Alright here is a second chapter. Oohh-Ahhh! A few people seemed to like this fic so I'll start the actual story off. Thank you to my reviewers; I really enjoy the support. Also I'd like to announce I in no way own Yu-gi-oh Duel Monsters.
1 month before the events of Yu-gi-oh GX
The rock fell away easily as the excavation team tore through the stone walls of an Aztec temple. The head of the expedition shouted to his men to stop laboring and take a much needed break. They had been digging non-stop for almost 3 days now. Now that they finally broke through the thick wall a nice long break awaited those who had slaved so hard. The head of the expedition was a man by the name of Salvador Quates, a famous Aztec researcher for the University of Mexico.
He had been working with locals for the past 5 years trying to uncover the famous lost temple of the Golden God. Many had searched for this temple before but all that have come back were empty handed. Salvador was a cut above the rest, for he had a map. A map found guarded by a near by village to a spot here no man dare tread. With a bit of underhanded persuading Salvador was able to acquire the map. The old chief warning of "A world of shadows awaits those who dare defile the temple" never seemed to reach the explorer's ears.
After pulling together a fearful but eager team of men to assist him and gaining money from the University; Salvador set out. Through the harsh jungle and deep into a valley, Salvador led his team; until the team stood at the foot of a large Aztec pyramid. Many days were spent trying to gain access to the inside of the temple but this was in vain. The temple had neither entrances nor exists. Unhindered by this discovery, Salvador sent for harsh land ripping machines to break into the fortress. The grunts of men hard at work and the sound of machinery sounded deep into the night and early morning as rock was carried away.
It was tricky to break into the temple with out damaging the structural integrity of the temple, so along with all the brute force a team was devised to make sure all the destruction didn't end in collapse. A pace was then set that would rival a snail's but the work still continued. Hours turned into days before finally a pickaxe broke through the final layer of stone and breathed the stale air with in the temple.
Once it was discovered that they had broken through a mad rush ensued, as men widen the small hole into a doorway in which a person could easily get through. Calling back the men at this point, Salvador appeared out of his lavish tent and ordered the men to halt their progress. He was the explorer after all he deserved to be the first one in the temple. Did he not?
Equipping himself with nothing more than a lantern, the eager explorer entered the dark temple. The light flicked around banishing the shadow from the walls in order to reveal pictures of monsters. Stepping up to the wall he ran his hands over the carvings, 'what did these carving represent?' he asked himself. As he moved his lantern around the room he caught sight of one carving he had seen before. He had seen it in a joint publication from two Egyptian archeologists. A Professor Hawkins and a Professor Moto were their names if he recalled correctly. The publication was about an Egyptian game played by children in the present. Duel Monsters, that's what they called it.
More research was needed to prove whether these stone carvings did indeed have roots in Egyptian times. Perhaps he would have to call one of the two Professors down to have a look. That could wait until later; he didn't want to share his glory just yet with anyone. Moving through the chamber he noted the careful detail of each carving. The whole chamber must have taken years to make, do to the amount of detail in each monster carving.
"Salvador…"
The researcher looked up raising his lantern higher to cast light on the voice. When he was rewarded with an empty room for his efforts; his vision turned to the doorway that lead outside. No one there either… Shaking his head he dismissed the sound as a trick of his mind. Turning his attention back to the stone runes, he began to study the ancient carving once more.
"Salvador…"
This time he couldn't be hearing things. Someone was calling his name, he couldn't deny it. Raising his lantern above his head the runes seemed stagnant. Nothing was there but the rays of the light that cast upon a corridor that lead out of the room. Instantly forcing the notion that someone was calling him out of his head; the brave explorer moved deeper into the runes.
The darkness seemed to call out to him as he moved down the corridors. The tunnel seemed to move deeper and deeper into the runes with no real junctions to turn off in to. After following the tunnel for a good while, an end came into view. Throwing caution to the wind Salvador ventured deep into the belly of the temple.
