Yami Bakura growled loudly as he stared at the creature on the other side of the window. "The warning," he muttered.
"What?!" Bakura cried in alarm.
"It appears only to those destined to be witnesses to the overthrowing of the evil," Yami Bakura replied, narrowing his eyes. "This means that tonight is the night."
The grotesque chimera roared, glaring right into Bakura's sweet eyes before vanishing into nothing. The British boy stared after it, looking immensely rattled. "But . . . but this means that . . . that we will be involved with all of this? We will be part of destroying this evil?"
Yami Bakura grunted, not looking happy at all. "It does appear that way, doesn't it," he said flatly, while Oreo hissed at the spot where the monster had been.
Bakura's gaze darted all around the room nervously and then stopped on the enigmatic figure of the Middle Eastern man. "Oh!" the boy burst out.
The stranger's eyes were still in shadow, hidden by the edges of the flowing turban. He regarded Bakura and his Yami solemnly, making them both uneasy.
"Who are you?!" Bakura exclaimed. "Please, tell us!"
Not speaking, the man gave them a last, shadowy look before turning and walking out.
Mai came in about the same time. "Who was that guy?!" she demanded.
"I'm afraid we don't know," Bakura said apologetically. Curiously he looked at Oreo, who seemed sad that the strange man had left. "But it seems Oreo might," the boy added in surprise. "Perhaps he's a friend. I do hope so!"
****
The others were trying to make their final plans for rescuing Seto and eliminating the beast they had to fight.
"Something doesn't make sense," Marik spoke up. "Kaiba and I have to be killed in order for the creature to be brought to life in the first place, so how can we possibly also hold the power to destroy it?! If it comes to life, we'll already be dead!"
Rishid narrowed his eyes angrily at the pictures his younger brother was painting. He couldn't allow such a thing to happen. Marik was under his protection and always would be. Especially after the previous night, Rishid knew he could never let something happen that would result in the boy's destruction.
Martin looked into Marik's eyes. "As I said, my friend, you will know when the time is right," he said gently. "It doesn't make sense now, but it will."
Ishizu rubbed the teenager's back comfortingly, her eyes filled with many emotions. She had the sinking feeling that she understood what Martin meant, but she prayed she was wrong in her interpretation.
Marik smiled up at her, his eyes revealing that he, also, had a suspicion. He grabbed his sister's hand and held it close, whispering something in Egyptian that only they and Rishid understood.
Rishid glared up at Martin. "Will anyone perish on this quest?" He grasped Marik's other hand tightly.
Martin sighed. "It is very dangerous," he admitted. "I'm afraid it's possible."
A silence filled the room as everyone tried to digest the news. All of them had really assumed that would be the case, but hearing it spoken out loud only confirmed it all the more.
Mako decided to speak now. "Mr. Collsworth, do you know if my father was involved in any of this, by any chance?" he asked.
Martin looked thoughtful. "He may have been," he replied. "I really can't remember much about him yet," he added apologetically.
Mako was undaunted. "Does that mean you are starting to remember him a little bit?" he persisted.
"I remember a fisherman who often talked of his son," Martin answered, "but not any more than that, I'm afraid. That could have been your father, but then again, it might have been someone else entirely."
Mako sighed inwardly, but tried to smile. "Well, I'm certain the rest will come to you," he said, his old confidence quickly returning. "I know my father is alive."
Kamara stood up now. "We should leave immediately," she declared. "We do not have much time."
Ishizu nodded grimly. "First, we need to collect the others," she announced. "They cannot be left behind."
"Alright," Yugi said, standing as well. "Let's go get them!"
****
"So, where are we going to look?" Duke asked with a raised eyebrow while pushing Alyson's grandmother's wheelchair. "This is a big city. Alyson could be anywhere!"
"I was thinking maybe we should split up," Tristan returned. "We'd cover more ground that way. You could go with . . ." He blinked, realizing that they didn't even know the grandmother's name.
"Mrs. Perkins," the woman piped up. Not one to introduce herself unless it was necessary, she only found it to be so now.
Tristan nodded absentmindedly. "You take Mrs. Perkins and I'll go with Serenity," he directed.
"Actually, I think I should go with Serenity," Duke answered smoothly.
"Maybe you two should go off and leave Serenity and I to ourselves," Mrs. Perkins snapped, realizing that their argument could go on for hours. "We don't need strong men to protect us."
"I know!" Tristan cried then. "Let's let Serenity decide!"
Serenity blinked. "Shouldn't we be more worried about Alyson than about who's going with who?" she said.
