Chapter 3
Yugi got home after school and collapsed on his bed. He contemplated all that had happened today. Yugi had felt strange all day, as though a new presence was inside him. He had been worrying himself about the puzzle all day, and the way he had handled himself at gym bothered him. He felt ashamed. He hadn't buckled under pressure before, he just didn't dress out because he didn't like to. But today was different. He didn't feel like himself . . .
Grandpa called Yugi downstairs to eat dinner, "I'm going to the store, Yugi," said grandpa, "Also I have a few more errands to do, so I might be out for a couple of hours. Be good, and if you invite someone over, make sure you clean up the place a bit first. Likewise, if you go somewhere, please lock up."
"Sure, grandpa.," Yugi replied. He forced himself out of bed and opened the drawer in his oak dresser next to the window. He pulled out his baby blue pajamas. They were covered in stars and smelled like fabric softener. Yugi brung it up to his face and inhaled deeply. The fresh, clean smell calmed his nerves a bit, causing his muscles to become loose and his shoulders to relax. He closed the drawer and pulled out the one underneath. Yugi carefully chose a pair of boxers and left his room with his clothing in hand. He walked into the restroom and opened the closet door. Yugi then quickly chose a washcloth and a towel, and turned on the bathtub faucet, letting the water run as hot as he could stand it. As he waited for the water to fill the tub, he pulled open the bathroom cabinet, and got out the bath bubbles. Yugi gently unscrewed the top and breathed in the smell of apple emanating from the bottle, he poured it in and didn't wait for the bubbles to form before he undressed himself and got in.
Yugi let out a relaxed moan as he slid down into the warm water. 'This really feels good,' he thought. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he purposely released the tension in his muscles. He tried hard to get is mind off of today's events, but he could not. He turned off the water and looked down at the Millennium ring. He picked it up from the floor where he had placed it before he got in the bathtub, and stared wonderingly down at the hanging triangular shaped bits that hung from the circle containing the pyramid with the Millennium symbol on it. There were five in all, he counted.
He wondered to himself about the item. What did the Millennium symbol stand for? Did it just stand for millennium? If it did, then why was it important enough to put on the most sacred items in existence? He scrunched up his forehead as he pondered the possibilities. 'How do I make this thing work?' He shook the ring vigorously, trying to get it to do something . . . anything! He was about to give up when he noticed a strange glint of light on the corner of the pyramid. It started as a small glare, and spread until it covered the whole item. Yugi recognized this. It was the same thing Pegasus's eye did when he was preparing to do something evil. Yugi jumped in surprise and dropped the puzzle into the bath water. He stood up immediately as the water began to glow; obviously being illuminated by the item. He held his place there, frozen, as a glowing light snaked its way out of the water, and onto his dripping wet body. Yugi began to feel strange, the light crept around him, engulfing him in a glowing force that he could not fight. He opened his mouth to yell out something, to whom he did not know. The second he opened his mouth the light made its way down his throat, suffocating him, and stifling any other screams that might have been in him.
Yugi's heart began to pound and he felt a immense pain in his chest, his heart was palpitating. 'It must be the item,' Yugi thought. 'There's no other explanation. I have to gather my strength and get help . . .' Yugi tried to move his legs, but he couldn't. 'I can't give in,' he said in thought. 'I can't . . .' and then there was nothing but darkness as he felt himself falling, collapsing within himself . . .
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Yami Bakura was already at 'his' home when school got out, suspended, to the disappointment of his father, from school for 3 days. When his father arrived at school to pick him up, he immediately made it clear that 'Bakura' was grounded for a month, maybe longer. Yami Bakura was not worried about this, he only wanted to acquire the Pharaoh's power, not hang out with friends or go to arcades. As he saw it, being grounded just meant he would have a lot of quiet time to himself to search the puzzle. And he did so.
As soon as Yami Bakura arrived home he went into 'his' room, locking the door behind him. He wasted no time before situating himself on the edge of the bed and reentering the puzzle. To his gratitude, once he reentered, he was back at the door with the strange markings. And to his disappointment, he was still short one key, "Damn! How the hell will I get this damned door open?!"