As he stepped into the room he couldn't help but gasp. Every surface his lantern touched with his light was either gold or precious metal and stone. It appeared to be a throne room of some kind, for statues of people bowing lined a marvelous gold and marble floor. Stepping deeper into the room, artifacts of pure gold glittered, before the rays of the lantern caught upon a jewel encrusted chair. This was the find of the century!
"Salvador…"
Salvador jumped with surprise once again casting his light around the throne room looking for a source of the voice. "Who's there?!" The brave explorer yelled into the darkness. His Spanish accent dripped off every syllable he spoke.
A feminine giggling echoed through out the chamber. "My dear Salvador, are you that naive?"
Salvador felt a cold chill run down his back, as his subconscious loudly proclaimed that he should run and get out of here. Ignoring such a notion from his subconscious, the explorer took a deep breath and lowered his lamp. "Why don't you come out here? Who ever you are..."
"Alright, I suppose I could. Just for you my dear Salvador " The voice replied.
A bright golden light filled the chamber, causing Salvador to shield his eyes. The light dimmed moments later as candles flickered on around the chamber to draw back the shadows. The sound of metal shrieking with use was heard. Salvador's eyes adjusted quickly as he turned his attention to the throne. Salvador felt his heart rate quicken as he now stared at the most beautiful female he had ever laid eyes upon.
Clothed in silken robes and heavy gold jewelry, she looked stunning sitting atop the golden throne. A coy smile played across her lips as she raised one slender finger to call Salvador closer to her. The explorer found it hard to resist such a beautiful woman, as his feet moved on their own accord closer to the massive throne.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Queen Isabella. For many years I have been looking for a king Salvador, I think you might be just the one I am looking for…. Granted you have to prove yourself if you want to be my king" Her seductive smile seemed to widen at the notion of Salvador having to prove himself.
Salvador felt his internal temperature rise as he nodded. A king? Salvador instantly knew that he deserved such a title. He was after all the one that discovered this temple; so he should get all the glory of finding it shouldn't he? The logical side of him warned him that about strangeness of finding beautiful maidens in lost temples that want you to be their king. This side was ignored as his hormones smothered all doubts of danger. "What must I do to earn your favor Queen Isabella?" He asked as he bowed low to show his respect.
The Queen rose from her golden chair, descending upon Salvador in a seductive manor. "Salvador… My dear Salvador… I don't require much at all. I'm in need of the blood of the current descendant of the King of Games"
Salvador froze for a minute looking up at the Queen questionably. "Blood of the King of Games?"
The Queen seemed to revel in his questioning gaze. "Yes, I'm unable to leave this temple unless the seal that holds me here is removed. Only the family blood of the man that sealed me here can make me free once again, my dear Salvador."
Salvador's cautious side started to overwhelm his hormones. "Why were you sealed here my fair Queen?" the apprehension under toned his accent.
At this the Queen's beautiful features changed into a harsh scowl. "I was to be wed to the King, but I was betrayed by him for another woman. I was heart broken and enraged… I asked for the kingdom back that he stole from me. He didn't want to give it back so he sealed me in this temple so my pleas for my kingdom would be unheard. My soul has been sealed here since that day, unable to get out of the limbo that that bastard put me in"
"Betrayed? A fair maiden betrayed? As an honorable conquistador it is my sworn duty to aid a maiden such as you. Please allow me to be your tool" Salvador spoke smoothly his fears about the Queen alleviated.
"Wonderful" The Queen smirked.
Three days before the events of Yu-gi-oh GX
"You know, I think you make a better Egyptian then you ever did as a Japanese man" Marik called out as he moved through the crowd.
Yugi shrugged. "Maybe, I just feel so at home here. If only my friends and grandpa lived here it would be paradise."
