Hi there and welcome to the Final Chapter of Seeking the Light. Thank you so much for being so patient with me as I typed this story. Thank you to all my readers and my reviewers. If it weren't for you guys, I would have never made it to this point. I can't believe I have written something that was this long and actually posted it. I hope you guys have enjoyed the story thus far and are ready for this final chapter.
And so, without further ado, I give you the Finale.
Chapter Sixteen: All Things Must End
"What did you say?" Malik asked in a smooth, dangerous voice.
{{Say you choose the first.}} Marik's voice ordered in my mind.
"I choose to stay with the second." I said again, more firmly this time.
No sooner than the word left my mouth, I felt pain shoot down my spine sending me to the ground. Malik and Marik had become one, and Malik was in control, holding the Millennium Rod, which was glowing brightly as he glared at me. Another blast of pain racked my body, causing me to crying out. Through my screams, I heard Yami shout something, and felt someone pick up my body. Whoever held me was running down the hallways, taking me far from the power of the Millennium Rod.
"It's going to be all right Crystal." Seto 's voice called from a distance, "I won't let him hurt you anymore."
"He lied to me." I sobbed, "You do care."
"Of course I care. It's my fault he's done this to you." Seto said, his voice sounding closer and remorseful, "If I hadn't froze, I would have been able to get out of those ropes."
I opened my eyes when I felt the movement stop. Seto was carrying my trembling body in his arms, breathing heavily from running. Suddenly, his body stiffened and he gripped me tighter, before looking at me with empty eyes. I gasped in shock when I recognized the presence that echoed from within Seto's eye; I knew what had just happened. Malik smirked through Seto's face, before having Seto tighten his grip even more and walk back the way he had come. I tried to twist and turn my way out of his grasp, but Malik had Seto holding my too tightly.
"There will be no escape from me." Malik smirked, "I don't know how you were able to fend off my Rod's power this time, but I guarantee that you will remain here."
"I will never serve you willingly, and you'll never be able to get into my mind." I growled, "Now, let me go and leave me alone."
"Explain to me why I would do such a thing; especially when it would cause me to lose such a powerful source of Ancient Magic." Malik snickered.
When Malik had Seto enter the throne room, I saw both Yami and Ryou were both out cold on the floor. My eyes filled with horror at the position my friends were in. There were bruises on their faces, causing rage to flare through me. Malik had Seto release me, once Rishid had a firm grip on my wrist. Then Malik made Seto walk over to Yami and Ryou, before releasing him from the Millennium Rod's power. Seto's face was filled with shock and anger once he realized what had happened.
"Crystal chose me, not you Malik." Seto said glaring at the Egyptian.
"Too bad Kaiba." Malik laughed, "You brought her and gave her over to my servant."
"Only because he was under you control." I shouted in rage, "I would have never chosen you anyway."
"If had control over you mind you would have." Malik sneered, "I don't know exactly how you broke through, but I have a feeling that Kaiba played a part in it. Now stay put Kaiba. I have some unfinished business with you."
There was a golden flash and Seto looked like he was trying to move, but could only shake his head in frustration. Malik had taken control of him from the neck down. Then Malik walked over to Seto, unsheathing the dagger part of his Millennium Rod. It felt like my dream from the first night I was brought to Malik hideout was happening all over again. I felt tears start to roll down my face as I pulled against Rishid's strong grip. I felt that couldn't let Malik do anything to Seto, but there was nothing I could do to stop him at all.
[Someone, anyone, please help us.] I thought desperately.
As if answering my pleas, there was a brilliant flash of white light that engulfed my entire body. The white light became a burst of energy that forced Rishid to release my arm as he was thrown across the room and into Malik. Malik and Rishid rose to their feet, glaring at something behind me. Behind me, with a firm look on her face was my favorite monster, the Wingweaver. She began chanting rapidly, glowing in a pale rose colored light.
"You think that pitiful excuse of a monster can stop me?" Malik laughed, causing me to turn back around, "You must be kidding me."
"No but she can strengthen those who do have a strong monsters." I said, as there were two more flashes of light, one blue-white and the other one black-violet.
"No, how could it be?" Malik asked in shock.
"You never did take me to the Shadow Realm." Seto snickered, "So you wouldn't know about my new ability. Go and protect her."
