I ran to Yami, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him fiercely. He held me close, I could tell he was relieved that this was part was over. As we pulled apart, I smiled at the Ishtar's reunion.
"Pharaoh." Marik spoke directly to him, the rest of the group joined us and we all walked closer to the Egyptian family. "Rest assured everyone who was banished to the Shadow Realm by my dark side will return." I could hear some of the group cheering, but I was more focused on Marik.
"Thank you," Yami said.
"Take this, my rarest card, and remember you are going to need this card, Pharaoh."
Yami put the three God cards together, Yugi floated beside him, I guessed the two were communicating.
"Pharaoh, I have one more task to perform before my mission is complete." He began to pull up his shirt, and he showed us the massive ancient tattoo on his back. "The secret of the Pharaoh."
"This is getting weird now," Téa said.
"You're telling me." Joey commented.
"These marks were passed down by my family from generation to generation for 5000 years. We were taught that when the Pharaoh saved the world from destruction, he wiped his own memories clean. But he knew someday he'd return and he'd need his memories back, so he entrusted my family with a great secret. The key to unlocking the Pharaoh's mind and power. All you need to do is read what's on my back."
"Hey Yug, can you really read that chicken scratch?" Joey asked him.
"I'll try," he said, he stared at the words on Marik's back I could tell he couldn't read it, his burrows furrowed slightly as he tried to hide his frustration. I put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"May I?" I asked him, he nodded. I looked at the words carefully, I began to type up points on my phone, the group started to chat filling the silence as I wrote down tasks and steps that we would have to take to be able to unlock our memories. I was beginning to make sense of it when… the writing suddenly stopped. I frowned.
"Is there more? Is my reading not fully –"
"I am afraid my Queen, the rest you will have to unlock yourself as your memories grow stronger." Ishizu said.
"When we get back to Domino City we need to look at that tablet the two together are a big part of us unlocking all of this," I said, mostly to Yami, but I made an effort to make the others feel included in the conversation too.
"Let's go check on the others," Joey said, gesturing back to the blimp. He ran back, while the rest of us walked. I was very confident that everyone would have been removed from the Shadow Realm. I did not have Joey's fear. By the time we made it to the hospital we could hear Joey's voice. Mai looked like she was still out, but I had a feeling that she was faking.
"Yugi beat Marik so your mind should have been released from the Shadow Realm. Come on, wake up. I know you can do it. I'd give anything in the world to have you back. Anything."
Serenity began to cry, but I could tell she was acting. Mai opened one eye at us then began to giggle.
"Mai? What's going on?" Joey said looking up at her face. She sat up.
"That expression was priceless, did I hear you say you'd give anything, cause there's a few cards in that deck of yours I've had my eyes on, Joey." She said, I laughed wiping my eyes. She really was ok.
Then the realisation hit.
"Er, guys I think I have to talk to Mokuba and Seto, given everything I guess there is stuff – legal stuff too, like my age."
"Yer age?" Joey said.
"Seto and I aren't twins Joey," I said.
"So, you are younger than us?" Téa said looking at me in shock.
"Yep, I'm 15,"
"What!" T, J, and Duke
"But my birthday is right though." I said, they all looked at me gobsmacked.
"Does that mean you'll have ter stay at school longer?" Tristan said.
"I'm not sure. I have done all the credit's; it'll be like I skipped a few grades in elementary school, I guess. That's one of the things I need to talk about."
Tristan seemed to realise something then he smirked.
"You're also underage for –"
"Finish that sentence Tristan. I dare you." I hissed; my teeth clenched as my face burned.
"Er, hey I'm hungry, why don't we all grab some food," Tristan said looking nervous.
"Great idea," Mai said.
"Would you like me to come with you, to talk to Mokuba and Kaiba." Yami said, he took my hand and looked at me in concern. I smiled at him.
"It's ok, you must be hungry, you have used a lot of magic and mental strength. Go eat. I'll catch up with you all." I turned to Mai. "Glad you're back," I smiled at her.
As I got to Kaiba's room I saw Noah leaving.
"Hey, how have you been coping with the real world again?" I asked him, he was beaming.
