Yami: Last time, Yugi asked Anzu out on a date at long last!! And I'm actually in the middle of mine with Nazo!! straightens overshirt Time to turn on the charm and win this game!
Chapter 9: Nazo, the Enigma Solved
The full moon shown upon the couple who walked along the beach hand in hand. Although they'd only met three times, it seemed natural to display such affection. The waves rocked softly, not daring to come close to them and ruin their mood. Not a cloud covered the starry sky. A whisper seemed to pass among the elements in warning: "A pharaoh plans to enjoy the evening. No mistakes must be made."
Yami and Nazo sat down on the sand to take pleasure in each other's company. Nazo shivered, and Yami draped his over-shirt around her shoulders. She leaned against him, listening to his heart beat and taking in his scent. She'd never felt more attached to anyone in her life. But why now? Why this boy? "Yami," she said, "thank you for coming tonight."
"How could I refuse?"
"I hope this isn't just a dream. I hope it's real!"
Yami wrapped his arm around her and held her close. "Reality is an illusion. No two people have the same mindset or values. It's all relative! Take the concept of darkness, for example. Most are afraid of the dark because it may hold the unknown. It is mysterious, and people naturally fear what they do not know. Personally, I don't mind it. Sometimes, I feel that darkness can be soothing, like a warm blanket to hide in."
"Sometimes it's good to hide," said Nazo.
"Not all the time, though, but sometimes."
She sighed. "It must help, with your name meaning Darkness.'"
"And your name means mystery,'" he said caressing her hair, "one which I'd like to solve."
"Moto-kun," she giggled. "Your words are poetry! Are you a philosopher of some kind?"
"No. I'm a person who has too much time to think."
Nazo's eyes watered, and she slowly stood up, her back to Yami. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"I - I never felt I could trust anyone like this before," Nazo said. "Like I can tell you anything, and you won't laugh or use it to hurt me. I've been hurt so much in my time ..."
Yami stood up and hugged her from behind. "I'd never do anything to hurt you. You can trust me."
"I'm scared! My parents ... They don't understand!"
"Understand what?"
Nazo closed her eyes, trying not to cry. "Okay, promise you won't repeat anything I'm going to say?"
"I swear to it!"
She moved away from him to face him. "Okay. First of all, I'm not really fifteen. I just turned eighteen last week."
Yami tried to embrace her again. "Believe me, age doesn't matter!"
Nazo pulled away. "That's not everything. I also ... I'm not pretty."
"Of course you are!"
"No I'm not!" Tears started flowing down her cheeks. "About two years ago, something happened and our house caught fire. I was alone on the third floor. There was an explosion, and something hit my head." She felt the scar covered by her massive tresses. "It knocked me out the window, and I landed on the shattered glass." She took off her gloves. "I have to buy a lot of concealer, but you can feel these horrible scars all over my arms and down my neck."
Yami took her hand. "Do you find me so superficial? I'm telling you, that sort of thing doesn't matter. Even if you landed on your face, I'd still see those eyes that shine brighter then the stars, and a smile that shames the gods."
Nazo blushed, but took back her hand. "There's more. The blast ... did something to my brain." Her eyes darkened. "I suffer from brain damage. I got severe amnesia, paranoia, and depression. By the time I woke up, I couldn't remember how to read, write, talk, or even who my parents were."
There was a pause, and Yami stared at her. "Anything else?"
"Kind of. I suffer from hallucinations. Side-affect from the drugs or the blast or who knows what! They used to come to me only when I slept, but then they started coming more and more." She held her head. "Sometimes, I feel like I can't tell the difference between reality and dreams anymore! I've spent so many hours in therapy, so many, convincing myself that it's all just my childish fantasy. My father... has a way of convincing me, too."
"What kind of dreams?" Yami had given up in his attempts to bring back a romantic mood, and now worried for her. Nazo's body shook, she seemed faint, and her voice sounded far away. 'She's a frightened child, a pitiful bird waiting to be saved, but scared of salvation at the same time.'
