Yu-G-Oh!

Memories Reawakened

A Prequel to Return of a King

Chapter 1:

The Journey Begins

As Yugi and Téa ascended the steps of the Domino Museum, the Spirit of the Puzzle could not help but feel as if the answers to his mysterious ancient past were drawing closer with each step. "I only hope that the answers I seek lie within. Though I suspect it will not be that simple." The Spirit thought to himself, Yugi chiming in optimistically. "Well, whatever happens, Téa and I will be there every step of the way, Yami."

Smiling at his host's cheerful optimism, Yami nodded as they made their way to the Egyptian exhibit. Rounding the corner, Yami suddenly felt a strange sensation drawing him toward the basement, which was marked as closed to visitors. Seeing this, Téa spoke uncertainly. "Are you sure you want to go down there, Yugi?"

"Yes, Téa. I cannot explain it, but I feel as if something is calling out to me." Slipping past the rope, Yami pushed open the door as the two descended the stairs, soon coming to a large room. Gasping softly in surprise, Yami made his way over to the tablet that occupied much of the far wall. "Something seems incredibly familiar about this tablet, though I can't quite place it." Yami spoke in wonder as his eyes scanned the reliefs.

"My King, it is an honor to be in your presence." Yami heard a soft voice call from behind him, breaking him from his thoughts. Turning, Yami beheld a beautiful woman standing before him, calling out. "Who are you?"

"I am Ishizu, Ishizu Ishtar. I sense you have many questions, my King. And these questions will be difficult to answer. However, allow me to begin with a tale." Motioning for her to continue, Yami nodded.

"Five thousand years ago, in Ancient Egypt, there existed powerful sorcerers who would wield mighty Shadow Creatures in their quests for power, wealth, or land. These sorcerers, in their attempt to control this vast power, unleashed a force upon the world known as the Shadow Games. Eventually, this power proved too great for even the mightiest sorcerers to control. It was then that a brave and powerful Pharaoh stepped forward, using his own power to contain the threat of the Shadow Games, sealing it away, so that the earth might be spared destruction. And this Pharaoh was you, Yami. Unfortunately, when you sealed away the power of the Shadow Games, you wiped your own memory clean so that no one might reawaken this devastating power."

Looking back to the tablet, Téa gasped softly. "Now that she mentions it, that does look an awful lot like you, Yugi." Gazing at the tablet once more, Yami's eyes widened as he beheld the image of who he assumed was the Pharaoh. "You're right, Téa."

Stepping closer, Ishizu continued. "Unfortunately, my King, all is not well. For the same force that threatened to destroy the world five thousand years ago will soon return. And fate has brought you back so that you might once again save mankind from destruction."

Taking a moment to absorb this new information, Yami turned to Ishizu. "I apologize, Ishizu, but I must ask. How is it you know all this?" Gesturing to the item around her neck, Ishizu smiled. "My Millennium Necklace affords me visions of the past, as well as the future."

Raising a brow, Yami stepped forward slightly. "Another Millennium Item?" At Ishizu's nod, Yami motioned for her to speak, as she looked like she was about to say something.

"Through my Millennium Necklace, I was able to foresee the return of the Shadow Games, as well as your arrival to this exhibit in hopes that you might find answers to your past. Sadly, I am afraid that I have no more information for you, my King. However I can tell you that a tournament will soon begin. You must enter and win this tournament, my Pharaoh. For it is only then that you may begin to unravel the mysteries of your past."

It had been nearly a month since Yami had met Ishizu and learned of his past as Pharaoh of Egypt. In that time, he had learned that Marik, Ishizu's younger brother, was the one who had been manipulating events behind the scenes. His ultimate goal seemed to be his Millennium Puzzle, as well as his power. "Though what 'power' that is specifically, I do not know. Perhaps Ishizu might provide some insight into the matter." Yami thought to himself, though he had no means of contacting her. "Maybe she's at the museum?" Yugi chimed in.

Deciding that was the most likely location, Yami made his way there. He could not help but think back to their first encounter. He didn't quite understand why, but he somehow felt a sense of connection with her. Perhaps it was the fact that she was Egyptian as well, but he felt it was somehow deeper than that. He decided to reflect more on that later.

As he arrived at the museum, he stopped at the reception desk. "Good afternoon. I'm here to see Miss Ishtar. Do you know if she's available?" As the receptionist picked up her phone and dialed the extension to Ishizu's office, Yami heard her speak briefly before hanging up. "Apparently, Miss Ishtar is expecting you."

After he had been given directions to Ishizu's office, Atem thanked the woman politely before ascending the stairs, knocking politely once he'd reached her door, opening it as he heard her call for him to enter.

"My Pharaoh." Bowing lightly as she stood, Ishizu beckoned him to make himself comfortable. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" As he took a seat on the other side of her desk, Yami smiled as he waved politely. "Please, Ishizu, there is no need for formality. As to why I'm here, I was wondering if we could speak about Marik?" As he looked to her, his expression softened at the sorrowful look in her eyes.

"I am sorry, Ishizu. I do not mean to touch upon such a painful subject lightly. I am merely curious as to his motives. He seems to be after my Millennium Puzzle, but he also mentioned taking a 'power' that I supposedly possess. Would you have any idea what he means by that?"