"Great so much is the same, and yet better. Sure, I can't manipulate anything, but feeling and stuff is stronger. And look!" he showed me a piece of paper. "Seto has given me enough money to go travelling for as long as I want. I have to have security, but I am going to see the world."
"That's wonderful Noah," I smile, giving him a hug.
"Good luck with your stuff," he said as he all but skipped away. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Mana," Seto said, looking more alert and Mokuba beamed at me.
"Everyone, has woken up from the Shadow Realm, I have just seen Mai, they are going for food." I mumbled, everything the legal, and life implications of the discovery were more real now. I could tell he felt it too.
"I am guessing you won't be joining us in the manor," he said finally, I tapped my toes against the floor, not looking at him.
"I mean, we will see each other all the time," I said quickly. "The Pharaoh and I – and you we need to figure out our past. This was only the beginning. We need to be ready."
There was a knock on the door, Yugi walked in looking nervous, Yami behind him a mask of calm. He took my hand in his transparent one.
"I thought you were getting food?" I said to him.
"Maybe later. So, what's happening? Am I getting my own room or what?" Yugi said, overly cheerfully.
"You share a room!" Seto snarled, looking between me, Yugi and the puzzle.
"Yugi is my brother," I said narrowing my eyes dangerously.
"The Pharaoh isn't."
"There is a curtain, and in case you hadn't noticed Yugi and Yami share a body." I shot back. He looked furious.
Seto's eyes widened slightly, his expression growing calmer again.
"How about a compromise," he said. Interlocking his fingers and resting his elbows on his desk. "I buy a house, near the game shop. A house big enough for all of us, pay for the shop's upstairs to become a bigger store. That way you don't have to choose, and you get your own room." He said glaring at the puzzle.
"We can't ask you to do that, Kaiba," Yugi gasped.
"You didn't, I offered. It seems like the perfect solution that fits everyone's needs."
"We could ask Grandpa – who doesn't even know about all this yet," I laughed weakly.
"I'll call him," Yugi said.
I played with a strand of my hair as Yugi held the phone out towards us, the ringing blaring through me. What would Grandpa say? Would he be happy? Upset? Mad? I didn't think he would be mad, but then I was Seto's sister and Seto has been an ass to him in the past.
"Yugi," his cheerfully voice came through the phone. "I hear a congratulations are in order."
"Yeah, thanks," he said.
"How is Mana, is she with you?"
"I'm here, Grandpa." I said trying to keep the nerves from my voice.
"You're on speaker," Yugi informed him.
"Well sounds like you two have something to tell me," he said, he was keeping his tone light but we knew he had figured out something was happening. Yugi looked at me, I shook my head frantically. My heart thumping.
"Well, it's pretty much all good news so you don't need to worry," he said.
"Go on," Grandpa pressed.
"We uh, we kind of found Mana's birth family –"
"Thanks fantastic, or is it? Are you ok Mana?"
"I'm fine Grandpa." I said.
"They want to be a part of her life…"
"Of course that is only natural,"
"Um… we already knew her family and didn't realise it." Yugi said, then he looked around at each of us before speaking again. "It's Kaiba, Mana is Kaiba's sister."
"Seto and Mokuba Kaiba," Grandpa's shocked voice pierced the room.
"Yeah, and he came up with an idea that we want to run by you."
"Is he there?"
"Yes, hello Mr Muto. I would like to apologise for previous actions towards you," Seto said, his voice calm and sincere.
"What's this big idea," Grandpa said hesitantly. With a smile at me, Seto began to explain his plans.
After another half an hour of talking Grandpa agreed to the plan, and thanked Seto for his generosity. Once we hung up the phone Mokuba looked at his brother excitedly.
"Awesome! Mana is gunna live with us, and Seto are we going to build Kaiba Land now?" Mokuba asked, we all gaped at them.
"You're making a theme park?" I gasped.
"Yes, it won't be all fun and games –"
"Give it a rest, Rich Boy," Joey walked in.
"Wheeler, who invited you here?" Seto replied. I nudged him with my elbow, but he ignored it.
"We'll be in the city of Domino by nightfall."
"Oh my own bed, that'll feel nice." I sighed, closing my eyes as I thought about the comfortable warmth, sinking further into the chair.
"I'll join you," Yami smirked, of course being transparent only Yugi and I heard him. Both of us turned red.
