Real quick, there were some issues with the previous chapter, so if you were having trouble reading it, it should be working now, so you should be able read the previous chapter. I think I wasn't the only one having problems uploading chapter.
Anyways, this was one of the longer chapters, and I hope everything goes well with this one.
Not too much to say this time, so once again, I don't own anything mentioned in this fanfic. Enjoy!
-Abridged Series.-
"Mind speaking."
Normal dialogue.
While Joey was still pondering why he saw all those random people watching and laughing at them, and about the sounds he's been hearing, the next video was being loaded up.
"Alright, this one will be your duel with Odion," Yugi said. "Let's see how they handle this one." He turned to Joey. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Hm? Oh yeah, I'm fine Yug. Just thinking about stuff." He shook his head. "Alright, let's watch this video!"
In Egypt, the Ishtars noticed the thumbnail of the video. "That looks like Odion, but younger," Ishizu said. "What does that mean?"
"Are these videos going to show our childhood? How is that possible!?" Marik asked.
"I have no idea," Odion said. "And at this point, anything can happen. We'll just have to watch and see." The siblings started the video, and across the world, Mokuba did as well.
-Yami: You know, you can go ahead and skip this episode. I'm sure nothing significant will happen. It's probably just filler. – "Alright then, next video!" Tristan said as he reached over to click on the next episode, that is before Joey slapped his hand away.
"Get out of there, we're watching this one!" he exclaimed.
-Mai: I can't believe Joey is dueling Marik.-
-Yugi: Yep, that sure is the current situation. – "Now we know for sure this is going to be about your duel," Duke said. "But knowing these videos, something else might come up."
-Marik: Those fools are foolish enough to think that Odion is me. Yet secretly, unbeknownst to them, I am actually me! – This got a laugh from Yugi's group and from Marik.
-Marik: And I hold the real Millennium Rod behind my back! You know, I do hope nobody looks in my general direction, otherwise my whole evil plan is totally EFFed. – "Wait a second, he had the Millennium Rod with him and was just standing there the entire time?" Tea asked.
"I remember that, I guess we could've stopped him there if we had just payed more attention," Yugi said. "Although the pharaoh did find him suspicious…"
"Great, now I feel like an idiot," Duke said.
*intro sequence*
-Joey: Hey Baldy! You don't have any hair! You know why? Because you're bald! Seriously, look at how bald you are. You know if you had a comb, you wouldn't know what to do with it because you're so bald. God you're bald. – "Wow Joey, I didn't know you hated bald people so much," Mai teased.
"What? No I don't!" Joey defended. "Especially if bald people are like Odion there, then they're cool!"
Mai laughed. "I know hon, only teasing you."
Odion looked up and touched his bald head. "I always wondered what would happen if I ever grew out my hair," he said to himself as he played with his ponytail in the back of his head.
Marik smiled. "You look fine as you are. But if you did want more hair, I wouldn't stop you."
-Odion: Are you done pointing out that I'm bald?-
-Joey: Eh… no. – "You sure you don't have bald people?" Mai asked again.
"I'm sure," Joey replied.
-Tristan: Has the card game started yet?-
-Yugi: Oh it's been going for the past two hours. This is still the first turn. – "WHAT!?" everyone yelled, followed by spontaneous laughter.
"I've heard of duels taking hours to play, but the FIRST TURN!? That's usually the fastest part of the duel!" Joey laughed.
"I don't think I've ever seen a duel take over two hours for the first turn. That should be illegal!" Tea said.
Across town Mokuba was also bursting out with laughter. "Imagine taking two hours just to make the first move Seto!" he said in between laughs.
"Hmph, the only way that could happen is if someone makes continuous combos and setups. Not impossible, but highly unlikely," Kaiba explained.
"Yeah, but it's still funny," Mokuba responded. The Ishitar siblings were also laughing at the duel time.
-Serenity: Are card games always this slow?-
-Yugi: Actually, this one's going pretty quickly. We should probably tell Joey to slow down a little. – "You want it go ever slower?" Duke asked. "I think you should just let it play out like it is. Knowing Joey, it will already be slow."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Joey asked angrily.
-Marik: Odion, summon your most powerful monsters and lay waste to Stevie's life points! – "Oh yeah, you never changed your name back. Your name is still Steve," Tea noted. "You should probably get that fixed."
-Odion: As you wish Master Marik. I summon the unstoppable force that is… the Gummi Bears! – "Aw, those bears are cute," Serenity said.
"Yeah, but it's pretty different from the deck that Odion used," Joey said. "…Now I could go for some gummy bears."
Marik laughed a little. "Well now, gummy bears are a force more powerful than an Egyptian God? That's something you don't see every day."
"Would you have wanted a card like that in my deck?" Odion asked.
"Ha, wouldn't fit with your theme," Marik responded.
"You're right."
-Marik: Yes… wait, what!? The fricking Gummi Bears!? No, for the love of crap, summon something a little more intimidating Odion! – "What does Marik have against gummy bears?" Serenity asked. "They're delicious."
"Okay, now I'm really craving gummy bears," Joey said.
