Gods, this took me so long to write! Damned midterms!
Sorry! I know this chapter sucks like crap, but...bleh! (bows humbly at your feet in hopes you will forgive her) Yes, I deserve to be poked to death sporks! Please forgive me! (bows bows bows bows bows)
And now finally, CHAPTER TWENTY! Oy.
READ AND REVIEW!
Chapter Twenty
Seething, Harry crammed himself against a bookshelf that had not been destroyed yet, hoping with all his might that no one would see him. What did they want with Bakura, anyways? What did Bakura have that they wanted?
Gasping, he realized.
Mungdungus was here to ask someone to steal him something...
...stealing something precious for the Order...
...that Voldemort obviously wanted...
..Ryou was the one they were talking about!
But this was not Ryou! How was Ryou capable of being able to steal anything at all, when he wouldn't even dare borrow someone's wand without permission?
Suddenly, he felt thin, but strong hands grab the back of his collar, hurling him down the hall and around another shelf; he looked around just in time to see a crimson blast explode into the shelf he was just hiding behind.
"It's not precisely the best time to be daydreaming, Potter," snarled a voice angrily. Harry felt the hand release itself as he turned around; it was Ryou.
Oh no...it was that personality switch again! Kind, gentle, polite Ryou was no longer kind, gentle, polite. If anything, to be euphemistic, Ryou looked rather pissed. His eyes were narrowed coldly, and his hair was raised higher, as though permanently in a breeze that no one else could see.
How did Ryou do that!
"Well, yeah, thanks," said Harry, trying his best not to be scathing. Bakura snorted.
"You owe me, Potter," the thief said, and promptly turned around. Death Eaters were still chasing after them, if not all. "What the hell are you doing here? Why aren't you with the Pharaoh and his brat?"
"Hermione and Ron are not brats!" said Harry indignantly, over-running Bakura's mistake with his own assumption. "And darn it, I was trying to help you!"
"Stop being such a hero, Potter," snarled Bakura back, and Harry had almost an impression that he was staring at a Death Eater himself. "It's everyone for themselves. Now get back there!"
"No!" yelled Harry angrily. "You're going to get hurt...!"
"I like pain," seethed Bakura, outraged that Harry was wasting his time. "Now move it, or I won't be around to save your sorry neck again!"
Angrily, Harry reached out to grab Bakura's arm, but in almost an instant, the thief had managed to steal a glance at the followers and escaped from Harry's grip. Flashing Harry a disturbing smile, the thief promptly grabbed hold of the shelf's ledge, and scurried gracefully to the top.
Okay, how could mannerly clumsy Ryou do that!
"Got to get your ass somewhere, Potter," Bakura said, smirking, before he promptly jumped onto the top of another shelf. "Oi, bakas! Up here!"
"Insolent brat!" shrieked Bellatrix's voice. "Lucius, you take Potter! I'll handle the brat and get the files!"
"That's not the only thing you're going to get," laughed Bakura. Throwing his wand high into the air, he bellowed, "Wingardium Leviosa prophecies!" The small spheres extracted themselves from his robes, and, after a command from his wand, hurled themselves at the Death Eaters.
"Protego!" screamed Bellatrix, blocking herself with her wand.
"Cancellio!" bellowed Bakura, directing his wand to Bellatrix's attempt of self protection. Her spell was immediately defused for a split second, before Bakura yelled, "Reducio!"
The glass spheres exploded, some mere inches from Bellatrix's face. The Death Eater screamed at the shards of sharp broken glass that embedded her skin as they shattered in front of her eyes.
"Damn you!"
"Now now," smirked Bakura, "that's not nice at all. If you want to be Voldemort's little lap dog, you should learn your manners."
"How dare you speak the Dark Lord's name, a filthy mudblood like you!" shrieked Bellatrix angrily, clutching her wand.
"I like dares," sneered Bakura as he raised his wand again; however-
"Reducio!"
Bakura turned around instantly, only to have the Reductor curse swerve dangerously pass to his face. He sent a death glare the Eater in question, Avery, who was watching in suspense, for Bakura was losing his balance.
"Reducio!" Avery repeated, this time aiming at the shelf.
Bakura seethed in surprise as the shelf he was standing on begin to crumble, its wooden debris crackling and collapsing beneath his feet. He jumped again, aiming for the next shelf, but he lost his balance-
"Wingardium Leviosa!" yelled a low voice.
Bakura was immediately lifted through the air, and landed on the next shelf with a heavy thud. He looked back and saw the shelf he previously occupied had collapsed entirely, shattering more helpless fragile prophecies in the making, leaving nothing but dust, misty spirits, and angry growls from the confused Death Eaters below.
And Yami too.
"You could've been a little more gentle, pharaoh!" Bakura snarled from above.
"Well excuse me," yelled Yami sarcastically, most of his patience gone, "I didn't think the Thief King really minded pain, didn't you think! Now get away from there!"
"Yugi!" yelled Harry suddenly. He hurled himself from his hiding spot and threw himself into Yami, who gasped in surprise and crashed into another wall. Heaving himself up, Yami and Harry both looked around and saw yet another flash of crimson explode just above their heads.
"Thanks," Yami panted, gritting his teeth at the attack. "Go back, Harry- Hermione and Ron are waiting already -"
"Not until you're out of here first," gasped Harry heavily, clutching a stitch at his side. "Look, we're not leaving until all three of you -"
"Potter!" Lucius Malfoy came into view through the musty debris; Harry bared his teeth angrily before yelling promptly, "Apparate!" In a snap, he and Yami were apparated elsewhere, with Harry praying with all his might that it was not right in front of more Death Eaters.
