Disclaimer: *sigh* Look me no own Yu-Gi-Oh! Okay? Okay? There! I said it! Now I have to go cry in the corner…..
Sorry to everyone who has checked back for this update and been disappointed. I know I am terrible for not updating in a really long while. But I sincerely hope this chapter makes up for it a little. Thank you for all reviews and I will try to update sooner.
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Yami sat at his desk shuffling through various royal decrees and schedules for special events. He furrowed his brow and frowned slightly as he motioned for the nearest servant. "Tell Bakar I need to see him."
"Ph-Pharaoh?"
"What? I told you to find Bakar! Now go!"
"Pharaoh Yami, sir. Bakar was dismissed."
Yami raised an eyebrow, "On who's order?"
"O-on yours sir. It was carried out by Master Marik."
"I made no such order and I was not informed. Who is the new trades master?"
"M-master Heptut, a dear friend of Marik's. He appointed him sir."
"Then get me Trevale."
"My lord he was executed."
"What?!? And why was my head of security executed without my order or even trial?!"
"Master Marik said you left the task to him because you were preoccupied. He made the order and hosted the trial."
"And it appears everyone else in MY palace knows more about what's going on than I do. Who is the new head of security?"
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Bakura lay on his back pretending to be asleep. I will do it today, he thought to himself as he awaited Trevale to come give him his regular beating. Trevale was oh so boring and he did the same thing everyday. And Bakura planned to escape today because he had learned his routine. Bakura hid in the shadows waiting as the cloaked figure of the monotonous Trevale came into his cell. Bakura pounced on the figure and was about to cleave them with the rock he had broken off the wall when he was thrown to the floor with a knife put to his throat.
"Now, now my little white rat," it was a female voice that hissed at him from the dark figure, "You wouldn't be trying to steal my life from me as you have stolen other things now would you?"
"Who are you?" Then Bakura heard the familiar cackling that could only mean Marik.
"This is Ahkel. Show yourself my dear, do not be shy." Ahkel unveiled herself and threw the knife at Bakura as he jumped out of the way. "Aha. I see you two will get along just fine so I will leave him to you my dear." Marik walked away as Ahkel turned towards Bakura and picked up her knife. She grabbed his face and pulled him close to her.
"If I like you then I might do some things for you. Your rare looks are kind of charming you know."
"Get away. I do not want what you have to offer."
She cackled and responded, "Too bad."
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Mezra thrashed around her room breaking anything she could get her hands on. After getting the anger out of her system from the arrogant Yami she sat down and started to think. He did look concerned for me. Was it just an act? She noticed a vase she had broken in her rampage. The idea clicked in her mind and instantly she got a shard and ran to her door. She could pick the lock. Bakura did this many times. She was having success when the door opened. "Mezra dear? You don't want to leave me do you?"
"Leave me alone Marik."
"And why should I? When you and your brother are so fun to play with."
Mezra made a slight growling noise. She hid the shard in her palm hoping to use anything to her advantage.
"Oh we are feisty today aren't we?"
"Go away I want nothing to do with you! Any of you! I will get out of here with Bakura."
Marik laughed and looked at Mezra. "Dear, dear Mezra you are not going anywhere and your brother most likely will not live. I can make life a living hell for you if you do not cooperate."
Mezra bit back the insult struggling to come from her. Maybe Yami will help her. If she can just get to him or Bakura then she might be ok. She walked coolly up to Marik and stroked is cheek with her hand. "You have already ruined my life," She moved closer and whispered into his ear, "And now I shall ruin yours." She shoved the shard far into his chest and backed away. "Bastard…"
Marik stumbled back in slight surprise then looked up with pure pleasure on his face. He shoved the shard farther into himself as blood shown dark and abundant on his tunic and he threw his head back to laugh. Mezra stepped toward the door a little in horror and wondered what he thought was so funny. Then the millennium rod glowed with eerie light and Mezra was suddenly thrown back against the wall and cried in pain. Marik stood up straight and the rod shown bright again as he was heeled and the shard pushed out of his chest and into his waiting hand. He glared at Mezra and walked toward her, holding the shard out.
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"Shima! Where is Marik?!?!"
