Ba-Ku-Ra!

By: Miss-DNL & RenagadeRexRider

Chapter 29: Kings and Gods

Ryou had only a moment to register what Akefia had said and spun around, heart racing as he looked around for the figure his mind was screaming, 'Malik?!'

Akefia, both egged by his own disdain and the rush of tension from his host, growled angrily and pointed after the quickly disappearing bike, "That was fucking Ishtar!"

Ryou blinked as the Ring around his neck mirrored the Thief's forceful gesture and without waiting for the Theif's prompt broke into a run after him, inwardly hoping he could keep up… mostly to avoid the radiating anger that Akefia was currently radiating.

Some distance ahead, Malik continued at a steady pace, completely oblivious to the fact that he was currently being pursued. With a grin and no short rush of adrenaline, he urged his bike into a wheelie some ways before dropping back on all wheels and speeding up in time with his pulse, grinning broadly to himself, 'Heh-heh, these moments are always perfect~. Leaving the tombs was the best decision of my life. I wouldn't even have a motorcycle if I'd stayed…' he mused to himself as he thought of a moment from his childhood where a mere photo sparked his desire for the item now beneath him. Hell, had it not been for leaving, he might as well be as dead as that which he was forced to guard.

Just as Malik felt himself being dragged into those thoughts his Duel Disc began beeping, effectively landing him back to the present as he glanced at the item, 'Eh? A duelist is near?' That was promising.

As he glanced around briefly his eye caught his rearview mirror and immediately spotted the familiar white tresses of Ryou Bakura. He immediately gave a rough sigh, 'Oh, it's those guys… joy.' He grumbled tiredly having more than a hunch what they wanted. Of course. To this thought he grinned, "I can't give up that easily~. I'll have a bit of fun with them first~." At this he revved his bike and sped up as he rounded a turn, "Try and keep up Ring Bearer~."

Ryou felt himself stop as he saw Malik speed up and disappear around the corner, momentarily wondering where Malik was suddenly off to in a hurry, but nonetheless quickly began his sprint once more, panting slightly as he attempted to keep him in sight.

Akefia likewise noted the sudden burst and grit his teeth having caught a fleeting glimpse of his gaze as he rounded the corner, "Oh now he's just MOCKING me!" he hissed, now relying on Ryou to keep pace while he himself kept his eyes trained sharply on the growing aggravation before them.

Malik kept just ahead of his pursuers, just in sight and out of reach for a long ways before he swung yet another corner and into an open lot, slowing just enough to allow the winded boy to catch up before suddenly swinging his bike around to face him, visibly startling the silverette. To this he grinned as he settled his bike into place and rested his arms across the handlebars as his bike hummed away, "Well? You were so determined to keep up with me, so what is it?" he inquired mockly.

Assumption confirmed by the tone and body language alone, Akefia ground his teeth angrily before assuming Spirit form his voice carrying no hint of actual patience, "Shove a scorpion in it boy! You took something that rightfully belongs to me…" his eyes shot a heated glare while his form kept a steady and unwavering demeanor and stance that reflected readiness to fight at a moment's notice, "I want it BACK Ishtar!" he demanded.

For a moment Malik looked back at the Thief in puzzlement, mentally having discarded something formerly before he recalled what it was and burst out laughing, "Ha-hahahaha! It took you that long to figure it out?!" he inquired, chuckling as he went on, "I expected you to make that demand back at the museum."

Akefia felt himself stiffen solidly in his binds at the jab before feeling a smirk crawl onto his lips, his glare shifting to a pointed mock, "Sorry… I was too distracted hitting on your sister~. Beautiful woman…~"

Malik's cynical grin died away in seconds and twisted into fury; despite all that was happening, she was still his sister and their bond was strong. Woe to any that dare threaten it, even the Thief… Malik stalled however suddenly finding himself confused, 'A ghost is… hitting on my sister…'

For a long moment Malik sat trying to figure out whether or not to be angry at the situation, mind trying to figure out if he'd even heard right. For once, he found himself stumped. Finally with a sigh he managed to pull himself together, "Okay… I don't know whether to be angry or not about that…"

Ryou, who had finally caught his breath and been trying to remain firm under the growing pressure likewise felt himself deflate a bit at the turn of events, more so at Malik's clear inability to react, 'Wow… he's confused…' even thinking it somehow seemed strange.

Akefia snorted in amusement at the overall reaction and just as quickly shrugged it off, getting back to the situation at hand, "I don't care. I'm warning you Ishtar. Don't fuck with me."

