Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Goodbye ( Chapter 42 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: bakurasgirl
**Rewritten Robbie sacrifices his life for Heaven and Umi.Yami Aten and Yami Aria exact vengeance on the Crusaders.**New-Bakura makes a crucial decision.

Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Drama / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.09.2012 | Pages: 15 | Words: 16.4K | Visits: 281 | Status: Completed

Goodbye
Robbie felt his body go weak, pain radiated in his abdomen as his fell to his knees in front of Eric. Blood seeped from the corner of Robbie's mouth as he looked up at his murderer.
Eric looked down at Robbie with a smug grin and licked his lips. “So long, Limpy.”
Eric turned and ran down the street as Robbie fell backwards onto the cement. His eyes stared towards the starry sky. He was alone. He could feel blood soaking his shirt.
Heaven was safe. Umi was safe. That is what mattered.
He coughed as he felt the night wind caressing his cheeks, blood beginning to pool in his mouth. His fingers began to twitch as he felt his heart begin to slow its rapid beat.
His breath came in sharp, painful gasps as he closed his eyes. “Aten….”
“Robbie! Robbie!” a female voice echoed in the night as it approached quickly.
“Robbie!” Aten's voice echoed. “Robbie, who did this?”
“Eric…” Robbie gasped for air.
Miranda and Aten looked down at Robbie, a puddle of blood was forming beneath the dying teen. A trickle of red came from the corner of Robbie's mouth as he looked up at his mother.
“Oh my god! Robbie!” Miranda cried as she kneeled beside her son. “The ambulance is coming, Robbie! Hold on, baby!”
Yami Aten kneeled beside Robbie. “Robbie, hold on, please!”
Robbie watched as Yami Aten gathered him lovingly into his arms. Robbie gasped for breath as he grabbed onto Aten's shirt. “Heaven…safe?”
Miranda lifted Robbie's shirt and saw the bullet wound. Miranda could see a puddle of blood under Robbie. Her heart sank as she looked into the eyes of her son. “She's safe, Robbie.”
Robbie looked into Aten's eyes. Yami Aten had tears rolling down his face. “Robbie…don't die….please.”
Robbie struggled for breath as he heard his old Aten's voice, breaking through the tears. “Aten…take care….of Heaven.”
Aten shook his head as he cradled his dying husband in his arms. “Please don't leave me, Robbie,” Aten whimpered as he caressed Robbie's cheek.
Miranda watched the color drain from Robbie's face as she began to cry. “Robbie, I love you. Hold on, baby.”
“Mommy…..it hurts,” Robbie said with a weak whimper as his heart began to fail him.
Miranda reached out and caressed Robbie's curly, black hair. “Stay with us, angel.”
“Robert! Robbie!” Daniel ran from the home, his cell phone in his hand. Daniel arrived next to his son and looked down at the dying teen. Blood had soaked the front of Robbie's shirt. The teen was laying in a puddle of his own blood. “Oh, sweet Jesus.”
Robbie looked up at Aten as he could feel his body go numb. “I…love you, Aten…so..much.”
Aten closed his eyes as he kissed Robbie's forehead. “I love you so much, Robbie. I love you. I love you.”
Robbie reached up and touched Aten's cheek lightly. “You're so beautiful, Aten.” Robbie's body began to tremble. “You were always beautiful…in my eyes.”
“Hold on, Little Soldier. The ambulance will be here in a few moments.”
Robbie gave a weak gasp for air. “Kiss me, Aten.”
Aten pressed his lips to Robbie's lips. A tear fell from Aten's eye onto Robbie's cheek. Robbie's hand fell to the ground, leaving a trail of blood on Aten's cheek. A tear fell from Aten's cheek as he felt Robbie's last breath escape during their last kiss.
Aten pulled back from the kiss and saw Robbie's eyes were closing slowly. His head fell limp against Aten's chest.
Miranda covered her mouth with her hand. Daniel watched as Robbie's body relaxed in Aten's embrace. He reached out and touched Robbie's neck. The father lowered his head and cupped Robbie's cheek in his hand. Tears swelled behind the soldier's eyes. His only son was dead.
Daniel's bottom lip trembled. “We've lost him.”
Miranda closed her eyes and wailed as Daniel caught her before she could fall on her dead son. Daniel held his wife against him as she sobbed into his chest.
Aten looked down at his dead husband sadly. “Robbie?” Robbie relaxed against Aten, his curly hair moving in the wind. “Robbie….no,” Aten sobbed as he cradled Robbie's dead body against him. “I love you, Robbie. I love you. Don't leave. Don't leave me.” Aten pleaded as he rocked Robbie in his arms. “You can't die…”
Daniel took Robbie's hand. “Lord, please guide my son into your loving Arms.”
********************************
Bakura opened his eyes quickly as his cell phone rang beside him. He had studied the mysterious scroll through the night. When his eyes could no longer remain open, the thief had fallen asleep with his head on the desk. Bakura groaned as he reached for the cell phone.
The yami yawned as he answered. “Yes? What is it?”
[Bakura, where are you?]
Bakura's eyes scanned the room full of scrolls and artifacts. “The Museum Archive room, Rod-Boy. Why?”
[Bakura, come to Domino Hospital right away.]
Bakura's eyes shot open. “Is Aria alright?”
[It's not Aria. It's Ryou.]
“I'll be right there! Bakura out!”
Bakura dashed from the museum. He tried opening a mental connection with his hikari, but all that responded was silence. Bakura arrived at the Emergency Room where Malik and Marik were standing nervously. Bakura grabbed Marik's arms. “How is he? What happened?”
Marik put his hands on Bakura's arms. “Zira said that Ryou's not doing too well, but he is stable.”
“Ryou came downstairs saying that he was thirsty. He walked out of the kitchen with a cup of tea and dropped it on the floor. He grabbed his chest saying that his pacemaker felt funny so we rushed him here.”
“Will Ryou make it?”
Marik looked Bakura in the eyes. “Ryou's heart is weak, Bakura. All we can do is keep Ryou comfortable.”
Bakura sighed and looked down. He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. “No…”
Malik rubbed Bakura's back. “Ryou's a fighter, Bakura. You know his spirit.”
“My Ryou….”
“We all know Ryou is strong. He will get through this. He's bounced back before.”
Malik nodded. “Yeah, look at Aten. He had good days and bad days.”
Bakura released his grip on Marik. “I need to see my husband.”
Bakura left the Ishtars and walked over to the desk. “I need to see Ryou Bakura.”
The nurse nodded and turned to speak to another nurse. “Come through the doors and we'll take you to him.”
Bakura walked through the double doors and followed the nurse to the Recovery room where Ryou was laying, attached to many machines.
“Hello, yami,” Ryou said with a weak smile.
Bakura walked slowly to Ryou and looked down at him. He reached for Ryou's cheeks and kissed him on the forehead. “I'm so sorry, hikari. I couldn't keep my eyes open in the archives anymore.”
“No, don't be sorry,” Ryou said, covering Bakura's hand with his own. “Don't apologize.”
“Why didn't you tell me you were not feeling well?”
“I didn't want to worry you.”
Bakura sighed. “Tell me next time. I was worried sick about you.”
“I know you had to speak to Aten and look for the scroll to reverse the spell. If I had told you what was going on, you would not have gone.” Ryou smiled. “You had to do what you had to do, yami.”
