Tristan let out a gasp as he was forcefully thrown from the portal and into a desk. "Oh man," he muttered. "Hey, is everyone okay?!"
"That was quite a ride," the elderly woman remarked.
Alyson was completely pale, her eyes wide. She was grabbing onto Shadi's arm tightly and shaking with fright.
Shadi was laying dazed on the floor. He didn't move at first, but then he slowly pulled himself up and looked around. "We escaped the grenade, but we are not out of danger yet. Indeed, I fear we are walking into even more peril," he announced gravely.
"Oh great," Tristan muttered.
****
Joey finally broke through the door and looked around triumphantly. "Alright! Freedom!" He grinned widely. "Let's go find out what's goin' on!"
"Wait, Joey!" Yami Yugi cried in vain as the Brooklyn boy ran off.
"There he goes again," Téa sighed.
"Will you be alright here?" Yami Yugi asked of Ishizu and Rishid. "Someone should go after him."
"We will be fine," Ishizu replied, cradling her younger brother gently.
Yami Yugi nodded slowly and turned away.
"I'm coming with you," Téa said firmly.
"Very well then," Yami Yugi said, disappearing out the door with Téa in tow. This left the Ishtars alone in the room.
Rishid held Marik's hand again as the boy frantically grabbed for both him and Ishizu. Thoughts and memories tumbled through his mind as Marik snuggled closer.
"It's been such a long day," Ishizu whispered, stroking Marik's hair. Tears filled her eyes. "When will it end?" she said in despair.
Marik gave a soft moan and mumbled something in Egyptian.
"It's alright, my brother," Ishizu said softly. Suddenly she let out a gasp and stared ahead, her Millennium Tauk glowing brightly.
"What is it?" Rishid asked in concern.
"Evil," Ishizu replied grimly, holding Marik closer. "Something—or someone—wicked is approaching."
Marik's eyes fluttered open. "Sister?" he rasped.
Ishizu squeezed his hand. "I am here, Marik," she said comfortingly.
"Are you hurt badly, Master?" Rishid looked at his younger brother, relieved to see him awake after his sudden collapse.
Marik smiled weakly. "No, I am alright. But Rishid, you and Ishizu are in danger!" he cried, struggling to sit up straight.
"Master Marik, please! You must rest," Rishid said worriedly, trying to gently push him down. "We will be safe. Do not worry."
Marik shook his head. "I had another vision," he said frantically, clutching at both Rishid's and Ishizu's wrists. "This ranch was built over an old burial ground, and the spirits of those buried here are not pleased. They want to topple the ranch at all costs, and now they are coming after the both of you!"
Ishizu's Millennium Tauk glowed again. The Egyptian woman touched it carefully, her eyes narrowing. "You are correct, brother," she announced gravely. "These spirits even summoned the lightning you were struck down with." A furious expression came over her face as she said this.
"Have these . . . spirits been the ones behind everything here?" Rishid wanted to know, also outraged.
Marik paused, trying to recall everything he'd seen. "I . . . I don't think so," he admitted. "There are others at work here as well."
Several dark-robed figures suddenly slid through the walls from all sides, apparently trying to trap the Ishtars in the room.
Ishizu glared at them, instantly deciphering what they must be. "We did nothing to you," she said in a dangerous, low tone. "We did nothing and yet you have tormented us all, trying to kill us, and even harming my brothers."
The spectre in the lead hissed at her and moved forward as if to attack.
Instantly Marik struggled to stand up and got in between them. "Touch her and you'll be begging for the fires of the underworld, which is the only place you belong!" he snarled.
"Master Marik, please be careful," Rishid said worriedly.
The apparition reached out with a clawed hand and took a swipe at him. Rishid narrowed his eyes and stepped out of the way. Deep slash marks appeared in the couch.
Marik clenched his fists furiously. "We would leave this blasted place if we could!" he growled at the ghouls.
"It is not our fault that this ranch was built on your graves," Ishizu said quietly, trying to calm herself down. "You have no right to do what you are doing."
Another apparition lunged, clawing her on her arm. Ishizu let out a gasp and clutched at her wound as blood dripped from it.
