Disclaimer: Nope, no ownership here.
Anya: Yuri Syta and Mystic Dragon - thanks for the constuctive critcism. I went back through this chapter and tried to find the spots where it was unclear who was speaking and fixed it. I probably missed a few spots though because I had this chapter (and a few others) typed out before I saw your reviews. But I went back through the chapter and tried to fix it. I hope this makes the story a little easier to read.
~This chapter is going to seem a little slow than the past ones, mainly because I had to do some explaining. Another interesting little twist is going to take place in this chapter. (I'm surprised none one guessed at it.) So I had to explain how that came to be. Also, thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I never expected to get as many as I did. It means a lot to me.
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"Father?"
The words were whispered so softly, that it was wonder anyone heard it. Sugoroku moved to the couch, with Yugi close behind him.
"Yes Ruia, it is me."
"But…But…You must be a incarnation, you can't be the real thing." Raya said, still not believing the site before her.
By now, everyone had moved into the room, sitting in anticipation with what could be revealed.
"I am the real thing. Search your heart my daughter, you know it to be the truth."
"As far as I am concerned, I have no father. He died when I left home." Raya spit the words out. The words were cold and harsh, but in her mind, very true.
Grandpa flinched. "I regret that day with all my heart. I had no choice, you must understand that. I didn't want to kick you out. I had already lost my wife and now I was going to lose you. You have to understand Ruia, I didn't want you out of my life!"
"Then why didn't you come see me? Why did you abandon me totally?"
"I did come, several times. I just couldn't face you. You were so happy, I didn't want to ruin it for you. I knew you were hurt, mad and there was nothing I could do to fix that. But I did keep an eye on you. I was there for your wedding, on the banks of the Nile where you and Yugioh met. You looked gorgeous that day. So much like your mother. And I was there the day your son was born. I was in the crowed when you announced his presence to the world. And I was there the day of the seize."
"You were there that day?" Yami gasped. He had never seen Grandpa in the palace. Of course, so much was going on, going wrong, that he very well could have been there.
"Just long enough to get a special package from High Priest Bakura and flee to the future. I swear to all of you, I am not a reincarnation, I am from Ancient Egypt, like the rest of you."
"How do I know that this isn't a lie father? How did I know that you are sincere when you apologize?"
"I can say nothing that will convince you totally Ruia. You are just going to have to trust your heart and your instincts. Besides, I can help you defeat Satire and Jarha. I know what they have done to you, today, in this time. I sensed it even though I was a town away. I wanted to run home and protect you, Yugi, and Yami. But I couldn't. I don't have the abilities. Not to mention, I was scared. I dreaded the day when they would return. I knew it would come. But never did I imagine that I would have another chance with you Ruia. I never thought that would happen. Please, I am not asking for forgiveness, only that you understand that I did what I had to do."
"You're really not a reincarnation are you?"
"No Ruia, I'm not."
Raya's head swam. So much information to process at once. "I don't know, so much has happened, I don't know what to believe."
Yugi stepped forward. "I have known Grandpa all my life. He has always raised me to be true and honest. And he has always been that way to me. I believe him when he says that he is your father. Think about it Raya. What does he have to gain from claiming to be your father, if he wasn't? We're not dealing with Satire or Jarha here, this is Grandpa. He is on our side. Not the other."
"Yugi, you've shown me forgiveness since the very beginning and if you can do that for me, I guess I can do the same for Father. I am not totally sure if I am over the hurt, but I do understand. We both would have died that day if you hadn't kicked me out. And maybe if you didn't, Yugi here wouldn't have had a past life to recall."
"What past life?"
"I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner Grandpa, Yugi here is Ruia's and Yugioh's child reincarnated." Joey spoke up from behind.
Tea stood by the door next to Seto. 'Why was Grandpa sent to future? What was the special package that he was given to protect? What could have been so important that Bakura deemed it necessary to send here? I know they sent Yami and Raya, but what else?' "Oh my lord."
"Tea? What is it?"
"It can't be, he was killed. But it is the only thing that makes sense. Grandpa, that special package, it could only be one thing. It was your grandson, Raya's child!"
"Tea, how could it be my child? He was murdered, I was there. I witnessed it all."
"You did witness a murder Ruia, but it wasn't your child. "
Tristan whistled. "Whoa, that means, their child was alive? But where was he all that time?"
"He was in the palace. By the time Ruia was about to deliver, High Priest Bakura was having visions of the Royal Family's fall. Knowing that the young heir was going to fall first, Bakura did the only thing he could. He switched the babies. Luckily, another baby boy was born a week or so later and when the Royal Family received the baby, it was Athena's, not Ruia's. And before you ask, yes Athena knew who she was raising. I know what all of you are thinking, we killed an innocent boy. And I guess to an extent we did, but you have to understand one thing, Athena's baby was going to die soon anyway. The medical term for it now is sudden death syndrome. Bakura had foreseen his death. The child would only have lived another month. Athena knew that too. She was just glad that she could help save the young prince. We still wanted to save her son, we didn't just want him to die. Unfortunately, we didn't know when Satire was going to strike or even how she was going to do it. When she did attack, I thought I was going to lose you too Ruia. But the fates smiled down that day, sort of. By this time, Bakura knew that is was a matter of time before the siblings attacked again, and this time, they wouldn't hesitate to kill others. Afraid that the young heir would be caught in the crossfire, Bakura came to me, with a desperate plea for help. He asked me to help save the future, that the past was already lost, but the future, it could still be saved. He told me that Satire and Jarha would return and that the future ones would be needed to save it. And it was my job to protect the future ones."
"There is that term again, future ones. I know now that all of us are the future ones, but why us?" Mokuba asked. His eyes were wide with curiosity. It wasn't everyday that you met someone who was over a 100, let alone a millennia.
"Because Mokuba, all of you took down the siblings once. And they know all of you can do it again." Grandpa replied calmly.
"But what was that special package Grandpa? Is it the trinity that Ptah told Yami and Seto about?"
