AN: Again I'm stuck at the crossroads of staying or leaving canon. I have slight ideas for both paths yet I have no idea which is better or which I could build more on… Someone steer me down one! Hmm, an idea struck me, maybe I will make a real alternate chapter and see which you like best... Idk I might become too lazy lol
Chapter Nine
"In this Shadow Duel, the loser will have to pay the ultimate price," Malik threatened.
Bakura laughed to himself.
"There will be no laughter once I banished you to the Shadow Realm."
"You will be the one living in eternal darkness, wait and see," Bakura said with a smug look on his face.
A malicious grin spread across Malik's features. "That's right. I almost forgot you have the dueling experience of my weaker self to call upon."
"That is correct," Bakura smirked. "And since you've learned everything you know about dueling from him, I know your strategy and your deck inside and out! And don't think I am unaware of the Egyptian God Card you now hold."
"Just because that fool, Marik is dueling on your side doesn't mean you're safe from the fury of Ra. For once I'm through with you, you're all certain to end up in the dark."
Ra... What does Egypt have to do with a card game?!
Akeno wasn't quite sure who had the upper hand- they both seemed to be a lot of talk but she hoped Bakura could back it up. She had seen Bakura duel twice, one win, one loss, though each time he seemed to be able to hold his own. With Marik's help on top of that, he should be able to win… though she had no idea what they were up against, Malik must be good to have made it to the finals. She frowned at Malik and then shrank further behind Bakura. Everything about him just freaked her out!
"Before we start," Bakura began, "there's someone here who would like to have a few words with you, face to face."
"Make it fast."
The spirit of Marik appeared beside Bakura, startling Akeno.
"I will win my body back from you because destiny is on my side," Marik declared.
"Sorry, I've taken over your destiny now and with it, I plan to claim the great power of the pharaoh for myself while you two fools wallow in the shadows," Malik boasted.
Two...? I sure hope he's just counting wrong! Three! You mean three!
"I won't let you claim my fate as your own, body snatcher!"
Malik sniggered. "I'm afraid it's too late for that. I am the real you and soon you will be nothing but a forgotten memory in the sands of time!" He broke out into a fit of mad laughter that made Akeno cringe.
"While I was occupying Tea's mind, I heard Ishizu tell the story of the first day you were born," Marik started. "She explained that after I received the Tomb Keeper's initiation, the seeds of your existence were planted and it was you who began my path towards darkness when you sent my father to the Shadow Realm! You will pay for what you did to me and to him!"
So wait… this guy isn't a spirit from the Millennium Rod?
"What I did?" Malik questioned. "I was born out of your hate, your jealousy and your anger towards your father which makes you just as guilty as me!"
"That may be but from now on, I will make up for everything I've done…"
"Very touching…" Bakura teased.
"Now I know the truth, " Marik continued, ignoring Bakura's comment. "Odion shielded me from the truth and for years, I believed it was that stranger that destroyed my father but now I know better. I know it was you!"
"I'd say you're a little late to do anything about it," Malik sneered.
"Not really. Once this duel's over and you're gone, revenge will be mine!"
"Without me, you won't exist!"
Marik glared then turned to Bakura. "Just stand back and do as I say."
"Silence!" Bakura growled. "I'll help you to reclaim your body but I have a price."
"Very well," Marik agreed. "I told you, if we win the duel I'll give you the Millennium Rod."
"Sorry, Marik, that's our old deal. I need more."
Marik's eyes widened slightly.
"What is this about you seeking the power of the pharaoh? Is there a magic stronger than that of the seven Millennium Items that you haven't told me about? I want to know what secrets you're keeping from me, Marik. Tell me everything and we have a deal," Bakura smirked.
"If we win, I'll tell you all."
Bakura snorted. "I don't trust you at all but I know this time you need me."
"Then let's duel," Marik said.
"You heard your better half, you fiend, now prepare for a one way trip to the Shadow Realm!" Bakura laughed at Malik.
