I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Mentions of abuse! Nothing graphic.
A year after Battle City, Joey sighs as she read through more of her family member's medical reports. As the Ignis Heiress, it falls to her to ensure the health of every member, both physical and mentally. Her uncle Alphonse's wife was supposed to do it. However, since she died during childbirth with a stillborn girl, it falls to her as her cousin, Kenneth, was terrible at determining a person's wellbeing. His strengths lie in business and finance, much like his father's strength lies in politics and law. Her own areas were battle (especially Magical dueling) and arts. It suits her as an Ignis and a Lady. The House of Ignis originated from Roman generals. That was why each member, even these without magic, was taught how to fight and defend themselves from the moment they could walk. However, there was a line between training and abuse. The Lady of the Ignis family is expected to spot the tell-tales signs.
Joey had more hands-on experience than most with the line between training and abuse. Her grandfather had accelerated her physical training at a rate that was borderline abuse. She knew that if anyone had more injuries than what she had suffered that was an indication of abuse. The problem wasn't the physical abuse, but the mental abuse. Physical abuse wasn't a big problem compared to mental abuse, in her opinion. Thanks to magic, physical abuse can be fixed. (She should know she had always received the best medical care money can buy as soon as training ends.) Mental abuse, through would always leave psychological scars (Scar tissue can be changed to regular one with a tricky and expensive spell by a Healer or an expensive balm.) She had learned about Obscurus and the destruction they can bring. She had seen what mental abuse can do, especially to those with magic. First-generation children were closely monitored to ensure they weren't abused by their families for their powers. A good example was Hadrian Potter-Black.
Due to the ICW's lack of faith in Magical Britain's government after Voldemort, wizards from other countries were constantly send to Britain to look for first generations. Their families are then informed of the situation and also how hard it is for first generations to make lives in Magical Britain. Depending on how it goes, the child is either taken and placed in an orphanage in another country, or the family gets pamphlets to deal with accidental magic and primary school (always in other countries) for the child to go to. Hadrian Potter-Black had been hidden between Blood wards and so was abused for 5 years. When he was placed in the same primary school that she and Tristan attend, he was such a small boy. Joey could hardly believe he was only 3 years younger than her. They were told that No-Mags had treat him horribly and they had to be gentle and nice to him. Her big sister instincts made her take him under her wing during her last two years of primary school and keep in touch with him even after she graduated. She watches as he grew from a shy, uncertain boy who jumps at shadows and loud noises to a quiet, but confident teenager who was a gifted prodigy in potions and manipulating others to his will. Currently he was attending Hogwarts and sending information on the state of Britain to ICW.
When she was finished reading the last of the reports, Joey places them in the folder that will send them back to the Ignis Manor. She sighs as she finishes her breakfast. She will have to make her weekly call to her family after this. Despite the fact she was eighteen and an adult, her uncle and cousin still treat her like a child. So, she was younger than Kenneth by nearly two decades and their grandparents asked them to look after her before they die? Big deal. She was almost done with her studies and time abroad. She had completed the Trial required of every member of the Ignis family. She lived on her own without any support from the Ignis family outside of the tuition they pay for her at Mahoutokoro, the one-bedroom apartment she lived in, and a small amount of money that they deposit in her value for her other expenses. She had got several jobs in the non-magical and magical world to pay for her other expenses (some of the materials needed for the classes' projects were expensive. She wasn't the only student who had to get a job to get the materials they needed to make their projects.) Two of her classes, technomagic and battle magic, were known for being expensive in terms of expenses. Techomagic requires metals and minerals that were expensive for a normal student. In battle magic, you need to pay for your own weapons in real Duels. If it is destroyed in a practice duel, tough. The school won't pay for a new one.
