This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and we both own the OCs that are used in the story. Credit to author AaronCottrell97 for a few ideas and character suggestions (especially the duel layout for the story). Everything else belongs to their respective owners:
Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel
The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami
WARNING: This particular story is rated for fantasy violence and some language.
NOTE: This takes place during Chapter 185 "Once In A Blue Moon", with flashbacks and a whole bunch of unseen moments set in the past life of both Anakin and Anastasia
Title: A Guardian Angel's Remorse
Opening up in one part of the forest, there was some sort of large, ancient circle in the center of the area. Statues were placed on opposite ends, and a large rock laid in the middle. Currently resting within the ancient circle was the spirit of the deceased princess, Anastasia. She was currently doing a lot of thinking.
"Thomas..." Anastasia thought to herself. "I know you're coming here real soon with Anakin and Diablon both sealed within your heart and soul." The brunette-haired young woman then started to remember something from long ago. "Anakin... I haven't forgotten what happened those years ago."
A flashback commenced.
FLASHBACK
Many years ago, Anastasia and Anakin had been found out by King Reginald of their attempts of forging peace treaties with other kingdoms, and of their wedding. Enraged, the King tried to kill Anakin only for Anastasia to take the blow instead.
"I...love...you... my Ani... and I...will always...be with...you..." whispered Flashback Anastasia, breathing her last breath.
With that said, the brunette-haired young woman finally closed her eyes and died peacefully in her friend/lover's arms. Poor Flashback Anakin was beyond devastated when he felt no more life in the beautiful princess...
"Anastasia! ANASTASIA!" The black-haired young man screamed repeatedly, crying in his great despair as Flashback Anastasia finally turned to light and vanished.
Anastasia's Mother was also weeping over her daughter's death. As for Anastasia's Father... he looked both shocked and upset with what he had done.
"Anastasia..." whispered Flashback King Reginald. "What have I-?" His face then twisted into great rage as he immediately blamed someone else. "You... This was all your doing, Anakin! YOU were the one who got my daughter killed!"
Silence filled the whole throne room from that claim. After a few seconds, Flashback Anakin, with his hands now stained in Flashback Anastasia's blood, stood back up with his back turned. But what Flashback King Reginald saw when the black-haired young man had finally turned back around had shocked him (Anastasia's Father) greatly. Flashback Anakin's eyes were now shining blood red, and his face was now that of nothing but pure fury. Whatever sanity Flashback Anakin had left when Flashback Anastasia was alive was now completely gone.
"No, I didn't..." he mumbled darkly. The black-haired young man gazed at his 'King' in blind rage. "YOU did! If it hadn't been for your tyranny, Anastasia and I could have had a wonderful life together! Now it will never happen, and it's all your fault!" Immediately, Flashback Anakin's anger had reached its breaking point as he fell into insanity. "YOU WILL DIE WHERE YOU STAND!"
Anastasia's Father reeled back in shock, but anger then burned in his blood and he tried to kill Flashback Anakin once more. However, Anakin easily dodged the blow and instead fatally impaled Flashback King Reginald through the throat with a sword, killing him.
"My husband!" screamed Flashback Queen Imelda, watching helplessly as Flashback Anakin immediately pulled the weapon out, and Flashback King Reginald, with a dying gargle as he got choked full with blood, collapsed facedown on the floor before turning to light...and vanishing.
"W-What have I been doing?!" Flashback Anakin asked aloud, like his vision had become clear once more. "What have I done?!"
The Blade Knights recovered from their shock and angrily were prepared to avenge their King when Flashback Queen Imelda's voice stopped them.
"Stop!"
The Blade Knights did as they were told as Anastasia's Mother ran towards Flashback Anakin, who was seemingly filled with remorse over what he did.
"Oh, Your Majesty, I'm so sorry!" Flashback Anakin seemed to cry from shame and guilt. "I didn't mean to go this far! I... I..."
"Shh, it wasn't your fault, Anakin." said Flashback Queen Imelda softly, hugging the poor boy. "Everything will be okay."
Suddenly...
*SLASH!*
Flashback Queen Imelda's eyes widened from the agonizing pain she was feeling. Flashback Anakin...had used a knife he had hidden inside his tunic's sleeve to secretly stab Flashback Queen Imelda fatally. Anastasia's Mother let go of Flashback Anakin and collapsed onto the floor, now dead, fading to light as well. Flashback Anakin was shown to be no longer crying, he was now...smiling at what he did.
"At least now you'll always be with your family..." The insane young man said in the darkest of tones.
Before long, Flashback Anakin was on a rampage throughout the whole castle, killing everyone in his sights in a bloody and messy detail, all while laughing dementedly at doing the deeds.
"What goes around 'comes' around!" he cackled madly.
Without the woman he loved, Flashback Anakin had no further use for this kingdom or for any sort of friends.
(new scene...)
With the kingdom of Rondeval in ruins, and its people dead, Flashback Anakin had no where else to go. With his lover dead, he had no reason to live.
