The rows of people were silent, most sleeping from the early morning trip. Through windows clouds and ocean could be seen. Attendants were slowly moving up and down the aisles with carts of food.
She stared out the window, down at the waves below them. The person beside her sat quietly reading a magazine he had brought. Every now and then he glanced over at her, worry on his face. She never noticed.
"Ryou?" A voice asked. He turned to see Nina standing in the aisle beside him. She clutched the worn leather book to her chest and stared anxiously at the woman who sat beside Ryou.
"What is it?" He asked, closing his magazine.
"Can I speak to her?" Nina questioned. "Alone?" She added as an after thought.
"Of course." Ryou said cheerfully, though he wondered why the former ghost wanted to speak to her alone. "I'll go talk with Joey and Yugi." He undid his seatbelt, arose from his seat, then moved up the aisle to where their other companions were seated.
Nina moved into the row and took Ryou's seat. Slowly she opened the book to a page she had folded the corner of. She stared at the yellow page for a few moments, then turned to the woman beside her.
"Ishizu?" She asked softly.
"What is it?" The other woman asked, her voice slightly hoarse from lack of use.
"I was wondering what you thought of this…" Nina told her. She held the leather book out to Ishizu.
The Arabian eyed the book hesitantly, then took it from Nina's hands. Her blues eyes went over the page which had illustrations of one of the Gems and the ancient writing to go with it. Slowly she read over the writing, then gave a confused look to Nina.
"Why are you showing me this?" Ishizu asked.
"I have a haunch about something." Nina told her. She leaned a bit closer and lowered her voice. "And if I'm right Sanders will fail. We can stop him."
"But what does this Gem have to do with anything?"
Nina smiled a bit. "If I know Sanders as well as I think I do, he'll have over looked one tiny thing. The collision of the Iolite of India and the Turquoise of Greece. He knows their powers clashed, but he probably didn't think of the outcome."
Ishizu nodded in understanding. "His over confidence will be his down fall."
"Exactly." Nina said triumphantly. "We can use this one little miscalculation to our advantage."
"And what miscalculation is that?" Ishizu questioned still not catching on to Nina's train of thought.
Still grinning, Nina pointed to a spot on the page. Ishizu read it over, then looked at Nina quizzically. The blonde girl then nodded towards the back of the plane, where the others were sitting. Ishizu followed her gaze and observed them, then looked down at the book.
"Him?" She finally asked, looking back at the others once more.
Nina nodded slowly. "Sanders won't realize it until it's too late."
Ishizu continued to stare at the others, then slowly she smiled as well. "I'm glad to have someone like you here with me."
Nina grasped Ishizu's hand, then sat back to enjoy the rest of the flight. Things were finally looking in their favor.
The truck slowly moved on down the stretch of road. She gazed out the window, at the snow piled up around them. Absently she pulled her coat around herself tighter. She had never been a fan of the cold in the first place.
She glanced at him quickly. He had said few words to her all morning, and now he stared intently at the road before them. The silence was uncomfortable, but he never grabbed her bait for a conversation. She had finally given up on trying to talk with him and accepted the task of staring out the window.
As her green eyes turned to the icy landscape again she saw something on the other side of a large white hill. It was like black mounds, and it was oddly out of place.
"Kaiba…" Bree uttered, her eyes fixed on the objects.
"What?" His cold voice cut more than the chilling weather.
Ignoring his tone, Bree continued. "Pull over."
"Why?"
"Just do it." She told him firmly.
He cast her a dark look, but complied. As he pulled the rental truck to the shoulder of the rugged road Bree opened the passenger door and hopped out. Kaiba put the vehicle in park and did the same, coming around the front of the trunk and watching silently as Bree began to climb the hill.
"What are you doing?" He finally asked, slowly taking a few steps after her.
Bree glanced over her shoulder to him. "There's something on the other side." She took a few more steps and straightened, her eyes widening at the sight before her. "Hey, what is it that we're suppose to be looking for again?"
"An old path leading to a circle of stones, why?"
"Because I think I found the circle of stone…" Bree uttered, still looking at the bottom of the hill.
At hearing this Kaiba moved to Bree's side quickly. Once they both stood at the top of the hill the froze, unsure what to do.
