Lack of Internet and too bored to stop thinking resulted in this.
Yugi: A story of Egypt and Dragons.
Yami: So another story to work on until you lose interest again?
NO! I'm working on it until it's completed! In fact…It's already up to Chapter 17 and ready for my readers. Only it won't be posted in its entirety all at once. I plan on releasing each chapter once a week, Internet access permitting.
Yugi: Hope everyone enjoys!
In an alternate universe, another Egypt, and another time, a black dragon with reddish tint to its wings and scales landed on a cliff-side cave. He spotted his mate laying in the near-darkness of the cavern. The blue and white dragon lay in what remained of a nest that should have had at least ten hatchlings swarming about its confines. "Aquariania, what happened?"
"Humans came and took my happiness," the female Water Dragon sighed. "All but one egg was cracked, the last stolen!"
"Which one?" Yami was fearful to learn the answer.
"The sparkly one, your favorite," she wailed.
Yami stepped back stunned at the reply. The egg in question was comparable to powdered diamonds with amethyst and light gold swirls and a single crimson spot shaped like a rose near its middle. His mate was ruined by humans searching for the rare and unusual. She was so depressed that she had given up when the clutch of eggs, their first and so close to hatching, was ransacked. Aquariania had held on long enough to inform him of the calamity. Yami swore to find the hatchling that came from the missing egg and raise his offspring within the palace walls. Until then, the Darkness Dragon would return to the palace and listen for hints of where the egg was probably taken.
A young male looked over the small grouping of various creatures. "There's nothing that I want here father," he complained.
"Atem, stop complaining," his father hissed in warning. "Jonothan, none of your beasts appeal to my son. Have you any items for hatchlings available?"
Atem made a face, "Father, hatchlings are complete nightmares! I would rather break a horse instead."
A cloud of light colored smoke wafted into his direction. "Little Prince, you yourself should know to watch what you say to your father. Hatchlings are not nightmares when taught proper manners. As for horses, they make for a great meal for a starving dragon out there in the wilds."
"That's easy for you to say, Yami," Atem pointed out. "You're a full-grown dragon and Bonded to my father. And I've seen how you glare at the palace horses. They disgust you."
"That may be," the black and red dragon huffed. "But your father raised me from a mere hatchling. You would do well to remember that Little Prince."
The red and black dragon had always held Atem's respect from the time the prince could walk. Yami was bonded to Aknamkanon and as a high-level dragon could speak to whomever he wished aside from his Bonded.
"I forgot, Yami. Forgive me," Atem bowed to his father and his dragon.
Aknamkanon nodded, "Go and have another look around the market. Perhaps you'll find something to make this day meaningful."
Atem wandered through the stalls and froze when he heard a weak groan. It sounded like a hatchling! He followed the faint sound and spotted a white mass of scales lying in the midday sun. Atem crept closer to the mass and saw remains of an egg scattered around a tiny form no larger than a week-old kitten. The little dragon gave a little garble of sounds as it felt his shadow land on it. Atem carefully touched the hatchling's head with his finger and pulled back. The little dragon was FREEZING! Atem's eyes went wide when he realized that the little creature was possibly a legendary Ice Dragon, the offspring of a Darkness Dragon and a Dragon of water. They rarely made it to adulthood as many died from heat exposure before they learned to regulate their own temperatures. To find an unBonded Ice Dragon in Egypt was unheard of! Atem took his empty sack and wrapped the little hatchling up and headed back to the stall that was in front of where he found the poor thing.
"Do you have any dragons' eggs for sale," Atem asked as he carefully held his prize in the bag.
The stall-keep shook his head, "Did, but the thing was worthless. The thing that comes out of it will be a weak creature and will have to be put down."
"I'll give you three silver pieces for the hatchling I found behind your stall then," Atem stated as he pulled the mentioned coins from his bag with a free hand.
The keeper saw no issues and accepted the silver coins for a dragon that might not have been his to begin with.
Atem met his father in the village center. Aknamkanon spotted the bundle, "What did you find?"
"A white Dragon," Atem told his father quietly as he pulled a corner of the fabric back.
Aknamkanon shook his head sadly, "Do not form a Bond with this little one. To do so will mean death to the both of you should it take a turn for the worse."
Atem nodded and carefully secured the bundle to his horse. The tiny hatchling lay so still that the prince was worried for its survival. "I'll head to Isis's when we reach the palace, father. She might know how to help it. I think the poor thing might be an Ice Dragon."
"An Ice Dragon!? Atem! What makes you think such a thing," Aknamkanon asked.
Atem shrugged, "It felt really cold when I touched its head."
"That doesn't mean much, son. A low body temp in a newly hatched dragon means it is likely ill and may not survive. But you finding this dragon must mean that the Gods want you to learn a new respect for all dragons. You are now charged with tending to it until it either thrives or passes. I'd prefer not to see such a unique creature die."
