Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! (sigh…) I'm always worried that I might forget to put this on the top of the page.

Author's note: I'm so busy lately, I don't know how often I can update the story, I'm so sorry. I'll try to update as soon as possible.

Several people asked me what is 'congee'? I looked it up in the dictionary, but there is no such word (OO) However, I remember someone told me that congee means porridge, unless I'm mistaken? But someone knew what congee is, so now I'm confused myself. Anyway, when I wrote congee in the last chapter, I meant porridge. Porridge is really rice cooked with a lot of water, so the rice comes out soft and watery. If anyone had been to the Chinese restaurant, they should know what it is. Usually porridge doesn't have much taste, unless you add soy sauce or salt to it. It was said that porridge is good for the sick, because porridge is soft and plain, not too salty. So, I hope now you'll understand what 'the bowl of congee' in the last chapter is. And thank you very much, all the reviewers!

Anyway, hope you enjoy this new chapter…

The Spirit of the Sword

Chapter 14

Pegasus's Story

In a very dark night, the sky was completely the color of ebony. The moon was covered by clouds, thus the moon light was completely blocked out. The shinning stars were also blocked out by the thick dark clouds. The land seemed to be submerged completely in darkness. The castle sitting in the middle of the city also had a ghostly and eerie impression. This was Duelist Kingdom, ruled by Maximillion Pegasus.

In the dark room, a pair of brown eyes stared at the painting of a beautiful blonde girl. The room was so dark, that it was hard to make out the features of this person. Vaguely, one could see his long, silver hair, covering his shoulder. His silver hair covered his left eye completely, only showing his icy right eye. His keen brown eye was very daunting; there was no temperature and no emotion, except the strong hatred hid in the brown eye.

Maximillion Pegasus was sitting in the corner of his bedroom. There was no moon light to illuminate the room. He was completely submerged in the darkness. He had been like this for years, but he couldn't remember how long it had been. Slowly, a creepy and wicked smirk crept onto his face. He smirked evilly when he thought of the little ebony hair boy in the dark cellar, without any soul in his body. "Mha ha ha ha…" Pegasus laughed uncontrollably.

Poor Mokuba… sitting in the dark cellar at the deepest room in my castle… Ha ha ha… It's time for the Kaiba brothers to suffer the pain a thousand times the pain I had to endure! Taking Mokuba's soul was only the first step. Breaking the swords of Seto Kaiba every time he tried to win in the battle against me in order to humiliate him is the best part of the revenge, ha ha ha… It's true that I promised to give Mokuba back to him if he wins in a one-on-one battle with me, but he will NEVER win! I had the best sword in the whole world, and he will never be able to make one better than mine! He must be very frustrated that his great swords broke every time I swung my sword at him. He must be very guilty and very ashamed to face his little brother, since he couldn't save him for two whole years. Ha ha ha… Kaiba's defeated expression on his face amuses me every time he lost.

Pegasus walked towards the painting hanging on the wall. In the painting, a beautiful young woman, with long, blonde hair, had a sweet and innocent smile on her face. Her eyes sparkled with love, the love for Pegasus. Her name was Cecelia, Pegasus's lost lover. All he ever wanted was to be able to be with Cecelia, but no, fate had to take her away from him! Fate had to separate them into two worlds: one in the world of living, and the other in the world of heaven or hell. He couldn't tell. All he knew was Cecelia was taken away from him, by the evil king Gozaburo Kaiba!

Gozaburo Kaiba was a cruel and ruthless man. He created the Domino Kingdom a long time ago, and ruled as a brutal monarch. He wanted to take over the world, to satisfy his own greed. Once, Gozaburo visited Duelist Kingdom. He wanted Pegasus to give Duelist Kingdom to him. Gozaburo wanted Duelist Kingdom to be under his control, and he wanted Pegasus to be his official, not another king, of course. However, Pegasus denied the offer of Gozaburo. Finally, Gozaburo decided to leave Duelist Kingdom alone under one condition. He'd rather make friends and establish an alliance than to add another enemy on his list. Gozaburo's only condition was that Pegasus hand Cecelia over to him. Gozaburo had seen Cecelia when he stayed in Duelist Kingdom, and he yearned for her beauty.

