Desert Rose

Lady Kaiba

AN/ I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. !_!

LK: Yay!! It's the final chapter!!!

Lara: Finally.

LK: Hai, hai. Well, I hope everyone enjoys this!! Don't expect the sequel any time soon. I wanna have more than one chapter written when I post it. . .R+R!!

Lara: You're so cruel to them. . .

LK: ^-^ Hai! Gomen. I'd also like to apologize to everyone for taking so long! It's been almost a YEAR since I last updated!!! I'm *so* sorry, but I had major Writers Block! But now that I've re-read some reviews, and quite a few long Inuyasha fic chaps, I think I'm ready to get back to this! I just want to have this done and over with so that I have free time to work on my school work as well as other stories, and I promise that I will have the sequel up to this fic at some point. Gomen-nasai minna-san!

Oh, and I'd just like to say that I am VERY unhappy with Cyberkat for the "reviews" I received. No my Egyptian knowledge is NOT based on Xena, that just gave me a little POV into what it might have looked like. Now then, please enjoy the chapter and forgive me….for both the long wait and this chapter…oh, and PLEASE don't kill me!!! ::runs away and hides from reviewers in fear of being pummeled to death by any object of Doom::

WARNING!!! This is an ANGST chapter. Meaning that there are no happy-fluffy moments. You have been forewarned. So don't blame me for not warning you!!

~*~*~*~

Chapter 11~ Visions become Reality

~*~*~*~

Isis grinned evilly at the reactions she received. "How did you get in here?!" Jou yelled.

Everyone in the room sweat dropped.

"Uh, Jou, use your brain." Anzu replied.

'Hm, Isis: Sorceress, Pegasus: Ass hole, friend of Sorceress…' "Oh…"

'What a moron…' Pegasus though to himself. 'And that fool is supposed to fight us? Ha! I'll make sure to kill him first.' He smiled wickedly, 'Once I've dealt with the other nuisance…' he glared at the back of Isis.

Yami watched Pegasus's expressions and his eyes moved to Isis. He smirked inwardly. 'This may yet buy us some time…'

Yugi looked up at Yami, who glanced at him and gave a short flash of a smile. Yugi brought his attention to Isis, whom had been ranting about something akin to the destruction she would inflict upon the world. Realization hit him when he noticed Pegasus glaring at her.

"Isis," Yami's voice rang through the room, interrupting her.

She glared. "How dare you interrupt me!!"

Yami shrugged. "I just thought I'd ask if you knew you are here with no allies."

"What are you talking about?" she spat.

Mokuba pointed an accusing finger at Pegasus. "He means that he is going to betray you!"

Seto wrapped an arm around Mokuba's shoulders and pulled him against him.

Isis stepped to the side and looked back at Pegasus.

"My Queen! You don't believe them, do you?" he knelt to her. "Who are you going to believe, my Queen? Your dear servant, or your enemy?" his voice oozed with mock sincerity.

Isis glared fiercely at him. "It's true." she said distastefully.

Pegasus stood, features emotionless. "Yes, well, can you blame me? I've had to listen to you rant about your damn problems with the Pharaoh for months now. All you ever did was come up with ridiculous plans to get revenge and doing absolutely nothing more while I did all of the work. My men were the ones that attacked the Pharaoh's caravan and I was the one whom attacked the city. Now, my queen," he said mockingly, "it's your time to die!" he suddenly threw out his hand and a gust of pure energy lashed out.

Isis had no time to react as she was hit by the blast and sent flying into the wall at the opposite end of the room. She crumpled to the ground after the force of the impact subsided. She lifted her head and glared, supporting her body with her forearms. "You… b-bastard!"

A pair of gentle hands came to rest on Isis, one on her right arm, the other on her left shoulder. She looked up, surprised. "Why…. Why do you help me?"

Saren smiled down. "Though you are our enemy, you are still my mother."

To Isis's left, Talla knelt, following suit. "Talla-"

Talla gazed down at her mother, not in compassion or admiration, but in pity. "We must stick together. It is our duty to protect others of our family, as well as the gates we guard."

The two sisters helped their mother to her feet, and Isis was shocked to find those whom had just moments before been her enemies, now standing guard for her.

Isis chuckled bitterly to herself, eyes shadowed. " 'Your allies will one day become your enemies, and your enemies your friends.' " Saren and Talla stared at her confused. "So this is what he meant. The bastard. He knew the entire time…"

"Who?" Yugi questioned from close by.

"Amun."

"Father?" Saren was surprised. "Did he say that to you once?"

Isis nodded. "The day I abandoned you. All of you."

Pegasus yawned in boredom. "Are you done chit chatting yet? I'm getting bored."

Isis turned a fierce glare onto him. "Oooo, I'm shaking." Pegasus rolled his eyes.

Isis pushed away from her daughters' support and walked in front of the group. "You should be." She snarled. Behind her, Seto, Bakura, Ryou, Saren, Talla, Anzu, and Mokuba summoned their staffs'; Yami summoned his own staff, in which was engraved the eye of Re. Yugi clutched the small crystal pyramid at his neck and stood back with Mokuba.

