A/N: Sorry about the short chapter but I have a splitting headache and had a very emotion rollercoaster of a day. Long story short, the technology this school uses sucks and I'm paying for it in more ways than one. On the bright side, you get to watch Mai be a fiesty lady and order Kaiba around for the time being.

IMPORTANT: I'm probably going to move this fic to the YGOxAvengers crossover section next chapter unless y'all think otherwise.

Chapter summary: In which Mai commands, Kaiba suffers, and Sif distrusts.

Sassy Sorceress and New Allies

Mai felt Seth's Shadows growing more and more faint by the second so when he collapsed, she was ready to catch him. She felt Shaadi frantically reach out to her with his Shadows the moment he felt the Regent's Shadows fade. She quickly soothed them communicating Seth's last command as best she could. Shaadi's Shadows reluctantly retreated, probably to inform Lantern of the unexpected turn of events.

"Well," Mai said, dropping the Shadowy film that had up until that moment been covering her body. "Was that really necessary?"

The warrior woman blinked in surprise as did the other humans present. Mai lifted an eyebrow and stared at them. "You shoot my knight and then you don't have the decency to help me carry him? Whatever happened to chivalry?" She huffed and shifted so she attempted to stand, looped her arms under Kaiba's arms and tugging him up.

"Mage," the warrioress said in a tone that was almost a question.

"Actually we didn't shoot him," the Asian woman said, still holding her gun aimed at the blond.

Mai flipped her hair over her shoulder and continued to tug her Regent's limp form. Finally, she huffed and dropped him inelegantly on the ground. She would probably regret that later.

"Yes well," she sighed, blowing a stray blond curl out of her face. "You aren't exactly helping me either. Now, are you going to stand there like gaping fish, or are you going to help me carry my knight and track down the bitch who kidnapped one of my men and wounded the other two?"

The brunette warrior's eyes grew wide and she lowered her sword. "One of yours has been taken?"

"Yes," Mai said. "And if you didn't shoot him," she pointed to the unconscious form at her feet, "then that means the bitch did. Either way, my knight is unconscious, my Adviser is recovering, and my escort has been kidnapped by your enemy, now mine as well."

"What are you offering?" the nondescript man in the back asked, lowering his gun and stepping forward.

"My help and the help of my companions," Mai said. "I'm a sorceress. They are my protection detail."

"Not impressed," the Asian woman said.

Mai smiled. "Well, we were blasted by this Dungeons and Dragons wannabe's rainbow beam," she said snidely. "Honestly, who would use such a flashy method of travel? So abrupt and obvious." She waved her hand dismissively and crossed her arms under her bosom sniffing disdainfully.

"It is called the Bifrost," the brunette snapped. "And you were in the way."

"On the contrary," Mai said, waving a finger chidingly. "We were there first. In fact, we were in the middle of speaking to someone when you so rudely interrupted. So, do you want my help or not?"

"We can handle ourselves fine on our own," the Asian woman said firmly.

Mai snorted in a very unladylike manner. "Yes, I see," she said, glancing over her shoulder where the motorcycles had ridden off to. "And you're such a good job. Alrighty then, have it your way. But don't be surprised if I and my men show up and take back what's mine. At least if we work together, we can keep from stepping on too many toes."

The man nodded with a considering expression on his face. "Phil Coulson," he said simply.

Mai smiled. "Mai Valentine, and yes, I'm aware of the jokes. I've heard them all before, believe me."

Coulson smiled gently. "My sympathies." Mai shrugged. "You said you were a sorceress?"

"I am," she said. "And it just so happens that I have the ability to track my man. Or rather," she looked down at Kaiba lying unmoving at her feet, "he has that ability. If my escort stays with the bitch then my knight can track them."

"You're offering us your services," the warrioress said, eyeing Mai suspiciously. "At what price?"

"Smart little lady, aren't you?" Mai grinned. "I want my man back. Oh, and first aid for my friends, particularly this one here. He has a nasty temper but he's the best I've got."

"That's it?" Coulson pressed.

"For now, yes," she replied. "The rest you can't give me."

"And what would that be?" the warrior demanded.

Mai narrowed her eyes in fury. "Payback."

Kaiba woke slowly. He felt drugged and groggy. In other words, he felt miserable. Instead of focusing on the absolutely murderous headache, he took note of the slender fingers brushing gently through his hair. It was almost motherly. He would know that touch anywhere.

Mai.

"Finally decided to wake up, I see," he heard the woman say. He could hear the smirk in her voice clearly. "How's my sleepy knight?"

Knight?

He opened his eyes and glared at his Sorceress groggily. She chuckled and sat on the couch next to him. Couch? The hell?

"I will keep calling you that until your reactions stop being so amusing," she teased, winking at him. Her Shadows brushed his hinting at something he needed a clearer mind to interpret.

"Oh good. You're awake."

Blue eyes darted to the man who spoke and was interested to see it was the nondescript man from the standoff right before Kaiba lost consciousness. The Regent thought quickly, or as quickly as his drugged mind could. He and Mai were free, a cursory search with his Shadows indicated Shaadi was nearby, and he was on a couch and not in a hospital bed. But where was Green Lantern and, more importantly, where was Arrow?

