Oh LORD has it really been since MAY I updated this?
And only four chapters in one year?
There's no excuse: 2023 was a really rough year...and I won't lie I sort of lost my passion for Yugioh as a result, or rather lost my passion over all but I've been slowly and steadily reclaiming it and I do love and have SO many plans for this story so without futher ado...the LONG awaited duel between Yami and Bakura!
The First Trial
The Eighth duelist sat alone in the darkness of her private rooms, studying the secrets of the stars through the wisps of clouds. They winked back at her with their ancient wisdom but revealed none of their secrets. She was not surprised.
Her necklace burned around her neck. She dismissed the KaibaCorp employee sent to summon her. There was no need for her attendance. Her duel would be the fourth and final of the matches. Her necklace had shown her that at least, but this match…this First match. The catalyst that would launch the last stage in an ongoing struggle that had begun over three millennia in the past, and decide the Battle of Kings.
How appropriate that battle for the title of Pharaoh would begin with the Pharaoh himself. But his opponent…
He was the one who worried her, for she recognized the dark mind whose presence slithered through the shadows secret and silent as a serpent waiting for the proper moment to strike not just with fangs but venom. It was the same dark presence that had hunted her in the museum. Inspired her to finally take initiative in the tapestry of Fate and undo the sins committed against her family–and save the brother whom she refused to admit was lost.
But the question remained…who was he? Some evil spirit like the one in Marik's Rod? Someone with an Ancient Past like the Pharaoh himself? A reincarnation like Seto Kaiba? A random third party like the Pharaoh's companions? Did he have some connection to the Pharaoh and his past life? If so how? And why? She did not know, and that disturbed her. Disturbing her even more was that her Millenium Necklace could not, or would not tell her.
His existence and identity left her completely in the dark, but she knew one thing: "This fight…will be his first test. But…when the time comes to make the choice of Kings, will you accept the power, King Yami? Or will you hide from it?"
X X X
"Ryou Bakura vs Yugi Mouto."
"Me!" Ryou gasped in startled surprise, but Yami caught the sudden shift in his expression. It was out of the corner of his eyes and gone in a flash but he saw it, buried so deep beneath the friendly worry that Yami almost missed it. Could've dismissed it as some trick of the light, or imagining of nerves–or dying hope.
Vicious delight.
Like a wolf that had caught a rabbit in its jaws–or more accurately, a snake just before it devoured a spellbound bird.
It stayed with him as they boarded the elevator to the battlefield. It summoned forth all his earlier doubts when his friend had arrived as a finalist, despite apparently having been gravely wounded only a few hours earlier. Then resurrected all his earlier observations in startling clarity: the husky rasp that had pitched his voice deeper, the lavender haze that sparkled in his eyes when he glared at Kaiba, the wild way his smirk had curled, the all too familiar laughter that had haunted him earlier in the room just before—
Something too sharp to be coincidence twisted Yami's gut and he banished the thought away.
No.
It wasn't possible.
There was no way.
If his suspicions were correct he was responsible for…
Before those terrible thoughts could reach their conclusion, the elevator stopped, opened to reveal the Duel Grounds: an open area situated right on top of the blimp amongst the bitter cold and fierce winds sharp enough to cleave flesh from bone–or so Kaiba bragged. His promised Duel in the Sky. Beside him Bakura only snorted.
"Harsh conditions, bah! These are nothing compared to Set's storms." he rolled his eyes and took position on his preferred side of the arena. "What a dolt."
The insult was like a punch to his gut and with it all of Yami's hopes froze like an apple blossom in a spring frost. He knew knew only one person with that level of cockiness and brazen sass, enough to outwit even Kaiba, and yet doubt surged within him, a last chance at hope.
Other Me ! Yugi's voice rushed forward, his expression grim with warning. I have to tell you something…something that happened during…the fire.
Yami's heart plummeted straight into his stomach as Yugi spoke. recalling that dreadful night when Otogi's mad father almost separated them forever. And exactly who had arrived to help Yugi in his time of need. Stunned mystification bulged Yami's eyes at the revelation and though a tiny spark of him wanted to doubt, to hope…His resolve steeled itself and that spark exploded like the flaming arrows of Sekhmet before the Lioness Goddess roared into battle with her legions of demons and teeth and despite his fears of how dangerous this duel could become, that fire roared within him and he spun to his opponent, still wearing the mask of a friend and snapped, praying he was wrong, but knowing he was right.
