Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Yami Virus ❯ The Secret Room ( Chapter 53 )

Danzer's Yami: I'll let Dreamer know. Aria and Aten will kick Yami's butt. Promise.

Sakuyama: Yugi is going to be furious! That is taking it lightly..he's going to be really, really pissed.

Kura Magician Girl: No, you can hug him all you want. Here you go. *hands Aten plushie*

Broken Time: I couldn't believe he said 'bugger.' Priceless.

Valea: They'll find all they need here!

Lady Efskye: I love that song! That song does fit them, doesn't it. Ryou is going to have his hands full. Poor Ryou.

Mariku182: I can use "Bring me to life" in a future chappie.

The Secret Room

Three days later, Seto arrived back home. Jaimen waited excitedly on the helicopter pad for his father to step off of the jet.

Seto stepped off of the jet with Maxine, the thief, and Jay by his side.

Jaimen squealed and ran for Seto, his brown hair flowing in the wind. He threw himself at his father, his arms circling Seto's waist in a tight hug.

"Hello, daddy! Did you get me anything?!"

Seto reached back and Maxine gave him a small burlap bag. "It's Turkish candy."

Joey ran up to Seto and threw his arms around his lover. "Seto! I've missed you so much!" Joey covered Seto's face in kisses.

Seto looked around. "Where's Hayden?"

Jaimen looked up at his father with his large blue eyes. "He's listening to some music really, really loud."

Joey shrugged. "I don't know what to do with him, Seto. He's becoming a little rough."

"He pushed me the other day!"

Seto looked up at Joey. "Why?"

Joey shrugged. "I don't know why."

Jaimen nuzzled his face into his father's stomach. "He wanted my candy and he didn't want his own, so he pushed me."

"What did you do?" Seto asked.

Jaimen looked down. "I cried."

Seto shook his head. "I have to talk to that boy."

Joey nodded. "If we go to Egypt, we can't leave him here. Mokuba will be bald by the end of the week if he stays behind."

Seto sighed. "Well, there's plenty of room if Mokuba and Jeanie want to come along."

Joey snickered. "You just don't want them to be unsupervised."

"Damn straight! I am not turning my office into a nursery and I have no spare rooms right now. So, if they want to make a kid, they'll have to do it in a place that has a spare bedroom."

Joey shook his head. "I have to call Ryou and tell him that you're back."

Seto picked up Jaimen and held him in his arms. He kissed his son and smiled at him. "Hello, cute stuff. Did you miss your daddy?"

Jaimen nodded. "Yes, daddy! I missed you so badly that Other Daddy had to hold me at night. I tried to be a brave boy like you asked me. I really did."

Seto kissed Jaimen on the cheek. "I know. You're still not used to being without me. It's alright, son. I'm glad that you tried to be a brave boy."

Jaimen's blue eyes became large. "Am I going to go with you to Egypt?"

Seto nodded. "I wouldn't leave you here behind. Besides, it will be good for you to go."

Jay and Maxine raised their heads to see the KaibaCorp black helicopter touching down. The wind from the propellers made their hair wave.

When the helicopter touched down, Karl and Asher stepped out.

Jay walked up to Karl. "Hey, you!" Jay gave his lover a kiss.

"Why were you up there with Asher? Isn't that dangerous?" Maxine asked.

Asher's eye twitched. "On patrol, Maxie."

The Asian girl smiled. "Really? I'm amazed to see you both back alive, frankly."

Karl wrapped his arms around Jay's waist. "Hey, Asher's pretty good up there when he doesn't see a building on fire."

Asher's eye twitched and a wicked grin lit his face. "Fire is good."

Maxine pat Asher's cheek lightly. "Yes, it is, Asher. Fire very good."

Asher's shoulder spasmed and he lifted his hand to pat Maxine on the head. "Maxie-girl….pretty today."

The Oriental girl blushed. "Why, thank you. You have no idea how many I have to kill to look this good!"

Karl snickered. "So, how many people did you kill in the past few days to look that good?"