"Thanks," Yami said again, nursing his head. He looked around at where he and Harry had landed. A more remote place of the room, it seemed, since they could see that shelves were being upturned and curses were screeched from afar. "Okay..look, Harry, go back, Ron and Hermione are worried..."
"Not until we're out of here first," said Harry firmly. "Look, I just saved your life, come on, just listen to me, okay?"
Yami sighed, his mouth pursed in a grim acknowledgement, but he agreed.
"Alright. What we need now is a matter of strategy. I'll go find Marik and -"
"I'll go find Marik," offered Harry. "I think Ryou needs you over there; I don't think I can keep up with him -"
Yami sighed again, grimacing at the complication of the situation. Harry was right; no one else really did know where Bakura would go, or pop up, or do if he was ticked. And surely, no one could stop him either, unless it was Marik or himself. But Marik..he promised he'd help Marik -
"I'll go find him," said Harry firmly. "Just keep Ryou under control, I really don't know what's gotten into him, but he's really really pissed..."
"Heat of the moment, I think," sighed Yami, his crimson eyes darting around for any signs of the tomb robber. If anything, Yami would've suspected Yami Bakura to be happy. "Alright, but make sure the moment you find Marik, get him out, okay? I'll get Bakura and then we'll meet you out."
"Right," nodded Harry.
"Alright," said Yami lowly, seriousness obivous in his voice. "Take care, Harry." With that, Yami quickly turned around and pelted in one direction, straining his ear to hear Bakura's grating sadistic voice. After taking a deep breath, Harry looked around, and followed one random passageway, hoping to find Marik sooner than Yami would find Bakura.
No such luck.
Grimacing, Harry tried his best to avoid the Death Eaters as much as possible; through the uproar of getting the files Bakura possessed, most of them seemed to have forgotten Harry. At times he'd hear someone scream, "Find Potter!" but only to be shortly followed by either Bakura's taunting laughter or Yami's verbal spells. Where the heck was Marik?
There was an explosion just at Harry's feet; he jumped back, throwing himself into another shelf. Around the corner were a few Death Eaters' voices; Harry squatted near the bottom of the shelf, hiding himself in the dark, his wand poised for a surprise attack.
But the Death Eaters never came.
"Where's Potter!" yelled one of the voices. Harry recognized it as Umbra's, Marik's so-called-"follower".
"I don't know," muttered another one, Lumus, Harry guessed, "But we have to find him - if we do, then perhaps the Dark Lord will forgive us..."
"And protect us from Marik!" finished Umbra fearfully. "Oh, Lumus, Master Marik is going to kill us if he has the chance, just like what he wanted to do with Yugi!"
Harry gasped. Marik wanted to kill Yugi? No way! But they were such good friends - were these Death Eaters just mental?
Unfortunately, Umbra had heard his gasp, and was standing right in front of him. The giddy leer upon his face made Harry recoil; it reminded him of a cross between and old house elf named Kreacher and Umbridge.
"You!" Umbra screeched, pointing a dramatic finger at Harry. Excitedly, Umbra looked back, jumping up and down. "I FOUND HIM, LUMUS! I'VE FOUND HARRY POTTER!"
"Shut up!" muttered Harry through gritted teeth. "STUPEFY!"
Umbra, however, let out a shrill scream, and ducked away from the blinding crimson light.
"Lumus! Help me Lumus!"
Suddenly Harry felt strong hands grasp his shoulders, pulling him easily into the air, so that his feet barely skimmed the ground. He twisted and kicked like mad, determined not to drop his wand.
"Stun him, Umbra!" yelled Lumus from behind.
"But-but-" stuttered Umbra cowardly. "-but I don't know how to use a wand very well... Lord Voldemort only wanted us to become Death Eaters because we knew of the files that contain the secrets Master Marik wanted to know..."
"THEN BANISH HIM!" yelled Lumus. "Banish him to the Shadows, and we can just say that we killed him!"
"Of course!" gasped Umbra, a sinister look in his eye. "Of course! We can banish him!"
"Banish me," repeated Harry angrily. "To where!"
Both Umbra and Lumus let out a duet of laughter, or at least, what they considered were malicious laughter.
"To the Shadow Realm, of course!" laughed Umbra giddily.
"Where you'll spend all eternity in eternal darkness!" Lumus finished.
Both laughing, Umbra and Lumus braced themselves, the golden eye glimmering on their forehead; Harry gasped, more out of shock than terror, for if the eye was still there...that meant...!
"Seems you stole more from me than my dignity," said a cold, familiar voice. Harry tried his best to turn around in Lumus's grip, but when he heard both Umbra and his partner gasp in terror, Harry had a shrewd idea who was behind him.
"Really, Lumus," said Marik coldly, approaching them, his stance rigid and commanding, his demeanor ruthless and icy. "That had always been my line."
"Master Marik!" gasped Umbra, backing away. "It was Lumus's idea! It really was!"
"Shut your babbling!" snapped Marik angrily. "No one will be sent to the Shadows unless I command it!"
"But-but-Harry Potter!" tried Lumus weakly, holding Harry out in front to Marik as though he were some sort of pet, ready to be given. "Harry Potter!"