"Where did you get that?!" Mokuba whispered when his eyes caught sight of the crystal.

"When no one was watching." Yugi whispered in return. "I don't think he should get a hold of it."

Mokuba nodded. "I agree."

Yami glanced at his comrades and friends. When his eyes fell on Jou and Honda, he noticed they did not have any means of protection, and yet were glaring fiercely at Pegasus. Yami made a small gesture and weapons appeared in their hands. The two looked confused, then turned their attention to Yami. He glanced back at Yugi and Mokuba for a moment before returning his gaze to them. They nodded in understanding and quickly took their places in front of the two.

Isis called forth a ball of black light and sent it flying toward Pegasus, who threw his hand out and neutralized the blast easily. "You will pay for what you have done!" She exclaimed as she summoned her own staff.

A smirk lifted the corners of Pegasus's lips. "I can hardly wait."

'How dare you mock me!' she sneered mentally. "Arrogant fool." She swung the staff and Pegasus skidded backwards only a foot from the force of the impact her invisible attack had created. He smirked and a low chuckle emitted from his throat.

"Is that the best you have, Your Majesty?!" he questioned, amusement in his voice.

Isis growled low in her throat, barely audible. She surprised everyone in the room with her next actions. She suddenly charged Pegasus. Catching him off guard, she managed to hit him square in the gut, throwing him into the doors and knocking the wind out of him.

'How-how did she-…?' he stared at the floor, eyes wide as he held his stomach. His eyes became shrouded in shadows as he straightened, a smirk pulling up a corner of his mouth. "You have surprising strength, but also a small advantage which will never present itself again." His evil laugh echoed off of the walls of the room, sending shivers down Yugi and Mokuba's spines.

Isis held her staff in front of her in a defensive stance and her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Now you will die!" Pegasus reached into his robe and pulled out the Millennium Ankh as he spoke. Isis's eyes widened.

/Saren! Talla! Be careful! The Millennium Ankh turns into-/

"Aah!"

The sound of Isis's staff clattering to the floor filled the room and eleven pairs of eyes widened.

Isis stared down at the floor in shock, hands clutched at her abdomen. Deep crimson fluid flowed into her line of sight and she just stared at it. She let out a raspy breath, pain filling her every time she inhaled or exhaled. She gasped in pain as the long, smooth, and deadly sharp metal object was ripped out of her and she fell to her knees.

Pegasus stared down at her, face void of emotion, but eyes dancing in the adrenala of the sight of her blood and the feel of the blade as it tore through her flesh. He scowled down at her and sent her flying to the opposite end of the room with an unseen power. He lifted the bloodstained blade up into his view and licked the cool metal, a smirk of pure malice and evil gracing his lips as he did so.

"I can taste it. The power of the guardians. The ancient blood of a sorceress. I crave for more of it." He chuckled as his eyes looked among the group, and falling on the sisters, the same look mortification on their features, as they stare down at their mother's almost dead body- mere inches from their feet.

"Mother!" Saren cried as she fell to Isis's side. Tears pooled down her cheeks to fall upon the woman.

"-aren. My…..daughter. Please…..forgive….me…for-" Saren shook her head as more tears fell.

"Don't talk!"

"For-" Isis insisted on continuing, "leaving you…..when you were younger. Please." She begged. Saren nodded as Talla fell to her knees on the other side. They both grasped their mother's hands.

"We do, mother. We do." Talla replied. Isis smiled and closed her eyes.

"Amun, I am finally coming to join you." She breathed. Her final words said, she left the world of the living with a soft sigh.

Yami found tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Pain in his heart. From the loss of this woman whom he didn't even know? Whom had merely minutes ago been his enemy? No. Pain from the loss of the woman whom was his grandmother, the kind and loving woman that had lost her heart somewhere long ago.

Anzu let her tears fall freely. Though she, too, had never met her grandmother, she felt as if she had known the woman all her life.

"Don't cry," Pegasus's voice calmly, sweetly, stated. "You will all be joining her soon enough." He continued, smirking.

Talla looked up at Pegasus, pure hatred burning in her eyes, a malicious look on her face. Before anyone knew what happened, a ray of burning red light shot at Pegasus. He barely had enough time to lift his arm to block, however he had. A small explosion put a hole into the wall to his right, indicating where the light had hit after being deflected by his weapon. He glared.

"Clever, Talla, but it didn't work."

Talla smirked. "I think it did its job well." Her eyes adverted to the ground he stood on. Below him, the ground was a wavering circle of light- as if the rippling of water. He glared down at it.

"What is this?!" he cringed, shielding his face as it became a whirlwind around him. He glared past the rippling whirlwind at the smirking sorceress. He smirked and began to laugh. "Hahahaha, this is a very nice trick- for tourists."

Talla's eyes widened as he spoke, unnerving her. "What?!"

The whirlwind suddenly shattered into thousands of pieces, like glass shooting all throughout the room, but more powerful than that frail substance. Pieces flew past Yugi and the Pharaoh, slicing fine lines into their skin. Yugi stared in horror as he watched a piece fly towards him, only to barely miss him. He felt a sharp sting on his cheek and lifted his hand to it, feeling the sticky, coppery substance as it slid down his cheek. He pulled his hand into his line of view and his eyes widened when he saw it covered in his blood.

