~*DISCLAIMER!!!!*~* WHEEEEEEEEEEEE Yeah I'm back again!!!!!!!! Back to writin' my fan fix, and sadly, time to bring this one to an end. Only a couple of chapters left to go on my story here. I'll be both sad and happy when it gets to that point; happy cuz I would be finishing something I started, and sad cuz it is the end. Anyway, hey, it's not over yet, and I WILL write another ficcie, if you guys want it, you'll get it!!!!! Anyway, you know the drill. ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!!
A sharp, jolting pain made Yamara sink to her knees, gasping for air in the coming sunset light. With Yami, Midnight and Kaiba, they had all traveled to the middle of Hiamariki Park, the public space big, open, peaceful and still; still and quiet until Yamara broke the silence.
"YAMARA!!!!" Instantly, her lover was at her side, cradling her in his arms, his violet eyes wide. "What is it love? What happened?"
Hearing the commotion made Midnight hesitate from her chanting, the mystical chain of incantations slightly delayed. Huffing as she tossed back the red streaked bangs in her eyes, she again concentrated hard, squeezing Kaiba's hand for strength.
It was Kaiba who took the liberty to look over and find out for the both of them what happened. "Marita, what are you whining about NOW? What happened?"
Indigo eyes flashed in annoyance as the dark-haired woman scowled at Kaiba. "Something... something's wrong, I can feel it. Like someone... something, is back from the dead... something..."
"...Evil?" Finished Midnight, her eyes closing as a sudden shock registered on her face. When her eyes opened again, there was a hard, blunt look in them, and no light shone within. "I... just now... I... felt something..." She sighed heavily, folding her arms across the back of her head. "Whatever it was, it was NOT good. And I have a feeling, it's the one person who could possibly tip the scales in Merrick's favor."
"What? Are you saying... no..." As if he read her mind, Kaiba's face scrunched up in disgust. "Don't tell me: the Queen of Hell Demona is back?"
"Felt like it."
"Well, we have to figure out a way to get to Merrick and Marita; the sooner we find them, the sooner we can get Marita back, and stop whatever Merrick's planning." Interrupted Yami, refocusing everyone onto the mission at hand.
The Queen of Egypt nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah, that's the point isn't it? Well, I think... I think this'll work... Here, everyone grab hands and close your eyes." When all four of them were clasping hands (although for some, it was an unthrilling experience) she continued. "Alright, now everyone, repeat after me..."
"Triumvirate, Power of Three,
Move through the realms quickly.
Given our power from the Pharaoh's hand,
Now lead our hearts across the sand..."
On and on the four chanted, their voices blending as one as the three ancient Items possessed by Yamara, Yami and Midnight began to appear in the middle of their circle. Instantly, each Item started to shimmer, glow then shine with such brilliance that any spectator would need more than sunglasses to reflect the light. Arcs of jolting lightning raced around the group, striking low and then high around them as suddenly, the light had went out like turning off a light switch. If any spectator had dared to enter the park with the ever increasing lightning, not only the sudden stoppage of electricity would have surprised him or her, but also the shock of four teens disappearing in thin air.
*~*~*~*~*
The first thing Yamara noticed when her eyes opened was the color... gold. Gold, gold, brilliant gold was everywhere, in the walls, in the wall sconces, and even on the ceiling. Groaning, she pushed herself up to a sitting position, when she noticed that everything... was different. *This... this place... can it be? The Palace all those long years ago???* Clasping her hand to her forehead; a loud jingling sound stirred her memory, as she starred at the rows and rows of bracelets and rings adorning her fingers. Gasping, she stood and stared at what she was wearing.
It was as if nothing had changed from one time to the next. Her flowing, green-blue gown flowed to the floor, with golden threaded sandals placed on her feet. Feeling above her head, her hand touched something hard, cold, and metallic. Her crown of glittering gold, adorned with sapphires, emeralds and rubies was embedded in her waist long hair, glittering with brilliance. Indigo eyes widened incredulously, as she realized what had happened. "We... we're in the past???"
