Part 12: Thirteenth Phase
Mokuba looked up from the book of Astronomy that he had gotten from somewhere and blinked. "Why not?"
"It's too dangerous."
"Demo Nii-sama…"
"I said no."
Artemis, who had opted to stay with Mokuba despite them finding Minako, looked up from his own place near Mokuba and cast a small look at the elder Kaiba. "It's not so much a question of that. Mokuba will be safe on the Moon, more so then here on Earth."
Kaiba paused and glared at the cat. For a moment the white cat glowed and finally transformed into a man with white-blond hair and the crescent moon symbol on his forehead. "Mokuba, could you excuse your brother and I for a moment? I'm sure Isis-san and the others will need some help."
Mokuba nodded and quickly retreated from the room.
Kaiba turned his own blue eyes back to the computer screen. "He's not coming."
"I wish he wasn't either. Mokuba was the first to understand me, and he is a good boy, I care for him as much as I know I will for my daughter…but the truth is that he has to come. Without Sailor Moon or the ginzuishou, we're not even sure if we'll have enough power to reach the Moon."
Kaiba looked over at him and Artemis sighed. "Don't you notice it? The Senshi's current power is weakening, possibly making room for a new power. Even Minako's power is not what it used to be, I should know. I am her partner, the one who unluckily opened up this path to her and now I fear for her as much as you fear for Mokuba."
Artemis now stood and walked over to the desk, standing opposite of Kaiba. "He has the ka of the one who originally held the Blue Eyes. Without him, you cannot completely call forth the Blue Eyes. And if we leave him or Shizuka on Earth, they'll be in greater danger. Lamia, I'm sure, has figured out that we know about her and that we released Marik, so she'll be trying to stop us from finding out the complete truth, or she'll try to attack the Princess again."
Kaiba knew this was true. Still, he didn't completely want to put his brother in harm's way. Then again, the Senshi would be there to protect him, as would his own Blue Eyes, and Kaiba's Blue Eyes.
Kaiba sighed. "Fine. Just keep him away from the mutt's sister."
Artemis gave a sly smile. "Why? Afraid they might grow to like each other?"
"Go tell him I'll let him come, and don't mention that last part or else."
Artemis nodded and left the room. Kaiba glared at the door and almost didn't hear Rei walk up behind him from the other door, though when she circled her arms around him. "You and Jounouchi, I think, have the same fear."
"Which is?"
"That you're younger sibling will run away from you with the other's sibling."
"It won't happen."
Rei sighed. "If you're lucky, then he won't run away from you. Don't hold him too close, Kaiba. He can take care of himself, hasn't he proven that already?"
He knew she had been talking to Mokuba and learned of the Death-T match, then of Pegasus' Island. He hated what he had done to Mokuba back then, and again that he couldn't help his brother.
"He's proven it slightly…but I'd rather ensure that he's fine."
Rei nodded. "I feel the same way. But just remember that Yugi and everyone also wants to take care of him and Shizuka. Of all of us, besides Yugi, they are the most innocent. We all want them to be safe."
Kaiba nodded and looked up at Rei. She smiled at him and leaned forward to kiss him quickly. "We'll all have to be careful, Seto."
Mai had left.
Jounouchi sighed as he sat down. "I hope she's okay."
Mako nodded, seated with Shizuka nearby. The group had noticed Mai's leaving, but were now worried as it had been a few days and no call from her. Of the whole group, Mai had slowly gotten to be like part of their family and they wanted nothing more then to ensure her safety.
"Hopefully she is," Shizuka said, "but maybe she went with that guy she was talking to during the song."
Jounouchi's eyes darkened. "I didn't like the look of that guy."
Mako shook her head and sighed. "We have to worry a little more about what's to come, I think. I wish Mai was with us now, but…"
The two siblings nodded. All three wanted to know that Mai was okay, but the current situation couldn't allow them to find her. As much as they didn't want to admit it, things would have wait.
They all gathered in a group in the park, the full moon glowing white and above them.
"For the best of predictions," Rei said as they all gathered, "you need a full moon."
"On one side, the kingdom of the White Moon," Minako said, looking up while Luna and Artemis took their places.
"To the other," Mako sighed, "the Dead Moon."
"Light calls the dark, and the dark calls the light," Ami said, as if finishing an incantation.
"Well, without that," the group turned to see Yugi's grandfather walking up.
"Ojii-chan, what are you doing here?" Yugi asked, obviously worried.
"In my travels and studies, you don't think that I came across something about the Moon Kingdom?" The whole group paused as he smiled. "Remember my friend did look up obscure things, such as Duel Monsters in Ancient Egypt, when others wouldn't. He also looked up the Moon Kingdom."
The group cast glances at each other and finally Rei smiled at him. "Um, I hope you don't want to go with us."
