Ok, first the disclaimer: I don't own even the smallest bit of Yu-Gi-Oh. Don't plan to … The characters are just too fun to play with (grins)

Warning! If you don't like OC's and OOC-ness and Mary-Sue's THEN DON'T READ THIS FIC. It was intended merely for the fun on the message board it was created on, with permission from everyone who participated in the RPG this story came out on…

A/N: This has nothing to do really with the actual story at all. I have a message forum for Yu-Gi-Oh and other anime and this little story was cooked up between my friend Blue and me. This is in the fantasy genre because it includes characters with magical powers. We have our characters as well as characters from the show. You will see Bakura acting slightly… ok a LOT ooc in this one. No flames if you choose to leave any remarks. This is strictly for the comic/romance tale to tell…

Well then… We are going from comedy, to action… On with the fic…

Chapter 8

RIJ Verses Zahara

Jackie looked around at the group around her. "Is anyone else as confused as I am? What do you mean, 'it's time?'" RIJ gave her a wicked smile.

"You mean Bakura here hasn't told you?" Atem spun around to shoot a dark look at Bakura. His greatest concern seemingly becoming all to real.

Aurora watched as Malik began to take a step forward. She immediately stepped into his path, a dark look in her eyes as her staff appeared in her hands again and she raised it to prepare for the attack.

"I don't think so- not you. Take another step and it will be the last step you ever take…" He smirked at her in return, a growl rumbling in his throat. Zahara kept her face buried in Bakura's chest, knowing he was still in the middle of a stare down with RIJ. She took a chance to test her new mental link with him, knowing he was no stranger to them. He and Ryou had always had a telepathic link from the time they shared Ryou's body.

'Kura- What does he mean? What have you not told me? She waited to see if he would answer. When he did not she pleaded to him again. I deserve to know, Bakura. Especially if… if… HE is involved. I NEED to know. Malik eyed Aurora cautiously as he peered around her to watch his friend holding the unknown woman.

"Hey, Bakura! Mind telling us what you are doing here with the Pharaoh and his friends?" RIJ's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Oh don't tell me," he grinned. "You were getting it on with her,"he started, waving a hand in her direction. "And the righteous Pharaoh caught you, right?" Malik's twisted smirk grew larger.

"Bakura you dirty dog!"

"At least that had better have been the case, Bakura…" RIJ warned him. Bakura felt her nails dig in to his chest his eyes grew wide.

"What? NO! That was not the case. And you guys can forget it. The deal is off! You hear me? I won't go through with it!" Zahara, please don't worry, he added to her through their link.

"Sorry, Bakura," RIJ told him as he moved closer. "But it's already too late." Malik took another step closer, meeting up with the dagger end of Aurora's staff as she prepared for the battle that was sure to come.

"Don't make us have to force you, old friend," he said, his voice twisted in a teasing yet psychotic fashion. Zahara's thoughts were on overdrive.

Don't worry? You haven't told me something obviously very important that you are supposed to be involved with, and you want me not to worry? In an effort not to let her scream of frustration be heard out loud, she felt her teeth sink down into her lip again. Her mental scream was strong enough to make Bakura flinch. But he was not the only one.

"OW!" Bakura and Ryou shouted at the same time. Blue blinked at Ryou who had grabbed his head.Zahara had no idea her link with Bakura had also brought together the link he had with Ryou. The fierceness of her mental shout had been strong enough to touch Ryou as well.

"What is it, Ryou?" Blue asked him.

"Screaming…" He replied in a dazed voice. Blue gave him an odd look. She had not heard anyone screaming. Malik tried moving forward again and found the dagger still aimed for his neck. He growled at Aurora in warning. She merely turned his smirk back at him.

"Growl all you want, Malik," She said slyly. " You know I have the power to back up all my threats…" RIJ had been staring so intently at Bakura he never saw Atem moving up behind him. Atem grabbed RIJ's arms and yanked him backwards.

