Two months had gone by since Loretta had told Atem that they were having another set of twins & fortunately this time names had been discussed for the twins; Even though they didnt know what the genders were yet.
Becasue it had been a hot day & now it was becoming a hot night Loretta & Atem had decided to sleep seperately, Atem on the balcony couch & Loretta in the bed -being that Atem was such a gentlemen- . Later that night a stranger lurked in the shadow of the pillars that lined the hallway undetected by patrolling guards, making his way towards the King & Queens chamber the hooded individual made his way over to where the Queen was sleeping & softly snoring, quickly tying a piece of cloth around her face as a gag the hooded intruder then dealt a concussing blow to the back of the Queens neck knocking her out & hence silencing her.
Wondering where in Ra's name she was & why she was suddenly cold, Loretta awoke still gagged as well as having her hands tied up behind her back . Blinking slowly to let her eyes adjust to the candle light Loretta looked up to see the person who had captured her.
Hearing that his victim had now woken up, the hooded man turned to see Loretta harshly glaring at him "Aah, so you are finally awake your Majesty" he mock bowed & then sapt at her feet 'Bakura!' she muffled through the gag in her mouth 'What do you want?' "I'm sorry your highness, I cant hear you, if you are asking me what I want then thats easy...I want you, but more specifically, your life! That rotten husband of your's 'Pharaoh Atem' took everything near & dear from me & now its my turn to take his precious Queen" he said Maliciously as he drew the dagger from his belt & sat it on her neck under her ear.
Grabbing the hair at the nape of Loretta's neck Bakura laughed maniacally "Come now your highnes, Im not really going to hurt you, especially not thatvery pretty face of yours" he said as he yanked her face closer to his. While Bakura was distracted however Loretta had mananged to slip her hands out of the restraints from behind her & land a punch in Bakura's face making him stumble backwards & drop his dagger "Oh? So you want to play rough do you" he said wipping the blood off of the corner of his mouth.
Stalking back over to Loretta, Bakura quickly swiped his dagger up off the ground & took Loretta by the hair "your not going to get away with that little stunt" he said as gently raking his hand backwards through Loretta's very long ebony hair before suddenly shutting his fingers in a tight fist & yanking her backwards making her yelp in pain. "What Beautiful long hair you have...It would be a real shame if someone was to cut it" Bakura remarked as he ran his finger down the edge of the blade noting how sharp it was 'Please dont, I beg you Bakura, dont please' Loretta tried to say with tears streaming down her face now that she could feel the blade of Bakura's dagger at the back of her neck "What was that your Majesty, you want me to cut your hair?" he asked as Loretta started violently shaking her head "As you wish" he said grinning evilly as brought the blade of his dagger backwards up through her hair just barely missing her scalp.
Sitting in complete & utter silence Loretta could only watch as strand by strand her glorious long hair dropped to the ground around her feet like black snow "I think that looks alot better" Bakura remarked sarcastically. Squeezing her eyes tightly shut Loretta started shaking in fear & anger "This cant be happening, he's going to kill me & I'm never going to see Saquera, Atem or these unborn twins ever again" Loretta thought as more tears made there way down her face "Whats the matter, dont like your new hair cut" Bakura scoffed as he now stood directly infront of her, luckily Loretta's feet hadn't been tied up so she took advantage of the situation & lifted her leg, swiftly connecting with his privates, stagging backwards with tears in his own eyes Bakura held his lower half & whimpered in pain.
"RIGHT! Something needs to be done about thoes hands & feet of yours...Which do you want me to break first" "None! You better not touch me again Bakura..." she warned with a low growl & a sharp glare "When Atem finds me & see's what you have done to me you are going to wish you had never been born" she finished as she slipped the now cut gag from around her neck "I wouldn't be making thoes kind of threats if I were you Loretta! By the time im finished with you, your so called husband will never see or hear from you again" he cackled
At the Palace
Asleep on the balcony couch, Atem suddenly & for no reason started to have a nightmare, something was wrong, very wrong. Sitting bolt upright Atem put his hand on his chest over his heart, noticing that it was beating alot faster than usual "Somethings not right, Loretta..." He called to no reply "Loretta..." he called again softly walking over towards his bed only to discover that it was empty "Oh no, something is really wrong, Loretta...Where are you sweetheart".