"Your point?" asked Marik, giving Lumus the most intense gaze Harry had ever seen. "Now release him, Lumus, or do you wish to risk your own soul for banishment? I'm sure the gods wouldn't mind yet another sacrifice. After all, do you remember what happened to Arkana and our wonderful speechless one?"
Immediately Lumus dropped Harry from his grasp, and backed away. Harry looked back from Marik to Lumus, frowning with suspicion.
"Marik, what's going on?" Harry asked lowly.
"None of your business, Potter," Marik snarled back.
"Anything that has to do with me and Lord Voldemort is my business!" Harry yelled. He whipped around to face the shaking Lumus and glared at him.
"What does Voldemort want? What does he want with us?"
"Yes, do tell, Lumus, Umbra," Marik asked softly, his voice deadly. "Do tell."
The two former Ghouls shuddered, backing away, terrified.
"ANSWER ME!" Marik bellowed, his entire frame absolutely shaking with utter rage. "ANSWER!"
"The power of the pharaoh, what else!" wailed Umbra, burying his face in his hands and falling to his feet. "Master Marik, please no, don't send us to the Shadow Realm please!"
"And how does he know that the power of the pharaoh exists?" Marik asked seething. "Or did someone leak out secrets that were solely meant to be confidential for the Rare Hunters! Answer me now!"
Harry almost took a step at Marik's venomous words. Where on earth did someone his age have such control, such power?
"No! We can't!" Lumus yelled. "We can't! The Dark Lord will destroy-"
"-not if I destroy you first!" growled Marik, taking a step forward. "Now, who's first to go? Lumus? Umbra? Which of you should I make an example of for disobeying my orders and attacking Harry Potter?"
The Rare Hunters stuttered, backing up until they had reached a dead end. Harry had rather difficulty breathing. What on earth was going on! He wanted answers as much as Marik did!
"Umbra," said Marik suddenly, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. "You shall be the first."
"NO!" Umbra threw himself at Marik's feet, groveling, begging, pleading helplessly. Harry took a step back, casting Marik a shocked, incredulous look, but the Egyptian merely spat in disgust, and kicked the former servant away from him.
"After this, Lumus," Marik whispered, "I expect you to answer all my questions, do you hear? Or you will suffer a far more inevitable fate than Umbra."
"Please Master Marik!" Lumus pleaded. "The Dark Lord…the Dark Lord forced us…please, Master Marik! Don't do it!"
Narrowing his eyes coldly, Marik took a step back. He threw his Rod out, the Eye upon it flashing angrily as his forehead glowed. Harry took a step back, his own scar splitting into two at the sight of the Rod. Now that it was activated, it sent searing pain across Harry's scar, as though it was burning with a mighty god's rage.
"Too late."
"Shadow magic," Yami seethed. Quickly, he turned around, hoping with all his heart that he would find some sign of the tomb keeper and thief. "BAKURA!"
"Up here, Pharaoh," Bakura snapped back, narrowly dodging a curse as he threw himself into a shelf. Swiftly he rolled into the shelf's shafts, blasting the wooden panels away with his wand. "What do you want!"
"Shadow Magic," Yami repeated, panting as he fought to get the Death Eaters away from him. "Shadow magic…Marik's using Shadow Magic!"
"He is?" the thief said, eyes lighting up. "Well, why didn't you say so?" With that, he blasted the shafts above him, exploding a large hole through the width of the shelf. Given more room, the thief leapt into the air, crashing through the broken shafts as he pulled himself to the top of the shelf once more. "Well, then, this makes everything all the more interesting."
"NO! BAKURA!" Yami yelled. "NO MAGIC!"
"Well then," snarled Bakura back, "how do you suppose we can survive!"
Yami was about to reply when suddenly Lucius Malfoy came at him, wand thrusted precariously. The ex-pharaoh barely managed to dodge the spell that narrowly hit him in the shoulder, tumbling towards the already weak shelf.
He felt his entire body smash against his unintended force, sending a cracking snap from the wooden display case. Bakura gave a growl and leapt through the air again, as the shelf gave way. The thief landed onto his feet on the ground, and quickly jumped out of harm's way. The Death Eater stepped back as dust and clutter rose about them, shielding their views once again. Gasping a silent gasp, Bakura quickly slipped through the holes of the shelf, landing on the other side, and quickly helped the ex-pharaoh up.
"Be more careful the next time!" Bakura snarled.
"I will if you will!" Yami said back, but was quite relieved that the tomb raider was taking this more seriously. "LOOK OUT!" Quickly, Yami rammed his entire body into Bakura's, sending the thief sprawling as broken pieces of wood came shooting towards them, ready to behead them.
"PROTEGO!"
"REFLECTO!"
Both spells crashed in front, forming a barrier of protection. The mirror sphere reflected the wooden beams, cracking them into the air with deafening splints. Quickly, both Bakura and Yami rolled away, taking advantage of yet another distraction. The shelves that Yami had knocked over had begun to crash their way along others, creating a rather domino affect as the room was refilled with shattered crystals, swirling mist and coughing dust.
"Shadow magic now please, pharaoh!" Bakura asked angrily. "Dark Necrophia cannot wait much longer, and nor can my patience!"
"We can't be seen! We can't draw attention to ourselves!" Yami yelled back.
"They already know we possess Shadow Magic!"
"Not Harry and them!"
"Does it matter!" Bakura screamed. "It's not Harry that's kicking our bloody asses here, okay pharaoh!"
Shaking his head, Yami picked himself up and hurled himself into a wall, glancing anxiously at the scene that lay before them.
"Where is Harry and Marik?" he moaned. "We have to get out of here!"
