Song: "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica This story is darkest before the dawn!

Warning - Character death!!!

Chapter 11: As Long As His Heart Remains Beating…

Keiko's first feeling was on the pain in her ankle. The hand pulling her into the abyss last chapter had mildly sprained her ankle. She opened her eyes just as Chimera turned the corner of a house down the street to face them. She blinked. "Um… Did I miss something?"

"We're screwed," Jonouchi informed her. Trying to support her weight, his hand traveled to her backside.

Keiko hit him. "Put me down!" He obliged. "Where are we?"

"At the city gates - which closed - fighting monsters - which we are almost out of - missin' the rest of our group - some captured, some escaped - and not in shape to fight them ourselves."

"Thanks for the recap, Katsuya!"

Yugi stared at the monster slowly approaching them. It saddened him so much that Yami's monster was after them. It just wasn't right! Monsters were not supposed to be used to fight people when they themselves were undeserving. Did it think they were evil? Did Chimera recognize them at all?

'God, where is Yami now?!'

Yugi turned to his friends. "Let's find another way out of here, fast!"

"There is no other way," Keiko exclaimed. "That's how city walls were built, for protection!"

"Then let's run for our lives," screamed Jonouchi as Chimera's growl grew louder. The three sped to the right, scanning the streets for some kind of shelter.

Mokuba, Mai, and Malik came from behind the corner. "I'll watch over the monsters following the witch, the prince, and the punk," said Malik. "You watch the monsters over the wall."

"I'm coming with you," said Mokuba.

"Sure, kid. Your brother's monsters only work for you anyway."

"Goddammit," growled Honda pounding his fist against the heavy doors. "Now what are we going to do?"

"We need to get Nazo out of here," said Anzu, supporting Nazo to stand.

Nazo's eyes watered in the pain of staying up. "The jeeps… We need to get to the jeeps…"

Hanif ran back to everyone, panting. "Rats! Giant rats are eating the cars!" He was shaking from head to foot, pointing behind him. Four Bubonic Vermin 2/900/600 peeled off more metal. "Huge, rabid rats the size of hippos are actually-"

"You haven't grasped the concept of 'monsters' yet, have you," asked Honda sarcastically.

"Monsters," Nazo whispered. She put her hand in one of her many pockets, but could not find her own deck. One of Minkabh's puppets must have found her cards and taken them. She put her left hand to her heart. "Dammit! If I had my cards, I'd summon something myself to defend us. Even Watapon would sa-"

As soon as she said its name, the Bracelet glowed and the pink fuzz ball appeared. 1/200/300 Hanif screamed like a grandmother and pointed, muttering something in Arabic. "How did you do that," asked Honda.

Anzu snapped her fingers. "Of course! Remember back in ancient Egypt, the monsters' souls were in temples. All the priests had to do was call out their names! Maybe you can do the same."

"And do it fast," exclaimed Honda. "Look!"

Punished Eagle 6/2100/1800, Spear Dragon 4/1900/0, and two Cyber Falcons 4/1400/1200 flew over the wall. "All-Seeing White Tiger, in defense, and Vampire Lady, in attack," Nazo yelled. A large white tiger and a green vampiress appeared. All-Seeing White Tiger 3/1300/500 crouched down beside Nazo. "Everybody on!" Nazo, Hanif, Honda, and Anzu climbed on the she-tiger's back, and it took off. Vampire Lady 4/1550/1550 destroyed Cyber Falcon, but Spear Dragon attacked faster.

"Think of a stronger monster," shouted Honda.

"I-I can't," cried Nazo. "I-I'm so scared, I-" Watapon bounced on the tiger's head and let out a series of squeaks. "You think so," asked Nazo. "Thanks, Watapon!"

"This is getting weird," whispered Anzu.

"Getting?" asked Honda.

"I sacrifice Watapon to summon Dark Magician Girl in attack mode!" Watapon disappeared, and in its place was DMG 6/2000/1000. Nazo smiled at the sight of her. "Dark Magician Girl, can I use magic cards with the Bracelet, like I summon monsters?"

"Yes," the pink and blue monster said.

"Good. Then I use the power of Sage's Stone to special summon Dark Magician 7/2500/2100, and strengthen him with Magic Formula!" Total 3000AP.

