It was supposed to be like any other night. The days were long and sometimes stressful, but night time was mostly the time to unwind after a hard day. But not tonight.

As all of the priests and the pharaoh slept, Mahad engaged in a battle at the magician's training grounds, located in the middle of the desert. Bakura had been eyeing Mahad's Millennium Ring since he first laid eyes on it. After finding Mahad's location, he and a few of his men rode on their dark colored horses to the magician's location. But little did Bakura know, Mahad was expecting him and he was lured into a trap. They soon engaged in an intense duel. Since their last duel in the palace, Bakura's Diabound had taken on a somewhat different form that also came with a greater amount of strength and abilities.

Mahad was confident though. He had faith in his Illusion Magician.

As the battle raged on though, Bakura had proved to be an incredibly strong foe and Mahad made the ultimate sacrifice.

After fearing that Mahad was in trouble, the pharaoh and Mana were able to pinpoint his location, but it was too late.

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The sun is beginning to rise slowly into the sky. The pharaoh looks up at the stone tablet of Mahad's monster carved into it, feeling a wave of emotions. There are questions as to why Mahad decided to pursue Bakura on his own, knowing how powerful of a foe he was. But from the brief moments that he has gotten to known Mahad, he has come to know him as someone who is extremely loyal and someone who would do anything to protect the kingdom and all of Egypt, even if it meant his own life.

Priests Seto, Shada, Aknadin and Karim finally arrive at the scene, only to have a similar reaction to the pharaoh once they realize that Mahad's soul has been sealed. Priestess Isis arrives shortly after, her eyes immediately going to the large stone tablet that contains the image of a magician. Her heart drops to the pit of her stomach. She had previously warned Mahad not to go through with this, as she had seen the events of the battle in her visions.

"Mahad!" Mana sobs, leaning on the tablet as she continues to weep uncontrollably. "Please come back!"

Yami approaches her from behind and crouches down, holding onto her arms consolingly. "Mana…"

She whips her head to him with tears in her eyes. "He's gone…please I beg of you, use your powers and release him from that stone! Or can't you?! Please tell me it's not too late!"

Before the pharaoh can say anything, Isis intervenes. "Mana! Mahad's spirit is very much alive existing deep within that stone. In fact, he's even stronger now." She sighs. "My Millennium Necklace has shown me all. He fused himself together with his most trusted creature."

Mana looks back at her. "What? I'm confused."

"Mahad has been transformed!" she replies, walking closer to the stone and gazing at it. "He will now be known as the Dark Magician!"

"Dark Magician?" Mana repeats, before the realization sets in that he still isn't going to be around. It's going to be hard coming to terms that he is no longer living, nor is he going to be here to help guide her through her trainings. And the tears begin to fall once more. "But my training isn't complete and I need Master Mahad!" She drops forward to the ground. "I want to become an elite spell caster! I can't do it alone!"

The ride back to palace is long and silent with Priest Seto leading the way and the other priests trailing behind as the pharaoh rides in the middle. Yami looks from the corner of his eye, seeing Mana's head lowered. Her bangs hide her eyes, yet he can still see the tears trailing down her cheeks. He looks down to her arms that are wrapped around his waist as his horse gallops through the sand and he takes one hand off the reigns to place it on top of her hand, giving it a light squeeze.

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"Due to Mahad's carelessness, that lunatic Bakura is more dangerous than ever," Seto says as they stand in the throne room. "He is in control of the Millennium Ring now."

"Now wait," Karim intervenes. "That has yet to be confirmed. For all we know, Bakura was buried under rubble when the sacred sanctuary collapsed."

"Perhaps. However, my Millennium Key still senses his presence," Shada says.

"And Isis," Shimon says. "What does your Millennium item tell you about this? Can you see Bakura's future?"

"Sadly, I cannot," she replies with her eyes lowered.

"On behalf of the sacred court, I apologize for these failures," Seto says. "Believe me, I speak for everyone of us when I say we will not disappoint you again, pharaoh."

"I am sorry my king," Isis apologizes.

"Apologies aren't necessary Isis," Shimon says. "What we need are solutions."

