Chapter 7

The following afternoon, the group left from the Hawkins house and began their journey to the palace.

Sugoroku, Arthur, Rebecca, and Leon traveled in a carriage while everyone else traveled by riding horses.

Yami and Marik had declined the invitation to ride in the carriage, preferring to travel by horseback.

True to their word, Yugi and Malik stayed close by Yami and Marik, riding beside their two charges.

Guards walked ahead of the group and behind the group, ensuring that the group remained safe from anyone that would bring harm to any of them.

"I think that the Pharaoh will be surprised when he sees you, Yami." Marik said.

Yami sighed. "I know. Father is also going to flip out and have me under constant guard for who knows how long." Yami said.

"Well, he has reason to be concerned. Especially once he hears everything that happened." Marik said.

"Can you truly blame him, though, Yami? He's been wondering where you are for several days. He's going to be worried." Yugi said.

"He's right." Malik agreed.

"He always worries, but I think I know why now. He was always worried that something like this would happen." Yami said.

Yugi glanced around and tensed.

Malik noticed this and said, "Yugi, are you okay?"

"Malik, do you feel that?" Yugi asked.

"Feel what?" Malik asked.

"Concentrate." Yugi urged.

Malik did as he was told and sensed what it was that Yugi had.

"What's wrong?" Yami asked.

"Trouble. There's a group of people coming this way. They possess magic. Could be trouble." Malik said.

"Can your magic do anything against them?" Marik asked.

"Yes. We'll have to be careful, though. We don't know what kind of magic they have." Yugi said.

"Are you going to go after them?" Yami asked.

"No. We'll let them come to us. They'll think they have the element of surprise if they mean us harm, although we will be the ones with the true element of surprise." Yugi said.

Yami and Marik were surprised by this thinking, but also saw the truth in his words.

'Wow. Yugi's a lot better at tactical decision than I thought.' Yami thought.

The group continued on for several hours, but Yugi and Malik still sensed the approaching group.

As night fell, the group stopped to set up camp for the night.

Yugi and Malik approached their grandfather with Yami and Marik right behind them.

"Grandpa, I think that we might be in a little bit of trouble." Yugi said.

"You both sensed it as well. I have sensed it, too. I fear that we might be attacked. Stay alert." Sugoroku said.

Both nodded as they went to help set up.

"How will you protect al these people?" Yami asked, noticing that their large group could have harm come to them.

"I can create shields that can protect others." Yugi replied.

"Sounds like a defensive maneuver." Marik said.

"It is. Many of my powers are used for defensive purposes. Malik usually takes the offensive when needed." Yugi replied.

"I don't mind. I rather like having eh offensive magic. It let's me teach the people who dare attack us that there is no way that they're going to do something like that without facing some serious consequences." Malik replied.

"Try not to go overboard. Last time you went overboard, you nearly killed me." Yugi said.

"I know, and I'm sorry. I won't go overboard this time." Malik said.

"Why do I get the feeling that is an empty promise?" Yami asked.

"Because it is. Malik always goes overboard when he fights with magic. For that matter, he goes overboard in hand-to-hand combat, too." Yugi said.

"What's so wrong with that? It usually means that you'll win." Marik said.

"Or that you'll make a mistake that could be costly." Yami pointed out.

"Which is usually what Malik's tend to be." Yugi said.

"That's why I have you. You always make up for the mistakes that I make." Malik said.

Yugi rolled his eyes at his older cousin.

A thought crossed Yami's mind. "I thought that your grandfather did not allow you to leave the house for ten years until you snuck out when you came to save us." Yami said.

"That's right." Yugi said.

"Then how have you fought before?" Yami asked.

"There have been several attacks and attempts made against Lord Hawkins. Yugi and I usually used our magic to protect him and fight off whoever it was that decided to attack us." Malik explained.

It was then that a magical ball of energy was thrown at them, but Yugi held up his hand quickly and the ball of energy was sent backwards into the person it had hit, killing them.

Every guard was on the defensive then.

