"So what's the plan, Uncle?" Jade asked, trying to look up at the table where her great-uncle was concocting a locator spell.
"We must find Daolon Wong and uncover his evil plot!" Uncle replied solemnly.
"But Uncle," Jackie spoke up, "I thought you took his spellcasting powers away!"
"A dark chi wizard such as he finds ways to get them back!" Uncle retorted in a grim, mysterious tone.
At that moment the door burst open and Bakura and his Yami ran in. Yami Yugi looked up, his eyes narrowed.
"Oh!!" Bakura cried in horror when he saw Shadi's dead body on a table in the corner.
Yami Bakura glanced at the deceased man as well, then turned to glare at Yami Yugi. "Where is my Ring?" he demanded. "You must have taken it from him, Pharaoh!"
Angrily Uncle reached out and whacked the old tomb raider with his fingers. "Uncle must have silence!!!!" he yelled, scrutinizing Yami Bakura in a way that reminded Yugi of the expression If looks could kill.
Slowly Yami Yugi pulled the Millennium Ring out from where he had kept it inside his jacket. "Here is the Ring," he said quietly. Yami Bakura snatched it with a growl and placed it around his neck, still fuming about being whapped by Uncle.
Yugi watched everything silently, his violet eyes wide. There had just been too much happening in the last few hours—Uncle's locator spell, Vivalene's reappearance, Shadi's crazed rampage and death . . .
Uncle looked up and spoke, breaking Yugi's train of thought. "The locator spell is ready," he declared. "Now we will find Daolon Wong!"
****
"There's gotta be some way out of here!" Tristan cried, running to every corner of the room in search of an exit.
"Maybe the only way out is to magically poof," Joey retorted.
"Oh, now, come on, Joey," Mai said, rolling her eyes, but she had to admit that she was thinking the same thing.
At that moment there was a maniacal cackle and the entire wall broke in as a taxi crashed through it.
"What the heck?!" Joey burst out.
The smoldering door opened and Khu stepped out, looking a bit dizzy but otherwise quite alright for being the ancient spirit he was. "Ah, so Seth did capture you," he smirked. "At least my idiot brother was able to handle that assignment!"
"Look, whaddya want with us?!" Joey demanded.
"Me?" Khu shrugged. "I don't want anything with you. You all are nothing to me. Seth's associate wanted you . . . for revenge, I believe. You know, I'm actually not after power, as my brother Seth is. In spite of the legends circling around about me, the only thing I ever wanted was to dethrone the Pharaoh."
"But what the heck for?!" Joey yelled, ignoring the revelation that Seth and Khu were brothers.
Khu opened the back door of the taxi and let Seto and Tea tumble out. "That . . . is something you may learn later," he replied, turning to go.
"Joey!" Tea exclaimed as she looked up, frazzled. "And Tristan and Mai!! How did you all get here?!"
"Never mind that," Mai replied. "Why on earth are you riding around in a taxi driven by that madman?!"
Seto grunted and stood up as well. "That's not important," he said grouchily. "What's important is finding out what these people are after."
"Hey," Tea exclaimed, "I just realized! That guy who kidnapped us—he's the one who caught me when I was losing my balance during the earthquake!"
Joey blinked. "Eh? What'd he do that for?" he asked, scratching his head.
"Don't look at me," Tea replied, throwing her hands up in confusion. "Maybe he just didn't want me knocking him over."
"His name is Khu," Seto muttered.
"What kinda weird name is that?!" Joey exclaimed, trying several times to pronounce it properly and failing.
"It's Egyptian," Mai said dryly.
"I *know* that!!" Joey yelled crossly.
A frighteningly familiar laugh echoed throughout the room. "Now, now, darlings. No need to get so angry all over a little name."
Everyone whirled as Vivalene suddenly appeared, cackling on a balcony high above them.
"What the . . ." Seto's eyes narrowed. "You were just arrested!!"
Vivalene smirked at him. "I told you I had ways of getting free." She tossed a small object into the air and then caught it again. "The power of invisibility in the palm of my hand. Now you see me . . ." She closed her fist around it tightly and suddenly was gone from view. ". . . Now you don't!" Triumphantly she reappeared standing next to Seto, who looked at her with repulsion.