"Anastasia..." Flashback Anakin thought to himself, slumping down a dirt road. "Living without you is a fate far worse than death itself. What have we done to deserve such a cruel fate?"
Unknown to the black-haired young man, Anastasia wasn't completely gone... As Flashback Anakin continued to stumble down the road, something was happening behind him...
"Anakin..." A female voice, a very familiar one at that, echoed softly.
In a mixture of wisps, smoke, and particles of light, the body of Anastasia formed - in spirit form.
"Anakin!" The spirit of the dead princess called out. "It's me! Anastasia! Can you hear me?!"
Unfortunately, Flashback Anakin did not hear. He simply slumped down the dirt road like he was in a drunken trance or something.
"Anakin, please look at me!" Flashback Anastasia begged. "I'm here for you! Please, you have to hear my voice!"
Still, there was no response from the despondent Flashback Anakin. It was as if he couldn't see or hear her. Before long, the depressed black-haired young man found a sharp shard of glass lying in the middle of the road. Curiously, he carefully picked the glass up and looked at it long and hard. As Flashback Anakin looked at it, the idea of being with Anastasia plagued his unstable mind. Suddenly, he began to raise his arm to the sky with the glass in his hand. Flashback Anakin was going to try and impale himself!
"No!" exclaimed Flashback Anastasia, realizing what was about to happen.
Before Flashback Anakin could kill himself, he felt something grabbing onto his wrists and stopping him.
"Let me die!" begged Flashback Anakin. "Please! I have no reason left to live in this world! Show mercy upon my tortured soul, and let me die!"
As Flashback Anakin lowered his head and sobbed in frustration, the spirit of his deceased wife was shown looking over him. It was clear Flashback Anastasia didn't want her husband to kill himself - she wanted him to live and carry on their legacy.
"No, Anakin." The brunette-haired young woman said firmly, even though the crying, heartbroken Flashback Anakin couldn't hear her. "I won't let you end your life like this. You must live!"
Flashback Anastasia thus made it her goal to keep a close eye on Flashback Anakin, serving as his Guardian Angel of sorts. But I'm sorry to say that Flashback Anakin would not give up until he succeeded in killing himself. On his next suicide attempt, Flashback Anakin stood over a large cliff, preparing to jump off. But...
(elsewhere...)
At the bottom of the cliff, a farmer and his horse were taking a cart full of hay to market. Unknown to either of them, the hitch to the cart came undone and began rolling backwards.
(elsewhere)
Back atop the cliff, Flashback Anakin slowly leaned backwards.
"Anastasia... we will be together again soon, my love..." he whispered, falling off the cliff to his seeming death.
But just before the depressed warrior could hit the bottom and break every bone in his body, he landed safely in the cart full of hay.
"What the hell?!" cried Flashback Anakin when he realized what had happened, and was not happy about it. "Where did this bloody cart come from?!"
As it turns out, Flashback Anastasia was the one who had moved the cart in order to catch Flashback Anakin as he fell. The nearby farmer was surprised; how did his cart move without the horse? Flashback Anastasia was relieved that she saved the black-haired young man again. Just then...
"Anastasia..." The voice of a woman echoed.
Flashback Anastasia knew that voice all too well.
"Mother?"
Indeed... The spirit of Flashback Queen Imelda suddenly showed up to speak to her daughter.
"Anastasia, it's been a while." The former Queen greeted positively.
"I wasn't expecting to see you, Mother." Flashback Anastasia admitted, surprised but pleased to see her Mother again. "Why the sudden visit?"
"Anastasia, why are you trying to keep Anakin alive?" asked Flashback Queen Imelda.
"I have to protect him." answered Flashback Anastasia. "Yet he still remains determined to die."
"Right now, his heart is filled with nothing but pain." explained Flashback Queen Imelda. "The longer he lives on, the worse the pain will grow. And the worse his pain grows, the more his mental health will decline." She then came closer and put her hands on Flashback Anastasia's shoulders. "My daughter, you need to listen carefully... You must let Anakin die. Let him end that pain before it is too late for him to turn back."
"Mother..." whispered Flashback Anastasia, before stubbornly shaking her head. "I can't! I won't! If I can keep saving Anakin, maybe he'll finally decide to move on with his life."
Flashback Queen Imelda frowned. "Are you absolutely sure that is wise?"
"As long as Anakin lives-" continued Flashback Anastasia . "-our legacy and memories will live on through him. But if he dies, then all of us; you, me, Leonardo, Ester, and Joan... We will be but a forgotten bunch."
Flashback Queen Imelda said nothing, but instead continued to stare long and hard at her daughter, hoping she was making the right decision on the matter.
"After all of the terrible things your Father has done-" she said sadly. "-perhaps we 'are' better off forgotten."
With that said, the spirit of the former Queen faded away. Flashback Anastasia couldn't help but feel hurt that her own Mother wanted to be forgotten...
(elsewhere...)
