Back again! Sry for the delay...and the cliffhanger! *insert evil laugh here* In this chapter there are a few references to money and I am not all too familiar with Yen, so if I make a mistake, I'm very sorry. Also, remember that I changed the way monsters were summoned in the shadow games. Summoning DOES occur in this chappie:-P Well enjoy, and all you Kaiba fans, don't be mad that I made him a little ruthless!
11-Surprises and Searches
"How much ya' got?"
"Not enough."
Tristan and Yugi were sitting on Yugi's bed, counting change out for the trip around Domino. The plan was to go into town and check all the places that he could have gone to, ask as many questions as possible and eventually take a taxi to the small airport as a last alternative. The two boys were guessing at the fair for a taxi, when Tea came up the stairs with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Joey will DIE."
"Why?!" Yugi turned to look at her, tossing some change onto the bed for Tristan to count.
"Yugi, he's not exactly helping. All he's doing is sitting there and annoying the crap out of me."
"How?"
"Don't ask me how! He just is. We have GOT TO get out into town before I take a kitchen knife to him."
"What is he saying?"
"I don't wanna talk about it. But anyway, where are we at?"
"We need all the money and help we can get."
Tea sighed deeply and dropped herself heavily into onto the bed next to Yugi.
"Oh."
Yugi liked the nearness of her. It made him feel more confident. He pulled his eyes away from her face and took the crumpled money in his hand.
"This is what we got," he smiled, handing it to her.
Tea looked up and took the money. Counting it out, she mumbled to herself and then dug into her pocket. She withdrew some change and a folded bill.
"Ok, here. We can ask the others if they have any to."
"Good idea. Thanks, Tea."
He looked into her eyes and smiled. For a second he was lost and completely forgot about his situation. Then Tristan brought him back to reality.
"Yugi, hey, lets go."
Tea got up and offered a hand. "Come on Yugi."
The three left the room with the money and odd amount of change and went downstairs to begin the search.
****
"Kaiba?"
"Yes, don't look so surprised. I was thinking of what to address you as. Yugi? The other-Yugi? Yugi-boy? Or just, pharaoh."
Meera laughed quietly and then walked over to Kaiba, who glanced at her and then grinned.
"Call him, slave." Meera pointed at Yami and once again the magic came from her fingers and wrapped around him. He was forced to slowly bow again.
"No, no, we won't be cruel." Kaiba took her hand in his and Yami was released.
"Let's just explain. Maybe he won't hate me if he knows why. But he probably will. Who knows." Kaiba looked briefly down at Yami and then started to speak. His deep, cold voice filled the room.
"After Yugi defeated me with Exodia, when we first dueled, I was in shock. I had no clue as to how an amateur had defeated me, I figured that the "heart of the cards" must have been true. For a while, I believed this and went on going by it. Then, I faced Yugi that day at Pegasus' rooftop. That battle where I forced his hand. I remembered how he was winning again, how he was assuring himself a victory and I was crushed. But when I took those steps onto the edge and waited for him to move, I noticed something. He was struggling to do the right thing, but something, SOMEONE, was fighting him. At least that was what it seemed. His face, I will never forget it. When he called out to attack I almost fell off from shock, it wasn't like him. When Tea came and shouted to him, his face changed, it seemed he had won some other battle, and ordered the attack to stop. He spared me, but fell to the ground, crying like a baby."
Yami's face darkened and he gritted his teeth. Kaiba went on.
"I knew that he couldn't be crying over the duel. He would still find a way to make it into the castle. I expected him to. He was crying about something else. Well, some few months after the tournament ended, and my soul was returned, I found Mai Valentine and we got to talking. She told me about that day, for I expressed my "guilt" over it. She said that he was babbling on about some "spirit" that he was afraid of which was inside of him and was completely zoned out. This intrigued me. Thus I went to work, recounting our battles, trying to remember what he had done during the course of it. I remembered that he always carried a strange puzzle around his neck and whenever his strange pyramid puzzle glowed, he seemed taller, different and more confident. I thought I was crazy, there is no such thing as a different person. But nothing was out of the ordinary any more, after my soul was taken. So you see, I researched this puzzle on a hunch and found an ancient writing about "a pharaoh imprisoned within a mystical Millennium puzzle." The translation was more wordy, but lets not get into it. I doubted that this puzzle was the same that Yugi had, but with my power, I knew that I could get the answers if I wanted them. So I had my men contact the Egyptian board of Archeology and get a list of all the archeological digs in the past year. I found that someone with the last name Mutuo received an Egyptian artifact. I was completely surprised because I did not expect that this could be the same puzzle. So I did more research and found many prophecies and eventually came across a strange person, some witch or gypsy or something from Egypt."
"She told me about this "pharaoh" trapped in the puzzle. This "pharaoh" was a king of games-completely unbeatable. She claimed that she had scene the writings but didn't know if they were true. I didn't know if I could trust her, but I had to know how Yugi always defeated me. If someone more experienced helped him, he could win. So that is how I came to thinking about you, the pharaoh."
