odds6

A/N: I've been reading the past chapters and I observed that I had the fancy for having all the characters thoughts, actions and speech in one REALLY long sentence. Did you notice that? Well, is that good or bad? Anyways, we're not here to talk about my writing style so lets get on with the fic. I particularly have a confrontation scene in mind.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned them, but unfortunately, I do not.

LOVE DEFIES ALL ODDS

by Seiyo

Chapter 6

Inside one of the caverns in Akuma's place, the struggling Botan was shoved into a corner by a beast. She drew in her breath in pain as she landed hard on the floor, her back hitting the cavern wall. The beast drew near her and reached out a hand, but she quickly moved away.

"Touchy, eh? Lucky you… if Akuma didn't have any plans for you, I would already be able to do what I want," he took a greedy look at her, "Anyway, it won't be long 'til we get rid of those friends of yours and then I'll be asking Akuma for you as my prize," he turned and left.

I'm sorry Koenma… if only I had done what you told me. Botan took a deep breath and bit her lip to hold back tears. You've got to be strong Botan. You've got to get out of here and help them out there. Just hang in there, you can make it. She tried to loosen the ropes that bound her hands behind her. Her feet were also tied up and a cloth covered her mouth. She wiggled in her place trying to move herself nearer to the wall. When she'd done that, she proceeded to search for jagged parts of the wall and scoured the ropes against it, hoping that the friction would wear the ropes out. After some minutes, her hands were already sore and wounds were starting to form on her wrists due to all the rubbing. Out of the cavern entrance, the elder man, Shinichi came in. When he saw what she was doing, he dashed to her, "Stop that, you'd get yourself hurt," he held her hand to stop her from inflicting more wounds to her self.

Hastily, he freed her hands then removed the cover from her mouth.

"Why are you doing this?" Botan immediately asked Shinichi who was then loosening the ropes at her feet.

"Doing what?" he glanced at her

"Helping me, that's what," Botan answered, massaging her sore wrists and ankles.

Sitting in front of her, Shinichi replied, "I'm doing what I have to do."

"I don't understand," Botan looked at her with a confused expression, "Did Akuma order you to do this?"

"No," he shook his head making Botan even more confused, "I only follow the real queen. I did this because she gave me a sign," He reached out and tugged Botan's necklace with the crystal attached to it, "You are the chosen one."

"What do you mean? How did I become the chosen one?" she moved her head sideways and told him, "this is all too confusing."

"I will explain," Shinichi moved to face her, "Queen Suisho was the only Queen that I believed in. She had ruled well during our time and made wise decisions, but I didn't quite approve of her locking up Akuma. For me, it would be better for her to be dead. So when Queen Suisho had died and her throne was given to someone else, I left my service and went to look for the sphere. I have decided to end Akuma's life before she's set free and her greed and jealousy gets the best of her. I managed to use my power to keep my strength from deteriorating so I'd live longer to find her, but when I finally did, I didn't have enough power to destroy her myself and so, she ruled over me," he paused and took a good look at her, "And you, you are the answer to all that is happening here. When Queen Suisho was still alive, I was not only her loyal subject but was also her friend and confidante and we both knew each other's feelings and opinions. Just before she took her last breath, she had told me that I shouldn't worry about Akuma, that when the time comes, she would find someone to stop Akuma's evil plans. She showed me one of her most precious belongings, a crystal given to her by his beloved father. Through all the years, it lent her all the strength and courage she needed. And when she passed away, the crystal glowed with an inner light like her pure and untarnished soul. That crystal… is the same crystal that you're wearing around your neck right now…" when he finished, he stood up and offered his hand to Botan whose eyes were wide and gleaming. With his aid, she picked herself up.

"You loved her didn't you…" it was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes," Shinichi confirmed Botan's suspicion, "and I'm doing all of these for her. Even if she had reassured me about Akuma, I had to make sure. Now we must go." He led Botan out of the cavern; they were already near the opening of the cave when a beast came from behind them.

"Where do you think you're going?" the beast spoke harshly as it charged at them.

Shinichi quickly took a sword and raised it forward, stopping the beast in its tracks.

"You traitor!" the beast shouted fiercely at Shinichi then attacked. Shinichi tried to defend both of them but his old age had made him weaker through the years. The beast lashed at him with its claws.

"No!" Botan screamed. Just then, the crystal glowed brightly and a single flash of light headed for the beast, burning it to ashes. Botan ran over to Shinichi's side. He had a deep wound on his chest, near his heart. Botan ripped a piece of her clothing and tried to stop it from bleeding but Shinichi raised a hand to stop her.

"No… you must leave now," He gazed at her face.

"B-but what about you?" Botan's eyes were wide with fear and concern.