A small smile crossed Sugoroku's face. "Haven't you figure out what that package was Yugi? What did the siblings fear most? The heir, the most powerful being in all ancient Egypt. I was sent to the future with him. I escaped the seize with my only grandson."
"Then that means, I…Raya…Yami…"
"Aibou is…"
Raya didn't speak, her voice failing her.
"Are your parents Yugi. And your son Yami."
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"WHAT!" exclaimed Joey. "You mean, Yugi is Yami's son, not the reincarnation?"
"That is correct Joseph."
"But…But, they can't be more than a year apart!" Seto argued. The young man wasn't caught off guard very often, but the notion that Yami and Raya were Yugi's parents, that had pretty much done it.
Finally, Raya spoke. "It must have been the time travel. Grandpa and Yugi arrived here fifteen years before I did. So while Yugi had the time to age, I didn't. I arrived here the same age I left Egypt, fifteen. And I am assuming the same principle applied to Yami. While trapped in the puzzle, he didn't age. But as soon as he placed the puzzle together, he started living again, aging age, but like me, he was fifteen. But Joey is right, this is too weird."
"Weird, but correct. Yugi is your son."
"I'm not sure if I believe this either Grandpa." Yami replied. 'Yugi, my true son? Could it really be true? Or is this another cruel trick of fate?'
"Let me pose it this way, how else did I know what puzzle Yami was trapped in unless I was in Egypt? How else could I know about Ruia and High Priest Bakura? Athena? You said it yourself, I raised you to be honest, why would I lie about any of this."
Yugi stood, angrily. "But you did. What about the story you told me about Rachel and Nichols? Why didn't you say anything about Yami being my father if you knew? Why? Why did everyone lie to me since the beginning? Raya, Yami, and now even you Grandpa did. WHY?"
"Because aibou, we wanted to pro.."
"Didn't give me that protection speech again. That is getting so old. I'm fifteen, I can handle the truth, but yet no one trusted me. I'm not some little kid who all of you have watch over all protect all the time. Yes, I am little and maybe a little over emotional, but I can handle the truth. I have the right to know my past, MY TRUE PAST."
Raya slipped down to the floor, crystalline tears streamed down her face like little rivers. "You're right Yugi, you did deserve to know the truth, especially the parts I knew. But you have to understand, the reason why we lied, it wasn't just about protection. We loved you and didn't want to see you harmed, physically or emotionally. And the past, what Yami and I knew, it would hurt you. It did hurt you, more than you let on. And that is the last thing I ever wanted to do. "
All the anger Yugi had built up, dissipated. Seeing Raya cry like that openly, it shook him to the core. "Momma!" Yugi launched himself into Raya's arm. 'So this is what is feels like to have a mother hold you.'
Everyone stood in awe, watching the mother and son. Yami over came his shock and joined his family, his family. 'Never again did I ever expect to feel like this again. Not after the shadow games, not after all those innocent lives were lost.'
Seto watched the couple on the floor. Even his eyes were misting up. 'Together again, just like it should be, A family separated by war, brought together again by love. Maybe, just maybe our destinies never really change, only alter themselves to fit the times and our reactions.' Slowly, he raised his hand, and cupped it into Tea's, giving hers a soft squeeze. She turned, smiling. She too had tears in her eyes.
"I'm so happy for them. Yugi finally has what he longed for all his life, parents." she whispered.
"More so than that, he has a family. I'm glad for him. He could not have two better parents."
Tea smirked. "You really are getting alone with Yami now, aren't you?"
"Those tests helped me realize the important things in life." He stared down at hand he held, then gazed back up at Tea, who was blushing a deep crimson.
Before she could respond, Joey tapped them on their shoulders. "Come on, we should give those four some privacy."
The two nodded and headed out the door, behind the others, hand in hand.
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"Anyone else finding all of this hard to swallow?"
"It is hard to comprehend Tristan, but even you have to admit, the evidence is there." Bakura answered, staring at the closed door. "We should have guessed the truth long ago."
"Evidence? Did I miss everything?" Joey asked. "Because I don't remember every seeing a connection that Yami was Yugi's father. Sure they had a really close bond, but I never guessed that it was something more than that."
"Maybe I'm just better at seeing things. Sometimes, when we are together, it is like I am standing on the sideline, observing. Look at all the clues we had, Raya's painting, the way Yugi acted around her, the way she acted around him, the visions, all of it hinted that Yugi was something more to Raya. We just never pieced together the clues. The answer was staring at us the whole time."
"It is still hard to believe. Little Yug has parents again…ones that our age. Still though, it is pretty cool."
Tea grinned. "I couldn't be more happier for him. But Bakura is right, the answer was staring at us since the beginning. I mean, we should have know something was up, take a look at Yami and Yugi. There look alike. We assumed that was because Yami was the darker half of Yugi, but it wasn't, it was because they were father and son. Same goes for Yami Bakura, they were twins! That is why they looked identical and Yugi and Yami didn't."
"I can't believe we overlooked all that." Seto smacked his forehead. "It was all right in front of us the whole time."
"Don't worry big brother, we had other things to concentrate on: Satire, Jarha, finding you and Yami, and you went through the Trials."
"Mokuba's right and I must admit, it is nice to have some good news for once, even if it doesn't have anything to do with me."
"I think we can all agree with that." Joey paused then added "A day of peace and semi relaxation."
"Not even close Joey. Just because the siblings aren't doing anything now, does not mean they won't try something later. Besides, we still have work to do. We still need to find out what that trinity represents. The Royal Family in there is going to need it if they are to defeat the siblings."
"What do you think we should do?"
Seto grinned. "I'll go back to the computer room and start checking there. Mokuba, you and Bakura search the library books. Tristan, you and dog head to the security room. Not only do I need you two to keep an eye out for the siblings, but start placing some calls. One to the local catholic church, see what you can find out about their trinity. The other to the local college, foreign history department. Ask them if the Egyptians had any beliefs about the trinity. If not, ask them what else it could represent."
"What about me?"
"Tea, you come with me. I can always use another hand in there."
Joey leaned close to Tristan. "A computer genius needs a hand with computers? Somehow I am not buying THAT one."
"A small enclosed, private room…me either."