This carried on for the following weeks. Each time Flashback Anakin tried to kill himself, Flashback Anastasia would put a stop to it. Eventually, the black-haired young man decided to give up on his suicide attempts. Flashback Anastasia felt satisfied; maybe now Flashback Anakin could finally move on with his life. Unfortunately, she was dead wrong. Flashback Anakin had decided that if he could not join Anastasia in death, then he would find a way to bring her back to life.
"Is this the place?" The voice of Flashback Anakin echoed through the mountain area.
As shown, the black-haired young man's journey brought him to a cavern somewhere in the mountains, far from the kingdom of Rondeval. Meanwhile, a curious Flashback Anastasia was following her husband, wondering what he was doing.
"Ani?" The brunette-haired young woman quizzed. "What's he doing here in the mountains?"
She followed Flashback Anakin into one of the caves. Inside the cave, Flashback Anakin read one of the pages from the book he was carrying.
"'Inside the Mystical Cave of the Darkness, you will find the resting tomb of the three Sacred Beasts'." The black-haired young man spoke aloud. "'Once they have been unlocked, eternal power, and great darkness will be unleashed... and you would be granted all the power you want'." Flashback Anakin looked back up at the carvings. "All the power I want? Maybe even to..."
Flashback Anakin thought that with that given power, he could potentially bring Anastasia and their unborn baby back to life. At this point, he was so insane and desperate, that he was willing to do absolutely anything to bring his friend/lover back—even if what he did to do it was completely wrong.
"I must do this! Nothing will stop me from bringing Anastasia back!"
Nearby, Flashback Anastasia overheard her husband speaking of the Sacred Beasts, before remembering reading something about them when she was still alive.
"'The Sacred Beasts are the most dangerous creatures this world has ever known. Anyone who tries to control their power will become corrupted by darkness'..." The princess whispered, before her eyes widened. "Oh no! If Anakin releases them, this whole world will be put in grave danger! Anakin, don't do it!"
But it was too late. Flashback Anakin then began to read the inscriptions on the wall with which to awaken the beasts. The language he was speaking in was almost similar to how one must speak in to activate the powers of 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'. Once the black-haired young man was all finished, the tombs started glowing.
"I've done it!" smiled Flashback Anakin. Suddenly, his look of triumph turned into one of confusion. "Huh? What's-?"
The glowing tombs then fired beams of energy all around the whole cavern, releasing many, many, MANY forces of darkness. Flashback Anakin became very worried; did he truly make the right choice on the matter? Quickly, however, Flashback Anakin started to greatly regret it...
"What have I done?"
Flashback Anastasia watched in horror as darkness was released from the seal, but what really made her frightened was something about to come out and attack Flashback Anakin.
"Ani!" she called out. "Look out!"
Unfortunately, one final beam struck Flashback Anakin, causing him to scream loudly as the darkness in his heart...was completely unleashed. As Flashback Anakin screamed and screamed while his tainted heart became eaten by the darkness, his skin started to turn grey and become bulkier, with spikes protruding from his shoulders, arms, and ankles, ripping his tunic due to the enlarged muscle mass and the large pair of black demonic wings began sprouting from his back, leaving him in nothing but his belt and trousers which were now tattered at the cuffs. His face became even veinier and his ears were replaced by wing-like appendages. His boots were also torn as his feet expanded and became spiked as well. His pupils became slits and his irises continued to glow a luminous crimson.
"Anakin!" screamed Flashback Anastasia.
The eyes of 'Anakin' started glowing a bright mixture of red and gold. At last, the new demonic, form of Flashback Anakin let loose an almighty roar of rage.
(elsewhere...)
Outside, many, MANY ghostly orbs were flying from the mountains to who knows where... just before...
*BOOM!*
A large explosion sounded, shaking the entire mountainside. When the smoke had cleared away, all was quiet at first... Just then, there were a pair of glowing eyes in the spot to where the mountains originally were.
"Darkness... How I've long awaited for you to come..." spoke a new voice (male) through the cloud of dust. "With your powers under my command, we will conquer all who stand against me!"
The cloud of dust cleared, revealing Flashback Diablon. Floating in the sky, Flashback Anastasia couldn't believe what she just saw happen.
"Ani..." The brunette-haired young woman asked herself sadly. "Why? Why would you do this to yourself?"
Unfortunately for her, Flashback Diablon wasn't going to be alone for much longer... Just then, some footsteps were heard from the nearby distance, making the 'Evil One' scowl and get into a defensive stance.
"Halt!" he ordered. "Who's out there?!"
The approaching figures consisted of a Vampire Lord, a Vampire Lady, a The Earl of Demise, a Darkbishop Archfiend, and a Witty Phantom.
"Greetings." spoke Flashback Vampire Lord.
"Who are you five?" demanded Flashback Diablon. "And where did you come from?"
"We are the Court of Darkness." explained Flashback Vampire Lady.
"Court of Darkness? Tch! I've never heard of you."
