Trick or Treat

Tra la la.
Chapter three.
Sorry I took so long, but I'd originally written a different
chapter three which turned out to be the end of the story.
But, I didn't want to end it like that so I re wrote chapter 3
and here it is.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Yu Gi Oh

woot woot woot

** Flashback

WARNING: Character death... kind of.

_______________________________________________________________________


Chapter Three


“How is he?” I croaked.
I sat out on the back veranda, my forearms resting on my knees, hands
dangling limp, head hung forward where the setting sun could not sting
my eyes. I had been in the same position for at least two hours, forced
to hear Marik's muffled agony as Seto and Bakura worked on his mysterious
injuries, but unable to help, to watch, to advise because I was absolutely
incapable of movement, reasoning or speech. Now silence had fallen over
our house and I was anxious to know the outcome of their activities.
“He’s sleeping.” Bakura replied shakily, collapsing next to me.
Sobs wracked his slender frame as he sat, hugging his knees. My heart
bled for him, and my poor dark angel Marik whose screams I had listened
to for the past two hours.
It had all happened so quickly...

*FLASHBACK*
A sound.... Steady breathing. Sunlight? Daytime. I opened my eyes. An unfamiliar
room. Billowing cream curtains. Silver hair fanned out on the pillow next to
me. Bakura. A hand on my chest that does not belong to my body. Marik,
asleep on my other side.
I leapt out of bed and ran into the hall. What had I done? I ran into my
bedroom. Images came flooding into my head. My confession to Marik... the
taste of Bakura’s blood... my first fuck in a thousand years...
I shook my head as though to clear it. I shouldn’t be afraid. I don’t regret it do
I? No. Why deny myself the very thing I wanted above all else?
I pulled on a pair of boxer shorts and crept back into Bakura’s bedroom; Marik
was sitting up in bed, a dazed expression on his face. I smiled, then realised he
wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were unfocussed, his mouth slightly open. The
bandage around his middle was stained red- his side was bleeding again.
“Marik?” I said uncertainly.
Marik shut his eyes tight and screamed. He clawed at his chest, as though
trying to remove a dagger. He then fell back, his body contorting in pain.
Blood flowed freely from his side now.
Bakura flew out of bed and collided with a chair.
“Ah fuck!” He cursed, picking himself up off the ground.
He spun around and gaped at Marik.
“God Bakura help him!” I cried, rushing to Marik’s side.
I grabbed hold of his shoulders and shook him. Bakura pushed me out of
the way.
“Go get Seto!” He ordered.
I turned and ran. I found Kaiba in the lounge room, sleeping like a corpse.
I shook his roughly. Kaiba opened his eyes.
“What is it?” He mumbled.
I opened my mouth to reply when a wave of dizziness hit me. I swayed on
my feet, and then fainted and crashed to the ground.
I’d woken up in my bed. I could hear Marik's tortured screams. I tried to
stand but my legs threatened to give out and the dizziness returned full
force. I collapsed to my knees.
I then felt the overwhelming urge to throw up, so I stumbled outside and
vomited off the back veranda.
I fainted again and feel back on the wooden planks of the veranda. When
I woke up I was where I had fallen. I edged my way back until I came to rest
against the wall of the house.
*END FLASHBACK*

“And we’ve got nothing to dress his wounds! We don't know what's causing
them! He won’t stop bleeding!” Bakura continued, crying hysterically.
I was completely numb, and confused.
“You can only do your best.” I mumbled.
Bakura did not acknowledge my statement; too far-gone was he in his own
grief. I refused to believe that Marik could die. We were immortal. Destined
to live forever. We were going to face the prophecy together. We were most
likely going to die together so good could triumph over evil and there would
be no more suffering in the world.
I then began to cry at the injustice of it all. I wasn’t ready to sacrifice myself
for peace. Why must there be more bloodshed to stop it all? What was I
supposed to do? Lay down and let Yugi despatch me any way he pleased.
It wasn’t right. There was something missing. Some key fact we didn't have.
A shadow fell over me and I looked up into Seto’s tired lazuline eyes.
“He’s asleep. I’ve stopped the bleeding.” Seto stated, kneeling down beside me.
“What happened?” I asked.
Kaiba took a deep breath and looked out over the backyard.
“What do you know about voodoo?” He replied.
“A fair amount. Is that what you think is happening?” I countered.
Kaiba nodded and looked back at me. I thought about it. It had to be Marik’s
counterpart. The battle had begun.

