Disclaimer: la sigh, nope no ownership here.
Anya: Thanks for all the reviews, means a bunch.
Kris: Still no internets?
Anya: WAH! No. Oh yeah, if anyone can tell me what has happened in Yugioh the past two episodes, I would be so happy. I missed them. Thanks.
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Yami knelt in front of his wife. "Raya, we will save Yugi, don't give up."
Raising her head slight, she gazed into Yami's eyes. She saw the doubt in them as well. 'Even Yami doubts our chances. Is this how it ends? No, I won't let it end like this, history will not repeat itself.'
Before anyone could react, Raya was on her feet, sprinting for the exit.
Bakura jumped out of the way as she ran past, not even slowing down for an instant. "Raya, where are you going?"
The only answer was the fading of her footsteps as she ran.
Yami placed his sword back into it casing. "Come on, we have to go after her, before she does something extremely stupid."
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'I can't fail my son again. I won't allow it. Failure is not an option.' Once outside, Raya continued her pace. In the back of her mind, she had no idea where she was going, but at that very moment, nothing was making any sense in her mind except one thing: save her son.
"SATIRE! Where are you? I demand that you show yourself you coward! You want a fight, well you got one now. WELL? What are you waiting for, here I am. Scared now huh? You and your brother made a mistake when you attacked my son. I will kill you for what you did to him. Do you hear me Satire? I will get even with you! You will pay bitch, for all the pain you bestowed onto my family. This rivalry will end today and I promise, no I swear, we will be the victors. Why don't you show yourself, instead of hiding behind your cowardliness? That's right Satire, you are nothing more than a weakling, a coward. Using an innocent boy to manipulate his family. Do you have any heart? Any respect? You know what you are? You're a selfish, cold hearted individual who knows nothing of love at all. All you feel is power and greed and I promise you Satire, that will be your downfall!"
Raya collapsed to her knees, sinking into the sand. All the frustration and emotional tow had finally taken affect. She barely had the energy to turn around when a hand touched her shoulder.
"Feel better?"
"Ai, Joey. I'm better. I just couldn't handle everything anymore. I needed to vent."
Joey sat down next to Raya, never moving his hand from her shoulder. "Yugi's a survivor, he'll beat whatever darkness Satire and Jarha subjected him too. He's just confused right now."
"I hope that you are right. God, Yugi has suffered enough, but never did I think he would turn like that on Yami and me."
Joey pursed his lips together. 'Yugs was pretty scared of his parents. But why? How was Satire and Jarha able to do that? And if Yugi is totally gone, how are we ever going to defeat them?'
"Raya, I know things are looking bleak, but you have to belief that Yugi will come back to all of us. Remember what you told him, that our belief in a person can single handedly bring a person back, whether it be from death or darkness. And you and Yami of all people are going to have to trust the most, because you are his parents. It isn't enough for his friends to stand by him only, he needs his family to trust in him as well."
"I have never lost faith in Yugi, even when he said that he hated me. I know that was Satire's doing. I'm just scared that he won't remember fast enough and the siblings will kill him or do something just as bad."
"Then we are just have to save him before that happens." Joey stated confidently. "Together, all of us will help restore Yugi's faith."
Raya stared into Joey's eyes. The truth glistened in them. "Together." she agreed.
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By the time Raya and Joey arrived back at the West Wing, night had fallen. Stars glisten overhead, giving the whole land a mystical look.
Yami moved toward his wife, offering no criticism toward her. He knew full well what stress she was under going, for he was under that same pressure. "Raya, do you have any idea what Satire meant by meet her at the temple?"
"None. We never met at a temple before, hell I didn't know Satire that well till after I moved into the palace and even then we weren't friends. I never met her any place."
"Then maybe she means your realms temple. Don't you and Satire share the same realm of influence - the soul? Maybe she meant to meet at Sekhmet's temple." Tristan mused.
Raya arched her eyebrow in thought. "Maybe."
"I think Tristan is correct." Bakura countered, looking towards the entrance to the wing. "Raya, you said yourself that you posed the lighter side of Sekhmet's personality, her protection side. But wasn't she more well known as a fighter? A goddess of war, like Satire?"
"Yeah, but why her temple? She wouldn't get an advantage over me, if anything we would be equal. We are both followers, Sekhmet would give us both a boost. It seems, I don't know, stupid."
"Well let's think outside the box for a moment, shall we?" Seto stated. "It is obvious that Satire is an egomaniac. Maybe in her twisted little mind she felt that Sekhmet would grant her extra powers because she took after her mentor more."
"It does make sense, actually a lot. Satire and even Jarha have been beating Raya and I at every turn when it dealt with magic. The only time when we were stronger is when I beat Apis. Maybe they did get extra powers or cast a spell that granted them it."
"But Yami, why would our gods allow that? They aren't fighting for love or peace, but war and destruction. Ra would never granted them that type of powers, nor would Sekhmet."
"Maybe it wasn't Ra or Sekhmet that did the deed. Could it have been another god?"
Yami glanced at Raya, who in turn, shrugged.
"Wait, Raya. When we were in the Shadow Realm, didn't Jarha say Satire had found a way to increase their abilities?"
"You're right Bakura, he did."
"Then maybe another god did help."
"No god or goddess would dare go against Ra." Yami counter. He sighed in frustration. This wasn't helping Yugi, but in was information they all needed to figure out before the attack the siblings again. They had to figure out what was giving them the edge.
"Maybe it wasn't an Egyptian God or Goddess." Mokuba piped up.
Seto stared down at his brother. "Nice thought Mokuba, but why would any other Gods get involved in an Egyptian War?"
"Supremacy." Yami and Raya answered simultaneously.
"Wait, what?" Tea asked.
"You have to remember, that during ancient times, the Egyptians were not the only one with a group of gods and goddess' ruling over them. Rome and Greece had them too. Anyway, the three countries always got into arguments with who had the more powerful beings. I know father had friendly relationships with the Romans, but Greece, I am not as sure. I believe we were on hostile grounds with them."
"Alright, for a minute lets say that Satire and Jarha got extra power from an outside source. Why take the risk of offending their own gods?" Joey asked dumbfounded.
"Well for starters, the siblings had already offended the gods when they attack Yami and myself. We were the Royal family and Yami was chosen by Ra himself. Can't offend a god much more than that."
"So Satire and Jarha go to the Greek gods' and goddess' asking them for aid against all of you?" Tea asked. 'Suddenly, things just got a lot more complicated and harder.'
"Sure, I guess. The siblings knew that our son would be the biggest obstacle they would have to face. What better way to get that extra strength then to ask a common enemy of Egyptians?" Yami replied grimly. He knew the Greeks to be powerful and if it was true what everyone was speculating, then saving Yugi just got fifty times harder.
"So what Greek Gods and Goddess are we looking at here? All of them? None? What?" Seto questioned, wondering if there was any way to figure all this out.
"Well Ares is the god of War, and Zeus was the over all leader, so I would assume it to be them. Since they are the Greek counterparts of our realm gods, it makes sense that they would be the ones the siblings asked for aide. Also, I remember hearing that it was believed that Ares was always in the mood for a war, what better than this, a fight to the death?"
