R Amythest: Yami, you can come out now. . . she's gone. . .
Yami Amythest: YES! *bursts out of cabinet*
R Amythest: I gave Sub-Conscience to Twill, so you can stop worrying and help me with the chapter!
Yami Amythest: *sarcastic* hooray.
A person who hasn't read 'The True Heart of the Dice' or its author's notes: who?
R Amythest: oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. Sub-conscience is a little pixie that looks like Kirby on wings. All she says is 'Squee' 'Squir' or something close to that, and is a master annoyer. I gave her to Twill and Yams in their story, "Through the Glass Window" through the review, so now I got rid of her!
Yami Amythest: *shudders*
R Amythest: Oh, and I found something in a catalog. Hey Ryou!
Ryou: *nervously* yes, authoress?
R Amythest: *hands him a bouquet of white roses* =^_^=
Ryou: O.O thanks, I guess. . .
COH Ryou: why white?
R Amythest: This was in a Kroger's catalog for roses!
Pink: Grace and Gentility; Appreciation and Gratitude (gives to Serenity)
White: Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence (exactly Ryou's description. Coincidental, ne?)
Red: Love and Respect; Beauty and Youth (Sounds more like a girl thing than a boy thing. Probably Mai.)
Yellow: Friendship; Gladness and Joy (hands to Tea)
Peach: Enthusiasm and Desire (Gives to Joey)
*brushes hands* there! Valentine's deliveries done! Of course, anyone out there can give roses or chocolates to their favorite Bishie! (Yes, Excalibur, that can mean a girl, too. At least I think you're a male, with your fics and interests. . . I think I'm pretty good at gender decoding)
Yami Amythest: scary. *hands Yami Yugi peach-colored roses* let's get on with the fic.
*********************Chapter Seventeen: The Way to Love********************
Joey took a stride back and held his sword at Penele threatenally. He looked tough, but knowing him, he was probably quivering on the inside. "Whaddya want this time?" he growled.
Penele sighed, flicking a lock of golden hair back. The angel half flickered momentarily. "Still following the good-bad basis and forgetting about the big gray part in between?"
Joey lowered his sword slightly. "Wha-?"
"Listen, I'm not against you," she explained, smoothing out the angel wing.
I brightened a bit. "So you're going to help us?"
She scowled. "What have I told you earlier? I'm not with either side. I'm staying neutral." With that, she left.
"Wait. . . then why have you met us?" I asked. Penele stopped and looked reflective for a moment.
"I. . . I saw how you got such pleasure from love," she began, "with that Mystical Elf. . ." Joey and I nodded. "And. . . that look on the Green Phantom King's face when the little angel creature burned. . ."
Joey glared at her. "Yeah, you got a problem with your own doing?"
"Yes. . . as I worked for Crygif. . ."
"And caused mass destruction. . ."
"Joey!" I grumbled, amazed at my friend's rudeness.
Penele continued anyway. "I saw his three brother and sisters. . . and I found one of them. . . attractive."
"Whew! Hot babe in love with a mad griffon!" Joey blared.
"Joey!!!!!!!!!" Penele and I shouted at the same time. She continued. "Well. . . in the beginning I first helped Crygif because of my belief of the evilness in this world. . . the very destruction of the true world, as I saw it, was a relief. That was then, when I saw there was no meaning in life. But shortly after I enrolled, I saw one. Love."
"Eh. . . you're in love with-"
I muttered and covered Joey's mouth. "Shut, please?"
"Well. . . actually, no. . . I adored the Change of Thoughts, Chance. . ." she explained, blushing slightly. "Yet. . . he never noticed me. I would catch him staring at a picture of some weird creature on the wall. . . I think he already likes someone. . ."
"So you left because of that?" I asked quietly.
"No. . . I left because I finally found a meaning in life," she said softly. "But I. . . just can't fight against them, you know? I know Chance probably isn't going to know I exist. . . but I don't want to fight against them."
I nodded. "I understand perfectly. . ."
"But still. . .how do you love?"
Joey seemed appalled at the question. "How do you LOVE?!" Penele suddenly seemed interested in her dress, twirling the long sleeves around her finger.
