Guess what? It's me again! And even better news! It's another chapter!!
Anyway, let's see if you can guess who the mystery person is in this chapter. ^_~
Take it away Mystery Person!
Disclaimer:
MP: Ah, I'd really rather not be in this chapter. That crazy Egyptian kid scares me. You think maybe my brother could have this part instead?
No. Just read the paper.
MP: Er all right, just make sure he doesn't catch up to me okay. *looks around nervously* He hasn't read the script through all the way yet has he?
Not that I know of. Malik tends to go with it as it comes to him, no planning but great acting. ^_^
MP: Ah good, that's quite a relief. Oh yes, the disclaimer, right.
No one at the address of the author's current residence owns Yugioh! or Harry Potter or any Egyptian Museums or Departments of Antiquities or anything residing within said Museums or Departments. Please don't sue because then she'll have to hide behind Yugi again.
Notes:
Not too much to say at the moment.
Harry will show up next chapter. Then we're jumping back to the Yugioh cast. I hope these jumps in place and time aren't confusing you guys. Oh yeah and as you'll notice, this chapter takes place before the last chapter did, time-wise. But I felt that having this chapter after the last one sets up anticipation and suspense better for this chapter and the ones following it. Consider it something of a flashback that explains what's going on when Yugi-tachi arrive in Egypt.
After this chapter there's going to be about three more before the first of the tournaments takes place. That's where I'm putting the duels, so if anyone wants to give a shot at helping me write them, take a look at the Notes for ch. 4 and send me an email.
Hmm. Now this is interesting. I just did some web surfing because I was looking for a map of Egypt to figure out where exactly Cairo was. Not only did I find Cairo, but I'm pretty sure I figured out where Pharaoh Yami's place used to be. The pictures of the palace in the manga even match the pictures I found of the excavation/museum of the place in modern times. Wow was Yami's pad huge. Basically the same shape from above too. And it fits the correct geographical position of the image of the RPG gameboard Yami and Bakura are using. Of course, the Temple of Wedja or Ouja or however its spelled where the Kaa tablets were kept isn't shown on the little map of the compound, but there is an empty area there in the right spot that has no labels. ^_^ So, who besides me has a sudden urge to go hang out at Yami's place? Think we can find the big pot he hid in as a kid to avoid lessons? Mwuahahaha! I can even see where the Sacred Lake is in the manga picture of an aerial view of the palace! Course, Yami probably didn't call it that. I bet he called it his pool. =D Yami could have an awesome pool party there. Heeheehee!
Hmm. I should probably never be allowed to visit Egypt after this. ^_^;
If you're good little reviewers and ask nicely I'll even spill about where it is. =P
Anyhow, here we go. Hang onto something, there's a few bumps in the story coming up. ^_^
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Harry Potter and The Advent of Darkness
Chapter 5: Family Crisis
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Cairo, Egypt, Natural Museum of Cairo, July 8th, 4:13 pm.
The courtyard steps in front of the Cairo Museum were scattered with Cairo City Police officers as they worked to move curious tourists and occasional nosey reporters along to keep the entryway to the Museum clear for the investigative team to work. Police tape enclosed the immediate area as small clusters of officers stood to either side of the lily pool at each of the approaches to the main entrance.
Officer Asim bowed his head in respect as the coroner's team began moving the latest of the black-bagged bodies down the steps to the waiting morgue van. This would be the fourth corpse brought out since the coroners were allowed onto the scene. The reporters, clustered around the police tape set up closest to the van, crowded closer as the Detective in charge of the investigation walked out behind the stretcher, talking to the Director of Museum Security.
The cameras flashed and reporters shouted jumbled questions as they pushed against the police line. Shaking his head at their disrespect for the dead, Asim turned back to his post at the other side of the lily pool and asked a pair of American tourists to please move along and not obstruct the police work. Glancing back he saw a fifth body bag being trundled down the steps of the Museum.
The unmistakable rumble of a motorcycle drew Asim's attention back to his duties. He turned to face down the main walkway that led from the main gates of the museum grounds to the courtyard he stood within. Asim was just in time to see a sleek, low-slung black and silver motorcycle tear around the corner onto the street that ran up to the main entrance to the museum grounds.
The driver recklessly shot across the street that paralleled the perimeter fence, narrowly avoiding a minibus full of tourists and a battered pickup truck full of fresh produce. The tan robed figure on the motorcycle gunned the engine as he shot through the main gateway, scattering several reporters and the officers escorting them out, as he passed. The motorcycle skidded its back tires as it skirted the lily pool, leaving smudges of black rubber on the pavement. The driver spun the bike in a 180 degree turn, kicking up a cloud of dust as he faced back the way he had come and braked to a halt before Asim and the three other officers detailed to keep tourists moving along from this end of the police tape line.
Asim strode forward, a stern scowl on his face as he went to chew out this reckless man for his antics. Before he had taken four steps away from the police tape, the motorcyclist had swung off of his bike and propped it up without a pause as he pulled off his gleaming black helmet, decorated with a golden eye symbol on the forehead above the visor. Asim stopped in surprise at the countenance that turned to face him as the driver stepped away from the bike.
It was not so much the appearance of the young man that made Asim pause, which were certainly unusual, what with the light blond hair and strikingly pale lavender eyes, but rather the expression on his face as the young man turned his gaze to the museum entryway where the sixth body bag was now being hauled to the van. This was not the expression of a reckless stunt driving punk, but rather that of a panicked, frightened young teenager. Before Asim could collect himself once more, the young man had dropped his helmet to the dusty ground and bolted forward.
"Isis!" His panicked voice rang out, reverberating off the stone walls of the museum as he sprinted for the stairs into the museum.
Asim barely had time to register this before the youth darted past him. Behind him he could see his partner, Namehk snag the teen by his dusty tan robes and jolt him to a halt before grabbing the boy's right arm. Asim rushed to help as the boy thrashed in Namehk's grip and nearly broke loose.
"Ra damn you! Let me go! Isis!" The teen howled as he struggled to get to the museum, even if he had to drag the two officers with him.
"Stop struggling, boy! Do you want us to arrest you!" Namehk snarled as he caught the boy's thrashing elbow right before it jabbed into his solar plexus.
"Let me go, you fools! I've got to see Isis! Isis! Damn it! Isis!" The boy snarled as he was spun back around by Asim and shoved back towards the motorcycle.
"Listen kid, no one's allowed to cross the police line. Not even if a pharaoh himself rose from his tomb to come here. Not him, and certainly not some reckless motorcycle riding kid. You got that!" Asim scowled his best ferocious guard glare at the kid.
"Isis was here the other night! I know she was! She's my sister, damn it! Let me in! I have to make sure she's okay!" The boy snarled at them as he lunged back for the steps, darting around Asim's reaching arm but getting caught by Aberet as he tried to avoid Namehk. Aberet grabbed the teen by his shoulders and threw him backwards to land on the dusty paved courtyard floor.
