Ok, first the disclaimer: I don't own even the smallest bit of Yu-Gi-Oh. Don't plan to … The characters are just too fun to play with (grins)
Warning! If you don't like OC's and OOC-ness and Mary-Sue's THEN DON'T READ THIS FIC. It was intended merely for the fun on the message board it was created on, with permission from everyone who participated in the RPG this story came out on…
A/N: This has nothing to do really with the actual story at all. I have a message forum for Yu-Gi-Oh and other anime and this little story was cooked up between my friend Blue and me. This is in the fantasy genre because it includes characters with magical powers. We have our characters as well as characters from the show. You will see Bakura acting slightly… ok a LOT ooc in this one. No flames if you choose to leave any remarks. This is strictly for the comic/romance tale to tell…
Well then… On with the chapter…
Fresh Start
"Time for round two." RIJ sneered at her. She scowled back at him.
"Ketsuoanansi! I'll give you a round two…" she snarled as she attacked again. Aurora pressed Bakura an answer for RIJ's weakness. Malik started to try to break free of their hold.
"Oh no you don't…" Atem started as Aurora connected her elbow to his face to knock him out cold. Bakura turned then and gave a swift kick to the fallen man's stomach.
"Nothinglike kicking them when they are down, huh?" She looked back at Zahara who had just taken another hit. "You do realize you owe her big time for this, right?"
"Blue, tell me there is a way to stop him," Ryou begged her. She blinked.
"Stop?" She hesitated for a moment before her eyes lit up. "Ah-ha! I've got it!" Ryou did not even have a chance to ask her what she meant as she turned and headed back in the direction he knew to be their home. His attention was brought back by a cry from Zahara as RIJ threw and pinned her against a building. His hand turned into flames once again. "Hurry Blue!"
"This is my last resort," Blue whispered as she ran.
RIJ smirked at Zahara, knowing her had her trapped.
"Hey, Princess, any last wishes before I fill that beautiful belly of yours full of flames?" Her teeth clenched together as a new form of power begged her for release.
"Yeah, actually, I do," she returned, her eyes flashing from red and white, to green. "Take a bath!" A smirk formed on her face as she raised her hand again, only this time to have water and ice appear to douse his flames. He let go of her in shock and she landed on the ground only to leap up with another spin kick that sent him to the ground again. "I kind of like my body the way it is, thank you…" Aurora found herself stunned once again.
"But… but… no way!"
"Did she just control water?" Atem asked. Aurora shook her head in disbelief.
"But… I – I don't get it. She shouldn't have had access to that power…" RIJ growled at her from the ground.
"So, Princess, you like to play with water? That's good. Then you can chill out!" He took the fallen ice spears she had just sent at him and turned them against her, causes gasps from everyone. She flinched and brought her arm up out of instinct. A clear barrier appeared just before the spears could touch her, sending them falling harmlessly to the ground.
"Okay… At least I know you understand who I am…" What can I possibly do to beat him? Every attack I throw at him, he returns as if it was his own…Zahara felt a small tremor flow through her body. Aurora noticed it as well.
She won't be able to last much longer if they keep battle at their fullest strength like this, she thought sadly. Zahara lowered her arm and faced RIJ.
"Just tell me why? Why did all this have to happen? Why were you forcing Bakura into something he did not want?"
"Why do I get the feeling I am not going to like this answer?" Aurora and Atem asked in unison.
"'Cause anything coming from him is bad," Jackie answered with a pointed glare at RIJ. RIJ laughed.
"Forcing Bakura? My dear you have it all wrong," RIJ told her with a smirk as he stood. "Do you even know why Bakura wants a woman?" Bakura could not remain quiet anymore.
"RIJ!" he shouted in a warning tone. "Don't you dare say anything more! That's ancient history! Things have changed now!"
Blue knelt within a darkened room with four hazy lights surrounding her.
"Please… That's what is happening now," she said softly.
"Hmm," one deep voice could be heard.
"That boy has been trouble ever since he was born," an unknown female voice could be heard saying.
"Yes, I agree," another deep voice added.
"But you do know that this will require a price…" a fourth voice informed her.
At Bakura's outburst, Zahara dropped her guard and looked back and forth between the two men. Her questioning gaze fell hard on Bakura.
"What is he saying… And don't blow the question off this time, Bakura. It is time I know everything before this fight continues. This way I will know just who the real enemy is." Bakura felt the cold gaze of both Atem and Aurora on him as well. He coughed.
"You know about that kids question…" He paused and RIJ rolled his eyes.
