A/N: Just a quick reminder, Mystic IS Dina. Dina is the name the character goes by when she ISN'T in 'guardian mode'. Okay, just wanted to point that out...again. Enjoy!
For the Love of Past and Present
Part Ten: We're All a Slave to Something
A certain purple furred and orange haired feline stood amidst the swirling abyss of the Shadow Realm awaiting the arrival of the three mortals...and the next faze of her plan.
"There she is!" a familiar, angry voice shouted as three silhouettes became visible in the distance.
"It is good to see you again too, Mystic." Felaine smiled.
"You ruthless, conniving, little-" Mystic made a move to spring at the Proclaimer with her broad blade sword but only carved through the shimmering remains of gold as Felaine teleported herself back a ways.
"Come on Mystic," Rebecca laid a hand gently upon the guardian's shoulder, "you know you'll never find Bakura this way."
"So it's Bakura you seek is it?" Felaine crossed her arms nonchalantly, "I warned you from the start that that boy was trouble. He is the holder of the Millennium Ring my dear, the Evil Bakura shall only destroy both you and the Queen should you drop your guard."
"LET ME BE THE JUDGE OF THAT!" Mystic was outraged by Felaine's speculative interference in her life. "If you've harmed him Felaine, my custodian or not, I swear I'll slice through all nine of your lives!"
"Your custodian?" Mokuba gasped, "You mean, Felaine's your guardian, Mystic?"
"In the loosest sense of the word." Mystic spat, "My parents and I were driving home one night when I was about twelve-years-old. There was a lot of fog and my dad accidentally swerved right off the bridge into the river. I was the only one to make it out of the car before it sank to the bottom. Felaine was there in her human form when I woke up from being washed up on the shore."
"I gave her a choice," Felaine took over with the grim explanation, "live under my care and train for her destined role as Guardian of The Queen of Games or be discovered by the authorities and placed in an orphanage. Either way, she'd still be Mystic and an Oracle. Those roles are just part of who she is, just as Rebecca is the destined bride of the Pharaoh."
Mokuba's eyes were wide with shocked disbelief. "And here I was surprised when Yami first told me that he was a 5,000 year old pharaoh!"
Rebecca felt a swell of pity for the redhead fuming under her touch. So Dina's spent her childhood training for a destined role too. And I always thought that I was the only one that Felaine was in charge of. Looks like this Millennium Item stuff is affecting us all.
"But, why are you punishing Bakura for the actions of the tomb robber?" Rebecca inquired, "He can't be held responsible for the stunts Yami Bakura pulls! They're entirely different people!"
"That may be so," Felaine nodded, "but you should know better than anyone child that to love an item holder is to love the spirit within that item as well. The spirits within the items are merely alter egos of the mortals they inhabit."
Mystic remained speechless and just glared down at the dark swirling colors beneath her. Bakura appeals to me because he's honest, loyal, and kind hearted. He's as calm and serene as I am when I'm painting or lost in a novel. But the spirit of the tomb robber is appealing too. He's straight forward and driven, like me he doesn't let anyone stand in his way. He knows what he wants, and he'll probably keep at it until he gets it. As much as I hate to admit it, Yami Bakura is as compatible with me as his lighter half.
Mystic recalled the part of her life under Felaine's guidance. When she wasn't in training she was out and about on the streets. Felaine wasn't all too humane and often left the young mortal to attend to her other tasks. While alone Dina had become what's referred to as 'street smart'. She learned how to survive in a none too forgiving world. She'd even become a master thief with time. Only later did her love for art compel her to leave her old dishonest life behind. The so called 'Evil Bakura' and I are a lot alike. We share a common past in larceny. And our light-fingered skills and harsh backgrounds seem to bring us together time and time again. Curse Felaine and her proclamations!!! I AM bound to love both the Ring holder AND the spirit within the item!
"Mystic?" a soft voice asked from over the guardian's shoulder.
Turning her head and looking up she saw Rebecca wearing a worried expression. This forced a smile on the redhead's face. Someone was actually concerned for her. Maybe Bakura had stayed here in Domino, not to except his destined fate, but because he'd found true friends in the other mortals who shared the same destiny.