“I love you so much, Ryou. Have you been feeling this for a while?”
Ryou nodded. “I've been blocking a lot of it so you don't need to feel it, too.”
“Baby….it takes a lot of energy to block. You need to conserve your strength.”
Ryou smiled and reached for Bakura's cheek. He cupped it lovingly in his hand. “I love you so much, yami. I don't know what I'd do without you.”
“Ryou, I….you have taught me so much, more than my other hikaris ever have. I've never loved any of them….except you.”
Ryou smiled at him, a tear falling down his face. “There will be others. I won't be the last.”
Bakura felt tears creeping down his face as he leaned over and hugged Ryou. “Don't leave me, Ry. Please. I love you.” Bakura held Ryou's hand to his heart. “This heartbeat is fake, Ry. It lives only for you. My love for you is real…and I do not wish to live my life…if you are not a part of it.”
“Come here, baby,” Ryou said, opening his arms to Bakura.
Bakura placed his head on Ryou's chest as Ryou caressed Bakura's hair. Bakura felt Ryou's gentle caress brush across his ear. The yami closed his eyes as the tender touch calmed him.
Bakura took a deep, content breath as his husband kissed the top of his head.
“I love you, Bakura Osiris Itemri.”
“I will never let you go, Ryou Thomas Bakura.”
Even in death, we will not be apart, my love. I promise.
*********************************
Aria was walking back to her room from the Nursery when she saw several doctors walking with a body bag on a stretcher. Behind the stretcher walked a somber Aten covered in blood.
“Aten?”
Aria looked down at the stretcher. Aria saw Miranda and Daniel walking behind Aten.
“Miranda, what happened?”
“Somebody killed our boy, Aria,” Miranda cried quietly. “Robbie's dead.”
Aria gasped as she saw someone else on another stretcher. Umi was unconscious on a stretcher. “Wait! That's my husband!”
“We have to get him into surgery, miss!”
Aria covered her mouth as she saw blood seeping from Umi's shoulder. “What happened to Umi?”
Aten grabbed Aria as tears came down his face. “He was running Heaven away from Eric! Eric shot him!”
Rhett was in Daniel's arms, crying. He was shaking and reached out for his mother when he saw her. Kai threw himself at her, wrapping his arms around Aria's legs.
“I don't want daddy to die!” Kai sobbed.
Heaven was crying in Miranda's arms. Heaven's dress was spotted with Umi's blood.
“Eric shot them?!”
Aten nodded. “Yes! That's what Robbie said before he died.”
“I have to follow him! Come on, Aten!”
Aria and Aten followed Umi towards the Emergency Room lounge. There they saw Malik and Marik sitting in chairs.
“What are you doing here?” Malik asked as he stood up.
Marik saw Miranda holding Heaven, blood on the baby's clothing. He walked up to her slowly as the smell of death covered Miranda and Aten. “Miranda, what happened?”
Miranda opened her mouth and looked down. She shook her head slowly. “Robbie is dead.” Daniel put his arm around Miranda's shoulder.
“What?” Marik asked in disbelief.
Daniel looked the Egyptian in the eye. “My son is dead, my only son.”
Marik and Malik's eyes widened. Malik approached Aten. “Aten, what happened?”
Malik watched as Aten's hair drop. The yami teen began to fall, but Malik and Marik grabbed his arms before he could fall. The two Egyptians helped Aten to a chair. The teen buried his face in his hands, sobbing.
Marik kneeled in front of Aten as Malik stepped aside. “Aten Bakari?” The teen continued to cry. Aten reached out for his father and much to Marik's surprise, cried with his head on his shoulder.
Marik reached out and hugged Aten. “It's okay, son. It's going to be okay. I promise.”
“Robbie is dead….I loved him, daddy.”
“I know, baby boy. I know.”
Daniel lead Miranda to a chair. Malik grabbed a cup of water and sat beside her.
Miranda shook her head when Malik offered her a drink.
“Eric shot him. Robbie's dead, daddy.”
Marik caressed Aten's white and blond hair. “I'm sorry, Aten.”
“Umi was shot, too,” Aria said sadly. “He got shot because of me.”
“What do you mean?” Malik asked.
“I told him something that upset him…and he left.”
“I'm sure it wasn't because of you,” Marik said. “Was he injured badly?”
Aria shrugged. “He didn't look good when I saw him.”
“He was shot in the shoulder when he got into the house. It looked like the bullet passed through him.”
Aten sniffled. “Robbie got shot point-blank.”
Aria walked up to her brother and looked him in his eyes. “I'm sorry, Aten. Really, I am.”
Aten reached out and hugged his sister, his body trembling. “I can't believe he's gone.” Tears rained down Aten's cheek. “I am immortal now. I won't be able to join him in death.”
Daniel nodded and looked down solemnly. Miranda placed her head on her husband's shoulder and cried.
Bakura looked over at Aten and stepped over to him. He looked down at Aten with compassion. “I am truly sorry.”
Aten lowered his head and nodded.
Marik stood up and walked over to Daniel. “I wish I can find the words…”
Daniel looked up at the blond yami. “My son was just killed in cold blood. There's nothing that can be said.”
Marik looked down at the blood-stained baby girl snuggled against Miranda's chest. That was all that was left of Robbie.
Miranda stood up and went to the reception desk. “May I see my son one last time?”
Aten, Miranda and Daniel were lead to a room where Robbie's body was placed before being sent to the morgue.
Dr. Peters unzipped the black body bag, revealing Robbie's corpse.
Miranda stood beside Robbie and caressed his curly hair. “Sleep well, my little angel.” Miranda leaned over and kissed Robbie's cool cheek. Miranda looked at the inert face of her son, his eyes closed, his mouth closed, a sign of peace on his face. “Sleep well, baby. May angels carry you to your rest. Your mommy will always love you,” Miranda sniffled as a tear coursed down her cheek. Miranda looked at Robbie and wiped her eye dry. “We promise to take care of Heaven for you. Love you, baby boy.” Miranda gave Robbie's cheek a tender kiss and stood beside her husband.
“You're so brave to save the life of that little baby, Robert,” Daniel said. “You gave your life for her.” Daniel looked down at Heaven. The baby was looking at Robbie. She moved her hand towards Robbie as Daniel stepped towards his son. Daniel sat Heaven beside his son. The baby looked at Robbie as she reached out and touched him. The baby girl looked up at Daniel and back at Robbie.
“I'll take her back to the others,” Miranda said, gathering the infant in her arms.
“Can you send Marik in here?” Daniel asked.
Miranda nodded. “Alright.”
Aten stepped beside Robbie, tears coming down his eyes. “I should have been with you, Robbie. I'm sorry.” Aten reached out and touched Robbie's forehead gently. “I love you so much, Robbie. I….I have to face an eternity without you. I…I don't think I can.” Aten kissed Robbie's forehead. “I want to die.” Aten turned his sad face towards Daniel. “I loved him. I don't want to live without him.”
Daniel sighed as he put his hand on Aten's shoulder. “I'm sorry, son.”
“Robbie….” Aten whimpered as he began to cry, his tears dripping onto Robbie's face. “I love you. Gods, I love you so much.”
Marik slowly walked in the room and saw his son crying on Robbie. Daniel had a consolatory hand on Aten's shoulder. Marik walked up to his son.