"Look," snarled Bakura, throwing himself into a corner, "Ryou says just to risk it. He says that Sirius knows that these idiots are more powerful than they seem. You go find Marik and Harry and get them away. If you don't come back within ten minute's time, I'll summon Dark Necrofear. Deal?"
Yami looked at his former enemy uncertainly. Growling, Bakura grabbed Yami's shoulders and shook them violently.
"We don't have TIME to reconsider any other possibilities, Pharaoh!" Bakura yelled. He quickly threw Yami away from him. "Now, damnit, go! Go find Marik and Harry and get them away from here!"
"Fine!" Yami yelled. "But only wait until I give you a signal, alright? I do not want you using Dark Necrofear out of nowhere if we don't need to!"
"Better than Diabound," Bakura said scathingly. "Damnit, baka, GO!"
Quickly, Yami stumbled away, seething as he heard Bakura call out taunts and jeers. They were followed by numerous explosions. Yami desperately wanted to look back, to see if the thief was alright, but he had to get to Marik, and he had to get to Harry.
Umbra withered in pain as Harry watched in utter horror and shock.
"MARIK! What on earth are you DOING!"
"Mind your own business, Potter!" Marik yelled. 'This doesn't concern you! Go find the pharaoh and tell him to get you out of here!"
"I'm not leaving you!" Harry yelled aggressively.
Marik whirled around, almost pinning Harry against the wall violently. Harry gasped. What the-what was with this kid? Hidden powers, and now hidden strength? This kid could break all of Harry's bones if he wanted to!
"Get. Out. Of. Here!" Marik yelled. "This does not concern you, Potter, so keep your nose out of it. You should be thanking me on bended knee for coming to get you at all in the first place!"
Harry struggled. "Idiot! Come on! The place is going to blow if we don't go now!"
"Then save you own freakin' neck, Potter," Marik growled, throwing Harry away from him. Harry's eyes widened in shock as he saw Lumus summon something - it was beginning to take form…it was a monster…a monster hidden by a even more monstrous mask-
"MARIK! LOOK OUT!"
Marik whirled around instantly before the monster attacked, however, he was far too late. Lumus had called the attack and Marik had nowhere to dodge, lest getting Harry hurt. The blast of fire consumed into withering flames at Marik's chest, causing the boy to yell with agony.
"MARIK!"
The monster looked ready to attack again, and quickly, Harry yelled, "PROTEGO!"
It didn't work.
The attack merely broke through the protective barrier and consumed Marik in flames once again. Harry began to panic. There was no wizarding magic that could prevent whatever Lumus was doing…how could one fight a monster that seemed to be real as life itself?
The monster was ready to attack again…
Harry summoned the first thing that came to his mind.
"EXPECTO PATRONUS!"
As expected, a silver blast of light erupted from Harry's wand, forming into a large, grand stag. The stag reared its antlers back menacingly before charging straight at the monstrosity on the other side. The monster let out a long, painful shriek before it shattered into nothingness. Lumus screamed in agony and fell to his knees, panting.
Panting, Harry whipped around, and saw Marik leaning against the wall.
"Marik! Marik! Are you alright?"
Harry almost took another step back in fright when the Egyptian lifted his head; his lavender eyes no longer were dull and cold, but they were sharp and flickering with a vengeful, evil glint among them.
"Lumus," Marik chuckled. "You should've known you could never beat me, weak as you are. Now….you will suffer the consequences and suffer in the Shadow Realm for all eternity!"
"No!" Lumus cried weakly, looking up. "Master Marik, please, no!"
Breathing heavily, Marik took a step, straightened, and flashed an evil grin at Lumus's cowering form.
"NO! Please Master Marik, NO!"
Marik raised his Rod and Harry instantly backed away. Not the Rod again, not the Rod…where was the Shadow Realm? What was going to happen to Lumus?
"NO, please Master Marik, NO!"
Marik narrowed his eyes, and the Rod flashed; a long, blinding flash that shocked Harry's senses and burned Harry's eyes.
"PENALTY GAME!"
Another jolt of Shadow magic jostled Yami's senses. He was getting closer…he had to be…
Quickly, he swerved around a corner, and stopped short when he saw a large, robed figure collapse onto the ground. As the robed figure collapsed, his large frame revealed that of an Egyptian with fair hair behind him…
"Marik!"
"Pharoah!" Marik snarled. "What are you doing here? I thought you were-"
"Yes, well, I'm not," Yami said, shaking his head. "Come on, we have to go. We have to-"
"I SUMMON DARK NECROPHIA!"
"Too late," Yami muttered. Quickly, he shot Marik a glare. "Marik, come on! We have to get out of here!"
"Bakura's using Shadow-"
"MARIK! NOT NOW!" Yami yelled, grabbing Marik's wrist. He gave Harry a glance. "Quickly Harry! Follow us!"
Nodding, Harry pelted after the two foreigners. Yami looked quite out of breath and worried. Angrily, Marik wrestled his wrist from Yami's grasp and ran head-on towards the sound of Bakura's voice.
"You get Harry out of here," Marik said shortly. "I'll get Bakura."
"No magic," Yami said sternly, his eyes narrowing as he grabbed Harry's wrist. "Come on, Harry! Hermione and Ron are already waiting outside!"
Throat dry, Harry nodded. He and Yami quickly bolted for the door, and were about to throw it open when someone let out a grunt of pain. Both of them whirled around and saw the female monster give a shriek, her shattered doll cracking into rubble, whilst her entire body shattered into the air. Marik came shortly into view, half-carrying Bakura's frame, the thief's arm around his shoulders.