"We are small in numbers and force at the moment." explained Flashback Vampire Lord. "But with you by our side, that can easily change."
"I don't take orders from the likes of you." spat Flashback Diablon, turning away while folding his arms. "You can forget about me serving you lot!"
"Actually, it will be you who shall lead us." Flashback Vampire Lord corrected.
The 'Evil One' turned to look back at the five evil monsters—but he didn't say a single word. Did they actually want him to be their leader?
"We want to serve under you." added Flashback Darkbishop Archfiend.
"Which is why we've been traveled long and hard for many, many years." came from Flashback Witty Phantom. "It was all to meet, and serve under, you... Lord Diablon..."
"Lord Diablon..." mused the demon, finally managing to smile slightly. "Heh! That actually has a nice ring to it."
As the Court of Darkness bowed to their new leader, more and more evil Duel Monsters crowded in and bowed to Flashback Diablon. Still watching the whole scene, Flashback Anastasia became more frightened as Flashback Diablon now had an army of his own. But it wasn't over just yet...
(elsewhere…)
Alone in a section of the spirit world was Flashback Airknight Parshath, a good friend to Flashback Anakin and Flashback Anastasia. Alas, he had heard about the deaths of the soldier and princess, and he felt awful about it. The two best friends he'd ever had were gone. And what's worse is that he had no idea who even did the deed! Just then, the spirit of Flashback Anastasia appeared behind him.
"Parshath, dear friend!" she cried in somewhat relief. "Thank goodness I've found you. Anakin is in terrible trouble. He's awakened the 'Sacred Beasts' in an attempt to bring me back to life, but now he has been consumed by darkness!"
But just like with Flashback Anakin, Flashback Airknight Parshath couldn't see or hear the princess.
"GODDAMMIT!" The centaur-like monster cried out, hurling fallen debris aside in his anger. "Why? Why did they have to die?! Who could have done this unforgiving deed?! I wish there was a way I could bring them back!"
"Oh, you do?" echoed a new voice (male).
Flashback Airknight Parshath turned and saw a small squad of Duel Monsters, along with a demonic-like human, approaching him. Because it was very dark, the demonic-like human was completely concealed by the darkness (with an exception to his glowing red eyes).
"You wish to bring your two friends back?" asked the demon. "The answer is very simple."
"How?" demanded Flashback Airknight Parshath, growing more and more desperate. "You have to tell me, please!"
"All you have to do is join me." continued the demon, managing to briefly show himself. "Learn to use the darkness to its full potential."
"Darkness?" It was then Flashback Airknight Parshath realized something about who he was talking to... "Hold on! Your voice... it sounds so familiar to me... do I know you from somewhere?"
The demon's glowing red eyes narrowed. "No, you do not. You may think you know me, but you actually don't."
He walked back into the shadows, while the centaur-like monster frowned and gave a dejected sigh for getting his hopes of ever seeing Anakin and Anastasia ever again up.
"Besides..." spoke one of the Duel Monsters (Flashback Vampire Lord). "By joining forces with the Court of Darkness, you can achieve many great things."
"Really?" asked Flashback Airknight Parshath, looking at the Court of Darkness member.
"Don't listen to them!" Flashback Anastasia begged. "They are trying to deceive you!"
But alas, her words had fallen on deaf ears. After being promised with the opportunity to revive his fallen friends, as well as being defeated in a duel, Flashback Airknight Parshath gave himself into the dark side and joined Flashback Diablon and the Court of Darkness.
"Oh, Ani..." Flashback Anastasia murmured. "You've corrupted one of our friends to your side. When will this all stop?"
I'm sorry to say that it 'wouldn't' stop.
(MONTAGE)
As the years went by, Diablon and the Court of Darkness waged countless wars on all of the following kingdoms of the Duel Monsters spirit world, killing anyone who would not serve them or for no good reason (including children, as requested by Flashback Diablon).
"Anakin...?" A defeated Blade Knight, looking up at Flashback Diablon, whispered in disbelief, just before dying. "Why would you do this?"
"Anakin? Oh, Anakin is dead, my friend." The demonic-looking young man corrected, watching as the killed monster faded away into light. There was no sign of any kind of remorse on his smiling face. "From now on, you can call me...Diablon. And, as you can see, I'm a lot happier!"
Another moment in his reign of terror, Flashback Diablon defeated and killed Flashback Prince Randolph before his troops stormed and destroyed the kingdom the manchild-like prince ruled over. Flashback Anastasia, who was watching all that was happening, could not help but feel sorry for Prince Randolph despite hating his guts. And during another attack on a village, Flashback Diablon stood atop the cliff-side above the town, observing the townsfolk foolishly resisting against his army in sadistic pleasure.
"More ants to crush." commented Flashback Diablon loudly. "I wonder if this world can offer me a real challenge."
