Authoress Notes:
Blackrose: Almost at the end, one more chapter after this and its over. Sorry about the long delay, things have been crazy with school finally ending for her and other things. But it's here :D
VB20: You're telling me XD, Dartz is getting his butt kicked and we mean it. Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews.
SailorBlaze: Thanks :) Of course we can make him do that XD. We're sorry to hear you can't continue Marik and Bakura 333 ways which was hilarious and always made us laugh.
RealShippingPrincess: Thanks! Yep he's free and they're going to kick Dartz's sorry butt :)
Aqua Girl 007: Thank you :) It was Blackrose's idea.
Sunrise Phoenix: Thanks ^_^ OO You said it!
Scaevola: Thanks! God bless you too and glad you like, we hate cliffe's too.
MutuantEmeny101: Thanks :) Yeah she didn't want to leave him out.
Coka Cookie Cola: Thanks! He's going down ;)
Kender20: Thanks! OO They're on the lose, and the gang's gotta stop them! Oh yeah you'll see :D
princesskisara: Thank ^_^ He can be such a nuisance -_-
Disclaimer: We don't own anything.
Plot:( Based on The Little Mermaid) Mermaids are mythical creatures that only exist in fairy tales and myths. A kiss from a mermaid or merman is the most powerful thing in the world. Once they are bonded, the love between them never fades. Yami is a merman prince who rescues a human princess named Tea from almost drowning, and falls in love with her, as she does with him. Even though they are from different worlds, they are willing to risk everything to be together. No matter what the cost. YamiTea JoeyMai SetoKisara
By Night One Way, By Day Another
By VampiressBeauty20 and BlackRoseDragonCK
Chapter Fourteen
A wicked grin slashed across Dartz's face as he surveyed the might of his secret weapon. He was skulking in the dark, green-fire lit entrance chamber, gazing at a pedestal in the shape of a snake with its mouth stretched open. Beneath the deadly fangs...was the Millennium Puzzle. Emerald tendrils of terrible magic spread from the Orichalcos symbol burning on the sea wizard's forehead to the pyramid-shaped object, attempting to merge with its own staggering power. The Millennium Puzzle, being an item of good, was resisting...but its defenses were growing ever weaker.
"Just you wait..." Dartz sneered at the relic, as if it were a person. "...when I gave Yami some of my power, turning him into that dark being at night so that he would act as my pawn...I was slightly weakened. Now, I've taken my power back...and I have more strength than ever...and once I penetrate your walls I will have access to three of the most powerful beasts to ever roam this earth!"
The Puzzle gave off a jolt of golden energy, its Eye of Horus glowing as if it had actually heard him. A wave of Orichalcos energy sprang up in response, choking off the magic like a vice. It surrounded the Puzzle, pulsating through its golden walls...and tearing down the last wall of defense. Now...the item glowed with more than unfathomable power...the combined force of the Orichalcos...and the Puzzle itself.
Dartz lifted the object with excitement-trembling fingers, feeling it's might burning with a hungry fury. It war ready to fight...or rather...the denizens of destruction that lived with it...were ready to wage war. The reed cord that Yami had used to fasten the Puzzle around his neck disintegrated into the water, destroyed by the mere pulsations of wicked energy.
"All right..." Dartz murmured as a cruel laugh began to rumble from his throat. "No more waiting...Be free my great beasts! DESTROY the world of men! Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra!"
At this command, the entire undersea temple began to tremble. The stones shook, sending sand and rubble floating into the shadowed water. A mighty, triple roar pierced through the tangible silence...and three beams of light shot from the Millennium Puzzle's Eye. The beams...crackling with green energy...were three different colors...red, blue, and gold...and they headed for the surface world above.
"So you mean all this time he was behind all of this? That's it, he's sooooo going down into the darkest depths of the ocean," Selene growled, she turned back towards the dark waters. Which were crashing against the shoreline as if the sea was crying out. Yami watched in confusion as his younger sister took off her shoes, tossing them somewhere on the beach.
