When Bakura opened his eyes, he discovered he was chained to the bottom of a thick pole. The icy wind whipped against his face and hands and he blinked in confusion. "Where . . . where am I?" he stammered.
"I have no idea," Duke's voice came from the other side of the pole. "But I'm glad you're awake. I've been calling to you for a long time!"
Bakura suddenly became aware of a soft rocking motion under his feet. "We must be on a ship," he exclaimed.
"That's right, you fool," Seth sneered, and Bakura saw the evil priest standing in a box high above him. The crow's nest, the boy realized. "You're on my ship, and there's no hope of escape!"
"But what do you want with us?!" Duke demanded. "We haven't done anything to you!"
Seth laughed. "Bakura has something I want, and after I get it from him, I'll dispose of him—and of you, as well. I have seen how you and your friends have meddled with the forces of darkness in the past—but you will never defeat me! I am unstoppable!" He let loose with a maniacal laugh, and Bakura's eyes narrowed. The soft-spoken boy didn't get angry very easily, but he was upset now.
"You're mad!" he declared, wondering what Seth had done with his Yami.
Before he could ask, Seth sneered at him and raised his staff. "I think I'll have some fun before I eliminate you," he remarked, and then Bakura screamed in pain, straining against the chains.
"What's wrong?!" Duke gasped, but then he was overcome as well. It felt like his entire chest—and then his whole body—was on fire.
"Stop!" Bakura pleaded, crying out. "Oh please stop!!"
"You are subdued," Seth remarked in sick delight. "But I don't think I'll stop." He raised the scepter again. "This party's just beginning."
****
Seto wandered through the snow-covered canyons in frustration. Somehow he had lost Cheryl and her henchmen in the swirling whiteness, and he had to find them again. Whether she was working for Seth or not, she was definitely up to no good.
An abrupt rustling sound came from Seto's left and he whirled around just in time to encounter one of the cloaked men emerging from the brush. He held a deadly crowbar in hand and was obviously going to try killing Seto with it.
Before he could attempt it, Seto had grabbed the crowbar and then elbowed the man hard in the stomach. With a gasp, the man let go of the weapon and doubled over. Seto took hold of his arm and wrenched it around. "Don't try that again," the boy growled. "Now, I want some answers, and I want them now. Who are you working for?"
The man stared at Seto in seeming disbelief.
"Does he look like me?" Seto demanded. "Say something!!" He shook the man fiercely.
"Y-yes," the man stuttered at last, "he . . . he looks very much like you!"
"Then tell me . . ." Seto grabbed the man by his cloak and pulled him toward him threateningly. "Where is he??"
"I . . . I don't know," the man replied defiantly.
Seto's eyes narrowed even more. "He's holding my brother and a girl hostage, and maybe some other people as well!" He looked into the man's angry brown eyes. "My brother is only ten! He's always depended on me, and I'm not about to let him down now!"
Now that the man was over his initial shock at being overpowered by Seto, he seemed to not be willing to help him out in any way. "Too bad about your brother," he sneered, shoving the boy backwards into a tree and watching him sink to the ground. "You know what Seth does to his prisoners?"
Seto picked himself up, glaring at the man but not speaking a word.
"He likes to torment them just for fun." The man stood over Seto, his arms crossed. "Sometimes he uses his staff to do that, but other times . . ." His lips curled back in an evil smirk. "Other times, he likes the sight of blood. Lots of it."
Seto clenched his fists. "Take me to your master's hideout," he ordered.
"I don't see why I should." The man didn't move from his position, but he sneered nastily. "Unless you want to be his next prisoner. I bet he'd very much enjoy torturing you."
Seto's eyes narrowed. "I won't be anyone's prisoner."
"We'll see about that." The man suddenly lashed out and got Seto in a chokehold. Undaunted, Seto slammed him hard in the shin and he let go, crying in pain.
"I told you not to do that again," Seto glared, grabbing the man viciously. "Now. You'll be my prisoner, and you'll take me to Seth's hideout whether you like it or not."
