I've redone this chapter 3 times now. There are spots that still bug me, but I can't figure out what I want/need to fix. Every time I walk away and come back to it I end up with a headache, so I'm just going to leave it in it's current iteration because this one bugs me the least (I have folders labeled Ch10, Ch10-2, Ch10-3 because I will get so far then want to change some things, but not all things so they are all pretty much the same with each having different major edits).

I want to clarify ahead of time so as not to confuse anyone: In this AU all Gods from all the various religions coexist within the realm of the Afterlife. I picture it as a mirrored version of the World of the Living with each pantheon establishing their kingdoms of rule. It's because of this that Greek deities will pop up often as they would be one of the closest on the map to the Kemetic deities. It's why Bakura mentioned Hephaestus in the last chapter.

"Take me to him. Now."

Pissed off was an extreme understatement when trying to describe Bakura's current mood. Marik recognized it though. It was the same as the night he had been caught inside the Soul Room. At the time he had thought Bakura was void of emotion, but he couldn't have been farther from the truth. Seeing Bakura in his current state made Marik realize that the Spirit had been controlling his own boiling rage.

"I can, after you've faced Judgment." Katrina said dejectedly.

"No. I will not be any doing any 'bonding' until I've spoken with Ryou."

Kat faced the furious Bakura, her eyes glistening in the corners as tears threatened to spill out. "I wish that was how it worked….but it doesn't. You know that."

Bakura growled loudly in agitation. "Take me to Osiris. Now."

Katrina gave a single nod in defeat. "I'll open the way."

She stepped a few paces away from the others. The sky darkened around them as she began to weave her spell. Yugi and Marik looked nervously around at the change in atmosphere as it reminded both of what happened when a Shadow Game was in play. Kat continued her spell, an inscription beginning to form in mid-air before her fingers. She pushed it away and it appeared to land on an invisible barrier, which revealed itself to me a massive dark obelisk. A portal of light formed at the base, growing large enough for a person to pass through. Kat stood to the side, motioning for everyone to follow. Bakura went first, followed by Malik. Yugi hesitated, but after Kat indicated that both he and Marik were to join them, he passed through. She stopped Marik as he approached.

"I would keep this on you." Kat pulled an object from behind her back. Marik blanched seeing the Millennium Rod in her outstretched palm.

"How did you-"

"Just take it!" She hissed, shoving the relic into his hands before forcing him through the portal.

The other side was beyond anything Yugi or Marik could have imagined. They stood inside a massive hall lit by enormous braziers. It looked like it had been made for giants. The walls were covered in hieroglyphs and symbolic paintings, reminiscent of the insides of Pharaonic Tombs. At the end of the hall was a bright light silhouetting a massive figure. Bakura was storming towards this figure, Malik following lazily behind with his hands laced behind his head. Yugi and Marik stuck close together not far behind, with Kat trailing.

"OSIRIS!" Bakura shouted up at the shadowed figure.

The figure shifted and leaned forward, the light behind it dimming. Yugi and Marik stared up at the massive being wrapped in linen wrappings, it's greenish face and hands peering through. On it's head was a feathered Atef crown. Marik stared in awe, dropping down to one knee. Yugi followed suit.

"That's...that's Osiris…" Marik whispered in shock (more to himself than to anyone else).

"Yes it is, and you two look like fools. Stand up." Malik berated. The two teens obeyed without question, still staring up at the God in shock.

"Heir of Ra, for what honor am I owed your presence?" Osiris' voice boomed and echoed around them.

"You know why I'm here." Bakura spoke acidly.

"You wish for me to return that which freely entered my domain." the God stated. He paused in contemplation. "I am afraid I cannot forcibly cast out one that has entered here of their own choosing. Only they can make the choice to return."

Bakura growled from his tightly clenched jaw. "Then bring him here so I can talk some sense into his thick skull."

Osiris raised his right hand, signaling for a servant. A pale angelic being dressed in gauzy white linen and golden armor appeared. A golden falcon mask obscured the figures face, while feathery white hair framed the mask and trailed down between the being's massive white wings. The large golden spear in it's hand clinked against the ground as it landed not far from Bakura.

"Allow me to introduce myself." The being spoke in a metallic baritone voice. "I am the Right Hand of Osiris. I am Judgment."

Bakura glowered at the entity before him. "I don't care who you are, I came here to retrieve someone and I'm not leaving without them."

"I know the one you speak of. He has expressed no desire to return to the Realm of the Living."

"I want to hear it from him, not the puppet of a God."

Judgment cocked it's head to the side, studying Bakura. "I was lead to believe that you cared little for the one you call 'Ryou'. Was I incorrect in my assumption?"

