A note from Invader Shaun: Hello everyone. First off, I would like to thank everyone for their continuing support of our story and your wonderful reviews. Many people have addressed the issue of Breaker the Magical Warrior's magic counter effect. For simplicities sake, I gave Breaker's magic counter ability more leverage so it could be more easily explained to those reviewers that might not be avid players of the Yu-Gi-Oh card game. Since Breaker was only on the field for one turn, his effect was not abused. I do realize that the actual card states the attack power bonus and the single counter upon it, but I have rarely seen anyone that would rather have the extra 300 attack power when this monster is summoned over destroying a face-down magic or trap card. Thus, that little effect usually gets lost as the one player weeps at having their Mirror Force destroyed (speaking from personal experience). Please enjoy this latest chapter.

Chapter 10

"Outside Control: Vitani's Spiral"

Athena was sitting on a grass-covered hill, picking wild flowers and tying them together. She'd loved doing this as a child… 'Wait…' She looked down at her hands, which were smaller than then should be. She felt her chest… completely flat. There was laughter behind her and she turned. Vitani, who looked to be no older than seven, was running towards her, holding a blue ball with both hands and smiling widely. 'I remember this time in our lives…' Athena thought, grinning and waving at her sister, 'We were so happy…'

"I got the ball!" Vitani said, kneeling down beside her sister, "Nick stuck it up in a tree, but Diana got it down."

"Now we can play again!" Athena heard herself say. "I made this for you," she added, holding out the flower wreath.

"Thank you…" Vitani said admiringly, placing the crown on her blonde head, "It's so pretty…"

"You look pretty with it on," Athena assured her.

Vitani giggled and then scrambled to her feet and ran a few yards away, "Here, catch!"

"Okay!" Athena jumped to her feet, holding her arms out, "I'm ready!"

Vitani threw the ball, but before it could reach her a strong wind caught it and blew it away. Both girls watched it fall back down the hill. "Aww, man…" Athena sighed.

"I'll go get it again," Vitani volunteered, but before she'd reached the curve of the hill, a figure rose up in front of them, climbing up the side of the hill. He was tall and dark, with green eyes and white robes. In his hands he held a black ball.

"Did you girls lose this?" he asked, holding it up.

"Yes!" Vitani said, "Thank you!" She reached for it, but Athena grabbed her and held her back.

"No…" the Greek girl said, "Our ball was blue."

"Oh but this one's much better," the man said, "I promise it'll never blow away like that other one."

"That'd be great!" Vitani said, pulling out of Athena's grip and hurrying towards the man again, "I'm tired of chasing after it all the time."

The man smiled and handed her the ball. She nearly fell over with the weight, "Wow…" she panted, "It's really heavy."

"Don't worry," he said, "You'll get used to it."

Vitani turned back to Athena, "Lookit!" she said.

At that moment, two blood red eyes snapped open on the ball, flashing fiercely. "TANI LOOKOUT!!" Athena cried, running forward, as the sky above her darkened and the grass died on the spot.

Vitani looked down at the ball, and let out a shriek as the ball flew out of her hands, growing immensely, before turning on her and, opening a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, closed down on the little girl, swallowing her whole and then exploding in a violent cloud of fire and smoke.

Athena was knocked off her feet by the blast. "NO!!" she cried as the smoke cleared and only the smoldering flower-wreath was left in the spot where Vitani had been. "Vitani!! Come back!!

The man in the white robes turned and headed back down the hill, calling back, in a voice all too familiar, "Your sister is mine…and will be until it destroys her…"

Athena was left alone on the dead hill, wind swirling around her and lightning flashing across the dark sky.

* * *

"Vitani!!" Athena shot up in bed, panting, clutching her cotton sheets, nightshirt drenched in cold sweat. For a long moment she just sat there, hands hiding her face, trying to catch her breath. 'It was…so real…' she thought, shuddering. 'She needs me.'

With determination in her icy blue eyes, she threw the sheets off, not even noticing the cool winter night air on her bare legs, and crossed her room. As she was stuffing her duffle bag with clothes, she heard a feminine voice come from her doorway. "Thena…what are you doing?" She glanced up. Her older sister Diana was leaning against the doorframe, her long black hair tied loosely at the nape of her neck, shaded rings under her blue eyes.