Yami looked down to his lover, eyes widening, confirming his horrors. He too had been scratched, but it didn't feel as bad a Yugi's looked. He grabbed Yugi and pulled him protectively to himself, shielding him from any others that dared attempt to scar the beautiful skin.

~*~*~*~

Talla gasped, her eyes widening even more as her barrier was broken and the shards flew past her. As the blinding shower of shards passed, she felt a small sting of pain before it passed completely. She fell forward to the ground, realization hitting her just as she hit the floor. She had been hit. A dozen water shards had pierced through her, cutting through as if she were nothing but water. She was dying. Blood quickly circled her body, creating a crimson bed. She saw the horror filled look in her only daughters eyes, muttering one small word before her world went black. "Anzu….."

~*~*~*~

Pegasus's malicious laugh echoed through the room and his gaze turned to the two females that remained. "Now for you, Princess…" he chuckled. Saren's gaze snapped from the corpses that had minutes ago been her mother and sister to the evil man that was their murderer. Something flew toward her. Something long, thin, and deathly sharp. She expected to feel the sharp pain of it piercing her body, but it never came. Her eyes went wide when she saw the person in front of her.

"ANZU!!!!" Yugi's cry rang through the room. Anzu had jumped in the way, shielding Saren. The long blade stuck through Anzu, ending on the other side. It melted into nothing as she fell, lifeless, to the floor. It had pierced through her heart. A quick but painful death.

Pegasus frowned slightly. "Stupid girl. No matter, I was going to kill her next anyway…" He smiled as he watched Saren staring down at the girl. With his eyes narrowing slightly, his smile spread to an evil grin and he held out his hand. He snapped his fingers and Saren went flying into the wall behind her. A loud, pain-filled cry echoed through the room. Blood quickly began to stain her clothes, leaking from invisible wounds. She was slowly turning pale as yet another wound was made and more blood flowed freely down to the floor.

Seto desperately tried to cover his brother's eyes. He was too young, he did not need to see so many deaths. Jou watched in horror as an invisible force was torturing Saren.

'Why? Why is all this happenin'?!? Firs' Isis, then Talla, Anzu, an' now Saren?? Who will he kill next? Will it be Honda or me? Yami, Seto, Mokuba, Bakura, Ryou? Or Yug??? I can't let this happen!' He clenched his fist, looking away as he thought. He grasped his sword with both hands, his knuckles becoming white. 'I can't-'

"Why you-" Jou blinked, his thoughts interrupted. He looked up in time to see Honda charging Pegasus.

'Looks like we had da same idea.'

Pegasus glared at him. 'Foolish boy…' he sent Honda flying back into the wall using a shield to throw him. His attention went back to his victim, screaming as unseen claws tore into her flesh.

Honda slid down the wall, cringing in pain. Rubbing the back of his head, he pushed himself up and leaned against the wall. "Ya alright bud??" Jou asked as he ran over to help up his friend.

Honda nodded. "Yeah, fine." Another painful cry rang out through the room as Saren's clothes were ripped at her chest and even more blood spilled. Whatever had its hold on her let go and she crumpled to the floor. Her back appeared the same way, torn as if something pierced through her.

"Ironic how the sorceresses that have the power to protect themselves and their loved ones don't even use it…" Pegasus laughed as all the blood made its way to the feet of the others, and he disappeared.

"With the queen and princesses destroyed, all that remains… are the Pharaoh… his prince… guardians… and friends…" His voice echoed through the room, filled with sick amusement. "Who will be next? Only I know. Hahahahahahahahaha!!" And with that, the voice faded, leaving the young men shocked, staring at the bodies of Saren, Talla, Anzu, and Isis.

"Please….tell me this isn't real…" Yugi begged, looking up to Yami. Yami fell to his knees and hugged Yugi tightly, his eyes filled with remorse, saddened by the loss of four important people.

"Yugi…." He felt the little light's tears begin to soak his clothing and he held him tighter. Yami looked to the others. Seto was busy comforting Mokuba, Bakura was trying to snap Ryou out of his shock, Honda looked disgusted with himself, and Jou looked extremely pissed- ready to kill something. Each of them had bleeding cuts from the shards, each except for Mokuba, whom had been pushed behind his big brother for protection.

"Damn it!!" Jou yelled as he punched the wall. He turned around and faced the group. "We coulda helped….coulda protected 'em." He said, looking down at the floor, his eyes now filled with pain and sadness. "An' we didn't."

"Do not blame yourself." Seto said. He walked over to Jou and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It will do nothing but make you feel useless when we will need you most."

"Onii-chan's right. Don't beat yourself up." Mokuba then glared and balled his little fist. "We'll get revenge!! For all of them!!!"

Jou smiled at the little Kaiba and nodded. "Yeah. Thanks, little buddy."

Mokuba grinned. "No prob."

