MMMG: Chapter 3 is here!
Yugi: A lot of people are curious about Yami's past, and who the three spirits are.
Yami: I'm curious about my past. MMMG isn't telling anyone what happened to me.
MMMG: I am now. Thanks for the 13 reviews! You guys make me so happy.
Yugi and Yami: MMMG does not own Yugioh or Barbie in a Christmas Carol. Enjoy!
Aqua girl 007: Yeah, that was funny. And no Supreme King from the GX series as Christmas Future. I have someone else in mind.
LuvlyLadyLexi: To my fellow McDonald's lover, yes I have had the Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Yum! But I love the free Wi-Fi more. ;)
Wordsorcereress: Good luck with your performance. Kkwy, I think is pronounced with a hard K-why. Hey don't hurt Yami or send him to the next Millennia, I need him yet. You'll find out why he acts like a jerk this chapter.
Killer-Fangirl: Hee, hee, hee! Yeah, that was funny. And this is the Barbie Movie of 'A Christmas Carol'... don't look at me like that, I've already done 'Barbie in a Mermaid's Tail'... Anyway, thanks for the review.
winged sapphire wolf: Thanks for leaving Yami. And no, his past isn't completely like Scrooge's.
SincereJoyy: Glad you like it. Yeah, Ryou's not brave enough to kiss Bakura. You'll find out who the first spirit is this chapter, and another one should be pretty easy to figure out.
Saiyuki729: You're finding out this chapter.
jgrl68: Yami didn't yell, but he did snap. He was an ass. Reason why in this long chapter.
Sunrise Phoenix: I think you posted this already... anyway, I already have two out of the three spirits figured out. Thanks for the offer though.
Chapter 3: Christmas Past
The bells on the clock chimed at one, but Yami didn't stir. He had fallen into deep sleep. A light brushing rubbed against his cheeks, making him groan.
"Kkwy, it's not morning. Stop it." Yami mumbled as he waved his hand by his face, but the brushing sensation continued. "Kkwy, you're going outside."
Sitting up, Yami rubbed his eyes to wake up. He didn't notice Kkwy still sleeping at the foot of his bed.
"I had the strangest dream last night." Yami groaned.
"Really?" a blond haired girl hovering above his bed said. "I'd love to hear all about it."
Yami hollered in fright and leapt out of his bed. Feeling more awake, Yami took a closer look at the girl. She was dressed in a blue and pink outfit, a hat on her head, a wand in her hand, and knee length boots on her feet.
"Who are you?" Yami asked as he held a hand to his heart.
"I'm Mana, but you probably can tell by my outfit my day job is Dark Magician Girl." Mana giggled. "Around this time of year, I'm the Spirit of Christmas Past. Didn't your Uncle Aknadin tell you I was coming?"
"My… Uncle Aknadin?" Yami asked weakly, part of him realizing it hadn't been a dream at all.
"Oh, you have a kitty!" Mana squealed when she saw Kkwy asleep on the bed.
Mana herself floated, being a magician, raised her wand and used her sparkling magic to lift the cat off the bed. Poor Kkwy woke up and started squealing in fright.
"Ooh, aren't you just the cutest thing?" Mana cooed as she fawned over the cat.
"Is this another nightmare?" Yami asked faintly as he pulled on a robe and slippers.
"No silly." Mana laughed. "I've come to take you to…"
Mana paused and thought, her spell ending and putting Kkwy back down on the bed. Kkwy shook in fright and skedaddled away from the girl, who was now digging through her pockets, as fast as he could.
"Oh, where did I put that music note?" Mana mumbled as she tossed sparkly stars and flowers out of her pocket before triumphantly finding golden music symbols to toss. "Ha-ha! I've come to take you to your boyhood Christmas! What fun!"
"My boyhood?" Yami started to shake his head. "I don't think that's such a good-"
"Toodley-doo, and don't be slow, it's off to your Christmas Past we go!" Mana chirped as she grabbed Yami's hand and dragged him forward.
Swirling her wand, Mana made a large magical golden portal in the middle of the room. Yami stared at it apprehensively. He didn't want to remember his past Christmases.
"Off we go then." Mana grinned and waved her wand over Yami.
Yami yelped in fright as his feet left the ground and he hovered next to the hyper female. Kkwy meowed in fright and grabbed the heels of Yami's slippers with his paws, pulling him back down the ground.
"Kkwy?" Yami asked, understanding as the cat yowled in fright.
"Oh, the kitty-witty is afraid we're not going to take him." Mana cooed and waved her wand over Kkwy. "Come on kitty-witty, it's okay. Just hold on."
