"Arise from Darkness"
By Heikou and Janime
Chapter Thirty-Five
Redemption Sound
The trip was a bit confusing at the trio seemed to fall through a swirling vortex of color but as soon as they touched solid ground Cheri was on her feet. Pulling her arm out of the weaken grip she stared at him hatefully. "What's the big idea?" she asked angrily.
Manuel got up but his tail was useless. Ammit growled as he held the poisonous stinger in his mouth, ready to attack if he needed to. The king growled and turned to his child. "You are still of my blood," he hissed angrily. "You killed that woman and her family. You killed your own sister. You betrayed your husband. You deserve to burn in hell. Like father like daughter."
"Shut up! You made me kill them! You locked me away, you manipulated Meanae!"
"Who are you trying to convince?"
"…"
"Just as I thought. Since Anubis is your father he may not be able to kill his own daughter but you claim to no longer be of my blood so allow me to do the honors!" He charged at her, bringing his claw up to kill her. Performance of Swords held up her own arms, the braces flashing but they never got the chance.
Chains erupted from the ground and wrapped themselves around the former assassin turned king. When he tried struggling they tightened around his body until he couldn't move and barely breathe. Weak he fell to the ground, gasping for air.
"Who…" came the question but the answer appeared before her. It had been over a year since she last saw the gods but they were just as she remembered them in all their glory. The images of them at Ishizu's museum in Egypt were a pale comparison to seeing them with her own two eyes. Osirirs sat upon a throne made of black stone as the ruler of the underworld with his wife Isis at his right side. Anubis stood at his left, standing before the Scales of Judgment and Ra stood behind the Scorpion king, a look of hated on his face that mirrored the others.
"Once more you have betrayed us but this time you tried to murder our daughters," Ra said bitterly.
"When you were first trialed you were sentenced to spend eternity in your prison," Osiris said. "But you managed to escape."
"I had hoped you would change but the fates were not with us," Anubis growled. "We have watched you and this time, there will be no trial but you will not escape your fate. Ammit!"
The creature snarled and his body began to grow larger until it was the size of a large hippo. Snarling it stormed to the king and breaking through the chains, dug all of his fangs into his flesh.
"Noo! I was a king! You can't do this to me!" he protested but nothing could stop of him as the creature dragged him into the shadows to be devoured. They didn't need to see it but they heard as his fangs tore at the flesh, screams of pain echoing around the hall, the sound of bones snapping then silence. Ammit came out from the shadows, his form growing smaller and he sat next to Anubis, licking the blood from his snout.
Does that fate await me? Cheri asked herself.
Isis looked at her, sensing something wrong. "My daughter, what troubles you?" she asked in concern.
"I… I'm not sure if I deserve the same fate as he did…" she said softly. "I may no longer be a Scorpion but I'm still his daughter… I took innocent lives…"
"It was not your fault, my child."
"I'm sorry but I can't accept that." Shaking her head she stood before her father, the jackal-headed god and bowed as deeply as she could. "Father, I beseech you, I wish to weigh my heart on the scales."
Anubis blinked at her request but he understood his Daughter's reasons. "As you wish."
-
"Cheri!" Tea cried as her Sister fell into the depths.
Seto immediately ran for the crack and jumped down into the vortex. The multitude of colors swirled around him, and he briefly wondered if this had been the smart thing to do.
She's my wife, damn it! Why am I thinking like that!
The ground came rather fast, and Seto stumbled a little when he landed.
"Father, I beseech you, I wish to weight my heart on the Scales."
Seto's head snapped up at his wife's voice and what she had said.
"As you wish," Anubis said after a slight pause.
"Cheri!"
She turned around, shocked to see her husband standing there with a terrified and unbelieving look on his face.
"Seto, why are you here?" she asked.
"I followed you. What are you thinking?" he asked in disbelief.
She looked away from him. "I have to know... I need to know what lies inside."
"No I won't let you do this! I will not lose you!" he said almost angrily as he went to her, grabbing her by the arms. "You mean the world to me! You and Mokuba and even Nan are my family left and I couldn't bear it if I lost any of you."
