Everyone, please note. This fic uses rules and tactics that only work in the show. Don't complain to me about how something works, unless you have good grounds to do it on.

Hey, I never did a disclaimer. I should probably do that. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, or anything related to it. I do, however, own Kai, Takaru, and Saet. If you want to use any of them in your own story, it's ok, as long as you ask me first. And if you find anyone using one of them, please let me know. And take note, I did give Yugi Muto permission to use Kai, so don't give her (yes, it's a she) a hard time. And don't e-mail me saying that she stole him, because she didn't.

Chapter Four: Revelations and Dreams



'I have five Star Chips.' I thought to myself, gazing at my Dueling Gauntlet. 'One more Duel, and I can make it into the castle. But,' I cut myself off as I looked up to the sky. 'The suns setting. I doubt that I have time. I'll just have to set up camp." I quickly found a fairly decent and open spot of earth. I first set up a couple of hunting traps, something I had grown to be quite good at over the years of lonesome camping in the woods behind my house. I then set up a small fire and began to wait for any indication that my prey was caught, putting a pot of water over to boil, and adding various herbs and spices that grew naturally, making a stew that would be fabulous, even without any meat.

It was about twenty minutes later that I heard a small squeal as my knife trap sprung, a small sapling with my hunting knife lashed to it whipping down and spearing a rabbit through the back. I dislodged both the rodent and my blade from the tree and began to skin it. I was finishing the cleaning process of my razor when I heard another squeal, only this one sounded much larger and nearly human. I sat up and looked at the spot near my last trap. What I found was a tall teenager with a mess of blonde hair and wearing a navy blue jacket over his white shirt. Now, it wasn't his arrival or scream that I found amusing. It was more so his position. He was on his back with his left leg held over head by one rope, wrenching his foot to the right. Then, another rope was gripping his ankle, and pulling to the left, twisting his ankle between the two.

"Mr. Wheeler." I smiled, recognizing him as the same Joey Wheeler I had met on the boat.

"Hey, it's you. Your that kid from the regionals." he said, forgetting the pain he was in and turning to look at me. But, all good things must come to an end. "Oooooooooooow!" he screamed, gripping his thigh. "What the heck is this thing. Aaaarrrrrrraaagh!"

"Joey, what's going on." a new voice called out. Running up the rise were Yugi Mouto, Tea Gardner, Tristan Tailor, and Ryou Bakura. "Hey, it's Kai." Yugi said, stopping his run. He then surveyed what had happened. "What is that?" he asked, indicating the cables that still held Joey prisoner.

"Just a modified snare trap." I explained. "This rope snags the animal around the neck, "I began, running my finger over the one that had Joey's foot. "Activating this one, which will then grab the animal at the shoulders, and they'll both pull, snapping its neck quickly, and without pain."

"Impressive. But, could you let him out of there?" he requested.

"Of course." I said shortly, taking my hunting knife which I had just cleaned, and slashing through the ropes with ease, resulting in Joey's legs painfully hitting the ground. "You alright?"

"Yeah, just mark those things next time." he grimaced, rubbing the back of his lower knee. "Now, were you the one cooking the food?" he sharply inquired. I nodded. "Hey everyone, I think I found us dinner." he spoke over his shoulder.

"Shouldn't you ask first." Tea nearly shouted with her hands on her hips.

"Uh, yeah, sure. I did. I really did. What do you think I was doing while you all caught up." Joey tried to defend himself.

"Howling in twisted pain and agony." Tristan commented. Joey's head dropped.

"It's alright. I was wondering what I'd do with all the left over food." I laughed, inviting the group to dinner.

I sat over the pot of stew, allowing it to simmer. I then looked up at Joey and Tristan's drooling faces. "So, why didn't any of you bring some food?" I asked.

"We did." Tea explained, "But then lunch came around, and well..." she trailed off, glaring at the two who looked ready to dive into the boiling, steaming pot. Something I was not going to recommend they do. I reached out and pushed them both back so as to avoid any kind of incident.

"I see." I said, turning back to the soup. About two minutes later, I was reaching a spoon in to test it. But, a sound be hind me altered my senses. I whipped around and, on reflex, ended up jabbing the spoon, with the red-hot soup coating it, up Joey's nose. He flew back in pain and shock, clutching his now burning face. I then turned back around to find Tristan crouching over the meal, his hands raised over his head, his fingers twiddling in anticipation. I walked up behind him, not speaking a word.

"Hey Joey. You get rid of Kai already. Lets eat then." he said, turning around. What he was met by was a rather irked me.

"Hello." I spoke, reaching for his wrist. I twisted, swung around, and threw him directly into Joey, who had just gotten up. They collapsed in a crumpled heap, both moaning in dazed voices.

Not ling after, we were all eating and talking about the tournament. As it turned out, Yugi already had seven Star Chips, while Joey, like me, only had five.