"No one unauthorized gets in while the investigation's going on. I don't care if she's your mother or your daughter, let alone sister. You're not getting in. Now get the hell out of here before we arrest you for that driving stunt you pulled!" Aberet snarled at the boy as he rolled over and got to his feet once more, his face shadowed beneath his straw blond bangs.
"You ..." The teenager's voice growled low as he hissed the word. "You dare ..." Asim shivered slightly despite the heat of the sun bearing down on the courtyard. It felt as though the temperature had just dropped 20 degrees and the brightness of Ra above seemed to dim as though a great shadow had settled over them all. The teen's fists clenched at his sides as he raised his veiled gaze to lock eyes with Aberet.
Aberet took a step back as the color drained from his face. The teen's eyes were cold and harsh. Narrowed in unveiled anger, the eerie lavender eyes seemed to draw in all the light and emit chilling shadows in its place. Asim shivered and took a step back, unable to help himself, as he was caught in the eddies of this suddenly frightening teen's gaze.
Then the teen abruptly shook his head, his long blond hair swaying across his face, hiding those chilling eyes from view. As suddenly as it had come, the oppressive feeling of chill darkness vanished. Asim blinked, uncertain if he had imagined it all.
Asim gathered his thoughts and explained in a regretful voice. "We're just doing our job kid. If the crime scene is disturbed, we could lose evidence that could catch the murderers. I'm sorry, but you'll have to take up your concerns about your sister with the police chief at the main Cairo precinct station. You could also try the hospitals, there were a bunch of people with minor injuries, but only a handful were killed. She's probably there if she isn't at the station giving her statements to the detectives."
The teenager nodded, his eyes veiled by his hair once more before turning and walking back to his motorcycle. As he picked up his helmet he spoke without turning to look at the officers. "I understand. But ... if she is hurt, then whoever did this will pay."
"That's why we're here kid. To catch the ones who did this." Asim assured, uncertain if that had been a question or a statement from the boy.
The teenager nodded, then pulled on his helmet before mounting the motorcycle and revving the engine. A moment later and he was turning right, onto the road fronting the museum grounds and was lost to Asim's sight.
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Malik Ishtar scowled as he pulled his motorcycle up outside the back entrance of the Cairo Museum and saw yet more of those infuriating policemen blocking off the entryway. "Apep take their souls!" He hissed. He'd been to every entrance to the museum and had yet to find a way inside that wasn't guarded by those idiots.
Malik's fingers itched as he clenched them around the handlebars of his motorcycle. He'd prefer if they were clenching around another item's grip, but that had not been his for over two years now. Much as he missed the Millennium Rod he was not about to go off and try to win it back. Besides, it wasn't meant to be his in the first place. It was just so useful though, especially at times like this...
Malik gritted his teeth as he forced from his mind all thoughts of making those pathetic policemen bow to him and escort him inside with all due respect. Malik sighed, Isis was right. He really needed to work on his social skills. Being friends with Yugi and the others had helped him a lot; but aside from emails he hardly ever talked to them. Japan was just so far away. He had planed to visit them later this summer as a surprise, but now this had happened. He hoped it was just his imagination kicking into overdrive and not what he feared. But until he saw Isis with his own eyes and verified that he needed to stop drinking soda mixed with those funky pop rocks after midnight instead of running off on a fool's errand, he wasn't going to stop worrying.
Malik kicked the stand up again and revved the engine as he prepared to skirt the perimeter again and try to find a way to climb over. Hopefully he could find a window or a vent he could pry loose.
"Fine time to not have that crazy tomb robber around. I guess it's true. Never around when you need 'em." Malik muttered under his breath as he shook his head. Just before he started the motorcycle into motion a shout from across the street caught his attention.
"Master Malik! Master Malik!" Malik snapped his head around at the little used title and saw a brown robed and hooded man running across the dusty street towards him, waving his arm frantically.
Malik growled under his breath and darted his gaze around swiftly. Cursing under his breath in two languages he gunned the cycle and sped to the man, nearly knocking him to the ground as he skidded to a halt beside him and snapping his visor up.
"Ra damn it! Jhareem! How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that in public!" Malik hissed as he grabbed the young man by the front of his robes and pulled him over the front of the motorcycle before speeding off down the street and around a corner, then turning a sharp left down a narrow alleyway.
"S-sorry, Mas...er...Malik, sir." The man stuttered, flushing red in embarrassment as Malik dumped him off the front of his cycle and swung off, propping the kickstand up.
"You're not a Ghoul anymore! I disbanded them! You know that, you don't have to call me that anymore!" Malik growled as the man brushed off his robes and flipped back his hood in the shade of the alley.
"I know that sir, but, you're the Head of the Clan, I have to show respect somehow." Jhareem replied sheepishly, ducking his head as he pushed his shaggy black hair back out of his brown eyes. "It doesn't feel right to just call you Malik, sir. You deserve more respect than that. Especially after everything you've done for us, taking us in and all."
"That still doesn't mean you should call me Master. And stop calling me sir, it makes me feel old." Malik scowled at the youngest of his ex-Ghouls in Egypt.
"Ah, yes si...um...Malik...-sama?" He finished looking hopefully at his adoptive clan leader.
"Fine, fine. Now, what in the name of Maat is going on Jhareem!" Malik pulled off his helmet and turned to face the taller young man.
"Ah, yes, you got my email right, Malik-sama?" Jhareem looked nervous as he scuffed his sandals against the ground.
"Email? What email? I've been driving like the fiends of Tuat were on my ass since yesterday before dawn." Malik frowned at the man.
"I-I thought you had come because of my email Malik-sama." Jhareem looked at Malik in surprise. "W-why have you come if not for that?"
Malik scowled down at the ground. "I had a premonition. A feeling that something was wrong with Isis. I don't know what, but somehow, I feel it in my gut." Malik snorted and shook his head. "And here I thought Isis was the seer in the family." He snapped his eyes up to meet Jhareem's. "Now, since I did not get your email. Explain." Malik stepped forward menacingly. "You are supposed to be tailing Isis. Where is she, Jhareem?"
"Ah, er, Miss Isis is... er..." Jhareem twiddled his fingers as he took a nervous step back from Malik.
"Jhareem...You may not be my subordinate in the Ghouls anymore, but as the Head of Clan Ishtar you are required to follow my orders. Now, let's try this again." Malik stepped forward, locking his piercing gaze with the dark-haired 23 year old. "Where is my sister Jhareem?"
"Forgive me Malik-sama." Jhareem dropped his gaze to his feet and for an instant threatened to fall to his knees. Malik scowled and gripped his shoulder to prevent that act. "Miss Isis discovered my presence last Monday. Even the concealment spells you taught me couldn't fool her senses. She was most upset at learning you had protectors following her. She tolerated my presence but refused to allow me to accompany her when she went to meetings with Museum staff."
Malik frowned. "You did not even try to insure her safety at such times? You are an accomplished escape artist and ex-thief. You should have been able to get in and out of the museum without anyone but Isis knowing of your presence."
