Title: The Light Within
Pairings: Yami/Yugi, Bakura/Ryou, Marik/Malik, maybe others?
Summary: Three misguided teens, led away from their intended paths by the darkness. Can the balance be restored by the light halves of their souls?
Warning: Shounen-ai. Swearing. Light violence. Death.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, and I make no profit from this, it's purely for the enjoyment of myself and others (though I'm not certain about that…)
Chapter Three – Meetings and memories
Yami groaned as he roused from sleep. His head felt like it had been repeatedly hit by a ten-ton truck. Blinking groggily, Yami sat up, running a hand through his sleep-mussed hair. Taking a glance at the alarm clock beside his bed, Yami noticed that he was late for school – three hours late, in fact.
Not caring in the slightest, Yami climbed out of his bed, planning to have a nice hot shower, when he noticed he was only in his boxers.
'Weird…' Yami thought, puzzled. 'There was no way I would have been in any state to take my clothes off. Normally I fall asleep in my clothes. Downstairs.'
Yami scanned his room, to find his usual leather attire folded up neatly on the chair by his desk. He found it slightly unnerving, to say the least.
Choosing to play ignorant, Yami decided not to dwell on it. There was probably some kind of rational explanation for all of this. If more strange things happened, Yami would worry about them when the time came.
Half an hour, a long shower and aspirin tablets later, Yami cautiously made his way downstairs, the pain in his head now reduced to an irritating, dull thudding.
The sight that met Yami Mutou caused his heart to speed up slightly, and the tiniest slither of fear creep into him.
Nothing.
There was nothing. No beer cans, no empty food packets, the ashtray on the table was empty. Nothing. No one lived with him. Yami's parents were out sightseeing in Europe. Or was it backpacking in the Amazon? Yami didn't know. But no one could have cleaned up the mess he made.
/I do a favour for you and this is the thanks I get?/ A voice said in mock-hurt.
Yami jumped, startled, and frantically looked around the room, only to find no one. "Where are you? Show yourself!" Yami yelled in frustration.
A low hum filled the room, and Yami looked down to realise it was coming from his puzzle, as well as a soft glow of yellow light. Yami felt a slight tug come from somewhere inside of him, and an image flickered in front of the teenager, as if he had simple turned on a television, before solidifying.
Yami's jaw dropped. A child stood before him, looking no older than ten or eleven. His hair was almost identical to Yami's own, though his features were softer. His eyes were an amazing shade of amethyst, filled with purity and innocence, but a spark of mischief was evident, and Yami guessed this child wasn't as innocent as he looked.
The boy wrinkled his nose in distaste, and Yami thought it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen.
"A child?" The boy asked indignantly, glaring at Yami. "I'm the same age as you."
Yami's eyebrows shot up in surprise, shocked by both pieces of information. "You…you heard what I thought?" He asked in amazement.
The boy's mood swiftly changed, and amethyst eyes danced in amusement. /Yes I did. It's one of the many perks of being your soul mate./
Yami heard the voice in his head, but the boy's mouth didn't move. It was an unsettling image.
"Oh," Yami said dazedly, sitting heavily on the couch.
So everything that Shadi said was true? It had to be real. Either that or the most realistic dream Yami had ever had. Yami pinched his arm and winced. Nope. It was real.
This was all too much for a teenager to take. His life, though not exactly full of happiness, was fine before any of this happened. A soul mate? Destined to save the world? If that wasn't cliché, Yami didn't know what was. And a hell of a lot of pressure if it was all true.
"Stop being so melodramatic," The boy said aloud, rolling his eyes, though he was still smiling. "You've done it before, you'll do it again. Only this time you have me by your side."
Yami gave the boy a small smile, the gesture feeling alien to the solitary teen. The boy's cheerful attitude was contagious, and the heartfelt words caused a comforting memory to flash through his mind.
"Don't worry, darkness. You're not alone anymore."
"That was you?" Yami asked, watching the small boy walk with a kind of unnatural grace as he moved to sit next to Yami on the couch.
