"Mm. I can't wait to see you and your team thrive in battle. You have the foundation...you'll be ready sooner than you think." Kaiba's confident in them. Chenzira's done so well in training lately, and he knows the rest fo the team is shaping up well.
At last they reach the PokéCenter. King has to reluctantly hand Oba back to Marik so he can go get patched up, and Kaiba hands the rest of the team over. He's worked with the nurses and Chanseys here quite a bit these last few weeks, so he quietly informs them his challenge was successful and they'll be moving on soon. There's some happy murmuring from the Chanseys, and he smiles a little. He'll see them again sometime.
He turns to face Marik as he waits for his team to be returned. "But don't sell yourself short, you would've found something to do. You and Chenzira...you would've kept exploring and stumbled across something. And I'll keep up so I don't hold you back."
Ah, feeding Marik's ego. It usually doesn't go to well but today it's a good thing. He puffs his chest out even if it's mostly been Chenzira that's done most of the hard work. The Yamask smiles shyly at the praise though and nods his head to Kaiba in thanks.
"I'll be catching up on no time. Oh. Thank you, King."
Now that he's gotten over the mental hurdle and Chen's become more comfortable with battling and training, Marik's determined to catch up to Kaiba. He takes Oba back and pats King on the head before he leaves to get healed. Oba blurbles and squirms. Bye bye, big brother!
Watching the other teen's interactions with his pokémon and even the Chanseys is... endearing. He's glad to see that even if the living situation isn't great for them, Kaiba's been able to make a good impression during his time here.
"I'm sure we would have eventually found something but you definitely helped. And I very much doubt you could ever hold me back. You're way too good at anything you set your mind too. In the off chance I do catch up to you, we'll just keep helping each other to get better, alright? Heh. We'll be a dream team!"
It's a weird concept but... it certainly doesn't sound unpleasant. Kaiba's been fun traveling with and Marik has been slowly opening up more about himself to him as they've been together. Nothing too personal but little glimpses into his past and his thoughts on things here and there.
Fortunately, the nurses and Chanseys are very quick, and his team is back to full health very soon! He thanks them once more and heads out...and once they're off the beaten path, back toward the lake, he reaches for the Poké Balls...and with a twist of his wrist, he throws five at once. Out they all come: King, Mizuchi, Leizi, Mothra, and Zephyra.
King immediately rushes over to grab his trainer in a crushing hug. Kaiba catches him with a grunt, gently patting him. He did so well defending the rest. Mizuchi next, he gently strokes her spines and assures her she held her own. A brushing for Zephyra, luring Mothra back with some honey, a (careful) petting for Leizi...they're all fed and taken care of, and he ends up sitting with Zephyra and Mizuchi on the grass while King resumes bouncing and playing with Oba.
Now he can resume his plotting with Marik.
"We can even pair well in double battles. Chenzira knows a lot of defensive and tricky moves that are perfect when paired with an attacker. Anippe's abilities pair well with my water Pokémon. And there's always a one-two punch...hm, we'll be unstoppable."
Although he hadn't doesn't nearly as much time as Kaiba at the clinic, he also makes sure to thank them before they leave. Once they're back out by the lake, and after his fellow teen's impressive toss of five pokeballs to which he mutters a playful "showoff...", Marik lets out the rest of his team as well, making sure they're fed and happy. Oba immediately zooms back over to King and Anippe joins those two. Oba's so happy to have a slime family! Badru and Bahiti sit nestled up with each other by the river's edge. Marik sits down next to Kaiba with Chenzira slipping down to drape over his trainer's shoulder and Usi just... flops next to them.
"As long as you don't mind. I'm not... the greatest tag team partner."
He briefly thinks back to when poor Bakura fell victim to his terrible advice during their Shadow Game with his darker self.
"... So it might be better for me to let you lead and I act as backup. At least until get more familiar with the tactics." He sighs. "I don't like... having to depend on someone so much so I'll do my best to learn quickly."
Kaiba suspects there's a story there. He raises a brow, but remains quiet as Mizuchi snuggles into his side.
"Oh, you will. We'll practice before we start a battle that matters, and...I believe in you and your team. Your team has so much power and potential."
He looks out at their Pokémon playing, and an older memory comes to mind. "I managed to trust my most bitter rival, the Pharaoh, in a tag team duel more than once. If I can do it with him, we'll be fine."
Hm...maybe another tactic? He could recruit the team in his effort to bolster Marik. With that in mind, he tries to catch Chenzira's eye and smile.
The fact that Kaiba seems to have faith in him is hard for the Egyptian to wrap his head around. He feels like he's barely done anything to show that he's reliable, at least when it comes to pokémon battles.
"The Pharaoh is a good duelist," he remarks although still skeptical of just how good the Spirit of The Puzzle really is. No one can just pull the stuff he does without there being hidden powers or some other such nonsense. "I suppose since there aren't any Shadow Powers here, you don't need to worry about me bringing you into too much trouble..."
Chenzira's been filled in on everything of Marik's past even if he can't fully understand all the details. He's glad these shadow battles aren't present here because seeing Mr. Kaiba and his 'big brother' wind up in danger because of it would make him very sad. He manages a shy smiles up at his trainer's friend, tilting his head curiously.
Marik finally looks up to meet Kaiba's gaze. "I appreciate that you believe in me though."
A pause as he realizes... "... I can't say that I've... ever had that before. It's... strange. I feel guilty but also flattered...? I'm not really sure..."