"Of course, Master Shimon. I shall do everything in my power to break through the darkness that conceals Bakura from my vision."

"That is all we can ask," Yami says.

"Pharaoh, with all due respect, time is of the essence. Please allow me to lead the hunt for Bakura. I already have a plan in place," Seto proposes and Aknadin looks over at him questionably. "To start, all gateways to and from the kingdom must be sealed to keep him in. Next, every citizen must be carefully observed since no one can be trusted."

"He's right. Until we have more information, everyone's a suspect," Shimon agrees.

"Very well," the pharaoh says. "Proceed. So let it be written, so let it be done."

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Wearing a mask over her face that only makes her amethyst eyes visible, Cairo journeys outside of the palace, going into the local market. The crown that she normally sports on her head has been left back at the palace, including the jewelry she would typically be adorned with. The last thing she wants is for any unnecessary attention to be on her. It's not everyday that she gets treated like a normal human being. In the palace, are all of her needs are attended to, whether she asks for it or not.

Everyone in the palace has been acting quite strange since the day started, but no one has told her why. All she knows is that her mother is very distraught, Priestess Isis is very shaken up and the rest of the priests have been talking amongst themselves about who knows what. But one thing she did notice was that Mahad wasn't there. Had something happened to him?

A mango stand catches her attention and she walks over, her eyes going big with fascination at the vibrant colors of the juicy and delicious fruit. She places a coin down and grabs one, tossing it up into the air as she continues down the market. She looks up to the sky, taking a huge whiff of the fresh air before dropping her shoulders with a sigh. But something soon catches her eye as she gazes up. There appear to be four dots falling from the sky and she swears she can hear them screaming.

A bump from of the villagers causes her to trip over her feet and she falls to the ground. "Watch where ya going kid!" the man yells, stepping over her and she grunts. She looks down to the fruit in her hands, breathing a sigh of relief when she sees that it is untouched. Then she looks back up to the sky, only to see the screaming specs that she saw earlier, are gone.

Joey and Tristan hold onto each other as they plummet to the ground and Téa shuts her eyes. Yugi, on the other hand, is the calmest of them all, even sporting a smile on his face from finally being able to access the pharaoh's world. Miraculously, they land on their feet in the middle of the market and they look around in awe. It is clear that they are not in Domino City anymore. The buildings are built differently and the people around them are dressed differently as well.

"Uh…did we just travel through some sort of time warp?" Joey asks and Yugi nods.

"Just look at us," Tristan says, turning to them. "We stand out like sore thumbs."

"Yeah, you're right," Téa agrees as people walk past them. "But for some reason, it seems like everyone is ignoring us."

"Well not for long! How ya doin' folks! Jumpin' Joey Wheeler, here!" Joey announces loudly, but he gets no acknowledgement from the people that carry on with their tasks. He blinks. "Hello?"

"Told you," Téa says.

But Joey doesn't plan on giving up so easily, setting his sights on a woman that is coming directly at them. He stands up straight, waving his hand. "Hey wait a sec! I'm sure this nice young girl knows who I am after my huge greeting!" He gives a friendly smile, blushing, but it face soon drops when she passes directly through him. He screams, dropping to the ground and pointing at her. "SHE'S A GHOST! DID YOU SEE THAT?!"

"If we're in the world of the pharaoh's memories, then it's no wonder people can't see us, right?" Yugi guesses. "We didn't exist 5,000 years ago so we're not really apart of this place."

"Wait a sec," Téa says, looking down at him with a slight panicked expression. "Does that mean when we find that pharaoh, he won't be able to see us either?"

"Who knows. But there's only one way to find out." They all look forward to the large palace that stands at a distance. "We have to go see him."

It only takes a few steps forward before Joey lets out a loud groan, dropping to the ground once again. Téa looks down at him with disbelief. "Oh come on. You're kidding right?"

Joey places a hand on his stomach. "You know I can't run without any food in the tank. I want a hot dog!"

Tristan lets out a similar groan, dropping to his knees. "Did you say hot dog?"

