"Sisters of the Moon"
By: Heikou and Janime Lee
"You sure this will work?" Keriam asked, looking at Malik lying on the bed.
Yami, now in control, placed his hand on her shoulder. "I know that you're nervous, Keriam," he said, "but right now you're the only one that can help them. Marik only trusts you." And more, he didn't say out loud.
Sighing, Keriam nodded. She walked to the other side of the bed and climbed on top, settling down next to the unconscious boy. Keriam took his right hand into her left, locking her fingers. It'll be alright, guys, she thought as she gently squeezed his hand, I promise.
"Ready?" asked Yami.
"Yes," the young woman answered.
~Good luck, Keriam,~ Yugi said.
"Thanks, Yugi," she smiled and closed her eyes.
Yami focused on her spirit. The Eye of Horus glowed on his forehead and the puzzle also began to glow fiercely. A golden hue enveloped Keriam, and then traveled through her left arm to Malik. It surrounded the Egyptian and soon faded.
Yami and Yugi stood where they were.
"What a rush..." Keriam gasped as she regained her balance on the purplish ground now under her feet. She looked around, finding the scenery a lot different than what she had expected; jagged shaped rocks of darker colors were all around--some of them even looked like the Duel Monsters that Malik had in his deck. "Well, everyone's mind is different," she commented to herself.
Keriam started to walk in a straight line. She had no idea where to go to start looking for either of the two personas, but guessed that if she kept moving, she would eventually run into one of them.
"Hopefully, just them," Keriam murmured, hugging herself. After knowing how Marik's mind was, she was more than unnerved.
She heard crying from somewhere; looking around, part of the scene changed and a temple-like structure rose from the ground and the purple earth changed to golden sand. Keriam cautiously stepped closer to the building, blinking at the engravings of several Duel Monsters, including the ones of the Three Egyptian Gods.
Keriam walked up the steps, pushing the white curtain aside a little bit to look inside. Her eyes widened at the child, a boy no older than ten, sitting in the center, huddled up and sobbing.
"Malik..." Keriam pushed passed the curtain and stepped into the room. "Malik?"
His head shot and he looked at her with frightened eyes. "No! Go away!"
"Malik, it's me. Keriam, remember?" she said taking a step closer.
"Leave me alone!" he shouted.
Something jumped from the shadows and swung at Keriam. She quickly dove to the floor and rolled away before it could strike again. Getting to her feet, Keriam looked at the attacker.
"Marik?" She couldn't believe it. The look in his eyes was empty, no emotion or even recognition.
"Don't let her near me!" Malik pleaded as he ran off to hide.
"Malik! Wait!" Keriam tried to stop him but dodged Marik's punch. "Shit! What's the matter with you two?"
Marik said nothing as he reached over to the wall and pulled one of the curved swords from the hanger.
"Oh great," Keriam grumbled. There's got to be a way to get through to them! She moved around the room when Marik started walking towards her. Okay, girl, think... What's going on here? Malik's in the form of a ten-year-old, which means that he didn't know you when he was ten. And Marik is protecting him.
"Protecting," she whispered. That episode where Marik was sent out of his body, and that thing that was left behind... That's it! Malik is the personality before his father carved the hieroglyphs, and he hid from the pain. Marik was born to protect Malik from the pain. All the pain and anger they felt over the years formed into that psycho that sent Marik from his body, and then he went into the Millennium Ring. Yami sent the pain and anger from his body so that Marik could go back, and what was left was the personality of a ten-year-old Malik.
"Marik," Keriam said, holding up her hands. "You know me. I would never hurt Malik or you. Please listen to me."
But Marik charged at her, swinging the blade to cut off her arm. Keriam moved to the side and grabbed his forearm. He raised his other hand into a fist to strike her, but Keriam grabbed his wrist. He shoved her hard against the wall, but Keriam didn't lessen her hold.
"Marik, please!" Keriam begged, staring into his lavender eyes.
