Ba-Ku-Ra!

By: Miss-DNL & RenagadeRexRider

Chapter 20 Rescue Mission

'Which way do I go?' Ryo wondered to himself tensely as he snuck his way around the castle, keeping an eye and ear out for any guards. If he got caught sneaking around he wouldn't doubt he'd get put in the same situation that Honda was in. Whatever that was… but the white haired teen knew it couldn't be good. Carefully as he looked around, he relayed his thoughts to the spirit in the Ring, 'Father was in an old castle cell, like in a dungeon, and those are usually in a basement level right? Away from the public?'

The Thief King hummed and nodded slowly, agreeing with the boy as he kept a more refined alert for any guards, "Generally. One wants to keep such things out of the light if they want them hidden... as for where..." The thief's voice drifted off as he tapped the boy's desire to find his friend and father to activate the Millennium Ring's location ability. One of the pointers on the left lifted, pointing down a hall.

"We start that way," Akefia started before a more firm, warning tone rose in his voice, "And watch where you go... the closer to the goal... the more guards there will be."

Ryo didn't respond when he noticed the Ring pointing him towards a direction. Going as fast and quietly as he could manage, the teen followed the Ring's guidance through Pegasus's castle. He stopped when he spotted a more castle-like entrance to a stairwell. Carefully he looked around the corner and as he expected there were two perfectly fit guards in suits at the entrance. Unsure of what to do he asked the expert thief in his item, 'What now?'

Despite expecting this and having thought about it all the way over here, the King of Thieves still didn't have much of an answer for the boy, so he continued to think to himself, 'he doesn't have my skill in sneaking... nor the blunt force to fight hand to hand, especially of this level... hmmm.' Akefia stopped his train of thought for a moment, there had to be a way to get passed these guards. The Thief King knew that there was always a way if one searched hard enough for it. Further he wasn't about to give in, this was also a matter of his pride. The King of Thieves was not about to give in because of the boy's limitations. He also knew the boy wouldn't give in either, though for a more selfless reason. The Thief King's eyes drifted down towards the holster where the boy kept his deck. Instantly his eyes lit up getting an idea, "Ah! Wait a minute! Boy..." His lips curled into a confident smirk, "get Diabound."

Ryo blinked a couple of times arching a brow wondering how the card would help. He knew there was a Ka in it, but how could it help outside of a duel? Figuring the spirit had something up his sleeves Ryo did as he was told.

'Okay,' Ryo responded as he pulled the card from the top of his deck. He looked over the card trying to figure out how the thief was going to use it to help them get pasted the guards.

The Thief King grinned eagerly, if this worked…no, he knew it would work. His Ka never failed him. Akefia looked at the card before calling to his loyal Ka, "Diabound... we have need of you. I need you to keep The Boy out of sight. You are still my Ka and I am still here..."He narrowed his eyes with determination as he focused what energy he had into the eye of the Millennium Ring, causing it to glow with a golden light, "anchor yourself to the ring if you must for the energy you require."

The Ka did as his master commanded without hesitation, extending his connection to the Millennium Item and bound himself to the Ring, letting out a call to his master within. Taking physical form for the first time in centuries he appeared in front of Ryo; his gaze and voice were, however, directed to the Thief King he trills, 'Master.'

Ryo could only stare at the near all white Ka as it had appeared before him and was further surprised to hear it's voice in his mind, 'He can talk?'

Akefia chuckled amusedly at the boy's surprise, "Only to those he allows, and much more."

The spirit hummed to himself feeling his soul connected to his Ka once more, faintest trace of smile flickered on his lips before disappearing just as quickly, "Been quite a while. Makes me feel some more complete..."Returning to his typical serious tone he spoke to the Ka, "Now then... Diabound. As I said, I need you to keep The Boy out of sight." An old, but not lost, deadliness burned in Akefia's eyes and reflected in his voice as well, "And if the need arises... remove anyone who dares try to stop him. I'll guide you both in the direction we need to go as soon as we pass those two fools."

The white scaled Ka had picked up the two guards' scents as soon as he had manifested and nodded his more humanoid head to his master, 'Very well master.'

Diabound looked around and seeing it was still day time it was too bright for his shadow camouflage. So instead he circled behind Ryo and picked the boy up, 'Hold on.'

Having no choice Ryo nods curtly and holds onto the serpent Ka's strong arms, much to his shock the being dove right through the floor! Diabound moved his way through the stone floor as if he was flying through the air. Moving through the floor he easily slipped past the guards and continued on until they were out of the guard's hearing range. Coming out of the stairs Diabound put Ryo back to his feet.

For a moment Ryo had to steady himself after that mind blowing experience. In the end all he could think, along with a blink of his light green eyes was, 'That was new...'.

