Hello, everyone! Long time no see, I know! I will be visiting some of my later works in hopes of getting myself out of the emotional rut that I've found myself in. Not going to bore you with details (since we are all having our fair share) so I'll just jump right in!

Big thank you for everyone who takes the time to read and keep up with me! I see you and I love you all!

. . . .

Forewarning: This work will be rated M to be safe!

There are adult situations and themes inside so if you are under 18 or are easily queasy, please proceed with caution.

This will not be the cutesy musical that some of have grown up with (the animated movie) and I honestly have never seen the play/broadway/original so I can't say that it will or won't have any similarities.

. .

I don't own rights to the characters of Yu-Gi-Oh! Or Anastasia!

Anastasia (Original Yu-Gi-Oh! Style)

Part 4

Golden sunshine illuminated a small group of people as they conversed and exclaimed whenever they caught sight of something that sparked their interest; Joseph and Tristan would nearly drool over a pretty woman who would flutter their fan in the pair's direction, Mai was acting as translator between the group and the locals when a question was ask, Atem was gazing around in mild amusement at the antics of the other members, then there was Tea who trudged along at the very back who looked as though she wanted nothing more than to head back the way they came. Mai had swept them away the second the sun had risen, taking them to nearly every salon or store that radiated the splendor that Paris had to offer. No matter how hard she tried though, the prince's gaze seemed to always find itself drifting back to a strangely detached and silent brunette who simply watched as they partook in each extravagant experience. Mai had noticed it as well, though she didn't let on of her suspicion, thinking Tea's downcast mood was simply in regards to what was occurring later in the day. It would not be easy for them to part ways but the young woman had insisted that they did so that he could live the rest of his days with the family he had nearly lost. Admirable though her intentions were, even the beauty couldn't help but pity the girl.

"My feet are hurtin' like crazy but I really don't care!" They chorused as they strutted down the street like a pair of peacocks.

"Careful you two don't wind up snagged by one of the fancy ladies and disappear for the rest of the day!" The busty blonde's gaze twinkled with mischief when they turned on her, both shouting that they weren't those kinds of men, and turned their attentions toward the nearby shop window that showcased the latest fashion.

His pace slowed until he was walking beside the silent brunette, their steps nearly matching in pace as he studied her closely. "Tell me, Tea, have you ever been to Paris?"

"First time." She shrugged, sighing as she quickened her pace slightly.

Atem was not one to let her get away so easily, hands stuffing themselves into the pockets of the suit jacket he wore while regarding the young woman from the corner of his eye. "I have been thinking about that riddle." He was pleased to see that her gaze finally rose from the cobbled street beneath their feet to meet his own but it was replaced by puzzlement when she gave no indication that she wanted him to continue. "Could you tell it to me once more?"

"You're not going to let it go even if I tell you it was just a joke or something to pass the time?"

"It was a game, Tea, but I am one who would like to know the answer even if I am wrong."

For a moment he thought a brown ring had appeared around her pupils but it had vanished as quickly as it had appeared as she came to a stop with her arms crossed. "If I do, then will you walk ahead with the others? I would like some time alone please." It was only when he gave a regrettable nod that she took a breath through her nose. "I can be gentle and sweet, but I can also be bitter and sour; Many search for me, but I am not so easily seen; Far and wide though you may search, where I lay is naught in any church; No treasure or gold are what I need, for when it's true I will require only you; Though a sword and a shield will do you well in battle, I am the true reason that you step upon the battlefield; Whether a king or a peasant, I do not discriminate for each restless soul screams for me." Her hand rose. "Now get back up there so that they can stop staring at us."

Sure enough, the trio ahead quickly turned their heads to face forward when he curiously looked in their direction. He complied with her request and with a bow, he moved forward so as to match paces with Mai when she cast him a sideways glance. A slight shake of his head deterred her from taking his place beside Tea but that did not stop the mauve eyed woman from attempting to earn the brunette's smile.

Not even the beautiful dresses that glittered within the sunlight filtering through each storefront window had earned a second glance from the young woman. Brilliantly colored glass bottles of perfume, displays of various foods, a square that had a small garden that surrounded a bubbling fountain, none were capable of raising her head. No matter what the small party did to engage the young brunette, she remained withdrawn and continued to place distance between them until she'd had enough. She fully separated from the group as they began to debate on where to eat lunch, approaching the street in time to hail a vehicle. It was disappearing around the nearby corner before any could stop her.

Atem, who had been watching her the closest, noted how pale she had become despite the soft sunlight that they were bathed within as they explored the city but it was the glaze within her eyes that caused a rock to settle within his stomach. "What do you suppose is on Tea's mind that cause her to be so distant?"

The sandy blonde man narrowed his gaze slightly upon the prince from the corner of his eye as all enjoyment left his expression. "Gee, I wonder."

