Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Apocalypse ❯ Sacrifice ( Chapter 49 )

 

Sacrifice

 

Seto looked out over the city. His arms were crossed in front of him. On his desk lay a pile of papers that had yet to be completed.

`What did I agree to?......What will it cost? I agreed to help Yami…..I'm going to not only be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of my own employees….I'll be responsible for the deaths of my family…..Their blood will be on my hands.'

Seto returned to his desk and sat on his leather chair. He put his hand on his desk as a knock sounded on the door.

“Come in.”

Joey entered slowly, his face pale. “Hi, Seto. I just came back from the hospital. I wanted to tell you they put me on the list for a new liver. They're going to find a donor for me.”

“Okay, Joey. I'm glad Zira is doing all he can.”

Joey nodded. “Yeah…so am I.” Joey shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “I'm going to lay down for a bit. I'm tired.”

“Nods. Okay, puppy.”

Joey turned and walked out of Seto's office.

Seto leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. “I have to get through this paperwork…..even if I don't feel like it.”

Another knock sounded on the door.

“Come in.”

Marik walked into the room with black leather pants and a white shirt. “Hey there, moneybags!”

Seto's eyes widened. “Marik Jibade Ishtar, what are you doing?”

“Showing up for my first day at work.”

“Do the words `dress code' mean anything to you?”

Marik looked down at himself and grinned at Seto. “I'm not wearing a dress to work.”

“No. Not wearing a dress to work. It means dressing businesslike and professional.”

Marik raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn't look good in a business suit. This body is too sexy for a business suit.”

Seto shook his head and rubbed his temples. “Marik, I'm not in the mood.”

Marik approached Seto's desk and turned a chair around. He straddled the chair and leaned forward on the back of the chair. “What's the problem, moneybags?”

Seto groaned and shook his head. “I can't tell you.”

“Look, things really suck for you right now, Seto. We understand that. Anyone who disses you for not doing your best now will find themselves in a body bag.”

“Thank you, Marik, but there is no need.”

Marik leaned his head on his hand. “There's something else. What's wrong? You can tell old Marik.”

Seto leaned forward on his desk and grabbed a pen. “I have a lot of work to do.”

“You are a tight-lipped bastard.”

“And you are a dick.”

Marik grinned. “Not really, but I do have one.”

Seto pointed a finger at Marik. “You better watch it, Marik. I don't tolerate Sexual Harrassment in the workplace.”

“So I can't grope myself at all under my desk?”

Seto shook his head. “Maybe this was a mistake…..”

“Nah, don't worry about me, moneybags. I know how to conduct myself at work.”

“Okay. Since it's your first day, let me tell you what I expect of you. No groping, no spitting, no laziness, no sleeping, no fucking, no masturbation, no yelling, no cursing, no cracking gum, no loud music, no stealing in this office. No----.”

Marik snickered.

“What now?”

“You said `no fucking' and then in the same breath you said `no cursing.'”

Seto rolled his eyes. “Look, just behave yourself.”

Marik snickered. “I'll behave myself. I promise.”

“Marik Jibade, you NEVER behave yourself.”

“No, really, I'm a good boy at work….freak by night.”

Seto rolled his eyes. “I know. Ryou and Malik tell me all about it.”

“I'm a stud. What else can I say?”

The CEO sighed. “Just….behave and do your job.”

“I'm not a slacker, moneybags. I do what I have to do. I'll behave and do my job.”

“Good.”

Marik stared at his new employer.

Seto shifted his eyes uncomfortably. “What?”

“You never told me what that bug was up your ass.”

The CEO stood up and walked to the window. “It's nothing.”

“Bullshit. Something obviously has your panties in a bunch.”

“I don't want to talk about it.”

Marik tapped his fingers on the chair. “I'm not leaving until you spill.”

“Marik, I'm fine.”

“You are a shitty liar.”

Seto returned to his chair. “I have work to do.”

“I have an eternity. What is wrong with you? Don't make me tickle it out of you.”

The CEO raised an eyebrow. “You? Tickle Me? Not frigging likely.”

“I will if I have to. Out with it, moneybags.”

Seto put down his pen and sat back. “Fine. You want to know what is bothering me?”

