victory_road | ANOMALY DETECTED

Marik~! [The spirit imitates the pitch of Marik's voice easily as he tilts his head back with a sardonic smirk, ignoring the offered hand.]

I'm amazed you're looking so happy to see me, considering what you'd done the last time we 'met'. Or are you just happy to know that you failed to become a double-murderer?

Eh?

[The tomb keeper blinks and lowers his hand.]

If you're referring to him, yes, I'm glad he failed.

[He pauses, his expression softening. Perhaps it's reckless to lower his guard like this but he's had a lot of time to think about things and what he's wanted to say to Bakura in particular.]

When Ryou showed up a while ago I was hoping you were still around so we could talk. He didn't have the Ring though...

[He smiles awkwardly with a bit of light in his eyes.]

But you're here now. You were the only one to actively help me when I came to you in... such a pathetic state. You could have left me to fade away but you didn't.

[He shifts his weight.]

So... Thank you. ... For doing that. I owe you a lot, Bakura.

'Him', huh?

[His eyes narrow dangerously because as absurd as all of this is, it's slowly starting to make sense to the spirit. But it's no sense of the kind that he'd like.]

Of course he didn't have the Ring. The Ring is mine. [His soul is woven into the cursed gold of it just as much as the ashes of his people are mixed into it. You can't just have one without the other anymore. It was a last nasty little trap for the Pharaoh and his dogs. Which reminds him- ]

.... Oh. So that's what you are telling yourself now? Your new delusion, after you can no longer deny that you killed your own father?

[His voice is soft and almost gentle, like the flickering of a snake's tongue before it strikes.]

Yes, my other... personality.

[His smile fades.]

He's your host though, right? So I just... assumed he'd have it with him.

[Since he doesn't know what happens to either the Pharaoh or Bakura. The last thing he was aware of was that Yugi had all the Millennium Items. Which, now that he thinks about it, he isn't sure why Ryou would still have the Ring then. Hmm.

He's taken aback by the Spirit's response. Perhaps he should have expected the snark. In the little time they spent together, Bakura was never one to mince words and the two butted heads a good amount but Marik, in his weird own way, still appreciated what he had done for him.

Too bad he essentially got him killed and if it hadn't of been for Atem, neither would have been brought back from the Shadow Realm.]

... Delusion? What are you talking about?

[Marik swallows and clenches his fists. Chen moves in closer on his shoulder, not taking his eyes off of Bakura.]

I've been... trying to work through my past actions. What's... What's so delusional about that?

[Rather than answering, Bakura barks a single syllable of a laugh.]

You say that I 'selflessly went out of my way to help you'. Like what? As if we ever were friends?

[There is a darkness lurking in his eyes that would have made any ghost type proud as the thief jerks his head towards the portrait.]

You and him really are alike now. Sacrificing your your so-called allies and really anybody else, as long as you just don't have to pay the prices for your happily ever afters yourself. Tell me

[leaning close, he smirks right into Marik's face, personal space be damned]

was it fun groveling for the Pharaoh, the moment I was gone? Oh, or should I rather say: Congratulations on fulfilling your fate, tomb keeper?

[Pulling back, he laughs.]

Waylaid the Pharaoh's enemies and demurely showed him your back, what a good kid you are! I'm sure your ancestors will be proud! You're a throughout-bred lackey and dog through and through!

That's not what-

[A pity the only ghost out right now is Chenzira, who is absolutely terrified of this man but is trying his best to keep a brave face for Marik.

The blonde tenses up, not from Bakura invading his personal space but those words. Those stinging, harsh words of truth. He grits his teeth, his pride and anger getting the best of him, snapping back like a cornered jackal.]

I DIDN'T GROVEL...! I...

[He did though. That's exactly what he did. Marik hangs his head, trembling with anger. After all his planning, all the work he went through, he just rolled over and gave up in the end. Gave the Pharaoh a free pass and acted like he hadn't spent his entire life resenting the man for all the grief he caused him and his family.]

... I'm not his lackey. I just...

[He just... what? He can't argue with Bakura. He's absolutely right. Marik hisses through his teeth, hating that he can't defend himself. He's become the very thing he swore not to become. He had wanted Atem's powers for himself. Because the world owed him for that terrible fate cast on to him at his birth.

What can he say now? Marik slowly glances up through his hair but only for a second before averting his gaze, too ashamed to even look him in the eye. Maybe if he...steers things away from Atem, he can gain some verbal ground.]

... And what about you? Have you faired any better against him?

