Master Of PuppetZ
Master of Puppets I'm pulling your strings
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams
Blinded by me, you can't see a thing
Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master
Master
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN YGO! And the song is Metallica's…And that's the last time I'm gonna say it! Ha – Ha!
FAB: How are you? Firstly, I want to thank my reviewers very – very much! Secondly…Are you ready? Because this is the last chapter of this story…
Note: Today, 7/7/2005, is the official birthday of Mokuba Kaiba according to the original database! Wish him happy birthday!
Master Of Puppets – Chapter 13 – Broken Prophecy
"What happened? Was it something that serious?"
"Yes, apparently. Yet I think I've fixed it, Mokuba…No, stop glaring at me like that! I know these are our holidays and so, but I still have to run the company. Business never dies, you know, I had to work…Say, how was Crystal today? I didn't saw her;"
"Quiet," the younger one said worriedly "She hadn't moved…"
"What did the doctor say?" asked Seto, hanging his coat, causing some snowflakes to melt in the hot air of the room while doing so.
Mokuba rolled his eyes "He told me about one case he had, it was about three years ago or so, and he said the patient…" Mokuba sweatdropped suddenly "Well, you don't wanna know, Seto…He said nothing about Crystal, or anything else I could understand." the child sighed "Seto…What's wrong with her? I was there, I remember getting there with you yet…Somewhere…It's like my memory was disconnected, and I've had enough with things like this since the game with Noah." Mokuba shuddered as the memory about the weirdest adventure in the virtual world came back to him. Seeing his brother's scolding leer he added "Well? What happened there, Seto? Tell me, please…" the boy waited for his brother to sink into his chair.
Seto looked at him again, thinking for a moment /Well…Where should I start?...Wait a second…I don't know! I know only our part, yet I never had the opportunity to ask Crystal what exactly happened to her! I still don't know what that Ishtar boy, Malik or whatever, did there with her…How the Hell did he get there?.../ Seto turned his glance, not looking his brother in the eyes "Mokuba…You know what…I don't know myself what happened. I have no idea how Malik got there, and we can't ask him now…It's too late…" Seto said wonderingly, remembering the still body on the floor. Crystal was right. Malik Ishtar, in the state he was in when Seto found them, wasn't capable of opening his eyes, not to talk about hurting Crystal. The doctors stated that long starvation and blood loss were the causes of his death. On his arms were found about thousand different cuts…But it seemed that he died some time ago, and only his body was brought there. No evidence of Dartz was found in the area. The building Seto and Mokuba explored was nationalized on the previous month, and the name 'Paradios' was lost like the wind.
Mokuba looked sad and depressed "We knew him, Seto…" the boy said, his voice low and hissing when the images of the body on the floor haunted him "He was already dead, right? We could do nothing…Right?" the boy asked with desperation. Seto put a hand on Mokuba's head, looking down at him with determination "If there had been anything I could do, you know I would have done it, Mokuba." the older one said, getting up and catching a glimpse of his clock "I think it is time to go to bed, Mokuba. I know already about the damned holidays, but it's late nonetheless. Go and sleep, Crystal wants you to be with her tomorrow. I hope she feels better." the brothers climbed the stairs, Seto leading Mokuba to his room, there he left him so Mokuba could get prepared for sleep.
He closed the door lightly, looking around him. Then he went away…Crossing the corridors as fast as he could, jumping up the stairs, he stood in front of Crystal's room. Approaching the door, he listened to the silence behind the wood layer. Taking a deep breath, he knocked slightly. No answer came.
Seto pressed the handle, pushing the door to open it. The room was lit with only night lamp on the table. Crystal lay still on the bed, she didn't move when Seto got inside the room. Her arms were stretched near her on the bed, substantial amount of white cream was on the cuts on them. The doctor had found a little gap between the cuts on her right arm to stuck two needles. "Just a strain," he said when he saw her right arm in the first time "She turned it wrongly. It happens, it is not serious…But I can tell you about a serious case, it was about five years ago, when a young girl turned her leg in such manner that…" at that point a disgusting memory floated to the front of Seto's mind and he closed his eyes, swallowing lightly /Maybe we should just change our doctor.../
Her caramel locks were spread on the pillow, her eyes closed tightly. Only light sounds of drops in the tubs above her bed were heard through the dead silence that ruled the room. Seto approached her bed, looking at her pale face…So different from Christmas Eve, when her face was covered by blood (As well as her arms) her cheeks red because of the cold in her apartment…That awful room, her own bedroom, where she was brought as captive, bound to her bed, tortured, injured…She didn't come to her senses ever since she blacked-out on that night, after saving Mokuba…/I know she saved him. I know he was…He wasn't with us anymore. I don't know what exactly happened, I thought he just fell unconscious from all the stress he underwent…However, minutes later I touched his arms, his face…I couldn't feel his pulse. His heart was silent almost like this room…He was dead, and I thought my heart was going to explode…I wasn't able to protect him. How did I fail?.../ he sat on the chair beside her bed, and watched her silently, wishing she was awake, wishing to see the smile that has brought light into his heart for months now. He thought he had lost all hope of feeling something like this before she came back into his life. He never thought there would be another person for him to care about in a way…In such way…
/My little angel…You brought everything back to me, everything that was really important to me. There's nothing more important to me than my younger brother…And…You too…/ his hand made its way to her face, to her cheek, feeling how cold her skin was even in the heated up room /I'm still not sure…I know, this feeling is something that very resembles…Well, love, but how can I know this is it when I had never loved someone like this before? What are you doing to me, Cris? How can you bend my heart without even waking up?…And when will you wake up?.../ He knew what he needed right now…He and Mokuba needed her smile, her laugh, her attitude. She was lost in the world just like them, she lived lost deep in the fog of poverty and ignoring. He made it out in his way, and she tried as hard as she could. And now she meant too much for him to deny. It wasn't just their work together (Sometimes he forgot she was only his computer engineer) it was that whole…Sort of relationship they had…
Love has many faces; you can't say what exactly it is. Some beings demand from love to be proven, even if it is just a wreath of flowers. And some don't need to say a word. But they know. And knowing that you are capable to say more than you can, that you can feel the entire meaning behind the words you breathe…Makes love seem something else. But it's all the same.
His fingers traced her cheek lightly, hovering on her skin for few moments when he finally drew back, remembering her reaction when he kissed her in her sleep, the fear in her eyes when she woke up, her anger toward him /I had almost ruined everything between us with my stupid behavior…Cris didn't want to talk with me afterwards, and when I asked to see her she ran away, and it gave Dartz the perfect opportunity to get her. Crystal…I won't make more stupid mistakes with you, I just want you to know…Even if you don't believe me, or feel like me…I want you to know how much important you are for me…And I want you to stay with me and with Mokuba…/
He got up from his chair, approaching the window, as white clouds of snow fell down, glowing crystal patterns in front of his eyes.
