Alley Cat: Hello everybody. I'm updating… After all this time…I'm updating… (cries) I DON'T WANNA UPDATE!!!
Dark Conscience: (glares at Alley Cat) Do it… You have to to keep going on with the story…
Alley Cat: -.- Fine.
Seto: Oooh… I can feel flames coming for this one…
Alley Cat: Uh-huh. I have already warned everyone that I suck at battle scenes. (shrugs) It's not my fault. Blame Dark Conscience. Her battle scenes put mine to shame…
Dark Conscience: (grins very broadly)
Alley Cat: Not that mine were anything less than shameful from the beginning… Anyway… (says very sullenly) I'd better update or Dark Conscience will have a cow…
Dark Conscience: I already did. I'll have an even bigger one if you don't update now, though.
Alley Cat: (glares at Dark Conscience) I hate you…
Seto: …(scared of the tension and says nothing)
Alley Cat: Anyway, I'd better thank everybody. …Thanx everybody.
Dark Conscience: …That's it?
Alley Cat: (nods) I'm updating against my will. You never said I had to do it efficiently…
Dark Conscience: (gonks Alley Cat on the head) Give PROPER thanks. …And work on your grammar…
Alley Cat: (cries)
FlamingIceCrystals – I made it a picture because I had already used the mental image for Yami. It'd just seem too…unoriginal if I did a mental picture for both. …And I might have ripped it off from Eragon if you weren't paying attention to what I said at the end of the chapter… Heh. (sweatdrop) Anyway, I'm glad you liked the beginning. Some people think I'm crazy. (Dark Conscience: You are crazy…) Don't listen to her…though she's probably right. Anyway, thanx so much for the compliment. I hope…well…I just hope you don't flame me for this chapter. It doesn't have to be a good review…heck, it doesn't even have to be a review… You can just write miscellaneous stuff in there and I'll accept it… But just…please don't flame me… (smiles in a begging sort of way) Well…um…enjoy?
Essence of Light – Thanks for the advice…but flames…well…I tend to put myself down as well. I tend to think that my work is the worst there is out there. I know it's not the right way to think…but I have this overwhelming fear that people won't like what I do… …And…you know what I mean, right? And thanks for the compliment. I tried to find a good way into the ritual that didn't include something like "Someone bursts into Yami's chambers and yells that the city's being attacked by a duel monster" type scenario. It's just too…well…clichéd… Not that what I did wasn't… But…yeah… …Please don't flame me for this chapter… I know it sucks, but I have to get through this roadblock to continue on with my story…
Black-Lightniing – It is, beyond a doubt, a fact that you're going to flame me in this chapter. (glares) Do what you want. I already know it sucks. Dark Conscience rarely says mean things and she flamed my chapter as well. (glares at Dark Conscience) THAT REALLY BOOSTED MY EGO!! (clears throat) Anyway, Anippe was depressed in the beginning of the chapter. When people are depressed, they want to be hurt. Some even go as far as wanting to jump off a cliff, but that's a different story. Anyway, I hope you don't flame me for this chapter. I know it sucks. You don't have to restate me. Well…enjoy? (yeah right…)
Emotional Writer – (smiles) I'm glad you care about my Ocs so much! …I never thought I'd be good enough to make people feel so…much toward them. It's nice to know I'm doing something right. Well…I hope you like this chapter…but I doubt you will…
Pharohs-slave – n.n Glad you liked the last chapter. This one isn't quite as good… …What am I saying? It sucks. But…just read it because I have to get past this chapter to continue on with the story…
Animelover – Anippe was depressed at the beginning of the chapter. She wanted pain. Because that's what you want when you're depressed. Well…I'm glad you liked the previous chapter… But this chapter's really crappy…so good luck finding something good to say about it…
My Chickens Rule the Coop – Ha! I love your username… Anyway, thanks for all the compliments…but I really don't think I deserve them… I'm glad you like this story… …But this chapter is absolutely terrible. …So yeah…
Dark Conscience: -.- You give crappy thanx. …It's even worse than Yuan's…and that's saying a lot…
Alley Cat: …I told you that since I'm, once again, doing this against my will, I don't have to be cheery or preppy about it or do it correctly. n.n
Dark Conscience: (glares)
Seto: (sitting on the ground, wondering what's so bad about this chatper) How does Dark Conscience know about it anyway?
