Disclaimer: I said it before, I don't own it.
Kris: Wow, you're alive.
Anya: Surprise , Surprise I know. Sorry about the wait everyone. Classes got really hectic there, but that is all in the past. Thanks for being patient with me and giving me such wonderful reviews. It means a lot to me.
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Yugi's words hung unanswered. Finally, a tremendous scream broke the silence.
"You bitch. You'll pay for this." Raya's third eye shined brightly from her forehead. Never had it been so intense. Across from her, Yami's third eye had appeared as well. It's brightness just as intense.
"No, let us handle this bitch, you save your son." Bakura replied, moving in front of Raya. Never had he been filled with such anger, such rage. Not even when his own yami tormented him had his anger been so destructive.
Beside him, Joey agreed. "We'll hold off the terrors, you just save Yugi."
Tristan and Seto had seen what Bakura and Joey were up to and moved in front of their charges as well. Seto mouthed to Tea to move back and protect his brother and Yugi.
'It's time to save the future.'
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Raya watched as her friends battled Satire and Jarha. She closed her eyes tightly in fear. 'This can't be happening again. My best friends are fighting a battle that they can not win without the royals help. I have to convince Yugi of the truth, before one of our friends is stuck down.'
She tried to move around the battle, closer to were her son was hiding, but found that to be near impossible. Every time she tried to gain ground, either Satire or Jarha managed to block her path. Risking a glance over to Yami, she could see he was having the same problem. 'We're just going to have to stay here and convince him I guess. But how, how will Yugi hear us over the battle? There is no possible way.'
//There is a way, Raya.//
Whipping her head around, she searched for where Yami was. 'Okay, I know I just heard Yami's voice, but he is only the other side of the room, how could I have heard him just now?'
//Raya! Move!//
Without hesitating, Raya moved, right before a piece of temple slammed into her. 'How?'
//Thought talk. You can do it too Raya. I am using by abilities over the mind to open mine and Yugi's link to you as well. It is the only way for him to hear us.//
///Okay, I think///
//See, you can already do it.//
///But Yami, will he listen, open the other end of the link?///
//I am not sure, but we have to try, we can't get over there.//
///This isn't safe though. It is going to take a lot of concentration for both of us to do this.///
//I know, but we have to trust our friends to protect us.//
///Alright, let's do it.///
//Yugi, can you hear me? It's Yami.//
/Go away, I don't ever want to speak with you again./
//Yugi, listen to me. Satire and Jarha have tricked you, made you believe that Raya and I are something that we aren't. We would never harm you like the siblings said we did.//
/Liar./
///He's not lying my son. You are our world, our life, our reason for existing. I would never hurt you the way Satire has. You can't believe her. Think of what she has done to you, to us, to our friends.///
/Raya? How?/
///Yami's doing. I'm not sure how he managed it, but we can thought talk too now.///
/Great, now I have to listen to both of your lies./
//Aibou, listen to me. Don't you remember all the fun times we had together? The Duelist Tournament, the festivals in town, teaching me what snow was, don't you remember any of that?//
/Don't call me aibou. No, all of that was just a trick. You hit me, said you never wanted me, all of the fun times we had was just an illusion, one that I created in my mind./
///Yugi, no. You have it all wrong. The fun times aren't the illusion, the abuse is. Please believe me my son, I would never harm you. I would rather die than to see you suffer.///
/Then die./
Raya and Yami reeled back in disbelief. Yugi really did want them dead.
//Yugi, we're not going away until you are well.//
/The only way I will be well again is when you two, my so called parents are gone for good./
///You don't mean that.///
/Oh, I do Raya, I certainly do./
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Tea held Yugi close to her. She couldn't let him go in fear that he would run from all of them. She tore her eyes from the battle to glimpse at her friend. 'It looks like he is in a trance of some sort. Oh I hope Jarha hasn't done something.' And then it hit her. 'Thought talk' She looked in Yami's direction, he too had the same trance - like expression of his face. Raya did as well. 'How is Raya thought talking with them. I thought only Yami and Yugi could do that. Oh I hope she found a way to talk too. This may be our only way to save Yugi'
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Tristan ducked under Jarha's latest punch. "I think you missed." he said, with a smirk on his face.
"I wouldn't be laughing boy. I beat you once. I could certainly do it again."
"Yeah, well this time, he has help." Bakura answered, punching Jarha squarely in the face. "I must admit, having Ryou as a yami certainly did teach me a thing or two about self defense."
Jarha rose, wiping the blood from the corner of his lip. "Well, let's see how you deal with magic. Mind Muddle."
Tristan dove out of the way of the darken light that shot from Jarha's fingers. "BAKURA!" He watched in horror as the light struck his friend. When it died down, Bakura face was void of any expression. "What did you do to him Jarha?"
Jarha laughed. "Nothing more than make him a personal servant of mine. He know longer knows the meaning of the words free will."
"NO!"
"You odds of winning Honda just decrease. We now have two of yours fighting for us. It is only a matter of time before the rest of you fall as well."