Rebecca, afraid, grabbed hold of Leon and held onto him in her fear.

Leon tightened his arms around Rebecca, determined to protect at all costs from whoever was attacking them.

Sugoroku pulled Arthur behind him as guards surrounded the two.

"Get back. Let the guards protect you." Yugi said.

"We can't leave you two to fight alone." Yami protested.

"Go! We have the magic here. We can't risk your lives." Malik siad forcefully.

Realizing that the two were right, Yami and Marik backed up and let themselves be surrounded by the guards.

It was then that a dozen raiders jumped out.

"Well, it looks like I finally you, Prince." Zinfri said as he stepped into the light of the fire.

"Zinfri!" Yami exclaimed.

"I see you remember me. I was afraid that you might have forgotten me." Zinfri said, a smirk on his face.

"Must be the kidnapper." Malik said.

Zinfri's eyes fell onto Yugi and Malik. "You must be the ones that helped them escape." Zinfri said.

"And if we did?" Malik asked, not showing any fear.

"Then you'll pay for that." Zinfri said. He formed a ball of magic in his hand and threw it at Yugi and Malik.

Malik threw a golden ball of magic that collided with Zinfri's, and the two attacks canceled out.

"What?!" Zinfri exclaimed.

"You should know who your enemy is before you attack. It can be costly otherwise." Malik said. He threw out his arm and sent Zinfri and two other raiders flying backwards.

It was then that the rest of the raiders attacked.

Malik drew out his sword and stopped another sword. He kneed the raider in the stomach before punching him in the face.

Yugi held up his hand as a sword came down at him, and the blade hit an invisible shield.

"What the-?!" the raider exclaimed.

Yugi's eyes glowed gold before he used his magic to throw the raiders back.

The guards had managed to take down several of the raiders.

One came at Marik, who caught the guard by the wrist and twisted his wrist painfully, causing the raider to cry out and drop his sword. Marik kicked the raider in the stomach before grabbing the sword and ramming the blade through the raider's stomach, sending the raider down.

Malik formed a ball of magic in his hand and sent the attack and raider, who was killed instantly by the attack.

Zinfri snuck up behind Yami grabbed him by both arms, pinning his arms behind him. "You're coming with me. I'm not letting that money escape, and you're my ticket to getting all of it. Your father will pay even more now." Zinfri said with a sneer.

Yami growled. "You're not suing me to get to my father!" Yami shouted. He rammed his head back into Zinfri's face, forcing Zinfri to let go of Yami to cover his face with his hands. Yami kicked Zinfri in the stomach, causing him to stumble back.

Zinfri looked up, glaring at Yami. "You'll pay for that, fool!" Zinfri said.

"Yami! Duck!" Yugi ordered.

Yami ducked to the ground as a blast of golden magic went above his head and hit Zinfri in the chest, throwing him back to the ground.

Grunting in pain, Zinfri looked up at Yugi, glaring. He knew that he couldn't fight now. He had to get out of there before he was killed.

Yami, knowing the danger he was in, got up and backed away.

Half of the raiders had been killed, and the other half was injured. It was then that the remaining raiders escaped.

Arthur and Sugoroku assessed the damage to the group while Yugi and Malik made sure that they were safe.

"They're gone. I doubt that they'll be back. I think all of them were killed." Malik said.

"I think we'd better keep moving through the night. They could get help and come back here. Taking a chance like that would be foolish." Yugi said.

"He makes a good point. If we keep moving, there's less of a chance that we'll be attacked again." Marik agreed.

"Let's go. We just can't take a risk like that." Arthur agreed.

The group had everything together and were on their way in less than thirty minutes.

"Yugi, how did that Zinfri guy survive that attack?" Malik asked.

"I don't know. He would have to have magical protection of some kind to protect him from a blast like that." Yugi said.

"You mean, that attack was meant to kill him?" Yami asked.

Yugi nodded. "That was the point of the attack. It was suppose to kill him, but it didn't, and I don't know how." Yugi replied.


Heba's eyes snapped open and he sat up, breathing heavily. "What was that?" Heba asked.