The purple magician appeared next to his assistant, and both fired a magic blast. Their combined power managed to destroy Punished Eagle and Spear Dragon. The Cyber Falcon left began to fly away.

"ASWT stopped momentarily. Are you alright, Your Highness," asked DMG.

"I've been hurt," Nazo admitted, "but I'll survive, thanks to you."

"Dark Magician, what's going on with the sky," asked Anzu.

Dark Magician looked around. "The Pharaoh's departure and Lord Minkabh's arrival have weakened the boundary between Hell and Earth. Minkabh intends to break through and take control of the demons who have awaited the destruction of Egypt since its creation over 5,000 years ago. We need the Pharaoh here to defeat him once and for all using the powers of the completed Millennium Puzzle, as well as the combined forces of the other six Items, if we intend to combat such a force!"

"Heavy," commented Honda.

"Can we save Yami," asked Nazo.

"Not without the proper spell," said Dark Magician. "I'm afraid I do not know it. Such a spell was created by Pharaoh's Hi-"

"But we still have time," said DMG. "Minkabh has not released the demons yet! Master can still be saved!"

"How long until the demons are released?"

DM and DMG glanced at each other. "As long as the young master's heart remains beating."

"Young master," Anzu thought aloud. Then it struck her that this is the whole reason Yugi was to be sacrificed! 'Yugi, please be alright.'

Yugi clutched his side, panting from loss of blood and energy. The Shen's magic was wearing off without the proper healing spell. "We… need to get… somewhere safe."

"There's no where safe in this hellhole," yelled Jonouchi.

Lilac circled around her master and started the run off in the direction of the palace. Keiko gasped. Of course! It seemed so simple! "I know a room that's protected by spirit wards! We'd be safe there!"

"Let's go then!"

Keiko led their way down halls. Each heard the sound of Minkabh's monsters searching for them. Their hearts beat faster than their footsteps, and they stayed as close to corners or shadows as possible. Anything to shake their pursuers! Yugi's vision started to weaken again, and the world toppled over itself before his eyes. Out of breath and strength, Yugi tripped over his own feet and landed with a thud onto the sandy ground. He let out a yelp. His wound burst open on the impact, and he curled up in pain.

"Yugi," Keiko and Jonouchi cried when they heard the thud. Both turned around and rushed to him. "Yug," said Jonouchi, helping Yugi into a sitting position.

"No," moaned Yugi softly. "I can't make it!" He pulled on his shirt wrapped around the wound, trembling, still trying to hide its severity from his friends. "I can't run anymore!"

"We'll walk then," said Keiko. "C'mon Yugi!"

Kaiser Sea Horse 4/1700/1650 heard Keiko and Jonouchi's cry, and rounded the corner. As soon as they saw them, the dragon fired up a blast.

Jonouchi noticed it first and grabbed Keiko by the hair to pull her down. "ARGH," she shrieked. "Katsuya! What are you-" But she didn't finish. Jonouchi thought, 'This is gonna hurt,' right before he shielded her and Yugi from the blast.

"Jonouchi-kun!" Yugi automatically grabbed a card from his deck and summoned Gearfried 4/1880/1600 to destroy the dragon. Jonouchi slumped over and moaned pitifully, his shirt smoking.

"Katsuya!" Keiko pulled him up.

He pushed her off of him and grunted. "We ain't much further, right?"

"Stubborn dog," she said affectionately with a smile. "We're pretty close now."

"Good." He turned to Yugi. "C'mon, buddy! We can make it!"

Yugi stared at Jonouchi in awe. After taking such a hard hit, hewas encouraging himto continue. Yugi gave a small nod, and the three wounded teens walked as fast as they could to shelter.

Hanif tapped Honda's shoulder, pointing wildly behind the magicians and doing an uncanny impression of Shemp. [1] The magicians turned around, and everyone gasped at the monster flying their way. Black Luster Soldier, carrying the Lightening Blade, was approaching the group at a leisurely pace. Nazo totaled up the equipped magic to the warrior's normal attack strength. It totaled to 3800 attack points! Following it was Chaos Emperor Dragon 8/3000/2500.

Dark Magician floated to defend the mortals. "Get the queen to safety, you two. I can at least weaken the soldier somewhat. If I attack, it will deduct most of its strength and destroy me."