"OPEN THE DOOR!" Marik bellowed. "The Death Eaters are coming!"
Nodding quickly, Yami threw open the door, and all four of them threw themselves through it. Panting, Yami slammed himself against the door, stabbing his wand into the keyhole, yelling, "Verouiller!"
A sticky white flash ran itself up the seam of the door, sealing it shut. Hermione repeated the spell again and this time, a white X bolted itself upon the door.
And not a moment too soon; for once the X had marked itself upon the wooden door, the knob gave a violent shake, and there were muffled curses from behind it. Seething, Yami quickly jumped back.
"Hurry," Harry urged. "We have to get into another room!"
"This one!" Yami yelled, wrenching another door open. "Quickly! Get in!"
The six of them hurried in, with Yami and Ron slamming the door behind them. Panting and wiping sweat from his eyes, the ex-pharaoh quickly locked the door again. Marik gave a gasp and accidentally dropped the limp Bakura onto the ground.
"Oh no…"
Yami swirled around, and immediately noticed the ancient archway, and the swirling masses of black that was surrounding it.
"Don't go near the archway!" Yami yelled. "It's dangerous!"
Seething, Bakura pulled himself up, his soul quite weakened because of his monster's attack.
/Yami/ Ryou inquired.
/About time you've finally said something/ Bakura snapped. /We were just risking our lives out there/
/I'm sorry/ Ryou wailed. /Sirius…/
/I don't want to hear another word about that bastard/ Bakura yelled venomously.
/No, no, Bakura/ Ryou yelled anxiously. /Check the archway! I think Sirius is in there/
/We are not getting anywhere near that archway/ Bakura yelled back. /It's entirely consumed by Shadow Magic. Anyone within a ten meter radius within will be sucked entirely soulless/
/Yami-you're hurt/ Ryou said anxiously. /Come on…let me take over/
With a seething gasp, Bakura transferred back to his soul room. Ryou replaced the thief, and staggered the moment he had regained control.
"Ryou?" Ron asked inquiringly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ryou panted, wincing. What on earth…? He weakly looked up, scrunching his eyes at the archway. Sirius…
…wait a minute.
"HARRY!" Ryou yelled. "What are you doing?"
The messy haired boy had already taken many steps towards the mass of darkness, his eyes glazed, as though in a trance.
Sirius…Harry thought. I'll get to hear Sirius's voice again…I'll get to see him again…
"HARRY!" everyone bellowed. Shaking their heads, both Yami and Ryou pelted down the steps, Yami jumping by threes and Ryou stumbling his way down the bleachers.
"Harry!" Ryou yelled. "Don't!"
Sirius, Harry thought. Padfoot…where are you?
Growling, Yami threw himself into Harry, crashing onto the ground, snapping Harry out of his daze.
"I thought I told you not to go near here!" Yami yelled exasperately. "Come on, we have to go, we have to escape, it's not safe here…"
"He's in there!" Harry gasped, not knowing exactly what he was saying. "He's in there! He's in there!"
"Who?" Yami asked, shaking his head, hurrying to drag Harry away. Ron and Hermione had run down the steps, trying their best to hold Harry back. Harry aggressively threw them off with a wave of his arms.
"Harry! What are you doing?" Hermione cried worriedly.
"He's in there!" Harry yelled. "Him! Snuffles!"
Ron took a step back, his eyes wide, "Snuffles? No way…"
"I know I heard voices!" Harry yelled. "Remember? Remember? I heard voices before! I told you so, Hermione! There were people in there! There were! And Snuffles in among them!"
"But, Harry…" Hermione stuttered, looking desperately at him. "That can't be, I … RYOU!"
All three of them whipped around, and saw the white haired boy was also, indeed, transfixed as well, at the archway. He was staring into the mass of blackness, his fingers trembling as he reached out towards the consuming masses of darkness…
Sirius…/
/What's going on/ came Sirius's voice anxiously. /Your darker half's not saying anything, I think Bakura's hurt…what's going on? Are you alright/
/I'm fine…/ Ryou replied distantly. /Sirius…we were right…you are in the Shadow Realm…the Shadow Realm is right here in the Ministry…/
/Ryou…who are you with/ Sirius said worriedly. /Harry Potter is with you, isn't he? Isn't he/
/Yes/ Ryou said, still in his trance as he reached into the darkness. /Harry is with me…Sirius…where are you? We can get you out, I know we can, come on, Sirius…/
/Don't worry about me/ urged Sirius. /Don't let Harry near here, do you hear me? Don't let Harry near here/
/I won't/ Ryou promised. /Because he's the only one that can stop Lord Voldemort now, right/
/Right, Ryou/ said Sirius hastily.
/Sirius…find the thinnest barrier/ Ryou cried out. /Find it, I'll pull you out…/
/Don't worry about me! Just get Harry away from here/
/I can't leave you here/ Ryou wailed. /I can't, not when I'm so close- Sirius! Please…/
"RYOU!" Harry yelled. "Get your hand out of there!"
Gasping, Ryou was jerked away from his concentration. Blinking, he realized his hand was already partly consumed by the Shadows. He gasped again when he felt a hand grasp onto his own…
/Sirius/
"Wrong," smirked a voice. Ryou gave another gasp as he felt a strong jerk against his hand; three or four strong pairs of hands hold him back. Panicked, he looked back, and saw that Harry was holding him around his left arm, Ron on his right, Marik on his neck and Yami around his torso. All four of them seemed to be struggling to pull him back.
