Chapter 2:  The Bus Ride From Hell

"Yugi!"

A young teenage boy of abnormal height spun around at the sound of his name. He smiled when he saw his childhood friend and former crush running up to him. 

She stopped and leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees.  "What's the rush?" Téa Gardner asked, placing a hand on her chest, trying to regain her air.  For a little guy, he sure is fast!  She thought.

Yugi blushed as he ran his fingers through his spiky tri-colored hair. "Sorry, Téa! But if we don't hurry, we'll be late! I kind of slept in" He chuckled.

Téa blinked. "You mean The King of Games is running late? What is the world coming too?" She spoke dramatically, raising her hands for emphasis.

Yugi chuckled and reached over for her hand.  Gripping it tightly he started tugging her along side him. "Come on, Téa!" He urged, running toward the bus stop.  Despite his height, he was practically dragging Téa.

"Ok, ok!" She yelped.

***

Three boys stood alone at the bus stop.

Joey Wheeler flailed his arms about in frustration.  "Oh, man! What's taking Yugi and Téa so long to get here? The bus is leaving in ten minutes!" He crossed his arms and pouted.

"Calm down, Joey!" Bakura said, calmly.

"If I know Yugi, he'll make it here just in time!" Tristan Taylor assured him.

Joey sighed and dropped his hands to his sides. "I hope you're right, guys …" 

"Well, well, if it isn't Joseph!"  A high-pitched voice laughed.

Joey frowned as he turned around and came face to face with Mai Valentine. "Mai! What the heck are you doing here?"

Mai chuckled. "Just because a gal like me likes to duel, doesn't mean she can't have fun and unwind every now and then!" She raked her fingers through her long ash blonde hair.

Joey sighed, slumping forward. "And just what are you planning to do for fun anyways? Make my life miserable?" He frowned.

Mai's eyes began to sparkle like diamonds as she clasped her hands together. "Why to shop till I drop of course! What's more relaxing then spending about twelve hours trying on different clothes and accessories?"

All the boys fell over at her comment.

"Hey, guys!"

Joey picked himself up quickly. "Yugi! Hey man!  I thought you'd never come!" He stood up, dusting his clothes off.

"You know me, Joey! I always make it, even though this is cutting it a little close..." He laughed, rubbing the back of his head. His violet eyes trailed over to Mai and he smiled. "Hey, Mai! I didn't know you were coming too! Did Joey invite you or something?"

Joey turned as red as a tomato. "WHAT?" He shouted in embarrassment.

Mai smiled and put her hands on her hips. "Like he would ever have the nerve to do that!"  She laughed.

Joey growled and lunged at her, but Tristan and Bakura held him back.

Bakura looked up at from the ensuing fight and noticed Yugi was alone. "Where's Téa?"  He asked.

Yugi turned around and pointed toward an ice cream truck. "She's over there. I think she's buying some ice cream or something..."

Joey and Tristan started to drool.

Mai rolled her eyes. "Boys..."

Yugi chuckled.

"Hey, Yugi! I could use a little help here!" Téa cried out, walking over to where everyone stood.

"Whoops! Sorry about that, Téa!" Yugi said, rushing to her side.

"Here, give these to the guys over there." She chucked three cones in front of his face, trying to close the clasp on her purse.

Yugi jumped back, just missing getting splattered with ice cream.  He reached for them, wondering how on earth she was able to hold all three in one hand.  He handed them over to Joey, Tristan and Bakura.  "Ok, are we – Before he could finish his sentence, a cone was placed in front of his face.  He looked up and Téa quizzically.

"Here, Yugi! My treat!" She blushed lightly.

Yugi smiled brightly, accepting the cone. "Thank you, Téa!"

Téa turned away, feeling her face grow hot. Why am I so nervous around him? It's been this way ... since he got that puzzle. She eyed the golden Millennium Item hung around her friend's neck.  Yami … he's so mysterious … so … (sigh) … amazing.

"Uh, Téa?" Yugi asked with a hint of uneasiness in his tone.

"Hmm?"  Téa mumbled, obvious to Yugi's concerned voice.

Yugi chuckled and pointed to her cone. "Your...uh...ice cream is melting..."

Téa's eyes widened as she reached for a napkin and wiped away the sticky substance dripping down her fingers.  "Oh, no!"  She cried, trying to avoid dropping her cone.

Yugi laughed, but regretted it when Téa glared at him.