"Yugi?" Yami drew their attention as Yugi pulled away from him and walked to Saren. Yami stood and began to follow him. "Yu-"

"She didn't deserve it, Yami." He said quietly. "She didn't deserve to die. Especially not that way."

Yugi gently rolled Saren onto her back and knelt down alongside her, gently caressing her cheek. He looked over to his best friend, then Talla, and Isis. Yami watched as Yugi's eyes became dark, shrouded in shadows. "He'll pay for this," he stated, anger lacing his voice, "I swear."

Yami stared at Yugi with wide eyes, shocked, as did Seto, Ryou, and Bakura. Jou and Honda hadn't noticed since they had been thinking the exact same thing. They wanted revenge, and they would have it.

~*~*~*~

"What will we do now, Yami?" Bakura asked. The four bodies had been carried away to be prepared and mummified. Yami paced in his room, the others watching him. They had cleaned themselves up almost an hour earlier and were now discussing how they would go about their revenge. They did not wish to return to the Throne Room as the servants cleaned the blood away best to their abilities.

"I do not know." Yami stopped and looked at his lover. Yugi was being very quiet. He had been since he uttered those words of revenge. "Yugi?" Yami walked over to him and sat next to him on the bed. Yugi snapped out of his thought and looked up at Yami.

"Yes?"

"What are you thinking? You haven't spoken a single word in an hour."

Yugi looked away, staring back down at his hands again, not responding.

"How do you plan on getting your revenge?" Yami asked. Yugi stiffened some.

"Y-you heard me?" Yami nodded.

"I heard what you said." Seto said.

"As did we." Bakura added.

Yugi blushed faintly. Jou lifted an eyebrow. "Revenge? If Yug wants revenge, then Pegasus is in for it." Yugi's blush deepened.

"Yeah, he picked the wrong people to mess with." Honda added, nodding.

Yami, Seto, Mokuba, Bakura, and Ryou looked at the three, confused. "What do you mean?" Yami inquired.

Jou looked to Yugi. With a sigh he said, "I don' think we should be the ones to say any thin'. You gotta tell them, Yug."

Yugi nodded. "I-" he paused, taking a deep breath. "My grandfather was the village healer…before he passed away…" He looked up to meet a confused crimson gaze. Yugi got up and knelt down by the bed. He reached under, looking for something. "He-" he pulled out a gold box and climbed back up on the bed. "-gave me this."

"What is it?" Mokuba asked.

"It contains my deck….and…" he opened it, pulling out his dueling deck and reaching in for something else. "…and this…" he pulled out a small rod, a crystal ball siting on top of it. "It's his staff. It enhances its wielder's magical abilities and has powerful abilities of its own."

"So you're saying that you…" Bakura began.

Yugi nodded and finished his sentence. "Can use magic. How else would I be able to summon Dark Magician?"

"That is a good question. I new I sensed something about you when we first meet, Yugi." Ryou said. He smiled. "That means you are not completely defenseless. We can all fight now…"

"We should come up with some sort of plan now." Yami said as Yugi sifted through his deck. They all nodded in agreement.

~*~*~*~

A knock on the door was barely noticed before a Medjai walked in urgently. "Pharaoh!" He bowed before Yami and held out a rolled piece of parchment to him. "This was sent by Pegasus." Yami took it and read it.

"What does it say, Yami?" Yugi asked, looking up at him.

Yami sighed. "We won't have to go and find him now. He has selected a battleground."

"Should we trust it?" Seto asked.

"Not likely." He looked back to the Medjai. "Gather Medjai. You will accompany us to this location, but remain hidden far enough away. Should Pegasus have any traps, you will intervene. However, do not attempt to attack Pegasus." The Medjai nodded, took the parchment and hurriedly left.

~*~*~*~

They arrived at the expanse of desert an hour later. Both lucky and unlucky for them there were many dunes surrounding the area. Ryou stood towards the back of the group, holding a bow, a quiver of arrows on his back. Yami and Yugi were in the front, Seto, Jou, Honda, and Bakura behind them; Mokuba standing beside Ryou.

"So good of you to come." Pegasus said, smiling. 'How amusing! The Young Prince is angry.' He smirked as he studied Yugi glaring darkly at him. "Ah, I see the little Prince isn't too happy with me." He was greatly amused now. Yami pulled Yugi behind him slightly.

"Why are you doing this? Why did you kill them?" Yami asked, glaring coldly.

"Why? Why dear Pharaoh, because those who get in my way must be eliminated." He replied.

Yami stepped back slightly, holding his staff out in front of Yugi and himself, his eyes narrowing further.

A light arrow suddenly flew fast Pegasus's face, an inch away from striking his nose. He stepped back on instinct, eyes wide. "What?!" he stared at the arrow as it burned in the sand and began to fade. "How could a creature have been summoned without my sensing it?" he looked around in search of what had shot that arrow, only to find noting. His eyes widened further at the sound of a pair of wings flap, then something whistle through the air at a high speed. He quickly moved out of the direction the sound was heading in. Just as he cleared the space, another light arrow hit where he had been.