Kaiba sighed at the look of understanding on my face. I looked at him closely.
“Are there any facts at all that you remembered about the prophecy?” I asked softly.
Kaiba shook his head.
“Nothing. But there is someone I think can help.” He replied standing up and
running back inside.
I stood up and went inside, leaving Bakura on the veranda where he’d cried
himself to sleep. I was sore and stiff, but my discomfort was nothing compared
to the pain in my soul. I went into Bakura’s bedroom and knelt beside the
bed. Marik was asleep. He lay flat on his back, his breathing shallow and fast.
His stramineous (1) hair was plastered to his neck with sweat. I took his hand
in mine and wept.
It hurt so much knowing for certain I would lose him and then eventually Bakura
too. I’d only just opened up to them, only just trusted them, and only just got
to know them!
Why eve everything I love be taken from me? What did I do that was so wrong?
Oh Marik! Please forgive me for condemning you to such an awful fate. Would
that you never met me. I wish I could take it all back. All the things I did all the
things I said.
“I love you!” I sobbed.
I couldn’t bear the pain. I couldn’t just watch him die!
I felt a comforting hand on mouldoulder.
“Yami, come with me.” I heard Seto say.
I let him pull me up and lead me outside. I leant against the railing of the
veranda, my head in my hands.
“I did remember something. I remembered Aleksander; it was he who first
told me of the prophecy. I brought him here to help you.” Seto began.
I didn’t move.
“He is also trained the arts of black magic and voodoo. He is with Marik now.” He continued.
I lowered my hands and looked at him.
“So what did he say? What do we do?” I asked hurriedly.
“I’m going to see Malik; to put a stop to Marik’s suffering. You have to stay here.” Seto replied.
“No way! I want to go and rip that little fucks heart out!” I snapped.
“That is why you have to stay here.” Kaiba said softly.
“How can you say that? I have to help Marik!” I cried.
“Yami listen to me, stay here, and stay with Marik and Bakura. You need to be
here in case something happens.” Seto argued.
He was right. I did need to stay to protect Marik and Bakura.
“All right. I’ll stay. Hey, where is Bakura?” I replied.
is ais asleep in your bed. Aleksander sedated him.” Kaiba said.
I nodded.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Kaiba finished.
I nodded again and watched him walk back inside. I looked out over the backyard.
It was almost dark.
Damn this stupid prophecy! Damn it all to hell! I refuse to die for this. I refuse to
participate in the damned prophecy! I wish I didn’t care.
“Argh! Please help!” I heard a cry behind me.
I spun around and faced a dishevelled young man, with long fiery red hair and smoky
grey eyes. He was wearing black robes.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I tried to stop him... please... you’ve got to help...” He gasped.
“Aleksander?” I inquired.
The man nodded.
“Calm down. Tell me what happened.” I stated.
Aleksander slowed his breathing considerably.
“Marik escaped. He heard Mr. Kaiba was leaving and took off after him.” He explained.
My blood ran cold.
“Where is Bakura?” I asked, raciack ack inside.
“Still asleep.” Aleksananswanswered.
“No matter whappeappens, keep him here. Do not let him leave the house.” I called
over my shoulder as I ran out the door.
It suddenly occurred to me once I was halfway down the street that I had no idea
where I was going. I cursed myself and slowed to a brisk walk. He couldn’t be too far
away. I stopped and looked around me, but nothing looked familiar. There was no
sign of Marik or Ka The Then I noticed it. A trail of blood droplets on the ground.
I picked up my pace and followed the faint blood trail to a big double story house.
It was red brick and had white shutters on the windows. It looked a lot like Ryou’s house.
I raced up the path and in the open front door. Once inside the house I stopped and
listened. The house was completely silent. But I managed to pick up the blood trail and
followed it across the polished wood floor and up a flight of stairs. Then it abruptly ended.