Kaiba isn't entirely sure how to handle this conversation. He's definitely not the best at encouraging people who are less confident....in fact, in his old life he definitely would've exploited a weakness to stomp through. But they're a team now, and Marik's been a valuable ally all this time, and good to be around.
But how can he help him to be more confident? He closes his eyes in thought for a moment, breathing in and out...and as he opens them and looks up, his eyes drift to the further away Pokémon. He sees King and Anippe happily playing with Oba, and the little slug family reminds him of something important.
"...If you don't believe me, try asking your team. I think I know what their answer will be," he says softly.
Kaiba isn't the only one not sure how to handle the conversation. Marik's already mentally berating himself for opening up but if he can't be honest with the one person he's come to consider and trust as an ally and friend, who can he open up to?
He looks over at all of his pokémon, seeing how happy they all are. Waking up here was his second chance at life, right? That's what he'd considered it at least. No strings attached, no need to worry about his past sins. At least not terribly since no one else was from his time. He's been trying to bury everything he once was before this world but since Kaiba arrived, the blonde has been second guessing himself. Marik isn't normal, has never been normal, and will never be just a normal teen. He's gone through too much, learned what he needed to to become successful in life albeit in rather illegal manners. He takes what he wants and doesn't let others slow him down. Perhaps that's why he and Kaiba get along as well as they do here. He needs to find a good balance. To be tenacious in his own goals and motivations but be mindful and caring to his team and companion. It's frustrating it's taken him this long to see and that he needed someone else to point it out in the first place.
But that's just it, isn't it? What he really needs is guidance in life. To know that he's on the right track. That he's doing alright even when he gets upset at his own progress. It's a bit embarrassing he's getting that from Kaiba in some regard as the other teen has already helped raise his little brother. Marik doesn't want to be a burden. Maybe that's exactly what they both need though.
He shakes his head, looking over at Chenzira for a moment, this small, perfectly loving creature that pacifies the dark thoughts in his mind. That depends on him and wants to see him happy. All of them do. The Egyptian huffs and purses his lips, trying to deflate his ego and a bit of his stubborn pride before he decides to speak.
"... You're right. I'm sorry you have to keep giving me ego boosts because I'm... so damn lost on what to do with myself when the answer's right in front of me. Today should be about you. You beat your first gym! You absolutely crushed it. And now here I am, making it all about myself."
He clicks his tongue in annoyance then looks to Kaiba.
"I'll put my drama king act on hold. We should be celebrating. Drinking saké or something." Fitting of the underage teen dressed like a punk to suggest such a thing. "If you're buying dinner then I'm grabbing us another night at the inn. Got it?... We can talk about my sarcophagus-sized basket of issues later or something."
"Heh. We can try...but yeah, let's have a good night."
Kaiba can agree to that. He stands up and stretches, offering his hand to Marik. They can face the rest later...
...well, maybe later that night. After a lavish dinner for both humans and Pokémon, Kaiba settles into the hotel room with a quiet sigh of contentment. He sits on one of the beds with Selene the Eevee on his lap, settling in to brush her. She might not be big enough to battle yet, but she's a calming presence.
He looks over at Marik as he brushes, seeming to consider whether he wants to speak before...hm, he'll just do it.
"I've been thinking a lot about earlier. I'm...actually not as put-together as you think I am. I felt a connection to you in part because I'm a mess too, and I don't think anyone except maybe the Pharaoh and Yugi's group know just how deep the hole is that I've been trying to claw myself out of. I've...had to atone too. And sometimes I'm not sure if the person I am is even authentic, or it's just another lie."
He stops to consider Marik's reaction. He can keep it more surface level or go deeper, either way...Selene looks up at him with sad eyes, but he gently brushes her ears. It's okay.
And what a damned good dinner it is. It's nice to feel like a king again even if it's just for a night. Kaiba and his team earned it, that's for sure. Soon they'll be able to do stuff like this more often once their Meowths have leveled up. That'll be the day...
Marik's sitting on the other bed dueling Chenzira, who's concentrating really hard on which card to pick. Just... gotta figure out... what the scribbles say...
The blonde perks up and turns his attention to Kaiba when he starts talking. (Chen's thankful because it gives him more time to try and read.) What the other teen says though isn't what he was expecting at all. It makes sense, yeah. But to have him open up on his own... He's silent for a few moments as he considers what to say.
"What's that saying? Fake it till you make it?" He replies, looking up at his friend. "I figured you had your own 'demons.' You do a damn good job at keeping it together though. More so than most people."
Marik sets his cards down and nods to Chenzira. The Yamask nods in return, understanding the game is on pause but he'll keep trying to read.
The Egyptian takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. Kaiba's being honest with him. Time for him to do the same. First he needs to see what the other's stance is on the supernatural. He knows his sister absolutely fumbled that attempt to convince him prior but maybe he's seen enough by now to know that there is something more to the world than what just science and technology can prove.
"... How much do you know about the Millennium Items?"
Kaiba exhales softly. He hadn't meant to go quite in this direction...but both of their stories are tied to the legacy of the Items in some way, so they might as well. He rubs Selene's head and watches her tail gently bob back and forth.
"I know...they were created by a massacre in a desperate attempt to stop an even worse outcome. That the Rod was originally held by the priest who I'm allegedly a reincarnation of, and the Puzzle contained the Pharaoh's soul. They all have powers that can be used for good or ill..."
