Ba-Ku-Ra!

By: Miss-DNL & RenagadeRexRider

Chap 23 Secret of the Tombs

It had been a few weeks since the events of Duelist Kingdom and life had basically come back into its normal swing. Even with the realities that had played out for himself, Ryou had managed to take it in stride. Only better over the fact that his father has remained in the apartment due to his work itself for once actually seeing to keep him there for the time being.

Even the Thief had more or less acclimated to the lifestyle, mostly keeping to himself and observing whenever he found interest and on occasion, despite the fact it wouldn't do any good for the time being, pondered over the events of the island wondering when the next act would begin. He would bristle as the memory of the Scepter Wielder's threat rose from time to time. The thought keeping him vigilant as his host continued his moments of happiness.

Overall… things were for once normal. And as Rikai entered the kitchen, paper in hand, the day seemed to be lain out to be just that.

Rikai, now completely over his more recent adventure took a seat at the table as his son walked in. The two shared a silent moment with a cup of coffee before Ryou stood and preceded to prepare breakfast as Rikai opened the paper and proceeded to read. It didn't take long for the man to flip the page and read the headline when a large grin broke across his face, "Ah-ha! They printed it~! This is great!" he exclaimed, no small amount of excitement withheld.

Ryou smiled hearing the eager happiness as he stirred the eggs and looked to his father, curious as to what he was referring to, "You're excited Father, the newspaper print about some of your finds?" he inquired, knowing well his father prided himself in his work.

Closing the paper Rikai smiled proudly and nodded, "Yes they have. But more importantly the business transaction went through~!" he sighed and leaned back rubbing his neck in relief, "It was a big relief that the Tomb Keepers let me display the slabs…"

It did not take long for Ryou to come to full attention, "Tomb Keepers?"

Akefia, who had previously not been paying any form of mind to the conversation, was startled to attention, the Ring jumping in response, "Tombkeepers?!" Now that was something worth listening to!

Rikai looked to his son and nodded, "Yes, there are several clans from what I know. They've only recently started showing themselves. It's tough to communicate with them though, they're very suspicious of outsiders and can be… aggressive at times." Rikai explained, his voice somewhat tapering as he spoke, whether it being form some experience or thinking of rumor Ryou could not tell. Regardless he continued, "I managed to talk to one called Ishizu Ishtar. She's a very mysterious woman but she was nicer and more willing to negotiate." Pausing the conversation he took up the paper and began shifting before turning to a page in the back, "Ah, here's a picture of her."

Ryou turned off the stove and set the pan to the side as he turned to have a look, zoning in on the photo. His eyes had scarcely glanced the photo when his eye was drawn to something of keen interest, 'She has an item!' he exclaimed inwardly, staring at the photo as his father set the paper down to serve himself,

Akefia's eyes zoned in on the photo as Rikai spoke, listening carefully before being confirmed by both the man's description as well as presence of the familiar Item, "I knew it…" he muttered.

"She's actually in Japan now. She wanted to help with the exhibit and museum while she's here. I was surprised to know she spoke Japanese, so she didn't need a translator." Rikai said as he took a seat and proceeded to eat.

Ryou looked from his father to the paper as he thought to himself, 'the Tomb Keepers are the ones that guard the Items… Malik said he was one. Now Ishizu, another Tomb Keeper, is here…' he felt his stomach begin to twist up at the information, 'Malik will show up at any time. Something is going to happen…'

Akefia perked at this information, 'Here in Japan? That means it's well within reach… and up for grabs~.' The thief thought to himself with a sly grin, his host's apprehension being ignored for the moment before his mind was made up, "Ryou. We need to look into that item as soon as possible. I don't trust it out there in the open like that." he commented, not liking the idea of it falling out of his reach when it was so close.

Ryou hummed as he looked the paper over and nodded, 'I guess we should.' He thought back, if they needed the items in the long run or not, it couldn't hurt to look into it at the very least to make sure it wouldn't be an immediate threat. He paused as he glanced at his father, worry weighing his stomach, 'I don't want him to get involved again… I'm a bit curious about the tablets too.'

Mind made up he smiled normally at his father in his usual manner, "Father, do you know when the exhibit opens?"