"Sister!!" Marik screamed, turning to look up at the ghost as it and its colleagues began to melt back into the shadows. "Go on and run!!" he yelled, pressing a handkerchief against the slashes in his sister's arm. "Attack innocents and then run like the cowards you are!!"
Ishizu looked up at him and smiled weakly. "I am alright, Marik," she said, wincing as she said it.
"You're hurt!" Marik replied, his eyes shining with worry.
Rishid hastened over as well, examining the wound. "I believe it's not as bad as it looks," he said at last, helping Marik tie the handkerchief on as a temporary bandage.
Marik nodded shakily and continued to look at his sister with concern.
Ishizu found herself leaning against him and Rishid slightly. "I . . . I feel so weak," she murmured, placing a hand to her forehead.
"Sister?" Marik gave her such a frightened look that it pained her more than the wound did.
"Do not fear, my dear brother," Ishizu whispered, touching his cheek gently.
Marik smiled shakily and grabbed her hand, holding it close.
****
Mako was wandering down the long corridors, unable to sleep, when he met up with Mai coming from the other direction.
"Did you hear it too?" Mai greeted him.
"The explosion?" Mako nodded. "I did. It sounded extremely close."
"And yet . . ." Mai blinked. "It doesn't seem like anything's on fire."
That was when Tristan, Shadi, and an unknown girl and woman all appeared from a nearby room.
"What's going on around here?" Mai demanded, staring at them.
"We nearly all got creamed!" Tristan replied.
"By a bomb?" Mako asked, instantly alert.
"Actually, yeah." Tristan scratched the back of his neck. "You heard it?"
"Hon, I'm sure the entire state of Nebraska heard it," Mai retorted.
"It went off in the portal," Alyson piped up, looking over at the newcomers from where she had her arms firmly around Shadi's neck. "Someone threw it at us!"
"That's abominable!" Mako cried. "Who did it?"
Shadi looked at him. "Someone very dangerous," he replied, uttering their attacker's name.
"What?!" Mai gasped.
"It can't be!" Mako narrowed his eyes.
"It was," Shadi said tiredly.
"We have to stop them!" Mai declared angrily.
"And we will." Shadi clutched the Ankh. "But first these two need a place to stay where they will be safe."
"Oh, is that right?"
The new voice made everyone look up. Mr. Ivy was standing there, grinning maniacally.
"I'm sorry," he purred, "but I don't think you'll be going anywhere." Slowly he raised a machine gun at them all.
****
Mokuba gasped as he heard all the commotion downstairs. "Seto, something's wrong again!" he exclaimed.
Seto grunted. "Then that's all the more reason for you to stay in here, kid," he replied, moving over to the door cautiously.
"Someone might be hurt again!" Mokuba insisted. "Maybe even Marik! I've gotta go find out!!"
Seto turned to look at him. "Ishizu said she'd tell you if Marik woke up," he said, not wanting Mokuba to go out into the unknown dangers beyond their door.
"But maybe something happened and she wasn't able to!" Mokuba retorted, which, of course, was exactly what had happened.
"Mokuba, I don't want you to go out there," Seto said firmly.
The little boy looked up at him with bright, shining blue-gray eyes. "Seto, I have to," he said softly. "Don't you understand, big brother? Someone else might be in trouble and I have to know."
Seto clenched his fists and looked away. "You're a better person than I am, Mokuba," he murmured under his breath.
"That's not true, big brother," Mokuba said, shaking his head, "but please . . . you've gotta let me go. Please!!" He grabbed Seto's hand and continued to gaze up at him unwaveringly.
At last Seto heaved a sigh and slowly opened the door. "Of course," he said quietly. "Of course you can go, kid."
Mokuba beamed at him. "You're the best, Seto!" he declared, hurrying off.
Seto shook his head and then chased after him. "Mokuba! Wait for me!" he yelled.
****
It wasn't long before Joey was into a predicament of his own.
"Hey . . . what gives?" he cried aloud as the lights all abruptly went off in the room he was in.
