Three
Yugi woke up to hear a phone ring sharply from down below. He shifted his large violet eyes to his clock and saw it was only 6 am and he wondered who was calling. He frowned when he heard his grandfather answer it. Mr. Muto was always awaking bright and early to start up his shop. That didn't mean phone calls this early wouldn't annoy anyone else in this household.
The young spiky haired boy yawned before he got out of bed. He didn't have school for another two hours and he wanted to sleep for another hour. However, since he was already awake, he might as well get ready. He strolled out of his room and down the steps toward the front where the game store was to see whom his grandfather was talking to.
"Why it's been awhile hasn't it? Yes of course. Yes I did sign up for it," Yugi peeked through the door's glass windows to see his grandfather on the phone, "Of course. I will be sure to be at the airport to pick him up. Yes I will make sure he will be taken care of, Maddie, do not worry a thing," Mr. Muto paused before he laughed and went on, "Don't worry, Jack, I'll be sure to tell him all the great stories we had together in Egypt. Yes. All right then, it was nice talking to you. I'll call you when he arrives safely. Good bye."
"Grandpa, who were you talking to?" Yugi questioned as he walked through the door once his grandfather ended the phone call.
"Just a couple of good friends of mine, Yugi. I did mention them to you didn't I?" Grandpa Muto answered as Yugi frowned.
"Well, you might want to be more specific please." Yugi admitted in embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh of course. Well, back about 20 years ago, a young man by the name of Jack Fenton had read a book I wrote. He and his fiancé Maddie wanted to go with me on one of my journeys to Egypt," Mr. Muto explained with a warm smile, "Both were always fascinated by anything ghost related. We all managed to discover something very exciting despite the dangers. After that, we sometimes exchange calls and hellos from time to time."
"Well that's great. What happened during your time with them in Egypt?" Yugi questioned in curiosity.
"That will have to wait until our guest arrives. He is the son of Jack and Maddie," Solomon answered with a smile at his grandson, "Which is why I want you to help him around the school."
Yugi blinked, "Help him?"
"Of course, my boy. He may need some help since this his first time being away from home. I won't always be around and I have a store to run at the moment. So it would be a good idea for you to show him around here."
Yugi took in what his grandfather said. He had to admit, all this studying for school had made his mind almost pure mush. Having to help someone from America, especially the son of a good friend of his grandfather would help his mind relax. Plus with the Dueling Tournament coming up, Yugi could use something else to do.
"Sure, grandpa, I will help him." Yugi finally answered with a smile.
"That's my boy." Mr. Muto stated as he patted his grandson on the shoulder.
Time went by and at the near the end of the day, at school, Yugi, his friends, and all the student staff were in their own auditorium to hear about who will be lucky enough to get the student exchange program. Yugi and his friends however were busy discussing about the boy who will be living with Yugi for the next month.
"It's weird that he's the son of one of your grandpa's friends. I hope he isn't a brat like Rebecca is." Joey put in while folding his arms and a look of disgust went across the blonde's face.
"I don't think he is. Grandpa said that he's about only a year younger than me. It should be fun to help him around the school." Yugi answered while shrugging.
"Let's hope so." Catzi whispered as she watched the final person be chosen to for the exchange program.
"Don't worry about a thing, Yugi. We'll probably have a party to welcome him." Tea stated with a smile.
"No need for a party, it's just I don't want him to have a first bad impression that's all." Yugi laughed nervously.
The gang then left the building once the meeting in the auditorium was done and started for the game store. Along the way, they all discussed of how to welcome the exchange student. Just as they got to the store, they could see Mr. Muto was watching his small screen TV that was perched on his desk.
"Grandpa, I'm home." Yugi announced as he and his friends walked inside.
"Hello Yugi. And welcome everyone," Grandpa Muto greeted before he turned back to the screen, "I was just watching some interesting news."
"News? What news, gramps?" Joey questioned as he and the others walked over.
