—Hey! I'm back with another chapter of Sapphire Rose! I'm sure somebody's wondering why my Red Rose Angel sequel is called "Sapphire Rose" – well, "Sapphire" is obviously Diana's last name…and "Rose" is the name that Diana will eventually be known as in the Third and Fourth World. Okay, to recap as usual: Diana is going to the Third and Fourth World to help Fin the elf kick invader ass. Who is behind this? What will happen to Yugi? Here's where you start to find out.
Chapter 2 – Thar Amrun
Diana summoned Magician's Valkyria to stay by her side. She called the card "Val" because both card and duelist shared a special bond that no one would ever break. Val sensed the danger in the World and Diana knew it. She would need Val's help in this new world.
"We must hurry, Rose Duelist." said Fin. Diamond Dust scratched gently at Diana's shoulder. Diana stroked the pooka's fur in comfort.
"Then let's go." Diana said. Fin nodded and mounted his horse. Diana mounted too and they rode off towards the forest. Val followed from the air. A half hour later, she called down, "My lady, I sense we are getting close. The elf must have opened a portal into this world from his."
"Okay. Don't worry Val. Everything's going to be fine."
Suddenly, the air in the forest became filled with smoke. Diana's horse shied, but Diana regained her control of the stead and soothed him. "The forest is burning!" Diamond Dust shouted.
"No! Yami and the Bandits will be killed." Diana said. Diamond Dust jumped off Diana's shoulder and said, "Go on without me. I'll help the Bandits!"
Diana nodded and followed Fin with Val tagging along behind. The elf led them directly through a giant tree. Diana's horse was afraid at first, but Val smacked his rump with her staff and the stead jumped through the tree and bucked Diana off.
"GAHHH!" Diana screamed as she somersaulted through the air and landed with a hard thud on the ground. "Ow…that was fun…" Val knelt by her side and helped Diana back to her feet. The horse she'd been riding took off and Diana didn't feel like looking all over creation for him.
Diana gasped at what lay before her. Rolling grassy hills like ocean waves spread out for miles with little islands of alien flowers floating in the grass. The hills end sharply in groves of trees and tall mountains with snow-covered peaks. Far ahead, there loomed a beautiful castle with whitewashed walls and tall red roofs that glistened and reflected the sun perfectly. It was like a paradise.
"It's…amazing. Fin, is this your home?"
"My world, yes." Fin replied. "Lady Diana Sapphire, congratulations…you are the first human to ever set foot in Thar Amrun."
"Thar Amrun? Is that what your world is called?"
"Those of the Third and Fourth Race call it that, but humans refer to it as the Third and Fourth World."
"I think I like Thar Amrun better. It sounds more mysterious."
"Mysterious to me, maybe, Lady Diana. But it is no mystery to us."
"Thar Amrun means 'beyond morning,' Diana." Val said.
Diana turned to her mage friend. "Beyond morning?" she repeated.
"Yes. Because we were headed in the direction of the rising sun, remember?"
"Oh yeah. I understand."
"Come Rose Duelist." Fin called over his shoulder. He dismounted his horse and began walking across the grass.
"Wait up, I'm coming!" Diana shouted, jogging after him.
"Hurry up. My commander, Dark Shadow is waiting for us."
——————
Meanwhile, back at the castle, Yugi and his commanding officers were formulating a plan on what to do about the invaders. A lot of the officers—all of them proud, high-ranking knights—were disagreeing about how to handle the invaders.
"From what we've seen, they keep heading southeast, towards the castle."
"Every town they find, they destroy. Who knows how many poor souls have died!"
"Your Majesty, I suggest we raise a huge army and face these invaders head-on!"
"You idiot, if we do that then we could loose thousands of men! Remember what happened to the thirteen men that didn't survive?"
"Silence!" Yugi said finally. "It's true that we must find a way to destroy these invaders before any more of my people are killed, but I do not want to loose any more of my loyal knights. Too many brave men have died during the War."
"What shall we do, my lord?" asked one officer.
"We need the Rose Duelist!" said another officer. "With her power, we can surely destroy those barbarians."
"Diana went to help those of the Third and Fourth World. Apparently, they are having their own invasion troubles."
"Who cares about them!"
Yugi punched the officer in the face and slammed him against the wall. "Fool! Without their support and aide, then you would have been forced into the Yorkist army! Hell, Rosenburg would have had you beheaded for wearing Lancastrian armor!"
He released the knight and looked at the others. "We owe the immortal ones our thanks and Diana volunteered to help them. If their invaders and our invaders are the same, then perhaps we will have to band together and destroy our common enemy."
