Hello everyone! Yeah I know, I'm updating this fic late...AGAIN! Sigh, really sorry everyone! As an apology, I would make this chapter as long as I can. Thank you all who has reviewed and read my story. I appreciate you kind remarks and the time you've spent reading and reviewing this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter. For you information, there will be about 2 more chapters before I conclude the story.

Arigato to all once again - Enjoy!

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pauses AH! I FORGOT ABOUT THE DISCLAIMER!

Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh or the characters involved in this story except Queen Ekans (sadly) and the rest of my OCs… there, no one can sue me now! inserts evil laughter

Chapter 8: What is going to happen?

Atem raced down the hallway, anxious to reach his magician. "Every second wasted equals less time for me to save Tea! I have to hurry," He reminded himself. The flaming torches lining the hallway flickered slowly, enhancing the surroundings. Atem could not think of anything but to save Tea! He had so much to tell her, yet so little time left. His imagination went wild, thinking of what horrendous torment the water witch might be inflicting on his friend at the current moment. Thankfully, the magician's room came into view and Atem screeched to a halt. Breathing heavily, he knocked on the door and immediately opened it without waiting for a response.

"Watch out! Those are glass bottles Mana! Be careful with them!" A distinct low voice reached Atem's ear.

"Relax Teacher, I know what I'm doing. Sheesh, and to think I only wanted to… oops" Mana stopped in mid sentence as the sound of glass breaking resonated through the room.

"Sigh, good thing I have a spare… Oh Pharaoh!" Mahado paused upon seeing his ruler at his doorway. "Forgive me for not noticing your presence Your highness! Mana! Get down too." He reprimanded his apprentice while keeping his head down, showing respect for the Pharaoh. Mana rolled her eyes and got down as well. Well, considering she always treated Atem as her friend and never saw him as anything else other than that, though she had the knowledge that he was indeed Pharaoh, it was rare that she would bow for him, not that she did not like him or anything of course. In fact, Atem preferred his friends not to bow for him, he just felt… awkward.

Atem gave a heavy sigh, "You two may raise. I have an urgent matter to discuss with Mahado, sorry Mana." He eyed the apprentice and found a scowl forming on her features.

"Aww come on Atem! I might be of help. What happened? Oh, is this about Tea?" She smirked. Atem looked away as a blush crept upon his handsome face. Bingo! She did it! Atem cleared his throat and nodded, but his expression changed suddenly, portraying a sad yet serious look.

"What is the matter Pharaoh?" Mahado questioned.

"I have not the time to go into details, but to cut it short, Tea has been captured," Atem revealed. Mana gasped, so did Mahado. Atem carried on. He told them that she actually resided in the Nile, that she was a princess of a hidden empire at the bottom of the Nile, until her father passed away. He even told them who this evil witch was and how she was related to Tea. Though he was still confused with everything else, he knew one thing. The Queen has taken Tea back to where she first came from. He knew he had to go down, therefore he wanted to seek help from his trusty magician.

Mahado and Mana absorbed as much information as they could and nodded. Both knew how important Tea was to the Pharaoh, and they would do everything in their power to help him. Did I say, they?

"Rest assured Pharaoh, I know of a potion that will enable you to go down under water. However, you only have 2 hours till it runs out. When the 2 candles burn out, the potion will not be of aid to you anymore. Mana, give me the Aqua potion." He told his apprentice. Mana nodded solemnly and reached for the said potion. However Mahado quickly added, "and don't break anything this time." Atem gave a soft chuckle once he had a glance of Mana's angry yet cute expression. It was indeed precious to see how the two worked together. Mana handed the potion to Mahado while glaring at him. "While at least it's safe now," she muttered. Mahado gave a hearty chuckle.

