I don't own Yugioh. I do own Maria, Gold, silver, and this plot… which is co-owned by Rei…figures.
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Maria's P.O.V.
'Not good,' I thought as I urged Jasmine into a gallop and tried to catch Atemu. I must admit, he's a very good rider. Even with Jasmine's incredible speed, I can only slowly close the distance. Finally, getting fed up, I sprung a magic barrier in front of him, causing Star to shy and rear. Since Atemu had nothing to grip but Star's sleek back, he fell off Star's back end. Riding up to him, I jumped off of Jasmine and picked Atemu up by the collar with both hands. That's an advantage of mine. I'm taller than he is by a good few inches right now. Believe me, if I can pick up Bakura like this to where he's dangling an inch off the ground and he's taller and heavier than me, I'm strong enough to lift Atemu up no problemo.
"And where were you headed off to so fast?" I asked as Atemu as he squirmed to break free.
"Let me down. You're in big trouble once I tell father that you were associating yourself with thieves and that, that tomb robber!" Atemu snarled.
"You wouldn't dare rat on me. Besides, Bakura is moving his group tomorrow. I don't think you'll find him anytime soon," I replied with a grin.
Atemu twisted and managed to break free. Before I could catch him, he leaped onto Star's back and glared at me. "Don't think I won't tell. And as for your friend? He'll be in our custody by the time Ra rises tomorrow," Atemu snapped as he galloped away towards Thebes.
As he disappeared into the darkness, I couldn't help the feeling of dread that flooded through me. Dropping to my knees in the sand, I cried as I realized that I had betrayed Bakura by not sensing Atemu behind me. Little did I know, but a tear had rolled down the side of my face, and dropped onto my pendant of Gold and Silver, causing it to start glowing. As more tears ran down my face, I felt warm and comfortable, even though I was in the middle of the desert at night. As I realized it, and tried to calm down, I felt something warm and wet licking my face.
Looking up, I was surprised to find Gold and Silver curled around me and Jasmine. Gold! Silver! What are you two doing here? I asked as I hugged them.
Silver nuzzled me and replied, You summoned us with your tears. We were created to help you.
Help me? How? I questioned. Gold didn't reply, but pointed at my medallion with her claw. Looking down at it, I noticed a new image on it. Looking closer, I saw a raised image of myself in the center of the medallion while Gold and Silver circled me instead of a lapis lazuli space.
We are actually your Ka. Before you ask, we couldn't tell you or be summoned by you until you were ready, Gold explained.
Listen, I would like to get this all cleared up, but I'm in a rush. Atemu must have made it to the palace by now, and I have to find Rei. She will be able to alert Bakura, I said getting on Jasmine. Gold and Silver nodded and disappeared into the medallion.
Normal P.O.V.
Maria took off towards the central part of Thebes. Reaching there a bit later, she looked around for Bakura and Rei's two-story house. Spotting it in the near distance, she managed to get Jasmine to go faster.
Rei sat in the living room curled up on the couch dozing. She was awakened, however, by a gentle but urgent knock. Going to the door, she opened it and saw Maria standing at the door.
"Maria, what are you doing here?" she asked as Maria entered.
"The prince followed me to where Bakura was in those bluffs, and now he's going to get him tonight by laying in wait," Maria replied breathlessly.
Rei's eyes widened as the information registered. "Ishtar! Get out here!" she yelled. Seconds later, Rei's companion and best friend came rushing from his room.
"What? What's happened?" he asked pulling on his trademark black cloak.
"Bakura's in danger. We have to warn him. Get ready while I get Anubis and Sekhmet ready," she said running out to the backyard.
While they waited for Rei to get her two black horses ready, Maria filled Ishtar in. A few minutes later, Rei and Ishtar were ready to go. Maria exited with them and rode with them until she had to keep going straight towards the palace, and Rei and Ishtar had to turn towards the desert.
Arriving at the palace, Maria noticed that the entrance was a little more guarded than usual. Not wanting to be seen, she guided Jasmine around to a secret back entrance that was right near the stables. After Jasmine was put away, Maria snuck up to her room. Entering her room, she stiffened when she saw Atemu sitting on her bed waiting for her.
"About time," Atemu said getting up and walking towards Maria, "Naturally I told Father and everyone else, and no one, not even your brother is happy with you."
