Zorc smiled….Things were looking good for him..now he had two items and if you counted Isis' item that would make three that were with the thief. Now he figured was a good time to hatch part two of his plan.
"Shada…" Aknadin called as he approached the younger priest.
"Yes…Master Aknadin. "Is something wrong?" He asked noticing the sense of urgency radiating from the bearded man.
"I have received some horrible news….Pharaoh Atem hasn't returned since he left to follow the Thief King last night."
"I'll have everyone informed immediately….everyone within this palace's walls shall be out searching for him and we shall not stop until he is found."
"Very well. However I wish to speak to you, Karim and Master Shimon privately after you do so…I believe that I may know where we can find this Bakura. He needs to be punished."
"Yes, Master Aknadin." Shada muttered and bowed before leaving his superior's side.
"Well done, Aknadin…."Zorc praised the priest.
"Thanks Master."
Isis quivered with fear as she clutched onto the Thief's sleeve as they made their way through the animated corpses and laughing ghosts that surrounded them.
"They won't hurt you, as long as you stay close to me." Bakura muttered gently. A quite contrast to his previous mood he had held.
She tightened her grip as she looked up into his face….she noted that his features were somewhat relaxed and carried a softness to them that he had lost when he had faced the Pharaoh.
Before she could elaborate on these thoughts, she was brought out of them as she felt her foot take a step down. She looked down to see that they had arrived at a stairway that led underneath the villiage.
"What's down there?" She asked.
"You'll see." He muttered as they continued down the stairway until they entered a small chamber that held the Stone slab made to contain the Millennium Items.
"What's this?" she asked as she reached down to touch the slab.
Bakura's calm features changed into a twisted demented smirk, his eyes held a strange tint of red to them as he tilted his head to the side and simply said.
"The Key to my freedom."
It had become dark as the boy finished telling his story of how he had confronted the thief and how he had nearly been killed.
"There's just one thing I don't understand. Why would he want to kill me?" Atem asked.
"It's simple." Marik answered. "There's a lot of people who want you dead." The blonde stated flatly without any sense of tact.
"hmmhm." Seto coughed as he cleared his throat drawing the blonde's attention.
"Well, It's true…He's the King isn't he? He's gonna have to learn the truth some time."
"But what did I ever do to him? It's not like I really know him or anything." The pink-headed blonde pointed out.
"It's revenge." Marik muttered. "Your kingdom destroyed everything."
"Are you suggesting that Egypt is to blame for that ruined village back there?" Seto demanded.
"I'm not suggesting. I'm stating fact." The blonde replied.
"That's completely ludicrous!" The brunette bellowed.
"Only because you don't want to hear the truth!" Marik yelled back.
Atem sat in silence as he watched the two Egyptians argue. Their conversation had struck a memory in him. He remembered his father being a great man but he also remembered his father apologizing to the Egyptian gods. He had been a lot younger, when his father had taken him into one of the sacred temples that the palace held. He had been fearful because of the darkness, so he had held onto his father until they had reached the sacred statue of the gods. His father had kneeled and bowed before the statues and quickly instructed him to do the same. Atem remembered that his father had said he was sorry about all the people who had suffered and to bring peace to their land and the village that they had once inhabited.
"Take me there." Atem ordered as he stood, startling the two men out of their argument.
"What?!" They both asked dazed.
"This village….I wish to see it and bear witness to its existence with my own eyes."
Bakura struggled for control as he could feel himself being held back into the confines of his own mind. He had gasped as he saw the ghosts and moving skeletons roaming throughout his village…as if protecting something hidden. His eyes had widened further as they made their way down towards the spot where Zorc had been sealed. Even though he felt as if he was miles away from his own body….he could still sense the fear coming from the woman clutching onto his arm.
His voice had a fake gentleness to it, something that could barely be recognized. However Isis had looked up at him as if to see through to his inner self, the look she gave him told him that she could sense something was amiss but that she just couldn't quite place the problem.
