Thomas Drovin: Seto's going to kill him when he finds out what he's been doing!
Janime: You mean who he's been doing.
Heikou: HENTAI!!!
"Arise from Darkness"
By Heikou and Janime
Chapter Twenty-Six
Shattered Reality
Bakura knelt on his left knee before the Black Scorpion, head down and holding up the Book of the Dead.
"Impressive," said the dark king. Rising from his throne, he walked to the thief and took the ancient tome. "How long must we wait before the Shadow Realm can be merged?"
"In four days there will be no moon," said Necrophedious. "That is the night the spell must be cast, or we will have to wait another twenty-eight days."
"Then that is when the spell will be cast." He ran his fingers along the cover and smirked. "Soon Anubis will be betrayed by his own descendent. Part of my revenge will be complete."
Part? That rang a bell in the thief's mind. I thought he wanted that. "What about the Book of Amun-Ra and the Book of the Shadows?" he asked out loud.
"The others are locating the Guardians. Once they have been found, you will join them. Leave us."
The young man nodded and slowly stood. Leaving them he was tempted to hide and hear what they were saying but that wouldn't be possible. Behind him the doors closed and he sighed deeply. Right now his former friends were probably thinking of ways to torture him for betraying Bakura but it had to be done. Shaking his head he went in search of Meanae.
He found the princess in the training area. It was a dirt covered floor with tall risers and pillars of different height surrounding it. The young woman was practicing with her whip, tearing through statues as they popped up around her. She moved gracefully, taking the statues down as soon as they appeared. She was beautiful.
Meanae kept her breathing steady as she swung her whip, lashing the gray-stone sculptures; the shards flying in all directions but none harmed her. She stood silently waiting for another to appear. After a few moments, the princess relaxed. That's when she heard the shuffle. Quickly spinning around, Meanae swung her whip to have it wrap around Bakura's upraised forearm.
Smirking, Bakura grabbed the whip and yanked hard, pulling the owner towards him. He wrapped his free arm around her waist then pressed his lips against hers with a slightly bruising force. His excitement grew as she submitted, but he knew they couldn't continue.
For now, at least.
Reluctantly, they pulled apart but didn't say anything for the moment. Meanae reached up, tracing his lips as he smirked then unwound the whip from his arm. Once he released her she took a small step back.
"The mission was successful?" she asked.
"Very much so. Also managed to injure two of the Guardians in the process," he boasted.
"You have earned your rank with our clan."
"Was there a doubt? In four days the spell will be cast and the Shadow Realm will merge with the moral world. Nothing will be able to stop us. Not even the gods."
--
Mokuba opened his eyes, swearing that he heard someone calling his name. The muffled voice came again, and he looked up. "Seto!" he cried happily.
His older brother smiled weakly at him behind the oxygen mask before slowly raising his hand to pull it down. "Are you alright?" Seto asked hoarsely.
Mokuba nodded; just like Seto to worry about his welfare over his own.
Seto turned his head to his left, blinking in surprise at Ryou sleeping in the bed next to him.
"Bakura stabbed him," Mokuba explained, "but Dr. Kenshin said that the amount of poison he received was less than yours."
"Bakura..." he frowned and remembered that it was Cliff who stabbed him but he couldn't remember anything after that. He sighed and looked at his brother. "What did the doctors say?"
"Ryou can go home in a few days. But they want to keep you here just in case," Mokuba answered, rubbing the rest of sleep out of his eyes. "Do you ant me to call Rose or a nurse?"
Seto could only slowly nod. He wanted to get out this place soon so they could continue their search. Time was not at their side. He tried to sit up as the younger Kaiba pushed the nurse's call button.
--
"Thank you, Tea," Ishizu smiled at the Daughter of Osiris, taking the glass of water.
"You're welcome," smiled the brunette girl as she handed two mugs of coffee to the Egyptian woman's husband and brother. "How many does this make for you, Marik?"
"I lost track," he confessed.
"Five," said Rashid.
"I counted eight," said his wife.
"Last one," Marik promised.
Tea shook her head. "You definitely won't be getting to sleep tonight."
