Evening Plans
It didn't take very long for the princess to calm down and fall asleep. She was actually able to do so after Bakura and Max left the palace. It seemed that she was the only one who would be able to rest easy. With that being settled, Mahad tucked the blanket a little more securely around the child and gently placed her back inside the royal cradle placed beside her mother's grand chair. Mahad grasped the white veils surrounding the opening, then looked at the child for one last moment before drawing them. He sighed, but could not find the will to smile at the peacefully slumbering infant. Even Seto and Joseph felt the same way just looking at her. Just like her parents, her friends feared for her life.
Finally, Mahad drew the veils and took a few steps away. Upset about the whole thing, he sighed of frustration and placed his hand over his face. Just like his two leaders, he knew that this day had to come no matter how much he prayed it wouldn't. And why did it have to be on this day? What wicked scheme was Bakura planning?
Joseph tried to be optimistic, but even he knew that things weren't going to be all right now that the heir of Cobalt was on the loose. Children would be having haunting nightmares every night about Bakura and the Cobalt Star, unable to sleep peacefully. Magical Creatures would be restless and unable to calm down until the evil presence was gone. Many of the royals wouldn't be able to sleep either; waking up from nightmares and trying to pray to their Great Goddess for protection.
Seto, usually hasty in matters like these, knew he had to take this time to plan for when Bakura would come back and attack again. To fight the heir of Cobalt, one had to think like a follower of Cobalt and know his weaknesses. But Seto and his friends knew Bakura all too well and this wasn't going to be like the times they had in the outskirts trying to hunt him down and defeat him. New courses of action had to be taken.
Joseph returned to the throne room and brought back some warm herbal drinks for himself and his friends. In matters like these, the friends would always have warm drinks and discuss these situations together. Plus, the essence of the herbs would soothe their nerves and make them feel better. "There has to be something we can do," Joseph said as he gave Mahad and Seto their drinks.
"Well, a man hunt won't stop Bakura," Seto said, thinking about their missions in the outskirts.
"Of course not. But what will?" Mahad asked after taking a sip from his cup. "The magic of the Millennium Items will not do much for us either. Their powers don't come close to the powers of the Stars, so why would Bakura have any interest in them?"
"It also seems Bakura wants to steal the Millennium Star as well," suggested Seto. "To destroy it, no doubt. To do that, he must get to our princess. That is why he is attacking us first; so there will be no one left to protect her."
Joseph took a bite of some bread and a sip of his drink to wash it down his throat. "Well, we can't let that happen," he finally said. "We don't want him to have the Millennium Star or our princess. And we certainly do not want him to have them both together. There must be some way to protect them both."
Mahad finished his herbal drink as Joseph said that. Hearing his opinion gave him an idea. "There is," he softly cried, being careful not to wake the princess. He had to remember that she was still in their presence.
"There is? How, Master Mahad?" Joseph asked as he and Seto approached him.
Before sharing his plan, Mahad casts the same mental enchantments as before; allowing him and his friends to communicate telepathically. He had to be careful of his surroundings. Shadows are everywhere and conceal many secrets. After the enchantments are cast, Mahad shares his idea. I know that once the Millennium Star enters a new heart, a contract is made and cannot be undone. But what if the queen takes back the Millennium Star?
Yeah, Joseph thought. The previous keeper can hold on to the Star for the current one.
And if the princess isn't the one holding the Millennium Star, Bakura can't use the Cobalt Star to sense her presence, Seto finished.
I get it, Joseph thought. Separate the lock and the key. And use a protective enchantment on the princess to conceal her from Bakura.
Mahad nodded. Yes, she will be perfectly safe.
They all start to think it's a good idea until Seto suggests, Until a squeal gives her away or until Bakura sends his dogs to sniff her out.
Hearing that, Mahad sighs in a disappointed manner. "Oh, dear."
"I forgot Bakura has friends in high places," Joseph groaned.
"Yes," said Mahad. "And knowing Bakura, he will be expecting us to do something like that anyway." Just when they thought they could outsmart Bakura, they remembered how cunning he was. A simple protective enchantment wouldn't work because Bakura would always be able to find the princess as long as she had the Millennium Star. It would also be the same way if they tried hiding her someplace away from the palace. Even if she didn't have the Millennium Star, Bakura would still intend to kill her.
