A/N: Hey you guys! I don't know, maybe I'm just being paranoid or something…but is this story getting worse? T.T Because I'm getting less and less reviews and I'm just wondering if it's getting boring or something. Somebody please tell me what's wrong!!

Fingers typing on the computer was heard as Kaiba ran tests and analysis through his technology system. His face was still pale and his teeth was set with determination and anxiety.

Fingers flipping through the pages of ancient literature looking for any intimation and trace as to why. Yami's amethyst eyes, instead of its usual soft and gentleness, was filled with bloodshot and had a savage look to them.

Finger knuckles cracking and footsteps walking was heard behind both of the sound as Bakura paced back and forth. He occasionally murmured something about ancient powers and Millennium items. From time to time, he would stop and an eerie feeling would overcome the room as he pawed through everything with his Millennium Ring.

Kaiba, running his tests, were glad for the first time that Yami and Bakura were here with him. Kaiba could deal with everything…everything besides ancient powers, that is. So when he had first called Turtle Game Shop, he had never been sop glad to hear Yami's deep baritone over the phone, even though most of Yami's bellows were threats and accusations. And when he called Bakura, all he heard was an enraged growl and several ancient curses.

They had both arrived within seconds after the phone call, though to Kaiba, it felt like an eternality pacing around his living room. Right after making sure his little brother was all right, the young Duel Monsters champion had immediately shipped Mokuba to the girls, who were hanging out together at Téa's house. No little brother of his was going to get involved with this kidnapping.

Right now, an occasional curse word or the slamming of a book was a comforting sound to Kaiba, in a way. Not the fact that they couldn't locate where his cousin had been taken off to.

"If you only had listened to me, Kaiba." Yami growled again, as he unrolled another scroll from his hieroglyphics collection. "I was right to call every five minutes. I knew you couldn't handle anything."

"Yeah, yeah." Kaiba muttered. The two spirits had been blaming him for the last one and a half-hour now. "Not that you two could have done anything over the phone."

"You'd be surprised at what Millennium items can do, Mortal!" Bakura snapped as he turned around.

"Well, since I don't have time to learn and neither of you would teach me, what do you expect?!"

"I exp—"

"I sensed something." The pharaoh interrupted, his eyes darting back and forth. "Bakura, do you feel it?" Bakura paused and his body stilled.

"Dark energy." His voice was a whisper. Then he bolted upright and looked around, his head in jerky motions. As if understanding his need for direction, his Millennium Ring glowed and began pulling him. "Come on, hurry up!" He urged as he began to run.

"Wha—Yami, he doesn't mean we just run after him, does he—?" Kaiba's jaw dropped open.

"Come on!" Was Yami's only order before chasing after Bakura out of the mansion.

"Oh, he—" Kaiba muttered before his long legs ran after Yami. He hoped that crazy Millennium item would stop soon, but to his dismay, it didn't. In fact, by the time Bakura stopped and Kaiba practically died on the road—they were in front of Domino Museum.

"Why here?" Yami wondered out loud.

"Something must be wrong. Dark immortal powers wouldn't be here unless—" Bakura didn't finish his sentence, instead, he ran up the steps and up to the door. "It's locked! Closed." He looked at the door with disgust.

"What do we do?" Yami moaned. "If Marik was really here, then we've got to get inside. But how?" The three guys met each other's eyes. Then, as if they read the others' eyes, they hoisted their legs up and kicked.

Glass shattered and one by one, the guys hopped through the broken glass door. Queerly, no alarm rang, which proved that something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Where's Ishizu? Where is she?" Kaiba muttered as he ran through the museum.

"Over here!" Bakura called as they came into the room where Ishizu had showed them the memories. He started running as they all noticed the young woman's limp figure on the floor. She moaned as Yami gently shook her.

"Ishizu?" Kaiba probed as he took her pulse. "Ishizu, are you alright? What happened?"

"Necklace," her voice was weak as her eyelids remain closed. "Millennium Necklace…"

"It's gone." Bakura sounded frustrated. "Her necklace is gone." Kaiba boosted up the Egyptian woman's body and picked her up.

