Forever Love
The Story of the Yamia Isis
[A/N: As Forever Love continues, Yugi, Seto and Angel have been drawn back to ancient Egypt by Yami. There they find a sacrifice about to take place. Can they save the innocent victim. And what's this? An ancient Pegasus ... who is half-decent? Madness abounds as our heroes continue their quest to save Mokuba and Serenity. Still with me? If so, read, review and enjoy. :) -- Kat. ]
Chapter 3
Yugi stared at Angel, his expression darkening. It looked like a very tough duel was about to ensue. Frowning, he tried to think of a way to smooth things over. " Yes. I have the Millennium Puzzle. Yami. Which Item do you have? "
" I have the lovers: Isis and Osirus. Yami … I've never heard of him. My studies have stated that the spirit in the puzzle is Ra. " she looked sincerely perplexed, but Yugi could see that she was already reaching into her satchel, most likely trying to grab her cards. " Not that it matters. I will soon know all about Yami. I challenge you to a duel for your Millennium Puzzle. See ya in the shadow realms! "
" You don't want to do this! " Yugi shouted, terror for this strange duelist seizing his heart. She wouldn't last five minutes in the shadow realms. He could feel it. His protest obviously unheard or unheeded, he watched as she pulled a single card out of her leather traveling bag. " What's that? "
" This is a one way ticket, Yugi. " Angel said smirking, " Everybody say hello to my good friend, the Gate Keeper. "
" Oh… " Yugi said, recognition hitting him like a pile of bricks, " Get back, everyone! You don't want to get caught in - "
" Gate keeper! Open a portal to the shadow realms! " Angel said, her voice rising overtop of Yugi's. Swirling whisps of blackness seemed to eat away at the very fabric of the universe as her spell began to take affect. Yugi felt his stomach churning as it always did when he was pulled into this place of darkness. As the magic's spree of horror ended, he realized that he and Angel were not alone.
" Where the hell are we? " Kaiba demanded, his eyes scanning the endless blank stretch of space that surrounded them all. He could relate to Kaiba's terror. He hadn't liked the shadow realms when he first visited it, either. He still hated it, even though it gave Yami greater powers. " Well? "
" Shut up, watch this duel and we'll be back in the normal world in no time. " Angel said. Whoa, what a change. She hadn't talked to any of them like that before. For all the faults that Yugi could imagine her having as Pegasus' girlfriend, she had seemed like a nice enough person until now.
" I'll give you one last chance to back out of this, Angel. " Yugi said, still not reaching for his cards.
" Dream on, Yugi. " Angel said, shuffling her cards and setting them in her deck zone, " Prepare for your final duel, 'cause you're going to the graveyard! "
" Graveyard? What is this place? " Kaiba asked. Yugi set his cards in his deck zone and the duel was ready to commence.
" One more word and you'll join him, Kaiba. " Angel drew five cards and turned her attention back to Yugi. " Since I challenged you, and there is no conceivable way you can win, I'll let you go first. "
" Alright. " Yugi could already feel Yami's presence growing stronger within him. He knew that he must now look much bigger, and that his voice would deepen. Looking over at his opponent, he was pleased to see that she was finally looking a little nervous.
*+*+*
" I have good news and bad news. " A soft voice echoed through her head, and Angel felt butterflies dancing around in the pit of her stomach. She had only heard this voice once before. It was Isis. " The good news is that you will probably live through this duel. The bad news is that you're on your own in fighting it. "
" What? " Angel looked at Yugi, or more correctly what had been Yugi, and her mouth went dry. He wasn't Yugi anymore.
" Hello, Angelica. Do you recognize me? I am Yami, or as you would say, Ra. " This was definitely not Yugi. This guy had the voice of a lion wrapped in tones of velvet. She could go on listening to that voice forever. Perhaps he, like Yugi, would give her a shot to get out of this duel. " For my first move, I will play the Farrell Imp in attack mode! "
Or perhaps not. He wanted to get right down to business. Sighing, Angel started to sort through her own cards, looking for a move. " I will play the Lovers, in attack mode. "
A splitting pain raced through her head as she tried to make the monsters appear, and she thought that she had forgotten how to breathe. She felt her legs giving way beneath her and suddenly strong arms wrapped around her, holding her up. Could it be…?
