Labyrinth of Illusion

Pacing back and forth, Yasha stared down her opponents. "Five illusions and only one of them worked? I guess I'm a little rusty."

"Pathetic, more like it." Ron spat, bringing his hand to his mouth. He wiped the blood from his lip. "Is this the best you can do?"

Yasha raised her hand, lightening shooting from her fingers. The bolt struck the stone next to Ron's head. It shattered into large chunks. "Do I need to kill you again, Weasel boy?"

Severus yanked a pair of the Mayoke from his tattered pocket and flung them at the demoness. Magically, they defied the wind resistance, ripping through the air.

Yasha ducked, avoiding the two parchments. "And he misses! Mayoke parchment..." She laughed. "Your idea, Sweetheart?"

Sakura looked away from the Kitsune.

Yasha just giggled. "You need to be a bit quicker on the draw, Severus." She licked her index finger seductively. "And here I thought you were an expert at that."

Severus growled. "Bitch."

Yasha threw her hand out, tossing Severus back. He hit the wall next to Ron. "Take a seat. I'll get to you in a moment."

Slowly she slunk towards Sakura. Yasha smiled coolly. "Right now Sakura and I are going to have a bit of fun."

Hand darting out, Yasha claws dug into Sakura's neck. She let out a feral growl, licking her lips. She lifted Sakura up, the witch suspended a foot off the ground. "I've waited thirty-two years to have you by the throat."

Sakura whimpered, reaching to her belt. Yasha was quicker, grabbing the fan. "You won't need that." She tossed the fan away, digging her claws in deeper. Blood slid down Sakura's throat. She gurgled, running out of breath quickly.

Yasha brought up her free hand, putting her claws against Sakura's breast. "Think I can take out your heart in one try?"

Her claws began to penetrate Sakura's chest. Sakura let out a muted cry, which was drowned out by the howl.

Yasha's head snapped to the noise, just in time to see the hulking, hairy beast leaping towards her. The wolf tore Yasha and Sakura apart. Sakura fell to the ground, covering her bloodied throat. Sirius and Harry went to her side.

Jaws snapping, the Remus-Wolf pinned Yasha to the ground. She snarled back, morphing into fox form. The pair of animals rolled around, biting and slashing at each other. Bigger and stronger, the wolf was gaining ground quickly against the small fox.

"He's winning," Sirius said, tending to Sakura's wound.

She shook her head. "He... she'll kill... Remus!"

"Yasha!" Voldemort commanded, apparating to the scene. "Finish him quickly!"

"Help me!" Yasha whimpered. "He's too strong!"

"Brat!" Voldemort sneered. "If you can't finish a pathetic wolf, I've got no use for you. Wormtail, kill the others."

Wormtail pulled out his wand, advancing.

Hermione swallowed hard, looking from the fight, to Voldemort, to the small white ball that had fallen from Yasha's clutches. She reached out, her fingertips skimming the surface. "Professor Snape! The ball!"

Snape picked up the ball. "What?"

"Destroy it!" Hermione hissed. "Now!"

Setting the ball down, Snape picked up one of the stone chunks that had fallen from the ball. He brought the stone down hard. The ball shattered, light escaping from the inside.

The force of the energy threw everyone backwards. A howl escaped Yasha. It was an unearthly bellow, filled with agony and misery. The Kitsune body was enveloped in the same light as the ball. Flames erupted around her. The flames enveloped her, turning her to ash.

Sirius pulled himself up from the corner to which he had been thrown. He looked around the chaos. Slowly, everyone else pulled themselves up.

"Wh-what happened?" Ron asked, rubbing his head. He looked up. The moon had disappeared, sunlight flooding the skies.

"You killed her!" Wormtail shrieked. "You killed her!"

Naked and trembling, Remus sat up. Sirius ran to his friend's side. Hagrid shucked his moleskin coat, handing it to Sirius, who draped it over Remus. "What do you care about Yasha?" Sirius spat.

"She was going to be mine!" Wormtail stamped his foot. "My Lord promised her to me."

"Thirty-five years and you still haven't gotten laid?" Sirius laughed bitterly. "Maybe it's the personality, Wormtail. The ladies don't usually got for pathetic, evil toadies."