Thinking about all of that and how well he knew Bakura, Joseph growled. "Well, what won't he expect? He knows everything."
Seto disagreed. "Not necessarily, Joseph. Bakura knows nothing about affection, devotion, loyalty, or caring about someone else. He knows nothing about the things we do. Even if he had a friend in his life or a family, I still doubt that he would understand."
Joseph snickered hearing that last statement. He even decided not to say anything against the matter. Friendship was his personal strength, but he'd never consider taking the heir of Cobalt as his friend or try to help him understand the magic that can come from all the good things Seto mentioned. Then he started thinking about Luna. He still believed that she was their friend and could help them, but he didn't want to bring her up. Instead, he suggested, "Look, why don't you guys get some sleep and let me watch over the princess? It will give me something to do while I try to think of a plan."
"Are you sure?" Mahad asked. "But aren't you exhausted from today's battle as well?" Mahad knew Joseph too well and remembered that he would always push himself past his limits when fighting for someone he cared about; making him weak and tired. At the same time, those battles made Joseph stronger in body and in spirit. When Joseph insisted, Mahad smiled and nodded. "All right then. May Millennia protect you both tonight," he said and stood up. Mahad and Joseph shook hands and patted each other's backs.
Seto got up as well and did the same thing to both of his friends. "I'm actually going to be up for a little while. How about I take it from here when I get back?" Joseph thought that Seto was making fun of him and thought he would sleep on the job, but he didn't want to start an argument that would make a lot of noise and end up waking the princess, so he nodded. Seto smiled and headed out of the throne room. He was telling the truth when he said he would be staying up, so instead of going to his chambers, he went to his tablet shrine and began looking at the many different images of monsters.
Aknadin found him there. He wasn't surprised that Seto would be there considering that he had been his master for many years and knew many of his secrets. There was nothing Seto could hide from a man who knew his student too well. They engaged in friendly conversation for a brief moment, then began talking about the issue at hand. "Any word on Bakura and Max?"
"With an entire squadron of guards on their trail, they will not get far," Seto assured him.
"Really," Aknadin asked, not sounding relieved or certain of the matter. "After seeing their frighteningly impressive display of power, I disagree." Then he faced the tablets of the three Egyptian God monsters at the top of the shrine. "Listen, Seto, we're not dealing with any ordinary thieves. We're actually dealing with much more than the true heir of the Dark Lord Cobalt also. He and his friend are each harboring a monster whose might rivals that of the Egyptian Gods."
That was when it finally occurred to Seto. He and his friends had only been thinking about looking for ways to stand against Bakura and the Cobalt Star itself. What they hadn't been taking into account was the creature of his soul and Max's. Seto figured that there might actually be a way to defeat Diabound and the Angel of Death. "Master Aknadin, you have just given me an idea. This tablet sanctuary is filled with dangerous Shadow Creatures we've pulled from the hearts of criminals. Surely there must be other evil doers besides Max harboring as much darkness as our friend Bakura, wouldn't you say? I would."
Aknadin gasped hearing that. He remembered hearing Bakura and Max mention the village of Kul Elna. He wondered if perhaps they both escaped from the village before it was destroyed. Of course, as Queen Mystery mentioned before, possessing the Cobalt Star was reasonable enough to explain the incredible power of Bakura's Diabound. And for Max to harbor a creature just as powerful meant that she was a villager and that would explain why her anger and hatred rivaled Bakura's own. Other than that, if there were other evil doers who possessed as much darkness as Bakura and Max, that would be terrible for the kingdom.
"All we need to do is find these criminals," said Seto, speaking as if he himself was a follower of the Dark Lord and considering these tactics to be the key to defeating the enemy. "Then we simply use the Millennium Items to harness their powers. Yes, we'll have an unstoppable army of Shadow Creatures."
Aknadin didn't want to agrue with Seto, but he also knew that he would be lying if he just agreed with him because he didn't like the idea. So he tells him the truth and says, "Seto, what you're suggesting is completely immoral. Not to mention quite dangerous."
