Spoiler Alert!
It goes without saying that I don't own rights to either YuGiOh! or the animated series "Gargoyles".
. . . .
FORECAST: SURPRISE CROSSOVER!
The Little Merman
Servants and Masters
The Mummy Groom
Halloween 2021 FanFic Yu-Gi-Oh! X Gargoyles
When a Gargoyle Falls
Chapter 14:
I'm In Love With a Monster
Time seemed to fly by as the hot October days gave way to cooler nights. The routine they had settled into was pleasant enough, the gargoyles waking to the sight of a certain young brunette girl earning their first smiles of the night or they would have to go to wake her themselves if she happened to oversleep. A strange but wholesome bond that tied them together growing more so as the days passed. However not everything was as smooth as it appeared to one particular being who was watching the small group. A peculiar friendship that had started off hostile was now beginning bloom.
Anzu glowered at the wall, knees bent and tucked under her folded arms as she dishearteningly listening to a playlist that was rarely ever clicked on coming through the little speaker on the far side of the room. There were still several days until Halloween night, when she had made the promise to take them all out on the town to enjoy themselves, but did she really have the patience to wait that long? That wasn't what was bothering her though. What had robbed her of sleep and peace of mind was the conversation she had overheard.
Through the window came a lithe figure, her wings fluffing slightly from the wind that had carried her there. "I saw the note on your door that said no visitors tonight. What's all that about?" Mauve blinked when no response came from the young woman until she had crosse the space and laid out across the pillows, one of her hands coaxing the brunette's face to turn towards her so their gazes could meet. "Anzu, why are you moping around like a kicked kitten?"
"Have you ever gotten the feeling that someone wasn't telling you the whole truth?"
The harpy gargoyle blinked, then narrowed her gaze. "Who?"
"Well…"
A few nights before…
Cerulean eyes fluttered sleepily as she walked through the courtyard, arms stretching high above her head as she neared one of the towers. The voices of the gargoyle's had come in through the window to wake her and she had hurried to dress so that she could go chat with them a bit before they branched off to do their patrolling or hunting duties. It was as she reached the top where the opening would lead to the platform that they were standing upon that the smile fell from her face.
"…she is not to become involved with this matter. Is that understood?"
She'd know Atem's voice anywhere, it was unmistakable for her, but it was the hidden weight within his words that caused her brows to furrow; it carried a warning that even though the last part had been spoken as a question they were still expected to obey without objection. The gargoyles were loyal to their leader and as such they would follow his command but it seemed that they disagreed with whatever they had been discussing judging from the loud protest that rose
"Won't she notice or catch on?" That was Honda and he was right, she'd begun to notice how their movements about the palace and mansion were a bit more ninja-like than normal. "You've been spending less time with her ever since that one night. It's obvious to us that her heat is over but you still avoid her like the plague!"
Hurt flared within her chest. Her memories of being a gargoyle were a bit foggy, making it all seem like a dream, but she remembered the taste of cinnamon and feeling as if her blood was fire. The echoes of when he'd called her name that night sometimes still echoed within her ears. If they shared an intimate moment together, why would Atem have distanced himself like he was? She'd tried to meet up with him or go out of her way to make sure that their paths crossed but he evaded her all the same with talk of clan duties or possible intruders. Anzu had thought it was just her imagination and hearing it coming from someone else only made the emotional wound she'd been nursing to bleed more.
Joey was the next to chime in. "I care about her too but come on! She's practically one of us already so shouldn't we let her know what's going on?" The shadow she had suspected was him reached up and scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, lying's never been my strong suit, so what am I supposed to do if she asks?"
Though the sandy hued gargoyle was awkward and immature, she couldn't helped but be moved. He had good intentions when he wanted so to hear him speak so fondly of her made her tempted to imagine what it would be like to have him as an older brother. Being the only child with no siblings and busy parents had taught her early on what true loneliness was but it had become no more than a fading thought the longer she remained with the clan. Joey and Honda both had someone become the brothers she'd never think she wanted; teasing, prankster-ish, sloppy, but most of all they were there for her whenever she needed.