Suddenly, I saw the three heads of Seto's Ultimate Dragon on my sides and above me. I felt the powerful beast's low growl rumble deep in its chest as it stood over me protectively. Wingweaver placed a hand on my right shoulder, and I felt her fade away before another stronger monster took her place behind me. I heard a sword unsheathe behind me, and a smile formed on my face. Joan was behind me now, and I knew she was far from happy about what happened to me.
"I told you not to test me." Her firm voice said.
"Malik I suggest you stand down." Yami said, "As you can see, all of our monsters are very protective of Crystal."
"Yes, but they are also very draining on her, as well." Malik smirked, "Aside from her own monster, she is also helping you to support yours."
"Enough talk." Seto growled, "Blue Eyes, Neutron Blast."
"Magician of the Black Chaos, attack him now." Yami called.
"Go, Joan." I said in a slight gasp, as I felt my energy fade.
There was an explosion of energy and light around me as I felt myself fall to the ground. I didn't even realize that Seto had caught me, until I regained consciousness again. He pulled me into a tight hug, once he noticed that I was awake again. I noticed that all three of our monsters were gone, as were Malik and Rishid. Yami explained that the monsters had sent the two of them to part of the Shadow Realm that they would not be able to break out of for quite some time.
"Seto, let go, please." I choked out, "I can't breathe."
"I thought that I had lost you again." Seto whispered into my ear, relaxing his grip slightly.
"I'm fine, a little weak, but fine." I replied.
"Come on, it's time for us to head home." Yami said.
Seto nodded and helped me rise to my feet, while Yami and Ryou smiled at us, causing my face to turn scarlet. The four of us slowly made our way out of the hideout, into the deep dark of the desert. In the thin clothing I wore, the cold wind cut through me like a knife. Noticing my discomfort, Seto took off his white trench coat and draped it over me. Yami and Ryou chuckled, as the huge leather coat seemed to swallow me whole. Even Seto cracked a smile at the situation. After walking up and over a dune, we came to a sleek jet.
"I didn't know you had a private jet." I murmured softly.
"Helicopters can't fly this far, and I didn't think you'd like another helicopter ride." Seto said gently.
I nodded silently and the four of us boarded the jet. Seeing my fatigue, Seto helped me into a seat and buckled me in. Then he gave me a pillow and covered my body with a warm blanket. I thanked him in a quiet voice, before leaning my head to one side and drifting into a comfortable sleep. There were no nightmares for me as I slept for the first time in what seemed like a long time. When I awoke, I noticed that Seto was watching me with a rare, genuine smile of his face.
"We're not on the jet anymore." I murmured.
"No, we're not." Seto replied, "You've been asleep for most of the day."
"Where are we?" I asked sitting up, "I don't recognize this room."
"We're in Domino Museum." Seto replied, "Isis and Shadi have been waiting for you to awaken so that they can send you home."
I stood slowly, noticing that I was wearing the outfit that I had been wearing when Bakura had kidnapped me. Seto explained that the others were waiting so that they could say good-bye before I had to leave. Together, Seto and I exited the room that I had woken up in. Seto then led me into another room where Yugi, Yami, and their friends stood with Mr. Mutou off to one side of the room. Isis and Shadi stood at the far end of the room. Shadi had his usual demeanor of darkness and mystery, while Isis smiled gently and told me that it was time to say farewell to my new friends.
"Good bye Crystal, I'll miss you." Yugi said, tear threatening to spill out of his big magenta eyes.
"I'll miss you too, Yugi." I said, stooping down to give the shorter teen a hug.
"We never did get to duel, but I have a feeling that it would have been quite a match." Yami said, holding out his hand to shake.
"Yes, it would have been quite a sight to see." I replied, shaking his hand.
"Just remember, if you ever come back, we'll be there ready to help." Anzu said, tears threatening to spill over her eyes.
"I know, Anzu, and thank you." I said, giving her a hug.
"Inu." Seto growled softly, when Jono embraced in a huge hug.
"Stop calling him a dog." I snapped, as Jono and I both glared at Seto, "I may not know much Japanese, but that is one of the few words I do know."
