Ok, things are fixed now. I had lost this story on file, now it's back. I'll be able to update it every day now!
Chapter 13:
Unmasked
Seto Kaiba leaned back in his chair, awaiting the duel between Marik Ishtar and Aaron Jackson, to begin. Without even realizing it, he glanced over at Téa Gardner. A sudden flash occurred and he saw a woman looking similar to Téa, looking up at him with sad eyes. He gasped and rubbed his eyes.
Mokuba looked up at him with concern. "Are you ok, Seto?"
Kaiba nodded and rubbed his temples lightly. "I'm fine…just a little dizzy…" He murmured.
Mokuba kept his gaze on his brother, knowing that what he told him was only half true. "Whatever you say…big brother…"
Téa glanced to the side of her, catching Kaiba looking at her. What's he up to now? She shivered involuntarily as past memories began to flood through her mind. "Ah…my head…everything is getting so blurry." Yami sensed Téa's weakening state and tried to reach out to her, but he knew it would be useless. He would just go right through her. "What's happening? Yugi?" She asked, looking helplessly at her smaller friend. Grabbing her head, she collapsed on the floor, blacking out.
Yugi ran to her side and lifted her up. "Téa! What's wrong? Wake up! Téa? Téa!!!"
***
Bright lights filled the air as the festival started. People were dressed in colourful outfits of every kind. It was very magical. Téana stood at the side of a flowing fountain. She was supposed to meet Bel um Fal there. Her hair was up with a veil tied around a hairpiece. It was gold, with rubies aligning it. She wore a pink and blue skirt, with an almost transparent material covering over the top of the skirt. On her arms were gold bands, and a gold necklace strung around her neck. She wore three separate gold rings on her fingers, and gold earrings with rubies embedded in the centre. Bel um Fal had given her the dress as a gift, so she could join the party, seeing as she was not of royalty. What's taking him so long? I feel so silly just standing here, watching royalty of all kind walk by me, thinking me a servant most likely. She began to fuss with her hair, trying to calm her nerves. From the distance, she could make out a man with long purple and gold robes. His brown hair was hidden beneath a large headdress. It was none other then her old friend Seto. Seto…what's happened to you? You've changed so much. It's like I don't even know you anymore… She sighed and turned her back to the crowed. A shadowed figure approached her from behind. He wrapped his arms gently around her, hugging her closely to his chest. His arms were warm and inviting. "I was wondering when you would come." She sighed deeply, leaning back into his touch. He nuzzled her hair gently. Suddenly, she felt soft lips kissing her neck in a very passionate way. She moaned lightly and closed her eyes, taking in the sensation. He continued to kiss her neck, moving towards her cheek.
"You are truly a goddess, Téana…"
Téana froze. Her eyes grew wide and she held back a shriek. Turning around quickly, her eyes met with icy blue eyes. "S…Seto?" She gasped, turning deep red in the face. "What do you…WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" She bellowed, causing the crowed to draw their attention towards her.
Seto backed up. "Forgive me! I don't…I don't know what came over me…"
Téana crossed her arms and huffed. "What's happened to you, Seto? I've never seen you like this before!"
Seto bowed his head and sighed. "I think I love you, Téana!"
Téana's eyes opened wide, and just as she was about to speak, a familiar voice interrupted.
"My, you sure are looking flustered, Téana! Is everything ok?"
Seto turned around to see Bel um Fal standing before him. Téana frowned. "Yes…I'm ok. Just a little hot. It's unusually warm tonight." She turned away, her face growing hotter.
"I see. I would have to agree with you. Seto, I'm surprised to see you here, I thought you would be off with the other priests."
"I have been, you majesty. I just wanted to say hello to my old friend, Téana. She was looking quite lonely by that fountain. I wasn't sure if she came alone or not."
"Very well, if you don't mind, I would like to speak with her."
"Yes, of course." He bowed and walked off into the crowed. He glanced over his shoulder, and saw the prince comforting a shaking Téana. "Some day, you will be mine!" His eyes glowed a faint red.
***
Kaiba opened his eyes and saw a crowed of people staring down at him in concern.
"Are you ok, Kaiba?" Mai asked curiously.
