Chapter 12: Balance

He was falling.

How could he be falling?

He was sitting on floor?

How could he be falling and...why...was it so bright.

And why did he feel so...warm...and at peace...

The Shadows screamed, launching themselves back as a crack of light exploded like lightening behind Yugi. The man's eyes were white, glowing. Yugi slowly stood, the wind whipping around him and crackling with power.

The Shadows hissed, "I should have known you were hiding inside him..."

Yugi regarded them with a steady gaze as another crack of light flashed behind him. He did not say a word, his steps silent as he made his way across the hallway. The Shadows kept their distance, taking a step away, but Yami's back hit the wall.

Yugi raised his right arm and arched it across his body over his left shoulder. His glowing eyes flashed for a moment, before he swung the arm forward. A powerful blast of air and light exploded from his forearm, crashing into Yami's body. Wind and power whipped around Yami, the Shadows pushing themselves down into their host's legs to keep them standing. Suddenly, they felt their center of gravity tip. The opening was seen and another blast of light joined the first, crashing into Yami's chest. His body convulsed, arching forward as he flew through the drywall and out the other side. The Shadows growled, black ink spraying out behind Yami as they cushioned the fall for their host. They struck the cement with a loud crash, the concrete crumbling and breaking under Yami's feet.

A collective gasp and screams vibrated across the floor. The Shadows had landed in a cargo bay full of angry, scared and fearful soldiers. Many fled, forgetting their guns and running towards the open, aircraft-sized carrier open bay doors. Others reached for their guns, cocking them and readying to fire.

"THE SHADOWS ARE IN THE CARGO BAY!" One man yelled, flicking his safety off and opening fire. The Shadows hissed, rearing up alongside Yami to deflect the bullets. The Shadows shrieked, their inky black tentcles diving forward towards the shooter, thrusting down his throat. The firing ceased, and as the Shadows drew out of the man, he fell to the ground in boneless heap. They curled back towards Yami, sliding across the ground, clenching Yami's teeth in anger.

Yugi walked calmly towards the hole, jumping down the near two stories with ease. He landed on the cement, feet barely making a sound. His eyes continued to glow, and he regarded the Shadows with a somber gaze.

The Shadows rose from the ground. Yami's mouth stretched, his eyes completely black as the Shadows bore his teeth. A loud SNAP rung through the air as the Shadows shot out from behind Yami, aiming for Yugi's head.

Yugi mearly brushed them off to the side with a flash of light. He did not move, his gaze never leaving Yami's body.

Many of the soldiers had stopped shooting, most running now in fear. One of the soldiers however had reached for his gun, but stalled when he saw who was the Shadows opponent. Jounouchi's eyes widened when he saw the two, nearly identical beings.

"Yug...what in the hell..." he whispered, taking a step forward to get a better look at his best friends face. Jounouchi felt his legs give out, and he knees buckled as he fell to the ground. Yugi's eyes, glowed with a unnatural light and did not even give him a glance. Jounouchi let his gun fall from his lax fingers, body frozen as the air stiffened.

The Shadows let out another screech at Yugi, their blackness twitching behind Yami in anger. "YOU FILTH! HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOURSELF!" The finally shrieked, Shadows rising above Yami's body. They nearly covered the entire cargo bay behind Yami, stretching higher and higher, licking the ceiling.

Suddenly, Yugi chuckled, but his voice was airy. Light. Like angel. His voice swung up and down, pitch high and low, and when he spoke it sounded as if all the holy men and woman of the world were speaking through him. "How dare I? How dare I what, dear Shadows? How dare I come in and ruin your childish fun? How dare I indeed..." Yugi's brows creased, a sad frown weaving over his face. "I am so sorry, my dear Shadows that it had to get this far. You tore apart cities, nearly killed your host and yourself. All because I was not there to be your balance... But you should not have come so soon..."

The Shadows hissed, "FILTHY LIGHT WE WILL END YOU! YOU WILL NOT EXIST, WE WILL KILL YOU! WE DO NOT NEED YOU!" A thick tendril of blackness formed from the wall of blackness behind Yami, striking forward across the concreate towards Yugi.

The light sighed sorrowfully, their brightness knocking the Shadows away. "A child's loneliness, so deep that it awoke you before your time. And another which was supposed to be so bright, was tarnished. I was buried under my hosts pain and darkness, and then because of your release, was able to overwhelm him. I was unable to come to balance you...for so long my Shadows..." They took a few steps forward towards the Shadows.

They screamed, backing away hastily. "NO, stay away LIGHT! We don't need you!"The Shadows continued to scream, launching wave and wave of themselves, trying their best to strike. But the light deflected every one. They backpedaled, continuing to throw themselves at the light. A horrific shriek, like the sound of glass on metal tore through the bay, their fear marring Yami's face.

The Shadows suddenly felt their host trip, falling backwards onto the hard stone floor. Yugi's eyes flashed and they launched themselves forward, pinning the Yami and the Shadows to the ground. The Light wrapped Yugi's hands around Yami's arms, securing them. The Shadows continued to screech, struggling in the Light's grasp. "You filthy LIGHT, let us go! LET GO OF US!"

They shook Yugi's head, leaning forward so his forehead rested against Yami's. "My dear Shadows...I am very sorry about what I have to do to set us right..." the Light condensed and circled around Yugi's back, before spreading out to the side like wings. They folded forward, caressing and intertwining with the Shadows, mixing themselves with them. The Shadows screamed, pitch rising to the point that glass shattered. The ground shook as the Shadows lashed out ever way, trying to break free from the lights grasp.