Rikai stopped eating a moment looking at his son a bit surprised, but then smiled at the fact his son was interested, "It opens today with the rest of the museum. Ishizu should be there too, she's in charge of that exhibit after all." Glancing at his watch he hummed, "It'll be open after breakfast, so you have time."

Akefia tilted his head a moment before nodding, "Sounds well enough to me. We'll go as soon as the time hits." He declared as a matter of factly to Ryou, who simply grinned sheepishly before joining his father for breakfast.

Not long after breakfast was done and picked up, Ryou got dressed and anxiously headed out, pausing only to call back to his father who was washing the dishes, "I'm heading to the museum Father!"

Rikai smiled at his son's eagerness and smiled calling back, "Alright Ryou, get back safe!"

"I will." Ryou said as he closed the door, locking it behind him with an inward nudge of caution and proceeded to head to the museum. Along the way many things rushed through his head; How was this going to go? Would something go wrong? What kind of person was Ishizu, and how would that play out with the new Item?

Almost as immediately as he thought them, he shrugged off the negative thoughts. There was no need to begin tensing himself so early… still. An Item was not a lighthearted subject. It could be dangerous and he knew nothing about it. So naturally he turned the question to his Yami, 'What kind of item is the Necklace Akefia?'

Having been pondering over many of the same concerns as well as sensing his host's apprehension Akefia paused to recall what he knew of the Item, "It looks to be the Millennium Necklace. If that's true, and if I recall correctly, it gives its bearer the power of foresight and sometimes visions of the past. Very unique indeed~. Would have made a fine thing to have when tomb robbing~." He mused toying with the thought.

Ryou sweat dropped at the Thief's comment, knowing it was warranted given his trade, but nonetheless it was a strange thought to the teen. As he neared the museum he hummed, 'Do you think she'll know we're coming then? Or does it give visions at random?'

Akefia actually paused at the question to think and frowned, "I wouldn't know actually… it's been far too long and from what I recall, I don't think I had it that long. But I don't think it was all seeing." He muttered after a moment, now regretting not having delved further in with what he had had, and in the event he did, had somehow forgotten.

'That's a bit of a relief,' Ryou sighed, a little more at ease that at least it wouldn't be completely troublesome, 'Here we are.' He declared as they finally made it to the large intricate building and proceeded up the steps, which was no small amount.

Akefia looked the building over with intrigue, akinning the structure to the temples or noble homes he'd once graced on occasion, "Interesting. Your father knows how to place his business," he mused before focusing his eyes on the front door, "Now… Let's go. And be cautious. Tombekeeper have been known to be very protective of what they guard, even at the expense of their own lives."

Ryou stopped only a moment to steady himself at the spirit's warning, 'Yeah, I've heard about it from Father…' he thought, his father's haunted look somewhat lingering in the boy's mind.

Akefia called back his own experiences in his mind's eye and smirked slightly, 'He has NO clue.'

The Thief hadn't meant anything by the comment, but the comment posed to make Ryou swallow thinking about what he knew personally. Despite himself he knew the Thief was more than right, 'Yeah, you're right. He hasn't met anyone like…. That Shadi person….' he said slowly, gulping at the sudden realization that Ishizu hadn't been the first Tombkeeper in the museum. And that thought sent a chill through him at the danger that might lurk before him. He shook his head and shoved the thoughts back, 'Then again I haven't met him either, but he has two Items which says enough right there.'

Shaking off the thoughts, Ryou turned his focus on the task at hand and headed through the doors where he proceeded to the front counter where a woman was busy readying for the day, to which Ryou approached with a bright smile, "Hello, my Father said a new exhibit was set up today. Which way is it?"

The woman turned her gaze away from her work and smiled brightly when she saw it was Rikai's young son, "Hello Bakura, you're looking adorable as usual~." She commented as she ruffled the boy's silver hair making him blush embarrassedly, the occurrence a normal one as he'd known her a majority of his life, "You head right in, the new exhibit is in the back. Just look for the stairs heading down and you'll find it right away."

"Thank you." Ryou replied, still red faced at the occurrence as he passed the desk and proceeded down the hall towards the museum's back. A bemused chuckle and teasing sensation arose from the Ring making Ryou pause momentarily as the Thief gave a deep chuckle,

"My my… Quite the charmer aren't you?"