"You're absolutely right, Serenity!" Duke said then. "Which is why you're coming with me while we look!" Before Tristan could retort, the emerald-eyed boy had whisked the girl off down the street.
"You know, Mr. Taylor," Mrs. Perkins said, not looking especially happy as she gazed at the fuming Tristan on the sidewalk, "you have plenty of time to win the girl. Right now I want my granddaughter!"
"Huh?" Tristan started, coming back to the current situation. "Oh . . . of course," he said meekly, wheeling Mrs. Perkins off in the opposite direction and all the while thinking of ways he could seriously injure Duke for that stunt.
****
Seto Kaiba had not been idle during this time. Vivalene had left him locked in the strange, underground room and then had gone off to "take care of other business," as she'd put it. Now the young businessman was surveying his prison and trying to decide the best way to get out. He had the feeling that Vivalene would be back before long to "have more fun with him," but he didn't intend to be there when she did. And if he was, Vivalene was going to be sorry for attempting to carry out her sick little plot, because he wasn't going to take this submissively.
These were his thoughts as he poked and prodded at the walls, floor, and ceiling without having success. He knew all too well what would happen if he didn't get out. He only hoped that Marik wouldn't wind up being captured as well. That's all we need, he thought to himself cynically.
A light flashed and the same veiled man stood in front of Seto, gazing unwaveringly at the defiant boy.
"Who are you?" Seto narrowed his eyes in annoyance, not ready to deal with someone else just yet.
Remaining silent, the man continued to study Seto as he had Bakura and his Yami earlier. Finally he half-turned and spoke quietly in a muffled voice. "There is no escape from here," he said.
Seto wasn't pleased. "Oh? And what makes you think so?" he asked.
"I am quite aware of where you are being held—what lies outside these walls—and there is no escape," the man repeated. "That is . . . not unless you defeat the evil."
Seto raised an eyebrow. "Well, I don't intend to be a sacrifice to bring it to life," he muttered. "What exactly is it I *am* supposed to do?"
"Stay strong," the stranger replied. "You and Marik Ishtar are the key to this plot. The both of you have the power to rid the world of this horrible beast for good. Your enemies are keenly aware of this and will try to assure that you do not succeed in assisting the side of righteousness."
"That doesn't entirely make sense to me," Seto said, "but I'll do anything to keep my brother safe."
"I know you will." The man closed his eyes and started to walk off, his cape flying out behind him. "You will understand what you must do when the time comes."
"Have we met before?" Seto demanded suddenly. "For some reason, I feel I know you from somewhere."
"It is possible," came the reply. "But it does not matter." With that he was gone again, leaving Seto to puzzle over everything.
****
In the meantime, the others were finally ready to leave the hideout and gather their friends before continuing on their dangerous mission.
"What about Rex?" Téa exclaimed. "If none of us should be separated, then Rex needs to come with us. But he might not be well enough!"
Ishizu touched her Millennium Tauk. "We will have to check on him," she said simply, "and bring him if we at all possibly can." Slowly she started heading for the door, then stopped. "I sense something," she said quietly.
"What is it?!" Yugi gasped, recognizing her "danger pose."
"We must leave here immediately," Ishizu started to say, but she was rudely interrupted by a horrible BOOM! as the entire hideout gave way from a detonation!
Everyone went flying in different directions, each affected by the blast in some way. Debris rained down on them as they were thrown out into the hallway and beyond.
Shakily Mokuba got up, his little heart pounding. "Is everyone okay?!" he gasped.
"I think so," Marik moaned in reply, struggling to regain his balance.
"What *was* that?!" Téa burst out in alarm.
"The enemy knows where we are," Kamara replied gravely.
"Could it have been that veiled guy?!" Joey wondered angrily. "I mean, face it, we don't know anything about him! He could've planted the bomb when he came to talk to Kamara!"
"We'll have to talk later," Yami Yugi interrupted. "This likely wasn't the only bomb set up, and if we do not leave right now, we shall be caught in the next one."
Not wanting to question the Pharaoh, everyone followed him up the staircase and to the door leading outside. They weren't quick enough to avoid the second explosion, however, and again they all went sprawling in different directions—only this time they weren't as lucky.
After what seemed like ages, Yugi managed to overcome his dizziness and look around. "Where . . . where is everyone?" he mumbled, staring at the smoldering lump where the shack had been.
A little ways beyond him, Téa sat up and groaned, rubbing her head. Mokuba looked at her with concerned blue-gray eyes and she smiled up at him weakly, indicating that she was alright.
