EGYPTIAN WHEELIES

[obeytherod]

[Malik had found something while looking through the East Wing. Just what that "something" was becomes apparent when an engine roars to life, and the skid of tires on tiled flooring echoes through the halls.

Sure...sure, he could just walk his new bike outside...but where was the fun in that?! This wasn't an ATV, and it likely wasn't going to fair well in the spotty terrain outdoors...

So he's just going to take a few smooth-riding laps in the halls before he goes to test it outside.

When somebody gets in his way, he rears the bike back onto one wheel, skidding a few feet on the floor before the front tire slams back down and he comes to a stop.]

What, are you trying to get yourself killed?

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

Shut up! I'll defeat you, no matter how far you pull ahead!

[...says the man who just failed to turn over the next card.]

[obeytherod]

[Finally...Malik pulls ahead at last!]

Those are some bold words for a man who's losing.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Gh... Bastard!

[It's purely by accident that the next card overturns at all.]

[obeytherod]

Kehehe...

[It seems Malik's confidence gets the better of him, because he fumbles the next turn, wiping the smile right off his face.]

...

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hehehehehe!

[He takes advantage of Malik being thrown off to reclaim another card.]

[obeytherod]

[Malik concentrates now, but his throw is off. It seems he's staying behind this turn.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[That's fine! Bakura'll take the chance to regain his lead!]

Heheheh... What was that about winning?

[obeytherod]

[Ah...not good. He didn't win a card this turn either. He'd been doing so well, what happened?!]

Tch...

[fluffydeathdealer]

What, what? Are you getting cold feet?!

[Lady luck smiles on him again. One more card. Now he only needs two more to win!]

[obeytherod]

... [Malik bites his lip in a grimace, putting his all into his next flip...only for it to fail.]

Damn...!

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Bakura's next flip isn't the best either... but his lead grows.]

[obeytherod]

[One card...he had only one card left! If Malik didn't make this flip...it was all over!!

Luckily, he does, and the smallest smile graces his lips. Phew.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Damn-! He isn't going to give up so easily, however.

...what a failure. His lips twitch in irritation.]

[obeytherod]

[Perfect! If he can flip this next card, he might be able to gain the lead again!

...Too bad he doesn't.

Malik knocks his fist into the floor with a growl of frustration.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Seeing Malik losing his temper only boosts his confidence and desire to win more. In turn, Bakura throws all he has into the next throw.

Victory! Only one more needed. He licks his lips in anticipation.]

[obeytherod]

[Malik hesistates, knowing full well that if he doesn't gain a card this turn...he could very well lose on the next.

Steeling himself, he throws out his card with all his force, but just as the card is about to flip in his favour, it seems to change its mind and fall back.]

Hh...!

[fluffydeathdealer]

[This has to be it-!

He braces himself, focusing everything he has. It has to be just the right angle. Just the right force. He throws the card in his hand with all the passion he has within him.

The other card teeters. A flash of gold.

It's his.]

And that makes twenty.

Par~to~na~

[obeytherod]

[...And that last card had been Ra, of all things. Malik had put his hope into the God card, thinking it would save him from defeat, but apparently the Gods had better battles to oversee.]

...Tch! [He reaches out, quickly snatching up Ra and then holding out his hand.] Just give me my cards back!

[fluffydeathdealer]

Here you go.

[He deposits them in Malik's hand, and grabs his wrist a split-second later. His grip is like steel.]

You lost... Malik.

[The Ring glows. A fierce tug. A cold chill down his spine. His lips move silently, forming the words.

Soul-Body Transfer... The target is you, Malik Ishtar!

Though they're unspoken, the command is made.]

[obeytherod]

Huh?! [Malik tugs at his hand, giving Bakura furious look. He's about to say something when he notices the Ring's ominous glow and the unspoken words on Bakura's lips.]

Hey! What are you do--! [The word is left unfinished as the terrifying feeling of his soul being ripped from his body overcomes him and his body slumps forward onto the floor, eyes vacant and unseeing.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Bakura stands over the unconscious body of his partner, lips twisted into a malicious smile. Now let's see who owned who...

His hand went to the hidden sheath that so rarely left his person, unbuckling it carefully. It pained him to give this up... But the point he was making wouldn't be made without it. He pressed his lips to the hilt mockingly, sinking down beside Malik to roughly caress his hair.

Before he would connect the current holder of Malik's soul to his body, he had something else to do. Setting it on the table, he half-carried Malik to the bedroom, laying him face down on the bed. Perfect for his purposes, as much as Malik would have fought them while intact.

His hand slipped under the man's shirt, pushing it up to reveal the tanned skin beneath it.

Yessss...

That scarred skin was so beautiful. These markings were exactly what he wanted to study!

Now where was there some paper...

Malik could come back to his body a little later. After some studying, tracing, a little food...

Maybe a nap.

Bakura was a vengeful spirit, after all.]

[obeytherod]

[Bakura had forgotten one very important thing...

The soul fragment.

Not even minutes after Malik's body had been laid down on the bed, that voice echoes throughout the Ring, the spiritual projection of Malik's soul appearing beside the other man.

His voice was shrill with fury. In the knife it was dark...cold; an unpleasant, oppressing loneliness.]

Bakura, you bastard! Put me back in my body!!

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Of course Malik would annoy him even like this. How typical...

Bakura's voice is almost casual as he copies the markings on Malik's back onto the paper in front of him. The way he holds the pencil is a little awkward for such an ancient language. Hm...]

It's fine, you'll be fine once I return the knife to your person. But it's only fitting, right?

[He turns his head slowly to look at Malik, a garish smile on his lips.]

After all, that dagger is mine... which means you're mine too now, right? An eye for an eye... A soul for a soul.

[Setting the pencil down, he rises to his feet, still looking at Malik with that same deranged smile.]

All mine... For all eternity! Even if your body rots you'll still be alive. Trapped inside there like a caged bird...

Heheheheh... HAHAHAHAHA! Isn't it great, Malik?! Now you'll never have to fear death again!

[obeytherod]

...H-hh...

[Malik's spirit steps back, a look of abject horror flashing across his transparent features as Bakura spoke.]

No...! I don't want to live that long! [Eternity...that was too long. Unimaginably long and lonely. To be conscious of his hate and the pain of the past for that long...would he be able to let go of it, or would it just continue to fester inside him?]

Put me back! [Malik's spirit dives back into the Ring, and then drives itself into Ryou's body in an attempt to take over.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

GH-?!

[Inside of him... something intrusive was inside of him! He stumbled, clutching the bed for support. Inside of his mind, a battle had begun.

His hand let go of the blankets, raising to clasp at his face as he fought the attacker off. He'd expected anger, but not for Malik to go this far-!

No, this wasn't good. Even if Malik forced control, it would not be the Ring he could wield. He'd have no power over him! Why then, was he struggling so hard? Why was he afraid? Didn't he understand?

This was the punishment for his crimes. That fear and suffering was worse than any physical damage he could cause.

And more than that... it created an unbreakable bond. For Malik to return to his body, he'd need to keep Bakura alive, and find a way to make him willing. Not that he had any plans to do it.

Malik didn't deserve to regain his own body!]

Get... OUT!