Ryou felt his face redden even further at the comment, 'Apparently… it's a bit embarrassing.' He managed, not fighting the Thief's teasing comment having been rather used to it to a degree. Spotting the steps he headed down, not wanting to pursue the subject.

"Indeed." Akefia merely chuckled once more at his host's timid emotion, that although wasn't particularly rare, was something he found to be rather amusing. But he hadn't much time to linger on the thought when he felt the Ring beginning to react prompting his full attention. The Necklace was nearby, and immediately Akefia's amusement was replaced with keen focus as the boy descended into the museum's lower floor. Immediately Akefia felt a strange sensation well within him as he gazed about the room. Obviously someone had meant to give the room a sort of mysterious quality with dim lighting, the lights pointed on the obvious focal point of the exhibit, two stone tablets that towered over his host.

Whether it was the mood that had been set or the tablets themselves, Akefia felt a wave of nostalgia that rivaled the sensation he'd felt upon his reunion with Diabound dampen his initial focus of seeking. And as if from a spur of some form of odd respect, Akefia assumed Spirit form as to get just the sensation of being closer to the two giant stones, his eyes tracing over the hieroglyphs focusing far more on the familiarity than the story they told, "Nice to see a piece of home…." He muttered in little more than a whisper.

Ryou was likewise stunned by the display, the effect set a rather imposing one. His Father had obviously wanted the full experience for the exhibit, and seeing Akefia step forward with a distant look on his face and distinctly intense emotion radiating from the Ring, the effect had obviously struck its mark. Deciding to leave the spirit be, Ryou also took to looking over the large slabs and blinked as he immediately honed in on the painstakingly carved monsters. His eyes traced the one near the center and blinked in surprise that he recognized the form near an Ankh, 'Exodia…' he thought in amazement.

As his eyes continued to take in the sight his eyes fell, to his great surprise, what looked to be Yugi's Yami and Kaiba dueling, the semblance made even more prominent with their represented monsters: Dark Magician and Blue Eyes White Dragon respectively. The sight, despite all that he'd learned over the past few months, was still startling seeing it with his own eyes. His intrigue with the tablets was cut short however when what sounded to be heeled footsteps heading in his direction prompting him to tear his gaze away to see a woman come around the corner, his guard faltered as she merely looked at him with a rather well refined nod as if she had in fact well been expecting him,

"Greetings Ring Bearer. I am Ishizu Ishtar."

Having been so engrossed in his moment, Akefia was caught rather off guard by the new voice and immediately snapped his head in the direction of the source… Had his eye not been so keenly trained on the Millennium Item in the picture he had seen only that morning, Akefia would have been more prepared for what he saw, but instead completely froze.

The woman that stood before them was the well the sight of a garden variety, clearly straight from the motherland itself. Her dark skin was a rather striking contrast to her white dress, also clearly of Egyptian make, and only paled next to the cascade of inky black hair that ran down to her back, held back and tamed by a modest tiara and golden hair clasps that draped over her shoulders. Akefia found himself drawn not just by her ethnicity, but rather her build. He'd seen many women over the course of his life, and this one was certainly one of the better selection, one that was slowly replacing his gaping stare into a pleased smirk as he continued to drink in the sight.

"Oh my… Holy Ra…." He managed through a grin; it was beyond rare to be so keenly drawn to something other than the Millennium Items, especially given the one right in front of him, "What is this goddess?"

Ishiuz Ishtar who had been expecting some form of surprise or bewildered response common from those she foresaw, felt herself quite taken aback by, not her unusual phantasmal company, but his sudden comment. Her face immediately flushed caught entirely off guard. She had NOT foreseen nor remotely expected such a thing, and for the first time found herself to be the one stammering to ensure she had somehow heard correctly, "E-excuse me?"

Ryou, who had also stalled at his Yami's comment felt his eyes widen to the size of saucers, hair fluffing like a startled cat and face likewise reddening in sheer embarrassment at the revelation that the woman had not only seemed to have looked right at Akefia, but had actually responded to the comment, 'Oh dear!' he thought frantically as he felt a very distinct rush course through the Ring, alerting him that Akefia had likewise drawn the same conclusion.

Akefia felt himself completely lock up within his binds, a look of mortified surprise reflecting brilliantly on his projection as the woman looked right at him. Immediately he knew that she had in fact seen and heard him, the fact jarring his thoughts and making him stare stupidly, his mouth trying and failing to speak making him stammer for several moments before just spitting out his only coherent thoughts, "Y-you can…hear…me?!"

