The Lost Pharaoh
Chapter 5: Nightmares
The late summer sun was shining down upon Domino with glittering rays that warmed the breeze and the moods of the people shopping around. Even if it had been a cold winter day, Yuugi still would've been happy. He and Yami had started off shopping again around noon that day, while Sugoroku was out running errands. Yuugi wanted to spend the day to the fullest because school was the next day. He had no idea what was going to happen or how everyone would react to a new "exchange student" arriving with no warning.
And how would Yami be inside a school, which wasn't around during his time? Would he adjust properly without getting people suspicious? Yuugi wasn't worried about just anyone becoming suspicious he was worried about his friends. If they became suspicious and started asking Yuugi's grandpa about Yami, his grandpa would soon figure out that Yami wasn't telling the truth (nor Yuugi for that matter), and then would look into it. When his grandpa looked into things, he usually found out the truth.
Yuugi had started off showing Yami the movie theater. First he had had to explain what a movie was and why people "wasted time" watching movies that didn't help them succeed in any way, as Yami put it. Buying the ticket had been fine, but unfortunately, while Yuugi had been buying the tickets Yami had gone off to explore. He had approached the counter and the man there had asked him if he would like some popcorn and candy. Naturally, Yami thought he was being friendly and was giving it to them for free…hence why Yuugi and Yami entered the theater with four bags of popcorn and three boxes of candy. Yami had apologized several times for using up his money but Yuugi shrugged it off. After all, his grandpa had given him extra money just to waste it on whatever he treated Yami to, so it didn't matter.
The movie had been action and humor with a touch of romance. Yuugi had jumped several times whenever guns were fired or something jumped out suddenly spilling popcorn, to Yami's amusement. Surprisingly, Yami found movies very interesting and it resulted in him choosing a horror movie. Yuugi hadn't wanted to spoil Yami's day so he agreed, but in truth he was terrified of scary movies. Jou and Honda had tried to take him to see one many times but he had never agreed. He hated being scared, even though he knew none of the movies were realistic.
Yuugi went up to the counter buying a second pair of tickets for The Ring. The man handed him the tickets and Yuugi smiled nervously up at him. Yami at the moment was getting drinks for them, luckily knowing not to get suckered into buying more than two things this time. Yuugi took a deep breath and stared at the poster of the movie. The girl's dead face and eyes stared coldly back at him and he fleetingly wondered if he'd be able to sleep in his room alone that night.
He remembered when he was younger and he had nightmares he'd sleep in his grandpa's room, but where would he sleep this time? He couldn't ask Yami, the pharaoh slept alone and he would seem too childish. Yuugi gulped, trying not to think of the dark space under his bed or inside his closet, instead he focused on watching Yami pay with money. Yuugi had had to explain to him the usage of paper money, which wasn't too hard. Yami, being pharaoh, dealt a lot with money, just different money, so once he got the amounts right it was easy for him.
Yuugi approached Yami, slapping on a reluctant smile just as Yami was handed the drinks.
"You ready, Yami?" Yuugi asked, hiding the nervousness he felt in the pit of his stomach.
Yami turned, smiling widely and handed Yuugi his drink.
"Yes, this movie looks interesting. In my day, dead bodies were honored not feared," Yami said naturally, not noticing Yuugi's face paling.
Dead…? The girl is dead?! Why me?
Yuugi laughed nervously, "Yes, well times have changed. I guess we better get seated, the movie will start soon."
Yami nodded and together they headed toward the theater. Yuugi silently took deep breaths thinking that he'd just keep making excuses about having to go to the bathroom, which was why he cleverly asked Yami to buy him a large soda. As they entered the theater Yuugi could all ready feel chills go up his spine. The theater was dimmed with barely any lighting and the scary music was playing. He knew he was probably ten times paler, which was why he was glad the lights were dim.
They chose a seat near the middle and Yuugi sat down, gulping slowly. He looked over at Yami who was chomping away at one of the extra bags of popcorn they had from the last movie and staring at the screen waiting patiently. Yuugi felt safer with Yami beside him, knowing Yami took on too many realistic terrors in his past to be scared of a movie. Slowly, his nerves began to calm down and he sipped his drink casually.