" You okay? " It was Seto. Even after all she had said to him, he was helping her. " Yugi, we can't stay here. She's hurt. "
" Damn it. This is a disaster… " Angel tried to call the Lovers forth again, but only succeeded in making another wave of nausea to wash over herself.
The stranger who had called himself Yami now blocked her entire view, and was bending over her, concern in his eyes. " Do you yield, Angelica? "
" Yeah. Get it over with. Take it. " she said, still not meeting his eyes. She held her breath, waiting for the moment when she and Isis would be separated forever. Why had she done something this foolish so early in her training?
" Angelica, you do not have a millennium item. " Yami looked at the earring, as if confirming his own suspicions, " You have a magical talismin that gives you powers that are to be used to … Wait, I'll just show you instead. "
The blackness of the shadow realm was suddenly replaced by golden sand and skies of crystal blue. What was happening? Glancing to her right, Angel could see pyramids in the distances. Brand new pyramids. They were in ancient Egypt! " Oh my god! "
" Follow me. " Yami's voice went no higher then a whisper, and as Angel followed him she realized that the number of people in their traveling party had increased. Yugi and Yami had separated, Seto was beside her, and two strangers followed at the rear of the procession. " We shall first visit the palace. "
*+*+*
So this was what Yami's home had looked like. Yugi followed his friend through the richly decorated halls of his home in awed silence, pausing now and then to touch the fabrics of the mauve silk robe he was now wearing. " You like that, don't you? "
For once Yami graced him with the semblance of a smile. It was the first Yugi could remember him giving. He must have been happy to be back here. A woman with wisps of red hair falling into her eyes came running down the hall, her footsteps falling lightly on the marble floor. " You're home! "
She jumped into the air, and Yami caught her in his arms, twirling her above his head in a circle before setting her down once again, facing Yugi. " Do you recognize her, my friend? "
" Taya? " Yugi's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at her. She was Taya, he could feel it … Yet she wasn't.
Yami poked him in the ribs, turning his attention towards Yugi for a second before once again gazing at the woman with loving eyes. " You catch on quick. She is Anzu, Taya's ancestor from 5,000 years past. "
" You've lost me completely, love. Oh well. The thing I do understand is that you are here! " Anzu's voice bubbled over with joy and Yami laced his fingers through hers as he and Yugi continued to walk down the hall.
" I'll leave you two to catch up, Yami. I need to go and find Seto and Angel. " Yugi turned to go, looking over his shoulder one last time to ensure he was not looking at Taya. " Nice meeting you, Anzu. "
" Good idea, Yugi. I'll see you all later. Be careful! " Yami and Anzu walked off and Yugi made his way back out through one of the doors and began exploring the mini city that was inside of the palace.
*+*+*
" Mighty Set, great lord of all chaos, we call on you this night! " the words of the chant rang through the temple, and seemed to pierce the very core of Angel's heart. What was happening? Muffled sounds were occurring behind his words, but Angel wasn't quite sure what they were from. From her hiding place in the shadows she watched in silence. " We bring you this offering. May she please your greatness, and grant us your blessing. "
What? A sacrifice? This could not be good. Watching her step to avoid any possible traps, Angel crept closer to the altar, trying to figure out whether or not she should get involved. Would it have major reprocusions in the future? " You will pay for this, Seth. "
The woman's voice caught Angel off guard. It sounded strangely familiar. The light of the candles that surrounded the altar were making it a bit easier to see now, and as the two figures came into clearer view, Angel felt her heart catch in her throat. They looked just like her and Seto … only five thousand years in the past. What was with this?