Tristan rose to his feet, sword positioned in front of him, waiting to strike. "We shall see about that Jarha. It is our job to save the history that we know. We will not fail. We will beat you again, just like before."
"I would like to see you try and defeat me boy."
Tristan whispered two words that would forever change his young life. "Bring it."
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Seto and Joey walked slowly around Satire, both having their swords out in front of them, waiting to either attack or defend. Satire had made no attempt to assault them since they had trapped her in there circle. Rather she stood there, well floated, as if waiting for the two boys to make the first move.
"Well what do you think Joey, do we stand here or attack this coward."
"Oh I am all for beating her to the next century. After what she has done to all of us, it is the least we could do to her."
"For the first time in our lives, I think I agree Joey."
Giving his famous smile to Seto, Joey broke the circle and lunged at Satire. Calmly, the girl rose higher into the air, well out reach from Joey. Yawning, she glanced at the two fuming men. "This isn't going to be much of a fight."
"Well with you floating and all, I guess it wouldn't be in your opinion. But Joey and I will defeat you Satire, remember that!"
"You do realize you are in a battle that you can not possible win?"
"Stop floating up there and make it a ground battle, a little more fair. We'll see who will win then." Joey stated, confidently. 'Have to do this, have to buy time for Yami and Raya.'
"Brave words from a dog who posses no magic."
"HEY! I am the only person allowed to call Joey a dog!"
"Yeah, only Seto is. Hey wait a moment…"
Satire watched the mock fight with mild amusement. Gently, she lowered herself to the ground. "I must admit, I admire your courage, battling someone you know you can't beat."
"Well, I can see the word modesty isn't your vocabulary Satire, and that will be you downfall. Joey and I will see to that personally."
"After all, I beat you once before, powers and all. And believe me, I am ten times more mad at you then I was last time."
For the first time, Satire actually felt a twinge of nervousness. She could sense the fire and determination in the young warriors eyes and words. 'They will stop at nothing to defeat my brother and I. They are willing to die for the tramp and my Yugioh. Is this what friendship really is?' She shook her head. 'No sense dwelling on useless information. Ares expects us to finish the job…quickly.' "Ready to fight to the death gentleman?"
Seto and Joey gripped their weapons tighter. Sweat glistened on their brows. But neither hesitated when they answered Satire's proposal. "Ready and willing."
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Yami watched the battle beside him closely. He knew that his friends could do little against the siblings. They need Yugi, immediately. But so far, nothing he or Raya said could draw the young heir back to them. He was totally lost to the darkness. 'I failed my light, my brother, my son. He is gone, never to return to what he was.'
Yami's head jolted back as he felt a mental slap. He stared at his wife, whose eyes narrowed at him.
///You told me that no matter what, we would save our son. I believed you. Don't quit on me now.///
Yami nodded and opened the link back up to Yugi. Clio had told him that there was still a seed of goodness left in Yugi, but it would be nearly impossible to reach. But no matter what, he couldn't give up. Too much was riding on this.
//Yugi, please talk to us.//
/Go away./
Across the room, Raya brighten. 'I think I know of a way to reach him.'
///Yugi, don't talk, just answer with your heart. Block out everything but the sound of my voice and your heart.///
/Okay./
///Do you trust Tea and the others?///
Deep inside Yugi's heart, the answer came. /Yes./
///Believe they would never hurt you in any way?///
Again, the answer came, stronger this time. /Yes/
///Do you believe in Grandpa?///
/Without a doubt./
///Do you trust Yami and I?///
/Ye….NO!/ Yugi cried. His heart screamed yes, but something prevented him from saying the word. Quickly, he broke the link, making sure not to reestablish it with either Yami or Raya. It hurt too much to thought talk to them. Burned deep inside of him, like what they were trying to tell him was the truth. 'But that is insane. They can't be telling the truth, can they?'
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Tristan lunged at Jarha, sword swinging. Jarha met him with one of his own. The two met with a loud clank. Neither drew back, each pushing forward, neither one wanting to give up and ground that could cost them their live.
"Give it up Honda."
"Never, not as long as I can still breathe will I give up to the likes of you."
"Pity, it is really. Well just don't say I didn't give you the chance to run."
Jarha raised his leg and kicked Tristan promptly in the stomach, causing him to fly backwards, near Bakura. Oh how he wished his friend could help.
As soon as he hit the ground, Tristan was back on his feet. "Lucky punch."
Jarha laughed, "Whatever you say."
The two continued their battle, not noticing another joining their party just behind them.
Finally, one gained the upper hand. A sword flew through the air, followed by a scream and then a sickening thud.
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Satire rolled underneath Seto as he flipped to attack her. It wasn't hard to avoid the boys attacks, though she had to admit, it wasn't as easy as she thought it would have been. 'They must been remembering their time here the longer they are here. Their training is coming back to them.'
Stealing a quick peek at Seto, Joey mouthed an attack to him. If they couldn't beat Satire solo, then they would have to try a combination assault.
With Satire trapped once again in the middle of them, Seto kicked her legs out from underneath her, and Joey brought his sword down as she fell.