I was on the top floor of the house now. The walls were painted white with framed Egyptian
paintings adorning them. The floor was polished wood like the lower level.
I looked around and gasped at a big smear of blood on the left wall. I went over to the
nearest door and kicked it open. The room was empty. Completely. I moved further
down and forced open another door. This room was empty as well.
I was soon faced with the door at the end of the hall; all the other rooms were empty
and yielded nothing. The door I faced was slightly aja lis listened carefully for any
kind of sound. A soft weeping reached my ears. I very slowly opened the dond nd
peered into the room.
It appeared to be a bedroom, with a big bed much like Bakura’s. The walls were white.
The floor polished wood.
Directly in my line of vision stood Seto Kaiba. His back was to me, but he turned around
upon hearing my entry. He motioned for me to stay quiet and beckoned me over to him.
I crept over to him then turned and looked around the room. I leapt back involuntarily
from the sight that met my eyes. Seto held me in his arms as I tried to come to terms
with what I was seeing.
Marik was on all fours on the ground, sobbing quietly. His breathing was harsh and his
face twisted in a mask of pain. He was coated in blood, but I came to the conclusion
most of it was not his as I spied the mutilated body beside him. The chest had been
torn open, and the entrails scattered around Marik. The body’s throat had been ripped
out, and blood still trickleom tom the wound onto the floor.
It was horrific! I presumed the body belonged to Malik. At least he couldn’t hurt Marik
anymore.
I turned around and looked?” I asked.
“That you got it wrong.” Kaiba answered.
“Got what wrong?” I continued.
“Well... that I don’t know. But I’m guessing it has something to do with the
prophecy. You’ll have to talk to him yourself once he’s rested for a while.” Kaiba finished.
“What's Bakura doing now?” I inquired.
“Singing lullabies to Marik.” Kaiba answered, grinning.
“You’re kidding!” I said.
Kaiba shook his head. I laughed.
“It’s calmed Marik down a lot though, so I wouldn’t be too hard on him.” Kaiba finished.
We were silent for a moment.
“Seto, you told me Aleksander could help. He told you the prophecy. Is there
anything at all he knows that can help?” I finally asked.
“You’ll have to ask him yourself. He’s already told me he can’t tell me.” Kaiba
replied, looking thoughtfully out over the backyard.
I nodded and joined Seto in surveying the backyard. I didn’t notice him leave.
After some time, a quiet voice behind me interrupted my thoughts.
“You wanted to see me Pharaoh?” It said.
I turned around.
“Aleksander,” I began “Please, call me Yami.”
Aleksander nodded.
“Can you tell me anything? Anything at all that will help us decide what to do?” I asked.
Aleksander smiled.
“I can tell you a lot my young friend.” Aleksander replied.
“Then go on.” I urged him.
“Patience friend. The answers will come. But answer me this, how can I tell you
what you want to know when I don’t know what you want to know?” Aleksander said, smiling.
“Stop talking in riddles. Tell me about the prophecy!” I demanded.
“Now, now Yami. Impatience will get you nowhere. Until you’re ready to speak
to me as an equal, I’ll not say another word.” Aleksander stated, then walked back inside.
Insolent fool. Doesn’t he realize I could kill him with my bare s ifs if I wanted
to? I could crush his skull with ease. I let fly a string of obscenities and stalked
inside. Aleksander would talk to me, whether he liked it or not.
I found him in the lounge room, sitting calmly on the couch with his feet tucked
up under him.
“Ready to speak to me?” He asked.
I grumbled to myself and sat down on the floor in front of him. I was desperate
for answers. Desperate enough to play his stupid games.
“Good. Now what do you want to know?” He continued.
“Please... can you tell me about the prophecy?” I said softly.
Aleksander nodded.
“You know that the final battle between good and evil shall be fought. You
know that you must fight Yugi and Ryou. Malik, I know has already been
decimated. I know you’ve had some doubts about which side you are on.” He said.
