Hello pretties! Got a chapter for you! XD Not too many of you. Exactly half of the number of the previous chapter. Understandable given that it's the school year. -sigh- Thank you to those who did review! I luffles you! This chapter is dedicated to the 7 of you that reviewed! :)

dragonlady222: Yes, Ryou and Otogi have it the worst out of the entire group. Hope Jou survives? (Jou: So do I!) lol

DarkPhoenixIncarnate: I. Am. Updating. Now. :)

Fallin-Alone-Scared-Lost: "Malik being Zork is still one of the best ideas ever." You flatter! Though I really like it myself. I hate what zork turns out to be in the actual anime/manga.

nupinoop296: "OH SNAP. Good going Kaiba!" (Kaiba: Was that praise or were you yelling at me?) I find either amusing. :)

Peepz: Do me a favor and yell at Kana for not reviewing the last chapter, will you? -smirk- I have a feeling you'd like this job. Does Zork have a soul? Hmm...that's a good question. (Zork/Malik/Thief King/whatever: Ha! I am a mystery!) -.-; And egocentric. (Zork/Malik/thief king/whatever: Hey! I'm the ultimate villain!) True true. And don't worry: I don't bring dead characters back. Don't you remember my april fool's prank in Cry of the Wicked? -cackles- Ah, there were so many people mad at me! XD

AnimeLoverAngel: "I wonder how things will go in Kuru Eruna" You'll see some of it in this chapter. Not everything is in place yet though. :P Almost time for the big showdown! Whoot! XD

pride1289: Lol You enjoyed it then? Loved that confuzzling sentence filled with praise. :)

SPECIAL NOTE: Scenes from the final battle in the past! FEAR NOT! Zork is not a giant sluggish purple monster! (Yami: Dear ra, she just described Barney!) lol Close enough. Anyway, I found Zork's "true" form disappointing so no awkward purple monster! Whoot!

He feeds on fear
Poisons the truth
To gain their faith
To lead the way
To a world of decay

He rules your heart
He will sell your soul to the grave
No hesitation he'll make
He belongs to the dark

In my heart there is a place
In my heart there is a trace
Of a small fire burning
A sheltering ray shines through this night
Although it 's small, it's bright
But darkness is lurking

He will sell your soul to bitterness and cold
Fear him

(within temptation)

Chapter 25: Awaken

"This place is a dump," Dagan sneered kicking a crumbling knee-high wall with his boot. "You really expecting us to believe there's Shadow Magic here?"

"If you don't believe me then why don't you shoot us?" a stoic Bakura asked as he led them through Kuru Eruna's desolate remains that had been partially covered by the desert again.

"Heh! Don't listen to him. He's always so gloomy and morbid," Jou laughed nervously at having three men with guns escorting them. ((What the hell, Bakura?! Don't provoke them!))

(Stay calm.)

((Easy for you to say. You're the less expendable one!)) The teen could not keep his eyes off the weapons for more than a minute.

"How much further?" the Master asked, a cane he'd brought for support becoming but a hindrance in the sand.

Bakura glanced back, eyeing the cane doubtfully. "Well there's a long stairway underground…"

"Hey! What about traps? Ancient Egyptians set those up!" one man accused waving his gun around.

"Situate yourselves however you like," Bakura responded with a hint of annoyance. "If that will ease you. Or you could fly back to Japan…"

"Fuck you little…!" Dagan yelled as the third subordinate assisted the Master over a rock. "We just don't have a legit reason to trust you. Perhaps you realize you can't escape so you've decided to take us down suicidal-style!"

"True, but none of you merit much, if any, trust yourselves. Yes you vowed to give me half the Items once they have been recreated, but that would be such a bother when you could kill the mutt and me."

"Let's not lose our heads and make any preconceived notions," the Master admonished everyone though it was plain he felt the same.

Jou began to shake when he saw what lay straight ahead of them. The remaining structure was even more of a carcass than before. If the thief hadn't been leading them Jou would not have recognized it.

'The meeting house of Kuru Eruna…' His heart was beating erratically in fear. 'This is where the Millennium Items were created…' Staring at Bakura's back, he recalled: '…and where they were destroyed.'

"What is this?" Dagan demanded, looking about suspiciously. "Where are the stairs?"

"In there." Bakura pointed. "We'll see if their condition has worsened since our last visit."

"Worsened?"

"This place if over three thousand years old," the Master stated, though it was obvious he was not keen with the situation. "What did you expect?"

"You do have equipment such as lights and excavation tools?" the thief questioned as they cautiously ducked under what used to be the entrance.