Alley Cat: …I accidentally put it in Document Manager and left it there… Then she went and read it… (glares at Dark Conscience) …I hate you…
Dark Conscience: (sighs irritably) Well…update already! No use drawing it out!!
Alley Cat: -.- Fine.
Seto: (can't wait to flame Alley Cat as well) Alley Cat doesn't own Yu-gi-oh.
…There was a battle. Anippe got hurt. Yami got hurt. Layla sat and watched, horror-striken. Marik got hurt. Bakura got hurt. SETO KICKED BUTT!!!!!!
Alley Cat: n.n Alright. I'm done. (runs for the door before flamers arrive)
Dark Conscience: THAT…WAS NOT AN UPDATE! …You pitiful excuse for a writer. GET BACK HERE!! (runs after Alley Cat and grabs her by the collar) I cannot believe you… (drags her back the computer and ties her to the chair) Update. For real this time.
Seto: …I really did that good? n.n Yay!
Alley Cat: (muttering) At least someone's happy…
It was night… Anippe opened her eyes and painfully got up. Where was she? The moonlight lit up a large section of the ground. She looked behind her to see a temple. She stared in wonder at it until she heard a moan. She looked to find Layla.
"Wh—what happened?" Layla asked anxiously.
Anippe shook her head. "I have no idea. I—I can't remember much…" Perhaps they had cast a memory spell on her… She could remember what happened a few days ago…but that was it. Her most recent memories weren't within her grasp.
Layla cradled her head. "I have a huge headache," she said softly.
Anippe nodded. She did too. She noticed torches forming a circle around them. This only puzzled her more. What was going on?
Alley Cat: Alright. That's my chapter. Ritual's the next chapter. See you all. Bye! (makes a dash for the door again)
Dark Conscience: (livid) You…idiot!! Get back here!!!
Alley Cat: (distracted by Dark Conscience's fury and runs into the wall) X.X
Dark Conscience: This…is very…sad. It's so sad…there's no word for how sad it is.
Seto: I wanna get to the part where I kick butt!
Dark Conscience: …(sighs irritably) You started… Now finish...
Alley Cat: (muttering) Alright, alright… Fine…
"It's almost time," Marik said from the shadows.
"Yes," Bakura agreed.
Anippe immediately directed her attention to Marik. Bakura was behind her…and Marik was in front… They were cornered. "Marik!" she shouted. "What is the meaning of this?!"
Marik smiled. "What's this? Don't address me as 'master' anymore?"
"Now is not the time to worry about titles," Anippe pointed out. "What are you trying to do?"
Layla stared at Bakura. He was the person who stopped her from escaping… He used magic… He was a sorcerer! He had to be! Especially since he had a staff in his hand. Layla examined Marik as well to find that he had a long sword hanging from his waist. "Anippe!" she gasped. "They—they're armed!"
Bakura cackled. "Of course! Why wouldn't we be? Especially since we're trying to overthrow the Pharaoh…"
"What?!" Anippe cried, clearly confused.
"This ritual will bring an end to the Pharaoh," Marik explained as Bakura used magic to light the torches. "And…you two are the final pieces that we need."
As the torches lit, yellow beams of light started to crisscross from under Anippe and Layla, from one torch to the other.
"Of course," Bakura told Marik. "We have to give a little bloodshed first."
Marik smiled and pulled out his sword from its sheath. He advanced on Layla.
Layla stared at him with fear. She didn't even know anything about magic! She was completely in over her head… She tried to back away, but Marik advanced to fast.
Marik used the sword to slash at her midsection. The necklace Anippe had given Layla glowed brightly. The ruby shot out a red beam of light and formed a circular, protective barrier around her.
Marik's sword hit the barrier with a shower of sparks. The barrier stood as firmly as before, unscarred. Black smoke ran from Marik's sword. "What in Ra's name just happened?!" he asked angrily.
"Magic!" Bakura snarled unhappily. "It's the pendant!"