"This mystery woman helped me, for a price. She told me that if you want answers about someone old, you have to get someone old. By sponsoring an archeological dig, my team unearthed something which lead us to where we are today, an ancient slab dating back to an early dynasty, telling about you, pharaoh, and your ancient lover. My translators worked day and night to find this out. I figured that the lover would know plenty about the Pharaoh and asked the woman how we could find out more about her. She said that all dead could be resurrected and that that was how we would get the lover back. I thought this was totally crazy but I went with it. According to this woman, anything that the dead had connection to could help bring them back. The slabs about this mystery lover said that she dueled with the "fire dragon." I knew that there were games back then, and because the cards today were derived from the monsters of the past, I decided I had to find a "fire dragon." Sure enough, I unearthed the card, "Darkfire Dragon." This was the connection."
"Don't ask me how she did it, but this person helped me bring back the dead. Using witchcraft, she was able to resurrect the spirit into the Darkfire Dragon card, much like you were preserved in the Millennium Puzzle. Meera was this ancient lover, and after she came back, I helped her catch up on the times. The woman left, without a trace."
"Meera was like a miracle to me and I taught her about the world. I didn't know how long she'd last but I knew that I had to make her feel at home. So, with more help from my team of archeologists I discovered this temple and built her the perfect home. Sure enough, she knew you, after she recollected her memory. And she wanted revenge. It seems that some mages that you banished to the desert hundreds of years ago were her brothers. And that is why she betrayed you once you fell in love with her. So you see, she was willing to carry out her revenge again after she knew that you were still around."
"I now fully believed that you inhabited Yugi's puzzle, and you were the cause of my downfall. So I have come for you. I hired those kidnappers and had you brought here after I discovered that you could leave the puzzle. I hired many trusted men to come with me here and serve as body guards and helpers. Anything for Meera. Meera wishes to get revenge on you, and with you out of the picture, Yugi will never beat me again. So we both win. I have to be the best dueler. You see, this is strictly business. And it is not murder if you are killing someone who shouldn't exist."
Yami was speechless. He couldn't talk and he felt as if he would pass out. Meera's brothers were those mages? A mystery woman? Resurrection? The dreams came back to him and he turned to look at Meera. As if she knew what he was thinking about she smiled and spoke.
"I sent you those dreams, as a warning. My brothers were those mages. You killed them, Yami. That's why I betrayed you and got close to you many many MANY years ago. So I'm back now! Seto resurrected the right person. He resurrected a sorceress. Together, we are capable of so much."
"Yes, we are. And you, I'll call you pharaoh, does Yugi know about the Millenium Puzzle? Does he know what happens when he duels?"
Yami mustered up the words and spoke slowly, "How could he not? If _you_ figured out that I existed within the puzzle, then he must have...But Kaiba...how could you? Are you truly that obsessed with being unbeatable?"
Kaiba laughed, eerily and cold. "I am also helping Meera. You forget."
Meera looked at him and smiled devilishly. "Yes! And I have so much more to do. I'll be off tending to the monsters. You two boys can talk things out."
With that, Meera left.
"So why haven't you killed me yet?"
"Hmm?" Kaiba turned around. He had been watching Meera leave.
"I don't know. Meera wants you dead more than I. If you were locked up I wouldn't care. As long as you are out of my way. No one gets in my way."
"Kaiba, I thought you were changed."
"No, by sending the dark half of me away, you did open my mind. But I will stop at nothing to be the champion. Yugi may have spared me, but you were willing to knock me off the edge that day at the battle. So I would never hurt Yugi. But you shouldn't even exist. I will keep Mokuba proud and safe and stay on top, whatever it takes."
"You will never make Mokuba proud by doing this just to be the best. Please, think Kaiba! Do you know what you have done? She is trying to resurrect the shadow games! They nearly destroyed the earth years ago."
Kaiba froze for a second and then smiled again. It seemed that he was a bit worried about this and had tried to recover his coolness before Yami saw his unease.
"Whatever she wants. That will never happen. As soon as the business is taken care of, I will go back to tending to KaibaCorp."
"Kaiba! Please! Listen, I'll never get through to her. But you, you must believe me. This isn't right. She's evil!"
"I only wanted answers, I know. This is more than I bargained for but now that I found her, I won't abandon her." Kaiba frowned. "I never knew it would come to this but I can't reverse anything."
"Yes, you can! Find that woman, have her send Meera back!"
"No! Stop now!"
"Kaiba, how can you be so cold? You would really let her kill me just so you can be on top?"
"I just went through this. Goodbye."
Kaiba walked out of the room, and Yami was left alone in the middle of the fire-lit floor. He breathed heavily and was blinded by rage and helplessness. Here was where he missed Yugi and his friends the most. Just as Kaiba had taught Meera, Yugi had taught Yami so much since he had put together that puzzle that day. How had Kaiba found out so much? It was nearly impossible. But it was happening and Yami was completely alone and almost...frightened. Kaiba will never be strong enough to control her...
The Pharaoh watched the fire light reflected on the floor flicker and dance. His mind was boggled and worn out. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw a young girl. Hapsheti had been listening for some time behind the wall, even though she knew all of this. Meera had caught her as she was leaving and ordered her to take the pharaoh back to his room. Now, she walked slowly, cautiously, glancing around like a meek little mouse. Then she approached Yami.
"The mistress sent me to bring you back to your cell. She said if you didn't cooperate to use this." The girl held up a flask of liquid. "But I don't want to."
Yami thought that this must be Meera's servant. He went back to staring at the floor.
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure, but I was hoping you would just cooperate."
