Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Yami Virus ❯ My Last Breath ( Chapter 55 )

Note: I do not own the Evanescence song "Whisper" or "My Last Breath."

Note #2: If I got the sentence structure messed up in my Egyptian translation I apologize.

Caterfree: Yup. Charlie is returning in the sequel.

Liann: The spell would have brought back every yami from the underworld.

Shredded Soul: Yes. Aten can die before 18, but he doesn't. Yami doesn't kill Aten. He wounds him during the battle, but he doesn't die from Yami. Marik has to die to be cured and brought back to life by the ritual. I'm honored you like my soul. *hands various plushies*

Shadow of Light: We're going to see the movie next week. Is the soundtrack good? I may just pick it up.

Uke Kit: The gods protected the pharaoh and they shouldn't have been blind to Yami's crimes. Yami will get his own, though.

Terra: REVENGE IS LIKE FRIENDSHIP!

Marik Ishtar77: Not really. Yami doesn't change, though wait until next chappie. Yugi has enough.

lost light: Yugi will have enough next chapter.

harvestgirl64: get out the mass destruction!

yamialex: I won't stop writing this. You don't have to worry.

Kura Magician Girl: *hugs back tightly*

Mariku182: Well, it was a request and it did fit the chappie.

Tari Helyanwe: That Tristan and Otogi scene was too funny. It was hilarious! Loved that one.

Cynical Spirit valea: Yugi and Ryou needed to tell Yami off.

Lady Elfskye: sooooo……..much….squishing! WANT MORE!

Broken Time: the song fit well in there.

My Last Breath

Ryou opened his eyes in his soulroom. "Bakura?"

The yami opened his eyes and saw Ryou laying by his side.

"Good morning, baby. How do you feel?"

Bakura blinked his eyes. "Tired."

Ryou nodded. "I know, baby. It's going to take you a while to get your strength back.

[Umm!] [Translation: Mother!]

Bakura was startled and clung to Ryou.

"Aten?"

[MaftooH-ik 'uyoon! Abb 'ayyan! Abb 'ayyan!] [Translation: Open your eyes! Father is sick! Father is sick!]

"What's all this?" Ryou gasped.

***********

Ryou opened his eyes and saw his son, shaking him, sobbing.

"Abb 'ayyan!"

Ryou sat up and took Aten's shoulders. "Son, tell me what is wrong."

Aten pulled on Ryou's shirt. "Abb! Abb!" [Translation: Father! Father!]

Bakura materialized beside Ryou. "What are you trying to say, Aten?"

"Abb!"

Ryou gripped Aten's shoulders gently. "Aten, stop. Take a deep breath."

Aten's emotional state was one of alarm. All of his English was completely useless.

"Think about what you want to say, baby," Ryou said calmly. "English, Aten. English."

Aten pulled on Ryou. "Fa….Fadder…….ill."

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

Marik's POV

Catch me as I fall
Say you're here and it's all over now

Fire.

Burning inside.

Everywhere.

It's so hard to see anything.

Why is it so dark?

Where is the light?

Tell me when the pain will stop.

So this is it.

This is where and how I meet my ultimate end.

Speaking to the atmosphere
No one's here and I fall into myself

This truth drives me
Into madness

I know I can stop the pain
If I will it all away

Don't turn away

Malik entered the room and I could feel his hand clasp mine tightly.

He sat beside me and I could see him. Behind him, everyone entered the room. Ryou. Bakura. Moneybags. Puppy. Yugi. My son. Aria.

(Don't give in to the pain)

I clenched my teeth against the pain in my back. It burned. It ached.

It's just like the pain from my mortal death had returned.

I can feel the blade, although there was nothing there.

My gods….Malik……

Pain…..

Make it stop.

Don't try to hide
(Though they're screaming your name)

You can't hide from death.

So, there is no point in trying.

Don't close your eyes
(God knows what lies behind them)

I close my eyes and I am afraid.

I see myself devoured by Ammut.

If that happens….I lose everyone and everything I love so much.

I lose my dear son, Aten.

I lose Aria.

I lose my husband, Malik.

I lose my lover, Bakura.

I lose…..my other lover, Ryou.

I can't lose them.

In my mind's eye, I see my treatment in the Underworld not differing too much from Bakura's 'Punishment.'

If Ammut doesn't devour me, I will be punished like Bakura.

The only question is……..whom will I be forced to "serve?"

Don't turn out the light
(Never sleep never die)

"Malik?"I whispered.

