A/N: Figures the day I sit down and hash this out is the day I'm too sick to do anything else. Thank you all so much for your patience. Also, in case you hadn't noticed, the writing voice I use for this fic will probably keep on changing every other chapter because of the huge six-month(?)-long gaps between updates. -_- Please bear with me. I am trying.

This is mostly dialogue. Sorry. You just have no idea how much fun I have playing with the Shadow Realm. :3 Hopefully, there will be some major ass-kickage in the next chapter. :D

Many thanks go out to Emily (HereWeGoOnceMore) for being the greatest beta in existence. She will edit the shit out of your fanfics. O_o

Disclaimer: I own Julliard, Mrs. Peirce, and Holly. No one else.

When Malik opened his eyes, he saw that Julliard had taken them back to where he and Bakura had started—the room with the souls. Some of them looked uninterestedly up at the new arrivals, but most of the people sitting against the walls continued to stare obliviously into space.

Julliard sighed. "They haven't always been this listless," he said, gesturing to the abandoned people. "I mean, we're in the Shadow Realm, of course—it's not exactly a picnic—but before Marik some of them at least had a chance." He shook his head.

"Anyway," he said, "the first thing we need to do is find your friends."

"Can you do that?" Malik asked. "I thought Marik had them."

"Yes, I can, and yes, he does... technically," Julliard said. "Marik tends to deal with his prisoners rather indirectly. On rare occasions, he'll take interest in certain specimens, but your friends are mostly just nuisances to him right now. It might take some time, effort, and guesswork... but getting a hold of the rest of your troupe is quite doable."

"... How much time, effort, and guesswork?"

Julliard shrugged. "Not sure. However, I do think I know someone who can help us."

Malik wasn't at all surprised when Julliard started leading him down corridors. He just sighed and resigned himself to the fact that if he was going to die on this rescue mission, he was probably going to go while trudging down a hallway.

He was surprised when Julliard stopped, looked around, and nodded. "Yes, this seems to be the right spot." Julliard raised his fist and pounded on a door. It was anyone's guess how he told it apart from the many, many, many others there.

"What is this going to accomplish, exactly?" Malik asked.

"Oh, you'll see." Julliard took a deep breath, then started yelling.

"I know you're here somewhere, you miserable old barge!" he called. "Wake up and get out here! I'm not getting any younger, and neither are you!"

"What are you doing?" Malik hissed, grabbing Julliard's sleeve and tugging him away from the door. "Do you want something to come out here and, I don't know, eat us? Last time I was here, it was zombies!"

Julliard rolled his eyes. "You are no fun at all. Don't worry. I use my words in the most affectionate way possible. Really. Anyway, the dear old lady I'm trying to reach is harmless. Unless you're afraid she'll glare you to death." He raised his voice. "I'm still waiting, you old bat! Don't make me get out the wooden stake!"

Something pounded on the other side of the door. A voice yelled, "Keep your hat on, you incorrigible tramp! I'll be there when it best suits me, and don't you forget it!" The voice went on to complain about "the state of today's youth," and "people who couldn't be bothered to let an old lady get a decent night's rest."

Julliard turned to Malik. "I give you: our inside informant." He winced theatrically and added, "Sorry"

The door swung open sharply, and Julliard smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Peirce."

Mrs. Peirce stepped smartly out of her room, smoothing her hair. "Hello, Julliard. Still as imbecilic as ever, I see."

"Charming to the last, madam." He bent down and kissed her hand, which she snatched back.

"Hmph. And what do you want, exactly?"

"Just a bit of help, if it's not too much trouble, you miserable hag."

"We'll see," Mrs. Peirce said haughtily. She peered behind Julliard and noticed Malik.

"Well, it's about time. Really, I expected you to be here quite some time ago. Glad to know you didn't give up."

"I—you—how—what—you? Really?"

"Oh, you two know each other?" Julliard said innocently, tipping his head to the side. "How delightful."

Mrs. Peirce snorted. "Oh, hush, you. You planned this from the start." She turned back to Malik, whose jaw was somewhere within the proximity of his knees. "Yes, yes, it's a shock. I suppose that moron didn't tell you anything." She sighed. "Well, come in, then, if you must."

