Jaid: Hi guys.

Naga: What's wrong with you?

Jaid: *sniff, sniff*

Jad: She found out about the second Ruruoni Kenshin OVA.

Jaid: IT'S NOT FAIR!!!! HE CAN'T DIE!!! AND KENJI CAN'T HATE HIS FATHER!!! THEY DESERVE TO BE HAPPY D*** IT!! *runs away crying*

Naga: O.o

Jad: *sweatdrop* Er, she'll have recovered by the end of the chapter…hopefully…

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            It was almost late morning by the time Shadi, Scales and Yami returned. Isis met them in the front room of Shadi's small house.

            "Anything?"

            "Actually yes." Shadi said, then lowered his voice. "Is there somewhere where we can talk?"

            "Yes." Isis nodded. "The roof. Unless Bakura's up there." She sighed.

            "It is getting a little crowded." Shadi said wryly as they climbed the stairs along the outside wall. Isis smiled but said nothing. They both sat down and were quiet for a moment.

            "Scales found something that suggested something about the maker of the Millennium Items." Shadi broke the silence. "It was a story about Pharaoh's father. Apparently, from what he could read, the maker of the Items tried to use their power for himself, thus betraying the royal family. Pharaoh's father wasn't too happy about it and sealed him in the Shadow Realm, but the Item maker was a powerful sorcerer and it nearly killed the king to do so."

            "So, what does that have to do with it?" Isis asked.

            "He was a high priest for AmunRa. And he oversaw a temple. In this temple, they say he had a place where he would seal souls without the use of the Items."

            Isis straightened. "Then that would mean…"

            "He's somehow escaped." Shadi finished. Isis blew out a breath.

            "I don't suppose there's a way to get them back? Use the Items?" she asked. Shadi frowned.

            "Ankh tried that, but we could see if the Puzzle and Ring could do anything. I do not think the Ring can pull souls from the Shadow Realm."

            "You think that is where they are?" Isis asked.

            "Yes." Shadi blinked. "Where else would they go?"

            "Good point." Isis bit her lip. "I had another vision while you were away."

            "And?"

            "That's just it." Isis looked at him with troubled eyes. "I don't remember what it was."

            "What?" Shadi blinked.

            "It's as if…" Isis broke off and shook her head. "I know I had one Shadi. But it faded away, as quickly as a dream. I cannot even begin to guess what it was about."

            She was confused, that much he could tell. But what could he say to her? He didn't know anything that she did not know. Swallowing, he looked at Luxor.

            "We don't have much time." He said in a low voice.

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            The man silently glided through the streets of Luxor. One man in a djellaba* and turban was much like another and no one noticed him. Pausing them man turned, then smiled. Here was his prey.

            Now that he had his aim in sight, the man walked purposefully, making others scramble out of his way.

            "Pardon me." He said softly. The young man he addressed turned and looked at him with pale violet eyes.

            "What do you want?" the boy snapped, clearly taking the man for a beggar.

            "A moment of your time, Malik Ishtar."

            The boy crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.

            "I have something you might be interested in." the man raised an elegant eyebrow. "But this is not the place to talk. You know of AmunRa's temple, am I correct?"

            "Yes." Malik answered.

            "Excellent. Perhaps you would meet me there tonight and…we may discuss things."

            "Give me a reason why I should."

            "You desire Pharaoh's life, do you not?" the man asked softly. Malik stared at him, but gave no sign. The man smiled in a predatory way.

            "Meet me at atmu**, young Ishtar. I promise you won't be disappointed." And with that, the man glided away, melting so well into the crowd that Malik almost thought it a dream. Frowning at the ground, the blonde thought for a moment.

            'It can't hurt to see.' He finally decided. 'I believe I will see what this stranger has to say.'

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            While Isis and Shadi were on the rooftop, Yami was pacing again. Bakura and Scales were having a sort of glaring match. Ankh sighed, then stood and approached the spirit of Pharaoh.

            "You know, pacing around isn't going to help."

            Yami turned and looked at him. "I know." He said, sounding rather frustrated. "But…I must do something. I don't know where Yugi is; he could be dieing in the Shadow Realm for all I know!" his fist clenched and unclenched. Ankh bit the inside of his cheek, wishing he knew what to say. Finally, he put a hand on the other spirit's shoulder.

            "It'll be okay." He said. "I'm sure Scales found something at the tomb; something important. And Shadi and Isis will come up with something and then we'll be able to rescue them all! You'll see."

            Yami turned to him. "You are very optimistic."

            Ankh shrugged. "If we don't have any hope, then what do we have?"

            Yami's features relaxed into a smile. He nodded, and then a more serious look came over his face. "You were in my court weren't you?"

            "Yes." Ankh blinked. "You remember?"