Marik nodded they made there way through the small town. Around the sounds of livestock and merchants echoed around them. This was a small town on the edge of the Nile; even so, it was a popular tourist location for those seeking the enchantment of the Egyptian culture. This was also currently home base for Yugi and the Ishtar siblings, because of its resources and location. Only a few miles from one of the greatest of the Pharaoh's tomes, the location seemed ideal.
It had been four years of living there that got Yugi to love the land of Egypt. Everything about it fascinated him and kept him on the edge of his seat to learn what was next. With Ishizu's Marik's and Odion's help the world just didn't look up to him as a one time Duel Monster champion but as the foremost expert on the Pharaoh Atemu and the dynasty in which he lived. Many journals and articles had been published by Yugi about Atemu and he had even done a lecture at an Egyptian university about the Pharaoh.
The noise of the marketplace became a distant roar as they traveled to the more upper class part of town. This area was built up for the tourist to stay in luxury; most of the town's jobs came from this part of town serving the tourists that wanted the whole Egyptian experience. If you asked Yugi, it wasn't a full experience unless you spent time in the poorer parts of town. Only then, would you see Egypt culture at it's greatest. Even if the poor people were poor they still had the greatest hearts and knew stories that still stayed with Yugi years later.
As the two men entered walked up the small drive of the house they where sharing Yugi noticed the strange jeep parked in the drive. He alerted Marik to this by tapping him on the shoulder and pointing to the foreign vehicle. Marik studied it for a moment before he turned back to Yugi and shrugged. Clearly he wasn't expecting them to have a guest tonight either. Odion was due home soon. He was currently in the capital city working with a museum there but that wasn't his jeep. It wasn't an uncommon thing, some times a family or two would have dinner with them so they could get a more in-depth prospective of ancient Egyptian culture. Most of the time they would just walk to the small house from one of the many near by hotels; it would seem that this time someone was going out of there way to visit them if they had a jeep.
Stepping through the door, Marik called through the house. "Ishizu?!"
Yugi could hear a small conversation whisper through the walls of the house, there had to be at least 2 other people here besides Ishizu. The walls muffled the voices too much to know what they where saying or who they where. Yugi shifted before he started to head for the kitchen, some of the groceries they had bought needed to be refrigerated right away so Yugi wasted no time making sure nothing became spoiled. Marik watched him go before heading towards the voices.
Sticking the meat in the refrigerator, Yugi turned to the veggies before Marik appeared in the door way. "They are here for you, I'll finish up here"
Yugi nodded "Who are they?"
Marik motioned towards the living room. "You're better off just going and seeing for yourself."
Yugi raised an eyebrow before he left Marik to take care of the groceries. Stepping out into the hall he was flanked by Egyptian artwork and artifacts. The house was decorated carefully with Egyptian theme, giving guest of the house a lot to take in and a lot to talk about. Navigating through the house he arrived in the den and almost didn't believe who he saw. There two figure heads of Industrial Illusions sat having a nice chat with Ishizu.
"Pegasus?! Duke?! What are you guys doing here?" Yugi asked as he walked into the den.
Pegasus looked up a large smile appearing on the CEO's face. "Ah Yugi-boy, come sit! We came all this way just to see you!"
Duke chuckled. "As soon as I heard Pegasus was coming to see you. I knew I had to tag along; it's good to see you Yugi."
Yugi took a seat across the small coffee table from Pegasus, a questioning look playing across his face. This was unexpected and quiet frankly Yugi didn't know what to do. It's not every day that some one just randomly out of the blue paid him a visit, not to mention two of the figure heads of Industrial Illusions. In the back of Yugi mind he had a sneaking suspicion that this had something to do with Duel Monsters.
"I'll excuse myself now," Ishizu was up on her feet as she offered Yugi a small nod; it was the nod that everything would be alright. Ishizu was an expert at reading people and she had read Yugi's nervousness and offered her support. For this Yugi was grateful for. Excusing herself from the room Ishizu left Yugi alone with Duke and Pegasus.
