Disclaimer: All Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and references belong to their respective owners. The song Guardian of the Cards belongs to Tempest and the company that recorded it and was used in this story with the best of intentions. Story elements © Hideki LaShae. No money was gained in the writing of this story.
WARNING: This story contains sensitive cultural practices and references that might offend some readers. The views and opinions of the cultures which condone these practices are not shared by this author, but they are included in this story for awareness purposes only.
Time to Duel, Mariko!
By
Hideki LaShae
Chapter Seventeen
Insanity
Evil laughter breaks through the still of the night and wakes everyone in the blimp who was simply sleeping that night. Unfortunately it did nothing to revive those whose minds had been sentenced to the Shadow Realm.
Seto runs down the hallway with Mariko, carrying Mokuba piggyback, close behind.
Several doors open and others run out of them to follow Seto through the well-light halls.
"Who is laughing like that?" asks Serenity shivering as she grabs Joey's hand and lets him pull her along.
"It sounds like…"
"It's coming from the room where the medical crew put Marik!" exclaims Seto.
"Marik!" exclaims Duke, "I thought he was in a coma like Mai and Bakura!"
"Either he is and he's laughing his head off, or he's waken up!" exclaims Mokuba wrapping his arms around Mariko's neck tighter to keep himself on her back.
"There's his room!" exclaims Seto slamming into the door before he even realizes that it's locked tight. He growls when the door doesn't open. "Damn!"
Everyone stops behind Seto, and Mariko lowers Mokuba to the floor.
"Let me through. I can unlock the door," says Mokuba.
You can do anything
If you believe it's true…
"No time," says Seto holding out his hand towards the door as a third eye appears on his forehead glowing as if angry at the solid object in front of him. The Millennium Rod appears in his hand and a bolt of what appears to be blue lightning flies from the tip of the Rod to melt the door.
Mariko blinks repeatedly.
Yugi looks at Mariko. "Did you know the rod could do that?"
Mariko simply shakes her head as Seto enters the room.
The entire gang bursts through the door, pushing each other in their rush to see what's going on within.
Marik sits on his bed laughing madly. His shoulders slump when Seto approaches him wielding the Millennium Rod, but he doesn't stop laughing until Yugi steps up beside Seto. He drops down onto his stomach on his bed. "Pharaoh Yami… you have returned at long last… I have been waiting for you in the darkness for so long… all alone… I was all alone."
Yami suddenly switches places with Yugi so that he might question this boy instead. "Who are you?"
"Marik… I am Marik, the Guardian of your Tomb… I never once thought that I would ever see you alive," says Marik laughing, "I've been waiting for your servants to bring your body to the tomb for so long… so long… I never thought that when I finally saw you, you would still be in living flesh!"
Ishizu walks through the destroyed doorway and steps closer to the bed watching the body of her little brother laughing so insanely. "Marik? Brother?"
Marik turns his lavender eyes towards the Egyptian woman. He looks at her curiously. "Isis!"
Ishizu's eyes widen. "I am Ishizu!"
"No! You are Isis!" exclaims Marik falling off his bed onto the floor and crawling over to Ishizu. He grabs her and pulls her down to the floor. "Bow to your Pharaoh, Isis!"
"Marik… who am I?" asks Mariko looking over the boy, "Who are all of us?"
"You I do not know. He is the High Priest Seth. All others are not important," says Marik bursting into his laughter again. He rips a spike earring from his left ear and stabs it into his right wrist. He smiles up at Ishizu as he holds his arm up towards her. "Blood! Blood! Blood! Blood! Blood! Blood!"
"He's… he's insane!" exclaims Ishizu covering her eyes with her hands, "This is not my brother!"
"Blood… Priest… blood," says Marik laughing as he moves towards Seto, the thick red liquid starting to drip onto the carpet.
"Ma-Ri-Ko!" exclaims Mariko holding up her right hand towards the ceiling, and the Millennium Scale obeys her summons and appears within her grasp. "Hold your place, Marik!"
Marik touches Seto's pants leg.
The Millennium Rod flashes a bright light that blinds everyone, but the light slowly fades to reveal Marik and Seto fighting each other over the Rod.