But he doesn't want to hurt Marik, so he adds: "But hey, I managed to do plenty of damage without one. And...I'll just let you continue, you know more about this than me."
"You're fine. That saves me time explaining stuff that you either don't believe in and-or already know. I'm sure my sister did a great job of convincing you."
That last line said with sarcasm so thick you could cut it with a knife.
"So you know because of said connection to the Pharaoh that you're pretty much damned to extra baggage whether you want it or not. Even without the recycled soul, the moment you got involved in Yugi's life, you wouldn't be able to escape his influence. A nasty little side effect of the Millennium Item users and anyone they remain close to."
Marik reaches over his shoulder to run his hands over the scars on his back.
"The Ishtar family have been tasked with taking care of and guarding the Pharaoh's tomb and secret since his death... Because of him, I didn't have a life of my own until I betrayed our family and left."
The blonde averts his gaze, looking down at his bed and staring through it. How much does he tell him? Should it just be a cursory explanation? It's probably best not to admit every sin he's committed right off the bat.
"In hindsight I probably should have stayed with my sister. Her business was and is far more successful and safe than my own. But I was so angry, so bitter... I wanted to do whatever I could just because, you know? To make it my life. Not some useless, enslaved tomb keeper..." He sighs. "... The taste of freedom and power went to my head."
Marik pauses for now in case Kaiba wishes to interject any before he continues.
Kaiba watches with renewed interest. He touches his back...hadn't Marik been showing something there to the others, back at the end of the tournament? Not that Kaiba had been paying attention, he'd been too busy having a tantrum about losing to the Pharaoh. But there's pain there that Kaiba can relate to....
"My childhood was a little restricted...but to be locked into that life to such a degree, feeling like you were never given a choice? It's not surprising that you'd rebel. Freedom...freedom used to be all I dreamt about, and I wasn't half as cloistered as you."
But he knows there's more to the story, so he falls silent once more. Selene snores quietly...oh, she fell asleep.
Marik chuckles sadly. "Having your fate decided the moment you're born, not letting you have any say in it... My father forbade me from ever leaving the tomb. Said that if I got a taste of the outside world, I'd only want more. Of course I wanted more! I was forced to study ancient scriptures and encantations, learn the forgotten language. Learn of the God Cards and their powers."
The blonde scoffs to himself.
"All of this in the off chance some long lost forgotten dead Pharaoh was ever to be reborn, I'd be his calling card to give him a hint on his true identity. You can imagine how boring all of that is to a child. It didn't help that Odion was more than willing to take all of that upon himself but father wouldn't allow it because he wasn't of Ishtar blood. I hoped endlessly that father would eventually choose him despite that but of course it never happened."
He shifts a bit so he can sit on the edge of the bed and lean over, hands steepled below his chin. His expression is dark and his gaze is unfocused for a moment. Chenzira looks up from his cards and sets them down, a look of worry on his little face. He hasn't seen Marik like this in a long time...
"What kind of beloved ruler forces a child of each generation to have a mural carved into his back..."
Kaiba flinches a little. That carving was what he'd glimpsed back then, right. How cruel to treat a child that way. Children are naturally curious, and to keep them restricted in a little box like that...he's reminded uncomfortably of his own childhood in certain ways.
"It wasn't fair to you. I've had pain inflicted on me to demand obedience, but for some tradition that could've been passed down any number of better ways? I'm not a fan of ritual at the best of times, but. You never should've been put through that."
The sound of Kaiba's voice snaps him back to reality and he takes a bit to process what he said as Chenzira approaches to sit nestled next to his trainer. Marik looks down at him, seeming to relax more but with a hint of shame.
"... Sorry. I... I've never told anyone about this before," he says quietly. "I don't know why I'm telling you all of this... It's not your burden to bear. I'm making this about myself again."
And he's clamming up again despite there still things that need to be told to explain why he is the way he is. He knows he should continue but... Kaiba has enough to worry about. He doesn't need to play psychiatrist for him.
Kaiba watches him and Chenzira for a moment, and...something heavy settles in his chest. He gently shifts Selene onto the pillow beside him, tucking the blanket over her so he can fully process his emotions without fear of waking her.
"It's...hm. Maybe it'll help if you know where I'm coming from."
He exhales sharply and closes his eyes. "I don't know how much you learned about me when you were...ah. Planning for Battle City, but. I wasn't always a Kaiba. I was born into a normal family and might've lived a normal life, but my mother died giving birth to Mokuba. The grief killed my father shortly after. We were bounced from relative to relative, and they spent everything our parents left us before dumping us at an orphanage."
His hand reaches up to touch the locket he wears, opening it for a moment. His brother's smiling face is enough encouragement to keep him talking.
"If you're an orphan, people think something's wrong with you. I tried to impress adults by being a good kid anyway, but I couldn't find anyone who was willing to adopt Mokuba too...until Gozaburo Kaiba came to the orphanage as a publicity stunt. I knew he wasn't going to win Father of the Year, but it was the only option to get us out of there together. I'd endure anything I had to to secure a good life for Mokuba."
He squeezes the locket in his hand, almost to the point it cuts him.
