This is a Yu-Gi-Oh, fic. Yay! o.o It takes place after Battle City, but I've decided to pretend everything after that never happened, at least not yet. Hey, I needed a place to stick the setting, alright? Kazuki Takahashi owns Yu-Gi-Oh, and all of its characters. I take no claim over them.

EDIT: (Malik's name has been changed to Malik. Yami Malik's name has been changed to Marik. Yami Yugi's name has been changed to Yami.)

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"So, my most dear enemy...you've returned..." drawled a white haired teen. Standing at the window of his bedroom in his own home, chocolate brown eyes gazed out at nothing. A pale hand caressed the millenium ring he wore around his neck. Sitting at the foot of the teen's bed was a much frailer looking boy similar in appearance. His body was transparent and his hair was softer than that of the standing teen, "Enemy? Please say you're not planning to hurt someone..." The teen frowned and turned to look at the ghostly boy, "Yes, none of your concern though." The teen abruptly slammed his left arm into the wall, ensuring the appearance of a bruise later, "Learn not to question my actions." The frail boy winced, knowing he'd feel the affliction later, "I...I'm sorry, Bakura. I won't do it anymore."

Serenity continued to take glances at the Yami. He intrigued her. But still, even as she looked, she couldn't help but remember all the pain he had caused to everyone. She faintly heard Malik arguing with Joey that his story was true and then go on to describe in more detail what had happened. Serenity then noticed the Yami look right at her. He smiled...

Mai folded her arms and glared in the Yami's direction. She now knew who he was and had every intention of making him pay. Sending her to the shadow realm was his first mistake. Showing his face here again? Well, that was just stupid, ~And now that you've got a body, I can do whatever I want without having to worry about injuring Malik. You're going to get it where it hurts...~ She gritted her teeth, becoming angrier whenever she saw the Yami. Eventually, she just turned her head in disgust.

Becoming increasingly bored, the Yami started whistling quietly. Yami, annoyed by the sound, turned and glared at him, "Will you stop that?" The Yami looked right at him and kept on whistling with a smirk on his face. Shaking his head, Yami continued conversation, "So, I suppose we'll need to find this man you saw..." Malik nodded, "Yes, any ideas?" Duke shifted from foot to foot, "Has anybody thought about going back and checking out where you found the guy?" Yami nearly struck himself in the forehead, "Oh..."

Tea nodded, "Good idea, Duke." Yami turned to the Yami, "You're coming with us." He restored the Yami's limbs as he spoke, "Try anything and you won't be able to walk..." The Yami stopped whistling as he folded his arms, "Try anything? What do you take me for? A fool?" "No, I take you for a dog, now get up," Yami replied, shocking his friends. Yugi's friend's knew about the presence in the millenium puzzle, but they didn't understand how it was a person. They figured now that whatever it was was in control. And it was being ruder than usual.

With that, the Yami stood, glaring at Yami. Malik thought a moment, "I figure we'll be calling you Marik for now. After all, if we called you thing all the time, we might attract your relatives." Marik hissed at his Hikari, "You insult your own family..." Malik waved him off, "We're not related, you and I." Yami broke up the dispute, "Enough, let's go." Yami exited the room, Malik and Marik following. Duke and the rest followed suit. Malik paused by Odion, "Stay here...We'll be back soon." Odion nodded solemnly," Yes, master Malik.

Bakura's millenium ring shone dimly under his jacket, a single spike stood stiff, pointing out the location of Yami and his Hikari, ~I'll be meeting with you soon. And then I'll be taking your prisoner away from you...~ Bakura smiled, heading down a side street. He followed the lead of his ring, growing ever closer to Yugi and his friends...

With slow progression due to their having to walk, the gang took about fifteen minutes getting to the spot where Marik was found. Marik lagged behind the whole group, kicking a rock ahead of him with each step. He lost the rock after kicking it into the street and gave a light hiss. Malik was already inside the alley, headed for the doorway in the brick wall which had previously been cleared of its door. Yami, and the rest of his friends followed, Serenity staying out in the alley with Marik. Joey groaned, "Aw man...It's pitch black in there." "Don't worry Wheeler, I promise no monsters will jump out and scare you..." Malik mocked, heading inside. Joey huffed, "Yeah, yeah, very funny." Yami looked at Marik, "You stay here, understand?" Marik nodded.

