CHAPTER 12
"Dentech City's Dragon Warriors"

Megaman shivered slightly.

"You need to rest." Lan said.

Lan gasped sensing something, then suddenly felt like he'd pass out.

"Lan!" Megaman cried as he moved over.

Soon the same feeling came over Megaman. Lan passed on landed on the floor.

"La-..." Megaman gasped out as he fell to the floor.

He managed to summon EMS before blacking out. A figure appeared over the unconscious duo with a familer power serging around him. The trio disappeared before EMS arrived and Megaman awoke about an hour later clamped to a wall the sound of chains moving was heard in a distent corner Lan wasn't in the room.

"W-What the-?" Megaman asked himself as he tried to free himself.

M-M-Megaman. Came a weak mental baratone voice.

\L-Lan?\

Mega...man...Yugi he...

\W-Where are we?\

The man in the corner moved in to the light.

\Y-Yami... last I remember, Lan and were in a landmark, but we passed out...\

Yugi...he wasn't able...to handle loosing another family member and his mind...sorta snapped.

\Lan ended up in the US, being reunited with the couple who helped him get through the cancer when was little.\

Yami looked a way.

Yugi he's...

Yami was cut off by a pain filled scream.

\Lan!\

He's been screaming like that for about an hour.

"I-If I could j-j-just get loose." Megaman whispered hoarsely.

Soon Yugi dragged Lan in and chained him to the wall.

"Y-YUGI S-SNAP O-OUT OF I-IT!" Megaman yelled.

"SHUT UP!" Yugi shouted.

:M-M-Mega...m-man d-d-don't.:

The spot on Megaman's chest where his crest would be began to pulse and he couldn't control it. Yami shook his head knowing what was about to happen.

\C-C-Can't c-c-control...\

The fever had returned and was growing worse. Yami knew that if any of them used shadow magic in the binding they were in it would cause great pain. Lan watched helplessly. Megaman let out blood-curdling scream due to his bonds when his powers were released. Lan and Yami winced. Megaman gasped out as he tried to catch his breath after the shock he'd received. His head was down and he dripped with sweat. Lan was chained worse the Yami...he couldn't move.

#Lan...he doesn't look well.#

+He is sick. He was before we were kidnapped.+

Yami had noticed that the younger hikari looked pale, but he didn't know all of the details. Megaman stayed as he was. He didn't have the strength to put up much of a fight. Yugi approached his yami and grabbed him unchaining him and dragging him towards the door. Megaman watched weakly as his cousins left the chamber.

:Y-Y-You O-O-Ok:

I-I-I d-d-don't know.

Megaman knocked his boot on the wall. The action had activated a hidden tracer in case of trouble. It would call in the local law enforcement. A week later the cops were getting close to the tracer though Yugi had moved Lan out of the chamber a week before right after he brought Yami back and pain filled screams had been heard everyday. But, they hadn't been heard in 2 days.

#H-Hope they're tracing...#

A cop barged into the room and gasped a moment and called for back up and tried to get the two freed.

Are you sure you're ok?

"I-I-I don't know." Came a very hoarse whisper.

Finally the cop got the duo freed.

"I'm an agent w-" Megaman tried to tell the officer.

"He's with the Net-police." Yami said trying to stand.

"Here on assign-" Megaman said as he pulled his badge.

A voice came over the cops radio calling an ambulance. Megaman felt as he'd be falling apart.

/Yami.../ Came a wispear.

-Aibou, why?-

/I'm sorry.../

A tear slid down the navi's cheek.

/I don't know what happened./

-Lan's been here in the states since he vanished.-

/I-I-I found him 2 days ago...in a room near mine and moved him to my bed there was dried up blood on him and I.../

-He was cared for by the ones who were there when he's a child.-

/Yami...Lan's sick./

-Megaman is as well.-

/What happened? Please tell me./

-I don't know all the details...ask Megaman.-

/I mean to me./

-I don't know, you began to change after Lan disappeared.-

/I hurt you didn't I/

-Yes...-

/I'm sorry./

-I know.-

Yami worried for the netnavi.

/Yami...I.../

-Yes?-

/I think I may need some help./

-I know...where's Lan?-

A loud sneeze echoed.

/My bed./

-He's getting worse.-

/Who/

-Megaman's ill.-

A fit of coughs could be heard echoing through the halls.

/Uh oh./

A cop walked into Yugi's room and handcuffed the light and started to pull him towards the hall.

/Lan has a bad fever I think it's an infection and the cops just handcuffed me./

-You got face it.-

/They'll think I was sane when I did all this./

-You didn't...-

/Huh/

-I doubt you knew what you were doing.-

/They'll think I did./

-You need to tell them that Megaman needs help...-

/Megaman needs help./

-He's been sick...-

"Megaman needs help, he's sick." Yugi said.