The boy perks when Diabound starts circling becoming see through, getting the idea he starts moving down the stairway as quietly as possible. Diabound quietly flying around him keeps up with the boy's pace. While moving along with the boy to make sure he stays invisible the white serpent keeps its senses alert for any other guards, the Ka ready to defend his master's host.

As the Thief King guided the boy using the Millennium Ring, he notices the surroundings get darker, drabber and all together more befitting of a dungeon. This set off the Thief's instincts which he voiced to the boy, "Mind where you step. Can't tell you how many times I nearly lost a leg or otherwise..."

Ryo nods quietly as he continued to the bottom of the stairs that lead to a short hall. As he neared the corner he began to hear what sounded more or less like someone muttering to himself. Peeking around the corner while Diabound kept him hidden Ryo sees a guard sitting on a wooden chair with a table next to him, the area lit by a single lantern. Behind the guard's small station were two rows of cells, one on each side of the room. Ryo also quickly caught sight of the keys dangling on the guard's belt loop.

The guard continued to grumble to himself as he rubbed the bandage that was on the side of his head, it still hurting from the night prior, "I don't even know how you got down here..." He huffed irately to the prisoner in one of the cells near him, "Be glad you get out when the tournament is over kid." He said with an uncaring grunt.

Sitting in a cell Honda snorted at the guard's comment and rolled his eyes. His mission to rescue the captives had not gone as planned. He had been about to free Mokuba when the guard he had though he knocked was not knocked out. As a result, he had gotten tossed into a cell himself. The brunet muttered to himself, sitting crossed legged while he rested his head on his hand, "This is humiliating..."

The King of Thieves chuckled amusedly to himself, he had expected as much, "Well, well... there he is." He quirked a brow noticing there was only one guard present, "One guard?" He questioned before grinning, "Heheh, if we do this right, this'll be quick and clean."

Hearing his master Diabound already knew what he had to do even before his master had to tell them. This was a simple situation, one that he had been in before; the Ka had faced far worse situations. This would only take a moment to finish. Diabound nudged Ryo back with his snake tail telling him to get back, the teenager readily complied stepping back and out of the way. Diabound then dove into the ground before coming up from behind the unsuspecting guard. The serpent Ka grabbed him by the head and slammed him face first into the ground effectively knocking the guard out. Pointing to the keys he says through the link to Ryo, 'Grab them.'

Ryo nods and quickly unloops the keys from the pants. After briskly looking around he spots his friend sitting behind cell bars. Hurrying over to him whispering, "Hey, Honda."

Spotting Ryo's white mess of hair Honda looks at him in surprise, "Bakura?"

"Come on." Ryo said after unlocking the cell door, letting his friend out.

Giving his white haired friend his thanks Honda exited the prison cell. He really hadn't expected Ryo to save him but he was no less thankful. Getting out of the cell he froze at the sight of a large snake-like creature looming behind his friend. The humanoid upper body was rather unsettling, but then he realized he recognized this creature! He had seen Ryo summon it during the duel in the labyrinth! Looking at the Millennium Ring he figured the items could do more than he had seen.

"The Ring right?" Honda managed before shaking off his freaked out feelings when Ryo nodded; no need to question things when it came to dealing with the Millennium Items. Further the creature seemed to be under Ryo's control, least that's what he guessed. He didn't even consider the possibility of Ryo having another spirit in the Ring.

"Come on, I found Mokuba and your Dad down this way before they caught me. They weren't moved far as I know." Honda said motioning for Ryo to follow him down the row of dungeon cells.

Diabound followed as Ryo eagerly hurried after Honda before inquiring something to the King of Thieves, 'Master, what do I do with this child?'

'He's a friend of the boy' Akefia answered simply to his Ka before continuing to explain to get Diabound up to speed on the situation, 'Keep with them for now and stay alert. My host is here seeking his father, which we are inclined to help. These others come with the deal... Other than The Boy's group of friends,' The King of Thieves gritted his teeth in hatred, Diabound quickly picking up on this and knew who this hatred was towards, 'Save the ONE,' He seethed before calming slightly, 'This entire castle is a threat, but that works in our favor old friend.'

With a slight chime in his voice Akefia then reminded his Ka, 'Again, just keep our host safe and we can all get out of here happy.'

The Thief King hummed and considered the possibility of more guards coming, they always seemed to in a situation such as this, 'As many as we'll be taking out of here possibly, we might lose our stealth and we may have to switch to offensive...'

Keeping near Honda and his master's host Diabound clenched his claws in anticipation, 'Yes, Master.'

When they stopped at a cell Ryo furrowed his brows realizing something, "What about Kaiba?"