"I love you so much but I need to do this. Twice my father was the Scorpion King and his blood flows in my veins. If you love me you will let me do this."
"And if you fail? If the scales judge you guilty?"
"... I rather find out then live my life in fear of what I may do."
Seto looked at her, seeing in her eyes that she wanted to know if she was a danger and to see who she really was. He closed his eyes briefly and released her.
Cheri turned and faced the gods. "I'm ready."
The Scales of Judgment appeared in the center of the room. Anubis walked down from his place beside Osiris. A Feather of Ma'at materialized in his hand, and the god placed it on one of the Scale's plates, causing it to sink to the floor.
"Your heart now," said Anubis.
Cheri closed her eyes then opened, fixating her sight on the empty plate. For a moment nothing happened, and suddenly the empty plate crashed to the floor.
The blood drained from Seto's face. Her heart is heavier than the feather…
Ammit walked up to Cheri.
"No!" Seto yelled, reaching for his wife.
So this is it, Cheri thought and closed her eyes. She could feel the heat from Ammit's breath; surprisingly there was no stench.
Ammit's jaws slammed shut.
Cheri dared to crack one eye open. Then both blinked at the sight of Ammit holding a flailing black scorpion in his jaws. She looked down at herself, seeing no harm to herself except for the marks she received from earlier. Cheri watched as Ammit devoured the scorpion, the plates on the Scales of Judgment became balanced.
"What was found guilty," Anubis explained, "was the part of you that bound you to the Black Scorpion. Without it, your heart is true and just."
"That was it?" She was greatly relieved but couldn't help but think about what she may have done. "What about Ishizu, Rashid and Layla? I took their lives."
"It wasn't your fault, that thing made you do it," Seto said as he stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. "You heard what he said; your heart is true and just."
"I just find it hard to believe..." but she held onto his arms tightly.
"Scales tip, my Daughter," Isis spoke, "but they can also be balance again."
"And now it is time for you and your Sisters to return balance to your world," said Ra.
Cheri nodded then looked up at her husband. "Care to sweep me off my feet?"
"About time you asked," Set grinned.
"Before you leave, my children," a female voice spoke with a slight purr. From the other side of the room, another goddess with the head of a cat entered.
"Bastet," Cheri whispered.
The feline goddess walked over to the couple. She placed her hands on Cheri's hips briefly and smiled. "In two years, my dear."
"Two years... thank you so much," she said, smiling brightly.
"Thank the thief," she purred.
"Let's go back and makes things right," Seto said and lifted his wife in his arms.
A vortex opened behind them and just like before they were pulled through but this time they were heading back to the world of the living and to their loved ones. The colors swirled around them, resembling a twisted sort of rainbow. The couple held onto one another tightly but before they could get worried they saw the end of the vortex. Seto landed on the front yard but continued to hold his wife tightly in his arms. They watched as the vortex closed completely. They were home.
"You made it!" Ryou said happily.
Seto placed Cheri on her feet. "The Black Scorpion is gone," he said.
"And whatever tied me to him is gone too," Cheri smiled.
Now all that's left is to restore the world.-
Yugi turned to his left. "Yami!"
The pharaoh stood beside his lighter half; skin a deep bronze and wearing his attire when he ruled over Egypt so long ago but he was translucent.
"Atemu," said Keriam.
He looked at her and Malik then to Tea and Cheri. "It is time."
She nodded. Holding out her hand, the Millennium Key appeared and she gave it to Joey.
Tea removed the Eye from her scepter. "Thomas," she called and gave the relic to him.
Cheri looked at Shadi, smiling as he produced the Scales. "Ryou," she said, looking at the Book Keeper, "give the Millennium Ring to Bakura."
He looked at her quizzically but did as she said.
"What are you doing?" Seto asked.
Cheri said nothing as she and Tea walked over to Keriam and Malik.
"Ready?" Keriam asked Malik. He nodded then floated away from her. Placing her hands over her heart, the Daughter of Ra began to glow. As she moved her hands away from her chest, a sphere of light left her body.
"What the…" Tristen looked on.
