Ba-Ku-Ra!

By: Miss-DNL & RenagadeRexRider

Chapter 18: Shadow of a New Foe

"Keith!" Ryo yelled as he saw his enemy, and future opponent, come into his room. Akefia tensed and let out a low growl from within the Ring when he saw the man enter. Standing his ground Ryo narrowed his eyes and glared at Keith, "What do you want!?"

The American was hardly intimidated by the teen and held his hands up. Chuckling he grinned, Keith was almost disappointed he wasn't going remember what was going to happen. He knew it was going to be good. "Keh-heh, oh you won't be speaking with me." Keith chuckled again when he saw what he had said had effectively confused Ryo. He pointed to his forehead and smirked as the glowing eye of Horus appeared at the center.

The already suspicious Thief King tensed when he saw the glowing eye appear on his forehead, "He's being controlled!" He warned quickly, though Ryo had already gotten the same idea when he saw the eye appear, "A Millennium Item is at work here... Do not drop your guard boy." The thief advised firmly as he looked back to the controlled Keith.

"Hello, Ring bearer." Malik said smoothly as he assumed remote control of Keith's body. He took off the man's sunglasses to reveal the mindless dull eyes of a puppet.

Hearing the new voice come from Keith's mouth caused Ryo to tense, quickly he sized up the distance between them to be sure he was out of reach, "Who are you!? How you doing this!?"

Malik chuckled at the cliché questions, "Of course the classic: who, how, and I'm guessing pretty soon, why, questions." He tilted the head of his puppet to pretend he was thinking about the questions, "Well for starters," Malik started casually, "I'm the owner of the Millennium Scepter. I'm using it to control my servant Keith here. As for who I am I'm the leader of the Rare Hunters. A former Tomb Keeper. You may call me Malik."

Ryo's eyes widened a moment, he had heard of that organization before, "Rare Hunters, the world wide crime organization?"

Malik nodded, "That's correct. That brings us to why I'm here speaking with you." He said slyly, a clearly dangerous undertone to his voice that sent shivers down Ryo's spine.

Instinctively Ryo gripped the leather cord connected to his Ring, guarding it protectively, "And the reason is?"

The leader of the Rare Hunters easily took note of this and laughed amusedly at the display, "Ha-hahahaah! A natural guess but no! I'm not here for your item. I have no interest in possessing them all." Malik declared before grinning evilly, his puppet mirroring the action perfectly, "I have my sights set on something much bigger!"

The King of Thieves narrowed his eyes at Malik's nonchalant manner, and even more so when he heard of the item he possessed. 'The Scepter? One of the more dangerous items to be sure...' He thought to himself, the item had given him some of the most trouble during his war against the Pharaoh. The further reveal of Malik's former occupation caused the thief to twitch irately, 'Tomb Keeper? One of the Pharaoh's servants?' Akefia frowned in slight confusion, this time he voiced his question, "Not after the Items and he's a Tomb Keeper? Then what is he after then?"

Ryo frowned warily, while it was good he didn't want his item it was still clear that Malik was not their ally, "Then what do you want? Pegasus's cards?"

"Well yes but also no." Malik admitted calmly, before smirking, "Pegasus made duel monsters based off of carvings of Ka found in Egypt's ruins. Well most of them. He made three cards in particular that hold more power than he expected." He glanced off in the direction of Yugi's room and grinned, "They're part of the Pharaoh's power."

Ryo blinked confusedly, he didn't see how flimsy cards could hold the power of the Pharaoh. Then again Akefia's Diabound was in a card. "Cards...are part of the Pharaoh's power?"

Malik nodded curtly before sneering, "It used to be that the Pharaoh could only call upon them, but now that they're cards anyone with an item can call them!" Eyes half laden he looked to the Ring knowingly, "Why don't you ask the Thief King? I'm sure he knows what creatures I speak of."

