Chapter Twenty-Four:

Welcome Home, Ryou

"Malik, Ryou! Back away," Bakura hissed, moving in front of the two hikaris once they complied with his orders.

"What is that thing?" Malik asked in a whisper.

Yami, who had put himself up with Bakura, made a hushing motion at the mortal. "Any ideas because for once, I don't have a clue?"

Bakura nodded, grabbing the snake tail tightly behind it's jaw. "The tail's poisonous," he noted. "I want you three to wait for be on the other side of the scythes and don't come back here no matter what."

"But-"

"Shut up and go Yami." Bakura looked over at the former Pharaoh. "I know how to deal with my own Ka fine."

"His Ka?" Malik echoed. "Never mind. Ryou, c'mon," he urged the Brit, grabbing his slender wrist and starting forward.

"No. It's not safe that way," Ryou replied, almost angrily. "There's something behind this thing that'll flatten us."

"It's not a thing, it's a Diabound," Bakura corrected, still holding the now struggling snake tightly. "Now move it!"

"We can't!" Ryou argued. "It's not safe out there."

"It's not safe anywhere, you idiot," Bakura hissed. "Whatever it is, Yami can counter it. Now move your ass!"

Malik realized Ryou was dead serious in his accusations and wasn't so keen on leaving the area anymore. "Bakura, you can obviously control your own monster. Ryou could be right."

Yami grabbed the pair by the collars and dragged them forward with a strength belied by his sinewy frame. "We'll worry about what's out there once we're away from what's in here."

Ryou put up a valiant struggle but wound up following after the Pharaoh when Bakura lost control of the snake's tail and it lashed out angrily.

Malik looked around the sand pit cautiously as Yami slammed the door closed, now feeling the danger Ryou was talking about. "Maybe it's just a side effect from Diabound's presence?"

"No, it's something else," Ryou replied uneasily. "And I don't-SHIT!" he yelped, feeling a hand come to rest on his shoulder.

"It is dangerous here. Follow me," the hand's owner ordered in a thickly accented voice.

"Who are-" Yami tried to ask.

"Ask me later. For now, just follow me," the stranger replied. "Come on!" he urged impatiently, taking a hold of Ryou's shirt. The raven-haired mystery headed off towards the right instead of straight down the path again, looking over his shoulder to make sure he had Yami, Ryou, and Malik behind him. He rounded a corner, coming to an abrupt halt in front of an opaque wall.

"Where are you taking us? There's no where to go," Yami pointed out impatiently.

The stranger rested his hand on the wall and pushed, shoving open a passage. "When in a tomb robber's mind, you must think like a tomb robber," he suggested lightly, passing through the doorway.

"I guess we follow," Malik muttered, giving Yami a healthy push into the next room and guiding Ryou in with more civility.

"We'll be safe here until Bakura can get rid of that monster," the stranger said, closing the hidden door. "He'll be fine, don't worry," he added, seeing the vexed concern written all over Yami's face.

"Who are you?" Ryou asked, finally taking the time to study the stranger.

He possessed shaggy black hair and almost cat-like amber eyes. He wore a bright red robe that looked many sizes too big for him and a simple white skirt underneath while a great deal of jewelry adorned his arms, neck, and ankles.

The stranger just smiled. "I guess you can say I'm you."

"You're me?" Ryou's face fell into a confused frown. "Then you're Bakura's past self?"

"No. I'm your past self." The Egyptian crossed his gold laden arms. "Gods, doesn't anybody tell you anything?"

Yami rounded on the person claiming to be Ryou's ancient counterpart. "What are you?"

"You should know."

Malik smirked at Ryou. "You had quite an attitude."

"And you're an idiot," the still nameless savior shot back. "If you want to be callous about it, you could call me figment of your imagination." His amber eyes narrowed. "Or you could be nicer and say I'm a memory reincarnate."

Malik stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall. "So you're like a safety in case Bakura gets his pathetic ass into trouble?"

The stranger rolled his eyes. "Not that he's capable of getting in over his head, but yes." It was obvious that he was being sarcastic.

"Do you have a name?" Ryou asked meekly. I'm officially insane.

"Kavala. What about all you?"

"Um, I'm Ryou, he's Malik, and that's Yami."

"Or Khasekhmwy," Yami pitched in.

Kavala's eyes widened. "Pharaoh? The Hell happened to your head?"

Malik and Ryou burst out laughing, leaning against each other to stay upright.

Yami glared at the two half-heartedly. "I was reincarnated."

Kavala smirked in a way that would make Bakura proud. "I knew you'd pay for Kuru Eruna somehow," he snickered, shoving Malik and Ryou out the of the way and pushing the door back open. "Bakura's looking for you. I suggest you call him here and go through the door on the right."

Ryou was about to ask Kavala to stick around and help them, but his Egyptian counterpart disappeared before he could open his mouth.

"Dear Ra, Ry. You were such a smartass," Malik chuckled, going over to study the wall that Kavala had told them to go through. "Wow. There's actually a door."

Yami sighed and headed through the hidden door, looking around the corner to see Bakura going in the opposite direction. "BAKURA! Over here!"

The thief turned around, an eyebrow arching. How in the Hell did they get over there? He shrugged and doubled back, careful not to fall into a sand trap again. Once Bakura was within talking distance, he asked, "How'd you guys find this place?"

