Chapter 11: Darkness Descending


A.N. This will most likely be the second-to-last or the third-to-last chapter in this story. It's been so much fun to write, but all good things must come to an end...

It's come to my attention that my computer and/or fanfiction.net is semi-disfunctional. The spacing after italics isn't always right. Sorry... there's not much I can do. Hope it's not THAT annoying... ^_^

Oh yeah, I wanted to say... I'm not trying to glorify Yami Bakura or anything. He's no saint. I'm just trying to explain things from a different perspective, from his viewpoint. Who knows exactly WHY he wants the Millennium Items? This is just my take on it. Everyone has good and bad points... and I'm just trying to show some of the good in Yami Bakura - and the bad in Yami Yuugi. But I DO think Yami Bakura's misunderstood sometimes. But he's far from perfect. ^_^

One more thing - sorry for the lack of updates. I got in a car crash last night on the way home from work, so... it hasn't been the best of times for me. ^_^

Disclaimer: My parents wonder why I'm crazy... maybe it's from writing too many of these stupid things! I can't take this any more! I thought I destroyed them all with the Rod four chapters ago... Ra, these things are evil! *rants about the evilness of disclaimers for a few hours* Oh, by the way, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!.

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I couldn't believe it. Yami Bakura... coming now? But... after all of that magic he used, he must still be tired. That'll give Yami Yuugi a big - not to mention unfair - advantage over both of us. I'm still exhausted... I can only imagine how Yami Bakura feels!

I was about to find out. There was a brief distortion of the space in front of me, as the ripple between detentions grew. Less than three seconds later, the white-haired Yami appeared, his eyes closed and Millennium Ring glowing as he completed the transfer.

When he opened his eyes, and saw me suspended by the Swords of Revealing Light, he seemed surprised. Then, his eyebrows narrowed in suspicion. Anzu? What are YOU doing here?

I shrugged, keeping my tone light. I'm bait. For you.

Oh, really? And just how are you supposed to be bait for me? he asked.

I think you know the answer to that already. Yami Yuugi replied.

Oh? And what would that be?

The look in Yami Yuugi's eye answered his question.

WHAT? How dare you even suggest such a thing!? he cried. I'm HERE because I want your Millennium Puzzle!

Yami Yuugi rolled his eyes. Honestly, I thought you were a better liar than that, Bakura. I know that you expended a lot of energy yesterday getting the Scales; why would you challenge me, when you are not even at half of your full power? You couldn't even beat me before, with all of your strength.

I only lost because my pitiful excuse for a hikari betrayed me! That duel was not an honourable one, and you know it! Yami Bakura snarled, clearly outraged.

Yami Yuugi simply shrugged, cool as a cucumber. Or perhaps not. It doesn't matter now, does it? The fact still stands that you are in no shape to challenge me. The only reason you came was because of her. He pointed to me, and Bakura let out something between a laugh and a snort. You were worried about her... I held the bait, and you came. My strategies are seldom flawed.

Now, Hikari Anzu's life does not need to be at stake. You, Bakura, can eliminate the danger. I will release the bait to you, if you give me that which I desire...

I glared. Did I look like a gambling chip to him or something? I wasn't some slave to be bartered with... but maybe to him, I was. I could barely contain my anger; I had never felt so degraded.

Yami Bakura seemed more annoyed than angry. And WHY would I willingly give you the power of the Scales in return for the life of a mortal? Hikari Anzu is no longer of any use to me. Do you think I care what happens to her!?

I looked down. I had never felt so... so... betrayed. It wasn't Yami Bakura's fault; he didn't owe me anything. And he had a point - why should anyone care about my fate? After all... I was just a girl, just one out of so many people...

Really, what were you thinking? I have more important things to do than waste my time on such proposals! I looked up, daring to meet Yami Bakura's eyes. To my surprise, I didn't see what I thought I would... his words were strong, his face was defiant, his movements definite, but his eyes betrayed him. I could see the pain, the conflict, tearing him up inside. He really doesn't want to let me die... he DID come for me... I realized, partially shocked, and, surprisingly relieved.

Yami Yuugi shrugged. Very well, Bakura. If you want to play the hard way... then you can join Hikari Anzu!

With that, the Millennium Puzzle around his neck began glowing, as well as a card that had been previously concealed in his hand. Swords of Revealing Light! Bind this evil tomb robber now!

The glowing swords materialized around a surprised Yami Bakura. He glared at his captor behind his glowing prison. This is low, even for you... he grumbled.

Maybe so. Yami Yuugi agreed as he walked around to Bakura's far side and pulled the doll containing the Spirit of the Scales from his pocket. But as long as my goal is achieved... it is not right to let my Hikari be wounded by your actions, and do nothing about it. You must be punished for your past deeds, anyway.

