Hello, Hello! Welcome to the shortest chapter in the entire story! This fact, combined with something else, is the recipe for the chapter that everyone will hate! *Laughs maniacally* I've been planning this moment for years and it is finally here!

*I don't own Yugioh! I only own Christine, my OC, and her crazy kids! If you recognize anything, I don't own that either!*

Yami didn't know how long he'd been sitting at this table for, but he couldn't move now. He had to finish this, one way or another.

His eyes flicked across the large diorama Bakura had created, seeing the cards and other details his friend had been forced to make in preparation for this day. The details were impressive he had to admit; Yami could see each little stroke of paint that decorated the palace walls. The cards portraying himself and his priests were littered in front of him, a bar at the bottom showing him how much Ba they had left. His own card's bar was nearly empty, but he couldn't give up. He'd already lost so much… Yami's eyes slid to the mummy propped up behind Bakura. The corpse of Aknadin, the Priest of Darkness. Through the Pharaoh's eyes, he saw that the man was good and kind, especially when it came to the children he and his wife adopted. What could have caused him to fall down this path?

His eyes then moved to the side of the chamber he had been spirited to. Far below him, his partner and friends were laying soullessly in sarcophagi. If Bakura was to be believed, they had made it through the maze inside the Puzzle and entered his memory, entered this game world. He then looked to the last one in the row. The words of 'the Queen is dead' repeatedly echoed in his head, but he fought them off. It pained him each time, but he looked at Christine in her own coffin. He knew where her soul was…

Yami's eyes moved to a card at the side of the diorama. Since it and many others weren't his main priority, he'd moved them to the side so that they were out of the way. At the top of the pile, Christine's face was looking up at him. When the game had started, Bakura had explained that her card was weird; she was technically under his control, but, sometimes, she would do her own thing. That was quickly illustrated when he wanted to talk to her before the thief's attack on the palace, and she was just gone; went off on a ride to clear her own head. It made sense, though; no matter what he did, Christine was her own person, and he couldn't control her. Her Ba bar was topped, so she was okay… for now. She was still in the palace while he was at Kul Elna and staring down the terrible demon, Zorc Necrophades, and his dark priest. He would have loved to have her there, like they had been last time he and Bakura faced each other, saying something to keep his mind steady. Sadly, she still had to see to the end of her memories, whatever that may be.

Yami was distracted from his wandering thoughts when Bakura suddenly gave a pained sound. The grimace that covered his face was easily seen across the table, making Yami's eyes narrow. What had happened? He inspected the diorama again. Nothing had changed, but that didn't mean something didn't happen. He then came to an idea. His friends… Hasan had mentioned that they were searching for his lost name. Had they done something? Bakura's grimace faded as he began to speak.

"That's right…." Bakura breathed. "Your friends are getting close to where your true name is hidden in this world!"

Yami fought for his expression not to change into amazement, but he felt the barest gasp escape him. Really? They were that close? "The Pharaoh's lost name is tied to a secret even you don't know…." The Pharaoh's expression faded back into his poker face.

"Let me guess…." Yami breathed. "It's the key to winning this game…."

"Oh yes!"

Bakura looked very pleased saying this; his smile returned. "I'll be in trouble if you learn it. I've had the advantage so far, but that might just turn the tables." He lifted his hands in a playful show. "In fact, this shadow game is nothing less than a fight over your true name! After three thousand years… the Millennium Puzzle has led us to this last battle just for that purpose!" Yami's eyes narrowed. It was the Puzzle who had led them here? "Of course! Three thousand years ago, the battle with the great evil god ended when the Pharaoh sealed his soul into the Millennium Puzzle… When the Puzzle was broken apart, the Pharaoh's soul and memories were broken with it… and his true name was lost forever." Yami sensed a 'but,' so he spoke up.

"But…"

"Right… your 'partner!' Someone appeared who could rebuild the Puzzle. Now, the Millennium Puzzle is like a movie projector, streaming forth the memories it's guarded all these years! It replays the past by shining its light onto my ancient Egyptian diorama."

