(Hello!!!! And a long over due one at that. Okay I know it has been let me
see *Looks at calendar and starts counting day* more then two months since
I last updated. WAIT A MINUTE YOUR JOKING RIGHT!!!! *Looks at calendar
again* Okay so it was not a mistake *See angry readers* *_* I HAVE A
GOOD EXPLINATON!!!! So please listen before you yell, by the way I will be
putting in earplugs after this. Okay so lets see I have had writes block,
lots of Homework, hardly anytime at home, I have been sick, Had several
test and then mid terms. Wow long list, so anyways I have good excesses!!!
*Puts earplugs in ears as angry readers start to yell* I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!
Okay well R&R PLEASE!!!!)
Quick Thank yous:
Kitsune-Yasha: Yeppie!!! Once again she likes it!!! *Dances around room* See you at school!!!
ginnymaepotter: Glad you are still enjoy my story!!! Good luck with your new fic!!!
CrissyKitty: Hello!!! Still reading cool!! HEY SETO PARTS ARE NEVER BORING HE IS MY FAV!!! *Hugs Seto* well anyways I don't think there is much humor in this chapter I think it is a little angsty. Oh well had to happen sometime. Hope you enjoy this chappie. TTYL!!!
Kaz: I know you love Bakura and I am sorry but it had to be that way. Well here we go again!! Enjoy!!!
Avelyn Lauren: Well here is the next chapter and thanks for not killing me. Oh and Marik gets it all right, did you really think he would get away with all this? Yeah right he wishes!!!
Character's Egyptian Names
Serenity = Safiya
Joey = Tarik
Tristan = Hondo
Mai = Ma'at
Gozaburo = Gahiji
Pegasus = Runihura
Chapter Fourteen: Five Weddings and a War
Marik sat at the table of the smaller dinning room eating breakfast with Bakura. Both boys were very quite this morning both having a lot on their minds. Marik was glad that their plan had worked just like it was suppose to and that he would have his wish in a few short hours. Marik would have Isis, he would be Pharaoh and Yami and Seto would be dead. Marik didn't know which one his was happier about finally becoming Pharaoh or Isis becoming his.
Bakura on the other hand relished in the thought of seeing Yami die, finally getting all the Millennium Items and of course Nefertiti would finally be his. Just a few more hours and she would be all his never to be seen in Yami's arms ever again. Bakura still did not like the idea of having to wait any longer to kill the former pharaoh, but no Marik wanted to defeat him in a duel and then kill him.
"Are you sure we just can't kill them now? I mean either way you'll get the Puzzle, so why wait?"
There was no answer from Marik he was staring blankly into space with a weird look on his face.
"Marik?" Bakura tried again "Pharaoh Marik!" Still no answer "Hello Isis."
"Huh? Isis is here?"
Marik's answer was met by an amused laugh from Bakura
"No but you were how should I say this? You were 'thinking'. It was rather amusing." Bakura laughed again
"What's so funny about me thinking?"
"By the look on your face you were thinking about something that normally Isis would kill you for thinking."
"Yeah well I bet you were think the exact same thing about a certain Queen."
"How could I not?" Bakura said with an evil smirk on his face
The doors to the dinning room opened and Pegasus entered the room causing Marik to stiffen a little. Marik still remember what Pegasus had done to him last time.
"Good morning boys." Pegasus said in a very excited tone
"Runihura." Marik and Bakura were a little disturbed by his overly happy attitude
"All the arrangements are taken care of."
"Good." Was all Bakura said
"You could sound a little more excited then that Lord Bakura." Commented Pegasus, "After all you get your woman."
"Good point. What about you Pharaoh Marik?"
"Huh?"
"Is something the matter Pharaoh Marik? Are you feeling alright?" Asked Pegasus
"He is just happy to be finally 'getting' the girl." Bakura said with one of his smug smirks
"Yes my daughter shall make a lovely queen and Marik and her shall be happy." Obviously missing what Bakura was hinting at and the death glares Marik was throwing him. Pegasus seemingly in his own happy little world continued, "There is room for one more wedding. What about your sister Marik? Is she to be married?"
"That might do her some good considering her love shall be dead tomorrow morning. But who to marry her to?"
"What about Gahiji?"
"No he is to old for her. Anyways just like you Runihura, Gahiji is still in love with his dead wife."
"Then how about Jackson?" suggested Bakura
"That's an idea. I mean the guy hasn't stopped looking at her since we were in the cave. Every chance he gets he stares at her." Marik laughed a little, "It is rather amusing to watch."
"Excellent! Another wedding. I must go and inform the staff." Pegasus turned to leave the room
"Not just yet Runihura."
"Pharaoh Marik?"
"We can't just marry off Jackson with out his knowledge, now can we?"
"Of course not my Pharaoh."
"Please go and find him Runihura and tell him to come to the throne room. I will be waiting for him there."
"Right away Pharaoh Marik." Pegasus bowed and left the room
"You are enjoying being Pharaoh way too much."
"Yes power is a wonderful thing."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Upstairs servant ladies room in and out of rooms finding franticly as they tried to prepare the girls for their weddings, which was proving to be a difficult task indeed. Mai was constantly threatening the servants and Keith for that matter. She threw things across the room and constantly shouted that they would have to drag her to the alter. All in all it took her a good three hours to get ready, every one had been up since just after dawn.
Ariel and Tea on the other hand were difficult in a different why. They wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for their wedding day; although inside they wanted to throw up. Adjustments were continuously being made to their wedding attire. Ariel and Tea were wearing the same outfits they had worn to the dinner only this time the dresses were white and silver.
Serenity was doing her best 'I'm in distress some one help me act'. She was breaking down and crying every couple of minutes so her servants were frequently having to stop and console her before continuing with their work. Serenity would cry about how she didn't want to marry Duke but yet something made it seem like she loved him and how she really wanted to be with Tristan and so on and so forth. The servants called it pre-wedding stress, yeah right.
Ariel and Tea barely had time to talk to each other in privet much less talk to the other girls. They didn't even attempt to communicate using their Items considering Pegasus was more then likely keeping a close eye on them just incase. On a day such as today nothing was life unwatched even the walls had eyes today so all they could do was hope that every one remembered what to do.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jackson walked towards the throne room like he was walking down death row. He couldn't figure out what Pharaoh Marik wanted with him and just thinking about it made he scared out of his wits. Over the past few days several members of the palace staff had disappeared and it was rumored to be Pharaoh Marik's doing. The rumor was any one who crossed him was put to death. Jackson was scared.
The guards opened to doors to the throne room and Jackson walked in so scared he thought that he was going to pass out. He made his way to the throne where Marik was sitting and bowed. Marik motioned for him to come forward. Jackson walked forward and bowed when he reached the foot of the throne.
"You summoned me my Pharaoh."
"Yes. It has occurred to me that ever since we left the cave you have not taken your eyes of Ishizu whenever she is around. Is that so?"
"Yes my Pharaoh." Jackson said with a forbidding feeling in his gut
"I am sure you were unaware of this but Ishizu is my sister."
Jackson let out a gasp, "I am sorry my Pharaoh I had no idea she was your sister please forgive me." Jackson was pleading
"Well be that as it may I still must do something about this."
"Please Pharaoh Marik I beg you spare my life. I will never look at her again." Jackson dropped to his knees and bowed.
"Get off the floor and who said anything about killing you." Marik tried to stay serious but it was kind of hard considering how hilarious the whole thing was. Bakura on the other hand was laughing under his breath.
"I beg you then my Pharaoh please tell me what it is that you are going to do."
"Simply this, if you wish you have my permission to marry my sister."
"Excuse me?" Jackson was shocked and confused
"Let me spell it out for you. Would. You. Like. To. Marry. My. Sister. ?"
"Yes." Was all Jackson could say
"Very well. Then I suggest you get ready the wedding are to be held in about two hours."
"Yes my Pharaoh and thank you."
Jackson was so happy that he almost forgot to bow when he left. Marik was finally able to burst out laughing when the door closed. He laughed so hard that his side began to hurt.
"Like I said before my Pharaoh you are having way too much fun." Bakura said once he had caught his breath.
"Your point being?"
"Nothing. So when do I get the Millennium Items?"
"After tomorrow. Tomorrow I will perform the final ceremony then I will no long need the Items and you will be free to do what you wish with them."
"Very well. I have waited this long what will another day or two do."
"Well we might as well go and get ready."
"Oh yeah. Do I really have to perform the wedding ceremonies? You know how much I hate this stuff."
"Oh for the love of Ra Bakura! You know that only the High Priest can perform such high ranking weddings and you wanted to be the High Priest."
"Shut up."
"Whatever. I'll see you later. I must go inform Ishizu of her marriage."
"Good luck."
Marik and Bakura left the throne room and went their separate ways Marik just hoped Ishizu wouldn't kill him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Ceremonial Courtyard had been slowly filling up since early morning as lords, ladies, dignitaries and other important people came to see the weddings. Most were there to save face and not start a war; however, there were a few that cared little either way. For most the idea of Yami no longer being Pharaoh brought great concern because there had been only peace in the land of Egypt since he had taken the throne. Now under this new rule anything could happen and that anything was exactly what they feared.