"With all due respect, Master, would we not be reducing the number of lawbreakers that wreak havoc in this kingdom every day?"
"Perhaps."
"And in the end, we would be creating this army to protect the people of Egypt as well as the royal family. Besides, we would already be helping our people by extracting the darkness within." Seeing his amulet glow, Seto reminds his master of another promise the sacred guardians made long ago. "Is that not what we all promised to do the day we took our oath as the finest followers of the Great Goddess Millennia?"
Although Aknadin saw that Seto was making more sense, he still couldn't find himself to agree. Remembering his devotion to the royals, but uncertain of Seto's reasons, Aknadin couldn't give a direct answer, so he instead sighed. What he really hoped for was for Seto to not develop a lust for power and drift off into the shadows. Aknadin would never forgive himself if Seto lost sight of what was important to him.
Elsewhere in the palace, Shada, Karim, and Isis began having their own personal thoughts about Bakura and the Cobalt Star. While Karim and Shada were trying to think of a plan, Isis began tapping into the powers of her Millennium Necklace, hoping that the Great Goddess would show her whatever light the future held for them. "Please, Great Goddess Millennia," Isis prayed, "show me what dangers lie ahead." Her Necklace shined for a few seconds, then the light became dim. Isis sighed and shook her head; letting her friends know that Millennia was blind to the future. "I'm sorry. Ever since Bakura and Max arrived, Millennia's vision of the future has been clouded. It's as if the kingdom is shrouded in a blanket of shadows."
"It's the work of the Cobalt Star," Karim assumed. "The Dark Lord is trying to prevent the Great Goddess from locating Bakura and Max."
Isis sighed in disappointment with herself. After realizing what Bakura was capable of, there was no way of knowing the same thing about the Cobalt Star itself since he had not displayed any of its powers. But Isis knew for certain that the powers of darkness were strong and dangerous. But she remained faithful that Millennia would guide her through the shadows and help her to see the future. "It seems that for now, her best is all that the Great Goddess can offer. Then again, against the heir of Cobalt, our best is all that the rest of us can do. That is why I must continue my efforts to see through the darkness."
"You should preserve your energy," Shada told her. "Millennia would not want you to push yourself after this evening's battle with Bakura and Max had taken its toll on you as well as the rest of us."
Karim nods in agreement. "When they return, we will need our full power in order to face them. So listen to Shada and get some rest."
"I appreciate your help; both of you," Isis said sincerely. "But my Millennium Necklace may be our only hope of knowing what Bakura and Max are plotting next. Since the well-being of the citizens of Egypt as well as the safety of our newborn princess is at stake, I'm afraid rest is a luxury I can't afford."
Rest wasn't a luxury any of the royals could afford, as a matter of fact. With their minds being full of so many worries and concerns, sleep seemed to be impossible even for the king and queen. Mystery had left the balcony and tried to rest so she would be able to relax and pull herself together. She was finally able to relax a little, but not well enough. She went to the throne room and found Mahad standing by himself watching over the princess. He left a little while ago to put away the cups he and his friends drank out of and returned to see that Joseph was tired after all; so he decided to stand guard.
Finally, Mystery felt assured that her child would be safe tonight. She didn't want Mahad to feel tired, so she dismissed him and took her daughter with her to her royal chambers. Mystery actually thought she would feel more at ease if her child was close to her, so a small bed was prepared next to her own. At the same time, Mystery realized how worried the rest of her friends were about tonight and thought that perhaps the only way for any of them to rest easy was if she finally started feeling emotionally well again. She knew as well as her friends and subjects that Millennia would watch over and protect them just as she always had. But if only Mystery was just as brave and as strong as her husband. As embarrassed as she felt just thinking about it, the queen felt like a frightened child and figured she would be a little safer with Atem by her side. So she went back to the balcony, stopped, lowered her head, and whispered, "Pardon me, my pharaoh."
Atem gave her his attention and asked, "Is everything all right, my queen?"
Mystery didn't want Atem to sense her fear and see that she was still upset, so she instead told him, "My king, please accept my apologies for the interruption, but it is not wise of you to be outside alone."
But Atem could see right through Mystery's concerns for him and knew the reason behind it all. Nevertheless, he understood her and replied, "Perhaps you're right. It's not safe here. We should go."