"In my dreams, I'm wearing this white, plain dress and a blue shawl, glittering with gold and jewelry. A strange hat ... like a bird headdress, is placed on my head, and all of these people bow down to me. I'm in a palace in the middle of the desert somewhere, and the air smells of sweet perfume." She paused again, trying to come back to what she knew as reality. "And here's the scariest part of all: I turn around, and there's this boy standing there beside me. He - he looks just like you, only he has brown skin, and is wearing-"
"-a crown with the Eye of Horus and falcon wings?"
Nazo's eyes shot open, showing something between fear and hope. "Y-yes!"
"Did he have the Millennium Puzzle?"
"Yes! Yes, he did!"
Yami's mind began to race. The only way Nazo could have seen those images was if she was there back in Ancient Egypt. And if she was there by his side...
"Nazo, this is very important. Did he have a name?"
She went rigid. "I don't think so. At least, I didn't hear it." Her voice went shrill. "But what does it matter?! They're only hallucinations! Crazy illusions dreamt up by a crazy person!"
"No they aren't. They're memories from your past life." Yami put his hands on her shoulders and stared hard into her eyes.
Yugi, who had secretly been listening in on Yami's date, tensed up. {What're you doing?!}
"Nazo," said Yami, ignoring his hikari, "please listen to me."
He told Nazo everything he could think of. He told her about his true identity: The Nameless Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. He told her about the real monsters of his time, how they were sealed, and how the Mil. Items were created. He told her that his soul was stripped of individuality and trapped in the Puzzle for 3,000 years, until Moto Yugi solved it and reawakened him. He told her about how he possessed Yugi to battle Pegasus, about the god cards being based on real monsters, about Bakura and the Mil. Ring, about Shadi, Isis, Malik, Dartz...
Nazo only listened, eyes widening with growing horror. Had her visions been true after all? Or was Yami making it up?
"Listen," he said catching his breath, "I know you won't understand this at first, but it's all true! Isis Ishtal found out recently that I'm supposed to find my brother and ... and my wife! Nazo, I think you are her reincarnation! You must be! That's the only explanation!"
She shook her head. "No! It can't be! It's not true! Not true!"
Yami's grip tightened. "Nazo, you need to help me recover my memories. The fate of the world may depend on it! You need to rediscover yourself!"
Nazo shook her head more violently. "NO! YOU'RE LYING! IT'S NOT TRUE!"
"IT IS!"
SMACK! The noise caused nearby birds to take flight. Nazo had stepped away, out of Yami's grasp. A red hand print now glowed on the pharaoh's cheek.
"I ... I'm no one's wife! I'm not a queen! It's impossible!" She gnashed her teeth. "How could I be?! I thought you were different! I - I actually thought I should trust you! Now you make up stories to confuse me even more! I never want to see you again!!" She ran off into the night.
The next day, Yugi called everyone to his house. He didn't care if his mother objected; his only concern was Yami, who had refused to come out of his soul room again.
"Do you know what happened?" asked Anzu.
"Yeah, I spied. He told Nazo about his past and who he really is."
"You're kidding," said Jonouchi.
Honda gaped. "Yugi, we're your best friends, went through the shit, even seen the diff between you and the other you, and WE hardly believe it!!"
"But if she's Yami's queen," pointed out Ryou, "why didn't she believe him?"
Anzu's eyes darkened. "She's gone through lot, you guys. Some things I'd rather not repeat. I don't blame her for getting scared."
"THAT'S scared!?" exclaimed Jonouchi. "A slap on the face that leaves a mark ain't exactly a love tap, ya know!"
"Get that reaction yourself," asked Ryou sarcastically.
"How much has she told you?" asked Otogi to Anzu.
"Not WHAT her dreams were, but I knew she's been having those dreams ever since her grandmother gave her the Bracelet. And she has no idea exactly what it's capable of!"
"That must have caused it," said Ryou.
"It makes sense," said Otogi. "About as much sense as things can get!"
Yugi frowned, fingering the Puzzle. "But what now?"
"I'll try talking to her," offered Anzu.