"Uh, what happened?" He asked, rubbing his head.
"You fainted…about the same time as Téa did." She turned around and pointed to Téa who appeared to be waking up as well. Yugi was holding her shoulders tightly, while Joey was lifting her to her feet.
"So…she must have seen it too…" He looked up and spotted Ishizu staring at him with a very unexplainable expression on her face.
Téa grabbed onto Yugi's shoulder for support as she opened her eyes slowly. "Yugi…Joey…what happened?"
"You fainted, just like Kaiba did. We were all surprised by this. You ok?" Joey asked.
Téa nodded and allowed herself to be helped into a seat at the table. "Yes, I'm ok. Sorry, I've been doing that a lot lately." She blushed.
"It's ok, Téa. But if you are feeling like this, you should go see the doctor. I'm sure Amons would trust us if we took you there. He could even bring a guard a long if he's worried."
"I'm fine, Yugi. But, maybe it is a good idea."
Bakura walked up to Téa. "If it's ok with you, I'll take her."
Yugi nodded. "Ok, Bakura. Let's go ask Amons."
They nodded and waved over to a guard.
Marik was half way through his match, oblivious to the commotion that has just occurred. All that mattered was defeating his opponent. I have to win this match! He looked up at Amons. Bastard, I know who you are and you won't get away with this. "Ok, here's my card and it's obvious I've won!"
Aaron laughed evilly. "I think not, boy!"
Marik's eyes widened. "No!" His opponent turned over the trap card "Black Hole"
Amons was enjoying the pure terror on Marik's face. A slight tapping on his shoulder caused him to turn around abruptly. "What is it, now?" He snapped. His white bangs falling in his face. He raked his fingers through his hair, furiously.
The guard cowered slightly. "S…Sorry to bother you, sir…but we have a slight problem."
Téa started to feel herself losing consciousness once again. Her head lolled to the side, leaning against Bakura's shoulder.
"Yugi, we have to hurry, she's not looking too well. Something's wrong…"
Yugi nodded, eying the ring on her neck. He reached for it, and a barrier of light flashed and burnt his hand. "Ah!" He cried, grabbing his hand in pain.
"Yugi…" Joey whispered.
They all looked down at Yugi's hand, the flesh was slightly melted off it.
"Are you ok, man?"
Yugi winced. "Yes, but we have to get the ring away from her…somehow!" He tore a piece of his shirt off and wrapped it tightly around his burning hand. "There, much better!"
Bakura forced a small smile.
Téa began to mumble something in her sleep. "S…Se…Why? What are you…no…don't…Seto…"
"Seto? Is she talking about Kaiba?" Joey asked, scratching his head.
"I don't know…but maybe…" Yugi glanced over his shoulder at Kaiba. "Naw…must be my imagination…"
"Very well!" Amons stated, clapping his hands together. "She may rest, but if any of them even try to head for the exit, kill them!"
The guard nodded and returned to the group.
"So, the little flower is having bad dreams, eh? Think of what will happen if you end up putting that ring on little girl!" He grinned enjoying the mental picture forming in his mind.
***
After the guard led them to the hospital wing, he waited outside, guarding the door as told by Amons. Bakura laid Téa on the bed and covered her with a thin blanket. Since it was the hot desert, she wouldn't be too cold. Bakura pulled up a chair and moved it to her bedside. He leaned his elbow on the side of her bed and rested his head on his hand. He stared at her, watching her breathing, making sure nothing was abnormal. "Just what is happening around here?"
Téa moaned and rolled over, her eyes fluttered open. She looked over and spotted Bakura at the end of the bed. "Where are we?" She asked weakly.
"Shhh, it's ok, Téa. You are in the hospital wing; we decided you would be safer here. Amons surprisingly allowed us to take you here, and brought along just one guard to keep an eye on us. Yugi and Joey are still at the hall, I convinced them to stay there and keep an eye on Kaiba. He wasn't looking too well himself."
Téa nodded. "I noticed…thanks for bringing me here." She smiled.
"You're welcome." He smiled brightly.