"JOSEPH!" I growled. "Can't you see? She needs to know something that she doesn't know yet! Like when I taught you duel monsters!" Joey muttered and put on his brand-name poker face. "Well. . . it's quite simple, really. . ." I trailed off. Penele nodded and Joey nudged me on. "You. . . just open your heart. . . I can't really explain it, really. . ." I blushed.
Penele seemed relieved. "No strings attached?"
"Well," I hesitated, "they might not return it, but it's really worth the gamble. . ."
Penele seemed slightly baffled. "Well . . I guess I shouldn't be that offensive to everyone. . . but I still don't understand it. Someday, Yugi, someday I'll understand. And then. . . I'll return. But for now. . ." she turned around and opened her wings. She closed her eyes and muttered a spell, disappearing into a puff of scarlet.
Joey seemed to remember something before cringing slightly, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. "That reminds me. . . where's Mai and the others?"
My sword emitted a soft glow. "I think. . . it's recharged," I said happily.
"Great! So let's go see where Mai is!"
"But. . . there are so many things to see. . . Mokuba's fate it showed me earlier. . . Harp and Bakura's fate over in the prison. . . the group we're separated from. . ." I trailed off, wincing at the remembrance of Myst. . . and the thought of how severe an injury might be. The rush of adrenaline and tears increased the thudding heartbeat seeming to come from the gash on my arm. "I. . . need to find Myst," I told both Joey and the sword. Then I blacked out.
**VISION**
Thank god, Myst was alright.
In closer inspection, not everyone was okay. But. . . there was also good news. Confusing?
I drew closer and I saw that they picked up an old friend- Relene obviously joined them. And it appears Relene brought back Shimmer. (It made me wonder why she didn't bring back Ellie.) She was currently trying to hold Leafe in place. I wondered if Leafe had Agateophobia, the extreme fear of pain. Relene was obviously trying to tell him to hold still. It was an amusing sight, seeing the noble and haughty spy go berserk, but I was going to observe the creature of my desiring.
Myst was humming by the creek, washing a few garments. Shimmer was floating above her, drying them out by twirling in the air. "I like his hair basically, and he's really nice," Myst was saying. Shimmer set down the robe (apparently Leafe's) and picked up what appeared to be Relene's light blue dress.
"Well, I personally like my lil bish's cool and collected personality, and I love those piercing red eyes!" Shimmer squealed. They sounded like they were flirting. Wait. . . Myst said that about ME? I plopped down beside her and rested my invisible head on her shoulder, sighing deeply. I felt her warm body rubbing against my head. . . It was so relaxing. But I knew I couldn't doze here forever. Rather reluctantly, I left her side and get out of the scene.
**VISION END**
Joey peered over me. "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell?"
"Myst and Leafe are okay. And Relene, a reborn the monster, joined them, so now Shimmer's back, too!" I replied happily.
"GET MAI!" he cheered.
"Oh, fine. . ."
**VISION**
Mai, Tea, and Tristen were walking along in the woods. Hey, sounds a lot like our predictament. . . hey, isn't that OUR campground?! I quickly exited.
**VISION END**
"Joey! Mai, Tea, and Tristen are in the same woods as us!" I cheered. Joey looked extremely relieved and raised his fist in the air.
"Yeah! Let's go find 'em!"
. . . It was easier said than done, like many other things. The sword helped us in the beginning, guiding us through the thick woods. We soon saw the dim campfire. But. . . then I remembered something else I really wanted to know.
"Joey. . . is it okay if I use the rest of the power to check on Harp and Bakura?" I asked.
Joey shrugged. "The campsite's in sight. I guess you can."
I smiled appreciatively and focused my power on the sword. Harp, WingWeaver. . . Bakura, Change of Heart. . .
But. . . there was no vision. The sword glowed, but all I got was a bunch of static. I was puzzled. . . maybe they were apart? But that's the whole reason Harp went!
/Wha. . .?/
er. . . I'll get back to you Joey. I cleared my mind of all thoughts but one. Harp, WingWeaver
**VISION**
Harp shielded herself from a large explosion. Diving in, I saw that creature that resembled a Mystical Elf had created a large, dark bubble around her. A blue eyes in the corner, evidently Kaiba, screeched in pain. "Fool," the creature smirked, "don't try attacking my race unless you want to be stoned. Literally."