At around 3pm, Nazo exited the fifth department store she had shopped through. She wore a black shirt, reflective sunglasses, white jeans, black and white arm warmers, and her black coat. Nellie, her nanny, trailed behind her carrying only one bag; her own bubble bath from Bath & Bodyworks. "Feeling any better, Nazo-sama," she asked. "You always feel better after a bit of shopping."
Nazo ignored her. She couldn't get Yami out of her mind. Of all the people to make fun of her ... or was it all true?
"Nellie," she asked, "when was the last time I ... spoke that strange language in my sleep?"
Nellie tensed. "You're not havin' those odd dreams again, are ya? You know how the master gets when he-"
"I know," she snapped. "Just answer me."
Nellie thought. "I'd say about a month."
After I first met Yami,' she thought. As she walked, she heard her father's voice yelling at her to stop saying strange things, and how worthless she was to him. She nodded to herself. What kind of a queen am I if I'm worthless to my own father?'
Just then, a strange prickling sensation crawled up her spine. She was being watched. No,' she thought. No one watches me here. I'm far away from HIM now.' But the feeling wouldn't go away. "Nellie, can you put your bag in the car. I'll catch up later."
"Yes, Miss." Once Nellie had left, Nazo scanned the area. Stop it,' she told herself. Your paranoia is acting up again. No one follows you anymore. HE is back in your old town.' She started to walk faster, and felt her Bracelet glowing, warning her danger was near. What's going on?'
Just then, she accidentally bumped into Anzu. "Gomen," said Anzu. "Your butler said you'd be here."
Nazo glared. "Anzu, I'm in no mood to talk."
Anzu smiled. "Come on, Nazo-chan! We'll shop together. And it's cloudy today, so let me have those." She took off Nazo's glasses and gasped. Nazo's eyes were red. "You've been crying a lot!"
Nazo snatched the glasses, trying not to start crying again. "So? I-I had a bad night."
"I heard. Nazo-chan, Yami didn't lie to you."
"Leave me alone!" Nazo pushed past Anzu and hurried away. After a few yards, she noticed a person in the crowd wearing a trench coat following her. She sped up. He sped up, and was joined by another. Anzu caught up to Nazo. "Nazo-chan, please. I just wanna talk!"
Nazo stopped and pointed. "You see those men over there?"
"Yeah."
"I think they're following me. Go before you get hurt!" She tried to escape Anzu, but the other teen only quickened her pace. "If someone is following you," she said, "I'm not leaving your side!"
They hurried down the mall, though the parking lot, and into an alleyway. By then at least five men in trench coats were after them. Nazo turned around, reached into her coat, and took out two dice. "Lucky seven, boys," she said, and flung the dice onto one of them.
It exploded on contact, and Anzu let out a scream. The man was no man at all, but a living statue made of clay! It was shaped like a man wearing Egyptian armor and a nemes. [1]
Nazo pulled some playing cards from her coat and threw some at them like shurikins, cutting off various limbs to stop their pursuit. Next, she pulled out a roulette wheel and used it like a shakrum to destroy some of their heads. She caught it and held it out in challenge. "I DARE any clay toy to come near me!"
"What are they!?" demanded Anzu.
"They're called ushabties," said Nazo. [2] Then she exclaimed, "YOU CAN SEE THEM!?"
"Uh-huh!"
Nazo looked more confused than Anzu felt. "But-but they're all in my head! I-I-I don't understand!"
An ushabti gained on them and tried to grab Nazo, but Anzu pulled Nazo out of the way just in time, causing the clay hand to smash into a wall. Anzu shielded her from the flying bits. "You okay?"
"Y-yeah," stuttered Nazo, more afraid of Anzu than the shabti. "Why are you helping me?"
"DUH! That's what friends do!" Anzu grabbed Nazo's arm and sped her down another street. "I know a shortcut to your house."
"Anzu-chan ..."
Seconds later, down the street Anzu had turned onto, black smoke built up blocking their path. The girls halted. The figure of a man in black robes emerged like a bat spreading its wings. Wrinkles creased his sallow face, green eyes gleamed from their midst, his mouth was lost among the wrinkles, and a black tattoo of an ancient symbol covered the rest.
