Joey had been there for what seemed like ages, berating his stubbornness—which had now cost Kaiba his life. He couldn't believe he had insisted they keep hanging around that old mansion.
"Kaiba . . . I'm sorry, man," he whispered softly. He shook his head sadly. "You were right—we shouldn't have gone in there. Now you're . . ." He didn't finish the sentence. "Oh man, it's all my fault," he reprimanded himself. "How am I gonna tell Mokuba?"
Somewhere in the distance he heard a clock chime midnight. It was Halloween.
"Wheeler, you should have listened to me."
Joey nodded sadly. "Yeah, Kaiba, I know. It's probably the only time I'd have ever agreed with you, but . . ." He stopped suddenly, his eyes wide. "Huh?! Waiiiit a minute!!" He looked down at Kaiba's body in his arms and nearly fell over in shock. The other boy's eyes were open and he was looking at Joey! "Kaiba??! You're . . . you're alive?!" Joey gasped, unable to believe it.
Kaiba nodded, smiling crookedly. "Oh yeah, Wheeler, I'm alive." He pushed Joey aside gently and sat up, rubbing his head. "I might be tempted to scold you for nearly getting the both of us killed, but from what I heard, you've been beating yourself up about it already."
Joey didn't deny it. "I was really worried about you, Kaiba," he admitted. He closed one eye and looked at the young businessman suspiciously. "How long have you been awake, anyway?"
"Long enough to hear you worrying about how you would tell Mokuba what happened," Seto replied. "I didn't have the strength to speak until after the clock chimed."
Joey nodded slowly. "Eh, are you sure you're not immortal or somethin'?" he asked as he helped the other boy stand up.
"I'm sure, Wheeler," Seto smirked. "I'm just good at staying alive."
Now that Joey knew that Seto was miraculously alright, his attention turned to another problem. "When I woke up, I wondered why no one had called the fire department about the explosion," he said. "Now I think I have the answer—we've teleported."
Seto looked around. "I suspected as much."
Joey freaked out. "Oh man, how're we gonna get back without Yugi's Millennium Puzzle?!" he moaned.
"Stay calm, Wheeler," Seto told him. "Let's try to figure out where we are."
"But last time, we teleported first to England and then to the Sierra Mountains!" Joey protested. "We're probably nowhere near Domino City!"
Seto raised an eyebrow at him. "As a matter of fact, I believe we're on the edge of town in a questionable neighborhood." He glanced around at the dilapidated houses surrounding them.
Joey, realizing Kaiba was right, grinned sheepishly. "Eh, of course. I knew it all the time," he bluffed.
Seto ignored that remark. "Let's get out of here before it teleports again," he directed. "And bring your friend if you still want to." He indicated the scarecrow, which had somehow made it through the explosion in one piece and was laying on top of some bricks. Joey quickly grabbed it before following Seto off the property.
When they were about half a block up the street, Joey turned back curiously to have another look and gasped. "Kaiba! The place disappeared again!!"
Seto turned around to look as well, then shrugged. "Then it's a good thing we got out of there when we did," he said.
****
The doctor set the stethoscope down and smiled. "You, young man, are in remarkably good condition after what you've been through," he said to Bakura.
Bakura looked relieved. "Thank you, doctor. Will I have to stay in bed long?"
"I don't know," the doctor admitted. "Call me tomorrow morning and tell me how you feel then."
After he left, Yugi turned to Bakura and smiled. "You can stay here tonight, Bakura."
"Oh, I wouldn't want to take your bed," Bakura replied wide-eyed.
"That's okay," Yugi told him. "I'll just sleep on this cot here."
"Well, if you're sure . . ." Bakura said slowly. "I . . . I guess I don't know whether I'd be able to walk home tonight."
"Of course you shouldn't," Tea exclaimed. "Stay here with Yugi and his grandpa."
Bakura smiled and laid back against the soft pillows. "I think I will. Thank you, Yugi."
Yugi smiled too. "It's no problem at all."
