Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Nick who belongs to Phoenix727 and DJ and Darien whom belong to DJ Rodriguez. Here's Chapter 25.
Chapter 25: Evil Reborn! Destruction of Animus
So much had happened. First, the Galactic Dragon was revived and Seiryu sacrificed Stella, Athena and Vulcan's souls to it. Then Yukai and Pluto's souls were also stolen as a result of protecting me. I began fearing that the side of light had lost its war against darkness.
Not even the Guardians could stop the Galactic Dragon, and I could not risk the lives of my friends. My will to fight on had been tainted by Seiryu's doings, and now the entire universe would be plagued by darkness. There was nothing we could do. Our time had run out and I may eventually fail in my mission.
As the reincarnation of Ra, I had to stop the Galactic Dragon but now... I felt as if I should not be worthy of containing Ra's power. I believed even Artemis, Joey and Kaiba felt the same.
I looked over to my friends as I sat silently on the windowsill inside Artemis's temple. I then gazed up at the starry night. The stars glittered in the sky and my eyes began to droop from weariness. I realized we all had not slept well for these past days and maybe that was why everyone was feeling very stressful.
The Guardians sat on a long table lit by candlelight as they discussed means of escape or plans to attack. They probably didn't work out because one of them would raise their voice rather than whisper which they had been doing for some time. Artemis, on the other hand, wasn't with them because she was tending to Zephyrus's wound he received from Seiryu's sword.
Sonja was also not present as she was helping Artemis. Suddenly entering the chamber came Artemis, her eyes appeared dreary from the lack of sleep. She kept her thoughts to herself, listening carefully to her siblings bicker and her eyes were drawn to Yukai's Millennium Rod.
I gave a deep sigh as I watched my friends in the far corner. Kaiba leaned on the cold wall whilst Joey and Tea sat on the floor. Bakura adverted everyone's saddened looks as Ryou stood beside Atem and Nick. DJ and Darien were talking with Luna about the Soul Sphere and they seemed to have some plans in mind by the looks on their faces.
My hands stroked the delicate silver chain of Artemis's amulet and I took out the Millennium Necklace. The intricate eye symbol reminded me of my Millennium Puzzle. Yukai's sword sat on the windowsill, reflecting the outside like a mirror.
"Yugi," Artemis replied quietly. She lifted my head to meet her eyes.
"I thought you were talking with the rest of the Guardians." I said.
Artemis sat beside me, wrapping her arms around me. "Why aren't you with your friends?" she countered with a sly smile.
I leaned against Artemis as I took in the comfort of her warm embrace. I pushed back my blond bangs to get a better look at Artemis's expression. Her face was filled with worry and melancholy that I could sense it being exuded by Artemis's aura.
"What were they arguing about before?" I asked.
"Who should lead us into battle," she answered, "and a plan. It would be foolish of us to fight if we had no clue on what to do."
"I hope they can decide soon."
Artemis took her mirror and she let go of me. She concentrated her powers solely on it as the mirror glowed. The reflection of us disappeared and was replaced with the image of the Galactic Dragon.
It destroyed a city I had never seen before and a shrilling cry reverberated in the sky. The Winged Dragon of Ra flew overhead, its golden wings stretched out and it released a beam of yellow light. The Galactic Dragon joined in as it absorbed the energy surrounding it and shot out its attack of pure darkness. The two mighty dragons rampaged throughout the defenseless city as the inhabitants ran for their lives.
Artemis was especially disturbed of the mirror's images, she looked down and tears formed in her eyes. I clenched my fists tightly, fighting the urge to take drastic action for the situation, but I knew I could not do anything.
I glowered at the reflection of Seiryu who was smiling and was the main cause for the chaos. He turned against his own kind just to gain power and the Guardians were preventing this from occurring. They knew Yukai was the one to transcend the throne and Seiryu needed to get rid of him. I felt like I neglected my duty to protect him, and the only remaining members to claim the throne were Nidoki and Forseti. The three were the true heirs to rule over Animus.
But what of Artemis? What was her role in the war? Surely there had to be an answer. She was a Millennium Guardian after all.
"I guess you haven't been paying attention to a thing in my past." Artemis scolded as I looked up at her. She obviously read my mind.
I raised an eyebrow. "Remind me again since you can remember what exactly gone on."
Artemis smirked. "Recall my father, Horus, being the first ruler of Animus? After he passed on, Skyros took the throne as he was next in line. I was just an infant when it happened."
"So you mean if either Yukai, Forseti and Nidoki are unable to fulfill their duties, then you take the throne?" I questioned.
"Pretty much you have the point." Artemis stood up and scanned the chamber. The Guardians did the same as they rose from their seats.
Luna alerted DJ and Darien and the others noticed as well. I sat up and walked with Artemis, her movements appearing nervous. I held onto her hand, and she was staring at Zephyrus and Sonja who had entered the chamber.