"I'd convinced him to train me as his heir. He kept us in separate wings of the mansion because seeing my little brother would distract me. He kept me in a choke collar, whipped me if I failed to ace any of my tests. Trained me to be brutal and ruthless...and when he dared me to take control of the company from him, when I played his game to perfection, he taught me his last lesson. To lose is to die. Turned out later he'd faked his death so he could attack me again later, but...seeing that was a turning point for me. I'd completely turned into his mirror image as a monster who'd stop at nothing, caring for no one. And that didn't change until the Pharaoh shattered my soul and forced me to rebuild it."
A deep exhale, and his head slumps forward, bowed over his knees. That...was a lot. "Our stories aren't the same, but...I have a long way to go too. I'm the last person who can judge."
The Egyptian listens intently, eventually looking up when Kaiba starts talking about the orphanage. It had never occurred to him, mostly because he didn't actually know how those sort of places were run, that adopting siblings together would be such a strange concept, especially with them being as close as they are.
He sacrificed so much for Mokuba to ensure they live a good life. A slow burn plan and a risky bet but it sure as hell paid off in the end. They say parents have children to become their replacements. If Gozaburo hadn't been expecting Seto not to take over the company and replacement him as head of the "dynasty" then he was a fool. Faking his own death proved that.
What an interesting coincidence that both would wind up turning into similar versions of their fathers. Marik with his rage, stubborn pride, and cruelty. Kaiba with his sharp mind, brutality, and tenacity.
The blonde gets up, scooping Chenzira up to place on his shoulder, then takes a seat next to Kaiba. He sits silent for a few moments before speaking.
This should be where he comforts him. Tells him it's alright now. That they've over come their hardships.
Instead he asks one thing in a calm voice: "... Is he gone now? Your father."
"Mm, finally," Kaiba answers carefully. "What happened was---it turned out he'd been so willing to adopt me because I resembled Noa, his biological son. My stepbrother had been fatally wounded when he was about twelve, so Gozaburo uploaded his brain into a computer...and he got so busy training me that he slowly forgot about Noa. But when I seized the company, he uploaded his own brain into the same computer and they hatched a plot for revenge."
This part is...actually important, but the details aren't, so he starts to speak a little faster.
"When we were on the blimp during Battle City, they launched their attack. Forcibly uploaded Mokuba and I into the computer, and they accidentally trapped Yugi and his friends too. Noa battled us, manipulated Mokuba, the Pharaoh had to save me yet again...turned out their plan was to eject one of their brains into my body so they could seize control of the company that way. When that failed, Gozaburo betrayed Noa and switched gears to launching nuclear strikes on the world's centers of government---Noa kept Gozaburo locked down and launched a strike on the computer to prevent that, so both their minds are gone."
It had been too much for Seto to process at the time. He'd coldly told Mokuba they needed to move on, but now...
"Gozaburo had treated Noa much more kindly than he'd ever treated Mokuba or I, but it was all a farce to control him in the end. Noa befriended Mokuba in there, and...he gave up his own chance at life to prevent Gozaburo from winning. He'd only been twelve, and he never got to truly live."
Kaiba squeezes the locket once more. "Living freely is something most people take for granted, but it's a gift. I don't want to waste it this time."
Marik... vaguely remembers some of these things happening. It's a fog though since he was half a spirit roaming around without his body. That's not something he ever wants to experience again, that's for sure. The blimp being attacked, explosions. Huh... his head hurts a bit trying to remember. Perhaps because those are his darker half's memories.
So Gozaburo did have a decent plan all along. At least until the end. Marik suppresses a smile as Kaiba tells him about how all of that came tumbling down and literally blew up in the man's face. Serves him right. What Noa did was noble in his eyes, and... hearing that he was only 12 when this all went down... maybe what Marik did wasn't... so bad? (No, it's still bad.) That's not important right now though.
Kaiba and Mokuba won't suffer at Gozaburo's hand anymore and are able to carve their own paths in life. That's good. He hesitates a bit before putting a hand on Kaiba's shoulder although he's fully expecting the other teen to swat him away.
"It... It really is. You've already done so much back home. Even here... you're going to do great things. I know it," he offers a small smile. "You've said it to me so I'm going to say it back: Don't sell yourself short. You've gone through... well, I doubt many people have gone through things as bizarrely and traumatic as we have... but the fact that you keep a calm head in most situations, that you've got a pretty clear idea of what you want in life... I'd say you're pretty well put together. Especially after the Pharaoh broke your mind. I've never heard of anyone who's survived that Shadow Power before. But you not only came back, you're even more certain of things. You always find a way to bounce back and better yourself."
"... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't envious of your tenacity and strength."
Kaiba reaches over to idly stroke Selene's head. The little Eevee is soft and cozy...it grounds him. And the more he's talked, the more he's felt strangely light. He knows he's carried a burden all this time, but...this strange world is a chance to live the way he chooses.
He doesn't seem to mind the supportive touch, as evidenced by the little smile on his face. It's strange to admit to himself, but he trusts Marik. They're a team. He does reach for Marik's hand...but instead of pulling it away, he grasps it.
"We were dealt bad hands, but a duelist always has tools. You have a strong team...and you have me. Don't impose limits on yourself."
He squeezes Marik's hand warmly before dropping it.
Marik is honestly surprised that Kaiba reacts in a positive manner to his touch. Neither are particularly familiar or comfortable doing those sort of things. He himself usually sees it as a sign of weakness. It's a useful tactic when trying to get someone to lower their guard. But both of them are open right now. There's nothing selfish to gain from this. It's not... weak. Being able to unload like this has helped him feel lighter, something he hasn't really felt since his split personality was banished to the Shadow Realm. It seems to have helped Kaiba as well.
