Marik found himself surrounded by fire. He screamed in terror. The flames licked greedily at his skin, and although he was only in a spirit form and he couldn't be physically damaged, it still fucking hurt. He hoped that didn't mean his actual spirit was being destroyed. He didn't want that frig-stick poser taking over his life. It would be him, himself, to destroy the Pharoah, not some figment of his imagination.

Suddenly, a purple light flashed, and the flames receded. Marik sighed in relief, and clutched the Millennium Rod closer. Not that it was the real thing. That was with his dark side. The one he held was probably an illusion or something. Whatever it was, its presence was a comfort to him.

Now that the fire was gone, he had space to think. Stupid Bakura. Couldn't do anything right. How hard was it to do exactly as he said? If the spirit had only listened to him, they could've won, and Marik would have his body back, and the plan could proceed. But no, Bakura had to get cocky. And now, it was up to him to fix this stupid mess all by himself.

Or maybe not. In the distance, he saw a hooded figure. Perhaps he could threaten some information out of whoever was hiding underneath that robe. He walked towards the figure. Or maybe the proper term was more like floated. There wasn't really anything solid in the Shadow Realm for him to walk on, even though his legs were making the proper movements for walking.

It didn't take long for him to come within calling distance of the figure. "You!" Marik yelled. "You have information I require. Give it to me!"

The figure didn't say anything, but raised its arm, its hand glowing within its sleeve. Marik had just enough time to think that perhaps he shouldn't have been so demanding, when he suddenly found himself being transported out of the Shadow Realm. He whirled through a tunnel of black, twisting and turning, bright light flashing in his eyes, and then something shoved him into the body of Yuugi's girlfriend Téa.

Marik had no idea how this had happened, but he was going to assume it was that hooded figure's doing. If he ever saw him again, he'd have to be sure to thank him. He flexed Téa's fingers and stood, discerning where he was right now and then heading toward his sister's room. He could still feel the Shadow Realm pulling at him. He had no idea how long he had before he was taken again, and he had a message to relay.

0000000000

Daniel shook his head as he pushed Marik into the girl's body that always hung around Yuugi. He felt a bit guilty for doing it, but without a body, the boy wasn't strong enough to stay in his own world for very long. With that other in control of his body, he may as well have been dead. Just in case, he followed Marik to his sister's room, where the boy explained what was happening. Daniel smiled when Marik returned control of the body back over to Téa. Good. He realized that mind control took up energy, that he didn't have.

That taken care of, he headed back to the Shadow Realm to take care of that other Ascended. Daniel didn't look forward to that rescue. He doubted Bakura would accept his help, but he was going to try anyway. He found the possessed young man, and he seemed to be doing much better than Marik was. In fact, the shadows seemed to make him stronger. Daniel had no idea what that was about, but he doubted it was a good thing. Tentatively, he stepped out of the shadows and made himself known to the other Ascended being.

"Who the bloody hell are you?"

"My name is Daniel Jackson, and I'm here to help." Daniel had no idea why he decided to give his name, but there was no taking it back now.

"I don't need any help," Bakura replied, turning his back on him.

"But," Daniel protested, confused, "don't you want to go back? Your host can't survive in this dimension. And without a host, you won't be able to survive without your pendant."

"What makes you think I care about the boy's well-being?" Bakura demanded. "The child is but a vessel." He narrowed his eyes. "More importantly, how do you know who I am?"

"I've been following you," Daniel explained. Bakura's eyes narrowed even further. "Well," Daniel quickly clarified, "I've been following Yuugi. I've seen you several times, though, and I can help you get out of here."

"I already told you I don't need your help. I can get out of here all on my own."

"But—"

Before Daniel could protest any further, Bakura started fading away, his arms crossed and his lips twisted in a smirk. "Don't worry about the boy, Daniel Jackson," he said, his voice echoing. "As long as he is in possession of the Millennium Ring, I'll protect him." And with that, he was gone.

"Alrighty then," Daniel said after a minute. He had no clue what that was about, but he couldn't sense Bakura anymore. He could only assume that he'd managed to validate his words and escape himself, but Daniel honestly couldn't see how. His spirit had been bound, just like Anubis. But he couldn't worry about that now. He had other things he needed to do. He had to get back to the SGC before the Others found out his interference.

0000000000

With several small plops, the members of SG-1 stumbled through the Stargate. The planet on the other side was lush with vegetation. According to the MALP probe, it was a primitive planet with few lifeforms, except for the bugs and the plantlife. But Colonel Jack O'Neil had been with the SGC long enough to know that everything the probe said wasn't necessarily true for the entire planet. Just the area around the gate.

The sun that warmed this planet was shining right in Jack's eyes, so he lowered his sunglasses and glanced around at his team. Carter and Teal'c stood at his side, awaiting orders. Behind them, Daniel's replacement lugged their equipment behind him, two trunks on wheels and several backpacks. Sam and Teal'c, with the exception of their weapons, were empty-handed.

