Yugi: walks in and rubs eyes tiredly wha' I miss…
Ginny: sits down at computer nothing much, just the muse thief at it again… Hermione's now missing…
Yugi: Oh okay well the chapters are winding down, so It's nearly time to say good-bye to this story… but don't fear there will be a sequel…
Ginny: now to thank all our lovely reviewers out there in reviewer land
Shinigami: Thanks for taking Nikki off my hands, but you may want to reinforce those chains and restock Bakura's torture chamber because the worst has yet to come… anyways, please find the muse thief and return my muses to me…
anon: thanks for the review and enjoy the next chapter…
Ceribi Motou: Thanks for the review and I'm the queen of great cliffies just for your info… but anyways enjoy the chapter…
Yugi: Alright peoples here's the next chapter so Enjoy!!!
Chapter 17
Yami could only stare at the bodies before him, recognizing at least three of the men as Voldemort's followers. The other bodies were mutilated beyond recognition and those that were still whole carried a terrified look upon their faces as their soulless eyes watched the spirits. Yami stood up on shaky legs and started to go further into the forbidden forest.
Marik grabbed his arm, "Yami no, whatever or whomever did this is probably after the items. I'm sure Yugi wou…"
Yami turned his fiery gaze on Marik, "Yugi could be a victim of this… this… senseless loss of life."
"H-how do you know?" Marik said in a quiet voice afraid of the Pharaoh's wrath.
"I was speaking to him through our link when I felt a sudden shock of pain and then the link was lost," Yami said, eyes still narrowed, "He was here at the time."
"Yami… at least wait until the Headmaster comes," the darker spirit pleaded.
Yami's forehead began glowing as the Eye of Horus appeared, "Gravekeeper you had better back off. I have no qualms in sending you back to the Shadow Realm."
"Pharaoh please think this through," Marik continued.
"I have," Yami said in a low, deadly voice.
With that Yami headed into the forest after activating his spellbinding circle trap card on Marik to prevent him from following. The shocked Egyptian could only watch as the angered Pharaoh left. Yami continued further into the forest seeing a few more bodies of deatheaters in the same state as the others. His eyes became an even darker crimson as he was slowly being consumed by his shadow magic. As the ancient Pharaoh entered into a clearing, he saw Harry, Mokuba, and Ryou all surrounded by Shadow Monsters. Yami pulled out his deck and was about to summon a monster when he heard someone shout out.
"Dark Magician stop him," the voice called out.
Yami felt the tip of the mages staff settle itself against his throat. Yugi stepped from the shadows and removed the Pharaoh's deck from his hand. Yami could only stare in shock at his aibou's actions. Yami tried to step forward, but though differently as the staff against his throat dug into his flesh.
"Yugi?" Yami began, albeit a bit strained.
"Silence unworthy one," Yugi said.
"Yugi what has happened to you? Why are you doing this?" Yami began.
"He does this because I command him to," a dark voice said.
Yugi bowed as the shadowy figure came into the clearing, "My Queen."
"Qu-queen?!" Yami cried out, "Aibou snap out of it. You're stronger than this…"
"My Queen shall I dispose of him. His will is too strong to place under control," Yugi inquired from the shadow figure.
"Very well. Make an example of him to show the others Sennen Item holders that I will win," she said before blending back into the shadows.
Yugi stood from his bow and motioned for the Dark Magician to bring Yami with. The ancient Pharaoh felt a small twinge at the edge of his mind link as he followed the younger duelist. He opened the link, hopefully prodding the other to access it.
/Yami?/ the darker half heard Yugi say weakly.
Aibou? Please stop this nonsenseYami pleaded to the younger.
/Yami please listen carefully. I don't have much time before she regains control again/ Yugi said, /Yami I want you to send mine and the Dark Magician's minds to the Shadow Realm./
What?! No I won't do it… I can't do itYami said, There must be another way
/There isn't one. If she gains control over me, she gains control over the puzzle. You saw what she did to Voldemort's followers and Nikki is the one who took their minds using the ring/ Yugi explained, /Think about what… what will happen…
Aibou? Please answer meYami said, pleading with his spirit partner.
/Atemu please…Mahaado shall protect me/ Yugi said using Yami's real name as the link was severed completely.
Yami saw the Dark Magician preparing to launch his dark magic attack on him, "Ra please forgive me for the sin I am to commit. Mind Crush!"