-Odion: Very well. Prepare yourself Mr. Wheeler, for the next card I play will be the final instrument of your destruction!-
-Marik: Yes… yes… YES!-
-Odion: The Easter bunny! – Once again, laughter came from Yugi's group. "Hey, I'm all for the Easter bunny! That means we get free candy!" Joey exclaimed.
"It's so cute!" Serenity exclaimed again. "If I ever make my own deck, I'd want cards like these!"
Marik was laughing again, and even Ishizu started giggling a little, soon followed by Odion. "Another card that it more powerful than the Winged Dragon of Ra? This one at least will give candy to any children watching," Marik said.
"This is such a large contrast to my usual deck," Odion said looking in his bag where his cards were. "But I have to say, it is pretty funny giving the circumstances."
-Marik: Ye-NO! Frigging Hell Odion! – "Someone's mad," Duke said with a chuckle.
-Marik: Why are you such a giant baby, baby, baby?-
*flashback*
Odion: Waaah! Waaah! – Everyone in Yugi's group paused. "Wait what? What's this?" Tea asked. "Is that Odion as a baby?" she asked. "If it is, then that means…"
"Is this video showing us the Ishtars when they were young?" Yugi asked. "I mean, I know these videos do that sometimes, but I always thought that just applied to us. I guess they can do this to anyone."
"Well, we are going to see the Ishtar's past. Regardless, this will be interesting. We know a little about them, but now we can actually see what happened with them," Bakura noted.
Mokuba was also confused. "Why are they showing this?" Even so, he was still young and curious, and so he continued watching the video.
In Egypt, the siblings had a different reaction. They were in shock! "How… how is this possible!?" Ishizu asked. "How is this video showing our past? This should be impossible!"
"I have no idea!" Marik said in shock. "I knew these videos were crazy, but to be able to show our past, that's something else."
"Remember in the last video, we saw the past with Pegasus and Shadi," Odion mentioned.
"True, but even then, it's still super weird," Marik said back. "I wonder what's going to happen in this video. If I remember…" Marik started to trail off. "I'd rather not remember any of that stuff," he said with a small frown on his face.
Ishizu an Odion placed a hand on both of his shoulders. "If you want, we don't have to watch this one," Ishizu said.
Marik shook his head. "I've moved on from my past, and I'm only thinking about what's in store for the future." He turned to his siblings and smiled. "And besides, if it does get too uncomfortable, I know you guys will support me."
Odion smiled. "I always will." Ishizu nodded in agreement.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Marik said as he continued the video.
-Veronica: Oh my, somebody left a perfectly good baby on our doorstep. I shall do the only humane thing and take you deep underground to raise you in an environment or cruelty and restrain. Is that what baby wants? Cruelty and restraint? Yes it is. Coo-chee-coo! - "Number one mom right there," Tristan said sarcastically. "But in seriousness, didn't the Ishtar's have a rough childhood, if I recall?"
"They did," Yugi said. "But I believe it was his father that did all of the abuse and cruelty, so I'm pretty sure this is just for the video, and their real mother wasn't like this."
"That's a relief," Tea said. "But I wonder what happened to their mother? I guess we'll find out."
"They also got another voice actor in this video, nice," Tristan noted.
Ishizu's eyes widened. "Is that… mother?" she asked shocked. "How is that possible? This video is going that far back?"
"Sister, do you think there's any shadow magic involved?" Odion asked.
"I'm not sure, but this is strange."
"Mother dies shortly after I was born, but knowing these videos, I'm assuming she wasn't like this," Marik noted.
"No, not at all!" Ishizu replied. Odion looked on in somber, thinking about how nice she was compared to their father. Then, he realized something.
"In this video, if mother is about on par with father, I'm worried about what's going to happen with our father," he said."
"I guess there's only one way to find out," Marik said as the video continued.
-Hank: For thousands of years, our family has guarded the pharaoh's tomb. Now, you and I must have a child so that the tomb keeper's legacy can be passed down to another generation. – "Oh no, don't tell me…" Joey said. "…the father?"
"Hey, at least I'm not the only one with an out of place voice now!" Tristan said.
The Ishtar siblings were once again in shock at hearing the voice. "Is that… father's voice?" Marik asked.
"I think it is, since he's sitting there with mother," Ishizu said. "What's going to happen now?"
-Hank: So… are you pregnant yet?-
-Veronica: No.-
-Hank: How about now?-
-Veronica: Still nothing.-
-Hank: …Now? – "Uh, I don't think that's how any of that works," Tea said laughing.
"Yeah, I mean don't you gotta do all that…" There was a pause before Joey felt a dull pain in his head. He placed his hand on his forehead.
"Joey? Are you okay?" Yugi asked.
"Yeah, just a small ache. It's gone now," he exclaimed with a smile. Yugi nodded and turned towards the video. "Man, that was weird. It felt like something was trying to silence me."
"Guys, could you imagine our parents talking and behaving like this?" Marik asked.
"Not in a million years," Ishizu answered.
"It's different alright," Odion added.
-Hank: Oh look, another baby. I knew you were hiding one somewhere. – Yugi's group started laughing. "Imagine if you had a baby, and then hid it for the parent to find. That's a little messed up," Serenity said.
Marik smiled at seeing baby Ishizu. "You were so cute as a baby," he said giving Ishizu a little nudge on the shoulder.
"You sure were," Odion added with a smile.
