Closed to thetombkeeper

[moonlightshine]

[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.

Comments

[thetombcreeper]

[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.]

[moonlightshine]

[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. ]

[thetombkeeper]

[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.

[moonlightshine]

[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?]

[thetombkeeper]

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...?]

[moonlightshine]

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.

[thetombkeeper]

[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.

[moonlightshine]

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.

[thetombkeeper]

[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...?

[moonlightshine]

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.

[thetombkeeper]

[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.

[moonlightshine]

[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.

[thetombkeeper]

[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...?

[moonlightshine]

[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.

[thetombkeeper]

[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...

[moonlightshine]

[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. ]

[thetombkeeper]

[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.

[moonlightshine]

[Usagi was taken by surprise at the information. Her mind thinking back to the nightmare she faced. How Marik’s body, hair and eyes changed under Yami’s controlled.]

I..see. [A pensive look came over her features as she thought more on the subject, wondering if the shifting of personalities or…souls? Hurt for Yugi. But then her mind wandered to when she regained her memories of the past and how her body reacted…

Her hair grew so long, so very, very long. ]

If we talk to the Pharoah…he—or Yugi may want to know what is it about me that’s drawing Yami to me. [She bit the inside of her cheek as she thought about it.]

I’m not sure if I should reveal who to what I am to him. It could place him in just as much danger.

[thetombkeeper]

[For Yugi, it was painless. Like swapping who was 1st player in a game. For Ryou, it rendered him unconscious. Yugi and the Pharaoh co-existed. Ryou and Bakura did not.

Marik hums in thought. Although he doesn't fully trust either of them, Yugi was good at keeping secrets when he needed.]

Yugi's capable of handling himself. It's... up to you if you want to tell him. From what I've gathered, he's pretty good at dealing with secrets considering most don't know the Pharaoh even exists.

[moonlightshine]

Mmm, and Luna might have a fit. [She would defiantly not be pleased if someone outside of their circle (which now included Marik) knew their secret. What would be the point of a secret if others found out?

They didn’t have a handle on who the new enemy could be and exposing herself would put the girls in danger too.]

If I talk to the Pharaoh, I would have to talk to Luna about this too. I can’t leave her in the dark. [ Which would mean Marik may need to tell her what happened about Battle City. They did talk about explaining some parts of Battle City to the others…maybe now was that time?]

The only other thing I can think of is….you talking to the Pharaoh about Yami and I try to look into old archives.

[thetombkeeper]

That's true... I hadn't thought of that...

[Marik grits his teeth. If he speaks with the Pharaoh alone, there's a chance he'll figure him out. It's pointless to speak to him because the tomb keeper suspects he knows exactly why it happened.

If it's Usagi, it might not be so obvious.]

We... should tell Luna.

[And pray she doesn't think Marik was a mistake for Usagi to get involved with all along.]

[moonlightshine]

[ Marik didn’t look pleased with Usagi’s idea. She thought it was a good compromise, a way to keep things under wraps until both teens were sure of what to do for the next step. It looked like Marik had other ideas. ]

Are you sure? [She didn’t want to push him too far if that was the case. ]

Maybe…we should sleep on it? A new idea might come in the morning. There’s no rush.

[Its not like Yami would torment her again in one night…right?]

[thetombkeeper]

[Just because he's mostly okay with Yugi doesn't mean he likes his other half. The Pharaoh is the reason for all of his suffering, after all.]

She's your guardian. She should probably know the person who's courting you.

[He sighs and leans back.]

I guess... Oh.

[And there he goes, sitting back up. Marik climbs out of bed and walks over to one of his storage chests off to the side. He pulls out a candle, sets it on his dresser, and lights it. Then he walks to Usagi's side of the bed and hangs a topaz charm on the corner of the headboard.

The blonde looks over at her and smiles.]

There. The candle should help you sleep more soundly and this charm will hopefully keep away anything... unpleasant.

[moonlightshine]

Mmm, she has said she wants to know more about you. [Like a second mother who was concerned about the boy she dated. Wait, courted? Marik used that word before. Or had he? Her mind was over the place tonight.] But, did I hear you right? You’re courting me? [Not dating?

She blinked, pulled back so he could freely get out of bed. He got out a candle and a charm of sorts? The faint scents of jasmine and lavender tickle her nose. It’s very soothing.]

That smells nice…[She looked over at the topaz charm. ] something to keep bad drama away? [She asked, moving to him again once he was back in bed.]

Maybe I should get a charm from Rei-chan as well…just in case.

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik has used the term before. Dating wasn't even a concept to him until he ran away. They're dating though so the next step is to court, yes? Being called out like that gets his face to turn to red.]

... Y-Yes? That's the next s-step, isn't it?

[He climbs over Usagi, pausing for a moment when he's on top of her, his cheeks turning a darker shade again before he lies down next to her instead.]

Bad spirits, yeah. I can write you a Hieratic one as well if you want...