"Ah!" He cried out as another arrow pierced the skin of his left arm. He grasped the plain arrow and hissed as the wound burned. He glared up at the group ahead of him, most of which appeared surprised. His eyes moved to the two in the back and focused on Ryou. He stood in a ready stance, his hand in the position it would be if it had recently released an arrow, the bowstring still vibrating. "You did this!?" Pegasus glared at the platinum haired boy.

"With my help." An angelic feminine voice added. Something quickly flew by Pegasus, catching his long hair in the wind, and came to a stop in front of the group. The creature turned to face Pegasus as she floated to the sand. The creature was clearly female, with waist length purple hair. She wore a yellow dress that seemed to be a simple robe, wrapping around her torso and flowing to just above her ankles, splitting from her left thigh diagonally- in front of her legs. Another half of the robe split off into two pieces to cross themselves from the back to over her chest and rest on the junctions between her shoulders and neck. From there they fell over her forearms to rest in front.

Protruding from her back were six beautiful white wings. A big, spherical, blue gem rested just below her waist, weighing down on a flat, large ringed gold chain that sat on her hips. Another, smaller, gem fell from a simple gold chain around her neck. Two anklets fell loosely around her left ankle, and a small red teardrop-shaped gem rested against her forehead, hanging from another gold chain. In her left hand she held the Silver Bow and Arrow. Her sapphire eyes glared at Pegasus.

"Wingweaver." Pegasus growled. "Who summoned you?!"

Wingweaver remained silent. Lifting her bow, she drew back another arrow. "I'll not betray my master. He may reveal himself if he chooses." She replied dangerously.

Pegasus struggled to lift his left arm, glaring at Wingweaver. He looked down, shocked. "What?! Why can't I move?" As soon as he spoke the words an insignia appeared around him. "Spellbinding Circle!" he growled, then glared up. "You think this will stop me?!"

"For a time." A soft voice spoke. Pegasus's eyes shot to the one that had dared to speak. The Young Prince. His eyes narrowed dangerously, but Yugi met his glare with just as much ferocity.

"Hahahahahaha," an evil laugh rumbled in his throat as he eyed the short teen. "What do you think you can do, Little Prince. You are defenseless to my power." His eyes shifted to the sound of a dangerous hiss. Wingweaver did not look happy in the least.

Suddenly another creature appeared, this one looking just about as happy as the other. And this one Pegasus had sensed. He scoffed. "What, couldn't think of anything stronger to summon?" Spellbinding Circle's hold on him was broken and he was quick in destroying the pitiful monster. "You'll never defeat me this way, Pharaoh!" he exclaimed as he threw a blast of energy toward the head of the group, directly at Wingweaver.

He smirked as the blast drew nearer, her fate inevitable. "What!?" his eyes widened as the attack crackled in front of her for a moment then shot back at him. He drew an arm up to block the blast and was sent flying. He landed a ways away from the group, on the nearest dune. He hissed as he pushed himself up and glared at them. 'Yet another summon I did not sense. Who is doing this? How are they doing it?!'

He grimaced as he took a step. He had been injured by that. He would have to not let it happen again. Making a mental note not to be so careless, he took a few more steps forward.

Wingweaver shot the arrow she had been holding and Pegasus merely put up his hand, creating a shield. He had not been expecting the shield to fail. It hadn't even phased the arrow! Now he was pissed. Someone was doing this, summoning monsters, without his noticing and he didn't know why. He was confused. He frowned. 'I hate being confused.'

"I don't know which of you is summoning these monsters without my knowledge, but I will find out. You can't hide forever!"

"Go on, Pegasus, and take a wild guess!" Bakura flung his hand forward, sending a gust of what appeared to be only wind, in his direction. Pegasus had to brace himself at the impact, arms crossed in front of his face. The cape he had been wearing was torn into pieces and fluttered through the air.

Pegasus chuckled darkly. "So you do have some power after all, Bakura. I thought that was only a rumor."

The fiend growled in response.

Pegasus smiled with psychotic amusement. His eyes then quickly flashed from Bakura to the young boy in the back. He held a card in his hand, and was chanting a quiet summoning spell.

~*~*~*~

Mokuba glared at Pegasus with hatred as he watched everything that happened. He turned his attention to Ryou when movement caught his eye and saw him load an arrow and fire. Amazingly, the arrow weaved through the young men in its path and hit its target without being noticed. 'Wow! Ryou is amazing!' he thought. His attention was drawn back to his enemy as another card was played and he was unable to move.

He decided to summon a monster and glared as Pegasus called it weak. Battle Ox was one of his favorite monsters! He stared in shock as Pegasus was freed and destroyed his monster first, then attacked Wingweaver and was thrown back several feet. He was a little surprised when Bakura decided to attack and heard the darker version of Ryou growl.

Mokuba lifted up another card, intent on attacking Pegasus with another monster. He squeaked as something stopped his spell and he was pulled away from Ryou. "Seto!" He cried out, panicked.

He looked to his big brother to see horror filling his eyes. He reached out to him from within the giant hand. "Seto!!!"

"Mokuba!!!!"

"Help, Seto!" He winced as the hand tightened. "Ah!"