"He wanted any chick to screw so he could kill your father with the babies." Growls could be heard all around him andBakura swallowed hard. Harder still when he met Zahara's gaze.
"But Zahara! Everything changed when I met you! Honest! I told you that!" he told her, making an effort to raise his hand out to her. She brought her arms up then. One at Bakura while the other was focused on RIJ.
"You have got to be kidding me…" Jackie groaned.
"I don't kid…" RIJ told her evenly.
"I knew it," Zahara whispered, her gaze softening. "I knew something was off…" Atem stepped closer to Bakura.
"Is this true?" Sanura had been watching the scene when a weird feeling washed over her. Aurora hung her head.
"Bakura… To think you changed."
"Once a thief, always a thief," Atem muttered. Sanura rushed out to them.
"Wait! He said things had changed. At least let him explain." Zahara arched an eyebrow at her.
"You stand up for him now?" She sighed and lowered he head. "So things are different now. So you say. But how can I believe that?" she asked, lifting her head to force his gaze to meet hers. "How can I believe anything you have ever said to me? How am I to know I am still not just some 'chick' for you to 'screw' to get what you wanted… In order to take down my Father?" Aurora coughed.
"I don't know what has gotten into all these Yami's but haven't you all noticed yet that he isn't the ruler of any country right now? He is as normal and average as the rest of us… well… almost…"
"Gee, thanks," Atem replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Zahara shook her head.
"It doesn't matter. The fact remains he started out to use me. To con me… When did it change? What made the difference…"
"Tons of questions there, sis. How about giving him some time to answer…" Zahara turned her glare at Sanura. "Or not… your choice," Sanura said as she backed away, shutting her mouth. Not even Bakura had dared to utter a word now knowing just what she was capable of. The alley had gone deadly silent. Ryou turned cold eyes on his Yami. He had known Bakura was capable of so many evil things, but even this had gone way beyond too far. He finally coughed. A pointed sound as he addressed his darkness.
"You can talk now, Bakura." Bakura looked away at first as he tried to get his words together. Then he looked up at Zahara.
"Ok, it was true. Was! WAS!" Bakura began to speak rather quickly as he tried to get it all out in the open. "When I first met your father, I thought he was the biggest, most egotistical, meanest, short-tempered, unfair most spiky-haired, ugliest…" He rant was interrupted by another cough and a glare from Atem. "No offence…" Atem arched an eyebrow at him, but said nothing as he waited to hear the rest of the explanation. Bakura hesitated.
"Um… Bakura?" Ryou pressed. Bakura shook his head.
"Yes, when I went to ask for his blessing for the marriage, I thought he was all that. But he isn't. Sure, maybe he's still a little…" He stopped himself and shook his head again, deciding it would be better for him to stop ranting on his dislikes of Atem. "Never mind. The point is… I don't hate your father! The day I met you, I mean really met you and began to get to know you, I couldn't stop thinking about you. Zahara, you have to believe me. I really love you!"
"Oh. Shut. Up." RIJ gagged as he gave a nasty look at both Bakura and Zahara. He realized he had no respect for Bakura anymore. Not after hearing all that. But before he could say anything more, he was shot backward by a beam of red and white light. Zahara had not even turned to see him when she made her attack. Her entire focus was still on Bakura.
"No, you shut up. I want to hear what he has to say…" Her voice was a mixture of her fear, anger, and sadness. The clearest sign of his apparent betrayal.
RIJ glared up at her from the ground again. "Damn bitch!"
"Do you ever stop swearing?" Ryou asked him, receiving the same death glare RIJ had been giving Zahara. Bakura drew RIJ's attention again as he stepped closer to Zahara in an attempt to calm her and gain her trust again.
"Zahara, please calm down. I am begging you to believe me. I really do love you. That is why I asked for your hand in marriage! If, and I said if, I wanted to follow that stupid, and yes I admit it was a stupid plan, I never would have asked you to marry me." Blue had returned by that time and was caught by the silence in the alley. She tried to figure out what was going on as the others gathered around her.
"What is it? What can stop him?" Jackie asked her.
"The Elders have agreed to help us… But there is a catch."
"What catch?" Sanura asked.
"There is a price we must pay." She looked back over at Zahara. She had turned back to RIJ.
"Any other secrets you want to spill so he can explain… Or are you done so we can finish this?" Aurora saw something that began to scare her. Zahara's eyes fluttered and she struggled to maintain her balance. Her energy was fading, and fading fast.
"What's the price, Blue? If we don't do something soon, she won't be able to finish this. She is about to fall where she stands as it is. Please, Blue."
