Flashbacks

~thought speaking~

Ancient Past

Chapter 4

A week had passed and Atem and Miyu had grown closer just as the advisor spoke of. Atem had finished his last class becoming an expert in any string instrument. Often, he would meet Miyu in the garden and would play for her. And as she promised, she would dance to his music for him.

All week, Miyu had been sneaking Atem into the city, unknown to his father and showed him the wonders the world had to offer. She loved the way his face lit up the first time she'd taken him. She still couldn't believe he'd never left the palace.

"Atem, I'd like you to meet Honda and Jou. They're my friends. Guys, this is Atem."

"Isn't he the prince," her blonde friend named Jou asked. Miyu nodded, eyeing him.

"So?" she asked, looking like she was about to hit him if he said something wrong. The other male moved up, bringing his arm around the blonde's neck as he pulled him in close and gained a groan of protest from him.

"Oh, just ignore Jou. You know it's for the better," Honda joked. The blonde growled, shoving the brunette off of him while raising a fist.

"Oh, yeah!"

"The guy can't pick out the jokes," Honda muttered, scratching his head. Atem laughed at this.

"It's nice to meet you both."

Atem was presently playing a harp when Miyu came up from behind him and kissed his cheek. He stopped and looked at her, smiling.

"Hello, Miyu. How are you today?" She sat next to him, straightening her dress a bit as she did.2

"Oh, you know. The same. Oh, but I am going into the city today by the advisor's request."

"How come?"

"Tomorrow is the day your mother died so long ago..." She paused, "and the advisor wants me and a few more servants to go and get the Pharaoh something that will make him feel better." As he placed the harp on the ground, she rested her head on his lap. He began to absent-mindedly play with her long, blue hair, which she kept down now. "I would rather stay here with you. You'll need someone. But I can't go against what I am told to do so I have no choice. I won't be gone long." Atem sighed, nodding. He knew she was right and there was no way he would ever want to her get into trouble but he really wished she could stay with him. It was always a terrible day for him. His thoughts went back to his mother, the thought of her laying in her bed with a vacant look on her face. He could see his small childish form by her bed, quaking as sobs racked his body in misery. She had been gone for some time, telling her that she loved him and to always look out for his father. He had kept a firm grip on her hand until the healers came to take care of her remains, prying the small child away. He had fought them as hard as he could, clawing and biting without remorse until finally his father came and took him into his arms to comfort him. He told him that he would always be there to take care of Atem, that they would always be together and they would see his mother again one day in the next world.

Not too many years later, his father began to shut everyone out. The sorrow of losing his beloved wife tearing him down and making him bitter. It was then that the transformation of his father to what he was today had begun.

"That must have been when he started..." Atem whispered almost breathlessly. Miyu stirred in his lap, turning her head slightly to look up at him.

"Did you say something?"

"Hm? No, nothing. Nothing at all."

"Come along now. Any who disobey me shall be punished." The advisor walked down the path to the bazaar, followed by Miyu, two other slaves, and two guards. This was the first time Miyu would be going back to the city because she was told to. Atem watched as they departed. He couldn't help but feel like something was wrong or going to happen. Shaking his head, he walked back inside.

Hours had past and it was time to return to the palace when a guard ran towards the advisor, looking rather worried.

"My Lord, the abdah I've been watching... she's gone."

"She ran away?" The guard shook his head, looking around nervously.

"No, she didn't. I would have caught her. She just vanished. One minute she was in my view, the next gone," he replied, bracing for the advisor to scream at him.

"Well, look for her. Now!" The man bowed, running off. Meanwhile, in the alley close to where Miyu had 'vanished', she was struggling against someone's grip.

"No. Let me go," she cried, trying to wretch herself free from her kidnapper. The cloaked figure let out a small chuckle, leaning close.

"Oh, come now, Miyu. You don't have to fight. You know me," he said. She growled as she tried to push him off, feeling weak against him.