Hearing a commotion going on in the next room Seto sat up slowly in bed rubbing one eye "Atem?...Why is he calling for Loretta? Arent they in the same room...Oh no I should go & see what the problem is" he said as he got up.
Knocking gently on Atem's door "Atem, Is everything ok, whats going on" he whispered, his eyes widening as he saw the distressed state that the Pharaoh was in as the door flung open "What is it Atem, why are you so upset" "Loretta's...Missing" he said almost hyperventilating "Its ok,calm down, are you sure she's not in your Daughters room or hasn't gone to sleep in the bathroom" "Its not ok! No she's gone, look at this pile of her hair that's laying in our bed, She's been taken, I..." he was about to say when he heard a very quiet whisper of a voice in his head "{Atem...h-help me p-please, I-I dont know how much longer I can last...P-please Ate...}" she whispered as she passed out "No! Loretta" Atem gasped as his eyes began to well up with tears "Atem, talk to me, what's happened" questioned Seto "I-its Loretta, she's hurt I can feel it through our link. Somebody has hurt her, she was calling for help but I dont even know where to start looking" Atem said as his sadness turned to fustration making his now clenched fist turn white.
After giving himself afew moments to calm down Atem turned to look up at Seto "Could you please go & wake Shada & Karim, if we are going to find Loretta we are best to start our search for her now" "you are right Atem, but what about you? We dont know who it is that has the Queen, what if your life is in danger also" "Thank you for your concern Seto but I will be fine...I have my sword but that is also why I said for you to get Shada & Karim, I wont be doing this alone, I will have you by my side" Atem said with a smirk "Yes, I suppose you are right but please be careful" "I will, don't you worry but our main concern is getting Loretta home safe, I'm really worried about her Seto, I dont even know if she is even alive anymore" "It will be ok Atem, we will find her but in the mean time I should go & wake Shada & karim" said Seto as began to walk off "Thank you Seto, come down to the stables with them I will be there with my horse".
Now that their horses were all set up the four men started to make their way out of the Palace & through the city with Atem leading the way, stopping suddenly however Shada looked back at the Pharaoh in concern "Is everything ok my King" "Yes Shada everthing is fine but I want you to lead us now, could you try to using the power of your & see if it can sense Loretta anywhere" "I would be honoured to help find the Queen, but there is one problem Sire..." "Oh & what would that be Shada" said Atem raising an eyebrow "Well...The Queen doesnt hold a Millenium item & I can only track down other items with my key" Shada gulped which made Atem laugh "That is true Shada but I have an idea, take my hand..." "Um yes Sire, but what for" said Shada with a raised eyebrow as he watched Atem back his horse up closer to his & hold his hand out & hesitantly take it "I dont know if this will work or not but maybe the strong bond & the love that I have for Loretta will filter through you & into your Key, thus helping us to locate her" "Excellent thinking your highness"Shada said with a smile before closing his eyes.
Feeling the starting to shake in his hand Shada opened his eyes & let go of the Pharaoh's hand "I do believe the Queen is this way, the pull of the is very strong" "Thank you Shada, please lead the way". After while of following the pull of Shada's key, Shada suddenly stopped, getting down from his horse Shada took afew paces to his left & then to his right, wondering what was going on Atem look down at Shada from up on top of his horse "What seems to be the problem Shada" Atem said raisning an eyebrow "for some reason the stopped shaking so I was getting my berring's again, please forgive me for making you worry, your Majesty" Shada said with a bow "all is forgiven, now which way Shada?" Atem said nodding in response to the bow "Um...West your Highness towards the Nile".
Getting to the cliffs that over looked the Nile the four men stopped as both pairs scanned to the East & then to the West "Now unfortunately we need to split up, so Shada you can come with me, we are going to head east, Seto, you take Karim & head west, If any of us find anything or Loretta use one of your monsters to send an attack up into the sky as a signal" "Are you sure you are going to be ok, perhaps I should come with you, my Pharaoh" "No Seto, I gave the orders & I am taking Shada with me, I will be fine, now lets go & stay safe everyone" Atem said as both he & Shada gave there horses a slight kick & took off down the East side of the Nile "Come Karim, we must hurry & find the Queen" said Seto as they too took off after giving his horse a small kick in the side.