Ishizu, still red faced gave a curt nod, "Yes….. I can…"

"Oh…. Erm… well. DAMN." Akefia managed stiffly. He could just feel the hair on his neck stand on end, his mind screaming 'shit!' at his open witless comment and the fact that he was failing rather pathetically to gain control of his tongue. Unable to backtrack, Akefia could swear his face was reddening over how well he'd managed to screw himself. Swallowing the preverbal stone that had found its way into his throat, he attempted to regain his lost composure, "Pardon my tongue then… I don't talk much to others." He managed rather stiffly, fighting to right his reddened face.

Ishizu felt herself sweat drop as she cleared her throat, not entirely sure how to properly react to such an odd situation, "Uh, well that's… perfectly alright…"

Ryou, who found himself simply caught in the awkward moment, could only stand in place playing with his hands during the brief and stiff exchange, finding himself surprised by Akefia's unusual behavior, more so at his slow recovery. When the heavy silence began to press in, Ryou swallowed and smiled a little awkwardly, "Uh yes… I'm Ryou Bakura." He began before motioning to the specter beside him, "This is Akefia."

Grateful for the break in the uncomfortable situation, Ishizu smiled welcomingly to the young silverette and then to his company as she proceeded with what she initially intended, "I'm aware of who he is." She said with a warm smile, "It's nice to meet you Ryou."

Akefia looked away roughly as Ryou broke the uncomfortable moment, inwardly grateful as well as he and the woman exchanged introductions but found himself pausing in interest at her words. Not wanting to look directly at her still he looked at her out the corner of his eye, "You know of me?"

Ishizu, once more composed, resumed her normal tone as she looked to the spirit, "I do Thief King." She responded as she looked to the tablets to answer the obvious question on the Thief's mind, "The Nameless Pharaoh was said to eventually return to gain his memories. Like him and the Puzzle, there was a soul sealed into the Ring. Yours." She explained, earning the thief's full focus as she continued, "The clans have kept the events from the battle between you and the Pharaoh as intact as well as we possibly could." A withheld look of sadness passed the woman's face as she continued, "Some details have faded over time… Along with me, every clan member is aware of your soul in the Ring."

Akefia listened to the Tombkeeper, humming more to himself than anything before he tsked at the explanation, "Figures… after all, Tombkeepers did pride themselves to their scrolls. Good to know I held some merit through the sands of time." He commented before his face twisted into an amused grin, "NAMELES? So his reign was less than worthy for his name to even be remembered? Such a pity~" Akefia mockly replied with a chuckle. Of all things for a pharaoh, the loss of their name was a great loss, even so much as an insult. One that Akefia took amused delight in.

Ishizu felt her eyebrows knit together at the comment, having more or less expected such a reply, "That is not the reason he's nameless… it's a more simple reason." She began locking eyes with the still grinning specter, "No one remembers his name and it vanished from all text beforehand. After your death a great evil appeared, what it was we also don't know, but it was strong enough to overpower the gods. The Pharaoh gave up his existence, his name and his memory to seal it away."

Akefia, smirk slightly faded tilted his head at the information, thinking back to the night on Duelist Kingdom, 'So this is what that Malik bastard meant…' he mused to himself before furrowing his brows at the mention of his death. Knowing it and hearing it was rather strange and made him pause only briefly to ponder over the fact before his mind shifted to the thought of what the "great evil" could be. Growling internally at the various blanks in his own memory and information lost over his own death, he had only to assume the Dark Door had somehow been opened. He frowned as he thought about it… something wasn't adding up… The items needed to be gathered for that… and…had he not had the items? If not… what happened?

A low grumble escaped his throat as he found no answers… pausing he turned his attention to what had been said of the pharaoh, "What is this about him returning to reclaim his lost memories…? I'd expect the Items hold a place in it." he inquired the woman interestedly. Perhaps he could get answers through the same means.

"They do but not yet," Ishizu replied as she once more looked to the Tablets, "The Pharaoh's memories are the key for him returning to the afterlife. He cannot enter till they're returned."

