Dark pasts, Darker Secrets

Bakura and Ryou sat in the large sitting room of Seto's house in silence. They looked at one another periodically, looking as if they were about to say something, but remained silent. It was when Yami walked in they Ryou smiled. "Hello Yami," the boy chirped. Yami smiled and sat on the couch across from them. "Hello you two. I hope I wasn't interrupting a scintillating conversation." He added the last with sarcasm and Ryou giggled.

For a few moments they sat in companionable silence, until the one question that had been tugging on Ryou's mind finally slipped from his mouth. "How is it that all of you have some sort of psychic ability?" Instantly he clapped his hands over his mouth. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice muffled. "I know you don't like to talk about your pasts..."

Yami chuckled and sat back with a smile. "No, we really don't, but I think for that question an answer is deserved." He looked to Bakura who shrugged and hugged Ryou closer to him, as if to use the boy as a shield from the past.

"Well, in the beginning, Seto, as the high priest of the palace, was able to use magic. He kept that ability even after we were cursed. After a long time of constantly being together and knowing what we had done, we wanted to go our separate ways. Seto was the one who gave us the ability to speak telepathically with one another, just in case one of us got into trouble. Marik was the first one to use it, and with Malik draining his power, his telepathy became the weakest of us all. He really doesn't like to use it much because it drains his mental strength, but that is a tale for Marik to tell."

Ryou sat forward, fascinated by the words of the tale. "So, can I ask what each of you can do individually?" Bakura pulled him back and scowled. "I think that's enough questions." Yami laughed. "Don't mind him, Ryou. He hasn't grown into his psychic abilities, so it gets him angry to think about us having these things." Ryou giggled and Yami continued.

"So, for me, after a few years speaking with Seto, I found one thing. With the growth of my mind I was able to use my mind to implant memories. I used this wildly, trying to make new friends and seeking out a place in the world where I belonged.

"But after a while people noticed that I was not growing any older and that became a problem. So after a long while of working until I almost dropped, I was able to erase memories from people's minds. At first I had no clue that I was doing it and it was hurtful to see friends not remember who I was, and to shun me from their groups, until one day I realized the effect I had on the mind. After a few years of doing that, I left where I was and found Seto along with the others, and we have been together ever since." Ryou was in silenced shock. He thought about what the five had been through and it brought tears to his eyes. "Hey, what's this?" Bakura asked, wiping at a stray tear.

Ryou sniffled and wiped his face. "I'm sorry. It was just.... I thought about how hard your lives must have been, living in the world and seeing it change so much around you.... It must have been frightening."

Bakura pulled the boy into is chest and rested his chin on the top of his head. "It was alright. We made it through, and now we know we will make it because we have found the ones that will make us whole again." Ryou smiled at those words and beckoned Yami over to them. The boy sat, feeling awkward until Ryou embraced him, feeling his sadness. "It's amazing what *you* can do," the pharaoh muttered. Ryou pulled away confused. "What?" Bakura chuckled.

"I don't think he realizes." Yami smiled kindly at the boy. "When you feel someone is upset or crying, you use your own mind to essentially make them feel better. You can take any emotion and make it your own. You're a natural high." Ryou blinked before he laughed. Yami and Bakura felt the effects of the boy's laughter, their own hearts lightening to the point where they had to laugh right along with him.
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Confidence radiated from Seto by the time night had rolled around. The teen had accomplished remembering the language of the gods by the afternoon and was in a somewhat better mood. He stood alone in a room examining what needed to be done when there was a knock on the door. Marik stuck his head in and whistled. "Wow... Look at all this stuff. Do you need help with anything?" Seto turned and smiled, clapping invisible dust off his hands. "Actually yes. I could use your help painting."

He walked to his new helper and showed him a piece of paper with small scale drawing of the room on it, but on the floor there were symbols. "See these three signs? These are the signs of the Millennium Items we once held, and I need you to paint them on the floor."

Marik nodded and picked up a large bucket with a paintbrush sticking out from it. The substance in it sloshed and curiously Marik brought the bucket close to his face and sniffed, making a face. "Ummm, Seto.... Is this what I think it is?" Seto shook his head.