Atemu, having been woken up, by Heba's sudden movements, heard what he said, Atemu sat up and said, "Heba, what's wrong?"

"I don't know. I just got a really weird feeling." Heba said.

"Like what?" Atemu asked.

"I don't know. I haven't felt like this in years. Nothing's wrong. It's more like, something is coming. Something non-threatening." Heba said.

"Do you think it cold be Yami?" Atemu asked.

"I don't know. I really wish I did." Heba replied.


Zinfri picked up a plate the threw it against the all. "How is it possible?! How could that little twerp have done that to me?!" Zinfri shouted, angry.

The sorceress walked out. "What are you angry about now? You found the Prince." the sorceress said.

"There was a group with him. One of the two who helped rescue him were there, too. One of them hit with some sort of magic. The magic you gave me didn't shield me from the attack!" Zinfri shouted at her.

This surprised the sorceress. "That is impossible. No magic has the ability to breach my protective powers." the sorceress said.

"Well, it did! It was hard for me to breathe, too. He's strong for a little twerp. He was even smaller than that stupid Prince. How could someone so small possess so much power?!" Zinfri demanded.

"I do not know. I did not see the battle. This person must possess magics that I have never seen before." the sorceress said.

"You need to find a way to protect us from it, or we cold all be killed, and that would leave you to deal with those three members of the House of Ra on your own!" Zinfri yelled before storming out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

The sorceress grew concerned. 'Only Heba, Jou, and Ryou survived that attack. No other member of the House of Ra survived other than the old man, and he does not have the power to stop me. The ones attacking Zinfri must be of a magic of another country. No other member of the House of Ra lives. They cannot live now.' the sorceress thought. But, deep down, she feared that more members of the House of Ra were alive, which would make it harder for her to carry out her plan.


The group had traveled the rest of the journey without incident although they were on guard at all times.

The palace came into the view.

"There it is!" Yami said.

"Thank Ra! I never thought I'd be so happy to see the palace." Marik agreed.

Yugi and Malik hid their smiles, glad that they were able to get Yami and Marik back to their home safely.

The group headed for the palace.

"Yami, the guards at the palace won't think that we had anything to do with your kidnapping, will they?" Malik asked, a little concerned.

"They might, but I won't let them do anything. You both saved me, and I'll make that clear to the guards." Yami replied.

"And if they try anything, I'll just kill them. I am the captain of the guards, so I do have command over them." Marik added, determined not to let anything happen to Malik.

Yami hid a smirk at Marik's protectiveness. 'This will be interesting.' Yami thought. He wondered how his father would react to Marik's new lover.

The group approached the palace gates, only to be stopped by the Royal guard.

"What business have you here?" the head guard asked.

Yami took the initiative and ride forward.

The guards gasped.

"Prince Yami?" one said.

"Open the gates now. They are with me." Yami said.

"Yes, Your Highness." the guard replied.

Yami suppressed a growl. He hated the usage if his title from anyone.

"That was a lot easier than expected." Marik said.

Yugi put a hand to the side of his head. He didn't know why, but he suddenly had a tremendous headache.

"Yugi, you okay?" Malik asked, noticing his younger cousin's actions.

"Yeah. I just have a headache or some reason." Yugi replied.

"You going to be okay?" Malik asked.

"Yeah. I should be." Yugi replied as the group rode through the palace gates inside. Unfortunately, he found his headache growing stronger.


Aknankanon sat at his throne with Atemu, Bakura, Seth, and the rest of the council.

"Pharaoh, we must prepare to give the ransom. It is tonight that it is needed to be given." Isis said.

"Yes. Mahado, Karim. I am trusting you two with this." Aknankanon said.

"Yes, Pharaoh." both replied.

'Father hates doing this, but there is no other way.' Atemu thought.

Heba, Jou, and Ryou glanced at each other nervously. They were concerned that the raiders either had already killed Yami or would not return him once they got the ransom.

'Father, please protect Yami. Don't allow them to kill him.' Heba thought. He wasn't sure that Atemu or Aknankanon could handle a blow like that.