"I'm going to Japan," Athena said, turning back to her packing.

"What for?" came a second, this time masculine voice. Her younger brother nick had stumbled across the hall as well, rubbing his eyes and tugging at the drawstrings of his pajama pants. "And what was with the screaming? You have a bad dream or something?"

"It wasn't a nightmare – it was a vision," Athena snapped, zipping up her bag. She pulled her traveling clothes out from a trunk under her bed and Diana shoved Nick outside, shutting the door in front of him.

This seemed to faze none of them, as Athena began pulling off her nightshirt and Nick continued his questions. "A vision? What of?"

"Vitani," Athena said, gracefully stepping into her pants and latching her belt, "She's in trouble."

"What exactly did you see?" Diana asked calmly, brushing a few strands of loose hair out of her face.

"Jetsu still has a hold on her," Athena answered indirectly. Reliving the dream again was something she did not wish to rush into. "I don't know how he's doing it, but he's going to destroy her."

"What're you gonna do about it?" Nick asked from the hallway.

"I don't know yet…" Athena admitted, "But I can't just sit here and let it happen."

Diana nodded, "I see…And you're positive she switched sides?"

"Yes!" Athena exclaimed, pulling her cloak over her head, "I've been telling you that for the past six months! The only reason she didn't come home with me was because she knew you'd all act like this!"

"I never said –" Diana started, looking indignant.

"But that doesn't mean you haven't thought it," Athena said shortly, "I'm leaving – whether you like it or not. I haven't abandoned her yet."

She pushed past her sister and stormed out into the hallway, causing Nick (who had been leaning against the door) to be thrown down on the floor on his back, the door no longer supporting his weight. After she had rounded the nearest corner out of sight, Diana leaned down over her baby brother curiously.

He moaned, rubbing the back of his head. "What now?"

* * *

Bakura tossed his backpack on the floor as he got home from school Tuesday afternoon. Still no sign of Tristan or Tea, and they were all starting to get a little worried. He slid into his chair in front of his computer to check his e-mail. Maybe one of them would have sent something. The familiar ding of a new message brought more surprise than relief from worry. "It's from Athena…" he said to himself, double clicking on the title.

"Bakura-chan,

I hate to bother you but I have a really big favor to ask. I'll be coming to Japan soon on business and was wondering if you could possibly provide me with a place to stay. I don't want to be a burden or anything, but my savings are running sort of low, so I was thinking maybe I could stay with you. If this would be a problem, I'd understand completely. Let me know either way. I'm catching the red-eye flight tonight. See you soon!

Love,

Athena"

"Well, aren't you going to write back, Bakura-chan?" Barak asked snidely, appearing behind his host and leaning over his shoulder to look at the e-mail.

Bakura felt his cheeks grow hot. "What am I suppose to do?"

"Tell her of course it's alright if she comes, but to be gentle because you're still quite inexperienced," Barak stated plainly, straightening up and looking down at the boy.

The blush strengthened tremendously on the teen's face and he swallowed hard, "I…I don't think that's what she had in mind…" he said meekly, clicking on the reply button.

Barak snorted and disappeared again, leaving Bakura alone with his thoughts.

* * *

"It says Tea's line has been disconnected," Yugi said, hanging up the cordless in the kitchen.

"Hmmm…" Yami said, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "This is starting to worry me…"

Yugi nodded, climbing up onto a stool in front of the counter next to his counterpart. "I'd really like to think that they've just run off together, but knowing both of them, that's not likely."

"I just don't understand it…" the Pharaoh said, slamming his hand down on the counter, "What on earth could've happened??"

"The last time I talked to Tea was on Friday, when I asked her if she had any plans for the weekend," Yugi spoke up thoughtfully, thinking hard to remember more, "She had said that Tristan had sent her an e-mail asking her to meet him in the park. I wonder if that had anything to do with it…"

"It sounds like a perfect place for foul play," Yami nodded, "But… who?"

