Author's Notes
Peacenikky: (hiding from Bakura) Well, here I am with Chapter Six! I still can't believe how many good reviews I'm getting! (Giddy squeal) ^_^
Judi: (whispering) Will you shut up and get your Crystal Rod already? Sharpner's no biggie, but if Bakura finds us like this, we are so dead!
Leanna: (whispering) It's your fault for picking a card that only lasts for one turn, Judi!
Peacenikky: (whispering) Okay, let me go get it... uh oh...
Bakura: Hello, ladies...
Peacenikky: Stay back! I'm warning you...
Bakura: Oh, yeah? What are you gonna do to me? As long as you're unarmed, you're... (gets tapped on the shoulder) Huh?
Bakura turns around to come face-to-face with a figure robed in black, carrying a sharp, pointy scythe.
Bakura: IT'S THE REAPER OF CARDS! AIEEE!!! (runs away screaming)
Figure: Well, that was fun.
Peacenikky: No way... Is it really.....
The figure pulls back its hood, revealing Rebecca Faith.
Rebecca: Too bad I can't do that to him in the actual fic. Oh well.
Judi: All right! You do have a little darkness! Woo hoo!
Rebecca: I'll be right back. I have to get this scythe back before Menardi realizes I "borrowed" it.
Peacenikky: Well, now that Bakura's temporarily out of the way, I'll be getting my Crystal Rod now. I'll be sure to get revenge for Pegasus! That creep, attacking him when he was so vulnerable... (goes off in search for the staff)
Leanna: She's actually supporting Pegasus? What's that about?
Judi: She saw "Aftermath" for the first time a while back. I can't believe Pegasus was so... weak.
Leanna: Well, I guess since he did do those things for love, the guy does deserve a tiny bit of sympathy... I think.
Judi: Well, I'm the only one left to do the rest of the Author's Notes. Peachy... I guess I'll do this list of reviewer shout-outs Peacenikky left behind first...
Crazy Assed Person: Well, I'm glad she's not a Mary Sue. I'm still a little worried, though...
sugar high demon: Wow... You really live up to your name, don't you?
BlackLadyCharon: Thanks!
Dragon C. Chan: Well, get ready for more suspense!
Floradaine: Oh my gosh, you're making me blush!
Mathais-8888: Well, you're about to get your wish...
Europa: Good. I was worried that her being a guardian angel would make her more of a Mary Sue!
Just Another Face in the Crowd: Well, there's going to be more of Yami, but Kaio-Shin won't be in this fic. Sorry.
Katana: (sarcastically) Gee, thank for all your help. I've got a slightly better idea for Sharpner and Bakura, though... Mwahahaha...
nagareboshi: Well, I'm continuing!
Star Lin: Don't worry, I don't plan on abandoning this fic or anything. I'm having too much fun with it!
Dracana Luna Challenge Master: Here's the next chapter for ya!
Naomi Starcloud: Well, you'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out! Sorry!
Judi: Several of y'all have asked us to hurry with updates. Peacenikky and I are doing our best to juggle schoolwork, Debate Team, and fic-writing, so we're doing our best to come out with quality chapters as quickly as possible. Don't worry.
Leanna: And I'll do my best to inspire them to come up with various ideas as well.
Judi: By the way, this chapter is as romantic between Rebecca and Ryou as it is gonna get. Thanks again to Tiamet for BETA reading this. I guess there's nothing left to do but continue with the fic! So, onward!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or DBZ. All I own is Rebecca, Cye, and the "Warrior of Light," "Guardian Angel," and "Ninja Queen" cards. "Guardian Angel" may also appear in Murakumo's "Isle of Lost Illusions" fic. I believe that covers everything.
Legend: /Hikari to Yami/
//Yami to Hikari//
"spoken"
'thoughts'
***scene change
CHAPTER SIX
Thursday passed without much excitement for most of the students. Ryou, sadly, received another beating from Bakura, which subsequently kept Rebecca up with a headache. Yugi also had trouble getting to sleep that night.
/I can't believe it. No matter what we do, Bakura keeps coming back and he keeps hurting Ryou. There's got to be some way to keep Bakura in the Shadow Realm for a good long while, at least until we can find out how to stop him for good./ he mentally said to Yami.
