Chapter 6:

Rebirth

The sunshine streamed in through the curtains, which were blowing wildly in the warm breeze. A light sent swept through the room, stirring the young boy who slept. His bright purple eyes opened. He glanced around the room, which was blurred momentarily. He blinked a few times, focusing on the figure that sat by the window. The shadowed figure glanced at him and stood up.

"Hello friend. Are you feeling better now?" He walked over to Yugi's' bedside, the sun catching his face.

"Shadi?" Yugi gasped in shock.

"Yes, it is I, Shadi."

Yugi tried to sit up, but a burning pain in his stomach caused him to wince and lie back down. He put his hand on his stomach and moaned.

"I wouldn't try to get up just yet. You took a bullet through the stomach."

Yugi gasped.

"It's amazing you even survived. You are a very strong person. It is like, some special force saved you."

Yugi thought of Yami for a minute. With a long sigh, he forced himself to sit up. To Shadi's surprise, he lifted one foot over the side of the bed, and slowly slid himself off, so he was sitting on the side.

"Do you think it's wise?"

Yugi smiled weakly. "If I don't do this now, I might not get up at all!"

Shadi sighed. "Very well, just be careful." He gestured towards the window. "Your friends would never forgive me if anything happened to you."

Yugi blinked and looked out the window. He saw Joey, Mai, Tristan and Bakura looking in and waving at him. He waved back for a moment, putting his hand down slowly, he sighed. Even though it warmed his heart to see all of his friends, it wasn't the same without Téa there, smiling at him with those sparkling sapphire eyes. Téa, I'll find you…I promise! Yugi suddenly thought back to his earlier conversation with the spirit.

***

"You love her, don't you?" Yugi asked sadly.

Yami shook his head. "No, I don't think it's love. It's impossible for me to love; I am nothing more then a spirit. I'm sure since we are connected; it was just your emotions rubbing off on me. Don't worry; I would never try to come between you two. She is just a…really good friend."

Yugi didn't believe him, but thought it was best to keep quiet, after what happened earlier. "Alright…but I'm pretty sure Téa would be sad to know you gave up on her…"

Yami turned around quickly. "What?"

Yugi stood up. "Téa always believed in us, even when I fell during that battle with Pegasus, she kept believing I was alive! And, just because things seem impossible, you are more then willing to believe she is dead!"

Yami narrowed his eyes. "Yugi…I think it's time you left!" He held his hand up, and with a flash Yugi was outside Yami's soul room, pounding on the door.

"Let me in!" He stopped pounding. "Yami…I'm sorry…" He put his head against the door, fighting tears. A light flashed and everything disappeared.

***

And, then I woke up here. What's wrong with you? I know you can feel emotions, or you wouldn't have reacted the way you did, when you thought I was dead…I know it's painful, but you shouldn't try to hide these feelings. Maybe it's a sign that you are more then just the spirit of a Pharaoh…maybe you are… Suddenly a crowd of people swarming around him broke his thoughts.

"Yugi!" Everyone cried.

"Hey, man! How are you feeling?" Joey asked.

"I've been better." Yugi joked.

Mai smiled sadly.  Tristan put his head down and Bakura remained silent. Everyone was overwhelmed to see their friend alive and well, but thoughts of Téa swept through every ones' minds. Yugi sensed this and spoke up.

 "It's ok. I know she's not dead." He stood up, grabbing onto Joey for support. "I'll find her."

"I wouldn't advise standing or walking just yet. Your body just went through a large amount of shock." Bakura warned.

Yugi shrugged him off. "No, it's ok. Really, I'm fine!"

Joey kept a tight grip on his arm. "Alright, Yugi. If you truly want to walk, let me at least help you for now."

Yugi smiled. "I would appreciate that Joey."

Shadi walked over to Yugi and sighed. "If you insist on this, then I wont stop you. But, I suggest you guard your millennium item well. In your condition, anyone can steal it from you, and you wouldn't be able to put up a fight."

Yugi nodded. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Shadi started to walk away, but stopped and turned around. "Are you…well enough to duel?"

Yugi nodded again. Of course!"

Shadi continued to walk away. "Well, after the celebration tonight at the palace, there will be a 'special' duel tomorrow. I would like it if you joined in the festivities tonight though...you might find them…interesting… See you there."  Just like a ghost, he was gone.