“I wouldn't have harassed you for the past ten minutes if I didn't give a flying crap.”

Seto took a deep breath. “Did I tell you Yami stopped in during the siege on KaibaCorp?”

“Stopped in? Mr. High and Mighty just waltzed his way in here?”

“No, he came in a disguise. He kept offering to end the siege in exchange for……my participation in his plans.”

Marik narrowed his eyes. “In exchange for what?”

Seto crossed his legs. “Yami offered to stop the siege in exchange for my participation in the Final Battle between Aria and your son.”

The blond yami stood up quickly. “WHAT?!”

“I didn't expect Yami to kill Hayden, though.”

“Are you saying, Seto Roka Kaiba, that you are going to fight against my son and Aria?”

Seto jumped to his feet. “I had no choice!”

“There had to have been another way!”

“Marik, Yami threatened to kill Joey. He told me if I did not cooperate that Joey would die. You know Yami has the power of life and death! Yami can kill any one of us with a snap of his fingers.”

Marik chuckled. “Bakura and I are already dead. He can't kill us.”

“No, but he can kill Joey! If he wanted to kill Aten and Aria, he can just snap his fingers too. I wonder why doesn't he just do it. Why does he have to make this an elaborate scheme?”

Marik crossed his arms in front of him. “It's because of their blood….their lineage. Aten and Aria have yami blood in them. They are mortal, true….but that yami blood makes them immune to Yami's whim. You and Joey….you are mortal. No yami blood courses through your veins. Unfortunately for us, Yami can make good on his threat.”

“Marik, I did what I had to protect my people and my husband.”

“So you were going to join with Yami to kill my son and Aria and you weren't going to tell me about it? Don't you think I would have found out somehow?” the yami growled, his eyes turning red.

“I told you, didn't I?”

“Only after I had to pry it out of you!”

“Marik, I don't want to hurt Aten and Aria! But I had to make that promise that I would join Yami! I had no other recourse!”

Marik growled at the CEO for a moment. He stepped back from the desk. “You had no other alternative. I would do anything to save Malik's life if our situations were reversed. I know Bakura will travel to the ends of the Earth for Ryou.”

“Yami is still after the Millennium Rod.”

Marik looked over his shoulder and pulled the Millennium Rod from his belt. “This thing never leaves my sight.”

“It's the only Item that Yami doesn't own yet. Isis called me and told me that Yami took the Necklace, Scales, and Key.”

Marik nodded. “When I went to his temple, I saw the Ring, Eye, and Puzzle. My Rod is the only thing that stands between Yami and absolute power.” The yami snickered. “That sounds so dirty!”

“Your mind is perpetually in the gutter.”

“And that would be a bad thing because………….why?”

Seto shook his head. “Keep a good eye on your Millennium Rod.”

“Like I said, my Rod never leaves my side. I keep it under my pillow at night.”

“Marik, I wish that I didn't have to make that promise. Those kids are very important to me. I had no choice.”

The yami shrugged. “We'll find someway around it, moneybags. Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to Aria or my son. Yami's not going to succeed. I'll make certain of that.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in!” Seto called.

The door opened and Robbie limped inside. “Good morning….Holy heck! Marik, what are you doing here?”

Marik grinned. “This is my first day on the job, Robbie-boy!”

The teen's eyes looked Marik up and down. “In leather pants?”

The yami chuckled. “Why not? If you've got the sexy, flaunt the sexy.”

Robbie shook his head. “Good lord…..”

Marik grinned. “Oh, come on, Rob! I'm all about the shock value. Don't you know that by now about me by now? It's all about the shock value.”

Robbie sighed. “Yes, I know all about your desire to shock and amaze.”

“I just flaunt the sexy.”

Robbie limped with his cane to Seto's desk. “How are you feeling this morning, Seto?”

Seto sighed. “Torn.”

“That's not good. Anything I can do?”

Marik raised an eyebrow at Seto. “Robbie, it took me half an hour to wheedle it out of him. I don't know if you're going to have the same success as I did.”

“Wheedle what? Is something wrong, Seto?”

“No, Robbie, everything is okay.”

The teen shrugged. “Okay.”

“Why can't you be like him, Marik?”

“Because I'm my own yami. That's why. I'm proud of who and what I am.”

