Judge, Verdict, Check Mate:

            Yami sauntered down the halls, still horrified at what he just realized. His whole body shook, his legs trembled, knees weak, ready to collapse. Had it not been for the walls, he would have been lying there.

            "Ra help me." He muttered. "What have I done? I…I…" he fell to his knees.

            "It isn't your fault Yami." Shadi approached him from behind, his shadow overtaking him. "Who knew she could go that far."

            "But…but why Serenity?" Yami's fist clenched. "What…how…"

            "All I can say is Serenity is a lot of things whether it be pure innocence or potential darkness."

            "You mean she…"

            Shadi nodded. "Yes, let's just say Serenity is responsible for a lot of things. Such as the drowning of Anzu…"

            Yami looked at Shadi in shock. "And you knew this all along? Did you realize that you killed an innocent girl Shadi? Why didn't you say anything? After all, Marik would have believed you."

            "Why didn't you?" Shadi's eyes challenged Yami's.

            "Well…well…" Yami tried to find the right words to say. "She knew about the relationship between me and Anzu."

            "And Marik found out. Pretty conniving indeed. Every secret she holds is perhaps her key source of to get what she wants."

            "I doubt you have any secrets to hold." Yami was still kneeling. Shadi was silent, his eyes shifted to the floor.

            "There is nothing we could use against her, except for exposing her sport. But it is difficult with the lack of evidence and the only one who can actually give him an answer is Anzu herself. As I have told Yugi, the people, us who reside in the south, have forebode an evil sin. We know Serenity already, Marik is a being beyond insanity at most times, especially in his state of mind. Bakura is more of an evil shadow, Rishid would basically seduce any women, and me…" he trailed off, unsure whether to expose his own secret.

            "Aren't you going to tell me?"

            Before Shadi spoke, Bakura approached them. "Shadi, Marik decided to finally reopen the case. The one who drowned Anzu that is. He expects us all to be there in court tomorrow."

            "That would be fine." Shadi replied. He then turned away and strode down the halls.

[-]

            Late that night, Yugi sat on the kitchen table. Ever since he saw Shadi's story with his own eyes, he was unable to fall asleep. Peeling off the skin of the banana, he was about take a bite out of it when suddenly…

            "You have my permission."

            Yugi looked up seeing Shadi standing by the doorway. "Shadi? I didn't ask for anything…"

            "You are aware that Marik's holding a court tomorrow morning."

            Yugi nodded. "Yeah I heard. Everyone has to be there."

            "So I'm aware." He looked out the window. "But I guess I would have to prove to be disloyal."

            "What do you mean?" Yugi took a bite out of his banana. "You're gonna lie for Serenity?"

            Shadi shook his head. "Nothing like that. But I will be visiting Mai the whole day." He eyed Yugi. "I trust you will not tell."

            "All right I won't. But what is it you said I had permission to…"

            But Shadi turned on his heel and left. "Good night Yugi."

[-]

            Anzu continued to lay there, her eyes staring in the darkness. Marik didn't visit her even once nor had she seen the slightest bit of him ever since she came home. Although Bakura occasionally dropped by and updated her on his emotional condition.

            Her eyes closed, falling asleep. She did not know whether to look forward being in court.

[-]

The Next Day:

The next morning, Rishid, Yugi, Yami, Bakura, Anzu and Serenity gathered in the courtroom. Marik was sitting on a desk in front of the room. Another table had been set a few feet beside him.

            "You twits better shut up and listen!" Marik snarled. "This is no ordinary court case like you see on that Ra forsaken Judge Judy. Whatever's going on, we're going to settle this right now."

            "Get to the point you artichoke." Yugi shot Marik a dirty look.

            Ignoring him, Marik continued on. "Each of you will tell me what exactly happened the night Anzu was drowned." He paused for a moment. "And all of you will expose the truth whether you like it or not. "Understood?" Everyone nodded in agreement.

[-]

            Meanwhile, Shadi was sitting by the lake, his eyes gazing into the water. About a foot beside him is a small headstone and two roses that were tied together. His hand rested on the earth; the grave that he had personally buried Mai in.

            As true to his word, he did not attend court, even though he could have been the one that provided the answers to Marik's questions of Anzu's near death. He remembered it very clearly indeed. Mai was never near the bathhouse at the time of the incident because she was with him.

            "So why are you still here?" a soft voice called out from behind.

            Turning around, Shadi was quite startled to see Mai standing there. Her blonde hair was rather frizzy. She wore a simple white skirt and a strapless white top to match.

            "Shadi, shouldn't you be in court?"

            "As much as I want, I simply can't. To go there will be a personal battle between heaven and hell. Although I may save a life, I will be destroyed."