The priest raised his arm in the air, and Angel could see a large jagged slab of metal gleaming in the light. A knife, made of a dark black metal, and headed straight for her past self. " Hold it right there! "
Stepping out of her hiding place, Angel drew the priest's attention in her direction and motioned for the replica of herself on the altar to make a run for it. But even as the very manacing-looking priest came nearer, the offering he had intended to give did not move. " You wish to take her place? "
" I am going to stop your little charade, once and for all. " Angel clenched her fists as the man moved closer, still holding the knife. " Dammit, kid! Don't you know anything? Run! "
The girl stared at her blankly, and Angel clenched her teeth, beginning to think that she might want to give herself, past and present, a good shake. This was the last time she played hero. The last time she would play anything, if she weren't careful. The priest swung with his knife and managed to leave a fairly good scratch on her right arm. That thing burned, even after it had once again separated from her skin. " I will give you one chance to get out of here. Got that? One. "
" You even talk like him… This is too messed up. " Using her unexplained outburst as a distraction she leaped into the air, over the priest, and landed next to the altar, grabbing the wrist of the girl who was lying on it, motionless. " Let's move! "
Angel tugged on the girl's wrist again, but she still didn't budge. The priest had turned towards them again now, and was wearing a mocking smirk across his handsome face. Even in the face of death, with no relation to past or present, Seto managed to look handsome to her. How weird. " You have chosen to join her, it seems. Why, you even look alike. How … interesting. "
The girl turned her head to look at Angel, and Angel could see the recognition hitting her as her eyes finally seemed to light up with a life of their own, ""Hey, you do. What's going on? "
Angel lifted her left leg and kicked the priest in the stomach when he approached the altar, then turned her attention back to the girl for a few seconds before beginning her next attack. " I'm you, five thousand years in the future. "
" Okay, now I get it. " Angel glanced at her with relief, until she saw that the girl was speaking to the priest, " She is a figment caused by a mix of the oils you put on me, and my own fears. "
" Yeah, that's it. " He agreed, obviously not as certain as he wanted his victim to believe he was. Suddenly Angel had an idea. Set … What did she know about Set from her research over the years? How could she use it? Isis … Bingo.
" I'm here, Angel. " The warm voice of her mentor echoed through her mind, and she suddenly felt the burning pain of the wound in her arm being healed, " And I see what you're planning. Let's do it. "
*+*+*
What was Angel doing at that altar? Seto jumped down from the ledge he had been standing on the entire time, setting himself in front of her, and crossed his arms. No one was going to hurt her while he could help it. " You okay, Angel? "
" Yeah, get her outta here. I'll handle this goon. " Angel said, a strange little smile lighting up her face despite the danger she was facing. Seto could not help wondering what was so funny as he lifted the girl on the altar into his arms. And why did she look so familiar, anyway? " Right. I'll go find Pharoah. "
It took all of his will to leave the temple, but in the end his darker instincts won out. Running down the golden paved street of the castle-city, he tried vainly to find Yugi. Where had his little friend gone? Turning a corner he ran directly into the last person he could have wanted to meet: the ancient Pegasus. Knocked off balance, he landed on his knees, looking up at him. " Watch where you're going, boy. "
" A thousand apologies, Maximillion. " Seto said, hoping to catch his enemy off guard. From the look of confusion tracing over Pegasus' face, he was sure he had succeeded.
" I think you have the wrong person, Seth. Why aren't you in the temple doing some kind of dark magic like any other day? " The sneer on Pegasus face seemed almost contagous. And who was this Seth person?
" Seth? Who is Seth? " Seto stepped closer to Pegasus and the Duel Monsters genius backed further away as if he thought Seto should be locked up in an insane asylum.
" Y-you are… " Pegasus said, the usual calmness in his voice breaking momentarily, " Are you quite alright? "
" I am looking for the Pharoah. Have you seen him? " Seto asked, using the time while he was talking to slowly advance. Finally he grabbed Pegasus and backed him against a wall, preparing to shake him if necessary.
" Seto, what are you doing? "
*+*+*
Yugi thought that he would collapse as he followed his much taller friend back to the temple where Angel had last been seen. If things were happening the way that Yugi was beginning to suspect, and the priest she was battling was Seth, the dark priest, things were much more out of hand then he would have liked. Glancing down at the girl that Seto had been dragging along with him, Yugi did a double take. Whoa, an Angel look-alike.
