A/N: Wow, so many reviews! At this rate, I'll have more than double the reviews to this story than to my last! Keep it up, guys! And thanks! I've re-posted the other chapters with replies to your reviews, if you want to read them. I didn't know half of you even read my stories; I should have done this on the last one too! I think it makes you want to review! Anyway, I don't own YuGiOh, just Alexa and the story idea…Enjoy this chapter! Oh, and sorry about the wait!
It seemed no one had heard Bokura as he entered the palace. He sent the guards to the shadow realm, making it easy to get in. So what if he couldn't figure out how to use the powers of the Millennium Puzzle? No one knew that, and plus, it served as an excellent ransom. If they didn't cooperate, it would be destroyed. But now the choice was who to capture…
The Pharaoh would be a good choice, him being of absolute power…he could take it all away. But he wouldn't be easy to capture, and Bokura wasn't planning on having a hard time. Besides, even if he just sent him to the shadow realm, a much easier option, he would need to duel him anyway to use the puzzles powers.
There's was the boy, Yugi, who seemed almost like a long lost son of the Pharaoh. He had never seen him before, except recently. But Yugi was so closely linked with the Pharaoh, would it be possible for him to communicate with the Pharaoh? Besides, if he took him, he would be taking one with weak nature, willing the others to let him go down for there safety. He wouldn't be able to acquire what he wanted if there was no desire to save what was held ransom.
Then again, there was that girl who seemed to also just appear. She seemed like a strong character, that one. Sure, she had been shot by an arrow, but…
But that made her the perfect victim.
Little did they know that Bokura too, could speak English. It was extremely rare to learn such a foreign language, but he too, over the years, had learned it well. The girls name was Alexa, and she wouldn't dare put the Pharaoh or Yugi in danger. She was too much into proving to the Pharaoh that she could be trusted. Plus, her "powers" that she supposedly had, were for some reason weak. Now, it was all a matter of bribing her into the shadows…his plan was fool proof.
He walked into the girl's room. She was lying on the bed, bandages wrapped around her shoulder and most of her upper arm. Now, all he had to do was put her in the shadow realm, which should be easy on a now weakened girl.
He nudged her arm to wake her up, she yawned but quickly shot up when she saw Bokura standing there.
"Stay quiet, or your friend Yugi and the Pharaoh are dead!" Bokura threatened to keep things down.
"You can speak English? Never mind that, how did you get in here? And what is it you want?" Alexa asked. She had been right to Yugi. She could get up if she had too.
"Yes, I sent the guards to the realm of shadows. Now, I want the Millennium Puzzles power, which I can't do unless the Pharaoh duels me. You are gonna be the bait!"
"Oh really? How are you going to make me?" Alexa asked, fearing the worst.
"With my millennium ring! Of course, you can get away if you agree to let me take the Pharaoh and little Yugi…"
"No! You won't touch them!"
"Then, prepare to be devoured by the shadows!"
"No! Yu-!" Her mouth was covered by Bokuras hand.
"You won't call them here! If you do, they and you are dead! Now either you, or they go. What's your choice?"
Alexa thought for a moment. If she was gone, Yami would think she couldn't defend herself. If she let those two get captured however, they'd be no one to prove her trust to. But they'd also be no Pharaoh destroying her self esteem with his lack of trust in her…
"I…" Alexa paused.
"Yes?"
"I…"
"Go on…"
Alexa gulped. "Take me. I won't let you hurt them!" Alexa said, the reality of what was going on just now going through her brain. It was so real when it happened, the feeling being more then just what she saw happen on the show…a whole lot more.
"Well…if that's your decision…"
"Yes…and don't you dare hurt them!" Alexa yelled, as she fought to hold back the tears.
"Ah, but if I hurt them, there would be no one to torture, now would there?" Bokura asked. "Now, prepare to enter the realm of Darkness!" He pulled his Millennium Ring from where it was on his neck, and pointed it towards Alexa, as it began to glow brightly.
