"Arise from Darkness"
By Heikou and Janime
Chapter Thirty-Three
Hearts' Battle
"How's Malik?"
Marik looked up at Tea as she walked over to the couch and sat next to him.
"No change," he answered quietly, returning his gaze to the coffee table.
Tea could see the pained look in his violet eyes, a look she hadn't seen since Rashid had been struck down on Battle Ship.
"Malik will pull through, I'm sure of it."
"I know... it's just, why did the Heart of the Shadow Realm react to Keriam's emotions? Why not yours?"
"Maybe it's because her father is Amun-Ra."
"Whatever it is I just hope we don't have to fight anything soon."
"We still have to be on guard, you understand," Yami entered the room with Yugi and Thomas. Yugi immediately sat next to Tea, not noticing the slight sad look on Thomas' face.
"I know," Marik answered. He rose from the couch and walked over to the large window. He stared outside for a long while then grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head.
Thomas flinched when he saw the text on the Egyptian's back. Those are definitely not tattoos… he thought.
"Anything, Yami?" Marik asked. "Please tell me you recognize something."
The crimson-eyed young man slowly approached him. He studied the scars, taking his time but he slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid not."
Marik sighed heavily and rested his forehead against the glass. "Is there nothing I can do?" he asked softly.
"Perhaps if the Daughter of Isis told us something that could help... but she has not spoken to me in a long time."
"The one she spoke to the most was Kaiba," said Yugi. "Do you think she spoke to every Guardian?"
"Most likely, yes," Yami answered, turning to his hikari, "but if you're including Bakura, who knows."
"Just because he's not here doesn't mean that he's completely gone," Ryou said as he walked into the room. "And don't try telling me otherwise because of what he did to me. You don't know him like I do."
"Then when he does return I'll make sure to kick his ass in private," Marik said coldly.
"Ryou, do you remember what the Daughter of Isis told you the last time you spoke with her?" Tea asked.
He moved to sit on an unoccupied chair, looking down at his hands. "It wasn't exactly the most comforting news..." he said softly.
"What happened?" Thomas asked.
Ryou sighed then looked up. "Despite knowing the future… we can't stop it. She had given her warnings but the future hasn't changed. The path is set."
Marik put his shirt back on before turning to the small group. "She said to me I would be forced to make a decision that would effect both Malik and Keriam."
"Allowing yourself to be trapped in that void with Necrophedious," said Yugi.
"That's what I thought at first," Marik replied. "Somehow I just have the feeling that I have yet to make that decision."
"So what do we do now?" Thomas asked warily.
Yami had no idea what to say but moved to stand before the window. He looked out and felt a sense of deja vu strike him. "When the Black Scorpion comes... we kill him and erase him from history once and for all," he said coolly.
-
Bakura sat alone in his room. No candles were lit as he preferred the darkness but it gave little comfort to him. Soon, he and the other Scorpion members would be summoned and Meanae would call forth the Army of Anubis.
Time was running out.
I can't let this happen to her, Bakura thought, shutting his eyes and leaned back against the wall, slowly drifting off to sleep.
He opened his eyes at the sound of terrified screams. Looking around, the thief realized that he was no longer in his room, but sitting against a large pillar overlooking a village. It was under attack by armed men. Several cages were just on the outskirts of the city-men, women, and children of all ages were being thrown into them.
"No…" Bakura whispered and ran down to the village.
He raced down into the place he had once called him, dodging the people of Kuru Emma and the palace soldiers. Then it changed and he was standing inside a small hut where a woman pulled a dagger across the throats of her two youngest children. She laid their bodies on their sleeping mats and turned to her eldest son, the screams of the people outside echoing within their home.
Bakura shook his head. "Not again…"
"Doboro…" she said quietly.
"Send me to Anubis, mother," he said, "I want to see-"
The door burst open. "More here!" a soldier yelled and laughed. "Well, well," he said as he walked towards Doboro, "don't you look delicious."
The woman, dagger held tightly, charged at the soldier and stabbed him in his arm. "Run, Doboro!" she yelled as the soldier struggled with her.
Her son raced out of the house, avoiding the villagers and soldiers, and he ran out into the night desert.
Bakura dropped to his knees besides the still forms of his brother and sister as his mother was dragged from their home. He reached out, gently stroking his sister's cheek first then his brother's. Their names did not return to him but he could feel their lingering ba. He frowned slightly at his brother's, something about it was very familiar, and then the realization hit the Tomb Robber full force.