Pegasus was furious at the ruthless Gozaburo! He would never give Cecelia away to other men. NEVER! He loved her with all his heart, and she loved him too. There was no way he would hand her to any other man like she was an object. Therefore, he immediately refused Gozaburo's offer. He kicked Gozaburo out of his Duelist Kingdom without delay, which definitely angered the ruthless Gozaburo. Pegasus had never thought of the consequence of his actions. He would never guess that Gozaburo would kill Cecelia to punish him!

-

(Flashback)

The old man with grey hair was Gozaburo Kaiba. His face had turned red at the anger and humiliation of being kicked out of Duelist Kingdom. He glared at Pegasus with hateful eyes. Gozaburo gritted his teeth and cursed at Pegasus. "You will regret treating me like this! You should have accepted my offer! I will be the one and only king in the world! I will conquer other kingdom, including yours! How dare you kick me out of your kingdom! I'll make you suffer in the fires of hell! I swear! YOU WILL SUFFER! Ha ha ha ha ha…." Gozaburo shouted; his face was all red.

Pegasus shrugged. He didn't take Gozaburo's words seriously. He believed that he had a strong army, enough to stop Gozaburo from conquering his kingdom. However, he was extremely wrong. He only thought that Gozaburo might conquer his kingdom with army. However, Gozaburo had secretly sent men to Duelist Kingdom that very night he was kicked out. Gozaburo went secretly back into Duelist Castle himself. His plan was not to invade Duelist Kingdom, but to destroy the most important thing to Pegasus—Cecelia.

Gozaburo felt humiliated about being denied the offer and being kicked out of a kingdom. He had always gotten what he wanted, including women. If he couldn't get something, he would rather destroy it than let it belong to another person. So, Gozaburo went back to Duelist Castle that night with several other men. They secretly approached Cecelia's room and hid in there. When Cecelia returned back to her room, they had planned to rape her then kill her, just to make Pegasus more miserable for humiliating him.

Luckily, Pegasus had something to discuss that night with Cecelia, so he stopped by her room in the castle. When he approached her room, he heard struggling voices and objects dropping on the floor. Pegasus's eyes widened and he quickly pushed open the door. He saw several men wearing black clothing trying to hold Cecelia on the bed, and one of them covered her mouth with his hand. Gozaburo, who was also wearing black, was trying to strip Cecelia's dress off. Pegasus was furious at the scene, just when he was about to stop them, Gozaburo pulled out a sword and stabbed Cecelia in the stomach! Pegasus's eyes widened with fear and rage. He rushed towards them, but they quickly escaped from the window.

Cecelia was lying on the bed, blood pouring out of her stomach, staining her white dress. Her white dress became red, like a red flower blossoming in the stomach area of the dress. She was frowning because of the excruciating pain in her stomach. She opened her mouth and reached her hands at Pegasus, hoping to be held in Pegasus's arms. Pegasus's eyes swelled up with tears. His heart was aching so much. He rushed over to her and pressed his hands on her stomach, trying to stop the blood from pouring out.

"Maxi… Maximillion…" Cecelia whispered, her voice was almost gone. Her beautiful eyes were becoming watery. Tears started rolling down her pale cheeks.

"Shh… No… Don't say anything! Save your energy!" Pegasus stopped her from speaking. "Doctors! Doctors! Get your asses in here right now!" Pegasus turned around and yelled, hoping all the best doctors in the world could fly in here immediately.

"No… I… I must s-say it… n-now…" Cecelia said. She knew that she could never survive the night. She could feel her energy slipping away from her body really fast. She must tell Pegasus right now. "I… I l-love… y-you… Pro-promise me… t-to take c-care… of yourself…Be h-happy… I'll a-always… always be w-with you… h-here…" She pointed at Pegasus's heart. She wanted him to be happy, even after she was gone from the world. The only thing she regretted was not able to be with and support him whenever he needed her.