Atem looked at the frail hatchling lying on a black cushion. The contrasting fabric made the white creature look far more beautiful and fragile than the first time he had seen it. Faint hints of gold and amethyst designs were visible on its scales. As Isis prepared a milk and egg mixture for the hatchling, Atem noticed that it was trembling. He wanted so badly to reach out and calm the poor thing, but resisted because to do so would likely force the creation of a Bond should it be a high-ranking or magical one.
Yami landed on the open balcony, "Your father mentioned that you found a white hatchling today. How fares the little one?"
"It's really weak, Yami. But it's not completely white. I saw faint hints of amethyst and golden colors on it."
Yami's ruby-colored eyes went wide. He seemed to dissolve as a semi-human figure took his place. This was Yami's attempt to pass as a human. He now looked like a mature Atem but paler due to the fact that his human guise rarely saw the sun. His eyes were still the same ruby color with a cat's eye slit pupil. The only other things that revealed Yami was a dragon were the black and crimson leathery wings protruding from his back, a scattering of scales on his forehead and sharp claws where fingernails should have been. His human-like form always appeared clothed as he had long learned how to keep certain materials from shredding between Shiftings.
"Let me see the little one, Atem," Yami stated as he strode into the healing chambers.
Atem pointed to the cushion and stepped aside. He watched as Yami carefully lifted the hatchling's tiny head up. "He's smaller than I expected for a hatchling. But there's a strong heartbeat. If he makes it through the night and the next one, I will suggest to your father that you make a partial Bond with him. It will ensure his survival and hopefully grant you a great dragon when he is older."
"You mean I found a male dragon?"
"Yes. Your father brought up the fact that you felt that this little one was an Ice Dragon…He is, indeed, such a creature. He was in the heat and his egg not cared for properly. If my assumptions are correct, his parents were a Darkness Dragon and a Water Dragon. Male Ice Dragons are quite rare and extremely delicate as hatchlings and the few who survive are the strongest of all dragonkind."
Atem was stunned at Yami's statement. "Yami, how did you get your name?"
"Your father when he was about your age was into other cultures and had visited my homeland on an island many days from here. I was found at night, injured from my first flight and starving because I had lost my mother. I put up quite a fight with the handlers who had found me, but the second I sensed your father, I settled down. I knew he was my Destined Bond. His father wanted to deny the Bond, but the humans of my homeland insisted that it happen as it would hopefully strengthen your kingdom and create ties between two nations so far apart.
I may have been slightly older than this little one, but I have a feeling that should he survive this ordeal, he will be up and about in no time."
"So who names their dragons," Atem asked once more.
"The first dragon present when the hatchling first draws breath or to come across it. I sense that he is unnamed so I assume the honors of giving this hatchling a name unique to him and one from my homeland. I shall name him Yugi Hikari, the Ice Dragon."
The newly dubbed Yugi caught their attention with little chirps as Isis began using a makeshift straw made from an ostrich feather to feed him. Atem smiled as he watched Yugi feed, his tiny forefeet kneading the cushion as the mixture was given him.
Two days passed and Yugi was feeding easily and acclimating to his current environment. Yami had been aiding with tending to the hatchling and explaining to Atem all that he needed to know about raising a young dragon. Aknamkanon was informed about the fact that Yugi was meant to be Atem's dragon and had to be Bonded to the prince before rumors spread that an Ice Dragon was alive and in the palace unBonded. Yami was hesitant about Bonding the hatchling of unknown parentage to the sole heir to the throne, especially since he had Promised his favored to the prince.
"Very well," the ruler conceded, "we can do this quickly in here without audience. We'll just celebrate later when Yugi is permitted to leave the healing chambers."
Yami looked to the small hatchling in his lap. Yugi had curled up to sleep, his belly bloated with a mixture of milk and ground up chicken hearts. "The best time for the partial Bonding is when the little one opens his eyes for the first time. He should see the one to whom he will be Bound to for the rest of his life. Should he look frightened or away from you, then it is not meant to be."
As if wanting to speed things up, Yugi's eyes opened slowly to reveal the most unusual amethyst coloring. He let out a surprised squeak as he looked around. His eyes landed on Atem and he let out a series of clicks, chirps, and squeaks. Yami let out a chuckle, "He likes you, Little Prince. Yugi is ready to begin the Bonding process. You may touch him and let him 'feel' your presence."
Atem reached out to touch Yugi on his side, but the little hatchling had other ideas. Yugi wanted to smell Atem's hand, causing Atem's palm to meet his face instead. The little hatchling sat dazed while Atem collapsed into his father's arms.
"Where am I," Atem asked as he looked around him.
All he could see was black. A tiny white dragon sat at his feet, only to be replaced by a child of about two. This toddler looked a little like Yami, but with the blond streaks framing its face and white where Yami had black. The child's wings were mostly white with an iridescent amethyst coloring and a faint hint of gold. The boy looked up at Atem and smiled, revealing a set of tiny, yet sharp teeth. The amethyst dragon eyes caught his breath, "Yugi Hikari?"