Nazo pulled Anzu behind her. "Minkabh," she whispered in horror.
"Nazo-chan, what's going on," asked Anzu, so terrified she feared she'd stop breathing.
The man's mouth opened, a gaping hole amid the creases. "Queen Shukura," he said, in a most horrible, screeching voice that made Anzu's bones freeze. "It took me two moons, but at last you are here."
"I'm not your queen," said Nazo desperately. "I keep telling you, my name is Tanaka Nazo!" Then, Anzu heard her mutter to herself over and over, "This is not real. I'm dreaming. I'm only dreaming."
Anzu's eyes widened. 'So THAT'S why Yami's story scared her so much! She's being chased by this guy who looks like a Rare Hunter!"
"Rare Hunter?" laughed Minkabh. He had a laugh that could shatter glass! "The Rare Hunters were fools! Such pitiful filth could only come from Egypt! Just like its royal family of 3,000 years ago!"
Nazo's grip on Anzu tightened, and she continued muttering to herself. Anzu held onto Nazo, praying something would happen. Why didn't I ask Jonouchi to come?! Or Yugi!? He'd use the Puzzle to-
"That Puzzle," said Minkabh, interested. "Do you mean the Millennium Puzzle?"
Anzu's blood froze. He reads minds!'
"Yes, dear girl, I do. Now," he bent over to get a better look at Anzu, his eyes piercing into her, "what do you know of the Millennium Puzzle?"
"That's none of your goddam business, Minkabh," snarled Nazo, keeping her body protecting Anzu.
"Such bravery," mocked the old man. "You're becoming more and more like your old self, Shukura. Tell me, are the rumors true? Has the Nameless Pharaoh re-awakened?"
"Oh God," squeaked Anzu.
Nazo took a step forward and took off her left arm warmer, exposing her Bracelet. "Stay away from her," she said. "I won't let you harm my friend!"
Anzu smiled slightly. "Nazo-chan ..."
"Petty tricks don't work on me, my dear Shukura," chided Minkabh. "I've been practicing magic since before the pharaoh Aknamkanon took the throne!" [3]
"Too bad," said Nazo, grinning. "Because I have some old friends back." She took out her DM deck and pulled out the first card with her left hand. "Unfriendly Amazon, geisoo!" [4] The Bracelet shone brightly, and a life-size figure of the Amazon woman appeared, crossbow drawn ready. "Amazon, attack!"
Minkabh muttered something in his native language, and a green ball of glowing light materialized, and shot down the Amazon's arrow. A second quick shot took down the Amazon herself. Nazo drew another card and screamed. "Mageia, Loyal Queen! Protect Anzu!" [4]
A golden image of a vulture descended upon Anzu, and she found herself protected by a magical shield of its wings. Another green ball of energy came and hit Nazo before she could draw another card.
"NO," Anzu screamed.
Nazo's clothes tore and her body burned slightly, but she remained on her feet. "Dark Magician Girl, geisoo!" A DMG appeared and shot out a wave of magic Minkabh blocked.
"Get out of here," yelled Nazo to Anzu. "I won't let you get-" Before she finished, another green ball struck down DMG and hit Nazo, knocking her unconscious.
Minkabh grinned. "Friends can be such a fortunate distraction." He waved his hand, and Nazo's limp body floated towards him. "If the Pharaoh wishes no harm to come to the girl, have him meet me in that building." He pointed to an abandoned factory. Anzu nodded, and Minkabh and Nazo disappeared in black smoke.
Song of the chapter: "She's Got That Light" by Orange Blue
1 - nemes - a plain headdress worn by ancient Egyptians, including pharaohs
2 - shabti - clay soldiers (normally only a foot high) that supposedly guarded the pharaohs' tombs; the army of the dead
3 - Aknamkanon - for those of you fans not familiar with this name, its Yami's father.
4 - Ancient words meaning as follows: geisoo = protect, mageia = magic, dolos = trap
Yugi: Ohaiyo minna-san! Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yami arrives to battle Minkabh for his and Nazo-san's life!! And there's something else that's troubling her, too! Something worse...
Next time, Yami VS Minkabh; Matching Game