Oh, hey everyone, sorry about taking so long to get this chapter out. I might have trouble with updates for a while; I can't seem to log on to my account on fanfiction.net from my own computer. I uploaded this from school. So, we will have to see how I manage on continuing updates.
I introduce a few more characters here and it should be within two to three chapters that Yugi finally gets to be reintroduced to Joey.
Oh, and to let you folks know, I found an Egyptian name to be Siris' second one, so Kathryn is not the second name she uses in Egypt. You'll find out the new name when everyone else in the story does as well.
Well, that's really all for this one, I hope everyone is still enjoying this, I will try and update as frequently as I can, provided I finish the chapters and can find a computer to upload them on.
I'm not gonna do the disclaimers anymore, you should know I don't own the shows by now
And of course ENJOY ^__^
"Finally, we are doing something." O'Neil muttered as they walked carefully away from the mountain. Over the last few days they had quickly packed for the indeterminate length of the journey. Dark had also set up the device that would be used for communication. They were forced to travel slowly in order to avoid running into any of Kaiba's monsters.
"Okay, I know we just left, but how do we get to Egypt?"
"You will see Colonel. First let us get to the coast."
"How long should that take?" Daniel queried.
"Well, since we are a much larger group then before, I would say a little less than two weeks. If, that is, we manage to avoid confrontations and travel at a steady rate." They fell silent after that, it was too dangerous to keep a conversation going. Celt traveled on ahead, acting as the scout. Yugi, O'Neil, and Dark walked together, Daniel and Jonas were close behind, while Carter and Teal'c followed last.
Once night fell, or what was considered night, they found a place to stay and decided on who would be lookout when. Before people went to sleep though, O'Neil demanded that a few more questions be answered, which, not surprisingly, could not be answered to his satisfaction. The entire group could agree on one thing, it was going to be a long trip.
~~~~~*~~~~~
"Just look at that. There is no way we can travel safely over that." Jonas said as the group looked out over the sea that raged beneath them. Most of the waves had to be about 20 feet tall and there was not a single quiet spot to be found. The past week and a half had gone by rather quickly, though O'Neil was still miffed about not knowing how they were going to travel to Egypt.
"Yep. Definitely, but you shouldn't be worried, I thought everyone loved roller coasters." Celt said, an amused glint in his eyes. Jonas watched him warily and Dark distracted any further commentary on that topic.
"There is a cave at the bottom of this cliff; we will stay there for the night. She should be here by tomorrow." No one missed Celts grimace, though no one knew what was wrong.
"Look Dark, is there any way I can go on ahead? Please." Dark glanced over, smirked and began to pick his way down the trail. Celt sighed in frustration and rubbed his forehead.
"She can't be that bad Celt. Maybe she'll be on her best behavior." Yugi murmured comfortingly before moving to follow Dark. Ignoring the others confused looks Celt followed as well.
/Tomorrow will be interesting. But if you think for one moment Dark, that I am going to keep her preoccupied, forget it. She is your apprentice, you deal with her./
Rain, cold wet rain. It had been falling for hours, having started sometime during the night. The group watched in fascination, it seemed like forever since it had last rained. The sight of it cheered the group a little, but it meant that they would not leave that day. The group stayed within sight of the entrance so they could watch it fall, but far enough away to keep warm by the fire. Only Celt avoided the entrance, skulking around the edges of the cave.
"Celt, will you just give it up and come over to the fire, you are still soaked from your last scouting job and you need to dry off." Dark admonished.
"No, because the minute I do she will show up and you know what wil........"
"Celtie! Your here!!" A feminine voice suddenly shouted. Celt glanced around desperately trying to disappear even though the owner of the voice was still unseen. Dark started to chuckle, and quickly covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes still glowing with amusement.
With no further warning something slammed into Celt, knocking him to the ground. The group could see dripping wet long blonde hair as well as a baby blue trench coat. Celt was gasping for air, as it had been knocked out of him by the impact, but his efforts were pretty much fruitless by the death grip the newcomer had on his chest.
"Oh, Celtie, I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait to tell you what has been going on. Where have you been? And why didn't you let me know?" Mumbling incoherently Celt struggled to free himself from her death grip and stand at the same time. It took a few minutes, and everyone else was either too confused, or in Dark or Yugi's case, too amused to assist him. Once he was standing he pushed the girl away, who could now be seen to be wearing a rose tank top as well as rose boots that went halfway to her knees. Her ensemble finished with a knee length sky blue skirt.
"Good to see you too, Mag. But shouldn't you be reporting in to Yugi, he is the one in charge. Or you should at least give Dark an update, you being his apprentice and all." Celt said as he finally made his way to the fire, finding a spot with as little room for anyone else as possible he settled himself down and began to dry off.
