"Ryou…"
"Ryou…."
"Can you hear me?...Wake up…"
Ryou faintly heard the soft murmurs of his name as he faded back into consciousness. He was tired…He usually was after he had visited his soul room. He slowly opened his eyes blinking them a few times…before sitting up.
"Well it looks like you're awake."
Ryou turned to face Ishizu with a confused look on his face. "Where's Marik?"
"I'm over here.." Marik yawned as he sat up from his makeshift bed on the floor, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Were you sleeping on the floor?" Ryou asked puzzled.
"Yeah….I took a nap while you were out of it. Sorry…" Marik laughed.
"Well I guess that's a good thing…Seeing as we have work to do." Ryou laughed as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Work?" Marik's eyes widened. "What work?"
"You want to go back to help Bakura don't you?" Ryou smirked.
The throne room filled with gasps of horror as the giant white monster appeared.
"It doesn't matter if you can summon it or not." Seto called. "Your monster's fate is sealed. Millennium Rod use your power to seal his monster away."
The golden item glowed shooting a blinding light out as the giant snake-like being was absorbed into the giant stone slab making the creature disappear only to have a picture of it on the tablet.
"Just as I thought." Seto called. "No need to fear everyone….his soul has been cleansed."
"Are you sure…Master Seto?" A timid voice asked.
Everyone's attention focused back on the thief.
"Will I be a good person now that you've sealed it away?" the thief asked again in a meek voice, his head down.
"Or shall I try again? Hahahaha." The man laughed as he looked up...the stone slab cracking before it was completely destroyed freeing the white creature.
"Impossible." Seto yelled.
"I told you…you're no match for my Diabound."
Isis watched in horror as the giant monster reappeared before them. It was terrifying yet amazing at the same time. She had never seen a monster so powerful that it unsealed itself. How could this possibly be the same man that she had so easily deterred and embarrassed the last time he had infiltrated the palace? She couldn't help but wonder why he was being so ruthless now…when he could have easily gotten farther doing the same thing earlier. Did it have something to do with Marik's disappearance from her sight?
Where is he?..Surely he wouldn't have let him get this out of control.
"We must protect the Pharaoh. As the sacred guardians it is our responsibility." Aknadin called as he readied his DiaDhank.
Following suit Seto and all the other Priests readied theirs.
Isis looked down as hers activated as well…she stared at the floor with wide-eyes. She didn't want it to come to this but what was she to do.
I don't want to fight him Marik. She called out in her thoughts hoping that somehow he could hear her.
I don't want to fight him….I don't want to hurt him or you. Even if this is just some game…. Isis thought as she nearly laughed at herself.
As a Priestess and holder of the Millennium Necklace…I'm not supposed to get attached to those that I see with it. But I can't help this feeling that I have to protect you. Even if it means protecting someone like him for you.
"Well…Can the Guardians come out and play?" Bakura asked sarcastically.
"He's strong..We must combine our powers." Aknadin ordered.
"I can defeat him by myself." Seto said as he readied himself for battle.
"Creature of Darkness, I call upon thee..Awaken from thy slumber and join me in this battle. I summon you…Golestgoras."
Suddenly a giant red dragon-like creature appeared before them…poised to attack Bakura's Diabound.
"Golestgoras…Attack his Diabound."
The Dragon roared as it made its way to strike down the hissing half-god half-snake creature.
Bakura only laughed. "Now….Winged Sage Falcos…Come Forth."
Just as the Dragon attacked a blue-falcon-like creature appeared..blocking it's attack from Diabound and using a sonic wave to destroy the dragon monster.
"How did you summon another monster?" Seto yelled angrily. "Only those in the Royal court are able to do that."
"That's right….You do not possess a DiaDhank." Mahad stated.
"Very perceptive…." Bakura smirked. "But I got a little something special while I was paying a visit to your former Pharaoh's tomb and I was intrigued in one of his little toys. Like this one…." He pulled up his sleeve to reveal a DiaDhank on his left arm.
Isis gasped, her eyes widened in horror as she yelled out for more his sake than anyone else's a bit of a warning.
"Can't you see that you're interfering with forces beyond your control?"
"Obviously not…" Bakura replied. "I'm in complete control…thanks to the personal collection of monsters from your former ruler's grave."
"Those monsters were placed there only to protect a great King who ruled over an even greater kingdom." Aknadin yelled disgusted.
