Chapter 10

The shadows around the ancient king shuddered for a moment before they rose up around his figure, wrapping in shrouded black. The power that saturated him was palpable on Ryou's tongue, fizzing out to the ends of his hair.

/Stop being such a weakling./ The Spirit of the Ring hissed, feeling the shiver of fear such strong magic provoked in the other. /One might think you've never been exposed to it at all./

Ryou winced, but didn't say anything, knowing that the Spirit would be able to feel the doubt that he had ever felt so much power before at all. But, even had he wanted a fight with his other half, now was not the time. To Ryou's disbelieving eyes, Yami had walked right into the center of the room to stand before the leader. None of the other cult members had noticed his presence yet, but Ryou could see the leader's eyes twitching around the room, trying to locate the source of power he clearly felt but could not identify.

Yami remained silent, allowing the stress to build, his presence overwhelming the room. Ryou wasn't surprised when the leader suddenly got to his feet, his wand waving around, the whites of his eyes ringing red pupils.

"Who's there?" He hissed. Around him, his followers shuffled, pulling out their wands though they had no idea where to point them.

Yami's lips turned up in a smirk as the shadows around him dissolved. To the dark lords credit, he wasted only a second before his wand was pointing at the pharaoh.

"You have trespassed on what is ours." Yami said, his deep voice echoing.

"Who are you?" Voldemort asked, ignoring the statement. His wand remained poised, but Ryou could see the curiosity in his eyes. It was clear that the wizard was not comfortable with unexpected guests, but suspected that they would be useful. He was confident in his own power-he believed he could destroy Yami if he wanted to.

It was unfortunate, Ryou mused to himself now that Yami had taken control of the situation, that the man didn't really know the pharaoh.

/Of course he doesn't, Landlord./ The spirit complained, /If he did, he'd know better than to force me. He'd be begging for my help./

Ryou rolled his eyes, keeping his eyes on the pharaoh. The other boy had cocked an eyebrow in response to Voldemort's demand, clearly showing what he thought of being ignored.

/Of course, Spirit./ he agreed. /I'm sure that's how it would go./

"That," the Pharaoh said, enunciating each word carefully, "is of no concern to you. Now, I demand our Ring back. You have trespassed on what is ours, and we want restitution."

Voldemort growled. "You demand?" He hissed, "Who are you to demand anything? I am the Dark Lord Voldemort. The Ring is mine!"

To this, his followers shouted their agreement, supporting their lord. A witch with wild hair and a crazy look sidled up to the man every wizard feared.

"My lord," she said, bowing, almost grovelling. "It is beneath you to deal with these intruders. Allow-"

The Dark Lord flicked his wand casually to the side, and the woman crumbled with a soft cry of pain.

"Don't question my methods, Bellatrix." He told her softly before looking back at the pharah. "Now again. Who are you to demand of me, the Dark Lord?" He waved the hand that wasn't holding the wand around the room. "This is mine. You are surrounded by my Death Eaters. Who are you to demand the Ring, the key to eternal life, that is rightfully mine?"

The pharaoh laughed, and Ryou felt his heart clench involuntarily. It was the same laugh Yami made when he had an opponent backed against a wall-it was one he had turned on him too often for it not to affect him. It was full of confidence and arrogance. Ryou was thankful they were on the same side this time.

The spirit was silent on this thought, and Ryou was thankful he had turned his attention to the standoff between the wizard and the pharaoh.

"Yours?" The Pharaoh questioned, contempt clear. "The Ring was placed into my keeping before you were a thought. You say a spell and steal it, and you want to call it rightfully yours?"

Voldemort snarled. "I am the most powerful wizard in history! It should belong to me! I don't know what it was doing in Japan in all places, but I am the one who knows it's true value."

The pharaoh let out a deep sigh. "I thought, perhaps, we could reach terms amenable to both of us, but it appears that there can be no discussion here." Voldemort snarled in the middle of the room, and opened his mouth to speak, but Yami continued talking over it. "What you have done has trespassed on the souls of my friends. Shadow Game!"

The room darkened with shadows, coalescing around the two powerful figures facing off. They swirled lazily around, creating a barrier. Around it, the dark lord's followers murmured, casting spells that bounced harmlessly back. Ryou let out a sigh of relief when he wasn't included.

/Stop dawdling, and come closer!/ The Spirit demanded. /I can't reach you yet./

Ryou found himself nodding, but the demand had him moving. /How much closer?/ he asked, each step careful and quiet. He hugged the outer edges of the room, slowly circling towards the ring. He had a lot of practice going unnoticed.

/Not much./ The spirit answered. /Just a little closer.../

A familiar piercing pain in his chest and Ryou blinked. One moment he was in the middle of a battle with the wizards, the next he was in his soul room.

/Hey!/ he exclaimed. He must have gotten close enough for the Ring to use it's power.

/Just stay there. I've been trapped there too long. I'll let you out after I've dealt with these bastards./ The spirits voice rang with vicious glee. /The pharaoh even agrees that I have the right of retribution./

Ryou sighed, but he didn't protest. The spirit would do whatever he wanted-and this way he was sure to make it out. He honestly didn't mind missing the fight.

He sat down on his bed, sinking down in the black comforter. There was nothing to do but wait.

A/N: So the story is coming to a close. :) There will be either one or two more chapters left. So this is where I ask you, the readers:

Do you want to see Bakura and Yami let loose? Or stay with Ryou's perspective and return to Hogwarts?

Just leave your preference in a review, if you have one. This will be open for the next two days, and then I'll post the next chapter on Sunday. :)

Thanks for reading!