The half of Ra's Heart that holds his joy,- said Yami. -The greatest gift he ever gave to his Daughter.-
"How do you know?" Thomas asked.
I went through what Malik is about to.-
Keriam held out the sphere to Malik, which he took and it entered his body. Then he was enveloped into a large sphere of purple and white mixed together.
"Malik…" Marik whispered.
The Heart of Ra floated into the sky.
"Let's go," said Keriam.
Tea and Cheri nodded, and then Sisters of the Moon flew up and surrounded the sphere, each glowing their respective colors.
"God of the Dead and Guardian of the Scales, come to my aid. Grant me the power to summon the god of light and darkness; I summon thee now, Obelisk the Tormentor!"
"Lord of the Underworld and Ruler of Egypt, come to my aid. Grant me the power to summon the god of good and evil; I summon thee now, Slypher the Sky Dragon!"
"Father of Creation and Child of the Sun, come to my aid. Grant me the power to summon the god of earth and sky; I summon thee now, the Winged Dragon of Ra!"
In a mixture of light and darkness, the three Egyptian Gods appeared behind their caller.
As Joey watched, a feeling of dread filled his stomach
Their powers were so immense, Kasuyan thought that he was going to blown all the way back to Crete. Soon the light faded, and he looked up. The child that held the Heart of the Shadow Realm, the darker half of Ra's Heart as Theliane confided in him, was gone. The Sisters of the Moon continued to float in the air with their deities behind them.
Suddenly, the three great creatures cried out in anguish and disappeared.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Kasuyan screamed as his wife and her Sisters began to fall to the sands.
"No…" Joey whispered as a tear escaped his eye. "Not again…"
Duke looked at the blonde. "Joey?"
"This is how they died when they protected Egypt!"
"What!" Seto shouted.
"We gotta stop them!" Thomas shouted.
They need to restore balance to the world,- the pharaoh said as he watched them.
"How can we keep from losing them!" Yugi yelled at him,
"We pray," Bakura said. "We pray for them to succeed and stay with us."
-
I don't know if I could do this,- Tea said worriedly.
Yes you can, Sister. We did it once and we can do it again,- Keriam said calmly.
Least we know what's its like to die,- Cheri tried to lighten up.
Not funny,- the red-head frowned.
I don't know about you but I want to die as an old woman,- the blue-eyed brunette said.
I want to live up to Bastet's promise,- the other brunette said with a small smile.
Bringing their hands together they began to pray. Their powers glowed brighter, engulfing their entire bodies. Focusing their powers began to pool together in a swirl of gold, red, and blue.
"Is there nothing we can do?" Chick asked.
Bakura said nothing as he watched the three colors swirl around. He gripped the Millennium Ring, anger running through him at the thought of Cheri dying again.
"Shadi?" Marik looked at the Tomb Keeper.
He only shook his head. "I do not know."
Rose turned her head away, and Arcaida held her.
"There's gotta be something you guys can do!" Mina yelled at them.
"Wait!" Serenity became hopeful. "Didn't you save their lives like this last year?"
"That's right!" Joey exclaimed.
"And three Guardians each this time," said Ryou. "Instead of two-thirds energy, they'll have full life energy. It should work."
"Bakura already gave some of his life energy to Meanae," said Gorg.
"The five of us did," Don confirmed.
"So I'm a little short," Bakura snapped, slipping the cord of the Ring over his head. "These held back the Shadow Realm, I say it's time to put them to good use again."
"You actually have a good idea for a change," said Seto, the Millennium Rod appeared in his right hand.
Tristen looked at Duke and Ryou. "Guess this means we have some reading to do."
"Just as long as it doesn't go back where it came from," Duke held out the Book of Amun-Ra.
The seven Item Keepers stood in a circle underneath the bright swirling light. The three Book Keepers stood just outside the circle. All of them held up their sacred objects and they began to glow.
Please, Rose prayed, gripping Arcaida's arm as they watched.
The light grew brighter, enveloping everyone, and then a silent explosion of light speared across the ground, and around the world. When it faded, Domino City was back to normal save for one thing; the people who had been victims of the merge had returned but everyone was frozen.