It was now well after noon and the weddings were to take place at one. The girls were lead into the left Royal Viewing Balcony well the boys (not Yami and the others) were taken to the main Royal Viewing Balcony with Marik, Pegasus and Gozaburo. The brides and grooms were not to see each other face to face until their wedding it was considered bad luck. (Alexia: I have no idea if that was true.) The only two that were missing were Jackson and Ishizu. Jackson was waiting at the altar and Ishizu was waiting in the back with a frown permanently fixed on her face. No she hadn't killed Marik but she had been tempted to. But they had a plan and Ishizu trusted it would work so she was just going along with this whole 'game'.
Ishizu's wedding went off without a hitch although she never smiled not even once. Every one in the audience could see how she stiffened when Jackson kissed her at the end of the ceremony and several of the women were crying for her. They all knew Ishizu was supposed to marry Lord Shadi who she had been in love with for years.
Mai's wedding on the other hand was a little more difficult; she had to be escorted down the aisle by two guards. She stared daggers at Keith the whole way down and all the way through the ceremony. When it came to say 'I do' one of the guards had to place a dagger to her side to force her to say it. The guard continued to hold the dagger at Mai's side well Keith kissed her then escorted the two of them back down the aisle.
The guest seemed to be growing wary of these weddings they all knew something was up but they couldn't put their fingers on whatever it was. They just pretended they were happy for the newly weds and left it at that.
Now the most important weddings were to begin those of the High Priestess, former queen and the Sorceress. It was now time for Serenity to walk down the aisle fighting with the ring the whole time. The ring made her want to walk fast no run up to the altar and into Duke's arms, but another part of her held fast to her feeling for Tristan.
When she did finally reach the altar time seemed to speed up and before she knew it the words 'I do' spilled out of her mouth; that tiny wrenched ring on her finger had forced them out. The ring was causing her heart to feel like it was going to burst with a mixture of many different emotions.
Duke smiled down at his new wife and took her in his arms. He had waited for this day for so long he had never really believed that it would happen but it had. Duke thought that nothing could ruin this feeling of happiness that he had, how wrong he was. And now that the 'I do's' had been said there was just one thing left to do and that was to kiss his wife his Serenity.
Serenity felt a mixture of anger and delight as her lips met Duke's; she thought how could she have ever hated this man and then her memories came back it was too much. There were too many feelings inside of her and the ring began to feed off of them trying to force her soul to brake. Her head began to spin and she felt like crying then something called out to her. It was more like a light from an object was calling to her telling her to hold on, but what it was she could not tell for the light was to bright.
Finally she was able to see something it looked like a scale. It was a scale! And not just any scale but the Millennium Scale and holding it was a girl who looked just like Serenity. She was wearing a beautiful white dress with golden bands around her arms and wrist; even strands of her hair were wrapped with gold. The girl was Safiya Serenity's past life. The vision had given her the strength she need along with the memories of Joey, her friends and Tristan.
Duke and Serenity walked down the aisle hand in hand looking like to two happiest people in the world. Once they disappeared through the doors Bakura announced that there was going to be a small break before the last two weddings. The guests got up and were all told that refreshments would be served in the side room.
As the guests moved into the side room Bakura slipped out of the Ceremonial Courtyard and out into the courtyard's garden. Then among the trees hidden in the shadows was Marik.
"Everything is going according to plan." Marik said coolly
"Yes they are. Although I hate doing this wedding business."
"Hey I have to marry you and Nefertiti so you get a break. Be grateful."
"Like I said before I don't care whether or not we are married as long as she is mine."
"She is yours the ring is on her finger. All we are doing now is making it legal."
"Whatever."
"First we shall take over the past, then all of present Egypt then the world."
"You do realize that sounded like a cheesy line out of some bad movie."
"Since when did you watch movies?"
"You try being stuck in Ryou's body."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Remember once this is all over and you have what you want I want all the items. Every last one."
"And you shall have them. We made a deal remember?"
"Yes, but you like myself are thief and thief's don't always keep the promises."
"Good point. Then I guess you will just have to trust me."
"Guess so, but I am not one to cross." "Do you threaten your Pharaoh?"
"No it was merely a warning."
"Good."
"And what is that suppose to mean?"
"Nothing."
"Marik." Bakura said warningly
"Come on it is time to marry you."
Marik and Bakura walked back into the Ceremonial Pavilion Marik standing where Bakura normal stood and Bakura standing in the groom's position. The guest's files back to their seats and waited for the last of the weddings to began.
Music began to play and Tea walked through the doors and walked towards Bakura her face aglow from her smile. To everyone she looked like the perfect bride but this was not so because well she was walking down the aisle and well Marik married them she laughed at how blind Bakura was. He was so consumed with the thought that he had won that he failed to notice that she was acting.
When Marik was finished Bakura kissed Tea and of course Tea kissed him back, but it was a mistake because just like with Serenity she had to fight her ring. Emotions began to take a hold of her almost to many for her to control they were trying to force her soul to brake once again. She could not let that happen but the ring was becoming harder and harder to fight.
A faint light began to glow in front of her eyes or so she thought it did. Tea focused on the light trying to figure out what could be making it and to her surprise it was not coming from outside but from inside herself. There was some one standing in the middle of the light, who it was Tea couldn't tell but she was saying something. The woman was telling Tea to hold on and that it would be all right as long as she held on. Slowly the light subsided and revealed the woman to be Queen Nefertiti standing in a flowing white dress and smiling. Tea nodded to show she understood then opened her eyes.
With renewed strength Tea pushed back the rings power and smiled at Bakura. Together they walked down the aisle hand in hand smiling at each other and Tea once again laughing inside.
Bakura made a full circle and switched places once again with Marik. The music started again and the guest sighed they were tired of all this and just thankful that this was the last wedding of the day. The afternoon was ending and the sun was setting most people would have considered this a very romantic setting for a wedding now no one cared. Like Tea, Ariel walked down the aisle with Pegasus laughing to herself while she smiled her beautiful smile at Marik. Marik thought that she looked radiant as she walked towards him the evening breeze blowing through her hair. Neither Marik nor Pegasus could sense that she was faking it and Pegasus hadn't even bothered to try and read her mind today.
Pegasus placed Ariel's hand in Marik's hand and nodded his approval the walked back to his seat. Bakura began the ceremony for what seemed like the billionth time that day and he was rather board of it. Finally he was done and Marik could kiss Ariel and he could leave.
Marik pulled Ariel close and kissed her at once the same thing begin to happen to Ariel that had happened to Serenity and Tea. Emotions began to take a hold of her almost to many for her to control they were trying to force her soul to brake once again. She could not let that happen but the ring was becoming harder and harder to fight.
A faint light began to glow in front of her eyes or so she thought it did. Ariel focused on the light trying to figure out what could be making it and to her surprise it was not coming from outside but from inside herself. There was some one standing in the middle of the light, who it was Ariel couldn't tell but she was saying something. The woman was telling Ariel to hold on and that it would be all right as long as she held on. Slowly the light subsided and revealed the woman to be the Sorceress Isis standing in a flowing white dress and smiling. Ariel nodded to show she understood then opened her eyes.
"I now present to you Pharaoh Marik and his new queen, Queen Isis." Announced Bakura
All the wedding guest stood up and clapped some cheered mostly they were just happy that it was over and done with. Marik allowed the guest to clap for a few seconds then held up his hand for silence.
"I would like to thank you all for attending these weddings today and I am sure some of you are rather tired from the long day. However, I hope you will all join us for the celebration banquet and of course entertainment."
There were several nodes of approval from the guest.
"It will be held in the Reception Hall, so if you will please follow us." Ariel added in a sweet voice.
Ariel and Marik walked arm and arm back down the aisle and made their way to the Reception Hall where the others were waiting for them. The guests filed out of the Ceremonial Pavilion and followed the two to the Hall.
Once in the Hall the guest settled onto lavish pillows around table that were placed around the perimeter of the Hall. Marik and Ariel made their way to the thrones where the others sat on pillows around them. Once Marik was settled he clapped his hands twice and doors on either end of the Hall opened. Through one door came dancers dressed in beautiful clothing, through the other waiters carrying tray after tray of delicious foods. The guest talked amongst themselves well they ate and watched the dancers. Tea and Ariel on the other hand were waiting for the right moment to ask Marik if they could show off their fighting moves.
The food lasted for a good hour or more and the girls were getting worried that they might not get a chance to put their plan into action. But as the food slowly disappeared they realized that Marik seemed to have nothing else planned for the rest of the evening and the guest were beginning to get restless once again.
"Runihura didn't you plan anything else for the evening?"
"Well we do have the flame dancers my Pharaoh."
"Anything else?"
"No my Pharaoh I am sorry. I could not get anything else together in time."
"Damn. Then what are we going to do?"
Ariel saw that this was the perfect opportunely
"Marik might I suggest something?"
"What would you like to suggest?"
"I know of something that will keep our guest entertained."
"And what would that be?"
