Chapter 18
"Decisions"
When Athena arrived at the Game Shop, she found not the Pharaoh, but his vessel, playing video games with Joey. "Hey boys," she said, seating herself down on the living room floor beside them, "How's it going?"
"Fine," Yugi said, not turning away from the television screen, "We'll be with you in a second. Just let me finish this up…"
"What'd ya mean, 'finish this up'!?! I'm comin' back, just you watch!" Joey said, moving his arms and the control in his hands around in erratic motions, his tongue sticking out slightly in concentration.
The younger boy didn't reply, and mere seconds later the screen flashed 'GAME OVER' and Yugi's driver stepped out of his car, cheering. Moto smiled and set down his controller, "There! Now then, how's it going Athena?" Next to him, Joey tossed his controller up in the air in an act of frustration, but it came right back down and conked him on the head.
"Not bad," she shrugged, "I hate to spoil the good mood you're in, but I got a chance to talk to Kaiba a little while ago."
"That'll put anyone in a bad mood," Joey grumbled, rubbing the sore spot on his head, "But a little more misery won't do me any worse, so bring it on."
Yugi couldn't hide the smile that tugged at his lips, his mind finding humor in watching the silly antics of his friend. He decided to focus his attention on the more prominent issue, and looked up at Athena.
"Well…he said he spoke to Maeda last night, and before it was over, he said that the museum woman would be the end of us all…something about her greed being beyond measure," she explained, "I'm sot sure what to make of it all, but it can't be good."
"Hold on, let me get Yami. He should know about this." Yugi closed his eyes and left the physical realm, going to search for his friend inside his head.
"What're we talkin' about here?" Joey asked, completely lost.
* * *
"Thank you, Athena. This information is most appreciated. Diana will be keeping an eye on the museum tonight, won't she?"
"More or less," the Grecian nodded, as she slipped her coat back on, "We'll be sure to let you know if anything interesting happens."
Yami nodded, then turned his head around to look at Joey, who had just tapped him on the shoulder, "I gotta get goin' too, Yug," Joey said, finishing putting his left arm through the sleeve on his jacket, "I'll be seein' ya later!"
The Pharaoh retreated back inside the Puzzle so that his host good bid farewell to his friends properly. "Later guys," Yugi told them as the headed for the door, "And Joey – stay out of trouble, okay?"
The teen grinned as he walked away, waving back at his friend, "Of course! Joey Wheeler can take care'a himself!"
Athena dashed off after the blonde teen, "Now what sort of trouble would Yugi be worried about you getting into?" she asked teasingly.
The young man's face turned a very light shade of pink, and he pulled the collar of his jacket up to conceal this change in coloration, "Punks, thugs, the usual Japanese city stuff. You wouldn't know; you're new 'round here."
"I see…" she said, slipping one arm around one of his, "Maybe you'd better walk me home…so I don't get mugged, you know."
Joey gently pulled her arm off of his, "I'll walk ya home, but I'm already taken, ya got that?"
"Huh?" she said, bemused and then, as it dawned on her that she'd actually been flirting with him she laughed, "Sorry! I didn't mean it to come out sounding like that. I promise I've got my eye on someone else – Mai doesn't have to worry. We can still be friends though, right?"
"Yeah, ya just came on a little fast," he chuckled, surprised at how worried he had gotten.
"Sorry again," she said, grinning, "Growing up in a huge family really takes the concept of personal space out of the daily routine. Feel free to tell me if I ever get too close for comfort."
"I will, don' worry," The two walked the remainder of the way in silence, admiring the light flurry of snow that nature began to set upon the earth as the sun faded from the sky in a brilliant display of orange and red coloring.
* * *
That night, as Yugi settled onto the couch for some quality TV watching before bed, Yami dismissed himself for the evening, making his way quickly to the Shadow Realm, where he knew his queen would be waiting.
And, as he had known, she was there when he arrived; in the special area between their minds that was theirs alone, seated on the elegant Egyptian style bed, wearing a light cotton dress and a smile. She reached out one hand and took hold of his, pulling him down next to her on the bed, where they sat for a long while, nuzzling and whispering to each other how much the other had been missed during their time apart. At last, Dedi began untucking his shirt and he let himself get lost in her soft kisses. So both of them were completely oblivious to a third presence in their midst.
In the distance, Barak watched coldly as his half-brother enjoyed the warmth of love. He too, had once known this wonderful feeling at one time, so many years ago. Tola had been the only person who had ever cared for a thief; the only one to ever feel love for a criminal and an outcast. But it had been probably more than five thousand years in the past. His brother had condemned him to this fate. Doomed to be trapped within the Millennium Ring forever more, to be haunted by his own memories and regret for all eternity. A fate far worse than death.
