Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter Twenty-Three:

Sighting Souls

Atem followed Yugi, as the small mixed angel yanked at Atem’s chains. What’s wrong, Yugi? questioned Atem mentally, hoping that Yugi could hear.

Yugi didn’t respond.

Are you ignoring me? asked Atem, being hopeful.

Again, there was no response.

“Is something wrong, Yugi?” asked Atem verbally.

“I’m considering what kind of death I should put you through,” replied Yugi in a dull, boring voice. He didn’t sound like himself at all. “Why do you ask?”

Atem shrugged, keeping his eyes downcast. He then switched to his night vision, and saw a beast hovering over Yugi. It was a darker, evil version of Yugi, a piercing and evil smile on it. It held chains, revealing the true Yugi that he knew, who was covered in scars and crying.

It was then, that Atem realized what he was looking at. He now knew what these ‘beasts’ were… they were souls.

From observing Yugi’s soul, he could see that Yugi was trapped. He was doing things against his own free will. He was being controlled.

Atem… a voice called out.

Who’s there? asked Atem, glancing around.

Help me… Atem, please…cried the mouth from Yugi’s chained soul. Yugi’s soul was talking to him. I don’t want to hurt anymore…

Atem was speechless. How was he supposed to help his friend now? He couldn’t think on his own anymore, or control his own actions. Whoever was doing this to Yugi was going to get it, in full. That was a promise he was determined to keep, no matter what. Yugi didn’t deserve to do anything against his own will.

“The Organization wants to see you, before they let me deal with you. I hope they don’t take too long…” purred the demonic version of Yugi, stopping Atem short, and stroking his neck with his claw-like fingers. “You’ll be so much fun to work with…”

Atem shivered at Yugi’s cold words. Was he being controlled by an outside force, or was it something else? Did it have something to do with how they turned Yugi into the same beast, just like Dartz? Whatever the reason, Atem wanted to know now.

They reached a large doorway, which Yugi opened with ease. He then dragged his prisoner into the dark room, where four cloaked figures were seated. They stared at Atem in curiosity, but said nothing.

“Good work, Yugi-boy,” said the voice of the first person in Atem’s dream. “You’ve done well.”

Yugi bowed on his knee, and bent his head downwards. “Thank you, my master,” said Yugi modestly, almost purring.

“Join Dartz for now, Yugi,” growled the second figure.

Nodding, Yugi left the room silently, leaving Atem alone and unprotected by all means.

“So, Atem, by the look on your face, you’ve seen us before?” inquired the third figure, resting his chin on his gloved hands. A smirk of sorts was printed on his jaw, giving him a malevolent look.

“What did you do to him?” bellowed Atem furiously, growling ferociously.

“To Yugi-boy?” asked the first. “We just ran some tests on him, nothing to get worked up about.”

“You-you fiends,” screeched Atem, sounding shrill, yet frightening. “Change him back now!”

“I’m afraid we can’t do that, Atem-boy,” chuckled the figure. “You see, the changes are permanent.” He then smiled. “But don’t you worry, you’ll be seeing him shortly. We were wondering if our creations were stronger than a demon, so you are going to be our lab rat for the moment. But, statistics say that you’re friend, Yugi-boy will win…”

Atem’s ears pressed against his head, growling darkly at the four. “So, we are just you’re test subjects?” he screeched. “Let Yugi go this instant! He doesn’t deserve to suffer this way! Can’t you see that?”

The four seated laughed, their cruel laughing causing shivers to run down Atem’s spine. “But, that is our job, young demon,” commented a third cloaked figure. “Do you know who we really are?”

Atem was silent, trying to have a glimpse at their souls. But, much to his surprise, he could see nothing. They were just empty shells, devoid of life. A deep growl vibrated in his vocal cords, as his lips pulled back, revealing long, sharp fangs.

“We are the Organization of Destruction,” said the second figure. “We are what causes the conflict between both angels and demons. It is our job and major priority that the world is never at peace. But, you and your friends have been violating our jobs, and we must put an end to your powers once and for all.”

“Powers?” hissed Atem, sounding like a wild animal. “What in Ra’s name are you talking about?”

The group was taken aback at the outburst. “Don’t you EVER say that again!” roared the third figure, growling. “Dare to do it, and you’ll be missing a pair of lungs!”

“Marik! Calm down!” screeched the second figure, jumping to his feet.

“…Marik?” questioned Atem, trying to peer under the hood of the cloak the demon wore. “Is that you?”

The demon Atem knew well ripped the cloak off of his head, the whites of his eyes now black, like death itself. His face was much thinner, and he looked like a corpse. His fangs were enlarged, and a demonic look was permanently carved onto his normally handsome face. Scars were on his face, revealing the fights he had dealt with while Atem struggled to survive.

“It is me, Atem. What makes you care?” he growled venomously, making Atem shiver.

“What happened to you, Marik?” inquired Atem, struggling to break free from his chains.