"So? Let me go." The kidnapper grabbed her wrists and pushed her against a wall, trying to get her to stop struggling. "Malik..." The blonde grinned, watching her stop. "What do you want?" His purple eyes shimmered from beneath his hood as he leaned in closer, kissing her exposed neck.

"I want you. I've always wanted you," he mumbled against her skin, feeling her shiver. She growled again, trying to move away from him.

"What else is new?" She sighed, blowing a stray hair from her face.

"Bakura and I are leaving the city for awhile. I heard the Pharaoh is waiting for a chance to catch us."

"I knew you were working with Bakura. Something told me it was you. I hope he catches you," she sneered. He merely chuckled at her attempts to sound heartless and cold, knowing that a pretty little thing such as her could never appear frightening to him. He suddenly pulled her in close to himself, earning a sharp gasp of shock from her. She peered up at him, fearful of what he might have been planning to do with her.

"Yeah. Well, anyway, my little desert goddess, you are coming with us," he said, grasping at her arm and pulling her along, further into the alley.

"What? No!"

"You don't have a choice," he said, tugging hard on her arm. She let out a yelp, nearly toppling over from the force used. She whipped her hand around, grasping at his hood and yanking it off him, pulling some of his hair with it. "Why you?" He turned his full attention on her, finally seeing her struggling as a problem as he knocked her down. "I don't want to hurt you. You know that. But so help me if I have to tie and gag you I will." Reaching down, he grabbed her by her wrist, yanking her to her feet and dragging her along the alleys to get hide from crowds and guards.

"Let me go, Malik! So help me, I'll scream," she threatened. It was then he slammed her into a nearby wall, knocking the air from her and causing her head to spin.

"Do that and they will find your dead body," he replied.

"You wouldn't..."

"If you want to test it, be my guest, but if I can't have you then no one will," he said with a firm glare. Miyu studied his eyes a moment, beginning to feel helpless. Seeing how she quieted down, Malik gripped her arm better before continuing to drag her through the alleys.

Atem looked up from where he was sitting on the stairs. He was waiting for the others to return when he felt a sharp stab in his chest. He cringed a moment. It was at that moment that he heard a commotion, looking up to see one of the guards who had gone with the advisor bringing along the other two slaves.

"What's going on? Where is the royal advisor?" The guard bowed before answering,

"One of the slaves is missing." The prince's face paled, his eyes growing wide in realization.

"Miyu," he whispered to himself. Atem turned and hurried off into the palace for his cloak. "I'll find you."

"Malik, I'm not going with you. Malik!" Now out of the city and away from prying eyes, he had lifted her up and was now carrying her over his shoulder. The only thing she could do now was pound on his back to which he could barely feel. It was nothing compared to the etching that was put on his back all those years ago. "Put me down!"

"Is this the girl?" Miyu stopped upon hearing a new voice. She then squeaked as she was suddenly dropped on the sand. She looked around to see who the new voice belonged to. She saw a white-haired boy dressed in a cloak who looked to be as old as Malik. His chocolate brown eyes fixed on her as he examined her. "Well, Malik, you finally have taste," Bakura said, grinning as Malik scowled at him with his arms crossed.

"Very funny."

"I thought so," Bakura murmured. Malik sighed, walking up to the frightened girl.

"This is Miyu. My little desert goddess." He leaned down towards her, tracing her jaw line with the tip of his finger as he spoke.

"I'm not yours," she spat, slapping his hand away. Bakura chuckled darkly, moving his hair over his shoulder.

"I like her." Malik glared at her, grabbing her wrist and yanking her to her feet. She squeaked as he did so, not expecting the contact. She pulled herself away from him, adjusting her dress before crossing her arms and leaning to her side as he spoke.

"You grew up with me, Miyu. Why are you acting like this?"

