Disclaimer: I doe not own nothing from Yu-Gi-Oh nor the character Shadow Phoenix who is used by permission from Phoenix727.
I recommend the readers should Phoenix727's stories because I will use some information from them, and I enjoy reading them.
Chapter 9: Ambush! Artemis's Ka Awakens Part 1
No matter how hard I try to convince Atem to take the puzzle, he simply refuses. Even Artemis agrees with him, and she does have her reasons to back him up. Artemis was the original owner of the Millennium Puzzle, and I guess she knows when it's time for it to be past on to another such as myself.
Maybe the puzzle was the reason she came to Domino City, but why did she allow me to keep it and did she know all the secrets hidden deep within the puzzle? There's one thing that I wonder about which is why Artemis kept following me around when I didn't know that Atem existed? Perhaps I should clarify my question. Artemis was stalking me where ever I go. There is so much I need to know from her.
I stared directly at her as she was talking to Atem. Luna remained in her spirit form, her bluish-silver eyes watched me with caution. After Battle City, Artemis told my friends and Iabout Luna, and we were shocked just seeing Luna possessing Artemis's body, similar to what Atem does. Ever since we meet Luna, it seems that she is always wary of me, but why?
"Yugi, are you okay?" Artemis replied as she stood over me.
"I'm fine. No need to worry!" I answered happily. "So, how long will Atem and I be staying in your castle?"
Artemis was silent for a moment before replying. "Until I find a way to get you and our friends out of Animus, but leaving now will be too risky."
"Not to mention that Pluto may still be searching for Yugi." Luna added.
"But I fear that Pluto may have summoned someone to assist him!" Artemis cried.
"What makes you think that?" Atem came toward to us.
"I've known Pluto for over a billion of years, and whenever he needed help, he'd always have my older brothers by his side." Artemis explained. "At the moment, they are at the Mortal World, and Yukai is here in Animus."
During Artemis's discussion, we were unaware that both Shadow Phoenix and Fenrir had made their way up the mountain. They finally arrived at the castle when they noticed the barrier around the castle.
"There's no way we can get through these gates." Fenrir said. The dog saw that Shadow Phoenix raised the Millennium Rod high into the air.
"Don't underestimate these obstacles. I can break through them with the rod." Shadow Phoenix replied as the rod began to glow.
The gates suddenly opened as Shadow Phoenix walked in. Fenrir was shocked that no one could ever break through Artemis's first line of defense. He ran over to Shadow Phoenix, and they entered the castle.
"Have any idea where they could be?" Shadow Phoenix asked.
"Make no further steps! This castle is like a maze, and we may get lost in here for the rest of our lives!" Fenrir warned.
"Then how do you suggest we find them?"
"Remember, I may be an old dog, but I still have the ability to smell their scent." Fenrir sniffed the floor, and found what he needed. "Let's go!" The two continued further into the castle.
"Isn't there a way to stop Pluto?" I yelled out.
"The only way is to fight him..." Artemis whispered.
"How did Pluto know about the Millennium Items?" Atem asked.
"He used to own the Millennium Ring." Luna responded. "Pluto knew of the great power that lies within the puzzle, and if he gets it... the entire universe would be danger."
"The reason why I was following you a lot, Yugi, was that I was unsure that you wereable to control the shadow magic, and to keep Atem from using that magic in an evil way." Artemis continued. "I wanted to know if you could control the power, or if the power would control you."
"Now I see why you were Atem's protector, and to this day you still protect him." I said.
"Yugi, I have to also protect you since I'm your ancestor." Artemis reminded.
"About that, how are we related?" I questioned.
"There's a secret behind the dragon and phoenix crest, and I won't tell you. You have to figure out yourself." Artemis smiled.
"You'll get use to her playfulness." Luna said. "Strange how she still keeps her innocence after all these centuries of suffering. I'm just happy that Artemis has found someone that she adores so much."
"Who are you talking about?" I asked.
"Luna's referring to you, Yugi!" Artemis answered. "I have never met someone with a pure-hearted soul, and you're the proof that not all humans are bad. If only Pluto can see the light..."
"How touching." a familiar voice said.
We looked up to face a certain someone that I don't even want to encounter ever again. His black hair and red eyes was something that I would never forget. Shadow Phoenix stood by Fenrir as they blocked the doorway. Artemis and Luna appeared surprised by Shadow Phoenix's arrival.
"Nick, what are you doing here?" Artemis spoke.
"Did you forget that Nick had a darker side, and I believe you are responsible for bringing him back!" Shadow Phoenix yelled. He held out the Millennium Rod.
"Where did you retrieve the Millennium Rod?" Artemis shouted.
"Pluto was the one who freed me from the Shadow Realm, and he gave me the rod back." Shadow Phoenix explained. "Now I want revenge, but what intrigues me is where were you when I harmed many innocent lives in Times Square?"