"If myself and the girls show of our skills with swords and sai." (Alexia: If you don't know what Sai are all I can say is think of what Eve used in 'The Mummy Returns' during her flashback in the hot air balloon thingy and towards the end of the movie.)
"That sounds like a good idea. Alright then go and get ready."
Ariel smiled and nodded to the other girls then got up to leave. The rest of the Hall stood up when they saw their Queen get up. The girls begun to walk down from the thrones to the door when Marik stopped Ariel. Marik smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips then let her go.
As they walked out of the hall Ariel let out a sigh of relief for a second she had thought that Marik had found them out. Once in their rooms Tea contacted Yami.
/Yami are you there?/
//Yes Nefertiti I'm here. Are you alright?//
/Yes I'm fine./
//Good because I was afraid the ring had gotten full control of you again. Hondo, Seto and myself could feel the three of you fighting off the effects of the rings.//
/It was hard but we got through it./
//That is good to hear. So what is the update?//
/Well we are in our rooms changing for our fights. So I would say give us about 10 minutes then come up./
//Alright.//
/I'd better go now./
//Don't worry Nefertiti I will get that ring off your finger even if it kills me.//
/I know. See you in a bit./
//Bye//
With that Tea broke the connection and headed out into the hall to meet the others. They were all dressed in similar outfits golden bikini style halter- tops and bottoms with short golden wraps around their waists (Alexia: Think of what Ariel was wearing in chapter 9). There were golden bands around their arms. They all nodded to each other and went back downstairs.
Back in the dungeon the boys were making sure their swords were fastened tightly around their waist. Joey looked through the bars to see if the guards were distracted and gave Yami the thumbs up indicating it was safe to unlock the cell door. Yami quietly placed the key in the lock and slowly turned the key. Thankfully the door opened without so much as a sound.
They boys quietly walked out of the cell and snuck up on the unsuspecting guards. Yami and Seto were the closes to the two guard so using the back of their swords they hit the guards on their heads knocking them unconscious. Joey and Tristan then hauled the guards into the cell and locked the door. With that they left the dungeon.
The girls walked back into the Reception Hall and everyone stood up when Ariel entered the room, which greatly annoyed her. Ariel walked back up to the throne to talk with Marik.
"Nefertiti and I would like to be the first ones to fight." "As you wish."
"Thank you my Pharaoh." Ariel bowed
"You are my wife don't call me that."
"Alright." Ariel smiled sweetly and walked down the stairs, "We shall each use Sai."
A guard handed both Ariel and Tea a pair of Sai and they took the positions on the either of the fighting area. Tea and Ariel each twirled their Sai and stood in the ready position. Marik clapped his hands and the fight began. The sound of their Sai clashing rang through the hall, but was interrupted by another sound from outside the hall.
There was the sound of people yelling in anger and from pain not to mention the sound of swords clashing. Marik stood up as the guards went to the door and the girls stopped fighting. Before the guards could even reach the doors they were flung open and Yami and Seto walked in followed by the others.
The guards stopped dead in their tracks looking back and fourth between Marik and Yami. The one who claimed to be the new Pharaoh and the one who was suppose to be the Pharaoh.
"Marik step down!" Yami yelled
"Face it Yami I am the Pharaoh and I do not take orders from you."
"I said step down and this won't go any further."
"Is that a threat?"
"Yes."
"Guards detain that man."
"Let us deal with them my Pharaoh." Said Nefertiti
Marik looked at Bakura, Bakura nodded.
"Be my guest."
Tea and Ariel advanced on Yami and Seto who stood their ground but did not raise their swords. The girls looked like they were going to kill the two boys. When they reached Yami and Seto they placed their Sai to their necks.
"So you think you can just come in here ruin our wedding party and demand things. You are nothing." Tea said harshly "You two are nothing but liars!" Said Ariel pressing her Sai against Seto's throat
"Marik release her now!" Yelled Seto
"Isis show him what you think of him." Commanded Marik
"Oh I will."
"They will regret ever crossing us." Added Tea
Bakura and Marik smiled at their comments and sat back down waiting to see what was going to happen next. They were expecting bloodshed but that was not what they got. Ariel and Tea removed their Sai away from their throats and into a striking position and moved to strike. But instead they dropped the Sai and Marik and Bakura watched in shock as Seto and Yami grabbed Ariel and Tea and kissed them.
"LET GO OF THEM NOW!!!!" Marik was a little pissed
"Shut your mouth Marik!"
"Isis!?!" Marik was shocked "What is going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"You are supposed to be under the rings spell and your not. This can't be possible the ring is still black."
"Oh you mean this." Ariel held up her ring and so did Tea "Ring's of Possession reveal your truth."
There was a small flash of light and the rings were reveal to be only blood red not black.
"Marik how is this possible!?!" Bakura asked in an angry voice
"I-I have no idea."
"You forget Marik I am a sorceress and I am the owner on the Millennium Necklace. I saw a vision of you two making these rings for your future plans so we created a counter spell. The spell could not remove the ring from the hand of the one it was placed on but it could release them from its spell and revive their true soul. So you see your plan failed."
"You will never be pharaoh Marik." Add Tea "Now step down."
"No I will not step down and we will not let you go with out a fight. Guards get them. Kill the men but don't harm the girls!"
The war had begun; the guard raced towards them and the pulled their weapons into a ready position. By this time Joey, Tristan, Shadi and Mokuba had joined Yami and Seto. As the guards got closer they charged weapons clashing and guards falling.
Serenity who had been watching up until this point decided she would no longer be a bystander. She went to grab her sword and join the fight but Duke grabbed her firmly around the waist.
"You're not going anywhere."
"That's what you think."
Serenity was able to move just enough so she elbowed him with all the strength she could muster in the stomach. Duke released her and bent over trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him. In the mean time Serenity grabbed her sword and joined in the fight. Tristan who was trying to fight off two guards at once was surprised when one of them fell over and standing behind him was Serenity.
"Safiya what? How did you? Wow!" was all Tristan could say
"Never mind just keep moving." Serenity was panting she was out of breath and her face was pale and it was not from fighting
"Safiya are you alright?"
"I'll be fine. It's just that if I attack Duke the ring cause me a great deal of pain." She saw the look on Tristan's face "But it is gone now. Don't worry I'll be fine."
"If you say so."
Guards were coming from all directions now and wedding guest we screaming and running from then room. Through all this Joey was looking franticly around for Mai. He knew Serenity was safe with Tristan, well as safe as you can be in a battle that is. Finally he spotted Mai on the far side of the room beating the crap out of Keith. He smiled as he saw this but not for long for another guard was attacking him.
Yami battled guard after guard as he made his way towards Marik. Even though he wanted to kill Bakura for even looking at Tea he knew that he must deal with Marik first. Shadi who knew the Pharaoh must take on Marik was holding off Bakura with a battle of the Items, which he was winning.
Tea and Ariel were fighting off several guards and their movements looked like a graceful yet deadly dance. Seto watched for a moment as Ariel spun around sai in hand and struck a guard. She was so graceful even when she was in battle. Seto would have continued to watch her except for the fact that Mokuba had screamed. Somehow Gozaburo had managed to get Mokuba backed up against a wall sword to his throat. Seto remember what Ariel had told him he must do and the fact that Mokuba was in danger attacked Gozaburo. Seto grabbed Gozaburo by the shoulders and threw him backwards. Before he could get up Seto moved quickly placing the tip of his sword to Gozaburo's bare chest right over his heart.
"How dare you attack Mokuba like that." His voice fierce and cold
"You played right into my hand Seto. I knew you would come running the minute you beloved brother was in danger." He was laughing
"I am going to enjoy killing you for what you did to us."
Seto raised his sword but he wasn't fast enough, Gozaburo swung one leg and tripped Seto. Seto landed hard on his back and in seconds Gozaburo was on his feet sword coming down. Seto closed his eyes happy that he had gotten to see Ariel one last time and that Mokuba would be taken care of.
Seto waited for the final blow but it never came. He opened his eyes to see Ariel kneeling over him sai crossed blocking Gozaburo's blow. Using her sai she threw his sword forward causing him to lose his balance. Using that to her advantage Ariel kicked him in the stomach.
Gozaburo found himself on the floor once again Seto over him bring his sword down for the final blow. Gozaburo rolled out of the way but Seto struck again and again Gozaburo barely rolled out of the way. This game was getting tiring he had to find a way to stop it. He saw his chance. If he quickly rolled out of the way and got up just as fast he would be able to fight Seto. He did so except when Gozaburo got up instead of grabbing his sword he grabbed Ariel. Pulling the dagger from it hold around his waist he placed it to her neck.
"Drop the sword of the girl dies."
Seto stopped dead in his tracks but then he saw Ariel smile
"I said drop the sword!"
"No."
"Do as I say or she dies."
"You won't kill her because if you do Marik will be angry with you and not to mention this is Isis we are talking about."
With that Ariel pulled her leg back and kicked him and boy did it hurt him.
"Well you did warn him. Now take care of him." "So I just stab him."
"NO! Say the incantation that is the only way to get rid of him."
"What incantation?"
"Just stop thinking and look inside yourself and you'll remember."