"Me?" she exclaimed, pointing to herself, "Why are you acting like this? I may have grown up with you but it doesn't mean that I've fallen for you." He wasn't understanding any of it. They had known each other since they were little, both having lost their parents and being forced to live on the streets. They had their own place with Jou, Honda, Kisara, and Shizuka. However, once the advisor was sent out to find new slaves, Miyu had been kidnapped and taken while she was out shopping for the others. Malik was crushed he most, vowing to find a way to get power and save her from the Pharaoh's clutches. Little had he known that she was able to find a way into the city to visit. Though, she always seemed to have a reason to go back. He glared at her a moment.

"Well, this doesn't mean you're not coming with us."

"I'm not leaving!"

"Yes, you are."

"Make me." With that, she took off. Malik began muttering as he looked at Bakura.

"I take it you're not helping."

"She's your girlfriend," Bakura answered, grinning. The blonde sighed as he ran after her.

"Gotcha!" He pinned her to the ground. She let out a scream, trying to kick him off herself. He straddled her legs, keeping them pinned down.

"Malik, let me go. Please!" Tears began to stream down her face. Malik kissed them away.

"Naughty girl, I thought I told you that you're coming with us," he whispered, bringing a hand down the side of her face. Even through her tears she managed to get a glare going, looking like she was about to bite him. He could feel her trying so hard to get him off of her to get away. It was breaking his heart that she was struggling against him so much.

"And I thought I said no!" She freed one of her wrists, throwing sand in his beautiful lavender eyes causing him to scream. Getting on her feet, she started running again, her breathing labored from using so much energy to break free of him. Her body felt heavy, the strain from fighting him and running through the sand taking its toll on her. It was then she thought she heard a horse, turning her head in the direction of the sound. "Huh? What the-" She saw a cloaked figure ridding towards her. He held out his hand, grabbing hers and pulling her up. "I knew you would come."

"Anything for you," the boy said. Malik, now able to see, glared up at the intruder, his eyes becoming red from the irritation.

"Who are you?!" Bakura ran next to the blonde, holding the reins to their horses. The white haired thief's face showed worry as he called out to his partner.

"Malik, we have to leave." The stranger removed his hood causing Malik to go wide eyed. Bakura looked up to see what Malik was freaking about to find the Prince of Egypt glaring back at them, his red eyes holding a fierce glare.

"I've heard of you two," Atem stated, a smile on his lips. "Sorry but Miyu is staying with me." Malik's gaze fell on the blue haired girl, his eyes pleading for what he thought to be false. He studied her for a moment before finally saying what he feared.

"You love him, don't you?!" She blushed, hiding her face in Atem's back. The prince looked back at her, smiling. "Miyu!"

"You had better get out of here while you can," Atem growled, glaring. Malik took a step forward, reaching for the blade at his hip beneath his cloak.

"And if I don't?" Atem motioned his horse to turn slightly to the left, revealing a sword that was tied to his side.

"You don't want to find out," the prince threatened.

"Malik, the advisor is coming and whether your ass is following mine or not, I'm leaving!" Bakura hissed. He didn't want their cover completely blown. No one had ever seen Malik with him and he needed to keep it that way so that Malik could sneak into towns if needed for supplies. "Malik, let's go! There's always next time." The blonde growled, mounting his horse.

"There will be a next time, love birds." With that, they rode off. Atem shook his head and looked back at Miyu.

"You okay?" She nodded, still blushing. The royal advisor with a handful of guards came racing up, the man's expression of terror clear from under his shroud.

"Your Majesty!? What are you doing out here. If your father found out..."

"You're not going to tell him, are you?" Atem glared down at the advisor.

"Well, no. I wasn't," he sputtered, glancing at the guards to be sure they understood they weren't to speak a word of this event.

"Because you fear my father will blame you?"

"Yes," the older man mumbled.

"Well, then, I will return before father notices and you will take her back. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Stop that," Atem muttered.

"Stop what?"

"With the 'Your Highness' or 'Your Majesty'. I am no different then you."

"A-as you wish," the advisor blurted. He was too fearful for his life to think clearly. Atem sighed while shaking his head.