“Aten Bakari?”
Aten stood up and turned around. He pulled his father against him and continued to cry. “Robbie's dead, father….”
Marik held his son and looked down at the dead boy. “I know, son. I know.”
Aten looked down at Robbie's lifeless body as his chest began to tighten. His muscles began to tense.
//THERE'S HELL TO PAY NOW! LET ME OUT!//
/Let me say goodbye one more time./
//Very well. Then I get to do the same. Hurry up.//
Aten released his father and turned back to Robbie. “I will love you forever, Robbie.”
Aten turned and left the room after a final kiss on Robbie's pale, cold lips. Marik watched Aten slowly leave the room.
When Aten left, Daniel lowered his head. He wrapped his arm around Robbie's head. Marik saw the soldier's back rise up and down quickly. Daniel was sobbing over his son.
“My boy…..My little soldier….”
Marik put a hand on Daniel's shoulder. “Daniel, I'm very sorry.”
Daniel shook his head. “You have no idea, Marik,” the man sobbed. “I've buried four children now. I lost all of them. I thought Robbie would live,” Daniel said through a cracking voice. “I thought he would live.”
Marik looked down at the sobbing man as he held his son in his arms. He had never seen Daniel show such emotion, but Marik could feel the sorrow coming from the father. Daniel was right-Marik only buried Aten, but was able to bring him back from the Land of the Dead. Daniel didn't have that capability…and he lost four children.
“He was so brave, Marik. He saved Heaven's life…and Umi's. My boy saved two lives by sacrificing his own. He truly was my brave little soldier.”
Marik nodded. “Robbie was a very brave soul. He will stand before Osiris and he will cross into Paradise.”
“I love you, Robert Allen. May you see the face of God, all your sorrow and all your pain only a memory.” Daniel kissed Robbie's forehead. “Peaceful slumber, Robbie.”
Daniel walked out of the room, holding the wall as he walked.
Marik looked down at Robbie and lifted the white sheet covering Robbie's wound. Marik could see the bullet entry wound. Dried blood clotted around the injury just above Robbie's belly button. Marik saw a clipboard hanging at the foot of the stretcher. Marik stepped to the foot of the bed and looked at the coroner's report.
Robert Allen Morgan. 19-year-old male. Date of birth: August 14th, 2004. Cause of Death: Murder Victim/Massive Internal Bleeding caused by .45 pistol to the upper abdomen. Massive internal organ damage. Exit wound near spine. Bullet not recovered.
Marik looked down at Robbie. “Robert, you were a good husband to my son. Thank you for caring for him.” Robbie laid on the stretcher unresponsive. “You may have died in the street, but at least Aten was with you at the end.”
Marik turned his head as he saw someone beside him: Yami Aten. “I'm sorry.”
Yami Aten stood beside Robbie and placed his hand over Robbie's chest. “He understood me. He was the only one who did.”
“He loved you very much.”
“I was a filthy whore…and he loved me anyway.”
Marik shook his head. “You were not a whore. Your grandfather was a sick, twisted old bastard.”
Yami Aten lowered his head. “I……”
“Say it.”
Yami Aten clenched his fists, his spiky hair flared. “I loved him.”
Marik covered Yami Aten's hand with his own. “I'm proud of you.”
Yami Aten bit his lip, a trickle of blood falling from his lips. “Now I am immortal. I will never join Robbie in the Underworld.” The yami began to tremble. “I…I can't be without him.”
“Aten….”
“I will get revenge! I will not rest until those responsible for your death pay in kind! Blood for blood, Robert. Your death shall not have been in vain.”
“Aten, wait!” Marik reached for Aten, but the yami dashed from the room, fury plain on his face.
**************************
Aria followed the nurse to Umi's bed. Aria's mind wandered to Robbie. If it weren't for Robbie, Umi and Heaven probably would have been dead. She never would have had a chance to apologize to Umi. She would have to bury her own husband.
`I owe Robbie a lot,' she thought as she walked down the hall.
Aria sat by Umi's bedside and caressed Umi's cheek. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Umi's bandaged shoulder, the wrappings soaking up the blood from the wound.
“Umi? It's Aria.”
Umi weakly opened up his eyes. Aria could tell the teen was struggling against the tranquilizers and painkillers running through him. Umi was fighting to open his eyes and look at his wife.
Aria took his hand and kissed it. “Umi, thank the gods you are alive!”
Umi let out a whimper as he felt Aria's warm lips against his skin. Umi opened his lips to speak, but nothing came out.
“You saved Heaven's life, Umi. You're very brave.”
Umi looked into the brown eyes of his wife and a small smile crossed his lips. “Robbie? How is Robbie?”
Aria looked down sadly. “Robbie didn't make it, Umi. Robbie's dead.”
Umi looked away from Aria and she could feel Umi squeezing her hand. Aria looked up and saw Umi crying. Umi reached up weakly and covered his eyes with his hand. Aria saw the tears seeping between his closed fingers.
“He was…… my….. friend…” Umi sobbed tiredly.
“I know, sweetheart,” Aria said tenderly. “I know. I'm going to miss him.”
Aria reached out and hugged Umi. The weak teen hugged his wife with his uninjured arm.
“Aria….”
“I'm sorry for everything, Umi,” Aria sniffled.
Umi whimpered as his body ached. “Robbie…why?”
Aria kissed Umi's forehead. “He did a very brave thing, Umi. He gave us a second chance.”
Umi looked up at Aria with glistening eyes. “Eric was going to kill us…all three of us.”
A growl emanated from Aria as her canines sharpened. She released Umi's hand and her hair spiked angrily. “Eric killed Robbie.” Umi watched as Aria's eyes darkened. “He cannot be allowed to live!”
Yami Aria turned from Umi and ran from the room. As she stepped outside, she was knocked into by Yami Aten.
Brother and sister locked threatening gazes and sadistic smiles. “It's time for bloodshed,” the duo said before running down the hallway.
Malik and Miranda lifted their eyes quickly as the yami brother and sister burst out from the restricted area. Malik's eyes widened at the yami appearance of the two siblings.
“Aria? Aten?”
Yami Aria turned to Malik. “Don't get in our way.”
Yami Aten growled at Miranda. “I will return home after I get my pound of flesh!”
“Aten?” Miranda asked, holding Heaven in her arms. “What are you going to do?”
Yami Aten grinned. “Have a little fun with my Big Sister.”
“Bonding time with my Baby Brother,” Yami Aria added with sharp canines.
The siblings exchanged wicked smiles and dashed through the doors.
***************************
Yami Aten stopped where the concrete was still stained with Robbie's blood. Police tape had isolated the spot where Robbie had died. Investigators were combing the area. Yami Aria looked around, growling. The siblings stood in the shadows, careful not to let the police see them armed with their items.
“I don't see him.”
Yami Aten sniffed the air. “He took off. He's probably gone to see his brethren, the Crusaders.” Yami Aten clutched the Scepter of Ra in his hand tightly. “There won't be anything left of them when I get my hands on them.”
Yami Aria grabbed her Millennium Trident. “Do you think the rat fled home?”
Aten sniffed the air again. “I smell death here still. Let us go to Eric's home.”
Yami Aria lead her brother through the streets, careful to avoid the streetlights. Yami Aten growled as he kept his eyes sharp for anyone who may see them. Yami Aria stopped at an intersection and ran to the left.
