Yugi and his friends had just returned from destroying the Orichalcos and saving the world, and it felt like things were finally settling down. They were all back at school, dueling for fun and worried more about homework and gaming tournaments, rather than the fate of everything they held dear; however, little did they know it was just the beginning, and the greatest evils were yet to come.
The day it all began, had started like any other. It was homeroom first period, and Yugi and his friends were finding their seats, just as the professor walked in and the final bell rang. Normally, they would spend homeroom studying or playing games; however, today there was supposed to be a special presentation.
"Good morning class," began the instructor. "Today for this period we have a special guest speaker coming in," The instructor stated.
"His name is Professor Adam Darzi, and he is an Archaeologist, just back from a trip to the Valley of the Kings, and he is will be sharing his findings with us." Yugi suddenly perked up.
'The Valley of the Kings?' Yugi thought to himself. Suddenly he got a sinking feeling in his gut, as he remembered the Pharaoh, and the need to resurrect his memory.
'It isn't wise to worry about what is yet to come,' The Pharaoh spoke to Yugi, sensing his fear.
'I know Pharaoh, but after the last time we tried to resurrect your memories, it nearly destroyed all of our friends,' Yugi confided in the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh understood and shared Yugi's fear, after all, last time the Pharaoh nearly lost Yugi.
'I understand and share your fear, Yugi,' The Pharaoh also confided, 'However, we need to be brave, for there is no doubt even greater evils out there we will have to defeat' the Pharaoh answered. Yugi found assurance in his words.
'You're right Pharaoh, as long as we stick together, and we have our friends, there is nothing we can't face,' Yugi declared. The Pharaoh nodded and smiled. Suddenly a man burst into the classroom, interrupting Yugi's train of thought.
"Sorry I'm late!" The man exclaimed, releasing an exasperated sigh. The Instructor greeted him.
"No need for apologies! You came in just in time!" The instructor greeted, shaking his hand. He turned to the class.
"Class, this is Professor Darzi and he will be speaking with us today." The instructor said. The Instructor stepped back into his chair and let Professor Darzi take his place in front of the class.
He was a younger man, maybe about thirty or so. He had auburn hair that was parted to the side, and thick round glasses, that contrasted his straight nose, and angular features. His eyes were a light brown, and he had a freckled tan across his arms and cheeks. He was decked out in his archaeologist gear; khaki hat, shirt, shorts, and boots, and had a large duffel bag over his shoulder. Professor Darzi dropped his duffel bag to the floor and waved at the class.
"Hello, everyone! As your Instructor said, my name is Professor Darzi, and I am an archaeologist," he started. "I dig through the dirt and dust to learn about the lives of those who've lived before us. I just got back from a trip to the Valley of the Kings and Ancient city of Memphis, and I am here today to share my findings with you all."
'Do you think Professor Darzi might know something about your past?" Yugi asked the Pharaoh.
'I'm not sure Yugi; however, at this point nothing would surprise me. Our best bet is to keep our minds open to what he has to say about the ancient world,' The Pharaoh advised.
The Professor started by showing many ancient relics including pottery, Papyrus scrolls, and small stone statues. He explained the significance of each piece and how it related to Egyptian culture.
"Now students, I am about to show you all my greatest find," the professor said while reaching into his duffel bag. Many of the students, now interested, were leaning forward to see what the Professor had to pull out next. He pulled out a small cardboard box, and inside it, stuffed among cotton was a small, green ring. The class ooed and ahhed at the ring. The professor smiled, having caught their attention.
"This ring could have only been the ring of royalty," Professor Darzi stated. "It is carved from a solid piece of turquoise, a very precious gem in the time of ancient Egypt, and is inscribed with a love poem." He paused and allowed the box and ring to be passed around. "It is unknown who oversaw the making of this ring, and who owned it; however, it was most likely made around the period of the New Kingdom."
The ring was passed to Yugi, and he examined it very closely.
'What does is say, Pharaoh?' Yugi asked his companion.