"The price… I'm not sure… It has to be something of equal value…" Jackie's eyes widened in shock.
"Equal value? Meaning we would have to sacrifice one of us in order to get rid of him!" Her question was not lost, but RIJ's question to Zahara was heard as well.
"Why would I tell you anything?" Zahara shrugged.
"Simple. You like pain- emotional, physical- doesn't matter which. Anything that causes a stir, a reaction- negative at its best… You would tell me just to cause more hurt and pain…."
"You do have a point…" RIJ said with a smirk. Aurora turned back to Blue.
"There has to be something else we can sacrifice. An animal or something?" Atem looked down.
"Doubt that will work. It never did back in my time…" Atem told her softly, a faraway look in his eyes.
"Ok… then who wants to be sacrificed?" Blue asked, frustrated. Atem shrugged.
"I nominate him," he said, pointing to the still unconscious Malik. Blue tried to hide her giggle and failed.
"So does everyone agree? Malik is going to be sacrificed?" Jackie nodded.
"I agree. Make him suffer," she said with a grin. Zahara had been half listening to them as she kept her guard and focus back on RIJ. She began to blink rapidly as her vision blurred and she felt her body begin to sway.
"Whatever you guys choose- can we hurry please?" She begged them. I'm not sure how much longer I can maintain this energy… My head… feels heavy… I'm tired...So tired…
Atem lifted Malik's body onto his shoulders and sighed as he passed Bakura.
"So are you going to just stand there and watch her grow weaker fighting someone she wouldn't have had to if you had just come forward? Or are you going to help her before she loses consciousness?"
Aurora heard Atem. "We have to help Blue prepare the ritual offering. Otherwise we would help her." Sanura stepped forward with a grim look on her face.
"Go ahead and get it ready. I can help her…"
"You can?" Atem asked her.
Sanura sighed. "I can, yes." She moved closer and touched her sister's arm causing a jolt of energy to surge through Zahara's body. "My energy shall help you hold him off till they get this done… Good luck."
Zahara looked at her older sister in awe. "Sanura? I…" She looked down and gave a weak smile. "Thank you, my sister." She quickly turned to face RIJ again. "Now," she said with a sly grin. "Where were we?"
"Okay," Blue said, as she began to assume some kind of a leadership role in the group. "This is going to be tough. We only have one chance to do this right, otherwise… Who knows what the consequences are…"
"Let's hope you know what you are doing, Blue… 'Cause for once- I sure don't…" Aurora told her.
"That's a surprise," Atem murmured. He was rubbing his arm a short time later when she smacked him.
"Actually, I have no idea what I am doing…" Blue admitted, much to everyone's disappointment. "The last time the Elders were called here was when they had to take away RIJ's powers… My parents were the ones who did that."
"Where are your parents now?" Ryou asked her gently. Her look turned grim.
"Let's just say, they made a mistake…" Aurora's eyes softened for her friend.
"Blue… Are you saying…"
"They gave their lives to rid RIJ of his powers?" Atem finished for her. Behind them the sounds of the fight had begun again. Blue looked down.
"I'm not sure really. I was young and I don't remember much. Just that when I woke up, they were… well… It wasn't a pretty sight."
"And RIJ?" Ryou asked.
"He ran, left the house forever. He wasn't the same either." Aurora decided it was time to change the subject back to RIJ and the ritual.
"Do you have a book with a spell or somethin? Maybe we can go with that to be sure we don't mess this up…" Blue held out a book.
"It's pretty old and even with it my parents still managed to screw up… So I don't know how much help it will be."
"Would it surprise you terribly to know that I actually don't want to fight you? I just wanted to teach you a lesson you would not soon forget. My mark is burned into your skin now. No matter what happens you will always remember the day the Pharaoh's daughter go the best of you," Zahara tempted him.
"You got the best of me?" RIJ laughed. "We'll see who's the best right here and now! A worthless girl versus a powerful Yami." He sped toward her, grabbing a fistful of her hair, singeing it with his fiery hands. He used her hair to lift her and swing her, throwing her at her father. She crashed into him, sending them both to the ground as he twisted to try to ease her landing.
"Sorry, Father," she said through clenched teeth. He shook his head.
"Don't worry about it. Are you alright?"
"I will be when he's dead…" She leapt back toward RIJ with her fire flashing in her eyes again. There was a mixture of bright red and white lights as her voice could be heard in the blinding light. "FIRE FLASH ATTACK!" RIJ was struck head on by the torrent of electric fire. Aurora spun around at hearing the name of the attack her daughter had used. Fear filled her eyes.
