Me: Hi!!!
Marik: Tell me again why all of this happens to me?
Me: 'Cause I'm the author and I said so!
Marik: (Pulls out water gun) Bring it on.
Me: (Pulls out Water Balloon Bazooka) It's already been ba-rung!
Marik: Eep...
Black Heart's Stone
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
17 year old Marik stood on deck of his father's ship. He was incredibly handsome, with shoulder-length platinum blonde hair and tan skin. His lavender eyes seemed to sparkle. He fingered the necklace dangling on his exposed chest: a golden ring with a black stone dangling in the middle. It was beautiful; his father had given it to him when he had turned 16, a full year ago. His father, Iddan, was the captain of this ship, a merchant's galley. Marik had lived at sea most of his life, and he loved it. The sailors were wonderful, and he loved the feel of the wind and salt spray. His father came up and placed a hand on Marik's shoulder.
"Well, son, what are you thinking about?"
"I love this life, Dad. That's all." The two stood on the deck for a long time, watching the sea. The sailors milled around them, doing thier work. This was the life for Marik.
Marik woke from a nice noon nap. He heard voices up on deck, and then a clash of steel on steel. He knew that the ship must have been boarded by pirates. It had happened once before, when Marik was only 7 years old. His father had hidden him below deck, and when the fighting was over, had not allowed him to come up until the slain were taken care of. It had been horrible; and now, it was happening again. This time, however, Marik could fight, and his father knew it. He ran up on deck, pulling out his sword, and began to fight. He saw pirates everywhere, clashing with sailors. He tried not to look at the few bodies littering the deck. He knocked his opponent back and started on another. The sailors were winning. The lavender haired man fighting Iddan glanced at a man behind him.
"I thought you'd been watching this ship for days!" he hissed, so that only the pirate could hear him.
"I have!"
"Then find someone important to this captain and capture them! We'll lose if you don't!" The man gestured wildly at a pirate behind Marik, and in seconds it was over. The large pirate hit Marik from behind with the hilt of his sword. Half-concious, Marik felt himself hauled up by the arms, and felt steel press his throat. The leader yelled out.
"All right, you slugs! Drop your weapons or the boy dies!" Iddan saw Marik in the clutches of a pirate with a dagger against his throat. The captain, frightened of what they would do to his son, dropped his sword with a clatter. The rest of the sailors did likewise. Marik had regained full conciousness, and began to struggle. His arms were pinned behind him to the man holding him. His struggles were fruitless. The leader of the pirates smiled at Iddan.
"Now I think you'll be willing to talk with me. My name is Bakura. I'm the first mate of the Bladerose. You sailors go below deck and stay there. Leave your weapons. As for my men, keep the boy, you know what to do with him. Iddan, you go with me into this nice cabin. We have things to discuss." He led the captain into the cabin. Bakura sat down in the captain's chair. Iddan remained standing. He could hear voices.
"Hold him, dangit!"
"Feisty little kid, ain't 'e?"
"Owch! He bit me!" Iddan smiled grimly. His son was putting up a good fight. Bakura rolled his cold, brown eyes.
"Quit grinning like an idiot, Iddan. Your son has no chance of getting away. My pirates want a little fun with him. They love young people. Now, to business. You're known by pirates for knowing where a certain object is. It's a little stone with a lot of power. I'm sure you've heard of the Black Heart's Stone?" he asked shortly. Iddan nodded. He had indeed. Only he knew where it was, since his father had been the one to hide it in the first place.
"Good. Now, where is it?"
"I will not tell you."
"Come now, Iddan, you're not in much of a position for refusal."
"I said I won't tell you, and I meant it." Bakura's eyes narrowed.
"Fine. I'm sure we can change your mind." He got up and opened the cabin door for Iddan. They walked out on deck. Iddan tried not to let his rage show. A group of pirates stood in a circle, shoving Marik around in the middle, laughing as they caught him and shoved him to each other. Iddan could see that his son's hands were bound, and he was blindfolded. He stumbled, making the pirates laugh even harder. Bakura smiled at the expression on Iddan's face.
"I told you they loved young people. Now. Burk, bring the boy over here." Marik was shoved to the pirate who had captured him in the first place. Burk grabbed the boy's arms, and hauled him over to Bakura and Iddan. Burk held Marik in front of the pirate. Bakura looked at Iddan.
"Iddan, your son's life is in my hands. Now tell me where to find the damn stone." Marik struggled against Burk. He looked in the direction he thought his father must be.
"Father, don't. I don't care..." Burk shook the boy hard, and he lapsed into silence. Iddan closed his eyes briefly, but it was too long for Bakura.
"Make the boy walk the plank," he ordered. Iddan's eyes snapped open, and he watched helplessly as two pirates dragged a now wildly struggling Marik to the plank. They pushed him on, and prodded his back with a long spear, forcing him to walk. Still blindfolded, Marik had to feel his way along the plank, the spear at his back the whole time. At the end, Bakura signaled to a pirate.
