English names for Author's convince. Just realized as I tried to tag this that I misnamed the character Mana as Maho... if this bothers anyone when she shows up let me know, in the mean time it will stay Maho.
1.) What Do You Mean There's Two of Them?
The young CEO heard a strange comment from his little brother of all people, that Yugi wasn't just Yugi. Normally he'd just ignore the comment, but given his rather strained relationship with said duelist he wasn't about to let anything slide.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Seto Kaiba asks with a raised eyebrow. Mokuba just looks at him like he's grown a second head or something.
"Well it's true, back when we were in the duelist kingdom Yugi started to act really weird whenever a duel would begin. I mean there were all sorts of things that were rather weird about dueling Yugi in the first place, but when I met him off the field later he… he changed," Mokuba is staring off into space as he remembers, "did you ever notice how suddenly his hair changed? Or how he magically changed from sneakers to boots? It's weird, he didn't even have a change of clothes or anything with him at the time. Not to mention his eyes…"
Seto Kaiba definitely thought he remembered Yugi's eyes, but even that thought was met by confusion when he thought on it. Mokuba was right, something always seemed to change with Yugi when he dueled. The amount of confidence that he had always seemed to flit back and forth as well, but the eye thing was bugging him. How could someone's eyes change so much in the span of a few seconds.
"That settles it," Kaiba scowls. Mokuba looks at him confused, "we are summoning Yugi up here now. We will have answers." Mokuba bursts into a fit of giggles, "what's so funny?"
"Yugi's not some card you can just summon whenever you want Seto. He's a person, and pretty nice one too, you'll have to ask him if he wants to come here," Mokuba points out. Kaiba scowls even more, he still wants answers, and if Yugi won't come to him, he'll go to Yugi.
"Fine," Kaiba stands up and pulls out his cell. He scrolls down for the number he knows Mokuba put in his phone and hits dial, on speaker.
"Kame game shop, Solomon speaking, what can I help you with?" Yugi's grandfather answers cheerfully.
"This is Seto Kaiba, is your grandson there?" Kaiba answers. Mokuba is back to giggling in the corner.
"He's currently out, probably in another contest knowing him," Solomon answers, there's no tone that gives Kaiba the impression that the older Mutou might be lying, "what do you want with Yugi anyways?" Kaiba frowns, this he did expect if he got the old man again.
"I owe him a rematch," Kaiba answers after several moments something does occur to him. He sighs, this is going to hurt his ego more than anything else he's ever had to do. "I'll be stopping by your shop in half an hour, I'd like you to close for my arrival." Before Solomon Mutou can ask anything of him about 'why', Kaiba hangs up.
"That was rude," Mokuba points out, "why are you going there?"
"I still owe the old man a real apology over his blue eyes that I ripped up. I'd rather that was done privately," Kaiba explains, "A lesson learned from Yugi after he came to save me at your request in my virtual game."
"Aw Seto, someone would think you've gone soft," Mokuba teases as he hugs his brother, "just be sincere and try not to insult him while you apologize. It might actually be accepted that way."
"I'll keep it in mind," Kaiba answers reluctantly.
SOLOMON
Solomon wasn't sure what to think, he didn't care for Seto Kaiba in the least, but his shop did feature some of the teen's products. He didn't need any hassle about acquiring further merchandise for his store either, Yugi's overwhelming popularity as the King of Games certainly helped business pick up after the whole Devlin incident. It didn't mean that he didn't rely on more than one source in the shop for their income.
The doorbell rang and he was about to inform them that the shop was closed when he noticed it was his grandson. Only… it wasn't. He assumed it was the spirit of the puzzle that Yugi always talked about, he flipped the store sign to closed and glanced around the shop.
"Grandpa, I have something to tell you," the spirit explains, and Solomon realizes that this is the first time he actually remembers directly speaking to the spirit of Yugi's puzzle.