"Idiot." Tristan nudged him in the ribs as they came to a stop in front of the cafés. "Shut up."

Amethyst met their in question before moving on to pale mauve, finding them reserved with a hint of suppressed worry, and the dots connected that it must have something to do with himself. What had he done though to deserve this strange treatment? They'd barely spoken since their arrival and she had turned away the invitation to join them all for a morning meal saying that she had not slept well. Perhaps he was to blame for her lacking enthusiasm, since it had been his idea that they went out in the first place. Still she could have refused instead of allowing them to tow her along as they currently were. "I will retire for the time being," he said, moving towards the street when a hand took hold of his shoulder that belonged to Joseph. "What is it that you know but I do not?"

"It ain't up to us to tell ya."

Mai stepped forward, removing his fingers from the prince's arm. "Not here, you two, there's eyes and ears everywhere." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "It's best that we let her go for now. Give her some time, Atem, and then you can go see her."

A knot that had formed in his gut gave a painful clench at her words but he inhaled through his nose with a nod. Whatever it was that he had done or said, it may be best to leave it for now and visit at a later time. Though the others business themselves with ordering food for themselves, amethyst wandered carefully over the menu. The strange riddle that she had challenged him to on the train rang within his ears as he studied each of the decadent and rich sweets. He himself may not be hungry at the moment despite all of the activity and swirling excitement in the air, but that did not mean he couldn't select some items for a certain dancer as a peace offering.

. . . .

Someone was crying somewhere in the darkness but no matter how hard he searched he couldn't see who was behind the sobs.

"I'm scared…" a voice whispered softly into his ear. "…I can't see anything…"

He turned in hopes of spotting whoever was responsible for the sound but found nothing. "Who are you?"

"…He's going to devour me…"

"Who is?" Their high pitch was causing him distress though, as if he'd heard whoever it was weeping before, and he felt the drive to seek them out. Wait, that was Tea! "Where are you? Tell me!" He pivoted in every direction while combing through the pitch black in hopes of finding his friend.

"Give it to me." The prince froze as a new voice, this one full of venom and greed filling the darkness as it drowned out the whimpers and sobs of the first. The hairs across his body rose in terror as the darkness gathered into a formless mass, a pair of malicious crimson eyes glowing like embers as it rose high enough to rival any building or landmark.

A hoarse sound wrestled up his throat as he bolted upright in bed, a hand rising to find his forehead completely soaked with sweat. Yugi's chest rose and fell with quick gasps, the adrenaline pounding loudly in his ears nearly deafening him if it weren't for the call of his name from the other room. The trembling of his hands caused him to fumble a bit while changing out of the soaked clothes he had worn to bed and quickly moved to answer when the call came again. "Grandpa, what's the matter?" Yugi quickly crossed the room when the elderly man gave a sudden startle, weathered hands quickly revealing a golden sarcophagus from the nearby bedside table. His eyes widened as the lid was lifted, revealing a nearly complete puzzle that had been the former monarch's greatest treasure. "Wow. Looks like you almost have it done."

"I want you to shatter it!"

The young prince's jaw dropped. "Are you crazy?! You spent your whole life putting it together!"

"And I was a fool for doing so!" He rose, wobbling slightly from the bed and hastily made his way to the nearby balcony where he prepared to release it. "It's a cursed item that I should have never touched!"

"No, don't!" Wide lilac eyes watched as the glittering object fell from Solomon's hand to disappear from sight. Yugi turned away from the balcony edge to question the elder when he turned to find him blinking as though he had just woken from a dream. "What the heck were you thinking?!"

His head tilted, the grave-like shadow that had been lingering within his gaze evaporating to leave sleepy eyes that were struggling to stay open. "Yugi?" He yawned widely, peering up at the taller young man with curiosity. "Isn't it a bit early to be shouting?"

Yugi was completely flabbergasted. Had his grandfather been sleepwalking the whole time? "I- You- I- Just stay put, I'll go see if I can find it." Though the prince sprinted as quickly as he could, by the time he reached the area where it should have landed he found no trace of the treasure. It was as if it had disappeared into thin air! Anxiety twisted within his gut as his eyes combed the nearby bustling street. Solomon had been suffering from horrible nightmares for the last several weeks, possibly months, but they had dismissed them until he began rambling about the sorcerer he would never speak the name of. The ancient object's disappearance was possibly a sign that something was approaching, a being that had cursed their family that resulted in their fall from monarchy. Was their fear about to be realized about the curse returning?

. . . .