As they approached the temple, the cloud of dread that had been threatening to descend on Yugi's spirit broke lose, and he let out a ragged breath. Yami had dressed him in his likeness, and with the magic of the millenium puzzle, no one could tell that he was not the Pharoah. But would that be enough to set things right?
The priest had her backed up against a wall and was holding the knife he had been planning to attack her replica with directly above her heart. Racing forward, Yugi projected his voice as loud as he could, and did his best to sound like Yami would at a time like this. " I command you to stop! "
The priest turned, a look of confusion clouding his eyes as he looked at Yigi. " Your most divine majesty, to what honor do I owe this visit? "
" What are you doing with this girl, Seth? " Yugi asked, trying to keep his voice neutral as he looked at Angel. When he was sure Seth wasn't looking he gave her the thumbs up sign,
" She is a thief, your highness. I was trying to make at least a small portion of her life of value to someone. "
" How so? " Yugi countered, moving closer to the altar.
" Set can appriciate what we mere mortals cannot. " Seth said, his voice oily with persuasion, " Unless you had some greater purpose in mind, most noble of all Gods. "
Yugi forced down the blush that threatened to over-take his normally pale complexion as he continued to face off across Angel's attacker, " That I do, noble priest. "
This was working perfectly. As he continued to distract Seth with his imrovised immatation of Yami, Seto was causing Angel and her past self to switch places. " Do share, my lord. "
" I believe it is time you took a wife, my dear friend. " Yugi said, his smile growing. " Don't you, Angelica? "
From Yugi's vantage point, the look on her face was priceless. He had to be right. She liked Seto. Why else would she have such a huge grin on her face? " What? My lord, you can't mean…? "
" Me… " It was the first time that the mysterious Angel look alike had spoken in Yugi's presence, and the similarity in their voices was almost creepy.
" It's the perfect solution. " Yugi said, his voice leaving no room for doubts as he continued to look at them. " You two are perfect for each other, in this life and the next. "
" As you say, Pharaoh. We will be married at once. " Seth stopped talking as he noticed Seto and saw how closely he resembled him. " Whoa, she wasn't lying… You are from the future. "
" Speaking of which, I need to get them back to the central area of the palace and send them back to their own time. " Yugi said, still not daring to drop his act for fear of Angel's replica being killed.
" One question before we split. " Angel said, turning her attention to the girl, " What is your name, anyway? "
"Adora." The girl said, blushing slightly when Seth wrapped an arm protectively around her waist.
" You're staying with me." Yugi could hear him saying teasingly as the others started to walk back towards the grand hall. " Let's go home."
It seemed that in any life, Seto's heart would remain a mystery to one and all. Not very surprising.
*+*+*
Anzu laid her head on Yami's shoulder as they stared at the glowing sunset from their perch on a set of silk-covered pillows. It was so good to have him back. She had missed him so much. Sighing with contentment, she turned her head a little so that she could place a kiss on his left cheek. " I missed you, Yami. "
" And I you. " Yami brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes as he turned so that he could see her better. " But I shall soon have to go."
" Why? Why must you leave me again?" Anzu shouted, closing her eyes to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
" I've never left you, Anzu. I am always a whisper away. Especially from you, sweetheart." He barried his face in her hair and pulled her closer to him. " We have to go meet the others now."
" Alright." Anzu said, slowly rising from her seat and waiting for him. Hand in hand they made their way back to the grand hall. They did not have to wait long for Yugi, Angel and Seto to arrive, with Isis and Osirus not far behind them.
After giving Anzu a final hug, Yami joined hands with the others and focused his energy, sending them back, through the void Angel had created in the shadow realms, and into their normal bodies. Promising himself that he would see Anzu again soon, he settled down for a well deserved mental nap.