"Raya's right. And Zeus and Ra never got along either. The other always thought he was more powerful. That is why Greeks stayed in their country and we stayed in ours." Yami added, face falling more and more with each passing moment. 'Aibou…'
"So, it isn't far fetched that they could be helping Satire and Jarha out?" Tea asked, leaning against Seto.
"Not in the least bit because it would explain why they have the edge in all our battles, they have outside sources. But this doesn't answer our most important question, where are they holding aibou? What temple could they be at? Are they still in Memphis at all?" Yami exasperated.
"Ptah's temple." Raya said suddenly.
"What Raya?"
"Yugi is in Ptah's temple, I am sure of it. That is what Ptah warning to me meant. He told me to protect myself in the future. But he didn't mean the future future, he meant this time, when I returned to Egypt once again. That is why he told Ruia. He was trying to tell all of us that we would be returning to this time period again. Not to mention that he would not be able to undo Satire's powers, only Sekhmet could do that. And there is no way Sekhmet could either, she would have to kill Satire to take away the powers and no god or goddess kills anyone under their realm, even if they are evil. It just was not done."
"Of course, that has to be it. No god ever gave a clear answer, so why would Ptah? He was trying to warn us of where they would take Yugi!"
Tristan turned to Raya. "How far is the temple from here?"
"Just beyond where the palace gates once were. Come, we don't have much time. The longer Yugi is with the siblings, the worse shape he will be in."
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The black abyss was back again.
Yugi craned his neck back behind him, hoping against hope for some sign of light…but there was nothing. Only a wall and darkness. 'Why do I search for a light that will never come? Why do I fool myself into believing that someone will save me? Why do I even delude myself like that? All it causes is more disappointment. I should be use to that now, my whole life has been nothing but pain and suffering. I never had a real family, friends, or a life. Nothing but shadows. I should feel right at home here in the dark.'
The sound of approaching footsteps made Yugi's heart swell with hope. 'Maybe…'
"Don't get your hopes up child, no one is coming for a worthless brat like you."
Yugi lowered his head in shame, not only at what Jarha had said, but for also being weak, thinking that someone was actually coming for him. "What do you want Jarha?"
The man laughed, "Nothing you can give me my boy. Seeing you in the state that you are is a grand gift indeed. No, I have come here to do something for you."
Stuttering, Yugi replied "For…me?" This was something new. Normally when the siblings came it was either for information on Yami and Raya, he refused to call them mom and dad, or verbal or physical abuse. Never had they done something for him."
"Yes, for you dear prince. You have helped me and my sister in ways you can not understand or comprehend. Now I ask you, what can we do in return? Ask and it shall be done."
"Anything?" Yugi knew, even in his weaken condition, there had to be a catch.
"Almost, there are some conditions. One, no granting of your freedom. Two, we can't send you home, and Three, no wishing that this never happened."
Yugi didn't reply. 'Figures. Always a catch. What then, I can ask of them. Is there something that I can ask for that will help me in the long run? Even if I escape, I still have to deal with the threat of my parents. My parents…' "Okay Jarha, I know my wish."
"And that is…"
"Punish my parents for what they did to me. Don't kill them, just make them feel like they have made me."
"It shall be done." Jarha stood and walked away from Yugi. A few steps away, Satire was waiting.
"The plan is going according to schedule. Yugi himself has signed his parents own death warrant. I must admit brother, you powers are indeed very influential."
"That they are dear sister. However, they haven't totally taken over little Yugi. There is still a seed of goodness and righteousness in him. Granted very small, but that little seed could blossom into an even bigger problem if nurtured correctly."
"Meaning, if his parents were able to get him alone, then they could restore Yugi to what he was?"
"Possible, but very unlikely. The longer they take to get here, the more time Yugi has to doubt himself and the goodness in his parents."
"Then we should greet the Royals and their escorts when they arrive, should we not?"
"Ah Satire, you were always eager for battle. No, the traps you planted should buy us the time to totally convert Yugi to the darkness. No, let them come and by the chance they reach Yugi, we'll attack, but at seeing what their son, their friend, no one will be in condition to fight."
"And that means, we will have our revenge on the Royal Family."
Laughter filled the room.
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The temple of Ptah loomed in the distance. Covered in what appeared to be a relative of the moss family, the temple seemed all but abandoned. No villager or offer bearing peasant was in sight, most were at the center of Memphis, celebrating. It was a fitting scene for a final duel.
Waiting no time, Yami marched forward to the entrance of Ptah's dwelling. No one spoke a word, all knew of the dangers and the consequences that could follow. Everyone could come out alive, or some could fall in the battle to protect the future. No matter what though, the siblings had to be stopped, there was no choice in the matter.
Climbing the steps to the main entrance, Bakura could see specks of light in the distance. Fire, from the celebration. 'If only this was a time of celebratory. Instead, we are about to enter into an all out war, one these people will never know that happened, but one that will forever affect not only our lives, but theirs as well.' As he struggled up the staircase, Bakura couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia, like he had done this very same thing once before. 'Was this what it was like during the siege? A sense of knowing that one of us will not come back out alive? When we came back to Egypt, was Raya and Yami not the only ones to resort back to their former ways? Did I reclaim some of my psychic abilities as well? Is this what I am feeling, that one of us is not coming back out of here alive?'
Deep in thought, Bakura almost ran smack into Tristan's back. "What is wrong?"
"I had forgotten, Ptah's temple was divided into three sections, each one lead to the main chamber. Each of the sections represented something else. The left path was of life, the middle stability, and the third of course was power. Even though each one eventually leads to the main room, Yugi could be held in either path." Raya stated.
"Which means we will have to spilt up, doesn't it?" Mokuba asked, cling to both Tea's and Seto's robes.
Yami and Raya stared at one another, but yet never spoke. Finally, Yami turned back to the group. "It does. Raya and I felt that it was in our best interests to be divided as well. That way, we could protect two of the groups however, the third one would be on their own."
"I'll take that job." Seto said, without hesitating. "I've fought the siblings one on one before, granted sort of lost, but I'll take that chance again."
"I'll go with you, to protect your brother." Tea stated. Seto started to argue, but when he saw the determination in the young woman's face, thought better of it. There were some things Seto knew he could push, this wasn't one of them.
"Well since we are back in Ancient Egypt, I say we revert back into our bodyguard duties, how about you Joey?" Tristan asked, moving towards his once charge.
"Sounds good to me, I have a little score to settle with Satire anyway." For once, the humor in Joey's voice was gone.
"Bakura? What of you?" Yami asked.
"I'll go with Raya and Joey. Someone has to keep those two hot heads under control."
For once, neither Joey or Raya disagreed with the statement. Instead, they nodded in agreement and headed down the far left tunnel, the tunnel of life. Following their lead, Seto's group headed down the center, the path of stability, while Yami and Tristan took the third trail, power.
Before Raya and Yami totally went down their respective paths, both turned back to face one another. Raya lifted her head high as she spoke. "Let the final battle begin. Remember, no matter what, we have to protect the future. Even if it means killing the ones we love."
"I know, but we will save Yugi from the darkness."
Giving a quick nod in response, Raya moved to catch up to Bakura and Joey. She took two small steps before sprinting back to Yami. Grabbing his hand tightly, she whispered forcefully. "Remember your promise to me."