I nodded.
“I can clear that up for you. You are the good guys. Bakura, Marik and you
have to win the battle.” Aleksander continued.
“How is that possible? How can we be the good guys? Do you know what we
are?” I said hurriedly.
“Yes, I know what you are. But answer me this. Do you know what they are?” Aleksander countered.
I thought about it, then shook my head.
“They are possessed. By the Egyptian god monsters. By killing Malik, Marik
set the winged dragon of Ra free to possess another body.” Aleksander said.
My head was spinning.
“Do you know whom?” I asked.
“Yes. Joey Wheeler.” Aleksander replied.
“I don’t know him....” I said.
“I know. But Seto does. He can not know Joey is possessed. You must not,
under any circumstances tell him.” Aleksander said threateningly.
“Ok, but wait. How do we stop them? Since we can’t kill them.” I asked.
“You could kill them if you really wanted to. But I know you don’t want that.
To free them from the spirits inhabiting their bodies you have to destroy the
well of souls.” Aleksander answered.
“What's the well of souls?” I continued.
Aleksander smiled.
“I shoulve kve known... All right, the well of souls is a gateway to the shadow
realm. You can enter the shadow realm via the well but you cannot leave from
it. It has been said that very powerful spirits could come back through the well.” Aleksander began.
“And that's what happened?” I interrupted.
“Yes, basically. The monsters bodies are still in the shadow realm. So if you
?” I asked.
“That you got it wrong.” Kaiba answered.
“Got what wrong?” I continued.
“Well... that I don’t know. But I’m guessing it has something to do with the
prophecy. You’ll have to talk to him yourself once he’s rested for a while.” Kaiba finished.
“What's Bakura doing now?” I inquired.
“Singing lullabies to Marik.” Kaiba answered, grinning.
“You’re kidding!” I said.
Kaiba shook his head. I laughed.
“It’s calmed Marik down a lot though, so I wouldn’t be too hard on him.” Kaiba finished.
We were silent for a moment.
“Seto, you told me Aleksander could help. He told you the prophecy. Is there
anything at all he knows that can help?” I finally asked.
“You’ll have to ask him yourself. He’s already told me he can’t tell me.” Kaiba
replied, looking thoughtfully out over the backyard.
I nodded and joined Seto in surveying the backyard. I didn’t notice him leave.
After some time, a quiet voice behind me interrupted my thoughts.
“You wanted to see me Pharaoh?” It said.
I turned around.
“Aleksander,” I began “Please, call me Yami.”
Aleksander nodded.
“Can you tell me anything? Anything at all that will help us decide what to do?” I asked.
Aleksander smiled.
“I can tell you a lot my young friend.” Aleksander replied.
“Then go on.” I urged him.
“Patience friend. The answers will come. But answer me this, how can I tell you
what you want to know when I don’t know what you want to know?” Aleksander said, smiling.
“Stop talking in riddles. Tell me about the prophecy!” I demanded.
“Now, now Yami. Impatience will get you nowhere. Until you’re ready to speak
to me as an equal, I’ll not say another word.” Aleksander stated, then walked back inside.
Insolent fool. Doesn’t he realize I could kill him with my bare s ifs if I wanted
to? I could crush his skull with ease. I let fly a string of obscenities and stalked
inside. Aleksander would talk to me, whether he liked it or not.
I found him in the lounge room, sitting calmly on the couch with his feet tucked
up under him.
“Ready to speak to me?” He asked.
I grumbled to myself and sat down on the floor in front of him. I was desperate
for answers. Desperate enough to play his stupid games.
“Good. Now what do you want to know?” He continued.
“Please... can you tell me about the prophecy?” I said softly.
Aleksander nodded.
“You know that the final battle between good and evil shall be fought. You
know that you must fight Yugi and Ryou. Malik, I know has already been
matemated. I know you’ve had some doubts about which side you are on.” He said.
I nodded.
“I can clear that up for you. You are the good guys. Bakura, Marik and you
have to win the battle.” Aleksander continued.