At that moment, Diablon heard the footsteps of someone approaching on the cliff. A young apprentice, in his teenage years, had managed to escape the ongoing battle with his life after being completely overpowered and had climbed up the cliff in the hope of hiding from the Court of Darkness. Unfortunately for him, however, he had come into direct contact with the Court's very own feared ruler. Diablon smirked in satisfaction. It would seem his desires were being fulfilled.
"And as if to answer, the world sends me a trembling child." he said, before jumping down to the young apprentice, striking even further fear into the boy. "Are you going to fight and die here? Or, run away in fear again?"
The poor boy was too terrified to speak. He was facing the most feared and dangerous being in the world, the devil himself. The boy wanted to quickly run away and scream for help, but he was completely paralysed by fear and couldn't move a muscle... Until, at last, the boy finally appeared to pluck up courage and drew forth his weapon against the demon. Diablon, however, wasn't worried in the slightest. In fact, he was rather amused by the boy's foolishness.
"Fine. I will teach you fear, then pain, and then... Well, the fear and pain will both actually be the end of you."
"Anakin, no!" Flashback Anastasia begged, but knew it was pointless. "Don't hurt him! He's just a child!"
With a loud cry, the 'Evil One' charged forth...
(END MONTAGE)
Later, after a successful battle against another kingdom, Flashback Diablon decided to settle on his throne and meditate in silence.
"Anastasia..." he murmured quietly. "Give me sanity..."
Flashback Anastasia, though still in love with Anakin, finally had enough of the senseless destruction left behind by Flashback Diablon and the Court of Darkness.
"Anakin, please stop!" she pleaded, hoping that her lover was still somewhere within this monster. "Stop doing this! Stop hurting the innocent people of our world! This is 'not' who you are meant to be!"
"What in blazes are you talking about, my daughter?" The voice of a stern male demanded. "This is great!"
"No!" gasped Flashback Anastasia, hoping that the voice didn't belong to 'him'. "Please no!"
Unfortunately, it was him... Appearing in wisps and smoke, was Anastasia's dead Father, King Reginald (or former King). Flashback Anastasia was terrified to see him.
"F-Father!"
"I'm pleased, Anastasia." smiled Flashback King Reginald, although there was a wicked gleam shining in his eyes. "I'm pleased with you. Because you prevented Anakin from needlessly killing himself, you've redeemed yourself in my eyes."
"R-Redeemed myself?" stuttered Flashback Anastasia.
"By forcing Anakin to live on while suffering-" explained Flashback King Reginald. "-you have redeemed yourself for disobeying my wishes by not marrying Prince Randolph. Not only that, but now the most powerful warrior in the world has been created to lay waste to all those kingdoms that would defy me. If I can't have any of them, no one else can!"
"Father, please!" begged Flashback Anastasia, falling to her hands and knees whilst becoming close to breaking down. "Please stop!"
"I suppose you have some of my blood within your veins, after all" Flashback King Reginald added, before vanishing for good. "You have made me proud to call you my daughter."
Finally coming to a haunting conclusion to what her actions had led to, Flashback Anastasia started to cry with remorse.
"Oh, Ani..." The princess wept, allowing her tears to fall. "What have I done?!"
All the brunette-haired young woman wanted to do was help Anakin move on and start a new life. But it simply led to her lover falling further into madness and ending with him releasing the Sacred Beasts, becoming a demon, and starting a worldwide war in the Duel Monsters spirit world. Poor Flashback Anastasia's sobs and screams of anguish echoed into the cloudy sky.
(elsewhere...)
Soon after Flashback Diablon's death at the hands of Flashback Autraius, Flashback Anastasia found herself in a dark void.
"H-Hello?" she called. "Is anybody there?"
Suddenly, the deceased princess began to hear voices...
"Hey, did you hear Diablon's finally been killed?" A female voice echoed.
"About time. That monster has ruined so many lives, it ain't funny." replied a male voice.
"Anakin is dead..." Flashback Anastasia murmured, not liking what was heard. "But they will only remember him for the monster he became instead of the young man he once was..."
As she wandered through the voice, she suddenly could hear more voices, and see light ahead. Flashback Anastasia soon found herself in what looked like a large lobby where many people, possibly deceased spirits, approaching several candle-lit desks occupied by Skull Servants. After a while, the Skull Servants would give the designated spirits a coin, and point them in a direction. One direction led to a boat that seemed to be sailing up into the sky; perhaps towards the afterlife. The other directly led to another boat, carrying lost souls down into the underworld.
"This must be the place where dead souls meet before their final destination..." Flashback Anastasia realized.
"Next." came the voice of Skull Servant.
The deceased princess looked up and realized that someone was talking to her. She walked forwards towards one of the desks. The Skull Servant at this one had a large book in front of him.
"Name please." he stated, not looking up from his book to gaze upon Flashback Anastasia.
"Princess Anastasia." The brunette-haired young woman answered timidly.
The Skull Servant looked through the book before setting it onto the desk. Looking over two pages, Anastasia noticed that the book had many names in it; some even listed the time each person died.
"Aha." The Skull Servant pointed to a name. "Here you are."