And then it happened. A scream to end all screams. A scream that froze everyone in the room.
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Raya was jolted out of her thoughts when she heard the scream. She whipped her head at the sound of the commotion. 'Please, don't let one of my friends be dead. Please.' What she saw, scared her senseless. "Tristan! NO!"
Raya gasped as she saw Tristan gripping at his upper arm. Somehow Jarha had managed to steal away Tristan's sword and even managed to strike her friend. Luckily the wound wasn't fatal…yet. Time seemed to slow as Jarha raised the weapon high. He was going to kill Tristan the same way he had before.
'No, I can't let this happen again. I can't let one of my friends die in my personal war' Raya shot out her hand. Across the room, Yami started to call out his attack as well. Both knew that neither attack would save Tristan in time. Tea screamed from in front of the room, covering Mokuba's eyes from the oncoming horror.
And then it happened,
Jarha went flying to the floor.
Raya let out a breathe. 'How?' She rose to her feet. The fighting in the room had all stopped. Even Satire and Joey had paused to see what was going on and who had stopped Jarha.
With a grin, Raya saw the person first. The white hair gave it away.
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"Bakura?" whispered Tristan, "but how?"
"Like Yami and Raya, I reverted back into my original form. Magic and all. I wasn't affect by Jarha's conjuring. I pretend that I was however so we could get the jump on him."
From the ground, Jarha growled. "You'll pay for that boy."
"JARHA!"
Everyone turned to Raya was. She stood tall and proud. No longer was the fear present in her eyes, only determination and regret? 'That doesn't make sense.' Yami thought. 'Unless, oh no.'
"Yes my sweet?"
"I'll make a deal with you. Leave my friends alone, allow them to return home, and I'll stay with you. Forever."
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The words hung in the air. No one, not even Jarha, could believe what Raya was volunteering to do. To stay with Jarha forever, just so her friends could live.
//Raya, what are you doing? Stop this now.//
///I can't Yami. Consider this my stupid move.///
"Well Jarha, what is your answer?"
"You'd stay with me, be my personal slave, just as long as I let your husband, son, and friends go?"
Joey turned to Raya. "Don't do this Raya, we can beat them."
"I told you Joey, that I would do anything to save my son." she hissed. She wouldn't dare to look at her friends, her son, or her husband. If she did, she knew she would back out of her offer, and that wasn't an option. Instead, she kept her eyes right on Jarha. "Yes Jarha those are my conditions, do you agree to them?"
Jarha stood, pondering his obsession's words. "Mine forever?"
"Brother!" Satire screamed. "Do not be tricked by this witches' speeches. Given the chance, she will destroy us."
Raya stepped forward. "NO! I am not lying. I am willing to do anything for my son and friends. So I will ask you again Jarha, what is your answer?"
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Sweat glistened on Yami's brow. 'This is what Raya meant when she made me promise that if she turned, I would have to kill her as well. She is giving all of us a chance to defeat the siblings, catch them off guard with this proposal.'
Suddenly, Yami felt another presence. Yugi had reopened the thought link with him.
/What is she doing?/
//She thinks she is saving all of us by giving herself to the siblings aibou.//
/Why would she risk herself like that?/
And the second part of Raya's plan fell into place. Yami now saw it. She had given Yami a chance to convince Yugi that they weren't evil. //Because she loves her friends. She loves her son. She would rather die than see anyone hurt.//
/…/
//The same goes for me. I would rather die a thousand times Yugi than to see you injured. Raya and I would never harm you like Jarha showed you. We couldn't, wouldn't.//
/I don't know who to believe anymore./
//Trust your heart Yugi, it will always show you the truth.//
At the altar, Yugi closed his eyes tightly. 'So many conflicting memories. I'm just not sure which are true and which are false. How do I tell? Is there anyway at all?' He reopened his eyes, which settled on Raya. Even in the darkness, he could see the dread in the young woman eyes. Dread from what she was willing to do. 'She is willing to give up her life for me. How can she be evil in one memory, but good in another? Is this stunt all an act? Or is she being truthful? Is Yami being truthful?'
//Aibou, I will protect and stand by you always, no matter what.//
/I'm so confused. Nothing is making sense anymore./
//Clear your mind. And just trust in you.//
/Okay./ Yugi blocked out everything going around him. 'I want to find the truth. Please, someone, guide me to that answer. I am unclear of who is telling me the truth and who is telling me lies. Please, help me.
Unnoticed by anyone, the eye of Horus appeared faintly on Yugi's forehead. The first time it had appeared since his kidnapping.
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Jarha turned to Raya. "Well my dear, I have decided. I will take you up on your offer."
Raya lowered her head, knowing her fate. 'Yami, please don't back out on your promise.'
"NO!"
Yami and Raya snapped their heads in the direction of their son. Yugi stood under his own power, his own light blaring brightly.
"Yugi?" she asked hopefully
"I may not know which side is telling me the truth about my parents, but I do know that no one deserves to be a personal slave you Jarha, not even my mother."