"What are you talking about?" asked a cop.

"The navi in the other room." YUgi said.

"Better have someone look in on that fellow who called us in." The officer told another.

The paramedics came in a moved Lan on to a streacher. SAPD had been made aware of a net-saver was in town on a big case.

"That one of the people who were held." A young cop said.

"It's like waking up from a nightmare." Yugi mumbled.

-I know...-

One of the cops was helping Yami out.

"The net-saver's the one wearing blue." Yami said.

Yugi glanced at Yami and looked away. Yami didn't see the glance.

"Let's move it, pal." One cop said to the one holding Yugi's arms.

"DID YOU NOT HEAR ME! THE ONE WHO CALLED YOU NEEDS HELP!" Yami shouted.

"I heard you but, my partner also needs to get the perp in the backseat." The cop said.

Yami nodded sadly. The former pharaoh had no idea of the extend of the charges that were against his light. The cop helping Yami called for help for Megaman as his partner threw Yugi into the backseat. Yami looked sadly at his brother. The cop read Yugi his rights. The exteremly ill net-op sensed how sick his hikari was and this worried him. He wouldn't be surprised if Megaman sensed how sick he was as well but, he wouldn't try to help. Megaman was shivering again, even in the Texas heat, sensed that his brother was in no better shape than he was. But, he wished that he could help. About a week later Lan was still very sick and they brought Yugi on trial. They read the charges against Yugi. They included 3 charges of kidnapping and torture.

/This is very bad. The charges carries 15 years of prisionment each. That means that if they find me guiltly I could be in prison for 45 years./

'I should never taken this case' Megaman thought as he sat through the trial.

The net-saver wouldn't have been surprised if Yami came after him.

"Tea must hate me..." he whispered.

Soon the jury was convinced that Yugi wasn't sane at the time of the crime. So they found him not guilty. Megaman sighed weakly in relief for he was still under the weather. Yugi sighed and looked at Megaman and Yami with an apologict look. Megaman's eyes gave off a weary look, his cold had not let up. He didn't know if Yugi had realized that he had become ill at all. Yami gave a weak smile. The Blue Bomber had to attend the trial since he was the lead investigator to start with. Yugi ran to his brother and hugged it. Yami hugged him back. A loud sneeze let out. Yugi looked at Megaman.

"I'm sorry." Yugi said softly.

"It's ok, you weren't thinking straight." Megaman said.

&Been sick since me and Lan were pitted against eachother.&

Bro...not guiltly.

:Good...:

"wasn't your fault, hear me?" Megaman asked his fellow light.

The net-saver kept feeling that this case wasn't closed yet. That there was someone far more evil who had been pulling the strings all along. Yugi nodded slowly.

"How's Lan?" Yugi asked.

"Still in the hospital" Megaman said with an on-coming sneeze.

"Is he starting to get better yet?" Yugi asked.

"Well, wanna see for your self?" Megaman asked as he pressed a button on his watch, changing to more casualwear.

Yugi nods.

"But, first I wanna change out of this orange jumpsuit they made me wear." Yugi said.

The pair nodded in agreement. Megaman hope that Yugi wouldn't question on how he caught something that normally affected humans. Yugi looks at his brother.

"Do you have a hotel room here?" Yugi asked.

Yami nodded. And the three left for The Marriott Hotel. Megaman had been footing the bill.

/Yami...think I could.../

Yami pulled a fresh outfit from his bag and handed to his brother. Yugi smiles and goes to change. A sneeze and groan were heard.

"Argh, hate this!" Came a complaint.

Yugi smiled at his cousin pulling down his shirt as he walked out. Megaman gave a weak smile, sensing that he'd be asked of how he became ill.

"Hey, Megaman I've been curious...how could a navi get a cold?" Yugi asked.

"I-I've been asking myself that...I fought Lan a top one of the city's landmarks, a tower...it was raining. I had discarding my helmet and my upperbody gear." Megaman started.

"I see." Yugi said.

"After knocking my brother out, I carried him back in the storm to the home of a couple and well..." The navi continued.

Yugi nods.

"And got sick. Uh I noticed that..." Yugi started.

"Better ask him about it..." Megaman said, a hint of guilt could be heard in his voice.

He still hadn't forgiven himself.

/Did you sense the change just now/

-Meaning megaman? He's hiding...-

/But, what/

-He never told me.-

"Let's get to the hospital." Yugi said.

Megaman's body began to shake in his self-anger. He ran out of the hotel, summoning his ride. He sped off. This time ending up at the city zoo. He needed to be alone.

"MEGAMAN, WAIT!" Yami shouted.

Yugi sighed. Yami looked at his brother with worry.

"c'mon... maybe Lan can explain" He said as he headed out the door to see their cousin.

Yugi followed. It didn't take for the pair to reach their cousin at Methodist Hospital. Yami popped his head into the room.