Mr. Muto turned up the volume to show a woman named Tiffany Snow state, "It was a close call, but thanks to the heroic efforts of our ghost heroes, Danny Phantom and Carrie Angel, Amity Park and the world is safe once again from evil ghosts. This is Tiffany Snow."
"Danny Phantom? Carrie Angel?" Yugi stated, as he now looked a bit excited as Catzi laughed.
"Oh yeah, those ghost kids. It's been awhile since we heard from them." Joey alleged with a smirk.
"It has, but they are considered just as famous as you, Yugi." Grandpa Muto put in his own thought as his grandson glanced over.
"I know, grandpa. I mean, he and his partner save the world and keep it safe from ghosts. It's just like me and the Pharaoh keeping the world safe," Yugi smiled before adding, "It might be cool if I ever meet the great Danny Phantom."
"Two famous people meeting? It'd be kind of weird wouldn't it?" Tristan questioned with a laugh.
The gang laughed as Yugi merely smiled on. Sure it would be weird, but ever since he heard about the famous ghost boy, Yugi always wondered about meeting him. Apparently this world had a lot of evil to be on the look out, whenever it was in Japan or in North America. Which was why Yugi admired to see a boy that looked about only fourteen take on any evil that came his way all the way in the United States. His thoughts were cut short when his grandfather turned the channel on the TV to something else.
"Hello Domino City, for we have an announcement to make. Ishizu Ishtar, the founder of the Domino City Egypt exhibits has something coming to add to her collection right here," the reporter on the TV screen stated as the gang stared, "She is not here at the moment but I'm sure most of us are very excited to hear on what she has discovered. She states it will be here by this Monday."
"Ishizu eh? Man I haven't heard from her in awhile either." Joey commented as Mr. Muto turned off the TV.
"What do you think she discovered this time?" Tea questioned as the others all simply shrugged at her question.
Yugi blinked as he thought this over. Ishizu stated that she was done searching for anymore of Pharaoh's memories. So why is she still digging? Could it be part of her real life job? The reporter said she discovered something very interesting and was bringing it here. The tri-colored hair boy was bought back to reality when Catzi had her hand on his shoulder.
"Yugi, I was thinking that maybe we should allow the Pharaoh and Queen to talk for the moment. It has been a little while don't you think?" the aqua-haired girl questioned with her light brown eyes telling Yugi that she had an idea.
Yugi slowly nodded before he and Catzi turned to their friends, "Could you guys excuse us for the moment?" he questioned casually as he and the aqua-haired girl started for the exit and along the way, they placed their bags on the floor but well out of the way.
"Where ya both goin'?" Joey questioned as he watched the two walked toward the door.
"We need to get some fresh air. We'll be back before night falls," Yugi answered as he opened the door to allow Catzi out, "Bye!"
Once the two were gone, the remaining group turned to Grandpa Muto, who was chuckling lightly, "Since you all are here, who wants some snacks?" the elder man questioned.
"We do!" Tristan and Joey chorused while Tea rolled her eyes and Emi and Bakura merely smiled on.
Meanwhile, walking down the streets together, instead of it being Yugi and Catzi, it was the nameless Pharaoh and his Queen Bast. As soon as their vessels had left the store, the two ancient rulers had taken over and were walking in silence down the sidewalks while the sun started to set. It was clear that something was going on in the other's mind. Yet neither was sure of how to come up with a conversation. Yami had his fists in his jacket pockets and he had a distant look on his face. He was thinking over about that one memory that came back to him. What did it mean exactly?
"Yami?" a gentle voice brought him away from his wandering thoughts as he glanced over at the speaker, "Catzi told me that Yugi states you are having some troubled thoughts. Is something wrong?" Bast questioned further as concern was etched in her eyes.
Yami paused for the moment and he knew he couldn't keep anything from her. Not to mention it wasn't really troubled memories. It was more of a nuisance since he couldn't figure out what that bundle she was holding in the memory. Besides, it involved her too and she had the right to know. He sighed as both of them stopped near a bridge that overlooked a small yet peaceful river below.