Below them, in a small dip surrounded by white hills, were eleven tall black stones. They were spaced in a messy circle around what looked like a mound with a slab of granite leaning against it.
The pair made their way down the hill and into the stone circle, looking around.
"Where's the path, though?" Bree asked as she observed the ground.
"It's probably buried under the snow." Kaiba muttered. "But that doesn't matter, this does." He gestured towards the mound and granite slab. "It must be the entrance."
Bree wasn't paying attention to him. Slowly she was circling one of the black stones and running her gloved hand over the smooth surface. Frost made patterns on its surface.
"I think it's black onyx." Bree said. "For protection, maybe?"
"I don't care what it's for." Kaiba told her. He was at the piece of granite. "Looking at rocks isn't what we're here for. Now help me with this thing."
Bree sighed and went over to him. Together they went to one side and began to push on it. At first it moved little, but then the hunk of granite hit an icy spot and glided out of the way, revealing a dark stairwell leading below the earth.
"Ladies first." Kaiba uttered. Bree shot him a glare, but took the first step into the darkness.
The stairwell was cold, colder than outside. But as they went deeper it slowly started to warm and the distant sound of flames could be heard. They felt their way along the narrow walls, until a dim light could be seen and the bottom of the steps. Finally, they emerged from the staircase and into a long corridor reaching to the left and right, lit with torches but slowly disappearing into darkness on either side.
"Now what?" Bree asking, glancing from one side of the corridor to the other. "They can be anywhere."
"I think we should split up." Kaiba told her. "You do down there," He pointed to the right hall. "And I'll go down here." He pointed down the left.
"And if something should happen to one of us?"
"Then something happens." The brunette uttered. "If they get one of us, then the other still has a chance."
"Good point." Bree said, though reluctantly.
Without another word Kaiba began to head down his corridor, and the girl felt her heart skip a beat. What if something did happen and they never saw each other again?
"Kaiba…" She said before she could stop herself. He stopped and turned to her, his face emotionless. "Be careful."
He didn't say anything at first, just looked at her. Then he mumbled, "I'm not the one that should be careful, I can take care of myself."
Of course he has to be rude about it. Bree thought as she turned, but stayed still. Maybe it's for the best…
Kaiba watched her stand there. He couldn't help but feel a bit of remorse. What was going on? He never felt remorse, only when it came to Mokuba. Everyone else deserved what they got in life, and Bree was no exception. Or was she?
"Bree." The name was out of his mouth before he realized it. He went over to her again.
She spun around. "Yes?"
Not sure what he could say, and not really wanting to, he looked for some reason to explain him stopping her. She was watching him intently, almost expectantly. With nothing else to do, he reached into his pocket and took something out. Then he took Bree's hand and pushed something into it. "You need this more than I do."
Bree gasped the item, then looked down at it lying in her hand. It was Kaiba's handgun. She looked up at him, confused. "Wha-?"
"Don't get yourself killed." He said as a sort of explanation. Then he turned and continued off.
Bree watched him go off, unsure what else she could do. His voice had been a bit softer. Only a bit, but it meant he was serious in the fact he didn't want her killed.
I suppose that's as good as I'll get with him. She concluded. Smiling a bit, she put the handgun in her own coat pocket, then turned and continued down the dark hall.
The two figures slowly moved down the dark hall. The torches flickered, and ahead there was a door. It was ajar, and firelight flickered out, casting odd light into the corridor.
"Where are we going?" Takoda whispered. Her and Chiquita had been going through hall after hall for awhile now, and the Mexican had remained silent as to why.
"There." The other girl muttered, motioning to the door. "All of the Gem Keepers have been separated and are now being prepared for the ritual. We have to find each separate room and get them all out."
As they reached the door Chiquita gestured for Takoda to stop. She did so, and watched as Chiquita pushed the door opened and glanced inside.
"No one's here." She whispered. Takoda came to her side and looked in.
The small room had a table with clothing sitting on it and a small wooden chair beside it. There was a small fire in one corner, and on the opposite side of the room was a large mirror.
A noise rustled from the darkness of the hallway. Chiquita glanced out, then went into the room, pulling Takoda in with her.
