The dark figure smirked as he looked through his hosts eyes. He hadn't anticipated the thief finding the magical doorway, which was fine with him. If the man found a way to open it, he would be eternally grateful. It would make things so much easier for him, he would be able to take over his hosts body with hardly any problem. Once that barrier opened, Marik wouldn't have the strength to fight against him. Of course his other half had no idea how the barrier had actually been created. The boy, unable to accept that he had murdered his father in that very room, had mentally channeled the dark energy that flowed through him and separated the two aspects before him, furthering the split between the boy and the alter himself.

It's interesting though….. The man thought as he felt his dominate personality's thoughts and feelings.

Bakura…..nobody has made a dent in that barrier or even noticed it besides you….You are a very interesting character. Is that why Felix lead Marik to you? Does she know something that we simply do not? Or was it your father that sensed our personality was unstable even back then?

The blonde sighed as he ran his hair through the unkempt spikes.

So Felix….What's your plan? You've always seemed to be a detriment to me….calming him and preventing me from slipping through the cracks of his subconscious while he's awake. Then you calm him even as he sleeps. But now you bring a man that's a total game changer…..could it be that you're trying to save us?

The man laughed bitterly as he walked around in the darkness of his soul room. He felt a wave of calmness wash over him as he sat down in a chair he had willed to appear. His heart ached a bit, he shook his head as he patted his chest, leaning back in his chair.

"So that's how it is…is it?" The dark doppelganger murmured as his lighter self appeared in front of him.

How what is? Marik asked looking at his dark self suspiciously, he had gotten used to having these nighttime conversations however that didn't mean that it didn't unnerve him.

The doppelganger looked over at his host in mild surprise; he hadn't expected Marik to just speak to him so casually. He chuckled to himself, he was somewhat amused at how much Marik was starting to change around him and if the ache in his heart had anything to do with it…he was starting to think that the lines that divided them were already starting to blur somewhat.

"Your shield….." The man muttered as he stood, making the chair fade into non-existence.

Marik looked confused for a moment, sporting a puzzled expression until a light bulb went off in his head.

You mean Bakura? Marik asked incredulously before his eyes flashed into suspicious slits.

What about him?... You better not be thinking of hurting him! Marik spat, his expression determined as his eyes held a blazing fury just waiting to be unleashed.

The dark man held his neutral expression despite the fact that he was taken aback with the boy's sudden outburst. For a split second he swore he could see himself in the darkest depths of the amethyst that now glared at him.

Could he really be the one?...

The alter thought.

Could Bakura really be the one to make us whole again? Can he make Marik strong enough to stand on his own two feet? Can he tear down the wall that divides us?

The thought slightly frightened yet excited him to his core. On one hand he would be able to reconnect with his other half yet at the same time the thought slightly unnerved him, he was unsure if Marik would really be able to survive without him.

That's why I'm here after all…to take the brunt of everything that's too much for him. I need to take over this body….he's too weak to protect himself. Just like that night….

The being felt enraged at the thought but quickly contained his emotions, gaining a sense of composure before returning his attention to the blonde boy before him.

"Why are you so protective of him?" His darker self asked with a smirk.

Huh? Marik blinked a few times at the sudden question, his anger dissipating as he was caught off guard.

"You've been worried about him haven't you?" His twin asked with a softness to his voice that the blonde hadn't heard before.

How did you? Marik asked wide-eyed as pink tinted his features.

"I'm you….remember?" The man spoke as he disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared right in front of him, his hand touching the blonde's chest where the boy's heart lay.

"I can feel what you feel." The wild-haired blonde whispered.

Marik immediately jumped away from the touch, feeling frightened by the closeness of the other being as he visibly shivered and shook.

The darker being merely sighed as he looked at his right hand, the one that had felt the other's chest, nothing was different.

So he isn't ready to accept me yet? He's too frightened of what my half of him holds.

Marik couldn't help but feel that the ghostly figure before him was somewhat disappointed by his reaction. However he couldn't help but feel a bit disturbed just looking at the man. He looked rough and so harsh yet his eyes flickered between malice and genuinely caring. It seemed as if the man before him was trying to remain balanced at all times, trying to be careful not to sway too far into either directions within his personality. At least that's what the dark purple irises reflected into his softer lavender colored ones.

Suddenly, the man gritted his teeth and growled in irritation, jerking his gaze towards the boy, his face contorted into a sinister sneer.

"I hope you enjoy the use of your body while you have it….cause once I have control, it'll be all over for you and your shield…." The evil twin laughed as he started walking away, his form dissipating into smoke until there was nothing but darkness.

Atem gasped in surprise as the purple aura around Seto grew until a bright light shone, blinding him.

ROOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR

"BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!" Seto yelled as the creature appeared before him. The large dragon taking flight inside the large room before coming to land beside him looking reading to attack the King by the brunette's command.

"How are you able to do this?...You can summon a creature without a Millennium Item?!" The King asked uneasily as the monster glared at him.

Seto merely glared daggers at the man. "This is what real power looks like….Take a good look Atem, this is the creature that will stop you in your tracks. The power you seek is weak, it comes from driving fear into the hearts of people. The power I have comes from my own strength, nothing else."

Atem simply looked over the angered man before him, taking in his words. He knew he had crossed the line when he had ordered the death of those people. However, he would have to cross so many more in order to achieve his ultimate goal. This was merely one of the harder stepping stones to get there. He had not known Seto was this powerful without the Rod, which had surprised him; However, he had creatures that were just as strong if not stronger than his Dragon.

"The power I seek is weak, huh?" The King laughed as his Millennium Puzzle glowed as it brought forth a giant blue monster to stand before him which appeared in a bolt of lightning.

"So you want it like this? Is this what you really want Seto? To challenge me to a Shadow Game?"

The King smirked as he stood up straight, strong in proud exuding an air of power, as it rolled off him in waves. The creature smirked as well, taking the same stance as its master as it waited for it's orders.

"It is not a matter of wanting to or not. You must be stopped and if this is the only way then so be it." Seto stated shaking his head in anger.

"Spoken like a true man of the people." Atem laughed. "More like a fool, knocking at death's door. But if you want to spend eternity in the Shadows of Hell over an insignificant child, then I'll be more than happy to fulfill that wish." Atem sneered as he held out his hand.

"OBELISK…ATTACK HIS BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!"

Suddenly, the beast moved twisting it's torso to the side as it brought it's hand into a giant god-like fist before torpedoing it forward towards the winged creature.

The dragon dodged, forcing itself to become airborne before roaring and hissing at it's enemy.

"BLUE EYES…..WHITE LIGHTNING!" Seto bellowed.

Electric energy starting gathering itself in the dragon's mouth as it prepared for the massive assault it was about to unleash.
Obelisk continued it's punching tirade trying to distract the other monster from focusing on building up enough energy to attack. Unfortunately the dragon seemed to be adept at dodging it's attacks and before the creature knew it, electrical spikes went though it's being making it stumble back at the force of it.

Atem didn't look too pleased; it would seem Seto was more powerful than he had thought. He had underestimated his former priest greatly; however it was not a mistake that he couldn't fix.

Suddenly Seto felt a dark aura approaching him, he looked to find that the source was a giant red dragon.

"SLIFER DOUBLE MOUTH ATTACK!"

Seto's eyes widened as two giant energy beams flew towards him, there was nothing he could do. It was too late to call back his Blue Eye's to defend himself as it continued to fight against Obelisk. All he could do was stand in shock as he awaited for the beam to make impact taking not only his life but his soul to the Shadow Realm.

BOOM

The floor shook as Isis stumbled her way down the long corridors of the palace.

"This is bad….Really Bad." She chanted as she ducked for cover as another resounding boom filled the halls.

Seto was beyond pissed. She could not only sense it but she had found his room in tethers when she had initially looked for the Priest. Only to find it full of feathers strewn about, his bed completely ripped to shreds along with bits and pieces of his royal robes here and there for good measure. It had looked like a wild animal had jumped through the window and torn it apart piece by piece. She had run all the way there, jerked the door open only to find a destroyed room. Shortly after she started to run towards the throne room, the blasts started and she was dodging debris as a battle wills began to take place.

Isis felt the need to run faster, something about this wasn't right. She could feel the shadow energy all around her as she sensed for Seto's and Atem's power only to find that the brunette's magic was waning and that Atem's had only increased since she had first sensed them.

Something isn't right, with their items they should be about equal.

Isis thought as she finally made it to the scene of the battle.

Her eyes widened as she took in the horrific scene before her. Atem was standing proudly in front of his throne, he held the Millennium Rod in his hand waving it as he commanded the two monsters before him. To his right hovered Slifer, the sky dragon and to his left standing tall was Obelisk the tormentor. Her vision looked all over the area seeing debris, chunks and pieces of the ceiling and walls had fallen around them. She willed herself to look across the room to find Seto, gasping for breath as he fell on one knee, trying to remain upright.

"Ah, So you survived that one did you?" Atem spoke mockingly.

Seto coughed a bit before being able to reply. "Yeah…" He laughed slightly. "My Dragon got to me before your blasts did." He coughed again, wincing in pain as he did so.

