First things first I've randomly done this chapter in first person dont ask why I only realised it my self half way through and it was a bit late at that point also this chapter is done from Atem's POV because I can.
Secondly thank you to Misumi Hyuuga for the favourite.
Chapter 3 - I gave my life and I'd give my soul
Atem's POV -
I lay on Yugi's couch unable to sleep, to think only a few hours ago I was peacefully talking to my mother in the afterlife and now I was here in the mortal realm trying to help my life long nemesis redeem himself and atone for his sins.
Flashback
"Pharaoh Atem" a guard walk to where I was talking to my mother
"yes" I replied looking up at the guard bowing before me and my mother.
"There's a little girl around ten years old who wishes to speak with you" the guard explained
"what's her name" I asked I dont believe I know any ten year old girls … as far as I remember any way.
"my apologies I didn't ask but she has long white hair, striking green eyes and looks like she could burst into tears at any moment. Does that help any?"
"unfortunately it doesn't but I'll go see her it must be important to her" I said feeling sorry for the young girl
I walked to where the guard told me she was waiting, she had sat down with her knees pulled up the her chest her arms resting on her knees sobbing into her arms. I crouched down to her height
"you wanted to see me?" I said quietly
She looked up suddenly only just noticing my presence, she nodded drying her eyes
"what's your name" I asked her
"Merysekhmet" she replied "but everyone calls me Mery"
"well Mery how may I help you" I asked, the guard was right her eyes were stricking, so bright, like emeralds. Mery took a deep breath in and said
"Merysekhmet webennesiah... Bakura"
"oh" it suddenly dawned on me Merysekhmet was Bakura's sister. She smiled at me
"you've met my brother" she stated and I nodded " he wasn't always like that he used to be a sweet boy who'd never hurt anyone, I know you find this hard to believe but he was, he only turned out bad because of the massacre and because of Zorc" more tears began to fall from her eyes.
"why are you telling me this" I asked I didn't want to sound impolite but my curiosity got the better of me
"do you know where he is right now" she answered my question with another question
"no. do you" I didn't quite know where she was going with this
" the millennium tauk shows visions of the future" she said removing a gold bracelet from her wrist I was very confused now, what did any of this have to do with anything "this bracelet is like that but instead of showing the future it allows me to see the present though the eyes of another. My brother is in the judging hall of Ma'at, their going to feed him to ammit" she
began to cry harder, I sighed and slipped my arm around her trying to offer some comfort "you want me too save him dont you" it wasn't a question but she nodded all the same, I really didn't want to save Bakura but equally I didn't want to upset Mery any further and besides if what she said was true then I didn't really know Bakura.
"alright" I agreed "lets go"
During the walk to the domain of the gods I realised something Mery may only be ten and Bakura seventeen but in actuality she was his older sister because if I sealed Bakura away at seventeen, which was ten years after the attack on his home that meant at the time of the attack he was only seven making Mery technically three years older than him but stuck with the mind and body of a ten year old even though she was probably about three-thousand and twenty and …. Shit she was older then me….
The doors to the judging hall were shut and locked meaning there was indeed a judging ceremony going on
"can I help you pharaoh Atem" a soft female voice called out behind us
"oh no" Mery exclaimed "its Isis" Isis spotted Mery and sighed
"Mery I've told you before…" Isis started but never got to finish
"But it's NOT FAIR" Mery shouted " 'Kura never meant to hurt anyone he was tricked by Zorc and you know it, his life was unfair and now you want to make his death unfair to, YOU HATE HIM DON'T YOU, ADMIT IT! YOU LIKE TO SEE HIM SUFFER, YOU THINK IT'S FUNNY, DON'T YOU! YOU HATE ME TOO THAT'S WHY YOUR KEEPING US APART! AND..."
"MERYSEKHMET WEBENNESIAH BAKURA" a stern voice call out angrily I looked around to see Ra with my father "stop being so unreasonable no one hates you or your brother but we cant make one rule for one person and another rule for someone else we told you this before"
Mery turned back to me I was beginning to see how her and Bakura were related "you have to do something Atem please they wont listen to me" she cried I looked down at her then looked away I was helpless right now if the god said no then that was that, you didn't argue with the gods… well unless you were Mery it seemed she stared at Ra and Isis with a look of pure hatred "then take my soul instead" she sneered
"Mery" Isis exclaimed shocked "you already gave your life to save your brother and he wasted that chance you really want to erase your own existence for that scum"
I watched In horror as Mery clenched her little fist and punched Isis hard in the stomach, the goddess keeled over a little, for such a small girl she had quite a bit of strength. I grabbed her arm twisting it behind her back and whispered
"Mery let me handle this" she stopped struggling so I let her go, she just stood with her arms folded across her chest
"maybe if we gave Bakura a test of some sort, a chance to prove himself" I suggested
Ra sighed "fine we'll give him one chance, but if he blows it that's it alright"
Mery nodded happily "thank you, Kura will prove himself you won't regret this" Mery then looked at Isis and smiled sheepishly "sorry Isis"
Isis smiled "it's alright my child, now run along and let us deal with this your mother's probably wondering where you are"
"But…" Mery started but stopped after a meaningful look from the goddess "alright thank you all of you" she bowed and then
ran off to find her mother… Bakura's mother.
We entered the judging hall just after Thoth had finished reading Bakura's file.
"Please, wait just a moment" Ra called out
I looked at Bakura he was stood with one hand hung lazily at his side the other on his hip and his shoulders hunched and then I looked into his eyes and what I saw shook me to my core because it was something I'd never seen there before…
Emotion
Not the usual hatred either, real emotion, sorrow.
It lasted only a few seconds though because as soon as he spotted me they turned back to loathing.
"what do you want pharaoh" Bakura sneered "or have you just come for the show?"
I resisted the use to come back with some witty remark and let Ra speak. "Looking at your record I presume you already know your fate, Touzoku?"
Touzoku, so that was Bakura's first name
Bakura nodded "yes"
"however" the sun-god continued "given your circumstances your life hasn't exactly been fair, this doesn't justify what you did but…"
The sun god looked at me, I wanted to give him a chance so I should tell him I stepped forward I really didn't want to do this "Bakura, you have one chance to redeem your self."
I looked over to my father I knew my father he wanted to apologise I could tell I nodded to him at least if he was speaking I wasn't. I couldn't believe I was doing this, for Bakura no less...no for Mery never for him.
"my brother Aknadin" my father said " took away your family, your childhood and in a way your life and as pharaoh at the time, I fell responsible for this and am deeply sorry. To redeem your self you must return to Japan to Ryou and watch over and protect him do so and we'll consider not feeding you to Ammit."
I sighed " I'll be going with you of course to make sure you don't try anything funny..."
"me try anything funny" Bakura interrupted sarcastically "I'm offended pharaoh, but either way I've no interest in helping the brat, I refuse to be his babysitter, find someone else"
I knew that look Bakura was just challenging me to see if I really would let his soul be devoured, I wouldn't as much as I wanted to but I didn't think it was wise to get on Mery's bad side however Bakura didn't have to know that.
"Ammit" I called over the devourer "we no longer have use for Bakura, he's all yours" Bakura looked from me to Ammit and then back to me.
"fine, I'll do it but don't expect me to act like I care for the boy, im doing this for me not him. Bakura growled
I nodded "alright lets go" I looked at my father "farewell father its been nice to see you again"
"good luck my soon I'll be here waiting when you get back" my father said then hugged me farewell.
I turned and began walking towards a set of double doors which would lead us back to the mortal realm then I turned back you Bakura
"you coming then"
End flashback
I sighed watching the sunrise out of the living room window why was I always the good guy?