The ancient Pharaoh sent his hikari and monster's minds to the Shadow Realm. As Yugi's body hit the ground, Yami collapsed as well, tears falling down his bronze cheeks. The Dark Magician began fading away as his body was no longer needed. Yami picked up Yugi and began to head from the forbidden forest. He felt a sharp pain begin in his chest and it continued to consume him until his whole body and mind were now numb from it. Yami emerged from the dark, shadow filled forest and into the midday sunlight. Luna, High Priest Seto, Seto, and Malik ran up to Yami, stopping when they saw the limp form of Yugi in his arms. Yami ignored them, continuing on towards the school. The spirit headed into the hospital wing and laid the violet-eyed tenshi onto the bed next to Bakura. Yami then whispered a silent prayer for the Gods to protect Yugi until he can return.
"Pharaoh what happened?" Bakura asked as he saw Yugi on the bed and Yami in prayer.
"I-I sent him to the Shadow Realm," Yami said in a deadpan voice.
"Why?" Bakura asked as the others came in as well.
"He begged me to," Yami said, "He was being controlled by the unnamed Sorceress. As is Ryou. He told me to send him and the Dark Magician to the Shadow Realm to prevent the puzzled from falling into her hands."
"But why? Why not try to break her control instead of sentencing him to an eternity of darkness in the Shadow Realm," Malik demanded as he grabbed Yami by the front of his shirt, "To condemn your own hikari in that hell is worse than even letting the Dark Lord rule the world."
"I had no choice," Yami said sadly, "I had to choose between the world and one boy's life."
"You cold hearted sonava… Teme no Baka!!!" Malik shouted out before punching the pharaoh in the jaw.
Yami fell to the floor and just stared at the Egyptian with unshed tears in his eyes, "Do you not think I didn't try to prevent it… do you not think that it killed me to send my other half to that vile place. When I sent him there something in me died as well."
"No I don't. anyone with a heart would have tried to figure something else out," Malik continued, "You're a coward, plain and simple. You let down the one person who needed you, in his most dire time of need."
Yami stood from the floor, eyes furious, "Watch your tongue, Gravekeeper. Your clan may have been destined to protect my tomb and memory, but you shall not rule over me. I was and am the Pharaoh of Egypt."
"The Pharaoh of Egypt would not have scoffed at the life of someone so close to his heart as Yugi was," Malik continued, "Yugi is and always will be the true Pharaoh of Egypt. He always put others before himself."
"Malik you may wanna ease up on the insults," Sai said softly.
"No! I'm done with dealing with selfish, spoiled brats like him," Malik said turning his burning lavender eyes onto Yami, "It's about time someone told him to grow up and take a lesson or two from his own hikari."
"Malik, you tread upon dangerous grounds and shall soon join my hikari in the Shadow Realm," Yami threatened.
"Whoa, whoa, we don't need more than one person visiting that horrid place today, so lay off Pharaoh," Marik said positioning himself between the enraged Pharaoh and his hikari, "Anyways weren't you the one who was sulking and feeling guilty about sending Yugi there."
The Eye of Horus flashed to life on Yami's forehead as the puzzled around Yugi's neck flared to life. The room was blanketed in a bright light that caused everyone to look away. When it died down the group noticed that Yami was nowhere in sight.
"Wh-what happened?" Luna asked.
"I think the puzzle just saved Ishtar's life," Seto said suddenly.
"Huh?!" the group said.
"Seto's right. The puzzle drew Yami's spirit back into it," the High Priest said.
"So now what? We know that at least Ryou is being controlled," Ron said.
"I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that things are about to become worse," Sai said.
"ATTENTION ALL STUDENT'S. RETURN TO YOUR DORMITORIES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE," Professor McGonagall's voice said over the intercom system.
"This is not good," Bakura said as he got up from his hospital bed.
"Hold on just one cocky-many minute," Ron said, "I don't think you're supposed to be up moving around."
"Out of my way mortal," Bakura said grabbing his deck from the table, "I sense the use of Shadow magic and it's heading our way."
Malik ran to the window and saw something even more disturbing, "Um guys…"
"What is it…" Bakura demanded.
"I think our problems just go even worse than we originally thought," he said, "Look…"
The group of students gathered around the window and saw an army of duel monsters cutting across the grounds of Hogwart's. Directing their movements were Ryou and Nikki from the back of the army. Bakura bolted from the hospital wing, the other's closely following in his wake. As they neared the front entrance hall; Sai, Malik, and Seto were grabbed and carried off. Seto tried to use his height to his advantage, but found whomever was dragging him off was much stronger. Sai and Malik tried desperately to contact their darker halves via their mind links, but found them to be sealed off. Soon the trio found themselves outside and heading towards the edge of the forbidden forest where Nikki and Ryou stood.