"That's what I can't figure out…" Yugi sighed.

* * *

'It would seem this place has been through several changes since my last visit…' Jetsu mused, looking at the "Under new Management" sign posted on the door of the Domino Museum. The trip from Egypt back to Japan was uneventful, but marked his longest possession of this body. He hadn't quite mastered his control of Vitani, so his magical reserves were getting low, but no matter. Soon Vitani would be gone and only he would remain.

He smiled as he smashed one of the two double doors in with the Millennium Rod. It was crude, but the only way to get to her. It had been a calculated risk, but his hunch that Seline had expanded her area of operations in his absence had paid off. The fact that this trip brought him into the heart of the Pharaoh's current dwelling was of little concern. The ruler of Egypt may have gotten lucky once, but that was going to change.

Jetsu began to slowly walk down the large, center hallway of the main floor, the red Egyptian Eye lighting his way. If Seline had intended to attempt to impede his progress, here would be the time and the place.

* * *

"It can't be…" Seline muttered.

"What is it, Mistress?" Basil asked, coming up beside her high-backed chair.

"Take a look at who's been breaking-and-entering," she said, gesturing towards the security screens. A clear image of Vitani's body striding through the main corridor was filling every screen, each one showing a slightly different angle. The red eye on her forehead was clearly visible.

"Who is it?" Shem asked, looking up from behind a desk.

"The former servant of Lord Jetsu Maeda," Chalie answered, buried in his own paperwork.

"Or so it would seem…" Seline said, pointing at the screen which clearly showed the eye, "Yet something tells me she's not alone…or even herself. This might get dangerous…depending on how we play our cards."

"Shall I go take care of him?" Basil asked, tensed.

"No…that would be what he'd expect," she said, "And I don't want anyone getting hurt," she added, touching his muscular arm lightly, "Just go welcome him and escort him up here, where we can talk."

"Yes, Ma'am," Basil bowed and strode off.

* * *

Jetsu finished climbing the stairs to the second floor, 'She's afraid. Not without reason…' he hadn't traversed more than another step when a new figure became visible. It was a tall, brawny man holding what looked curiously like a Millennium Item. Maeda smiled and kept walking, coming closer and closer to the stranger.

Basil was shaken slightly by the woman's seeming lack of worry as they drew ever nearer to a head-on collision. 'Mistress always said Maeda was our one true threat…' he reminded himself, 'Best make sure it's actually him.' As the figure drew closer he spoke out clearly, "Are you Jetsu Maeda?"

Jetsu stopped inches form the other, Vitani's body a full head shorter than the male's, "I am, but I have no business with you. I suggest removing yourself from my path before I am forced to do so myself."

"My Mistress has instructed me to bring you to her," Basil said, standing tall, "I trust you have business with her?"

"Lead the way." Maeda said, staring up at the man's nervous face.

Basil turned swiftly and headed back the way he had come.

* * *

"Maeda…what a surprise to see you still among us mere mortals," Seline said, spinning her chair around as Basil lead the woman's body through the door.

"Were you under the impression that I had ever left?" he asked, stopping in front of Seline's desk and looking down at her with distain.

"I must admit after that mess in Egypt it had crossed my mind," she said calmly, pulling a bottle of wine and two glasses out of a deep drawer in her desk, "Care to join me?" she asked, as she filled the glasses.

"No," he replied bluntly, not moving from his spot, "You've been busy in these past six months, haven't you?"

"I've always been busy," she said, standing up and crossing over to where Shem was sitting and setting the second glass down in front of him. "Have you been keeping close watch on me while the world thought you'd vanished?" she asked coming back to her own desk and picking up her glass.

"It was a real nuisance, this girl's mental barrier. Watching was the only thing I could do until recently," He stopped in mid-thought, and closed his eyes briefly, "What is that presence I'm sensing? It couldn't be… my old Shield!" he grinned evilly, the expression very unnatural on Vitani's face, "How has it been working for you?"

"You know damn well how it's been 'working'," Seline said hotly, as a nerve had been struck, "But I see you've claimed a new Item for yourself," she gestured at the Rod still clutched in his hand, "What's this one for?"