Then the door opened and Joey and Kaiba entered.
"Where have you two been?!" Tea demanded.
"You look like you've been through something awful!" Yugi exclaimed, taking in their frazzled appearances.
Joey sighed and leaned against the doorframe. "Eh, well, other than finding that Madame Fiona's probably innocent, catching a scarecrow, and nearly bein' blown to Kingdom Come, nothing much happened," he said sarcastically.
Everyone gasped.
"Oh my," Bakura exclaimed. "That's terrible!"
Joey grinned. "Hey, pal, so you're back in the real world again?"
"I suppose I am," Bakura replied with a smile.
At that moment, Yami Bakura, who had been raiding the refrigerator, pushed his way past Joey and Kaiba and leaned back in a chair with a bottle of chocolate milk.
"Hey!" Joey said indignantly. "Watch it . . ." He trailed off. "You!! Oh man . . ."
Yami Bakura only laughed nastily. Seto looked unfazed and unsurprised by the ancient tomb raider's reappearance.
Bakura had to chuckle at Joey's expression of shock mixed with disgust, then suddenly gasped. "I just remembered something," he exclaimed.
"What is it, Bakura?" Yugi asked.
"Well, right before I was captured, I found a pin on the ground shaped like a cobra," Bakura replied. "I realized that the whole Mother Earth's Disciples thing must be a front for the Cobra Colony."
Yugi nodded and sighed. "I suspected as much," he said. He paused. "I have an idea how maybe we can finally bring this mystery to a close . . . but it's dangerous."
"Eh, no problem, Yug," Joey said boldly. "What's a little more danger?"
The others all nodded. "We're not afraid," Bakura said.
Tea sighed. "But I'm worried about you guys' safety!" she objected. "These villains are ruthless!"
"That's why they have to be stopped," Seto said. "What's your plan, Yugi?" he asked.
Yugi sighed again. "Well, I was thinking that maybe we could try to infiltrate 'Mother Earth's Disciples' if they have another moonlight dance soon."
"You mean we should find some creepy robes and prance around among the cult members?" Joey danced around in a scarily accurate imitation of the cult members' ritual, nearly knocking over Seto and Tristan in the process.
"Hey, watch it, Joey!" Tristan scolded, ducking.
Seto also backed out of Joey's way and leaned against the wall. "No thank you," he said flatly. "I don't intend to go out there waving my arms like windmills." He paused. "I'll tell you what I'd be willing to do instead—pose as a guard."
"That's actually not a bad idea, Kaiba," Yugi smiled.
"I can probably find some dark robes at a Halloween store," Tea volunteered reluctantly. "But I still don't know if I like this idea. What if we're caught? Do you know what they'd do to us if they found out that we weren't really part of the cult?"
Yugi nodded. "I've considered all of it, over and over again. I know it's very risky, and I don't like to put any of you in danger either . . ."
"Hey, Yug, I told you, man—it's cool," Joey said. "We're not afraid of the danger," he said boldly. "Wild horses couldn't keep me away!"
Yugi smiled. "I'll call the police later on and see what they can tell me about the 'Mother Earth's Disciples' and their rituals," he said. "But for now, I think we should all get some sleep."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"One thing," Joey spoke up. "They probably think Kaiba and me both got creamed in the explosion. We might be able to work it to our advantage by not lettin' them know that we're still alive and kickin'," he suggested.
Yugi nodded slowly. "I think I understand what you mean, Joey. We'd pretend we were giving up the case because of what happened to you and Kaiba and try to get the villains to let their guard down."
"That's right," Joey grinned.
"There's just one problem with that," Seto spoke up, voicing Yugi's own thoughts. "These opponents seem to know every move we make. Chances are that they already know we're both still among the living and that we're still not giving up the case."
"I'm afraid Kaiba's right," Yugi sighed.
"Well, maybe we can all figure out better what to do after a good night's sleep," Tea said.
