I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters and plots.
However the following characters (their powers and such) used in this fan fiction ARE mine:
Lady Aurora Phoenix
Lady Natara Fear
Lady Sapphira Star
Blaze
Chaos
Havoc
Now to take a side trip to the mail box...
DDCfreak- yes... multiple births are tough for anyone no matter what time era they are happening in. Unfortunately for Aurora things only get worse before they get better... This means, they get even more worse for Atem... Glad you have liked what I added.
AFG- Your wait is now over... Here is what happens next... well part of it anyway lol... (grins)
The Gauntlet is Thrown
Another three months had gone by and gradually the morning illness subsided. Lady Phoenix was able to move around a little more and begin to make more public appearances by Atem's side; they told no one but her friends that she was expecting more than one child. Unless it was absolutely necessary, they felt they did not have to. Her friends refused to allow her to join them in their hunts for Shadow and Panther. She did not mind so much, though she did wish she could help. She hated feeling so vulnerable. Hated feeling like she could do nothing. Then she would remember what she had to do. Her task had yet to be completed.
While asking around she did learn that such a man named Anubis did exist on the palace grounds. He was usually found near the temple holding the Book of the Dead. A special book that meant a great deal to the Egyptians. It was because of his attachment to this book he had begun to claim he was able to control the dead. Breathe new life into them if needed. He had indeed begun to call himself the Lord of the Dead. Lady Phoenix gazed down at the dagger in her hands. She had been hiding it in a sheath under her cape so she would be ready at any time for his threat to appear to Atem. Every month that passed she grew more impatient. She knew as the time drew near for her pregnancy to come to its end, her speed would not be as it once was. She would have to take her aim carefully and make her attack a one shot. It would be her only chance as the days wore on.
Midway through her seventh month of pregnancy, the pain had slowly begun to return. As well as the nightmarish visions. The time was near. Anubis was preparing for his attack. Atem watched his wife at breakfast one morning and realized her tanned face had paled once again. Concern filled his eyes and he leaned over to her.
"Are you feeling all right?" he asked her. Very carefully, she shook her head. At the same time, she and Isis spoke the following words.
"Evil is near."
The hall fell silent and the two women stared at each other. Neither one knowing just what the other knew was headed their way. Lady Phoenix took a shallow breath and began to sway unsteadily in her chair. Atem held an arm out to steady her.
"What is this evil?" he asked Isis, knowing his queen could not tell him while she tried to gain control over herself again.
"A man, Anubis. He seeks you out to gain the throne. I sense more but it as yet, has not been made known to me, my Pharaoh," she responded. Lady Phoenix clutched his arm tightly.
"You know," Atem said softly as he glanced back down at her. "You know what will happen." She nodded as he knelt before her. "Tell me so I may be prepared."
"Anubis will force you to duel somehow. Challenge you, and he has a monster that will be tough to destroy. In fact, you will not be able to defeat him on your own," she told him, her voice barely above a whisper. Atem frowned at her words.
"I do not understand. There has to be a way to destroy him."
"There is, but he must be weakened first in battle...," her breath became short and her eyes fluttered as she tried to keep them open. She was fast losing her grip and Atem grabbed her to hold her carefully against him as she leaned forward and moaned. Her friends stood and made their way over to the couple.
"Pharaoh, let us take Lady Aurora to her room. You have a battle to make ready for," Lady Star offered. Chaos was already carefully moving Lady Phoenix away from Atem and against him to help her back. Atem reached out to her with a desperate look in his eyes. His wife had fallen ill again and there was nothing he could do. This pregnancy was almost over. All he could do was hope they all made it through okay.
"We will watch over her, do not worry," Lady Fear promised as she laid a hand lightly on his arm. "Go with your priests. They need you as well to help make ready for this Anubis."
"She is right, Pharaoh," Priest Set replied tensely. "I have heard of Anubis. He is one of us. He wears the Pyramid of Light about his neck much like you wear your Millennium Puzzle." Atem turned a curious eye at his cousin but it was Isis who spoke next as she lifted her head and relaxed after using her necklace to gain more insight..
"Yes, and he plans to use it to defeat you and use the shadow realm powers to destroy this world. He wishes to rule on high. But he has angered Osiris. He claims himself to be Lord of the Dead as he has access to the Book of the Dead I had kept away in the temple," she explained.
"Then I must take him down a peg or two," Atem said darkly. Gasps were heard as evil laughter rang through the palace walls and wind whipped about then fanning the flames of the several torches lighting the hall. Chills ran down Atem's back and his senses went on high alert. He knew that if he did not plan something now, he would not get the chance. What worried him the most was what Anubis would use to make him accept the duel.
Lady Phoenix had been asleep when Atem came in to check on her. Lady Fear and Havoc had taken spots in the room to keep an eye on any who came in and out of the room. When he arrived, they silently left the room but remained just outside the door to be safe. Quietly, Atem made his way to the bed and sat on the edge near her. She seemed so peaceful to any just glancing at her, but he had known her long enough to recognize the twitches that crossed her face when she was both having a nightmare and a vision. She gave a light moan as she tried to move her body in a more comfortable position while she slept, her long, red-gold hair fanned out beautifully around her head save for a few strands that trailed over her eyes. Gently, he brushed those wayward strands away from her face, barley touching her so he did not chance waking her.