//Yugi, I know this is hard for both of us. But something tells me that a new development is just on the horizon. We can't attack Bakura until then.//
/Yeah, but there's got to be something we can do!/
//All we can do for now is be there for Ryou. We will stop Bakura soon, I promise.//
/Okay... Goodnight, Yami./
//Goodnight, Aibou.// Yugi took off the Millennium Puzzle for the night and fell into a fitful slumber.
Gohan quickly sat bolt upright.
'Weird... I could have sworn there was a glow just now from that necklace thing Yugi wears. Something's up, and I just missed it! I suppose there's the dance tomorrow night. I'll find out then, for sure.' Gohan shook his head and lay back down.
***
Down on the third floor, Rebecca looked out the window at the serene landscape and the gently falling snow.
"There's got to be a way... Maybe if I lure him outside during a snowstorm and lock him out, I can turn Bakura into an ice-pop. Yeah, that'll fix him." Rebecca chuckled in spite of herself.
"Hey Beck, are you still up?" Videl asked groggily.
"Yeah, I know I should be getting some sleep."
"So why don't you?" Tea asked. "I'm trying to sleep here!"
"Sorry. I'll shut up."
"Well, see you guys in the morning." Videl said as her head hit the pillow again. Rebecca's headache began to subside.
'I guess it's over for now. Maybe I can finally get some sleep.' Rebecca crawled back into bed, and finally drifted off into the world of dreams.
***
Ryou slowly headed back towards the elevator, trying to ignore the pain that shot through his body when he walked.
'When will this nightmare ever end? I don't know what I'll do if this keeps up... At least Rebecca won't have to deal with my Yami much longer... Just a few more days, and then she'll be out of this mess. But when will I?' Ryou sighed wearily and stepped into the elevator.
***
The next day, all the students on the trip were excited about the dance. Ryou kept to himself during the day, choosing to go down some of the more unpopular slopes to avoid the others. Everyone else, however, pretty much stayed together for the rest of the day.
"Who cares where he is, anyway? The kid's a wimp, if you ask me." Sharpner said.
"That's not true! He's just as brave as the rest of us!" Tea said defensively.
"Whatever."
"So, what next?" Joey asked.
"Well, we haven't been ice-skating very much..." Videl pointed out.
"Ice skating? That's gotta be the wimp-I mean, most romantic thing to do here..." Tristan said after looking at Erasa.
"Well, let's get going!" Erasa said, heading off toward the rink.
"Most romantic? Man, that girl's really getting to ya, buddy." Joey said when Erasa was out of earshot.
"She is not!"
"Don't lie! You'd never do any ice-skating if you weren't with her!" Joey shot back.
"Hey guys, cut it out! This isn't the time or place for that!" Yugi said.
"Fine." Both boys said in unison as they headed off toward the rink. Videl, Tea, and Gohan all laughed as they followed them.
"You've been really quiet lately, Beck. You feeling sick or something?" Yugi asked the remaining girl.
"Oh, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern. I've just been thinking about..."
"About Ryou?"
"What? How did you know?" Rebecca instantly began to mentally berate herself for letting that slip.
"Don't ask. Don't worry though. We'll help him."
//Aibou, are you sure you should be talking about this with her?//
/I know it doesn't seem wise, Yami, but I think she knows about Ryou's situation./
//What?//
/I know, but call it a hunch.../
//You may be right, Aibou. There is something about her that seems a little different.//
/Well, let's get going. Rebecca left without us!/ Yami laughed from his Soul Room as Yugi ran to catch up to the others.
***
As the sun began to set several hours later, the students congregated in the dining room. The tables and chairs had been moved toward the back to make space for the kids to dance and socialize.
"Okay students, let's get ready to have some fun!" Mr. Blake shouted as he put in a CD and pressed "play." Most of the students were surprised at his hidden talent as a DJ, but they just shrugged it off and hit the dance floor.
After several songs, Goku stepped up and tapped the microphone to get everyone's attention.
"Okay everyone, we're gonna slow things down with a 'couples-only' dance, so grab a partner!" Ms. Katrik quickly took the mike.
"We'll be watching you..." she said accusingly.
