Alright guys, we're nearing the big moment...This next realm is a tough one for me to write. I want them to go there but I had trouble deciding exactly WHERE to send them. It was frustrating! (continues to pull out hair). I had to think "What do I want Hikari to see? What does she need to learn here?" And after thinking about those questions I came to only one conclusion. I just had to think "How in the WORLD am I going to get her THERE to watch THAT!?"

This realm's reveal is going to be TOUGH. Why? Because I've decided to send Hikari and her crew to near the finale of this place. Don't worry, I won't reveal anything that is spoilers! To help you guys out, it's an Anime, Manga, AND game, and it started a VERY popular craze...Think cards people! CARDS. Yep! There's monsters involved...but not the cute and cuddly kind (wink).

As before, the disclaimer is at the bottom of the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 26: Museum Wonders

"About time we ended up somewhere normal for a change…"

The three ended up in some museum in some unknown city. Everything looked pretty normal but it appeared the museum was closed. And since there have been humans in every realm they went to, Shin and Max had reverted to their human forms, thanks to Shin's powers now activated.

"Do you think that entity could be here?" Max asked as they looked around the exhibits.

"If so, we will handle it." Shin stated. "Right, Hikari?"

Hikari had been silent ever since they came to this place but now she spoke up.

"Right...Yeah…"

"Are you alright?" Max had become worried over her sudden change of attitude.

"Yeah...I'm just…" Hikari sighed. "Sorry…"

"That last world took a lot out of us, you especially Hikari." Shin told her. "It is a good thing we were brought here. Perhaps this is a good place to rest your weary mind." She looked at him. "You are troubled over something…"

"Sort of…" Shaking her head she forced a smile. "I guess it's good to just walk around, doing nothing…"

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Max grinned. "Hey! Check that out!"

Above them was the entrance to an exhibit entitled Ancient Egypt.

"We might as well take a look at it…" Max shrugged and the trio crossed the threshold into a world filled with golden artifacts and ancient history.

"Wow...People believed this...Pharaoh guy was a god?" Max scratched his chin as he read information on a wall.

"What is a Pharaoh?" Shin asked.

"Dunno...Some kind of king…" Max said.

"Um...Guys…" The two turned to Hikari. She was staring down a hallway in the exhibit. "I...Don't think we're alone…"

Slowly they crept into the hall where voices could be heard. Just around the corner was a group of teenagers standing around some sort of old tablet.

"What are they doing?" Hikari whispered.

"Well they certainly aren't the night watch…" Max whispered back.

One kid was at the center, his slim form facing the tablet head on. He was smaller than the others and his black hair stuck up around his head like a gigantic crown. He had a...regal presence about him.

"You guys ready for this?" The blonde next to him spoke.

"Yeah!" The girl said.

The teen in the middle produced three objects...Hikari had to squint her eyes to see them but they looked like paper with intricate designs on them.

"I hope this works…" The brown haired guy sighed. "It was hell getting those cards…"

Cards? Those are cards? What kind of realm WAS this?

The middle teen held up the three cards towards the tablet.

"Gods of ancient times." His voice was deep, commanding almost. Not the voice Hikari expected from such a small frame. "I have passed your test...Now...Show me my memories!"

Without warning, the world became bathed in light.

"What the-!?" Gone was the museum, replaced by high sand colored walls. Quickly they ducked into a dark corner, hoping to not be seen.

"Was that the door!?" Max hissed.

"That couldn't have been! There was no key!" Shin protested.

"Then where the heck are we!?" Max glared at him.

Some people walked past them, women carrying baskets and a few men with ancient looking spears. Their skin was golden tanned and their hair black as night. Each of them was dressed in simple robes, the men's chests bare.

Using his cloaking ability, Shin quickly adjusted their appearances to the forms they saw. Hikari quickly covered her eyes and turned away from Max and Shin.

"Okay, we aren't going anywhere until you two put on shirts!" She screeched.

"But-" Shin began.

"No shirt, no moving!" Hikari declared and Shin relented, producing a simple white shirt for both him and Max.

"Let's find out where they're going." Max said. "I've got a feeling…"

"Me too…" Finally calming down, Hikari moved out of the dark corner. "I think...We're in that place from the museum…"

Shin balked. "You mean...It is possible that we have…?!"

"Yeah…" Hikari and them headed down the hallway.

"I think...We're in this realm's past."

Next time: Ancient Ways

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and Yugioh, their characters, settings, etc., belong to their respected creators. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to me.