After washing her dishes, Joey calls her cousin and uncle. She uses the magical cell phone that they had given her before she went to Japan. The phone displays two large screens in front of her, each with one person. After the customary greetings and small talk about grades and everyday life, they got down to business. Joey's primary roles in the Ignis family at the moment (since she was still in school) was to dominate the International Magical Dueling Arena and to plan the social events as neither of the males had the knack for organizing that Joey has or the ability to figure out how to make a gathering sociable. The summer solstice was coming up. It was tradition for the Ignis family and all its branches to gather at the Ignis Manor to do the rites and honor the day when the sun, the source of all life, is the strongest. This was the biggest event for the family. Joey have organized it ever since her grandmother die. She has done a good job in the past years, by making the plans and sending them to Italy. Alphonse and Kenneth would obtain the materials she needed. The house elves would decorate and cook the menu she planned. She would go back to the Manor to make sure everything is ready. Alphonse and Kenneth would call if anything pops up. After being ensured everything was on schedule for the party, they told her about the current state of affairs in Magical and Non-Magical Europe as well as business deals that were underway or had succeed. Three-quarters of an hour later, the conversation was over.
Joey stretches and walks toward her closet. She had to go grocery shopping today. Reaching for one of her red shirts with an empire bodice and puffed sleeves, she frowns. Something was telling her that it was too simple especially since she planned to pair it with a simple dark pink A-line skirt. Not knowing why, she reaches for a new dress she had brought on impulse when shopping with Kiyomizu (a friend from Mahoutokoro) in a store owned by a witch that sells non-magical clothing in the front and magical clothing in back. It was in the magical store. The calf-length dress was sapphire blue, like Seth's eyes with a black, like the fertile soil of the Nile, lotus pattern. It was a wrap-around dress with a modest neckline. When she tried it on, she looks gorgeous. She immediately brought it. Thankfully the only reason the dress was magical was because the dye for the lotus pattern had been made with a magical process to make the dyed flowers feel as soft as the flower and have the scent of lotus, so it wasn't too expensive, and she can wear it in non-magical areas. Putting it on she paired it with two-inch black heels, instead of her usual flats. She brushes out her waist-length hair. Since she wasn't meeting up with Yugi and the others today, she didn't need to pin it up and put an illusion on it. Looking at her reflection, she was glad Dueling season was over. Otherwise she would have bruises and cuts (some wounds are left to heal naturally once they are no longer serious. It is better for the body in the long term.) She hesitates, then grabs the Millennium Rod and places it in her purse. Grabbing her black messenger purse with an Extension charm on it, she casts an illusion over herself making it looks like she was wearing what she usually wears, a t-shirt and jeans.
Joey steps out of her neat apartment into a room that was crumbling. It looks like what a deadbeat man would live in with the crumbling walls and sprawled beer bottles. Unlike her clean apartment, the broken furniture here was covered in dust. Locking the door with her key, Joey walks through the outer room of her apartment. When she was at the door, she waves her hand and the golem in the armchair starts drinking and screaming for more beer. Closing the door, she walks out. She waves at the other residents in greeting and stops to talk to a classmate about an assignment for Magizoology.
Joey makes her way further into the slums. Passing through the wards that alerts the Guards of her position, she wasn't surprised to see a gang surround her barely a block in.
"Hello, punk. Where do you think you are going?" The leader growls. Joey wasn't scared because she had seen the lion crest of the Japanese Guards (visible to only those with magic) tattooed on his arm.
"I need to get Kuebiko street for some grocery shopping," Joey replies as she takes her Identify card out. Pouring her magic into it, she hands it over. The leader looks at it, while another member causes a spell over her, to make sure she wasn't carrying anything illegal.
"All clear, except for a dagger."
"It is fine." The leader hands her card back to her. "Here you are, Ms. Ignis. It is a tradition for the women of her family to carry daggers on them to protect themselves." That information was written on her card. It wasn't uncommon in Japan for people to carry on family traditions so no one in the Japanese Ministry of Magic blinks an eye, when she told them that. Th leader conjures up a ball of light. "You know how this works right?" The rest of the gang, or patrol of Guards, relaxed seeing it. It means she was clear.
Joey nods "Follow the ball of light until it goes into a building. Pour my magic into the wall that the light flies into."