"Come on Revival Jam, we're all going to teach that Dartz a lesson," she gestured towards the blue plasma ghost, who danced in agreement, while flashing a toothy black grin. "You got it sister, let's go!" said, while she grinned at her brother.
Yami nodded slightly at his sister and turned back to the roaring sea. He squeezed his crimson eyes shut...and dug deep into his magical energy, willing every last drop of strength he possessed...into the summoning of one of his most powerful creatures. He stretched his arms out to either side, his entire body glowing golden with power.
"I summon Black Luster Soldier!" he cried and the glow shot up from his body. It crackled in the gun metal clouds above like amber lightening...and struck the sandy beach several feet in front of Yami.
When the sand and smoke cleared...there was a bulky, powerful man standing before them. His body was plated with thick armor painted in shades of deep purple and electric yellow. His hair was long and red, covered by an elegantly carved helmet, and his eyes glowed against pale skin with the fire of war. Clutching a shield and a deadly, curved sword...he looked as though he could strike the Leviathan right out of the sky.
Yami slumped backward slightly and Tea caught him, gazing at him worriedly. He leaned on her shoulder and panted, suddenly fatigued from the massive loss of power. The brunette placed her hand on his heaving chest. "Are you sure about this?"
He nodded. "It's...worth it if it saves our lives..."
Joey watched them for a moment...and slowly grinned. "Ah yeah! Time for me to whip out MY ultimate monsta!" He clenched his fist in the air and drove it into the earth. "I summon my Red Eyes Black Dragon!"
A reptilian shriek pierced the air, making everyone jump in surprise. The dark clouds crackled with red energy...and an ominous shape appeared through them. Everyone watched in stunned silence...as a slender, sharply scaled dragon descended from the heavens, touching down to the ground with the agility of a panther. Its layers of spikes were the color of obsidian...and its eyes glowed blood-red. The creature approached Joey and nuzzled against his cheek with uncharacteristic affection.
Joey laughed and playfully pushed the dragon's snout away. "All right, pal. You ready to do this?" The Red Eyes Black Dragon flapped his wings and roared in response.
Marik gazed at both incredible beasts and smiled with determination. "All right..." he said. "If my friends and family are fighting then I will too!" he crossed his arms over his chest like an Egyptian sarcophagus, a purple glow illuminating his body. "I summon Mystical Beast Serkhet!"
The sand several yards away from the group suddenly began to tremble almost as violently as the water. Parts of it sunk inward...while other sections started to rise into the air. A massive scorpion-like creature clawed its way from the dusty ground, snapping its massive pincers. Its body was a purplish glistening black with a large, agile stinger. Its mouth was a jagged gash of razor-like teeth, gnashing with the same viciousness as its pincers.
"That's yours?" Tristan shuddered, holding Thunder kid close. "Man I hate bugs..."
"Don't get in its way then," Marik replied with a teasing smirk.
Pulling back from Kisara, Kaiba smirked. "All right, you fools..." he said with a cocky grin. "Watch you a REAL duelist handles things." He turned back to his three majestic beasts...and stretched out his hand, palm down. His body began to glow with a silvery blue energy and the dragons drew nearer as it danced down his fingers. Finally, the power shot out...and enveloped all three winged creatures.
Yami gasped and moved forward but Tea held him back. "No...watch."
He did...and was awed by what he saw when the light faded away. Standing there...was not a trio of dragons...but one massive, three-headed beast, its body pulsating with strength. Kaiba's spell had somehow merged all three dragons into one of the most incredible creatures the prince had ever seen. Its snowy scales glistened in the blood sunset, its three pairs of nostrils flaring and blowing crackling steam.
"Now..." Kaiba lowered his hand and turned back to the others, his face relaxed with smugness. "Yami...I will allow your Buster Blader to use my Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon as his noble mount...since he is the only monster here who even comes CLOSE to being worthy of being in my beast's presence."
"Hey!" Joey snapped but the man ignored him. "Thank you," Yami acknowledged and Kaiba nodded.
