This is my first thiefshipping fanfiction so I'm sorry if the characters are OOC…

P.s. this is an AU where Ryo never followed his father in Egypt (new canon by the movie Dark side of Dimension) thus he didn't become the owner of the Millennium Ring.

Warning: Unbetaed and English errors.

I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, YGOtas and the franchise


Chapter 1

Marik Ishtar intensely stared at the golden ring inside the altar. Soon he will finally start to make a move on the pharaon and take the last god card. Some weeks ago, after a failed assassin attempt from another criminal syndicate (such a weird world he lived where people would kill for duel monster's cards), which Rishid took care of pretty quickly, the young Egyptian realized he need more power for himself. Not that he wasn't powerful enough, Marik was pretty confident in his own strength, and he was pretty arrogant about it too, still what if some other inconveniences would delay him again in his plan of revenge?

Thus, he decided to grab any other power available and since he hated the Pharaoh and the tomb so much, no one would think he ever pondered to come back there. He smiled at his evil wit. Isis would never suspect his plan, and her millennium necklace had his limit, otherwise she would have stopped him already. When he returned in the Valley of the kings with only Rishid by his side, the blond felt sick, he hated that place. Anyway, if he couldn't withstand this much, how could he change the Destiny?

Rishid lightened the torches, a protective barrier from the darkness creeping out from the surrounding. Marik wondered if the servant ghost of the Pharaoh would try to stop him. When he reacted the altar, Marik decided the ghost didn't have any intention to interfere. The ghost was the one that predicted his life would be full of blood and pain, maybe even his currently actions were part of this so-called "Pharaoh's will" like was his father's death. Marik grinned maliciously, if this was all part of this "Will" then was better for the pharaoh to be ready to face the consequences of his own decisions. Marik surely won't hold back. He will pay blood with blood. He heard inside his mind the echo of a cruel and crazy laughter. Marik shook his head to chase the sound away, maybe all this thinking about revenge was starting to turn him into a stereotype villain like those in cartoons.

The young Ishtar stared at the last Item left, the Millennium Ring. During his up-bringing as a tomb keeper his father told him of the many men that in pursuit of their greed, tried to wear the item only for them to have their soul consumed, the last one being a British archeologist seven year ago. Only the one chosen by the Ring itself could wear it. However, Marik wasn't your average man. He was the hair of the Ishtar clan, the last vestige of the time of the ancient pharaohs. His blood was powerful and he was already in possession of a millennium item. Truthfully, he didn't think there could be someone worthier than him.

"Master Marik, this item is too dangerous. While the other items, apart the puzzle, were carefully researched upon, the ring's power is considered evil and unknown" Rishid bowed and expressed his concern. "I beseech you to let me be the one to hold the Ring"

The younger boy glanced at his brother, there was no one he trusted like he did with Rishid (if what he felt could even be called trust, Marik was twisted like that), the one that shared his past, his pain. Rishid was his shadow. Differently from his father, the blond always considered his adoptive brother as a proper member of the clan. He even had enough faith in him of being able to handle a God Card. However, something in Marik's told him his brother wouldn't survive the Ring. "I must be the one. Don't worry, Rishid. The rod will protect me"

The semi-bald man gave in "Yes, Master Marik" he knew when the blond made a choice he would stubbornly follow it to the bitter end without listening to reasons.

The atmosphere was filled with tension, the light of the flames morphed the shadow, creating grotesque creatures on the wall fully carved with pictures and hieroglyphs, the silence was heavy and solemn.

Marik grabbed cold gold. He could die but he knew he wouldn't. He was only a little piece of the grand schemes of Fate, a broken puppet in its hands, but still a vital piece. He had a duty, a duty he didn't want to follow, but his nevertheless. Surely Destiny wouldn't kill him off till he played his part. Marik found ironic and infuriating that his certainties were based by what he hated the most and he was so strongly fighting against. With hate running inside his veins, he wore the Ring.


The Spirit felt something strings inside the Ring, he knew this sensation, another poor imbecile wore the item. And his feelings were telling him this human wasn't his fated host. The darkness in the Ring already started to react and attack the fool when a light blocked its path. The spirit was familiar with this power… possible was it a Millennium Item?

The spirit felt his own consciousness being sucked, he didn't know if this was a result from the Ring being successfully wore or if this was a power from the other Item in question. Soon, the Spirit was able to look at the outside world with the eyes of someone else.

"Master Marik, are you alright?" Rishid asked with worry.

"I'm fine. I felt the power of the Ring fighting me but like I predicted the Rod did his job. Now let's see what this new Millennium Item can do!" Marik conveyed his will power to the Ring but nothing happened. He focused more but only a tiny light glowed without doing much else.

"It's useless, you can't use the power of the Ring" Marik heard a voice inside his head. Truthfully wasn't the first time it happened to him but the usual voice induced him headache or it sounded so weird and far away from him that Marik often thought he imagined it. The voice this time was deeper and clear.

"Who are you?!" the blond Egyptian shouted.

"So, you can hear me. And you also understand the old tongue. Probably this has to do with the Millennium Rod. To answer your inquiry, I'm the spirit dwelling inside the Millennium Ring"

Like the Pharaoh in the Millennium puzzle? I didn't know there were other spirits apart him, Marik thought in private, he used the power of the Rod to shield his mind. "Still, now the Ring belong to me so you have two options: scram or bow before your new master!"

The spirit started to laugh loudly and darkly "AHAHAHAH Bow to you? A mere mortal? If wasn't for the Rod protecting you I would have already killed you! I don't have Masters, only bodies to do my bidding"

Marik amethyst's eyes narrowed "You shall not have my body!" he will never be under someone rule!

The spirit replied "Like I want it. You are useless to me. You can't bring out the power of the Ring on its full potential."