"Yami," he ordered, taking charge once again. "In my right pocket, there's a cell phone. Call my limo. She needs to be taken to a hospital. Something's wrong with her." Yami obediently did so as Bakura leaned closely to Marik's sister, asking in an apprehensive voice,

"What happened to the necklace?" He asked in a nice voice, though it didn't hide his anxiety.

"Marik…Marik took it…" Her voice was so faint that the spirit of the Ring had to put his ear right next to her lips. Her face was deathly pale and perspiration shined from her forehead. Her eyebrows frowned as if she was in some sort of trance.

"What did he want with it?" Yami, who was now done calling Kaiba's limo, managed to hear Ishizu's answer.

"Travel…back…to ancient…millennia. Use the ring." Her hands reached up and reached for a hand. Yami caught her hand and held on to it. He murmured something in his soft ancient tongue to sooth the woman, but what she said next froze his blood.

"The princess…he has…the princess."

Silken drapes blew gently around the open window of the palace. The palace was golden and inscriptions were inscribed on the wall. The Nile was still a glittering ribbon of blue. Cattails, reeds, and papyruses made a soft whisper that calmed down the most nervous hearts.

But in the deepest heart of the castle, down the stairways a level below ground, was damp and musty. There, nobody can feel the gentle blow of the wind. Nobody could hear the low murmur of reeds nor can they hear the smooth running of the waters. But down there, the sound of rodents gnawing and the squeaks of the rats could be heard, along with the faint, painful cries of those in suffering.

Only now, there were none in suffering, besides one. A young lady, as beautiful as the deities and had the voice of waterfall falling on crystal. Her usual chiton and silk robes had been shed and in its place was a golden gauzy flowing silk. There was a little gap between her top and her skirt that showed her perfectly flat stomach. And instead of her usual lack of jewelry and unnecessary garnish, she was covered with golden adornments on her bare skin.

But despite of her stunning beauty, her gentle dark eyes now flashed with danger and her anger was smothering a fire. Though sadly, that did not hide her vulnerability and helplessness.

Daphne struggled from her uncomfortable position. Her wrists were locked beside her head by heavy metal and the fact that some parts of her skin was not covered dunked her in shame.

"A sweet as an angel's kiss, isn't she?" The dark hooded figure that stood in front of her smirked. Her long straight black hair was hung like silk from a center part, and her violet eyes were set like precious stones in her perfectly balanced face. "Do not worry, my beauty. Soon, you shall be reunited with the pharaoh."

"You have grown since I last saw you, my princess." The other figure also chuckled. This figure was taller and more slender. The third figure was silent, his form broader and more manly than the other two.

"What do you want Yami for?!" Daphne finally cried, her struggling to no avail. "He had never hurt anyone in his life!"

"My family had served the pharaoh for centuries," The heir to the Ishtar family explained in a polished voice. "Protecting his tomb and waiting for his return. But the rightful position of the pharaoh should be mine!" Marik's lavender eyes narrowed. "I have already located the other Millennium items, but in order for me to possess the power of the pharaoh, the ancient scriptures require me to duel with Yami for his Millennium Puzzle."

"What about my cousin? And Bakura?" Daphne's face looked pale and frightened and to Marik's own surprise, he felt sorry for the young princess. But ignoring that feeling, he concentrated on his hatred for the pharaoh and placed the malevolent smile back on his face.

"Don't forget, my sweet, between your father and Kaiba, they still have my Slifer the Sky Dragon and Oblisk the Tormenter. As for Bakura," the owner of the Millennium Rod chuckled. "I will have no further use for him after I take possession of his Millennium Ring."

"But—"

"Enough time wasted on explaining. Don't worry, my beauty, you shall soon see me again after the pharaoh makes his presence known. Until then." He turned and moved toward the stairs. His footsteps were silent, quick, and analytical. The taller figure tagged along. And the silent third figure moved silently after them.

"And what will you do until then, Marik?" The figure asked. Marik walked faster and without turning around, said in a cold voice,

"That is Lord Marik to you. But until then, I think I shall pay my sister a visit. We might have been a bit too harsh on her."

"I'm sure you'll find her in a adequate condition. She's quite tough when it comes to dark powers. Like a desert cactus though, when it comes to protecting the Millennium items." Marik swirled around to face his companion. His eyes were a burst of icy flame.