Laughter rang throughout his consciousness….a laughter that was insane and not his own. It was a dangerous sort of laugh that unnerved him to his very core as he heard the demon to use his voice to answer the woman's question.
She had apparently sensed the danger she was in as she tried to flee before being held down by a force that came from the Millennium Ring before she collapsed and passed out.
"LET GO OF ME, THIS INSTANT!" Isis yelled as she struggled against the chains around her wrists and ankles that bound her to the wall behind her.
"Shut up." The Thief ordered as he placed the Millennium Necklace into the tablet followed by the puzzle.
"What have you done to Bakura?!" She bellowed.
"Perceptive little wench." The demon sneered. "Bakura….has so graciously given me use of his body for the time being, Meaning that I'm in complete control."
"So you're the darkness." Isis accused.
The demon only nodded. "You've interfered for the last time." He laughed. "It'll be over for all of you very soon."
"What does that mean?"
The bandit clad demon smiled as he walked over to the Priestess and held her chin up in his hand.
"The end of the world." He laughed.
"What the hell is this?" Karim asked as he swung his sword at the unwelcoming living skeletons, knocking four down with each blow.
"This village is cursed." Shada called as he fought several off with his Ka.
They had been fighting for what seemed like hours and now their power was running low, their bodies beaten and exhausted. The horses had ran off long ago and there seemed to be no hope of escape.
"This way boys…" Aknadin called from one of the small buildings the two could only guess to be homes.
The two nodded as they ran making their way towards their superior.
"Where's Master Shimon?" Shada asked once he realized the elder man wasn't with them.
The two men looked around anxiously out the door to spot the man but to no avail.
"There's no need to worry…." Aknadin called from behind as he slowly walked behind them picking up a brick as he swiftly made his way towards the naïve younger men.
"It'll all be over soon…" he muttered before bashing the slab of house against the back of their heads. He stared at their bodies as they fell.
"Master….Why?" was all he heard before all was silent.
"I'll be taking these now." he laughed as he stripped the two of their Millennium Items before leaving their dead bodies to rot along with the rest of this gods-forsaken village.
Two down….only one to go….All according to plan. Aknadin smirked as he made his way through the village towards the underground chambers where he knew the thief was waiting.
"This is Kul Elna…." Atem whispered as they circled the outskirts of the village. Seto and Marik not wanting to provoke the wandering dead.
"It is.." Marik nodded.
"I see….so this is what father was worrying about."
Seto's eyes widened. "Your Majesty…..you knew about this."
"I didn't realize what my father was talking about at the time but…" The young king shook his head. "I remember him apologizing for a grave mistake that had occurred when I was young….When I heard you talking about how it was destroyed because of us. I realized that the thief was talking about the same incident my father was repenting for."
"So that means that…." Seto glanced back over towards the haunted place.
"Bakura was telling the truth." Atem confirmed. "However….my father never stated that he was the one who did this…but that he took full responsibility for it."
"So that means…someone under him did it?" Seto wondered as he put a hand to his chin in thought.
Marik's eyes widened as something clicked in his brain…making everything clear to him.
"The bearded man!" Marik exclaimed.
"You mean Aknadin. That's completely absurd….why would Aknadin have anything to do with it?" Seto glared showing his skepticism at the mere idea of it.
"Think…Seto. He was the one who vehemently and continuously called Bakura a traitor and a liar."
"Yeah….So….We all did, except for Isis." Seto stated flippantly.
"What about Bakura's warning?"
"Bakura's warning?" Seto stared at him confused. "What in the name of Ra are you talking about?"
"Don't tell me you didn't notice it." The blonde stared at him, slightly laughing nervously.
"He practically warned you about Aknadin." Marik sighed as he spoke the last words that he had heard in Seto's memory. "Once a rival always a rival right?"
Seto stared at the blonde for a moment before realization washed over him.
"Shit!" He muttered, a deep scowl forming on his face.
"Hey Seto!" Atem called, drawing the brunette's attention. "Doesn't that look like Shimon over there?" the boy pointed.