Tristan sighed unhappily. "Man, I wish I had a mega cool monster to bust out...but my Thunder Kid and I will fight to the bitter end!" The pudgy electric lizard squeaked in agreement.
Ryou put his arm around Serenity and grinned. "So will I." he said and Duke nodded.
"Hold on now..." said a teasing, woman's voice. Yami turned and saw Mai standing there, hand on her hips and honey-colored eyebrows raised mischievously. "You don't think you're going to go off and have fun without little old Mai, do you?"
"Mai?" Joey goggled and she winked.
The blonde woman then closed her violet eyes and placed a hand over her heart. Her body pulsated with mauve energy...and her eyes glowed the same color as she opened them. "I summon Harpies' Pet Dragon!"
A deafening roar joined those of the other two dragons as a great shadow was cast over the beach. Everyone looked up...and saw a large, pink dragon descending from the sky. It landed, shaking its black head and rattling a golden chain secured around its neck. Its green eyes glowed menacingly and its feathered wings beat with the eagerness of battle.
"With their super powered pet, my Harpy Lady's will be unstoppable!" Mai announced, laughing proudly.
Joey was staring at her, his mouth open, his eyes wide. "Wow...I love you..." Mai smirked. "I know," she giggled and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
Watching his soldier mount the three-headed dragon Yami nodded at his circle of friends. "Right...so are we ready?
"Wait..."
A less-familiar voice spoke...and everyone turned in surprise. Bakura was standing several yards away from them his arms crossed over his chest. His snowy bangs hung mysteriously in his eyes...but they could see the smirk on his lips.
"Wait for what?" Joey demanded. "It's time to kick some villain butt!"
"But you haven't let me summon MY monster..." the thief replied with a false pout. Selene gawked at him, "You have a duel monster?" she said.
"Indeed I do, my dear..." Bakura replied...and crossed his arms over his chest as Marik had done. Then...he swept his arms out and his entire body glowed with black power. The ground beneath their feet rumbled...and everything seemed to go a little darker. "I summon...the mighty Di abound!"
A great shadow spread across the sand near the raging ocean. It writhed and foamed for a moment...and slowly began to rise up, forming into a shape. Yami saw a dark gray body, deadly talons, fang-like teeth...and wickedly glowing, purple eyes. Tea gasped and clung closer to Yami. He tightened his grip on her.
Bakura approached the creature without fear and said, "Di abound. You are to help my friends fight whoever or whatever they tell you to. Understand?"The demon creature nodded and silently shrank backward into the shadows.
"My Di abound has the ability to hide in darkness," the thief explained. "He'll be quite useful for surprise attacks."
Yami nodded. "Right. Thank you, Bakura."
Another dark shadow began to form a few feet away from the group. It slowly took shape into a creature. He had a dark black and grey, scaly body and sharp teeth that actually curled outside its jaws. His eyes were a bright crimson red and he clutched a jagged sword in one clawed hand. "There you are, I didn't think you would show up," Selene said, as it floated closer towards her.
Right as Yami was beginning to feel at thread of heated confidence...a hope that they could win this battle with little trouble along the incredible monsters...the ocean's rage reached its peak. The onyx water frothed and churn with a supernatural anger and energy...and then...something burst from its depths. Shrouded by a wall of falling water, Yami could make out three shapes rising into the sky. One was bright red, the other blue...and a third one gold. They were exceedingly large and indeterminate.
The prince squinted, waiting impatiently for the liquid to dissipate...and when it did he immediately wished it had not. There...floating ominously against the blood and metal sky...were the three Egyptian gods.
However...they were not their usual good, powerful selves. They had been consumed by the dark magic of the Orichalcos. Slifer the Sky Dragon, a long, crimson dragon with razor-sharp scales, glowing yellow eyes, and two sets of jaws...snarled with a sinister viciousness, the usually blue orb in the center of its head glowing green with dark magic...Obelisk the Tormentor, the azure demon creature with sharply clawed hands, bellowed as the emerald Seal blazed on his forehead...Ra...the most powerful of the Egyptian gods...reverted to his Phoenix form...but rather than burning gold, the flames shown that horrid, wicked green...they had all been possessed by evil...by Dartz.