Seto nodded and turned to leave. "It's good to know that you're alright, Bakura," he said before going out the door.
"He's got that right, pal," Joey smiled, laying a hand on Bakura's shoulder. "You were seriously freakin' us out there for a while."
Bakura smiled a bit embarrassedly.
"So, Joey, what exactly did happen to you and Kaiba?" Tristan asked curiously.
Joey sighed. "Oh man, I told you what happened," he replied.
"The condensed version," Tea retorted. "We want details, Joey!"
"Oh man, Yugi, do I havta tell?" Joey asked, looking at the short boy, who nodded.
"We do want to know, Joey, and what's more, there could be an important clue somewhere," Yugi told him.
"Alright, alright," Joey grumbled, and related the experiences up to the point when the house blew up.
"Man, Joey, you almost got yourself and Kaiba both killed," Tristan said, shaking his head.
"Don't I know it," Joey said, looking at the floor. "I thought Kaiba really was dead . . . and that it was my fault." His voice had dropped to barely above a whisper. He shook his head. "Man, I was so relieved when the guy woke up. . . ."
Yugi laid a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "We all know you'd never intentionally hurt Kaiba," he said comfortingly.
"At least probably not anymore," Tristan said obnoxiously. "Back at the Duelist Kingdom, it was a different story."
Yugi and Joey both ignored him. "And I'm sure you've learned your lesson now, right, Joey?" Yugi went on.
Joey sighed. "I guess maybe I should listen to Kaiba once in a while, at least if he feels uneasy about doin' somethin'," he admitted.
Yugi smiled and nodded.
****
Seto sighed as he unlocked the front door and went inside.
"Hi, big brother!" Mokuba chirped, leaping up from the couch and springing into the older boy's arms.
Seto smiled as he embraced his little brother. He should have known that Mokuba would stay up waiting for him.
"You look exhausted, Seto!" Mokuba exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
Seto ruffled the younger boy's hair. "Don't worry, Mokuba," he said. "I'll be alright. I'm planning to stick around for a long time yet."
Mokuba grinned. "I know you will, Seto!" he declared. "Nothing can defeat you!"
Seto sighed inwardly. Unfortunately, not 'nothing,' he thought. But at least I haven't met that 'something' . . . yet.
****
Bakura opened his eyes slowly and looked out the window. It was morning, and it looked like it was going to be an overcast day.
He ran a hand through his long, silvery hair and blinked in surprise, realizing that he felt well-rested and completely healed. But . . . how was that possible?
He looked around curiously. Yugi had already gotten up—his cot had been put back in the closet.
Bakura turned to look at the other side of the room. Yami Bakura was dozing in a chair, looking uncomfortable. Bakura's eyes widened, a new thought entering his mind. Was it possible that . . . that his Yami had used his powers to heal him?
Of course not, Bakura sighed to himself. That was ridiculous . . . wasn't it?
He was startled out of his thoughts by the door opening. "Hey, Bakura," Yugi smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel better," Bakura replied, smiling back. "I don't quite understand it, but I feel completely healed!"
The doctor confirmed it when he came by to examine Bakura an hour later. "You, young man, are in perfect health," he declared, looking perplexed. "I just hope you stay that way," he added.
Bakura chuckled. "I do too, doctor."
After the doctor had left, Bakura turned to Yugi. "Are we going to prepare for the moon dance tonight?" he asked.
Yugi nodded. "I'll call the others and we'll have a meeting. But . . . are you sure you want to come with us, Bakura?" he asked worriedly.
"I'm very sure," Bakura nodded firmly. "I want to catch those villains!"
"Okay . . . if you're sure," Yugi said slowly, going out to use the telephone.
Bakura gave his Yami, who had just woken up a moment before, a curious stare. "Yami, did you . . .?"
"No, I didn't, you dolt," Yami Bakura denied, and Bakura had the feeling that the ageless thief was lying. He decided not to push it.
