Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Yami Virus ❯ Gravekeepers vs. Machines ( Chapter 50 )

Note: GUYS, I AM SOOOOO SORRY! I FORGOT TO UPDATE! Feel free to beat me with a wooden stick.

Sakiyama: I'm glad you like this story! I feel so honored that you took two whole days to read this! *feels loved and hands Ryou plushies*

anibiset: Kura does come back. He comes back at the end of the fic.

Valea: *Squish* I squished you….you were asking for it! *hugs*

Kura Magician Girl: This duel will be interesting.

CrazyKins: I thought the death thing was a twist.

Lady Elfskye: Marik really doesn't want anyone to be hurt…especially Malik.

Broken Time: Tristan's brother is a pain in the ass…..

Gravekeepers vs. Machines

Aria and her family walked to the executive box with her family when she heard someone call her name. She turned around. "Umi!"

Umi was running up to her. "Hello, little mermaid! How are you?"

Aria threw her arms around him. "Umi! I'm so sorry I hurt you yesterday! Are you okay now?"

Umi shrugged. "Yeah. Took me all day to think that eels weren't trying to get me. I hate eels. They're slimy and icky and stuff. I don't touch eels. They're really disgusting."

"I'm glad you're better. I was worrying about you last night."

"Don't worry about me. Hey, Aten! Good luck today."

Aten smiled. "Thanks, Umi."

"Good Luck, Robbie."

Robbie turned. "Thanks!"

Seto's voice came over the speakers. "Will the finalists for the duel please report to the dueling arena. Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Marik. Robert Allen Morgan. Report to the dueling arena.

Miranda kissed Robbie's head. "Good Luck, little soldier."

Ryou kissed Aten's cheek. "Good Luck, angel."

Aten and Robbie ran off for their duel.

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

Aten and Robbie drew their cards and looked up at each other.

"Nothing changes between us, Aten. Give me all you got!"

Aten nodded and took a deep breath, feeling the urge already to go yami.

"Robbie….I…I tant…teep….yami…"

Robbie saw Aten's body shudder. "It's okay, Aten. Go!"

Robbie watched as Aten threw back his head and his hair spiked. Lightening bolts of blond hair formed behind the white background of Aten's hair. The boy's nails had grown and his eyes had become black. Aten's canines had sharpened.

Yami Aten narrowed his eyes at his opponent. "Another worthy adversary! Okay, Robbie….let's duel!"

Robbie picked up a card. "I play 'Torpedo Fish' (1000/1000) in defense mode. I place one magic/trap face down. End turn."

Aten drew a card. "I play 'Scarred Youth' (1200/2500) in attack mode. I also play 'Control the Pain.' You have to remove 3 magic or trap from play from your deck."

Robbie removed 3 traps from play. I also play my trap card 'Prey Upon the Innocent.' You must return your 'Torpedo Fish' back to your hand and I attack you with my card with the lowest attack. So, 'Scarred Youth,' attack Robbie directly!"

The teenaged figure, covered in open wounds, attacked Robbie.

Robbie's lifepoints fell to 2800.

"End turn, Robbie-boy!"

Robbie grabbed a card. "I play 'Anti-Aircraft Flower' (0/1600) in defense mode. I also place one magic/trap face down. End turn."

Aten picked up a card and grinned. "I play 'Gravekeeper's Cannonholder' (1400/1200) in attack mode.' I play the trap card 'Displacement' and attack you!"

Robbie saw the monster charge for him. "But…I have a monster on the field!"

Aten smiled vindictively. "My target is your life points with my trap card!"

Miranda and Ryou watched in fear as Robbie's life points were directly hit by the 'Gravekeeper's Cannonholder.'

Robbie's life points dropped to 1400. Aten laughed.

"Having fun yet?"

Robbie held his arm and grinned back. "Yeah….tons."

"Come and get me, Robbie!"

Robbie drew a card. "I play 'Enraged Battle Ox' (1700/1000)! I also play the magic card 'Wild Nature's Release!' It increases the attack of my Ox by his defense! So he goes up to 1000 points! I also increase his attack by 500 with my trap card 'Reinforcements!' Now my Ox's attack is 3200 attack points strong! I hope you know what's coming, Aten!"