Knuckles lightly tapped against the wooden door. Atem had seen the expression on her face upon returning last night but had not approached her then at Mai's behest. The woman had been the head of the servants back in the day, by far one of the closest to the family since, so he trusted in her judgment to allow some time for the brunette to be alone. That was over an hour ago and the residence was feeling too quiet even with Joseph and Tristan loudly basking in the glory of City of Love. Somehow, without her involvement, the normally splendid and sparkling city seemed lackluster. Then there was the lack of excitement that had made her seem even more like a doll than any of the porcelain ones they had seen in a shop. "Tea?" Just as his knuckles were about to meet the wood once more was when a resounding click of a lock filled the air before it swung inwards.

Relief was short lived when he spotted her heavily shadowed cobalts. Those bags weren't there before and it looked as though she had changed from the pastel tea length dress from earlier into a high neckline long sleeve floor length skirt the was form fitting with dull grayscale colors. She was one who favored free movement, not skin tight clothing the impeded her range, so the wardrobe difference was like night and day.

"May I come in?"

"I'm really not feeling the greatest." Her gaze fell to burn a hole in the floor, the haze wavering as she spotted the decorative box in his left hand. A tilt of her head, the faintest of sparks were notes that her interest had been piqued. "What a pretty box."

He held it up when she inquired as to what was inside, a gentle smile raising his lips. "I would like to show you, if you will allow me." Curiosity flashed within her eyes, making him all the more glad he had decided to make a second trip to the café to retrieve the box before they returned. The door painstakingly opened farther until there was just enough space for him to slip by and it closed with a click as behind him once he had entered the room. "I would ask if you are feeling any better, Tea, but I feel that I already know the answer."

"I tried to take a nap but just couldn't close my eyes for more than two seconds." She began walking towards the bed, a wave of her hand the signal for him to make himself comfortable, as the brunette leaned against the bedpost.

The smile fell from his face, lips falling into a thin line. It looked as though the bed hadn't been touched since the maids had visited. Why had she just lied to him?

"So what's in the box?" A pivot turned her in his direction, just before she reached the bed, and took a few steps towards him.

There was that spark of curiosity but it wasn't as bright as it was before when he placed it upon the side table that was at the bed's left side. Before she could untie the decorative ribbon or lift the lid he had moved to stand in front of it so he was between them "Are you upset with me, Tea?" His gaze narrowing when she turned her back on him, frowning when she stumbled slightly on the decorative carpet. "You are a person that I have come to know well during our travels and I have grown to recognize when something is amiss with you." Fingers reached out, brushing against her own, but fell to rest at his side once more when she recoiled as if he had struck her. "Is this in reference to where Mai took you last night?"

No answer.

He took another step towards her, causing the young woman to stiffen as his hands fell on her shoulders. "Talk to me."

"Don't touch me." Her eyes rose to lock on the ceiling instead of on him as she attempted to free herself.

Things were starting to get out of hand. He hadn't meant to touch her, let alone exert his strength over her, but answers were needed. "Why are you acting like this, Tea? Though I am relieved to see you react with something other than indifference, you have gone all day without a single smile or spark within your eyes."

The bed frame knocked the backs of their knees, causing the pair to fall backwards across the duvet cover, but he managed to maneuver so that he was hovering over her while balancing his weight on bent knees and hands the had gentle hold of her wrists as his eyes bore into her own. Only the sounds of their breaths filled the otherwise tense silence as they stared into the other's eyes; one pair azure that looked more like muddied pond water than their normal cobalt, the other darkened amethyst with shards of precious ruby that shone with concern. Neither moved an inch as the heat from their beings intermixed, creating a heavy atmosphere between them until the large grandfather clock sounded from the hallway. Recognizable voices of the others sounded after, probably them going to gather within one of the dens or parlors so as to showcase their spoils.

It wasn't until silence once again ruled for several minutes that her shoulders rose and fell in a sigh, a bored expression falling over Tea's features. "You're the one acting weird between the two of us. I'm just exhausted from the journey is all." Cobalt that had begun to clear grew glassy once more as anger sparked within their depths when he remained unmoved. "Now get off."

There, he finally pinpointed what had been sitting wrong with him the more she spoke. "Your voice sounds strange, as if you have no emotion or life behind your words, and you have been acting strange throughout the day." Amethyst narrowed. "And you would be blushing right now with how close I am. Why are you not now?" One of her knees rose, aiming for the flesh of his stomach, but he deflected it with a twist of his being. Now she was lashing out at him? "Something is wrong. I do not know what," he said slowly, studying her face intently while allowing his tone to harden. "But I will find out what."

"Maybe I'm not the problem here. Seems like you're the one who is causing trouble around here, your highness." The young brunette hissed. "Someone like you shouldn't be so concerned about a lowly peasant girl like me."