Reaching the shore line of the Nile Seto & Karim scanned either side looking for any clues that could lead them to their missing Queen, "Im not seeing anything Seto, do you think we should re-group with the Pharaoh & search somewhere else" "No we need to keep looking, what would Atem say if you told him you had given up on finding his wife, he is already very stressed that she went missing in the first place but to have a member of his royal court give up on him, unacceptable Karim" "I'm sorry Seto, you are right, I said I would stand by the Pharaoh through everything when I became a royal court member & stick to my word I must" "That sounds more like it...Hey, can you see that..." said Seto pointing to a hole in the side of the cliff "it looks like the entrance to a cave" "it does, should we go & examine it or wait for our King?" "I think we should & we will only alert the Pharaoh once we find something, but be on your guard".
Walking their horses slowly up the the mouth of the cave Seto & Karim quietly got off & readied their weapons "Stay behind me & follow my lead, if anyone is in there I will hold them off" Seto whispered to Karim who nodded in agreement "But what if the Queen is in there?" "You can get her then but from what Atem told me she is probably injured so pick her up carefully" Seto whispered as Karim nodded. Slowly sliding his face around the corner Seto saw the faint outline of someone sat up against the cave wall but they were unrecognisable due to the lack of light "Hello...Is anyone there, show yourself" Seto commanded raising his sword to protect himself, as he lifted it however the new rays of Ra glinted off the edge revealing a piece of clothing that looked familiar "L-Loretta, is that you" he stuttered "What can you see Seto" Karim asked nervously keeping well back behind Seto "I think I can see the Queen, come I need your help to get her out" said Seto as he beckoned Karim forward with his finger.
Creeping slowly into the mouth of the cave Seto's foot hit something "Karim, come here I think we have found Loretta but she looks really weak & who ever took her has beaten her up severly" "You take her top half & I'll take her feet" said Karim as the nodded & then gently lifted Loretta up". Just as they were getting ready to walk out of the cave the light was blocked by the shadow of a person "Im so glad you are here Ate...Hey your not the Pharaoh" Seto said as he looked up to see a man with snow white hair & a cloak that partially covered his arms "No, I'm not & you have something that belongs to me, put. Her. Down" Bakura said drawing his sword "Bakura! I should have known it was you who took Loretta, she doesnt belong to you..." "She belongs to our King" Karim said cutting Seto off to which Bakura let out an evil cackle "You two are so funny, I'll tell you what I will fight you for her, if you win you can have her but if I win I get your pathetic lives as well" "Suit yourself Bakura but its two on one" "Maybe but im better that you two twits put together" "Excuse me, you happen to be speaking to two the members of the Pharaohs royal court so I would refrain from the insults if I was you" "Oh yea & who's going to stop me" Bakura leered.
Charging at Bakura with his sword aimed directly at his chest Seto smirk as he quickly whipped around & was able to deliver the first blow to the thieves arm. Hissing in pain Bakura picked up his sword & halted Seto's second attack which would have been fatal if it landed "Not to be bad for a priest" Bakura mocked "Not too bad yourself either, for a thief" Seto scoffed back as he motioned with his hand behind his back to get Loretta out & away from the cave.
Spotting what was going on Bakura lunged at Karim barely missing his leg but catching Loretta's wrist that hung down "Karim, are you ok" "Im fine but the Queen has been hit" "Get her out of here & find the Pharaoh she needs to get back to the palace to see Isis immediately" "Are you going to be ok here by yourself Seto? If you get killed the Pharaoh won't be happy with me" "I'll be fine just take the Queen & get out of here" commanded Seto as Karim nodded. Getting far enough away from the cave Karim raised his arm to the sky "Come forth Curse of Dragon, shoot your flame towards the sky to alert the Pharaoh"
With Atem & Shada
Walking along on their horses Shada could tell the Atem was getting increasingly more upset, to them there search had been in vain. "If you dont mind me saying your highness, I think that maybe it is best if we...What was that!" Shada said suddenly as the sight of a bright red & orange flame directed towards the sky was caught out of the corner of his eye cutting him off "Its Karim!..."Atem exclaimed with joy "They must have found Loretta" he said as he gave his horse a light kick with happy tears flowing from his eyes.