"Someone's coming." She whispered. Then she pulled herself and Takoda behind the open door, hiding between the door and the wall.
The noise came closer, and it was evidently footsteps. They stopped before the doorway, and someone grunted as they pushed something into the room.
"The clothes are there." A gruff voice said. It was one of the "helpers" Antonio had hired. "Get dressed yourself, or someone will dress you for you." Then the person grabbed the doorknob and slammed it shut, revealing Chiquita and Takoda to the person in the room.
"Chiquita! Takoda!" The person cried. Both girls looked at the new comer and smiled.
"Mokuba!" They said together. Chiquita ran over to him and hugged him, making the boy blush.
"What are you two doing here?" Mokuba asked as Chiquita released him.
"We're breaking everyone out." Takoda told him. "And you're our first client."
Mokuba smiled. "That's good to hear."
"Mokuba," Chiquita uttered. He turned to her. "Do you know if the others have been taken to their rooms as well?"
"I think so." He told her. "I was the last one taken from that other room."
"Then let's get out of here." Chiquita said, moving towards the door.
Takoda grabbed her shoulder and shook her head. "That guard will be out there."
"Then what do we do?" Mokuba asked. Chiquita appeared to be thinking the same thing.
The Canadian shrugged, then looked around the room. Her eyes rested on the chair. Slowly she went over to it and picked it up, then went over to the door.
"What are you doing?" Chiquita asked.
Takoda went to the spot that would hide her if the door were to open. "Chiquita, get over here." The Mexican went over to her and Takoda turned her attention to Mokuba. "When I say so, call for the guard to come in. Say you need help with something. When he gets past the door, nod your head. Chiquita, when Mokuba nods his head, close the door. Alright?"
Confused, the other two nodded. Mokuba stood in the middle of the room and shouted, "Hey! Guard! I need a little help in here!" On the other side of the door there was a few muffled curses, and then the door swung open, concealing Chiquita and Takoda once more.
"What is it that you want, you brat?" The man asked. The girls could hear him walk further into the room. Mokuba nodded, his signal to Chiquita. The younger girl pushed the door close, startling the guard and making him jump. Taking the split second of confusion, Takoda raised the chair up and brought it down on the head of the guard with all her strength. There was a grotesque sound, and the guard fell to the ground.
"He won't be out long." Takoda noted. "We should get moving." She reopened the door, looked up and down the corridor, then stepped out into it. She glanced back to see Chiquita and Mokuba still staring at the unconscious guard. "Are you two coming?"
"Of course." Chiquita quickly said, and made her way over to Takoda.
Mokuba slowly joined them, his eyes still on the man on the floor. "I'm so glad you're on our side." He uttered.
"To make sure he stays put for awhile-" Chiquita said, pulling a key ring out of the pocket of her dress. She close the door and locked it.
"Good thinking." Takoda said, patting her on the shoulder.
The three of them began to move down the hall, Chiquita taking the lead. Within a few minutes they came to another door, this one with no guard and the door firmly closed.
"It's locked." Takoda stated after she tried to open the door. Chiquita stepped up and slid the key into the keyhole, turned it, and let the door open.
Inside was the girl Sundari, standing before the mirror in traditional East Indian clothing of blues and purples. She stared at them for a few moments, unsure what to make of them.
"We're getting you out of here." Mokuba told her. "You can trust us."
Sundari's eyes ventured to Chiquita. "But she's-"
"With us now." Takoda finished for her. Chiquita turned to her and grinned, Takoda smiled back.
After a few more moments of observing them, Sundari finally nodded and went over to them, Chiquita locking the door behind them just in case. The larger group continued on to find more doorways.
The rest of the doors they came to were locked and unguarded. They found Chayton partly dressed in a traditional Ojibway dance costume, then Medea fully dressed in white and teal ancient Greek robes. Now with a fairly large group they continued on through the dark corridors.
"We only have to find that Irish guy, then we can get out of here." Chiquita murmured as she peered down an adjoining hall to make sure no one was coming.
"Or we can just leave now." Medea offered as she started to move down this new corridor.
Chiquita stared at her. "Why would we leave now?"