Gulping hard, Yami squeezed his wife's hand back. "I gave you my word, I will not go back on it. Just assure me that you won't do anything stupid."
"I can't make that promise, not when my son's life is at stake." With that, she turned and ran to meet up with her guardians, leaving Yami to wonder again if he would ever see his wife alive again.
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"What was that all about?" Joey asked, as Raya caught up to the duo.
"Last minute instructions."
"Anything we should know?"
Raya lips thinned. "Nothing more than this, today Yami and I may be forced to take extreme measures to protect the future."
Bakura faltered. His mind swirled at what that statement could mean. "How extreme are we talking about here, Raya?"
"As far as it will take to insure that the future won't be changed. And if that means I have to…."
She trailed off, knowing full well that Joey and Bakura were capable of filling in the rest. To Raya's relief, they neither spoke the words or challenged them. Joey and Bakura simply took the knowledge in strides, knowing that nothing would change Raya's mind.
The trio continued down the darken hallway. Fire hung from the walls, giving off some needed light, but still gave the advantaged to whatever was lurking in the dark.
"Wait."
Joey and Raya spun to face Bakura, whose face was white in fear.
"Yo, Bakura. What's wrong?" Joey asked.
"I saw something. Something evil coming this way."
Joey reached for Raya, pulling her behind him. Pulling out the sword that hung from his waist, he motioned for the group to continue moving forward. Around the next bend they found what frightened Bakura so badly.
A giant three headed dog blocked their path. A hungry looking three headed dog.
"Cerberus." Raya managed to whisper before the giant creature lunged at the them, giving the trio no time to hide.
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"How long are these side tunnels? Will it take us long to reach the main chamber of this temple?" Tristan asked, as he and Yami ran along the path, hoping against hope to find Yugi.
"I'm not sure, it has been some time since I was in this particular one. Even when I was with Ruia, I think we always went down the center one. It was the fastest way I believe."
"But you are sure all of them lead to the main altar room?"
"Yes, but you could leave an offering in any one of the three trails, like there." Yami pointed out a smaller altar, with fruits and money on it.
Tristan nodded. "Is it just me or has this been a little easy getting to the main room? I thought for sure, we would be confronted by something."
"Don't jinx us here Tristan."
*He is right to be suspicious Pharaoh Yugioh.*
The duo stopped short at a glowing figure in the middle of their path. Both of the men grabbed their swords and held them out toward the figure. "Are you friend or foe?" Yami whispered, menacing.
The light dimmed, revealing a beautiful young woman. *I am a friend, Pharaoh. I know that must be hard to believe after everything that you, your family, and your friends have undergone. But I decree you, I mean you no harm.*
Tristan lowered his sword slightly. "Who are you? What do you want with us?"
*I am Clio, one of the nine muses that preside over the sciences and arts of Greek life. And I am here to give you a message.*
"From who?"
*From Zeus of course. All of the gods and goddess from Greece have been watching this particular turn of events very closely, I especially, for my muse is history.* The young woman paused to catch her breath. *You were correct in your earlier belief that the siblings Satire and Jarha asked for help from the Greek Gods. However, they didn't get all the help they wanted. Only one god aided them, Ares, the god of war. Zeus refused to help them in their battle.*
"Why is that? I figured Zeus would jump at the occasion, a chance to prove he was stronger than Ra."
Clio moved forward, now standing next to the two men. *That is true, our fathers always did feud, but this is not the way history was intended to be. And my father saw that. History must stay on it's correct path, or else…*
"Or else what?"
*The world as we know it, will cease to exist. Your son Yugioh, if he had stayed in ancient times and the siblings never attack would have done great things, he would have done something that no other Pharaoh, King, or dictator had done before him, he would have established peace between us, the Egyptians, and the Romans. However, the fates had something else in stored for him. What that is, I am not at liberty to say. But I can tell you this, if the siblings succeed, Egypt will not be the only country to suffer. As part of their bargain with Ares, Satire and Jarha have to help Ares overthrow his father, so my brother can become King of the gods.*
"Why doesn't Zeus step in and stop Ares and siblings? If he is all powerful, can't he do it? I mean no disrespect there either Clio, it is just a question."
*I know Honda, and it is for the same reason why Ra does not step in. Gods do not interfere with other gods plans until directly involved. Besides, this is not their battle, it is all of yours. That is what history intended.*
"Are you sure?"
Clio laughed. *I am not the muse of history for nothing. I know everything that history has intended and will intend.*
"Is there anyway that Zeus can aid me and combine his abilities with the ones Ra gave me? Level the playing field with Satire?"
*Unfortunately, no. Ares broke a sacred rule, interfere with other gods powers. We can not help you and you can not help us. Besides, it is not necessary. Even with Ares' help, the royal family is stronger. Much stronger.*
"But if aibou is already lost to the darkness…"
*He isn't. Yes, he is pretty far gone, but there is still a speck of hope left in him. For some reason, Jarha can not destroy that little ounce of faith. And that Pharaoh, is how you can save your son. It won't be easy, not by far, but it must be done. Because if you were to fail, everything we, you, have ever worked for will be lost forever.*
With those words said, Clio disappeared. The duo glanced at one another and started spiriting down the hall again. As they ran, they could hear Clio whisper one final message. *Ares has left 3 traps for you and your parties to find, I have cleared the way for you. Hurry now hurry. Save the history that the fates have determined for us all.*
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Tea carried Mokuba on her back as they ran toward the main hall. 'Please hold on Yugi, we are coming. I promise, we will save you. Just hang on.'
"Look ahead Tea, I think I see the entrance to the main room!" Seto shouted with glee.
*Too bad you'll never reach it!* A woman appeared before them.
"Satire?"
The woman moved into the light. *Not hardly. I am Ate, goddess of strife.*
Tea and Seto exchanged looks, neither had heard of her before.
*I am Ares personal assistance. You were correct when you said he was aiding the siblings. I too have a personal score to settle with Zeus, and all of you will help me do just that.*
"So Ares is involved with the sibling, why though?"
*Because Ares wants to rule to gods and I want to be Queen. So in exchange for destroying all of you, the siblings promised to help us achieve our goals. So it is the end of the line for you Anzu and Setto.*
Acting fast, Seto shoved Tea and his brother behind a statue. Drawing his sword, he ran forward.
Laughing, Ate disappeared, only to reappear behind Seto, kicking him to the ground. *Do you really expect to defeat a goddess Setto? Please.*
"You're nothing more that Ares lackey. How does that feel?"
*You're in no position to be making threats boy.* In her hands, she began to make a purple ball filled with intense black energy. She shot her hand outward, sending the ball toward Seto at alarming speed.
Moving faster than he thought possible, Seto dove out of the way, barely in time.
Ate laughed harder. * Do you really think you can continue out running my attacks?*
Seto stared back. "Whatever it takes to save the future."
*Save the future? There is a laugh.*
"Oh we will." Seto continued to watch Tea move silently behind Ate. If he could just keep her distracted long enough for Tea to do whatever the hell she was planning. 'Be careful. I can't lose you.'
*I'd like to see you try.*
"Then consider it done." Tea shouted, raising the small statue she had found and hit the young goddess on her head.
Ate crumbled to the ground in a heap.
"Is she dead?" Tea asked nervously.