Hurts to talk. It still feels like an arrow was piercing my skin just as it did five thousand years ago.

I never thought I'd have to face this again.

"So dark…."

Itemri left.

Why is he leaving? He looked like he was in pain as he walked.

I shouldn't be here….laying in bed.

I should be taking care of him.

I tried to sit up, but the pain was too much.

I fell back on the bed with a scream and heavy panting.

Damn Virus!

My son crawled up on the bed and took my other hand and put it to his cheek.

I'm frightened by what I see
But somehow I know
That there's much more to come

What is going to become of me after my death? I am in disfavor with the gods.

They have betrayed me.

They have betrayed my trust and everything that I have believed for millennia.

Will I be devoured?

This can't be the last of me.

If Bakura performs the ritual before I am devoured, then I am safe.

Immobilized by my fear
And soon to be
Blinded by tears

Bakura returned to my bedside and lit a tall candle.

I am afraid.

I don't want to die.

The children are scared enough without me telling them that I am already afraid.

I have to remain strong for their sake…..and for the family's sake.

I can stop the pain
If I will it all away

Block the pain.

Don't think about it.

It will only get worse if I focused on it.

Don't turn away
(Don't give in to the pain)

I turned my head and saw my hand pressed against Aten's bony cheek.

"Does it hurt, daddy?"

I blinked, not completely hearing him. "Daddy will be okay, Aten."

I managed to give him a little smile. "Come here."

Aten laid down beside me and put his arm over my chest.

Damn that hurts…..but it feels so good.

Don't try to hide
(Though they're screaming your name)

You can't hide from the gods.

It's pointless to try.

All I can do is lay here and wait for them.

Don't close your eyes
(God knows what lies behind them)

Can't close my eyes.

Can't sleep.

How can I sleep?

If Ammut devours me, I sleep for eternity.

What awaits me in the Underworld?

Damnation or Salvation?

Don't turn out the light
(Never sleep never die)

My head turned to the side to see the candle lit by my bedside.

"Malik….when it starts to get dark….keep a light on."

"Okay, Yami."

I blinked. "Turn on a light. It has to be nighttime by now. Everything is starting to get dark."

Aten turned around and looked behind him. "It's still morning, daddy. It's not dart out for a really long time."

Fallen angels at my feet

I have no chance to enter into paradise.

I've fallen from grace.

Whispered voices at my ear

'You're damned, Ishtar!' I hear from no where.

'You will be devoured by Ammut,' I hear beside me.

'You will be punished just like Bakura,' I hear from the foot of the bed.

'You have no chance of redemption,' I hear all around me.

These voices are right.

Death before my eyes
Lying next to me I fear

I looked to where my son was laying. His large brown and purple eyes looked worried and sad. His skinny bones were pressed against me, his bony arm draped over me.

A tiny skeleton laid beside me.

My hand touched the scarred skin of my son's lower back to see if he wasn't a skeleton.

She beckons me
Shall I give in
Upon my end shall I begin

Anubis will be here for me. Death.

I can't fight it.

The room became darker.

Forsaking all I've fallen for
I rise to meet my end

The gods will not help me.

They have betrayed me.

I have nothing left.

Anubis, come.

My time has near.

Don't turn away
(Don't give in to the pain)

"Does it hurt, daddy?" Aten whispered in my ear.

I felt someone light sit next to the bed. Above me, long white hair was brushing me against my skin.

A warm, soft hand touched my stomach and rubbed it gently.

"Marik, are you thirsty?"

I reached out for the person with the long white hair. "Don't leave me."

"Ryou, what are we going to do?"

The person with long white hair sniffled. "I don't know, Malik."

Malik?

I love you, Malik.

Don't try to hide
(Though they're screaming your name)
Don't close your eyes
(God knows what lies behind them)

I don't want to suffer Bakura's fate in the Underworld, but it really isn't my choice.

I'm afraid to close my eyes.

I can't bear to see my fears behind my own eyes.

Don't turn out the light
(Never sleep never die)

Don't let it get any darker….I don't want to enter the darkness of the Chamber of Judgment.

If I don't close my eyes, I won't die.

It's hard to see my fate behind them.

What will happen to me?

Will I fade?

Will I disappear forever?

Will I not see my husband anymore?

Nevertheless, I must try to remain brave for my son.

I must remain strong for him.

I must show him death is nothing to fear.

Come for me, Anubis.

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

Normal POV

Malik watched his yami stare at Aten. "Marik?"