"Dear Ra- no…"
"What is it? What is wrong with that attack?" Aurora did not hear Atem's question as she raced away from the group to reach Bakura.
"Stop this- Stop this now! Or else we will lose her. Bakura- you have to stop him!"
"What does she mean we will lose her?" Jackie asked Atem. Bakura snapped into action at Aurora's warning.
"Zahara! Stop! No!" RIJ arched an eyebrow from where he had landed.
"What's the little princess up to now?" Zahara had not heard them and she called the attack again.
"We have to stop this fight… now!" Aurora's voice had begun to shake. Atem went to her again.
"But why?"
"Remember what caused my friends and me to crash here to begin with?" She asked him. He slowly nodded.
"…Yes…" Aurora stared straight ahead.
"I was using the same kind of strength and powers… Only they began to use me. Her anger with RIJ is fueling the flames in her spirit. They will grow out of control and the world will be at risk- just like my own planet…" Atem needed to hear no more as he spun to face Zahara, shouting her name. She continued to hit RIJ with all her power, sending him farther and farther into the ground.
"The only good thing to come out of this- no need to dig up a grave for him. He is lying in it now," Sanura commented, staring at the crater building beneath him. Bakura and Atem both took off running for Zahara; crashing into her and sending her to the ground. Aurora met up with them and asked them to hold her arms down.
"Forgive me Daughter, but this is for your own good…" Aurora reached down and placed her hands on each side of Zahara's face over her temples, allowing white light to slowly enter Zahara's head and put her into a deep sleep. "Hopefully she won't remember much of this when she wakes…" Sanura pointed at RIJ.
"What about him?" Atem looked up at Bakura. His request unspoken. RIJ watched them fuss over Zahara, an evil smile on his face.
"I knew the little princess couldn't take it," he laughed. Aurora reeled on him.
"Couldn't take it! COULDN'T TAKE IT! Why I outta..." Atem grabbed her to hold her back.
"Temper... Let's not have a repeat of Zahara..." He turned toward Bakura. "As for you- you have a choice..." He said looking down at Zahara. "If you love her as much as you say- you will deal with him now... set him straight- and don't tell me it won't be easy- I know that... But she could have destroyed herself and the world and she was willing to do so for you... What are you willing to do for her?" RIJ began to move toward Bakura. They all looked up at him.
"Now… Since the wife we choose for you is… well, maybe a bit too crispy now…" RIJ commented as he motioned toward the car containing Rebecca's ashes. "We need another one. And you have no idea just how hard it was to find that one…" He stopped as he had a brief flashback.
"Hey you!" Rebecca turned to see who was calling her.
"Me?" RIJ motioned around her.
"No one next to you is there?" A guy walked passed and she point at him.
"Him?" RIJ smacked his head.
"No. You!" She looked confused.
"But that's what I said…" RIJ shook his head knowing he found the perfect woman.
"Will you marry my friend?" Rebecca looked thoughtful.
"Sure… him?" she asked when she spotted Malik. RIJ smiled.
"Ah… no. Come with us and you can meet him now…"
RIJ frowned at the memory. "Now we have to punish you, Bakura." Bakura stepped away from Zahara and her parents, finally facing RIJ on his own.
"There is only one person who will be punished here," he growled.
Ryou was glued to the scene. "This is going to be some battle."
"Yup," Blue returned with a grin. "Your yami verses my yami." Aurora turned toward Atem.
"Can a yami kill another yami?" He shrugged.
"Not sure. Never tried. At least I never really tried to anyway..." At their knees Zahara had begun to moan, calling for Bakura, before fading back into the darkness of her mind once more. Bakura heard her and looked back one last time at her. RIJ scowled.
"All right, lover boy. I guess we fight now." Aurora watched as they paired off for the fight.
"I sure hope he can hold RIJ off until Blue can figure out what it is we are supposed to be doing…"
"Why couldn't he just be sealed in something we can just… I don't know… Conveniently … lose?" Sanura sighed. Aurora looked at her; an idea forming.
"I don't see why we couldn't…"
"If there is a chance it could work… I know I can do it. I can seal him. I just need something to seal him in…" Atem said thoughtfully. Aurora turned to Blue.
"Blue? What do you think? Could it work?" Blue continued to thumb through the pages of the book.
"It could, but it's risky." She growled in frustration. "I can barely make out the text!" Behind them, the fight began. Aurora had walked over to read over Blue's shoulder when something in the book caught her eye.
"Wait! Turn back the page a minute… What's this?" She pointed down at a page. "Trapment," she read. "Could this be what we are looking for?" Sanura's breath hissed in beside her. "What?"
