"Awake, my friend."
Marik heard Mako's voice from far away and tried to gather the strength to open his eyes, but he couldn't seem to manage the task.
Now the dark-haired boy knelt next to Marik and laid a hand on his shoulder. "We are almost at the shore," he said, "and the wave has missed us. A fortunate thing, too, since it was rising to a height of ninety feet." Mako chuckled, then looked at Marik with concern. "Your friend seems to be doing much better, but are *you* alright?" Inwardly he worried that the Egyptian boy was hurt more than either of them had realized.
Marik stirred, shivering. "I . . . I am fine," he said at last, pulling the blanket closer around him. "I am simply unused to these freezing temperatures!"
Mako nodded in understanding. "The two of you are sopping wet. I must get you both back to the ship immediately."
Marik had no objections to that whatsoever.
****
Bakura stirred, his brown eyes fluttering open. "Oh . . ." he moaned, looking confused. "Where . . . where am I?"
"You're in your room, buddy," Tristan said, relieved to see that his friend was awake.
Bakura smiled weakly, then looked worried. "Where is Yami?" he asked. "I . . . I'm afraid he may have been thrown overboard, but I don't remember clearly what happened. . . ." He shook his head and then pressed his fingers against his left temple as if it hurt.
"Yeah, man, you were beaned by that deck chair," Joey told him. He shrugged and spoke airily. "And I'm sure your Yami's okay. Heck, if he could survive the Grim Reaper attackin' him, he could survive falling into the water."
Bakura had to chuckle at that, but he was still concerned. "What about Marik?" he worried. "Was he thrown overboard as well?"
"Yes, he was," Yugi admitted slowly, "but he's a good swimmer." He smiled comfortingly. "The Coast Guard is out looking for both of them. They'll find them, Bakura. Don't worry."
Bakura nodded slowly, his soft brown eyes still filled with concern. "I do hope so," he said softly.
"Hey," Joey wondered suddenly, "where's Tea?"
Yugi paused, thinking. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I know she brought Mokuba below deck shortly after they got back, but I don't know if she's still with him or not."
****
As it turned out, she wasn't. Tea had taken Mokuba to his and Seto's room and then was planning to go topside and see if the others were back yet when the earthquake had hit.
The ship rocked wildly and she screamed as she lost her balance, falling backward—but then she was caught by a dark-haired, stern-faced man.
"Thank you," Tea said gratefully.
The man grunted in an oddly-familiar way. "A dancer such as yourself should have better equilibrium," he growled.
Tea pulled free and whirled to face him. "How did you know I'm a dancer?!" she demanded.
"That's not important." The man turned away, his ponytail whipping around his neck. Before Tea could say more, he was gone.
****
Yami Yugi's eyes narrowed as he shielded Jade from a falling lamppost. They had just left the diner after unsuccessfully trying to find Marik, and the aftershocks were just beginning.
"Hey," Jade said nonchalantly, "San Francisco is know for its earthquakes. This is nothing compared to what happens sometimes!"
And then as soon as it had started, it was over.
Now the former Pharaoh straightened up and looked about, struggling to see through the fog and dust. "How far are we from where you live, Jade?" he asked.
Jade shrugged. "Not too far. But you don't need to walk me there. I can take care of myself."
"With these earthquakes and the criminals running loose, I believe I should accompany you," Yami Yugi retorted.
"Have it your way," Jade replied as they turned a corner.
Suddenly a dark figure stepped into their path, holding his hand out for them to stop.
"Let us pass," Yami Yugi said angrily.
"Do not underestimate the dangers surrounding you." The figure stepped into the light, revealing the serious, sober Shadi.
Yami Yugi's eyes narrowed. "I am not," he said.
"Darkness lurks around every corner and in every niche," Shadi said grimly.
"Wow, who is this guy?" Jade asked, intrigued.
Shadi went right on as if he hadn't heard her. "You already know of Marik Ishtar's double. But beware—he is not the only person this man impersonates."
"What?!" Yami Yugi clenched his fists.
"He is an expert master of disguise. Be on your guard." Shadi's blue eyes narrowed.
"Hey wait!" Jade called, seeing that Shadi was about to leave. "Who are you?!"
"I am Shadi," the man replied, "and you would be wise to heed my warning as well, young one."
"Why? What's gonna happen?" Jade asked with google-eyed interest, but Shadi had already vanished into thin air.
