Chapter one was just there. If I want people to know that this story is being fixed, it has to hit the front page. ;)
This chapter has a little more updates than chapter one, so I do recommend re-reading it.
Sorry I keep switching around the names. I've decided I've gone officially Japanese names besides a few. I will be posting my headcanons in my profile.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Chapter 2
Counsel of Truth
A smile flashed in the darkness before the figure stepped out of the shadows, the smile growing wider across his pale face. After five thousand years his plan was finally in motion. A soft, dark chuckle escaped Bakura's lips as he glanced around, wondering just where to start in this devious place.
/…\
Ryou wasn't sure whether to be honored or terrified that he was face-to-face with the leader of the Rare Hunters. Sure he seemed like a polite person, but he heard many things about that group, that they performed tasks that weren't completely legal and that they were not above killing individuals that didn't give them what they wanted.
He was still pissed, but mostly Malik felt like a traitor. He betrayed his father, his family, his clan, his friends, and did horrible things in blind hatred. As soon as he lost control of his body, a realization dawned on him. Marik was influencing him the day he was created. Yes, Malik was at fault for everything he did, but Marik was the voice in his head goading him on to do it. He hurt everyone he loved. Odion, Ishizu…
Ishizu! He needed to tell her what happened, make sure she and Odion were safe, and maybe figure out a way to get his body back. That was easier said than done. His eyes narrowed a bit as he glanced around at the eternal darkness. He had to talk to his sister.
Anzu.
Malik could have jumped for joy. Anzu was his short-term passport back to the real world. Shadow Magic could only be provoked by higher members—and family members—of the Ishtar clan, but it was stronger and permanent with an Item, objects only held by the true blood Ishtars. It would take much energy—most of his energy—but since Anzu was the only one that he still held a small portion of control over, she was his only resort.
"Ryou?" He glanced down at the white haired boy.
"Yes?"
"I have to go take care of something."
Ryou looked up at him, seeing a small glimmer of hope in his lavender eyes. "Okay."
/…\
"Another dead end? My, my pharaoh, what an interesting mind you have," Bakura mused as he turned around and started back. The pharaoh's soul room consisted of nothing but doors, stairs, and long hallways with empty promises at the end. Bakura was amused—considering he had all his memories—and annoyed—considering this was getting him nowhere—with the twists and turns of the Puzzle. Still, it was better than nothing. Patience is a virtue, a virtue he was very good at.
/…\
Malik thanked Ra repeatedly that Marik was still on the sky deck. Time in the Shadow Realm and the real world ran differently. One year on Earth could be ten millennia in the Shadow Realm. Two hours in the shadows could be only one second on Earth or vice versa. (There really was not a way to tell time in the Shadow Realm because all watches stopped. Mostly victims ran on internal clocks.) He shifted awkwardly and tugged at the short shorts, uncomfortable with being "inside" a girl's body. Of course, like most sane men, he wanted to be in a girl's body…
…just not like this.
He tripped nosily over the clunky heels and caught his breath when the sound of footsteps echoed off the walls behind him.
"Are you lost, Miss Mazaki?" A voice interrupted Malik's thoughts.
He turned, thanking Ra once more that it was only one of Kaiba's henchmen. What was his name? Ronald? Rodin? He didn't really care at the moment.
"Uh, no. I'm just taking a walk." Malik could've smacked himself. Taking a walk? How stupid did he sound? Who takes a walk around an airship at 2:40 in the morning?
Kaiba's henchman looked at him for a moment before slowly nodding his head. "A little airsick?"
Sure, why not? "Yeah."
He nodded his head again. "I used to get like that when I first started working for Mr. Kaiba. Airplanes were not my best friend back then. Walking around on the planes and airships really helped ease my stomach." He started to walk off again, but turned just before Malik ran off. "If you need any Advil or other necessities let me know."
Malik felt his head dip up and down in a nod and sighed heavily after Kaiba's henchman turned the corner. Hopefully that would not happen again.
/…\
Ryou fiddled with his fingers and glanced nervously at Malik's body. He was gone for almost an hour and showed no sign of movement besides his deep even breaths. The Eye of Horus faintly glowed on his forehead, pulsing with the movement of the shadows. They were growing restless and from what Malik briefly prepped him with, Malik was running out of time.
/…\
"I'm so sorry." Malik's voice was barely above a whisper as he finished telling his sister of the events that happened since he left four years ago. If Ishizu knew of anything he told her—Malik was positive not all his tale was new to her—she didn't indicate that she did. He was sick of lying to his sister and felt even sicker after telling the truth.