"Alright Felaine," Dina spoke scornfully as she got to her feet again, "you win. I do love both Bakura and the tomb robber within his ring. But that's not gonna stop me from protecting the Queen. Rebecca's no weakling but she can't be everywhere at once either. She's gonna need someone to watch her back in a battle. That's what I'm here for. Love won't change that. I'll even battle the tomb robber when it's necessary but on MY terms."
Felaine seemed pleased, "Very well then Mystic, I'll tell you what's become of them. Bakura is under an enchanted sleep which will pass in a matter of hours. This has allowed Yami Bakura to take control of his vessel once more. I am responsible for it all but it is because I required his assistance in stealing the Millennium Rod from Marik, the evil spirit created from Malik Ishtar's insane rage."
"WHAT?!" Mystic exclaimed, "You sent Yami Bakura to square off against Marik?! That insane brainwasher will KILL both Bakuras!"
"Where are they now?" Mokuba questioned.
"They are both approaching the Kaiba Corp. building." Felaine answered, "Marik seeks Rebecca for her powers which he intends to use to obtain those of the pharaoh and Yami Bakura is closing in to steal Marik's item."
"But why didn't you just send ME to steal the Millennium Rod?!" Mystic demanded.
"Because you must protect the Queen from Marik's mind control." Felaine declared, "Have you forgotten your purpose so soon Mystic? Marik is a formidable foe and the young Queen shall require all the aid she can obtain to defeat him!"
Grinding her teeth together Mystic whipped her head around to Rebecca, "I came here to rescue Bakura from imprisonment by Felaine. Now it looks like I have to save him from being KILLED by Marik! Reopen the portal, it's clear what I've got to do. To keep both you and the Bakuras from dying I have to defeat Marik myself!"
"Save your energy," Felaine held up a hand to stop Rebecca before creating a portal back to the mortal realm herself, "you'll need it to battle Marik."
No sooner had the portal opened then Mystic charged through it, Rebecca quickly followed, "Coming Mokuba?"
"I think it's best that the mortal boy stays here," Felaine answered, "I've been sustaining his mind since you arrived and I can keep him well for just a bit longer while Yugi and Seto arrive."
"Yugi's coming here?" Rebecca should have known that he'd find a way to her. "Just tell him that Mystic and I can handle this one, okay Mokuba? I don't want him getting attacked by that lunatic Marik!"
With that, Rebecca raced through to the other side of the portal and joined up with Mystic to locate the Millennium Rod holder.
******
Yugi met Seto Kaiba on the roof of the building and prepared to enter the Shadow Realm.
This is where I take over Yugi. Yami's voice came from the depths of the mortal's mind.
"Right," Yugi nodded as the Millennium Puzzle started to emit a brilliant glow, "YU-GI-OH!!!"
Seto stood back as the spirit of the pharaoh took control, "Alright Kaiba, it's time to find our loved ones. Prepare yourself, for now we shall enter---the Shadow Realm!"
"Enough with the dramatics," Seto scowled, "Just open the portal so I can get back my little brother."
The eye symbol appeared on the pharaoh's forehead as he held up a hand at the same spot where Rebecca had created a gateway. Instantly clouds of dark winding colors appeared and a vortex of gloomy shadows bade the two figures to enter.
"Ready Kaiba?" Yami asked.
Seto was already making his way to the entrance, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Yami and Seto entered the strange dimension and searched the churning abyss for any signs of Rebecca or Mokuba.
"REBECCA?!" Yami called, "Are you here?"
"MOKUBA!" Seto shouted, "Answer me!"
"SETO!" a familiar voice responded from the darkest region of the realm.
"Mokuba?" Seto ran towards the source of the reply.
The two Kaiba brothers were reunited a few seconds later leaving Yami to confront Felaine.
"Proclaimer, what have you been summoned to do now?" the pharaoh demanded.
"I have not been summoned this time pharaoh, now I act on my own accord." Felaine answered.
"And why have you lured Rebecca and Mokuba to this realm?" Yami persisted.
Felaine laughed, "I don't suppose you've noticed yet pharaoh that Bakura and Mystic have vanished as well?"
Yami's eyes grew wide, "What have you done with all of them?!"
"Rebecca and Mystic went off to defeat Marik before he learns that Evil Bakura's been sent to steal his Millennium Rod." Mokuba explained, "Dina (Mystic) doesn't want the Bakuras killed and Rebecca wanted to make sure that you wouldn't try to follow her and get hurt yourself."