Alexa tried her best to fight it off, but it was no use. She felt herself lose control of her body, as she found her mind entering the shadow realm. When she was there, she felt slightly weak, and she had a feeling it was only a matter of time before she slipped away completely. Yami, if this doesn't make you trust me, then I give up…You win; I have nothing left to give. My soul is gone, I have nothing left to lose for you…I hope you're happy now…
Bokura looked down happily at the limp body. One down, two to go. He began to leave, when the puzzle began to glow. He didn't know why, he hadn't done anything to activate it, but as soon as it started it stopped. Bokura didn't know what had happened, so he ignored it as he left the palace. Little did he realize what he did…
Yami tossed in his sleep, because suddenly he heard a voice echo through his head… Yami, if this doesn't make you trust me, then I give up…You win; I have nothing left to give. My soul is gone, I have nothing left to lose for you…I hope you're happy now…
Yami shot up, in what he thought was his bed, but found himself inside what looked like the millennium puzzle. But how was that possible? Was it that his mind was always a labyrinth type of a place?
Yugi suddenly shot up as well, sensing danger. He too found himself in what seemed to be the inside of Yami's mind. But why?
Alexa was just standing there when suddenly she felt a strong pull to no random direction. She tried to resist, but in no time at all, she was out of there, but where did she go? She suddenly saw Yugi, who was leaving out of the other side of the room she just came to. She didn't spend time to think, even though the room she was in was all brick. It was also large. She went to ran to Yugi to ask what was going on, but suddenly the floor collapsed from beneath her. She screamed and grabbed hold of the edge. She tried to pull herself up, but it was like the bottom of the large hole was sucking her in. She looked down, probably not a good idea, and saw it was all purple and swirly and dark, like the shadow realm. It was the shadow realm, and it wanted her back!
Yugi was about to yell to Yami, who was now right in front of him, when he and Yami heard the scream. Yami turned, and wasn't really surprised to see Yugi, but if it wasn't him…who had screamed? They looked at each other… "Alexa!" They ran into the other room, where Alexa was keeping from falling back into the shadows.
"Yugi! Yami! What's going on? How did I get here? Oh yeah, help!" Alexa said, looking down at the shadows and whined.
"Alexa, grab my hand!" Yugi said, bending down and reaching for Alexa. Alexa, who really felt scared for that moment where she was holding on with only one hand, reached for his. He slowly pulled her up, but her foot slipped on the edge, and she yelled again. This time, Yugi struggled to keep her weight. It was like she was being pulled down…but why? Yami then reached for her other hand and helped her, this time successfully, get her up. Alexa was a nervous wreck at the moment.
"The…the shadow realm! Don't…don't let me have to go there again!" Even out of the hole, she felt a pulling sensation towards the bottom of the hole. She dodged behind Yugi, where she surprising didn't feel anything.
"The shadow realm? What are you talking about?" Yugi asked, obviously not feeling the pull, as he sat down besides Alexa.
Alexa, now not being protected from the pull repositioned herself behind Yugi before explaining. "They want me there…when I'm not behind you, there's a powerful pull…trying to drag me in!" Alexa panted.
"What do you mean the shadow realm? Why is it pulling you in?" Yami asked, not convinced what she was saying was true.
"I…the shadows…I'm there now…" Alexa wasn't sure how to say it.
"Alexa, stop being vague! What are you talking about?" Yami asked impatiently.
Alexa was afraid to answer. But, she thought, why should she be? He wasn't the one about to be devoured by the shadows. This was it, she wasn't going to be afraid of him. At least not when she should be the one being saved. "I was sent to the shadow realm by Bokura! He threatened you and Yugi, or me! If you don't trust me now Yami, then you win! I have nothing left to give! My soul is gone, you still hate me! And Bokura is going to use me as ransom to get your millennium puzzle!" Alexa yelled.
Yami felt almost sorry…for a moment. But why should he be sorry for someone half his size (well, maybe not literally…) that was yelling at him. "As far as I know, I never asked you to do that for me." Yami answered, keeping his "no one is superior to me" attitude.
"But wait Alexa…" Yugi asked, turning towards her, but not leaving the front of her. "You got sent to the shadow realm by Bokura? But how did he get in here?"
"It doesn't matter, she lead herself into this…" Yami replied.
Alexa couldn't take it any longer. "Yami, you may hate me, but I was not about to let you and Yugi be sent to the shadow realm. Did you hear that, "and Yugi?" You were not the only one on the line bedsides me! You were not the one threatened by an evil Dude, and you were not the one trying to protect someone!"
Yami went to say something, but Alexa felt like she shouldn't stop, even with the large amount of fear in her heart.