In the morning Seto was woken up by an important phone call. Something was wrong again with the satellite department, and he had to go and fix things up. Trying to get dressed and drink some tea when Mokuba was hanging on him because of his leave, Seto sensed the up coming nervous breakdown.
The child gave his older brother an icy stare "These are our holidays, Seto, I thought we discussed this yesterday." he said seriously.
"Yes," said the older one for the 12th time already "But I need to go…" looking aback at his brother, Seto wasn't paying attention to his way and almost knocked down the doctor while the latter was climbing up the stairs.
"Again you are doing stupid stunts, mister Kaiba," said the doctor "In your case you are ending up just find, only because FlEsH AnD BoNeZ still needs you. Let me tell you about one case I had, I think it was last year, when…" Seto jumped down the stairs with a groan. Mokuba hid under the table immediately.
It was like a void dream. You all know the feeling, it comes just after the nightmare, yet before the final waking up. When you are not really sure whether everything is just a dream. Sometime, it can last a life time. After all, they call it coming back to reality, and I know some who lived reality for a single moment in their lives. The rest was lost in a wonderland of pain.
Crystal was just emitted from the hollow, she didn't remember at all coming back to her senses. She couldn't recall when exactly her eyes were opened again, and when she moved to discover the needles in her arm, the dried cream on her cuts and the low pain in her head. She moved only a little on her place, too weak to try and find more comfortable spot. Her grey eyes full of awe and sorrow, and one thought, the most dreadful one, beating into her mild awakened unconsciousness /Mokuba…/
The door was opened, and a person entered the room, humming silently to himself. It was the doctor, who hummed a quiet Christmas song, for somehow he lacked listeners horribly down the stairs. Mokuba was still under the table, and felt like never getting out again. He almost scared to death a maid who was trying to clean the carpets. While yelling some excuses in the name of modern medicine, the boy ran away.
"You are awake," the doctor stated, approaching her bed "Good, I was waiting for you to wake up," he took her left arm into his warm hand "Let's check you, and hope for the best," he explained, and again the silence filled the room when he checked her pulse. Then the cuts on her arm "When I checked you, I thought you were brought to me from a battlefield. These cuts…You didn't cause them to yourself, right? It wasn't you work…No, mister Kaiba said you were found with them, and I see they are made expertly, each one of them on the right spot, a real masterpiece. But healing. You'll see, Miss Saigo, in few days some of them will fade away. But you know there are scars that never fade, the scars under the skin."
The doctor checked her right arm when he spoke. It didn't hurt as much as before, yet the area where the needles were in was numb "I don't see a reason to keep them in you, Miss Saigo. If you lie quietly for another minute, I'll pull them out quick and clean, and you are free to go wherever you want," the doctor stretched her arm while talking, gently disinfecting the area after the needles were out. Crystal tensed a little from the pain, letting no sound cross her lips.
He sat in front of her after he was done, eyeing her critically "You know, Miss Saigo, I can understand you, your pain and your silence. But I know this is not the solution to your problem. Sooner or later you need to get everything out, and delaying this moment won't decrease the pain. Think about it…I know nothing about what had happened to you, but it seems to me you had witnessed something beyond imagination." the doctor went silent for a moment.
"You know, I see so much death and birth everyday, it seems really similar to me. Both are some kind of end, and they are a beginning as well. But would it be life or afterlife? And what is exactly the difference?..." the doctor sighed "Let me advice you something, Crystal Saigo…You have to enjoy and cherish the things life brought to you…I'm always optimistic, you know, I believe the worse is waiting somewhere in the future." he got up, smiling lightly at her. /Isis said it is over…Marik is gone, no one wishes to be Master Of Puppetz…/ she thought.
"Now, I'll tell one of the girls here to bring you something to eat. The cream for your cuts is over there, on the table. You are fine, Miss Saigo, I've done everything I could for you. Now you have to take the next step. Don't forget to eat, it is important for you. You tend to forget important things like this. I believe you will be fine now, yet if something is not right – tell young mister Kaiba to call me, Mokuba knows the right numbers. Even the code of the safe-deposit is known to him. (FAB: Wish I know this one!)" The doctor was already nigh the door "And feel good, dear," he said before exiting "Goodbye." He was gone.
Her blank eyes followed him until he was completely out of the room. Crystal lay back, feeling something rotting deep inside her /I can't think about living anymore…Not after getting out from Hell. I don't know now why Isis saved me, and I surely don't want to be a burden on the Kaibas…Mokuba, you are alright, as the doctor said. I've caused enough damage to you, and as soon as I can, I'll get out of your life. I will quit my work for Kaiba Seto and take the money to go away. I can't look Seto in the eyes after all that had happened because of the stupid me. Mokuba…Will you ever forgive me?.../
She stayed on her spot like this for some time, it could be either hours or minutes or years to her. A knock on the door was heard, and a maid girl entered the room. She was dressed like maid, romantically encircled in soft brown dress with apron and a tray was in her hands. "The doctor told me to bring you something to eat, Miss Saigo," she said. She owned a calm, beautiful voice, and her eyes softly rested on the girl in the bed. When she received no answer, she put the tray on the table near Crystal and smiled lightly, saying "It's OK. Eat when you want, I will take it away when you are done," she said, turning her back. Crystal moved finally, nodding at the girl "Thank you very much," she whispered, her voice hoarse because she hadn't used it for some time now. The maid smiled again when she left the room, closing the door behind her.
Crystal glanced at the food, and her face wore an expression of disgust. No, it wasn't because of the meal on the tray, it was because of the memory that now clouded her mind…Dark and cold, his fingers grasping her arm, his body on hers when his lips sank into the cuts he made, the light sounds of swallowing and sucking, and sick feeling as more blood made its way to the surface, to his mouth, to his core…And it wasn't only her blood, but Malik's also…Hanging there only to be the larder of his darkness, when he lost it all…
She turned her head from the food /I won't ever…/ she vowed silently /I can't…/
Footsteps were heard, and the door was opened without a knock. And there he was, his childish smile playing on his lips, his cheeks red, his looks healthy and joyful, Mokuba. "Crystal…" his voice was like the bells of heaven to her, when she sat in her bed, looking at him with teary eyes "Mokie…" she whispered, too shock to talk properly. He ran to her, sitting on her bed, him hands found hers when he said "I missed you…Really…And I was so worried…"
She lay down when she finally calmed down, and he sat near her, talking about nonsense, his hand holding hers "Why aren't you eating?" he asked finally, glancing at the food "Kina brought you something to eat, why wouldn't you?" he said. Crystal never looked him in the eyes when she let "I'm not hungry," pass her lips, and Mokuba knew without a doubt it was a lie. But he said nothing more about this matter for the next half an hour. Then he tried again. But she never touched the food.
