It's wonderful to see how much everybody's enjoying this story!  *excitable grin*  Well, it looks as though this next part's going to become more involved in this spooky hotel, so expect an increase in nervousness.

Malik Fan – Glad you're enjoying it.  Let me just let you know that this is definitely as much fun to read as it is to write.  Kabuki and I are really enjoying this!  Thanks for letting us know what you think.

darklight – We're trying to update this on a fairly regular basis, so check back every couple of days for an update.  Thanks for reviewing, it really keeps us motivated.

SetoKaiba419 - *lol* I really loved your response, Kabuki and I really appreciated you being so honest with us!  Look out, though, beginning with this part, the fun might be put on the backburner for a little while, don't worry though, it'll return soon.  Thanks, as always, for the wonderful review!

sakuya – heehee, yes, Tea's pathetic puppydog look would give anybody nightmares.  It's good to know we've infiltrated your dreams.  ;-)

Thorn – I'm glad you're so excited about it, just know that if we stay with our plans, it's only going to get worse for our poor students.  *evil laughter*

Just to let you know, Scarred Souls: Whispers from the Shadow Realm, the newly created Yu-Gi-Oh villain board has officially been opened.  Drop by and review the stories, or post your own.  We allow any type of villain fiction, including slash, as long as the villain is the main focus.  We feel that the villains in this genre simply don't have enough publicity and fanfic for them, so we're making our own.  See the link on either one of our ff.net sites.

Enjoy the story & please leave a review if you don't mind!

-Sylvia

*****

Part 3:

The embers of the fireplace were beginning to die as the chill of the night wind moaned sadly among the cracks and crevices of the old hotel, sounding almost like the ramblings of a crazed old woman.  Tea jumped every time she heard it, clutching Joey's arm in the vain thought that he could protect her against any dangers the hotel might pose.  The tea was long finished and Tristan was curled up in the armchair closest to the fire fidgeting nervously next to Duke, who seemed entranced by the small flames left within the hearth.  Seto was pacing nervously back and forth in front of the stairway, his eyes darting occasionally to the dark depths above them as though he expected to see someone standing there, patiently waiting for him at the head of the staircase.  Croquet kept glancing at Seto, nervously eying the boy as though he expected some sort of elaborate assassination attempt upon his employer.  Pegasus, though, paid him no mind.  He stared at Ms. Sweeney as she finished jotting down the final details of the arrangement.

"Let me see," she said, putting the tip of the pen to her lower lip in thought.  "Joey has the hedges; Yugi, Tea, and Tristan handle each of the guest rooms; Seto has the electricity; and Mokuba's job is to catalogue items of value including the food in the kitchen."

"All of it's been brought in by my help, and I truly have no idea what's in there," Pegasus waved the topic aside, finishing his hot wine.

"So now everyone has an assignment, though not necessarily a highly specific one." Sweeney blinked once, then regarded Duke with a malicious air. "Except you, Mr. Devlin." She smiled a little, already searching for some horrible chore she could suggest for the lackadaisical dice-lover.

Pegasus, though, merely waved his hand dismissively. "Duke is a close associate of mine and I manufacture his fabulously complicated Dungeon Dice Monsters game. Really, Ms. Sweeny, I think Devlin here is best qualified to be the overseer. That is to say, he can help where needed and make sure all the tasks are completed." He cocked his head a little and nodded. "Yes, I think that will work out splendidly."

Duke returned the nod, casting a glance at the others with a grin. It would be great fun to boss everyone around, especially that Seto Kaiba brat. "I'll see that everyone does their jobs, Pegasus."

"I'm sure you will."

Ms. Sweeny sighed, her visions of Devlin replacing the roof's shingles or chopping down errant trees all for naught. She jotted down the task and nodded. "Very well then, I take it provisions have been made for the guests?"