"Oh, Kami-sama, no! My heart couldn't take it. But I'm here to wish you all good luck. Are you two going?" the two cats looked at each other then shook their heads. "Then I'll take care of you two. How's that?"
The group looked again at each other, and finally formed a circle. The group glowed with power before a bubble formed and they disappeared. The two cats and Mutou Sugoroku behind to worry for them.
"There," the group said, seeing the whitest spot and slowly landing. The moon itself was cold, and Jounouchi remembered that there wasn't supposed to be any atmosphere here.
"Wait…how can we breath?"
"Maybe we shouldn't ask," Anzu pointed out, then said, "Is that it?"
Before them was a huge palace of marble, brilliant white and shinning brightly.
Kaiba cast a glance at Anzu. "How are you one of the smartest ones of the group?"
"Hey!"
"Come on," Marik said, still casting a glare at Kaiba as he walked past. Kaiba smirked and the group walked over to the ruins, if they could be called that. The whole place looked like it was still at the height of the Moon Kingdom's power.
"Where are we going, anyway?" Isis asked.
The group now came to the huge Moon Palace and Yugi answered. "Inside. To the Prayer Room."
Jounouchi looked confused, but Rishid voiced the question. "Prayer Room?"
"Last time we were here," Minako explained, "that's where we found the sword. It's where the last stand was fought, and where the Moon Queen, Selenity, prayed. It's sacred ground."
Ryuugi looked around and paused. "Wait. This looks like Egypt."
The group looked at it, seeing the pyramids, one a 'normal' pyramid such as everyone was used to, and the other pointing downward, as the Puzzle did. Above the one was darkness, but it seemed to cast a light on Egypt despite this.
"These are all the kingdoms from that time. Babylon, Greece…but it stops there," Isis said.
"At that point," Ami told her, "the Moon was attacked and the kingdom destroyed. It was recreated after we destroyed Metallia about four years ago."
Bakura looked around as they continued towards the Prayer Room. "I'm amazed no one's discovered it."
"No one comes here, now do they?" Set pointed out. "No one even seemed to notice that the Moon is getting to be whiter every day, or that it's also getting closer to Earth."
"What's that?" Jounouchi said, spotting the item first. There, tilted slightly, was the Moon Sword that Venus once held. It was different, though. Now the blade was dark on one half and light on the other, and the Wedjet Eye, with a crescent moon for a pupil, stared at them.
"That's it," Yugi said, walking up to it before stopping.
"What's wrong?" Marik asked.
"Bakura…he was here too."
Bakura blinked. "Nani? ME?"
"It needs all the people who have a Yami and a Hikari," Yugi explained, "so…both of us have to pull it out."
Bakura swallowed but walked up, standing beside Yugi before both nodded and grabbed the hilt.
Golden and silver light streamed our around them, blinding everyone and suddenly their were four yells.
The sands were hot…he had been playing when the news came, and suddenly he had felt his mother shove him into a hiding place.
"Stay hidden, my Bakura. You are best as hiding, and sneaking, stay hidden."
The men were of the Pharaohs. They had come and attacked, and then slaughtered, the roads were turned red by the blood…his mom…everyone…
A huge pot of boiling something, a priest who said weird spells that Bakura never wished to understand or hear again, then suddenly everything went in. All of Kuru Eruna went into the pot and then and then…
He sat for a long time, crying. They were all gone, and now gold.
He looked up at the stone slab and his face became distorted, angry. They were all dead…
And the Pharaoh would pay.
Bakura stood up quickly. Beyond that was a darkness. If he brought it in, if he destroyed everything, he could get them all back.
Time and madness, a madness from dealing with the curses of the tombs and homes, from seeing that which shouldn't have been seen and still hid in the dark places, obscured that idea except for a few important thoughts.
He had to destroy the Pharaoh and his kingdom. He had to gain the Seven Millennium Items. He had to release the darkness beyond the door to the underworld.
And then, before he died, struck down, he remembered.
He wanted to get his family back--that was what his reasoning was, his sense of justice. He wanted his mom back. Where was his mother…why wouldn't she come back?
Everything was a blur, but it wasn't either. The god Obelisk appeared and nearly killed the thief who had desecrated his father's tomb, who had drug his father's corpse to the throne room and taken all that he needed for the afterlife.
That thief would pay.
Set had tried to help, and despite the 'not knowing' part of any plan, he figured it all out. Set wanted to have a strong ka so he could protect the land and the Pharaoh, so that the Pharaoh wouldn't have to battle should the other's ka be as strong as a god.
Then Akunadin had turned Set against him.
The scene made sense now, as did who made it. The Blue Eyes belonged to another, he remembered, and had been strong, but Set had broken free and together they had fought the evil which had once been a priest, the one who had held the Millennium Eye.
"Pharaoh…"
"I want you to rebuild the kingdom," he handed him the Puzzle, where his soul would be sent, where his memories were and everything else. There were enough people left that could remember, but it was forgotten anyway.