"No! You're going to be fine! Don't say that, Cecelia! Don't say that!" Pegasus shook his head, not willing to believe that Cecelia might die. Tears rolled down his eyes. He had never cry before, but this time, the pain in his heart was too unbearable. He held onto her hands tightly, hoping to hold onto her soul tightly, so the devil or the angel couldn't take her away from him.

"I… w-will always… l-love you… For-forever…" Cecelia's voice trialed off, as she slowly closed her eyes. Her hands started slipping off of Pegasus's grip. One last drop of tears fall off of her closed eyes. Pegasus realized that he couldn't grab onto her life anymore. He didn't want to admit that Cecelia left him, all alone in the world. "Cecilia" He cried out, his voice filled with pain that could make anyone who heard it felt the throbbing pain in his heart…

(End of Flashback)

-

Tears accumulated in Pegasus's eye. His brown eye was no longer icy when he looked at the painting of Cecelia. He could still felt the pain of losing her in his heart. He felt so guilty. He should have been more careful, especially when Gozaburo swore that he would make him miserable. But why didn't he take Gozaburo's words seriously? He was also to be blame for her death. Pegasus's thoughts began to concentrate on his plans…

From the day Cecelia died, Pegasus locked himself in his room days and night. He refused to come out of the room, and refused to accept the death of his lover. After three months, he finally decided to avenge Cecelia's death. However, just when he was prepared to make Gozaburo suffer, the news of Gozaburo's death spread all around the world. Rumors about Gozaburo's adopted son killed him were spread to Pegasus. He was furious that he couldn't avenge Cecelia's death with his won hands. He felt wasteful to be alone in the world, until a creepy idea suddenly crept into his mind: So what if Gozaburo died? As long as he had sons, with the last name Kaiba, Pegasus could still make the Kaiba family suffer. The sons would pay for their father's fault, that seemed reasonable to Pegasus.

So, he offered the new king of Domino Kingdom—Seto Kaiba—a plan to form an alliance. He told Kaiba that they could work together to destroy Yami Kingdom, even though he had no hatred toward King Yami. He had predicted that Seto Kaiba wouldn't take his offer, and he was right. He knew the man who killed the evil Gozaburo couldn't be as evil as Gozaburo, so there was no way the new king would agree to attack Yami Kingdom for no reason. He was right! Kaiba immediately refused his offer. Therefore, Pegasus captured the younger Kaiba, Mokuba. He had put on the Millennium Eye already, which he got several years ago from a merchant from Egypt. The businessman didn't know what the Millennium Eye was, but Pegasus knew, so he bought it. But he never put it on, for the excruciating pain of putting it on and the consequence of losing an eye frightened him. However, after Cecelia's death, all he knew was the Millennium Eye might be able to help him get revenge, so he put on the eye and endured to throbbing pain. So, he captured the soul of Mokuba and sent an invitation to Seto Kaiba, and Kaiba came.

Seto Kaiba saw the lifeless Mokuba sitting on the chair. Pegasus enjoyed Kaiba's painful face when he saw Mokuba sitting lifelessly. He wanted Seto Kaiba to feel the pain of losing someone you loved deeply and cared for deeply. Pegasus then offered to Kaiba again to cooperate with him and destroy Yami Kingdom, or Kaiba could challenge him to a battle. If Kaiba wins, Pegasus promised to give Mokuba's soul and Mokuba back. He knew Seto would rather fight him and attack another kingdom for no reason, and of course Pegasus was correct again. Kaiba's arrogant personality guaranteed that he would rather fight and save his little brother by himself. Pegasus's offer to Kaiba was only a bait for Kaiba to keep on losing to him. Thus, Pegasus enjoyed breaking Kaiba's sword every time he challenged him to a sword battle. The pleasure of revenge thrilled Pegasus whenever he saw Kaiba suffer. He no longer cared that Mokuba was innocent. As long as the two brothers have Kaiba as their last name, Pegasus would target them as the enemies he must get revenge from. Pegasus's judgment was clouded by his hatred for Gozaburo Kaiba and his sorrow of losing Cecelia…

A dark shadow slipped into the dark room Pegasus resided in. He also had long white hair, but more spiky when compared to Pegasus's hair. The slender figured had a pair of sharp eyes, as if he was used to spying people at night. He spotted Pegasus standing in front of the painting of a beautiful girl. The figure smirked and approached Pegasus.