****
Ishizu awoke slowly, finding herself chained to the wall of an old warehouse. Joey and Tristan were standing guard over her and Mai Valentine, who was also restrained.
"Come on, Joey," Mai was pleading, trying to use her feminine charms on the mind-controlled Brooklyn boy, "you won't really keep us chained up like this, will you?" She gave him one of her special winks, but Joey seemed unfazed.
"Your foolish attempts at freedom are futile," he replied with a nasty smile. "I will never let you go!"
Ishizu closed her eyes again, concentrating on trying to get through to the real Joey. "Joseph," she said softly. "Fight against his mind-control!"
That was exactly what Joey was trying to do, but it was proving to be very difficult. He couldn't forget the last time he'd been controlled by Marik's evil powers, during the duel with Yugi at Battle City. "Come on, you jerk!!" he yelled out loud suddenly, regaining control briefly. "Quit foolin' around in my head!!!"
Marik appeared then, standing atop a high ledge far above them. "You will never get away," he cried maliciously, raising the Rod high and entrapping Joey once again.
Ishizu glared up at him. She knew the real Marik was trying again to overpower his Yami—and she believed he could and would succeed—but she also knew that Yami Marik would not go down easily. This would be an intense battle.
Now Yami Marik pointed his Rod at Joey again. "You will all perish," he declared, making Joey hold up a knife at Ishizu threateningly.
"Joey!!" Mai screamed in horror.
Ishizu remained calm, looking deeply into Joey's vacant brown eyes. "Joseph, do not let him do this," she said softly.
Joey didn't seem to be listening. He brought the knife to Ishizu's throat.
****
Yugi's heart was pounding as he and Weevil were abruptly shoved into the back of a van. One of the Rare Hunters stayed in there to guard them while the other climbed up front and started the engine.
"Don't even think of tryin' to escape, you shrimps," the guard smirked. "That's not even an option!"
Weevil's blue eyes narrowed in frustration. "Well, this certainly is a fine mess!" he grumbled.
Yugi barely heard. He was trying desperately to rebuild the mental bond with his Yami, but it wasn't working. What am I going to do?! he cried in despair. I have to get us out of this mess! He prayed frantically for an idea.
"Just where are you taking us?!" Weevil demanded of the guard.
"You'll find out soon enough," he replied, crossing his arms.
Yami Yugi was nearby, and he watched the van with narrowed eyes. He still couldn't reach Yugi through their connection, but he was sure that the boy was on board. He would just have to follow the van and see where it went.
****
Marik was sitting still in his soul room, hoping he could find just the right opportunity to take his Yami by surprise—but when the evil spirit made Joey attack Ishizu with the knife, Marik knew he couldn't wait. "Sister!!" he screamed, leaping up.
Joey struggled to free himself from the mind control, the knife shaking in his hand. Ishizu watched him steadily, but inwardly her heart was racing.
"I . . . I won't do this!!" Joey yelled, the knife lowering from the woman's throat.
"Fool! You will do as I say!" Yami Marik growled, raising the Rod. Joey cried out, plunging the weapon into Ishizu's side before he could stop himself. The woman let out a cry of pain, blood flowing from the wound. She felt herself grow very weak.
Mai was alarmed. "Joey!!" she screamed. "Stop it, Joey!!"
"Silence her!" Yami Marik ordered.
Joey struggled again to regain control, and Tristan did as well. I . . . I can't let that creep win! Joey said to himself frantically. If he does, everyone I care about will wind up dead!
****
The van came to a halt and Yugi and Weevil pitched forward.
The Rare Hunter smirked. "We're here." He hauled Yugi to his feet.
The other man came around and opened the doors. "Alright, punks, let's go!" he growled.
Before anyone could stop him, Weevil was darting out through the open doors and between the man's legs. "Hey!! Come back here!!" the Rare Hunter yelled.
"Not on your life!" Weevil grumped, running into the white drifts and disappearing into the trees. Yugi watched him worriedly, praying that he would get away.
"What do we do about him?" the first Rare Hunter said in frustration, pulling Yugi out of the van.