"What is that thing?!" Joey demanded.
"It's a talisman, darling," Vivalene told him. "It endows me with magic powers."
"Yeah?" Tristan narrowed his eyes. "Well, I have the feeling that you're not even supposed to be using it!"
"Oh, darling, really! You're so suspicious," Vivalene cooed. "Of course I'm supposed to use it! I'm supposed to use whatever means necessary to get out of my predicaments."
"Well, maybe you'd care to explain to all of us what your plan is!" Tea cried, stepping forward.
"Maybe," Vivalene agreed, "or maybe not." She turned slightly.
"You told me that we had something you needed," Seto reminded her.
"Oh, that's right, darling," Vivalene smiled creepily. "Your lives. See, as long as you're all still roaming about, I'll never have what I desire."
"So you're gonna kill us all?!" Joey said angrily, narrowing his eyes.
"That's right, Joseph." Vivalene stroked his cheek and he pulled away in disgust. "Of course from the Millennium Item holders I want something more."
"So you're after the Items too?" Tristan crossed his arms. "I should've guessed."
"Oh, not just the Items, darling." Vivalene squeezed the talisman again and vanished from sight, tho they could still hear her voice. "I want all the things of power that I can get."
"You and Seth are a good match, then," Mai remarked.
Vivalene materialized up on the balcony, a thoughtful smirk twisting her features. "Yes," she mused, "we are, aren't we. Well, enjoy yourselves, darlings. I'm sure that your friends will all be along soon."
"We have to warn them!!" Tea cried, reaching for her cell phone. To her shock, she found it was gone.
Vivalene held it up triumphantly. "Being invisible really does have its many advantages," she sneered as she disappeared through a door.
"Oh man, this just keeps getting better and better," Joey said in vexation.
****
As Marik continued to cradle Rishid's still body, he desperately tried again to stop the bleeding, all the while weeping over the man's sacrifice. "All you wanted was to bring those confounded thugs to justice," he whispered. Silence answered him and Marik wondered what on earth he would do. He couldn't lift Rishid all by himself.
"Marik?"
The boy looked up once more and was relieved to see that instead of the evil double returning, Mako Tsunami was standing there in concern.
"What has happened, my friend?" Mako asked kindly, kneeling down next to them.
"Rishid was hurt because he was looking for the thugs who beat me up earlier today," Marik replied, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I . . . I'm afraid he may be almost dead!" The boy shook his head sadly. "He is too heavy for me to lift. I'm afraid I'm going to hurt him worse!"
Carefully Mako checked Rishid's pulse and then his wounds. "Come, Marik," he said gently. "I will help you get him to a hospital. We can still save his life if we hurry."
"Thank you," Marik whispered gratefully as he and Mako each took one of Rishid's arms and carefully lifted him up. "This is the second time you have been around when I desperately needed your help. I am forever in your debt."
****
"Ishizu?"
The Egyptian woman turned to see Mokuba looking up at her worriedly. "Yes?" she asked compassionately, seeing the worried look in the young boy's wide blue-gray eyes.
Mokuba ran to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Ishizu, what if my brother isn't okay? And . . ." He trailed off, not wanting to worry her about the welfare of Marik and Rishid as well.
Ishizu held Mokuba comfortingly and ran her hands through his long black hair. "It will be alright, little Mokuba," she whispered. "Your brother will be fine. And so will Marik and Rishid."
Mokuba smiled weakly. "You really think so?"
"Of course," Ishizu replied, though inwardly she did fear for Rishid's life. She, too, had sensed that he had been gravely injured and might be at death's door.
"Ah," a new, strange voice purred, "a Millennium Item holder. I should like to possess your Item for myself."
Both Ishizu and Mokuba looked up, startled, as a man emerged from a wall.
"What is your business here?" Ishizu demanded.
"Did I not make myself clear?" The eerie man smiled nastily and held out a hand possessed of long and broken fingernails. "I want your Millennium Tauk, good woman."
"You shall not have it!" Ishizu cried indignantly, trying to back up.
Without warning, she and Mokuba were both sent flying backward into the wall. Both of them watched in disbelief and alarm as the actual plaster became gooey and soft just long enough to wrap itself around their limbs and waists before hardening again.