Seto did what she said and with in a moment of doing so words he didn't even know began to come from his mouth. They came from somewhere deep inside and at that moment Seto truly began to believe in what Yami, Ishizu and Ariel had been telling him at past lives and Millennium Items having powers.
As Seto said the incantation Ariel shielded Mokuba from seeing what was happening. Gozaburo's whole body seized up with pain and he screamed his face turning deathly white. He began to grow older and older by the second until he began to turn into a corpse. (Alexia: Okay so if you want a better picture of what he looks like go and watch Indian Jones and the Last Crusade, at least I believe that it what it is called. Well anyway it is the part where the evil guy drinks from the wrong cup.)
Seto opened his eyes and looked at the spot where Gozaburo had been laying, he was gone. The only remnant of him ever being there was his dagger that laying in a pile of ash on the hard stone floor.
"What just happened?"
"What do you think?"
"I have no idea." He just kept looking at the pile of ashes
"Come on lets go!" Ariel grabbed his arm and dragged a very dazed Seto in the other direction. Mokuba fallowed quietly.
Yami meanwhile had been battling Marik, first with weapons then hand to hand and now they were onto a battle of the items. No one could really tell who was winning because it kept changing once second Yami would be winning and then next it would be Marik then it would change again. The battle was also extremely intense sweat beads were forming on their foreheads and they were both beginning to tremble.
"Ready to give up Yami?"
"Never! I will never allow you to win."
"Well then I will just have to kill you!"
"Good luck!"
With that they were off again and of course Shadi and Bakura were still going at it. Theirs was coming to an end and it looked like Shadi would be the winner.
The guards were beginning to lessen as they were either killed injured or ran away and some simply did not come. Ariel looked around now for the one person who had been hiding since the beginning and that was Pegasus. She finally saw him peeking out of a room adjacent to the Reception Hall. He was in the smaller throne room. Ariel walked the long way around and Seto spotted her.
"Where does she think she is going?" Then he saw Pegasus "I get it now. Well all I can say for him is good luck because she is pissed." "What's that big brother?"
"Nothing Mokuba."
Pegasus closed the door again but it would not close. He looked down and saw that some sort of weapon had been place between the two doors.
"Hiding are we?" It was the voice of his daughter
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you what you deserve."
"What's that?"
Ariel hit Pegasus over the head and began to drag him out of the room when something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was the Millennium Scale, Serenity's Item, sitting on a table on the right side of the thrones.
"Hey Safiya!"
"Yeah!"
"There is something in this room that belongs to you!"
"What!?!"
"Your Item!"
"Thanks!"
Serenity ran to the room where Ariel was.
"What did you do to him?" Seeing Pegasus on the floor
"Just knocked him out."
"Good job. Now where is it?"
"Over there." Ariel pointed to a table
Serenity went over to the table and gently picked up the Millennium Scale. The minute her hand touched it a soft glow began to fill the room and steadily grew brighter. Then wind began to swirl around her and it seemed to becoming from below instead of above. Serenity felt herself merge with something or more like some one.
Once it was all over Serenity somehow felt whole like a part of her had been missing and she had just found it. Ariel was amazed at how different and yet not so different Serenity looked. She was more herself now in away then before.
There wasn't much time to enjoy her newfound tranquility because at the precise moment something shook the palace with a grate force. Serenity and Ariel ran out of the room to find out what had happened.
The Shadow games between Shadi and Bakura, Marik and Yami had gotten out of control. They were giving off so much energy that it was shaking the room. The Hall roof was beginning to crumble and fall. Every one had to doge pieces of the heavy ceiling that were now coming down in huge blocks.
"Guys we gotta get out of here!" Yelled Joey
But no one heard because just as he was yelling out the warning the energy from the games finally blew sending a great deal of force through the Hall sending everyone flying backward.
Serenity and Ariel were sent flying back into the other room while the door collapsed from the blast. Tea was flung backwards knocking into a pillar Bakura landing next to her, Marik on the other side. Duke had gotten trapped between the floor and a pillar that had fallen over, it had landed on his leg but there was enough of a gap that it didn't break it. Every one else had been on the other side of the blast and were thrown outside of the building. Pegasus had been awakened by the blast and some how managed to stagger out of the Hall where he was captured by Tristan.
The dust from the blast settled and the gang began to look around only then realizing that Tea, Serenity and Ariel were missing. They looked all over the areas they thought they could have landed but they weren't there. There were only guard some died, some alive, some injured and some dazed but no sign of the girls, they feared the worst.
Ariel sat up her head hurt a bit and she felt a bit dazed as she sat up. Looking around she didn't see much except for a bunch of fallen stones and a caved in door. The she felt something move on her leg, looking down she saw Serenity lying across her legs with a cut across her forehead. Serenity's eyes fluttered open and she placed her hand to her head as she sat up.
"You better be careful your head is bleeding."
"Yeah well so is your right forearm."
Ariel turned her head and looked at her arm and sure enough there was a good size cut on it.
"Well there is nothing I can do about it right now."
Ariel and Serenity both stood up and surveyed the damage. The door had collapsed in on them and was blocked by even more stones on both sides. The room was threatening to come down around them; their only way out was through the door.
"Do you think you can use your powers to help me get us out of here?" Ariel asked Serenity
"I don't know but I can try."
"Alright. Just concentrate on the rocks and moving them out of our way."
Ariel and Serenity both placed all their concentration on the rocks and slowly they began to shift. With a lot of effort and concentration the girls managed to make a space small enough for them to crawl through. On the other side of the doorway pretty much everything had been destroyed so the girls looked around to see if anyone had survived.
Sure enough at the far end of the Hall they found Tea just waking up with Bakura and Marik on either side of her. Bakura was knocked out for good and was barely breathing while Marik was just coming around as well.
Serenity helped Tea to her feet while Ariel looked around, not seeing anyone else she went back over to Tea. A moan of pain stopped her in her tracks; it was coming from behind one of the collapsed pillars. Ariel walked around to the other side of the pillar and saw Duke lying on his back his right leg caught between the pillar and the floor. With a little bit of power from her Item Ariel was able to lift the pillar just enough so that Duke could move his leg. Ariel allowed Duke to place one arm around her for support as she helped him hobble over to where the others were where he passed out once again.
"So how are we going to get them all out of here?" Asked Serenity
"Well we can use our Item's powers a levitate them out. What do you think Nefertiti?"
"I don't see any other way all though it will drain us of a considerable amount of strength."
"Well we can't just leave them here."
"Says who?"
"Isis!" exclaimed Tea
"Fine we'll get them out as well."
"You're not going anywhere."
Marik had woken up and seemed to be in a crazed state, his eyes glazed over and a crazy look on his face. He slowly advanced on the girls turning his Rod into it dagger form. He charged at the girls pushing Ariel and Tea aside and going for Serenity. He seized her around the neck and placed the dagger to her throat. Ariel did the only thing she could think of she grabbed a dagger that lay next to her on the ground quickly moved into a different position and threw it.
The dagger hit Marik somewhere in the left shoulder causing him to drop both the Rod and Serenity. Ariel ran over to Marik and pulled the dagger out of his shoulder and as she had feared Marik began to bleed and badly. Quickly looking around she found a banner lying on the ground and tore a strip of and tied it around the wound.
"That will have to do. We better get out of him." No sooner had she said that then the Hall began to shake and collapse around them.
The gang outside of the hall could do nothing but back away as dust, sand and rock flew everywhere. Mokuba gripped Seto's skirt and cried into it (Alexia: Remember the guys wore those skirts in Egypt). Tristan was holding the half crazed Joey back well Mai and Ishizu held each other cry. Shadi turned his head away and Yami fell to his knees, Seto did move a muscle he just stood there staring at the falling building. The girls were gone.
Mokuba was the first to notice a bluish white light coming from inside the cloud of dust. He tugged at Seto's skirt and pointed it out to him.
"Hey Seto what is that?"
"Probably nothing."
Yami looked up at what Mokuba was pointing to
"Shadi is that? Could that be?"
Shadi looked at the strange light "It's not possible." Shadi looked stunned "Their alive!"
Out of the cloud of dust and sand came the bluish-white light, which turned out to be a bubble with figures inside. As the bubble got closer they saw that there were six figures inside, three walking and tree hovering in mid air. Closer still they recognized the three walking figures as Tea, Ariel and Serenity. Ariel was holding the Rod in her right hand and they all had their hands up as if supporting something.
Once they reached the group the girls let the bubble fade and laid the three other figures gently on the ground. There faces were deathly pale and their skin was soaked with sweat and their eyes glazed over.
"Well we mad it out." Said Serenity with a weak smile
"Yeah we did." Agreed Tea
"Ishizu I am sorry about Marik, but he tried to kill Safiya. He is still alive I..."
Ariel never finished her sentence for all at once the last of the girl's strength left their bodies and they began to tremble. Slowly their bodies swayed and the collapsed onto the sand. Tristan, Joey, Yami and Seto ran over and picked up the girls who were limp in their arms.
"Safiya wake up!"