[His eyes widen slightly when Mark tries to protest, only to stumble over the actual truth the more he keeps trying. His smile widens as well, turning inch by inch into a malicious grin.

Seeing Marik trashing around like this with the barbs Bakura caught him with is damn satisfying.]

You.... ?

[He tilts his head before he tosses it back and barks his malicious laugh. Ryou's body shouldn't be made for something like that, but Bakura has seeping everything that's dark and evil for so long that he can even twist what should have been a gentle laugh. There's nothing gentle within him.

Once the echo of his cackles fades, he smiles oh so sweetly again.]

...Thought so.

[He is tempted to add another verbal kick, but sometimes it hurts more to be curt. Let the tomb keeper drive the thorn deeper into his own flesh by himself.]

Me? Oh, I've done quite a bit. I've killed his family. I've killed his friends. I'm the godsdamn reason his life was cut short and- [grabbing Marik'S wrist, he yanks him close so that he can whisper into his ear] ....I'm the reason that his very existence was erased from history! Oh, by the way, Shadi.

[Jerking his head toward the painting once more, Bakura laughs. It's deep and silky this time. Pleased with himself.]

I've killed Shadi as well.

[He hates this. Hates this all so much. Marik had been living such a nice, fulfilling life in this place. At least... until Atem arrived. That's when things began to waver. He had plenty of time by himself to both think things over as well as pretend nothing ever happened before any of them had been brought here along with him. Kaiba, Atem, Ryou, Joey, and now Ishizu. Although always pleasant in his interactions, Marik was still somewhat distant with the Pharaoh, still unsure of how to feel about everything. Upset that everyone just... forgave him so easily. Like they were mocking him, like what he'd done wasn't really all that bad. But he had killed hundreds, sacrificed people like stepping stones to further his plans, using anyone and anything to succeed, even his own beloved siblings. If it hadn't of been for his split personality, he could have... should have won.

At Bakura's reveal, the blonde's eyes widen and he lets out a yelp as he's yanked forward, Chen frozen on the spot, clinging desperately to Marik's back. Him. It was... him? All of it. This whole time. He was the great evil the texts spoke of? Not the Pharaoh...

Marik slowly looks back over to the painting of Shadi when he admits to the last thing before returning his attention to the Spirit. His mind is racing in a thousand directions. Where does he even start? How does he process all of this? Why... Why wasn't he ever told?]

Then that's why... That's why when I asked you to help me to get the God Cards, you just asked for the Items in exchange? And why Shadi changed in demeanor...

Edited 2022-11-28 03:45 (UTC)

Hm? Oh, no. I simply want them for my own purposes. Don't you love your family too?

[Letting go, Bakura pushes himself away from Marik, unaware of the way a piece of the wall seems to be shifting briefly behind him. Murals don't usually blink.]

Shadi did all the things he did by himself. His own choice. I neither possessed him, talked to him nor did I influence him in any way. We had no personal connection at all.

I simply hated him and his kind enough to end his life.

[Marik grunts as he's shoved away and Chen remains glued to his trainer's back, terrified to see what's in front of them. Perhaps the Yamask noticed the mural a little bit ago which is why he's so scared. It's more likely it's a combination of that and the Spirit himself. Never has he come across such a dark entity before. Marik notices something off with the wall but is too wound up to really focus on anything other than Bakura.]

What does family have to do with it?

And I was referring to the fact that he stuck around as a spirit after you... killed him. We didn't interact much but his eyes were listless when I last saw him saw. Moreso than mine.

Oh, I see~ They decided to omit that part from their precious records of history as well.

[He clicks his tongue before he holds his head high. Defiantly so.]

I'm a vengeful spirit. Have you never stopped to wonder just what has happened to make me like that? Or why they decided to put your whole precious history surrounding the Pharaoh and the Items in such godsdamn vague terms?

I am not the one who's not telling the truth or keeping secrets!

[He gives his words a chance to sink in before he turns away with a huff.]

Hmmph! That has nothing to do with me. I didn't even know that he stuck around, and why the hell would I care!? [That had been his oversight in the end, hasn't it? The thought has his expression sour, even though the thief is aware that there's no use grousing over it anymore. Expression pulled into a slight pout, Bakura shrugs his shoulders.] I can't say that I'm surprised that he tried to escape death by binding his soul to one of the Items, though. He both knew about me and he definitely had plenty enough.

[He shakes his head.]

He was a fucking idiot if he thought the Items wouldn't reject him.

Edited 2022-11-28 22:30 (UTC)

[Marik huffs. Of course there's a bunch of information they kept secret even from the Tomb Keepers. That seems to be par for the course. Everything needs to be painted in a way to make the Pharaoh good along with his noble sacrifice. Sacrifice for what though? Sealing some great evil. That's all he was ever told.]