"Enough masks! Show yourself, Thief ."
A smile slit Bakura's face confirming all of Yami's suspicions–and fears–long before the curtain of wild hair curled into bat winged bangs, white and wild as a winter storm; his features sharpened like assassin's blades and a twilight haze both a promise and an invitation to join the dark replaced Ryou's emerald eyes. "It's been a long time…Yami."
It took all of his will not to flinch at the lethargy way he said that name, the name Yugi has christened him with in the absence of his own, that he, like Kaiba, had a right to say it.
"I knew it. I guessed things were going a little too well. How long has your other self been in control…Bakura?"
The dark spirit threw back his head and laughed, a harsh grating sound that could never belong to Ryou, alerting all their friends to the danger of the situation. Only Namu looked confused, even more so when Jonouchi and Anzu started explaining the situation. He felt a stab of uncertainty from Yugi's side of the line but begrudgingly chose to ignore it–the last thing he needed to focus on was his Aibou's crush, not when this bastard was standing so haughtily before him.
"I'm not surprised you figured me out," A dramatic, flamboyant sigh juxtaposed by audacious laughter, but what caught Yami's attention was the half lidded gaze fixated on him, the unsubtle lick of those lips. "You always were clever."
A treacherous heat flooded his body, shocking him, but he swallowed down and responded with a boastful "Never thought I'd fight you at cards,"
"Glad to see you remember me… Pharaoh " The haughtiness in his voice tripped over the nickname, like he wanted to say something else, something more affectionate but had stopped himself at the last minute. It sent a spark of recognition through Yami's blood and he squared his shoulders. Unfortunately, that seemed to amuse the thief because he added. "Ha-ha-ha, I had a lot of fun playing tabletop games with you, even if it did end in my loss."
The words rolled off his tongue more impressed than angry or annoyed, as if Yami had passed some sort of secret test.
Yami smirked at the praise, backhanded though it was, then hardened his expression. "I will ask you once. Are you after my Millenium Puzzle again?"
"Who knows?" The Thief shrugged, lethargy and nonchalant but a quicksilver smile betrayed him. "We both know I'm hardly what you'd call…predictable." His eyes twinkled then he quirked a smile that promised things… pleasant things, but the exchange was surrender. "I'm so happy I get to duel you first, you really haven't changed a bit."
"What is that supposed to mean!" Yami snapped yet the way Bakura spoke, the familiarity…the certainly...felt shockingly intimate. Did he …had he…did Bakura know of him in his past life? Had he known him !?
"You ask a lot of questions." The thief fixated on his expression and looked maliciously pleased but every word was an impressed salacious purr. "I've missed it…Your fighting spirit, your fiery passion, your sheer determination, your sharp little tongue." The thief licked his lips.
Yami hated the way those words made his skin heat. Bakura must've seen because those eyes settled on him, piercing him, distorting him and turning the heat in Yami to something extremely inappropriate.
"Enough!" Yami snapped, enraged though whether it was from anger or the confusing way in which that smile made his insides flutter, Yami did not–and did not want –to know. "Answer the question!"
The arrogant bastard had the audacity to look bored, but his eyes flickered as if Yami's outburst had pleased him. "Oh, very well, " he sighed dramatically, then all the playfulness dropped from his features, replaced by savage hunger. "Yugi, there is only one reason I entered this tournament: I want your God Card."
X X X
Oh, the look of shocked startlement flashing across the boy's face before it vanished back into cool resolve was absolutely delicious . Even more so knowing it was an instinctual reaction: an expression gone the instant it appeared as if just for him.
Bakura loved it.
Delighted in the obvious twitch of Kaiba's brows and the bob of his adam's apple whenever he invoked such an honest and emotional response from the object of his desire–as if the bastard had a right to the Pharaoh's true face.
In response Yami narrowed his eyes, scrunched his face into a deliciously offended snort. The look said he doubted that was Bakura's only reason. Clever boy. Always was.
His silence irritated him, earning Bakura an irked expression and a flash of that fierce, fiery temper: indomitable even when his opponent had the advantage of him.