The eldest prince's breath hitched. Just now she had spoken so coldly to him that it had caught him off guard. She'd never used this sort of tone, at least not with him, and it was unsettling that she was. What had earned his shock though was the use of the honorific. It held no meaning between them, or at least that is what he had believed since she had been treating him as more than a crown holder, she had treated him as a human being who was no better or worse than herself. His brows settled into a line. "Why would you say that just now?"

Her head snapped to the right in defiance with a huff.

His brow twitched. "Do not test me, Tea, I asked you a question."

"Fine. You what an answer so bad?" Brunette locks spread out like a fan across the comforter as she snapped back to face him, moisture gathering along her lashes when she blinked. "It's so elementary that even a child would be able to figure it out."

"Enough games! Tell me!"

"You deserve nothing short than a princess." She seethed, glaring up at him as she struggled against his hold. This time he didn't see her leg come upwards and grunted as her knee connected with his side that sent him reeling slightly while she escaped to stand near the window. "Stop bothering yourself with someone the likes of me, Atem, you're about to leave my life and yet you insist on forcing yourself into the forefront of my attention whether I like it or not!"

Amethyst widened as he straightened, shifting over the bed so that they were standing inches apart until her back met the wall; the bed was tucked in the right hand corner of the room, leaving just enough space between it and the window that overlooked the lush garden below for one to stand. He had her trapped. "Why are you speaking as though I am about to vanish into thin air?"

"Because you are! I'm about to reunite you with your family and then that's it! You'll bee gone and I'll have to go back to the sad little life that I had without you in it!" Within her darkened cobalt eyes radiated a sorrow so gut wrenching that his breath caught as unshed tears glistened within their azure depths. "I've had so much fun while bringing you here. I never thought that I would see you, or Yugi, ever again but then I discovered you within the abandoned palace… I knew something big was about to happen the second I laid eyes on you even back then. Atem, I'm probably the only person that could have brought you to Mai, the only sole person who remains loyal to the royal family even to now. Fate brought you to me so that I could help you and I have. The journey took a bit longer than I expected, what with all the side roads we had to take and all, but I'm done." She shook her head, tucking the hand that she had hidden behind her back rose slightly to allow the item within her palm to slip up the sleeve. "I'm leaving by tonight."

"What?!"

Their heads snapped to the doorway, finding it open and full of people; Joseph and Tristan wore mirror expressions of shock while Mai looked nearly ready to shake some sense into the young brunette. Though they each had words to say they remained silent when her gaze met each in turn, revealing serious warning for them to stay where they were.

"You two can stay here. I've seen how much you adore this attention and all the fancy glamour." Her tone softened, brows relaxing from the furrow of anger upon discovering the audience. "Mai probably wouldn't mind the company, I know how much she's enjoyed having guests over that aren't trying to use her to get to the family."

"Tea-"

"I've made up my mind. I'm going." Cobalt shifted to lock on the silent wild haired prince who looked as though she had sprouted a second head.

He gave himself a shake in time for his fingers to wrap around her wrist once more as she slipped past him. "Wait, Tea, think about what you are saying!" Though he tried to bring her back to him with a light tug she remained where she was so he took the steps to stand in front of her once more, his eyes searching her own. "Reuniting with my family does not mean that I will simply disappear-"

"You are the one who doesn't understand. Once you return to them, you'll have to go into hiding alongside them. There are still heretics out there just itching to get their hands on the remains of the family. The second you reach out your hand and they take it is when you won't be able to walk in the streets ever again without fear of being covered in bullseyes. You like all the splendor of Paris and the beauty it holds? Get a good fill of it now because never again will you be able to feel this free."

Alarm filled him as from within her gaze rose a ring of brown that formed around her pupil. Tea's eyes were azure, shifting from cobalt to cerulean or sapphire depending on her emotions. The feeling morphed into suspicion then became anger. "What has happened to you, Tea? Cease this at once and speak what you truly wish to convey!"

"You may be royalty but I won't allow anyone to tell me what I do or don't mean to say." Her upper lip rose in a snarl, wrenching free from his hold. The brown that had appeared within her gaze darkened to near black in color as a sneer lifted her lips when she kept her back to the doorway so that only he could see it. It was dark, scheming, and full of malice that it made his blood run cold. "I have to go get supplies. Don't follow me or I'm leaving sooner." It fell from her face, replaced by an expression of heartbreak, as with a spin of her heel and snatch of the butterfly clasp purse that had been the sole inheritance from her mother, Tea was gone through the door, leaving the speechless onlookers and prince.

"I'm sorry to dump you on this but a situation has risen." Mai entered the room, moving to stand before the trembling prince. "You'll have to come with me to meet with the family right away."

Atem blinked. "Why all of a sudden?"

"They are about to leave the city and disappear once more. The news of them hiding within Paris has leaked to the wrong people."

. . . .