Kaiba couldn't reply. He was frozen to the spot. Harp gasped as the creature nodded to the other one that resembled a Reborn the Monster. "Go and attack, Recarn."
"Certainly," the Reborn the Monster-like creature, Recarn, stepped up. The room grew dark as a troop of zombie-like creatures rose. A zombie metal fish attacked Kaiba, leaving only a small scratch. But he instantly unfroze. Giving a roar, he flew off, Harp gripping on to his tail, and the bloody body of Mokuba lying limply on the floor.
**END VISION**
I shuddered inwardly, remembering the look of pure remorse on the Mystical- Elf-like creature. "Joey, bad, bad, bad news. . ."
"Shhh," he whispered back. "It's the wrong campground. We obviously got the wrong campground. We should've followed it some more. . ."
"Then who's is it?"
Joey pursed his lips. "None other than the Summon Skull's."
(AN: I seriously wanted to leave it off there, but I just remembered a certain birthday girl hated cliffies. So I'll be nice.)
My eyes widened. "Seriously?"
"Yep. . . and listen, I'm eavesdropping. Wanna join me?" There was an adventurous glint in his eyes.
I shrugged. "Sure." Our attention turned back to the skulls. They were enjoying roasted marshmallows, like any old camping kid. They were chatting gleefully.
"Yep, another one resorting to suicide!" one laughed.
"Not funny," a different one mumbled. "Suicide is just sick."
"Ah, you're just always sensitive," a third jeered.
We looked at each other. Who were they talking about?
"Yeah, and don't forget, he's the one who told hold of you," the first reminded him.
Took control? Summon Skull? SUICIDE? Could it be. . . Bakura?
"He's right Revlon! You're too sympathetic for your own good!" a fourth chimed in.
The second, Revlon, shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'm going to take a walk." I nearly stopped breathing as he headed in my general direction. Joey was trying to minimize himself, and with good reason, too. Revlon evidently saw us. "Hey, guys. . . guess who decided to visit?"
(AN: I almost wanted to stop there. . . but I decided not to be evil to one of my best penpals!)
"Who?" the fourth skull asked, curious. The rest of them were equally curious, and I watched them close in on us. . . I started to hyperventilate and my eyes widened in fear as the looming skull towered over me. I could smell the bloody scent of his breath. "Hey, he's right, there are some familiar faces here. . ." I squealed before fainting. . .right into a vision.
**VISION**
Harp was dragged into the prison. "Lemme see Ryou!" she squirmed.
"Ah, just let her have a look. It won't really hurt anything," the witty phantom sneered. She was roughly shoved into the same cell as Ryou. She fell on her knees right in front of him. I hovered a bit closer to have a clear look of them. Harp was a bit dustier than when I last saw her. And her golden dress had lost the sheen that it had when I last saw her. Getting even closer, her eyes looked almost. . . dull.
But that was nothing compared to Ryou. He was paler than ever. To say the least. . . he lost weight. A lot of it.
And now, they were (doing their best to their ability while having their hands handcuffed) embracing. It was seriously depressing. . . was this sword trying to discourage me? Hmm? But what's this?
~Ryou, quickly. . .~ I leaned closer and saw that Harp was using her teeth to unlock Ryou's cuffs. ~Use your free hand to undo my locks! A dagger's on my belt!~ Ryou took out the dagger and inserted the tip into the lock. Harp, in turn, took the dagger and unlocked Ryou's other handcuff. He massaged his sore wrists. {Thanks. . .} ~Wait, what's that?~ She grabbed Ryou's wrist and brushed the dress down, revealing a series of scars.
"And exactly what is taking you so LONG?" the witty phantom complained. Ryou stood up behind Harp, who turned around and gave him a glare.
"We're not obeying orders!" Harp shouted, standing up alongside him.
"Really?" the witty phantom smirked. Ryou quickly took hold of the Witty Phantom. Its eyes rolled up deep into its head.
"Quickly! Leave!" Ryou croaked. Harp shook her head.
"You've got enough of prison life. I'm staying here now."