"You said this before. Why I can't do it?" the tanned boy was perplexed.

"Fate. You aren't my host thus can't use it. So, now take out the ring and put it back for the one destined to use it. I will also generously let you go without much harm" for now, when I will possess my fated host I will surely come back for the Rod. If the voice had a face he would be smirking.

Marik felt rage inside, all this work for naught? He couldn't accept it! And because Fate? If this was enough to discourage him, he would have never left the tomb in the first place!


The Egyptian teen used the Rod to enter in the spirit soul room. There was darkness all around him, Marik hated darkness, it remained of his past, but he still walked forward till he collided with an invisible wall. He couldn't go any further.

"Such a foolishness, did you think you could easily enter without my permission?" a blob of concentrated darkness appeared behind Marik. The teen grinned looking at obscured mass near him "Don't you have a better way to show yourself? Are you trying to frighten me or are you self-conscious?"

"Only mortals would concern themselves about physical appearance. Usually I would take the form of my host but since you aren't, I can't take your shape. If my form isn't up your standard well… Deal with it" a dark laughter resounded in the black void space "Or little fake-host is afraid of me? Well, you have all the reason for"

"You wished" Marik replied. The smug voice of the spirit was so annoying that cancelled out the fear. No one looked down on him! "Good. If you had my face you would ruin it. Now let's get down to business. You said I can't bring out the power of the Ring, but can you?"

"With you as a fake-host? Only half. Therefore, do yourself and me a favor and stop to waste anyone time. Give up the ring."

For what? To leave the power of the Ring to someone else? And he didn't trust the spirit, if it had a body, who know what would it do? It could easily become a torn in his side or mess up his plan. "Never. It would be more advantageous for me to take the Ring and lock it up for no one to own it"

The darkness in the space shifted angrily, the whole place shaking. the spirit yelled "Don't you dare or I will kill you right now"

"I'm not afraid of you. However, simply putting this item away it a waste so I propose you a deal. Work with me and help me, I will do something for you in return. What do you want? A Host? I will search him for you. Do you want to be freed from the item? I will find a way".

The spirit snorted "I don't have the time to deal with the whim of a child. Leave, before I lose my patience"

So stubborn, Marik sighed, but he still got a last card to play, he smirked wickedly. With a fake concern in his voice, he said "Oh, well. Good luck with the Pharaoh being the next one coming to get you then. I don't think he will be generous to you like me though. Pretty much sure he will exorcist you or something"

The soul room was shaken by feelings even angrier than before "The Pharaoh… he is awakened?" the spirit yelled, shadows growing restless. After 3000 years the promised time has come and he is still without host! Something went wrong!

From the reaction it had, the blond understood that the spirit didn't like the Pharaoh very much. So, they had something in common after all. He could use this, "Yes, and soon he will collect all of the Millennium items to get back his memories. Your ring as well. My offer still stands. Help me, and I shall grant your wish"

The spirit carefully considered the deal. If on one hand the blond wasn't his host, he still had a millennium item, making him inevitably connect to his path. And with the Pharaoh already roaming in the outside world, he couldn't risk being without a body when he will face his nemesis. Would he take the gamble on the possibility he could meet his fated host before the Pharaoh comes to get him? The spirit usually liked gambles but only when he got a backup plan.

The spirit finally decided "I accept. But only with a condition: I want all of the millennium items"

Marik snorted, the spirit acted as if he was in control when he hadn't any choices, "I agree. I won't need the Rod after I accomplished my plan. Why do you want to collect the millennium items, what is your aim?"

"This isn't something a mortal like you should have concern for. In other words: Piss off, my business, not yours".

The Egyptian almost laughed. If only the spirit knew it. He felt a sense of superiority over the fact the spirit would never get what he wanted without his help. Maybe he wasn't worthy of the power of the ring, however, he was the last key not known by anyone but still so much needed. Apart Isis. In any case, she would keep it quiet until destiny unfolded itself. Marik felt a bitter taste in his mouth. How much he hated this forced role of his! He was his own being with his own feelings. And he shall prove it to the world.

"Very well. So, what do you want me to help you with? And your name… or I shall keep calling you fake-host?" the spirit taunted him.

The boy ignored the last sentence and his amethyst eyes glowed brightly "My name is Marik Ishtar. The man that will kill the Pharaoh and become God" he extended his hand to the dark figure.

The spirit smirked in the darkness with matched wickedness "Oh, Marik. If you told me your objective early, I would have yielded much sooner. I think we will get along pretty well, Partner" his shadows encircled the blond hand.


Marik resurfaced from the soul room. Rishid, already used to the habits of his master, sighed relieved. His brother was ok.

"Let's go Rishid."

"Yes, Master Marik" the two tomb keepers walked straight ahead to the exist, when the youth noticed a man on front at him. The blond boy took out the Millennium Rod "Are you here to stop me, Master Shen?"

The Blue eyed and bald Egyptian denied it "Even this is part of the will of the Gods. You can leave. However, listen to my words: the dark power you allied yourself with isn't something a man is able to control. Remember Marik Ishtar, if you play with fire, you are bound to be burnt"

"If burning is the price to pay to win, I shall do with a smile on my face!" with determination in his face, Marik left the tomb without looking back. Rishid behind him.

"You are quite the fearless one. But will your courage alone be enough?" the spirit of the Ring, from inside his head, mocked him.

The tomb keeper, without losing his cool, replied "My future victories shall be the proof. I will win. Even against Fate itself"

"Do you think you have the strength to defy Destiny?" the spirit was intrigued. Such a foolish human indeed. Too full of himself but amusing too. Maybe he could lend him a bit of his power when the time comes.

Marik closed his eyes and re-open them again more focused of ever, "I do" he will kill the Pharaoh and have his revenge. He will gain his freedom.