“How is that possible? How can we be the good guys? Do you know what we
are?” I said hurriedly.
“Yes, I know what you are. But answer me this. Do you know what they are?” Aleksander countered.
I thought about it, then shook my head.
“They are possessed. By the Egyptian god monsters. By killing Malik, Marik
set the winged dragon of Ra free to possess another body.” Aleksander said.
My head was spinning.
“Do you know whom?” I asked.
“Yes. Joey Wheeler.” Aleksander replied.
“I don’t know him....” I said.
“I know. But Seto does. He can not know Joey is possessed. You must not,
under any circumstances tell him.” Aleksander said threateningly.
“Ok, but wait. How do we stop them? Since we can’t kill them.” I asked.
“You could kill them if you really wanted to. But I know you don’t want that.
To free them from the spirits inhabiting their bodies you have to destroy the
well of souls.” Aleksander answered.
“What's the well of souls?” I continued.
Aleksander smiled.
“I shoulve kve known... All right, the well of souls is a gateway to the shadow
realm. You can enter the shadow realm via the well but you cannot leave from
it. It has been said that very powerful spirits could come back through the well.” Aleksander began.
“And that's what happened?” I interrupted.
“Yes, basically. The monsters bodies are still in the shadow realm. So if you
destroy the well, their spirits will be destroyed too.” Aleksander said.
“And we all live happily ever after...” I said sarcastically.
“In theory. Though you will live for eternity and Yugi... well...” Aleksander replied,
then got up and walked out.
I was numb. It had never occurred to me that I couldn’t be with Yugi. But how
could I be so naive? I am immortal. The length of Yugi’s life would be nothing
compared to mine. Of course, heaven forbids anything should go my way! God
dammit! I lay down on my back and stared at the white ceiling.
Life is so unfair. At least Marik is still alive. Oh shit! If he knew Malik didn’t have
to die he’d... I don’t know what he’d do. I leapt up off the floor. I couldn’t let
Aleksander thim him anything!
I rushed into Bakura’s bedroom, but Aleksander was nowhere to be seen. I locked
eyes with Marik who was curled up in Bakura’s bed. Bakura was asleep beside him.
I walked over to Marik who sat up and hugged my waist.
“I’m sorry.” He whimpered.
“What for?” I asked kneeling down beside the bed.
“We got it wrong Yami. They’re not evil... They’re possessed. Malik told me...
he told me that he is glad I stopped him from being a monster. Oh god Yami!
I tore him apart with my bare hands.” Marik sobbed.
I stroked his hair softly.
“I know.” Was I s I said.
Marik looked up at me with tear filled eyes.
“Has Aleksander told you the story?” I asked.
Marik shook his head.
“The Egyptian god monsters possess Yugi, Ryou and Malik. Well, Malik was. By
killing Malik you set the winged dragon of Ra free and it possessed someone
else. A kid called Joey.” I explained.
“Then how can we stop the kil killing them doesn’t work?” Marik asked.
He seemed to have already decided we were the good guys.
“Well, apparently the Egyptian god monsters are in the shadow realm but their
spirits came back through something called the well of souls. So we destroy the
well of souls, setting Yugi, Joey and Ryou free.” I finished.
“That’s it?” Marik asked.
I nodded.
“That's easy. So where is the well?” Marik continued.
“Well, I don’t really know. Actually, I have no idea.” Ited.ted.
Marik lay back down.
“When you find out, let me know you’re not going to destroy it without me.” He said, then yawned.
I nodded and smiled then walked out of the room. Aleksander was in the lounge
sitting on the couch again. I resumed my position on the floor.
“Can you tell me where to find the well?” I asked.
Aleksander studied me for a moment.
“You aren’t ready to find it.” He replied.
I just looked at him. What on earth did he mean I wasn’t ready? I was as ready
as I was ever goin get get. Damn prophet.... Then it occurred to me.
“Prophet, what will happen when we find the well?” I ask “On “One of you will die.” Aleksander replied.
I titled my head to the side quizzically.