Bakura's chuckle sent shivers down Yami's spine. "Too bad for you, but I won't let your friends find the name. I'll slaughter them first!" He moved his hand to flip over the third and last hourglass. "Now! I activate Zorc's third power! Natural Catastrophe!" What?! The table began to shake. Yami slid back in his chair, eyes flitting about to try and see what was happening. He jumped when a portion of the palace, which was closest to his side of the table, started to collapse. The sand was beginning to sink into the table! "The diorama of this game world is built over a giant hourglass!" Yami couldn't see it to believe it, but he could see that other portions of the board were beginning to fall apart as well. "In moments, your friends will be swallowed along with the Valley of the Kings! They'll sink into the sands!"

"No!"

He suddenly wished he could see them! He wished he could cry out and warn them! The only thing he could do was watch as the portion of the board that depicted the Valley was sucked into the hourglass below them.

"By now, they're buried along with the tomb! And, at the same time, you've lost the vessel for your soul to return to!"

No… "Now, you can never learn the Pharaoh's lost name." Bakura's laugh echoed in Yami's ears. "Oh… and before I forget… Someone else is nearing the end of her time." Yami's eyes snapped up, his anger flaring.

"Don't you dare!"

"Oh, I dare!

Another part of the palace began to sink. Yami snapped his eyes to Christine's card, and his heart dropped into his stomach when he saw her Ba begin to drop down centimeters at a time. "Let the Shadow Game continue! The catastrophic earthquake worsens! It won't end until Zorc Necrophades' shadow power destroys this world!"

My heart was racing a mile a minute. The ground kept shaking, and larger parts of the ceiling were beginning to collapse. Time to move! I tightened my grip on Sati and turned to the rest of my kids.

"Alright!" I called. "We have to move! Now!"

None of them argued. They jumped to their feet and followed me out of the parlor. People were running and screaming all around us, dashing to try and get out of harm's way. When a pillar started to tumble, I swung my hand to create enough ice to hold it in place for a few seconds. We made it past it just as another column fell and crushed the ice. The crash was loud in my ears. We were nearly out of the palace when Slifer's whispery voice returned to my ears.

"There is someone still trapped." He whispered.

I froze. What? "On the other side of the palace; I can lead you there." I flicked my eyes to my kids, seeing them look expectantly up at me. Someone still needed help… I snapped my head to the nearest guard.

"Medjay!"

The man raced to my side. "Take my kids and flee!" The man nodded while boys didn't like that at all.

"But, Lady Nefertari-!" Hepzefa gasped.

"What about you?!" Khemu whined.

"I'll be okay!" I told them. "There are more people inside that need help!"

Neither boy moved, so I moved my hands, freeing myself from Sati, to hold each of their faces. "I need you two to watch out for your sisters, okay? Can I trust you two to do that?" They obviously didn't like it as their eyes were filling with worried tears, but they nodded. I kissed their foreheads before looking at all of my kids. "I'll find you all once I'm sure I have everyone out! I promise!" I turned a dark look to the Medjay. "Keep them safe!" The man nodded and, after one last look, I dashed back into the palace.

I ran through each hall, creating sheets of ice to help hold columns in place long enough for people to escape. If I heard a scream, I ran in that direction. My blood was pounding in my ears, adrenaline racing through my veins, but I kept running.

"Through there." Slifer breathed.

I turned my head to see a hall that I hadn't gone down yet. It was a secluded corner of the palace; one I was told that nothing was down. I hesitated as I still heard screams coming from the other halls, but I relented. I quickly summoned Joan, knowing that she could still do good while I was helping this person. With a nod of my head, I raced off once more.

With Slifer directing me, I ran through the halls. The walls here were even shakier than those outside of it, so I had to constantly use my sheets of ice to hold it in place. "Turn left." I did so and froze, my eyes widening at what I saw.

A young woman with bright white hair standing in a cell; it was a nice cell, but still, a cell. From what I could see from her profile, she was paler than me! I suddenly remembered Seto's shouts from my ride through town. Was this the person he had mentioned? She turned at the sound of me gasping, and her blue eyes widened in shock.