He showed the princess the page, pointing to the name 'Anastasia' near the bottom of the listing.
"I'm surprised it took you this long to arrive. Many people come here instantly upon their deaths. And you know, I've heard of your sacrifice. Very noble of you to put the life of another against your own. But at the same time, it led to a disastrous chain reaction."
"I was just trying to help." Flashback Anastasia insisted sadly. "I thought Anakin was going to be killed if I hadn't acted when I did."
"Killed, you say?" quizzed Skull Servant. When Flashback Anastasia didn't say anything more, he decided to show her something. "Come with me."
"What?" blinked Flashback Anastasia.
"I want to show you something."
And so, Flashback Anastasia followed the Skull Servant. He led her to a rather odd looking mirror.
"When many people die-" The Skull Servant explained. "-they sometimes look back to certain moments in their life, and wonder what would have happened if they had done something different instead."
"So, I can see what would have happened if I 'hadn't' taken that hit?" asked Flashback Anastasia curiously.
The Skull Servant nodded. "I will show you that alternative future."
The mirror glowed in light as Anastasia looked into it.
(VISION)
"And as for you, Anakin..." Flashback King Reginald drew out his sword. "This is your punishment for betraying your KING!"
"Father! NO!" pleaded Flashback Anastasia, knowing what her Father was about to do to Anakin, started struggling to break free from the strong grips of the two Blade Knights. "Don't do this! You can't!"
Flashback King Reginald merely ignored his daughter and lunged forth just as Flashback Anakin broke free and drew his own sword. Flashback King Reginald and his adopted son began to sword fight to the death, but the former soon overpowered the latter and knocked him down and rendered him weaponless.
"Now die!" bellowed Anastasia's Father in pure hatred.
With a battle cry, the ruler of the land charged towards Flashback Anakin, raised his sword, and delivered a sharp thrust. Flashback Anastasia, fighting hard enough, managed to break free from the strong holds the two Blade Knights had on her and prepared to step in when...
"DIE!" screamed Flashback King Reginald, bringing his weapon down.
...Flashback Anakin dove to the side, avoiding the blow, and throwing his knife. The small weapon struck the sword out of Flashback King Reginald's hand, causing the man to cry out and clutched his hand for a few seconds.
"You fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book." grinned Flashback Anakin.
"Damn you!" Flashback King Reginald hollered, before taking a knife off his belt.
Before anything more could happen, an aura of darkness started surrounding Flashback Anakin. A signal he was awakening his dark powers, but to use for justice and not revenge.
"You are a terrible, terrible ruler!" ranted Flashback Anakin. "You've forced your own daughter to be engaged to a perverted slime, and you've treated everyone else in this kingdom like doormats."
"I was only doing what I thought was best for the kingdom of Rondeval!" argued Flashback King Reginald. "You of all people should know that, Anakin!"
"Most importantly, you've been treating me like dirt ever since I was adopted into the family!" Flashback Anakin went on, before pointing at his enemy hatefully. "But after all this time, you are finally going to get what you deserve!"
The two skilled warriors resumed their battle, with Flashback Anakin viciously beating Flashback King Reginald within an inch of his life, just before throwing him up into the air, and punching him so hard that he created a hole when he hit the floor. Although he wasn't dead, Flashback King Reginald did not get back up from the beating he sustained, and so he was finally defeated. Flashback Anakin picked up the crown that had fallen off during battle, and put it on his own head.
"Consider yourself dethroned." said Flashback Anakin. "'I' am the new King of Rondeval, now."
Not about to give up, Flashback King Reginald turned towards the nearby Blade Knights.
"Guards! Get him!" he ordered. "Kill the traitor, now!" But to his surprise, not one Blade Knight would obey the command. "What are you fools standing around for?! Do as I command!"
"We no longer take orders from the likes of you." One of the Blade Knights pointed out. "Sir Anakin is the new ruler of this kingdom."
"W-What?!"
"Hey, did I just miss a party or something?" A familiar male voice echoed.
Stepping from behind a pillar was Flashback Prince Randolph, curious to see such a mess of the throne room.
"I leave to go on a hunt, only to come back to see such a messy throne room." The manchild-like prince commented. "So, what was going on while I was out?"
"Anakin has become the new King of Rondeval, that's what." answered Flashback Anastasia.
Prince Randolph frowned, but said nothing.
"And that means there's going to be a few changes around here." put in Flashback Anakin. "As my first decree, Randolph, your engagement to Anastasia is called off."
Flashback Prince Randolph's eyes widened. "M-M-My engagement is...off?!"
"That's right." Flashback Anastasia confirmed firmly. "I have married Anakin, and there is nothing you can do about it. I had no intentions of marrying you anyway, you disgusting pig!"
"And I'm sending you back to your own kingdom where you belong!" finished Flashback Anakin. "You are hereby banished from Rondeval forever!"
As a result of the message getting through to him, Flashback Prince Randolph fainted on the spot. Flashback Anakin then turned his attention to the disgraced Flashback King Reginald.
