Chapter Text
"What's all this?"
Bakura leaned to his friend's side as Marik was opening the locker to get his indoor shoes. The space was filled with small bags and wrapped packages, you could barely see the shoes anymore. The blond blinked, confused, and looked at Bakura with the hope he could have an explanation.
"... Which day is it?" Bakura asked.
"February 14th. Why?"
"Well, you have your answer."
"What? It doesn't explain why my locker is full of… Gifts?"
Bakura sighed, opening his own locker a bit further to take his own shoes. It was empty, of course, but he preferred it this way.
"It's Valentine's day, Marik."
The Egyptian still looked confused, and Bakura rolled his eyes. He really had to explain everything.
"It's the day for couple celebrations and all this capitalism bullshit about love."
"I know what it is," Marik hissed, "But that doesn't explain this."
"Ah. It may be different in other countries. It's the tradition in Japan. Girls give chocolates to their loved ones. Could be their friends, family, lover… or just the person they crush on. So my guess is all of this comes from your fanclub."
"Oh."
Marik looked back at the overcharged locker. While he liked the attention the girls were giving him, this was a bit much. He didn't even like sweets. His alter would probably want some, but there was no way Marik was eating that much sugar. He managed to grab his shoes under all of this and closed the locker. He would have to find a bag to put everything inside while going home.
"Did you have any?" Marik asked as he changed his shoes.
Bakura rolled his eyes, "Do I look like someone who gives a shit about this?"
Marik smiled and they walked to their classroom.
"Oh, by the way, if you accept the chocolates you're supposed to return the favour," Bakura explained, "March 14th. You have to gift back something to anyone who gave you chocolate."
"What?!"
“Well, don’t bother with the ones without a name on.”
That would make a lot of people. What with this stupid tradition? Marik sighed. He could already guess that today was going to be tiring.
"Mh, e-excuse me. Bakura?"
The two boys turned around, surprised. A girl was standing behind them. A bit shorter than them, long dark hair tied up in a ponytail with a green ribbon. She was holding a small bag, which was sealed by a ribbon the same colour as the one in her hair. She nervously handed it to Bakura.
"T-this is for you," she mumbled, her cheeks turning red.
Bakura blinked, looking at her as if she was an alien. What? Before he could open his mouth, Marik intervened. The Egyptian gave the girl his best facade smile and grabbed the bag, before forcing it into Bakura's hands. The white haired teen gave him an offended look.
"How nice of you," Marik said, "Bakura is a bit shy, but he is very happy you thought of him."
The girl smiled shyly, before she bowed her head and left. More like she ran away, really.
"What the fuck?" Bakura blurred before glaring at Marik. "And you, when did I say I wanted this?!"
The Egyptian laughed while wrapping an arm around his shoulder.
"Aww, come on. The poor girl did her best to approach you. It would have been mean to not accept it."
"Like you give a shit about it."
Marik smirked. Right. He just wanted to make fun of Bakura. The teen looked at the bag, frowning. He hadn't received chocolates in years. The last time was probably in elementary school, from some girls of his class, but also his mother and sister. Bakura closed his eyes for a second, chasing the memory from his mind. He didn't want to think about it.
"Actually, I know who this girl is," Marik said, "she is part of your secret fanclub."
Bakura gave him a confused look.
"My- what? Are you fucking serious?"
"You know, the thing with girls is that they know absolutely every little thing going around," Marik grinned, "You can gather a lot of information by asking the right one. And I happen to know that some of them are fond of you. Or rather, of Ryou."
"You're fucking with me."
"As much as I love to do so, no," Marik snorted. "Apparently Ryou left an impression on a few girls while possessing you. You know how he is always smiling and nice."
Marik had to bite his lips to not laugh too hard at the absolutely disgusted expression Bakura had on his face. It looked like a mix of "I'm going to punch your face so hard" and "I'm going to throw up".
"This is bullshit," Bakura growled, pushing Marik away.
"Oh, are you jealous?"
"Of course not! Now shut up!"
Annoyed, Bakura didn't wait for him and went straight to the classroom. He didn't look at anyone and sat at his place, the gift going inside his desk to be forgotten. He looked at the window. If he knew this day was going to be this annoying, he would have stayed home.
"I'm sorry."
He raised an eyebrow as he heard Ryou, then frowned.