Joey shook Serenity but she did not stir her body lay lifeless in his arms. In fact neither Tea nor Ariel woke up when Seto and Yami tried the same thing. The three girls lay lifeless in there loved ones arms.
(Okay there you go the 14th chapter done and up! I hoped you liked it. Well I beat my last record of 20 pages on Word b/c this one is 22 pages. WOW! I can't believe it!!! Well there is not much to say except Please review!!)
Quick Thank yous:
Kitsune-Yasha: Yeppie!!! Once again she likes it!!! *Dances around room* See you at school!!!
ginnymaepotter: Glad you are still enjoy my story!!! Good luck with your new fic!!!
CrissyKitty: Hello!!! Still reading cool!! HEY SETO PARTS ARE NEVER BORING HE IS MY FAV!!! *Hugs Seto* well anyways I don't think there is much humor in this chapter I think it is a little angsty. Oh well had to happen sometime. Hope you enjoy this chappie. TTYL!!!
Kaz: I know you love Bakura and I am sorry but it had to be that way. Well here we go again!! Enjoy!!!
Avelyn Lauren: Well here is the next chapter and thanks for not killing me. Oh and Marik gets it all right, did you really think he would get away with all this? Yeah right he wishes!!!
Character's Egyptian Names
Serenity = Safiya
Joey = Tarik
Tristan = Hondo
Mai = Ma'at
Gozaburo = Gahiji
Pegasus = Runihura
Chapter Fourteen: Five Weddings and a War
Marik sat at the table of the smaller dinning room eating breakfast with Bakura. Both boys were very quite this morning both having a lot on their minds. Marik was glad that their plan had worked just like it was suppose to and that he would have his wish in a few short hours. Marik would have Isis, he would be Pharaoh and Yami and Seto would be dead. Marik didn't know which one his was happier about finally becoming Pharaoh or Isis becoming his.
Bakura on the other hand relished in the thought of seeing Yami die, finally getting all the Millennium Items and of course Nefertiti would finally be his. Just a few more hours and she would be all his never to be seen in Yami's arms ever again. Bakura still did not like the idea of having to wait any longer to kill the former pharaoh, but no Marik wanted to defeat him in a duel and then kill him.
"Are you sure we just can't kill them now? I mean either way you'll get the Puzzle, so why wait?"
There was no answer from Marik he was staring blankly into space with a weird look on his face.
"Marik?" Bakura tried again "Pharaoh Marik!" Still no answer "Hello Isis."
"Huh? Isis is here?"
Marik's answer was met by an amused laugh from Bakura
"No but you were how should I say this? You were 'thinking'. It was rather amusing." Bakura laughed again
"What's so funny about me thinking?"
"By the look on your face you were thinking about something that normally Isis would kill you for thinking."
"Yeah well I bet you were think the exact same thing about a certain Queen."
"How could I not?" Bakura said with an evil smirk on his face
The doors to the dinning room opened and Pegasus entered the room causing Marik to stiffen a little. Marik still remember what Pegasus had done to him last time.
"Good morning boys." Pegasus said in a very excited tone
"Runihura." Marik and Bakura were a little disturbed by his overly happy attitude
"All the arrangements are taken care of."
"Good." Was all Bakura said
"You could sound a little more excited then that Lord Bakura." Commented Pegasus, "After all you get your woman."
"Good point. What about you Pharaoh Marik?"
"Huh?"
"Is something the matter Pharaoh Marik? Are you feeling alright?" Asked Pegasus
"He is just happy to be finally 'getting' the girl." Bakura said with one of his smug smirks
"Yes my daughter shall make a lovely queen and Marik and her shall be happy." Obviously missing what Bakura was hinting at and the death glares Marik was throwing him. Pegasus seemingly in his own happy little world continued, "There is room for one more wedding. What about your sister Marik? Is she to be married?"
"That might do her some good considering her love shall be dead tomorrow morning. But who to marry her to?"
"What about Gahiji?"
"No he is to old for her. Anyways just like you Runihura, Gahiji is still in love with his dead wife."
"Then how about Jackson?" suggested Bakura
"That's an idea. I mean the guy hasn't stopped looking at her since we were in the cave. Every chance he gets he stares at her." Marik laughed a little, "It is rather amusing to watch."
"Excellent! Another wedding. I must go and inform the staff." Pegasus turned to leave the room
"Not just yet Runihura."
"Pharaoh Marik?"
"We can't just marry off Jackson with out his knowledge, now can we?"
"Of course not my Pharaoh."
"Please go and find him Runihura and tell him to come to the throne room. I will be waiting for him there."
"Right away Pharaoh Marik." Pegasus bowed and left the room
"You are enjoying being Pharaoh way too much."
"Yes power is a wonderful thing."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Upstairs servant ladies room in and out of rooms finding franticly as they tried to prepare the girls for their weddings, which was proving to be a difficult task indeed. Mai was constantly threatening the servants and Keith for that matter. She threw things across the room and constantly shouted that they would have to drag her to the alter. All in all it took her a good three hours to get ready, every one had been up since just after dawn.
Ariel and Tea on the other hand were difficult in a different why. They wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for their wedding day; although inside they wanted to throw up. Adjustments were continuously being made to their wedding attire. Ariel and Tea were wearing the same outfits they had worn to the dinner only this time the dresses were white and silver.
Serenity was doing her best 'I'm in distress some one help me act'. She was breaking down and crying every couple of minutes so her servants were frequently having to stop and console her before continuing with their work. Serenity would cry about how she didn't want to marry Duke but yet something made it seem like she loved him and how she really wanted to be with Tristan and so on and so forth. The servants called it pre-wedding stress, yeah right.
Ariel and Tea barely had time to talk to each other in privet much less talk to the other girls. They didn't even attempt to communicate using their Items considering Pegasus was more then likely keeping a close eye on them just incase. On a day such as today nothing was life unwatched even the walls had eyes today so all they could do was hope that every one remembered what to do.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jackson walked towards the throne room like he was walking down death row. He couldn't figure out what Pharaoh Marik wanted with him and just thinking about it made he scared out of his wits. Over the past few days several members of the palace staff had disappeared and it was rumored to be Pharaoh Marik's doing. The rumor was any one who crossed him was put to death. Jackson was scared.
The guards opened to doors to the throne room and Jackson walked in so scared he thought that he was going to pass out. He made his way to the throne where Marik was sitting and bowed. Marik motioned for him to come forward. Jackson walked forward and bowed when he reached the foot of the throne.
"You summoned me my Pharaoh."
"Yes. It has occurred to me that ever since we left the cave you have not taken your eyes of Ishizu whenever she is around. Is that so?"
"Yes my Pharaoh." Jackson said with a forbidding feeling in his gut
"I am sure you were unaware of this but Ishizu is my sister."
Jackson let out a gasp, "I am sorry my Pharaoh I had no idea she was your sister please forgive me." Jackson was pleading
"Well be that as it may I still must do something about this."
"Please Pharaoh Marik I beg you spare my life. I will never look at her again." Jackson dropped to his knees and bowed.
"Get off the floor and who said anything about killing you." Marik tried to stay serious but it was kind of hard considering how hilarious the whole thing was. Bakura on the other hand was laughing under his breath.
"I beg you then my Pharaoh please tell me what it is that you are going to do."
"Simply this, if you wish you have my permission to marry my sister."
"Excuse me?" Jackson was shocked and confused
"Let me spell it out for you. Would. You. Like. To. Marry. My. Sister. ?"
"Yes." Was all Jackson could say
"Very well. Then I suggest you get ready the wedding are to be held in about two hours."
"Yes my Pharaoh and thank you."
Jackson was so happy that he almost forgot to bow when he left. Marik was finally able to burst out laughing when the door closed. He laughed so hard that his side began to hurt.
"Like I said before my Pharaoh you are having way too much fun." Bakura said once he had caught his breath.
"Your point being?"
"Nothing. So when do I get the Millennium Items?"
"After tomorrow. Tomorrow I will perform the final ceremony then I will no long need the Items and you will be free to do what you wish with them."
"Very well. I have waited this long what will another day or two do."
"Well we might as well go and get ready."
"Oh yeah. Do I really have to perform the wedding ceremonies? You know how much I hate this stuff."
"Oh for the love of Ra Bakura! You know that only the High Priest can perform such high ranking weddings and you wanted to be the High Priest."
"Shut up."
"Whatever. I'll see you later. I must go inform Ishizu of her marriage."
"Good luck."
Marik and Bakura left the throne room and went their separate ways Marik just hoped Ishizu wouldn't kill him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Ceremonial Courtyard had been slowly filling up since early morning as lords, ladies, dignitaries and other important people came to see the weddings. Most were there to save face and not start a war; however, there were a few that cared little either way. For most the idea of Yami no longer being Pharaoh brought great concern because there had been only peace in the land of Egypt since he had taken the throne. Now under this new rule anything could happen and that anything was exactly what they feared.