Pegasus nodded, "But of course.  They will find plenty of food and supplies within the kitchen, and their quarters.  The kitchens are down that hallway and to your left behind the reception desk," Pegasus nodded to one of the blacker and more foreboding corridors.  "The servants quarters in which they will be bunking are on the second floor, down the hall and to the right.  And just in case we have a few frightened mice in our presence," the silver-haired man smiled, producing a bag from beneath his seat.  "There are plenty of flashlights with batteries to keep you safe from anything… unpleasant."  Tea gratefully grasped the bag, opening the burlap sac to make certain that Pegasus told the truth.  Indeed, several long-handled black flashlights were included along with multiple packets of batteries, obviously freshly purchased.  She lifted on of the flashlights and, flipping the switch, was rewarded with a blinding fluorescent white light.  Seto growled and backed into the darkness.

"Damn it, Tea, aim that someplace else."

"Sorry, I wasn't sure if the batteries really worked," Tea grinned sheepishly.  Joey nodded.

"Yeah, it is Pegasus handing 'em over."

Duke leaned forward in his seat, his green eyes glinting dangerously in the firelight. "You're pretty obnoxious for an ignorant fool, Joey. Pegasus didn't have to provide us with anything. He's been pretty tolerant of you so far, but if you act like this all weekend, I can't promise not to break your face."

"Oh yeah?" Joey leaned close to the other boy, matching his scowl with a growl. "I'd like ta see ya try. I should've taught ya a lesson when ya called Yugi a cheat and made me wear a dogsuit, but I was just playin' fair. This time, though, I won't be so nice. I think Pegasus's tryin' ta pull some kinda trick on us. I think he knew we'd be here and rigged the joint, no matter what the freak says."

Ms. Sweeney scowled at her charges, "That is no way to speak of the man who is providing you with room and board over the course of your detention.  If I had my way, all of you would be stuck in a juvenile delinquent's camp."

"Aw, come on!" Joey wailed, getting to his feet, allowing Tea to wrap the thin blanket around herself more securely.  "A delinquent's camp just because we missed a bit of school?"

Yugi got to his feet as well, grabbing the sleeve of Joey's green coat.  "Joey sit down," Yugi whispered, "There's no need to make her angrier than she already is."  But Ms. Sweeney was already standing.

"I didn't make the rules, Mr. Wheeler, I only enforce them. It's getting late anyway, I suppose there's no use arguing with you as you are already here and will serve the assigned detention.  With Mr. Pegasus' leave I will depart for my home now, and I hope that when I return on Monday morning, there will have been no setbacks for me to deal with.  Everything will be completed according to plan, do I make myself clear?"  In unison the group nodded, though some were more hesitant than others.  Ms. Sweeney grunted a sign of approval and nodded to Pegasus.

Pegasus looked to Croquet, "Please show Ms. Sweeney to the limo.  No need letting a woman walk by herself all the way back to her…" he glanced to Sweeney in question.

"School bus." The woman crossed her arms in obvious irritation.

"Ah, yes.  We'll drive Ms. Sweeney back to her school bus."  He grinned with a gleam in his eye as he buttoned up his grey trench coat once more.  "It wasn't the short bus, was it?"  He giggled to himself.

Croquet eyed him suspiciously, but nodded and bowed at the waist.  "But of course, Master Pegasus.  Right this way, ma'am."  As the two left the building, Pegasus faced the group openly, an unusually serious look spreading over his features.

"Now, I know none of you trust me, and I know you're all expecting some sort of funhouse, but I haven't had the place long enough.  And honestly, I had no idea you would be the ones staying here."

"Yeah, right!" Seto barked, walking closer to the silver-haired man.  "Like I believe that one.  I wouldn't put it past you to have this entire place rigged."

"No kiddin'!  And with that Millennium Eye of yours, who knows what kind of shit you've got planned with this place!" Joey scowled at the man, slowly advancing on him.

But Pegasus merely frowned and lifted the hair from the left side of his face, revealing a simple black patch.  He spoke coldly.  "You know the Millennium Eye has been stolen from me, Joey Wheeler.  Really, I see no reason for you to show your stupidity once again.  But then again, I suppose you simply can't teach old dogs new tricks."  He dropped the hair back as Joey gaped in astonishment.  The group had heard the rumors and Yugi, Tea, Tristan, and Joey had all seen Pegasus' weakened state after his final duel with Yugi, but they'd never imagined that it had actually been taken from him.  The strange turbaned man that called himself Shadi had told Yugi as much, but the boy had difficulties believing a man who could materialize out of thin air and had refused to believe entirely trust Yami.