"Alright." There was no use in fighting. Yami got to his feet with much effort. Even though his hands were tied, he was able to.
Slowly she gestured for him to follow her. Like an obedient dog, he was trailing Hapsheti down the corridors back to his cell. She watched him the whole way. Yami had nearly lost the will to try due to the latest news so he made no moves to escape. Finally, they had arrived in front of the stone door. Hapsheti called some men over and they pushed it open. Then they briskly went back to their business somewhere else. She lead him into the cell and walked in behind him. It was very dark and cold in this room and Hapsheti felt horrible for having to make him stay, just standing there, alone.When the girl was sure that no one could hear, she shook him so that he wasn't looking at the ground anymore. He turned to her, puzzled, wondering why she hadn't left. She looked into his eyes.
"Are you hungry?" Hapsheti knew she could be in trouble but she had to. He looked so miserable.
Yami was shocked by this strange question. It was almost abnormal to hear a positive comment now. It was unreal in a cruel place like this.
"Yes, I am," he said in disbelief. Yami could think of no better way to answer. He wouldn't lie.
Hapsheti knew the answer anyway. She could see it in his eyes. She seized a knife from her pocket and cut his bonds. Then, reaching her hand into a small pouch which she had drawn the flask from, she withdrew a cloth bulging with something. Gently taking his hand in hers, she placed the cloth into his fingers and closed them over it.
"Take it. Please."
Yami looked at her and his eyes brightened. "Thank you."
Hapsheti smiled and turned to go. Yami was still staring after her, touched by her kindness. She walked slowly, and then left, calling the men over again to close the door. Her face was the last thing that Yami saw before the darkness crept over the room again.
***
Yugi kicked a stone and it clattered off the sidewalk into the storm drain below. They had been walking for hours, from store to store, street to street, searching for clues, leads, asking questions, checking possibilities. The gang was tired out. Joey and Tristan had fallen out of their talkative moods and now were exchanging words less frequently. They just walked with heads down, Joey counting the lines in the sidewalk and Tristan going over everything in his mind. Bakura was polite (as usual) but even his patience was wearing thin. He thrust his hands into his pockets and sighed deeply. Yugi sauntered along next to him and Tea was in the lead, ever vigilant. She looked this way and that, watching for stores which they hadn't visited. Finally, Bakura spoke up.
"Yugi, I hate to say it, but it's getting late." He glanced off at the setting sun glinting off the tops of the buildings. It was already 7:00. "We have to get home in an hour or so, Yugi. Tomorrow's school, even if it is the last day before our little break. We should catch the taxi to the airport."
Bakura was right. Yugi knew that his friends had been working hard all day. He looked up at his loyal companions and nodded. Glumly, the group sat down on the nearest bench and waited for a taxi to come by.
"Guys, thanks for helping." Yugi did a sort of bow and smiled at each of them.
"Your welcome, Yuge, anything for a pal." Joey brushed his hair out of his eyes and squinted against the glare of the sun. He turned to Yugi and patted his shoulder. "For a short kid, you walk pretty fast."
"Hey!" Yugi playfully tried to beam Joey with is arm but missed. This got the group to laugh a little bit. Before they knew, it a taxi pulled around the corner and Tea called out to it. The driver glanced over and then stopped the car. Yugi trotted up to the window, flashing the money.
"Where would you like to go?" asked the driver. He pushed his horn rimmed glasses over the bridge of his nose so he could see better.
"Domino Airport. The old one."
"Outside of town?"
"Yes."
"Alright, get in."
The group squeezed uncomfortably into the taxi and Yugi handed the driver the money. As he settled back in, squeezed between Bakura and the door, he felt something pressing into his side and back. It was the puzzle, which had swung it's ostentatious-self behind Yugi so that it pressed into him. It was a sort of painful reminder that it was still there. It was also a painful reminder of Yami. Yugi took the puzzle in his hands and pryed it from behind him, fastening it securely where he could see it again. The gold sparkled in the pinkish sunlight and Yugi felt strangely calm. It was as if the puzzle was telling him that he was doing the right thing. It's perfect shape and form, it was completely smooth, no rough edges, no dull spots. It's shimmering surface had no chips, much unlike Yugi's life.
***
"Why is it looking at me like that?"
Kaiba was standing firmly next to the cage of the Blue Eyes White Dragon, which was staring down at him with an air of annoyance. It didn't like these meddling little humans always staring at it. The Blue Eyes had a sudden urge to lash out with it's tail, even though he knew that the bars would hold him.
The Red Eyes Black Dragon was snoozing in it's cage. It was the docile one out of the two. Probably because Hapsheti visited it more and it had learned to listen to the humans it liked and ignore the humans which proved useless to it. Kaiba was one of these aforementioned humans. He only came to look at the white dragon, and Red Eyes had no liking for him.
Kaiba watched the great white beast shift it's weight from foot to foot and he heard it rumble deep in it's throat. The Blue Eyes had been staring down the young CEO ever since he had come into the room to see it. Kaiba simply wished to visit the dragon but it wanted no part with him. Meera was in the corner of the room, feeding a new member of the dragon family, a Petit Dragon of mustard color which fluttered about a short steel cage. The bigger dragons had no interest for it, although the Blue Eyes had many thoughts of using it as a chew toy.