The true story. His name--.
Atemu. His name was Atemu.
The light died down and now four hands held the exposed sword. Yugi and his dark half were on one side, while Bakura and his other side slumped on the other side of the sword.
Set and the others moved to help them up, Yugi's hand not leaving the sword.
"You okay?" Jounouchi asked as the two Yamis seemed to awaken. Both looked at Jounouchi and finally it was Yami Yugi who nodded. "I--remember. I remember who I was, what my name was."
"Cool! What was it, maybe that can help us out here."
"Atemu."
A small column of light appeared and now a smaller woman stood. She had moon-silver hair and Yugi blinked. "Sailor Moon?"
"Ie, I am the spirit of one known as Selene on Earth, but my true name is Selenity."
"Queen Selenity!" the four Senshi of that system said, kneeling quickly while the newer group gathered around, confused. Sailor Set blinked and finally knelt as well.
"Selenity," Atemu said, "I remember now. You came to Earth, to warn my father of the dangers of the Millennium Items."
"I remember you as well, though you were simply a child at the time, Atemu. Yugi, I see you are the one who is destined to wield the sword. I am both sorry for you, but happy that you have such friends with you to help. It is true: You and my daughter are very much alike."
Yugi blushed slightly then said, "Ma'am, I mean…Selenity-sama, I was wondering, about Lamia. She's awoken again, and we need to defeat her and Apopis."
Kaiba looked at the small lady and asked, "Can we defeat them, that's the question."
"With the power of the true ginzuishou, they can be destroyed. With the powers you have currently, including the power of the Gods, they can be resealed. For how long, though, I am uncertain. The evil with possessed Marik Ishtar, as well as the evil which was unleashed as the Shadow Realm became accessible again since the finding of the Puzzle and the release of the Millennium Items themselves into the world, darkness is once more growing, and the time when my daughter's own kingdom, as well as the kingdom you, Pharaoh Atemu, must create, is growing closer."
"Forgive me, Selenity-sama," Shadii said, "I released the Millennium Eye because I felt Pegasus-san was worthy of it. I was wrong."
"You were not, Shadii. Pegasus was destined to gain and lose the Millennium Eye to the one who held the Millennium Ring, as his predecessor was destined to lose it and later turn evil. Do not think that what you did was wrong."
"Domo arigato, Selenity-sama, demo how are we to fight them when we can only hold them back?"
Yugi stood now. "She already told us. We can defeat Apopis and Lamia…but with the true ginzuishou."
"Hai, demo you don't need the true ginzuishou to defeat Lamia. She wishes to gain the ginzuishou, or a piece of it, and thus will try to strike at you, thinking you are the best target. But you must fight her, and the rest of you must hold back the anger of Apopis. You must awaken the Outer Senshi, and once more fight evil."
At this the spirit paused and now grew to what must have been her original height. She reached over and touched Yugi gently on the cheek. " I am sorry…for what you must do." She turned now to the others. "Rise, Senshi. Believe in those you put your hearts to, just as they must believe in you. Light and Dark call to each other, but they meet and can best serve one another in the Shadows they create. Go now, to Tokyo. There, you will face Lamia and Apopis. There, fate shall give you your paths."
The group was suddenly swept into a bubble, and the last thing they saw was Selenity's image fade away into nothingness.
Part 13: Fourteen Warriors
Atemu sat in the car that Kaiba had obtained, Yugi resting nearby. The sword had disappeared when they had reached Earth, but like the ikizuishou, when he called for it, the sword came. Ami and the others had told them about the sword's history and now Atemu wondered if it was really a good thing to have Yugi keep it.
That brought up more questions. Yami Bakura, or Doruboro Bakura as he wanted to be called and the group had taken to calling him anyway, remembered his past yet he still wanted to help Atemu build the kingdom. His thoughts to this had been that he was now a reincarnation, thus his soul from before was now in the underworld. As well, the Millennium Ring was still his and really, not having that wouldn't help them defeat Apopis, would it?
Atemu resolved to keep an eye on him.
Kaiba was nearby, working quickly on some of the KaibaCorp information, with Rei holding the sleeping Mokuba on her lap. Both cats were curled up on the floor. Minako and Ryuugi were sleeping with their heads rested against each other. Ami and Ryou were working on something on Ami's own small computer. Mako and Jounouchi were asleep, nearly sprawled out, causing Anzu, who was near them, to glare at them. Marik, who was nearby, was speaking quietly to Isis about what he had done while under evil influence. Rishid was also speaking to them, and Atemu realized how close Rishid seemed to be to Isis.
Everyone's in the grouping, next to those they've given their hearts too.
He looked at Yugi now, and brushed a stray hair out of his face. He feared for his former…no, his hikari. His aibou.