"Should we really be keeping it a secret from her?" And then there was Yugi.
He was so much like Atem but at the same time different. It was as if the lavender hued gargoyle was the side that was never shown by the clan leader; hesitant, informative, easier to read like an open book to where it wasn't necessary for her to guess what he was thinking. Yugi may be the smaller and youngest out of the others but he often surprised her, and the clan, by his vast knowledge. Above all though was his heart. He would make sure to check in on her and would even bring her the things he'd recently discovered so that they could share in the excitement of experiencing something new together.
Solomon pipped in from somewhere she couldn't see when she peeked around the corner, spotting the group conversing lowly. "Leader, we will follow your order, but truly hold into account how she may feel if found out by any other means than those of us present."
Finally, there was the elder. His appearance often made her think of a wise old wizard from the old stories her parents would read to her at bedtime; mischievous, cunning, and wise. He was the closest to Yugi's size, that was probably due to age, yet he held the same stature and qualities that Atem did. She had created the theory that Solomon was the grandfather while Atem and Yugi were the grandsons but it was impossible to prove since the clan didn't believe in caring who was blood. The clan was family and that was that.
The figure she recognized as Atem turned ever so slightly, the faint moonlight just enough to reveal his strained expression as he walked towards the edge of the tower. "For her safety, that is why this must remain private."
"It's better to know and prepare for a possible threat than to be caught off guard by one!"
"Enough!" Fangs flashed in warning when the young lavender gargoyle spoke. "Anzu's involvement with our clan matters must be limited; she is an outsider and a human. Our internal affairs are for us to bear, not her. This is my decision."
Present
"I still have yet to figure out what they were talking about but he hasn't been the same since that night we came back from rescuing him." Her shoulders rose and fell with a heavy sigh, her head moving to rest upon Valentine's shoulder. "I still have no clue who was responsible for locking him up like that."
"Well, I have no clue what they're referring to, but you sound like you need to get out and let loose a little. I have the perfect thing in mind." Standing, the harpy gargoyle drew the young woman close against her side as she rose to perch within the window. "Hang on!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Anzu's shrieks were cutoff by a tickle of feathers against her nose but was quick enough to get a tight hold around the female gargoyle's hands as they took to the sky. She could have sworn someone called her name from over the whistling wind, she even craned her neck back as far as it could to check, and thought she saw a flash of lilac from somewhere below as they dove over the palace wall. "Where are we going?"
Full lips lifted into a smirk. "Those clothes I got for you were fine and all, but you are in serious need of some serious retail therapy. We're going shopping!"
. . . .
"I'm telling you, I really did see them take off just a little bit ago."
"But they hate each other!"
Yugi quickly shushed Joey and Honda with a hand over their mouths, casting a quick glance over their shoulders with a silent prayer that they hadn't been heard. "Maybe you guys haven't noticed, but Valentine has been paying Anzu visits almost every night when we are busy with other things." He removed his hands when it appeared that the coast was clear. "They seem to have grown close so who are we to say they can't be friends?"
"Doesn't she hold it against Anzu that he rejected her in the first place?!"
Joey nodded. "Honda's got a point there. Females in general aren't all forgiving like saints."
The lavender hued gargoyle crossed his arms. "Well, maybe they reached an understanding or truce of some sort? They seemed pretty chummy that other night after their little brawl."
"Females are wily creatures." All jumped slightly as the elder gargoyle appeared as if by magic above, earning a wide knowing grin as he dropped down to stand beside them. "Leave those two be for now. Unless needed, we should not intervene."
Four pairs of eyes rose to the night sky as one of the nearby extravagant vases cracked loudly, filling each with dread as a lump formed in their throats. A worrisome omen indeed. The elder took to the air with word that he would return shortly after checking in on the females.
"While he's doing that, we have to make sure Atem doesn't notice-"
A chill passed down their spines as a whoosh sounded. "Notice what?" Amethyst blinked in mild amusement as the three spun on their heels. They had guilt written all over their faces and their scents were heavy with worry.
"Well-"
"You see-"
"It's runny really-"
His arms crossed as they began talking over each other incoherently, shoulders rising in a sigh, then grew rigid as a name left their lips in unison. "Anzu? What about Anzu?"