"Whatever it is you want him to do, he said no. Back off or else." RIJ's eyes about bugged out of his head.

"Or else? Wait, since when do you protect him? What does Bakura have to do with you?" The fighting had begun with Malik going after Aurora and Jackie while RIJ stood straighter and took a pounce-ready stance against Atem. Bakura knew that something would be said to bring more trouble if he did not end this. And end it now. Carefully he stood, lifting Zahara and placing her in the shadows, away from Malik's view. Then he turned and faced RIJ and Atem, his words coming forward before Atem could speak.

"STOP! Pharaoh, don't say anything," he warned casting the former adversary a knowing look. Atem backed down but watched the thief as he moved closer. "I need to face this alone."

"Is that a good idea?" Ryou whispered to Blue. She shrugged.

"Don't worry, I'll keep my mind open to hear what they are saying. Maybe then we can at least get some answers." Atem had stepped closer to Bakura again.

"Are you sure, Bakura?" He made it obvious he was ready to jump into the fight if he needed to, but a sudden touch at his arm stopped him. He turned to see Jackie was holding Malik off so Aurora could hold him back and allow Bakura to do what he needed to do.

"As you wish, Bakura," she told him softly. "But you have us if you need us. You are not alone anymore…" She chanced a glance into the shadows where she could sense Zahara hiding. Stay hidden, you will be alright- We won't let him hurt you again. Zahara turned her face away, but sent a glimmer of acknowledgment. A few more tense moments passed before Bakura told them to meet him outside. The group watched them leave in silence.

"You know," Ryou started after the door closed. "We could spy on them again." Blue shrugged again.

"I suppose that is better than a mind link."

"I told you, it's off!" Bakura shouted when they all got outside.

"Too bad, she's here now, Bakura," RIJ informed him. Bakura spun on him, his eyes wide.

"What!" A soft cough came from behind him and he froze after turning to face the cough. "Oh no…"

"Oh no to you, too," Rebecca said with a grin. RIJ had been studying Bakura when his attention was distracted and it was then he noticed the golden band on Bakura's left hand. He reached forward, grabbing his hand and wrenching the ring form his finger.

This will be in the way… he thought.

"Hey! What are you…?" Malik interrupted him as he took Bakura's other hand, placing it together with Rebecca's.

"Bakura, my old friend, meet your bride to be…" he told him with a sly smirk.

Inside the rink, Zahara's head lifted sharply as she sensed Bakura's distress. Aurora had come closer to help her up and out of the shadows.

"It's ok, Zahara. They are gone now."

"No, it's not ok!" Zahara cried out, shaking off her mother's arm. "I can sense him. Something isn't right. Not right at all."

"What do you mean?" Atem asked her. She slowly stood and blinked her eyes. Her fear still evident, but slowly being replaced by her need to protect. To protect the one who had once risked his life for her.

"I have to go to him…."

"But, Zahara!" Aurora gasped.

"You realize Malik is still out there?" Atem added. She nodded shakily.

"I know. I must finally face him. I must face them both so I may be able to be with Bakura. I – I have to show them… I am not weak anymore. That I am strong. And I can face them. And take back control."

"Zahara, are you sure?"

"Yes, Mother, I am. Having no control was what scared me the most. I mean, look what he has reduced me to? Cowering in the shadows. I am the daughter of a warrior Princess- chosen with special powers to protect those around her and the world. I am also the daughter of a brave Pharaoh who gave his spirit to later return to protect the world as well. I can't hide in the shadows. Not anymore. No… This time, I will face him. I will show him, he can't control me anymore…" Without a word, Zahara headed for the doors and stepped outside. Aurora felt it then. A new powerful presence within her daughter. She knew then that Malik and RIJ where about to find themselves in a world of trouble and pain. Quickly, they all followed after her.

"We are going to be so happy together" Rebecca was saying as she latched herself to his arm. He tried to back away from her, using his other arm to ward her off.