"Can't sleep. Between figuring out what the Scorpion King is really planning to reading the scrolls that Pegasus brought to the fact that when I sleep in any position my ribs protest." He drank already half the mug and sighed. "Besides, next time I see Bakura I'm gong give him a kick in the ribs and see how he likes it."
Probably just as much as when he landed in the Graveyard, Tea thought.
"I haven't decided to punch him or kick him first," Marik continued, "but I do plan on delivering both agonies to him."
Tea just sighed and looked at the scroll Marik had been reading. The hieroglyphs were so alien to her, but somewhere deep inside another part of her recognized them. She just put the tips of her fingers on the large papyrus sheet, and several hieroglyphs began to glow.
"Holy gods of Egypt," Rashid said in astonishment.
"When the realm of the Shadows overtakes Ra's greatest creation," Tea read, "the Heart that holds the Darkness shall choose its host as the Heart which harbors the Light has done. And should the hosts who carry the Hearts fall into despair…"
The glow faded. Tea removed her hand and looked at them. "…Then Final Judgment shall be passed…"
Malik blinked a few times. "What the hell does that mean?" he snapped.
"Final Judgment..." she paled, "death to the worlds as we know it..."
Tea stared at the scroll, swallowing the lump of fear as it lodged itself in her throat. She already guessed who the scroll was talking about in the beginning but the heart that holds the darkness?
--
"Mr. Kaiba, please, as a medical judgment, I must protest your decision-"
"Dr. Kenshin," Seto looked at the red-haired man, "please, as one of your main hospital funds donator, I am insisting that I go home. Ryou Bakura is being released today and staying at my estate. My mother-in-law is a very competent and skilled nurse. Arrangements have been made if anything happens to either Ryou or myself, we will be brought here." The perks of having a helicopter, Seto thought.
Kenshin didn't look happy but sighed. "It goes against everything in the medical book... and I know your tendency to overwork yourself... but I trust Rose and your brother to make sure you don't over do it." He slowly nodded. "Alright. I'll have your release papers at the front desk with Mr. Bakura's."
"Thank you." He let out the breathe he didn't know he was holding as his slowly pulling his jacket on. He had almost expected him to have him locked in his room but he couldn't lay around. Every second that is lost just means it's closer to the final battle and losing my wife.
As he was about to leave Ryou came out of the bathroom. He had finished dressing and seemed a bit pale but at least he could stand on his own. "How do you feel?" Seto asked.
"Better. I can't wait to go and eat some of Nan's home cooking," Ryou smiled sheepishly.
Seto chuckled under his breathe and held the door open for him. "I know just how you feel."
"You have to admit, hospital food is a lot better than what they served in high school."
"No argument there."
They walked down to the nurse's station, and waiting there was Mokuba and Rose.
"Nice to see you two up and about," Rose smiled at them.
Mokuba ran to his brother, hugging his waist.
"Easy little brother," he smiled and ruffled his hair.
Rose smiled and carefully embraced them. "Seto, when you and Cheri have kids I hope they get your stubborn streak."
"Is that a good thing or bad thing?"
"Depends." She laughed and patted the paper work. "Just sign out and we can go home."
"I called Paul and he's waiting outside for us," the young Kaiba said with a grin.
Seto looked at him. "I'm out for a few days and you're already taking over. Unbelievable."
"I'll never achieve your level."
"Don't sell yourself, Mokie."
"He's right, Mokuba," Ryou said as he signed his release form. "No matter who does better than you in one thing, you will be better than them in something else."
"Isn't that the truth," said Rose.
Seto only grunted. Even though what Ryou had said was true, the CEO didn't like to remember that both Yugi and Yami were the only two that could beat him.
That rematch will have to wait again, Seto thought. He quickly shoved aside the beginning of thinking to just drop it. For now, he would, until he got Cheri back.
And kill that damn thief.
Slowly.
--
"Get out. Get out of my house!"
"Damnit she's my daughter too!"
"You gave up all rights as her parent when you raised your hand at her in anger. By the court laws she is my daughter and you are not allow 30 feet near her," Rose said angrily, wishing she had the cordless phone in her hand. "Get out of here before I call the police."