Mina scratched her head. "Why are they-"
"Keriam!" Joey's shout interrupted.
The Sisters of the Moon and Malik were lying on the ground unconscious, wearing their normal clothes. Joey, Yugi, and Seto-not noticing that he didn't have the dragon armor anymore-raced over to their loves, as Marik ran to his brother.
"Tea…" Yugi whispered, gently brushing away the hair from her face.
Slowly her eyes opened. "Yugi."
"Seto," Cheri smiled.
"You have got to stop doing this to me," he returned with a grin.
"To you? What about me?"
Both turned to the speaker. "Mokuba!" Cheri pulled her brother-in-law into her arms, giving him a fierce hug. "Is Kisara…"
He lowered his eyes. "She's gone." Then he touched his hair. "Hey, it's my original color."
Keriam and Joey didn't bother with words, deciding that action was better and were kissing rather passionately.
"Okay you two," said Duke, even though he was holding Mina rather close. However seeing the two make out was not helping.
"Sorry," Joey said when they finally stopped for air.
"No, you're not," said Keriam.
"I am but for something else," he smiled, "which I intend to take care of later."
"Honestly…"
"Ishizu! Rashid!" Keriam cried happily.
Everyone looked at them. Ishizu was completely healed without a trace of blood; she smiled at her husband still holding Layla protectively in his arms.
"You're okay!" said Tea.
"I'm glad you're alright," Yugi smiled. "Right, Marik, Malik?" He looked over to where the Egyptian boys were, and shock overtook him.
Marik knelt on the grass, holding Malik in his arms. They younger no longer had the strange marking on him but he didn't move, and the older had tears silently flowing over his cheeks.
"Malik…" Ishizu shook her head.
"What the…" Thomas blurted as a figure in a strange robe appeared before the mourning boy.
Marik opened his eyes and looked up. It was the same robe she had worn when he had first seen her in his dream. However, it was not tattered and much cleaner.
"Daughter of Isis," he said quietly. "Did you know this would happen despite my decision?"
She didn't say a word, only held out her hands, palms upward. Malik's body vanished leaving only a small glowing orb, which floated into the hands of the Daughter of Isis.
"No!" Marik cried.
"His time is over," the Daughter of Isis finally spoke.
That voice… Rashid thought. He glanced at Ishizu, seeing her frown as she tried to place the woman's voice.
"You can't take him away from me!" Marik yelled at her. "He's my brother!"
"Remember the question I asked you? Remember what I had told you." She held out the orb. "Now it is time."
Marik took his brother's soul into his hands. He looked at it for a while, and then pushed the orb into his chest. Marik stepped out from his body and Malik fell to his knees.
Malik's eyes opened slowly, and then he looked at his hands. They were no longer a child's hands but the hands of a young man. Malik blinked. How did…
Malik.-
He turned his head, looking at his translucent brother. "Why…?"
A choice I would make a hundred times over,- he said simply but smiled. -Hey don't worry, it was fun while it lasted but this was your body to begin with. You deserve it more than I ever could.-
"But... I don't want to lose you!" Malik cried, reaching out to hold him but his hand passed right through.
Marik slowly knelt to his level, their eyes meeting. -You'll never lose me. We will always be brothers no matter what. And I want you to tell Layla all about me.-
He nodded his head but the tears continued to fall.
Standing he walked over to the rest of his family and smiled at his niece. -Wish I could be here to see you grow up but I know you'll be just as beautiful as your mother,- he said softly.
"Marik..." Rashid tried to say something but words failed him. The spirit looked up at him.
Take care of them.-
The older man just nodded, his arms tightening around his daughter and wife in a protective embrace.
Joey helped Keriam to her feet and knew it was selfish to feel joy about his rival being gone but in the process he also lost a good friend. "Wish there was another way," he said.
You and me both but you better take good care of her or I'll come back to haunt you,- he threaten.
Joey grinned. "You know me, I'll treat her like gold."
Keriam reached out to Marik's hand, smiling when she actually held it.
"Oh, go ahead." Joey told them.
