Note: Just the usual this-is-not yaoi reminder ^_~
"So, what do we do now?" Mai asked, backing up.
"I've had enough of this!" Yugi said sternly, stepping up next to the headless phantom as the Millennium Puzzle started to glow.
"I am familiar with the Millennium Items," the phantom hissed, "and I can more than stand up to them!"
"Perhaps so, but can you stand up to more than one?" Yami Bakura growled, and the Millennium Ring glowed as well.
The headless phantom backed up, looking a bit startled. Then it started to laugh. "Your powers are pathetic compared to mine!" It wagged a bony finger at Yami Bakura. "Remember, your card tricks are useless against me!"
"I do have other tricks, you know," Yami Bakura sneered.
"We shall see who comes out on top," Yugi said stonily, glaring at the wraith. He turned to Yami Bakura. "This once, we must work together. Are you with me?"
Yami Bakura didn't look happy, but he nodded in agreement. "Let's be rid of this ridiculous creature!"
With that, the two enemies united to fight their mutual foe. Bakura and Mai watched, wide-eyed, as the Millennium Items' powers clashed in the air with the phantom's, creating mini-explosions and fireworks. The phantom was thrown back, and then Yugi was as well.
"Oh my!" Bakura cried.
"Yugi! Are you hurt?" Mai exclaimed worriedly.
Yugi pulled himself up. "I'm alright," he assured her. He and Yami Bakura shared a look and then turned to face the phantom again.
"Be gone to the Shadow Realm!" the two Item holders screamed forcefully.
Their powers once again collided in the air with the phantom's, and for several long, tense moments, it looked as if the wraith would win. A huge explosion rocked the attic and Bakura and Mai were thrown back.
"What's happening?!" Mai gasped.
"I don't know," Bakura said worriedly, trying to see through the thick smoke.
"Yugi!" Mai called frantically. "Can you hear us?" There was no response.
After what seemed like an eternity the dust finally began to clear, and the two teens stared into the darkness frantically. Two silhouetted figures stood there, proud and undefeated. The phantom was gone. Yugi and Yami Bakura had won.
"Yugi!" Mai said in relief.
"Thank goodness you both defeated that horrible creature," Bakura declared, walking over to them. He touched his Yami's shoulder gently. "Yami, are you alright?" he asked worriedly. Yami Bakura froze, then toppled backward into the boy's arms in a dead faint and was still. Bakura gasped. "Yami! Oh, I knew you were too weak to fight!"
Yugi looked a bit worn out himself as he turned to examine Bakura's collapsed Yami. "He'll be alright," Yugi assured the worried boy. "But he shouldn't fight any more headless phantoms any time soon," he added wryly.
Bakura smiled vaguely at that and looked down at his Yami, who was starting to wake up. He prayed that there wouldn't be any more dangerous things happening on this case.
"Is that creepy thing gone for good?" Mai asked.
Yugi paused. "I hope so," was all he said.
****
"Got any last words?" Oliver sneered.
Joey looked around wildly. "Eh, I don't suppose you'd believe the Loch Ness Monster is standing behind you?"
"Nice try," Oliver laughed. "I think you'll have the honor of being the first to go." He pointed the gun at Joey's chest.
Joey gulped. Oh man . . . what am I gonna do?! he thought to himself. I got us into this . . . I've gotta get us out of it! He had one idea . . . it was risky, but he'd have to try it anyway.
Without warning, he struck out and kicked Oliver in the knees, sending him crashing to the floor. Cindy and the others paused and lowered the guns just slightly, staring in shock.
"Come on! We gotta get outta here!" Joey declared, grabbing Tristan's arm and dashing into the kitchen.
"They're shooting at us!" Tristan yelled.
"Well then, hurry before they don't miss!" Joey exclaimed as the aliens chased after them in hot pursuit. Glass and china shattered all around them as guns went off. One round of laser fire caught the collar of Joey's jacket and he went down.
Tristan gasped. "Oh man! Come on, buddy, you can't be dead!" He grabbed the other boy's body and dragged him out through the back door and into the yard. He didn't have a second to lose, not with the criminals on their trail.
"Tristan! Hey, I'm alright!" Joey, not particularly enjoying being dragged along, exclaimed suddenly.
Tristan stopped and gasped. "Joey, you were shot down!"
"No time to explain, man, they're gainin' on us!" Joey jumped up and ran madly into the next yard, with Tristan running alongside. They ran onto the porch and knocked frantically. "Hey! Open the door! Please!" Joey yelled.