“After you were announced dead, I sold my soul to the devil, Atem. I had no reason for life. This lead me to live among the council. I must admit, I really like working here. Hearing people scream in such agony gives me so much pleasure…”

Atem’s heart sank. “You can’t mean that…”

“Yes, my heart no longer exists. It beats in the hands of the great devil, Zorc, and there is nothing you can do to save me, dear brother. But, there is a way to save yourself from the unbearable torture just ahead,” said Marik, smiling evilly. “Sell your soul as well, and Zorc will spare you from eternal damnation and suffering.”

Atem was about to reply, when his thoughts traveled back to his hikari, who was suffering in such agony and pain. “Did Yugi-”

“Sell his soul?” finished the first figure, revealing his long, silver hair, and a missing eye. “No, so we tested on him, to make him one of us. You see, we don’t like losing great test subjects, such as yourself and your friend.”

“What about Anzu? What did you do to her?” asked Atem, growing terrified.

“We set her free, but erased her memory of this place,” said the second casually. “She wasn’t important to us, so we got rid of her. But, I’m sure she’s been worried about both you and you’re little freak of a friend.”

“Freak?” screeched Atem. “It’s not his fault that he is the way he is! Let him go this second!”

“You want to be the cause of a massive massacre, then?” asked the second, crossing his arms across his chest.

When Atem still held his puzzled look, the second cloaked figure turned his head towards the figure with the missing eye. “Could you explain it to him, Pegasus?”

“You see, Atem-boy, when we transformed Yugi into what he is now, a half-breed, it changed the way he sees things. All that runs through his veins now is to kill. Pointless killing is what he dreams of achieving now, more than anything. To him, you are nothing but prey.”

“A… half-breed?”

“Yes,” confirmed Pegasus. “He’s now half demon, half angel. He’s a monster. A blood thirsty, relentless kill-”

“NO!” screamed Atem. “He’s not a monster! Take that back!”

The fourth figure finally made his move. “He will continue to reject the fact that his friend is lost. Perhaps a live demonstration will prove otherwise to him.” This figure’s voice was cold, and heartless. It flowed like silk, but was still violent and cruel, beyond the obviousness.

Atem was then dragged into a room, shaped like a fighting coliseum. Yugi was dragged into the room by Marik, his strength being much more advanced than it was before.

Yugi’s ribcage was visible, and he now wore a pair of torn jeans, nothing more. His scars glistened as the sweat on his flesh dripped off of his body. His saliva coated his fangs and chin, as it dribbled to the floor. He hissed, and tried to attack Marik. But, being so much smaller, and walking on all fours, he had the disadvantage.

Then, a mother grizzly bear was brought into the arena, as well as her two cubs. Marik, still being much stronger than the bear, was able to drag her into the arena without so much as a scratch on his arm. Then, in a matter of just a second, Marik was standing beside Atem, chuckling to himself.

The fourth figure snapped his fingers, and the chains on both creatures fell, and the fight began. The mother bear stood on her hind legs, and growled ferociously at the beast, now known as Yugi.

Yugi snarled at the much larger beast, back hunched. He was prepared for attack. He then leapt on the massive animal, and tore out a chunk of its neck. Blood flew in all directions, as the mother grizzly screamed in agony. She then fell to the ground, giving Yugi another chance to strike. He lunged himself at the bear, and sunk his claw-like hands into her stomach. Blood flew from her mouth, and she was dead. Hardly a fight, in any cost.

Yugi then turned his attention to the cubs, and advanced towards them, purring like a maniac.

Atem’s vision changed, and he was staring at Yugi’s condemned soul.

“No, please don’t hurt the cubs!” screamed the chained Yugi, tears streaming down his eyes. “They’ve done nothing!”

The beast Yugi stopped in his tracks. It was obvious that the two conflicting souls were having a ‘talk’ with each other.

“Must… kill…” chanted the demon almost mechanically. “Must… taste… blood…”

The newer instincts won over Yugi, and the cubs were slaughtered instantly.

“Are you convinced yet, Atem?” questioned Pegasus. “As you can see, Yugi’s nothing but a monster now, forced to kill. Dying to taste the blood of another. He’s no longer, what you would say, you’re friend.”

Atem’s claw-like hands were clenched into fists. “No… he’s still Yugi…deep down inside…”

The second figure laughed, and threw his cloak off, revealing silvery hair, which was untidy. “I think that he needs to experience the new Yugi, first hand, don’t you agree, Marik?”

“I’m right with you, Bakura. Let’s have him experience the death penalty. It’s the least we can do, to assure that the secret of us is kept, now and forever.”

The fourth figure remained silent and still, but was fully aware of what was going on. He chuckled, and got to his feet, smiling malevolently. He snapped his fingers, and was gone. Atem’s eyes widened, as he stared at the space that was once occupied by him. He then felt, as his conciousness slipped, and the world turned black before his eyes.

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It’s my birthday today! Yay! So, here’s a new thrill killer, for ya. Let me know what you guys think as you read and review, okay?

Oh, and here’s a fanart I did of when Atem first transformed. If you’re interested, click on the link… or else. XD

kiku-okassu./art/The-battle-won-with-regrets-84941799