"Do you know how hard it is to look at your face Yami?" Alexa asked, beginning to start to cry. "Do you know how hard it is to talk to you, and to try and be happy?! To be sad?! To be Afraid?! You wouldn't know anything about that would you?! And all this time I've been trying to conquer my fear just to have you earn my trust! Do you know how hard it is?! I don't care if you never talked to me, I just wanted to know you trusted me! And now, I've given all I have for you, and you couldn't care less!" Alexa started to cry, the whole time looking into Yami's eyes, which she found to be the hardest feat to accomplish. She began to sob, and as she covered her face with her hands, she whispered "I'm sorry…" She had been so brave to face Yami, and she ended up being below him at the end. Yugi tried to comfort her, but he wasn't sure how to after what she had just said.
Yami, for the very first time in his life, was left speechless. He had always made up comebacks by the lies others have said, but what did you say to the truth? "Why are you sorry Alexa?"
"Because, well…I don't know!" Alexa was now in a mood where she wished nothing had just happened. She continued to sob, crying into Yugi's shoulder now. She tried to stop, but it was a lot harder then it seemed to do at the moment.
Yami felt like he had to apologize. But it was as hard for him to do as it had been for Alexa to say what she did. I've been nothing but a burden since I met you, I've caused nothing but trouble…Do you know how hard it is to talk to you, to try and be happy? To be sad? To be afraid? You wouldn't know anything about that would you? There it was again, Alexa's words ringing through Yami's head. But he couldn't…he couldn't apologize to her. What had she done for him?
A lot…Yugi said through there mental link. She saved us before at the duelist kingdom, and she protected me in the war earlier before. She saved you too, that's why now she has a hurt arm. And don't forget, you did whip her before…I'm surprised she's begging for your trust, and not the other way around…Yugi said, getting tired of Yami hating Alexa so much.
Yami's thoughts were spinning through his head. Yugi was angry at him, a trait rarely seen in the boy. Alexa had everything against her. And Yami couldn't bring himself to trust Alexa, never mind to say I'm sorry…Why had they come to the past anyway? What was the purpose of all of this? It seemed so off track, this situation, that he couldn't think of one way to bring it back on the road. He just needed some time to think…
At that point he walked out of the room, and into the rest of his unknown mind… Alexa, just now getting better, wondered why he had left, but was afraid of saying anything. Yugi could sense Yami's troubles, and understood why he had left. Alexa wiped her eyes, she was going to try to be strong. Or at least try.
Yami leaned against a wall in a corridor. Why was it all this was happening? And why couldn't he think clearly. He was always the one to keep a steady head, but now he struggled to remember all that had happened. Let's see…he thought to himself, We don't have the millennium puzzle, Bokura has a ransom set up for us, and Alexa…he paused. Alexa had went through much more then he had. Was he the one who got whipped by someone he was trying to prove trust in? No. Did he get a hurt arm from protecting someone who didn't trust him back? No. Was he in the shadow realm to protect the ones he wanted to befriend? No…
Yami sighed. Yugi was right. Almost everything, if not everything, Alexa had done or had gone through had been for at least him, him and/or Yugi. What had she done for herself while she was here? Nothing…
Yami realized Alexa wasn't that bad. He couldn't any reasons any longer, to hold Alexa out of his trust. She was true…it was him that wasn't.
Alexa looked over Yugi's shoulder to see the shadow realm below in the hole.
"So, that's the shadow realm, huh?" Yugi asked, trying his best to help Alexa at a time like this.
"Yeah…I just…Yugi…" Alexa said. She still didn't feel that much like telling people about how she felt at the moment. But it was now or never.
"What is it Alexa?" Yugi asked. Why was Alexa so nervous? Yami wasn't there…
"I'm scared, Yugi. I feel like in order to help you guys I have to go back in there, but I'm so nervous. I feel like such a coward…"
"You?! Alexa, you're the last person I'd expect to hear that from!"
"Really?"
"Well, yeah. I mean you already have saved more and Yami more times then I can count. And, honestly…I'm not sure how you can keep it together."
"You call crying my eyes out keeping it together?"
"Well…yeah. I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes right now."
"Yugi, I'm so scared though…"
At this time, Yami was about to come into the room that they were in, when he stopped. If he went in, Alexa might not say what she was about to. It could be important…
"I mean…not just with the shadow realm…"
"You mean with Yami?"