/I can't just ask her what happened…She isn't ready to talk with me about this, I can clearly see it. And she isn't eating again…Seto is going to kill me…Firstly he'll kill me for not making her eat, and maybe for some other reasons, like…He still doesn't know that I ate a whole cake yesterday…I was so hungry and the cake was just lying there, without any observation or so…I saw how the cook turned over the kitchen while searching for it. Sooner or later she figures out and…/ the child swallowed, looking at Crystal. Her eyes were closed, and she was sleeping again. Mokuba smiled, leaving her hand gently and getting up /Seto says my blabbing can put anyone to sleep. It is a wonder I can't put myself to sleep. Maybe I should talk to myself when I lie…/
Seto, by the way, was still at work. But Mokuba was so eager to check his new sleeping theory, he went to bed without even being told to do so. Lying in the dark and thinking about Crystal, he started to recite his history homework to make himself fall asleep. He discovered he had remembered almost nothing about the Atlantic Convention, and while he was trying to figure out what the Hell it was all about, the door to his room was slowly opened, and a tall shadow walked in.
"Mokuba," the figure said quietly "Why are you still up?"
"Seto," replied the younger one "I…Was just thinking…" the older brother approached him to take a look at him "How is Kaiba Crop. doing?" the kid asked when his brother sat down. Seto looked tired.
"Everything is fine," Seto said (Everything was definitely fine when he fired about 5 people a day. Some productive he is.) "I've just come home, and I wanted to see you. How is Crystal today?"
"She was awake, and even talked with me. But she wouldn't eat again, Seto, Kina brought her something to eat and Crystal didn't even look at it. Then she fell to sleep once again, and well…She was sleeping all day long," Mokuba said "The doctor told me he had checked her and everything was fine, yet…" Mokuba paused for a moment "And then – just don't get mad at me, Seto…" Mokuba said shamefully "Well, he started to tell me about a case he had, you know the whole story…And I just…Well, hung up the phone." he finished, looking down at the covers of the bed. Seto wasn't mad…Actually, a small smiled played on his lips for few seconds.
"Didn't eat?" he asked again "That's not good, I won't allow her to skip meals while in this house. Tomorrow I hope I will work some less…" Mokuba sent his older brother a minor death glare "Stop this, kid," warned Seto "And go to sleep. Don't worry, I'll take care of Crystal and she'll be up on her feet once again." promised Kaiba Seto (Who actually had no idea how to do this.) and covered his brother when the kid lay down on the bed.
He got out of the room, closing the door. Then he flew up the stairs to Crystal's bedroom.
When inside the room, he sat beside Crystal's bed, disappointed she was still asleep. /I want to see her…I want to talk with her…I have to talk with her, I don't think I can take this silence anymore!…/ Sometimes you can be driven insane while talking with an ignorant person. Sometimes the silence is even worse.
He examined her sleeping form, and noticed that the needles in her right arm were taken out. He leant forward to look closer at her left arm. The cuts were healing slowly, the skin was still red and the slashes still deep. His fingers ran up her arm, counting the wounds. Thirteen cuts. Thirteen deep, bleeding, reddish, open cuts. /Poor Crystal…/
Her eyes opened slowly, their grayness shining like rare crystals as she raised her gaze to fall on Seto's blue one. Getting the whole image into her mind, his worried expression, his fingers on her arm, his leaning closer to her…And then she move aback, breaking the slightest connection between them.
Blue met grey when he stared into her eyes. He could simply promise Mokuba he would do anything to help Crystal; doing that was a whole different thing. And now, when he sat and watched her silently, he just didn't know how to start. But he didn't have to worry.
"What-?" she started, when he interrupted (That was kinda easier for him)
"Why wouldn't you eat?" he asked, his voice sounding a little colder than he meant it to be.
She didn't answer, looking at him, slightly frowning. She sat in the bed, gathering her wounded arms to her body so he would stop staring at the cuts /What is he doing here? Great, what a stupid question! It's his house – not mine. I have to get out of here as soon as I can! And I won't stand another argument with him!.../
"Well?" he inquired, more gently this time "Is it that hard for you, Cris? You just have to talk with me, to tell me…Maybe then I will understand why you are trying to kill yourself in such a way!"
/I can't tell him…I don't want to remember this!.../ Crystal fought her memory, bringing back the long moments where she lay alone and cold in the hands of Marik, it brought back his psychotic laughs, his cruel words, and the long, never-ending climbing up the wall out of Hell /Like Hell he will believe me…/ Crystal turned her eyes away from his burning ones.
"Crystal," he said "Don't turn away from me. Tell me what happened, I need to know, I'm worried about you." he changed his place, sitting now on the bed with her. She still wasn't looking at him when she said "You won't believe me."
He took one of her hands in his, and said the most sincere word ever:
"Please…"
He was surprised to see the tears in her eyes "Please don't hold the pain inside your heart, Crystal. I've done it before, I know how disastrous it is going to be later. You can't fight your bad memories and fears by ignoring them. You have to win over them, to show you are not afraid anymore. I know you have a story. And I do care to know what happened."
He made a short pause, when a tear slid down her cheek "There are some things I don't believe in, yet I believe you. And no matter what you say, I believe you. Crystal," he whispered longingly "Please…Trust me…"
With her left hand she wiped her tears away, her right hand still in his one. He sat next to her so she can tell him everything. It was really hard to start, hard to explain Isis' and Marik's complicated relationship. It was hard to understand every cause and effect in Crystal's story, because some events simply had none. It was difficult to accept the fact who she really was, why she was put on earth and what indeed Marik wanted.
Seto listened carefully to her story, the chronicle of her life, the reasons behind every action, every decision she made. It wasn't just her own story; it was Isis' and Marik's as well, and Malik's life story, and though Crystal didn't know, it was also Ryou's and Claira's. And so many people were involved, hurt…
When she started, Seto sat beside her, still holding her hand. When she finished, however, they lay together on the bed, Seto holding her tightly to him when she remembered everything Isis explained to her. She cried again when she talked about Marik's trap and Mokuba, and Seto felt something twisting deep in his heart when he remembered the moments Mokuba had been lying still and dead, before Crystal brought him back to life. When she finished, her eyes were closed in tiredness, Seto's hand lightly tracing her face, then slowly sliding down her back till she felt she couldn't keep her mind focused anymore, immediately drifting to sleep.
