Author's Note: I want to thank NeferNeferi for first chapter!
Chapter 2: The Guardians
"What do we have here?" a voice said behind us.
We turned around to come face to face with a boy who was about Mokuba's height, or at least. He had a blue sweatshirt that seemed to cover a black shirt, and he had on blue pants and sneakers. The boy even wore a red cap and a pair of dark green gloves. His auburn eyes stared at us with caution.
"Who are you?" the boy replied.
"Why don't we ask the same thing?" Mokuba spoke.
The boy continued to stare at us. It was like he was staring into our souls. He turned to face the castle. "My name is -" he was interrupted by Lina's shouting.
"Hey, Ash!" she cried as she jumped on top of him. "Long time, no see, old friend!"
"Same here." Ash shrugged.
Joey, Tea and Tristan followed behind her. The three looked very exhausted and I noticed Lina got off the boy named Ash.
"Will someone tell me what's going on?" Kaiba yelled out.
"No need to be so rude, Seto!" Lina said back.
"What brings you to Animus,... and with these humans?" Ash asked.
Everyone turned to face Lina. She suddenly blushed and pulled Ash towards her. They began talking behind our backs.
Atem
What is it, aibou?
Have any idea if this place could be the Shadow Realm?
I have never been in this world before, but it looks as though Lina might know.
I wonder if she knows more ...
I snapped out of my mind link with Atem and watched Lina's conversation with Ash. The two whispered, but it sounded as though they were arguing. Then they dispersed and walked towards us.
"Okay, I guess I owe you all an explanation." Lina finally said.
"Make sure they understand everything you tell them." Luna replied as she appeared in spirit form. Everyone nearly jumped once they saw her, except for Ash.
"This world is called Animus. It may look like Earth, but this world has been kept pure for over a billion of years." Lina explained.
"Billion of years!" everyone shouted out.
"This world has inhabitants that look human, but they are not, and that includes Ash and I. Our people evolved from the creatures that you have on Earth, and we evolved more faster than you, humans."
Everyone looked speechless, but Kaiba didn't appear as though he were buying into anything Lina was saying. He kept staring at Ash the whole time.
"Are you sayin' that this world is more advanced than Earth?" Joey interrupted.
"Of course we are!" Ash answered. "I'll continue, Lina. We even have a military army called the Trinity which stands for the symbols of the sun, moon and star. It has survived for countless centuries and that is why nothing in this world has been plagued by the hands of evil."
"What about your government? Has it survived during the centuries?" Kaiba asked. Both Lina and Ash nodded their heads in agreement.
"The government is run by the royal family called the Dragon Dynasty, and they did a wonderful things to help protect this world from the evils of you, humans!" Ash replied harshly. He uttered the word 'human' as if it were poison.
"And you're facing one of the castles that belong to one of the members right at this very moment." Lina added.
"You mean ..." I wanted to complete my sentence, but I couldn't.
The castle with the dragon statues stood proudly in the area and there was no sign of it rotting away. The huge doors that led inside weren't even rusty. Is there something that Lina didn't mention to us yet?
"These rulers have different domains in each of the cities in Animus. They have amazing powers that enabled them to use the powers of nature. These beings were called the Guardians." Lina continued.
"Lina," Ash spoke. "How exactly did these humans get here?"
"Some odd vortex appeared and sucked us in it. Then we appeared here and met you." She explained.
"It must be the work of Pluto!" Ash gasped.
"What? The Guardian of Darkness is back? Did you hear that, Luna?" Lina nearly screamed.
"That would mean the other Guardians must be around as well!" Ash deducted. "We have to get your friends out of here, or they'll be killed!"
"Worse than that!" Lina said. "They must be the ones after Yugi's Millennium Puzzle!"
Ash began running towards the castle. "They should be safe in Yukai's castle. He hasn't returned there for over two centuries since the Final Battle."
"Come, follow us!" Lina pleaded. "We'll keep you safe for now!"
I followed her and the others did as well. I wonder why they feared about our safety? Could this be the new threat Lina was talking about? Whatever it is, I believe we're about to find out. I suddenly felt a strange presence as if it were watching us this very moment.
"Protect them as you wish, Luna, but their time will run out soon." a voice snickered. "No one can hide from the darkness, and neither can you! I will claim the Millennium Puzzle and use its powers to destroy all of humanity! Even Yukai can't stop me now!" Lightning struck as this being spoke and his laughter was heard throughout the castle. He continued to watch us through a small vat and the whole chamber was dark as shadow.