Cheri was huddled behind the railing of the stairway, trembling in fear. She had never seen her mom so mad before and to be honest, her father still scared her. She moved to the top of the step and sat down, hugging her old stuffed toy tightly. "Mommy?" she called out.
Manuel looked up and shoved his ex-wife to the side, knocking her into the table along the wall. "Sweetheart, it's okay. I just came to see you," he told her, slowly walking towards the staircase.
"Manuel, get away from her!" Rose screamed, running ahead of him and stood her ground at the foot of the steps. "Don't even think about it."
"That is my daughter and I will see her if I want to." He growled and moved to step before her. "Move Rose or I'll make you move."
She glared at him angrily even when he made to strike her.
"No!!" Meanae sat up in the bed, panting heavily. Since the other Scorpions had gone after the Books she and Bakura had retired to her chambers. She had been sleeping after their love-making but the dream-
No... not a dream... a memory. She sighed deeply, pushing her hair back and looked at her prince. He was still sleeping soundly she was glad he didn't awake to her cry. Yet... that man, Manuel... he looked so much like her king... She slowly hugged her knees to her chest and shivered some. "I have a terrible feeling about this..."
Sighing, Meanae looked down at Bakura. A smile finally graced her lips and she lay down on top of him, her head resting on his chest. Despite the comfortable position, a small twinge of guilt struck her heart. But as soon as she felt it, it was gone and she fell asleep.
Bakura cracked one eye open and looked at Meanae. Then he gently draped his arm across her shoulders.
I've come this far, he thought, I'm not losing you this time.
--
"One Book of Shadows," Tristen placed his item on the counter.
"And one Book of Amun-Ra," Devlin placed the golden tome beside it.
Yami stared at the two Book and their Keepers. What is it? I know it's important.
"Yo Yami, you okay?" the brunette asked.
"It's nothing... you were saying?"
"With the Book of the Dead gone we need to keep a closer eye on these two," Duke said.
"We could always place it back in Seto's safe," Yami thought up then shook his head. "No, that would be the first place they would look."
"Guilty as charged. Man this is crazy. We leave it at home our family and friends could get hurt by accident; we keep them with us and we're walking targets. It's a lose-lose situation here."
"Has the Ishtar clan figured out anything from the stuff Pegasus had?" Tristen asked.
Yami paused for a moment, sending a message to Yugi at Kaiba Mansion. "Unfortunately, no," the pharaoh answered. "Although, Marik is now sleeping despite the mass amount of coffee he's been recently drinking."
"If his eyes could get any redder," Duke agreed.
The intercom buzzed. "Ryou is on his way upstairs," Solomon's voice announced.
"Thank you, Grandpa," said Yami. He caught the looks the two Keepers were giving him. "What?"
"I never would believe that you said 'Grandpa' if I hadn't heard it for myself," said Duke.
The former pharaoh shrugged but was smiling lightly. "He doesn't mind and to be honest, he's been like a grandfather to me as well."
"That's Mr. Motou for you."
Ryou knocked on the door and was greeted by them. He noticed the books and sighed. "I still feel guilty for losing my book," he said softly.
"Don't be glum, chum. We'll get it back," Tristen said, trying to cheer him up. "The good news is you're out of the hospital."
"So is Seto." He looked at their shocked expressions. "He was released today despite the doctor's worries."
"Wouldn't put it past Kaiba to let nothing stand in his way. Not even poisoning," the dice master commented.
"Bet he'll be back in the hospital when he pushes himself like he always does," the Guardian of Osiris said.
"Not unless he wants Rose and Mokuba mad at him." Ryou sighed as he sat down.
Yami looked at him worriedly. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I still feel a bit weary but I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
"Need we remind you what happened four days ago?" asked Duke. "That is why we worry."
Ryou just chuckled. "I know, it's just…" he cast his eyes down to the floor.
Yami saw the pained look in Ryou's eyes and placed his hand on the albino's shoulder. "Ryou, I don't believe Bakura had any intentions to kill you," said the pharaoh, "not according to what Rose told us about the venom."