"I do not know my lord. He has been moving around a lot lately. You must agree he seems to be hiding something."
"Yes, I know. I just-"
A servant burst through the door, "Pharaoh Yami!! Come quick!!"
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"You cannot kill me."
Mezra felt helpless pinned to the wall by a force only Marik could control. Marik ripped open the bottom half of her dress as she glared death at him. He took the shard and slit her inner thigh. Mezra winced in pain as a thin trail of blood ran down her leg. "Mezra dear, isn't amazing how pain and pleasure are so similar? You get an incredible rush from both." He put his hand to where the blood was trickling down her leg. Maliciously, he brought the blood to his mouth and licked it off his fingers. He put his hand between her legs.
"Please… don't…"
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"What's wrong?"
"Come quickly my liege. I heard noises coming from Mezra's room!"
Yami had a concerned look on his face as he and Shima took off down the hall.
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"Now you are begging? What happened to that spirit I liked?"
Mezra's head rolled back as she felt pain in her neck and blood flowing down her chest to soak into her dress. He cut her throat.
"Here now. Let me remove your clothes. They are a hindrance to the blood flow." But before Marik could do anything else Yami sent a spell at him and he fell to the floor laughing insanely.
"I-I will get the g-guards." Shima stumbled off.
Yami rushed over to Mezra as she fell and caught her. She looked at him and collapsed clinging to him as she began to sob. She just wants it all to stop. Yami, still in shock, hugged her gently. "It will be alright. I won't let him hurt you."
"You already did."
The words stung at Yami as he realized everyone was right and he was wrong. "I won't let anything happen to you again, I promise."
"And ho ware you going to protect her?" Marik lurched to his feet as Mezra clung to Yami at the sound of Marik's voice.
"Shut up Marik!! I am in charge here!! I can protect her." Shima ran in with two guards trailing behind her. "Seize him!"
"No, no I think they shall be seizing you, Yami."
"What?" Yami turned around only to be hit on the head. Mezra screamed as Yami collapsed to the floor. Shima tried to come to Yami's aid, but she was held forcefully back. Yami clung to consciousness long enough for Marik to look him in the eyes.
"I am Pharaoh now." Marik's guards dragged Yami out as Shima was pushed in. "Mezra dear, I will continue with you after my empire is in order."
"You can't do this Marik!!"
"Oh yes I can Shima. And I have, now take care of Mezra for me." Marik closed and locked the door before Shima could think to do anything. She looked over to Mezra who sat still against the wall. She walked over and hugged her. "It will be ok."
"How? Yami… Bakura…"
"Shh, don't think about it now."
"How can I not?" Mezra cried herself to sleep as Shima treated her wounds.
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Ahkel leaned in close to lick his earlobe and when she pulled back he spit in her face. "Uck, you ingrate!"
"You whore." Ahkel kicked him as he caught her foot and brought her to the ground. Then she stabbed his hand with the dagger she had and he registered the new pain among the old throbbing wounds. Ahkel rolled over and pinned him to the ground.
"You should appreciate what is given to you."
"Why? When so much has been taken away?" He also registered her knee in a sensitive place.
"I see you have had fun Ahkel."
Ahkel promptly stood up, "Yes Master Marik."
"No, I am Pharaoh Marik now. Open this cell dear I have another entertaining idea for this one." Ahkel opened the cell and stepped out then Bakura heard a loud thump as something was thrown in beside him. Marik and Ahkel walked away as Bakura opened his eyes. He saw crimson and black hair with blonde streaks coming from the body face down on the floor and realized who his company was….
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The first thing Yami noticed when he woke up was the pounding headache he had. He wondered how hard Marik had hit him as he tried to roll over. Then he noted the scent of blood. A lot of blood from other mingled with his own. The pounding got worse as he tried to sit and then he stumbled when he stood. He heard the heavy breathing behind him before he felt the stab of pain in his back and knew that he shared the cell with someone else. He stumbled to his feet and headed to the shadows for protection.
"Now, now my Pharaoh," Yami glared at the sound of Bakura's voice. "You needn't move around so much. Head and back injuries are very serious. I should know after all, you bestowed many such injuries upon me."