            "Just because you held back all this time?" Mai tilted her head to the side. "Anzu doesn't deserve what I have gone through. She doesn't even have the courage to speak up for herself after what Marik put her through. If you go now, you would be able to clear the mess that happened." She shifted her gaze to the grass.

            "Sometimes things have to be the way they are." Shadi looked back to the lake.

            "But destiny can be altered." Mai wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer to her. She then tiptoed and placed a kiss on his cheek. Shadi felt something pressed onto his hand before she released him. Slowly, she brushed past him, making her way towards the lake but stopped.

            "Oh Shadi," she didn't look back at him. "I almost forgot. I remember what you said to me that one night ago. That no soul in the world could ever love me except for one. At first, I thought it was only myself that could have ever loved me but it was the day of the beheading that I found the answer to your riddle." She started to walk on the water. Once she reached the middle of the lake, she vanished in thin air.

            Shadi stared on for a split second more before gazing down at the object in his hand. To his surprise, it was the exact flower he had given her those ten years ago, still in its perfect blooming form. He just stood there, the flower still clenched in his hand. His eyes fixed to the ground, then to Mai's gravesite.

            "May Anubis place the final judgment." He said, making his way to the courtroom.

[-]

            So far, Marik had questioned Rishid and Bakura and both were clear. Rishid was at the bar in the north visiting Ishizu. Bakura was in the markets looking for a few artifacts to send to his cousin Ryou, who was currently studying in Cairo.

            "That freak is going to interrogate us all. Yami crossed his arms. "This is going to take all night if you ask me."

            Marik released a disgruntled sigh. He then shifted his gaze towards Yami. "And you?"

            "I have no idea what happened. I was in the kitchen with Yugi the time of the incident."

            Marik turned towards Serenity, staring down at her for a long time. "Did you see anything?"

            "I was in the halls sweeping the floor. I noticed a cloaked figure making its way towards the bathhouse. I saw some blonde hair poking out and at first, I thought it was Yami but I remembered that Yami was slightly shorter so I just assumed it was Mai. I thought it was odd that she would carry a shackle but I shrugged it off and made my way to the courtyard."

            "So I see." Marik rested his gaze on Yugi.

            Yugi stood up and made his way towards the witness stand. He felt Serenity's glare burning his entire body. He was going to be the victim of not one but two people.

            "Marik," Yugi cleared his throat. "All I can say is that Mai had nothing to do with Anzu's drowning." He looked down on Anzu who was forced to remain silent. "I would know why though."

            "Well by all means," Marik chuckled. "Enlighten us Yugi."

            "I…well…" Yugi stuttered. Shadi had made him promise not to speak of it. He couldn't imagine what the advisor would do to him if he were to just simply blurt it out. Knowing Shadi and his millennium key, he would probably mess with his mind before night falls. But then again, if he didn't speak, Serenity was going to get away with the unspeakable.

            "That's enough Yugi," a calm voice called out. Startled, everyone turned to see Shadi standing by the doorway. "Go sit down."

            "Shadi?" Yugi was taken back. "How…"

            Serenity fixed her gaze to Shadi. He noticed, in return, a glint of fear in her eyes as he made his way to the witness stand.

            "Do you think…?" Yami arched an eyebrow as Yugi made his way back to his seat.

            "This is going to be interesting." Yugi watched Shadi.

            "What's gonna happen?" Yami asked.

            "Oh you'll see." Yugi crossed his arms over his chest. He glanced at Serenity, noticing that was cringing in her seat.

            "I'll be damned if I manage to go through my day and still be alive if I had not said anything." He clenched his fist tightly. "The truth is, Mai was never responsible for drowning Anzu. In fact, of all people, the one who had any reason to kill Anzu," he paused for a second or two before pointing at Serenity. "is that little wench known as Serenity."

            Few were surprised. Some were murmuring things.

            Serenity's heart pounded, fearing that it would be beat out of her chest. Her eyes darted in desperation. Marik was shocked and obviously not happy with the turn of events. She then stood up, glaring hatefully at Shadi. "How dare you accuse me of something I did not do?!?"

            "Anzu only saw blonde hair and heard a voice of a girl!" Shadi slammed his fist on the table as hard as he could. "As far as I can recall, you keep a wig collection in your back closets along with your eye contacts."

            "You jerk!!" Serenity's anger had been rapidly rising.

            "Tell me something Shadi," Marik kept his gaze on the floor, his hands folded on his lap. "If you knew this all along, why didn't you say anything?"

            "Serenity's true motive to killing Anzu was to be back with you after you two broke up. I guess you can call it jealousy."

            "So I figure." Marik was not assumed. "But why still not come forward?"

            Shadi's eyes locked onto Serenity's, watching her lips curl into an evil smirk. He took in a deep breath and finally spoke.