"Ishizu told me you still carry it every where you go" Pegasus tone became a lot more serious as he spoke.
Yugi instantly knew what he meant and reached down and unbuckled his belt. He tossed the belt on the table in front of him. The duelist's belt had lost its shine from years of use and most wondered how it still functioned as a proper belt. A look of glee passed over Pegasus's feature as he reached out for the black belt. Suddenly a black blur jumped onto Pegasus's lap then onto the coffee table. A startled gasp was issued from the CEO before he blinked. Upon the belt now sat a beautiful black cat, its golden eyes seeming to stare intensely at Pegasus. Around the cat's neck was a golden collar with Egyptian text scribed into it.
"Bast!" Yugi yelled. "I'm sorry she's a weird cat" Yugi reached over and picked up the cat setting it down on his lap.
Duke raised a brow. "I never thought of you as a cat person Yugi"
Yugi gave a light chuckle. "Duke, people don't choose cats as pets. Cats choose people as owners."
Pegasus tore his gaze away from the cat and back at Yugi. "She seems like a very interesting cat. Ooo.. She's given me inspiration for a duel monster. I think I'll call it Cat of Golden Enchantment."
Yugi looked down at the feline in his lap. She was still staring intensely at Pegasus and Yugi could feel the tension radiate off the black cat. This was some of the same tension he felt from the cat just as she would corner a mouse and got ready to strike. Yugi shook his head pushing the information to the back of his mind and looked at his two guests.
"Slifer the Sky Dragon is safe. I haven't let it out of my sight. I doubt you came all this way just to check on that, so what is the true propose of this visit Pegasus?" Yugi asked.
"What I can't say hello to an old friend Yugi-boy? No..? Well if you really wish to know I'm here to ask you if you'd be willing to come with me to the Duel Academy. I know you really don't play Duel Monsters anymore Yugi-boy but I'm sure you'd love an excuse to see your friends. It will only be for 2 nights then I'll have you ship straight back here." Pegasus's grin threatened to split his face in two if it got any wider.
Yugi shifted in his seat. "I just can't leave Pegasus. There has been a lot of grave robbing recently and Ishizu, Marik and I are helping the authorities identify the stolen artifacts and catch the criminals" with this statement Yugi begun to absent mindedly stoke Bast.
"But Yugi when was the last time you've seen any of the gang? It's only for two days, I'm sure nothing that big will happen in that short amount of time!" Duke tried to reason.
Yugi sighed. "I just dunno…"
Pegasus reached into his pocket and pulled out a small foil pack. "Here Yugi-boy, just for old time's sake. I picked that pack off the line just for you" He set it down on the table just with in Yugi's reach.
Reaching forward Yugi took the small pack of cards. "Pegasus, I really don't play Duel Monsters any more. Giving me these cards is kind of useless"
Pegasus shrugged before he pointed at Yugi. "Who broke the little kid in you Yugi-boy? Just open them and regale the time when you did play" Pegasus's voice seemed to grow louder with each passing word.
Bast reached out one paw and placed it on the foil package in Yugi's hand before craning her head around and staring at him with her golden eyes. Her eyes didn't glare but seem to be offering him some silent encouragement. Yugi stared back at the feline and sighed. Ishizu had once said that the cat seemed to be more human then feline and some times Yugi just couldn't disagree.
Tearing the slick packaging; Yugi did feel like a kid again. He hadn't opened a pack of duel monsters cards in a little over then 8 years and the feeling of excitement he use to get every time he opened a pack all came rushing back to the young archeologist. The smell of fresh cards assaulted his nose as he fanned out the new pieces of his collection. He hadn't seen any of these cards before, but that only made since considering that he hadn't played in so long. Winged Kuriboh seemed to be the rare card in the pack but another card caught his eye.
"The Heart Of The Cards?" Yugi looked up at Pegasus.
