1/17/04
Chapter 4: Helplessness
Rats scurried across the dark and dank hallway dimly lit by smoldering torches that threw flickering shadows across the hard and cold stone walls. Doors of iron were scattered on the walls of the hall. Each of them sporting a small square opening filled in with closely set bars.
Behind one of the doors; in a small and unfurnished cell, was a figure, head bowed against his chest in restless sleep. Hands chained above him to the wall so that his knees rested just barely on the ground, straining his arms. There he knelt until the echoing sound of a shout and the sharp clang of another door shutting far down the hall awoke him. One crimson eye opened and then the other surveying his surroundings.
Yami raised his head and groaned at the stiffness of his body. * Where am I? * he thought wincing when he shifted to find a better position. The skin on his wrists was chafed, leaving them raw. Bruises on his torso also didn't help him in comfort as they stung and throbbed whenever any pressure was put on them; results from the tranquilizing darts that had been shot into him and roughly pulled out whenever he had awaken from his unconsciousness during the travel.
He licked his dry and cracked lips and slowly craned his head around looking for the tomb robber. But Bakura was no where to be seen, nor was there any sign that he was even sharing the same cell with him.
In confusion, Yami called out the thief's name, but all that answered him was his own mocking calls, echoing back to him.
* *
Bakura glared up scathingly at the individual in front of him. It had only been a few moments since he had reawaken from the drug of the dart the Uruks had shot into him when they found that he was not as sedated as they thought he was. Some sort of black burning liquor was forced down his throat to counter the effect of the drug. Making him sputter and choke horribly as he came back to life, sprawled on the hard black stone floor.
Equally as dark eyes looked back at him amusingly. "What do you want old man?" demanded Bakura, not bothering to wipe away the dark liquid that dripped off his chin. There was a swish of robes as the man stood up. They dazzled Bakura's eyes as they changed colors at every slight movement. A black staff with a white orb on the top flanked by four points; a staff much like what Gandalf carried around except much more ornate. *Another wizard to deal with, the luck I'm gifted with these days. * thought Bakura with a sneer.
"I want apologize for the rough treatment that was given to you on your way here. The Uruks shall be punished accordingly." smiled the wizard, for a moment his voice had Bakura riveted to the spot listening to ever word, but quickly Bakura shook away the feeling.
"And I suppose you also want to compensate for the hurts I have suffered?" asked Bakura sarcastically, "You overestimate yourself if you think that pampering and soothing me will win me over. What's the catch?"
"You are the perceptive one young man." chuckled the wizard, "Yes; I do have a motive behind this all. I, Saruman of the Many Colors have a proposition for you: Be the force behind my armies. Fight for me and I shall reward you greatly. You can rule beside me in this world, have any treasure that you can dream of and any of the 'Free' peoples of Middle Earth serving your every whim."
Bakura's eyes narrowed at Saruman and a laugh burst from the tomb robber. He stood up and faced the wizard, crossing his arms across his chest. "Do you think I would want to rule this pathetic world . . . with you, or anyone else? I have my eyes set on higher prizes. And do you think you have the power to force me to do your bidding? I could send you to the Shadow Realm at the twitch of my fingers."
The calm mask of Saruman ripped for a moment and Bakura could see a glimpse of fury and impatience, but the mask was quickly put back on. The wizard gave another amused chuckle, "That's what you think young man, but you are helpless now. Do you notice what is gone from you that provide you with this great . . . power of yours?"
Saruman's smile turned into a smirk as Bakura paled visibly at the sight of the wizard holding the Millennium Ring by its ties. The pale sunlight that filtered through the small and scant windows bounced off the Item's golden surface making it gleam as it turned slowly. "I have watched your little fellowship closely when I had the time. Storing all of your power in an inanimate object isn't the best thing to do. But . . . you're in luck for only your can tap its powers. I have tried to make some of my men break open the secrets of this thing, but they had all failed; dying a slow and painful death, writhing and screaming as soon as they tried to bend it to their wills. So, you are at my mercy, not the other way around."
Bakura made no sound as he stared at the wizard.
"I guess there is no use to sedating you anymore." smiled Saruman, he turned to the Orcs standing at the doors, "Take him back to his cell, make sure he can't escape. And . . ." Saruman gave Bakura a dark smirk, "I give you permission to try to break him. But just a little bit. I don't want his spirit to break . . . yet." The orcs guffawed loudly and dragged Bakura away.
Saruman turned and laid the Millennium Ring next to the pedestal where he kept his palantir. He let a smile creep on his face as he saw the other captive slumped against the wall, working the chains trying to escape still. He wouldn't be any use. His Item was missing. Gone . . . that was one thing that his Uruk-hai would be punished for, now he only had one weapon to use, not two that he had hoped for. But then again, the other could be of some use.
The scene changed to the cell of the young man that had just been brought before him. A whip cracked threateningly. He was actually offering a small fight. Well, no matter to that. His orcs could handle this momentary resistance, then the fun would really begin for them.