"So, you think it's funny, huh?" She smiled evilly, holding the dripping cone over his head.  Sticky ice cream slowly started to edge it's way toward his spiky tresses.

"N...No! Not at all!" He stuttered, backing away from the melting ice cream, which narrowly missed his hair.  He placed his hands on top of his head protectively.

Téa giggled and noticed Mai smiling at her and Yugi. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mai! I didn't know you were there! Would you like me to get you something to eat as well?" Téa asked cheerfully, opening her purse once again.

Mai smiled and grabbed Téa's wrist to stop her. "No thanks, hun … that's ok! Besides I need to watch my figure and from the looks of yours … you should do the same too." She winked and started to walk toward the bus. "Later!"

Téa's eyes narrowed, flames forming within her dark pupils. She balled her hand into a tight fist, causing the cone to crack beneath her brute strength. Yugi saw where this was heading and was quick to act. Téa lunged at Mai just as Joey had done earlier. Yugi grabbed her arms, pinning them behind her. He was almost lifted off his feet due to his shortness. Bakura, Joey and Tristan ran to help him.

"Let me at her!!!" She cried out, kicking her feet.

Yugi sweat dropped. "This is going to be a long day…"

***

Hidden in the bushes, a familiar man in a black suit watched the crazy teens antics.  He noticed the bus driver stepping out for a coffee at the shop.  He took this opportunity to sneak on the bus.  He pulled the golden ring out of his pocket and placed it on his finger.  His eyes flashed red momentarily before returning to their amber texture.  "Ok! The bus is leaving now!"  He called out.

***

"Ugh! I can't breathe in here!" Téa complained, as she was squished up against Yugi and Bakura.

Yugi tried to peek out of the crowed, in hopes of finding seats for everyone. He smiled brightly, noticing six empty seats at the back of the bus. "Hey everyone! I see – He suddenly opened his eyes wide as he saw Joey lose his balance and ram right into him.  –Joey!" Yugi cried out, trying to sit up.

Joey laughed nervously. "Sorry, Yugi."

Yugi rubbed his sore head, moaning.  He looked up when he saw a hand come in front of his face.  Trailing upward, he noticed the hand belonged to non-other then Mai.

Mai winked.  "Need a hand, boys?"

Yugi gratefully took her hand.  "Thanks, Mai!'

Joey huffed.  "I don't need any help, I can get up myself!" He started to stand.  "See?  Nothing to – The bus went over a speed bump, sending him backward into Tristan.  The two of them became a tangled mess of limbs.

Everyone sweat-dropped. 

***

"Thank goodness!" Téa exclaimed while stretching. "I don't think my feet could have taken it if I had to stand for even five more minutes!" She brought her knees up to her chest, and massaged her aching feet.  "I wouldn't have worn these platform shoes if I knew we would be standing for so long!"  She sighed.

Joey grinned.  "But, Téa!"  He exclaimed.  "I thought you always wore platform shoes?"  He laughed. 

Téa glared at him.

Everyone but Téa burst out laughing.

Yugi wasn't enjoying himself like the others though. He was too deep in his own thoughts and staring out the window.  I can't help be feel something just doesn't seem right … why is the bus moving so fast? I can't even make out the scenery. Something doesn't feel right. Yugi stood up and started to walk over towards the bus driver.

***

"Almost time…" The suited man mumbled. He began to undo his belt, when light footsteps made him look up nervously. He saw Yugi approaching him. Damn! If he finds me, my cover will be blown! It's now or never… He released the belt, kicked the window open and jumped out. Rolling off to the side, he got up as the dust flew everywhere. "Later suckers! That is, if there is a later!" He looked down at his hand and admired the golden ring. "All mine! I don't care if that jerk wanted that Yugi kid, this is all that matters to me! This ring is all I need! He laughed manically, as his eyes started to glow red. "IT'S ALL MINE!!!"

***

Yugi yelped as he felt himself losing his balance. This bus is going much too fast for safety! Someone should report this driver… He grabbed onto the polls for security as he made his way toward the front of the bus. "Excuse me, sir, I…" His eyes opened wide when he saw that nobody was driving the bus. Oh my god! There's no one here at all! He turned around, looking at his friends smiling and laughing. His face grew more determined. I have to do something…but what? He grabbed the wheel but couldn't turn it due to his minor strength. This bus has been rigged. Someone is trying to kill us! His eyes narrowed in determination. "I wont let that happen!" A light glow emitted from his chest as the millennium puzzle started to shine brightly.