Rishid struggled to help Kamara rise, his golden eyes narrowed and his heart still warning him of danger. What was wrong? he wondered, growing fearful. The explosion had been so fierce. . . . What if . . . what if someone hadn't made it?
Before long everyone else had been accounted for—except Marik and Ishizu, much to Rishid's and Mokuba's horror.
"Where could they be?!" Mokuba cried, looking about frantically. "Hey, they've gotta be okay! Nothing would happen to them!" He spoke shakily, trying to reassure himself of that.
A loud wail abruptly interrupted all thoughts.
"That's Marik!!" Mokuba yelped.
Instantly Rishid ran toward the direction of the sound and soon found Marik kneeling next to Ishizu's body, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Brother!" the man said in trepidation, dropping to his knees as well and leaning over to gaze at their sister.
Gently Marik took the woman into his arms, as he remembered doing back at the ranch, and held her close. "I . . . I was sprawled there, stunned senseless for several minutes," he explained, his blank eyes showing how numb he was from this shock. "When I finally managed to clear my thoughts enough to sit up, I found Ishizu laying here . . ." He trailed off, tears of fear and anger starting to form in his eyes. "Those devils!" he hissed at last, feeling Rishid's comforting embrace as the man put his arms around both him and Ishizu. "Those inhuman devils!!"
Rishid was devastated as well. Ishizu was such a delicate person . . . so refined and dignified. . . . Such a sweet, kind sister. . . . How could anyone possibly . . .
He reached out and brushed his fingers against Ishizu's cool cheek. She didn't stir, prompting him to bend down and check her lifesigns.
Marik watched, his eyes showing that he was highly upset. "She's just unconscious," he said fervently, wanting to believe that. "She's just unconscious and she's going to wake up. . . ."
Rishid bit his lip, wanting to assure his brother of that but not knowing if he could and not be telling a lie. "Ishizu?" he said softly. It felt so strange . . . to call her by just her given name. . . . He hadn't in so long. . . .
"Sister?" Marik added his own plea, his voice shaking. What would he do if Ishizu didn't . . . if she didn't ever wake up? No! he screamed inwardly. That can't happen! It won't!! I won't let it!! Sobs racked his body. He had no control over death, and he knew it. Silently he sent a heartfelt prayer to the Heavens, begging for his and Rishid's precious sister's life to be spared.
"What?!" Bakura cried in alarm.
"It appears only to those destined to be witnesses to the overthrowing of the evil," Yami Bakura replied, narrowing his eyes. "This means that tonight is the night."
The grotesque chimera roared, glaring right into Bakura's sweet eyes before vanishing into nothing. The British boy stared after it, looking immensely rattled. "But . . . but this means that . . . that we will be involved with all of this? We will be part of destroying this evil?"
Yami Bakura grunted, not looking happy at all. "It does appear that way, doesn't it," he said flatly, while Oreo hissed at the spot where the monster had been.
Bakura's gaze darted all around the room nervously and then stopped on the enigmatic figure of the Middle Eastern man. "Oh!" the boy burst out.
The stranger's eyes were still in shadow, hidden by the edges of the flowing turban. He regarded Bakura and his Yami solemnly, making them both uneasy.
"Who are you?!" Bakura exclaimed. "Please, tell us!"
Not speaking, the man gave them a last, shadowy look before turning and walking out.
Mai came in about the same time. "Who was that guy?!" she demanded.
"I'm afraid we don't know," Bakura said apologetically. Curiously he looked at Oreo, who seemed sad that the strange man had left. "But it seems Oreo might," the boy added in surprise. "Perhaps he's a friend. I do hope so!"
****
The others were trying to make their final plans for rescuing Seto and eliminating the beast they had to fight.
"Something doesn't make sense," Marik spoke up. "Kaiba and I have to be killed in order for the creature to be brought to life in the first place, so how can we possibly also hold the power to destroy it?! If it comes to life, we'll already be dead!"
Rishid narrowed his eyes angrily at the pictures his younger brother was painting. He couldn't allow such a thing to happen. Marik was under his protection and always would be. Especially after the previous night, Rishid knew he could never let something happen that would result in the boy's destruction.
Martin looked into Marik's eyes. "As I said, my friend, you will know when the time is right," he said gently. "It doesn't make sense now, but it will."
Ishizu rubbed the teenager's back comfortingly, her eyes filled with many emotions. She had the sinking feeling that she understood what Martin meant, but she prayed she was wrong in her interpretation.