“You're proud to be a pain in the ass?”

Marik snickered. “You just broke your `no cursing' rule again, moneybags.”

“I break it because I'm the boss and I call the shots.”

Marik licked his lips. “I like shots. Why don't you come over my place after work, moneybags? You need some fun in your life.”

Seto shook his head. “No, I can't. I'm going to be here catching up on things that I have to accomplish here. I've been trying to finish what I can.”

Marik shrugged. “Be my guest. Robbie, you and Aten want to come over tonight?”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Aria and Umi are bringing Kai with them. It will be just like old times.”

“Sure thing. I'll let Aten know. I'm sure he's sleeping now though. It's his naptime now.”

Marik pat Robbie on the back. “Excellent! I'll let Ryou and Malik know. PARTY AT THE ISTHARS!”

Seto winced. “Marik, no yelling! Get to work.”

Marik chuckled. “Alright. See you later, moneybags.”

Robbie watched Marik walk away, his leather pants and black boots squeaking. “Everyone's going to call him `Squeeker' from now on.”

Seto leaned back in his chair and sighed. “This is going to be a very long day.”

*******************************

Marik grinned as he took the Tyranosaurus Rex toy and made it growl.  The plastic toy stamped along the Lego buildings.  Kai laughed and squealed as he made the plastic police and army men run for cover from the terrifying toy.

"RAWWWRRR! I'M GOING TO EAT YOU!!!" Marik growled as he shoved an army man into the T-Rex's mouth. "GRRRR...MAN TASTE GOOD!"

Bakura snickered as he watched Marik play with the dinosaur.  The white-haired yami shook his head. "The mighty have fallen....."

"Hey, Itemri, I'm entertaining the kid."

Kai yawned and rubbed his eye.

"It looks like you're having more fun than the kid is, Jibade."

Marik put the toy down and crossed his arms. "Hey, I am still the Lord of Darkness."

Bakura let out a loud laugh and fell off of the couch, laughing his ass off. "The Lord of Darkness......is playing....with a plastic .....toy! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Marik grinned and leaned into the yami. "Hey.....I wouldn't laugh too hard, Itemri."

"And why's that?"

"King of the Shadow Realm???? I have pictures of you playing Tea Party with Aria when she was four years old."

Bakura narrowed his eyes. "You lie!"

Marik grinned. "Pardon us, Kai. Papa Marik has to go show Papa Bakura something upstairs. Let's go, Ring Boy."

Marik ran up the stairs, follpwed by Bakura.

A knock sounded on the door.  Malik ran to the door and opened them with the oven mits.

"Aten! Robbie! So good to see you both!"

Aten smiled and hugged Malik. "Hello. I hope we're not late."

"Oh, no, not late! In fact, you're right on time! Come in!"

Aten and Robbie walked in and Kai squealed happily.

"Aten! Roppie!"  the little boy squealed as he ran to the two teens.

Aten picked up the little boy and gave him an eskimo kiss. "Hello, big boy! How's our Kai today?"

Kai giggled. "Kai be good for mommy and daddy!"

Robbie smiled. "Hand him to me, Aten!"

Robbie held Kai in his arm and limped over to the nearby chair. He sat down and bounced the little boy on his knee. Aten watched Robbie tickle and bounce the boy on his knee.

'He's so good with kids,' Aten thought.

Robbie lifted Kai in his hands and grinned. Kai spread his arms out and grinned.

"I'm a plane!"

Robbie smiled and grinned.  "Captain Robbie to Kai 52! You are cleared for landing!"

Kai giggled. "Tank You, Taptin Roppie!"

"And he's coming in for a landing!!!" Robbie exclaimed as he 'landed Kai on his leg.  "Perfect landing, little Bombadier! High Five!"

Kai high-fived Robbie and smiled.

Aria came out of the kitchen and looked around. Her father and Marik were no where to be found.  Kai was in sitting on Robbie's knee.  "Oh, Hi, Robbie. I didn't see you and Aten come in. Hi, brother!" Aria hugged her brother and pet her son's blue and white hair. "Kai, baby, where is Papa Bakura?"

Kai looked up at his mother with large, sparkling eyes and a smile. "Papa Batuwa is sowing Papa Mawik sum-fing uptairs."