"Y-You told them that I was in the thief's cave?" Maria asked shaking with anger, "I bet you didn't tell them what you were doing out of the palace grounds."
Atemu continued to advance. Stopping about a few inches from Maria, he gave her a piercing, yet triumphant look. "Your real punishment is when I make you watch my troops drag your dear, beaten Bakura in," he smirked grabbing her wrist so she couldn't turn away.
"You little," was the only thing Atemu heard before he heard a smack and his cheek stung from the blow.
Maria straightened up, recovering quickly from slapping the crown prince hard. Enjoying the speechless shock on his face, Maria only said, "You will not harm him," before she left, grabbing a clean set of robes on the way out.
Maria climbed to the top of the palace and settled on the roof, summoning Gold and Silver. Nice slap, Silver laughed as she curled up on one side of Maria to keep out the cold. Gold followed suit, curling up on Maria's other side and fell asleep with Maria following not long after the two twin dragons.
The next morning, Maria woke up to shouts down below. Sitting up, she saw a little version of Gold peering over the edge. Seeing her master awake, Gold turned and "grinned" sheepishly. "We can shrink," she said flying onto Maria's shoulder.
"What's going on?" Maria asked Gold, rubbing the little dragon's head.
Gold mumbled something in her native tongue. Being pressed by Maria to repeat it in Egyptian, she repeated, "They got him."
Maria ran to the edge and looked down. Gasping, she saw Bakura thrashing against the ropes that bound him, and the guards kicking and beating him mercilessly.
"It's not pleasant, is it?" asked a voice. Whirling around, Maria saw Mahaado standing a little ways down the roof watching the scene below.
Seeing Maria's look, Mahaado smiled softly. "I figured you were up here, considering what you did last night. I would have woken you up, but your two dragons wouldn't let me near," he said.
"Aren't you mad at me?"
"No. Do you remember about two months back, it was your second night here, and you confided all your secrets in me?" Mahaado asked turning to the scene again.
Maria nodded and stepped closer to Mahaado. Mahaado, seeing this, continued. "I understand that he is probably a better friend than any of us here, and that you still care about him," he said gesturing towards Bakura.
Maria was now standing next to Mahaado. "Why is Yami so overprotective of me?" she asked.
Mahaado turned to her shocked. "You don't know?" he asked. Seeing Maria shake her head, Mahaado's eyes grew wide. "He asked his father, that when he becomes pharaoh that you be his queen!" he exclaimed.
Maria's blood boiled at that. Turning, she scooped up a tiny version of Silver, who had been padding over sleepily, and headed to the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Mahaado asked rushing after her. Maria stopped and turned towards him.
"I'm going to go save my friend," she said and continued walking. Mahaado knew her well enough to not stop her, and just merely followed.
A few minutes later, Maria and Mahaado were crouched behind two pillars on opposite sides of the throne room, a dragon on one of their shoulders, keeping watch so no one would sneak up on them.
"What are we doing master?" asked Silver quietly while yawning and climbing up onto Maria's head. Maria smiled a small smile.
"We're waiting for Atemu to bring in Bakura," she explained in a whisper. Silver nodded and curled up to keep from slipping off Maria's head. Maria didn't have to wait long, before she hear the throne room doors open, and Atemu's voice come floating to her ears.
"Have you found Maria yet?" he asked.
"No I haven't, said Seto's voice, "I sent the other priests looking, and they reported nothing."
"I noticed Mahaado wasn't at breakfast. Do you think he's with her?"
"If he is, then she'll stay out of trouble," said Seto curtly, "What do you plan on doing to the thief?"
"Well, I plan on punishing him for thieving. What do you think I should cut off? His ears, or his nose?" asked Atemu.
Silver spread her wings and flew off Maria's head. Before Maria could call her back, Silver started swooping at Atemu. Gold, sensing her sister's intent, joined in.
"Both of you stop!" shouted Maria stepping out from her hiding spot. Immediately, both dragons flew to her shoulders and bowed their heads shamefully.
"Where'd you come from?" asked Seto.
"I entered through the rear door…" she replied trailing off as guards dragged Bakura in. Bakura, needless to say, was a wreck. Blood was flowing from multiple cuts all over, and he appeared to be stunned or unconscious. The guards dropped him on the ground, and Maria immediately sent them flying away from Bakura.
Maria ran over to Bakura before Atemu could stop her, and kneeling down, started to stop the bleeding with a spell. "Forgive me Bakura," she whispered.