His grip on the body loosened, and they became two different images. The witty phantom had his usual smirk on again. ~Go, Ryou. . . He'll be busy with me! You leave!~
Ryou seemed to hesitate. {You sure?}
~Yes! You go! You're pretty much dying on the inside! GET AWAY!~ "So, where ya going to put me?" Harp asked demandingly, giving a small nod at Ryou. He ran.
**VISION END**
When I gained consciousness again, Joey and I were being dragged along the trail. My bottom seriously hurt. The Summon Skulls stopped for a moment and cast a glance at me. "You're the friend of that Change of Heart freak, huh?"
I shot him a venomous glare. "Yeeeeeees. . ." Although my conscience was shouting "My friends are NOT freaks!"
The Summon Skull chuckled. "Freaky," he smirked, as if he could read my mind. Joey spat at his feet, and the disgusted skull cuffed him on the head, then gave him a kick in the side. "If this were ancient times, you'd have your tongue cut off for that."
I gave him another glare, but stayed silent. So far, nothing good has come out of talking back.
*********************
R Amythest: I don't know WHAT the heck I'm doing with all this Ryou drama(yay! CUTE!). . . but I need some of it to prepare for the sequel. And the Penele part was important, too.
Yami Amythest: yuh huh.
R Amythest: this chapter is dedicated to Sailor Millennium! Yes, her birthday was on 2/10, when I updated it! Along with her twin's! I updated this for her! (yes, she is the mentioned penpal and birthday girl!) I hope you like it!
Ryou: *rolls eyes* she made me go with you on dates around 50 times. . .
R Amythest: *clears throat* I'm holding a mini contest for a drawing of Crygif. Be sure to draw him not-too-vice but kinda-evil-lookin' and have a cool background from part of this story. Prizes may vary, I'm still deciding. So. . .
Current Top Three:
Alayea
Excalibur
Sailor Millennium
Runner Up: (yes, I will have *SMALL* prizes for the next two)
Sparky16
Evil-Kitty (my other penpal! Alayea's one, too. . . I have too many, no?)
But I will give a bit of credit to everyone else, too! It'll be the last chapter, where I thank all the nice reviewers! SO REVIEW ALREADY!
Yami Amythest: YES! *bursts out of cabinet*
R Amythest: I gave Sub-Conscience to Twill, so you can stop worrying and help me with the chapter!
Yami Amythest: *sarcastic* hooray.
A person who hasn't read 'The True Heart of the Dice' or its author's notes: who?
R Amythest: oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. Sub-conscience is a little pixie that looks like Kirby on wings. All she says is 'Squee' 'Squir' or something close to that, and is a master annoyer. I gave her to Twill and Yams in their story, "Through the Glass Window" through the review, so now I got rid of her!
Yami Amythest: *shudders*
R Amythest: Oh, and I found something in a catalog. Hey Ryou!
Ryou: *nervously* yes, authoress?
R Amythest: *hands him a bouquet of white roses* =^_^=
Ryou: O.O thanks, I guess. . .
COH Ryou: why white?
R Amythest: This was in a Kroger's catalog for roses!
Pink: Grace and Gentility; Appreciation and Gratitude (gives to Serenity)
White: Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence (exactly Ryou's description. Coincidental, ne?)
Red: Love and Respect; Beauty and Youth (Sounds more like a girl thing than a boy thing. Probably Mai.)
Yellow: Friendship; Gladness and Joy (hands to Tea)
Peach: Enthusiasm and Desire (Gives to Joey)
*brushes hands* there! Valentine's deliveries done! Of course, anyone out there can give roses or chocolates to their favorite Bishie! (Yes, Excalibur, that can mean a girl, too. At least I think you're a male, with your fics and interests. . . I think I'm pretty good at gender decoding)
Yami Amythest: scary. *hands Yami Yugi peach-colored roses* let's get on with the fic.
*********************Chapter Seventeen: The Way to Love********************
Joey took a stride back and held his sword at Penele threatenally. He looked tough, but knowing him, he was probably quivering on the inside. "Whaddya want this time?" he growled.
Penele sighed, flicking a lock of golden hair back. The angel half flickered momentarily. "Still following the good-bad basis and forgetting about the big gray part in between?"
Joey lowered his sword slightly. "Wha-?"