Kkwy floated up until he was level with Yami's chest, meowing in fright.
"I don't think that's what he-" Yami tried to say as he quickly grabbed Kkwy and held him close.
Mana grinned and grabbed Yami's wrist and pulled him into the portal. Once they had entered, the entrance disappeared from Yami's bedroom.
Inside the portal was a large golden tunnel. It had lots of light and swirly patterns floating around the ones traveling through.
"Okay, so I didn't want to say anything at first, but I have to tell you I'm a huge fan of yours!" Mana giggled as she let go of Yami's hand and floated in front of him. "Maybe the hugest. And I just love your voice, especially when you sing Christmas Carols."
Under any other circumstances, Yami would have snapped at the girl. But he wasn't used to floating around in some strange tunnel of light that was to lead to his 'Boyhood Christmas'.
"Oh I was like… I mean… It was like…" Mana stammered until she came up with something worthy. "Heavenly chimes! That's it. And it's such an honor to… Oh! I'm sorry. Is it odd for you that I'm such a huge fan?"
"That's not the part that's odd for me." Yami replied with another glance at the golden tunnel of light.
"Hold on." Mana chirped as she grabbed Yami's wrist again.
"What?" Yami asked with a frown. "Why?"
Mana didn't reply, but the speed of the travelers in the tunnel was significantly increased. Yami found he was screaming and stopped as the tunnel turned white. The light faded to reveal a dull grey house with two ten year old boys, one with tan skin and the other pale skin, sitting a table with a lunch of some cooked potatoes and a slice of bread on their plates.
"Oh, something's not right." Mana mused as she glanced around the weary room and smacked her wand in the palm of her hand. "We were supposed to get here at Christmas. Oh, I must have miscalibrated. No wonder I'm still an apprentice and not a master magician."
"No, this is right." Yami sighed wearily.
"It is?" Mana asked. "But it can't be. There are two of you!"
"The tan one is my twin brother, Atemu." Yami explained.
"Okay, but there's no tree, no stockings, no presents, no decorations…" Mana gasped as she realized this was the reality of Yami's Christmas past. "Oh, you poor thing."
Kkwy climbed up onto the table, intending to get a bit of what meager food there was. But when he leaped onto the plate, he slid right through it, and the food. Falling onto the floor, Kkwy picked himself up in confusion.
"Oh, poor little kitty-witty went BOOM!" Mana cooed as she picked Kkwy up. "Did you get a boo-boo? You know we can't eat or even touch food when we travel to other times, kitty-witty bear? And no one can see us or hear us when we talk, okay?"
Yami walked in front of his younger self and waved his hand in front of the boy's face. No reaction. From his younger self, or his brother.
"Boys." Uncle Aknadin's voice came.
Yami turned to the door with a terrified look on his face. The younger Yami and his twin Atemu quickly ate the potatoes and bread on their plates as Aknadin rounded the corner to the dining room.
"We're all done Uncle Aknadin." Young Atemu said as both put down their utensils.
"Can we go over the Mouto's house?" Young Yami asked hopefully.
"Of course not." Aknadin replied stiffly as he cleared their plates from the table. "After dinner, we rehearse."
"We know." Young Atemu nodded. "But we hoped that maybe we could make an exception today, because it's Christmas."
"They all said they'd really love to see us there." Young Yami explained. "Yugi and Heba even said it would make their Christmas."
"Make their Christmas?" Aknadin repeated. "Make their Christmas? What about your Christmas? More importantly, what about your future? You both want to be stars, don't you?"
"We do, but-" Young Yami tried to reason.
"More than anything else in the world?" Aknadin pressed.
"Yes, but…" Young Atemu tried to explain.
"Then what the Mouto Twins and the rest of their family want doesn't matter." Aknadin silenced them. "What do I always tell you two?"
"In a selfish world, the selfish succeed." Young Yami and Atemu replied in monotone.
"That's right." Aknadin replied firmly. "And if you both want to succeed, you must use every second of your time selfishly."
"Yes Uncle Aknadin." Young Yami and Atemu replied in unison.
"Good choice, I'm proud of you." Aknadin nodded nicely before turning harsh. "Now go work your scales until dinner is ready."
The twins got up from the table and looked out the window to the Mouto house. It looked happy and merry with all the décor and lights. Sighing, they turned to their room. They practiced their scales for over an hour, Yami playing the piano.
"Okay, I know it's devastatingly sad, with this how your celebrating Christmas." Mana held it together for about half a second before bursting out into giggles. "But I can't even tell you what a thrill it is to hear Yami Sennen, the early years. I mean, am I lucky or what?"