"Naturally," the old man answered loftily, almost as if he were insulted someone would think so little of him.

Everyone tripped and stumbled through the fallen building to a gaping black hole in the ground. The muscles in Jounouchi's throat constricted. He could not breathe. The men were arguing in hushed voices over the order they should go down but the teen wasn't really listening. It was almost over. He was going to die.

(Katsuya, stay with me here.)

((You said when we reached Kuru Eruna they would openly threaten me…))

(Yes, however, I'm not finished. I have a plan, but it's a long stretch.)

((What is it? What can I do?)) the blonde pressed eagerly.

(I'm not going to tell you. If you knew you would give things away. You're a crappy liar, mutt.)

Usually Jou would get angry and retort at this blunt comment, but his comrade did have a point. He couldn't mask his thoughts and emotions artfully like Bakura. It still amazed him how the thief could do it.

((Are you improvising then?))

(To some degree.)

"Down there?" Dagan exclaimed disbelievingly while aiming his flashlight down the dark narrow stairs.

"Of course. I told you we were going underground."

"I know that! I just didn't think it was so far! You can't even see the bottom! Where is it?!"

"You'll have to venture down there to find out." Bakura turned to the Master. "Well? You're the one making decisions. In what order shall we descend? Your subordinates are concerned about traps. I'll say now that Katsuya accompanies us. If I leave him to your goons then my only leverage is gone."

The elderly man scowled but knew there was little use disputing. Not quite yet anyways. Soon he would have what he desired. It was worth it to humor the ancient thief in order to reach his goal.

A young boy walked through the long hallways of the mansion. Servants and butlers moved past him silently like specters. The bodyguards in suits, head sets, and superfluous sunglasses would pause before ignoring him as no threat. He wasn't worth their time.

Seto, nearly thirteen years of age, was heir to one of the most wealthiest and powerful corporations in the world. He and his brother were given the name Kaiba much to his aversion. The only reason they'd been selected from all the other children at the orphanage was Seto's brilliance. The boy was a genius. Mokuba was just part of the deal.

Aside from the unloving atmosphere Gozaburo Kaiba brought them into, he made it painfully clear Mokuba was nothing more than garbage to him. He found the brothers' close-knit bond a nuisance that interfered with Seto's studies. The answer was evident. He separated them, limiting Mokuba's access to his older sibling to less than an hour a month. The child fell into despair and seclusion.

The transformation in Seto was even greater. He worked diligently but mutely. Cerulean eyes turned icy cold. When Mokuba visited it was like he was with a complete stranger. This was much to Gozaburo's delight, as it discouraged the raven-haired child from wanting to see his sibling.

Gozaburo couldn't be more pleased, although he would admit he missed dealing out punishments to the boys. He by no means considered the two orphans his sons. Seto was to be the successor of the entire Kaiba Corporation. Everything was going uphill. The construction of the newest military weapons facility was nearly complete. There was no competition in the business world. No one could even scratch him.

Their business to Egypt not even a week earlier had proven yet another victory. Seto had been his usual self the first few days but then acted even more inexpressive than before. It had been a problem to his stepfather who was introducing the boy to his business associates who helped in funding and provided deserted areas to test his weapons.

The multi-billionaire looked up from his desk when the door opened without any announcement. Biting down on his cigar, he glared at the blue-eyed boy standing before him.

"What is the meaning of this, Seto? I did not summon you!" the man bellowed. Instead of answering verbally, the door slammed leaving Seto staring expressionlessly at his stepfather. "You looking for trouble, brat?"

Even for Seto he was unusually quiet. And his face was blank, features void of emotion. That was uncharacteristic. There was always loathing and hatred festering within them. Despite Mokuba breaking, Seto was still spirited. Even if he wasn't vocal in his antipathy he told everyone exactly what he felt.

"So…" Gozaburo crush the cigar into his ashtray before rising; an imposing massive figure. "You want to defy me? Looking for a lashing?"

It only fueled his anger when his step-son did not respond to his threats. He moved from behind his large desk. Before he could go any further Seto began taking determined steps toward him. The man paused, noting how the boy wasn't blinking.

"What's wrong with you, brat? Get out of my office!" he commanded, unnerved but refusing to be intimidated by a mere child.

Seto's lips curled back into a grin revealing predatory sharp teeth. Gozaburo passed them off as nothing more than a cheap trick. Fake plastic teeth most likely. It wouldn't be a challenge for the little genius to sneak a toy in.

"Remove those ridiculous things!"

The young man continued forward. One would think he was completely unaware if not for the intense center on his stepfather.