"No," said carelessly. "It's only sheep's blood. You should know I would never use human." Marik began painting the floor in a circle, his face still scrunched up in disgust.

"In the top corner goes the Millennium Ring. Make it big, that's where Bakura and Ryou will both be standing. In the right corner goes the Millennium Rod, and on the top goes the Millennium Puzzle Pyramid."

Once the two had finished Seto stood on a chair and nodded, surveying the floor. Everything seemed to be in order, so all they needed were the people. Picking up on his thoughts Marik nodded sadly. "I'll go get them." Seto watched him go out.

~I know it's scary,~ he sent through their mental link. ~But we all know that Pegasus has to go down and this is the way that it needs to be done.~ Marik caught on to the worry in his voice. ~Seto, is there something you're not telling us?~

The brunette gave the mental equivalent of a sigh. ~When I spoke to Anubis he told me that he thinks there is a traitor amongst the gods, and he is *not* happy about it.~ Marik said nothing after that, reaching the room where Bakura, Yami and Ryou were talking.

He entered the room and the three went silent. "It's time," Marik stated. Yami gave Ryou an encouraging smile and patted him on the shoulder. Together they followed Marik down the halls to a large room. Seto was found circling the room sprinkling what looked to be salt on the floor. When he noticed the four stood watching him he smiled and patted his hands together. "Please come in." Three of them stepped into the room, but Ryou stared at the circle with wide eyes, his body shaking.

The boy was nervous all day, and now he was plain terrified. Bakura had told him that the ritual would hurt, and there might be blood. And there on the floor, blood soaked the tiles in strange patterns and symbols. Bakura squeezed the boy's hand and pulled him into the room, embracing him safely. Seto walked to the middle of the floor where a circle of small letter like figures was painted.

"Bakura and Ryou." His eyes were cold, but then softened when he noticed Ryou's fright. "You two stand over there." He pointed to a circle. Bakura had to practically drag Ryou over to their circle. "What's wrong?" He asked as soon as they were within the circle.

They watched Yami and Marik take their places within the large circles. Seto looked everything over and smiled at the shaking Ryou. "Just keep your eyes on Bakura. Everything will be fine." Ryou shakily nodded and did as he was told. Bakura smiled at him lovingly and placed his hand over his heart, which was beating steadily. ~You gave this feeling back to me~ the taller boy said softly in Ryou's mind. ~And I love you.~ Their hands entwined and they held one another tightly.

"Bakura... I'm scared." Bakura nodded and held his lover tighter. "Me too. But, as long as I'm looking at you I know nothing will happen. I love you." Ryou smiled and leaned in to rest his head against his lover's strong chest.

Yami and Marik gave one another nervous glances, but remained silent. "Ready or not, here we go." Seto cleared his throat and raised the scroll Anubis had given him. ~We will be separated so we can be together, but until that happens, let me hold you close~ Bakura's words floated through Ryou's mind like butterfly wings and he pressed himself closer to Bakura, feeling the strong, safe arms enclose around him. Seto began chanting.

"With the thread of time
and of your own design
I bind these two souls.
With the power of the gods
I bind you from behind.
I bind you from before
that you will be one
for evermore.
With Phet
I bind you from the left."

The candles lit around the room began to go out one by one and a cold presence filled the room. Ryou squeaked and squeezed his eyes shut, burrowing himself in Bakura's chest. He dared to peek and almost wet himself by what he saw. There on the wall in the shadows was what looked like a woman, and her cold eyes stared directly at Ryou.

"With Isis
I bind you from the right."

Another figure appeared on the wall in the shadows, her form that of a lovely woman, her arms stretched out to reveal feathers growing down.

"With Ra
I bind you by the day."

To the left of Bakura and Ryou appeared a man.

"With Ptah
I bind you by the night."

Ptah's shadowy figure slithered on to the wall and stared at the group with dead, cold eyes.

"With Anubis
I bind you from below."

At that moment a cold, sickening feeling made its way through Ryou's body and the boy shivered uncontrollably. He peeked out from Bakura's chest and looked around until he saw a large shadow looming over Seto. His eyes traveled upwards and he almost screamed.

