CHAPTER 7: PARTY'S OVER

The next morning, museum was closed because of the preparations for the party that night. Isis woke up late.

-Good morning- Marik said, entering the room with a plate- did you sleep well?-

-Like a baby- Isis said, yawning.

-Here- Marik said, giving her the plate- I made breakfast for you and Rishid-

-Thanks- she said- are you going to the party tonight at the museum?-

-I don't know- Marik said- since that Kaiba guy doesn't want me there...-

-Never mind- Isis said- I want you go there...-

Marik thought about it for a few seconds.

-Okay- he said- I guess Kaiba won't make a fuss if I go, after all...-

-After all what?- Isis said.

-After all- Marik said- he likes you...-

Isis blushed.

-What are you talking about?-

-Come on, sister- Marik said- I see it in his eyes... and in you eyes...-

-You're speaking nonsense- Isis said, her face still red.

Marik just smiled at her. Isis was nervous, but then she realized it was her brother to whom she was speaking, so she smiled too.

-He's a... em...handsome guy but... I don't know...- Isis said, and looked again to her brother's smiling face- okay, I do like him, but don't tell anyone, okay?- Marik smiled- or else you'll be an ingredient to my Omhari...-

-Okay, okay- Marik said- don't make such a fuss, I won't tell anyone-

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-Tonight's the night!!!- Tea said. Mai and Serenity smiled. They were exited too about the party.

-What are you going to wear?- Mai asked.

-I don't know!!- Tea said- girls, we're in trouble...-

-What does that mean?- Serenity asked.

-Oh, my- Mai said- you don't know what does that mean? Let me explain...- she smiled- we have to go shopping!!!-

-Shopping? No way!!!- Joey said.

-Yes way- Mai said- we can't go to the party tonight without something pretty to wear...-

Joey was about to shout 'No way!' again, but he stopped when he saw his sister's happy face.

-Okay, okay...- Joey said- but just try not to spent too much money, please...-

-Got it- Mai said.

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-Is everything ready, Seto?- Mokuba asked.

-Yes- Seto said- everything is ready...-

-Is anything wrong, Seto?- Mokuba asked- you look... strange...-

-It's nothing- he said- I'm worried about the party, that's all...-

-If you say so...- Mokuba said, getting out.

Once alone, Seto Kaiba looked himself, thanks to the bathroom mirror.

-I must tell her... tonight- he whispered to himself.

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-Women...- Joey said angrily. Tea, Mai and Serenity had spent at least five hours trying on hundreds of dresses for the party.

-Get used to it, Joey- Tristan said- women are like that...-

-It reminds me of an old poem I heard when I was young- Duke said- 'Open your eyes a little, trusty men, look at this women, look what they are. They are mermaids who sing to make us drown, they are stars that shine to make us blind, they are comets that burn to make us get burned. They are roses with spikes, they are like wolves...-

-Like wolves, are we?- Mai said, frowning.

-I...I...I mean...eh...-

-Never mind- Mai said, looking suspiciously at him, and then smiled - we finished-

-And about time- Joey said, yawning.

-What? Did we take a lot of time?- Serenity asked. Neither Tristan nor Duke could say 'Yes!'. Yugi sweatdropped. When boys are in love, they... are in love.

-Come on, guys- Tea said- let's go back... it's late...-

-Yeah- Joey told Yugi in a very low voice- and considering how long these girls take to get ready, we're going to be late...-

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-Isis, are you ready?-

-Yep- Isis said, smiling- and you?-

-Ready- Marik answered.

-Are you two going to that party?- Rishid asked. Marik nodded.

-Aren't you coming with us?- Isis asked. Rishid shock his head.

-Parties are not for me- Rishid said- you two go and have fun...-

-Are you sure?- Marik said- I mean, Shadi is going too, and he doesn't seem so... sociable, does he?-

-Hey, watch it, Marik- Isis said- don't talk about Shadi that way...-

-Whatever- Marik said- so, are you coming, Rishid?-

-Well... okay- Rishid said, after thinking about it for a while- but just for an hour or so, then I'll come back...-

-Good enough- Marik said- so let's go...-

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-Everything's going according to the plan- a man said- are the men ready at Karnak?-

-Yes, sir-

-Perfect...- he said- I'll need a couple to help me over here...-

-Here they are...-

-Good, good- he said, and turned to his partner- everything's going fine...-

-Yes...- the other man answered- we just need one thing... the bait-

-I know... and I know exactly where to find it...- he looked at the museum- pity I'll have to spoil the party...-

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Isis, Marik and Rishid arrived at the party a little late.

-Hey, Marik, what took you so long?- Bakura said.

-Women- he answered- they take too long to get themselves ready...-

-I heard you, Marik...- Isis said, frowning.

-What? It's true...-

-Well, it was worth it- Bakura said- your sister looks prettier than usual...-

-Hi, Isis- Mokuba said- enjoying the party?-

-We've just arrived- Isis said. Then looked around- where's your brother?-

-I don't know- Mokuba said- but you'll find him soon...-

-I'm here- Seto Kaiba said. He smiled- you look...beautiful this night...-

Isis blushed lightly.

-Thank you...-

Meanwhile...

-Wow, this is some party- Tea said, looking around.

-There are many important people...-Yugi said.

-Like us- Joey said. Mai and Tea sweatdropped.

-I meant these people- Yugi said.

-Yeah, right- Joey said. Marik smiled.

-Yes- Marik said, pointing to a man- that's the prime minister of Egypt-

-And that- Bakura said- is the French ambassador...-

-And...- Joey was about to say he didn't care, but someone arrived and took his breath off him. Yugi and the others stared at the person who had just arrived. So did the rest of the guests. Even Seto Kaiba turned around to look at her.