"Don't make me tell you again, boy!" Gozaburo bellowed, picking up the leather belt he used to deal out penalties.

Seto began to snicker, shoulders shaking with is ill amusement. Gozaburo snarled.

"Have it your way, brat!"

He raised his arm to strike the boy, stopping with the belt raised over his head when the irises of Seto's eyes swirled turning a dark shade of red as though they were bleeding. Without warning the young man lunged arms straightened in front of himself.

There was the violet smashing of glass and the startled yell. The sound of the waves pounding against the jets of rocks far below was all the clearer with the window shattered. No one had heard the multi-billionaire's last cry and there were no security cameras because no one could scale the mansion from this side.

Seto gazed down at the thunderous churning water, eyes returning to their natural blue. Task complete, he simply turned and walked calmly out of the room, shutting the door behind himself as if nothing had occurred.

Seto awoke in a cold sweat, body trembling terribly. He was in shock of what he'd just seen. The sudden disappearance of Gozaburo had remained a mystery. He hadn't bothered with the how's and why's of his stepfather's death as they were meaningless to him. What was important was the tyrant was gone. Now as he dwelt upon it, Seto had little to no memory from his visit to Egypt at the age of twelve until he faced off against Yami years later.

'Zork did control me,' the thought bitterly as the heart monitor beeped. 'And Yami banished him for me.'

That fact made him sick to his stomach much more than the revelation that Zork—in Seto's body—had murdered Gozaburo. It was the idea of being a vessel that struck a nerve, that that he was partially responsible for his stepfather's death. Yet he was getting further in depth to his relationship with Zork.

'If he can control someone to the extreme that he person doesn't recollect at all then Ryou is a mindless puppet. But what about Otogi?' the CEO contemplated as he lay alone in his private hospital room. 'Bakura was fairly powerful in ancient Egypt. Otogi has the vast sum of Shadow Magic. How does it compare to Zork's? Can the demon match Otogi if they were to fight?'

These thoughts whirled together in greys and blues until darkness encompassed him again leaving the others to fend for themselves.

"Is this what I think it is?" Dagan crouched down and excitedly ran his fingers over the smooth surface surrounding a rectangular stone.

"Yes, that's gold," Bakura muttered.

"By chance, what used to be the Millennium Items?" the Master said more than asked.

"Yeah."

Jou didn't want to look at the Millennium Stone where the terrifying events had unfolded. The ghosts…the knife…the blood…chanting…Meryre…Bakura stabbing himself…Nothing good happened down there. This place was cursed.

"What now? Do we melt this shit again or something?" Dagan asked with a spark of greed in his eyes.

Bakura had already left them behind, slowly walking to the far back corner, one of the Master's men trailing closely.

"What are you doing?" Dagan and the others drew their guns. "Gonna set off a trap?"

((Bakura…!)) Jou whimpered when one of the weapons pressed hard between his shoulder blades.

(I told you they would do this. Just keep quiet and do as I say) the thief instructed as he pushed against a cracked section of the wall.

"He's trying to bring the place down!"

Everyone gaped as the damaged area—which turned out to be a doorway—pushed open revealing a dark opening. In front of them were large rocks blocking passage. Bakura didn't bother turning to them.

"It's a door, you moron." He ran a hand over the large pile of rocks that nearly reached the top of the doorway. "This was a barricade. We'll have to remove it in order to get to the chamber beyond."

The group moved over to the narrow doorway, halting outside it. Surveying the scene, everyone was quiet. Being so deep underground there was no sound of any kind. To Jou at least that made this place all the more eerie.

"And what is in this chamber?" the Master questioned doubtfully poking the rocks with the end of his cane. "Was it used in the original creation of the Millennium Items?"

"No," Bakura answered. "However, the ceremony will have to be a bit different this time around."

"Why's that?" Dagan prodded.

"The pendants you used weren't forged until after the Millennium Items were created. The coming of the Items opened the gateway to the Shadow Realm. But now, since the Shadow Magic already exists in our world, the ritual has to be altered."

The Master scowled but accepted this. "You heard him! Remove the rocks!"

Jou glanced at Bakura. ((Was all of that really true? You wouldn't be able to sacrifice 99 people?))

(It was complete bullshit, mutt) Bakura replied with a smirk in his voice. (But they don't know that, do they?)

Jounoughi caught himself grinning and quickly masked his amusement. Bakur was the only one that noticed, becoming serious.

(Brace yourself, Katsuya. Once we enter that chamber things are going to get real ugly really fast.)

"That was much more efficient," Zork mused as he and Otogi walked the bustling streets of Alexandria.