"So you say…." Bakura yelled. "I disagree… He was a tyrant…a man so thirsty for power that he destroyed my village when he created the seven Millennium Items….In a selfish attempt to further his own ambitions."
"Liar!" Aknadin bellowed. "King Aknamkanon was a great leader who wanted nothing but peace and prosperity. He made peace during the warring period and then he created the seven Millennium items to ensure that it continued to maintain such peace."
"That's right." Seto agreed. "He created the items and then gave them to us so we can stop people who want to disturb such peace…those that we consider evil…Just like you."
"Evil am I? What do you think you are? The items were forged to react with people's inner darkness….making each and every single one of you 'evil' just like your beloved King. He wanted power….That's why he devised a plan to create items powerful enough to allow him to control the world. Ever hear of a little village called Kul Elna? The secret of the items is buried there. Along with everything else that was hidden away and forgotten."
Isis listened intently as the Thief told his story. It frightened her as to how much sense he was making. The items were very powerful indeed but had her King really wanted to rule the world with them. What was this village that he talked about? Was Kul Elna his village that was destroyed?
"Lies…All of it…What you speak of is Treason." Aknadin yelled.
Isis looked over at the bearded man. He had a look of utter horror on his face.
Something's not right….If it's all lies then why does he look so horrified? Does he know what the Thief's going on about? It just doesn't add up. Besides why would he tell all of these things so angrily if he's lying.
Isis looked back over to the thief and looked deep into his eyes as she tried to see into his soul. She could see that he was hurting and full of rage. He wasn't lying and deep down she knew it…but she refused to believe that her king was a power hungry man. No, Her former king was a peace-loving man who wanted nothing but the best for his people.
"Your King hid everything from his people….he didn't want his loyal subjects to know the truth about the atrocity that created the precious holy items that you hold in your hands….Little did he know that there was one person he missed. A witness. But fortunately for him…he's brainwashed all of his citizens into believing that he was a man with no flaws…the perfect ruler."
"Enough." Seto yelled. "I've heard enough lies out of you…Bakura."
"Fine…Seto…If that's how you want it. Continue to allow yourself to be fooled by the man that calls himself your mentor, believe him for all I care. Once a rival always a rival right?"
"Right…but this time I'll finally capture you and defeat you."
"Bring it."
"STOP!" Isis yelled as she ran in between the two men. "I cannot allow this to go on any more."
"Isis, What are you doing?" Seto asked. "Get out of the way."
"What if he speaks the truth?"
Bakura stood there in shock as he took in the strange priestess. "What?" he muttered as he stared wide-eyed.
"Get out of the way Isis." Seto growled through gritted teeth.
"No…I refuse to allow you to harm him."
"Isis….Have you completely lost your mind?" Aknadin asked his voice going up a few octaves.
"I'm perfectly sane….I'm allowed to have a say in this and I say that I believe him."
Bakura stood there staring back and forth between the priestess and the other priests. He wasn't sure what to make of her. Why would she suddenly go to his side, especially When she was an obstacle before? He was utterly confused…just as everyone else was in the room.
"Priestess…I don't need anyone to protect me. I'd have to say I'm doing a good job by myself. So why don't you just go back over there." He said as he pointed towards the Pharaoh.
"No." Isis stated simply. "I've made up my mind. I'm staying right here…I don't know what kind of childhood rivalry you've got going on but I won't let you risk yourself over this."
"This isn't just some stupid rivalry woman! Haven't you figured that out yet? This is my Revenge against the Pharaoh."
Isis just rolled her eyes as she walked towards him. Bakura's eyes widening each step she took until she suddenly stopped. "I won't have the blonde fretting over this." She whispered.
With a heavy sigh Isis muttered "Transportus…" and then Bakura saw nothing but black.
"Now You stand over there…." Ryou ordered as he led Marik by the shoulders to stand just a few feet away from the wall of Anubis.
"Are you sure this is gonna work? I mean what are you going to do anyway?" Marik groaned.
"You'll see." Ryou said tiredly.
"Man what is it with people with the name Bakura?….I mean….They are all sooo secrety." The blonde sighed.
"Is that why you like us all so much?" Ryou asked with a wicked grin.
"And they all play dirty…" Marik added.
Ryou laughed.
"All Right. I believe that's everything. Now all that's left is to send you back. Are you ready to start?" Ryou asked.
"I guess so…This isn't gonna hurt is it?" The blonde winced.
"Marik, you're going to be perfectly safe….Just hope the same for me…"
"MARIK!" Ishizu yelled. "When you get there….Tell that bastard that he better take good care of you OR ELSE." She said with a creepy witch-like face as she was dragged away by Odion.