Both Akefia and Ryo were surprised by Malik knowing of the Thief King's presence in the Ring, but then the thief chuckled amusedly, "So he knows does he?" He huffed dully and answers despite being told to indirectly, "He speaks of the Gods of Egypt. The Winged Dragon of Ra, Osiris the Sky Dragon, and Obelisk the Tormenter..." He listed before going into further detail, seeming a bit bored with having to explain it, "They were fabled to be commanded by the Pharaoh himself as a testament to his divine right of birth. Anyone else dare try and summon them was met with death. They are without contest the most powerful Ka in existence..." Akefia hummed thinking about the information and what that would mean currently, "If they are within cards now and not the original tablets... then that would make them susceptible to this little game. But even they have standards it seems." He grinned at the tidbit of information he had gained, "A nice little thing to know."

The fact that three gods were sealed within playing cards was beyond amazing to Ryo to the point all he could say was, "God cards..."

The crime organization leader nodded again, "Correct, Ra is more...challenging to summon. He-heh but I know how." Malik crossed Keith's arms as he continued, "The Gods plagued Pegasus with images for his impudence so he hide them away. I know where Ra and Osiris are, but Obelisk continues to hide." He glanced about as if the location of the card would be in the room before looking back to Ryo, "Pegasus will know his location which is why I sent Keith here."

"Why are you searching for them...why do you want their power Malik?" Ryo questioned uneasily, he knew he wasn't going to like the answer but he had to know.

Grinning evilly Malik began to let out a dark chuckle, "Oh, the answer to that is very simple~. I'm going to use the Gods to Crush the Pharaoh! I will use former servants to end him!" The leader of the Rare Hunters began to laugh before dying down into an amused chuckle, "Ha, not that he'd know that. Right now he's the epitome of a lost soul. He doesn't know who he is, why he is the way he is now and he doesn't know his own power!" He announced mockingly, then grinned in a cold Cheshire cat like manner, "But I know, I know where the key to his memory is and I know how and what he needs to do to retrieve it." Eyes laden a look of cold contempt clear, "I won't tell him though oh no, I will defeat him and I will tell that I know the answer but I won't tell him." Malik began to grin again as he felt twisted excitement rise in himself, "Heh-heh I will banish his soul and let that information plague him for the rest of eternity. As a spirit he cannot die but he cannot pass on either."

Hearing such a plan for the Pharaoh, the King of Thieves couldn't help but grin in delight, "Is that so? A Tomb Keeper has turned his back on his master..." He chuckled to himself, "And in such a manner to desire such a fate for his master." For a wistful moment Akefia questioned as to why Malik had turned on his supposed Master but tossed the thought aside finding it to be unimportant compared to a more pressing matter, "And for what purpose has he chosen to reveal such information to us? Obviously he requires something..." He shot the possessed Keith a suspicious look from the Ring, his tone one of warning, "And I don't trust snakes..."

Ryo gulped unsurely, things were about to get bad and he knew it, "Why are you telling us this Malik?"

Malik hummed smoothly in an almost thoughtful manner. Then one split second later Malik grabs Ryo by the neck and shoves him roughly against a wall. Ryo gasped in shock, he had hardly gotten time to recognize what had happened. Keith's face only an inch away from Ryo's he growls threateningly, "I came to give you a fair warning." He said smoothly before his hostility returned to his voice, "The Pharaoh is MINE to dispose of! The Thief King had his chance now it's my turn to finish what he started!" From Keith's pocket he pulled out a switchblade causing Ryo's light green eyes to widen. Ryo's blood ran cold as he tauntingly places the blade at his jaw line, "Think Pegasus is bad? He's an armature compared to me." Malik hissed, he grinned sadistically as Ryo vainly tried to pull away from the blade.

Out in the hall Honda slips out of his room looking down one end of the hall to the other to make sure the cost was clear. 'The Kaiba brothers around being held around here somewhere...Bakura's Father too.' A look of determination came over his face, 'I owe it to Mokuba and Bakura's my friend! I have to save them!'