The blonde grunts in agreement, looking down at the floor for a time before returning his gaze to his companion. Chenzira watches the two with a small smile. Marik's hand returns to Kaiba's shoulder.
"Thank you, Kaiba."
Speaking of duelists, if their cards are on the table right now...
"... You're the first real human friend I've had." He worded that carefully on purpose. Marik cherishes all of his pokémon, especially Chenzira, but there is still a small disconnect.
His grip tightens a bit on the other teen's shoulder out of reassurance. "I promise I won't let you down and... that I've got your back, no matter what happens."
Kaiba feels...strange. It's so weird to let Marik close to him like this, to willingly drop his guard. But they've bonded on the start of this strange journey, and away from all the drama of the past, surrounded by teams who love them...maybe they can both stretch beyond the boundaries they lived within before.
Even still, the word feels heavy on his tongue. A concept he scoffed at so many times, yet...
"You're my first human friend too," he admits softly. He'd had something with the Pharaoh by the end, and Yugi had wanted them to be friends, but...they'd never gotten there. Maybe it could've happened someday. But now he has this. Marik, teaching him the ways of the wild and encouraging him on this journey. And he wants to make sure Marik finds his dreams too. If anyone deserves freedom, it's him.
He reaches back, winding his own arm around Marik's shoulder. "You too. Looks like we're stuck together, and...I protect what's mine, including my. Friends."
It's said with an awkward little chuckle. Still getting used to that word.
It's a strange word for him as well. It sounds right when describing his team but to a person...? Hm. He hopes it didn't sound forced when he said it.
What Kaiba does and says next though causes him to stare, eyes widened and his mouth open slightly. The other teen isn't one to beat around the bush, he already knew that. And he knew about his possessiveness. But to hear it applied to him, to have that arm around him. Human contact. Human affection. Unfiltered emotions. Everything feels so muted nowadays to him. His highs and lows never last long, almost immediately mellowing out. There's a reason he's begun to stagnate while in this place although he doesn't know what it is.
This is the first time in what seems like forever that he's feeling something deeper than usual. Are those...? Ugh. No. His eyes are beginning to tear up. Of all the stupid emotions to leak through, why did it have to be this? Marik bites his lip, looking away to clench his eyes shut and to try and calm himself down. He lets out a huff and turns back to Kaiba, having recovered quickly enough, offering a slightly awkward smile.
"Yeah... Friends." A pause followed by a quiet chuckle. "... Honestly never thought I'd use that word to describe someone in my life, you know?"
Luckily, Kaiba's not experienced enough in dealing with emotions on the regular to realize what Marik is experiencing. He gently pats his friend's shoulder once more before letting go, taking a deep breath. This is real, then. They're friends.
"Think you'll be able to sleep well?" he asks, soft and just a little awkward. He's worried he might've stirred something up back there.
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At last they reach the PokéCenter. King has to reluctantly hand Oba back to Marik so he can go get patched up, and Kaiba hands the rest of the team over. He's worked with the nurses and Chanseys here quite a bit these last few weeks, so he quietly informs them his challenge was successful and they'll be moving on soon. There's some happy murmuring from the Chanseys, and he smiles a little. He'll see them again sometime.
He turns to face Marik as he waits for his team to be returned. "But don't sell yourself short, you would've found something to do. You and Chenzira...you would've kept exploring and stumbled across something. And I'll keep up so I don't hold you back."
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"I'll be catching up on no time. Oh. Thank you, King."
Now that he's gotten over the mental hurdle and Chen's become more comfortable with battling and training, Marik's determined to catch up to Kaiba. He takes Oba back and pats King on the head before he leaves to get healed. Oba blurbles and squirms. Bye bye, big brother!
Watching the other teen's interactions with his pokémon and even the Chanseys is... endearing. He's glad to see that even if the living situation isn't great for them, Kaiba's been able to make a good impression during his time here.
"I'm sure we would have eventually found something but you definitely helped. And I very much doubt you could ever hold me back. You're way too good at anything you set your mind too. In the off chance I do catch up to you, we'll just keep helping each other to get better, alright? Heh. We'll be a dream team!"
It's a weird concept but... it certainly doesn't sound unpleasant. Kaiba's been fun traveling with and Marik has been slowly opening up more about himself to him as they've been together. Nothing too personal but little glimpses into his past and his thoughts on things here and there.
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King immediately rushes over to grab his trainer in a crushing hug. Kaiba catches him with a grunt, gently patting him. He did so well defending the rest. Mizuchi next, he gently strokes her spines and assures her she held her own. A brushing for Zephyra, luring Mothra back with some honey, a (careful) petting for Leizi...they're all fed and taken care of, and he ends up sitting with Zephyra and Mizuchi on the grass while King resumes bouncing and playing with Oba.
Now he can resume his plotting with Marik.
"We can even pair well in double battles. Chenzira knows a lot of defensive and tricky moves that are perfect when paired with an attacker. Anippe's abilities pair well with my water Pokémon. And there's always a one-two punch...hm, we'll be unstoppable."
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"As long as you don't mind. I'm not... the greatest tag team partner."
He briefly thinks back to when poor Bakura fell victim to his terrible advice during their Shadow Game with his darker self.
