Chuck: Alright, I finally got the chapter done. Geez those exams were tough, but I managed to get the highest mark on my math exam. 94. Yesss! I also got a media arts award. Well, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. It's got a lot of emotional stuff in it so . . . yeah! -

Chapter 12

Frigid Sorrow

The time was 8:45 as P.M prepared for battle. Ever since he had returned from his visit to Yulin and Hao, he had kept to himself, saying nothing to the others. Was it because he dreaded the fight ahead, or because he had drawn his weapon after Yulin had promised there would be no violence? Either way, he still had Yoh and the others to back him up every step of the way; or at least the others.

Yoh stood in the shower quietly, the cool water refreshing him from the weary day. As he rinsed his hair, he sighed. "What Yulin's doing is wrong, but what P.M wants to do isn't exactly good either. Hmm . . . What should I do?" Yoh suddenly felt arms wrap around his waist. "Nani?"

"Have you ever felt death? I mean, you've been soul sucked, but have you actually ever felt death?"

Yoh was suddenly picked up and leaned back as the water from the shower suddenly came out ice cold. As he began to gasp for air, Yulin continued to speak, his eyes dark.

"It's scary isn't it? The horror of not being able to get out, each breath of air a desperate struggle. It's a truly horrible thing."

Yoh felt the water become even colder, and as it did a small cry escaped his control, panic staining his eyes.

"You know, death is a thousand times worse then this. It's cold . . . scary. When you and I were killed before, we both felt this feeling; and to think it was mine own brother that delivered us to it. I still can't stand the look he held in his eyes as he stood there and watched us suffer. That bastard."

Yoh continued to struggle, but it was in vain, for Yulin's grip was much to strong.

"But even though he wronged us, I still do not fully wish to fight. I only wish to get what I want." Yulin looked to Yoh, hearing him begin to wimper, and as he pulled him out from under the water, and began to cradle him, he could see tears rolling down his cheeks. "Gommen, Anata. I wished only to get a point across to you."

Yoh slowly opened his eyes. "And what is that?"

"I don't want you to feel that pain again. I want to try and settle things without violence, but if my brother does come looking for a fight, I wont disappoint him. This is his decision; not mine."

Yoh blinked, then found himself standing back under the warm water, with Yulin nowhere in sight. "Was it . . . a dream?" The boy then realized, though it was possible for it all to have been a dream, nothing could then answer why his body felt numb as he shivered uncontrollably. He quietly stepped out of the shower, dried himself off, then left the room, his goal now clear.

As he did so, Yulin sat in a tree outside, with Tak by his side.

"Why'd you have to be so extreme?"

"There are some lessons that can only be learned through pain. I'm sorry my Anata was the pupil."

P.M had just finished over-souling with Manta, when Yoh peaked into the room. "P.m?"

"Aa?"

Yoh fully stepped in, then closed the door behind him, his lips still blue from his earlier contact with Yulin. "We need to talk."

P.M nodded, then as he sat, drew his sword and began cleaning it. "What is it, Yoh-kun?"

"Well, you said Yulin wasn't out to destroy everything; he wanted to change heaven, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well . . . maybe you shouldn't fight him."

"Nani?"

"I don't think you should fight him. I mean, there's gotta be another way. Have you tried talking to him?"

"We already tried that."

"Without drawing your sword?"

"Hey, I know that was dumb, but . . ."

"P.M, have you ever heard the saying, 'Peace isn't driven by a blade, but spoken by a voice?"

P.M sighed. "Yoh-kun, I know you don't like fighting, but there's a difference between fighting for a purpose, then just fighting."

"I doesn't matter! No one deserves to die!"

"Yulin is a traitor. He's killed many people and even threatens your life . . ." P.M looked up, his eyes narrowed. " . . . How can you still value his life!" P.M took a moment to study Yoh, then frowned. "He's infected you, hasn't he?"

"Nani?"

"All those things he's done is starting to effect you."

"No it's not! P.M, Yulin doesn't deserve to die!"

"Yes he does!"

Yoh jumped back as P.M slammed his fist into the wall, then he became quiet. "This isn't just about him trying to change heaven, is it?"

P.M looked up.

"This is about Yulin leaving your family for Hao; leaving you for Hao."

P.M frowned, then stood up. "Either way, Yulin has sinned, and for that he will be punished."

"What if he kills you!"

"Then that's how it will be."

"What about the Manta I know! Does he even want to fight!"