Yami didn't answer, instead taking in the numerous cuts, bruises, and gashes on the other Egyptian. "What happened?"

"Nothing. Me and Diabound just needed to have a heart-to-heart, that's all," the Ring Spirit replied offhandedly.

Yami didn't look convinced, but knew enough not to press the issue. When he turned around to lead Bakura over to the door, he was hit with a wave of icy fear when he didn't see Malik or Ryou anywhere. "They were here a second ago!"

"What? You mean Malik and Ryou disappeared?" Bakura demanded ominously.

Yami nodded mindlessly, jogging over to the door Kavala had pointed out and tugged it open. His brows knit together as he surveyed the room on the other side. This looks like the memory rooms they were in before I left to find Bakura. Just... darker.

"Let's go, your Highness," Bakura quipped, picking Yami up by the collar and belt to carry him into the next rom.

"This is hardly dignified!" the Pharaoh ranted. "Put me down, you insolent fool!"

Bakura smirked. "A little bit of your old personality's showing." He rattled the startlingly light monarch a bit. "You should watch it. People will start thinking you were a sadistic little prick on one point."

Yami ducked his head, bangs doing little to cover the flush that spread over his face. "I was a little disoriented after Yugi solved the Puzzle," he defended himself weakly.

Bakura chuckled, stopping to look around the room and drop Yami to the floor. "You still thought you were Pharaoh Almighty and could play Shadow Games with anyone who looked at you the wrong way."

"Like you were a saint when Ryou received the Ring?" Yami shot back, picking himself up with as much dignity as he could muster. "I seem to remember you acting quite a bit like your old self."

Bakura looked back at Yami with the most chilling smile on his face that he could muster. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he murmured, looking positively demonic at that point in time.

Yami shuttered. "You're looking at me all wrong, tomb robber. I'm afraid I'll have to relieve you of your soul now," he stated, working up enough of a sneer to make himself look just about as frightening as the other Egyptian.

"I would love to see you try, Pharaoh. You've tried, what, a dozen or so times to get rid of me?" Bakura shot back. "Like a cockroach, I don't die."

Yami gave a barking laugh. "You can't possibly hope to survive the might of my power, lowly thief!"

"I already have... Several times." Bakura crossed his arms, biting back a snicker. "Though, if you'd like to try me-"

Yami leaned forward, looking catty. "I already have."

Bakura blinked. "Dear gods... You are capable of being perverted!"

"So, this is midlife crisis for immortal Spirits?" Malik asked from behind the two Egyptians.

"Either that or they're reliving their lost childhood," Ryou pointed out.

Yami and Bakura turned around to see the hikaris leaning against a wall trying their best not to laugh at their exchange. "You were there the whole time?" the former asked, genuinely frowning. "Why didn't you say something? You had me worried."

"Oh yeah, you were so fearful for our well being," Malik returned sarcastically. "Ryou was going to, but we decided things could get interesting when he saw you carrying the Pharaoh in here like a sack of rice."

Bakura rolled his eyes. "Don't stray off like that again."

"Yes mother," Ryou replied innocently. He moved away from the wall, sticking his hands in his pockets. "This looks like a continuation of the memory rooms we found earlier."

"They are."

Ryou, startled for the thousandth time that day, turned to see Kavala standing behind him again. "Stop sneaking up on me!"

The Egyptian youth just smirked and looked at Yami and Bakura. "The rooms are split up by the age of the memory. You morons were in the ancient memories."

"Who the Hell are you?" Bakura asked bluntly.

"Charming as always," Kavala muttered.

(I guess you could call him a defense of the Ring's, but he seems to be more of a guide,) Ryou told his other half. (According to him, he's me in my past life.)

Bakura looked at the Brit in surprise. ((What's his name?))

(Kavala.) Ryou glanced sidelong at Malik. (Why the shocked look?)

((Nothing. Nothing important,)) Bakura replied. "So, answer my question."

"Your own Item and you have no clue. I'm Kavala, a guide of sorts like your hikari told you."

"How do I know you're not Marik?" Bakura shot back.

Kavala shrugged. "Do I look like a deranged Priest to you?"

Ryou nudged Bakura before the two Egyptians could start a verbal sparring match. "Thank you for your help."

Kavala shrugged. "Just a bit of friendly advice, pick the doors wisely. You open the wrong ones to many times and none of you will walk out of here alive."

"How do you-" Yami tried to ask. But it was too late; Kavala had disappeared. "Wonderful. Ryou, you were a spoiled brat."

"Thank you," the Brit replied sarcastically. "So, we can only open a certain number of doors before we're dead meat. We've opened three so far, so I'd advise we pick our doors more carefully."

"First, we all need to catch up the same page before we go rushing headlong into this," Bakura corrected. "I'm not even sure Yami knows what he's doing."

Yami took a second to glare at the snow haired Spirit. "I thought we established from the start of this that I don't have a real idea of what we're doing? Look at whose word we have to go off of."

"He has a point," Malik agreed reluctantly. "Marik could be leading us in gigantic circles for all we know."

[[You're on the right track, don't worry.]]

"Fuck!" Malik yelped. [You stupid shit, where have you been?]

[[Watch your mouth, child,]] Marik snarled.

"What's wrong?" Ryou asked in concern.

Malik hesitated.