A few minutes later the movie started. Yuugi found that even though it was scary and definitely jumpy in the beginning, he could stand to hold in his fear while watching Yami's face focus intently on the movie screen. There was no fear, just curiosity. He was probably wondering how people could die from a circular shape…and Yuugi frankly didn't want to know. He wanted to just turn around or rush into the bathroom but it was too soon. He'd have to wait a little longer.
The movie progressed and Yuugi could feel his control slipping. The movie wasn't your ordinary horror movie; it was truly more than creepy. Yuugi would've even been afraid of Jurassic Park, but this movie was beginning to prove too much for him. Not only was there scary music every five minutes that made him jump slightly, but also the fearful expressions on the characters' faces made him sink lower into the chair.
Yami was just looking more perplexed by the minute, his eyes never leaving the screen. He didn't even wince as screams echoed throughout the theater. Yuugi tried to keep himself from screaming with them so instead occupied his mouth with the soda. He really needed to hide in the bathroom soon, maybe act like the soda had made him sick. Then again, he didn't want to leave Yami in the theater alone, they were there together after all.
Yuugi inwardly sighed, debating whether to please his nerves or please his emotions. Just then he felt a stir beside him. He looked to see Yami setting his drink down.
"Yuugi, I'll be back in a few minutes, I'm going to go to the toilet room," Yami said quietly, slipping out of his chair.
Yuugi was completely stunned that he didn't have time to reply. He was panicking on the inside. Yami was leaving him alone in the theater with strangers during one of the scariest movies alive. He was so scared he didn't know whether or not he should run after Yami and tell him the movie wasn't interesting. Another scream erupted sending Yuugi jumping and then sinking even lower into the seat. His teeth were chattering as he closed his eyes not wanting to see what was happening. Even without the sight of it, he could still hear everything and that wasn't any better.
Yuugi knew he wouldn't be able to sleep that night. Yuugi kept looking toward the exit every few seconds to see if Yami was back yet. The scary music had sounded up again and he could feel his body shaking. He couldn't take much more…he was so scared now he could hardly breathe. He'd have to find Yami soon, tell him the truth about being scared and ruin the movie for him…it was getting closer to the scary part as one of the main characters was approaching the TV noticing it had turned on by itself.
Why are they always so stupid?! Please stop…I can't take much more!
Yuugi began to quiver, his eyes wide with terror. Just as he thought he was about to jump up and run out of there he felt someone brush by him and turned to see Yami sitting beside him once more. Yuugi's fear slowly dissolved enabling him to sit through the rest of the movie without screaming. Finally, the movie ended and the two of them left.
"So Yami, how'd you like the movie?" Yuugi asked as they stepped out into the sunlight.
Yami turned with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"It was imaginative Yuugi, but nothing like that could ever happen. Why do people fear it?"
If I knew that answer I wouldn't hate horror movies so much…
"It's just a form of entertainment," Yuugi answered.
The two of them continued walking past shops, Yami peeking into windows from time to time when he saw something out of the ordinary. Yuugi spotted the Duel Monsters shop and was about to drag Yami into it when he something very familiar.
"I ain't gonna do it right now!"
Yuugi froze, his heart pounding loudly in his chest.
That sounded like Jou…
He inwardly gulped. If Jou, Tea, Honda or any of his friends saw him with Yami before he was introduced to the class, it would seem suspicious. Although it would be much too difficult for his friends to guess Yami was a pharaoh brought back to life after 5000 years they would ask his grandpa questions, like where Yami came from and when he came. With questions like those, Sugoroku would get suspicious, mainly because Yuugi's friends didn't know about his "other friend."