Something flashed in Nazo's heart. "Please don't die, Mahado!!"

DM froze. He turned to Nazo, stunned. "You remember me, Shukura?"

Before Nazo answered, a quick banging beat cut through the darkness like a knife. Anzu, Nazo, Hanif, and Honda ducked. As modern teens, they knew the sound of gunfire. "Oh my fucking God," screamed Honda. "Now we're being shot at!!"

ASWT crouched down, and DMG searched for the source of the noise. "It's coming from that weird looking machine monster over there!"

Honda peeked and scoffed. "What are the frickin' police doing here?!"

Nazo looked. A police pick-up truck was driving up towards them. A person was in the trunk space firing a Gatling gun at the BLS. The warrior grunted at the bullets and tried to block them. The dragon flew toward the car to defend its partner, and the line of fire moved to it.

"Sensei," said DMG to her teacher, "try attacking the dragon now."

DM also sensed the dragon's attack drop and fired. The dragon disappeared. "It seems that mortal bullets affect us, however slightly."

The car pulled to a stop a few feet away from the tiger, and the gun aimed at them. Nazo jumped up, throwing caution to the wind revealing herself to the police. "Wait! Don't shoot!"

The shooter raised her goggles. "Tousan," Furia asked, "isn't she that girl Yugi-chan dueled in the game shop not too long ago?"

The driver, Sugoroku, waved to the others. "Kids, get into the back! We're getting out of here!"

Honda's jaw dropped. Anzu pulled him and Hanif off of the tiger, and they rushed to the truck. "C'mon on, Nazo," called Anzu.

"I'll follow," Nazo responded, patting ASWT. She watched the magicians destroy BLS. "Thank you for everything, Mahado and Mana."

The magicians bowed and disappeared, ready to be summoned again.

Keiko cried out with joy when she saw the garden where she remembered the secret entrance was. "Right there!" They hurried inside and collapsed on the stairs. It took a while before any of them spoke. They sat for a bit, panting and thanking any god that came by that they made it to safety.

"I think I miss Kaiba's holograms," joked Jonouchi.

They all gave a weak chuckle. Yugi curled up on his stair. He ignored dulling pain in his side and hoped he could just fall asleep right then and there.

Until they heard something that made them all stand up in fear! Half a dozen monsters, lead by Puppet Malik and Puppet Mokuba, arrived at the opening. Malik studied the inscriptions on the doorframe and sneered. "Spirit wards," he grumbled.

"Yeah," said Keiko in triumph. "So you guys can't get in! But you can send Minkabh a message for me!" She did something so obscene that even I can't permit to describe it!

Mokuba smirked at them. "Twilight Zone Dragon," he said. "Go through the barrier and bite off her head!"

"But leave her body intact for my own amusement," added Malik.

This insinuation reminded Keiko of her time with Yami Malik, and she backed away in fear. The dragon lunged into the doorframe and started to break the barrier. Keiko squeaked like a mouse and ran behind Jonouchi, who held out his arms to shield her and Yugi as much as possible. The creature pushed harder and harder, until it broke through! But the strain had been too much for the powerful spell, and its pulpy, smoldering corpse landed in a heap on the top stair. The barrier resealed.

Malik grimaced in disgust. "Dammit," he snarled, and he motioned for his companions to follow him away.

The stench was horrible! Keiko covered her mouth and nose, and she ran down the stairs to get some air. Jonouchi took his time walking backwards, making sure the thing was dead. The pulp gave a belch and bubbled. 'Good enough fer me!' He ran down also.

Yugi turned around to follow, but took one look at the twisting stairway, which only flipped the world around more in his sight, and stopped. He held onto the wall. His vision blurred again, and combined with the smell of the corpse, a fresh wave of nausea swept over him. He covered his mouth. "Don't puke don't puke don't puke don't puke don't puke don't puke don't puke don't … damn!" He fell to his knees and heaved what little remained in his stomach.

Jonouchi heard this and doubled back. Seeing people vomit is not fun, but Yugi needed him. He put a hand lightly on the smaller teen's shoulder to keep him steady. "Jus' let it out, Yug. Better out than in!"

Yugi's fit subsided and his head hung face down, panting hard. He spit a bit to get rid of anything in his mouth. "Better, buddy," asked Jonouchi uncertainly.