Akefia frowned, obviously no answers there still whether bluntly or withheld he could not tell, but for the time being he decided to ignore it… he huffed as he thought about it. The Pharaoh had given up his entire existence, only to return needing it to finally pass on, "How ironic…" he mused.

"I suppose so." Ishizu replied.

Ryou shifted as he listened to the conversation with keen interest over the subjects of dark magic and the afterlife. The whole thing was something straight out of a fantasy… and yet here he was straight in the middle of it and trying to make sense of what all was being discussed. It made his heart race excitedly in its own right as well as make him shudder in dread knowing what was at stake. Sensing his Yami's frustrations and acting on his own curiosity over the now, Ryou looked to the Egyptian woman, "Why have you come here Ishizu? There must be a reason for it."

Ishizu turned her eyes to the young boy evenly, "It is time for fate to be set in motion. The Pharaoh's trials are about to begin. I'm the one to set them in motion." She declared earning a nervous look from the young silverett.

"And how are you going to do that?" Ryou questioned, somewhat afraid to know the answer.

"It's already been done." Ishizu announced evenly, "Seto Kaiba will start a tournament soon.. He'll be seeking out the other two god cards, Ra and Osiris."

Akefia was immediately snapped out of his thoughts to listen and looked at her sharply, "YOU set this all in motion?" he demanded before visibly bristling at the latter bit of information, "The Priest has a God?!"

Ishizu looked to the clearly irate Thief calmly and nodded, "I have. I gave him Obelisk to avoid it falling into another's hand and knowing his greed would cause him to start the tournament. These events…" she began, pausing a moment reflecting over her actions. Manipulating the situation was not something she readily enjoyed doing, but recalling why, she cast the thought aside and hummed as she continued, "Need to happen. If not now, then they'll happen later anyway."

Both Ryou and Akefia looked on at the woman a moment pondering the situation. Ryou glanced at the Thief and shifted, thinking that her words were very true in their own right... sensing the Thief's contemplating emotions he wondered if not Ishizu…. Akefia may well have in time. He paused as Akefia shifted, his tone making him think he was right,

"Ngh… perhaps." Akefia hummed aloud, tightening his fists as he did so. After a moment of thought, the Thief looked to Ryou who shifted under his gaze a little, "A tournament of this sort, along with the "Pharaoh" joining… that's likely to make the Items flock like moths to a flame." He then turned his gaze back to Ishizu, "And before you say anything…We will have them all." He then grinned broadly, eyes half laden and his voice little more than a deep purr, "Including the one around that elegant neck of yours~."

Ishizu merely blinked at the comment, shrugging off the Thief's boorish tone and looked at him evenly, "Most of the Items will be around yes… And the Necklace will not be mine by the end of the tournament, but that isn't what matters to me. I have my own reasons for doing this."

Akefia quirked a brow amusedly, "Oh? A motive outside of aiding the Pharaoh?" he hummed with a sly grin, "Well… seems like a few of the Tombkeepers are slipping out of their duties doesn't it?"

Outside, the bustle of the day was beginning to pick up, and a bus stopped in front of the museum allowing, oddly, only one person off. The figure looked up at the structure and grinned broadly, 'So sister, this is where you decide to set everything up and draw me out~?' he thought to himself with a chuckle before heading up the stairs leisurely, 'I might as well drop by for a family visit then~.'

Back in the Egypt exhibit, Ishizu merely looked on at the Thief who was clearly trying to get some form of rise from her, "If that's how you wish to see it, then yes." She responded simply.

Akefia simply grinned at her front, "I don't mind that~" he taunted implying. Inwardly he toyed with the idea of a rebellious woman. He'd seen plenty before… but a servant of the Pharaoh? It brought a novelty to the idea.

Ryou blinked as he felt something shift against his chest. Looking down his eyes widened seeing one of the Ring's pointers trained towards the stairs, "Uh… Akefia?" he managed tensely.

Akefia paused his teasing taking note of the boy's tone, "What?" he inquired, blinking as Ryou pointed to the Ring.

"Someone's coming…" Ryou responded looking towards the stairs, making the Thief go on full alert.

"I doubt that's Yugi.." Akefia muttered to himself. The boy couldn't have thought to come here just yet could he?

Ishizu however perked and slowly blinked as she turned to the stairs, "So he's decided to show up…" she said knowingly. This caught the Thief's ear,

"Eh? You know…" Akefia stalled suddenly. Her tone making sense as the only other Item they knew of currently came to mind, "Oh perfect…" he grumbled with a distinct scathing hiss, "A rouge decides to show."