And he'd ask Yuugi why he didn't tell them an exchange student was staying with them. It would get too complicated and Sugoroku was extremely smart and alert for his age. He'd look into it and eventually get close enough to the truth that would be a danger to Yami. Though Sugoroku liked Yami and knew Yuugi cared for him a lot, since they were practically best friends all ready, Sugoroku would find Yami too much of a discovery…
After all, it was the lost pharaoh's tomb Sugoroku had been studying, and he hated not being able to solve a mystery. Yuugi was scared Yami would be taken from him, or something bad would happen to him. Would Sugoroku sacrifice a deep mystery, which he spent most of his life trying to uncover, because Yuugi wanted Yami's secret kept safe? Yuugi didn't want to chance it.
"Yuugi?"
Yami had stopped shortly after Yuugi had and noticed the pale, worried look etched into Yuugi's normally passive features. Just before Yuugi opened his mouth, a group of people turned the corner on the opposite side of the street. Yuugi's eyes bulged as he saw that it was indeed his friends, including Ryou Bakura.
In a flash, Yuugi ducked behind Yami in order to hide himself from his friends. Once they were out of sight, Yuugi sighed. Yami blinked down at him and saw Yuugi's eyes dart to the group passing by on the opposite side.
"Are those your friends?"
Yuugi's eyes widened slightly. He was surprised that Yami was that insightful.
"Yes, and since you're coming to my school tomorrow, it might look suspicious if we were seen together before school. I know they don't pose any harm to you, but it's…my grandpa," Yuugi said, lowering his eyes. "It's not that I don't trust him, it's that he's been studying tombs and ancient Egypt for many years, and to pass up something like this…"
Yuugi felt Yami's hands rest on his shoulders as he knelt down. Yuugi noticed Yami didn't care that there were people passing by wondering what was going on. They probably thought Yuugi was a child and Yami was his older brother. Jou always said Yuugi looked like he could pass for twelve instead of close to fifteen.
"It's all right Yuugi. I know you're just doing it to protect my secret," Yami smiled. "You are very brave and intelligent, Yuugi…Your heart is stronger than I have ever seen in anyone. You would do anything for any person you care about. That's why I know you were the one chosen to help me once again have my life."
Yuugi nodded with a small smile. He grasped Yami's hand, but before he could reply with thanks he spotted his friends coming their way. Yuugi squealed and pushed himself into Yami's arms. It was too late to hide since they were on the same side and there was nowhere to run fast enough for them to not notice.
"Yuugi?" Yami asked, his tone on the verge of worry.
"Yami, if they see us they're going to ask who you are. Then I'll have to tell them! If grandpa finds out that they didn't know about you before he did then he'd get suspicious. I love grandpa, but he'll get too excited…At least for now we have to hide your secret, but there's nowhere to run!" Yuugi rambled.
Yami's expression turned stern as he looked back up. Yuugi quickly closed his eyes, his friends only ten feet or so away, waiting for the blow. Unnoticed by anyone, a bright symbol in the shape of an eye glistened with power, brought forth from thousands of years of dormancy. Time slowed down until people were frozen in their places, some with mouths open in the middle of sentences. Golden light surrounded the two figures embodied in the weak but growing power, and just as they began to vanish extraordinarily no one even remembered seeing the pair there in the first place.
It was silent except for the pounding of his heart in his ears. In fact, there were no voices at all, and he was sure there were tons of people talking all around them. Yuugi peeked one violet eye open wondering if maybe he was so scared he couldn't hear his friends questioning him endlessly, but his eye caught sight of what was before him. They were surrounded by beautiful trees, in which the leaves were beginning to change shades, coloring the world with life. The air was fresh and calm, no person in sight. Yuugi's second eye opened as he stared at the surroundings shocked. They had just been in the middle of downtown now they were in the park a few blocks the opposite direction of downtown, from the game shop.
"What…How…did we…?" Yuugi mouthed and turned toward Yami.
Yuugi stifled a gasp as he saw the aura glowing around the pharaoh. He was so intrigued he didn't realize he was staring until Yami turned to him.
So…it's true then. Yami was the most powerful pharaoh of all. He was the true Pharaoh of Egypt.
"Yuugi, is something wrong?" Yami asked concerned.
Yuugi closed his mouth, smiling slightly and shaking his head.
