Chapter 2: The Darkness Begins

Everyone stared in surprise when they saw Marik. "I can't believe it after all these years." Yugi said in shock. Marik stared at his enemies with anger and hatred. He noticed that Yugi didn't have the millennium puzzle around his neck. "I see you don't have the millennium puzzle anymore, Yugi." Marik said. "He doesn't need it anymore!" Tea yelled. Marik started laughing and asked, "Then how will he protect himself from my millennium rod." Everyone was in complete shock when they saw the millennium rod in Marik's hand. He pointed the millennium rod at Yugi and the ancient powers sent Yugi flying backwards hitting his head on a tree.

The others quickly ran to Yugi's aid. "Dad, are you ok?" Aiko asked. Yugi got up and answered, "Yeah, I'm fine Aiko. You don't have to worry about me." Marik approached everyone and told them, "You're powerless to stop me now. Without your puzzle you are nothing." "That's enough! This senseless fighting has gone long enough! Why don't you just leave us alone!?" Leona yelled. Marik just laughed. "Aren't you forgetting that I can easily drain your strength, even kill you?" Marik asked her. The millennium rod started to glow and Leona immediately started to feel her energy being drained. Kaiba held on to Leona making sure she wouldn't collapse.

"Mommy, are you alright?" Melissa asked worriedly. "I'll be fine." Leona whispered and started to breathe heavily. "Leona, try to focus on something else." Yugi told her. "I can't the power of the millennium rod is too strong." Leona said slowly. "Leave my mommy alone, you meanie!!!" Melissa yelled. Marik stopped the glow from the millennium rod and said, "That was only a taste of my power." Leona fell to her knees to regain control of herself. She slowly got up as Kaiba held onto her. "I'm warning you Marik, if you ever hurt Leona again you'll be wishing for an early death wish." Kaiba threatened. Marik laughed and said, "You haven't changed at all Kaiba. Don't worry I have no intentions on harming her." (But I will make her mine one way or another and you won't stop me Kaiba.) Marik thought and left.

"So much for the peaceful days." Joey said. "We're going to have to go the Domino Museum and get our millennium items. Yugi said. The others agreed and everyone headed to the museum. Once they got to the museum they headed to the basement, where Yugi pushed a wall panel to reveal the millennium puzzle and bracelet. "It looks like the others have already taken their millennium items back." Yugi said as he placed the millennium puzzle around his neck. (Yugi it's good to see you again. I sense there is a disturbance of darkness approaching this world.) Yami told his counterpart. "Yea, we know. Marik is up to no good again." Yugi told the spirit of the millennium puzzle. Leona looked at her millennium item and thought (I was hoping never to see this again. When I had this everything was going wrong.) Leona took the millennium bracelet and held it in her hand.

"I don't get why didn't Marik just take the millennium puzzle?" Mai asked. "Because my brother isn't destined to have it." A voice answered. Everyone turned around and saw Ishizu. "I knew all you would come here." Ishizu told them. "It's been a while, how are you?" Yugi asked. "Not so well, Yugi. My brother's darker self is starting to emerge again. Once the millennium rod was taken everything had gone wrong. That is why the other millennium items were taken by their rightful owners." Ishizu explained.

"We know Marik sorta caught us off guard at the park." Joey told her. "Once Marik's darker self returns the entire world will perish." Ishizu told everyone. "How can we prevent that from happening?" Tea asked. "The millennium bracelet is the key to unlock my brother's darker self. Whatever happens from this moment my brother must not have the millennium bracelet." Ishizu told her friends. "Don't worry Ishizu, Marik's gonna have to get through us if he wants that bracelet, right Leona?" Joey asked. Leona was too lost in thought to say anything. Melissa walked over to her mother and started shaking her hand. "Mommy, are you ok? What's wrong?" Melissa asked. "Wh-what? Oh I'm just a little tired." Leona finally answered. Kaiba looked at Leona a little concerned. "Maybe we should go home and get some rest." Yugi suggested. The others agreed and decided to go home.

It was really late as Leona, Melissa, and Kaiba finally reached the mansion. Melissa was asleep in her father's arms. As Kaiba put Melissa to bed, Leona went to her room and sat on the bed thinking. "Leona, what's going on?" Kaiba asked as entered the room. "Nothing. Everything's fine." Leona answered. "Everything's fine huh? You looked so afraid today at the museum today everyone saw that." Kaiba told her. Leona suddenly started crying. Kaiba walked towards Leona and sat on the bed next to her. He put his arms around her trying to comfort her. "Leona, tell me what's wrong." Kaiba said.

Leona looked at her husband with tears in her eyes. "I'm afraid." Leona whispered. Kaiba looked at Leona a little shocked. "Afraid? Afraid of what?" Kaiba asked her gently. "Of Marik. What he might do to me t0 take my millennium bracelet." Leona answered and started crying again. Leona got up from the bed and looked at the millennium bracelet that was lying on the table. She suddenly felt arms wrapping around her waist. "You don't have to worry. I protected you from Marik before and I won't let him harm you." Kaiba told Leona as he kissed her cheek. Leona forced a smile on her face and told him, "I know you won't let anything happen to me Seto. I just wish that Melissa didn't have to witness this madness"

Leona saw her flowers that she got this morning and held them in her hands. She noticed there was a white rose which seemed a little bigger than the other flowers. She carefully felt the rose and took out a small velvet box. Kaiba let go of Leona and took the box. "Seto, what's in the box?" Leona asked in surprise. He smiled at her and opened the box. Leona was shocked to see a sapphire necklace with diamonds surrounding it. "Seto, this is so beautiful. You didn't have to get me this." Leona told him. Kaiba smiled at Leona and placed the necklace around her neck. "This necklace is my promise to you. I won't let Marik harm you anymore, Leona. As long as you wear this, I'll protect you no matter what happens." Kaiba told her. Leona smiled at Kaiba and hugged him. "Thank you Seto." Leona whispered.

Author's Note: Well waht do u guys think so far? I could use a lil' help for the next chapter. Got any ideas i'd loke to hear them. Anyway R & R Thanks