Slowly, Yugi lifted his head. Jonouchi held back a gasp. Yugi's skin was very white, his eyelids drooped, and spittle/blood edged his mouth. Sweat mixed with blood from the cut above his eye, and it dripped down like red tears. Yugi forced his lips to move. "J…Jou…kun…" The effort cost him far too much energy. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he started to fall face-first into his own sick.

Luckily, Jonouchi caught him and sat him up again. "Yugi! Yugi! Wake up!" He saw Yugi's chest rising and falling hard, so at least he knew Yugi was alive. In one swift movement, he picked him and carried him downstairs.

"Set him over here," Keiko instructed Jonouchi.

The addressed, having no experience in these sort of situations, did as he was told and lay the unconscious Yugi down on a make-shift bed Keiko had made out of straw and cloth. Keiko shuffled through Mokuba's backpack, and pulled out a first aid kit, some water bottles, granola bars, and spare clothes. She held up hers and Mokuba's shirts to him. "Shred these."

"What for?"

"For your back, my leg, and Yugi's cuts, baka," she said impatiently.

"Gotcha." He patted his friend's hand once more before taking to his new job.

Keiko brought a bottle with her, knelt beside Yugi, and set it down. "Okay… Air? Yes. Breathing? Hard. Conscious? No…"

"What-"

"It's called the ABCs for life rescue! Haven't you ever taken a CPR class or anything?"

Jonouchi said nothing, and took his frustrations out on Keiko's shirt.

Keiko went back to Yugi. She took off his jacket to get a better look at him. "He's lost a lot of blood. His color is awful! Pulse, fast. He's cold, very cold, and sweating a lot!" She put her hand on his shoulders. "Shivering… Shit, it's a textbook case of shock!"

Jonouchi paused. "And that's real bad!"

Keiko reached over and pulled a stone closer. She gently lifted Yugi's legs onto it, to let blood flow from the legs to his brain. She took off his jacket and saw the T-shirt bandage soaked in red. Making sure she had water, she unwrapped it. "Aw shit," she whispered. Yugi's gash delved through much of his muscle tissue, had not reached his stomach, but the blood mixed with sand and sweat would certainly give him an infection.

'Not if I can help it,' Keiko declared in her mind. "Wake up, Yugi. Please. It's better if you do." She slapped him a little, until he started to moan. "Good." She brought out the kit. "Jou, how are you coming with those bandages?"

"Just about done!"

"I need you over here. Hold him down for me."

Jonouchi gulped. He honestly did not want to get near his frail little buddy without knowing how to handle the situation. But Keiko seemed to know what to do, so he put his trust in her. Best as he could, he moved closer to them without looking at Yugi's gash. "Like this," he asked, bracing his hands rather softly against Yugi's shoulders.

Yugi's eyes fluttered, and his head moved back and forth slowly, confused and disoriented. He mumbled softly as if calling for someone. Jonouchi bit his bottom lip. This was starting to really scare him!

"Perfect," said Keiko. "Make sure he doesn't move too much." She poured a bit of water over Yugi's wound to clean around it using her arm warmers. Then she put some hydrogen peroxide on gauze from the kit, and dabbed it on the cut.

Yugi, still only half conscious, gave a pitiful whimper. He struggled to move away, but Jonouchi held him down. His arms moved and fists clenched, trying in vain to fight off the offending force causing him more pain. He held back on his breathing in an attempt not to scream. He shut his eyes tightly, full concentration on escaping. His basic animal instincts took over his rational mind: He was in pain, and pain means danger. He could not move his legs; they felt too heavy to be moved. And he was so tired…

"Stay awake, Yugi," Keiko half warned, half begged.

Jonouchi, closest to Yugi's mouth, managed to catch part of what he was calling for. "-tori… no boku…" Through his ragged breathing, Yugi took a deep breath and screamed, "TASUKETE-YO, MOU HITORI NO BOKU!!" [6]

The soulless bodies of Malik, Mokuba, Mai, Calpurnia, and Rishid gathered on their hands and knees at the base of the stairway before the alter. "I am sorry, Master," said Malik. "We have failed you in capturing your enemies."