The doors to the throne room burst open, causing everyone to jump.

Aknankanon looked and saw that Hondo had burst into the room. "Hondo, what is the meaning of this?!" Aknankanon demanded.

"Forgive me for the interruption, my Pharaoh, but Prince Yami has returned." Hondo said.

"What?!" Aknankanon exclaimed.

"Some one rescued him." Hondo explained.

Aknankanon, along with the rest of the court, forgot about decorum as they ran from the throne room.

Jou and Ryou started to follow.

Heba suddenly gripped the arm of the throne to keep himself standing. He put a hand to his head at the excruciating headache that he just developed.

"Heba, are you all right?" Ryou asked, putting a hand on Heba's shoulder.

"I think so. My head's killing me, though." Heba said.

"Why?" Jou asked.

"Not sure. I do know that we need to go." Heba said.

"Maybe you should lay down." Ryou said.

"No. I want to see Yami and make sure that he is okay." Heba replied.

With that, the three rushed from the throne room.


Yami dismounted from his horse and looked around. He was glad to be back home after everything that he had been through.

"Nice to finally be back home." Marik stated.

Yami nodded. He turned to start toward the palace. Yami led Yugi, Malik, Marik, Sugoroku, Arthur, Rebecca, and Leon into the palace. They entered the front hallway.

"Yami!" a voice yelled.

Yami jumped at his father's, wondering why he was yelling. The next thing Yami knew, he was in a bone-crushing hug. "F-father." Yami stammered, unable to say anything else from the force of the hug.

The rest of the group with Yami had backed up to give father and son a little privacy.

"Yami, are you all right? How did you escape?" Aknankanon asked as he released his son.

Before Yami could answer, he was caught in another hug, this time by Atemu. "I don't know how you escaped, but I'm sure glad that you did." Atemu said as he released Yami.

"I actually didn't escape. Marik and I were rescued." Yami explained.

"Rescued? By who?" Aknankanon asked.

"By these two." Marik replied, pushing Yugi and Malik forward a little.

"You two have my deepest gratitude for rescuing my son." Aknankanon told them.

"We were just glad to help, Pharaoh." Yugi replied.

"Still need help to get out of your scrapes, huh, Yami?" Bakura asked.

"Shut up, Bakura." Yami retorted.

Aknankanon looked up and was surprised to see a familiar face that he thought he would never see again. "Sugoroku, is that you?" Aknankanon asked, shocked.

Sugoroku looked up to see an old friend. He smiled an said, "Aknankanon, it is good to see you in good health, my friend."

"You two know each other?" Yami asked.

"Indeed, we do. Aknankanon and I have been friends since childhood." Sugoroku replied.

"Yes. In fact, it was he who introduced me to your mother." Aknankanon replied.

"You never mentioned that before." Yugi said.

"I never thought it necessary." Sugoroku replied.

"I can see that you both were in good hands." Aknankanon said.

'Maybe it won't be hard for me and Malik to be together after all.' Marik thought.

Heba, Jou, and Ryou showed up, but did not see their family members since the priests were standing in front of them, blocking their family from view. The three hung back, not wanting to interrupt the reunion between Aknankanon, Atemu, and Yami.

Heba's headache had eased off, although it still bothered him. 'What is going on? Why does my head hurt like this? I haven't felt like this since I was little.' Heba thought.

Yami glanced at Atemu, Bakura, and Seth and said, "Where are your fiancés at?"

Atemu glanced back and saw where they were. "Will you three come up here?" Atemu said.

The priests moved to the side, and Heba, Jou, and Ryou looked up.

They froze.

Yugi and Malik looked up.

They also froze.

The silence that followed was deafening and confusing to the Royal court.

The next words spoken shocked everyone.

"Yugi." Heba said in a shaky voice, eyes wife.

Yugi's eyes were also wide. "Heba." Yugi said in a breathy voice.


That's all for Chapter 7. Sorry about teh cliffhanger, but I thought that it would be a good place to stop.

R&R.