Akefia glared furiously at Malik from within the Ring as Ryou was forced against the wall. His rage began to build as he listened to the threat which turns to absolute fury at the dagger. Suddenly a powerful burst of shadow energy shot out of the Ring hitting Keith directly, forcing him away from Ryou. The Thief King's absolutely furious voice audible from the glowing Millennium Ring, "Who the fuck do you think you are to tell me what to do you impudent brat?! You think you can threaten me and expect me to roll over like a frightened dog?! You have no idea who the fuck you are dealing with..." He snarled, "YOU are an amateur compared to ME... I've been slitting people's throats long before you sorry excuse for rats were sent into the sewers! I will NOT back down... you want the Pharaoh? Then go on and try... First to the finish gets that glory..." A phantom image of Akefia appears between Ryou and Keith, his words hissing like poison as he glares death at him, pointing forcefully to the door, "Don't you EVER dare threaten me OR my host again... Now... get. The fuck. Out."

Shocked by Keith being forced back effectively releasing him, Ryo only managed to speak when Akefia's form appeared in front of him. This was the first time he'd seen his new yami. "Akefia...?"

Malik pulled Keith's body up from the ground, he himself not even having felt the attack, and laughed openly at the threat, "Ouch...Keh-heh, well for Keith that is...heheh." He looked at the form of the Thief King not feeling the least bit intimidated by the spirit, "We'll certainly see who wins the prize." He glanced at Ryo, knowing the boy was a friend of the Pharaoh, "If your host even wants that Keh-heh." Dusting Keith's vest off Malik headed to the door, "I've delivered my warning so I'll leave. Consider this; Ra will be mine shortly, it'll be all I need to crush both you and the Pharaoh." Opening the door he looked back over his shoulder grinning mockingly at the Thief King, "Oh, too bad that other Diabound card went missing, you'd stand a chance then~. Ha-hahaha!" He laughed before shutting the door behind him.

Back in the hall Honda paused to ponder something, 'Maybe I should get Bakura, with that Ring it'd be easier to find the prisoners." A sudden loud thud, followed by laughter causes him to look down the hall. To his shock Honda spots Keith heading down the hall after exiting Ryo's room. This sent him into a worried panic, "Keith? Oh no, Bakura!"

Akefia watched Malik's puppet leave the room glaring at him as he said his mocking threats, "You'll need all the help only a god can provide if you plan to face me fool..." He twitched out of agitation from his last remark but remained in place, "Bastard..." The Thief King turned back to his host who was still on the ground staring at him. His voice still laced with anger he addressed the boy, "Plan on sitting on your knees all night or are you going to stand?"

Thinking his yami was angry at him Ryo flinched at his tone, "S-sorry," Quickly he got to his feet to avoid upsetting him further, "I...just didn't know you could do that..." Uneasy about his yami being so agitated Ryo couldn't bring himself to meet his gaze, "I was just shocked that's all..."

Watching the boy stand Akefia hums as he sees him shift uncertainly making him huff, letting some of his initial wrath escape, "Don't be so defensive..." He said dully, "If I was angry at you you'd know it..." His face assumes an expressionless nature realizing what he had just done before turning slightly surprised as he tilted his head, "Neither did I actually..." Flexing his hands Akefia tried to see if he felt any different, the thief furrowed his brows in confusion realizing he was still bound to the Millennium Ring, "How odd... I'm still bound in the ring... Strange..."

Hearing his yami wasn't mad at him Ryo brightened slightly, "Oh, alright..." Hearing what his yami found out Ryo tilts his head, "That is weird..." He furrows his brow trying to figure out why that was when he heard the door click open. Immediately he stiffened fearing that Malik had returned. Ryo quickly relaxed when he instead saw his friend Honda come through the door.

Soon as he opened the door Honda immediately rushed over to his friend, "Ryo are you alright!? I heard a slam and saw that creep Keith come out of your room!"

Seeing as Honda didn't even notice Akefia standing in the middle of the room Ryo guessed he couldn't see his yami, "Yeah...I'm fine..." He said as he felt where the switchblade had been pressed, he could feel a stinging sensation there, "I think I have a small cut, but I'm alright."