Of course I wondered that about you. And why everything is so vague surrounding the Pharaoh. They want us to guard his tomb blindly without knowing anything of the man... Why? Wouldn't it be better to know? To know what kind of person we're being forced to dedicate our lives to?

[He pauses, trying to contain his growing anger, falling right into the thief's trap as he opens up about matters he shouldn't.]

I still... have no idea who he is and why I should be pledging myself to him. I couldn't even escape him in this place...! And even now all I have is his godsdamned name.

[Shadi's the least of his concerns at the moment. Bakura killed him, he bound himself to the items, whatever. It's the same as everyone else. What is important are the secrets the Spirit holds. He's the only one who can tell him the truth.

It's his turn to close the distance. He reaches out to grab Bakura by the shoulder. The blonde is feeling desperate, greedy, scared. The Spirit can easily see it in his eyes. He doesn't know how long they'll have to talk or when he'll be able to see him again. He has to know... even if he shouldn't.

Ishizu will forgive him for this, surely. It's his right to know the truth.]

Tell me everything, Bakura.

[Bakura's smirk lights up with wolfish glee as he watches how Marik starts unraveling faster and faster. It's bound to be a whole bloody mess and he knows it, but true to his vengeful existence the spirit cares little for what misfortune he'll leave in his wake - as long as he can sow the seed of discord and create a new spring that shall eventually swell forth until it becomes a river leading to his revenge.

Bakura doesn't care who he uses to reach his ultimate goal, nor does he care for their fates; helping Marik without any visible gains had been a shorttime blip on his radar, a brief slip based on a whim and too many similarities between their respectable fates...

Or so he keeps telling himself.]

Temper, temper ~

[The thief merely laughs as he allows himself to get caught, eyes resting on the unlucky little creature hiding behind Marik rather than the agitated tomb keeper himself. Licking his lips, he leans in.]

Maybe I will, when- what?![and then the Runerigus that had been hiding behind the thief crashes into his back and envelops both of them in its arms.]

[Marik hisses and gives Bakura's shoulder a squeeze, feeling far too impatient than he should be when dealing with the Spirit. But he has to know...!

Chenzira lets out another yelp, trying to alert the two to the other spirit that's with them. Don't let it touch you...!

But it's too late. The Runerigus has them in its arms and Marik's fight or flight goes through the roof. He's experienced threatening ghost types before but this... this is different. Something feels incredibly wrong. Like this very essence is being drained from his body.]

Ch... Chen...! Use Night Shade...!

[The Yamask hesitates for a moment. If he attacks, he might hurt Marik... but if he doesn't, the Runerigus will hurt them for sure! Chenzira hops off of his trainer's back and uses his ability. With both Bakura and Marik used to feeling the effects of Shadow Magic, it's probably a minor tingling sensation for them but for the Runerigus it's enough to get it to let go of the humans.

Once freed, the tomb keeper yanks Bakura towards him and away from the pokémon, shouting at Chen to do another attack while he turns his attention towards the thief.]

Do you have a pokeball?

[Baura gives his head a dazed shake, before he snarls angrily. This was just about to become good! How dare that nuisance interfere?!]

This?

[He pulls a black pokeball with yellow markings out of his pockets and drops it carelessly. What springs forth is a Hisuian Zoroark, except its colors are a slate gray at the base that bleeds into an explosion of a wild white mane and eerie purple markings.

The creature shakes its head once in a way that's very much like its owner before it narrows its yellow eyes on their attacker and bares its fangs in what looks like a scoff.]

Zoroark-!

[That's... That's the evolved form of Ryou's starter, isn't it? Of course it is. This place certainly has a sense of humor with its choices.]

Have it attack! Chen's max level but I don't know why his attacks are barely doing anything to it...!

[Besides bad typing. That still shouldn't have his Yamask's power seem useless. But Chen doesn't know any damaging dark moves... He knew he shouldn't have left Usi at home.

Before he can shout another move, the Runerigus slaps Chenzira out of the way like a ragdoll and lunges for Bakura and the Zoroark. Marik, like the sentimental fool he is, leaps for his pokémon to catch him before he hits the ground, instead landing on it himself and having the wind knocked out of him. Chen clings to him terrified, trying to figure out what he should do.

What does Marik normally do when they're fighting wild pokémon? He usually avoids them but there's a few that he's captured.

... That's it! Once the tomb keeper groans in pain and shows that he's mostly okay, Chen goes to rummaging through his cargo pocket and pulls out a pokéball.