'It is her love, that gives me strength, It makes a water-spell for me. I gaze at my heart's desire, and she stands facing me. My arms spread out to embrace her, O night, be mine forever, Now that my queen has come.' the Pharaoh recited. Yugi passed the ring along, thinking about the poem.
Professor Darzi was about to continue with the lesson when a hand shot up.
"Yes, Miss?" Professor Darzi asked. The girl stood up.
"Why did you bring these artifacts home with you?" The girl asked. Professor Darzi was taken aback by the odd question but quickly recomposed himself.
"For the sake of education," he stated. "When these artifacts hit the museum tours, it will be a way to educate more people about the life and culture of ancient Egypt." He paused and was about to continue with his presentation, when the girl suddenly countered.
"Did it not occur to you, Professor Darzi, that these artifacts are sacred and belonging to the place you took them from?" The girl asked, firmer now. "These are not just pieces of pottery and stone," she continued. "That 'clay pot' was once the urn that housed ashes of a lost relative, and that ring was once a declaration of love. You've turned them into mere artifacts and have stripped them of all the sacred and sentimental value they once held. You've disgraced the culture you're trying so hard to save." She ended, sitting back in her seat. She sat in front of Yugi, but he was sure that her eyes were glaring cold and hard at the Professor. The professor gulped.
"Well, those are certainly some strong words coming from someone who isn't a professional archaeologist," he laughed, regaining his authority in the class by belittling the girl's opinion. "I can assure you, that these objects are much better off being stored in a temperature controlled private collection, than being lost in the sands of Egypt," he added. She crossed her arms, clearly not satisfied with his answer. The professor stumbled a little before pulling some papers out of his duffel bag.
"So, next I want to share with you all some of photographs of the hieroglyphics I had found," he said regaining his confidence. He flipped off the light and clicked on the projector. Professor Darzi began clicking through various pictures of hieroglyphics, explaining the context and what they meant. Suddenly he clicked to a photo that caught Yugi's interest; the Tablet of Lost Memories.
'This could be the answer we're looking for regarding the Pharaoh!' Yugi thought.
"This is a peculiar piece," Professor Darzi went on to explain. "This tablet depicts a great Egyptian legend of betrayal. The figure on the left was the Pharaoh at the time, and the figure on the right, was like so many others, wanting the Pharaoh's throne. We can only assume that he was a member of the Royal Family. Now based on the depiction of fire, the hand positions of these carvings and the images above one can only be lead to believe they are performing an ancient ritual in which-"
"ENOUGH!" Professor Darzi was immediately cut-off by that same girl who was now standing up, and had all eyes on her.
"I beg your pardon?" The professor was flabbergasted and blindsided by her sudden outburst.
"Not to be rude, Professor Darzi, but I can assure you that depiction is no Myth. This is an example of one of history's first textbooks. Firstly, just based on the use of Hieroglyphs, is an indicator that this is a depiction of a real event. If this was just a legend as you claim it to be, it would have been written in Hieratic. Secondly, if the figure on the left is the Pharaoh, why is the other figure's left foot not pointed towards him to show respect? And why is the Cartouche under the figure on the right? Professor Darzi, your theory about this tablet makes absolutely no sense." The girl finished. The Professor, along with everyone else in the room was staring at her, mouth agape. The professor was at a loss for words.
"The Cartouche is blank," was all he managed to spit out. The girl scoffed at him.
"Look a bit more closely at your picture Professor Darzi, and you'll see the name is worn away," The girl paused and looked at the class. "What we are really looking at here, is The Tablet of Lost Memories. It depicts an ancient game played among the Royal families in Egypt. Very similar to the modern game of Duel Monsters, vicious creatures were sealed inside stone tablets, and then players unleashed them against each other in a battle for money, power and glory. While it seemed fun at the time, The Nameless Pharaoh, the figure on the right, saw the Evil in this game and sealed the magic away." Before the girl could continue Professor Darzi started laughing.