Anippe smiled. The pendant was actually some use to Layla… Her desire for some kind of weapon at all burned in her. She needed something. A sword, a bow, a lance, heck, even a hammer would do! Suddenly, she felt cold metal under her fingertips. She glanced down to see Flyht. She gasped. Then…it truly was a magical sword…it heard its master's call and… She grinned and picked it up with confidence. She lunged at Marik.
"Marik!" Bakura shouted. "Watch out!"
Marik barely parried in time. Then, he lunged back with an equally fierce blow.
The two swords clashed as both fighters stood their ground.
"Where did you learn to use a sword?" Marik asked angrily.
Anippe didn't answer. Instead, she stepped aside, causing Marik to stumble, and tried to strike his back.
Meanwhile, Bakura had been muttering a spell. Before Anippe could hit Marik, he released the spell and a blinding white light shot out from his staff. It hit its target and sent Anippe crashing toward the temple. A yellow wall had risen from the side of the circle and prevented Anippe from going out of the circle.
Anippe hit the wall hard and crashed to the ground. Flyht fell out of her hand and struck the ground.
Marik had regained his footing and walked slowly toward Anippe, sword ready to strike.
Anippe narrowly dodged Marik's attack by quickly rolling to the side. While Marik took time to recover, she leaped to her feet and pulled Flyht out of the ground. Every muscle within her was sore and tense.
Marik growled and blocked Anippe's sword just in time. He took this time to regain his footing once again and slashed at Anippe's legs.
Anippe parried and glanced over at Bakura to notice that he was muttering another spell. She had to stop him! She dodged Marik's sword again and began muttering a spell as well, but, unlike Bakura's, it was a quick one. Flyht glowed a blinding white. Anippe swung the sword and released the spell. Three arches of light came from her sword toward Bakura. Anippe watched them hit Bakura, causing major damage and stopped the spell.
Seeing Anippe distracted, Marik attacked her and hit her right shoulder.
Anippe cried out painfully, cursing at herself for being so heedless. Flyht fell out of her hand as she fell to the ground.
Bakura excruciatingly got up from the ground.
Marik frowned. Since when did Anippe know how to fight with a sword? Not only that, but she could use magic! But…only nobles were able, or at least taught how, to do that… He glanced wearily at Bakura. "Are you still well enough to perform the ritual?" he asked.
Bakura nodded, scowling. "I guess that's enough bloodshed," he said, gesturing toward Anippe. Her shoulder was bleeding copiously.
Marik nodded and stared at his bloody sword. He sighed and cleaned it with a rag. He sheathed it and then walked out of the circle.
Bakura immediately started chanting the spell that would release the Sacred Dragon from the Shadow Realm. The circle started glowing even brighter.
Suddenly, a great roar filled the air.
Bakura, distracted, stopped chanting. The circle returned to its usual brightness. "What now?" he muttered, glaring at Marik.
Marik shrugged and looked at the sky just in time to see the Blue Eyes White Dragon land, with the High Priest on his back. The Pharaoh was not far behind on his Curse of Dragon. Marik growled.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Seto asked furiously.
Marik quickly pulled out his sword and lunged at the High Priest.
Seto easily parried the blow.
Yami's Curse of Dragon landed with a growl, and Yami swiftly jumped off. "Are you okay?" he asked Seto.
Seto nodded and stared at the circle.
Yami did the same and gasped. Layla was helpless, and Anippe was writhing on the ground. "What happened?" he asked bewildered.
"I don't know," Seto said irritably. "Let's stop them first and ask questions later. …Isn't that Bakura?" he asked curiously. Marik did invite him into the palace on certain occasions…
Yami nodded. "Yeah…I think so…" He pulled out his sword. It glinted in the moonlight.
Seto closed his eyes and concentrated on a spell. A green circle of magic appeared around him.
Marik seized this opportunity to attack the High Priest, but the Pharaoh blocked his attack.
The Curse of Dragon attacked Marik as well, an orange blast came from its mouth.
Marik jumped backwards to avoid the attack.
Bakura released the spell he was working on to send the Curse of Dragon back to the Shadow Realm.