"Listen, I'm not against you," she explained, smoothing out the angel wing.
I brightened a bit. "So you're going to help us?"
She scowled. "What have I told you earlier? I'm not with either side. I'm staying neutral." With that, she left.
"Wait. . . then why have you met us?" I asked. Penele stopped and looked reflective for a moment.
"I. . . I saw how you got such pleasure from love," she began, "with that Mystical Elf. . ." Joey and I nodded. "And. . . that look on the Green Phantom King's face when the little angel creature burned. . ."
Joey glared at her. "Yeah, you got a problem with your own doing?"
"Yes. . . as I worked for Crygif. . ."
"And caused mass destruction. . ."
"Joey!" I grumbled, amazed at my friend's rudeness.
Penele continued anyway. "I saw his three brother and sisters. . . and I found one of them. . . attractive."
"Whew! Hot babe in love with a mad griffon!" Joey blared.
"Joey!!!!!!!!!" Penele and I shouted at the same time. She continued. "Well. . . in the beginning I first helped Crygif because of my belief of the evilness in this world. . . the very destruction of the true world, as I saw it, was a relief. That was then, when I saw there was no meaning in life. But shortly after I enrolled, I saw one. Love."
"Eh. . . you're in love with-"
I muttered and covered Joey's mouth. "Shut, please?"
"Well. . . actually, no. . . I adored the Change of Thoughts, Chance. . ." she explained, blushing slightly. "Yet. . . he never noticed me. I would catch him staring at a picture of some weird creature on the wall. . . I think he already likes someone. . ."
"So you left because of that?" I asked quietly.
"No. . . I left because I finally found a meaning in life," she said softly. "But I. . . just can't fight against them, you know? I know Chance probably isn't going to know I exist. . . but I don't want to fight against them."
I nodded. "I understand perfectly. . ."
"But still. . .how do you love?"
Joey seemed appalled at the question. "How do you LOVE?!" Penele suddenly seemed interested in her dress, twirling the long sleeves around her finger.
"JOSEPH!" I growled. "Can't you see? She needs to know something that she doesn't know yet! Like when I taught you duel monsters!" Joey muttered and put on his brand-name poker face. "Well. . . it's quite simple, really. . ." I trailed off. Penele nodded and Joey nudged me on. "You. . . just open your heart. . . I can't really explain it, really. . ." I blushed.
Penele seemed relieved. "No strings attached?"
"Well," I hesitated, "they might not return it, but it's really worth the gamble. . ."
Penele seemed slightly baffled. "Well . . I guess I shouldn't be that offensive to everyone. . . but I still don't understand it. Someday, Yugi, someday I'll understand. And then. . . I'll return. But for now. . ." she turned around and opened her wings. She closed her eyes and muttered a spell, disappearing into a puff of scarlet.
Joey seemed to remember something before cringing slightly, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. "That reminds me. . . where's Mai and the others?"
My sword emitted a soft glow. "I think. . . it's recharged," I said happily.
"Great! So let's go see where Mai is!"
"But. . . there are so many things to see. . . Mokuba's fate it showed me earlier. . . Harp and Bakura's fate over in the prison. . . the group we're separated from. . ." I trailed off, wincing at the remembrance of Myst. . . and the thought of how severe an injury might be. The rush of adrenaline and tears increased the thudding heartbeat seeming to come from the gash on my arm. "I. . . need to find Myst," I told both Joey and the sword. Then I blacked out.
**VISION**
Thank god, Myst was alright.
In closer inspection, not everyone was okay. But. . . there was also good news. Confusing?
I drew closer and I saw that they picked up an old friend- Relene obviously joined them. And it appears Relene brought back Shimmer. (It made me wonder why she didn't bring back Ellie.) She was currently trying to hold Leafe in place. I wondered if Leafe had Agateophobia, the extreme fear of pain. Relene was obviously trying to tell him to hold still. It was an amusing sight, seeing the noble and haughty spy go berserk, but I was going to observe the creature of my desiring.
Myst was humming by the creek, washing a few garments. Shimmer was floating above her, drying them out by twirling in the air. "I like his hair basically, and he's really nice," Myst was saying. Shimmer set down the robe (apparently Leafe's) and picked up what appeared to be Relene's light blue dress.