"Of course, Malik-sama. But Miss Isis forbade it. I tried the first time she went to a meeting with the Director of Antiquities and she nearly called the guards upon me. Then she admonished me severely afterward. She pointed out that she is of a higher clan rank than I, and so, I must bow to her wishes when she makes them so explicit." Jhareem ducked his head in chagrin. "She also said that I am such a good marksman that any threat could be taken care of from a discreet distance from her person, Malik- sama."
Malik sighed. "I should have expected no less from her. She's no slouch when it comes to assessing her surroundings. Go on, Jhareem. What is going on, and why are you here, but Isis is not?"
"Ah, yes. I was just getting to that, Malik-sama. Miss Isis had a meeting the night before last. Her business dealings here in Cairo were a success. She had informed me that she intended to return to Luxor yesterday morning after her acquisition papers were finalized by the Director of Antiquities."
"So then, it was the Book, wasn't it." Malik mused.
"Yes, Malik-sama. The Book of Millennia, just like Miss Isis had hoped. She had stiff competition in the estate auction with a young British gentleman. He wished to view the Book and discuss the possibility of purchasing it from her after the auction had concluded. That is the meeting Miss Isis was attending on the night of the 6th. She was quite specific in insisting that I remain outside the museum during the meeting. She assured me that the museum guards would be more than sufficient to protect her if they were good enough to protect the Book while she waited for her papers to be approved."
"Obviously they were not. What the hell happened that night Jhareem?" Malik stared Jhareem down, daring him to avoid the question.
"Ah...Well, I waited outside just as Miss Isis instructed. I secured a position within a stone's throw of the lily pool at 10:45 pm and waited for the meeting to commence and conclude. Just before 11 pm the British gentleman arrived and was escorted inside by one of the security guards. I'm certain it was the same man as the one at the auction. There are very few people in Cairo, even tourists, with such vivid red hair." Jhareem continued.
"Why so late? The museum closes at 10:30 pm." Malik frowned as he considered the implications.
"The young man insisted on a private viewing of the Book. Miss Isis suggested meeting after the museum had closed for the evening."
"So then, no sight-seers to get in the way of a theft and attack." Malik scowled darkly, his eyes narrowing with implied bodily harm should he discover the man before the police do.
"I do not know Malik-sama. The trouble did not occur until after the Robed- ones arrived." Jhareem replied nervously.
"Robed-ones?" Malik snapped his head up to meet Jhareem's gaze.
"Yes. At midnight another group of people arrived at the museum. There were about a dozen of them, each one heavily cloaked and robed in black. I could not see their faces beneath the hoods." Jhareem nodded.
"And you did nothing?" Malik growled turning his narrowed gaze onto his hapless clan member.
"N-no Malik-sama." Jhareem stuttered. "The guards let them in without any hassle. The lead Robed-one took something out of his robes and showed it to the guards while saying something. I assumed it was some form of I.D. because the guards immediately led them inside without any further words."
"Then they were expected? Who could they have been?" Malik frowned and turned away for a moment.
"I do not understand who they were either Malik-sama. It was not long after, that I began to get a sense of great foreboding. I used my senses to the utmost, just as you taught me, but the power I sensed was completely unfamiliar to anything you've shown me Malik-sama. I was certain something was wrong, so I used my strongest concealment spells and slipped past the remaining security guards. I was barely inside the doors before I knew things had gone terribly wrong. The people who work the night shifts in the museum, the janitors and catalogers and such were lying about on the floors. I checked the first few I saw. Most were alive, but immobile and unconscious, but strangely so. Some of those still alive were stiff as a three day old corpse, but one poor guard seemed to be frozen solid where he stood."
"Frozen alive!" Malik gasped. The power needed to freeze a man in such a manner would have had to be immense.
"I am fairly certain that he was dead. I cannot imagine how he could survive such a thing." Jhareem replied, shaking his head. "I ran as swiftly as I could toward the basement level where the Department was keeping the Book until Miss Isis took it with her back to Luxor. I was certain she had to be there, with that British man. However; before I got to the room, I encountered six of the Robed-ones in the hallway." Jhareem paused to level his gaze significantly at Malik. "They saw me."
Malik started in surprise. "They saw you? But you said you had cast the concealment spells. Had you dropped them?"
"No! Of course not Malik-sama. I don't know how, but the Robed-ones saw me as though I had never cast them at all." Jhareem exclaimed as he clenched his fists.
"Was Isis there? Did you see her?" Malik demanded.
"No Malik-sama. I did not see Miss Isis with the Robed-ones. But ... Malik-sama ... they had the Book."
"What! Isis would never have given that up to them." Malik whirled away and paced furiously back and forth across the alley. "What could have happened to her!?" Abruptly he paused and spun back to face Jhareem. "You re-acquired the Book, correct?"
Jhareem bowed his head in shame. "No Malik-sama. I could not. These Robed-ones were far too powerful." He lifted his head to meet Malik's gaze. "They had such powerful magics Malik-sama. I had no chance to contend with them on my own. I tried to get the Book from the one who possessed it. However, the Robed-ones used magic spells to fight me. I barely managed to deflect the first barrage of magics from their spell- sticks. One of the spells bounced off my shielding and struck the Robed- one nearest me. He collapsed into the same state of stiff unconsciousness as the museum staff I had passed earlier. To my shame, I ran. I could not fight them and hope to win. I believed that informing you of what had transpired would be a better use of my services than as a very large paperweight. Forgive me Malik-sama." Jhareem dropped to his knees before Malik and bowed his head.
"Oh, for the love of Ra! Get up you fool!" Malik grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. "You honestly think I'll hold it against you that you did what you could and then retreated when you had to? If these men could wrest the Book of Millennia from Isis, then their magic is certainly stronger than yours. Very few of our clan's talented can match Isis. Getting this information to me is definitely more important than becoming a frozen lump. Now quit cowering and stand up!"
"Th-thank you Malik-sama." Jhareem attempted to bow again, but Malik stopped him by grabbing his shoulder and shaking him.
"Stop that! Now tell me, what happened after?"
"I escaped the Robed-ones by taking refuge in the 19th dynasty wing. I waited until I could no longer sense their strange magics and made my way as quickly as I could to the room the Book had been kept in. There were signs of a struggle and magical fire-fight that extended into the hallway and beyond, but no sight of Miss Isis or that British gentleman. Before I could continue my investigation and follow the traces further, the museum was overrun with more strange people. These too wore robes and cloaks, but in white and tan rather than black. They too reeked of the strange magics the Robed-ones had wielded. Fearing discovery, I retreated to a position outside of the museum grounds. My earlier position was no longer feasible because these newcomers patrolled the grounds of the museum as much as the museum itself."
"More strange magic users? They're just coming out of the woodwork aren't they." Malik scowled as he began pacing once more.
"I waited until dawn, hoping Miss Isis would emerge from some hiding place unharmed, but she did not. I returned to the apartment she had rented for her visits to Cairo but she was not there either. I sent you an email message telling you of what had happened and requesting assistance to search for her and the Robed-ones. The strange new magic users did not leave until late last night. Only then did the Cairo police move in and take over the investigation into the attack." Jhareem finished.
