I cannot bear this agony. If Marik is . . . no longer with us, then . . . then I must hold myself responsible. I should have taken better care of him! After we fell through the tunnel, how could I have allowed myself to loosen my grip on his terrified body?! He trusted me to keep him safe! I had vowed to do exactly that! But now I have failed him.
Mokuba stares at his friend's still form, his eyes wide in disbelief and horror. "Please, Marik," he whispers, laying his hand on the cold flesh. "Say something! Anything! Get mad at me! . . . Just . . . be alive," he sobs.
Kaiba comes over, gathering his brother into his arms. I know he thinks Marik is dead. It is obvious by the look in his eyes.
But . . . Marik's last day in this mortal realm cannot be so treacherous! He should not have had to suffer what he did. He has had such a gruesome time of it. . . . Finding Ishizu missing . . . nearly being robbed of his virtue right in the museum . . . having so many emotional breakdowns because of it . . . and now . . . left to die where he fears the most—a sarcophagus in our old home. I realize with immense sadness that he never knew Ishizu has been rescued. Slowly I pull his cold body closer to me, longing for the slightest indication of life.
Ishizu bites her lip, tears spilling from her gentle blue eyes. I hear her whispering to Marik in our native tongue, reciting a poem that she often told when she was trying to entertain him when he was sleepy. Now she sobs, begging for him to awaken.
"Perhaps," she says at last, stroking Marik's hair and smiling slightly when she can't get his bangs to lie flat, "this cruel world was not meant for one such as he."
I close my eyes tightly. "Perhaps not," I agree softly. "He . . . he never could handle its cruelty." That was what had driven him mad once before. "But . . . I can't help wishing . . . that his world would be able to include us. . . ." I cannot even begin to imagine our lives without him. It is unthinkable!
"But . . . it does," a soft voice says then. "My world has always included you both."
All of us come to attention. Marik is looking up so sweetly and childlike, a kind smile adorning his features. He is alive!!! He is truly alive!!! He has not left us!!
Instantly he is engulfed in a warm embrace as I, Ishizu, and Mokuba all gather around, expressing our immense joy and wonder that he is still here. He allows us to hug him, hugging back as best as he possibly can.
"Oh my brother," Ishizu whispers. "We thought you had perished!"
Marik smiles weakly and squeezes her hand.
I still feel horrible that he was pulled away from me and locked there in that treacherous coffin. I hold him protectively, not wanting him to be ripped away again by that madman.
"It wasn't your fault, Rishid," Marik says firmly. "You know I would never blame you for anything. You were protecting me as best as you could. And you saved Ishizu." He looks happy. "We are together again."
Mokuba gazes at his friend soberly, his eyes threatening to be flooded with tears again. "Marik? . . . Can you ever forgive me?" he says barely above a whisper. "I didn't know . . . I didn't know what happened to you. . . . But I know that's no excuse! I was just angry . . . but I had no right to treat you the way I did!! You were hurting so badly!!" He looks down, not expecting acquittal. But in this he greatly underestimates Marik's compassionate nature.
"My friend," he says gently, laying a hand on Mokuba's shoulder, "I understand your frustration. This is a difficult time for you. I remember my own rebellious feelings at your age." He sighs. "And of course . . . how could you possibly know what I was going through? I didn't tell you."
Mokuba sniffles and hugs him tightly. "I can't even imagine how scared you must've been," he says softly. "And I made your pain so much worse!!"
Marik closes his eyes tightly and I know he is recalling Mokuba's harsh words. He says nothing for the longest time, only silently embracing his friend and staring into the distance. Ishizu and I lay our hands on his shoulders, hoping to ease his pain.
Marik is crying now, his poor body racked with the emotional pain. "I thought it had climbed right into the coffin with me!" he sobs. "I couldn't get away from it!! I couldn't . . ."
Mokuba looks up at him, his young heart breaking. "But you're okay, Marik!" he says shakily. "It didn't get you!"