"Manta was born so I would have a suitable body to fight Yulin."

Yoh frowned. "You're beginning to sound like Hao." The young shaman was suddenly struck by a mixture of pain and shock as he received a powerful slap to the cheek. He stood dumbfounded as P.M sheathed his sword.

The angel began to walk to the door , then stopped as he passed Yoh. "You are a beautiful person, but your ideas can be very childish. This world can be an ugly place, and when it is, those silly beliefs can get you or others hurt. Yoh, I want you stay here. This is too dangerous, and Yulin could use your current weakness to his advantage." and with that, P.M left Yoh alone in the room.

After a few moments, Yoh dropped to his knees, both tears of sorrow and pain escaping his control. The fight was going to happen, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"He's wrong you know."

"Huh?" Yoh turned, then stared seeing Mikihisa standing at the door.

"Those 'childish' beliefs are what helped your friends fight Hao on top of star, and their also what helped bring you back. P.M comes from a time where fighting was a common thing. He doesn't understand the way things are now. It'll be alright." Mikihisa entered the room, then knelt down to his son. "It's your decision whether you come to this fight, but maybe you should think about it a little bit first, Ne?" Yoh nodded, then Miki stood up once more, and left with the rest of the group. As he did, Yoh watched him, then smiled. "Sankyuu, Dad."

Yulin sat on the stairs of the temple as the others arrived. He studied the gang, then smiled. "I see you left him at home."

P.M frowned. "What's it to you?"

"Why, everything, of coarse. I was afraid that I would have to hurt him, but seeing how he's not present, I can just finish you all off, then go get him afterward."

"Kisama!" P.M drew his sword, when Miki suddenly placed a hand on the blade.

"Don't be so rash."

"Hmm?"Yulin stood. "So, you don't all come with hatred in your hearts."

"Try confusion!" Lyserg stepped forward. "What's wrong with you, Yulin?"

"Have I not told you?"

Lyserg was suddenly hit by a blast ice and thrown away from the group.

"Lyserg-chan!" Ryu ran to his beloved, then helped him to sit up. "Daijoubu?"

"Aa."

Yulin smirked, then looked to the rest of the group. "Well, I guess we should get this over with then, shouldn't we?"

"I couldn't agree more." P.M pulled his sword away from Mikihisa. "You'll pay for the horrible things you've done."

"We'll see." Yulin drew a long Katana, then smiled. "Or will it be you who pays?"

With a loud shout, P.M charged at his older brother, but Yulin didn't flinch.

"Soon, Hao. Soon."

Yoh was silent as he sat in his futon holding his knees. He wanted to go, but another part of him was telling him to stay.

"Yoh-dono, daijoubu?"

Yoh looked to his partner then smiled softly. "Aa."

"If there's anything I can do . . ."

"This is something I need to decide for myself."

"Yoh-dono . . ."

Yoh was silent as he sat thinking.

"Can't decide, huh?"

"Nani?" Yoh looked to his side, then stared at the small figure. "Who are you?"

"I'm Tak, the fate imp."

Yoh studied him quietly, then looked away. "What do you want?"

"I've come here with the same message that I gave Manta." The imp's eyes suddenly began glowing blue, and his expression became blank. "You will be forced to choose between yourself, and the one you love."

Amidamaru stared in confusion, as the imp returned to normal. "Choose?"

"Yep!"

The shaman became silent as thoughts cluttered his mind, then he rose to his feet, got dressed and picked up Harasume. "I've gotta help."

"Yoh-dono are you sure?"

"Aa."

Tak watched as Yoh and Amidamaru left the room, then his expression saddened. "This isn't gonna end well."

As Yoh ran downstairs, he saw Kino, Raijin, and Marcus all sitting at the table. "Nani? You didn't leave?"

Kino looked up quietly. "Raijin is not allowed in this fight."

"Nande?"

"He's a follower of Hao."

Raijin looked up sadly. "Only of the good one."

Yoh was quiet, then he pointed to Marcus. "Well, why did he stay?"

"I'm guarding the pepsi!"

Yoh's expression became blank. "O-kay . . .Well, I'm leaving so . . ." Without finishing his sentence, Yoh shot through the door.

The three were quiet, then Marcus smiled. "He should've taken a pepsi. It probably would've helped him to run faster."

"Kisama!" Bolts of lighting shot from Ren's weapon, but the blasts didn't seem to effect the fallen angel.

"Child's play."

Ren suddenly felt his arm go numb as it was consumed by ice.