Erasa and Tristan quickly paired up, as did Gohan and Videl. Tea laughed as she pulled a blushing Yugi to the dance floor. Ryou, who had until now been standing in a corner, gulped and walked over to Rebecca, who was standing by the refreshment table.
"Um, would you like to dance? We need to talk."
"Yeah, I guess we do. Okay."
As the opening bars lead to the lyrics, Ryou cleared his throat nervously and began to speak.
"Look, whatever Bakura's doing to you, I'm sorry about everything."
"It's not your fault. Besides, I'm not going to let him push me around. I'll make him regret crossing me soon enough. It's you I'm worried about. You need to learn to stand up to him."
"I tried telling him he didn't scare me about two years ago. He broke my nose."
"Not like that! That only works on 'Leave it to Beaver.' I mean, defend yourself! Fight back!"
"Are you crazy? He'd kill me!"
"Have you ever heard of a type of martial arts called judo? It's all about using your opponent's strength against him. If you tried that, I'm sure you'll show him a thing or two!"
"I don't know..."
"You have to believe in yourself, Ryou! It's the only way you'll ever stop Bakura!"
"Have you always been this stubborn?" Rebecca laughed.
"Yep!"
"I thought so..."
A moment or two after the song ended, something began to give off a faint buzzing from Rebecca's skirt pocket.
"It's my pager. I wonder who could be calling..." Rebecca frowned as she looked at the small display. "Aw, crud. Look, I've got to take this call. I'll be right back, Ryou."
"Okay, then..."
Yugi frowned as Rebecca passed him.
/Hmm... She seems upset about something./
//Hang on... I'm going to take over for a bit, Yugi. There's something I want to check.//
/Okay./ No one seemed to notice as Yugi was replaced by a slightly taller version of himself as he quickly walked out of the dining room. A little way outside, Rebecca was near a stand of pay phones.
"Cye, listen to me. Ryou is not my boyfriend! He's a boy, and he's a friend, but that's it!" Rebecca paused as the person on the other line spoke. "Look, that dance meant nothing, okay? We only did it so we could talk about... never mind." She paused again, then quietly gasped. "Um, I've gotta go! Love ya, Uncle Cye! See you Monday! Bye!" She quickly put the receiver back on its hook and combed her bangs with her fingers. "I am so toast..." she muttered. Yami stepped into her area of view.
"So, who was that?"
"Oh, hey Yugi. That was just my uncle. He called to see how I was doing. He's a bit on the overprotective side..." Rebecca chuckled nervously.
"Really? Tell me, Rebecca. How could he have known about that dance you and Ryou shared if he's miles away in Hercule City?"
"Um..."
"There's more to you than meets he eye, Rebecca. What is it?" Her eyes widened.
"You're not Yugi!"
"Correct. I'm Yami, his darker half." Rebecca moaned.
"Here we go again..."
"You've been hiding something. What is it?" Yami extended a hand toward the girl. "Reveal!" Just like when Bakura had done so, a gust of wind blasted forth and hit Rebecca. When it subsided, she was in her angel form.
"Aw man, not again!"
"So this has happened before?"
"Me and my big mouth... Yeah, Bakura did the same thing to me Tuesday night. Happy now?"
"Who was it you were talking to?"
"That was Cye, my supervisor. He knows when I break a rule, so that's how he knew Ryou and I danced together. Angels aren't allowed to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, in case it's used against our mission."
"I see. So, I take it Bakura's been holding this little secret over your head?"
"What do you think?"
Suddenly, Joey ran into the area.
"There you are! There's a small fire in the kitchens! Everyone's gotta get out..." Joey trailed off. "Rebecca, is that you?" She slapped her forehead.
"Oh great, now he knows!"
"Joey, what caused this?"
"I don't know! One minute, we were all dancing, the next, the chaperone's are telling us to get out!"
"Oh no... I think I know who started that fire. Bakura! That no-good little..." Rebecca didn't get to finish, as Gohan quickly skidded into the hall.
"Guys! We've got to get-Rebecca? What are you....."
"It's a long story, Gohan." The black-haired boy turned toward Yami.
"I know you're behind this somehow, now I want an explanation!"
"Very well, Gohan. The truth is, Yugi Moto and I are two different individuals. I am his Yami, his darker half."
"What?"