The priest narrowed his eyes and scanned over the area where the former prince was pointing and sure enough….there was Shimon fighting off attacking skeletons left and right as bones went flying.
What's he doing all the way out here?Seto wondered before he felt a sudden jolt from under him.
"Hey!" he yelled as the horse underneath him took off towards the elder man.
"Sorry but don't you want to save him?...he looks like he's having some trouble down there." The blonde explained as he urged Eclipse to go faster, knocking out skeletons left and right as they trampled their way through until they were right next to the struggling man.
"Need some help?" Marik called.
"No boy….I can take these devils on by myself thanks. Just stand back…I'm going to need some room." the man laughed as he motioned for them to move aside.
Marik obliged and made Eclipse to move away from the man.
Suddenly a giant monster appeared….one that Marik recognized immediately.
"Exodia?!" He gasped.
It was only a matter of minutes that the zombie army was temporarily demolished.
"Follow me." Shimon shouted. "We have to take cover before they recuperate enough to move again."
The three on the horse merely nodded as they followed the powerful man without a word…fearing to see what he would do if they tried to tell him otherwise.
"You've been awfully quiet Bakura." Zorc smirked as he watched his plan unfold quite nicely. "Is something the matter?" he mocked.
"I'm just watching the show at the moment." The teen replied, carrying a neutral look….or attempting to. It would seem that he was cutting it close in this game….he always did take risks in Shadow Games and it was always left to the final seconds to see who the victor would be.
He quickly shook his head of his thoughts as he looked at his still activated game piece….He sure as hell hoped this worked…..cause if it didn't…well, the whole world was screwed.
"It's soo good to see you my King." Shimon cried with joy as he wrapped his arms around Atem, making it difficult for the poor boy to breathe.
"Can't breathe…." He sqeaked out as Shimon quickly released him.
"Sorry, M'boy."
"Shimon, where is Aknadin?" Seto asked.
"Haven't you seen him?...he's here along with me, Shada and Karim. We were all going to try to track the thief and Isis down…we had thought that there may be a possibility that his majesty had been taken captive by them. "
"We need to find them quickly Shimon. We have reason to believe that Aknadin is a traitor….not the Thief King."
Shimon merely nodded before the three looked up and noticed that a certain blonde was missing.
Marik couldn't quite explain it…..it was as if he was being pulled by his chest towards something. He had been so entranced by the feeling that he had completely left the three nobles without saying a word. Something in his heart told him to go and so he did.
He squinted as he tried to see where he was going as he started to head down a dark stairway that seemed to drag on forever. He had been walking for what he thought may have been several miles….that or it was just the dark making it seem that way.
He lifted his hand, touching the smooth wall as he descended the stairs as he found that he was able to make out a few voices.
"I've brought you the remaining items…Just like you asked." Aknadin bowed as he made his way over to the Millennium Stone and set the Millennium Scales and the Millennium Key into the corresponding slots.
"Well done." The demon answered.
"What about her?" Aknadin asked as he pointed to the unconscious Isis.
"Don't worry about her…..I just wanted her to enjoy the show." He laughed before something caught the attention of his eye, he quickly threw a dagger as he summoned spirits to attack, sending them flying towards the movement. However instead of hearing a bloodcurdling scream or yell of agony, he heard a loud fierce roar as a giant black panther creature appeared with furious blaring red eyes glaring at him.
Bakura blinked as he stared into the eyes of the fierce creature, if he had control of his body he would have leapt out of both fear and joy. There was only one person with a cat like that…..
"Marik…."
"BAKURA!...HOW DARE YOU THROW A DAGGER AT ME! I GO THROUGH HELL TO GET BACK HERE AND YOU GO AND TRY TO KILL ME OFF FIRST THING!" The blonde fumed.
Yep….it was most certainly Marik. His friend, His partner, His everything in the whole world had returned and he was more fired up than Ra on a blazing hot summer's day.
The demon struggled to move his body but found that he was unable to, pinned down by the unnatural Ka's gaze.
Aknadin noticed the struggle and quickly worked to attack the distracted blonde as he grabbed a stray sword and aimed at the boy's head.