"Y-y-yes Sis." Marik stuttered as he tried to hide his fear.
"Wow…That's scary." Ryou muttered. "Say…You don't think Isis is capable of that do you?"
"Geez…if she is I hope she never makes that face at me." Marik laughed nervously.
"Alright…Let's begin." The pale boy stated as he cleared his throat.
"Isis….?" Bakura muttered as he blinked disbelievingly at the game screen.
Bakura awoke to find himself in the middle of the desert.
"Shit." He cursed as he stood up, looking around, trying to figure out where the hell he was when he noticed that he wasn't alone.
"Great…first I find a boy in the middle of the desert and now I find a priestess." He groaned.
"Hey….Wake up." he yelled as he shook her. "Why The Hell did you do that for? I was in the middle of doing something you know? Damn it…Wake up and answer me."
"Hmmm?" Isis opened her eyes to be greeted with a very angry looking Thief.
"Well it's Great to see that you're awake." Bakura said sarcastically.
"Now would you mind telling me where the hell we are? And Why?" He yelled.
"No need to yell…" Isis stated calmly. "You don't have to intimidate me…I'm on your side remember?"
"And Why the hell is that? I already told you I don't need some Broad's help….I was doing just fine until you sent us all the way in the middle of nowhere."
"Because… I didn't think Marik would like it if you were hurt." Isis muttered.
Bakura looked away from her for a moment. "How would you know anything about that?"
"Bakura…I know a lot of things. I have the Necklace." She said as she pointed to the object around her neck. "Besides….I wanted to know where Marik was…I can't see him with the item anymore."
"He's gone…" Bakura mumbled.
"Gone?!...What do you mean he's gone?" Isis shrieked as she grabbed onto Bakura's robe.
"I mean he's gone…" Bakura whispered as he held his head down. "One minute he was there and the next minute he disappeared."
"So you go and attack the palace…Do you know how foolish that sounds?"
Bakura didn't answer her.
"IDIOT. LOOK AT ME." Isis yelled her fists clenching making wrinkles in his robe. He shifted his gaze away from her.
Isis shook him again. "I SAID LOOK AT ME DAMN IT!"
Bakura's eyes widened at the tone and looked at her. For a second he swore he could see some of Marik's personality in her…The Angry part at any rate. He could swear that they had about the same temper especially when she shook him again before she spoke.
"Do you think Marik would want you to get yourself killed? Do you? Don't even try that crap with me…Mister. That boy thinks the world of you and You're just gonna throw it all away…"
"Don't you dare say something like that." Bakura cut her off as he grabbed her hands, gently making her let go of him. "I didn't just go to get revenge for myself….I was getting it for him too."
Isis froze where she stood…pinned down by the Thief's wicked Gray-eyed glare. Suddenly her fear of him returned to her and she quickly looked away from him.
"I'm sorry." She muttered. "It's just that I can't help but feel that I want to protect him…Even if I can't see him with the item. This was the only thing I could think of. You know I only met him once and he instantly grew on me." She mused.
"Yeah…he does have a way of doing that." Bakura muttered calmly as he sat down. "And to think that this all started when I found him sleeping in the middle of the desert."
"Bastet!" Ryou ordered.
Marik's eyes widened as he suddenly felt a pull from within him and suddenly the small kitten jumped from his chest and into his arms.
"Hey Girl….Long time no see. How are you?" Marik laughed as he pet the small ebony kitten letting his fingers sift through her fur as he pet her from her head to her tail.
"Bastet!" Ryou commanded. "Come Here."
The cat stared at him for a moment before jumping out of the blonde's hands and transforming into her giant panther form. She growled at him.
"Is that any way to treat your creator?" He yelled. "We may look different but we share a soul…I mean him no harm." Ryou said neutrally.
The cat hunched it's shoulders and slowly crawled closer to him. Ryou simply held out his hand. The cat looked at him curiously before she sniffed his hand. The cat's brilliant bright eyes glowed as She calmed down and sitting in front of Ryou.
"Good….You serve your Master well. You've done a good job of protecting him. Good Kitty." He said motioning for the cat to bend it's head down allowing him to pet it.
"So you understand what you must do right?"
The cat nodded before roaring and laying down on the floor in front of him.
"All right Marik….Hop on."
"What?!"
