A/N: It seems that the word limit for these docs is around 2000 something. Thus I some to need another part for chapter 7, here's hopefully the finally part of chapter 7. Enjoy.
Shizuka... Yuugi… Seto…
"Jounouchi if you lose I'll punch you."
Honda…
"Jounouchi!"
Anzu…
No… I won't lose!
"I won't lose!" Jounouchi screamed. He managed to avoid the incoming blade. Enraged and with his right hand slammed into the hooded figure… just as the sword entered the figure's body it evaporated into thin air.
"Jounouchi-kun!"
"Inu!"
"Jounouchi!"
The blonde turned around. He watched as his blade dissolve into the air before looking up. "Shame it had to disappear. I liked that sword."
"Jounouchi you're hurt!" Yuugi stated worriedly.
"Nah… it's nothing." The blonde shrugged it off showing his friend that the blood had already coagulated. "Besides we have to get moving!"
"Hai!"
-----------------
The next door… just like that last two was illuminated with light. As Yuugi reached for his key, he felt a strong hand upon his own. The boy looked up confused.
"Honda-kun?"
"Yuugi, whatever is before that door… it'll be my fight."
"Honda-kun." The boy looked up and nodded.
Seconds later like before, the door opened. Honda stepped in ahead… confident.
"Another arrogant one… Honda Hiroto. Yes, do play my game."
"And I will win!"
The room illuminated. There in the center of the room was a hooded figure. In his arms was a young girl… dazed.
"Miho!"
"Miho?" Yuugi asked questionably towards Jounouchi.
The blonde nodded. "Yeah Miho." Jounouchi smirked. "She was Honda's ex-girlfriend. She moved away before high school."
"Why…"
"Didn't you know her?"
"Yeah."
"She wasn't in our class. Miho was one of my childhood friends too," Anzu commented. "If… if that's Miho…"
"It will hurt…"
"Aibou."
"So many causalities in this sick game… after this… it'll be…"
"Anzu." The pharaoh knew as he watched his aibou during each of these games it tore him apart, and the pharaoh knew deep down. No matter how much he knew Yuugi loved him in his heart there was still a buried fragment of his love for Anzu. He would always love the girl who had he dreamt about during his childhood.
Honda screamed, charging at the hooded figure. Quite simply the figure avoided the attacks carrying the dying Miho. He would have to win to save Miho's life.
"Miho…"
"Miho…"
The young girl sobbed into Honda's arms. The young boy cradled his love in his arms.
"Gomen… I… I don't want to leave you Hiroto-kun."
The boy nodded cradling his girlfriend. "Then… then I'll go with you."
Her eyes widened as she sat up. "But your parents they will never… never allow you."
And Honda knew as desperately as he wanted to protect his love. There was nothing in the world left for him to do. All their years together, he had protected her. She was a frail girl…with a heart condition… and he was her…
"My knight in shining armor."
"I'm going to miss you Ribbon."
The girl nodded. She rubbed her eyes. "I'm going to…"
"But you're going to go get well. I have to let you go."
"Hiroto-kun, you've always protect me. You've never failed."
"I've never failed!" Honda shouted. "And I won't now."
"Honda-kun!"
"Honda!"
The room dimmed as Honda landed his punch. They watched like before the figure disappear into darkness. None moved toward the young man. In his arms he cradled Miho. Yuugi knew tears were present in Honda's eyes. He had to turn away when he heard Honda's screams… for he knew. Just like with every other person they had faced so far… they always disappeared into nothingness.
"Aibou."
A strong hand was felt on his shoulder. Yuugi looked up.
"Let's go Yuugi. It's never good to look to the past. You got to win!"
"Hai."
-----------------
"Ahh!"
"Anzu!" Yuugi's eyes widened in horror. He looked over at his friends, Jounouchi, Honda and Kaiba. They too looked worried. Each step they ran down the steps of the never ending tunnel… fatigued intertwined them all. Each knew it was mistake to separate at the last intersection. Each had hoped that by taking a different route… they could find the end faster and leave this maze of miseries.