If it weren't for the circumstances, the dice master would have taken in the breathtaking view of the blue water of the Mediterranean Sea, the mosques, ancient structures of different periods in history mixed in with modern buildings, and the elegant language flowing across signs and billboards.

"It has changed quite a bit in 3000 years. Still, humans are humans; so easily swayed. Such simple fragile creatures."

Otogi stared at his moving feet as he bit down hard on his bottom lip. His immediate fear of Zork had lessened. Unfortunately, it was the unknown plot the demon had concocted that frightened the dice master. A navy blue backpack was slung over Ryou's shoulder; something quite heavy within weighing the material down, stretching it at the seams. Otogi could sense a hint of Shadow Magic on it but could no decipher what it was.

"Why are we in Alexandria?" he dared ask. "Isn't Cairo closer to this village you mentioned?"

Zork chuckled, looking as Bakura used to when he was a hate-driven spirirt. "There's no rush. And this is your first visit to Egypt, correct? Cairo is much touristier. If you want to see the culture then you come to places like this city."

Otogi didn't buy this excuse. "The majority of Egypt's population is Arab Muslims. They vary greatly from the polytheistic ancient Egyptians."

"Are you ungrateful I'm allowing you to stroll around instead of locking you away from the world until everything is in place?" Ryou's eyes went red momentarily in warning.

The dice master lowered his own abnormal eyes again. It appeared he wasn't going to be getting any answers or clues. If he humored the demon he might be able to discover at least what was in the backpack.

So far he knew Ryou's ka. Phantom Beast Cross-Wing. It was a golden falcon with many wings of different sizes; two large pairs, a medium wing on either side of its head, and multiple smaller wings placed over its body. An ideal creature for traveling. So they'd ridden it to Egypt from Japan.

He wouldn't have even recognized the animal, let alone known it's name if it weren't for his new abilities he was discovering. Just looking at it he automatically knew everything about the Duel Monster. Something hadn't been quite right about the ka though. He couldn't put his finger on it as he wasn't educated well in Shadow Magic. If only he could get this information back to someone in Japan then perhaps that would help them.

'No,' he admonished himself. 'I'm on my own.' He raised his head. 'I have to do this myself.'

"What if Yami and the others don't come?" he pressed, relieved no one around them spoke Japanese.

"They'll figure it out."

"But they might not even be alive!" Otogi protested, feeding on the demon's fear. "What if Bakura and Yami are…?"

"They will come."

Otogi shut his mouth. He hand't even rattled Zork's confidence. This wasn't working.

"Don't fret, boy," Zork smiled pleasantly, placing a cold hand on Otogi's shoulder. "We shouldn't have to wait too much longer."

Frustrated, the ebony-haired teen shrugged the hand from himself. He thought back on his conversations with his friends concerning the Millennium Items and Zork. The demon was acting just as Bakura had predicted. He was patient, planning thoroughly, always several steps of everyone else. There was one thing that didn't fit. Something that Otogi had been unable to link with any of the demon's other prior actions. He turned to Zork.

"Why did you raid the ancient Egypt section of the Domino City Museum?"

"I say we go on ahead," Marik ranted in Yami's room, pacing frantically. "You, Kaiba, and the doctor wait here and recover. Mokuba stays too. Anzu, Yugi, and I will catch the next flight to Egypt…"

"No. The last thing we need it to separate," Yami cut him off from his hospital bed. "You would be easier targets. With this particular adversary there is strength in numbers."

"But Yami, what about Otogi?" Yugi protested. "The more time we spend here the less likely we'll reach him in time!"

"We have three ka items," Marik continued stubbornly holding the pendants by their chains. "That gives us the Dark Magician and Silver Fang." He looked at Anzu who had an arm wrapped around Mokuba. "And who knows? She might have a powerful ka."

"And the three of you would still be no match against Zork and Otogi."

"Wait!" Anzu interceded. "You're making it sound like Otogi is an enemy!"

"Zork will use Otogi in any way he can. We should consider Otogi's powers a threat despite him being an unwilling weapon," Yami said with regret still bashing himself for allowing the dice master to fall into the demon's hands. "We need to think of a different strategy when going up against them. Zork alone could easily overpower your kas. If we rush into this without a plan it's going to end up like what happened at the Katsuyas'."

They stopped arguing at the mention of that unplanned, spontaneous fight in which everything was chaotic confusion. If they had worked together then maybe at least Honda or Shizuka would be alive. Anzu heaved a deep breath.