"It's true, and I'll prove it to you."
//Yugi, it's time everyone's secrets came into the light.//
/I know. I've been listening. I'll come out now./ The Millennium Puzzle glowed brightly as Yugi appeared next to Yami.
"I knew there was something up with that puzzle!" Gohan exclaimed.
"Well, now you know the truth about me."
"Hold it! The fire's still burnin' ya know! Let's get out of here!" Joey said as he pushed Yugi and Yami toward the exit.
"No! Something's happened to Ryou, I just know it! We can't go until we find out what it is!" Rebecca cried as she ran back to the dining room.
Inside, most of the students had already evacuated the building. Videl, Tea, and Tristan were still inside, however.
"What are you still doing here?" Gohan asked.
"We were worried about you guys!" Tea answered. "Why haven't you-Rebecca?"
"Yeah, it's me. Well, that makes two more people who know about me. What next?"
"You're about to find out..." a voice hissed. Videl instinctively crouched into a fighting position. Yami stepped in front of Yugi protectively.
"Come on out! You don't scare us!" Gohan shouted.
"If you insist..." Bakura stepped out of the shadows.
"You! Why are you doing this?" Rebecca asked, balling her hand into a fist.
"It's simple, really. I'm going to get rid of you mortals, and I shall finally acquire the Millennium Puzzle!"
"You'll have to get past me first, Tomb Robber!" Yami shouted.
"Oh, I don't think there's much you can do, Pharaoh. Not after I do this!" Bakura pulled a small stack of Duel Monsters cards from his pocket and fanned them face-out. "Recognize these?"
"Hey, that's my Cyber Commander!" Tristan cried.
"And isn't that my Magician of Faith?" Tea added.
"And that's my Dark Magician!" Yugi said.
"What are you doing with my Ninja Queen?" Videl asked.
"You're right, these are your favorite cards. And I'll use them to bring you all to the Shadow Realm!"
"Uh oh, not again!" Joey cried. Bakura tossed the cards into the air as the Millennium Ring began to glow eerily. The cards also glowed brightly. Everyone screamed as their souls were drawn into the cards, leaving their bodies behind, with he exception of Rebecca, as she was merely the physical embodiment of a soul, her body didn't remain. When he was done, Bakura put the cards back into a stack and smirked.
"If you want to rescue them Pharaoh, you will follow me to the Shadow Realm, for a new type of Shadow Game!" Bakura then opened a portal to the Shadow Realm and stepped inside. Yami cast a worried glance at his friend's empty shells as he opened his own portal and entered.
'Don't worry. I will get you guys out of this, I promise!'
Author's Notes
Peacenikky: Dontcha just hate me right now?
Judi: I see you've found your Crystal Rod, hikari.
Peacenikky: Yeah, but I've decided on a more devious form of punishment for our two prisoners. It was Rebecca's idea!
Bakura: So what? You don't scare us!
Sharpner: Yeah!
Peacenikky: I know I don't. I'm just an innocent-looking teenage girl with a pyromaniac Yami and a half-human, half-lioness muse. But I do know someone much more intimidating!
Rebecca: Come in, you two!
Goten and Trunks enter the room.
Rebecca: Boys, these two are your new baby-sitters!
Leanna: And they've had plenty of sugared cereal beforehand...
Sharpner: Oh no...
Goten and Trunks: TAG, YOU'RE IT!
The boys "tag" Sharpner and Bakura, which in human terms, is a pretty hard punch.
Bakura: Ow! When I get my hands on you two... Oh Ra, they're back for more!
Sharpner: RUN!
Judi: Well, this is certainly entertaining...
Peacenikky: Oh, and before I forget, Rebecca, there's something I'd like to tell you...
Rebecca: Yeah?
Judi: In light of your recent actions, we've decided to make you our Deputy Muse!
Rebecca: Really? Cool!
Leanna: Yep, you'll be helping me inspire these two with ideas for fan fictions, and you'll also hang around in the Author's Notes and help with the insanity that occurs then!
Rebecca: Great!
Peacenikky: By the way, if any of you guys know of a trap card that activates when a monster card uses a magic effect, please let me know and describe it. I'd really appreciate it. Well, peace, love, and marshmallow bunnies, y'all! Bye!