"What are you doing?!" Mokuba screamed, struggling wildly.
"Preparing to take the Millennium Tauk," the weird man declared, stepping forward and reaching for the golden necklace Ishizu was wearing. Ishizu, not knowing what else to do under the circumstances, lashed out and bit the man's hand harshly. With a cry of pain, he drew back and growled angrily.
"Get him, Ishizu!!" Mokuba grinned.
"You will suffer for that," the wizard—for that was surely what he was—yelled loudly, raising the sceptre he held in his other hand.
Just as he was about to most certainly blast them both into a painful oblivion, a stern man suddenly appeared at the door and intercepted the blow with a weapon of his own.
"What?!" the wizard exclaimed in disbelief. "My spell . . ."
". . . was just brought to a halt." The new arrival stared at him stonily. "Daolon Wong, you have been using your mastery of dark arts to create destruction and mayhem for many years."
Daolon narrowed his eyes and glared at this new threat. "How do you know my name?!" he demanded.
"I know of many things," the stranger replied from where he was still hidden in the shadows. "Not the least of which is that you have now failed in your latest quest."
"Bah!" Daolon growled. "Just wait and see, mysterious warrior!" With that he disappeared as suddenly and strangely as he had come.
****
"Aiiiyaaa!!!!" Uncle screamed as his locator began to glow brightly. "Daolon Wong and his evil forces are near!"
"Really?!" Yugi cried, his violet eyes wide. "Where are they?!"
Uncle paused as he studied the locator seriously. At last he said, "They are just to the right, most likely in that old, boarded-up warehouse."
That was when Jackie's cell phone rang. "Hello?" he said curiously, wondering who was calling and hoping that it wasn't Tohru saying that Jade had escaped again.
"Jackie?" a familiar voice asked.
Jackie blinked. "Oh! Captain Black!" he exclaimed. "Is . . . anything wrong?" he asked worriedly.
"Jackie, Jade hasn't been into the vault again, has she?" Captain Black asked seriously.
"Why, no, she hasn't!" Jackie answered in surprise. "At least . . . not to my knowledge. . . . Why do you ask?"
"Jackie, we have a big problem." Captain Black paused before finally blurting out, "All the Talismans are missing!!"
Jackie nearly dropped the phone. "WHAT?!?!?!?!" he screamed, his eyes bugging out.
Yugi, his Yami, Bakura, Yami Bakura, and Uncle all turned to stare. "Aiiyaa!! Jackie!! You want entire neighborhood to know we are here?!" Uncle exclaimed grouchily.
"Uncle, the Talismans are missing!" Jackie replied, placing his hand over the phone.
"AIIIIIIIIYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" Uncle's ensuing scream of horror echoed loudly off every building and tree.
****
Joey blinked. "Did you guys just hear something?!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah," Mai said, then paused. "It sounded like some kind of martial arts scream," she realized in surprise.
"Oh man, don't tell me we've gotta deal with ninjas too!!" Tristan growled, narrowing his eyes.
"No," Vivalene purred as she suddenly appeared again, "but you do have to deal with me, darlings." She held up another small device in her hand.
"More invisibility. Big deal," Joey said, snorting loudly.
Vivalene smirked. "Oh, but you're wrong, darling. This one has nothing to do with something as innocent as becoming invisible." She paused as she watched Seth, Khu, and Marik's double and his goons all materialize out of the shadows. "Well, it looks like the gang's all here," she remarked, tossing her hair and winking. "I suppose it's time for the fireworks to begin."
Before anyone could ask what she meant, the skylight broke as Yami Bakura and Bakura crashed through, landing right near to where she was on the balcony.
"You're right about that," the old thief sneered as he stepped closer. "And you will pay for everything you've done to torment this boy." He indicated Bakura, who was standing tall and firm right behind him.
"Oh, you care about him like a big brother," Vivalene observed. "How sweet."
Everyone down below was just staring up at the new arrivals in utter shock and disbelief. "Hey!" Joey cried. "Where'd you guys come from?!"
Yami Bakura ignored him as he stood over Vivalene threateningly.
Suddenly the woman gave a wicked laugh. "Oh, don't take another step, any of you!" she cried. "The talisman I have in my hand holds the power of combustion, and if anyone moves, they go up in smoke!!"