"That is right," Ishizu says firmly. "It did not."
"You are safe," I tell him, praying that this time it's the truth.
Marik smiles through his tears. "I know," he says softly. "And as long as I have all of you at my side, I have nothing to fear."
A silhouetted figure appears in the doorway. "Isn't that nice?" the feminine voice sneers. "I guess you two families really are close, aren't you? You might as well just be one family."
Kaiba stands, fury in his eyes. "YOU!"
Ishizu rises as well. "You have tried to murder us all!"
Dr. Portman laughs. "Just advancing science, my friends."
"I may forget I am a gentleman," I tell her, getting up and clenching my fists. "You are working for that demonic being who is, regrettably, my father! Ishizu nearly died at your hands! And I don't doubt that you were involved with what happened to Marik!"
"It *was* my idea," Dr. Portman says without shame, sending a jolt through all of us.
Marik stands still, so many emotions traveling across his face. The one standing before him is the one who engineered this entire abomination! The one who arranged for that zombie to . . . to try . . .
I do not know what he is feeling—but I know the hatred I am feeling. That woman tried to emotionally scar my precious brother for life!
I cannot control my rage. I charge forward, seizing the witch and pinning her to the wall. "YOU! You set things up to have Marik's virtue stolen from him!" I shake her fiercely. "He has been suffering all day—and will be suffering for many days to come!—because of your actions! I despise your idea of 'science'! I DESPISE IT!! Tormenting innocent people for your own pleasure! Studying their reactions to the most horrible situations because you wish to see how their minds work! That isn't science!! It is CRUELTY!!!! AND THAT IS ALL IT IS!!"
"You're hurting me!" she screams.
I only tighten my grip. "GOOD! Perhaps you need to know what it feels like!!!" I am no longer aware of anyone else around me. It is only myself and Dr. Portman. The most wretched creature imaginable. I have the power to stop her—permanently. I can make it so that she will never harm Marik—or anyone else—ever again. I can destroy this wicked, twisted life! She deserves to die a thousand deaths for what her "idea" has put Marik through!
"Rishid!!! RISHID!!!"
The voice penetrates through my vengeful heart and I am suddenly startled back into the reality of what I am doing. I realize that the voice has been calling to me for quite some time.
"Rishid . . . hatred isn't the answer. It isn't worth this. She isn't worth this. You taught me that. You and Ishizu." Marik steps forward, his lavender eyes kind and full of a melancholy remembrance. "You brought me back from the brink of darkness. In the end, that was what saved me. Love. The unconditional love of my precious siblings. I remembered who I was and who loved me." He holds out his hand. "Come back, Rishid. Come back, my brother."
I shut my eyes tightly and release Dr. Portman, gathering Marik into a tight embrace. If . . . if he had not stopped me, I hate to think what I may have done. I have never killed anyone. It is not in my nature. But I was so full of hatred only a few scant moment ago. . . .
Ishizu walks over now as well, glaring at the treacherous doctor. "I do not deny that something must be done with you. Justice must be done. But . . . only God can deliver the vengeance."
Kaiba abruptly appears from the shadows, grabbing Dr. Portman firmly. "You're coming back with us," he snarls, "where you will be turned over to the authorities."
She struggles vehemently and then suddenly sneers. "Maybe. If you can all escape alive."
"What do you mean?!" Mokuba screams, looking about as hateful as I was moments before. "What are you doing now???!"
Dr. Portman looks triumphant. "Well, this was all planned before I entered the room. This former home of yours is set to explode within five minutes. A little something courtesy of me. My *associate* doesn't know I've done this. Every hallway is lined with bombs!"
Marik, who previously hasn't been aware of our location, pales. But then he narrows his eyes and prepares to face this fear head on. "We will get out!" he rumbles.
"In five minutes? Can you?" Dr. Portman smiles. "My associate has remodeled everything so much!"