"NO!" he shouted. "I can't."

"What's the matter Bakura? Cold feet already?" Malik teased him. RIJ secretly pocketed the ring before joining Malik.

"Yeah, you're the one who said you wanted to have children to create an army to overthrow the Pharaoh…" He added with a smirk. Bakura began muttering Egyptian curses under his breath. Rebecca tried the puppy eyes on him and he groaned. They did not work on him nearly as well as Zahara's did. Zahara could will him to do anything with her look. Rebecca's made him want to fall through the ground into the pits of hell before doing anything for her.

"What's the matter, 'Kura-kins? Aren't you happy?" She threw herself at him as he continued to back away. She wrapped her arms around his waist while he kept his out in the air at his side. "We're going to have a huge family!" Bakura tried once again to detangle himself from her grasp. Malik groaned.

"Congratulations," he said with a roll of his eyes. RIJ placed a hand on Bakura's shoulder, forcing him to stay put.

"Don't worry, the wedding's all planned."

"Yay!" Rebecca cheered leaping up and yanking Bakura's face to hers so she could place a hungry kiss on his lips. His eyes remained open and he made another attempt to back away. The evil laughter of Malik and RIJ was silenced however, when a deadly voice entered the alley.

"Get. Away. From. Him. Now."

Aurora's eyes went wide when she heard the voice coming from her daughter's mouth. She had never taken that tone before and truth be told, Aurora had only heard that tone in one other person in her life. Herself, during the battle that had brought an end to her planet. The voice alone had her very concerned.

"Oh no…" she whispered.

Rebecca stopped the kiss and glared passed Bakura at Zahara. "Who are you?" She pulled Bakura closer to her in a possessive manner. "You look like something that came out of there," she said motioning toward a garbage bin in the alley. RIJ and Malik broke out into fits of maniacal laughter. Bakura looked down at the girl hanging on him and snarled.

"Don't you dare say that!" He shouted as he grabbed her by the arms to remove her permanently from his waist. RIJ noticed his actions and hissed to Malik.

"Quick get them to the marriage site. The officiate is there waiting." Malik nodded and went over to begin leading Rebecca, dragging Bakura, to the car. Bakura looked over his shoulder at Zahara, whose eyes had begun to flash white fire.

"Help me," he mouthed to her as they drew nearer to the car. Zahara closed her eyes to draw upon more strength. She knew she had to stop Malik from getting into the car so she called out in the voice she knew would stop him. And remind him of who she was. A risky move, but it needed to be done.

"You think I am weak… You got the better of me the last time we met, Malik. Crushed my spirit, forced me to hide in the shadows at the mere thought of your name. You haunted my dreams, turning them to nightmares. Your cruel ways were never forgotten, you made sure of that." Malik stopped then as her voice finally hit him. Rebecca had not been listening as she pressed herself against Bakura in a very suggestive way. Zahara's eyes flashed again. "Get. Away. From. Him." Her voice had returned to its deadly calm tone, but her hand had gone toglowing a fiery red and white glow. When Rebecca merely glared at her and continued to press against him, Zahara raised her hand and the orb flew from it and struck Rebecca in the back, sending her crashing against Bakura and sliding to the ground, out cold. "Don't say I didn't warn you..."

Malik did turn then to face her. She was definitely the girl he remembered torturing not so very long ago. Only this time she had changed. She was standing in the middle of what looked like red and white flames. Her deep blue eyes took on a black look due to the fire. She had an orb of light in both hands ready for each RIJ and Malik. Aurora gasped again at the sight of the powers Zahara was showing.

"It. Can't. Be!

"My Ra!" Atem added to the shock. Zahara heard none of it as she stepped closer to Malik.

"Don't make me tell you again. Let him go. He belongs with me…" she whispered in her deadly voice. Malik said nothing as he took a moment to reflect on her actions and the darkness he sensed around her. He had to admit he was greatly impressed.