The nameless Sorceress sought control over their minds in the same way she controlled Ryou. Soon all three teen's eyes glazed over and they stood ready to forge into battle to defeat the unworthy ones. As the army of Shadow Monsters drew closer to the school, Professor Dumbledore was busy setting up defenses. Bakura was the first to reach the wizened old man and his group of protectors.
"Mr. Bakura, Mr. Kaiba, Ms. Luna, and the rest of you, please return to your dormitories this instant," Professor McGonagall said when she saw the students.
"At this moment our returning to our dormitories would be a mistake," Bakura sneered at the woman.
"And why would that be Mr. Bakura," Snape sneered back vehemently.
"Because we are the only ones with the knowledge to fight the creatures advancing towards this school," Marik shot at the potions master.
"I think we are more than capable enough to defend this school," Snape continued, "So return to your dorm rooms."
Bakura was about to retort when Sai's Leonia came barreling down the main staircase and out the door, "What in Ra's name is going on now."
"Sai's pet has officially gone mental," Ron put in.
"No…Sai's in danger," Luna told them.
"Sai, Malik, and Kaiba are missing," Mokuba said as he stood next to the female yami.
"Mokuba?!" Sorcerer shouted out, "Go back to the Gryffindor dorm room. If you were to get hurt Seto would kill me…again."
"No…I don't think I will," the young boy said, "I think I will be of much use here."
"Mokuba?" Luna asked as she watched the teen, "Are you well?"
"I am just fine spirit, but you soon shall not be," Mokuba said as the shadow gem flashed to life on his forehead.
"Ra damnit, grab the runt," Bakura cried out, "He's being controlled."
Marik and the High Priest made a grab for the small Gryffindor first year, but missed as he ran from them. Bakura searched his memory and found an Egyptian sleep spell that should work on the child. Any conventional or modern magic will only rebound upon the user because of the gem. Soon Remus Lupin and another wizard had tackled the possessed/controlled teen to the ground. Bakura approached hi and said three words in ancient Egyptian causing Mokuba to fall into a deep sleep that can only be broken or released by the caster. Bakura walked outside of the school amongst many protest from the teachers. Marik, Luna, and the High Priest followed behind, each in turn taking out Sennen Items or staffs. Bakura stood in front of the first wave of wizards and witches poised to attack the oncoming monsters.
"Bakura what plan do you have to take care of this?" Marik asked in a low voice.
"I don't. I'm making this up as I go," Bakura responded in a low voice.
"What?!" Marik hissed, "You don't have a plan?! Brilliant!"
"You try coming up with something on the fly," Bakura hissed back.
"You're a freakin' Tomb Robber for Ra's sake," Marik countered, "Shouldn't coming up with plans on the run be your specialty."
"In a tomb sure, but here…no," Bakura responded.
"Then what can we do…" Marik moaned to the sky.
"Stop arguing to begin with. And use your brains, that is if five millennia of time hasn't rotted them yet," High Priest Seto hissed at the two spirits.
"What ever," Marik pouted.
"Thank you, now we should probably start summoning because those monsters are just about on top of us," High Priest Seto said.
The teens all had their decks out prepared for the first wave of monsters to close in. Soon a group of Silverfangs and Dark Bats came into view. Bakura sent out a few of his lower class fiend monsters to take care of the Shadow Monsters. A wave of spells were also fired off from the wizards behind them. Most of the spells just barely slowed down the monsters, only occasionally destroying them. After the group was destroyed there seemed to be a strange silence that fell over the grounds.
Soon the ground began to shake, gently at first but soon in intensity. Luna latched onto the first person she could and saw that it was Remus Lupin. As the earth quake began to subside, a sudden burst of Shadow Magic washed over the entire grounds. Rendering most of the wizards and witches protecting the school and students unconscious. Marik, Draco, and High Priest Seto were now nursing a nasty headache, while Bakura and Luna were watching the surrounding area.
"What was that?" Remus Lupin asked out of breath, "I've never felt such strong magic before."
"I'm not sure…Bakura you seem to be the expert here so what just happened?" the High Priest said.
"I think we are about to find out," Bakura said as his attention was fixed on the growing purplish-black cloud in the distance.
"Is that what I think it is?" Marik asked astonished.