~That's all I will ever ask from you...~
Keriam blinked at the words Marik had said after he'd kissed her. Regaining herself, Keriam shoved Marik's arms away. He staggered back a little, and Keriam took the advantage. She caught Marik's face with her hands, closed her eyes and kissed him.
She heard him make a noise, then the sound of the sword hitting the floor. His left arm snaked around her waist and his right hand tangled into her hair. Long moments passed before he moved away, looking into her eyes.
"Keriam...?"
"Hey, Marik," she smiled at him.
Guilt washed over his face. "Oh gods, what was I doing?"
"It's okay," Keriam hugged him. "It's okay, you were protecting Malik."
"Malik!" he released Keriam and walked over the back area of the room. "Malik, it's alright. Come on out."
Taking the younger persona's hand, Marik led him out to the center of the room. Keriam smiled at Malik clinging to Marik's side, as Mokuba did to Seto.
"Don't be afraid, Malik," the taller one said, running his hand over the boy's hair. "It's okay to remember."
Malik stared at the tall girl for a while and his face brightened as the memory came back. "Keriam!"
"Hey," Keriam knelt down and held out her arms, smiling. Malik ran straight into the embrace, hugging her tightly. "You guys had me worried," said Keriam as she got to her feet; she shifted Malik so that he sat on her right hip.
"How did you get in here?" Mailk couldn't help asking.
"Thank Yami and his famous Millennium Puzzle," Keriam grinned.
"Oh, there's a big surprise," Marik grunted.
Keriam looked at him. "Now about the blackouts you've been having."
"How did you know about those?"
"Ishizu called a little while ago."
"Before you go into detail," Malik said and he slid down to the floor, holding Keriam's hand, "can you stop the blackouts?"
"Well, I can try," she smiled.
"Why not?" Marik asked. "You've healed us before."
"Let's hope this time will be the last time," Keriam took his hand and closed her eyes, using her power to heal them. "Okay, that should do it," she sighed and released their hands.
"Good," said Marik. "Now you have to get back to your own body."
"And I won't say anything about you two kissing," Malik grinned.
"You better not, half-pint," Keriam warned.
"I am not a half-pint."
"Outside, no. But here, you are."
Malik narrowed his eyes at her.
"Any ideas how to send you back?" Marik asked when he finished chuckling.
"To be honest, I didn't ask Yami how before he sent me here," Keriam confessed.
Malik looked thoughtful. "Why don't you focus leaving here and going back to your body?"
"Better than nothing," Keriam said. She closed her eyes and did as Malik suggested.
The two watched in amazement as she slowly began to fade. "That's incredible," Marik said and he reached out, touching Keriam's arm.
"Marik!" the smaller persona yelled.
The golden glow surrounded Malik's body, and then went into Keriam. Yami sighed as Malik and Keriam slowly returned to consciousness. "Is everyone alright?" the Pharaoh asked.
"Yeah," Keriam groaned. Why did she feel...crowded?
"Um... Keriam..." Malik turned to look at her. "Marik is..."
"Is he okay?" she asked. He seemed fine when she left his body.
~I'm okay,~ the spirit answered.
Keriam frowned. Marik seemed to sound like he was a lot closer then before.
"Please try not to freak out or anything..." Malik begged. Even Yami looked unnerved.
"What is it?" Keriam demanded, sitting upright.
Everyone was having a hard time figuring out how to put it delicately. Marik took it upon himself to tell the truth.
~I'm inside you, Keriam.~
"I love chocolate-chip ice-cream," Mokuba said, and licked the side of the large cone to prevent the melting treat from reaching his hand.
Cheri smiled as she licked at her double Dutch chocolate cone. "Here you need a napkin or else you'll make a mess," she offered to him.
He smiled as she took it, wrapping it around the cone. "Thanks. Do you think Malik and Marik are okay?"
"I won't put it past them. They don't seem the kind that can be taken down for long and Keriam is helping out." She smiled and looked up at Seto. "How's your ice cream?"