Pegasus glared at them, placing his hands in his pockets, but Seto moved towards him with a smirk.  Pegasus took a step back and lifted an arm to protect himself, but Seto was faster, grabbing the lapels of his trench coat, and hauling the older man close.  "Without that eye, then, I guess you're kind of powerless.  Now isn't that convenient?"

Duke was already on his feet though he didn't dare to move forward. "Leave him alone, Kaiba!"

"Shut-up, Devlin." Seto smiled at Pegasus, clutching him tight. They were close enough for a few silver strands to brush across the collar of Seto's coat.  "I guess we get to see how well you do without your little magic tricks."  Yugi took a step forward to separate the two, but he found there was no need. 

Pegasus grinned and narrowed his eye.  "Oh, I wouldn't go that far, Kaiba-boy."  Seto was then pushed back by some unseen force, about two feet.  He skidded, his arms pin wheeling, and then he stopped, taking a deep breath and glaring uncomprehendingly at his smiling opponent.

"How in the world –" Kaiba breathed.

"I may not possess the eye, but I still have my share of telepathic abilities, my dear boy.  Don't underestimate me.  You're a fool if you think that I could have wielded the Millennium Eye without such inherent power."  Then he turned to the rest of the group.  "But that's not important at the moment.  Listen, I don't have much time.  Croquet will be wondering."  The group grew quiet as they stared at the silver-haired man in confusion.

"What is going on, Pegasus?" Yami Yugi declared, his sharp tenor voice filling the giant bare room.

"It's difficult to put simply, so I'll just shoot for short and cryptic. You see… this hotel is not quite what it seems," he smiled, unable to quite form the correct words to explain.  "But at the same time it is."

"Quit talking in riddles, Pegasus." Kaiba muttered through gritted teeth.  "Everything's a game to you, you sick bastard."

"Temper, temper, Kaiba-boy.  It's that very quality that's going to get you killed."

"Is that a threat?" Kaiba balled his fists, and levered his weight in preparation to leap upon the man standing before them.  Mokuba instinctively moved behind his older brother, his eyes slits of anger as he fumed at the man before them.

Pegasus merely sighed, his shoulders slumping as his face fell.  His eye closed for a moment, and he seemed to reach inside himself for some pit of energy or strength that he had in reserve.  Yugi had to wonder what was making Pegasus so weak.  Was it the loss of his eye that hindered him now, or perhaps the strain of seeing so many newly-made enemies in one place?  Then Yugi heard the faint whisper of Yami in the back of his mind.  ::Yugi, it's the hotel.::  Yugi narrowed his eyes for a moment, focusing his attention on his darker half as well as the hotel itself.  He spoke in a hushed whisper as he voiced his questions for Yami to hear.

"What do you mean?"

::The hotel, Yugi.  Haven't you noticed?  It has some terrible power I cannot name.::

"Power?  How would this old dump hold any kind of power, Yami?"  Yugi asked, his eyes darting about the room, trying to see or at least understand what Yami was trying to say.  The dusty curtains still hung in disarray, the embers cooled within the hearth, the same cool breeze swept through the building as before, so what was so terrible about it?  He could easily imagine what it must have looked like during its prime, how popular this little winter wonderland must have appeared to the crowds of children and newly-weds as they came in throngs to the giant hotel.  Yugi closed his eyes as he thought, searching for answers to questions Yami knew to exist.

::I don't believe Pegasus has anything to do with this place.  He has no discernable power here, Yugi.  That in itself is no surprise considering that he no longer possesses the eye, but at the same time he had enough power to push Kaiba away with a great amount of force.  Even that simple burst of energy seems to have weakened him, he seems tired and vulnerable.::

Kaiba look a hold of his brother's arm in reassurance, as he stared at the older man before him.  Pegasus seemed to have gathered himself once again, but his face was fierce.  He stared at the group with a look that could have been horror.  "This hotel is alive, my dear young friends.  Alive, but most assuredly not well.  I don't know what it wants," he chuckled uneasily, his shoulders rising and falling almost in fear.  "If I had known you all would be coming, I wouldn't have agreed to this ridiculous idea. Even I am not so cold-hearted."  He shook his head almost as in defeat, the straight silver strands of hair dancing about his face.  Then he turned to stare at Kaiba, the boy still poised to leap if Pegasus so much as made a motion toward his brother.  "And Kaiba, listen to me.  If I were you, I'd keep Mokuba safe.  Never let him out of your sight."  He levered Seto with a gaze that seemed sympathetic.  Mokuba stepped away from his brother, his fists balled as he took a step forward.