The girl brushed back her long, black hair. "Past few days? About twenty men…..in their sleep."

Jay lifted his head to Karl's ear and whispered, "You should hear about how many people she has to kill to keep her nails looking that nice."

Maxine narrowed her eyes at Jay. "What did you just say?"

"Nothing, Maxie! Nothing!"

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

Aten hugged Robbie on the front lawn. Robbie held Aten close, unwilling to let his friend go.

"Goodbye, Aten," Robbie sobbed. "I'm going to miss you."

Aten looked up at Robbie's crystal blue eyes. "I know, Robbie. I'm going to miss you, too. Very much."

Robbie scratched his head. "Wait one second!"

Robbie ran into his house and emerged five minutes later with a gold chain. "This is for you, Aten!"

Aten's eyes widened at the gold chain. "WOW! Is that for me?"

Robbie ran behind Aten and clipped the chain around Aten's neck.

"That's for you to borrow. When you get lonely or scared, hold onto that chain. That will remind you of me! I need that chain back, though. That's my daddy's and it reminds me of him."

Aten smiled and threw himself at Robbie. "Thant you, Robbie!"

Aten kissed Robbie quickly on the lips and hugged him tightly.

"You're the best, Robbie! Do you know that?"

Robbie blushed. "Oh, no, I'm not!"

"Aten Bakari!" Marik called to him. "We're leaving!"

Aten turned to his father shouting in Arabic. Aten turned to Robbie. "I have to go, Robbie. I'll see you when you get bat."

"I'll bring you something nize."

Robbie smiled at him. The boys kissed again and Aten ran for his house, his hair waving behind him.

Miranda watched Robbie sigh and wipe a tear from his eye. She watched from the window when Aten finally left. "Poor little guy."

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

Hayden packed his bags and handed them to Jay. "Make sure you don't drop my CD's, Jay. They're really important."

Jay put another bag in his hands. Jay carried Hayden's luggage and his three bags.

Hayden lead Jay to Seto's room. Karl was there carrying Seto and Joey's two pieces of luggage.

Jaimen ran to his father with Donny close behind, carrying his luggage. "We're going to Egypt! YEAH!"

Donny raised an eyebrow at Jay carrying Hayden's luggage.

"Hayden, do you really need all of that stuff? We're just going for a couple days."

Hayden nodded. "I need my clothes, my toys, my toothbrush, my soap, my music, my snacks, my Walkman, my…."

Seto sighed. "Okay, Hayden. Donny, can you help Jay with his bags?"

Donny took two bags from Jay's hands.

Ryou and the others walked in. Marik was looking a little paler than usual as he stood beside Malik.

Aria ran up to Seto and threw her arms around his waist. "We're going back to Egypt, Unkie Seto!"

"I know, baby girl. Marik, are you feeling okay?"

Marik blinked and yawned. "Yes. I think we should go home, Seth….I need to go home."

Malik and Ryou looked over at Marik, his stance wavering a little bit.

Aten looked up at Joey. "My daddy looks really tired. He didn't even get up with me to pray this morning."

Donny looked over at Marik and went over to the yami. "Give me your bag. I'll carry it for you."

"Thank you," Marik said handing his black bag over to Donny.

Seto ran his fingers through Aria's spiky hair. "Are you ready to go?"

Aria jumped up and down excitedly. "YES! YES! YES! Off to the land of spinx and pyramids!"

Aten brushed back his hair. "It's sphinx! Not spinx!"

Seto shook his head. "Not this argument again, chibis. Let's go."

Jaimen skipped along Donny. "Is Egypt nice, Donny? Have you ever been there? What is it like there? Is it like here?"

Donny shrugged. "It's a nice place. It's not like here. It's important for you not to go too far from Karl, Jay, or myself. Okay?"

"Yes, sir, Donny, sir!" Jaimen smiled, carrying his favorite teddy bear in his arms.

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

Donny flew the jet. The military had taught him how to fly before he was dismissed. Donny was one of the best pilots in the "public relations department."