"Ryou!" Yami yelled. "What were you thinking!"
"I had to!" Ryou wailed. "He's in there, Yami! It's him! Padfoot!"
Harry and Ron almost lost their grip on Ryou. Padfoot? Who else had known about Sirius than themselves? Much less Ryou, a Japanese foreigner?
"We can save him later," Marik grunted, his speech barely audible. Suddenly, there was another jerk on Ryou's arm, and it almost sent all five of them sprawling towards the dark abyss.
"Who the hell is this?" Marik yelled. "I don't think a monster would be this stubborn! It should've eaten Ryou's arm already!"
"Not helping, Marik!" Ryou wailed. /Sirius! Help me/
/What's going on/ came Sirius's worried voice. /Ryou, I…HEY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING/
/What/ gasped Ryou weakly. /What/
Almost instantly, Ryou heard Bakura's voice also, accompanying Sirius's rage.
/GET YOUR DIRTY EGYPTIAN HANDS OFF HIM/ Bakura yelled. /MY HOST AND NO ONE ELSE'S/
"My my, your darker half is certainly very stubborn," the voice smirked. "I enjoyed sending him to the Shadow Realm immensely, Ryou Bakura."
"Help me!" Ryou yelled as the arm began to pull him in. "Help me! Who are you?"
As he was dragged nearer and nearer towards the swirling mass of fog, a transparent image of a familiar face, tanned and dark, sandy hair shielding his cold amethyst eyes…
/Ryou/ came Sirius's voice, rather panicked. /Hold on, Ryou. You're darker half is trying to fight him off…well, both of us are, but…/
/YOU WERE BANISHED TO THE SHADOW REALM AND YOU WILL STAY THERE, YAMI NO MALIK/ Bakura's voice yelled angrily. /GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY HIKARI/
Yami…Yami no Malik…?
Suddenly, the image became all too clear, and Ryou noticed the insane, murderous glare, the twitching veins, the haunting cold eyes…
"No!" Ryou yelled. "Let me go!"
He heard Harry and Marik give a gasp. Marik's grip tightened on him, as did Harry's.
"Who are you?" Harry yelled. "Hurry! Pull Ryou out!"
"Easier said than done!" Marik yelled back. "On the count to three! One…THREE!"
All four of them yanked hard back, and Ryou felt his arm slip through the grasp of Yami no Malik's, before all four of them collapsed against the wall. Bakura appeared in spirit form beside him, panting like mad.
/Damn Yami no Malik/ he growled.
/Sirius/ Ryou yelled frantically. /How's Sirius/
/Trying his best to beat the crap out of Yami no Malik/ said Bakura gravelly. /Hurry! Just get out of here/
Suddenly, the door banged open, and all six of them noticed robed figures limping their way towards them. The six of them immediately backed up against each other until they had hit the wall. There was no other way to run. A spell was thrown and it hit Ryou squarely in the chest. Gasping, he collapsed into Harry, who tried his best to catch the falling Light.
"Ryou!" Yami yelled. "Are you alright!"
"He's stunned!" Hermione cried out. She directed her wand at the opposing forces, she yelled, "STUPEFY!" The spell missed and ricocheted off the stone walls, and hit one of the Death Eaters squarely in the head. However, Bellatrix had managed to distract them and yelled, "Expelliarmus!" All wands shot into the air and landed onto the stone floor with a clatter.
"Ha!" Bellatrix's voice rang triumphant against the echoing chambers of the room. "You've run away far too many times for your own good, little boy. Now, hand over the papers, now!"
Poor Ryou was still stunned, and couldn't utter a word. Harry angrily stepped between them, his arms spread out.
"Aww, is little Potter going to die saving his friend?" Bellatrix taunted. She held out her hand. "Tell him to give it over, Potter, and no one needs to get hurt."
"I'm sure," Harry yelled scathingly. He braced himself. "You're not going to hurt anyone here unless you kill me first. So give it your best shot!"
"I don't need to kill you," Bellatrix smirked. "That is left for the Dark Lord to do. However…" Her eyes lingered towards Ryou's slowly recovering form. "That one's been such a stubborn little worm…perhaps a curse should put him in his place…"
Harry's eyes widened. "NO!"
"CRUCIO!"
"PROTEGO!" Five different voices yelled together, and a red dome surrounded them. However, it wasn't quite enough to withstand the power of the illegal curse, and the shot of light cracked right through the protective barrier, bounced through Harry's parted legs and off the walls near Ron's face, and into Ryou's stiff form.
Yami and Marik clenched their hands until their palms bled as they heard Ryou's scream of agony echo off the walls. Hermione fell to her knees, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as Ron was ready to aim another angry curse at the Death Eater, but Lucius Malfoy had appeared behind her and shot a Stunning curse at him. Ron fell to his knees, gripping his shoulder as he let out a venomous rant of muffled curses.
"You…!" Harry yelled angrily. "Stop it! Stop it now!"
Lucius aimed his wand towards Harry in a threatening manner, obviously hinting that if he were to stop Bellatrix, Harry would be knocked down in an instant. Harry, in truth would rather have risked his life trying to stop Ryou's pain, but knowing Lucius' s evil tricks, the Death Eater was bound to pull something more fatal.
"Stop it!" Harry yelled, his voice cracking from the volume of his voice. "I'll give them to you! Just stop it!"