"Someone's trying to kill us!" Tristan added.
The door was flung open by a startled woman in curlers and a robe. "I heard the shots!" she declared. "Quick—come in, come in!"
"Oh wow, thanks, ma'am," Joey exclaimed. "Can we use your phone to call the police?"
"Go right ahead," the woman said, pointing to the phone on the wall.
After the call had been made, the boys thanked the woman profusely and she insisted that they stay there until the officers arrived.
"But you're not safe with us here, ma'am," Tristan protested. "Our attackers are probably surrounding your house right now!"
"Oh pish!" the woman replied, waving her hands in a dismissive manner. "I can't let you boys go wandering around outside when an army of people is trying to kill you!" She stared at them curiously. "Why are they after a couple of nice boys like you anyway?"
"We know too much," Joey sighed, running a hand through his hair.
****
"Kaiba, what's going on?!" Tea demanded. "What are we going to do?!"
Seto didn't answer. He wasn't entirely sure he knew what to do himself.
An evil laugh echoed throughout the room. "Ah, Seto Kaiba! Once again you have returned. What do you think you are, a homing pigeon?!"
Tea gasped and Seto looked around suspiciously before discovering Carmichael's image on a small video screen. The man had obviously been watching them, but for how long, Seto didn't know. However, he did know that the screen hadn't been there when he had first fallen into the room.
Now the boy glared at Carmichael in outrage. "You're going to pay for all the evil acts you've done!" he declared.
Carmichael only laughed. "I don't think so, Seto Kaiba. You will die by laser fire before this night is over, and so will all the others!"
"You should be ashamed of yourself!" Tea cried indignantly as the screen went blank.
"We have to get out of here," Seto said grimly. "I have the feeling that he's going to try shooting us down any minute."
Sure enough, laser beams then began to ricochet around the room. Tea screamed as one narrowly missed hitting her and burned a hole through the plaster in the wall.
"To be hit with a bolt means instant death!" Carmichael's voice crowed from somewhere.
"What a comforting thought," Tea muttered.
"This way," Seto directed, pulling the cover off an old ventilator shaft. "You go first. I'll be right behind you."
Tea stared doubtfully, but only for a second, and then quickly climbed into the shaft. When she heard Seto climb in after her, she breathed a sigh of relief and started moving forward.
"That was too easy," Seto said grimly. "Carmichael is toying with us."
"You mean he did that just for fun?!" Tea said in horror.
"I think you can count on it," Seto replied angrily. "And he'll definitely try again. But next time it won't just be his idea of a game—it'll be to kill."
"What should we do?" Tea asked.
Seto paused, thinking. "We can't go to the authorities without solid proof," he said finally. "We'll have to keep looking."
When they exited the ventilator shaft—which came out in a long tunnel—they were both surprised to find Yugi, Mai, and Bakura coming from the opposite direction.
"How did you guys get here?" Tea exclaimed.
"Good question," Mai said slowly. "And where exactly is 'here'?"
"We must be back inside the UFO," Yugi mused.
The two groups exchanged stories and then tried to figure out what their next plans would be as they continued down the tunnel.
"It is true that we still need proof to convict these criminals," Yugi said slowly. "We will have to split up again and keep searching."
By now they had reached the end of the tunnel and Yugi opened the door. They were back in the control room, and the door at the other end was still open!
"Let's leave this creepy saucer while we still can," Tea said with a shudder, and the others agreed. Hopefully they would be able to find the proof they needed elsewhere on the grounds.
****
Joey and Tristan, meanwhile, had talked to the police and an All-Points Bulletin had been issued for Oliver Brown and Cindy Bradford, who had both escaped—along with their alien army. The boys were afraid that the others were in danger at the studio, so they told the police about everything and were soon on their way there in a squad car.
"You kids really should leave this kinda stuff to the trained professionals," the officer driving said with a sigh, shaking his head.
"Hey, we're pretty good at this kinda stuff!" Joey replied with one of his "I'm da bomb" grins. Tristan rolled his eyes.
When they arrived at the studio, the officer ordered the boys to stay close by him, and they reluctantly agreed. However, almost as soon as they entered another strange alien army attacked them, and somehow Joey and Tristan got separated from the policeman during the ensuing frenzied battle.
"Somehow, I don't think he's going to be too pleased about this," Tristan remarked.
Joey shrugged. "Hey, we'll blame it on the aliens. Right now we need to find Yug and the others!"
They started wandered around the grounds curiously, looking for any sign of their friends.