"Before that I believe some proper introductions are in order young man," Solomon chastises holding out a hand, "Solomon Motou, I believe you are the spirit of the millennium puzzle?" The spirit's eyes widen as he looks at the offered hand like it will burn him. He takes it reluctantly and gives it a hardy shake.
"Yami," the spirit answers hesitantly, "ancient Pharaoh of Egypt who can't remember his own name. Not that any of that matters right now." The spirit releases his hand and looks down at the floor, shame is written all over his features.
"Whatever is the matter my boy?" Solomon knows he's not upset over not knowing his name, Yugi's mentioned that a few times to him. The spirit of the puzzle, Yami had far bigger problems according to his grandson.
"I… I can't…. I…" Yami couldn't look him in the eye, and Solomon wondered just what was wrong with the spirit.
"It's ok… Yami, whatever it is that's got you all worked up, it's going to be just fine," Solomon had plenty of practice at this by now, "You'll tell me when you can."
"It's not that simple," the spirit looks at him, and there is a haunted look in his eyes, "I've done something unforgivable." Solomon sighs and gestures for the spirit to sit down, thankfully Yami does as instructed just like Yugi does.
"Have you hurt someone?" Solomon asks. The spirit shakes his head, "can you fix whatever it is?" Yami looks at his hands that are lying in his lap. Whatever this was, it appeared helplessness about something was definitely involved, and someone got hurt that the spirit was trying to protect. The question was why did it upset the spirit of the puzzle so thoroughly?
"I…" Yami is about to answer when the door to the shop opens unexpectantly. In the doorway stands Seto Kaiba, who looks surprised. The spirit of the puzzle doesn't look up, Solomon knows its because of whatever is going on that he can't seem to explain.
"I thought you said that Yugi wasn't here?" Kaiba's voice hits a low pitch. Solomon flinches, the tone was harsh enough to send a shiver down his back. Yami has closed his eyes and his hands have settled on his knees.
"He just returned," Solomon explains, that is until Yami looks up with an unreadable expression.
"I have returned, Yugi has not," Yami's voice is quiet, and Kaiba's face slowly contorts to one of confusion.
"Explain," Kaiba orders and Solomon asks at the exact same time. Yami looks at Solomon, then looks over at Kaiba with an irritated look.
"Yugi and I had a duel this afternoon, one I lost. In this duel I used a card imbued with the magic of the Shadow Realm, one I should not have played," Yami's voice is quiet, "It should have been me.. I should have paid the price, but Yugi saved me. He sacrificed his soul so that I might correct my mistakes." Kaiba, who obviously had no idea about the spirit in the puzzle looked even more confused.
"That explains why you of all people are so distraught," Solomon whispers, "you will get Yugi's soul back from wherever it was sent, just like you did with mine?" Yami looks at him and sighs folding his hands.
"It's not so simple as that… may I call you grandpa?" the spirit asks, Solomon nods, "it's not like with Pegasus used the Millennium Eye to take your soul and that of the Kaiba brothers."
"Still here," Kaiba reminds them, Yami locks eyes with the teen for a moment before he continues.
"I'm not even sure where to begin with this mess, with Pegasus I at least had an idea of where to look," the spirit confesses, "he made it very simple except trying to actually win back your souls. I'll admit it took everything Yugi and I had to defeat him."
"Yami, nothing in life ever goes the way we plan it. I don't suppose you planned to be stuck in a puzzle for several thousand years, or even to do whatever it was that had you end up there in the first place," Solomon decides that comforting the spirit is probably going to be all he can do for the moment.
"He sealed himself in the puzzle to lock away the power of the shadow games," Kaiba interrupts, "I've seen the tablet, a woman named Ishizu explained that much to me. That and some ridiculous story about me being the reincarnation of an ancient priest of Egypt as well, that part I doubt." Solomon raises an eyebrow, he didn't realize that Kaiba had any interest in ancient Egypt.
"Ishizu, Marik's sister? What else did she tell you?" the spirit clearly knew more about that.
"Something about defeating ancient enemies, that I have a part to play, and blah blah blah," the teen replies in a bored tone, "she did give me Oblisk the Tormenter after that meeting though."