"It still hurts knowing that he… he did that."
Downstairs grandpa was reading a magazine about Duel Monsters when the bell above the front door jingled. He looked up as two young men came in. They wore jeans but one wore a hooded sweatshirt pulled low over his eyes and the other wore a shirt and jacket with glasses perched on his nose. They looked around the store before the one with glasses stepped forward.
"I hear you sell Duel Monster cards," the guy said.
"Yes we do. Is there anything I can help you with?" he asked politely.
"Well, would you happen to have Nightmare Scorpion on hand?"
"Quite possibly," Mr. Motou put down the magazine and reached for the keys to the case.
The one wearing the hooded sweatshirt grabbed the elder man's arm.
Solomon tried to pull away. "What do you think you're-"
"Sleep, old man."
His eyes dropped and the man let go, both he and his companion watched him fall to the floor.
"Effective," said Cliff, "but I did have this." He held up the needle.
"Waste of poison," Bakura said, removing the hood.
"Waste not want not. Let's hurry." Cliff made sure the old man was hidden behind the counter as Bakura quickly locked the door and flipped the open sign to close. He led the Trap Remover upstairs.
"The others are in place?" he asked in a hush whisper.
The dark blonde nodded. "Even as we speak. We grab the books and the Guardians."
"Fine by me." They stepped on either side of the doorway and listened to the four people within continued talking.
Tristen sighed and sat on the bed. "Something doesn't seen right. I mean, now that the Scorpion King has been released from his prison, why does he still want the books? I know they're full of powerful magic."
"I know what you mean but it just means they know something we don't and we need to figure it out before they do," Duke replied. "I still think we should open them and see it there's a spell to seal the tear."
"And what is there isn't? We'd probably end up doing more harm than good," Yami countered. "I know that we're all on edge right now but we can't afford to make a single mistake. Our lives are not the only ones in danger."
The door was kicked open, causing everyone in the room to jump.
"But right now, they are," said Cliff.
The house began to shake. Yami, Duke, Tristen, and Ryou fell to the floor; Bakura and Cliff were unaffected and grabbed Ryou and Duke. Chick and Don burst through the windows and grabbed the Book of the Dead and the Book of Amun-Ra.
"Thank you very much," Chick grinned.
"Ryou! Duke!" Tristen shouted.
"Bakura!" Yami hollered.
The thief turned his head, his right arm encircling Ryou's neck with the Keeper trying desperately to pull away.
"Five thousand years I have waited for this, pharaoh," he said, "I only pray now that they forgive me."
Yami made to get Ryou but another shake hit the house, making him hit the floor. When he looked up, they were gone. Getting to his feet he ran to the window only to discover that Gorg had been striking the house, causing it to shake. The other Scorpions joined him and once they were ready, vanished from sight.
"No!" It was too late but if they came from the stairs... "Grandpa!!" Without even seeing if Tristen was alright he ran out of the room and down the stairs.
"Yami wait up!" The brunette followed him before running back into the room and grabbing the Book of Shadows.
--
Yugi let out a yelp as the sudden feeling of panic and fear hit his mind. It had taken him by surprised he fell off the sofa and hit the floor.
Tea helped him up, worry in her eyes. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"... Ryou and Duke are gone... The Scorpions kidnapped them and took their books... Grandpa's okay but he's in a spell-induced sleep," he said as soon as he had a grasp of what was going on. "Bakura was with them."
"Are they on their way here?" Joey asked.
Yugi nodded.
Marik walked away from the group and leaned his hands against the wall, head hanging down. I can't stand this anymore! All this waiting to see what happens… he let out a tired, frustrated sigh. If only there was a way to know…
His head shot up. "There is…"
"You okay, Marik?" Mokuba asked.
"Talking to yourself isn't usually a good sign," said Seto. Not that he has any sanity to begin with.
The Egyptian boy turned around and looked at them. "Necrophedious has a piece of my soul, which enables him to send out little messages and, unfortunately, tune in to what's happening here."
"Try not to remind us," said Joey.