"While I appreciate your interest in Ancient Egypt, I can assure you that the story you just told me is one hundred percent false," The professor told her. "That story was made up by Industrial Illusions, to give a more interesting appeal to the game. There is no Nameless Pharaoh, or vicious beasts. True these depictions inspired the art on the Modern Duel Monsters cards; however, I can assure you that there was no dueling in Ancient Egypt," he concluded.
"Then explain the purpose of drawing those card-like shapes on the outer side of either player," the girl demanded. The Professor paused looking for an explanation.
"Those are merely... sacred items used in the rituals honoring the gods," he answered quickly pleased with his answers.
"And the three figures at the very top?" The girl asked. Finally the instructor stood up.
"Ms. Cross, there will be plenty of time for questions after the presentation, but until Professor Darzi has finished I suggest you sit down and quit with these silly stories!" The instructor demanded. She stood for a minute ready to challenge them both, before giving an exasperated sigh, and sitting down. The whole class was silent and in awe. Professor Darzi clapped.
"Alright class," He said, regaining the spotlight, "on with the slide show!"
Yugi wasn't paying attention the rest of the class, he was too interested in that new girl.
'Pharaoh, do you think she knows more than she's leading Professor Darzi on to believe... About that tablet?' Yugi asked the Pharaoh.
'I'm almost certain of that Yugi,' the Pharaoh answered. Yugi decided that later, he was going to talk to this girl. She may hold some answers to regaining the Pharaoh's lost memory.
Yugi rushed to the doors after school got out, to wait and see if maybe he could catch up with that girl. He was standing in front of the school, searching the crowd when suddenly his friends came up and greeted him.
"Hey Yugi!" Said Tea, "are we all still going down to Domino Square to hang out today?"
"Yeah, in a minute," said Yugi. "I'm looking for this girl." He wasn't really paying much attention to his friends but the minute he said 'girl' a flash of red went across Tea's cheeks.
"Oh?" Tea said trying to take the edge out of her voice, "Who?"
"That girl from homeroom, the one who knew about the Tablet. Call it a hunch, but I think she might know more than she said in class," Yugi explained, "I think she might know something about the Pharaoh's memories."
Tea sighed internally, relieved that Yugi was just interested in her to see if she could help the Pharaoh, then suddenly blushed to herself when she realized her jealous outburst.
"There she is!" Yugi exclaimed, pointing at a girl who was walking away from them. After staring at the back of her head for so long, he was sure he would recognize it anywhere.
"Hey! Wait up!" Yugi yelled, walking quickly after her. The girl stopped walking and turned around, to see Yugi standing behind her. She was average enough. She had short light brown hair cut in a bob style, and brown eyes, with square framed glasses. She wasn't as tall as Tea, but wasn't as short as Yugi; he fell somewhere in between the two.
"Can I help you?" the girl asked. Her voice was not nearly as harsh as it was in class. It was soft, open and friendly.
"You were the one who was arguing with professor Darzi this morning, right?" Yugi asked. The girl's face suddenly got hot.
"Yes I was... why?" She asked sharply.
"I was just wondering if you could tell me anything else about that Tablet," Yugi answered innocently. "I don't believe what Professor Darzi was saying, and I wanted to hear more of what you had to say." The girl softened, when she saw that Yugi genuinely cared. She smiled down at him.
"Sure, The tablet is actually in town at the Domino City Museum," she answered. "If you're not busy, I could show you what I'm talking about up close," she offered.
Yugi was about to accept, when he suddenly remembered his friends standing behind him.
"Is it alright if my friends come too?" Yugi asked. The girl looked up at the trio waving at her.
"I don't see why not," she answered.
"Great!" Yugi said. "Wait right here, I'll go grab them." And Yugi walked back to where his friends were waiting.
"Guys! I know we were supposed to hang out but this girl-" Yugi started before Joey cut him off.
"We heard everything, Yug. And we don't mind going with you as long as it means helping the Pharaoh," Joey answered giving him a thumbs up.
"You guys really mean it?" Yugi asked looking around his circle of friends. Tea and Tristan nodded in agreement.
"Well, alright!" Yugi exclaimed. The four of them walked back to where the girl was waiting.