It was now well after noon and the weddings were to take place at one. The girls were lead into the left Royal Viewing Balcony well the boys (not Yami and the others) were taken to the main Royal Viewing Balcony with Marik, Pegasus and Gozaburo. The brides and grooms were not to see each other face to face until their wedding it was considered bad luck. (Alexia: I have no idea if that was true.) The only two that were missing were Jackson and Ishizu. Jackson was waiting at the altar and Ishizu was waiting in the back with a frown permanently fixed on her face. No she hadn't killed Marik but she had been tempted to. But they had a plan and Ishizu trusted it would work so she was just going along with this whole 'game'.
Ishizu's wedding went off without a hitch although she never smiled not even once. Every one in the audience could see how she stiffened when Jackson kissed her at the end of the ceremony and several of the women were crying for her. They all knew Ishizu was supposed to marry Lord Shadi who she had been in love with for years.
Mai's wedding on the other hand was a little more difficult; she had to be escorted down the aisle by two guards. She stared daggers at Keith the whole way down and all the way through the ceremony. When it came to say 'I do' one of the guards had to place a dagger to her side to force her to say it. The guard continued to hold the dagger at Mai's side well Keith kissed her then escorted the two of them back down the aisle.
The guest seemed to be growing wary of these weddings they all knew something was up but they couldn't put their fingers on whatever it was. They just pretended they were happy for the newly weds and left it at that.
Now the most important weddings were to begin those of the High Priestess, former queen and the Sorceress. It was now time for Serenity to walk down the aisle fighting with the ring the whole time. The ring made her want to walk fast no run up to the altar and into Duke's arms, but another part of her held fast to her feeling for Tristan.
When she did finally reach the altar time seemed to speed up and before she knew it the words 'I do' spilled out of her mouth; that tiny wrenched ring on her finger had forced them out. The ring was causing her heart to feel like it was going to burst with a mixture of many different emotions.
Duke smiled down at his new wife and took her in his arms. He had waited for this day for so long he had never really believed that it would happen but it had. Duke thought that nothing could ruin this feeling of happiness that he had, how wrong he was. And now that the 'I do's' had been said there was just one thing left to do and that was to kiss his wife his Serenity.
Serenity felt a mixture of anger and delight as her lips met Duke's; she thought how could she have ever hated this man and then her memories came back it was too much. There were too many feelings inside of her and the ring began to feed off of them trying to force her soul to brake. Her head began to spin and she felt like crying then something called out to her. It was more like a light from an object was calling to her telling her to hold on, but what it was she could not tell for the light was to bright.
Finally she was able to see something it looked like a scale. It was a scale! And not just any scale but the Millennium Scale and holding it was a girl who looked just like Serenity. She was wearing a beautiful white dress with golden bands around her arms and wrist; even strands of her hair were wrapped with gold. The girl was Safiya Serenity's past life. The vision had given her the strength she need along with the memories of Joey, her friends and Tristan.
Duke and Serenity walked down the aisle hand in hand looking like to two happiest people in the world. Once they disappeared through the doors Bakura announced that there was going to be a small break before the last two weddings. The guests got up and were all told that refreshments would be served in the side room.
As the guests moved into the side room Bakura slipped out of the Ceremonial Courtyard and out into the courtyard's garden. Then among the trees hidden in the shadows was Marik.
"Everything is going according to plan." Marik said coolly
"Yes they are. Although I hate doing this wedding business."
"Hey I have to marry you and Nefertiti so you get a break. Be grateful."
"Like I said before I don't care whether or not we are married as long as she is mine."
"She is yours the ring is on her finger. All we are doing now is making it legal."
"Whatever."
"First we shall take over the past, then all of present Egypt then the world."
"You do realize that sounded like a cheesy line out of some bad movie."
"Since when did you watch movies?"
"You try being stuck in Ryou's body."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Remember once this is all over and you have what you want I want all the items. Every last one."
"And you shall have them. We made a deal remember?"
"Yes, but you like myself are thief and thief's don't always keep the promises."
"Good point. Then I guess you will just have to trust me."
"Guess so, but I am not one to cross." "Do you threaten your Pharaoh?"
"No it was merely a warning."
"Good."
"And what is that suppose to mean?"
"Nothing."
"Marik." Bakura said warningly
"Come on it is time to marry you."
Marik and Bakura walked back into the Ceremonial Pavilion Marik standing where Bakura normal stood and Bakura standing in the groom's position. The guest's files back to their seats and waited for the last of the weddings to began.
Music began to play and Tea walked through the doors and walked towards Bakura her face aglow from her smile. To everyone she looked like the perfect bride but this was not so because well she was walking down the aisle and well Marik married them she laughed at how blind Bakura was. He was so consumed with the thought that he had won that he failed to notice that she was acting.
When Marik was finished Bakura kissed Tea and of course Tea kissed him back, but it was a mistake because just like with Serenity she had to fight her ring. Emotions began to take a hold of her almost to many for her to control they were trying to force her soul to brake once again. She could not let that happen but the ring was becoming harder and harder to fight.
A faint light began to glow in front of her eyes or so she thought it did. Tea focused on the light trying to figure out what could be making it and to her surprise it was not coming from outside but from inside herself. There was some one standing in the middle of the light, who it was Tea couldn't tell but she was saying something. The woman was telling Tea to hold on and that it would be all right as long as she held on. Slowly the light subsided and revealed the woman to be Queen Nefertiti standing in a flowing white dress and smiling. Tea nodded to show she understood then opened her eyes.
With renewed strength Tea pushed back the rings power and smiled at Bakura. Together they walked down the aisle hand in hand smiling at each other and Tea once again laughing inside.
Bakura made a full circle and switched places once again with Marik. The music started again and the guest sighed they were tired of all this and just thankful that this was the last wedding of the day. The afternoon was ending and the sun was setting most people would have considered this a very romantic setting for a wedding now no one cared. Like Tea, Ariel walked down the aisle with Pegasus laughing to herself while she smiled her beautiful smile at Marik. Marik thought that she looked radiant as she walked towards him the evening breeze blowing through her hair. Neither Marik nor Pegasus could sense that she was faking it and Pegasus hadn't even bothered to try and read her mind today.
Pegasus placed Ariel's hand in Marik's hand and nodded his approval the walked back to his seat. Bakura began the ceremony for what seemed like the billionth time that day and he was rather board of it. Finally he was done and Marik could kiss Ariel and he could leave.
Marik pulled Ariel close and kissed her at once the same thing begin to happen to Ariel that had happened to Serenity and Tea. Emotions began to take a hold of her almost to many for her to control they were trying to force her soul to brake once again. She could not let that happen but the ring was becoming harder and harder to fight.
A faint light began to glow in front of her eyes or so she thought it did. Ariel focused on the light trying to figure out what could be making it and to her surprise it was not coming from outside but from inside herself. There was some one standing in the middle of the light, who it was Ariel couldn't tell but she was saying something. The woman was telling Ariel to hold on and that it would be all right as long as she held on. Slowly the light subsided and revealed the woman to be the Sorceress Isis standing in a flowing white dress and smiling. Ariel nodded to show she understood then opened her eyes.
"I now present to you Pharaoh Marik and his new queen, Queen Isis." Announced Bakura
All the wedding guest stood up and clapped some cheered mostly they were just happy that it was over and done with. Marik allowed the guest to clap for a few seconds then held up his hand for silence.
"I would like to thank you all for attending these weddings today and I am sure some of you are rather tired from the long day. However, I hope you will all join us for the celebration banquet and of course entertainment."
There were several nodes of approval from the guest.
"It will be held in the Reception Hall, so if you will please follow us." Ariel added in a sweet voice.
Ariel and Marik walked arm and arm back down the aisle and made their way to the Reception Hall where the others were waiting for them. The guests filed out of the Ceremonial Pavilion and followed the two to the Hall.
Once in the Hall the guest settled onto lavish pillows around table that were placed around the perimeter of the Hall. Marik and Ariel made their way to the thrones where the others sat on pillows around them. Once Marik was settled he clapped his hands twice and doors on either end of the Hall opened. Through one door came dancers dressed in beautiful clothing, through the other waiters carrying tray after tray of delicious foods. The guest talked amongst themselves well they ate and watched the dancers. Tea and Ariel on the other hand were waiting for the right moment to ask Marik if they could show off their fighting moves.
The food lasted for a good hour or more and the girls were getting worried that they might not get a chance to put their plan into action. But as the food slowly disappeared they realized that Marik seemed to have nothing else planned for the rest of the evening and the guest were beginning to get restless once again.
"Runihura didn't you plan anything else for the evening?"
"Well we do have the flame dancers my Pharaoh."
"Anything else?"
"No my Pharaoh I am sorry. I could not get anything else together in time."
"Damn. Then what are we going to do?"
Ariel saw that this was the perfect opportunely
"Marik might I suggest something?"
"What would you like to suggest?"
"I know of something that will keep our guest entertained."
"And what would that be?"
"If myself and the girls show of our skills with swords and sai." (Alexia: If you don't know what Sai are all I can say is think of what Eve used in 'The Mummy Returns' during her flashback in the hot air balloon thingy and towards the end of the movie.)
"That sounds like a good idea. Alright then go and get ready."
Ariel smiled and nodded to the other girls then got up to leave. The rest of the Hall stood up when they saw their Queen get up. The girls begun to walk down from the thrones to the door when Marik stopped Ariel. Marik smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips then let her go.