Minkabh sat upon the alter, waiting patiently as his slaves groveled and attempted excuses. He felt no compassion for them. In fact, he really felt nothing for them at all. Not even anger. His only concentration was on his revenge. "The queen escaped?"

"Yes, sir."

"And the prince?"

"Yugi is still hiding somewhere in the city," answered Mokuba, whose nose touched the stony floor. "There's some sort of magical boundary that prevents us from following him."

Minkabh's mass of wrinkles shifted into a smile. "Cut off from proper treatment of spell or medicine, I see. The boy is sure not to survive the night." He took a few noiseless steps down the stairs. His subjects parted, keeping their heads lowered in homage. "Take the prisoners to the meeting hall of the palace in the east wing. I will be in the upper chambers of the palace, awaiting the arrival of my new powers. Once that brat finally leaves me in peace, the legions of Hell will be at my beck and call. Nothing will stop me!"

Bakura hid behind a column beside the door, blending into the shadows perfectly. 'The old "rule the world with the armies of Hell" ploy, eh? How sickeningly predictable!' He tightened his grip on the dagger in his left hand. The metal was a special conductor of dark magic, and Diabound's entire power lay within. The moment Minkabh passed by him, he would slice the evil wizard's head clean off his shoulders.

Calpurnia slunk closer to Minkabh. "Sir, what about the Ring, Bracelet, and Shen? Do you truly not intend on obtaining the Millennium Items?"

"There is no hurry. Bakura's betrayal is disappointing, however expected. I will have to find a new pawn to summon the power of the Millennium Items once this whole ordeal is over. Perhaps Seto is strong enough. We will worry about retrieving the Items at a future date."

'Lying bastard,' thought Bakura with a disgusted click of his tongue. 'I knew he'd double cross me! The sacrifice was for his benefit, not mine!' He smirked. 'Pity he won't enjoy Anubis' lackies!'

{Pity is a debilitating emotion, Bakura-kun.} Bakura's eyes widened as the voice spoke in his head. {Frankly, I had hoped you to be free of it.}

'H-how? My techniques are-'

{Yes, your skills surpass any normal human's capabilities; such is to be expected from the sole survivor of the thief infestation. But your thoughts are louder than the very chaos that wrecks your soul. Be thankful that I put those skills to good use in helping me achieve my perfect vengeance.}

Bakura's lip curled. Logically, Bakura kept in mind that Minkabh was only trying to bait him out. But the insinuation that his family was vermin angered him.

{Hit a nerve, did I? Which burns you more, Bakura-kun, the fact that I tricked you, or that you are working with your family's killer?}

There's only so much goading a man can take. Bakura dashed out, weapon drawn, prepared to strike. A green energy surrounded Minkabh like a shield, and Bakura's blade plunged into it. Diabond's spirit appeared behind Bakura, giving him added strength. But the blade remained suspended in the shield, and Minkabh's laugh echoed in the large hall.

That laugh rang in Bakura's ears. He recognized it! This was the same man who stuck a flag into his father! In his anger, the Millennium Ring activated. Its golden light transferred to Bakura and concentrated on his arm and dagger. The weapon pierced the shield and slowly - oh so slowly - moved towards the wizard's neck.

For an instant, fear twanged in Minkabh's heart. Thinking quickly, he forced a vision on his assailant.

Bakura found himself in Kuruelna as it was being ransacked by the royal army. Bakura mentally snickered. {This didn't work with the pharaoh's bitch, and it certainly will not work for you!}

{But from whose perspective was it last time?}

Bakura felt himself carried away by a horse, trampling over many of the children he used to play with. {What the hell?} He felt his arm raise to slash at an old man, whom he remembered as an elder of the village, and a well respected thief. {I've killed hundreds in my time, Minkabh! You cannot intimidate me!}

{Is that a fact? Let's try something a little more personal.}

A man with a bushy black beard came with a curved dagger and mid-sized sword, standing in front of a tent by the river. He ordered the soldiers to retreat or die. Two rushed him, but both fell. He attacked so quickly, no blood stained his blades.

Minkabh, or rather Bakura, galloped towards the man at top speed. The man did not move, his brown eyes fixed upon the oncoming beast, but gasped when the horse jumped clear over his head. It landed on something inside, crushing a child or two under the cloth. Three more lumps hurried away from the creature and scampered away. One of them, a woman with long black hair in shabby robes, was grabbed by another soldier and dragged away. One child hid away. The pre-teenage girl screeched as she got stabbed by yet another soldier.