"Thank you both," Ishizu said, blushing a little.
-Hank: At last, I have the son I always wanted!-
-Veronica: Actually, she's a girl. – "Whomp whomp," Duke said.
-Hank: What? But she's got a…-
-Veronica: Umbilical cord.-
-Hank: Ooooohhhh… oh. – "Yeah… um. Girls don't have those things when they're first born," Tea said. "Now that could change later on in life if they want, but when they're first born… that doesn't happen."
"Hopefully he gets that now… oh wait, he's dead," Tristan said.
-Veronica: Odion, I know your father can be rather difficult at times, but the truth is, he does love you as his own flesh and…-
-Hank: Hey Veronica! Are you talking to that fake, not real son of mine again? – "Veronica? That can't really be her name," Tea said.
-Veronica: Yea dear.-
-Hank: Okay, tell him I hate him. – "Wow, that's pretty harsh," Mai said. "You gotta feel sorry for him."
"Also, the mother's name is Veronica?" Bakura asked. "That name seems a little out of place when you compare it to the other Ishtar's names."
Odion looked a little forlorn after hearing that statement. Marik noticed this and immediately palced a hand on his shoulder. "You will always be my brother," he consoled, giving him a caring smile. "Don't ever believe what father told you. He may not have seen you as a son, but it doesn't matter, because we see you as part of our family."
"Marik's right," Ishizu added. "And I know for a fact that mother loved you as well. We'll always be together, no matter what."
Odion smiled, a tear escaping his eye. "Thank you," he said before the sibling had a small group hug. "Now, let's continue watching the video.
-Odion: Mom, I just want Dad to accept me!-
-Veronica: Your father is just going through a lot of stress right now, what with the redecorating and everything. – "Wait, redecorating?" Duke asked.
-Hank: Hey Veronica, I'm thinking burgundy for the wallpaper in the sacrificial chamber. What do you reckon? – "I don't think wallpaper in a place where sacrifices happen is a good idea," Yugi said. "Usually those places have giant designs everywhere, made out of stone, or gold, or anything else natural."
"Here's an idea, they could get wallpaper that has those designs. Problem solved!" Joey said.
Yugi laughed. "Hey, that's a good loophole."
The Ishtar siblings were now thinking of what their underground home would be like if they did have wallpaper and other home décor. Each one had their own ideas of what it would look like.
-Veronica: Sounds good to me Hank. – "That's the father's name!?" Tristan exclaimed.
"That's even more out of place than Veronica," Bakura noted.
There was silence from the Ishtar siblings, before Marik started laughing. "Ok, now that's funny," he said, "And since Father isn't here, I can laugh all I want," he said as he continued laughing.
"I think that's a good thing. If Father were still here, he would probably have whoever made these videos killed," Ishizu said.
-Hank: You don't know what burgundy is do you?-
-Veronica: Be patient. Someday, you will be a tomb keeper, I promise. Just so long as we don't have…-
-Hank: Hooray! Another baby! Jeez Veronica, these things are just flying out of you. – "Uh, well… that's one way to put it," Mai said.
-Hank: You know I can't decide if he should be called Marik or Malik. What do you think Veronica?-
-Veronica: I think I'm… dying Hank.-
-Hank: Marik it is! – "So his choices were either 'Marik Ishtar' or 'Malik Blishtar'? Tough choice," Duke said.
-Hank: Be right back, I'm gonna go point this kid at the moon. I'm pretty sure that's one of our ancient traditions. – Hey, it sounds like a cool tradition," Bakura said.
-Odion: Mom! Don't go!-
-Veronica: It's okay Odion, remember I will always love you. Promise me, you will take care of your brother and sister. And whatever you do, don't let Marik grow up to be a giant douche like his father…-
-Odion: Mom! – Everyone watched as the scene played out. "Wow, this is actually sad," Tea said, almost crying a little. "I really feel bad for Odion."
"Yeah, it's a whole different feeling watching it instead of just someone telling us about it," Yugi said.
Odion turned away slightly. Ishizu noticed a tear in his eye. She gave him a small hug, telling him that it was okay. Marik looked at his siblings. Since he was just a baby at the time, and was taken away, he wasn't there when their mother died. But even though he wasn't there, he could still feel the sadness from his siblings and himself.
"I wish I could've known her better," he said softly.
"She would have loved you too," Ishizu said. "And she's watching all of us right now."
Odion smiled. "You're right." After another moment, Odion nodded. "Alright, lets continue watching."
-Marik: Excewent, Wahahahaha! – "Okay, hearing adult voices coming out of a baby feels weird," Mai said.
"That's not the first time. You should've seen the pharaoh having an adult voice as a baby," Yugi said. "And Odion did the same thing earlier in the video."
-Marik: Weeee! Ancient Egyptian Basketball sure is fun Odion! – "Didn't basketball originate in Ancient Egypt?" Joey asked.
"I'm not sure about basketball, but the Ancient Egyptian's did play other sports with balls, and of course they had board games like Senet," Yugi explained.
-Marik: Ah! I just wish it didn't involve so many poisonous snakes! – "Huh, did that snake really bite Marik? I don't see any bitemarks on his leg," Tea asked.
"Maybe he was bitten in the calf?" Serenity suggested.