"Ryou…"
There was no doubt in his mind-Ryou had been his brother in Kuru Emma.
"What was her name?"
"Amane."
Bakura looked at his sister. If Ryou had been his brother, was it possible that Amane had also been his sister?
He closed his eyes as he heard his mother struggle. When it grew too much to bear, he abruptly stood and pulled out his dagger. "Die!" he yelled as he attacked the soldiers. Part of him was surprised that he could strike at these phantoms of the past but before he could attack the high priest the scenery changed. As the burning village faded, temple walls appeared around him.
"Anubis granted that your siblings to be reborn," a worn feminine voice spoke from behind him.
Bakura whirled and for a moment, was shocked but quickly regained his composure. "Daughter of Isis... forgive me if I don't bow," he said mockingly.
"Even today you still regret not joining them in death," she said.
"Like that would have mattered. So what brings you here?"
She flickered before speaking, "The Daughter of Anubis will die if she calls forth her Father's Army. The Black Scorpion will not care if she lives or dies."
"I've notice," Bakura snapped.
"Do you remember how you saved her last time?"
"What?"
The Daughter of Isis moved closer. "When the Sisters of the Moon were dying, what did you and the other Guardians do?"
Bakura paused. "We… gave them some of our life force."
"You are the only Guardian here with her," she said. "You are the only one that can save her life. However, her soul will still have to be freed."
"So how the hell am I suppose to do that?"
"Call her back."
"Don't you think I tried? I even gave her back her wedding band and she didn't bat an eye!"
She flickered and seemed to be losing the rest of her energy. "You must try... Don't allow her to fall into the Scorpion's hand..."
"In case you haven't realized she's completely under his control!"
"Release her soul..." The woman vanished from sight.
Bakura opened his eyes and opened his eyes quickly. His breathe came in short pants but the effect of the dream was still present. Clutched tightly in his hand was his dagger that he had used to kill the soldiers.
"Release her soul..." he repeated to himself. How the hell was he going to do that? The scorpion tattoo glowed and he lifted his head. The king was summoning them. "Here goes nothing."
-
Rashid sat on the large bed beside his wife and Layla, having moved their daughter to the center of the bed so that both of her parents could keep better watch over her. Malik was asleep in the recliner, and Marik was sleeping on the floor beside him.
The older man yawned; the recent events were catching up to him.
I can't fall asleep, he thought, not yet. Marik still needs some more rest before I wake him up.
Still the exhaustion pulled at him. Rashid gave in a little, deciding just to close his eyes briefly, and soon fell into a deep slumber.
Malik's eyes opened, revealing the extreme dark purple color. He floated up from the chair and across the room to the door. It opened without a sound, and closed the same way after Malik left the room.
-
Keriam woke from a dreamless sleep. Something felt weird, not as bad when Malik had changed suddenly and just about gave her a coronary, but it was the strangest feeling she ever had. The scary part of it was that it was also familiar.
Looking over at Joey to make sure he was still asleep, Keriam silently got out of bed and pulled on her bathrobe over her pajamas.
She quietly left the room and headed down the hall, trying to figure out why this was familiar though. She looked up when she heard movement her eyes went wide. Malik was floating like a ghost and he was heading straight for her! Part of her wanted to run and wake up Joey but she didn't.
"Malik..." she whispered.
He stopped before her, eyes even with hers. Without saying a word, Malik floated around her and went down the stairs. In a daze, Keriam followed.
They went down to the first sublevel and into the gym. Malik landed silently on his feet as Keriam went to her knees and closed her eyes.
-
Marik jerked awake and then rubbed his eyes. He sat up and looked at the recliner, only to find it empty.
Oh no!
Jumping to his feet, Marik woke Rashid and Ishizu. "Malik's gone!"
Rashid scrambled from the bed and followed Malik out of the room, Ishizu right behind them with Layla in her arms.
The mansion began to shake slightly. Other doors in the hallway opened and a few of the occupants filed out.
"What's going on?" Mina asked as she held onto Duke's hand.
"Malik's missing," said Ishizu as she tried to quiet her daughter's cries.
Joey's eyes widened slightly. "Has anyone seen Keriam?"