Aten gasped. "My 'Scarred Youth' is in attack mode! OH NO!"

"Attack Aten's 'Scarred Youth' card, my vicious Battle Ox! Axe Swing Attack!"

"ATEN!" Ryou cried out.

Aten let out a squeal as the Battle Ox destroyed Aten's 'Scarred Youth,' bringing him down to 2000 life points.

Aten grasped onto the edge of the panel, gripping his weak chest with his hand, panting and gasping for breath.

"Ready to quit yet, Aten?"

Aten trembled as he looked up. "NEVER!"

Robbie grinned. "My Battle Ox is destroyed at the end of the turn. Goodbye, 'Enraged Battle Ox.' End turn, Aten."

Miranda looked at Robbie's lifepoints: 2800. Aten was holding on to 2000.

Aten was losing.

Aria squealed. "Come on, brother! You can beat Robbie! I know you can!"

Aten looked up. "Don't worry, sister. I will."

Aten drew a card. "I place one monster card face down and one magic/trap face down. I also place my 'Gravekeeper's Cannonholder' in defense mode. End turn."

Robbie bit his lip nervously. He knew this card would give him an advantage. It always had.

"I play the 'Decayed Commander' (1000/1500) in defense mode."

Aten's face went pale and he let out a screech as he looked up at one of his grandfather's most loyal cards. Aten nearly dropped the cards in his hand.

"Oh sweet Isis……….the Detayed Tomander! NOT HIM!"

"'Decayed Commander!' Attack Aten's face down card!"

Aten laughed. "Not so fast! You activated my 'Gravekeeper's Spy's effect! And since my spy has 2000 attack points, you take 1000 points of damage!"

Robbie's lifepoints dipped to 1800.

"My 'Gravekeeper's Spy's effect is I can summon another gravekeeper from my deck and shuffle it."

Aten took another gravekeeper and shuffled his deck. "I summon 'Gravekeepers' Assailant' (1500/1500)."

"End turn."

Aten picked up a card. "I offer my 'Gravekeeper's Cannonholder' to inflict 700 points of damage to you!"

Robbie's lifepoints dropped to 1100.

"End turn, Robbie."

Robbie picked up a card. He had his 'Anti-Aircraft Flower' and his 'Decayed Commander' on the field.

"I sacrifice my 'Anti-Aircraft Flower' to summon 'Machine King' (2200/2000) in attack mode. 'Machine King,' attack his 'Gravekeeper's assailant!'"

The creature shattered, leaving Aten open wide for an attack.

"'Decayed Commander,' Attack Aten directly!"

Aten screamed in fear as the zombie attacked him. Aten's life points dropped to 1000.

Jaimen turned to Aria. "Robbie has 1100 life points and Aten has 1000! This is going to be close!"

Aria felt herself shaking. She could feel Aten's fear at seeing a monster for a reason she did not understand. She did not know why Aten was afraid of the card. It was a zombie like the rest of his deck. For some reason, images of Steven swept through her mind, but still she could not understand.

"You have to discard a card to your graveyard, Aten. Second from the left. Get rid of that one."

Aria crossed her fingers. "Come on, Aten. I know you can do this."

"End my turn, Aten."

Robbie watched Aten shake, even in yami form. "Aten, did I hurt you?"

Aten didn't respond. He stood there, gripping the side of the platform, muttering to himself silently.

'He's not here….He's not here….Gantfatter is not here.'

"Aten! We're almost done!"

Aten picked up a card. "I place….one monster card face down in defense mode. End turn. I also place one magic/trap face down. End turn."

Robbie picked up a card. "I summon 'Helping Robo For Combat' (1600/0) in defense mode. I equip my 'Decayed Commander' with the magic card 'Banner of Courage' which increases his attack by 200. He attacks your face down card."

Aten raised his hand. "Come out, Man Eater Bug!"

The insect chirped and both monsters were destroyed.

Robbie pouted. "Oh well, it doesn't matter. Aten…you know what I have to do."

Aten lowered his head. "Yeah….I know. Go ahead, Robbie. You were a worthy opponent."