"St-stay away from me." Yami wrinkled his nose at the now overbearing smell of blood as Bakura drew closer.
"What is the matter Yami? You don't like these accommodations? The stench of blood too powerful for your delicate nose? You get used to it after a while and something tells me you will be down here for a long time."
"I will get out and get revenge."
At this remark Bakura threw his head back and laughed maniacally. He kicked Yami roughly and Yami heard a loud crack as a rib broke. Then Bakura drew Yami's face close to his. "That is an entertaining thought but you are stuck down here with me. You most likely receive regular beatings as I do and your blood will make a new layer on this filthily caked floor as mine has. You are not in charge anymore. You were betrayed by Marik as I was. Face it 'Pharaoh' you have no more power and your people no longer love you. You are exactly like me!"
"I will never be as low as you."
"Ah, but don't you see? You are exactly like me." Bakura roughly bashed Yami in the head, only making Yami reel as the headache got worse. "Look, I can see by the blood on your tunic that Marik has already begun to beat you."
Yami, looking slightly confused, stared down at his tunic. With the blood pumping furiously in his head, he realized that it was Mezra's blood and it must have gotten on him when she fell. He smiled grimly at Bakura and caught him by surprise by flinging him across the cell. "Actually my assuming tomb raider, that blood," Yami pointed to his tunic, "is Mezra's." Bakura's features softened slightly at the mention of her name. He had forgotten she was in this ra-damned place. He kept thinking she was somewhere safe even though at the same time he knew it wasn't true.
Bakura's eyes flared with anger as he leapt to his feet and pinned Yami to the wall. "You are lying you cold-blooded son-of-a-bitch!!! And this is a very cruel joke. Crueler than the one played on you. Tell me now that you are lying!!"
"Oh, but it would be a lie to tell you that. I found Marik standing over her about to rape her and she was cut in two places. She had blood running down her leg from one wound and a cut on her neck. This blood got on me as she collapsed against me crying."
"No!" Bakura walked backwards as Yami's words took full effect. Bakura sank back and began to mumble incoherently. Yami, a little shocked at the reaction, strained to hear what he was saying. "Marik touched her… that Bastard! I can't protect her from down here…"
Yami raised an eyebrow. He couldn't believe Bakura was beating himself up about it when there was nothing he could do. In truth it was all Yami's fault Bakura was down here and Mezra was hurt. They should be treated better than this considering where they really came from. And now that Yami was down here there was nothing he could do either. There is no way Bakura or Mezra would trust him now.
Bakura continued to mumble to himself. "It's my fault… I actually forgot she could get hurt…Damn Marik!!!" Bakura beat the floor in frustration.
"Uhh Bakura?"
"What the hell do you want?! I bet you let Marik play with her because you don't care for anyone! Then Marik just decided he was tired of you and now you got what you deserved." Bakura pinned Yami to the wall and started beating him. It happened so fast that Yami was caught off guard but he caught one of Bakura's punches and pushed him away again.
"No Bakura! Listen to me! I tried to protect her. I admit I was late to understand Marik's evil. But once I talked to her I decided I needed no I wanted to protect her. And she will be alright as long as Marik doesn't get to her again. To protect her we have to get out of here."
"Yea, sure, I hope you know I don't believe you."
"Believe me or not, but I am getting out of here, and I am going to rescue Mezra and get my revenge too. You can come with me or not, that's up to you."
"What a choice…. Marik or you, two arrogant bastards I can't stand."
"Then I take that as a no."
"I will come with you only until me and my sister can reach safety then we are leaving you. I want to save Mezra but I still don't like you."
Yami shook his head as the headache began to dissipate. "I don't like you either and I certainly don't trust you much, but I guess you deserve to get out of here after all that has happened."
"And how do you suggest we do that?"
"Well I am without my puzzle and you are without your ring so…"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Magic, you idiot!"
Bakura growled lowly, "Well I can't use that! I wouldn't know how. Besides it's a noble thing….."
Yami, delighted with the fact that Bakura hadn't asked questions about his hints, decided to brainstorm more.
"Hey, Shima comes down here occasionally. She will help us."
"What?"
"Shima comes to check on me because she is more merciful than you."