"Good. Have a nice day," The patrol separates for her with smiles.
Joey runs after the ball of light. Sensing her desire for speed, it flies at a fast speed. The other patrols/ gangs avoid her when they saw the ball of light. It shows that she had already been checked. She stops to wave at one of her friends from Mahoutokoro. He waves back.
To give students who want to be Guards a chance to see what it was like, they were allowed to work with one of the patrols for a few months. Before that they had to research what gangs actually were like, which means they have to go to the actual slums and see how gangs work. She and Tristan went with a group of other students who also wanted to be trainees, and a Guard. They ended up having to fight off several gangs. Thank god she had martial arts training. She did like the street fighting through. It was wild and unpredictable. She adapted it for her own uses. Out of the group, only she, Tristan, and a few others qualified. She went through with the program but decided in the end it wasn't for her. She expected it to be exciting, not just constant patrols. She wants a little excitement in her life.
That was not to said she didn't see the genius in the Japanese Ministry of Magic's security. Governments doesn't pay much attention to slums. The Ministry take advantage of that to hide the entrances to Magical Japan. Many students, who have been disowned by their families for their magic or like her transfer here, live in buildings in the slums. The buildings would look shitty on the outside and up to date on the inside. The slums also make it easier to get away with using magic. If a no-mag sees them, one of the wizards in the police station makes some comment about drugs or something and it was all sweep under the rug. That's not to said they don't still get in trouble.
Nodding at the "homeless people" (more Guards) outside a random building, Joey follows the ball of light inside. Pushing her magic into the wall it disappears into, Joey walks into Magical Japan. Inhaling, Joey relishes the scent of water and sakura flowers. There was no pollution thanks to the wards. Walking towards Kuebiko street, Joey uses her student ID to get a discount on her groceries. Kuebiko street have fresh ingredients from all over the world at a good deal since magical transportation is cheap and fast. It was easier for her to shop here since no one blinks if she shoves several bags of groceries into her purse. She stocks up on fresh vegetables and baking supplies. Then, she went to the fish market. For some reason, she even brought fishes that she wasn't fond of. The same thing happens at the meat market. Oh well, it wasn't like she can't afford it. Since she was eighteen, and the four years of her Trial were over, she had access to her trust fund. Not the entire thing, but she is allowed to take out a good amount of money every month. Plus, with the two jobs (one in both worlds) she still holds, she had a good income (especially since her family still is paying for tuition and rent.) If she doesn't like the dish she made, she can always give it to one of her classmates. She also brought cumin despite the fact it was one of least favorite spices. Her shopping done; she brought a taikayi to nibble on. Walking out of the magical community, she put in her earbuds and walks down the streets enjoying the warm day. It wasn't until strong magic starts emitting from her bag, that she stops. Reaching into it, she pulls out the Millennium Rod, which was glowing. It was pulling her towards a direction.
Seeing the strange looks of people around her, she quickly come up with an excuse," damn it. Why do we have to play the game now? I don't care if he is the leader. He can't just call us to play whenever he feels like it." She stomps off. People lost interest, assuming the Rod was a toy created for a game.
The Rod lead her to the Game Store. Opening the door, the bell jingling, she said "Hey Yugi. Sorry to bother you, but the Millennium Rod leaded up here." Joey pauses when she saw the man in front of her, a man she has only see in her memories. The Millennium Rod drops from her hand.
"Seth" She breathes
10 minutes ago
Bakura and Atem were fighting again. It had been months since Zorc the Dark one was destroyed with help from a group of Egyptians magicans. They had confronted them with a plan to get rid of Zorc. Somehow, they have got a hold of Atem's name and information on what had happened 5000 years ago (Joey.) The plan works perfectly, though it may have to do with the fact Bakura was tied up and put under heavy surveillance by curse breakers, all of which had done magical creature capturing before. The ritual work perfectly with Atem's help. Afterwards, Atem and Bakura choses to stay in the world of the living in their own bodies. Each was now living with their respective hikaris.