"My sister," he began in a quiet, deadly voice. "Is a delicate deity if there ever was one with the responsibility that you obviously don't have. And that's My Lady to you. Don't let me catch you speaking so insolent about my sister ever again, is that an understatement?"

With another swirl of his dark robe, Marik stocked off with his silent companion, leaving the last figure speechless…and frightened.

"Ancient Egypt, ancient Egypt, ancient powers," Yami muttered. "Ancient powers, dark energy, evil forces of immortality…ARGH!!" He slammed the book shut and threw it across the room against the wall. "There is nothing here! Nothing! Without Ishizu's Millennium Necklace, how can we return back to ancient Egypt?!"

"There's got to be something…" Kaiba racked through his brain for an answer. But not knowing much about ancient magic and energy to begin with, all that filled his head was images of Millennium items. "If Marik had intentionally done this so we could trace him, then there should be a way."

"There's a way all right!" Yami snapped. "But a way that we don't know about."

"Why didn't Ishizu tell us how to get back?" Bakura asked himself under his breath.

"Because she was fundamentally unconscious at that time, you moron." Kaiba heard him and said sarcastically. Bakura cast him a dirty look. "Look, this mission depends on the both of you, have you two even found anything yet?"

"No." Yami suddenly looked up from his book and stared at Bakura. Bakura's chest, Kaiba noted disgustedly. But Yami paid no attention to the young businessman. He jumped up and pointed.

"Ishizu did tell us how to get back." He said excitedly. Bakura looked at him weirdly. "Remember what she said right before she told us that Marik has Daphne?" Before anyone could reply, Yami burst out. "'Use the ring.' She said to use the ring." Looking at the still bewildered faces in front of him, he sighed and said, "Bakura's Millennium Ring!"

Bakura slapped his forehead, "Why didn't I think of that!? But wait…I don't know how to make my Millennium Ring take us back." He groaned and his form slumped. But Yami reached up and shoved Bakura.

"It must states how in the ancient scripture." He rushed.

"But where—"

"Daphnia's library, where else?!"

The library that they had so painfully cleaned up was a mess in fifteen minutes.

"I don't read Egyptian!" Kaiba said, frustration building up in him. "How am I suppose to find anything if I can't read?"

"Look for pictures, then!" Bakura clamored, his fingers flew at flipping pages. His eyes darted from page to page, skimming its contents as if his life depended on it.

"She shouldn't be in any danger," Kaiba reasoned as his pale face looked over a book at his fellow companions. "If Marik needed her for bait, then his intentions wouldn't stray to hurting her. Right?" That pale face was so pinched and so hungry for reassurance that Bakura swallowed and gave a weak smile.

"Let's hope you're right, Kaiba." Yami nodded rigidly. "Let's hope you're right."

Marik was not in a good mood. Visiting Ishizu in the hospital didn't lighten his heart. In fact, if anything, watching his sister's pale weak face and her uneasy breathing had all to do with his bad mood. His sister was a delicate creature, he knew that. Marik scowled. But that stupid Priest Seto sure didn't. Marik didn't think it was necessary to have used that much dark magic on Ishizu in the beginning, but it was out of his league after the sorcerer let loose his magic.

Ishizu could have died, he realized grimly. The sweet sister that had loved him and taken care of him when he was young. After all, it had almost killed Pegasus when Bakura used his dark energy.

"Master Marik?" One of his servants bowed down lowly in front of him, quivering slightly. Marik narrowed his lavender eyes and eyed the golden tray balanced in the man's hands. "She would not take any, master." Those hands trembled. Marik stood up, enraged.

"She didn't eat anything?!" He demanded. Waiting for that stupid pharaoh to find his way back through time and seeing his sister's condition had already put him into a temper, he didn't need a sulky little princess to try his patience and disobey his orders to add on to his brilliant headache.

"Yes, sir. Y-You said to report anything, that y-you'd like to be informed—" The man stuttered, his hands trembling so hard that some of the wine in the golden wine goblet spilled out.

"So you just did." Marik snapped as he prepared to leave his throne. "And absolutely no one…no one…disobeys my orders. I'll go see her for myself."