Marik winced a little at remembering the snake bite. "I wonder why this video isn't showing the wound." He paused. "Was there even a wound?"
"Are you okay?" Ishizu asked.
"Yeah, just thinking about some things," Marik replied.
-Hank: Odion, why did you kill my pet cobra Cornelius? – "Pet snake? Not a good idea to have a snake that can hurt the heir to your family as a pet," Mai said.
"Also, some father he is, caring more about his snake being killed than the fact that his son was hurt," Joey added with a hint of anger in his voice.
Marik growled a little. "You save my life back then! If it wasn't for you, that snake could have done more damage!" He turned to Odion. "I couldn't have asked for a better brother."
Odion smiled. "Thank you, and even if it was a pet, which was highly unlikely, I still would have gotten rid of it if it meant keeping you and Ishizu safe."
-Odion: I was only trying to Marik.-
-Hank: Cornelius just wanted to play. You know how much he loved basketball. – "How does a snake play basketball? I don't think snakes know what basketball is," Tea asked.
"I'm sure these video could find a way for that to happen," Bakura added.
-Hank: He was like the son I never had until I actually had one. And now he is dead. I will never forgive you for this binky boy! – "Wow, what a trash father," Joey said. "You know, he's almost as bad as…"
"Side note, now we know where Marik got his 'binky boy' phrase from," Yugi noted.
Mokuba, who was watching Mr. Ishtars abuse, also felt bad for Odion. "So they had an awful father too." He turned to Kaiba, and then back at the video. "We have more in common than I thought."
Odion felt a sting at hearing those words. Marik placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort. One look from him was enough to make Odion feel better. Ishizu did the same thing, earning another smile from Odion.
-Odion: I made you some soup Master Marik.-
-Marik: Unless your soup is the flavor of vengeance, I am not interested. – "Huh, what kind of flavor would vengeance be?" Tristan asked.
"My guess would be something extraordinarily hot," Mai answered.
"Or maybe the worst thing ever tasted!" Bakura added.
"Whatever it tastes like, I wouldn't want to try it," Yugi said. "I wouldn't even give that soup to my enemies."
Tea smiled. "You really do have a kind heart Yugi." Yugi blushed a little.
-Marik: So tell me Odion, is it vengeance flavored soup?-
-Odion: Um… no… but it does have lentils in it. Lentils sound kind of like vengeance. – "Eh, I guess a little," Joey noted.
-Marik: EFF your EFFing lentils! – "Wow, even as a kind, Marik's got a potty mouth," Mai said.
-Odion: I'm sorry Odion, I didn't mean to lash out at your soup. I'm just scared because soon I will receive the tomb keeper's initiation. – Yugi remembered the marks on Marik's back. "Is this video going to be showing that? It must have been painful for him."
"I hope not," Serenity winced a little.
-Odion: That doesn't sound so bad.-
-Marik: They're going to carve open my back and burn an intricate symbol in my flesh! – "Wait what!?" Joey asked. "I thought it was just a tattoo! Not something as brutal as that!"
"I thought so too… unless Marik was saying that as a cover and this is what really happened?" Yugi asked. Suddenly, there was a dull pain in his head.
"Yugi, did you feel that?" Yami asked.
"I did," Yugi said quietly. "It came as soon as I suggested that something else happened. I'm fine though, it's gone now."
Yami nodded. "I'll let you know if I feel anything else."
Marik got shivers at the mention of the initiation. His back still had a dull pain from that day, but as he thought about it, something felt off. Marik remembered getting the tattoo, but the way this video was describing it seemed a lot worse. Marik then felt a dull pain in his head, but it quickly went away. "What was that all about?" he thought to himself.
-Odion: Ouch. Still it could be worse. – "How could it get any worse than that?" Joey asked.
-Marik: And then they are going to make me watch Beverly Hills Chihuahua! – "Wait a minute, wait a minute!" Duke exclaimed. "Since when does an initiation, which is isolated from the rest of the world, involve watching a movie when I'm pretty sure they don't have a television in there?"
"Maybe it's like the dentist, where you watch TV to distract and calm yourself down?" Tea asked.
"…Ok, but couldn't they have chosen a better movie to do that with? And with the way this initiation is going to be done, I don't think I matters," Duke answered.
Marik was even more confused than Yugi's group was. "What's the point of having a movie playing during the initiation? And why that one of all movies?"
"I have no idea. Even if we wanted to do something like that, Father would never agree," Ishizu added. "And it wouldn't add to anything."
Mairk got shivers again. "I'd rather not remember any of that, even if there was a movie involved."
-Odion: That's, part of the ancient ritual?-
-Marik: Apparently. – "See, even Odion thinks it's stupid," Tristan said.
-Odion: Don't worry Master Marik, I will go to your father and ask him if I can take the initiation in your place. – "He'd go through all of that just for his brother?" Serenity asked with a small yet sad smile.
"He really is a good brother," Joey said.
Serenity smiled. "Just like you."
-Hank: Ha ha ha ha ha! …Oh wait, you're serious. Yeah, no. that's not happening. – "Dang, that must have sucked for Odion," Duke said.