"And you saw nothing of Isis?" Malik asked turning back to Jhareem.
"There were signs of a struggle and a chase, but I did not see her with the six Robed-ones I encountered."
"But six others were unaccounted for. They could have taken her." Malik growled as he twisted his hands around the chin-guard of his helmet. He snapped his gaze up to Jhareem. "You did not see her be-spelled on the ground? You didn't see her body or anyone that might have been her?" He demanded, his lavender eyes filled with apprehension.
"No Malik-sama. But I did not have opportunity to check each person who had been struck down. There were many in the halls on the way to the where the Book was kept, and some I saw in halls I did not venture down." Jhareem added reluctantly.
"Damn it! There's no way to tell then, unless we check every possibility!" Malik slammed his fist against the mud-brick wall nearest him. "Ammit take them all! If Isis has been harmed by those Robed-ones..." Malik's voice trailed off as he glared murderously at the ground. "Jhareem! How many other ex-Ghouls and clan members are here in Cairo, or within easy reach?"
"I-I'm not sure Malik-sama." Jhareem stuttered, caught off guard by the sudden question.
"Never mind. Rishid will know." Malik resumed his frantic pacing with a vengeance. "I want you to start checking hospitals. If she was injured, then she'll probably be there."
"Which one Malik-sama?"
"All of them! Keep track of which one's you've searched already. I'm going to send out a summons so you'll have help soon. Disbanded or not, every Ghoul who can, will be here as soon as I can make it happen. I'm calling up the other clan members as well. I want to know everything there is to know about that British man. If he had something to do with the Robed-ones, I want to know. He's our only possible lead right now on them."
"Yes Malik-sama. Where can I get in contact with you?" Jhareem asked, straightening as he received orders.
"Headquarters will be at Isis's apartment unless I specify otherwise. You'll be able to reach me there. If you find anything, phone me there or on my cell phone, understand?"
"Yes Malik-sama!"
"You have your cell phone with you?" Jhareem nodded at this question. "Good, I'll call you with further orders once I learn of the type of manpower available. Now go." Malik nodded his head in acknowledgement as Jhareem bowed, then watched as he whirled and hurried to the far end of the alley to disappear around the corner onto the street.
Malik turned to his motorcycle and slid his helmet back on as he mounted up. A moment later he pulled up across the street from the museum's back entrance. Malik gritted his teeth and scowled at the policemen guarding the gate and back entryway.
For his family he had conquered a darkness so evil it had threatened the entire world. The fact that it had been spawned from his own heart had made it that much more difficult for him to overcome. If he could do that, then there was no power on this earth that he would not face to see his sister safe again. Millennium Item or not, the Robed-ones would learn what it meant to cross an Ishtar.
TBC
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Well, there we go again.
I just realized I've been forgetting to put the TBC at the end of the last two chapters.
Oh yeah, I have no idea what the police forces are like in Egypt or if they even call them police. So I went with what little I know of police in America. Sorry if I got it all wrong. ^_^;
This chapter has the first real oc's in my fic. I'm sorry if you totally hate them. They probably won't be recurring. Maybe Jhareem will show up again to carry out more of Malik's orders, but I don't know.
Yeah, I figure that the Ishtar clan wasn't just guarding the Millennium Rod and Tauk. They also guard all the stuff from the pharaoh's tomb, and probably the priests' tombs and stuff dealing with shadow magic too. As such, they probably have access to ancient Egyptian magic texts and such that don't need Millennium items to work, just like Mana didn't need Millennium items to work her own magic in the AE Memory Arc. For Isis and Malik to be able to use the Millennium Items shows they have strong magical abilities, reincarnation of priestess or not. So they're strong spell casters too, when they bother to learn the spells, that is. So, even though neither has the Millennium Items anymore, they still have magical powers that they can channel into spells that they learn from ancient texts. They can also teach these spells to other people who have magical talent, depending on how strong the magical ability is for each person.
Okay, about the whole clan/Ghouls thing. I figure, Malik had a huge worldwide organization of Ghouls who all looked to him as their leader. He couldn't have been controlling all of their minds all the time. And not all of them had to be crazy nutcases who enjoyed a good spot of sadism now and then. I figure that a lot of them joined him for money and such, but a good number probably joined the organization for the same reasons gangs form. A sense of family and togetherness for people who don't have their own families to rely on. Malik's own family tragedy and his purpose behind going after the pharaoh's spirit would give him plenty of reason to take in people who had useful talents who had also suffered tragic family pasts.
I also figure that the Ishtar clan did not consist of just Malik, Isis, Rishid, the father, and a mother who seems to have died before the father did. For them to survive down there in that complex, I think they probably have a very large extended clan that is led by the main family which Malik is now the head male member of. The extended clan could be either distantly related or not related to the main family at all, but pledged into the clan by the main family's head of household. Of course, the big hush, hush secrets of the clan, a.k.a. The Millennium Items, would be known only to the highest ranking families.
Therefore, I think that after Malik decided not to destroy the pharaoh's spirit for revenge, and rejoined his family, he probably disbanded the Ghouls at Isis's insistence. [If he's going legit, he shouldn't keep an international criminal organization under his control.] Ghouls that joined for money or cuz they were nuts probably feared Malik and wouldn't dare cross him if he threatened them into going legit and staying that way. Any Ghouls who were loyal to Malik because of the sense of family would probably have decided to stay near their leader/father-figure, Malik. And Malik, being Malik, probably decided to throw stuffy tradition to the wind and adopt any of them that wanted into the Ishtar clan. And so we have ex- Ghouls like Jhareem becoming Ishtar clan members. ^_^
As you can see, Malik still has some problems with authority, but he means well. ^_^
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Reviewer Responses!
C.M Aeris Queen of Insanity: Look its an update! ^_^ Glad I cleared that up for you. =)
Cyberkat: Planning on fixing that sometime soon. Thanks for the tip. ^_^
It'sHardToBelieve: Well, Yugi's a bit depressed about this. How can he not be, you know. But thanks to a little concerned intervention and logic, from Jou of all people, he's not going to sink into depression and despair when he has a goal to work towards. ^_^
Mists(): Hope Egypt was worth the miniscule wait. ^_^ Ah yes, procrastination on other things can lead to amazing authorship skills. ^_^;;
Lady Silver Dragon I: Dang it! No wonder no one puts ascii-ish art into their stories. It never uploads right. Well, Malik anyway, dunno where Isis went off to and Rishid is elsewhere at the moment. Oh do show her, the more people liking my fic the better. ^_^ Have I pleased your evil OC's with my Super-Fast-Updating no Jutsu?
Reviewer(): Yup, Yami goes just a 'little' bit psychotic on Insector Haga on that train ride. Especially after he thinks Haga tore up Yugi's soul card. ^_^
Sachi-chan(): Okay, thanks. I'll have to change that one of these days.
Youkai Youko: Well I don't know about them playing duel monsters. But they'll definitely get to see some. ^_~
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Shimon Says: How tall is the pharaoh?