Malik, likewise shrugging the moment off huffed, "Right. Like I'll let another specter get in the way of what I want." He blinked the chuckled realizing something, "Oh yes, that's right. You can't touch anything. I have nothing to worry about with my sister~. Not that I think she even gets what you're attempting." He chuckled, "But that isn't the point here."

Akefia's eyes flashed in rage at the reminder of his present condition, "Insulting me, then your own sister's intellect. How appropriate for a spoiled little hand maid." He hissed as he clenched his fists, "And no, it isn't. Tell me what you have done with my Ka!" he demanded forcefully.

Malik's eye twitched some at the comment and growled back at the Thief, "I wasn't insulting my sister… Apparently you've forgotten your own relation with the Tomb Keepers!" He then snorted at the Thief's choice of words and snarled heatedly, "She'd sooner think that you're merely after her item than hitting on her!" cutting off some of his anger seeing the Thief's clearly irate glare at his words he chuckled once more, "And I can't give it to you. I don't have it with me. One of my hunters has it, you'll have to go to him to get it. Far away from here…" he added tauntingly.

"Makes me want her all the more," Akefia replied with a grin, earning a clearly annoyed glare from the younger male. His grin faded entirely and was replaced with a clearly venomous tone as he spoke, "Perhaps… But then that's what one gets when tending the Pharaoh's dirty little secrets. You better pray to your sorry Gods for help if you try turning him against me Ishtar!"

Malik merely hummed, "You haven't fully realized your condition have you… That or you're the densest spirit I've met!" he then paused musingly, "Then again I can only compare you to an amnesiac husk of a King." Laughing he continued, "The Pharaoh's "Dirty little Secrets"? That's a cute way of putting that. Sister won't be handing that Item over to you anytime soon though~. She's here to hand it over to the Pharaoh~. That won't be happening either though…"

Akefia grit his teeth, "A small setback, I guarantee you boy…" Akefia felt himself go entirely rigid in his binds as he processed Malik's comment of cute, the remark sending his body into tremors of rage, allowing the younger male to continue.

"You still don't get that you don't frighten me do you?" Malik mused mockingly as he noted the look on Akefia's face and held up his Duel Disk, "And I have just the God I need~. I won't need to pray."

Akefia, hair on end in rage was on the verge of an outburst. Malik's crude words grating against their cursed existence… but seeing the motion of the Duel Disk faintly called the reminder to the Tournament, and in that his own host whom he cast a fleeting glance too.

Given his own goal to obtain the Items and his plans for them against the Pharaoh, he knew the Boy would not agree as he would not be willing to go against his own friends in such a manner. The fact bounced into his brain like a rogue arrow in a matter of moments before just as swiftly leaving urging him to tear his gaze away angrily and direct his anger back at the one who had initiated it.

"Do you think that I actually give a fuck if you fear me or not? I don't care." He hissed evenly, "I've met plenty before who feared me and those that did not, all ended up dead, their bones lost to the great desert forever." He then smirked at him, "And if that was a threat to unnerve me, don't bother… If I guess correctly that it is indeed Ra you want me to tremble before, it won't be the first time I've spat in his face. And as soon as I reclaim Diabound's lost form, that god of yours will just be another toy that I'll be wanting from you~."

Malik felt a chuckle rumble in his chest before laughing loudly, "You think Ra will listen to YOU?! Ha-Hahahahaha! Oh! That's funny!" he chortled before easing into an amused mocking grin, "Oh…But I did say the Gods listen to those that hold the Items. That isn't completely true, of course I won't tell you the difference. Only that Ra will be useless in your hands. Not that he'll be leaving my deck anytime soon." He stated smoothly.

Akefia gave a lopsided grin at the declarations, "Who says I need or WANT him to listen to me? Shredding him will be more than enough for me… For all the good he never did for me." he hissed.

Ryou blinked at Akefia's words and looked at his Yami… his words carried a strange tone that melded with what felt like an underlying hurt from deep in the Ring that he only sparingly ever glimpsed of him. The sensation was swallowed almost as quickly as it came as the constant shift of the situation continued on. He paused as he noted Malik look off suddenly.

"Good luck accomplishing that too." Malik mused halfheartedly as he looked out at something that his present company could not see, "Well, well. He crawled out eh?" Malik smirked as he finally got the moment he'd been waiting for, sighing expectantly, 'Time for my puppet to set off~.'