Young Yami stopped playing on the piano and glanced over at the door.
"Wait, why'd you stop?" Mana asked in confusion.
"You'll see." Yami replied with a soft, genuine smile.
Young Atemu cracked open the door and grinned before nodding at Young Yami. Aknadin was out cold and snoring in his chair. Shutting the door, the two quickly grabbed their scarves and glove before climbing out their window.
Mana pulled Yami, who was holding Kkwy again, after the twin boys. The passed through the wall like it wasn't there, and floated after the twins. The boys got on a sled, and slid down the hill that lead to the Mouto home, whooping and laughing softly as they went.
"This is so much fun!" Mana giggled as they followed. "Did you do this all the time?"
"As often as we could." Yami replied lightly, still smiling.
The momentum of the ride carried the boys up to a snowman near the front steps. They quickly got of the sled and ran up to the front door. Young Atemu knocked, and the door was open by two ten year old amethyst eyed boys, one with tan skin and the other pale skin.
"Yami!" young Yugi squealed as he hugged his friend.
"Atemu!" Young Heba squealed at the same time as he hugged Atemu. "We're so glad you made it!"
The four entered and the door shut. Still outside, Yami was looking at the building with a look of awe on his face.
"I can't believe I'm back here." Yami sighed happily. "This was my favoritest place in the world. I remember…"
Yami yelped in shock as he found himself half in, half out of the house. He had fallen through the wall and stared as he realized his legs were outside and his chest was inside.
"Did I forget to mention we floated through walls?" Mana asked with a sheepish giggle as she scanned the people in the room. "Oopsie."
Many people were there, but only three were the Mouto's. Yugi, Heba, and their Grandfather, Solomon. Their parents had died from a sickness when they were babies, so Solomon raised the twins.
The other people there didn't really have much for a family. A blond haired boy with hazel eyes, Joey, age 10, and an auburn haired girl with grey eyes, Serenity, age 8, sat together. They were brother and sister, but their father was drunk a lot of the time, forcing their mother to work long hours to provide for her family.
A boy with brown hair and icy blue eyes held a young boy with black hair and grey eyes. Seto, age 10, and Mokuba, age 5, had lost their mother after she had given birth to Mokuba, and their father ran off with all the money he had about 3 years ago. The two were raised in an orphanage until a man with the last name of Kaiba adopted them, but he was very abusive and hard driven.
The remaining were the Ishtar's and a family friend. Ishizu, age 15, Odion, age 19, and Malik, age 10, had actually run away from Egypt to keep Malik safe from their father. Their family friend, a boy Malik's age named Marik Tishra, had met them on the road and insisted they come back to his house. The Tishra's had been more than happy to house the family.
Yami rolled his eyes and picked himself up off the floor. He looked around to see it was just as he remembered it. Inhaling, he followed Mana into the main sitting room.
"Gingerbread." Yami sighed as he opened his eyes, which had shut while he breathed in the scents. "It's wonderful, isn't it?"
"Oh, look, there you are!" Mana pointed across the room to where the two sets of twins were by the fireplace.
"You put up our stockings!" Young Yami exclaimed.
"They always did." Yami sighed happily.
"We always do." Young Yugi replied with a giggle.
"And have you noticed the pile of presents under the tree?" Heba asked as they went over. "I think even separately you two have more presents than us or baby Mokuba this year."
"No Joey, it's just for Yami and Atemu to taste." Grandpa Solomon Mouto scolded Joey.
The old man held a bowl of cookie batter and two spoons. The twins took the spoon and tasted the batter.
"Snickerdoodles!" both exclaimed.
"Your favorite cookie." Solomon replied. "And that makes you two experts. Now, what do you think?"
"Best I've ever tried." Young Atemu replied, see that Young Yami was trying to lick ever last bit of Snickerdoodle batter of his spoon.
"Kiss-up." Heba whispered, provoking giggles from the four.
A young Silver Fang puppy walked by, and started barking at Kkwy, who immediately leapt into Yami's arms.
"I thought you said they couldn't see us." Yami glanced at Mana as he rearranged Kkwy in his hold.
"People can't, animals are more sensitive." Mana explained.
"Tamim, stop, there's nothing there." Solomon scolded the pup. "No more barking at shadows, or we'll have to put you outside."
Tamim whimpered and tried to explain, but no one understood the puppy talk. Gaining a sneaky look for a cat, Kkwy hopped out of Yami's arms and hissed at Tamim. Unable to ignore his instincts, Tamim growled back.