After a while, Bakura nodded off. Téa looked warmly at him and reached over to run her fingers through his shaggy white hair. "You stayed up almost all night, you poor thing." She gasped when she saw a transparent hand brush against her forehead. "Yami?" She asked, looking up.
("You can see me?") He asked in surprise.
"Yes…for some reason I can."
He smiled. (How are you feeling?)
She chuckled. "Like I was hit by a 747!"
He laughed, and then he face grew darker. (I'm…sorry, Téa. It's my fault that all of this has happened. I never should have even given Téana that ring in the first place.)
Téa reached up and watched as her hand went through his chest. She frowned. "Don't blame yourself, Yami. You did love her after all. But, tell me one thing…was Seto in love with Téana?"
Yami looked away, his face growing harsh. (Yes…as Shadi had showed us. But even before that, I knew, somehow…especially at the festival.)
Téa jumped up. "What?"
Yami was startled by her reaction. (I take it you know what I'm talking about?)
Téa, laid back down. "Yes…before you showed up…Seto…"
The door suddenly burst open and Kaiba stood in the doorway, panting. "Téa…what the hell is going on?" He walked up to her and wrapped his hands around her throat. "This is all your fault!" His eyes were glowing red. This wasn't Seto Kaiba.
"Ah…I don't understand…" She choked.
Yami was beyond enraged, but every time he tried to grab Kaiba's hands, he went right through them.
"Ka…Ugh, let me go! You're hurting me!"
"No, Téana…I won't!"
"What?" She knew that name too well. As if by instinct, she blurted out a name. "Priest Seto?"
A pale almost claw like hand gripped Kaiba's hand tightly and squeezed it till he let go. Kaiba looked up and saw Dark Bakura.
"Release her…" He whispered in a threatening tone.
Kaiba obeyed and then punched him in the face. Dark Bakura blocked it and backhanded him into the wall. He fell limply to his side. Téa was more afraid then ever now.
"You!" She hissed, jumping off the bed. "Why did you save me?"
Dark Bakura laughed. It's time I take this ring back!" He grabbed for the necklace, but Téa pushed the bed into his stomach. He gasped as the wind was knocked out of him.
Téa slipped on the shiny floor, but regained her balance and flew out the door.
Dark Bakura was on his knees, trying to regain the air he lost. "You brat! I wasn't even going to hurt you!" He got up and followed her out the door.
***
Marik watched as the last of his opponents life points faded away. "Sorry…" He said. He looked over at Yugi and winked.
Yugi nodded and casually slipped through the crowed, towards the doors. After a brief second, he past by two sleeping guards and made a quick turn down a long hall and through a door leading to a place with a lot of paintings and columns. "I hope he knows what he's doing!"
Ishizu stood up abruptly. Shadi questioned her, but all he got in return was a wave of her hand, commanding him to be quiet. She lifted the velvet curtain up and walked through a small passageway leading to Amons chambers. Amons was too busy watching the duellists to even notice her absence. Ishizu walked silently into Amons bedroom and opened up a wooden drawer. She reached in, searching for something. But what she was searching for, even she didn't know. But, as long as it was something to stop all of this madness, she would keep searching till she found it. She felt a small metal piece brush against her fingers. Curiously she pulled it out and smiled. Jackpot! It was a golden key. She eyed the room and noticed a large painting just over Amons bed. On the painting was a beautiful woman with blonde hair, wearing a purple gown. "So…it's you, isn't it?" She pushed the bed aside and lifted the painting up. She smiled when she saw a small door hidden beneath it. She placed they key gently in the lock and heard a small click. The door creaked open and she slipped inside, closing the door behind her. "Now…where would you put it?" She mused to herself. Walking down an unending stairwell.
Back at the hall, Mokuba was growing worried, for his brother hadn't returned yet. He decided to search for him, but Mai stopped him.
"If you leave and it's your turn, we'll be disqualified." She reminded him.
He nodded. "But, Seto is gone!"
Mai's face faulted. "What?"
"Just a while ago."
"Oh my…" She stood up. "Now, I want you to stay here, I'll be right back!" With that said, she took off towards the doors.
"But…" He stammered but it was too late she was already long gone. "Ohhh…" He groaned.