Yami Yugi shook his head. "Things are obviously much more serious than I thought," he mused.
"Where did that guy go?" Jade demanded. "He's cool!"
"He's a master of ancient magic and defender of all that is good," Yami Yugi told her, "even though his methods are usually quite unorthodox. And that is all you need to know about him."
"Awww!" Jade whined.
****
The boat rocked dangerously from side to side as the aftershocks on land brought about continuing waves in the water.
"Hold on tight!" Mako warned. "I don't think we're going to outrun this one."
Marik glanced down at Yami Bakura, who wasn't really looking any better than he had the last time Marik had seen him. Gently the boy laid his hand on the thief's shoulder to protect him from falling overboard. "You saved my brother's life once," the Egyptian boy said solemnly, "and now I shall return your good deed with another."
Yami Bakura groaned and shuddered.
"I thought you said he was doing better," Marik cried.
"He is doing much better than he was during the time you were asleep," Mako replied. "I thought he might die."
Marik smiled wryly. "I doubt that could happen." Inwardly he wondered what on earth *had* happened to make Yami Bakura so extremely ill.
The boat rocked again and then a wave splashed over it and its occupants.
Now Marik coughed, water shooting from his mouth. He brushed his wet bangs out of his eyes and looked about, trying to see how close they were to the shore.
Mako looked grim. "Grab your friend. I'm afraid we're in for a wild ride."
****
"Wild ride" was an understatement. By the time the boat had been caught up by the angry wave and practically thrown onto the shore, Marik felt extremely shaken. Such a thing had never happened when he'd traveled on his yacht. It was probably a good thing that Yami Bakura was so out of it at the moment, the Egyptian boy thought wryly. The old thief would've felt much worse if he'd realized what they were going through at the moment.
Mako, however, seemed used to such things. "We have arrived," he said, climbing out of the boat and then looking to Marik in concern. "Do you see the ocean liner anywhere near here?" he asked.
Marik blinked, trying to see through the fog. "I believe it's over there," he said in relief, pointing to the right.
Mako nodded. "I will take you and your friend over there. Can you walk?"
"I can," Marik replied, standing up, "but my friend will need some assistance."
Mako took Yami Bakura and slung the old thief over his shoulder. "Alright, then," he said. "Let's be off."
****
"Man, this is some crazy vacation," Joey remarked as he and Tristan went up to the deck again. The worst of the storm had passed by now, according to the Captain, and so they were going topside to look for their friends.
"You said it," Tristan sighed, shaking his head.
When they emerged onto the deck, they were a bit startled to find Ishizu, Rishid, Mokuba, Seto, and Bakura all there as well.
"Bakura!" Tristan cried. "Man, you were supposed to stay resting!"
Bakura looked at him with wide brown eyes. "I'm worried about Marik and my Yami," he replied. "I'll be alright."
"Hello!" Mako's voice called suddenly.
Everyone snapped to attention. Their fisherman friend was boarding the ship, and he was carrying a lifeless body over his shoulder. Marik walked alongside, limping slightly.
Instantly the small group was surrounded by their friends and family.
"Marik!!" Mokuba cried in delight. "You're okay!!"
Ishizu and Rishid rushed forward and embraced their brother. "Oh Marik!" Ishizu said shakily, brushing Marik's damp bangs aside. "We were so worried!"
Rishid, overcome by emotions, could say nothing more than "Brother." But it was enough.
Marik smiled, hugging them both. "I am alright," he assured them. "But I'm not certain about Yami Bakura's welfare."
"Yami!!" Bakura screamed, his eyes wide with horror as he ran over, realizing that Mako was carrying the old thief.
Mako looked at Bakura seriously. "He's very ill, but he's a lot better than he was earlier," the dark-haired boy said, gently laying his cargo in Bakura's arms.
Bakura looked down at Yami Bakura, tears in his soft brown eyes. "What's wrong with him?!" the boy wailed.
"I'm not sure," Mako replied, shaking his head. "But I truly believe that he will be alright."
****
When everyone was below deck again, Bakura took his Yami into their stateroom and laid him on one of the two beds. Shakily he removed the old thief's wet clothes and helped him get into something warm and dry.