"Pharaoh!" Yugi yelled, making everyone else jump, once they realised that there was no danger they glared at him.
"Now you've done it," I muttered to Yami who simply looked amused.
"Jeez my heart!" Joey said clutching his chest.
"What happened there?" Tristan said.
"You gave us all a heart attack," Téa said glaring between Yugi and where he was looking, it was funny cause her eyes were looking at his hair rather than his face.
"Yami is just trying to wind us up, don't worry about it." I said. He leaned against the wall, looking me up and down as if he was admiring art. Yugi looked ready to burst.
"Maybe don't give your host a stroke?" I suggested to him, he laughed. Yugi still looked angry.
Ignoring the others stares, I closed my eyes to begin the mental processing of the last few days of complete and utter madness. The buzz of chatting flowed around me, until a loud voice made me jump.
"Home sweet home," Joey said as we saw it. I gasped, had Domino city always looked this beautiful? Or was it the crazy couple of days with virtual realities and psycho soul stealers?
The sun was setting as we landed.
"Well, we made it home in one piece." Tristan said.
"Barely," Téa
"Pharaoh, it has been because of your bravery that my brother was saved by the evil that once consumed his heart." Ishizu
"How can I ever thank you." Marik said.
"When we go home. Can you give us the tour? I imagine it may be a little different." I smiled at him.
"It will be our honour," Odeon smiled.
"Good bye my King, my Queen. I am sure we will meet again soon." Ishizu said.
The bowed to us before getting on their boat.
"They're not sailing all the way to Egypt right?" Tristan said, Seto rolled his eyes.
"Who knew there was actually a nice guy under that psychotic evil nut case," Joey said, I laughed at him.
"You've certainly got a way with words," Mai said smirking.
"It's a gift," he said.
"Ok, I guess it's time for me to say goodbye now." Duke said.
"Why's that Duke," Tristan said.
"I was only meant to be here half way through the last term. I stayed longer cause of you guys, and cause business was doing so well at my store. I've got to head back."
"Wow, everyone is going their own way," Joey said.
"Joey, the rest of us are all staying here," I said shaking my head.
"Ok my turn," Mai said.
"Actually Mai, could you stay. I want to make sure there are no lasting effects from the Shadow Realm."
"I'm fine, I'm a lot tougher than some purple mist."
"But –"
"I'll message you every day I swear," she said putting her hand up. I still didn't think it was a good idea, but I couldn't force her to stay. As much as I wanted to.
We all gave our hugs and goodbyes, and once everyone leaving the city was gone, Seto turned towards me.
"Let's go Mokuba, Mana."
"Huh?" I said, watching him in surprise.
"Move in with us until we get the house sorted. I promise I will find somewhere by the end of the week –"
"Sorry Seto," I shook my head. "I want my own bed, it's only a few days."
"Exactly it's only –"
"Mana it's ok, you can go." Yugi interrupted, his gentle face letting me know he wasn't upset. However, it was less about hurting people's feelings and more my lead like limbs wanting to sleep in their own bed.
"But –"
"We will be fine, grab your stuff tonight, check on Grandpa and then go. We will all be back together soon." He assured me, still thinking my main reason was him and Grandpa.
"I dunno… Ok, how about tonight I stay at home, then tomorrow I pack my stuff and head to the manor till you get somewhere?"
"Kaiba?" Yugi said. Seto looked between us all, his eyes flickered from me to the puzzle.
"Come on. I just want to go straight to bed, I am so tired. I literally stopped a giant explosion yesterday."
He studied me, then his face softened. I must have looked really tired.
"Fine, I'll come around to the game shop around noon. We will look for a place to move and start making the preparations.
That is Battle City all wrapped up! I hope you guys all enjoyed it! Looking forward to seeing you all in the next chapter, let me know some of your favourite moments so far
The reason that ths upload is late is cause I lose my laptop! Luckily I got it back but it took a while so I am now a little behind.
I also want to say I am sorry that I am only posting once a month, but working full time, and then trying to grow my online work, write my own work etc etc.
Also I only post of Fanfiction, but what are the other cite for fanfic you guys read? I hear one has begun to charge people but I am not sure. Suggestions?
I hope you enjoyed this and see you guys next time. xx