"You two," Jack said, "assist the newbie. Set up camp..." He looked around; the area surrounding the gate was just like it was an almost every planet they'd visited: very woodsy. "Over there," he finished, pointing over toward the treeline. "Keep the gate within sight, but make sure we're hidden in case somethin' not-very-friendly decides to pay a visit." With that, he trotted down the steps leading up to the gate and walked away.

"Where are you going, Sir?" Carter asked.

"Oh, just going for a little walk," Jack said lightly. "See what all there is to see. Be back in a little while."

He could feel Carter's eyes on him as he walked away, but he paid her no mind. Going off and leaving his team with no explanation was against regulation, and he knew it. But he also knew that Carter and Teal'c could take care of themselves, even if he wasn't so sure about the squirelly guy Hammond had found to replace Daniel. Jack honestly didn't expect him to last long, not because he doubted Teal'c and Carter's ability to protect him, but because he was beginning to believe that it was impossible to kill Dr. Daniel Jackson.

Seriously. Either the guy was a cockroach, or he was immortal. The latter was probably more likely, what with all the Ascended crap Daniel had gotten into. Jack wasn't entirely sure how the process worked, but if it could bring the guy back once, it could bring him back again.

Daniel's second (or was it third? Jack couldn't keep count) official death was a total accident. True to his curious nature, the doctor had been deciphering some text on some piece of unknown alien technology, when he'd accidentally set it off. And, as luck would have it, it was a weapon. They didn't find the body until the next day. The only reason they hadn't found out sooner was that everyone thought he was working late, as he tended to do.

By the time Jack was done reliving the unpleasant experience of finding Daniel's dead body, he had hit the trees. The canopy almost completely blocked out the sun's light, and he lifted his sunglasses to the top of his head. The temperature noticeably decreased as well. Jack opened his mouth and sighed, then marched on.

He went about a mile into the woods before he decided to head back. He was getting the distinct feeling that he was being watched. It was an especially creepy feeling, as he hadn't seen any sign of sentient life while he was out there. Whatever it was, it was probably dangerous, and Jack didn't want to be alone when whatever it was decided to show itself.

He was half-way to the camp when the feeling got even more intense. He stopped, resting his finger on the trigger of his gun. "Alright," he called. "I know someone's there. Why don't you show yourself!"

An image flickered in front of Jack's eyes, of Daniel, standing in front of him and wearing a brown robe with a hood over his head. It was there only for a second, and then Jack blinked and it was gone.

Well then, he thought, that was weird. He took another step forward, leaves crunching under his feet, and then another, and he walked cautiously forward. "Daniel?" he called. "You there?"

The leaves a few yards in front of him crunched in answer, and then suddenly Daniel materialized in front of him.

Completely naked.

"Jack," Daniel gasped, and staggered toward the colonel. Jack watched Daniel stumbled around, until it became clear that his former teammate wouldn't be able to stand on his own.

He really didn't want to have to help support a nude Daniel Jackson. But he didn't have a choice, because when Daniel reached him he collapsed against Jack's chest. Jack took a step back, trying to hide his disgust, and grabbed Daniel's shoulder.

"Jack," Daniel panted, "I'm so glad I found you. There's a–" His chest spasmed as he choked on his words, and he nearly doubled over. "We have to get back to Earth."

"That was just what I was about to suggest," Jack said. "Come on." He pulled Daniel's arm over his shoulder and led him back toward the Stargate.

They found the campsite only fifteen minutes later. By that time the sun was starting to disappear under the horizon and Carter was at work making a campfire for supper. She looked up when she heard them coming in to camp with a smile. "What did you find, Colonel?" She trailed off when she saw who was with him. "Daniel!"

"Hi Sam," Daniel smiled weakly, then collapsed, unconscious.

"Something the general will be interested in," Jack said, just as Teal'c and the newbie appeared. "Pack up, gentlemen. Lady," he added, a nod directed at Carter. The team got to work immediately. As Jack was going to assist, he noticed the newbie staring at Daniel's prostrate, naked form. "And somebody get Daniel some clothes!" he ordered. "Or at least a blanket. Newbie's getting intimidated."

0000000000

The obnoxious siren that signaled an unscheduled incoming wormhole met SG-1 when they made it through the Stargate. Jack was annoyed, but not surprised to find himself staring down the barrels of about a dozen guns. He looked up to the control room, and sure enough Hammond was standing right there, a disapproving look on his face and the PA clutched in his fist.

"Stand down," Hammond ordered. "Colonel, what happened? You just left!"

"A little of this, a little of that," Jack replied. "Oh," he gestured behind him at Teal'c, who had Daniel slung over his shoulder, "Daniel's back, by the way. Again." With that he stepped away from the Stargate, just as it shut off with a whoosh, to the infirmary to get himself cleared. As he passed the troops standing by the wall, he shook his head. "Really," he muttered. "Someone unexpected comes through that gate at least once a week. Why does this continue to surprise us?"

On his six, Carter stifled a laugh. Jack smirked.