"I don't know what the hell the kid told you, but I assure you I have always cared for him."

Judgment continued to study the pale being before him. "I am confused? He claims that you injured his body. That you threatened those he would call friend. That you imprisoned him within his own mind. Was I misinformed?"

Bakura's rage subsided, replaced quickly by guilt. He refused to show it though by hardening his gaze toward the masked being. "I take it he left out all the times I jumped in when he was getting the shit beat out of him. What about the times I sat beside him as he cried himself to sleep. All the times I did my best to distract him from another broken promise."

"You do not deny the claims made against you then?"

"I wasn't...myself."

"So your actions belonged to another?"

Bakura's steeled facade began to crack. "I...no. They belonged to me, and me alone. I lacked empathy and kindness, but that doesn't excuse anything." He cradled his head forward into his hand. "I can't believe it. I'm no better than the one that sired me."

The winged entity continued to stare, as if contemplating. "Why did you never tell Ryou about his father? Why did you allow him hope for love from an impostor?"

Bakura gave Judgment an angry stare. "I wasn't even cognizant of my own existence inside the Millennium Ring for the first five years I was trapped. It was like lingering somewhere between sleep and awareness. It was still another three or four years before I could even communicate for brief periods. In my absence Ryou had grown attached to that 'impostor'. Me on the other hand, he only recognized as an angry Spirit. No matter how many times that 'impostor' broke Ryou's heart with his empty promises, I felt it would hurt him far more to learn the truth."

"Is it true that the loss of Ryou's mother drove you mad? That you fractured your soul because of it?"

"Yes...but it has somehow become whole again."

"I see. You are aware that Ryou has chosen to walk into the Halls of Osiris of his own free will? That he left behind his body so that you may continue to inhabit it?"

"So I've heard." Bakura said irritably.

"Why do you think that is?"

Bakura cocked a brow in confusion. "Honestly, I have no idea. That boy is a walking contradiction. Too pure and innocent for his own good, but at the same time has this strange obsession with the dark occult. He tells you I'm a complete asshole, but then chooses to give me his body. I wish I could figure out the logic and reasoning behind anything that goes on through that head of his. I don't even want this body. Just look at it! It's so small and frail!"

"That's too bad, seeing as I have no longer have a use for it." Judgment commented.

"What….huh?" Confusion spread across Bakura's features. "Ryou?"

Judgment raised it's mask, revealing a pale boy with chocolate eyes. "Yup!" He smiled cheerfully, his gentle voice no longer hidden.

Bakura was beyond stunned, but that didn't stop him from rushing forward and wrapping his arms around the angelic being before him. Ryou's eyes widened in shock at the gesture. Tears flowed freely down Bakura's cheeks.

"Are you...crying?" questioned a very confused Ryou.

"Of course I'm crying you fool…" Bakura pulled back from the embrace, holding Ryou at arms length. "I thought I had lost you too and that it was all my fault."

Ryou chuckled. "You can't get rid of me that easily!"

"So it seems." Bakura smiled lightly. "So wait, you're the one that's supposed to bond me to this body?"

"It's mine to give, so only I can do it. But….you said you didn't want it, so…" Ryou hung his head slightly, looking up at Bakura with large chocolate orbs.

"Are you seriously trying to guilt trip me?"

"Is it working?"

Bakura let out a long sigh of defeat. "Yes."

Ryou smiled in the way that only he could.

Bakura released the arms of the pale boy in front of him. "So how do we do this?"

Ryou lifted his spear and pointed it towards his replica's chest. "Don't worry, this won't hurt. Or so I've been told."

"Don't worry kid, I can guarantee I've probably endured worse."

Ryou pierced the eye of the Ring, creating a blinding light joined by a swift breeze. The the flames in the braziers danced as the wind rushed through. Yugi and Marik covered their faces with their arms against the small gale that rushed through the hall. Malik and Katrina stood fast, unbothered by the swiftly moving air.

It was over in the blink of an eye. Bakura stood back, his locks playfully moving about from the residual breeze. He closed his eyes and relaxed his head back, taking a deep breath.

"I had almost forgotten how this felt." he said, his eyes still closed. "The magae. The connection to myself." Bakura opened his eyes. They were no longer Ryou's chocolate orbs. They were now ash-violet. They were his.

"I'm glad it worked!" Ryou said happily.

"You and me both kid."

"So uh, I can't stick around, but you're obviously welcome to visit whenever you want!"