"Let him go," the second one sighed, shaking his head. "Seth didn't want him. But he does want Yugi Muto!"
Yugi's heart pounded wildly. What would happen to him now? How would he be able to save the others? Were they alright? Where was his Yami? Would Weevil find help?
So many questions, but no answers.
****
Yami Yugi was hiding behind a cluster of trees when Weevil tore past. The ancient pharaoh stared at him, wondering why he kept turning up at the strangest times. Swiftly he grabbed Weevil's jacket, preventing him from escaping. "Where did you come from?!" Yami Yugi demanded.
Weevil struggled to pull free. "Look, a couple of odd people have Yugi. If you want to catch up to them, you'd better hurry!"
Yami Yugi still held on. "Where are they going?"
"I don't know!" Weevil insisted. "Let me go!!"
Knowing that he definitely did need to hurry, Yami Yugi obliged and released his grip on Weevil's jacket. Then he disappeared into the closely-knit trees.
****
Tea looked up weakly as she and Mokuba were prodded up to the deck by three of Seth's henchmen. He had continued to torment them for some time with his staff, and then he had ordered another minion to beat them both viciously. Mokuba was hurt the worst—he could barely walk, and his gray eyes were dim and lackluster.
"Why couldn't he have just killed me?" the boy bemoaned.
"Don't talk that way," Tea scolded as they were both chained to the railing. "We'll find a way out."
Mokuba shook his head sadly, tears falling from his eyes. "If Seto tries to rescue us, he's gonna die, just like that guard did!" He looked down sadly. "And . . . I'd rather it was me instead of him."
Tea's heart broke. Mokuba's words were brave, and she knew he really meant them, but she could also see how terrified he was. He didn't really want to die either. Please, she prayed, help us get out of this!
Suddenly she heard a commotion, and two men climbed up the ramp. Sneering malevolently, they dumped Yugi on the deck and looked up at Seth for approval. "Master, we have brought Yugi Muto!" the first one declared.
"Excellent work," Seth nodded, also smirking nastily. "Yugi Muto—the descendant of my worst enemy," he mused. "I will find it very enjoyable to torture you."
Yugi stood up shakily, ignoring Seth's words for the moment. "Tea! Mokuba!" he gasped. "And Bakura and Duke!" He blinked worriedly. "Are you all okay??"
"We're fine, Yugi," Bakura said weakly, but Yugi could see that none of them looked fine.
"This is terrible! I've gotta get you out of here!" Yugi exclaimed.
"I don't think so, little Yugi." Seth crossed his arms. "No one can escape from my grasp this time—not even you!"
"Guess again."
Seth and everyone else looked up as Yami Yugi ascended the ramp and stood at the top, his violet eyes narrowed in righteous indignation and outrage.
The evil priest's eyes glinted. "So you have decided to join us, O Mighty Pharaoh," he said in a voice dripping with hatred and malice. "This is turning out even better than I planned!"
"I should have known that you were still wreaking havoc on the world with your abominable schemes," Yami Yugi remarked angrily, preparing himself for a fight. With a flash of light, he had merged with Yugi. "But it won't happen any more!"
"Get him," Seth ordered simply, and his henchmen tried to make a move forward.
Yami Yugi was unfazed. "Mind crush!" he yelled, and the minions dropped to the deck in a heap.
Seth only laughed. "Bravo," he said, clapping mockingly. "But not even you are a match for my ultimate powers!" He raised his scepter high and chanted something in Egyptian. Before Yami Yugi could prevent it, he was writhing on the deck's floor in agony, his powers useless.
"Yugi!!" Tea screamed in horror.
Yami Yugi sprawled on the deck, gasping. "I . . . I can't move!" he cried.
Seth smirked. "Of course you can't. As my worst enemy, your punishment should be greater than any of the others'. You will have to watch each of your friends die slowly and painfully, with no way for you to help them! All you will be able to do is just lay there helplessly and watch!" He raised his scepter. "There's no hope for any of you now!"
"You're wrong."
The voice came from a silhouetted figure on the ramp. His soft hair and his trenchcoat blew in the breeze, giving him a commanding appearance. The others couldn't see him clearly, but they didn't have to. They knew it was Seto Kaiba.