"Pretty good," he said and took another lick of the vanilla scoops. A very slow lick and he looked at Cheri with a dark gleam in his eyes. Cheri mimicked his suggestive action.
Fortunately, Mokuba was too interested in his own ice-cream to notice what was going on between the two young adults that sat on either side of him. "Uh oh," the raven-haired boy said at the movement across the street. "Photo Freaks at twelve o'clock."
"Photo Freaks?" Cheri looked at him quizzically.
"The photographers from Domino City Post," answered Seto.
"Ah, the newspaper flunkies," Cheri nodded. They better be glad Mokuba's here because I'd flip them off, she thought. "So what should we do when our picture shows up in tomorrow's edition? Complain that it didn't make the front page?"
Seto just smiled and shook his head. "I've learned to ignore them, but I've made it very clear that if they ever bother Mokuba like they bother me, the consequences will be high."
"Hmm good idea but I guess they deem it okay to go around and spy, hoping to get a good picture in." She sighed and leaned back in her seat, trying to balance it on two legs while licking her cool treat.
"You're going to fall back if you keep that up," Seto said as he watched her carefully.
"My mom used to say that and hasn't happened yet. I seem to have this uncanny sense of balance and no matter what, I land on my feet."
"I know how well your sense of balance is," he smirked. She just stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
Gee am I gonna act like this when I'm in love? Mokuba asked himself as he continued to eat his treat. "Where else can we go? It's too early to go back to the mansion."
"Well, we seen almost all the movies playing here," Cheri counted off, "the arcade is packed... hey, how about dueling at your stadium?" She looked at Seto. "You and I really haven't had a real Duel, since we always get distracted."
"True," Seto grinned. Every time the couple took out their decks, they were usually put aside as they helped each other out of their clothes. "I have the keys and no one will disturb us."
"Man, I can't wait to see you two go at it!" Mokuba smiled.
Seto and Cheri looked at each other and tried not to laugh. When they finished the ice-cream, the trio stood up from the table and headed down the street. Mokuba stood in between his older brother and Cheri, holding their hands.
Heading to Kaiba Land was no problem and using the keys, they went in and locked the door behind them. Seto led them to one of the stadiums and turned on the power just for it. Cheri looked around and smiled. This was the same place where she and Keriam had first appeared in the YGO world.
"Let's duel." Seto smiled. Mokuba went to the stands to get a better look as the two young adults took their stand at the podiums. As they shuffled their deck and placed it down the Life Point counter came to life and counted up 2000 points each.
"Okay go easy on me, this is my first time dueling," Cheri smiled as she looked at the first five cards in her hand.
"Hmm, that line sounds familiar," Seto grinned at her.
"I'm gonna get you," Cheri narrowed her eyes. "I summon Protector of the Throne in defense mode and place one card face down. Your turn."
Seto's grin seemed to darken a little. "Alright then. I call upon Battle Ox in attack mode and place two cards face down."
Thank heaven you left Obelisk in your safe back at the mansion, Cheri thought.
Mokuba smiled as he watched Seto and Cheri play, cheering both of them on. Cheri was doing fairly well and Seto wasn't leaving off too much.
"Impressive, isn't she?"
Mokuba jumped at the voice. Seto locked the door, he looked around, no one else is supposed to be here! The young boy quickly jumped up from his seat and ran down the steps. "Seto! Someone else's inside the stadium!"
"What?" the elder Kaiba turned to his brother. "Cheri..." Seto placed his cards on the side board and ran from his podium towards Cheri.
"SETO!!!"
"Mokuba!!" Cheri screamed.
Seto spun around, eyes widening in horror at the sight of his little brother in the grasp of a strange man. "Put him down!" Seto demanded.
"Only if you give me something in return," Deliem said. "You Egyptian God Card, Obelisk the Tormentor."
"I don't have it with me."
Deliem moved over to the podium and searched Seto's deck. "I have to admit that I'm rather surprised you don't have Obelisk with you," Deliem said as he stepped back. "Oh well, I hope you won't mind if I keep your brother with me until you hand it over."