The door was flung open and Joseph and Tristan ran in with Diamond Dust. Yugi stared at them. "Joseph! Tristan! What are both of you doing here?"
"Yugi, we—" Joseph started, but Tristan smacked his across the back of the head.
"Your Majesty, these bizarre knights torched the forest. If Diamond Dust hadn't shown up we would have all probably died." Tristan said.
Yugi was furious and turned to his officers. "Tell every able knight to be ready for battle. We're going to find these invaders and I'll use my own monsters to help us."
The officers saluted and left, including the one Yugi punched in the face. Joseph and Tristan led Yugi out to the throne room. The Bandits were sitting on the floor with burns and bruises. Yami was standing nearby, cradling Cara in his arms. Rex and Weevil were with him and Weevil was making faces at Cara, making her laugh.
Joseph walked over and took Cara from Yami. "Whose a cute little girl! Whose Joseph's favorite sweetheart!" he cooed at Cara, while lifting her up high and the baby squealed with delight.
"Careful not to look at her too long, Joseph. You might scare her." Rex joked. After getting out of the dungeon, Weevil and Rex—along with Serena—had joined Yami as Bandits of the Rose. Serena was Rex's girlfriend. Though she hadn't visited the castle very often, Serena admired Diana for how brave she was. She was also very grateful that Diana wanted to save the man Serena loved.
Serena and Tea were helping tend to the injured Bandits. Yugi smiled at his twin brother. "Alex, it's good to see you again. Your daughter is very beautiful."
Yami nodded. "Thank you, brother. I am relieved that Cara and Tea were not in the forest when we were attacked. Diamond Dust has told me that Diana went to the Third and Fourth World to help the immortal creatures that live there."
"That would be so cool if we could go there! We'd get to see all the creatures of myth and legend!" Weevil said to Rex.
"Cool? You think it'll be cold in that world?" Joseph asked, giving Cara back to Yami.
"No, you idiot. Apparently, in the future, cool means 'great' and 'excellent.' Diana taught us that." Weevil replied.
"Oh…okay." Joseph looked at Tristan who shrugged. Joseph folded his arms across his chest and said, "The future's awfully strange."
"Alex, these invaders could be the same ones that are invading the Third and Fourth World. From what we know, these knights can suck the immortality from creatures like Diamond Dust and other creatures of legend."
Simon came forward and said, "My lord, if Diamond Dust dies, then Diana will too."
Yugi stared wide-eyed at the Druid. "What did you say, Simon!"
"Diamond Dust and Diana have bonded their souls together. If either one of them dies, then the other will die shortly after. They bonded souls after your coronation."
Yugi clenched his fists. "No! Why did you allow this Simon? Diana is in more danger than ever now!"
"Calm down, Henry." Yami said. "Diana will be all right. We have to worry about our own problems. I know it's hard, but you have to put her out of your mind and worry about your people."
Yugi sighed heavily. "You're right. Alex, I need to borrow some of your men."
"Barely any of my men are still able to fight, brother. I don't think any man can stand up against these evil invaders."
Yugi looked at Rex and Weevil. "You are both still duelists, right?"
Rex and Weevil at each other and then smiled broadly at the King. "You bet we are, sire!" Rex said, pointing at himself with his thumb. "In fact, I lasted longer against Diana than Weevil here."
"Shut the hell up, Rex. Your Majesty, not only am I a good duelist, but I'm pretty good with a sword too." Weevil said, nodding.
"It's a miracle a pipsqueak like him can even hold a sword." Tristan whispered to Joseph.
"I heard that you oversized pig!" Weevil snapped.
"Hey, I'm no pig!"
"With the way you and Joseph shove food in your mouth, I disagree."
"You little ass! Come over here and say that to my face!" Joseph shouted angrily.
"I would, but your stench is far too strong! I might collapse from the awful smell!" Weevil shouted back.
Cara whimpered and started to cry. Yami rocked her slowly and tried to sooth her, but the baby continued to cry. Weevil and Tristan immediately shut their mouths. Tea took her baby and rocked her and sang softly to her.
Serena flashed her dark brown eyes angrily at them. "How dare you argue like that! You frightened the baby! Shame on both of you!"
Rex punched Weevil's shoulder. "Nice going, Weevil."
"Rex, Weevil." Yami said, turning to them.
Rex and Weevil stood straight and saluted him. "Yessir." they said in unison.
"For the moment, you are under my brother's command. Use your monsters to aide his cause and stop those invaders, is that clear?"
"Crystal, sir." Rex said.