-Tashat?- Yugi said, impressed. She smiled. She wasn't alone. Shadi arrived with her, but he didn't seem as impressed with her beauty as everyone else.

-She looks different- Isis told Seto- she seems ...relieved...-

-Relieved?- Seto asked.

-Yes- she said- yesterday, she looked a little worried...-

-I guess she was just nervous...- Seto said.

-Mr. Kaiba- the prime minister said- I'm delighted to finally meet you...-

-I'm delighted too- Seto said, even though he didn't seem delighted.

-And who's that beautiful lady?- the minister asked.

-She's Isis Ishtar, the director...- Seto said. The minister smiled.

-Delighted, miss Ishtar- the minister said- I suppose you translated the coffin's hieroglyphs all by yourself?-

-Oh, no- Isis said, smiling- I got a lot of help from Tashat Ramose...-

-That lovely girl over there?- the minister asked. Seto and Isis nodded- I see...-

-Well, well, Seto Kaiba... what a pleasant surprise...-

Kaiba turned around. So did Yugi and the others, horrified to recognize the voice's owner.

-Oh, my- the prime minister said- I'm sorry, mr. Kaiba, but I took the freedom of inviting my good friend Maximilian Pegasus...-

-Welcome- Kaiba said, not so pleased to see Pegasus.

-Thank you- Pegasus said. He saw Isis next to Kaiba- well, I saw you found a beautiful jewel of the desert...-

Isis blushed, but she felt Kaiba's hand taking hers. Then, he took her away from Pegasus.

-Be careful, Isis- Kaiba told her- he's an evil man...-

Isis looked up and saw Pegasus speaking with another man: an Egyptian with his face covered by his turban. Yet, he's eyes seemed familiar. Then she saw Yugi and the others, still surprised to see Pegasus there. She saw Tashat looking horrified at Pegasus and the Egyptian.

The party went on. Isis was starting to feel sick, when she saw Tashat preparing to leave.

-Are you leaving?—

-Yes- she said- I'm tired.

-Okay- Isis said- see you tomorrow-

-Bye-

Tashat got out, and found Pegasus and the Egyptian.

-I thought you were leaving yesterday!- she said.

-I changed my mind- Pegasus said- and I hope you've changed yours about helping me...-

-No, I haven't...- she said firmly.

-Too bad, poppet- the Egyptian said- because you'll have to, even if you don't want to...-

Two other men caught her from behind.

-What? No!- she struggled to get free, but they were too strong for her.

-I'm sorry- Pegasus said- but the party's over...

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-Where is he?- Yugi asked.

-Who? That Pegasus rat?- Joey said- no idea-

-And I don't want to know- Tristan added.

-What is he doing here, anyway?- Tea asked.

-Business- Kaiba said, getting where they were with Isis- the prime minister said he came to ask for another excavation license...-

-Excavation license?- Yugi asked.

-It sounds like another of his evil plans...- Joey said.

-Come on, guys- Duke said- don't you think you're misjudging him?-

-Mmm... let me think...- Joey said- No!-

In that moment, the music stopped and the lights went out. Some women were screaming.

-What the...?- Joey said.

-I can't see a thing!- Mai said.

-Join the club- Tristan said.

They heard a glass breaking behind them.

-What was that?- Tea asked.

-Auch!- Yugi said- who...?-

-Auch!- Bakura said.

-Yugi, Bakura, you okay?- Joey asked.

-Yeah- they both said.

-Hey- Marik said- who pushed me?-

The lights went on.

-Hey!- Yugi said- the millennium puzzle's gone!- he checked his pocket- and the millennium tauk...-

-So is the millennium ring...- Bakura said- and the millennium eye...-

-And the millennium rod...- Marik said.

-And... the millennium scales- Isis said, pointing to the broken glass.

-All millennium items?- Tristan asked- what about the key?-

-It's here, safe- Shadi said, frowning.

-Sorry to spoil your beautiful party, Kaiba- Pegasus said, holding the disappeared millennium items and a bag- let's see... the millennium puzzle, millennium rod, millennium tauk, millennium ring, millennium eye and the millennium scales...- as he spoke, he put the millennium items in the bag.

-Give them back!- Yugi said.

-But I still need the millennium key to complete my collection...- Pegasus said- and I'd be needing its owner's help, too-

-What if I refuse?- Shadi said.

-Well, your pretty childhood friend will have trouble...-

He made his fingers sound. The Egyptian brought Tashat, holding her firmly. Shadi frowned again.

-Let her go...-

-Sure- Pegasus said- if you give us the millennium key and come with us...-

Tashat bit the Egyptian's hand.

-Shadi, don't!- she said- it's a trap! He's my gr...- but the Egyptian didn't let her continue.

-I'll do it- Shadi said- but you have to promise you won't hurt her...-

-Promised- Pegasus said- cross my heart and hope to die, if you want it that way...-

The two men with Pegasus held Shadi, while Pegasus took the millennium key and put it into the bag.

-Now- Pegasus said- a promise is a promise...-

-By the way- the Egyptian said, removing the cloth from his face- remember me, Shadi?-

-You!- Shadi said, his eyes widely opened.

-Who's that?- Isis said. Rishid frowned.

-You're Ramose...- Rishid said.

-Bingo, Rishid- Ramose said- and this pretty girl is my granddaughter... she's been working for me the whole time...-

-No! That's not true- Tashat said- he made me...-

-You...- Isis said- you took my sister sixteen years ago...-

-Yes, that's right...- Ramose said, then turned to Tashat- Pegasus promised to release you, poppet, so...- he pushed her forward- here you are...-

Some smoke bombs exploded. Pegasus, Ramose and the two men disappeared, taking Shadi with them.

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TO BE CONTINUED...