Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The not to distant future ❯ Chapter 3

The not to distant future
By Yami Kitsune
Chapter three: Light without Dark



Yami and Bakura walked through the shadows looking around. The shadow realm had changed so much since Yami had sealed it two years ago. Before it had the appearance of a waste land covered in darkness. Now there were shadows everywhere, it was near imposable to tell where you were going.

“Are you sure Marik is in this direction?” Yami asked looking back at Bakura who glared at him.

“How the hell should I know? Every direction looks the same. I would have still been with Marik had my light not been in danger. Unlike you, pharaoh, I am still bound to the millennium ring.”

“Well, that explains how you appeared and we were able to become visible in the realm of the living.” Yami said and continued walking.

“You know, you’ve spent to much time dead.” Bakura said shoving his hands in his pockets. “The realm of the living.” Bakura said doing a poor copy of Yami’s voice.

“And you, have spent to much time in the shadow realm. You seem to be more foul tempered then you used to.” Yami shot back.

“And who’s bloody fault is that!?” He snapped his temper rising. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t-

“Weren’t for the fact that you tried to destroy the world.” Yami cut across him.

“Rule the world, not destroy. There’s a difference. If I wanted something destroyed I would have just come to the shadow realm in the first place.” Bakura grumbled. Yami just smiled and continued walking. Now that Bakura didn’t have a monster controlling him Yami found him much more amusing. “And who says I won’t try to take over the world again once I get out of here?” Bakura asked.

“It doesn’t matter, you can try all you want. But once we get out of here, you will be just as human as everyone else. And the fact that someone else is controlling the shadow realm at the moment, I highly doubt anyone here will listen to you.”

“I could join forces with whoever is opening up the shadow realm again.” Bakura shot back making Yami chuckle.

“Bakura, if you were actually going to do something like that, you wouldn’t be telling me.” Yami said and looked around again trying to see if he could spot Marik anywhere. Yami figured he would be easy to spot, because not many Egyptians had blond spiky hair like Marik did. He was just about to start walking again when Bakura grabbed his arm.

“Over there” He pointed. Yami looked to where Bakura was pointing and frowned. He couldn’t see anything at first. But then he saw a figure walking through the shadows. He couldn’t see it clearly, but there was only one person it could be. The voice that reached their ears conformed their suspicions that it was indeed Marik.

“Bakura you fucking ass! Where did you disappear to!?” Marik shouted as he stormed towards the other two yamis. “And what in the name of Ra are you doing with that spiky haired freak!?” He asked when he caught sight of Yami. Yami and Bakura walked towards Marik meeting him half way.

“Spiky haired freak? You’re one to talk.” Yami’s eyes drifted up to look at Marik’s hair as he said this.

“Shut up lightning head.” Marik said and then looked at Bakura who just shrugged.

“I kind of had no choice in the matter. The ring returned to Ryou.” Bakura said. Marik’s eyes widened.

“Great! Now you can at least get out of here.” Marik said crossing his arms. “I’m still stuck here until Malik comes to his senses and gets the rod back. And…why are you shaking your head at me Pharaoh?” He asked glaring at Yami again.

“Bakura can get out of here now. But none of us leave until the three of us can leave together.”

“Why the hell do you think I’d want to go anywhere with you? It’s your damn fault that we’re stuck here in the first place Pharaoh!” Marik shouted.

“It’s either all three of us, or none at all.” Yami said. Marik looked at Bakura who just shrugged.

“He’s refused to explain anything to me until we found you. Hence the reason I was following him around.”

“And here I thought you were looking for me just because you missed me.” Marik smirked slightly, but it was gone just as quick when he looked back at Yami. “So, are you going to start explaining now?”

“I am sure you are quite aware that our lights have been the targets of the shadows.” Yami said. Marik nodded looking impatient. “The only reason for that is because they are three hikari’s.”

“Who lost their yamis.” Bakura finished frowning.

“Exactly, making them very tempting targets for the shadows. Even if one of us were to go back, the other two would still be in danger. However, there is nothing we can do until Malik and Yugi get their items back.”