"Look who I got." Yami teased.

Lan weakly tried to sit up. Yami went over and helped his fellow dark. Yugi walked in. Lan smiled at Yugi. Yami smiled softly at his cousin. Lan tried to stand but, his legs caved in on him.

"Take it easy..." Yami said.

Lan sat there to weak to get up. The pharaoh kept wondering of a certain light was not in the best of health.

"You're probably wondering about my arm among other things." Lan said.

"That and hoping that a certain someone's alright" Yami said.

Lan told his cousins what happened.

"Why that-" Yami growled.

"I've already forgiven him." Lan said.

"Doesn't appear that he has..." Yami said softly.

Lan nodded.

"It's possible the compined power of you, Yugi and Megaman could fix it...but, with how Megaman is right now I..." Lan started.

"Yugi..." Yami started.

Yugi looks at Yami.

"He might talk to you..." Yami said.

Yugi nods and runs off to find Megaman. Lan was trying to get off the floor.

"Here." Yami said, helping Lan back onto the bed.

+Thanks.+

Yami nodded. Meanwhile Megaman was wandering the zoo, looking at the different animals. And suddenly his fellow light ran up. Megaman looked at him, his eyes gave away how bad he felt both emotionally and physically.

"You think you feel bad. At least you didn't torture your yami for 5 years." Yugi said.

"Yugi, Lan...lived here for those years..." Megaman said, knowing what Yugi had said.

"He thinks that you, me and Yami could fix it." Yugi said.

"But-..." Megaman said confused.

"He thinks maybe our compined shadow magic could do it." Yugi said.

"I tried twice..." Megaman started.

"We might have enough together to do it." Yugi said.

Megaman nodded, but became dizzy when he tried to stand. Yugi helped Megaman up.

"Thanks." He said softly.

"Come on...I'm sure Lan is worried." Yugi said.

Megaman rolled his eyes, grumbling that he hated being the middle child. Yugi smiled.

"WHAT!" The navi shouted hoarsly.

"Oh, nothing." Yugi said.

Megaman growled as he summoned his bike and tossed Yugi a helmet. Yugi put it on and got on. Megaman revved up and the two took off back to where two darks were waiting. Yugi didn't know why but, he had a headache. A soft glow came and encircled the elder light. Yugi blinked and looked at Megaman. Megaman just glanced over his shoulder for a second as he kept his eyes on the road. Megaman pulled into the hospital parking lot, sensing that something was amiss. When they stopped Yugi ran into the hospital. Suddenly his entire right side including his face went numb, he felt very confused, and couldn't speak he was suddenly having trouble seeing, and couldn't walk, was dizzy, had a loss of balance and coordination and fell to the floor and the headache returned. Megaman ran to his fellow light's side.

"YUGI, CAN YOU HEAR ME! I NEED SOME HELP HERE!" Megaman shouted.

Lan gasped and looked at Yami.

:I-I think I know what's wrong.:

Megaman realized a little late. The doctors rushed over and checked Yugi's eyes.

"Left side egul and respondsive." The doctor said flashing the light in Yugi's eyes.

Megaman stayed out of the way. Lan rested a hand on Yami's shoulder.

Yami...it's Yugi...+

#Something's wrong...#

The doctor checked Yugi's right eye.

I think he's had a stroke.+

Yami gasped wishing that Lan was wrong.

"Right side is devated to the right." The doctor said.

Megaman cringed, hearing the doctor and remembered the strokes his brother had suffered. The doctor ordered a CT. Then he ordered an MRI. That's when the 'visiting offical' started pacing. They ordered an EKG and CBC, Blood sugar, Eletrolytes and prothrombim time, to tell them how long it would take Yugi's blood to clot. Megaman was pacing so much that a groove in the floor was forming. The doctor ordered the meds and walked over to Megaman. The navi looked at him.

"He's had a stroke." The doctor said.

"I-I-I see" Megaman said, hoping that the doctor wouldn't notice.

"Is there any family history?" The doctor had a bit of a resiblence to Dr. Budd.

"Well my older brother had two" Megaman said, rubbing at his throat.

"I see." The doctor said.

"My name is Dr. John Budd." He introduced himself.

"did you say Budd?" Megaman asked.

The doctor nodded.

"Five years ago my older brother was treated for cancer, the doctor had the same last name" The navi said, still rubbing.

"Do you remember her first?" John asked.

The doctor had order t-Pa for Yugi and, asprin and an anticloter the next day. They also gave Yugi something for high blood pressure.

"It's been a while." the Blue-Bomber said after thinking for a second.

"My sister is a doctor to and she's praticing abroad." Dr. John Budd.

"The one I knew was of the onclogy department in my hometown" Megaman said.

"Does Kitty Budd ring a bell?" The doctor asked.

"Yeah..." Megaman said as he felt a sneeze.

