"Arise from Darkness"

By Heikou and Janime

Chapter Five

Find the Answer

Seto paced in his office, running his hands over his face and through his hair, trying not to think about why Cheri had left the mansion unannounced.

But you know exactly why, he thought, she can't have children and she's afraid what you'll think of her unable to give you a child made from your own blood.

The CEO groaned and flopped down in his leather chair, closed his eyes and sighed. All those times we forgot about protection and nothing happened... now we know.

Rose had been worried when she found her daughter gone. She wanted to go look for her but Seto had her taken home and if he heard word he would call her. It had been nearly an hour since Cheri was gone and he was so tempted to call the police but as soon as his hand touched the phone it rang. Picking it up he answered, "Kaiba here."

"Seto? It's Ryou," came the accented voice.

"Ryou I'm not in the mood right now. Cheri's missing and I need to call the police."

"But that's way I'm calling. Bakura and I found her and she's at my place now but before you hang up I have to tell you something. On the way home there was a police scene where a dead body was found."

"What has this got to do with me? Where's Cheri?" it took everything he had not to yell.

"That's just it! Cheri passed out and she won't wake up. We're at home-" The line was cut off as Seto quickly hung up and was already racing for the door.

"Nan!" The older woman looked up at the older Kaiba as he ran out the front door. "I have to go but as soon as Mokuba gets home have him call me on my cell phone. If anyone comes by looking for me let me know but do not let them inside. No one, not the police and especially not those reporters!" Getting into the limo he ordered Paul to take him to Ryou's place immediately. Cheri... what happened?

~

"No, I haven't see her, Ms. Dante," Tea said into the phone. "Is Cheri okay? Oh. Alright, I'll call you if she comes here. Okay. Bye."

"Cheri took off?" Yugi asked.

Tea nodded as she hung up the phone. "Yeah, and her mother didn't say why, either. All she said was that it's Cheri's place to let me know."

Keriam frowned. "Must be something really bad, then," she said. "The only time she ever takes off is when she's very upset."

"You don't think that maybe Cheri and Seto had a fight, do you?" Joey asked.

~I doubt it,~ said Yami. ~He's changed dramatically over the past year because of her.~

"What could have gotten her to run away like that, though?" Yugi asked.

The TV show they had been watching was suddenly interrupted by a news broadcast. "Earlier today in Downtown Domino, police were called in when a store keeper found a mauled body at the back of a dead-end alley. He discovered the body earlier when he was taking out the trash. Sir, could you tell us what you saw?" the reported asked a man who looked a bit pale.

"I don't know what happened but it looked like some wild animal tore whoever that was to shreds," he said before turning away. "Now I'm going to have nightmares about this..."

"We asked the police officer in charge of the crime scene but he refused to comment-there he is! Officer Date! What could you tell us about the murder victim?"

The officer sighed and turned to the reporter. "Look there is nothing here for you so leave me alone."

"But what about the victim? Why was this person targeted? Was it really an animal? Did the zoo lose a lion or tiger?"

"As I said before I refuse to comment so go home already! You'll find out all you need to know when we're done with the autopsy." You could see the stress was getting to him not to lose his temper as he pushed the cameraman aside and get into his car.

"Could there be a mass murder on the loose? More information will be released so stay tuned to Channel 6 news and we now return you to your regularly scheduled program." Everyone stared at one another in silence.

"Boy, these days just keep getting better and better," Joey sighed. "I can't wait for graduation."

"And that goes for all of us," said Keriam as she rested her head in his lap. Cheri, what happened? Where did you go?

Joey ran his hand over her hair when he heard the sigh escape from his girlfriend. "I'm sure she's okay, sweetheart."

"But Cheri's not like that," Keriam shifted so that she could look up at him. "She never takes off like this." How bad is it? Keriam frowned.

The phone ringed once more and Tea answered it. "Hello?"

"Tea, look I can't talk long but I know where Cheri is," came Seto's voice over the line.

The brunette waved her hand, trying to get everyone's attention as she put the call on speakerphone. "You found her? Where is she?"

"At Ryou's place. Look call Ms. Dante and let her know. I'm already here." Without another word he hung up the phone and the line went dead.

"How did she get to Ryou's place?" Joey asked with a frown.

"I don't know but I think we should call Ms. Dante and let her know," Yugi added as he stood.

"Already ahead of you," Tea said as she listened to the rings. The other line picked up.

"I swear if this is another reporter I'm going to put a restraining order on the lot of you," came a tired yet frustrated voice.