Yami! Yugi's panicked thoughts rang out inside the pharaoh's mind, Rebecca can't face off against Marik! He'll use his mind control and-
I know Yugi, I know. Yami wracked his brain for some inkling of how he could stop all this, We have to reach Rebecca in time but there's no telling where she is right now! If only there was some sort of link that would could use to track her down. Like the mind link we share.
"Well Yami," Seto interrupted the spiritual conversation, "are you just going to stand there staring off into space or are we going to go find that Queen of yours?"
Yami looked puzzled, "Are you offering to help me Kaiba?"
"Hmph," Kaiba closed his eyes as a smirk played on his face, "without your help I wouldn't have been able to enter the Shadow Realm to rescue Mokuba. Besides, I'm considered one of your pathetic little group now right? So that means I'm obligated to help you out."
With a quick nod Yami reopened the portal and he, Seto, and Mokuba left to pursue the mystical duo. They could only pray that they'd find them in time.
******
Marik sneered as he followed Rebecca and that mouthy little redhead out the doors of the Kaiba Corp. building and into the crowded street. They appear to be looking for someone.
This idle stalking isn't getting us any closer to the pharaoh's powers! Malik's irritated voice snapped.
Relax fool, Marik replied while keeping up at a distant pace with the two females, if we bide our time and wait until just the right moment to strike the young woman will be helpless to defend herself.
But what about that insolent guardian of hers? Malik asked, You may have beat the Pharaoh to locating his queen but you still have that bodyguard to contend with.
She can't watch over that blonde brat forever. Marik concluded. And the instant that she strays from her side, we'll attack!
Mystic's eyes darted from one direction to another. "He's here Rebecca, I can sense it."
"I'm getting a creepy feeling too." Rebecca agreed, "But we can't see him so we'll just have to let him make the first move."
"I just hope that Yami Bakura doesn't make a move before Marik does." Mystic worried.
Another stalker moved through the crowd of people bustling along the busy sidewalks in the business district of the city. He was following a different prey---Marik.
With the power that I can wish for from the Proclaimer for procuring Marik's item I can defeat the pharaoh and claim all seven Millennium Items for myself! Yami Bakura chuckled darkly as he closed in on the unsuspecting maniac.
Huh?! a sudden jolt of suspicion hit Marik as he felt the presence of another item holder nearby. In fact, the being felt as though they were right on his heels!
Spinning around he saw Bakura's vessel--obviously under the control of the tomb robber--charging forward to attack him! "FOOL!" he raged and held his Millennium Rod out to block the attack.
"You're the fool Marik," Bakura jeered as his ring activated, "if you think that you can defeat me!"
The clashing of metal and the sound of harsh blows being exchanged alerted Rebecca and her guardian to the presence of the two item holders.
"It's Marik!" Rebecca shouted.
"And Yami Bakura!" Mystic added while drawing her broad blade sword.
"Wait!" Rebecca caught Mystic by her cape, "You're not really going to run him through with that are you?"
"What do you propose I do?!" Mystic hissed.
Rebecca thought quickly, they needed a plan..."Okay, here goes, you distract Evil Bakura while I transform and lure Marik away."
"What?!" Mystic gasped, "Felaine would KILL me if I let you pull some crazy stunt like that! I'm supposed to be your bodyguard Rebecca, I can't just abandon you!"
"You won't be abandoning me," Rebecca corrected her, "If the tomb robber follows you then we'll have split up our foes. And in my new form I'm more powerful...I'll stand a better chance of defeating Marik that way."
"And what if he uses his Millennium Rod?" Mystic persisted.
"Listen, if I really am destined to be the pharaoh's bride, then I have to be able to defend myself against powerful enemies like Marik. If the pharaoh can stand up against the other Millennium Items then I have to learn how as well." Rebecca replied.
"But I thought you didn't want to be the Queen of Games." Mystic countered.
A reddish tinge spread across the blonde's cheeks, "Well...it won't be so bad. I mean, Yugi and Yami are the ones I care the most about so-"
"-so you're willing to accept your destiny and fight to be with them." Mystic smiled.
Rebecca nodded, Finally, some common ground.
"Alright then Queen," Mystic and Rebecca charged at the battling alter egos of the item holders, "let's put those 'gifts' of yours to the test!"