"It seems you're a bit confused. I am going to bring the darkness of the Shadow Realm right here so it can consume you piece by piece!" Malik shouted. "Blackness surround us!"
The swirling black and blue haze engulfed the arena with a wave of Malik's hand. Akeno didn't have to be reminded of what lurked in it. With a glance over his shoulder and a slight jerk of his head, Bakura beckoned her nearer to him. She was relieved that he was still aware of her presence even though after that, he just ignored her.
"In this duel, the darkness of the Shadow Realm will slowly devour the loser as his life points diminish!" Malik jeered.
"What do you mean?"
"Just wait and see," Malik grinned.
"Very well. Let's duel!"
Their duel disks activated and Bakura drew a card. "And now, let the destruction commence! I see the cards in my deck are already showing you no mercy."
"Mercy is for the weak," Malik retorted.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," Bakura said sardonically. "First off, I'll place this face down and then, I shall summon the terrifying Goblin Zombie in attack mode. Are you scared yet?"
Yes!
"Ha! Scared of that? No!" Malik answered and drew a card. "I'll place a card face down and summon Drillago! Attack him now!"
The drill covered monster launched itself at Bakura.
"Fool!" Bakura shouted. "You've activated my trap card, Fearful Earthbound!"
"No!" Malik cried in surprise.
"Yes, your first mistake. Your first of many…" Bakura said ominously.
A mouth of sharp teeth surrounded Malik. "What's the point of this?" he asked.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist attacking my zombie and now I'm going to punish you for your fatal error by weakening your life points," Bakura smirked.
"When this trap card is activated, the opposing duelist loses five hundred life points each time his monster attacks," Marik explained.
"Like now!" Bakura said.
"I'm still sending your monster to the graveyard," Malik growled.
"Feel free to destroy my weak monsters whenever you want. Not only will you lose life points but with each monster you send to the graveyard, I grow stronger!" Bakura said with a sneer.
Drillago destroyed Bakura monster, sending pieces of it flying in each direction. Akeno shielded her face with an arm then hesitantly lowered it.
"And now feel the effects of my Fearful Earthbound as it lowers your life points by five hundred."
"Really?" Malik asked. "Guess again!"
"What?" Bakura said in surprise.
"I activate Remove Trap!"
Just as the jaws of the trap card came within inches of Malik, they swirled away into nothingness. Malik laughed. "My magic card has eliminated your pathetic trap."
"It'll take more than a magic card to beat me," said Bakura.
"That may be true but from the looks of your arm, it's a start!"
"My arm?" Bakura questioned.
Just above his duel disk, Bakura's upper arm faded so that it appeared the rest was floating beside him. Akeno screamed and backed away from him in shock.
"What have you done to my body?!" Bakura exclaimed. "It's vanishing!"
"Obviously, you weren't listening to what I said earlier," Malik started. "Remember,you just lost five hundred life points and as they fade away so will small portions of your body until the Shadow Realm claims all of you!"
"You fiend!" Bakura growled.
"Soon the darkness will feed on your soul for all eternity!"
Bakura narrowed his eyes as many dark creatures made themselves known. They had no real shape to them but had rows of sharp teeth positioned in their black bodies. The creatures swept over them and weaved in and out of the dark haze.
Akeno held back a scream for fear she would entice them to come upon her. Shaking slightly, she moved back towards Bakura. For once, she felt scared for Bakura or at least for him winning. If he lost this, she was going to be worse off than she was now!
"Does it hurt?" she whispered, touching his shoulder.
He turned to glare at her then shook her off. "You do not have my permission to speak, girl," he growled. "Now sit down and stop bothering me."
She was taken back slightly then scolded herself for trying to be nice to him. Did I really expect him to return the kindness? He doesn't deserve any sympathy! For God's sake, he made me his dog! She sat down behind him with a scowl and turned her attention away from the duel.
Why do I want him to win again!?