"Ms. Dante, its Tea."

"Oh Tea. God I'm sorry but... What can I do for you?" she asked softly.

"We know where Cheri is. No don't worry we'll bring her home but she's safe, she's at a friend's place so please trust us."

Everyone looked at Tea as she finished talking with Cheri's mother. "Okay, we will. Bye."

~Let's go,~ said Yami.

~

Seto sat beside Cheri at the foot of Ryou's bed; his fiancé had been unconscious since he arrived and she still didn't rise from her current state.

His cell phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket, he saw Mokuba's name appear on the mini LCD screen. "Yes, Mokuba."

"Is everything alright?" the younger Kaiba asked. "Nan said you just about flew out of here like Superman."

"For the moment," Seto answered as he stood up and began to pace the small room. "I'll explain everything when I get home."

"Okay, and one other thing. Sergeant Miller called not too long ago. He said that he has to talk to you and soon. Did you hear about that guy they found in the ally?"

"Yeah, Ryou told me. Listen, call back Miller and tell him to stop by the mansion around seven-thirty."

"Alright. Be careful, big brother."

"You too. Until I get there don't leave the mansion, alright?"

"Okay." They hung up and he looked down at his love. Going to her side he reached down and gently brushed a dark curl away from her face.

Cheri...

Suddenly her eyes open and she sat up on the bed but as if in a panicked state of mind she backed up until her back connected with the headboard, gasping for air and looked at every dark shadow of the room. "N-No he couldn't have done it, I didn't wish for this to happen!" she cried out.

"Cheri, calm down! Look it's me!" Reaching out he took a hold of her arms, keeping her from bolting before holding her tightly to his chest. "It's okay I'm here, it's gonna be alright," Seto whispered into her ear as she tried to pull back.

Hearing his voice she sagged against him, clinging to him tightly as tears silently rolled down her cheeks once more. "Don't let go... please, don't let go..." she cried softly.

"I promise." Seto held her tightly, running his hand over her hair. "I'm never letting you go. I swear it."

~

Ryou opened the door when the bell rang, and stepped aside to let his friends in.

"How's Cheri?" Keriam asked.

~Upstairs with Seto,~ Bakura answered.

"I'll go first," Keriam said to the others as she went up the stairs.

Yami appeared next to Yugi. ~What happened?~

"We ran into her downtown," Ryou started. "She was really upset about something. All she said was, 'I can't.' and that was it before we saw the police scene."

"We saw the news just now," Joey explained before he could tell them about it.

~That's only the half of it.~ Bakura separated from Ryou with his arms crossed over his chest. ~Cheri took a closer look at the scene but whatever she saw make her react badly to it. She nearly went sick.~

"Did she say anything, like what she saw?" Tea asked worriedly.

~Yeah, she asked me about Giga-Tech Wolf.~

Yugi blinked. "Why would she ask about a Duel Monsters card?"

"I think it would be best if she told us herself," the white-haired boy said softly as he looked up the stairs.

Keriam could hear talking behind the door she tentively knocked. "Cheri, its Keriam. Can I come in?" Seto's voice said that the door was unlocked and she stepped inside. She had never seen her this distressed before even as she refused to let go of her fiancé. "Oh Cheri..."

"Keriam... you came?" she sounded unsure as she rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Of course; you're my best friend and my Sister. I'm always here for you." Keriam stepped closer to the bed. "What's wrong? Your mom called Tea's house and she sounded very worried. What's the matter?"

Cheri closed her eyes and buried her face in Seto's chest.

"Would you like me to tell her?" he asked quietly, and she nodded. "Her mother received Cheri's test results today and. you remember her infection?"

"Yeah, during the eighth grade--she missed a few weeks of school."

"It was a uterus infection. The medication the doctors put her on saved her from having a hysterectomy. but one in twenty women lose their ability to conceive."

Keriam's eyes flew to her best friend. "Oh, Cheri." She sat down on the bed and touched the sobbing girl's arm. "I'm so sorry."

"I can't... I can't have a family..." she sobbed, trying to stop the tears from falling. "Why was this done to me?"

"It wasn't your fault; no one knew this would happen least of all you," Seto tried to explain. "The odds were just against us."

"B-But I can't give you a family of our own." Looking up the fear of that was evident in her eyes. She wouldn't know the joys or pains of raising children with the man she loved.

"We will have our family," he said, "I promise."

Cheri shook her head. "But."