"Tamim, no." Solomon firmly rebuked the dog.
Kkwy hissed again, making Tamim growl softly, but Yami's attention was on his younger self.
"Here." Young Yugi picked up a couple of boxes and gave them to Young Yami as they sat by the tree, Young Heba doing the same for Young Atemu. "We can't wait any more. These are from us."
Younger Yami and Atemu eagerly tore off the wrapping on one box to reveal snow globes, a new invention back in the day.
Both boys turned the key on the side. Young Yami's began to play 'O Christmas Tree' and Young Atemu's played 'Deck the Halls'.
"Because you sing those songs so beautifully, it made us think of you." Young Heba explained with a small smile.
"Oh, there wonderful." Young Atemu grinned as he looked inside at three figures that were now dancing in a city.
"Now the other one." Young Yugi grinned.
Yami smiled as he recalled the second gift. The boxes had pull off lids on it, so opening it was very easy. Young Yami and Atemu gasped when they saw the contents.
"A kitten!" Young Yami exclaimed when he saw his baby Black Cat with White Tail.
"How wonderful." Young Atemu smiled as he picked his up kitten, which was a White Cat with Black Tail*.
Both kittens blinked curiously at the people holding them. Young Yami's kitten had a crimson ribbon around his neck, while Young Atemu's had a golden ribbon.
"We know you both have wanted a pet, but your uncle wouldn't allow it." Young Yugi smiled as the twins cuddled the baby cats.
"You changed his mind?" Young Yami asked.
"No." Young Heba shook his head. "They're going to live here, but they're officially yours. You just have to come over and help take care of them."
"The last time we said that we wanted a pet was back in June." Young Atemu mused.
"And if you weren't here, they were pleading with me to help them get you both a pet of your own." Solomon chuckled as Young Yugi and Heba blushed.
"We love them so much." Young Atemu smiled. "Thank you."
"But we couldn't bring a gift for either of you or your family." Young Yami looked distressed at the thought.
"Are you kidding?" Young Heba giggled.
"Both of you are here, and that's enough." Young Yugi smiled.
Yami watched as the little kitten he was holding bat at his bangs, and couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping his lips.
"You little rascal!" Young Yami giggled as he reposition the kitten in his arms. "I think I'm going to call you Kkwy."
"I'm calling mine Akhu**." Young Atemu added as he stroked the baby cat's back and turned back to the Mouto Twins. "We really like them."
"We know." Young Heba smiled.
"Come on." Young Yugi giggled and led Yami out of the room. "Before Tamim starts barking at the little kitties."
But Tamim was more focused on the grown Kkwy, who was interested in the turkey on the table. Tamim growled before beginning to bark at the cat.
"Tamim." Solomon scolded and ushered the pup outside. "That's it, until you can behave yourself, out."
Tamim huffed and watched through the window as Tamim tried to eat the bird, but couldn't. Kkwy felt his ears droop as he remembered Mana telling him you can't eat food when you travel to other times.
"Okay everyone, gather round!" Young Heba called as he peered around a corner. "It's time for the show!"
"Oh, a show!" Mana giggled and dragged Yami to where they could watch. "Come on!"
"It's not like a real show." Yami said as he waved a hand dismissively. "It's just a little thing we did every year."
Young Yami, Yugi, Atemu, and Heba entered the room. While they were gone, they had changed their clothes into something more festive. Each wore red shirts trimmed with gold, green, and white, and wore black pants with black shoes.
"Oh, those outfits are stunning." Ishizu sighed as she sat down with her brothers.
"I know, Heba and Yugi had been working on them since June." Solomon chuckled. "Got quite a few fingers pricked with the needles, but it was worth it. And Atemu and Yami have been planning the arrangement and choreography just as long."
"So it's, 'Just a little thing'?" Mana giggled.
"Fine, so it was a big thing." Yami conceded. "But it's still just kids' stuff."
"And now, presenting…" Young Heba started to introduce.
"From Heba and Yugi Mouto…" Young Yugi picked up.
"And from Yami and Atemu Sennen…" Young Atemu grinned.
"The future toast of London…" Young Yami grinned as well.
"The greatest Christmas Pageant ever!" all four grinned and the audience clapped.
The piano in the room was played by Serenity. The boys moved back and forth with the beat as they sang and danced.
Young Yami: Jolly old Saint Nicholas, lean your ear this way.
Young Atemu: Don't you tell a single soul what I'm going to say.
Young Yugi: Christmas Eve is coming soon, now you dear old man.