~*~*~*~

Seto turned to the sound of Mokuba's panicked voice and his eyes grew wide in horror. A giant hand was pulling his brother away from them, up into the air.

"Seto!!!"

"Mokuba!!!!" Seto cried out. He couldn't get to him!

"Help, Seto!" Mokuba winced as the hand tightened around him. "Ah!"

Seto turned, sneering at Pegasus. "Leave him alone!" he brandished his staff menacingly.

Pegasus tsked, waving his finger back and forth. "Ah, ah, ah, High Priest. Didn't you know if you bring children to the battlefield, they could get hurt? Or even killed?" he said pleasantly, another cry from the boy following his words.

~*~*~*~

Honda growled and charged him. "Pegasus!" He leapt and brought his sword down. A shield appeared and flung him away carelessly, like a rag doll.

Yugi gasped. "Are you okay, Honda?" he asked as he rushed to his fallen friend.

Honda sat up. "Yeah, I'm fine Yugi."

"Moron." Bakura scoffed.

The anger in Seto's eyes grew as another pained cry was heard from his little brother. He used his powerful mage magic and threw an electrifying blue ball Pegasus's way.

Pegasus barely dodged as the shield once again failed, receiving a jolt in his left arm. He glared and then smirked. Another, more excruciating cry rang through the air and Pegasus waved. "Bye, bye, kiddy." He said. His amusement grew at the looks on everyone's faces as the words registered and they looked to Mokuba. The giant hand opened and dropped the boy, his body falling limply to the ground.

Seto ran over to him and fell at his side. "Mokuba…." He lifted his little brother onto his lap, gently caressing his cheek. Tears fell onto Mokuba's extremely pale skin as Seto cried, his eyes shadowed from view. Mokuba had the life squeezed out of him, literally… Seto turned his icy orbs on Pegasus, pure and eternal hatred burning in them. "You'll pay for that." Even his voice had gone icy cold, all other emotion completely wiped from him.

Pegasus smirked. "Just goes to show you that little kids don't belong on the battlefield." He chided casually. His eyes flickered to Yugi, helping Honda, and his smile grew wicked. A ball of black, electrifying, magic formed near him as he smirked at the Pharaoh. "One down, seven to go." He chuckled darkly. "Which one will be next? Only I know…hahahahahahaha!"

The ball suddenly shot forward and Yami's eyes widened. "No!" he turned in time to see the ball make contact. "YUGI!!!" The Pharaoh was forced to shield his face from the strong winds in the aftershock. As the dust cleared away, his eyes widened in shock.

Yugi stared up at his friend, tears falling from his amethyst eyes. He held out his arms as his friend fell onto him. "Honda!!" Yugi sobbed.

Honda let out a breathy chuckle as he was lowered to the sand and Jou ran over. He opened his eyes and smiled at his little friend. "Hey, stop crying." He said. "I'll be fine!" he tried to assure the young prince.

Yugi nodded, more tears falling down his face. "Why?" He asked.

Honda looked at him, slightly shocked. "Do you really think I would let anything happen to you?" He asked. Yugi shook his head. Honda looked at Jou.

"Honda…" he quickly whipped his tears away and smiled, giving him a thumbs up. "Yeah, you'll be just fine, buddy."

Honda smiled at them both a last time before he closed his eyes, taking his final breath. One last tear rolled down Yugi's face as he closed his eyes and bowed his head in respect.

~*~*~*~

Pegasus watched the little scene in amusement. He smirked as a thought entered his mind and he prepared another attack. Now was the perfect time, after all, no one was paying attention to him.

~*~*~*~

Yugi's eyes widened as another blast came and the wind and sand lashed out at him, forming little cuts on his skin. His eyes widened as he looked at his other friend. Jou was in a stance, holding his sword up to block the majority of the attack and lower the impact. Jou's eyes were narrowed dangerously at Pegasus and he sneered.

"Damn bastard! That's a low blow, even for you!" he yelled.

Yugi looked back to their enemy to see him smirking.

"I wonder how you sensed my attack. Right now, you should be joining you friend, there, in death." Pegasus replied, regarding him with slight curiosity.

Jou smirked. "You wanna know my little trick? Fine!" With a flash of light behind him, a monster was summoned. Sword Stalker. Jou's smirk widened at Pegasus's reaction. "Dat's right! I've got a little trick that's been kept up my sleeve. Dat bunch over there aren't the only one who got sorcerer blood." Jou stood and tore off the little remaining of his shirt. There were a few scorch marks on him, and not to mention his chest was exposed, but he could care less.

Jou pointed his sword at Pegasus. "Go to Yami, Yug." He ordered. Yugi nodded and quickly ran over to his lover, whom promptly wrapped an arm around him, trying to comfort him and hide him from Pegasus at the same time. Yami's gaze was focused on Pegasus, cursing him for trying to harm his beautiful little angel.

Both Ryou and Bakura were a little distracted when Jou removed his shredded article of clothing. Ryou shook his head and looked to the enemy. 'Now's not the time to enjoy the view.' He chided himself. Bakura shook his head and told himself the exact same thing and turning back to the enemy as well.