The Spirit will hear an audible "Bahhurahh!" in a raspy high pitched voice as the Yamask rolls an empty pokéball towards him to use. To further instruct him just in case he doesn't quite understand, Chen makes a throwing motion at the Runerigus.]

[Bakura raises an eyebrow at Marik's theatrics - was he trying to rescue the monster?? - before the thief switches his attention back towards their foe. Which seems to be another monster, go figure.]

Tch! Ridiculous!

[Both he and his Zoroark dodge in opposing directions at the last moment, leaving the Runerigus to rush past them with all its force. Something behind them crashes, but Bakura doesn't care to figure out what it was.

Instead, he gives the fox-like creature at his command a curt sign with a jerk of his head before he bows down to grab pokeball from Marik's beast.]

Nasty Plot!

[Bakura dodges again as the Runerigus attacks them once more. The Zoroark lets out a pained bark, but its quick to get up and grab on to the snake-mural spirit with an evil smirk. There is a wispy voice that sounds like Bakura's, but clearly isn't, as the pokemon uses its illusion ability to give itself another order to attack.]

Bitter Malice!!

[It takes him a bit before Marik gets his wits back in time to hear the doppelganger of Bakura's voice and he looks over to see the Zoroark fighting the Runerigus along with Bakura holding an empty pokéball.

Chenzira calls out Bakura's name again and does another throwing motion.

Is he... No. He'll have time to be impressed over his Yamask's new vocabulary later. The blonde slowly sits up, gritting his teeth as he hisses a command.]

Chen... use... D-Dark Pulse...! Hhk...

[As Chen jumps in to distract the Runerigus with his attack on top of Zoroark's to help in doubleteaming it, Marik manages to get enough air to shout at the thief.]

... Throw the pokéball at it, Bakura!

[Bakura was about to make his Zoroark use the same attack again, having seen Chen's attempts to show him what to do but preferring to fully beat his enemy down before he acts on it, but then Marik is yelling again and Bakura sighs.]

Ishtar, would it kill you to be a little less dramatic just for once?! Nobody is dying here - yet!

[Turning around as the noises of the battle surge up once more, he sighs and weighs the weight of the pokeball in his balm.]

HEY!!

[The moment the Runerigus turns toward him Bakura socks it right into its only visible eye with the pokeball.]

Happy?

[The tomb keeper snarls and stands up, rubbing the part of his back that he landed on.]

Tch... I'm not being dramatic! I got the damn wind knocked out of me!

[He watches as Bakura throws the pokéball and... stares in disbelief as it pegs the thing in the eye socket. That is not how a pokéball works. Why did it fail? Because it was his ball but someone else used it? Ugh. This world and its ridiculous rules.

But the Runerigus falls back on to its back with a monstrous thud, apparently knocked out by that one hit.

Marik blinks.]

... What...

[Even Chen seems at a loss. He looks to the two trainers and tilts his head.

Apparently the ball Bakura threw is useless now so Marik throws another empty pokéball at the unconscious Runerigus. It stops in midair and emits a light as the pokémon is pulled inside the device. The correct way its supposed to work. It struggles for a while, seeming like it's going to break out but eventually gives up and the pokéball locks.

The blonde walks over, staring down at it. He remains silent for a moment or two then bends down to pick up the ball.]

... Now.

[Marik stands back up and turns to face Bakura, that dark intense look in his eyes once more.]

As you were saying.

[Bakura has crossed his arms in a display of annoyance as everything went down, going from a smug preening to looking rather pissed again. Bakura's unnamed Zoroark, who'd been placing a hind paw on the defeated(??) Runerigus with sadistic pride, is shooting Marik a dirty look as well, claws twitching by its sides.]

You stole my kill.

[He merely sounds petulant, but there's something about his body language that betrays that Marik better had to offer a damn good reason for this very quick or he'll wish that it was him who got stuffed into that ball!]

Yeah?

[He tosses the pokeball to Bakura.]

Then take it.

[Chen floats up to rest on Marik's shoulder, tuckered out from the fight and the stress of this entire encounter.]

I didn't want you completely obliterating it as I've been meaning to study one of those. And now you've got two pokémon.

Consider it a gift for the information you're going to give me.

[Before Bakura can shoot back what exactly Marik can do with his demands the pokeball springs open and 'his' new pokemon -- whom he is totally going to name Bastard after this -- uses its powers of storing and sharing memories to give Marik more than he wants.]

Click for memory share scenes!