[[Go on. You can tell them that I'm still alive and well.]]

"Marik's unfortunately alive and in the mood to talk," Malik muttered unhappily.

"Marik?" Bakura growled. "Tell him to get his skinny ass out here. I need to have a word with that... bastard."

[[Such a charming little thing,]] Marik sighed. [[Let Bakura know that he can kiss my skinny ass. Oh, as ask him if he's found Yami yet?]]

Malik cringed. "Marik says you can kiss his ass and wants to know if you've found the Pharaoh yet."

Bakura turned a nice shade of purple, his fists going a contrasting white as they clenched tightly. He stepped up to Malik, glaring down at the slightly shorter Egyptian menacingly. "Marik, get out here."

[Please, before he removes my head,] Malik pleaded. [You can't die. I can.]

[[I would rather not. Just let everyone know that you have three more doors to open before you all die,]] Marik replied. [[Oh, and just a bit of personal information for you, the door you're looking for is halfway down the fourth hall. Trust me, you can't miss it.]]

Before Malik could respond, Marik end of the bond abruptly died. He growled, repressing the urge to stomp his foot and demand the Rod guardian showed himself. He took a calming breath, looking at Yami. "Fourth hall, halfway down is the door we're looking for."

"Helpful," Bakura muttered. "Ryou, remind me to slowly destroy Marik once this is all over."

Yami nudged the Egyptian, looking reproachful. "So we have our location, we now have to figure out how we're going to do this."

Ryou cleared his throat. "The way I see it, there's two problems right now."

"And they are?" Yami prompted.

"Deterring Marik from getting the Ring and figuring out how to access the Items' powers."

"Are you sure you're not one of those child geniuses in disguise?" Malik joked.

"Positive," Ryou replied.

Yami nodded, crossing his arms. "As far as the switch between past and future selves go, once the past Ryou and Bakura flee to the Ring and the future Ryou and Bakura carry over into the past, their future selves will be destroyed because that future will be void."

Bakura and Malik blinked. "You lost us after the first 'future', Pharaoh," the latter pointed out. "Can you please repeat that in a language we all understand?"

Ryou rolled his eyes. "Once me and Bakura switches places with our past selves, they will cease to exist because this future will no longer be a valid one."

Bakura caught on, but Malik was still a little lost; he wisely nodded his head nonetheless.

"What about you and Yugi?" Ryou asked.

"I can get my aibou up to speed," Yami replied. "I'll solve my own problem when I get there."

"Okay, so we have to prevent Marik from getting the Ring and-"

"I know how!" Malik suddenly cried. "Given the memory play out like I'm thinking it does, send me into the past first."

"That's suicide!" Ryou countered.

"No! Remember, Marik kicked my out of my body, so it'll be easy for me to slip back in and throw him off guard. To make sure, I'll go back at the same time Ra attacked Bakura, and order him to attack my past self as well. While you guys get Ryou into his body, I'll hold Marik off."

Yami looked extremely unsure. "I'll think about it, for now, let's find this door."

Bakura took the lead, heading down the hallway a short bit before it branched out in four separate hallways. "Well, this is convenient," he muttered, taking the fourth hall. As Marik had said, the only accessible door was exactly halfway down. "Here we are."

Malik smirked at Yami. "I hope you're a fast thinker, Pharaoh."

The spike haired guardian nodded, still looking troubled. "It'll be dangerous, Malik. There's no guaranteeing that you'll survive."

Malik shrugged, glancing at a crestfallen Ryou. "It's for a worthy cause," he replied surely. "Now, you brainchilds figure out how to go back in time and we're set."

"We should see what's behind the door first," Ryou pointed out.

I got the smart one! Malik joked to himself, biting back a smile as he pulled the plaintive door open. "Holy shit!" He looked at Ryou, then Bakura. "How can someone's memory be in a third person perspective? I was expecting Ryou-vision or something?"

"You're such an idiot," Bakura sighed.

"Well, I know there's an incantation," Yami noted under his breath. "I think we have to stay right here or we'll screw things up, I definitely have to lead," he kept rambling quietly.

"We don't have all day!" Bakura growled.

"I know!" Yami retorted shortly.

"You said something about Malik being a Key earlier," Ryou spoke up before a fight could start. "What if the incantation is part of the taboo?"

Malik instantly pressed his back flush to the wall. "I signed up as a scout, not a stripper. What you see is what you get and there's no more then that!"

"So you'll forfeit my reanimation because you're a basket case?" Ryou demanded dangerously, giving Malik a look that made Bakura flinch.

"Well, I mean... If you could read hieroglyphs-"

"Guess what, I can't," Ryou interrupted. "Now, let Yami no Yugi or Bakura look at what's on your back or I'll cut it from your back and let you read it yourself."

Malik paled to an unhealthy shade of white. He doesn't know. It wasn't intentional, he's just angry that I'm... well, like he said, a basket case.

"Well?" Ryou asked impatiently.

"Fine, fine, fine!" Malik mumbled. "I trust Bakura more, so back off, Pharaoh."

Yami held his hands up in a sign of surrender and took up a position behind Ryou, turning around for good measure. Following the teenager's whims was a great kick in his pharaonic ego, but the Spirit knew it would heal eventually.