I clench my fists, holding back an urge to hit her. "Come," I say, choosing to ignore her words. I am determined to lead the others to safety. Again I say a fervent prayer for guidance. I believe I know approximately where we are, but it is true that many things have been changed. What if we cannot find the way out?
No! We must!
~Marik~
Time is running out. I know it is, but I do not know what to do! Dr. Portman was not exaggerating about everything being changed. But still . . . some parts do look familiar. Suddenly it dawns on me where we are.
"The nearest exit from here is that opening in the ceiling, the one that I used to look up at and want to climb through!"
"Is it still there?" Ishizu quizzes Portman, knowing that she will want to get out before the allotted time is up.
"Yes!" the treacherous creature yells, struggling to be free of Kaiba's viselike grip.
It's so hard for me to grasp . . . and yet . . . I know it makes a horrible kind of sense. Of course she is the one who would suggest the idea of having the zombie come and . . .
I can't think about that now! And I can't let my fear overcome me. . . . I can't . . . not even though we're descending into more and more profound darkness!
The shadows are reaching for me . . . fondling me . . . clawing at me. . . . I can't help it. I scream. The hallucinations are too much.
Instantly comforting arms are placed around me as we continue our urgent journey.
"Nothing is harming you now, Marik," Ishizu says softly. "It is all in your mind."
I know she is right. I focus on her gentle, loving touch and banish the memory of the sickening, lustful ones from my mind.
"There!" Portman yells. "See the rope up ahead? We use that to get up!!"
We run for it. But as we approach, horrible creatures start coming out of the wall and making their way toward us. No . . . no . . . I can't handle this . . . not now . . . not yet. . . . ZOMBIES!! They're all zombies!!!
And what is worse . . . I learn that they are not only in my imagination. Every last one is real.
"They're everywhere!!" Kaiba yells in disgust, batting at one without success.
Even Mokuba looks frightened. He moves closer to his brother, his eyes wide.
"Our only hope is to ascend now!" Rishid cries, keeping a protective arm around my petrified body.
Kaiba orders Mokuba to go up the rope first. Then he goes himself, followed by Portman. Rishid immediately hauls himself up behind her to make certain that she doesn't try anything. All the while the zombies are reaching for them, trying to grab at any part of them they can.
I can't take it!! They can't suffer what I was forced to!! THEY CAN'T!!! And I will not let it happen!!
"Ishizu!!" I scream without a second thought. "Take the rope now!!"
Ishizu grabs my shoulder. "No, Marik!! I will go after you do!!" she says firmly, knowing how I cannot endure being around these creatures. She tenses as one of them touches her neck.
I force the rope into her hands. "Now, sister!! Please!!" I look into her eyes. "Sister, it is true that I can't bear the thought of being here with them. . . . But even worse to me is the thought of them harming you or the others. Go up now, sister! Please! I will follow right behind you!"
Ishizu can see the seriousness in my eyes and knows that my mind will not be changed. "Alright," she agrees at last, hastening to climb up so that I can grab on.
I take hold of the rope's end, noticing a zombie leaping through the air and trying to latch onto Ishizu's dress.
"YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!!!" I yell. "NEVER!!!! YOU CAN NEVER HAVE HER!!! I WILL DIE BEFORE I LET YOU TAKE HER!!!!" With that I wield the Rod and blast it back against the wall to keep Ishizu safe.
Now I feel another blast . . . something much more powerful. It's imploding!! The old home is imploding . . . and I don't think I can make it out.
~Ishizu~
I arrive at the top, feeling my dress tearing as one of the zombies reaches for me with its claws. Then I hear Marik screaming . . . and the horrible rumbling of the igniting bombs along the darkened hallway below. . . .
Rishid whirls around. "Is he still down there??!"
"YES!!!" I scream, my heart nearly stopping. "He insisted I go up first so that I would be safe!" I grip the rope tightly and try to pull my precious younger brother up. Rishid and Mokuba run to assist, as does Kaiba—who has just bound Dr. Portman with his belt.