"No, she is a goddess Tea. It would take more than that. But she'll definitely be out for awhile. Good work. Come on. Let's make use of the time you bought and save Yugi."
"Right."
The trio moved down the hall. Once they were gone, Clio appeared. *They have the determination to defeat the siblings, but do they have the will?* Picking up Ate in her arms, Clio vanished. Zeus would want to have a word with the young traitor.
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Raya dove to right side of the hallway as Bakura dove left. Joey stood in the middle, clutching his sword tighter in his hand. No way was he backing away.
Cerberus snapped his mighty jaws toward his small prey. Joey swung his weapon with skill and confidence. How he knew how to defend himself, he didn't know. But he was glad to know it anyway. 'Some things, you just can't question.'
Moving out from her position, Raya moved to stand next to Joey. "Raya, get back!"
Palm facing outward, the eye of Horus appeared faintly on her forehead. "Soul Mystification."
Cerberus turned his massive head from the intensive light.
"Quickly my friends. We must get around him before he remembers what his mission is."
Bakura hurried out of his hiding place and together the trio inched their way around the beast. Once around him, the light from Raya died, and Cerberus in his confused state, glanced around for his dinner.
"Well that was fast."
"I don't want to here it now Joey, run!"
"No, I'll end this now." Joey raised his sword and threw it with all his might at the giant creature.
The weapon lodged itself into Cerberus' leg. With a sickening howl, he fell to the ground.
Again, Raya moved into her attack pose. "Soul Mystification." She turned back to her friends. "Come on, he is no longer a threat to us. When he wakes, he won't even remember meeting us."
*Stop*
Raya turned to face a young woman. "Who are you?"
*Clio and I have already spoken with your husband. But I have to warn you as well Ruia.*
"Clio, we have no goddess named Clio? How do I know you are not an illusion of Jarha's?"
*You are very wise Ruia. I am Clio, historian muse to the Greeks. Zeus has sent me to warn the Royal Family of Egypt. You were correct, Ares is helping Satire.*
"I knew it, I knew that witch was up to something."
*Please listen to me, there isn't much time. Your son is slipping farther away from you even as we speak. I am allowed to come before you to speak with blessings from both Zeus and your god Ra. I am here to warn you Ruia that history is changing from its prescribed course. Only your son has the power to correct it. If he is lost to the darkness totally, the everything we know is lost as well. Nothing will ever be the same again.*
"Nothing?" Bakura whispered in pure shock.
Clio shook her head. *I have foreseen what will happen if the young heir isn't saved. It's not a pretty world. Hurry Queen Ruia, save your son.*
As Clio departed once again, Raya waved to her caravan of friends. "Come on, it is time to save the future."
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Seto, Tea, and Mokuba entered the master chamber with fear and anxiety in their hearts. The room was cast in an eerie glow. Candles hung from the ceiling, but yet no wax fell to the stone ground.
"Are the others here yet?" Tea asked, stepping farther into the room, glancing around for her missing friends.
"I don't think so, I believe we are the first to arrive." Seto replied. "Come on, lets look around in here. Stay close however, who knows what other traps Satire and Jarha have laid out for us."
Together, the three moved towards the altar, which was covered in a silver metal. There were several indentations, none of which Seto or Tea could read.
"Look at the pretty pictures." Mokuba piped up. "The one looks like a blacksmith."
"Those are hieroglyphs, little brother. And I bet you are right, the one may represent a blacksmith or artist."
"SETO! MOKUBA! Come quickly!"
Seto whipped around, noticing that Tea was no longer behind him. 'So help me if the siblings hurt Tea, I will kill them.' "Tea where are you?"
"In front of the altar, come quickly, I found Yugi. Oh god Seto, hurry."
Hearing the panic in his so called girlfriend's voice, Seto raced around the altar to the far back of the room. The site before him made him sick. "Mokuba, stay back some kiddo."
He moved next to Tea and crouched down beside her. Tears were falling from her eyes.
"We have to get him out of him Seto."
Even without any knowledge of medical training, Seto knew immediately that Yugi would need some. There were multiple abrasions and cuts all over the young heir's body. However, those would heal. It was the emotional scars that he worried most about. "We have to get him out of these chains and to his parents fast."
Tea nodded. "How do we get them off? I saw no keys."
"Sometimes, you have to take blunt force." Raising his sword, Seto swung with all the strength he could muster. With a loud clack, the first chain fell to the ground. Within moments, the second one followed.
Tea cradled her best friend in her arms, rocking him slowly, trying to get the young boy to regain consciousness. "Yugi, Yugi, it is me, Tea. Seto and Mokuba are here as well. Please Yugi, open your eyes."
"T…Te…Tea?" Yugi mumbled softly.
"Yeah, it's me. Can you stand?"
"I…I don't think so. So tired."
Seto stood up. Carefully, he picked up Yugi from Tea. "We better get him to Raya and Yami quickly, before the siblings decide to announce their presence."
Yugi's eyes shot wide open. His eyes were glazed over, as if he had a high fever. "NO! NO! I won't go to them. I won't suffer from their abuse anymore. PLEASE. Don't take me to my parents. I hate them, HATE them. Please, don't make me see them." Yugi sobbed into Seto's shoulder.
Tea and Seto exchanged glance. How were they ever going to convince Yugi to fight when he couldn't stand his own allies, his parents?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Raya entered the main room, quickly followed by Bakura and Joey. Across the room, Yami and Tristan arrived seconds later. A quick nod no from both groups confirmed Raya's worst fear, Yugi had yet to be found. 'Where are you Yugi.'
"Someone's coming." Bakura whispered to her. "Coming from the back of the room."
Motioning for Yami to back into their respective hallways, the groups waited to see who was coming, if it was the siblings, oh they would so pay.
The silhouette of three people appeared. One appeared to being holding something in his arms. Yami and Raya both jumped to her feet. "Yugi!"
Seto, Tea, and Mokuba stepped into the light. Yugi struggled in Seto's arms. "Let me go, I won't see them. Let me go." Yugi jumped down and moved behind Seto's tall frame. He glanced at both Yami and Raya who had stopped moving towards their only son. He shrugged helplessly.
Bakura moved over to Raya and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Clio warned us that this wouldn't be easy. You have to talk to him Raya, call him back to all of us."
Across the floor, Tristan was saying the same thing to Yami.
Before Raya could speak, the whole temple began to shake.
"EVERYONE, TAKE COVER!" Yami shouted.
Laughter filled the room. "We see that you found your son, Yugioh. How does it feel to be hated by your own flesh and blood? How does it feel to be loathed by own of your own?" The two voices spoke in perfect unison.
"Satire. Jarha." Yami spit.
The two appeared in the center of the room, blocking off any path for the three groups to rejoin back into one. Satire tossed her raven black hair behind her. She gave Yami a wink. "Present and accounted for."
"You'll pay for what you did to my son, I will kill you personally." Yami could feel the hatred run painfully through his veins.
"We did nothing to your son, only shone him the truth about what his parents really were. That and granted him his one desire."
"And what is that?" Tristan asked, not believing him for a moment.
"Ask little Yugi himself." Jarha replied.
Everyone turned to Yugi. What they saw, shocked everyone. His face twisted in pain and anger. "You want to know my wish, Yami, Raya? Well I will tell you. Jarha, Satire do as you wish to my parents. Just make sure they can't hurt me again."