"Sleep, my love, and try to rest easy. I worry about you. I hate feeling this helpless when it comes to you. I wish I could help you more. I want to. You carry our future and it endangers all of you. Now this new threat has risen and I must take care of it to ensure not only your safety but the safety of the world." He sighed as he saw her face twitch again. "Is it the pain or the nightmares this night?" he murmured.
"Pharaoh?" Lady Fear whispered from the doorway. "Priests Set and Akunadin are requesting your presence." Atem sighed again and leaned forward to brush her lips lightly with his own. He then swept his gaze toward her swollen abdomen and gently placed a hand upon her. He could feel the fluttering of the beings within. He did not want to leave her like this. But his place as Pharaoh left him with no choice. Silently and with a lowered head, he stood and made his way to the door. Lady Fear and Havoc had returned to their original positions within the room as he left. He glanced up at Lady Fear only briefly before casting one last look over his shoulder at Lady Phoenix. "She will be all right, Pharaoh. We will not let anything happen to her while we are here."
"Thank you," he said softly.
The door had shut lightly behind him when the vision of her nightmare shocked Lady Phoenix awake. A man with the head of a Jackal was laughing. Laughing in such a way that it made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. She saw herself being yanked up by her bound hands. She cried out in pain before growing silent enough to focus her energy on her unborn children. The man said she would bring the Pharaoh to him. She would be his bait. His evil laughter forced her eyes open and carefully she sat up in her bed.
"Aurora? Are you all right?" Havoc stood straighter against the wall he had been leaning on. His eyes narrowed as he faced her.
"Yes, I will be fine. I think I need to be alone right now, however," she replied tensely.
"What is it?" Lady Fear asked.
"Something I must do. Something I have to do. I must be alone, please."
"The Pharaoh will have our heads if something happens to you, Aurora. If we do not take our own guilt to harshly ourselves. We cannot leave you."
"Please go," Lady Phoenix faced her friends with a stronger look in her eyes. She had to get them to believe she would be okay without them in the room. This last vision had been too vivid. Too close. The attack was near and she had to be ready for the visit she was sure to come. Havoc grunted and nodded, taking Lady Fear's hand and leaving the room. Carefully, Lady Phoenix climbed out of bed and made her way to where her royal gown was laying. She striped out of her sheer nightgown and slipped on the other one. She then proceeded to add the sheath that held the Dagger of Fate and then placed her cape over top of it, clasping the buckle at her neck. A small wave of dizziness came over her and she reached for the post on the bed to steady herself.
"Not feeling very well, my Queen," a sinister voice commented. It seemed to fill the air and surround her. As if he was not even human. She quickly looked up and saw a tall, well-built man with a long cloak standing by her balcony. He wore a bright blue pyramid around his neck. A red jewel filled the Eye of Horus on the front of the pyramid.
"Anubis," she whispered shakily. His eyes widened in surprise.
"You have heard of me? I am impressed."
"Do not be." The last of her sarcasm had to be bitten back as a wave of pain washed over her.
"The Pharaoh left you in this condition with no guards? I am surprised with him."
"I sent them away. I have been expecting you." Sweat had begun to bead on her brow. She could not fight him. Not when his strength was so great and hers had been compromised. She was beginning to fear she could not carry out her task.
There is no way! I cannot take him. Not like this. Not without sacrificing my children at the same time! No, she thought. I must concentrate my energy on protecting them. Closing her eyes, she did just that.
"You grow quiet, my Queen. Does that mean you submit?" He advanced toward her and she remained silent. She felt her arm being grabbed and she was forced upward to meet his face. Her eyes opened only a moment before she wrapped her arms around her swollen abdomen to protect herself and the unborn children the best she could. Tears filled her eyes as she closed them again, but he saw them not. She was not about to show him her weakness more than she already had. She felt him tie her hands behind her back. He was not expecting her to be wielding a weapon so much to her relief, he did not check for any.
Quickly, he began to march her toward the balcony. Using his own magical powers, he transported them from the balcony to the ground near the palace doors. She glanced up when she sensed Atem's presence in her mind. She knew what Anubis was doing. He was forcing the challenge before changing the setting again for their duel.
"Pharaoh!" he shouted. Atem and the priests looked up sharply. Atem's eyes grew wide when he saw Anubis' captive.
"No! Let her go now, Anubis!" he demanded darkly as stood from his spot.
"You want her? Come and get her!" Lady Phoenix let out a cry as Anubis shook her violently to toy with Atem's emotions even more.
"Aurora!" He called out to her. Fear filled his voice. He knew very well what this could do to her and their children. She closed her raise and let her head fall back for a moment to ease the mixed feelings within her. When she lifted her head again, she was visibly trying to catch her breath and remain conscious as the pain grew worse.
"The Temple of the Book of the Dead, Pharaoh. You will meet me there if you truly value the queen and the child she bears. You will duel me. Not only for her, but for that puzzle about your neck. We duel for control of it all!"
"NO! AURORA!" Atem shouted the words as Anubis disappeared, taking his queen with him. Fire leapt in his eyes and a growl came from his throat. "Anubis! You will pay dearly for what you have done! I will give you your duel! And I will crush you!" Like a Tiger stalking his prey, Atem turned and made his way to the temple. His priests following him. From the balcony of Atem's room, Lady Phoenix's clan watched silently at the procession. Then, they too, made their way to the temple. Saving their friend the only thing on their minds.
Ok, so that leads up to the battle between Anubis and Atem. I cannot promise the battle will be the best as I am not great at writing battles of this kind, but you cannot have a YGU fan fic without a duel of some kind right, (shrugs)... Well, time to write the duel...