But there is another horror awaiting us. The rest of the rope comes up . . . and Marik is not there.
Mokuba stares at his friend's still form, his eyes wide in disbelief and horror. "Please, Marik," he whispers, laying his hand on the cold flesh. "Say something! Anything! Get mad at me! . . . Just . . . be alive," he sobs.
Kaiba comes over, gathering his brother into his arms. I know he thinks Marik is dead. It is obvious by the look in his eyes.
But . . . Marik's last day in this mortal realm cannot be so treacherous! He should not have had to suffer what he did. He has had such a gruesome time of it. . . . Finding Ishizu missing . . . nearly being robbed of his virtue right in the museum . . . having so many emotional breakdowns because of it . . . and now . . . left to die where he fears the most—a sarcophagus in our old home. I realize with immense sadness that he never knew Ishizu has been rescued. Slowly I pull his cold body closer to me, longing for the slightest indication of life.
Ishizu bites her lip, tears spilling from her gentle blue eyes. I hear her whispering to Marik in our native tongue, reciting a poem that she often told when she was trying to entertain him when he was sleepy. Now she sobs, begging for him to awaken.
"Perhaps," she says at last, stroking Marik's hair and smiling slightly when she can't get his bangs to lie flat, "this cruel world was not meant for one such as he."
I close my eyes tightly. "Perhaps not," I agree softly. "He . . . he never could handle its cruelty." That was what had driven him mad once before. "But . . . I can't help wishing . . . that his world would be able to include us. . . ." I cannot even begin to imagine our lives without him. It is unthinkable!
"But . . . it does," a soft voice says then. "My world has always included you both."
All of us come to attention. Marik is looking up so sweetly and childlike, a kind smile adorning his features. He is alive!!! He is truly alive!!! He has not left us!!
Instantly he is engulfed in a warm embrace as I, Ishizu, and Mokuba all gather around, expressing our immense joy and wonder that he is still here. He allows us to hug him, hugging back as best as he possibly can.
"Oh my brother," Ishizu whispers. "We thought you had perished!"
Marik smiles weakly and squeezes her hand.
I still feel horrible that he was pulled away from me and locked there in that treacherous coffin. I hold him protectively, not wanting him to be ripped away again by that madman.
"It wasn't your fault, Rishid," Marik says firmly. "You know I would never blame you for anything. You were protecting me as best as you could. And you saved Ishizu." He looks happy. "We are together again."
Mokuba gazes at his friend soberly, his eyes threatening to be flooded with tears again. "Marik? . . . Can you ever forgive me?" he says barely above a whisper. "I didn't know . . . I didn't know what happened to you. . . . But I know that's no excuse! I was just angry . . . but I had no right to treat you the way I did!! You were hurting so badly!!" He looks down, not expecting acquittal. But in this he greatly underestimates Marik's compassionate nature.
"My friend," he says gently, laying a hand on Mokuba's shoulder, "I understand your frustration. This is a difficult time for you. I remember my own rebellious feelings at your age." He sighs. "And of course . . . how could you possibly know what I was going through? I didn't tell you."
Mokuba sniffles and hugs him tightly. "I can't even imagine how scared you must've been," he says softly. "And I made your pain so much worse!!"
Marik closes his eyes tightly and I know he is recalling Mokuba's harsh words. He says nothing for the longest time, only silently embracing his friend and staring into the distance. Ishizu and I lay our hands on his shoulders, hoping to ease his pain.
Marik is crying now, his poor body racked with the emotional pain. "I thought it had climbed right into the coffin with me!" he sobs. "I couldn't get away from it!! I couldn't . . ."
Mokuba looks up at him, his young heart breaking. "But you're okay, Marik!" he says shakily. "It didn't get you!"
"That is right," Ishizu says firmly. "It did not."
"You are safe," I tell him, praying that this time it's the truth.