Seto shoves Marik away. "Stay down there like the mutt you are!"
Joey growls until he realizes the comment wasn't aimed at him this time.
See what this friendship brings
It can only get stronger when you work it through…
Marik laughs evilly. "Blood! Blood! Blood!"
"You are disgusting!" exclaims Serenity hiding her face in Joey's chest, "This is not what I wanted to see!"
"No!" exclaims Marik, "I like blood! I want to see more blood!"
Ishizu grabs Marik and holds him tightly. She looks at Mariko. "Mariko, why have you not returned to your true form as Marie? Are you quite certain you cannot free her from whatever imprisonment she is in? Have you tried the spell I taught her?"
Mariko's violet eyes widen. She closes her eyes. "Do you think it could work, Ishizu? Could that spell actually help me to free her from a shadow prison?"
"I do not see why you could not be able to free her. I don't understand why she is not free already," says Ishizu, "I know what Marie… and hence you are capable of, Mariko, and even if you have no faith in your abilities as a healer, I do. More of Nefertiri was reincarnated into Marie than just part of her soul. Marie has the gift."
"What gift is that, Ishizu?" asks Téa looking at her friend with resounding concern shining in her eyes.
"Marie received the gift of the healing light. She is a formidable healer even though she has never undergone the extensive training," says Ishizu. She sighs as she holds her brother close to her.
"I like blood. I like… destruction… Isis, can I destroy something now?" asks Marik looking up into Ishizu's dark eyes.
Ishizu shakes her head. "No."
"Ahm kum Ra. Ahm kum Dei. Ahm kum… Osiris… Ahm kum… Isis… Ahm kum… Mariko… Ahm kum… Marie," chants Mariko before collapsing to the floor.
The eye on the Millennium Scale flares brightly as the third eye appears for the briefest moment upon the girl's forehead.
Magic and Mystery…
Marie sits up. "I don't want to know what happened in my absence, not until the morning… I feel like I've been awake for five thousand years. I'm so tired!"
"I like blood. I like blood. Show me some blood in the morning!" sings Marik to the tune of Frere Jacques.
Marie slaps Marik with her left hand. "Stop the insane act. You may be crazy, but you aren't that crazy!"
Marik laughs and pulls away from Ishizu even as he backs away from Marie. "What makes you think that?"
Marie simply smiles.
Yami looks at Marie. "The real battle has yet to begin, hasn't it?"
"You have the Millennium Necklace. You tell me," says Marie.
Yami pulls the Millennium Necklace from his jacket pocket and fastens it around his neck. He closes his eyes. He sighs as he opens his eyes again. "There is still much more to come. This is only the beginning of the war. Even if we could contain Seth's power, we could not defeat him now. He is a powerful foe."
"So what do we do?" asks Téa anxiously.
"You, Pharaoh, must prepare for the battle ahead. You must be ready," says Ishizu, "It is your destiny."
Out of all the people in the world
You're the chosen one of every boy and girl
Now your friends are here
Your mission's clear
You're the guardian of the cards…
"What about Mai?" asks Joey.
"Yeah, and Bakura," says Tristan.
Yami sighs.
"Nefertiri was a healer," says Marie, "If I could remember her training without bringing her back… If I could find my healing light, then I might be able to bring them back."
"How do you do that, Camaro?" asks Serenity hazarding a glance towards Marie.
"I need to give up the person that's closest to me," says Marie.
Seto glares at Marie with concern. "What?"
Marie kneels in front of Yami and holds out the Millennium Scale. "I offer the Millennium Scale to you, my Pharaoh, and I grant you the service of my ally and friend, Mariko."
"The person closest to you, Mariko, because he is a part of you," says Duke explaining what everyone else just realized.
"Marie… is this what you want?" asks Yami.
"Of course… Mariko is insane and has been tormenting Marie all this time!" exclaims Mokuba.
"Now that Mariko and I are getting along, I don't wish to separate myself from him. He has become my friend," says Marie, "but it is something I must do. I must kill the one I am closest to. Nefertiri killed her sister, and I must kill my yami… although he will remain as he has been these past five thousand years, sealed in the Scale." She closes her eyes and shoves the Millennium Scale into Yami's hands as the Scale begins to glow.