Marik smiled up at her, his eyes revealing that he, also, had a suspicion. He grabbed his sister's hand and held it close, whispering something in Egyptian that only they and Rishid understood.
Rishid glared up at Martin. "Will anyone perish on this quest?" He grasped Marik's other hand tightly.
Martin sighed. "It is very dangerous," he admitted. "I'm afraid it's possible."
A silence filled the room as everyone tried to digest the news. All of them had really assumed that would be the case, but hearing it spoken out loud only confirmed it all the more.
Mako decided to speak now. "Mr. Collsworth, do you know if my father was involved in any of this, by any chance?" he asked.
Martin looked thoughtful. "He may have been," he replied. "I really can't remember much about him yet," he added apologetically.
Mako was undaunted. "Does that mean you are starting to remember him a little bit?" he persisted.
"I remember a fisherman who often talked of his son," Martin answered, "but not any more than that, I'm afraid. That could have been your father, but then again, it might have been someone else entirely."
Mako sighed inwardly, but tried to smile. "Well, I'm certain the rest will come to you," he said, his old confidence quickly returning. "I know my father is alive."
Kamara stood up now. "We should leave immediately," she declared. "We do not have much time."
Ishizu nodded grimly. "First, we need to collect the others," she announced. "They cannot be left behind."
"Alright," Yugi said, standing as well. "Let's go get them!"
****
"So, where are we going to look?" Duke asked with a raised eyebrow while pushing Alyson's grandmother's wheelchair. "This is a big city. Alyson could be anywhere!"
"I was thinking maybe we should split up," Tristan returned. "We'd cover more ground that way. You could go with . . ." He blinked, realizing that they didn't even know the grandmother's name.
"Mrs. Perkins," the woman piped up. Not one to introduce herself unless it was necessary, she only found it to be so now.
Tristan nodded absentmindedly. "You take Mrs. Perkins and I'll go with Serenity," he directed.
"Actually, I think I should go with Serenity," Duke answered smoothly.
"Maybe you two should go off and leave Serenity and I to ourselves," Mrs. Perkins snapped, realizing that their argument could go on for hours. "We don't need strong men to protect us."
"I know!" Tristan cried then. "Let's let Serenity decide!"
Serenity blinked. "Shouldn't we be more worried about Alyson than about who's going with who?" she said.
"You're absolutely right, Serenity!" Duke said then. "Which is why you're coming with me while we look!" Before Tristan could retort, the emerald-eyed boy had whisked the girl off down the street.
"You know, Mr. Taylor," Mrs. Perkins said, not looking especially happy as she gazed at the fuming Tristan on the sidewalk, "you have plenty of time to win the girl. Right now I want my granddaughter!"
"Huh?" Tristan started, coming back to the current situation. "Oh . . . of course," he said meekly, wheeling Mrs. Perkins off in the opposite direction and all the while thinking of ways he could seriously injure Duke for that stunt.
****
Seto Kaiba had not been idle during this time. Vivalene had left him locked in the strange, underground room and then had gone off to "take care of other business," as she'd put it. Now the young businessman was surveying his prison and trying to decide the best way to get out. He had the feeling that Vivalene would be back before long to "have more fun with him," but he didn't intend to be there when she did. And if he was, Vivalene was going to be sorry for attempting to carry out her sick little plot, because he wasn't going to take this submissively.
These were his thoughts as he poked and prodded at the walls, floor, and ceiling without having success. He knew all too well what would happen if he didn't get out. He only hoped that Marik wouldn't wind up being captured as well. That's all we need, he thought to himself cynically.
A light flashed and the same veiled man stood in front of Seto, gazing unwaveringly at the defiant boy.
"Who are you?" Seto narrowed his eyes in annoyance, not ready to deal with someone else just yet.
Remaining silent, the man continued to study Seto as he had Bakura and his Yami earlier. Finally he half-turned and spoke quietly in a muffled voice. "There is no escape from here," he said.
Seto wasn't pleased. "Oh? And what makes you think so?" he asked.
"I am quite aware of where you are being held—what lies outside these walls—and there is no escape," the man repeated. "That is . . . not unless you defeat the evil."
Seto raised an eyebrow. "Well, I don't intend to be a sacrifice to bring it to life," he muttered. "What exactly is it I *am* supposed to do?"
"Stay strong," the stranger replied. "You and Marik Ishtar are the key to this plot. The both of you have the power to rid the world of this horrible beast for good. Your enemies are keenly aware of this and will try to assure that you do not succeed in assisting the side of righteousness."
"That doesn't entirely make sense to me," Seto said, "but I'll do anything to keep my brother safe."