They looked at each other for a moment and then raced down the stairs. A bright golden light showed from underneath the door leading to the first sublevel. As Seto quickly opened the door, the light faded as they raced down the steps to the gym.
Keriam was on her knees, her back facing them as the entered. She didn't make any acknowledgement of their presence.
Joey stepped forward, swallowing hard. "Keriam?"
She rose to her feet and turned around, stepping to the side so that Malik was also in view. Keriam now had the same markings, as did Marik. Her eyes were completely a pure, untainted white. His eyes were a dark purple.
"Oh dear gods," Rose placed her hand over her mouth.
"We have awoken," Keriam and Malik spoke at the same time yet their mouths didn't move.
"Who are you?" Yami demanded.
"Silence!" they yelled. "We are blessed. She has suffered greatly many times, and thus she has been chosen to hold the light. His suffering has been taken away, so he has been chosen to hold the darkness."
"What happened to Malik and Keriam?" Marik asked.
"We are the ones you have named, Tomb Keeper."
"Their true powers have awoken," Shadi said as he stepped from the shadows. Looking at them he bowed deeply.
"What powers! Why does Keriam have those markings!" Joey yelled angrily.
Ryou felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest as he recalled the vision the Daughter showed him several nights ago. "The Heart of the Shadow Realm and the Light of Ra... is this what she meant?" he asked himself softly.
-
The Black Scorpion, his assassins, and the Duel Monsters under his control, stood atop a building not too far away from Kaiba Mansion. He smirked at the red dome that protected the estate and those dwelling inside.
"Meanae," he called and she stepped forward. "Sing, my dear."
Bakura frowned, trying to keep calm as he watched Meanae raise her arms to the sky. Her voice carried the dark, wordless song. The clouds of Shadow Realm swirled and shifted, bolts of lightning dancing among them.
Now or never, Bakura thought. "You wish for her to live?"
"What?" Don Zaloog and the others looked at him.
"Do you want to see Meanae survive this?" Bakura looked at them.
"Of course we do!" Cliff snapped. "What kind of question is that?"
"Then follow my lead." Bakura removed his knife and slit it across his left palm, wincing slightly and let his blood drop to the concrete rooftop. "On there."
The four Scorpions did the same, letting their blood fall on the same spot to mix with Bakura's. The thief knelt down and ran the tip of his dagger through the crimson liquid.
"Our blood spilt, a pact we now make," Bakura whispered. "One-fifth of each of our life force to protect the Daughter of Anubis."
-
Keriam raised her head slightly; the expression on her face alerted everyone.
"She sings," they said.
"Who sings?" Duke asked as he looked around.
Rose though, could hear it and all the color drained from her face. Without another word she raced up to the main level.
"Rose! Damnit," Seto cursed as he went after her. "Rose what's wrong?"
Arcaida stood before the window, clutching his staff in a white-knuckle grip. Rose ran up to stand next to him but she pressed her hands against the glass, tears slowly making their way down her cheeks. Neither of them said anything but watched.
The lightning crashed but no rain fell. As the skies grew darker the street that passed before the mansion split in half. The ground shook angrily as the split widen and warriors began pulling themselves up and out. They looked like a cross between a human and animal of some sort but it also looked like a zombie horror movie gone bad. Throwing back their heads they howled and the sound seemed to echo within the mansion.
"The Army of Anubis..." Arcaida whispered.
Even as more soldiers pulled themselves onto the living earth Meanae was losing the rest of her energy. She struggled, her breathe coming in short pants, her vision swirling but it began darkening. All she knew was the sound of a cold laughter as she fell, strong arms catching her and gently setting her upon the ground.
"My army, now is the time for the pharaoh and the gods to bow before me as the true ruler!" the Scorpion King laughed. He looked at his fallen daughter and smirked. "She has served my purpose. Anubis' legacy will die with her as will the Daughters of Osiris and Ra."
"Not today, your majesty!"
The Black Scorpion turned around, frowning at Bakura kneeling beside a small pool of blood. The thief dipped his fingers into it and made small symbols on the concrete.
"Daughter of Anubis," Bakura whispered, "I invoke the pact I and the four Scorpions have made. Rise now, my love, and remember who you are!"
He gasped as a small orb of blue light left his body. Looking up, he watched the part of his life force join with the orbs from the other Scorpions and flew into the young woman's still form.