Mrs. Peirce's room turned out to be furnished like a quaint little cottage, complete with flowers on the table and a quilt on the bed in the corner.

"I suppose I should explain some things," she said, "but first, here." She shoved a cup of tea into Malik's hands. "You look like you need it."

Malik considered asking for some sort of really strong alcohol instead, but he downed the tea without complaint.

Mrs. Peirce nodded approvingly. "Right, then. Have a seat."

The three of them sat down around the kitchen table, and Mrs. Peirce looked expectantly at Malik. "Well, go on. I know you're curious."

Malik tried to speak, swallowed, and then tried again. "Okay. Well. This is going to seem like a really obvious question, but why exactly are you in the Shadow Realm?" He glared at Julliard. "And why didn't you tell me?"

Mrs. Peirce folded her hands on top of the table. "First off, I think I should explain that I've known about Holly's... giftssince long before she came to live with you. In fact, that's why your sister—yes, Malik, your sister—hired me in the first place." She smiled. "Miss Ishizu was a smart one, no doubt. She was planning on telling you about Holly's abilities on her next visit, but as we both know... well, that didn't happen."

"All right, fine. I can buy that, but it doesn't answer my question. You're not dead, are you?"

"Good gracious, no," Julliard said, sounding alarmed. "I don't know what I'd do if I had to put up with this bat for all eternity."

Mrs. Peirce smacked him on the arm. "Be quiet. No, Malik, I'm not dead," she said primly. "That goodness for that, because then I'd be absolutely no use to you at all."

"Mrs. Peirce happens to be involved in some dubious extracurricular activities," Julliard said.

Mrs. Peirce snorted. "Hardly, you idiot." She looked at Malik. "I happen to have two official titles," she said. "The first, as you know, is professional childcare-giver. The second is professional occultist."

"Professional... occultist."

"Yes." Mrs. Peirce sipped her tea. "You'd be surprised how often the two seem to go together."

Malik put his head in his hands. "I cannot believe this," he said. "You. Of all people."

"When I got your phone call," Mrs. Peirce said, ignoring Malik's disbelief, "I didn't say anything, but I was worried. This one here—" she jabbed a thumb at Julliard—"had been saying things about a war brewing in the Realm having to do with a supernaturally-influenced child, so I decided to check up on the two of you the next day." She raised an eyebrow. "Apparently I was too late. I came here after to see what I could do to help. Marik's been wreaking havoc on this world's organization system, but, well, you saw the souls outside. Someone has to take care of them."

Malik processed this slowly. "But how did you get here?" he asked.

Mrs. Peirce sniffed. "I certainly don't need any ancient Egyptian artifacts to enter the Shadow Realm."

"It doesn't hurt that you have inside connections, huh, darling?" Julliard said.

Mrs. Peirce ignored him. "I have my methods, Malik. Now then. What exactly do you need me to do?"

"Marik's got Bakura and Ishizu, as well as Holly and Ryou," Julliard told her. "We need help locating them."

"Ishizu's here? Well, I suppose it makes sense, since Marik is obviously after Holly. And what about the other two? How did they get caught up in this mess?"

"They're helping me rescue Holly," Malik said defensively.

Mrs. Peirce waved him off. "Yes, yes, all right. There's no need to get angry. However, I'm afraid I can't be of any use when it comes to locating your sister and the child. Marik's hiding them himself, and his magic is much stronger than mine at the moment."

"Yes, I figured that," Julliard said. "What about the other two?"

Mrs. Peirce pursed her lips. "Well, I suppose it can't hurt to try." She sighed. "Very well. I'll do my best."

She stood up and motioned for Malik and Julliard to do the same. "Now, I'm going to need both of you to do a few things for me." She gestured to a battered chest in the corner. "Malik, I need you to rummage around in there until you find an old crystal ball. Yes, people use those, don't make that face at me." She pointed at Julliard. "And you. Go stand in that corner over there. It's bad enough that I'm going to be tracking down one ghost. I don't need your presence getting in the way as well. Oh, thank you, Malik, you can set that on the table."

