Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh with the exception of the original characters appearing.
Chapter 7: Pluto and Yukai Revealed!
I didn't know where Artemis was taking me, but sleep had come over me as she flew to her destination. I couldn't believe that Lina was really Artemis, the Guardian of Wind. What was more shocking was the fact she used to be Atem's faithful servant. If Artemis was in disguise the whole time, then Pluto and Yukai could have been in disguise as well, but who could they be?
I rested on Artemis's shoulder, but it didn't seem to bother her while she was flying. Her long silver wings shined in the moonlight whilst her hair waved in the wind. The night air felt relaxing and refreshing. I sensed something nudged me as I opened my eyes to gaze at two bluish-silver orbs.
"We're almost there." Artemis replied.
"What do you mean?" I asked as I stared at a huge mountain that the moon was hovering over.
A creek was streaming down the mountaintop from a crystal-clear lake near a magnificent temple. The city that we were approaching was what impressed me the most. The structure of the houses and buildings were a combination of both Roman and Egyptian architecture. The temple itself was of the same design, except there appeared to be a huge wall blocking the entrance to the temple. Artemis finally made it to the temple, and she released her hold on me.
"How are we to get in?" I said, looking at the only gateway that sealed off the entrance.
I failed to notice that there was a frame-like object inserted into the gate as a keyhole. Artemis simply placed her hand on it, and the gates opened. I looked back at the lake nearby and then entered. Artemis went across the field of grass and stopped at a pair of huge doors.
"Welcome to my temple, Yugi." Artemis said as she opened the doors. "The Temple of the Moon as it's most known as."
"You mean you rule this area?" I couldn't believe what she had just said. "Then this must be Silver City. It's so beautiful."
"I try my best to preserve what was left behind in the past but..." she drifted off.
"What is it?"
"Oh sorry. Kinda got carried away." Artemis smiled.
"Artemis, I have one question I like to ask you."
"Can this wait? I have to concentrate because my temple can somewhat be a maze." She went inside as I followed.
Torches lit our way as we went further into the temple. Artemis led me outside again, and we arrived at the courtyard, but a rectangular-shaped pool was in the middle. We made our way around it and then entering the inside of the temple. The corridors held many portraits of astonishing creatures that I have never seen before, and Artemis paused in front of an immense room similar to Yukai's castle. She looked around and then she went across the room to a familiar set of doors. Artemis opened the doors and went in.
"I can't see a thing!" I said, but Artemis lighted the room with the wave of her hand.
Standing before us was huge platform and on top was what seemed to be a throne. Above us was a glass dome where the moon and stars could be seen. The walls were covered with Egyptian-like designs, and I noticed a craving of the seven Millennium Items.
"So, what did you want to ask me?" Artemis spoke.
"How long have you existed?" She suddenly froze. Maybe my question wasn't the right thing to say.
"I was born ever since the Neolithic Revolution began on Earth," she answered. "Yukai and I are the youngest in the family. As for Pluto, he's the eldest."
"That's hard to believe. Are you like immortal, or something?"
"Of course, we are immortal! Man-made weapons can't harm a Guardian, only weapons used by us, Guardians and ones created by magic can harm us. I think it's time for you, little Yugi, to go to sleep. You sure ask a lot of questions!"
"Well, I am curious!" I laughed, and Artemis began to giggle as she directed me to my room. I wonder if my friends are alright, I thought as I went into my room.
Meanwhile, Zack had wandered off into Dark Mountain with a furious look on his face. He stormed up the high mountain, but this mountain was known to be the most highest. He approached a Gothic style temple and barged through the doorway. The temple was dark, and it didn't seem to bother him whatsoever. Zack finally came to a huge pair of doors, and he went in. The chamber was so dark that no one could probably see their hands in front of them.
"Fenrir has failed me long enough!" he yelled.
The old dog came in rather looking defeated. Fenrir approached Zack as fear had struck him. Zack turned to face him with his cold, blue eyes, and awaited for the dog to speak.