"Where have you two been?!" She roared, staring both Joseph and Tristan up and down as she glanced at the nearby clock. "It's almost time to present him to the family and you two-"

"We couldn't find her," Joseph hung his head, wiping the sweat from his brow while attempting to fix his clothing so it wasn't as wrinkled. "We've been running around looking everywhere but there's no sign of her."

Tristan nodded. "Not even the train stations say that they've seen a girl matching her description."

The expression on her face rose to the forefront of Atem's mind as his blood chilled. He wanted nothing more than to go find their lost companion but she had made it perfectly clear that she had not wanted them to seek her out. "For now, we should focus upon what is in front of us."

"So that's it?!" Joseph's hands appeared upon the prince's shoulders, forcing him flat against the nearby wall with a thud, his brown eyes blazing with fury. "You're just gonna let it go?! Now I see that you didn't care about her!"

"That is a lie and you know it." Mai interjected, quickly pulling them apart. "You two go wait for us downstairs. Now."

Joseph and Tristan heard the warning within her tone, both sending glares at the prince as they followed her instructions to disappear from sight.

"Her disappearance can't be a good thing," she sighed, rubbing her temples. "I brought her here last night thinking she would be encouraged and happy for you reuniting with the royal family but maybe I took it a bit too far. I should have taken her feelings into consideration."

"Too little too late." A creak of the door behind her alerted all to it opening inwards, causing all to inhale sharply when a pair of furious lilac hued eyes fixated on them each in turn. "I think you all need to leave." Ice filled Yugi's voice as it fixated on the one who had forgotten how to breathe. He took several steps into the hallway, his lips parted in a growl while forcing the slightly taller man to retreat until his back met the wall. "Especially you, faker." His expression became a grimace. "I mean, you might look close enough to fool most, but not me."

To say Atem was confused was an understatement. He could only blink for a few seconds until the young prince's words crashed over them. The last time they had seen each other was the night of the rebellion, when Tea had helped him and their grandfather to escape the intruders. Why was he so angry? Shouldn't they be exchanging embraces or reminiscing about their shared childhood? "Yugi, I am no one else but myself. What is the meaning of this?"

"Someone's really trying to stay in character. I see that you've even memorized his manner of speaking and the vocal range." His finger rose. "No matter what tricks you have, I won't fall for them. Not after what you did."

Mai quickly stepped between them, a hand resting upon his shoulder. "Prince Yugi, what are you talking about? This really is him-"

"No brother of mine would raise his hand against anyone, let alone our childhood friend!" A few curious heads poked out of the other rooms at his roar but Yugi couldn't care less as he fixated a glare on the one behind her. "Don't play innocent, you know what you did! How dare you hunt down an innocent girl then use her?"

"What's all the shouting?" The soft voice that came from inside the room caused the hostility within the prince's voice and gaze to lessen, turning quickly to address the figure that appeared within the door. A collective exclamation rose from Mai and Atem as none other than Tea appeared; chocolate hair a mess, face stained with dried tear tracks, scratches and bruises blooming across her visible fair skin that looked as though she had been recently manhandles. The clothing she wore was torn in a few places, revealing the underclothing that looked to be barely held together by a couple of strings.

His head slowly shook, horror filling his gaze. "Who did this to you?" Heat flooded his being in a wave of anger when she couldn't meet his gaze and made to approach her when both Mai and Yugi intervened. "Tea, answer me!"

Cobalt widened when they finally met his wide amethyst then filled with tears. "First you trick me by presenting yourself as the prince, my friend, then you attempt to use me so as to sneak into the remaining family to live out the rest of your days without care." Crystalline tears spilled down her cheeks as Yugi attempted to break their line of sight. "Was it not enough that you broke my heart and spirit that you had to hunt me down again the second I escape from you?"

The ground beneath Atem's feet fell away until it felt as though he had fallen into the very darkest and deepest layer of Hell as she brokenly sobbed into the chest of his younger brother. He didn't understand what was happening! Tea had said she was going to gather supplies, though Joseph and Tristan had been unsuccessful in locating her, then the brunette had appeared as if by magic before him. Words fumbled over his lips and tongue no matter how hard he tried to form a coherent sentence; the woman he cared for had not only turned away from him but had somehow ended up in such a state that she was covered in light wounds that was testament of a struggle while seeking shelter from the last remaining members of his family! Now she was treating him as if he were the one responsible! What was going on?!

Weathered hands appeared upon her shoulders from behind, an older man appearing just as he drew the young woman farther inside once more but not before his blazing gaze met the individual she had been speaking to. "Begone from here, imposter, you have no business here."

"G-grandfather?" Recognition filled him as the elder took a moment to soothe the crying girl. That silver hair that stuck up in a wild manner just as he and his brother's was unmistakable; it was a trait that their family line had through the men which tied them together. "Grandfather Solomon, do you not recognize me? Though time has passed since we were last before the other I am certain even you would see who I am!"