“The death of the well requires a sacrifice.” Aleksander explained further.
I thought about it.
“I will be that sacrifice. Now can you tell me where to find the well? I will leave
without Bakura or Marik. I will keep them safe.” I stated.
“It is for that reason that you must not know. Not until you are ready.” Aleksander said.
“But what do I have to do? What do you want me to say? I want to help these people!” I cried.
Aleksander smiled.
“I know.” He replied, then walked out of the room.
I lay down on the floor again. Stupid kid. If we were back in Egypt I would have
had the fool massacred already. Wait, that's it. I thought back to my days as
pharaoh, trying to remember anything said about a well of souls. I knew where
the god monsters came from, I’d been there to stop them once before. There
was no well there. But it had to be in Egypt. That isre tre the monsters came
from, that is where I came from. But where in Egypt? The only well I knew of
was the one in the palace. But that was just an ordinary well, full of water. Then
of course there was my tomb. That's where the well had to be, in my unfinished
tomb. Though it would have been finished after a thousand years I guess. I
was just never buried in it.
I got up off the floor to find Aleksander. He was outside on the veranda.
“I know where it is, and I’m leaving now.” I stated.
“Oh?” Aleksander replied, turning to look at me.
I stood facing him and never dropped my gaze. It was Aleksander who looked
away first.
“I’m glad you’ve finally become the man you were meant to be.” He said, smiling.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“It is your choices that make you who you are Yami. You’ve become the ruler
you should have been a thousand years ago. So go to Egypt, and save the
goddamn world Pharaoh.” Aleksander stated.
I felt like saluting him. It was a speech reminiscent of a bad military movie.
Instead I just smiled and walked over to the railing.
“I’m taking Marik and Bakura with me.” I stated.
“You’re leaving me to baby-sit Seto?” Aleksander asked.
“Yeah, and take care of Yugi, Ryou and Joey. No one else needs to get hurt.” I replied.
Aleksander chuckled, then nodded. I returned inside to tell Marik and Bakura.
Marik was sleeping. Bakura was pacing around the room.
“Start packing.” I stated “we’re going to Egypt.”
Bakura stopped and looked at me.
“Why?” He asked.
“Because that is where the well of souls is, and we have to destroy it.” I replied.
“Well of souls?” Bakura asked.
“I can’t be bothered explaining now. Just get your shit together.” I replied.
I walked over and shook Marik gently. He opened his eyes and stretched.
“We’re going to Egypt Marik.” I said.
“You found the well?” Marik asked.
I nodded. Slowly Marik sat up and swung his legs out of bed. He d upd up and
stretched again.
“Can someone tell me what's going on?” Bakura asked.
Marik hugged Bakura.
“Well... uh... how much do you know?” He asked.
“Nothing. No one tells me anything.” Bakura said, feigning sorrow.
“The Egyptian god monsters possess Yugi, Ryou and now Joey. Malik was
possessed, but I killed him and the winged dragon of Ra possessed Joey.
The monsters are in the shadow realm but their spirits came back to this
realm via something called the well of souls. We need to go to Egypt to destroy
the well of souls and to rescue Yugi, Ryou and Joey from the spirits controlling
them.” Marik explained hurriedly.
“Oh, I understand.” Bakura said sarcastically.
“Basically Bakura, we’re the good guys and we have to save the world.” I said.
Bakura nodded.
I didn’t have the heart to tell them about the sacrifice. They wouldn’t undend
nd
why I was doing it. I couldn’t bear saving Yugi, only to slowly watch him die.
I’d made up my mind what I was dying for, and it wasn’t peace, it wasn’t hope,
it was my friends and love. Marik and Bakura were everything to me, and I would
die so they could live forever in a world with no pain. Yugi would live his short life
without torment. I would make the world a better place.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Alrighty then.

(1) - Stramineous just means 'the color of straw'

Thats it for chapter three.
I'll update again soon. I promise.