Marik smiles through his tears. "I know," he says softly. "And as long as I have all of you at my side, I have nothing to fear."
A silhouetted figure appears in the doorway. "Isn't that nice?" the feminine voice sneers. "I guess you two families really are close, aren't you? You might as well just be one family."
Kaiba stands, fury in his eyes. "YOU!"
Ishizu rises as well. "You have tried to murder us all!"
Dr. Portman laughs. "Just advancing science, my friends."
"I may forget I am a gentleman," I tell her, getting up and clenching my fists. "You are working for that demonic being who is, regrettably, my father! Ishizu nearly died at your hands! And I don't doubt that you were involved with what happened to Marik!"
"It *was* my idea," Dr. Portman says without shame, sending a jolt through all of us.
Marik stands still, so many emotions traveling across his face. The one standing before him is the one who engineered this entire abomination! The one who arranged for that zombie to . . . to try . . .
I do not know what he is feeling—but I know the hatred I am feeling. That woman tried to emotionally scar my precious brother for life!
I cannot control my rage. I charge forward, seizing the witch and pinning her to the wall. "YOU! You set things up to have Marik's virtue stolen from him!" I shake her fiercely. "He has been suffering all day—and will be suffering for many days to come!—because of your actions! I despise your idea of 'science'! I DESPISE IT!! Tormenting innocent people for your own pleasure! Studying their reactions to the most horrible situations because you wish to see how their minds work! That isn't science!! It is CRUELTY!!!! AND THAT IS ALL IT IS!!"
"You're hurting me!" she screams.
I only tighten my grip. "GOOD! Perhaps you need to know what it feels like!!!" I am no longer aware of anyone else around me. It is only myself and Dr. Portman. The most wretched creature imaginable. I have the power to stop her—permanently. I can make it so that she will never harm Marik—or anyone else—ever again. I can destroy this wicked, twisted life! She deserves to die a thousand deaths for what her "idea" has put Marik through!
"Rishid!!! RISHID!!!"
The voice penetrates through my vengeful heart and I am suddenly startled back into the reality of what I am doing. I realize that the voice has been calling to me for quite some time.
"Rishid . . . hatred isn't the answer. It isn't worth this. She isn't worth this. You taught me that. You and Ishizu." Marik steps forward, his lavender eyes kind and full of a melancholy remembrance. "You brought me back from the brink of darkness. In the end, that was what saved me. Love. The unconditional love of my precious siblings. I remembered who I was and who loved me." He holds out his hand. "Come back, Rishid. Come back, my brother."
I shut my eyes tightly and release Dr. Portman, gathering Marik into a tight embrace. If . . . if he had not stopped me, I hate to think what I may have done. I have never killed anyone. It is not in my nature. But I was so full of hatred only a few scant moment ago. . . .
Ishizu walks over now as well, glaring at the treacherous doctor. "I do not deny that something must be done with you. Justice must be done. But . . . only God can deliver the vengeance."
Kaiba abruptly appears from the shadows, grabbing Dr. Portman firmly. "You're coming back with us," he snarls, "where you will be turned over to the authorities."
She struggles vehemently and then suddenly sneers. "Maybe. If you can all escape alive."
"What do you mean?!" Mokuba screams, looking about as hateful as I was moments before. "What are you doing now???!"
Dr. Portman looks triumphant. "Well, this was all planned before I entered the room. This former home of yours is set to explode within five minutes. A little something courtesy of me. My *associate* doesn't know I've done this. Every hallway is lined with bombs!"
Marik, who previously hasn't been aware of our location, pales. But then he narrows his eyes and prepares to face this fear head on. "We will get out!" he rumbles.
"In five minutes? Can you?" Dr. Portman smiles. "My associate has remodeled everything so much!"
I clench my fists, holding back an urge to hit her. "Come," I say, choosing to ignore her words. I am determined to lead the others to safety. Again I say a fervent prayer for guidance. I believe I know approximately where we are, but it is true that many things have been changed. What if we cannot find the way out?
