Draggy: Heehee. It appears I have made readers *snicker* pity you! *Falls to the ground laughing*
Malik: Wha! O.O …me …no.
Draggy: Yep. *Snickering* only because you were wrongly accused… uh, well… you DID steal the headpiece… but…
Malik: Exactly!
Draggy's yami: Exactly Lass *Said in an accent*
Malik: …errrr, what was that!
Draggy: An inside joke ^-^
Malik: …anywaayyyy…
Draggy: Yay, people pity my characters! (I'm so cruel) …Actually. I have this deranged view on life. I won't go into detail but it has a lot to do with perception. For example… in this chapter (which at the moment I'm still writing 334 words) Yugi-oh hits Malik across the face…
Malik: O~O err, wha!
Draggy: Uh humm. Don't interrupt. But picture this. If Yugi-oh currently had, say, Honokaa in his dungeon then I could say 'Honokaa was beaten to a bloody pulp and died' and you readers would (probably) nod your heads in agreement because the villain got what he deserved. Well, it might as well be Honokaa in the dungeon as far as Yugi-oh is concerned because he does not know better! So Yami fans, I'm not making Yugi-oh cruel, but in his mind just. Does this make sense to anybody else as it does me? Heehee, I'll stop talking now.
No Yugi-oh owning…
Chapter 5: Freedom Or Imprisonment
Malik opened his eyes groggily. Yet to realize what had happened Malik concentrated on why his head hurt so much. He was still in this dazed state when the Pharaoh walked into his cell. Guards he hadn't noticed were there, suddenly moved out of the now Pharaoh's way. Unexpectedly an ear piercing SCREEECH tormented the young Egyptian's head. "Uhg," was his reply.
Sa-Yugi-oh looked down at the miserable boy with pure hatred across his face. Within one seconds time he walked across the cell and his fist collided with the youths face sending his head flying backwards. Feeling some of his pent up anger and frustration released the pharaoh quickly composed himself and his temper. Kneeling down beside the boy Sa-Yugi-oh tilted the Egyptians head so that it looked directly at him. "Do you know what you did to me earlier today." His voice was cool and collected but the obvious hate he felt was hidden within every word making him sound extremely dangerous.
Although the boy was already looking at him straight on Sa-Yugi-oh could tell Malik only now comprehended the situation and whom he was talking to. The boy averted his eyes. Taking this as a personal insult Sa-Yugi-oh lashed out again. Blood dripped from the youth's mouth. Taking in and exhaling a slow breathe to still him; the crown-less pharaoh was calmed once more. He tried again. "Do – you - know – what – you - did – to me- today."
Malik heard the pharaoh the first time. Yes. Yes he knew what he had done. Total and complete humiliation to the ruler of all Egypt! He wasn't thinking at the time. It wasn't as if he had planned the heist. He wasn't the one to blame But he had stolen the diadem. HE took it right off the newly crowned Pharaoh, had thought no more of the act other then simply taking it as he ran by. He even panicked when he saw the tall creepy mage about to take it and never thought his action would come back at him so. Malik let the blood drip. To spit in front of the pharaoh was unthinkable! Knowing his efforts would be in vain Malik tried anyway. His mouth was lazy and the blood made his words come out unclear. "I- I didn't think-"
The pharaoh held his hand out to silence the boy. "I see. So then, a brainless YOUTH planned out such an endeavour to humiliate me on my first day of rule. A.N. yeah, the pharaoh is about the same as Malik…age wise. I think not. I will make sure your death is quick and painless if you co-operate. Tell me where Honokaa hides. Tell me where my crown is. Restore the honour that is Egypt. Do you not take pride in your country, in your pharaoh? Give me useful information and your death will be quick. Fail and slow torment will be your demise. The gods are not pleased!
But of course Malik couldn't give any of the questions answers. He had no knowledge of the Marauders. The pharaoh left him there to contemplate his answer. In three hours he'd be asked again. If he failed to comply he would be tortured for three hours, asked to reply and naturally he would not be able to answer so as you would expect the process would continue. By dawn of the next day, the same time the pharaoh suffered his humiliation Malik was to be executed.
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Bakura followed Honokaa down the dark corridor. Thoughts raced through his mind. He was in for it now! First he had paid for his 'traitoress' act by the hands of Tsar- that no account stupid, money thieving, selfish idiot. Now he must surely be in for the worst night of his life! Honokaa, the boss around here wanted to see him! No doubt about the water thing and not showing up for… er, whatever heist was planned. Bakura was very bleak as he followed Honokaa up to Honokaa's private room.