"Here, Yami," the boy said softly. "You need to rest. It will be alright." Gently he pulled the quilt up around his friend and then prepared to gather the wet clothes to put in a sack. When he went to do this, a strange device fell out. "Oh my," Bakura gasped, picking it up and examining it carefully. "What could this be?!" He knew what it looked like—a tracking device of some sort. Could the fake Marik have attached it to his Yami's clothes at the diner? Bakura decided he would need to call in someone who could tell him for certain what it was. Quickly he picked up the phone and dialed a number.
Before long Seto Kaiba arrived at the room, looking emotionless and apathetic as always. Bakura knew, however, that the young businessman was actually a very kind and compassionate person, even though he didn't like to show it very much.
"I found this on my Yami's clothes," the silvery-haired boy said shakily.
Seto took the device and stared at it. "Someone was tracking him," he confirmed, his eyes narrowed.
"It must have been Marik's double!" Bakura exclaimed.
"Most likely." Seto paused. "This isn't a waterproof device, however. It must have short-circuited when your Yami fell in the water."
****
"I wonder where my Yami is?" Yugi worried, pacing the floor of the dining room. He and the others had been with Bakura until just recently, when Yugi had suggested that they would go the diner and get food for everyone.
"He's not back yet?" Tea cried.
"No," Yugi sighed.
While they waited for their orders to be filled, Tea told them of her strange experience.
"Man, that's weird," Joey remarked. "Who the heck could that guy have been?!"
"I can't imagine," Tea said, shaking her head. "When I tried to talk to him more, he vanished!"
"I don't like the sound of that," Yugi exclaimed.
"As well you shouldn't."
Everyone looked up to see Shadi standing there, grim and serious as always.
"Shadi!" Yugi cried. "What's wrong?"
The Egyptian man sat down at their table and looked at Tea piercingly. "The man you met. That was Khu, the owner of the staff that was stolen."
"Tea met Khu?!" Joey burst out. "Oh man . . ."
"What would Khu want with Tea?!" Yugi demanded.
"Perhaps nothing," Shadi replied. "It may have been a pure accident that they met."
Yugi studied Shadi while he spoke, feeling uneasy. Something didn't feel right at all. Then suddenly he realized. Shadi always wore his golden earrings, and his eyes were a penetrating blue. This man who was speaking with him was wearing no earrings and his eyes seemed to be a deep lavender—but the most obvious clue was that he wore no Millennium Ankh around his neck. Did Shadi have a double too?
Marik heard Mako's voice from far away and tried to gather the strength to open his eyes, but he couldn't seem to manage the task.
Now the dark-haired boy knelt next to Marik and laid a hand on his shoulder. "We are almost at the shore," he said, "and the wave has missed us. A fortunate thing, too, since it was rising to a height of ninety feet." Mako chuckled, then looked at Marik with concern. "Your friend seems to be doing much better, but are *you* alright?" Inwardly he worried that the Egyptian boy was hurt more than either of them had realized.
Marik stirred, shivering. "I . . . I am fine," he said at last, pulling the blanket closer around him. "I am simply unused to these freezing temperatures!"
Mako nodded in understanding. "The two of you are sopping wet. I must get you both back to the ship immediately."
Marik had no objections to that whatsoever.
****
Bakura stirred, his brown eyes fluttering open. "Oh . . ." he moaned, looking confused. "Where . . . where am I?"
"You're in your room, buddy," Tristan said, relieved to see that his friend was awake.
Bakura smiled weakly, then looked worried. "Where is Yami?" he asked. "I . . . I'm afraid he may have been thrown overboard, but I don't remember clearly what happened. . . ." He shook his head and then pressed his fingers against his left temple as if it hurt.
"Yeah, man, you were beaned by that deck chair," Joey told him. He shrugged and spoke airily. "And I'm sure your Yami's okay. Heck, if he could survive the Grim Reaper attackin' him, he could survive falling into the water."
Bakura had to chuckle at that, but he was still concerned. "What about Marik?" he worried. "Was he thrown overboard as well?"
"Yes, he was," Yugi admitted slowly, "but he's a good swimmer." He smiled comfortingly. "The Coast Guard is out looking for both of them. They'll find them, Bakura. Don't worry."
Bakura nodded slowly, his soft brown eyes still filled with concern. "I do hope so," he said softly.
"Hey," Joey wondered suddenly, "where's Tea?"
Yugi paused, thinking. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I know she brought Mokuba below deck shortly after they got back, but I don't know if she's still with him or not."
****
As it turned out, she wasn't. Tea had taken Mokuba to his and Seto's room and then was planning to go topside and see if the others were back yet when the earthquake had hit.