"That had to hurt. Bakura just got a lucky shot at RIJ with his dagger."
"Bakura has a dagger?" Atem asked.
"And that fact surprises you, why?" Aurora returned, still gazing down at the spell.
"True," he answered quietly, turning to check on Zahara. Blue was lost in thought.
"Trapment…" she murmured. "Hmm, this sounds very difficult." Atem came over and took the book from her to look over the spell.
"Doesn't look much different from when we sealed souls away in the Millennium Items… I think I can do it," he told her. "If Bakura still has his Ring- we can double the strength and have a better chance at sealing RIJ without a problem."
"All we need is something to seal RIJ into. Any ideas?" Their thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of the battle again.
"Ah! Watch where you're pointing that thing!" RIJ shouted. Bakura gave his wolfish smirk.
"What? You mean this thing?" he countered as he jabbed RIJ with the dagger again. RIJ growled at him.
"Why, Bakura?"
"Huh?" Bakura was taken back by the new tone in RIJ's voice. "Why what?"
"Why did you betray us?"
"Go ahead, Bakura," Sanura whispered. "Tell him. Tell him you fell for the daughter of the Pharaoh and she is more important than your undying thirst for revenge." She stopped herself, thinking over her words and frowned. "Now isn't that an oxymoron…" Bakura was still staring at RIJ dumbfounded.
"Well?" RIJ prodded with a smirk. "Tell me. Oh wait, don't tell me: you turned into a sissy and actually fell in love!"
"I am not a sissy!"
"Well then?"
"I…" Bakura paused, unsure of what to say. Atem and Aurora had gone back to discussing the problem at hand. They knew there was still the consideration of a price for their task.
"I suppose there is still the price to pay." Atem grew silent in his memories. Aurora felt a stab of pain and looked down.
"Mahaado…" she whispered as Atem looked away.
"Okay then, we trade Malik's equally evil soul to trap RIJ within an item of your choosing Blue. He is your Yami after all." Aurora could not help her grin.
"How about a fire hydrant near the park? That way he always gets… You know… Special treatment from the dogs." Blue giggled at the thought before growing serious again.
"I don't know. Maybe we should just seal him in a rock and blast him into space." She paused. "But what if he comes back?" Sanura arched an eyebrow but said nothing at the remark as she concentrated on Bakura.
"If you love her, you won't deny it. Not now. Say it, you coward," she muttered under her breath. Bakura felt cornered.
"Who are you going to choose? Your best friend, or the former Pharaoh and his daughter?" RIJ sneered at him.
"I…"
"Yes? I'm waiting…"
"I won't deny it. I admit I love Zahara." RIJ frowned for a brief moment. It was as if he was hearing her name for the first time.
"Zahara?"
"I guess we deal with that if it ever happens…" Aurora's words were cut off as she realized things had grown quiet. She turned to see Sanura giving Bakura a death glare. "What'd we miss?" She did not answer.
"Sanura?" Atem prodded.
"Maybe Bakura's life isn't worth saving…" Everyone blinked in shock.
"Sanura? What do you mean?" Aurora asked.
"I mean Zahara's anger may have been in vain. He can admit he loves her… But it sounds like he can't choose her. He is still drawn by the darkness. He still wants his evil friendship with RIJ." Atem and Aurora looked down at their still unconscious daughter, anger surging through them.
"For his sake," Aurora started.
"You had better be wrong," Atem finished with a glare. Bakura stared hard at RIJ, watching for any signs of an oncoming attack. Never seeing his warrior form before, Bakura was not sure just what to expect.
"Yes, Zahara is the one I love." RIJ arched an eyebrow at him. He was determined to do what he could to break this. No matter what.
"She's the one from the card game, right? The one practically throwing herself at you? How do you even know she truly loves you in return?"
"What do you mean?"
RIJ shook his head. "Girls flirt to get what they want, old friend. Who's to say she wasn't just playing with you? Think about it, Bakura. She's the daughter of the Pharaoh. Your oldest enemy. The one who's family is responsible for the destruction of your home, costing you your family and friends." He cast a glance at Zahara's unconscious form on the ground. "It would seem fitting she would continue what her ancestors began all those centuries ago, by playing you like a fool only to break your heart." Bakura shook his head vehemently. This he would not believe.
"It can't be! No way! She would never do that!" RIJ Grinned looking from Zahara to Bakura and winking.
"She looks like a heart-breaker. Watch yourself, Bakura."