Anzu translated what I said for Jono, Honda, and Mokuba, causing all three of them to laugh loudly. Jono gave me another hug and thanked me for coming to his defense. I smiled brightly as I shook Honda's hand. He obviously wasn't in the mood for what he thought to be a mushy sappy hug. Then I gave Ryou a hug, shocking the poor boy because he felt it was his fault that I had been brought here.
"Ryou, you have to quit blaming yourself for Bakura's actions." I said, "You were never at fault for any of the things he did."
"I guess I should have known you were going to do that." Ryou said, a deep blush quickly taking over his face.
"Sayonara, Hikari no Tenshi." Mokuba chirped, latching on to my waist.
"Sayonara, Moku-chan." I giggled; causing the younger boy to squeal with delight over the nickname I had given him.
"Do you realize that that nickname is all I'm going to hear about for a month?" Seto asked.
"Not my problem." I replied with a smile, "I think I'm going to miss you the most Ryu-kun."
"More Japanese that I didn't know you spoke, but dragon is most appropriate." Seto said with a slight smirk.
"Well, you are like a dragon, powerful and magnificent." I replied, hugging Seto tightly as tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Oh, here's your deck." Seto said handing me my cards, once we released each other from our embrace.
"Crystal, it's time." Shadi said in a firm voice.
I nodded and placed my deck in my back pocket. Then I walked over to Isis and Shadi, ready to go home, but at the same time not ready. I knew I had to go home, for my mother's sake, so I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. While Shadi and Isis started to chant, I told everyone goodbye silently. Then I felt my world around me shift into darkness, like I was falling with my eyes closed. I could feel air rushing through my hair, causing it to whip out behind me. Then I felt myself impact with something, and I opened my eyes slowly.
"Where am I?" I asked, unsure of my surroundings.
"Oh, you're awake." A female voice said above me.
I turned my head to see that I was lying in a hospital bed, and there was a nurse checking up on me. The nurse left and then came back with my mother and TK, both of them relieved to see that I was awake. At first, I was surprised to learn that it was the same day as when Bakura kidnapped me. Then I realized that it had all been just a dream my subconscious had whipped up while I was knocked out, but it still felt like I had actually been gone for a long time. I had only been unconscious for about seven hours.
"What happened TK?" I asked, "I really don't know when I fainted."
"You fainted in the bathroom." TK explained, "Jessica, Laura, and Lynn found you lying on the floor completely passed out."
"TK called 911 and then me. The doctors said that you were perfectly healthy, just unconscious." My mother explained, "You've been asleep ever since then."
"Then it was all just a dream." I murmured so softly, neither my mother nor TK heard, "Too bad, I guess it was too good to be true."
"The doctor says that Crystal is free to go home with you anytime, Miss Hikari." A nurse said coming into the room.
"Wonderful." My mother smiled.
As my mother drove home, I pulled out my cards and started to shuffle them rapidly, still feeling a little upset that my dream had not really happened. When I stopped shuffling them, I drew a hand of five cards. Wingweaver, St, Joan, Silver Bow and Arrow, Horn of Heaven, and my jaw sagged in shock at the fifth. I set my card in my lap and rubbed my eyes in shock, before looking at my hand again. I wasn't seeing things; in my hands was a Blue Eyes White Dragon.
It was printed in Japanese and missing the classic Yu-Gi-Oh symbol on the back, and it was signed. The name Seto Kaiba was handwritten on it in both English and Japanese, causing a smile to form on my face. Then, I really had gone to other world of Yu-Gi-Oh. Still smiling, I placed the cards back in my pocket and climbed out of the car when we arrived home. I looked to the west, into the setting sun and sighed softly.
"Arigato, Ryu-kun." I said in a soft voice, the wind blowing in my back.
I know, I know. That ending has to have been a classic one for the transported to YGO World stories, but I don't care, and I also know that Seto Kaiba would have never given away one of his Blue Eyes like that, but it's my story and I can do what I want. For all those wondering, the reason I didn't put in a romantic kissing scene between my OC and Seto was because I wanted their love for one another to seem deeper that a physical attraction and hit right in the soul. Not to mention, I just don't know how to write a kissing scene. Well I hope you enjoyed this story and hope you will read my other ones when I post them up.
Read, Review, and Ja ne for now. ^_~