Chapter 16 is finally here!

You know, you're lucky it's up this early. I wasn't planning on starting this chapter until nearer the Easter holidays. But luckily, my school is closed for a few days since we had a small fire last week (due to a small electrical problem) and they need to rewire the school. So this means I have a few days off to relax, prepare for my birthday at the end of the week and write this chapter!

Thanks to:

AnimeChix

Crystallynne

trekker4life

kobear91

Greater Lights

yangs

priestess-one-shot

cheeky-eyes

Dark Shining Light

Thank you all for reviewing. You really cheered me up! This chapter is dedicated to you all!

'Thoughts'

Dream/flashback/Shadow Realm

"Speaking in dreams/flashbacks/Shadow Realm"

'Thoughts in dreams/flashbacks/Shadow Realm'

"Speaking (normal)"

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, but if I did, I would have Yuugi/ Anzu an official couple! They are destined to be together!

-I-

Another World

Chapter 16: The Angel of Light

-I-

"RAAAAAAAAAH!" Honda yelled as he brought his sword down from above his head, slicing another member of the Empire of Dark Soul's head clean off. With a loud gush of blood, the body fell limply to the floor. The head rolled off down the battlefield.

Honda didn't stop there though. Sensing someone coming up behind him, he spun round and sliced them across the chest. The black figure fell onto the sand. The blood from the deadly wound stained the sand.

Honda tried to sense another enemy coming to kill him, but found they were too preoccupied with his soldiers. He took a quick moment to look around.

All around him his soldiers-dressed in white-were fiercely battling against the soldiers from the Empire of Dark Souls-dressed in black. Although most of his soldiers were fighting strong and were managing to hold their own against the Empire, some he could already see had either been badly wounded or killed.

A roar suddenly caught his attention and he looked up at the sky. A large Devil Dragon (1) hovered over his head, blocking what little light there was. Its large eyes were fixed on Honda.

"Oh no…" Honda gasped under his breath, seeing the dragon open it's mouth. He quickly fumbled around with his Duel Monster pouch as he frantically tried to find the card he needed.

As Honda was struggling to find his card, the Devil Dragon fully opened his mouth. A large, fiery ball formed in his jaws, before he sent it flying towards Honda.

Honda glanced up and saw the inferno heading towards him and the men around him. He continued to try and look for the card that could save them. But his hands were shaking so much he found it hard to grip onto the cards.

"Come on…Come on!" He cried as he flicked through the cards.

Honda could now feel the heat from the fire ball on the back of his neck. At first it felt like a warm, tingling sensation. But as the ball came closer the heat increased, until it began to burn his back. If he didn't find that card in the next few seconds, he wouldn't be around for much longer. He had to find it.

The ball was now right above him. The men around looked up at first with amazement at the bright light, but then with fear when they realised what it was. They screamed and covered their bodies with their arms as best they could to try and protect themselves even though they knew it wouldn't work. The fire was about to burn them alive-

"Holy Barrier Mirror Force (2)!" Honda suddenly cried, holding the purple trap card above his head.

There was a tense moment as the invisible barrier formed around them. But Honda summoned it just in time, for when the Devil Dragon's fiery ball reached them, the mirror barrier reflected the attack straight back at the attacker, killing it instantly. The men were safe.

"That was close," Honda sighed, replacing the card in his pouch. He looked around at the soldiers he had just protected. They were already back into battle.

"Die, you bastard!" someone cursed behind him.

Honda turned around just in time to see a member of the Empire charging towards him, his sword above his head. Letting his instincts take over, Honda lunged forward and pushed his sword through the enemies chest. The dark figure stopped momentarily and looked down at the sword sticking out of his chest. He gave a loud gasp, before blood starting trickling out his mouth and his wound. He fell backs with a loud 'thud'.

Honda pulled his sword out of the dead man and quickly wiped it clean on the sand, before turning around and defending himself from the next dark figure that tried to kill him.

'The Pharaoh and the Prince had better defeat Bakura soon. I do not think I can last much longer…'

-I-

Yuugi trembled and whimpered, leaning forward on the invisible barrier. He punched the barrier in frustration (3) as he helplessly watched the six year old version of Anzu being beaten by her father.