Bakura rolled his eyes at Malik's childishness. "Shirt off, Ishtar," he ordered, stealing a look at the memory playing out before them. "I dueled like a toddler," he murmured. "We don't have much time," he informed the others, quickly scanning the carvings on Malik's back.

"So?" the Egyptian asked, trying not to fidget. This was the first time in seven years anyone had seen his back and he counted it as a major violation of personal space. It's for Ryou, remember, you're doing this for him.

"Hold on," Bakura grumbled. "I think I found it." He trailed a finger over a discreet section on Malik's left shoulder blade. "Never mind. It was just the Pharaoh's potty training days."

"WHAT?!" Yami and Malik trilled in time.

"Kidding. 'Gates of time, part way and grant me safe passage into the past'," Bakura read, tossing Malik's tee shirt back over his head.

Yami was about to repeat the simple passage, but he saw just around the edges of the doorway a pearly rip forming. "Nice work, thief."

"Thank blondie," Bakura replied nonchalantly.

"Thank you, blondie," Yami told the Egyptian.

"Don't start!" Ryou growled.

"Aren't they getting bad?" Malik joked.

Ryou didn't reply, instead watching the duel intently. "Anytime now..." This has to be perfect or we're all doomed. He stepped closer to the door, dragging Malik with him. There was muted sounds coming from the rip, giving him something to go against.

"Ra-"

Ryou jumped, watching as Marik prepared to annihilate Bakura's past self. "Malik, go!" He grabbed the Egyptian quick enough to give him a quick, impulsive kiss on the cheek. "For good luck," he told Malik. "Go!"

Malik took a deep breath and stepped past the doorway, his heart leaping to his throat as he was yanked harshly into the past. The pain was immediate and intense, something trying to shove him out of this time with a vengeance. He could feel Marik's surprise and anger mingle under the pain as he fought to get Malik out of his body again.

Move it! Malik berated himself. "Ra, destroy Malik and Bakura!" Malik commanded, trying desperately to keep his spirit tethered to this time until his past self was annihilated. It felt like he was being ripped apart, his senses starting to dim and blink out. "RA! DESTROY THEM!" he screamed, not hearing the pain-riddled order or seeing Ra unleash his attack on Bakura. I have to tell them... Malik didn't know if he told Ryou to go because at the same time he tried to get the words out, he felt his spirit viciously shredded a last time before he fell into total oblivion.

* * * * *

"MALIK!" Ryou yelled, seeing the Egyptian start to fall before his other half regained control, instead crashing to his knees. "No! Malik!" The Brit was borderline hysterical, not being able to feel Malik's spirit anywhere anymore.

"Ryou, come on!" Yami urged. "We have to go now or Malik's sacrifice will be in vain!" The former Pharaoh saw that the snow haired mortal had frozen up and smacked him hard across the face. "Don't let Malik die for nothing, Ryou. Move it!"

Nodding despondently, Ryou passed through the shimmering rip. The moment his spirit crossed into the past, he fell to the ground wracked with the most extreme pain he had ever felt in his life. Malik... This is what he felt. I can't fail-now. The duelist forced himself forward, feeling his past self flee his body before the damage could be done. I have... to.

Ryou kept crawling forward, the pain fading as his past self took unknowing refuge in the future. He still felt numb as he gave a final burst of effort, feeling like he was tumbling headfirst as he merged with his body again.

((Ryou, get the Ring before Marik does!)) Bakura sounded far away, almost like he was underwater.

Ryou tried to get up, but his body wouldn't respond. The Brit struggled to make himself move, forcing small, wheezing breaths back into his lungs. Come on! If he gets the Ring this is all for naught! Ryou tried harder, his formerly dead senses slowly returning to him one by one.

"This is pathetic. Not even the mighty tomb robber can withstand my god card," Marik sneered, now standing over Ryou like the Grim Reaper. "It's a wonder you even have a body still." The Rod guardian let out a short laugh. "When you reach Hell, tell my hikari I said hello."

How dare he... Ryou felt a powerful anger stir in his heart, giving him the strength he needed. His eyes fluttered open and his hand clenched into a fist. "I'm... n-not-dead," he choked, still trying to catch his breath.

Marik stepped back, genuinely shocked. "You're still alive?"

Ryou looked up at the blond, searching furiously for any trace of Malik and finding none. "Y-You bastard," he growled, his breath coming easier and his strength returning.

Marik actually stepped away as Ryou forced himself up on all fours, the barest traces of fear showing in his eyes. "Impossible."

"It's... quite p-possible," the Brit replied bitingly, climbing ever so shakily to his feet. He cast about for the Ring, realizing it was behind Marik. It also struck him that his bond with Bakura seemed to no longer exist and he started to panic.

Marik smirked. "I still destroyed Bakura. I'll leave you to wallow in your grief," he stated smugly. "Take solace in the fact that Malik and Bakura will burn together." As he walked out of the arena, he bent down to capture the Ring. "Nice dueling you."

Ryou tried to tackle the blond, but his legs gave out on him the moment he tried to step forward. Marik's chilling laugh assaulted his ears as he lay in a panting heap. No... I failed. I- He has the Ring anyway. A tear tracked down the Brit's paler then usual face and he pounded his fists against the ground. "Goddammit! I failed," he whispered. I failed all three of them... I just wasn't fast enough.

"Ryou!"

"Are you okay?"