"That's not yours." said a calm but deep voice. He saw no face, no figure, but he knew he heard someone. 'Its no one but that fool of a Pharaoh.' he thought to himself.
"I've been waiting for this moment. I knew we would meet again, Yami."
"And who are you?"
"I am called Bakura," said Yami Bakura, matter-of-factly. He turned around to see none other than Yami standing in the entrance to the corridor containing the door he was trying to open.
"Why are you here? Are you responsible for the severing of my link with Yugi? You better not have hurt him, or you will regret it." Yami's voice was getting more serious now. "You are not the young boy who they call Bakura, you are something else. Something that lives inside him . . . uninvited. I sensed it during our duel you on Pegasus's island. You cannot possibly be the innocent Bakura. You are too full of hate. I have sensed your presence before."
Yami Bakura snickered. "You are right to a point, Pharaoh. I am not Bakura, while ironically, I am him in a way. And as a matter of fact, I am somewhat responsible for you having lost your connection to Yugi. Your sense of deduction is impeccable. And also your timing. Now give me the Key to the door marked with the hieroglyphs."
"I will give you nothing, but I must admit, 'Bakura', that you are quite bold. First you somehow take Yugi's puzzle, intrude this sacred place, and then you order me to give you a key to a room that belongs to me. Are you trying to push me over the edge? You have made an unwise decision in coming here."
"Silly pharaoh, you cannot harm me, try sending me to the Shadow Realm, it will not work, I came back the last time didn't I?"
"Of course I cannot send you to the Shadow Realm, so I will not waste time trying, I challenge you to a duel. If I win I get Yugi back, and if I lose . . . you decide."
"Pharaoh, such a kind offer for your friend, you'd risk a great deal for the little bastard wouldn't you?"
"Mind your language in this sacred place. My partner is everything to me and I will defend him at all costs. Calling him out of his name will only make things worse for you." Yami's face turned grave as his eyes began to burn into Yami Bakura's soul. His voice softened. "Yugi is a kind person with a courageous heart, you have no right to disrespect him."
"Yami, honestly, if you want to know, he doesn't trust you, or care about you."
"What are you talking about, Bakura?" Yami's eyes grew cold. "What gives you that idea . . . or the right . . . to make such a claim?"
"Well, Yami, after that Kaiba business Yugi was afraid of you. He got over it for a while, but he had a dream that indicated to him that you were not trustworthy, and suggested that he was not even meant to have the Millennium puzzle." Yami Bakura chuckled at Yami now, he knew this was getting to him. Yami's weakness was his love for Yugi, and Bakura knew this all too well.
"Liar!" Yami's voice boomed inside the puzzle, echoing loudly off of the walls. "Yugi would never have told you that, we discussed the situation ourselves right after the incident with Kaiba. He forgave me and I vowed never to do anything without his consent again."
"Maybe that was true at one point in time, but he doubts you now."
Yami glared at Yami Bakura now. He was furious,. What he said couldn't be true. Or was it? Yami tried to block these thoughts from his head, he knew that Yugi would never just, give up on him. He would never give up or walk out on anyone.
"What's the matter? Afraid of the truth? Afraid of being alone again?"
Yami said nothing. He was speechless. It couldn't be true. If it was, how would he fix it? He had to figure out something, but for now he had to deal with the problem at hand, Bakura. "Duel me now! You have crossed the line, and I cannot risk you harming Yugi."
"No.," said Bakura. He knew that Yami was exceptionally powerful when it came to dueling, and that if he lost to him, he could easily be forced to give up his ring. "Chances are that your poor little Yugi is already hurt. When we exchanged items I put a considerable amount of negative energy into the ring. I had to cleanse my soul to a significantly pure amount before I was allowed to enter this puzzle and explore it. I am from the ancient times of pharaohs as yourself, and I know the rules regarding these scared items." He said nothing else as he watched Yami grow more angry, his eyes flaring, his fists clenched. He knew that even though he would not duel him, he had to face him somehow, and force him to give up the Key.
"Coward . . ." Yami said, pointing at Bakura now. "You will duel me!" Yami was desperate now, he figured that a duel was the only way to save his hikari. He eyed Bakura, watching him closely, trying to figure out what to do, trying to figure out what Bakura would do. He was familiar with the items, and since Yami had no memory, he knew that Bakura would have better control over the items that he would.