As the door opened and as Bakura entered he saw many things that were obviously stolen. He looked around the room in complete awe. Even as he did so his thievish mind was already thinking up crazy ideas on how to steal a few of these… items.
Bakura's thoughts of thievery were interrupted by Honokaa's gesture for him to sit down, which he did. Honokaa stood. His eyes darted very quickly over Bakura's face before slowing down minutely to examine his body. Without showing any sign whatsoever of his conclusion Honokaa took a step forward and bend down so his face was eye level with Bakura's. He stared hard into Bakura's eyes and Bakura for his part didn't move an inch, instead he looked right back at Honokaa, a defiant glare evident across his face.
Once again Honokaa must have gotten the answer he was looking for but this time he showed it with a rye smile, which gradually became larger before eventually turning into a cold laugh. Bakura, although somewhat unnerved stayed perfectly still until Honokaa spoke. Still in laughter. "Hehe ha, do you, do you know dear Bakura what you, heh hee, are." He started laughing more wildly. All seriousness of the situation seemed to have dropped- unless you were Bakura.
"You, hehe, you're a, heh ha heh… a…"
Bakura was now extremely curious as to what Honokaa could possibly be getting at. Yes, he was an orphan, a beggar, and a thief. But all those things were common here so what could Honokaa possibly think was so funny. Thinking it was the odd colouring of his hair~ which he always thought was the problem when he didn't know what it actually was, Bakura took his chance to stand up and was about to promptly leave the chambers when Honokaa grabbed at his arm. His voice was serious now and cold, "Where do you think your going. I have yet to dismiss you."
"I…"
"Shut up boy. I will let you leave. But be warned. You WILL be constantly watched! You best make yourself useful and join the team. Your… skills will be needed soon."
"Skills? …Which skills?" Bakura responded suspiciously.
Honokaa smiled again. "Oh, you'll see."
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Bakura left Honokaa's room more than a little surprised. What was Honokaa getting at? Did he know something about Bakura that not even Bakura knew about himself? Ahhh! Bakura was getting frustrated. He headed for the front doors, maybe he'd see what Malik was up to, they weren't suppose to meet until tomorrow but maybe Malik wouldn't mind his intrusion.
However as Bakura reached the doors two Marauders stepped in front of him, blocking him from reaching his destination. With a growl on his face, for he wasn't in a good mood, he attempted to push one aside. The other Marauder grabbed him from behind and pushed him against the wall, hard. The marauder smiled. "Tsk, Bakura. You weren't trying to leave where you?"
Bakura's eyes narrowed suspiciously once again. "Since when can I not leave as I please."
Still pinned to the wall Bakura watched as the other Marauder, the one he knocked down approached him. "Why, since about, oh two minutes ago." Bakura was shocked. Was he really under house arrest? How much power did Honokaa have if everyone already knew he was to be watched closely? No, he refused to be a prisoner, he refused! "Fine." Bakura's voice was extremely icy and he felt the one holding him shiver in response. Bakura used his free arm to punch the marauder square in the face thus allowing him access to the ground. Once he landed he promptly turned his back on the two and headed for his room.
Grabbing spare items, anything he wanted to take with him, it seemed clear to Bakura that staying here was no longer an option. It looked like him and Malik would become free sooner then expected. Bakura poked his head out of his window. Good, no one was there…yet. He did a double take around before lowering his body out the window. He was a good three feet from the ground. Taking in his breath he dropped to the ground. As soon as his feet touched the solid terrain he allowed his body to bend to lessen the impact. Wincing a little he picked himself up and ran as fast as he could away from the fortress.
It was broad daylight so Bakura simply aloud his cloak to conceal all his features. Malik's house was still quit a ways away. The city folk were abuzz with gossip. So many people were talking and it all seemed relatively related. Had he missed something? Bakura idly stood by as two Egyptians talked.
"I can't believe you missed it!" The first talker's hands rose to the sky as if the listener was insane. "How could you live with yourself if you missed the Prince's crowning, I mean, (duh) our new Pharaoh was being crowned!"