Smriking, Bellatrix merely raised her wand, and Ryou's screams grew louder as his body jerked uncontrollably. Harry gave a frantic look at Ryou's twitching form; he was about to throw himself Bellatrix when suddenly Marik popped up behind him, and brandished the Rod over his shoulder.
"STOP IT NOW!" Marik bellowed.
Yami also stood up, however, this time he wasted no time using his own Shadow Magic. His patience had finally run out, and torturing Ryou was just the last straw. Angrily, Yami braced himself, his voice cold and seething.
"You will pay," he whispered, his low voice menacing as he took a step forward, fists shaking with rage, "PAY for that unforgivable stunt!" He raised his hand and threw it out in front of him. Bellatrix's eyes widened, as she began to back away. "PENALTY GAME! MIND CRUSH!"
There was a blinding flash of light, and then a scream- when the light died down, Lucius Malfoy was on his back, his eyes glazed and dead, his blond hair askew. Bellatrix had been thrown closer towards the swirling purple fog, her wand thrown into the air and landing with a satisfying clatter on the floor. Ryou's screaming slowly died, his body twitching still as Hermione held him close.
Menacingly, both Yami and Marik began to approach the fallen Death Eaters, ignoring the glares of the other servants of the Dark Lord. The other servants looked back from each other, clearly a little nervous, before Marik shot them all a deadly glare.
"Who wants to join their pathetic friend here?" he spat. He spread out his hands. "Go on. Try it. Try and kill me, and spend all eternity awaiting your misery in the Shadows!"
"One more move," Yami growled. "One more move and I swear your judgment will change drastically about us. Don't DARE try to pull another curse like that again!"
"Y-you?" stuttered Bellatrix. "But you are all just children!"
"Hardly," Yami spat. He pointed a finger towards the female Death Eater. "I meant to aim at you. This time, I won't miss. I will not stand for such injustice such as this!"
He reared his hand back, ready to shatter the mind of the victim, before-
-there was a sudden crack, and about five shadows jumped crashed through the roof. Glancing up, Harry was relieved to recognize the faces…it seemed all too familiar. Tonks, Moody, Professor McGonagall-
-Professor Lupin-
"Thank you!" Hermione cried, her cheeks wet with tears. "Professor! Help us!"
Quickly a duel had commenced between the wizarding forces of good and evil. Quickly Lupin came at them, his brows furrowed worriedly when he saw that Ryou was down. He glanced up at the six teenagers, from the pain-wracked Ron, the sobbing Hermione, to the confident and cold stances of Yami and Marik. He gave Harry a worried look.
"Okay," he said sternly. "Harry, come on, it's not safe here. We have to get Mr. Bakura to the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, if not St. Mungo's. Quickly." Extracting an old shoe, Lupin threw it at them. "It's a portkey. Come on! Hurry!"
"But what about you?" Harry asked anxiously. "Professor, I heard Sirius-"
"Not now, Harry!" Lupin urged. "Tell me later! Quickly!"
They all placed their hands upon the old shoe, Marik and Yami included, with Hermione holding Ryou's limp wrist, and suddenly, there was a jerking motion, and everything fell silent.
"Blimey," muttered Ron as he nursed his shattered shoulder. "Whoever thought a stunner could do this?"
"Must've been really powerful," Hemione said weakly, fretting over Ron's condition. "Are you alright, Ron?"
"Uh…yeah," Ron assured, heaving a great big, heroic sigh as his ears turned pink. "Yeah…it hurts real bad…I think it might have to be amputated…"
Harry smiled sadly. The situation would've been far funnier had not Ryou was lying on a bed next to Ron, his pale face ashen and stained with tears. Yami and Marik were huddled around Ryou's still form, staring into nothingness.
"I can't believe…this happened," Marik said, his voice dead monotone.
"Nor can I," Yami replied, just as grave. "How many times have we seen Ryou bed-ridden like this?"
Sighing, Marik leaned forward across the bed, nudging Yami in the elbows.
"Why isn't Bakura replying?" he whispered. "The Stunning curse wore off, Bakura should've been able to trade places with Ryou so that he could protect him."
"I know," Yami said lowly, his crimson eyes averting to the ground. "Perhaps he has other issues to deal with right now…perhaps with Yami no Malik…"
"I can't believe he was in there," Marik whispered. "Yami Marik…I can't believe he was there…"
"I suspect Bakura is too busy trying to protect Ryou's soul from Yami no Malik," said Yami softly. "When you left an essence of yourself behind in Bakura, so did Yami no Malik, and this makes it all the more easier for him to be resurrected from the Shadows. I think Bakura's doing all that he can to prevent it."
"Sirius can prevent it, can't it?" Marik hissed. "What's so good about Ryou's new friend if he can't even help Ryou?"
"He helped us back in the Ministry," Yami explained quietly. "Protecting Ryou from Yami Marik simply isn't in his expertise."
"But Bakura should've been back by now," Marik emphasized.
"I think he is," Yami said softly. "But if Yami no Malik is trying to penetrate Ryou's body, even with Bakura in it, it still makes it all the harder for the tomb raider to fight him off. Give him time, Marik."
Growling in frustration, Marik pulled back, and crossed his arms over his chest.
Madame Pomfrey bustled in, her face just as pale as Ryou's as she checked him over. Hermione glanced up worriedly.
"What's going to happen to him?" she asked.