"I have no idea," Duke's voice came from the other side of the pole. "But I'm glad you're awake. I've been calling to you for a long time!"
Bakura suddenly became aware of a soft rocking motion under his feet. "We must be on a ship," he exclaimed.
"That's right, you fool," Seth sneered, and Bakura saw the evil priest standing in a box high above him. The crow's nest, the boy realized. "You're on my ship, and there's no hope of escape!"
"But what do you want with us?!" Duke demanded. "We haven't done anything to you!"
Seth laughed. "Bakura has something I want, and after I get it from him, I'll dispose of him—and of you, as well. I have seen how you and your friends have meddled with the forces of darkness in the past—but you will never defeat me! I am unstoppable!" He let loose with a maniacal laugh, and Bakura's eyes narrowed. The soft-spoken boy didn't get angry very easily, but he was upset now.
"You're mad!" he declared, wondering what Seth had done with his Yami.
Before he could ask, Seth sneered at him and raised his staff. "I think I'll have some fun before I eliminate you," he remarked, and then Bakura screamed in pain, straining against the chains.
"What's wrong?!" Duke gasped, but then he was overcome as well. It felt like his entire chest—and then his whole body—was on fire.
"Stop!" Bakura pleaded, crying out. "Oh please stop!!"
"You are subdued," Seth remarked in sick delight. "But I don't think I'll stop." He raised the scepter again. "This party's just beginning."
****
Seto wandered through the snow-covered canyons in frustration. Somehow he had lost Cheryl and her henchmen in the swirling whiteness, and he had to find them again. Whether she was working for Seth or not, she was definitely up to no good.
An abrupt rustling sound came from Seto's left and he whirled around just in time to encounter one of the cloaked men emerging from the brush. He held a deadly crowbar in hand and was obviously going to try killing Seto with it.
Before he could attempt it, Seto had grabbed the crowbar and then elbowed the man hard in the stomach. With a gasp, the man let go of the weapon and doubled over. Seto took hold of his arm and wrenched it around. "Don't try that again," the boy growled. "Now, I want some answers, and I want them now. Who are you working for?"
The man stared at Seto in seeming disbelief.
"Does he look like me?" Seto demanded. "Say something!!" He shook the man fiercely.
"Y-yes," the man stuttered at last, "he . . . he looks very much like you!"
"Then tell me . . ." Seto grabbed the man by his cloak and pulled him toward him threateningly. "Where is he??"
"I . . . I don't know," the man replied defiantly.
Seto's eyes narrowed even more. "He's holding my brother and a girl hostage, and maybe some other people as well!" He looked into the man's angry brown eyes. "My brother is only ten! He's always depended on me, and I'm not about to let him down now!"
Now that the man was over his initial shock at being overpowered by Seto, he seemed to not be willing to help him out in any way. "Too bad about your brother," he sneered, shoving the boy backwards into a tree and watching him sink to the ground. "You know what Seth does to his prisoners?"
Seto picked himself up, glaring at the man but not speaking a word.
"He likes to torment them just for fun." The man stood over Seto, his arms crossed. "Sometimes he uses his staff to do that, but other times . . ." His lips curled back in an evil smirk. "Other times, he likes the sight of blood. Lots of it."
Seto clenched his fists. "Take me to your master's hideout," he ordered.
"I don't see why I should." The man didn't move from his position, but he sneered nastily. "Unless you want to be his next prisoner. I bet he'd very much enjoy torturing you."
Seto's eyes narrowed. "I won't be anyone's prisoner."
"We'll see about that." The man suddenly lashed out and got Seto in a chokehold. Undaunted, Seto slammed him hard in the shin and he let go, crying in pain.
"I told you not to do that again," Seto glared, grabbing the man viciously. "Now. You'll be my prisoner, and you'll take me to Seth's hideout whether you like it or not."
****
Ishizu awoke slowly, finding herself chained to the wall of an old warehouse. Joey and Tristan were standing guard over her and Mai Valentine, who was also restrained.