"Yami's right. We'll be walking right into Zork's trap if we head over there without an idea of what…"

"We don't have time for this!" Marik butted in angrily.

"You sound just like Jou and Honda," Yami commented. "And Bakura was against their recklessness."

The younger Egyptian's features twitched. "You just had to bring Kura into this, didn't you? That was low."

Yami smiled. "Well, it seems to have gotten your attention, hasn't it?"

"Fine," Marik growled at him. "Tell us what we should do then. Sit back and wait for you guys to recover?"

"It wouldn't be a ludicrous idea," Anzu stated a bit timidly at Marik's temper. "After all, if we look at how Zork has operated in the past, he's a very patient person…er…essence."

"That doesn't mean he won't wait to do whatever it is he's planning to do to Otogi," Yugi mumbled while climbing onto the bed.

"There's nothing we can do about that," Yami replied remorsefully laying his head back on the stiff pillow. "Even if we were to send some of you to Egypt it wouldn't do anything to benefit Otogi or Ryou. Zork's top priority will be to keep Otogi. He won't let the Shadow Magic be stolen away from him."

"But we don't want the magic! We just want Otogi!" Anzu cried.

"Don't say that!" Marik admonished her as he tossed the ka items to Mokuba. "If Zork is able to absorb that magic then there isn't a chance in hell of us stopping him. He will literally be invincible! The Realm will literally envelope and devour this world."

"Then what do you suggest?" she demanded impatiently. "We can't fly over there. We can't get Otogi away from him, nor can we get Ryou as long as Zork is in possession of him…"

Marik stopped in his tracks. Yami caught the look in the blonde's eyes, sitting up.

"That is out of the question, Marik."

"But it could work! What if we got him to take control of someone else?" Marik pled his case eagerly. "Think about it! His trump card with Ryou is we don't know Ryou's ka. But if he were to take control of—let's say me—you would know it was Silver Fang."

"And we still wouldn't be able to attack him because it would be your soul and your body that takes any hit we throw at him," Yami reminded him of how they'd been unable to stop Zork from running off in Ryou's body.

"We could find someone we don't like…"

"Marik!"

"What? I'm just trying to think of a plan," he grinned innocently.

"We are not going to get anyone else involved, especially if it's to make them a human sacrifice," Yami reproved him though he knew Marik wasn't being serious. At least, he hoped he wasn't.

"We need to get Yami to Egypt," Yugi concluded. "Even if he isn't fully recovered."

"He won't be fully recovered for months," Marik scoffed.

Yugi crawled to the edge of the bed. "But his ka is the Winged Dragon of Ra! Isn't that an advantage in itself?"

"You have a point."

"But I don't even know where it is!" Yami objected, feeling the burden of the entire operation resting solely upon his shoulders. It was a familiar sensation. "There's also the matter that the ka items are gone. How would I summon it?"

"We'll get to that when we get to that," the other Egyptian waved this off. "Where did you seal yourself away? Odds are that's where it is," Marik tried to aid the former pharaoh in remembering.

Yami's brow creased as he recalled his face-off with Zork. The last time.

"Your efforts prove fruitless yet again!" the King of Thieves laughed from atop a black steed, Diabound having disappeared into the darkness yet again.

Atem grit his teeth, the bodies of his bloodied, battered soldiers and priests strewn all around the sands outside of the royal city's walls. Many had completely disintegrated with Diabound's attack of green light. Obelisk had already fallen. It had seemed impossible since the last time the god and Diabound had faced-off it had ended in a draw. But Bakura's hatred had continue to grow, fueling his ka.

Shimon was beside Atem holding Shaadi's Item covered in blood. "My Pharaoh, we have gathered the other Items. I have sent for Priest Akunadin but the guards have been unable to locate…"

"Akunadin?" the white-haired being said with a feral grin. "Do not fret, Pharaoh. He should be arriving any time now."

The young leader could not help but glance at the cold stiff body lying several feet away. Seth's cerulean eyes were wide and glazed with death. The sand under him was stained a dark red, a rope around his neck that the thief had used to drag the ex-priest behind his horse buried deep within the flesh. At this spectacle, it had been revealed to Atem of Seth's and Akunadin's true identities: his cousin and his uncle. What Seth had been doing joining leagues with the thief was unclear to Atem. However, Seth had always put the well-being of the people and Atem first. He wanted to believe that despite everything that had been the truth through the bitter end. Akunadin was another story entirely.

"Bakura, you can still cease this madness! This is your final chance!" Atem shouted hoarsely, struggling to stand after dodging multiple attacks and letting his monsters take the hits to save his people.