"It's nothing like that!" Tea yelled, smacking both boys upside their heads.
"Ow, sorry Tea."
"Likewise, I thought it was stupid getting Mai or Raya mad at me, but boy was I wrong." Joey rubbed the back of his head. "Man Tea, I think you gave me a bump."
"I've learned from the best, what can I say?"
"Come on Tea, worry about these two later. Let's report back in two hours with what we have or don't have, okay?"
The boys nodded and headed off to their respective rooms. As he walked out of the room, Seto couldn't help but wonder what was going on in the other room.
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Yugi snuggled down into his mother's arms, pressing his cheek against her shoulder. His mother. 'After all this time, I have a mother and a father. Okay, the age difference makes this a tad weird, but I don't care. I have a mother, who loves me. A father, who protects me. A grandfather, who guides me. Friends, who stand by me. What more to life is there than this?'
"Father, thank you. You saved my son's life, raised him to be true and honest. I owe everything I have to you."
"No Raya, you don't. I was just glad that I given another chance at life. When I kicked you out of our home, I died. I didn't have my little girl by my side. I regretted deeply what I did, but by society rules, I had to do what I did. Was it right? No. And if I had a chance to do it all again, I would do it differently. And then, Bakura came to me. And I was given a chance to help you, to save your son from certain death. But there was only one catch, I couldn't tell either you or Yami the truth about your son. For if I did, all of you would want to come as well. But as Bakura explained, that could not happen. Yami, you were needed to seal away the Shadow Games. Bakura told me that you would be sealed in the millennium puzzle and I was to give it Yugi when the time was right. However, Bakura never told me how Ruia came to get here or if she ever would."
"Long story father, let's just say this: death, healed, sent to the future to protect the ones."
"I have a question though. Yami, why didn't you recognize Grandpa as Ruia's father?"
"I never met him. Remember, I wasn't allowed to travel through the town like normal people were. I was either under constant guard or supervision. The times I spent with Anzu and Ruia were the only times I was out of the palace. And by the time I married Ruia, she and her father were on non - speaking terms. So to answer you question aibou, I never knew."
"And I was so mad, I never spoke about my father. So there was no way for Yami to ever recognize him."
"So where do we go from here?" Yugi asked. "The siblings are still out there, waiting for us to slip up."
"Grandpa, you said you could help with Satire and Jarha. What is it that Raya and I have been over looking? What is this trinity that they fear?"
"I know nothing of a trinity, but it was the Royal Family that they feared most. The power that you three posed."
"Maybe that is the trinity, the three of us. Me, mom, and dad."
"Would be plausible, I am mean there are three of us, but we knew ahead of time that they feared all of us, it has to be something else, something more." Raya placed her chin on top of her son's head. "What that is though, I still have no idea."
"What I can't believe is that the siblings haven't tried anything today. The silence, it is a bit unnerving."
"They must be planning something big. But which one of us are they going after? Yugi? Raya? Or you Yami?"
"I think it is going to be a full out attack on all of us honestly Grandpa. I can't shake the feelings that this is going to end soon, very soon."
"So they just didn't drop off the face of the earth like I hoped?"
Yami chuckled. "Nope, sorry Raya."
"It's ok. I got a much better surprise instead. My father and son back."
"And I got a mother and father."
"Speaking of which, you better not call us mom or dad in public light, people may react strangely to that revelation."
"I won't. Besides, I've been calling you Yami forever. It would be hard to change my ways all of a sudden."
"So what are we going to do? Now that we know that Yugi is our real son, he must have inherited some form of powers."
"Right, that is why we were sent to the future, because of them. However, Bakura never said what exactly they were."
"That's because he didn't know. I know Bakura was a visionary, but the powers were gifts from the gods themselves. There is no way to tell for certain with area Yugi has."
"Then how will we find out? I need to know if I am to help all of you."
Yami glanced at Raya. The two silently talked with each other. "Through testing Yugi, lots and lots of testing."
"Why don't I like the sound of that?"
Raya grinned. "It won't be that bad…I hope."
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*Crash*
Sugoroku cringed. "I hope it wasn't anything valuable."
Seto, who had fallen to the ground, glared upward. "Everything in this house is valuable."
Grandpa laughed. He had left the room when the testing began. It was a good thing that he did. Every two minutes, another loud crash or bang came from the room. "Is it not for a worthy cause?"
"The kid is dead if he breaks everything in that room. Satire and Jarha won't get the honors."
"Oh Seto, material possessions aren't everything are they?" Tea asked threatening.
"Well…"
"ARE THEY?"
"No Tea. Man, Joey was right. I shouldn't get you mad."
Before she could answer, the door opened and Raya and Yami wearily came out.
"I take it the tests didn't go well?"
"Oh contrary Tea, they did…somewhat. We've determined three things. One, Yugi's realm isn't mind. Two, it isn't soul either. Three, heart is a strong possibility. That is why the cards react so strongly with him."
"But?" Seto asked, sensing there was one coming.
"There is no way to tell, we couldn't get his attacks to work."
"So, basically, we are still relying on you and Yami?"
"For now, yes. But I think that when the time comes, Yugi will be able to attack. It is a matter of being forced, not drawn out." Yami replied. 'At least, that is what I hope.'
"Where is Yugi?"
"Still inside, asleep. The training took a lot out of him. Did Joey and Tristan call those places?" Raya asked, taking a seat on the floor.
"They did, the college said that the Egyptians held no real belief in a trinity, but a near by country did. Greece had three top gods: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Now sometimes they were referred to as a trinity." Seto explained.
"Well that fits our earlier belief that it represents our top three gods, but a lot of gods and goddess could fit that role."
"Another thing occurred to me while Joey was explaining this all to me, some of the Duel Monsters cards are fashioned off of Greek creatures, like the Harpy Ladies. So maybe the trinity has nothing to do with a Egyptian belief at all." Seto countered.
"Then what does it mean? What was Ptah trying to warn me of?"
"I'm not sure, but you haven't heard what Tristan found out when he called the Catholic church. The trinity does represent the three strongest beings in their belief, much like the Greeks, but the trinity can also represent a number of things as well."