"Well, we have most of the Gem Keepers here with us." The Greek girl told her. "They can't perform the ritual with only two Gem Keepers. If we leave now, that's all they'd have; The Mayan Keeper and the Celtic Keeper."
"But we can't just leave them here." Mokuba insisted.
"We won't." Medea told him. "We'll come back later, with the police or something."
"I think we should keep looking." Chayton said.
"Medea has a point." Takoda said. She was clutching onto Chayton's hand like he'd leave her again. "How about we'll see what we find first. If we find the others, then we find them. If we find the exit first, we leave."
"Alright." Chiquita finally said. "Whichever comes first."
The group kept going until Chayton froze and turned to face the way they had came.
"Chayton?" Takoda asked, gazing at her brother with a worried expression.
"You guys hear that?" The small boy asked. Slowly the others shook their heads. "I think someone's coming."
Chiquita gasped. "Oh no! Where are we suppose to go!"
"All we can do is stand here." Medea told her, her tone dark. "That's all we can do."
Slowly they all crowded together a bit, without really realizing it. All their eyes were locked on the passage they had come from. There was definitely the sound of footsteps. They closer and closer, ever so slowly, as if the owner of the feet were very cautious. Then a figure appeared at the other end, it's form lost in shadows. It stopped and stared at them, then made it's way towards them. Finally, the person stepped into the light cast off by a torch.
"Bree!" Chayton cried before he could stop. He quickly went forwards to the oncoming girl, who smiled and knelt down to hug him. Chayton returned the hug, then grabbed Bree's hand and pulled her towards the group.
"Well I'll be…" Medea uttered.
"Nice to see you, too." Bree told her, still smiling. "Wow, there's a lot of you." She added as she looked down at them all.
"Chayton, you know her?" Takoda asked.
"Yes." Chayton told her. He faced everyone. "Everyone, this is Bree. I met her in Greece."
"You were in Greece!" Takoda added, shock worn into her face. "Why!"
"Grandma sent me there for protection from the guy who took you." Chayton added sorrowfully. Then a thought occurred to him, and he spun around to Bree. "Bree, it was Sanders who brought us here!"
"I know, I know." Bree muttered, patting him on the head. "We all know, and we've been working hard to find you all."
"Who's all here?" Sundari questioned.
"Just Kaiba and I." The Irish girl told her. "The others are on their way here from Greece still."
"Kaiba…?" Mokuba uttered, dumbfound. "My brother's here?"
Bree turned to him, then recognized the boy from Kaiba's locket. "You must be Mokuba." She knelt down before him, smiling. "Yes, you're brother's here. He was so bent on finding you he wouldn't stop for a breath." She reached out and ruffled his hair, then stood. "So, what are you all doing?"
"Breaking out." Chayton said plainly.
"We're still trying to find some more of the people." Sundari added.
"Mind if I tag along?" Bree asked.
"Of course not!" Chayton said happily.
Bree grinned again, then followed the group as they moved on down the dark maze. After a few more turns they came to yet another door, this one was unlocked. Chiquita went in first, followed by the others.
This was no small room as the others had been. It was a large underground cavern with large fire pits at four places around the room, equally placed to form a square. In the center of the room a stone platform was placed, it rose a foot or two off the floor. One the platform's surface were seven circles, each outlined with black onyx. Within each circle was a different ancient dialect, and sitting in the center of each was one of the items that held one of the Shadow Gems; the bracelet that held the Iolite of India, the brooch that held the Turquoise of Greece, the key with the Obsidian of Japan, the pocket mirror with the Moonstone of the Mayans, the ring with the Citrine of the Celts, and the leather band with the Hematite of the Ojibway attached. The only circle empty was one with hieroglyphics carved inside of it, and it was obviously awaiting for it's Shadow Gem to be delivered to it.
"This is the ritual room…" Chiquita whispered, almost breathlessly. "Hurry, follow me."
Bree paused and took it all in. "So this is the Chaos Gate…" She ran her hand over the surfaces of the platform, then followed the others through a door on the other side of the room.
This new room was also large, but not as large as the ritual room. There were a few torches flickering on the walls, and one side of the room was occupied by four cells, three of which were full. The people within them were sleeping.
Slowly they group moved closer to the cells, though it was only Sundari who realized who they were.