"That's my little sister." The doctor said.

"ACHOO!" Megaman exclaimed with a jump.

"S-Sorry." The navi gasped out.

He smiled.

"Been with a cold for more than a week." Megaman said.

"I see." The doctor said.

"And it's my first..." Megaman whispered.

"I see." The doctor said.

"You see, I'm actually a net-saver navi from Dentech City" Megaman explained.

"But, you look..." The doctor started.

Megaman brandished the device that Lan made for him, pressing a button. His normal attire came forth. The doctor smiled.

"Who made that?" He asked out of curiousty.

"My older brother... Lan Hikari" Megaman said.

"I see." The doctor said.

Yami, I'm pretty sure I'm right about this.+

Yami nodded. Soon a doctor walked in and confirmed Lan suspisions. Yami looked away.

"He should be fine." The doctor said.

Yami nodded, looking at the man.

"It may take a while." The doctor added.

"It took me about a year to fully regain my mobilety." Lan said.

"But it may be different for my aibou" Yami said softly.

"It maybe be more time and it maybe less." Lan said.

Yami nodded at his cousin.

"He can't talk right now but, he was trying to ask for someone..." The doctor said.

"Who?" asked Yami.

+Probably you.+

#Megaman's still under...#

"Can I see him?" Yami asked.

The doctor nodded. Yami went to his twin. Yugi slowly looked at Yami his entire right side was paralized the right side of his face is sagging.

"Aibou?" Yami whispered as he went to his light's bedside.

Yugi reached for Yami's hand with his left hand. Yami took hold gently.

/Y-Y-Yami.../

-Shh, it's alright.-

/W-W-What h-h-happened/

-You had a stroke.-

/R-R-Really/

-Your entire right side is paralyzed.-

/D-d-did t-t-they s-say i-if I-I'd b-be o-ok/

-He said you'd be fine.-

/G-G-Good./

A loud sneeze with a groan was heard.

"Still not over it." Yami whispered

ABOUT ANOTHER WEEK LATER

They released Lan with some medicine and they transfered Yugi to Domino. Megaman was getting nagged at by Roll for catching a human illness.

"I can't believe you..." Roll started a bit angery.

"Not like I could help it..." Megaman said.

"Why in god's name did you even take them off?" Roll asked trying to calm down.

"You know how I fight... would've been wieghed down when we were on that tower." Megaman stated.

Roll sighed. Megaman rubbed his shoulders at his latest scars. They were from his forced conflict with Lan. They had started physcial therby.

"It's not like I could turn my back..." The Blue-Bomber whispered.

He still felt like his mission of the last five years still wasn't finished.

"If you swear that you'll make sure he takes his medicine everyday...we'll release him." The doctor said.

"I'll make sure." Yami siad.

The doctor nodded.

"Make an appointment for another session next week." The doctor said.

Yami nodded as he helped his brother. He of course had to use the wheelchair to get his brother around.

Been playing keep away fom Roll.

Yami smiled at his brother.

:Keeping what away:

I'm just keeping a distance.

:Oh.:

She's been pissed about my cold.

:Maylu is pissed about my being sick too.:

That femme really let me have it

:I didn't tell her how I lost my...I figure it would only make thing's worse.:

Yeah? Well Roll can't understand why I took off my uppersuit.

:Hey, have ya seen my pills:

Megaman waved a bottle or two in his hand. Lan smiled softly and walked over to Megaman.

Looking for these?

:Yes.:

Megaman kept hoping that he was wrong of his earlier feelings, handed Lan the pills and went to sit down. Lan took his pills. The navi looked out the window in deep thought.

"Uh, do you sense that?" Lan asked.

"I get the feeling that my assignment's not over." Megaman whispered.

"Bro, viruses in the lab." Lan said.

Megaman nodded and disappeared. Lan jacked in as well. Megaman started on the viruses in the lab, he felt that there was a connection. A navi appeared and attacked with a stranage and new battle chip the attack hit both brothers the attack sent there minds back in time so their bodies just sorta collasp in cyber space and Lan's collasped in the real world. Megaman fell before he could react to the intruder. Soon a groan was heard the two were laying on a hard stone floor unconsious.

"Who are they?" said a voice.

Lan looked tanned his hair was black and so were his eyes. Lan stood up with a groan. His hair was rather long and tied back. A cough came as Megaman came to. The two were in a large house's slave house.

:This is bad.:

Where are we?

The younger looked down and gasped. The two were dressed as slaves.

:If I had to guess Egypt.:

Lan...I'm-

:I noticed.:

Megaman couldn't understand how it happened.

That guy...

The slave master walked into the slave house.

"Time to get to work slaves." He said.

Megaman poked his brother with his elbow. Lan looked at him. Megaman looked the man in front of them. He got up on his feet and helped Lan.