Bakura quickly ran over to her, gathering her into his arms. He sighed inwardly as her breathing returned to normal. "Cheri," he whispered, "Cheri, wake up, please."
Her eyes flickered and opened slightly. "Bakura…?"
It was Cheri! She was back!
"Just hold on," he whispered, "I'll get you-"
Her body jerked and her eyes clouded over.
"No!" Bakura shouted and sent a dark glare at the Black Scorpion. "Damn you!"
"A valiant effort, thief; but as long as I hold the part that is most loyal to me she will not live unless I deem it," he scoffed.
"Then we'll make you give our princess back!" The Scorpion clan tackled the king but since he was already standing close to the edge they fell to the street and awaiting army below but Bakura was trying to get his love to awaken.
"Cheri please, don't lose yourself to him! Please, I don't want to be alone," he said softly and held her tightly to his chest. "Remember what I said the day you and Kaiba got married? I gave up everything to be with you. Please don't let my efforts be in vain. I love you…"
-
Meanae opened his eyes only to find herself within the Temple of the Scorpion. In the past the grandest room in the palace was dedicated to them, the fiercest warriors of the Scorpion Clan but from what she knew Anubis destroyed the entire city.
"Am I dead then?" she asked herself, slowly moving towards the altar but what she saw laying on stone altar made her blood run cold.
She moved closer until she was standing next to it and looked at the woman laying there. Their features were the same but also different. Hesitantly she reached down and touched the other girl's cheek but the skin was ice cold. Leaning down she listened to her chest and could barely make out the beat of her heart. That's when the glint of a gold ring upon her left hand caught her eyes. She looked at her own hand.
"Cheri please, don't lose yourself to him! Please, I don't want to be alone," he said softly and held her tightly to his chest. "Remember what I said the day you and Kaiba got married? I gave up everything to be with you. Please don't let my efforts be in vain. I love you…"
"Bakura?" That was his voice but he didn't speak her name. She looked at the woman lying there.
Her present life in this world.
Her soul.
Reaching down she traced the iron collar that marred her throat and reached up to touch the golden necklace of Bastet. "He loves you… I wanted to love someone too, I wanted to be loved by someone. But many feared us because we were assassins." She closed her eyes tightly as the tears threaten to escape. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry I took your life." Taking out her dagger she opened her hand and slit open her palm. Taking Cheri's hand she did the same and set the dagger down. Clasping the injured hand tightly she felt their blood mingle.
"Anubis… I know I have forsaken you in the past, but allow me to repent for my past sins," she prayed as hard as she could.
A hand was gently placed on her shoulder. "There is a way."
Meanae looked at the queen. "How?"
Meskhenet smiled gently at her. "Follow me."
The two walked through the palace corridors and entered a room that was in a section that was hardly ever disturbed. Meskhenet opened a door and they walked inside. Making sure the door was closed, Meskhenet whistled softy. Two women stepped out from the shadows. They were both wearing men's clothing; one had a red scarf around her head, and the other had several cuts on her face and a terrible scar from a burn on her neck.
"This is Nuru," Meskhenet said as the one with the scarf bowed, "and Subira," the scarred one bowed as well. "They have been chosen."
"Chosen?" Meanae managed to ask as her eyes tried to look away from Subira's marred skin.
"Anubis has heard your prayers, Meanae," said Meskhenet. "In your next life, he has chosen you to be his Daughter. Osiris has chosen Nuru, and Ra has chosen Subira."
The Scorpion finally looked at her. "Then… you are a priestess."
"I am the Daughter of Anubis."
Meanae stepped back slightly. "Is this why you came here?"
"To stop the Black Scorpion, yes," Meskhenet answered with a nod.
"And we are here to assist her," Subira spoke; her voice was heavy with bitterness of a long life of abuse.
"What must be done?" Meanae asked.
"I will attempt to assassinate the Black Scorpion," said Nuru. "My ka takes form of a powerful spell caster."
"And then what?"
"You two…" Meskhenet looked directly into Meanae's eyes, "must kill each other. I can save your soul, Meanae. You will be reborn as my daughter-a Daughter of Anubis, a Sister of the Moon."
Meanae stuttered. "B-but…
"A spell has been placed on Nuru's ba and my ba as well," said Subira. "The moment we die, we stay with the current Daughter of the god who has chosen us until she is ready to conceive."