"It's not fair," he sobbed. "It's not fair. How can I protect her now? I promised I would always be there for her, no matter what." He sniffed. "I promised she would never be alone. How can I keep my promise if this bloody barrier is in the way!" He punched the barrier again, before collapsing to his knees, crying. He felt weak. Half of his life energy had already been taken away from him. He didn't want to think about how much energy Anzu had left.

Black Magician Girl floated to her Master's side and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Master will find a way," she said softly. "Master always finds a way. Master must not lose hope. Master can still save Mistress, if Master truly loves Mistress."

"I do love her," Yuugi sniffed. "I love her with all my heart. I'm just sorry I did not see it before. Maybe if I had then she would…" He looked up at the small child that was Anzu and watched her trembling. The tears continued to stream down his eyes and his heart broke into a thousand pieces when he saw how much pain she was in.

Anzu was curled up on the floor, her hands covering her head. Her father had stopped beating her for the moment to take a drink from one of the still full beer bottles on the counter. He staggered as the alcohol came into effect.

"Stupid…Bitch," he slurred. He took a drunken step forward. "Everything's…" he gave a loud hiccup. "Everything's…your fault…you…stupid…b-i-t-c-h…" He slurred the last word. He kicked Anzu's broken leg again.

Yuugi winced at the sound of the broken leg somehow breaking again. He turned his head away, refusing to watch anymore. He couldn't take it any more. He couldn't bear being so close and yet so helpless. He hated Bakura for doing this to him, and to Anzu. There must be some way to save Anzu, but what?

"You're weak" Anzu's father slurred. He smiled when he saw his daughter crying. "You're…extremely…and utterly…weak…"

'No she is not,' Yuugi thought, his voice failing him. 'She is not weak. She is strong. The strongest person I know. She saved my life. How can someone who is 'weak' do a thing like that?'

"You're stupid too, you know that bitch? You're dumb…"

'No she is not. She is far from "stupid". She is intelligent, and smart. Without her I would be dead by now.'

"And you're ugly too," Anzu's father spat. "Ugly and fat…"

'No she is not! Stop saying these lies! Anzu is the most beautiful person in the world; both this one and her own world. No one can beat her pure beauty. No one…'

'You…' a soft voice said warily. 'You think…I'm beautiful?'

Yuugi's head shot up. That was Anzu's voice just now. He had just heard Anzu's voice in his head. But how? Was he going mad?

He looked over at the young Anzu and saw she was now sitting up, the tears down her cheek had stopped flowing for the moment. She was looking around curiously, as if trying to find the voice that had said such kind words about her. She was ignoring her father's yells and looking through the shadows and around her murky kitchen for the kind voice.

Yuugi felt his heart rate increase in excitement. 'You…You can hear me?'

He watched as Anzu slowly nodded her head. 'Who are you? You sound so familiar to me…'

Yuugi sat up on his knees, placing both hands on the invisible barrier in front of him. 'Anzu, it is Yuugi. Do you remember me?'

'Yuugi? Prince Yuugi?'

'Yes Anzu! That is me! The one who found you in the desert.'

'Did you take me to Illuminarta?'

'Yes Anzu! I did! Do you remember?'

'I think so…'

"Master," Black Magician Girl asked curiously, seeing the happy look on Yuugi's face. "What is happening? Have you broken through to Mistress?"

"Yes!" Yuugi cheered. "Yes I have! She can hear my thoughts, and I can hear hers!"

Black Magician Girl beamed at the news! "That is wonderful Master! Now Mistress can be saved!"

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Anzu's father suddenly yelled.

Yuugi looked back at Anzu and saw her staggering to stand up on her broken leg.

'You can do it, Anzu,' he encouraged. He clenched his fists. 'You can do it. I know you can.'

"Don't get up!" Anzu's father growled. "Don't you dare get up!"

'Don't listen to him Anzu. He's not real. He is just an illusion.'

Anzu was finally able to stand up. She held onto one of the counters for support. 'An illusion? But how?'