[Marik yells at being grabbed but is quickly silenced when the memories start pouring in, the Runerigus tightening his grip on him. All he can do is stare in horror as bits and pieces of Bakura's life play before his eyes. Chen's too tired to properly attack and can only watch helplessly as his beloved trainer is shown such intense visions.

Both good and bad memories. The screams, the fires, the death, the destruction. The look of innocence and wonderment in Bakura's eyes, turned scared and then numb by the events unfolding before him. The horrors of the acts committed in the name of the Pharaoh. The false sense of justice that's subjected on to the people, so many wronged. How they preach that it's for the good of the people and the next moment their very souls taken from their very body.

The stone tablets are Shadow Magic, absorbing a person's being. The Millennium Items were created from 99 sacrificed people. Melting them into the gold. Everyone in the village was slaughtered - and Bakura was the very last one. It's enough to make him want to vomit.

To call upon the power of a dark God in order to defeat an incoming army, only to then sacrifice their own people, and then think that they could just seal the evil away when they were done with it?

At least in his case, the atrocious acts he committed weren't disguised behind some sense of false justice. He never once said he wanted the God Cards or the Pharaoh's power to make the world a better place. He wanted them for himself. There was no delusion there besides what he himself was capable of doing.

That dark power though. The being itself. Zorc... Never has he seen such a terrifying entity. Even if he's not there in person, the residual energies from the memory are able to leak through. Despite the familiar, intoxicating sensation, Marik's body is seized by sheer terror.

Everything in his life has been a twisted lie. His duty as a tomb keeper, protecting the hint to unlocking the noble nameless Pharaoh's identity, guarding the Millennium Rod. The very item they used to pull people's souls and entrap them on to tablets they essentially used for practice. All of the pain and suffering he went through as a child. What his siblings went through.

Not knowing any of the truth... and rolling over on to his back like the obedient dog of a servant he is in the end.

Marik screams and the memories stop. If it hadn't of been for Atem banishing his other personality to the Shadow Realm, this would have brought him forth. Instead the tomb keeper can only go limp in the Runerigus's grasp, his mind overworked to the point of falling unconscious for a bit. Rage, sadness, betrayal, confusion, disgust. He can't focus his thoughts, his emotions.

The stone tablet pokémon gives out a laugh similar to Bakura's and lets the teen go, Marik falling to the ground stomach first. Chen scrambles to perch himself on his back so he isn't crushed. The blonde lies there for what feels like an eternity before twitching slightly and craning his neck to look up at the Ring Spirit but he says nothing, still unable to properly think straight, the light in his eyes completely gone now.

The Yamask weakly calls out to Bakura. He's not sure what that will accomplish but Marik needs help...!]

Edited 2022-12-06 15:21 (UTC)

[Bakura's eyes grow wide when Marik starts screaming. He moves closer with a hand raised almost on its own, until he hits the Runerigus' range and withdraws with a hiss as if burned. Something is going on, he can feel it even before the details on the drawing of monster start to shift and- ]

Is that Diabound?

[He's speechless at the sheer insult of what is going on. But then the pseudo-snake lets go of Marik and looks at him with those eyes and he feels the breath punched out of his gut a second time.]

This is- ....I'll deal with you later. Get back into your card!

[The tablet with the snake head jerks around in confusion, making Bakura roll his eyes.]

-your ball, or whatever! Just get back!

[Once it vanishes in a flash, Bakura runs a hand through his bangs and sighs. Great! Just great. Now he has to deal with another monster that 'chose him' the way it seems, or maybe that thing's just another ghost because it had definitely sometimes feels like it. A wicked energy, just like his. Hell knows why evil spirits were always drawn to him. It's been a constant he's already had since he was still alive. Ghosts just like him.

Shaking the thought off, he crouches down next to Marik.]

Guess that was a little more than what you expected, huh?

[He exchanges a look with Marik's runt of a monster and promptly ignores the flat look Chen gives him in response to his question. Behind him, Zoroark snickers under its breath. The ghost fox already knows when it's good to butt into things and when it's better to let its human just do whatever he wants, sit back and enjoy the show.

The noise prompts Bakura to scoff and toss his pokemon partner a look as if to tell it that Zoroark is welcome to handle Chenzira if its that bored.]

Hey! Marik!

[Still nothing. Muttering a curse under his breath, Bakura rolls Marik over and pins the blond down by his shoulders. Then he crushes their lips together. After a second Bakura also remembers that he's supposed to pinch the blond's nose while he's applying CPR.

He gives it ten long breaths before he leans back and tilts his head. That shock treatment better have worked, or he'll just beat Marik next.]

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