Nonetheless, he steeled himself and swallowed a sigh. It would do no good to end the game now. Sorry darling, but I'm afraid I can't tell you the truth just and the brat need to stay alive to open the door to darkness. The millennium puzzle is the key.
Because of course, it was. That infuriating hunk of gold had been the catalyst for so many things…but that would be too easy, and no one said he couldn't have a little fun so he did what he did best: he told the truth " I want your Egyptian god card."
Not even a lie, it was Marik's demand for the Rod, after all. Not like the brat could handle Slifer, especially when he'd already Chosen.
"I don't believe you," Yami accused, all fiery eyes and lioness ferocity. "Lies are a part of your game!"
"I never lie!" Bakura protested, earnestly scandalized. "It's a point of pride for me, but…" He dragged out the word in a single flamboyant syllable. "That certainly doesn't mean I'm going to tell you everything I know."
Oh, the furious, frustrated twitch of that arched, delicate brow, the scrunched up fury contorting his face and determination absolutely blazing in those beautiful eyes. It was almost too easy.
If you want The Apopis acolyte teased, shattering his pleasant musing. I'm willing to take control of your body and defeat Yugi. All the cruel, casual confidence of a spoiled child Bakura wanted nothing more than to slap.
Stay out of this ! Bakura snapped, loud and biting through the link. It had taken more energy then he would've liked to keep Ryou and his own memories secret from prying eyes and unwanted interlopers. The fact the moron has chosen to remain within his Landlord's subconscious only added to his stress, an annoying weed that had become an infestation of poisonous plants.
You already lost to Yugi so stop acting superior. He banished the brat with that thought smirking at the growl greeting his rebellion and returned his focus to the furious pharaoh in front of him, already shuffling his cards and preparing his duel disk looking every inch as fierce and regal has he had 3,000 years ago garbed in gold and linen and jewels.
A serpent's smile split Bakura's face in a glittering smile that curled all the more with the righteous fire blazing in Yami's eyes.
No one has the right to defeat you, Princess, except me.
X X X
In three turns Bakura lost three monsters with no resistance and took two direct attacks. Amateur mistakes? Or intentional?
Yami didn't understand the strategy. He understood the man's triumphant laughter even less.
Of course, it was a trap. It was an occult deck after all. The blood sacrifice of three monsters destroyed in attack mode for one ultimate Monster.
Dark Necrofear appeared in a swirl of shadows and bleeding purple mist, a combination of a vampire-like fiend and the miss-matched parts of broken dolls. A broken doll part in her arm, its cracked eyes, innocently set in a cracked doll's skull. She clutched it tightly like a child's precious toy making her appear all the most terrifying.
Yami shivered, wise to be afraid of it, his mind scrambling for what possible hidden power it might possess that the thief would take such a calculated risk to summon her. To his surprise Bakura did not attack, but set a face down card.
"It's too early to be surprised, darling," Bakura's smirk curled, wolfishly. "The fun is just beginning."
The hungry look made Yami's skin crawl: in a pleasant way or not he could not tell. He wasn't sure he wanted an answer.
He assessed the situation quickly. drew a card and grinned.
"I summon Dark Magician Girl!" The loyal apprentice appeared in a blaze of bright pink hearts and bubbly fires the polar opposite of her opponent. Yami smirked when Bakura cringed, the thief's discomfort at the girl's bubbly nature and the obnoxious brightness of shapes and colors laughable considering he preferred the company of ghosts and spirits. With a blaze of confidence he revealed his combo, flashed a haughty grin at the surprised fury on the Thief's face.
You're not the only one who can set traps. Yami grinned with a familiarity to the banter that under different circumstances would've rattled him, but now felt wholly natural. Like Dark Magician Girl and Dark Necrofear has been in this position before–only not on opposite sides of the battle field.
The fiend creature vanished in an explosion of pink fire and silver lightning, and Yami couldn't double over laughing at Bakura;s reaction, not to the attack itself, but the obnoxious femininity of it. Each cringed and shuddered like a child unwilling to eat its vegetables.
"Goodbye, Dark Necrofear," he bragged, the Dark Magician girl spiraling beside him, giggling like a naughty child who'd just gotten away with a prank.