"No, I guess I'm just not used to be transported by a pharaoh."
A low, rich chuckle came from Yami as he looked off at the pleasant scenery.
"What did you do?" Yuugi asked tentatively. "I mean…was it like magic?"
Slowly, a serene smile came over Yami's face as he continued to watch colorful leaves blowing in the wind. He turned toward Yuugi's childishly curious face and shook his head.
"I have a gift," Yami answered softly.
Yuugi waited patiently for Yami to continue if he was ready to tell Yuugi. Though they were close there were most likely some things Yami kept from him.
"It's a gift that I can only control when my will power is very strong. Because of our bond, the fact that you protected my life and sanctuary without asking for anything in return, I granted you the necklace that holds the key to my power. If you hadn't had the necklace I wouldn't have been able to use it for both of us since I'm not really here, so my powers are very limited."
Yuugi nodded silently, not wanting to press Yami any further.
"I understand Yami, I promise I won't ask for your help by using your power."
A smile graced Yami's face as he grasped Yuugi's smaller hand in his. He brought him closer then, with both their hands together, pressed against Yuugi's chest around where his heart lay.
"That is why you hold my life, Yuugi. You are selfless, caring and considerate for others," Yami's smile faded. "You are the only one I would let protect my secret and life with."
Yuugi cast his eyes downward, feeling as if he was causing the pharaoh a burden by having even found the tomb. But then, if he hadn't been the one to help Yami, why would have Horus have led him to it, and then have it disappear after Yuugi freed Yami? For 5000 years Yami's tomb lay open to anyone who could've found it, and it was Yuugi who had mistakenly slipped into the river, and down the waterfall…
Yuugi, who was scared of heights but climbed the high cliff of the waterfall into the crevice and found the hidden place where the lost pharaoh's tomb had been hiding all those years. Archeologists from all around the world searched for many years for that tomb, even scientists from centuries ago spent their lives searching for answers that were never found. And Yuugi, who was an innocent teenage boy and knew very little about Egypt and archeological digs, happened across the most mysterious and valuable discovery. It hadn't been an accident that was for sure. But what was Yuugi supposed to do? Yami didn't need him to lead him back to Egypt, and he could take his throne back easily. All Yami needed him for was to hold and protect the necklace until Yami returned to Kemet. After all those years of hiding Yuugi couldn't believe that was all he had to do.
Yuugi was snapped out of his thoughts as he heard Yami breathing heavily beside him.
"My powers are still very weak," Yami spoke softly.
Yuugi's eyes dimmed as he saw pain flash across Yami's dark eyes.
If only there was more I could do for him. I'd do anything…
Unnoticed by Yuugi, the necklace around his neck began to produce an aura ever so slowly. The eye in the center of the priceless artifact began to glow faintly. Yuugi sighed, closing his eyes. It was getting near the time when they should head back and get ready for school the next day. Yami seemed to be uncertain of many things, but Yuugi hoped that would all pass by the time he became stronger and got his throne back. Maybe he'd even be allowed to visit Yami during breaks in Egypt.
Yuugi opened his eyes to turn to Yami and tell him they needed to go home, only when he opened his eyes Yami was gone. In fact, the whole park had disappeared and in its place was what appeared to be a maze of stairways, all in different directions. Some of them were even upside down above him.
"Yami?" Yuugi called out uncertainly.
How had he suddenly disappeared again? Yami couldn't have transported him there.
No, Yami would've had to use his powers, but he's too tired right now. So how did I get here? And where am I?
Yuugi turned to look around at the endless number of stairs that didn't seem to lead anywhere. Just as he was about to panic, a blinding flash surprised him coming from his right. Yuugi blinked through the golden rays and saw that a door had appeared on the stairway above him. Cautiously, Yuugi stepped forward not knowing how he was going to reach it. As he approached, the stairs slowly began descending toward him so he could climb up.
Yuugi hesitated at the top of the stairs, wondering if he was allowed to open the door. Finding no other way out of the strange place, he turned the knob and peeked through the mysterious door. As soon as he had stepped inside and let go of the knob, the door closed quickly before vanishing entirely. Part of him wanted to panic now that he had no way out, but his eyes caught sight of something that was so startling all his fear drained away.
