Ahh, finally having another update to AWYFT in so long feels really good. You would think that writing 1,000 words would be easy to write in less than three months...and I'm sorry for the wait everyone. Problem is that this is sort of an action chapter, and those are the hardest for me to write, and i've had so many other things come up this semester that it was difficult to get myself in the right mindset to write...but that's all changed. and here's chapter 12 for you, everyone! Special thanks to Ying Fa Xang, Tachibana Wish, FaceMeltor, and all the rest of you that have waited patiently for this. I'm hoping chapter 13 will be up soon.

Chapter 12: Shaking

Part of Dead Master's mind, the same part that remembered this girl, was surprised. Mato? Here? Why? How was that even possible? This world's Mato did not know anything about the otherworld.

Her hesitation lasted only a moment, however. What do you want with her, girl? It was like Yomi's voice and yet not; haughty, condescending.

She could feel Mato's hesitation within Black Rock Shooter. What have you done with Yomi?! Mato demanded.

Dead Master smiled. Why, I haven't done anything to her. On the contrary, I'm going to grant her greatest wish. Our greatest wish.

Yuu told me you were in trouble, Yomi! Please, tell me what's going on here!

There was a great rumbling deep within the ground. A boulder, dislodged from the ceiling high above them, tumbled lazily through the air. Dead Master backpedaled as it crashed into the ground in between the two sides. Crouching atop the boulder was a figure only to be found in dreams or in the Otherworld. Two enormous, mechanical arms made up most of its bulk; black, angular, and powerful. Between these two arms, incongruous in her diminutive size, was a girl with glowing orange eyes and shock-white hair. Memories stirred in Dead Master's mind as part of her recognized the girl's face.

Y-Yuu?! Mato's voice registered absolute incredulity.

A smile crossed Dead Master's lips. So. You must be the Real Yuu Kotari then.

"Hello, Dead Master." Those three words, the only ones yet spoken aloud, reverberated around the hall, sending echoes to mock their way through the dark corners of the room. It was an out of place sound, something which belonged to another world.

Dead Master made a mock bow. The other me has heard so much about you.

"You've been making quite a big problem for all of us here."

Dead Master stepped toward Yuu. I have business with the girl behind you. Don't get in my way.

The segmented metal tail which grew from the creature's back lashed back and forth. "This is my world, Dead Master. I'm not going to let you touch her."

Dead Master snarled. We're going home, even if we have to tear this world apart to get there.

Dead Master's twin skulls flew from behind her, careening toward Yuu from opposite sides. At the last possible moment Yuu jumped, propelled high into the air by her enormous arms. With a loud crash of shattering stone, Yuu landed behind Dead Master. Her fist slammed into the face of the first skull to reach her, sending it careening off toward the back wall, then raised her other hand to block the second skull's charge.

Dead Master stood back, watching and waiting. Fighting against two targets was difficult enough, so if she struck at the right moment she could slip in under Yuu's guard.

She did not have to wait long before her patience was rewarded. As Yuu gripped one of the skulls and crushed it between her hands, Dead Master rushed forward. In the instant before Dead Master felt her scythe connect, she saw a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye. Red fluid dripped down along the handle of her weapon. Dead Master broke into a maniacal grin. Are you really so eager to die, red girl?

The red-eyed girl gripped the edge of Dead Master's scythe where it had gone through her side. She had thrown herself in-between Dead master and Yuu. With a gush of the red fluid she succeeded in pulling the blade out, then raised her sword to guard.

A bubble of joy welled up in Dead Master's soul as the dance of combat began again. In order to protect Yuu, The red-eyed girl could not protect herself as well. Her scythe swings cut deep into the other girl's arms, her legs, her side, and face. Before long the girl was down to one knee, leaning heavily on her weapon. Dead Master triumphantly kicked the oversized sword out of the other girl's hand.

Black Rock Shooter stepped between Dead Master and the red-eyed girl. Mato's voice began to plead with Dead Master. Yomi, please! I know you're in there somewhere! Talk to me!

Stay out of things you don't understand, little girl. Yomi doesn't need you anymore.

I can help! Please, Yomi, tell me what's going on and I'll help you!

Dead Master sighed. This girl was getting annoying. At a simple thought, her chains wound themselves around Black Rock Shooter's wrists and ankles, pinning her down. It was too bad, Dead Master thought. She had liked this new version of her nemesis. But she came with far too much baggage. Dead Master stalked past her.

Black Rock Shooter strained against the chains binding her. So you want to go home—what's wrong with that? It doesn't mean you have to do this alone!

We don't need your help.

But I want to help you, Yomi! We can all find the way back into your world together!

Then, from the very back of their joined mind, a fragment of her mind rebelled. A fragment that still remembered a world of colors and blue skies, a world where she had laughed and played with that girl, a world in which they had gone to a festival, rebelled against all that was Dead Master. Wasn't this just exactly what Saya had tried to warn her about? Thinking like Dead Master drove her closer to bridging the gap that separated them.

In that moment Yomi Takanashi, not Dead Master, looked down at the red-eyed girl lying at her feet. Bleeding, maimed, this girl was somehow linked to that other woman who had tried to help her before. Yomi could feel Dead Master's murderous rage toward the red-eyed girl. It seemed so strange; an alien emotion that was not her own.

No. Yomi's voice echoed through their joined mind. She would not let this happen while she had any power. Yomi gathered all of the strength she could. My name is Yomi Takanashi!

Dead Master raised her scythe. Yomi screamed. Nein! Nein! Mein Name ist Yomi Takanashi!

There was a feeling of tearing; of her soul being ripped in two. Both halves of Dead Master screamed in agony as the part that was Yomi tried to pull away. Then Yomi, alone, fell into blackness.