Marik remained in his room for the duration of the trip. Joey wanted to knock on Marik's door, but Malik stopped him.

"He's going through a difficult time now, Joey. I'd let him be."

"What's wrong with him?"

Malik pulled Joey aside. "He saw something in the Underworld that shook his faith in the gods, Joey. He needs some time to come to terms with it."

"What did he see?"

Malik shook his head. "I can't tell you. I promised him I wouldn't say anything."

Joey looked at the closed door. "Well, I know how it feels to lose faith in something. It's hard to get that back. If he needs someone to talk to, I'm here for him."

Malik looked up at Joey with large purple eyes. He reached out his arms as the link from his yami was blown wide open. Sadness. Fear. Anger. Pain. "Joey? Can….can you give me a hug?"

The blond reached out for the Egyptian man and brought him against him in a tight hug. The blond stroked Malik's hair lightly.

Malik sniffled. "I'm so worried about him, Joey. I don't want him to die on me. What will I do if I lose him? What if he dies, Joey?"

Joey pulled back and looked at Malik and into his eyes. "Malik, we won't let anything happen to Marik. Okay? I'm here for you, too. All of us are here for you."

A small smile crept onto Malik's face. "Thank you, Joey."

Joey shrugged. "Don't worry, little guy. We'll make it right."

Joey leaned down and kissed Malik gently on the lips. "Don't cry, Malik. Things will work out. You'll see."

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

Donny landed the jet at the Cairo Airport. Donny drove the car off of the jet. The black limousine was large enough to hold the two families.

Aten and Aria watched the buildings and the crowds as Donny drove.

Jaimen's eyes widened. "There are so many people here!"

"That's betaws the pyramids are so pop-lar. Unkie Seto, tan we go to the martet?"

"The market? We'll see, Aten."

Donny looked around. The streets were very crowded. Malik directed Donny to the Cairo Museum.

Aria looked up at the pharaoh's palace and growled at it angrily. "Meanie Pharaoh," Aria snarled as her hair spiked.

Aten shifted closer to his mother. "Pharaoh's Palace…..stary."

Ryou held Aten close. "It's okay, baby."

They arrived at the Cairo Museum. Marik and Malik walked up the steps slowly. Jaimen begged Joey and Seto to take him through the museum to see the artifacts. Aria went with them.

Aten held his father's hand as he walked, unwilling to let go of Marik.

Ryou, Malik, Aten, and Marik went to Isis' office. Isis saw her brother and hugged him tightly.

"Where is your husband, Ryou?"

Ryou put his arm around Marik's waist. "My husband is dead. Bakura died of the Virus, Isis. We need to find a way to bring him home."

Malik took his sister's arm. "Sister, I need to look in the library here for anything I may have missed before."

Marik sighed. "I need to search the pharaoh's archives in the ancient palace."

"Nobody has been in there for centuries, Marik. Pharaoh Yami had it sealed five thousand years ago."

Marik grinned. "I can find it. My Rod can show me the way."

Isis sighed. "Not this again. Can you not think about your Rod for two minutes?"

Marik snickered. "Not really."

"Isis, can we stay at your place, if at all possible? We're so sorry for barging in like this!"

Isis walked up to Ryou. "You're always welcome here, Ryou."

Aten ran up to Isis and wrapped his arms around her. "Hello, Auntie Isis!"

"Hello, Aten!" Isis picked up the boy and kissed his cheek. "How's my little nephew?"

Aten smiled. "Good. But, I'm getting hungry."

Isis reached into her desk and gave Aten some money. "Here's some money, Aten."

Aten squealed and threw his arms around Isis' neck. "Thant you!"

Isis put Aten on his feet and kissed his cheek. Isis looked up at Marik and walked to him. Marik blinked tiredly.

She raised her hand and brushed across Marik's cheek. "Are you tired, Marik?"

Marik blinked. "I can't sleep, Isis. I have to bring Itemri back."

Isis nodded. "Rest. You can easily enter the palace under the cover of night."