Young Heba: Whisper what you'll bring to me, tell me if you can.
Yami couldn't help smiling as he watched the performance. It had been fun.
Young Yami: When the clock is striking 12, when I'm fast asleep.
Young Atemu: Down the chimney, broad and black, with your pack you'll creep.
Young Yugi: All the stockings you will find hanging in a row.
Young Heba: Mokuba's is the shortest one, you'll be sure to know.
Giggles came from the children as Mokuba blushed at being mentioned.
Young Heba and Yugi: Atemu and Yami want singing books.
Young Atemu and Yami: Heba and Yugi want some vests.
All: Joey needs a brand new bib, because he makes a mess!
"Hey!" Joey turned bright red at the indication, everyone else roared in laughter.
All: Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest.
Choose for me dear Santa Clause… what you think is best!
Jolly old Saint Nick
The two sets of twins bowed as everyone applauded, even Joey.
"And you said you didn't bring gifts for anyone!" Mana laughed as she gave Yami a punch on the arm.
"But I didn't." Yami reminded her as he gestured towards the tree.
"Your talent, yours and your brothers." Mana gestured to the crowd of people taking with the young performers. "Look how happy it made everyone."
"I guess it did." Yami realized as he watched the interaction. "I never really thought of it that way. Performing has always been about work and being a star. Except then."
Loud banging on the door made several people jump, but Yami's face turned to one of absolute horror.
"I'll get it." Odion went to get the door.
"Take me home." Yami told Mana as he picked up Kkwy. "Now."
"But why?" Mana asked in confusion. "We're having so much fun."
The banging on the door continued and got louder.
"Now." Yami begged as he watched Odion open the door.
"Where are those boys?" Aknadin demanded angrily as he stormed into the house.
Young Yami and Atemu gasped in fear when they saw their uncle inside. They were in big trouble.
Mana realized why Yami had begged to be taken home and quickly activated her wand to make a portal. Coming back to Yami's room, Yami sat on his bed with a heavy sigh.
"I didn't realize." Mana muttered softly as she sat cross legged in midair. "I should have left when you told me to. I had no idea."
"He ruined the whole holiday." Yami replied with a cracked voice. "He stood there screaming for what seemed like forever. At me and Atemu, at Yugi and Heba, at Grandpa Solomon, at everyone. Oh, it was horrible…
"But Grandpa Solomon wouldn't stand for it." Yami let out a small smile. "He chased Uncle Aknadin out of the house with a broom, threatening to call the police if he didn't leave us alone for the holiday."
"That's a good man." Mana smiled, but Yami drooped again.
"But after we got home the next day, Uncle Aknadin dragged us down into the basement and whipped us until we passed out." Yami pursed his lips and clenched his hands in his laps to keep himself from touching the scars. "He never left us alone for a second after that. That Christmas was our last one there. Atemu couldn't take it and ran away after we turned 12, and Heba went with him."
"I'm so sorry." Mana said as he placed one of her hands on top of Yami's.
"Don't be." Yami snapped as he pulled away and stood up. "Uncle Aknadin was right to use the extra force. I wasted time doing those silly Christmas pageants. After that, I concentrated on myself. And do you know what happened? I made my Covent Garden debut at 13. 13!"
Mana looked at Yami sadly, knowing when he made his debut, but not the sad history.
"Don't you have some place to go?" Yami scoffed as he got back in bed. "You're not even real anyway. I'm sure I'm just dreaming all of this. When I go back to bed, you'll be gone."
Mana sadly looked at the abused man under the covers, but waved her wand without a word, and vanished from the room.
"Mana?" Yami asked as he sat back up and looked around to see no one. "See? It was a dream. Nothing happened."
Lying back down, Yami pushed away the memories of Christmas past and what had happened the following day. He really needed to lay off the coffee at bedtime.
*Not a real Duel Monster, just switched the coloring on Black Cat with White Tail
**Egyptian word for Light
MMMG: End chapter!
Malik: Okay people, MMMG needs your help. Originally, she planned to have Mahad/Dark Magician as Christmas Present. But after rewatching that part of the movie, Christmas Present is way to jolly, it was decided Mahad would be a better Christmas Future. We need your help to decide who Christmas Present would be.
Ryou: Try to keep it in the Duel Monsters Magician/Spellcaster Family please.
Marik: She can't figure out her own characters? Lame.
Bakura: Please review while we torment this pathetic writer for not being able to write a good story.
MMMG: I can still write you out Bakura. And Marik, we could never see you again after this chapter.
Marik and Bakura: NO!