"I think I can manage that. I should probably be getting back to world of the living anyway. Those two are only still alive in this place because of the Millennium Items they are carrying." Bakura pointed a thumb towards the two mortal teens behind him. "Best not to let the Fates catch them here. They'll have a conniption and I really don't feel like dealing with those three."

Ryou laughed. "I agree!" He turned to wave at Yugi and Marik. "Hi guys! Sorry we can't get caught up right now. Do me a favor and let everyone else know I'm okay. I would hate for them to blame...uh…" he paused and looked at Bakura. "What do I call you?"

Bakura gave him a blank stare. "Good question." He then shrugged. "Eh, whatever you want. Call me Asshole for all I care." Bakura thought for a quick second before adding, "Just don't call me Mister Spirit. I found it annoying as hell."

"Sure thing, Heir of Ra!"

The hair on Bakura's head visibly bristled. "Not that either!"

Ryou laughed as he flexed his wings. He lifted off with a single large downward thrust, beating the feathered appendages at the pinnacle of height before vanishing into an unknown light source.

Bakura turned towards the rest of the group, focusing on the two mortal teens. "Tell your little friends all you want about Ryou, but don't you dare tell them I cried."

Yugi and Marik looked at each other, then nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, we won't say a thing." Yugi confirmed, smiling.

"That goes for His Majesty too."

Yugi waited to hear Yami say something, but the link between them was silent.

"Don't worry, I don't think anyone would believe me anyway." came the Pharaoh's voice from behind the two teens.

"Wait, how are you..?" Yugi was shocked and confused as Yami walked past. The Pharaoh looked exactly as he had five-thousand years ago.

"Spirits are free to roam the halls of Osiris." Kat informed them bitterly. "He's been right behind you this whole time."

"What do you want Pharaoh?" Bakura spoke in irritation towards the Millennial Spirit. "If you think you're taking the Ring, think again."

The Pharaoh looked at him dumbfounded. "It honestly hadn't even occurred to me, but now that you mention it-"

"You'll have to pry it from my dead hands….which won't be anytime in...well, never."

"I'm not here to discuss details with you. There's an opportunity here that I would rather not pass up." The Pharaoh turned his gaze forward and proceeded to walk past Bakura, stopping before Osiris.

"Nameless Pharaoh, it is a pleasure to see you grace my hall." boomed Osiris.

"Mighty Osiris, it is an honor to be in your presence." Yami nodded his head in respect.

The large God did the same. "I know what you wish to ask, and I'm afraid that I cannot give you the answer you seek. The magic that took both your memories and your name prevents me from doing so."

Yami's shoulders and head fell slightly.

"But….there is one who can tell you all you wish to know."

"Where might I find them?" Yami asked hopefully.

"The one you seek dwells within shadow. He is young, created after the magics that bind the rest of us."

"Lord Osiris, do you think it wise for the two to meet?" Kat spoke up, questioning the God's suggestion.

"Daughter of Anubis, you're time grows short. How long before the Nameless Pharaoh's host comes to join my halls? Your time might stand still, but his does not."

Katrina glared at the God. "I am well aware of that. I made a promise in haste, and I will keep it as I am bound...but there has to be another way-"

The eyes of Osiris glowed bright, his voice roared. "YOU WILL NOT BE GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE. FULFILL YOUR PROMISE TO THE NAMELESS PHARAOH, OR SPEND YOUR ETERNITY IN THE PLACE EVEN I DARE NOT MENTION."

"That's bullshit! I promised that I would bring him back no matter how long it took. That means I can take another five millennia if I have to!" Katrina shouted furiously.

The Pharaoh looked over towards the angry girl beside him. The one he knew without confirmation was a grown version of the girl from his memory. She had promised to bring him back?

Osiris relaxed back into his throne. "You have what is required to keep your oath. You will not keep the Nameless Pharaoh waiting. Do not challenge me on this again, Daughter of Anubis."

Kat tightened her jaw, attempting to hold her tongue. "Very well...but he'll have to find the shadow walker on his own."

Osiris narrowed his eyes, then nodded in concurrence.

Kat turned on her heal and stormed off, the Pharaoh not far behind. He tried to keep up, but she was too far ahead.

"C'mon Kura, Mal. Let's get the mortals out of here." she barked.

Kat wove her spell as before, opening the way back. Once everyone was back in the world of the living, she turned and hit the obelisk. It cracked and shattered before dissipating, along with the shadows.

"Remind me not to piss her off." Marik said quietly towards Yugi.

"The bad news is she's not even pissed off yet, just irritated."

Marik and Yugi jumped at the sound of Malik's voice directly behind them. Standing this close he seemed even taller than before. The fact that he practically blocked the sun didn't help.