He forced himself to sit up, pressing a hand to his forehead when it pulsed to his heartbeat. Mai scratched his back soothingly.

"They call them Night Night guns," she said with a cheeky smile. "Isn't that cute?"

Kaiba rolled his eyes and immediately regretted it. "Shaadi?" he called.

"I am here," Shaadi answered calmly, stepping forward into Kaiba's vision.

"The grogginess should fade soon," the unknown man said drawing Kaiba's attention. He extended his hand. "Phil Coulson of SHIELD."

Kaiba eyed the proffered hand suspiciously. "Don't worry," Mai said. "He doesn't bite."

Kaiba glared at her mildly before taking Coulson's hand using it and Mai's shoulder to help him stand. "Kaiba," he said simply.

"It's alright," Mai said, standing next to Kaiba. "You can trust him. One of his men was taken as well. They were able to track him to Las Vegas of all places. That's where we are now." She met Kaiba's eyes with an open challenge. "I told them you're the best tracker I have." Kaiba's brow lifted and Mai grinned. "Think you can find two men, not just one?"

Eyes narrowing in understanding, Kaiba nodded. "So long as they stay close, most likely. But something was binding kohai's magic," he said, avoiding the word 'shadows.' "As long as that's in place it will be doable but not easy," he finished.

He looked around the room, fascinated by the odd shape. Then he felt the vibrations and recognized why he kept feeling like he was falling. His eyes widened as he recognized the type of windows along the walls. He whirled and stared out the nearest window behind him and was surprised to find they were descending onto an open airstrip. They were on a plane.

"Isn't it nice?" Mai said. "They call it The Bus."

"It appears they have technology unlike any we have encountered before," Shaadi said, leaning over to gaze at the engine on the plane's visible wing. "Perhaps you might consider adapting it for your jet."

Kaiba sent a sly glance back at his Adviser. "Perhaps."

"I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind," Coulson said. "Nothing serious."

Kaiba stood and looked at Mai as if for permission. She shrugged. "I don't see why not," she said.

Kaiba nodded and followed Coulson to the other side of the room. "What do you need?" he asked, disliking playing a submissive underling.

Coulson studied Kaiba closely for a moment before answering. "I'm told you can track my man," he said. "I have a member of my team working on it electronically as we speak." Kaiba's fingers twitched, wishing they had a keyboard under them as well to join the search. If Coulson noticed, he made no mention of it. "Is there anything specific you need to search?"

Kaiba glanced out of airplane window thoughtfully. "Find me a dark room and I can work from there," he said. "As I said, kohai's magic is subdued, most likely due to," he sneered, drawing on Seth's memories of the accursed woman's name, "Lorelei's interference. But as long as your man stays close to mine, I should be able to help narrow down the search."

Coulson nodded. "You resisted the Night Night gun fairly well," he said, changing the subject abruptly.

"The magic helps," Kaiba replied smoothly with a casual shrug. "As for Lorelei, what should I expect from her? How is she controlling kohai?"

"That's three times now you've used that word 'kohai,'" Coulson said. "What does it mean?"

"It's Japanese. Generically it means underling," Kaiba clarified. "I'm training him to use magic. He's my kohai."

"I see," Coulson nodded. "Does your man have a name?"

"Does yours?"

"Ward. Grant Ward."

Kaiba nodded. "Arrow," he said finally. "His name is Arrow."

"Arrow?" Coulson repeated incredulously.

"It's his title and until I get his permission, it's all I will give you," Kaiba said. "I don't trust you."

"Nor I you," Coulson replied, staring at Kaiba with interest. "I believe the Lady Sif can better explain Lorelei's...gifts."

"Sif?"

Coulson waved a hand indicating a person behind Kaiba. When the Regent turned, he was met by the cosplayer lady. Coulson simply slipped away down the hall leaving Kaiba to stare incredulously at his Sorceress currently speaking with the woman Sif. Shaadi was watching the exchange with an expression that was both faintly disturbed and interested.

Kaiba approached the group and was fascinated to realize Mai was flirting with Sif. It should not have surprised him but it was still...odd.

"Sorceress," he said gaining Mai's attention.

Mai turned to him. "Knight," she acknowledged. Kaiba made a mental note to scold Mai later for choosing Yugi's pet puppy's title to use for him.

"I understand you know something of this Lorelei," Kaiba said to Sif, setting aside his annoyance for the time being. "What can I expect from her?"

Sif shifted her stance to a more even, balanced position, matching Kaiba's. He was mildly impressed despite himself. "She is a spellcaster. Her words can ensnare any man. Those with stronger minds require her physical touch in addition to her words, but the effect is the same."

"What happens to the men under her spell?" Mai asked.

"They remember everything," Sif answered. "Their memories, habits, and abilities remain intact. They are essentially in all ways that do not matter the same person. But in the ways that matter, they are not. Lorelei's spell makes her becomes the," she scoffed, "epitome of all their desires. The men will literally do anything she asks without question. They will even die for her."