Peacenikky: (hiding from Bakura) Well, here I am with Chapter Six! I still can't believe how many good reviews I'm getting! (Giddy squeal) ^_^
Judi: (whispering) Will you shut up and get your Crystal Rod already? Sharpner's no biggie, but if Bakura finds us like this, we are so dead!
Leanna: (whispering) It's your fault for picking a card that only lasts for one turn, Judi!
Peacenikky: (whispering) Okay, let me go get it... uh oh...
Bakura: Hello, ladies...
Peacenikky: Stay back! I'm warning you...
Bakura: Oh, yeah? What are you gonna do to me? As long as you're unarmed, you're... (gets tapped on the shoulder) Huh?
Bakura turns around to come face-to-face with a figure robed in black, carrying a sharp, pointy scythe.
Bakura: IT'S THE REAPER OF CARDS! AIEEE!!! (runs away screaming)
Figure: Well, that was fun.
Peacenikky: No way... Is it really.....
The figure pulls back its hood, revealing Rebecca Faith.
Rebecca: Too bad I can't do that to him in the actual fic. Oh well.
Judi: All right! You do have a little darkness! Woo hoo!
Rebecca: I'll be right back. I have to get this scythe back before Menardi realizes I "borrowed" it.
Peacenikky: Well, now that Bakura's temporarily out of the way, I'll be getting my Crystal Rod now. I'll be sure to get revenge for Pegasus! That creep, attacking him when he was so vulnerable... (goes off in search for the staff)
Leanna: She's actually supporting Pegasus? What's that about?
Judi: She saw "Aftermath" for the first time a while back. I can't believe Pegasus was so... weak.
Leanna: Well, I guess since he did do those things for love, the guy does deserve a tiny bit of sympathy... I think.
Judi: Well, I'm the only one left to do the rest of the Author's Notes. Peachy... I guess I'll do this list of reviewer shout-outs Peacenikky left behind first...
Crazy Assed Person: Well, I'm glad she's not a Mary Sue. I'm still a little worried, though...
sugar high demon: Wow... You really live up to your name, don't you?
BlackLadyCharon: Thanks!
Dragon C. Chan: Well, get ready for more suspense!
Floradaine: Oh my gosh, you're making me blush!
Mathais-8888: Well, you're about to get your wish...
Europa: Good. I was worried that her being a guardian angel would make her more of a Mary Sue!
Just Another Face in the Crowd: Well, there's going to be more of Yami, but Kaio-Shin won't be in this fic. Sorry.
Katana: (sarcastically) Gee, thank for all your help. I've got a slightly better idea for Sharpner and Bakura, though... Mwahahaha...
nagareboshi: Well, I'm continuing!
Star Lin: Don't worry, I don't plan on abandoning this fic or anything. I'm having too much fun with it!
Dracana Luna Challenge Master: Here's the next chapter for ya!
Naomi Starcloud: Well, you'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out! Sorry!
Judi: Several of y'all have asked us to hurry with updates. Peacenikky and I are doing our best to juggle schoolwork, Debate Team, and fic-writing, so we're doing our best to come out with quality chapters as quickly as possible. Don't worry.
Leanna: And I'll do my best to inspire them to come up with various ideas as well.
Judi: By the way, this chapter is as romantic between Rebecca and Ryou as it is gonna get. Thanks again to Tiamet for BETA reading this. I guess there's nothing left to do but continue with the fic! So, onward!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or DBZ. All I own is Rebecca, Cye, and the "Warrior of Light," "Guardian Angel," and "Ninja Queen" cards. "Guardian Angel" may also appear in Murakumo's "Isle of Lost Illusions" fic. I believe that covers everything.
Legend: /Hikari to Yami/
//Yami to Hikari//
"spoken"
'thoughts'
***scene change
CHAPTER SIX
Thursday passed without much excitement for most of the students. Ryou, sadly, received another beating from Bakura, which subsequently kept Rebecca up with a headache. Yugi also had trouble getting to sleep that night.
/I can't believe it. No matter what we do, Bakura keeps coming back and he keeps hurting Ryou. There's got to be some way to keep Bakura in the Shadow Realm for a good long while, at least until we can find out how to stop him for good./ he mentally said to Yami.