Meera turned around slowly and placed her hands on her hips.
"The Blue Eyes doesn't like just anybody."
"And why is that?" Kaiba turned away from the dragon and faced the young woman.
"It's a wild beast. I told you that when resurrected, these monsters are never as obedient as the card versions."
"Yes..."
Kaiba was still unsure of how she had brought this beast back, ANY of these beasts back, and to be honest, he was still believing that they could not be real. Meera could see that Kaiba still felt that cards held power. They didn't. Only real things had power. These beasts were capable of so much and obviously, he didn't recognize this yet. To him, they were just toys and he was used to playing with his holograms. Meera knew that she cared for Kaiba, but sometimes he could act so childish. Underneath that mature and cruel persona, he was innocent. He did not know REAL power yet. That is why he could stand in front of a Blue Eyes White Dragon and not be frightened. He did not know what it was capable of.
Meera knew deep down that if it ever got out it would be a very good match for her, even with her powers. So she always kept a wary eye on it. It was by no means, harmless.
That is when the memories hit her. Meera started to remember her first duels, the first time she had ever seen a monster being summoned, and a monster of true power.
Such as the time she had dueled Yami and he had summoned the Dark Magician. It radiated power and she was frightened. _Kaiba_ was yet to be frightened.
"Would you like me to have a monster summoned? You can watch the ceremony."
Kaiba's face lit up. He looked like a little boy in a candy store. But _this_ candy store consisted of dangerous beasts.
Trying to act mature, Kaiba stifled his happiness and just nodded. "Of course. That would be interesting."
With that, Meera took his hand and led him out into the main hall. They stood there until a few servants briskly walked over to the throne and kneeled on the steps below Meera. That was one thing that she had forgotten to mention to Yami. The servants.
When the woman had resurrected her from her tomb, everyone who was buried with her was brought back as well. This meant that a handful of mages and Hapsheti were brought back to life with Meera. They were told nothing and still lead to believe that they were under her command and were destined to do whatever she pleased.
An older man kneeled on the stairs below her. He looked up with tired eyes and asked,
"Your majesty, shall we prepare the ceremony? Is that what you would like?"
"Yes...how about a dragon? Bring me a dragon."
The man nodded and left. Meera sat in her throne and Kaiba stayed standing.
"They'll be a few minutes," she spoke. "They have to have time to prepare the pentagram and the insense and ingredients for the summoning."
Kaiba nodded and stayed staring straight ahead as a group of mages filed into the room, all holding metal containers filled with sweet smelling incense and perfumes. They went to the center of the room and stood around the pool which Meera had emerged from when Yami had first arrived. By dumping the contents of the metal containers into the warm pool, the scents drifted easily about the room. Then the mages started to trace a pentagram in lavender powder on the floor. As one mage recited ancient Egyptian prayers, the others started to chant. Meera smiled from ear to ear. This was always her favorite thing to watch. Of course, the mages remembered the prayers, considering it was all they did in the old days. And just because they were newly reborn didn't mean that they would forget everything, like Yami had.
Soon the mages all backed away from the pentagram and kneeled down on the floor. They tossed handfuls of flower petals from their pockets onto it and around the symbol and kept chanting. Kaiba could hear a faint rumbling and a strange, oppressing heat was filling the room. The hot air bombarded into his lungs and he yearned for a cool breath, but had to see what would emerge. As the tension and chanting became more powerful, a slightly reddish mist started to float just around the pentagram. Kaiba watched with curiosity and his mouth was slightly open. He was in rapt attention.
Meera liked impressing him, because not much did. This was the first incidence he had had enough time to actually see a summoning.
Suddenly there was a loud rumble and the ground started to quake. Kaiba grabbed the throne and held on as the earthquake continued. Then the mages' voices were drowned out by a deafening screech. Standing on top of the pentagram, enshrouded in red smoke was a great dragon, brownish-red in color, chained around the neck. It roared and stretched it's wings out as if it had been cramped in a cage for many days. It's eyes flew from person to person and finally locked on Meera.
She had gotten off the throne and walked down a step to be eye to eye with the beautiful creature. This creature was the Harpy Ladies' Pet Dragon, and right now it didn't look like much of a pet. It started to draw back it's lips to reveal straight white teeth and it's sharp beak looked even more menacing. As it flapped it's wings once, Kaiba took a step backward. The dragon's tail lashed out behind it and the mages ran for cover. Kaiba was wondering how on earth they had contained the summoned Blue Eyes.
Meera jumped from the steps onto the ground below the beast. It glared down and then, as if it had had a change of heart, closed it's beak and bent it's neck low enough so that it could see Meera eye to eye once again. She stroked the creatures muzzle and head and it closed it's great shimmering eyes. Then Meera pointed towards a large dark entrance to a hallway, and like a zombie, the dragon stomped slowly towards it, never turning around. It disappeared into the hallway and continued walking.
"H-how did you do that?" stammered Kaiba.
"I have my ways. It listens when you show it a little power."
Kaiba regained his composure and joined her on the floor. The mages were busy wiping up the pentagram and running back to their duties.
"So that is how you summoned the beasts in the days of Egypt?"
"No. It was much quicker. When the beasts were summoned to battle they hardly ever took their time. They were fierce and quick and ruthless."
Kaiba had been afraid for a moment but now he was inspired by the dragon's power.