"Seto and I don't need advice from the likes of you, Pegasus!  I don't know what this is all about, but my big brother can protect me from anything you throw at us! We're not afraid of you, right, Seto?"

The older Kaiba nodded grimly. He didn't understand why Pegasus had been able to launch an invisible attack, but he took it as a personal affront and a distinct threat. That Pegasus had mentioned Mokuba at all only further clouded Kaiba's ability to reason. He felt his rage building, and for an instant an image danced across his vision, more imagination than premonition, of the parquet floor speckled with blood. He grinned maliciously, but then the image intensified, showing Pegasus himself rent limb from limb, his eye wide though glassy in death, and fresh scarlet blood smeared in his pristine hair. Seto gasped as the vision took hold, and he shut his eyes, willing the intense rage away. Never before had such anger taken hold of him, and Seto was shaking when next he spoke. "Don't you have somewhere to be, Pegasus? I'm sure you have better things to do than to torment us with your melodramatic crap and your campfire stories."

When Kaiba looked up, he was rather surprised to see Pegasus leaning heavily on the back of one of the armchairs.  He had brought a slim hand to his forehead, and his eyes were shut tight.  He seemed to have broken out into a cold sweat and his chest was falling heavily with his gasps for breath.  Devlin took a step forward, worry marring his features, but Pegasus waved him to stay put.  As Kaiba straightened, forcing himself away from the terrible sight that had flooded his vision, and the world began to grow light again, Pegasus seemed to recover his health once more.

Yugi took a step forward, his eyes keen as he stared at the seemingly broken form of Pegasus before the group.  "What happened, Yami?" he whispered nearly inaudibly.  "He nearly collapsed.  Is something wrong with him?"

::I don't know, Yugi, but I felt a distinct surge of energy from Kaiba in that moment.  The very moment Pegasus fell.  The only cause for that would be that Pegasus is a very sensitive psychic.::

"A sensitive psychic?  What do you mean by that?"

::It's difficult to explain, and I don't even know if I understand it completely myself.  I believe that if Pegasus were surrounded by angry, spiteful people, that were focused on him alone, he would become injured by their mental slings and arrows.  Perhaps if the blows were fierce enough, he could be seriously injured.::

"Could he die from something like that?"

::I'm only speculating.  And besides, there's no way to know for certain without terrible consequences.::

Tea stood from her chair, wrapping the thin blanket around her shoulders tightly as she approached Pegasus.  She stared at the recovering man in pity as she reached out a hand to him.

"Tea, don't…" Joey warned, putting his hands on the girl's shoulders and holding her back from the man.  "This could be a trick.  You and I both know that Pegasus is anything but trustworthy."

"This happens to him from time to time," Devlin shook his head. "He doesn't like anyone to touch him.  Just leave him alone, he'll be fine."

"Yes, but he looks like he may be hurt!" she argued, attempting to pull away from the blond.  But before she could argue further, one of the doors to the entrance creaked open, as the headlights from the limo outside shone through the cracks and into the bleak and desolate room.  Tea held up her hand in preparation to shield her eyes, but found there was no need as Croquet leaned into the room.

"Master Pegasus, if I may sir, it's getting rather late, and I believe we should start heading home…" the man trailed off as he spied the weakened form of Pegasus against the back of the chair.  Tea still stood with her hands outstretched to him, and Joey was holding her back.  The two stood with mouths agape staring at the bodyguard with a mixture of shock and confusion falling across their faces.  Croquet's eyes became slits as he glared at the two, and for a moment Tea and Joey both believed the bodyguard would hold them accountable for Pegasus' condition.  Tossing his sunglasses aside, however, the mustached man hurried forward to collect his employer, placing a strong arm around him and allowing the silver-haired man to lean heavily against him.  "Max, are you alright?  Say something!"  Pegasus attempted to push the bodyguard away, his complaints little more than jumbled mutterings as he swayed on his feet, but Croquet was not so easily dissuaded.  "Quit being so damned stubborn.  Every time you come here, you get weaker.  This place is feeding on you, Max, we've got to get you out of here."  Pegasus merely sighed, his expression looking terribly defeated as he nodded.