"Yes. Stay close; especially after today." Then they both left the balcony and went to take a walk outside the palace. They felt safe with the guards and their Magical Creatures on the lookout, but it was actually the atmosphere the outdoors provided that made them feel more at ease; walking under the stars and feeling that evening breeze. "One can never be too cautious," Mystery told herself. "Perhaps overprotective, but never too cautious."
They both stop in front of a pot as they hear a soft clattering sound. "Did you hear that?" Atem asked.
"Stay behind me," Mystery cautioned, moving in front of her husband as if whatever was inside the pot might come out and attack them. What jumped out of the pot turned out to be Mana and Jirachi up to their old games. Mana had a habit of hiding in royal jars and pots and taking her friends by surprise and Jirachi just loved playing games. Mana lands in Mystery's arms while Jirachi clings himself to Atem's face to hug him.
"Mana, Jirachi," Mystery gasped, setting Mana down and removing Jirachi from Atem. "What are you doing?" Mystery had always admired Mana's playful antics as well as the times she and Jirachi always played together, but this really wasn't the time to play around.
"What?" Jirachi asks, "We can't pay a visit to our two oldest friends?"
"We just miss you, that's all," Mana told her. "Ever since your daughter was born, we haven't been able to talk at all," she groaned, sounding like a spoiled and impatient child.
"Why do you speak as though we had not seen each other in years when you know it has only been one day," the queen asked.
"Oh, we know we haven't spoken in a whole day," Jirachi replied. "But you two didn't forget about us, did you? Your most faithful and closest friends?"
"And after all these years of training and practicing magic together," Mana added. "I mean, we're all one big family." The way the two were speaking to the pharaoh and queen, Mana and Jirachi sounded like children seeking their parents' attention and affection. That was also why they even teased Atem about not walking in the desert without wearing a hat and reminding Mystery to keep her hair tied back if she was to fly in the sky.
Trying not to lose her temper, but still not in a pleasant mood, she scolded her friends. "That is enough, you two," she said firmly. "We are sorry that things are not like how they used to be. But do you not see? We have a baby now and we have no time for-"
"And you have no time to let your husband speak for himself?" Jirachi interrupted.
Mana joined in and asked, "Is that why you've been doing all the talking, Queen Mystery?" Mana and Jirachi weren't going about with their playful antics to irritate the queen, but to try and cheer her up after sensing she wasn't feeling like her usual self. It wasn't working very well considering her mood hadn't changed. It worked for Atem considering that he was smiling and chuckling after they ran into each other. This was what he needed to feel better again.
Mystery saw that her friends were only trying to help her considering that they would do this every time one of their friends was upset or in a bad mood, so she knew it just couldn't be helped. Finally, she managed to smile and feel a little more cheerful. Mystery would never lose it in front of a friend who only wanted to help no matter how irritated she seemed. But she still had to act like a queen. Feeling a little better and remembering her duties, she said to her friends, "We are getting off the subject. How did you two get past the guards anyway?"
In answer, Mana faces her front and shows them that some of the soldiers are standing motionless. "Well, my magic's been improving."
Mystery was impressed, but at the same time, concerned. "Why did you have to use your freezing spell when you could have just asked Jirachi to teleport you? We need them to guard the palace."
"Oops! Sorry," Mana said, sounding like a little girl feeling embarrassed over a simple accident. But she was confident enough that she could undo the spell, so she places her fingers between her eyes and says, "I release thee." Pink lights shined around the outlines of the men, but the freezing spell was still in effect.
"Uh-oh," Jirachi moaned, seeing that turned out to be another spell that Mana had not yet mastered well yet. She was still an apprentice and still had a little trouble with some of her spells. Many of them would work well at first, but would soon get out of hand. At the same time, while casting a spell would work, reversing the effect would be a whole new challenge.
This time, Atem teased his friend. "Your magic's improving, is it?"
"Let me try that again," Mana said and began looking through her spellbook. "Uhh… it's in here somewhere," she groaned, trying to find the solution as quickly as she could.