"Like?"
"Tristan couldn't remember exactly. Had something to do with a spirit or something like that."
"I think we were right though, with the thought that trinity represents the three most powerful beings. Which would be Yami, Yugi, and I guess myself. But I don't understand how."
"Question of the year right there."
"Wonderful, just wonderful. We are still no close to cracking this clue then when we were when we got it."
Everyone nodded.
"Does anyone else find it weird that the siblings didn't attack?" Tea asked suddenly. "It is already 11 at night."
Yami sighed, glancing at the room where his son slept. "Even arch villains need a day off. But we can't let our guard down. They are planning something, something big, something deadly."
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['Where am I?' Yugi glanced all around his surroundings. A huge palace stood behind him. It glisten in the morning light, the rays bouncing off the golden structure. Slowly, he worked up the courage to walk inside. Once there, he heard a voice.
'Hush little baby, don't make a sound, mommy's going to buy you…'
'Raya. I would know that voice anywhere.' Following the sound of the voice, he enter the nursery room. Sitting by a window, was Ruia, rocking a baby boy in her arms. 'I know now that isn't me, but still.'
'Sleep tight my son.' Ruia placed the boy into her crib and turned towards the door. She gasped when she saw Yugi. 'Who are you? What do you want?'
'I mean you no harm Queen Ruia.' Yugi quickly bowed before her.
'I'm sorry, but do I know you?'
'Um…my name is Yugi and no you do not.'
'You look like my husband, a great deal like him. It startles me so.'
'I am honored that you think I look like the King.'
'What is you purpose here my son.' Ruia gave a small smile.
'How, how did you know?'
'No one could style their hair like that unless they were related to my husband. Besides, I a vision that you would come.'
'This is real? I thought I was dreaming.'
'You are.'
'Then what did you mean when you said you had a vision that I would come?'
Ruia laughed and sat down in a chair, straightening out her white gown. 'It is a long story my son. Let's just say your dreams and visions come from me, not Yugioh.'
'Oh, I see. Normally my dreams warn me of something. Is this one of them?'
'Not that I am aware of, unless someone forgot to inform me that I was supposed to warn you of something.'
'Then why was I brought here?'
'Because you wanted to be here. You wanted to know what your parents were like in the past, not to mention that you wanted to see if you could learn something. Am I correct?'
'Yes, you are right.'
'Then ask away my child.'
'Anything?'
'Of course. I'm your mother. I will try to answer any of your questions.'
'What is my ability?'
'There are several realms of influence that a person can posse. You're father's realm is the mind, mine is soul. Your grandparents were both heart. You could control any of those, or several other possibilities.'
'Like?'
'Health, Air, Fire, Earth, Water, Body, Time, Death, and many more.'
'But you are not sure which one I am?'
'No, I am not. See when you were born, a god or goddess would decide which realm, if any, you would posse and make you a follower of theirs. Ra is Yugioh's and Sehkment is mine. Anyone could be yours.'
'Wonderful. Mom, do you know anything about a trinity?'
'Sure, the trinity is the title that the gods gave to the most powerful people in our country.'
'Really? Who are they?'
"Well, your father is one, The High Priest Setto is another, and the other I believe was Jarha, another high priest till he left suddenly.'
'Why are they the trinity?'
'Mainly because they represent the three characteristics the gods see in themselves.'
'Power, power, and power?'
Ruia laughed. 'That is very true, but no. Loyalty, strength, and wisdom are the three.'
'Then the three that best exemplify those characteristics are the trinity?'
'Sure, but another is us Yugi. The Royal Family is another trinity now. And our three highest gods are too. It could be a number of things.'
'Who are the three highest up gods?
'Ra, Osiris, and Amon of course.'
'Didn't Ra and Amon join together though and form one person?'
'They did, but they are still our most important gods, and you have to remember, even though they came together to form one person Yugi, they were two very different people, trapped in one body. But their thoughts and actions could sometimes be different. So that is why the get separate honors.'
'I see. Ruia, do you fear Jarha's sister?'
'Satire? Of course. She is an evil woman, bent on nothing but revenge. But, that is her darker side talking. I know that there is good still in her. She was just hurt, as were many, by Yugioh's and mine's actions. We didn't mean to hurt anyone, but we did. I just wish everyone understand how much we loved each other. Maybe then, so many lives wouldn't have ended in sadness. I fear what she will do to my family. But seeing you gives me hope Yugi. And in the most hopeless of situations, hope is what we can rely on most, that and our hearts. Never will either steer you wrong.'
'Mom?'
'Yes dear?'
Yugi walked over to Ruia and gave her a huge hug. 'Thank you.'
'I don't know what I did, but you are welcome. But before you go, let me give you one more piece of advice. Everyone deserves a chance my son, even if their past actions are questionable. Don't judge or act until all the facts have been presented. Because sometimes, that one missing fact, can sway a whole opinion.' ]
Yugi woke up with a start. The dream was so real, so vivid. But he wasn't scared, far from it.
//You awake aibou?//
/Yes Yami./
//Did you have another vision?//
/Yes, but I didn't mind this one. I saw Ruia and she was happy./
//Must have been before the seize.//
/It was and you know what, I think mom knew the attack was coming. Not exactly what time, but had an idea of what was to come./
//I put money on it that she did. Like you, she got visions.//
/Yeah./
//What's wrong?//
/Nothing, just trying to make sense of the dream, but maybe there is nothing to figure out./
//Maybe.//
/Where are you anyway?/
//One room over. Do you want me to come in and keep you company?//
/Yes please. Bring Raya too. I want to talk to her about the vision too./
//Of course aibou, We'll be right in.//
Yugi broke the link and stared outside. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting just outside that window, wanting to kill him. 'Of course, there is. Two things. Jarha and Satire. Well, I am not going to let them win. We'll beat them. And then, I can be a family with Yami and Raya permanently.'
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Standing just outside the Kaiba mansion, stood a figure in a shadow of a large elm tree, watching the Royal Family together through the window. "Tomorrow my friends, tomorrow you're lives change. Tomorrow, you die."