The man roared and charged at Bakura. Bakura took out a long sword and swung it at the man. The man defended himself as best his could, but was wounded a few times. Another from behind swung a heavy weapon at the man and crushed his arm. In that time, Bakura grabbed a pointed flag pole and stuck it through the man's chest.

The horrible, high-pitched laughter filled Bakura's ears as it came from his own mouth. His father staggered backwards towards the bush Bakura knew his younger self was hiding in. He turned around, shouting orders for more deaths. "An extermination," he heard it called.

The spirits of his comrades arose. His family's souls stared at him, accusing him, recognizing him for the blood on his own hands. His mother was crying…

Every instinct in the tomb robber's mind ordered him to be indifferent. His humanity was killed that day, leaving room only for vengeance and discord. But the actual act of killing his family was beginning to wear him down. He wanted the vision to stop! He wanted the killing to stop! His already tattered soul gasped for relief from the new mental torture.

He stared hard at the bush. From this position, he saw himself, watching helplessly from the foliage, as blood turned the grainy sand a rusty red. The fire from the ceremonial pyre reflected in his frightened, brown eyes. Those eyes looked so different from his now. They looked just like… [3]

Minkabh smirked as he side-stepped the crumpled form of Bakura. 'If he escapes that vision,' he thought contently, 'he will be paralyzed with madness. I may still be able to use him after all.' Then the evil wizard climbed the stairs to await Yugi's demise, and the arrival of his new powers.

Yami had sat down rocking back and forth, muttering prayers and anything that came to mind. It hurt to stay near the fire, now. Not only look at it, but to be in its light. His home was in the darkness. Darkness would hide him, like a warm soothing blanket. [2] The Shadow Realm was his domain. He had been chosen by destiny millennia ago to control it. How, he never knew. All he remembered was that he could.

But that didn't matter right now. What mattered were his aibou and his wife. Where were they? He couldn't feel either at all. He rocked back and forth, back and forth, worrying, waiting, praying, hoping, watching…

"Not good," Malik said voicing what everyone was thinking. "If he loses his mind, all is lost in the end. Whether we like it or not, he's our strongest with magic."

Mokuba scooted closer to the fire. He hugged his knees to his chest, staring at Yami with wide, gray eyes. "You can really go insane in this place, just by being here, huh?"

"Yes," said Rishid simply.

Mokuba let out a small whimper and buried his face in his knees. "I wanna get outta here! I want Niisama!"

Mai, normally not much of a maternal type, put her arms around the boy and held him closer. "Don't worry, kid. We'll get outta here soon enough! If I know Yugi-tachi, they aren't lying down on the job!"

Grandpa Moto, driving his four occupants, parked near the open tomb of Queen Shukura, several miles away from the Thebes. Nazo had fallen asleep on the tiger. Honda picked her up to carry her inside.

Gamil and Gama, Karim's two youngest children, ushered them into the tomb/home quickly. They prepared a bed for Nazo, and provided a very fancy medicine kit. "Hanif gave it to us," Gamil explained. "Father does not believe in hospitals, so our brother gives us advanced medicine."

Sugoroku looked over the supplies. "Young man, you may have just saved her life."

Hanif was huddled in a corner, his glasses askew, not giving a flying fig about Nazo's health or well being. "M-m-monsters! R-real monsters!"

Furia Moto reloaded her ammunition. "Anzu-chan, you and that idiot over there referring to Hanif stay and take care of her. The rest of us can go back and kick some monster ass!"

"No," said Sugoroku firmly, trying to pay attention to the bottle labels. He chose the one marked 'Morphine' to ease Nazo's pain. "You have no idea what they are up against."

"I helped take out those other ones! I can do it again!"

Honda shook his head in disbelief. He had met Mrs. Moto only a few times before, and she appeared to be a quiet, little, wash-out-foul-language-with-soap kind of woman. Her transformation weirded him out a bit. 'Everything's going wacko today!'

Gama tried to calm the woman down. "Ms. Lady, ma'am, its scary out there!" She teared up slightly.

"I need to save Yugi-chan!"

Anzu approached Mrs. Moto slowly. "Mrs. Moto, please, there is nothing we can do right now."