"And don't think I've forgotten about you. You will be punished for all of the things you put me, Anastasia, and the rest of your people through. Until I think of a suitable enough punishment, you will rot in the dungeons for always and always. Take him away!"
And thus, the Blade Knights picked up and took the former King away. Flashback Anakin then looked towards the pregnant Flashback Anastasia, smiling once more.
"We're free." he proclaimed to his wife. "We're finally free to make our own futures. I'm now the ruler of Rondeval, and I would love for you to become my Queen."
Flashback Anastasia smiled back. "Oh, Ani..." she responded, with a single tear in her eye. "I thought you would never ask."
(END VISION)
The mirror finished showing Flashback Anastasia the alternative future.
"So, what do you think?" asked Skull Servant.
Flashback Anastasia was rather surprised, and slightly taken aback, over what she had seen in the mirror.
"I... I didn't have to die after all..." she finally spoke. "Anakin could have won the battle. He and I could have had a wonderful future as King and Queen of Rondeval, while also having our baby in peace and harmony." While speaking the last part, the princess braced both hands onto her stomach. "If only I had not given into fear..."
"It is natural for humans and Duel Spirits to give into their greatest fears." reassured Skull Servant. "Your fears may have unintentionally created a terrible disaster, but you now have the chance to put things right."
"A chance to put things right?" asked Flashback Anastasia.
"Right now, you have a very important choice to make; you can either leave well enough alone and go into the afterlife, or you can find a way to undo all the damage caused by Diablon's rampage."
The brunette-haired young woman fell into silence. How could she find a way to make things right if she was dead? It was clear the princess would have to be reborn in a new body or something in order to try and make things right again. Wait a moment... A new body? An idea clicked in her head!
(elsewhere...)
In the real world, early into the year of 1993, all was peaceful in the Scottish city of Glasgow in 'Scotland - United Kingdom'. People were roaming the city streets minding their own business, with no trouble on the horizon. Above the city, however, a voice (female) could be heard speaking from down below in the streets below...
"Isn't this wonderful, darling? We're going to have a baby!" she asked excitedly, speaking with an American accent.
"Och Aye!" The husband's voice agreed, who instead spoke with a Scottish accent.
"Only a few minutes into this dimension, and already I hear that a couple is having a baby!" A new voice (female) echoed, overjoyed. "I must do something, now!"
In seconds, the transparent body of Anastasia appeared. Looking down below, she was amazed at the sights.
"So, this is what the real world is like?" The brunette-haired young woman wondered. "It looks so much different and more advanced than Rondeval!" She chuckled a bit. "Okay, I'll admit that there are also cities and other kingdoms in the Duel Monsters spirit world that are far more advanced than others."
From there, the spirit of Flashback Anastasia carefully looked around at the streets below until she spotted who was looking for. Down below and walking down a street, hand-to-hand, were both younger versions of both Mr. and Mrs. Stirling, and the latter was pregnant (only two-three months into it, that is).
"Only six months left." smiled Flashback Mrs. Stirling, before looking down at her stomach. "I wonder if we'll get a boy or girl?"
"It dinna matter to me." Flashback Mr. Stirling responded. "But whatever the gender, you and I will be great parents."
What the two parents-to-be didn't realize, was that they were being watched and followed by the spirit of Flashback Anastasia.
"This could be my chance." Flashback Anastasia said to herself, before allowing her body to begin glowing.
Because Flashback Mr. Stirling and Flashback Mrs. Stirling both couldn't see or hear spirits, they remained blissfully unaware of what was about to happen to the latter. Slowly and carefully, Flashback Anastasia approached and entered the body of Flashback Mrs. Stirling from behind. A few seconds later, the brunette-haired young woman emerged from the body of who she entered before fading away. Before long, Flashback Mrs. Stirling suddenly stopped walking and gasped.
"Is something wrong, dear?" asked Flashback Mr. Stirling, concerned.
Flashback Mrs. Stirling shook her head. "I feel funny." she groaned. "It feels like the insides of my stomach are churning or something."
"Maybe you need to use the bathroom again?" suggested Flashback Mr. Stirling. "It's a common occurrence when you're pregnant, after all."
"Maybe..." Flashback Mrs. Stirling whispered, thinking that wasn't the case but didn't really know what the true case could be. "Let's go find a restaurant."
With that said, the couple set out further down the street. Above a nearby building, Flashback Anastasia felt very proud; because she purified the fetus in that woman's body with part of her own soul, the child that was born would be the reincarnation of herself.
(elsewhere...)
Because it would be a while before the couple's baby was born, Flashback Anastasia realized that someone who was almost like her would not be enough. She needed Anakin to be by her side.
"I must find another couple expecting a baby." mused Flashback Anastasia. "If I'm to make things right again, I need Anakin to also be reborn." She then grew frustrated. "But this one won't be as easy... I have to find a couple who would give their child the love Anakin was never given by my own Father."