"Oh great. You too Tristan?" She folds her arms. Before she can scold them any further, they hear yelling from a group of people that seem to stand around in a circle, crowding around something. Joey and Tristan pop up to their feet and they all run over to see what the commotion is about. They all gasp when they see a woman with blue hair laying on the round, being pelted on with rocks.

"So you guys wanna pick on someone, do ya?!" Joey yells, raising his fist.

"Then pick on us!" Tristan chimes in, standing defensively.

"It's no use, you guys. They can't hear us," Téa reminds them.

Tristan sucks his teeth, feeling helpless. "Think guys! We have to do something!"

Hearing the commotion, Cairo peeks in between the crowd of people, her eyes scrolling down to the woman and then over to the people surrounding her, throwing rocks. Telling by how the woman looks, she appears to be harmless, so she is confused as to why they're doing this. The whole point of her coming out is to lay low and enjoy not being 'seen.' But she can't bring herself to standing around and doing nothing.

She runs forward, and the rock throwing comes to a halt. "Move kid!" one of the hecklers yells. "Or you'll be next!"

"Leave her alone!" Cairo shouts.

"I warned ya kid!" The rock throwing continues and they come at her from different directions.

"She's gonna get hurt!" Téa yells worriedly.

"Look out!" Joey warns.

Cairo briefly closes her eyes before reopening them, a purple aura surrounding her that matches her glowing eyes to everyone's shock. Yugi's eyes go wide. There's only one person he knows that is capable of doing such a thing, but could it really be her? He looks at the long black hair that drapes down her back. Maybe he is mistaken?

"What is she?" a spectator asks.

"Let's get out of here!"

The crowd soon disperses and Cairo closes her eyes, causing the rocks to drop to the ground. She sighs with relief before turning around, tending to the wounded woman.

Téa watches the girl kneel down, her face partially covered by her mask, but her narrowed amethyst eyes are very much visible. "Yugi, you don't think that's…"

Not wanting to keep guessing, Joey steps forward, pointing to the small child dramatically. "HEY!" he yells.

Tristan side eyes him. "Joey, she can't—" Cairo's head springs up and she looks directly at them, her face filled with alarm and confusion at their appearance and odd clothing.

"Gah! She can see us!"

"Cairo, is that you?" Yugi asks, and she raises an eyebrow. The guy standing in front of her looks just like her father, but something seems very off. His skin tone isn't the same, his eyes are more innocent, not to mention his weird wardrobe. Is this some sort of trick? She slowly stands up, her eyes still fixated on them.

"It's us, remember? Your friends!" Joey says, taking a step up to her and she takes a step back.

Téa frowns. "You guys, I think we're scaring her."

"W-Who are you?" the girl asks.

"What is this about?" comes a familiar voice and they all look up, gasping loudly when they see a man that greatly resembles Kaiba riding on his horse and wearing royal wardrobe.

"No way!" Yugi exclaims in shock. "It's Kaiba!" And just like everyone else, he cannot see them.

Cairo steps to the side, revealing the woman standing behind her and Kaiba's eyes go big. He isn't expecting to see her of all people. After saving her from a group of thugs when they were younger and helping her escape, he thought her would never see her again.

Shada raises his Millennium Key up to the woman and it begins to glow. What he feels next is incredibly shocking to him. "What's this?! The power within her! It's too strong!" A silhouette of a blue dragon appears and he cries out from its immense strength, dropping to his knees.

"Shada?"

"I've never felt…such a powerful spirit before," he pants, sweat trickling down his face.

"Really?" Seto asks, looking down at her briefly before turning to the guards. "Guards! She comes with us! Hurry! To the palace at once!" He then looks at the little girl disapprovingly and she chuckles lightly, rubbing the back of her head nervously. "Speak nothing of this incident and I won't tell your father that you snuck out of the palace." Cairo raises an eyebrow, confused as to why he doesn't want her saying anything about the woman that he is bringing back to the palace, but if saying nothing is going to get her out of trouble, then her lips are sealed. She follows closely behind as they head back.

"Did you hear what he said earlier, guys? They're headed to the palace!" Téa says, clenching her fists.

"They could be our ticket to see the pharaoh!" Yugi realizes.