Robbie smiled. "You, too, Aten. 'MACHINE KING'! ATTACK ATEN'S LIFE POINTS DIRECTLY! I WIN!"

A smile grazed Aten's lips. "Oh, really? Think again. MAGIC CYLINDER! YOUR ATTACK GOES RIGHT BACK TO YOUR LIFE POINTS!"

The 'Machine King' turned and fired his shot at Robbie directly.

The smoke filled the arena as Robbie's lifepoints dropped to 0.

Aten's hair fell and the light appeared in his eyes again. "ROBBIE! OH NO!"

Aten lowered his platform and ran over to Robbie.

Tears flowed in his eyes as the emergency crews lowered Robbie's platform.

Aten ran to Robbie and kneeled beside him, gathering Robbie's head to his chest.

The Egyptian boy kissed his friend repeatedly on the head. "Robbie! Are you okay?"

Robbie opened his eyes. "Aten? Did I win?"

Seto stood up. "The winner of this duel is Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Marik!"

Aria ran to the two boys. "Robbie, are you okay?"

Umi ran beside Aria. "Robbie! Are you locked in a nightmare too? It took me all night to stop dreaming of eels!"

Robbie shook his head. "I'm fine. Oh well….I lost. No big. Congradulations, Aten. Man, that 'Machine King' packs a punch. Ow."

Miranda pushed through the crowd. "Robbie! Are you okay?"

Aten helped Robbie up. "I'm fine, mommy. Just a little woozy. That's all."

Miranda kissed his forehead. "Good job, little soldier."

"Aten, you dueled great and……..why are you crying?"

Aten threw his arms around Robbie. "I thought I hurt you!"

Robbie pat Aten's back. "You didn't, Aten. It's okay."

Seto stood up. "The last match of the Domino City Dueling Tournament will be held in one hour! Aria Kanika Itemri Bat Bakura vs. Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Marik!"

Aten and Aria exchanged glances.

Robbie hugged Aten. "You know I'll be there to cheer you on, Aten."

Umi squeezed Aria in a tight hug. "I'll be there to cheer my little mermaid!"

Ryou smiled down at his children, both of them being hugged by their friends.

Marik ran up to them. "Wow! My son and Itemri's daughter! The match of the century!"

Aria grinned at her brother. "Well, Aten, looks like it's just you and me."

Aten crossed his arms proudly. "I'll try and go easy on you, sister."

Aria poked Aten's shoulder playfully. "No..I'll try to go easy on you!"

"The duel will commence in one hour," Seto said. "Then Domino City will have its first Junior Champion."

Aria grinned. "'Aria Kanika Itemri Bat Bakura,' Junior Dueling Champion of DominoCity.' Hmm…It has a nice ring." She gave a sigh. "If only my daddy could see me now….he'd be really proud of me. I miss my daddy. I'm going to win for him, though! I'll win for my daddy!"

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

Bakura's fists clenched as the leather whip slapped his skin again. His chest rising and falling faster and harder with each sting of leather. The white-haired man grit his teeth.

"You're not going to scream for me today, Bakura? You enjoyed doing this to Ryou, did you not? You didn't stop until he screamed. So, why should I stop until you give me the same pleasure?"

"I won't scream…..not for you, pharaoh," Bakura growled defiantly.

"You never learn, do you, Tomb Robber?!"

The lash struck his stomach, cutting the skin over and over again.

Yami whipped harder and lower, slapping the leather against the other man's length.

"STOP! PLEASE!"

Yami grinned. "I thought you wouldn't scream, Bakura. Even though, I have whipped you there twenty times there before and you never even made a whimper. Why the…….Change of Heart?"

Bakura's eyes filled with tears. "Sweet Isis, forgive me. Forgive me for all of my sins, my god, Osiris! Please! I…I just want to go home to my Ryou!"

Yami kneeled on the bed and straddled Bakura's hips. Yami traced Bakura's open wounds with his fingers. "Forgiveness, my dear Bakura, is not for the commoner….the criminal. Forgiveness is for the nobility. The people of your station know nothing of forgiveness."

Bakura took a deep breath. "The people of your station know nothing but murder and greed, Yami."