"Oh, of course!" With an unbelievable amount of energy she dashed over to Yugi and Dark, who were both stifling laughter, saluted and began her report. Watching her carefully Celt began to shuffle further and further from the fire, and her.
"Dark Magician Girl reporting to duty. I am happy to say that I was not seen by anyone, and that the seas remain unguarded by any of Kaiba's monsters. Oh, and I am thrilled to finally meet you Master Yugi, I can't begin to tell you how often I wanted to meet you but being on a different realm and all kind of ruined those chances. Last I want you to know that I will do everything I can to help, isn't that right Celtie?" She finished her statement looking sidelong at Celt, only Celt wasn't there. Dark motioned silently to Yugi, who looked out the cave and could just see Celt disappearing from view. Attempting not to laugh Yugi turned his attention to the girl in front of him.
"Great to hear Mag. But before we do anything, I just want to make sure we have one thing clear." Nodding her head to show she was listening Yugi continued. "That one thing is you don't call me master, I don't like the sound of that. Just call me by my name, Yugi, all right?" Puzzled she looked at Dark who nodded. Blinking a few times she then shrugged and grasped Yugi's hand.
"Yugi it is then. But how come you won't let me call you Dark, Master?"
"Because you are my apprentice, and I don't have Yugi's reasons for disliking that word. Now, if you all will excuse me, I have to find Celt before he catches something out there."
"Oh no. He went out into that storm, don't worry, I'll find him." She took two steps to the cave entrance when someone grabbed the collar of her trench coat and pulled her back. Looking back her emerald eyes locked with amused blue ones as Dark pulled her farther from the entrance.
"No, I think it would be best if I find him on my own. You stay here and keep everyone occupied." That said, he turned swiftly and walked out of the cave in search of the elusive elf. Mag pouted a little before plopping down next to the fire, discarding her trench coat and relaxing.
"Yugi, what exactly just happened here?" Carter asked as she stared at the blonde who was absently twirling locks of her hair.
"Nothing to worry about, Mag is another of my duel monsters. It is just that, according to Dark, bad things always seem to happen to Celt when she is around. There is more to it, but neither of them would really tell me. But come on, this rain should end soon enough and we will be able to head out. That is, as long as Mag remembered to prepare our transportation."
"Amazing, all that rain and the minute it stops the ground is bone dry again. How did that happen?" Jonas murmured as he and everyone else stepped out onto the beach.
"It has to do with the shadow realm, it messes up everything. Well, come on, our ride is that way." Yugi responded. The group walked along the beach until they came to a rocky area. Here they were much closer to the waves and they could tell exactly how dangerous they were. While no one said it, they were all wondering about Jonas' earlier question, how were they traveling over that.
"Um, where's the ride?" O'Neil asked, looking around the rocky shore. There was no sign of any transportation device in or around the water.
"Right over there." Came Yugi's reply. Glancing up O'Neil and his team noticed someone walking toward them, a cape billowing around his figure, giving him an ominous air.
"Oh great, and here comes the Caped Crusader." Celt mumbled, only to be elbowed in the ribs by Dark.
"Quiet, we need him to get to Egypt and I am not spending days smoothing things over because you made one of your flippant remarks and wounded his ego."
"It is not my fault he needs to be taken down a couple dozen pegs or so."
"Perhaps, but keep quiet." Mumbling incoherently for a few moments Celt complied as the group watched the figure get larger. As he walked, though with the cape he seemed to glide, they could make out some of his features. His skin was as black as the clothes he wore. His boots, pants, and shirt were pitch black, the only color was his eyes, hair and cape. His hair was very short, buzz cut length, and fire red. His eyes and cape were a deep crimson. The interesting factor about his eyes were the almost non existent pupils. All in all, he was a very imposing figure, even at roughly Carter's height.
"I see that my services are once again required. I am only too happy to assist those in need. I am deeply honored that you would call upon me in your moment of strife." He called out, his voice carrying surprisingly well and was deep and rich in sound.
"I am pleased to see that you are willing to assist us in this. Your help will insure that events go smoothly." Dark called out, though O'Neil was positive he heard a touch of sarcasm, and a brief rolling of eyes from Celt.
"Of course, I could never allow others to ever go without my assistance when there is even the slightest possibility that I can make a difference. Though, I am surprised that the great Dark Magician would require my help twice in so short a period of time, but I am pleased to be of assistance." Yugi was the one to answer this time, seeing as how Dark now had his teeth clenched together in a serious effort not to snap back at that.
"You have our deep appreciation, Red; however, we are pressed for time. It would be best if we could leave right away."
"Absolutely, just give me one moment." O'Neil was just about to ask what was going on when the man referred to as Red stopped and began to shimmer. In moments his form was enveloped in a crimson light, which began to expand. As the group watched the light developed into a black shape, which in turn solidified into the form of a large dragon. The dragon was completely black, with the exception of a few stripes along the appendages and the solid blood red eyes. The dragon turned towards them, with what could only be a smile, and a voice boomed out at the crew.