Anya: Thanks for all the reviews, means a bunch.
Kris: Still no internets?
Anya: WAH! No. Oh yeah, if anyone can tell me what has happened in Yugioh the past two episodes, I would be so happy. I missed them. Thanks.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yami knelt in front of his wife. "Raya, we will save Yugi, don't give up."
Raising her head slight, she gazed into Yami's eyes. She saw the doubt in them as well. 'Even Yami doubts our chances. Is this how it ends? No, I won't let it end like this, history will not repeat itself.'
Before anyone could react, Raya was on her feet, sprinting for the exit.
Bakura jumped out of the way as she ran past, not even slowing down for an instant. "Raya, where are you going?"
The only answer was the fading of her footsteps as she ran.
Yami placed his sword back into it casing. "Come on, we have to go after her, before she does something extremely stupid."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'I can't fail my son again. I won't allow it. Failure is not an option.' Once outside, Raya continued her pace. In the back of her mind, she had no idea where she was going, but at that very moment, nothing was making any sense in her mind except one thing: save her son.
"SATIRE! Where are you? I demand that you show yourself you coward! You want a fight, well you got one now. WELL? What are you waiting for, here I am. Scared now huh? You and your brother made a mistake when you attacked my son. I will kill you for what you did to him. Do you hear me Satire? I will get even with you! You will pay bitch, for all the pain you bestowed onto my family. This rivalry will end today and I promise, no I swear, we will be the victors. Why don't you show yourself, instead of hiding behind your cowardliness? That's right Satire, you are nothing more than a weakling, a coward. Using an innocent boy to manipulate his family. Do you have any heart? Any respect? You know what you are? You're a selfish, cold hearted individual who knows nothing of love at all. All you feel is power and greed and I promise you Satire, that will be your downfall!"
Raya collapsed to her knees, sinking into the sand. All the frustration and emotional tow had finally taken affect. She barely had the energy to turn around when a hand touched her shoulder.
"Feel better?"
"Ai, Joey. I'm better. I just couldn't handle everything anymore. I needed to vent."
Joey sat down next to Raya, never moving his hand from her shoulder. "Yugi's a survivor, he'll beat whatever darkness Satire and Jarha subjected him too. He's just confused right now."
"I hope that you are right. God, Yugi has suffered enough, but never did I think he would turn like that on Yami and me."
Joey pursed his lips together. 'Yugs was pretty scared of his parents. But why? How was Satire and Jarha able to do that? And if Yugi is totally gone, how are we ever going to defeat them?'
"Raya, I know things are looking bleak, but you have to belief that Yugi will come back to all of us. Remember what you told him, that our belief in a person can single handedly bring a person back, whether it be from death or darkness. And you and Yami of all people are going to have to trust the most, because you are his parents. It isn't enough for his friends to stand by him only, he needs his family to trust in him as well."
"I have never lost faith in Yugi, even when he said that he hated me. I know that was Satire's doing. I'm just scared that he won't remember fast enough and the siblings will kill him or do something just as bad."
"Then we are just have to save him before that happens." Joey stated confidently. "Together, all of us will help restore Yugi's faith."
Raya stared into Joey's eyes. The truth glistened in them. "Together." she agreed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
By the time Raya and Joey arrived back at the West Wing, night had fallen. Stars glisten overhead, giving the whole land a mystical look.
Yami moved toward his wife, offering no criticism toward her. He knew full well what stress she was under going, for he was under that same pressure. "Raya, do you have any idea what Satire meant by meet her at the temple?"
"None. We never met at a temple before, hell I didn't know Satire that well till after I moved into the palace and even then we weren't friends. I never met her any place."
"Then maybe she means your realms temple. Don't you and Satire share the same realm of influence - the soul? Maybe she meant to meet at Sekhmet's temple." Tristan mused.
Raya arched her eyebrow in thought. "Maybe."
"I think Tristan is correct." Bakura countered, looking towards the entrance to the wing. "Raya, you said yourself that you posed the lighter side of Sekhmet's personality, her protection side. But wasn't she more well known as a fighter? A goddess of war, like Satire?"
"Yeah, but why her temple? She wouldn't get an advantage over me, if anything we would be equal. We are both followers, Sekhmet would give us both a boost. It seems, I don't know, stupid."
"Well let's think outside the box for a moment, shall we?" Seto stated. "It is obvious that Satire is an egomaniac. Maybe in her twisted little mind she felt that Sekhmet would grant her extra powers because she took after her mentor more."
"It does make sense, actually a lot. Satire and even Jarha have been beating Raya and I at every turn when it dealt with magic. The only time when we were stronger is when I beat Apis. Maybe they did get extra powers or cast a spell that granted them it."
"But Yami, why would our gods allow that? They aren't fighting for love or peace, but war and destruction. Ra would never granted them that type of powers, nor would Sekhmet."
"Maybe it wasn't Ra or Sekhmet that did the deed. Could it have been another god?"
Yami glanced at Raya, who in turn, shrugged.
"Wait, Raya. When we were in the Shadow Realm, didn't Jarha say Satire had found a way to increase their abilities?"
"You're right Bakura, he did."
"Then maybe another god did help."
"No god or goddess would dare go against Ra." Yami counter. He sighed in frustration. This wasn't helping Yugi, but in was information they all needed to figure out before the attack the siblings again. They had to figure out what was giving them the edge.
"Maybe it wasn't an Egyptian God or Goddess." Mokuba piped up.
Seto stared down at his brother. "Nice thought Mokuba, but why would any other Gods get involved in an Egyptian War?"
"Supremacy." Yami and Raya answered simultaneously.
"Wait, what?" Tea asked.
"You have to remember, that during ancient times, the Egyptians were not the only one with a group of gods and goddess' ruling over them. Rome and Greece had them too. Anyway, the three countries always got into arguments with who had the more powerful beings. I know father had friendly relationships with the Romans, but Greece, I am not as sure. I believe we were on hostile grounds with them."
"Alright, for a minute lets say that Satire and Jarha got extra power from an outside source. Why take the risk of offending their own gods?" Joey asked dumbfounded.
"Well for starters, the siblings had already offended the gods when they attack Yami and myself. We were the Royal family and Yami was chosen by Ra himself. Can't offend a god much more than that."
"So Satire and Jarha go to the Greek gods' and goddess' asking them for aid against all of you?" Tea asked. 'Suddenly, things just got a lot more complicated and harder.'
"Sure, I guess. The siblings knew that our son would be the biggest obstacle they would have to face. What better way to get that extra strength then to ask a common enemy of Egyptians?" Yami replied grimly. He knew the Greeks to be powerful and if it was true what everyone was speculating, then saving Yugi just got fifty times harder.
"So what Greek Gods and Goddess are we looking at here? All of them? None? What?" Seto questioned, wondering if there was any way to figure all this out.
"Well Ares is the god of War, and Zeus was the over all leader, so I would assume it to be them. Since they are the Greek counterparts of our realm gods, it makes sense that they would be the ones the siblings asked for aide. Also, I remember hearing that it was believed that Ares was always in the mood for a war, what better than this, a fight to the death?"