"Who-Who are you?!" She stammered.

I shook off my surprise and raced towards the door. It was tightly locked, and the key was nowhere in sight. No matter how hard I pulled, the door wouldn't open.

"Nek!" I cursed.

I gave up; my temper got the better of me. "Back up!" The woman did, giving me the room to blast the lock off with a shard of ice. I shoved the door open and reached out my hand. "Come on! It's not safe here!" The woman didn't move, making me sigh. "If we don't move, we'll both die! Come on!" She hesitated a moment longer before taking my hand.

We ran together through the palace. Things were falling apart faster now, and the ground was beginning to open up in large fissures. I did my best to keep our walkway steady, but the earth had other ideas. It shook back and forth, nearly sending us to the ground multiple times. A wall caved in beside us, so I sent a blast of cold wind towards it, sending it falling the other way. We eventually made it to a courtyard near the palace entrance when a voice hit my ears.

"Great Wife!" The familiar voice called out. "Kisara!"

I turned my head, and my heart both lifted and fell to see Seto racing towards us. Anger burned through my veins now. He left hours ago! I sent him with Shetan! I gave a growl, flaring my powers enough that anyone would have known I was upset.

"What are you doing here?! You should be with the Pharaoh!"

Seto stopped, gasping for air. To my annoyance, he didn't look scared at my show of anger.

"I did not come back of my own accord! I was spirited here!"

"By what?!"

"Lord Aknadin!"

I froze, my powers fading. What? Seto's head dropped into his shoulders. "He's… He's fallen into darkness… He's become…." Seto seemed shaken. His hands were clenched into fists at his side. "He is no longer one of ours…." I wished I had more time to ponder his words. Master Aknadin… fallen to darkness? What had happened? Had his attack truly changed him that much? Seto took another breath before looking me right in the eye. "My queen, you must flee, now! The High Priest of Darkness is here, and I have no doubt that he will have machinations to take your life! I shall take Kisara; he's already after her!" Kisara… I knew the name, but my memory flipped it about like it didn't want me to remember that right now. Instead, I flipped my eyes to the woman, seeing her look back at the priest. She didn't seem to have any complaints about this idea, so I let go of her hand.

"Very well. Stay safe, Seto."

"You as well, Great Wife."

I saw Seto take Kisara's wrist and take off. I only hesitated a second before racing another way. Where were my kids? I ran and ran and ran, begging beyond hope that they were okay. My heart lifted when I saw them just out of range of falling debris. Kiya looked up, and her eyes widened.

"Lady Nefertari!" She called.

Her cry made all eyes lift, and more screams hit my ears. I jumped over a large rock and gasped as I stopped.

"Are you all okay?" I asked, brushing my hands through hair and over cheeks.

My eyes quickly did a count: one, two, three, four…. My youngest was missing. "Where's Sati?" Mery immediately pointed to the nearby crumbling building.

"We went to the alcove to get some things, but I think Sati fell behind!" Mery gasped.

"I wanted to send a double in and get her, but the Medjay didn't let me!" Khemu added.

"It is not safe!" The Medjay huffed.

"But Sati-!"

My eyes were glued to the building, my ears not caring about the argument around me. My heart was racing at a mile a minute again. Sati was trapped inside…. My brain tried to reason that her gift would help her, but… She was a child! She was probably frightened! You can't expect a child to know what to do! I took a shaky breath but turned to the Medjay.

"Keep them out of harm's way!" I snapped.

"Great Wife!" The man gasped, eyes widening. "You can't mean-!"

"I have to! I will not leave her behind!"

I flicked my eyes to my shoulder, seeing the translucent Slifer floating there. "They need you more than me!" The double-mouthed head nodded slowly and floated over to settle at Mery's shoulders. "I'll be back!" Hardly caring about the worried cries behind me, I dashed into the crumbling building.

This one was the weakest of them all; I was amazed it hadn't collapsed yet. I was scared to throw my ice around as the pillars were shaking wildly; any touch might send them hurtling to the ground and on top of me. I strained my ears, begging for any sound of the little girl crying for help. My heart lifted when I finally saw her. "Sati!"