"I am ready now; we can leave when you wish."
"Uh, who was that?" O'Neil finally asked.
"That was Red, you see, he is the Red Eyes Black Dragon, you first saw him in his human form, this is his dragon form. He's our ride." That said Yugi, Dark, Celt, and Mag walked forward and clambered aboard. Dark and Yugi were situated at the base of the neck, and Mag and Celt at the base of each wing. Although hesitant, SG1 followed and positioned themselves as close to the center of Red's back as they were able.
Without any warning Red lumbered forward and took flight. SG1 was a bit surprised when he remained as close to the water as was possible without being thrown in.
"Why are we flying so low!" Jonas questioned Celt, who was within hearing range.
"Because the ocean is too dangerous to patrol, but the skies aren't. We are much more likely to remain undetected if we fly low!"
"Oh." Since conversation would be very difficult no one spoke as Red skimmed over the surface of the water, already out of sight of America, and heading with amazing speed towards Egypt.
~~~~~Somewhere in Kaiba's Castle~~~~~
Crimson eyes peered into the dark before them. Dim shapes could be made out, though nothing more. Outside the darkened area faint sounds could be heard. The figure huddled in the corner, as far back as he could possibly go.
/He won't find me. Not now at any rate. Just as long as I don't move, not that I could at the moment./ Yami thought as he strained to hear what was going on outside of his hiding place. He had managed to hide like this a few times before on those rare occasions when Kaiba left him unattended in one of the rooms. He was actually rather surprised, he was usually found within a few hours, it had already been over ten.
Yami grimaced as a brief stinging pain ran through his legs before returning to being numb. He was actually rather comfortable, as long as he continued to be unable to feel his legs. He was really not looking forward to when he moved from here, the pain that would come of it would be astronomical. He shook his head as he fully took in what he was doing.
/Some Pharaoh I turn out to be. Hiding in some Ra forsaken closet in hopes of being overlooked by my archenemy. At least Yugi is out, thank the gods for that. As long as he remains safe I shall endure whatever is brought my way./ He leaned back and closed his eyes, it was only a matter of time now.
He didn't dare go to sleep; he needed to be awake when he was found. He would not give Kaiba the pleasure of seeing him startled. Even as he relaxed he listened intently for any sign that he was about to be found. All he could hear was the faint shuffling sounds of the servants.
No, wait, is that someone shouting. Though no one could see Yami, he paled as he recognized the infuriated sound of Kaiba's shout. Kaiba was more than angry, he was beyond infuriated even, he was livid. Soon he could hear the sounds of footsteps nearing his position; he could only hope that even if the door was opened, he would remain unseen in his darkened corner.
The footsteps halted and Yami could imagine the hand that he knew was now reaching for the door. He heard the slight sound of the knob turning, he unconsciously braced for the light that would soon be flooding his senses. Sure enough, the door was pulled violently opened and light entered the enclosed area, blinding Yami momentarily. During that moment a hand reached in and grabbed him by his collar and dragged him out.
The sudden movement allowed the blood to flow back into his legs with such force that Yami was barely able to keep from screaming out. As it was he could not breathe normally and did not dare open his eyes, since squeezing them shut seemed to be helping with the pain. He attempted to remove the hand at his throat but found his arms would not budge, so Kaiba was using the shackles after all.
Kaiba slammed Yami into the wall, keeping his face level with his own, thus ensuring that Yami was held with his feet unable to touch the ground.
"Look at me. Look at me and tell me what you thought you were doing." Kaiba demanded, putting a bit more force into holding Yami in place. Slowly Yami complied, luckily the pain had subsided to a tolerable level, and he managed to lock his eyes on Kaiba's without wavering.
"I was taking a vacation from you. With all the time spent with you I never get any time alone anymore."
"You have grown too bold since he's been gone, and I have been too lenient. It is time I show you your proper place." Carelessly he threw Yami to the ground, who was unable to stifle the groan that came from weight placed on his still recuperating legs. Without another word Kaiba began to walk from the room. Yami made no move to follow, he didn't have to.
Even as Yami attempted to regain mobility his hands flew up pulling him up as well. Once he was completely off the ground he floated along behind Kaiba, unable to even glare like he usually did as he was still overcoming the stinging sensations in his legs. In this way Kaiba escorted Yami to the room he had designated as his education room, Yami could only watch as he moved closer and closer to what was sure to be a night of misery.
The only comfort, if it could be counted as a comfort anyway, was that Kaiba could not afford to lose him, and therefore would not truly endanger his life. But there is plenty of ways to cause tremendous amounts of pain and humiliation without killing the person, and Kaiba knew many of them.