"Well what are we waiting for? To the palace!" Joey exclaims, pointing in that direction before snickering. "I've always wanted to say that."

They follow Seto, Shada and the guards to the palace, immediately being wowed by the large statues surrounding them and the gigantic palace before them. "Whoa, look at the size of these things," Joey comments, looking at the statues.

"It's good to be the king!" Tristan says.

"Uh, you guys? We might want to get a move on," Téa says, seeing that they're trailing behind at a great distance and they are starting to close the huge stone doors of the palace walls. They rush up to the doors just as they completely close shut and their jaws drop with disappointment.

"Now what do we do?!" Tristan asks.

Joey grins, walking in front of all of them. "Come on guys. Don't sweat it! We can walk through everything! And I'm sure solid stone gates are no exception!" he says confidently as he continues to walk forward, expecting to go right through it. Instead, his face is met abruptly with the hard surface and he falls to the ground.

"Joey!" Yugi yells and they run to him.

He springs upward, growling loudly. "I DON'T GET THIS!" he yells. "ARE WE INVISIBLE OR NOT?!"

Tristan goes up to the stone gate, placing his hand on it to get a feel for himself. "I hate to say it you guys, but I think it's time for one of our famous plan b's."

Yugi sighs with disappointment, putting his hand on the wall as well. 'I know you're in there pharaoh,' he says in his head. 'And we're gonna figure out a way to reach you.'

Unbeknownst to Yugi, the pharaoh stands on the opposite side of the wall and he gasps lightly, looking in the direction of the stone structure that protects him. 'Is someone calling out to me?' he asks himself.

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Cairo walks through the garden, adjusting her crown on her head before putting her hands behind her back, looking up to the moon. It is eerily silent and the mood is dull as the normally conversing servants work without saying a word, keeping their heads low. With it being toward the end of the day, she wonders why everyone still seems to be in a bad mood.

"Something really awful must have happened," she says to herself with a frown.

Hearing mumbling from around a nearby corner, she quickens up her pace, hiding peeking behind a wall to see two more servants talking amongst themselves.

"It's really unfortunate what happened," a female servant with black hair says, scrubbing the palace grounds on her knees while the other scrubs the walls.

"Indeed. He was a good man," the standing woman stays.

Cairo's eyes widen. Who could they possibly be talking about?

"The queen was practically inconsolable," the kneeling one continues.

"Well she was his apprentice. May Ra bless his soul."

Her heart drops into her stomach, putting two and two together. She leans back on the wall, holding her chest and her breathing becomes heavier. "No…Mahad can't be…" she whispers to herself. Her eyes begin to water and her heart starts to pound. It's no wonder her mother was in the mood she was in earlier. And her father was more quiet than usual. She thinks back to when she was walking down the hall earlier this morning, seeing her father stand outside of her mother's room. Only he was visible, but she could see him placing a hand presumably on Mana's shoulder.

"You get some rest," she remembered him saying, coming at the tail end of their conversation. "If you need anything, I'm here."

Now it all makes sense. He was consoling her over the fact that Mahad had died. Whoever is responsible for his death must be really powerful, she thinks to herself. Could it have possibly been the intruder that made his sudden appearance yesterday? The one with the grayish hair? She thinks back to how the trespasser easily got away from the guards, making his escape and a chill goes down her spine. Would he be targeting anyone else she loves? Her mother? Her father? She can't bear the thought of losing them too.

A sob escapes her lips as the tears begin to fall and she leans her back on the wall, sliding down to the floor with her knees pulled closely to her chest. But soon, her cries stops abruptly when she sees something run past at the corner of her eye. She draws in a breath, looking down the dark hall and sees nothing.

Hearing a shuffling sound, she turns her head in the opposite direction and her eyes widen when she sees the grey haired intruder looking down at her with a grin. Her mouth goes agape, and he places his index finger up to his lips, shushing her before she can manage to let out a scream.

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End of another chapter! Thought I should introduce Yugi and the gang and their appearance into the pharaoh's world. The coming chapters are gonna get interesting. Stay tuned! Make my day and leave a review please! :)