Yami slapped Bakura's face, making the corners of Bakura's mouth bleed. "You talk so defiantly, Bakura. I don't think you quite know your place. Well, my little servant, I will teach you your place again…because it is obvious that you need a reminder."

Bakura took a painful deep breath. "Why aren't the gods stopping you?"

"I am protected by the gods. The pharaoh is God on Earth. I am invulnerable here. I am protected by Ra himself."

Bakura closed his eyes. "Why would the gods condone such cruelty?"

Yami leaned down to Bakura. "Because you………are……a….big…..stupid… …….nothing. That is why. Ra does not protect murderers."

"Then why are you in his favor?"

Yami grinned. "Because I was pharaoh. I could get away with murder. The gods protect me here, Bakura. So, I suggest you become more accommodating or your sentence will become that much more harsh."

Yami crawled off of Bakura. "Now, before I teach you your place, I need to wash. In the meantime, you lay there and keep your mouth shut."

Yami left the room and Bakura let out a cry.

"Ryou….gods, baby………I miss you! I miss you so much, Ryou! I'm so sorry, my love! So, so, sorry! Please forgive me!"

Tears flowed from Bakura's bloodied face. His broken body continued to bleed from the whip.

"I'VE LEARNED MY LESSON!" he cried to the ceiling. "OSIRIS, PLEASE! GODS, SOMEBODY HEAR ME! Help…..Somebody help me, please….."

"Stop groveling!"

Bakura lifted his head. He blinked and his eyes tried to focus on the figure sitting at the side of the room.

"Who……are you? Come closer."

The figure stood up. "I can't believe after all these years you still beg!"

Bakura's heart leapt into his throat when he saw the man. "Dakarai?"

"You still sound just as pathetic as you did when you were four years old. 'Daddy, let me in! Please, let me in! I'm afraid!'"

"F-Father?! Father, what are you doing here?"

The man stood beside his son bound to the bed, naked and bleeding and bruised.

"You know there's no use in asking the gods for help! You just have to bend over and take it like a man…which, I heard you were used to by the time you were nine years old."

Bakura's jaw dropped. "How did you hear about that?"

"The streets of Cairo had tongues, Bakura, son. I heard what you were doing for food and shelter."

Bakura's bottom lip trembled. He had no choice. His father had kicked him out of the house when he was four years old because his mother had another baby and his father couldn't afford to keep him anymore. Bakura was thrown out of the house and the door locked when he was four years old.

"Why didn't you come to help me, daddy? You knew how I was surviving on the streets. So, why didn't you care?"

"Well, your mother was lucky. We had a baby boy not long after your sister was born. We only needed one boy in the family, so I didn't need you know where you were anymore. I figured you were off living your own life---."

"I was nine years old, father! The prostitutes raised me! The thieves brought me food and taught me how to steal! The murderers taught me how to kill. What kind of father kicks out his firstborn son?"

The man sat casually by Bakura's side, either ignorant or unmoved by the sight of his injured, naked son. "I was punished by the gods for it, son. I had to work off my debt to them. And now, so do you."

Bakura struggled with his bonds.

"You won't be able to break the bonds, Bakura. Only the gods can do that."

Bakura's head fell back on the pillows in defeat. "I miss Ryou…"

The man snorted and shook his head. "I didn't realize that you had become such a disgrace, Bakura! I don't think I could handle having a homosexual in my family."

"I'm not a disgrace, father. I did what I had to survive."

Dakarai stood up. "What can I say, Bakura? I got rid of the right kid. It's about time you knew, Bakura. I don't know what I was thinking when your mom and I kept you. I knew your birth was a dark omen….a curse upon my family."

Bakura's eyes filled with tears and he let out a sob. "That's a lie! Father….tell me you are lying."

"No, son….I'm not lying. You were my and your mother's mistake…a mistake we were forced to live with for four years."

Bakura went limp on the mattress. "Why are you here?"

"I came to tell you to stop your whining! I paid my debts to the gods. Now you have to! So, bend over and take it like a man."

Bakura started to cry on his back. "Go away, father."