"My time has come and there's nothing that could stop it… Now, go! Please, you must stop her and save your friends… I have done all that I have to do… My spirit will guide you, and so will Suisho's… Leave me now and do what you are chosen for…" Shinichi's voiced trailed of with the wind. Botan shed a tear and headed towards the cave entrance.

Just before going out, she looked back and said, "I won't let you down Shinichi… I'll finish what you came here for…"

Koenma reached the clearing just in time to see Kuwabara being thrown off by the force field that Akuma had created around her.

"What's happening? Where's Botan?" Koenma shot at them.

"Well, your friend here got very impatient, not to mention impulsive and attacked me," Akuma pointed at Kuwabara, "He doesn't know how to treat a woman with respect, does he?"

"Not when that woman is someone like you," Kuwabara spat at her.

Akuma raised an eyebrow at him, "Well, now he learned his lesson the hard way. And about your princess…" she said facing Koenma, "Let's say she's well kept by my followers someplace."

"I'm gonna finish you and get her back," Yusuke uttered.

"Uh, uh. If you kill me, you'll never know where I hid her," Akuma gave him a devilish smile, "You can't do anything…" As she spoke, a dark ball radiated from her hand

Not far away, Botan ran as fast as she can through the woods, the crystal glowing in her hand, scorching all the monsters that came into her path. She could hear the voices up ahead.

Hiei suddenly turned, "Someone's coming," he mumbled.

The others felt it too and reverted their attention to the foliage at their side. Akuma took the chance and raised her hand, ready to throw the ball of energy she generated.

Botan made her way through the dense bushes up front and came out into the clearing, stunning the five men. She saw Akuma throw the dark ball.

"Nooo!" Botan yelled. Before anyone else could react, a flash of light coming from the crystal went straight for the ball of energy that Akuma hurled at them. Upon contact the dark ball exploded flinging them off their feet.

"I won't let you get away with this," the incensed Akuma picked herself up and glared at Botan. As she did, she uttered a cry and a huge falcon came swooping down at them. It grabbed Botan with its claws and flew away with her.

"What was that?" Yusuke rubbed his head as he recovered. His vision focused on the feathered creature, "Oh no, Botan!"

He ran after the falcon, the others right behind him.

"We won't be able to catch up with it," Kuwabara voiced.

"And we can't attack it either, it may drop Botan," Hiei spoke

Kurama transformed to his youkai form and quickly fashioned wings made out of plants. He lifted off, resolved to bring Botan back safely. But the falcon just flew faster, making it harder for Kurama to catch up.

"You bitch! Give her back!" Koenma demanded angrily at Akuma.

"I don't think so," with that, she gave another shrill cry. They watched in horror as the falcon increased the distance between him and Kurama and slowly let go of Botan.

Botan's eyes widened as she felt the creature's claws move under her.

"Oh God, please help me," tears spilled from her eyes, "please don't let me die…"

She clutched the crystal to her heart as she felt the last support give way as the falcon completely let her go. She closed her eyes tight as she waited for her body to hit the ground, ending her life, but it didn't happen. Instead, a bright light enveloped her… A voice spoke and a vision of a beautiful woman in white filled her mind… I am Suisho… For years, I have waited to find someone worthy to carry out my resolution once the right time comes. I have locked my soul in this crystal to make certain that my people and the generations after them would be taken care of. That time has come and I have chosen you to carry out my wish. I know that you have spoken to my beloved Shinichi… All that he had said is true. Please help us… Save your friends and all the other people from Akuma. I will guide you through all that you have to do… You may say yes…or no. I leave you to choose for yourself and for the fate of the people…

"Noooo!" It was Koenma's turn to yell as the gigantic creature released Botan from its hold. He ran faster, but was stopped from his tracks as a brilliant sphere surrounded Botan, breaking her fall and protecting her inside. As sphere went down slowly, Koenma, his eyes fixed on the orb, ran forward. Yusuke, Kuwabara and Hiei followed him. They arrived on a clearing surrounded by a cliff on its edge. Kurama had flown down and joined them. They watched, dazed and confused at this new development as the sphere made its way down and settled slowly on land. In the center of it, Botan stood, her shirt and pants gone, replaced by a white empire cut dress, flowing gracefully down to her feet. Her eyes were closed; her long blue hair, hung loose on her shoulders, was gently moving with the light breeze that surrounded her. As her feet touched the ground the crystal in her hand glowed, the sphere disappeared, and she opened her eyes.

Akuma recovered from her shock upon seeing Botan and spoke, her voice ful of wrath, "Suisho… This is all her doing."

"Yes," Botan affirmed, hew voice serene, catching everyone's attention, "She has chosen me to put a stop to all your lunacy."

"Is that what she called it?" Akuma replied with an edge in her voice, "Well, I think it's called intelligence. And do you really think that I'd let you do that easily?" Akuma retorted indignantly as she sent a blast of dark power towards Botan.