-Marik: No please! I hate live action Disney movies! Especially ones that involve talking animals. Odion! Save me from the CGI chihuahuas! – "Man, even with the music in the background, and the talk of Disney movies, I still feel bad for Marik," Joey said.
"And for Odion, look at how sad he is," Mai added.
Ishizu saw Marik and Odion give each other a side hug for comfort. With a tear in her eye, she joined their hug (while hearing a few 'awww's from random voices).
-Odion: Are you alright Master Marik?-
-Marik: I've been tourtured by my own father, I'm going to spend the rest of my life underground, and I just watched the worst Jamie Lee Curtis movie since Christmas with the Kranks. - "Again, I doubt they would have been able to watch movies if they live in an underground tomb with an awful father," Duke said.
"At least they didn't show the actual initiation," Serenity said with relief in her voice.
-Marik: How the EFF do you think I feel binky boy!? – "Oh, there it is again," Tea said. "I think I know who's coming soon."
"Who would that be?" Bakura asked.
"Oh yeah, you were out from most of this," Yugi said. "Well… Marik has a dark side to him, like how you have the spirit of the ring. And he took over after Joey and Odion's duel," he explained.
"Oh no, are we going to see him in this video?" Bakura asked.
"Probably," Tea answered.
Once Marik heard the voice, he tensed up. "Wait… I remember now. This duel… is when…" he realized. "Oh great, now I have to watch how these videos handle my darker self. At least he's gone forever."
-Odion: Check it out, I got me a kickass face tattoo. – "Oh, so that's what that tattoo was for… or did that get carved…" Tea winced. "…into his face too?"
"I hope it wasn't carved… but Odion seems like the kind of person to suffer if his brother is suffering, so maybe. Ugh, now I feel sick," Tristan said.
-Marik: Is that supposed to make me feel better?-
-Odion: Yes, is it working?-
-Marik: Not really. – "Well it physically won't help, but at last it shows that Odion will always stand by his brother," Tea noted.
-Odion: Geez, even in my own flashbacks, I'm a minor character. – "Well, that was something," Mai said as the video returned to the present.
"Yeah. It's one thing for someone like Ishizu, or Marik, or even Shadi to explain something, but it's a whole new experience actually seeing what went down," Yugi said.
"I wonder if were gonna get more of those in future videos," Tristan said.
"Probably," Everyone agreed.
"I still can't believe that was possible," Marik said. "And it's probably going to happen again."
"It really makes you think. What other points in our lives have these video documented?" Ishizu added. "this might be something we should look out for in the future."
-Marik: Odion, I command you to summon Mega Ultra Chicken – "Wha- What did he just call The Winged Dragon of Ra!?" Mai asked as laughter started filling the air.
"That's his name in these videos," Yugi said in between laughs. "Slifer has a different one too, but this one is even better."
Mai thought about it for a moment, and then started laughing along. "What kind of name is that?" she asked. "Imagine if the real card was named that!"
Ishizu remembered the card name from a previous video, but Marik and Odion were hearing this for the first time. "What… did… the… video… say?" Marik asked slowly.
"That's the new name for The Winged Dragon of Ra. It was mentioned in a previous video," Ishizu explained. "I honestly don't know how I feel about it."
There was silence before small chuckles were heard. Turns out the culprit was Marik. The chuckles turned into small laughter, which turned into all out laughter. "I'm sorry, I know I should be laughing at this… but that name!" he tried saying in between laughs. "Could you imagine if that was real? I summon a mega ultra chicken!"
"That is, if you don't feel the wrath of the real Egyptian God like I almost did," Odion said, trailing away a little at the end. "Speaking of which…"
-Odion: But Master Marik, this is your card!-
-Marik: Actually, I had my rare hunters created a perfect forgery. Okay, so there were one or two minor complications along the way, but it's the result that counts. – "I don't like how he was talking about people dying from his hands so casually…" Mai said.
"People dying isn't a 'minor complication.'" Tea said.
-Marik: Eww, geez, his brains leaked right onto the new rug! – "Ew! I don't need that image in my own brain!" Tea said as she turned away.
-Marik: That will take forever to get out. Okay people, we're gonna need another Steve. – "Again, super casual, and is he able to just summon people named Steve with a snap of his finger?" Mai asked.
"Maybe he can summon you. Your name is still Steve," Tristan said to Joey, who sighed in response.
-Odion: But Master Marik…-
-Marik: Do it Odion! Do it in the name of Marik Sebastian Ishtar the Third! – "That's Marik's full name?" Yugi asked as everyone started laughing.
"So what would Malik Blishtar's full name be?" Tristan asked. Everyone thought for a moment. "How about Malik Ciel Blishtar the Third?" he asked. Everyone felt a chill at that, but didn't think much of it.
Marik blushed a little in embarrassment. "Do I even have a middle name?" he asked himself.
-Odion: Arise Mega Ultra Chicken! Arise!-
-Joey: Oh no!-
-Yami: Oh no!-
-Serenity: Oh no!-
-Kaiba: Oh God Yes! – "Oh no! More puppies are dead!" Tea said.
-Odion: Brace yourself Mr. Wheeler, because you're about to lose the rest of your life points!-
-Yami: Be very careful Joey!-
Tea: Yeah, great advice Pharaoh. – "Yeah… that advice was pretty weak Yug," Joey said.