"Why you lousy no good miserable bastard!" Cheri yelled.
"Temper, temper, Sister of the Moon," Deliem smirked. "Don't worry; he will have company where I'm taking him."
"What are you talking about?" Seto narrowed his eyes.
"My brothers have also gone off to see Yugi's grandfather and the Wheeler boy's sister."
"Oh no..." Cheri whispered with dread.
Seto growled angrily at the news. "Hiding behind children and an old man... you three are nothing but cowards!!" he declared.
"We are not so much cowards as we are strategists. Why try to steal the Gods and kidnap the Sisters when you would hand them over for someone you care about," Deliem smirked. "An even trade."
"You won't get away with this..."
"I already have. Say good-bye to your brother Seto for unless you give us Obelisk you'll never see your younger brother again." He continued to smirk at them as darkness slowly began to surround the two of them.
"No I won't let you get away with this!!" Cheri jumped over the podium, landing on the battle grid and raced towards the other podium. She jumped up, ready to knock the other man onto the floor but she wasn't expecting him to pull a fast one on her. Her eyes widen as his hand glowed and before she knew it, she was struck in the chest and sent flying back. Pain exploded as her back connected with her podium and she slumped down in a daze.
"Cheri!!!"
"Once you decide to give us the cards we will return your family members. We'll contact you later on." He turned to leave, the young boy following obediently but before he stepped into a portal he looked over his shoulder. "A word of advice, think before you leap." Stepping forward he and Mokuba, were gone.
"Mokuba..." Seto whispered, staring at where his brother and Deliem had been. A groan from the battle grid brought him back to the rest of the world. "Cheri!" Seto jumped down to the grid and ran to his girlfriend. Gathering her into his arms he helped her sit up. "Cheri, are you alright?"
"Wait till I get my hands on them!" she growled, rubbing the back of her head. "They've gone way too far!"
"Let's get out of here." Seto helped Cheri to her feet, and they left the building.
"Uh... hi guys."
"Malik!" Ryou sat up as the Egyptian boy, Keriam and Yami walked into the room.
Joey jumped from the couch and hugged Keriam. "You alright?"
"I'm okay..." she said, flinching a little.
"So what happened?" asked Ryou.
Bakura appeared beside his light. ~And where's Marik?~
~I'm still here,~ said the other spirit. ~Sorry to shoot down your hopes, Bakura.~
Ryou, Bakura, and Joey frowned. "Hey, how come he sounds a little different?" Ryou asked.
"Everything went fine," said Malik. "Keriam took care of us..."
"But..." Yami began.
Yugi took over. "There was a little fluke..."
"What happened?" Joey looked at his girlfriend.
Keriam moved away from him. "Please try not to get too upset," she said and looked at him. "Marik is inside me."
Ryou's mouth fell open and Bakura's eyebrow twitched.
"He's inside you?" Joey asked in a deadly calm tone; Keriam nodded.
In a move quicker than anyone in the room thought possible, Joey grabbed Malik by the front of his shirt and hauled him off his feet. "What is he doing inside her?!" the blonde growled.
~Whoa...~ Bakura gaped.
"I don't know!" the now hanging Malik screeched. "Keriam healed us, she was going back to her body, Marik touched her arm, and now he's inside her!"
"Joey!" Yugi cried. "Calm down!"
"Get him out of her," the blonde hissed, completely ignoring his best friend.
"I don't know how!!"
Marik appeared beside Keriam but when he tried to hit Joey his fist just passed through. ~Wheeler drop him right now!!~
"What makes you think I'd listen to you?" he snarled, looking at him but didn't release the other blonde.
"Joey put him down right now this wasn't his fault or anyone else!!" Keriam shouted at him. She could understand how upset he was but it was just a fluke.
Joey looked up at her before dropped Malik heavily on his feet but glared at the spirit angrily. "As soon as we find a way I want you out of Keriam ASAP, even if I have to drag you out myself."