"Don't worry about it now." Seto kissed her forehead. "Let's get out of here. Keriam, don't say a word about this to anyone."

"I won't," Keriam nodded. Bad enough your engagement got out. she thought.

"You can tell Tea," Cheri said as Seto helped her stand up.

"Are sure about that?" Seto looked at her.

"She's my Sister and I trust her. Tea will keep quiet."

"Okay."

"I'll tell her when the guys are out of earshot," said Keriam.

"Thank you," Cheri hugged her. "Seto, I want to go home."

"You're staying at the mansion," he said, "you and your mother don't need the reporters banging at your front door. She can stay in the guest house if she wants."

"Thanks." She seemed better but there was still the look of haunting in her eyes.

The three of them slowly made their way downstairs, walking into the living room where everyone was waiting. Tea looked at her Sisters and getting up walked over to her.

"Cheri? We're here for you no matter what," she said softly.

Cheri smiled and stepped away from Seto she gave Tea a brief hug. "That's all I need to hear, Tea."

~Cheri. I know this is going to sound cruel but... we heard about the body on the news just before we came over,~ Yami started to say, ~What did you see?~

Her body tensed but she shut her eyes tightly and took a deep breathe. "It was Talbert... I saw the wallet. But it wasn't a wild animal that killed him, it was Giga-Tech Wolf. MY Giga-Tech Wolf."

"What do you mean? How can it be your duel monster?" Yugi asked. She just removed the card from her pocket and showed it to him.

"Then why does my card have blood on his claws and snout?"

The short teen looked at the card and his violet eyes widened.

"Wait a minute." Seto looked at her. "It was Talbert?"

Cheri nodded. "I saw his wallet fall open. What is it?"

"Talbert helped with the decorations for the gazebo," Seto frowned. "He must have tipped off the press."

~Nice,~ Bakura whistled. ~If the Giga-Tech Wolf can do that, I'd love to what one of my Duel Monsters can do.~

~Keep that thought as it is,~ said Yami. ~Just a thought.~

"But I didn't know! I didn't want anyone to get hurt!" she cried out as panic threaten to engulf her.

"Shh Cheri calm down, this was not your fault," Seto said quickly as he held her tightly.

"First Twin Rods #2 kills Amierla, now Cheri's own wolf kills Talbert. What next, Bakura's deck causing havoc in the mall?" Joey asked.

~Now a bad idea, Wheeler.~

~Wait, Malik said Ishizu would be here today. I think we should pay them a visit.~ Yami said, glaring lightly at the thief.

Cheri shook her head as she clung to Seto. "No I just wanna go home. Seto please, I don't know how much more I can take."

"It's okay we're going home right now. I'll have Paul take you but first I have to get Cheri home. If you want you can invite them over but be warned, I'm having security doubled for the time being."

"Can't say that I blame you," Ryou said.

~

Ishizu listened patiently as her brother and friends told her about what was happening. Cheri even showed her the card. "What about this woman that talked to you in your dream, Seto?" Ishizu asked. "Has she spoken to you again?"

"Not since last week," he answered. "From the way she spoke, I'm guessing that she was the first Sister of the Moon."

"The Daughter of Isis who had no Father. A woman who bowed before no god or pharaoh, only to the Mother Goddess."

Keriam looked at the older Ishtar. "You know who she is."

"That passage was given to me by my grandmother before she died," said Ishizu. "It was passed on by the women of our tribe," she looked at Malik, "never the men."

~I'll feel just a tiny bit insulted,~ said Marik.

"Be quiet," his light groaned.

"So you do know who she is," said Tea.

"Who the original Daughter of Isis was?" Ishizu shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I don't. That information died with Cleopatra. She was the one who used that line to describe herself when Julius Caesar helped her obtain the throne."

"So we're back at square one," said Tristen.

"We can try but I have a feeling she won't tell us," Tea sighed softly.

"These two murders tie in with our power loss, monsters coming to life, and tears from the Shadow Realm," Keriam counted on her fingers.

"Lessons that were lost from Isis' daughter to you three since you were the last..." Seto wondered out loud. "That's the key. Lessons were taught as they were passed down so many, if not all, weren't written down. Not as long as the Sisters had daughters to pass them on to."

"But should these written lessons fall into the wrong hands... then whoever held them could control them or take their powers for themselves," Joey picked up. "That has to be it!"

"How are we going to remember lessons from thousands of years ago?" Yugi asked.

"We have to remember," Tea corrected him. "The three, sorry Joey, four of us had two hundred years prior to Yami."