The force of the light from the Millennium Scale sends Marie flying back into the wall with it still in her hands.
"Marie!" exclaims Seto rushing to her side and pulling her into his arms.
"Ow!" exclaims Marie rubbing the back of her head. The hieroglyphics on her arms and legs glow a soft golden light that seeps up to her hand as she rubs the bump from her wound.
"She has awakened her healing light," says Ishizu, "Without having to sacrifice a life because she was not willing to kill the person who was actually closest to her."
You uncover the mystic secrets
Where the power within is a will to succeed…
"I couldn't kill either of my brothers or my sister, and I certainly wouldn't kill my fiancé! So I had no choice but to try to sacrifice the one person who couldn't die!" exclaims Marie standing up and forcing Seto to stand with her. She faints into Seto's arms.
"Now she must rest," says Seto, "We will see about reviving everyone tomorrow." He lifts Marie into his arms and cradles her gently against his chest. He glares at Yami. "Yugi…"
Yugi switches back with Yami so that he is now in control of their shared body. "Yes, Kaiba?"
"I don't know exactly what is going on here, but if anything happens to me… you must promise to protect Marie," says Seto.
"I promise!" Yugi nods. "Just so long as you promise to protect her if anything happens to me, Kaiba!"
"I promise, and my name is Seto." Seto walks past everyone carrying Marie.
"And my name is Seto," says Tristan in a mock-serious tone.
Yugi smiles. "He finally wants to be friends!"
"Well, I'm beat! Let's get some sleep!" exclaims Joey.
Slowly, everyone returns to their room and heads to bed once again.
Seto places Marie on the bed in her room and lies down beside her. "I love you, Marie."
"I love you, Seto," says Marie waking up.
"Oh, you're awake now," says Seto smiling.
Marie nods. She rubs her head.
"Does it still hurt? Where you hit your head?" asks Seto.
"No… it's healed," says Marie relaxing on the bed. She sighs. "I need to practice with my healing abilities… if I'm supposed to be trying to use them on a whole bunch of other people tomorrow."
"Well… Marik did hurt himself," says Seto coldly.
Marie chuckles. "I wasn't thinking about him."
Seto merely raises an eyebrow. He watches Marie's hands as they trail down her chest, across her stomach, and down to her groin. He licks his lips as he sees her massaging herself. "Ma… rie… Marie, what are you… what are you doing?"
"Healing myself," whispers Marie closing her eyes and continuing to touch herself.
"Oh…"
"Don't tell me you forgot about what they did to me… the Egyptians… your doctors…" Marie moans.
Seto swallows hard. He feels his pants getting tighter as he watches Marie.
Marie pulls her hands away and sits up to stare into Seto's bright blue eyes. "Seto!"
"Marie!" Seto pulls Marie into his arms and the most passionate kiss they've shared to date.
"I'm ready, Seto! I need you now!" exclaims Marie pulling away from Seto breathlessly, "I want you! I love you! Please!" She moves her hand down to his crotch and starts to rub his clothed erection.
"Are you sure you're ready, Marie?" asks Seto into her ear.
"Yes," says Marie, "I can feel my body is healed, and I've wanted this for so long. My desire to be with you has only grown since you asked me to be your wife, but I couldn't give myself to you then because I knew you wouldn't want to cut me open with a dagger like any man from my society would. Now, I am capable of giving you my most prized possession, and I only want you to have it!"
"Then how could I ever refuse you?" asks Seto.
Marie climbs off the bed and pulls her cream-colored tank top over her head. She shakes her head when Seto reaches for his tank top.
Seto arches an eyebrow at her. "You don't want me to undress?"
"No… I'll get to your clothes when I'm ready," says Marie smirking just like Seto. She pushes him down onto the bed.
Seto leans back and relaxes. He smiles as Marie starts to shake her hips to silent music.
You can go anywhere
Imagination will take you through…
Marie starts to slide her hands across her body suggestively as she moves.