"Stop, boy," the pirate ordered. Marik stopped, a hairs-breadth from the edge. He held his head high, and Iddan was full of pride for his son. Bakura turned to Iddan and grabbed his shirt collar.
"This is your last chance, Iddan. Tell us where the stone is, or your boy dies." Iddan took a look at the still form standing at the edge of the plank.
"All right." The words sounded strange coming from Iddan's mouth. Bakura signaled to the pirates again, and one called out to Marik.
"Turn 'round and hold out yer hands, boy." This Marik did, and a large boathook caught the rope binding the boy's wrists together. The pirates guided him back to the deck. Bakura shoved Iddan into a sitting position.
"All right. Tell," he said shortly. Iddan shook his head.
"I can't. It's too complicated, but I'll take you there. Have your ship follow mine. We'll go get the stone for you." At that moment, Marik was dragged up to Bakura and Iddan. Bakura removed the blindfold.
"What do you think, boy? Can I trust your father?" Marik looked into the pirate's eyes.
"With your life." Bakura smirked.
"I highly doubt that. However, your son's pretty confident, so I guess we'll take your offer, Iddan. Get ready," he ordered. The pirates went to the board that linked their ship with Iddan's. To both Marik and Iddan's horror, they took the boy with them. Iddan snapped around to look at Bakura.
"Let my son go!" he yelled. Bakura laughed.
"Let him go? He's my insurance that there will be no tricks, Iddan. He stays on our ship with us." Burk held Marik around the waist, and heaved him bodily up the board. Marik held out his bound hands to his father pleadingly.
"Father! Help me!" he yelled.
"Marik!" Iddan called, trying to fight his way toward his son, but pirates blocked his way. It hurt Iddan to see his son so frightened. Burk heaved Marik aboard the pirate ship, and he lost sight of Iddan. He pushed against Burk's arm, trying to get free. He watched, horrified, as the board that was the link to his father's ship was taken back on board the pirate ship. Burk grabbed one of his arms and dragged Marik toward a cabin. As the door opened, he was shoved inside. A tall man stood up from behind the desk. He had dark lavender eyes, and very spiky hair the same color as Marik's. He looked very much like Marik himself. He smiled at the boy. Bakura entered behind Marik, and dismissed Burk. The first mate gave a short bow.
"Captain, Iddan has agreed to take us to the Black Heart's Stone. We will follow behind his ship," he reported. The Captain smiled. It gave Marik the shivers.
"Good, Bakura. Now, who is our guest here?" he asked, indicating Marik.
"He's Iddan's son, name's Marik. He's our insurance that Iddan won't trick us." The Captain walked around Marik, inspecting him.
"Hello, Marik. Strange, how our names are so closely related, and we look so alike. My name is Malik, and I am the Captain of this ship. We'll make you very comfortable. Bakura, how could you bind a guest? Untie the poor boy," he said. Bakura did as he was told. As Marik turned back to Malik, the first mate knocked very softly on the door. Two pirates entered. Marik stood staring Malik eye to eye.
"Well, Marik, you are now our guest, and so you must be roomed well. My boys will take you below," the captain said. Marik was bewildered at the politeness of the Captain.
"What?" he replied. Malik smiled again.
"I'm sure you'll be comfortable. Unfortunately, you won't see much daylight for a while. Boys, take our guest below deck. Bakura and I must plan our next action." Marik pulled his arm out of one of the pirate's hands.
"What about my father?" he asked. Malik looked at him.
"What about him?"
"Will he know about me?" Malik chuckled softly.
"Of course not. Whether I call you a guest or a prisoner, it's the same thing. You are under my rules now, dear boy. Your father will take us where we need to go, or you pay the price. He knows this well. Now, boys." The two pirates grabbed Marik's arms in grips of steel. He couldn't jerk away this time. They dragged him out the door.
Marik was led down a flight of stairs, and pulled toward a door. One of the pirates opened the door, and they shoved Marik roughly into the room. He stumbled and fell to the ground hard. The pirates laughed, and slammed the door behind him. Marik got up and went to the door, which had a tiny window with bars set in it. He looked around the room, and saw nothing but wooden walls. The wind came through small gaps in the woodwork. He sat down in the corner on the floor of his prison, and wrapped his arms around his knees as the night chill wafted in. He shivered with cold and fear. What was going to happen to him? He couldn't escape. He felt something on his chest press against his legs. He sat up and pulled out his necklace. He sat staring at the beautiful gold ring and black stone for a long time. He felt his fear lessen slightly. His father would save him soon.