"Um, she has locked herself in her chamber, your greatness." The slave hastened to say. "She refuses to see anyone."

"Hmph, she is still sullen…directed at my behalf." The Ishtar heir thought to himself and said out loud, "Never mind that. It is I who will decide who I want to see, not her. I'll see her all right. She doesn't have the power to reject me."

She does have the power to hate me, though. He thought once again to himself dryly.

"What would you like me to do with the tray, sir?"

"Oh, get out of my way!" Marik finally snarled as he headed for the chamber that he had just escorted the princess to earlier.

"Delphinium!" He bellowed, pounding on the double door. "I demand you open this door at once!"

No one answered him.

Curious to see exactly what the princess was doing, the sixteen-year-old used his Millennium Rod and went into the room silently.

The room was quiet as he entered, but his sensitive ears could detect the sound of soft breathing.

"Where is that girl?" He muttered as his silent footsteps brought him to every corner of the room. But as he rounded his last corner, he found himself face to face with a platform bed, surrounded by gauzy silk hangings, giving the deity laying in the bed an enchanting, mysterious look.

Couldn't help himself, Marik tiptoed to the side of the bed and brushed aside the silk drapes.

Daphne was asleep, and there were tears stains on her cheeks and fresh teardrops continued falling. Marik didn't know what he was doing as he reached out and his cool fingers brushed away her tears, his fingertips tracing her rose-petal soft skin.

"Rest well, my beauty," he whispered. "No harm shall come to you." with that, he pulled the satin covers over her and left the room.

Footsteps. Evil laughter. No faces…only shadows. Awful noises. She ran, but felt as though she wasn't moving. She screamed, but no sound came from her throat. She struggled and felt the unwelcoming suffocating shadows locking her in position.

The face of her captor. She couldn't see. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't see his face. The wicked sound of him laughing was nauseating her and she could feel herself growing faint from the control he had over her.

Finally unable to contain anymore, she screamed.

And screamed…

…and screamed.

Daphne felt a hand lay gently on her shoulders and she immediately threw her hands up and shoved off her offender. There was a loud thud and a grunt. Daphne bolted upright in her bed and stared off into the darkness. There were two violet orbs blinking at her in the dark and she protectively drew her sheets up to her chin.

"Even I didn't anticipate that coming." Marik complained, a trace of annoyance lined his face as he stood up. "I could hear you screaming from my room. In this ungodly hour, no less."

"Mmm…" She didn't say anything, only viewed him with unapproving eyes. There were so much loathes and distrust in her eyes that Marik raised his voice in defiance.

"You were screaming so I thought I'd better—"

"My door was locked, how did you get in?" The voice that sliced through the air was icy. "This was my room, no one had the key for it. Only Yami did."

"Maybe I had taken it from him, then." Marik snapped, rubbing his temples. "Why do you not think that is possible?"

"Because Yami's not stupid, nor is he a coward."

"And you think I'm stupid?" Marik's voice echoed within the chamber walls.

"Yes. And not only that, but a coward as well."

"You dare call me a coward?!" Marik's roar reduced to a hiss on the last word. His voice was venomous and he pointed an enraged, shaking finger at the younger girl. "You listen to me, young lady, I am to be pharaoh one day, the day when your cowardly father decides to find his way here and then, you shall see who is the coward!"

With that last biting sentence as his parting, he swirled around and stomped out of the room.

We shall see, Delphinium, he thought, his eyes narrowed. We shall see who's the coward. Yami…or me.

"I don't know, I just don't know." Bakura's British whimper was almost too much for Kaiba to take. He jumped up from his desk and took hold of Bakura's shoulders.

"Stop that!" He ordered, his eyes stern. "We've got to try our best. Daphne's life is at stake here!"

"I know…but I don't know how to make the Ring go back in time." Bakura fidgeted, like a little kid caught while doing a naughty thing.

"Is there even a way?" Kaiba demanded.

"There has to be," Yami countered. "What else could Ishizu mean when she mentioned the Ring? It's got to be the Millennium Ring."

If it is, he thought to himself with melancholy. Then why haven't we found our way back yet?