Dakarai stood up. "Pathetic weakling," he muttered as he left the room.

Bakura's POV

Ryou…Gods, I miss him!

My own father rejected me.

The only person who ever thought that I was worth anything…was Ryou.

I was so lucky to have him.

I never fully realized it until now.

What do I have to do to get back to him?

What price must I pay?

Go on, Yami.

Beat me.

Hit me.

Rape me.

Humiliate me.

Make me bleed.

If it gets me back to Ryou, do anything you wish.

No matter the cost.

I must get back to Ryou.

My angel, Ryou….

My Light in a world of darkness and rejection.

My Constant in a world of continuous change.

My Love in a world of bitterness.

My Angel in a world of sin.

Ryou…..

I love you.

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

Ryou walked the two children to the arena. He kneeled down. "Now, children, this is important. I want you both to have a good time. It doesn't who wins. We will love you both no matter what."

Aten smiled. "Really?"

"Absolutely, Aten." Ryou kissed both kids on the cheek. "Love you, Aten. *kiss* Love you, Aria. *kiss* Go get 'em!"

Ryou left and Aria turned to Aten.

Aria's hair spiked and her nails sharpened. "I'm sorry, Aten."

Aten's hair spiked and his nails lengthened. "I'm sorry, Aria."

Seto stood up. "And now for the final match of the tournament! Aria Kanika Itemri Bat Bakura vs. Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Marik! Duelists, please step up to the arena. I wish luck to both of you. And now…..DUEL!"

Aria looked across the arena at her brother.

Yami Aria drew a card. "Okay, brother! Are you ready?"

Yami Aten held his card tightly. "Come get me, sister!"

Aria drew a card. "I play 'Hunter with Seven Weapons' (1000/600). When I attack a zombie-type monster, my attack goes up by 1000 points!" Aria put Waboku and Eternal Rest face down.

"Now, brother, end turn!"

Aten drew a card. "Your hunter doesn't scare me! Try this on for size! 'Master Kyonshee' (1750/1000)! Appear in attack mode!" Aten put the Axe of Despair face down. "Since my 'Master Kyonshee' is a zombie, you will get a power boost! So, go ahead! Attack me if you're not chicken!"

Aria drew a card and laughed. "You are defenseless, brother! 'Hunter! Attack 'Monster Kyonshee ' with 7 Weapon attack!"

Aten flipped up his Axe of Despair. "You can't attack me! This raises my Kyonshee up to 2750 attack points!"

Aria flipped up. "Eternal Rest! Your monster is destroyed!"

Aten watched as his monster exploded and his life points dropped to 3000.

Robbie bit his lip and Umi jumped up and down.

"That's my little mermaid!"

"Come on, Aten! You can take her down! Concentrate!"

Aria grinned. "I play 'Solemn Wishes.' My life points increase by 500 points every turn! Now, come and TRY to attack me!"

Aten narrowed his eyes and pulled a card. "I activate "Soul Resurrection." I can summon one monster from my graveyard in defense position! So, My 'Master Kyonshee!' Return to me in defense mode! And this is a continuous trap!"

Aten put his 'Displacement' trap card face down. "I end my turn."

Aria grinned. "I changed my deck just for you, Aten. I know you know all about my dragons' abilities, but you don't also know that I have other cards which are my favorites. And, just like your deck, they suit me well. So..here's one of my newer cards! 'Witch of the Black Forest' (1100/1200) in defense mode! And now, because of 'Solemn Wishes,' I get 500 more life points. End turn."

Aria's life points raised to 4500. Aten was at 3000 life points.

"You think that's going to scare me? Let me introduce you to one of your worst nightmares! 'Nightmare Horse' (500/400) in attack mode! I switch 'Master Kyonshee' into attack mode and I attack your life points directly!"

Aria growled. "You can't! I have 'Witch of the Black Forest' and 'Hunter with 7 Weapons' on the field!"

Aten flipped up his card. "Doctor Chapman knows about what happened to me, Aria. He often talked about 'Displacement' of my fears and anxieties. This card 'Displacement' is a very special card. Ordinarily I would not be able to attack you, but my 'Master Kyonshee' can bypass your monsters and hit you directly! MASTER KYONSHEE! ATTACK MY SISTER! "

Aria screamed as her lifepoints hit 2750.