Anya: Yuri Syta and Mystic Dragon - thanks for the constuctive critcism. I went back through this chapter and tried to find the spots where it was unclear who was speaking and fixed it. I probably missed a few spots though because I had this chapter (and a few others) typed out before I saw your reviews. But I went back through the chapter and tried to fix it. I hope this makes the story a little easier to read.
~This chapter is going to seem a little slow than the past ones, mainly because I had to do some explaining. Another interesting little twist is going to take place in this chapter. (I'm surprised none one guessed at it.) So I had to explain how that came to be. Also, thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I never expected to get as many as I did. It means a lot to me.
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"Father?"
The words were whispered so softly, that it was wonder anyone heard it. Sugoroku moved to the couch, with Yugi close behind him.
"Yes Ruia, it is me."
"But…But…You must be a incarnation, you can't be the real thing." Raya said, still not believing the site before her.
By now, everyone had moved into the room, sitting in anticipation with what could be revealed.
"I am the real thing. Search your heart my daughter, you know it to be the truth."
"As far as I am concerned, I have no father. He died when I left home." Raya spit the words out. The words were cold and harsh, but in her mind, very true.
Grandpa flinched. "I regret that day with all my heart. I had no choice, you must understand that. I didn't want to kick you out. I had already lost my wife and now I was going to lose you. You have to understand Ruia, I didn't want you out of my life!"
"Then why didn't you come see me? Why did you abandon me totally?"
"I did come, several times. I just couldn't face you. You were so happy, I didn't want to ruin it for you. I knew you were hurt, mad and there was nothing I could do to fix that. But I did keep an eye on you. I was there for your wedding, on the banks of the Nile where you and Yugioh met. You looked gorgeous that day. So much like your mother. And I was there the day your son was born. I was in the crowed when you announced his presence to the world. And I was there the day of the seize."
"You were there that day?" Yami gasped. He had never seen Grandpa in the palace. Of course, so much was going on, going wrong, that he very well could have been there.
"Just long enough to get a special package from High Priest Bakura and flee to the future. I swear to all of you, I am not a reincarnation, I am from Ancient Egypt, like the rest of you."
"How do I know that this isn't a lie father? How did I know that you are sincere when you apologize?"
"I can say nothing that will convince you totally Ruia. You are just going to have to trust your heart and your instincts. Besides, I can help you defeat Satire and Jarha. I know what they have done to you, today, in this time. I sensed it even though I was a town away. I wanted to run home and protect you, Yugi, and Yami. But I couldn't. I don't have the abilities. Not to mention, I was scared. I dreaded the day when they would return. I knew it would come. But never did I imagine that I would have another chance with you Ruia. I never thought that would happen. Please, I am not asking for forgiveness, only that you understand that I did what I had to do."
"You're really not a reincarnation are you?"
"No Ruia, I'm not."
Raya's head swam. So much information to process at once. "I don't know, so much has happened, I don't know what to believe."
Yugi stepped forward. "I have known Grandpa all my life. He has always raised me to be true and honest. And he has always been that way to me. I believe him when he says that he is your father. Think about it Raya. What does he have to gain from claiming to be your father, if he wasn't? We're not dealing with Satire or Jarha here, this is Grandpa. He is on our side. Not the other."
"Yugi, you've shown me forgiveness since the very beginning and if you can do that for me, I guess I can do the same for Father. I am not totally sure if I am over the hurt, but I do understand. We both would have died that day if you hadn't kicked me out. And maybe if you didn't, Yugi here wouldn't have had a past life to recall."
"What past life?"
"I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner Grandpa, Yugi here is Ruia's and Yugioh's child reincarnated." Joey spoke up from behind.
Tea stood by the door next to Seto. 'Why was Grandpa sent to future? What was the special package that he was given to protect? What could have been so important that Bakura deemed it necessary to send here? I know they sent Yami and Raya, but what else?' "Oh my lord."
"Tea? What is it?"
"It can't be, he was killed. But it is the only thing that makes sense. Grandpa, that special package, it could only be one thing. It was your grandson, Raya's child!"
"Tea, how could it be my child? He was murdered, I was there. I witnessed it all."
"You did witness a murder Ruia, but it wasn't your child. "
Tristan whistled. "Whoa, that means, their child was alive? But where was he all that time?"
"He was in the palace. By the time Ruia was about to deliver, High Priest Bakura was having visions of the Royal Family's fall. Knowing that the young heir was going to fall first, Bakura did the only thing he could. He switched the babies. Luckily, another baby boy was born a week or so later and when the Royal Family received the baby, it was Athena's, not Ruia's. And before you ask, yes Athena knew who she was raising. I know what all of you are thinking, we killed an innocent boy. And I guess to an extent we did, but you have to understand one thing, Athena's baby was going to die soon anyway. The medical term for it now is sudden death syndrome. Bakura had foreseen his death. The child would only have lived another month. Athena knew that too. She was just glad that she could help save the young prince. We still wanted to save her son, we didn't just want him to die. Unfortunately, we didn't know when Satire was going to strike or even how she was going to do it. When she did attack, I thought I was going to lose you too Ruia. But the fates smiled down that day, sort of. By this time, Bakura knew that is was a matter of time before the siblings attacked again, and this time, they wouldn't hesitate to kill others. Afraid that the young heir would be caught in the crossfire, Bakura came to me, with a desperate plea for help. He asked me to help save the future, that the past was already lost, but the future, it could still be saved. He told me that Satire and Jarha would return and that the future ones would be needed to save it. And it was my job to protect the future ones."
"There is that term again, future ones. I know now that all of us are the future ones, but why us?" Mokuba asked. His eyes were wide with curiosity. It wasn't everyday that you met someone who was over a 100, let alone a millennia.
"Because Mokuba, all of you took down the siblings once. And they know all of you can do it again." Grandpa replied calmly.
"But what was that special package Grandpa? Is it the trinity that Ptah told Yami and Seto about?"
A small smile crossed Sugoroku's face. "Haven't you figure out what that package was Yugi? What did the siblings fear most? The heir, the most powerful being in all ancient Egypt. I was sent to the future with him. I escaped the seize with my only grandson."