[ End Notes: They may have made it back to the present alright, but that doesn't mean their troubles are near being over. An old friend shows up, wills collide, hearts are broken and tragedy strikes. Look for the next chapter to find out who's luck is running low, and who might just come to the rescue. ]
The Story of the Yamia Isis
[A/N: As Forever Love continues, Yugi, Seto and Angel have been drawn back to ancient Egypt by Yami. There they find a sacrifice about to take place. Can they save the innocent victim. And what's this? An ancient Pegasus ... who is half-decent? Madness abounds as our heroes continue their quest to save Mokuba and Serenity. Still with me? If so, read, review and enjoy. :) -- Kat. ]
Chapter 3
Yugi stared at Angel, his expression darkening. It looked like a very tough duel was about to ensue. Frowning, he tried to think of a way to smooth things over. " Yes. I have the Millennium Puzzle. Yami. Which Item do you have? "
" I have the lovers: Isis and Osirus. Yami … I've never heard of him. My studies have stated that the spirit in the puzzle is Ra. " she looked sincerely perplexed, but Yugi could see that she was already reaching into her satchel, most likely trying to grab her cards. " Not that it matters. I will soon know all about Yami. I challenge you to a duel for your Millennium Puzzle. See ya in the shadow realms! "
" You don't want to do this! " Yugi shouted, terror for this strange duelist seizing his heart. She wouldn't last five minutes in the shadow realms. He could feel it. His protest obviously unheard or unheeded, he watched as she pulled a single card out of her leather traveling bag. " What's that? "
" This is a one way ticket, Yugi. " Angel said smirking, " Everybody say hello to my good friend, the Gate Keeper. "
" Oh… " Yugi said, recognition hitting him like a pile of bricks, " Get back, everyone! You don't want to get caught in - "
" Gate keeper! Open a portal to the shadow realms! " Angel said, her voice rising overtop of Yugi's. Swirling whisps of blackness seemed to eat away at the very fabric of the universe as her spell began to take affect. Yugi felt his stomach churning as it always did when he was pulled into this place of darkness. As the magic's spree of horror ended, he realized that he and Angel were not alone.
" Where the hell are we? " Kaiba demanded, his eyes scanning the endless blank stretch of space that surrounded them all. He could relate to Kaiba's terror. He hadn't liked the shadow realms when he first visited it, either. He still hated it, even though it gave Yami greater powers. " Well? "
" Shut up, watch this duel and we'll be back in the normal world in no time. " Angel said. Whoa, what a change. She hadn't talked to any of them like that before. For all the faults that Yugi could imagine her having as Pegasus' girlfriend, she had seemed like a nice enough person until now.
" I'll give you one last chance to back out of this, Angel. " Yugi said, still not reaching for his cards.
" Dream on, Yugi. " Angel said, shuffling her cards and setting them in her deck zone, " Prepare for your final duel, 'cause you're going to the graveyard! "
" Graveyard? What is this place? " Kaiba asked. Yugi set his cards in his deck zone and the duel was ready to commence.
" One more word and you'll join him, Kaiba. " Angel drew five cards and turned her attention back to Yugi. " Since I challenged you, and there is no conceivable way you can win, I'll let you go first. "
" Alright. " Yugi could already feel Yami's presence growing stronger within him. He knew that he must now look much bigger, and that his voice would deepen. Looking over at his opponent, he was pleased to see that she was finally looking a little nervous.
*+*+*
" I have good news and bad news. " A soft voice echoed through her head, and Angel felt butterflies dancing around in the pit of her stomach. She had only heard this voice once before. It was Isis. " The good news is that you will probably live through this duel. The bad news is that you're on your own in fighting it. "
" What? " Angel looked at Yugi, or more correctly what had been Yugi, and her mouth went dry. He wasn't Yugi anymore.
" Hello, Angelica. Do you recognize me? I am Yami, or as you would say, Ra. " This was definitely not Yugi. This guy had the voice of a lion wrapped in tones of velvet. She could go on listening to that voice forever. Perhaps he, like Yugi, would give her a shot to get out of this duel. " For my first move, I will play the Farrell Imp in attack mode! "
Or perhaps not. He wanted to get right down to business. Sighing, Angel started to sort through her own cards, looking for a move. " I will play the Lovers, in attack mode. "
A splitting pain raced through her head as she tried to make the monsters appear, and she thought that she had forgotten how to breathe. She felt her legs giving way beneath her and suddenly strong arms wrapped around her, holding her up. Could it be…?