Joey swallowed the lump threatening to choke him. "She's-"
"-upset!"
Lilac and brown eyes locked upon the mahogany gargoyle who had spoken as Atem focused upon him in surprise. This might just work! Yugi nodded, sending a pointed look from over their leader's shoulder that told them to go along with it. "Why are you so surprised? You're the one who's been tiptoeing around her as if she were some sort of bomb." His arms tossed as the violet clan leader's head snapped in his direction. "We've been visiting her and she seems to be holding something against you. Whatever you did," he narrowed his gaze for emphasis while crossing his own arms, "it's really hurt her." The two gargoyles watching with wide eyes couldn't believe their ears! For Yugi to play the guilt game on anyone, let alone Atem their clan leader, was a gusty move!
Atem, for the first time that they'd ever seen, looked hesitant. They were all too aware of how he'd been avoiding her as of late but evidently it had been lost on their leader just how distant he'd become to their human friend. Now the trio felt bad as a look of concern and guilt filled the violet gargoyle's features. They knew of his worry that the man responsible for the betrayal was still out there but that also didn't excuse the blatant dismissal of his actions towards Anzu. They had been growing close ever since their first meet all those weeks ago yet here he was treating her like a child or stranger who needed to be kept in the dark.
"She cares a lot about us, including you, so the way you've been acting's really got her confused and hurt. I don't see why you can't just entrust us to take on some of the responsibilities so that you can actually enjoy what's in front of you!" His hands grabbed hold of the violet gargoyle's biceps, shaking him slightly. "Anzu is a special case so don't let her slip through your claws like sand! Go apologize before she decides to leave us!"
A bit over the top maybe but it was enough. The message was received loud and clear. They shared a muted high five as the clan leader took to the air then froze. If Anzu was with Valentine, that would mean that no one would be in her room when Atem got there.
. . . .
"Are you sure that this was a good idea?" Anzu asked as they took a break within one of the many cafés, the bags that were their spoils nearly filling up the other half of the booth as they sipped their drinks; Valentine had opted for one of the fruity smoothies at the barista's suggestion while the brunette a simple cinnamon and cider. Cerulean eyes darted in every direction as the passing people on the opposite side of the window they were next to cast her companion second looks. Thankfully her wings were large enough that it looked as though she was wearing a very over sized trench coat made of feathers and her tail had come up to act as a sort of hat. The disguise, though very over the top, had been effective enough to conceal the fact that she was a gargoyle instead of a human like everyone else around them. "What if someone finds out about you?" She nearly jumped as a hand drew her closer, nearly smothering her into the multitude of feathers.
"You obviously couldn't tell me what's really been bothering you so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone: get you a new wardrobe and find out what's going on." Mauve met cerulean as she took a long sip of her drink. "I'm haven't earned their good graces yet but you can talk to me too. I'll listen."
The brunette's brows furrowed. "But you're-"
"Whole rejected mate thing aside, I now think that was the right call. Now hurry and tell me what's troubling you, young maiden, your secrets are safe with me." Valentines head fell back with a laugh. "You think I wouldn't notice how he avoided you when it was your heat cycle?" Her expression became one of seriousness as a dark blush of embarrassment appeared within Anzu's fair cheeks. "Aw, hun, you poor innocent little virgin. Is that what has you in a mess?" She turned the young woman so that they were facing. "Let me in on a little secret. You have become aware of just how sensitive the senses are of a gargoyle, right?"
"Y-yeah? So?"
"So when a female is approaching maturity and goes into heat, what happens?"
Realization crashed on the young woman, causing her grip upon the drink she was siping from to cave slightly. "I'm seriously not going to talk about this with you!"
"When a female is in heat, she gives off pheromones that attract potential mates. What do you think was happening with that particular gargoyle you've grown so fond of, hm?" Long lashes fluttered as she deftly took a sip from her cup, a knowing glint in her eye. "I bet you my tail feathers that he was only trying to save the both of you from something that would jeopardize your bond."