"You should get some rest," Kaiba muttered, and Atemu glanced up to see if that was being addressed to him or to some of the others who were awake.
Anzu, it seemed, had closed her eyes, and Marik had finally leaned back and, after a long yawn, fell asleep as well. Isis and Rishid were only a moment behind him. Ami and Ryou had fallen asleep with the computer on.
"Or you could just sit down," Kaiba continued, which told Atemu that he was actually speaking to Doroburo Bakura and Konrankami Sabaku…Yami Bakura and Sailor Set, both of whom were currently standing and with half their bodies out of the limo's sunroof.
"Excuse us if we're having fun!" Bakura yelled back, and Kaiba rolled his eyes. Rei smiled slightly, playing with Mokuba's hair in an almost motherly way. Kaiba looked over at her and then at his brother before putting the computer away and moving to remove his coat and then using it as a blanket for his brother.
"Seto," Rei said, "are you okay?"
"We're about to face a rather evil enemy, and to defeat it someone has to die."
Kaiba must have thought that Atemu was asleep, so Atemu allowed him to continue to think that.
"Even if he is who he is…he doesn't deserve to die."
Rei had looked over to Yugi and nodded. "Hai."
"I detect a 'demo' at the end of that."
"Demo…" she paused and lowered her head. "I hate this. When…when we first came back, when we faced Metallia…Usa-chan had just killed Mamoru, and herself. We didn't want to continue. We thought 'was this why we were brought back, just to repeat history?'. Then we gathered our power to try and resurrect her. When we woke up, having died from that, she was there, she was alive. We could only think of how happy we were to see her alive. But here…"
Kaiba had moved closer to her and she finally admitted. "I can't see past the future I saw. I can't see past him dying. There has to be more. Another kingdom was mentioned, a Golden Kingdom, created by the Millennium Items working together, or the one who held them all. Demo…can we do it. Can we really create a kingdom when the one who brings us together is gone?"
That was the same question Atemu had.
Kaiba cast a glance at Atemu then said, "Anzu once told me, after I defeated Yugi and told him that everyone was given a chip called 'life' to play, that the only game you play is to hold that chip as hard as you can. Yes, if Yugi dies, I doubt we will all be the same, but if we don't hold onto that chip that Yugi himself holds with all his heart and is ready to risk for another who could possibly defeat our enemy…the chance we have will be good as long as we remember him, as long as we stick together."
Atemu almost smiled. He didn't realize Kaiba thought like that, and was almost happy to know that he did.
Rei smiled slightly at him and then leaned on his shoulder. "Onegai, Seto…promise me we'll come out of this and be able to continue."
Seto had put his arm around her, so that the group was close together. Shizuka, who had fallen asleep over near Mako and Jounouchi, shifted. Rei's eyes had closed and he kissed her forehead. "I promise…we will do what we must to continue on."
As Seto closed his eyes Atemu fully opened his, looking at the group. Mako, Jounouchi and Shizuka looked almost like a family, and Kaiba, Mokuba and Rei also pulled off the effect.
Bakura had found his way in and looked over at Atemu. His eyes were serious as he looked at him, as if trying to decide what exactly Atemu was thinking before moving to his own seat. Sabaku, who knelt down shortly afterwards, looked back at Atemu as well then followed Bakura to the seat. She finally said, "I am sorry for what I said earlier."
Atemu paused then answered, "I needed to hear it anyway."
"Have you told him?"
Atemu looked at her and she shook her head. "Both of you are idiots."
Bakura smirked, almost laughing, then said, "Tell him. Before we go out tomorrow, or even before we reach Tokyo, tell him. You'll hate yourself if you don't."
The two leaned back and almost immediately fell asleep. Atemu was kept awake by those words and the words he had heard from Rei and Kaiba earlier.
Tell him…
Atemu cast a look at Yugi, who was peaceful but seemed also to be worried.
You'll hate yourself if you don't.
He looked away, out the window. And if Yugi didn't return the feelings? If it was all just friendship and nothing more?
What was the point…?
Tell him…
What was the point of saying anything?
Tell him…
The point, then…
If you don't--
Atemu leaned over and briefly pressed his lips against those of his aibou. He tasted like the sweets he had recently eaten, slightly salty from some of the honey-roasted peanuts he had found as well.
Tomorrow, they would reach Tokyo, and his aibou would die. Then he would be left to face the world without him.
--you'll regret it.
Atemu moved away and saw that now his aibou looked almost blissful. Atemu finally smiled and was content enough to go to sleep.
Tokyo was dark.
Kaiba had been there a few times before, even once or twice within the four or five years that the Senshi had been active, and just as luckily he had not been caught in any of the fights which had been happening against one enemy or the other.
The limo stopped just at the Crystal Tower, the one large crystal structure which was slowly seeming to take over Tokyo as well. It, too, was dark.