Bakura smiled as he walked out the bedroom door and into the hall, with his Yami following closely. "Alright, then," he said. "Now it's time to solve this mystery once and for all!"
"Kaiba . . . I'm sorry, man," he whispered softly. He shook his head sadly. "You were right—we shouldn't have gone in there. Now you're . . ." He didn't finish the sentence. "Oh man, it's all my fault," he reprimanded himself. "How am I gonna tell Mokuba?"
Somewhere in the distance he heard a clock chime midnight. It was Halloween.
"Wheeler, you should have listened to me."
Joey nodded sadly. "Yeah, Kaiba, I know. It's probably the only time I'd have ever agreed with you, but . . ." He stopped suddenly, his eyes wide. "Huh?! Waiiiit a minute!!" He looked down at Kaiba's body in his arms and nearly fell over in shock. The other boy's eyes were open and he was looking at Joey! "Kaiba??! You're . . . you're alive?!" Joey gasped, unable to believe it.
Kaiba nodded, smiling crookedly. "Oh yeah, Wheeler, I'm alive." He pushed Joey aside gently and sat up, rubbing his head. "I might be tempted to scold you for nearly getting the both of us killed, but from what I heard, you've been beating yourself up about it already."
Joey didn't deny it. "I was really worried about you, Kaiba," he admitted. He closed one eye and looked at the young businessman suspiciously. "How long have you been awake, anyway?"
"Long enough to hear you worrying about how you would tell Mokuba what happened," Seto replied. "I didn't have the strength to speak until after the clock chimed."
Joey nodded slowly. "Eh, are you sure you're not immortal or somethin'?" he asked as he helped the other boy stand up.
"I'm sure, Wheeler," Seto smirked. "I'm just good at staying alive."
Now that Joey knew that Seto was miraculously alright, his attention turned to another problem. "When I woke up, I wondered why no one had called the fire department about the explosion," he said. "Now I think I have the answer—we've teleported."
Seto looked around. "I suspected as much."
Joey freaked out. "Oh man, how're we gonna get back without Yugi's Millennium Puzzle?!" he moaned.
"Stay calm, Wheeler," Seto told him. "Let's try to figure out where we are."
"But last time, we teleported first to England and then to the Sierra Mountains!" Joey protested. "We're probably nowhere near Domino City!"
Seto raised an eyebrow at him. "As a matter of fact, I believe we're on the edge of town in a questionable neighborhood." He glanced around at the dilapidated houses surrounding them.
Joey, realizing Kaiba was right, grinned sheepishly. "Eh, of course. I knew it all the time," he bluffed.
Seto ignored that remark. "Let's get out of here before it teleports again," he directed. "And bring your friend if you still want to." He indicated the scarecrow, which had somehow made it through the explosion in one piece and was laying on top of some bricks. Joey quickly grabbed it before following Seto off the property.
When they were about half a block up the street, Joey turned back curiously to have another look and gasped. "Kaiba! The place disappeared again!!"
Seto turned around to look as well, then shrugged. "Then it's a good thing we got out of there when we did," he said.
****
The doctor set the stethoscope down and smiled. "You, young man, are in remarkably good condition after what you've been through," he said to Bakura.
Bakura looked relieved. "Thank you, doctor. Will I have to stay in bed long?"
"I don't know," the doctor admitted. "Call me tomorrow morning and tell me how you feel then."
After he left, Yugi turned to Bakura and smiled. "You can stay here tonight, Bakura."
"Oh, I wouldn't want to take your bed," Bakura replied wide-eyed.
"That's okay," Yugi told him. "I'll just sleep on this cot here."
"Well, if you're sure . . ." Bakura said slowly. "I . . . I guess I don't know whether I'd be able to walk home tonight."
"Of course you shouldn't," Tea exclaimed. "Stay here with Yugi and his grandpa."
Bakura smiled and laid back against the soft pillows. "I think I will. Thank you, Yugi."
Yugi smiled too. "It's no problem at all."
Then the door opened and Joey and Kaiba entered.