Seto blushes as Marie reaches behind her back with one hand to unclasp her bra while her other hand raises the bottom of her skirt to show him some of her thighs.
Marie turns so that her back faces Seto as she pulls the bra the rest of the way off. Her hips sway erotically drawing Seto's attention to her firm butt.
"You are so hot, Marie," says Seto moaning out her name.
Marie spins around with a thrust of her hip as she flings her bra away. She continues to dance and moves her hands across the newly exposed skin. She slowly slides her skirt down her long legs to the floor, and in one swift motion, she pulls away the bandages that the doctors had placed on her. She walks towards the bed now completely naked, and she smiles at Seto. "Tell me…"
"You are beautiful, Marie," says Seto staring at her body, "I like what I see."
Marie's entire body turns pink.
"My turn," says Seto sitting up, "but don't expect me to dance nearly as well as you did just now."
"No… just relax, and let me undress you," says Marie, "I want to do this. Let me control you, just for a few moments at least."
Seto smiles. "Dominatrix!"
"Only if you want me to be!" exclaims Marie smirking evilly.
"I want you near," whispers Seto.
"Soon, my love," says Marie slowly pushing his white sleeveless jacket down his arms. She lifts his black tank top up over his head being sure to touch his chest in provocative ways. She quickly captures his lips with her own as her hands move across his chest. She finds his nipples with her hands and her fingers caress them.
"Oh… Marie!" moans Seto closing his eyes and reveling in her touch.
"I haven't even started yet," whispers Marie moving down to take his nipple in her mouth as her hands start to unbutton his pants. She lowers the zipper.
"Good… so good…"
Marie nibbles on the hardened nub before kissing her way down across Seto's stomach. She pulls away long enough to remove his black boots. Then she quickly slides his black jeans down his strong legs and takes in the sight of his navy blue silk boxers. She trails her fingers up his inner thighs as she moves to straddle him. "Do you know how beautiful you are, Seto?"
"I'm not nearly as beautiful as you are!" Seto pulls the card-shaped locket from his neck and tosses it onto the nightstand. He wraps his arms around Marie.
Marie blushes. "Are you ready now?"
"Yes! I want you now!" exclaims Seto rolling them over on the bed so that he's on top of Marie. He lifts himself off her and helps her get comfortable with her head on the pillow. He pulls his boxers off and tosses them away before he lies down on her again. He brings his lips to her own as his hands slide up and down her sides in teasing, tickling movements.
Marie grips Seto's shoulders as he moves one hand down to her inner thigh and starts to stroke her.
"Oh, yes," says Marie moaning.
Seto takes advantage of Marie's open mouth and slips his tongue inside as he kisses her. His hands continue to caress her.
Marie bucks her hips up into Seto's.
Seto smirks. "All right… all right…"
"Take me… now!"
Seto slides one finger into Marie.
Marie's eyes widen. "That…"
"Shh… it's okay," whispers Seto waiting for her to adjust to having his finger inside her before he starts to move it around.
"Do you want this? Are you ready for this?" whispers Marie into Seto's ear. Her breath tickles him before she moves to start kissing his neck.
"I want you… I've wanted you since we first met… You danced… so… sexy that night," whispers Seto in between kisses. He moves down to kiss her neck as he slides a second finger in with the first.
Marie hisses.
"It's okay, Marie. Tell me when to stop," whispers Seto sucking lightly on her neck trying to leave a mark that will identify her as his property… his mate.
"Go on! Don't stop! I'll… adjust," says Marie pressing her head back into the pillow as she arches her back onto Seto's hand.
Seto smirks as he scissors his fingers inside her to stretch her in preparation for him. His fingertips brush against something that makes Marie gasp and her eyes widen.
In the blink of an eye
You could fly to the moon…
"Seto!" exclaims Marie, "God, Seto!"
Seto chuckles. "I'm not a god. I'm your fiancé!"
"Close enough! You're… a… god… to… me… Seto!" pants Marie.
Seto lowers his attention to Marie's chest and pulls her nipple into his mouth as he slides a third finger into her lower body.
Marie's moan fills the air, a mixture of pleasure and pain.
