victory_road | ANOMALY DETECTED

Just how familiar do I get with him then...

[It sucks being the only one from the earliest point in the timeline. He both does and doesn't want to know how things go. Marik hasn't bothered asking any of them about the exact details of when the Pharaoh goes to regain his memories. It doesn't feel right to know.]

... Tch. Of course it is. I wanted a new beginning and the Gods continue to bring people in to remind me of where I stand in all of this...

[Chen's at least relaxed a bit. If Bakura isn't being a complete bad influence on him, he's alright... but he's got his eye on the Spirit despite his current exhaustion.]

I... I don't know. I have the resources, I just... need the drive. It's so freaking cold out now though that I don't want to do anything. I hate winter.

[Really, the only thing he's been mildly focused on as of late is his Love(?) Quest. How to ask Fluttershy out on a date. Hnn. Maybe if he starts getting in better shape, she'll be more impressed....

This boy and his flights of fancy. He isn't about to discuss that with the Ring Spirit though.

Marik fiddles with one of his arm cuffs.]

.... I suppose working out wouldn't be a bad start. It'll get me out of the house more. Gyms are usually warm, right? And I can continue volunteering at the Tower... then... I'll be in shape come the springtime and resume the Pokémon Gym challenge with my team.

[A pause as he looks up to meet Bakura's gaze with an expectant expression. The snark will come. He knows it.]

Not exactly "bad guy" stuff but I'll work into that.

What an amazing New Year's Resolution.

[He couldn't sound any more dry if he tried. Bakura ruffles a hand through the hair on his head and sighs.]

I should've known better than to expect more than that. Zoroark! Come! We're going!

[He doesn't know why he wants Bakura's approval as much as he does. Hearing that dry remark despite expecting it still hits him hard and Marik feels his heart sink.

Chen seems relieved at least.]

Bakura...!

[What can he say? What can he do? Has he really just settled into a life of mediocrity? Or is Bakura just expecting too much of him? The blonde swallows, feeling like despite the fact that he's been given some guidance on what to do, it's not enough to keep the thief interested in some form of... friendship between them.

Maybe he was a fool to think they were more than "partners in crime." They were just using each other during the entirety of Battle City but with the Duel against his darker self, he'd grown a certain fondness for Bakura.

But he's out of ideas. Deep down, despite how much of a terrible child, Marik doesn't actively want to ruin what he's got going on in this world. He does want to better himself though more that Bakura's pointed it out.

The teen lets out another sigh. One last pathetic attempt to keep him around.]

... Are you taking Runerigus with you?

...that thing?

[He reaches for the new pokeball within his pockets, and brushes over it thoughtfully. Bakura can feel the powerful entity hum within it. It had acted out and attacked them(?) twice so far, but it had also seemed content to obey his words once he's established who's the most dangerous ghost here.

His fingers halt for a moment as a new possibility crosses his mind. What if it hadn't been both of them it had been after - but just Marik?

Maybe there was something about the tomb keeper that the ghost hadn't liked? ...... In any case, Bakura still has a promise to keep with that thing.

I'm going to deal with it, just like I said. You didn't think that I'd let something that can use my memories to traumatize others run free, did you?

[Marik rubs the back of his neck and clicks his tongue. Chenzira is more than happy to be rid of that thing. It hurt his trainer and made him see something bad!]

I would have kept it from terrorizing people. I'm familiar with ghost pokémon and their temperament. It's just a matter of earning its respect.

I might be sloppy at everything else but I'm at least good with understanding these creatures.

You. Good with ghosts? There's a lot of ass-backwards irony in that claim, don't you think, tomb keeper?

[But he is considering it. There is no denying that that little runt is attached to Marik, and even he himself is... Well. No, Bakura definitely doesn't like him. But he did help him before, against his better judgement. So there might be a certain common ground that helps Ishtar to connect a bit better with the dead than most.

....that snake will still eat him alive and wipe the ground with him after spitting him out again. Which might actually not me such a bad thing. Hmmmmm.]

What are you planning to do with my memories? [A beat.] Don't tell me you saw me alive and have fallen for that form?

[Hah, yeah, as if!]

Yes, yes. I'm aware of the irony, trust me.

[It was never lost on him, even when he first arrived. But there's a familiarity in how the presence of ghost pokémon feel and he often finds himself drawn to it or them drawn to him.]