The wild, white-haired spirit clasped his fists together. It was Yami's fault that he suffered like this. And the foolish man didn't even seem to appreciate how fortunate he was that Maeda's ancestor had trapped Dedi's spirit within the Scale all those millennia ago. The King and the Queen were together again, and the Prince was left to wander the shadows, "Waste your time here as much as you like, my liege. Your love only makes you all the weaker." Barak left the Shadow Realm, heading back to the Millennium Ring.
Yami may have formulated his plan for dealing with this Chrysogonus woman, but it was time to take matters into his own hands. He could take care of this nuisance by himself. Then Yami would have to admit that he was the best. That it was his right to be known as the Pharaoh.
It was late when Barak reappeared in Bakura's small apartment. The boy was already asleep, as was the Grecian male and the younger female. The oldest of the three was in the kitchen area, speaking softly to the Millennium Statue. 'Perfect.'
The spirit of the Ring found his way inside his sleeping host's body and got up, leaving Bakura asleep on his bed. The boy hadn't even bothered to change out of his day clothing.
"Where are you going, Barak?" Diana asked quietly, turning towards him. On the counter, the Statue also turned its emerald eyes on him, blinking slowly.
"I'm going to solve all of our problems." He put his hand on the doorknob and twisted, letting the light of the room out into the quiet, dark hallway.
"You feel you can do that alone?" she responded, running a hand through her long black hair like a brush.
There was silence only for a second, as Barak calmly stepped out into the corridor. He turned around and faced the Grecian woman, his brown eyes fixated upon her with a touch of annoyance, "I know I can." He pulled the door closed and began to walk down the hall towards the stairs. There was one stop he had to make before the museum.
Diana sighed, and then stroked the Statue gently, "Keep an eye on him, won't you? Athena will be most upset if something were to happen to the boy's body." The golden cat rubbed its head against her hand and then leapt down off of the counter, following silently after the Spirit of the Ring.
* * *
The snow-covered ground reflected the full moon nicely, making it easier to see. Not that Egypt's most notorious criminal needed the extra visibility to find the Kame Game Shop. The Millennium Ring glowed brightly and the Egyptian Eye symbol shown gold on the spirit's forehead. He relaxed his mind, allowing the magical energies to flow through his body like the very blood within his veins. With a single leap he managed to catch the second-story window sill to Yugi Moto's room, and then swung himself onto it, crouching. The window was unlocked, a sure sign that his half-brother was still deep within the Shadow Realm.
Once inside, it took mere seconds to locate the dueling belt that contained the boy's dueling deck. According to legend, only the royal or highest-ranking of Ancient Egypt could control the power of the Gods. Barak had proven this strength once before, about a year-and-a-half ago during the Battle City tournament. The three most powerful creatures sat one next to the other atop the deck. The ancient temple robber could feel the life and power move within the very ink that still contained the most powerful forces of the ancient times.
"Thank you, Yugi," Barak said sinisterly, looking over at the young teen, who was curled up in a fetal position under his blankets, "These are where they should be now." The man pulled out his own Duel Monsters Deck, and pushed three other cards back into Bakura's coat pockets, adding the mighty God creatures. He walked back over to the window and leapt out, leaving the young Moto with the cold night air and his dreams.
Outside, practically invisible to the unaided eye, a pair of green, glowing, pearly eyes watched from the tree near Yugi's window.
* * *
"Do you suppose I should go tell her?" Chalie asked, not turning his eyes away from the street outside the tall windows.
Basil looked up from his newly polished Staff, "I'm sure she knows."
"Indeed I do," Seline said, coming through the doorway, "and I'm sure you'll agree that we owe the Pharaoh a proper welcome. Which one of you would like to be the first to greet him?"
Chalie and Basil exchanged looks and then the former suggested, "Let Shem do it."
Seline's eyes lit up. "Not a bad idea." She snapped her fingers and, out from the shadows of the room came the figure of what used to be Shem. Not much had changed about his appearance except for the glowing Egyptian Eye on his forehead and the dulled color of his once vibrant eyes. Seline looked him over happily, "Basil, you'll have to keep an eye on him, just in case the Pharaoh should try to break Chalie's spell over him."
"Of course," Basil bowed and then led the shell of Shem out of the room.
As they left, Seline turned to Chalie, "You'll be preparing to face him on Level Two then?"
"Yes. I have already told you my opinion on this matter: Basil nor the three he now controls have the skills necessary to defeat the Pharaoh or his companions," Chalie stated, opening up a large drawer in his wooden, cluttered desk to reveal a Duel Disk 2. He picked it up and placed it on his arm, going over his Duel Monster cards in his hands, "I shall be ready."
"Excellent," Seline said, "This should prove to be a very fruitful evening."
* * *
Barak stood alone, the moonlight casting his shadow long and disproportionate to his actual body. The museum's double doors appeared to be locked up tight, but it made no difference. It was time for the Prince of Egypt to settle this conflict once and for all…