Aria sighed and shook her head. "Some things never change. Umi! Can you get Kai ready for dinner while I pry my two fathers apart.......again?"

Umi came out of the kitchen. "Hey, Rob! Hi, Aten! Come here, ya little jellyfish!"

Umi took Kai and snuggled him. "Time to wash your hands for din din!"

Kai smiled and snuggled into his father's chest.

Aria climbed the stairs and heard Marik chuckling in the bedroom.

“Take a look at this, Itemri,” the blond yami's voice could be heard behind the door.

“You've got two of them?”

“Yeah, wait until I whip them out. You'll like what you see.”

Aria covered her mouth, trying not to laugh at the dialogue behind the closed door.

“How the hell did you get a hold of that?”

“While you weren't looking, I slipped in.”

Her father's stunned gasp came from behind the door. “You bastard!”

Aria knocked on the door. “Umm…..guys? Dinner's ready.”

Marik laughed. “Come in, Chibi Yami!”

“Are you both dressed????”

“Yes, we're not naked……yet.”

Both yamis snickered as Aria entered cautiously.

“I had to show your father this,” Marik said with a proud grin. He pulled out an old photo album and pointed to a picture in the front.

Chibi Aria was sitting with her Change of Heart plushie, her Barbie dolls, and her stuffed animals at a very small table. A plastic tea set was in the middle of the pink table, Every doll and plushie had it's own cup…..including her father, who was struggling to sit on a tiny plastic chibi chair. Bakura held his teacup with a pinky held daintily out.

Aria giggled. “You took a picture of this, Father Marik???”

“You're damn right I did! I took a picture of the King of Thieves, the King of the Shadow Realm….playing tea party with his little girl and her plushies and dollies!”

Bakura blushed red. “How much do you want for that picture?”

Marik grinned. “A year of constant, hot, passionate, unbridled sex.”

Bakura growled. “No deal.”

Marik laughed hard. “Awww….I thought you would go for that, Itemri.”

Bakura growled. “Give me that picture!”

Bakura pounced Marik, knocking him back on the bed. The two wrestled for the photo as Malik opened the door.

“Guys, there's plenty of opportunities to go at each other like rabbits tonight! It's time for dinner!”

Marik and Bakura stopped.

Bakura growled at Marik with a grin. “I'll get that picture back!”

Marik grinned. “Not if I can help it, sexy boy.”

Aria lead her fathers downstairs for dinner.

The family ate their dinner, talking about Marik's new position in KaibaCorp and the new renovations Seto had planned for the building. Aten discussed his paintings and his upcoming meeting with an art dealer who had shown interest in placing some of his paintings for auction to benefit Heart Disease and Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Research.

After the dinner, Aten stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. It was nice being surrounded by family, but the close proximity of everyone in the room made him slightly unsettled.

He looked up at the starry sky and smiled. “Thank you, Ra, for this glorious night.”

The warm night wind blew across his skin.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over to see his mother.

“Hello, Aten.”

Aten put his arm around Ryou. “Hello, mother.”

“I'm sorry Miranda couldn't make it tonight.”

Aten shrugged. “She and Daniel wanted some time to themselves. Robbie and I understand. We needed to get out of the house anyway. I've been cooped up finishing my paintings and Robbie's been working.”

“I'm glad to see him back on his feet.”

The teen nodded. “If there's one thing I've learned about Robbie, is that he recovers quickly from anything that happens. Remember when Hayden's uncle kidnapped us? Well…..it took him a little bit to get over looking over his shoulder, but he was the same Robbie I knew within weeks.” The teen laughed slightly. “If only I had his strength.”

“You do, Aten. You just have to find that in yourself,” his mother said, hugging him tightly.

Aten smiled. “I'm working on it.”

Umi stepped out of the house. “Hi, guys.”

Ryou turned around. “Hello, Umi.”

“Aria needs your help with Kai. He …..well…..he shed his clothes and now he thinks he's `Nakkie Batman' again.”

Ryou giggled. “Aria has her hands full, huh? Hmm….well, the fruit never falls far from the tree.”

Ryou disappeared into the house as Umi approached the Egyptian.

“Nice night out,” the other teen said.

“Very nice,” Aten said as he kept his gazed fixed upon the Big Dipper.