Honda holds out his hand and Ryo hands him the keys. While trying various ones Honda answers his friend, "He's not here," unlocking the door he heads inside and begins unchaining Mokuba as quickly as he can while continuing to explain, "I overheard he's being kept separate in another part of the castle. "

Not inclined to believe everything he hears Akefia says, "Possibly..." He pauses a moment regarding the boys kind nature, "Are you to be inclined in finding him as well?"

Ryo thought it over a moment but couldn't come to a sure answer. As much as he wanted to say yes he just couldn't bring himself to say it to the thief. 'I don't know...it'll be trouble getting Father and Mokuba out of here.' He figured he knew that with both him and Honda carrying someone on their back they wouldn't be able to move as fast. They had Diabound, sure, but the Ka would have to protect both of them if guards showed up. Ryo looked to Honda and decided to get his input on it, "Are we going to go look for him?"

Akefia nodded in agreement to the boy's assessment of the situation, "A good point. We'll worry about his royal pain later..." The Thief King didn't really feel like helping someone who looked like one of the High Priests he hated anyway. He'd honestly be okay if the royal ass was never found.

The taller brunet thought about it for a moment before shaking his head, "No, as much as I want to it'll be difficult to carry all three around with us. We'd have to drop them off somewhere first. He'll be well-guarded too it'll be too much trouble. We'll worry about that later."

Once he finished his reasoning Honda reached the cell Ryo's father was being kept in. He didn't bother asking if his white haired friend was alright when he caught sight of the empty shell that he had been reduced to. Honda could see the pain in his eyes, the best he could was let him into the cell. When he unlocked the cell doors Honda stepped away. Ryo immediately rushed past him once the door was open. Standing outside the cell Honda stood silently, keeping an eye and ear out for other guards. He hoped no one would come so his friend could have his moment with his father.

Ryo said nothing as he looked at his father for a moment. He could tell his body was an empty shell, his eyes didn't need to be open for him to tell. Somehow he just could tell. Pegasus had done just as he feared he would. Slumping down onto his knees Ryo embraced him, burying his face into his shoulder. Empty shell or not it was still him and it pained him greatly to see him like this. Nuzzling his father's cold neck he whimpered, "Father..."

The King of Thieves watches Ryou go in and looks away as he hugs his father not saying anything. He could easily feel the emotions coming from his host, but he didn't really need to feel them. Akefia knew the pain the boy was feeling, to a stronger degree yes but it was still the same pain.

Pulling back Ryo looked him over somberly. His father looked worn, Ryo wondered how long he had been stuck in this place but he didn't really want to know. Seeing he was still wearing his archeology uniform he knew Pegasus had snatched him from a dig site most likely. There was even still some sand clinging to his clothing. This wasn't how he wanted to be reunited with his father, but yet this was how it came to be, 'Why is after so long I meet you like this...?' He thought sadly, his head hanging low.

Hearing Honda come into the cell Ryo lifted his head up and looked over his shoulder at him. Sounding concerned Honda asked, "Are you going to be okay?"

Honda had tried to keep himself from asking but he just needed to hear his friend say it. Even if he knew it wasn't completely true. If Ryo said he was okay it'd give Honda some peace of mind. Or at the very least he could try and comfort him if he said he wasn't.

Glancing at his father Ryo nodded curtly, his voice quiet, "I'll be fine."

Honda looked his friend over; he didn't look like he was on the verge of a break down so he nodded, "Alright, here," taking Mokuba off of his back he handed the child over to Ryo, "I'll carry your Dad." Unlocking the chains on the older man's arms and legs he then lifted him onto his shoulders, "Here we go, alright let's get moving before others come to check in on them."

Diabound watched as the two teenagers began to move back towards the stairway, he was beginning to follow when he heard a noise. Realizing it was someone talking the Ka stiffened and looked around for the source. Pinning it to a rectangular black box he stiffened unsure of what the object was, his snake head hissed.

Hearing Diabound hiss at something Honda stopped and looked back to see what it was. Seeing the walky-talky by the guard Honda tensed, someone had checked in on the guard. "Shit, they'll know somethings wrong now. Come on."

Both friends immediately stepped up their pace and rushed for the stairs. Inside the Ring the Thief King tensed, instinctively readying for a fight. "Damn," He cursed beneath his breath, "Be ready Diabound. I don't doubt we'll soon have company..."

