Chapter 16: A New Alliance

Misha paced around a rather dank room, "Okay Misha…Let's try to remember what happened, they threw a rope ladder down, you went up. After that they dragged your sorry carcase into this room and locked the door from the outside." He then gave a bitter sounding laugh and thought, "Well Misha this is another fine mess you've gotten yourself into."

Misha then put his ear up to the door and listened for any sounds, he could hear none…suddenly he heard the unlocking of the door, but had hardly anytime to react before getting knocked away. A man walked in with a plate of food and said, "Here you are." Misha dove head first into the plate, he didn't care what he was eating, because after having nothing but blonogna sandwiches for three days straight…anything will start looking good (at one point Misha almost committed suicide with the flare gun).

"Well you have a healthy appatite." The man commented, "You don't know how hungry I really am." Misha thought to himself while trying to hold back his laughter. "Master Marik will want to see you after your done, just knock and I will escort you." Misha gave a sigh and said, "What ever."

About ten minutes after he was finished Misha gave a knock on the door, it opened and Misha said, "Okay, let's get this over with."

The corridors were about as dark as his room had been, "I cannot see how anyone could see anything in all this darkness?" Misha thought to himself. "Best be on your guard Misha…I sense that a Millennium Item is on this ship." Said the Spirit of the Bracelet, "Can you tell which one?" Misha asked under his breath. "It's one of the Pharaohs' make, but I won't know which one until I see it."

Suddenly the corridor gave away to a good sized room, Misha's eyes adjusted to the tourch light which bathed the room. He looked around and saw a throne of some metal in front of him, sitting on the throne was a man in a black robe holding a gold scepter across his lap. "You must be Marik, well I have to thank you for saving me back out there…I like the place, but may I suggest better lighting because I couldn't see a damn thing in that room your men stuffed me in." The man didn't say anything, Misha looked at his escort, he was bowing to the guy. "Nuh-uh, no way no how, Misha does not bow to anyone, and he means anyone."

"Is that so? Well then we'll see how strong your will is when I use my Millennium Rod to make you bow to me." Marik finally spoke, he held the rod out pointing the head of it at Misha.

Instantly Misha felt as if someone had stuck a rather powerful magnet under the floor and had placed metal sheets in his pants because he watched his legs bend he was down on one knee when the Spirit of the Bracelet said, "Misha, you have to resist his will…use the power of the Bracelet to counter his magic, I know you can do it." Misha rolled up his left sleeve, revealing the Bracelet…his thoughts traveling at such a speed he thought he was about to go mad, he then remembered the invisible wall he'd been able to conjure with it. He turned the Bracelet to face Marik and immediately flattened out his hand, he suddenly felt the force lift a bit, but it was still pulling on him. "As I said, 'I don't bow to ANYONE'!" Misha then felt something extend itself out from inside the bracelet and put itself between him and Marik.

Marik let out a slight whimper and brought the Millennium Rod back down, Misha stood there rather haggard looking. Marik stood up from his throne and walked towards Misha, "What gives a person like you such resistance to my Shadow Magic? Who am I speaking to exactly?" Marik asked. Misha replied, "My name is Misha Léhneraë, eldest son of David and Susan."

Marik nodded and looked at Misha's left wrist, "And bearer of the Millennium Bracelet, not bad…may I ask how it came to be in your possession?"

"My aunt gave it to me as a gift." Misha replied. Marik nodded and walked away from him, only to look back upon him, "And do you know the history of that bracelet…where it came from and more likely whose was it before you came to wear it?" he asked, Misha shrugged.

"Spirit buddy…do you know where this guy is going with this, because I don't." Misha thought to himself, "He is obviously speaking of a historical nature…but like you I do not know where he is going with this, it would suit us both if we just listened."

Marik continued, "Your Bracelet is an item of great and horrific power, one of the four items of the Machine Empire…I'm pretty sure somewhere in the back of your mind that name seems familiar."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Misha replied, "You don't Misha…but I do, that name sounds a little familiar…but I can't remember why. Keep listening Misha, perhaps when he finishes his lecture I'll understand a bit more." The Spirit of the Bracelet said, "Okay…but I'm not sure how long I can keep standing." Misha said under his breath.

"You're communicating with the Spirit that resides in the Bracelet, you should be flattered to meet such an ancient ruler such as Hagane." Marik said, a bit of a smile was on his lips. Misha looked at the Bracelet for a moment and said, "Hagane…That's a strange name, but one that would perhaps fit an ancient ruler."

Suddenly a flash of crimson light came from the Bracelet, Misha looked at Marik, "How do you know all this?" Suddenly a semi-translucent form of Misha appeared beside him, "You could warn me you're going to do that next time, you know!" he argued. "Sorry Misha, but I do remember hearing the name Hagane…but I also remember other names, such as Cesar and Mussolini…but my surroundings were different those times."

"You are reffering of course to the Romans and Italians…yes, after the great war between you and the Pharaoh Yami. The survivors of that battle gave two of the Counts' Millennium Items to the Egyptian Viziers, one item had been thought to have been destroyed in the great war…but the Millennium Bracelet and it's bearer Count Hagane had caused so much suffering that they tossed it into the Mediterranean. Hoping it would sink to the bottom and out of the memories of its people."

Hagane looked down at the floor, "But then why is it here today, you said it sank to the bottom of the Mediterranean."

Marik continued, "It should've…but it did not, it floated on the surface of the water…without it's rightful bearer it could now seek to corrupt the minds of whoever possessed it. It kept floating until it reached the shores of the Roman Empire, it was no coincidence that it found it's way to Julius Cesar. But of this Mussolini you speak of I know not of him."

"He might not…but I do, you must mean Benito Mussolini…the dictator of Italy during World War II, he must've found it." Misha finished, now realizing that some great rulers both good and evil, must've worn this Bracelet. "Yes, but what happened to them is still surprising to me." Hagane commented, Marik nodded and finished with, "That is because the Bracelet beckons its power to only one master, and it was waiting…waiting for the day its master would be born again to this world, for millennia it waited…until it found you, the one person who was to wield it's power."

"Wait, how does he know that I'm its true master…there's got to be a test of some kind, some way to know for sure?" Misha asked Hagane. "You're right I'll ask him," Hagane then asked, "Marik, Misha wishes to know if there is some sort of test that could prove your story?"

Marik replied, "On the back of the Bracelet should be an inscription…it is of the language of the Machine Empire, in English it reads: 'It is not for thee,'."

" 'It is for me to wield alone'…how did I know that?" Misha asked himself.

Marik then said, "Now that you know that…perhaps it's time I made you an offer, I helped you off that boat of yours…so you do something for me in return." Hagane nodded and said, "I'm listening."

"I'm on a quest right now, but I could use all the help I could get…it involves obtaining a power greater than any Duel Monsters card you've ever had. There's a tournament to be held soon, and if you help me…I could grant you a great power, not as great as mine but close." Marik said, Hagane said, "Okay…but Misha says and I quote: 'with great power, comes great responsibility.' End quote."

Marik said, "I know, I'm just saying that if both you and your host help me I could make you a deity to the world, all would know the name Hagane again and scream in the wake of his wrath."

"I don't know, I'll need to think about it…" Hagane responded, "As will I, but if he needs help…then maybe I can provide him some more hands." Hagane nodded and said, "Misha will need some time to think about it as well, but if you need help…he says he's got connections, he could call them when we get there."

"Understood, well…it's been a pleasure talking to you both, Odion will escort you to a much more comfortable location on the ship."

Misha turned around and saw a guy standing behind him, "Come with me." He said. Misha said, "You must be Odion, lead the way…tally ho."