The hikari turned Marik's face to look at him. "Marik, angel? Can you hear me?"

Marik blinked. "Hikari….."

Ryou kissed Marik's forehead. "Malik, you stay with him. Isis and I have to go construct Marik's skeleton and make sure we have all of the bones."

Yugi held the Puzzle in his hands. "I'm going, too. Yami can't be allowed anywhere near Marik."

Joey turned to Seto. "Are you out for more sightseeing, Seto?"

Seto folded his arms. "Look. I'm going to stay right here."

Aria scratched her spiky hair. "Unkie Seto, we have to go out and see the town! Let's go walk around the museum again!"

Aten's eyes lit up. "I want to go see my Scepter of Ra again!"

"Auntie Isis, can I hold my special Trident?"

Isis looked down. "I have to construct your father's skeleton, Aten. I'm not sure if I'll have time to let your scepter." Isis did not know what effect the scepter would have if Aten had it in his hands. Right now, it was not supposed to be in his hands.

He was to get his weapon, the Scepter of Ra, on his eighteenth birthday. That is when Shadi told her to give it to him.

Aria could not get her Item, the Millennium Trident, until she was to conceive her fifth and second surviving child, a boy, on her eighteenth birthday.

"Aria, it's not time for you both to have your Items. When it is time, you will receive them."

Aria pouted. "Auntie Isis, I just want to touch it!"

Isis looked at the necklace around Aria's neck. She covered her mouth. 'That is the necklace she wears during the Millennium Battle!'

"Aria, where did you get that necklace?"

Aria smiled. "Umi gave it to me."

"It's very nice."

Aria looked up at Seto with the chibi eyes that he couldn't resist.

"Can we please go see the museum? Please?????????" Aria smiled up at him.

Seto sighed. "You know when you do that I give in!"

Aria smiled. "I know, Unkie Seto. I'm your princess!"

Seto picked her up. "You do it on purpose!"

"Yes, I do! Do, can we go?"

Aten scurried over to Seto and looked up at him with large brown and purple chibi eyes. "Tan we go to the moosum? Peas, Unkie Seto???????"

Joey snickered. Seto was always a victim of Aria and Aten's chibi eyes. Seto always melted and gave into them. Joey was convinced that one of these days, that would be his downfall.

Seto groaned. "Okay. We'll go to the museum today."

Aria smiled. "Thank you, Unkie Seto."

Aten squealed and wrapped his arms around Seto's leg.

"Can I go, too?" Jaimen asked. "That museum was so neat!"

Aten smiled. "Sure you tan, Gain-men! Unkie Seto will tate us all there!"

Jaimen squealed and wrapped his arms around Seto's other leg.

Hayden shrugged. "Oh well! I may as well!" Hayden threw himself at Seto, wrapping his arm around Seto's waist from the front.

Joey looked at Seto being hugged by all four kids. He laughed.

"If only I had a camera….oh wait!"

Joey ran from the room and returned. He took a picture of Aria in Seto's arms, Aten and Jaimen hugging each of Seto's legs and Hayden hugging Seto's waist with a smile.

"That's for your desk!"

A knock sounded on the door and the three 'public relations' members pulled their guns. Donny nodded to Jay and Karl.

The couple cocked their weapons.

Donny opened the door and saw a calm Egyptian standing there.

"I was told this is the residence of Isis Ishtar."

Isis came out. "Shadi! You're early."

"I have come for the Millennium Scales and the Millennium Key."

Malik emerged from the bedroom. "Shadi. Nice to see you."

Shadi entered the room ignoring the three men pointing guns at him. "You have grown since I have delivered the Millennium Rod to the tomb that the Ishtars had been guarding. You were just a swaddled, crying infant when I saw you in your sister's arms. I gave the Rod to your father and told him it was meant for you."

Malik held the Millennium Rod in his hands. "We still need the Items, Shadi. My yami is dying, but we need to bring him back using the Millennium Items."

"May I see the Spirit of the Rod?"

Malik put his hand on Donny's arm. "Put down your guns. Shadi will not hurt us."

Shadi walked into Marik's bedroom and cocked his head to the side. "So, this is the Spirit of the Millennium Rod, the controller of the elements. Amazing."

Outside the thunder started to rumble and the rain gently tapped on the window.

"Spirit, look up at me."

Marik's eyes looked up at Shadi.

Shadi looked into the purple eyes of the yami, his body twitching and periodically shifting. "Pain?"

Marik nodded silently.