"For what?" He asked, a bit harsher than he intended.
"Mh… it looks like it's my fault?"
Bakura could tell Ryou was a bit confused. The spirit knew his host was angry, but he didn't understand why exactly. Was it because of the gift? The girl? Or just Marik being annoying? Honestly Bakura wasn't sure himself, a mix of everything. But probably because he thought of his family. It always sent him into a sour mood.
"It's not. Marik just got on my nerves."
"OK. Mh… If you want to talk…"
"I don't," Bakura snapped, before calming down a bit. He knew it was dumb to get mad at Ryou. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
Ryou wasn't convinced, but he didn't push it further. He could tell Bakura wasn't ready to open up right now. He would try later.
Their attention shifted to Yugi's group, a bit further. They all looked down, worried. Did something happen? Well, not his problem anyway. Bakura was about to look away, when Yugi met his eyes. Ah, shit. The smaller teen gave him a soft smile, before he got up. Bakura tensed when he saw him walking in his direction. Oh fuck, what now?
"Hello, Bakura."
"Mh. What do you want?" Bakura asked, leaning his back on his chair and crossing his arms.
Yugi didn't seem bothered by his attitude. After their little adventure last time, he wasn't scared of Bakura anymore. The white haired teen just hoped that Yugi didn't think they were friends now. Because they definitely weren't. Besides they still had this shit going on with that Pharaoh guy. While Marik promised his sister to watch the puzzle and not hide anything about it anymore (well, most of it), Bakura didn't change his mind. The moment the spirit would be out, he would punch his face. For Ryou, but also for Marik. He didn't care if technically it would also be Yugi's face.
"Mh, something happened yesterday, and I thought I should let you know."
"What is it?"
Both teens looked up to see Marik coming to Bakura's side. The moment he saw them talking, the Egyptian stepped in. Yugi greeted him too, but before he could explain anything, one of his friends grabbed his arm. It was the tall one… Jonou-something, Bakura vaguely remembered. He didn't bother memorising all his classmates' names, especially the dumb ones.
"Yugi, what are you doing?" He whispered to his friend, while not being very discreet.
Yugi blinked at him, before he gave him a soft smile.
"Come on, I told you they helped me."
"Right… But this is still Bakura."
"Oi," Bakura snapped, annoyed, "If you have something to say, say it to my face, mutt."
"How did you call me?!"
Bakura smirked, pleased to see the other teen getting worked up. Hey, if this guy wanted a fight, he would be pleased to give him one. He needed something to release some tension and that idiot looked like the perfect punching ball right now.
"Jonouchi, please, calm down!" Yugi pleaded to his friend.
"I don't know why you want to talk to this guy!" Growled the teen.
Bakura looked to their side. The rest of the friendship gang was arriving. Great. However, before the situation could escalate, Marik stepped in the middle. He smiled.
"Sorry about this, he has been grumpy since this morning. Yugi, you were about to say something?"
Yugi nodded, relieved to have his help.
"Yes. Actually, I thought I should tell you because it involves the millennium items."
The moment Yugi said some words, the mood switched. Bakura and Marik looked at him, tense. He had their attention.
"I think it's easier if I show you."
Yugi pulled out a camera from his jacket's pocket. He turned the screen to them, where they could see the image of an old man. Was that Yugi's grandfather?
"Hello!" The man in the video greeted them. "Ishtar and Bakura, right?"
Both teens opened their eyes wide, before looking at Yugi, waiting for an explanation.
"Grandpa's soul has been sealed in the tape," Yugi said, looking down.
Yugi sighed, probably taking a moment to make order in his emotions, before he explained the whole story. He received a VHS the other day and played it in his room. A man appeared on the screen, Pegasus J. Crawford, the creator of Duel Monster. (Bakura noticed how Marik slightly tensed at the mention of the name.) As absurd as it was, the man in the video challenged Yugi to a duel, and it soon became apparent that it was a shadow game. The Other Yugi took over, but Pegasus was able to know all his moves.
It was a total defeat for Yugi, and the punishment was his grandpa's soul being trapped in the tape. Pegasus revealed the millennium eye on his face to do so at the end.
"And now I have to participate in his tournament this weekend," Yugi finished explaining. "He will only release Grandpa if I beat him."
"Fuck," was all Bakura could say at the end. Talk about bad luck. This old man had a way to be caught in the crossfire of his grandson's shit.