The soldiers, too scared to even fire, cowered under their arms as debris fell, hands clutching their ears to block out the near deafening screams.

The Shadows shrieked in fear."YOU WOULD KILL US? KILL US? YOU SHALL NOT! LIGHT YOU CANNOT! PLESE OUR OTHER DO NOT KILL US!"The Shadows continued to plead, their voice melting into shrill cries. The Light continued to mix with the Shadows, churning around the two, before a near defining sound of a sonic boom tore through the bay. The Light burst outward, covering everyone in a thick brightness.

Jounouchi felt his skin shiver as the Light passed over him, but nothing compared to the near blood-curtling scream that continued to tear his ears apart.

Then, it went silent.

~~Break~~

Yami felt his skin breaking, everything slicing open, blood pouring from every wound. His soul was on fire. He screamed, trying to force himsealf from the heat, but it was no use. Everything was bright and on fire yet he felt so cold, but everything was burning.

Yami sobbed, curling into himself as everything continued to burn. The Shadows were clawing at him, shrieking and wailing as they sliced into him, repaired him, and tore into him again. The burning seemed to sooth for a minute with the cold, before it felt as if they were pouring molten wax into his wounds. Yami gripped what he thought to be his head, trying to to force his back to the Shadows. His choked out a harsh sob, dead fear griping him. Everything was burning

Everything was so cold

Yami wanted it all to end.

Then, as if someone merely flipped a switch, Yami felt his soul thrust back into his body. He took in a harsh breath, forcing the air into his aching lungs. Oh god, everything hurt. His head, his arms, his chest. The body lying on his chest did not help either.

Wait.

Yami slowly opened his eyes, blinking as his vision slowly came into focus. He craned his head down, feeling spiked hair tickle his chin. Yami stared.

"Yugi….?" He breathed, attempting to bring himself up to rest on his elbows. His whole body quivered as he got himself up on his right elbow, his hands shaking as he tried to keep himself up. Yugi's head was tucked under his chin and either the other was out cold or…

Yami sucked in through his teeth, angling his head to press his cheek against the others.

He was still for a moment before a smile broke out across his face.

Yugi was warm. And he could feel a faint thump of the others heart on his chest.

"Thank God thank God…" Yami murmured, letting his body fall back onto the ground. "Oh thank God…" He closed his eyes, heaving in a deep breath, before letting it out through his nose.

Click.

Yami craned his head upwards, his eyes staring right down the barrel of a gun, which was being held by a soldier with shaggy blonde hair.

Jounouchi held his rifle steady, hazel eyes ablaze. He stood over Yami's face, his finger poised at the trigger. "You betta' start talkin'…" he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Or I'ma gonna blow you're effing head off…"

Yami stared back at him calmly, knowing full well the Shadows wouldn't let him die

Wait…

Yami furrowed his brows. The Shadows weren't coming out. There was a gun point at him. They never let someone get this close before…why were they waiting, were they playing a game?

BANG

Yami winced as a bullet ricocheted on the concrete right next to his left ear. His ear buzzed, and Yami grimaced as the shock shook his whole head. He tried to take in a steady breath, but he could barely get it down.

The Shadows were not around. And a man had a gun point to his head.

He should feel happy for this opportunity, but…he was afraid. Deathly afraid.

"That was a warnin' shot. Now you tells me what in the fuck is goin' on…" Jounouchi whispered, re-cocking the gun with a quick flick on his fingers. Yami tried to shake his head.

"I don't know. I don't know," he stammered. "I don't know what's goin-"

"WHAT HAPPENED TO YUGI?" Jounouchi snapped. Yami flinched, screwing his eyes shut.

"I don't know…I'm telling the truth, I don't know…"

Jounouchi leaned forward, pressing the gun between Yami's eyes. The barrel dug into his skin, and Yami shivered. "I. Will. Shoot you. Yugi told me what you are…"

"N-no please, just wait!" Yami stuttered, trying to raise himself up, only to feel a large boot of Jounoiuchis push him back down.

Jounouchi poised his finger on the trigger. "I have orders to kill ya. And once I do, the Shadows will be gone. For good." Yami opened his mouth to retort, but merely closed it.

He was right…though Yami was afraid, he was right. He finally had an option to end it all.

Yami slowly moved his hands, reaching down along his body to discreetly wrap his fingers around Yugi's own. They hadn't moved him yet, Yami was unsure why. But it was fine.

He was going to die with his only friend still alive and with him. For once in his life…

At least he was able to save one person.

The director walked up behind Jounichi, giving Yami a cold glare. "Shoot him."

Jounouchi nodded, narrowed his eyes and pulled the trigger.

A/N- Sorry for the cliffhanger! You guys probably hate me. A lot. But, it's the way the story goes! We are nearing the end, and I have a few chapters pre-written that need editing, but the final one has yet to come out. Life has been hectic beyond reason since I graduated college a few years back. But as I promised. I will finish this story. And I won't half-ass the ending, it will end the way it needs to. So I unfortunately have had to take a bit more time in completing it. Thanks for sticking with me all these years you guys. I love you all! Also sorry for the shorter chapter. I like fight scenes, but this one specifically was not supposed to be that long.

Special thanks to everyone who has reviewed faved and liked this story! You are what makes this worth finishing