"I think I'll call your bluff on that! You couldn't so much as scratch me!" Glowing red eyes narrowed. "And it's not Bakura."

"King of Thieves then?" Atem growled at the arrogance.

"I have had many names. That is but the latest. And it will soon be discarded."

"What is your name?" the pharaoh demanded of the creature that he had concluded was not human.

"I hadn't revealed that information to my host or your petty priest," the King of Thieves sent Seth's corpse a mocking glance. "Why should I indulge you?"

"If you're so confident you are going to defeat me then where is the harm in it?" Atem countered, buying time as he detected Shadow Magic gathering beside him.

The red eyes blinked a moment before a razor-toothed grin appeared. "Very well. I'll play. In your last moments you can remember the name of the one who crushed you and your insignificant country to ruins…"

"Exodia obliterate!"

Diabound appeared out of nowhere and blocked the attack aimed at the Thief King, sending the ka spiraling to the ground in a thunderous crash. Atem looked up to find the massive golden ka of his elderly counselor towering above them. As the dust settled the black horse was sprawled across the ground, body twisted and broken. Atem squinted his eyes, searching for the rider. Diabound had vanished.

"Stay where you are, highness," Shimon warned when the pharaoh took a step forward. "He may not be dead. Remember how he uses the darkness to conceal his ka?"

"That thing wasn't Bakura. And Diabound is not its ka," Atem murmured, disregarding his guardian's caution and slowly walked towards the horse.

A body that had been either thrown from the horse or the clash between the two kas lay on its side a good distance away. The white messy hair was covered in sand. As Atem drew nearer his stomach twisted in knots at the sight of the unmistakable traitor's mark on the visible cheek.

"That branding…"

"Pharaoh, get back!"

Atem froze when a large claw-like hand larger than himself was obscuring his view of the thief. Diabound's head was above the ground as well, the rest of its body apparently underneath the sand. A mere glimpse of the ka and one could tell it was severely injured yet it had rushed in to defend its master. Not to mention its fight earlier with Obelisk.

"Weren't you going to tell me your name?" Atem yelled at the motionless form behind the giant hand.

"Over here," a deep voice boomed.

A blast of Shadow Magic hit him squarely in the back.

A dirt-covered panting group made their way through the narrow passageway, Bakura in the lead with Dagan close behind with his weapon ready. It was so tight a fit that Jou felt claustrophobic for one of the first times in his life. Part of it might have had to do with nearly being crushed by a collapsing building recently.

'Yeah, that would do it,' he thought wryly as he sucked his stomach in to squeeze around a corner easier. 'But this is pretty extreme nonetheless. There's no way outta this place. What is Bakura thinking?'

"Here we are," he heard the thief announce from up ahead.

As they filed into a small chamber, Jou could sense the tension rising as the men looked around. It was a small space that barely fit them all. It struck him as odd how high the ceiling rose. The floor rose a few inches towards the wall. The blonde did a double-take before confirming there was in fact something carved into the stone. It wasn't hieroglyphs though. The Master held up his lantern and hobbled closer with his cane.

"What is this supposed to be?"

Jou gulped when he recognized the unmistakable outline of a figure. It was massive, stretching from the floor to the ceiling. The hideous demonic features he could make out from the lights were enough to make him want to flee back down the passageway. The panic he was feeling was overwhelming.

((What is that?!))

(Stay put, Katsuya. And don't use our link for a moment please.)

((Wha…?))

'Diabound,' Bakura whispered, using his energies to call upon the ka he sealed away three thousand years earlier.

"He asked what is this!" one man yelled, arm grabbing Jou from behind, wrapping around his waist in an iron grip while the gun pressed into the teen's temple.

Sensing they'd been tricked, the Dagan seized Bakura by the front of his shirt. "Well traitor? What is this stupid piece of rock? You dragged us all the way from Japan to this?!"

The thief's gaze remained locked on the wall. It had been in vain. He needed a ka item and they had been destroyed. There was no way to retrieve Diabound.

"I asked you a question!" Dagan punched Bakura hard across the face sending the thief to the ground.

"Stop it!" Jou shouted but stilled when the man holding him cocked the gun.

He stopped himself from reaching out to Bakura through their link, remembering the thief's warning. But it seemed whatever Bakura had planned wasn't going to work. Did that mean he could use their link again? Should he wait? It seemed like the best thing now was to think up a new plan together.

Fast.

((Bakura…!))

The former tomb robber braced himself against the wall holding the monster. Wiping his hand across his mouth he found blood covering it. Dagan didn't wait for permission to strike him again, this time landing a blow to Bakura's broken ribs causing the thief's legs to give from the pain.