"I uh… I guess Yami wanted you to be careful," Yugi said trying to come up with an explanation. Yami meanwhile glanced away, now starting to realize what he said, and how stupid it was at the time.
"So what advice do you have for other situations like this? The shadow games? Be very careful. The Oricalcos? Be very careful. The literal end of the world? Be very careful!" Joey teased. "Speaking of the end of the world…."
-Mega Ultra Chicken: Infidels!-
-Joey: Uh oh.-
-Mega Ultra Chicken: Thou has angered the God of trading cards! Now you will never again see the light of day! – "Okay, which one of you touched the red ruby?" Tea asked.
Everyone pointed at Tristan. "Oh come on! Why me!"
"Well, you were a monkey in the virtual world, so there's a connection," Joey said, earning a glare from Tristan.
-Yami: Joey, be very, very careful! – "Oh yeah, that's just as helpful as your last advice," Joey said.
-Serenity: My brother!-
-Marik: Odion! Get down from there!-
-Odion: No. Master Marik, this… is the way it must be. Mother, I… finally got to be a tomb keeper, just like you always wanted. I can only hope you're proud of me. – "Aw, that was actually nice," Serenity said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Marik turned to Odion. "See, you are a tomb keeper, no matter what others may say," he said with determination.
Osion smiled. "Thank you Marik."
-Marik: She's not eve your real mom douchebag! – "Aaaaaand moment ruined!" Tristan said.
"She will always be your mother," Marik said placing a hand on Odion's shoulder. Everyone then watched as lightning struck Odion, and the fake Millennium Rod breaking into many pieces.
-Yami: By the gods! The Millennium Rod is made of delicious cheese! – Joey started laughing. "Okay, first the moon is made of cheese, and now the Rod is too? What food are the other items made from?"
Yugi looked down at the puzzle. "I'm not sure. Chocolate maybe? Now I'm getting hungry."
-Marik: Help me! Odion!-
-Odion: I tried my best to serve you my Master. I… tried… I… tried-ow my face. – "Oof, that sounded like it hurt," Duke said.
"Even more than the lightning strike?" Serenity asked.
"They must have both hurt, but Odion is pretty strong, just like I was… and with the help of my friends," Joey said.
-Marik: Oh EFF! – "We're screwed," Tristan said.
-Joey: Nyeh! Man, that was a close one. I sure am glad lighting never strikes twice in the same-Irony! – Serenity turned away a little, and Joey winced while remembering that time.
-Serenity: Joey!-
-Yami If only he had been careful. – "That wouldn't have done anything!" Mai said. "Honestly, for being a wise being, he really does need to hear what he's saying sometimes."
-Tristan: Hey Joey! Is it okay if I date your sister? …I am going to take your silence as a 'yes'. – Joey turned to Tristan. "Since when is my silence a 'yes'?" he asked. Tristan smiled and shook his hands in defense.
Duke glanced over at them. "Hey, that means maybe I still have a chance."
-Joey: What the…? Where am I? – "Yeah good question. It looks like you're at school!" Serenity mentioned. Everyone looked at the screen for a few seconds before Joey gasped.
"No way!"
"What is it Joey?" Yugi asked.
"Remember when I told you guys that I saw you all after I was struck by the lightning? Well, this is it! This is what I saw!" he explained in awe.
"Really?" Tea asked. "So not only can these videos show flashbacks, they can show dreams too?"
"This is so cool!" Joey said, a little lost in the moment. "I wonder what else in my mind these videos can show…" he then thought for a second. "On second thought, maybe it's better that it doesn't."
-Tristan: Wake up Joey!-
-Tea: Your friends need you!-
-Joey: Wake up? Why, am I dreaming or something?-
-Yugi: Of course your dreaming! I mean, when was the last time any of us actually attended class? – "Ha, you've got a point there," Tea said. "All we've been doing is attending tournaments and saving the world."
-Joey: I can't believe it! All my pals are here! There's Yugi, Tea, Duke, Mai, Serenity, though not sure what Bakura's doing here. – Joey put a hand on Bakura's shoulder. "You'll always be my pal, don't worry about that," he said with a smile.
"Thanks Joey," Bakura replied. Everything was fine until…
"Hey, what about me!?" Tristan asked. "I've been your friend since forever! Do I not count?"
"Well, you are always after my little sis…"
Tristan blushed a little. "That-That's irrelevant!"
Joey winked. "I'm messing with ya, of course you're my friend!" Tristan sighed in relief as Joey then turned to Mai. "And for you…"
"Huh?"
"I told you that you were in my dream, and now I can show you the proof!" He gestured to the screen. "There you are, right along with all my friends!"
Mai smiled. "Thank you Joey, that means a lot to me."
Yugi: Come on Joey! It's time to get up and prove yourself.-
-Joey: That's right! Watch me guys! Joey Wheeler's gonna kick some…-
-Gruber: Marik Ishtar has been defeated! – Mokuba laughed a little at this scene. "So that's how Joey won that duel," he said to himself.
"Hmph, so the mutt needed his nerd crew to help him stand up. What a loser," Kaiba said quietly.
-Joey: Wha…? What happened?-
-Yami: You won by default Joey! Truly this is a victory for the forces of justice! – "Hey, a win's a win! I'll take it!" Joey said proudly.