Ryou didn't turn at the sound of Yami and Yugi's voices, sobs wracking his frame as the weight of all that happened and his failure settled heavily on his shoulders. He... He's dead. I-I didn't even get to say good bye or... The sixteen-year-old felt strong arms wrap around him and he turned in Yami's embrace. He doesn't even remember what happened. And Bakura-

"Shh, Ryou, calm down," Yami soothed, looking up at Yugi, mouthing, "Go get Joey."

The small Puzzle holder nodded, casting Ryou a sympathetic look before heading off.

"I-I failed," Ryou cried, not caring whether or not Yami remember at this point. "H-He's dead... They're both dead b-because of me." The teen tried to bury himself in the former Pharaoh's jacket. "I wasn't-fast enough."

"You did fine," Yami assured the hysterical duelist. "Everything's just fine now."

"It's not!" Ryou exploded. "Bakura and Malik are dead!" He took a bone shaking breath, trying to get a handle on himself with no luck.

"Ryou, Bakura can't die," Yami reminded the mortal. "Remember, Marik can't know he's alive."

"Still... Malik-" Ryou hiccuped.

"Died to save you," Yami interrupted. "Don't think itself your fault because you weren't fast enough. He knew his life as at risk when he came back before you. You even warned him and he still went." The Pharaoh pulled Ryou away from him to look into the Brit's eyes. "He loved you enough to forfeit his life."

Ryou swallowed hard, finally starting to get himself under control. "I-I felt him... leave. He- was in s-so much pain," he murmured. "I c-couldn't... tell him I- l-l..."

"That you loved him, it's okay to admit it." Yami's heart went out to the diamond haired sixteen-year-old. "There's much that we have to counter now, so you have to stay strong."

Ryou nodded, taking a steadying breath. "W-What duel is next?"

Yami sighed. "You wouldn't remember the VR challenge, would you?"

"No, not really."

"I thought as much. You can't interfere with anything that happens for the next week or two," Yami stated firmly. "When we reach the finals, we'll have to step in and..." The Pharaoh paused, a strange smile crossing his lips. This is what the Tauk was trying to show Yugi and me after Joey and Marik's duel. It knew this would happen. "We have to stop Marik from killing Joey."

Ryou just nodded again, ducking his head to hide the sparse tears that fell down his face. That would crush Seto and he's just becoming approachable. He wiped his eyes, wincing when his arm gave a squeal of protest. At least I can help prevent someone's demise. "We'll do that."

Yami smiled, squeezing Ryou's shoulders before getting up. "Be strong Ryou. Things will turn out for the better at the end of all this."

"I hope so."

* * * * *

That night was the worst for Ryou. He couldn't sleep, a combination of being stuck on the floor to sleep and having Yami and Bakura chattering over a definite plan of action. The constant hum of noise just seemed wrong to the Brit, knowing that the two Spirits should at least try to look like they were upset about Malik's death.

Then again, Ryou chided himself bitterly, it is your fault that he died in the first place. If you had told him to go a second later, he would have made it. The sixteen-year-old turned over onto his side, slamming a pillow over his head to block out the talking. The least I could have done was get the damned Ring to make this all somewhat worthwhile.

"Ry, get the pillow off your head," Bakura grumbled, nudging his hikari with his toes. "What are you trying to do, suffocate yourself?"

"You just caught on?" Ryou replied bitingly, though the pillow he refused to move muffled it. Maybe if I do suffocate myself, I can beg the Powers That Be to bring Malik back to life.

"Look, I know this is hard on you, but stop pouting," Bakura said bracingly.

"You know?" Ryou spat.

Yami rested a hand on Bakura's arm, shaking his head. "Just let him be. Today was a lot for him to handle," he whispered so the Brit couldn't hear.

"I know, I know."

Ryou sighed, wishing he could turn on his other side, but his injured arm hurt enough as it was. "By the way, Bakura, I owe you for the arm."

The thief winced. "We've been there before-"

"And have established that any revenge I take is simple retribution," Ryou cut in.

Bakura glanced at Yami. "Bitter little thing," he grumbled.

Ryou heard the remark and reached over to swat his guardian's leg as hard as possible before realizing nothing would happen. "Whatever," he growled, sticking the second pillow over his head angrily. He's never had to deal with the death of someone he loved, the Brit thought bitterly as his eyelids started to droop. Both his lovers are still technically alive. Hell, I never even got to admit...

Before Ryou could finish the train of thought, he drifted off into an unsure slumber.

* * * * *

"Hey Ryou! Ryou get up!"

The teenager stirred, the first thing he registered was the hand shaking his bad arm relentlessly. "Yami... That hurts," he hissed, pulling the appendage away hastily.

"Ryou, I don't have forever, get the pillows off your head and get up!"

The second thing Ryou registered was that the voice certainly didn't belong to Bakura. Or Yami for the matter. He moved the pillows off his head and cracked a bleary chocolate eye open to see a nearly transparent Malik sitting in front of him.

"Morning, creampuff."

Ryou sat up suddenly, trying to launch himself at the blond duelist only to pass through him. Oh shit... He's a... No. He's not. Don't go there. "W-What are you doing here?"

"Just here to make sure you're still on once piece," Malik replied, grinning widely at the awkward position Ryou's tackle had put him in. "How's the arm?"

"Hurts like Hell," Ryou grumbled as he righted himself. "I thought that you... um... were dead," he noted hesitantly.

