Disclaimer: I don't own the Yu-Gi-Oh characters.

Chapter 4: Guardian of Wind Draws Near!

"EVERYONE, HOLD ON!" Lina screamed out.

The whole chamber shook dangerously, and we tried to move out of the way for falling debris. The ceiling above us began cracking and I feared for everybody's safety.

"LINA, TELEPORT US TO MY FAMILY'S MANSION!" Zack yelled to her.

A mysterious blue aura enshrouded us, and I noticed Lina was using her psychic powers. We disappeared from the chamber as we traveled through a black portal. We suddenly reappeared in a different room, and we landed softly onto the ground.

"Where are we?" I replied.

"The Ling Mansion." Ash answered.

A beautiful crystal chandelier hung above us and I saw a spiral stairway that must have lead to other parts of the mansion. We probably were in the lobby of the mansion because I noticed two majestically craved mahogany doors beside us. I stood up and walked towards the fireplace. Hanging above it was a dragon and phoenix crest1 that intertwined each other. This perhaps could be the family crest of the household.

"Lovely, isn't it?" Zack said as came towards me. "My family has owned this mansion for generations, and it still stands to this very day."

"Where is your family?" Mokuba asked.

"They are living in the Mortal World, or should I say Earth." Zack explained.

"What exactly was goin' on?" Joey spoke out.

Silence entered the room until Lina broke it. "The balance of power is becoming undone," Lina began, "and it will be their fault." Everyone, except Zack and Ash understood what she said. The new threat was probably not through with us yet.

"There's gotta be a way to get out of this world!" Tea blurted out.

"You can't get out, and if you do, you'll all die!" Lina protested.

Atem suddenly called me through our mind link.

Yugi,

What is it?

Let me take over for a while. I want to speak with Lina myself

Alright, Atem

A shining yellow light was emitted from my body. Everyone covered their eyes, and discovered that me and Atem switched places. Lina didn't look pleased.

"Pharaoh, why did you come out?" she demanded. "Luna, take over now!"

What is she doing, Atem?

I don't know, but I think we're about to find out!

Lina's body glowed an ominous blue light, and then she was no longer the same person. Standing before us was Luna, a spirit like Atem. Her bluish-silver eyes were filled with anger and she approached us cautiously. I didn't realize that Luna was a bit taller than Lina's short height, which was compared with my height.

"Don't ask me why Lina changed places with me. You never know that danger stalks to those who don't expect its arrival." Luna replied.

"What was Lina saying about the imbalance of power?" Atem asked.

Luna glared at him for a moment before answering his question. "This world is run by a delicate balance, unlike your own on Earth. The powers of the sun, moon and star are somehow disrupted, maybe by Pluto and Yukai," Luna explained.

"Who is Yukai?" Kaiba questioned.

"Yukai is Guardian of the Sky, Prince of Dragons, his power is drawn from the sun, and is next in line to rule this world. We were just at his castle in Star Valley, which lies in Gold City." Luna continued.

"Right now, we're in Midnight City, where Pluto has his castle on Dark Mountain," Zack interrupted. "The only thing that stands in their way to claiming the Millennium Puzzle is Artemis."

I appeared in my spirit form, and that is when I noticed Lina was in the same form as me. Her eyes were locked on me and then she faced Zack.

I wonder what's wrong with her

Yugi, something tells me that Lina can't be trusted

What makes you think that?

She's seems to be holding back her true motives, but we must dread cautiously of her

If you say so

I continued listening to Luna's discussion. Lina never acted this way before and I guess I'll never find out. "Artemis is Guardian of Wind, second in command with Pluto in first and her powers are drawn from the moon, hence the name." Luna said. "Luckily, she is on the good side because her powers are very strong, and very deadly."

"Also, Yukai is on the good side, but Pluto is not."Ash added.

Lina began whispering to Luna, and I tried to hear what they were saying, but to no avail. "I forgot to include that Artemis happens to be the faithful servant of Pharaoh Atem. Does this sound familiar to you?" Luna said to him.

"I don't recall anyone with a name like that, but lately I've been sensing a strange presence during the full moon." Atem stated.