" You okay? " It was Seto. Even after all she had said to him, he was helping her. " Yugi, we can't stay here. She's hurt. "
" Damn it. This is a disaster… " Angel tried to call the Lovers forth again, but only succeeded in making another wave of nausea to wash over herself.
The stranger who had called himself Yami now blocked her entire view, and was bending over her, concern in his eyes. " Do you yield, Angelica? "
" Yeah. Get it over with. Take it. " she said, still not meeting his eyes. She held her breath, waiting for the moment when she and Isis would be separated forever. Why had she done something this foolish so early in her training?
" Angelica, you do not have a millennium item. " Yami looked at the earring, as if confirming his own suspicions, " You have a magical talismin that gives you powers that are to be used to … Wait, I'll just show you instead. "
The blackness of the shadow realm was suddenly replaced by golden sand and skies of crystal blue. What was happening? Glancing to her right, Angel could see pyramids in the distances. Brand new pyramids. They were in ancient Egypt! " Oh my god! "
" Follow me. " Yami's voice went no higher then a whisper, and as Angel followed him she realized that the number of people in their traveling party had increased. Yugi and Yami had separated, Seto was beside her, and two strangers followed at the rear of the procession. " We shall first visit the palace. "
*+*+*
So this was what Yami's home had looked like. Yugi followed his friend through the richly decorated halls of his home in awed silence, pausing now and then to touch the fabrics of the mauve silk robe he was now wearing. " You like that, don't you? "
For once Yami graced him with the semblance of a smile. It was the first Yugi could remember him giving. He must have been happy to be back here. A woman with wisps of red hair falling into her eyes came running down the hall, her footsteps falling lightly on the marble floor. " You're home! "
She jumped into the air, and Yami caught her in his arms, twirling her above his head in a circle before setting her down once again, facing Yugi. " Do you recognize her, my friend? "
" Taya? " Yugi's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at her. She was Taya, he could feel it … Yet she wasn't.
Yami poked him in the ribs, turning his attention towards Yugi for a second before once again gazing at the woman with loving eyes. " You catch on quick. She is Anzu, Taya's ancestor from 5,000 years past. "
" You've lost me completely, love. Oh well. The thing I do understand is that you are here! " Anzu's voice bubbled over with joy and Yami laced his fingers through hers as he and Yugi continued to walk down the hall.
" I'll leave you two to catch up, Yami. I need to go and find Seto and Angel. " Yugi turned to go, looking over his shoulder one last time to ensure he was not looking at Taya. " Nice meeting you, Anzu. "
" Good idea, Yugi. I'll see you all later. Be careful! " Yami and Anzu walked off and Yugi made his way back out through one of the doors and began exploring the mini city that was inside of the palace.
*+*+*
" Mighty Set, great lord of all chaos, we call on you this night! " the words of the chant rang through the temple, and seemed to pierce the very core of Angel's heart. What was happening? Muffled sounds were occurring behind his words, but Angel wasn't quite sure what they were from. From her hiding place in the shadows she watched in silence. " We bring you this offering. May she please your greatness, and grant us your blessing. "
What? A sacrifice? This could not be good. Watching her step to avoid any possible traps, Angel crept closer to the altar, trying to figure out whether or not she should get involved. Would it have major reprocusions in the future? " You will pay for this, Seth. "
The woman's voice caught Angel off guard. It sounded strangely familiar. The light of the candles that surrounded the altar were making it a bit easier to see now, and as the two figures came into clearer view, Angel felt her heart catch in her throat. They looked just like her and Seto … only five thousand years in the past. What was with this?