Hermione looked around frantically. "Harry's gone."

"Oh, my Master has him." Wormtail pointed his wand to Hermione. "I wouldn't worry about him." He moved closer. "You'll be dead before he is."

Hermione back up against the wall, feeling the fear coil in her stomach. Wormtail grinned, chuckling to himself. "Avada Ke--"

A feral scream echoed through the Labyrinth. Instead of a blinding green flash, Wormtail's wand produced a flickering tangerine glow which quickly died.

An emaciated and dirty figure leapt upon the Death Eater. Long, jagged nails scraped at his flesh. Yellowed teeth were bared as it growled and hissed. Bony fingers gripped the wand, fighting for supremacy.

Wormtail looked up into the scarred face. One eye was bloodshot and sightless; the other trained to his gaze. It hissed again, stale breath assaulting Wormtail's senses.

He shoved hard, sending the haggard creature off of him. SNAP! Its tenacious grip left half his wand in its hand. Several fingers from its hand were missing. It leapt again, wielding the bit of wood. Bringing it down fiercely, the wand was embedded into Wormtail's shoulder.

Wormtail howled, transforming into his rodent form. The rat scampered off.

Sirius shook his head, racing after him. "Not this time." He transformed in mid-stride, the massive black dog going after his tiny prey.

Wormtail's attacker stood up slowly. Turning, it faced the others.

Hermione gasped. Ron's eyes went wide. Hagrid sputtered. Remus groaned. Only Severus was able to get out a single word.

"Merlin..."

They were staring up into the scarred, wasted face of Gwendolyn Maclay.

***

"Oh Akkei..." Voldemort tugged Harry along by the hair. He chuckled, pulling Harry as hard as he could. The more pain he caused, the more he enjoyed it. "I've brought you your wedding present."

Clapping, Akkei jumped up from the slab she used as a throne. "Wonderful! He's... Perfect." She licked her lips, running her hands over Harry's face. "He looks... Delicious."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Voldemort pushed Harry towards Akkei. "Kill him already!"

Akkei placed her hands around Harry's wrists. He cried out as a throbbing pain shot through his arms. When Akkei let go, chains bound his wrists together.

"It's no fun to just kill him now," Akkei giggled, chucking Harry under the chin. "You know pain is my specialty."

Voldemort groaned. "You Kitsune need to learn how to get to the point. That's how Yasha-"

Akkei turned her head to Voldemort, raising an eyebrow. She cocked her head, strolling towards her intended. "That's how Yasha what?"

"Never you mind, darling," Condescending and filled with mock-affection, Voldemort stroked Akkei's cheek with his long, thin fingers. "Wormtail has taken care of the interlopers. We have Harry now. Let's kill him and finally handfast." He pulled her close, caressing her back. "Once our powers are joined... We'll raze Hogwarts. Can you imagine them scattering?"

Akkei shut her eyes, giggling. "The little children begging for mercy. It'll be like the orphanage all over again."

Voldemort's lipless mouth caressed Akkei's forehead. "Those nuns never saw what hit them."

"Let's leave Harry for after the wedding," Akkei purred. "We do need a witness to our joyous event."

Voldemort nodded slowly, running his fingers through Akkei's hair. "You have a point. He would make a fantastic wedding feast."

Akkei ran her tongue over Voldemort's cheek. "Once we're joined, you'll feel his power drain as I consume him."

"You've won me over, my dear." Voldemort turned to Harry. He put a hand to the boy's forehead, pressing him down. Harry felt the pressure, shoved down to the ground. He looked up at Voldemort. "Stay quiet, boy. This is a solemn event."

Voldemort took Akkei's hands. He led her to the altar. "On these majestic day, we join two hearts, two minds, two souls, two powers. We join as one."

***

The ebony dog transformed back into the tall, gaunt wizard. "Come on, Wormtail," Sirius rasped. "I know you're around here. I can smell the blood. You couldn't maintain your form."

A twisted grin crossed his lips. "Come on, Petey... I won't hurt you. Much."

He sauntered down the path, whistling a jaunty tune. "I don't have a wand. Of course, that thing that attacked you didn't have a wand." He laughed. "At least, not a full one."