"Indeed, it seems so." Replied a voice behind her, answering her thoughts spoken aloud. Yamara whirled around, and locked eyes with her lover, her husband, and partner. Yami looked like he had never changed from the days in Egypt, his scarlet red cape still accented his bare chest, a 6-pack of muscle in his torso. His cloth tan pants were striped red down the sides, and golden buttons appeared here and there along the stripes. He wore 20 rings in all, two on each finger, and a countless number of gold, silver and bronze chains around his neck.
Yamara stared, amazed. "Yami we... we... you..."
"... Look the same as we did before? Yeah, I noticed." He gazed at the many rings on his hands, eyes watering at their sentimental value. "I've missed this old life..."
"Speak for yourself, Pharaoh!" Piped up a voice behind him, loud and feminine. Midnight stood ready, her black and red hair swept back from her face with a diamond and opal studded headband, two canary yellow ribbons streaming down in two places. Her light green top was positioned to blend in with her full neck, golden choker, with a diamond shaped cut out in the center; along with the top was a knee length, ripped skirt, fashionably embellished by two large, gold chains. All in all, she looked stunning as she held up a hand, her wrist holding many bracelets, and formed a white hot, fire blast between her fingers. She smiled, and continued, "It's easier for me to form magic here than it is in 2003, probably because we're in a magical realm of the past, or maybe because magic was always in use here than there."
"I think it's that last one." Countered Yamara, feeling the magical energies flowing around her. "I think just about anyone can use magic in here if they so chose." To test her theory, the raven-haired woman concentrated, picturing the spell she wanted to cast. Almost instantly, little by little, a ball of celestial ice began to form in her fist, its frigid temperature making her hand go numb.
Wide-eyed, Midnight scowled. "Heyyyyyyy, I thought I was the only one who could do that..."
Yami laughed lightly. "It's most likely just for this realm only Midnight; your magic is the only consistent kind in either realm."
"Speaking of other realms..." Her voice slightly raised, the sorceress frowned and questioned, "Does it seem like we're missing something??"
Gazing around, the Queen of Egypt shrugged. "Not that I know of."
"KAIBA! Where's KAIBA?!"
"Huh?"
"Uh oh..." Moaned Midnight, slapping her forehead. "Now where did that ignorant lil wise guy go? I KNEW he would be less trouble if I had just thrown him into the Nile back in the day!!!!"
*~~~~~*~~~~~*
They searched for hours up and down the halls, neither of the three even remotely remembering the layout of the palace.
"You guys seen Seto?" Asked Midnight, growing worried.
"No, not yet." Called Yamara, her voice coming from another corridor. Distracted, the air around her seemed to shift and change, its magicks swirling and becoming tangent that even she felt it. In a flash of light, her armlet began to vibrate and glow, pulling her wrist in one particular area, and then another... Before long, and too many corridors to count later, a sprawled, bruised form of Seto filled her view. His priest's turban was cock-eyed on his head, and his azure cape was half shredded around him. Gasping, Yamara strode towards him, and screamed, "MIDNIGHT!!!!!!! He's OVER HERE!!!!!"
There came no reply.
Scowling, the queen shook Seto gently, trying to wake him. "Come ON Seto, open your blind eyes and WAKE UP!" When no reaction came, she shook harder and harder, until Seto's eyes flung open, and he glared at her in distain.
"Marita, what are you DOING? Quit shakin' me, alright? I'm FINE."
"Well you didn't look like it. In fact, you looked DEAD, so excuse me for actually caring."
"YOU? care for ME?" He laughed heartily and loudly. "THAT'S a first."
"It's for Midnight and DAWNIE's sake I even dare to care, you nit!!!"
Seto smirked. "Yeah, sure..."
She snarled at him, angered. "You know, I don't even know what your problem is with me. Everything that comes out of your mouth is RUDE, OFFENSIVE, and NASTY so why should I even bother?"
"Not everything."
"REALLY? Well, everything outta your mouth is as rude as your nature is."
"Rude as my nature? You are one to talk, for someone who has carried a grudge against me for so long."