"Ren!" Horo quickly shot to the Tao's aid. "Daijoubu?"

Ren nodded, then allowed himself to crack a painful smile. "It takes more then that to finish Tao Ren."

"How about this?"

The two shaman were suddenly engulfed in ice.

"Horo Horo! Ren!" Chocolove watched in horror as his teammates vanished inside a massive shard of ice, then, without even turning, he felt his enemy appear behind him. "Nani!"

"I guess your next."

"Not a chance!"

Yulin was suddenly hit by several orbs of water. "Hmm?" He turned to see the Shizuka preparing another orb. "How annoying."

Shizuka's hands suddenly froze to the water orb. "Ack!" She began jumping around as she tried to pull them apart. "Ow! Hey, no fair! Owie!"

Just as Yulin cracked a smile, he was tripped. "Nani!" He whipped around to see Mikihisa. "Kisama!"

"You know, you probably shouldn't have said that, because it seems whenever a bad guy swears, that's when he begins losing. It's like a rule."

"I never was good with rules."

The older shaman was suddenly grabbed by his hair, and thrown onto the steps of the temple.

"Miki!" Shizuka 02to run over, but Yulin blocked her path.

He lifted his sword, ready to strike, when a blast of ice suddenly hit him from behind. "Nani!" He turned then frowned, seeing Horo Horo and Ren. "So you survived."

"Yep!" Horo smiled as Koro appeared by his side. "I'm also an ice user, tough guy! The ice you saw was actually my shield."

"Impressive." Yulin raised his hand. "But, try this one on for size!"

Horo and Ren once again became engulfed, but this time the ice was shattered by bolts of golden light.

While Yulin was distracted, P.M powered up his sword, then shot forward.

The demonic man was only aware of his presence a millisecond before his shoulder was struck by burning aqua light. He held his shoulder in pain, then turned to his younger brother. "Your aim's a little off, isn't it?"

The angel cringed as he prepared his weapon for another attack.

Mikihisa slowly sat up, then looked to the others. "Give him some time to get ready!"

"Right!" The group all began launching attacks on Yulin, as P.M's katana grew brighter with each passing second.

Yulin was able to block most of the attacks, but every once in a while he would cry out in pain. The fallen angel cringed seeing his brother beginning to come at him, then he lifted his arms up. "Get away!"

His body began to glow, then in a matter of seconds, there was a small explosion. After the smoke cleared, the shamans could be seen scattered around the area.

Yulin, standing unharmed, smirked as he studied his fallen opponents. Even the great Angel of Justice lay unconscious. "Well then, I guess I'll end it here."

As the tall man approached his brother, Shizuka sat up shakily. "No," she cried softly. "P.M, Manta you have to wake up."

Yulin looked down at his brother, then sneered. "Farewell, Manta. You wont be missed," and with that, Yulin brought his blade down.

"You must stop!"

The attack was suddenly blocked by a katana of blue light. Yulin studied the blade, then slowly looked up to find Yoh. "Nani?"

Yoh continued to push Yulin's attack up, as he gasped for air. "That's enough!"

Yulin stood dumbfounded for a moment, then his expression changed remembering the words his beloved had spoken so many years ago. The image of Hao standing before him with his arms spread began to play over and over in his head as Yoh stood before him. Even his tone had been the same.

The young shaman slowly moved Harasume feeling Yulin's force vanish, then he began to shake P.M. "Manta! P.M! Can you here me?"

The angel's eyes fluttered open. "Eh?"

Yoh smiled. "You're okay."

The angel's eye's flickered for a moment, then became child-like, letting Yoh know that future Manta had control. "Yoh-kun . . . you came?"

"Yeah."

The angel's face became red then he smiled, his eyes returning back to P.M's. "Thank you."

Yulin's eyes darkened as he watched his brother blush. "It appears I must do this the hard way. I'm sorry, Anata."

The young shaman had been turning around when he saw a blade coming towards him. As it was about to hit him, he closed his eyes, but after a moment, he realized it never hit him. Instead he felt warm arms grip him and spin him around. There was a jerk, then he looked up and stared seeing P.M shielding him from the blade. "Manta?"

"Yoh-kun . . . daijoubu . . ." The tall man slowly fell to his knees, then fully collapsed.

The fallen angel grinned as he cleaned his blade. "Well, that worked out better then I thought."

Yoh slowly dropped to his knees then joined the group in a horrified gaze. "Manta's . . . gone . . . ."