:We'll both need egyptain names.:

The slave master noticed the two new slaves and grabbed the eldest.

But what?

Megaman narrowed his eyes at the man who grabbed his brother.

"I see you still have your fighting spirit...I'll take care of that." The slave masters said dragging Lan out of the room two of the slaves held Megaman back.

Megaman struggled in anger as he watched. The slave master tied Lan to a pole and took hold of one of his favorite tools...his whip and started using it on Lan. Megaman growled in anger as he sensed what was happening. About 30 minutes later the slave master shoved Lan back into the room and ordered Megaman to stay with them. Megaman nodded, but realized that he was helpless. Lan's back was bleeding pretty bad. Lan tried to move but, flinched in pain.

"Easy..." Megaman whispered as he tried to help but gasped in shock.

Lan looked at him in pain.

I don't think I have my powers.

:Me either.:

Megaman began to clean the wounds, best he could. Later that day the slaves returned and one was a familer blonde.

"He looks like-" Megaman whispered.

"The pharaohs will be coming tomorrow." Jono said.

:Megaman...that's cause this is Joey...his past life anyway.:

That must mean...

:Yugi and Yami are coming tomorrow.:

Megaman gulped at that. Lan was gasping in pain.

"Take it easy, brother" Megaman whispered.

Lan fell asleep. Megaman eased his older brother's head onto his lap.

:Omar and Yahiya.: Lan mumbled in his sleep.

The younger of the two looked to their friend's past self.

"What's your names?" Jono asked.

"Mine's is Omar, his Yahiya" The younger of the brothers replied.

"Nice to met you I'm Jono." He said.

Omar smiled sadly.

"Your brother will be fine." Jono said.

"I-I-I" the younger started.

"My sister is a healer at the palace." Jono said as if in deep thought.

"R-Really?" Omar asked.

"Yes." Jono said.

"B-But she wouldn't risk-" Omar said.

THE NEXT DAY

The pharaohs arrive Atemi sees the two brothers. Lan was weakly bowing his head to the two. Megaman copied his brother's actions. Atemi pulled Yahiya's head up and gasped.

"BROTHER!" Atemi shouted.

Atemu went over.

"What is it, Atemi?" Atemu asked.

"It is Yahiya and Omar." Atemi said in shock.

"GET THESE TWO TO THE PALACE, AT ONCE!" Atemu ordered.

"C-Cousins..." Yahiya started as he gestured towards Jono.

"T-Thank you..." Omar said to Atemi as he tried to help his brother up.

Atemi nodded.

"Is he your friend cousin?" Atemi asked.

Omar looked at Yahiya before answering.

"Bring the blonde as well." Atemi ordered.

Omar gave the pharaoh a grateful smile. Atemi helped his cousin up and over to his brother. Omar carried his brother out, following the pharaohs. Jono was brought as well. They quickly left and headed to the palace. Omar sneezed once or twice. It seemed that the cold that Megaman caught followed him. When they got there they had Yahiya taken to Atemi's chambers and then sent for the head healer Sela. Omar was shocked to hear the name of the healer. Jono sat there.

"I see you got promoted." Jono said as the women walked in.

"Brother!" Sela hugged Jono.

Omar smiled at the reunion. Sela quickly went to work on the injuryed one. Omar stayed out the way, he felt ill once more.

"I do not understand...how your cousins became slaves in the first pace." Sela said to the pharoahs.

"All I remeber was that my brother and I were talking and then we ended up back there." Omar said as a cough came.

After Sela was done with Yahiya she went to tend to Omar and gave him some medicine.

"Thank you" Omar said.

"It's my job." Sela said.

"I've had that cold for some time" Omar said.

Sela nodded.

"Now let's get you two into something more apporited." Atemi said looking at Atemu.

Atemu nodded, informing a servant to bring some clothes for his cousins. The servant nodded and left. Omar hoped that his battlescars from his future-self did not follow him in this time. He didn't know how he would explain if they were seen.

Hope i don't have my scars...

:I have both my arms.:

I saw...

:They should be gone.:

Hope so... don't know I explain 'em.

The servant returned Atemi help Yahiya changed clothes. Omar hoped his brother was right as he changed. He was right. The younger light just sighed. Yahiya smiled at him softly.

I figured if my cold followed...

MEANWHILE IN THE PRESENT

A thud was heard in the room the two were. A set of twins ran in, hearing the noise. It was Virgil and Kitty, they stayed near their father and uncle.

Kat gasped sensing it as well. Neither of the five-year olds knew what to do.

"Mom! Dad!" Kat shouted seeing her father..

Maylu ran in, seeing her husband on the floor.

"Kat help get them on the couch" She told her oldest as she picked up the frightened twins.

Kat moved them onto the couch.

"They not move" Kitty said.

Kat ran to the phone and called Yami and Yugi.