//Yugi, I know this is hard for both of us. But something tells me that a new development is just on the horizon. We can't attack Bakura until then.//
/Yeah, but there's got to be something we can do!/
//All we can do for now is be there for Ryou. We will stop Bakura soon, I promise.//
/Okay... Goodnight, Yami./
//Goodnight, Aibou.// Yugi took off the Millennium Puzzle for the night and fell into a fitful slumber.
Gohan quickly sat bolt upright.
'Weird... I could have sworn there was a glow just now from that necklace thing Yugi wears. Something's up, and I just missed it! I suppose there's the dance tomorrow night. I'll find out then, for sure.' Gohan shook his head and lay back down.
***
Down on the third floor, Rebecca looked out the window at the serene landscape and the gently falling snow.
"There's got to be a way... Maybe if I lure him outside during a snowstorm and lock him out, I can turn Bakura into an ice-pop. Yeah, that'll fix him." Rebecca chuckled in spite of herself.
"Hey Beck, are you still up?" Videl asked groggily.
"Yeah, I know I should be getting some sleep."
"So why don't you?" Tea asked. "I'm trying to sleep here!"
"Sorry. I'll shut up."
"Well, see you guys in the morning." Videl said as her head hit the pillow again. Rebecca's headache began to subside.
'I guess it's over for now. Maybe I can finally get some sleep.' Rebecca crawled back into bed, and finally drifted off into the world of dreams.
***
Ryou slowly headed back towards the elevator, trying to ignore the pain that shot through his body when he walked.
'When will this nightmare ever end? I don't know what I'll do if this keeps up... At least Rebecca won't have to deal with my Yami much longer... Just a few more days, and then she'll be out of this mess. But when will I?' Ryou sighed wearily and stepped into the elevator.
***
The next day, all the students on the trip were excited about the dance. Ryou kept to himself during the day, choosing to go down some of the more unpopular slopes to avoid the others. Everyone else, however, pretty much stayed together for the rest of the day.
"Who cares where he is, anyway? The kid's a wimp, if you ask me." Sharpner said.
"That's not true! He's just as brave as the rest of us!" Tea said defensively.
"Whatever."
"So, what next?" Joey asked.
"Well, we haven't been ice-skating very much..." Videl pointed out.
"Ice skating? That's gotta be the wimp-I mean, most romantic thing to do here..." Tristan said after looking at Erasa.
"Well, let's get going!" Erasa said, heading off toward the rink.
"Most romantic? Man, that girl's really getting to ya, buddy." Joey said when Erasa was out of earshot.
"She is not!"
"Don't lie! You'd never do any ice-skating if you weren't with her!" Joey shot back.
"Hey guys, cut it out! This isn't the time or place for that!" Yugi said.
"Fine." Both boys said in unison as they headed off toward the rink. Videl, Tea, and Gohan all laughed as they followed them.
"You've been really quiet lately, Beck. You feeling sick or something?" Yugi asked the remaining girl.
"Oh, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern. I've just been thinking about..."
"About Ryou?"
"What? How did you know?" Rebecca instantly began to mentally berate herself for letting that slip.
"Don't ask. Don't worry though. We'll help him."
//Aibou, are you sure you should be talking about this with her?//
/I know it doesn't seem wise, Yami, but I think she knows about Ryou's situation./
//What?//
/I know, but call it a hunch.../
//You may be right, Aibou. There is something about her that seems a little different.//
/Well, let's get going. Rebecca left without us!/ Yami laughed from his Soul Room as Yugi ran to catch up to the others.
***
As the sun began to set several hours later, the students congregated in the dining room. The tables and chairs had been moved toward the back to make space for the kids to dance and socialize.
"Okay students, let's get ready to have some fun!" Mr. Blake shouted as he put in a CD and pressed "play." Most of the students were surprised at his hidden talent as a DJ, but they just shrugged it off and hit the dance floor.
After several songs, Goku stepped up and tapped the microphone to get everyone's attention.
"Okay everyone, we're gonna slow things down with a 'couples-only' dance, so grab a partner!" Ms. Katrik quickly took the mike.
"We'll be watching you..." she said accusingly.