As if on cue, Malik stepped the room wearing his battle city outfit, pausing briefly in surprise at the sight he was met with, "Oh, the Thief and his Vessel are here too? This is a bit of a surprise." He turned his attention to Ishizu with a vaguely interested look, "I'm surprised you managed to speak with him sister."

Ryou found himself surprised. Certainly this couldn't be the same Malik that had threatened him? He looked to be about his age more or less… albeit a distinctly mature look in his demeanor and gaze, one that told Ryou there was more than likely more than met the eye…

Akefia too was thrown by what he saw, "YOU are Malik?!" he exclaimed before laughing loudly in amusement, "You're a skinny little runt! No wonder you had that oaf as a puppet…." Akefia found himself stall suddenly as the boy's words sunk in, causing him to stall entirely and look to Ishizu, "S-SISTER? This whelp is your brother?"

Ishizu looked to the Thief, confused by his reaction, "Yes… He's my younger brother."

Malik likewise quirked a brow to the Thief's reaction, finding it more or less intriguing. He chuckled arrogantly, ignoring the Thief's insults and looked at him condescendingly, "Oh? Whelp, eh? Well tell me how much you, a specter, can lift? Not to mention I have more bulk than that vessel of yours. You really have no room to talk here." he said mockingly to the immediately irate thief.

Akefia immediately bristled at the boy's tone and glared, "Ngh… Fuck off runt." He growled irately, "And leave Ryou out of this, he's NOT my body. And big talk for one who cowers behind others like an infant behind his mother."

"Of course he's not." Malik chuckled, grinning at the Thief's insult, "Oh I'm wounded~," he responded sarcastically before shrugging it off entirely, "But I'm not here to get tips on strategy from an ancient fluff ball." He drolled before looking squarely at Ishizu with a knowing glint, "Sister, I know what you're up too, but nothing will happen unless I let the Pharaoh have the key that I alone hold. Even if he gathers the other keys it'll be in vain." He stated matter of factly, before looking at her with a more hardened look, "So tell me, what did you do with Obelisk."

Ishizu simply looked back at Malik steadily, "I've given it to someone your hunters can't hope to defeat."

Malik grinned at the little challenge, "We'll see about that~. If they can't do it I can. Two Gods against one is hardly fair."

In light of the ensuing conversation between the Egyptian siblings, Akefia bit back any angered retort he had and instead began listening intently, finding arguing with a ground dwelling brat less important and simply crossed his arms as if to keep himself contained, 'A key…? What could that be I wonder? I'll need to recall that if it comes up later.' He thought to himself before turning his thoughts to his quietly listening Host, 'It appears that he will be entering this little tournament' he glared and grit his teeth in irritation, 'And by the sound of it, he's got the power of two gods at his disposal, which could pose a problem…' he thought as his eye trailed to the glinting Scepter Malik carried. The god cards combined with a Millennium item could prove deadly.

Ryou gulped inwardly at the conversation, made more uncomfortable by the Thief's irritable emotions, 'I don't doubt that…' he thought back. By the sounds of it… things were about to start up again, and this time around, looking at Malik…it could likely be more dangerous.

Malik had gone quiet a moment before glancing at the familiar sight of the Tablets, humming to himself before grinning knowingly at Ishizu, "Heh, it's Kaiba isn't it? Of course." He mused before frowning disappointedly, "I don't understand why you stand in the way when I'm trying to free our family but if you insist so be it." he growled as he turned on his heel towards the stairs, "One way or another I'll end this." he declared with such intensity it sent a shiver down Ryou's spine.

Ishizu likewise stood frozen at the force of her brother's words. As he vanished up the stairs a distinct sadness washed over her heart and shook her head withholding the desire to cry, 'Malik…'

Akefia, sensing a distinct alteration in the younger Egyptian male, glared after Malik sharply as he made his leave and only dared to settle once the Ring ceased responding to the retreating Item. Narrowing his eyes he hummed, "Sounds like someone fed him one hell of an angry scorpion…" he muttered before turning his attention back to the now silent woman and looked at her evenly, "What was THAT about?" he inquired, the sibling exchange being a rather tense one, "From what I can tell, he has a disliking of his SO beloved Pharaoh." He finished somewhat sarcastically, Malik's first enounter with them etched well into his mind.