"Shut up!" He had heard enough. He leapt forward, his fist connecting with RIJ's nose, causing the blood to flow. Aurora hung her head.
"If she was going to break his heart, she'd have done it a year ago…"
"I may give her a hard time," Sanura said. "But I give her credit. When she falls, she falls hard. She is loyal, honorable, honest and true. She plays games because she enjoys the challenge. Something Bakura can relate to. She would not have been fickle enough to agree to marry him if she had not meant it." Atem said nothing as he returned to Blue.
"Ok, fire hydrant, or rock? We can do a boulder and dump it to the bottom of the ocean…" He grew thoughtful. "It is a very long drop to the bottom from here." Ryou openly smirked.
"You know… If he gets sealed in a fire hydrant, he might enjoy it when they unscrew the-"
"Ah ah ah! No Ryou!" Blue shouted, interrupting his thought. He grinned and hung his head.
"Sorry…" She smiled as well, shaking her head.
"It's alright." Aurora grinned as well.
"I have to admit… I am surprised, Ryou. Yet, very oddly impressed." She chuckled before continuing. "I vote boulder so we can shove it in the ocean."
"Shove RIJ in the ocean…" Blue giggled.
"Ryou, do you or Bakura still have the Millennium Ring? The more Shadow Powers we have access to, the better chance we have to make this work," Atem explained.
"Hmmm… I'm not really sure, actually. It comes and goes. Last time I heard, Shadi had it."
"Well, unless Shadi magically appears in the next few seconds, I guess mine is the only one that will work."
"We can combine our magic for this," Aurora told him. "As long as we remain focused… We should be able to make the trade fairly easily."
"I hope it works, and soon," Sanura said. "Otherwise they will just may kill each other."
"You ready for this, Blue?" Aurora asked her friend. She frowned.
"I'm ready. But I just hope this goes right."
"Because one mistake could mean you're gone, Aurora," Ryou commented lightly. There was a rush of wind and a flash of light. When everyone could see again, they gasped upon seeing Shadi standing before them.
"Well, that's convenient," Blue and Ryou murmured in unison.
"Shadi!" Aurora gasped.
"It's been a long time," Atem said with a nod.
"Please say you have come to help," Aurora pleaded.
"The more items we have, the more focus is placed on them. If anything disappears-the Millennium Items can be lost and not one of us." Atem stood waiting for an answer.
"I have come because I was alerted to a disturbance." Shadi looked over at Blue.
"Shadi," Blue breathed, her question dying on her lips.
"Yes, the others are coming."
"What do you mean?" Ryou asked.
"Shadi is one of the Elders," Blue explained. "He has the Millennium Scales."
"Huh?"
"Each elder wields a Millennium Item." Ryou looked over at Atem.
"Are you?"
"He can choose to be," Blue said softly. Atem gave her a puzzled look. Aurora could not hold back anymore. The battle was raging on and they had to stop it.
"Shadi," she started as she stepped forward. "We have met on more than one occasion. My family has always guarded the tombs of Pharaohs past. We have protected Yugi and Atem in the quests. We still manage to protect others. We beseech your help now. RIJ is planning danger as I am sure you are well aware of by now. We have to seal him away."
"We have chosen an equal soul to trade fro RIJ's trapment," Atem said, looking over at Malik. "Evil for evil, dark for dark, life for a life." Shadi followed his gaze.
"I see. The one who used to wield the Millennium Rod."
"He was unworthy of the Millennium Rod's powers, you know that Shadi…" Aurora reminded him. Sanura looked up at Atem.
"What about the Elder part, Father?"
"What about it?"
"It was said you can choose to be one…"
"I think I need to know more about that offer before I make my choice, but we have more important matters at hand right now."
"Good call," Jackie agreed.
"Shadi, can you help us?" Blue asked.
"Alone I cannot," he responded. She frowned.
"So we have to wait for the others?"
"I don't think we have much time," Ryou commented softly.
"So what do we need to do? Circle-spell-chanting… what? Where is my place in all of this as the wearer of the Millennium Puzzle?" Atem asked, capturing Shadi's attention again.
"Guys, hurry! RIJ is getting the upper hand!" Sanura exclaimed. Zahara slowly began to stir.
"'Kura?" She moaned and rolled onto her side in an attempt to get herself to stand. "Can't… let… RIJ… win…" Ryou suddenly pointed just passed them.
"Look over there!" They all turned to see Mahaado arriving, the Ring around his neck once again. Isis followed, the Necklace shining brightly around her neck. And Priest Set behind her with the Millennium Rod.