Marik leaned forward and kissed Keriam. He stepped back from her. -Next time,- he whispered.
Bakura walked over to Ryou and held out the Millennium Ring. Ryou took hold of it but the thief also kept his grip. Ryou looked at him. "Bakura?"
He didn't say a word, only pulled Ryou into a hug before a flash of light surrounded them, and then Bakura was like Yami and Marik. He was now wearing the last outfit he had worn before his imprisonment inside the Ring, his skin was bronzed and there were three scars around his right eye in the same pattern Cheri had described last year.
Congratulations, Arcaida,- Bakura looked at the Dark Magician, -you are now mortal.-
Everyone stared at Bakura.
What?- Bakura snapped. -You didn't think it was possible?-
"No, you really did something nice," said Tristen.
Why you… ah, forget it.- Bakura turned back to Ryou.
"So… you're really going," he said, trying to hold back tears.
I'll check up on you, I promise,- said Bakura. -And I'll also keep an eye on Amane for you as well.-
Ryou nodded as the tears finally escaped.
Bakura walked over to the Kaiba family. -So.-
"So," Seto echoed.
Looks like fate chose you.-
"In more ways than one."
"So you're actually leaving?" Mokuba asked. "It was-fun having you alright."
Bakura gave him a smirk. -You're not so bad for a Kaiba. Maybe your attitude will rub off on him.-
Seto looked miffed but just held onto his wife tighter. When the thief looked up he felt Cheri take a step away. He knew she cared about him and nothing he could do to change that but she was his wife.
Cheri smiled and slowly reached up, hesitantly running her fingers along his cheek. "You know these scars make you look more, rugged," she complimented.
He took her hand and pulled her into his arms, embracing her tightly. -No matter what, I will find someway to win your heart fully,- he whispered to her. Reluctantly he released her and stepped next to the pharaoh's spirit. -Just like old times.-
Except this time we aren't at each other's throat for revenge,- Atemu commented.
Bakura snorted. -True.-
Atemu walked over to Cheri. He paused for a moment, using his fading mind-link with Yugi to ask a quick question. Yugi looked surprised then smiled and nodded.
The pharaoh gently caught Cheri's chin with his thumb and forefinger, and gave the Daughter of Anubis a long full kiss. He moved back, and then gave Tea the same kiss, and finally Keriam.
"Your way of saying goodbye?" Duke asked.
Partially,- he answered. -It's also a 'thank you'.-
"A 'thank you'?" Seto raised an eyebrow.
"There was a child who held the Heart of the Shadow Realm," Keriam explained. "He was only a baby when one of my mother's Guardians found him, and he was raised with us like a little brother."
"I remember," Joey said. "You took him with you in that battle. Yami," he looked at the spirit, "you were that child that held the Heart of the Shadow Realm."
Atemu nodded.
"And we gave him a piece of our souls," Cheri said, "so that when he did become pharaoh in two hundred years after our deaths, he'd have control of Obelisk, Slypher, and the Winged Dragon."
And now peace has returned,- said the Daughter of Isis. -Come, it is time to rest.-
"Wait!" Ishizu cried. "Mother!"
"Mother!" everyone echoed.
"It is you, Masika," said Rashid.
The Daughter of Isis raised her hands up and pushed back the hood, revealing a beautiful face of a middle-aged Egyptian woman, sharing the same eyes as Ishizu and her facial features were divided on to her children.
"Mother…" Malik whispered.
She looked at her twin sons. -If anything, I hope you can forgive me for being deceitful of hiding the truth. I wanted to tell both of you but I could only talk to one, and I only told what I could.-
"Father… he did kill me?"
Yes,- Masika nodded. -My heart broke, so I made it possible for you two to share your lives together as you were meant to. Necrophedious tried to take over your body, Malik, but with your soul together with Marik's, he could not.-
Didn't stop him when we were ten,- said Marik.
