Author's Notes: I'm still trying to figure out a story title for my sequel, but I won't give away the summary just yet. First this story has to be completed, and I hate to give away the ending.
Disclaimer: Silver Moon Phoenix doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh or the character, Shadow Phoenix who is owned by Phoenix727.
Chapter 14: Battle 2 - Yugi's Struggle With His Heart!
Artemis can't be gone, or is she? I saw her in my Soul Room, but now I lost contact with her. Maybe I'm the one who failed her. I wish I had the chance to tell her how I feel about her. Artemis must be trapped inside my mind, and she is slowly being devoured by darkness.
Yugi... help me... I hear Artemis's voice echo in my mind. What's going on? Am I going insane? I can't seem to get her voice out of my head. This is just too much to bare!
"Yugi," Atem replied. "Are you alright?"
I looked up and noticed everyone staring at me. I realized I was clutching my fists tightly as blood began to flow from my palms. My nails dug deeply into the flesh of my hand and I tried to conceal them from the others.
"The boy's hands are bleeding." Nidoki said, pointing at them.
Atem tore off two pieces of his cape and wrapped them around my bleeding hands. He still cares about me, even after all I had done. Perhaps Artemis was right. I'm the light and Atem is the dark.
"As the former keeper of the Millennium Necklace, I will tell you this, young Yugi, that you are now battling with your heart," Nidoki spoke. "The only way to get rid of those voices is to release yourself from the darkness and come back to the light, but be warned. This is not an easy task to accomplish."
"I keep hearing Artemis's voice in my mind." I said. Nidoki and the others gasped.
"She must have taken refuge in your mind!" Yukai concluded. "Artemis is biding her time until she can take over your body as a vessel."
"But we have to get Artemis's body back in order for Yugi to have his back!" Apollo reminded.
"To do so, we have to infiltrate Pluto's castle." Yukai said. "Luckily, the other Guardians are not here or still on Pluto's side."
"What are you talkin' about?" Joey questioned.
"A year before, me and my friends, Misty, Brock and Tracey came to Animus to put an end to the thirteen Guardians who threatened to destroy all of mankind." Yukai began. "It wasn't very easy, and we had the help of a few other Guardians who wanted to stop their siblings as well. I hadn't known I was one of them until Luna told my secret to my friends. I regret not telling them, and it cost me my life."
"Then how did you come back?" Kaiba asked.
"Misty was the one who slain me with my own sword because I was going to kill my friends. The remaining good Guardians helped her, but even if Misty killed me, I could still come back." Yukai explained.
"A guardian's heart is our weakness, and if struck by any weapon can kill us." Apollo added. "You see, Yukai's weakness is not his heart, but I won't tell you all what it is for obvious reasons."
"You mentioned Luna was part of this as well, am I correct?" Atem said.
"Then what happened to Artemis?" I asked.
"To tell you the truth, we had no idea that two minds existed within Artemis's body," Apollo answered. "Probably Artemis was weak and was unable to stop Luna who took full control. After Yukai destroyed Luna, she returned and made sure Luna wouldn't do that again."
"Well, that didn't work." Mokuba said as he moved away from his hiding place.
I felt so sorry for Artemis, and I could sense that she felt the same in my mind. So much has happened, and it greatly changed Yukai once he remembered who he really was. I wonder how he could forget his past life, but the other Guardians could remember. Why do I get the feeling that both Tea and Tristan will come back after all this ends? Could this be hope?
Meanwhile back at Pluto's castle, Pluto was not pleased about Luna and Shadow Phoenix's return. Luna explained everything to him, and she gave him the Millennium Puzzle. He forgave them, for now. Fenrir was there and told the two that Pluto had other plans to deal with me and my friends.
"Why must I listen to an old mutt?" Shadow Phoenix complained.
"Because I'm the general of Pluto's army!" Fenrir yelled out.
"Maybe the mongrel should play dead, literally!" Shadow Phoenix said back.