Anzu blinked. "So he wasn't avoiding me because I had done something wrong?"
"Of course not, he was just being an insensitive thick headed male." The harpy gargoyle soothes, embracing the young woman, "you couldn't tick him off if you were a jackal wielding a flaming pitchfork aiming to steal his precious belt buckle." A giggle rose up her throat at the incredulous look she received. "Shall I tell you about the time he made a bargain with one of the palace guards in exchange for the belt scarab he now wears?"
. . . .
The trio found him pacing within the hallway outside her room. At least he hadn't gone in yet but the expression on his face was a dead giveaway to the conflict he was struggling with. They had to think of something fast before Atem found out Anzu wasn't there! One of them would have to masquerade as her and had to hope he didn't notice!
"Yugi, you've got the highest voice out of all of us! Get in there!"
"You two are out of your minds if you think I'm stepping one foot into her room!" His claws latched onto the window's sill, using every bit of his strength to prevent the two behind from shoving him through. "This is her private space! She'd kill all three of us if she ever found out!"
"There's no one else who can do this! We might die either way when Atem finds out so who would you rather be the one to snuff out your life: Anzu or him?" Honda growled, attempting to break the lavender hued gargoyle's vice-like hold. "Ready?"
Joey nodded, preparing with the other hand. "On three."
Both unleashed a growl as they ripped his claws out of the sandstone. "Three!"
The lavender hued gargoyle was sent crashing into the room with a unified kick to his back, causing him to fly forward and become buried within the pillows. His head instantly poked out of the mass of cushions to glare at the pair who gave him grins and thumbs up as encouragement. "Traitors…" he hissed lowly while making to emerge when a knock sounded.
"Anzu?"
Lilac eyes widened, pupils becoming slits as Atem's voice came from the other side of the door.
. . . .
The females blinked as a figure came to a halt beside their table. He wasn't young but not overly old either, bit of scruff with a head of blue black hair and eyes that reminded Anzu of Damascus steel blades mixed with shards of amethyst. "Oh, sorry, I was looking for my friend." He waved, about to move on when from the next table to their left rose a hand. "Ah, there she is. Excuse me."
Valentine watched with interest as he hurried to where a brunette with duo colored eyes waved; the left was a glittering sapphire while the other was as chocolate as the sweets she'd sampled once. "Well, now, this couple looks interesting." With a pivot, her arms crossed along the edge of the booths. "Hey, there, couldn't help but notice how exotic your features are. Neither of you are from around here, are ya?"
"H-hey, don't go bothering them!"
"What's a little conversation?" Mauve met duo as the young woman's head tilted to the side. "Besides, I'm sure these two sorcerers have plenty to share when I ask how they found us."
A blink and the young woman was smiling up at them. "Ah, so you are knowledgeable and insightful enough to see past illusions? Very interesting indeed." She turned to address the young man. "Why don't we go to somewhere more comfortable?" With a wave of her hand, their surroundings blurred until it was replaced by a familiar garden that made Anzu question her sanity. Central Park was at least fourteen blocks away from where they just were so how could they have traveled so far?!
"You forgot to warn them first, Asuka."
"Oh, shoot, you're right! I'm so sorry about that," the young woman bowed her head. "I couldn't help but overhear how you were talking about someone with amethyst eyes and being as you're a gargoyle my curiosity got the best of me!"
Valentine placed a hand upon Anzu's shoulder when she took a step back. "They don't mean any harm so calm down. They would have done something by now to hurt us if they did."
Duo eyes rose. "Of course not! I would never!" She offered her hand to Anzu first, lifting her long brown hair to reveal a crescent shape white emblem that bore a single star. "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Asuka Yamashita, I'm a wizard from the guild Heaven's Shine. He's Shinsei Ryuu, my partner."
He gave a curt nod in greeting. "Hey."
"Wait, so you're actual wizards?" Cerulean widened as they both nodded. The woman kind of looked like wizard with the long flowing vest that sparkles like tiny diamonds were embedded within its otherwise navy colored fabric, a pair of boots that reached her knees and a single piece body suit that reminded her of blue cotton candy. The guy though was decked out in a pitch black leather trench coat, cargo pants with multiple pockets that looked to be carrying various items, a long sword sheath upon his back.