"Stay with the advisor, okay?" Miyu nodded, dismounting. Atem replaced his hood. "I'll see you all back at the palace. Hut, hut!"

"Oh, please let him be unnoticed, Ra. I beg you." The advisor pleaded with clasped hands as he watched the prince ride off. The girl smiled gently while fixing her hair from being tossed about.

"Don't worry. He'll be fine," Miyu said. They started back.

The prince had snuck back in without his father's notice. Putting the horse in the stables, Atem turned around to have Miyu in his arms.

"Oh, Atem, you were amazing," she exclaimed, burying her face into his shoulder. He grinned as she pulled back, giving her a playful look.

"Were? So that was the only time I've been amazing," he jokingly asked, earning a swat on the chest from her.

"You know what I meant," she murmured, puffing her face a bit in annoyance.

"Yes. Now are you really okay? I thought I was going to lose you." She nodded, kissing him soundly on the lips.

"How did you know? How did you know where I was?" He frowned, not sure himself. He scratched the back of his head, turning his back to her a little in thought.

"That's the weird part. I was waiting for you to return and I felt a sharp sting. Then one of the guards came up saying you were missing," he said as he turned back to her, "So I left to go find you."

"Oh. Well, that is weird," she murmured, biting her lip.

"Yeah, well, anyway, I was wondering if you would like to be my sparring partner," he asked, crossing his arms. She gave him a sideways glance, knitting her hands into her dress in embarrassment.

"You saw the way I was fighting with Malik, didn't you?" He nodded. "Well, you know I would love to. I don't know why you bothered asking." She blushed as she heard him chuckle.

"Just checking I guess," he said bringing his hand under his chin as he gave her a smirk.

Malik slammed his fist into his other hand, growling. Bakura leaned against the wall of the cave they were presently in. Malik didn't want to leave. He wanted to take Miyu with them but now he wanted to punish her for putting him through this. He had been waiting for a chance to rescue her from the palace for awhile now and it would have all been for nothing because she had fallen for the prince.

"Damn you. How could she do this to me?" he muttered mostly to himself. He knew Bakura wasn't as interested with her. The white haired thief wanted to get away from the city before every single person was out for his blood. He wanted to lie low for awhile.

"Will you stop talking to yourself. You sound insane."

"It's his fault. All of it," the blonde screamed. Bakura sighed, walking over and hitting him in the head.

"Ow! What the hell was that for," the blonde spat bitterly while rubbing the injured spot. Bakura groaned, rubbing his forehead in annoyance at how childish his partner was sounding.

"Well, for starters you have to stop talking to yourself. I'm here, you know. And also, if you want to get them back for this you need to try something new for a change and think." Malik glared.

"I'm going to sleep," the blonde muttered, not feeling up to arguing with the thief. Bakura growled, shaking his head.

"Fine."

For the next week, Atem had been teaching Miyu about combat and how to fight. Her ability at dancing already gave her an edge, making her a quick opponent. Presently, they were in the garden sparring and it looked as though Miyu was winning. But in two swift movements with his sword, Atem disarmed her of her daggers and pinned her against pillar near the small pond. Her face was flushed from jumping around, her hair falling into her face.

"Very good, Miyu."

"What do you mean 'very good'? You won," she said, trying to catch her breathe. He gave a chuckled, watching her face turn red.

"Yes but you're getting much better. You almost had me there. Please note the word almost." She raised an eyebrow at his little comment, giggling.

"Well, I'm learning from the best." He sighed, letting her go. He then turned to go sit on the bench but there was suddenly a dagger to his throat. "Never turn your back on the enemy," she whispered, kissing his cheek and pulling her dagger away.

"Hmm... I'll remember that," he joked. She brought her arms above her head, stretching while letting out a soft groan.

"We've been fighting for hours today," she said as she brought her arms to her sides.

"Safe to call it a day," he said while placing his weapon at his feet. She sat next to him.