"And then you will be reborn," Meskhenet finished. "Subira and Nuru will be your Sisters in your next life."
"But why me? Why not someone else? Why has Anubis chosen me?" the assassin asked.
"Although the gods did not interfere with our lives, it does not mean they did not care about us," Nuru commented.
"Meanae, the Scorpion King was once a good man but the lust for power has taken over. You have the power to stop his destruction but you cannot do it alone. Will you help us?" Meskhenet asked.
She didn't say anything. She studied the women each in turn, letting their words slowly sink into her mind she wondered if this was the right thing to do. Flashbacks of the last raid came to mind, people crying out in fear as their homes were burnt to the ground. So much blood was split she was afraid that she would never become clean. Yet it wasn't just the soldiers and men, it was the elderly, the women, the children, even family pets that littered the streets. For the first time in a very long time, she felt remorse for the lives lost. Looking at the women she slowly nodded her head.
"I accept but, what about my brothers?" They were her only family left and she feared for their lives.
"I will seal them away," said Meskhenet. "This way they will not go before Anubis in the Underworld for judgment, and your mind can somewhat be at ease of their fate."
Meanae looked at her, and nodded.
Looking down at her present self, Meanae wiped the tears from her eyes. "If only my memories of that life hadn't been erased… then most of this could have been avoided."
Lost in her past regrets the young woman didn't notice as their joined hands began to glow. Slowly it traveled down their arms and began to spread. Meanae gasped when she noticed and grew afraid but the glow felt comforting and didn't seem to cause her any harm. Closing her eyes she let it go, still keeping a tight grip on her other half's hands.
The iron collar shattered, falling to the ground in pieces. Slowly Cheri's breathe was becoming more stable and her heart began to beat stronger but she was still so weak. She felt a hand clasping hers tightly she forced her eyes to open to mere slits. She was shocked to see the only female assassin there, shedding tears before as quickly as the shock came so did the joy that someone cared. She squeezed her hand back as hard as she could.
Meanae quickly opened her eyes and saw deep brown depths looking back at her in a caring and friendly manner. She just smiled and the glow surrounding them grew so bright it began to spread over the room. The temple walls crumbled, the tapestries tore, and the torches went out but the two women were neither bothered or harmed by this action of events.
"Let our souls become one..." came the whispered plea from their lips and the glow grew so bright they were closed their eyes but never released the other's hand.
-
Bakura nearly jumped out of his skin as a bluish glow surrounded the woman in his arms. It lasted only for a few moments, and then she stirred, eyes blinking open slowly and focused on him.
"Bakura…" she smiled.
The thief looked deep into the eyes that held his. "Cheri…" he whispered. "It is you. Thank the gods." He pulled her into a tight hug.
Cheri wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled back slightly, kissing Bakura. He knew now that this was Cheri. They broke apart at the crashing sound at the bottom of the building, and ran to the edge.
Cliff, Don, Gorg, and Chick were covered in bruises and wounds, while the Black Scorpion was unscathed.
Bakura raised his thumb and forefinger to his lips and whistled loudly. That caught their attention, and their eyes widened at the sight of Cheri.
"Hey, dad," she said, "there's something I've been wanting to say to you ever since mom kicked you out for hitting me." She raised both middle fingers. "Fuck you, old man!"
The king's eyes widened before they narrowed dangerously. "You would betray your own father? You would betray your king? I gave you a home, a purpose in life and this is how you repay me!" he asked angrily.
"Oh that was only the beginning 'cuz I have a helluva lot more to repay you for!" Bringing her hand to her whip she jumped off the edge. Her sight focused solely on her father she let loose her weapon. It caught his arm, tearing the skin and causing dark red blood to fall. Landing with a dancer's grace she made sure to stand between her brothers and her father with Bakura at her side.
"That, is for hurting those I can about!" Snapping the whip as hard as she could the thorns ripped into the arm even deeper. "This is for manipulating our minds for your selfish needs!" Snapping the whip forward it shredded the skin on his chest, leaving bleeding gashes in it's wake. "This is for making me hurt my Sisters!" The whip connected with his face, causing him to yell in pain and back up as blood gushed from the deep gashes. Taking the chance she ran at him and threw all of her weight into the fist that connected sharply with the side of his face. That blow alone was enough to send him flying and actually crash into the crimson barrier. Cheri panted as her fist shook. "And that…is for all the hell you put my entire family through."