Pegasus nodded as his smile softened. "I made that card with you in mind little Yugi. After all believing in the heart of the cards is your testament to winning is it not? It will be a very powerful addition to my card game, and only 10 of these cards are being made due to how powerful the card is. Oh it's so wonderfully powerful too"
Yugi read the cards effect. "You may search your deck for any card you require and place this card at the top of your deck after you shuffle your deck" The ability to put any card you want as your next card and the fact that the card was an trap card made it indeed a powerful card.
"People who actually believe in the heart of the card would have no use of this card, you know that Pegasus" Yugi eyes leveled off against the Duel Monsters creator.
Pegasus nodded. "Of course I know that Yugi-boy but it will serve as a reminder to all who hold this card to believe in the heart of the cards. Question is do you still believe?" Pegasus leaned forward as he asked his question and stared at Yugi with his good eye.
Yugi brow lowered in thought, this question should have been a no brainer. But had he lost his heart of the cards? Is that why he refused to play Duel Monster again? Was his heart gone because Yami wasn't here? He gritted his teeth and set the new cards on the table in front of him. Closing his eyes he pushed all these thoughts to the back of his mind and into box he kept under lock and key.
"Pegasus… I just don't know any more. People call me a champion but I never really claimed that title on my own. I feel like I'm living in Yami's shadow every time I have duel" Yugi replied truthfully.
Duke looked at Pegasus then back at Yugi. "Well Yugi the only way that you can break out of that spirit's shadow is to fight as you're self. Hiding from the problem isn't going to help you at all. Yugi just come home for 2 days. Every one misses you"
Yugi considered this before he looked at Pegasus. "What is the real reason you want me to come to the Duel Academy?"
Pegasus grinned. "Because Yugi-boy you're a figure head! Also Joey and Kaiba will be there! Don't you wanna see them? Hummm?"
Yugi shook his head and turned to Duke, he didn't seem to be getting a solid answer from Pegasus. Duke shook his head brushing a tuff of his bangs out of his eyes. He looked at Pegasus then shook his head again.
"I don't think he is buying it Pegasus, just tell him the real reason" Duke spoke directly to his business partner.
Pegasus sighed. "You really know how to take all the fun out of things Dukey-boy. Well Yugi my boy it's simple, they have done all the research they can on the God cards for the school but would like a private showing of the cards so they can teach about them a bit better. I knew you gave Obelisk the Tormentor to Kaiba-boy and The Winged Dragon of Ra to Joey. They both agreed to present their cards if you where going to present yours."
Yugi shook his head. "So basically you need me to come so all three cards can be in one place. That sounds pretty risky Pegasus"
Pegasus smirked. "KaibaCorp and Industrial Illusions will be providing full security for the cards. There will be nothing to worry about Yugi-boy"
Yugi sighed again and stared at his belt that still lay on the table. The God cards where dangerous. Every one in the room knew that and with out Yami, Yugi didn't know if he could use the cards at all now. Suddenly Bast stirred on his lap and jumped to the table. Yugi watched the cat's movement as it sat down on the table facing him before it put her paw over the black box where his duel monster cards sat. Her eyes intensified into a stare as if she was telling him to go.
"Well look at that even the kitty wants you to go Yugi-boy so what do ya say?" Pegasus got up from his chair and was at Yugi's side the next moment. "Come on please Yugi-boy? You don't want to upset the kitty!" Pegasus guilted.
Yugi reached over and picked up his belt along with the cards he received from Pegasus. The young archeologist then slipping the loose cards in along with the cards he had just received into the belt. Pegasus had that look of a pouting child begging his parents for a toy. Yugi didn't really want to do this but he had the feeling Pegasus wouldn't leave in less he said yes.
"Fine…" Yugi said at last causing as a cheer to erupt from both Pegasus and Duke. "But.." both men's cheering stopped causing them to turned to Yugi. "Only if it's okay with Marik and Ishizu"
Bast jumped off the table and in a flash disappeared from the room. Yugi watched the cat go before he stood up and secured the dueling belt on to his person. Knowing Marik and Ishizu neither of them would have a problem with him leave for a few days. Both tomb keepers had both grown to be as close to him as his friend back home.
