moonlightshine | Closed to thetombkeeper

Closed to thetombkeeper

[Usagi wasn't sure how they all decided to take a quick trip to Domino, but she was happy for it. She would get to see the place where Marik made a name for himself. Be able to explore a new city, and over all make more memories with her friends. The girls decided to go with them as well, which made it easier when it came to getting transportation and hotel rooms. Plus, going as a group and not on a date made it easier to convince her parents.

Leaving their hotel room, she turned to Marik, gauging his expression. She had a feeling he might be nervous being back in a place that was both good and bad. They could take things at his pace. If he wanted to show her around, or if they wanted to explore, that was fine. Either way, she would be happy as long as they got to spend time together.]

The girls said we could meet up with them later in the day. I know Ami-chan wanted to visit a museum or two, and Mina-chan wanted to do shopping...

[Usagi told her boyfriend, her hand easily slipping into his, hoping it would help calm any nerves.]

I'm curious to what you'd like to do. We could wander the city, or stay at the hotel and enjoy a relaxing day.

[Heck, they could make a game of pointing out how many 'KaibaCorp' symbols or buildings were around if he wanted.]

We can do whatever you'd like, Marik-kun.

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He shouldn’t need contact lenses. He’s fine as is. [Usagi huffed, though Marik had something of a point. His glasses were there but, it shouldn’t matter what someone looked like. What mattered was what was on the inside.

The sound of Marik’s heartbeat helps to relax her. It’s a steady rhythm that acts like a lullaby, slowly luring her to sleep. ]

If it’s just him then…maybe you could show him around? Or if you want, I could do it. I don’t mind. [ Yugi seemed like a really nice person and had a kind heart from what she saw. Though, she had to chuckle a little at her boyfriend. ]

Don’t judge a book by its cover, comes to mind. I’m not really mature but…you know. [She had a secret identity. She was a princess in her past life and still was in this one, but she was carving her own destiny. ]

Mmmm….you’re really comfy, Marik….

[The tomb keeper just purses his lips. Appearances were everything to him. Umino was a prime example as to why they were important. The glasses alone changed people's perspective of him. Marik could see that as plain as day.

But it wasn't worth arguing over. Usagi's viewpoints were her owns and he wasn't going to change them.]

I can but you're more than welcome to come along. I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all.

[He was a fitting vessel for the Pharaoh's reincarnated body. Far more kind and youthful though despite the two being the same age.]

Yes but I like that about you.

[He kisses the top of her head.]

I'm glad. It's nice... having you like this...

I’ll leave it to the two of you. [ If he and Yugi were getting along, she didn’t want to interrupt their bonding time. Marik should be fine on his own for a little bit. Plus, if something came up, then Usagi wouldn’t need to make an excuse to suddenly leave.

Hopefully nothing would happen though…everything had been quiet so far. ]

You like me being immature? [ Usagi teased, while trying to suppress a yawn.

She snuggled up against Marik, finding her eyelids were growing heavy. It was getting harder to stay awake when she was so comfy. ]

It’s nice….being here with you.

[This time she didn’t bother to stop the yawn that came out. She covered her mouth and moved slightly into a better position for cuddling purposes. There was a soft ‘good night’ to her beloved as her mind drifted off to sleep.

It was hard to say how long she was asleep when her dreams played out in her mind. A lovely day with Marik, sharing a picnic beneath a tree on a sunny day, but there was a dark cloud on the horizon.

Surely, that couldn’t be a bad sign? ]

[Whatever she wanted. Marik didn't want to pressure her one way or another. He figured it would be easier just in case something did happen and she had to leave.]

Not immature. Just... youthful.

[He chuckles to himself, always amused by how Usagi acts when she's sleepy. She's absolutely adorable. The blonde boy gives her another kiss to the top of her head, letting her settle however she wants as he says goodnight in return, and slowly drifts off to sleep himself.