The king didn't get right away but when he did his eyes blared like the fires of hell. The warriors cried out in pain as the tattoos glowed brightly, claiming it felt like it was burning that Bakura found himself on his knees. He could feel the poison trying to overtake his mind that without another thought he reached up and brought the blade across the tattoo as deep as he could. It hurt but he had total control of his body and mind. He just wished the others had thought of it.
Cheri glared at him angrily, feeling the pain of the tattoo but the blood of Anubis was battling it out. "Nice try, father, but now that Meanae and I have merged souls this 'tattoo' of yours won't work on us," she said with confidence.
"I may not be able to control you… but the same cannot be said for your brothers," he said with a superior smirk.
Cheri turned around, eyes widening when she saw the other Scorpions standing there with blank stares.
Not good, Bakura thought and jumped to his feet. He grabbed Cheri's hand and the two started running
-
Malik took hold of Keriam's right hand with his left. "She has returned," they said. "The Daughter of Anubis has awakened."
"Cheri…" Seto whispered.
"Oh, my baby," Rose exhaled in relief; Arcaida put his arms around her.
"What about Bakura?" Ryou asked.
"The King of Thieves is with her." They looked at Tea. "Be mindful, Daughter of Osiris, though she is free from the Black Scorpion's hold, there is a part of her that he still has in his grasp. This small thread that connects them he can use to bring her back into the darkness, and your consort's vision will become real."
She just swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and Yugi took her hand in his own.
"Then we have to stop him before this happens," Yami said firmly.
"So how are we gonna do this? Do we go out there and attack or lure them into attacking us?" Duke asked.
Keriam and Malik began to glow. The light was so intense everyone shielded their eyes. When they opened their eyes, they were outside. Keriam and Malik stood silently at the bottom of the steps to the front door of Kaiba Mansion. Their clothes had changed. Malik was wearing some kind of white robe, while Keriam wore a black robe. Inscriptions and designs, the color of silver, were on both outfits.
The two looked at each other, and Keriam nodded. Raising her left hand into the air, she began to sing.
The monsters watched as the crimson barrier wavered then fell, leaving the property open for an attack but the monsters that had cleansed from the earlier attack formed the first line of defense. Monsters of each type stood there and as the enemy troops began advancing they charged as well. Both sides met in a fierce and powerful clash.
Mina watched the battle while everyone was still staring at Keriam's and Malik's new robes. "You remember those monsters that got purified a while back? They're fighting against the army."
"Seriously?" Tristen looked out and whistled low. "Wow they sure know how to fight."
"Then I think it's time we call every monster we have in our decks to help with this fight," Tea said as she pulled out her deck.
"Agreed." Seto also pulled out his deck.
Mokuba looked at his older brother, a sad smile crossing his face. He searched through his deck, finding Swords of Revealing Light and tossed it into the air. The luminous blades appeared and started to fall back towards the earth. Mokuba stepped in their path, and the blades went through his chest.
"MOKUBA!" everyone cried out in horror.
As the young boy fell back, he turned into a bright white light and flew into the air. It changed course and went to Seto, enveloping the CEO and hiding him from everyone's sight. When the light faded away, they looked at Seto in shock at the white armor he was now wearing-almost identical to the armor Cheri had done in her painting of her husband.
"Hot damn!" Tristen exclaimed.
"Seto, are you alright? Where's Mokuba?" Rose asked worriedly.
The young man blinked and looked at the armor. "Mokuba..." Part of him wanted to cry but the armor felt comforting. He lightly touched the head on his shoulder and blinked. "He became living armor, " he whispered.
Rose blinked and rested her hand on the breastplate. She almost cried. "Between you two and my baby girl I'm going to have nothing but white hairs soon," she cried but she was happy. She turned to the others. "Mokuba is alive. I don't know how but he can now be considered living armor."
"Say what!" Joey asked and moved before him, poking at the armor. "Huh. You know it does feel kinda like lizard skin. You sure this is gonna work?"
Seto growled and slapped his hand away. "You can play twenty questions later but Tea has the right idea. Everyone with a deck call out every monster regardless of level and attack powers. We're going to need all the help we can get."
