Nice: I'm so glad its Christmas !
Joey: Why? Is it because you get gifts from your relatives?
N: Yes! And Tonight I get to watch both Inuyasha movies !
J: Oh. Well isn't this the chapter where there's a big battle scene?
N: Oh yes! You are going to see a lot of fighting and the big duel with Lady Tea! Now do the disclaimer so we can get this party started!
J: Nice doesn't own anything.
On with the fic!
Ch. 5: First and Last Battle?
The sea had picked up; tossing the rickety boat Yugi and the gang were in like a toy.
"Ohhhh!" wailed Joey, "I think I'm going hurl!"
"Well don't hurl on the ship, Wheeler!" shouted Kaiba as he tried to steady the boat.
"Well can you at least try to go smoothly?" asked Tristan, also turning green.
"Do you want to get to England before sunrise or not?" asked Kaiba sharply.
"He's right guys! We need to get to Tea's castle so we can save Serenity!" said Yugi.
"I wonder if this Tea is like me?" said Tea thoughtfully.
"I guess but she might a little harsher than you since she is in battle most of the time," said Duke.
"Hey, I think I see land from here," said Kaiba peering across the water. In the distance there was a big black strip of land.
"We're almost there!" cried Mokuba in glee.
"Thank God. I hate the sea," said Bakura glumly.
"Why? Afraid of water?" asked Joey.
"No!"
"How much time we have left Mr. Roland?" asked Mai.
"Well, we left Henry's castle around eight and it has taking us about five hours to cross the channel so it's around midnight," stated Roland.
"So we have six hours to get to the castle be fore sunrise," said Joey.
"We need to hurry!" exclaimed Tea.
"Well you don't have to yell because we are here," said Kaiba flatly.
Sure enough, they were near the shoreline. But on the shoreline there was a group a soldiers waiting for them.
"Are they with the enemy or on our side?" asked Duke.
"I don't know, but get ready to fight if they aren't!" said Yugi unsheathing his sword.
"Wait! Wait! Don't attack! We're Lancastrians!" said one the soldiers showing the gang the red rose badge.
The gang walked up to the soldiers and their horses.
"These are yours," said another soldier gesturing to the horses behind them. "And also these," he said handing them red rose badges. "Wear these so when you get to the castle, you won't be accused of being Yorkists."
"Thank you, very much!" said the gang as they rode off into the night.
"So let me get this straight, Richard. You want me and my men to fire a hail of arrows at this Rose Duelist regardless if she wins or loses the duel?" questioned the hooded man.
"Yes. See if she wins, it will seem like the Lancastrians killed her out of revenge. If she loses, it looks like they gave her the ultimate defeat!" Richard proclaimed sinisterly.
"You must harbor some deep hatred for this girl."
"You can say that. I had to kill her past life for reasons I will not reveal right now."
"But isn't she supposed to help in this war, like the prophecy said?"
"It said she was to help, it didn't say she had to live."
"Heh heh heh. You are a bad man! I'm going to love to see England under your rule!"
"Ah, thank you. I'm flattered."
"Both men laughed long and hard.
Serenity looked out her window. "I could have sworn I heard laughter… Oh well, I must be hearing things."
She looked back at her deck. 'I need to figure out a strategy so I can end the duel quickly without so many casualties.' She looked at her sword. " I hope I never have to use that to kill someone," she said aloud. "Now back to this strategy and then to bed!"
"Christian, isn't weird that Lady Serenity looks like the late Lady Serene?" asked Michel to his brother.
They were in Seto's room, Michel was helping his brother get his armor off. The small boy had to stand on a small ladder to unlatch the dragon shaped armor.
"Yes…it is," said Seto thoughtfully.
"You're thinking about Serene right now, aren't you?"
"…"
Flashback
Seto rode through the burning village on his white horse. It looked like vision of hell: there were dead everywhere. Seto would normally stop to help but he had to see if she was alright.
'Please don't be burning, please don't be burning,' he silently prayed as he neared the house that he shared with his soon-to-be-bride and her adopted daughter.
He was relived to see the cozy house not burning, but that sense of relief was soon gone as he closely examined the house. The red, white and her favorite, pink, roses in the front of the house were completely demolished. As he got closer to the door, he saw that it had been kicked in and coming out of the house was a strong metallic smell.
In fear, he ran into the house but stopped short when he saw his love lying face down on the floor, bleeding profusely.
"Serene! Please don't be dead!" he cried falling to floor beside her. She stirred and tried to get up.
"Don't move! I'll turn you over!"
Serene slowly opened her eyes. "Christian…is that you?" she asked weakly.
"Yes. It's me," he said with a small smile. "You're going to be alright."
She didn't answer. She slowly looked over to the small bassinette in the corner. "Christian, go check on Rose. I haven't heard her cry in quite awhile. I fear the worse has happened to her."
Seto got up and slowly crossed the room. As he crossed, he noticed the sword markings on the wall and Serene's sword a few feet from the baby's bassinette. 'She fought to protect her self and the baby,' he thought.