“That will work for me and Bakura. But you are no longer bound to the puzzle.” Marik pointed out.

“That is where Bakura comes in.” Yami said. “He put part of his soul in the puzzle once when it was smashed.” Yami said and Bakura looked at him with wide eyes. Yami couldn’t keep the smile from his face. “If someone put part of their soul into the ring, don’t you think you’d notice it?” Yami asked.

“Yes, but I’m not stupid enough to let that happen.”

“I could have gotten you out of there any time I wanted. After all, it was only a peace of your soul trapped in there. But something told me I should leave it alone, so I did. End of story. But, that peace of your soul should still be attached to the puzzle. When you go back, you are going to bring me with you and if I am correct the puzzle will recognize my spirit and I will be resealed to the puzzle.”

“So then we all become sealed spirits again?” Marik asked making it all to obvious that he didn’t like the thought of being trapped in the rod again.

“Only for a short time. We will still be bound to the items, but there is a forbidden spell that was erased from all records that has the power to give spirit’s a solid form again.” Yami looked at the other two who were now looking at each other as if trying to imagine the possibilities of being on earth with their own bodies again.

“So, if it was erased, how is it that you know about it?” Marik asked his eyes narrowing, refusing to get his hopes up just yet. Yami shrugged.

“I am the great pharaoh, am I not?” Yami asked looking amused. “Being dead, you can actually have a real conversation with Ra. He agreed there was no other way, and gave me the spell. Once it is used it will be erased from my memory so I won’t be temped to use it again. The dead were never meant to come back to life.”

“But we three seem to be the exception to that rule.” Bakura grinned. As did Marik.

