No Yugi-oh owning….
Chapter Four: CapturedMalik's heart raced as he ran down the streets of Egypt. Shopping all but forgotten. Who would remember shopping after going through what he just did. He was nearly killed! Malik stopped and leaned on a building. Out of breath and frankly terrified. He leaned there for about five minutes, simply catching his breath. Slowly he realized that the people on the streets were going out of their way to avoid him. At first Malik thought it was because of his appearance, but then he noted some people were actually huddling together, whispering. Every now and then one would glance at him.
Whisper, whisper, "yeah he's one of them."
"Are you sure? Don't look so tough to me."
"Don't question me, he tried to shame Egypt!"
Whisper, whisper.
Malik was shocked. Shame Egypt! No, no! That wasn't it at all. He tried to help the pharaoh. He wasn't going to actually steal the Royal headpiece- he just wanted to make sure those other guys hadn't gotten it. Why would anyone think otherwise. He wasn't even dressed like a Marauder! Confused and even more scared now he looked back up at the whisperers. Only two were their now. One looking at him and the other… Malik quickly sidestepped as a well-muscled man attempted to grab him in a death grip.
Reflexes took hold and quickly a knife was held in his hand. Automatically in a defensive manoeuvre Malik pointed the knife at the man and started to back away from the buildings. He was about to dash off when one of the other whisperers called out to a bunch of guards.
"Over here. There's one over here!"
Cursing Malik swiftly sheathed and hid the knife before bolting. This was not as easy to do as you might think. Malik occasionally stumbled. One of the Marauders had effectively managed to stab him in his lower left side. As he stumbled his hand put pressure on the wound. Wincing at the pain Malik made a mad dash down the street. Footsteps behind told him the guards were close behind.
"Stop him! Stop that Thief!" The guards yelled as they chased Malik down the street. A few people took this as 'quick get out of the way'; others however, made attempts to grab at Malik. Malik for his part tried to dodge people as best he could. Once again he found himself looking up at the rooftops. Glancing to his left Malik knew an alley would soon present itself. So dodging and running Malik suddenly made a sharp turn. With ease he jumped onto a fence then pulled himself up to the rooftops. Once up he clambered down the other side. While the pursuers were still attempting the fence Malik ran into his own house.
Out of breath Malik almost fell into one of the closer chairs. "What are you doing back so soon, boy." It was Malik's father. "Why are you empty handed? I gave you specific instructions as to what to buy." Narrowing his eyes Malik's father grabbed Malik and pulled him out of the chair- roughly. Malik cringed. "Where's my money! If I find that-" Malik held out the few coins his father had given him earlier. After grabbing them Malik's father gave him a good slap on the face for his defiance on orders. "So where'd you go boy."
Malik was still out of breath. How could his father be so callous, Malik was obviously hurt. It's not like he came back wearing fine linen or covered in dirt from play! "I was- I was chased."
Letting his son go the father asked by who.
"The- the Pharaoh's guards." Before his father could confront Malik or hit him again Malik hastily went on. "They think- they think that I tried to steal something of the Pharaohs. They- they chased. But before they did so I was beaten by-"
"ENOUGH! Enough of your lies. Speak the truth boy, or I'll hand you to the Pharaoh myself!"
"But- but that is the truth."
The father glared at his son. "Okay then, what do they think you stole."
Looking at the ground before looking at his father Malik responded solemnly. "… the crown."
A look of pure horror and shock took hold of the older mans face. "Do the guards know where you are, did they follow you here, quick now, answer me boy."
Malik shook his head 'no.' His father grinned an evil grin as he knocked his son out. "Good. The reward for your capture may make me indeed rich. Perhaps your existence isn't worthless after all." With that he carried his limp son outside and placed him on the donkey, the prize of the family, before heading to the palace to collect his reward.
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Sa-Yugi-oh was fuming within the Egyptian palace. How could he let this happen! Now, not only was he an uncrowned Pharaoh Sa-Yugi-oh felt deep shame. The need for revenge itching through his veins. He pounded the nearby wall causing a small crack to form. Sa-Kaiba walked into the room. Sa-Yugi-oh didn't bother to hide his anger. "Well. What news do you have for me!"
