DECLARAION: - This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.
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Chapter 13 – Destiny
Yami sat on the balcony looking out with sad eyes across the city as the sun began to rise. Two days had passed since Yugi's execution and since then he had slipped into a deep melancholy.
'Yugi always liked this view,' he thought.
He didn't cry anymore at the thought of Yugi. There were no more tears to shed. Instead he just looked sadly out at the sunrise. A loud bang on the main door caused him to turn. Jou appeared on the balcony.
"I'll go see who it is," Jou said, knowing that Yami had ordered not to be disturbed.
Yami watched as Jou walked towards the door. He couldn't understand why the boy stayed. Yami had given him his freedom but he had refused to go. He turned back to the sunrise.
"Your Highness."
Yami turned once again to look at his bodyguard.
"What is it Honda? Did you find him?" Yami asked in a weary voice. After his return from the dungeons Yami had asked for the High Priest to be brought to him.
"No, he has not been seen for several days. Not since he was last seen in the dungeon."
'That's strange,' thought Yami.
"There is one more thing Your Highness the palace executioner has been found dead in one of the cells. He's been dead for several days."
A puzzled look crossed Yami's face as he listened to Honda's report.
"Thank you Honda. Return to you post."
Honda nodded and left the room.
Yami turned to Jou.
"Jou, go with him and get some rest."
Jou made to protest but yawned instead. It was true that he was tired. He nodded and left the room, closing the doors behind him. Alone again Yami stood up and made his way back into his chambers. He began to ponder the recent news.
'It's strange that the only two people to witness Yugi's execution are now either missing or dead,' he thought. What was going on? Was he missing something again?
He ran a weary hand over his eyes. Maybe sleep wasn't such a bad idea. He lifted his head and jumped back startled. Ishizu was standing right in front of him.
"Ishizu!" He exclaimed.
"I'm sorry my Pharaoh. I did not mean to startle you."
"No it's ok, I just didn't hear you come in," he said recovering.
Yami passed his hand over his eyes again.
"You look tired Yami, have you not been sleeping?"
"No I can't seem to rest lately. My thoughts keep we awake and when I do drift off to sleep it's filled with strange dreams."
"Of Yugi?" she asked.
"No, it's strange the dreams are not about him but it still feels like he is there, and each time the dream is different."
Ishizu's eyes widened slightly.
"Perhaps if you were to tell me the dreams you would be able to sleep better." She asked hurriedly.
"Perhaps you are right," he replied, not noticing the urgency in Ishizu tone.
"Very well," he said as he sat down in a padded chair. Ishizu chose a seat opposite.
"The first dream was two days ago. I dreamt that I was locked in a cell with my feet and hands tied. People came into the cell and talked to me but I couldn't understand what they were saying. One of the figures seemed familiar and I felt that I should know his name, but when I awoke I couldn't remember it."
Ishizu leaned forwards towards Yami.
"I see, and the second dream?"
"The second dream came during the day when I fell asleep whilst sitting on the balcony. This dream was different from the first. I was sitting on horseback with my hands tied to the saddle. The same figures from the first dream were around me and the familiar figure kept turning to look at me. Although I still couldn't remember his name, I could feel he meant me harm. We travelled across the desert towards the ancient ruins of Hamet and as we approached the ruins the figure turned round and spoke to me. He said 'tomorrow'. I dread going to sleep tonight. I don't know why but I feel the dream tonight will be more terrible than the first."
He lifted his head to look at Ishizu.
"What do you think is happening to me? Am I going mad? Is Yugi's spirit reaching out to punish me?"
He gave a weary sigh and leaned forwards onto his knees, looking down at the floor and clasping his hands together. Ishizu sat back with a look of relief on her face.
"No Yami, his spirit is reaching out to you through the bond you share, to tell you he is alive."
"Wh..What...." Yami's head shot up.
"What do you mean alive... how... where?" Yami had leapt up out of his chair.
"Please Yami, sit down and I will explain."
He did so but his hands still grasped the arms of the chair tightly.
"As you know many years ago at the moment of your birth a prophecy was made. This prophecy foretold that you were the one we had been waiting for, the one to wield the sacred power of the Pharaoh and save Egypt. However, what you do not know is that at the same time another prophecy was made, one that told of how the Pharaoh's power would be brought forth. This prophecy told of seven millennium guardians who would wield the power of the millennium items. Their power combined would allow the Pharaoh to lock the evil away in the shadow realm for all eternity. In addition to these seven guardians the second prophecy told of another, a chosen one. This chosen one would be the key to the power of the shadow realm and it was foretold that control of the shadow realm would be passed to the one for whom his life was sacrificed."
