Author's notes:

I don't OWN Yu Gi Oh

I'm starting a poll here: Would you guys want a SEQUEL for this fic? Please let me know through those precious reviews, m'kay?

On to the story. ^_^

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Here and Thereafter

Chapter 9: The Start of the Search

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Three thousand years ago in Ancient Egypt, in the capital city of Thebes, the people of the kingdom of Kemet have gathered before the spacious courtyard of the Royal Palace. Women, men and children who wore white linen skirts, elaborate collars and black horsehair wigs were all whispering, murmuring…

This was a major execution of who was probably the most infamous criminal in Kemet's history. The criminal committed such heinous crimes that the five Priests and Priestess of Amun-Ra have been summoned to execute him before the pharaoh.

Guards and trumpeters emerged from the palace and lined themselves before the pharaoh's golden throne. The bronze trumpets were raised and their sound filled the city of Thebes. The people fell silent as the priests and priestess emerged with the living-god, the Pharaoh Nefer Atemu.

Nefer Atemu was in his complete royal attire. His violet eyes were lined with dark kohl and a merciless glint could be seen in them. He sat on his throne, the symbolic crook and flail held before him by his bejeweled hands. His Priests and Priestess, keepers of the Millenium Items, stood by his side.

Simon, the Royal Advisor, stepped forward and ordered for the criminal to be brought before the divine god-king.

Five guards came with a struggling and screaming prisoner between them. The prisoner had white hair, soulful brown eyes and a built body. His skin was dark and covered with scars, and so was his face. The prisoner shot the pharaoh a malevolent look and spat on the ground. There was an instant uproar. The Priests and Priestess started cursing him, and one of the guards hit his head so hard it bled. But the pharaoh remained devoid of emotion, staring at the man before him as if it were an insect he was longing to squash.

The prisoner stood straight and looked around at the people. He was screaming with all his might, telling them all that he will return to exact revenge. They shall pay, he said. They shall pay and no one will escape his wrath.

It was enough for the pharaoh. Nefer Atemu stood up and pointed at the prisoner. His eyes blazed with hate and rage.

"Iheht nu Seth na! IHEHT NU SETH NA!" Nefer Atemu shrieked.

The Priests and Priestess moved from his side. The Millenium Ankh, Millenium Tauk, Millenium Rod, Millenium Scales and the Millenium Eye all gleamed with golden light as the execution began. The prisoner gave one last scream that the people of Kemet did not forget until their dying day.

When the light of the Millenium Items disappeared, the prisoner was gone. All that remained of him was his red hooded robe and the Millenium Ring.

A week after that execution, Nefer Atemu died. The Millenium Puzzle had suddenly absorbed his soul.

Téa bit her lower lip in frustration. She had been dialing Yugi's number for the nth time now, and it was ringing, but nobody would answer. She sighed heavily and looked at Joey and Tristan. She shook her head.

"Dammit, where is he?" said Tristan, pounding the table with his fist. "Why doesn't he answer?!?"

Joey buried his face into his hands. "We'll have to find him before the night gets any deeper. His grandfather is surely worried by now."

A polyphonic ringtone broke their reverie. Joey gave a start and fumbled with his pockets. His display was flashing. The caller was Hiromu, the butler of the Bakura family. Joey pressed the receive button and put the phone to his ear.

"Yeah?"

There was silence as Hiromu spoke. Téa and Tristan watched Joey anxiously. When his face turned dead serious, they knew there was another trouble heading their way.

"Yeah. We'll try our best. Yes---yeah, okay. No! Please don't call the police just as yet—yes, yes, we understand. Yes. Bye then."

"Who was it?" Tristan asked.

"Hiromu Nakamura. Bakura family's butler." Joey replied. "Dammit, Ryou isn't home yet. Hiromu-san told me they tried to contact him, but the cellphone line was dead."

"What is this, missing people's day?" Tristan burst out, throwing his hands to the air. "First Yugi, now Ryou is missing too? If we don't get a call that tells Maximilian Pegasus or Seto Kaiba goes missing as well then it'd be a miracle!"

"Shut up, Tristan, this isn't a joke!" Téa snapped.

Joey shook his head and dialed Serenity's number. His sister answered quickly. "Serenity, no wait, listen up first okay? I'm not coming home tonight. Yeah, I'm not kidding—I'M NOT going to pachinko! Ah, shut up, just tell and mom we'll have a sleepover at Téa's. I mean us—Yugi, Tristan and me. Got that? HOMEWORK! Yeah, okay…you take care too. I love you, sis. Bye."

"What do you mean you're not coming home tonight?" Téa inquired.

Joey shrugged. "The search might take all night, come on, you only need common sense to think about it! Besides, we won't stop until we've found a clue or something like that…"

"Good point." Tristan agreed as he sipped some Coke.

"Listen," said Téa as she checked her watch. "I'll need to go home to ask permission and make some things up. I also need to change—I can't move well in this uniform. Why don't we just meet later at 8 in—um, in front of this restaurant?"

"Okay." Joey nodded.

"Agreed." said Tristan.

Téa stood up and went on her way. Five minutes later and Joey and Tristan also left the restaurant. They went separate ways—Joey eastward of the city and Tristan southward.

Marik was dead tired not because of their fencing class in PE that day, but because of the homework load they had been given. He hated school. Really hated it, if possible. But then, he should be a good boy and be like his sister, Isis, who was studying very well. Duh. It was probably the lamest thing their father said at his deathbed.

His shoulders drooped as he walked toward his gorgeous black Harley, which was parked between two sportscars belonging to 9th grader students. Marik pulled his helmet out of his bag and wore it before slinging a leg over the Harley. A minute later and he was speeding out of Seirin International School's driveway.

"Ishtar, see you tomorrow!"

"Hey Ishtar, I'd call you later!"

"Bye, Marik!"

"See you, Marik!"

"Bye!"

Marik shuddered slightly as he sped off from the gate and into the main highway. He was busy dodging the traffic by sliding in-between cars and trucks when something caught his eye just after the 5th stoplight turned red.

It was there, in the opposite street. Marik narrowed his violet eyes.

Ryou Bakura was there, walking and supporting an unconscious looking Nefer Atemu. Marik jerked his head to see better. Yeah, it was Bakura all right, pulling Atemu with him. The two disappeared into a tight street obscured by garbage cans and neon signs. Thoughts quickly floated in Marik's head.

What were they doing?

Where are they going?

Ryou Bakura and Atemu together?

BEEEP!

Marik gave a start and sped away. He shook his head vigorously, as if chasing a nightmare. Maybe the pharaoh was drunk or something, and Ryou found him and offered to walk him home.

Yeah, that would have been it.

That would have been it.

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Sorry if it's short…but review anyway! Thanks!