Erasa and Tristan quickly paired up, as did Gohan and Videl. Tea laughed as she pulled a blushing Yugi to the dance floor. Ryou, who had until now been standing in a corner, gulped and walked over to Rebecca, who was standing by the refreshment table.
"Um, would you like to dance? We need to talk."
"Yeah, I guess we do. Okay."
As the opening bars lead to the lyrics, Ryou cleared his throat nervously and began to speak.
"Look, whatever Bakura's doing to you, I'm sorry about everything."
"It's not your fault. Besides, I'm not going to let him push me around. I'll make him regret crossing me soon enough. It's you I'm worried about. You need to learn to stand up to him."
"I tried telling him he didn't scare me about two years ago. He broke my nose."
"Not like that! That only works on 'Leave it to Beaver.' I mean, defend yourself! Fight back!"
"Are you crazy? He'd kill me!"
"Have you ever heard of a type of martial arts called judo? It's all about using your opponent's strength against him. If you tried that, I'm sure you'll show him a thing or two!"
"I don't know..."
"You have to believe in yourself, Ryou! It's the only way you'll ever stop Bakura!"
"Have you always been this stubborn?" Rebecca laughed.
"Yep!"
"I thought so..."
A moment or two after the song ended, something began to give off a faint buzzing from Rebecca's skirt pocket.
"It's my pager. I wonder who could be calling..." Rebecca frowned as she looked at the small display. "Aw, crud. Look, I've got to take this call. I'll be right back, Ryou."
"Okay, then..."
Yugi frowned as Rebecca passed him.
/Hmm... She seems upset about something./
//Hang on... I'm going to take over for a bit, Yugi. There's something I want to check.//
/Okay./ No one seemed to notice as Yugi was replaced by a slightly taller version of himself as he quickly walked out of the dining room. A little way outside, Rebecca was near a stand of pay phones.
"Cye, listen to me. Ryou is not my boyfriend! He's a boy, and he's a friend, but that's it!" Rebecca paused as the person on the other line spoke. "Look, that dance meant nothing, okay? We only did it so we could talk about... never mind." She paused again, then quietly gasped. "Um, I've gotta go! Love ya, Uncle Cye! See you Monday! Bye!" She quickly put the receiver back on its hook and combed her bangs with her fingers. "I am so toast..." she muttered. Yami stepped into her area of view.
"So, who was that?"
"Oh, hey Yugi. That was just my uncle. He called to see how I was doing. He's a bit on the overprotective side..." Rebecca chuckled nervously.
"Really? Tell me, Rebecca. How could he have known about that dance you and Ryou shared if he's miles away in Hercule City?"
"Um..."
"There's more to you than meets he eye, Rebecca. What is it?" Her eyes widened.
"You're not Yugi!"
"Correct. I'm Yami, his darker half." Rebecca moaned.
"Here we go again..."
"You've been hiding something. What is it?" Yami extended a hand toward the girl. "Reveal!" Just like when Bakura had done so, a gust of wind blasted forth and hit Rebecca. When it subsided, she was in her angel form.
"Aw man, not again!"
"So this has happened before?"
"Me and my big mouth... Yeah, Bakura did the same thing to me Tuesday night. Happy now?"
"Who was it you were talking to?"
"That was Cye, my supervisor. He knows when I break a rule, so that's how he knew Ryou and I danced together. Angels aren't allowed to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, in case it's used against our mission."
"I see. So, I take it Bakura's been holding this little secret over your head?"
"What do you think?"
Suddenly, Joey ran into the area.
"There you are! There's a small fire in the kitchens! Everyone's gotta get out..." Joey trailed off. "Rebecca, is that you?" She slapped her forehead.
"Oh great, now he knows!"
"Joey, what caused this?"
"I don't know! One minute, we were all dancing, the next, the chaperone's are telling us to get out!"
"Oh no... I think I know who started that fire. Bakura! That no-good little..." Rebecca didn't get to finish, as Gohan quickly skidded into the hall.
"Guys! We've got to get-Rebecca? What are you....."
"It's a long story, Gohan." The black-haired boy turned toward Yami.
"I know you're behind this somehow, now I want an explanation!"
"Very well, Gohan. The truth is, Yugi Moto and I are two different individuals. I am his Yami, his darker half."
"What?"