He was merely a breath away when he felt his sword stop mid-swing.
"Seto….how did you?" the blonde breathed as he swiftly moved away from the deadly weapon.
"I heard you yelling and pitching a fit….I think all of Egypt could hear you." He laughed as he pushed Aknadin back making the man stumble in order to keep from falling as Seto poised his sword towards the bearded Priest.
"Now, Seto….You wouldn't hurt your own father would you?" Aknadin smiled gently.
"Father?!" Seto questioned. "My father abandoned me and my mother and left us with nothing." He yelled.
"All for a good reason….I had to create the Items with the people of this village and I didn't want harm to come to either you nor your mother."
"You….Did this." Seto seethed with anger. "You destroyed all those people just for some stupid magic?"
"It was power…the kingdom was in danger…It was the only thing to do."
"I have no father. Never have and Never will….especially not one like you." Seto growled as he lunged…starting a sword fight between the two.
"We could have ruled Egypt together!" Aknadin exclaimed as he berated the brunette with fierce attacks.
"I serve the King….It is not my place to rule…It is my place to protect the innocent." Seto proclaimed as he swung a fierce attack of his own.
After much effort Zorc finally was able to make the thief move again, his movements labored by the reappearance of the blonde and the consciousness of his host trying to regain control….he had to move quickly before they had a chance to stop him before his plans were realized. He nearly fell as he slowly backed towards the exit.
"Where do you think you're going?" Marik asked. Making the White-haired man turned on his heel to face him.
"Who are you? And what have you done to Bakura?" the blonde asked flatly, Bastet roaring behind him.
"I'm Bakura….who else?" The demon shrugged. Bastet Roared as she pounced on the man holding him down, taking away any ability to move as her eyes glowed brighter.
The blonde shook his head, smirking as he walked toward the imposter. "What do you take me for?...You think that I wouldn't recognize my own partner? Now…the truth. What did you do with him?" He asked as he pointed the Millennium rod at him, His amethyst eyes fierce as he looked into bright Crimson eyes.
"Go to Hell." The imposter spit out at him. Marik's anger spiked making the rod activate as he used its power to infiltrate the Thief's mind.
"Bakura!" Marik called as he traversed the endless darkness that was consuming the man's being. Marik cringed as he jerked his foot up trying to avoid sinking into the bog of endless night.
"Bakura! Where are you?" Marik called again.
"-VER 'ERE."
The blonde quickly focused on the voice and followed it until he found a solitary room.
This must be his soul room.
Marik quickly opened the door to find the Thief chained by darkness….struggling to get free.
"Marik? What are you doing here?" The thief asked dumbfounded.
"I'm helping you get free…..That's what partners do isn't it?" the blonde smirked.
Bakura stared at the boy, blinking a few times, his body frozen in thought.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?" The White-Haired boy yelled. "WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN JUST DISAPPEAR ON SOMEONE LIKE THAT AND JUST SHOW UP WHENEVER YOU DAMN WELL PLEAS-." The Thief was cut off from finishing his tirade as the blonde's lips met his own.
"I missed you too." Marik whispered into Bakura's ear before taking a step back and looking at the chains. "Now, How to get you out of these?" he asked slightly touching the chains before being repelled.
"He's mine now….we made a deal."A deep voice chuckled, echoing throughout the thief's mind.
"Zorc….you used me. The deal is off." Bakura yelled as he struggled against the chains even more.
"Know your place human!"yelled the angered demon.
Bakura's eyes widened, yelling out in agony as he became surrounded by an aura of darkness.
"Bakura!" Marik called as he attempted to approach the bandit as he was repelled over and over again.
The White-haired boy's eyes dulled as he slowly calmed down and relaxing against the chains that restrained him.
"Now that's a good boy."The voice echoed his praise to the thief that was now shrouded in darkness.
Suddenly Marik could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. "Now for you…"The voice whispered as he suddenly felt great pain course throughout his body making him double over and scream from the terrible burning sensation on his back. It was as if he was reliving his worst nightmares over and over again.