"Dad!" She cried, running over to one and kneeling down as close to him as she could. She reached through the bars, though she could reach the man sleeping on the cot. "Dad, it's me, Sundari!"
Slowly the man sat up, he rubbed his eyes, then looked at the girl. "Su-Sundari!" He quickly crawled over to her and grasped her hands. Tears formed in both their eyes, though only Sundari's spilled over.
The other two prisoners got up. They cried out as well, and scurried over to the crying girl as close as they could. Sundari went over to her mother, then to her younger sister, crying hysterically.
Chiquita quickly unlocked all the cell doors, and the family rejoined together. Sundari held each of them close and cried, happy to finally have them back.
"I'm sorry to bring this reunion to an end," Medea piped up, making them turn to her. "But we shouldn't be standing around here, especially so close to the Chaos Gate. We should do this somewhere safer, say, a few miles away?"
"She's right." Sundari's father said, after the girl translated what Medea had said.
The group left the cell room, quickly passed through the large cavern with the Chaos Gate, and back into the corridor beyond.
All around him was quiet, save for the sound of his footsteps and of the torches. The passage was long and dark, seemingly without an end.
Finally he came to a cross path. He heard a few sounds down the left path and stopped. He pressed himself against the wall and peered around the corner. There was an open door about ten feet down, and two figures were moving towards it. The one in the lead seemed to be being pushed by the one behind him. Then the pair veered off into the doorway.
Quickly he continued down the hall towards the door. It seemed that the man being pushed was one of those who were kidnapped. He stood beside the open door, and heard one of the men say something gruffly. Then footsteps came towards the door and the one who was doing the pushing came out. He noticed him and turned, a bit startled.
"Hey, what ar-" Was all the guard could get out before a fist contacted his face. The gruff man fell back, falling onto the ground.
Kaiba stepped over him, his eyes still on the guard. What a piece of shit. He thought. Probably a waste of money, too. He bent over to make sure this man was unconscious, then found a ring of keys in his pocket. He took them and stood once more.
"Where did you come from?" A voice asked. Kaiba turned to the man that had been forced into the room. He was rubbing the back of his head and staring at Kaiba. "I do hope you're on my side."
"I don't have a side." Kaiba muttered. "I'm just looking for someone."
"I bet you are." The other man said, grinning. "You have the look of someone ready to tear anything apart to find something." He stepped forward and held out a hand. "Name's Neil."
The brunette stared at his hand, but made no motion to take it. "Kaiba." He eyed Neil over. So, this is Bree's reason for being here. He isn't exactly what I expected.
"Kaiba, huh?" Neil continued, moving the hand he had been holding out and rubbing his chin. "You must be Mokuba's brother, then."
"Mokuba?" He said quickly. "You've seen him?"
"Yes, I have." The red head continued as he moved out of the room and started down the hall. Kaiba reluctantly followed him. "Good kid. Has a lot of courage and heart."
Kaiba wasn't sure if he should like Neil's good opinion of Mokuba, or dislike it because it was Neil it came from. He forgot that, and carried on. "Do you know where he is?"
"He might be still in the cell room." Neil uttered. "He was still there when I was taken, though he might be gone now."
"Can you still take me there?" Kaiba demanded.
Neil glanced at him over his shoulder. "Cheeky, aren't we? Of course I can take you there, we just have to back track."
"Then do that." Kaiba told him, his tone low. "And make it quick."
"Someone's pushy…" Neil muttered, though Kaiba pretended not to hear that.
The Irish man then led the way through the passage, turning down one hall and then another. The walk was in silence, neither of them saying anything. Kaiba made sure to be a few steps behind Neil, close enough to follow but not close enough to be near him.
As they turned a corner Neil stopped suddenly, and Kaiba almost ran into him. Frowning deeply, Kaiba glared at the back of Neil's head. "What are you doing?"
"Shut up." Neil advised.
"What did you say?" Kaiba asked, his tone sharp.
Neil glanced at him and gave him a warning look. "Someone's coming." He said, pointing to a place up ahead were the passage they heading down merged with another. From this second corridor came muffled voice.