Téa looked up as she heard noise coming from the front of the bus. "Yugi?" She asked aloud. She tried to stand up but Joey held her down.

"Whoa! Where do you think your going? If you didn't notice, this bus is moving pretty fast and there are no seat belts!"

Téa huffed. "Let me go, Joey! Something is happening at the front of the bus and I want to make sure Yugi is ok!" Téa pulled her self lose from Joeys' grip and ran to the front, hanging onto the polls for support. She saw Yami's expression and knew something was wrong. "What happened?" She asked.

Yami looked up at her. "No one is driving this bus…" He stated calmly.

Her eyes widened. "What?" She inched closer to the bus drivers' seat and saw no one was there. "What are we going to do?"

Yami shook his head. "I don't know … but whatever it is … we'll have to do it quickly!"

Téa nodded hesitantly.

Joey came running up suddenly, almost knocking Téa into Yami. "Hey guys! Who's driving this bus? Don't they know that there is no left turns allowed? It's a dead end!"

Yami and Téa looked at each other with wide eyes.

"Guys…?" Joey asked, concerned.

Yami jumped into the bus drivers' seat and tried to put his foot on the breaks. "It won't move!"

Joeys' eyes grew wide. "Oh my god! Where's the bus driver?" He shouted.

Téa glared at him. "Now's not the time to panic, Joey!" She growled.

Yami leaned down, trying to see if he could notice anything stopping the breaks. He looked up and turned the wheel quickly, just narrowly missing a tree. "Joey! I can't take my eyes off the road! Check the breaks and tell me if you see anything strange under them!"

Joey nodded and got down on his knees. He felt around and his hand brushed against something cold. "Something's jammed in there!" He tried to pull it out but it was too tightly tucked in. "Hey, Téa! Give me a hand here!"

Téa nodded. Wrapping her arms around Joeys' waist, she started to pull. "Come on, Joey!"

"Hurry up, guys…" Yami said nervously, eyeing the brick wall that was coming up fast.

"It's coming!" Joey strained. "Pull Téa!"

Téa nodded and pulled back with all of her might.  "Ugh!  Is it loosening, Joey?"

Joey felt a slight movement underneath his hand. "I think so! Here we go!"

With one final tug, it popped out. Joey and Téa flew into the doors of the bus.

"Whoa!" They both cried.

Téa looked down at the metal rod in Joeys' hand and smiled. "We did it!" She shouted.

Joey gave her a thumbs-up. "Ok, Yugi! Now!"

Yami smirked and quickly hit the breaks. "Hang on!" He shouted.

Joey and Téa held onto each other tightly.

"This is it!" Joey cried.

Téa looked up in horror. "Yugi!" She cried out as the bus hit the wall, causing a mild impact.

"I'll get him!" Joey shouted. He reached over and grabbed Yami's arm, pulling him away, just as the bricks smashed through the window in the bus drivers' seat. Glass was flying everywhere. Yami and Joey fell to the floor and shielded themselves from the flying debris. Téa cried out in pain as some of the glass hit her hands, cutting them. The bus came to a crashing halt and everyone went flying forward. Then just as fast as it happened, it all stopped.

Joey looked up. "Is it over?" He asked shakily.

"I think so…" Téa said, trying not to throw up.

"Are you ok?" Yami asked, helping Téa up.

"Yes … just a little … queasy"

Yami kept his gaze on her.

Téa blushed crimson and waved a hand in front of his face.  Gesturing for him to not worry. "I'm fine! Anyways, what just happened?"

Joey stood up, bushing off some of the glass that fell into his hair. "I don't know … but I don't think this was an accident."

Yami nodded.

"Hey! Are you guys ok?" Tristan shouted as he, Bakura and Mai ran towards the others.

"We're fine … I think…" Joey said, rubbing a bump on his head.

Bright orange flickering caused Téa to turn around and face the drivers' seat. She noticed a fire starting. "Guys! I think this bus is going to blow up! We have to get out of here now!"

Everyone agreed.

Yami walked over to the doors and tried to open them. Much to every ones distress, they were jammed shut due to the impact. "I can't open these doors!" He grunted.

Tristan and Joey tried to bash them open but nothing would budge. Téa looked into Yami's eyes, searching them for some kind of reassurance.

He avoided her gaze, unable to tell her the truth to her face. "Téa … we can't get off this bus and it's about to blow…" He said softly.

Téa's eyes grew wide with fear. "Oh no…"

To be continued…