Chapter 12: Energy Shower



A.N.: Well, this is it. The last chapter... *cries* I loved writing this story so much! I'll be writing an epilogue, though... this was so much fun to write! I'd like to say in advance to all of those that enjoyed my story, and especially to those of you that reviewed! This was a blast... my first-ever fanfiction...

Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own my two precious ten-sided-dice, my Deck, my Music to Duel by CD, and just about every existing picture of Yami Bakura. But I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!. (I wouldn't want to own the pharaoh himself, anyway; that would be too weird. Not to mention, I don't really like him that much.)

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Yami Bakura must have realized Yami Yuugi's intention at about the same time I did; he hastily shoved his Deck back into his pocket, deciding that now wasn't the right time to sic a monster on the former pharaoh. Instead, his hands moved up to his chest, and he closed his eyes as the Millennium Ring started glowing.

My eyes widened in surprise as I realized that he was planning on fighting. Yami Bakura's still much too tired from doing all of those spells; he can't possibly hope to win against Yuugi - not when he's at full power like this! He... he couldn't possibly survive... what is he thinking?

Knowing that we were in real trouble, I had an urge to run as far away as I could. However, I was rooted to the ground; while my mind was screaming at my legs to , I stood frozen, unable to move. And I had a distant feeling that, even if I did run, it wouldn't help... I was trapped in the Shadow Realm, there was no where for me to go... not to mention, I was only half a foot tall.

It was too late to run, anyway. Yami Yuugi was facing me, not Yami Bakura (who was still desperately trying to power up his Ring), as he held out his hand. I'm sorry, Hikari Anzu. I can't let my aibou be in such pain. And justice must be served...

His third eye of light flashed, and, like time was in slow motion, I could see the energy of his Mind Crush come hurling at me. It wasn't exactly light, but it wasn't exactly NOT light, either. It was... twisted, magic and light coming together... coming together to destroy my mind, my will, my soul...

I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see what would happen next. I wondered what being demented was like; maybe it was like the mind of my Yami? The thought amused and saddened me. Would it destroy me completely, or leave me alive enough to know the false hope of recovery, a thought to torment me forever?

I was about to find out.

A ringing sound filled my ears. Is this dying? I wondered. Is this what it's like, being destroyed? I can't feel any pain...

I opened one eye, afraid of what I might see. Quickly, I closed it again - the light was very bright. I slowly opened my eyes once more, this time letting the light filter in slowly. All I could see was light. Light, and a backlit figure... a backlit figure blocking the Mind Crush.

Yami... Bakura...? I whispered. As my eyes adjusted, I saw that I was right; the white-haired tomb robber was fighting off Yuugi with everything he had. Which wasn't much. I could tell he was tiring rapidly; his energy was almost gone, the aura around his Millennium Ring was fading...

He looked over his shoulder at me. Hurry up and get away! How long do you think I can hold him for!? he snarled.

I was speechless. He was trying to save my life... but at what cost? His own death? But... but what about you!? If you're tiring, I can't just leave you here! I cried back, desperately trying to shout over the ringing of the clashing magics.

Yes, you can. he replied through clenched teeth. Now go, unless you want to lose your life!

I narrowed my eyebrows in determination. I couldn't just... go. Not after all he had done for me. I WON'T LEAVE YOU, BAKURA! I called, repressing the tears that were suddenly swelling in my eyes.

Yami Bakura didn't answer right away; he seemed awed that I wouldn't leave. After a moment, he shouted, Yes, you will! You don't have much time, so go!

I answered. It was the strangest feeling in the world... while I knew that staying meant certain death, I wouldn't have left Yami Bakura's side for the world. Why? Because... I couldn't let him down, I couldn't betray him, I couldn't leave him, like everyone else had...

I had to stay. It was the right thing to do.

The aura around the Millennium Ring was fading more rapidly, now... it wouldn't be long... the shield was getting thinner, weaker... the Mind Crush was upon us... we were going to...

The scream rang through my ears. YAMI, STOP!!!!!

And just like that, he did.

I blinked in confusion. I hadn't yelled, nor had Bakura. Yami Anzu looked just as puzzled as I did (though she's normally clueless, anyway). The voice continued, What are you doing!? Yami, how could you even think...?!