“If you think about it, we seem to be the exception to many rules.” Marik chuckled darkly. Yami rolled his eyes and turned away from the other two. He had explained things to them, now, the only thing they could do was wait. Yami of course could go back to the spirit realm and wait for things to unfold there where he could also keep an eye on Yugi and the others. But Marik and Bakura, they had never been judged so would not be permitted to enter. And if they were to be judged when arriving Yami had no doubt in his mind that they would be sent strait to Set. No, he would wait here with the other two, wait for the millennium items to call their spirits. Yami just hoped it didn’t take to long for it to happen.

~~~~~~~~

Ryou could hear voices, they sounded familiar but who did they belong to? It couldn’t have been his father, he was still on a dig. But who else could it be? Everyone else he knew was in Japan. //But wait, wasn’t I going to Japan?// Ryou asked himself. His eyes flew open and he looked over to where the voices were coming from. There standing by the door to his room was Yugi, Malik, Jou and Seto.

“I thought you were supposed to have people watching him Kaiba.” Jou snapped glaring at the man that was still a head taller then Jou.

“Just because I give an order, doesn’t mean that people always follow it. You are living proof of that.” Kaiba shot back not looking to worried about Jou’s temper. Yugi rolled his eyes.

“Will you two stop it. You’d think that after two years you’d be able to at least have a civilized conversation once in a while.”

“I can.” Jou said and pointed at Seto. “It’s not my fault he still acts all high and mighty just because he has his own company and thinks he’s smarter then the rest of us!” Yugi sighed shaking his head.

“I guess some things really never will change.” However, Malik didn’t miss the small smile Yugi had as he said this. And he couldn’t help but agree. Change was never an easy thing to deal with, but having something familiar around always made the change a little more bearable. Malik looked over at the bed and blinked when he saw that Ryou was awake, and sitting up watching them.

“Morning.” Ryou said softly. Malik went over and hugged Ryou.

“We were worried about you.” He said. Yugi stood back watching Ryou and Malik. Even though all three of them knew the burden of owning a millennium item, Ryou and Malik had had an extra burden to carry. So it was little wonder that they were really good friends.

“I’m alright.” Ryou reassured him smiling a little more. He looked around. “What happened? Last thing I remember was….hanging up with you.” Ryou said and looked at Malik.

“We don’t know…someone found you passed out in your room on Kaiba’s ship. And…’ Malik trailed off looking back at Yugi.

“And you were warring this.” Yugi said holding up the millennium ring. Ryou’s eyes widened as he stared at the all to familiar ring.

“But…how…I gave it back to you.” Ryou said looking at Malik. “I was there when they were sealed away again…how did it get here?” Malik shook his head.

“We don’t know. We were hoping you could answer that. But you seem just as clueless as the rest of us.” Malik sighed sitting down on the edge of Ryou’s bed and looked at the ring. Yugi walked over still holding the ring and held it out to Ryou.

“Until we figure this out…I think it would be best if you held onto it.” He said. Ryou looked at the ring and slowly took it.

“It’s strange…” he said as he put the rope around his neck letting the ring rest on his chest. “…It’s as if…I can still sense Bakura.” He said softly putting his hand on the ring and closing his eyes. This of course worried Yugi a little. Having only seen how evil Bakura could be it was only natural that the smaller boy was a little nervous. This went unnoticed by Ryou however. “But, he’s really gone. Even having the ring with me won’t bring him back.” He said sighing and opening his eyes. Malik smiled at him and brushed some hair out of Ryou’s face.

“I know what you mean.” He said and then looked at the others. “Well, now that we’re all here we should try and think what we should do next.”

“I vote we order pizza!” Jou said grinning making everyone in the look at him. However, it was Seto who chuckled.

“Always thinking with your stomach.” he said an amused smirk on his face. “It’s a small wonder you ever won any duels.” He said. Jou glared at him.

“And what’s that supposed to mean!? I can still duel just as well as the next person!” He snapped.

“It depends on what ‘next person’ you’re talking about. Surely it can’t be anyone in this room. If my memory is correct you have never beaten any of us in a duel before.” Seto watched as Jou’s face turned an angry red.

“Is that a challenge! I can beat you right here and now!” Jou shouted. Seto however didn’t seem at all interested as he petted Jou’s head and left the room.

“I’ll call for some take out, that should shut the pup up for a little while.” Jou screamed in frustration and stormed after Seto still shouting. Yugi went and closed the door drowning out the two of them. Shaking his head he turned back to Ryou and Malik. Both of them looked like they had been trying to contain their laughter.

“They fight like an old married couple.” Malik sniggered.

“They were like that when I first transferred to Domino school.” Ryou said smiling.

“They’ve always been like that I think.” Yugi said. “Ever since Kaiba first showed up in class. I remember watching them for most of high school. They never got along at all. But Kaiba always enjoyed getting a rise out of Jou. I think they really do like each other, but have been fighting to long that it’s more of a habit now.” Yugi said sitting down in a chair next to Ryou’s bed as the three of them lapsed into silence. Yugi was staring at Ryou’s ring, his eyes drifting down to Ryou’s arm that still had bandages on it.

“Oh! That’s right. Ryou, how is your arm doing?” Yugi asked looking up to meet brown eyes. Ryou blinked and looked down at his own arm as if just remembering that it was supposed to be injured.

“It…actually doesn’t hurt any more. And I’ve been able to move it since I woke up.” he said lifting his arm and taking off the bandages. There were what seemed to be a large scar in the shape of a hand.

“That’s…where it grabbed you?” Yugi asked. Ryou nodded shuddering as Malik traced his finger over it.

“What did it feel like?” Yugi asked. He was curious, having been so close to being grabbed by the shadow himself.

“I don’t know.” Ryou said truthfully. “It wasn’t hot, or cold. It was just….pain. Like all the pain I’ve ever felt in my entire life had been concentrated to that one spot…” Ryou said trailing off. Yugi swallowed trying to imagine what something like that would feel like. It was impossible, but Yugi did know he hoped he would never have to feel that. He hoped they could stop whoever opened the shadow realm, and send the shadow back before anyone else had to feel that kind of pain.

“I think we should head out there before Jou and Seto kill each other.” Malik said standing up. Ryou nodded and got out of bed. Yugi stood up with the other two. Despite the fact he knew what was going on with the shadow realm, he couldn’t help but feel grateful for it. He had his friends around him again, and he couldn’t help but feel a little happy that once again someone was trying to use the shadow realm to get the millennium items.

TBC>>>