Slowly the pair of them moved forwards, staying in the shadows as much as they could. Shadows were flickering on the wall of the other hall, many shadows of many people. Finally, they came to the mouth of Neil and Kaiba's hall and continued walking, the two young men unnoticed by them.
It was Neil who spoke out to them first. "Bree?" One of the figures stopped, then turned to the hall. Neil stepped out of the shadows and smiled at her.
"Neil!" Bree cried. She ran over to him and pulled him into a hug. "I thought we wouldn't find you."
"Seto!" Another voice cried out. Kaiba turned to see Mokuba rushing towards him. The brunette kneeled down and accepted his small brother into a hug as well.
"It looks like we have everyone now." Another small girl said as she stepped forwards. Her voice had a Spanish accent.
"I think so, Chiquita." Mokuba agreed as he let go of Kaiba. "Let's find the exit and get out of this place."
"How did you get here?" Neil asked Bree as the group began to move down the hall once more.
"Well, a few hours after you were taken, this guy," Bree motioned to Kaiba. "And another little kid named Yugi showed up on your front porch. They told your mom and I what had happened, and then I went with them to find you."
"Sounds like the reckless things you do." Neil said as he playfully ruffled Bree's hair. She smiled, but glanced over to Kaiba. The two of them gazed at each other for a moment or two, then Kaiba moved his gaze to Mokuba. Bree sighed a bit, then turned back to Neil.
"Up there." Chiquita told them. She had stopped and was pointing up the passage they were heading down. "That's the way out."
"Home, here we come!" Chayton cried. He grabbed Takoda's hand and began to race down the hall, pulling her behind him. The rest followed, but at a slower pace, though Chiquita stayed in place.
Mokuba noticed her standing there and stopped. "Chiquita, aren't you coming?" His stopping made Kaiba pause, along with Bree and Neil.
"I'd like to…" The girl mumbled. "But I can't leave Antonio."
"He'll be fine." Takoda added as she came up beside Mokuba, this time pulling Chayton behind her.
"I know, but still…" Chiquita looked down at the ground and shuffled her feet. "I can't leave him, he's my brother. He's the only thing I have."
Mokuba opened his mouth to respond, but someone beat him to it. "How touching." A voice from the stair well announced. "But I have a better idea- why don't you all stay awhile?" Slowly the speaker stepped down from the shadows of the stairs and into the torchlight.
Medea glared at him. "Sanders…"
"Yes, I've finally arrived." Sanders told his stepdaughter as he came closer, making Medea retreat a step or two. More men came down behind him. "And I've brought friends." He gestured to the men behind him, and two of them shoved forwards an unconscious Bakura and Marik who fell to the ground.
"Bakura!" Sundari gasped. She moved forwards, away from her parents and sister, and grabbed onto his hand.
"Marik!" Medea cried, and she crouched down beside him. She glared up at Sanders. "If you hurt him in any way-"
"Oh, don't worry my dear." Sanders cooed to her. "They're both alright, just a had a bit of sleeping pills. They'll awake in awhile." He then moved his gaze to the others. "As for the rest of you, where do you think you're going? The party hasn't even started yet."
Sanders motioned and his men moved forwards, ceasing all those who stood in the hall. His eyes fell on Bree and Kaiba.
"Well, what a surprise." He chuckled. "Make sure these uninvited guests are taken somewhere, away from the others." The men nodded and began to pull the others off. One man remained with Chiquita, and Sanders' frowned as he looked down upon her. "And you. You're brother will be very upset when he finds out what you've done." He went towards her and reached into her pocket, removing the key ring that sat there.
"I won't let you hurt Antonio!" Chiquita cried, kicking out at him. "You lied to him!"
"Behave yourself!" Sanders ordered. When Chiquita continued to struggle, Sanders raised his hand and brought the back of it across Chiquita's face. The girl fell limp. "You are to do as you're told." He said, then stood. He faced the man holding Chiquita. "Take her where she can't cause any trouble, then inform Antonio of what's been going on."
"Yes, sir." The man said. He picked up Chiquita, slung her over his shoulder, and then followed after the others who were slowly disappearing down the hall.
Sanders watched them go, then pulled the Lapis Lazuli out of his pocket and rolled it between his fingers. "Everything's coming together…" He uttered to himself, then he slowly made his way down the hall as well.