Seto didn't sleep. He lay awake for long lost moments, his hands exploring Crystal's back and he thought about everything she had told him /And I believe her…I feel I believe every single word she said. And I'm grateful. I'm grateful to Isis for giving Crystal life, for putting her in this world to be close to me and for saving my brother. And I'm grateful that Marik is dead, locked in Hell forever so innocent people won't suffer anymore. Crystal saved the world; I'll save her love and happiness…/
When they finished breakfast, Crystal sat in her chair, admiring the Kaiba brothers who were sitting next to her. Mokuba was trying to lick the chocolate cream first and then eat the rest of the cake without Seto noticing him, and the latter was reading something on his lap top screen and eating at the same time. The sight of Mokuba, safe and healthy, made her heart melt in warmness. The sight of Seto made her blush lightly when she remembered the kisses they'd shared before breakfast.
When Mokuba finished eating, he smiled warmly at the older ones and said he had something very important to do (No, he didn't mean studying again the Atlantic Convention). Within a second he disappeared in the shadowed hall. Seto was done eating and got up, taking his lap top and walking while reading, successfully avoiding the impact with the walls. Crystal was left alone in the room. She got up and approached the window, admiring the snow outside, which lay in a thick layer of white powder /Maybe we go out for a walk later./ she thought, boringly walking without direction, till she reached a door. Typing sounds were heart behind it. Smiling lightly, she knocked, and walked in when Seto replied.
"May I see it?" she asked, approaching the computer screen. He was programming a new system, and the start seemed interesting. "Sit down, Cris," he said, moving so she could lower herself next to him "Take a look."
He was typing again when she read. They sat like this for five minutes, when Crystal said "Seto…Please…Tell me what the final target of this program is." He paused and looked at her, smiling "It will be part of the total updating system. I made the connection to the integrate part, and now I'm trying to setup a refreshing system."
Crystal's smile widened "Will you let me?…Just for a second…I know a way to make it simpler…" she said, moving his hand from the keyboard when she started typing herself, commands and programs melting under her hands to create a delicious system. Computers and cooking are somehow the same…Add the right ingredients, find a way to make it simple and tasty.
Computers can heal. Crystal discovered that when it took over her, her mind and hands working in complete coordination, line following line in her mind. It couldn't heal the cuts on her arms, but it could heal the soul. It was a challenge, a game, something beyond daily worries and problems. She was building a world of her own there, surprising Seto by the elegance and the simplicity of the system she programmed. Her teacher had to be very proud of her.
Seto watched her as she worked, her cheeks slightly red from the excitement and the effort, gradually she remembered more and more things she could use properly in this program. /Well…Will it be wise to tell her now? I think she is calm enough to consider carefully what I am going to ask from her…Will she understand?.../ Seto swallowed lightly as he read the same line over and over again, thinking about the way he should tell her /I have to make her understand…But will she accept my idea? Well, it never hurts to try…/ but this time the risk was serious. Seto knew he could either build or damage their relationship. But sooner or later he had to do this. And sooner is always better.
"Crystal," he started, tearing his eyes from the screen to her slightly flushed face, his hand instinctively tangling itself in her caramel colored hair. "What?" she asked, suddenly losing her concentration "Did I do something wrong?" her eyes ran among the lines on the screen, reading the last function again to make sure it worked fine.
"No, no…" Seto said lightly, still trying to gather all his thoughts and summarize them all at once "But I have something to tell you…Most exactly, to ask you…" finally her grey orbs left the screen and met his blue worried eyes "Is something wrong?" she asked again, the cuts on her left arm itching lightly.
"Crystal…I've been thinking for awhile, even before the Christmas Eve…I wanted to tell you that before, yet I could never find the right moment…It is hard to start…" he was confused, wanting to let everything out and melt away at the same time. Crystal felt uneasy with herself "Seto…"
"I want you to think carefully before you give me an answer." he finally stated "Because it is very important for me and for you too. Crystal…" he paused "Will you agree…To move here with us? I want you to be closer to me, and Mokuba surely wants this…" Crystal's eyes widened when he spoke /Is he serious? Normal? I think both are wrong…I mean, what the Hell is he thinking?.../ and her heart was beating madly, pushing her to make a quick choice. She let out only "Well, I don't know…I have to think about this…" /I can't leave…Mokuba needs me…And Seto…I think he needs me too…And so do I…/
A knock was heard on the door, and Mokuba entered without waiting for an answer, as usually "Are you busy?" he asked lightly, approaching them "Because I have something special to show you!" he smiled, his hands slightly trailing on the edge of the table, his eyes shining with anticipation and a heart-melting smile on his handsome face. "Sure," Crystal said, getting up, avoiding Seto's eyes "I will come." she paced towards him, taking his hand into hers. Then she turned to glance at Seto, smiling at him, filling his heart with hope "Are you coming?"
The older Kaiba jumped on his feet and followed them to Mokuba's little studio. Mokuba entered before them to get prepared, and Seto found the opportunity to whisper into her ear "Please think about it…" she didn't turn away, her soft hair almost in his face. When she finally entered the room before him, he realized he omitted the most important thing he needed to say /And I still didn't say I love her…/
The room was darkened, so the holograms were shining above Mokuba's computer, bringing the pictures he drew to life. It was a new designed Duel Monsters card. "Crystal Wind" was written on the top of it. The picture was of a beautiful magician girl, in white blinding dress and a matching cape, a magical wand in her left and a crystal ball in her right. The background was snowy forest and fence full of shining frost. The hologram woke to life, spinning around, allowing the viewers to admire it.
"Mokuba…" Crystal whispered, transfixed by the marvelous beauty.
"Like it?" asked Mokuba joyfully "I was inspired from you to make it. This is the first Duel Monsters card I've ever designed to the last detail. What do you think, Seto?"
The older one smirked, closing his eyes "I think it is stupid." he teased, earning him a little friendly fist from the younger one "You can't draw a cow properly! Get real Seto, this one is the best thing I've ever created!"
"Hey, I was just joking with you," Seto smiled, getting his brother off him "I like it. It is beautiful. I can see what has inspired you." His words almost made Mokuba cry since Seto wasn't exactly the person of many compliments. Crystal blushed deeply when she heard his statement. When they were done admiring the holograms Crystal and Seto left Mokuba to continue his work on his art, and went down the hall to the living room.