"How can I help you?" Pegasus asked, without turning around. The figure stopped for a second, then continued to accost Pegasus with a smirk on his face. "Yami Kingdom and Domino Kingdom will soon be facing each other in a war. I had created the chaos in Domino Castle this afternoon. Hmm Hmm Hmm Ha ha…." The figure laughed evilly. Pegasus turned around and went to a chair near the window. He sat down and raised his right eyebrow, "Really? So you've decided to make them fight a war, and when both kingdoms are exhausted about fighting, I can destroy Domino Kingdom and you can get the girl?" Pegasus read the mind of the mysterious person. The mysterious person didn't seem surprise at all that Pegasus could read his mind. "Looks like you read my mind. So why ask me if you already know my purpose? Do you want to work with me? All I wanted is the girl. You can destroy Domino Kingdom if you like; I have no feelings and no obligations toward that kingdom." The person stated without feelings.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk…" Pegasus shook his head and teased the white-hair man in front of him, "How can I trust someone who is going to betray his king? But, I'll work with you. You can get the girl, after all, the girl might be as important as his little brother is to him. I can make him more miserable. However, I'm not going to destroy Domino Kingdom just yet. I wanted to see him suffer more first. When I feel like he had suffered enough, I'll destroy his kingdom." Pegasus paused for a few seconds. He looked at the man in front of him with his keen brown eye, and then he continued. "Don't try anything sly. Remember, I can read your mind with my Millennium Eye." Pegasus said while raising the silver-white hair and revealed his Millennium Eye in his left eye. Pegasus smirked and put his hair down, covering his left eye again.

"Hmph. There's no need for me to lie to you." The man seemed unhappy that Pegasus felt the need to warn him, as if he wasn't a trustworthy person. "I'll be around to create more chaos and misunderstandings between the two kingdoms." As the person finished his sentence, he turned around and quickly disappeared into the darkness. He left as quickly and as quietly as when he came. No traces of his visit could be picked up.

Looks like my revenge is getting more interesting and more amusing as every second pass by. That man could help me make Kaiba's life more miserable… Ha ha ha ha… The pleasure of revenge! My dear Cecelia, your death is not meaningless. I will avenge your death from the Kaiba family!

Pegasus stood up from the chair and walked back toward the painting of Cecelia. He stared at it every night, remembering the happy times they spent together, and also reminding himself to avenge her death every night, as the painful memory of losing her kept on haunting him every night…

The moon was still hiding behind the sky, as if afraid to look down at what was about to happen in the near future. The stars were also hiding behind the sky, as if the tragedy that might happen soon was too unbearable to see…

Ishizu Ishtar was standing in the shadow outside of Pegasus's hallway. She was the high priestess of Duelist Kingdom. The Millennium Necklace she wore around her neck was also obtained from the same merchantman that sold the Millennium Eye to Pegasus. She saw the person slipped into Pegasus's bedroom, then slipped out of the bedroom after about fifteen minutes. She also heard their conversations.

Her violet eyes wavered a bit when she thought of Pegasus. Why can't you walk out of the pain of losing Cecelia? There are more people who care for you… Her eyes became watery, but she held back the tears. No, she cannot cry; she was the high priestess of Duelist Kingdom. Even though she disapproved of what Pegasus and that mysterious person had planned to do, she had no power to stop them. She must obey her king's order. Her only obligation was to help her king when he needed her.