"You could say that for the time being," Malik sighed, brushing his bangs out of his eyes carelessly. "I really can't stay and chat all night, as much as I would love to."

"Why not?" Ryou demanded, affronted.

"I just can't." Malik's expression became deadly serious and he looked Ryou directly in the eye. "For the next few week, just stay low. Do not try to hunt Marik down or try to stop him from doing anything. I know it's hard, believe me, I do. Remember, you've been kicked out of the tournament, so you can watch the duels, but don't get involved."

"But-"

"Ryou, shut up and listen," Malik snapped. "When the Pharaoh and Marik face off, do not interfere. You're welcome to watch, but get in the way and you'll find my ghostly boot up your ass."

Ryou raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. He knew Malik was trying to protect him. "I don't know how that's possible, but I promise-"

"No, swear to me that you won't interfere," Malik broke in.

"What about Joey?"

"Let the Pharaoh handle that."

Ryou sighed bracingly, casting the phantom before him a doleful look from under his bangs. "Fine. I swear that I will not interfere with anything that happens."

Malik smiled, reached forward to cup Ryou's chin. "Thank you," he whispered, brushing his thumb over the younger teen's cheek. "And don't worry about me. Where I'm going, I'll be fine."

Ryou started. Tell him! Tell him! his mind shouted at him. "Malik, I-"

...

"RYOU!"

The Brit jerked upright, nearly colliding with Yami. He cast about for Malik, his heart constricting when the blond was no where to be found. Great. Just my mind playing tricks on me.

But, something told the Brit what happened was more then just a dream and he felt a little better, just knowing that Malik was possibly out there still.

* * * * *

Ryou had kept his promise, despite the clawing boredom that plagued him. But, knowing everything that would happen in an event as suspenseful as Battle City ultimately worked to Ryou's advantage and at no time at all, he was standing on the sidelines of the finals, mentally cheering Yami on as he dueled his hardest against Marik.

The dark Spirit had the upper hand and he knew it as he sacrificed the monsters on his side of the field to spike his Life Points and Ra's attack, putting him in a more powerful bracket then Obelisk seconds before the Tormentor landed his blow.

As the attack was deflected off of Ra, Marik's demented chuckle floated over the area. "Ra cannot be destroyed by any special effect, Pharaoh," he practically sing-songed. "Or did you forget already? Ra, destroy Obelisk and eliminate the Pharaoh for good."

"No!" Ryou hissed.

"Not so fast! Reveal face down card, Dimension Magic!" Yami cried victoriously. "This card allows me to sacrifice two of my monsters to summon a Spellcaster as long as another Spellcaster is present on the field."

Marik searched Yami's monsters, his supreme smirk failing when he saw the Dark Magician Girl hiding in Gazelle and Obelisk's shadow.

"I now sacrifice my Gazelle and Obelisk the Tormentor-"

"WHAT?!" Marik yelled and it was certain Seto echoed the Spirit's cry as well.

"To summon my Dark Magician!" Yami allowed himself a moment to smirk at his opponent as his signature card materialized on the field.

"They're no match for the might of Ra! You've just made your last suicidal move!" Marik screeched, pointing down and laughing at the former Pharaoh.

"You're sadly mistaken," Yami returned darkly. "Together, my Dark Magician and Dark Magician girl can destroy any monster on the field-"

"You can't!" Marik screamed.

"-regardless of what it is-"

"Ra is a god!"

"-Or who is the master is." Yami stared Marik in the eyes hard. "This is for Ryou and Malik," he lipped to the other Spirit. "Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, destroy Ra!"

Marik could only watch in frozen terror as the two magicians unleashed their magic at his god card, unable to move as a side effect of merging with Ra for the One Turn Kill.

Ryou winced away. He knew that once Marik lost control of his host body and he was sent to the Shadow Realm, there would only be a dead body with Malik's spirit gone. But the dream...

Amethyst energy surrounded Ra and the Sun god gave a painful shriek before he was destroyed in a shower of golden sparks.

Yami watched as the shadows tore Marik's spirit from Malik's body. There's no soul anymore, he reminded himself sadly, watching as the Malik's body hit the ground. Without Marik- Before the Pharaoh could finish his thought, he saw Malik's eyes flutter and his heart caught.

/Marik can't be in control again!/ Yugi cried in the back of the monarch's mind. /Bakura says to attack him now before this gets out of hand... again./

//Agreed.// "Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attac-"

Slowly, a mocha hued hand reached for the duel disk sitting on the adjacent wrist, slim digits covering the top of the mechanism in a sign of surrender. Lilac eyes appeared under heavy eyelids to watch as Marik disappeared into the mists before Malik gave a sigh of relief. It's over.

"The winner by surrender, Yugi Mutou!" the ref cried after a moment of complete and heavy silence.

Predictably, everyone but Seto gave a whoop of joy and ran onto the arena to crowd Yami, hugging the Pharaoh and congratulating him.

Ryou tried to worm out of the crowd, but Joey's over enthusiastic arms clamped around his shoulders to drag him into the same bear hug he was giving everyone else. The Brit turned his head just in time to see the edge of a violet cape disappearing around the corner.

The Brit sighed, not expecting anything less from the Rare Hunter as he turned to Yami with a bright smile. "It's finally over," he murmured, finally free of Joey's death grip. "Thank you." He's fine. I-I didn't kill him.

