Where are we? Is this Bakura’s mind? It looks really dead and pessamistic in here. I around, the room is as dark as the midnight skies. Is it me or is light radiating off of Marik and I? I must just be halucinating, there is no way our pressence could radiate light.

“Oh Bakuraaaaaaaaaa.” Marik sings. I frown as Marik’s voice echo’s through Bakura’s mind.

“What!” Fluffy snaps, materialising from the darkness. He glares at Marik, expression softening when he sees me in his head.

“I have a plan to get us the Pharaoh’s power.” Marik declares. We stare at him.

“Well I’m in the middle of a children’s card game at the moment, couldn’t this have waited?” Bakura asks, rolling his eyes.

“Are we finally stealing his Puzzle?” I grin eagerly.

“Foolish fools! We are going to steal his leather pants.” Marik enthuses.

“Seriously?” Bakura asks. Marik nods.

“Come Bakura, let us obtain his leather pants.” Shouts Marik, his idea echoing through Bakura’s mind.

“Hadley” Bakura asks. I nod, strolling toward Marik and slapping his face.

“No Marik, there are card games that are happening.” I caution

“Why should the mortal get to call the shots?” Marik snorts. Bakura looks to me, slghtly afraid. He knows what I did to him each time he called me a mere mortal. I punch Marik in the chin and kick him in the stomach, causing him to topple over.

“Because I am not a power hungry loon.” I tell Marik, I then turn to Bakura “Or residing within my best friend’s body. I also have a better idea.”

“I’m all ears.” Marik mutters sarcastically, doubled over.

“… and then Bakura pretends to be Ryou, who the guy Marik has impersonating him, pretends to release. As long as neither of you are hurt.” I say, directing my last statement to Bakura.

“His name is Odion.” Marik mutters.

“Sorry Odion pretends to release Ryou but I mean what I said. Neither of them are getting hurt.” I snarl.

“Why do you care so much about his weak pathetic host.” Marik sneers.

“Both Ryou and Bakura are my friends. I don’t want to see either of them hurt!” I hiss.

“I think Hadley’s idea is better. Let’s do it.” Bakura agrees.

“Fine.” Marik scowls.

As my vision clears I watch as Odion, the impersonator strides into view. I study Odion’s facial tattoo, it says something along the lines of “the sun guides us forward even when we want otherwise” I’m not so certain as I never perfected reading Egyptian, Ryou’s father taught us all he knew before we were sent away.

“You might want to reconsider calling your attack Pharaoh, for Bakura is under my control, now watch as I release his host.” Odion commands. Bakura falls to his knees.

“Ryou!” I shriek.

“Help. My Britishness is fading. I can barely feel my stiff upper lip.” Bakura whimpers, attempting to mimick the weaker Ryou. He may be my best friend but Bakura does really good impressions of him.

“Attack your friend if you dare.” Odion threatens.

“Him? He’s not my friend! In facti don’t think wehave exchanged two words of dialogue.” The Pharaoh spits, looking down upon Bakura.

“Wait seroiusly.” Odion frets.

“Hell! I don’t even know his first name!” the Pharaoh snorts.

“It’s Ryou!” I scream.

“Hey Bakura, any last words before Slifer toasts your ass?” the Pharaoh asks patronisingly, totally ignoring Odion.

“I want my mummy” Bakura whimpers.

“You’re sick!” I accuse.

“That’ll work.” The Pharaoh shrugs, declaring the duel ending attack.

Fluffy closes his eyes in an attempt to look almost dead.

“The winner is Yugi Moteu.” Roland announces, raising his eyebrow when he see’s that I have hoisted myself up onto the arena as it’s lowering.

“Ryou. Please, open you eyes.” I whimper, still glaring furiously in the Pharaoh’s direction, only to see Yugi took over. My glare softens, that kid has morals, unlike the spirit of the puzzle.

“Somebody needs to get a medic up here!” Yugi yells, rushing over.

“Malik, Hadley, is he okay?” Yugi frets. How did I forget Marik was stood beside me?

“I don’t know Yugi.” I reply quietly. “Ryou please wake up.” I say again.

Kaiba begins to murmer into the radio on his collar. Marik puts his arm around me for comfort. We are really good at acting.

Soon after Kaiba finished speaking, a stretcher is braught up to the duel arena. As soon as Bakura is on the stretcher, I rush after him. Marik stays to maintain his disguise as an insignificant duelist.

“Due to the potentially fatal hospitalisation of ne of our competitors, there will be a twenty minute delay between now and the next round.” Roland says over the PA

“You may come in now Miss Stevens.” The black haired nurse, who refused to let me in as soon as Bakura arived says.

“I need to find out if I’m dueling next.” I procrastinate, walking away.

I find myself at Marik’s room. I knock loudly, after five fist throbbingly violent pounds at the door I let myself in. His room is nice. Open in many areas. The walls are a pale blue while the floor resembles a teal like colour.

“Odion I’m giving you my Mega Ultra Chicken card so you can win if you duel first.” Marik says handing Odion a trading card.

“Marik? Can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask. He nods. Odion looks alarmed at my pressence.

“Never fear Odion, she is a Steve.” Marik says over his shoulder.

“But Master Marik, isn’t her name Stevens is she truly under your control?” Odion asks fearfully.

“No, I am not under Marik’s control. Bakura would never let him. Trust me, I’m a friend of Marik’s. I wouldn’t lie about that.” I reply with a smile. Odion nods.

“What’s wrong Hadley, is it Bakura?” Marik asks.

“No. I’m just afraid for us all now. The Pharaoh is relentless. He appears to be able to see past my friendship with Ryou. He knows that I know and he knows of where I stand.” I point out.

“Are you sure?” Marik asks. I nod.

“I fear that he will hurt one of us.” I reply. He hugs me.

“Hadley you have to realise that being mortal is a great asset right now. Any of Yugi’s friends would see that. They know about Bakura and they’ve seen what I can do. You are safe.” Marik assures.

“The Pharaoh attacked Bakura despite looking and sounding like Ryou. He has no mercy.” I say.

“Go and see Bakura.” Marik instructs. I leave the room, Odion behind me.

“Hadley?” Odion asks unsurely.

“Yes Odion.” I reply with a smile.

“Marik is not a threat Hadley.” Odion says. I blink.

“But he just said he was a greater one than me.” I state, confused.

“That wasn’t all Marik’s words. They’re partially Melvin’s. Melvin is Master Marik’s darker side. The real threat. Melvin knows the greater powers of the Millenium Rod.

“So what do I do?” I ask. “If Melvin is to make an appearance.”

“Run. Don’t become his ally. He manipulates them. Posesses them. Then leaves them to waste away in the Shadow Realm when they have served their purpose.” Odion warns. I nod.

“Thank you.” I reply, hugging him too. Since when have I been a huggy person.

“Oh and another thing Hadley.” Odion calls. “Never hug Melvin.” He cautions.

“Got it.” I wave, rushing to Bakura’s hospital room.

Why would I hug Marik’s alter ego?