He just about couldn't take it anymore when he felt something pull at his being forcing him to withdraw from his partner's mind and into the outside world.
He could feel sandpaper run across his skin as he came to. He looked up to find that Bastet was licking his face and nudging him with her nose as if to make sure he was alright.
"Looks like your little pet saved you." Bakura's voice taunted. "Fortunately…I managed to get this from you." The Thief smirked as he held up the Rod before the boy's face.
Marik quickly jumped to his feet readying himself for whatever may come next. Bastet looked him over before standing beside her master and baring her fangs at the imposter.
"Marik….It's been a good game. But it's time for me to put an end to this…" the faux Bakura laughed as he absorbed some of the power of the Rod. "Aknadin…" the demon called. "I've decided to give you the power of mage….use it to destroy that ungrateful son of yours." He ordered as the darkness around Aknadin swirled transforming him into a creature that had long red hair and wore a mask.
The former-priest laughed as he used his new power to overpower the young brunette and knocking the man unconscious.
"I'll finish that later…" the man muttered as he came to stand beside the thief, poising his sword towards the blonde and his ka.
"Very Well…" The dark being smirked. "You take care of his ka, while I take him head on. I want to have some fun with this one."
"Yes Master." The creature nodded as he focused his attention on the giant cat and attacked. Bastet roared as she countered his attack and so on.
"Looks like it's just you and me." Zorc admonished as he made the thief's body appear mere inches away from the blonde. "I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time." He growled as he quickly pulled the sheath, revealing the hidden dagger that the Rod contained. The bandit charged towards the blonde, swinging the blade in tow. Marik quickly dodged it and pulled out a hidden dagger of his own, holding the older boy's offense off. For a second they stood like that…each one struggling to overpower the other as they gazed into each other's eyes. Amethyst looked into crimson as he searched for any sign of the usually gray-eyed boy, he had nearly given up until he saw a spark of a pained expression etched in them. Bakura might have been overtaken in his mind but his heart and soul still held a bit of himself still.
"Bakura…" Marik gritted his teeth as he tried to focus on not letting his hand slip in the stand-off.
"BAKURA!"
The voice echoed throughout the stone cavern as everyone in the rooms attention shifted to the pink and yellow haired boy as he made his way out of the stairwell.
"It's me you want…" he called as he strode towards the battlefield.
Zorc's eyes widened as he and the blonde dropped their stand-off in shock.
"My Family has wronged you greatly and for that I offer my humblest apologies." The young Pharaoh kneeled before him, bowing his head.
"You may exact your revenge as you see fit." The boy's voice never wavering as he remained completely still, waiting for his judgement.
The thief smirked as he walked towards the boy…everyone else seemingly frozen in time as he lifted his dagger above his head and readying himself to kill the boy.
Isis awoke just as the danger of death rapidly approached her young king.
"NO!" She screamed.
"Bakura…." Marik muttered gently as he held the boy's right arm in place, holding the dagger just inches above the boy's head.
"Don't do this…." he whispered. "If you do this there's no going back…." Amethyst stared into fading crimson as he embraced the White-haired boy, making him drop the golden weapon.
"W-Why?" The thief rasped as his eyes were slowly reverting back to their grayish color. "W-Why do you care?"
"Because I Love You…." Marik whispered into the thief's ear as he tried to hide his face and the blush that was forming.
Bakura sputtered, unsure of what to do as pink tinted his cheeks as he returned the blonde's embrace. His eyes widening in horror as he saw a flash of silver before shoving Marik aside as the blade made impact, going straight into his side. The blonde watched in horror as bits of blood flew through the air as the thief fell backwards in what seemed like slow-motion.
"Bakura!" Marik yelled as he caught the nineteen year old mid-fall and gently led him to lean against him. Anger and rage coursed through him as he laid the thief down and asking a very shocked Atem to watch after him while he took care of some business.
The blonde walked towards the mage.
"Bastet!" Marik ordered as the cat came before her master.