"How do you like that?" Dagan taunted while rolling up his sleeves. "You gonna fight for your life or not?"

Grimacing, Bakura placed his hand on the wall in order to rise again. The blood on his fingers stained the stone behind him, seeping into the crevices of the carving. He was in no condition to battle. He was tired. His body had had enough. There was no fight left in him. Digging his fingers into the stone, he stared the man directly in the eyes.

((Bakura!)) Jou screamed as Dagan charged at the thief.

A blast of blinding green light and a shriek of terror were all the teen could perceive as he was suddenly thrown aside. Lying motionless on the cold ground on his stomach he could vaguely hear the Master and his men scrambling to escape back through the tunnel. He let out a shout when someone grabbed his hand.

(It's all right, Katsuya! Just stay still!)

Jou nodded numbly as an even larger explosion of green light soared into the passageway that echoed with screams and the tumbling of the fragile place caving in. The teen constricted his hand tighter around Bakura's as he waited in fear. Whose doing was this? Was it Zork? This attack was somewhat similar to Otogi's Luster Dragon. The ashes cleared as the two of them coughed. Jou's heart lodged in his throat at the deep rumbling growl vibrating off the walls in their new prison.

"Katsuya, you can let go now," Bakura instructed as he tried to pry the teen's fingers from his hand.

Jounouchi reluctantly did so, looking up only to gape in alarm, falling backwards onto the floor and backing away as far as was allowed. There were no exits now. The gruesome devil with a distorted black body, glowing empty eyes, and a torso attached to the front of a giant venomous snake reached to top of the room, parts of its wings and arms disappearing halfway into the walls on either side due to lack of space. A now white-haired Bakura, despite his injuries, was smirking with pride and relief, a trickle of blood leaking out the corner of his mouth.

"Katsuya, meet Diabound."

A film of mist covered his vision, obscuring everything occurring around him. Atem's ears were ringing, and he felt like his entire body was on fire. Every movement made his back throb and he was forced to lay still. Explosions and shouting echoed all around him, though his mind reminded him that nearly everyone who could fight was already dead.

Groaning in agony, the young man rose slowly to his knees. He gasped in shock at sight of Akunadin standing over Shimon's unmoving form. The high priest was clutching his hand over the Millennium eye. What had happened? Where was Exodia?

"Akunadin!" Atem croaked, trembling body unable to move.

"…lied to me!" the man was shouting. "You said he would take the throne!"

"I say many things," the red-eyed being chuckled. Atem bristled. The creature had taken over the thief again. "Seth was, in the end, unworthy."

Diabound was towering behind Bakura more wicked and cruel than before. Was there no limit to this ka's power? How had it recovered? Atem stopped breathing when he noted the King of Thieves had in his possession all but the Millennium puzzle. The ring, key, and necklace were around his neck; scales and rod in one hand; the bloodied Millennium eye in the other. That was how he'd defeated Exodia. With Akunadin's help, Diabound, and the other Millennium Items.

"He was far more worthy than this pathetic…!"

"It was unfortunate he was unable to go through with the necessary actions in order to become Pharaoh. That was his choice," the other interrupted with false grief. "I have nothing left to do but finish what you started. That being said…"

Akunadin let out a scream as a black mass jumped from Bakura and into his gaping mouth, silencing him. The white-haired thief wavered, swaying as he tried to remain upright. The scales, eye, and rod fell from his hands. The priest's shoulders shook as he chuckled and then burst into a fit of chilling laughter, throwing his head back. Atem realized it then: this thing had transferred from Bakura to Akunadin.

"Who are you?!" he demanded from where he was kneeling, clutching the puzzle tightly.

Akunadin's natural eye shown bright red, blood oozing from the empty socket on the opposite side. He turned and made his way to Bakura who was too dazed to comprehend what was happening. Collecting the three Items from the sand, Akunadin slashed at Bakura with the razor edge of the rod, slicing two cords. The necklace and key fell. The thief had gotten enough wits about him by that point to jump back. The ring remained with him.

"Look at this impasse," Akunadin spoke in a deep guttural voice that was not his. "Three of us remain, all against one another."

At the mention he was all alone, Atem realized there was only one option left. Shimon had spoken of it but said to not use the spell unless in dire need. Darkness was churning in whirlwinds all around them. Shadow Magic entered Diabound from the Items Akunadin held and Bakura screamed, collapsing and convulsing on the ground as his ka was infected and taken over. The beast grew larger than Atem could have imagined possible. He doubted even Ra could cover this darkness with its light and annihilate the ka as it was now. No human could use the Items to control another person's ka. No human could use others as mind slaves like the power of the Millennium rod. Atem had to use the sealing spell.