"That's not all, sister! NIGHTMARE HORSE! Attack her directly!"

The 'Nightmare Horse' could attack Aria directly, making her lifepoints drop to 2250.

Aten crossed his arms as he looked at his scores. "Who is the strongest sibling now?! Do you think I wanted to spend my entire life living in your shadow?! Being the weakest! I'll show you what a weak person can do! I activate my trap card 'Bad Reaction to Simochi'! The same amount of life points given to you will be taken away by doing direct damage to you! End turn!"

Aria shrieked as she felt 500 points being ripped from her.

Ryou covered his mouth, hearing her shriek of pain. His first instinct was to run down there and gather Aria into his arms and hold her.

If it wasn't for Malik and Marik holding onto him, he probably would have ran to stop the duel.

Aria's lifepoints dropped to 1750. Aten stood strong at 3000.

Seto gripped Joey's hand tightly. "Puppy, I hope she's okay."

"This is Aria. Of course she'll do okay. Give her time. They both have two monsters on the field."

Aria narrowed her eyes angrily. Her hair twitched in fury at her brother. "That's it, Aten! No more being nice! It's time to end this! I sacrifice my 'Witch of the Black Forest' to summon 'Dark Witch' (1800/1700) in attack mode! I attack your 'Nightmare Horse' with my 'Dark Witch'!"

Aten's lifepoints dropped to 1700.

"And I attack your 'Master Kyonshee' with my 'Hunter with 7 Weapons'! And because your monster is a zombie, he gets the 1000 point power boost! I also play 'Remove Trap'! No you can't bring back your monster! So, say goodbye, Aten !"

Aten's life points dropped to 1450. Aria smiled. Her brother was losing.

She had two monsters on the field. He had none.

She had 1750 life points. Aten had 1450.

Aria grinned. "End turn."

"I play 'Oppressed People' (400/2000) in defense mode. I also play 'Red Medicine.' I get 500 life points. End turn."

Aten's life points went to 1950. Aria's lifepoints fell to 1250 from Aten's trap card.

"I sacrifice my Dark Witch to bring out my 'Twin-Headed Fire Dragon' (2200/1700). I attack your 'Oppressed People' with my dragon! And now, my hunter, hit Aten's life points directly!"

Aten cried out as the 'Hunter with 7 Weapons' attacked him.

Aten's points dropped to 950.

Aria watched her brother panting heavily. 'Oh, no! Did I hurt him?' A tiny voice in her head whimpered. 'But, he's you're brother….you can't hurt him. You are his other half. You share a soul….you are dark…he is light.'

Aria's bottom lip trembled, her mind flooded with concern for her weaker brother.

Aten gripped his chest, sweat covering his forehead. 'I can't give up. My sister is all I have. I can't hurt her.'

Aria smiled. "End turn."

Aten picked up a card. "I place this monster face down defense. And one magic/trap face down. End turn."

Aria picked up a card. "I play 'Dian Keto the Cure Master.' I get 1000 life points."

Aria's points went up to 2250. "I attack your face down card with my 'Twin Headed Fire Dragon'!"

Aten flipped up the card. "MAN-EATER BUG! Your monster is destroyed. Now that you destroyed my monster, I can activate 'Last Will.' I can summon a monster with 1500 attack points or less and shuffle my deck."

Aten summoned the 'Wandering Mummy' (1500/500) in defense mode and shuffled his deck.

Aria growled. "Go, my hunter! Destroy Aten's face-up mummy card!"

The mummy shattered. "End turn, Aten!"

Aten sighed. "I have nothing to defend me. How appropriate that I use my favorite card? I summon 'The Helpless Child' (0/0) in defense mode."

The two-year-old child appeared on the battlefield, kneeling. The child's clothes were tattered and his body was dirty. His arms were crossed in front of his body and his head was lowered.

"I defend my master," the child murmured quietly.

Aria narrowed her eyes. "That child won't save you, Aten."

The Helpless Child raised its purple eyes and looked at Aria with a pitiful look of sadness. "I defend my Master, Aten."