Without warning a thumping sound came from a nearby closet and the Brooklyn boy perked up, his senses sharply alert. Cautiously he grabbed a nearby vase as a weapon and advanced on the closet, suddenly throwing the door open and preparing to drop the vase.
"Watch it!!" Rex yelled, ducking just as the vase shattered to the floor. "What are you tryin' to do, force me into a coma from head trauma?!"
Joey blinked at him in the darkness. "Raptor?! What the heck are you doin' in there?!"
"Someone shoved me in and locked the door!" Rex growled, narrowing his eyes.
A low creaking sound came from the other side of the room.
"Yeah?" Joey tensed. "And it sounds like they're still here!"
****
"You again!" Mai cried angrily, glaring daggers at Mr. Ivy.
"What are you doing with the gun?!" Tristan demanded. "Put it down before someone gets hurt!"
Mr. Ivy only grinned. "Oh, someone's going to get hurt, alright," he said.
"Stop!" The elderly woman yelled in rage.
Mr. Ivy looked at her and blinked. "You wanna be first?" he sneered.
Shadi set Alyson down and stepped forward, the Ankh held tightly in his hand. "No one will be first," he said stonily.
"Ah, the legendary protector," Mr. Ivy said sarcastically. "I've heard so much about you through the years. Let's see just how good of a fighter you really are." Without giving Shadi any time to defend himself, the wicked man fired off a round of machine gun bullets, catching Shadi right in the side.
Alyson let out a scream as the Egyptian doubled over in pain.
"Not so tough, are you?" Mr. Ivy grunted. "I was expecting a real fight, but it seems like I'm going to be disappointed."
Shadi narrowed his eyes and straightened up, ignoring the blood pouring from his wounds. "And you shall have it," he said stonily, redirecting the next burst of gunfire with his Ankh and sending it back at his assailant.
Mr. Ivy cried out as it struck him right in the shoulder, but then his face twisted into an evil grin. "Maybe I won't be disappointed yet," he remarked. "Ours will be a duel to the very death. Winner takes the spoils." He gestured to those gathered around.
Shadi remained expressionless. "Very well then," he said, half-turning. "You have chosen."
"That was quite a ride," the elderly woman remarked.
Alyson was completely pale, her eyes wide. She was grabbing onto Shadi's arm tightly and shaking with fright.
Shadi was laying dazed on the floor. He didn't move at first, but then he slowly pulled himself up and looked around. "We escaped the grenade, but we are not out of danger yet. Indeed, I fear we are walking into even more peril," he announced gravely.
"Oh great," Tristan muttered.
****
Joey finally broke through the door and looked around triumphantly. "Alright! Freedom!" He grinned widely. "Let's go find out what's goin' on!"
"Wait, Joey!" Yami Yugi cried in vain as the Brooklyn boy ran off.
"There he goes again," Téa sighed.
"Will you be alright here?" Yami Yugi asked of Ishizu and Rishid. "Someone should go after him."
"We will be fine," Ishizu replied, cradling her younger brother gently.
Yami Yugi nodded slowly and turned away.
"I'm coming with you," Téa said firmly.
"Very well then," Yami Yugi said, disappearing out the door with Téa in tow. This left the Ishtars alone in the room.
Rishid held Marik's hand again as the boy frantically grabbed for both him and Ishizu. Thoughts and memories tumbled through his mind as Marik snuggled closer.
"It's been such a long day," Ishizu whispered, stroking Marik's hair. Tears filled her eyes. "When will it end?" she said in despair.
Marik gave a soft moan and mumbled something in Egyptian.
"It's alright, my brother," Ishizu said softly. Suddenly she let out a gasp and stared ahead, her Millennium Tauk glowing brightly.
"What is it?" Rishid asked in concern.
"Evil," Ishizu replied grimly, holding Marik closer. "Something—or someone—wicked is approaching."
Marik's eyes fluttered open. "Sister?" he rasped.
Ishizu squeezed his hand. "I am here, Marik," she said comfortingly.
"Are you hurt badly, Master?" Rishid looked at his younger brother, relieved to see him awake after his sudden collapse.