"My Venus," says Seto placing a kiss on Marie's lips as he pulls his hand away from her body. He grabs his erection with his hand, trying to coat it as well as he can with the minimal amount of fluids her body has already produced for him.
"Come in me, Seto."
"Marie…" Seto starts to slide into her, going painstakingly slow in his attempt not to hurt her. He's unsure of his actions, wanting only to bring her pleasure but watching as some pain graces her feminine features. "Speak, my love, Marie."
"So big… so good… fill me… please," says Marie.
Seto pushes the rest of the way into Marie and stops moving. He continues to caress her side with one hand and lets his other slip up to gently massage the mound of her left breast. He smiles as he waits for a signal from the young woman beneath him.
Yes, this is your destiny.
This is what you were born to do…
"I love you, Marie… I always have…" Seto starts to rock slowly. "I always will…"
"I know, Seto… I know you better than anyone… except Mokie… I've always loved you too… since the first time I ever saw you… and I always will," says Marie pulling Seto close and kissing him.
Seto's eyes, which to anyone else appear like ice, gaze at Marie with a tinge of lust but far more than his share of love for the violet-eyed woman.
Marie smiles. She stares into Seto's eyes. She arches her back to force Seto further into her.
Marie shivers slightly as she sleeps in Seto's arms.
Seto's awakened by his lover's shaking, and he pulls the blanket further around them. He snuggles up to her and buries his face in her neck. He silently curses being such a light sleeper that a simple movement can awaken him, but he's grateful as well for the glimpse of the sleeping angel looking so peaceful and content that he just received. Before he returns to sleep, he mumbles something about wondering what she's dreaming.
'Marie,' says Mariko quietly, 'Were you really trying to get rid of me? Kill me by giving the Millennium Scale to Yugi?'
'Of course not, you silly!' thinks Marie.
'Marie… you know that there was a prophecy which said that all yamis must love their hikaris…'
'So that's why you love me. Not because I remind you of Nefertiri, but because you have no other choice… Wait! Does this mean that Pharaoh Yami is in love with Yugi?' asks Marie with wide eyes.
'I don't know,' says Mariko, 'but I suspect that Yami does hold strong feelings for your brother, Yugi.'
'And I don't know anything about Yugi's feelings, so I don't know if he might return Yami's feelings or even if he might return the feelings of my friend,' thinks Marie, 'Téa… she is in love with Yugi… possibly Yami as well.' She sighs. 'Mariko… I want us all to be happy. Is that so wrong?'
'No. You are never wrong.'
'Oh, I'm wrong… occasionally.'
'I've never seen it…'
'Mariko! I have every respect for Yami. He is my Pharaoh! All my life… ever since I met Ishizu and she became like a mother and a big sister to me… I have been trained to respect Yami as the Pharaoh! I want him to be happy, and if he truly does love my brother… I still can't believe I have a brother… then I want Yami to be happy with Yugi! I have known Téa a long time though… we were separated because of where we lived, and I was only sent to a dance camp in Japan so I would be far from Egypt where my grandparents were with Yugi, but we are still close. We still share the same passion. We still have one thing in common and she is still my best friend! I want her to be happy with Yugi too! I can't get both wishes! I realize that!' Marie screams within her mind, 'But who do I vote for? My friend who I love dearly or my Pharaoh who I love just as deeply?'
'There is no right or wrong answer, Marie,' says Mariko, 'It might be possible to just vote for both of them and then comfort whomever Yugi does not choose. Or you could try to talk Yugi into choosing them both and having a threesome! Yami could go at Yugi from behind while Yugi was on top of Anzu going at her.'
'Mariko! You are sick!' screams Marie, 'Hold it… Who's Anzu?'
'Anzu? Never heard of her before…' Mariko blushes as he turns away from Marie to try to hide his embarrassment over saying the wrong name.
'You just said Yugi would be on top of Anzu! Who is Anzu?'
'You don't want to know!'
'If you know something I don't know, you'd better as hell tell me!'