“Do you know where you are going?”
“Yes! Don't break my concentration!”
Aria lead Aten to the Barnes residence. Yami Aten narrowed his eyes, scowling at the place. He turned to his yami sister. “You get the first strike.”
Yami Aria nodded and followed Yami Aten to the door.
“All right, I'm coming,” a woman's voice sounded from inside the door.
Yami Aten knocked on the door and stepped beside his sister. His low, threatening growl sounded in his throat as he heard footsteps approaching the door.
The doorlocks began to unlock as Yami Aria tightened her grip on her Trident. Mrs. Barnes opened the door and saw Aria and Aten standing there.
“Fucking bitch!” Yami Aria growled as she pierced her Millennium Trident through Mrs. Barnes stomach. The woman's eyes widened as she stared in amazement.
“Hold her still, Ari!” Yami Aten gripped his Scepter of Ra and slammed it into the top of Mrs. Barnes head. The woman's eyeballs burst from their sockets with the force of Yami Aten's blow. Yami Aria placed her foot on Mrs. Barnes stomach and pushed her off of the Trident. The woman's body fell backwards as blood trickled down the Trident. Yami Aten stepped inside and glared down at the body of his nemesis' mother. “Gut it.”
Aria stepped beside her brother and stabbed the woman at an angle. Yami Aria pulled upwards, disemboweling the dead woman.
Yami Aten slammed the Scepter of Ra against the woman's face, sickening crunching squishing sounding under each strike as he pulverized the woman's face, making her face unrecognizable.
Yami Aria grinned as she leaned down and rubbed off some blood from the woman's entrails. She licked her finger seductively. “Oh yes….long have I waited for this.”
Yami Aten scowled at the disemboweled and disfigured woman. He felt his pants becoming constricting as he smiled at his work. Yami Aria pooled some of the blood in her hands. She stood up and turned to her brother.
“My peace offering to you, Yami Aten.”
Yami Aten looked at the blood in his yami sister's hand and kneeled before her. “I accept your offering, Beloved Sister.”
Yami Aten lifted his head as Aria poured the blood into her brother's mouth. Yami Aten licked his sister's fingertips clean. The teen yami looked down at his victim coldly.
“We need to find her son and show him no mercy.”
Yami Aten stood up and touched the front of his pants. “He is going to suffer and I'm going to make sure he lives through his suffering.”
Yami Aria ran upstairs as Aten checked downstairs. Eric was not home.
“He's with the Crusaders.”
Yami Aten grinned. “Time for Mass Slaughter, my Beloved Sister.”
Yami Aria smiled. “Exactly…and we know where they congregate, don't we?”
Yami Aten smiled, blood coming down his cheek, the red jewel on the Scepter of Ra crimson with bloodshed. “Domino Park.”
*********************
Eric stood in front of the Crusaders, the group of men and women were cheering Eric.
“One less faggot in the world! Robbie Morgan is dead and I killed him myself!” The crowd clapped and cheered. “You should have seen him! His blood flowed freely out of his black heart! Robbie is dead! My father, Rhonda, and my sons have been avenged!”
Yami Aria stepped into the clearing, catching Eric's attention.
“Well, if it isn't little Aria! Are you here to cry because of Robbie's death?”
Yami Aria smiled. “Not exactly, Eric. I came to inform you that your mother has suffered an…unfortunate accident.” Aria opened her hand and showed it was covered in red.
“What?! Aria, what did you do to my mother?”
“What you did to Robbie. I showed her no mercy…but…I wasn't alone. Akh!”
Yami Aten stood by his sister as Eric's face drained of color. The other Crusaders looked with horror on Aten's dead appearance.
“I believe you know my Akh, my brother, Eric.”
Yami Aten snarled. “How dare you shed Robbie's blood!”
Purple haze surrounded the camp, sending people into a panic. Yami Aria smiled as people screamed in fear.
Aria opened her hand and threw a ball of dark energy, frying the skins off of the Crusaders. Their blood poured onto the ground, their flesh began to char. Their cries of triumph were instantly replaced with cries of agony.
Eric tried to run, but the purple haze kept him trapped within the glade. “Help!”
Yami Aten walked to Eric and grabbed the back of his shirt. He turned to his sister with fury. “The first strike is mine!”
Yami Aria nodded and smiled as Yami Aten threw Eric to the ground on his stomach. Eric tried to stand, but he felt secured to the ground. An invisible force was holding him on his stomach, spread-eagle on the ground.
Yami Aten tore Eric's shirt off. “Aria, sikeena.”
Aria reached into her boot and grabbed a knife. She calmly walked the blade over to her yami brother and kneeled. “Consider this revenge for you raping me!” as she glared down at Eric.
Yami Aten made a little incision at the base of Eric's neck. “Fillet knife, Aria. Good choice.”
Yami Aria grinned as she looked into Eric's terrified eyes. “You'll make a good fish.”
Eric screamed as he felt Aten slowly slicing the flesh off of Eric's back. The teen screamed in pain as Yami Aten skinned a strip of flesh from his neck to the base of his spine.
“Stop! Please!” Eric cried.
Yami Aten grabbed Eric's head roughly and tugged, tearing a handful of hair off of his victim. “You shut the fuck up! Aria, remove his pants for me.”
Eric screamed louder as Yami Aten began to slice more flesh slowly from his back. Yami Aria removed Eric's pants and saw the teen's manhood laying against the grass between his legs. “Aten, don't forget we need to take that, too.”
Yami Aten grinned as he looked down at his sister. “You played with your victims before you let them die! You made my Robbie SUFFER!” Aten punched Eric in the back hard, making the teen gasp for air. Aria looked down with disgust at Eric's penis.
Yami Aten handed the fillet knife to Aria. “Use your magic to keep him alive. I don't want his heart to stop from fear.” Yami Aten finished cutting a second strip of flesh from Eric. “Bleed for me, Eric, like a good little boy. Nothing pleases me more than your screams of pain. I can't see your face well enough.” Yami Aten turned Eric on his back and smiled, seeing the red face of pain, terror, and anguish on his bully's face. Yami Aten growled at Aria. “Cut him!”
Yami Aria cut across Eric's chest as the Millennium Trident glowed. Eric's eyes began to glaze as blood came from his mouth.
He leaned over, grabbed Eric's hair and pulled back. With a quick slice, he sliced Eric's throat, making the teen gurgle.
Eric's eyes widened as he felt blood pouring from the wounds on his throat and chest. Blood flowed freely from him, but he did not feel death approaching.
Yami Aten growled. “You did not let your victims die until you were done having fun with them. Well, now is your turn!”
Eric gasped uselessly for breath through the gap in his throat. The teen struggled, his severed windpipe whistling with every failed breath.
Yami Aten smiled enjoying watching the teen whimper and suffer.
Yami Aria stabbed Eric where he had shot Robbie. She pulled down and watched as Eric's intestines began to slip free from Eric's body.
Yami Aten turned to his sister. “You have the honors of taking care of that.”
Yami Aria chuckled as she smiled at her brother. “Are you sure you would not like to take that, my brother?”
“It is your right. Do with it as you will.”
Aria grabbed the head of Eric's manhood and sliced it down the middle. Eric's gurgling cry echoed. With a slow motion, she cut it off at the base.
Eric's gurgled scream echoed as Yami Aten smiled.