"We must find Daolon Wong and uncover his evil plot!" Uncle replied solemnly.
"But Uncle," Jackie spoke up, "I thought you took his spellcasting powers away!"
"A dark chi wizard such as he finds ways to get them back!" Uncle retorted in a grim, mysterious tone.
At that moment the door burst open and Bakura and his Yami ran in. Yami Yugi looked up, his eyes narrowed.
"Oh!!" Bakura cried in horror when he saw Shadi's dead body on a table in the corner.
Yami Bakura glanced at the deceased man as well, then turned to glare at Yami Yugi. "Where is my Ring?" he demanded. "You must have taken it from him, Pharaoh!"
Angrily Uncle reached out and whacked the old tomb raider with his fingers. "Uncle must have silence!!!!" he yelled, scrutinizing Yami Bakura in a way that reminded Yugi of the expression If looks could kill.
Slowly Yami Yugi pulled the Millennium Ring out from where he had kept it inside his jacket. "Here is the Ring," he said quietly. Yami Bakura snatched it with a growl and placed it around his neck, still fuming about being whapped by Uncle.
Yugi watched everything silently, his violet eyes wide. There had just been too much happening in the last few hours—Uncle's locator spell, Vivalene's reappearance, Shadi's crazed rampage and death . . .
Uncle looked up and spoke, breaking Yugi's train of thought. "The locator spell is ready," he declared. "Now we will find Daolon Wong!"
****
"There's gotta be some way out of here!" Tristan cried, running to every corner of the room in search of an exit.
"Maybe the only way out is to magically poof," Joey retorted.
"Oh, now, come on, Joey," Mai said, rolling her eyes, but she had to admit that she was thinking the same thing.
At that moment there was a maniacal cackle and the entire wall broke in as a taxi crashed through it.
"What the heck?!" Joey burst out.
The smoldering door opened and Khu stepped out, looking a bit dizzy but otherwise quite alright for being the ancient spirit he was. "Ah, so Seth did capture you," he smirked. "At least my idiot brother was able to handle that assignment!"
"Look, whaddya want with us?!" Joey demanded.
"Me?" Khu shrugged. "I don't want anything with you. You all are nothing to me. Seth's associate wanted you . . . for revenge, I believe. You know, I'm actually not after power, as my brother Seth is. In spite of the legends circling around about me, the only thing I ever wanted was to dethrone the Pharaoh."
"But what the heck for?!" Joey yelled, ignoring the revelation that Seth and Khu were brothers.
Khu opened the back door of the taxi and let Seto and Tea tumble out. "That . . . is something you may learn later," he replied, turning to go.
"Joey!" Tea exclaimed as she looked up, frazzled. "And Tristan and Mai!! How did you all get here?!"
"Never mind that," Mai replied. "Why on earth are you riding around in a taxi driven by that madman?!"
Seto grunted and stood up as well. "That's not important," he said grouchily. "What's important is finding out what these people are after."
"Hey," Tea exclaimed, "I just realized! That guy who kidnapped us—he's the one who caught me when I was losing my balance during the earthquake!"
Joey blinked. "Eh? What'd he do that for?" he asked, scratching his head.
"Don't look at me," Tea replied, throwing her hands up in confusion. "Maybe he just didn't want me knocking him over."
"His name is Khu," Seto muttered.
"What kinda weird name is that?!" Joey exclaimed, trying several times to pronounce it properly and failing.
"It's Egyptian," Mai said dryly.
"I *know* that!!" Joey yelled crossly.
A frighteningly familiar laugh echoed throughout the room. "Now, now, darlings. No need to get so angry all over a little name."
Everyone whirled as Vivalene suddenly appeared, cackling on a balcony high above them.
"What the . . ." Seto's eyes narrowed. "You were just arrested!!"
Vivalene smirked at him. "I told you I had ways of getting free." She tossed a small object into the air and then caught it again. "The power of invisibility in the palm of my hand. Now you see me . . ." She closed her fist around it tightly and suddenly was gone from view. ". . . Now you don't!" Triumphantly she reappeared standing next to Seto, who looked at her with repulsion.
"What is that thing?!" Joey demanded.