"You really think that kitten will stop me….I'm the god of darkness and a demon of destruction. Spirits of Kul Elna come down here and finish the job." Zorc called through the mage.
"You are the fool here." Marik called as purple spirits surrounded them along with a few of the skeleton zombies from outside. "Spirits….This Monster is the reason for your pain." Marik pointed at the mage. "He caused the destruction of your village and yet he has the audacity to call upon you to aid him after he has harmed your avenger. Please I beg you…help me destroy him and with it gain your vengeance."
The spirits stared at the blonde as they glanced over to the unconscious White-haired man. They nodded as they turned, hissing and growling at the dark mage before them. "I Thank you." Marik called.
"Bastet, combine your strength with them and defeat the mage."
Bastet's eyes glowed a bright yellow as the spirits fused with it, making the Panther grow stronger as she opened her mouth a bit as a ball of red energy formed. The ball grew about three times before finally the Ebony ka roared releasing the energy as it spun quickly towards the mage.
The mage could do nothing as the energy made impact and exploded.
"Spiria….Protect." Isis called as the cavern shook from the sheer power that was unleashed upon the demon.
"Noooooo!" The demon yelled as he was destroyed.
"Damn it!" Zorc yelled as he slammed his fists on the game table. He was slowly starting to fade away. "How could I have lost? I had everything perfectly planned out?" he grumbled more to himself than to the teen sitting across from him.
"It's simple." Bakura muttered. "…I play dirty." He laughed as the demon disappeared into the Shadows to be locked away forever.
"Bakura! Bakura!" Marik yelled as he nudged the thief, trying to rouse the gravely injured man.
"Hahahaha." He chuckled as he came to, his side slightly throbbing in pain as he felt the blood soak through the makeshift bandage that Atem had pushed against the wound to slow the bleeding.
"What's soo funny?" Marik asked, his worried face shifting into one of absolute fury.
"You." He smiled. "Only you would put me in the care of my worst enemy." Bakura answered truthfully as he tilted his head to his side and coughed furiously.
"Idiot, Why'd you do that?...if you hadn't pushed me out of the way then you wouldn't be hurt in the first place." the blonde halfway scolded.
"You yell at a dying man?" The bandit wheezed through his laughter.
"Don't change the subject." The blonde shrieked. "Why'd you do it?"
Bakura only laughed at this. "You still don't get it do you?" he asked as he motioned the blonde to lean in closer. Marik obliged and was forcefully grabbed by the back of his head as he was jerked forward. Lavender eyes widened as he felt Bakura's lips upon his own before he relaxed and kissed back. They stayed like this for a while until they realized that they had to breathe.
They gasped for air as they parted and Bakura smirked as he whispered into Marik's ear. "Because…I Love You too." And with those words he fell into unconsciousness.
"BAKURA!" Marik yelled as tears pricked at the ends of his eyes….threatening to spill over.
I finally found you….and now you're going to die.
Marik slowly brought Bakura into his arms. The thief was barely breathing as he wheezed and winced from pain. The blonde shook the boy.
"You can't die!" Marik urged. "Not now….Not after all this shit that we've went through." He muttered as the tears fell onto the unconscious thief's face.
"MRRRRRRAAAAAAWWWWWWWRRRRR." Bastet mewed in her Panther form as she nudged the blonde away.
"No Bastet…Now's not the time to play." Marik cried.
The cat rolled her yellow eyes as she lifted the blonde by his robe by her teeth and moved him aside. She looked over the thief's wounds and slowly started to lick them.
"Don't do that! You'll make it worse." Marik called until his eyes widened.
The more Bastet licked him….the smaller his wounds got. They continued to get smaller and smaller until they had completely disappeared.
Sensing that her work was done…Bastet circled the thief a few times as she made her way over to the chained Priestess and freeing her with her claws.
"Thanks…" Isis smiled as she worked her wrists to remove the broken shackles as the clattered to the floor before making her way over to Priest Seto.
"How does he look?" She asked Atem…Whom after he had attempted to patch up Bakura went over to take a look at his right hand man.