"It's true, and I'll prove it to you."
//Yugi, it's time everyone's secrets came into the light.//
/I know. I've been listening. I'll come out now./ The Millennium Puzzle glowed brightly as Yugi appeared next to Yami.
"I knew there was something up with that puzzle!" Gohan exclaimed.
"Well, now you know the truth about me."
"Hold it! The fire's still burnin' ya know! Let's get out of here!" Joey said as he pushed Yugi and Yami toward the exit.
"No! Something's happened to Ryou, I just know it! We can't go until we find out what it is!" Rebecca cried as she ran back to the dining room.
Inside, most of the students had already evacuated the building. Videl, Tea, and Tristan were still inside, however.
"What are you still doing here?" Gohan asked.
"We were worried about you guys!" Tea answered. "Why haven't you-Rebecca?"
"Yeah, it's me. Well, that makes two more people who know about me. What next?"
"You're about to find out..." a voice hissed. Videl instinctively crouched into a fighting position. Yami stepped in front of Yugi protectively.
"Come on out! You don't scare us!" Gohan shouted.
"If you insist..." Bakura stepped out of the shadows.
"You! Why are you doing this?" Rebecca asked, balling her hand into a fist.
"It's simple, really. I'm going to get rid of you mortals, and I shall finally acquire the Millennium Puzzle!"
"You'll have to get past me first, Tomb Robber!" Yami shouted.
"Oh, I don't think there's much you can do, Pharaoh. Not after I do this!" Bakura pulled a small stack of Duel Monsters cards from his pocket and fanned them face-out. "Recognize these?"
"Hey, that's my Cyber Commander!" Tristan cried.
"And isn't that my Magician of Faith?" Tea added.
"And that's my Dark Magician!" Yugi said.
"What are you doing with my Ninja Queen?" Videl asked.
"You're right, these are your favorite cards. And I'll use them to bring you all to the Shadow Realm!"
"Uh oh, not again!" Joey cried. Bakura tossed the cards into the air as the Millennium Ring began to glow eerily. The cards also glowed brightly. Everyone screamed as their souls were drawn into the cards, leaving their bodies behind, with he exception of Rebecca, as she was merely the physical embodiment of a soul, her body didn't remain. When he was done, Bakura put the cards back into a stack and smirked.
"If you want to rescue them Pharaoh, you will follow me to the Shadow Realm, for a new type of Shadow Game!" Bakura then opened a portal to the Shadow Realm and stepped inside. Yami cast a worried glance at his friend's empty shells as he opened his own portal and entered.
'Don't worry. I will get you guys out of this, I promise!'
Author's Notes
Peacenikky: Dontcha just hate me right now?
Judi: I see you've found your Crystal Rod, hikari.
Peacenikky: Yeah, but I've decided on a more devious form of punishment for our two prisoners. It was Rebecca's idea!
Bakura: So what? You don't scare us!
Sharpner: Yeah!
Peacenikky: I know I don't. I'm just an innocent-looking teenage girl with a pyromaniac Yami and a half-human, half-lioness muse. But I do know someone much more intimidating!
Rebecca: Come in, you two!
Goten and Trunks enter the room.
Rebecca: Boys, these two are your new baby-sitters!
Leanna: And they've had plenty of sugared cereal beforehand...
Sharpner: Oh no...
Goten and Trunks: TAG, YOU'RE IT!
The boys "tag" Sharpner and Bakura, which in human terms, is a pretty hard punch.
Bakura: Ow! When I get my hands on you two... Oh Ra, they're back for more!
Sharpner: RUN!
Judi: Well, this is certainly entertaining...
Peacenikky: Oh, and before I forget, Rebecca, there's something I'd like to tell you...
Rebecca: Yeah?
Judi: In light of your recent actions, we've decided to make you our Deputy Muse!
Rebecca: Really? Cool!
Leanna: Yep, you'll be helping me inspire these two with ideas for fan fictions, and you'll also hang around in the Author's Notes and help with the insanity that occurs then!
Rebecca: Great!
Peacenikky: By the way, if any of you guys know of a trap card that activates when a monster card uses a magic effect, please let me know and describe it. I'd really appreciate it. Well, peace, love, and marshmallow bunnies, y'all! Bye!