Seto sat down, sighing and stretching slightly "Mokuba…How can he see all that is beautiful and then put it into his drawings?" Crystal smiled warmly when she talked about Mokuba "He is so talented…I've never seen a boy with such warm heart and good manners ever before…"
"Till you saw him eating the cream before the cake this morning," Seto complained amusingly "And he though I hadn't noticed." Crystal laughed and sat down beside him.
"Seto?" she said, leaning onto him lightly when he brushed her hair away from his neck. "What?" he replied, playing with her locks lightly as his mind was wandering off to some of Mokuba's other drawings "…My answer is yes…"
"Wha-Really?" his line of thoughts was cut short when she said the one word he wished to hear with all his heart "Do you really want to live here with us?" Crystal raised her eyes to him and answered "Yes. I want to. I really want to be with you." she saw the glowing feeling in his ocean eyes, when his arms scooped her closer to him, and she closed her eyes when his lips gently touched hers, softly sealing her decision.
She thought she was never going to pass that cursed door ever again, but she had to do so. Packing her things she passed from one room to another to make sure everything was taken and packed into the boxes. Mokuba helped her, now he went down to tell the porters there to pick the rest of the stuff. Crystal approached her bedroom, opening the door with a horrible squeak.
Stains of blood were on the floor, her bed was a mess of sheets and red dried liquid, the window was opened. The police left no evidences at all, the bloodied knife and poor Malik's body were gone. She opened her cupboard, packing her cloths into one of the empty boxes, she vacated every drawer, making sure she left nothing in this apartment, this cursed place. Mokuba entered the room slowly, looking at her shoving the things into the box furiously "Are you alright?"
She turned to face him, smiling softly "Yes Mokie, I'm fine. Please take this box to the living room, it isn't heavy." the boy nodded and obeyed silently, leaving her alone in the room. She finished with the closet and sat on the bed, looking around her. /I'm not afraid to be here…I've won over Marik with Isis' help, I'm not afraid…/ She got up, looking around her, searching for unpacked things /And I am the one who stands here today, not Marik, evil disgusting creature he was! And Isis made sure he vanished. No Marik, no Master Of Puppetz – that means no evil plans to take over the world. We are finally safe…/ Crystal thought while kneeling to look under the furniture.
When she looked under her bed, she suddenly saw some rectangular flat objects lying there. Sending her hands to get them, she pulled them to her, into the light.
Duel Monsters cards.
Winter Wind, Dark Wish, The Heavens, The Rebirth… /All these are Marik's cards…Or Malik's, to be more exact…They must have gotten here when Isis brought his body back…What should I do with them?.../ Crystal noticed another one, picking it up. She turned it over, and a shudder passed down in her spine when she saw the picture on the card, and its name.
The Master Of Puppetz.
/So this is it…His sick illusion…Everything lies in this card…It was the thing Marik wished to be, and for this obsession he destroyed the lives of thousand people and almost destroyed my life too. What am I supposed to do with these cards?.../ Crystal got up after checking there weren't more cards on the floor.
She went outside, where Mokuba was waiting for her "Done?" he asked with slight worry. She closed her eyes while smiling lightly "Yes, I'm done…" /But the story is not done yet. I know what I have to do now. I have to return these cards to their owner, I have to bring them back to him. When they are his again, I know my mission is over…/ it was just like Isis was talking again in her head. Crystal put the cards into her pocket, and opened the door of her apartment for the last time. But she went out with another mission. The last thing she could do to help a poor lost soul.
She never knew what exactly happened to her. Was it a mere dream? A dim hope, which turned out to be nothing more than a silhouette of an illusion?
She found herself on the cold tiles, her arms cut from the shattered pieces of glass around, and her blood was on the floor. The phone rang…How long was it ringing? It went silent before she could understand.
Claira's face looked at her joyfully from the photo, smiling, laughing, the wind playing in her hair and clothes, forever young and carefree.
And she cried.
Crystal stood on the frozen grass, the snow was swept away to the corners so she could see the name written on the white smooth stone near her.
"Malik Ishtar." Flowers were here and there, frozen and withering.
She brought flowers too, placing them silently on the stone, wiping random snowflakes from the marble. She didn't tell Seto where she was going today, and Mokuba didn't know also. She had to do this alone. She had to break the cycle, to seal her past behind in order to open new window to the future. Her future was with the Kaiba brothers, but her past was still connected to Malik Ishtar, even though she had never spoken with him.
"I'm sorry for you," she whispered to the name on the stone "I couldn't help you…" Crystal thought about something else to say, but couldn't find the words. All she saw in her memory was Malik's body, death pale and thin, hanging from the ceiling, his eyes closed forever when his yami slowly sliced his arms to get his blood…
Footsteps echoes somewhere near her, and Crystal raised her eyes.
She saw a young woman in white coat walking slowly among the straight rows of the cemetery. She had long black hair, golden jewels were stuck in it, and she carried flowers. She looked so familiar to Crystal somehow…/Who is she?...I feel I know her…/ The woman walked slowly, because the snow was blocking her way in several paths, and because of her obvious advanced pregnancy. Crystal's eyes followed her as she got closer. Finally, she stood right before Crystal, her deep blue eyes looking at her surprisingly.
"You…must be…The girl that found Malik…Are you Saigo Crystal?" the woman asked in amazement, her hands trembling lightly. Crystal admired her, wondering who this mysterious woman was "Yes," she said finally "I found him…"
The woman tried to lean forward, her face twisting when she found this movement too difficult for her growing stomach was in the way. Crystal stood up immediately, saying "Let me help you," the woman nodded lightly, giving Crystal one of the wreaths she brought "Please…" she said, her shaking voice waking hidden memories deep in Crystal mind, watching her placing the flowers on Malik's grave.
Crystal stood up again, looking at the woman. Finally she asked "Did you know him well?" the woman nodded sadly, looking at the stone, one of her hands on her face "Yes, I knew. Or I thought I knew him. We weren't that close to each other, even after all we've been through together. I tried to help him, I wanted to cure him…" the woman whispered as tears were slowly filling her eyes. She brushed them away lightly, and looked at Crystal "I…I want to thank you for bringing him back. I was looking for him for long time, ever since he disappeared about three years ago. I tried to convince myself that one day I see him again, I put my arms around him again…But it was too late. I knew Marik wouldn't let him live, not after Malik's failure. Poor boy, it is my entire fault…"
The woman looked at Crystal's silent face, her eyes soft and understanding. She sighed as the tears streamed down her cheeks, her body trembling lightly "Please…" Crystal said shakily "Please don't…It is not good for you, think about your baby…" she pleaded /Who is this woman? How did she know Malik?.../
The woman closed her eyes, trying to wipe the tears away again. Then she reopened her blue pools of sorrow, and looked at Crystal "I am Malik's sister, I lived with him through all the hard years in the underground tunnels of the tomb keepers. I tried to make him accept his fate, his duty as the next tomb keeper…Yet he never listened to me, and I…I'd disappointed him…I just gave up, paying him less and less attention."