Serena's face softened. "Rex…do you have to go so soon?"
Rex walked over to her and took her hands in his. "Don't worry about it, Serena. I'll be fine. You stay here where it's safe."
"But…I want to come with you!" Serena said.
"No way." Rex said firmly. "It's safer for you here. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"He's right, Serena. You are most useful here. The injured need you and Tea to nurse them back to health." Yugi said to her.
Serena sighed sadly and kissed Rex on the cheek. "You better come back safely, Rex Raptor. Or I swear I'll find you and kill you myself."
"Yeah…sure, sweetie…" Rex said.
"Let's go greet my army, then." Yugi said. He started to leave the castle with Weevil and Rex, but stopped and turned to look at Yami. "Brother, you are in charge while I'm in battle. Should I not return, brother, the Empire will be yours."
"Should you die, Henry, I'll ask Diana to resurrect you." Yami said, laughingly.
Joseph interjected, "Tristan and me want to fight with you, your Majesty."
Yugi looked at him. "Thank you. Follow me."
——————
Diana didn't like hiking across the rolling hills. Despite how beautiful they were to look at, they were a real pain-in-the-ass to walk over. Fin was patient and waited for her if she lagged behind. After this happened three times already, Diana stopped and said to him, "Y'know, you don't have to constantly wait for me. You can just keep going and I'll follow at my own pace."
"Perhaps I should not have abandoned my stead." Fin said, more to himself than Diana. He looked directly at her and asked, "Do you have a monster that can carry us?"
"Does it matter which one?" Diana asked.
Val, who was still with them, said, "Your Blue Eyes Dragon is too big, Diana."
Diana looked at her and then back at Fin. "I'll summon a small one." She called forth Koumori Dragon. The dragon was twice the size of a horse and could easily carry Fin and Diana.
"We'll get to my commander a lot faster. This is good." Fin said happily as they flew.
"You said your commander's name was Dark Shadow. What's he like?"
Fin touched his chin as if thinking. "Well…he is known by many names. Dark Shadow is his informal name…the name I know him by. He and I are good friends and we have found side-by-side for many centuries. He looks about your age, but he's a lot older."
"Exactly how can those of the Fourth Race live here?" Diana asked. "I mean no insult to my precious monsters, but I was just wondering."
"Where do you think your creatures go when you aren't dueling?" Fin asked.
Diana blinked. "Oh…here then. I haven't dueled in ten months…so they've been here all this time."
"Ten months is nothing compared to how long I and my people have lived. Your species are unruly children. That is how my elders see you anyway. So I suggest you be careful about how you act in the presence of Dark Shadow."
Diana nodded. "I will."
——————
She and Fin were being watched through a crystal ball by a pair of dark, sinister, brown eyes. The pale haired young man who owned them laughed. "She should have destroyed me when she had the chance." He pulled his lover close and kissed him. "Don't worry, my love. We will destroy them all and rule their entire world together."
"I…I guess so…but she dueled Rosenburg and—"
"I'm aware of that, my dear one. But she won't last. Not with our secret weapon."
A painful roar could be heard behind them. A creature struggled against his binding chains, growling and snapping his teeth. "Y-You bastard, Bakura…what the hell did you do to me!" cried a voice that could barely be recognized as human.
"Patience, my creation…do you remember Diana?"
"Th-The Rose Duelist…where is she! I must—"
"She is in this world. Would you like me to release you so that you can go find her?"
The creature looked at the Druids with his piercingly cold, blue eyes. "Yes. I must have her. Even after all this time…I still want her."
"Very well." With a snap of the Druid's fingers, the creature was free and ran out of that shadowy place.
"Diana! Diana! DIANA!" he bellowed as he ran.
—Yay! My chapter's done! Sorry it's taking so long. I'm working on Blood Love and college studies are a bitch…so, I'll try to update when possible. Here are responses to reviews I've gotten so far:
Sara and company – glad you like the sequel…heh, yes bunches of evil cliffhangers! Happy "Be-lated" Valentine's Day to you girls (and the boys too)
Jaded – I think I did send you the link. o.o I might have…
Swift – WARNING: you are about to read a fanfic with just as many evil cliffhangers – xD
mariks1andonly – it's not confirmed yet if Yugi and Diana get married or not…but it's a possibility
DarkShadow – dude, you may have noticed that I've put you into my fanfic – you character is gonna make his debut in the next chapter…you have to e-mail your character details to me…
(last but never least) SG – xD yay! –clings to SG– lol…yes, Bakura and Ryou are back and bring the adorable fluff with them…Rosenburg o.O dunno yet –smiles slyly–