Nothing. I was-

[Marik arches his brow.]

You are handsome in a rogueish way, I'll give you that, but I told you before I'm studying the Yamask line. I've been meaning to get a Runerigus - and that is technically my pokéball.

... Your memories will remain hidden though. You have my word on that. Not a soul will know of our meeting and what I've seen. That's...

[He grits his teeth and hisses. More irony.]

That's what I'm good for anyways.

[Has he mentioned that... ? Bakura doesn't know, but then again, he didn't care to listen to what Marik had to say either. He wipes Marik's blathering about it being his ball away with a click of his tongue, because without Bakura that thing would definitely not have been caught!

As Marik continues Bakura's derisive look turns into a stunned silence before he bursts out laughing.]

HAHAHAHa! You! Wanting to protect my memories, instead of the Pharaoh's!? Your family will toss you out if they ever find out what you're doing!

....which almost makes it tempting, I'll admit.

[But then again, they both know Marik's success count with keeping the secret that's engraved on his very back secure, don't they? This promise of Marik's is something that he's definitely going to break. It's a given.]

Why shouldn't I pick a third option and just let that thing run free again?

[Oh, that irritating, insulting laugh. He perfectly set himself up for that one. Marik hisses again and clenches his fists.]

I don't need to protect his anymore. I never wanted to in the first place! At least with you I give some damn about. I wouldn't be offering otherwise!

And my family isn't going to find out. It's none of their business what I do in this world!

[None of the Rare Hunters knew Hieratic so that's why he wasn't concerned with hiding his back around them. They're the only ones to have seen it though so... decentish enough track record? At least he would think so.

Hmm. Does he show his proverbial belly at the threat or try to intice him? Maybe one more pathetic last attempt to get through to him, even if just a little.]

Because I'm one of the few people, if not the only person to not consider you my enemy.

It isn't much but... at least someone would be honoring your memories.

Sloppy seconds, then~ [Yeah, he set himself up for that one too.

Bakura watches with sly eyes as Marik plans his next move, only to cackle again when he realizes what it is.]

Really, Marik? I'm an evil spirit! I don't think my memories could get any more desecrated if somebody tried! Each notion of the 'good' Pharaoh and the 'bad' thieves of my home village scribbled on some wall is a slap into my face!

What do you think would one single human who doesn't despise my very existence change?

[Despite being mostly clueless on that particular subject, he's heard the phrase before and it just makes his face red.]

I-I'm trying to be nice to you, fool!

[He scoffs. (Chen's fallen asleep at this point, exhausted from the fight and finding Bakura not to be too much of a threat right now.)]

Evil Spirit or not, you used to be human at one point. Knowing you aren't completely alone in the world...

[He shrugs.]

Sometimes, it helps to keep you going.

[Before Bakura can laugh in his face again-]

Although I'm sure you don't need my help with that, the notion is still there.

I am completely alone.

Thanks to the Pharaoh and Zorc, I've always been. You seriously think that you can preach to me about that?

[His voice doesn't raise. If anything, Bakura even deflates. But the air around him suddenly became dead silent. Marik just hit a nerve.]

[Marik was not expecting that reaction. He actually pauses for a moment, just looking at the Ring Spirit in silence.

He could be a dick and rub it in his face but Chenzira might disown him and... to actually affect Bakura like that means it's serious. And having seen bits of his memories, he knows Bakura's not bluffing.

Marik says nothing. He needs to handle this situation delicately but not in a way that will outright piss the Spirit off. Deciding that actions speak louder than words (clearly hell has frozen over), the tomb keeper holds out an open hand towards the thief. Not palm up but to the side. For a handshake, like he tried earlier. He's expecting Bakura to either turn away or slap his hand but... the offer remains there.]

[Bakura looks at the offered hand, but before he can act somebody else decides to interfere.]

Zoroark!!

[Bakura's Zoroark has jumped forward and forced its way between them, shooting Marik a dirty look. The next moment it has dropped onto one knee and is clutching Bakura's hand - that's how you do it! not wait and whimper, useless other human! - while giving him the most determined look.]

Zorrr-!

[Eh...? What is he...