"... So it might be better for me to let you lead and I act as backup. At least until get more familiar with the tactics." He sighs. "I don't like... having to depend on someone so much so I'll do my best to learn quickly."
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"Oh, you will. We'll practice before we start a battle that matters, and...I believe in you and your team. Your team has so much power and potential."
He looks out at their Pokémon playing, and an older memory comes to mind. "I managed to trust my most bitter rival, the Pharaoh, in a tag team duel more than once. If I can do it with him, we'll be fine."
Hm...maybe another tactic? He could recruit the team in his effort to bolster Marik. With that in mind, he tries to catch Chenzira's eye and smile.
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"The Pharaoh is a good duelist," he remarks although still skeptical of just how good the Spirit of The Puzzle really is. No one can just pull the stuff he does without there being hidden powers or some other such nonsense. "I suppose since there aren't any Shadow Powers here, you don't need to worry about me bringing you into too much trouble..."
Chenzira's been filled in on everything of Marik's past even if he can't fully understand all the details. He's glad these shadow battles aren't present here because seeing Mr. Kaiba and his 'big brother' wind up in danger because of it would make him very sad. He manages a shy smiles up at his trainer's friend, tilting his head curiously.
Marik finally looks up to meet Kaiba's gaze. "I appreciate that you believe in me though."
A pause as he realizes... "... I can't say that I've... ever had that before. It's... strange. I feel guilty but also flattered...? I'm not really sure..."
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But how can he help him to be more confident? He closes his eyes in thought for a moment, breathing in and out...and as he opens them and looks up, his eyes drift to the further away Pokémon. He sees King and Anippe happily playing with Oba, and the little slug family reminds him of something important.
"...If you don't believe me, try asking your team. I think I know what their answer will be," he says softly.
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He looks over at all of his pokémon, seeing how happy they all are. Waking up here was his second chance at life, right? That's what he'd considered it at least. No strings attached, no need to worry about his past sins. At least not terribly since no one else was from his time. He's been trying to bury everything he once was before this world but since Kaiba arrived, the blonde has been second guessing himself. Marik isn't normal, has never been normal, and will never be just a normal teen. He's gone through too much, learned what he needed to to become successful in life albeit in rather illegal manners. He takes what he wants and doesn't let others slow him down. Perhaps that's why he and Kaiba get along as well as they do here. He needs to find a good balance. To be tenacious in his own goals and motivations but be mindful and caring to his team and companion. It's frustrating it's taken him this long to see and that he needed someone else to point it out in the first place.
But that's just it, isn't it? What he really needs is guidance in life. To know that he's on the right track. That he's doing alright even when he gets upset at his own progress. It's a bit embarrassing he's getting that from Kaiba in some regard as the other teen has already helped raise his little brother. Marik doesn't want to be a burden. Maybe that's exactly what they both need though.
He shakes his head, looking over at Chenzira for a moment, this small, perfectly loving creature that pacifies the dark thoughts in his mind. That depends on him and wants to see him happy. All of them do. The Egyptian huffs and purses his lips, trying to deflate his ego and a bit of his stubborn pride before he decides to speak.
"... You're right. I'm sorry you have to keep giving me ego boosts because I'm... so damn lost on what to do with myself when the answer's right in front of me. Today should be about you. You beat your first gym! You absolutely crushed it. And now here I am, making it all about myself."
He clicks his tongue in annoyance then looks to Kaiba.
"I'll put my drama king act on hold. We should be celebrating. Drinking saké or something." Fitting of the underage teen dressed like a punk to suggest such a thing. "If you're buying dinner then I'm grabbing us another night at the inn. Got it?... We can talk about my sarcophagus-sized basket of issues later or something."
Or never. That works too.
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Kaiba can agree to that. He stands up and stretches, offering his hand to Marik. They can face the rest later...
...well, maybe later that night. After a lavish dinner for both humans and Pokémon, Kaiba settles into the hotel room with a quiet sigh of contentment. He sits on one of the beds with Selene the Eevee on his lap, settling in to brush her. She might not be big enough to battle yet, but she's a calming presence.
He looks over at Marik as he brushes, seeming to consider whether he wants to speak before...hm, he'll just do it.
"I've been thinking a lot about earlier. I'm...actually not as put-together as you think I am. I felt a connection to you in part because I'm a mess too, and I don't think anyone except maybe the Pharaoh and Yugi's group know just how deep the hole is that I've been trying to claw myself out of. I've...had to atone too. And sometimes I'm not sure if the person I am is even authentic, or it's just another lie."
He stops to consider Marik's reaction. He can keep it more surface level or go deeper, either way...Selene looks up at him with sad eyes, but he gently brushes her ears. It's okay.
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Marik's sitting on the other bed dueling Chenzira, who's concentrating really hard on which card to pick. Just... gotta figure out... what the scribbles say...
The blonde perks up and turns his attention to Kaiba when he starts talking. (Chen's thankful because it gives him more time to try and read.) What the other teen says though isn't what he was expecting at all. It makes sense, yeah. But to have him open up on his own... He's silent for a few moments as he considers what to say.
"What's that saying? Fake it till you make it?" He replies, looking up at his friend. "I figured you had your own 'demons.' You do a damn good job at keeping it together though. More so than most people."
Marik sets his cards down and nods to Chenzira. The Yamask nods in return, understanding the game is on pause but he'll keep trying to read.