"Fine, Croquet.  Get me out of here.  But first," the amber gaze fell on each of the students, "there are things here that have been here for a very long time.  Things that should have died… but for some reason, they just haven't moved on to the place they should have.  If you see anything… out of the ordinary, close your eyes and count to three.  Most things you might see here are like pictures in a book – they can't hurt you.  There are certain places I advise you to avoid, Room 217 for example, and perhaps any place which seems to invite violence as it may have done so in the past."

"Somehow, it's hard to believe that any warning you give us can be trusted, Pegasus," Seto growled, gripping Mokuba's shoulder in protection.  The silver-haired man's gaze fell then upon Mokuba, the small child's breath coming in tiny gasps.

"I knew when I agreed to this," Pegasus sighed, "that it was a bad idea.  But for some reason, I think the place is dormant.  I don't think any of you can possibly rouse it to anything… uncontrollable.  Just remember that if you need me –," he tapped two fingers to his left temple, "- all you have to do is call."  Then Croquet slung one of the man's arms around his shoulder, and with one last pitiable look to the group of youngsters, aided the sagging man outside.  A few moments later they heard the limo start and the roar of the engine as it sped down the dirt road and out of their range of hearing.  Then the group was alone once more with the crackling of the final embers and the mad ramblings of old woman wind outside.  Tea looked to Joey, a look of dismay marring her usually cheerful features.

"Hey, don't worry Tea, no need to believe in all that fire an' brimstone crap that Pegasus is tryin' ta feed us.  That was all just an act, just a show, like in the movies."

"You really think so Joey?"  Joey smiled reassuringly as he moved towards one of the dark hallways.

"Where do you think you're going, Joey?" Tristan asked as he threw a few more logs onto the diminished fire.

"I'm gonna find some food of course!  I'm starvin'!"

As the group clung to any topic of conversation other than Pegasus and the damned hotel they were forced to keep this weekend, Seto watched as Mokuba ran after the group.  The boy turned once, his voice hinting at his worry.

"Aren't you coming, big brother?"

"You all go ahead and eat.  I'm going to start on the electricity."  Seto smiled, already moving towards the darkness.  Yugi stopped, turning to stare back at Kaiba who was barely visible on the other side of the room.  The rest of the group stopped as well, deeming anything worthy of Yugi's attention definitely worth observing.  Darkness seemed to close in around them, and the only comfort they were able to find was in each other as they moved as a group from one place to the next.

"But it's in the middle of the night, Kaiba.  Surely you can wait until tomorrow morning." Yugi's eyes slanted distrustfully as he attempted to see through the impenetrable darkness.  Kaiba had already picked up a flashlight from the bag, flipping it into the air and catching it in the same hand.  He turned it on, filling the entire stairway with an unearthly glow.

"I'm not afraid of the dark." Seto smirked as he separated from the group.  "Besides, if I get it done now, I'll have more time to figure out what Pegasus is up to for the rest of the weekend."  Mokuba stared longingly after his big brother until he could no longer spy the thin cylinder of white light, then reluctantly, he allowed Yugi to pull him with the group as they went in search of a kitchen.  Duke then stopped, snapping his fingers.

"Oh yeah, the flashlights!  It's a good thing Kaiba reminded us."  The dice-loving duelist ran back, nimbly snatching the bag up in one smooth, almost feline motion, before returning to the group.  Tristan clapped him on the back amicably.

"Yeah, I guess the big lug's good for something, huh?" Tristan laughed.

But Joey was already trudging forward, forcing the rest of the gang to plunge into the thick darkness momentarily before Duke snapped on one of the flashlights.  The path was gratefully illuminated, the shadows seeming to leap out of their way, almost as if they had a mind of their own.  "Never mind about that, let's eat!" Joey yelped as he pushed through the kitchen door.

"That dog can find food anywhere," Duke mumbled.