'Bakura sent you to the Shadow Realm. Your mind was separated from your body. All this around you is an illusion.'

'But, if it's all an illusion, how can I feel pain?'

'This is what the Shadow Realm does to a person. It steals their energy slowly and painfully, until they die. You feel pain because your mind is being tricked. It may hurt now, but when you return to the real world, you will be back to your normal self. Your injuries will be gone.'

'But…how do I escape?'

'Only you know the answer, Anzu. Only you have the power to break Bakura's hold on us. Just believe in yourself and you can do it.'

Anzu closed her eyes and trembled. Her father's abusive words were being to effect her again. A tear rolled down her sore cheek. 'I'm scared, Yuugi.'

'Don't be. I am here for you, Anzu. And I always will be. I promised I would never leave you, and I always keep my promises.'

Anzu opened her eyes and frantically looked around the room again. She panicked. 'But I can't see you!'

'I know, but I can see you. Anzu, believe in yourself like I believe in you, and you can break this illusion and return to the real world.'

'But what about you? How will you get back?'

'I'll find a way back. Do not worry about me. Now, focus Anzu. Focus your mind.'

Anzu nodded her head and closed her eyes, relaxing her body. 'This is not real. This is not real…' She kept telling herself.

'That's it! Now say it out loud.' Yuugi's voice encouraged.

"This is not real…" the small Anzu began to say in her high voice. "This is not real…"

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Anzu's father bellowed.

"This is not real," Anzu continued to say, refusing to listen to her father.

"S-Stop talking like that," Anzu's father began to panic. "Stop it. I said stop it! Listen to your father!"

Anzu's father lifted up his hand and brought if down on Anzu's cheek. But she did not flinch. She didn't even feel the pain.

"This is not real," she continued. Her crystal necklace around her neck slowly began to glow. "You are not real…"

'That's it, Anzu!' Yuugi encouraged, now standing up. 'Keep going! You are almost there.'

"This is not real," Anzu said determinedly, her necklace glowing brighter and brighter by the second. "None of this is real. This is all just an illusion…"

"S-Stop talking nonsense!" Anzu's father's voice trembled with panic. "You don't know what you're saying-"

"What you say is not real," Anzu continued. "This is all in the past. 'I can't change my past but I can change my future. And to do that, I need to get out of this shit hole.'

'Strong words…' Yuugi said, a little surprised.

Anzu's necklace was now giving off a dazzling glow, and slowly, her six year old body began to transform back into her sixteen year old self.

"This is not real. All this, including you, is an illusion created by the fear inside me," She spat at her father. "I will escape this world. I will see Yuugi again. And I will defeat Bakura."

"Yuugi?" Her father asked. "You think you'll see Yuugi again? Ha! You two will never see each other again! You're both dead!"

"This isn't real…"

"You won't escape here-"

"This isn't real-"

"-You'll both die-"

"-This isn't real-"

"-Yuugi's already dead."

"THIS ISN'T REAL!"

Anzu's crystal necklace gave out an intense burst of white light that lit up the whole room, blocking the sights of the gruesome kitchen from her past. She heard the illusion of her father scream out as he vanished into the shadows. The illusion of her old kitchen disappeared into the light, and Anzu felt her energy rushing back to her body.

The light grew and grew, until is consumed all the shadows. Anzu looked up in the light, sensing someone in the distance. She saw Yuugi standing a short distance away from her, Black Magician Girl at his side.

"Yuugi?" Anzu asked.

Yuugi nodded. "You did it, Anzu. I'm so proud of you. You are finally able to use your true powers."

"What happened to the Shadows?"

"You destroyed them" Yuugi answered, his voice echoing in the light. "Your power was strong enough to destroy them. You truly are strong, Anzu."

Black Magician Girl nodded, before flying over to Anzu's side.

"You are my Mistress again," she said happily. She gave her card to Anzu, the picture in the middle missing. "I am glad to be with Mistress again."

"Black Magician Girl…"

"You deserve her," Yuugi smiled. "And I know you both like each other's company. Besides, this way, I can still protect you even when I am not there."