"Unfortunately, we were battling someone and they sent us to an alternate dimension." Asuka sighed, crossing her arms in frustration as she glared down at the dirt beneath their feet. "I've been trying to find a way to get us back to our world but it's been difficult since our magic energy isn't recuperating as quickly. This land's mana is much different than what we're used to."
Shinsei nodded. "She's always been capable of sensing a troubled heart so she decided to follow you."
Anzu, still a bit weary of the pair, blinked as her hands were gathered within Asuka's, finding herself unable to look away from a gaze that shone brightly with care. "I hate to break it to you, but all this running around and second guessing yourself isn't going to solve anything." She winked. "I'm never wrong about these kinds of things. You're heart has told me all that I need to know."
"What are you talking about?"
Valentine smirked from over the young woman's shoulder, her arm wrapping around Asuka's as they grinned. "You're in love."
She pulled away with a yank, her fair cheeks bright with a black as she back peddled until she ran smack into Shinsei who steadied her. "Y-y-y-you're both crazy!"
The rose hued gargoyle turned to the wizard. "So you said you needed help getting back to your own world, right? Would one of my feathers work to help you?" She raised an arm, showcasing her wings. "A gargoyle had magic within their veins and mine would be twice that of any other since I practice in the magical arts."
"I couldn't!" Asuka shook her head, eyes shining with admiration of the sight before her. "Their so beautiful and you'll need them-" Her words were cutoff by a high pitched giggle as the gargoyle female suddenly embraced her, feathers flying in every direction until Valentine finally released her to reveal that handfuls had been stuffed within the wizards clothing.
"I molt every night and they grow back by tomorrow so consider them a gift for the entertainment you're about to show us." An arm snaked around Anzu's waist and Shinsei's shoulders. "Let get to world hopping!"
. . . .
Amethyst threatened to burn a hole in the door. His knocks and calls had gone unanswered for the last several minutes. Was this that "silent treatment" that he had heard about? "Anzu, if I have upset you-"
"Did you seriously just say 'if'?"
He blinked as the snap came muffled and odd in pitch. At least she was talking to him now. "I know that I have upset you, but it was not done on purpose." Silence. His head bent until the wood of the door met his forehead. "Please let me in."
"Why, so you can avoid meeting my gaze again then run off with some excuse that you forgot to perform a precious duty or something?" Yugi flinched from his hiding place beneath all the pillows. The lavender gargoyle had thought he sounded similar enough when buried beneath all the fabric to pass as the brunette, which seems to have worked, but maybe he should be careful about how he phrased things. She's told him several times of how Atem had done exactly as what was just said but even so their leader was a stressed enough by the emergence of another threat. "Just…leave me alone."
The violet gargoyle grimaced. This was the first time she had denied him entrance to her room and it stung a bit more than he cared for. "If that is what you wish, then I shall go for now." He was about to turn away when a lump formed in his throat. Hearing her use such a tone with a voice that sounded as if she had been crying heavily weighed heavily upon his conscious. What could he do to earn her forgiveness? His head rose as an idea came to mind. "I will return, Anzu, and I hope you will listen to what I have to say."
It wasn't until several seconds after the telltale sound of wings faded into the distance that the mound of pillows shifted. "Bah!" The hidden lavender gargoyle gasped as he emerged from the mountain to crawl towards the open window as two heads poked. "If neither of those two kill me, I'm coming after you two," he huffed, laying flat on his back to stare up at them with a narrowed gaze.
. . . .
The small group slowly spread out as the light around them faded. Shinsei was the first to free himself of the near blinding dots as an ear splitting scream pierced the air. His eyes widened as from the vast ocean spread out before them rose a wave so tall that it would easily drown an entire town. A step back brought to his attention the remains of a completely destroyed building that smelled of burnt octopus. "I don't think this is our world!"
Asuka stared at Shinsei with an exasperated wide eyed glare. "Oh, what gave that away, genius: the giant goddess rising out of the ocean or the fact that a merman with a gold tail is canoodling a woman on the beach over there?!"