"In a way it does trouble me. But the thoughts are really more of a memory." Yami explained as he leaned over the railing of the bridge and stared out at the late afternoon sun.
"Memory? What memory?" Bast questioned as she leaned beside him, "Do you think you are starting to remember more of your past? Or correction our past?"
Yami's dark violet eyes slowly blinked before he turned them toward Bast, "To be honest, I am not sure. We are close to figuring out of what had happened to us in the past. However, at the moment, this one particular memory has been overshadowing me for a couple of months now."
"What kind of a memory?" his Queen questioned again, "Please tell me."
Yami could see Bast was growing a bit impatient and he didn't blame her. So far he hasn't really helped her in what is really troubling him. Despite both of them having no memory of who they both were in the past, the two have gotten closer and it was at the point that Yami was beginning to probably love her once again like he did back in ancient Egypt. And Bast was persistent when she was concerned about her love ones.
"All right," Yami took a deep breath before he glanced back out at the sun and slowly explained, "This memory I have been having shows us as Pharaoh and Queen. We were standing on a balcony and you were holding something."
Bast blinked at Yami's last words, "I was holding something?" she echoed.
"Yes. It looked like a bundle of some sort. But the memory is a bit too blurry for me to even see what kind of a bundle." Yami replied as he ran his right hand and fingers through his hair.
Bast was silent for the moment before she finally found her voice, "How come I do not remember something like this?"
"I am not sure. I suppose our memories come back in different ways. The only thing I do know is that all of my memories are important to me," Yami turned toward Bast fully and she did the same before he placed his hands on her arms, "Just as you are important to me, Bast. I may not remember everything that happened between us all those years ago, but I know that I will by any means necessary to figure all of it out. And I have already sworn I would protect you along with Yugi and his friends no matter what."
Bast blinked before she closed her eyes, laughed gently and said in amusing voice, "Yami, I have heard you say that months ago after we had just discovered who we were back then thanks to Ishizu. And I have told you that I honestly do not need protecting," she opened her light brown eyes again to stare up into Yami's dark violet ones, "And that I will always be by your side no matter what the outcome of the danger our new quest lied ahead. I am not weak and I can take care of myself, trust me."
Yami had always found himself surprised by how Bast was always confident that she didn't need protecting. There were times that she did seem like she needed his protection. But he can see that she was a strong willed woman who is ready to show anyone by any means necessary that she was not someone anyone was going mess with. She wasn't a strong duelist like him, nevertheless, that didn't stop her from trying. This kind of attitude was a bit of flaw on Bast's part as well since she can go too far of wanting to prove of how tough she was. It was not that Yami had to save her, only a couple of times that he had to, but it was also because of her personality.
Bast was shown to be a mature young lady and unlike Catzi, who let her feelings out through her sleeve, Bast kept more to herself. That however wasn't always the case of course. There have been times even his Queen lost her cool and it was during some trial times like during her duel with Avila that happened not very long ago during the Waking of the Dragons. Avila had stated that Bast was a stupid perfect little weak Queen who hid behind Yami. Not to mention that Yami does not really love Bast at all and that he had used her back in the past. Bast had managed to win the duel, but it seemed that Avila's harsh words have broken the young Queen's heart.
Yami had managed to show that what Avila said wasn't true and that he loved her with all his heart. It was hard to believe all these adventures have only went on for just the past year. The ancient Pharaoh was glad that Yugi was inside his soul room in order to allow Yami and his Queen the privacy they needed at that moment. At that moment, Yami held Bast close to him as the couple stood on the bridge with sun now setting.
"I understand, Bast. But I will still try to protect you." Yami finally stated as he lowered his head to touch Bast's forehead.
"You don't have to." Bast whispered.
Yami merely answered with a gentle kiss to her lips. Smiling, Bast kissed back and the couple stayed in each other's arms for a little while longer. They both wanted to enjoy their company as long as possible. For a moment, Yami forgot about that bothersome memory and his mind was only set on being with the one woman he loved and was destined to be with until the end of time.