            "Around two weeks after Anzu had arrived, both Mai and myself had the night off. So we decided to hang out at a bar not too far from here. Mai had drunk at least five glasses of lemon tequila and soon, she was no longer herself."

            "And this story caused you to keep your mouth shut?" Rishid looked at Shadi strangely.

            But Shadi shook his head. "After the bar, when we came home, we did a few things here and there." He heard Bakura snickering but ignored it. "About four days later, she told me that she was pregnant."

            Silence fogged over the courtroom so thick that a knife could cut through it. Most of the people in the courtroom were surprised indeed.

            "I know," Shadi continued on. "That the only people who knew she was pregnant was Bakura and Serenity. One had no idea who the father was. I told Mai to explain to Marik that she was just sick for the time being. The night Anzu drowned, Mai approached me. Her condition was starting to show and she was worried that Marik would find out."

            "Why does she keep worrying that Marik would find out?" Yami looked at the two.

            Shadi and Marik exchanged looks. Marik then turned away from Shadi, his lips moving before finally speaking. "The reason Mai is obviously worried is because she is my daughter."

            Everyone started talking at once, unable to contain their excitement."

            "Wait a minute!" Yami glared at Marik. "Then that would mean you killed your own daughter?!?"

            Marik didn't say anything. Shadi continued to speak. "She was worried that if she stayed longer, then it would be noticeable. It was obvious that she did not want to face Marik's wrath if he were to find out. I told her to ask Marik to be transferred. I had planned to resign as soon as Mai gave birth." A single tear streaked down his face. "I told her that as soon as I resign, I would move in with her." His eyes fixed to the floor. "Take care of the kid."

            "You two are sick freaks!" Yugi glared at Shadi and Marik. "MONSTERS!! You," he pointed to Marik. "I can't believe you would deny your own daughter and murder her in the end. And what's worse was that she was pregnant! And you," he pointed to Shadi. "If you had some nerve, you would've sucked it in your gut and fess up!"

            "She wanted it." Shadi stood up. "And now that I have said my part, I think I'll sit back down." He then got up and sat back in the seats.

            Marik eyed Shadi. "As much as I want to ask, do you still plan to resign?" In reply, Shadi shook his head silently.

            The pharaoh turned his attention towards his escort, whose eyes fixed to the floor. Of all people, she was the only one silent throughout the trial.

            "Anzu," Marik called out her name. She still did not look up at him or at anyone. Slightly enraged, Marik took out his millennium rod. "I'm asking you nicely little girl to look up and answer me."

            Anzu was clearly shaking, scared to death.

            Cracking his knuckles, Marik stood up with the millennium rod, making his way towards her, slapping her right in the face. "Bitch! You look up to me when I address you!" he held out his millennium rod to her face. "Sometimes you make me sick to actually call you my own escort." He wrapped his hand around her neck, squeezing it tightly.

            Yami stood up, but Shadi pulled him down. He made his way towards Marik, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Call for a ten minute recess. Maybe Miss Anzu will be emotionally stable to talk."

            Marik's eyes were more of an animal's. Releasing a growl, he released his hold on Anzu, staring down at Shadi with the most hateful eyes as if he was going to do something drastic. "You have fifteen minutes to knock some sense into that little whore. Make the most of it." He shoved him to the floor.

            Shadi scrambled to his feet, his eyes locked onto Marik. He then made his way towards Anzu, kneeling beside her. His hand cupped under her chin, making her face him. He noticed tears streaming down her face. "Let's go outside. Get yourself in a calm state." He helped her onto her feet and led her out of the courtroom.      

Yami stood up, attempting to follow the two but Bakura restrained him. "Don't even think about it," he hissed. "I don't think this is a good time to sweet talk Anzu, especially in the state of mind Marik's in."

            "You may be right." Yami slowly sat back down.

[-]

            Shadi closed the door behind him as soon as the two were outside. Anzu leaned against the wall, her eyes fixed to the floor.

            Maybe it is normal for her to be in that state of mind after what Marik placed her through. Shadi slowly approached Anzu, noticing her body shaking. "What's wrong?"

            Tea moved her lips but her voice was inaudible. Shadi asked the same question once more.

            "It's just…" her voice shook. "Gods Shadi, I can't do it."

            "What can't you do?" Shadi pressed on.

            At that instant, Anzu threw her arms around him. "I'm just afraid of Marik and what he would do."

            "Child," Shadi placed his hand on her head. "I promise you that Marik won't hurt you as long as you pull yourself together. Marik is already emotionally distressed because of your affair with Yami and I'm pretty sure he would immediately move onto that once the trial is over. All you have to do is testify." He looked down on her, wrapping one arm around her waist. Something inside him had snapped as he leaned towards her, his lips brushing against her ear. "I swear to you, if Serenity isn't taken down," his voice became more of a demon avenging his mistress. "I will come hunting for you and take you down myself." A hand snaked underneath her blouse as Anzu felt a sharp fingernail dig into her soft flesh. "We have a deal little girl?"