"Maybe the both of you should shut up!" Luna shouted. Fenrir flinched, but Shadow Phoenix wasn't at all intimidated by Luna.
"My plans are working out perfectly, and listen carefully to my directions, especially you, Shadow Phoenix!" Pluto noticed that Shadow Phoenix wasn't paying attention. "Fenrir, I want you to deal with those humans, but this goes for all of you. I want Yugi ALIVE!."
"Master, what if I fail?" Fenrir asked.
"If they send you to your demise, then they will be allowed to enter my castle." Pluto explained. "Once they get here, Shadow Phoenix will confront them, and if he fails. Luna will do the honors of eliminating them."
"Some plan." Shadow Phoenix muttered.
Pluto glared at him and then turned away. "Fenrir, what are you waiting for?"
"Oh, yes. I'll get on it!" Fenrir fled the room quickly as the doors to Pluto's chamber closed behind him.
"Pluto, are you confident that you can destroy those humans and the other Guardians?" Luna questioned.
"I bet he'll just lose." Shadow Phoenix said.
"Luna, you may have been defeated by Yukai before, and Shadow Phoenix, I know you were defeated by Nick, but don't underestimate my powers if I were you." Pluto replied.
Both Luna and Shadow Phoenix left Pluto alone in his chamber. They had angry looks on their faces as they were not pleased about what Pluto said to them. Pluto watched them before turning his gaze towards the image of the seven Millennium Items and dragon and phoenix crest.
"Not too long now." he whispered as he held the Millennium Puzzle and disappeared into the shadows.
The others and I began our journey ascending Dark Mountain where Pluto's castle lied in. I couldn't help but think that something was waiting for us once we reached the castle. I could sense danger was getting near and I stopped walking. Atem saw this and came over to me.
"Yugi, what's wrong?" he asked. The others walked towards us.
A sharp jolt went through my body as I felt pain in my head. I don't understand what's wrong with me? I only wish Artemis was here. Suddenly, as if some god answered my wish, the pain stopped. I noticed Atem held onto my arms as if I was attacking someone. He looked at me with concern in his crimson eyes.
"Yukai, did not this happen to Artemis when she was developing her powers?" Nidoki asked.
"Yes, but it will pass. Don't worry, Pharaoh." Yukai reassured. Then his auburn eyes gleamed with caution. "Danger must be approaching. We must be on our guard!"
Then, out of nowhere a huge black ball of electricity shot towards Yukai. He nearly was hit, but he quickly flew away.
"I hate it when you Guardians fly to safety!" a familiar voice said.
I searched to find who that voice belonged to and saw Fenrir who was perched on a boulder. The black dog looked on with anger in his amber eyes. Yukai landed beside us as he drew out his sword.
"Next time I won't miss again!" Fenrir replied.
"You always had bad aim when it comes to flying opponents!" Apollo said out loud.
"You'll regret ever saying that!" Fenrir sent out another black sphere and Apollo vanished. He reappeared beside Fenrir.
"Your memory must be really bad if you remembered me and my sister share the same abilities." Apollo used his telekinetic powers to lift Fenrir into the air and throwing him to the ground.
"I'll get you for this!" the dog growled.
"You know, if I hadn't noticed that mutt acts like you, Joey" Kaiba said.
"What? No way you comparin' me with that hound!" Joey yelled.
"Don't talk back to your master!" Kaiba scolded.
"Why I'll show you!"
Joey was ready to fight Kaiba if Nidoki hadn't interrupted. She moved us away from Apollo and Fenrir's fight before any of us got hurt. She didn't seem pleased about Joey and Kaiba's never ending feud, and she stared at them with harsh looks. Atem released his grip on me and watched the battle.
I wish I could help, but I know I'll be in the way. Why am I so damn useless! If only I were strong like Atem and Artemis. They never gave up and neither should I. Perhaps there is a way to help Apollo defeat Fenrir, but how?
Awaken his Ka...