Marik nodded. "I know. That is my plan. But, I have to conserve my energy. Thank you for your hospitality, Isis."

Marik disappeared and the Millennium Rod fell to the floor.

"Where did he go?" Ryou asked.

"He's in his soulroom. He's tired."

Aten walked to the Millennium Rod on the floor. "Goodnight, Daddy. Sleep tight. Have good dreams."

Aten handed the Rod to Malik. "Tate tare of my daddy. Mate sure he otay when he gets up from his nap. Mommy, Tan I go sopping with Unkie Seto and Unkie Puppy?"

"Ryou, can you take them to Seto and Joey? I'm going to the Archives to keep looking."

"I'll be right with you when I get Aten to Seto and Joey."

Ryou turned to Isis and hugged her. "You're the best, Isis."

"Go on, Ryou. I'll be home tonight around suppertime."

Malik kissed his sister on the cheeks. "Thank you, Isis."

"I love you, brother. And I would do anything for your family."

"I love you, too, sister. Thank you."

Isis smiled. "See you later, Malik."

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

Aten rode on Donny's shoulders as they walked through the market. Aten was still very short and was underweight, so Donny wasn't burdened.

Jaimen rode on Joey's back as they walked through the bazaar. Jay and Karl kept their eyes through the crowd, looking for potential threats.

Aria held Seto's hand, her eyes sparkling at the crowd.

Aten squealed and pointed to a shop. "Let's go in there, Bonnie!"

Donny tried to read the words. "What does it say?"

"It's a cheese shop! I want some cheese!"

Donny lead the group into the cheese shop.

Aten looked at some of the cheese. "I just want something small.

I need something to eat to tate my meditation."

Aten looked around and laughed, pointing at the cheese. "'Aayiz gibna!" (I'd like some cheese!)

The man cut the cheese and Aten gave him the money.

"Mut shakkreen," the man said. (Many thanks.)

Aten opened up the cheese and took a bite. "Ta'mu kwayyis." (It tastes good.)

"Shukran." (Thank you.)

"Tell him what you want, Unkie Seto!"

Seto shifted his eyes warily. He didn't know much Arabic. He asked the man at the counter something and the man bent over with laughter.

Aten's face turned red as he started laughing until tears came from his eyes. Soon, the cheese shop was full of laughter.

Seto's face turned beet red from embarrassment.

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Why did you ask for that, Unkie Seto?"

Seto turned to Aten. "What did I say wrong?"

Aten wiped the tears coming down his cheeks. "You just asked for a pregnancy test, Unkie Seto!" Aten said as he laughed harder.

Donny, Karl, and Jay bit their lips to keep from laughing.

Seto narrowed his eyes. "I'm out of here."

Seto left, followed by everyone else, his face red as a cherry.

Aten put a hand on Seto's shoulder. "It's otay, Unkie Seto. Let's go have lunsh. That should mate you feel bedder."

On the way to the restaurant, they stopped and looked at Egyptian jewelry. Aria bought a gold necklace.

Karl bought his lover a silver and gold chain with the Eye of Ra on it. Karl kept it in his pocket, knowing what could happen should he put it around his lover's neck in public.

Jay bought Karl a gold bracelet.

Aten sat beside Donny at the restaurant. Aria and Jaimen sat on both sides of Seto. Joey sat beside Karl and Jay.

Seto looked at the menus written in Arabic. "Don't they have English menus here?"

The waiter came over. Aten ordered and Seto threw up his hands. "I don't care what you order for me, Aten. Just pick something."

"What do you want to eat, Unkie Seto?"

Seto sighed. "I have really got to learn Arabic. I'll have this," Seto said pointing to some random order.

Aten took a deep breath and sighed. "I feel lite this is home, Unkie Seto."

Seto looked around at the restaurant. Something was familiar about it, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He felt as if he were in this building before.

The waiter came over to them. He gave each of them their order. Seto looked at Aten's plate. "What did you get?"

"Fatta. It's rice with bread, chicken, and broth. It also has yogurt. Mmm…yogurt."