            "Shadi," Anzu shrieked. "This isn't like you at all! What in Ra's name is going on?!?"

            "Who said I was Shadi?" Shadi smirked. He pushed Anzu back enough to let her see him.

            Anzu gasped as she noticed something different. His eyes appeared to be in a lifeless gaze, as if someone were controlling him. "Shadi, who's controlling you? Is it Marik, huh?"

            An evil laugh escaped his lips. With one hand, he slammed her to the wall, his hand under her chin, forcing her to look at him. "I don't think Marik and Yami want to waste their precious time mind controlling one, don't you think so?"

            "Bakura?" Anzu was even more scared.

            "Listen you little two-timing trashy bitch, you're going to do your part of your share in court whether you like it or not." Shadi's eyes returned to normal, staring at Anzu. And at that, Marik opened the door, gazing at the two.

            "Screwing with each other's mind is over. Get back to court."

            Anzu slowly paced back inside with Shadi following behind. She made her way towards the witness stand, sitting down. Her head kept to the floor not looking up at the rest. "Although I may have seen blonde hair and purple eyes that night, it was the voice that made it all too obvious."

            "Is the person that tried to kill you here in this courtroom?" Marik fixed his gaze on her.

            To this, Anzu nodded weakly in reply.

            "Could you please point the culprit right now?" Marik requested.

            For moments, Anzu didn't move, as if she were afraid. She then finally looked up and pointed her finger at Serenity.

            "Let the record show that Miss Anzu has claimed that Serenity was her attacker." Marik chuckled.

            "Why you conniving little bitch!" Serenity stood up, glaring at Anzu. "How dare you!" she then attempted to make her way towards Anzu but Yami and Rishid restrained her, knowing what would happen if these two fought.

            Marik pounded the gavel on the table. "Settle down or I'll transform this courtroom to the Shadow Realm and if any one of you gets out of line, your body gets fed to the shadows!"

            Everyone managed to sit back down. Serenity could not control herself as she kept fidgeting in her seat, ready to attack at Anzu the moment she got out of the witness stand.

            "Now," Marik placed his millennium rod on the table. "Normally, I would either sentence a criminal of this sort of thing to the Shadow Realm or death row and I would be happily willing to put you in either one of them Serenity. But," he crossed his arms over his chest. "I won't."

            "Say what?!?" Yami was shocked. So were Yugi, Rishid and Shadi. They all started talking at once, throwing Marik questions of all sorts.

            "Are you nuts?!?"

            "You're crazy!!"

            "After what she tried to do, you're gonna let her off the hook?"

            "HEY!!" Marik pounded the gavel as hard as he could, cracking the table. "Why don't you asses let me finish?!?" he managed to calm himself down. "The reason I won't send Serenity to the Shadow Realm or give her a death sentence is simply because I already have another sentence in mind." His lips curled into an evil smirk. "You see, Bakura approached me the other day, requesting that he would take Serenity and make her into his own escort. I guess you people might not know this till now but Bakura here is from the Shadow Realm itself."

            "Uh oh." Yugi whispered. "Serenity's in trouble now."

            "I thought he was a thief." Yami glanced at Bakura, then at Marik.

            "Bakura has told me all about it. So here's my verdict. Bakura…" he did a hand signal.

            Smirking, Bakura stood up, making his way towards Serenity from behind. He then grabbed her by the arm, causing her to scream. He then proceeded to wrap his other arm around her waist, dragging her off.

            "You can't do this to me!!" Serenity screamed. "You can't do this!!"

            "You're mine now little girl." Bakura grinned, finally happy at the outcome of the trial. He dragged her out of the courtroom, her screaming still heard behind closed doors.

            "Hmph." Marik turned his attention towards Anzu, then to Yami. "Before I close this trial, I'm aware of your relationship with Yami, Miss Anzu. And while you have not gave me an answer to my proposal in marriage, here's what you can do to keep yourself busy now that Serenity is gone…"

            Anzu's face flushed with embarrassment as she felt dozens of eyes staring at her.

            "You have a week to figure out who you really want to stay with. After the week is over, when night falls, everyone is to report back to the courtyard and you better have an answer." He then pounded his gavel on the table before getting up and leave. Others cleared out leaving Yami and her alone in the courtroom. She got off the witness stand and made her way towards the door.

            "Anzu," Yami called out. Anzu stopped and took a glance at Yami before leaving the courtroom.

[-]

So, who is Anzu going to choose? Tune in to the next chapter to find out. I might use the reviews to help me out with my next chapter but who knows.

To Be Continued