"You know, Bakura's dead as well," Malik murmured, studying the crystal ball as Julliard went to stand obediently next to the bed. "Ancient Egyptian spirit, and all that."

"Yes, well, Bakura's at least still tied to the living realm with that Ring of his. Ishizu's only here of her own free will. Of course, she won't let herself leave because of Holly, but her presence is still fleeting here. Ghosts tend to blend into the Realm. It makes them quite hard to keep track of." She took the crystal out of Malik's hand and set it up on an ancient-looking stand in the middle of the table. "Now, I'm going to need you to take my hand; it'll make this much easier."

"Why?" Malik asked, offering up his hand.

"Because you're connected to both of them, in some way." She looked at Malik quizzically. "You've been through quite a lot with Bakura, haven't you?"

Malik shifted uncomfortably. "It was a long time ago. Trust me, it doesn't bear talking about."

"Never mind," Mrs. Peirce said. "I'm not sure I want to know what things you got up to with that boy." She closed her eyes and placed one hand on top of the crystal.

She stood like that for several minutes. Just as Malik was beginning to grow uncomfortable, she snapped her eyes open and bent down to peer at the crystal ball.

"I've got it. Come here, Julliard."

"Finally. I thought you'd forgotten about me."

"As much as I may try, I don't think I'll ever forget you."

Julliard and Malik both peered over her shoulder.

"I don't see anything," Malik said. Indeed, the crystal looked exactly as it had when he had taken it out of the chest.

Julliard, however, nodded. "Yes, I know the place." He made a face. "Decidedly unpleasant, but aren't they always?"

"How come you can see it and I can't?" Malik asked.

"Dead, remember?" Julliard said. "One more of the perks offered as incentive to shuffle off this mortal coil."

"All right, you have your location. Now get out of my house, you scoundrel," Mrs. Peirce said. "Malik, dear, do come back and visit some time."

Julliard beamed at her. "Thank you so much for your assistance, dearest," he said, bowing low. "It means so much, we're forever in your debt, et cetera, et cetera. I bid you adieu."

Malik started to follow him out the door, but Mrs. Peirce stopped him. "Before you go," she said, pressing something into his hand, "take this."

Malik looked down at the little charm she had handed him. It was nothing fancy, resembling a small coin, but he could feel its power.

"It's not a Millennium Item," Mrs. Peirce said, "but it may help in a pinch."

Malik smiled at her. "Thanks."

"Oh, and Malik?"

"Yes?"

"When you see Ishizu and Holly, tell them hello for me, will you?"

"Of course."

"And don't let Julliard do too much of anything. It gets to his head."

Malik laughed. "Okay, I'll try. Bye, Mrs. Peirce, and thanks for your help."

"You're welcome. But I expect a raise for this one."

"If we make it out of this alive, you mean."

"Of course."

Julliard was waiting for Malik outside. "She gave you one of her trinkets, didn't she?" He shook his head. "Entirely useless. You might as well just throw it out."

"Hm," Malik said, but he tucked the coin into his pocket anyway. Julliard just rolled his eyes. "Suit yourself. Now. Marik has your friends holed up in some godforsaken prison

cell somewhere in the depths of the Shadows. Are you up for a little road trip?"

"Do I have much of a choice?"

"Not really, no," Julliard said cheerfully. He pulled a large map out of somewhere and studied it quizzically. Malik peered over his shoulder. It was completely blank.

"Great," Julliard said. "You and I are here—" he pointed to a corner—"Marik is here—" he pointed to another corner—"and your friends are in the middle. Simple enough?"

Malik pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of all the people I could get as guides, they gave me the crazy one."

"Crazy is a relative concept, Malik," Julliard said, putting away his map. "Now, I can't just magic us to the prison where your friends are being held. It would be much too obvious, and we'd be too easily tracked."

"Why?"

"Because Marik's controlling all the entrances, remember? Normally, ghosts don't move around nearly as much as I've been doing lately. We generally stay in the same place. It's how they found you—by tracking Ishizu's movements. I can get away with some extra travelling because I'm... known for breaking rules. However, pretty soon they're going to start to notice, and I don't think it's a good idea to have Marik's people keeping tabs on us just before we attempt a mass breakout."