"Yuugi…" Anzu stepped forward towards Yuugi, but stopped. She covered her eyes as the light suddenly became blinding. She sensed Black Magician Girl returning to her card. And she felt herself being pulled back into the real world.

"Yuugi!" She screamed into the light. "Yuugi!"

"I love you, Anzu," came Yuugi's distance reply.

"YUUGI!"

-I-

"GAH!" Atemu cried out in pain as he fell to the ground, landing on his injured side. His sword dropped out of his hand and skidded on the floor to the other side of the hall and into the darkness. Trembling in pain, Atemu managed to open one eye and look up at the man responsible for the state he was in.

"Is that it?" Bakura asked in a mock shock. "Is that all you've got? Hmph! Some Pharaoh you are."

Atemu could only growl for the pain in his body was so excruciating he could not bring himself to talk. He quickly glanced down at his injured side. His whole left side was covered in his blood for his wound had not stopped bleeding. He felt dizzy and sick at the sight of it, and due to the lack of blood. The rest of his body had sustained some minor injuries as well, but nothing compared to the dangerous slash across his side. He slowly lifted his head back up to face Bakura, determination still on his face. No matter what, he refused to give up.

"Don't look at me like that!" Bakura laughed. "You may think you look brave, Pharaoh, but I can see the fear in your eyes. You're scared of dying, aren't you?"

Atemu refused to answer. He glared angrily at Bakura.

"Too bad," Bakura continued, enjoying every moment of Atemu's pain. "Because that's exactly what you're going to do." He lifted his sword above his head with both hand. The Kulna jewel flashed as a bolt of lightning flashed in the sky outside.

Atemu looked up at the blood stained sword with fear. He tried to move back, but his injury caused him too much pain. He trembled in fear.

"Do say hello to your mother and father for me," Bakura mocked. "And of course, say hello to your idiotic twin brother who's probably died in the Shadow Realm by now."

'Yuugi…' A tear rolled down Atemu's cheek. 'I'm sorry…'

Bakura smirked. "Goodbye…"

Yelling out, Bakura brought his sword down to Atemu. The young pharaoh closed his eyes and braced himself for the pain-

CLASH

A moment passed, and Atemu was still in one piece. The sound of clashing metal rang through his ears. Confused, he glanced up to find a figure standing before him, blocking Bakura's attack. A long, dark red cape draped the figure, and Atemu could just make out their black, spiky hair with red and purple highlights. His eyes widened in shock and he let out a surprised gasp.

"What is the meaning of this?" Bakura cried in outrage, trying to break the contact his sword now had with Atemu's protector.

"If you want to kill my brother," Yuugi said warning. "Then you have to kill me first."

"But how are you still alive? You should be dead by now!"

"Let's just say I found a light that guided me out," Yuugi answered determinedly. "Now get away from my brother!"

He thrust his body and sword forward, causing Bakura to stumbled and fall backwards. Bakura's sword landed with a loud clatter and skidded away from him on the floor.

"My jewel!" Bakura cried, hastily getting up and running after his sword and jewel.

Yuugi replaced his sword in his sheath, pleased with his work. Whipping round he knelt beside his brother.

"Yuugi," Atemu said emotionally, unable to believe the sight before him. "You…You are alive…"

"Of course I am," Yuugi smiled. "Who else is going to save your sorry behind?"

Atemu laughed, before reaching up and embracing his brother fiercely. Yuugi happily returned the hug, thankful to be with his brother again. They held onto each other, their bond as strong as ever.

"I was afraid I'd lost you," Atemu whispered as a few tears fell down his cheek.

"I will always be there for you, Atemu," Yuugi chocked as he too had tears fall down his cheek. "We are a team, and we will always be together."

A few moments passed before the two brothers finally let go of each other. It was then that Yuugi felt something warm on his tunic. He looked down to see blood had appeared in his white robes. But it was not his blood.

"Shit!" Yuugi cried when he saw the amount of blood on Atemu's left side. "What the hell happened to you?"