Ah ah ah! Simon didn't say! =P
Anyway, let's see if you can guess who the mystery person is in this chapter. ^_~
Take it away Mystery Person!
Disclaimer:
MP: Ah, I'd really rather not be in this chapter. That crazy Egyptian kid scares me. You think maybe my brother could have this part instead?
No. Just read the paper.
MP: Er all right, just make sure he doesn't catch up to me okay. *looks around nervously* He hasn't read the script through all the way yet has he?
Not that I know of. Malik tends to go with it as it comes to him, no planning but great acting. ^_^
MP: Ah good, that's quite a relief. Oh yes, the disclaimer, right.
No one at the address of the author's current residence owns Yugioh! or Harry Potter or any Egyptian Museums or Departments of Antiquities or anything residing within said Museums or Departments. Please don't sue because then she'll have to hide behind Yugi again.
Notes:
Not too much to say at the moment.
Harry will show up next chapter. Then we're jumping back to the Yugioh cast. I hope these jumps in place and time aren't confusing you guys. Oh yeah and as you'll notice, this chapter takes place before the last chapter did, time-wise. But I felt that having this chapter after the last one sets up anticipation and suspense better for this chapter and the ones following it. Consider it something of a flashback that explains what's going on when Yugi-tachi arrive in Egypt.
After this chapter there's going to be about three more before the first of the tournaments takes place. That's where I'm putting the duels, so if anyone wants to give a shot at helping me write them, take a look at the Notes for ch. 4 and send me an email.
Hmm. Now this is interesting. I just did some web surfing because I was looking for a map of Egypt to figure out where exactly Cairo was. Not only did I find Cairo, but I'm pretty sure I figured out where Pharaoh Yami's place used to be. The pictures of the palace in the manga even match the pictures I found of the excavation/museum of the place in modern times. Wow was Yami's pad huge. Basically the same shape from above too. And it fits the correct geographical position of the image of the RPG gameboard Yami and Bakura are using. Of course, the Temple of Wedja or Ouja or however its spelled where the Kaa tablets were kept isn't shown on the little map of the compound, but there is an empty area there in the right spot that has no labels. ^_^ So, who besides me has a sudden urge to go hang out at Yami's place? Think we can find the big pot he hid in as a kid to avoid lessons? Mwuahahaha! I can even see where the Sacred Lake is in the manga picture of an aerial view of the palace! Course, Yami probably didn't call it that. I bet he called it his pool. =D Yami could have an awesome pool party there. Heeheehee!
Hmm. I should probably never be allowed to visit Egypt after this. ^_^;
If you're good little reviewers and ask nicely I'll even spill about where it is. =P
Anyhow, here we go. Hang onto something, there's a few bumps in the story coming up. ^_^
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Harry Potter and The Advent of Darkness
Chapter 5: Family Crisis
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Cairo, Egypt, Natural Museum of Cairo, July 8th, 4:13 pm.
The courtyard steps in front of the Cairo Museum were scattered with Cairo City Police officers as they worked to move curious tourists and occasional nosey reporters along to keep the entryway to the Museum clear for the investigative team to work. Police tape enclosed the immediate area as small clusters of officers stood to either side of the lily pool at each of the approaches to the main entrance.
Officer Asim bowed his head in respect as the coroner's team began moving the latest of the black-bagged bodies down the steps to the waiting morgue van. This would be the fourth corpse brought out since the coroners were allowed onto the scene. The reporters, clustered around the police tape set up closest to the van, crowded closer as the Detective in charge of the investigation walked out behind the stretcher, talking to the Director of Museum Security.
The cameras flashed and reporters shouted jumbled questions as they pushed against the police line. Shaking his head at their disrespect for the dead, Asim turned back to his post at the other side of the lily pool and asked a pair of American tourists to please move along and not obstruct the police work. Glancing back he saw a fifth body bag being trundled down the steps of the Museum.
The unmistakable rumble of a motorcycle drew Asim's attention back to his duties. He turned to face down the main walkway that led from the main gates of the museum grounds to the courtyard he stood within. Asim was just in time to see a sleek, low-slung black and silver motorcycle tear around the corner onto the street that ran up to the main entrance to the museum grounds.
The driver recklessly shot across the street that paralleled the perimeter fence, narrowly avoiding a minibus full of tourists and a battered pickup truck full of fresh produce. The tan robed figure on the motorcycle gunned the engine as he shot through the main gateway, scattering several reporters and the officers escorting them out, as he passed. The motorcycle skidded its back tires as it skirted the lily pool, leaving smudges of black rubber on the pavement. The driver spun the bike in a 180 degree turn, kicking up a cloud of dust as he faced back the way he had come and braked to a halt before Asim and the three other officers detailed to keep tourists moving along from this end of the police tape line.
Asim strode forward, a stern scowl on his face as he went to chew out this reckless man for his antics. Before he had taken four steps away from the police tape, the motorcyclist had swung off of his bike and propped it up without a pause as he pulled off his gleaming black helmet, decorated with a golden eye symbol on the forehead above the visor. Asim stopped in surprise at the countenance that turned to face him as the driver stepped away from the bike.
It was not so much the appearance of the young man that made Asim pause, which were certainly unusual, what with the light blond hair and strikingly pale lavender eyes, but rather the expression on his face as the young man turned his gaze to the museum entryway where the sixth body bag was now being hauled to the van. This was not the expression of a reckless stunt driving punk, but rather that of a panicked, frightened young teenager. Before Asim could collect himself once more, the young man had dropped his helmet to the dusty ground and bolted forward.
"Isis!" His panicked voice rang out, reverberating off the stone walls of the museum as he sprinted for the stairs into the museum.
Asim barely had time to register this before the youth darted past him. Behind him he could see his partner, Namehk snag the teen by his dusty tan robes and jolt him to a halt before grabbing the boy's right arm. Asim rushed to help as the boy thrashed in Namehk's grip and nearly broke loose.
"Ra damn you! Let me go! Isis!" The teen howled as he struggled to get to the museum, even if he had to drag the two officers with him.
"Stop struggling, boy! Do you want us to arrest you!" Namehk snarled as he caught the boy's thrashing elbow right before it jabbed into his solar plexus.
"Let me go, you fools! I've got to see Isis! Isis! Damn it! Isis!" The boy snarled as he was spun back around by Asim and shoved back towards the motorcycle.
"Listen kid, no one's allowed to cross the police line. Not even if a pharaoh himself rose from his tomb to come here. Not him, and certainly not some reckless motorcycle riding kid. You got that!" Asim scowled his best ferocious guard glare at the kid.
"Isis was here the other night! I know she was! She's my sister, damn it! Let me in! I have to make sure she's okay!" The boy snarled at them as he lunged back for the steps, darting around Asim's reaching arm but getting caught by Aberet as he tried to avoid Namehk. Aberet grabbed the teen by his shoulders and threw him backwards to land on the dusty paved courtyard floor.
"No one unauthorized gets in while the investigation's going on. I don't care if she's your mother or your daughter, let alone sister. You're not getting in. Now get the hell out of here before we arrest you for that driving stunt you pulled!" Aberet snarled at the boy as he rolled over and got to his feet once more, his face shadowed beneath his straw blond bangs.