            "No." Yami shook his head. "I mean, I have a sort of image of you in my head, but it's broken and blurry."

            "I was a healer." Ankh said. "But I don't remember much of my past life either."

            Yami nodded again, then they both looked up as Bakura passed by.

            "Where are you going?" Yami demanded.

            "Away from here." Bakura answered.

            "But you can't just leave!" Ankh said. "Scales?!"

            "Good riddance." The other spirit muttered. Bakura smirked.

            "Why should I stay?" he asked. "If I do, I'm surrounded by you idiots."

            "Who are you calling an idiot?" Scales shouted.

            "Did I stutter?" Bakura shot back dryly. "I've got the Ring and a body. You tell me why I should just stick around."

            "Because of Ryou." Ankh said. "Don't you want to get him back?"

            Bakura's back was too them, but it seemed as if he hesitated for a moment. "Why would I want that weakling back in my mind?" he sneered then left. Ankh looked at Scales, then at Yami.

            "What are we going to do?" he asked.

            "Let him be." Yami answered quietly.

            "But-!"

            "We can't stop him, Ankh." Yami said wearily. The healer looked trouble. Scales scowled at the both of them.

            "I can't believe you guys wanted him to stick around." He snorted. Ankh gave him a reproachful glance, but Yami didn't pay attention. Instead, he walked to the window.

            "Ankh." He called. "Do you remember any of your magic from the past?"

            "Maybe, why?"

            Yami nodded to the sky. "What does a darkening sky in summer mean?"

            Ankh walked to the window. "Oh my." His green eyes grew large. "I don't know."

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             It was twilight. Malik entered the temple of AmunRa cautiously, his Rod held securely in one hand.

            "So you came."

            Malik spun around. A cloaked figure stood in the shadows on one side of the room. Malik straightened and gave a sharp nod.

            "I did."

            The man turned and motioned for the boy to follow. Malik narrowed his eyes, but walked after him.

            After walking through a passage, the man approached a door and opened it. There were steps leading downwards. The man started down them, but Malik hesitated. Something told him that if he started down this staircase, he would not be able to leave the path he had chosen. After a moment of indecision, Malik threw off the feeling and followed the man.

            He walked into a candle lit room that held a golden statue of AmunRa at one end. Paintings of the god, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu were on the walls. Facing the statue of AmunRa, was the man. His cloak had been thrown back and long, silvery white hair hung about his shoulders. He turned.

            "Welcome to the sacred room of AmunRa, young Ishtar."

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            Shadi didn't know what it was that woke him, but he opened his eyes and sat up. Frowning, he stood and got up. He was sleeping on a mat in the front room, having offered Isis his room. Right now, he got up and walked to it.

            Isis was on the bed, but she was muttering in her sleep.

            'Probably another vision.' Shadi reflected, then on impulse walked over and reached out to touch her face. She was burning up.

            /\Ankh?/\

            //Yes?//

            /\I need you out here./\

            The Item glowed and the green-eyed healer appeared. Shadi didn't say a word but nodded to Isis. Ankh murmured something to himself, feeling how hot her head was and then checking her pulse. He frowned.

            "Try talking to her. I'm going to get some water." Ankh said. Shadi knelt by the bed.

            "Isis." He called. "Isis, can you hear me?"

            The girl gave a quiet moan. Shadi reached up to brush some hair off of her face. Her dark blue eyes opened.

            "Shadi?" she called weakly. The man gave a small smile.

            "How do you feel?"

            "Cold." She whispered, starting to shake. "I…my stomach is upset."

            Shadi blinked, then stood quickly, nearly running into Ankh. "She needs something to vomit in." the man said over his shoulder. Ankh blinked, then entered. Shadi arrived a few moments later with a wide mouthed clay jar he didn't use much anymore. He handed it to Isis, who promptly used it.

            "I'll take care of it." Ankh sighed. "You stay with her. I think she's beginning to get delirious."

            Shadi nodded, and then sighed. Of all times for Isis to get sick. He took her hand and stroked her hair.

            "Do you feel any better?"

            "A little." Isis said softly. "Shadi, something is wrong."

            "What do you mean?"

            "With the Item…I cannot…" Isis seemed to be struggling, then her face twisted into a grimace and she began coughing. The force of the coughs caused her to sit up and her entire body shook with them. Shadi sat next to her on the bed and supported her with one of his arms. Isis paused for breath and gave a slight cry. Shadi's eyes widened. Isis' hand was covered with blood.

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            "Why did you bring me here?" Malik demanded.

            "Like I said, I wanted to talk." The man explained. "Perhaps I should introduce my self. I am Qenamun, High Priest of AmunRa."

            Malik raised an eyebrow. "AmunRa no longer has any priests."