Marik became serious. "What if we use that connection to find out what's going on where they are right now?" he asked. "If we use the Millennium Key and Rod."
"What's to keep him from reading your mind back?" Seto asked.
"When they return with the Books he'll be too busy to know that I'm in the back of his mind," he countered.
Keriam didn't seem too sure but they didn't have many choices. "We should do it. We can't sit here and wait for them to come here."
"... Alright. Maybe we can also know what's happening to Cheri. Alright." He got up and left fir his office, taking the Millennium Rod from a hidden drawer in his desk. Holding it tightly he looked at the wedding photo of him and Cheri dancing. "... I will get you back."
"Keriam, you sure you wanna go through this? What if this Necro guy seals you within the Key?" Joey asked with worriment.
"I know the risk," she answered, "but it's our turn to do something rather than wait."
"What about Malik?" Rashid asked. "Will this affect him?"
Everyone looked at the young Ishtar.
Marik walked over to his brother and knelt. "Looks like we're going to have to block the link for awhile."
"I'm going with you," Malik said.
"No, you can't, I don't want to risk losing you to that… thing."
Malik was ready to protest but a stern look from Marik stopped him. The young boy closed his eyes and nodded.
Marik placed his right hand on Marik's forehead and shut his eyes. The two were enveloped in a golden glow, and then it faded. Marik rose to his feet and walked over to Keriam and Seto.
"Make sure that it's completely blocked," he said.
"You got it." Keriam removed the Key then took hold of Seto's hand. "Hold on tight." She placed the tip of the Key to Marik's forehead and turned it.
An audible click was heard and almost at once all three of their bodies went stiff. Both Millennium Items glowed softly then died down.
Malik wasn't sure what to say but held Ishizu's hand when she touched his shoulder. Good luck, Marik... be careful.
--
"For the last time, let me go!" Duke yelled but it was getting him no where.
"I hope our King lets me cut out your tongue," Cliff growled. As they entered the throne room he pushed Duke to his knees with force. "Stay down and I won't break your legs."
Bakura made Ryou kneel as well but stood behind him, waiting. "Don't try to escape, you won't make it out alive," he warned. When Ryou looked back at him, he ignored him but his heart twisted painfully.
The other Scorpions stepped forward, kneeling before their king and held the books up for him. "We have been successful in our mission, your highness."
The Scorpion King smiled evilly as he examined the Book of the Dead and the Book of Amun-Ra. "Two of the most dangerous books the world has known and now they are in my grasp. The gods were fools to allow such weak mortals to handle so much power."
"You take that back!" Ryou yelled at him only to get struck in the face with the back of Cliff's hand.
"Control you ex-light, Bakura!" he snapped angrily.
"Remember dear brother, he is the only one to open Anubis' Book," Meanae said as she walked into the throne room slowly.
"Pity," Cliff eyed the two look-a-likes. "Apparently, sharing a body doesn't include sharing talents."
"I haven't heard your sister complain," Bakura smirked.
Duke frowned. "Do we need to hear this?"
"You know, Seto was ready to kill me because of you," Ryou hissed at Bakura.
Bakura just snorted as if Ryou's statement meant nothing.
Ryou turned his head away. I know you too well, Bakura, he thought. You're only doing this because of Cheri. When will you realize it's not entirely her? It's just her past life overlaying her present self!
"Oh crap…" Duke muttered.
Ryou looked forward; his eyes widened and he gulped.
"So nice to see you as well, Keepers," Necrophedious smiled at them.
"Wish we could say the same for you," Ryou whispered.
"Necrophedious, prepare everything for the spell and ceremony. In several hours there will be no moon," the king demanded.
"The lunar eclipse?" The Guardian of Ra thought it over quickly. There's nothing special about a lunar eclipse... unless it's the only time they can cast this spell or something! "I'm not gonna open that book and you can't make me!"
"You would think so," Necrophedious smirked. "The Keeper of Osiris said the same thing but he soon saw it our way."
"After threatening Serenity, you cowards!"
Duke you'd better shut up or they will rip out your tongue, the thief thought to himself.