* *
Far away in the dark shadows of Mordor, a great eye narrowed in anger. So his puppet had his own plans didn't he? The fool Maia had left his palantir uncovered, practically welcoming the Dark Lord to peer into his life. Sauron saw the two prisoners and was burning in fury. Those were supposed to be his weapons, Saruman would just spoil them! Ruining their uses! He would not let his hard work get ruined by that fool!
In anger, Sauron called out to one of his servants. A Nazgul would set Saruman to his rights and also serve to bring those two to Barad-dur, where they were supposed to be in the first place. Their other friends would be brought sooner or later, another one of his servants was out right now trailing the other two, so it would only be a matter of time.
* *
Senui struggled down one of the sharp boulders that blocked the path. He could hear Ankhkare scrambling up behind him. "Do you know where we are?" asked Ankhkare pulling himself up and sliding down, ripping another part of his robes.
"Of course I don't know where we are you fool! I feel like we're going in circles!" snapped back Senui, his patience was thinning and his worry growing. They had been wandering around this impassible wall of rocks for days already. Both the healer and judge's hands were chafed and scraped by the sharp edges of the rocks and their thin shoes were worn and ready to break open and put their blistered feet to even more torture.
Ankhkare had offered to heal him but Senui declined roughly telling him to save his energy for climbing and traveling. "What is the matter, you seem worried. We'll find our way out soon enough, you don't have to worry about that." assured Ankhkare. Senui turned on the healer and look of irritation on his face.
"If I was worried about finding my way out of this I would have made you find the path instead of me! Do you think after getting out of this place I will be happy?! Our time is limited!" shouted Senui hitching up his robes and picking his way through the rocks again.
"What are you talking about?" asked Ankhkare hurrying after him.
"Have you ever read any of the tablets that were displayed all over our home in Egypt about the Items and their spirits?" inquire Senui. Ankhkare shook his head, and Senui sucked in a sharp breath of anger. "We have a limited time to find our vessel. If we don't reunite with him again within that time . . ." Senui trailed off.
"Then what?" asked Ankhkare.
"We'll be stuck in the Shadow Realm forever! Why else do you think the Tomb Robber always works so hard to get back to his vessel every single time they're separated? He must have gotten a hold of his information somewhere as well." snarled Senui, "How he does it I have no idea, but we need to find that lice-headed idiot of a Guardian or else we're done for!"
There was a silence for a while but for the sound of scraping rocks, and breathing as they moved on, "We'll find him. He can't be too far away." whispered Ankhkare.
Senui bristled, "Can't be too far away! Then why haven't we found him yet?! When we last sensed him back at that forest battle, didn't you feel his fatigue?! You should have! Didn't you sense that he used the rest of his energy on some sort of transportation spell?! He could be hundreds of miles away from here! How will we find him then, tell me the answer to that?!"
Ankhkare looked away from Senui, a frightened look on his face. "Hurry up, let's at least make the most out of the time we have." spat Senui.
Their travels were halted at the sound of an eerie shriek that pieced through the air. Ankhkare and Senui looked up into the skies and saw a large dark shape hurtling towards them. A great beast pulled up and sped towards them, on its back was a Black-robed Rider.
"What in Anubis's name?" whispered Senui.
Suddenly the two of them were whisked into the air, clutched tightly in the claws of the flying creature.
* * * To be continue * * *
Replies to Reviews:
SilverKnight7: That's okay. Reviews like that brighten my day ^-^ Sorry for not updating soon though . . . ehehehe.
Ryou Bakura Obsessor: You do?! WOOT! *happy*
Nightlight5: I saw ROTK too! It was so coolio!
JK: Jedi, wonder when the next movie is coming out! Qui Gon Jin is the best! You did? Awesome! Pippin was so adorable in that Gondor outfit. Needed to show him more. Go hobbits!
Shiroi Bara: Glad you like it. What does your Pen name mean? Is it Japanese cause then it would be white 'Bara' right? What does Bara mean?
Master Leonheart: Well here's more more more more more! I'll try to hurry up next time.
Mavelus: Updateyness love that word! I thought the ending was pretty good. He stuck with the book, that's how it ended.
IT'S A NEW YEAR! And OMG! It's two days till Dropped into Middle Earth's 1st birthday! One year of Yu-Gi-Oh and Lord of the Rings goodness! I never thought I'd ever get so far in a fic. Well, you'll know how I first felt about this trilogy when I post up the anniversary author's note to DiME. So happy.
I SAW ROTK! Of course, since I'm the president of my school's Tolkien club it's a must. The whole club went and there was a subbie invasion at the theater. Quite funny I should say. We were the first in the very long line and got the best seats! Woot! I'm so happy.
Well, sorry for the ending of the chapter, kinda iffy heh.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
I will be putting this on hold for a little bit. My beta and other friends have been bugging me to write out this plot bunny that has been bothering me for quite a while. But don't worry, it probably won't affect this fic at all so the next chapter should be up by next week if school goes fine. But just in case . . .
END ANNOUNCEMENT
Well ja for now! We'll see Yugi and co, as well as Shadi in the next chapter. -Fire Pendant