"Yeah, fuck," Jonouchi sighed. "That summarises the situation pretty well."
Bakura glanced at him. This one had calmed down apparently. Good, he wasn't in the mood anymore to throw a punch.
"Give me the camera for a second."
Yugi was hesitant, looking at the item in his hands. Bakura wouldn't blame him for not wanting to let go of the object containing his grandfather's soul.
"Ryou wants to have a look at it," Bakura explained. "To see if he can do something."
"Oh."
This time, the teenager nodded. Yugi put the camera down on the desk, while his friends glanced at each other, confused. Yugi probably didn't explain everything to them, and they were wondering who Bakura was talking about. The teen ignored them and took the camera. The old man inside was patiently waiting. Fuck, this was so weird.
"Apparently putting souls in objects isn't exclusive to you. So, anything you can do?"
"It happened once! And it was only for a minute," Ryou pouted, "But… Unfortunately, no. There's a seal on the tape. I could have returned his soul to his body if it had been done outside of a game. But shadow games have rules, and an outsider can't break them. This Pegasus thought it well. The only way is to beat him at another game. … Or to kill him."
Bakura sighed and he put the camera back on the desk.
"He can't do shit. There is a seal or something. You have to beat that guy, no other choice."
"Thank you for trying," Yugi smiled.
"Where is this tournament?" Marik asked, his arms crossed against his chest.
"We don't know. I have an invitation at the port this Friday, so I suppose we have to take a boat to go there."
"I see."
Bakura glanced at him. He knew Marik well enough to guess the blond had some knowledge about this situation he didn't wish to share with the rest of them. He would ask once they were alone.
Suddenly Yugi straightened his posture, making everyone look at him.
"Mh, I'm sorry. I need to be alone for a moment. I mean. The Other me needs it."
He slightly bowed his head as an apology, then left. They all looked at him leaving the classroom.
Weird guy, Bakura thought.
At least, now that Yugi was gone, the rest of his friends dispersed. Good. There had been too many people around him. However, Bakura immediately grabbed Marik's wrist before he could leave for his desk. Bakura glanced at him.
"Don't think I didn't notice. We're talking about it later."
Marik blinked, then smiled. It wasn't a smile made to lie but a weak, tired one. He nodded.
"Yes, I know. No more lies."
"Good."
Bakura released him, and soon enough the bell rang to announce the beginning of the first hour of class.
"So, you know that guy? Pegasus something," Bakura asked as he opened his bento.
They were at their usual place for the lunch break, on the rooftop. Marik was looking at the three other bags of chocolates he got on the way, before setting them aside and grabbing his own lunch.
"I never met him, but he is known from the tombkeepers. The millennium eye was given to him by another branch. How was the name of this guy already? Ah, yes, Shadi. Thanks."
Bakura blinked, but understood it was probably for Marik's alter. However, he felt Ryou tense at the name. Bakura mentally sighed. Great. A new conversation to have after this one.
"Well, I don't know why the guy thought it was a good idea, but he gave him the eye. Apparently Pegasus was worthy of wielding it. Not long after, he created the Duel Monster card game."
"What is the link between the item and the game?" Bakura asked, confused.
"I'm coming to it. You told me you saw a ka in Ryou's memories, right?" He waited for Bakura to nod before continuing. "Well, the eye showed him the kas too, and he created the card game's monsters based on them."
"Oh."
"Yeah. And as you can guess, the items don't do their shit by half. There is a real link existing between the cards and the ancient kas. Not everyone has the capacity to activate it of course. There are just cards made of paper for the majority."
Marik sighed, "The tombkeepers had their eyes on Pegasus for a long time. The real problem came when he created the God cards."
Bakura took some bites of his lunch as he listened, "What Gods?"
"Egyptian Gods, of course. There were three of them. The old texts say they only obeyed the Pharaoh."
"Wait… You're telling me that this guy managed to put real gods into a stupid card game?"
Marik snorted, "Yeah, don't ask. Magic is weird. Doesn't make much sense to me either. But the point is, those cards are dangerous. There are literally gods inside, and believe me, they don't like being used by anyone who isn't worthy. A bit like the millennium items. Even without a shadow game, they will roast you."
"Good to know… Where are those cards, now?"
"My clan managed to get two and they are sealed in a secret place in Egypt. But for the last one, Pegasus kept it."