The shadow figure had the body of a man, but the head of a jackal, and its eyes were as red as blood. For a moment the eyes fell on Seto with a form of kindness, but then swung to stare at Bakura and his light. Ryou squeaked and buried his head against Bakura's chest once more, hearing an echoing chuckle as Bakura wrapped his arms around Ryou's slight form.

"With Horus
I bind you from above."

At last the father of the gods made his presence known by a shrill scream from his eagle beak, his head lifted proudly. Seto looked around him, bowing low to the gods respectfully before returning to the spell.

"I bind you
that you may know the laws of love and life.
I bind you with your own good conscience
and so let this magic unfold.....
and spin......
and spin......
AND SPIN!!!!!!"

The candles in the room were snuffed automatically, but the light was not gone, for under Seto, his circle began to glow and a humming noise filled the room. It sounded so loud to Ryou that he tried to cover his ears, but the sound was in his head.

The light blasted from the floor and each of their circles was lit up in a light show, wind buffeting all of them mercilessly. Bakura kept his eyes closed, trying to reach Ryou's mind, but the humming was too loud to make connection. Suddenly Ryou cried out and his body stiffened. He looked up at Bakura with pain filled eyes as his body tried to fold in on itself, but Bakura held the boy to him tightly.

A moment later the taller boy felt the pain his light felt. He wanted so badly to scream, but he kept his stature for his little love's sake. The light beneath them grew brighter and as Bakura looked around he noticed their circle was the only one lit. Yami, Marik and Seto stared at them with curious horror as the spell worked.

Ryou was suddenly pulled forcefully from Bakura's arms when the boy jerked in pain. He was lifted into the light. He stared down at Bakura with fear, then his eyes screwed shut and he screamed. Flames licked his skin, starting from where his birthmark lay, catching his clothing on fire, burning them away.

Bakura groaned as his scar burned and seared his skin. He opened his eyes just in time to see Ryou's frightened face begin to disappear. "Bakura!!!" His voice sounded as if it were so far away.

A bright ball of light lifted from the floor, drowning out Ryou's face with its glow. It stopped in mid-air for a moment, then with a resonating boom, the light thrust itself into Bakura's chest and was gone. The room was silent. Bakura stared down at his chest.

"Ryou...." he whispered before everything faded to black and his body collapsed to the floor.
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The room around him shook with the force of a powerful surge of energy. Pegasus watched his glass of wine ripple in the crystal glass with a smirk. "So... the gods have gave the little boys fire to play with...." He picked up the crystal glass, bringing it to his lips he took a sip of its contents. "Well. This could cause a slight hinder in my plans, now won't it?"

Placing the glass down he closed his right eye. From his left a gold aura flashed and he smiled. Slowly the room around him grew darker and darker. In the black mists Pegasus was joyed to see the forms of Jounouchi, Honda, Yuugi and Malik.

The young boys sat huddled in a group, clutching to one another, their figures shivering in fear. "Having a good time boys?" As one the group jumped and their heads turned in his direction. Jounouchi was the first to stand and glare at him. "Let us go!" he demanded. "You can't keep us here!"

The silver haired man smiled. "Oh but I can. There is nothing you can do to stop me while stuck here." The blond boy's eyes grew dark in anger. "Seto will find us..." His fists clenched and unclenched in anger. "And when he does, you are going to pay dearly for this."

Pegasus smiled and shook his head. "You still don't get it do you? That is exactly what I want!" He raised his head, his one eye gleaming with fanatical glee. "When he comes I will have his soul, then," he looked at Yuugi. "I will take Yami's soul, then Otogi, Marik. And finally.... My collection will be complete when I take Bakura and Ryou."

The four glared at him angrily. "Oh well. I must go. I know where I am not wanted. Please enjoy your stay here. I'm sure in time, with the souls of your beloveds you will be much more comfortable here."

With a dark chuckle he broke the connection to the Shadow Realm. As he did he could hear the terrified screams of the boys as a creature advanced on them. Pegasus sat back in his chair, smiling and sipping is wine. When they came.... he could be ready.
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I'm sooo sorry this update took so long, but.... there was a death in the family. My baby cousin, only 17 passed away from Lupus.... R.I.P. sweetheart.