The ship rocked wildly and she screamed as she lost her balance, falling backward—but then she was caught by a dark-haired, stern-faced man.
"Thank you," Tea said gratefully.
The man grunted in an oddly-familiar way. "A dancer such as yourself should have better equilibrium," he growled.
Tea pulled free and whirled to face him. "How did you know I'm a dancer?!" she demanded.
"That's not important." The man turned away, his ponytail whipping around his neck. Before Tea could say more, he was gone.
****
Yami Yugi's eyes narrowed as he shielded Jade from a falling lamppost. They had just left the diner after unsuccessfully trying to find Marik, and the aftershocks were just beginning.
"Hey," Jade said nonchalantly, "San Francisco is know for its earthquakes. This is nothing compared to what happens sometimes!"
And then as soon as it had started, it was over.
Now the former Pharaoh straightened up and looked about, struggling to see through the fog and dust. "How far are we from where you live, Jade?" he asked.
Jade shrugged. "Not too far. But you don't need to walk me there. I can take care of myself."
"With these earthquakes and the criminals running loose, I believe I should accompany you," Yami Yugi retorted.
"Have it your way," Jade replied as they turned a corner.
Suddenly a dark figure stepped into their path, holding his hand out for them to stop.
"Let us pass," Yami Yugi said angrily.
"Do not underestimate the dangers surrounding you." The figure stepped into the light, revealing the serious, sober Shadi.
Yami Yugi's eyes narrowed. "I am not," he said.
"Darkness lurks around every corner and in every niche," Shadi said grimly.
"Wow, who is this guy?" Jade asked, intrigued.
Shadi went right on as if he hadn't heard her. "You already know of Marik Ishtar's double. But beware—he is not the only person this man impersonates."
"What?!" Yami Yugi clenched his fists.
"He is an expert master of disguise. Be on your guard." Shadi's blue eyes narrowed.
"Hey wait!" Jade called, seeing that Shadi was about to leave. "Who are you?!"
"I am Shadi," the man replied, "and you would be wise to heed my warning as well, young one."
"Why? What's gonna happen?" Jade asked with google-eyed interest, but Shadi had already vanished into thin air.
Yami Yugi shook his head. "Things are obviously much more serious than I thought," he mused.
"Where did that guy go?" Jade demanded. "He's cool!"
"He's a master of ancient magic and defender of all that is good," Yami Yugi told her, "even though his methods are usually quite unorthodox. And that is all you need to know about him."
"Awww!" Jade whined.
****
The boat rocked dangerously from side to side as the aftershocks on land brought about continuing waves in the water.
"Hold on tight!" Mako warned. "I don't think we're going to outrun this one."
Marik glanced down at Yami Bakura, who wasn't really looking any better than he had the last time Marik had seen him. Gently the boy laid his hand on the thief's shoulder to protect him from falling overboard. "You saved my brother's life once," the Egyptian boy said solemnly, "and now I shall return your good deed with another."
Yami Bakura groaned and shuddered.
"I thought you said he was doing better," Marik cried.
"He is doing much better than he was during the time you were asleep," Mako replied. "I thought he might die."
Marik smiled wryly. "I doubt that could happen." Inwardly he wondered what on earth *had* happened to make Yami Bakura so extremely ill.
The boat rocked again and then a wave splashed over it and its occupants.
Now Marik coughed, water shooting from his mouth. He brushed his wet bangs out of his eyes and looked about, trying to see how close they were to the shore.
Mako looked grim. "Grab your friend. I'm afraid we're in for a wild ride."
****
"Wild ride" was an understatement. By the time the boat had been caught up by the angry wave and practically thrown onto the shore, Marik felt extremely shaken. Such a thing had never happened when he'd traveled on his yacht. It was probably a good thing that Yami Bakura was so out of it at the moment, the Egyptian boy thought wryly. The old thief would've felt much worse if he'd realized what they were going through at the moment.
Mako, however, seemed used to such things. "We have arrived," he said, climbing out of the boat and then looking to Marik in concern. "Do you see the ocean liner anywhere near here?" he asked.
Marik blinked, trying to see through the fog. "I believe it's over there," he said in relief, pointing to the right.
Mako nodded. "I will take you and your friend over there. Can you walk?"
"I can," Marik replied, standing up, "but my friend will need some assistance."
Mako took Yami Bakura and slung the old thief over his shoulder. "Alright, then," he said. "Let's be off."