Akefia likewise noted the motion and narrowed his eyes at the comment and snorted, "Hmph… letting your lackeys play wet nurse for you eh? Feh… go on. Go out and play…" he mocked shallowly, well done with the irritating brat as his voice grated out, "We have business to attend to."

Malik merely smirked at the Thief's attempt to irk him, "No, more like a temporary playmate for the Pharaoh. I've got a good idea of how he duels now." he retorted as he locked onto the location, 'Time to wake up my puppet. Now go. Go to Yugi.'

Seeing his pawn respond accordingly, he grinned eagerly. The conversation with the Thief well lost of its luster in favor of a much bigger moment, "Now it's time for a reunion."

Ryou felt a chill rush through his frame at Malik's tone and finally spoke up fearing the tone, "What are you going to do?" he inquired stiffly. He swallowed and held his ground as Malik looked to him.

"Nothing, just going to reintroduce the Pharaoh to his favorite God~." Malik replied with a taunting smirk, enjoying the sheer irony of defeating the Pharaoh in such a move.

Ryou's face paled a bit in worry, 'Yugi!'

Revving his bike eagerly Malik grinned at the pair, "You should hurry~. It's going to be a good show~~. I have one more locator card to win anyway." He looked again to the already livid specter that was glaring venom at him and felt his mocking grin grow wider, "Nice to speak with you again, King of Albino Kuribohs~."

Ryou felt both himself and Akefia via the Ring stall as Malik then drove off laughing loudly, 'What did he just say?'

Akefia's hair stood on end as the comment sunk in, serving as the final straw of breaking his anger, "That… Loathsome little….!" At first almost unable to speak, Akefia then flew into an onslaught of various heated swears and insults in his own native tongue out of pure rage.

Ryou had only to shy back a bit as words he could not understand surged forth at a rate that was second only to the torrent of wrath radiating from within the Ring. Rage so heated he could swear he could feel scathing heat against his chest from the actually quavering Item.

Akefia, still seething and straining against his shadow restraints wanting to attack something, slumped back in well beyond an ill-tempered huff. How DARE that impudent brat speak to he, King of Thieves, in such a manner!? Dare he even imagine that anyone had done so before, but to have actually gotten under his skin worse than a tick was incomprehensible. Thinking of that smug smirk sent fresh waves of fire into his gut before he snarled angrily, "Fuck it… FUCK IT!"

Finally seeing a moment of pause, be it that Akefia had run out of angry outbursts or stopped for breath, Ryou shifted and looked off towards where Malik had gone and since vanished from sight, worry growing more every second not at all liking what Malik had implied, "We need to go after him."

The boy's words drew in the Thief's attention and forced him to shove aside his wrath for the moment in light of the situation, "Yes… it would be in our benefit to see what these gods can do now… we have to prepare for anything." He mused aloud, mostly to talk himself into calming, "Let's go see what Osiris is capable of."

Ryou blinked at the response, although well expected it, simply nodded curtly and sprinted off where he'd last seen Malik before looking around the busy streets increasingly concerned, "Which way do I go?" he wondered aloud.

Akefia, still fuming, looked around a moment before recalling Malik's words and looked off to where he'd gestured earlier, "Seems back towards the main Plaza. We'll start there." He muttered before humming. Focusing his want with full intensity two of the prongs pointed out, prompting him to quirk a brow and hum, "Hm… Seems my desires are affecting the Ring's detection…." He mused, momentarily earning a confused hum from his host, to which he snorted, "Luckily, both are in the same direction, or will be… Whichever comes first…"

Ryou blinked and looked off in the direction the Ring was pointing, which thankfully fell in the same general direction and promptly sped off as fast as he could go. In almost no time with the Ring's direction Ryou found himself running towards a canal. Standing by a low metal fence he paused and looked around as the Ring indicated he was close. His eyes flicked over the bridge a moment before spotting a duel and perked seeing a familiar thatch of tri-colored hair. A moment of relief that his opponent was not Malik was dashed when he got a look at his opponent, 'What kind of Mime is that?!' he stalled as he spotted a particularly alarming sight in the form of a glowing eye on said mime's forehead, 'That's Malik's puppet!?'

Akefia nodded as he too spotted the eye, one of the Ring's prongs dropping in response to locating one of the directives, "Yes… Hmph. Still hiding behind his puppets." He muttered spitefully, still bristling at the thought of the blonde brat. Blinking he looked over the current duel that had since engaged and hummed, "Regardless… this will be the perfect opportunity to see how this bastard duels."