“I can feel his heart stopping,” Yami Aten said with a smile. Yami Aten moaned as he watched the pain and suffering on his victim's face. “He wants to die. I can feel his fear.”
Yami Aria smiled, licking her lips. She leaned down and kissed Eric on the lips tenderly, tasting the blood.
“Enjoy your death, Eric.”
Yami Aria's Millennium Trident stopped glowing and Eric's body began to convulse violently.
Yami Aten watched as Eric's gasping suddenly. “His heart stopped.”
Yami Aten and Yami Aria looked down at the teen with a slit throat, disemboweled abdomen, and a sliced chest cavity. Blood pooled under Eric as his eyes stared at the sky in horror.
Yami Aten stared at his victim, standing beside his sister. “He will never know Eternal Rest.” The smile faded from Yami Aten's face as he looked sadly down at Eric. “Robbie…he will rest peacefully.”
Yami Aria nodded. “He will know eternal happiness. Do you know why?”
Yami Aten turned his dark eyes towards his sister. “Why would that be, sister?”
“Because you held him in his last moments of life.” Yami Aria looked at her yami brother. “It's over now, Aten. All of it.”
Yami Aten nodded slowly. “For now.”
Aten turned and began walking towards the Morgan home. Yami Aria reached into Eric and took another handful of blood and drank it with great thirst. She needed to satiate her bloodlust…and she knew where to go.
***********************
Seto Kaiba looked up from his book as Joey stared into the fire. He took a sip of his coffee and returned to his book.
“I never thought we'd be able to do this again, Seto,” Joey said quietly.
Seto looked up from his book again. “Do what again?”
“This. You and I being together again. It was all due to Aten's sacrifice.”
Seto sighed. “If it wasn't for Aten, no, we wouldn't have been able to do this.”
“I wonder how long I would have lived if Aten hadn't died.”
“Probably not much longer.”
Joey nodded his head. “You're right.”
“I'm surprised you're not painting on your first night home. I know you've been itching to get to your paintings.”
“I can paint tomorrow when you're working just like the good old days.”
Seto nodded. “Robbie will be back to work in a few days, so I'll be happy for the extra help.”
The phone rang beside Seto. Seto closed his book and took a sip of his coffee. He picked up the receiver.
“Hello, Seto Kaiba.”
[This is Daniel. Seto…I want to inform you that Robbie will not be reporting for work.]
“Oh? Is he sick?”
[No. He's dead, Seto.]
Seto's jaw dropped and his grip on the phone weakened. He lowered his head and put the phone to his chest. Joey watched Seto's shoulders sag and his head shake sadly.
“What's wrong, baby?”
Seto looked up at Joey. “Robbie is dead.”
“What?!” Joey exclaimed in shock.
Seto put the receiver to his ear. “Daniel, what happened?”
[My son…He was murdered, Seto. He was shot. We were just in there to see his body.]
“Daniel, I—I'm so sorry for your loss.”
[Apparently, Eric Barnes shot him. He was going to shoot Umi and Heaven, but Robbie was trying to wrestle the gun from Eric when he was shot in the stomach. He was pronounced dead at the scene. They tried to revive him at the hospital, but--.] Daniel's voice began to crack. Seto heard the man take a deep breath. [We will inform you of the funeral arrangements, if you would like.]
“Yes, please let me know. Joey and I will be there.”
[I will let you go, Seto. I have many things to attend to.]
“Understandably. I offer my condolences again.”
Seto hung up the phone and covered his mouth with his hand. “Robbie…”
“What happened, Seto? How did he die?”
“Eric was going to shoot Umi and Heaven, but Robbie tried to take the gun away from Eric. Robbie was shot in the stomach. He was pronounced dead at the scene. They couldn't do anything for him in the hospital.”
Joey sighed sadly and looked into the fire. “He was just a boy.”
Seto nodded. “I know. He was young. I wonder how Aten is going to take it.”
Joey looked over at Seto with a raised eyebrow. “What?”
“Marik resurrected Aten and I'm sure there's gonna be hell to pay.”
********************
Yami Aten walked into the Morgan home where Miranda had retreated to her room. Daniel was sitting on the couch talking on the phone. Daniel's eyes looked up at the blood-covered yami and his eyes widened. “What happened to you?!”
“I got revenge for Robbie's death. Eric will never know Eternal Rest. He died very….very…painfully.”
Daniel swallowed nervously. “Aten, what color do you want Robbie's casket?”
Yami Aten blinked slowly. “White. Cost is not a question. Gold handles and trim. And I wish to inscribe something on the casket.”
“I don't know if they will let you--.”
“I don't care what they will or will not let me do! I'm doing it! End of Discussion, Daniel.”
Daniel nodded quickly. “Okay, okay. White with gold handles it is!”
Yami Aten walked slowly up the stairs as he listened to Daniel give the description of the casket to the person on the phone. He could hear Miranda crying in her bedroom.
“Robbie…”
Yami Aten entered the baby's room and looked down at the sleeping infant. He reached down and touched her face kindly. “Now you have nobody, little one.” Yami Aten put his head on the child's forehead tenderly. “Robbie gave his life for you. May you never suffer the fate which I have suffered.” He watched the little baby girl sleep soundly. “Sleep well, little one. Soon you will see your daddy again.”
Yami Aten turned and left the nursery slowly. He entered Robbie's room and switched on the light. Robbie's cane had returned to its original place beside the bed. Robbie's bed as neatly made. Yami Aten looked at the pictures on the dresser. Aten and Robbie as children playing in the sand. Yami Aten reached for Robbie's wedding picture.
Robbie was sitting in a chair wearing a white tuxedo. He had requested that the picture not show his feet, so the picture was framed from his ankles and above. Aten stood behind Robbie, his hands on Robbie's shoulder. Yami Aten looked at his happy smile. Around the frame was the Inscription: Wedding Memories Robbie & Aten Ishtar Morgan.
Yami Aten looked at the white candle on the dresser. “It's not black, but it will do for now.” Yami Aten glared at the candle and the wick began to smoke. Slowly a little flame formed on the end.
Yami Aten heard Miranda in the other room crying. He narrowed his eyes and put the picture on the dresser. He slowly exited the room, the Scepter of Ra in his hand. He knocked on Miranda's bedroom door.
“Who is it?”
“Yami Aten Ishtar.”
Miranda sniffled and unlocked the door. She opened it slowly. She looked into the dark eyes of the yami. “Yes?”
“May I…come in?”
Miranda stepped aside and let Yami Aten enter. Yami Aten sat on her bed, looking at Robbie's baby pictures she had placed on the bed. “I can get them out of your way.”
“No. Leave them.”
Miranda nodded slowly. “I'm going to miss him, Aten. But I know he was a very special part of your life.”
Yami Aten nodded. “He will be so forever. His murderer will never know rest, Miranda. Robbie has been granted sleep eternal.”
“He's with his sisters and brother now. I'm sure he's happy.”
“I don't need to go to the Underworld to see that he is.”
Miranda looked at Yami Aten. “You can go to the Underworld?”
Aten nodded. “Yes. My father and Father Bakura have been to the Land of Osiris, the Land of the Dead. No mortals may cross. Mortals may never leave.”
“Oh, I see,” Miranda said sadly. “Why did you come here?”