Sirius turned his head, hearing the rustling. He brought his hand up, grabbing Wormtail's arms before he could bring the rock down on his head. "You idiot, Pettigrew." Sirius pounded his fist into Wormtail's gut. "I'm an Auror." He tossed the short, squat man against the wall. "Do you think magic is the only way I know how to beat the shite out of a pathetic, snivelling prat like yourself?"

"S-Sirius..." Wormtail shrunk down. "I-I..."

"You owe me, Wormtail!" Sirius snarled. He slapped Wormtail across the face. "You owe me fifteen years. You owe me my family. You owe me James and Lily's lives!"

Sirius grabbed Wormtail by the collar, hauling him up. His eyes were wide and wild. "You're too weak to transform. So I'm going to take *everything* you owe me now."

Wormtail began to scream.

***

Backing up slowly, her body shaking, Gwendolyn brought a hand to her face. "The bad man is gone." She backed herself against the wall, sliding down slowly.

Standing on wobbly feet, Remus approached the new arrival. "Gwendolyn. Do you recognize me? It's Remus. Remus Lupin."

Gwendolyn covered herself, pounding her fists against the top of her head. Slowly, Remus moved to her. Putting a hand out, Severus shook his head. "Don't bother. She doesn't recognize you. She doesn't recognize herself."

More haggard figures appeared. "New ones," One whispered. Half of his face was mauled, but Remus recognized the other half.

"Merlin... It's Liam Doyle." Remus gaped at the mauled man. "You disappeared twenty years ago!"

"He brings more in," a woman murmured. She was missing an arm.

"Dorothea Janes." Snape swallowed hard, shutting his eyes and bowing his head. "So this is what he did with you."

Dorothea looked at Snape through a veil of tangled, matted hair. "I remember you."

Gwendolyn stood up again, pressing her hands against the wall. "LostÉ Lost... We're all so lost. Not my fault, for once." She began to laugh, throwing her head back to scream and laugh maniacally.

Liam slunk to Gwendolyn, putting his hand on her shoulder. She recoiled, hissing.

He cocked his head, staring at her, unblinking. "Home, now. Show us."

"Home?" Snape repeated. "You're going home?"

"We hide from the beasts," Dorothea mumbled. She wrapped her arms around Liam, shivering. "Sometimes they find us. But home is usually safe."

"And Wrong Way Maclay is going to get you there?" Ron laughed. "She couldn't find her way out of a paper bag."

"It makes perfect sense, Weasley." Snape strode to Gwendolyn, gripping her by the shoulders. "Gwendolyn, do you know where Voldemort is?"

She whimpered, struggling against his grasp. "No... Don't know where nothing is."

Snape nodded. "Then don't show us where Voldemort is." He shoved her forward. "Now."

Picking her fan up, Sakura held a hand to her throat. "And what will we do..." Her voice was gravelly. "Besides die horribly?"

Hermione nodded. "Miss Tsukino has a good point. We've only got her fan and those charms. Those won't do much good against both Voldemort and Akkei."

"It might do against Voldemort," Ron said. "But what about Akkei?"

"She has a ball, like Yasha, right Tsukino?" Severus glanced at Sakura, who nodded. "If we get that, we can kill her."

Sakura shook her head. "Too much power... We'd... Die... Before... We..." She rubbed her neck.

"Well, then let's figure out a way to get out." Hermione said. "Miss Tsukino, can you open up a portal again?"

"Without Yasha?" She let out a weak laugh. "Yeah. Right."

"She has to die." Remus leaned heavily against the wall. "Once Yasha died, her moon illusion disappeared."

Ron nodded. "The Labyrinth is an illusion of Akkei's. If she dies, then it disappears. Everyone goes back."

"We 'ave to get Norbert," Hagrid said. "'e's waitin' fer me."

"What's a Norbert?" Remus asked.

"Hagrid's dragon," Ron explained. "Voldemort kidnapped him."

Sakura shivered. "Dragons. Egh! Can't stand them."

"Understandable," Hermione said. "I mean, dragons can kill- OH!" She smiled. "That's it. I'm about to be brilliant."

Raising an eyebrow, Sakura let out another weak laugh. "You're not thinking..."