His sleep is dreamless but there's something stirring in that dark energy, creating those dark clouds in Usagi's dream.

The storm creeps closer and in a flash of lightning she finds Marik is hunched over, holding himself as if in pain. His physique seems just a bit larger than usual and his hair is spiked upwards. Coming from his body is pure darkness. Like a black hole, sucking the very essence out of her and their surroundings.]

[He slowly begins to look up.

This is not her Marik. Not with that glowing Eye of Anubis on his forehead. His eyes become dilated and snap to Usagi, like a predator who's just caught sight of its prey. His lips curl into a smirk and continues spreading until he gives her a particularly intimidating grin and utters in a bizarrely distorted voice:]

Hello, U~sa~gi.

Marik?

[Usagi wasn’t sure what was going on, seeing his body change, the aura coming off of him making goosebumps appear on her skin. The darkness coming off of him is almost suffocating. ]

Marik!

[There was a strong gust of wind, causing the leaves to fall and swirl around, forcing Usagi to bring an arm up to cover her face. This wasn’t too. When the wind stopped, she pulled her arm down to see Marik looking up at her—

That wasn’t her Marik. That was someone completely else.

She was forced to take a step back. Shock and confusion were clear on her face. The urge to reach into her pocket to grab her locket was hard fought. ]

You’re not Marik-kun. [Her stomach became twisted in knots as she tried to school her expression, but failed. ] What did you do to him?!

But I am. I'm the true Marik.

[He keeps his gaze locked on Usagi, never averting his eyes, practically unblinking.]

I took back my body.

[Yami reaches forward, aiming to grab Usagi's wrist as he cackles.]

And now that I have, it's time to snuff out the light he so desperately clings to...!

No you’re not!

[Usagi yelled, forcing herself get past the shock and confusion. That wasn’t her Marik, but she didn’t want to hurt him. If he was trying to hurt her…she’d have no choice. ]

You’re not him!! [He was reaching for her, and she had to act fast. As quickly as she could, the blonde moved away from him and reached into her pocket to grab her locket to transform. In a whirl of multi-colored lights, she’s transformed into Sailor Moon. ]

I don’t know how you were able to take over his body, but you will release him Yami!! [Her cutie moon stick was summoned into her hand. ]

I don’t want to hurt his body, I’m giving you one chance—leave now!

[Yami just laughs in her face as she tells him he isn't the real one.]

But I am! We were once a single soul... but the anger he felt when the Ritual happened began to split us into two.

[He leers over Usagi, eyes glowing along with the Anubis Eye.]

You'll have to hurt him in order to cast me out. If your pretty little powers can do that~

Besides...

[He steps closer.]

This is all a dream.

[Yami melts into something similar looking to Queen Metalia's energy form, cackling all the while as everything is shrouded in dark magic and shadows, a draining blackness until Usagi is forced to wake up.]

[All Usagi could do was watch as Yami melts into a form similar to Queen Metalia. Memories of that battle flash before her eyes—the recent one and from the past. The death, the destruction, and the many lives lost.

I don’t regret it.

Marik’s words came back on the wings of a gust of wind. The darkness was growing and try as Usagi could to push that darkness back, it was no use. It was more powerful than Metalia. ]

You won’t win!! [She cried out, trying to tap into her power but there was nothing. She was frozen with fear. Her energy was draining quickly until she felt like she was at death’s door.

Usagi screamed, jolting up right with her hands clawing at the air, still believing she was being suffocated by the dark energy. Her body was covered in a layer of sweat and her cheeks were wet from crying. ]

[Completely unaware of what's happened inside of her mind, Marik had woken up moments before Usagi screams, instead having heard her crying. He's by her side, holding her close and trying to wake her up.

He's not sure if it was him or the dream but he lets go of her when he can feel her body begin to lurch forward, letting her snap upright. He sits up himself with an arm on her shoulder and a concerned expression.]

Usagi. It's okay. I'm here.