Madame Pomfrey shook her head. "An illegal curse…especially this one…" she looked up and gave Harry a grave look. "If he doesn't get better soon, then we'll have to move him to St. Mungo's."
"What about his mental stability?" Harry inquired.
Madame Pomfrey shook her head again. " I don't know," she said. She prodded Ryou's forehead. "I'll go get some potion for when he awakes," she said, and quickly hurried off. Harry looked back at Ryou's prone form.
"Ryou," Harry whispered. He clenched his hand, ready to plummet it through the wall. Darn it! Why didn't he take the blow! He was right there! Right in front of Ryou! Why didn't he get cursed instead!
Yami had exchanged places with Yugi, and now the hikari was sitting on Marik's side, his head buried in his arms as he tried to fight angry tears. Blinking sadly and sighing, Marik laid an arm around Yugi's shoulders, looking away as he did so. His face was remarkably melancholy as Yugi's sobs became louder.
"Why?" Yugi wailed. "Why? Why wasn't I there to take the blow? Why?"
"This is not your fault, Yugi," sighed Marik gruffly. He rolled his eyes, laying them on Ryou's still form. "It's not your fault."
"It IS!" Yugi wailed. "It is!"
"It's not!" Marik yelled aggressively. He spun Yugi around, so that he could glare into those deeper, violet eyes. "It's NOT, alright, Yugi! It's NOT! I asked him to go! I saw the letter that was sent to Bakura! I saw and I wanted to go along with him! If it's anyone's fault, it's MINE, so shut up, Yugi!"
"It's not ANYONE'S fault!" Harry yelled. Everyone fell silent, staring up at the black-haired boy. He gave them all piercing glares with his vivid green eyes.
"It's not anyone's fault," Harry said firmly. He looked at the ground. "Maybe…maybe you should go to bed…it's not healthy for you guys to beat yourself about it," he muttered.
"No." was Marik's simple and firm answer. "No. I'm not leaving. "
Harry sighed. "Just don't blame yourself, okay? None of this is your fault…or anyone's." Harry gave the window a sad look. It was his fault that Sirius had died. His fault. And although he had heard his godfather's voice again, it seemed like an illusion. A total illusion. How could his godfather be in a mass of darkness, talking to Ryou, who only recently came?
Was Ryou…half dead?
Harry shook his head. It was the Department of Mysteries, after all. Perhaps the mass of darkness was simply a place of phantom and illusions. Things that played with your mind. Not a real realm of the dead.
Weakly, they all heard a faint whimper from the bed, and all five of them swiveled themselves to the sound. Ryou's eyes fluttered exhaustedly, revealing his dark brown eyes, glistening with confusion and tears.
"What…what's going on?" he asked, his voice raspy. Suddenly he gasped.
"Ryou-kun?" Yugi cried, standing up. "Ryou-kun! You're okay!"
"Hurts…" Ryou whispered as he shut his eyes tight. "Hurts…"
Suddenly, the door gave a slight creak, and Professor Dumbledore slipped though, his ancient face grave and still. He noticed almost immediately that Ryou had awakened, and turned to summon Madame Pomfrey. In another instant, the hospital wing caretaker had appeared, gave a calm blink, and brought the potion hurriedly to Ryou's side.
"Awake, I see," Madame Pomfrey said, her voice shaking slightly. She pointed at the bed with her wand, and the bed raised itself slightly. Ryou gave another cry of pain at the agitation as the bed forced him to sit upright.
"Drink this," Madame Pomfrey ushered, holding out the bottle in her hands. Ryou attempted to raise his arms, but gave out another cry and shook his head timidly.
"I think, Poppy," Professor Dumbledore said quietly, "that it is best to let him rest for the time being."
"It's just a draught, Professor," Madame Pomfrey explained. Professor Dumbledore shook his head.
"He's far too weak to take the potion, Poppy. Leave it on the table. I'll do something about it as soon as I can."
Madame Pomfrey frowned, but obliged, and placed the bottled on the nearby table. She quickly left the room, leaving the teens and Dumbledore alone.
"I think, Harry," the Headmaster said quietly, "that it is best if you leave us for the time being."
Harry, throat constricted, nodded weakly, and he, Ron and Hermione left. Ron looked disappointingly back at the other threesome, but Hermione had accidentally bumped into his shoulder in the sling, and at the pain, he quickly hurried out. The door shut after them, before the grave Headmaster turned towards the foreign trio.
"Now…Mr. Motou, Mr. Ishtar, and Mr. Bakura…I wish to know the entire truthabout what happened."
Woooo...okay. That was a bit rushed in the end. I really didn't want to prolong any more suffering. My wrists are killing me.
I'm SOWWY FOR HURTING RYOU! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! RYOU-CHAN IS MY FAV. CHARACTER! And after Yami being the frist to be in the Hospital Wing, then Marik, we ought to congratulate Ryou for out-living his comrades. XD SOWWY!
Ryou: You tortured me again!
Sirius: Damn it...who the hell is this...!
Yami Marik: BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!
Bakura: (shakes head) Gods, and this is what you think is the ultimate evil force...
Oh yeah.. was screwing up again, so there are parts where there are supposed to be a question mark then an exclamation mark or two exclamation marks and they cut it out. Please, it's not my fault. just has been doing that lately. Ugh. Bear with me here, please.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME AND THANK ALL OF MY REVIEWERS! YOU KNOW WHAT I GOT ON MY MIDTERMS BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU? 89 AVERAGE! THANK YOU ALL! (hugs and kisses) THANK YOU SO MUCH!