"But isn't this what you wanted Yugi? To have your parents suffer as you had?" Jarha asked, sensing that something wasn't right with the young heir.
"Maybe, I am not sure anymore."
And with that comment, a jolt of recognition went around the room. Yami stared at Raya, who nodded back. Their son was coming back to them. But how could they totally get him back? Was there a way before Satire and Jarha attacked?
Joey looked at Seto, who looked at Tea and so on. They were so close. Yugi was coming back to them. All Yugi needed was one more tug back into the light. But how did they go about doing that? Was there a way at all? And then in answer to their question, a sweet melody filled the air. A song everyone, but the siblings, had come to know so well.
"Come on stop your crying it will be alright. Just take my hand, hold it tight. I will protect you for all around you. I will be here, don't you cry."
Yami picked up where Raya had left off.
"For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm. This bond between us, can't be broken. I will be here, don't you cry."
Together, Yami and Raya sung the chorus.
"Cause you'll be in my heart. Yes you'll be in my heart. From this day on, now and forever more."
Giving everyone a quick nod, Yami, Raya, Seto, Joey, Tea, Tristan, Bakura, and even Mokuba sung the end of the chorus.
"You'll be in my heart. No matter what they say. You'll be in my heart always…"
Raya turned to her son, tears falling. "Always."
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Yugi's head pounded in pain. It wasn't a headache, more like a heartache. The song, it sounded so familiar, so sincere. But could he trust his parents? He stole a quick look at his mother and father, as well as his friends.
Raya, standing tall to the right of him. He could feel her confidence flickering. Threatening to consume her whole. Yugi stared at her. She did know the consequences of her actions, what becoming Jarha's personal slave meant. And yet she was willing to do it, for him. To make sure that Yugi wasn't harm again by Jarha and Satire.
Yami, sitting to the left of him. Yami's eyes were cold and distant, but the stare wasn't directed at him, but at the siblings instead. Yugi could feel the hatred for the two siblings, for what they had done to his aibou. He could also sense the disappointment, not at that Yugi was still alive, like Jarha had made him believe, but at failing to protect his family from harm.
Tea, hidden behind the altar. Her eyes wide in fear, but filled with sorrow as well. She was worried of what was to become of her best friends. One of which being him. He could feel her frustration at not being able to help more. He could also sense her determination. If one of her friends fell, she would gladly pick up the sword and continue the fight.
Mokuba, who was inching his way toward Raya. Determination to beat the siblings ran through his blood. For the first time in his life, Mokuba felt vengeance. No one harmed his family and friends. Not while he and his brother were still breathing.
Joey, in the middle, sword still pointed over Satire. And yet, he could not bring himself to stoop to their level and kill their opponents. Joey showed compassion where Jarha and Satire would have just eliminated whatever threat came their way.
Bakura, tending to a wounded Tristan. Bakura had risk his life by posing as a slave of Jarha's and then attack Jarha when Tristan's life was threatened. He had risked his life for a battle that he wasn't directly involved in. But yet, here he was fighting by his friends' sides to the death.
Seto, laying against a pillar, gasping slightly still for air. Not once did the young man consider the battle for his own personal gain. It was always to save him. Never did it occur to Seto that much recognition could be gain from this fight. Not once.
And finally Tristan, whose arm had been injured, trying to save Yugi from a certain death. He had risked his own life, and almost lost, to save a boy who had told the siblings to eliminate his parents.
'Why do these people continue to protect me, if I am nothing but a problem to them?' "WHY!"
Joey stared at his friend as if he had heard Yugi's thoughts. "Because, we are friends, a family Yugi. Nothing, not even these two can change that."
'Family? But we're not even related.' And then the answer hit Yugi like a sack of bricks. 'A family isn't just people who are related to one another, but of people who will go the extra mile to protect the people they love.'
Yugi closed his eyes and then opened them wide again. This time, the glazed over look was gone, instead, determination shown through.
Jarha and Satire inched their way into the center of the circle, away from any pending danger. They too, knew what was going on and it wasn't good news for them.
Raya noticed the change in her son. "Yugi?" 'Could it really be true? Please don't let this be a cruel twist of fate, I couldn't handle it if it was.'
"Here this now Satire and Jarha. I almost believed that my parents were truly evil, but it was you all along. You know nothing of love and dedication like my parents do. So hear this, the Royal Family will defeat you. I will see to that personally!"
Smiles broke onto the faces of all Yugi's friends, Yugi was back!
Everyone turned to the siblings, who had shocked expressions on their faces. Yugi 's voice rang out loud. "Satire, Jarha. You're planned failed. You tried to turn us against one another, used the ones we loved as pawns in your sick game. And it almost worked. I nearly fell to the darkness, but in the end, true love was stronger. Family was stronger. My family and friends will always be stronger than the two of you, no matter where you get help from. It doesn't matter. You can never beat my family." Yugi clenched his hands beside him, anger growing. "Prepare to face the wrath of the royal family and friends."
Anya: Just a sneak preview of the next chapter here. Answers are finally revealed about Yugi's powers as well as the answer to the Reborn the Monster Riddle.