Amons looked behind him, noticing the absence of Ishizu. He then looked downwards and saw Mai, Kaiba and Yugi missing. "Where the hell did everyone go?" He hissed. "No! She couldn't have!" He stood up and left Shadi. "That little…well, she'll have quite the surprise in store for her!" He walked through the same hidden passage to his room and opened the painting up. "Now my little one, where could you have gone?"
Ishizu finally made her way down to the bottom of the stairs and saw a green door before her. "Looks like this is it…" With a sigh, she opened the door and gasped. A large transparent jar was glowing in the middle of the room. Weird looking wires were attached to the walls, with a faint green light emitting from the jar. Ishizu approached the jar and tried to peek inside. The glass was fogged over though. She leaned in closer and brushed her hand across the glass. A face popped out of nowhere, from behind the glass and howled at her. She screamed and jumped backwards. She tripped over a wire and fell to the floor. A long purple robe brushed across her face. She looked up and saw Amons glaring at her.
"I was wondering when you would betray me!" He lifted his hand up and a faint pink light formed around Ishizu.
"You wont' get away with this! Yugi will stop you!" She sat up.
"I think not!" He raised his hand up more, and smiled devilishly down at her. "Goodbye, my little princess!"
Ishizu screamed as she felt herself being torn in two. A faint white form left her body and was sucked into the jar. Her body fell limply to the floor and her eyes went blank. Amons walked back out onto the balcony and locked the door behind him. He grinned at Shadi and took his place at the front chair.
Shadi glared at him and eyed the door behind the curtain. "Ishizu…"
***
Yami caught up with the puffing girl. (He's not going to hurt you! Why must you protect that thing? He wants to help you!)
"Because I feel it shouldn't end up in anyone else hands. I don't want anyone hurt. Not even that Bakura!"
Yami sighed. (Very well…then I suggest you run faster!)
"Oh god! I will never complain I don't exercise ever again!" She forced herself to go faster.
***
Yugi waited for second and then snuck by a pacing guard. He quietly opened the door, which led outside. "Ok, now I need to find this Inn." He walked around the side of the castle and out into the town square. He looked through all of the rows of shops and came to a stop at a tall building, with the words "Pharaoh's Inn" printed on a large stone tablet. "This must be it." He walked inside and shielded his eyes from the fog forming in the room. It stung his eyes, but he pressed on, looking for Marik. He spotted a lone figure at the back, with tanned skin and short blond hair. "There he is!"
***
Mai ran down the hall, searching for the hospital. After a while, she found it and opened the door cautiously. She turned a light on and found Kaiba unconscious on the floor. The bed was knocked over and a vase was smashed to pieces on the table. "What the heck?" She ran over to Kaiba and slapped his face. "Hey! Wake up!"
Kaiba moaned and opened his eyes. "What the hell do you want?" He snapped, pushing her hand away from his face.
"Well, not the 'thank you' I expected, but it'll have to do I guess." She teased. "Now, what happened? Where are Téa and Bakura?"
"I don't know. Bakura went nuts and threw me into the wall. That's all I remember." He suddenly bolted up. "Where's Mokuba?"
Mai rolled her eyes. 'He's safe. I suggest we head back to the hall, in case our names come up next!"
Kaiba nodded.
***
"So, what did you call me here for?" Yugi asked, sitting himself on a stool.
"Yugi…I need you to know something about Amons. He's not who he seems to be!"
Yugi titled his head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"Yugi…Amons name is really…"
***
Joey fiddled nervously with his pockets. His finger brushed against a hard paper and he pulled it out of his pocket.
"What have you go there, Joey?" Serenity asked, peeking over his shoulder.
"Oh yeah! I forgot all about this!" Listen sis, I know who Amons is! "He's…"
***
Téa ran as fast as she could, and still Dark Bakura pursued her. "Téa!!! Give it up! You can't run forever! I told you I wouldn't hurt you. We need to get that ring away from you! Believe me!"
"Oh yeah!" She shot back, trying to hide the fact she was protecting him. "Prove it!" She gasped. She saw a door coming closer and decided to break through it at any cost.