"Actually, im not much of a coward, I just don't take unnecessary risks. I want to duel you one way or another for control over this item, just not with duel monsters. We must figure something out. When you get an idea, pop in to tell me, in the meantime, I will leave you for now."
As Yami opened his mouth to speak Yami Bakura vanished, fading out into the shadows around him.
'Yami was taken aback from the bluntness of Yami Bakura's statement. How could he save Yugi? Who knows what danger he is in..'
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Meanwhile, Yami Bakura did not waste time worrying. He had business elsewhere. He knew that an ancient Egypt exhibit had opened at the Domino Museum and deftly leapt out of the window of 'his' room, landing some 10 feet below. But he knew that to walk that far, even in a borrowed body, wouldn't work.
The dark spirit headed south, opposite the direction of the museum, looking to 'hitch' a ride. He stuck his thumb out and a red pickup slowed to a stop beside him and he got in. A rather ragged old man was driving. "Where you headed?" The old man started southward without waiting for an answer.
Bakura said nothing and just grinned. He placed his hands around the Millennium puzzle and chuckled. But nothing happened. The old man looked at Bakura, baffled. Bakura realized what happened all too late. The item was not working for him! His plan had been to use shadow magic to kill the old man and steal his car, but it appeared that the puzzle was broken or something. "Ra, Dammit! This piece of shit!," he yelled loudly as he shook the puzzle furiously. "But all the Millennium items contain shadow magic! Why does this one not work!?"
The old man pulled over. "Young man, can I help you or not? What is that hunk of gold around your neck?"
"Of course you can! Just . . . wait a minute! And this "hunk of gold" is what will bring about your end, old man!" The old man took his statement literally, preparing to open the door he turned away from him. Thinking hastily, Yami Bakura grabbed the old man by the arm and told him not to move. Panicking, the old man pushed the gas, causing the car to accelerate, and Yami Bakura to fall forward. Hitting his head on the dashboard, he fell unconscious.
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Yugi got home after school and collapsed on his bed. He contemplated all that had happened today. Yugi had felt strange all day, as though a new presence was inside him. He had been worrying himself about the puzzle all day, and the way he had handled himself at gym bothered him. He felt ashamed. He hadn't buckled under pressure before, he just didn't dress out because he didn't like to. But today was different. He didn't feel like himself . . .
Grandpa called Yugi downstairs to eat dinner, "I'm going to the store, Yugi," said grandpa, "Also I have a few more errands to do, so I might be out for a couple of hours. Be good, and if you invite someone over, make sure you clean up the place a bit first. Likewise, if you go somewhere, please lock up."
"Sure, grandpa.," Yugi replied. He forced himself out of bed and opened the drawer in his oak dresser next to the window. He pulled out his baby blue pajamas. They were covered in stars and smelled like fabric softener. Yugi brung it up to his face and inhaled deeply. The fresh, clean smell calmed his nerves a bit, causing his muscles to become loose and his shoulders to relax. He closed the drawer and pulled out the one underneath. Yugi carefully chose a pair of boxers and left his room with his clothing in hand. He walked into the restroom and opened the closet door. Yugi then quickly chose a washcloth and a towel, and turned on the bathtub faucet, letting the water run as hot as he could stand it. As he waited for the water to fill the tub, he pulled open the bathroom cabinet, and got out the bath bubbles. Yugi gently unscrewed the top and breathed in the smell of apple emanating from the bottle, he poured it in and didn't wait for the bubbles to form before he undressed himself and got in.
Yugi let out a relaxed moan as he slid down into the warm water. 'This really feels good,' he thought. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he purposely released the tension in his muscles. He tried hard to get is mind off of today's events, but he could not. He turned off the water and looked down at the Millennium ring. He picked it up from the floor where he had placed it before he got in the bathtub, and stared wonderingly down at the hanging triangular shaped bits that hung from the circle containing the pyramid with the Millennium symbol on it. There were five in all, he counted.