"Well, I personally like my lil bish's cool and collected personality, and I love those piercing red eyes!" Shimmer squealed. They sounded like they were flirting. Wait. . . Myst said that about ME? I plopped down beside her and rested my invisible head on her shoulder, sighing deeply. I felt her warm body rubbing against my head. . . It was so relaxing. But I knew I couldn't doze here forever. Rather reluctantly, I left her side and get out of the scene.
**VISION END**
Joey peered over me. "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell?"
"Myst and Leafe are okay. And Relene, a reborn the monster, joined them, so now Shimmer's back, too!" I replied happily.
"GET MAI!" he cheered.
"Oh, fine. . ."
**VISION**
Mai, Tea, and Tristen were walking along in the woods. Hey, sounds a lot like our predictament. . . hey, isn't that OUR campground?! I quickly exited.
**VISION END**
"Joey! Mai, Tea, and Tristen are in the same woods as us!" I cheered. Joey looked extremely relieved and raised his fist in the air.
"Yeah! Let's go find 'em!"
. . . It was easier said than done, like many other things. The sword helped us in the beginning, guiding us through the thick woods. We soon saw the dim campfire. But. . . then I remembered something else I really wanted to know.
"Joey. . . is it okay if I use the rest of the power to check on Harp and Bakura?" I asked.
Joey shrugged. "The campsite's in sight. I guess you can."
I smiled appreciatively and focused my power on the sword. Harp, WingWeaver. . . Bakura, Change of Heart. . .
But. . . there was no vision. The sword glowed, but all I got was a bunch of static. I was puzzled. . . maybe they were apart? But that's the whole reason Harp went!
/Wha. . .?/
er. . . I'll get back to you Joey. I cleared my mind of all thoughts but one. Harp, WingWeaver
**VISION**
Harp shielded herself from a large explosion. Diving in, I saw that creature that resembled a Mystical Elf had created a large, dark bubble around her. A blue eyes in the corner, evidently Kaiba, screeched in pain. "Fool," the creature smirked, "don't try attacking my race unless you want to be stoned. Literally."
Kaiba couldn't reply. He was frozen to the spot. Harp gasped as the creature nodded to the other one that resembled a Reborn the Monster. "Go and attack, Recarn."
"Certainly," the Reborn the Monster-like creature, Recarn, stepped up. The room grew dark as a troop of zombie-like creatures rose. A zombie metal fish attacked Kaiba, leaving only a small scratch. But he instantly unfroze. Giving a roar, he flew off, Harp gripping on to his tail, and the bloody body of Mokuba lying limply on the floor.
**END VISION**
I shuddered inwardly, remembering the look of pure remorse on the Mystical- Elf-like creature. "Joey, bad, bad, bad news. . ."
"Shhh," he whispered back. "It's the wrong campground. We obviously got the wrong campground. We should've followed it some more. . ."
"Then who's is it?"
Joey pursed his lips. "None other than the Summon Skull's."
(AN: I seriously wanted to leave it off there, but I just remembered a certain birthday girl hated cliffies. So I'll be nice.)
My eyes widened. "Seriously?"
"Yep. . . and listen, I'm eavesdropping. Wanna join me?" There was an adventurous glint in his eyes.
I shrugged. "Sure." Our attention turned back to the skulls. They were enjoying roasted marshmallows, like any old camping kid. They were chatting gleefully.
"Yep, another one resorting to suicide!" one laughed.
"Not funny," a different one mumbled. "Suicide is just sick."
"Ah, you're just always sensitive," a third jeered.
We looked at each other. Who were they talking about?
"Yeah, and don't forget, he's the one who told hold of you," the first reminded him.
Took control? Summon Skull? SUICIDE? Could it be. . . Bakura?
"He's right Revlon! You're too sympathetic for your own good!" a fourth chimed in.
The second, Revlon, shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'm going to take a walk." I nearly stopped breathing as he headed in my general direction. Joey was trying to minimize himself, and with good reason, too. Revlon evidently saw us. "Hey, guys. . . guess who decided to visit?"
(AN: I almost wanted to stop there. . . but I decided not to be evil to one of my best penpals!)