"Right!" In a flash of light that could be mistaken for a super nova, a large section of the front lawn was filled by pure light. When it died down, all types of Duel Monsters stood ready. Those with wings took to the skies and dove down for a surprise attack, warriors charged right at the army of the dead and those with such powers burrowed deep underground, trapping soldiers in pits and pulling them into the ground. Everyone stayed back, watching from the front door but were not going to back down.
This was their fight and for some of them, they had more to lose than others.
-
"Damnit they're still following!" Bakura cursed as he and Cheri jumped over the fence. The other Scorpions were right behind them.
"Sorry guys! Steel Cage Nightmare!" Throwing the card out the massive metal trap surrounded them, halting their movements but before the two could celebrate the trap was destroyed. "Damn I was hoping it would buy us a little bit of time!"
"Least you tried," the thief gave her a small smile but it was lost as he fell, the ground shaking uncontrollable under his feet.
Damn that idiot and his mallet! Bakura groaned and managed to stand up despite the vibrations. He pushed Cheri away when she attempted to take his arm. "Get out of here!"
She looked at him. "But-"
"If they catch you, they'll bring you back to him. I'm not going to lose you again to that pathetic excuse for a self-proclaimed king!"
She looked up but tenderly trailed her fingers down his cheek. "Just come back to me," she whispered and dashed off.
He smiled and watched as Cliff and Gorg went after her but that left Chick and Don Zaloog. He grunted as he was lifted to his feet but before he could retaliate he that same mallet plowed into his stomach. All the breath left his lungs and he only stopped when he crash landed into the mansions' outer walls. But just before he could take a shaking breathe the leader of the assassins was crouched before him.
"I still wonder why our princess fell in love with you," he hissed to him and pulled out his short sword. "And the king said he wanted you back alive but it doesn't mean I can hurt you first." Smirking he lashed out, pinning the thief's head back and brought the sharpen tip of the blade down the side of his face deep enough to leave a scar permanently.
-
Ryou cried out in pain and grabbed his face as pain seared down his cheek. He fell heavily to his knees but Tea and Yugi caught him before he completely hit the ground. "Oh gods please, stop it!" he practically screamed.
"Ryou what's wrong? Is it Bakura?" Yugi asked, knowing that he couldn't have gotten hurt and that very strong emotions had a way of passing through even the strongest barriers of their soul rooms.
"They're cutting him…" the Book Keeper choked back a sob.
"Where is he?" Yami demanded.
Shakily moving his left hand away from his face, Ryou pointed to the west side of the mansion. "Just around the back."
"Duke! Mina!" Yami called as he started running to the back of the mansion.
The moment the Scorpions were in sight, Mina loosed her arrows. The four jumped back from Bakura and set themselves to attack. They froze suddenly, and then took off.
"What was that about?" Mina asked, knowing that it wasn't her arrows that scared them.
Yami frowned at their hasty departure, and then turned his attention to Duke, who helped Bakura sit up. "Are you alright?" Yami asked.
"Oh just peachy," the thief snorted and looked at the pharaoh, revealing the handiwork Don Zaloog had carved onto the right side of his face.
The guard screamed in pain and collapsed to the floor. Everyone in the throne room watched with alerted eyes as the intruder stepped over the prone form.
His anger surged throughout his body, seeing the belongings from his father's tomb in a sack that was slung over this infidel's back.
"How dare you disgrace the tomb of Pharaoh Akunumkanon!" Mahaado shouted.
"Did I?" the bandit laughed and bowed mockingly. "My humblest apologies. I wished to have an audience with the pharaoh and this seemed to be the only to get it." He threw the sack towards the gaggle of priests; the smirk grew wider as the treasure he looted scattered from the bag across the floor. "You can have those back."
"The gods will feed your ba to Ammit!" said Akunadin, even though deep inside he was laughing at the cruel fate of his brother's tomb.
The thief crossed his arms. "If the gods cared, they would have stopped me long before I reached the Valley."
"Blasphemer!" Karim shouted.
"What is your name?" the pharaoh asked calmly, despite that he was gripping the armrests so tight that his hands began to hurt.
"I am Doboro, the King of Thieves." He reached up and pulled off his hood, revealing pale hair and eyes that were a strange shade of purple. "Care to see whose ka is stronger, Pharaoh Atemu?"
Yami gasped and stepped back.
"Hey Yami, you alright?" Mina asked, lowering her bow at her side.