As they stepped out, everyone got ready for a fight. The limo disappeared from view, and now they were about to fight against Lamia and her master.
The same anger as well as (Kaiba hated to admit this) fear came over him as it had when he fought Pegasus for his brother. This darkness was about as to consume everyone, and seemed to be much darker then the shadows he was trapped in after dueling Yugi…well, Atemu…the first time.
Rei and the Senshi lead the way to the Crystal Tower, four lights coming from the four points around the tower, each a different color and much darker then the Senshi who had helped them.
"Those are the lights of the Outer Senshi," Ami said, and suddenly there was a roar. The group turned and a long dark shadow seemed to raise from nearby. Multiple youma came up, all of them snake-like.
"The youma from before!" Ryou yelled, ""And…Apopis?"
The monster hissed and Yugi turned to the tower. "Hold him off! I'll get the Outer Senshi and Sailor Moon."
"Aibou!" Yugi stopped and looked at Atemu. The reborn Pharaoh paused, then leaned forward and kissed Yugi. "Be careful."
Yugi nodded then turned and raced towards the tower. The group turned back and Atemu glared at Apopis. "This is as far as you will go. We shall defeat you!"
Yugi raced in, not seeing the door but seeming to know where it was.
He kissed me.
He turned when he felt the air seem to change, and narrowly missed being hit by a glowing sword. The Senshi was after him, and he jumped back, then nearly got hit by someone else. The four glared at him as he blinked from his place where he had tripped onto the floor, and Yugi realized these were the four Outer Senshi.
"Wait!" Yugi said, dodging the next blow by the shortest of the Senshi who wielded a deadly glaive. "Please, the others are outside, and Apopis is trying to attack them. You have to go out and help them!"
One of them grabbed him and Yugi was trapped. He looked over at the others, who glared at him as a new one came up.
"Onegai, I'm telling the truth. Would I be able to get into here if I didn't mean well to your Princess? There are those I care about outside, and they need your help!"
The short one paused and then blinked and, as the tallest one was about to attack him, ran up, "Stop, Uranus! I know him!"
"Nani? Saturn, what--."
"He's the one, the one who I saw in the vision, who Pluto saw as well. He carried the soul of the dead Pharaoh who now lives, and is the only one who can face Lamia. He's telling the truth!"
The one holding him let him go when they suddenly saw a dark shape behind them. "He let in something!"
Yugi suddenly realized who he let in, and raced forward. The one called Uranus tried to stop him, but he ducked and knew what he had to do. This was it.
The snake-woman attacked, just as he called forth the sword from the Moon, the Soul Shadow Sword. The ikizuishou also appeared, centering where the Millennium Puzzle had once been. A dark sword hit the Soul Shadow Sword, and Yugi looked back at where the Outer Senshi were. "Please, go! I'll hold her off."
"Ie!" the one who had held him said, "It's our duty to protect Usagi-chan!"
"If you don't go out there, you'll have no one to help you protect her," Yugi yelled as he deflected another blow. "Please, I promise to protect her with my life! Go!"
The group only paused for a moment longer before going out. Lamia moved away and now she laughed. "So, you're on your own. You think you can truly face me and live."
"No," he said, "I know I'll die. But I will take you down before I do, and give Sailor Moon the ikizuishou! She will defeat your master, and this darkness will be destroyed!"
Lamia growled and attacked again.
"Ready?" Rei looked over at Kaiba and the other two who held Blue Eyes, and the Senshi nodded before throwing up their hands. "Henshin, yo!"
"Blue Eyes, come forth!" the three voices yelled, and from behind them came the three roars of the strongest dragons ever.
"Red Eyes, appear!" Jounouchi's voice called up the large roar came, the Red Eyes appearing as well. Nearby, Honda had called forth a small amount of the Shadow Realm, which seemed to encircle him a little as he took a fighting stance. Anzu was a little behind, obviously ready to help heal the others or offer support. Marik, Isis and Rishid were nearby as well gained some power, all three ready to help out.
"Mars Crystal Power,"
"Mercury Crystal Power,"
"Jupiter Crystal Power,"
"Venus Crystal Power,"
"Set Galactica Power,"
"Make-up!"
The four Inner Senshi appeared and now Atemu was the only one left. His Puzzle glowed brightly as the three Egyptian Gods appeared behind him, and then the Black Magician and Black Magician Girl.
"Nani?" Atemu said, then paused. "Are you Yugi's monsters?"
"Ie," the Black Magician seemed to say, "we are your servants, Pharaoh, and shall fight with you no matter what."
Atemu paused then nodded. "Arigato."
The group turned back towards Apopis and the grouping of monsters.
"ATTACK!"
The powers of the Senshi as well as the power of the monsters attacked the monsters who came at them.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"White Lightning!"
A group of monsters was destroyed by the Kaiba brothers and Sailor Mars.