Ryou looked out over the field with a light hum at Akefia's mention and blinked as he heard Yami's familiar voice.

"Your moves are too weak to reach my life points. Sorry Malik." Yami declared, before him a single horned beast that looked more of a lion than its name suggested.

/Gazelle: Attack:1500 Defense:1200/

Malik, seeing through his puppet, chuckled at his opponents declaration, "That was merely a test. I wanted to make sure my men weren't complete idiots when they lost to you. But it looks like they were just too weak to go up against you. You have quite the talent Yugi… you have some depth to your skills." He mused to the poised Yami, the compliments taken more as taunted threat. Malik narrowed his eyes as his plan played out in his head, 'But I have something that will shatter you… a creature with a name of a God. Osiris the Sky Dragon!' he smirked and gestured mockingly to Yami, "Now continue the duel!"

Yami blinked and did just that. Drawing his card he drew Buster Blader and hummed, 'Yes, I summon a monster this turn and sacrifice summon to summon this card on my next turn!' he thought to himself. Until then his gaze shifted to another card and he placed it on his duel disc with an iridescent shimmer, "Meet Gama the Magnet Warrior!"

/Gamma the magnet Warrior: Attack: 1700 Defense: 1800/

With a forceful gesture and firm voice he motioned to Malik's side of the field, "Gazelle destroys Worm Drake!"

As declared the lion like monster leapt forward and with a snarling roar reduced the Drake to ribbons with is dagger claws before returning to its master's side, "End Turn!" Yami called, a smirk tugging at his lips, 'I've destroyed all the monsters on his field, I have the upper hand!'

Ryou watched the duel with fascination, his initial worry dying away significantly by what he saw, still he watched intently, 'The duel is in Yugi's favor for now…'

Malik was left entirely unphased by the destruction of his last monster and his position, instead chuckling at Yami's clear confidence, 'You're the one who's cornered…Yugi!'

/LP:3200/

Looking to his hand he grinned maliciously, eager to see the look that would soon replace that confidence, 'Now to play God's unbreakable shield~.' He then played his card, "I summon Revival Jam in defense mode!"

A blue glop of a monster slinked out of its card before taking loose form on the field.

/Revival Jam: Attack1500 Defence:500/

"And now to activate my Slime Breeding Machine~." Malik declared, playing said card. Immediately a giant machine appeared on the field beside his human puppet, Strings.

Yami blinked in surprise, the name itself not welcoming, "A slime machine?!"

Malik hummed in some amusement from the reaction, "Yes, this device produces a Slime Token every turn it's on the field; however, I cannot summon monsters while it's around."

Akefia watched the duel intently from within the Ring, out of sight. The "pharaoh" had gained the upper hand rather swiftly, and to no lack of visible smugness. But as he looked to Malik's puppet he hummed, 'Sneaky little bastard is up to something…' his brows furrowed at the play… the machine looked to be imposing… but the creature he summoned seemed more nuisance than anything else.

Ryou blinked at the appearance of the machine and then at the explanation; the creatures were familiar, 'Slime Token… Those are treated as monsters…' he felt himself gasp as he looked at the layout, 'He's going to use them to summon his God card!' looking at Revival Jam he felt his worry prodding, 'I hope Revival Jam doesn't have the ability I think it does… or Yugi's actually the one at a disadvantage…'

Akefia hummed at his host's open thoughts, the name of Revival Jam forming a good idea, 'An indestructible monster? I would not doubt this… and if that's the case, not a bad guard.' looking to the duel he furrowed his brows, 'He knows that "pharaoh" will attempt to destroy that machine…' what was he doing…?

Yami hummed and drew his card, "My turn. I sacrifice my two current monsters! Behold the dragon slayer Buster Blader!" at his command, a tall imposing knight in dark armor rose onto the field wielding a giant sword, ready for battle.

/Buster Blader Attack:2600 Defense:2300/

Yami then gestured across the field, "Attack Revival Jam! Destructive Sword Flash!"

With a surprising rush, the knight surged forward, sword a blur as it slashed through the gelatinous slime monster sending bits of it flying in all directions. Yami grinned in satisfaction, "Yes. I stopped your Jam!"

Yami's grin faltered as Malik gave a mocking laugh, "Keh-heh, you think so?" he then gasped as he watched the bits of slime suddenly shot back together reforming into the monster perfectly, completely unharmed. As he stared Malik explained, "This is the regenerative power of Revival Jam! It can't be destroyed no matter how strong a monster is!" at that he hummed as if in thought, "What was that about my moves being too weak to reach your life points? I can say the same to you now! As long as the Jam remains, your monsters can't touch me~." he said with a sneer.