"I wish to see more of this. Thank you Meera."
She smiled up at him. Hopefully now he will respect my monsters...
***
Well that's it! Please R&R, hope you liked:-)
11-Surprises and Searches
"How much ya' got?"
"Not enough."
Tristan and Yugi were sitting on Yugi's bed, counting change out for the trip around Domino. The plan was to go into town and check all the places that he could have gone to, ask as many questions as possible and eventually take a taxi to the small airport as a last alternative. The two boys were guessing at the fair for a taxi, when Tea came up the stairs with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Joey will DIE."
"Why?!" Yugi turned to look at her, tossing some change onto the bed for Tristan to count.
"Yugi, he's not exactly helping. All he's doing is sitting there and annoying the crap out of me."
"How?"
"Don't ask me how! He just is. We have GOT TO get out into town before I take a kitchen knife to him."
"What is he saying?"
"I don't wanna talk about it. But anyway, where are we at?"
"We need all the money and help we can get."
Tea sighed deeply and dropped herself heavily into onto the bed next to Yugi.
"Oh."
Yugi liked the nearness of her. It made him feel more confident. He pulled his eyes away from her face and took the crumpled money in his hand.
"This is what we got," he smiled, handing it to her.
Tea looked up and took the money. Counting it out, she mumbled to herself and then dug into her pocket. She withdrew some change and a folded bill.
"Ok, here. We can ask the others if they have any to."
"Good idea. Thanks, Tea."
He looked into her eyes and smiled. For a second he was lost and completely forgot about his situation. Then Tristan brought him back to reality.
"Yugi, hey, lets go."
Tea got up and offered a hand. "Come on Yugi."
The three left the room with the money and odd amount of change and went downstairs to begin the search.
****
"Kaiba?"
"Yes, don't look so surprised. I was thinking of what to address you as. Yugi? The other-Yugi? Yugi-boy? Or just, pharaoh."
Meera laughed quietly and then walked over to Kaiba, who glanced at her and then grinned.
"Call him, slave." Meera pointed at Yami and once again the magic came from her fingers and wrapped around him. He was forced to slowly bow again.
"No, no, we won't be cruel." Kaiba took her hand in his and Yami was released.
"Let's just explain. Maybe he won't hate me if he knows why. But he probably will. Who knows." Kaiba looked briefly down at Yami and then started to speak. His deep, cold voice filled the room.
"After Yugi defeated me with Exodia, when we first dueled, I was in shock. I had no clue as to how an amateur had defeated me, I figured that the "heart of the cards" must have been true. For a while, I believed this and went on going by it. Then, I faced Yugi that day at Pegasus' rooftop. That battle where I forced his hand. I remembered how he was winning again, how he was assuring himself a victory and I was crushed. But when I took those steps onto the edge and waited for him to move, I noticed something. He was struggling to do the right thing, but something, SOMEONE, was fighting him. At least that was what it seemed. His face, I will never forget it. When he called out to attack I almost fell off from shock, it wasn't like him. When Tea came and shouted to him, his face changed, it seemed he had won some other battle, and ordered the attack to stop. He spared me, but fell to the ground, crying like a baby."
Yami's face darkened and he gritted his teeth. Kaiba went on.
"I knew that he couldn't be crying over the duel. He would still find a way to make it into the castle. I expected him to. He was crying about something else. Well, some few months after the tournament ended, and my soul was returned, I found Mai Valentine and we got to talking. She told me about that day, for I expressed my "guilt" over it. She said that he was babbling on about some "spirit" that he was afraid of which was inside of him and was completely zoned out. This intrigued me. Thus I went to work, recounting our battles, trying to remember what he had done during the course of it. I remembered that he always carried a strange puzzle around his neck and whenever his strange pyramid puzzle glowed, he seemed taller, different and more confident. I thought I was crazy, there is no such thing as a different person. But nothing was out of the ordinary any more, after my soul was taken. So you see, I researched this puzzle on a hunch and found an ancient writing about "a pharaoh imprisoned within a mystical Millennium puzzle." The translation was more wordy, but lets not get into it. I doubted that this puzzle was the same that Yugi had, but with my power, I knew that I could get the answers if I wanted them. So I had my men contact the Egyptian board of Archeology and get a list of all the archeological digs in the past year. I found that someone with the last name Mutuo received an Egyptian artifact. I was completely surprised because I did not expect that this could be the same puzzle. So I did more research and found many prophecies and eventually came across a strange person, some witch or gypsy or something from Egypt."
"She told me about this "pharaoh" trapped in the puzzle. This "pharaoh" was a king of games-completely unbeatable. She claimed that she had scene the writings but didn't know if they were true. I didn't know if I could trust her, but I had to know how Yugi always defeated me. If someone more experienced helped him, he could win. So that is how I came to thinking about you, the pharaoh."
"This mystery woman helped me, for a price. She told me that if you want answers about someone old, you have to get someone old. By sponsoring an archeological dig, my team unearthed something which lead us to where we are today, an ancient slab dating back to an early dynasty, telling about you, pharaoh, and your ancient lover. My translators worked day and night to find this out. I figured that the lover would know plenty about the Pharaoh and asked the woman how we could find out more about her. She said that all dead could be resurrected and that that was how we would get the lover back. I thought this was totally crazy but I went with it. According to this woman, anything that the dead had connection to could help bring them back. The slabs about this mystery lover said that she dueled with the "fire dragon." I knew that there were games back then, and because the cards today were derived from the monsters of the past, I decided I had to find a "fire dragon." Sure enough, I unearthed the card, "Darkfire Dragon." This was the connection."