"Quite ingenious, I never would have guessed that it could've deflected one of the blasts with one of it's own and then fly in to take the other's hit. That was unimaginable, never before has a monster stood so closely to being on equal ground to two of my Egyptian gods. You should be Proud Seto." Atem laughed.

Seto merely chuckled at the thought.

Some proud person I am….I can't save anyone….Hell I couldn't even save myself.

Tears started to stream down his face as he painfully clenched his fists before punching the ground.

Why do I always fail at this? First my best friend and now all of Egypt will suffer because I wasn't strong enough! I put up with Bakura thinking I betrayed him, his hatred towards me all for a goal that was foolish to begin with. I allowed for his memories to be erased, I allowed Atem to fool me into thinking that his rule was a righteous one. I was stupid to think that justice would prevail. I was stupid….so stupid.

Seto heaved for breath, his tears and anger making it hard for him to breathe, He coughed as he choked on the silent cries that threatened to come out.

His body was exhausted he could feel his energy depleting, He was only being held up from collapsing was through his will power to at least die with some dignity.

"Farewell Seto." Atem muttered as he pointed towards the man. "Slifer, defeat him with one last blast."

The red dragon roared as it reared it's head back aiming towards the former priest as it charged up for it's final attack.

Once she saw her opportunity, Isis ran. She ran as fast as she could towards the injured man.

"SETO!" She yelled as she ran across the room.

Atem spotted her and inwardly panicked, he hadn't expected Isis to be here. His eyes widened in horror as he turned to look back at his attacking monster. He moved to order the monster to stop but found that it was too late as the beam hurled towards the priestess.

Seto's eyes widened as he turned his head slightly to catch sight of Isis.

What is she doing? He looked confused before it quickly turned into horror filled as he saw the giant blast that was right behind her.

"G-Get…..A-Away." He grunted out, forcing his body to speak, which was followed by coughs which spattered blood on the ground in front of him.

Isis followed his concerned expression to see the blast was heading right for her.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH." She screamed as she ran faster, the blast right on her heels.

"SPIRIA….PROTECT." She called as a winged creature appeared before the blast, using it's arms and hands to hold the blast back somewhat.

The priestess sighed somewhat in relief at the few seconds of extra time and made it over to Seto.

"W-What…. A-are… y-you…d-doing?" He gasped out before he was answered with an incoherent word before everything went black.

Bakura awoke with a start, eyes wide as he gasped for air trying to catch his breath. He had felt like the wind had been knocked out of him as he looked around for the source of this disturbed feeling he was getting. He could sense something powerful, magical perhaps? He wasn't sure but the air around him felt thick as he tried to steady his breathing.

"Mreow."

The thief turned to see that Felix was looking at him in urgency as if she too knew that something was wrong.

Bakura made to move off the bed but was stopped by a hand gripping his robe.

"B-Bakura…." Marik muttered sleepily as he rubbed his eyes. "Where…." He yawned. "Where are you going?"

"Something doesn't feel right. I'm going to check it out." The white-haired man answered as he gently took the boy's hand off him and set it on the bed.

"Hang on, I'll go with you." Marik said sitting up. "Might be an intruder or something."

Bakura merely nodded as the blonde got up from bed.

The two made their way through the dark corridor that led towards the dungeon entrance.

"It's coming from this way…" Bakura whispered as he pointed towards the doorway.

The blonde nodded as he held onto the thief's shoulders as they walked, looking back and forth to make sure that no one would try to sneak up on them for a surprise attack.

"Alright, I'm opening it on the count of three." The silver-haired man stated as he put his hand against the door.

"Right." Marik answered. "On the count of three."

"ONE…."

"TWO…."

"THREE…"

Bakura's hand pushed the door open, only for the two boys to be blinded by a bright white light.

The two moved back, closing their eyes and shielding them with their hands.

"Geez….What the Hell?" Marik muttered as Bakura mumbled out a string of hissed swears.

After a moment….the two sensed that the light was gone.

Bakura was the first to open his eyes, blinking them as he regained his eyesight blur by blur. When it finally returned to normal clarity his eyes widened to find a woman falling towards him. He moved to quickly catch her before she hit the floor but found that she was heavier than expected. That's when he noticed the unconscious man whose arm had been slung over her shoulder in an attempt to keep him upright.

"What the…?" He mumbled.

Marik quickly rubbed his eyes, making them adjust as he saw the woman that was now held in Bakura's arms.

"Isis?" he muttered as he looked to her side to see the unconscious priest.

"Seto?" Bakura mumbled as he took in the condition of the two people that had fallen into him.

"Please…." Isis gasped, wincing as she looked up into the thief's eyes. "Help…us." She muttered before her eyes fluttered shut as she passed out.

Thanks for Reading

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