Suddenly, I realized where the voice was coming from. The Millennium Puzzle. I whispered.

As if I had summoned him by his name, the Puzzle emitted a bright light, and he appeared in front of us all. His eyes, wide with innocence and anger and shock, blazed at the Spirit of the Puzzle.

The spirit met his Hikari's eyes squarely. Aibou, they hurt you! I could sense how much you were in pain, began Yami Yuugi. I couldn't let them...

Yuugi shook his head. I know you were just trying to fix things, Yami, but... but... He looked like he was going to burst into tears.

The tomb robber deserves to be punished, anyway, the pharaoh pointed out.

But you tried to Mind Crush Hikari Anzu! protested Yuugi. And even though Yami Anzu is my friend, Hikari Anzu's right. It IS her body.

The pharaoh sighed. Very well, but what do you think should be done? Do you wish to rebanish Yami Anzu back into the doll, or to the Scales? And what of Bakura's Yami? What do you propose, Yuugi?

Yuugi bit his lip, and looked down, unsure. I... I... maybe... well... um... I think that... um, well, that... we... um... we should... um... well... maybe we should... let them go?

Yami Yuugi shook his head. Aibou, that would not work. Yami Bakura still wants the Scales - along with the other Millennium Items, and Hikari Anzu still wants her body. Yami Anzu wants the body that she had been using back, as well. This will cause many future conflicts.

Yuugi nodded. I... I know.

After a moment of thought, The Spirit of the Puzzle raised his head. Aibou, what I propose is this. I will not Mind Crush anyone, as I originally planned, but I will banish Bakura's Yami back into the Ring. He's supposed to be sealed into his Millennium Item, anyway. As for Anzu -he turned to me- The two, Hikari and Yami, cannot live in harmony. Therefore, I believe that they should settle the matter of Anzu's body between themselves.

Yami Bakura glared at the pharaoh, obviously not liking the plan whatsoever. I can't say I was particularly thrilled with the idea myself. I was only six inches tall, and made of clay to boot; even if I was more talented, how could I stand up to my giant Yami in a fight? However, Yuugi looked down, and nodded his head.

Yami Yuugi smiled, satisfied that he had pleased his vessel. Very well, then. Yami Anzu, answer me this: why is it that you want Anzu's body?

Yami Anzu bit her lip, and replied, We-ell, I never got to finish living in Ancient Egypt. I've been living in Anzu's body for ten years, and I know a lot more about the world than my Hikari does. I have lots of friends, and I'm doing good in school. Everyone likes me! Besides, I want to become a dancer; you know that's been my dream for so long, Yuugi! It wouldn't be fair to destroy it now...

Yami Yuugi nodded his head, obviously agreeing with my Yami. He turned to me, and said, How do you plead, Hikari? Why do you want Anzu's body?

I glared. Because. It's mine. Do I really need another reason?

cried Yami Anzu. I gave a whole bunch of reasons!

I rolled my eyes. And I'd care because...?

Poor Yuugi looked like he was going to burst into tears at any moment. I felt his pain, and understood it... I sighed. This was a lose-lose situation, for him...

I crossed my arms, and continued, Listen, you stole my body. I want it back. I just want what's mine. You want reasons? Fine. I want my body back because I didn't get to finish living my life, either. You've had my body for ten years, that's more than I got it for. You ruined my reputation - I'm a freaking cheerleader, for crying out loud! - and I have a life to lead, thank you. There. There's your reasons!

Yami Yuugi rubbed his temples with his fingers. Let's... finish this later, all right? We still must seal the tomb robber; soon he will have enough energy to escape...

He turned to Yami Bakura, who didn't look like he was about to go anywhere. His eyes were shimmering, as if they couldn't properly focus. In one trembling hand, he held the Millennium Ring; the other was clutched over his heart. I don't think he even heard what Yami Yuugi had said. He bit his lip, trying to hold back his pain... or maybe, his tears...

The Spirit of the Millennium Puzzle whispered softly under his breath. I couldn't understand what little I heard - it sounded strange and exotic; it was more than likely ancient Egyptian. With his words, his Item started glowing, and the third eye appeared on Yami Yuugi's head once again. He closed his original eyes (for his third eye was made of light, and could not be closed), and continued whispering softly.