"You don't know that!"

Anzu put her hand on the rifle Yugi's mother carried. "Please listen. The best way to fight magic is with magic. And the people most likely to save Yugi are already inside the city." She brought the gun down slowly. "Believe me, Mrs. Moto, Yugi's in good hands."

Mrs. Moto stared helplessly at the gun, now pointed in defeat at the ground. Her eyes traveled up to Anzu's face. "Anzu-chan… I can't lose my little angel!"

"You won't, Moto-san…"

They all turned to Nazo, who had woken up when Sugoroku injected her with the drug. The girl's eyelids half opened, and her voice seemed far away. "You can never lose him. He is the keeper of my husband's soul. His peaceful spirit gives light into the pharaoh's dark heart, and makes him complete." She closed her eyes dreamily. The Bracelet glowed softly, and she felt renewed faith in her friends. "Yami-sa will need an angel… a dove… to help explain things… and put an end to his questions…to calm his heart… Angels never die… They go on… and on… and on…"

There was a silence in the room after the once-queen fell into yet another drug-induced sleep. Honda looked at Sugoroku. "Whatever she's on, I'll give you my bike for a gram!"

Keiko gave one more tug on the first layer of bandages around Jonouchi's torso. Jonouchi was surprisingly quiet, even when he bandaged up her leg. He did not make a remark about touching her, or Kaiba's jealousy, or gloat on the escape, or anything at all. The silence was deafening to the blonde. "You're brain still working?"

Jounouchi snapped awake. "Mm?"

"Part of it must be, if you can respond."

"Just thinking…"

"Don't strain yourself," she said with forced enthusiasm. When Jonouchi did not respond, she pouted. She would not be ignored! "Hey, I know things look bleak, but you gotta help work out a plan to escape the city! We can't hide out here forever, you know!"

"I know." Pause. "I'm not good with thinking like that."

"Yeah, but you got your merits." She meant to say that his input did, but started too fast. Her mouth often works faster than her mind. To make up for it, she said, "I mean you managed to save me and Yugi, right?"

Jonouchi's head rose slightly. "That's what I do. I protect the people I care for. I'd give my life for the people I love. That's why I saved you from the Fissure."

A blush covered Keiko's cheeks. "Jonouchi Katsuya! Mai's gonna get pretty darn mad when she finds out you've been flirting with me again!"

"Mai's never been my girl. She ain't the serious dating type. You're a much steadier person…"

Keiko felt both embarrassed and sad. She knew Jonouchi was hurting the most because of Yugi's condition. He needed something to hold on to, something solid. He yearned for someone to make the pain go away, to be near him when his best friend might be taken away. Plus, he'd had a crush on her for as long as she'd known him. For that, Keiko pitied him.

She made a final wrap over his shoulder and said, "I'm going to see if monsters are patrolling the opening. Seto is waiting for me." She stood up to go, and Jonouchi grabbed her hand. "So am I," he whispered. His hazel brown eyes begged desperately for her to stay close by. She could almost hear them scream, "Don't leave me alone!" But at this rate he might attempt something he'd regret later, and she quickly got away to carry out her suggestion.

Jonouchi watched her go in despair. The memory of his sister being torn from him was still fresh in his mind, thanks to that penalty game a month ago. God, had it only been a month? Were things so changed after so short a time? Images and memories he could take, but how can he cope with the possibility of his best friend dying?

There were no distractions now, nothing to take his mind off of the broken figure a few feet behind him. As much as he did not want to, Jonouchi knew he needed to watch over Yugi. Jou turned around and slowly crawled over to Yugi's side. Yugi looked so frail and helpless, his chest noticeably rising and falling, sweat dampening his filthy hair.

Only a day ago, they were making fun of his Indiana Jones wannabe outfit, and he getting excited over seeing the sites of his grandfather's stories. 'He's only sixteen,' thought Jonouchi. 'He shouldn't be here! None of us should!' He bit his lower lip hard in an attempt not to scream out in frustration. 'Damn Minkabh! Damn Bakura! Damn Zorc! Damn Egypt! Damn Yami! And damn this stupid, magic Puzzle!' Out of anger, he grabbed the Puzzle around Yugi's neck, planning on smashing it. A bright light flashed.