"So it's more walking?"

Julliard clapped him on the back. "Don't sound so glum. It's good for you."

"Says someone who doesn't even have a physical body."

"Don't be jealous."

As they started to walk—Julliard seemed to know the way—Malik asked, "Do you even actually have a plan to defeat Marik, or are you just making this up as we go along?"

"Oh, I have a plan, all right, but... well, for it to make sense to you, you're going to need a slightly deeper understanding of how the Shadow Realm works."

"I know the basics," Malik said, thinking of his Rod. "I know that it powers the Items, and I know that it's possible to use the Shadows to control things like people and card games. Its power was first tapped by the people who created the Items, right?"

"Technically, yes, but it's been around much longer than that. Hm... let me think. How can I put this in terms you'll understand?" He frowned. "Well... think of the Shadow Realm as an electrical power plant."

"A what?"

"It's a crude analogy, I know. Bear with me. Anyway, the Realm is your power plant. And everyone outside the power plant—we'll say the Item bearers, for your convenience— are the consumers using the electricity produced to power their homes. Also known as your Millennium Items. It's one big, uncontained world of energy that can be tapped... but only for a limited time."

"What about people like you, who are... you know..."

"Dead?"

"Well, yes."

"We, the ghosts and the monsters and the trapped souls, et al, are the people inside the power plant—the employees who produce the energy, yes, but also the janitors and the independent consultants and the school groups on field trips. We're still limited as to how much energy we can use, like you, but... we get a bit of a discount. It's one of the—"

"Perks, yeah, I get it."

Julliard beamed. "You're catching on quite quickly."

"Okay... so let's say I'm playing a game of Duel Monsters. If I want to instigate a Shadow Game..."

"Then you would use something like one of the Millennium Items to siphon the power from the Realm into your game. Almost like opening up a door."

Malik remembered the "window" that Marik had left him and Bakura so that they could come find Holly. "Right. But Marik isn't using the door, is he?"

"Exactly. Marik... well, he pretty much smashed down the metaphorical door and the entire metaphorical wall with it."

"Which means he has unlimited power."

"Pretty much."

"Great," Malik said. "So he's basically got the complete upper hand."

"Not quite," Julliard said, wagging a finger. "Anyone with an Item and a fair amount of competence can borrow energy from the Shadow Realm. Marik, however, is currently controlling the Shadow Realm. He's not just utilizing its resources: he's monopolizing them. And that's our ticket. The Shadow Realm doesn't like to be controlled, Malik. What Marik is doing is like taking a giant, untrained tiger, tying it up with rope, and telling it to dance. It just doesn't work. Eventually, those ropes are going to snap."

Malik nodded slowly. "And you and I..."

"Are going to cut those ropes right in half."

"To turn the Shadows against him."

Julliard laughed gleefully. "You're very good at this. I'd almost think you had practice."

"Yeah, well, you wouldn't be wrong. So, how do you propose we get Marik's plan to backfire?"

"That's where you come in," Julliard said. "We're going to need some Items."

Malik frowned. "Then why can't you just take the Rod from Marik? What do you need me for?"

"Unfortunately for me," Julliard said, "ghosts can't use the Items. At least, not in this world. The Items use the energy from the Shadow Realm to work their magic. I am essentially part of the Shadow Realm; all the Rod would do is drain me." He poked Malik's arm. "That's why I need you."

"Why don't we just use Bakura's Ring, then?"

"Because then it would be Item against Item in a situation where Marik would have the upper hand. No, what we need to do first is get your Rod back."

"Great," Malik said, although he wasn't feeling it.

"Yeah, I know, you'd hoped to be rid of it, never have to see it again, yadda yadda," Julliard said. "Face it, Malik; you and that thing are connected. You're just going to have to get used to it."

Malik grimaced. "Well then, the sooner we get this over with, the better. Are we on the right track?"

"Almost certainly not. But then again, we are in the Shadow Realm. Is one ever on any track?"

Malik couldn't quite think of a response to that one.