"I can't remember any of the priests faces, there is a chance you could have known me in a past life," the spirit murmurs, "then again both of you were familiar to me before I spoke with either of you. However it would seem now that I have to take care of Yugi's body in his place, if you'll excuse me." Yami exited the room before Kaiba could say another word.
"What the hell did I miss?" were the first words out of his mouth as soon as Yami left.
SETO KAIBA
Kaiba was staring down Solomon Mutou for all he was worth, the old man raised an eyebrow at him. He let out a sigh and took the seat that the Yugi imposter had been using.
"That was not my grandson, that was the spirit of the millennium puzzle speaking to us," Solomon answers, "he has been with Yugi ever since he finished putting together the millennium puzzle. Yugi has told me that he was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the one that played the original version of duel monsters when it was magic and tablets."
"I hardly think there is such a thing as magic old man, but continue," Kaiba responds flatly.
"The spirit of the puzzle does possess magic, Yugi told me that he did something to you the first time that the two of you dueled," the old man explains, "he was irritated by the fact you couldn't see anything but power when you looked at the cards, he used his magic to open your mind, or so Yugi told me. They also told me that Mokuba was overly worried because of how Yami's magic changed you at first." So it was magic that had him questioning himself so much in those days, but what did he do?
"I freed your mind from the shadows that plagued it," the Yugi imposter explains, "Yugi has since informed me that such dramatic things are too drastic in this age." Kaiba is surprised when the imposter leans down to grab a bag he hadn't noticed before, neither had the old man it appears. Kaiba is fascinated by the fact the imposter is actually several inches taller than Yugi, and far more toned if he's not mistaken.
"Don't do it again," Kaiba finds himself warning the stranger. As the imposter turns around he realizes that maybe he isn't such a stranger. This is the one he's always on the other side of anyways, which makes Yugi more of a stranger to him.
"Hardly, I pass judgment as I see fit Kaiba, and you were in sore need of it that day," the imposter has narrowed his eyes at him, "I take orders from no one." The older man sighs and places a hand on the imposter's shoulder.
"Go to bed high and mighty pharaoh, your temper is showing again," Solomon's words have the imposter widening his eyes before he gracefully removes himself from the situation. Even the way he walks is elegant, it's hard for Kaiba not to watch.
"What about Yugi then?" Kaiba asks, this is why he was here in the first place. Solomon looks mournfully up the stairs.
"Yugi cannot return unless the pharaoh can find a way to free his soul," he answers, "which leaves the pharaoh with only one question I suspect. How is he going to do it?" The old man sighs, he wishes he could be grateful that the spirit of the puzzle had the skill to win his grandson's soul back, but it was that skill along with a hearty dose of pride that lost it in the first place.
"So the man I've been facing all along was him and not Yugi?" Kaiba asks wondering how the hell he missed this in the first place.
"Probably, Yugi finds your presence to be… terrifying from my understanding. Yami seems to find you as kindered spirit, a rival perhaps," Solomon answers. Kaiba can tell he's trying to be civil about the fact that Yugi is probably upset with him from their first duel.
"Don't sugar coat it old man," Kaiba scoffs, "why would an ancient Pharaoh, if he even is one, find me as a rival?"
"I don't know Kaiba, I'm not the spirit of the puzzle," Solomon points out, "did you need something other than to harass my grandson?" Kaiba refuses to point out that the person upstairs isn't Yugi Motou and he knows it.
"Yes," Kaiba stands and does his best to prepare himself, "I came to apologize." Solomon's eyes widen ever so slightly.
"Have I actually died this time?" Solomon mutters. Kaiba chooses not to dwell on the comment, he's not exactly known for apologizing after all. "I find that hard to believe, but why would you feel that you need to at this point?"
"Do you want the apology or not?" Kaiba barks, Solomon raises his hands defensively.
"Please continue," Solomon then folds his hands in his lap.