"Yup and this is not going to bode well in about ten minutes," Bakura added, "I'll be back. Watch out for any more Shadow Monsters."
"What?! Bakura get back here," Marik shouted at the retreating spirits back.
Bakura just ignored Marik's shout as he ran back towars the school searching for someone. As he came closer to the front entrance, he saw that a few Shadow Monsters were trying to enter the school. The teachers were hard pressed trying to stave off the three Witty Phantoms in front of them. Bakura quickly summoned Helpoemer to dispense of the annoying monsters. As they vanished the white-haired spirit ran into the school and straight to his dorm room. Soon he found a piece of ancient parchment and hurried back to the entrance. When he saw Shadi, Bakura shoved it into his hands before heading out a side door. The spirit hoped the ancient spell will help protect the school from the oncoming shadow magic cloud that was approaching. As the white-haired teen disappeared from sight, the others outside were not faring so well. High Priest Seto continued to nurse his head trying to clear out the pain from the shadow magic burst. Marik kept pacing in front of the group causing everyone to become very irritated with him. Just as Luna was about to do something rash, harsh laughter rolled over the group.
"You pitiful mortals think you can beat me with a bunch of sticks. Me the rightful queen over all," the voice mocked them, "And you, the Sennen Item Holders, you're even more pitiful than these foolish wizards."
Dumbledore approached the front of the line of teachers, "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Want?! What I want stupid old man is power… power in the likes as what a queen has. Power that I can only obtain by controlling and destroying all of the item holders," the voice spat out, "As to who I am, now that shall just have to wait for now."
"Why are you doing this?" Dumbledore continued.
The voice let off a quick laugh before answering, "Why you ask… it is simple. I am doing this to take back what was denied me so long ago by the nameless pharaoh. If you give me the young pharaoh and his priests then I shall leave this poor excuse of a school be."
"You'll never get him. You'll have to go through us first," Marik shouted out.
"Not too smart Yami no Gravekeeper," Luna said in a harsh whisper.
"You spirit are treading on thin ice with your mouth," the voice responded, "Now, what is your answer."
"The answer is no. You shall not be taking the child. He is innocent and shall not be corrupted by your evil," High Priest Seto answered.
"Very well. You have just signed your fate to die," the voice said as it faded from the field.
"Well that went well," Marik said as the purplish-black cloud began advancing once again at an even more rapid pace, "Now what? That baka Tomb Robber is gone and the Pharaoh has been resealed into his puzzle."
"We fight and if we die… we die," High Priest Seto said gripping his staff tighter prepared to launch an attack.
Soon a group of students emerged from the Shadow magic cloud and stood before the teachers defending Hogwarts. Luna gasped in surprise at seeing her hikari and friends standing at the front lines. Sai and Harry stepped forward summoning two very powerful monsters. Soon a Buster Blader and Chaos Emperor Dragon stood before the group.
"Okay this is definitely not looking to be in our favor," Marik stated the obvious.
Luna pulled out a card from her deck and summoned it, "I summon forth the Dark Magician Girl."
"I summon for the Despair from the Dark," Marik said.
"I summon forth Blue-Eyes White Dragon," called out High Priest Seto.
"Dark Necrophelia go," Bakura was heard shouting out, "Go to Marik and listen to his commands."
The Dark Necrophelia Shadow Monster floated to Marik's side where he joined the spell caster in pink and the dark fiend being. It stood waiting for the commands to attack from his temporary master. Soon the grounds to Hogwarts was riddled with very powerful monsters and students prepared to attack the imposing army of teachers before them. Nikki stepped forward and prepared to launch the attack. As soon as the command left her lips the air was alive with spells and attacks from both sides. Remus Lupin fired a stun spell at one student and saw them fall to the ground unconscious. Luna's monster was ambushed by five lower class monsters, making it difficult for it to break free the attack. Marik fell to his knees as his monster took a fatal blow. He tried to get up, but found it difficult as his energy was sapped by the shadow realm.
The battle continued on fiercely for hours, both sides taking heavy damage, but no one was about to give in. Bakura dodged yet another blast from Kaiba's Blue-Eyes as it tried to take him out. The ancient Tomb Robber felt one of the white lightening attacks graze his leg, leaving behind a white hot pain. He rolled out of the way as another blast hit the ground merely inches from his head. The Blue-Eyes pinned the white-haired fiend to the ground as Seto Kaiba and Ryou walked up to him. Both teen's had empty looks in their eyes, every now and then they would flicker to life as they fought for control. Bakura silently pleaded with Ryou to break the vile woman's control.