Seto looked at his plate. He blinked. "What is this on my plate, Aten?"

"Stuffed pigeon with rice."

Seto covered his mouth. "I didn't order this."

Aten nodded. "Yes you did. You poin-ed to it."

Seto looked at Aria. "What are you eating?"

"Lamb in a pita bread served with tomato and parsley. It's really good. Mmmm…..meat." Aria's canines dug viciously into the meat.

Seto sighed. "Why me?"

Donny snickered as he ate his sweet potato. "Eat the pigeon, Seto. Pigeon meat can be quite good."

Seto narrowed his eyes at his Head of Security. "Watch it, or I'll break the hand I use to sign your pay check."

Donny lowered his head, still snickering. "I'll be good."

They paid for lunch and returned to Isis' apartment. Seto had discussed getting a separate room for his men.

He paid the owners double a month's rent for his three men to share a room.

Seto turned to his men. "Your room is across the hall from ours. Report to our room tomorrow morning at nine in the morning sharp. Understood?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Kaiba."

Donny, Karl, and Jay escorted Seto to Isis' room.

"Dismissed."

Donny, Karl, and Jay opened the door to their room. In the distance, they could see the pyramids. Jay's eyes lit up at the sight.

Donny began unpacking his bags when Karl stepped close to him.

"Hey, Don, I have a favor to ask you."

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

That night, Malik accompanied his yami along the darkened streets of Cairo. Marik watched suspiciously as the people walked by. The 'women of the night' continued to frequent the same corners as their ancestors had five thousand years before.

One man jumped out of the shadows and pointed a dagger at Marik.

Marik bent his arm and showed the criminal a tattoo on his upper arm which was normally concealed by a gold band around his arm.

The criminal bowed. "My apologies, Great One." The man left casually.

Malik turned to his yami, his eyes full of shock. "What just happened?"

Marik showed Malik the hidden tattoo. "Five thousand years ago, all of the criminals of Cairo received an identical tattoo on their upper arm. It was meant to tell other criminals that I was a criminal, too. It was a form of identification. Anyone who did not have this tattoo was considered fair game and open prey. Itemri had his placed on the nape of his neck. His hair hid the tattoo. I hid mine because of my social status. Nobody wanted to see a criminal of noble blood."

"How come I've never seen that tattoo?"

Marik sighed. "I've kept it hidden from you. I used magic to keep it concealed. But now, we need it when we are roaming these streets at night."

Marik stopped in front of the restaurant where his son and Seto had eaten lunch. He looked up.

"Rayna…..Kesi……sweet gods, Malik."

"What is it?"

Marik walked up to the door and touched it lightly. "This is where the brothel was five thousand years ago. This is where Bakura's girlfriend and Kesi worked."

"Who is Kesi?"

Marik grinned. "A lady of the night with a heart of gold, Malik….slain by Anubis. Anubis stabbed her through the stomach with his sword. She….She was pregnant. I…I loved her, Malik."

Marik's bottom lip trembled. "I loved her so much. She helped me heal from my wife's death."

***Flashback***

Kesi looked up at Anubis, her eyes wide and her body shaking. "Marik…….."

Anubis pulled his sword up, cutting her from abdomen to the base of her neck.

Kesi's body twitched as her blood spilled from her body. Her eyes looked up into the ceiling as she let out her last breath.

Anubis looked down to see her entrails pouring from her wound. He removed his sword and let her body fall and allowing more of her inner organs to sickeningly slide out of her body. Aziza and Nubia ran to Kesi and stroked her hair.

Anubis looked down at the dead girl. "Her death will please Pharaoh Yami."

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

"I had no time to mourn her, Malik. Anubis was after Bakura and his daughter." Marik looked up at the building. "I'll never forget you, Kesi."

Malik put his hand on his yami's shoulder.

Marik took a deep breath. "I have a job to do, don't I?"

The yami lead his hikari to the Royal Palace. Outside, the guards kept watch.