He got to the bassinette, the small white blanket covered her face. With a trembling hand, he pulled back the blanket and gasped. The small infant's face was blue with death.
"She's dead, isn't she?" asked Serene. Then she started sobbing. "My baby…"
"I'm so sorry," said Seto with a choked sob. He started to wrap her up.
"Please bring her to me. I want to hold her before I…"
"No! Don't talk like that! I won't let you die!" cried Seto as he neared her again. He dropped to the floor and put the small child into her arms. He cradled Serene in his arms and started to silently cry. Serene weakly lifted a hand to his face and touched it.
"Oh Christian. I don't have much time left. I wish we had more time together…"
"No please don't go!"
End Flashback
"Big Brother? Are you okay?" asked Michel.
Seto snapped out of his daze. "Yes, I'm fine. Are you done yet?"
"Yes I'm finished. Do get some rest tonight, okay?" pleaded Michel as walked out of the room.
"Okay, Good night."
"Goodnight, Christian."
"Is that her castle?" asked Mai as she pointed to the red brick castle ahead of them.
The gang had rode all night without stopping. They weren't tired though.
"Finally! I hope she has something to eat," said Joey.
Everyone groaned. Suddenly a voice called out, "Halt! State your name and if you are with the enemy or not!"
"Let me handle this," said Yugi as he transformed in to Yami. He led his horse to where the lookout was.
"Have you forgotten the face of your leader?" said Yami smirking at the surprised guard.
"Prince Henry!" cried the guard as he dropped to the ground to bow. "Lady Tea didn't inform us that you were coming!"
"Well yes it was a surprise. I wanted to see this rose duelist for myself."
"Yes sir. You and your party can pass!"
The gang rode past quickly so the guard didn't see their faces.
They reached the front of the castle where some soldiers were waiting to take their horses. Then they walked into the castle.
"Lady Tea is this way, Milord," said one of the maids. She led them into a room decorated in red. Sitting on one the couches in a blood red velvet dress was Lady Tea.
"Hello, Henry," she said coldly.
"Um, Hi Lady –Ack!" cried Yami. Lady Tea had pulled out a whip and wrapped it around Yami's throat, choking him.
"How dare you impersonate Henry! Tell me who you really are!" said Lady Tea angrily her face twisted in rage, pulling the whip tighter.
"Don't hurt him! We're from the future and here to help!" cried Tea.
Lady Tea studied her future counterpart. She then smiled and said, "I'm sorry. Forgive me."
Tea smiled back. "Don't worry about it."
They both laughed.
"Okay. If everything is cool now, I think Yami would like some air," said Kaiba pointing to the now blue Yami on the floor.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" cried Lady Tea as she took the whip from around Yami's neck. Yami nosily took in air and his color returned.
"Now tell me the whole story about how you got here," ordered Lady Tea.
(Insert explanation here)
"So that's why we are here. To save my sista!" said Joey.
Lady Tea sighed and sat back down on the couch. "So you want to save the sister that sold you out. Alright, I won't kill her. But if she's does something stupid I will."
"Thank you, I think," said Joey.
"Now go get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow."
Serenity was leading the army to the battlefield. She rode on a beautiful chestnut mare named Margarita. On her right on his black horse, was Michel, who was stone faced.
"Milady, you will meet Lady Tea in the valley between the two armies. So soon as you start dueling the battle will too. Don't worry, as soon as the duel is over, quickly get on your horse and ride to the back of the army to Isis. Be careful because the Lancastrian army will try to stop you. If you have to, fight them okay?" said Michel.
Serenity nodded. "Okay, I now what to do, thanks."
Meanwhile
"Man, I'm tired of waiting," said Tristan. Lady Tea's army had been at the battlefield since sunrise. Lady Tea was already in the valley waiting. She was still wear red but her outfit was almost like Tea's. The boys were at the front of the army on top of the hill. Mai and Tea were in the back and Mokuba and Roland were in the castle.
"Well you don't have to wait any longer," said Kaiba who was staring straight ahead.
"And why is dat?" asked Joey.
"Because, you mutt, they're here!" exclaimed Kaiba who was pointing to the opposite hill.
On the hill was the Yorkists army, led by Serenity.
"Do I go now, Michel?" she asked.
"Yes, and good luck Milady!" he said as she rode done the hill.
Serenity dismounted and walked to Lady Tea who was frowning at her.
She bowed. "How do you do? I'm-," she started.
"Shut up you wench! I know who you are! Your brother told me all about you," said Lady Tea venomously.
"My brother? He's here?" she asked.
"Yes. He's up there," said Lady Tea pointing to the hill behind her.
Serenity, temporarily forgetting where she was, started to walk to the hill. But she was hit hard in the face by Lady Tea's whip and was thrown back.
"Owww!" she cried. She felt her cheek, it was cut and bleeding.
"Did you forget that we have business to attend to, you witch!" said Lady Tea with a smirk.
"Okay, then slut. Let's do this!" proclaimed Serenity as she got off the ground.