"Marik…? Ishizu…?" Yugi called through the house.
"In the kitchen Yugi," Ishizu's voice was heard coming from the kitchen.
Following the sound Yugi headed for the kitchen. He wasn't surprised to see Marik and Ishizu sitting at the table. Stepping into the kitchen the smells of the roast in the oven caught his attention for a second. Ishizu and Marik both where great cooks in Egyptian food and over the years had slowly been giving their secrets to Yugi. Pulling up a seat at the table Yugi sat down with his two friends.
"It's okay if you go Yugi. We can deal with everything around here for a while" Ishizu didn't even give Yugi a chance to ask for himself. Ishizu even with out the Millennium Necklace always seemed to know everything before it happened.
"Yeah Yugi, we'll be fine here. Don't worry about us" Marik added with a small smile.
"Thank you guys, keep me in touch if anything happens" Yugi called over his shoulder as he headed back to the den.
"Don't worry Yugi, we will" Yugi heard Marik reply.
Yugi headed back into the den where his two guests waited for him to return. "Alright when do we leave?"
Pegasus turned to Duke that child-like look playing in his eyes. "Oh can I tell him… Can I tell him?" Pegasus looked like he was about to burst.
Duke only rolled his eyes at his business associate. "Go ahead…"
"Fabulous, we leave as soon as you are packed Yugi-boy!" Pegasus grinned. "So hurry up now"
Yugi should have expected something like this from Pegasus. "Okay, I'll go pack. It shouldn't take long" Yugi turned headed out of the den and upstairs.
The house the three lived in was in the upscale part of the neighborhood but that didn't make it a condo. It was quite small, like his Grandpa's house just above the shop. Sure there were enough rooms for the four of them and a spare bedroom but each room was quiet small and there wasn't a master bedroom in the house. The den was the largest room in the house being twice the size of the any of the bedrooms. Yugi wasn't one to complain though, the money he and the Ishtar siblings got carting tourist the Egyptian runes around paid the bills well and it was a very comfortable lifestyle. All other money that was made was sunk into their research and their trips across Egypt. The group also spent a lot of time at the tomb of the Pharaoh may times spending weeks at a time in that location before returning back to home base. Because of there constant trips all around Egypt, Yugi already had a pack ready to go. The life style of an archeologist often meant you went to where discoveries where found and had little warned when and where you would have to go.
"RROAWW!" Bast's loud call pieced Yugi's ear drums as the cat sat in her travel carrier.
Bast had gone to many ancient runes with the Yugi since she had just appeared in his life some time 4 years ago. She always seemed to demand to be where ever Yugi was having outsmarted even Yugi as she stowed away in his pack several times. Some time Yugi was at his wits end with the feline, other times he was glad for her constant company. Due to this stowing away Bast had become a regular around Egyptian runes, and the unofficial mascot of the tome of the Pharaohs.
"No your not coming with this time Bast, Marik and Ishizu are going to be here to keep you company. I'll be back the day after tomorrow" Yugi reasoned to the cat.
Sure, Yugi had been told that cats couldn't understand a thing any human said. Who ever had said that didn't have Bast in mind when they had. The glare the King of Games received as soon as he spoke washed all doubt away. Bast rose from the carrier; her ears tightly folded against her head and darted out of the room, as if she was sulking because she didn't get to go.
"Crazy cat…" Was all Yugi could say in correspondence to his cat's behavior.
Throwing his pack over his shoulder he headed downstairs and into the den. "Alright let's go"
"Alright Yugi-boy, then lets get this show on the road" Pegasus got to his feet as he spoke.
Duke nodded. "I'll drive this time Pegasus. We don't need to give Yugi the heart attack you gave me driving here"
Pegasus frowned. "Oh come on Dukey-boy where's your sense of fun and adventure?! Plus, you drive like an old maid!"