By the time it was Sunday night, Danny had most of his bags packed. He was in his room with Carrie, Tucker, and Sam, and he was glancing about to see if he had missed anything. He rubbed his raven colored hair and turned to his friends, who were all perched in different parts of the room.
"Do I have everything?" he questioned as he shifted his icy blue eyes about.
"Do you have your lucky rocket key chain?" Tucker answered as he smirked.
"My lucky rocket key chain?" Danny began to search his own person as Tucker laughed,
"Just kidding dude. I actually think you have everything."
"Tucker's right for once, Danny. As Carrie is so fond of telling us, you better calm down or you may go crazy." Sam laughed gently.
"But you must be excited. Tomorrow you are going to Japan! And probably finally meet the King of Games himself!" Carrie, who was sitting on Danny's bed, stated as she swung her legs out from underneath her.
"I guess. But I am worried of leaving you guys to deal with the ghosts. I mean, after that surprise ghost attack we got Friday, I'm really starting to have second thoughts." Danny admitted as he sat at his desk.
"For the last time, Danny, it was only Skulker and Technus causing the trouble. And if we have any problems, well…" Sam paused before she went on with a weak smile, "We'll think of something. But really, you need this vacation so quit worrying."
Danny rolled his eyes but he knew Sam had a point. He needed this vacation badly. Being a ghost hero wasn't easy and getting away from it would be a nice change of pace. But after the last ghost encounter, would Carrie, Sam, and Tucker even stand a chance? He didn't have time to think that when Jazz came in the room.
"Hey little bro. I bet you are really excited to get to Japan aren't you?" the bright red haired girl stated as she looked excited for her younger brother.
"I guess." Danny managed to state while shrugging; he still hadn't told her the truth of why he was really going.
"Ok good. Then you better get to bed since you have to get up early. I managed to convince mom and dad that as well so no one would be late." Jazz stated business like.
"In that case, we better head homes ourselves," Sam put in as she stood up and made her way to the door, "Night Danny. Come on Carrie and Tucker. We'll have to meet Danny at the airport if you want to say goodbye to him too."
"Oh cool! How are we getting there?" Carrie questioned as she bounced off the bed to follow her Goth friend, "Oh and bye Danny!" she waved as Danny simply smiled and waved back.
"We can either take the limo or you can turn into your ghost form and take Tucker and I over faster." Sam answered as she gave her amber-eyed best friend a look.
Carrie blinked before she got what she was saying, "Oh…got it!" she nodded as Tucker too got up.
"Well then, later dude. Have a good night sleep." The African-American techno boy stated as he followed the girls out of the room.
"Night guys. See you tomorrow." Danny stood up to get ready for bed.
Jazz smiled as she left the room to allow her brother a bit of privacy. That night, the sandman seemed to have deserted Danny for he couldn't even get a wink of sleep. It was due to the fact that he was very excited and that he will finally be on his way to Japan and meeting Yugi Muto. He went over of how he was going to introduce himself for that matter. He sighed as a bunch of events played out in his head and not one was very pretty.
By the time his alarm rang to tell the half ghost boy he had to get up, Danny only managed to get a few hours sleep. He moaned as he got up and started getting ready. Maddie and Jazz had no problem sleeping while Jack had to be dragged out of bed. Luckily, the family all had enough time to eat a quick breakfast and get to the airport.
Danny secretly looked to see if he had his dueling deck and was grateful to see all his cards in place. He had improved over the course of time dueling people over the website. He honestly didn't think he would stand up to Yugi Muto himself but who knew the outcome? On the way, Danny drowned out his father's excited babbling to think over of how well this trip is going to get.