Honda looked at the spot, checking for a wound, "Yeah you do, but it's a small one." He answered before looking more serious, yet concerned, "What did he want? Trying to psyche you out and make you back out of the duel tomorrow?" Already guessing he was right Honda snorts unimpressed by the action, "Lousy coward."

Ryo briefly hums pondering how much he should reveal about what happened, "Yes, pretty much." He moves over to his bed and sits down, feeling calmer now and surer of himself, "I'm still going to duel though, I can't back down now."

Seeing his determination Honda smiles and nods approvingly, "That's the way to go, don't let him get to you!"

Realizing how late it was Ryo quirked a brow at him, "What are you doing up Honda? It's pretty late in the night."

Honda blinked before recalling what he had been up to a moment ago, "I was looking for where Pegasus is keeping the Kaiba Brother's and your Dad hostage." Ryo's eyes widened in surprise, he hadn't considered doing that with all that had been going on, he had been so focused on his upcoming match against Keith. "I didn't get far when I saw Keith come out of your room. I had to wait a bit before coming around, he looked like he's looking for something." He shook his head disregarding it, "Doesn't matter though...If I find them then we'll have less to worry about."

"Honda..." Ryo said quietly feeling touched by his friend's efforts to help his Father, the fact that Pegasus might have taken his Father's soul dampened it though, "but the Kaiba brother's souls are already taken...and I can't say anything about my Father..."

Honda looked at him a moment, knowing what he said may very well be true, "Still," He said causing Ryo to look back up at him, "if we have their bodies then Pegasus at least can't use that against us. Mokuba maybe a weird kid, but he saved me during Death T and I'm not one to sit around and do nothing." Honda headed back to the door before looking back to his white haired friend, "Think you'll be alright by yourself?"

Ryo couldn't help but feel impressed by his friend's sureness and nodded, "Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Alright..." Honda said, not really sure about leaving his friend alone after such an incident, but he had a mission to do, "I'm going to go back to looking for the others. Don't tell anyone though. Anzu will go nuts if she finds out." Once Ryo nodded Honda left the room shutting the door behind him quietly.

The Thief King had quietly watched the conversation unfold with his arms crossed before he chuckled, "Well... making himself useful, good." Akefia said with a dull huff, finally one of his host's friends had decided to take initiative, "Finding their bodies won't do much," He admitted, "but at least then we can keep them out of foul play if it comes down to it..." Akefia tilted his head looking at the boy, "I admire your conviction to this little game..." The Egyptian thief chuckled amusedly, "You have more guts than I thought."

Surprised by the sudden praise Ryo realized how differently he had just acted making him laugh a bit sheepishly, "Yes, this is something new for me…" His Father's soul being at risk was once again brought to the forefront of his mind causing his eyes to become fogged and distant, "but Father is the only family I have left, I can't let him down." Ryo looked up at the ceiling trying to wonder when he could have possibly changed in such a way, "I guess after that game against Him and winning it I felt more confident about myself I suppose..."

Seeing the look in the boy's eyes Akefia looked away and was silent for a moment, he knew that look too well, "Then you have all the tools you need to push forward through this." The King of Thieves looked back to him and smirked, "Hold onto that drive with all you have and I guarantee you won't fail."

Reassured by the thief's words Ryo smiled and nodded to him, "I won't." Looking to his bed he felt sleepiness grip at his consciousness reminding him of how late it was, "I'm going to head to bed. I need to rest." Pulling the covers over himself he rolled onto his side, feeling comfortable he began to drift off, before he fell asleep Ryo says, "Good night Akefia..."

Said Egyptian hummed in response before looking at his new 'form' in a questioning manner, "...?"

Next Morning:

Having slept in a comfortable bed Ryo managed to sleep soundly through the rest of the night, yawning he woke up from his sleep. Scratching his head he realized how strange that was, 'I oddly slept well for sleeping in Pegasus's home...' Ryo ponders how that was possible, but shrugs it off.