Solomon hesitated for just a moment, passing off the woman to Yugi, then taking his place in the doorway while studying the young man with wild hair. Several people attempting to parade or present themselves as his lost grandson, Yugi's older brother, to him had caused the former ruler much grief when each were exposed as the counterfeits that they were. There was hope, perhaps a hint of need, as he approached the now trembling youth. "Present the piece that confirms your identity and then you may venture inside."

"Of course-" Atem's hands quickly patted the front of his chest, horror filling him when he didn't feel its weight around his neck or buried beneath his clothing. The buttons of his jacket nearly popped off as he wrenched it open to search its inner workings. "This cannot be possible! I never take it off!"

"We are done here." The door closed with a click of the lock.

Mai's hand on his arm caused the crestfallen prince to flinch. "There's nothing more we can do right now. Let's go back."

Something wasn't right. None of this was making any sense! His hand lashed out to grab the doorknob and fell back with a shout as electrical currents that weren't caused by any generator erupted throughout his being. Magic? A soft sound from within made the blood in his veins stall, it was so faint he thought it had just been some thing his mind had created, until it came again: the sound of the last remaining members of his family in pain.

Mauve eyes widened as he wrenched free and with an impact of his shoulder, the door swung open. "Atem, don't!" She hurried father him when he stormed through the now open doorway but they both came to a screeching halt at the scene.

Both Yugi and Solomon were pressed flat against the nearby wall their expressions twisting as an iridescent light spilled from the figure standing in the center of the suite who wore a malicious grin. He had long white hair that stood on end, tanned skin covered in scars, near pitch black eyes that locked upon amethyst as he licked his lips. "Well, it appears that the woman was right; you are indeed alive!" Within the visible left hand was the now completed Millennium Puzzle, an upside down pyramid made of gold that hung off a thick braided cord that rested around his neck.

"Bakura!" The walls shook with Atem's roar of fury, as if for a moment he was not a man but a viscous beast who was on the verge of attacking. "Release my grandfather and brother this instant before I become any more-" He stumbled backwards as an invisible force attempted to pin him against the wall that Mai had found herself against. A unified cry rose from each that were pinned, earning the sorcerer a livid glare. "Enough!" Amethyst became overruled by flaming vermillion as he waved his hand, an incantation falling from his lips, and the trio crashed to the floor in heaps.

Yugi quickly helped the elder to his feet, passing him off to Mai who quickly made an exit, then turned back to face the scene. Just a moment ago the stranger at the door had bright green eyes and was wearing a sneer whenever the woman's back was turned; now he knew just how much of a fool he was. "So it was you who altered my perception!" His normally gentle lilac hued eyes had darkened several shades and shone with anger as they narrowed upon the sorcerer. "You cast a spell that prevented me from recognizing my own brother!"

Atem's breath caught, eyes shifting back to their amethyst hue as the young man slowly moved to stand beside him. "Yugi?"

"Sorry." He offered an apologetic bow of his head. "I guess I lost my temper a bit. Not to mention that he made you literally look like a villain in one of those films where the studio uses bright green as the signature. (A/N: lookin' at you, Disney!)" His voice cracked as their gazes met. "I knew you were out there somewhere, big brother."

One of his hands rose to rest atop of the hand on his shoulder, giving it a hearty squeeze. "There will be time to properly make up for lost time later, little one, but for now I have my own question to ask." The icy tone returned as he focused upon the man who was rolling his eyes. "You were the one responsible for her injuries, Bakura, now where is she?"

His hand that had been at his side rose, an audible snap sounding from Atem as an unconscious Tea materialized to hand limply by the hand that had attached itself to the back of her throat while the man laughed. "The guilt is not all mine," he hissed, rubbing her cheek against his own and earning a flash of warning within each of the princes's gaze. "I was not the one who harmed her most."

They blinked. "What are you talking about?"

"Ugh, I always hated when you brats did that speaking at the same time." Onyx eyes rolled but they became darker as he tilted her head back so that he could catch the lobe of her ear between his teeth so as to show that he was not afraid whatsoever of them. "Pathetic little apprentice of mine, as if you could even hold a candle to the power I wield! You might as well fall to your knees and beg me for your pathetic lives!"

"Never!" They chorused, defiantly staring up at the sorcerer who now looked more like a demon.

Yugi took a small step forward. "How did you even find us? We took every precaution!"

"Her bleeding heart was like a flag that gave away your location, Princes!" His gaze met amethyst as he grinned. "I wonder who was responsible for that."