The Egyptian takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. Kaiba's being honest with him. Time for him to do the same. First he needs to see what the other's stance is on the supernatural. He knows his sister absolutely fumbled that attempt to convince him prior but maybe he's seen enough by now to know that there is something more to the world than what just science and technology can prove.
"... How much do you know about the Millennium Items?"
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"I know...they were created by a massacre in a desperate attempt to stop an even worse outcome. That the Rod was originally held by the priest who I'm allegedly a reincarnation of, and the Puzzle contained the Pharaoh's soul. They all have powers that can be used for good or ill..."
But he doesn't want to hurt Marik, so he adds: "But hey, I managed to do plenty of damage without one. And...I'll just let you continue, you know more about this than me."
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That last line said with sarcasm so thick you could cut it with a knife.
"So you know because of said connection to the Pharaoh that you're pretty much damned to extra baggage whether you want it or not. Even without the recycled soul, the moment you got involved in Yugi's life, you wouldn't be able to escape his influence. A nasty little side effect of the Millennium Item users and anyone they remain close to."
Marik reaches over his shoulder to run his hands over the scars on his back.
"The Ishtar family have been tasked with taking care of and guarding the Pharaoh's tomb and secret since his death... Because of him, I didn't have a life of my own until I betrayed our family and left."
The blonde averts his gaze, looking down at his bed and staring through it. How much does he tell him? Should it just be a cursory explanation? It's probably best not to admit every sin he's committed right off the bat.
"In hindsight I probably should have stayed with my sister. Her business was and is far more successful and safe than my own. But I was so angry, so bitter... I wanted to do whatever I could just because, you know? To make it my life. Not some useless, enslaved tomb keeper..." He sighs. "... The taste of freedom and power went to my head."
Marik pauses for now in case Kaiba wishes to interject any before he continues.
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"My childhood was a little restricted...but to be locked into that life to such a degree, feeling like you were never given a choice? It's not surprising that you'd rebel. Freedom...freedom used to be all I dreamt about, and I wasn't half as cloistered as you."
But he knows there's more to the story, so he falls silent once more. Selene snores quietly...oh, she fell asleep.
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The blonde scoffs to himself.
"All of this in the off chance some long lost forgotten dead Pharaoh was ever to be reborn, I'd be his calling card to give him a hint on his true identity. You can imagine how boring all of that is to a child. It didn't help that Odion was more than willing to take all of that upon himself but father wouldn't allow it because he wasn't of Ishtar blood. I hoped endlessly that father would eventually choose him despite that but of course it never happened."
He shifts a bit so he can sit on the edge of the bed and lean over, hands steepled below his chin. His expression is dark and his gaze is unfocused for a moment. Chenzira looks up from his cards and sets them down, a look of worry on his little face. He hasn't seen Marik like this in a long time...
"What kind of beloved ruler forces a child of each generation to have a mural carved into his back..."
cw: child abuse from here on out
"It wasn't fair to you. I've had pain inflicted on me to demand obedience, but for some tradition that could've been passed down any number of better ways? I'm not a fan of ritual at the best of times, but. You never should've been put through that."
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"... Sorry. I... I've never told anyone about this before," he says quietly. "I don't know why I'm telling you all of this... It's not your burden to bear. I'm making this about myself again."
And he's clamming up again despite there still things that need to be told to explain why he is the way he is. He knows he should continue but... Kaiba has enough to worry about. He doesn't need to play psychiatrist for him.
cw: adding parental death to that...
"It's...hm. Maybe it'll help if you know where I'm coming from."
He exhales sharply and closes his eyes. "I don't know how much you learned about me when you were...ah. Planning for Battle City, but. I wasn't always a Kaiba. I was born into a normal family and might've lived a normal life, but my mother died giving birth to Mokuba. The grief killed my father shortly after. We were bounced from relative to relative, and they spent everything our parents left us before dumping us at an orphanage."
His hand reaches up to touch the locket he wears, opening it for a moment. His brother's smiling face is enough encouragement to keep him talking.
"If you're an orphan, people think something's wrong with you. I tried to impress adults by being a good kid anyway, but I couldn't find anyone who was willing to adopt Mokuba too...until Gozaburo Kaiba came to the orphanage as a publicity stunt. I knew he wasn't going to win Father of the Year, but it was the only option to get us out of there together. I'd endure anything I had to to secure a good life for Mokuba."
He squeezes the locket in his hand, almost to the point it cuts him.
"I'd convinced him to train me as his heir. He kept us in separate wings of the mansion because seeing my little brother would distract me. He kept me in a choke collar, whipped me if I failed to ace any of my tests. Trained me to be brutal and ruthless...and when he dared me to take control of the company from him, when I played his game to perfection, he taught me his last lesson. To lose is to die. Turned out later he'd faked his death so he could attack me again later, but...seeing that was a turning point for me. I'd completely turned into his mirror image as a monster who'd stop at nothing, caring for no one. And that didn't change until the Pharaoh shattered my soul and forced me to rebuild it."
A deep exhale, and his head slumps forward, bowed over his knees. That...was a lot. "Our stories aren't the same, but...I have a long way to go too. I'm the last person who can judge."
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He sacrificed so much for Mokuba to ensure they live a good life. A slow burn plan and a risky bet but it sure as hell paid off in the end. They say parents have children to become their replacements. If Gozaburo hadn't been expecting Seto not to take over the company and replacement him as head of the "dynasty" then he was a fool. Faking his own death proved that.