~I'm like to see you try, mutt,~ the spirit growled at him, their eyes flashing when they locked gazes. You could feel the charge between them getting dangerous.
~This is more entertaining than the wrestling matches on TV,~ Bakura smiled, placing his hands behind his head and leaned against the couch.
"You shut up!" Joey glared at him.
"Guys!" Keriam shouted, and then turned away from them. Everyone caught the light sobbing coming from the young woman.
"Damnit," Joey cursed at himself. "Keriam, I'm sorry." He walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist, feeling her body shake lightly as she tried to hold back her saddened emotions.
Bakura looked at Marik. ~How does that saying go? 'So close yet so far'.~
Marik walked over to the couch and just looked at Bakura. Then he grabbed the tomb robber and threw him through the wall, and slapped his hands. Bakura came running back into the room and slammed into Marik. Everyone watched in surprise as the two spirits pummeled each other on the floor.
Yami left the Puzzle and ran over to the feuding duo, grabbing them by the hair and pulled them apart. ~Enough!~ the Pharaoh shouted.
~He started it!~ Bakura yelled trying to free his hair from Yami's hand.
~Did not!~ Marik glared back as he tried to lessen the Pharaoh's hold.
"And how old are you guys?" Keriam asked; her eyes were a little red from crying.
Ryou looked embarrassed, Malik was keeping away from Joey, and Yugi just wasn't sure what to do. Joey said nothing as he just held Keriam tightly, apologizing for being an ass. They looked up when the front door opened and even the three spirits stopped bickering like children when Seto came in, supporting Cheri.
Yugi immediately ran to them, helping Cheri to the couch to sit. "What happened?!"
"Deliem... he kidnapped Mokuba right before our eyes," the CEO growled angrily as his fists tighten. "If I had Obelisk this wouldn't have happened!!"
"We didn't know they would try this," Cheri breathed softly. The attack still hurt but she'd live.
"Let me call grandpa and warn him!!"
"Yugi it's too late. Deliem told us that he already kidnapped your grandpa and..." she looked up at Joey sadly, "and Serenity. I'm sorry guys..."
"Serenity..." Joey said quietly.
Keriam turned and hugged Joey tightly. Not again, she thought.
"Grandpa..." Yugi slumped on the couch. "Why did they take them?"
"The Egyptian God Cards," said Seto. "I left Obelisk here. If I had it with me, I could've saved my brother."
"So they'll trade Slypher and the Winged Dragon of Ra for Mr. Mutou and Serenity," Keriam said, rubbing Joey's back.
Seto nodded. "He said they'd contact us." With that, Seto left the room.
Tristen and Tea arrived at Kaiba mansion a couple hours later. Once there, they were told about what had happened.
"I feel so sorry for you right now, Keriam," Tristen said, "having to put up with that nutcase."
"It's only temporary," she responded and thought, God, I hope so.
Cheri stood up from the couch and walked out, heading towards Seto's office. She knocked lightly on the door and heard the faint permission to enter. Seto was sitting in his chair, looking at the locket that contained his brother's picture. Cheri walked into the room and shut the door behind her. Slowly she walked over to him, glancing at the portrait of Seto and Mokuba's real parents.
"Seto," Cheri whispered, "are you okay?"
Silently, he shook his head. The longer Cheri stared at him, the closer the CEO looked to the verge of tears. She placed her hand on his. Seto closed the locket and pulled Cheri onto his lap. She looked into his eyes, giving him a small smile of comfort before wrapping her arms around him and held him close.
Seto hugged Cheri tightly, trying not to let his emotions get the better of him. Gozaburou had succeeded in making Seto bury his feelings, but now the old man was dead.
And Cheri was here.
Cheri looked down when something wet landed on her arm. Her eyes widened at the tears that flowed from Seto's closed eyes as he held on to her. Go ahead, Seto, let it out, Cheri thought as she lightly ran her fingers through his silky hair. You deserve to. After what Gozaburou put you through... you deserve to cry. I won't tell anyone.