Shadi turned. "It will not be much longer. I must leave until his time is done. I will know when." Shadi approached Malik. "I will be back tonight when you will be done with the Items."

Shadi kneeled down to Aten and Aria. "Do not be afraid, children." Shadi turned to Aten. "You are the child of the Rod's Yami?"

Aten nodded and wiped his brown eye. "Yes, sir."

The man gave a little smile. "Be brave. You have lots of power within you. Power that you do not know you have."

"I do?"

Shadi stood up. "Yes. It is a deadly power. It can hurt a lot of people."

"I don't want to hurt peetles. Hurting others isn't nize."

Shadi pat the child's head. "There will come a time where you will use your power to protect the ones you love….and attack the ones who bring you pain."

Aten nodded. "I want to potet the peetle I love."

"I know you do, child. Take care of your father….as he has always taken care of you."

Aten bowed. "I will, sir."

Shadi left and Aten ran to his father.

"Daddy, I'm going to the museum, but I will be right bat. Otay?" Aten kissed his father's cheeks. "Re-lass, daddy. I love you."

Aria ran up to Marik. "I love you, too, Daddy Marik. We'll be home as soon as we can!"

Yugi looked down at the Puzzle. "You're coming with me, Yami."

Marik smiled at the children. "You both go enjoy the museum. Have fun."

Joey pat Marik's arm reassuringly. "The kids are in good hands."

"Puppy, whatever you do, don't squish my kid until he stops breathing."

Joey looked at the small Egyptian boy. "I make no promises. He's just standing there doing nothing and he's asking for it."

Aten smiled up at Joey and the blond took a deep breath.

"Can I squish him a little?"

Marik sighed. "Just don't flatten my son, pups."

Joey cheered. "YES! Get over here, you little Egyptian boy!"

Aten squealed as he ran from the room.

Aria chased Joey and Aten out of the room.

"We'll work as fast as we can, Marik," Ryou said quietly, kissing Marik's lips.

Seto gave Marik a pat on the arm. "We'll take good care of them, Marik. You just take care of yourself."

"I will, moneybags."

Yugi followed Ryou and Seto out.

Malik pulled the sheets over Marik as the rain outside pounded harder on the windows.

"Try to get some rest. I'll be in the bath. Scream if you need me, okay, angel?"

Marik nodded. "Sure."

Malik closed the door and Marik rolled on his side, wrapping his arms around himself.

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

Marik was woken by the door opening. He opened his eyes and saw Yami standing there.

"Aren't you dead yet?" the pharaoh asked.

"Kiss my ass, pharaoh."

Yami laughed. "Even on your deathbed, you are a pain in my ass."

Marik smirked. "Then my job is done, isn't it?"

Yami walked up to the blond curled up in pain. "You could have had everything, Marik Ishtar. You would have been pardoned and would not have had to be murdered in cold blood."

Marik looked up at the pharaoh. "You were cruel. Not even your father was as heartless as you. The poor starved under you. The rich were taxed to death under you."

"I favored the Ishtar Family. They were an old loyal family. I would have pardoned you, Marik."

Marik snorted. "Yeah, right. You would have pardoned me, then stabbed me in the back anyway."

Yami growled. "Yet you let the Tomb Robber brainwash you into thinking I was a tyrant."

"You were a tyrant. You starved the poor. You went through the poorest slums of Cairo, butchering infants in their sleep, letting your soldiers 'enjoy' the women, crushing men's skulls. You were a butcher!"

"They threatened my reign."

Marik narrowed his eyes and whimpered as another wave of pain spread through him. "How does a sleeping child threaten your reign? You're looking for excuses, Almighty Pharaoh."

Yami leaned down to the dying yami and clutched his throat tightly. "Why do you think I made your family the guardians of my tomb? Because I singled out your family as 'special'? Far from it. Your family looking after my tomb was a form of punishment. Your hikari spent much of his life in that tomb where his ancestors were born, lived, and died, without seeing the sunlight once."

Marik tried to break free from the pharaoh's grip, but failed.

"And now, Marik Ishtar, I don't have to worry about you anymore. All I need to do is watch you die." Yami smiled. "When you die, I'll get rid of Itemri. He's weak. I can do it. Banish him to his Ring and the Soulroom Sickness will consume him. Then your children will be easy targets for me."

Yami released Marik's throat. "Ryou will protect our children with his life."

"If I must dispose of him, I will."

Marik growled. "Keep your hands off of him, Yami!"