"I know you will." The man closed his eyes and started to walk off, his cape flying out behind him. "You will understand what you must do when the time comes."
"Have we met before?" Seto demanded suddenly. "For some reason, I feel I know you from somewhere."
"It is possible," came the reply. "But it does not matter." With that he was gone again, leaving Seto to puzzle over everything.
****
In the meantime, the others were finally ready to leave the hideout and gather their friends before continuing on their dangerous mission.
"What about Rex?" Téa exclaimed. "If none of us should be separated, then Rex needs to come with us. But he might not be well enough!"
Ishizu touched her Millennium Tauk. "We will have to check on him," she said simply, "and bring him if we at all possibly can." Slowly she started heading for the door, then stopped. "I sense something," she said quietly.
"What is it?!" Yugi gasped, recognizing her "danger pose."
"We must leave here immediately," Ishizu started to say, but she was rudely interrupted by a horrible BOOM! as the entire hideout gave way from a detonation!
Everyone went flying in different directions, each affected by the blast in some way. Debris rained down on them as they were thrown out into the hallway and beyond.
Shakily Mokuba got up, his little heart pounding. "Is everyone okay?!" he gasped.
"I think so," Marik moaned in reply, struggling to regain his balance.
"What *was* that?!" Téa burst out in alarm.
"The enemy knows where we are," Kamara replied gravely.
"Could it have been that veiled guy?!" Joey wondered angrily. "I mean, face it, we don't know anything about him! He could've planted the bomb when he came to talk to Kamara!"
"We'll have to talk later," Yami Yugi interrupted. "This likely wasn't the only bomb set up, and if we do not leave right now, we shall be caught in the next one."
Not wanting to question the Pharaoh, everyone followed him up the staircase and to the door leading outside. They weren't quick enough to avoid the second explosion, however, and again they all went sprawling in different directions—only this time they weren't as lucky.
After what seemed like ages, Yugi managed to overcome his dizziness and look around. "Where . . . where is everyone?" he mumbled, staring at the smoldering lump where the shack had been.
A little ways beyond him, Téa sat up and groaned, rubbing her head. Mokuba looked at her with concerned blue-gray eyes and she smiled up at him weakly, indicating that she was alright.
Rishid struggled to help Kamara rise, his golden eyes narrowed and his heart still warning him of danger. What was wrong? he wondered, growing fearful. The explosion had been so fierce. . . . What if . . . what if someone hadn't made it?
Before long everyone else had been accounted for—except Marik and Ishizu, much to Rishid's and Mokuba's horror.
"Where could they be?!" Mokuba cried, looking about frantically. "Hey, they've gotta be okay! Nothing would happen to them!" He spoke shakily, trying to reassure himself of that.
A loud wail abruptly interrupted all thoughts.
"That's Marik!!" Mokuba yelped.
Instantly Rishid ran toward the direction of the sound and soon found Marik kneeling next to Ishizu's body, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Brother!" the man said in trepidation, dropping to his knees as well and leaning over to gaze at their sister.
Gently Marik took the woman into his arms, as he remembered doing back at the ranch, and held her close. "I . . . I was sprawled there, stunned senseless for several minutes," he explained, his blank eyes showing how numb he was from this shock. "When I finally managed to clear my thoughts enough to sit up, I found Ishizu laying here . . ." He trailed off, tears of fear and anger starting to form in his eyes. "Those devils!" he hissed at last, feeling Rishid's comforting embrace as the man put his arms around both him and Ishizu. "Those inhuman devils!!"
Rishid was devastated as well. Ishizu was such a delicate person . . . so refined and dignified. . . . Such a sweet, kind sister. . . . How could anyone possibly . . .
He reached out and brushed his fingers against Ishizu's cool cheek. She didn't stir, prompting him to bend down and check her lifesigns.
Marik watched, his eyes showing that he was highly upset. "She's just unconscious," he said fervently, wanting to believe that. "She's just unconscious and she's going to wake up. . . ."
Rishid bit his lip, wanting to assure his brother of that but not knowing if he could and not be telling a lie. "Ishizu?" he said softly. It felt so strange . . . to call her by just her given name. . . . He hadn't in so long. . . .
"Sister?" Marik added his own plea, his voice shaking. What would he do if Ishizu didn't . . . if she didn't ever wake up? No! he screamed inwardly. That can't happen! It won't!! I won't let it!! Sobs racked his body. He had no control over death, and he knew it. Silently he sent a heartfelt prayer to the Heavens, begging for his and Rishid's precious sister's life to be spared.