"Then that means, I…Raya…Yami…"
"Aibou is…"
Raya didn't speak, her voice failing her.
"Are your parents Yugi. And your son Yami."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"WHAT!" exclaimed Joey. "You mean, Yugi is Yami's son, not the reincarnation?"
"That is correct Joseph."
"But…But, they can't be more than a year apart!" Seto argued. The young man wasn't caught off guard very often, but the notion that Yami and Raya were Yugi's parents, that had pretty much done it.
Finally, Raya spoke. "It must have been the time travel. Grandpa and Yugi arrived here fifteen years before I did. So while Yugi had the time to age, I didn't. I arrived here the same age I left Egypt, fifteen. And I am assuming the same principle applied to Yami. While trapped in the puzzle, he didn't age. But as soon as he placed the puzzle together, he started living again, aging age, but like me, he was fifteen. But Joey is right, this is too weird."
"Weird, but correct. Yugi is your son."
"I'm not sure if I believe this either Grandpa." Yami replied. 'Yugi, my true son? Could it really be true? Or is this another cruel trick of fate?'
"Let me pose it this way, how else did I know what puzzle Yami was trapped in unless I was in Egypt? How else could I know about Ruia and High Priest Bakura? Athena? You said it yourself, I raised you to be honest, why would I lie about any of this."
Yugi stood, angrily. "But you did. What about the story you told me about Rachel and Nichols? Why didn't you say anything about Yami being my father if you knew? Why? Why did everyone lie to me since the beginning? Raya, Yami, and now even you Grandpa did. WHY?"
"Because aibou, we wanted to pro.."
"Didn't give me that protection speech again. That is getting so old. I'm fifteen, I can handle the truth, but yet no one trusted me. I'm not some little kid who all of you have watch over all protect all the time. Yes, I am little and maybe a little over emotional, but I can handle the truth. I have the right to know my past, MY TRUE PAST."
Raya slipped down to the floor, crystalline tears streamed down her face like little rivers. "You're right Yugi, you did deserve to know the truth, especially the parts I knew. But you have to understand, the reason why we lied, it wasn't just about protection. We loved you and didn't want to see you harmed, physically or emotionally. And the past, what Yami and I knew, it would hurt you. It did hurt you, more than you let on. And that is the last thing I ever wanted to do. "
All the anger Yugi had built up, dissipated. Seeing Raya cry like that openly, it shook him to the core. "Momma!" Yugi launched himself into Raya's arm. 'So this is what is feels like to have a mother hold you.'
Everyone stood in awe, watching the mother and son. Yami over came his shock and joined his family, his family. 'Never again did I ever expect to feel like this again. Not after the shadow games, not after all those innocent lives were lost.'
Seto watched the couple on the floor. Even his eyes were misting up. 'Together again, just like it should be, A family separated by war, brought together again by love. Maybe, just maybe our destinies never really change, only alter themselves to fit the times and our reactions.' Slowly, he raised his hand, and cupped it into Tea's, giving hers a soft squeeze. She turned, smiling. She too had tears in her eyes.
"I'm so happy for them. Yugi finally has what he longed for all his life, parents." she whispered.
"More so than that, he has a family. I'm glad for him. He could not have two better parents."
Tea smirked. "You really are getting alone with Yami now, aren't you?"
"Those tests helped me realize the important things in life." He stared down at hand he held, then gazed back up at Tea, who was blushing a deep crimson.
Before she could respond, Joey tapped them on their shoulders. "Come on, we should give those four some privacy."
The two nodded and headed out the door, behind the others, hand in hand.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Anyone else finding all of this hard to swallow?"
"It is hard to comprehend Tristan, but even you have to admit, the evidence is there." Bakura answered, staring at the closed door. "We should have guessed the truth long ago."
"Evidence? Did I miss everything?" Joey asked. "Because I don't remember every seeing a connection that Yami was Yugi's father. Sure they had a really close bond, but I never guessed that it was something more than that."
"Maybe I'm just better at seeing things. Sometimes, when we are together, it is like I am standing on the sideline, observing. Look at all the clues we had, Raya's painting, the way Yugi acted around her, the way she acted around him, the visions, all of it hinted that Yugi was something more to Raya. We just never pieced together the clues. The answer was staring at us the whole time."
"It is still hard to believe. Little Yug has parents again…ones that our age. Still though, it is pretty cool."
Tea grinned. "I couldn't be more happier for him. But Bakura is right, the answer was staring at us since the beginning. I mean, we should have know something was up, take a look at Yami and Yugi. There look alike. We assumed that was because Yami was the darker half of Yugi, but it wasn't, it was because they were father and son. Same goes for Yami Bakura, they were twins! That is why they looked identical and Yugi and Yami didn't."
"I can't believe we overlooked all that." Seto smacked his forehead. "It was all right in front of us the whole time."
"Don't worry big brother, we had other things to concentrate on: Satire, Jarha, finding you and Yami, and you went through the Trials."
"Mokuba's right and I must admit, it is nice to have some good news for once, even if it doesn't have anything to do with me."
"I think we can all agree with that." Joey paused then added "A day of peace and semi relaxation."
"Not even close Joey. Just because the siblings aren't doing anything now, does not mean they won't try something later. Besides, we still have work to do. We still need to find out what that trinity represents. The Royal Family in there is going to need it if they are to defeat the siblings."
"What do you think we should do?"
Seto grinned. "I'll go back to the computer room and start checking there. Mokuba, you and Bakura search the library books. Tristan, you and dog head to the security room. Not only do I need you two to keep an eye out for the siblings, but start placing some calls. One to the local catholic church, see what you can find out about their trinity. The other to the local college, foreign history department. Ask them if the Egyptians had any beliefs about the trinity. If not, ask them what else it could represent."
"What about me?"
"Tea, you come with me. I can always use another hand in there."
Joey leaned close to Tristan. "A computer genius needs a hand with computers? Somehow I am not buying THAT one."
"A small enclosed, private room…me either."