******
"We must hurry," an Egyptian woman stared out the window of the limousine, "if my brother is out there tracking the pharaoh's queen now, then we don't have long before he uses his Millennium Rod against her."
"Driver," Pegasus spoke to the man at the wheel, "can't you go any faster? We have to get to the Kaiba Corp. building immediately!"
"My apologies sir," the driver spoke in an oddly familiar tone---one that Ishsyzu quickly recognized, "but I cannot take you to your desired destination."
"Rashid!" Ishsyzu exclaimed, "Why are you doing this??"
"Because Ms. Ishtar," Rashid answered, "it is Master Marik's will that you not interfere."
"B-But the Queen will be killed!" Ishsyzu insisted.
"I'm sorry." was all the disguised Rare Hunter could say.
The doors locked and the windows were rolled up completely. There was no way out, unless you were prepared for such an unlikely event. "Come on Ishsyzu," Pegasus flipped a switch beneath the back light below the rear windshield, "my limousines always come with a few custom-built accessories."
The Egyptian woman followed the white haired businessman out through the opened windshield. They both sat on the trunk of the limo holding on to the roof. "We're going too fast," Ishsyzu called through the wind, "we can't jump!"
"We can and we will," Pegasus stated as he grabbed the woman's hand and leapt off the vehicle.
Rashid's eyes widened when he saw the stunt the two passengers had pulled from his rearview mirror. Sighing to himself he pulled out a communicator, "Master Marik is not going to like this."
People in the street screamed as the couple came tumbling down onto the sidewalk. Ishsyzu opened her eyes after bumping into something soft, looking she realized that she'd pinned Pegasus between herself and a shop window.
Getting up she collected herself and brushed her sleeves back down, "You take far too many risks for someone of your age."
Picking himself up off the sidewalk he hastily followed Ishsyzu around the corner, "I find that life is much more thrilling when you don't hold back."
"Just the sort of fantasy ideals I'd expect from an artist." Ishsyzu replied sullenly, "And a hopeless romantic." she smiled to him after her last remark.
Returning the expression Pegasus continued to rapidly walk alongside the mysterious female who certainly seemed to know where she was going. With his Millennium Eye he could see into the minds of countless mortals, but to see into the future he needed to trust Ishsyzu to use her Millennium Necklace. And right now, she seemed to know EXACTLY where her brother was going to be.
******
Marik struck out at Yami Bakura with his Millennium Rod once more. Using it as a dagger he swung with full force at the overconfident thief. "You may be skilled at stealing items spirit," Marik sneered, "but I am experienced with using my Millennium Rod to slay those who stand in my way!"
"Then why don't you stop slicing at the air and strike me already?" Yami Bakura chided. "While watching you try to attack me with that item is quite amusing I really must be getting on my way. Now if you'll kindly hand over your Millennium Rod I can get back to pursuing my destiny."
"NEVER!" Marik shouted while lunging forward. He was determined to draw blood this time.
"AAAHH!!!" the spirit was shocked as Marik slashed through the sleeve of his blue and white striped shirt and sent him collapsing to the ground in pain.
"HA!" Marik loomed over his injured assailant, "That will teach you to respect my skills as a fighter tomb robber. Sadly, you won't be able to regret your mistake in challenging me for long!"
"STOP!" Mystic screamed knocking the item from Marik's hand with one sweep of her sword. Seeing that madman standing there over the injured Yami Bakura had struck a cord and sent her flying towards the spirit's adversary at a speed she'd only been able to master during her training within the Shadow Realm.
Marik stared at his empty hand in surprise. "You again?!"
Yami Bakura looked up and saw that the redhead he'd sworn vengeance upon was now standing protectively in front of him. "Don't want poor Bakura getting hurt eh?"
"This isn't just about him." Mystic answered over her shoulder, her blade remained between herself and Marik.
Marik grinned, "The spirit of the Ring may have distracted me from pursuing you and your little ward but I see that he's also served to bring you both straight to me!"
"That's right Marik," Rebecca's voice rang out from behind the platinum blond Egyptian, "and now you're gonna wish that you'd stuck to collecting cards!"
"Ah, little Rebecca Hawkins," Marik laughed darkly as he tossed a glance over his shoulder at the Queen of Games, "I see that you've finally accepted your fate as being the bride of that misguided weakling, Pharaoh Yami."