Yamara stared at him, trying to restrain herself from spitting right in his face. "I don't care if it was you pushing Dawn off the swing or betraying Yami's trust millennia ago. YOU ARE A BLACK HEARTED, SELF-ABSORBED LIL PRICK!!!!!!"
"Strong words, Marita, but the question is, can you measure up to them?"
She scowled again, hatred burning in her eyes. "I can measure up FINE. Ad you're lucky I'm even letting you live right now, because I would sure love to strangle your neck."
Seto grinned and shook his head from side to side, amused by what he was hearing. "You've been going ON and ON about this for years, and yet you still know nothing..."
"What?"
"That day at the house... when Dawn was swinging, I pushed her off the swing--"
"SO YOU ADMIT IT!!!!"
"Would you quit interrupting and let me finish?!" He huffed, exasperated. "I pushed her off to SAVE HER. A group of bullies were going to beat her up if I hadn't pushed her outta sight! Those bullies would have beaten her to a bloody mess because she hung out with me. I saved a toy from those same bullies for Mokuba, and they came back with reinforcements. YOU obviously, were hiding in the bushes, so they never saw you. Don't you see here Marita? You've been hating me for nothing..." He took a quick breath, and pulled a piece of random information from the back of his head, and from his own aged spirit. "Also, back in Egypt? I tried CALMING people down, not trying to cause chaos."
"Are... are you serious? You... didn't do anything... spiteful at all?" Questioned Yamara, quizzical.
"Yes, I am."
"WOW..." She looked incredulously at him, like she had just woken up from a dazing dream. "I... I'm sorry, about everything..."
He nodded. "Just don't let it happen again."
"HEY! HEEEEYYYY!!!!" Midnight's loud voice called from behind a wall, in the corridor next to the one Yamara and Seto were in. "HEY! YAMARA DID YOU FIND HIM?!?!?!?!"
"Yeah!!!!" The black haired woman replied back, smiling. "And we worked some things out too!!!!!"
"GOOD TO HEAR, NOW GET YOUR BUTTS OVER HERE!!!!"
Laughing, Yamara grabbed Seto's hand, trying to be friendly. "Come on hotshot, let's go find your fiancé. And point of advice? Keep a hold on my hand, these corridors are confusin'..."
A sharp, jolting pain made Yamara sink to her knees, gasping for air in the coming sunset light. With Yami, Midnight and Kaiba, they had all traveled to the middle of Hiamariki Park, the public space big, open, peaceful and still; still and quiet until Yamara broke the silence.
"YAMARA!!!!" Instantly, her lover was at her side, cradling her in his arms, his violet eyes wide. "What is it love? What happened?"
Hearing the commotion made Midnight hesitate from her chanting, the mystical chain of incantations slightly delayed. Huffing as she tossed back the red streaked bangs in her eyes, she again concentrated hard, squeezing Kaiba's hand for strength.
It was Kaiba who took the liberty to look over and find out for the both of them what happened. "Marita, what are you whining about NOW? What happened?"
Indigo eyes flashed in annoyance as the dark-haired woman scowled at Kaiba. "Something... something's wrong, I can feel it. Like someone... something, is back from the dead... something..."
"...Evil?" Finished Midnight, her eyes closing as a sudden shock registered on her face. When her eyes opened again, there was a hard, blunt look in them, and no light shone within. "I... just now... I... felt something..." She sighed heavily, folding her arms across the back of her head. "Whatever it was, it was NOT good. And I have a feeling, it's the one person who could possibly tip the scales in Merrick's favor."
"What? Are you saying... no..." As if he read her mind, Kaiba's face scrunched up in disgust. "Don't tell me: the Queen of Hell Demona is back?"
"Felt like it."
"Well, we have to figure out a way to get to Merrick and Marita; the sooner we find them, the sooner we can get Marita back, and stop whatever Merrick's planning." Interrupted Yami, refocusing everyone onto the mission at hand.