"That has to be her!" Ash yelled excitably. "Artemis's powers are strongest during the full moon. Maybe she still is watching you for these past 3,000 years!"

"Atem, can you remember someone with long silver wings?" Luna asked.

"The description is familiar to me, but why are you asking?" Atem questioned.

Luna walked over to a draped window. She unveiled the light-green curtains as the sunlight entered the room. Her tanned skin seemed to glimmer along with the sun. "Artemis never told you she was a Guardian, did she?" Luna concluded.

"No, she hadn't." Atem said sadly.

"She came to Egypt around the time your father, Akunumkanon, was pharaoh."Luna explained. "Artemis was appointed your protector, but there was something more between you two."

"I have a feeling that the two of you fell in love with each other, but Artemis was way older than you, and while your reign as pharaoh, you sacrificed yourself to protect Egypt, am I correct?" Zack replied.

"All of this is a blur to me... I-I-I have no recollections of the information you are giving me!" Atem stuttered.

Luna wandered over to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder as if trying to comfort him. "Your servant is still watching you..." Luna whispered, but it sounded more like Lina's voice in the wind.

"Artemis must be in Silver City. Maybe she knows of Atem's arrival here in Animus!" Ash inferred. "She is the only person that has the strength to fight against Pluto's dark powers!"

"Are you sure she can defeat Pluto?" Tea asked.

"Artemis uses powers of light, but she sides with Yukai, and fortunately, the rest of the other Guardians fight on their side!" Luna added. "But we have no idea where is Yukai, or if he is still over the betrayal..."

"Betrayal?" Kaiba questioned.

"Two centuries ago, Artemis sided with Pluto, and she tried to kill Yukai because he was on the humans' side. She didn't succeed, but their bond of friendship was broken. They knew each other ever since they were three years old." Luna said unhappily.

"Ha, friendship is only for the weak, and will only lead to your downfall!" Ash muttered.

"How can you say somethin' like dat?" Joey objected. "People need friends, just like when I needed Yugi, or Tea, or Tristan's help, they were always there!"

"Ignore him!" Zack disrupted. "Luna, can you contact Roseanna(1) on your cellphone?"

"Of course, why?" Luna asked.

"We need to get supplies if we're going to stay here." he answered.

Luna dialed her phone and strolled her way to a corner. She waited for a reply and Luna began talking.

"Roseanna, can you head to Domino City, Japan, and go to the Gardener and Taylor residence to pick up Tea and Tristan's things. I will be at the Mutou house, and Zack will be at the Kaiba Mansion and Wheeler residence." Luna explained to her friend. "We'll meet at the Domino Train Station, and then discuss what we'll do next... I don't care if it takes you forever to find the damn station, just go ask the people there. Don't go complaining that you can't speak Japanese because they should speak English as well. Good-bye." She hung up.

"Ash, stay here, and make sure that they are safe until we come back with all the essentials, that fine with you?" Zack said.

"Just hurry and get back here as soon as possible."Ash replied as Luna and Zack made their way to the door.

The sun began setting, and my friends wandered around the mansion. Atem remained silent, so I decided that we switched places. He seemed reluctant at first, but he finally agreed.

Atem, what is wrong?

Luna said that I had a servant, but why hasn't she revealed herself to me?

I don't know. Maybe she fears for your safety.

Could Artemis be the final key to unlocking my past?

If she is, then I wonder where she is

Atem and I were unaware that a winged being was listening to our conversation. Her eyes glittered in the moonlight as did her silver wings. She wore silver Egyptian robes, silver wristbands and two silver feathers tucked between her long bangs. The being's long, dark brown hair waved in the wind.

"Soon, my Pharaoh, I shall return to you. My nemesis, Pluto will not claim your puzzle, and I will make sure he won't!" the being spoke as she flew away into the horizon.

Footnotes:

(1) The dragon and phoenix crest also represents Artemis, Pluto and Yukai's family. The secret about this crest will be revealed in the story.

(2) Roseanna is Lina, Zack and Ash's friend. She is used as a cameo in this story, and she also helps her friends in any way she can. This girl has a secret as well. Can you guess what she really is?