Anzu screamed heightened as they turned another corner.
"Anzu."
"Aibou…"
"Onegai mou hitori no boku. Please… don't say anything."
"Aibou… if…" Yet the young pharaoh knew he had no way of controlling any of this... he knew… just as they all knew. None knew that this would happen… none knew just how much the other would lose in this game of fate.
The tunnel brightened just like the last three times… and with it Anzu's screams heightened. There at the end of tunnel was a door. Typical. Anzu hang on. Yuugi fumbled with the five keys that Isis had given him. Three were already used… and Yuugi immediately knew… the one engraved with the "wind" belonged to this door. As the cold metal key touched the lock… the door immediately swung open. There… the boys' eyes widened. There within the room… a young man nude was hovering over Anzu. With the way he was positioned… the boys already knew. They knew why Anzu had been screaming… and why her screams had suddenly stopped.
Yuugi felt his tears threatening to escape. Of all the trials they had gone through… this was the worst.
"Anzu!" Words that Yuugi himself wanted to scream… as he turned his head… he saw a blur, a blonde blur. Jounouchi-kun!
"Get your sick body away from her!" Jounouchi screamed. The young man turned. His face covered with blood… a sickening grin.
"You are too late!" The man crackled, in a matter of seconds his body disappeared into thin air… seconds before Jounouchi landed his punch.
"Anzu!" Yuugi shouted running up to the young girl… his childhood crush. Yuugi collapsed beside Anzu. For he looked down at her body, it was no longer unblemished and untouched. Red rashes ran the sides of her body… her legs were sparred out… sickening clear pus covered them mixed with blood. Her budding breasts were bruised. Feeling ashamed Yuugi looked away, and he knew his friends felt the same way.
"Aibou," the young pharaoh's voice cut into the atmosphere. "Give her some dignity. We can't leave her like this. You know as I do… this game isn't over. You have the…"
"Stop it mou hitori no boku. Stop it! I hate this! I hate this! I thought playing this game would be the right thing to do… I thought no one would get hurt. But… but… now… look at Anzu! She… she's made the ultimate sacrifice for us!"
"I don't want to…" Yuugi choked back his tears.
"Yuugi… " Anzu moaned… cutting the young boy off. Anzu groaned… her blinked her eyes and lightly raised her hands to Yuugi's cheeks. "You foolish, foolish little boy, you still want to be the lone hero? Always so gallant and proud. Always trying to protect everyone else. You've always been like that… ever since we were little. When your parents and grandfather left, you held your head up high. Everyone thought you were weak even then, but no… you're not. Deep down I knew, you would make a great hero. With one flaw… one terrible flaw. You're like mou hitori no Yuugi. You want to me brave, lone and strong."
Yuugi looked away. He left his tears fall down his cheeks. Anzu lightly ran her hand over his cheeks. "No Yuugi… please don't. I'm not sad that I lost my virginity… especially… not for you. I told you once Yuugi. I love you, and I always will. I know you love mou hitori no Yuugi. And I can never give my gift to you… at least… this way… in a way I have."
"Anzu." Yuugi muttered. "Arigotou."
Anzu nodded.
"Then let's get out of here… and find mou hitori no Yuugi's memories!"
Yuugi nodded, yet the burden on his shoulders increased, for he knew. His friends' trials were over. There was nothing left that they could do for him. Just like how the last key was engraved with nothing… Yuugi knew. Just as how he had been the one to accept the accursed Pharaoh's love; it would be his duty to retrieve his lover's memories for him. The last trial was his… and his alone.
-----------------
The five teens… now bloodied and tired… each with a little less hope and innocence left in their eyes. They had officially seen death, fear, and decay… their worlds were forever shattered.