"Come on, Joey," Mai was pleading, trying to use her feminine charms on the mind-controlled Brooklyn boy, "you won't really keep us chained up like this, will you?" She gave him one of her special winks, but Joey seemed unfazed.
"Your foolish attempts at freedom are futile," he replied with a nasty smile. "I will never let you go!"
Ishizu closed her eyes again, concentrating on trying to get through to the real Joey. "Joseph," she said softly. "Fight against his mind-control!"
That was exactly what Joey was trying to do, but it was proving to be very difficult. He couldn't forget the last time he'd been controlled by Marik's evil powers, during the duel with Yugi at Battle City. "Come on, you jerk!!" he yelled out loud suddenly, regaining control briefly. "Quit foolin' around in my head!!!"
Marik appeared then, standing atop a high ledge far above them. "You will never get away," he cried maliciously, raising the Rod high and entrapping Joey once again.
Ishizu glared up at him. She knew the real Marik was trying again to overpower his Yami—and she believed he could and would succeed—but she also knew that Yami Marik would not go down easily. This would be an intense battle.
Now Yami Marik pointed his Rod at Joey again. "You will all perish," he declared, making Joey hold up a knife at Ishizu threateningly.
"Joey!!" Mai screamed in horror.
Ishizu remained calm, looking deeply into Joey's vacant brown eyes. "Joseph, do not let him do this," she said softly.
Joey didn't seem to be listening. He brought the knife to Ishizu's throat.
****
Yugi's heart was pounding as he and Weevil were abruptly shoved into the back of a van. One of the Rare Hunters stayed in there to guard them while the other climbed up front and started the engine.
"Don't even think of tryin' to escape, you shrimps," the guard smirked. "That's not even an option!"
Weevil's blue eyes narrowed in frustration. "Well, this certainly is a fine mess!" he grumbled.
Yugi barely heard. He was trying desperately to rebuild the mental bond with his Yami, but it wasn't working. What am I going to do?! he cried in despair. I have to get us out of this mess! He prayed frantically for an idea.
"Just where are you taking us?!" Weevil demanded of the guard.
"You'll find out soon enough," he replied, crossing his arms.
Yami Yugi was nearby, and he watched the van with narrowed eyes. He still couldn't reach Yugi through their connection, but he was sure that the boy was on board. He would just have to follow the van and see where it went.
****
Marik was sitting still in his soul room, hoping he could find just the right opportunity to take his Yami by surprise—but when the evil spirit made Joey attack Ishizu with the knife, Marik knew he couldn't wait. "Sister!!" he screamed, leaping up.
Joey struggled to free himself from the mind control, the knife shaking in his hand. Ishizu watched him steadily, but inwardly her heart was racing.
"I . . . I won't do this!!" Joey yelled, the knife lowering from the woman's throat.
"Fool! You will do as I say!" Yami Marik growled, raising the Rod. Joey cried out, plunging the weapon into Ishizu's side before he could stop himself. The woman let out a cry of pain, blood flowing from the wound. She felt herself grow very weak.
Mai was alarmed. "Joey!!" she screamed. "Stop it, Joey!!"
"Silence her!" Yami Marik ordered.
Joey struggled again to regain control, and Tristan did as well. I . . . I can't let that creep win! Joey said to himself frantically. If he does, everyone I care about will wind up dead!
****
The van came to a halt and Yugi and Weevil pitched forward.
The Rare Hunter smirked. "We're here." He hauled Yugi to his feet.
The other man came around and opened the doors. "Alright, punks, let's go!" he growled.
Before anyone could stop him, Weevil was darting out through the open doors and between the man's legs. "Hey!! Come back here!!" the Rare Hunter yelled.
"Not on your life!" Weevil grumped, running into the white drifts and disappearing into the trees. Yugi watched him worriedly, praying that he would get away.
"What do we do about him?" the first Rare Hunter said in frustration, pulling Yugi out of the van.
"Let him go," the second one sighed, shaking his head. "Seth didn't want him. But he does want Yugi Muto!"