"…He was alone, he was always alone. I couldn't speak with him anymore, he was sitting day and night, studying the ancient Egyptian legends and playing Duel Monsters. Marik was there for him, and not me…Marik poisoned his mind and soul, Marik was the one that got him out, that helped him remain somehow sane…And I failed. I saw him rotting away, he was mutely screaming and I was too busy with my own troubles to get to solve his, to clam him…I promised mother I would be with him, I would help him…And I failed…"
The woman looked at Crystal, grief written on her face and continued "Marik told Malik I never cared about him, that I organized a worldwide duel contest only to find the god cards he stole…" she looked down at the stone, saying those words like he was there too, listening to her "But I did care about you, brother…I wanted to save you, Ra knows how I've tried…But I failed again. And your death is the result of my failure…You have no idea how sorry I am…"
Crystal put an arm around the woman's shoulder "Please…I was there when he died, he fought against Marik and he never gave up…He held on long enough for me to witness, to know…" the woman nodded lightly, glancing at Crystal mournfully "I know. And I'm grateful to you. Odion and I won't ever forget this."
"I…I came only to give Malik something back…" Crystal fished the cards out of her pocket "These are his…" the woman took them, shuffling them to see. "Yes, they are," she said finally "May I keep them?" she pleaded.
Crystal nodded "Of course."
The woman was silent for a moment, finally she said "When Malik's body was brought back to me, he wore many millennium items. One of them was the Ankh. Was it yours?" she asked quietly. Crystal nodded "But I don't want it back. The questions of my past have the answers now, and the Ankh is part of the past I want to leave behind. I won't forget anything, be sure of that…" Malik's sister nodded silently, in a very well-known manner to Crystal, and said "I'll send these cards back with the items. The millennium items have to be returned to the rest of my family, the Ishtar clan…They still live there in Egypt, hiding under the surface, waiting for the Pharaoh to come back…"
She looked back at Malik's grave "He got me and Odion out of there, out of the cold and the stoned caves. He set us free and allowed us to start our lives all over, to get marry and never fear anything again. He granted me freedom while imprisoning himself forever. I think he didn't know it, sometimes he surely denied that…I loved him. I still love him, and I'll love him forevermore. Malik…Dearest brother of mine…" Crystal hugged the woman while she let her tears fall down.
Malik's sister was silent for some time, caught in the world of memories of her brother, an 18 years old boy who was played over and over as a puppet in a game his hatred set up for him, the one who never gave up, who lived through living Hell, who was disowned of everything only because he wished to be free, he yearned to taste the sweetness of freedom.
She looked at Crystal, thanking her thousand times in her heart for returning Malik. Then she said dreadfully "Malik is not the only one I came to see today. One of his good friends died on this Christmas Eve. The boy had no one in the world, so I came for him too." she was pacing slowly while talking, until she stopped before another grave. Crystal followed her, transfixed by the feeling that surrounded the woman, she felt somehow very relative to her. This time the name was more familiar to Crystal.
"Ryou Bakura."
The women placed the flowers there, remembering him, forever young, his mahogany eyes shining with innocence and sadness. "He was in deep coma for almost three years…He fell into it when Malik disappeared. Poor boy."
Finally they made their way back to the exit. Malik's sister walked slowly, Crystal helping her where the path was covered with snow. She couldn't get rid of that feeling, something was so familiar withthis woman, she was somehow just like…Crystal couldn't exactly tell.
The woman hugged her when they were out of the graveyard "Take care of yourself," she said silently, watching Crystal's face. The younger woman hesitated when she finally asked "Excuse me please…May I know your name?"
Malik's sister smiled lightly. "My name is Isis Ishtar." she said, and left Crystal standing there alone, the images of the goddess Isis filling her mind when Malik's sister got into the waiting car. And soon she was gone.
Crystal stood in the middle of the grove, watching the snow slowly covering the names on the cold stones. Finally she walked away, her face wet from the icy crystals and tears.
A death glare was focused on secretary number 3,006. The reason she wasn't fired in the last two weeks was because she went on vacation to Hawaii. Now she trembled on her spot, sensing the up coming breakdown.
"What does this mean?" Kaiba Seto hissed evilly when his death glare gained double intensity "Haven't I said clearly how to send those papers? Was it too difficult for you to understand?"
"But mister Kaiba – "
"No buts this time, this is it! What am I supposed to do now? Maybe I should send papers in this office, because you can't do properly even a simple thing as that! So you are fired, now go away and stop wasting my precious time! I've got a company to run here, not a zoo!" he said, turning away from her. The young lady got out of the room as fast as she could, considering the high heels she was on. She almost tripped when she finally closed the doors, going to pick up her stuff. Mokuba glanced at her pitifully, sighing to himself. Yes, here goes number 3,006…And she almost broke all the records, staying Seto's secretary for more than two weeks (Vacations are good!)
The door to the staircase was opened, and there stood Crystal. Mokuba left his book with a joyful shout "Cris!" he jumped on her, almost tackling her down "How are you?" she smiled at him lightly, running her fingers in his dark long hair "I'm fine. What are you doing here?" she asked.
The boy sighed again "I'm waiting for Seto. He is working, you know…" num 3,006 ran to the elevator, mumbling to herself. Crystal looked after her, questioning expression on her face. Mokuba signaled the young woman was fired just now. "I guess we'll wait here for your brother," said Crystal sitting down "I don't want to go in there, or he'll fire me!" Mokuba laughed and returned to his book.
They sat for almost two hours when Mokuba finally said "I'll pass. I'm going down to the cafeteria. I'm really bored here!" and he ran away, leaving Crystal alone. She sat, thinking about the things she saw today, about Malik and Ryou, about Malik's sister, how her eyes and voice resembled the goddess Isis /Is it some kind of self punishment?…I think Isis is somehow sharing the sorrow and the pain of this woman, they are very alike…Each one of them had a brother, and they both couldn't protect their brothers and help them. Now, if Malik and Marik were practically the same person, then she has to be Isis herself…/
Crystal looked at the closed door Seto sat behind, and decided to take the risk. She approached it and knocked lightly. No answer came. Crystal opened the door to discover Seto reading something on the screen like his life was at the stake. She got closer to him, trying to catch his attention.