"Masika," Tea stepped forward, "Necrophedious was created when the Millennium Items were forged. The ninety-nine lives…"
Akunadin read the Book of Shadows incorrectly,- Masika started. -Yes, there was to be ninety-nine live sacrificed, but they were to be of willing souls. And there were more than enough people who would have gladly given their lives to protect Egypt.-
So what happened to my village,- Bakura gritted, -was because of that moron.-
Wherever he is I'm sure he's suffering for his past sins and mistakes,- Atemu added.
Too bad we can't add to it along with several others who deserve to rot in hell,- Marik growled softly.
Masika smiled as the three boys and held open her arms. -It is time to rest.-
Everyone could tell they didn't want to go but she was right. Their missions were completed and now their spirits could seek the rest they so richly deserved. The woman enveloped them within her cloak and before the others' eyes, faded from view. As they faded from view they felt an empty hole in their hearts.
Ishizu went to her brother and drew him into her arms, holding him tightly as he struggled not to cry. Keriam also wrapped her arms around him, adding to the comfort. Tea held Yugi's hand tightly and Thomas patted the shorter duelist on the shoulder in what he hoped was comfort. Cheri stepped up to Ryou and hugged him tightly as he closed his eyes to keep the tears back. Seto and Mokuba stepped up to the young man an added their own comfort.
The Books of the gods glowed and for a moment, the keepers were scared as they turned into orbs but unlike the painful separation slowly seeped into their bodies. They won and the world was safe but it still hurt to lose those that meant so much to you.
-
"Do you, Seto, take this woman to be your wedded wife?"
"I do."
"Do you, Cheri, take this man to be your wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Then by the power vested in me by the state of Domino City, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
"Notice which line he left out," Joey whispered.
"After what happened last time, can you blame him?" Ryou asked.
"I'd like to see anyone get through the security," Yugi added as he gestured to the new bodyguards.
The Dark Scorpion clan was allowed to become human and so to repent for their past sins became the newest bodyguards for the Kaiba family. It worked well as for Mokuba got a new friend in the form of Chick. The two were hitting it off great and learning from the other. They all took great pride in their new mission in life.
The couple smiled and facing one another kissed each other deeply. The invited guests cheered and their friends were clapping but in the back were three guests that only a selected few could see.
Atemu laughed as the sour look on the thief's face. -Quit making that face or it'll stay that way,- he teased.
Shut up, pharaoh!- he snapped angrily.
You're the one that wanted to come here in the first place,- Marik reminded.
And you two came 'cuz you wanted to see how the others are doing.-
Guilty.-
Atemu sighed and looked down at the wedding. They had a pretty good view from the rooftop above the mansion's back door.
Seto and Cheri walked down the isle towards their home. Cheri looked up, eyes widening at the trio perched on the roof. Marik waved. Atemu nodded his head. Bakura blew Cheri a kiss. Then they faded away.
-
"I'm a little confused," Keriam confessed as she and Yugi sat in two chairs on one side of a small table, while a dark-haired lawyer wearing glasses sat across from them.
"I guess it's pretty important if he had to come to the reception," said Yugi.
"It is," the lawyer confirmed.
"Okay then, will you please tell us why you're here, Mr. Satome," Keriam said, getting a little frustrated that she and Joey would be sitting out the little dance competition that was insinuated by Duke.
"I am the legal representative of the late Maximillian Pegasus," Mr. Satome began as he opened his briefcase.
Yugi and Keriam stared at him. "Did you say 'the late Maximillian Pegasus?" asked Yugi.
"Yes."
"'Late' as in dead, deceased 'late'?" Keriam asked.
"I'm afraid so," said Mr. Satome.
"When did he pass away?" Yugi asked. He couldn't believe that Pegasus was gone.
"The day before yesterday. Doctors say he died in his sleep," he said simply as he pulled out some papers.
"I'm sorry to hear that." I hope he's happy with Cecilia, Keriam thought to herself. "But why are you here?"
"Mr. Pegasus has left both of you his company. If you sign these papers then Industry Illusions will belong to you two." Setting two pens down, he pushed the papers towards them.
Both had very shocked looks on their faces. They waited a moment to see if maybe this was a dream but it seemed very real. "Why? Why is he leaving his company to us? We don't have the kind of experience to run a company," Keriam protested.