The priest raised his arm in the air, and Angel could see a large jagged slab of metal gleaming in the light. A knife, made of a dark black metal, and headed straight for her past self. " Hold it right there! "
Stepping out of her hiding place, Angel drew the priest's attention in her direction and motioned for the replica of herself on the altar to make a run for it. But even as the very manacing-looking priest came nearer, the offering he had intended to give did not move. " You wish to take her place? "
" I am going to stop your little charade, once and for all. " Angel clenched her fists as the man moved closer, still holding the knife. " Dammit, kid! Don't you know anything? Run! "
The girl stared at her blankly, and Angel clenched her teeth, beginning to think that she might want to give herself, past and present, a good shake. This was the last time she played hero. The last time she would play anything, if she weren't careful. The priest swung with his knife and managed to leave a fairly good scratch on her right arm. That thing burned, even after it had once again separated from her skin. " I will give you one chance to get out of here. Got that? One. "
" You even talk like him… This is too messed up. " Using her unexplained outburst as a distraction she leaped into the air, over the priest, and landed next to the altar, grabbing the wrist of the girl who was lying on it, motionless. " Let's move! "
Angel tugged on the girl's wrist again, but she still didn't budge. The priest had turned towards them again now, and was wearing a mocking smirk across his handsome face. Even in the face of death, with no relation to past or present, Seto managed to look handsome to her. How weird. " You have chosen to join her, it seems. Why, you even look alike. How … interesting. "
The girl turned her head to look at Angel, and Angel could see the recognition hitting her as her eyes finally seemed to light up with a life of their own, ""Hey, you do. What's going on? "
Angel lifted her left leg and kicked the priest in the stomach when he approached the altar, then turned her attention back to the girl for a few seconds before beginning her next attack. " I'm you, five thousand years in the future. "
" Okay, now I get it. " Angel glanced at her with relief, until she saw that the girl was speaking to the priest, " She is a figment caused by a mix of the oils you put on me, and my own fears. "
" Yeah, that's it. " He agreed, obviously not as certain as he wanted his victim to believe he was. Suddenly Angel had an idea. Set … What did she know about Set from her research over the years? How could she use it? Isis … Bingo.
" I'm here, Angel. " The warm voice of her mentor echoed through her mind, and she suddenly felt the burning pain of the wound in her arm being healed, " And I see what you're planning. Let's do it. "
*+*+*
What was Angel doing at that altar? Seto jumped down from the ledge he had been standing on the entire time, setting himself in front of her, and crossed his arms. No one was going to hurt her while he could help it. " You okay, Angel? "
" Yeah, get her outta here. I'll handle this goon. " Angel said, a strange little smile lighting up her face despite the danger she was facing. Seto could not help wondering what was so funny as he lifted the girl on the altar into his arms. And why did she look so familiar, anyway? " Right. I'll go find Pharoah. "
It took all of his will to leave the temple, but in the end his darker instincts won out. Running down the golden paved street of the castle-city, he tried vainly to find Yugi. Where had his little friend gone? Turning a corner he ran directly into the last person he could have wanted to meet: the ancient Pegasus. Knocked off balance, he landed on his knees, looking up at him. " Watch where you're going, boy. "
" A thousand apologies, Maximillion. " Seto said, hoping to catch his enemy off guard. From the look of confusion tracing over Pegasus' face, he was sure he had succeeded.
" I think you have the wrong person, Seth. Why aren't you in the temple doing some kind of dark magic like any other day? " The sneer on Pegasus face seemed almost contagous. And who was this Seth person?
" Seth? Who is Seth? " Seto stepped closer to Pegasus and the Duel Monsters genius backed further away as if he thought Seto should be locked up in an insane asylum.
" Y-you are… " Pegasus said, the usual calmness in his voice breaking momentarily, " Are you quite alright? "
" I am looking for the Pharoah. Have you seen him? " Seto asked, using the time while he was talking to slowly advance. Finally he grabbed Pegasus and backed him against a wall, preparing to shake him if necessary.
" Seto, what are you doing? "
*+*+*
Yugi thought that he would collapse as he followed his much taller friend back to the temple where Angel had last been seen. If things were happening the way that Yugi was beginning to suspect, and the priest she was battling was Seth, the dark priest, things were much more out of hand then he would have liked. Glancing down at the girl that Seto had been dragging along with him, Yugi did a double take. Whoa, an Angel look-alike.