Yami nodded, ruffling the teen's hair as he ducked another hug from Joey and Tristan this time. "Let's go home now. I've had just about enough of Duel Monsters for a few months."

Ryou chuckled as everyone gawked at the King of Games for his statement. Home. Not just a room in the Puzzle behind a statue.

Finally, things were getting back to normal.

* * * * *

Home. Ryou couldn't believe it as he stood in the doorway, looking around the neat surroundings with a sad sort of smile. Everything was just as it had been when he's taken off for Battle City, despite the few new artifacts on the walls. A mixed smell of the desert and metal cleaner hung in the air as always, not unpleasantly thick, but comforting all the same. Would it be like he had never died?

"C'mon kid!" Bakura whined, taking a phantasmal form next to Yami.

Ryou pulled out of his reverie and stepped into the apartment, kicking his sneakers off and shucking off his jacket. "I... I can't believe I'm actually home again."

Yami smiled, kneeling down long enough to unlace his boots and take them off. "It looks like your father's stayed busy with work."

Ryou shook his head, padding around the large Monster World table in the middle of the living room en route to the kitchen. When the Brit reached his destination, he was shocked to see a piece of paper sitting on his laptop. "What the..."

Bakura appeared around the corner in time to see his hikari pick up the letter, going over to read over his shoulder.

Ryou,

Sorry I couldn't say good bye to you, but I didn't think Solomon would appreciate the wake-up call at four in the morning. I was called to Egypt, unfortunately, to aid a project that the Domino museum's curator is working on. I should only be gone for a few weeks, a month if something goes wrong. I left money in the breadbox in case you have your friends over.

-Dad

The paper slowly floated from Ryou's now shaking hand, his face going paler then before. "H-How did... What kind of a joke is this?" he murmured.

Bakura was about to reply when he heard 'You have mail' from the formerly dormant laptop on the table. "Since when can you use a computer, Pharaoh?"

Yugi turned to regard the tomb robber. "Since he was reincarnated. Really, Bakura, be more attentive to who's in control!"

Ryou grabbed his laptop and took an empty seat. "Junk, junk, junk... Holy shit." The shaken teenager now looked like death warmed over, his chocolate eyes wide under their snowy fringe.

"What's wrong?" Bakura asked, being ever the gentleman and sitting cross-legged on the tabletop. "Cyber junk?"

Ryou shook his head. "Malik," he squeaked out, staring at the screen like it was going to bite him at any second. "He.. I... Um, how in the Hell does Malik know my e-mail address. Since when can he use a computer? ...Since when is he still in Japan?!"

Yugi peered at the screen. "Looks like something Yami would use if he ever learned to use a computer," he remarked, looking at the return address. "Well, open it up, Ryou!"

"I never gave him my address and he's not that psychic that he can read my mind!" Ryou pointed out, opening up the e-mail uncertainly. The poor Brit was now whiter then a sheet.

Hey Ryou,

Opening line from you, "How in the Hell can Malik use a computer?" The answer, Ishizu taught me, like you asked. Second question from you, "Since when do you know my e-mail?" My answer, and Bakura should know what I mean, Marik learned everything about you two.

That aside, I just wanted to apologize for my hasty exit yesterday at the end of Battle City. Oh, and for making you think that I was dead. I know I sound callous, but I didn't want to upset anything anymore then we already did. For the record, Marik removed me from my body (again) just after I told Ra to attack myself and Bakura. I decided to lay low until Yami destroyed Marik, taking a few minutes out to make sure you were all right.

So, to *really* apologize for upsetting you so much (Yes, I saw your breakdown and I don't think I could ever make up for causing you that much pain.), I know of a festival of sorts taking place this weekend. I've heard there's fireworks, if you're interested. You know how much I love fire.

And this is where Malik starts stuttering and making himself sound like an idiot, so Malik is going to shut up. Tell the dead guys I said hi and I'm sorry for being a moron.

-Malik

P.S. I also happen to have something you own. *NOW* you can have it back.

P.S.S. There's something else the Pharaoh might want for his collection that you never bothered to take back.

"He... I..." Ryou looked between Yami and Bakura. "Malik says hi."

Yugi smirked at the Brit. "Sounds like another date to me," he noted, prodding Ryou in the ribs.

"You're going," Bakura added. "There's fire!"

Yami shot the thief a flat look. "Pyro."

"'Hahaha! This is my maze of fire! Don't worry, if you make if off the pier, you'll live!'" Bakura replied mockingly.

"H-How'd you?!"

Bakura smirked. "Me and Ryou were stuck in the Puzzle, what? Three weeks before you found us? No way to get back to his body, which I should thank Kaiba for unnecessarily hooking up to those life support things, I decided to poke around. You really were a sadistic prick."

Yugi and Ryou looked between the two Spirits in confusion, not following the conversation now at all.

"Like you weren't," Yami shot back. "I didn't go impaling my aibou's hand on game props!"

"No. You just subjected him to Shadow Games involving getting electrocuted, blown up, poisoned, taking his hand off, getting his head blown off-"

"NANI?!" Yugi cried, now glaring intently at Yami with an expression fit to kill.

Yami looked nervous, knowing just what his 'innocent little' hikari was really capable of. "I was doing it in defense of your friends," he stated loftily.