"It's nothing like that!" Tea yelled, smacking both boys upside their heads.
"Ow, sorry Tea."
"Likewise, I thought it was stupid getting Mai or Raya mad at me, but boy was I wrong." Joey rubbed the back of his head. "Man Tea, I think you gave me a bump."
"I've learned from the best, what can I say?"
"Come on Tea, worry about these two later. Let's report back in two hours with what we have or don't have, okay?"
The boys nodded and headed off to their respective rooms. As he walked out of the room, Seto couldn't help but wonder what was going on in the other room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yugi snuggled down into his mother's arms, pressing his cheek against her shoulder. His mother. 'After all this time, I have a mother and a father. Okay, the age difference makes this a tad weird, but I don't care. I have a mother, who loves me. A father, who protects me. A grandfather, who guides me. Friends, who stand by me. What more to life is there than this?'
"Father, thank you. You saved my son's life, raised him to be true and honest. I owe everything I have to you."
"No Raya, you don't. I was just glad that I given another chance at life. When I kicked you out of our home, I died. I didn't have my little girl by my side. I regretted deeply what I did, but by society rules, I had to do what I did. Was it right? No. And if I had a chance to do it all again, I would do it differently. And then, Bakura came to me. And I was given a chance to help you, to save your son from certain death. But there was only one catch, I couldn't tell either you or Yami the truth about your son. For if I did, all of you would want to come as well. But as Bakura explained, that could not happen. Yami, you were needed to seal away the Shadow Games. Bakura told me that you would be sealed in the millennium puzzle and I was to give it Yugi when the time was right. However, Bakura never told me how Ruia came to get here or if she ever would."
"Long story father, let's just say this: death, healed, sent to the future to protect the ones."
"I have a question though. Yami, why didn't you recognize Grandpa as Ruia's father?"
"I never met him. Remember, I wasn't allowed to travel through the town like normal people were. I was either under constant guard or supervision. The times I spent with Anzu and Ruia were the only times I was out of the palace. And by the time I married Ruia, she and her father were on non - speaking terms. So to answer you question aibou, I never knew."
"And I was so mad, I never spoke about my father. So there was no way for Yami to ever recognize him."
"So where do we go from here?" Yugi asked. "The siblings are still out there, waiting for us to slip up."
"Grandpa, you said you could help with Satire and Jarha. What is it that Raya and I have been over looking? What is this trinity that they fear?"
"I know nothing of a trinity, but it was the Royal Family that they feared most. The power that you three posed."
"Maybe that is the trinity, the three of us. Me, mom, and dad."
"Would be plausible, I am mean there are three of us, but we knew ahead of time that they feared all of us, it has to be something else, something more." Raya placed her chin on top of her son's head. "What that is though, I still have no idea."
"What I can't believe is that the siblings haven't tried anything today. The silence, it is a bit unnerving."
"They must be planning something big. But which one of us are they going after? Yugi? Raya? Or you Yami?"
"I think it is going to be a full out attack on all of us honestly Grandpa. I can't shake the feelings that this is going to end soon, very soon."
"So they just didn't drop off the face of the earth like I hoped?"
Yami chuckled. "Nope, sorry Raya."
"It's ok. I got a much better surprise instead. My father and son back."
"And I got a mother and father."
"Speaking of which, you better not call us mom or dad in public light, people may react strangely to that revelation."
"I won't. Besides, I've been calling you Yami forever. It would be hard to change my ways all of a sudden."
"So what are we going to do? Now that we know that Yugi is our real son, he must have inherited some form of powers."
"Right, that is why we were sent to the future, because of them. However, Bakura never said what exactly they were."
"That's because he didn't know. I know Bakura was a visionary, but the powers were gifts from the gods themselves. There is no way to tell for certain with area Yugi has."
"Then how will we find out? I need to know if I am to help all of you."
Yami glanced at Raya. The two silently talked with each other. "Through testing Yugi, lots and lots of testing."
"Why don't I like the sound of that?"
Raya grinned. "It won't be that bad…I hope."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Crash*
Sugoroku cringed. "I hope it wasn't anything valuable."
Seto, who had fallen to the ground, glared upward. "Everything in this house is valuable."
Grandpa laughed. He had left the room when the testing began. It was a good thing that he did. Every two minutes, another loud crash or bang came from the room. "Is it not for a worthy cause?"
"The kid is dead if he breaks everything in that room. Satire and Jarha won't get the honors."
"Oh Seto, material possessions aren't everything are they?" Tea asked threatening.
"Well…"
"ARE THEY?"
"No Tea. Man, Joey was right. I shouldn't get you mad."
Before she could answer, the door opened and Raya and Yami wearily came out.
"I take it the tests didn't go well?"
"Oh contrary Tea, they did…somewhat. We've determined three things. One, Yugi's realm isn't mind. Two, it isn't soul either. Three, heart is a strong possibility. That is why the cards react so strongly with him."
"But?" Seto asked, sensing there was one coming.
"There is no way to tell, we couldn't get his attacks to work."
"So, basically, we are still relying on you and Yami?"
"For now, yes. But I think that when the time comes, Yugi will be able to attack. It is a matter of being forced, not drawn out." Yami replied. 'At least, that is what I hope.'
"Where is Yugi?"
"Still inside, asleep. The training took a lot out of him. Did Joey and Tristan call those places?" Raya asked, taking a seat on the floor.
"They did, the college said that the Egyptians held no real belief in a trinity, but a near by country did. Greece had three top gods: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Now sometimes they were referred to as a trinity." Seto explained.
"Well that fits our earlier belief that it represents our top three gods, but a lot of gods and goddess could fit that role."
"Another thing occurred to me while Joey was explaining this all to me, some of the Duel Monsters cards are fashioned off of Greek creatures, like the Harpy Ladies. So maybe the trinity has nothing to do with a Egyptian belief at all." Seto countered.
"Then what does it mean? What was Ptah trying to warn me of?"
"I'm not sure, but you haven't heard what Tristan found out when he called the Catholic church. The trinity does represent the three strongest beings in their belief, much like the Greeks, but the trinity can also represent a number of things as well."