Anger swirling within Atem, each passing second threatening to cause it to bubble and boil like a potion, but he forced it down. He would not give Bakura the satisfaction of knowing that he was affected by the poisonous words and despicable display. To hear from their enemy, possibly the most despicable person on the planet, that Tea's heart had been broken made his own heart clench. Their earlier conversation rang loudly within his ears, realization crashing down on him as he cursed his own blindness for not understanding sooner. "I am truly a fool for not realizing it sooner," he whispered lowly, a shadow falling over his eyes that was cast by his bangs as he hoped that she could hear him. "Forgive me."

"It wasn't your fault," Yugi's hand rose to squeeze his older twin's shoulder. "She had your best interests at heart and she probably didn't expect what happened to occur."

"Even so, it is my fault that things have progressed to this point." Amethyst blazed vermillion as the shadows fell away from his face to reveal unadulterated fury. "I will stop you!"

A laugh filled the air as Bakura's head fell backwards. "What a pathetic fantasy that you have immersed yourself within!" He seized the princes, causing them to slide across the floor until they were inches away from colliding against her being. "Open up your eyes, little princes, she knew full well of the curse that would eventually claim your lives! Even though she knew this little servant girl decided to bring you together anyway!" The malicious smirk returned as he locked gazes with Atem as he tucked the unconscious girl's head into his shoulder. "Poor innocent little Tea fell hard and fast for you yet she felt that it was not meant to be since you were of different worlds. There was no place beside you for her once you had reunited with your lost loved ones. Even I couldn't turn a blind eye to her grief and decided that the least I could do to repay her for the soul energy that I received from her was to remove the pain within her broken heart." His tongue snaked out like a poisonous viper to swipe against the shell of her ear, causing the pair he had seized with invisible force to growl lowly. "Once that happened, it was simple enough to control her into stealing the pieces I needed from the both of you nitwits." With a shout, he extended his palm so that they flew backwards to land heavily against the wall. "And now that I have my catalyst that I had sold my soul for, I can exact the curse that should have ended your wretched family once and for all!"

. . . .

The darkness surrounding her rippled as unified warped shouts filled her ears. She wanted nothing more than to sink back into slumber, where she didn't have to nurse the broken heart within her chest or care about how the others may be worrying about her lack of involvement since this morning. That raised the question of how she had gotten here in the first place though. There was no recollection that she'd fallen asleep, the last she remembered was going out to gather supplies for the journey back to Saint Petersburg. Did this mean she had passed out somewhere? Her brow twitched as the sounds came again, this time followed by a flare of pain within her neck. Were those fingers?

Slowly, like blooming flowers, pinpricks of pain began to appear across her being. Where had those come from? The memory of her earlier conversation with Atem replayed for her, his hands that had held onto her confirming a few of them on her shoulder or wrists, but that didn't explain why parts of her were growing cold as if they were exposed to the elements. Wait, she faintly remembered the sound of tearing cloth as hands tore as her being. That didn't make any sense though. She would have stopped anyone from laying their hands on her that she didn't want or trust. If that were true, then how come she had fought back as a hand pressed against her eyes while the other prevented the scream from rising up her throat to leave her body?

A new memory appeared like a droplet of water creating waves in the darkness that surrounded her, this one making her being wrack with sobs as Atem's amethyst gaze penetrated her very being until it was filled with horror when words that weren't her own spilled from her lips. No! How had this happened?! She would never say those things to him! His happiness was her sole goal in bringing him to Mai so that he could reunite with his family! Through the darkness rose the golden piece that had once hung around his neck, the horrid vision of herself whose eyes shone with malice snatching it then disappearing. It was no one's fault but hers that she had found herself falling in love with the wayward prince and now she had hurt him! She'd stolen the sole object that would confirm his identity to Solomon and Yugi, his grandfather and brother!

Tears glistened like diamond droplets as they spilled down her cheeks as she fell in a heap, arms wrapping around herself as if she could hold herself together. Agony rippled across her being as she wailed into the darkness as the monster that had been lurking just outside of her reach approached.

. . . .

"I'm sorry…"

Atem and Yugi both shared a glance as a voice barely above a whisper tickled their ears, rising to stand on shaky legs from the onslaught they had just sustained. They didn't have to question it, they knew who it was and the large tears that were falling down like twin waterfalls down fair cheeks was all the sign they needed that she was responsible. The twin princes bent at the knees to brace for the next attack, one that completely destroyed the neighboring wall behind them to reveal the silent garden outside as they teetered dangerously when the floor shifted. "Open your eyes, Tea!" He suddenly roared, half pleading with the girl. His magic, though it sourced from the same catalyst that was Bakura's strength, flared in response to his need as it manifested into butterflies from his own tears that were threatening to spill. "Come back to us, come back to me!"

"Give it up! Neither of you pathetic princes can even touch me now that I have fully consumed the life force of this woman!"