With Seto, Karim & now Bakura (under arrest)
"Look Seto its the Pharaoh & Shada, they must have seen my signal" "Yes, thank Ra" said Seto sadly as he looked down at Loretta who was now lying in his arms, now that they were out in the light of the sun Seto was able to see the true severity of Loretta's injuries, she had been slashed across the cheek from just under her eye to her jaw which was still just slightly bleeding, the nighty she had worn to bed last night was ripped from her knee to her thigh showing various other cuts & bruises. Looking futher down Seto noticed a bruise bigger than the span of his hand on her calf thats stretched over to her shin, besides her other obvious cuts & bruises something still wasn't right, except in the fact that she was unconcious. Her hair was gone, the beautiful long ebony hair that everyone was so used to seeing wasn't there anymore, Bakura had slashed at it with his dagger, now instead of having bangs that sat perfectly just at her collarbone they had been cut short at two different lenghts, one to her forehead & the other almost non-existant.
Doing his best to clean her up a little before Atem got to them, Seto used the small canaster of water he had him to gently clear away any dried blood especially from the wound on her face. Slowly walking his horse up to Seto's Atem looked at up at Seto with sad smile then down at Loretta feeling his lower lip starting to tremble "Could I have her please Seto" he said softly as Seto nodded, sliding back as far as he could on his horses back Atem reached over & carefully pulled Loretta up into his lap, laying her across one arm. Caressing her unharmed cheek Atem looked down at Loretta as tears that dripped from his cheeks landed softly on her "I'm so sorry Loretta, I wish I could have done more, I wasn't there for you...I'm sorry" he said squeezing his eyes shut.
In a snap anger flashed his eyes suddenly turning from sorrowful to hatred, Atem whippped his head around & glared at Bakura baring his teeth like a vicious dog "Bakura!" he snarled "You are going to regret everything you have done to my Queen, you may have had a grudge against me, but that is the way it should have stayed! Against me!" he said as his anger flared "How dare you come into my Palace & take my wife! She did nothing to you, I didnt even do anything to you! Take him away please Karim, I need to calm down" he said closing his eyes & let a long slow exhale out through his nose. Reaching over & placing his hand on Atem's shoulder Seto looked at his King "Are you ok now, I am so sorry Atem" "I think I am ok now but Loretta need urgent attention, we need to get back to the palace" Atem said as Seto nodded & they started to ride off, Atem glaring holes in Bakura's bare back.
At the Palace
"Hurry up & open the gates we need to get to Isis with the Queen" Yelled Seto who was now riding up in front with Shada at Atem's side & Karim behind them who had a very solemn & down cast bakura slumped over his horses hindquarters "I'll take Loretta to Isis..." Atem announced "Karim, you are in charge of taking Bakura to the dungeon, please see to it that he is locked up securely & keep thoes handcuffs on" "Yes my King, I wont let you down" he said with a bow .
Upon reaching the Palace Seto helped Atem down with Loretta making sure not to bump her too much due to not know the true extent of her injuries. Walking through the Palace to Isis's chambers holding Loretta bridal style Atem gently knocked on the door "Isis, are you in there, we need you" he said in an almost panic, opening the door for the Pharaoh Isis gasped "Oh dear! What has happened the Queen? Please bring her in & lay her down on the bed" Isis said with a bow as Atem walked past her & laid Loretta down "Bakura happened, he took Loretta last night, we were so lucky to find her but I fear she not survive from her injuries" Atem said as tears started to well up in his eyes "I promise you I will try my best to restore the Queen back to perfect health but its going to take some time, she may even never be able to walk ever again" Isis said sadly as Atem looked at her wide eyed.
After watching Isis work for afew minutes Atem stood up from Loretta's bedside still gazing down sadly at his badly beaten up wife "I need to be alone for a while, please send someone to update me on Loretta's progress or if she wakes up, I'll be in my throne" he said with a sigh as he began to talk away "Of course your Majesty" Isis said with a bow as Atem walked out the door.