Marik sighed loudly and he looked at the sky, "I have to talk about it to Isis, don't I? She was mad enough the last time I lied."
"Why?" Bakura asked. "I mean, it's Yugi's business, not ours."
"I know, but my clan have been trying to get the missing item and the card for a long time. Apparently it was necessary for Pegasus to make this game, but now they need their shit back. However the guy had been impossible to get close to. Security is tight around him, I suppose he doesn't want to give the eye back."
Marik looked at Bakura, then smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm not letting anyone get close to the ring."
"I know," Bakura said with a nod, "But I thought you didn't care about your family's prophecy bullshit."
"I don't. I just don't want Isis to murder me if she learns I hid something else from her," Marik shrugged. "Besides, what can we risk? I just say what I know, and I leave them dealing with the guy. It doesn't concern me anymore and I'm safe from my sister's wrath."
"Well, as long as no one seeks the ring, I don't care about the rest," Bakura nodded. "But why is that guy targeting Yugi, anyway?"
"Who knows. Maybe the eye isn't enough for him and he seeks the puzzle's power too? Yugi's duel was filmed last time and he doesn't hide his item like you. It was easy for Pegasus to find where the puzzle was after that."
"Yes, that would make sense."
Bakura finished his lunch and put his bento box aside. He laid down on the ground and closed his eyes.
"So, what your deal with that guy, Shadi?"
He didn't have an answer for a moment, then he felt Ryou. Wait. Was that- The spirit was angry, he could feel it.
"I don't like him."
"I can feel that. Why?"
"The ring was kept by him for a long time. Whoever stepped inside the temple, he would make them try the ring with the promise they could leave if they were worthy of it. … None of them were, of course."
"... Did you?"
"No!" Ryou immediately protested. "I don't have any power over who the ring chose. I can't stop the item if it judges someone unworthy. If it chooses to kill them…"
Sure, Ryou could make it worse than what the item intended. He could make it hurt more than necessary, he could make the pain agonising. It was what he did during the Death-T. It had been a while since the last time he felt this angry. He was ashamed of his own reaction now that he thought back about it. But the point was, he couldn't choose to spare someone from the item's judgement.
"I believe you," Bakura said.
"Thank you. But that's why I don't like him. There were a lot of unnecessary deaths."
"Ryou said your colleague is an asshole." Bakura said out loud as he placed his arms behind his head.
"Mh? Who? … Shadi? He knows him?" Marik shrugged. "I never met him, so I'm taking your words on this. By the way, do you want chocolates? There is no way I'm eating all this stuff by myself."
Bakura snorted.
"Free food? Sure, I never say no. I'll take some from you."
The next day, when Marik arrived at school, he immediately crashed on Bakura's desk. The white haired teen raised his eyebrows and poked the head resting on his desk.
"Marik?"
"My life is a mistake."
"What?"
Marik rolled his head to the side so he could see Bakura.
"I talked to Isis."
"And?"
"She wants me to go with Yugi and his minions."
Bakura nearly choked.
"Seriously?"
"Yes! I know! First she refuses I do anything remotely dangerous, and now she wants me to face Pegasus! Can you believe it?!"
Marik stood up and ran a hand in his hair, arranging it a little.
"She wanted to go herself, but her face is known since she works with the Egyptian government. Pegasus would be wary of her. The rest of the clan is in Egypt and can't make it in time."
"What about your brother?"
"That's out of the question," Marik immediately said, firmly. "I'm not asking that of him."
Of course, Marik knew Rishid would do it. He would do anything Marik asked him, without thinking twice about it. That's something the blond took advantage of in his younger years, and he wasn't proud of it. He refused to make Rishid do the dirty work for him anymore.
"And can't you just say no?"
"Have you met my sister?"
"Actually, no. But with all you said about her, I'm glad I didn't," Bakura snorted. "So, you're supposed to go, but to do what?"
"Watch the puzzle," Marik explained as he started counting on his fingers, "and see if I can find the remaining God card. The best would be taking the millennium eye too, but that would be too complicated to do."
"Why?"
"The item is literally in his skull. I'm not touching that," the blond said with a disgusted expression. "But! Not everything is bad! I could negotiate some conditions in exchange."
Bakura raised an eyebrow, "Like what?"
Marik grinned, "I can take the rod with me."