"Yes. Oh Yugi, it kills me to say this, but he terrifies me. And it hasn't been since I've met him, even on the show back at home I felt that way. I just…I want him to trust me, but I don't want to be afraid anymore. I'm sorry Yugi…"
"Alexa, I'm not going to say that it's ok you're scared of him, cause there's no reason to. But I'm not going to say it's bad, either. He isn't bad, he's just…stubborn…sometimes. He means well, he just…he has trouble admitting when he's wrong. I mean, he does have a reputation to hold, you know?"
"I know, Yugi. But do you think maybe if I admitted I was wrong, do you think he would?"
"But what were you wrong about?"
"About being afraid of him. But it's a lot easier to say your not afraid of him then it is to actually not be."
"Alexa, it's alright. I'm sure…I'm sure that if Yami wasn't so confused at the moment, he'd definitely try harder to be nicer to you."
"I just want you two to be safe. I'm not sure what Bokura plans to do, but we- you have to get him and the puzzle back."
"But how? Bokura could be anywhere!"
"He wants you to follow him…and you have to!"
"But what about you?"
Alexa thought for a moment. "Yugi, I want to be saved, I really do. But you have to go regardless of what happens to me! I mean I want you to try and save me, but don't put yourselves in danger for my sake."
"Mm. But where did he go? We can't just pick a direction and hope he went that way."
"Well, he probably went on a direction along the Nile…"
"How do you figure?"
"Well, chances are, no matter how big his army, he can't hold enough water to sustain the all of them for any period of time. So, unless he knows an oasis nearby, he probably stayed where there was water…"
"Alexa, your probably right. But what are we going to do about you?"
"Me? I told you, don't worry about me! Just do what you have to do."
"Alright, Alexa. Don't worry, we'll figure out some way to make everything alright. I promise."
"Thank you, Yugi."
The two's attention was brought to the shadow realm not too far away from where they were.
"Now, I just have to go back through the shadow realm."
"Go back? Why?"
"Well…if we got here when I was sent to the shadow realm, then leaving through it must be the only way for us to leave…"
"But Alexa…you might not need to go to the shadow realm at all…you could just stay here, inside Yami's mind."
"Isn't that sort of dangerous though? I mean, what if since he doesn't have the puzzle I end up getting stuck in here or something?"
"Yeah…but you can't go to the shadow realm…you just can't!"
"Yugi…believe me, I don't want to…it is really scaring me…a lot…but I just want you and Yami to be able to save the puzzle, and possibly me, and you can't do that locked up in here!"
"Alexa…I can't let you go!"
"But there's not much of a choice, Yugi…I…I have to…"
Yugi thought for a moment…it was the longest moment, and the hardest choice. But he knew what he had to do…
"Alexa, let me come with you…"
Alexa gasped, and thought to herself for a moment. She really was scared of going to the shadow realm. She was terrified of many things that happened. But only now had she actually said how she felt. But now it may cost more then just herself…
"Yugi…don't…"
"Alexa, please? I don't want to leave you alone…"
"You won't be…I can't let you! Yami needs your help to get the puzzle back!"
"Alexa…" Yugi went to argue when a major detail hit him. Alexa was behind him because she felt a strange pull towards the hole. It was a long shot, but it was possible he wouldn't get engulfed by the shadows. "Let me. I think the shadows might not want me…"
Yami heard from his spot outside the door. He couldn't let Yugi do this to himself…but who was he to stop him? Only if he actually did would he dare barge in.
"Yugi…If that's what you really want to do. I…I would like that a lot…" Alexa cried as she hugged Yugi…she felt so safe around him…hopefully it would last.
"Alexa…just tell me when you want to go…"
"Let's do it…get it over and done with as soon as possible."
Yugi got up, and helped Alexa to her feet. Alexa, her hand on Yugi's shoulder, followed him slowly to the edge of the hole. Alexa looked at Yugi.
Yugi wasn't very sure about what he said. It probably wasn't true…he probably would get taken by the shadows. But after all Alexa had been through…it was the very least he could do. He sighed.
"Ready, Alexa?"
"I am when you are." Alexa said, her eyes filled with fright and sadness.
"On the count of three…"
Yami was getting nervous…what if Yugi really did jump?
"One…" Yugi said.
He couldn't…why would he put himself in the shadows?
"Two…"
Let her go…save yourself…
"Three!" Alexa and Yugi jumped into the dark abyss that lay before them.
Yami gasped and ran in. "Yugi!!!!"