There before him, floating in mid-air as if sleeping soundly, was Yami. His eyes were closed shut and a thick golden light encircled his nude body covering most everything but his legs, chest and face.
"Yami!" Yuugi shouted rushing over to him.
What happened to him? How did he get here?
All reason left him as he ran to Yami's side. Yuugi reached his hand to touch the golden light but his hand went right through it. Yuugi jumped taken aback. It was then that he realized both the light and Yami were transparent. Yuugi's eyebrows furrowed as he thought about what Yami had told him moments before.
He said something about me carrying some of his power, and that he was able to use a small amount to get us to the park. Maybe… somehow I used the necklace's power because I wanted to know Yami's feelings. Could I be inside his memories…or his mind…?
Yuugi blinked as his bright eyes adjusted to the dark room. There were no stairs or anyway to get out that he could see. It was a large room with a high ceiling painted with Egyptian symbols, most of which Yuugi didn't recognize. The Eye of Horus was painted directly above Yami's head as he floated at least five feet off the ground. The floor was covered in a transparent tile that shimmered every so often reflecting the golden light surrounding Yami's body, or at least the image of Yami's body. Yuugi didn't think he was real but a projection.
"But what am I supposed to do now?" Yuugi wondered aloud.
Tentatively, he approached the figure of Yami hoping there would be some answers there, or maybe he'd appear back in the present. Yuugi took deep breaths to calm his nerves. He was usually good at solving puzzles, which was how he was able to get inside Yami's tomb in the first place. He fell in thought for several minutes thinking about the reason why he was there. If the necklace brought him there right after he wondered how Yami felt, maybe the figure of Yami in front of him would tell him.
Carefully Yuugi approached closer until he was staring directly down at Yami's face. Going with his instincts, Yuugi closed his eyes and leaned down toward Yami until he brushed his forehead across Yami's transparent forehead. He felt a cold shiver run through his veins, the hair on his neck prickling slightly. He couldn't feel his hands or rest of his body, nor could he find the strength to open his eyes. At first he was scared, until he realized images were floating in front of him, slowly becoming larger until he felt he was inside a movie screen.
The tall palace stood towering over him as beautiful as intimidating. Yuugi recognized it as the palace where Yami ruled in Kemet, he had seen it in the vision Yami sent to him in his tomb. Before he had time to admire his surroundings, everything began to spin, as time seemed to be moving quickly or speeding ahead. Yuugi was beginning to feel dizzy but soon the movement stopped and he found himself inside a throne room. The tiled floors were made from ivory, a gorgeous, glimmering white representing innocence and all that's good. In front of him, up several short rows of steps, was a throne made entirely from gold, like Yami's tomb.
The door to the chamber was slammed open and Yuugi jumped back startled as an enraged Yami, dressed in glimmering garments, stormed inside.
"Where is he?" Yami bellowed angrily.
"My pharaoh, he is outside. The people are watching as he tortures the innocent family…"
Yami growled, "No one shall get away with this. Lead me to him."
The vizier bowed and nodded, leading Yami outside to the back of the palace and into the village. Yuugi followed somewhat closely behind, trying to figure out why Yami was so upset. As soon as they entered the center of the village Yuugi's heart jumped in his chest. It was clear to him why Yami would be upset. Just by looking, Yuugi could feel his eyes watering with tears. Civilians were crowded around, unable to move since soldiers were blocking them. In the center of the circle that was made a young woman was lying down on the ground, breathing heavily. She had cuts and bruises all over her body, none of which looked immediately serious. Then beside her were two young children, a boy and a girl, being held very roughly by two guards, which had swords pointed at them. As Yami approached the sickening sight, a man, dressed in tacky garments with a crown of jewels on his wrists and head, stepped forward. A smug expression lay on his features as his cold eyes watched Yami mercilessly.
"Kontar!" Yami shouted threatening. "Why are you doing this?"