“Because I can feel pain. I can feel your anguish.” The yami blinked slowly and looked at Miranda with completely black eyes. “It feeds me.”
Miranda looked at the pictures on the bed. “He was such a handsome baby. I didn't care about his foot. I thought he was the most beautiful baby boy and I felt…honored to be his mother. Now that I know that he sacrificed his life for Umi and Heaven, I feel even more blessed.”
Yami Aten looked at a picture of Robbie in the bath when he was a toddler. “Robbie accepted me for who I was. He cared about me. He didn't use me for his personal profit or pleasure.”
“Robbie never stopped talking about you. When you met him that first day of school, he kept talking about how much fun you were to play with. When you married him, he was so nervous. He didn't know how to express how much he really loved you. He told me words couldn't adequately express how he felt about you. He loved you beyond words, Yami Aten. That is a love that is very rare.”
Yami Aten lowered his head. “I know. There is so much evil in this world. People like Eric are like viruses, killing off the innocents. People like my grandfather….” Yami Aten suddenly stopped, his fists clenched in rage. “People like my grandfather deserve to die. They cannot be allowed to live.”
Miranda looked over at Aten. “The police will bring Eric to justice.”
“There's no need for that. My sister and I dispensed justice on him.”
Miranda raised an eyebrow. “What did you do?”
A twisted smile formed on Aten's lips. “My sister and I disemboweled him, slit his throat and filleted him alive like a fish.”
“Aten, that's--.”
“Just what he deserved…and more. There are more Crusaders out there ready to be burned.”
“Is that what Robbie would want you to do?”
Yami Aten glared. “Robbie is dead. It may not be what he would have wanted, but justice had to be done. I must be going.”
“Where are you going?”
Yami Aten stood up as purple haze filled the room. “The Land of Shadows.”
*************************
Isis and Odion looked at the scroll on the table. Bakura was rubbing his chest as he leaned over the parchment. He drew in a sharp breath as Isis looked at him.
“You're feeling it, aren't you?”
Bakura nodded silently as he looked at Isis, his face covered in sweat. “Yes.”
“You know what that is.”
Bakura nodded. “My husband…Ryou doesn't have much longer.”
Marik entered the room and saw his partner looking at an ancient scripture. “What is this?”
Bakura turned his head. “Ishtar, I found it. I found the scroll to turn yamis mortal.”
Marik swallowed hard. “Where did you find it?”
“Cairo Museum. It was well hidden.”
“Is this the scroll?”
Bakura coughed as he nodded. “Yes. Isis can read it.”
Marik stood beside Bakura and looked down. “I can't read it.”
“It is written in a different tongue, Ishtar. You won't be able,” Bakura said, still rubbing his chest.
Marik looked down at him. “Ryou?”
Bakura nodded. “Ishtar, I didn't expect this to happen so quickly.”
“Honestly, me neither.”
Bakura shook his head. “I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know what I can do.”
Marik stepped behind Bakura and wrapped his arms around his lover. He could feel Bakura's false heartbeat beating unsteadily. Marik reached up and rubbed Bakura's chest, making the yami whimper with relief. “That feels good, Ishtar.”
Marik rested his cheek against Bakura's back with a satisfied sigh. “'Kura….”
The white-haired yami turned his head as he kissed the blond's head. “Marik.”
“This is the scroll,” Isis said. “I am certain.”
Marik sighed. “Do we have to turn Aten mortal just yet?”
“I'm sure Aten wants to be with Robbie, Ishtar. Why prolong Aten's suffering?”
“I just need to speak to Aten one more time.”
Bakura nodded. “Alright. He should be at the Morgans.”
“Alright. I'll take Malik with me. We'll check on Miranda and Daniel.”
Isis looked at Marik. “Aten is not there, but Miranda could use some consolation.”
“Consider it done,” Marik said.
Marik left the kitchen as Bakura took a quick seat.
Bakura leaned over and put his head on the table, his body beginning to shiver. “This is happening too fast. Why?”
“Ryou weeps at the loss of his son. Ryou is weakened by the poison. There is only so long that medicine can keep the body alive after such toxicity.”
“I was not ready for this so soon.”
Isis nodded. “It hurts, Ryou's death?”
Bakura lowered his head as he grit his teeth. He fought back tears, not wanting them to stain the scroll. “I don't want Ryou to die. I'm not ready to lose him yet.”
Isis reached out and touched Bakura's head. “I am truly sorry, Bakura. There is not much time.”
“I can give my Lifeforce to him…I can give more of myself to him.”
“There is only so much you can give him, Bakura,” Isis said.
Bakura shook his head slowly. “I don't want to live without Ryou.” Bakura lifted his head as he looked at Isis. His bottom lip trembled as he stood on his feet. “I have a difficult decision to make.” Bakura looked up at Isis. “Am I selfish for wanting Ryou to live with me forever?”
“You love him, do you not? You have seen the decision Marik has made for Aten. Aten is not enjoying his father's choice.”
Bakura closed his eyes as a wave of pain flooded through his chest. The room began to spin around him. “I have made my decision.”
************************
Marik and Malik walked inside the Morgan home as Daniel opened the door. Marik sniffed as he looked up the stairs. “I sense the Shadow Realm. Yami Aten may not be here anymore.”
“You find Miranda,” Malik said. “I'll stay here with Danny.”
“She's upstairs, Marik.”
Marik slowly walked up the stairs. He saw Robbie and Aten's old room. The door was open. He looked inside and saw a white candle burning. The room the boys shared looked clean and tidy. He could see Robbie's KaibaCorp pass laying on the desk.
“Yami Aten?” Marik asked.
Marik turned to Miranda's room and knocked. “Miranda? It's Marik.”
Miranda opened the door slowly. “Marik, what are you doing here?”
“I came to find my son. Bakura found the scroll to turn him mortal.”
Miranda stepped aside. “Please come in.”
Marik slowly crossed the threshold as Miranda shut the door quietly behind him. “I'm sorry about Robbie's death.”
Miranda nodded. “I thought I would be used to this. Burying three children and now burying a fourth, I should be used to this by now.”
Marik sighed as he watched Miranda sit on the bed. “You never get used to losing people you care about.”
“Daniel is downstairs making funeral arrangements and…I can't bring myself to think about what kind of flowers I want around his casket.”
Marik sat beside Miranda and took her hand. “This is difficult, I know.”
Miranda looked up at Marik. “I can't believe my Robbie is dead, Marik. He sacrificed himself for his daughter and Umi.”
Marik reached over and cupped Miranda's cheek his hand. “I am sorry.”
Marik leaned over and kissed Miranda tenderly. The woman closed her eyes slowly as Marik moaned into the kiss. Miranda shifted closer to Marik as she deepened the kiss.
The blond yami kissed Miranda's jaw and down the side of her neck lovingly. Miranda held Marik against her as he lightly peppered her neck with kisses.
“Marik….”
Marik rubbed Miranda's hip. “You remind me of Amunet, my first wife.”
“How so?”
Marik pulled back and caressed her cheek. “She was beautiful like you. Just the way you move, it reminds me of her. You have no idea how much I've wanted to kiss you like that.”
Miranda chuckled. “For about as long as our boys knew each other, fifteen years at least.”
Marik chuckled. “Then I guess we may as well make the wait worth it.”
Miranda smiled. “Possibly.”
“Have you seen Aten?”