My eyes opened wide in horror. I ran in front of Yami Bakura's kneeling form, trying to form a wall, separating him from the pharaoh with my small body. What are you doing!? I cried. Are you crazy!? Yami Bakura's no where near recovered! He's not strong enough to survive having his soul sealed away! If you seal him now, he could die!

Yami Yuugi didn't hear me; or if he did, he didn't pay any attention. He continued whispering the spell underneath his breath, taking no notice of my presence.

I continued glaring at the pharaoh. Yami Bakura had protected me, now it was time to return the favour. I didn't move.

The spell was almost complete; I realized that he wasn't going to stop. Still, I couldn't move. I heard Yuugi's terrified voice penetrating my thoughts.

I closed my eyes, and braced myself as I felt the warmth of the Puzzle's light on my eyelids. I'm sorry... Bakura... this is all I can do... I whispered, ready for the worst.

The impact came from the side, shooting a spasm of pain through my body. My eyes opened wide as I realized that it was not the banishing spell that hit me, but rather, it was YUUGI. He had hit me away at the last second, breaking the barrier between Yami Yuugi and Yami Bakura. As I pulled myself into a kneeling crouch, I could only watch in horror as the soul-sealing spell consumed the thief.

His screams, piercing the cool air like a dagger, were filled with pure agony. It felt as if every fiber of my body was being torn, watching him in that moment, like my soul was being sealed along with his. I had never heard so much pain in someone's voice before... I thought that I would die, it hurt me so badly, just to listen...

Just as suddenly, the screams stopped, and the body of Ryou Bakura, limp, fell to the ground. My whole body was trembling. Bakura... no... NOOOOOOO!!!! I screamed, desperately wishing that this was a dream, just a bad dream...

The nightmare stood before me, the king of the shadows. Tears, welling up inside me, blurred my vision. But I never lost focus on Yami Yuugi's face.

I whispered, my voice dripping with abhorrence, How could you...? How could you DO that!? Couldn't you see how badly he was hurt? How dare you!? HOW DARE YOU!?!?!?

By this time, I was shouting, and my tears fell unabated down my cheeks. And I didn't care. I just... didn't care anymore. All of the rage was coming out, all of the pain... one last time...

You know what!? You win! You win, Yami Anzu! Take my body! Seal my soul away! Why should I live, why should I suffer like this? You and Yami Yuugi hate me anyway, and your friends Jounouchi and Honda probably do, too! You've ruined my reputation, you've ruined my ambitions, and you've ruined my life!

...You know what? That's okay, I can deal with it. I don't mind, not so much. But there's one thing I CAN'T deal with, and that's what you did to Yami Bakura! You - both of you! - you destroyed him! You destroyed him, and destroyed my will to go on. I don't WANT to live in this world, where you are the judge, and everyone hates, and nobody cares! So banish me now, banish me! Seal me away! At least, lost in the cold dark shadows, I'll know that someone tried to protect me, that someone cared!!!! I'm not afraid! Let the Darkness surround me; SEAL ME AWAY!!!!

One face, a mirror of my own, looked both frightened, yet mildly happy.

One face, a reflection of pure innocence, looked both horrified and full of sorrow, as if its voice was trying to call out, but could not find words to say.

One face, that of true darkness, simply smiled, and replied, Very well, if that is what you wish.

The Puzzle glowed, and its light descended upon me. Even in those last few seconds, my eyes never left the kings'. Tears fell down my face, but I was not afraid.

The pain was so great, I didn't even hear myself scream. All I knew was that I was falling, falling, falling...

Forever.

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Oh, I feel so bad now! I think that's the saddest thing I've ever written. Poor Hikari Anzu and Yami Bakura... I didn't WANT to do it, but I had to! This was a really hard chapter for me to do... because this takes place right after the Duelist Kingdom, before Sugoroku is released from the hospital... and Anzu's still ditzy after that. So Hikari Anzu couldn't win. But I'll try to make up for it in the epilogue! But, yes... I must warn you... the ending is still rather sad...

Please review!