"Alright, lets go see this tablet!" Said Yugi. The girl nodded and the five of them started walking.
"So, uh, what are your names?" The girl asked sheepishly and slightly embarrassed. The four of them were also embarrassed for not introducing themselves.
"My name is Yugi," Yugi answered, "And this is Tea, Tristan and Joey." He gestured to each of his friends.
"It's nice to meet you all. My name is Sofia Cross," The girl answered.
"So, Sofia, are you new around here?" Tristan asked. Sofia laughed.
"I was about to ask you all the same question. I transferred here about a month ago, but I didn't see you all around until a week or so ago," She said.
"Oh yeah... Um, about that... we were just taking a little... extended vacation," Joey answered sheepishly. Sofia gave him a questioning look, before Yugi quickly changed the subject.
"So Sofia, how do you know so much about that tablet?" Yugi asked. Sofia blinked at him and then smiled.
"I've been studying the ancient civilizations of Egypt my entire life, I transferred to Domino High after being home schooled in Egypt by my parents," Sofia said. "The legacy of the Nameless Pharaoh has been my main focus of study." She smiled and looked down at Yugi.
"And I can't help but notice that you wield the Millennium Pendant... Puzzle now." She said. Yugi looked at her with a peculiar look. A mix of fear and curiosity.
"What do you mean pendant?" Yugi asked.
"When the millennium items were first forged, the millennium puzzle you hold now, was originally a pendant held by the pharaoh, and had an inconceivable amount of power. It didn't become the millennium puzzle until it was smashed," Sofia answered.
"But, why was it smashed?" Yugi answered.
"It is believed that the soul and power of the pharaoh who wielded the pendant is locked away inside, so to protect that power, the pendant was smashed, and it was believed only the true incarnation of the Pharaoh could reassemble and wield the puzzle," Sofia answered. "And I guess that's you, Yugi!" Sofia added on a cheerful note. Yugi was about to ask more questions when Tea interrupted.
"There's the museum!" Tea exclaimed. Sofia smiled.
"I'll take you to the Tablet," she said, walking up the steps. The gang didn't want to break Sofia's confidence by telling her they've already seen the tablet, so they played dumb and allowed her to take them.
"Here we are!" she said presenting the tablet. Yugi and his friends looked on at the familiar tablet, excited to finally have some answers.
"So what's the deal with the Cartouche that you were talking about earlier?" Joey asked. Sofia pointed to the bottom of the tablet.
"Normally, in that symbol is where the name of the Pharaoh would be written; however, the name has been worn away," Sofia said. "And because the cartouche is carved under this figure, it can only be assumed that this figure is the depiction of the Pharaoh," she added. She smiled, "sure does share a striking resemblance to Yugi."
"So what else can you tell us about the Pharaoh?" Tea asked. Sofia looked at her, very seriously.
"I can tell you, that the nameless Pharaoh on this tablet was the greatest Pharaoh, Egypt had ever seen," Sofia answered.
"How do you figure that?" Joey asked. Sofia looked around the empty museum, suspiciously before turning to the group.
"Follow me," Sofia instructed, "I want to show you something." The group obliged and Sofia lead them two floors down to the restricted area of the basement.
"Um, Sofia, are you sure we're allowed to be down here?" Yugi asked. Sofia laughed.
"I promise you, we aren't, but I also promise, it's worth what I'm about to show you," she said. She lead them down a hallway with a series of doors, and chose the fifth door on the right side. She pulled a bobby pin out of her pocket, jimmied the lock a bit and the door popped right open. It was a closet of some sorts, but when Sofia turned on the light, on the far wall was a giant stone tablet with the image of a man carved into it. The group gasped and was completely floored by
the sight.
"These are the tablets I was talking about before, that were used as prisons for the evil shadow creatures," Sofia explained. The group stared on in awe.
"How did you know this was here, Sofia?" Yugi asked. Sofia sighed.
"My parents were part of the excavation team that brought this exhibit to the museum; however, the board of directors for the museum didn't find this piece interesting enough for the exhibit and stashed it down here," Sofia explained.