Me: So whadja think? Please review so I can know if I should bother to update! Soaking wet Marik: I'm gonna kill you... Me: (Pulls Water Balloon Bazooka back out) Say that again! Marik: Ummm...I said I can't wait for the next chapter! (Big smile) Me: Uh-huh.
Black Heart's Stone
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
17 year old Marik stood on deck of his father's ship. He was incredibly handsome, with shoulder-length platinum blonde hair and tan skin. His lavender eyes seemed to sparkle. He fingered the necklace dangling on his exposed chest: a golden ring with a black stone dangling in the middle. It was beautiful; his father had given it to him when he had turned 16, a full year ago. His father, Iddan, was the captain of this ship, a merchant's galley. Marik had lived at sea most of his life, and he loved it. The sailors were wonderful, and he loved the feel of the wind and salt spray. His father came up and placed a hand on Marik's shoulder.
"Well, son, what are you thinking about?"
"I love this life, Dad. That's all." The two stood on the deck for a long time, watching the sea. The sailors milled around them, doing thier work. This was the life for Marik.
Marik woke from a nice noon nap. He heard voices up on deck, and then a clash of steel on steel. He knew that the ship must have been boarded by pirates. It had happened once before, when Marik was only 7 years old. His father had hidden him below deck, and when the fighting was over, had not allowed him to come up until the slain were taken care of. It had been horrible; and now, it was happening again. This time, however, Marik could fight, and his father knew it. He ran up on deck, pulling out his sword, and began to fight. He saw pirates everywhere, clashing with sailors. He tried not to look at the few bodies littering the deck. He knocked his opponent back and started on another. The sailors were winning. The lavender haired man fighting Iddan glanced at a man behind him.
"I thought you'd been watching this ship for days!" he hissed, so that only the pirate could hear him.
"I have!"
"Then find someone important to this captain and capture them! We'll lose if you don't!" The man gestured wildly at a pirate behind Marik, and in seconds it was over. The large pirate hit Marik from behind with the hilt of his sword. Half-concious, Marik felt himself hauled up by the arms, and felt steel press his throat. The leader yelled out.
"All right, you slugs! Drop your weapons or the boy dies!" Iddan saw Marik in the clutches of a pirate with a dagger against his throat. The captain, frightened of what they would do to his son, dropped his sword with a clatter. The rest of the sailors did likewise. Marik had regained full conciousness, and began to struggle. His arms were pinned behind him to the man holding him. His struggles were fruitless. The leader of the pirates smiled at Iddan.
"Now I think you'll be willing to talk with me. My name is Bakura. I'm the first mate of the Bladerose. You sailors go below deck and stay there. Leave your weapons. As for my men, keep the boy, you know what to do with him. Iddan, you go with me into this nice cabin. We have things to discuss." He led the captain into the cabin. Bakura sat down in the captain's chair. Iddan remained standing. He could hear voices.
"Hold him, dangit!"
"Feisty little kid, ain't 'e?"
"Owch! He bit me!" Iddan smiled grimly. His son was putting up a good fight. Bakura rolled his cold, brown eyes.
"Quit grinning like an idiot, Iddan. Your son has no chance of getting away. My pirates want a little fun with him. They love young people. Now, to business. You're known by pirates for knowing where a certain object is. It's a little stone with a lot of power. I'm sure you've heard of the Black Heart's Stone?" he asked shortly. Iddan nodded. He had indeed. Only he knew where it was, since his father had been the one to hide it in the first place.
"Good. Now, where is it?"
"I will not tell you."
"Come now, Iddan, you're not in much of a position for refusal."
"I said I won't tell you, and I meant it." Bakura's eyes narrowed.
"Fine. I'm sure we can change your mind." He got up and opened the cabin door for Iddan. They walked out on deck. Iddan tried not to let his rage show. A group of pirates stood in a circle, shoving Marik around in the middle, laughing as they caught him and shoved him to each other. Iddan could see that his son's hands were bound, and he was blindfolded. He stumbled, making the pirates laugh even harder. Bakura smiled at the expression on Iddan's face.
"I told you they loved young people. Now. Burk, bring the boy over here." Marik was shoved to the pirate who had captured him in the first place. Burk grabbed the boy's arms, and hauled him over to Bakura and Iddan. Burk held Marik in front of the pirate. Bakura looked at Iddan.
"Iddan, your son's life is in my hands. Now tell me where to find the damn stone." Marik struggled against Burk. He looked in the direction he thought his father must be.
"Father, don't. I don't care..." Burk shook the boy hard, and he lapsed into silence. Iddan closed his eyes briefly, but it was too long for Bakura.
"Make the boy walk the plank," he ordered. Iddan's eyes snapped open, and he watched helplessly as two pirates dragged a now wildly struggling Marik to the plank. They pushed him on, and prodded his back with a long spear, forcing him to walk. Still blindfolded, Marik had to feel his way along the plank, the spear at his back the whole time. At the end, Bakura signaled to a pirate.