'Anzu was Nefertiri's sister! Nefertiri killed her to take her place! Anzu was supposed to be Yami's bride! She was supposed to be sent to the Pharaoh to be his bride and healer! She also had the healing light that Nefertiri did!' shouts Mariko spinning towards Marie again, 'And Anzu looked just like your friend, Téa!'
'Osiris!' exclaims Marie falling to her knees in shock.
'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you,' says Mariko softly.
'Mariko… I don't look like you… and I don't look like Nefertiri… why don't I? Why am I slightly different than both of you?' asks Marie quietly, 'Besides height and eye color, Yami and Yugi are identical. Seto is the same as Seth, only Seth is more rugged while Seto is more refined. And you said that Téa looks just like Anzu. Tell me… why was my body reincarnated different? Is there anyone else in our group who was in the past?'
'I don't know why your body is different. Perhaps because you were destined to be closer to Yugi this way in the way you should have been in Egypt. In the way that will allow you to still love the person you choose,' says Mariko kneeling beside Marie and pulling her into his arms. 'Perhaps it is as simple as you were supposed to be one with me but were actually the reincarnation of Nefertiri. And I don't mean one with me like two lovers become one, but like we have become a team. You possessing the Scale was your destiny, and it was your destiny to be a healer like Nefertiri. You couldn't match her or I because you are a combination of both of us.'
'Thank you…'
'Now… I see your brother, Yugi… go talk to him. Tell him that Téa loves him. He deserves to hear it soon before he makes an ill decision from misinformation.'
Marie sighs and stands, pulling out of Mariko's arms as she does. She looks around and spots Yugi… or is it Yami?
Bring back the harmony
To make a better world for me and you…
"Yugi? I shouldn't be the one to tell you this, but… Téa is in love with you," says Marie quickly as she reaches Yugi.
"I know she does, Marie…"
"She told you?"
"Well… no. But I've known for a long time," says Yugi, "Little things you know. It's just that I don't know how I really feel for her."
"Maybe I can help you sort out your feelings then," says Marie blushing, "I am rather experienced in love."
Yugi smiles. "I'd like that."
"So…"
"I don't know how I feel about Téa, but… I'm in love with Yami," says Yugi with a sigh. "I just… I can't be with Yami because he's a five thousand year old spirit! I want to be with Yami! Just once if only once!"
Marie pulls Yugi into her arms. "Oh, Yugi! I'll think of some way! I promise!"
Yugi starts crying against Marie's shoulder. "Do you think Téa could give me my first kiss?"
"I think she would be glad to," whispers Marie rubbing Yugi's back to comfort him as he cries.
"I want to fuck Yami!"
Marie blinks repeatedly. She can't believe what she just heard come out of the innocent mouth of her little brother. 'I don't believe it,' she thinks, 'not only was he cussing, but he was also talking about sex! I thought he was an innocent! That's what all his friends seem to think! Maybe he's not so innocent and more like a normal teenager than they think he is. Good for you, Yugi!'
"I want to fuck Yami so badly! It hurts!" exclaims Yugi pushing Marie down onto her back and ripping the rubber band from her hair so it sticks up just like Yugi's. He thrusts his hips hard into Marie's so she can feel his erection. He presses his lips to hers forcefully. "Yami!"
"Yugi! I'm not Yami! I'm Marie!" exclaims Marie.
Marie jerks awake from her dream and sits up panting heavily.
"Marie!" exclaims Seto waking up and quickly pulling her down into his arms again.
"It was a dream! It was all a dream!" exclaims Marie still breathing heavily.
"What happened?" asks Seto.
"I was talking to Yugi… He said he loved Yami, and he tried to rape me thinking I was Yami!" exclaims Marie finally managing to take a long calming breath. "It was just a dream. It wasn't real. It just scared me… I'm sorry for waking you, Seto."
"I want to be awake when you are," says Seto rubbing Marie's arms to help calm her down, "Do you think you'll be able to go back to sleep now?"
Marie shakes her head. "No… I'm going to take a bath…"
"Can I…?"
"Join me, please?" interrupts Marie.
"Mind reader!" exclaims Seto climbing out of bed and pulling Marie with him. He leads her into the bathroom with a smile on his face.
Everyday is a new adventure…