Suddenly Joey stopped, having spotted a suspicious-looking figure peering around the side of a building. "Hey, you there! Stop!" the boy yelled, running toward the person.
"Joey, wait!" Tristan protested. "I think that's . . ."
But before he could finish, Joey had tackled the small form and brought him to the ground. "Alright, you!" the Brooklyn boy said threateningly, "what're you doin' sneakin' around spyin' on us?!"
"Oh, let me up!" a familiar voice replied angrily.
Joey blinked in surprise. "Mokuba?!" he said in disbelief.
"It sure is!" the younger boy declared.
Joey loosened his grip and backed away, still staring in disbelief. "What in the world are you doin' here, kid?!" he demanded.
"Looking for you guys, and especially my big brother!" Mokuba replied, standing up and dusting himself off.
"Well, it ain't safe around these parts!" Joey objected.
Mokuba rolled his eyes. "Then you sure shouldn't be hanging around!"
"Hey!! What's that supposed to mean?!" Joey said indignantly.
"Alright, alright, enough of that," Tristan sighed, walking up to them. "We're looking for the others too, so you might as well come with us," he said to Mokuba.
****
Seto and Tea, meanwhile, had disappeared into a building marked "Employees Only."
"If all the crew members are part of the secret organization, there should be some proof in here," Seto decided as they walked down the deserted halls.
"Hey!" Tea exclaimed suddenly. "Look! Isn't that the guard we talked to when we were here before?" She pointed up ahead to a figure coming around a corner.
"It certainly is," Seto replied.
The guard, noticing them, turned and ran back the other way.
"Come back here!" Seto yelled angrily as he and Tea gave chase.
"Why do I have the feeling that he's not going to stop?" Tea sighed.
As they ran down the hall, a panel in the floor opened up abruptly and the two teens fell through, falling to the hard floor below. Seto crashed down first, and then Tea fell across him with a scream, causing him to grunt in surprise and pain.
Tea picked herself up slowly and looked around. "Where are we?" she gasped, shivering. "Wherever it is, it feels like ice!"
Seto also got up. He stared at the cold walls suspiciously and then at what looked like cartons of popsicles and ice cream lined against the walls. Frost covered the cartons, walls, and floor, and it was so cold that the boy could see his breath in the air. "We're in a walk-in freezer," he deduced grimly. He tried the heavy door. "And we're locked in."
"So, what do we do now?" Mai asked, backing up.
"I've had enough of this!" Yugi said sternly, stepping up next to the headless phantom as the Millennium Puzzle started to glow.
"I am familiar with the Millennium Items," the phantom hissed, "and I can more than stand up to them!"
"Perhaps so, but can you stand up to more than one?" Yami Bakura growled, and the Millennium Ring glowed as well.
The headless phantom backed up, looking a bit startled. Then it started to laugh. "Your powers are pathetic compared to mine!" It wagged a bony finger at Yami Bakura. "Remember, your card tricks are useless against me!"
"I do have other tricks, you know," Yami Bakura sneered.
"We shall see who comes out on top," Yugi said stonily, glaring at the wraith. He turned to Yami Bakura. "This once, we must work together. Are you with me?"
Yami Bakura didn't look happy, but he nodded in agreement. "Let's be rid of this ridiculous creature!"
With that, the two enemies united to fight their mutual foe. Bakura and Mai watched, wide-eyed, as the Millennium Items' powers clashed in the air with the phantom's, creating mini-explosions and fireworks. The phantom was thrown back, and then Yugi was as well.
"Oh my!" Bakura cried.
"Yugi! Are you hurt?" Mai exclaimed worriedly.
Yugi pulled himself up. "I'm alright," he assured her. He and Yami Bakura shared a look and then turned to face the phantom again.
"Be gone to the Shadow Realm!" the two Item holders screamed forcefully.
Their powers once again collided in the air with the phantom's, and for several long, tense moments, it looked as if the wraith would win. A huge explosion rocked the attic and Bakura and Mai were thrown back.
"What's happening?!" Mai gasped.
"I don't know," Bakura said worriedly, trying to see through the thick smoke.
"Yugi!" Mai called frantically. "Can you hear us?" There was no response.
After what seemed like an eternity the dust finally began to clear, and the two teens stared into the darkness frantically. Two silhouetted figures stood there, proud and undefeated. The phantom was gone. Yugi and Yami Bakura had won.
"Yugi!" Mai said in relief.
"Thank goodness you both defeated that horrible creature," Bakura declared, walking over to them. He touched his Yami's shoulder gently. "Yami, are you alright?" he asked worriedly. Yami Bakura froze, then toppled backward into the boy's arms in a dead faint and was still. Bakura gasped. "Yami! Oh, I knew you were too weak to fight!"