"Stop, boy," the pirate ordered. Marik stopped, a hairs-breadth from the edge. He held his head high, and Iddan was full of pride for his son. Bakura turned to Iddan and grabbed his shirt collar.
"This is your last chance, Iddan. Tell us where the stone is, or your boy dies." Iddan took a look at the still form standing at the edge of the plank.
"All right." The words sounded strange coming from Iddan's mouth. Bakura signaled to the pirates again, and one called out to Marik.
"Turn 'round and hold out yer hands, boy." This Marik did, and a large boathook caught the rope binding the boy's wrists together. The pirates guided him back to the deck. Bakura shoved Iddan into a sitting position.
"All right. Tell," he said shortly. Iddan shook his head.
"I can't. It's too complicated, but I'll take you there. Have your ship follow mine. We'll go get the stone for you." At that moment, Marik was dragged up to Bakura and Iddan. Bakura removed the blindfold.
"What do you think, boy? Can I trust your father?" Marik looked into the pirate's eyes.
"With your life." Bakura smirked.
"I highly doubt that. However, your son's pretty confident, so I guess we'll take your offer, Iddan. Get ready," he ordered. The pirates went to the board that linked their ship with Iddan's. To both Marik and Iddan's horror, they took the boy with them. Iddan snapped around to look at Bakura.
"Let my son go!" he yelled. Bakura laughed.
"Let him go? He's my insurance that there will be no tricks, Iddan. He stays on our ship with us." Burk held Marik around the waist, and heaved him bodily up the board. Marik held out his bound hands to his father pleadingly.
"Father! Help me!" he yelled.
"Marik!" Iddan called, trying to fight his way toward his son, but pirates blocked his way. It hurt Iddan to see his son so frightened. Burk heaved Marik aboard the pirate ship, and he lost sight of Iddan. He pushed against Burk's arm, trying to get free. He watched, horrified, as the board that was the link to his father's ship was taken back on board the pirate ship. Burk grabbed one of his arms and dragged Marik toward a cabin. As the door opened, he was shoved inside. A tall man stood up from behind the desk. He had dark lavender eyes, and very spiky hair the same color as Marik's. He looked very much like Marik himself. He smiled at the boy. Bakura entered behind Marik, and dismissed Burk. The first mate gave a short bow.
"Captain, Iddan has agreed to take us to the Black Heart's Stone. We will follow behind his ship," he reported. The Captain smiled. It gave Marik the shivers.
"Good, Bakura. Now, who is our guest here?" he asked, indicating Marik.
"He's Iddan's son, name's Marik. He's our insurance that Iddan won't trick us." The Captain walked around Marik, inspecting him.
"Hello, Marik. Strange, how our names are so closely related, and we look so alike. My name is Malik, and I am the Captain of this ship. We'll make you very comfortable. Bakura, how could you bind a guest? Untie the poor boy," he said. Bakura did as he was told. As Marik turned back to Malik, the first mate knocked very softly on the door. Two pirates entered. Marik stood staring Malik eye to eye.
"Well, Marik, you are now our guest, and so you must be roomed well. My boys will take you below," the captain said. Marik was bewildered at the politeness of the Captain.
"What?" he replied. Malik smiled again.
"I'm sure you'll be comfortable. Unfortunately, you won't see much daylight for a while. Boys, take our guest below deck. Bakura and I must plan our next action." Marik pulled his arm out of one of the pirate's hands.
"What about my father?" he asked. Malik looked at him.
"What about him?"
"Will he know about me?" Malik chuckled softly.
"Of course not. Whether I call you a guest or a prisoner, it's the same thing. You are under my rules now, dear boy. Your father will take us where we need to go, or you pay the price. He knows this well. Now, boys." The two pirates grabbed Marik's arms in grips of steel. He couldn't jerk away this time. They dragged him out the door.
Marik was led down a flight of stairs, and pulled toward a door. One of the pirates opened the door, and they shoved Marik roughly into the room. He stumbled and fell to the ground hard. The pirates laughed, and slammed the door behind him. Marik got up and went to the door, which had a tiny window with bars set in it. He looked around the room, and saw nothing but wooden walls. The wind came through small gaps in the woodwork. He sat down in the corner on the floor of his prison, and wrapped his arms around his knees as the night chill wafted in. He shivered with cold and fear. What was going to happen to him? He couldn't escape. He felt something on his chest press against his legs. He sat up and pulled out his necklace. He sat staring at the beautiful gold ring and black stone for a long time. He felt his fear lessen slightly. His father would save him soon.
Me: So whadja think? Please review so I can know if I should bother to update! Soaking wet Marik: I'm gonna kill you... Me: (Pulls Water Balloon Bazooka back out) Say that again! Marik: Ummm...I said I can't wait for the next chapter! (Big smile) Me: Uh-huh.