"Where have you two been?!" Tea demanded.
"You look like you've been through something awful!" Yugi exclaimed, taking in their frazzled appearances.
Joey sighed and leaned against the doorframe. "Eh, well, other than finding that Madame Fiona's probably innocent, catching a scarecrow, and nearly bein' blown to Kingdom Come, nothing much happened," he said sarcastically.
Everyone gasped.
"Oh my," Bakura exclaimed. "That's terrible!"
Joey grinned. "Hey, pal, so you're back in the real world again?"
"I suppose I am," Bakura replied with a smile.
At that moment, Yami Bakura, who had been raiding the refrigerator, pushed his way past Joey and Kaiba and leaned back in a chair with a bottle of chocolate milk.
"Hey!" Joey said indignantly. "Watch it . . ." He trailed off. "You!! Oh man . . ."
Yami Bakura only laughed nastily. Seto looked unfazed and unsurprised by the ancient tomb raider's reappearance.
Bakura had to chuckle at Joey's expression of shock mixed with disgust, then suddenly gasped. "I just remembered something," he exclaimed.
"What is it, Bakura?" Yugi asked.
"Well, right before I was captured, I found a pin on the ground shaped like a cobra," Bakura replied. "I realized that the whole Mother Earth's Disciples thing must be a front for the Cobra Colony."
Yugi nodded and sighed. "I suspected as much," he said. He paused. "I have an idea how maybe we can finally bring this mystery to a close . . . but it's dangerous."
"Eh, no problem, Yug," Joey said boldly. "What's a little more danger?"
The others all nodded. "We're not afraid," Bakura said.
Tea sighed. "But I'm worried about you guys' safety!" she objected. "These villains are ruthless!"
"That's why they have to be stopped," Seto said. "What's your plan, Yugi?" he asked.
Yugi sighed again. "Well, I was thinking that maybe we could try to infiltrate 'Mother Earth's Disciples' if they have another moonlight dance soon."
"You mean we should find some creepy robes and prance around among the cult members?" Joey danced around in a scarily accurate imitation of the cult members' ritual, nearly knocking over Seto and Tristan in the process.
"Hey, watch it, Joey!" Tristan scolded, ducking.
Seto also backed out of Joey's way and leaned against the wall. "No thank you," he said flatly. "I don't intend to go out there waving my arms like windmills." He paused. "I'll tell you what I'd be willing to do instead—pose as a guard."
"That's actually not a bad idea, Kaiba," Yugi smiled.
"I can probably find some dark robes at a Halloween store," Tea volunteered reluctantly. "But I still don't know if I like this idea. What if we're caught? Do you know what they'd do to us if they found out that we weren't really part of the cult?"
Yugi nodded. "I've considered all of it, over and over again. I know it's very risky, and I don't like to put any of you in danger either . . ."
"Hey, Yug, I told you, man—it's cool," Joey said. "We're not afraid of the danger," he said boldly. "Wild horses couldn't keep me away!"
Yugi smiled. "I'll call the police later on and see what they can tell me about the 'Mother Earth's Disciples' and their rituals," he said. "But for now, I think we should all get some sleep."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"One thing," Joey spoke up. "They probably think Kaiba and me both got creamed in the explosion. We might be able to work it to our advantage by not lettin' them know that we're still alive and kickin'," he suggested.
Yugi nodded slowly. "I think I understand what you mean, Joey. We'd pretend we were giving up the case because of what happened to you and Kaiba and try to get the villains to let their guard down."
"That's right," Joey grinned.
"There's just one problem with that," Seto spoke up, voicing Yugi's own thoughts. "These opponents seem to know every move we make. Chances are that they already know we're both still among the living and that we're still not giving up the case."
"I'm afraid Kaiba's right," Yugi sighed.
"Well, maybe we can all figure out better what to do after a good night's sleep," Tea said.
Seto nodded and turned to leave. "It's good to know that you're alright, Bakura," he said before going out the door.