"Raya's right. And Zeus and Ra never got along either. The other always thought he was more powerful. That is why Greeks stayed in their country and we stayed in ours." Yami added, face falling more and more with each passing moment. 'Aibou…'
"So, it isn't far fetched that they could be helping Satire and Jarha out?" Tea asked, leaning against Seto.
"Not in the least bit because it would explain why they have the edge in all our battles, they have outside sources. But this doesn't answer our most important question, where are they holding aibou? What temple could they be at? Are they still in Memphis at all?" Yami exasperated.
"Ptah's temple." Raya said suddenly.
"What Raya?"
"Yugi is in Ptah's temple, I am sure of it. That is what Ptah warning to me meant. He told me to protect myself in the future. But he didn't mean the future future, he meant this time, when I returned to Egypt once again. That is why he told Ruia. He was trying to tell all of us that we would be returning to this time period again. Not to mention that he would not be able to undo Satire's powers, only Sekhmet could do that. And there is no way Sekhmet could either, she would have to kill Satire to take away the powers and no god or goddess kills anyone under their realm, even if they are evil. It just was not done."
"Of course, that has to be it. No god ever gave a clear answer, so why would Ptah? He was trying to warn us of where they would take Yugi!"
Tristan turned to Raya. "How far is the temple from here?"
"Just beyond where the palace gates once were. Come, we don't have much time. The longer Yugi is with the siblings, the worse shape he will be in."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The black abyss was back again.
Yugi craned his neck back behind him, hoping against hope for some sign of light…but there was nothing. Only a wall and darkness. 'Why do I search for a light that will never come? Why do I fool myself into believing that someone will save me? Why do I even delude myself like that? All it causes is more disappointment. I should be use to that now, my whole life has been nothing but pain and suffering. I never had a real family, friends, or a life. Nothing but shadows. I should feel right at home here in the dark.'
The sound of approaching footsteps made Yugi's heart swell with hope. 'Maybe…'
"Don't get your hopes up child, no one is coming for a worthless brat like you."
Yugi lowered his head in shame, not only at what Jarha had said, but for also being weak, thinking that someone was actually coming for him. "What do you want Jarha?"
The man laughed, "Nothing you can give me my boy. Seeing you in the state that you are is a grand gift indeed. No, I have come here to do something for you."
Stuttering, Yugi replied "For…me?" This was something new. Normally when the siblings came it was either for information on Yami and Raya, he refused to call them mom and dad, or verbal or physical abuse. Never had they done something for him."
"Yes, for you dear prince. You have helped me and my sister in ways you can not understand or comprehend. Now I ask you, what can we do in return? Ask and it shall be done."
"Anything?" Yugi knew, even in his weaken condition, there had to be a catch.
"Almost, there are some conditions. One, no granting of your freedom. Two, we can't send you home, and Three, no wishing that this never happened."
Yugi didn't reply. 'Figures. Always a catch. What then, I can ask of them. Is there something that I can ask for that will help me in the long run? Even if I escape, I still have to deal with the threat of my parents. My parents…' "Okay Jarha, I know my wish."
"And that is…"
"Punish my parents for what they did to me. Don't kill them, just make them feel like they have made me."
"It shall be done." Jarha stood and walked away from Yugi. A few steps away, Satire was waiting.
"The plan is going according to schedule. Yugi himself has signed his parents own death warrant. I must admit brother, you powers are indeed very influential."
"That they are dear sister. However, they haven't totally taken over little Yugi. There is still a seed of goodness and righteousness in him. Granted very small, but that little seed could blossom into an even bigger problem if nurtured correctly."
"Meaning, if his parents were able to get him alone, then they could restore Yugi to what he was?"
"Possible, but very unlikely. The longer they take to get here, the more time Yugi has to doubt himself and the goodness in his parents."
"Then we should greet the Royals and their escorts when they arrive, should we not?"
"Ah Satire, you were always eager for battle. No, the traps you planted should buy us the time to totally convert Yugi to the darkness. No, let them come and by the chance they reach Yugi, we'll attack, but at seeing what their son, their friend, no one will be in condition to fight."
"And that means, we will have our revenge on the Royal Family."
Laughter filled the room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The temple of Ptah loomed in the distance. Covered in what appeared to be a relative of the moss family, the temple seemed all but abandoned. No villager or offer bearing peasant was in sight, most were at the center of Memphis, celebrating. It was a fitting scene for a final duel.
Waiting no time, Yami marched forward to the entrance of Ptah's dwelling. No one spoke a word, all knew of the dangers and the consequences that could follow. Everyone could come out alive, or some could fall in the battle to protect the future. No matter what though, the siblings had to be stopped, there was no choice in the matter.
Climbing the steps to the main entrance, Bakura could see specks of light in the distance. Fire, from the celebration. 'If only this was a time of celebratory. Instead, we are about to enter into an all out war, one these people will never know that happened, but one that will forever affect not only our lives, but theirs as well.' As he struggled up the staircase, Bakura couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia, like he had done this very same thing once before. 'Was this what it was like during the siege? A sense of knowing that one of us will not come back out alive? When we came back to Egypt, was Raya and Yami not the only ones to resort back to their former ways? Did I reclaim some of my psychic abilities as well? Is this what I am feeling, that one of us is not coming back out of here alive?'
Deep in thought, Bakura almost ran smack into Tristan's back. "What is wrong?"
"I had forgotten, Ptah's temple was divided into three sections, each one lead to the main chamber. Each of the sections represented something else. The left path was of life, the middle stability, and the third of course was power. Even though each one eventually leads to the main room, Yugi could be held in either path." Raya stated.
"Which means we will have to spilt up, doesn't it?" Mokuba asked, cling to both Tea's and Seto's robes.
Yami and Raya stared at one another, but yet never spoke. Finally, Yami turned back to the group. "It does. Raya and I felt that it was in our best interests to be divided as well. That way, we could protect two of the groups however, the third one would be on their own."
"I'll take that job." Seto said, without hesitating. "I've fought the siblings one on one before, granted sort of lost, but I'll take that chance again."
"I'll go with you, to protect your brother." Tea stated. Seto started to argue, but when he saw the determination in the young woman's face, thought better of it. There were some things Seto knew he could push, this wasn't one of them.
"Well since we are back in Ancient Egypt, I say we revert back into our bodyguard duties, how about you Joey?" Tristan asked, moving towards his once charge.
"Sounds good to me, I have a little score to settle with Satire anyway." For once, the humor in Joey's voice was gone.
"Bakura? What of you?" Yami asked.
"I'll go with Raya and Joey. Someone has to keep those two hot heads under control."
For once, neither Joey or Raya disagreed with the statement. Instead, they nodded in agreement and headed down the far left tunnel, the tunnel of life. Following their lead, Seto's group headed down the center, the path of stability, while Yami and Tristan took the third trail, power.
Before Raya and Yami totally went down their respective paths, both turned back to face one another. Raya lifted her head high as she spoke. "Let the final battle begin. Remember, no matter what, we have to protect the future. Even if it means killing the ones we love."
"I know, but we will save Yugi from the darkness."
Giving a quick nod in response, Raya moved to catch up to Bakura and Joey. She took two small steps before sprinting back to Yami. Grabbing his hand tightly, she whispered forcefully. "Remember your promise to me."
Gulping hard, Yami squeezed his wife's hand back. "I gave you my word, I will not go back on it. Just assure me that you won't do anything stupid."