"You're the one who's misguided," Rebecca informed him, "the power of the pharaoh will NEVER be yours. And I'm here to see to it."
Marik cackled manically at this, "You?! You shall defeat me?! I am twice as skilled with my powers as you. Don't fool yourself Hawkins, destiny has chosen ME to take Yami's place and his gifts. I will rule all--and you--you and your pathetic lovers will just be among the masses of poor souls who shall do my bidding."
"If anyone's going to rule this pathetic planet," Yami Bakura winced and got to his feet clutching his bloody shirt to his wounded shoulder, "IT'S GOING TO BE ME!"
"Well you won't be able to unleash any of your duel monster pets to steal the items without your deck!" Mystic called as she snatched his cards and raced off into the crowd.
"Imbecile!" Yami Bakura raged, "GET BACK HERE!" Racing off to follow the audacious little thief he stopped dead in his tracks and growled to Marik, "I'll be back for your Millennium Rod later," he grasped his crimson stained shirt, "and to pay you back for this!"
Chuckling to himself Marik turned around to face Rebecca, "I guess that just leaves the two of us. How quaint, now prepare to be obliterated!"
"I don't think so." Rebecca smirked as two angel-like wings burst from her back. I'm taking a BIG risk here, I just hope I can stay in control of myself in this form. It's like Yami's always telling me, I'm going to have these gifts for the rest of my life, so I may as well master them!
Marik watched in a mixture of awe and confusion as the wings wrapped themselves around the teen and a golden glow shown through the feathers. In an instant they were spread apart and the Queen of Games was now in her duel monster form. Baring sharp fangs and extended claws she glared at him with the narrowed pupils of a fierce feline.
"I don't think that even with all the power of your Millennium Rod that you'll be able to control me." Rebecca jeered.
"We'll see." Marik held his Millennium Item out before him. Concentrating on dominating the Queen's mind he tried to force his way past her mental barrier.
I-I won't back down! Rebecca's thoughts cried. Hear me now Marik, you're not going to manipulate me!!
This is far easier than I could've imagined. Marik sneered at Rebecca as her mental barrier began to weaken, I'm getting closer to controlling your mind, and with it, all the powers of the pharaoh's bride!
"Brother enough!" Ishsyzu stumbled out onto the street where several spectators had gathered to witness the extraordinary event.
"What's going on?" one man asked his coworker.
"I think it's some kind of new duel thing the kids are doing these days Harry," the other man replied. "We are awful close to Kaiba Corp. and that place is always cranking out new and bizarre gaming gear."
Pegasus was right on Ishyzu's heels, "Rebecca? So that's her mysterious new power. I suppose there are worse duel monster forms."
"This is no time to critique appearances Pegasus," Ishsyzu stared at her brother, "If Marik gains control of the queen's mind then he can use her powers to overthrow the pharaoh and claim his powers!"
"And then I suppose all of mankind is doomed?" Pegasus inquired. Ishsyzu nodded. "I was afraid that it was going to be something like that," he sighed. "Alright then, how do we help?"
"I'm going to try to reason with my brother, you must go and find Yami and bring him here!" Ishsyzu instructed, "Only the pharaoh has defeated the fully unleashed powers of the Millennium Rod before."
Agreeing Pegasus turned and hurried off in the direction of the Kaiba Corp. building. Ishsyzu was left to attempt to reason with her brother, "Malik you must not-"
"Please sister!" Marik snapped, not relenting in his mind control efforts, "Spare me your loyalty to the pharaoh lectures. I've heard them for years, they mean NOTHING to me. And I've warned you countless times to STAY OUT OF MY WAY!"
"I won't!" Ishsyzu insisted, "You can't do this Malik. The pharaoh's power is not meant to be yours!"
Rebecca took advantage of the 'sibling dispute' to formulate a plan of attack. Her mind was still her own thus far but she felt her resistance weakening as Marik's onslaught continued. If I just charge straight for him I'll wind up like Yami Bakura. But if I unleash any duel monsters then the bystanders could get injured! URGH! Doesn't this duel monsters' form of mine come with any attacks?!
Marik had reached the end of his patience with his older sister, "That's enough Ishsyzu!" he yelled, "I won't tolerate your interference any longer!"