The listener sighed. His eyes rolled as if to say 'and I should care…'
Seeing this the talker continued. "Some thieves or something came out of nowhere! They stole the Pharaoh's crown right off his very head. You should have seen all the commotion about! But," the talkers voice grew very quiet and Bakura had to take a step forward to hear her words. "But rumours are spreading, it seems that the Pharaoh has already captured the fiend that stole his crown, in fact, it's rumoured he's in the royal dungeons right now. I've actually seen him! I was there when this middle-aged guy on a donkey handed the youth to the Pharaoh's First Priest.
The listener grunted. "Sure, anyway I've got to go…"
The talker turned her back in a "well I've never' fashion and stomped off.
So, thought Bakura, that's what has happened. Hmmm. He continued to Malik's. I wonder if Malik knows anything about this? But as he approached he saw the donkey out front, tied to a post. A thought flickered in his mind but he immediately pushed it away. Going to the side of the house he peered in. Malik's father was counting a busload of silver coins laughing. Immediately Bakura got suspicious. He knew they didn't have that kind of cash. He circled the house but couldn't find Malik anywhere.
Finally he decided to knock on the door. Malik's father opened it and looked down at Bakura. "Is Malik home, I really have to-"
"No," the fat guy sneered. "And don't come back here anymore. The boy no longer lives here, you could say he's moved." With that the door promptly shut in Bakura's face. Seething a little Bakura waited a couple minutes before knocking again. Then he went to the side window where the middle-aged man had been counting his money. He knew Malik hadn't moved, they were going to 'move' together, so… Bakura had no answer but being the thief he was…
By the time Bakura was half way down the street Malik's father came barrelling out of his house. He frantically looked up and down the street. "Thief, thief, stop him!" As soon as he saw the youth who was previously on his doorstop he pointed and shouted before he ran after him. Acting as if it were no more than a game Bakura started to dash through the crowds.
He slid easily in and out of people whereas Malik's father kept on bumbling into them. Bakura smirked. He was actually enjoying himself, the first time all day… except for dumping that dirty water on Tsar, he smiled at the memory. Looking back he noted that he had already lost the plump man. Sighing he stopped. Now what to do… where was Malik anyway?
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A whip slashed across his back. Malik yelled out in pain once more. He had lost count after four. The pain, it was too much, the pain…
"Ahhhhhh!!" Malik's screams filled the room before he lost consciousness. …the pain.
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Shrugging Bakura went to the only other place he could think of to find his friend. It had taken him awhile to get to the outskirts of the city. After carefully checking to see if anyone was there he entered the half standing building. After emptying most of his contents (thanks to Malik's father) he left the house. Frowning he called out Malik's name. After five minutes he decided Malik wasn't there at all, so… where was he.
Bakura now walked aimlessly around the city. He couldn't go back to the fortress, never again. He will NEVER be imprisoned! His life is his own and he demands freedom. Lost in thoughts of anger Bakura hadn't noticed that he was about to bump into a lady. Startled she whirled on Bakura. Her hand was raised and she was going to strike him! On impulse Bakura dodged out of her reach then grabbed at her arm, holding it still. "I wouldn't do that if I was you," Bakura's thoughts at the time of the bumping wasn't cheerful… so he wasn't cheerful either.
'Humph', "I suggest you let go of my arm or I'll report you to the authorities!"
Bakura gave her a final glare before releasing her wrist. He could here the woman muttering under her breath 'they should arrest you like they did that other boy' then she turned her back to him in an 'well I never fashion'. Suddenly Bakura noted that this was the lady he had overheard earlier before going to Malik's. Bakura knew it was a long shot but what if Malik had been caught thieving. "Other boy?"
The lady turned back around, distaste clearly etched on her face. She looked down on him as if he was nothing more then a pebble. "Yes. Creatures such as yourselves shouldn't be allowed to walk this earth." She turned once again.
Bakura glared at her silently. He was getting tired of people treating him like trash! He pulled out three silvers from his pouch. Sounding like an innocent boy he said, "Miss, please wait. What boy?"
The woman turned at the sound of the coins, eyeing them she mistook Bakura for a boy of high status. Realising her blunder she smiled sweetly at him although not averting her eyes from the silver. Looking at him she spoke. "Earlier today a Marauder was caught and brought to the palace by a chubbish middle-aged guy on a donkey. I couldn't tell much but one thing struck me odd. Although his hood was up he had light hair much like the sand." She looked down at the ground. "The High Priest brought the boy in. You should've seen him smiling."
Bakura pondered this. Yes, that undoubtfully was Malik but why did she refer to him as a Marauder? "Marauder?"