Dark Bakura sighed in frustration. "I would love to, but you need to… Téa stop! Don't! It's a dead end!" He reached out but it was too late.
Téa heard Dark Bakura's warning but before she knew it she was just balancing on the edge of the ledge. Amons was below, talking to the crowed of people. It seems something had come up and he postponed the duels. "Hell!" She cursed uncharacteristically and felt herself topple over the edge.
(Téa!!!) Yami and Dark Bakura cried out as they saw her fall off.
Amons looked up at the commotion and saw Téa heading right for him.
"Ahhh!!!" She cried, her eyes tightly closed. She landed right on top of Amons and knocked him over. He yelled and landed on his head. His headdress popped off. Téa groaned and opened her eyes. She screamed when she saw that Amons has only one eye. He threw her off him and stood up. His silver hair cascaded over his face, concealing his missing eye. Téa stood up and gasped.
***
"Pegasus?" Yugi cried out and ran out of the Inn at top speed, with Marik following behind him.
***
"Pegasus?" Serenity and Mokuba blurted out. Joey nodded.
***
"Pegasus?" Téa questioned, gaping at the sad looking man trying to hide his missing eye with his hand.
***
"Hey you! Stop!!!"
Mai turned hastily to find a bunch of guards coming at her and Kaiba.
"Looks like we'll have to run!"
Kaiba smirked. "Not likely!" He raised his hand up and a fire-like substance flew out of his palm, knocking the guards over. He looked at his hand in shock.
"Wow, you sure are armed, Kaiba." Mai stated: impressed with what she had witnessed.
"What's happening to me?" He asked. He shook and fell to his knees.
Mai put her arm around him, trying to sooth the sobbing man.
***
Yami and Dark Bakura gaped at the sight before them. Pegasus was alive!
Pegasus approached Téa with a crazed look. "LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!!!" He bellowed.
Téa backed away and noticed him pull out a gold item. "The millennium eye!" Téa cried.
"That's right!" Pegasus laughed manically. "And now, you get to see what it can really do!!!" He pointed it at her and she cried out, feeling her life drain out of her.
Shadi jumped up. "How did he find it???" He gasped.
Dark Bakura muttered something under his breath. "I had it…how could he have gotten it back? Téa…"
Téa fought with everything she had, as the ring glowed brightly around her.
"Fight all you want, you won't win!!!"
He pushed further on and the chain on her necklace snapped off. The ring went flying off the platform and Téa collapsed to the floor. Her eyes were blank and her face extremely pale.
Pegasus smirked and made a run for the back door. After a few seconds he was gone. The crowed circled around Téa's lifeless body.
"NO!!!" Joey shouted running up and lifted her into his arms.
Yami appeared in front of him and for some reason, Joey could see him just like Téa did. (All is not lost…Yugi still has the key. If he can release the trapped souls, then she'll be ok!)
Joey nodded and lifted Téa up off the floor. "I know he'll be able too! He just has too!"
Dark Bakura showed up from behind Joey. "That girl should really calm her nerves. I wasn't going to hurt her. She shouldn't have run like that." He brushed her bangs back and sighed. "All this because she had to protect something evil…what a waste…" He walked away, vanishing into the crowed.
Joey stared at dark Bakura, as he disappeared. "You mean she was protecting that ring? The one that almost melted Yugi's hand off? Is she nuts or something?" He felt tears welling up in his eyes. "Damn…why did she do it?"
(Because it was her destiny…) Yami said, looking sadly over at the lifeless Téa. (It's her bond…)
***
Yugi ran frantically towards the palace. A sudden sharp pain jolted in his heart. He grabbed his chest and leaned forward.
"What's wrong?" Marik asked.
"It's…Téa…something happened to her!"
Marik frowned. He knew too well, but chose not to tell Yugi just yet. "Don't blame Pegasus…he doesn't even know what he's doing!"
Yugi's face grew harsh. "No one knows what they're doing anymore!" He watched as the castle came into view.
It was a dark night; the sky was covered with ominous clouds. Eerie lights from the lamps on the streets led the way to the castle, where Yugi was in for the shock of his life. He just hoped he could make it in time, before all hope was lost.
To be continued…