"Who even says that word anymore?" Valentine scoffed. "And he's not, his tail was wrapped around her- Oh, wait, never mind, looks like there might be a hickey or two on their necks."
Sure enough, from the wave emerged an ethereal being radiating with power that threatened to overwhelm them if not for Shinsei's quick protection incantation. Valentine and Anzu were a bit to preoccupied by the events unfolding in front of them to even hear the wizards conversion. Neither had ever seen a merman before and the one upon the beach who appeared to be disentangling his tail from the woman looked awfully familiar. A lump formed in the brunette's throat as the couple laughed and teased one another. They looked so happy that she herself was envious. That tanned merman with the spikey hair and golden tail…if Atem were human, or a similar species, is that what he would look like?
The rose hued gargoyle quickly took hold of Anzu who was still watching the pair on the beach. "That woman," she whispered, "looks a lot like you."
"Alright, here we go! Everyone brace yourselves!" And their surroundings vanished in a flurry of light.
. . . .
A trio of gargoyle's curiously peeked into the library where they had seen their violet leader disappear into. His wings were carefully folded so as not to impede his arm motions, whatever he was crafting causing brilliant rainbows made of moonlight to fill the space around him. "Instead of standing there watching," he called, straightening and filling the air with cracks as he stretched his neck and rolled his shoulders, "why not come and see for yourselves what I am doing?"
"We didn't mean to interrupt you." Yugi was the first to approach, curiosity being one of his forefront qualities, and blinked as the clan leader held up a small little metal pin that brought the lingering pair away from the doorway. "What are you making?"
"Even I am not quite sure." The three gargoyles blinked when Atem chuckled. "It has been so long since I watched the palace blacksmith create my own so it is taking me a bit longer than I anticipated to recall his motions and steps."
Lilac met amethyst. "Is it for Anzu?"
The violet gargoyle nodded, his gaze becoming clouded with doubt. "Though I am not sure it will be to her liking."
Joey nudged his mahogany counterpart. "She's a girl and all females like shiny things right?"
"Moron, you're thinking birds," the sandy one grumbled lowly, clearing his throat. "But they do say that a girl's best friend is a diamond! Maybe put a precious stone or something on it!"
"That's not a bad piece of advice but here's mine just for the record," Yugi moved so that he was sitting across from Atem, their gazes locking. "Whatever it is that you make she will accept. The fact that you are taking so much time and thought into this will mean more to her than any old rock."
They rose to their feet as a roar sounded, one of alarm. Solomon appeared within the doorway panting as if he had been flying for hours. "I am afraid that our little Anzu has disappeared." His eyes widened as they caught sight of Atem. "Ah, good, you're all here. I was following her and Valentine when they suddenly vanished in a bright white light."
"Why was she with Valentine?!" Blazing amethyst locked upon the trio who were attempting to sneak out the other exit, the table he had been working at cracking audibly as his palm met its surface. "Where do you think you are all going?" Fangs peeked out from between his lips. "You knew."
It wasn't a question but their sheepish expressions answered it nonetheless.
. . . .
The next world they appeared within looked normal enough to Anzu, at least to the home she once knew back in Japan, but there was something off. Echoes of their footsteps along the school's staircase echoed around them eerily when she neared the top and felt every cell in her body scream as figure came crashing through the wall to lay slumped in a heap on the floor near her feet. Cerulean eyes widened as he roe to his feet as though he hadn't just come barreling through the concrete wall beside her.
Beady eyes locked on her, causing the fine hairs across her body to stand upright. "Ah, if it isn't Ruler's master. How fortunate that I have come across you first!" His hand that lashed out to take hold of her shoulder was prevented by a tanned hand that took a firm hold upon his wrist, earning a shout of pain as decorated fingers forced it to bend the wrong way.
"If you so much as even think I'm going to let you lay a hand upon my master you are sorely mistaken, Berserker Class Servant!"
She fell backwards as what appeared to be an ancient pharaoh took a stance in front of her, his features twisting with concentration as he forced the oppressor into submission. "W-what's going on?!" Anzu found herself speechless as he turned to face her, revealing amethyst eyes that bore into her own.