Ishizu pursed her lips and rested her chin in the palm of her hand, mulling over the information her brother just told her. "Only the pharaoh can save you now." She said gravely.
Malik nodded understandingly. "I know." His eyebrows scrunched together in concern. "Ishizu, you need to hide Odion. Marik cannot find him. He'll kill him."
Ishizu's eyebrows knit together, the same concern her brother felt mirrored on her face. "I will hide him. There are many rooms on the airship and a few levels. I will be at his side relentlessly until he wakes from his coma." She placed a hand on Malik's and squeezed. "When he awakens, you will be able to fight. I know it."
"Until then," Malik said grimly, "You know where I'll be. Stuck. In limbo. Helpless."
"Malik!" Ishizu scolded. "You will get out. You can't just go floating about in the shadows. You were taught better than that." Her blue eyes shifted back and forth in urgency. "You do not have much use here, so attempt to find a way out of there, please. There are portals everywhere. Find one."
"Then what?" He jeered at her. "Float around as a soul? Threaten to posses my body when he can easily kick me out again? Take in Odion's or your body? Find a dead person to inhabit?"
Without warning, Ishizu's hand roughly collided with Malik's cheek. Malik sat there feeling nothing but amazement and shock. Ishizu's face was hidden by the hood of her cloak, her head cast down.
"Malik," she said after a long silence, her voice thick. She lifted her head and a tear fell down her cheek. "Please. Try to find a way out for me. I'm losing Odion, I can't think what I'd do if…" her voice caught and her body shuddered.
His eyes softened. "I'll try."
Ishizu smiled weakly at her brother. She wiped her eyes and laughed humorlessly. "What have we come to?"
Malik answered her question with a hug. "We never had a normal life from the start."
"We could maybe attempt."
Malik let go of his sister with those words. "What do you mean?"
She grasped his hand again and looked at him intensely. "Fight. Do everything in your power to get your body back. Find a way out of the Shadow Realm. Trust Ryou. I can sense that he is a good, kind-hearted person. Don't trust the Spirit of the Ring. If he is around, keep your guard up. Search though. You'll have to keep going, but Malik, you need to fight. The pharaoh can only get you so far. The rest is your doing." Her smile this time was genuine. "If I know your spirit, you have much fight in you. You'll do everything in your power. I know you will win, but it will not be unproblematic. Your darker half has been a problem for a long time."
Malik's face darkened and he glanced down at the chunky shoes on his feet.
Ishizu's eyes fogged in recollection. "I remember you used to talk about him. He was your imaginary friend, your saheb. You even called him a form of your name—Marik. It was a little strange that a ten-year-old had an imaginary friend, but Odion and I let it go. You had been through so much."
A tear slipped off the tip of Malik's nose.
"You used to wake up in the middle of the night screaming. We would come running in and you would be muttering about seas of blood and mountains made of dead bodies. You would cry that Marik would lead you to these ghastly places. We asked why and every time you would close your mouth, scrunch your eyebrows, and become utterly confused. This especially happened after Father… passed." Ishizu looked warily at Malik, but Anzu's face was blank.
"I don't remember that," Malik said softly.
"I'm not surprised," Ishizu said simply.
They were silent for a long time.
A slight uncomfortable stir in Malik's gut told him he was running out of time. He stood suddenly, making his sister jump.
"I have to go," he said. "It's been almost two hours Shadow Time."
"And you only got to spend a little over one here," Ishizu sighed and embraced her brother. "Take Anzu's body back to her room before Marik comes down. I will see you soon." She gave him a confidant smile as he headed for the door.
"Hey, Sis?" Malik turned back and smiled hopefully.
"Yes?"
"When all of this craziness ends and we actually serve our purpose, can get one of those Big Mac things I keep hearing about?"
Ishizu was a little confused by her brother's request, but she nodded her head. "Of course."
Malik's smiled widened. "It's on me." He winked at his sister, a small acknowledgment and agreement to her request before running out of the room.
/…\
Pitch black and dark grey shadows swirled in a foggy haze. The figure crossed its arms, eyes closed, focusing.
"I didn't realize the guests I had," it spoke, its voice composed and cool. "I think they need to meet Norio-chan. One of my poor babies has been so lonely and wanting some company."
Its chuckling was cut short when it melted into the shadows.
THAT is a better ending than what I had, not "Yeah, okay Sis herp derp." And now there is more of a reason why the Shadow Realm is targeting those two. Of course the Shadow Realm messes with people, but they seem to have too much bad luck. Of course, Ryou isn't very lucky to start with…
XD
Review?
Over and out,
Mahersal