Umi stood beside Aten. “Tell me about this Final Battle.”

“What Final Battle?”

“Aria keeps talking about a `Final Battle' with Yami. Sometimes, she begins speaking in a foreign language, I'm assuming it's Egyptian. When I ask her what she's saying, she keeps saying she doesn't know.”

Aten crossed his arms in front of him. “The Final Battle….according to the Ancient Scriptures, there will rise a pharaoh who will covet the Millennium Items for his own greed. If he possesses all seven Millennium Items, he will become unstoppable. His reign will be one filled with terror.” Aten reached over to his hip and removed the Scepter of Ra from his belt. “My Scepter of Ra and the Millennium Trident were not part of the original seven Items. Nonetheless, they hold powers that the seven items do not possess. Yami's collection of Millennium Items are incomplete without them. I keep my Scepter with me at all times, like my father. My father never lets the Millennium Rod leave his side. He carries his on his left hip, I carry mine on my right.” Aten took a deep breath. “Legend says that two offspring of yami blood shall fight against Greed….but it does not say how the battle ends. That is what is yet to be determined.”

Umi looked Aten in the eye. "I can't let Aria fight against Yami.  Not in her condition.  She's due to have our son next month."

Aten sighed and nodded. "I know, Umi, but there's nothing we can do. I want to do whatever I can to keep my sister safe."

Umi stepped in front of Aten and looked him in the eye. “I don't want my wife to die.”

The Egyptian put his hands on Umi's shoulders. “Umi, I will do everything I can to assure Aria's safety. Even….even if it means sacrificing my own life in the process.”

“Aten, I don't want you hurt either. You're my friend. You and Robbie are my buds! I can't let you be killed anymore than Aria!”

Aten nodded. “I know, Umi….I know. Either way, don't you worry. Aria will not perish at Yami's hands. I won't allow it.”

*******************************

 

*****Aria's Dream*******

 

Aria's POV

 

I looked beside me and saw my brother standing beside me. A long white robe fell to around his ankles. Around his neck he wore a gold cobra necklace. His right cheek was slightly swollen and bruised.

“Aten, what's going on?”

Aten turned to me. “This is it, sister. The Final Battle between good and evil.”

“The battle? With Yami?”

Aten nodded. “Ultimate darkness and greed.”

I looked ahead at the large gold doors to Yami's throne room. “Aten…..do you think we can win against him?”

Aten gripped the Scepter of Ra in his hand. “We have to, sister. If we fail, we will be killed for treason.”

I looked down at my large belly. I touched it and caressed it gently. The baby inside me didn't move towards my hand.

“I want my child to be born.”

Aten shook his head. “If we fail, your baby will be killed with us. We must not fail, sister.”

I nodded and gripped the Millennium Trident in my hand. “Let's go, Aten.”

We approached the golden doors and opened them together. Aten and I looked up and saw a large dueling platform in the middle of the throne room. Stairs lead up to where he had to duel.

Yami appeared above us. “You think you shall win against me? This is your last chance to back down!”

“This is not over, Yami! Aten and I will not back down! We will not let Egypt suffer under your tyranny anymore!”

Yami laughed. “Tyranny? I beg to differ, Slave Girl!”

“I am no longer a slave! I am High Priest Seth's wife! I have bore him heirs! And now I carry within my womb, the male child who shall cause your destruction, Pharaoh Yami!”

The pharaoh grinned. “That has yet to be seen!”

Yami disappeared from the edge.

“Let's go, Aten.”

Aten and I climbed the steps to the dueling platform. I looked at the other side of the dueling platform and gasped.

“SETH!”

Seth looked up at me with large, sorrowful eyes. “Aria, I'm sorry……”

Aten stood beside me. “What are you doing here, High Priest? Why are you standing beside the traitor of Egypt?”

Seth raised his arm, a primitive model of a duel disk on his arm. “I'm standing beside my King.”

“I see that!” Aten yelled. “Why? Are you helping him?”

“My Pharaoh is my King. I am obliged to help him.”

Aten growled. “That bastard killed my father! You are going to defend a murderer? A butcher? HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE BUTCHER OF CAIRO?”

Seth looked at that evil pharaoh and lowered his head. “I must stand by my king.”