Ishsyzu gasped in horror as Marik stopped concentrating on brainwashing Rebecca and focused his mystical energies against her! "Malik?!!"
"REGAL BLAZE!" Rebecca's raspy voice cried as a claw swiped forward unleashing lashes of golden light that crackled like electricity as they flew towards Malik's darker half.
Marik's lavender eyes caught the sight of the oncoming attack just in time and he managed to dodge the blast, but not without catching some throwback from the attack's enormous force.
Ishsyzu winced as he brother came crashing down onto the concrete and lay in crumpled heap before the feet of the spectators.
"Wow! Talk about your realistic duels!" one excited teenage boy cried.
"Yeah, Kaiba's really done it this time!" his friend agreed, "We've GOTTA get this dueling system! It puts you right in the game!"
******
Yami fidgeted nervously in the passenger's side seat of Mai's car. He was becoming more anxious by the minute. Terrible thoughts of all that could have happened to Rebecca in Marik's clutches forced their way into his mind. "We must go faster!" he ordered Mai.
"Yami, we're going as fast as we can. I don't want a ticket ya know?" Mai exclaimed, "I doubt that the local authorities will allow speeding because we've got to find the pharaoh's queen before the evil alter ego of some tomb keeper brainwashes her!"
"Relax Yuge, we'll find her." Joey gave his pal a thumb's up from the backseat behind Mai.
"I don't see why we couldn't have just taken one of MY vehicles to search for them," Seto crossed his arms and turned away from Joey. "It'd have been much faster and I wouldn't have had to be crammed in the backseat with an annoying mutt like Wheeler."
"The feelin's mutual ya jerk!" Joey snapped.
"Guys c'mon!" Mokuba put his hands up from his seat in between the two to keep the longtime rivals from fighting. "Finding Mystic and Rebecca is way more important now than some silly feud. So just try and work together okay?"
Yami sighed as he saw both men cross their arms, grunt an answer, and glare in opposite directions. Taking his gaze off the rearview mirror he noticed something odd, a figure with white hair and a gleaming left eye was racing down the sidewalk towards them.
Mai drummed her nails on the steering wheel as she waited out the red light.
"Mai wait!" Yami yelled as the light turned green. "Look there---it's Pegasus!"
"Huh?" Mai, Joey, Seto, and Mokuba spotted the holder of the Millennium Eye coming towards them.
He stopped at the window and panted a moment, "Yami--I have news about--Rebecca!"
"Rebecca?!" Yami leapt out of the vehicle and came around to face his past adversary. "What's happened?!?"
"She's locked in a battle against---Marik!" Pegasus finished and caught his breath.
"No!" Yami's violet eyes shrank in fear. "Take me to her, NOW!"
"Hey!" Mokuba called as he and Seto jumped out and raced after them, "Wait about Mystic?!"
"She was running from the spirit of the Ring when Ishsyzu and I reached them!" Pegasus called back as he and the pharaoh pushed through the crowded streets.
"Come on Mai!" Joey grabbed his girlfriend by the arm and hauled her out of her vehicle.
"JOEY!!!" Mai shrieked, "The city's gonna tow my car!"
Three cars back Tristan was practically laying down on the horn. "Come on, move it would ya?!"
"What's taking so long?" Tea questioned.
"Aw some jerk's probably stalled at the light or something," Tristan grumbled.
******
The enraged spirit chased Mystic through the bustling streets of Domino. She'll pay for distracting me from my task! he seethed, Bakura will come to his senses soon and I still haven't stolen the Millennium Rod!
Holding the deck tightly in one hand and her sword's handle in the other Mystic dashed into an abandoned construction site, "Why is there always one of these during an urban chase scene?" she wondered aloud.
Hot on her heels the tomb robber narrowly missed catching her as she rounded the corner and dunked behind a stack of metal beams.
Great move Dina, Mystic scolded herself, so now what'll I do?
Shrugging to herself she shuffled through the spirit's deck. "Hm, Bakura's got some pretty neat cards here." she commented.
Meanwhile the spirit of the ring was searching the piles of building materials for the troublesome guardian---and his cards.
"You can't hide forever!" he screamed.
"I don't need to hide forever," Mystic smirked to herself, "Just long enough for Rebecca to take Marik out of the picture. And then Bakura wakes up and it's 'bye-bye Hothead'."