-Tea: Malik Blishtar is actually Marik Ishtar? – "I'm pretty sure a five-year-old could have figured that out," Duke said laughing again. "Not to say you're five years old," he said to Tea.
"Thanks," Tea said with a hint of sarcasm.
-Marik: Yes it's true! I am Kira… I mean, Marik.-
-Yami: And there's the obligatory Death Note reference. I never thought we'd sink that low. – "What's Death Note?" Yugi asked. "It doesn't sound like a good thing."
"Well it has something to so with death, whatever it is," Tea said.
-Marik: Pharaoh! I've been waiting for this moment for almost an entire season! Finally, we meet face to face. And now, I shall take great pleasure in annihilating you once and for all binky boy! – As Marik watched the video, he started to get worried. "I know what's coming, and I don't know if I'm ready."
"Your dark side is about to appear," Odion said.
"Yes, but I can't say I'm not curious… here goes nothing," Marik said as the video continued.
-Odion: Oh no! This is terrible!-
-Joey: What the heck's going on?-
-Odion: Master Marik has a darker side brought upon by years of physical abuse and live action Disney movies. – "Well, if watching live action Disney movies is a requirement, then all of us should have a darker side," Tristan said.
-Joey: Aw come on, how bad could he possibly be?-
-Odion: Let me put it this way. You guys are all totally f*cked. – "That's putting it lightly," Marik said, staring to feel a little ashamed about his darker half.
-Odion: Tell the Gummi Bears, I love them.-
Everyone watched as Marik screamed, his dark half about to make his appearance, until the effects started happening. "Whoa! That effect's just plain creepy!" Joey said as Marik was about to transform.
-[to be continued] – "Aw man, guess we're gonna have to wait until the next video," Joey said.
"That's going to be a wild ride, I can already tell," Serenity said.
"Unless there are credits, we still have time left before the video ends," Mai said pointing at the bottom of the screen. Everyone was confused until the screen changed again.
-[just kidding] – "Oh, never mind then," Joey said.
-Marik: Get out of my friggin head you frigging rig stick! – "Did they have to use that effect again?" Joey asked as Marik started to deform again. And within a matter of moments, Marik had changed.
-Yami Marik: I live again! At last I am relieved of that fool Marik, and I have all of you to thank. Now, who wants a hug? – Tea spoke up. "So let me get this straight. This guy, one of the darkest beings in existence, wanting to kill people and get his vengeance, is asking if he can have a hug?"
There was nothing but silence… for a brief second before the air was filled with spontaneous laughter from Yugi's group. "That's got to be one of the funniest things to come out of these videos!" Yugi exclaimed.
"If this is what were in for, then I want to see even more of this guy!" Joey said. "I loved this version of Marik before, and now I like him even more!"
"Same, give me more of this guy!" Duke said.
Marik was stunned at seeing his dark half finally make his appearance. Hearing his distorted voice and how he was grateful that the other Marik was gone made him feel awkward… until the hug comment.
Marik did a double take as his mouth hung open a little. "Brother, are you okay?" Ishizu asked. There was no answer from Marik, and Ishizu was about to ask again before she and Odion heard something.
There was a small chuckle, which turned into a small laugh, which then turned into an outburst of laughter. Ishizu and Odion were surprised by the source of the laughter. Once the laughing died down a little, Marik looked at his siblings. "Something wrong?"
"I guess we're surprised by how well you're taking this, seeing your evil half again," Odion said.
Marik shrugged. "All of that is in the past, and if I'm going to be honest, I wanted to forget about him. However, if I am going to be reminded of him, I might as well go with it, and since he's no longer in existence, I don't have to worry about him doing anything to me. And finally, having an evil being wanting to hug people is genius."
Ishizu and Odion looked at each other, and then back at Marik. "Well, were glad you're past that, and are allowing yourself to have some fun," Ishizu said. "And you do have a point, that is pretty funny."
-Tristan: I do! – "Welp, you got yourself a death sentence," Joey said. "It was nice knowing you."
"So would he hug me hard enough that he would make me explode?" Tristan asked. "That's the only way I could see that happening… and why am I talking about myself being killed by a hug?"
-Yami: Tristan no! He's just going to stab you or something.-
-Yami Marik: Don't listen to him Tristan. He just wants all the hugs to himself. – "I uh… don't want any hugs from this Marik," Yugi said. "And I don't think the pharaoh would want one either."
-Yami: Why would I want all the…-
-Yami Marik: I am in control of your mind!-
-Yami: No you're not.-
-Yami Marik: That is exactly what I wanted you to say mind slave! – "Oooohh, big brain right there. Now anyone can control anybody they want!" Duke said.
"What do you mean?" Tea asked.
"Watch," Duke said pointing at Tristan, "You are now under my control!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Ha! Just what I told you to say!" This caused Tristan to glare at Duke, while everyone else was laughing behind him.
-Yami: Look, we're not intimidated by your silly behavior.-
-Yami Marik: I am the king!-
-Yami: You're a loony.-
-Yami Marik: Binky boy! – "Why couldn't we have had this Marik instead of the real dark Marik?" Joey asked. "This one is so much better!"