Zephyrus had bandages wrapped around his chest and Sonja helped him walk. She seemed concern with his injury, but Zephyrus continued to move despite the injury. He clutched his wounded chest as he felt pain with each step.
My friends strolled over and we circled around one another to listen vigilantly to the Guardians. I watched Artemis stride by her two brothers and they nodded to her. She glared at Orpheus and Apollo, and Forseti was the first to speak.
He cleared his throat. "I know much has happened and you mortals must understand how we Guardians react to a certain conflict such as this."
"Plus, we have no leader and we had to choose who may direct us," Nidoki added. "We have experienced far more than you mortals, and trust us we have made our decision."
Everyone nodded in confusion as I saw Orpheus and Apollo smile at Artemis. She turned more tense than before and her hands shook at her sides.
"We have chosen Artemis to fill in Yukai and Pluto's role as leader." Orpheus announced cheerfully.
Artemis shuddered in disagreement. "I can't! What if I fail?"
"Sister, listen," Apollo began. Artemis paid attention to him. "You are the closest to Yukai and Pluto and you know their leadership qualities more than us."
"Besides, Pluto and Yukai would have wanted you to do this." Mercury added. He took out the Millennium Ring and gave it to Artemis. "You even lead your own faction during the Final Battle and proved you can hold your own in battle."
"They're right." I agreed.
Artemis stared at me with disbelief. "You think so?"
"My little light, of course you can." Luna said happily.
"Although, you were evil but you came back to our side and helped us get out of Seiryu's fortress," Joey replied. "If Yugi agrees, then I agree with him."
"We know you can do it!" DJ said cheerfully.
"And we managed to work out a plan that may prove useful when facing The Winged Dragon of Ra." Darien responded.
"We will all help," Tea said. She turned towards Atem, Ryou, Bakura and Nick. They seemed to approve with her.
"See, Artemis, you do not have to fight this war alone," Zephyrus began. His breathing was ragged, but he resumed speaking. "Everyone has given you their full support, and now is the time to trust them."
Sonja sighed and glanced at Artemis. "No matter what the future holds for us, we will still stand strong and unite!"
Sonja's words reminded me of what Maiden of the Moonlight said to me when she saved me. She said the time would come when all of the descendants of the Phoenix Dragons would arise and unite once more. I didn't understand clearly, but I thought she was predicting the future, yet I was baffled in which time she meant.
Artemis placed her hand on her forehead, surrendering in defeat. She ruffled the strands of her long hair and sighed. "You guys won."
"You mean you will become their leader?" Atem queried.
"Not just their leader, everyone." She gestured in such a way to exemplify her decision.
"My little light, you have made a wise choice." Luna replied.
"Well, DJ, Darien, tell me your plan." Artemis said.
"I thought you would never ask." DJ said contently.
The three parted away from us and Artemis listened to what DJ and Darien had planned. They talked in whisper and the conversation appeared to be going fine. Even the Guardians didn't pick up what they were talking about.
I yawned and stretched out my arms. Nidoki saw this and became concerned. She walked over as she stared deeply into my half-shut eyes.
"I think we all should be getting some sleep," Nidoki decided.
"Hey, I don't need a mother to tell me when... I... need... to... sleep..." Joey laid on the floor as he dozed off.
"We wouldn't want to fall asleep when we face the Galactic Dragon." Atem said, his head began to drift back.
Nidoki struggled to get Joey up. "Would someone give me a hand with him?"
Kaiba turned away. "Leave the mutt there. He deserves to sleep on the floor."
"Why you!" Nidoki growled as she dropped Joey in the process.
He woke up startled and then went back to sleep. Tea, Nick, Ryou, even Bakura sweat dropped as they watched in amusement of Joey's antics. Orpheus helped Nidoki lift up Joey's sleeping body and carried him off to his bedroom. Apollo and Forseti directed the others to their rooms as Sonja took Zephyrus back to his room to rest. Artemis, DJ and Darien finished their discussion and decided to get some sleep.
Apollo led me to my room which had an amazing view of the lake nearby Artemis's temple. He left me as he closed the door behind me. I walked towards the window and watched the water shimmer in the starlight. It seemed peaceful here, and I didn't feel right about this. At this very moment, Seiryu might have destroyed most of Animus.
I leaned my forehead on the cold glass and stared at my reflection. I looked very pale and my eyes shown my lack of sleep. I then gazed at the torchlight whose flames licked about and lit the room with my presence. I examined my shadow on the wall and fell back onto the bed. The silky feel of the sheets were comforting and I eventually fell asleep. Little did I know, someone would disturb my slumber.
Author's Notes: I hope this chapter wasn't too boring. Anyway, here's the next chapter summary:
With everyone's lives at the line, Yugi must determine their fate before stepping into the war. The Guardians have appointed Artemis as their temporary leader and she needs to come up with a plan to stop Seiryu. Yet something troubles her and can Yugi help her? On the next Dark Crisis - Chapter: 26 Remembering The Past!