By this time, the Spirit of the Puzzle was once again standing in front of me. He placed the doll on the floor between us, and his Puzzle started to shine. Yami Anzu was starting to glow with a similar light; I didn't have much time to think about it, though. The combined light of the two Spirits, aimed at me, was more than I could bear. When Yami Bakura had transferred my soul, it hadn't been this painful... but Bakura was a professional. Yami Yuugi wasn't.

I couldn't hold back my screams any longer. I opened my mouth and wailed, unable to do anything else. Even if the Swords of Revealing Light weren't holding me, I doubt I could have moved, because the intense pain... was threatening to destroy me... there was nothing I could do to stop it from swallowing me whole...

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I was dizzy, and everything was black. My entire body ached, but I couldn't scream if I had wanted to; I knew that I had been sealed inside the doll. And the Spirit of the Scales... no doubt had taken control of my body once again...

Move however you wish.

I noted, with some element of surprise, that the voice I heard was not Yami Yuugi's, but Yami Bakura's; I opened my eyes to see the giants towering over me. I guess Yami Bakura still controls some power over the dolls...? What surprised me even more, however, was that while I was a doll, I was no longer the same one that Yami Anzu had been trapped in. I had taken the form of the homeless girl, once again...

Bakura didn't seem surprised, but Yami Yuugi certainly did. He raised his eyebrows at my new form, and was about to say something, when she interrupted.

Hm...? Oh, my head! I have SUCH a headache... where am I? What...? This isn't my soul room... no! How did I get back in the Shadow Realm? My Hikari... where is she? She'll pay for betraying me... ... ... ... Y-y-yuugi!? I-is that really you!? The Spirit of the Scales' eyes were twinkling brightly as she smiled.

Yami Yuugi smiled back at my Yami. With a snap of his fingers, the Swords of Revealing Light around her disappeared, and he approached her. Yes and no... I am the Spirit of the Millennium Puzzle, Anzu. I am simply sharing Yuugi's body... for the moment. I rescued you from Yami Bakura and your vengeful Hikari, and I was about to punish them. You see, they had...

Although Yami Bakura's voice was a low whisper, I could still hear it perfectly well - though Yami Yuugi and Yami Anzu weren't paying much attention; Yami Yuugi was talking about how glad he was to have the Spirit of the Scales back, and the ditzy cheerleader in my body couldn't pay attention to more than one thing at a time. He motioned me over, barely able to move his hands.

I whispered in return,

Yami Bakura glanced over at the duo, and making sure that neither of them were looking, and said, My Deck is in my right pocket. I can't reach it, but you... his voice trailed off.

I nodded my head in understanding. Putting my rose in my mouth so I could use both arms to climb, I took a deep breath. How I wished now that I had chosen to be the angel, so I could fly...

Determination blazing in my eyes, I grasped Yami Bakura's jeans firmly, and began the long climb up...

After what seemed like endless hours (suddenly, I was thankful that my Yami never shut up; it made for good stalling), I finally reached the top of his jeans. The rumbling of his voice was like an earthquake under my feet as he said, Good... now pull out a De-spell card. Once we get rid of the Swords of Revealing Light, I can take it from there.

I nodded my head, then concentrated as I sifted through the giant cards in his pocket, looking for the requested card. It took forever, but I finally found it, a little more than halfway through his Deck. Using as much strength as a clay doll could muster, I pulled the huge thing out, then tossed it into Yami Bakura's outstretched hand - which couldn't have been paralyzed more than six inches away. As he activated its magic, I held onto Bakura's belt for dear life.

The Swords of Revealing Light disappeared with a flash of light. This caught both Yami Yuugi and my thickheaded Yami's attention.

Yami Yuugi recovered from his shock first. Well... you are brave, aren't you, Hikari Anzu?

I slid down the tomb-robber's pant leg, careful not to get rope- err, jean-burn. (Was that even possible for a clay doll to get?) By this time, Yami Bakura had his Deck in his hand, and he was smirking; I knew that he most likely had a plan.

He slowly walked forward, studying his prey. Yami Anzu was previously unharmed... but circumstances have changed from that time, and I'm afraid much pain may soon befall her... and you as well, Spirit of the Puzzle! His eyes glimmered as he held his deck up, and he laughed.

Yami Yuugi ignored him, shaking his head sadly. You could have saved Hikari Anzu - and yourself. It's too late now - I gave you the chance to do things the nice way. You chose not to. Now... you will have to pay the price!

Yami Bakura and I exchanged glances, wondering what he was talking about. We both found out in a matter of seconds - his Millennium Puzzle was glowing once again, and a point of light was beginning to form on his forehead. We both gasped in surprise and horror as we realized what he was about to do.

He's going to Mind Crush us! I cried.

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Of course it's a cliffhanger! Mwahahaha!!! Well, anyway, please R&R! Thanks!