"Don't ask me how she did it, but this person helped me bring back the dead. Using witchcraft, she was able to resurrect the spirit into the Darkfire Dragon card, much like you were preserved in the Millennium Puzzle. Meera was this ancient lover, and after she came back, I helped her catch up on the times. The woman left, without a trace."
"Meera was like a miracle to me and I taught her about the world. I didn't know how long she'd last but I knew that I had to make her feel at home. So, with more help from my team of archeologists I discovered this temple and built her the perfect home. Sure enough, she knew you, after she recollected her memory. And she wanted revenge. It seems that some mages that you banished to the desert hundreds of years ago were her brothers. And that is why she betrayed you once you fell in love with her. So you see, she was willing to carry out her revenge again after she knew that you were still around."
"I now fully believed that you inhabited Yugi's puzzle, and you were the cause of my downfall. So I have come for you. I hired those kidnappers and had you brought here after I discovered that you could leave the puzzle. I hired many trusted men to come with me here and serve as body guards and helpers. Anything for Meera. Meera wishes to get revenge on you, and with you out of the picture, Yugi will never beat me again. So we both win. I have to be the best dueler. You see, this is strictly business. And it is not murder if you are killing someone who shouldn't exist."
Yami was speechless. He couldn't talk and he felt as if he would pass out. Meera's brothers were those mages? A mystery woman? Resurrection? The dreams came back to him and he turned to look at Meera. As if she knew what he was thinking about she smiled and spoke.
"I sent you those dreams, as a warning. My brothers were those mages. You killed them, Yami. That's why I betrayed you and got close to you many many MANY years ago. So I'm back now! Seto resurrected the right person. He resurrected a sorceress. Together, we are capable of so much."
"Yes, we are. And you, I'll call you pharaoh, does Yugi know about the Millenium Puzzle? Does he know what happens when he duels?"
Yami mustered up the words and spoke slowly, "How could he not? If _you_ figured out that I existed within the puzzle, then he must have...But Kaiba...how could you? Are you truly that obsessed with being unbeatable?"
Kaiba laughed, eerily and cold. "I am also helping Meera. You forget."
Meera looked at him and smiled devilishly. "Yes! And I have so much more to do. I'll be off tending to the monsters. You two boys can talk things out."
With that, Meera left.
"So why haven't you killed me yet?"
"Hmm?" Kaiba turned around. He had been watching Meera leave.
"I don't know. Meera wants you dead more than I. If you were locked up I wouldn't care. As long as you are out of my way. No one gets in my way."
"Kaiba, I thought you were changed."
"No, by sending the dark half of me away, you did open my mind. But I will stop at nothing to be the champion. Yugi may have spared me, but you were willing to knock me off the edge that day at the battle. So I would never hurt Yugi. But you shouldn't even exist. I will keep Mokuba proud and safe and stay on top, whatever it takes."
"You will never make Mokuba proud by doing this just to be the best. Please, think Kaiba! Do you know what you have done? She is trying to resurrect the shadow games! They nearly destroyed the earth years ago."
Kaiba froze for a second and then smiled again. It seemed that he was a bit worried about this and had tried to recover his coolness before Yami saw his unease.
"Whatever she wants. That will never happen. As soon as the business is taken care of, I will go back to tending to KaibaCorp."
"Kaiba! Please! Listen, I'll never get through to her. But you, you must believe me. This isn't right. She's evil!"
"I only wanted answers, I know. This is more than I bargained for but now that I found her, I won't abandon her." Kaiba frowned. "I never knew it would come to this but I can't reverse anything."
"Yes, you can! Find that woman, have her send Meera back!"
"No! Stop now!"
"Kaiba, how can you be so cold? You would really let her kill me just so you can be on top?"
"I just went through this. Goodbye."
Kaiba walked out of the room, and Yami was left alone in the middle of the fire-lit floor. He breathed heavily and was blinded by rage and helplessness. Here was where he missed Yugi and his friends the most. Just as Kaiba had taught Meera, Yugi had taught Yami so much since he had put together that puzzle that day. How had Kaiba found out so much? It was nearly impossible. But it was happening and Yami was completely alone and almost...frightened. Kaiba will never be strong enough to control her...
The Pharaoh watched the fire light reflected on the floor flicker and dance. His mind was boggled and worn out. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw a young girl. Hapsheti had been listening for some time behind the wall, even though she knew all of this. Meera had caught her as she was leaving and ordered her to take the pharaoh back to his room. Now, she walked slowly, cautiously, glancing around like a meek little mouse. Then she approached Yami.
"The mistress sent me to bring you back to your cell. She said if you didn't cooperate to use this." The girl held up a flask of liquid. "But I don't want to."
Yami thought that this must be Meera's servant. He went back to staring at the floor.
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure, but I was hoping you would just cooperate."
"Alright." There was no use in fighting. Yami got to his feet with much effort. Even though his hands were tied, he was able to.