"Botan, move away!" Yusuke yelled at her.

Despite the warning, Botan stood still. As the blast came, a barrier formed in front of her, shielding her from its destructive power.

Enraged, Akuma mumbled with spite in her voice, "I'm going to make you suffer; after that, I will destroy all of you. Then I will proceed to rule the whole world." She clenched her fist then hurled a powerful ball at the five men. Botan hurled an orb of her own to counter it. The explosion it caused literally threw them off their feet.

Hiei recovered fast and faced Akuma, sending dagger-like glares at her, "Jaou… ensatsu…" Hiei's bandages were shed off and a dark fire formed on his palm, "KOKORYUHAAA!!!"

The black dragon headed for Akuma, who built a dark sphere around her. The dragon hit the barrier. Akuma then, with an enraged cry, sent a powerful ball that tore it in half.

Yusuke stepped forward and aimed his index finger at Akuma, "REI GAANNN!!!" the powerful spirit ball collided with the sphere then exploded.

"Fools! Nothing can penetrate my powerful shield!" Inside the sphere, Akuma laughed almost insanely. She then raised her arms and started concentrating her power into another dark ball.

"You were just envy of Queen Suisho and you wanted to prove to everyone that you're just as good as she can be," Kurama cried out, hoping to distract Akuma, "But she's not here anymore and neither does her empire exist. Why are you still doing this?"

"You don't understand," Akuma spoke bitterly, "Queen Suisho may not be alive, and neither does her empire exist but there is still the whole world. Even though I wouldn't be able to laugh to her face once I have conquered Ningenkai, I'd still be able to prove that I'm just as good as her. Besides, that's not just what I want. I want to be the queen, to have the power that she once had in her hands, to be served by all, to rule above all else," she paused and looked at them, "But you've ruined all my plans and I could never forgive that."

"I pity you Akuma!" Botan cried out, "Not only are you a lunatic, but you also have a twisted idea of leadership," she took a deep breath and continued, "You do not deserve to be a leader much more a queen," she said, puctuating the last word. "And even if you become one, you will never experience how it is to rule just as Queen Suisho had because you do not have the qualities she has. Can't you see? Her reign had been a glorious one because she had always thought of her people and not herself. Because of her service, she gave up her happiness with the one she loved most. Even in her death, she thought of her people, that's why she sealed her soul in this crystal instead of letting herself have her peace," as Botan spoke, the crystal glowed brighter and floated above her hands, "She was even kind to you. Why do you think didn't she end your life when you have tried to get rid of her? She had cared for you, that even if you had brought her so much heartache, she decided to give you another chance, hoping that you'll change. She was so unselfish, that's why the people loved her and served her. While you, you don't even think about anything but yourself. How can you be a good leader when you're so greedy?" Botan continued, her voice steadfast in the air, "You may be as intelligent and brilliant as her, but you can never surpass the love and kindness she had in her heart… and I can never let you rule the world," she said with determination.

A softness momentarily passed Akuma's eyes as Botan's words hit home but, after a fleeting second, her expression hardened once more, "You have no right to say those words to me! I will never let you stop me!" her eyes blazed with fierce anger as she cast the ball to Botan.

As the ball traveled the distance between them, Botan surrounded Koenma and the others with a sphere. Then, Botan stretched her arms, great power emanating from them.

A sudden realization hit Koenma, "No Botan, You can't! You might die!"

Botan looked at them, tears were spilling from her eyes, nonethe less, a firm resolve can be detected from them, "You have been great friends… thank you for everything…"

"No... Botan, please don't," Koenma gazed at her pleadingly, but as he looked in her eyes, prodded to the depths of her soul, he knew that there was nothing more he could do, "I love you…"

"I'm sorry Koenma, but I HAVE to do this," Botan gave her a wistful smile, "I love you too…" she whispered then faced Akuma.

A powerful stream of light burst forth her hands, sending gusts of wind around her. The dark ball of power collided with the brilliant stream. For a while, the two forces battled in the center. It was taking all their efforts to outdo each other, while the Reikai tantei and the crowned prince watched in their confines, unable to do anything.

Botan gave a heartbreaking scream as she used all her strength, power and energy until the steady stream of light pushed the ball towards Akuma.

"BOTAAANNN!!!" Koenma cried. He tried to reach out, but the transparent sphere hindered him from doing so.

Their cries were dissolved in the air as Akuma was thrown off and a blinding flash of light surrounded all of them…

A/N: Cliffhangers anyone? What d'ya think would happen? Well, this turned out to be my longest chapter before and after I've edited and revised this fic. I'm really glad that I've already finished this chapter. One or two chapters more and I'm done with this. I'll gladly appreciate any feedback from you guys.