"So, you three aren't competitors." I observed, indicating Tea, Tristan, and Bakura. They all nodded. "I see." I reached behind my head to crack my neck when my fingers came across a leather band. I remembered it to be what I used to hold the Key to my body. I reached into my shirt and pulled it out, turning it over in my hands, admiring it. The strange thing was, I felt a new attraction to it, as if it were calling out to me. I looked back to see the eyes of both Yugi and Bakura wide with shock. "What?" I asked.

"Where did you get that?" they asked simultaneously.

"A man in Egypt gave it to me. He just held it out and told me to keep it close and trust in it."

"Did he have blue eyes that looked empty in a way." Yugi asked.

"Yes." I answered. "It was kind of creepy. I was a little scared he was going to rob me. It's not like you find many people like that, even in Egypt." I stopped, eyeing them both. "Why do you ask?"

"Did he give you a name?" Yugi asked. I was seriously starting to feel ignored.

"No. Why?"

"I think that that was Shadi."

"Who?" I asked, completely clueless.

"I'll tell you later."

***

'Does Joey really have to snore that loud?' I screamed in my mind as I rocked back and forth in the hammock I had brought and set up. I began to fiddle with the golden artifact again, examining every bit of it. Yugi had just finished explaining everything he knew about the Millennium Key. 'Yugi said that it was a magical tool from Ancient Egypt. That five thousand years ago, sorcerers used that power to bring monsters to life, and that those games are what Duel Monsters is based on.' I turned it back over to the front. 'And although it may seem farfetched, I can't help but believe him and Bakura.' I began to think about what had changed ever since I got it. 'My Dueling did start to get better, but I don't think that's it.' I began to think harder, stressing over it. 'Wait.' I thought, my eyes snapping open. 'Is that what happened when I defeated Takaru? Is that what I did to him? Was I possessed by the magic of the Millennium Key to do something? But, what did I see in him?' I started to ask of myself.

I laid back down in my nylon bed, closing my eyes. That lasted about ten seconds. "Pegasus!" I quietly shouted, covering my mouth in surprise that I had spoken out loud. "That's what he wants. He wants my Millennium Key. But why?" I whispered. I continued to ponder this thought for a few minutes more. Then, I drifted off to sleep.

In my dream, I was standing in a stone hallway, overlooking a large courtyard. A man in the robes a an Egyptian Priest stood in the center, facing a set of stairs. He waved his arm over a piece of stone, which shattered, leaving only a flat tablet with the picture of a creature on one side. When I got a better look, I saw a Dark Magician carved on it. The tablet turned to look at a man on a thrown that sat atop the stairs. Only, this man looked like Yugi, only taller and more sturdy of character. He nodded, and a hole appeared in the air behind the priest. A shadow drifted from it and then began to flow into the carving. For only a second, the shade looked like a Dark Magician. It was amazing.

Then, with a flash of light, the first priest toppled over and fell to the ground. Standing over him was a man in purple garments, a staff in hand, and the Millennium Key around his neck! He stood over the fallen body and raised his staff up towards the man on the throne.

"Pharaoh," he croaked. "You should not have left the Millennium Key so unprotected. Your great guardian priest was strong, but was easily overcome. With one single incantation, I stripped him of his life, absorbed his magic into the item, and sealed his mind and soul within the Shadow Realm." The man on the throne, who I could only assume to be the Pharaoh, stood up in shock at this bold statement. "It is believed that when the guardian of a Millennium Item falls in battle, his soul will enter into his item, allowing him to live on. I have taken great care and pleasure in assuring that this will not happen. He will forever wander the Shadow Realm." he stopped to laugh. My stomach began to churn.

"You sick monster." I breathed. However, I think he may have heard me. He turned to look at me, the entire courtyard fading away. Then, his features changed to a man in a red suit and white hair. "Pegasus." I seethed. He nodded and then disappeared.

"Seya! Allentha!" I shouted, bolting up in my hammock. The sun was just beginning to rise, marking the start of a new day. I took a few long breaths, regained control of myself, and then hopped out. I took the cot down and pulled a small loaf of bread out of my backpack. I began to slowly nibble on it, thinking through the vision of that night. "How strange. But, I think I now know, more than ever, that there is a magical energy in my Millennium Key that needs to be unleashed, controlled, and protected. This is no longer just about my brother and sister. Whatever he wants with it, I can't let Pegasus have the Key." I sat up, finished my breakfast, and then took my camp apart. I left a small parcel of food behind for Yugi and his crew, and then left them all behind.

"Sorry Yugi, but this is my battle. I need to fight it myself." I whispered back.

To Be Continued...

****

What did you all think? Please excuse spelling errors. I'm not that good. Just review please.I'll start Chapter Five of this one, or Chapter Seven of Duels of the Chosen soon. I'm gonna take a day or two, then get started. If you want to send me an e-mail say which one you think I should work on first, go ahead. However, it doesn't mean I'll listen. And people, please review. I've received thee to four reviews total. That's rather annoying and disappointing. So please, review.