Bakura continued to look at him, ignoring the pain and blood as he saw the sudden change in his eyes. "Some memories were best forgotten, right pharaoh?" he asked softly.
Duke didn't say anything but helped him up, trying very hard not to puke. "C'mon Rose should be able to heal you or at least stop the bleeding," he told him and helped him back to the front. Mina made to follow but Yami was still frozen where he stood. She slowly went to him and slowly waved her hand over his face.
"Yami? You okay?" she asked.
He blinked, squeezing his eyes shut and looked at her. He slowly nodded. "Yes. But I would like for you to help me look around the property before we go back to the others. There's no telling where the Scorpions are hiding," he said quickly.
-
Cheri ran along the east side property of the Kaiba estate.
My estate, she growled. This is my home!
She made sure her breathing was level as she listened to every sound around her. With Meanae's experience as an assassin she knew what to expect from the others but sometimes it still came as a surprise. Like right now; she quickly skidded to a stop, snapping her whip. It caused the dagger to go flying back but Cliff caught it easily.
"Damnit I seriously don't want to hurt you two!" she told them but they weren't giving her much of a choice. Gorg charged and she jumped into the air, landing behind him she snapped the whip back and summoning all of her strength, managed to actually flick the giant mace out of his hands and far from reach.
Gorg yelled and turned, lifting both his fists up but he only struck earth. Cliff ran swiftly. Leaping over the larger warrior he let loose his two daggers. Of course they were blocked but reaching behind him he pulled out several more and let them all loose. Cheri's eyes widen and she tried blocking them but some managed to get past her whip and nicked the outside of her upper arms and legs. She landed then fell to her knees.
D-Damnit... he knows how the human body works so... he wasn't trying to hurt me but immobilize me, she thought to her bitterly but a small chuckle escaped her throat. Good thing I'm not on the track team or I'd be in trouble.
All she could do was watch Cliff and Gorg advance on her.
A beam of energy shot past her and sliced the ground between Cheri and the two Scorpions. A load roar above made Cheri look skywards to see Cursed Dragon diving towards Cliff and Gorg.
"Cheri!"
Turning around, Cheri cried out happily as she saw Yami, Kenji, and Mina race towards her. "Yami! Mina!" she tried to get up but the pain in her legs prevented her.
"Cheri!" Yami smiled. "Thanks the gods you're back."
"What he said," Mina hugged her then got a good look. "Good lord!"
"Don't ask how," said Cheri, "just get me out of here!"
Kenji immediately swept the Daughter of Anubis into his arms, and the three ran off, leaving Cursed Dragon to handle Cliff and Gorg.
Authors' Notes
Welcome to Heikou and Janime's Egyptology Lesson!
Today's words are "ba" and "ka".
Ba - the non-physically qualities that make up the personality of a human being; the spirit
Ka - a person's life energy
Janime: Some of you may recognize these terms in fan fics and reading spoilers.
Heikou: Who says cartoons aren't educational?
Janime: Depends on what kinda you watch.
Heikou: I love all cartoons! Especially Adult Swim or anything with drool worthy cute guys with that bad boy attitude
Janime: You have a one tracked mind.
Heikou: least I don't fall in love with every blonde guy I see on TV.
Janime:p
Heikou:p
Janime: Anyway, to give credit where it's do, go to w-w-w DOT philae DOT nu SLASH akhet SLASH KaBa DOT html
Heikou: Nice way to get around the deletion.
Janime: Thanks. It's a very interesting page. The theory is that the soul has five parts.
Heikou: Five!
Janime: Yup. Ba (personality), ka (life energy), ahk (connects the ba and ka), ren (name), shwt (shadow).
Heikou: Shadow, huh? I wonder if Kazuki Takahashi found this page…
Janime: You never know. And now back to the fic.
Heikou: Yes, little Mokuba has sacrificed himself to help his big brother. (sniffs)
Janime: And Cheri's back! Yay!
Heikou: You know part of me did want to kill you but how would this story get finished?
Janime: Hey what better way to help protect his brother?
Heikou: Yeah Yeah... And Just because Cheri is back doesn't necessarily mean she's out in the clear just yet.
Janime: Even with Lord Zork the Dorky Spork gone we still have the Scorpion King to worry about.
Heikou: We couldn't describe a duel but they get so boring when reading.
Janime: That's all for today folks! Happy Valentine's Day!
Heikou: Lots of love to everyone!