"Who?" the fourth skull asked, curious. The rest of them were equally curious, and I watched them close in on us. . . I started to hyperventilate and my eyes widened in fear as the looming skull towered over me. I could smell the bloody scent of his breath. "Hey, he's right, there are some familiar faces here. . ." I squealed before fainting. . .right into a vision.
**VISION**
Harp was dragged into the prison. "Lemme see Ryou!" she squirmed.
"Ah, just let her have a look. It won't really hurt anything," the witty phantom sneered. She was roughly shoved into the same cell as Ryou. She fell on her knees right in front of him. I hovered a bit closer to have a clear look of them. Harp was a bit dustier than when I last saw her. And her golden dress had lost the sheen that it had when I last saw her. Getting even closer, her eyes looked almost. . . dull.
But that was nothing compared to Ryou. He was paler than ever. To say the least. . . he lost weight. A lot of it.
And now, they were (doing their best to their ability while having their hands handcuffed) embracing. It was seriously depressing. . . was this sword trying to discourage me? Hmm? But what's this?
~Ryou, quickly. . .~ I leaned closer and saw that Harp was using her teeth to unlock Ryou's cuffs. ~Use your free hand to undo my locks! A dagger's on my belt!~ Ryou took out the dagger and inserted the tip into the lock. Harp, in turn, took the dagger and unlocked Ryou's other handcuff. He massaged his sore wrists. {Thanks. . .} ~Wait, what's that?~ She grabbed Ryou's wrist and brushed the dress down, revealing a series of scars.
"And exactly what is taking you so LONG?" the witty phantom complained. Ryou stood up behind Harp, who turned around and gave him a glare.
"We're not obeying orders!" Harp shouted, standing up alongside him.
"Really?" the witty phantom smirked. Ryou quickly took hold of the Witty Phantom. Its eyes rolled up deep into its head.
"Quickly! Leave!" Ryou croaked. Harp shook her head.
"You've got enough of prison life. I'm staying here now."
His grip on the body loosened, and they became two different images. The witty phantom had his usual smirk on again. ~Go, Ryou. . . He'll be busy with me! You leave!~
Ryou seemed to hesitate. {You sure?}
~Yes! You go! You're pretty much dying on the inside! GET AWAY!~ "So, where ya going to put me?" Harp asked demandingly, giving a small nod at Ryou. He ran.
**VISION END**
When I gained consciousness again, Joey and I were being dragged along the trail. My bottom seriously hurt. The Summon Skulls stopped for a moment and cast a glance at me. "You're the friend of that Change of Heart freak, huh?"
I shot him a venomous glare. "Yeeeeeees. . ." Although my conscience was shouting "My friends are NOT freaks!"
The Summon Skull chuckled. "Freaky," he smirked, as if he could read my mind. Joey spat at his feet, and the disgusted skull cuffed him on the head, then gave him a kick in the side. "If this were ancient times, you'd have your tongue cut off for that."
I gave him another glare, but stayed silent. So far, nothing good has come out of talking back.
*********************
R Amythest: I don't know WHAT the heck I'm doing with all this Ryou drama(yay! CUTE!). . . but I need some of it to prepare for the sequel. And the Penele part was important, too.
Yami Amythest: yuh huh.
R Amythest: this chapter is dedicated to Sailor Millennium! Yes, her birthday was on 2/10, when I updated it! Along with her twin's! I updated this for her! (yes, she is the mentioned penpal and birthday girl!) I hope you like it!
Ryou: *rolls eyes* she made me go with you on dates around 50 times. . .
R Amythest: *clears throat* I'm holding a mini contest for a drawing of Crygif. Be sure to draw him not-too-vice but kinda-evil-lookin' and have a cool background from part of this story. Prizes may vary, I'm still deciding. So. . .
Current Top Three:
Alayea
Excalibur
Sailor Millennium
Runner Up: (yes, I will have *SMALL* prizes for the next two)
Sparky16
Evil-Kitty (my other penpal! Alayea's one, too. . . I have too many, no?)
But I will give a bit of credit to everyone else, too! It'll be the last chapter, where I thank all the nice reviewers! SO REVIEW ALREADY!