Slowly she gestured for him to follow her. Like an obedient dog, he was trailing Hapsheti down the corridors back to his cell. She watched him the whole way. Yami had nearly lost the will to try due to the latest news so he made no moves to escape. Finally, they had arrived in front of the stone door. Hapsheti called some men over and they pushed it open. Then they briskly went back to their business somewhere else. She lead him into the cell and walked in behind him. It was very dark and cold in this room and Hapsheti felt horrible for having to make him stay, just standing there, alone.When the girl was sure that no one could hear, she shook him so that he wasn't looking at the ground anymore. He turned to her, puzzled, wondering why she hadn't left. She looked into his eyes.
"Are you hungry?" Hapsheti knew she could be in trouble but she had to. He looked so miserable.
Yami was shocked by this strange question. It was almost abnormal to hear a positive comment now. It was unreal in a cruel place like this.
"Yes, I am," he said in disbelief. Yami could think of no better way to answer. He wouldn't lie.
Hapsheti knew the answer anyway. She could see it in his eyes. She seized a knife from her pocket and cut his bonds. Then, reaching her hand into a small pouch which she had drawn the flask from, she withdrew a cloth bulging with something. Gently taking his hand in hers, she placed the cloth into his fingers and closed them over it.
"Take it. Please."
Yami looked at her and his eyes brightened. "Thank you."
Hapsheti smiled and turned to go. Yami was still staring after her, touched by her kindness. She walked slowly, and then left, calling the men over again to close the door. Her face was the last thing that Yami saw before the darkness crept over the room again.
***
Yugi kicked a stone and it clattered off the sidewalk into the storm drain below. They had been walking for hours, from store to store, street to street, searching for clues, leads, asking questions, checking possibilities. The gang was tired out. Joey and Tristan had fallen out of their talkative moods and now were exchanging words less frequently. They just walked with heads down, Joey counting the lines in the sidewalk and Tristan going over everything in his mind. Bakura was polite (as usual) but even his patience was wearing thin. He thrust his hands into his pockets and sighed deeply. Yugi sauntered along next to him and Tea was in the lead, ever vigilant. She looked this way and that, watching for stores which they hadn't visited. Finally, Bakura spoke up.
"Yugi, I hate to say it, but it's getting late." He glanced off at the setting sun glinting off the tops of the buildings. It was already 7:00. "We have to get home in an hour or so, Yugi. Tomorrow's school, even if it is the last day before our little break. We should catch the taxi to the airport."
Bakura was right. Yugi knew that his friends had been working hard all day. He looked up at his loyal companions and nodded. Glumly, the group sat down on the nearest bench and waited for a taxi to come by.
"Guys, thanks for helping." Yugi did a sort of bow and smiled at each of them.
"Your welcome, Yuge, anything for a pal." Joey brushed his hair out of his eyes and squinted against the glare of the sun. He turned to Yugi and patted his shoulder. "For a short kid, you walk pretty fast."
"Hey!" Yugi playfully tried to beam Joey with is arm but missed. This got the group to laugh a little bit. Before they knew, it a taxi pulled around the corner and Tea called out to it. The driver glanced over and then stopped the car. Yugi trotted up to the window, flashing the money.
"Where would you like to go?" asked the driver. He pushed his horn rimmed glasses over the bridge of his nose so he could see better.
"Domino Airport. The old one."
"Outside of town?"
"Yes."
"Alright, get in."
The group squeezed uncomfortably into the taxi and Yugi handed the driver the money. As he settled back in, squeezed between Bakura and the door, he felt something pressing into his side and back. It was the puzzle, which had swung it's ostentatious-self behind Yugi so that it pressed into him. It was a sort of painful reminder that it was still there. It was also a painful reminder of Yami. Yugi took the puzzle in his hands and pryed it from behind him, fastening it securely where he could see it again. The gold sparkled in the pinkish sunlight and Yugi felt strangely calm. It was as if the puzzle was telling him that he was doing the right thing. It's perfect shape and form, it was completely smooth, no rough edges, no dull spots. It's shimmering surface had no chips, much unlike Yugi's life.
***
"Why is it looking at me like that?"
Kaiba was standing firmly next to the cage of the Blue Eyes White Dragon, which was staring down at him with an air of annoyance. It didn't like these meddling little humans always staring at it. The Blue Eyes had a sudden urge to lash out with it's tail, even though he knew that the bars would hold him.
The Red Eyes Black Dragon was snoozing in it's cage. It was the docile one out of the two. Probably because Hapsheti visited it more and it had learned to listen to the humans it liked and ignore the humans which proved useless to it. Kaiba was one of these aforementioned humans. He only came to look at the white dragon, and Red Eyes had no liking for him.
Kaiba watched the great white beast shift it's weight from foot to foot and he heard it rumble deep in it's throat. The Blue Eyes had been staring down the young CEO ever since he had come into the room to see it. Kaiba simply wished to visit the dragon but it wanted no part with him. Meera was in the corner of the room, feeding a new member of the dragon family, a Petit Dragon of mustard color which fluttered about a short steel cage. The bigger dragons had no interest for it, although the Blue Eyes had many thoughts of using it as a chew toy.
Meera turned around slowly and placed her hands on her hips.
"The Blue Eyes doesn't like just anybody."
"And why is that?" Kaiba turned away from the dragon and faced the young woman.