Mahado grabbed some strange looking piece of grass from under his cloak. This grass looked like the human's hand, only smaller in size. He dropped the grass into another bottle and poured some of the potion into the same bottle. After which, he muttered an incarnation and the contents blended to form a purple liquid. "Your Highness, this will enable you to breathe, speak and see underwater, but as I mentioned before, it can only last a candle flame's time (1 hour). I will pray for your safely Your Highness," Mahado handed the bottle to Atem after he concluded what he wanted to say. Atem looked at the purple liquid and nodded solemnly, before storing it under his cloak.

"Pharaoh Atem, please be careful. Please bring Tea back safely too. After all, you two didn't finish what you both started in the garden," Mana winked at Atem, making him reminisce back to when Mana and Shizuka first saw him and Tea being intimately close together for some reason. Mahado looked surprise at his apprentice's mischievous comment. Judging from Atem's looks, it seemed the whole deal was true after all. Both men began shaking uncontrollably and Mana knew she was in for it. One day, she'll learn to keep her mouth shut.

"MANA!" Both exclaimed at the same time. There you go, even the birds sitting on the window ledge has flown away from the frightening roar.

000 000

Tea was confined, interred within the four walls of the lightly dimmed lair. The Queen's rhythmic stirring was the only thing that broke the silence. Tea's cerulean eyes slowly widened. She felt cold and damp and could not figure out where she was. It was only when she exhaled that she noticed bubbles emitting from her nose. Her vision was blurred, as her eyes were accustomed to the outside world after 1 week or so on land. She shifted her gaze to the centre of the room, horrors of all horrors, the water witch was indeed stirring up a concoction!

"Who is the almighty Queen now? After this night, I shall be the Queen of the world! No one can stop me now!" Queen Ekans' deadly laughter filled the room. Tea's breath caught at her throat. She did not know what to do, how to escape and if anyone would come to her rescue. She was afraid, very afraid indeed. All she could do now is, wait.

"Oh Atem, please save me, I need your help…" She thought to herself as her eyelids grew heavy again. She was soon nodding off to sleep, not a peaceful one, but a fearful slumber.

000 000

The Wind howled, creating ripples on the Nile River. Atem walked briskly towards the river edge and dropped his cape. Having the prior knowledge that he will have to be in the water, he wore nothing but his bottom skirt, leaving his chest bare. He took out the bottle that Mahado gave him and stared at it for a long time. "I trust that it'll work Mahado…" He whispered only audibly to himself. He unscrewed the lid and took a deep breath before drowning the contents. It tasted a lot like honey mixed with herbal grass, thus the taste was both sweet and medical. He choked a little on the contents, being that he hated the taste of medicine more than anything.

"If it won't for Tea, I would probably feed this to the crocodiles… Yuck! This concoction is terrible!" He knew he had to finish it in order for the potion to take its effect. He glanced at the bottle, scrunched his nose up and poured the rest of it into his mouth. He gasped and coughed after drinking it.

"Mahado said that I'll feel light when I drink this… all I can feel is this horrible potion churning in my stomach," He said in disgust. Immediately after saying that, a tinge of purple glow surrounded his body and he indeed felt rather light headed. He tried inhaling, but ended up hacking continuously. He needed water or he'll suffocate. One look at the water and in he went, a splash following after he jumped in. He tried breathing in again and this time he could breathe normally.

"So this is how it works…I guess this potion isn't that bad after all." From the water, he looked up to the land. The current swept him away before he could observe or even notice if anyone else was looking down at him. He decided not to battle the current, but instead swim down to the depths of the Nile where he hoped Tea was still alright, that she was still alive.

While swimming, he witnessed many schools of fish swimming beside him, as if making way for him to pass. However, after a brief moment, those dull colored fishes suddenly swam rapidly away from him in fear. He looked around curiously, only to find out that his greatest nightmare has come true. Crocodiles were charging towards him!

000 000

Hey, what do you know, a cliff hanger! Lol. Sorry everyone. Well, this long awaited chapter is finally done! Phew! I am so relieved. Next chapter will be up as soon as I'm done with it, though you have to understand that I'm pretty busy with school and stuff. Sorry once again for making all of you wait. Love you all for reviewing! I'll see you around some other time. For now, farewell! Enjoy your day!