"I know a little about business but Kame Game Shop isn't that big," said Yugi.
"Now, now, don't sell yourselves short," Mr. Satome said; then his voice changed. "You of all people aren't one to lose faith, Yugi-boy."
That caught their ears, and they looked at the lawyer. "Nice dye-job, Pegasus," Keriam said. "What the heck are you trying to do?"
"Why did you say you were dead?" Yugi asked.
"Officially, I am dead," Pegasus smiled as he removed the glasses, and they could see that his left eye was a prosthetic. "I've been planning this since our meeting, my dear Keriam."
"And you're leaving us your company?" she asked.
"This is so that neither Kaiba nor Devlin can get their hands on it."
"Well, that does make sense."
"I also have complete and absolute faith that the two of you will make my company great like it once was."
"That's a lot you're putting on our shoulders but we'll do our best," Keriam smiled. Picking up the pen she signed her name.
Yugi did the same after a moment of thought and sighed. This would certainly be interesting. "So what will you do now?" he asked.
"Return to my true passion. Before Cecilia died I wasn't into corporate take-overs and running in the business rat race," he said almost wistfully. "I'll be fine so you two won't have to worry about me."
"Are you leaving Japan?" Keriam asked.
Pegasus nodded. "I have enough money to help me with that. For now, I'll just tour Europe and the Americas, and who knows from there. I'll let fate lead me." He gathered up the papers. "I'll drop these by my attorney's office. His name is Henry Clemens and don't worry, he's in on this. He has also dealt with both Kaiba and Devlin in prior disputes while I was comatose."
"Well, what do you know," Keriam smirked at Yugi, "we can finally tell Seto and Duke to go talk to our attorney."
Yugi chuckled. "I can't wait to see their faces when we tell them about this."
"Just make sure I'm off the property before you tell them." Placing the papers in his briefcase he stood. He waited until they stood and shook their hands. "Before I go I want to thank you both for everything."
"Well to be honest none of this would've happened if you didn't go to Egypt in the first place," Yugi said.
"Cecilia would be happy," Keriam said.
Pegasus smiled, putting on his glasses and took up his briefcase. "Take care" was all he said as he left to start a new life.
"Alright then," Yugi smiled, "let's go share the news."
"Indeed," Keriam grinned.
When they returned to the dining hall/ballroom, their friends and families began peppering them with questions.
"Pegasus passed away a couple days ago in his sleep," Yugi announced.
"Whoa…" Tristen finally said as the others stared at him.
Tea sighed. "So what's gonna happen to-"
"What do you mean that Industry Illusions already has an owner!" Seto barked into his cell phone.
"That was fast," said Ryou.
"It was stated in his will!" Duke almost yelled into his phone.
"Now I'm impressed," Malik said.
Mina glared at Duke. "You said that you weren't going to bring that!"
The dice master gave her a sheepish grin before turning his attention back to the phone.
"I don't care who it is find out!" Seto yelled into his phone.
Cheri rolled her eyes. "Just once I would to see him fail at getting something," she sighed.
"Your wish just came true," Keriam smirked.
"What do you mean?" Joey asked.
"The lawyer we talked to said that Pegasus left the company to both of us," Yugi smiled proudly.
"You two now own Industry Illusions!" Tea said with wide eyes. Seto and Duke both stopped yelling to their employees and stared at them with shocked looks at their faces.
"And you two better not even think of trying to buy us out," Keriam pointed with her left hand.
"Keriam, is that an engagement ring?" Serenity asked.
"Why so it is," she said, looking at her hand and then to Joey. "Aren't you glad that you proposed Sunday?"
"Company or no company," the blonde smiled, "I'd want you to marry me regardless."
"Congratulations!" all the girls hugged Keriam, as they guys shook Joey's hands. Seto merely nodded.
"Time to throw the bouquet!" Mokuba announced over the speakers, having developed quite an obsession with karaoke. "Ladies, take your places!"
"Seto," Mina turned to the groom, "whichever girl catches the bouquet and if she has a boyfriend here, make sure that you throw him the garter."
"Of course," he nodded.