As they walked out of the hall Ariel let out a sigh of relief for a second she had thought that Marik had found them out. Once in their rooms Tea contacted Yami.
/Yami are you there?/
//Yes Nefertiti I'm here. Are you alright?//
/Yes I'm fine./
//Good because I was afraid the ring had gotten full control of you again. Hondo, Seto and myself could feel the three of you fighting off the effects of the rings.//
/It was hard but we got through it./
//That is good to hear. So what is the update?//
/Well we are in our rooms changing for our fights. So I would say give us about 10 minutes then come up./
//Alright.//
/I'd better go now./
//Don't worry Nefertiti I will get that ring off your finger even if it kills me.//
/I know. See you in a bit./
//Bye//
With that Tea broke the connection and headed out into the hall to meet the others. They were all dressed in similar outfits golden bikini style halter- tops and bottoms with short golden wraps around their waists (Alexia: Think of what Ariel was wearing in chapter 9). There were golden bands around their arms. They all nodded to each other and went back downstairs.
Back in the dungeon the boys were making sure their swords were fastened tightly around their waist. Joey looked through the bars to see if the guards were distracted and gave Yami the thumbs up indicating it was safe to unlock the cell door. Yami quietly placed the key in the lock and slowly turned the key. Thankfully the door opened without so much as a sound.
They boys quietly walked out of the cell and snuck up on the unsuspecting guards. Yami and Seto were the closes to the two guard so using the back of their swords they hit the guards on their heads knocking them unconscious. Joey and Tristan then hauled the guards into the cell and locked the door. With that they left the dungeon.
The girls walked back into the Reception Hall and everyone stood up when Ariel entered the room, which greatly annoyed her. Ariel walked back up to the throne to talk with Marik.
"Nefertiti and I would like to be the first ones to fight." "As you wish."
"Thank you my Pharaoh." Ariel bowed
"You are my wife don't call me that."
"Alright." Ariel smiled sweetly and walked down the stairs, "We shall each use Sai."
A guard handed both Ariel and Tea a pair of Sai and they took the positions on the either of the fighting area. Tea and Ariel each twirled their Sai and stood in the ready position. Marik clapped his hands and the fight began. The sound of their Sai clashing rang through the hall, but was interrupted by another sound from outside the hall.
There was the sound of people yelling in anger and from pain not to mention the sound of swords clashing. Marik stood up as the guards went to the door and the girls stopped fighting. Before the guards could even reach the doors they were flung open and Yami and Seto walked in followed by the others.
The guards stopped dead in their tracks looking back and fourth between Marik and Yami. The one who claimed to be the new Pharaoh and the one who was suppose to be the Pharaoh.
"Marik step down!" Yami yelled
"Face it Yami I am the Pharaoh and I do not take orders from you."
"I said step down and this won't go any further."
"Is that a threat?"
"Yes."
"Guards detain that man."
"Let us deal with them my Pharaoh." Said Nefertiti
Marik looked at Bakura, Bakura nodded.
"Be my guest."
Tea and Ariel advanced on Yami and Seto who stood their ground but did not raise their swords. The girls looked like they were going to kill the two boys. When they reached Yami and Seto they placed their Sai to their necks.
"So you think you can just come in here ruin our wedding party and demand things. You are nothing." Tea said harshly "You two are nothing but liars!" Said Ariel pressing her Sai against Seto's throat
"Marik release her now!" Yelled Seto
"Isis show him what you think of him." Commanded Marik
"Oh I will."
"They will regret ever crossing us." Added Tea
Bakura and Marik smiled at their comments and sat back down waiting to see what was going to happen next. They were expecting bloodshed but that was not what they got. Ariel and Tea removed their Sai away from their throats and into a striking position and moved to strike. But instead they dropped the Sai and Marik and Bakura watched in shock as Seto and Yami grabbed Ariel and Tea and kissed them.
"LET GO OF THEM NOW!!!!" Marik was a little pissed
"Shut your mouth Marik!"
"Isis!?!" Marik was shocked "What is going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"You are supposed to be under the rings spell and your not. This can't be possible the ring is still black."
"Oh you mean this." Ariel held up her ring and so did Tea "Ring's of Possession reveal your truth."
There was a small flash of light and the rings were reveal to be only blood red not black.
"Marik how is this possible!?!" Bakura asked in an angry voice
"I-I have no idea."
"You forget Marik I am a sorceress and I am the owner on the Millennium Necklace. I saw a vision of you two making these rings for your future plans so we created a counter spell. The spell could not remove the ring from the hand of the one it was placed on but it could release them from its spell and revive their true soul. So you see your plan failed."
"You will never be pharaoh Marik." Add Tea "Now step down."
"No I will not step down and we will not let you go with out a fight. Guards get them. Kill the men but don't harm the girls!"
The war had begun; the guard raced towards them and the pulled their weapons into a ready position. By this time Joey, Tristan, Shadi and Mokuba had joined Yami and Seto. As the guards got closer they charged weapons clashing and guards falling.
Serenity who had been watching up until this point decided she would no longer be a bystander. She went to grab her sword and join the fight but Duke grabbed her firmly around the waist.
"You're not going anywhere."
"That's what you think."
Serenity was able to move just enough so she elbowed him with all the strength she could muster in the stomach. Duke released her and bent over trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him. In the mean time Serenity grabbed her sword and joined in the fight. Tristan who was trying to fight off two guards at once was surprised when one of them fell over and standing behind him was Serenity.
"Safiya what? How did you? Wow!" was all Tristan could say
"Never mind just keep moving." Serenity was panting she was out of breath and her face was pale and it was not from fighting
"Safiya are you alright?"
"I'll be fine. It's just that if I attack Duke the ring cause me a great deal of pain." She saw the look on Tristan's face "But it is gone now. Don't worry I'll be fine."
"If you say so."
Guards were coming from all directions now and wedding guest we screaming and running from then room. Through all this Joey was looking franticly around for Mai. He knew Serenity was safe with Tristan, well as safe as you can be in a battle that is. Finally he spotted Mai on the far side of the room beating the crap out of Keith. He smiled as he saw this but not for long for another guard was attacking him.
Yami battled guard after guard as he made his way towards Marik. Even though he wanted to kill Bakura for even looking at Tea he knew that he must deal with Marik first. Shadi who knew the Pharaoh must take on Marik was holding off Bakura with a battle of the Items, which he was winning.
Tea and Ariel were fighting off several guards and their movements looked like a graceful yet deadly dance. Seto watched for a moment as Ariel spun around sai in hand and struck a guard. She was so graceful even when she was in battle. Seto would have continued to watch her except for the fact that Mokuba had screamed. Somehow Gozaburo had managed to get Mokuba backed up against a wall sword to his throat. Seto remember what Ariel had told him he must do and the fact that Mokuba was in danger attacked Gozaburo. Seto grabbed Gozaburo by the shoulders and threw him backwards. Before he could get up Seto moved quickly placing the tip of his sword to Gozaburo's bare chest right over his heart.
"How dare you attack Mokuba like that." His voice fierce and cold
"You played right into my hand Seto. I knew you would come running the minute you beloved brother was in danger." He was laughing
"I am going to enjoy killing you for what you did to us."
Seto raised his sword but he wasn't fast enough, Gozaburo swung one leg and tripped Seto. Seto landed hard on his back and in seconds Gozaburo was on his feet sword coming down. Seto closed his eyes happy that he had gotten to see Ariel one last time and that Mokuba would be taken care of.
Seto waited for the final blow but it never came. He opened his eyes to see Ariel kneeling over him sai crossed blocking Gozaburo's blow. Using her sai she threw his sword forward causing him to lose his balance. Using that to her advantage Ariel kicked him in the stomach.
Gozaburo found himself on the floor once again Seto over him bring his sword down for the final blow. Gozaburo rolled out of the way but Seto struck again and again Gozaburo barely rolled out of the way. This game was getting tiring he had to find a way to stop it. He saw his chance. If he quickly rolled out of the way and got up just as fast he would be able to fight Seto. He did so except when Gozaburo got up instead of grabbing his sword he grabbed Ariel. Pulling the dagger from it hold around his waist he placed it to her neck.
"Drop the sword of the girl dies."
Seto stopped dead in his tracks but then he saw Ariel smile
"I said drop the sword!"
"No."
"Do as I say or she dies."
"You won't kill her because if you do Marik will be angry with you and not to mention this is Isis we are talking about."
With that Ariel pulled her leg back and kicked him and boy did it hurt him.
"Well you did warn him. Now take care of him." "So I just stab him."
"NO! Say the incantation that is the only way to get rid of him."
"What incantation?"
"Just stop thinking and look inside yourself and you'll remember."
Seto did what she said and with in a moment of doing so words he didn't even know began to come from his mouth. They came from somewhere deep inside and at that moment Seto truly began to believe in what Yami, Ishizu and Ariel had been telling him at past lives and Millennium Items having powers.