The Curse of Dragon gave one last roar before blackness consumed it. Then, it was gone, as well as the darkness.
Yami glared at Bakura.
Bakura sagged a little. The spell was effective, but it drained much of his energy. He concentrated on a spell to renew his energy.
Meanwhile, Marik took one look at the distracted Pharaoh and went for his back.
Seto released his spell. Originally, he wanted to attack Bakura, but he switched targets. "Lightning!" he commanded. Bolts of white lightning flashed from the sky and rained down on Marik.
In an attempt to dodge the lightning, Marik stumbled backwards.
"Revival!" Bakura commanded. A white light surrounded him. When the light ebbed away, Bakura's energy was renewed.
Yami snarled. Then, something caught his eye. He looked toward the circle to see Anippe agonizingly trying to get up. She was using a sword to steady herself. Since when did she get a sword? It didn't matter now… "Anippe!" he shouted, running toward her. "Stay down!"
Hearing the Pharaoh's voice distracted her, and she fell to her knees. Pain shot up her body, but she wouldn't give up. She needed to help the Pharaoh!
Layla just watched all this happen, horrified at the scene. She wanted to help, but she just couldn't. It was painful to watch the High Priest in trouble, and she couldn't do anything to help!
"Tsunami!" Bakura demanded. A gigantic tidal wave rose from behind him.
"Ice barrier!" Seto countered, freezing the water in its place.
Yami ran into the circle, hoping to get to Anippe to help her.
Marik saw this as the perfect instant to attack the Pharaoh. He lunged at him and, this time, was successful at striking the Pharaoh down.
Seto glared at Marik for this and released his spell. "Firestorm!" he shouted in fury. Fire rose up from behind him and surrounded both Bakura and Marik.
Anippe ran toward the Pharaoh, ignoring the pain. "Yami!" she cried as he fell toward he ground. Tears streamed down her face. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. She knelt by him, wincing at the pain in her shoulder.
Yami strained a smile. "It's okay," he whispered back. He shuddered as he inhaled. It was extremely cold at night…and he was loosing blood…fast.
Anippe looked at him worriedly. He needed help... Anippe could use a spell to heal him…but she lacked the energy. She stared at Flyht in her hand. Of course! It was a magic sword. It would supply the energy she needed! She closed her eyes and concentrated on grabbing the energy from the sword. As the sword's energy flowed in her, she began chanting, not very loudly though. "Healing Aid!" she said softly. A blue circle formed around Yami.
Yami stared at the circle that was underneath him in amazement. Was this…was Anippe using…magic? The blue light moved onto Yami and healed everything, even his arm injury.
When the spell vanished, Anippe relaxed slightly. The spell had taken just about all the energy she had left. "Yami…" she whispered. "I love you." And with that, she fell to the ground, unconscious.
Yami got up, all pain gone and his energy restored. "Anippe," he said tearfully.
"Yami!" Seto barked. "Get a hold of yourself! I need your help!"
Yami clenched his fists in anger. He took out his sword from the ground and swung at Marik with such force that he cut Marik's sword in half.
Marik backed up and let go of the sword. It was useless to him now…
Yami glared at Marik with hatred.
"I'll take care of Marik!" Seto exclaimed, noticing Yami's anger. "Go after Bakura!" What would the city think if they killed a noble?
As much as Yami wanted to get revenge on Marik, he decided to listen to Seto. His Millennium puzzle glowed as Yami spelled his sword. The sword glowed a brilliant blue. He lunged at Bakura.
"Reflect!" Bakura shouted anxiously as a means of self-defense.
Yami attacked with such rage that Bakura's spell shattered to pieces.
The Blue Eyes White Dragon attacked Marik with White Lightning.
Marik slammed into the wall and was knocked unconscious.
Yami slashed at Bakura.
Bakura screamed in pain as the sword cut into his ribs. He dropped his staff and fell to his knees. The staff harmlessly rolled away.
Yami pulled the sword out and prepared to attack him again.
"Yami!" Seto shouted. "That's enough!"
Yami didn't listen. He held the sword above his head, ready to give Bakura a fatal blow.