Duke shook his head and begun to push Yugi out of the house. "Trust me Yugi, we don't want Pegasus to drive."
Duke pushed Yugi all the way to the front door as Pegasus whined behind them. Apparently the President of Industrial Illusion really enjoyed driving but had a horrible lead foot. As they reached the door Yugi shouted out his good byes to Marik and Ishizu before being dragged outside by Duke. Pegasus followed them pouting.
"Hey Yugi what's up with your cat?" Duke asked.
"Huh?" was Yugi confused answer before he turned his attention to the Jeep.
There in the driver seat sat his black cat, both paws on the steering wheel. She seemed more then eager to get going, as her tail lashed back and forth with pleasure. How she had gotten out of the house and how she had ended up in the jeep baffled the archeologist. With Bast things like this happened regularly and the shock and confusion quickly left Yugi's face, replaced by an annoyed look.
"I told you she was a weird cat… Bast get down from there now. I already told you, you can't come with me" Yugi reprimanded as he walked over to the Jeep.
Bast sank down into to the seat, her ears folded tightly against her head. A small meow escaped her before she jump down from the seat and hid under it. Yugi sighed and pulled open the Jeep door. Bast was insistent of always being with the King of Games but this was going a little overboard.
"Bast out!" Yugi voice was stern like a parent talking to a disobedient child.
Another meow came from under the seat. She wasn't going to move in less she was dragged out. Yugi turned back to the two other men and shook his head. Why was the cat so insistent now? Reaching under the seat the archeologist extracted his feline. He kind of felt bad having to do this, but he just could bring the cat on such short notice to Japan. Traveling through Egypt with her was one thing; bring her to another country was another.
Bast didn't seem happy at all as Yugi put her in the house. Shutting the cat into the house Yugi returned to the jeep. Duke had started the jeep by now and a still pouting Pegasus sat behind him. Throwing his pack into the back of the jeep Yugi took shotgun and buckled. Duke spun around in his seat and started to back the jeep out onto the street.
"Here what's going to happen Yugi. This town is hours from the nearest airport so Kaiba has a chopper waiting for us just on the edge of this town. The chopper will take us to private airport and we'll take one of Kaiba's jets to Japan from there." Duke explained.
Yugi looked at Duke a concerned expression on his face. "This seems like a lot just to get me to Japan…"
Pegasus laughed from the back seat. "Yugi-boy you forget little Mokuba considers you a good friend and Kaiba-boy you are a good acquaintance of his; which is as close to a friend as Kaiba-boy gets. KaibaCorp is sparing no expense to get you back to Japan. Kaiba would have come with but he had some final details to work out for the exhibition. Lil' Mokuba going to be meet us at the chopper. Isn't that nice?"
"Really?! I haven't see Mokuba in years" Yugi replied excitedly.
Duke nodded as he turned the jeep onto the main street of the town. "Mokuba would have come with us but he wanted to do a dialogistic quick on the chopper. Something was funny with it he said. Nothing serious but he still wanted to check it over"
Yugi nodded as he leaned back in his seat. "Oh okay"
Pegasus leaned forward. "So, Yugi-boy tell me all about your work. I read your article on Atemu. It was simply fabulous; who knew Atemu had relations with so many countries around Egypt. I would really like to know your opinion on the fact that the shadow games seemed to have spread out of Egypt and into these countries."
Yugi looked back at Pegasus, a bit surprised that the Duel Monsters tycoon would know anything of his work. "I think it's a strong possibly. We have found evidence that the shadows games continued through Egypt for many years after Atemu. These shadow games where much watered down version of the one that happened during Atemu's time. I'm not exactly sure how this watered down version worked, Priest Seto seemed to have sealed most of the power of the shadow games before he died. It wouldn't surprise me if some one carried these shadows games to other countries. Have you heard they found some interesting runes in South America that shows that the Aztecs may have even played those watered down Shadow Games? Professor Hawkins headed down there just yesterday and I have plans to join him this coming winter."