"Hello?" Yami answered when he picked up the phone.

"Yami, it's Kat. We've got a problem." Kat said.

"Kat, what is it?" Yami asked.

"It's dad and uncle." Kat said.

"Tell me what happened" Yami said.

"I sensed something was wrong and I found Virgil and Kitty next to them and dad and uncle weren't moving." Kat said.

"Does your dad have the EGs on? He could be in cyberspace and your uncle just wasn't able to follow." Yami said.

"That's just it there cyberself aren't moving either." Kat said low enough that the others in the room wouldn't hear her.

"I see..." Yami said, hoping Yugi hadn't heard him.

"How fast can you get here?" Kat asked.

"I can get there as soon as I can." Yami said.

-Aibou?-

/What is it/

-Something's happened to Lan and Megaman.-

/Let's go then./

Yami called for a sphere that surround him and his brother. They were instantly transported to the home of their cousins. They found their cousins in the kitchen unmoving.

"Something's wrong...I sense another is behind this." Yami said as he went to to make sure that they were alright.

"Wait a minute...our cousins were acting strange when we saved them from that slave trader." Yugi said.

"What do you mean?" Talla asked.

"Along time ago..." Yugi started and told her of when they were pharaohs and rescude their cousins from a slave trader.

"And you think..." The 13 year old navi started.

Yugi nodded.

"Exactly." Yugi said.

"But, my dad's from this time..." Talla said.

"Not quite." Yugi said.

"Remember, Omar?" He asked his brother.

Yami nodded.

"Think about it." Yugi said.

"And he used to wonder..." Yami said as he realized WHO their cousin's younger brother was 5,000 years before.

Yugi smiled..

"You mean my dad had a past life too?" Talla asked.

Yugi nodded.

"At least he never asked about my dad's scars." Talla whispered to Kat

MEANWHILE IN THE PAST

:I have a question.:

Yeah?

Omar wasn't sure what was on his brother's mind.

:How are we gonna get home:

Good question.

Yahiya tried to get up. Omar helps him to his feet.

Betting our cousins' future-selves know something's wrong

:Yugi probably figured it out by now.:

With help of a certain teen.

Yahiya nodded.

But I did realize something.

:What's that:

The name of that healer...

:Oh:

Bro, she had the same name as my youngest daughter.

:Really:

Yeah... I think so.

But she's probably reborn as someone else.

:Yeah.:

Betting I know who...

:Oh...that so.:

Here's a hint: she popped ol' joe in the head for teasing us.

Omar waited for his brother's reaction.

:Serenity:

Omar nodded.

You gave me the hint.

:I did:

When you told me what Joey's name was in this time.

:Oh.:

i just added it up

Yahiya was still in pain.

Need me to get her?

:I'm...fine...probably...shouldn't be...moving around...yet...though.:

Omar nodded as he sat by his brother.

:You do realize we are related in the same way as our time and that you probably had a past life here.:

But it's...hard to believe.

:I know.:

I mean in human terms I'm in my late teens or so.

Yahiya looked a bit pale and obvesiously needed to rest.

:At least you knew I was alive.:

Omar nodded.

So... did you really have dreams as a chibi?

Yahiya nodded.

Do i need to guess?

:Sorry I was just think.:

Omar cocked his head.

:Among other things about Kitty and Virgil and Kat and Netto, Sela and Talla. Not to mention Maylu and Roll.:

Omar looked away, he'd been thinking of them too.

"We have to find away home." Yahiya said.

"I know... but how? We even know how we came to be here." Omar whispered.

"I don't know." Yahiya said.

Omar crossed his arms, thinking deeply. Yahiya a sip of a drink.

'If only we could contact the guys...' The young light thought.

"Hey, maybe the PET is showing them what's going on." Yahiya said.

"Think it's possible?" Omar asked.

Yahiya nodded. The younger figure now that their fellow yamiand hikari had the PET with them. Sela walked in to change the bandages. Omar moved out of the way. She sat behind Yahiya and took off his shirt. The younger of the two brothers waited patiently.She gave him something for pain.

Sure love to get MY HANDS ON THAT-!

:Huh:

Yahiya's eyes looked droupy.

The guy who hurt you.

Yahiya laid down and fell asleep again and was on his side. Omar smiled as he sat and watched his brother sleep. Sela walked out and a strange smoke started to fill the room. Yahiya was in a deep sleep. It caused both brothers bodies to start going numb.

B-Bro...

Yahiya didn't stire. Omar tried to move but realized that he couldn't. Atemi and Atemu were coming to check on Yahiya and saw the smoke. Atemu ran for their cousins chambers as fast as he could. Yahiya lay their in a deep sleep. Omar kept trying to move with no success. Atemi ran in and got his little cousin. Omar tried motion for his brother. Atemu went and carried the older of the two out. Atemi started couching from the smoke. Atemu saw this and caried both of the cousins out while making sure that his twin got out of harm's way. Atemi felt like his lungs were on fire as he stumbled out of the room. A certain young hikari wished that he could help, even though he couldn't at the time.