"Ya ready buddy?" Jou asked, his glare never wavering. A grunt like growl was his reply as Sword Stalker stepped up next to him. The blonde drew his sword back, falling into an attack stance, oddly, the same one as his beloved monster. "Yaaa!!" Both launched themselves at the same time. Jou fell behind Sword Stalker a little as they neared Pegasus.

"Pathetic!" Pegasus cried as the monster slashed at him and he dodged before destroying the annoying swordsman, though that had been slightly more difficult than the ones the kid summoned.

Jou smirked. He had stopped several feet from their enemy and waited for the precise moment. "Heh, baka." He said to himself. He quickly brought his sword down and slashed into the sand. Immediately, a wave of sand flew at an incredible speed at Pegasus and collided with him. Sword Stalker had merely been a distraction.

Pegasus was sent flying back, almost becoming buried in the dune behind him from the force of the impact. Sand stung his body as energy crackled on his skin, effectively causing a few injuries. As the dust cleared, Pegasus smirked and pulled himself from the sandy confines. "Hahahah! Oh, that was certainly good! Such sweet power!" His smirk broadened becoming a demented grin as his eyes narrowed on the surprised blond. "Too bad it wasn't so strong…I'm guessing that was you're strongest attack, wasn't it?! Hahaha-" his deranged laughter was cut short as an arrow pierced his left shoulder. Shortly after, another came rushing toward him, shining in a bright light.

That arrow pierced through the newly fabricated shield, shattering it to Pegasus' utter astonishment. "What?!" Pegasus cringed, attempting to block the magical wind that lashed at him moments after his shield shattered.

After the winds died down he looked up, his hand gripping his shoulder. More wounds had been caused by the mystical wind, and looked up with wide eyes at the site that he beheld. Ryou and Bakura had moved to the shocked blonde's sides, each glaring at Pegasus with complete malevolence. Their hatred for him burned in their twin chocolate orbs. Ryou stood in his ready stance, another arrow notched.

"This battle is far from over, Pegasus." The shorter chocolate-eyed boy said his voice calm and venomous.

Pegasus' eyes narrowed at the teen. "Indeed." Gripping the arrow in his shoulder, he ripped it out, wincing slightly in pain. He ignored the blood that fell and pain that radiated from the flesh wound. He suddenly lashed out with his magic, sending a black sphere directly at the three. Ryou released the arrow, which had begun to glow faintly with a yellow light. It shot straight for the black sphere. As soon as the two meet, the arrow pierced the orb and it was naturalized. Pegasus glared at the smirking archer. "You'll pay, boy."

"We will see." Ryou replied.

Pegasus' attention was then drawn to the young Priest. Seto stood just ahead of the Pharaoh and his Prince, hands folded together in an unknown way. His pinkies and forefingers remained up, pressed against one another, as his middle fingers folded together, his thumbs crossed and concealed within his palms. His forefingers hovered inches from his lips as he chanted his spell, icy azure orbs glaring at Pegasus.

"God of life, god of death, god of the life to come, arise from the darkness to grant me your powers. Rise great Anubis, from the depths of your domain, and bestow to me the fires of the Underworld!" a dark cloud began to circle around him, coiling up like a snake would as it climbs up it's master. Seto outstretched his arms, the black cloud following and curling around his arm to coil into a ball of shining darkness, floating above his palms.

"You'll have to do more than summon the power of the gods to defeat me!" Pegasus laughed.

Seto glared as he retracted his hands, his right holding the black orb of crackling darkness, still facing the sky. The transparent form of a man with a dog's pitch black head stood near Seto, intently watching the battle, though his eyes were mainly on the evil man. "Anubis is awaiting you, Pegasus. Can't you see him?" he questioned in a cold tone. Pegasus merely smirked, effectively riling Seto's anger more. Seto threw out his right hand, sending the orb dashing straight at his greatly hated enemy.

Just as the orb was mere inches from Pegasus, a shield leapt to his rescue as he summoned up the Millennium Ankh. The force of the collision congregated a combination of harsh winds, unforgiving sand, and pure, dark energy. Each of the teens shielded their faces, and each other, in preparation for the backlash that would hit them in a matter of seconds. As Yugi buried his face into his lover's chest, the crystal pyramid around his neck began to glow. Each teen blinked in surprise. Very little of the backlash hit them at all. Every few seconds or so, a thin black whisp of energy shot by, drawing thin, long, and/or deep lines of crimson into flesh. The group of teens each looked up to find that some unknown force was shielding them as well as it could.

Yugi gasped as he noticed the glow of the crystal and pulled the small pyramid out into sight. It's glow radiated until the backlash died out. It slowly flickered out. "What was dat?!" Jou asked, astonished.

Pegasus frowned. He knew the Ankh would shield him from the power, but he had been hoping, and certainly thought the annoying teens would have been severely injured. He was disappointed to find them with barely any cuts. "You should have been severely injured." He growled in anger. His attention was drawn to the Pharaoh when the Sennen Eye began to glow and the Pharaoh smirked.

"The fates are on our side." The Pharaoh stated.

