get back to the shop they're waiting on you, and really want you there during the discussion," Isamu said breaking the silence.
"It feels like it's going to be more like a heated debate more than a discussion," Atem smirked with a shake of his head. "What about her?"
"I'm going to stay here, and watch over her you have nothing to worry about." He nodded his head before leaning down, and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. With a sigh he stepped into a portal as he tried to mentally prepare himself for when he arrived at the shop, but he knew it would end up being useless.
Isamu watched him leave with a hard unrelenting gaze before turning back to Alara when he had fully disappeared. He stood up and place his front paws on the edge of the bed as he watched her carefully. Her eyes were darting wildly underneath her eyelids as she twitched every couple of seconds.
"What is troubling your dreams so much my Queen?" he whispered as he pushed her bangs away from her eyes with his nose. "What is it that you're seeing now?"
in medio ignis, et figura quae:ignite and contain yourself within this shape
Oh my Ra I love the arguments in this chapter. It just makes it feel so more natural among all of them. Oh and watch out for the motherly side of Alara coming out there.
Alara: I hate you *pouts*
No you don't *smirks*
Alara: *turns around letting out a huff*
Ah well until next week please favorite/follow/review! ^-^