"And what of your beloved Mina?" Necrophedious smirked at Devlin's reaction. "Her Watapon can't protect her very well now, can it? Shall I have her brought here so can watch her writhe in agony? It would be such a beautiful sight."
Duke lowered his head in defeat.
"And you, little Ryou, would you like to see the same happen to your sister in America?"
Ryou gasped.
Sister?! Bakura blinked. I never saw a sister in his memories!
"Don't looked so surprised, Doboro," said Necrophedious. "After his mother died in that car accident, his father gave her up for adoption--he couldn't support both of them. The family that took her left the country soon after."
Bakura looked down at Ryou. He was still a child when his mother died and if his sister was a baby then… that's why he has no memory of what she looks like.
He wanted to protest, he wanted to go up and punch the Malik-look-alike in the face but... he only bowed his head in defeated as well. A single tear fell and hit the ground.
"Love, such a weak emotion." The Scorpion King smirked and he sent the books back to them as Cliff and Bakura made them stand. "Repeat that you are the Chosen of your god and open the books," he ordered.
As if moving through quick sand the rested their right hands on the books and spoke.
"I am the Keeper of Ra." The Book of Amun-Ra glowed and opened.
"I am the Keeper of Anubis." The Book of the Dead glowed and opened as well. Before Duke and Ryou could grasp the books they were pulled back and had their arms bound behind their backs. The Scorpions would make sure they didn't escape this time.
"Make sure you tie the rope tight enough," said Bakura.
"Don't tell me what to do," Cliff growled at him, jerking Duke's bindings once more before standing up.
Duke felt something land against his calf; he waited until Cliff and Bakura walked away from them. Reaching down, he felt a dagger lying on his leg. His eyes widened in surprised hope, and then he noticed the empty sheath at Cliff's hip. Managing to keep the smile off his face, the Dice Master set to cutting the ropes.
Necrophedious smirked at the two Books floating before him. He raised his hand up, and paused. There was something, a feeling so familiar, and something else…
"Necrophedious," the Scorpion King said.
The dark entity immediately brushed aside whatever it was and searched through the pages of the two books.
Marik sighed deeply. Too close, he sighed to himself.
--The idea is to not let anyone know we're here,-- Seto hissed at him.
--I can always throw you out in front of me,-- he threatened.
--Both of you shut it! Marik, what is he reading?-- Keriam asked.
The blonde snorted but carefully saw through Necrophedious' eyes. --Some passage from the Book of Amun-Ra. Wait, now he's speaking!--
The sorcerer slowly lifted his hands into the air as he began to chant. "By the Holy Light of the Great Sun God himself, I strike the Seal of the Shadow Realm!" A mist of smoke appeared before him and it slowly took the form of the seal that Keriam had seen in Egypt. He smirked as he lowered his arms and held the right one up. "Let light destroy the darkness and free the monsters from their prison!" His hand glowed brightly, like a long sword he slashed at the misty seal.
The image began to crack, pieces breaking off before it glowed completely and exploded. The Scorpions, Duke and Ryou flinched and turned away but Necrophedious and the King watched unflinching. Within the Shadow Realm the barrier shattered like fine glass and the darkness seeped heavily into the mortal world. As soon as the darkness touched the people they began changing into creatures they had only seen in Duel Monsters cards. Some who were touched didn't change but their bodies seemed to melt and seep into the ground. The barrier separating the worlds was gone and now darkness was quickly taking over.
"Oh no…" Ryou whispered. Someone grabbed his hands; he turned his head and blinked. "Duke?"
His friend said nothing as he cut the ropes and quickly tossed them away. "Now!" Duke hissed. Raising their hands, the Book of Amun-Ra and the Book of Anubis flew to the Keepers.
"Not again!" Chick yelled.
"Finders, keepers," said Duke, "and we're the Keepers."
"You're also dead!" Necrophedious raised his hand and dark energy appeared around it. Suddenly he yelled, both hands flying to the sides of his head, eyes glowing purplish-black.
--How does it feel to be on the other end?--
"You!"
--Payback is a bitch and you're learning it the hard way!-- Marik snarled angrily.
"Stop them immediately!!" the King yelled angrily.