She had fallen to the ground, her right hand firmly pressed to the floor beneath her. I quickly understood that she was the only thing keeping this building up, but her strength was beginning to fade; I could see that her arms were shaking. She wasn't bleeding from what I could see, lifting my heart even further. Wrapped up in her left arm was Yami's cape; she didn't want to leave it behind… I fought off the tears, forcing my tired body to continue towards her. "Sati!" The little girl looked up, and her eyes widened.

"Mommy!" She cried, and tears escaped my eyes.

It was most likely a slip of the tongue, but she still said it… I told her that I wouldn't try to become her mother, but she gave that title to me anyway… I slid down beside her, wrapping my arms around her body. She didn't return the embrace, keeping her hand pressed to the stone floor.

"Come on, sweetie. We're going to get out of here."

"How?"

Sati's voice took a watery turn. "If I let go, the building will fall…." Then I was right that she was holding this place up. I flicked my eyes about, trying to find the best way. Blasting through the walls wouldn't work as that was cause for something else to fall on us. Joan wouldn't get here fast enough to fly us out as she was all the way on the other side of the palace. "I don't know what to do…." I looked back to Sati, seeing tears in her eyes.

"You've done enough, Sati. I will get you out of here, I promise."

My eyes flicked about again, and I found the only way out. It was back the way I had come, but it was the only way. I girded myself before looking back to Sati. "Do you think you can stand?" Sati shook her head; she was too tired from holding up the building. "Okay… Then I'll carry you. Hang on." The moment I picked her up, the ground shook wildly. The earthquake was ripping back into gear with the earth that it hadn't shaken in a few minutes. I forced my feet to find balance and tore through the crumbling hall.

The pillars, the walls, and even the ceiling began to fall, crashing onto the stone floor. I regretted not putting some ice up to hold it back, but I stood by my decision; it was a 50/50 shot in not crushing us. Sati clutched at my shoulders; head buried in Yami's cape. I yelped when a pillar fell right in front of me, thankfully not blocking my path. We needed out of here now!

My heart lifted when I saw the entrance. The Medjay, paired with another who must have found them, were waiting at the door. I could see Khemu with Kiya wrapping her arms around his waist. I could see Hepzefa holding tightly to Mery's hand, Slifer still around her shoulders. We were almost there!

Then I heard the loud crunch, and the Medjay began to scream. A pillar just inside the building had snapped, taking everything below it with it, and was hurtling towards us.

I know it's cliché to say, but I admit that time froze for a second. I was still running, but I somehow knew that I wasn't fast enough to get out. That pillar was coming down too fast, and I was exhausted. I couldn't free my hands to send a sheet of ice; plus, it was coming down so fast that it'd probably shatter on impact, sending even more debris down on us. But I couldn't leave Sati to this fate; I had to get her out. But how? How was I supposed to get her to the Medjay? We were at least two yards away, but that pillar was coming down and would be on us within… half a minute? 20 seconds? 15 max. What was I to do?

My brain, my treacherous brain, gives me one option. The pillar can hit both of us, of course, but why not just one? We both could die, or Sati could live, and I…

I hated how quickly I accepted the idea.

I peeked down at Sati, seeing her eyes clenched tightly shut. I hated this idea, but… This was the only way. "I'm sorry…." Her eyes opened, staring wordlessly up at me. "I'm so sorry." I didn't give her the chance to speak as I tossed her the two yards and into the waiting arms of one of the Medjay. The man seemed surprised but did hold her close, pulling her out of harm's way. I saw Sati try to reach for me, fighting the Medjay's grip, but I only smiled. She was safe; I kept my promise.

I didn't feel it, but the pillar and debris that was hurtling down finally crashed around me.

Everything faded away.

Yami Bakura: Ahh... You planned a cliff-hanger after only 3000 words.

Yep.

Yami Bakura: And after that kind of ending?

Yep. I also originally planned to leave the author's note blank; 'For fun'!

Yami Bakura: You're terrible.

I know. I hope you all look forward to what's coming up next!