"Will you two morons stop it?" Kaiba snarls. He was here dropping Mokuba off and walk right into the middle of the argument. This was 10 minutes ago as he didn't feel comfortable leaving his little brother with the two pyschos.
"We will as soon as I send the pharaoh back to where he come from" Bakura said, activating his Millennium Ring. Atem activates his Millennium Puzzle. The magic collides. It starts to twist into a portal. Then it starts to solidify into a person.
"Ouch," the person cries as he falls. Everyone stares at him. The man had tanned skin like the two Egyptians. His brown hair was cut in the same style as Kaiba. He was wearing a blue tunic with a white skirt. He was wearing a gold belt, and gold bracelets on his arms and wrist. He was holding onto a gold necklace with a blue dragon pendant. "Where am I?"
"He looks just like nii-san," Mokuba points out the obvious.
"That is because he is your brother in a past life. This is my cousin, Priest Seth." Atem explains. "You are 5,000 years in the future, cousin."
"What? Pharaoh Atem," Seth bows to Atem.
"Actually, you should be Pharaoh now." Atem corrects. "Bakura and I accidently brought you here when our spells collide."
"What? That tomb robber who attack Egypt and summon Zorc!" Seth tenses as he got ready to attack Bakura.
"Yes, but don't worry. A group of Egyptian magicians cleanse him of Zorc's influence, so he won't be summoning Zorc ever again. They also help us defeat Zorc." Atem was glad he could speak about the magicians to Seth. The magicians make them all sign a contact, in exchange for their help, stating that they won't revealed their existence to anyone, who doesn't already know about magic.
Seth relaxes slightly. "Let me introduce you to everyone else." Atem said. "This is Ryou, Bakura's hikari." Ryou waves. "Teana, Tristan, and Yugi my partner, my hikari." He points to each person. Then, he points at Kaiba who was snarling at Seth. "This is Kaiba, your reincarnation."
"I don't know what trick you dweebs are pulling, but there is no way I would believe in that hocus pocus magic."
Atem sighs "he doesn't believe in magic. Anyway, that is Mokuba, Kaiba's little brother." Mokuba waves, not that Seth notices as he was too busy glaring at Kaiba.
"You should be more open-minded. Different countries have different cultures and methods. Not to mention more respectful to others"
"I don't want to hear that from someone wearing a dress."
The two brunets glare at one another. Everyone shuffles and fidgets in the tense atmosphere. Then, the bell ring, a happy sound that was inappropriate in the atmosphere.
A strong and clear feminine voice said "Hey Yugi. Sorry to bother you, but the Millennium Rod leaded up here." A blonde woman in a blue dress walk in, the Millennium Rod in her hand. The Millennium Rod drops from her hand.
"Seth" She breathes, her eyes on the tanned man.
5,000 years ago
Seth lies in his cold bed. He had taken his crown off and placed it on the table next to his bed. He lies in the clothes he was wearing in the day in court. He had sent the slaves off, when they come to change him. He couldn't help remembering Josephina and how she would always undress him. It always ended with them in his bed, the perfect way to destress after a long day of dealing with officials and his queen.
Seth scowls at the thought of Lamya. He throws a vase against the wall shattering it. Looking at it all he can think was at least it wasn't one of Josephina's favorite. Grabbing another vase, he hurls it at the wall too. It was too bad he had destroyed everything of Lamya's within a week of Josephina's death.
Laying back on his bed, he closes his eyes remembering Josephina's death. The two of them have been in Aurelia's chambers, kissing. The Roman princess was arrogant but most princess were. At least this one was smart. She agrees as long as he impregnate her and ensures she is treated with the respect due to her as a princess, she will let him be with Josephina in her chambers and him hide it from Lamya. Lamya had come in and started making a scene. He orders her to stop, but that bitch instead tries to stab him. Josephina jumps in her way, dying. Those worthless healers failed to save her! He would have them all executed, and their families banished, but Aurelia pleaded that Josephina wouldn't want that. He knew he was right, so he just had them throw out of the palace.