"BY TRYING TO KILL ME?!"

"I'd run Yami," Ryou suggested sagely.

Not being able to conveniently play a life-or-death Shadow Game with his other half, Yami took the Brit's advice to heart and vacated the area with a now enraged Yugi right on his heels.

God, minna-san, I'm so sorry! I had to plow through a major writer's block to get this chapter done. [shrugs] On the upside, it's fourteen pages long! ^)^ [pants] See, Ryou's now reanimated and in once piece! Marik's gone, Malik's alive, Yugi's gonna kill Yami, and Bakura's just gonna sit back and laugh while Ryou frets over his e-mail. Then there's getting to the point of why Seto and Joey are even in the book… [looks up] Oopsies… I'm spilling the details… ^)^U

Akuro: The trailer was meant to give people a sense of hope that I wasn't going to sporadically kill Ryou and end the book ten chapters early. ^)^ That and I wanted to give you all a break with the Evil Cliffhangers from Hell. [snickers] The Yami-Not Yami-Really Marik thing was fun, but confusing as Hell to write! [groans] Migraine… Tylenol… Pain! XD

blu chocobo: Technically, the Dark Magician and Magician of Illusion are one in the same. But, given that I'm psycho-obsessive about twisting plots, that whole story's completely different now! ^)^U So, yep, everyone's safe and sound for the time being! Rejoice and enjoy the interlude! :]

Roen:[bites lip] Um… [hands Roen a flower] My condolences for the passing of Marik. He was loved and revere… Okay, no one loved him and he was a murdering bastard. [shrugs] Still, my condolences to you and remember, I'm lying when I say he's gone onto a better place. XD But, I've been following the Shounen Jump and me just got September's issue. [giggles] Yami's too knowledgeable of the modern world for his own good.

Dragona 2007: Meh! Sorry to keep you waiting. -_____-U Writer's block is a nasty bitch.

Elle-FaTe2x1: O)o You broke your finger? That has so got to suck. [shutters] I broke my wrist last year and I would take that again over a broken finger. Hope your finger heals up well.

Acid Reign: LMAO! Yeah, Bakura and Ryou would definitely go into a tail-spin depression if the Blondie Brothers got their respective asses taken off. (Not to mention the hordes of weeping/pissed fan girls.) But, nope, Ryou never gave Malik his e-mail addy. Thus the bishie's sudden lack of color and such. ^)^

Shade Azuna: Is that your final answer? :] j/k. But, yes, I did see the Matrix Reloaded and I WANT CLOSEURE, DAMMIT! That was a damn cruel way to end a movie, of all… [realizes she's no better with her book] Riiiight, shutting up now. -__-U But, Marik reminds me a lot of Agent Smith. [grins] I could have fun with that idea…

Yami Caitlin: 'Obessing'? O)O Um… Wow. [grins] Sorry for the lack of closure, but be content in the fact that you'll get your closure with this fic sooner then I'll get my stupid closure with the next Matrix movie. T)T But, I can't guarantee that I'll be nice to Malik, but I'll try. :]

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Chapter Twenty-Five Trailer:

Ryou stretched out on the grass lazily, setting his carton of French fries on his stomach so he could use his arms as a makeshift pillow. The teenager looked over as Malik joined him, grinning brightly. "I can't tell you how much fun this has been," he said after a beat of silence.

Malik shrugged, nicking a fry. "I told you, I could never make up for hurting you like I did," he replied seriously. "But, I suppose I can try."

Ryou sighed, looking back up at the starry sky somewhat forlornly. "It wasn't your fault. If I had held off a moment longer-"

"It would have been too late," Malik finished before licking the ketchup off his fingers. He turned over on his side, resting his head against his hand. "Stop blaming yourself."

Ryou's eyes drifted shut, a sigh escaping his slightly parted lips. "Ask me to stop breathing then."

Malik's deft fingers toyed with a lock of silken hair, his eyes searching Ryou's. "I'm obviously alive still, right?"

"Yeah-"

The Egyptian didn't give Ryou time to finish his thought. "Then stop dwelling on the past and-" At the same time, the first firework sailed into the sky in a shower of red and gold sparks. "-enjoy the show."

Ryou smiled a little, cuddling a little closer to Malik as the seventeen-year-old lay on his back.

The pair watched the fireworks, marveling at the stunning displays of color and wincing every so often as the louder explosives went off. The night air was getting progressively colder and Malik used this as an excuse to draw Ryou into a one-armed embrace.

The Brit blushed brightly but didn't try to squirm away. "They're so beautiful," he breathed, watching as a set of multicolored fireworks created a cracking shower in the cloudless skies.

Malik smiled. "Not as beautiful as you."

Ryou turned away from the skies, his eyes a little wide. "W-What?"

Malik's eyes danced warmly, something the other teenager had really seen before. "I've let two chances to tell you slip through my fingers and I'm not going to miss the third," he whispered.

Ryou's heart skipped a beat. "I-I…"

Malik set a finger on the sixteen-year-old's lips to silence him. "You're pretty much the only reason I'm still alive. You're the most beautiful person I've ever met and…" He leaned closer to Ryou, holding the snow haired duelist close. "I love you."

Finally, those three words had been said, and with Ryou's wonderful luck, he was unfortunately left speechless.

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