"Nearly everyone is here," Shadi said. Blue did the mental calculation.
"But that means there are only six items here as you have the Scales and the Key and Atem has the Puzzle. Isn't there seven?" she asked.
"Yes," Ryou answered. "Who has the Eye?"
"He is still on his way." Shadi stared off in the distance. Atem frowned.
"Shadi… Who is the Elder who holds the Eye? It seems that all the priests have returned except Akunadin … and Karim… but tell me, has Akunadin somehow returned?"
"That would be bad, though, wouldn't it?" Jackie asked.
"I would have to say yes… Unless he was purified sometimes after he was killed," Aurora started before she realized Zahara was shakily getting to her feet. "Zahara! What are you doing!"
"I… must…help… I… must…" Her strength gave out,darkness claimed her,and she pitched forward. Aurora and Atem both raced for her.
"ZAHARA!" They shouted, catching Bakura's attention. His distraction cost him, however as RIJ took that moment to send a crushing blow at him.
"Will you guys hurry! He won't last long if this continues!" Sanura cried out. Aurora watched as Zahara began to be surrounded in red and white light once again in her arms. She looked sharply up at Shadi.
"Shadi, anytime and soon. This will not be good for the world if RIJ succeeds in taking Bakura down. That isn't a threat… It is a warning and a promise," She told him, eyeing her daughter with extreme caution. Ryou squinted as he looked passed them again.
"Look… it's… Pegasus?" Ryou blinked in surprise. Pegasus sauntered up and patted him on the head.
"My, my, well haven't you grown, Bakura. It's been awhile since Duelist Kingdom…"
"Um… I'm Ryou."
"Yes, yes, sure." Blue leaned over to Ryou.
"Maybe he's had one too many spritzers for the day…"
"Everyone is here now," Shadi announced.
"Then let's begin this," Aurora said as she and Atem rested Zahara down and gathered Malik to place him beside a boulder in the center of the circle of Elders. They all joined hands and closed their eyes to concentrate. Jackie and Sanura joined the circle as well. She sighed and found herself lost in her thoughts. With all our powers combined we should have enough to appease the gods and seal RIJ away. Sorry Malik… But you are no better than he. Your time for judgment has arrived.
Atem took a deep breath and began.
"Great gods of Egypt, hear me! Accept our offer and rid the world of the darkest of Evil. With this spell we bind thee RIJ to a place where you can do no more harm. A place of eternal darkness. A place from which you may never leave!" They all began to chant the sacred spell and the boulder, along with Malik's body took on a golden glow. RIJ was just about to lean in for the killing blow when his arm was stopped in mid attack. He looked at his arm strangely and tried to make his attack again as Bakura watched in awe. Slowly, RIJ's body began to take on the golden glow and he found his feet leaving the ground.
"What? What is happening to me!" RIJ Shouted as he kicked against the invisible force. Atem's voice cut through the chanting as they all raised their arms into the air.
"Accept our sacrifice, great gods of Egypt! Bind the Darkness to itself! Trap him where he can do no harm!"
The chanting continued and the three covered in the glow lift higher into the air. The glow slowly grew brighter and brighter with every passing second. RIJ struggled harder against the invisible force, but all his efforts were in vain. His shouts echoed through the empty streets and alleyways. Then all at once there was a bright explosion; and then there was silence. The people in the circle opened their eyes to see nothing but the boulder in the place of RIJ and Malik. The bodies were gone.
"There is still one last thing for you to do, my Pharaoh," Shadi informed him.
"You must leave the mark of the Trapment spell on the bolder," Isis added. Atem did not remember having to do this before, but he took their word for it and Aurora had already started toward the boulder. She apparently knew just what to do. Isis pointed to a small mark on the Millennium Puzzle. "Picture this symbol in your mind. The Puzzle will put the mark on the boulder. Aurora knows what is to be done after that."
"This is new…"
"It was an extra precaution we used after you had to be sealed away." Priest Seto replied in a quiet voice. Aurora closed her eyes and looked away.
"After the mark is ready we have to shout the name of it. Nauthiz," she said softly. Atem joined her by the boulder and concentrated on the symbol. The marked etched on the boulder was that of a slanted X. Aurora pulled out her dagger and quickly jabbed her finger, her breath hissing in as the blood began to flow. She swallowed as Atem offered his finger as well. "The final step." They traced the mark, leaving their blood to fill the shape before standing and making a slashing x motion in the air.
"NAUTHIZ!" They shouted. The ground beneath them shook violently for a brief moment and then all was silent once again. Jackie stepped forward.