"He's just got a few scraps and cuts here and there but nothing fatal." Atem smiled. "That's What my Ka tells me at least." He laughed as he turned and pet what looked like a very small brown batch of fur. "His name's Kuriboh." Atem smiled as the ball of fur nodded its head and smiled.
"That's wonderful." Isis smiled. "It's very nice to meet you."
"What happened?" Seto asked as he came to, jerking forward in shock. "My King…Why are you?" he asked panicked.
"It's alright Seto….It's over." It took the brunette a minute to comprehend.
"It's over?"
Isis nodded. "Marik took care of it. See?" she pointed at the blonde boy who was currently petting the giant cat as they looked over the unconscious thief.
"Good kitty." He laughed as he yawned, exhausted.
"How is he?" Isis asked as she, Seto and Atem made their way over to them.
"He'll be fine….Bastet healed him…So he probably just needs some rest."
"He won't try that again will he?" Seto asked suspiciously.
"I highly doubt that." Marik smiled. "Don't worry…He's not gonna fake you out again." he laughed.
"Marik can I have the Rod back?" Seto asked.
"Actually Seto, The items have been destroyed." Atem answered.
"What?!"
"When Marik used his ka to destroy Aknadin, The items kind of got caught in the blast and I was luckily able to call out Spiria to shield all of us." Isis explained.
"It's for the best." Atem said in a firm tone. "Nothing like this should ever happen again, from this day forth, I proclaim that no one shall use spells that call for destruction or sacrifices. Seto, See to it that all spells that consists of these things be destroyed when we return."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Very well. We better get to work, a kingdom can't run itself you know. Beside Shimon is waiting for us outside." Atem laughed.
"Marik, Thanks for everything. Especially for not sugar-coating the truth. You're right, I'm the King and I need to know how my people see me and how I can help make their lives better. When he wakes up please send him my regards and tell him that he may challenge me any time he wishes."
Marik nodded as Seto and Atem made their way up the stairs.
"Aren't you going with them?" Marik asked.
"I'm staying right here…with the two of you." Isis stated matter-of-factly as she sat down beside him.
"What?!" Marik yelled, taken aback.
"Someone needs to look after you boys…..Ra knows someone does."
"NOW WAIT JUST A-"
"Now, Marik….There's no sense in arguing with me…I've made up my mind and that's that."
Marik glared at her for a moment before his gaze softened a bit.
"Alright…Fine. You can be our honorary sister…how's that?"
"That sounds about right." Isis laughed.
******************************EPILOGUE**************************************************
"Hey Bakura!" Marik laughed as he ran towards his pale friend. "How's Battle City?" he joked as the sidewalks cleared as cars passed by in the busy streets.
"So did you find what you were looking for?" Bakura asked as they walked down towards the pier.
"Yeah, I found him all right." Marik laughed. "Actually I think he found me." He joked.
"So you were there at the beginning because you loved me all along…." Marik sniggered. "Oh Bakura that's soo cheesy."
"Hey, would you rather have cheesy or would you have rather died? Go on Take your pick!" Bakura fumed as his face slowly picked up some color.
"You wouldn't have dared." Marik scoffed. "You want me too bad to have let that happen."
"Oh yeah, Well who was the one sneaking peaks while I was taking a shower!"
"Hey!, How was I supposed to know that! It's not like I planned it or something. At least I wasn't constantly throwing innuendos around, Mister "I can make it worth your while!""
"Oh Come on….You liked that one and you know it!"
"You know what Bakura? You talk too much." Marik whispered as he turned on the White-haired boy and kissed him.
"Marik! Marik!...Are you awake yet?"
"I believe that you're calling for me. Funny I didn't even do anything yet." Marik laughed as he started to disappear.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Bakura sputtered, his face turning a bright shade of pink.
"You'll see!" Marik laughed as he disappeared.
"Marik Ishtar…If you're insinuating what I think you are…If anyone's calling names it'll be you screaming mine!" Bakura yelled as he disappeared along with the dream Battle City.