"So, why are you showing us this?" Tea asked. "What's so important about it?"
"This is the pinnacle of the greatness of the Nameless Pharaoh," Sofia explained. "While these tablets started as a cause for good; a place to imprison evil, the Pharaoh quickly saw how they could easily be used for unjust causes. Take this tablet, for example. This is no evil creature. This is the soul of an innocent man who was imprisoned 5,000 years ago. The Pharaoh knew that we could not go on using these tablets and these shadow creatures, so he locked away the dark magic that started the whole mess in the first place," Sofia explained.
"So, what was the magic that started all of this?" Yugi asked. Sofia looked down at him with a serious gaze.
"The Seven Millennium Items," Sofia answered. Yugi was taken aback.
"But how is that possible?" Yugi asked, completely stunned, and knowing that the millennium items were out and about as they spoke.
"Because of a spell the Pharaoh cast upon the items, the wielder is unable to unlock the full potential of their magical properties; however, if the darkness ever does become unlocked from those items, the whole world could be destroyed, just like it nearly was 5,000 years ago," Sofia explained.
"So how did that Pharaoh do it?" Joey asked. Sofia smiled at him.
"That is one of history's best kept secrets," she answered.
"How do you know so much about all this stuff anyways?" Tristan asked, "This can't all just come from digging through dirt." Sofia laughed.
"That is another one of history's great secrets," she answered with a wink. Before anyone could ask what she meant, they all heard the thudding of footsteps from just outside the hall.
"We're not supposed to be down here," Sofia said, "we had better leave now." The group agreed and they quickly slipped out of the museum basement. They all walked outside, surprised to see that the sun was already setting.
"Well, it's been fun but we all better get home," Tristan stated. Sofia nodded in agreement.
"Yes, but it was nice meeting you all, especially the reincarnation of the Pharaoh," Sofia said with a giggle, only half kidding. The rest laughed along with her.
"We really should get back together soon," Yugi said. "Hey, my Grandpa is an archaeologist, and he's also been to the tomb of the Nameless Pharaoh! Maybe you could come over to his game shop sometime, and we could piece together more of the Pharaoh's puzzle!" Yugi suggested. Sofia smiled.
"I would really enjoy that! Maybe sometime next week? I could bring the notes and photographs from my parents' expedition, and him and I could hash it all out!" Sofia answered.
"Yeah that would be awesome!" Yugi agreed.
"Work out all the details with your grandpa and then fill me in at school, okay?" Sofia asked.
"Alright, sounds great Sofia!" Said Yugi. And with that Yugi and the gang parted ways with Sofia.
No one noticed the shadow in the museum door.
As Yugi and his friends walked home they all couldn't help but talk about the strange new girl.
"That's cool that she came all the way from Egypt," said Tristan.
"Yeah, but don't you think it's a little weird that some mysterious person shows up out of the blue in our homeroom who just happens to know everything about the Pharaoh?" Joey asked.
"It was a little odd," Yugi admitted, "But she seemed nice enough, maybe she's the key to figuring out the Pharaoh's past," Yugi suggested.
"Or she could just be another creep after the millennium items and the Egyptian God Cards!" Tristan exclaimed.
"You guys shouldn't be so hasty to judge!" Tea said. "If she was really after all that why wouldn't she have attacked us when we were alone in that closet together?"
"I'm not sure what to think of her either, but we can't be too careful Tea. After all we are holding the fate of the world in our hands," Yugi said. Tea, Tristan, and Joey nodded in agreement as they approached the game shop.
"Catch you later Yug!" Said Joey as Yugi and his friends parted ways.
"Bye guys! See you tomorrow!" Said Yugi as he walked to his door.
Later that night Yugi and The Pharaoh were up, talking about Sofia.
"What did you think of Sofia, Pharaoh?" Yugi asked him.
"I thought she shed a lot of light on my past; however, I still sense there is something she's not telling us." The Pharaoh replied.
"For now, I guess we'll just have to be careful," Said Yugi. The Pharaoh nodded in agreement, before Yugi shut off the light and got ready for bed.