My eyes filled with tears. I can't hurt Seth. He's done nothing but good things for me. I….

I love Seth.

I love him with all my heart.

How can I let him go?

How can I hurt him?

Can I live with myself if I harm him?

I turned to Aten. “I can't harm Seth.”

“Aria, we have to do this. We don't have any choice. Do you want Yami to keep oppressing the Egyptian people or abusing his power?” Aten narrowed his eyes. “I'm sick of being Pharaoh Yami's sex slave! I'm not doing it anymore, Aria! If you don't want to help me, then you had better step down from this platform. You are either with me…..or against me.”

I looked into Aten's purple eyes. He was determined.

I've never seen this fire in his eyes before. He seemed to be determined to carry out this revolution of ours alone if need be.

“Aten…..I----.”

“Sister….are you with me? I don't want you or your child harmed.”

I looked up and saw Yami standing beside Seth.

“Are we ready to begin?” called Yami.

“Aten……”

Aten narrowed his eyes. “Aria. You have to make a decision.”

“Aria, don't do this!” Seth called to me from across the platform.

I looked at Seth and shook my head. “I don't want to hurt you, Seth. But…..I must do what I can to protect Egypt….and my child. If that means destroying this menace, then so be it.”

Yami narrowed his eyes at me and growled. “You foolish child! Prepare to meet your death!”

Aten and I placed our own disks on our arms and took our defensive stance.

Seth and Yami activated their disks.

“The Battle of the Millennium Begins!” Yami screamed through the throne room.

********End********

I woke up and sat up quickly. I panted heavily and looked beside me.

Umi was sleeping quietly.

I slipped out of bed and ran to check on Kai. My little boy was in his crib sleeping.

Returning to my room, I opened my closet door and removed the Millennium Trident.

Yami was after my Millennium Item.

He almost killed me and my family to attain its power.

Lucky for me, Aten showed up.

My flashbacks and dreams are becoming more vivid every day.

Does this mean that Seto will have to battle Aten and I again?

My hands touched the golden metal spikes at the end of the trident. What am I to do? I can't hurt Seto…..

I can't risk my baby's life….

What choice do I have?

*******************************

 

********Aten's Dream********

 

Aten's POV

 

I shielded my eyes as Aria's last monster was shattered. When the smoke cleared, I saw the pharaoh grinning from ear to ear.

“Good job, Seth. She is vulnerable now! I will finish her off! Dark Magician! Dark Magic Attack!”

I saw Aria close her eyes and tense, waiting for the final blow.

I can't let Aria die!

I have deflect his attack and quickly!

The Dark Magician pointed his staff at Aria and fired dark spheres of energy at Aria.

“ARIA, LOOK OUT!”

I ran in front of her and the blast hit my chest.

The blast sent me flying back over the edge of the arena.

“Aten!”

My body fell onto the ground and I heard a snap.

I tried sitting up, but my back wouldn't allow me.

My body tremored and twitched. I breathed heavily as the burn in my chest intensified.

My eyes couldn't see the rest of the duel, but I could hear the sounds.

The last sound I remember hearing was Aria's scream and Yami's laugh.

My hearing faded in and out.

I saw Yami standing over the edge of the platform holding something white in his hands. I saw him reveal a dagger and heard a sickening squeal come from Aria. Yami stood over the edge holding a bloody dagger in her hand. A tiny trail of blood dripped over the edge of the arena.

Yami descended the stairs slowly and stood over me.

He stood over me and pulled my body up by the hair until I was sitting.

Pain shot through my back.

“You are guilty of treason.”

Yami took his dagger and cut into my throat from ear to ear.....

*******End****
”YAMI! NO!”

I felt hands on me and I struggled.

“I CAN'T BREATHE! I CAN'T BREATHE!”

“Aten! Take a deep breath! You can breathe! Open your eyes!”

I opened my eyes and found Robbie shaking me gently.

“That's one heck of a dream you had. You okay?”

I looked around nervously.

“Where's Yami?”

“He's not here, baby,” Robbie said calmly.

I gripped onto him.

I don't want to die like that…..

If Aria and I have to face them again…..that is not how I want to go.

Will Aria and I die again if we have to face Yami?

…………

………

I better not think about it.

 

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