"Marik! Marik!...Are you awake yet?" The thief king asked as he shook his partner in crime as he tried to rouse him.
"Yeah, I'm awake… Can you please stop shaking me now?" Marik mumbled.
"Sorry." Bakura muttered.
"Boy's Breakfast." Isis called from outside the hideout.
The three had decided to leave Kul Elna and so decided to live in Bakura's underground hideout, which had proven to be a very good choice and the three were settling in quite nicely, not to mention the fact that they were closer to the palace which allowed Isis to visit with the king from time to time and for Bakura to challenge him to a duel whenever he felt the urge for revenge. However there was another reason that Bakura wanted to be closer to the palace and Marik had to agree that it was pretty fun.
"Sorry Isis.." The two called as they ran towards Eclipse.
"Is it already that day of the week again?"
"Yep." Bakura laughed as he pulled Marik up on the horse behind him as they took off towards the Palace.
"Are you ready Partner?" Bakura asked with a grin.
"Ready!" Marik nodded.
They had made up their minds, today was the day that they would steal it for sure.
The two crawled through the palace, avoiding guards as they snuck through the long corridors passing by several rooms until they reached a certain office. They quickly scaled up the two pillars in front of the door and clung to the ceiling, like they had done so many times before.
They slowly snuck in the open door, there target was in sight until suddenly the two of them found themselves dodging trap after trap until finally they were inside the oh-so-familiar cage of shame.
"Damn it!" The two cursed as they sat down crisscrossed.
"How long are you guys going to keep doing this?" Seto asked as he looked up from his calculations.
"As many times as it takes…" The two thieves answered in unison.
"What is so fascinating about my hat that you just have to steal it?"
The two looked at each other and nodded before answering him.
"Truthfully…" Marik started. "…It makes you look stupid."
"And, we know that trying to get it annoys the living daylights out of you." Bakura smirked.
"Don't you have anything better to do with your time?" Seto asked sighing.
"No Not really." Bakura answered as he shrugged.
"Come on…We know you get bored when we don't come….Looking at numbers all day can really drain your personality." Marik muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Seto yelled.
"I mean, If you want to be about as boring as a still log in the Nile, by all means be our guest. Just remember that you're never going to get laid by the Pharoah's new Secretary." Bakura sniggered.
"Oh, So that's the one he likes, You're talking about that girl with the bluish- white hair right?" Marik asked amused.
Bakura nodded. "Yeah, Wasn't her name Kimara or something?" he asked.
"IT'S KISARA!" Seto yelled as he stood up from his desk.
"Right!" Marik shouted in remembrance.
"Seto and Kisara…." Bakura sang.
"Sitting in a tree…" Marik laughed.
"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" The two spelled as the brunette ran towards the cage.
Bakura and Marik smirked as they used Bastet to lift the cage before he could reach them.
Bastet turned into her kitten form as the three of them ran away from the enraged Priest.
"How are they doing?" Ishizu asked.
It had been months since Ryou had told her that the Shadow Game had ended and that Everyone was alright and the world was safe once again. However, he had decided to stay in case the Ishtar's wanted an update on their brother. He still had visions from time to time but he could more or less control them now to where he can just zone in whenever he wanted to. The Ishtar's were happy that the boy stayed and much to Odion's relief, the Pale boy didn't steal anything…yet.
"They're doing great." Ryou smirked as he sipped some tea. "They're having the time of their lives."
THE END.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Yeah, So this is Officially The Final Chapter of Answers In Time! I know that it may seem a bit long...however I couldn't quite decide how to divide it into Chapters...So I just said "What the Heck...It's Christmas." :D So this is my gift to all of you who have been enjoying my story.
I'd like to thank you (The Awesome readers!). It really warms my heart to know that so many people enjoyed this and without ya'll this story would probably have never seen the light of day. I am going to miss writing for this story, I've sort of grown with it. (Writing wise and also that I've been writing for it for a little over a year!) So anyways Thanks again *Hugs to everyone!*
I wish Everyone A Merry Christmas and A Bright and Happy New Year!