****
"Man, this is some crazy vacation," Joey remarked as he and Tristan went up to the deck again. The worst of the storm had passed by now, according to the Captain, and so they were going topside to look for their friends.
"You said it," Tristan sighed, shaking his head.
When they emerged onto the deck, they were a bit startled to find Ishizu, Rishid, Mokuba, Seto, and Bakura all there as well.
"Bakura!" Tristan cried. "Man, you were supposed to stay resting!"
Bakura looked at him with wide brown eyes. "I'm worried about Marik and my Yami," he replied. "I'll be alright."
"Hello!" Mako's voice called suddenly.
Everyone snapped to attention. Their fisherman friend was boarding the ship, and he was carrying a lifeless body over his shoulder. Marik walked alongside, limping slightly.
Instantly the small group was surrounded by their friends and family.
"Marik!!" Mokuba cried in delight. "You're okay!!"
Ishizu and Rishid rushed forward and embraced their brother. "Oh Marik!" Ishizu said shakily, brushing Marik's damp bangs aside. "We were so worried!"
Rishid, overcome by emotions, could say nothing more than "Brother." But it was enough.
Marik smiled, hugging them both. "I am alright," he assured them. "But I'm not certain about Yami Bakura's welfare."
"Yami!!" Bakura screamed, his eyes wide with horror as he ran over, realizing that Mako was carrying the old thief.
Mako looked at Bakura seriously. "He's very ill, but he's a lot better than he was earlier," the dark-haired boy said, gently laying his cargo in Bakura's arms.
Bakura looked down at Yami Bakura, tears in his soft brown eyes. "What's wrong with him?!" the boy wailed.
"I'm not sure," Mako replied, shaking his head. "But I truly believe that he will be alright."
****
When everyone was below deck again, Bakura took his Yami into their stateroom and laid him on one of the two beds. Shakily he removed the old thief's wet clothes and helped him get into something warm and dry.
"Here, Yami," the boy said softly. "You need to rest. It will be alright." Gently he pulled the quilt up around his friend and then prepared to gather the wet clothes to put in a sack. When he went to do this, a strange device fell out. "Oh my," Bakura gasped, picking it up and examining it carefully. "What could this be?!" He knew what it looked like—a tracking device of some sort. Could the fake Marik have attached it to his Yami's clothes at the diner? Bakura decided he would need to call in someone who could tell him for certain what it was. Quickly he picked up the phone and dialed a number.
Before long Seto Kaiba arrived at the room, looking emotionless and apathetic as always. Bakura knew, however, that the young businessman was actually a very kind and compassionate person, even though he didn't like to show it very much.
"I found this on my Yami's clothes," the silvery-haired boy said shakily.
Seto took the device and stared at it. "Someone was tracking him," he confirmed, his eyes narrowed.
"It must have been Marik's double!" Bakura exclaimed.
"Most likely." Seto paused. "This isn't a waterproof device, however. It must have short-circuited when your Yami fell in the water."
****
"I wonder where my Yami is?" Yugi worried, pacing the floor of the dining room. He and the others had been with Bakura until just recently, when Yugi had suggested that they would go the diner and get food for everyone.
"He's not back yet?" Tea cried.
"No," Yugi sighed.
While they waited for their orders to be filled, Tea told them of her strange experience.
"Man, that's weird," Joey remarked. "Who the heck could that guy have been?!"
"I can't imagine," Tea said, shaking her head. "When I tried to talk to him more, he vanished!"
"I don't like the sound of that," Yugi exclaimed.
"As well you shouldn't."
Everyone looked up to see Shadi standing there, grim and serious as always.
"Shadi!" Yugi cried. "What's wrong?"
The Egyptian man sat down at their table and looked at Tea piercingly. "The man you met. That was Khu, the owner of the staff that was stolen."
"Tea met Khu?!" Joey burst out. "Oh man . . ."
"What would Khu want with Tea?!" Yugi demanded.
"Perhaps nothing," Shadi replied. "It may have been a pure accident that they met."
Yugi studied Shadi while he spoke, feeling uneasy. Something didn't feel right at all. Then suddenly he realized. Shadi always wore his golden earrings, and his eyes were a penetrating blue. This man who was speaking with him was wearing no earrings and his eyes seemed to be a deep lavender—but the most obvious clue was that he wore no Millennium Ankh around his neck. Did Shadi have a double too?