The one good thing about this situation was he got rid of Lamya. He had her sent back to her birth country, when she was stripped of her position. Since she was in the wrong, Libya had to make compensations. They send numerous gifts and beg him not declare war. He wanted to but remember how Josephina had declined being his queen for Egypt's wellbeing. No, she wouldn't want him to throw his entire country into war for her.
He would need a new queen soon. At the moment the most likely candidate was Aurelia, who had given birth to twins, one girl and one boy. She had named the girl Josephina to honor Josephina who had given her life for her children. He didn't want a new queen! He didn't even want the old one! He wants Jospehina!
Seth opens a chest and takes out a locked box. He takes the necklace he had given her out. He hadn't been to let it go with her to her tomb. Running his finger along the dragon pendant, he remembers Kisara's words "I wish you and Josephina eternal happiness. I promise I will always guide you two back to each other." When, Kisara when?" That was when the air twists and pull him through a portal. He lands in a weird room surrounds by people with weird clothes and pale skin. "Where am I?
"He looks just like nii-san," a short, black-haired boy said. Whose older brother did he looks like?
"That is because he is your brother in a past life. This is my cousin, Priest Seth." A familiar voice explains. "You are 5,000 years in the future, cousin."
Turning to the voice, he saw a face he never thought he see again "What? Pharaoh Atem," Seth bows to Atem.
"Actually, you should be Pharaoh now." Atem corrects. "Bakura and I accidently brought you here when our spells collide."
"What? That tomb robber who attack Egypt and summon Zorc!" Seth turns ready to fight the person who had cause so much harm to his country.
"Yes, but don't worry. A group of Egyptian magicians cleanse him of Zorc's influence, so he won't be summoning Zorc ever again. They also help us defeat Zorc."
Seth relaxes slightly. "Let me introduce you to everyone else." Atem offers. "This is Ryou, Bakura's hikari." Ryou waves. "Teana," the only girl "Tristan," He looks strong "and Yugi my partner, my hikari." Yugi looks like smaller version of Atem. Then, he points at a tall man who looks exactly like him, but with pale skin and was snarling "This is Kaiba, your reincarnation."
"I don't know what trick you dweebs are pulling, but there is no way I would believe in that hocus pocus magic." Seth raises an eyebrow both at the words and the tone of voice.
Seth hears Atem said but didn't look at the person "he doesn't believe in magic. Anyway, that is Mokuba, Kaiba's little brother."
"You should be more open-minded. Different countries have different cultures and methods. Not to mention more respectful to others" Seth tells Seto. He knew as priest and later Pharaoh that being open mind is needed so as not to insult diplomats from other countries.
"I don't want to hear that from someone wearing a dress."
How dare he speaks in such a manner to him! Their glares clash. Their glaring contest ends when something jingles
A familiar voice said "Hey Yugi. Sorry to bother you, but the Millennium Rod leaded up here." A blonde woman in a blue dress walk in, the Millennium Rod in her hand. The Millennium Rod drops from her hand. But that wasn't what he was focused. It was her face. The same face that had haunted him with its closed eyes. Her expressive amber eyes were open again. They were filled with life again
"Seth" She breathes, her eyes on him.
Notes
Joey gets along great with her family. Her uncle dotes on her, seeing her as the daughter he loses. Her cousin is like a brother to her. He respects her for her abilities. She is actually very clever. She just acts stupid sometimes to make people underestimate her, because then people reveal more of their secrets, which she then tells her uncle and cousin to help them in their affairs and to humiliate them if they wrong her or her family.
First-generation-I read the term in Harry Potter fanfics before. Here it is short for First in many generations to have magic.