Years (well, millennia) of being a criminal had taught Yami Bakura to enhance his hearing. The time spent training his ears to detect the slightest sound paid off now when he picked up on Mystic's almost inaudible muttering.
Sneaking around to the pile of beams that she was crouched behind he stole up the opposite side and prepared to drop down upon her. Luckily for Mystic, also skilled in the ways of thievery, she spotted his shadow falling over her.
"Uh-oh," she murmured and leapt forward as the tomb robber came springing down at her.
But luck was on the spirit's side this time and Mystic felt herself being pulled back towards him. "Let go!" she shouted and tried to kick his hands away from her boots.
"Do you honestly expect me to comply with that?" Yami Bakura yanked her beneath him and pinned her hands down on either side of her head. Straddling her until his strength overpowered her own he smirked wickedly as her struggles died and two blue orbs stared up at him.
Mystic was cursing herself for ever allowing him to get her in such a compromising position. "Let me up, you can have your precious deck back."
"Oh but I'm after far more than just a few rare cards." the tomb robber chuckled. Leaning forward he brought his face just inches away from hers, "Do you think I've forgotten about my vow to make you pay for rejecting me?"
"I see you're still sore about that." Mystic said mockingly tossing a glance south of his waistline.
The spirit crushed his lips against hers, I've had enough of her resistance, now it's MY turn to have the upper hand. With that thought he rocked back and forth against her in what he was certain was very arousing way.
Moaning Mystic tried again to set up and shove him away. But the tomb robber would have none of that. Putting his full weight against her he knocked her back down and continued with his exploration of the cavern behind her lips.
Finally he broke away and Mystic drew in a much needed breath of air. "Don't try to fight me mortal." the spirit warned, "What you gave to that wimp Bakura you shall also give to me."
"Yeah well, you're only a virgin once." Mystic scoffed.
"If you're his then that automatically makes you MINE!" Yami Bakura roared.
"I know that!" Mystic shouted back.
"Then you-" the spirit's eyes bulged, "-what did you say?"
The redhead's chest rose and fell as her angry outburst left her breathless under Yami Bakura's full weight. "I know that. I know...that I love you too."
After the statement was finished she would look at him, "This is some sort of trick." the spirit's voice came, "You and the pharaoh's worthless lover probably had this planned all along."
"It's no trick," Mystic responded in a hushed tone, I won't cry! Not now, I won't let this creep see me cry! In love or not...I won't give him a reason to think I'm weak!!
Yami Bakura watched with mixed feelings as the fearless guardian choked back tears, refusing to let the pools in her eyes spill over and stream down her pale face. A face that was now growing red with--embarrassment?--attraction?--timidity?
The spirit's next move left her dumbfounded. Instead of proceeding with his lusty revenge he slid backwards off the young woman and loosened his grip on her wrists as he pulled her to her feet. There she stood before him, gazing into the mahogany windows to his soul, lost in time...
What's he doing? she wondered, H-he could have---but why?
She was an odd creature, this 'Dina'. Be she Mystic, Oracle, or the simple artist his lighter half had lost his virginity to, this strange and fascinating woman had spellbound him again and again. She'd become his enigma, his goal, his...newest and admittedly greatest desire. And now, she acknowledged that she too was equally as captivated by him.
Releasing her wrists he allowed her arms to fall limply at her sides. His own hands were now free to roam over the coarse of her body. Straight up her arms, over her shoulders, and finally to the soft skin of her face. Moving a long strand of her red bangs aside he stared straight into those deep blue eyes of hers. What took only a moment to do felt like it lasted a lifetime.
Before either of them knew it, they were joined in a passionate kiss. Arms swung tightly around each other they hungrily released the built-up yearning that had been suppressed inside of them since their first encounter. Now there was no holding back, it was just the two of them, Dina and Bakura...Mystic and the Ring Holder (in both his forms).
But the battle...was not yet won.
________________________________________________________________________
*Another really long chapter, I guess that's better than one that's too short. ^_^ Thanks for the reviews and the emails. Keep'em coming! Next chapter: Pegasus leads Yami and his friends to Rebecca and Ishsyzu but are they too late? Marik's Millennium Rod is stolen by--yep, you guessed it--Yami Bakura! And just what power will the tomb robber wish for if he makes it to Felaine with Marik's Millennium Item? Oh the suspense! ^_~*