As everyone filed inside, Marik noticed Serenity had stayed behind. "Aren't you going in with them?" Marik asked her. Serenity looked at him and shook her head, "I...I'm afraid of the dark." Joey appeared at the doorway, peering out, "C'mon Sis." Serenity frowned a little, "I'm scared, Joey." Joey made a face, "It's scarier out here with that thing, believe me. Now c'mon, Serenity." Marik pretended to look hurt. "He's not a thing, Joey. Why do you have to be so mean?" Serenity snapped. She walked further down the alley, leaning against a brick wall at the end of it. Joey frowned, "Great, guess that means I'm stayin' out here with you." Marik smirked inwardly. The girl was beginning to defend him. Soon, he'd have control of her; even without the millenium rod!

There was some light inside the building from the open door, not enough to see much, but enough to maneuver. Nonetheless, Duke tripped over a box, landing on his face, "Ow!" Tea, Yugi, Tristan, and Mai turned toward Duke, "Are you alright?" Duke got to his feet, giving a thumbs up in the dark, "Just fine..." Malik on the other hand was snickering to himself, "Well, now that we're here, what are we looking for?"

Yami walked over to the hook which was still hanging from the ceiling. He ran a hand over the metal and no sooner had he touched it did it turn to nothing before his eyes. It faded from existence. Yami emitted a confused grunt, "Hrm?" Malik watched while coming to realize, "This place isn't real..." Mai lifted a brow, "What do you mean not real? We're standing in it!" Yami shook his head, "Close, Malik, it was created by shadow magic. If that's true, then this whole building may not exist truthfully." Tristan gawked, "Magic huh? You mean that stuff those Egyptian guys used to play duel monsters with?" Tristan was still learning about these things. Yugi's Yami tried to explain to them all several times before, but none of them truly believed him.

"Erm...Yes, Tristan." Yami replied. Tea tested out Yami's theory, poking at boxes and other items she could see. They all faded away into nothing, "Oh my gosh, he's right!" Duke tapped his index finger together in thought, "So...That still doesn't answer the question of 'who-dun-it'" Yami nodded, "I know. I'm afraid we won't know until he shows himself again."

Marik looked out of the ally; he was tired of waiting for the little brats to be done exploring. Suddenly, he saw someone familiar across the street. Oh how perfect, it was the man who had taken him captive in the first place, he could tell by his attire and face. The man smiled and then ran off. Forgetting completely about Yami's warning, he took off, aiming to find and kill that very man who dared to drug and tie him up. Joey saw Marik make a run out of the ally, not noticing the man he was chasing. He sped to the doorway and called inside, "Hey! Yug'! That spike headed freak's makin' a run for it!" Yami made an angry grunt, "How did I know..." He headed with a start out the door, "All of you stay here, I'll go get him."

Joey disobeyed and followed Yami, "Nu-uh, I'm comin' with ya', buddy." Leaving the others behind, the two chased down Marik. Marik didn't notice them just yet, he was too focused on the seemingly shadow-like man who darted down alleys and hopped fences left and right. Marik was following him moved for move. Between two buildings the man in a suit climbed a fence. Just as Marik reached the entrance of the ally to turn, he found that one of his legs was fading and he crashed to the ground, watching the suited man clear the fence and continue on his way with a laugh. Marik hissed angrily, snapping his head back to glare at Yami and his friend Joey.

Yami and Joey slowed down, walking the rest of the way to Marik who hadn't even bothered to get up off the ground. "That was very stupid of you, Marik..." Yami said with some anger in his voice. "You IDIOT!" Marik roared up at Yami, "I almost had him! Almost! You fucked up really good this time!" Never get between Marik and his prey. Yami looked confusedly at Marik, "Who?" Joey spat, "Yea right, you were the one trying ta' run away. Coward."

"I wasn't running away!" Marik growled. "Now for that, I won't tell you anything. Thank you very much, Wheeler!" Marik's blood boiled, and his eyes showed it. He pushed himself up with both arms, balancing on one leg. Placing a hand on the wall, he made his way silently back to where he had come from, hopping each step of the way. Yami found this pitiful and restored to Marik his other leg. Not even thanking him, Marik stormed off to the ally where Serenity and the others would be gathered. He'd have to wait even LONGER to kill his captor, and this extra waiting was trying his patience immensely, ~I'll kill you all. No mercy. While you sleep, Yami, WHILE YOU SLEEP! ~