Yugi's heart pounded wildly. What would happen to him now? How would he be able to save the others? Were they alright? Where was his Yami? Would Weevil find help?
So many questions, but no answers.
****
Yami Yugi was hiding behind a cluster of trees when Weevil tore past. The ancient pharaoh stared at him, wondering why he kept turning up at the strangest times. Swiftly he grabbed Weevil's jacket, preventing him from escaping. "Where did you come from?!" Yami Yugi demanded.
Weevil struggled to pull free. "Look, a couple of odd people have Yugi. If you want to catch up to them, you'd better hurry!"
Yami Yugi still held on. "Where are they going?"
"I don't know!" Weevil insisted. "Let me go!!"
Knowing that he definitely did need to hurry, Yami Yugi obliged and released his grip on Weevil's jacket. Then he disappeared into the closely-knit trees.
****
Tea looked up weakly as she and Mokuba were prodded up to the deck by three of Seth's henchmen. He had continued to torment them for some time with his staff, and then he had ordered another minion to beat them both viciously. Mokuba was hurt the worst—he could barely walk, and his gray eyes were dim and lackluster.
"Why couldn't he have just killed me?" the boy bemoaned.
"Don't talk that way," Tea scolded as they were both chained to the railing. "We'll find a way out."
Mokuba shook his head sadly, tears falling from his eyes. "If Seto tries to rescue us, he's gonna die, just like that guard did!" He looked down sadly. "And . . . I'd rather it was me instead of him."
Tea's heart broke. Mokuba's words were brave, and she knew he really meant them, but she could also see how terrified he was. He didn't really want to die either. Please, she prayed, help us get out of this!
Suddenly she heard a commotion, and two men climbed up the ramp. Sneering malevolently, they dumped Yugi on the deck and looked up at Seth for approval. "Master, we have brought Yugi Muto!" the first one declared.
"Excellent work," Seth nodded, also smirking nastily. "Yugi Muto—the descendant of my worst enemy," he mused. "I will find it very enjoyable to torture you."
Yugi stood up shakily, ignoring Seth's words for the moment. "Tea! Mokuba!" he gasped. "And Bakura and Duke!" He blinked worriedly. "Are you all okay??"
"We're fine, Yugi," Bakura said weakly, but Yugi could see that none of them looked fine.
"This is terrible! I've gotta get you out of here!" Yugi exclaimed.
"I don't think so, little Yugi." Seth crossed his arms. "No one can escape from my grasp this time—not even you!"
"Guess again."
Seth and everyone else looked up as Yami Yugi ascended the ramp and stood at the top, his violet eyes narrowed in righteous indignation and outrage.
The evil priest's eyes glinted. "So you have decided to join us, O Mighty Pharaoh," he said in a voice dripping with hatred and malice. "This is turning out even better than I planned!"
"I should have known that you were still wreaking havoc on the world with your abominable schemes," Yami Yugi remarked angrily, preparing himself for a fight. With a flash of light, he had merged with Yugi. "But it won't happen any more!"
"Get him," Seth ordered simply, and his henchmen tried to make a move forward.
Yami Yugi was unfazed. "Mind crush!" he yelled, and the minions dropped to the deck in a heap.
Seth only laughed. "Bravo," he said, clapping mockingly. "But not even you are a match for my ultimate powers!" He raised his scepter high and chanted something in Egyptian. Before Yami Yugi could prevent it, he was writhing on the deck's floor in agony, his powers useless.
"Yugi!!" Tea screamed in horror.
Yami Yugi sprawled on the deck, gasping. "I . . . I can't move!" he cried.
Seth smirked. "Of course you can't. As my worst enemy, your punishment should be greater than any of the others'. You will have to watch each of your friends die slowly and painfully, with no way for you to help them! All you will be able to do is just lay there helplessly and watch!" He raised his scepter. "There's no hope for any of you now!"
"You're wrong."
The voice came from a silhouetted figure on the ramp. His soft hair and his trenchcoat blew in the breeze, giving him a commanding appearance. The others couldn't see him clearly, but they didn't have to. They knew it was Seto Kaiba.