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"White Lightning!"
"Raging Inferno!"
The two Katsuya siblings and Sailor Jupiter attacked another part.
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
"Change of Heart! Turn some of them to our side, and attack!"
Ryou and Sailor Mercury's attack turned half of the side against the other and wiping them out in a wave of icy water.
"Set Thunderous Sandstorm!"
"Dark Necropher, attack!"
The two chaotic ones of the group wiped out more.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"
"Dice, give power to those around!" the dice rolled and landed on two sixes. "Power times six!"
A whole wave of monsters were destroyed.
"Black Magic!" the two Magicians attacked, their powers boosted by Ryuugi's dice. A few of the monsters tried to physically attack but Honda stopped them, as did Rishid and Marik using what powers they had.
"Now, Obelisk and Osiris, attack the monsters!" between the two Egyptian gods, the rest of the monsters were wiped out.
Sailor Set looked over at Atemu. "Maybe you should have tried that before we attacked."
"Maybe you shouldn't have attacked so readily."
"Baka."
Kaiba blinked and said, "Maybe you two should concentrate more on the battle then on yelling at each other."
The Egyptian gods hadn't gotten all of the monsters.
"Space Turbulence!"
"Violin Tide!"
"Saturn's Glaive--."
"Time Staff--."
"Cosmic Cannon!"
The four attacks did as much damage as the two Egyptian Gods, and the group turned quickly. There, standing near the Crystal Tower, were four more Senshi, their coloring darker then that of the Inner Senshi.
"Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Saturn!" Minako said, "You're here!"
The four walked up and looked at the others and at their monsters before the tall blond one faced Atemu. "You're the leader?"
"My name's Atemu, and yes. We heard your princess was in trouble."
"I hope you don't think you'll get any special reward after this. She already has a Prince."
"I heard that too, and don't worry. I have someone I'm not willing to part with, but first we must defeat this enemy."
The blond look up at Apopis and nodded. "On that, we can all agree."
"You saw Yugi?" Anzu asked. The group looked at her and now the shortest one with the glaive, Saturn, said, "He was inside and alerted us to the threat outside. He also was fighting Lamia."
Atemu was glad he wasn't facing the way of the newest Senshi, because his face showed his worry, but he steeled himself. It's his destiny.
I don't care though. He's my aibou…my partner…my love…Even if it's his destiny, I don't care. I won't let him die if I can stop it, or bring him back.
The group had registered some worry but everyone turned back now to the enemy at hand. "We can defeat this monster!"
The attacks began again.
Yugi once more defended, but was again pushed back.
"You cannot keep this up! I shall defeat you. Warrior of the Soul, you will not save the Senshi of the Moon!"
"I can and I will! The power of the Moon and the Shadows stopped you in the past, this time it will completely defeat you!"
Lamia let out a roar and attacked with new fury. "The Pharaoh will fall before me! He is only a child, as he was in the past! How he defeated me was a fluke! He and the Queen of the Moon could only seal us away, and you claim your amnesic Pharaoh can defeat us this time?"
Yugi glared and now the Soul Shadow Sword glowed. "He will defeat you!"
The battle continued, Yugi fighting as well, the darkness outside seeming to continue to grow.
I have to stop her.
The two swords clanged against each other, the darker sword coming dangerously close to Yugi.
I have to save Sailor Moon, I have to protect Sailor Moon.
Yugi was pushed down, and barely blocked what would have been a killing blow.
Because if I don't…
Behind them there glowed a crystal tomb. Where Sailor Moon and her Prince were. He looked over as Lamia smirked at him. "Now, I just get past you, and the Light of Hope that the whole universe counts on will be destroyed."
"NO!"
…if I don't…
The swords once more clanged, the two got close and then--
…then…
A knife came out of nowhere and Yugi gasped as it hit him. Lamia smirked and started to move towards Sailor Moon as Yugi nearly fell.
…then they'll lose.
Yugi stood and turned quickly.
I can't let them lose!
The sword hit it's target, and Lamia let out a scream before falling down, short of the tomb. Yugi grabbed his side, the sword disappearing as he did. He had beaten Lamia but now, that blow had hurt too much. There was too much blood.
Yugi stumbled but was able to find his way to the end of the tomb. Sailor Moon and her prince lay quiet, as if asleep. He slowly lifted up the ikizuishou and moved it towards the unconscious Sailor Moon.
"Onegai, Sailor Moon, take this. Become--."
He felt himself falling down as the ikizuishou glowed and then joined with the ginzuishou glowing on Sailor Moon's bodice.
"--because you need to save them all…"
He slowly fell down onto the ground, the world growing dark.
…because I can't.
Part 14: Fifteen
Atemu stiffened and felt as if his heart had fallen into his feet.