Is he implying Marik act like his servant? He's trying to show Bakura he considers him an equal! That's far more respect than groveling! He tries to shoo Zoroark away so he can step a bit closer and offer his hand again.]

Wha-

[But Zoroark's interrupting again, this time by growling and snapping its fangs at Marik as it slaps Marik's hand away and shoves itself int front of him once more.

Then it sticks its front paw into Bakura's face.]

Zoroark!

.....The Hell are you two doing?

I don't know!

[He ruined a legitimately good moment though. Marik was making progress...! Now he'll have to say what his intentions were which have much less of an impact.]

Ugh... I was trying to show you that you aren't alone anymore. While we're stuck in this world, whether you're here for keeps or not, I've... I've got your back, okay?

[Bakura looks from the tomb keeper's face to the clawed paw that's still stuck into his face and back again.

After a long moment he lowers his head - and starts laughing. Genuinely laughing, not his usual evil cackle. Once he has calmed down, Bakura takes Zoroark's paw solemnly and gives it both a squeeze and a shake.]

You're both idiots.

[Oh.

That's... not a laugh he's heard before. He blinks, looking down at Zoroark for a moment before looking back up at Bakura.

... At least he's in a good mood. He'll take it even if he has to call himself an idiot. Chen stirs a bit but since there's no malicious energy, he doesn't spring into action.]

Yeah. Maybe a little.

[Marik pauses for a second then steps closer and goes to place a hand on Bakura's shoulder with a small smile.]

... I can't make you take me seriously but... I meant what I said, Bakura.

[Bakura has always been moody as hell (most likely thanks to the isolation). Right now Marik and Zoroark are lucky that his inner pendulum is swaying in the opposing direction after taking a deep sway into the upset/angry section.]

So you do. [Whatever.] I'm still not letting you just have a free pass to dive into my memories whenever you feel like it. Like you said, that shit's private.

Besides, you can control that thing about as good as you did Ra. It'll just make you cry like a baby again.

[To Zoroark, he adds in a lower voice "you can stay", which gets promptly rewarded with a happy noise and an attempt to jump into his arms. Apparently Marik isn't the only one with a hand for ghost types - that or Marik and Zoroark share the same bad case of taste-confusion.]

I wouldn't want to dive into them again anyways. Once was more than enough.

[He's going to be ruminating on that for the next while though. Food for thought, as they say. He has both those memories etched into his mind and what Kisara's told him vaguely of the events to work through.

Marik would ask Bakura about ka beasts but he knows he's pushed his luck enough today. He pulls his hand back and instead places both of them on his own hips.]

You forget that wasn't me. That was my other personality. I only ever handled Slifer.

[The blonde narrows his eyes but... he isn't actually angry. The thief can probably see the hint of a smirk on the corner of his lips. This banter of theirs was something he missed.]

You didn't fair all that well against him either.

Hn. But I could control that Runerigus. I'd just need time...

What? Don't want to see any more of the Pharaoh's heroisms?

[He smirks as he fends Zoroark off. Seems like ghosts are allowed a lot more freedom with him that the living.]

You forget that I still remember our duel with that 'other you' damn well! How was it, "trust me, Bakura! I know what we've got to do!"... ?

[He rolls his eyes as he imitates Marik's voice.]

You'd need a spine, you mean, not time. And I'd have damn well won against him if you hadn't tried to backseat drive!

Edited 2022-12-10 03:33 (UTC)

[Marik sneers.]

I have to live with the bastard. I see far more than I ever wanted to of him on a daily basis.

[He really should get his own place...

The tomb keeper purses his lips at the imitation and insult about the lack of a spine. He doesn't sound like that though! Why does everyone make him sound so nasally? ~~Because he is.~~]

Alright, so I messed up big time during that Shadow Game. I'm...

[Huff!]

I shouldn't have butted in and distracted you like I did, especially since... you were the only one to actually do something when I came to you.

[Apologizing is difficult. He hates doing it.]

... I'm sorry, okay?

That- [No, there's no excuse for that. That's ever worse taste than trying to be scary and intimidating than wearing a lavender girl's top.

Bakura grimaces in disgust.]

You've got nobody to blame for that but yourself, lackey.

[He huffs. At least Ishtar realizes that he's to blame.]

Next time you do that I'll seal you in the shadow realm myself. Or in one of your sister's panties!

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