"Bastet is your ride to the past….She'll use her power to take you to the correct time. Don't Worry….Bakura came up with this plan. You'll be completely safe." Ryou smiled as he grabbed Marik and pushed him ontop of the giant feline.
"Now hold on tight…It's just like riding a giant horse. Just think of Eclipse." Ryou laughed as Marik gulped, steadying himself.
"Ready?"
Marik nodded. "Thanks Ryou…For everything."
"No Problem…Make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble."
"I will."
"Now…Go Bastet!" Ryou yelled and with that Marik disappeared along with the giant cat.
Ryou sighed with relief. "I'm glad that's over…That thing is truly unnerving to me. Whether it be in the past or the present." He shook his head as he walked out of the room and down the hall.
"I think I deserve a nice relaxing hot shower." He mused as he made his way down the long corridor.
Marik laughed as he felt the wind whoosh past him. Ryou had obviously been lying…This was nothing like riding a horse…This was a lot more fun not to mention more comfortable. He couldn't help but notice how smooth the ride was…It was amazing. He never knew time travel could be so fun…then again the past few times he had been unconscious. He could only describe it as beautiful…There were different colors all around him that seemed to be guiding them to their destination until suddenly the colors were all gone and transformed into a room with a desk and tons of scrolls surrounding it.
Bastet, exhausted from all the power she used turned, into her kitten form and retreated back into Marik's body.
"Thanks Girl…You deserve a nice long nap." He smiled as he looked around the room.
"Now…Where am I?" He wondered aloud.
"Bakura…Wait up." Isis called as she struggled to keep up with the insanely fast thief.
How can he walk through sand without getting bogged down in it?
"If you're going to be staying with me…You have to learn to keep up." Bakura called.
"It took a lot of energy to perform that spell….I'll have you know." She panted.
"It was an unwanted spell….You put this on yourself." He laughed.
Isis continued to move until exhaustion finally caught up with her making her collapse in the sand.
Bakura stopped when he no longer heard the woman's footfalls. He turned to see that the priestess was passed out.
"Great…" He growled. "Now I'll have to carry her."
Why me? He thought as he gently scooped the woman up and continued walking.
"Why don't you just leave her here? She's no use to you?" The voice asked.
"Because Marik wouldn't like that." Bakura whispered.
"Who cares?…He's gone…"
"She was just trying to help." Bakura muttered as he gently smiled at the woman he held in his arms.
She thought she was helping him and that's all that matters.
Damn it. Zorc thought. His plan wasn't working out quite the way he had intended and now that that woman was there it was starting to make things even more difficult for him.
No matter… He reassured himself. …I'll still win this game in the end.
He laughed as he noticed that a certain piece was moving on the game board….a certain item would soon meet up with the thief and that's when he would be able to make his move.
Mahad didn't know what had gotten into Isis. Why would she join up with the Thief? It didn't make any sense to him. As far as he knew she was always loyal to the Pharaoh and had often defended him and the prince. What she did was considered high treason…the worst type of betrayal. He just couldn't understand why she would do such a thing. Why would she leave? Why did she leave everything behind for a worthless lying thief? Why would she betray the people closest to her for a complete stranger? And with these questions in mind he rode into the night looking for the blue-eyed priestess.
Hey I've finally written this chappy. ^_^ Alright! I'd like to say Thanks to all of those that have been reading and reviewing thus far. I hope ya'll continue to do so as you continue to hopefully enjoy this little story of mine. This chapter was just soo much fun to write and hopefully ya'll found it just as fun to read. XD
And so I shall dedicate this chapter to xXAnachronIsmEpsIceXx
xXAnachronIsmEpsIceXx : I'd like to thank you very much for the Review. You really did help me to come up with another chapter. It really made my day when you wrote that you read this whole thing in One setting. That is quite the feat. LOL. I am sooo glad that you enjoyed it. I'm really thrilled to find that someone liked Ryou's and Marik's Personalities in this and I'm glad that you thought they were good. I've always thought of Ryou as a Strong-willed person and that he wouldn't be easy to boss around. I always thought of him as Bakura's equal and not his subordinate wussy vessel. Who doesn't want Marik's Purple Robe? XD Yeah It is the same color as the Rare Hunters cloak...I really loved it too. (I wish I had one.) But Really...I'm Thanking you as well as everyone else from the bottom of my heart and I hope that you will continue to read this and Review.
Thank you All Bunches. *Gives Cookies to Everyone*
I shall be back (Hopefully) Very Soon with another edition of Answers In Time! :)
Take care
-ShadowGUN