"You are on your own now," the being whispered in fiendish delight as the darkness closed in around them in a suffocating embrace. "Ah, that's right. I was going to tell you my name for your last moments. Let's call it a token for giving me this realm." He drew nearer, hunched over like a predator about to pounce. "Zork."

Atem smiled grimly as the Millennium puzzle began to shine brightly. "That's funny. Because I'm about to use my name to stop you."

"…We were outside of the royal city," Yami murmured as everyone listened intently with awe and horror.

"That's awful!" Anzu cried.

"But your palace hasn't been discovered," Yugi reminded them. "It would be the best way to locate the wall." He turned to his darker half. "But Yami, would a ka stay in such a place all on its own?"

"It's our best shot," Marik said before Yami could answer. "I know there are a lot of uncertainties, but we have to go for it. This is the best we've got."

Yami looked at the group of young people surrounding him for a long moment. He didn't want to repeat history, lose everyone again. Of course, without the Millennium Items the sealing spell was worthless. That was a relief to him to some degree. Yet it had been effective somewhat. Would Ra be enough to stop Zork this time around?

Sighing heavily, he said, "So where are we going to get a plane? With Kaiba drugged up there's no way his staff will believe he's in his right mind to give us…"

"Hey guys," Mokuba grinned. "Just leave the plane to me."

"How'd you manage it?" Jou asked as he and Bakura sat under a crumbling section of a house.

At first the teen had been panicked at being trapped underground, but found Diabound was full of surprises. While shielding Bakura and Jou from any falling rubble, the ka had literally blown the chamber sky high. The room where the Items had been created was destroyed in the process much to the blonde's relief. There was no doubt in his mind Bakura was glad for that too.

"How'd I manage what?" the battered thief asked gruffly while pulling out a crumpled packet of cigarettes.

"To retrieve Diaboud without a ka pendant or a Millennium Item?"

Rummaging through his pockets for a lighter or matches, Bakura answered, "I have a theory in hindsight. Both Yami and I existed despite the absence of our kas. For that, I still don't have an answer. That meant the 'rules' don't apply to us. I think my blood on the image might have triggered something…"

"Blood," Jou muttered in repulsion. "Why is it always blood?"

Bakura ignored him. "However, I think the ultimate reason Diabound emerged was when Dagan went to attack me again. The blood had already awoken my ka to some degree. To have someone charge at me is a threat to my life. Yet Diabound would not have attacked unless I had ordered it or I was in danger. I did not order it." He growled when his search came up empty. "And though I was in danger, if we were still severed it would have not come to my aid because it would feel no connection, no need to protect me. The blood must have restored our bond."

As disgusting as the whole thing was, Jounouchi grinned. "Well, I guess I can't complain. I mean, it saved us an' all. And now you've got a ka to fight with."

"Yeah," Bakura agreed absentmindedly, focusing on the part of his spirit that had been absent for so long.

The power surging within him was almost overwhelming. It didn't compare to the feeble state of his body. Neither he or Jou had eaten in a long time. He was sure he was dehydrated. Not to mention the injuries from the fight in Japan as well as just half an hour ago below the sand.

Turning to the blonde with a smirk, Bakura said, "How about a nice trip to Cairo to recover a bit? It won't do us any good to remain as we are now. We're both injured. Plus we're famished…"

"Food?" Jou's grin widened. "Now we're talking!" He paused. "But…how do we get there? Neither of us can operate that jet!" he mentioned the late Master's private aircraft that was resting on the outskirts of Kuru Eruna. "An' I'm not walking there! How are you suggestin' we get there?"

"Simple." Jou let out a shout of surprise when Diaboud was suddenly hovering over them. Bakura looked up at it with approval. "We fly."

-grins- Diabound's baaaack! XD

Bakura: Yes!!!

Jou: Uh...It's kinda creepy looking.

No duh.

And Zork isn't a giant clumsy purple monster! Rejoice rejoice!

Zork/Yami Marik/Thief King/whatever: Yay! I am teh awesomeness!

-.-; Ahem.

Anywhoosle, I hope more people get a chance to update this chapter. (a bit more happened in this one than the previous after all) lol Got some pages done for Crimson and BTS already. That's right! The final chapter for BTS!!! O.o Then I'll only have three fics to finish. -collapses-

Yugi: Uh...-pokes ferris with a spork- Hmm...

Mokuba: Review!!! XD

Marik: WTF?! O.o