"But I can!"

Amethyst and lilac widened as Tea's eyes shot open, cobalt blazing with anger as she twisted on the sorcerer and buried her fist within his side, earning not only her freedom but a wheeze as he fell to his knees. Their hands reached out as she stumbled in their direction and quickly drew her into an embrace as she sobbed their names. Her arms tightened around the eldest prince's shoulders for a few seconds longer, her tears soaking into the now ruined suit that he wore as he in turn clung to her.

"Forgive me, Tea, please," he whispered into her ear as he rested his head upon her shoulder. "I am the one who should beg for your mercy. For me not to understand why you were so disheartened only proved that I have no business calling myself your friend."

"Mistakes were made but bridges can be rebuilt." Yugi's lilac eyes bore into hers then his brother's. "We don't exactly have the time for this but we can all sit down once this is all over."

"You…" All eyes locked onto the sorcerer as he rose, onyx eyes becoming pitch black as he growled when he caught sight of the young woman who defiantly met his gaze. "…I shall have your head served on a silver platter at my feet!"

Her tongue peeked out as she moved from Atem's arms to stand beside them. "Yeah, right, that's why you had to use me to do your dirty work, right? You don't have the guts or power that you boast just like way back then when you placed the curse on the family since you didn't have the capability to kill them yourself, you coward!" She smirked, holding up a familiar upside down pyramid. "Without this, you have nothing, right? The only reason you were able to come back at all was because of my soul energy that you siphoned off and the fact that Solomon had been putting it together piece by piece!"

Horror filled Bakura's features. "Idiot wench! Give it back to me this instant!" A snap of his fingers caused the twin princes to be seized once more, causing them to slide until they teetered dangerously in front of the wall opening that was several stories above the garden. "A trade then. Give me the pendant and I shall spare the lives of these fools!"

"I'm calling your bluff, sorcerer, you know that if they die by any other means other than your magic you will forever be left in limbo! I read the book that you used to cast the spell before it was lost in the rebellion, I know that you used the angry souls of the citizens to create this horrible catalyst then sold your own soul if it meant that the royal family would meet its end by your hands!" She proudly waved the golden pendant. "I suggest you bring them back inside or else."

The princes, though they were suspended over a drop that would surely end their existences, couldn't take their eyes off the young brunette who was currently having a stare down with the sorcerer. For Yugi, he had never seen her look so confident and steadfast being as the Tea he knew was a shy child who would stare at the floor or hang her head. For Atem, he had never felt felt more in awe of her strength as she played this dangerous game against a foe that was not only much more stilled but also more dangerous than they could possibly know Her knowledge though of the ancient book Bakura had used was astonishing, the eldest prince thinking he had been the sole person to know of it's existence, and felt a swell of pride as he used his own magic to bring them back within the room's quarter's without the sorcerer seeing.

They had landed upon the floor once more when the platinum haired man finally took notice but he kept his gaze fixated on the woman. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Yes I do!" To prove her point, she made a display of dropping it on the ground and raised a foot. "Let them go or I'm going to shatter it." A scream erupted from her lips as an invisible force seized her that moved her to where the twins had once been suspended.

"That's what I thought, all bark and no bite!" Bakura seethed, moving until he was directly in front of her as the twins were forced to the other end of the room as his fingers that were the source of her confinement slowly closed. "You should have just stayed asleep, little girl, then you wouldn't be conscious in time to meet your demise!" He stumbled backwards, hands falling to clutch at his chest as a resounding heartbeat thudded loudly in the air. "W-what?!" Blackened eyes shifted to lock on lilac and amethyst.

Their expression were mirror reflections of anger as they rested a foot upon the golden relic.

"You fools! Don't touch it!"

"Your terror ends here, Bakura!" They chorused, putting pressure upon the upside down pyramid and earning a crack from the sorcerer as one appeared within the puzzle. The weight they were putting on the relic increased to the point where it was straining to keep together but gave telltale metallic groans as it slowly bent beneath their combined weight.

A crack appeared, earning a howl from the man when his being became covered in black spiderweb cracks across his skin, and Tea collapsed in a heap that earned the price's catch of breath as they found her unconscious from the heavy impact. Now was the time to finish it. Yugi's eyes met Atem's. "Together?"

Atem's head bobbed in a nod as they lifted their feet. "For our family and the endless people that you have hurt, we will destroy that which is the source of your power!" His lips lifted into a snarl as he put as much force into bringing his foot down upon the catalyst.

Yugi had picked up on his older brother's increase in anger felt his own double as the sorcerer made to retrieve the fallen girl as if to use her as a bartering chip or shield. "You won't be able to touch us or any of our loved ones ever again!"

They feet descended with a shout. "This one is for Tea!" And there was an explosion of light.

See you next time!