Soon… the tunnel brightened and each knew… especially Yuugi. It was his turn. His friends had done more for him than he could probably ever repay them for. Now as they neared the last door… Yuugi finally began to tremble. The silver key… with no stigma engraved on it… the four natural symbols… fire, water, air and earth all gone. So what could be last… "birth, growth, experience and unity… the four stages of life… what was last?" Yuugi eyed his love warily as he neared the last door.
As he reached for his ring of keys one last time… Yuugi hesitated before looking back. "Minna, you guys don't have to come if you don't want to. I… I don't want to be responsible in case I…"
"Yuugi, you won't fail."
"Yeah, seriously Yuugi. Just believe in yourself man."
"Thanks." Yuugi's eyes tear over. He gripped the key firmly before sticking it into the keyhole. With a light pop the door swung open… revealing a… stadium. The five friends' eyes widened as they walked into the room. It was a stadium… an ancient battling arena, and all that seemed to be missing was the cheering fans.
"Welcome Yuugi!" A voice boomed though the stadium. Immediately their bodies tensed. "I'm surprised you made it this far. I can't believe you defeated all my minions, but then again… what else could I have expected from the Game King, yuugiou… child prodigy… the vessel of an accursed king?"
"Who's there!" Jounouchi shouted… he tightened his grip on Yuugi's shoulder.
A crackle was heard around the stadium. "Jounouchi Katsuya… son of a drunk, parents divorced, one sister nearly blind, been working since you were 10, and boyfriend of Kaiba. Kaiba Seto, orphaned at a young age, one little brother, CEO of Kaiba Corp – gaming industry- genius, and lover of Jounouchi. Honda Hiroto, one older sister, estranged from parents, a dog, and boyfriend to Jounouchi's sister. Mazaki Anzu daughter of two prosperous business men and women, feels alone, and in love with Yuugi. Mutou Yuugi, orphaned, lives with grandfather whose never there, heart problems, prodigy at games, and vessel of a king. Mou hitori no boku aka Yuugi, the accused king who lost his memories… lover of Yuugi… and the purpose of this game. Did I miss anything?"
Jounouchi grunted.
"Easy Inu. I know this type of person. He just wants to psyche us out… nothing more."
"Typical Kaiba."
"Who are you?" Yuugi shouted… aggravated and annoyed.
"Who am I? Surely you must know by now. You've been to my home even." Yuugi's eyes widened. Suddenly he knew why the voice sounded so familiar.
"No… it can't be." Yuugi muttered.
Another crackle.
"Bakura-kun?" Yuugi muttered.
"Bingo." The lights brightened… and there standing confidently with a smirk on his face was none other than Bakura Ryou.
"Bakura-kun, what are you doing here?"
"Yeah explain everything."
"What's so hard to believe? That… cute, innocent Bakura that you all know… isn't really all that… innocent?"
"Aibou."
"No!" Yuugi shook his head… he couldn't remember he didn't want to believe it. Why is Bakura-kun the last enemy! Why do I have to fight him? I can't fight him… not my friend. "No! You aren't Bakura-kun! Bakura-kun's not like this! He hates fighting! He wouldn't… he would never do this!" Yuugi shouted. He felt his whole body begin to tremble… unconsciously he gripped the wand Isis had given him. And faintly… none but the nameless pharaoh had noticed… a strange light was beginning to emit from the wand and pulsing throughout Yuugi's body.
Could it be? Could Aibou be…?
The other smiled. Suddenly… he realized… fate loved playing with them.
"Oo… little Yuugi. I'm impressed. You really haven't disappointed me yet, vessel of the accursed king. I'm not Bakura Ryou, or at least not the Bakura you know."
"Then who are you!"
"The last obstacle between you and the stupid king's memories, I too am from the past… the king's past. I, unlike him was not blessed with the gifts of royalty. I set my sights on something greater… far greater. Something known as the sennen items."
"Isis-san!"