Joey's grandfather, Alger, didn't want to have to accelerate her training to that rate. He was dying due to a Curse placed on him when he single-handily captured a group of Death Eaters. The wizard snuck behind him and cursed him. Joey have powerful magic, strong enough that part of it needed to be sealed until she was an adult for her own safety. He needed her to be ready to carry on the Ignis Family's legacy of battle and to become Heiress. Alger loves his son and grandson, but he knew they were best suited and prefer to be a politician and businessman respectively. Only Joey want to be a warrior and had the raw potential for it (that is not to say his son and grandson weren't skilled at fighting.) He dearly loves Joey (and makes sure she knows it) and regrets having to be so hard on her to his final breath.
Joey is going to be abnormally strong because of her training. That is why I made her training so harsh. Any abuse was restricted to training. Her family won't even slap her when she does wrong. She gets a lecture about why she was wrong and punished by losing privileges (sweets, toys.)
An Obscurus is the manifestation of the repressed energy of a young wizard or witch (known as an Obscurial). An Obscurus is created when the child in question consciously attempts to repress their magical abilities or were forced to do so through physical or psychological abuse. This energy can manifest itself as a separate entity that can erupt in violent, destructive fury. (Harry Potter fandoms)
Every other magical country looks down on Britain. The only thing that they see as worthy of their consideration is the first generations and that is because of the universal belief that magical children are precious.
In most magical countries, magical children go to day school (with magical buses who picks them up and can run the length of a country in an hour) where they learn basic magic and the normal classes of a non-magical school. There are spells that make time run slower in the schools so they can fit in all the classes.
Harry is very manipulative in this story. (He may or may not show up.) He also has a deep hatred for Magical Britain and its incompetence. He uses a time turner to get a real education in Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Mahoutokoro is a school in harry potter fandom. Like all schools, some students wanted to be the best. So, they study hard and work hard. The school provides materials for projects, but not the best. Those ones who have the drive to be the best, like Joey, works jobs to pay for the best materials.
Kiyomizu-pure water
Lion-animal of protection in Japan
Kuebiko -Japanese god of agriculture
The Ignis family's traditional weapon is a gladius, but blades of all sorts are collected and uses. It is customary for boys to receive a gladius, which they can uses to attack and conquer. Girls receive a dagger they can uses to defend themselves and the family. The men fight while the women defend. Joey has a parazonium dagger (triangular blade that originates from Greece.) The idea for this tradition comes from "Empress from another World" Chapter 67.
That is where the rumors of Joey and Tristan being in a gang come from. The students who go to Mahoutokoro with them knows the truth.
The trial teaches Ignis family members to appreciate what they have, It also teaches them to respect these of different social standings and how to live in different environments. It is supposed to resemble a solider being send to a different country for a military campaign. Like in the chapter, tuition at schools and housing is paid for. A small sum is used to furnish the apartment. A small amount of money is deposited monthly in a vault for everything else. They budget for everything else. Nutrient potions are used if they run out of money. But these nutrient potions are designed to taste as horrible as possible and left a long-lasting aftertaste. The idea of the vault and nutrient potions come from "Vanishing Illusions. (HP fanfic)" I modified it to suits my needs. It lasts from the day after a person's 14th birthday until the day after their 18th birthday. Since Joey's birthday is in January and this story takes place around May, it is over for Joey. She is staying in Japan to finishes the semester.
Taikayi is a fish-shaped cake filled with chocolate, cheese, or custard.
Joey keep her last name in the magical world. It is easier to change in the non-magical world, especially with magic. It means she can't use her family's influence or power.
The Egyptian and Japanese Ministry of Magic are keeping a close eye on Yugi with how much shadow magic he is using. Fortunately, the magic keeps itself hidden or is assumed to be part of KaibaCorp's technology.
I rush with the explanation about Zorc's defeat because it's not important and I don't want it hindering my plot.
Aurelia means gold
Lamya is from the Pharaoh's concubine manga. It is the name of character who is a Libya princess. I couldn't find any names I wanted to use.
Sneak peek (Also I got the idea and didn't want to forget it):
"You are so much more confident in this era." Seth notes as Josephine drags him around the stores.
A smile forms "I am not a slave. Also, this era is much more open to woman being independent and getting jobs."