"Restraint!" Seto commanded as a green glow appeared around Yami's sword, frozen in air.
Yami turned around and glared at Seto. The sword clattered to the ground.
"What will the people think of a Pharaoh who kills nobles?" Seto asked furiously.
Yami backed up, the anger gone from his face. He looked at his surroundings and dropped to his knees. The anger had taken a toll on his body. Tears streamed down his face. "Anippe," he cried.
Seto went over to Anippe and inspected her. "It's alright," he told Yami coldly. "She's not dead…but close to it. She needs help."
"She risked her life for me," Yami whispered. "She said she loved me… And…I love her…" He crawled over to Anippe. "I'm so sorry," he whispered to her.
"Yami!" Seto growled. "If we don't help her soon, she'll die."
"Anippe," Yami repeated.
Seto sighed. Yami wasn't even listening to him anymore. He walked over to Layla. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Layla was trembling feverishly. "I—I think so," she stuttered.
Seto helped her get up. "Calm down," he whispered. "Everything's okay now."
"But…Anippe!" Layla cried out. "You have to do something! You can't just let her die!"
Seto looked over at Yami. At least he'd improved…
Yami painfully lifted Anippe off the ground. "I'm so sorry," he kept repeating, tears running down his face.
"Let's go," Seto said gruffly. "We'll get Anippe and Layla back to the palace and then come back for these two," he suggested, gesturing at Marik and Bakura. He summoned another Blue Eyes White Dragon.
Yami nodded and carried Anippe onto the Blue Eyes.
Seto got on his other Blue Eyes with Layla and they took off.
Alley Cat: -.- Yay… Can I go now?
Dark Conscience: …(still angry) You didn't make your reviewers wait that long for a measly five pages, did you?
Alley Cat: (nods) Yup. Alright. I'm done. Bye. (makes a dash for the door again)
Seto: (happy)
Dark Conscience: -.- (makes the door disappear) You will write more.
Alley Cat: …Why?
Dark Conscience: …Because I said so.
Alley Cat: (whines) Fine. I'll include Ishizu in here somewhere. Happy?
Dark Conscience: I don't care who you include. As long as you update…and update well.
Alley Cat: -.-
Ishizu sighed. Last night, the Pharaoh had asked her to look after Anippe for him…and the High Priest wished for her to do the same with Layla. Layla had a few minor injuries so Ishizu just healed them on the spot. As for Anippe, she was seriously injured and didn't know if there was anything to do to help without endangering her life as well.
"How is she?" Yami asked softly from the doorway.
Ishizu snapped out of her thoughts. "Not good," she said. "I'm afraid that she has many physical injuries. Her biggest ones are the wounds in her shoulder and stomach. She has a fever. And her energy seems completely depleted. I'm surprised she's still alive…"
Yami looked at the floor. "Oh," he said quietly.
"What happened?" Ishizu asked curiously. "Not only are Anippe and Layla hurt, but the High Priest seems to have suffered a few injuries as well. It's why he asked me to take care of those two instead of tending to them himself. His energy was…well…not at best…"
Yami shook his head. "It's nothing you need to worry about. It's over now."
"But…don't I have the right to know?" Ishizu pressured.
"Marik…and Bakura were plotting against us," Yami said after a period of silence.
Ishizu gasped. "No…"
Yami nodded. "You're brother…is a good swordsman."
Ishizu looked at Anippe. "And her? What happened to her?"
Yami stared at Anippe's face. "She…saved me," he got out.
"What?!" Ishizu exclaimed. "How?"
Tears flowed down Yami's eyes. "She was foolish enough to use one of the most powerful healing spells that exist when she hardly had the energy to stand up." He closed his eyes. He didn't want to remember… "Ishizu," he pleaded. "Isn't there anything you can do?"
Ishizu stared at the Pharaoh and sighed. "I'll do my best."
Yami nodded. "Thank you Ishizu," he whispered.
Layla was cradled in the High Priest's arms. She kissed him gently, her fingers running through his hair…
Seto kissed back…his hands caressing her waist. "I almost lost you," he murmured between kisses.
"Would it really have been that much of a loss to you?" Layla asked, trying to hide her surprise. She pulled away from him.
