SailorStar9: With Chapter 43 uploaded, I present Chapter 44 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Disclaimer: I own nothing expect the Safiastra and Ami's dueling deck.

Chapter 44: Lost Memories of the Pharaoh

Shortly afterwards...

Ishtar Ishizu had arrived at the Domino International Airport on board her flight.

"We thank you sincerely for choosing Japan to host your exhibit." the Domino museum personnel greeted Ishizu. "We welcome you."

"We appreciate your welcome." Ishizu returned.

"No," the museum personnel replied. "I've always wanted to meet the Egyptian archaeological expert. Thank you for taking great care with this Ancient Egyptian exhibit."

"'No matter what, we should never sing about the eras where successive generations are filled with hostility'." Ishizu recited her family's adage. "Please excuse me." she apologized. "It's a saying that's been passed down from my ancestors. I sincerely hope this Ancient Egyptian exhibit will be a success." with her entourage, she walked off to finish up her preparations.

In the Domino museum...

"Welcome." Ishizu greeted her late night guest. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Kaiba. I am aware Kaiba Corporation's remarkable strides in the high-tech gaming industry. Please come this way." she gestured. "We, the Bureau of Egyptian Archaeology, were formed back in 1857." she led Kaiba into the basement. "You could say we exist as an organization formed to protect ancient artifacts from grave robbers. Currently, we are observing excavations such as this around the entire world. Let us cut to the chase. I understand you do hold an interest in Duel Monsters. What if I were to tell you that the cards you cherish so much holds their origin in Ancient Egypt? Pegasus J Crawford, the game designer that created the present form of Duel Monster: what if I told you he created Duel Monsters after a trip to Egypt? Although, this fact is not very well known. Please come with me, I think it's about time for a change in scenery."

Meanwhile, in Yuugi's room...

Thanks. Yami Yuugi voiced. You managed to put back the Millennium Puzzle back together.

"But it was Ami who saved us." Yuugi reminded.

I guess you are right. Yami Yuugi agreed. What's on your mind?

In the Domino museum basement...

"I am about to show you two palettes in the room ahead." Ishizu explained. "The palettes originated from the Mortuary Temple of the King that ruled during the eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. This holds the origin of Duel Monsters."

"What in the world..." Kaiba gawked when the lights turned on, he was standing in front of a stone plate encased in glass that displayed the various cravings of Duel Monsters. "They look exactly like Duel Monsters."

"That is correct." Ishizu confirmed. "Pegasus created Duel Monsters after seeing this palette. I will now explain the details of the past existence of both humans and the 'Monsters' we've come to know them as. The Ancient Egyptians, like many cultures, thought misfortunes were caused by evil spirits, fear and the suffering that existed within people's' hearts. As a result, the Pharaoh and his magicians used spells to trap the spirits. Using stone tablets as a source, the spirits were sealed within them. However, over time, the evil power began to grow within the sealed tablets. Soon after, a group of priests began to rebel against the King and his magicians. They used the evil spirits sealed within the stone tablets and a war broke out as a result. Please take a look at this other palette." she looked up at the second tablet. "This is what I wanted to show you here tonight. Please take a look at this palette long and carefully, just as Mr. Pegasus did long ago. I'm certain that, just as he did, you will find some form of inspiration from this image."

"That's..." Kaiba's eyes widened that the curve image of Yami Yuugi on the tablet. "Yuugi. And the image curved above him is the 'Dark Magician'."

"And the one standing beside the King." Ishizu prompted. "He is known as the 'White Beast Handler'. And the creature curved above is without a doubt the 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'. The young Pharaoh controls the 'Magician of Dark Magic' and one of his priests, the 'White Beast Handler' confronts him using the 'White Beast'. This palette depicts a Duelist battleground that took place several millenniums ago. The Millennium Puzzle along with another similar item is depicted in this battle between the King and the priest. Legend states that when all seven of these items join together, an unimaginable power will be born. That story is still told even today. But the most important thing is the battle between the evil priest and the righteous King. And that battle continues on even now."

"I don't believe it." Kaiba sneered. "I don't believe in this palette."