Cheri and Seto stood on the steps of the stairway as everyone gathered around the base. Cheri smiled as she held her bouquet and turning her back to them, threw the flowers over her shoulder and into the crowd. All the ladies tried to catch it, some actually falling and taking others with them. The guys laughed but when they calmed they found out who caught the bouquet.
"Rose is the lucky lady!" Mokuba said over the speakers and everyone clapped.
The nurse smiled and blushed lightly. Looking at Arcaida he smiled and held her close. "I guess I get to catch the garter now," he said.
"I certainly hope so," she whispered, looking somewhat frightened at the small group of older men who gathered. A good majority of them were business associates of Seto Kaiba, and there was no doubt in Rose's mind that they would not just try to cop a feel off her but also try to use her to get to her son-in-law.
Arcaida walked over to the group just as Cheri placed removed her shoe and her foot on the chair. She lifted the hem of her dress to just above the garter. Whistles and cheers flew about as Seto idly walked his fingers on her thigh to the lacy item, and then slowly pulled it off. He spun it around his index finger a few times and turned around, tossing the garter over his shoulder.
Several shouts and the sound of bodies hitting the hardwood floor were heard.
"Where is it!"
"I'll break your fingers if you have it!"
"Alright, Arcaida!" Mokuba said.
Everyone looked at the former Dark Magician as he held up the prize. Glares from the other men followed as he walked over to Rose sitting in the chair. He knelt down and with a large grin, slipped the garter up her leg.
"Before you get up," Arcaida stopped her, "I have a question to ask since I'm kneeling. Rose, will you marry me?"
She was silent, thinking this was a dream but smiling she nodded to him. "Yes, yes I'll marry you," she answered.
The mage smiled and helped her to stand kissed him in front of everyone. Cheers erupted around them but they didn't pay them any heed. When they pulled back Cheri had her shoe back on and was congratulating them. Seto wasn't far behind as he gave his own congratulations to them but taking his arm he led them a bit away.
"Rose is a wonderful woman and I love her like a mother. She has been through a lot and I want her to be happy," he began to say.
"So what are you getting at?" the mage asked.
"Hurt her in anyway and I'll make you wish you had stayed with that crazy fool in Battle City."
"I'm not afraid of your threats and I love Rose deeply. Just make sure you keep Cheri happy." The two had a mild stare-down as they made their way back to their lady loves.
"Oh mom this is great! Oh we have to invite everyone at the hospital!" Cheri said excitedly.
"We'll see but I just want family and friends to be there," she smiled. "You know I'm not much for the media."
"Ah, we'll handle them," Keriam said. "Yugi and I are going to need the practice."
"So, Kaiba," Joey looked at the CEO, "how does it feel having a Duel Monster as your father-in-law?"
"After all that we've been through," Seto smirked, "it doesn't even faze me."
"What about if you have little mages running around?" the blonde teased then yelped when his fiancée lightly hit him.
"You promised you'd be good," she scolded.
"I am!" he protested but hugged her.
"You two were made for each other," Thomas smiled as he looked at his own girlfriend, Maude. After the incident the girls gave the Witch of the Dark Forest her own body and the first thing she did was confess her feeling to the red-haired duelist. They've been together ever since. As they talked and enjoyed themselves three spirits watched it all, wishing nothing but the best for their family and friends. It was hard to leave them but they had made their choice. Besides, who knew what the future help for them?
Authors' Notes:
Heikou: Oh I love weddings!
Janime: Even as spirits they can still enjoy the wedding.
Heikou: I still can't believe they're gone! I miss Bakura already.
Janime: And I miss Marik.
Heikou: That's what the epilogue is for!
Janime: Indeed! Man I can't wait to see the reviews!
Heikou: Me too!
Janime: Onward to epilogue! (runs off tossing flower petals and singing) Love is in the air!
Heikou: How much sugar did you have?
P.S. Okay for some reason when I load the original document it cuts off the bracket when we have a mental dialogue. So I'm sorry but I tired fixing it four times and it failed all the times. FF is the one at fault here, not me.I hope you all understand what we typed. Just one more chapterto go!