"Well… Marik has most likely done something to her. Besides, she doesn't handle stressful situations too well."
"You might be wrong about her. She could be more resourceful than you think."
"I will not listen to you," Yami stated as his all-knowing demeanor came about him again, "I know her better, she works for me after all."
"I was right about Marik and I am right about her too Phar- oh excuse me Yami. You should take what I say into consideration."
"Ummmm, no, now how can we help them? Because I know that we have to save them."
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Shima sighed and ran her fingers over the various engravings on the wall. How far will it go? This old lie which spread to the possible deaths of many innocents. She began to see that the Pharaoh would need her help. She would have to figure out how to get to him. Shima sat down, engrossed in her thoughts, analyzing the limited supply of plans that are available. Marik would be expecting her to use the…
Mezra shifted on the bed, then her eyes opened and she sat up to look around her slowly. She froze when she saw Shima. Mezra laid back down and cried softly into the pillow, mumbling, "No, no, no…"
"It's not that bad to be stuck in a room with me."
Mezra sat up and swayed a bit from loss of blood. "It was supposed to have all been a dream. A horrid, horrid dream." Tears appeared again and threatened to fall. "I hate all of you, I just want to take my brother and leave that's it! This is a terrible place!"
Shima stood up and crossed over to Mezra. "I have been trying to help the two of you out from the start of this mess! I am still the only one who can help you, so do not yell at the one who can help you! Wake up Mezra, this is not a dream, if you want to help your brother, then we must cooperate, so we can save him and Pharaoh Yami."
"Your Pharaoh probably sent Marik to play with me until Marik took things into his own hands. I hate him." She brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them.
"He did not! I actually believe that he cares for you! Did you not see the concern on his face? He got furious when he learned of Marik's evil intentions. And when he heard you were in distress he went flying out of the room and to your side immediately!"
"No I could see no concern! All I saw was the blood and my brother and what they could be doing to him at this very moment. If your Pharaoh is not a bastard, then he is ignorant! He did not see his palace falling out from under him!"
Shima smiled slightly. "Yes, now Mezra think about this. We have to keep calm and help them out of this because your brother can't recognize the signs of a trap and my Pharaoh is far to trusting. They are ignorant, but they are men after all. Knowing Marik they are together somewhere, beating each other up. He thinks this is all a sick game."
Mezra smiled slightly. "If that is so then I have no hope of finding either of them alive."
"Neither do I which is why we must act quickly." Shima resumed her search along the wall.
"What are you doing?"
Shima furrowed her brow and looked over to Mezra. "I'm looking for something."
"What? I ruined everything in a rampage earlier."
"Yes I see that," She eyed the broken vase on the floor, "But I'm looking for something else. There was a rumor of secret passages that were weaved into the structure of this palace long ago."
"You waited long enough to say something. Why would the palace need secret passages anyway? To our misfortune this place is well guarded."
"The passages were in case we would need to sneak the Pharaoh out because his life was in danger."
"Early Royalty were very paranoid weren't they?"
"They were cautious not paranoid."
"Even if there are passages, then I'm sure Marik knows about them."
Shima smiled slyly. "The passages are very old and well, as I understand it Marik and Yami were too busy getting in trouble to pay attention. But I heard about it when I was studying in a temple." Shima sighed heavily. "I don't even know if an entrance is here. I'm just hoping. Now quit being so skeptical and help me."
"First I have a question for you."
"What now?"
"You seem in charge and collected now. So why is it that other times I saw you you stumbled over your words and seemed unsure?"
"Living up to the Pharaoh's expectations will do that to you. I'm only nervous around him."
"Do you like him?"
"No! That would be awkward besides he is determined to have you."
"Well he wont. Anyway what am I supposed to be looking for?"
"I think the symbol to the entrance is a cat, with the wings of an eagle-"
"Hiding in a grove of trees?"
Shima turned to look at Mezra who was staring at the ceiling. "Yes, How did you know?"
Mezra pointed up, "I saw it earlier when Marik was…" Mezra went quiet at the thought of it.
Shima walked over and put her arm around Mezra. She still felt sorry for everything that had happened. "It will be alright. Now we just have to figure out how to open it."
"Ok."