Kris: Wow, you're alive.
Anya: Surprise , Surprise I know. Sorry about the wait everyone. Classes got really hectic there, but that is all in the past. Thanks for being patient with me and giving me such wonderful reviews. It means a lot to me.
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Yugi's words hung unanswered. Finally, a tremendous scream broke the silence.
"You bitch. You'll pay for this." Raya's third eye shined brightly from her forehead. Never had it been so intense. Across from her, Yami's third eye had appeared as well. It's brightness just as intense.
"No, let us handle this bitch, you save your son." Bakura replied, moving in front of Raya. Never had he been filled with such anger, such rage. Not even when his own yami tormented him had his anger been so destructive.
Beside him, Joey agreed. "We'll hold off the terrors, you just save Yugi."
Tristan and Seto had seen what Bakura and Joey were up to and moved in front of their charges as well. Seto mouthed to Tea to move back and protect his brother and Yugi.
'It's time to save the future.'
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Raya watched as her friends battled Satire and Jarha. She closed her eyes tightly in fear. 'This can't be happening again. My best friends are fighting a battle that they can not win without the royals help. I have to convince Yugi of the truth, before one of our friends is stuck down.'
She tried to move around the battle, closer to were her son was hiding, but found that to be near impossible. Every time she tried to gain ground, either Satire or Jarha managed to block her path. Risking a glance over to Yami, she could see he was having the same problem. 'We're just going to have to stay here and convince him I guess. But how, how will Yugi hear us over the battle? There is no possible way.'
//There is a way, Raya.//
Whipping her head around, she searched for where Yami was. 'Okay, I know I just heard Yami's voice, but he is only the other side of the room, how could I have heard him just now?'
//Raya! Move!//
Without hesitating, Raya moved, right before a piece of temple slammed into her. 'How?'
//Thought talk. You can do it too Raya. I am using by abilities over the mind to open mine and Yugi's link to you as well. It is the only way for him to hear us.//
///Okay, I think///
//See, you can already do it.//
///But Yami, will he listen, open the other end of the link?///
//I am not sure, but we have to try, we can't get over there.//
///This isn't safe though. It is going to take a lot of concentration for both of us to do this.///
//I know, but we have to trust our friends to protect us.//
///Alright, let's do it.///
//Yugi, can you hear me? It's Yami.//
/Go away, I don't ever want to speak with you again./
//Yugi, listen to me. Satire and Jarha have tricked you, made you believe that Raya and I are something that we aren't. We would never harm you like the siblings said we did.//
/Liar./
///He's not lying my son. You are our world, our life, our reason for existing. I would never hurt you the way Satire has. You can't believe her. Think of what she has done to you, to us, to our friends.///
/Raya? How?/
///Yami's doing. I'm not sure how he managed it, but we can thought talk too now.///
/Great, now I have to listen to both of your lies./
//Aibou, listen to me. Don't you remember all the fun times we had together? The Duelist Tournament, the festivals in town, teaching me what snow was, don't you remember any of that?//
/Don't call me aibou. No, all of that was just a trick. You hit me, said you never wanted me, all of the fun times we had was just an illusion, one that I created in my mind./
///Yugi, no. You have it all wrong. The fun times aren't the illusion, the abuse is. Please believe me my son, I would never harm you. I would rather die than to see you suffer.///
/Then die./
Raya and Yami reeled back in disbelief. Yugi really did want them dead.
//Yugi, we're not going away until you are well.//
/The only way I will be well again is when you two, my so called parents are gone for good./
///You don't mean that.///
/Oh, I do Raya, I certainly do./
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Tea held Yugi close to her. She couldn't let him go in fear that he would run from all of them. She tore her eyes from the battle to glimpse at her friend. 'It looks like he is in a trance of some sort. Oh I hope Jarha hasn't done something.' And then it hit her. 'Thought talk' She looked in Yami's direction, he too had the same trance - like expression of his face. Raya did as well. 'How is Raya thought talking with them. I thought only Yami and Yugi could do that. Oh I hope she found a way to talk too. This may be our only way to save Yugi'
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Tristan ducked under Jarha's latest punch. "I think you missed." he said, with a smirk on his face.
"I wouldn't be laughing boy. I beat you once. I could certainly do it again."
"Yeah, well this time, he has help." Bakura answered, punching Jarha squarely in the face. "I must admit, having Ryou as a yami certainly did teach me a thing or two about self defense."
Jarha rose, wiping the blood from the corner of his lip. "Well, let's see how you deal with magic. Mind Muddle."
Tristan dove out of the way of the darken light that shot from Jarha's fingers. "BAKURA!" He watched in horror as the light struck his friend. When it died down, Bakura face was void of any expression. "What did you do to him Jarha?"
Jarha laughed. "Nothing more than make him a personal servant of mine. He know longer knows the meaning of the words free will."
"NO!"
"You odds of winning Honda just decrease. We now have two of yours fighting for us. It is only a matter of time before the rest of you fall as well."