"Bakura," Atemu snarled as he allowed Yuugi to tend to his wound.

Yuugi ripped away Atemu's top half of his tunic, revealing his torso so he could get a better look at his wound. Yuugi flinched slightly. It was deep, and Atemu had already lost a lot of blood. He was surprised he was still conscious. He grabbed what was left of the top half of Atemu's tunic and used it to soak up the blood. Yuugi then tore a few strips from the end of his red cloak and wrapped them around Atemu's chest, covering the wound and holding the make-shift bandage in place.

"That should hold it for a while," Yuugi said. "But we need to get you back to the palace."

"Thank you, Yuugi," Atemu said, holding his now bandaged side. "I am so thankful you are here. But tell me, how did you escape from the Shadow Realm? Nothing like this has happened before."

"I am not sure," Yuugi answered truthfully. "I just remember seeing a bright light and the next thing I knew I was back here. I saw you on the floor and rushed over to help you."

"But what about-"

"Pharaoh!" Two voices called from the other side of the room.

Atemu and Yuugi looked up to see two blondes running towards them. One was male whilst the other was female. They both had smiles on their faces.

"Jonouchi!" "Mai!" Atemu and Yuugi called to their friends.

The blonde pair came to the royal brother's side and fell to their knees. They all embraced.

"Thank Ra you two are alive!" Yuugi cheered. They released each other from their hug.

"But how did you escape?" Atemu asked.

"I am not sure," Mai answered. "All I remember is seeing a beautiful white light…"

"Me too," Jonouchi agreed. "I saw the same light. The next thing I knew I was back here."

"The light felt so pure," Mai continued dreamily. "It was like nothing I have ever seen or felt before."

"The same thing happened to me," Yuugi interrupted. "But…I have the feeling I've felt that aura before…"

"Well," Jonouchi said happily, "at least we are all together again."

"Not all of us…" Atemu said solemnly.

Yuugi's head bolted up in panic. "Anzu!" 'How could I forget about Anzu? I hope she is all right.'

He stood up and was about to run over to where Anzu's unconscious body was, but he froze. Ignoring a faint white light above him, he stared at the other side of the hall…

…Anzu was gone.

"No," he shook his head in disbelief. He panicked. "No…This cannot be…No…No…NO!"

"Yuugi!" Atemu barked. "Calm down-"

"How can I calm down?" Yuugi protested. "Anzu is gone!"

"She must be around here somewhere," Atemu said calmly. "She cannot have gone too far." He saw the fear on Yuugi's face as he collapsed to his knees in shock. Atemu placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "Do not worry, Yuugi. Anzu is alive and we will find her."

"I wouldn't count on that," Bakura's voice pierced the darkness.

The group all tensed as they heard Bakura's footsteps slowly approaching them. Mai held onto Jonouchi, whilst Jonouchi wrapped his arms around her shaking body. All he wanted to do was make Bakura pay for what he did to Mai. He wanted to kill him for keeping her imprisoned for two years. But he managed to control his anger. 'Bakura will get what is coming to him. I'll make sure of it…'

"What do you mean by that?" Yuugi spat.

"I mean," Bakura said, stopping in front of the group. The Kulna jewel glowed dimly in his hand. "If Anzu is no longer here, then that means only one thing…"

"No…"

Bakura smirked. "She's dead."

"Liar!" Yuugi cried angrily, springing to his feetBut he was quickly pulled back down by his twin.

"Yuugi!" Atemu whispered in his ear. "You must control your anger. Do not listen to Bakura's lies-"

"Lies?" Bakura interrupted. He laughed manically. "You think I am lying, Pharaoh? I think not!" He spread out his arms in front of him. "Look around. Do you see your precious Anzu anywhere? I don't think so!" He laughed again.

Yuugi growled and clenched his fists in anger. 'Anzu is not dead. I can still feel her aura.' The faint white light above them began to slowly glow brighter, but no one seemed to notice.

"Face it, you little runt! Anzu is dead." Bakura held his glowing Kulna jewel towards the group. "And soon, you will all be too."