"Mr. Kaiba." Ishizu stated. "I don't know what you are thinking, but this is reality. Then come, please accept the truth with an open heart." she activated the power of her Millennium Tauk and drawing Kaiba into the past memory of his past self's battle against Pharaoh Atem.

Kaiba watched on as his past self Summoned the 'Lord of Zemia'.

His opponent countered with a Summoned 'Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress' which systemically destroyed 'Lord of Zemia'.

In Yuugi's room...

"Just who are you?" Yuugi asked Yami Yuugi. "I want to know."

Why? Yami Yuugi questioned.

"It's just..." Yuugi started.

I have no idea myself. Yami Yuugi admitted. I knew you would ask me this one of these days. But I have no intentions of lying to you. I don't know my own name or where I came from. I have no memories of my past. Just who am I? I have no clue.

In the Domino museum basement...

"The palette describes the history of the eighteenth Dynasty that I have been studying." Ishizu admitted after pulling Kaiba back from the memory. "The names of the eighteen Pharaohs that ruled during that Dynasty are recorded here. In other words, they are the identities of the Kings. However, no one knows anything about this King. The name of this King was destroyed and all records of him were lost."

Kaiba was once again pulled back into the memory, as he watched his past self Summon 'La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp'.

His opponent countered by Summoning 'Fairy Dragon' and fusing it with the already Summoned 'Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress' to form 'Kaiser Dragon'. He then had 'Kaiser Dragon' take out 'La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp'.

"In other words, this is the only King to be completely erased from Egyptian history." Ishizu continued. Pulling Kaiba back from the memory. "A nameless Pharaoh from 3000 years ago."

"I've had enough of your nonsense." Kaiba spat.

"Then, I'll show you one last vision." Ishizu offered, activating the Millennium Tauk again to let Kaiba see the final portion of the memory.

Kaiba saw his past self Summon 'Battle Ox' and 'Mystic Horseman' and using them as tributes to Summon 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' which systemically took out 'Kaiser Dragon' and winning him the duel.

"This is what I believe." Ishizu added. "Perhaps fate itself leads the souls of the King and priest depicted here to battle in present day. Even now, after 3000 years pass."

"Ridiculous." Kaiba snorted and turned to leave. "This is nothing but crazy talk. I overestimated you."

"Allow me to move to our main subject of the evening." Ishizu realized trying to convince Kaiba was fruitless. "I take it you are still interested in the rare cards I mentioned over the phone. What if I told you that Pegasus himself had hidden them away? Look closely at the top of the mural. The three depicted atop the palette, from right to left. 'Obelisk the Tormentor', 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'; the Three Illusionary Beasts. In our present day and time, they have come to be known as the 'God Cards'. Pegasus created the three rare cards after viewing this palette. You probably have heard rumors about them. It is said that whoever acquires these three rare cards will become a legend among the world of Duels and be granted the highest ranking Duelist title: the title 'King of Kings'. They are cards that scared even Pegasus: so much as that he himself requested that we, the Bureau of Egyptian Archaeology, seal the cards away in various locations within the Valley of the Kings. However, before long, they were stolen by a certain individual."

"By whom?" Kaiba frowned.

"The Ghouls." Ishizu answered. "Rare Card Hunters operating in secrecy around the world. Stealing Rare Cards either by force or stealth, selling them on the black market for profit. I've even heard rumors recently that they've begun making counterfeit bootlegs of the rarest cards. However, before the worst can occur, we must get the God Cards back. The sole purpose of us hosting this Ancient Egyptian exhibit is so we can search for the whereabouts of the cards. I believe this palette has the ability to attract Duelists. Finally, this card." she handed the 'Obelisk the Tormentor' God Card to Kaiba. "This is the only card out of the three that was not stolen. In order to retrieve the other two, I am entrusting you with the 'Obelisk the Tormentor'."

In Yuugi's room...

There's one thing I know for sure. Yami Yuugi confirmed. As long as you have the Millennium Puzzle, I can exist in this world. But I... I want to be with you forever. I don't care if I don't get my memories back.

SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.