Sighing softly as she sat at her desk, Ishizu ran a hand through her hair as she spoke. "To tell the story properly, I suppose you deserve to know of my family's connection to you, my King." Throughout the next hour, Ishizu described her family's role as the keepers of his tomb, as they had been for the last five thousand years.

She detailed how she and Marik had been brought up under their father's strict, almost fanatical, observance to their clan's laws. Forbidding them to leave the underground chamber in which they lived for fear that the outside world would distract them from their duties.

She then began the description of the Tomb Keepers initiation given to the oldest male child on the eve of their tenth birthday, which involved using the knife concealed in the shaft of the Millennium Rod, which Marik now owned, to carve the secret to the Pharaoh's power into Marik's back.

At this information, Yami cringed, unable to even imagine the pain such an initiation must have caused, not only physically, but mentally. He sighed as she described the resentment that Marik felt, toward their father and the Pharaoh as well, for having to undergo an initiation he'd wanted no part of.

"It was then that Marik's darker side was born, out of his hatred and resentment of you. He used the dagger in the Millennium Rod to kill our father and escape. He wants your Puzzle because he feels that he deserves to be Pharaoh, not you. But, despite the evil that has taken root in my brother, I believe that there is still good in him, my King. And I will do anything to bring the kind, gentle brother I love back."

Running a hand through his hair, Yami rested his head in his hands as he spoke. "Ishizu, I may not remember anything about my life before I was bonded to Yugi, but of this, I am certain. I am so very sorry for what you and your brother had to go through in my name. And I promise you, I will do everything in my power to help you bring Marik back." Wiping a tear from her eye at Yami's conviction, Ishizu nodded with a smile. "I believe you, my Pharaoh. Together, we will bring him back."

As the Battle City finals began, they had all boarded the zeppelin as it took off for the final duels of the tournament. As Yami relaxed in his quarters, he sensed through his Millennium Puzzle that another guardian of a Millennium Item needed him. Assuming it to be Ishizu, Yami stood, making his way down the hall toward Ishizu's door.

Knocking lightly, he heard a soft "Enter" before he opened the door. "You wished to see me, Ishizu?" Dressed in a cream colored spaghetti strapped top and matching sleeping pants, Ishizu smiled as she came into view. "Yes, I did, in fact. Might I ask how you knew?"

"Well, it seems my Millennium Puzzle alreted me to the fact that another holder of a Millennium Item needed me for something. I'm not sure about the specifics of how that works. Perhaps it's some kind of empathic link?"

Shrugging lightly, they both took a seat at the small table beside the porthole that allowed them to look over the city. "But, to be honest, my King, that is not why I wanted to see you. I am worried for my brother." She said with a sigh, he voice breaking slightly as she continued. "I am afraid that, if we banish Marik's dark side to the Shadow Realm, his good side will go with it."

Placing a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture, Yami smiled. "I promise you, Ishizu. When I face Marik, I will find a way to free his mind from the shadow of his dark side. You will have your brother back."

"I pray you are right, my Pharaoh. And thank you. It is nice to have someone to talk to in times like these." Standing, Yami smiled. "You are most welcome, Ishizu. And I will always be here, should you need to confide in someone."

As Yami stood across from Marik on the platform atop the zeppelin in preparation for their final duel, Yami sighed at the grinning, malicious face of Marik's dark side as he spoke. "Marik, I know you are in there somewhere. Before we begin, I just wanted to tell you that I am truly sorry." Laughing, Marik's grin widened as his face seemed to contort. "That pathetic fool is gone, Pharaoh!"

Refusing to believe his lies, Yami simply smiled as he activated his duel disk. "I promised Ishizu that I would bring you back, Marik. And I keep my promises."

As Yami stood with the group on top of the zeppelin after his duel with Marik, his good side now free from the torment of his evil personality, Yami smiled as Marik thanked him. "Now, Pharaoh, there is one more task you must complete." Lifting his shirt, Marik turned to reveal the carvings that made up the secret to the Pharaoh's power.

"All you need to do is read the words imprinted on my back and the secret to your power will be unlocked." Marik explained. Looking at the writing, Yami sighed softly as he shook his head. "I am sorry, my friend. However, I have no memory of my time as Pharaoh, as Ishizu must have explained to you. So I am afraid that I cannot understand it."

Nodding as he slipped his shirt back on, Marik smiled. "You are right, Pharaoh. I have a feeling that another opportunity for you to uncover your memories will present itself one day."

Returning his smile, Yami nodded. "I believe so, too. But, for now, I bid you farewell. I hope we meet again one day."

A/N: Here's the first chapter of the prequel to Return of a King. This will most likely be only a few chapters long and most of the details of the anime will be skipped over, as it's been quite a long time since I've watched the show itself. I apologize if this first chapter leaves something to be desired. I began writing it after pulling an all-nighter and was feeling physically ill as a result. Sleep deprivation is not a pleasant experience, but it's an unfortunate side effect. Once I have an idea, I can't rest until I've typed it down, but the problem is that once I write down even a basic starting point, the ideas will not stop flowing.