Suddenly, Yami shot up in his bed. He leapt out and ran to the rooms the other two were in. Had it been a dream? He hoped it was. He hoped with all he had it was a dream. Was Yugi alright? Had Alexa really been sent to the shadow realm? Oh please let it be a dream!
He stopped when he saw Yugi come out of his room, obviously in the same rush he was in. Yugi was alright, and that meant a lot to Yami…it made him that much more relieved…
"Yugi! You're alright!"
"Yeah, but it's Alexa I'm worried about!"
"No! So you mean that that wasn't a dream?!"
"I don't think so…but I really hope it is!" Yugi replied. He and Yami continued running towards where Alexa was. They shoved open the door…
It hit them so fast, it was surreal.
Alexa was on the floor, her back propped up by her bed. She seemed quiet…and she wasn't moving…it almost seemed as if she were dead.
Yami felt something he rarely ever felt…sadness. Alexa was gone…she really was.
Yugi, as soon as he saw it, couldn't help but get emotional. He grew pale…then dropped to his knees, the whole time just staring with his tear filling eyes…Alexa…all she wanted…to be wanted…to protect…to be protected…it was all gone…lost in the shadow realm. He began to cry as he looked on, sadness weighing his heart down…he was actually weak from it…
He began to sob, as he touched her shoulder. It was cold…so very cold…the only reason he wasn't on the floor was because he was keeping himself up with his arms…the same position he got in often when duels weren't in his favor. He had tried to be strong for Alexa…but for him it was impossible now… He had lost something that was so important to him.
Yami felt it too…the same sadness as Yugi. He was just able to control his emotions more then Yugi, a trait helpful to Yugi when they were connected…when they were connected. He knew he had to get the puzzle from Bokura to get them back…but he owed to everyone to get Alexa back as well.
"Yami?"
Yami looked over to Yugi, who had spoken. "Yes?"
"Can you promise me we won't leave until Alexa's alright?"
"Yes, Yugi. I can promise you that."
"I thought you didn't trust Alexa, Yami?" Yugi said. He was being pretty serious, and he wanted a serious answer.
"Yugi, I thought I didn't. But, right now I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think."
"Thank you, Yami." Yugi said, thanking him for his promise.
"Yugi, we should go back to sleep."
"How can we sleep at a time like this?"
"Because tomorrow, we're leaving for Bokura."
Yugi looked at Alexa as he got up, and followed Yami out the door.
That is, without first giving a final glance to Alexa.
Well, I hope you enjoyed that chapter! Now, for the reviews! I'm so happy at the number of them I've been receiving…I really should have done this with my first story!
DevilDo1169: I hope this chapter answered a lot of your questions! And is this story too sad, or is the crying a good thing?
LoneWolfPrincess: Hehe, yes Yami is, or was, being pretty mean to Alexa wasn't he? But now we think he trusts her, keyword: think. And if he does, telling Alexa that will be a whole other story! (Maybe, or maybe not so literal…) Are SOS's even allowed? I really don't want to do anything that could get my story taking off again, or worse, my account banned! O.o Peace to the coconuts!
Wings Of A Phoenix: I'm glad you like my story! Keep reviewing!
SonicYugiShadow: Aw, thanks for adding me to your list thing! Oh yeah…I have a very important announcement for you:
I WILL NOT EVER IN THE HISTORY OF ME ADD SONIC TO MY STORIES!!!!!!
Now that we've got that cleared up, thanks for reviewing!
Yami'sGirl: What's with the cheering? Oh, whatever…thanks for reviewing!
lime333: I'm so glad you like my stories? But what's with the whole "to make me be quiet"? Anyway, an idea for a story…hm…well it kind of depends on what kind of a writer you are. Like maybe if you are good and making up funny situations, make a comedy. Or maybe if you have a crush on someone in YuGiOh, you could make a romantic comedy or something. Or maybe suspense if your good at keep readers on there toes. Hm…whatever you do, I suggest you think through the story thoroughly before typing it. If you find thinking about your story boring, I highly suggest to re-think your story idea. Whatever you do, make sure that you type accoriding to your typing skills, and the time you have to type, i.e. if you don't have much time or aren't any good at typing you should post short chapters and have a lot, or if you are good type longer chapters. I hope I helped! n.n (same thing as a shift 6shift-shift6).
Well, thanks again for reviewing! Please review again!