Yugi felt a slight chill. Something didn't seem right about this duel.  "Well, I guess we might as well get ready." He said hesitantly.

***

After everyone assembled in the hallway, they headed off to the palace and this 'celebration'.

"Wow! This place is crazier then Time Square on New Years Eve!" Remarked Joey.

Yugi smiled and took in all of the sights. Upbeat music was playing, while on a stage there were five dancing girls. People from all over the world were gathered. Some were having mini-duels, while others were trading cards. A large buffet table was set up near the end of the hall. Everyone was having a really great time.

"I could be wrong, but I don't recall Egypt ever being so…lively. I didn't even know that had parties like these…" Tristan commented.

"That's because we usually don't!" Came a voice from behind him.  "This is a special event. People from all over the world have been invited here, so we tried to make things as international as possible." Shadi came up to Yugi.

"What are you celebrating?"

Shadi put his head down. "Unfortunately, after Pegasus lost his title, and the millennium eye, a new ruler appeared. He wanted to revive something…and even though the court ruled against it…his immense powers overwhelmed us…and we had to agree."

Yugi was slightly confused. "So, what is this thing he wanted to revive?"

Shadi looked up, his eyes showing great fear. "It was…"

"Your attention please! Presenting the new ruler of duel monsters…Amons!"

Everyone cheered and clapped as a tall lean man came up to the stage. He was draped in long purple and black robes. He had a golden mask on, covering his eyes from view. He spoke in a low gruff voice. His mouth covered by a scarf of sorts. He had a few strands of white hair coming down over his eyes, but most of his hair was covered in a large headdress.

"Thank you for the wonderful welcome!" His eye drifted towards Yugi. "Welcome to Egypt! He shouted, his arms up in the air. "As you all know, I have sent each and everyone one of you an invitation, to bring you here to witness to rebirth of…"

Yugi leaned forward, excited to hear what this rebirth was.

"The rebirth of the 'Shadow Games'!"

Yugi's' jaw dropped. "WHAT?" He shouted out.

People were howling and cheering.

Shadi sighed sadly. "As you can see…we had no choice…" He backed up and vanished into the crowd.

"Wait! Shadi!" Yugi cried. It was too late he was gone once again.

"And now let's give a warm welcome to this lovely group of fine dancers. Sakura from Japan, Jennifer from America, Téana from Egypt, Maureen from Ireland and Anita from Russia!"

All of the girls bowed.

"Now, let the party continue! Please enjoy the dance."  He walked off the stage and down a dark stair well made of stone.  He, he, Yugi Muto is here! This is too perfect!

Yugi eyed Amons suspiciously as he walked off the stage. "He seems so familiar…and what did he call that girl form Egypt? Téana? Why does that name ring a bell…?"

A voice spoke to him from inside his head.  That was the name of Téa's ancestor I told her about on the plane. You would remember it, because we are connected, remember?

 "Oh yeah!" Yugi shouted out loud.

Joey looked at him questionably.

Yugi blushed. "Umm…never mind!" He laughed nervously. Yeah, I remember now. But isn't it a bit too much of a coincidence that her name is Téana, and she is from Egypt, just like Téa's ancestor? Yugi glanced up at the brunette dancer. Her eyes were void of all life.

Yes, unless…she's not Téana.

Yugi jumped. You mean…could it be…He looked closely at the girl, looking for some hint.

Téana danced gracefully on the stage, her fingers and hands twirling to the music. On her wrist was a silver chain, with a heart locket.

"That's it!" Yugi shouted raising a fist in the air.

Everyone looked at him.

"Uh…" He waved cutely.

"Sorry, my buddy's had too much to drink!" Joey said nervously, holding Yugi close to him. "Ok, I know you are talking with that spirit thing, but could you be a little bit more quiet about it?"

Yugi sweat-dropped. "Sorry, Joey." He laughed. The voice in his head spoke up again.

 Is she wearing…?

Yep! Yugi continued for him. The locket I gave her for her birthday.

The spirit mused. Yes…I remember how that happened…

"For me?" She asked, puzzled.

"I noticed you eying it every time we were at the mall. I thought it would be perfect for this special occasion." He winked.

Téa smiled. "Oh, Yugi!" She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You remembered! Thank you!"

Yugi blushed and smiled brightly. "You're welcome, and happy birthday Téa!"