"Like?"
"Tristan couldn't remember exactly. Had something to do with a spirit or something like that."
"I think we were right though, with the thought that trinity represents the three most powerful beings. Which would be Yami, Yugi, and I guess myself. But I don't understand how."
"Question of the year right there."
"Wonderful, just wonderful. We are still no close to cracking this clue then when we were when we got it."
Everyone nodded.
"Does anyone else find it weird that the siblings didn't attack?" Tea asked suddenly. "It is already 11 at night."
Yami sighed, glancing at the room where his son slept. "Even arch villains need a day off. But we can't let our guard down. They are planning something, something big, something deadly."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
['Where am I?' Yugi glanced all around his surroundings. A huge palace stood behind him. It glisten in the morning light, the rays bouncing off the golden structure. Slowly, he worked up the courage to walk inside. Once there, he heard a voice.
'Hush little baby, don't make a sound, mommy's going to buy you…'
'Raya. I would know that voice anywhere.' Following the sound of the voice, he enter the nursery room. Sitting by a window, was Ruia, rocking a baby boy in her arms. 'I know now that isn't me, but still.'
'Sleep tight my son.' Ruia placed the boy into her crib and turned towards the door. She gasped when she saw Yugi. 'Who are you? What do you want?'
'I mean you no harm Queen Ruia.' Yugi quickly bowed before her.
'I'm sorry, but do I know you?'
'Um…my name is Yugi and no you do not.'
'You look like my husband, a great deal like him. It startles me so.'
'I am honored that you think I look like the King.'
'What is you purpose here my son.' Ruia gave a small smile.
'How, how did you know?'
'No one could style their hair like that unless they were related to my husband. Besides, I a vision that you would come.'
'This is real? I thought I was dreaming.'
'You are.'
'Then what did you mean when you said you had a vision that I would come?'
Ruia laughed and sat down in a chair, straightening out her white gown. 'It is a long story my son. Let's just say your dreams and visions come from me, not Yugioh.'
'Oh, I see. Normally my dreams warn me of something. Is this one of them?'
'Not that I am aware of, unless someone forgot to inform me that I was supposed to warn you of something.'
'Then why was I brought here?'
'Because you wanted to be here. You wanted to know what your parents were like in the past, not to mention that you wanted to see if you could learn something. Am I correct?'
'Yes, you are right.'
'Then ask away my child.'
'Anything?'
'Of course. I'm your mother. I will try to answer any of your questions.'
'What is my ability?'
'There are several realms of influence that a person can posse. You're father's realm is the mind, mine is soul. Your grandparents were both heart. You could control any of those, or several other possibilities.'
'Like?'
'Health, Air, Fire, Earth, Water, Body, Time, Death, and many more.'
'But you are not sure which one I am?'
'No, I am not. See when you were born, a god or goddess would decide which realm, if any, you would posse and make you a follower of theirs. Ra is Yugioh's and Sehkment is mine. Anyone could be yours.'
'Wonderful. Mom, do you know anything about a trinity?'
'Sure, the trinity is the title that the gods gave to the most powerful people in our country.'
'Really? Who are they?'
"Well, your father is one, The High Priest Setto is another, and the other I believe was Jarha, another high priest till he left suddenly.'
'Why are they the trinity?'
'Mainly because they represent the three characteristics the gods see in themselves.'
'Power, power, and power?'
Ruia laughed. 'That is very true, but no. Loyalty, strength, and wisdom are the three.'
'Then the three that best exemplify those characteristics are the trinity?'
'Sure, but another is us Yugi. The Royal Family is another trinity now. And our three highest gods are too. It could be a number of things.'
'Who are the three highest up gods?
'Ra, Osiris, and Amon of course.'
'Didn't Ra and Amon join together though and form one person?'
'They did, but they are still our most important gods, and you have to remember, even though they came together to form one person Yugi, they were two very different people, trapped in one body. But their thoughts and actions could sometimes be different. So that is why the get separate honors.'
'I see. Ruia, do you fear Jarha's sister?'
'Satire? Of course. She is an evil woman, bent on nothing but revenge. But, that is her darker side talking. I know that there is good still in her. She was just hurt, as were many, by Yugioh's and mine's actions. We didn't mean to hurt anyone, but we did. I just wish everyone understand how much we loved each other. Maybe then, so many lives wouldn't have ended in sadness. I fear what she will do to my family. But seeing you gives me hope Yugi. And in the most hopeless of situations, hope is what we can rely on most, that and our hearts. Never will either steer you wrong.'
'Mom?'
'Yes dear?'
Yugi walked over to Ruia and gave her a huge hug. 'Thank you.'
'I don't know what I did, but you are welcome. But before you go, let me give you one more piece of advice. Everyone deserves a chance my son, even if their past actions are questionable. Don't judge or act until all the facts have been presented. Because sometimes, that one missing fact, can sway a whole opinion.' ]
Yugi woke up with a start. The dream was so real, so vivid. But he wasn't scared, far from it.
//You awake aibou?//
/Yes Yami./
//Did you have another vision?//
/Yes, but I didn't mind this one. I saw Ruia and she was happy./
//Must have been before the seize.//
/It was and you know what, I think mom knew the attack was coming. Not exactly what time, but had an idea of what was to come./
//I put money on it that she did. Like you, she got visions.//
/Yeah./
//What's wrong?//
/Nothing, just trying to make sense of the dream, but maybe there is nothing to figure out./
//Maybe.//
/Where are you anyway?/
//One room over. Do you want me to come in and keep you company?//
/Yes please. Bring Raya too. I want to talk to her about the vision too./
//Of course aibou, We'll be right in.//
Yugi broke the link and stared outside. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting just outside that window, wanting to kill him. 'Of course, there is. Two things. Jarha and Satire. Well, I am not going to let them win. We'll beat them. And then, I can be a family with Yami and Raya permanently.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Standing just outside the Kaiba mansion, stood a figure in a shadow of a large elm tree, watching the Royal Family together through the window. "Tomorrow my friends, tomorrow you're lives change. Tomorrow, you die."