"Yes, and my name's Yugi," Yugi said distractedly, running his fingers along the soft material of the piece of furniture, seemingly fascinated by it.
Yami stared at Yugi in surprise. This was going to take some getting used to. He was going to ask Yugi's name, but was answered before the question even left his lips. If Yugi read his mind, didn't that mean—
"That you can do it, too?" Yugi asked, looking up to meet Yami's gaze with a cheeky grin. "Yes you can, and you can also block your thoughts from me if you wish. I'd advise that."
Yami frowned. Now the kid was just being annoying. Yami's frown dissolved into a smirk as Yugi huffed at being labelled a kid.
"I'm practically you, not to mention the fact that I have powers beyond your comprehension." Yugi said proudly, with an air of mystery. "So don't call me a kid," he added, pouting.
Yami chuckled, but was intrigued none the less. "What do you mean you're practically me? I thought you were my soul mate?" he asked, slightly confused.
Yugi straightened, giving Yami his full attention. "Well, I am, but we're the same person," he said simply, as if that should explain everything.
Yami blinked, still as clueless as he was before. "But you don't look or act like me," he pointed out.
Yugi shook his head. "I'm half of you. Your lighter half, you could say," he said with a quirk of his lips.
Yami nodded slowly, trying to make this implausible information register in his brain. "So that makes me the darker half?" He asked, gazing into Yugi's stunning amethyst eyes for confirmation.
Yugi smiled, nodding once. Yami snorted. How fitting for him to be the darker half of a soul with the name Yami.
Yugi ignored him. "Right. So whereas you're moody, pessimistic, careless and sexy, I'm cheerful, optimistic, attentive and cute," he said with a perfectly straight face.
Yami gave Yugi an unimpressed look. He wasn't moody, or pessimistic! Maybe a bit careless, sure…and sexy?! He wasn't—Yami stopped his train of thought, deciding to let Yugi slide on that one.
Yugi's giggle brought him back to reality, and Yami realised with annoyance that his lighter half had been teasing him.
"Oh no, I was perfectly serious. And while we're on the subject of your wonderful personality traits, how about we add arrogant to that list?" Yugi teased, with a slight smirk.
Yami narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "Why don't you teach me how to keep my thoughts…my thoughts?"
Malik gazed out of the eyes of his darker half, commonly known as Marik Ishtar. He had yet to explore the other's soul room, but one gaze at the door and he had decided to prolong that activity to a later date. To the untrained eye it was merely a door, but Malik could sense the darkness wanting to get out, to smother him and snuff out the light…
Malik shivered.
Marik was currently sat in a dark room, which had struck Malik as odd. Sifting through Marik's memories had given him the piece of information that had told him Marik was in Domino Juvenile Correctional Facility. Malik decided not to look for his reason for being in such a place just yet.
But, from what little Malik had dared to see, Marik had gone through a lot, so it wasn't surprising he had ended up in such a… psychotic… state of mind. Malik remembered the vivid memories as if they were his own.
Marik had drawn a picture of big sister Isis, big brother Rishid and Daddy. Daddy would be so proud of him!
Five-year-old Marik Ishtar clutched his simple drawing, running through the maze-like tunnels with ease as he headed to where he knew his Daddy would be.
"Daddy! Look what I drawed! It's me and you and Isis and Rishid!" The young child squealed happily as he approached his father, thrusting the drawing into a frowning man's face.
Marik's father glanced down at the drawing, anger clouding his expression. He snatched the drawing from Marik's hands, causing the young boy to gaze up at him in confusion. Why was Daddy mad? It was a pretty picture of them all in the sun, above the ground like the normal people!
"Why are you wasting your time drawing childish nonsense?! You should be in your room studying! Where is Rishid? Did he let you out of his sight again? He'll be punished for his insolence!" he said sharply, getting to his feet.
Marik felt panic rush through him. "No, Daddy! Don't blame Rishid! It was my fault!" he cried, his pleas falling on deaf ears…
The memory faded out and another one took its place.
Apprehension gripped ten-year-old Marik like a vice, as he sat nervously, awaiting his initiation. The book in his hand was shaking due to his trembling, and the words all blurred together. Marik couldn't concentrate. It was going to hurt.