'if only i had my powers.' Omar thought.

Atemu manage to get his family members to safety And summons the healers to help them. When Yahiya came to he started coughing hard. Omar kept feeling as he pass out as he struggled to move toward his brother.

"You need to stay still." Sela said.

"But-" Omar said softly as he looked in Yahiya's direction.

"You all need to lay still." Sela said.

Omar sighed in defeat as he obeyed. It took a while for them to started to feel better. Omar had a look of anger on his face. He waited for Sela to find out about his brother and cousins. Atemi and Atemu were fine at this point. Omar began to try and walk away, he needed to be alone. Yahiya laid in bed still sick.

"Omar's upset... follow him brother... I'll stay with Yahiya." Atemu whispered to Atemi.

Atemi nodded and followed his little cousin. Omar had no idea that he was being followed. He found his way to a balcony overlooking the kingdom that Atemi and Atemu ruled. A tear made it's way down his cheek. Atemi walked over.

"What's wrong?" Atemi asked.

"How did-?" Omar asked in surprise he dried his eyes.

"Well?" Atemi asked.

"You wouldn't believe me..." Omar whispered, for he was missing his wife and children dearly.

MEANWHILE IN THE PRESENT

Yugi glupped.

"We have to get them back fast!" Yugi exclaimed.

Omar didn't how explain that in another life, he'd be like a spirit from another realm. That he was a husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend to so many.

"Agreed... sensed his sadness?" Yami said.

"It's more then don't you remember what happened to Yahiya!" Yugi exclaimed.

Yami nodded, realizing the urgency.

"but we still don't know how to bring their spirits back to this life" He stated.

"We have to find away." Yugi said.

Yami nodded, still unaware how their fellow Yami and Hikari sent into the past.

MEANWHILE IN THE PAST

"You should be with your brother right now." Atemi said.

"I know... sure wish i could get my hands on that-" Omar whispered.

"The healer left right after you did..." Atemi started.

Omar looked at the man whom he was bound as a fellow half-soul, Tears threatened to come.

"It's bad news." Atemi said sadly.

Omar ran back as fast he could.

'Lan, don't you DARE leave me again!' He thought.

:O-O-Omar...:

Yahiya? Please...

Omar was out of breath when he reached his older brother's side. Yahiya went limp, his body in both time was engulfed in a bright light.

"No..." The younger said softly.

MEANWHILE IN THE PRESENT

A groan was heard.

"Lan?" came a voice.

Lan sat up. Yami handed him their PET to let him see what was being shown. Lan took it and watched his brother. Tears streamed down. The light looked like a lost child. Atemi comforted Omar.

"Can't be... i've lost him too many times..." The crying man whispered to himself.

"You'll see him again in the next world." Atemi said.

"Cousin... you don't know the half of it!" Omar said.

Omar just wanted to return home. He felt that Lan might be there. Atemi was trying to comfort his cousin. The lonely hikari mentally swore that he'd owed his brother one of his 'atomic' noogies if he ever returned to his rightful time. Atemi looked at his little cousin concerned.

"I need to be alone." came a whispered request.

Atemi looked at his brother. Atemu nodded, feeling that their young cousin had a right to grieve, not knowing that it could be that they would be together in another time and place. Atemi walked out of the room. Atemu followed with a glance to the saddened man. Atemi sighed.

"It's a tragedy..." Atemu said softly.

"Yes." Atemi said sadly.

"He's so young too." Atemu said.

"I know." Atemi said.

Atemu recalled that Yahiya was almost a young man when Omar was born. Eleven years in age separated them. Neither knew what the future held for them. It wouldn't be known that Omar would be reborn as a netnavi named Megaman, of that Yahiya would be reborn as a man named Lan Hikari and the challenges that the two would face together as a team. Atemi was worried about his cousin. Lan wondered what his brother had in mind.

"He wants to return, but doesn't know how." Yami said.

"I think I know why I returned." Lan said.

Yami waited and listened.

"Yahiya died and I came back." Lan said.

"So, unfortunately that means..." Yami began to say.

"Exactly...hopefully he'll figure it out." Lan said.

MEANWHILE IN THE PAST

Omar had run off to one of the palace gardens. He began to do the Martials Arts exercises he'd learned. This had been one of his outlets for his pain during the five years. Lan just watched his brother helplessly. Atemi sat in his throne extremly worried for his little cousin.

'I know that there's a way for me to return to my future form...but how to achieve?' Omar thought as he quietly moved to the arts.

"He's in the gardens..." Came a voice. It was Atemu's

"I know...I just hope he doesn't do something stubid." Atemi said.