"He's got that right, pal," Joey smiled, laying a hand on Bakura's shoulder. "You were seriously freakin' us out there for a while."
Bakura smiled a bit embarrassedly.
"So, Joey, what exactly did happen to you and Kaiba?" Tristan asked curiously.
Joey sighed. "Oh man, I told you what happened," he replied.
"The condensed version," Tea retorted. "We want details, Joey!"
"Oh man, Yugi, do I havta tell?" Joey asked, looking at the short boy, who nodded.
"We do want to know, Joey, and what's more, there could be an important clue somewhere," Yugi told him.
"Alright, alright," Joey grumbled, and related the experiences up to the point when the house blew up.
"Man, Joey, you almost got yourself and Kaiba both killed," Tristan said, shaking his head.
"Don't I know it," Joey said, looking at the floor. "I thought Kaiba really was dead . . . and that it was my fault." His voice had dropped to barely above a whisper. He shook his head. "Man, I was so relieved when the guy woke up. . . ."
Yugi laid a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "We all know you'd never intentionally hurt Kaiba," he said comfortingly.
"At least probably not anymore," Tristan said obnoxiously. "Back at the Duelist Kingdom, it was a different story."
Yugi and Joey both ignored him. "And I'm sure you've learned your lesson now, right, Joey?" Yugi went on.
Joey sighed. "I guess maybe I should listen to Kaiba once in a while, at least if he feels uneasy about doin' somethin'," he admitted.
Yugi smiled and nodded.
****
Seto sighed as he unlocked the front door and went inside.
"Hi, big brother!" Mokuba chirped, leaping up from the couch and springing into the older boy's arms.
Seto smiled as he embraced his little brother. He should have known that Mokuba would stay up waiting for him.
"You look exhausted, Seto!" Mokuba exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
Seto ruffled the younger boy's hair. "Don't worry, Mokuba," he said. "I'll be alright. I'm planning to stick around for a long time yet."
Mokuba grinned. "I know you will, Seto!" he declared. "Nothing can defeat you!"
Seto sighed inwardly. Unfortunately, not 'nothing,' he thought. But at least I haven't met that 'something' . . . yet.
****
Bakura opened his eyes slowly and looked out the window. It was morning, and it looked like it was going to be an overcast day.
He ran a hand through his long, silvery hair and blinked in surprise, realizing that he felt well-rested and completely healed. But . . . how was that possible?
He looked around curiously. Yugi had already gotten up—his cot had been put back in the closet.
Bakura turned to look at the other side of the room. Yami Bakura was dozing in a chair, looking uncomfortable. Bakura's eyes widened, a new thought entering his mind. Was it possible that . . . that his Yami had used his powers to heal him?
Of course not, Bakura sighed to himself. That was ridiculous . . . wasn't it?
He was startled out of his thoughts by the door opening. "Hey, Bakura," Yugi smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel better," Bakura replied, smiling back. "I don't quite understand it, but I feel completely healed!"
The doctor confirmed it when he came by to examine Bakura an hour later. "You, young man, are in perfect health," he declared, looking perplexed. "I just hope you stay that way," he added.
Bakura chuckled. "I do too, doctor."
After the doctor had left, Bakura turned to Yugi. "Are we going to prepare for the moon dance tonight?" he asked.
Yugi nodded. "I'll call the others and we'll have a meeting. But . . . are you sure you want to come with us, Bakura?" he asked worriedly.
"I'm very sure," Bakura nodded firmly. "I want to catch those villains!"
"Okay . . . if you're sure," Yugi said slowly, going out to use the telephone.
Bakura gave his Yami, who had just woken up a moment before, a curious stare. "Yami, did you . . .?"
"No, I didn't, you dolt," Yami Bakura denied, and Bakura had the feeling that the ageless thief was lying. He decided not to push it.
Bakura smiled as he walked out the bedroom door and into the hall, with his Yami following closely. "Alright, then," he said. "Now it's time to solve this mystery once and for all!"