Tristan rose to his feet, sword positioned in front of him, waiting to strike. "We shall see about that Jarha. It is our job to save the history that we know. We will not fail. We will beat you again, just like before."
"I would like to see you try and defeat me boy."
Tristan whispered two words that would forever change his young life. "Bring it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Seto and Joey walked slowly around Satire, both having their swords out in front of them, waiting to either attack or defend. Satire had made no attempt to assault them since they had trapped her in there circle. Rather she stood there, well floated, as if waiting for the two boys to make the first move.
"Well what do you think Joey, do we stand here or attack this coward."
"Oh I am all for beating her to the next century. After what she has done to all of us, it is the least we could do to her."
"For the first time in our lives, I think I agree Joey."
Giving his famous smile to Seto, Joey broke the circle and lunged at Satire. Calmly, the girl rose higher into the air, well out reach from Joey. Yawning, she glanced at the two fuming men. "This isn't going to be much of a fight."
"Well with you floating and all, I guess it wouldn't be in your opinion. But Joey and I will defeat you Satire, remember that!"
"You do realize you are in a battle that you can not possible win?"
"Stop floating up there and make it a ground battle, a little more fair. We'll see who will win then." Joey stated, confidently. 'Have to do this, have to buy time for Yami and Raya.'
"Brave words from a dog who posses no magic."
"HEY! I am the only person allowed to call Joey a dog!"
"Yeah, only Seto is. Hey wait a moment…"
Satire watched the mock fight with mild amusement. Gently, she lowered herself to the ground. "I must admit, I admire your courage, battling someone you know you can't beat."
"Well, I can see the word modesty isn't your vocabulary Satire, and that will be you downfall. Joey and I will see to that personally."
"After all, I beat you once before, powers and all. And believe me, I am ten times more mad at you then I was last time."
For the first time, Satire actually felt a twinge of nervousness. She could sense the fire and determination in the young warriors eyes and words. 'They will stop at nothing to defeat my brother and I. They are willing to die for the tramp and my Yugioh. Is this what friendship really is?' She shook her head. 'No sense dwelling on useless information. Ares expects us to finish the job…quickly.' "Ready to fight to the death gentleman?"
Seto and Joey gripped their weapons tighter. Sweat glistened on their brows. But neither hesitated when they answered Satire's proposal. "Ready and willing."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yami watched the battle beside him closely. He knew that his friends could do little against the siblings. They need Yugi, immediately. But so far, nothing he or Raya said could draw the young heir back to them. He was totally lost to the darkness. 'I failed my light, my brother, my son. He is gone, never to return to what he was.'
Yami's head jolted back as he felt a mental slap. He stared at his wife, whose eyes narrowed at him.
///You told me that no matter what, we would save our son. I believed you. Don't quit on me now.///
Yami nodded and opened the link back up to Yugi. Clio had told him that there was still a seed of goodness left in Yugi, but it would be nearly impossible to reach. But no matter what, he couldn't give up. Too much was riding on this.
//Yugi, please talk to us.//
/Go away./
Across the room, Raya brighten. 'I think I know of a way to reach him.'
///Yugi, don't talk, just answer with your heart. Block out everything but the sound of my voice and your heart.///
/Okay./
///Do you trust Tea and the others?///
Deep inside Yugi's heart, the answer came. /Yes./
///Believe they would never hurt you in any way?///
Again, the answer came, stronger this time. /Yes/
///Do you believe in Grandpa?///
/Without a doubt./
///Do you trust Yami and I?///
/Ye….NO!/ Yugi cried. His heart screamed yes, but something prevented him from saying the word. Quickly, he broke the link, making sure not to reestablish it with either Yami or Raya. It hurt too much to thought talk to them. Burned deep inside of him, like what they were trying to tell him was the truth. 'But that is insane. They can't be telling the truth, can they?'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tristan lunged at Jarha, sword swinging. Jarha met him with one of his own. The two met with a loud clank. Neither drew back, each pushing forward, neither one wanting to give up and ground that could cost them their live.
"Give it up Honda."
"Never, not as long as I can still breathe will I give up to the likes of you."
"Pity, it is really. Well just don't say I didn't give you the chance to run."
Jarha raised his leg and kicked Tristan promptly in the stomach, causing him to fly backwards, near Bakura. Oh how he wished his friend could help.
As soon as he hit the ground, Tristan was back on his feet. "Lucky punch."
Jarha laughed, "Whatever you say."
The two continued their battle, not noticing another joining their party just behind them.
Finally, one gained the upper hand. A sword flew through the air, followed by a scream and then a sickening thud.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Satire rolled underneath Seto as he flipped to attack her. It wasn't hard to avoid the boys attacks, though she had to admit, it wasn't as easy as she thought it would have been. 'They must been remembering their time here the longer they are here. Their training is coming back to them.'
Stealing a quick peek at Seto, Joey mouthed an attack to him. If they couldn't beat Satire solo, then they would have to try a combination assault.
With Satire trapped once again in the middle of them, Seto kicked her legs out from underneath her, and Joey brought his sword down as she fell.