"Sister. Why are you doing here?" A blonde hair and brown skin boy appeared in the hallway. He was Marik Ishtar, Ishizu's little brother. Marik was also a high priest of Duelist Kingdom, despite the fact that he was only seventeen years old. He knew his sister's heart, but it seemed like Pegasus was never going to walk out of his sorrow.

"Marik?" Ishizu turned around, shocked. She was caught by her little brother spying and eavesdropping on their king, Pegasus. She quickly went toward her little brother and pulled him away from Pegasus's bedroom. "I… I was…" She tried to make up a lie, but she was never good at such a thing.

"Ishizu, you don't need to lie to me. I'm your brother. I know how you feel about Pega-" Marik was cut off. His purple eyes stared at his sister in amazement; she had never cut him off before. "I don't know what you are talking about, Marik! Aren't you supposed to be in bed at this hour of night? It's late, Marik, go to bed." Ishizu started pushing Marik toward his room.

"Yes, but you should go to bed too, Ishizu." Marik said. Ishizu stopped and looked at her brother, then she said with a soft smile, "I will, Marik, after you go to bed first." Then, Ishizu pushed Marik into his own room and closed the door. "Good night, Marik." Ishizu said outside the door. "Night, sister." Marik replied. Then, Ishizu walked along the dark hallway. The hallway had always been dark in Duelist Kingdom ever since Cecelia died. Cecelia was Ishizu's best friend, but she died. Ishizu was also extremely sad when she heard of the death of Cecelia.

However, she wasn't like Pegasus. She met Seto Kaiba when he came here. She thought that although Kaiba may seem cold, but he wasn't cruel and evil like Gozaburo Kaiba. She never saw Seto Kaiba as an enemy. In fact, she would like to be friend with him. She also felt so sorry for the little Mokuba. He was so young and innocent. He didn't deserve to have his soul taken away. She wanted to free Mokuba, but she was afraid of Pegasus. She still remembered once, she tried to persuade Pegasus to let Mokuba go, but Pegasus was furious and almost took her soul from her! That incident made her fear Pegasus, who used to be very nice to her before the death of Cecelia. She no longer joke and chat with him, but she would always be there for him.

Ishizu sighed. Her violet eyes were full of weariness. How long will it take him to walk out of the pain of losing Cecelia? Hatred can't resolve problems. Revenge would only sink him deeper into the darkness… I wish there is a way I can help Pegasus… But he no longer opens his heart to others... What can I do? I don't want Mokuba or Kaiba to get hurt. I don't want Yami Kingdom to get involved and perhaps people there would get hurt as well. Most important of all, I don't want Pegasus to get hurt even more… Ishizu walked towards the steps leading down to the cellar where Mokuba's body was kept. She went to see Mokuba everyday, even though his soul was no longer in his body.

The vision she saw from her Millennium Necklace was awful. Pegasus's revenge not only couldn't make him feel better, but a lot more people will get hurt. Not only Seto Kaiba would almost go insane, the people in Yami Kingdom and even her would all suffer because of Pegasus revenge. The seed of revenge was planted by the evil Gozaburo Kaiba, but there was no need for it anymore since Gozaburo was no longer in the world. Ishizu feared that the vision she saw would really come true. I hope it will not come true. I'd rather the necklace was wrong for once…

Sorry, I didn't write about what happened to Mai in this chapter as I originally promised to. I thought it might be better to write this chapter first, just to show Pegasus's story. He wasn't as heartless as he seemed in the beginning of the story when he captured Mokuba's soul. Almost every person had their reasons in doing something, unless they are naturally insane.

But there are hints of what might have happen to Mai, just very vaguely. Can anyone guess who that mysterious person in Pegasus's room was? And who was 'the girl' that the mysterious person wanted? I hope it's not too confusing, but I'll clear the mystery up later.

Okay, next chapter will really be about what happen to Mai, I promise. There will be more Seto/Serenity scene in chapter 16, so please bear with me. Reviews are appreciated! Thanks!