Diabound growled in response, he was more than ready for taking on some guards. Hearing the sounds of footsteps running down the staircase Diabound flew ahead of the two boys. Spotting six armed guards coming down the stair case the spirit beast lunges. Catching sight of the monster the men's hair stood on end out of sheer fear, this was not what they had expected when coming to check on the prison guard. Fearing the creature was going to kill them the men open fire. Diabound quickly fired a Spiral Blast at the men, the force of the blast knocking the bullets and several of the guards away. Rushing forward Diabound grabbed a guard by the face and shoved him to the ground while his snake tail tripped up another, leaving an opening for the two teenagers to escape through.

Spotting the opening Honda rushes for it while yelling, "Come on this way!" Ryo nodded to his taller friend and followed close behind him.

"Good work!" Akefia called to his Ka, he was beginning to feel the thrill of real action once again! Still they couldn't have some real fun with the guards so long as the boy was around. "Now come Diabound! We can toy with them later!"

Hearing his master's order Diabound released the guy he was pinning to the ground and tossed the other one he had tripped up with his snake tail, sending him flying back towards the cells. Flying after the two boys Diabound quickly caught up and stayed close keeping his senses trained for more enemies. It wasn't long before another guard came in having heard the commotion from the top of the stairs. Wasting no time Diabound dives into the wall coming from the side slamming the man into the opposite wall allowing Honda and Ryo to pass. Letting the man fall down the stairs Diabound continues to follow after the boys, diving back into the ground as he spotted another guard, shooting out from bellow him and slamming him into the ceiling then dropping him once the two pass.

Seeing his Ka swat guards away like they were nothing caused the Thief King to surge with excitement, which just as quickly turned into laughter, "HAHAHAHA! Ah! I haven't seen such fun in millennia!"

Diabound trilled happily as he followed close by Ryo, he was happy to please his master again as well as fight once more. Ryo on the other hand merely sweat dropped hearing the Thief King's excitement. The white haired duelist blinked when he saw the light at the top of the stairs. Their rescue mission was a success.

When they exited the stairs the Thief King frowned in disappointment, "Ah, over already? Such a shame..."

"Alright, we made it." Honda said with a slight sigh of relief before turning his head back to his friend, "We should probably head to the others after dropping these guys off somewhere safe. They're at the duel arena right now right?"

Shifting Mokuba on his back a bit Ryo nodded in confirmation, "Yeah they should still be there."

The Thief King glanced at the empty shells and hummed in agreement, "Yes, best put them somewhere safe." He paused thinking for only a brief moment, "Might I suggest your room for one? Not like we have too much choice." When the boy nodded mentally he turned his voice over to his Ka, 'keep out of sight while we're up here until we are in the clear...'

Without a word Diabound dove into the ground, unseen but still very close to his master's host.

"Come this way, we'll drop Mokuba and my Dad off in my room." When Honda agreed Ryo led his friend off towards his room. Thankfully no other guards had spotted them on their way and soon enough they arrived. That was a relief because it meant the guards would be less likely to find them. Ryo laid Mokuba on the couch while Honda put his father on the bed. "There, they should be fine here..." Ryo said quietly, his expression falling when he caught sight of his father again.

Akefia hummed somewhat as he looked at his host's father, "Well now that that has been accomplished. What now?" He questioned, and as he did he caught sight of the clock in the room, "Ah? Did it take that long?"

Turning his head to the clock Ryo looked at the time in surprise, then again it had taken time to find the dungeon in the first place. Pegasus's palace was big after all. "Oh wow…" He said with a blink, afterwards he immediately realized Yugi's duel against Mai was probably already over. What if he was going to miss his next duel!?

"Oh, no the tournament! I hope I'm not late!" Ryo gave his father one last worried look before he rushed out of the room. If he missed his duel who knows what Pegasus would do! At least he had gotten his father's body, but Pegasus still had his soul…

For a moment Honda was surprised by Ryo's sudden franticness but he quickly figured out what had him in a rush. Poking his head out into the hall he called after his friend, "I'll stay here and keep an eye on them!"

Looking back to him Ryo called back, "Thanks!" Honda waved to him before pulling back into the room and shutting the door.

Rushing as fast as he could Ryo was panting by the time he reached the stands by the duel arena. There Ryo was somewhat surprised to see that Anzu and Jonouchi were still present. He was about to ask them if the duel was still going, but then he stalled seeing a sinister, pitch black dome over the duel arena. Purple sparks were consistently jumping off of it. Ryo knew this could only mean one thing...

"A shadow game."

Chapter is kind of short, but then again so is this part. Also a BIG part is coming up ;) so that NEEDS it's own chapter~

Anyhow, hope you all enjoyed this ch! I was determined to get this done soon as possible due to the wait you all went through last time ^^

This chapter was written by me edited by Renagade Rex Sphinx

Miss-DNL: Ryo, Honda & Diabound

Renegade Rex Sphinx: Thief Bakura

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