And then it happened. A scream to end all screams. A scream that froze everyone in the room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Raya was jolted out of her thoughts when she heard the scream. She whipped her head at the sound of the commotion. 'Please, don't let one of my friends be dead. Please.' What she saw, scared her senseless. "Tristan! NO!"
Raya gasped as she saw Tristan gripping at his upper arm. Somehow Jarha had managed to steal away Tristan's sword and even managed to strike her friend. Luckily the wound wasn't fatal…yet. Time seemed to slow as Jarha raised the weapon high. He was going to kill Tristan the same way he had before.
'No, I can't let this happen again. I can't let one of my friends die in my personal war' Raya shot out her hand. Across the room, Yami started to call out his attack as well. Both knew that neither attack would save Tristan in time. Tea screamed from in front of the room, covering Mokuba's eyes from the oncoming horror.
And then it happened,
Jarha went flying to the floor.
Raya let out a breathe. 'How?' She rose to her feet. The fighting in the room had all stopped. Even Satire and Joey had paused to see what was going on and who had stopped Jarha.
With a grin, Raya saw the person first. The white hair gave it away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Bakura?" whispered Tristan, "but how?"
"Like Yami and Raya, I reverted back into my original form. Magic and all. I wasn't affect by Jarha's conjuring. I pretend that I was however so we could get the jump on him."
From the ground, Jarha growled. "You'll pay for that boy."
"JARHA!"
Everyone turned to Raya was. She stood tall and proud. No longer was the fear present in her eyes, only determination and regret? 'That doesn't make sense.' Yami thought. 'Unless, oh no.'
"Yes my sweet?"
"I'll make a deal with you. Leave my friends alone, allow them to return home, and I'll stay with you. Forever."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The words hung in the air. No one, not even Jarha, could believe what Raya was volunteering to do. To stay with Jarha forever, just so her friends could live.
//Raya, what are you doing? Stop this now.//
///I can't Yami. Consider this my stupid move.///
"Well Jarha, what is your answer?"
"You'd stay with me, be my personal slave, just as long as I let your husband, son, and friends go?"
Joey turned to Raya. "Don't do this Raya, we can beat them."
"I told you Joey, that I would do anything to save my son." she hissed. She wouldn't dare to look at her friends, her son, or her husband. If she did, she knew she would back out of her offer, and that wasn't an option. Instead, she kept her eyes right on Jarha. "Yes Jarha those are my conditions, do you agree to them?"
Jarha stood, pondering his obsession's words. "Mine forever?"
"Brother!" Satire screamed. "Do not be tricked by this witches' speeches. Given the chance, she will destroy us."
Raya stepped forward. "NO! I am not lying. I am willing to do anything for my son and friends. So I will ask you again Jarha, what is your answer?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sweat glistened on Yami's brow. 'This is what Raya meant when she made me promise that if she turned, I would have to kill her as well. She is giving all of us a chance to defeat the siblings, catch them off guard with this proposal.'
Suddenly, Yami felt another presence. Yugi had reopened the thought link with him.
/What is she doing?/
//She thinks she is saving all of us by giving herself to the siblings aibou.//
/Why would she risk herself like that?/
And the second part of Raya's plan fell into place. Yami now saw it. She had given Yami a chance to convince Yugi that they weren't evil. //Because she loves her friends. She loves her son. She would rather die than see anyone hurt.//
/…/
//The same goes for me. I would rather die a thousand times Yugi than to see you injured. Raya and I would never harm you like Jarha showed you. We couldn't, wouldn't.//
/I don't know who to believe anymore./
//Trust your heart Yugi, it will always show you the truth.//
At the altar, Yugi closed his eyes tightly. 'So many conflicting memories. I'm just not sure which are true and which are false. How do I tell? Is there anyway at all?' He reopened his eyes, which settled on Raya. Even in the darkness, he could see the dread in the young woman eyes. Dread from what she was willing to do. 'She is willing to give up her life for me. How can she be evil in one memory, but good in another? Is this stunt all an act? Or is she being truthful? Is Yami being truthful?'
//Aibou, I will protect and stand by you always, no matter what.//
/I'm so confused. Nothing is making sense anymore./
//Clear your mind. And just trust in you.//
/Okay./ Yugi blocked out everything going around him. 'I want to find the truth. Please, someone, guide me to that answer. I am unclear of who is telling me the truth and who is telling me lies. Please, help me.
Unnoticed by anyone, the eye of Horus appeared faintly on Yugi's forehead. The first time it had appeared since his kidnapping.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jarha turned to Raya. "Well my dear, I have decided. I will take you up on your offer."
Raya lowered her head, knowing her fate. 'Yami, please don't back out on your promise.'
"NO!"
Yami and Raya snapped their heads in the direction of their son. Yugi stood under his own power, his own light blaring brightly.
"Yugi?" she asked hopefully
"I may not know which side is telling me the truth about my parents, but I do know that no one deserves to be a personal slave you Jarha, not even my mother."