At that moment Bakura felt something come to life in his mind /Bakura…/
Ryou?Bakura responded shocked to hear his hikari's voice through their newly opened link.
/Bakura, I'm not sure how long I can keep control, but as soon as I take out Kaiba run/ Ryou said.
What about you?Bakura asked.
/I'll try to get back my ring from Nikki./ Ryou said.
Ryou let me helpBakura said.
Ryou was silent as he turned on Kaiba and rendered him unconscious. The Blue-Eyes vanished into the air as his summoner no longer sustained him. Bakura rose from the ground painfully, approaching Ryou cautiously. Ryou back away afraid of losing what precious control he had.
"Ryou, let me help you," Bakura said.
"I-I'm not sure if that is such a good idea. What if I lose control again," Ryou said.
"Then I'll help you regain control," Bakura told the boy.
Ryou though for a moment, "You're going to follow me no matter what aren't you."
"Yes," Bakura said grinning sheepishly.
"Fine, come on then before anyone becomes the wiser," Ryou said leading Bakura back towards the battle, "How did you get caught by the Blue-Eyes anyways?"
"Long story short, I tripped," Bakura said grimacing in pain.
"You tripped?" Ryou said quietly.
"Yeah and it saw me. I tried to escape, but found out first hand what the Blue-Eyes Ra cursed attack feels like," the white-haired yami told the teen.
Ryou stopped and looked at Bakura, "You're hurt?! Why didn't you say something. Let me look at it."
Bakura tensed as the pain hit him once again as Ryou looked at his leg, "It's nothing honest."
"Um… I hate to say this, but the whole bottom half of your leg looks like Seto's cooking," Ryou told the yami before walking again, "If that was me, I would be unconscious right now."
"That bad huh, well that would explain this annoying pain I'm feeling," Bakura said.
Ryou stopped as they neared the camp, where Nikki's "Army" sat. Nikki was commanding yet another wave of Shadow Monsters into the battle. The ring sat on a table near by with the scales, Rod and Eye. Bakura placed a hand on his younger half's shoulder indicating that he'll get them. The Tomb Robber kept to the shadows as he crept closer towards his goal. He was just about to reach for the items when Hermione came towards the table. Bakura blended into the shadows until the brown haired girl was gone. He released the shadows and quickly grabbed the four items before sprinting away from the table. As he came into view of Ryou, he knew that he was about to lose control once again.
Bakura took out his wand and stunned the teen. Ryou fell into the thief's arms as darkness over took him. Bakura lifted the teen over his shoulder and quickly took off towards the school. As he came into view of Hogwarts, he was cut off by a huge wall of water as someone activated a Tornado Wall trap card. Bakura quickly glanced around seeing that he was being surrounded by Shadow Monsters. Similar situations were occurring to the other item holders and spirits not under control. Soon the grounds became silent as all attacks stopped. The voice began laughing once again, causing a collective chill to pass over everyone.
"So the chosen champions and protectors have fallen. How sad," the voice said, "So now that I seem to have you undivided attention, hand over the young Pharaoh."
"We shall never give in to your will," Shadi said as his key began glowing.
The same thing began happening to the other items as well. Soon Seto, Malik, Ryou, Sai, Ishizu, and Shadi all began floating as they seemed to fall unconscious. The four items that Bakura carried floated away from his hands and into the center of the battle field where the other six reincarnations were. The items settled into the grasp of their proper owners; Seto the rod, Sai the scales, Ryou the ring, and Malik now the eye. Their clothing began morphing and changing into Egyptian robes of the ancient High Priests and Priestesses. Bakura stood slack jawed at the sight that he hadn't beheld in over five millennia. The only thing missing was the Pharaoh…
Mokuba: walks in eating a fudge sickle hey everyone… guess what that's the end of the story…
Angry mob of readers: holding pitch forks and torches kill… kill… kill…
Mokuba: stares wide eyed sorry I mean the end of the chapter… there's still one more chapter to go and at the end of that chapter will be a sneak peek at the sequel…
Yugi: gives puppy dog eyes of doom review please… just 3-5 little reviews will do… pretty please with cherries on top…
Angry mob of readers: stops chant and stares at an extremely Kawaii Yugi Awwwwwww….
Mokuba: sweat drops just review or else I'll sic an overly Kawaii Yugi on you…
Ja Ne