As they approached the temple, the cloud of dread that had been threatening to descend on Yugi's spirit broke lose, and he let out a ragged breath. Yami had dressed him in his likeness, and with the magic of the millenium puzzle, no one could tell that he was not the Pharoah. But would that be enough to set things right?
The priest had her backed up against a wall and was holding the knife he had been planning to attack her replica with directly above her heart. Racing forward, Yugi projected his voice as loud as he could, and did his best to sound like Yami would at a time like this. " I command you to stop! "
The priest turned, a look of confusion clouding his eyes as he looked at Yigi. " Your most divine majesty, to what honor do I owe this visit? "
" What are you doing with this girl, Seth? " Yugi asked, trying to keep his voice neutral as he looked at Angel. When he was sure Seth wasn't looking he gave her the thumbs up sign,
" She is a thief, your highness. I was trying to make at least a small portion of her life of value to someone. "
" How so? " Yugi countered, moving closer to the altar.
" Set can appriciate what we mere mortals cannot. " Seth said, his voice oily with persuasion, " Unless you had some greater purpose in mind, most noble of all Gods. "
Yugi forced down the blush that threatened to over-take his normally pale complexion as he continued to face off across Angel's attacker, " That I do, noble priest. "
This was working perfectly. As he continued to distract Seth with his imrovised immatation of Yami, Seto was causing Angel and her past self to switch places. " Do share, my lord. "
" I believe it is time you took a wife, my dear friend. " Yugi said, his smile growing. " Don't you, Angelica? "
From Yugi's vantage point, the look on her face was priceless. He had to be right. She liked Seto. Why else would she have such a huge grin on her face? " What? My lord, you can't mean…? "
" Me… " It was the first time that the mysterious Angel look alike had spoken in Yugi's presence, and the similarity in their voices was almost creepy.
" It's the perfect solution. " Yugi said, his voice leaving no room for doubts as he continued to look at them. " You two are perfect for each other, in this life and the next. "
" As you say, Pharaoh. We will be married at once. " Seth stopped talking as he noticed Seto and saw how closely he resembled him. " Whoa, she wasn't lying… You are from the future. "
" Speaking of which, I need to get them back to the central area of the palace and send them back to their own time. " Yugi said, still not daring to drop his act for fear of Angel's replica being killed.
" One question before we split. " Angel said, turning her attention to the girl, " What is your name, anyway? "
"Adora." The girl said, blushing slightly when Seth wrapped an arm protectively around her waist.
" You're staying with me." Yugi could hear him saying teasingly as the others started to walk back towards the grand hall. " Let's go home."
It seemed that in any life, Seto's heart would remain a mystery to one and all. Not very surprising.
*+*+*
Anzu laid her head on Yami's shoulder as they stared at the glowing sunset from their perch on a set of silk-covered pillows. It was so good to have him back. She had missed him so much. Sighing with contentment, she turned her head a little so that she could place a kiss on his left cheek. " I missed you, Yami. "
" And I you. " Yami brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes as he turned so that he could see her better. " But I shall soon have to go."
" Why? Why must you leave me again?" Anzu shouted, closing her eyes to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
" I've never left you, Anzu. I am always a whisper away. Especially from you, sweetheart." He barried his face in her hair and pulled her closer to him. " We have to go meet the others now."
" Alright." Anzu said, slowly rising from her seat and waiting for him. Hand in hand they made their way back to the grand hall. They did not have to wait long for Yugi, Angel and Seto to arrive, with Isis and Osirus not far behind them.
After giving Anzu a final hug, Yami joined hands with the others and focused his energy, sending them back, through the void Angel had created in the shadow realms, and into their normal bodies. Promising himself that he would see Anzu again soon, he settled down for a well deserved mental nap.
[ End Notes: They may have made it back to the present alright, but that doesn't mean their troubles are near being over. An old friend shows up, wills collide, hearts are broken and tragedy strikes. Look for the next chapter to find out who's luck is running low, and who might just come to the rescue. ]