"But isn't this what you wanted Yugi? To have your parents suffer as you had?" Jarha asked, sensing that something wasn't right with the young heir.
"Maybe, I am not sure anymore."
And with that comment, a jolt of recognition went around the room. Yami stared at Raya, who nodded back. Their son was coming back to them. But how could they totally get him back? Was there a way before Satire and Jarha attacked?
Joey looked at Seto, who looked at Tea and so on. They were so close. Yugi was coming back to them. All Yugi needed was one more tug back into the light. But how did they go about doing that? Was there a way at all? And then in answer to their question, a sweet melody filled the air. A song everyone, but the siblings, had come to know so well.
"Come on stop your crying it will be alright. Just take my hand, hold it tight. I will protect you for all around you. I will be here, don't you cry."
Yami picked up where Raya had left off.
"For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm. This bond between us, can't be broken. I will be here, don't you cry."
Together, Yami and Raya sung the chorus.
"Cause you'll be in my heart. Yes you'll be in my heart. From this day on, now and forever more."
Giving everyone a quick nod, Yami, Raya, Seto, Joey, Tea, Tristan, Bakura, and even Mokuba sung the end of the chorus.
"You'll be in my heart. No matter what they say. You'll be in my heart always…"
Raya turned to her son, tears falling. "Always."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yugi's head pounded in pain. It wasn't a headache, more like a heartache. The song, it sounded so familiar, so sincere. But could he trust his parents? He stole a quick look at his mother and father, as well as his friends.
Raya, standing tall to the right of him. He could feel her confidence flickering. Threatening to consume her whole. Yugi stared at her. She did know the consequences of her actions, what becoming Jarha's personal slave meant. And yet she was willing to do it, for him. To make sure that Yugi wasn't harm again by Jarha and Satire.
Yami, sitting to the left of him. Yami's eyes were cold and distant, but the stare wasn't directed at him, but at the siblings instead. Yugi could feel the hatred for the two siblings, for what they had done to his aibou. He could also sense the disappointment, not at that Yugi was still alive, like Jarha had made him believe, but at failing to protect his family from harm.
Tea, hidden behind the altar. Her eyes wide in fear, but filled with sorrow as well. She was worried of what was to become of her best friends. One of which being him. He could feel her frustration at not being able to help more. He could also sense her determination. If one of her friends fell, she would gladly pick up the sword and continue the fight.
Mokuba, who was inching his way toward Raya. Determination to beat the siblings ran through his blood. For the first time in his life, Mokuba felt vengeance. No one harmed his family and friends. Not while he and his brother were still breathing.
Joey, in the middle, sword still pointed over Satire. And yet, he could not bring himself to stoop to their level and kill their opponents. Joey showed compassion where Jarha and Satire would have just eliminated whatever threat came their way.
Bakura, tending to a wounded Tristan. Bakura had risk his life by posing as a slave of Jarha's and then attack Jarha when Tristan's life was threatened. He had risked his life for a battle that he wasn't directly involved in. But yet, here he was fighting by his friends' sides to the death.
Seto, laying against a pillar, gasping slightly still for air. Not once did the young man consider the battle for his own personal gain. It was always to save him. Never did it occur to Seto that much recognition could be gain from this fight. Not once.
And finally Tristan, whose arm had been injured, trying to save Yugi from a certain death. He had risked his own life, and almost lost, to save a boy who had told the siblings to eliminate his parents.
'Why do these people continue to protect me, if I am nothing but a problem to them?' "WHY!"
Joey stared at his friend as if he had heard Yugi's thoughts. "Because, we are friends, a family Yugi. Nothing, not even these two can change that."
'Family? But we're not even related.' And then the answer hit Yugi like a sack of bricks. 'A family isn't just people who are related to one another, but of people who will go the extra mile to protect the people they love.'
Yugi closed his eyes and then opened them wide again. This time, the glazed over look was gone, instead, determination shown through.
Jarha and Satire inched their way into the center of the circle, away from any pending danger. They too, knew what was going on and it wasn't good news for them.
Raya noticed the change in her son. "Yugi?" 'Could it really be true? Please don't let this be a cruel twist of fate, I couldn't handle it if it was.'
"Here this now Satire and Jarha. I almost believed that my parents were truly evil, but it was you all along. You know nothing of love and dedication like my parents do. So hear this, the Royal Family will defeat you. I will see to that personally!"
Smiles broke onto the faces of all Yugi's friends, Yugi was back!
Everyone turned to the siblings, who had shocked expressions on their faces. Yugi 's voice rang out loud. "Satire, Jarha. You're planned failed. You tried to turn us against one another, used the ones we loved as pawns in your sick game. And it almost worked. I nearly fell to the darkness, but in the end, true love was stronger. Family was stronger. My family and friends will always be stronger than the two of you, no matter where you get help from. It doesn't matter. You can never beat my family." Yugi clenched his hands beside him, anger growing. "Prepare to face the wrath of the royal family and friends."
Anya: Just a sneak preview of the next chapter here. Answers are finally revealed about Yugi's powers as well as the answer to the Reborn the Monster Riddle.