"Now please allow me to do the honors," she said as she used her telekinetic powers to lift the boulder and walk it to the cliff where she allowed it to crash into the ocean and fall to its final resting place.
"But won't he come back when the water washes off the blood?" Sanura asked.
"No," Aurora answered with a shake of her head. "It is a special restraint/confinement spell. A reversal would have to be used in order for him to ever be released again. But they would also have to find him first… there are so many boulders in the ocean… that would be very hard to do." Jackie appeared again by then and she looked around.
"Where is Malik?" she asked.
"With Osiris, to pay his dues for his evil ways…" Atem answered before he and Aurora returned to Zahara. Bakura had sat in shock as the events slowly sank in. Then suddenly he jumped up and rushed to Zahra as well, calling for her. Blue walked over to the priests.
"Thank you for getting rid of him." Priest Set looked down at her in silence but Isis nodded.
"You are welcome." Shadi approached Atem.
"So, my Pharaoh. Will you be joining us?" Atem stood and faced Shadi.
"I knew what my duties as a Pharaoh was before I became one… What would be required of me should I take this offer?"
"The same as your duties as Pharaoh," Shadi answered.
"You must be the protector of loved ones," Isis added.
"Pharaoh, as your loyal servant, I ask you humbly to consider," Mahaado pleaded. Pegasus rolled his eyes.
"Just join Yugi-boy, it's nothing much really. Kind of like… a guardian angel." Atem quirked an eyebrow at him.
"The name is Atem."
"More like a protector," Priest Set corrected.
"Yes, yes, well put, Kaiba-boy," Pegasus said, waving him away. Priest Set sighed and sweat-dropped.
"… I'm not Kaiba…" Atem glanced back at Shadi.
"I have only one condition. That I remain here with my family so I may better protect the people here on Earth. If you grant that condition, I shall enter the circle of the Elders."
"Yes, Pharaoh, as you wish," Shadi nodded and then in a flash they were gone.
"Atem…?" Aurora whispered. Bakura had gently lifted Zahara from Aurora's arms and tenderly rocked her against him.
"Zahara! Wake up! Or Ra, please wake up!" Tears silently slipped down his face as he held her. Zahara moaned in his arms and Sanura lightly touched her mother's shoulder.
"I think it is time to wake Zahara up again…" Sanura told her softly. Aurora looked up at Bakura.
"Here, let me see her a moment." He reluctantly moved as if to hand her back to her mother, but instead of taking Zahara from him, Aurora placed a hand over Zahara's heart. There was a brief flash of light and Zahara's eyes fluttered open, brought out of darkness by a small burst of Aurora's own energy. Zahara looked up at Bakura and smiled.
"'Kura?" He smiled a genuine smile and brought her face to his so he could give her a deep kiss. He broke it a short time later to hug her tightly.
"Oh, my Ra, I thought I was going to lose you!" She lightly touched his face.
"I would never leave you." She frowned for a moment. "Just promise me from now on… no more secrets, please?"
"I promise. I will be as honest as I can with you and hide no secrets. After all, you can read my mind now so there's not exactly any point in them," Bakura said with a grin. She smiled back at him again.
"I will only look into your mind if I fell I have to," she told him with a soft laugh. "I promise." Sanura turned to her father.
"So how do you feel?"
"I don't really feel any different," he said thoughtfully. Jackie looked around.
"So- everyone made it through okay? No body's missing? No one's hurt?"
"I think we're all fine," Ryou answered.
"Yeah, pretty much. Except for Bakura and his bating. But I guess he is alright since Zahara is," Blue added. Ryou turned to.
"And RIJ is gone now," he told her with a smile. She managed a smile when she really felt like frowning.
Why do I get the feeling he will be back…
Aurora turned her gaze away from Bakura and Zahara to look at Atem, Ryou and Blue. "Looks like our biggest task now will be planning the wedding…" Atem rolled his eyes in mock horror.
"Dear Ra, help us get through this," he prayed with a laugh. Blue giggled and Ryou shook his head, a grin of his own on his face.
"The wedding should be… interesting…" he murmured. Atem frowned.
"What is it?" Aurora asked him.
"Do you realize how big this thing is going to be?" Aurora laughed again.
"Actually I am still trying to imagine Bakura in a tux." The comment brought laughter from everyone. Bakura looked up from Zahara, confused.
"What is a tux?"
"You will find out soon," Ryou told him with a wink.
Well- so far this is the end of this fic. However the RPG has gone on to the plans for the wedding, and the wedding itself... I will decide later if I am going to include it... for right now this is good though. Hope you enjoyed!