Duke grabbed Ryou's arm and they began running but what good will it do?
"Surround them!" Don Zaloog yelled at them, moving swiftly Gorg immediately imposed himself at the doors leading out. The others surrounded them and began to close in but Cliff was now even more enraged.
"My dagger has been stolen!!"
"You should really learn to keep better track of your things," Bakura smirked at him.
"You... How do I know you didn't steal it to save those pathetic Chosens?!"
Ryou looked around but looking up his eyes widened and he quickly shoved Duke out of the way. He cried out in pain as the rose whip encircled his body. The thorns dug into his skin painfully, quickly drawing blood.
Meanae landed and pulled the whip, causing him to fall back. "Last time I failed in keeping Osiris' chosen here. I will not fail in my duties as an assassin," she said simply but her heart twisted painfully.
--See your fellow Guardians, boy?-- Necrophedious sent. --It's too late! The Seal has been broken!--
--That's what you think!--
--Keriam! Wait!--
Two beams of golden light erupted from Necrophedious's eyes. The sorcerer himself was completely immobile. Within the light appeared a female human-like Duel Monster, wearing a yellow dress and six glorious wings full spread.
Meanae's hold on her whip lessened and she dropped it, her eyes fixated on the translucent being floating in the air. Recognition slowly appeared on her face. "Ke…Keriam…?"
The Daughter of Ra looked at the two Keepers. "Duke! Now!"
Nodding, the Dice Master grabbed Ryou's arm and they each turned into a small white orb. It flew to Keriam and she caught it. Just as suddenly as she appeared, the Daughter of Ra vanished, but not before giving her fallen Sister a look that held sorrow and determination.
"That little bastard!" Necrophedious collapsed to his knees, hands covering his eyes and breathing hard. "That bitch!"
"Sire-"
"Enough!! You have all failed in keeping those Chosens here for the second time!!" he roared, coming down to them. "The only successful mission that you did was to keep their books here long enough to have the barrier shatter!! I should punish you all for such actions... But that will wait." He growled angrily and slightly relaxed. "Necrophedious!"
"What?!" His head and eyes hurt painfully.
"Tell me something, why did you not tell me that the one whose form you took can do that?"
"I didn't! It was the Daughter of Ra!" he lowered his eyes and blinked several times. "The next time I see her I'll kill her!"
"Harm my best friend and I'll break your neck!" Meanae shouted, sounding a bit like her old self but it didn't last very long. She was shocked at her words then she hit the ground with a cry of pain.
"Speak up like that again and I will give you more than the back of my hand," the king threatened. She said nothing but looked at him with a mixture of fear and anger, holding the side of her face.
Bakura was at her side in a heartbeat, and wrapped his arms around her. Cliff and the other Scorpions could only stare in shock at what their king had done to Meanae.
The Black Scorpion stormed out of the room and slammed the door, which echoed his rage.
"Are you alright?" Bakura asked, pulling Meanae's hand away from her face.
She nodded, keeping the tears from falling.
--
Keriam, Seto, and Marik returned to their bodies. Keriam held up her hand and the white orb flew to the center of the room. A flash of light and Ryou and Duke were lying on the carpet with their Books.
"What a ride," Duke said.
"Mokuba!" Seto cried.
The five looked at the young boy, held gently in Rose's arms. He was unconscious, and his dark hair now had white streaks. And Rose…
She was wearing a white and light pink robe that looked like it was from Greece, and she wore a nurse's hat with the red medical cross. On her back was a pair of white wings.
"Numinous Healer…" Seto whispered; he walked over to them and touched his brother's hair. "Did he…"
Rose looked at her son-in-law. "His powers have awakened. It's only a temporary spell; he'll be alright in a few hours."
"What do we do now?" Solomon asked. Yami and Tristen had brought the elder man to Kaiba mansion.
Keriam shook her head. "I have no… what's that?"
"What?" Joey looked at her.
"Can't you hear it?"
"I think the stress finally got to you."
"No, she's right," said Tea. "It's getting closer."
Tristen rolled his eyes. "You two are starting to freak me… what is that?"