"Heh, back to me." Malik said smoothly, taking keen enjoyment of the look on Yami's face, "Now, Jam Breeding Machine activate!" immediately the machine began whirring, belching out smoke before a small round Slime Token popped out.

/Slime Token: Attack:500/

Malik chuckled in amusement as Yami eyed the small creature intently, "The Slimes created by the machine are weak. Only 500 attack each." He said in mock reassurance, smirking musingly, "If you destroyed them you could deal a lot of damage… So in order to prevent that… I play this card! Nightmare Steel Cage!"

Malik watched as a large black dome shaped cage covered in spikes appeared around a startled Yami, a broad grin on his face, "That cage is strong. We can't attack each other for three turns." He then smirked tauntingly, knowing well what his opponent was thinking, "That's right. I can't attack you, but I can create more tributes~. Slime Machine Activate!" With that another Slime Token popped out as Malik chuckled, excitement increasing, "Now you can't stop God from being summoned~. So just sit there patiently~. Osiris will arrive in one more turn."

Akefia watched the scene grudgingly, a small part of him enjoying what he was seeing, but unable to feel the full effect given the circumstances. Still he huffed, "Well, well… The brat is a commendable duelist, I'll give him that." hearing what was soon to happen, Akefia couldn't help but muse, "Come "Pharaoh"… Let's see how you deal with your old pet."

As Malik watched the Yami look for some way out of his predicament, he hummed thoughtfully, "Tell me Pharaoh. What do you feel being imprisoned inside that steel cage? Despair… Humiliation… Sorrow?" he mused, his face contorting behind Strings as he bristled in anger, the look actually reflecting in his puppet despite his attempt to keep his anger under control, "That's how I've felt my whole life!" he snarled venomously, "Serving a wretch who wasn't even there like some trained fool! That was the fate of the TombKeepers for thousands of years since your death!"

Inwardly Malik felt himself grin in delight, 'Once I get my revenge… I'll finally be free!'

Ryou could only watch the scene before him, his tension once more returning as Yami did not seem to have a miracle save. Akefia's turbulent emotions over some hatred conflicting with his own genuine concern for his friend adding to a pressure that, as he watched the Machine on the field begin spewing smoke, was about to hit a breaking point. As he saw the final blob of slime pop out of the machine, he shifted anxiously and watched.

"Now I have all my tributes~. Destroy the machine! Sacrifice Summon!" Malik declared, his chosen sacrifices vanishing from sight as he glared out triumphantly at his Pharaoh with a cold venomous smile, "Don't turn away, Yugi~. This is Osiris~."

As the summon came through, Ryou felt a strange jolt surge through the area as if something had stirred. The air seemed heavily pressured adding to a particularly crushing sensation… He blinked and looked up as a distinct rumble of thunder crackled through the air, and to his shock a storm cloud was quickly and suddenly emerging from nowhere. Tilting his head at the phenomenon he felt his hair stand on end as lightning revealed the outline of something massive and very long moving within the sudden storm. The sight was incredibly imposing, so much so that when several lightning bolts suddenly launched from the shape Ryou gave a startled cry as they rode down, twisting between the two dueling opponents. Blinking through the blinding glare he looked back to Strings as he heard him call out, "Come forth Osiris!"

Ryou felt his jaw sit agape as the lightning bolts faded out and in their place an impossibly massive two mouthed dragon was revealed behind Strings, its massive, twisting red body seemingly endless. The piercing yellow eyes glaring down on a clearly stunned and speechless Yami before it reared back and released a loud screeching roar with such power and force, Ryou felt the tempest like shock waves tear through him as well…

As it faded out, leaving Ryou buzzing, all the silverette could think was for all that he and even Yami had been through thusfar, this was going to prove one of the greatest tests imaginable… After all; what is a king to a God?

Sorry guys for the wait, but I hope you enjoyed! First God Card on the scene! Next chapter will be a recap of a duel but then after that~We'll get to a good part~ Though admittedly this scene was long anticipated for me and Rena. Just for the scene between Malik and Thief Bakura. Their banter is always good. Two particular moments are personal favorites of ours lol. Hope you enjoyed~! Next chapter will be our 30th!

This chapter was written by Renagade edited by me.

Me-Ryo, Yami, Strings/Malik

Renagade-Thief Bakura

Please let us know what you think!