"Master, I-" He paused, blinking. "You resemble her but you are not my master. How can this be? I feel a pull on my very soul to you, as though I know you, yet I do not."
There was no mistaking that speech pattern, those eyes… this was Atem! But why was he calling her "Master"?! She was yanked away from this bizarre nightmare as reached for her, Valentine's talons appearing between them as he made to intervene. "Heed my words, Servant of the Holy Grail War, she is not your Master. Go now and search for her before another!"
The pharaoh seemed to regard them with a narrowed gaze, blinking when the call of his name came from the distance, and turned away with one last glance to Anzu.
"T-that was…" Wide cerulean eyes followed his retreating figure as he hurried to where a woman with brunette hair just like hers was waiting. "Valentine, that was…"
"It's alright," the rose hued gargoyle soothed, embracing her tightly. "Yes, it's what you suspect. We are seeing Atem in the different worlds, maybe even alternate universes. This one has a magical ceremony called the Holy Grail War where Masters summon Heroic Spirits called Servants from across time and space to battle for the chance that their wish is granted."
Anzu's head shook. This was all too much for her, seeing him and herself in all of these bizarre scenarios was causing her mind to race. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she buried her face into Valentine's shoulder as they were swept away by another blizzard of white light.
. . . .
The rose gargoyle released her hold upon Anzu as sandstone walls surrounded them. This looked like the palace but her nose was wrinkling at the stench of death. "Whatever this world is sure stinks something rotten."
"I resent that comment." All three girls shrieked, hiding behind Shinsei as a skeleton wearing a headband and black vest approached. "What, you've never seen a groovy dude like me?" He peeked around the sword that had appeared inches from his skull courtesy of Shinsei, sole attention upon the brunette. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the next room with your groom."
All color drained from Anzu's face. "Groom?!" Her eyes widened as what had to be her reflection sped past the door and broke into a sprint. "Wait!"
"What does she think she's doing?! She'll alternate the events of this world if she isn't careful!" Asuka grabbed Shinsei's arm. "We have to go after her!" He however shook his head, sheathing his sword and kept her at his side. Something told him that it was best to let her go for now.
She could hear them not coming after her, they probably opted to wait until she returned, but Anzu couldn't care less. Around a few corners and she managed to catch hold of the fleeing woman's wrist. "Hold on a second!" The oxygen in her lungs turned to ice as she found herself gazing into a pair of tear filled cerulean eyes that were just like her own.
"Let me go! None of you can make me marry that…that…"
Anger filled her. "Don't you dare call him a 'monster'!" The woman before her tremble at her shout but Anzu had something to say. "I don't know what your situation is, but if you two have been brought together then you should be grateful. If he is anything like the one I know he is kind, courteous, loyal, and will do everything he can to protect those he cares about. That means you, Anzu!" Her fingertip jabbed the young woman's shoulder. "So suck it up! You could be paired against someone far worse! Where he came from or what he is shouldn't matter! Believe me when I say that he is the one for you!" She gathered the girl within a tight embrace as more tears spilled down her cheeks. "Sorry for the tough love, other me, but I had to get that off my chest." Her fair cheeks dusted with pink as the young girl wrestled free and disappeared down the passageway.
The little traveling party exhaled with relief when she came through the doorway. "There you are!" Asuka marched until she was inches away from Anzu, all hostility fading from her gaze as her breath caught and enveloped the teary eyed girl. "That was hard for you to verbally admit, I'm so sorry, but you'll feel better once you come to better terms with it, okay?" Her whisper was answered by a nod. They pulled apart as a great fanfare sounded, drawing all attention to the entrance Anzu had just come through. The gargoyle, two wizards and brunette woman could only watch in amazement as from the entrance emerged a figure not too far off of the one they'd encountered in the last world but there was a mild altercation: he looked to be missing some pieces of flesh.
"So here is where you've run off to, my bride." What she could only call a mummy of the pharaoh in the other world carefully took her hand, bringing it up to place it against his blue lips in a quick peck. The clothing was extravagant, gold bands and decorated scarabs decorated his being, his gaze gentle and kind when it met her own. "I was worried and came searching for you. The festivities have only begun, Anzu, shall we partake?"