"I can't make that promise, not when my son's life is at stake." With that, she turned and ran to meet up with her guardians, leaving Yami to wonder again if he would ever see his wife alive again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"What was that all about?" Joey asked, as Raya caught up to the duo.
"Last minute instructions."
"Anything we should know?"
Raya lips thinned. "Nothing more than this, today Yami and I may be forced to take extreme measures to protect the future."
Bakura faltered. His mind swirled at what that statement could mean. "How extreme are we talking about here, Raya?"
"As far as it will take to insure that the future won't be changed. And if that means I have to…."
She trailed off, knowing full well that Joey and Bakura were capable of filling in the rest. To Raya's relief, they neither spoke the words or challenged them. Joey and Bakura simply took the knowledge in strides, knowing that nothing would change Raya's mind.
The trio continued down the darken hallway. Fire hung from the walls, giving off some needed light, but still gave the advantaged to whatever was lurking in the dark.
"Wait."
Joey and Raya spun to face Bakura, whose face was white in fear.
"Yo, Bakura. What's wrong?" Joey asked.
"I saw something. Something evil coming this way."
Joey reached for Raya, pulling her behind him. Pulling out the sword that hung from his waist, he motioned for the group to continue moving forward. Around the next bend they found what frightened Bakura so badly.
A giant three headed dog blocked their path. A hungry looking three headed dog.
"Cerberus." Raya managed to whisper before the giant creature lunged at the them, giving the trio no time to hide.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How long are these side tunnels? Will it take us long to reach the main chamber of this temple?" Tristan asked, as he and Yami ran along the path, hoping against hope to find Yugi.
"I'm not sure, it has been some time since I was in this particular one. Even when I was with Ruia, I think we always went down the center one. It was the fastest way I believe."
"But you are sure all of them lead to the main altar room?"
"Yes, but you could leave an offering in any one of the three trails, like there." Yami pointed out a smaller altar, with fruits and money on it.
Tristan nodded. "Is it just me or has this been a little easy getting to the main room? I thought for sure, we would be confronted by something."
"Don't jinx us here Tristan."
*He is right to be suspicious Pharaoh Yugioh.*
The duo stopped short at a glowing figure in the middle of their path. Both of the men grabbed their swords and held them out toward the figure. "Are you friend or foe?" Yami whispered, menacing.
The light dimmed, revealing a beautiful young woman. *I am a friend, Pharaoh. I know that must be hard to believe after everything that you, your family, and your friends have undergone. But I decree you, I mean you no harm.*
Tristan lowered his sword slightly. "Who are you? What do you want with us?"
*I am Clio, one of the nine muses that preside over the sciences and arts of Greek life. And I am here to give you a message.*
"From who?"
*From Zeus of course. All of the gods and goddess from Greece have been watching this particular turn of events very closely, I especially, for my muse is history.* The young woman paused to catch her breath. *You were correct in your earlier belief that the siblings Satire and Jarha asked for help from the Greek Gods. However, they didn't get all the help they wanted. Only one god aided them, Ares, the god of war. Zeus refused to help them in their battle.*
"Why is that? I figured Zeus would jump at the occasion, a chance to prove he was stronger than Ra."
Clio moved forward, now standing next to the two men. *That is true, our fathers always did feud, but this is not the way history was intended to be. And my father saw that. History must stay on it's correct path, or else…*
"Or else what?"
*The world as we know it, will cease to exist. Your son Yugioh, if he had stayed in ancient times and the siblings never attack would have done great things, he would have done something that no other Pharaoh, King, or dictator had done before him, he would have established peace between us, the Egyptians, and the Romans. However, the fates had something else in stored for him. What that is, I am not at liberty to say. But I can tell you this, if the siblings succeed, Egypt will not be the only country to suffer. As part of their bargain with Ares, Satire and Jarha have to help Ares overthrow his father, so my brother can become King of the gods.*
"Why doesn't Zeus step in and stop Ares and siblings? If he is all powerful, can't he do it? I mean no disrespect there either Clio, it is just a question."
*I know Honda, and it is for the same reason why Ra does not step in. Gods do not interfere with other gods plans until directly involved. Besides, this is not their battle, it is all of yours. That is what history intended.*
"Are you sure?"
Clio laughed. *I am not the muse of history for nothing. I know everything that history has intended and will intend.*
"Is there anyway that Zeus can aid me and combine his abilities with the ones Ra gave me? Level the playing field with Satire?"
*Unfortunately, no. Ares broke a sacred rule, interfere with other gods powers. We can not help you and you can not help us. Besides, it is not necessary. Even with Ares' help, the royal family is stronger. Much stronger.*
"But if aibou is already lost to the darkness…"
*He isn't. Yes, he is pretty far gone, but there is still a speck of hope left in him. For some reason, Jarha can not destroy that little ounce of faith. And that Pharaoh, is how you can save your son. It won't be easy, not by far, but it must be done. Because if you were to fail, everything we, you, have ever worked for will be lost forever.*
With those words said, Clio disappeared. The duo glanced at one another and started spiriting down the hall again. As they ran, they could hear Clio whisper one final message. *Ares has left 3 traps for you and your parties to find, I have cleared the way for you. Hurry now hurry. Save the history that the fates have determined for us all.*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tea carried Mokuba on her back as they ran toward the main hall. 'Please hold on Yugi, we are coming. I promise, we will save you. Just hang on.'
"Look ahead Tea, I think I see the entrance to the main room!" Seto shouted with glee.
*Too bad you'll never reach it!* A woman appeared before them.
"Satire?"
The woman moved into the light. *Not hardly. I am Ate, goddess of strife.*
Tea and Seto exchanged looks, neither had heard of her before.
*I am Ares personal assistance. You were correct when you said he was aiding the siblings. I too have a personal score to settle with Zeus, and all of you will help me do just that.*
"So Ares is involved with the sibling, why though?"
*Because Ares wants to rule to gods and I want to be Queen. So in exchange for destroying all of you, the siblings promised to help us achieve our goals. So it is the end of the line for you Anzu and Setto.*
Acting fast, Seto shoved Tea and his brother behind a statue. Drawing his sword, he ran forward.
Laughing, Ate disappeared, only to reappear behind Seto, kicking him to the ground. *Do you really expect to defeat a goddess Setto? Please.*
"You're nothing more that Ares lackey. How does that feel?"
*You're in no position to be making threats boy.* In her hands, she began to make a purple ball filled with intense black energy. She shot her hand outward, sending the ball toward Seto at alarming speed.
Moving faster than he thought possible, Seto dove out of the way, barely in time.
Ate laughed harder. * Do you really think you can continue out running my attacks?*
Seto stared back. "Whatever it takes to save the future."
*Save the future? There is a laugh.*
"Oh we will." Seto continued to watch Tea move silently behind Ate. If he could just keep her distracted long enough for Tea to do whatever the hell she was planning. 'Be careful. I can't lose you.'
*I'd like to see you try.*
"Then consider it done." Tea shouted, raising the small statue she had found and hit the young goddess on her head.
Ate crumbled to the ground in a heap.
"Is she dead?" Tea asked nervously.
"No, she is a goddess Tea. It would take more than that. But she'll definitely be out for awhile. Good work. Come on. Let's make use of the time you bought and save Yugi."