"Open your heart
To eternal dimension,
"Open your heart
For love and affection,
"Open your heart
Your every emotion,
"Open your heart
For tears and rejection,
"Come to the grace
Of heaven's eternal fantasy,
Come to the grace
Of earthly devoted harmony."
The song seemed to help him relax a bit so she hummed the words softly, telling him in her own way she was here for him. She wasn't sure how long they sat like that but pulling back just a bit she reached out and gently brushed the drying tears away. "Better?"
"Some. I never heard that song before," he said softly, leaning into her hands.
"From an anime show I like to watch time to time. The song is called 'Open Your Heart'."
"I feel like my heart is finally opening. Before meting you... Mokuba was the only thing that mattered and I always tried to protect him. With Gozaburou he was always hard on me, pushing me to be the best, to always win and never show my emotions. He said everything was weak, even love. When he died I thought I was free but he was still haunting me, telling me what to do, how to act, never feel emotions, to be perfect."
"But you are free. Seto, you're only human and being perfect is different to everyone."
"I failed to protect Mokuba. Again."
"So did I. We underestimated Deliem, Haziem, and Perjiem but it doesn't mean it's not too late. We will get everyone back and beat them. But maybe it's time you open your heart just a bit more." Taking his hand she rested it over her heart as she rested her hand over his own. "Show Gozaburou you are a winner but not by his rules."
Seto closed his eyes, feeling the rhythm of her heart under his palm. Sliding his hand up to her neck, Seto brought Cheri's face closer and kissed her.
The phone rang, making them jump and stare at it. After two more rings, Seto picked it up. "Kaiba."
"Good day, Seto Kaiba," a dark toned voice spoke, "I am Perjiem."
"Where's Mokuba? I want to talk to him."
"Big brother!" the boy cried into the phone.
"Mokuba, are you alright?" Seto asked.
"I'm okay."
"Where are you?"
"I don't-"
"That's enough for now," Perjiem took the phone again.
Seto's hand gripped the phone tighter. "If you harm even one hair on my brother's head, I swear that I will rip you apart slowly, piece by piece. And if you do anything to Solomon Mutou or Serenity Wheeler, I'll let Yugi and Joey have the privilege to decide your fate."
"Empty threats don't scare me, Kaiba," said Perjiem. "Now, if you're done with your theatrics, let's talk business. As you know, I have acquired three guests. In your house you and two of your guests are related to mine. Also in your house are the three Egyptian God Cards. One card for the return of one of my guests. Refuse and you'll never see them again. Simple, isn't it?"
"Get to the point," Seto almost hissed; Cheri rubbed his arm to calm him.
"The stadium where you took the finalists to board the blimp," Perjiem said, "Be there in an hour--all of you. And I mean all nine of you. The Sisters of the Moon, Yugi, Marik, Ryou, you, Wheeler, and that other boy. No police, and send your transportation away after you arrive. Understand?"
"Clearly."
"Very good. And one more thing, Kaiba; if you try anything not only will I make sure that you never see your brother again, I can make it possible that he will not remember who you are and never will."
The phone went dead.
Seto slowly put the phone on the cradle and stared at it, as if waiting for it to ring just once more but it never came.
"Seto?" Cheri had heard it all and slowly stood, taking his hand in her own. No words were said as he stood and embraced her tightly.
"Let's tell the others." Keeping a tight hold on her hand they left he office and headed to the living room. As he told everyone about the phone call he was cool and calm but every once in a while his hand would tighten and Cheri just let him.
"How do we know that we can trust them?" Tristen asked. He was all for it to get Serenity back it could be a trap.
~We don't know unless we go there,~ said Yami.
"But if you give them the Egyptian God Cards," Ryou said, "what's to stop them from going after the girls?"
Yami closed his eyes. ~Again, we don't know.~
"An hour, right?" Keriam looked at Seto and he nodded.
"Let's go," said Tea.