"End turn, sister."

Aria picked up a card. "I play 'Monster Reborn' and bring back my 'Twin Headed Fire Dragon'. I also play 'Blackland Fire Dragon' (1500/800). End turn."

"I play 'The Earthbound Spirit' (500/2000) in defense mode! End turn."

Aria pulled her next card. "Aten."

"Sister."

"I'm sorry."

Aten nodded. "It's okay, sister."

Aria placed a card on the field and the arena went black again. "I sacrifice all of my 3 monsters to summon my ultimate beast! Helpless Child, meet your nightmare! Dragon, that is! NIGHTMARE DRAGON!"

Aria's dragon appeared on the field and The Helpless Child looked up.

"You must destroy me," the child said.

Aria looked over at her brother, his hair flattened and smooth now.

"Go on, sister! Attat me!"

Aria's jaw dropped and her eyes filled with tears.

They were brother and sister.

"Attat me, Aria!"

'I can win if I order my dragon to attack.'

Aten opened his arms wide and tilted his head back submissively. "You must attat me to win!"

Aria closed her eyes. "Nightmare Dragon….." Aria felt a tear come down her cheeks, knowing what would happen to her brother. "I'm sorry, Aten."

Aria lowered her head. 'Aten's going to hate me for this.'

Aria had known about what Steven did to Aten. It was only in the past year that she discovered Aten's secret.

This was going to be the hardest order she had to give to her dragon.

"Attack Aten, Nightmare Dragon. Dark Fury of Nightmare."

The dragon roared and its blast illuminated Aten's side of the field. The platform buzzed as Aten's lifepoints dropped to 0. The Nightmare Dragon had always assured Aria's victory, even if her opponents were on the defensive.

When the blast cleared, the dragon growled.

"Aten?!"

Her brother was silent.

"Nightmare Dragon, be gone!"

The lights illuminated in the arena again.

Seto looked around. "Aria Kanika Itemri Bat Bakura is Domino's new Junior Champion!"

Aria ran to the other side of the arena. Ryou dashed down the steps with Marik.

"Aten!"

Aria stopped short when she saw Aten curled up in a ball, his body was shaking.

"Grandfather…oh god….go away…grandfather….please go away."

Ryou ran to his son's side and brushed his hair lightly. "Baby boy? Aten?"

Aten looked up at Ryou with two teary eyes. "Why won't grandfather stop touching me?"

Seto walked down the steps and handed Aria a trophy. "Congratulations, Aria Kanika. I'm very, very…proud of you."

Aria smiled and hugged Seto. "Thank you, Unkie Seto." Aria looked down at Aten. "We have to get my brother home."

Marik took Aten in his arms, cradling him against his body. Ryou held Aria's hand and watched Aten in Marik's arms.

Malik helped his yami into his car. Aten clutched onto his father, rocking himself incessantly.

Robbie and Miranda followed Malik to the car.
"Aten, are you okay?" Robbie asked, tears in his eyes. "Please tell me you are okay, Aten."
The Egyptian boy started to cry.

Miranda took Robbie's arm. "Come on, honey. Aten has to go home and get some rest."

Robbie left Aten's side hesitantly.

Marik cradled Aten against him. "Don't cry, Aten. Steven isn't here."

Aten sobbed. "He won't get out of me…why won't he leave me alone? I want my mommy…."

Ryou reached over and Marik handed Aten to Ryou.

"Here I am, baby. It's okay, Aten," Ryou said, holding Aten close to him.

"My poor baby."

Aria crossed her arms. "It's my fault. I'm sorry, Aten."

Aten reached out for Aria. Aria took his hand.

"My sister's safe…..my sister's safe from my gantfatter…..he won't hurt her….he won't hurt her….."

Aria lowered her head. "I'm so sorry, brother."

Ryou closed his eyes, his heart ripping in two from the shaking child in his arms.

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

Marik helped Ryou get Aten into bed. Aten fought his mother and father, kicking and screaming.

Aten's body was shaking and trembling, complaining that certain parts of his anatomy were hurting him. He let out some painful wails, convinced that his grandfather was tying him down again.