Marik smiled weakly. "No, I am alright. But Rishid, you and Ishizu are in danger!" he cried, struggling to sit up straight.
"Master Marik, please! You must rest," Rishid said worriedly, trying to gently push him down. "We will be safe. Do not worry."
Marik shook his head. "I had another vision," he said frantically, clutching at both Rishid's and Ishizu's wrists. "This ranch was built over an old burial ground, and the spirits of those buried here are not pleased. They want to topple the ranch at all costs, and now they are coming after the both of you!"
Ishizu's Millennium Tauk glowed again. The Egyptian woman touched it carefully, her eyes narrowing. "You are correct, brother," she announced gravely. "These spirits even summoned the lightning you were struck down with." A furious expression came over her face as she said this.
"Have these . . . spirits been the ones behind everything here?" Rishid wanted to know, also outraged.
Marik paused, trying to recall everything he'd seen. "I . . . I don't think so," he admitted. "There are others at work here as well."
Several dark-robed figures suddenly slid through the walls from all sides, apparently trying to trap the Ishtars in the room.
Ishizu glared at them, instantly deciphering what they must be. "We did nothing to you," she said in a dangerous, low tone. "We did nothing and yet you have tormented us all, trying to kill us, and even harming my brothers."
The spectre in the lead hissed at her and moved forward as if to attack.
Instantly Marik struggled to stand up and got in between them. "Touch her and you'll be begging for the fires of the underworld, which is the only place you belong!" he snarled.
"Master Marik, please be careful," Rishid said worriedly.
The apparition reached out with a clawed hand and took a swipe at him. Rishid narrowed his eyes and stepped out of the way. Deep slash marks appeared in the couch.
Marik clenched his fists furiously. "We would leave this blasted place if we could!" he growled at the ghouls.
"It is not our fault that this ranch was built on your graves," Ishizu said quietly, trying to calm herself down. "You have no right to do what you are doing."
Another apparition lunged, clawing her on her arm. Ishizu let out a gasp and clutched at her wound as blood dripped from it.
"Sister!!" Marik screamed, turning to look up at the ghost as it and its colleagues began to melt back into the shadows. "Go on and run!!" he yelled, pressing a handkerchief against the slashes in his sister's arm. "Attack innocents and then run like the cowards you are!!"
Ishizu looked up at him and smiled weakly. "I am alright, Marik," she said, wincing as she said it.
"You're hurt!" Marik replied, his eyes shining with worry.
Rishid hastened over as well, examining the wound. "I believe it's not as bad as it looks," he said at last, helping Marik tie the handkerchief on as a temporary bandage.
Marik nodded shakily and continued to look at his sister with concern.
Ishizu found herself leaning against him and Rishid slightly. "I . . . I feel so weak," she murmured, placing a hand to her forehead.
"Sister?" Marik gave her such a frightened look that it pained her more than the wound did.
"Do not fear, my dear brother," Ishizu whispered, touching his cheek gently.
Marik smiled shakily and grabbed her hand, holding it close.
****
Mako was wandering down the long corridors, unable to sleep, when he met up with Mai coming from the other direction.
"Did you hear it too?" Mai greeted him.
"The explosion?" Mako nodded. "I did. It sounded extremely close."
"And yet . . ." Mai blinked. "It doesn't seem like anything's on fire."
That was when Tristan, Shadi, and an unknown girl and woman all appeared from a nearby room.
"What's going on around here?" Mai demanded, staring at them.
"We nearly all got creamed!" Tristan replied.
"By a bomb?" Mako asked, instantly alert.
"Actually, yeah." Tristan scratched the back of his neck. "You heard it?"
"Hon, I'm sure the entire state of Nebraska heard it," Mai retorted.
"It went off in the portal," Alyson piped up, looking over at the newcomers from where she had her arms firmly around Shadi's neck. "Someone threw it at us!"
"That's abominable!" Mako cried. "Who did it?"
Shadi looked at him. "Someone very dangerous," he replied, uttering their attacker's name.
"What?!" Mai gasped.
"It can't be!" Mako narrowed his eyes.