The Queen of Egypt nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah, that's the point isn't it? Well, I think... I think this'll work... Here, everyone grab hands and close your eyes." When all four of them were clasping hands (although for some, it was an unthrilling experience) she continued. "Alright, now everyone, repeat after me..."
"Triumvirate, Power of Three,
Move through the realms quickly.
Given our power from the Pharaoh's hand,
Now lead our hearts across the sand..."
On and on the four chanted, their voices blending as one as the three ancient Items possessed by Yamara, Yami and Midnight began to appear in the middle of their circle. Instantly, each Item started to shimmer, glow then shine with such brilliance that any spectator would need more than sunglasses to reflect the light. Arcs of jolting lightning raced around the group, striking low and then high around them as suddenly, the light had went out like turning off a light switch. If any spectator had dared to enter the park with the ever increasing lightning, not only the sudden stoppage of electricity would have surprised him or her, but also the shock of four teens disappearing in thin air.
*~*~*~*~*
The first thing Yamara noticed when her eyes opened was the color... gold. Gold, gold, brilliant gold was everywhere, in the walls, in the wall sconces, and even on the ceiling. Groaning, she pushed herself up to a sitting position, when she noticed that everything... was different. *This... this place... can it be? The Palace all those long years ago???* Clasping her hand to her forehead; a loud jingling sound stirred her memory, as she starred at the rows and rows of bracelets and rings adorning her fingers. Gasping, she stood and stared at what she was wearing.
It was as if nothing had changed from one time to the next. Her flowing, green-blue gown flowed to the floor, with golden threaded sandals placed on her feet. Feeling above her head, her hand touched something hard, cold, and metallic. Her crown of glittering gold, adorned with sapphires, emeralds and rubies was embedded in her waist long hair, glittering with brilliance. Indigo eyes widened incredulously, as she realized what had happened. "We... we're in the past???"
"Indeed, it seems so." Replied a voice behind her, answering her thoughts spoken aloud. Yamara whirled around, and locked eyes with her lover, her husband, and partner. Yami looked like he had never changed from the days in Egypt, his scarlet red cape still accented his bare chest, a 6-pack of muscle in his torso. His cloth tan pants were striped red down the sides, and golden buttons appeared here and there along the stripes. He wore 20 rings in all, two on each finger, and a countless number of gold, silver and bronze chains around his neck.
Yamara stared, amazed. "Yami we... we... you..."
"... Look the same as we did before? Yeah, I noticed." He gazed at the many rings on his hands, eyes watering at their sentimental value. "I've missed this old life..."
"Speak for yourself, Pharaoh!" Piped up a voice behind him, loud and feminine. Midnight stood ready, her black and red hair swept back from her face with a diamond and opal studded headband, two canary yellow ribbons streaming down in two places. Her light green top was positioned to blend in with her full neck, golden choker, with a diamond shaped cut out in the center; along with the top was a knee length, ripped skirt, fashionably embellished by two large, gold chains. All in all, she looked stunning as she held up a hand, her wrist holding many bracelets, and formed a white hot, fire blast between her fingers. She smiled, and continued, "It's easier for me to form magic here than it is in 2003, probably because we're in a magical realm of the past, or maybe because magic was always in use here than there."
"I think it's that last one." Countered Yamara, feeling the magical energies flowing around her. "I think just about anyone can use magic in here if they so chose." To test her theory, the raven-haired woman concentrated, picturing the spell she wanted to cast. Almost instantly, little by little, a ball of celestial ice began to form in her fist, its frigid temperature making her hand go numb.
Wide-eyed, Midnight scowled. "Heyyyyyyy, I thought I was the only one who could do that..."
Yami laughed lightly. "It's most likely just for this realm only Midnight; your magic is the only consistent kind in either realm."
"Speaking of other realms..." Her voice slightly raised, the sorceress frowned and questioned, "Does it seem like we're missing something??"
Gazing around, the Queen of Egypt shrugged. "Not that I know of."
"KAIBA! Where's KAIBA?!"
"Huh?"
"Uh oh..." Moaned Midnight, slapping her forehead. "Now where did that ignorant lil wise guy go? I KNEW he would be less trouble if I had just thrown him into the Nile back in the day!!!!"