Miranda nodded. “He mentioned something about the Land of Shadows and he disappeared.”
Marik sighed. “I'm going to have to turn him mortal. He will have to die a second time.”
“Why?”
“I should have let him rest, Miranda. He has some terrible plans and I know if I do not do this, the entire world will be in jeopardy.”
Miranda lowered her head. “At least Robbie and Aten will be together again.”
“I know.” Marik leaned over and kissed Miranda again. “You are so beautiful, Miranda. I wanted you to hear it. I do care about you and I hope we will still speak.”
Miranda smiled as she caressed Marik's cheek. “I couldn't imagine you and Bakura, Malik and Ryou being out of our lives. Heaven is your granddaughter for all purposes.”
Marik smiled. “Yes, I guess she is.”
“Go to Aten, Marik. I hope you two can work this out.”
“My son, yes, you can negotiate with. Yami Aten does not negotiate.”
Miranda reached up and caressed Marik's cheek gently. “You are strong.” She smiled at him tenderly. “I'm glad we're friends, Marik.”
Marik kissed the back of her hand. “The feeling is mutual. I should go before it is too late.”
***********************
Marik waited in the Shadow Realm nervously. He saw the group of monsters in the distance, growling and snarling. Their rage had increased by leaps and bounds. The dragons were furiously blowing fire out of their mouths. The Nightmare Dragon spread its wings and roared.
Marik saw a portal open nearby. Bakura and Ryou stepped through the vortex. The blond yami ran to Bakura. “Hey! Why did you bring him here? He's not up for this!”
“I owe it to my son to be here,” Ryou said as he held Bakura's hand.
Marik looked at his pale partner. “'Kura, you don't look so good.”
Bakura held Ryou's hand tighter. “Let's finish this, Marik.”
Marik took a deep breath and nodded. “Was the scroll the right spell?”
Bakura nodded. “Yes. We don't have much time.”
Bakura and Marik lead Ryou towards the group of snarling beasts, the chill of the Shadow Realm making Bakura shiver.
Ryou looked at his yami and noticed the yami trembling. “Are you cold, Bakura?”
“I never noticed it being this cold here.”
“Do you need to get a jacket?”
Bakura shook his head. “No, we have a job to do,” Bakura said, his hand rubbing the side of his hip.
“Itemri, are you alright?”
“Yes, I'm fine. Let's just do this.”
Yami Aten stood at the front of his army, the Scepter of Ra in his hand.
“Aten, are you still determined to go through with this?”
Yami Aten narrowed his eyes. “I took the life of Robbie's murderer, but there is so much more pain out there, so much hurt. I can end the misery of the world.”
“Aten, Eric is dead. Robbie is at peace! Don't do this!”
Yami Aten pointed the Scepter at the Castle of Dark Illusions. “HE IS IN THERE AS WE SPEAK! That world through that portal killed my Robbie and he created THAT in that castle!”
Ryou stepped forward towards Aten. “The world did not just do bad things to you, Aten. You know that.”
Yami Aten stood glaring at his mother. “That world will hurt Heaven. I can stop that before it begins.”
“She's strong, Aten. She's made it this far. The doctors didn't expect her to live through the withdrawals. She won't be able to walk without a prosthesis, but she is still alive and happy.”
Yami Aten held the Scepter towards Ryou. The jewel glowed crimson as Aten growled. “Keep your distance, mother!”
Bakura took a step towards Ryou to protect his Light. He put his hands on Ryou's arms as Yami Aten grabbed his head and began to growl in pain.
“Stop……you little runt!” Yami Aten snarled, his canines sharp.
Marik stepped beside Ryou and watched Yami Aten stagger on his feet. “Son?”
“Mother! Father! Run!” Aten called in his old, urgent voice.
Yami Aten glared at Marik and Ryou and a ball of dark energy flew from Yami Aten's hand. Marik and Bakura pulled Ryou down to the ground to avoid the shot.
“Aten, what has gotten into you?!” Ryou asked.
“It's not me!” Aten called.
Yami Aten raced towards his mother, raising the Scepter of Ra. Bakura grabbed Ryou and rolled Ryou on top of him as the Scepter crashed onto the ground where Ryou had laid.
“Aten Bakari, stop this!” Yami Marik threatened.
“I'd like to see you try and stop me, daddy dearest!” Yami Aten glared as he held the Scepter of Ra.
Yami Marik stood up, the Millennium Rod clutched tightly in his hand. “You want to fight your own father?”
“Daddy, don't make me fight you……You're not match for me, old man!”
Marik heard Aten's voice beneath his yamis. “We'll see about that, Yami Aten.”
Yami Aten swung the Scepter towards Marik's head, but the yami blocked it with the Rod. Yami Aten kicked Marik in the stomach as he felt a pair of hands on him.
“Aten, please don't do this!” Ryou pleaded.
“Get off of me!” Yami Aten growled as he slapped his mother across the face violently. Ryou fell to the ground, holding his cheek. Ryou laid trembling on the ground.
Yami Aten stared at Ryou with a smile.
Yami Aten's smile quickly faded. “Mother?”
Yami Marik took the Millennium Rod and slammed it against Yami Aten's back. “You bastard!” Yami Aten fell forward, holding his back.
Bakura rushed to Ryou's side and looked up at Marik. “We have to do the spell.”
“Aten's still in there! I can't kill my son!”
Bakura removed the dagger from his jeans and handed it to Marik. “You have to!”
Yami Aten rolled over and kicked Marik in the knee, knocking the yami off his balance.
Yami Aten jumped to his feet and grinned at the dagger in Marik's hand. He chuckled, licking his lips. “Are you going to kill me? You wouldn't dare kill your own flesh and blood, Father.”
Marik looked down at Ryou, who began to sit up slowly. “Ry?”
Ryou looked up at Yami Aten. “That's not my son.”
Yami Aten grinned. “Why don't you give that knife to him? If he brought Aten into the world, it should be up to his mother to kill him.”
“Marik, you can't kill him!”
“Ryou, he has no choice!” Bakura said, standing on his feet.
Yami Aten grinned at his father. “My first victim will be your beloved hikari.”
Yami Marik growled. “Why would you want to kill Malik?”
“He is not as innocent as he seems.”
“You touch a hair on Malik and I will see your body parts scattered through the planet.”
“Don't make me hurt Malik, father!” Aten pleaded. “He didn't know what he was doing!”
Yami Aten smiled. “If Father Bakura turns you human instead, I will not think twice about slicing you into many tiny, unrecognizable pieces.”
“Please, Father! Don't let him do that!” Aten grabbed his shirt and pulled roughly, exposing his scarred chest . “Please, Father!”
Marik's hand trembled as he held the Millennium Rod in his hand.
Bakura unfurled the scroll.
“Gods of Death, Gods of Life,
Grant Mortality and End his Strife.
Relinquish eternity so that we must
Turn Ashes to Ashes, and Dust to Dust.”
Yami Aten turned and growled. “Give me that scroll!”
“Bakura!” Ryou screamed as he sat in front of his yami. “No, Yami Aten!”
Bakura pulled another knife out of his boot and blocked Yami Aten's strike with the scepter. “Turn this Immortal Soul from Death to Life--.”
Yami Aten struck with the scepter, Bakura blocking his shot. Yami Aten punched Bakura in the right eye, making Bakura stagger back and drop the scroll. Bakura screamed in pain as he held his eye.
