Author's Notes:

I don't know what has happened to FF.Net…but the formatting of this fic has been thrashed!

There WILL be a sequel to this fic. Watch out for: Summons of the Sands

I don't OWN Yu Gi Oh!

On to the story.

=====================================================================

Here and Thereafter:

Chapter 11: The Awakening

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marik and Joey quickly leapt out of the way, but the octo-ball cart was smashed to bits by the Earl's sword. The vendor, losing his head completely, ran for his life, screaming into the night. The Earl rounded on Joey and Marik like a wolf cornering two vulnerable pups.

"I—I think I've gone mad!" Joey moaned as the Earl approached them. "A Duel Monster walking the street—oh my god, I think I need a psychologist!"

Marik, on the other hand, was thinking very fast.

It can't be, he said to himself. I don't sense the Dark Game, or the power of any Millenium Artifact anywhere from this monster. What the hell is going on? How is this possible?

His thinking was cut when the Earl attacked him and sent him soaring twenty feet away. Marik slammed into the nearby pile of rubbish. Joey was siezed with hysteria.

"Marik! OH GOD, MARIK!"

But the Keeper of the Millenium Rod was not to be defeated easily. Marik was quickly on his feet, the golden Rod in his hands. He pointed this to the Earl, who was approaching for another attack.

"I summon the power of Ra!" Marik shouted as the rod began to glow. "Obliterate this monster!"

Joey was sure Marik blasted the Earl with the Rod's power, but the monster was still alive, approaching them. The gruesome creature opened its mouth and slammed its sword into the ground, the two of them leaping away just in time.

"What happened? Isn't you Rod supposed to have power to obliterate Dark Game monsters?!" Joey demanded as they ran down the street and away from the attacking Earl.

"I don't know what's going on!" Marik snapped as he hopped onto his Harley and signaled for Joey to ride behind him. "Come on, we've got to go!"

Joey pulled himself up behind Marik and held real tight around the latter's waist.

The Earl of Demise gave a deafening roar as Joey and Marik escaped its clutches.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Yami felt numbing pain erupt from his chest, where Bakura's scimitar grazed his flesh, tearing through his skin. The pharaoh slammed into the wall and landed as a bleeding heap on the floor, too weak to fight.

"Stand up, Atemu!" Bakura shouted. "Stand up and fight!"

But Yami could barely keep himself conscious anymore…he had forgotten too many important things…this was it…he was going to die again…he and Yugi…

"YOU MISERABLE LITTLE OAF!" Bakura shrieked as he slammed his right foot into Yami's face. "NOW YOU SEE? I WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR EVERYTHING YOU PUT ME INTO! YOU DESTROYED MY FAMILY! YOU SENT ME TO THE SHADOW REALM! YOU AND YOUR BULLSHIT FATHER DESTROYED MY LIFE! I'LL MAKE YOU FEEL DOUBLE OF EVERYTHING YOU MADE ME GO THROUGH! DAMN YOU!"

Bakura kicked again and again and again, each blow resonating with the boiling hate that engulfed him in this moment. Yami was not making any effort to fight…he took each blow faithfully. The pain was too great it had started to numb…

There was the final kick, and Yami was lying defenseless on the floor, a bloody heap in tatters. Bakura raised his sword for the deathstrike.

"I'll send you to Hell, where you belong!"

Yami closed his eyes as he heard the whiz of the blade against air.

I won't let you win this time!

Both Bakura and Yami's eyes widened. Just before the sword crashed down onto Yami's neck, a blinding flash occurred. The ghostly apparition that was Ryou appeared, transparently pulsating hands clasping the lethal blades.

"RYOU, DON'T! YOU'LL USE UP ALL OF YOUR ENERGY! YOU'LL BE GONE FOREVER! STOP THIS!" Yami shouted as he tried to sit up, to help.

I won't let you win! You've oppressed me for too long! I won't let you hurt my friend! Ryou's ghost shouted even though its mouth was closed.

"GODDAMN YOU, YOU USELESS GHOST!" Bakura shouted. "GO BACK TO HELL!"

That was the final cue for the Millenium Ring. The Millenium Artifact glowed with such ferocity that was never before seen, overwhelming both Ryou and Yami. They watched in horror as the corrupting power of the Millenium Ring swallowed its master. A horrific transformation had started to occur.

Bakura's eyes, which had been soulful brown, had turned into bloodred orbs in their sockets.

"May the God Ra protect us from this great evil…" Yami whispered in horror.

~~~~~~~~~

Short again! Bleh! Please review!!!