"Modern weapons. I have to battle modern technology to get past these guys. Before I died, this would have been a challenge. But, thanks to my Rod, I can sneak in. Modern technology is no match for Shadow Magic. Wait here."

"Marik, what if you can't get yourself out of there? What if you collapse and I can't get to you?"

"I'll be fine, lover. You wait here."

Malik gripped Marik's hand. "What if you need me and I can't be there? Let me come."

The yami saw the conviction in his hikari's eyes. Malik was worried about him. As long as he kept his hand on Malik, Malik would also be hidden from view.

Marik took Malik's hand and lifted the Millennium Rod.

"Rod of Night,

Conceal From Sight,

Our bodies Entire!"

Marik and Malik disappeared. "Now, we must be quiet. Don't let go of my hand, whatever you do."

Malik kept his grip on Marik's hand as they walked through the palace walls. The couple stopped, standing in the palace gardens.

Marik looked around, trying to remember the layout of the palace.

"What's the matter, yami?"

"It's been five thousand years since I've been here. Give me a moment."

Marik bit his lip. "It's around the boundary of the gardens."

Marik pulled Malik along the edge of the gardens. Marik's one hand touched the wall.

"It had to be here!" Marik growled.

They walked until Marik stopped. He closed his eyes.

"It's behind here."

Malik raised an eyebrow. "How can you be sure?"

The yami grinned devilishly. "My Rod knows all."

"There's a million to one chance that it's right in this spot!"

"Are you doubting me?" the yami asked defensively.

"No," the hikari answered, shaking his head.

Marik gripped Malik's hand and put his head into the concrete. His head disappeared into the stone. He removed his head and smiled. "Still don't believe me?"

"You found it?"

Marik stepped through the stone, pulling his husband through the wall. Malik shivered as they stepped through into a musty, warm room.

"Rod of Light, Shine bright."

The Millennium Rod glowed, illuminating the room. Scrolls and papyrus lined the shelves. Writing instruments lined the tables.

Marik put the Rod on the table and looked around. "This is going to take a while. Malik, you take the scrolls on the bottom shelves. We need to find a way to bring a yami back. I'll take these two top shelves."

Marik and Malik sifted through the scrolls by the light of the shining Rod. Malik stopped every few paragraphs to look up at his yami. Marik's left eye twitched with its usual spasms. The yami's face was becoming sweaty as he sifted through the scrolls of ancient texts.

Malik saw his yami wavering as he stood over the scrolls. "Yami? Are you okay?"

Marik nodded, keeping his eyes on the scroll in front of him.

Malik tried the next scroll on the shelf.

"Oh..my..god,…it's our death warrant!" Marik gasped. "'By the order of Pharaoh Yami, the criminals Bakura Osiris Itemri and Noble Marik Ramses Ishtar are to be captured by any means necessary. A handsome reward will be given to the man who captures them dead or alive.' I think I'll keep this. Souvenir."

Malik shook his head. "As long as we don't get caught carrying anything out of here."

"Don't worry, hikari," Marik said. "We'll be fine."

Marik changed scrolls with a heavy sigh.

Malik hear his yami yawn as he read.

After a long time of searching, Marik bellowed out a laugh that could have shaken the foundation of the Royal Palace.

"MALIK! GET OVER HERE!"

Malik jumped off of the floor and ran beside his yami.

"To bring a spirit from the Land of the Dead and offerings must be made to the God of the Underworld….These offerings must be made in the Temple of Isis. The spirit must be placed within its own corpse. The corpse must have all of its components. The entire body must be intact to complete the ceremony. If any piece of the body is missing, the ritual is pointless." Marik skimmed further into the scroll. "To bring the spirit back from the Underworld, chant this ritual spell….MALIK! WE FOUND IT!"

Marik wrapped his arms around Malik and squeezed him tightly.

The yami placed many kisses along his hikari's face.

Malik hugged Marik tightly. "Now we can bring you back, Marik!" Tears came from Malik's eyes. "I'm so happy! Now we can bring you back to life and everything will be perfect again!"