Yugi looked a bit worn out himself as he turned to examine Bakura's collapsed Yami. "He'll be alright," Yugi assured the worried boy. "But he shouldn't fight any more headless phantoms any time soon," he added wryly.
Bakura smiled vaguely at that and looked down at his Yami, who was starting to wake up. He prayed that there wouldn't be any more dangerous things happening on this case.
"Is that creepy thing gone for good?" Mai asked.
Yugi paused. "I hope so," was all he said.
****
"Got any last words?" Oliver sneered.
Joey looked around wildly. "Eh, I don't suppose you'd believe the Loch Ness Monster is standing behind you?"
"Nice try," Oliver laughed. "I think you'll have the honor of being the first to go." He pointed the gun at Joey's chest.
Joey gulped. Oh man . . . what am I gonna do?! he thought to himself. I got us into this . . . I've gotta get us out of it! He had one idea . . . it was risky, but he'd have to try it anyway.
Without warning, he struck out and kicked Oliver in the knees, sending him crashing to the floor. Cindy and the others paused and lowered the guns just slightly, staring in shock.
"Come on! We gotta get outta here!" Joey declared, grabbing Tristan's arm and dashing into the kitchen.
"They're shooting at us!" Tristan yelled.
"Well then, hurry before they don't miss!" Joey exclaimed as the aliens chased after them in hot pursuit. Glass and china shattered all around them as guns went off. One round of laser fire caught the collar of Joey's jacket and he went down.
Tristan gasped. "Oh man! Come on, buddy, you can't be dead!" He grabbed the other boy's body and dragged him out through the back door and into the yard. He didn't have a second to lose, not with the criminals on their trail.
"Tristan! Hey, I'm alright!" Joey, not particularly enjoying being dragged along, exclaimed suddenly.
Tristan stopped and gasped. "Joey, you were shot down!"
"No time to explain, man, they're gainin' on us!" Joey jumped up and ran madly into the next yard, with Tristan running alongside. They ran onto the porch and knocked frantically. "Hey! Open the door! Please!" Joey yelled.
"Someone's trying to kill us!" Tristan added.
The door was flung open by a startled woman in curlers and a robe. "I heard the shots!" she declared. "Quick—come in, come in!"
"Oh wow, thanks, ma'am," Joey exclaimed. "Can we use your phone to call the police?"
"Go right ahead," the woman said, pointing to the phone on the wall.
After the call had been made, the boys thanked the woman profusely and she insisted that they stay there until the officers arrived.
"But you're not safe with us here, ma'am," Tristan protested. "Our attackers are probably surrounding your house right now!"
"Oh pish!" the woman replied, waving her hands in a dismissive manner. "I can't let you boys go wandering around outside when an army of people is trying to kill you!" She stared at them curiously. "Why are they after a couple of nice boys like you anyway?"
"We know too much," Joey sighed, running a hand through his hair.
****
"Kaiba, what's going on?!" Tea demanded. "What are we going to do?!"
Seto didn't answer. He wasn't entirely sure he knew what to do himself.
An evil laugh echoed throughout the room. "Ah, Seto Kaiba! Once again you have returned. What do you think you are, a homing pigeon?!"
Tea gasped and Seto looked around suspiciously before discovering Carmichael's image on a small video screen. The man had obviously been watching them, but for how long, Seto didn't know. However, he did know that the screen hadn't been there when he had first fallen into the room.
Now the boy glared at Carmichael in outrage. "You're going to pay for all the evil acts you've done!" he declared.
Carmichael only laughed. "I don't think so, Seto Kaiba. You will die by laser fire before this night is over, and so will all the others!"
"You should be ashamed of yourself!" Tea cried indignantly as the screen went blank.
"We have to get out of here," Seto said grimly. "I have the feeling that he's going to try shooting us down any minute."
Sure enough, laser beams then began to ricochet around the room. Tea screamed as one narrowly missed hitting her and burned a hole through the plaster in the wall.
"To be hit with a bolt means instant death!" Carmichael's voice crowed from somewhere.
"What a comforting thought," Tea muttered.
"This way," Seto directed, pulling the cover off an old ventilator shaft. "You go first. I'll be right behind you."
Tea stared doubtfully, but only for a second, and then quickly climbed into the shaft. When she heard Seto climb in after her, she breathed a sigh of relief and started moving forward.