Aibou…
The group had attacked and it had held Apopis back, but now everyone was feeling the strain of using their powers. The Inner Senshi themselves had turned pale and their auras seemed to be growing fainter.
The Crystal Tower behind them suddenly burst into silver light and the group turned to watch. From the tower came a woman bathed in light. Her outfit was that of a Senshi, but all white with a rainbow coloring at the skirt and a long tier on her side. Two heart-shaped buns adorned her head along with a long amount of hair that was colored silver-white. She opened her blue eyes and glared at Apopis.
"I cannot forgive you, Apopis."
As if in response, Atemu's Millennium Puzzle glowed as well, and his clothing changed to the outfit he wore when he was the Pharaoh. He turned as well, facing Apopis as he and Sailor Cosmos both glowed with their power.
"We shall defeat you!" Atemu yelled as well, the two side by side and now aiming their full extent of their power at Apopis.
The monster attacked, and the silver and golden light joined before attacking as well. For a moment the two attacks simply seemed to pause at one point, then the silver and golden attack moved forward and through Apopis. Just as suddenly the darkness was gone, and everyone blinked. The Senshi had lost their henshin, and the beasts from the Shadow Realm, including the Black Magician and Black Magician Girl, were gone.
Atemu only paused long enough to notice this before he headed straight for the Crystal Tower while the Senshi gathered around Sailor Cosmos.
Kaiba watched this, and then looked over at the tower. This is what's supposed to happen when Yugi gives up his life.
Atemu knows this…so why do I want to run in and make sure he's okay? Why--
Mokuba had started to move as all of Yugi's friends and those who held Millennium Items headed in after Atemu, but Mokuba paused and looked back to Kaiba. "Nii-sama?"
Kaiba moved after that, this time ignoring self-image. Screw self-image, one of the few duelists he took pleasure in fighting, who presented him with a challenge while not threatening his family or company, was about to die.
If he could stop it, he would.
Haruka watched the group go inside, and saw the new Senshi with Galaxia's bracelets starting in after the boy in the white coat who had called one of three light dragons.
"Wait!"
The girl paused but didn't look back.
"What's all this about? Who was that kid in there?"
"His name's Mutou Yugi. He's the one who solved the Millennium Puzzle and who held the ikizuishou. He gave it up so that Sailor Cosmos could come into this world and defeat Apopis. To do that, he had to give up his life."
She turned, her dark eyes glaring at Haruka. "And you're stalling me to go over and see him, so ask someone else!"
"If he gave up a sacred crystal, he's already dead."
The girl stopped short again and her fist clenched. She fully turned back and her eyes glowed with a deep fire that Haruka reserved for those who insulted Usa-chan. "Then we'll resurrect him. Either way you shut up because even if your princess dies, she lives. We cannot see past his death, and we will not be able to go on without him."
"You are Galaxia's minion," Michiru pointed out.
"I am redeeming myself, and he will help me. Now stop asking me questions."
The girl raced in, nothing stopping her before the Inner Senshi stepped in front of Sailor Cosmos, and with a quick bow, turned and raced in after the group.
Haruka blinked. "What happened to them?"
"They found their true loves," Sailor Cosmos said, "I dreamed it all. Now…we have to set something right. We have to bring back Mutou Yugi to life, somehow or another."
Yugi's body was lying on the tomb, a bloodstain showing where he had fallen before being placed on the tomb. Nearby, a man with dark hair and blue eyes was holding one of Yugi's hands. He looked up as Atemu raced in and then blinked. "Who are you?"
"…mou hitori no boku…"
Atemu stiffened only briefly before racing over to Yugi's side at the sound of his voice. The man moved away and Atemu saw Yugi's eyes open only slightly before he gave a slight smile. "you did it…"
"Hai, but not without your help, aibou. We did it."
Yugi's eyes were slowly closing as the rest of the group came in, but Atemu didn't notice the others. His eyes were set on Yugi and the light of life that was slowly fading from him.
"Yugi!" the group paused only a few steps away, even Kaiba there, Sabaku the last one to arrive and seeming to be angry that she wasn't there earlier.
"Aibou…please, stay with me."
Yugi's mouth moved, but his words were too faint to really hear, Atemu leaned forward as his aibou's eyes closed.
"…loved you…sorry…I can't be--."
"Aibou, no," Atemu blinked as tears clouded his vision and he suddenly sat up straight, seeing the last breath released by the one who had freed him from the broken Puzzle, who had stood by him when he didn't know who he was, who had now risked and given his life so he could live.
"Aibou, please…aibou, come back, I can't--I can't go on. I can't make the kingdom without you. Come back to me, my aibou…I never told you…I never--."
The Senshi had arrived at the end, and each had slowly gravitated towards one of the group they were most attuned towards.
Atemu leaned into the body of Yugi and cried, lost, uncertain. No, this was supposed to happen but he didn't want this to happen. Yugi wasn't supposed to be dead!