*~~~~~*~~~~~*
They searched for hours up and down the halls, neither of the three even remotely remembering the layout of the palace.
"You guys seen Seto?" Asked Midnight, growing worried.
"No, not yet." Called Yamara, her voice coming from another corridor. Distracted, the air around her seemed to shift and change, its magicks swirling and becoming tangent that even she felt it. In a flash of light, her armlet began to vibrate and glow, pulling her wrist in one particular area, and then another... Before long, and too many corridors to count later, a sprawled, bruised form of Seto filled her view. His priest's turban was cock-eyed on his head, and his azure cape was half shredded around him. Gasping, Yamara strode towards him, and screamed, "MIDNIGHT!!!!!!! He's OVER HERE!!!!!"
There came no reply.
Scowling, the queen shook Seto gently, trying to wake him. "Come ON Seto, open your blind eyes and WAKE UP!" When no reaction came, she shook harder and harder, until Seto's eyes flung open, and he glared at her in distain.
"Marita, what are you DOING? Quit shakin' me, alright? I'm FINE."
"Well you didn't look like it. In fact, you looked DEAD, so excuse me for actually caring."
"YOU? care for ME?" He laughed heartily and loudly. "THAT'S a first."
"It's for Midnight and DAWNIE's sake I even dare to care, you nit!!!"
Seto smirked. "Yeah, sure..."
She snarled at him, angered. "You know, I don't even know what your problem is with me. Everything that comes out of your mouth is RUDE, OFFENSIVE, and NASTY so why should I even bother?"
"Not everything."
"REALLY? Well, everything outta your mouth is as rude as your nature is."
"Rude as my nature? You are one to talk, for someone who has carried a grudge against me for so long."
Yamara stared at him, trying to restrain herself from spitting right in his face. "I don't care if it was you pushing Dawn off the swing or betraying Yami's trust millennia ago. YOU ARE A BLACK HEARTED, SELF-ABSORBED LIL PRICK!!!!!!"
"Strong words, Marita, but the question is, can you measure up to them?"
She scowled again, hatred burning in her eyes. "I can measure up FINE. Ad you're lucky I'm even letting you live right now, because I would sure love to strangle your neck."
Seto grinned and shook his head from side to side, amused by what he was hearing. "You've been going ON and ON about this for years, and yet you still know nothing..."
"What?"
"That day at the house... when Dawn was swinging, I pushed her off the swing--"
"SO YOU ADMIT IT!!!!"
"Would you quit interrupting and let me finish?!" He huffed, exasperated. "I pushed her off to SAVE HER. A group of bullies were going to beat her up if I hadn't pushed her outta sight! Those bullies would have beaten her to a bloody mess because she hung out with me. I saved a toy from those same bullies for Mokuba, and they came back with reinforcements. YOU obviously, were hiding in the bushes, so they never saw you. Don't you see here Marita? You've been hating me for nothing..." He took a quick breath, and pulled a piece of random information from the back of his head, and from his own aged spirit. "Also, back in Egypt? I tried CALMING people down, not trying to cause chaos."
"Are... are you serious? You... didn't do anything... spiteful at all?" Questioned Yamara, quizzical.
"Yes, I am."
"WOW..." She looked incredulously at him, like she had just woken up from a dazing dream. "I... I'm sorry, about everything..."
He nodded. "Just don't let it happen again."
"HEY! HEEEEYYYY!!!!" Midnight's loud voice called from behind a wall, in the corridor next to the one Yamara and Seto were in. "HEY! YAMARA DID YOU FIND HIM?!?!?!?!"
"Yeah!!!!" The black haired woman replied back, smiling. "And we worked some things out too!!!!!"
"GOOD TO HEAR, NOW GET YOUR BUTTS OVER HERE!!!!"
Laughing, Yamara grabbed Seto's hand, trying to be friendly. "Come on hotshot, let's go find your fiancé. And point of advice? Keep a hold on my hand, these corridors are confusin'..."