As soon as they started, the battle did too. They armies were almost equal in strength so the battle was coming to a stalemate.
"Hey Duke," said Tristan as he dodged a soldiers attack.
"What?" asked Duke as punched another soldier, knocking him out.
"Isn't that Rosenkreuz guy?" asked Tristan pointing to Rosenkreuz who was cutting soldiers down at an amazing speed.
"Oh he'll pay for taking Serenity!" yelled both boys. Duke got out a few throwing knives and threw them at Seto when his wasn't looking. The knives looked like they were going to hit him head on, but without even looking, he raised his sword and deflected every single knife.
"H-how did he do that?" stammered Duke. Then Seto turned to the two boys and with a sinister smirk mouthed, "So do two want to die next?"
The two boys didn't need a second hint. They backed away quickly to where Bakura was. Bakura was blasting the soldiers away using shadow magic. He looked over to the two boys and asked, "What's wrong with you two idiots ?"
"Kaiba look-alike-was about-to kill- us!" they stammered.
Bakura started to laugh, but it was cut short by an explosion where the duel was taking place.
"I can't believe this!" cried Serenity as Lady Tea's army of Kuribos destroyed her Red Eyes.
"Hahaha! I bet you are regretting for joining the Rose Crusaders!" proclaimed Lady Tea.
'I gotta do something quick or I'll lose!' Serenity thought franticly. Her hand shook as she drew her next card. She gasped at what it was. It was Shining Dragon.
Serenity started to giggle. This bewildered Lady Tea. "What's so funny?"
"I'm about to win this duel!"
"What! How?"
"By playing this! I summon the Blue Eyes Shining Dragon!" Behind Serenity, a huge metallic dragon rose. They soldiers stopped fighting and stared in awe.
"What kind of Blue Eyes is that?" asked Kaiba also amazed.
"No way," gasped Lady Tea.
"Now, I don't want to attack and hurt you Lady Tea so surrender and hand your Rose card to me," said Serenity.
" No go ahead and attack me."
"W-what?"
"Just do it!"
"O-okay. Shining dragon, Shining Nova!" cried Serenity. The dragon started to glow.
"Everybody! Hit the deck!" cried out Yami as he jumped to the ground.
The dragon let loose its devastating attack, hitting Lady Tea directly. The resulting shockwave was spread among the battlefield for miles. Anyone who was still standing before the attack was sent flying and landed 5 miles away.
Serenity ran to check on Lady Tea. She was a little burned.
"Are you okay?" asked Serenity.
Lady Tea got up slowly. "Yeah, I'll be fine. It's just a few burns and scrapes."
"That's good. I didn't want to attack you."
"I know. But that's the thing about war. You must do things that are completely out of you nature to do."
"…"
Lady Tea reached into her pocket. "I think I must give this to you." She handed her the Red Rose Card.
"Yes!"
"Milady, you did it!" cried Michel as he rode down to meet her.
Serenity put up her fingers into a V for victory and giggled.
In the forest near the battle
"I think the battle is over now sir," said a cloaked man.
"Good," said the man that met with Richard. "Ready, aim, fire!"
A hail of arrow shot threw the air, heading for Serenity.
Back at the Duel site
"What did that mean?" asked Michel.
"What did what mean?" she said.
"The hand sign."
"Oh it meant victory!"
"Okay," said Michel. Then he heard a whistling sound. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"That-," started Michel. Then he saw the arrows. "Milady! Look out!" he scream as he pointed to the sky behind her. Serenity turned around just as the arrows hit her.
"Aaaaaaahhhh!"
The scream was heard all over the battlefield. Joey looked up. "That sounded like…Oh no!" He ran to where she was. The others, also hearing the scream, ran too.
Seto jumped on his horse and rode to where she was. Him and the gang reached where she was at the same time.
"No! Serenity!" Joey cried out in anguish. Serenity was sprawled out on to the ground with an arrow in her left arm, two in her right leg, and the one that looked like it was fatal, the one that was sticking out of her side. She was still awake but was howling in agony.
"It hurts! It hurts!" she cried as she sobbed in pain.
"Don't worry Milady! Help will get here!" said Michel, fear lacing his words.
'Isis can't get here fast enough!' thought Seto. He snapped the reins of his horse and galloped quickly to Serenity side.
"Michel, give her to me! Quickly!"
The boy lifted Serenity up and gave her to Seto. "I'm going to the castle's hospital wing. Maybe Isis and Pegasus can help her. Take her horse back to the stables."
Hey what are you doing to my sister! Give her back!" cried out Joey.
"I'm getting her help," said Seto and with that he was gone.
'Don't worry, I'll save you this time,' thought Seto as he held Serenity in his arms, riding as fast as he could back to the castle. 'And I will find out who did this!'
To be cont.
N: Wow what a long chapter! Will Serenity live? Will Seto find out who was behind this? Find out in the next chapter: Ch.6: The Day After Oh if you didn't know, the song in the last chapter was Anna issho datta no ni (We were so close together). It is the first ending for Gundam Seed.