"Right."
The trio moved down the hall. Once they were gone, Clio appeared. *They have the determination to defeat the siblings, but do they have the will?* Picking up Ate in her arms, Clio vanished. Zeus would want to have a word with the young traitor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Raya dove to right side of the hallway as Bakura dove left. Joey stood in the middle, clutching his sword tighter in his hand. No way was he backing away.
Cerberus snapped his mighty jaws toward his small prey. Joey swung his weapon with skill and confidence. How he knew how to defend himself, he didn't know. But he was glad to know it anyway. 'Some things, you just can't question.'
Moving out from her position, Raya moved to stand next to Joey. "Raya, get back!"
Palm facing outward, the eye of Horus appeared faintly on her forehead. "Soul Mystification."
Cerberus turned his massive head from the intensive light.
"Quickly my friends. We must get around him before he remembers what his mission is."
Bakura hurried out of his hiding place and together the trio inched their way around the beast. Once around him, the light from Raya died, and Cerberus in his confused state, glanced around for his dinner.
"Well that was fast."
"I don't want to here it now Joey, run!"
"No, I'll end this now." Joey raised his sword and threw it with all his might at the giant creature.
The weapon lodged itself into Cerberus' leg. With a sickening howl, he fell to the ground.
Again, Raya moved into her attack pose. "Soul Mystification." She turned back to her friends. "Come on, he is no longer a threat to us. When he wakes, he won't even remember meeting us."
*Stop*
Raya turned to face a young woman. "Who are you?"
*Clio and I have already spoken with your husband. But I have to warn you as well Ruia.*
"Clio, we have no goddess named Clio? How do I know you are not an illusion of Jarha's?"
*You are very wise Ruia. I am Clio, historian muse to the Greeks. Zeus has sent me to warn the Royal Family of Egypt. You were correct, Ares is helping Satire.*
"I knew it, I knew that witch was up to something."
*Please listen to me, there isn't much time. Your son is slipping farther away from you even as we speak. I am allowed to come before you to speak with blessings from both Zeus and your god Ra. I am here to warn you Ruia that history is changing from its prescribed course. Only your son has the power to correct it. If he is lost to the darkness totally, the everything we know is lost as well. Nothing will ever be the same again.*
"Nothing?" Bakura whispered in pure shock.
Clio shook her head. *I have foreseen what will happen if the young heir isn't saved. It's not a pretty world. Hurry Queen Ruia, save your son.*
As Clio departed once again, Raya waved to her caravan of friends. "Come on, it is time to save the future."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Seto, Tea, and Mokuba entered the master chamber with fear and anxiety in their hearts. The room was cast in an eerie glow. Candles hung from the ceiling, but yet no wax fell to the stone ground.
"Are the others here yet?" Tea asked, stepping farther into the room, glancing around for her missing friends.
"I don't think so, I believe we are the first to arrive." Seto replied. "Come on, lets look around in here. Stay close however, who knows what other traps Satire and Jarha have laid out for us."
Together, the three moved towards the altar, which was covered in a silver metal. There were several indentations, none of which Seto or Tea could read.
"Look at the pretty pictures." Mokuba piped up. "The one looks like a blacksmith."
"Those are hieroglyphs, little brother. And I bet you are right, the one may represent a blacksmith or artist."
"SETO! MOKUBA! Come quickly!"
Seto whipped around, noticing that Tea was no longer behind him. 'So help me if the siblings hurt Tea, I will kill them.' "Tea where are you?"
"In front of the altar, come quickly, I found Yugi. Oh god Seto, hurry."
Hearing the panic in his so called girlfriend's voice, Seto raced around the altar to the far back of the room. The site before him made him sick. "Mokuba, stay back some kiddo."
He moved next to Tea and crouched down beside her. Tears were falling from her eyes.
"We have to get him out of him Seto."
Even without any knowledge of medical training, Seto knew immediately that Yugi would need some. There were multiple abrasions and cuts all over the young heir's body. However, those would heal. It was the emotional scars that he worried most about. "We have to get him out of these chains and to his parents fast."
Tea nodded. "How do we get them off? I saw no keys."
"Sometimes, you have to take blunt force." Raising his sword, Seto swung with all the strength he could muster. With a loud clack, the first chain fell to the ground. Within moments, the second one followed.
Tea cradled her best friend in her arms, rocking him slowly, trying to get the young boy to regain consciousness. "Yugi, Yugi, it is me, Tea. Seto and Mokuba are here as well. Please Yugi, open your eyes."
"T…Te…Tea?" Yugi mumbled softly.
"Yeah, it's me. Can you stand?"
"I…I don't think so. So tired."
Seto stood up. Carefully, he picked up Yugi from Tea. "We better get him to Raya and Yami quickly, before the siblings decide to announce their presence."
Yugi's eyes shot wide open. His eyes were glazed over, as if he had a high fever. "NO! NO! I won't go to them. I won't suffer from their abuse anymore. PLEASE. Don't take me to my parents. I hate them, HATE them. Please, don't make me see them." Yugi sobbed into Seto's shoulder.
Tea and Seto exchanged glance. How were they ever going to convince Yugi to fight when he couldn't stand his own allies, his parents?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Raya entered the main room, quickly followed by Bakura and Joey. Across the room, Yami and Tristan arrived seconds later. A quick nod no from both groups confirmed Raya's worst fear, Yugi had yet to be found. 'Where are you Yugi.'
"Someone's coming." Bakura whispered to her. "Coming from the back of the room."
Motioning for Yami to back into their respective hallways, the groups waited to see who was coming, if it was the siblings, oh they would so pay.
The silhouette of three people appeared. One appeared to being holding something in his arms. Yami and Raya both jumped to her feet. "Yugi!"
Seto, Tea, and Mokuba stepped into the light. Yugi struggled in Seto's arms. "Let me go, I won't see them. Let me go." Yugi jumped down and moved behind Seto's tall frame. He glanced at both Yami and Raya who had stopped moving towards their only son. He shrugged helplessly.
Bakura moved over to Raya and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Clio warned us that this wouldn't be easy. You have to talk to him Raya, call him back to all of us."
Across the floor, Tristan was saying the same thing to Yami.
Before Raya could speak, the whole temple began to shake.
"EVERYONE, TAKE COVER!" Yami shouted.
Laughter filled the room. "We see that you found your son, Yugioh. How does it feel to be hated by your own flesh and blood? How does it feel to be loathed by own of your own?" The two voices spoke in perfect unison.
"Satire. Jarha." Yami spit.
The two appeared in the center of the room, blocking off any path for the three groups to rejoin back into one. Satire tossed her raven black hair behind her. She gave Yami a wink. "Present and accounted for."
"You'll pay for what you did to my son, I will kill you personally." Yami could feel the hatred run painfully through his veins.
"We did nothing to your son, only shone him the truth about what his parents really were. That and granted him his one desire."
"And what is that?" Tristan asked, not believing him for a moment.
"Ask little Yugi himself." Jarha replied.
Everyone turned to Yugi. What they saw, shocked everyone. His face twisted in pain and anger. "You want to know my wish, Yami, Raya? Well I will tell you. Jarha, Satire do as you wish to my parents. Just make sure they can't hurt me again."