Anzu would have fainted there and then if not for Asuka's quick intervention. "So sorry but I'm afraid your bride is elsewhere. This here is one of her distant cousins. They look so much alike it's hard for even us to tell sometimes!" She bowed her head. "Congratulations on your union!"
Amethyst blinked, slowly releasing his hold upon Anzu's hand when she nodded. "Forgive me, I was mistaken." His head tilted to the side. "The resemblance is uncanny, even I was fooled for a moment, but now I see that I was indeed wrong."
Her heart gave a clench when his eyes filled with worry as he turned away. "Is she missing?"
"I am afraid that she has been overwhelmed," he sighed, his gaze meeting her own from over his shoulder. "I do not wish to harm her, neither do I wish to interrupt the life she has. We were brought together by an ancient bargain that I struck with the god Anubis to meet the one who would hold my heart with care."
"Give her some time." She stepped towards him, offering a smile. "Speaking from experience, love doesn't grow overnight. It's like a tiny seed; you have to nourish and care for it to see it grow."
He blinked, his expression relaxing. "Wise words indeed. Thank you." The mummy groom excused himself with a bow and departed from the room.
Valentine wrapped an arm around Anzu's shoulders. "So why the tears?"
"Because what Asuka said was true…" the brunette whispered as they were surrounded by swirling white light, "…I don't know how I didn't realize it when it was right in front of my face…"
. . . .
The rose hued gargoyle and brunette stumbled a bit as they found themselves back within the park, their bags missing but their bodies intact. Valentine quickly stuffed the piece of folded paper and supplies within a pocket of her leather leggings before the brunette could see. "Never thought we'd run into a pair of wizards! That sure was something-" A howl rose up her throat as she was suddenly tackled, two familiar gargoyles pinning her to the ground.
"Honda, Joey, what are you two doing?!" Anzu took a firm hold upon each of their ears, giving them a hearty tug that earned whimpers as they hurried to release the female.
"Owowow!"
"That's what you two get!" Valentine seethed, dusting herself off and staring daggers as a violet gargoyle landed with a heavy impact before her. "Well, look what the cat dragged in."
The brunette quickly released the ears within her grasp and placed herself between the two as he lunged, causing him to reel back in surprise. "What is with you all? It's as if you think she kidnapped me or something!" Her jaw dropped as the lavender hued gargoyle peeked out from the tree branches above their heads, earning two blazing stares; hers and Atem's. "I wasn't taken against my will so stop attacking Valentine! She took me out for some much needed fresh air and a bit of shopping!" Her hands clenched into fists as a twitch settled within her brow "Then again, guess I should have known better than to go off without telling the leader of the clan who has secrets that they don't want me to know but may the celestial higher powers forbid me when I have my own that I want to keep!"
Valentine wrapped her arms around the young woman's shoulders, mauve meeting amethyst when the brunette turned to return the embrace. "It was my fault for sneaking you away when I shouldn't have. I am still unwelcome in the clan so I had no business-"
"It appears that a misunderstanding has occurred." Atem took a step forward, casting a look that said he would address the other four later. "I never exiled or banished you from the clan, Valentine. It was curious that you had kept at a distance since the rejection but I never entertained the idea of removing you from the clan. You are free to come and go as anyone else."
Anzu pulled away, looking up at the female gargoyle who looked flabbergasted. "That's great news!"
Valentine shrugged. "I'll probably stop by for a visit from time to time," she winked, "can't very well leave you at the complete mercy of these clowns after all." She spun the young woman until she was facing the violet gargoyle and with a shove caused them to crash into each other. "You four follow me. These two have some deep things to talk about." With a thumbs up towards the fallen disgruntled pair, the female gargoyle took to the sky once securing her tail through the shoulder holes of Honda and Joey's tunics then grabbing hold of Solomon and Yugi's arm. This was a conversation best meant to be conducted in privacy. "Come on, you four, let's head back to the palace."
See you next time!