Artemis didn't reply. She stared at him for a moment before turning away. I never really thought about the incident back in New York, and Artemis was nowhere to be found at all. She returned after the chaos occurred.
"Tell me, Artemis, where did you live before moving to Domino City?" I asked.
"I lived in New York, in a small suburban area. I wasn't in the Mortal World at the time because I had to deal with a few enemies that threatened to destroy my world." Artemis explicated. "I knew about the danger that was taking place, but I was unable to come, so I gave Nick some of my powers to help him go back to your world. I'm so sorry that I couldn't help..."
"Are you going to hand over the runt, or will we take him by force?" Fenrir replied.
"If you don't give us Yugi, I will resort to using the Millennium Rod on him like last time!" Shadow Phoenix warned as he aimed the rod at me.
"No way!" Artemis cried. "I won't let you have him!"
Shadow Phoenix used the rod's power to take control of my mind. I could feel his power overwhelming me, and I felt myself becoming weakened. Atem watched in horror as there was nothing that he could do. Just as I was about to give in, I heard Artemis's gentle voice in the distance.
Yugi...
My vision was blurred as I blacked out. I awoken to find myself in my Soul Room. What was I doing here? I didn't know what to do as I tried to call Atem, but no response.
Yugi... I hear Artemis's voice again. I noticed she was standing beside me.
Why am I here?
Yugi, you need to be strong, and don't let Shadow Phoenix take control over you
What can I do?
You have your own shadow magic now
But how?
Once you became separated from Atem, your own powers were awakened
So, then I can break through Shadow Phoenix's control
Open your mind and heart, and I will be able to unleash my assault
Artemis disappeared from my Soul Room, and I smiled as she vanished.
Thank you, I thought before using my new power against Shadow Phoenix.
I opened my eyes to find myself still in Artemis's castle. Atem, Artemis and Luna were fine, but they were shocked when they saw the Millennium symbol glow upon my forehead.
"Yugi has shadow magic as well?" Atem questioned.
Open your mind and heart, and I will be able to unleash my assault, Artemis's words echoed in my mind as I realized what she meant. "I trust you know what you are doing?" I whispered as I gave some of my powers to Artemis.
"There's no way that Yugi broke my spell!" Shadow Phoenix yelled.
"Maybe you were not strong enough to comprehend the boy's power!" Fenrir shouted.
Golden light surrounded my body as my power was directed towards Artemis. Her body glowed in a silver light, and her eyes also glowed. A roaring sound was heard as something appeared behind Artemis.
"WHAT IS THAT?" Luna yelled out.
"I believe that is Artemis's Ka!" Atem responded.
A huge dragon-like creature appeared as it roared out loudly. Its whole body was silver and it had beautiful silver wings. The creature had a long tail and body of a dragon and its head, wings and claws resembled a phoenix. The creature could have been mistaken for the Winged Dragon of Ra, but it wasn't. It was a sight to behold as it landed near Artemis.
"Luna, take Atem and Yugi, and hide! I'll deal with them!" Artemis ordered as Luna nodded her head. "Go! I don't want Pluto to get his hands on the puzzle, or else we're all doomed!"
"I understand..." Luna whispered as tears began to fall from her eyes. "We need to go." Luna used her powers to teleport us someplace safe.
"Yugi, I'll try my best to hold them off... Take care of yourself..." Artemis whispered as we disappeared.
"They can't get away!" Fenrir growled. He released a huge, black ball of electricity from his snout and shot it directly at Artemis.
Her Ka defended her and the attack dissipated. The creature roared as it unleashed its counter attack. It shot out beams of silver light at both Shadow Phoenix and Fenrir, and the room shook. Artemis appeared exhausted, and the strain of maintaining her Ka was making her weak.
"Can't... let them... get...Yugi. I'm sorry... that I probably...won't be...able to protect...you" Artemis muttered as she collapsed onto the floor. Her Ka disappeared and Shadow Phoenix and Fenrir walked up to Artemis.
"So, the servant of the Pharaoh has failed!" Fenrir said.
"What shall we do to her?" Shadow Phoenix asked.
"We'll let her live." Fenrir decided. "She'll be bait for Yugi and the others, and when they try to rescue her, that's when we'll get them!"
Shadow Phoenix picked up Artemis's limp body, and they walked out of the chamber. Luna took me and Atem in an secluded part of the castle as we worried about Artemis's safety.
"I sense that Artemis is no longer inside this castle!" Luna yelled.
"Is her Ka really that powerful?" I asked.
"Too powerful if you ask me." Luna said. "That is why she never uses it, unless when needed. Her Ka exploits her powers and combines it with its own power, and uses it against her foes."
"I hope she is still alive..." Atem said as tears began to fall from his crimson eyes.
"Artemis!" I yelled out as I, too began to cry. What Artemis did for us, I'll never forget. She sacrificed herself to save the ones she loved. We have to get her back!