            The man gave a dry chuckle. "I know that. But let us say that I am not of this age."

            Malik's eyes narrowed again. "Not of this age?"

            "But of an age past."

            Malik raised the Rod. "Speak plainly or suffer the consequences." He growled.

            "Very well. You Malik Ishtar, have a grudge against the Pharaoh Yami, correct?"

            "Yes."

            "I have a grudge against his father. You see, young Ishtar, I am the original creator of the Items."***

            Malik's eyes widened as the man held forth a hand and spoke in a low voice. Suddenly the Rod glowed red and Malik cried out, dropping it. He held his hand, blowing on it to cool the burn. Looking up, Malik glared at Qenamun.

            "What did you do?"

            Quenamun smiled as he held out his hand and the Rod flew to it. "Simply showing you that these Items have not control over me. As their creator, I know spells to protect me. Mind control will not help you this time, young Ishtar."

            Malik still held his burned hand. His breathing came quickly and his eyes were mere slits. He hated being out maneuvered. Suddenly, he felt trapped.

            "I wouldn't advise making me snap." He hissed. "I'm apt to forget myself at times."

            "Still defiant." Qenamun's smile turned cold. "I like you for that, but it would do neither of us good." He tossed the Rod to Malik, who caught it without looking away from the priest.

            "Speak plainly." Malik demanded again. "You promised me Pharaoh's life."

            "I did." Qenamun inclined his head. "As soon as the other arrives, I will explain."

            "Other?" Malik frowned. Qenamun nodded, looking past him.

            At the bottom of the stairs was a familiar figure. Malik's eyes narrowed, as into the light, stepped Bakura.

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            "What is it?" Ankh ran in, hearing Shadi's shout. Yami appeared in the doorway.

            "She's coughing up blood." Shadi said tightly. "I think I should take her to a hospital Ankh."

            "Let me see." The healer came forward and tried to summon his healing powers. Nothing happened. Ankh frowned confused.

            "Take her." He said. "I need to figure this out…"

            Shadi didn't wait for an answer, but scooped the girl up and walked out of the house as quickly as possible. Ankh sank to the bed, looking at his Item. Yami walked over.

            "What is wrong?"

            "I couldn't do it." Ankh whispered. "I couldn't heal her. It was like, the Ankh didn't know me."

            Yami frowned. "What do you mean?"

            Ankh looked up, his eyes troubled. "It's not responding to me any more."

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* A djellba is the traditional Arab-Egyptian garment. Shadi wears one…I'm pretty sure..

** Atmu is the Ancient Egyptian word used for 'twilight' or 'evening'.

*** Eh, I am stretching this a little. As far as I know, no mention is made about who really did make the Items. I'm inclined to believe that Yami's father was not the maker, but the one to commission them. It says in the magna that he needed them to "close up the darkness". Not sure what that means; it doesn't make it clear whether Yami's father was referring to the Shadow Realm or something else. At least not to me…O.O

Okay, that's it for vocabulary/info. I don't have all my notes with me at the moment, but nobody's speaking Japanese in this chapter anyway. :-p

Ohh, and nobody kill me, okay? Isis isn't going to die. At least not yet…ack! *hides from angry reviewers*

Also, I think I should mention that this story is sort of AU to the real YGO timeline (if you haven't figured out yet…). In my world, Battle City never takes place and the God cards are still hidden. I may decide to do something with them later, but maybe not…*sigh* It's kinda hard to figure all this out…

Lynx wings – lol, well, I'm undecided about him.  I think he's kinda cool…but like would be too strong a word there…

Indigo – Er…Scales is giving me trouble. Think you can make him behave? Please? Lol, glad you liked my idea.

Dragon Spirits – Eek! Sorry I haven't read your new chappy yet! *bows* Gomen, gomen. I will, I promise. You call him the sticker guy? *blinks* I find that…oddly hilarious…

Black Mistress – Thanks! Glad you like Yami. ^__^ But I'm really going to put him and some of the others through the grinder here; so much angst potential!!

DDW – Glad you appreciate the e-mails! ^__^ This whole Ancient Egyptian idea hasn't been as hard as I thought it was going to be…hopefully it'll stay that way.

Amberliz – Isn't being confused our natural state? Lol, just j/k. Glad you liked it. Er…Did you understand the last unit in Science at all? O.o

Serena – I'm glad it cheered you up. Ah, I'm sorry. I hate presentations because then I have to talk to people. O.o And last semester, I had to sing…my teacher said I have a pretty voice, but no one else commented. *si-i-gh…*

Dr. Vorlon - *blushes* Wow, thanks! I'm always amazed by the responses people give me. You all make me feel so special! ^_______________^

Well, see you guys all next week!