"You ..." The teenager's voice growled low as he hissed the word. "You dare ..." Asim shivered slightly despite the heat of the sun bearing down on the courtyard. It felt as though the temperature had just dropped 20 degrees and the brightness of Ra above seemed to dim as though a great shadow had settled over them all. The teen's fists clenched at his sides as he raised his veiled gaze to lock eyes with Aberet.
Aberet took a step back as the color drained from his face. The teen's eyes were cold and harsh. Narrowed in unveiled anger, the eerie lavender eyes seemed to draw in all the light and emit chilling shadows in its place. Asim shivered and took a step back, unable to help himself, as he was caught in the eddies of this suddenly frightening teen's gaze.
Then the teen abruptly shook his head, his long blond hair swaying across his face, hiding those chilling eyes from view. As suddenly as it had come, the oppressive feeling of chill darkness vanished. Asim blinked, uncertain if he had imagined it all.
Asim gathered his thoughts and explained in a regretful voice. "We're just doing our job kid. If the crime scene is disturbed, we could lose evidence that could catch the murderers. I'm sorry, but you'll have to take up your concerns about your sister with the police chief at the main Cairo precinct station. You could also try the hospitals, there were a bunch of people with minor injuries, but only a handful were killed. She's probably there if she isn't at the station giving her statements to the detectives."
The teenager nodded, his eyes veiled by his hair once more before turning and walking back to his motorcycle. As he picked up his helmet he spoke without turning to look at the officers. "I understand. But ... if she is hurt, then whoever did this will pay."
"That's why we're here kid. To catch the ones who did this." Asim assured, uncertain if that had been a question or a statement from the boy.
The teenager nodded, then pulled on his helmet before mounting the motorcycle and revving the engine. A moment later and he was turning right, onto the road fronting the museum grounds and was lost to Asim's sight.
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Malik Ishtar scowled as he pulled his motorcycle up outside the back entrance of the Cairo Museum and saw yet more of those infuriating policemen blocking off the entryway. "Apep take their souls!" He hissed. He'd been to every entrance to the museum and had yet to find a way inside that wasn't guarded by those idiots.
Malik's fingers itched as he clenched them around the handlebars of his motorcycle. He'd prefer if they were clenching around another item's grip, but that had not been his for over two years now. Much as he missed the Millennium Rod he was not about to go off and try to win it back. Besides, it wasn't meant to be his in the first place. It was just so useful though, especially at times like this...
Malik gritted his teeth as he forced from his mind all thoughts of making those pathetic policemen bow to him and escort him inside with all due respect. Malik sighed, Isis was right. He really needed to work on his social skills. Being friends with Yugi and the others had helped him a lot; but aside from emails he hardly ever talked to them. Japan was just so far away. He had planed to visit them later this summer as a surprise, but now this had happened. He hoped it was just his imagination kicking into overdrive and not what he feared. But until he saw Isis with his own eyes and verified that he needed to stop drinking soda mixed with those funky pop rocks after midnight instead of running off on a fool's errand, he wasn't going to stop worrying.
Malik kicked the stand up again and revved the engine as he prepared to skirt the perimeter again and try to find a way to climb over. Hopefully he could find a window or a vent he could pry loose.
"Fine time to not have that crazy tomb robber around. I guess it's true. Never around when you need 'em." Malik muttered under his breath as he shook his head. Just before he started the motorcycle into motion a shout from across the street caught his attention.
"Master Malik! Master Malik!" Malik snapped his head around at the little used title and saw a brown robed and hooded man running across the dusty street towards him, waving his arm frantically.
Malik growled under his breath and darted his gaze around swiftly. Cursing under his breath in two languages he gunned the cycle and sped to the man, nearly knocking him to the ground as he skidded to a halt beside him and snapping his visor up.
"Ra damn it! Jhareem! How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that in public!" Malik hissed as he grabbed the young man by the front of his robes and pulled him over the front of the motorcycle before speeding off down the street and around a corner, then turning a sharp left down a narrow alleyway.
"S-sorry, Mas...er...Malik, sir." The man stuttered, flushing red in embarrassment as Malik dumped him off the front of his cycle and swung off, propping the kickstand up.
"You're not a Ghoul anymore! I disbanded them! You know that, you don't have to call me that anymore!" Malik growled as the man brushed off his robes and flipped back his hood in the shade of the alley.
"I know that sir, but, you're the Head of the Clan, I have to show respect somehow." Jhareem replied sheepishly, ducking his head as he pushed his shaggy black hair back out of his brown eyes. "It doesn't feel right to just call you Malik, sir. You deserve more respect than that. Especially after everything you've done for us, taking us in and all."
"That still doesn't mean you should call me Master. And stop calling me sir, it makes me feel old." Malik scowled at the youngest of his ex-Ghouls in Egypt.
"Ah, yes si...um...Malik...-sama?" He finished looking hopefully at his adoptive clan leader.
"Fine, fine. Now, what in the name of Maat is going on Jhareem!" Malik pulled off his helmet and turned to face the taller young man.
"Ah, yes, you got my email right, Malik-sama?" Jhareem looked nervous as he scuffed his sandals against the ground.
"Email? What email? I've been driving like the fiends of Tuat were on my ass since yesterday before dawn." Malik frowned at the man.
"I-I thought you had come because of my email Malik-sama." Jhareem looked at Malik in surprise. "W-why have you come if not for that?"
Malik scowled down at the ground. "I had a premonition. A feeling that something was wrong with Isis. I don't know what, but somehow, I feel it in my gut." Malik snorted and shook his head. "And here I thought Isis was the seer in the family." He snapped his eyes up to meet Jhareem's. "Now, since I did not get your email. Explain." Malik stepped forward menacingly. "You are supposed to be tailing Isis. Where is she, Jhareem?"
"Ah, er, Miss Isis is... er..." Jhareem twiddled his fingers as he took a nervous step back from Malik.
"Jhareem...You may not be my subordinate in the Ghouls anymore, but as the Head of Clan Ishtar you are required to follow my orders. Now, let's try this again." Malik stepped forward, locking his piercing gaze with the dark-haired 23 year old. "Where is my sister Jhareem?"
"Forgive me Malik-sama." Jhareem dropped his gaze to his feet and for an instant threatened to fall to his knees. Malik scowled and gripped his shoulder to prevent that act. "Miss Isis discovered my presence last Monday. Even the concealment spells you taught me couldn't fool her senses. She was most upset at learning you had protectors following her. She tolerated my presence but refused to allow me to accompany her when she went to meetings with Museum staff."
Malik frowned. "You did not even try to insure her safety at such times? You are an accomplished escape artist and ex-thief. You should have been able to get in and out of the museum without anyone but Isis knowing of your presence."
"Of course, Malik-sama. But Miss Isis forbade it. I tried the first time she went to a meeting with the Director of Antiquities and she nearly called the guards upon me. Then she admonished me severely afterward. She pointed out that she is of a higher clan rank than I, and so, I must bow to her wishes when she makes them so explicit." Jhareem ducked his head in chagrin. "She also said that I am such a good marksman that any threat could be taken care of from a discreet distance from her person, Malik- sama."