Yugi sighed at the pleasant memory. "Téa…" He snapped out if his thoughts quickly. Wait a minute…if that's…that means…He looked up at the girl. It's Téa! She's alive! I told you she was!

There was silence.

Um…Yami?

Still silence.

Spirit?

Silence.

Yugi sighed. I guess he is just as overwhelmed as I am… He watched as the dancers bowed and left the stage. He turned around to tell everyone the good news, but then he stopped, noticing that Bakura was missing. "Bakura?"

Joey walked up to him. "Man…Bakura just freaked out when he saw that dancer from Egypt and ran off quickly."

Yugi gasped. Bakura must have saw what I saw…but why would he…? Yugi suddenly did a replay in his head…Ok…she had the locket on and…on her finger was…a gold ring! It had…oh no…A deep voice interrupted Yugi's' thoughts.

Now you know why I went silent Yugi…she was wearing a ring with the eye of Horus imbedded in it. I don't know if it's a millennium item, but you know we've seen that ring before. Remember? It was on the finger of the bus driver!

Yugi nodded. Yeah…and Bakura…Yugi's' eyes went wide. "Téa!!!" He cried, running past the crowd, weaving a dodging people. Joey looked at his little friend crashing into people and only one word left his mouth. "Téa?"

The auburn haired girl walked down a dimly lit hallway. She turned a corner, and walked into a room, which appeared to be like a dressing room. Sitting down, she undid her veil, letting it fall to the ground. Reaching up, she pulled out the band holding her silky brown hair up. Her hair fell down, just touching her shoulders. There was no doubt about it. It was Téa Gardner. A loud crashing sound caused her to jump. A long slender hand gripped her wrist tightly; the other hand grabbed the ring on her finger and ripped it off. She shrieked in pain. Her eyes suddenly regained their sparkle.

"Wha…?" She asked, grabbing her pounding head. The figure moved closer to her and grabbed her head roughly, forcing her to look it in the eyes. "B…Bakura?" She gasped. "What are you doing her?"

Dark Bakura looked deep into her eyes, searching for something. "So, it was you! Bakura wasn't hallucinating after all…"

Téa struggled. "Let me go!"

Dark Bakura grinned and released his grip on her.

Téa backed up, leaning against the mirror.

Dark Bakura sighed. "I wont hurt you, Téa. I only came for this!" He held up the ring. "It was controlling you."

Téa blinked. "You mean; you came here to save me?"

Dark Bakura laughed insanely.

"Guess not…" She muttered.

Dark Bakura looked at her sad face. "Oh come now. Bakura would never dream of seeing any harm come to you, of course he came to save you, I just came out to take this ring. It has the eye of Horus on it, it might be a millennium item!"

Téa covered her mouth in a quiet gasp. "I was wearing that THING?" She cried. "I…"

A loud banging noise caused her to stop talking.

"Damn!" Dark Bakura hissed. "That freak can't find me here!" He looked up at stone hanging out of the wall. "Hmm…" He quickly inspected it, and saw that it could be pushed out to reveal a secret passageway. "Well, time to leave! Nice to see you again, Téa!  You've never looked more lovely" He said sarcastically. He jumped up and climbed through the hole.

Téa panicked. "WAIT!" She cried.

Dark Bakura turned around to face her. "What?" He asked annoyed.

Téa pleaded with him.  "Please! Take me with you! I just want to find Yugi!"

Dark Bakura was about to turn away, but sighed and decided to against it.  Bakura was now in control again; he reached out for Téa's hand. "Come on, Téa! Let's go!"

Téa smiled and let him pull her up into the hole. They managed to crawl away, just as the door was broken down.

"Where is she? And where is that damn ring?" Cried a frustrated Amons. "That white haired freak! I should have known!" He marched out of the room. "When I get my hands on him!!!" He cursed as he disappeared into the darkness.

Yugi ran down the hall, just narrowly missing the columns along with way. He ignored the burning pain in his stomach. Clutching his chest, he continued on. Téa, where are you? He asked himself. He came to a hall with pieces of glass smashed everywhere. "What happened here?" He peeked in the room and saw the veil that Téa had worn on the floor. A hole was opened above the mirror, and things were scattered everywhere. "Was there a fight? Or did something else happen…?" He walked up to the hole and jumped for it. He hung awkwardly off the edge, peeking into the hole. "Téa!!!"

To be continued…