[Her heart was racing. The darkness of the apartment made shadows look like giants. There was very little light and her eyes were adjusting.

She heard Marik’s voice—her Marik, and almost wanted to cry. ]

W-where am I?

[Was she still dreaming? Was Yami still out there trying to snatch Marik’s body back?

And god, why couldn’t she stop him?]

We're in my apartment. It's just the two of us. You're safe, okay?

[He gives her shoulder a slight squeeze but leaves it up to her to decide if and when she feels like being held.

That nightmare must have been something of she was crying and panicking so hard... Was it what they discussed earlier...?]

Your…your apartment.

[Usagi repeated, more to reassure herself than anything. She shifted to face Marik better, trying to look at him in the dimly lit room.

Her hand reached out to gently touch his face. Her blue eyes staring into his as she looked for signs of Yami. No eye of Anubis on his forehead. Nothing that gave off a dark, sinking aura. ]

It’s…it’s you. It’s only you. [More muttering to reassure herself the dream was over. Her lower lip trembled for a moment before she swallowed her nerves. ]

I…had a nightmare. I…I think I saw him. [Yami. The dark half of Marik’s soul. ]

I don’t know h-how it happened but he…he took over your body and I…I couldn’t stop him.

[Marik blinks, leaning in to her touch although still uncertain as to what she was dealing with.]

Of course it's me.

[What Usagi says next has his heart rate pick up. Surely it was just her mind playing tricks on her, right? She didn't know what he looked like. Even with her admitting he had his body taken over, that could be attributed to their earlier discussion. That had a deep effect on her so it was affecting her psyche.]

I'm sorry. I feel... responsible for that. I should have broken up our talk more and not bombarded you all in one night...

He's gone, Usagi. He's been cast into the Shadow Realm for all eternity. He can't escape it. Not unless someone tried to summon him as a prize for winning a Shadow Game. No one would do that though. Everyone hated him.

N-no. [Usagi started to shake her head.] I’m not blaming you for my nightmare, Marik-kun. There’s nothing to apologize for. We needed to talk about it, but…

[Her eyes turned downward, biting the inside of her cheek for a moment as she tried to recall more details of her nightmare. ]

It felt so real. We were having a picnic and the next thing I know, you were doubled over in pain. There was this dark aura around you, and suddenly…it was like you were a different person.

[Someone who oozed cruelty and evil. Someone who used darkness wrapped around them like a second skin. Someone who had his face, but was nothing like him at all.

Usagi’s gaze lifted, looking at Marik again. Her hand moved from his cheek over the center of his forehead.]

He had a marking right here…and his voice was different. B-but, I couldn’t do anything to stop him. I wanted to get you back, but it felt like I was drowning.

[He listens to her describe the dream, not thinking too deeply on it until she moves her hand to his forehead and describes the traits of his other personality.

He swallows, his eyes widening slightly.

Usagi saw him. She actually saw him. How? Why? Is it because of the power of Nemesis? But it was different from the dark magic of the Shadow Realm. Was it similar enough the two could intersect?

... Did the powers come out while he was sleeping? That would be a problem...]

I don't know how you were able to see him... He shouldn't be able to come to our realm...

[He's lying through his teeth.]

Are you alright though? He didn't actually drain your power, did he...?

I don’t know. [Usagi closed her eyes, trying to conjure the images of her nightmare, but it was no use. When she opened her eyes again, she looked frustrated. ]

I…I tried to use my power but it felt like that dark aura was all around me, drowning me. I felt like it was pulling me in, and my energy was fading quickly.

[Her hands were clenched, feeling weak and useless. While Marik was reassuring her that Yami was in the Shadow Realm, it felt like he was there. It felt like it was a warning? It couldn’t be stress playing tricks on her. ]

I wanted to help you, but I couldn’t. I…I failed you, Marik-kun.

[Marik glances away as he recalls the sensation of the dark powers sealed inside the Millennium Items.]