Marik smiled and kissed Malik's forehead. "Yes, Malik. Let's go home and get some rest. The museum should be closed by now and I'm feeling weak."

Malik picked up the two scrolls that they needed. "Let's go home, yami."

Marik grabbed Malik's hand and the yami took the Millennium Rod.

Marik guided his Light through the streets of Cairo again.

They arrived excitedly back to the apartment building.

In the lobby, they found Donny reading a book with a cup of coffee by his side.

"Donny? Why are you down here?"

Donny looked up from his book. "Oh, Hello, you two. I…I…I told Jay and Karl I would give them some time to themselves."

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Didn't want to stay and watch? What's wrong with you?"

Donny blushed a deep red. "Let's see….I have a wife and four kids. I'm not gay."
Malik shook his head. "Well, I think they make a cute couple."

Marik raised an eyebrow again suggestively and grinned. "There's always a first time, Donny-Boy."

Donny blushed again. "Not for me, Marik. I'm comfortable with who I am."

Marik grinned. "You don't know what you're missing, man."

Marik took Malik upstairs, purposefully passing in front of Karl and Jay's room.

A muffled moan attested to what was happening in the room.

"Those two better keep it down if they know what's good for them."

Malik snickered. "Well, Karl is good with knots. How much do you want to bet he's got Jay tied down helpless?"

Marik shook his head. "Come on, Malik…you KNOW Karl puts his knowledge of knots to good use!"

Malik and Marik returned to Isis' apartment. Marik quickly retired to Isis' bedroom to sleep.

Malik told Ryou, Isis, and Seto what had to be done.

Isis looked at the scroll carefully. "All of the bones on both skeletons must be intact. I'll have to lay Bakura's bones out tomorrow. Much of his skeleton sustained a lot of damage due to prolonged physical abuse. According to the scroll, if we do not have every single piece of bone, the ritual will not work."

Malik sat back and sighed. "Ryou and Marik know all about Bakura inside and out. They can help."

Ryou sipped a hot cup of tea. "It won't be easy putting Bakura's bones back together."

"The hardest part will be Bakura's skull. Tiny parts of bone broke off from the back of the head. We have to make sure we've got all the pieces."

Ryou nodded. "That could take a long time, but I'm willing to work at it night and day to get Bakura back."

"What about Yami? Will the spell bring him back, too?" Malik asked.

Isis sifted through the scroll. "You can't bring back Bakura without bringing back Yami. This spell affects all dead yamis."

"Do we even have Yami's corpse?"

Isis nodded. "His mummy is on display at the Museum."

Ryou looked over at Malik. "Do we really want to bring Yami back?"

Malik shrugged. "We have no choice. It sounds as if Yami's spirit will find his way to his body if we have his mummy or not."

Isis sighed. "We need all of the Millennium Items to perform this ritual."

Seto opened his cell phone. "Yugi will be ready to go first thing tomorrow morning. Donny is the fastest pilot. He can go pick him up and bring him here."

"Marik looked very tired tonight. That magic to keep us invisible must have taken a lot out of him."

Ryou nodded. "Let him rest. Tomorrow will be a big day for him."

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

Marik woke early the next morning. Ryou and Malik were sleeping beside him quietly.

He looked over at the cot that had belonged to Aten on which to sleep. He was gone.

Marik stood up, panicked that his son had disappeared.

He stood up and opened the door to his bedroom. He heard Aten's quiet voice in the hallway.

He crept down the hallway and saw Aten kneeling in front of an open window. He was bowing in front of a window, his forehead touching the ground reverently.

"Ra, please forgive my daddy. He does not mean to not pray to you. He's a good daddy. He loves me. Please don't tate my daddy away from me. Let me know what I tan do to teep my daddy alife….Just please don't tate my daddy away. Tate me instead….just don't tate my daddy away from my mommy."

Marik looked down and sighed sadly. He didn't have the heart to tell his son to tell the truth about the gods.

'Let him believe what he wants….I won't stop him.'

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