"Yes," Seto said, pulling Layla back toward him.
Layla squirmed a little but gave in.
"I love you," he whispered in her ear. "If you died…I would have too."
Layla gasped at this. "You—you're lying! H—how could…you…of all people—"
"Layla," he said lovingly. "You don't understand, do you? Emotions are not something one can control."
Layla stared at him disbelievingly. "No…it can't be!" she said, gently pushing her fists against his chest. "I—it can't be…"
"Layla," Seto said, trying to calm her down. "It's possible. Just listen to me. I'm not lying to you. I denied it myself in the beginning…but…I've come to realize…it's the truth."
"No!" Layla exclaimed, refusing to listen. Tears brimmed to her eyes. "You can't! I can't! I love you too! But it can't work out! It just can't!" Then she stared at him, realizing what she just said. She blushed furiously. "I—I didn't…mean…"
Seto grinned. "We'll find a way," he assured her. He leaned in and kissed her quite passionately.
Layla accepted this kiss wholeheartedly.
Yami sat next to Anippe, her sword across his legs. "Where did you get such a nice sword?" he asked, mainly to himself. The sword was truly a beauty…perhaps even better than his own sword. He ran his finger up and down the sword. "Anippe…please wake up soon."
Anippe groaned slightly.
Yami immediately directed his attention back toward Anippe. "Anippe?" he asked softly.
Nothing.
Yami sighed. He had brought this upon her… She suffered because of him… It was his fault… He closed his eyes, tears flowing down his face. He looked back at her face and held onto her hand. "Be strong…"
Alley Cat: Can I stop now?
Dark Conscience: No.
Alley Cat: Please?
Dark Conscience: No!
Alley Cat: But!!
Dark Conscience: Keep going or I'll beat you to a pulp!!
Alley Cat: (whines)
"How is she?" Seto asked Yami. He had walked in the room to find Yami, paralyzed, in front of Anippe's bed.
Yami looked at Seto grimly. "I—I don't know. Ishizu says it doesn't look too good. She said…she was surprised that Anippe's still…alive."
Seto took a look at the unconscious girl. "I can't believe she used 'Healing Aid'," he murmured.
Yami nodded. "How does she know magic?" he asked. "And where did she get this sword?" He held up Flyht.
Seto stared at the sword. The sword captivated him. There was something about it…that said it contained much power… He sighed. "I don't know…"
Yami shook his head. "She's full of surprises…"
Seto went over to Anippe and felt her forehead. "She's burning up," he commented.
Yami panicked. "What?!" he asked, confused.
"I can feel her burning up…right now," Seto said worriedly.
"No!" Yami cried out leaning over Anippe, grabbing her by the shoulders. "You have to live!" he cried, tears streaming down his face. "Please!"
Anippe didn't move.
Yami stared at her with pleading eyes. "I love you," he whispered. He kissed her gently.
Anippe slowly opened her eyes, and the High Priest looked baffled.
"That's…ironic," Seto commented. "And…completely cliché."
Anippe winced. "Yami," she whispered. "My shoulder…"
Yami immediately let go of her shoulders. "You're alive!" he said, rejoicing.
Anippe smiled weakly. "Of course. 'I'm not that fragile. I can withstand a wound or two'," she quoted from one of her first days in the palace.
Yami smiled back.
Alley Cat: There. Done. The end. Bye now.
Seto: O.o …That serously was clichéd…and cheesy...
Alley Cat: I know. I got lazy. Would have had a chapter or two of Anippe unconscious but didn't want to. So I made it easy and let her have a "miraculous" recovery.
Dark Conscience: -.- That wasn't the end of your story, was it?
Alley Cat: Oh, no. Far from it. I just meant "The end" as in the end of the ritual. n.n (hangs head) …But it really sucked so I saved you all some trouble and made it short. Or…at least, I would have made it short if Dark Conscience wouldn't keep pestering me.
Dark Conscience: At least you got over this chapter…
Alley Cat: …True… But… (sighs) Fine. Whatever…
Seto: …Well…R&R! …It should be pretty easy to flame this chapter. n.n
Alley Cat: (whines)