Chapter Two- The Trap

There was silence as the group followed Mahad to the untouched tombs that the magician suspected would be the robber's next targets. The tombs were situated in a half-circle with only one way in and out. There were four tombs and six guards which was precisely what Mahad had planned on. He pointed to two and said, "You two station yourselves at the entrance to the area. The rest of you will protect one tomb each."

"Yes, Master Mahad." The guards split up to their posts.

"Seto, I do not wish to make my men nervous," Mahad said as they dismounted and tied their horses to a pair of rocks. "But, it's possible our crafty criminal is Bakura."

Seto frowned. "I say it is quite possible. Our trap builders are the best in the land; to get past their traps is an insult to them and it is up to us to apprehend the one responsible."

"Master Mahad!" called one of the tomb guards. Both priests turned to see footprints appearing out of thin air before Mahad's Ring glowed brilliantly and pointed at the prints.

"Show yourself," Mahad ordered.

There was silence and then a mocking voice said, "Now, why would I want to do that?"

That voice told everyone there who they were dealing with. "So, I was correct," Mahad said. "You are responsible for the sprung and unsprang traps, Bakura."

"Oh, I'm responsible all right. You plan on stopping me?"

"You know we are," Seto said. "So, stop playing games, Bakura and show yourself."

"Fine, priest. I'll give you a fair chance to catch me." Bakura materialized before them with a smug smirk before he laughed and took off out of the area and Seto didn't hesitate to pursue him, ignoring Mahad's call for him to stop.

Seto raced after the fleeing thief who continued to laugh. He was distantly aware that he could be heading into a trap, but he was not going to pass up a chance to nab Bakura. I will do whatever is necessary to bring him to justice, he thought.

Isis opened her eyes once again, frustration in their depths. Once again, no visions had come. Her certainty that she would have a vision had not flagged. She sensed she would have one, even if it took all day.

Perhaps, the vision pertains to a single person; one I know personally. She closed her eyes again and focused on Atem before probing her Item. When no vision came, she focused on Mahad and still nothing. She turned her thoughts to Seto and allowed her thoughts to dwell on him as she wondered how the search for their expert tomb robber was doing.

She felt her Item glow before a barrage of images appeared before her. She saw Bakura, a small circular chamber with Seto in it, and then Seto screaming in pain and then in fury. Isis' eyes flew open and she gave a small gasp from all that she had seen. "Seto," she said softly. "I pray this vision is of the distant future otherwise it is occurring now or it will very soon."

Seto chased Bakura to a cliff face and saw him slide into a narrow crevice. He didn't hesitate to follow him. He wiggled through the passage and heard Bakura pant a little ways ahead. He set off after the rapid footsteps. I'll get you, Bakura. You will be judged and sentenced for your crimes.

The corridor Seto found himself in seemed to be one long path with no side passages or hidden cracks. He continued down the passage and stopped to see a small, circular chamber before him. It was just big enough for two or three people particularly if two stood in the center while the third walked along the perimeter or stood in the entryway. This didn't interest Seto; he was more concerned that as this chamber was a dead end, it meant he had lost Bakura. Maybe there was a hidden passage I did not notice. If that is the case, I will just…

Suddenly, Seto felt himself being shoved into the chamber from behind. He stumbled before righting himself and turning to see Bakura, who had that smug smile again. "So, there was a hidden spot," he said.

"Very hidden," Bakura said. "You went right past it and into my trap."

"That may be, but I am certain that Mahad and the guards will be here soon. You would be advised to leave if you wish to remain free."

"I'll have plenty of time to deal with you and escape." His smile grew before speaking a word.

The entire chamber, save for the perimeter and the entryway, lit up with a white light that flowed up Seto and he gasped as feeling warmth spreading through his body. He wanted to run, but not because of the light. It was fear and a little curiosity of what was about to happen that kept him from moving. That curiosity evaporated when the warmth became hotter to the point where it was painful. He screamed at the heat and the pain racing through him. It felt as if his body was stretching, contracting, and obviously burning. He heard his screams go up in pitch which he found odd considering he had already been screaming at his loudest and highest volume and pitch. The light and heat ended and Seto panted from it, his body aching from the forces exerted on it.

"Oh, very nice Seto," Bakura commented. "Very nice indeed."

Seto straightened, still breathing hard. "What are you talking about?" he demanded before a hand went to his throat upon hearing the higher voice. His fingers also felt a smoother throat and softer skin before lifting that hand to his eyes. The hand was a bit smaller, the fingers were thinner, and nails topped the fingers. He looked down at himself and screamed in that same high pitch. He was a woman!

Her robes at the chest was somewhat torn due to her breasts while the rest of the garment was loose, tight, or ill-fitting. Her body shape couldn't be determined by the robes and she had no mirror to see her face which glared at Bakura.

"Mark my words, Bakura," she said. "You will pay dearly for this!"

"Really? And here I thought maybe we could be a couple."

"A couple!? Are you insane? I would never be with someone who would change my gender, much less a thief like you!"

"Well, yes, I figured that but I thought I try." He looked Seto up and down. "You make a pretty woman and no doubt other men would think so too."

Seto didn't doubt it either but didn't dwell on it. She had no interest in men despite her change. She still loved Isis and was certain that Isis would still love her. Mahad can reverse this, I have every confidence that he can, but first I have a thief to arrest.

She took a step forward. "Bakura, you are under arrest."

"I don't think so," Bakura declared before turning and fleeing.

"Come back here!" she shouted and attempted to follow only to step on her robes' hem and almost fell. She hitched up her robes and gave chase, checking the walls for cracks or concealed corridors as she ran. She found the hidden alcove where Bakura had hidden when she had passed him the first time.

She reached the entrance and had an easier time getting through it. She looked around and saw no one. A look at the ground showed too many prints to determine which were Bakura's and where he had gone. She gave a scream of fury before falling to her knees.

I lost him! He got away! She scowled at this. She had been tricked! Bakura lured her away from the others and used a magical chamber to change her gender. Mahad can fix this, though. I know he can.