Yami swore under his breath and closed his crimson eyes, shadows of despair already weighing on his heart. Against that abominable sorcerer...they had a chance...but against Dartz AND the darkness-infused Egyptian gods...their chance of victory was slim. Tea must have seen his hopelessness because she placed a reassuring hand on his chest. Yami turned his ruby eyes to meet her eyes of sapphire...and he saw determination glinting within them.
"We can do this..." she told him firmly. "He may have those divine beasts fueled by the power of darkness...but we have our most trusted friends wielding the power of light. We have the light of hope...and as long as it burns bright, Dartz's shadows will never prevail."
The prince locked eyes with her for a long moment. He could feel her strength...her will...and he knew that she truly believed what she said. Slowly, he lifted his hand to grasp hers that lay on his chest, hoping that her strength would help to further ignite his own.
"You're right," Yami muttered and turned to gaze upon the rest of his friends. "We cannot give up. We must fight with everything we've got...so let it be written, so let it be done!"
At this words, a victory shout rang out among the group. Joey and Tristan high-fived each other while Duke and Mai nodded in agreement. Marik glanced at his family members floating in the ocean and seemed to draw strength from them. He had a family to protect now...and he would do it proudly. Ryou drew Serenity into his arms, leaning his chin against her head while Kaiba tightly clasped Kisara's small hand in his. Bakura pulled Selene close to him, leaning his forehead against hers. He whispered something to her...and she nodded, keeping her eyes tightly closed.
Lastly...Yami turned to the love of his life...to the girl who had changed his life. Tea smiled up at him, azure eyes sparkling in the deadly sunset...and he could not resist the urge to kiss her. If they failed in this battle...he wanted her kiss to be the last thing he remembered. Finally, he turned back to the monstrous horizon in front of them...and slowly narrowed his eyes.
"Let the battle...begin."
Joey grinned and punched the air enthusiastically. "All right! Go! Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Inferno Fire Blast!"
The onyx dragon gave an earth-shaking roar and flapped his powerful wings, rising into the air. He rose upward a little ways before turning in a serpentine movement, facing the three Egyptian gods. With on last battle shriek, the dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of black-flecked, deep crimson flame. It burned and swirled, slicing through the air like a blazing dagger. Right as it reached Obelisk the Tormentor, however...the demon god raised his powerful arm...and blocked the blast as if it were nothing more than a summer breeze.
Joey's confident, smiling face...instantly became saturnine. He swallowed visibly, never taking his eyes off the evil-possessed beings on the horizon.
"No way..." the blonde croaked. "There are only a few monsters alive that can block Red Eyes' Inferno Fire Blast..."
"Yes, but these creatures are not mere 'monsters'..." Yami replied gravely. They are the Egyptian gods."
A laugh caught the prince's attention. He turned...and saw the thief Bakura, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He glanced at his demon creature and announced, "Well then...it's time to put Egyptian being against Egyptian being. My Diabound just so happens to be a creature hailing from that very land."
Marik stepped forward. "As does my Mystical Beast Serkhet. What do you say to a jointed attack?"
Bakura nodded and both duelists turned to gaze upon their monsters.
"Now, Diabound!" the thief commanded, pointing at the gods. "Attack with Helical Shockwave!"
"Beast Serkhet!" Marik added. "Combine your power with Diabound's!"
Diabound gave a slow nod and vanished into the darkness. He appeared several yards in the air, his eerie eyes pulsating with dark power. The creature raised his clawed hands in an oval shake...and unleashed a spiraling jet of silver energy. The massive scorpion snapped its pincers in midair and raised its deadly stinger. From the stinger shot a venomous wave of dark purple energy, heading in the same direction as the previous blast. The two forces collided and spiraled together in incredible joined power. Right as it was about to strike its targets, however...the dragon Slifer used his long body as a shield, absorbing the wave.