[Flashback]

Jonouchi found himself in the desert. At first, he figured he'd been transported outside, but then he noticed Yugi was sitting up next to him. Only it wasn't Yugi. This boy was younger and had darker skin.

"I'm not on a vacation," the boy said. "I'm on a quest!"

Jonouchi had no control over his own actions, and said, "Cool! What for?"

"To find a true purpose in life!" His face turned to one of determination. "I need to prove to myself, my brother, and everyone else that I'm not a coward! I may not be much of a hero, but my will is stronger than they realize! Even if I have to travel through all of Kemet to show it!"

"Sounds like fun," said Jonouchi lazily. "Count me in, too!"

The Yugi double said, "But what about Sati? You already saved my life, so your debt is repaid!"

"That walk in the park? No way! I'll never be able to repay a debt to a friend in full!" He laid down, stretching comfortably. "Looks like I'm gonna hafta be your bodyguard on this little trip!"

The other slowly grinned. "Thanks, Jabari!"

Jou smirked. "Hey, what're friends for?" [4]

[end of flashback]

Jonouchi was suddenly back in the present, staring at the Puzzle. 'Jabari? Who… What the fuck wazzat?'

"M… Mou hi…" Jonouchi jumped. In his confusion, he didn't realize Yugi was waking up. 'He's talking! He's gonna be alright! That's my buddy!' "Yugi! Yug, you're okay!"

"J-Jonouchi-kun?" Yugi's eyes opened wide, he panicked, and tried to sit up. Jonouchi pushed him back down gently. "Jonouchi-kun? It's so dark!"

"I'm right here for ya, man," Jonouchi said with a chuckle of relief. "Everything's gonna be okay now. We'll get you to a doctor and forget about this whole thing."

Yugi did not look relieved in the slightest. "Where's Yami?"

"We'll get him back, after you get better."

"No!" Yugi's eyes drooped. He was getting drowsy again. "We need to get him back! I can't… I can't…"

"Can't what?" Jonouchi could not see the urgency. His only concern was Yugi's well-being. "Can't fend fer yourself without 'im? Shit, man! You were awesome against Bakura! I've never seen ya fight before!"

A shadow of a smile crossed Yugi's face. "That was pretty heroic, wasn't it?"

Jonouchi stroked his hair a couple of times. "Fucking duh! That was Bakura! Ya know, I could train ya up to be my backup next time Hirutani comes to mess with me. Who'd've thunk you'd be any good with knife fighting?"

Yugi turned away as Jonouchi spoke. Jonouchi heard soft, short breaths. Crying? Yugi was crying? Now what? Why? "Yug, you gotta cut that out! What if Keiko comes back? Men don't cry after a battle! Especially when ya won!"

"I don't want to go," Yugi whispered.

Jonouchi froze. Something about Yugi's tone troubled him. "Go?"

"I feel like… I'm being swallowed up by darkness." His fists tightened slightly. "I'm so scared! I can't fight it. So dark… Want to stay here… I want… I want…" He mouthed, "Yami…"

Jonouchi took Yugi's hand. Right now, he didn't care if Keiko walked in and got the wrong impression. He loved Yugi like a brother, and felt as close as any blood bond could be. Yugi needed a brother right now. "Don't worry, Yugi. I'm still here to talk to you when it gets dark."

Those words of familiar comfort finally relaxed him fully, and he felt ready to let go without struggle. {Love you, Honored Brother…} [5]

1 Shemp - One of the Three Stooges. Screaming in a pitch too high for your voice so only air comes out is how Hanif was mumbling.
2 "Darkness like a warm, soothing blanket" - Sorry I'm not giving you the benefit of the doubt, but this was the metaphor Yami used all the way back in YLP.
3 Bakura's Vision - Not complete, some was cut and prodded, but it was inspired by Kyoko-san
4 Jonouchi's Vision - From my other story "A 3,000 Year Friendship"
5 Yugi's Last Words - Naeem's last words from ESoT
6 "Tasukete-yo!" - "Save me!", "Spare me!", "Help me!"

Una: Please, don't give up on me!! Don't shut off the internet! Don't curse my name! Don't be entirely pissed! Or kill me with sticks! Just send me ten reviews, and I'll update! The next chapter is already done! Its short, but done!