Come inside, Atem. The prince gasped, fear grasping at his very soul. He hadn't heard that voice in a long time. Miyu tilted her head in confusion, leaning in close to see his terrified expression.

"Atem? What's wrong?"

"Kage," came his reply. She blinked, moving closer to try and touch his arm.

"Huh? Who's Kage?" Atem didn't answer. Instead he got up and ran to look for his father. "Atem!" Miyu raced after him, still left in the dark as to what's going on. Atem rushed into his father's room to see a dark void that looked like it led to a different dimension. There were a few servants quivering near the fallen Pharaoh.

"Father!" Atem rushed to his side, leaning him up. "Father, wake up!" His father groaned, opening his eyes. Upon seeing them, the prince saw those same kind eyes he'd seen before his mother had died showing that the twins hold on his father was gone.

"Atem..." The prince looked up at the servants, his eyes fierce with anger.

"Get my father out of here. Get him some help." The servants helped carry the Pharaoh out as Miyu ran in past them. She was at a loss for words as she stared at the dark void. "Kage! Hikari!" She saw Atem standing in front of it with an strange item in his hands. It looked like an upside down pyramid made of gold. His face was transfixed into one of anger, his red eyes blazing as he stared into the darkness. The force of the void created a strong wind, causing the blue-haired girl to shield her eyes from the gale.

Atem, we see you have come. They appeared in the dimensional tear.

"We've finally broken through," Kage said, his eyes showing malice as he spoke.

"What do you mean?" Atem snapped angrily.

"For the longest time we have been trying to break the barrier that separated the light and dark worlds and now we have done it. We can now enter your world whenever we please," Hikari explained, a look of menace on her face.

'No, if they come to this world, they'll try to take it over,' Atem thoughts raced. "No. I will not allow you to. You have manipulated my father and the people of this world long enough!" He put the chain of the puzzle around his neck and began chanting.

"Is that..."

"A spell of sealing?!" Kage finished, outraged. Atem continued to chant as the puzzle began to glow.

"Ancient place of sand... Where locus plagued the land... Where our waters turned to blood... My power grows like a blooming bud..."

"No! You can't do this!" They screamed in unison, bringing their hands p to power up an energy blast. However, it was deflected, hitting a barrier of some kind ad evaporating into the air. "That's impossible!" There, standing before the young prince, was the Magician of Black Chaos.

"This is where God's wraith shall strike! Ancient spell, hear my cry!" Atem raised his hands above his head, continuing. "Awaken the darkness in my soul and destroy those who stand in my way!"

The Magician jumped out of the way and slammed into the twins, pushing them further into the Shadow Realm. The void became smaller and smaller.

"You can't do this!" Kage screamed, reaching out towards the prince.

"He already is!" Atem looked out of the corner of his eye to see Miyu rushing over to him. Lightening crackled around the edges of the portal as it closed, wisps of black smoke billowing from it.

No! We'll be back, Atem, and next time you won't be as fortunate! They cried as the portal sealed. Atem's breathing was rapid, his heart racing. He grasped at his shirt, feeling as though his heart was about to beat out of his chest. He crashed to his knees, his golden bangs covering his eyes as he doubled over.

"Miyu..." He collapsed on his front, passing out from the effects of using the puzzle.

"Atem!" She ran to his side, turning him over. She brushed her hand down the side of his face and kissed his forehead. "Atem, please wake up." Tears streamed down her face, landing on Atem's cheek and continuing its path till they landed on the floor. He opened his eyes slightly, brushing the droplets away.

"Don't cry. I'm right here..." She put a finger to his lips.

"Shhh... don't talk. Save your strength. You've used too much of your power and strained yourself. Please. I don't want to lose you," she whispered, hugging him close. He let out a soft chuckle, letting his hand fall as he faded into unconsciousness.

"I'll be okay," he whispered, closing his eyes. She sniffled, bringing her lips to his forehead.

"Atem..."

End chapter

Malik is also Marik, I decided to leave it be.