Malik sighed. "I should have expected no less from her. She's no slouch when it comes to assessing her surroundings. Go on, Jhareem. What is going on, and why are you here, but Isis is not?"
"Ah, yes. I was just getting to that, Malik-sama. Miss Isis had a meeting the night before last. Her business dealings here in Cairo were a success. She had informed me that she intended to return to Luxor yesterday morning after her acquisition papers were finalized by the Director of Antiquities."
"So then, it was the Book, wasn't it." Malik mused.
"Yes, Malik-sama. The Book of Millennia, just like Miss Isis had hoped. She had stiff competition in the estate auction with a young British gentleman. He wished to view the Book and discuss the possibility of purchasing it from her after the auction had concluded. That is the meeting Miss Isis was attending on the night of the 6th. She was quite specific in insisting that I remain outside the museum during the meeting. She assured me that the museum guards would be more than sufficient to protect her if they were good enough to protect the Book while she waited for her papers to be approved."
"Obviously they were not. What the hell happened that night Jhareem?" Malik stared Jhareem down, daring him to avoid the question.
"Ah...Well, I waited outside just as Miss Isis instructed. I secured a position within a stone's throw of the lily pool at 10:45 pm and waited for the meeting to commence and conclude. Just before 11 pm the British gentleman arrived and was escorted inside by one of the security guards. I'm certain it was the same man as the one at the auction. There are very few people in Cairo, even tourists, with such vivid red hair." Jhareem continued.
"Why so late? The museum closes at 10:30 pm." Malik frowned as he considered the implications.
"The young man insisted on a private viewing of the Book. Miss Isis suggested meeting after the museum had closed for the evening."
"So then, no sight-seers to get in the way of a theft and attack." Malik scowled darkly, his eyes narrowing with implied bodily harm should he discover the man before the police do.
"I do not know Malik-sama. The trouble did not occur until after the Robed- ones arrived." Jhareem replied nervously.
"Robed-ones?" Malik snapped his head up to meet Jhareem's gaze.
"Yes. At midnight another group of people arrived at the museum. There were about a dozen of them, each one heavily cloaked and robed in black. I could not see their faces beneath the hoods." Jhareem nodded.
"And you did nothing?" Malik growled turning his narrowed gaze onto his hapless clan member.
"N-no Malik-sama." Jhareem stuttered. "The guards let them in without any hassle. The lead Robed-one took something out of his robes and showed it to the guards while saying something. I assumed it was some form of I.D. because the guards immediately led them inside without any further words."
"Then they were expected? Who could they have been?" Malik frowned and turned away for a moment.
"I do not understand who they were either Malik-sama. It was not long after, that I began to get a sense of great foreboding. I used my senses to the utmost, just as you taught me, but the power I sensed was completely unfamiliar to anything you've shown me Malik-sama. I was certain something was wrong, so I used my strongest concealment spells and slipped past the remaining security guards. I was barely inside the doors before I knew things had gone terribly wrong. The people who work the night shifts in the museum, the janitors and catalogers and such were lying about on the floors. I checked the first few I saw. Most were alive, but immobile and unconscious, but strangely so. Some of those still alive were stiff as a three day old corpse, but one poor guard seemed to be frozen solid where he stood."
"Frozen alive!" Malik gasped. The power needed to freeze a man in such a manner would have had to be immense.
"I am fairly certain that he was dead. I cannot imagine how he could survive such a thing." Jhareem replied, shaking his head. "I ran as swiftly as I could toward the basement level where the Department was keeping the Book until Miss Isis took it with her back to Luxor. I was certain she had to be there, with that British man. However; before I got to the room, I encountered six of the Robed-ones in the hallway." Jhareem paused to level his gaze significantly at Malik. "They saw me."
Malik started in surprise. "They saw you? But you said you had cast the concealment spells. Had you dropped them?"
"No! Of course not Malik-sama. I don't know how, but the Robed-ones saw me as though I had never cast them at all." Jhareem exclaimed as he clenched his fists.
"Was Isis there? Did you see her?" Malik demanded.
"No Malik-sama. I did not see Miss Isis with the Robed-ones. But ... Malik-sama ... they had the Book."
"What! Isis would never have given that up to them." Malik whirled away and paced furiously back and forth across the alley. "What could have happened to her!?" Abruptly he paused and spun back to face Jhareem. "You re-acquired the Book, correct?"
Jhareem bowed his head in shame. "No Malik-sama. I could not. These Robed-ones were far too powerful." He lifted his head to meet Malik's gaze. "They had such powerful magics Malik-sama. I had no chance to contend with them on my own. I tried to get the Book from the one who possessed it. However, the Robed-ones used magic spells to fight me. I barely managed to deflect the first barrage of magics from their spell- sticks. One of the spells bounced off my shielding and struck the Robed- one nearest me. He collapsed into the same state of stiff unconsciousness as the museum staff I had passed earlier. To my shame, I ran. I could not fight them and hope to win. I believed that informing you of what had transpired would be a better use of my services than as a very large paperweight. Forgive me Malik-sama." Jhareem dropped to his knees before Malik and bowed his head.
"Oh, for the love of Ra! Get up you fool!" Malik grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. "You honestly think I'll hold it against you that you did what you could and then retreated when you had to? If these men could wrest the Book of Millennia from Isis, then their magic is certainly stronger than yours. Very few of our clan's talented can match Isis. Getting this information to me is definitely more important than becoming a frozen lump. Now quit cowering and stand up!"
"Th-thank you Malik-sama." Jhareem attempted to bow again, but Malik stopped him by grabbing his shoulder and shaking him.
"Stop that! Now tell me, what happened after?"
"I escaped the Robed-ones by taking refuge in the 19th dynasty wing. I waited until I could no longer sense their strange magics and made my way as quickly as I could to the room the Book had been kept in. There were signs of a struggle and magical fire-fight that extended into the hallway and beyond, but no sight of Miss Isis or that British gentleman. Before I could continue my investigation and follow the traces further, the museum was overrun with more strange people. These too wore robes and cloaks, but in white and tan rather than black. They too reeked of the strange magics the Robed-ones had wielded. Fearing discovery, I retreated to a position outside of the museum grounds. My earlier position was no longer feasible because these newcomers patrolled the grounds of the museum as much as the museum itself."
"More strange magic users? They're just coming out of the woodwork aren't they." Malik scowled as he began pacing once more.
"I waited until dawn, hoping Miss Isis would emerge from some hiding place unharmed, but she did not. I returned to the apartment she had rented for her visits to Cairo but she was not there either. I sent you an email message telling you of what had happened and requesting assistance to search for her and the Robed-ones. The strange new magic users did not leave until late last night. Only then did the Cairo police move in and take over the investigation into the attack." Jhareem finished.
"And you saw nothing of Isis?" Malik asked turning back to Jhareem.