-Yami: Look, what gives you the right to just waltz into our show and declare yourself the new villain? Everybody's been expecting me to duel Marik, not his imaginary childhood buddy Melvin. – "MELVIN!?" everyone asked before laughing even harder than before. "Veronica, Hank, and now Melvin? This just gets better and better," Tea said.
"Why Melvin of all names. That just seems random," Bakura said.
"Buddy, do you even know what were watching?" Joey said.
Bakura blushed a little. "I guess your right. I'm still in awe that I'm actually getting to see what happened."
Marik was also in shock at the name of his dark half. "I guess that's easier to say than 'my dark half' but that's going to take some getting used to."
-Yami Marik: The Marik you knew is a nobody. His evil plans involved trivial things like pushing you off a boat. I am more evil than he could ever hope to be.-
-Yami: Prove it.-
-Yami Marik: Remember Team Four Star? – "Again with Team Four Star," Tea said.
"I wonder if whoever made this video knows who they are," Yugi said. "Must be friends or something."
-Yami: Yeah, they were suspended, what's your point?-
-Yami Marik: That was me! – "Woah, watch out now! We have a dangerous one on our hands," Mai said. Everyone then noticed the caption that 9,001 puppies were ow dead due to Kaiba smiling.
"Wow, that many puppies are dead just from one smile? But why just over 9,000… huh, felt something weird," Joey said.
-Tristan: Oh my God! Who's Team Four Star? – "Oh I get it, because they were suspended, no one in these videos knows who they are," Yugi said. "That's… kind of sad when you think about it."
-[remember, you can't spell "melvin" without "evil"] – "Hang on…" Bakura thought for a minute. "Oooohhh, that's actually clever."
"So now we have Melvin and Florence, sounds like the golden duo," Tea said.
Marik was also laughing at the reason for the name. "That makes sense, and I'll admit, I kind of like it," he said.
-Jack Atlus: Oh my God, the kid in the helmet.-
-Rex Goodwin: Yes, look at him. – "Wait, who are these people?" Yugi asked. He thought for a second and remembered something. "Oh yeah, remember in an earlier video when they mentioned playing Duel Monsters on motorbikes?"
"Duel monsters on what?" Mai asked. "I get riding a motorcycle, but dueling with them?"
"It's a long story. But anyways, a couple of those guys were shown when they were talking about that a while back," Yugi explained.
"Wait… so you're saying dueling on motorcycles… is real?" Joey asked. "Where on Earth would that happen?"
"I don't think Kaibacorp has the technology for that… isn't this supposed to be the future?" Tea asked. "Ugh, too many questions!"
-Marik: Great, now I can't get that EFFing song out of my head. Thanks Odion, thanks a bunch. – "And now I'm gonna have that song stuck in my head. Thanks video!" Tristan said.
"Wow, so Melvin is now in the picture… which means the next duel is…" Everyone turned to Mai. "Looks like it's your turn," Yugi said.
"Well then, let's see how this will go," Mai said, with a little hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Mokuba sighed and turned to Kaiba. "This one was pretty good, you sure you don't want to watch any with me?"
"I'm sure."
Mokuba shrugged. "Alright, but just let me know if you change your mind."
Marik let out a breath and turned towards the others. "Well, are we ready for another video. And Odion, you're going to see what else happened during the finals."
"I'm ready for it," Odion said.
Ishizu nodded. "This time, we'll see the real Winged Dragon of Ra in play!"
And speaking of the Winged Dragon of Ra…
"It's finally time!"
Ah yes, it is time... to answer reviews.
TheFactMaster: Hmm, seems like they're becoming aware... hopefully an outside force won't make things complicated.
LifeByTheCreed: Ha, that's true!
Chronosign: In a seperate fanfic.
Guest #1: Alright, that's one point in the 'Berfomet's an asshole' camp.
Jose: Thank you, hope you enjoy this chapter!
Stardustdragon123: Ha, I'm glad you liked this fanfic, it means a lot to me!
LockeBelmont: Yeah, it's kind of a small detail without someone mentioning it.
Angie200116: Well, he is becoming aware that he is always being watched by us, so something might happen in the future.
Multiairoh1: Welcome to this fanfic! I'm happy you like it and I hope you enjoy the next chapter! Ah gotcha, 4kids you know.
Mari: Now he always feels like he's being watched.
Scheffinator: Alright, we now have a point in the 'Berfoment's not an asshole' camp. We are now tied!
Danifan3000: It's possible, but she is busy studying her magic all the time, so maybe she was too busy to notice anyhting this time.
Onelikes: Hope you enjoy this chapter!
raydark182: Yeah, I hate it when the website does that. And Joey is starting to become aware.
Guest #2: Point number 2 in the 'Berfoment is not an asshole' camp.
Sunny Lighter: Thank you!
Rinfantasy: Oh well, they're not going to get all the references, and Joey is starting to become aware!
Wingsong5555: Alright, point 3 in the 'Berfomet is not an asshole' camp, which is winning 3-1.
Guest #3: Point in the 'Berfomet isn't an asshole' camp 4-1
And that's it! With a score of 4-1, Berfomet is NOT an asshole! Anyways, the next chapter will come out December 1st. See you all then!
Next time: Episode 43 - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mai. Duel Standby!