Sa-Kaiba kept his head up high. "No news as of yet. Although one of the Shadow Marauders had been seen through the east end of the city."
"Good, good. Bring him here. I want to see this, this-" At a loss of words to describe the hatred and filth of the thief Sa-Yugi-oh simply twisted his face into utter disgust. Sa-Kaiba didn't look away. "Unfortunately the guards failed to capture the culprit, my lord."
"What, what! How could you fail me again Sa-Kaiba. You are one of the rare men in Egypt I trust my life to. One of the few talented magic users. First you fail me at the crowning, and now this!" Sa-Yugi-oh threw his arms up in the air. Sa-Kaiba wisely stayed quiet. Taking his emotions into check Sa-Yugi-oh quickly composed himself. "Forgive me old friend. I'm just venting my anger. I should not be doing so to you, but you're the first I've allowed into my quarters since the attack."
With a slight nod of Kaiba's head Sa-Yugi-oh was forgiven. "So, what of the fiend. Do we have any leads?"
Sa-Kaiba shook his head. "Afraid not. But know this. I shall not rest until Egypt has justice!"
With that Sa-Kaiba turned on his heels and without a dismissal from his Pharaoh he walked from the room.
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Honokaa was also pacing, but in his own room. With the headpiece lying on his desk. He now had three phases completed. More items were needed, and then, oh yes, then all hell would brake lose. Honokaa was satisfied with the thought of himself as Pharaoh. Sitting comfortably he carelessly picked the headpiece up. Vulture wings rose up from the bottom. A Snake coiled around where the head should be. And, of course, an eye of Ra stared out from the centre of the crown. It was this eye, this eye he wanted. Pulling the golden eye from the rest of the golden crown proved difficult, but in the end Honokaa was successful.
The Eye itself was, naturally made from gold. It was actually a circle with the eye overlapping the sphere. It was this object that had given the Pharaoh's crown power. And now the object was his.
The day would've been perfect, perfect! If it hadn't been for that one, odd thief. Baruka- no Bakura. There was something about that boy. And from experience Honokaa knew to trust his gut- so when his gut said there's something odd about someone, Honokaa believed it. Pocketing the eye Honokaa left to see the strange white haired boy.
As Honokaa approached Tsar's quarters, (area that him and his party members room's reside) sounds of a struggle were clearly heard. Still Honokaa pace didn't quicken. Too many fights always happened in the fortress for him to care about in the least.
However, it was a fight between Tsar and Bakura, and this, this seemed to matter…. Slightly. It wasn't even a fight really. Bakura was pinned up to the wall. Tsar held him there, fist raised. Blood oozed from Bakura's left eye, nose and mouth… among other places. Tsar saw Honokaa and smiled a greeting. Honokaa greeted him back. "May I have a word with you Baruka- I mean Bakura."
Bakura opened the un-bleeding eye in disbelief, and then fear crossed his face quickly, so quickly Honokaa almost missed it. Smiling inwardly at how fast this youth was already able to mask emotion Honokaa approached Tsar and gently pried Tsar's fingers from Bakura's chest. "This way." Honokaa said, leaving Bakura to follow.
Glancing back Bakura saw the loathing Tsar was seething at him. His pace quickened.
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Sa-Kaiba was leaving the palace when his quick eyes noted a middle-aged man walking towards the gates. A donkey on a leash followed behind. This, of course wasn't what caught Sa-Kaiba's attention, no. But the body placed in a most uncomfortable position did.
The man approached confidently. "Why have you come here old man." The man simply smiled. "I bring something I wish to sell."
"What could you possible ha-" Sa-Kaiba was cut short. The man had pulled the boy's head up. It was the youth that had snatched the crown right off of the Pharaoh's head. Concealing his excitement Sa-Kaiba gave the man some silver as a reward. He couldn't wait to show the Pharaoh the boy. Soon all will be well again. The boy- tortured then killed, but first information on where the Marauders were.
Sa-Kaiba was glad he wasn't in the youth's place- for it was about to be agonizing.