"It's a talisman, darling," Vivalene told him. "It endows me with magic powers."
"Yeah?" Tristan narrowed his eyes. "Well, I have the feeling that you're not even supposed to be using it!"
"Oh, darling, really! You're so suspicious," Vivalene cooed. "Of course I'm supposed to use it! I'm supposed to use whatever means necessary to get out of my predicaments."
"Well, maybe you'd care to explain to all of us what your plan is!" Tea cried, stepping forward.
"Maybe," Vivalene agreed, "or maybe not." She turned slightly.
"You told me that we had something you needed," Seto reminded her.
"Oh, that's right, darling," Vivalene smiled creepily. "Your lives. See, as long as you're all still roaming about, I'll never have what I desire."
"So you're gonna kill us all?!" Joey said angrily, narrowing his eyes.
"That's right, Joseph." Vivalene stroked his cheek and he pulled away in disgust. "Of course from the Millennium Item holders I want something more."
"So you're after the Items too?" Tristan crossed his arms. "I should've guessed."
"Oh, not just the Items, darling." Vivalene squeezed the talisman again and vanished from sight, tho they could still hear her voice. "I want all the things of power that I can get."
"You and Seth are a good match, then," Mai remarked.
Vivalene materialized up on the balcony, a thoughtful smirk twisting her features. "Yes," she mused, "we are, aren't we. Well, enjoy yourselves, darlings. I'm sure that your friends will all be along soon."
"We have to warn them!!" Tea cried, reaching for her cell phone. To her shock, she found it was gone.
Vivalene held it up triumphantly. "Being invisible really does have its many advantages," she sneered as she disappeared through a door.
"Oh man, this just keeps getting better and better," Joey said in vexation.
****
As Marik continued to cradle Rishid's still body, he desperately tried again to stop the bleeding, all the while weeping over the man's sacrifice. "All you wanted was to bring those confounded thugs to justice," he whispered. Silence answered him and Marik wondered what on earth he would do. He couldn't lift Rishid all by himself.
"Marik?"
The boy looked up once more and was relieved to see that instead of the evil double returning, Mako Tsunami was standing there in concern.
"What has happened, my friend?" Mako asked kindly, kneeling down next to them.
"Rishid was hurt because he was looking for the thugs who beat me up earlier today," Marik replied, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I . . . I'm afraid he may be almost dead!" The boy shook his head sadly. "He is too heavy for me to lift. I'm afraid I'm going to hurt him worse!"
Carefully Mako checked Rishid's pulse and then his wounds. "Come, Marik," he said gently. "I will help you get him to a hospital. We can still save his life if we hurry."
"Thank you," Marik whispered gratefully as he and Mako each took one of Rishid's arms and carefully lifted him up. "This is the second time you have been around when I desperately needed your help. I am forever in your debt."
****
"Ishizu?"
The Egyptian woman turned to see Mokuba looking up at her worriedly. "Yes?" she asked compassionately, seeing the worried look in the young boy's wide blue-gray eyes.
Mokuba ran to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Ishizu, what if my brother isn't okay? And . . ." He trailed off, not wanting to worry her about the welfare of Marik and Rishid as well.
Ishizu held Mokuba comfortingly and ran her hands through his long black hair. "It will be alright, little Mokuba," she whispered. "Your brother will be fine. And so will Marik and Rishid."
Mokuba smiled weakly. "You really think so?"
"Of course," Ishizu replied, though inwardly she did fear for Rishid's life. She, too, had sensed that he had been gravely injured and might be at death's door.
"Ah," a new, strange voice purred, "a Millennium Item holder. I should like to possess your Item for myself."
Both Ishizu and Mokuba looked up, startled, as a man emerged from a wall.
"What is your business here?" Ishizu demanded.
"Did I not make myself clear?" The eerie man smiled nastily and held out a hand possessed of long and broken fingernails. "I want your Millennium Tauk, good woman."
"You shall not have it!" Ishizu cried indignantly, trying to back up.
Without warning, she and Mokuba were both sent flying backward into the wall. Both of them watched in disbelief and alarm as the actual plaster became gooey and soft just long enough to wrap itself around their limbs and waists before hardening again.
"What are you doing?!" Mokuba screamed, struggling wildly.