Bakura weakly opened his eyes and managed a small grin. "I know you didn't mean to give our hiding cave away," he said wincing as he tried to move.
"Maria, get away from that filth!" snapped Seto. Maria just ignored him and continued healing Bakura's wounds.
Finishing, Maria turned so that she could see her enraged brother, Atemu, and Bakura at the same time. "Filth? This 'filth' is the reason I'm still alive," she snapped standing up. Gold and Silver jumped off her shoulders and grew enough to cover Bakura with their wings. "If anything, you should be calling father a filth for trying to kill me," Maria said taking a step closer.
Mahaado came up and stood by her. "She's right you know," he said.
Atemu's expression went from surprise to frustration and finally to anger. With a flick of his wrist, he signaled to his guards to restrain Bakura again. "Maria, he cannot go unpunished," Atemu said in a low, dangerous voice as the guards shoved Gold and Silver away and grabbed Bakura's bindings.
"What does it take to get you to release my best friend!" Maria shouted.
Atemu glared at her and contemplated. "Nothing. If Bakura lives through the punishments for his various crimes, it's because of you that he suffers," he said signaling to the guards to take Bakura away. As Bakura was dragged out, once again kicking and struggling, Maria fell to her knees and wept. Atemu was about to leave, when he heard a quiet voice singing. Turning, he saw it was Maria singing through her tears. Listening, he managed to hear the words:
There is a time, there is a place,
When love should conquer all.
The rest of life is pushed aside,
As truth and reason fall.
But only if that selflessness,
Can lead to something good,
I thought I knew you crowned prince,
But I never understood.
I don't know you, I don't know you.
Seto and Mahaado looked at Maria astonished. Atemu felt his heart melting and breaking from his wicked actions. All he had wanted to do was protect those that he loved, but he blew it, and now Maria probably hated him. Taking a step closer towards Maria, he stopped as he saw the gold dragon dart in front of Maria, and place herself between the two, growling fiercely. Backing off, Atemu watched the dragon relax and comfort Maria, the other dragon watching him carefully.
'What have I done?' Atemu thought turning and leaving the room. Heading to his and the priest's wing of the palace, he paused at the statue of Horus and pulled gently on the beak. Immediately a panel in the wall opened, and slipping through, Atemu found himself in a lushly decorated room. Throwing himself onto a stack of cushions, he closed his eyes and started brainstorming on how to make amends with Maria.
Sometime later…
Maria walked down the corridors of the dungeons. She never liked it down here, and wouldn't even go near this place, if it weren't for Bakura being down here. Approaching, his cell, she looked at each of the two guards in turn.
"Let me speak with him," Maria commanded. Since she was of higher rank, the guards had to obey. Entering the cell, Maria heard the door shut and bolt behind her as a safety precaution.
"Welcome to my lair, make yourself at home," said a teasing, yet sarcastic voice come from the darkest corner. Getting used to the dark, Maria could make out the shape of Bakura in the corner, chains shackled from his ankles to the walls. No where long enough to reach the door, but enough to give him room to walk or pace.
"Well if the shoe fits," Maria teased back. Bakura snorted and moved into what little light there was. "Besides," Maria continued pulling a small basket from under her cloak, "I brought you something to eat."
Bakura nodded a thanks and started eating. Maria made herself comfortable and watched Bakura eat. "What were you trying to steal anyway?" she asked quietly. Bakura sat up and stopped eating.
"A book."
"A book! Why would you risk getting caught for a book?" Maria asked bewildered.
"Not just any book," said Bakura drinking down some water, "This book contained the spell to the alchemy of darkness. The alchemy of darkness killed my people."
Maria nodded in understanding and fell quiet. At length, she spoke again. "Did Ishtar and Rei get captured? I sent them on Anubis and Sekhmet to go warn you," she said.
"No, they didn't get to us in time. As I was being literally dragged away, I managed to see two riders arrive where my thieves had fought to the death to protect me," said Bakura, his gaze moving down to the floor sadly. Maria hugged Bakura and pulled back after a minute.
"I'll go find them for you, and then I'll come and get you out," she promised quietly. Bakura nodded and shifted back into the shadows as Maria left.
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YSF: heh, gomen for not posting this immediately. I got myself I trouble, so my dad banned me from the internet for a while. But now I'm back, and I'll try to be quicker. Please read and review.