"Master, please forgive my failure! Artemis stopped me before I could reach the boy!" Fenrir pleaded. "I hadn't expect her to be there!"
"You fool! She always interferes with my plans, and I guess Luna is not willing to help me again," Zack replied as a black light enshrouded his body.
As the light subsided, there stood the Guardian of Darkness, Pluto. His black robes waved as he faced his direction to the walls. He uncovered his black wings and walked over to a wall with a different carving, unlike the one in Artemis's temple.
"Master, what do these carvings represent?" Fenrir asked, looking at them.
The carvings depicted the seven Millennium Items, but the dragon and phoenix crest from the mansion were on it. Pluto gazed at the carvings before turning towards Fenrir.
"I have never told you, have I?" Pluto questioned him. "My part of the family owned these items prior to their use in Egypt. We sealed them within a book(1), knowing that these items could probably cause chaos to Animus." Pluto explained. "Artemis was the holder of the Millennium Puzzle, and Yukai was the holder of the Millennium Rod. As for me, I was the holder of the Millennium Ring."
"So you know of the ancient powers sealed within them?" Fenrir asked.
"Indeed, and I plan to take control of Artemis's power in that boy's puzzle! Then nothing will stop me!" Fenrir looked on with worry. "Now I'll be going to the Shadow Realm to pick up a certain someone who definitely wants his revenge on Yugi ever since he failed to get him to take control of Yugi!" Pluto's laughter could be heard throughout the temple as rain began to pour.
At the same time, my friends and Ash remained at the mansion, having no hope at all that I might be safe. The rain was pouring outside so they were indoors. Tea, Joey, Tristan and Mokuba had depressed looks on their faces. Ash pondered over the scene as Kaiba watched him cautiously.
"I hope Yugi is okay." Tea cried.
"Where ever he is..." Joey said.
"I can't believe what had just happened here." Tristan replied.
Kaiba ignored them and walked over to Ash. Ash looked at him before glaring back at my friends. "What are you looking at?" Ash said as Kaiba approached him.
Kaiba grabbed him by the collar, staring furiously with his cold, cobalt eyes. Ash wasn't pleased, and he only smiled despite of Kaiba's action. "What is going on?" Kaiba demanded. The others began to notice.
"Wouldn't you like to know!" Ash smirked.
"Seto, let go of him!" Mokuba begged, not wanting to see his brother argue with Ash.
"He's hiding something, and I want to know what it is!" Kaiba yelled.
"If you wanted answers, then you should have told me!" Ash said as golden light swirled around him.
Kaiba released him, and the others watched on with scared looks. The light died down, and standing beside them was another Guardian. His golden wings reflected in the moonlight as did his sword which was already drawn out of its sheath. The being's auburn eyes glared straight at Kaiba whilst his crimson robes billowed in the wind.
"I'm really Yukai, Guardian of the Sky, and I believe you have your answer." Yukai replied proudly. "But luckily, I'm no threat to you all, and I, too am after the Millennium Puzzle."
The night seemed peaceful as I slept calmly throughout the night. The soft sheets were so relaxing, and I felt so carefree. Artemis was sleeping in her room, and the sunlight soon awakened me. I opened my eyes and tried to speak with Atem, but he didn't respond. I headed out the doors, and wound back into Artemis's chamber with the carvings.
"Artemis, have you seen..." I couldn't finish because I saw that Atem was no longer in his spirit form, but in a real body.
Footnote:
(1) The Book of Millennium Magic was where Priest Akunadin had found out to create the Millennium Items by sacrificing many lives, and then using them to protect the Pharaoh's kingdom without having his brother know what he did. In my story, Pluto says that he, Artemis, Yukai and four others were the wielders of the Items, and decided that they were not safe with them. They sealed the Millennium Items inside the book where afterwards it disappeared to only reappear in Egypt which was the reason why Artemis traveled there. She needed to seal the items, or they would have caused chaos on Earth. She and the others can still use them.