The Dragon's True nature

Authoress note: This chapter is what happened in the outside world during chapter 2.

Hikari to Yami, Yami to Hikari, Spirit to Spirit

Thoughts

"speech"

Chapter 3- Ancient Acquaintances

Yugi was halfway through his breakfast when a loud knock disrupted him. Sighing he opened the door, doing his very best to look cheerful despite his drowsiness.

"Hello, welcome to the Kame Game Shop. Sorry we're clos-" Yugi stopped mid-sentence. Standing before him were two men in black suits. He recognized them as employees from Kaiba Corp. "Can I help you?"

One of the men cleared his throat, "We have an urgent message from Mr. Mokuba. He wishes for you to come with us to Kaiba Corp. headquarters immediately. He says it is an emergency."

Yugi's violet eyes widened in surprise, "What's wrong? Did something happen to Kaiba?"

The second man glanced about nervously, "We are not authorized to say. We were just sent to escort you, Sir."

Yugi nodded in understanding. "Just give me a minute." He wolfed down the last of his breakfast, dressed hurriedly, and, being the considerate grandson that he was, scribbled an explanatory note to his grandpa before leaving with the two men.

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Upon reaching Kaiba Corporation, Yugi was escorted to the testing arena and left at the door by the two men. When the automatic metal door opened, he froze in mid-step. The chamber walls were gouged with enormous claw marks as wide and deep as trenches, a portion of the metallic ceiling lay on the floor, and one wall was dented like aluminum. But this damage was not what held Yugi's attention.

His violet eyes were locked on the enormous Blue Eyes White Dragon resting in the center of the demolished room. The dragon returned Yugi's stare with fierce cerulean eyes, growling a warning snarl.

"Hey, don't growl at Yugi. He's here to help!" Mokuba--Yugi just noticed the raven haired boy was seated on the Dragon's great head--waved at Yugi, "Hi Yugi, glad you could come. I kinda need your help." The boy suddenly realized he was yelling across the room and laughed, giving Yugi a look of chagrin. He tapped the Blue Eyes, whispering something that was apparently a disagreeable request, because the dragon grumbled and grudgingly lowered its head, granting Mokuba access to the floor. Mokuba slide off the Blue Eyes, gave it a reassuring pat on the muzzle, and trotted to Yugi--who was still frozen with shock and fear.

Mokuba glanced back at the Blues Eyes, curled up and sulking like a cat. Mokuba giggled, "Don't be mad, I'm not going anywhere, big brother!"

That definitely snapped Yugi out of his trance. "'Big brother'! A-are you saying that...that Blue Eyes is Kaiba!" The statement sounded absolutely absurd. No one could turn into a duel monster! It could never happen.

Never say never, aibou. Yami's convinced tone caused Yugi to frown.

But it isn't possible! No one turns into a dragon for no reason! Yugi was completely bewildered, he needed some explanations.

Mokuba scratched his black hair in an agitated, nervous manner, "Yeah, that dragon is Seto. It's kind of a long story."

Yugi cocked his head at Mokuba, "Start from the beginning, please, Mokuba."

Mokuba nodded and obliged. The explanation took a long time--with constant questions from Yugi, annoyed or angry growls from the Blue Eyes, and intrusions from a few inquisitive scientists interrupting Mokuba. But not a single detail was left out of the tale, and Yugi was both grateful and further bewildered.

Once he finished, Mokuba returned to the dragon's side, allowing Yugi time to absorb the information.

Yami what are we going to do? We have to help, somehow. Yugi's mind-voice was filled with worry and confusion.

Yami rubbed the side of his head, concentrating. I am not sure, aibou. Allow me a moment to think.

"I believe I can be of some service." The voice came from behind Yugi, making him jump. "My pardons, Pharaoh. I did not intend to startle you." Yugi recognized that cool, calculated voice, it belonged to the guardian of the millennium items, Shadi! Whirling around, Yugi met the steady gaze of the white-clad Egyptian.

"Shadi? What are you doing here?" Yugi was, to say the least, skeptical. Shadi usually only appeared when the balance of the Millennium items were threatened.

Shadi did not reply, he shifted his gaze to the silent Blue Eyes White Dragon, who was regarding the Egyptian with a look of curiosity and recognition. Shadi nodded a greeting, "I see Seto Kaiba has not banished you, ancient one."

The dragon uttered not a growl, but what rather sounded like a chuckle. Yugi's eyes darted from Shadi to the dragon and back, thoroughly confused.

Mokuba glared at Shadi, "Who are you? How did you get in here? And how do you know Seto?"

Shadi regarded the young boy as if he had only just noticed him, "I am not familiar with your brother. But this dragon and I are old friends."

Mokuba blinked steel-blue eyes, "Huh? But this Blue Eyes is Seto! I saw him change!"

Shadi smiled, "Yes, that is your brother, but not a part of him you are familiar with." He returned his attention to Yugi, "Just as Yugi has another part of him, your brother does as well." His expression became solemn, "That is why I am here. To assist Seto in accepting the other parts of himself."

"Other parts? Not just one!" Mokuba was beyond startled, since when had Seto been anyone other than Seto? Although there were times when Seto didn't seem like himself...as if he were someone else entirely. But those moments were few and far between.

"I shall explain upon my return, young one." Shadi strode to the dragon, clutching his millennium key in one hand. With the other hand, he beckoned Yugi to his side, "I wish to have your assistance, Pharaoh."

Yugi hurried to Shadi, "I don't know what I can do, but I will help."

A wry smirk appeared on Shadi's face, "That is all I ask. I am aware that you are not friends with Seto, but the Pharaoh is quite familiar with one of Seto's others." With that, Shadi called upon his Millennium Key's powers to enter the dragon's mind chamber.

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Yugi, Yami at his side, surveyed his new surroundings with surprise. The chambers resembled their own mind rooms, the familiarity allowing him to relax slightly.

The sound of approaching footsteps made the three turn. Seto--or rather who appeared to be Seto, clad in deep rich purple Egyptian robes--stood before them wearing a surprised expression, eyes locked with Yami.

Pharaoh... Priest's voice was filled with disbelief. He regarded the other two 'intruders' with stern, skeptical sapphire eyes.

Yami nodded in acknowledgment, It's been a long time.

KT: Ta da! That's the end of chapter 3! I'm sorry it took so long. I had typed it up and edited it, then my cursed floppy disk decided it would be funny to delete the story. That got me pretty frustrated, so I put off rewriting it for a while.

Seto: Are you done ranting?

KT: Uhh, yea. Please review!

Seto: Or send flames...I can use them to melt her computer.

KT: Then I'll just have to use your laptop

Seto: Just joking about the flames...