From in the Ring Akefia says, "Good. Just means you were in a relatively calm state of mind."

Thinking he'd still be in spirit form it took Ryo a moment to realize where his yami was, 'That makes sense.' A knocking at his door caused the green eyed teen to look back to it, "Who is it?"

"Room service!" A voice from the hall called.

Ryo opened the door letting him in, "Oh, thanks..." He said slowly having not expected to get such a luxury.

The man nodded to him, "Your duel will start in an hour and a half. Please arrive on time." He informed normally before leaving Ryo to his meal.

"Okay." Ryo said before the man left, he closed the door behind him and began eating the food that had been provided to him, 'That gives me an hour to prepare...'

Akefia chuckled hearing what his host thought, "Finish eating then review your strategy as well as backup..." The Thief King grinned, "And then watch that bastard fall."

Ryo nods finishing up his breakfast before getting his deck out and began reviewing the main strategy, back up and possible fall back strategies. Checking the time at length, Ryo hums to himself putting his deck back in the case, "Time to go."

Duel Arena:

Standing on his side of the dueling ring Keith grumbled a bit to himself, his body was still sore from getting blasted with shadow energy, 'The fuck happened after you took over!? I feel like I got hit by a fucking bull!'

The leader of the Rare Hunters, and his boss, huffed blandly, unimpressed with his subordinate's whining, "Please it's not that bad...Now remember, when he shows up you won't get any help from me in this duel. If you lose just stick to the background and head to Pegasus's room." He instructed through the link established by his Millennium Scepter, "I located it last night. The location of Obelisk is sure to be in there. Wait till night if you must."

Bandit Keith hummed, 'What makes you so certain the little fuck will show up?'

"I could see it in the vessels eye's," Malik answered, though he couldn't figure out how such a meek person like him could get such a look, it was unimportant though, "for whatever reason he's determined, plus the Thief King isn't one to back down from a direct challenge he'll show."

Noticing someone coming down the hall that lead to the other side of the dueling arena Keith grinned, 'Heh, well there's the little rat now.'

From his stand Pegasus watched as Ryo arrived at his dueling station, "Welcome proud duelists!" He announced in his typical jovial manner, "Welcome to the sanctioned battle ground for your duels! Let the championship ship finals begin! The one who survives the championship finals will win the prize of champions! Let me give you a preview!" He announced as two men brought out a chest full of gold and jewels, "A prize of 200,000 dollars!"

Ryo didn't look at the flashy chest full of valuables, he was uninterested in it, his mind was completely focused on the duel that was about to commence.

Pegasus chuckled as he continued his speech, "Of course the prize will only be given to the duelist who defeats me!" A smirk on his lips he muses, "I wonder who it'll be."

Akefia kept his eyes trained on Keith as he listened to what Pegasus had to say, he had seen far grander prizes in the tombs of Pharaohs. So he wasn't very impressed by what Pegasus had to offer, "Kekeke... Not bad. But nothing compared to the satisfaction of crushing this fool under our heel..." He flicked his eyes over to the host of the tournament, "and you soon after."

"The first fight is...Bandit Keith vs Ryo Bakura!" The referee announced as he stood at the side of the dueling field, "Before we begin, show your entree cards to show you have the right to duel here!"

Ryo took out and shows Honor of King's Left, the ref nods accepting it. He was a bit surprised to hear the others start to cheer him on, he gives them a smile and a nod before focusing back on the duel that was about to commence. Drawing his cards Ryo is glad to see the trap card he'd need for his strategy already appear in his hand, 'Perfect.'

"In this duel Bandit Keith with have the first move!" The referee declared as he motioned to the American, "Let the duel begin!"

Oh yes~~~Finally~!

Me and Renagade have been waiting for SO long to do this chapter~and FINALLY we got to it~!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed writing this! One of my favorite roles to play in this chapter is Malik.

Renagade: Thief Bakura

Miss-DNL: Ryo, Malik, Keith, Pegasus and Honda

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