"Whoa!" Jackie gasped as she, Blue and Ryou gaped at the sight. "Remind me never to make her mad…"

"What is that power?" Atem asked Aurora.

"It is one that had only been dreamed of by my people. One I can only achieve by combining with yours. She can control it all on her own… amazing…" Aurora explained as she stared on in complete awe.

"But, Mother, this could be a bad thing…" Sanura tried to remind her. Aurora frowned as she recalled the drawbacks.

"Yeah, it can- but right now she needs that strength… let her go…" RIJ and Malik muttered shocked curses as they watched the young woman standing there ready for another attack. Bakura stood frozen in spot. He had found a whole new lever of admiration for her.

"Wow! Now that's the woman I fell in love with!" Several stunned faces swung in his direction. He had actually proclaimed love for another in front of everyone. And that announcement was not one RIJ wanted to hear.

"WHAT!" he and Malik shouted at him. RIJ swung back to Malik who was looking back and forth between Bakura and Zahara. He knew what she was like. He knew why Bakura fell for her. He wanted so badly to talk about it with him. To brag about his conquest. But RIJ was not in the mood for any more conversation from anyone. His gaze shot daggers at Malik.

"Get them to the alter NOW! We only have twenty-four hours." Malik nodded and lifted the unconscious Rebecca, throwing her into the car. Malik began to fight with Bakura next as he fought being pushed in.

"Zahara!" Bakura yelled. Malik turned for a moment and winked at her. The flames rose higher and once again, Malik found himself on edge. Yes, he had seriously underestimated her worth back then. RIJ lowered his eyes with an evil smirk. A smirk that made Blue's blood run cold.

"Oh no," she whispered, backing away. "That's his yami smirk!" Ryou looked at her, confused.

"This is about to get fun now, missy," RIJ told her as his arms stretched out.

"The Elders may have taken away his main powers, but…" She stopped the explanation as his transformation into his own warrior form completed and he stood facing Zahara. "But they couldn't take away RIJ, himself. He is now showing his true colors…"

"Ahh! It is good to be back," RIJ snarled with a grin. Zahara seemed unphased by his transformation as her new powers surged inside her. She still knew she had to stop Malik from taking Bakura away however. A sly grin of her own passed over her lips.

"Fine- you want to play hardball, huh? Well now, let us just have an audience, shall we?" Her powers lifted her up into the air as she brought her hands together to form a larger ball of red and white fire. She shouted as the ball of flames was sent soaring into the car, destroying it. The attack did several things. Removed Malik's only easy way to take Bakura away, angered RIJ as it was his car that was destroyed, and killed Rebecca. It was Zahara's first killing. She lowered herself back to the ground and shrugged her shoulders at RIJ. "Oops," she said with a teasing voice and a half smile. "Guess the bride won't be attending the wedding." Her half smile turned to an evil sneer. "Such a shame, isn't it? All your hard work and planning- up in a puff of smoke…" Aurora was beginning to grow more concerned.

"This is not going to be pretty. She is stronger and mad as hell. RIJ may be strong- but he has met a match in her."

"Ok- so we watch her… But we need to get Malik out of the picture as well…" Atem reminded her. She nodded and together they made their way behind Malik who was glued to the fight in front of him. Atem grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back. "Hello," he growled. Aurora brought a smaller dagger to his neck, the tip piercing his skin during his struggles.

"Miss me?" she asked him with an evil smirk. Sanura watched them and shook her head.

"If there was ever a doubt where Zahara got her attitude from…" she murmured.

"You aren't going anywhere," Atem told Malik.

"So sit back and enjoy the show…" Aurora added. Zahara eyed RIJ warily. She knew she had no idea what she was up against, but her only choice was to go ahead and find out what she could do.