"There were signs of a struggle and a chase, but I did not see her with the six Robed-ones I encountered."
"But six others were unaccounted for. They could have taken her." Malik growled as he twisted his hands around the chin-guard of his helmet. He snapped his gaze up to Jhareem. "You did not see her be-spelled on the ground? You didn't see her body or anyone that might have been her?" He demanded, his lavender eyes filled with apprehension.
"No Malik-sama. But I did not have opportunity to check each person who had been struck down. There were many in the halls on the way to the where the Book was kept, and some I saw in halls I did not venture down." Jhareem added reluctantly.
"Damn it! There's no way to tell then, unless we check every possibility!" Malik slammed his fist against the mud-brick wall nearest him. "Ammit take them all! If Isis has been harmed by those Robed-ones..." Malik's voice trailed off as he glared murderously at the ground. "Jhareem! How many other ex-Ghouls and clan members are here in Cairo, or within easy reach?"
"I-I'm not sure Malik-sama." Jhareem stuttered, caught off guard by the sudden question.
"Never mind. Rishid will know." Malik resumed his frantic pacing with a vengeance. "I want you to start checking hospitals. If she was injured, then she'll probably be there."
"Which one Malik-sama?"
"All of them! Keep track of which one's you've searched already. I'm going to send out a summons so you'll have help soon. Disbanded or not, every Ghoul who can, will be here as soon as I can make it happen. I'm calling up the other clan members as well. I want to know everything there is to know about that British man. If he had something to do with the Robed-ones, I want to know. He's our only possible lead right now on them."
"Yes Malik-sama. Where can I get in contact with you?" Jhareem asked, straightening as he received orders.
"Headquarters will be at Isis's apartment unless I specify otherwise. You'll be able to reach me there. If you find anything, phone me there or on my cell phone, understand?"
"Yes Malik-sama!"
"You have your cell phone with you?" Jhareem nodded at this question. "Good, I'll call you with further orders once I learn of the type of manpower available. Now go." Malik nodded his head in acknowledgement as Jhareem bowed, then watched as he whirled and hurried to the far end of the alley to disappear around the corner onto the street.
Malik turned to his motorcycle and slid his helmet back on as he mounted up. A moment later he pulled up across the street from the museum's back entrance. Malik gritted his teeth and scowled at the policemen guarding the gate and back entryway.
For his family he had conquered a darkness so evil it had threatened the entire world. The fact that it had been spawned from his own heart had made it that much more difficult for him to overcome. If he could do that, then there was no power on this earth that he would not face to see his sister safe again. Millennium Item or not, the Robed-ones would learn what it meant to cross an Ishtar.
TBC
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Well, there we go again.
I just realized I've been forgetting to put the TBC at the end of the last two chapters.
Oh yeah, I have no idea what the police forces are like in Egypt or if they even call them police. So I went with what little I know of police in America. Sorry if I got it all wrong. ^_^;
This chapter has the first real oc's in my fic. I'm sorry if you totally hate them. They probably won't be recurring. Maybe Jhareem will show up again to carry out more of Malik's orders, but I don't know.
Yeah, I figure that the Ishtar clan wasn't just guarding the Millennium Rod and Tauk. They also guard all the stuff from the pharaoh's tomb, and probably the priests' tombs and stuff dealing with shadow magic too. As such, they probably have access to ancient Egyptian magic texts and such that don't need Millennium items to work, just like Mana didn't need Millennium items to work her own magic in the AE Memory Arc. For Isis and Malik to be able to use the Millennium Items shows they have strong magical abilities, reincarnation of priestess or not. So they're strong spell casters too, when they bother to learn the spells, that is. So, even though neither has the Millennium Items anymore, they still have magical powers that they can channel into spells that they learn from ancient texts. They can also teach these spells to other people who have magical talent, depending on how strong the magical ability is for each person.
Okay, about the whole clan/Ghouls thing. I figure, Malik had a huge worldwide organization of Ghouls who all looked to him as their leader. He couldn't have been controlling all of their minds all the time. And not all of them had to be crazy nutcases who enjoyed a good spot of sadism now and then. I figure that a lot of them joined him for money and such, but a good number probably joined the organization for the same reasons gangs form. A sense of family and togetherness for people who don't have their own families to rely on. Malik's own family tragedy and his purpose behind going after the pharaoh's spirit would give him plenty of reason to take in people who had useful talents who had also suffered tragic family pasts.
I also figure that the Ishtar clan did not consist of just Malik, Isis, Rishid, the father, and a mother who seems to have died before the father did. For them to survive down there in that complex, I think they probably have a very large extended clan that is led by the main family which Malik is now the head male member of. The extended clan could be either distantly related or not related to the main family at all, but pledged into the clan by the main family's head of household. Of course, the big hush, hush secrets of the clan, a.k.a. The Millennium Items, would be known only to the highest ranking families.
Therefore, I think that after Malik decided not to destroy the pharaoh's spirit for revenge, and rejoined his family, he probably disbanded the Ghouls at Isis's insistence. [If he's going legit, he shouldn't keep an international criminal organization under his control.] Ghouls that joined for money or cuz they were nuts probably feared Malik and wouldn't dare cross him if he threatened them into going legit and staying that way. Any Ghouls who were loyal to Malik because of the sense of family would probably have decided to stay near their leader/father-figure, Malik. And Malik, being Malik, probably decided to throw stuffy tradition to the wind and adopt any of them that wanted into the Ishtar clan. And so we have ex- Ghouls like Jhareem becoming Ishtar clan members. ^_^
As you can see, Malik still has some problems with authority, but he means well. ^_^
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Reviewer Responses!
C.M Aeris Queen of Insanity: Look its an update! ^_^ Glad I cleared that up for you. =)
Cyberkat: Planning on fixing that sometime soon. Thanks for the tip. ^_^
It'sHardToBelieve: Well, Yugi's a bit depressed about this. How can he not be, you know. But thanks to a little concerned intervention and logic, from Jou of all people, he's not going to sink into depression and despair when he has a goal to work towards. ^_^
Mists(): Hope Egypt was worth the miniscule wait. ^_^ Ah yes, procrastination on other things can lead to amazing authorship skills. ^_^;;
Lady Silver Dragon I: Dang it! No wonder no one puts ascii-ish art into their stories. It never uploads right. Well, Malik anyway, dunno where Isis went off to and Rishid is elsewhere at the moment. Oh do show her, the more people liking my fic the better. ^_^ Have I pleased your evil OC's with my Super-Fast-Updating no Jutsu?
Reviewer(): Yup, Yami goes just a 'little' bit psychotic on Insector Haga on that train ride. Especially after he thinks Haga tore up Yugi's soul card. ^_^
Sachi-chan(): Okay, thanks. I'll have to change that one of these days.
Youkai Youko: Well I don't know about them playing duel monsters. But they'll definitely get to see some. ^_~
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Simon Says: Push the Purple Button!
Now, Push the red button!
The green button!
Simon Says: Review Please!
Shimon Says: How tall is the pharaoh?
Ah ah ah! Simon didn't say! =P