... That's what the Shadow Realm does. It consumes you. Coils itself around your soul... Sucks the light from you.

[He shudders. Despite it sounding bad, he missed the darkness.

The tomb keeper wraps an arm around Usagi's waist and pulls her closer to him, doing his best to suppress his own aura.

She doesn't need to know. She never needs to know.]

You didn't fail. I'm still here. I promise it's just me.

[As Marik pulled the blonde in, she returned his embrace and held him as tightly as she could. She buried her face in his chest again, nodding her head in agreement. Yes, he was here. It was only him and nothing else.

But…her nightmare was still unsettling. Who would take comfort in that soul crushing darkness? The brighter the light, the bigger the shadow. Her mind whispered, making her anxiety rise.]

It felt like I had. I know i-it’s just a dream, but it felt so real. [Did that she if something were to happen, she couldn’t protect him in real life?

More importantly, did this mean there was a way for Yami to return outside of a Shadow Game?]

I don’t think I’ll be able to fall back asleep….I’m sorry for waking you up.

[With her huddled close, Marik raises his other hand to cradle the back of her head, pressing a kiss to the top of it.

Bakura would be able to explain that question better than anyone else. The tomb keeper was a close second, followed by Pegasus.

Marik stares off into nothing as he holds Usagi, working through his own thoughts and worries. This obviously wasn't just her imagination. Yami had managed to slip through and manifest into her dreams. That wasn't good. With Yugi coming to visit, that only made him worry more. What if the Pharaoh was able to sense the new dark powers in him? What then?]

No. It's fine. I'd rather be up with you. Did you want to stay in bed or get up and do something...?

[Being held close by her boyfriend relaxed her a little. He was holding her and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. In his arms, Usagi felt the safest, but she was the one who needed to protect him. Maybe…she should talk to Luna about this? How she could stronger to protect her friends and loved ones.

Or maybe talk to Rey to see if she could do a fire reading, if anything was going to happen. ]

I don’t want to leave your bed…I just want to stay here.

[If she didn’t move, nothing would change. As silly as that was, a very childish thought. There wasn’t much they could do in the middle of the night, so staying in bed was the only option they had…and talking of course.]

I don’t know what we can talk about…I just feel useless right now. It was just a dream, it shouldn’t bother me so much.

[He understood what she meant, thankfully, and was perfectly fine staying put. Marik simply holds his girlfriend, occasionally stroking her hair or placing a kiss to her head. Anything to comfort her.]

I'm sorry. I wish I could do more to help you... Maybe...

[He hates suggesting this but if it helps Usagi...]

... We can talk to the Pharaoh? He's familiar with the Shadow Powers. He might be able to tell us if that was really Yami manifesting or just a dream...

[There was a small shake of her head.]

There isn’t anything to apologize for. You didn’t bring about my nightmare. I was having a good dream up until….that point.

[The question he posed makes the blonde girl go silent. She pulled back from his embrace ever so slightly, enough for him to still hold her while giving her the chance to look at him.]

I thought…Yugi was the reincarnation of the Pharaoh? Or, did I misunderstand?

[It could be a possibility. When Luna talked about the past, she did refer to Usagi’s past self by name. It wasn’t so unfamiliar, but she wanted to make sure she understood correctly. ]

[He was responsible though. He had to have been. There was no other way Yami could emerge like that.

Marik blinks as she pulls back. Ah, yes. He hadn't quite gone into detail about all of that except in Ryou's case...]

Mmn... No. You didn't. It's just... a strange case of it. You know the puzzle Yugi was wearing when you met him? That's the Millennium Puzzle. The Pharaoh placed a bit of his soul into it before sacrificing himself to stop the great evil.

Just like with Bakura, the spirit inside their Millennium Items can take control of their bodies. Bakura's shift is harder to detect. The Spirit inside the Millennium Ring is a master at imitating his host. Yugi's shift is fairly obvious though. You can hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes.

Closed to thetombkeeper

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