"It was," Shadi said tiredly.
"We have to stop them!" Mai declared angrily.
"And we will." Shadi clutched the Ankh. "But first these two need a place to stay where they will be safe."
"Oh, is that right?"
The new voice made everyone look up. Mr. Ivy was standing there, grinning maniacally.
"I'm sorry," he purred, "but I don't think you'll be going anywhere." Slowly he raised a machine gun at them all.
****
Mokuba gasped as he heard all the commotion downstairs. "Seto, something's wrong again!" he exclaimed.
Seto grunted. "Then that's all the more reason for you to stay in here, kid," he replied, moving over to the door cautiously.
"Someone might be hurt again!" Mokuba insisted. "Maybe even Marik! I've gotta go find out!!"
Seto turned to look at him. "Ishizu said she'd tell you if Marik woke up," he said, not wanting Mokuba to go out into the unknown dangers beyond their door.
"But maybe something happened and she wasn't able to!" Mokuba retorted, which, of course, was exactly what had happened.
"Mokuba, I don't want you to go out there," Seto said firmly.
The little boy looked up at him with bright, shining blue-gray eyes. "Seto, I have to," he said softly. "Don't you understand, big brother? Someone else might be in trouble and I have to know."
Seto clenched his fists and looked away. "You're a better person than I am, Mokuba," he murmured under his breath.
"That's not true, big brother," Mokuba said, shaking his head, "but please . . . you've gotta let me go. Please!!" He grabbed Seto's hand and continued to gaze up at him unwaveringly.
At last Seto heaved a sigh and slowly opened the door. "Of course," he said quietly. "Of course you can go, kid."
Mokuba beamed at him. "You're the best, Seto!" he declared, hurrying off.
Seto shook his head and then chased after him. "Mokuba! Wait for me!" he yelled.
****
It wasn't long before Joey was into a predicament of his own.
"Hey . . . what gives?" he cried aloud as the lights all abruptly went off in the room he was in.
Without warning a thumping sound came from a nearby closet and the Brooklyn boy perked up, his senses sharply alert. Cautiously he grabbed a nearby vase as a weapon and advanced on the closet, suddenly throwing the door open and preparing to drop the vase.
"Watch it!!" Rex yelled, ducking just as the vase shattered to the floor. "What are you tryin' to do, force me into a coma from head trauma?!"
Joey blinked at him in the darkness. "Raptor?! What the heck are you doin' in there?!"
"Someone shoved me in and locked the door!" Rex growled, narrowing his eyes.
A low creaking sound came from the other side of the room.
"Yeah?" Joey tensed. "And it sounds like they're still here!"
****
"You again!" Mai cried angrily, glaring daggers at Mr. Ivy.
"What are you doing with the gun?!" Tristan demanded. "Put it down before someone gets hurt!"
Mr. Ivy only grinned. "Oh, someone's going to get hurt, alright," he said.
"Stop!" The elderly woman yelled in rage.
Mr. Ivy looked at her and blinked. "You wanna be first?" he sneered.
Shadi set Alyson down and stepped forward, the Ankh held tightly in his hand. "No one will be first," he said stonily.
"Ah, the legendary protector," Mr. Ivy said sarcastically. "I've heard so much about you through the years. Let's see just how good of a fighter you really are." Without giving Shadi any time to defend himself, the wicked man fired off a round of machine gun bullets, catching Shadi right in the side.
Alyson let out a scream as the Egyptian doubled over in pain.
"Not so tough, are you?" Mr. Ivy grunted. "I was expecting a real fight, but it seems like I'm going to be disappointed."
Shadi narrowed his eyes and straightened up, ignoring the blood pouring from his wounds. "And you shall have it," he said stonily, redirecting the next burst of gunfire with his Ankh and sending it back at his assailant.
Mr. Ivy cried out as it struck him right in the shoulder, but then his face twisted into an evil grin. "Maybe I won't be disappointed yet," he remarked. "Ours will be a duel to the very death. Winner takes the spoils." He gestured to those gathered around.
Shadi remained expressionless. "Very well then," he said, half-turning. "You have chosen."