(elsewhere…)
Flashback Anastasia's long search for the perfect couple eventually took her to the small town of Brighton in England. There, she looked and looked and found a couple purchasing a bunch of children's books from a nearby bookstore.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the bookstore, the three books were placed on the counter by the man (husband).
"Do you think the baby will like these?" The woman (Flashback Mrs. Billinton) asked her husband hopefully.
"Oh, I'm sure he or she will." smiled the husband (Flashback Mr. Billinton). "I remember a few classics like these when 'I' was little."
With that said, the couple paid for the three books and left the store.
(elsewhere...)
Outside the bookstore, Flashback Anastasia was watching as both Flashback Mr. Billinton and Flashback Mrs. Billinton emerged from the building and walked down another street.
"These people seem to be the loving and caring type." Flashback Anastasia smiled. "They will be the perfect family for Anakin's reincarnation." And so, she started following the parents-to-be. "It's a good thing I managed to snag a piece of Anakin's soul as I died; otherwise, there would be no way for me to make things right again.."
Would things turn out alright? Well, that's a tale for another day.
(elsewhere...)
Eventually, after purifying the fetus within Flashback Mrs. Billinton with Anakin's soul, Flashback Anastasia returned to the Duel Monsters spirit world. Upon arrival, she found herself standing outside a forest of some sorts.
"My duty is done for the time being." said Flashback Anastasia. "The best I can do for now, is to meditate on things and hope that everything turns out well."
And so, she started to enter the forest, hoping to find peace for herself. All of a sudden, while strolling through, the deceased princess fell to her knees, whilst clutching her aching, pregnant stomach. But, that was impossible! When Flashback Anastasia was stabbed by her own Father, the baby should have been killed, too! Why was she still this far into her pregnancy?
"Impossible!" recoiled Flashback Anastasia. "How could the baby still be alive within me?! I thought when Father stabbed me, the baby-!" Unfortunately, there was no time to dwell on it. "I must find a new vessel for our child..." The brunette-haired young woman slowly returned to her feet. "I have to find one before it's too late!"
And the spirit faded away into a ball of white light.
(elsewhere...)
Fortunately, there was hope for Flashback Anastasia. In another part of the Duel Monsters spirit world, a couple was expecting a baby of their own. The woman, also heavily pregnant, was in great pain while trying to give birth, and it didn't look like she would survive the procedure. What neither of them knew, was that they were being watched by the spirit of the pregnant Flashback Anastasia.
"That woman!" she realized. "She can contain my baby! Though if I weren't careful, she could lose her life, and both of us will be lost."
Because the couple below couldn't see her, Flashback Anastasia carefully floated over until she was near the pregnant woman.
"Here we go..."
Leaning over, Flashback Anastasia entered the pregnant woman's body. In doing so, the woman suddenly felt a bit stronger as she could now deliver the baby without anymore complications. Soon, Flashback Anastasia emerged from the woman's body just as the cries of a baby were heard. Not only that, she didn't look pregnant anymore.
"It's a girl!" The woman's husband cried happily. "Praise the Egyptian Gods!"
After the baby was cleaned up, she was given to her Mother.
"Oh, she's beautiful." The woman cried with tears of happiness in her eyes. "Hello there..."
Floating near the ceiling, watching the heartwarming scene, was...
"There we go." smiled Flashback Anastasia. "Now our baby will be properly born into a loving family."
To the couple's surprise, the baby looked nothing like the Mother or Father. Nevertheless, they loved their new baby, and named her, funnily enough, Iris (the same name that Anakin and Anastasia were going to give their baby when she was born). But with the deed done, Flashback Anastasia took her leave, and returned to her forest of solitude.
(elsewhere...)
As the years passed, the forest continued to grow in size and magical properties. And in the center of it all, Flashback Anastasia stayed, lying in wait for the moment when her lost love Anakin would be rescued from his darkness and finally join her in the afterlife.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback came to an end, and there were tears welling in Anastasia's eyes.
"At first, I thought things would be alright once Thomas and Emily were born." she thought to herself. "But, again, I was wrong... There is still so much more that must be done before this madness can finally be stopped."
The brunette-haired young woman sighed as she looked about.
"Oh, Anakin, once again, I'm so sorry for everything." Anastasia mumbled on sadly. "This is a huge mess I've weaved everyone into. I threw my life away because I was afraid of losing you. And even though your heart became full of pain, I forced you to live on through it because I was afraid of being forgotten. Why did I have to allow fear to overwhelm my better judgement?" After a minute, she wiped the tears from her eyes while remembering what her goal currently was. "But, no matter what happens... I may have gotten everyone into this mess due to my fear of losing Ani, but I promise that I will do whatever it takes to get them out!"
With that said, the spirit of the deceased princess faded away, because there was a certain group coming this way...
End Scene
Soon after posting, I had to delete the original version of the chapter in order for sodormatchmaker and I to include some new material and rearrange certain scenes. Hopefully, this is version is far better.