The beats, spaced evenly apart, grew louder. A large purple and black sphere flew into the room, hovering in the center. It pulsed, the eerie light it gave off bothered Keriam slightly but she ignored it.
Suddenly, the sphere flew towards Marik. It smacked him in his chest and sent him flying; he crashed against the wall and slumped down with a groan.
Malik broke free of Ishizu's hold and raced to Marik. The sphere changed direction and went into the young boy. Malik's body jerked and he rose up into the air. Everyone watched in stunned silence as small bolts of black lightning danced along the boy's skin. It vanished and he started to fall.
Marik bolted from his position, and caught his brother, falling to his knees. "Malik!" he cried. "Malik!"
Everyone began talking at once and Marik couldn't hear Malik breathing.
"SHUT UP!"
They quieted and Marik bent his ear to Malik's face. He sighed in relief when he heard the breaths. "He's alive."
"Look!" cried Yugi.
Marik's eyes widened as strange dark line began appearing on the visible areas of Malik's skin in strange patterns. Carefully shifting the boy, Marik pulled up the back of his shirt and saw the lines had also appeared along Malik's sides, but not his back.
"What the hell was that?" Tristen asked.
"Just as the Millennium Items find their holder, the Heart of the Shadow Realm will find a host--one whose soul is pure and holds no negative emotion."
Seto let out a strange noise, somewhere between a gasp and a gargle. "The Heart of the Shadow Realm…" he said.
"What?!" Marik looked at him.
"The Daughter of Isis said that if the Shadow Realm merged with our world, the Heart will find a host, one who has a pure soul."
Ishizu gasped and covered his mouth. "Malik..."
"Will... Will the Scorpions, come after him?" Rashid asked as he gently pulled his wife into his arms.
"If they harm him in anyway I'll personally kill them!" Marik snarled as he cradled the unconscious boy to his chest.
Rose said nothing but gently stroked Mokuba's hair. "The heart has chosen and unless we can place a new barrier around the Shadow Realm, Malik is the heart's host. We can't change that," she said softly.
"Mina!!" Duke suddenly blinked as he remembered his girlfriend. "Oh no, I gotta go find Mina! What if she has a Duel Monster's soul inside her?!"
Joey cursed as he thought about Serenity. "Just great! What are the odds of this happening all at once?!"
Yami stood, a look of determination on his face. "Tea, I will need the assistance of Kenji and Arcaida."
"Um okay."
"Kenji, you and I will go find mina and bring her back here. Joey, you and Arcaida go get Serenity and bring her here."
"I'm going! My parents could have changed as well!" Tristen demanded as he stood.
"No. You and Duke need to stay here with Ryou and guard those books. The Scorpions may try to retrieve them once more and this time we cannot fail. The magic is highly unstable and anything could happen. We promise, as soon as we find the girls we will bring them straight back here."
Great now my mansion is a safe house, Seto thought to himself but so far it was the only safe place around. "I would send my guards with you but there's no telling if they survived," he said bitterly.
"Terry… Zack…" Keriam said quietly. "Oh no…"
"Keriam," Joey touched her arm. "I'll swing by the house and check."
She could only nod her response.
"My parents…" Tea spoke in shaky voice.
"I'll check," Yami promised. He looked at Joey and the two Dark Magicians. "Let's go."
Authors' Note:
Heikou: Wow it's a Duel Monster parade!
Janime: And it's being led by a Jigglypuff.
Heikou: That's Pokémon!
Janime: …Oh yeah…
Heikou: Long week?
Janime: You're not kidding. Remind me to severely maim whoever wrote that schedule.
Heikou: salutes Will do! What I would give for a Duel Monster costume.
Janime: I made myself a Change of Heart costume for Otakon.
Heikou: Get your picture taken?
Janime: Yup! (big grin) Now the story is getting somewhere.
Heikou: Heh, we hope you enjoy it and Thomas, we haven't forgotten about you.
Janime: We confess that we have been dragging the story just a little. We know you're very anxious to see yourself appear. Very soon, my dear, very soon.
Heikou: Until next chapter!
Janime: And please review!