"Absolutely fascinating! I might have to travel to these runes so I can add another expansion to my duel monsters game. What do you think Dukey-boy sound like a plan?" Pegasus seemed overjoyed.
Duke paused as if considering. "Sure why not maybe we can bring Leon with us, he might be interested in coming. It may also give me some inspiration for some new dungeon dice monsters."
Pegasus grinned. "Ooh. Then it's a date! I'll discuss it with Lil' Leo when we get back from the Duel Academy"
"Look there's the chopper, and there's Mobuka!" Duke yelled as they reached the outside of the town.
Yugi turned his attention ahead of him noticing the slick desert camouflage helicopter. It was the kind of helicopter used for desert rescue or desert warfare. During his time in Egypt Yugi had rode in one twice, both times to get to Egyptian tombs far in the desert. He had also seen them used many times to bring supplies to camps far in the desert. The choppers were faster then caravanning across the desert but far more expensive.
Just outside of the helicopter stood a tall shaggy haired man talking to one of tour guides of the area. He knew this particular tour guide very well, he was Yugi's employer when Yugi, Marik, Odion or Ishizu bought tourist out into the desert for more in-depth few of the tombs around the area. As Yugi looked at the taller man it took a few moments to fully realize who it was. Mobuka had grown to be as tall and lengthy as his older brother with the addition of a goatee, he clearly wasn't the teenager Yugi had seen him last as. He was an adult. Duke pulled up the jeep distracting the two men from their conversation.
"Look who we got Mobuka!" Duke grinned as he turned off the car engine.
"Yugi!" Came the older Mobuka's deep reply.
Mobuka ran up as Yugi stepped out of the jeep. "Geez Mobuka I remember you being a lot shorter"
Mobuka raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the Yugi. "I remember you being a lot taller Yugi."
Both men chuckled for a moment, before Mobuka put his hand on Yugi's shoulder and smiled. "Thanks for coming Yugi. Every one has missed you a lot… It means a lot to me and my brother that you can come back even if it's for a little while for the exhibition."
"Thanks for getting me home Mobuka" Yugi replied.
Mobuka shrugged. "It's something I wanted to do so don't worry about it. We should get going if we're gonna make it in time"
Duke stepped onto the chopper. "Mobuka has a point, everything ready to go?"
Yugi went to the back of the jeep and pulled out his pack. Slipping it onto his back, a noise caught his attention. A flash of black moved and he was only able to catch it out of the corner of his eye. His curiosity peaked Yugi moved towards where he had thought he saw the black thing dash to, a couple of barrels next to a house just on the outskirts of the town.
"Yugi come on!" Mobuka called as he climbed into the chopper.
Yugi looked back at the chopper then towards the barrels again. Nothing moved, so the King of Games racked it up to his mind playing tricks with him. Sighing he turned and headed for the helicopter, waving good bye to the tour guide as he boarded the chopper. Pegasus slid the door close and the chopper took off into the clear desert sky.
The guide got into the jeep and disappeared into the town as a black cat stepped out from the barrels. Its golden eyes staring as the chopper disappeared into the sky. As it stepped out its golden collar reflected the sun's rays back onto the desert before it. Tensing its muscles the cat ran forward into the harsh landscape of the desert.
"My Pharaoh, you don't understand. I must go with you…" A female voice echoed to the wind. An in an instant a small sandstorm flare up around the cat, obscuring it from view. As the stormed faded away the cat was gone…
Alright I hope no one minded my villain, because of her and her sex appeal I bumped the rating up to T. They really never had a female "big bad" really in the show so I thought I'd use one for my fic. Plus, females villains can be a lot more devious then males. I have a idea how the story is going to run now. Question to my readers, does every one want Yami back? I have an idea of how I want to use him it's just not the way ever one else does in their fics.