Lan tried destreratly to send Omar a message telling him a way home...he doubted it got through though and the attempt left Lan drained and he fell asleep before finding out wither it got through or not.

"Agreed...I doubt that he remembers..." Atemu said. The twin pharaoh was reffering to the pair's parents who died when Omar was born.

"What on earth?" Omar asked, sensing that his brother had tried to make contact.

Yugi smiled and got a blanket for his cousin.

"I know." Atemi said.

"Do think he got through?" Yami asked as he watched Lan sleep.

"He was just barely new to this world when..." Atemu said as he went to keep an eye on the lone brother.

"Not sure." Yugi said and carefully took the PET from Lan.

Atemi sighed and stayed on his throne. Atemu found his youngest cousin and watched with a sort of fascination as Omar continued his practice.

'Where did he learn this?' Atemu asked himself.

"I hope Lan got through...I think I'll try though." Yugi said.

Yami nodded.

OMAR!

&Y-Yugi?&

That caused the young man to stop in his tracks.

Yeah.

&B-But...&

Lan's here.

&H-He made it back?&

Yes, near as we can figure it was cause Yahiya died.

&But we don't even know...&

It'll work for you too but, Yami's and mine's pastlifes won't just let you come back concidering...

&YOU GUYS ARE TOO PROTECTIVE, know that!&

Yeah, I know even more back then...our parents are both dead as are auntie and uncle and now Yahiya.

&I'm not kidding, Atemu's watching me right now. Wouldn't had notice him until you called out to me. Do you know how my parents back in this time passed on or who they were?&

He's worried...and they well you would believe me if I told you who they were reborn as.

&Try me...&

Who is Lan's greatest rival?

&NO, YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS!&

Yep.

&There's only one netbattler I know...&

Yes...

&Lemme put it this way, Lan saved a navi by traveling to the past.&

That's you're dad's reincarnation from that time.

&No wonder he pushed us around... you gonna tell? what of our mother...?&

They're actually back to normal.

&Huh?&

I mean together. This is very tiring.

&Relax... Yami and Tea'll never let me live it down if you collaspe.&

Lan was drained when he tried and he's asleep now.

Yugi sat down on a chair.

&Thought I sensed him...&

Yeah...he was watching through the PET and tried to contact you.

&Oh great...means the the kids know.&

Kitty and Virgil were the ones who found you two.

&Uh oh...must've been scared outta their wits!&

Yeah.

&They're only 5&

I know...and it'll be diffcult for you to get back.

&I know my life here must end but how?&

Suicide is one way or sacrifice.

&No way I could get away with option # 1 as far as your past selves are concerned and I AM a warrior by nature...&

Then maybe 2 would be better.

&Like I said, I'm a fighter by nature. You know that...you seen me...&

Yes, I know...fact is someone is in the throne room now and is about to try and...

&Lemme guess you past self is about to be...&

Omar took of the throne room. Praying Yugi was right. Atemi looked a man had a knife and aimed and was ready to throw it. The youth jumped and pushed his cousin out of harm's way as the blade was thrown and struck him in the chest. He screamed as he fell at Atemi's feet. Atemi knelt next to Omar helplessly.

"ATEMU!" Atemi shouted.

The older twin ran in with guards following, having heard the scream. He did not know that one gave his life to protect the bloodline.

"Omar...he's gone." Atemi sobbed.

"Take that one to the dungeons." Atemu ordered, pointing to his cousin's killer.

Atemu knelt by Omar's lifeless body.

"Omar pushed me out of the way and..." Atemi started guiltly.

"He probably felt it was necessay." Atemu comforted.

"But, brother..." Atemi started.

"I had long sensed that a warrior's fire burned within him despite the fact that he was so much younger than any of us." Atemu said.

"I watched him move in a manner while in the gardens that showed this fighting spirit." He continued.

Atemi smiled softly.

"You know we'll meet them again..." Atemu whispered.

IN THE PRESENT

Lan lay there sleeping peacefully. A blue covered hand flexed to a fist and relaxed. Yugi smiled as a yawn came. Emerald-green eyes slowly opened, gazing at an exhausted hikari. Yugi smiled at Megaman.

"Still can't believe that I was once human..." The navi whispered, knowing Lan was asleep.

"I know..." Yugi said softly looking away from Megaman.

"Look...I have been protecting others for as long as I can recall...so don't go blaming yourself for the events of 5,000 years ago." Megaman stated.

"I can't help it...you died to save me..." Yugi said.

Megaman went and gave his cousin a gentle hug.

&Protecting others is my lot in any life.&

Yugi was crying and started to fall asleep.

"I now realize that it's my cross to forever bear" The Blue-Bomber whispered as he eased his cousin more into the chair.

Yugi fell back asleep by the time Megaman had him back in the chair he was asleep.