~Five,~ said the Pharaoh. ~There might be a chance I could remember something about when you three were the Sisters of the Moon back then.~

"That would help," Keriam said and frowned.

Joey looked at her. "What's up?"

"I was thinking about Amierla," she sighed. "Okay, our powers are draining and the Shadow Realm has tears into this world. The energy from the Shadow Realm," Keriam looked at everyone, "it affects people and other things, am I correct?"

"According to our people's history, it does," said Rashid.

"Okay, now listen to me carefully. There's a heart in every Duel Monster deck. The three of us," Keriam pointed to herself and her Sisters, "can temporarily summon Duel Monsters into real life beings. What if the energy from the Shadow Realm caused Amierla's Twin Long Rods #2 card to come to life?"

"It makes sense," Malik said.

"And," Keriam went on, "it killed her because of the way she treated her deck. That vision I saw of her being drowned by Twin Long Rods, Amierla threw her deck against the wall and yelled that it was useless because she lost again." She turned to Yugi and Yami. "Remember your duel against Arcada? The way his Dark Magician reacted when he learned that Arcada didn't care how he treated his cards just as long as he could win?"

"You're right," said Yugi.

Yami closed his eyes momentarily. ~I remember that look on his Dark Magician's face.~

"And he seemed rather happy when he was added into my deck," Yugi looked at his darker half.

"So that must mean Giga-Tech Wolf attacked Talbert just to protect Cheri's honor," Ryou summed up.

"... He said, that he wouldn't allow anyone to destroy my happiness..." Cheri said quietly as she pulled her knees to her chest. During the entire conversation she had said nothing and seemed to stare at the coffee table. "But, I didn't want anyone to get hurt..."

"I think the monsters are reacting to our strongest emotion. Twin Rods reacted to Amierla's shame with anger; Giga-Tech reacted to Cheri's frustrated with revenge," Malik added himself. "It seems, that the one who respects his or her deck, the stronger the connection between them."

~Almost as if they share the same heart,~ Yami said as he rubbed his chin in thought.

~And with all tears appearing what better way for the monsters to come into our world and seek out, in their case, revenge,~ Bakura said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Is there anyway we can stop them from entering? It seems they're doing more harm than good for whatever their reasons," Seto said as he slipped his arm around his lady love, rubbing her back as she leaned against him.

Ishizu sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I don't know. The only way the Shadow Realm was kept in check and controlled the Duel Monsters five thousand years ago was by Yami and the other six who held the Millennium Items."

"And we've got four right here," said Joey. "What happened to the other three?"

"Shadi has them," said Yugi.

Keriam made a slightly loud coughing noise, while Cheri growled at the mention of the Keeper's name.

Tea blinked at her Sisters' reactions but it was Tristen who spoke up. "I take it you know the guy."

"Not the way you guys do but yeah, we know him," the green-eyed girl sighed.

"Some help he's been, the only good deed he did was save Tristen and Duke from falling off the blimp that one night," Cheri fairly spat. "I don't care if he considers himself an ally but if I ever see him I'm going to strangle him until he's blue in the face. Just because he has that stupid key doesn't give him the right to play with people like puppets!"

"Shh calm down," the CEO tried to sooth as he rubbed her back with a firmer hand. She yielded and moved so her head was pillowed on his lap but her eyes were open.

~Shadi... he was the one that gave Pegasus the Eye but then I took it and he managed to take it from me. And trust me, if he were dead and a spirit like us I would now,~ Bakura growled out himself. To have something stolen from the King of Thieves was unheard of!

"Do I detect a hint of resentment towards the so-called Keeper, Bakura?" Seto smirked in the spirit's direction. The CEO received a glare in response.

~Anyways,~ Marik said, ~granted that his way of helping others isn't exactly the best method to use, but we need to get in contact with Shadi.~

"Does anybody know where he is?" Ryou asked.

Malik shrugged. "Who knows."

"He left when Battle City was over," said Yugi.

"After divesting Bakura of the Millennium Eye," said Seto.

Cheri touched Seto's cheek. "Don't start."

He covered her hand with his own, kissing the fingertips softly.

"Shadi has a way of coming to us rather than the other way around," Ishizu spoke up. "On the blimp ride he spoke with me about the God cards."

"Oh the wonders of the items he bears!" Keriam said sarcastically. "The key or scale makes him invisible which is why fans in our old world thought of him as a ghost."

"The key. Scales were used to judge which was how he killed those two curators when they wanted to sell Yugi's puzzle," Cheri said with a glance at the shorter teen.