"NO!"
Jounouchi was holding onto Mako for support, Shizuka between the two and her head turned away, crying. Rei and Kaiba held Mokuba as he cried, both with tears that were threatening to fall. Anzu had buried her head in Marik's chest, and he held her as he watched. Isis was leaning against Rishid for support, while Mina and Ryuugi were held each other for support. Ryou had closed his eyes, and Ami held him. Bakura himself wasn't shedding tears, but Sabaku looked ready to kill, ready to scream as much as Atemu was or destroy something. The Outers watched, as if now understanding the importance of the small boy who had told them to leave and join in the battle. Sailor Cosmos walked over to the side of the black-haired man, and blinked away some tears.
Atemu looked at her and now looked down as well. "I knew this was to happen, demo…this wasn't. Please, bring him back. I will give anything, but bring him back."
Sailor Cosmos looked at Atemu and held out her hand, the complete ginzuishou shining in her hand. "I don't know if this will work. I know that with only the ginzuishou I had, I can become Neo-Queen Serenity, shedding my status as a Senshi. If I bring him back, the ikizuishou will bond completely with his soul. If it is destroyed or used to the full extent of his power, it will destroy him as the ginzuishou could do to me.
"I know you don't care, you simply want him back. I just wanted to tell you of the dangers he now faces. He is both a Knight and one of the Shadow Realm. He cannot be one or the other, but he protects both." The ginzuishou's light became nearly blinding, and then stopped, the lotus-shaped flowers split and now Atemu saw that the color of the ikizuishou was not one, but two. White and Black, creating an almost Shadow-type light from it. The ikizuishou moved away from the ginzuishou as Sailor Cosmos' costume disappeared, replaced by a long gown and a crown of gold. The ikizuishou reached Yugi's chest and slowly the body healed before the ikizuishou created a chain and turned from lotus to almost pyramid-like, a near copy of the Millennium Puzzle, then the glow faded. Atemu waited only a second before he leaned forward.
"Aibou…"
Nothing.
"Aibou."
The color appeared to be coming back, but Atemu had to be sure. He bent down and kissed Yugi.
Wake up, aibou.
It had been dark, and he hadn't wanted to go. He had fought as hard as he could against it, then there had been a strange light. A warmth he wasn't sure about, then a familiar presence in his mind.
Wake up, aibou.
Mou hitori no boku?
The warmth was on his lips, and he opened his eyes to see Atemu moving away, tears in his eyes and his face filling his vision.
"Aibou…"
Yugi moved his arm and raised it to touch Atemu's face, feeling the wetness from his crying. He finally didn't care. His arm reached around Atemu's neck and he pulled Atemu down and part of his body up to kiss Atemu. He hadn't told him and died. What if next time he couldn't be revived? He needed to know.
Atemu kissed him back. Yugi was slightly aware of the others nearby, but didn't really care. Atemu kissed him back. Atemu loved him as well.
That was all that mattered.
After a large reunion, where Kaiba told Yugi to never die again or else consequences were in hand (which, considering the source, had to be one of the kindest things Kaiba had ever said to anyone besides his brother or Rei), the Senshi who had joined with Yugi and his group bowed to Usagi and asked to return to Domino.
The Outers looked like they were about to argue but Usagi nodded.
"Nani? Usa-chan--"
"Haruka-san, they have those they love. A new kingdom is about to be created with their help. As well, their power was used up, and they must find a new power, as do you."
Haruka looked a little worried but finally nodded. "Do you need us here as well?"
Usagi smiled and shook her head. "All that we need is here. Mamo-chan and I will continue to build Crystal Tokyo here and await for you to return."
She turned to Atemu and Yugi, smiling at them. "I hope you don't mind if I ask for Luna and Artemis back."
"Ie, I'm glad they found their owners," Yugi said, "and I'm glad you're okay, Usagi-san."
"Usagi-chan," she corrected, almost automatically before smiling. "Take care of Atemu for us, Yugi-kun."
Yugi nodded and Atemu looked at her. "Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
Usagi gave him a confused look. "I thought it was the right way."
The Senshi smiled and Kaiba walked out to call his limo. Usagi waited for him to return then said, "Kaiba-kun, I fully expect you to take care of Rei-chan. You'd best not break her heart."
Kaiba blinked then nodded. "I'm not about to do that."
Usagi seemed contented with this and the group walked out. Sabaku, the minute they were outside, breathed a sigh of relief.
"What was that for?" Bakura asked.
"I thought she was about to say something about me. I'm glad she didn't. I don't think I could take the pressure…I mean, I was in the presence of the one who beat Galaxia!"
Bakura looked back and then shrugged. "She didn't seem like much."
Sabaku hit him. "Baka, she's stronger then she looks, just like Yugi-kun." She paused and they watched the limo roll up before the group piled in and started their way back to Domino.