"I am not weak anymore," she said as she glanced over at Malik. He seemed to nod at her, acknowledging that he understood and agreed his control over her was gone. "I suppose I should thank you for awakening this power within me. But I won't You are not deserving of it…" RIJ laughed and turned toward Atem and Aurora.

"Go ahead and kill him if you wish. He's not my problem," he told them.

"We aren't like you, RIJ. We don't kill for pleasure," Aurora told him with a dark look. He shrugged and readied for his attack on Zahara.

"Let's get this started." He flew towards her and grabbed her by the throat. Her hands grabbed at his wrists as he began to choke her before throwing her to the ground. She growled at him from the ground and lifted her arm to blast white fire at him, surrounding him.

"I already killed once today. But I will add a second one if I have to- You should have listened to Bakura when he told you no. You should have listened to my Father when he told you to leave." RIJ did not know what hit him when she suddenly left her spot and appeared behind him, grabbing a dagger from his own belt and placing it against his throat. "Had to go and ruin the life of one you claimed as your partner in crime, didn't you? Honor among thieves- bah! You have no honor- that was why your powers were stripped from you. You are unworthy." She stopped speaking as she placed a fiery hand against his back, searing him. "My mark will forever be upon you now." She let him go and shoved him to the ground where everyone could see the hole scorched onto his back.

Jackie cringed. "Ouch… Hope that teaches him not to mess with other people's lives…" she said with a smirk. Sanura shook her head.

"Not likely." Her mind was still focused on the burning car. "Hey... Does anyone even care that my sister killed that girl?" RIJ's scream brought her back to the fight.

"You little bitch!" His anger made the flames from her attack seem to make him stronger. More flames surrounded him. "I'll teach you to mess with me!" He launched himself at Zahara, his flames burning her arm. She hissed in pain, but refused to move as they clashed in the fiery attacks.

"You could have avoided all this," she growled. "All you had to do was…" her words trailed off when she saw Bakura's ring fall from RIJ's pocket and fall to the ground beneath them during the struggle. "You took off his ring?" The fire returned to her eyes and she jumped back just far enough to be able to shove both palms against his chest and force him into the ground with her fire attack ripping through him.

"And they called me heartless…" Aurora murmured, swallowing hard. RIJ grabbed Zahara's arms before she could pull them back and she had a moment where Malik's face flashed before her eyes, her heart leapt to her throat.

"I didn't know you liked me that way…" He grinned at her. "And I guess you don't know a thing or two about Yami's…" His own flames came from his hands, scorching her wrists forcing her back. He walked to where the ring had fallen and picked it up. Right in front of her, he used his own fire strength to melt the ring in the palm of his hand. Her rage at the actstruck her harderthan the pain.

"So I don't know a thing about Yami's, huh? Then enlighten me!" She sneered as she did a spin kick to his face and landing cat-like on the ground near Bakura. She did not even look at him to say her next words. "Bakura… We so have to talk when this is over with."

"Talk?" Bakura asked, swallowing hard. Atem and Aurora looked at Bakura.

"You hung out with him… What's his weak spot?" Aurora asked him.

"Um… He's not the type who would say. He's always out partying at nightclubs and stuff..." Bakura grew thoughtful for a moment. "But it does seem like he is hiding something…" Sanura looked up at Blue.

"Can RIJ be taken down?"

"Hmm… I'm not sure, but if he could, I think he would have been by now." RIJ stepped back to gather his energy for the next assault.

"Time for Round Two."

Okay, okay... I know I have been ripping through this fic. It is almost done actually. Maybe only one more chapter left to write. Then I promise to update Dancer In A Daydream. That fic has sat long enough. I was updateing it as the dreams progressed, but the dreams have left me, much like my muses... So I haven't been able to go with any of it... Guess it is time to improvise...I might make the next chapter the last one to Dancer in a Daydream... That why I can go back to saying it was completed again. There really isn't much that can be added to it besides saying the same things over and over again anyway... Oh well- I will decide on that later. See you in the next chapter!