The boy tilted his head and beamed. Atem knelt next to the child, "I am Prince Atem of Egypt. You may call me Atem."
"A-a-a-t-t-t-eeee-m…Temu!" Yugi looked proud of his first word.
Atem sighed, "I guess that'll work for now."
Atem and Yugi woke at the same time. The little hatchling scrambled to escape Yami's lap and get to Atem. "Temu!"
"Looks like someone made a friend," Yami teased gently as he watched Yugi nuzzle the prince's leg.
Aknamkanon nodded, "Yugi could certainly teach my son a few things about lightening up just as much as Atem can teach Yugi how to respect others."
As Pharaoh and dragon watched, Yugi nuzzled his Bonded and was petted on his tiny head by Atem's fingertips in return. Yami was pleased that Yugi had taken so easily with the prince.
Aknamkanon handed Atem a package, "Take this. You'll need it for Yugi since he is allowed to leave the healing chambers."
"It's about time you two showed up," Isis stated as they entered. "He's getting restless and getting into everything he can reach!"
Atem rushed into the room where Yugi had been kept and spotted the little dragon digging into a potted plant. "Yugi Hikari! Stop this instant!"
Yugi let out a cry of shock and froze in mid-dig. The hatchling didn't move, even when Atem picked him up. "You can relax Yugi," Atem told his hatchling.
Yugi let his stiff muscles fall limp. "Temu?"
"No, bad Yugi. You aren't supposed to be digging inside."
Yugi let out a sigh and looked at the mess he had made. "No dig? Bad Yugi? Yugi bad dig?"
Atem sighed as he set the hatchling on its cushion, "Yugi, stay on your cushion."
Yugi curled up and watched as Atem cleaned up his mess. "Yugi no dig. Yugi no bad."
Yugi stuck close to Atem, refusing to test how long his new leash was. He still felt bad about making a mess of the room he had thought was his. Yami explained to Atem that Yugi was merely exploring and expanding his limited understanding of his surroundings. The hatchling had kept quiet since Atem harnessed him and told him "Follow."
Atem took Yugi to the gardens and led him to a shady corner, "You can dig here in this spot, Yugi."
"No. Bad Yugi dig. Dig Bad. Yugi no bad."
"Digging inside is bad. I gave you a place to dig."
"Who are you talking to," a girl called out to Atem.
Atem looked up and spotted his friends. "I was talking to Yugi. He's a white dragon hatchling that I found a week or so ago. Tea, Joey, and Tristan meet Yugi Hikari."
"He's so cute," Tea cooed as she reached out to the hatchling. Yugi snorted and hid behind Atem's leg. "Aww, he's scared."
Atem shook his head, "No, he needs to learn he can trust you. Yugi's only been exposed to my father, Isis, Yami, and myself."
"So who named the little guy Yugi," Joey asked. "I'd of called him Brutus or Sparky."
"He's not a common pet," Tristan hissed at Joey.
Atem smiled, "Actually, Yami was the one who named Yugi. He said that dragons name hatchlings. I think I know why by just spending time with Yugi."
"So why do you think such a thing, Little Prince," Yami asked Atem as he landed in the garden.
Atem ran his fingers through his spiky hair before answering. "Dragons who are named by us rarely respond to their names. But those named by other dragons will react faster to their dragon-given name and will listen better to their Bonded."
"A wise observation. As for you, Yugi Hikari, Atem is correct in showing you to dig outside. To dig where instructed will sometimes aid others. This is your lesson for the day. Learn it well, little one."
The friends watched as Yami took to the skies once more. "Your father's dragon is so cool," Joey stated.
Atem smirked, "You think father's dragon is cool, then feel Yugi."
Yugi squeaked and shied away from Atem's friends as they looked at him. He took a deep breath and sneezed, covering a few square inches of ground in frost and knocking himself over.
"Oh gods," Tea breathed, "an Ice Dragon! A real, living Ice Dragon! Atem, how?"
Atem chuckled, "Can you believe that I found him? Just barely hatched and paid three silver pieces to the merchant who had tossed his egg out thinking that it was worthless. I didn't want him coming out and saying I stole the dragon later."
"So is he Bonded yet," Tristan asked.
Atem nodded, "He's mine. A word of advice, don't let anyone else know that Yugi is an Ice Dragon. We're calling him a white dragon until he's able to defend himself."
Yugi: So I'm a dragon in this one? Cool!
Yami: Literally.
Yup. Yami and Atem are two separate characters once more. Yami is actually from Japan, but since it's technically set in an alternate Ancient Egypt, it is a country with no known name. Yami has no name for his homeland as he was taken from there when he was too young to learn what it was called, but has words from there as he named Yugi.
Yugi: Chapter two will be posted in the event PhantomBrat cannot post any new chapters for any of her other stories in progress. Please be patient with her.