No! We must!
~Marik~
Time is running out. I know it is, but I do not know what to do! Dr. Portman was not exaggerating about everything being changed. But still . . . some parts do look familiar. Suddenly it dawns on me where we are.
"The nearest exit from here is that opening in the ceiling, the one that I used to look up at and want to climb through!"
"Is it still there?" Ishizu quizzes Portman, knowing that she will want to get out before the allotted time is up.
"Yes!" the treacherous creature yells, struggling to be free of Kaiba's viselike grip.
It's so hard for me to grasp . . . and yet . . . I know it makes a horrible kind of sense. Of course she is the one who would suggest the idea of having the zombie come and . . .
I can't think about that now! And I can't let my fear overcome me. . . . I can't . . . not even though we're descending into more and more profound darkness!
The shadows are reaching for me . . . fondling me . . . clawing at me. . . . I can't help it. I scream. The hallucinations are too much.
Instantly comforting arms are placed around me as we continue our urgent journey.
"Nothing is harming you now, Marik," Ishizu says softly. "It is all in your mind."
I know she is right. I focus on her gentle, loving touch and banish the memory of the sickening, lustful ones from my mind.
"There!" Portman yells. "See the rope up ahead? We use that to get up!!"
We run for it. But as we approach, horrible creatures start coming out of the wall and making their way toward us. No . . . no . . . I can't handle this . . . not now . . . not yet. . . . ZOMBIES!! They're all zombies!!!
And what is worse . . . I learn that they are not only in my imagination. Every last one is real.
"They're everywhere!!" Kaiba yells in disgust, batting at one without success.
Even Mokuba looks frightened. He moves closer to his brother, his eyes wide.
"Our only hope is to ascend now!" Rishid cries, keeping a protective arm around my petrified body.
Kaiba orders Mokuba to go up the rope first. Then he goes himself, followed by Portman. Rishid immediately hauls himself up behind her to make certain that she doesn't try anything. All the while the zombies are reaching for them, trying to grab at any part of them they can.
I can't take it!! They can't suffer what I was forced to!! THEY CAN'T!!! And I will not let it happen!!
"Ishizu!!" I scream without a second thought. "Take the rope now!!"
Ishizu grabs my shoulder. "No, Marik!! I will go after you do!!" she says firmly, knowing how I cannot endure being around these creatures. She tenses as one of them touches her neck.
I force the rope into her hands. "Now, sister!! Please!!" I look into her eyes. "Sister, it is true that I can't bear the thought of being here with them. . . . But even worse to me is the thought of them harming you or the others. Go up now, sister! Please! I will follow right behind you!"
Ishizu can see the seriousness in my eyes and knows that my mind will not be changed. "Alright," she agrees at last, hastening to climb up so that I can grab on.
I take hold of the rope's end, noticing a zombie leaping through the air and trying to latch onto Ishizu's dress.
"YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!!!" I yell. "NEVER!!!! YOU CAN NEVER HAVE HER!!! I WILL DIE BEFORE I LET YOU TAKE HER!!!!" With that I wield the Rod and blast it back against the wall to keep Ishizu safe.
Now I feel another blast . . . something much more powerful. It's imploding!! The old home is imploding . . . and I don't think I can make it out.
~Ishizu~
I arrive at the top, feeling my dress tearing as one of the zombies reaches for me with its claws. Then I hear Marik screaming . . . and the horrible rumbling of the igniting bombs along the darkened hallway below. . . .
Rishid whirls around. "Is he still down there??!"
"YES!!!" I scream, my heart nearly stopping. "He insisted I go up first so that I would be safe!" I grip the rope tightly and try to pull my precious younger brother up. Rishid and Mokuba run to assist, as does Kaiba—who has just bound Dr. Portman with his belt.
But there is another horror awaiting us. The rest of the rope comes up . . . and Marik is not there.