Mystery remembered how worried Mana would get trying to set things right and how prone she was to accidents since they were classmates together, so she was very patient with her. But the queen still asked her friend to hurry. "You are lucky I will not tell Mahad you were practicing your spells without his permission."
Mana felt a little relieved to hear that. If Mahad were here, he would be harder on her than the queen already was. So she calmed down a little bit and thoroughly looked through her book. "Let's see…" she says as she flips through the pages, "turning humans into toads… getting rid of bad breath… ah! The freeze spell!" After finding the solution, she incants the counterspell and returns the guards to normal.
As Mana and Jirachi turn around and smile at their friends, Atem and Mystery thank them and rub their heads. They weren't just showing their appreciation for undoing the spell, but for just trying to be friends and make them feel better. They even admitted that they had fun. That was all Mana and Jirachi wanted from the start. They both heard about the things that happened in the palace and they wanted to make their friends feel better and promise them that things were going to be all right. And the best solution was to have fun. Mana may still have a little trouble with her magic, but she has a knack for bringing happiness and laughter to her friends. It was actually the real magic she possessed within herself. Not just because it made her amulet glow, but because of how good it made her as well as her friends feel. Even though Mana had come to understand and appreciate that magic, she still wanted to be a great sorcerer like her friends and learn their kind of magic.
Out in the desert, Bakura and Max were enjoying a late night snack and discussing their next plans of attack. They knew the royals very well and were confident that they would stand against any surprises. However, if they had any chance of standing against the Egyptian Gods, they needed more than just the Cobalt Star. Even though they didn't seem too worried, they were wise enough to carry out their mission one step at a time.
"Perhaps trying to acquire all seven Millennium Items and the Millennium Star at once was a bit ambitious," Bakura wondered.
"Gee, you think?" Max asked, taking a bite from her apple and giving it to the dogs. The three beasts always raced and fought over whatever food was thrown at them.
Bakura never liked Max's smart remarks, but he paid no attention. "For now, I'll just focus on gaining one in particular; the Millennium Ring." A wise start, he figured, since he mentioned favoring that one Item. "Once I obtain that, the others will follow." Then he looked up at the sky. The moon would soon be full in the next few nights. "Once the night of the full moon comes, however, I can no longer delay. I must have the Millennium Star by then. Sleep well, Children of Millennia," he taunted, gazing at the palace and taking a bite of his bread.
Having felt rested enough, Max and Bakura met up with their servants and returned to Kul Elna. "I trust that everything is turning out as you wished, Master?" asked Suiguintoh.
"Yes," Bakura answered. "That encounter went exactly as planned. My dark purpose will be fulfilled as the Battle of the Gods begins again. And Millennia and her children and followers will fall at the hands of darkness." Thinking about the whole thing made Bakura start singing a new kind of song.
In the dark of the night I was tossing and turning. And the nightmare I had was as bad as can be
It scared me out of my wits; a thief throwing his fits. Then I opened my eyes and the nightmare was me
I was once the most feared human being in Kul Elna
When the royals attacked, they made a mistake
I vowed to make each of them pay and not to let a soul get away
Little princess, beware, Bakura's awake!
Suiguintoh and Barasuishou began singing, In the dark of the night, evil will find her. In the dark of the night, just before dawn
Revenge will be sweet when the task is complete, Max and Bakura sang.
In the dark of the night
She'll be gone, interrupted Bakura. I can fell the power of the shadows slowly growing
Strengthening the beasts inside from where they dwell
As I lead them all on a chase, I'll put them all in their place
Say 'good night' little princess. Farewell.
The girls sang once again. In the dark of the night, terror will strike her
"Terror's the least we can do," said Max.
In the dark of the night, evil will brew
Soon she will feel that her nightmares are real, sang Max and Bakura.
In the dark of the night, she'll be through
In the dark of the night, evil will find her
In the dark of the night, terror comes true
My dear, there's a sign, Bakura was telling Max, it's the end of the line
Suiguintoh and Barasuishou began repeating the same line, In the dark of the night
Come my minions, rise for your masters, let your evil shine, Bakura sang, acting like he was conjuring servants by the means of magic.
Seize her now, yes, run ever faster, Max sang as the monsters raced out of the village.
"She'll be mine!" Bakura cried out, and he and Max began laughing.