"And like the 'farrow', I too became imprisoned. And like the 'farrow', your friend Bakura gave me harbor in his body. The poor boy never knew. He never knew or comprehended the extent of the power that he had within himself… much like you, vessel of the king." The albino brushed back a piece of his hair. He smirked, manically. "Yes, I'm sure you understand this game by now. Beat me, and the pharaoh's memories are yours. You see that door?" Yuugi blinked. Why didn't I notice it earlier? The boy nodded. "Through that door, are the pharaoh's memories… and what the hell… I'm sure those stupid tomb keepers neglected to tell you. You may make a wish… any wish."
Yuugi's eyes widened. I… I can be with mou hitori no boku. I must win! I will open that door for the both of us.
Aibou, you have really grown.
"Fine! I will play! What's this game!"
Bakura chuckled. "Oh no. Who said I'm playing against you. Nah, not me… oh no… little Bakura is your opponent." The beast crackled on more time. A blinding black light and seconds later… Yuugi recognized the figure that appeared before him.
"Bakura-kun!"
The young boy opened his eyes. He looked up stunned. "Yuugi-kun! What… what you doing here?"
"Bakura!"
"Jounouchi, Honda, Kaiba, Anzu!" Bakura's eyes widened.
"Play my little beast! Play against little Yuugi… it's our destiny… then you can have want you always wanted!"
"No! I… I can't play against Yuugi-kun!"
"It's your destiny. You promised me!"
"Iie!"
Yuugi blinked confused. For he like his friends could not hear Bakura's internal struggle with his dark self.
"Aibou."
"Huh?"
"I fear. I have discovered Bakura's secret."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"What that dark being said is… correct." The pharaoh sighed. He rubbed his brow and tightly enclosed his arms around Yuugi. "He, just like me, lives within Bakura." Yuugi's eyes widened. "Please aibou. Be careful. I'm not worth this."
Yuugi closed his eyes. He felt tears threatening to escape, yet once he opened him… his amethyst eyes once innocent now burned with passion. "Iie… you are worth it. Many times over. I will give you make your memories, for a person isn't whole without their past, and I will save Bakura-kun from his demons."
"But what about your own demons, aibou. Seto – losing his brother. Katsuya – not being strong enough to protect his family. Honda – failure. Anzu – her virginity. Those are their most prized possessions and fears. You stat I am your most precious thing now Aibou, but what about the past. I fear… I fear so much for you koi."
"Bakura-kun! I will save you."
"Yuugi-kun!" The albino looked up stunned. He felt tired and hurt.
"Please, fight him no longer. I'm your… opponent." Yuugi managed to gulp down. He clutched his wand tighter.
"Yuugi-kun."
"Ha! What a fool!"
"I am your opponent. Fight me!"
"Yuugi," Jounouchi hissed. His eyes widened… as he watched… something he never imagined, never knew would happen. Suddenly he felt his whole world turn over as Yuugi landed a punch. He felt himself spinning, and he knew from the crevice of his mind he had indeed heard Anzu's whimpers. His friends were also stunned.
Today the world bleeds…
Aibou.
Yuugi.
Fool! Mortal fool!
"Yuu…gi." Bakura's body radiated. Yuugi hurriedly covered his eyes. He heard Bakura chanting… he felt time and space ripped apart.
"Niisan!"
"Darling, my baby."
"Sport."
No, it can't be.
Yuugi's eyes widened. There standing before him…
"Okaasan, Otousan, Nozomi-chan." Yuugi whispered.
Aibou. Oh Ra! Oh Horus. Please don't do this to Aibou. Must you challenge him so?
Yuugi, everything forgotten – the battle, mou hitori no boku, Bakura-kun, his friends, and reality- ran to his family. "Okaasan!"
"Darling…" Just as Yuugi reached for his mother… the unthinkable happened. Yuugi felt his heart break. His soul crushed.
Wack!
Yuugi's feeble body flew across the stadium. Bakura or maybe it was the dark Bakura's chuckled. "It's time to die," Akina smirked.
"Yuugi!" Anzu screamed.
"No," Honda shouted pulling her back. He wrapped his arms around the young girl's waist.