What an interesting coincidence that both would wind up turning into similar versions of their fathers. Marik with his rage, stubborn pride, and cruelty. Kaiba with his sharp mind, brutality, and tenacity.
The blonde gets up, scooping Chenzira up to place on his shoulder, then takes a seat next to Kaiba. He sits silent for a few moments before speaking.
This should be where he comforts him. Tells him it's alright now. That they've over come their hardships.
Instead he asks one thing in a calm voice: "... Is he gone now? Your father."
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This part is...actually important, but the details aren't, so he starts to speak a little faster.
"When we were on the blimp during Battle City, they launched their attack. Forcibly uploaded Mokuba and I into the computer, and they accidentally trapped Yugi and his friends too. Noa battled us, manipulated Mokuba, the Pharaoh had to save me yet again...turned out their plan was to eject one of their brains into my body so they could seize control of the company that way. When that failed, Gozaburo betrayed Noa and switched gears to launching nuclear strikes on the world's centers of government---Noa kept Gozaburo locked down and launched a strike on the computer to prevent that, so both their minds are gone."
It had been too much for Seto to process at the time. He'd coldly told Mokuba they needed to move on, but now...
"Gozaburo had treated Noa much more kindly than he'd ever treated Mokuba or I, but it was all a farce to control him in the end. Noa befriended Mokuba in there, and...he gave up his own chance at life to prevent Gozaburo from winning. He'd only been twelve, and he never got to truly live."
Kaiba squeezes the locket once more. "Living freely is something most people take for granted, but it's a gift. I don't want to waste it this time."
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So Gozaburo did have a decent plan all along. At least until the end. Marik suppresses a smile as Kaiba tells him about how all of that came tumbling down and literally blew up in the man's face. Serves him right. What Noa did was noble in his eyes, and... hearing that he was only 12 when this all went down... maybe what Marik did wasn't... so bad? (No, it's still bad.) That's not important right now though.
Kaiba and Mokuba won't suffer at Gozaburo's hand anymore and are able to carve their own paths in life. That's good. He hesitates a bit before putting a hand on Kaiba's shoulder although he's fully expecting the other teen to swat him away.
"It... It really is. You've already done so much back home. Even here... you're going to do great things. I know it," he offers a small smile. "You've said it to me so I'm going to say it back: Don't sell yourself short. You've gone through... well, I doubt many people have gone through things as bizarrely and traumatic as we have... but the fact that you keep a calm head in most situations, that you've got a pretty clear idea of what you want in life... I'd say you're pretty well put together. Especially after the Pharaoh broke your mind. I've never heard of anyone who's survived that Shadow Power before. But you not only came back, you're even more certain of things. You always find a way to bounce back and better yourself."
"... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't envious of your tenacity and strength."
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He doesn't seem to mind the supportive touch, as evidenced by the little smile on his face. It's strange to admit to himself, but he trusts Marik. They're a team. He does reach for Marik's hand...but instead of pulling it away, he grasps it.
"We were dealt bad hands, but a duelist always has tools. You have a strong team...and you have me. Don't impose limits on yourself."
He squeezes Marik's hand warmly before dropping it.
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The blonde grunts in agreement, looking down at the floor for a time before returning his gaze to his companion. Chenzira watches the two with a small smile. Marik's hand returns to Kaiba's shoulder.
"Thank you, Kaiba."
Speaking of duelists, if their cards are on the table right now...
"... You're the first real human friend I've had." He worded that carefully on purpose. Marik cherishes all of his pokémon, especially Chenzira, but there is still a small disconnect.
His grip tightens a bit on the other teen's shoulder out of reassurance. "I promise I won't let you down and... that I've got your back, no matter what happens."
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Even still, the word feels heavy on his tongue. A concept he scoffed at so many times, yet...
"You're my first human friend too," he admits softly. He'd had something with the Pharaoh by the end, and Yugi had wanted them to be friends, but...they'd never gotten there. Maybe it could've happened someday. But now he has this. Marik, teaching him the ways of the wild and encouraging him on this journey. And he wants to make sure Marik finds his dreams too. If anyone deserves freedom, it's him.
He reaches back, winding his own arm around Marik's shoulder. "You too. Looks like we're stuck together, and...I protect what's mine, including my. Friends."
It's said with an awkward little chuckle. Still getting used to that word.
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What Kaiba does and says next though causes him to stare, eyes widened and his mouth open slightly. The other teen isn't one to beat around the bush, he already knew that. And he knew about his possessiveness. But to hear it applied to him, to have that arm around him. Human contact. Human affection. Unfiltered emotions. Everything feels so muted nowadays to him. His highs and lows never last long, almost immediately mellowing out. There's a reason he's begun to stagnate while in this place although he doesn't know what it is.
This is the first time in what seems like forever that he's feeling something deeper than usual. Are those...? Ugh. No. His eyes are beginning to tear up. Of all the stupid emotions to leak through, why did it have to be this? Marik bites his lip, looking away to clench his eyes shut and to try and calm himself down. He lets out a huff and turns back to Kaiba, having recovered quickly enough, offering a slightly awkward smile.
"Yeah... Friends." A pause followed by a quiet chuckle. "... Honestly never thought I'd use that word to describe someone in my life, you know?"
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"Think you'll be able to sleep well?" he asks, soft and just a little awkward. He's worried he might've stirred something up back there.
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