Kaiba hummed and moved his gaze to Mai's. "I'll begin tracking him as best I can, but you know my limitations."

Mai nodded. "Sif has offered her room over there," she pointed to the walled room in the center of the plane further down and in the middle of hallway, "for your use. It should be dark enough and it's protected."

Kaiba nodded and made to move there when Sif caught his wrist. Annoyed, Kaiba stared at the woman with a raised eyebrow and waited for her to speak.

"I would like to watch," she said firmly. Her tone and face made it clear she was not giving him a choice. "I believe the magic you use is different then what I am familiar with. It is best to know your allies." Her eyes darkened in challenge.

Kaiba smirked, meeting her challenge. "I've heard that."

He walked away feeling Sif follow behind. Shaadi remained in the common area until he and Mai were alone before speaking softly in Japanese.

"Lantern is resting on the top of the fuselage above us," he said. "I am keeping watch over him as best I can but," he tilted his head, "it would be best if he came in soon. The sun and heat is intense. He is also vulnerable alone."

Mai nodded. "I'll let Kaiba know. If you get the chance, sneak him some civilian clothes and let him in. He can be our," she made air quotes, "'contact.'"

"Contact?"

"You know," she said with a wink. "The one we were talking to when Sif's rainbow light blasted us."

Shaadi nodded. "I feel I must ask and yet I am," he flushed slightly, "hesitant to do so."

"Well go on," Mai encouraged.

"When you were speaking to Sif..." he began. "You will forgove me but I was under the impression you preferred men."

"I have my preferences, yes," Mai said. "But I like to keep my options open. I don't really care what's in someone's pants. I know what I like."

Shaadi flushed and sat down on the couch, stuffing his arms into his sleeves. "As you say. However, keep in mind this is not our home. It would be best if we kept such interaction at a minimum."

"A one night stand never hurt," she said. "Besides," she stared at the open door Kaiba and Sif had entered just moments ago, "she's a strong woman. I respect that. It's attractive. She's also a nice bag of eye candy."

"And you say I speak oddly," Shaadi muttered.

"You do."

"As you say."

Mai snickered. "You know, I think I like being in charge."

Shaadi gave a put upon sigh and closed his eyes to keep watch on Lantern flying above and outside the plane. It also helped him ignore the Sorceress.

Kaiba stepped into the room and ran his eyes over the strange wall design. This clearly doubled as a holding cell of some sort when Sif was not occupying it. He sat down on the cot and reached for his Shadows, breathing a soft sigh of relief now that they were back on the solid ground. He had learned from experience that Shadow magic tended to be limited when the user was no longer in contact with the Earth or there were no humans nearby.

His Shadows came to him more willingly than before. Apparently being unconscious for however long had helped him restore some of his power reserves. When he was ready, he reached out with his Shadows, extending them outward and into the nearby city of Las Vegas. The Shadows liked this city. It was wild, always awake, always twinkling, always dark, emotions cresting and tumbling, humans everywhere... It was an all you could eat buffet of ripe, lucious, tasty souls bursting at the seams with possibilities.

Kaiba reined in his Shadows, urging them to search, to brush every human they could reach and find Arrow. He did not dare allow his consciousness to drift with the Shadows with Sif standing so nearby. He did not trust her with that vulnerability. Instead, he allowed the Shadows to search how and where they will.

They were in the midst of slinking through the regular shadows in the Caesar's Palace when they felt a faint hint of another sentience they recognized. Before they could investigate, Kaiba took hold of them. He knew Arrow's Shadows were bound but even bound Shadows would respond to a touch however inadvertent. Instead, he guided his Shadows carefully around the sentience, feeling where it had been, where it was, and everything around it. He was careful to shy away when the sentience reached out with its limited reach. Unfortunately, the other sentience stretched further than expected and grabbed his.

It was Arrow.

Kaiba cursed colorfully in both Japanese and hieratic, surging to his feet and racing passed a startled Sif and out into the common room. "I found him," he said quickly. "They're in the Caesar's Palace hotel. But they won't be there felt me."

"Then we have to hurry," Sif said, her hand grasping the hilt of her sword. "He will tell Lorelei and they will be gone before we get there."

"Let's hope not," Melinda May snapped.

"You stay here," Mai commanded, startling Kaiba. "You've used enough power as it is. I'm a woman and have combat experience. I can protect myself if need be." She raised a finger when Kaiba moved to counter her and spoke louder. "I want you to keep an eye on us and the area around us. Follow them and inform me if you find them moving."

"The hell I'm staying," Kaiba snapped.

"I will stay," Shaadi said calmly. "I can keep an eye on you both from here. Besides Kaiba may be able to help free Arrow. I will remain here with the light on."

Shaadi met Kaiba's gaze before flicking his eyes upwards to the roof. Kaiba groand as he holstered his gun. Lantern was still here. Shaadi would have to make sure the man was alright. Lantern may not be a member of the Shadow Court but he was a human and inadvertently dragged into this by them. He was Kaiba's responsibility until they returned to their Earth.

"Good boy," Mai said ignoring Shaadi's indignant glare. Then the were off.