He wondered to himself about the item. What did the Millennium symbol stand for? Did it just stand for millennium? If it did, then why was it important enough to put on the most sacred items in existence? He scrunched up his forehead as he pondered the possibilities. 'How do I make this thing work?' He shook the ring vigorously, trying to get it to do something . . . anything! He was about to give up when he noticed a strange glint of light on the corner of the pyramid. It started as a small glare, and spread until it covered the whole item. Yugi recognized this. It was the same thing Pegasus's eye did when he was preparing to do something evil. Yugi jumped in surprise and dropped the puzzle into the bath water. He stood up immediately as the water began to glow; obviously being illuminated by the item. He held his place there, frozen, as a glowing light snaked its way out of the water, and onto his dripping wet body. Yugi began to feel strange, the light crept around him, engulfing him in a glowing force that he could not fight. He opened his mouth to yell out something, to whom he did not know. The second he opened his mouth the light made its way down his throat, suffocating him, and stifling any other screams that might have been in him.
Yugi's heart began to pound and he felt a immense pain in his chest, his heart was palpitating. 'It must be the item,' Yugi thought. 'There's no other explanation. I have to gather my strength and get help . . .' Yugi tried to move his legs, but he couldn't. 'I can't give in,' he said in thought. 'I can't . . .' and then there was nothing but darkness as he felt himself falling, collapsing within himself . . .
******************************************************************************
Yami Bakura was already at 'his' home when school got out, suspended, to the disappointment of his father, from school for 3 days. When his father arrived at school to pick him up, he immediately made it clear that 'Bakura' was grounded for a month, maybe longer. Yami Bakura was not worried about this, he only wanted to acquire the Pharaoh's power, not hang out with friends or go to arcades. As he saw it, being grounded just meant he would have a lot of quiet time to himself to search the puzzle. And he did so.
As soon as Yami Bakura arrived home he went into 'his' room, locking the door behind him. He wasted no time before situating himself on the edge of the bed and reentering the puzzle. To his gratitude, once he reentered, he was back at the door with the strange markings. And to his disappointment, he was still short one key, "Damn! How the hell will I get this damned door open?!"
"That's not yours." said a calm but deep voice. He saw no face, no figure, but he knew he heard someone. 'Its no one but that fool of a Pharaoh.' he thought to himself.
"I've been waiting for this moment. I knew we would meet again, Yami."
"And who are you?"
"I am called Bakura," said Yami Bakura, matter-of-factly. He turned around to see none other than Yami standing in the entrance to the corridor containing the door he was trying to open.
"Why are you here? Are you responsible for the severing of my link with Yugi? You better not have hurt him, or you will regret it." Yami's voice was getting more serious now. "You are not the young boy who they call Bakura, you are something else. Something that lives inside him . . . uninvited. I sensed it during our duel you on Pegasus's island. You cannot possibly be the innocent Bakura. You are too full of hate. I have sensed your presence before."
Yami Bakura snickered. "You are right to a point, Pharaoh. I am not Bakura, while ironically, I am him in a way. And as a matter of fact, I am somewhat responsible for you having lost your connection to Yugi. Your sense of deduction is impeccable. And also your timing. Now give me the Key to the door marked with the hieroglyphs."
"I will give you nothing, but I must admit, 'Bakura', that you are quite bold. First you somehow take Yugi's puzzle, intrude this sacred place, and then you order me to give you a key to a room that belongs to me. Are you trying to push me over the edge? You have made an unwise decision in coming here."
"Silly pharaoh, you cannot harm me, try sending me to the Shadow Realm, it will not work, I came back the last time didn't I?"
"Of course I cannot send you to the Shadow Realm, so I will not waste time trying, I challenge you to a duel. If I win I get Yugi back, and if I lose . . . you decide."
"Pharaoh, such a kind offer for your friend, you'd risk a great deal for the little bastard wouldn't you?"
"Mind your language in this sacred place. My partner is everything to me and I will defend him at all costs. Calling him out of his name will only make things worse for you." Yami's face turned grave as his eyes began to burn into Yami Bakura's soul. His voice softened. "Yugi is a kind person with a courageous heart, you have no right to disrespect him."
"Yami, honestly, if you want to know, he doesn't trust you, or care about you."