She turned her head to look out at the sunrise.
"For many years now I have been the guardian of the millennium secrets seeking out the seven guardians and ensuring they are prepared for their destiny. Six of the guardians are already within the walls of the palace, the seventh guardian, is you Yami."
She turned back to look at him.
"We looked for many years for the chosen one and as time moved on it looked like he would never be found. However, our search came to an end about a year ago on the day you undertook the tradition of choosing your servants from those of your subjects. We would never have imagined that you would pick the one boy we had been looking for from the many thousands."
"You mean the chosen one is Yugi?"
"Yes, Yami, it was fate that guided you to him that day. It was both of your destinies to meet and with his finding the prophecy was fulfilled."
Ishizu's head drooped slightly.
"But I made a mistake. I had thought that being so close to you no one would dare to try and take him. I was wrong and I did not see the danger until it was too late. Their plan to make you think Yugi was your attacker was flawless and at his apparent execution even I began to doubt that we had found the right boy. I couldn't understand how fate would allow the chosen one to die before he had completed his task. Now I see my error and it has placed both Egypt and the world in danger, for with Yugi in the hands of the enemy Egypt and the world are in danger of being destroyed."
A stern look had crossed Yami's face as Ishizu explained the prophecy.
"Who is behind this? Who has taken Yugi and now threatens the world?"
"Seto, your High Priest. I'm sorry my Pharaoh I did not see his treachery until it was too late. If we don't stop him he will be able to control the full power of the shadow realm and drag the world into the deepest pit of hell."
"How, will he achieve this?" Yami said again his anger growing as Seto's treachery was revealed.
Ishizu looked up with sad eyes.
"He intends to take the prophecy literally. He will sacrifice Yugi as the moon reaches its highest point at the next full moon and take control of the shadow realms power."
Yami leapt from his chair.
"The next full moon but that is tonight!"
"I know."
Yami stood clenching his fists in anger.
"Tell me what I have to do Ishizu, I must save Yugi and stop this madman from destroying the world."
She nodded and stood up.
"The guardians are here. With the completion of the millennium ritual they can take up their items and you will be fused with their sacred power. Only then can you face Seto and the full force of the shadow realm. Are you ready to face your destiny Yami?"
"Yes, Ishizu I am. I owe Yugi my life and I have failed him once but I will not fail him again."
"Very well, follow me, we must hurry and we must bring Jou with us."
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Jou couldn't understand what the hurry was all about, or even why he was there. He looked at the robed figures around him. The strange group entered the temple and each of the robed men encircled the raised platform in the centre. The Pharaoh and Ishizu climbed up to stand beside a large stone statue, which stood on top. From what Jou could see there was a lot of gold embedded in the statue. He felt like he was intruding on something he should not so he stepped to the side of the room away from the group.
'Why did Ishizu ask me to come along?' he wondered as Ishizu turned to face the robed figures.
"My friends the time has come. We must hurry if we are to save the chosen one and remove this evil from the world. Step forward now and receive what destiny has foretold of you."
With that she began to remove the golden items from the statue.
"Pegasus, to you I give the millennium eye, with its power to look deep into the mind."
A robed figure stepped forward and took the item Ishizu had removed from the statue. Ishizu continued to hand out the items each robed figure stepping forwards to receive the item she held.
"Bakura, to you the millennium ring, with its power to control the soul."
"Marik, the millennium rod, to control the mind."
"Shadi, the millennium Ankh, to find the lost and see the truth in a mans heart."
"Myself, the millennium necklace, to see both the past and future."
And with that she took an eye emblazoned necklace from the statue and placed it round her own neck.
"And now our sixth guardian."
She turned to look at Jou.
"Come forward Jou."
'Me?' he thought.
He stepped forward and approached Ishizu.
"Jou, you are the guardian of the millennium scales, with the power to weigh a man's heart and soul."
He took the item she handed to him and silently stepped back. It felt right in his hands. He felt like he was achieving his purpose.
"And finally the Millennium puzzle."
She turned to Yami.
"It is to you my Lord the last and most powerful item is passed. With the puzzle the power of the other items becomes one. Receive now the power of the Pharaoh."
She stepped forward and placed the inverted pyramid around Yami's neck, as she did so the other items began to glow. The puzzle glowed in response, its radiance spreading until Yami stood surrounded in its light. The symbol of the millennium eye glowed brightly on his forehead. He had his eyes closed but when he finally opened them all traces of doubt and fear were gone and Jou stood in awe of the Pharaoh in the full glory of his power.