"Mal, you're scaring the kids. The blonde one in particular is terrified of you." Bakura commented, sounding bored.

Malik looked down at the smaller look-alike, perplexed. "Really?"

Marik took a nervous step back. "Kind of. You...remind me of someone...from Battle City. But you're not him...so I guess...I have nothing to worry about…"

Malik's eyes lit up in realization, then turned towards Kat. "Wait, is he the one?" he said pointing down at his doppleganger.

"No….just some other Ishtar that happens to look almost exactly like you. Yes he's the one dumbass!"

"Oh." He turned to look back down at Marik, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "Shit. Uh...I might have had something to do with that."

Marik looked at the former Ishtari, puzzled. "Might have?"

"It's...a bit fuzzy. My collar was destroyed when the spell backfired. I...don't remember much."

"Collar?" Marik was getting more and more confused the more Malik talked.

Malik replied by lifting the wesekh around his neck in slight embarrassment. "The stones have properties that help with...mental stability." He sheepishly muttered the last two words.

"That still doesn't explain how you ended up in my head."

"You lived in a cave...surrounded by earth. It wasn't hard." the older Ishtar commented.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Marik questioned.

Malik gave him a blank stare, then looked towards Bakura. "Haven't you told them anything Runt?"

Bakura glared in return. "Stop calling me that. And no. I mentioned that I had been an immortal and that was it."

Malik scoffed. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you're embarrassed by your very nature?"

"Fuck off, Mal."

"Or what? You going to create a light breeze?" he teased.

A gash appeared on Malik's cheek, but it didn't bleed. Instead small sand particles fell out of the wound that began to heal itself almost immidiatly.

"You appear to have forgotten what I can do." Bakura said staring, his arms crossed.

"Oh, I didn't forget. I just wanted them to see." Malik grinned, having gotten exactly what he wanted.

Marik and Yugi both looked between the two. "You're Elementals!" Yugi exclaimed. "Malik is Earth, and Bakura is wind!"

"How very perceptive." Bakura said mildly irritated.

"So that must mean that you're either Fire or Water, right Kat?" Yugi turned questioning the only female member of the party. "Is everything okay?" he asked noticing she appeared to be in a foul mood.

"That can't be good..."Bakura said, taking a few steps back.

"I'm out." Malik said backing away as well. "I'm just, uh….gonna go report in to the Elder…" he said as he collapsed into a pile of sand that absorbed itself into the ground below.

Katrina stared hard towards Yugi, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. It wasn't until he saw the ethereal movement of the Pharaoh out of the corner of his eye that he realized who her steeled gaze was for.

"Can you...see the Pharaoh?" Yugi queried.

She muttered something in a foreign tongue. Bakura replied in the same unknown language. They continued to communicate this way, leaving Yugi wondering if they were talking in the old Kemetic language.

"Marik, can you make out what they're saying?" he asked the Egyptian teen.

"No, sorry. I've heard it before though. It was the same language they were speaking in my vision of the past." Marik replied. "But based on her demeanor towards the Pharaoh, I'm willing to bet she's not happy to see him."

Kat began marching towards the two mortal teens, Bakura quickly stepping between her and Yugi.

"Kura, deal with the Royal Prick. I'm leaving." Kat ordered. She looked at Marik, studying him up and down. "I'm taking the pretty one with me." Marik paled as he realized she meant him.

"For fucks sake, Kat. You broke the last Ishtar you played with." Bakura chastised.

"Oh please! Mal was defective straight from the factory!" Kat retorted, hooking her arm into Marik's.

"Do I get a say in any of this?" Marik questioned.

Kat looked up at him. "No. Not really."

Marik looked towards Bakura, pleading with his eyes for help.

"Sorry Tomb Keeper...that cat has sharp claws and doesn't like it when people take her toys. Call if she gets to be...too much for you." Bakura said the last bit with a knowing grin. He watched as Marik was dragged away, then rounded on Yugi. "Pharoah, we need to talk."

Yami traded places with his host. "What do y-"

"You just had to appear in front of her, didn't you?!"

Yami was a bit perplexed. "I don't understand? In the memory I mentioned to you before, she and I were friends."

"That girl, yeah...she was your friend. You made a promise to her once. You wouldn't happen to remember what that was?"

"Yeah. I promised I wouldn't let anyone hurt her."

"Oh good, so you do remember that. Heads up: Apparently you didn't include yourself."

Yami stared at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you hurt her. In the worst way you could."

Ok, ending this chapter here. We got to see our (literal) angel, Ryou!

Bakura's explanation is going to have to wait. Next chapter is already planned on Marik and Kat's 'date'.