During everything that had happened since Mokuba was killed, Wingweaver had retreated to the sky to keep a watchful eye on her master. She had been slightly surprised when the backlash reached even her, and grateful when she was shielded from it as well as her master and allies.

Yami threw some of his power at Pegasus, only to have it rebound and head for them instead. Once again, the shield appeared. "Damn!" he cursed under his breath. This wouldn't work! But then how would they defeat him? He was about to use another of his attacks, this one of the stronger in his arsenal, when Yugi's gentle tough to his arm stopped him. Yami blinked down at his lover. "Yugi…"

Since the Pharaoh's attack had been stopped, Bakura decided he would try his hand at attacking with his winds again and again. The attacks had absolutely no effect and each rebound.

As the shield blocked another rebound attack, Yugi's amethyst eyes pleaded with Yami. "Please. Let me try."

"But-"

"Yami! I think I'm the only one that can defeat him!"

"I think he may be right." Seto said. He stood close to the Pharaoh and his lover, protected by the shield. "After all, Pegasus couldn't even sense when he summoned any of his monsters."

Yami sighed and nodded. No way was he going to be able to keep him from doing it anyway. Yugi smiled his thanks before stepping forward.

Pegasus chuckled at the amusing sight of the Young Prince glaring death at him. "And just what do you think you will be able to do, Prince?" he inquired with amusement.

The look on Yugi's young looking face was uncharacteristic as he smirked at the evil man before him. The look slowly faded as Yugi closed his eyes, holding the crystal out before him. He began to quietly mutter an incantation and the pyramid floated in place as he separated his hands. It began to glow with a light blue tint as winds began to gently ruffle hair and torn clothing. Yugi mentally sighed. 'It's the only way…'

"Guardians of the Shadow Realm, come forth and do your will. Cast upon us your power, help us stop this threat…"

"What do you think you're doing?" Pegasus asked, lifting an eyebrow as he watched the teen and listened to his chant.

He continued his voice barely above a whisper. "…I give to you all the power in my blood. Bind us with your alchemy to seal this evil soul. I give to you…" A tear rolled down his cheek from his closed eyes and caught the attention of his allies.

"So…this is the only way to stop him…?" Bakura let out a quiet, rueful chuckle as realization hit him. Jou looked down at the Tomb Robber before turning his gaze back to his best friend.

He nodded to himself. "Do what ya must, Yuug." He said quietly.

Ryou nodded his agreement. "Yes, no one will blame you." He added.

"Everything will be fine." Seto continued. All eyes were on the young sorcerer prince.

Yami drew up behind Yugi, wrapping an arm around his waist and resting his right hand on his lover's. "I will always be with you." He whispered into his ear. More tears fell from Yugi's now open amethyst eyes as he finished the incantation.

"...the power of six sorcerers' souls…" his incantation complete, the crystal pyramid glowed brilliantly with ancient power. All eyes closed as it exploded into a blinding white light.

"What?! What did that little bastard do? NOOOO!!!!"

Yugi faintly heard the startled and pained cry of Pegasus in his defeat. He heard the reassurances from his friends and felt the tightening of his lovers' arms. Yugi nestled into the warmth of his lover, his Pharaoh, as he whispered the very last of his secretly imbedded spell. "Let these six souls find each other again…and give birth to a new soul…the guardian soul…forever the protector of this great power of both the ancients, and the realm of shadows…"

As the pinnacle of the light died away, the sight of seven limp forms were revealed to the eyes of the shocked Medjai whom had witnessed everything, from the beginning of the battle, to the very end.

Four cloaked forms stood near the bodies of the Pharaoh and his friends. The Crimson gaze of Shalla watched the forms of her son and his lover in sorrow. The two looked as if they were merely sleeping cuddled next to each other, the Pharaoh holding his prince protectively to himself. Her eyes moved to the icy blue-eyed teen near them, then over to the trio.

She sighed as she turned to her companions. "Yugi made the right choice in their situation."

Sugoroku nodded. "Yes. He was a smart boy."

"And he did the right thing by casting that spell of his." Malik added.

Arin nodded. He walked over to the crystal pyramid and picked it up. It glowed with the presence of seven souls. Turning to Shalla, he presented it to her. She reached out a hand and released the souls within. Malik caught the one tainted with darkness before it could escape, and the four of them watched as the souls of their loved ones floated away to await rebirth.

"Death comes to all life…" Shalla said as she watched two souls in particular, "…But rebirth comes to only those who deserve it."

~*~ Owari ~*~

LK: Oh, kami…I finally finished it!! ::shrinks away:: Please don't kill me!! I wasn't happy with killing them either, but it had to be done!!

Lara: Hai, if she hadn't, then the basis for the sequel wouldn't have been created.

LK: Right. Now remember, the sequel will not be going up soon, I repeat: NOT soon!! I'm currently working on my Inuyasha fic, Isshi no Ichimu, so once I have finished that, I think I may concentrate more on the sequel. If you're interested in it, then please go read it, I'd love to know what my other reviewers think of the story! Ja matta ne~

~*~ Lady Kaiba ~*~

Final Chapter word count: 7,935

Final Chapter page count: 15