"A gift. Vitani hopes to present it to Seto Kaiba. My Item is here," Jetsu patted the sheath at his side, where the Millennium Sword resided, "And I have it plus a complex bit of Egyptian magic to thank for my continued existence."

"I see…" Seline nodded, "And do you plan to allow Seto Kaiba to claim the Rod?"

"It won't matter whether or not he has it in the long run," Jetsu said uncaringly, "But enough of this banter. I assume you realize that this isn't a social call."

"Yes, you never come just to talk anymore," she said, voice thick with mock disappointment, "What is it you want?"

"This body is dying off of its own guilt. As much as I know how it would disappoint you if I were to experience death a second time, I need a permanent form of my own. For that, I need you." Each word seemed to be dragged out of Maeda with a mixed amount of distain and restraint, as it pained him to request the help of a rival.

"Really…?" she said, "Intriguing…what exactly did you have in mind? And what's in it for me…?"

"You use your time and research to create me a new being and in return…" Jetsu took a deep breath and then let out the next words slowly, "I will satisfy your greed by unsealing the Shield."

Seline's purple eyes gleamed. "Unseal the Shield…?" she echoed, "But how do I know that once you have a body of your own again, that you won't come after it?"

"Stay on my good side and you should have no cause to worry about such things. If you would like," Jetsu told her calmly, drawing out the Millennium Sword, "I could end any concerns you have and end your life right now."

Basil twitched rather impulsively, but Chalie put up a hand to keep him still. The last thing they needed was the muscle-bound thug to do anything reckless. They had to trust Seline could talk her way out of this.

Seline herself was eyeing the Sword warily, apparently trying to work over her words carefully. Before she could speak however, Shem stood up. "If you destroy her, then there will be no one with the dark magic required who is willing to create you a new form," he said.

Jetsu's eyes narrowed dangerously as he faced the young man, "I am in no mood to listen to you, Shem. You were stupid enough to challenge my ancestor, let's not make history repeat itself. Sit down, boy." Maeda put the Sword away reluctantly and looked down at Seline, "What will it take for me to convince you?"

Shem cast a puzzled glance at Seline, but she was busy considering Jetsu's last words. After a brief moment, she crossed to Shem's desk, where the wine glass sat, still full. She held it out to Maeda, "Drink," she said, "If you trust me enough to do this…I'll trust your word – and you'll have a deal."

Jetsu reached forward and took the glass, staring into it with little concern, "Deal." With that, he drank the entire glass in a single sip and handed the empty goblet back to Seline, gaze never leaving her.

"We're agreed then," she said, setting the glass aside, "When I've held up my end of the bargain, how will I contact you? Or will you be checking up on me?"

"You could always just pay a visit to Kaiba Corporation or the Kaiba household," He said, smirking, "To conserve energy, I will be allowing my former servant control of this body again, but anytime you need to speak to me I will be… available." Jetsu Maeda turned and left the room, not looking as he past by Chalie and Basil. The darkness of the hallway outside enveloped him and he disappeared from view.

Once he was gone, Seline exhaled slowly, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. "Well…that was fun, wasn't it?" she said mildly. She glanced at the clock on her desk. "I suggest you boys get to bed…we've got plenty to keep us busy tomorrow…no need to try and get started now."

'Wait!" Shem said, holding up a hand and getting to his feet quickly, "What did he mean back there? He seemed to know a lot about me…"

"Yes…Jetsu knows plenty," Seline said, "Once the magic of the Shield is released, perhaps even more of your past will be revealed." She leaned close to him, brushing the tips of her fingers along his face, "It looks like your purpose has become much clearer, doesn't it?"

Shem drew back, disgusted at the lack of information still presented before him, "My host is tired. He needs rest." He stormed off towards the teen's room, content to let his host sleep so he could brood.

Seline frowned. She picked up her glass and refilled it, "Well…I'm going to retire for the evening. Either of you boys care to join me?"

"I'll have to decline," Chalie said, standing up and walking away, "It would appear that I have extra work to do now…"

As Basil came up and put an arm around her, Seline couldn't help but watch as Chalie left the room.