Ryou tried to hold himself together for Aten's sake. Ryou was his mother and had to keep himself calm.

Aten gripped Ryou's hands screaming that it hurt.

"I know, honey. But, you aren't there. You're with your mother and father who love you."

Malik watched from the doorway, deciding best not to interfere. When Aten was like this, all he wanted was his father and mother.

The boy's episode did not last long. His body became weak from the struggle quickly.

Ryou held Aten close and put his favorite monkey plushie in his lap. Aten grabbed onto 'Bananas' and squeezed him, shifting in Ryou's grasp.

"Take a deep breath, Aten."

Aten pressed himself against his mother, rocking in his arms.

Ryou brushed Aten's hair back, rocking him and whispering quietly to him.

The boy took a deep breath. "Mommy, my bum hurts."

"I know, Aten, baby. It's okay. Just keep taking deep breaths."

Aria sniffled standing beside Malik. Malik brought her into his arms.

"I'm sorry, Malik. I didn't mean to do it."

"We know, baby girl. It's okay."

Aria buried her face in Malik's shoulder. "I didn't mean to…."

Marik held Aten's hand. His heart withered with the sound of Aten's whimpers of pain and complaints. His son's face reflected pain.

Malik looked at the clock. "It's time for Aten's heart medication, Ryou. I'll be back, son."

Aten gripped onto Marik's hand. "Daddy? Please don't leave me. Gantfatter will be bat if you weave."

Ryou handed the boy to his father. "You stay with him. I'll get his medicine."

Marik held Aten, who gave a sigh.

"Daddy?"

Marik's lip trembled at the sad look on Aten's face. "Yes, baby?"

"Why did grandfather have to do that to me?"

Marik blinked and held Aten close. "I don't know son. He was a very sick man."

"He enjoyed it……Why?"

Marik rocked Aten. "Shhh….baby boy. Some people enjoy that kind of thing, Aten. And it's wrong…..especially doing it to a boy at two years old."

Aten blinked and cuddled his monkey closer. "I love my moneys……They mate me feel better when I'm sad."

"I know, Aten."

Ryou came running into the room with water and his medication. Aten sat up and took his medication. The water was finished quickly.

When he was done, Aten rested against his father and closed his eyes. The Egyptian boy fell limp against Marik's body as the medicine spread through his stressed system.

When he did, Marik and Ryou tucked him in bed. They shut the curtains in his room and tucked him under the covers.

Ryou sat by Aten's side, brushing his hair with his hand. "I'll stay with him for a little while and make sure he's settled."

Marik blinked. "I'm going to the underworld to see Itemri."

Ryou looked up. "You are?"

Marik nodded. "We need to see if Bakura has an answer. Besides……I need to talk to him and see if he's okay."

"Can you take me there after the kids go to bed, Marik?"

Marik shook his head. "I can take you there, but you will not be able to come back."

"Why not?"

"You are mortal, Ryou. I take you there and your heart stops beating. My son and your daughter will be left without a mother. I won't let that happen, Ryou. I'll let you know how he is when I return."

Marik leaned down and kissed Ryou's lips. "I love you, Ryou."

Ryou nodded. "I'll look after Aten. Go tell Bakura that I love him…and I'm trying to find a way to bring him home."

Marik nodded and kissed Aten's forehead.

"I'll be back, Ryou. Take care of our little boy until I get back."

Marik left the room and passed Malik and Aria standing by the door. "I won't be long, tenshi. Love you."

Marik kissed Malik and went downstairs. He held his Millennium Rod up to the sky.

"Rod of Earth

Part this ground

And take me to where

dead souls abound!

Where the Nile flows like the River Tigris…

Into the blessed realm of the god Osiris."

The living room carpet parted and stairs formed. Marik walked down the stairs and the carpet folded in on itself, covering the site of Marik's disappearance.

Updates: Monday

NEXT CHAPPIE: YAMI X BAKURA NCS! Marik renounces his faith in the gods. RYOU SELF-LOVE ALSO POSSIBLE NEXT CHAPPIE!

Note: I do plan a Marik x Malik x Ryou by special request. It will most likely happen in chappie 52 or 53.