The blond collapsed on the bed and gripped his chest.

"You hardly have a choice in the matter."

"Leave…….Itemri……..alone."

Yami leaned down to Marik. "You're going to die, Marik. When you are gone, your family will be unprotected."

Marik clenched his eyes shut against the pain.

"Enjoy your death, Marik."

Yami disappeared, returning to the Puzzle.

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

That night……….

Marik's POV

Hold on to me love
You know I can't stay long

Malik held onto my hand. The only one absent is that Ra-forsaken pharaoh.

At least I don't have to look at him on my deathbed.

The fire in my lungs is festering. It's getting hotter by the second.

I can already feel the cold hand of death upon my forehead…just like I did so many thousands of years ago.

You never forget that feeling.

It's a touch that freezes your soul….and prepares you for an eternity of darkness.

All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid

"I love you, Malik Ishtar. I…I cannot apologize to you enough…for all that I have done."

Malik shook his head and put his warm hand on my cooling cheek.

"Yami, we'll be together real soon. Don't talk like this is the end, tenshi."

I took in a painful breath and I grit my teeth against the pain. Breathing is getting harder…and more painful.

"I've fallen out of favor with the gods, Malik. I cannot guarantee that I will return."

My lover sniffled and I could tell he was crying. "I love you, Marik. If I see you again, or if I have to go on alone, I will always love you."

Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in your arms?

Malik picked up my upper body and cradled it in his arms like Ryou cradled Itemri at his point of death.

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you

I looked at my hikari through half-closed eyes. Never in our many years together had he ever held me like this….sobbing.

I remember all of our times.

When I hurt him.

When I loved him.

When I married him.

When he hurt me.

It doesn't matter.

Sweet raptured light it ends here tonight

It all ends here tonight for me.

I'm going to die.

Tonight I take my last breath.

Possibly….

My last breath that I will ever take.

I'll miss the winter
a world of fragile things

"I'll miss you, Malik," I whispered. "I'm sorry for everything."

"Don't be, Marik. We'll get you back. You won't be at judgment for long. We'll bring you back before you can get to the Chamber of Judgment."

I saw the pharaoh narrow his eyes with that whole 'Holier that Thou' attitude. Is that a smirk on his face?

Bastard.

Let him smile.

Aten kneeled beside me along with his sister. He's so physically fragile. He put his head against my chest crying.

I wrapped my left arm around him. It hurt. It burned. But, I had to hold my son. One last time.

Aten looked up at me. "Daddy, are you twying? Peas don't twy."

His skinny, bony little fingers brushed away my tears.

Hard to tell if they are tears of pain or sorrow.

They're both.

Holding Aten in my arms, I not only realize how fragile he is, but how everything is.

My hikari was fragile as a child and I destroyed that.

Ryou was fragile and I damaged him.

Look for me in the white forest
Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)

"Malik, know that I will never leave you. If this is permanent…."

Malik put his finger to my lips. "Don't say this is forever, yami. I don't want this to be forever."
I kissed the finger covering my lips. "Angel? If…if you can't bring me back….put me with Itemri. Put my bones with his. I belong with him."

"Take your body home? You want to be buried in the Bakura family plot?"

I nodded. "I belong there. I wish to be there….Please."

Malik sniffled and wiped his tears away. "I'll do that for you, angel."

I know you hear me

"Thank you, Malik."

Malik cradled me in his arms tighter and I could tell that he was sobbing.

I can taste it in your tears

"Don't cry, angel. The last thing I want to see is my angel crying."

Malik looked down at me. "I'm going to get you back, Marik. You can count on it. No matter what I have to do, I'll get you back."

Aten nodded. "Me, too, daddy. I need you, daddy. I tant be happy without you."

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you

I brought my son's head down and I kissed it. I held him against me. He fit in my hand the first time I held him. He only weighed two and a half pounds. My whole hand covered him in the incubator.

Do you have any idea what that is like? Holding a tiny, fragile, helpless life in your palm? What made it special was that this tiny fragile helpless life……….was mine.

"I love you, my son. I love you very much."

My eyes looked at Aria. "I love our little girl. Be good for mommy and daddy, okay?"

Aria hugged me tightly. "I love you, Daddy Marik."

"Ryou? Know that I love you from the bottom of my heart. You have done so much for me. I feel as if I have not done enough for you."

Ryou shook his head. "No, Marik. You've done much for me. I just wish you didn't have to leave us. But always believe that I love you, too."