He swallowed as he remembered the news. "I used to wonder how they died of heart attacks like that."

"I'm surprised that they had hearts," Tristen snorted.

~

Seto was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Occasionally, he looked over at Cheri, fast asleep and hopefully having pleasant dreams.

The Sisters had gone off for a few moments while everyone remained in the living room. When they returned, Seto could tell by the look in Tea's eyes that she now knew about Cheri's condition.

Groaning lightly in frustration, Seto rolled onto his side and wrapped his arm around Cheri. She mumbled and moved closer to him, burying her face against his chest. Seto ran his hand lightly through her hair then kissed the top of her head.

"Two more weeks," he said quietly as not to wake Cheri, "and then we'll go from there."

            Seto closed his eyes and was soon asleep.

~

The temple was still in ruins but the skies were darker than last time. Frowning, he found himself within the temple but this time there was someone waiting for him. The figure was enshrouded within a black, tattered robe that seemed to move with a life of it's own. It just stood there, facing the dueling platform yet made no movement to either hide or greet him as he approached. Stopping several feet away he spoke.

"You are the Daughter of Isis, the one that bowed to neither man nor God, the one who warned me in the beginning."

"That I am..." She turned and faced him but he couldn't see her face or anything about her. "You are the high priest reincarnated... the Keeper of Obelisk... and the Chosen of Anubis."

He gave the briefest of nods. "Why have you brought me here this time?"

"The Shadow Realm is in chaos... the barrier that once separated the two worlds is falling apart... the powers of Ra, Osiris, and Anubis have been stripped from their daughters in an attempt to strengthen the barrier but sadly, it has failed."

"We figured that much out so how can we stop it from spreading even more?"

"Lessons once lost must be found. The Sisters must merge with their Favorite if they are to save both worlds from destruction."

"Yes you're told me that before but what does it mean?!" he shouted. "What do you mean by favorite?" He moved closer but she seemed to glide away from him as a dark specter.

"Where does your favorite lie?" the Daughter of Isis glided around the room.

"Stop speaking in riddles and tell me!"

"Such a gifted mind," she laughed lightly, "and no patience. That will be your downfall if you are not careful, my High Priest."

"Please," Seto calmed his tone, "what will happen if we don't find the favorite?"

"The Sisters of the Moon will die. and the Shadow Realm will flood the world, bringing back everything that Set had done to after he killed Osiris."

"But Horus stopped him," said Seto. "Set tore out his eye."

"Yes, that is the reason why the Eye of Horus is engraved on all the Millennium Items. The royal family was descended from Horus."

"And we stopped Set this time from taking the Heart of the Shadow Realm," Seto walked up to the altar. "Osiris defeated him and turned him to be a lesser demon forever." He paused for a moment, running his hand along the rough stone. "What will happen to the Heart of the Shadow Realm if what you say comes true."

"It will find a host."

Seto spun around, coming face to face to the robed figure. "Host?!"

"Just as the Millennium items find their holder," she said, "the Heart of the Shadow Realm will find a host--one whose soul is pure and holds no negative emotion."

"If such a thing happens. then if another person likes Haziem comes looking for it then that person can and will be used as a tool of destruction! The girls will be powerless to stop him!"

"Then you must find the solution to my riddle if you wish to save them."

Seto gripped his hands tightly over the rough stone. "Answer a riddle that could save the one I love... don't I have enough pressures in life as it is?" he asked.

The woman stopped behind him before slowly reaching out to touch his shoulder. "I am sorry but this must be done... You must seek the answer yourself."

"Where have I heard that before?" he said sarcastically before looking at her. "Who are you?"

"I am the Daughter of Isis who has no Father... I am a woman who bows before no god or pharaoh, only to the Mother Goddess."

"Yes I know that but who are you? What is your name?"

She faltered as she removed her hand and drifted back. "Answer my riddle Chosen of Anubis and I will tell you my name... We must part for now."

"No wait!" he ran after her, trying vainly to grasp her arm or something but once his fingers grasped the material of her cloak he was thrown back, out of the temple and into the swirling darkness as before.

~

Seto bolted upright in bed, gasping. Someone was calling his name and then he registered the gentle hands touching his face, placing his own on them. "Cheri."

"Are you okay?" she asked, looking into his eyes.

He nodded then pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. They stayed like that for a few moments before Seto lay back down on his bed, still holding on to his fiancé.

Cheri moved and looked at him. "Seto?"