"Preparing to take the Millennium Tauk," the weird man declared, stepping forward and reaching for the golden necklace Ishizu was wearing. Ishizu, not knowing what else to do under the circumstances, lashed out and bit the man's hand harshly. With a cry of pain, he drew back and growled angrily.
"Get him, Ishizu!!" Mokuba grinned.
"You will suffer for that," the wizard—for that was surely what he was—yelled loudly, raising the sceptre he held in his other hand.
Just as he was about to most certainly blast them both into a painful oblivion, a stern man suddenly appeared at the door and intercepted the blow with a weapon of his own.
"What?!" the wizard exclaimed in disbelief. "My spell . . ."
". . . was just brought to a halt." The new arrival stared at him stonily. "Daolon Wong, you have been using your mastery of dark arts to create destruction and mayhem for many years."
Daolon narrowed his eyes and glared at this new threat. "How do you know my name?!" he demanded.
"I know of many things," the stranger replied from where he was still hidden in the shadows. "Not the least of which is that you have now failed in your latest quest."
"Bah!" Daolon growled. "Just wait and see, mysterious warrior!" With that he disappeared as suddenly and strangely as he had come.
****
"Aiiiyaaa!!!!" Uncle screamed as his locator began to glow brightly. "Daolon Wong and his evil forces are near!"
"Really?!" Yugi cried, his violet eyes wide. "Where are they?!"
Uncle paused as he studied the locator seriously. At last he said, "They are just to the right, most likely in that old, boarded-up warehouse."
That was when Jackie's cell phone rang. "Hello?" he said curiously, wondering who was calling and hoping that it wasn't Tohru saying that Jade had escaped again.
"Jackie?" a familiar voice asked.
Jackie blinked. "Oh! Captain Black!" he exclaimed. "Is . . . anything wrong?" he asked worriedly.
"Jackie, Jade hasn't been into the vault again, has she?" Captain Black asked seriously.
"Why, no, she hasn't!" Jackie answered in surprise. "At least . . . not to my knowledge. . . . Why do you ask?"
"Jackie, we have a big problem." Captain Black paused before finally blurting out, "All the Talismans are missing!!"
Jackie nearly dropped the phone. "WHAT?!?!?!?!" he screamed, his eyes bugging out.
Yugi, his Yami, Bakura, Yami Bakura, and Uncle all turned to stare. "Aiiyaa!! Jackie!! You want entire neighborhood to know we are here?!" Uncle exclaimed grouchily.
"Uncle, the Talismans are missing!" Jackie replied, placing his hand over the phone.
"AIIIIIIIIYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" Uncle's ensuing scream of horror echoed loudly off every building and tree.
****
Joey blinked. "Did you guys just hear something?!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah," Mai said, then paused. "It sounded like some kind of martial arts scream," she realized in surprise.
"Oh man, don't tell me we've gotta deal with ninjas too!!" Tristan growled, narrowing his eyes.
"No," Vivalene purred as she suddenly appeared again, "but you do have to deal with me, darlings." She held up another small device in her hand.
"More invisibility. Big deal," Joey said, snorting loudly.
Vivalene smirked. "Oh, but you're wrong, darling. This one has nothing to do with something as innocent as becoming invisible." She paused as she watched Seth, Khu, and Marik's double and his goons all materialize out of the shadows. "Well, it looks like the gang's all here," she remarked, tossing her hair and winking. "I suppose it's time for the fireworks to begin."
Before anyone could ask what she meant, the skylight broke as Yami Bakura and Bakura crashed through, landing right near to where she was on the balcony.
"You're right about that," the old thief sneered as he stepped closer. "And you will pay for everything you've done to torment this boy." He indicated Bakura, who was standing tall and firm right behind him.
"Oh, you care about him like a big brother," Vivalene observed. "How sweet."
Everyone down below was just staring up at the new arrivals in utter shock and disbelief. "Hey!" Joey cried. "Where'd you guys come from?!"
Yami Bakura ignored him as he stood over Vivalene threateningly.
Suddenly the woman gave a wicked laugh. "Oh, don't take another step, any of you!" she cried. "The talisman I have in my hand holds the power of combustion, and if anyone moves, they go up in smoke!!"