Ryou kissed me. He was always the most gentle man that I have ever been with. Nobody has a bigger heart than Ryou.

"Itemri. Come here." Bakura approached the bed. I could tell he was still weak. He looked exhausted. "Kiss me, Itemri….just like you did five thousand years ago."

Bakura leaned down, his eyes holding back his tears. He pressed his lips gently to mine and we kissed.

"I love you, Itemri."

Bakura brushed my spiky blond hair back. "I love you, too, Marik. Never forget that. Our love has endured for five thousand years. Death won't separate us. I won't let it."

My eyes looked up. "Seto? Joey? I know I was a pain in the ass. Seto? Please….If you cannot find a way to bring me back to life, please…..I beg of you……help my son."

Joey's hand touched my hair softly. "We won't let anything happen to Aten, Marik. He will have the best doctors and the best treatment."

I let out a sigh of relief. I wanted my son cared for. It's only natural that I make sure that he is provided for.

I reached out and pat Yugi on the head. "Yugi, I'm sorry that I have to leave you, too."

He looked confused. "Why? We haven't had much contact besides Battle City."

"I'm sorry that I have to leave you with a yami such as HIM."

Yami growled. "At least I won't have to worry about YOU anymore, criminal."

I looked down at Yami. "Hey, pharaoh? Take your Royal lips and kiss my Noble ass!"

Yami tried to pounce on the bed, but Ryou and Seto held him back. "Why don't you give up and die already?!"

Sweet raptured light it ends here tonight

Another searing pain spread through my back. I let out a scream. God, it hurts!

Marik held me and rocked me. "It's going to be okay, baby. My poor angel."

I'm dying.

I cannot hide from my fate.

Closing your eyes to disappear
You pray your dreams will leave you here
But still you wake and know the truth
No one's there

Malik's POV

Say goodnight

My yami laid in my arms, breathing heavily. His grip on me was tight. My angel was in so much pain.

Close your eyes, Marik.

Time to sleep.

"Time to sleep, baby," I whispered to him.

Don't be afraid

"I'll be right here for you, baby. I'm not going anywhere."

Calling me calling me as you fade to black

"Malik," He whispered as his breathing slowed down. His grip became weaker.

My yami's face was no longer filled with pain.

"Malik," he whispered again.

I bit my lip. Behind me, I could hear Ryou crying on Bakura's shoulder.

"Mal….ik, I…love….you."

Aten held onto his father, tears staining his face. "Sleep, daddy."

"Mal--."

That was the last sound that escaped my yami's lips.

Malik's head fell back and his arm that was around Aten, fell against the bed.

Marik. My poor yami. Marik is dead.

Normal POV

Aten fell on his father's chest and sobbed. "Daddy!"

Seto had to hold Aria like he did before.

Yami left the room.

Ryou wrapped his arms around Bakura, holding him. Both of them cried on each other until they heard the rain stop outside.

Malik gasped. Marik's skin rotted under Aten's body. It fell off, turning to dust. Marik's skull tipped back.

"Marik….I love you."

Marik's vertebrae cracked.

Malik blinked and looked at the skeleton in his arms. Malik kissed the cheekbone. "I love you, Marik."

Joey put a hand on Malik's shoulder. "We have to bring him back now. Isis, where is Marik's body?"

"In the museum. Ryou and I put his bones in the same box where he was packed. All of the bones are accounted for."

Yugi looked down. "Oh no! Yami has the Puzzle!"

Bakura narrowed his eyes. "Why did you give the Puzzle back to him?"

Yugi looked down sadly. "He took the Puzzle away from me. He said he wouldn't want me to smash it like Aria did before. He said he was going to wear the Puzzle from now on."

Bakura let out a growl. "Well, I don't need him for the ceremony, but I do need the Puzzle. The ritual won't work without it."

Malik stood up. "I have to get that Puzzle."

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

Yami left the apartment building and entered the museum. His Shadow Magic kept him hidden as he walked the halls.

He descended the stairs to the archives.

A box was laid on the table. In red was marked: Body 34509-M.I.

Yami opened the box. "They cannot perform the ceremony if they do not have all the bones."

Yami looked over the bones. "Something that they wouldn't notice…." The pharaoh looked at the jaw and noticed that Marik had an extra molar. He tapped into his Millennium Puzzle and the extra molar snapped off.

The pharaoh grinned as he returned to his room. "Now they can't bring Ishtar back. All is well."

Updates: Monday

Next Chappie: LEMON! Yugi gets revenge on Yami.