"That was too easy," Seto said grimly. "Carmichael is toying with us."
"You mean he did that just for fun?!" Tea said in horror.
"I think you can count on it," Seto replied angrily. "And he'll definitely try again. But next time it won't just be his idea of a game—it'll be to kill."
"What should we do?" Tea asked.
Seto paused, thinking. "We can't go to the authorities without solid proof," he said finally. "We'll have to keep looking."
When they exited the ventilator shaft—which came out in a long tunnel—they were both surprised to find Yugi, Mai, and Bakura coming from the opposite direction.
"How did you guys get here?" Tea exclaimed.
"Good question," Mai said slowly. "And where exactly is 'here'?"
"We must be back inside the UFO," Yugi mused.
The two groups exchanged stories and then tried to figure out what their next plans would be as they continued down the tunnel.
"It is true that we still need proof to convict these criminals," Yugi said slowly. "We will have to split up again and keep searching."
By now they had reached the end of the tunnel and Yugi opened the door. They were back in the control room, and the door at the other end was still open!
"Let's leave this creepy saucer while we still can," Tea said with a shudder, and the others agreed. Hopefully they would be able to find the proof they needed elsewhere on the grounds.
****
Joey and Tristan, meanwhile, had talked to the police and an All-Points Bulletin had been issued for Oliver Brown and Cindy Bradford, who had both escaped—along with their alien army. The boys were afraid that the others were in danger at the studio, so they told the police about everything and were soon on their way there in a squad car.
"You kids really should leave this kinda stuff to the trained professionals," the officer driving said with a sigh, shaking his head.
"Hey, we're pretty good at this kinda stuff!" Joey replied with one of his "I'm da bomb" grins. Tristan rolled his eyes.
When they arrived at the studio, the officer ordered the boys to stay close by him, and they reluctantly agreed. However, almost as soon as they entered another strange alien army attacked them, and somehow Joey and Tristan got separated from the policeman during the ensuing frenzied battle.
"Somehow, I don't think he's going to be too pleased about this," Tristan remarked.
Joey shrugged. "Hey, we'll blame it on the aliens. Right now we need to find Yug and the others!"
They started wandered around the grounds curiously, looking for any sign of their friends.
Suddenly Joey stopped, having spotted a suspicious-looking figure peering around the side of a building. "Hey, you there! Stop!" the boy yelled, running toward the person.
"Joey, wait!" Tristan protested. "I think that's . . ."
But before he could finish, Joey had tackled the small form and brought him to the ground. "Alright, you!" the Brooklyn boy said threateningly, "what're you doin' sneakin' around spyin' on us?!"
"Oh, let me up!" a familiar voice replied angrily.
Joey blinked in surprise. "Mokuba?!" he said in disbelief.
"It sure is!" the younger boy declared.
Joey loosened his grip and backed away, still staring in disbelief. "What in the world are you doin' here, kid?!" he demanded.
"Looking for you guys, and especially my big brother!" Mokuba replied, standing up and dusting himself off.
"Well, it ain't safe around these parts!" Joey objected.
Mokuba rolled his eyes. "Then you sure shouldn't be hanging around!"
"Hey!! What's that supposed to mean?!" Joey said indignantly.
"Alright, alright, enough of that," Tristan sighed, walking up to them. "We're looking for the others too, so you might as well come with us," he said to Mokuba.
****
Seto and Tea, meanwhile, had disappeared into a building marked "Employees Only."
"If all the crew members are part of the secret organization, there should be some proof in here," Seto decided as they walked down the deserted halls.
"Hey!" Tea exclaimed suddenly. "Look! Isn't that the guard we talked to when we were here before?" She pointed up ahead to a figure coming around a corner.
"It certainly is," Seto replied.
The guard, noticing them, turned and ran back the other way.
"Come back here!" Seto yelled angrily as he and Tea gave chase.
"Why do I have the feeling that he's not going to stop?" Tea sighed.
As they ran down the hall, a panel in the floor opened up abruptly and the two teens fell through, falling to the hard floor below. Seto crashed down first, and then Tea fell across him with a scream, causing him to grunt in surprise and pain.
Tea picked herself up slowly and looked around. "Where are we?" she gasped, shivering. "Wherever it is, it feels like ice!"
Seto also got up. He stared at the cold walls suspiciously and then at what looked like cartons of popsicles and ice cream lined against the walls. Frost covered the cartons, walls, and floor, and it was so cold that the boy could see his breath in the air. "We're in a walk-in freezer," he deduced grimly. He tried the heavy door. "And we're locked in."