"What are you talking about, Bakura?" Yami's eyes grew cold. "What gives you that idea . . . or the right . . . to make such a claim?"
"Well, Yami, after that Kaiba business Yugi was afraid of you. He got over it for a while, but he had a dream that indicated to him that you were not trustworthy, and suggested that he was not even meant to have the Millennium puzzle." Yami Bakura chuckled at Yami now, he knew this was getting to him. Yami's weakness was his love for Yugi, and Bakura knew this all too well.
"Liar!" Yami's voice boomed inside the puzzle, echoing loudly off of the walls. "Yugi would never have told you that, we discussed the situation ourselves right after the incident with Kaiba. He forgave me and I vowed never to do anything without his consent again."
"Maybe that was true at one point in time, but he doubts you now."
Yami glared at Yami Bakura now. He was furious,. What he said couldn't be true. Or was it? Yami tried to block these thoughts from his head, he knew that Yugi would never just, give up on him. He would never give up or walk out on anyone.
"What's the matter? Afraid of the truth? Afraid of being alone again?"
Yami said nothing. He was speechless. It couldn't be true. If it was, how would he fix it? He had to figure out something, but for now he had to deal with the problem at hand, Bakura. "Duel me now! You have crossed the line, and I cannot risk you harming Yugi."
"No.," said Bakura. He knew that Yami was exceptionally powerful when it came to dueling, and that if he lost to him, he could easily be forced to give up his ring. "Chances are that your poor little Yugi is already hurt. When we exchanged items I put a considerable amount of negative energy into the ring. I had to cleanse my soul to a significantly pure amount before I was allowed to enter this puzzle and explore it. I am from the ancient times of pharaohs as yourself, and I know the rules regarding these scared items." He said nothing else as he watched Yami grow more angry, his eyes flaring, his fists clenched. He knew that even though he would not duel him, he had to face him somehow, and force him to give up the Key.
"Coward . . ." Yami said, pointing at Bakura now. "You will duel me!" Yami was desperate now, he figured that a duel was the only way to save his hikari. He eyed Bakura, watching him closely, trying to figure out what to do, trying to figure out what Bakura would do. He was familiar with the items, and since Yami had no memory, he knew that Bakura would have better control over the items that he would.
"Actually, im not much of a coward, I just don't take unnecessary risks. I want to duel you one way or another for control over this item, just not with duel monsters. We must figure something out. When you get an idea, pop in to tell me, in the meantime, I will leave you for now."
As Yami opened his mouth to speak Yami Bakura vanished, fading out into the shadows around him.
'Yami was taken aback from the bluntness of Yami Bakura's statement. How could he save Yugi? Who knows what danger he is in..'
******************************************************************************
Meanwhile, Yami Bakura did not waste time worrying. He had business elsewhere. He knew that an ancient Egypt exhibit had opened at the Domino Museum and deftly leapt out of the window of 'his' room, landing some 10 feet below. But he knew that to walk that far, even in a borrowed body, wouldn't work.
The dark spirit headed south, opposite the direction of the museum, looking to 'hitch' a ride. He stuck his thumb out and a red pickup slowed to a stop beside him and he got in. A rather ragged old man was driving. "Where you headed?" The old man started southward without waiting for an answer.
Bakura said nothing and just grinned. He placed his hands around the Millennium puzzle and chuckled. But nothing happened. The old man looked at Bakura, baffled. Bakura realized what happened all too late. The item was not working for him! His plan had been to use shadow magic to kill the old man and steal his car, but it appeared that the puzzle was broken or something. "Ra, Dammit! This piece of shit!," he yelled loudly as he shook the puzzle furiously. "But all the Millennium items contain shadow magic! Why does this one not work!?"
The old man pulled over. "Young man, can I help you or not? What is that hunk of gold around your neck?"
"Of course you can! Just . . . wait a minute! And this "hunk of gold" is what will bring about your end, old man!" The old man took his statement literally, preparing to open the door he turned away from him. Thinking hastily, Yami Bakura grabbed the old man by the arm and told him not to move. Panicking, the old man pushed the gas, causing the car to accelerate, and Yami Bakura to fall forward. Hitting his head on the dashboard, he fell unconscious.
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