Chapter Seven- Revealing All

"Now, I am pleased to say that I have chosen a consort and I'm aware that you must approve of my choice. I only ask that you keep an open mind. Siamun, if you will." Atem descended the steps as Siamun went to fetch Bakura, who had chosen an illusion that only hid his wolf features. Bakura entered behind Siamun and, as he got closer, the court gasped in surprise and shock.

"Bakura!?" Seto exclaimed. The others were quiet but the Ring and the Key glowed slightly and the Scales tilted a little. Seto turned to Atem. "My pharaoh, I protest against your choice. He is a criminal."

"Not much of one, it would seem," Mahad said. "His evil is so small, it is almost non-existent."

"How can that be?" Aknadin asked.

"It could be love," Kisara said meekly. Her statement brought the court to a contemplative silence.

"Love is a pure emotion," Mahad said. "A strong one that can conquer evil and darkness. It would certainly account for Bakura's small amount of evil."

"That does not change the fact that he is a thief and a tomb robber," Aknadin said and he saw Seto nod before adding, "He must be judged."

He turned to Bakura who was calm and still, clearly not intending to flee. Aknadin summoned the power of his Item, eye closed. He heard the stone tablet being pushed into place before he fired the Eye's magic, his eye opening and widening as he saw that Atem had gotten between him and Bakura. Atem's monster emerged as a wolf hybrid and Aknadin released it, allowing it to return to its owner. There was a collective gasp from the court as Atem's illusion faded and exposed his true self.

"Pharaoh?" Mahad said in shock. "You're a hybrid? You've been one all this time?"

"Yes," Atem admitted. "I was born this way."

"It was your mother," Aknadin said. "It had to be."

"It was, but why did it have to be her? It could have been Father."

"I served your father and he never left the palace during the full moon." Of course, Aknadin knew his previous pharaoh wasn't a hybrid as they were brothers and Aknadin certainly wasn't a hybrid. As he was brother to Atem's father, that made Seto his son, but he would never reveal that.

"Fine," Atem said. "I hid it as everyone fears hybrids and the idea of a good one is a hard one for people to accept."

There were nods and then Bakura asked, "Why did you get between us?" He gestured at Aknadin and himself.

"I did not want you to be put through a trial. I love you too much."

"Hold on," Seto said before facing Bakura. "You don't seem as surprised as the rest of us by this revelation."

"I'm not as he revealed himself to me…after he sniffed me out." With that, Bakura dropped his illusion.

"You're one too? A wolf also?" Aknadin gasped.

"Yes. When Atem revealed himself, I did the same and I…found him attractive and I saw that he was interested in me. He admitted as much and considered me a possible mate. He did mention needing your approval and I told him to look for another hybrid."

"Only I didn't want another hybrid," Atem spoke up. "I was drawn to him and felt like a connection had been made."

"It could be your wolf side," Mahad said, more than ready to approve of Atem's choice. "Wolves mate for life and once a mate is chosen, no others will do." He squared his shoulder. "And I, for one, approve of Bakura."

Bakura bowed his head at Mahad's declaration. He felt the magician would be the first to approve, sensed he was fair and supportive of Atem. One down, five to go, he thought.

Kalim had watched the Scales as the talks had begun after Atem's illusion had faded. It had tilted a little when Bakura first came in, however it gradually changed as Bakura revealed himself to be a hybrid and admit love for the pharaoh. Now, as Mahad approved of Bakura, his Scales were balanced. He stepped up next to Mahad, his Item held up to show their balanced state. "I too approve of Bakura. It is clear that his love for the pharaoh had conquered the evil in him." Kalim's statement convinced everyone else to give their approval. Atem beamed, took Bakura in his arms, and as Siamun declared Bakura as Atem's official consort, Atem kissed him. He had found his match in Bakura and his court had given their approval. He kept Bakura from being judged and he ended up revealing his true self. His surprising revelation led to Bakura revealing himself as well.

"Will Seto accept Kisara when she reveals that she's a hybrid?" Bakura asked as they laid in Atem's bed that night.

"I hope so. She is a sweet, kind girl and deserves to be happy and be with the one she loves."

"She does; just as I am with the one I love." He snuggled up to Atem, one of his ears brushing the back of one of Atem's ears as they fell asleep.

Sunlight fell across Kisara's face, waking her from her sleep in a guest room. She sat up and stretched, her wings spread wide and her tail stretching out to its full length. She had slept very peacefully for the first time in a long time and looked forward to living with Seto and getting to know the priest he had become. And I have to tell him I'm a hybrid. She got out of bed, applied her illusion, and opened her door to see Seto there, fist raised to knock. She smiled as he lowered his arm. "Morning, Seto."

He didn't return the smile which didn't concern her as she knew he was a very serious-minded man. "Kisara, may I come in so we can talk?"

"Of course." She stood aside and once Seto was inside, she shut the door. "What shall we talk about?"

"I thought about yesterday when the pharaoh and Bakura revealed themselves. Did you know they were hybrids while on your journey home?"

"I did."

"Why would they show you willingly while the rest of us were unaware until yesterday?"

"Because…because I'm a hybrid too. The pharaoh found me unconscious and the illusion does not work when one is asleep or unconscious."

Seto blinked. "You're a hybrid?"

Kisara nodded as she dropped it and she saw Seto's eyes widen and his mouth fell open. She looked away. "You're probably angry I didn't tell you when we first met and you probably see me as a freak or monster. Go ahead. Let me have it."

"Kisara." Seto was speechless at her true appearance. She bore the typical hybrid claws as well as a pair of white dragon wings and a matching tail. "Kisara, I'm not angry you hid this from me. It's clear why and I will not hold it against you. I also don't see you as a monster or a freak. Your dragon half makes you more beautiful to me."

She looked up at him. "You do?"

"Yes." He went up to her and pulled her into a hug. "I would like to have you as my wife if that is all right with you."

"Seto, I would be honored to be your wife."

"Excellent. Then, let us inform the pharaoh. Oh and don't hide your true self. Be proud of what you are. The pharaoh and Bakura are not hiding it, though they will briefly when announcing their union to the kingdom.' Seto and Kisara left the room, the former's arm around the latter's waist. Kisara glowed as they went through the palace. She revealed her true self to Seto and he accepted her and loved her. She knew the pharaoh would be pleased to hear that they wished to be married.

Obviously, we will eventually have a hybrid child. He or she will have a better life than I did as he or she will grow up in a city where people and hybrids will live together in peace. It will be a bright and wonderful future.

The End