He looked up at her. "Yes?"

"You okay?"

"I am now. Don't worry about it."

She looked at him before huffing. "So why did you wake up like that?"

"... the Daughter of Isis spoke to me again. Basically we have to answer her riddle before the Shadow Realm floods our world, ultimately destroying everything. Similar to what Set did after he killed Osiris," Seto explained.

"Oh what joy," Cheri frowned but looked worried. "She didn't give any hints?"

"She asked where my favorite lies."

"Right next to you."

Seto couldn't help chuckling at that. "Indeed, my favorite is."

"Well, I better be," Cheri grinned and moved up to kiss him. "What else did she say?"

"The reason why your powers were being drained was to help sustain the barrier between the Shadow Realm and our world."

Cheri frowned lightly. "Judging by the look on your face, I'll guess that it didn't work."

"No, it didn't, even she said that it failed," the CEO sighed heavily. "You have to merge with your favorite."

"… My favorite what?"

"I asked her that. She won't tell me. We figure that out ourselves."

Groaning, Cheri rested her head on his chest. "Wake me up when it's time for graduation, okay?"

"Sounds good to me," said Seto.

~

Next morning there were several media vans outside the school yard, waiting for two certain teenagers to walk by so they could get a statement. Other students watched with interest or jealousy. The principal, frustrated with the chaos so close to finals week, claimed that if he saw any reporters or such within school gates he would have them arrested for disturbing the peace. Rose had gone to work early but she wasn't safe even at work as the media crew tried to get her comment on the murder. She was able to make it inside and since the doctors didn't want them to make a riot in the hospital there were several police officers there to keep reporters out at any cost.

Joey sighed as he and the others watched just down the street. "Great, so how are we gonna get inside?" he asked.

"We could always climb over the fence," Tristen suggested.

"You're kidding right? The fence is too tall and we could break something," Tea explained.

"Our necks, for starters," said Keriam.

~For demi-goddesses, you two sure aren't keen when it comes to evading people,~ said Bakura.

"This from the spirit who got caught trying to steal the Millennium Ring and was imprisoned in it," Joey jerked his thumb towards Bakura.

"Can't we go through the back door?" Ryou asked before his darker half made a remark.

"It's locked," Tristen said.

"How come?" asked Malik.

Yugi crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at Tristen. "Mind telling why we can't?"

"I swear to you," Tristen raised his hands up, "I had no idea that Principal Fuuji was coming out that way."

"Great... so now what?"

"You could try to be quiet before someone hears you," came a voice from around the corner. It was Cheri.

Smiling at everyone she winked and gave a half salute. "Heya."

"Hey Cheri what-" Just about everyone's mouth clamped down on Tristen, hoping no one picked up on his big mouth and equally loud voice.

"You can ask me later just whatever you do keep it down and follow me; Seto can't keep the door open all day." Looking around she led them to the back where delivery trucks for the kitchen were made. There, Seto was keeping an eye out but seeing them coming he pulled the loading dock door up so they would have to duck down.

"Hurry and get in before someone notices!" he hissed at them.

Cheri ran to help him as she waved everyone inside. "Once we're in we'll lock the doors down," she explained.

"Thanks," Keriam said as she slipped under the door.

"Back off," Joey growled to Marik as he followed Keriam.

~Like I have to bend,~ the spirit walked through the door.

Once everyone was inside the loading area, Seto cautiously looked out the door that led to the hallway. While the others waited for the okay to leave, they found a few pots that were ready to be used for today's lunch.

Marik looked at Joey and pointed to one of the pots. ~I dare you.~

Keriam placed her hand over her eyes. Not again, she thought.

Joey looked at it and turned to him. "Double dare you."

~Triple dare.~

Tristen went over and looked into one of the pots. "Hey I think its chili, or something like that. No wait maybe its spaghetti."

"Stop that! You don't know what it could be!" Tea scolded.

Seto rolled his eyes as he checked the hallways. "Okay it's clear. Let's go." Heading out of the kitchen they walked into the cafeteria and mingled with the breakfast crowd before walking into the courtyard. Safe within school walls they breathed easier.

"Man I never thought I'd be happy to be in school as I do now!" the blonde grinned.

~How did you two get past the reporters?~ Yami asked.

"We tried getting here early but the reporters were already here," Seto explained as they headed to their lockers. "As much as I wanted to we couldn't run them over and claim it was an accident."