"It's a wild beast. I told you that when resurrected, these monsters are never as obedient as the card versions."
"Yes..."
Kaiba was still unsure of how she had brought this beast back, ANY of these beasts back, and to be honest, he was still believing that they could not be real. Meera could see that Kaiba still felt that cards held power. They didn't. Only real things had power. These beasts were capable of so much and obviously, he didn't recognize this yet. To him, they were just toys and he was used to playing with his holograms. Meera knew that she cared for Kaiba, but sometimes he could act so childish. Underneath that mature and cruel persona, he was innocent. He did not know REAL power yet. That is why he could stand in front of a Blue Eyes White Dragon and not be frightened. He did not know what it was capable of.
Meera knew deep down that if it ever got out it would be a very good match for her, even with her powers. So she always kept a wary eye on it. It was by no means, harmless.
That is when the memories hit her. Meera started to remember her first duels, the first time she had ever seen a monster being summoned, and a monster of true power.
Such as the time she had dueled Yami and he had summoned the Dark Magician. It radiated power and she was frightened. _Kaiba_ was yet to be frightened.
"Would you like me to have a monster summoned? You can watch the ceremony."
Kaiba's face lit up. He looked like a little boy in a candy store. But _this_ candy store consisted of dangerous beasts.
Trying to act mature, Kaiba stifled his happiness and just nodded. "Of course. That would be interesting."
With that, Meera took his hand and led him out into the main hall. They stood there until a few servants briskly walked over to the throne and kneeled on the steps below Meera. That was one thing that she had forgotten to mention to Yami. The servants.
When the woman had resurrected her from her tomb, everyone who was buried with her was brought back as well. This meant that a handful of mages and Hapsheti were brought back to life with Meera. They were told nothing and still lead to believe that they were under her command and were destined to do whatever she pleased.
An older man kneeled on the stairs below her. He looked up with tired eyes and asked,
"Your majesty, shall we prepare the ceremony? Is that what you would like?"
"Yes...how about a dragon? Bring me a dragon."
The man nodded and left. Meera sat in her throne and Kaiba stayed standing.
"They'll be a few minutes," she spoke. "They have to have time to prepare the pentagram and the insense and ingredients for the summoning."
Kaiba nodded and stayed staring straight ahead as a group of mages filed into the room, all holding metal containers filled with sweet smelling incense and perfumes. They went to the center of the room and stood around the pool which Meera had emerged from when Yami had first arrived. By dumping the contents of the metal containers into the warm pool, the scents drifted easily about the room. Then the mages started to trace a pentagram in lavender powder on the floor. As one mage recited ancient Egyptian prayers, the others started to chant. Meera smiled from ear to ear. This was always her favorite thing to watch. Of course, the mages remembered the prayers, considering it was all they did in the old days. And just because they were newly reborn didn't mean that they would forget everything, like Yami had.
Soon the mages all backed away from the pentagram and kneeled down on the floor. They tossed handfuls of flower petals from their pockets onto it and around the symbol and kept chanting. Kaiba could hear a faint rumbling and a strange, oppressing heat was filling the room. The hot air bombarded into his lungs and he yearned for a cool breath, but had to see what would emerge. As the tension and chanting became more powerful, a slightly reddish mist started to float just around the pentagram. Kaiba watched with curiosity and his mouth was slightly open. He was in rapt attention.
Meera liked impressing him, because not much did. This was the first incidence he had had enough time to actually see a summoning.
Suddenly there was a loud rumble and the ground started to quake. Kaiba grabbed the throne and held on as the earthquake continued. Then the mages' voices were drowned out by a deafening screech. Standing on top of the pentagram, enshrouded in red smoke was a great dragon, brownish-red in color, chained around the neck. It roared and stretched it's wings out as if it had been cramped in a cage for many days. It's eyes flew from person to person and finally locked on Meera.
She had gotten off the throne and walked down a step to be eye to eye with the beautiful creature. This creature was the Harpy Ladies' Pet Dragon, and right now it didn't look like much of a pet. It started to draw back it's lips to reveal straight white teeth and it's sharp beak looked even more menacing. As it flapped it's wings once, Kaiba took a step backward. The dragon's tail lashed out behind it and the mages ran for cover. Kaiba was wondering how on earth they had contained the summoned Blue Eyes.
Meera jumped from the steps onto the ground below the beast. It glared down and then, as if it had had a change of heart, closed it's beak and bent it's neck low enough so that it could see Meera eye to eye once again. She stroked the creatures muzzle and head and it closed it's great shimmering eyes. Then Meera pointed towards a large dark entrance to a hallway, and like a zombie, the dragon stomped slowly towards it, never turning around. It disappeared into the hallway and continued walking.
"H-how did you do that?" stammered Kaiba.
"I have my ways. It listens when you show it a little power."
Kaiba regained his composure and joined her on the floor. The mages were busy wiping up the pentagram and running back to their duties.
"So that is how you summoned the beasts in the days of Egypt?"
"No. It was much quicker. When the beasts were summoned to battle they hardly ever took their time. They were fierce and quick and ruthless."
Kaiba had been afraid for a moment but now he was inspired by the dragon's power.
"I wish to see more of this. Thank you Meera."
She smiled up at him. Hopefully now he will respect my monsters...
***
Well that's it! Please R&R, hope you liked:-)