"It was childish and wrong of me to tear up your blue eyes white dragon," Kaiba manages to say it sincerely, but it makes his skin itch.
"I'm surprised," Solomon stands up, "I appreciate the courage it takes you do so. That card meant a lot to me because of the friend that gave it to me, and that Yugi would stand up to you after I lost means even more. So that you would apologize for everyone that hurt by doing this. It means a lot to me, not to mention Yugi." Kaiba could care less how much it meant to the old man, but he did feel bad about tearing a blue eyes in half.
"I've made a call to Pegasus, he's agreed to replace the card that destroyed at my expense," Kaiba explains, "although it will not be the card that your associate gave you, it will clear my conscience about the matter."
"It seems that you still have a lot to learn about the heart of the cards Kaiba," Solomon responds, "but you have started to see the error of the way of power. You can give it to Yugi once it arrives." Kaiba scoffs, what was it with the Motou's and their heart of the cards lectures?
"Save the lecture," Kaiba has to bite his tongue not to say something that would make his apology worthless, "I must ask however, what if the spirit doesn't succeed in retrieving your grandson's soul?" Solomon Motou's expression turns to a concerned one.
"He'll find a way, Yami has been looking out for Yugi for some time. I have no doubt that if he can't find a way none of us will live long enough for me to regret it. The spirit of the puzzle's destiny has him fated to save the world, just as Ishizu told you before Kaiba," Solomon reminds him, "you are not the only one who is a reincarnation of one of the court advisors. There were others there in the ancient court with you, Set. You'll return to the Pharaoh's side at some point, we all do." Solomon blinked, Kaiba realizes that he was possessed for that speech. He looks confused, and then looks to Kaiba with a soft smile.
"Something else on your mind old man?" Kaiba watches the old man get up slowly, its unnerving if he's at all honest.
"It's funny, but I feel like this needs to be said," Solomon chuckles, "if ever you need help, please don't be afraid to stop by. Yugi and I both want you to know that, you and Mokuba both are welcome whenever you need it." Kaiba didn't realize how much he needed to hear that until Solomon said it. To know that both Yugi (not to mention his imposter) and his grandfather were willing to put themselves on the line to defend him and his brother.
"Thanks, I guess," Kaiba turns on his heel and leaves the Kame game shop. He's managed not to insult anyone. Solomon wishes him a good day.
YAMI
He has just left the shower when he sees Kaiba exit the shop, he wonders what Kaiba wanted in the first place. Yami carefully rummages through Yugi's clothes, and not for the first time he is confused by what the teen has amassed. He decides on the outfit Yugi dressed them in Battle City, and wanders downstairs to see Solomon again.
Solomon is in the kitchen, he's making a pot of coffee as Yami wanders in.
"What did Kaiba want?" Yami asks. Solomon turns and makes a gesture asking if he'd like a cup as well. Yami nods, Yugi may not like coffee, but he finds the flavor more to his taste than the sugary drinks Yugi prefers. "Black please." Solomon nods.
"Kaiba called earlier, he was looking for Yugi. He also wanted to apologize," Solomon answers pre-warming the cups for the two of them.
"That's a surprise, what did he want to apologize for?" Yami asks taking a seat at the counter, "Kaiba apologizes for nothing, for him to even offer one is unbelievable enough." Yami explains quietly, and Solomon nods.
"He was apologizing for when he tore my precious card," Solomon answers, "but he does not seem to have taken your lesson about the heart of the cards as directly as we would have hoped."
"I don't know about that grandpa, he's never apologized to anyone before," Yami points out, "even one apology from him is a huge step for Kaiba. Yugi and I are both astounded by the progress that makes, Mokuba has a big brother he can be proud of."
Yami sips the coffee, clearly Solomon wasn't following the same progress he had been. Not that he had the chance to watch with his soul trapped in the shadow realm during the beginning of the progress.
"Any ideas yet for getting Yugi back?" Solomon asks changing the subject.
"No, but I will do everything in my power to so," Yami answers, "I promise you that."