Ishizu paused at the question and cast only a brief glance at the cross armed specter, , "Malik…. Has been through a lot since birth." She began slowly, the subject not at all one she cared to speak of, but continued anyway, "Fate has not been kind to him when it gave him his role. Tragedy and our family have been one and the same for a while now."

Akefia merely observed the woman for a few moments, trying to gouge whether she was trying to throw him in some manner, after all… she was a Tombkeeper and he was the Thief King. But after a moment more of her looking to be lost in memory he decided he didn't care. But her words urged some amusement from him, "Hmph… Fate." He replied as he glared to the Tablet, the sight of it suddenly urging old hateful scars to burn with anger, "I don't believe in "Fate". Life is what you make of it and nothing less…"

Ishizu looked to the slab sadly, inwardly pondering the Thief's words, "I hope what you say is true…" she said slowly.

With a hard snort Akefia tore his eyes from those hated images and looked back to the woman, not really having heard her, "I don't know of your family beyond the fact that your history makes you both my enemy…" his face suddenly broke into a grin and shook his head feigning sadness as he spoke, "Such a pity really… You are a very alluring woman~." He added deviously, earning, to his mischievous delight, a distinct shade of red from the woman.

Ishizu, once more caught off guard, felt her cheeks redden as she looked on at the Thief unsure of what to make of him. Not fully knowing how to respond, she shook it off, "Say what you will, I have no fight with you."

"That's nice to know~." Akefia replied smoothly, enjoying messing with the woman.

Ishizu ignored the comment to regain herself and looked at Akefia evenly her voice firm, "I will tell you this; the reason for me meeting you here is a warning. An evil entity will reveal itself during the finals of this tournament. Whether it's defeated or not will decide the outcome of this battle… but people will fall before its defeat."

Ryou blinked at the cryptic message but found himself confused, "Malik isn't the real threat?" he inquired carefully, swallowing as she shook her head,

"My brother is dangerous, but the darkness that will be awakened is far worse… If it wins the world will be changed into a dark world it finds fitting."

Akefia's grin faded as Ishizu gave her cryptic warning, once more finding himself wondering what "the Darkness" meant, "Why is that familiar…?" he muttered to himself frustratedly. He huffed irately, not liking the irritating feeling and shook it off as he once more turned his amethyst gaze to the woman, "The only thing happening by the end of this tournament is that the Items will be where they belong. With ME." he declared with a forceful gesture to himself for firm emphasis, "And I'll use that power however I please." He finished before glancing to his Host who seemed glance to the floor uncertainly, and added, "And settle a few debts."

Ishizu felt herself flinch slightly at the Thief's forceful and intense gesture, glimpsing the determination that put him in history before she blinked at his final words. The idea of a debt he owed interesting. But rather than question it she simply addressed the Thief accordingly, "In the end the Items will return to the place of their origin, with whom possessing them is left to be determined." She added locking eyes with the Thief who looked back with a half laden gaze that seemed to laugh at the thought.

"We'll see~." Akefia retorted.

Despite the response she turned away from her company, "If you wish to enter the tournament you will need a duel disk, rare cards and an acceptable ranking as a duelist." She listed before looking over her shoulder, nodding respectfully at the pair, "Farewell Bakura. Thief King."

Akefia smirked deviously once more and gave a mocking gentleman's bow to the woman, "Until we meet again I'm sure~." He purred smoothly, delighting at the confused look on the woman's face before she disappeared from his view, to which Akefia once more crossed his arms and hummed with a self-satisfied grin.

Hello guys! We're back with another chapter!

We had to change this chapter up a bit so Akefia was more in character but that change wasn't hard to do. Take his meeting with Ishizu how you will. I've been waiting for this scene to come up for a while as it's the unofficial start of Battle City and our protagonists meet Malik~As you can see Akefia still don't like him XD Thief King is tactical but Malik knows how to play people as it is his special so he knows what to do to tick him off XD

I love playing as Malik~

This chapter was written by Renagade Rex Sphinx edited by Me

Ryo, Ishizu & Malik-Miss-DNL

Thief Bakura, Rikai-Renagade Rex Sphinx

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