At the airport, Danny was pleasantly surprised to find his friends there already. It was clear Carrie had gone ghost and taken Sam and Tucker. The half ghost boy really hoped his parents wouldn't question on how the trio got at the airport. Luckily both had their minds set on something to even care at the moment. Sam, being a night owl, wasn't too thrilled to be getting up early. Nevertheless, she managed to smile a greeting once the Fenton RV was parked and the Fentons made their way toward the main building.
"You all set?" Tucker questioned with a grin.
"I certainly hope so." Danny sighed as he held his backpack and a suitcase.
Jack was holding his son's other suitcase and he stated as he led the way to the main counter, "Well son, better get you ready for the flight. Start saying good bye because your flight is going to leave real soon." The large man put the suitcase toward the lady behind the counter and began the last minute ticket exchange.
Danny nodded and looked around to see his fellow other students already about to board the plane from the far left of the airport. Sighing, he turned to his friends while gripping his backpack. Carrie had a bright smile on her face although she looked a bit sad to see him go. Sam too looked a bit disheartened of seeing Danny leave. Tucker simply smiled as he had his arms behind his back.
"Well, see you guys in another month." The raven-haired boy stated with a deep sigh.
"Bye, Danny. And I just realized that your birthday is coming up real soon," Carrie suddenly hugged Danny tightly, "I will have your birthday gift ready. So have fun and say hi to Yugi for me."
Danny felt a blush creep up on his cheeks as Carrie hugged him. He hugged her back and rubbed her long brown hair for the moment. He smiled slowly before he had her lean back and gave the half ghost girl a reassuring smile. He can see her cheeks were red as well and he wondered why.
"No problem. I'll be sure to call all the time too. Just keep smiling, Car, and make sure no ghosts take over this city." Danny stated as Carrie gave him a smile.
"You bet." She nodded and hugged him again.
Carrie then moved away to allow Sam to say her goodbye next. The Goth frowned before she too hugged Danny close. He smiled as he heard her state,
"So long, Danny. Don't do anything stupid with your ghost powers. And I hope you have fun over in Japan."
"I will. Thanks, Sam, for not getting really mad over this." Danny answered as Sam leaned back and he was curious as to why she looked red in the face as well.
"You kidding? What kind of a friend would I be if I got mad over you going to Japan?" The violet-eyed girl questioned as she backed up and rubbed her neck.
Danny laughed before he and Tucker exchanged high-fives, "Later dude! We'll still duel over the website right?" the African-American boy questioned with a grin.
"Yeah no problem." Danny nodded as he and Tucker gave each other a quick man hug before an announcement went over the intercom,
"The flight to Domino City, Japan is about to leave. Please all passengers board the plane to take off."
"Come on, son!" Jack stated as he waved to Danny.
"Coming!" he turned back to his friends one more time before he started to make his way to the gate.
He hugged his family before he started to make his way toward the plane. He glanced back at his friends and family, whom all waved before he waved back and he turned to board the plane. He knew he was going to see them all again in about a month. He soon boarded the plane and found a good empty seat away from the other students.
Danny could feel the plane about to take off and the half ghost boy sighed. Now he was on his way to Japan. He smiled as he leaned back against his seat and closed his icy blue eyes. "Domino City, here I come," he whispered.
Meanwhile, in Domino City's own museum, Ishizu Ishtar was instructing her workers to carefully place the new relic she had discovered in the room of the Pharaoh. After some struggling, the new relic was placed and as her workers made their way up the steps, Ishizu placed a red silk curtain over it.
She stood back and sighed, "I know I don't have my Millennium Necklace, but if what I feel is true," she turned and started to make her way to the steps, "Then the Pharaoh will need help from him."
She stopped to glance back at her new discovery one last time before she made her way up to the stairs. Whatever was behind the curtain, it glowed for a second before fading. Clockwork inside his tower watched this event and said to himself,
"That is correct, Ishizu. In due time, this world will need to be saved again."
His portal's image changed from the Domino City's museum to Amity Park's museum that showed Dula Man's relic and it appeared to glow eerily. The time ghost frowned as he watched this happen.
"Very soon…"