Marik gasped, Bakura cursed...and Slifer opened his jaws to counterattack. He breathed a breath of blindingly bright, golden energy that crackled with the power of electricity. The blast surged for a few moments before exploding in mid-air, knocking everyone to the sandy earth. A few stray bolts struck Red Eyes and Beast Serkhet, making the monsters and their masters cringe in pain.
"All right..." Yami muttered through gritted teeth. He stood to his feet and fixed the gods with a piercing glare. "Even our strongest monsters cannot stand against them alone...so we'll all have to combine our forces." He glanced at the rest of his companions and they nodded in agreement.
Recovering from his injury, Joey grinned. "You heard the man, Red Eyes. Rapid Fire Flame Strike!" Red Eyes snarled and unleashed multiple bursts of flame at the enemy.
"Helical Shock Wave!" Bakura ordered and Marik likewise commanded his beast.
'Harpies' Pet Dragon!" Mai cried. "Fearsome Fire Blast!" The pink and black dragon released a hot spiral of red and orange flame, merging with the other attacks.
"Goblin Zombie Darkness Blade!" Sel said, as the demon creature's sword turned black and sent a spiral shaped blast at them.
"And finally..." Yami locked eyes with Kaiba. The man nodded and they simultaneously shouted, "Master of Dragon Soldier! Attack with Dragon Saber Blast!"
The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon released a triple jet of white lightning while the Black Luster Soldier atop it sent a purple flame of energy flying from his curved blade. All the attacks, light and dark. icy cold and white-hot, surged and spiraled, joining into one great, powerful beam of blinding light. Yami had to shield his eyes to watch its formidable force hurdling through the air. The blast collided with something and exploded in a brilliant nova of light. Everyone covered their eyes to avoid being blinded.
Finally, the relentless glow faded...and Yami slowly lowered his hands. He peered through the residual smoke, striving to see the effects beyond it.
"Well?" Joey asked impatiently. "Did we win?"
"We'll find out soon enough..." Marik replied somberly.
The smoke eventually dissipated...and Yami's heart sunk at what he saw. There...floating in front of Slifer and Obelisk...was Ra...or Egyptian God Phoenix.
The great beast had folded its emerald fire wings in front of itself...and taken the terrible blast as if it had been a mere annoying gnat.
"No way!" Kaiba shouted, outraged...and Yami could only nod gravely.
Ra gave a terrible shriek of supernatural rage, it's eyes glowing red. The creature drew its wings open in a sharp manner and unleashed a wave of green energy toward the heroes. Yami only had time to blink and trap Tea in a protective bear hug before the blast struck the beach...and sent all of them flying.
The prince struck the ground, his love underneath him and sharp pain shot throughout his chest...but the pain did not result from impact. Looking over his shoulder, Yami saw with horror...that all of their duel monsters were shattering like glass. The force of Ra overpowered them, rapidly depleting their stamina...and their respective owners felt the pain.
Kaiba growled, clenching his teeth through the pain."Impossible...!"
"We hit them with our most powerful attack and it didn't leave a scratch!" Joey added incredulously, struggling to support Mai as his own body ached.
The prince sighed and looked down at Tea who stare up at him with wide eyes. "Are you all right?" he asked.
She nodded and he stood, helping her to her feet as he did so. There was only one option left...if they could not defeat the Egyptian gods...then they would have to try to reason with them. Clenching his teeth against the pain pinging through his chest, Yami stumbled...and made his way toward the water's edge. Tea gasped audibly and Joey called out to him.
"Are you nuts man? Get back here!"
But Yami ignored all of them. He finally reached the ocean...and fell to his knees on the sand, letting it lap up around him. He stared at the gods in the distance, his fingers clenching into fists against the soggy sand. This was all his fault, he thought. If he hadn't given Dartz the Millennium Puzzle...then his family and friends would not be in danger from his own creatures. If he hadn't made that deal...none of this would have happened...but he had made the deal...and he would face the repercussions to the bitter end.
"Egyptian gods..." he rasped out. His voice was gravelly...but firm. "Hear me. I committed a great evil by letting the Puzzle fall into evil hands...but I am its true master and YOU are under the influence of darkness!" He glanced at his family and friends. "Please...you must come to your senses before your rage destroys innocent lives like mine did. If you MUST have vengeance...then take it out on me."