"What…?" he asked, without looking at her. When he heard her voice he was startled "Mister Kaiba, we've been waiting for you," Crystal said with a grin "Mokuba couldn't stand the waiting any longer, and as for me…I've decided to check how you were doing," she said.
"Come Cris, sit next to me and look at this program I wrote. This is for the new Duel Disc. It is almost finished." Crystal did as she was told, sitting next to him, close enough for him to smell her intoxicating shampoo and be so busy looking at her hair that she had to repeat her sentence three times before he noticed she was talking to him "Sorry," he chuckled out "You are just too beautiful today, I can't concentrate." he added apologetically, as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"Seto," she said "Get busy. I want to go home, and if you keep playing with my hair we'll never get out of here…"
"Maybe I want to stay here…" Seto whispered between the kisses he planted on her neck "There's a magnificent view from here…We are so high that on sunny days my sight can reach really far away. But Domino's beauty is exposed only at night…Let me show you," he said, tugging her up to him and they both walked to the glassy wall.
He was right. They were on such height the whole city laid in front of them like a shining carpet. Glowing lights were moving and blinking, millions of cars, street lamps, windows, antennas and lasers. Crystal was really transfixed by the view to notice Seto's lips on her neck. But finally she realized, lightly pushing him away "Don't eat me," she said, going back to sit near the computer.
Seto looked at her, suddenly remembering that he forgot to say something very important to her "Do you think we have some time before this story is over?" /FlEsH AnD BoNeZ has to be fair enough to let me say these things to Crystal! It is much important than anything right now!.../
Crystal nodded "Of course. Time is slightly bending in this story, I think it is really distorted!" Seto smiled and approached her, sitting next to her. She said: "But I believe the story is over soon. After all, Isis said that her mission was completed, she destroyed Marik, and now there is no one else who wants to be the Master Of Puppetz…" But prophecies are meant to be broken…
Seto put his hand on Crystal's cheek, looking deeply into her eyes. He never said those words to anyone (Except Mokuba, but not like that) "Cris…I wanted to tell you this for so long…" her skin was warm and smooth under his hand, he felt her heart beating faster when he paused, waiting for him, she couldn't really believe it was happening to her. But now he believed that what he felt was truly that one unreasonable feeling human beings call love.
"Crystal…I love you…"
Her lips turned into the most beautiful smile he had ever seen "I love you too, Seto…"
That was all she managed to say before their lips met once again. The kiss lasted for long sweet minutes of blinding emotion and real devotion. A knock on the door brought a rapid death to it, when Mokuba entered the room. "Big brother! Do you want me to sleep here, yes or no? When are we going home?" Mokuba complained while walking across the office. Seto smiled at him, his arm around Crystal's waist "Yes, we are going." Mokuba noticed everything, winking at his brother when Crystal wasn't looking.
/Seto and Crystal are together!.../ he thought /And she is living with us now! And we are going home, for Ra's sake! And apropos home…Well, I have another cake there, hidden in the refrigerator so Seto wouldn't confiscate it!.../ The child followed the couple when they took the stairs down /What can be more perfect than that?.../
Isis' prophecy was one of faith and peace, and Mokuba felt nothing but pure happiness and bliss. The end was…Well, perfect. Even too much perfect, if you ask me.
Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master
Master
The pain. So much agonizing pain. The body, bound tightly to the cold stones. The screams, slicing the silence of the caves, tearing pieces of dust from the walls, making the whole ancient maze shake on its place, when another seal was made on the back of an innocent.
The breaths. Short, desperate, shameful. Gasps of up coming breakdown when they let go for a little while. A long rotting metallic knife put inside the fire until its blade was glowing with blinding light, still crimson red from the blood.
He took it again, when two others were holding the tortured body down on the stone, exposed burning back. A light hiss was audible when the skin was burned to the very BoNeZ, the secret of the Pharaoh's power was going to last for another generation. Another scream, this time bursting out of the tired lungs, a whimper, Hellish sound. It echoed through empty halls and darkened tunnels, up the well, into the cold Egypt night, into the silver glow of the full moon.
They finally finished, untying the body and carrying it to a cold room, where they lay it on the bed, and closed the door behind them.
I slowly open my eyes, still dizzy from the pain in my back and from the fire. I was laid too close to it, I just breathed too much smoke into my lungs. My eyes are burning from tears, but I don't cry. I can't let them out. I won't cry, because I'm not human anymore. I'm something…Well, else…
Please don't be mistaken, I was born human just like some of you, yet…I was also born as a tomb keeper. I grew up inside these very walls, bound to my chair so I won't get lost in the caves. I was reading ancient prophecies, studying carefully everything related to the Pharaohs, to high priests, to millennium items, to the powers of great creatures, who ruled the world long ages ago. I look at those walls and my heart shrinks deep inside my chest. Hell, I know nothing.
There's a brave new world behind those walls, can you even imagine this? Somewhere up there, people are living their lives, free from guilt and ancient rituals I am forced to go through. I move a little on my place, and the pain is doubled, multiplied…It is my death!…Finally my death…
Nothing comes to take me and free my rotten soul from this tortured body. Nothing comes to save me…I let out a cry of pain, and no one is there to hear me, to see…Blood is streaming from the wounds on my back, the sacred words, the key to the power of the great ruler, the Pharaoh…How I wish I was the Pharaoh…I move again so the pain will stop these thoughts of mine. I deserve to die only because of thinking like this.
No I can't stand it anymore, I can't…Please, Ra…Make it stop! "Make it stop!" Now I scream, I get up, ignoring the pain and I run to my table. Ancient books are placed on it, glowing in the light of the torch. I pick them up, throwing them to the walls, papers are scattered everywhere…The pain is taking over me, so I fall down, screaming when I feel the hit bending into my body, breaking me…
The torch falls down on the books I threw, the flames slowly leaping up, eating the wasted years of reading I call my childhood…And thousand pages of hatred are written inside my soul for every letter that turns to ashes in front of my eyes. I get up…I've never felt such power before…Something is calling me, something is telling me to break free, to save myself…/I'm…Not…/
I'm half naked, my dusty short was taken off me when I was made a tomb keeper, but I don't care about my appearance right now. My long hair is sticking to my sweaty, bloody back, increasing the itch and the pain, but I don't even bother to tie it up. I have to do it. I have to free myself. Ra will send me to Hell…He will make me suffer thousand times, breaking the rest of my soul…But I'm not afraid. /I'm…Not…!.../
I open the door, the pain flowing into my arms, my blood streaming down my back, my footsteps imprinted in crimson on the cold floors I grew to hate. And I know where I am going. And I know what I have to do. And I know what the price is going to be. And /I'm…Not…/
They are sitting in the main cave near the fire, their nasty hands warm when mine slashed and hurt. Their faces calm and smiling while my eyes are mixture of pain and hatred. They are sitting so quietly, while my heart is consumed by sin. I'll make them pay. I'll never forgive them for what they've done to me.