As Seto said the incantation Ariel shielded Mokuba from seeing what was happening. Gozaburo's whole body seized up with pain and he screamed his face turning deathly white. He began to grow older and older by the second until he began to turn into a corpse. (Alexia: Okay so if you want a better picture of what he looks like go and watch Indian Jones and the Last Crusade, at least I believe that it what it is called. Well anyway it is the part where the evil guy drinks from the wrong cup.)
Seto opened his eyes and looked at the spot where Gozaburo had been laying, he was gone. The only remnant of him ever being there was his dagger that laying in a pile of ash on the hard stone floor.
"What just happened?"
"What do you think?"
"I have no idea." He just kept looking at the pile of ashes
"Come on lets go!" Ariel grabbed his arm and dragged a very dazed Seto in the other direction. Mokuba fallowed quietly.
Yami meanwhile had been battling Marik, first with weapons then hand to hand and now they were onto a battle of the items. No one could really tell who was winning because it kept changing once second Yami would be winning and then next it would be Marik then it would change again. The battle was also extremely intense sweat beads were forming on their foreheads and they were both beginning to tremble.
"Ready to give up Yami?"
"Never! I will never allow you to win."
"Well then I will just have to kill you!"
"Good luck!"
With that they were off again and of course Shadi and Bakura were still going at it. Theirs was coming to an end and it looked like Shadi would be the winner.
The guards were beginning to lessen as they were either killed injured or ran away and some simply did not come. Ariel looked around now for the one person who had been hiding since the beginning and that was Pegasus. She finally saw him peeking out of a room adjacent to the Reception Hall. He was in the smaller throne room. Ariel walked the long way around and Seto spotted her.
"Where does she think she is going?" Then he saw Pegasus "I get it now. Well all I can say for him is good luck because she is pissed." "What's that big brother?"
"Nothing Mokuba."
Pegasus closed the door again but it would not close. He looked down and saw that some sort of weapon had been place between the two doors.
"Hiding are we?" It was the voice of his daughter
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you what you deserve."
"What's that?"
Ariel hit Pegasus over the head and began to drag him out of the room when something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was the Millennium Scale, Serenity's Item, sitting on a table on the right side of the thrones.
"Hey Safiya!"
"Yeah!"
"There is something in this room that belongs to you!"
"What!?!"
"Your Item!"
"Thanks!"
Serenity ran to the room where Ariel was.
"What did you do to him?" Seeing Pegasus on the floor
"Just knocked him out."
"Good job. Now where is it?"
"Over there." Ariel pointed to a table
Serenity went over to the table and gently picked up the Millennium Scale. The minute her hand touched it a soft glow began to fill the room and steadily grew brighter. Then wind began to swirl around her and it seemed to becoming from below instead of above. Serenity felt herself merge with something or more like some one.
Once it was all over Serenity somehow felt whole like a part of her had been missing and she had just found it. Ariel was amazed at how different and yet not so different Serenity looked. She was more herself now in away then before.
There wasn't much time to enjoy her newfound tranquility because at the precise moment something shook the palace with a grate force. Serenity and Ariel ran out of the room to find out what had happened.
The Shadow games between Shadi and Bakura, Marik and Yami had gotten out of control. They were giving off so much energy that it was shaking the room. The Hall roof was beginning to crumble and fall. Every one had to doge pieces of the heavy ceiling that were now coming down in huge blocks.
"Guys we gotta get out of here!" Yelled Joey
But no one heard because just as he was yelling out the warning the energy from the games finally blew sending a great deal of force through the Hall sending everyone flying backward.
Serenity and Ariel were sent flying back into the other room while the door collapsed from the blast. Tea was flung backwards knocking into a pillar Bakura landing next to her, Marik on the other side. Duke had gotten trapped between the floor and a pillar that had fallen over, it had landed on his leg but there was enough of a gap that it didn't break it. Every one else had been on the other side of the blast and were thrown outside of the building. Pegasus had been awakened by the blast and some how managed to stagger out of the Hall where he was captured by Tristan.
The dust from the blast settled and the gang began to look around only then realizing that Tea, Serenity and Ariel were missing. They looked all over the areas they thought they could have landed but they weren't there. There were only guard some died, some alive, some injured and some dazed but no sign of the girls, they feared the worst.
Ariel sat up her head hurt a bit and she felt a bit dazed as she sat up. Looking around she didn't see much except for a bunch of fallen stones and a caved in door. The she felt something move on her leg, looking down she saw Serenity lying across her legs with a cut across her forehead. Serenity's eyes fluttered open and she placed her hand to her head as she sat up.
"You better be careful your head is bleeding."
"Yeah well so is your right forearm."
Ariel turned her head and looked at her arm and sure enough there was a good size cut on it.
"Well there is nothing I can do about it right now."
Ariel and Serenity both stood up and surveyed the damage. The door had collapsed in on them and was blocked by even more stones on both sides. The room was threatening to come down around them; their only way out was through the door.
"Do you think you can use your powers to help me get us out of here?" Ariel asked Serenity
"I don't know but I can try."
"Alright. Just concentrate on the rocks and moving them out of our way."
Ariel and Serenity both placed all their concentration on the rocks and slowly they began to shift. With a lot of effort and concentration the girls managed to make a space small enough for them to crawl through. On the other side of the doorway pretty much everything had been destroyed so the girls looked around to see if anyone had survived.
Sure enough at the far end of the Hall they found Tea just waking up with Bakura and Marik on either side of her. Bakura was knocked out for good and was barely breathing while Marik was just coming around as well.
Serenity helped Tea to her feet while Ariel looked around, not seeing anyone else she went back over to Tea. A moan of pain stopped her in her tracks; it was coming from behind one of the collapsed pillars. Ariel walked around to the other side of the pillar and saw Duke lying on his back his right leg caught between the pillar and the floor. With a little bit of power from her Item Ariel was able to lift the pillar just enough so that Duke could move his leg. Ariel allowed Duke to place one arm around her for support as she helped him hobble over to where the others were where he passed out once again.
"So how are we going to get them all out of here?" Asked Serenity
"Well we can use our Item's powers a levitate them out. What do you think Nefertiti?"
"I don't see any other way all though it will drain us of a considerable amount of strength."
"Well we can't just leave them here."
"Says who?"
"Isis!" exclaimed Tea
"Fine we'll get them out as well."
"You're not going anywhere."
Marik had woken up and seemed to be in a crazed state, his eyes glazed over and a crazy look on his face. He slowly advanced on the girls turning his Rod into it dagger form. He charged at the girls pushing Ariel and Tea aside and going for Serenity. He seized her around the neck and placed the dagger to her throat. Ariel did the only thing she could think of she grabbed a dagger that lay next to her on the ground quickly moved into a different position and threw it.
The dagger hit Marik somewhere in the left shoulder causing him to drop both the Rod and Serenity. Ariel ran over to Marik and pulled the dagger out of his shoulder and as she had feared Marik began to bleed and badly. Quickly looking around she found a banner lying on the ground and tore a strip of and tied it around the wound.
"That will have to do. We better get out of him." No sooner had she said that then the Hall began to shake and collapse around them.
The gang outside of the hall could do nothing but back away as dust, sand and rock flew everywhere. Mokuba gripped Seto's skirt and cried into it (Alexia: Remember the guys wore those skirts in Egypt). Tristan was holding the half crazed Joey back well Mai and Ishizu held each other cry. Shadi turned his head away and Yami fell to his knees, Seto did move a muscle he just stood there staring at the falling building. The girls were gone.
Mokuba was the first to notice a bluish white light coming from inside the cloud of dust. He tugged at Seto's skirt and pointed it out to him.
"Hey Seto what is that?"
"Probably nothing."
Yami looked up at what Mokuba was pointing to
"Shadi is that? Could that be?"
Shadi looked at the strange light "It's not possible." Shadi looked stunned "Their alive!"
Out of the cloud of dust and sand came the bluish-white light, which turned out to be a bubble with figures inside. As the bubble got closer they saw that there were six figures inside, three walking and tree hovering in mid air. Closer still they recognized the three walking figures as Tea, Ariel and Serenity. Ariel was holding the Rod in her right hand and they all had their hands up as if supporting something.
Once they reached the group the girls let the bubble fade and laid the three other figures gently on the ground. There faces were deathly pale and their skin was soaked with sweat and their eyes glazed over.
"Well we mad it out." Said Serenity with a weak smile
"Yeah we did." Agreed Tea
"Ishizu I am sorry about Marik, but he tried to kill Safiya. He is still alive I..."
Ariel never finished her sentence for all at once the last of the girl's strength left their bodies and they began to tremble. Slowly their bodies swayed and the collapsed onto the sand. Tristan, Joey, Yami and Seto ran over and picked up the girls who were limp in their arms.
"Safiya wake up!"
Joey shook Serenity but she did not stir her body lay lifeless in his arms. In fact neither Tea nor Ariel woke up when Seto and Yami tried the same thing. The three girls lay lifeless in there loved ones arms.
(Okay there you go the 14th chapter done and up! I hoped you liked it. Well I beat my last record of 20 pages on Word b/c this one is 22 pages. WOW! I can't believe it!!! Well there is not much to say except Please review!!)