Tea and Selene cried out behind the prince and the others began muttering protests...but he ignored him. Only when Marik came up beside him and grasped his shoulders did he turn.
"You're my family, Yami..." his brother snapped, violet eyes narrowed determinedly. "I am not abandoning you to the gods' wrath!"
"But..."
"No 'buts'..." Kaiba cut in, coming to stand beside the siblings. His cold blue eyes fixed on Slifer, Ra, and Obelisk...and they held a staggering wilfulness. "I am not leaving the safety of my kingdom to the mere 'chance' that their fury will be quelled by destroying Yami here. We'll snap them out of it."
Marik pulled Yami to his feet and the prince staggered, clutching his arm for support. He stared at the mighty beings again...and his blood eyes slowly narrowed. "Gods of Egypt...I am the rightful owner of the Millennium Puzzle. Obey me and fight off the darkness!"
Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra moved closer to the beach...but the prince could make out a slight wavering in the emerald power pulsating through them. This sent a spark of hope through his heart...and a wave of new-found strength through his body. Yami stood and glared unwaveringly at the advancing creatures.
"Slifer," Yami muttered...and glanced at his companions.
Kaiba nodded understandingly. "Obelisk..." he added.
"Ra..." finished Marik.
Yami continued, "We are the true warriors who guide you..." he felt a wave of heat spreading across his face...and looking at his reflection in the water, saw the Eye of Horus symbol burning on his forehead. "...so let it be written, so let it be done!" He spread his arms wide...and the power of the Millennium Puzzle radiated in gold waves from his body. It soared across the ocean, heedless of Slifer's divinity, Obelisk's vengeance, and Ra's rage...and struck all three of them.
The Phoenix shrieked and its companions roared so. The forces of light and darkness clashed within them, fighting for dominance over the great beasts.
"Come on..." Yami whispered. "You can do it."
Obelisk clutched at his head while Slifer writhed in the air. Ra reverted back to his normal form, a great birdlike dragon with golden scales a feathers. Finally...after what seemed like an eternity...the gods stood upright again. Ra gave a mighty caw and transformed into the Phoenix...however his fire burned gold and not wicked green. The orb mounted upon Slifer's brow glinted a deep azure...and Obelisk's brow was illuminated only by his glowing red eyes, both by the cursed Seal.
Yami breathed a sigh of utter relief...and gasped when a hot sensation spread across his chest. He looked down...and saw a glowing orb of red light hovering just over his heart. It remained there for a moment before moving inward and vanishing into his chest. Gasping, he turned...and saw a similar occurrence happening to Kaiba and his brother. Over Marik's heart, glowed a golden ball of light...while Kaiba stared wide-eyed at a sphere of blue. The lights faded into their respective owners...and all three men felt a surge of strength course through them.
The prince placed a hand over his chest and stared in confusion at his father. Aknamkanon's face was awash with wonder...and after a moment, he smiled.
"My boys..." he began slowly. "You three have received a great honor. The Egyptian gods are grateful for your helping them to see the light and have decided to bond with you. You may each summon your respective god at any time and not depending on the Puzzle to do it."
"Whoa..." Joey grinned enthusiastically. "That ought to put a dent in Dartz's plans!"
Yami smiled and was about to agree...when a dreadfully familiar sound reached his ears.
"You fools," a sinister voice cackled from somewhere in the shadows causing them all to stop suddenly dead in their tracks. A huge giant claw reached out of the water, deep from within the ocean's depths. Shadows danced along the surface, as a shape began to form right everyone's eyes. A giant shadowy creature that looked like a serpent had taken shape in the darkened sky, its red eyes glowing with thirst."No," Selene's ocean eyes were full of pure disbelief, "No, it…it can't be…!" Yami's crimson eyes widened in shock, "The Great Leviathan," he murmured. "I thought…it was just a legend…"
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed, until next time which will be soon!
Blackrose and VB20