Artemis's kind-hearted voice whispered in my mind. She must be trying to help her twin brother. Apollo seemed to be winning, but I promptly realized he was becoming exhausted.
"Apollo cannot keep up with this!" Nidoki cried out.
"There might be a way I can help!" I replied. The others turned their attention to me. I just hope they will listen and agree with me. I know Atem will back me up since he saw me do this with Artemis. "Yukai, Nidoki, does Apollo have a Ka?" I asked.
"Well, he does. Our family have been using them as our protectors for nearly an eon." Yukai answered.
"Why do you ask?" Nidoki replied.
"I think I can help Apollo draw his Ka out." I said.
"It's true. I have seen him do it before with Artemis." Atem included.
"I trust you know what you are doing." Kaiba said.
"If I were you, Yugi, do it now!" Joey yelled out as one of Fenrir's attacks were heading straight to us.
The attack took its hit and Apollo looked on in horror. Fenrir seemed pleased and he decided to approach Apollo carefully. The old dog pinned the Guardian onto the ground when he was not looking, and Apollo struggled to become free. Suddenly a swirl of gold light surrounded Apollo and Fenrir got off him.
"What is going on?" Fenrir demanded.
"Let's just say you're finished!" Yukai's voice said through the black smoke.
"No, this can't be!"
The smoke cleared and Fenrir realized that Nidoki produced a shield around us. The Millennium symbol glowed on my forehead as Apollo's Ka was appearing beside him.
"I believe it's working!" Mokuba cried excitably.
A huge black-scarlet dragon with long wings landed near Apollo. Fenrir tried to attack the monster, but the armor-like hide bounced off the blast. The dragon roared and sent out an orb of burning fire directly at Fenrir.
"What is that?" Joey asked as he stared with awe at the creature.
"That's Des Vostgalph!" Atem answered happily. "Don't you remember me using it when we faced the Big 5 together in Noah's Virtual World?"
"Now I remember!" Joey said. "That monster saved me from losin' all my life points!"
"This is not the time to recollect old memories! We have to get away or we will be destroyed along with Fenrir!" Nidoki warned as we moved away from the blast.
The attack hit its target as an explosion took place. We shielded our eyes and waited for any signs of Apollo or Fenrir. The dust cleared and I saw Apollo survived, but Fenrir is a different story. His body was damaged badly and he glared at us with anger. We walked toward them.
"I may have been defeated but you still have to face Shadow Phoenix and Luna before you reach my master." Fenrir coughed heavily.
"The only thing that is destroyed is your body but your mind will always live on." Apollo said sadly. "I just hope you come back with a good heart..."
They both stared at each other before Fenrir's eyes were finally closed. His body began to disappear slowly, and Apollo turned to face us. His Ka vanished and he walked towards us.
"Why did his body disappear?" Atem asked.
"In this world, we believe that those with dark souls must never retain their bodies once they reach the Underworld." Yukai explained. "The Underworld is like hell, and all there is, is an eternity of torment. Pluto is the ruler of that realm, and it is one of the five worlds we mentioned before."
"The lost souls in the Underworld become bloodthirsty for revenge, and it's a place none of you should go," Apollo said. "You can feel the darkness as it draws you to its grasp."
"Just like me." I whispered softly.
Is that what I was feeling the whole time? Artemis must be trying to prevent me from going there. Is she trapped there along with me? I have to break free from the darkness or I will become a slave to it for the rest of my life!
"Yugi, let's go." Atem broke me out of my thoughts.
We continued climbing up the mountain and I realized with each step we took, the darkness becomes stronger meaning Pluto is near. I look around and notice that the mountain is plagued by eternal darkness, unlike in the city. Probably it was the work of Pluto. He must be stopped before he hurts anymore of my friends! I promise you, Artemis that I will free myself from the darkness and release you from my mind, so we all can face Pluto together!
Author's Notes: This concludes Battle 2, and Battle 3 will start next chapter.