"Yes. If I can guess right I'd say he was the very same thief that stole the Pharaoh's headpiece. Personally I think he got what he-" Bakura shoved the three coins into the ladies hand then without so much as a thank you turned and left.
Malik you fool, why'd you try to steal something so… Bakura's thoughts trailed off. Malik wasn't stupid, or cocky enough to be so disrespectful to the pharaoh, unlike Bakura who couldn't care less about some royally chosen person so their lives get to be so grand since and rule all of Egypt. But Malik cared, unlike Bakura he was raised in a home, he had a mother… and a father even one that bad. Unlike Bakura who had-
Bakura saw the palace and knew it was impenetrable. The Pharaoh must be acting careful now after this morning's event. So how was Bakura going to get in? Yes, he was going in. Malik was in there, Bakura's only friend… ever. And he'd do anything to save him. He had too; even risk his very own existence…, which wasn't much anyway.
Suddenly Bakura got an idea.
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Thelos stood at the gate, body in hand. "Yeah, Jokaf. I've caught yet another thief." Thelos sighed. "There has been so many lately. We really don't know what to make of it. This one," Thelos shook the body a bit in a gesture to show what he was talking about "was a really easy capture. He went down in just one hit. But that's nothing. You have to look at him. He's really… odd. His hair-". Thelos lowered his voice, "is white!" Raising it back to its normal tone he continued. "The mark of Seth himself. It's freaky."
Jokef was getting interested. "I don't believe you, prove it."
Thelos shuddered. "Okay but it won't be pretty." Thelos pulled Bakura's shawl off his head revealing the pasty hair. Jokef actually took a step back. "A demon to be sure. Where are you taking him." Thelos covered Bakura's hair back up. "To the dungeons of course."
Jokef looked sceptical. "Are you sure. He- he might have dark magic and let loose all the prisoners. Maybe you should-"
"THELOS! What are you doing get over here!"
Thelos obeyed his command and with Bakura in hand made his way over to the general.
After a short conversation Thelos started once again into the building. All though he wasn't heading for the dungeon. The general had told him to bring the prisoner into the third floor's thirty-second room. The general even sent Jokef to help up the stairs. So the two climbed. Once in the thirty-second room they dropped Bakura none to gently. Jokef even spat on the floor in front of Bakura's face. Then they turned to leave.
However they didn't even reach the door before Bakura had hit them both over their heads. They fell limply to the floor. Bakura looked down at them with disgust. He didn't even want to touch these people ever again, but he needed the disguise. Bakura knelt beside the one known as Jokef, the one who had spat at him. Bakura shook his head sadly. He knelt beside him and checked for a pulse. There was one. Although his words and actions were hurtful Bakura couldn't help but feel a little bit better knowing they were not dead. A slight sigh escaped his lips.
Bakura toyed with his cursed hair. Pulling it back he looked down at the two guards and couldn't help but feel pity for those poor misguided souls. A few moments later he left the room attired in a guards ensemble.
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Tsar knocked hesitantly on Honokaa's door. Honokaa opened it with a glare evident across his face. "What is it now!"
Tsar took a step back. "Errr…"
"Speak up. I don't have all day."
Tsar swallowed. "Um, you know how Bakura was under house arrest." Honokaa glared at Tsar which seemed to say 'of course I do you dolt! I'm the one who said it.' Ignoring the glare Tsar continued. "Well… he's escaped…"
Honokaa grabbed Tsar and forced him against the wall. "What!"
"He can't be found, sir. He's gone." Tsar was fearful, but even more curious as to what was so important about the little freak.
Honokaa let out an exasperated 'sigh'. "Do you know why we needed him here, with us." Honokaa turned to Tsar and eyed him. "He's one of the keys! We need him back here! He's part the Shadow Plot. Do you know how lucky we were to find a Shadow Key this early on in the game?" Honokaa looked thoughtful. "No matter. Just go and retrieve him."
Tsar didn't move. Bakura was a Shadow Key! This wasn't fair. Now he's a lot more important then me, of course, Tsar smiled, his fate will even that out. Tsar turned to leave. Finding the freak wasn't going to be easy…
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Draggy: Hi everyone! I realized how very, very long it has been since I wrote for 'Betrayal'. I was working on another script called Age Of Darkness but I'll confess, those readers were waiting a while too, although not as long as you guys. So, if you forgive me ('cos I am terribly sorry) then review. I can't believe how long I've left this. …sorry again.