Marik didn't want to be initiated. He never asked for this. Why did he have to be the reincarnation of the Ancient Priest? Sometimes he hated his heritage. Marik wanted to play in the sun with the other children. Why did they have to stay underground, in the dark? Marik didn't like the dark…
"Master Marik?" A deep voice called hesitantly.
"Rishid!" Young Marik cried as he got up and ran into the arms of his adopted brother. His lavender eyes filled with tears, and the taller male tried to comfort him. "I don't want to do this! I can't do this, Rishid!"
"I'm sorry, Master Marik. I've tried talking to your father, but he won't listen. I'm sorry," Rishid whispered, lowering his eyes in shame.
A violent surge of hatred swept through the young boy, and he pulled out of his brother's embrace roughly.
"Master Marik, I--" Rishid tried.
"Leave me alone!" Marik yelled, running out of the room, angry tears streaming down his face.
Young Marik hadn't got far before he was grabbed forcefully from behind. He screamed and kicked and cried, but it was all to no avail.
That night, ten-year-old Marik Ishtar gained his initiation.
Malik quickly ended the memory, not wanting to see his soul mate in such agony.
Marik gasped, dropping the golden dagger as if it had bitten him.
Before him, his father lay dead on the floor in a pool of blood, an expression of pure horror on his face. He could vaguely hear the cries of his sister, and shouts of help from Rishid, but Marik's mind was numb.
What had happened? His father had been shouting at him again. Something about being disrespectful…and Marik had gotten angry. So angry. Then everything just phased out, and he didn't remember anything after that.
Marik sank to his knees as realisation kicked in. His father was dead…but shouldn't he be happy? Now he could go live above ground, and live a normal life.
But Marik wasn't happy. His back still hurt, and there was a strange ache in his heart. A shimmer caught Marik's attention, and in front of him laid the Millennium Rod. It was still in dagger form, and the end was covered in blood. His father's blood. It was quite pretty really.
Marik reached for the Rod, but was beaten to it by Rishid. Marik glared up at his brother, his anger flaring. It was his Millennium Rod. Rishid handed the Rod to some person Marik had seen vaguely before, who took it away.
Rishid's eyes grew sad as he gazed at Marik, and his anger dimmed. Marik burst into tears, and Rishid embraced him.
Marik would never be able to be rid of the haunting look on his father's face…
Malik shook his head, trying to dispel the memories from his head. It was awful -- too much for him to take. But what was worse was that he knew what was coming. Now the only thing was to stop it, without getting Marik hurt in the process.
The Millennium Rod was now back in Marik's possession, thanks to the clever work of Shadi. But why would Shadi give Marik such a destructive weapon, especially when Marik knew how to use it?
Marik was currently locked in a dark room, isolated from the other juveniles because of his violent behaviour. Someone would come in to let him out soon, and Marik was just sitting there, running his fingers along the Millennium Rod.
Malik bit his lip. He hadn't wanted to do this yet, but he was going to have to make himself known. Malik could always take over Marik forcefully, but he didn't know how much knowledge Marik had yet, so it might be a foolish move to make.
Closing his eyes and concentrating, Malik projected his image in spirit form in front of Marik, having the ability to see Marik's form perfectly in the dark. Cruel lavender eyes gazed at Malik icily, and a deep smirk was visible on Marik's tanned face. His deep, silky voice was taunting as he spoke:
"I was wondering when you would show up."
Sorry for the delay, but here's chapter 3! I did say in Hentai Ryou that I have exams, so I wasn't going to update for a while, in case you guys forgot. I know there's still a huge, gaping plot hole, but I'll fill you guys in as the story progresses, so hopefully it'll all make sense.
I still have my exams, but it's now Spring Break, so I have a little time to do some writing. I doubt I'll have Hentai Ryou's next chapter posted any time soon, as I still have to revise, but I'll start it this week amidst my revising. So it should be updated in about…a little over 2 weeks?
Anyway, review and tell me what you think please?