"So we used the limo as a decoy and climb the fence. You girls were lucky, the thing almost tore my skirt and I think I got a scrape up my leg," Cheri winced as she pointed to the area. It was on the outside of her leg at the top of her thigh, hidden by her skirt.

~How bad is it?~ Bakura asked as he started to lean over. ~Wounds do have to be checked, you know.~

Cheri slapped the thief spirit so hard, he fell over and landed on the grass. Marik and Yami burst out laughing as the others tried to contain theirs.

~That'll teach you,~ Yami grinned as he held out his hand.

Bakura snarled and refused the help as he rose to his feet. ~Next time, I won't concern myself with your welfare,~ he glared at Cheri.

"That's my job," Seto wrapped his arm around Cheri's waist.

She smiled up at him. "And you do it well."

Ryou couldn't help but feel sorry for his yami but that was leaning over the line. They looked up as the bell rang.

"Never thought I'd be happy to hear that," Tristen sighed as he nodded to the group. "See you all later."

~I wonder if today's actions will affect the rest of the day,~ Marik wondered out loud as they headed for their homeroom first.

After lunch, all the graduating upperclassmen were assembled in the school auditorium. They all had been seated alphabetically, which left the group separated except for Keriam and Tristen. Yami remained inside Yugi, while Marik and Bakura walked around the auditorium, making comments to the other students--especially the two they had sent to the Shadow Realm--and then running up on stage to mock the principal.

"And now Marik's giving him bunny ears," Keriam whispered to Tristen.

Tristen snickered. "What I give to see that."

"Try keeping a straight face. Gross, Bakura's making it look like he's picking his nose."

"Good thing they can't touch."

"Now they're mimicking him. I wonder how the others are reacting to this."

Tea was trying very hard not to start laughing but kept biting her lip. Risking a look back she smiled at where her boyfriend sat. Yugi was smiling and Yami was just frowning, clearly not happy with this. In the row behind her Kaiba looked as stoic as ever and Joey was too far back to see what he was up to. Looking forward she watched as Cheri, from her seat, leaned forward to rest her hand on Ryou's shoulder.

Wonder what they're talking about, she thought to herself.

"Hey Ryou, do me a favor?" Cheri whispered to him. Somehow she had ended up in a seat right behind his.

"Yes?" he asked, looking back at her.

"Tell Bakura I'm sorry I slapped him." He just smiled and patted her hand. Taking it as a good sign she leaned back in her seat and listened as the principal donned on. Taking a deep breathe she rested her elbow on the armrest and her head in her hand. Without realizing it her eyes closed and she fell into a light doze.

~

The sky turned to blackish-purple as the barrier between holding back the Shadow Realm finally collapsed. A strange sonic boom tore through Domino City, the black ring swept over every building, house, and park.

Strangely though, they were not destroyed; only reformed into a grotesque version of what they once had been. In the center of the one of the parks arose the Dueling Temple from Yami ruled.

The Winged Dragon of Ra, Slypher the Sky Dragon, and Obelisk the Tormentor suddenly appeared above the ancient dueling area; each one letting out a howl of pure dominance.

As the gods landed on the platform people around them began to change as well. Their forms twisted into actually duel monsters and filled the air with their own cries. Those with wings took to the skies and those that were meant for land roamed their new home. The area was dark, eerie and felt oddly cold but it didn't bother the now transformed beings.

Cheri could feel change sweeping her body no matter how hard she tried to resist it. Shaking her head she began to walk, feeling her feet take her to the platform where the gods were but she paused when a shadow flittered overhead. Looking up she watched as a fairy with six wings circled before landing in what used to be the park. She was soon accompanied by a spellcaster, surrounded by a soft pink aura. She shook her head as the change tried to take over but gasped as she recognized the two before her.

"Keriam...? Tea...?" It was her Sisters but then it wasn't.

She fell to her knees, hands catching her but why did they feel so heavy? She looked down to see she wore bladed cuffs on both wrists and hanging from her neck was a black jewel with a heavy gold setting. Why was she wearing this? Why did she feel stronger due to the necklace? Cheri looked up, trying to call for help but she could only watch as a blue eyes white dragon flew right at her.

~

Ryou looked back when he heard a sharp intake of breath only to see Cheri gripping the armrest tightly and the other hand clenching at her heart. She said nothing but leaned forward so that her forehead was resting on her knees, ignoring everything around her. Reaching up he lightly touched the ring hidden by his jacket.