He'd expected cursing, fury or even panic from the Theif at the sight of his trump card's defeat: then the Necofear's doll head stared directly at him from its baptism of flames. Yami swallowed a scream and nearly stumbled backwards and would've fallen over embarrassingly if the Dark Magician Girl hadn't been so quick.
Through curled of blur and purple fangs, absolute triumph transformed Bakura's face.
"You have great instincts, darling ." He sank all his pride and hunger into that nickname, twilight eyes gleaming with an exasperated impression that sent something like a shiver down Yami's spine and blast him if it didn't feel good. "But I'm always one step ahead of you."
The haughtiness set Yami's blood ablaze and fury transformed his expression. Before he could let it furl him, however, the field transformed: the sky bruised black and red like blood from a fresh wound, horrible anatomical eyes and gaping mouths with thick lips, protruding tongues and slimy teeth emerged from nothing and Yami jumped whenever one of the bodiless organs came too close.
Nothing else changed. Bakura had one down card and nearly no life points. Yami still had all of his. He could take a risk. One more strike and that would be it…
Recklessly, Yami attacked Bakura's life points directly.
In the smoking pile of what was once The Dark Necofear's doll something emerged from the corpse: some shiny and silver, ethereal like a wisp of smoke that moved like water materializing into the shape of a skull.
Magnet Warrior froze in utter terror as the serpentine spirit slithered around him, devouring him his spirit with invisible claws and then fixed itc vacant eye sockets on Yami: two caves of ancient, starless darkness stared back at him, then shot forward, striking him with a force like a stab in the chest.
"A spirit…" Bakura clarified, smile both grin and glower. "The second Dark Necrofear goes to the graveyard, the soul kept imprisoned in her marionette is released…that vengeful, hateful soul will haunt your field, seeking her next host!" He narrated with all the dramatic, flamboyant flare of a horror bard terrifying all with ghost stories, except the chilling certainty made Yami shiver, as if the entire field had been transported someplace frigid with the arrival of this terrible field of glaring, judgmental eyes and slobbering mouths and bleeding, bruised sky.
"And the best, pa-art!" Bakura sang, all high and sweet and sinking all his derision into the note. "Is you won't know which monster it inhabits until it's too late!" He laughed maniacally then paused in his cackling "Oh, and before I forget," he spoke so casually, like he was fetching a list of errands. "You activated my trap card!"
Horror bulged Yami's eyes as Dark Necrofear appeared again, this time above what could only be described as a ouija board he recalled from one of the many horror movies he and Yugi had watched together. Her mechanical hand moved the planchette until the oculus settled over a single letter.
"D" Bakura echoed without looking. A ghostly spectral of the letter appeared and hung ominous in the air, a grim omen of what was to come. "D." Bakura sang-song again the melodious tune juxtaposed by the malicious triumph splitting his face. "As in D-E-A-T-H"
"Death," Yami echoed just as Bakura launched into his explanation. His fingers shook and loosened on his card but he knew better than to drop them. The final piece of this bizarre puzzle snapping into place with the metallic finality of a guillotine slicing through neck and bone. Four turns to finish the duel or the Death Board would kill him, a ghost haunting the field possessing whatever monster it chose devouring half the monster's attack points and leeching life from him but bestowing on Bakura in a twisted faustian blessing. Bakura's traps would force the ghost to attack even if Yami himself did not choose the possessed monster. His mind scrambled for loopholes, for escapes.
No ideas came.
All around him cruel laughter exploded from the disembodied mouths, the open eyes mocked him with their disturbing unblinking gaze: all the while Bakura's laugher echoed in his ears, those twilight eyes bright with challenge, daring him to find an escape.
The thief had indeed laid a clever trap…and Yami had walked right into it.
This has been sitting in my docs written in bits and pieces for the better part of seven months...too much has happened in that time that can be explained in a single author's notes but I'm very pleased with how this came out...
Yami and Bakura's banter is both the best and hardest thing to write: when they're already together their chemsity bounces like magnets but when their actually "getting together" trying to keep to subtle is like pulling teeth woo!
I'm very proud of how this came out! I already have plans for the next three chapters which will all be Darkshipping chapters with a dash of other stuff so stay tuned! (I swear they will not take another half the year XD)