They finally notice I'm in the room. They say I should go back to bed and try to sleep. One of them is getting up when my blood is pooling behind my back in a little puddle of crimson liquid. They point at me and command me to go back. Who are they to tell me what to do! Just wait, you are going to crawl in front of me…
I don't even bother to listen to the curses they throw at me. I think 'Tomb Keeper' is the most nasty word existing. It is not an honorary degree, you can't even imagine how much pain, agony, fear and hate are attached to it. The lights are glowing on the golden items as I approach them. I don't know what exactly I'm doing, but my hand takes the millennium Rod and I turn around, glancing at them. My authorities…Something is burning inside my body, a power I've never felt before, blinding me before I push it aside to let the coldness take over me.
They are about to attack me, they are making threatening steps towards me, ready to hit me, to throw me down, to fail my plans…But I'm not going to fail. I'm not afraid. /I'm…Not…/
They are smashed into the walls, golden aura surrounding them. I step forward, making them twist in pain. I know how to control the millennium powers; I've read too much about them it became a second nature to me. I won't be humiliated anymore. I won't allow them to treat me as dirt, a pawn, a puppet…Now they are my puppetz! Mine! Look at them, shivering on their places, begging for mercy. But I have no feelings left inside of me. They are going to Hell. I mean it.
Let the bodies hit the floor. I hum to myself as I collect the millennium items. They are glowing in my hands, their warmth soothing me. They are lying motionlessly, they won't ever tell me what to do, chain me to that chair, yell at me…They are gone. I place the Necklace around my neck, and I pull on the Ring and the Ankh. I take the Eye and the Scale into my pants pocket, the Rod still in my left. Then I leave.
No one is there to stop me when I climb up the stairway to freedom. I stop only to look at a golden box, it is placed under a glassy chest for protection. I break the glass. Alarms are screaming in my ears, to the Hell with them all! I don't care, they can scream till the wake of the dead, I don't care coz /I'm…Not…/
In the golden box I find Duel Monsters cards. Good, I'll need them in the outer world up there. I know everything about the Shadow Games.
I push the doors until they are finally open, the blood now staining my back. But I don't feel it. All I can feel is pure power streaming in my veins. Finally I am the master of my life. I'm walking out to the fresh, freezing air of the night. I'm not dressed properly for it, and soon the blood is frozen on my back, yet I don't stop. I'm getting to greet the full moon, I shoot one last glance at the doors I was locked behind ever since I was born. I think someone has to put there a sign reading "Welcome To Hell." I write these words in the sand with my Rod. Then I scream "I AM NOT A PUPPET!"
My voice is echoing through the nothingness. I'm walking forward, my items smooth and warm on my body. I walk until I fall on the sand, lying there and watching the full moon petting my body with its silver rays. I sit up, gathering my thoughts all together. I have to survive.
I place my millennium items in a circle, then I pull out my new cards. I shuffle them, drawing five of them. I place them face down, arranged like an X on the sand inside the circle of the items. Everything glows now, golden rays dancing from item to item, and I wait. Wait for the darkness.
I expose the cards on the edges. The Rebirth, The Soul Hunter, Dark Purpose and Lethal Thunder. I laugh. I know now what I have to do. My answer is the card in the middle. I turn it over.
Thousands of souls hovered around the figure in the picture. The person who was painted there wore a black cloak with golden strings. His face wasn't visible yet a millennium eye glowed on his forehead. In his right hand he held hundreds of golden threads connected to the souls around him and in his left hand he held a metallic object, similar to my millennium Rod.
The Master Of Puppetz.
And I laugh, psychotic sound echoing through the desert. The moon fades away, replacing its pale glow with orange stripes of early dawn. And I get up, still laughing.
"Wait and see, humanz…" I hiss dangerously "I'm on my way to get you…Soon, I open the Gates Of Hell and bring the death flames on your world, on your fields, on everything you have…You've done abusing me. Now it's my turn. Just wait…" I'm moving again, running on the sand in a speed of a demon, a death demon.
My golden earrings and millennium items are chiming on my body, guiding me. I pass villages, and the corn is withering in the fields when I run through them. I step in the river, evaporating it. I break my way through a pyramid.
Beware now, coz I'm on my way. I'm ready to everything, and I know exactly what I need to do to make revenge burn this cursed earth of yours. And I won't fail this time, oh no. I'm not like any tomb keeper you know. I'm not Malik. No, you are wrong again. I'm not Marik either. He lived before my time. I don't really know him.
The intense sun is melting the blood on my back when I run. You still don't have a clue, right?
No one knows what evil is released again tonight. When they finally realize, it will be too very late. Marik could be stopped, but he was nothing comparing to me.
My eyes are blinking with red and black as two dark grey wings are opened behind my back, taking my body up into the sky, I want Ra to see me. I want Ra to know. I laugh again, watching the world I'm going to destroy. Yes, I'm definitely worse than Marik. Much worse.
My name is FlEsH AnD BoNeZ.
And soon you all know it and fear me…Coz I am going to be The Master Of Puppetz.
The End. Finito la comedia.
FAB: Hum…I think I've exaggerated a little…Well, I needed an original ending…
SOO…What do you think about Master Of Puppetz?
I want to summarize my work in few sentences. First of all, I've tried as hard as I could to finish everything in time for my readers. Secondly, I tried to do my best and not turn Crystal (Which is my original OC) to a Mary Sue since people don't really like them anymore. Also I tried not to make Kaiba Seto very OOC, though I do believe he is completely different person at work and at home. I tried to combine ANGST with Romance and a pinch of Humor to make this story more readable. And I don't have a clue what this stupid ending is doing in this story. It was…Kinda spontaneous.
I plan some new YGO FICs, the ideas are ready – I just have to write it all down. The next YGO FIC is named Fallen Angels. Look for it!
Well, now, that everything is said and done, I want to remind you this is your last chance to REVIEW this story and tell me what you think. I really appreciate every second you waste on me, and I want to assure you I pay a very closer attention to everything the readers say and comment. I also want to thank the ones who have already reviewed my story. And thank you all for 300 hits!
I hope you enjoyed this FIC, and I wish to meet you all next time! Don't forget to have the fun of your lives this summer!
Ja-ne!