~Bakura, something's wrong with Cheri; she looks like she's going to be sick.~

The spirit looked behind where his light was sitting. He jumped down from the stage and Marik followed. Keriam tensed when she saw where the two spirits headed. Yami separated from his light and went over to them.

Ryou turned in his seat and the students sitting around them just watched.

"Would you please pay attention?" Principal Fuuji asked in an annoyed tone.

~What I'd give to slap that idiot,~ Bakura growled.

One of the teachers in the auditorium made his way over to Ryou. "What's going on?"

"Cheri's sick," was all Ryou could say.

"Let's get her to the nurse," said the teacher.

Ryou climbed over his seat and helped Cheri to stand up. They walked out of the isle and quickly left the auditorium.

On the way to the nurse's office Cheri was quiet, saying nothing of what was wrong but she looked weak and a bit pale. Nurse Jarren took one look at her before taking her to the back to lay down and take her temperature. "Leave her in my care," she said as she ushered them out of the office.

Ryou looked at the door before touching the ring. ~Bakura?~

~I'm not leaving Cheri alone so don't try to stop me.~

~I was going to ask you to stay while I tell the others.~

~... Oh. Shut up Marik!~ he suddenly yelled.

"Let's go, Ryou," the teacher said as he headed back to the auditorium. "I'm sure Cheri will be fine."

~I'll go with you,~ Yami said he stepped through the door. ~Marik and Bakura are throwing insults at one another.~

They'll be at it all day. Nodding he headed down the hall, following the teacher.

Nurse Jarren carefully cleaned the scrape with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol before placing a large bandage upon it. Lowing Cheri's skirt she carefully covered her with the blanket and checked the thermometer. "That's odd, your temperature is dropping." She reached out and rested her hand on her brow. "And your skin feels a bit chilled. Let me get another blanket and call your mother."

"The reporters." she tried to warn, pushing herself to sit up.

"Rest yourself and leave those reporters to me." The older woman gently pushed her to lay back and went to retrieve the girl's file, pulling the curtain to give her some privacy. But this was confusing; if she was sick then her temperature should be rising but instead it was dropping, almost as if something was stealing her body warmth. Locating the phone number she picked up the phone.

Cheri took shallow breathes, clinging to the blanket tightly she giggled as she heard the spirits bicker. "The way you two fight. I swear one would think you were in love with each other," she whispered, knowing they could hear.

Bakura and Marik froze on the spot where they were trying to stretch their faces like a piece of rubber. Letting go they turned their backs on one another, saying that such a thing could never be true.

~Ass.~ Moving closer Bakura walked through the curtain and carefully sat next to Cheri. ~What happened back there?~

"I had a dream." She closed her eyes to see it clearly. "The barrier fell and washed our world like a sea of darkness. soon our world was a replica of the Shadow Realm, with the park transforming into a massive dueling platform. Ra, Slypher, and Obelisk emerged to take on their role as true gods. my Sisters were there but, it wasn't them; they were different." She curled up as she shivered lightly.

The thief reached out to touch her face and frowned. She felt almost as cold as ice and she was nearly as white as the walls. ~Marik, go get the others. This is no ordinary illness.~

Marik blinked and hesitating for a moment, he ran out of the office and headed for the auditorium.

Cheri gasped as she opened her eyes and reached up to cover the spirit's hand with her own. "B-Bakura."

~You heard the nurse just lay back and rest.~

"No I-I have to tell you." she struggled to fight this cold spell enveloping her. "The riddle, the riddle to merge our favorites. I know the answer."

~You found the answer? What is it?~ Was it his imagination or was she beginning to get a transparent look to her?

"The answer. to merge our favorite. where does your favorite lie, Bakura?" she smiled weakly at him as her eyes closed and her grip on his hand went slack.

Author's Note: Janime: Are we cruel?

Heikou: Of course not! ... Okay maybe a little.

Janime: That's what I thought. Any who... don't worry peoples, the next chapter is underway!

Heikou: And we have a LOT planned to happen in the next chapter.

Janime: Should we give any hints?

Heikou: Um... Well it might be good to keep them guessing...

Janime: But then we'll have a bunch of rabid fans demanding for more.

Heikou: ... Maybe just a little hint.

Janime: Goodie! *rubs hands together* So what should we hint on?

Heikou: Hmm. How about the escape from the media?

Janime: Ah, yes. Seto and Cheri decide to leave Domino City for a little while.

Heikou: Where to? You'll have to wait and see!

Janime: Until next chapter!

Heikou: Keep those reviews coming!

Janime and Heikou: See you in the next chapter!