Mai screamed and buried her face into Jonouchi's chest. Jonouchi swallowed hard, his fear beginning to show on his face. Atemu and Yuugi growled in anger, but both prepared themselves for the immanent attack.

"Goodbye," Bakura smirked, his jewel now glowing brightly. "And good rid-"

He stopped. Something had caught his attention. His hand holding the jewel fell limply to his side and he looked up.

"What in the world…" he began to ask, before a powerful force knocked him off his feet and flung him to the other side of the hall. His head hit the wall, and he fell groggily to the floor.

The group looked up at the sound of Bakura being knocked back. It was then that they noticed the soft white light from before, which was now glowing brightly, illuminating the room.

"What is that?" Jonouchi asked.

Mai lifted her head up from Jonouchi's chest and gasped. "Look!"

The three young men followed Mai's pointed finger, which was pointing up at what seemed to be the source of the light. A large ball of light hovered above them, radiating the glow that was now lighting up the room.

"It's the light that saved us from the Shadow Realm," Mai exclaimed.

"You're right," Jonouchi said, amazed. "It is the same pure aura as before."

"But what is causing it?" Atemu asked.

Yuugi stared hard at the source of the light, hovering above them. He screwed his eyes as he saw a faint outline of something, encircled in the ball of light. Something in his heart was telling him he knew that figure. His eyes slowly widened as something clicked in his mind.

"The prophecy!" He exclaimed excitedly. "It is coming to pass!"

"What prophecy?" Atemu asked. "What are you talking about, Yuugi?"

"The prophecy about the Angel of Light!" Yuugi answered. He recited the prophecy:

"When the sacred items fail their task,

And the land is covered in evil's mask,

Pureness and truth must then fight,

Our fate hangs with the great Angel of Light."

"You mean that is the Angel of Light?" Jonouchi asked.

"Yes!" Yuugi said. "Don't you see? It is all coming true! "When the sacred items fail their task". Do you see? It is talking about the Millennium Items. Their powers have been stolen and are no longer able to protect us. And when it says, "And the land is covered in evil's mask"? That is happening as well. It is describing the black sand that now covers Kemet."

""Pureness and truth must then fight, Our fate hands with the great Angel of Light"," Atemu finished in a daze. "Yuugi is right. The prophecy is coming to pass."

"But who is the Angel of Light?" Mai asked. "Who do we know that is pure and true?"

"I know…" Yuugi said quietly.

He watched as the ball in the centre of the light began to die away, revealing the figure it had once concealed. A female figure was soon visible to the group. Large, beautiful white angel wings had sprouted from her back, keeping her in the air. Her skin glowed as her powers were awakened from a deep slumber. Her curvy body was covered in a white glow that resembled the shape of a dress, but seemed to be made out of the light itself. A small crystal necklace could been seen around her neck. The female's soft brown hair flowed in the small breeze. Slowly, she opened her glowing, crystal blue eyes.

"Is that…" Atemu gasped.

"Yes," Yuugi answered. "The Great Angel of Light has finally been revealed…"

Yuugi looked up at the angel as she looked down on him. Amethyst met crystal blue as a warm feeling like no other passed through both their bodies, like an electric shock.

Yuugi smiled as a tear fell down his cheek. "…Anzu."

-I-

To be Continued…

-I-

(1) Devil Dragon: Koumori Dragon

(2) Holy Barrier Mirror Force: Mirror Force

(3) Yuugi trembled and whimpered, leaning forward on the invisible barrier. He punched the barrier in frustration: As I was writing this, I thought of the episode when they're in the virtual world and Yugi is watching Anzu/Téa duel against one of the big five. You know, the bit where he's crying for her. I just felt so sorry for him there! I had to include a scene like that!

So, did you like it? I have to admit, this chapter didn't quite turn out the way I hoped it would. I have some much to write it's hard to put into words! Original, this was going to only be 14 chapters long. But as you can see, that plan didn't work out. :P But I'm hoping to make it 18 chapters…unless I think of something else to add!

Anyway, please R&R and let me know what you thought of the chapter. The next update will be in the Easter Holidays. Now, to prepare for my birthday…