“Bakura!” Ryou stood up and grabbed Yami Aten's shirt as he raised the dagger to stab Bakura.
Yami Aten staggered back and elbowed Ryou in the chest. Yami Aten turned and snarled at his mother. “You are biting off more than you can chew!”
Yami Marik jumped in front of Ryou. “I will protect your mother from you! Your quarrel is with me. Leave your mother out of this.”
Yami Aten growled as he held his head again.
“Father, please, you have to kill me! He's too powerful!”
“Aten, I--.”
Bakura staggered to the scroll and picked it up. “Permit this yami passage from strife--.”
Aten grabbed Marik by the arms, his brown and purple eyes sparkled. “Let me die, father. I beg of you!”
Yami Aten released Marik and turned to Bakura. “I've had enough of you!” Yami Aten ran towards Bakura, barely missing him as he jumped aside. The spike from the Scepter cut Bakura's arm, making Bakura yelp in pain. Blood seeped slowly from the cut.
Yami Aten grabbed Bakura and threw him over his shoulder, slamming him on the ground.
“'Kura!” Ryou cried out as he ran to Bakura.
Yami Marik dashed for Yami Aten, pulling him from Bakura. Yami Marik punched Yami Aten and hit him with the Millennium Rod in the stomach. He brought his knee up, kneeing Yami Aten in the face.
Bakura was holding his back, grasping the scroll with every ounce of energy he had. Marik looked at Bakura. “Bakura, get up! Finish the spell!”
Ryou kneeled beside Bakura. “You're almost done, baby!”
Bakura looked at the scroll. “One more immortal soul from life's cold clutches I do save…Send this yami….to his eternal grave.”
Tears swelled in Marik's eyes. How could he kill his own son? His baby?
Yami Aten raised the Scepter of Ra to stab his father as Marik lunged for him.
Yami Aten screamed in pain as his head fell on his father's shoulder. Aten's hair fell around his shoulders as he breathed heavily.
Marik's tears fell freely as he felt a warm trickle of blood on his hand. He didn't miss.
“Daddy..”
Aten lost strength in his legs as he slowly slipped to his knees. Aten whimpered as his father twist the blade in his chest, making his son gag from his pierced lung. Aten whimpered in pain as Marik's tears coursed down his cheeks.
“I'm sorry, Aten Bakari, my beautiful son….”
“Thank you, father…” Aten whispered.
Marik's body wracked with sobs as he felt Aten's body tremble. Marik helped Aten to the ground.
“Aten!” Ryou cried as he ran to Aten's side. Ryou saw the Millennium Rod had plunged into Aten's chest. Ryou looked sadly at his son and reached out to touch his cold cheek. “My baby boy…”
Aten looked up at Ryou, his body trembling as he gasped for air. “Mother, Father….I love you.”
Ryou caressed Aten's white and blond hair. “We love you so much, baby boy.”
Marik gathered Aten into his arms and kissed his forehead. “Aten, there are so many things…I want to say.”
Aten's hand went to his chest, pain on his face. “….Tell me.”
Marik caressed Aten's cheek. “I love you so much, Aten Bakari. I tried to be the best father I could have been to you. You mean more to me than all the gold in the pharaoh's coffers.”
Aten smiled as he reached towards his mother's red cheek and touched it lightly.
Aten grabbed onto Marik tightly. “Father…I..love you.”
“I know, son. It will be over soon,” Marik said softly as he caressed Aten's cheek.
“I love you so much, baby. You're so precious to me and always will be.”
Aten looked over at Ryou. “Come closer, mother.”
Ryou leaned down to Aten. The dying teen gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. “I will…wait…for…you.”
Marik felt Aten's body slowly stop its convulsions and twitches. Aten's hand slipped from his chest. His eyes remained opened wide as he looked at his mother. His body relaxed in Marik's arms. The teen softly sighed his last breath. Aten had died again.
“My son,” Marik cried as he held Aten's body and rocked him. “I killed my own boy!”
Bakura put a hand on Marik's shoulder. “You did him a favor, Marik. Look.”
Marik looked up and saw Robbie standing there. The yami sniffled as he saw Robbie smiling down at him.
“Hello, Marik.”
Marik stared wide-eyed at Robbie, standing without his cane. He cradled his son against his body close to his chest. “Robbie?”
Ryou stood up and looked at Robbie. “Robbie? Why are you here?”
Robbie smiled as he looked at Aten. “I've always said even in death I won't leave him. I've come to fulfill my promise.” Robbie extended a hand to Aten.
Marik looked down and saw a transparent Aten take Robbie's hand and stand up. Marik and Ryou watched as Robbie and Aten held hands.
“Robbie,” Aten said with a smile, caressing Robbie's cheek.
“My beautiful Aten,” Robbie whispered, lovingly placing a lock of hair behind Aten's ear.
Marik and Ryou stood up and watched the two teens in front of them.
“I always said I'd love you until my dying day, Robbie,” Aten said with a smile.
“We'll always have each other, Aten. I'll never leave you.”
Robbie and Aten pressed their lips together tenderly, Robbie caressing Aten's face lovingly. “I love you so much,” Robbie whispered as his forehead touched Aten's.
“I couldn't spend an eternity without you, Robbie,” Aten whimpered.
Marik put his arm around Ryou's shoulder as the mother began to cry.
Robbie and Aten slowly pulled back from their embrace. Robbie put his arm around Aten's waist. “Tell my mom and dad I love them. Aten and I are together now. Tell them not to cry. Okay, Marik?”
Marik nodded slowly, tears still coming down his face. “Alright, Robert.”
Bakura, Ryou, and Marik watched the two boys hold hands and walk towards the entrance to the Underworld.
Aten stopped and turned to face his parents and Bakura. He smiled pleasantly and quietly said “Goodbye.”
Ryou sniffled as he blew a kiss to Aten. “I love you, sweetheart.”
Aten and Robbie turned as they walked into the Underworld together, hand in hand. Marik held onto Ryou's hand, tears pouring down his face as he watched his son and his lover disappear into the darkness. Bakura turned to Marik and put his arms around his partner.
“It will be alright, Marik.”
“I never believed in my wildest dreams….that I would have to kill my son.”
Ryou turned to Marik and buried his face in Marik's chest crying. “Aten….”
Marik wrapped his arms around Ryou and kissed him on the forehead. “He's at peace now, Ry. He has Robbie.”
Bakura wrapped his arms around Ryou from behind and rested his cheek on Ryou's back. “Let him rest, Ry. He has earned his eternal slumber.”
Marik looked down at Ryou, his skin cold and clammy. “Ryou, are you okay?”
Ryou looked up at Marik. “I want to go home.”
Bakura winced as he gripped onto Ryou tighter. “That makes two of us, Ishtar.”
Ryou turned his head as Bakura reluctantly released him. Bakura fell to his knees in front of Ryou. Bakura looked up at his husband and wrapped his arms around Ryou's hips. He buried his face in Ryou's stomach. “I want to go home.”
Marik looked down at Bakura. “'Kura, are you feeling alright?”
Ryou reached down and caressed Bakura's spiky hair lovingly. “Bakura will be fine, Marik.”
Bakura struggled to his feet as he hugged his hikari. //I will be by your side, my love. Together Forever.//