"Why?" Kontar asked nonchalantly, throwing his wrist up in a false gesture of innocence. "You should know why pharaoh," he said the title with bitterness.
Yami's crimson eyes darkened dangerously. When Yuugi first met Yami in the tomb he felt safe and protected because of Yami's kind eyes and soft voice. Gazing at him in the vision, Yuugi was terrified of the look Yami was giving Kontar.
"If your grudge is against me then so be it, but you have no right to harm my people. They do not make the decisions; I do," Yami stated firmly.
A lop-sided smirk fell on Kontar's face as he brushed his nails upon his robe.
"Yes, I realize that. I suppose you also know why I'm angry with you…Yami?"
"It was your father who challenged my father, Kontar. Your father foolishly thought he could cheat and backstab my father in their duel over lands. Your father, even being a high priest, should've realized that from being pharaoh my father knew all the lands and therefore calculated where your father's men would attack him from behind.
"It was the fact that my father had wits while yours thought violence and bloodshed was the answer to every problem, much like you," Yami said, his voice never wavering. "And that is why half your lands have been passed down to me."
Kontar's face changed into a dark expression as he glared hatefully at him.
"You think you deserve my father's lands?! Those are mine and only mine! I don't care what happened between your father and mine! You will give those lands back to me or they will die!" Kontar pointed toward the children just as the guards grabbed them roughly, tilting their heads upward, and pointed their swords across their throats.
"Stop this insanity!" Yami shouted. "You let these children go! Lands are no reason for bloodshed."
"Really? Then why don't you hand them over! I will not hesitate to kill Yami…you know this," Kontar hissed.
Yami's eyes turned darker until they almost appeared a maroon color. The winds again roared violently yet somehow not affecting Yami in the least. Slowly and almost unnoticeably a shimmering symbol began to appear on Yami's forehead. Yuugi watched with awe as the Eye of Horus glowed brightly, filling the atmosphere with a strong aura.
"You will release them," Yami's voice lowered.
The guards holding the children looked to Kontar in question. Kontar scowled darkly and made a gesture. The guards soon let the kids go and they ran to their mother's side as people helped her to her feet. The symbol slowly died down as Yami's expression turned back to normal.
"You see, Kontar, my people work together. And as long as we all care for one another and work as a team you will never overpower us."
Kontar snorted, "Please spare me the over-sentimental speeches, Yami."
Kontar's expression turned dark and threatening, "You may have your power as pharaoh now, and you may think that your special bond with your people will protect you forever, but I know different. I know that just as the key holds your people together, it will ultimately be your downfall. You will see Yami, even a pharaoh as great and powerful as you has their limits…and one day, I will find yours…"
With that Kontar turned around and pushed past people, heading back to his own palace several hundred miles away. His soldiers and guards followed suit obediently and Yami watched them go. Once they were out of sight Yami's eyes closed and he suddenly collapsed. Yuugi rushed over to him, but realized that there was nothing he could do. He watched helplessly as his people crowded around him to help their pharaoh. The viziers were shouting for them to give him space as they lifted him up to being them back to the palace.
"Yuugi…" a familiar voice whispered.
"Yami, is that you?"
"Yuugi!"
The sun blinded him as he slowly peeked his eyes opened. Yuugi blinked trying to adjust to the unusual brightness before allowing his eyes to open all the way. He saw the trees blowing roughly in the wind and noticed that he was back in the park. The clouds were beginning to turn gray which indicated a possible late summer storm.
"I'm back," he whispered.
"Yuugi, are you all right?"
A warm hand pressed against his forehead and Yuugi turned to see Yami staring worriedly down at him. It was then that he noticed he was laying on the ground with Yami hovering over him. Yuugi quickly pulled himself to his feet with Yami's help.
"What happened?" Yuugi asked, looking around to make sure he didn't cause a scene.
"I was talking to you and I noticed that your eyes were blank as if you were possessed. I tried to wake you but you collapsed," Yami explained.
Yuugi sighed, "I'm sorry, Yami. I…I guess I zoned out."
Yuugi bit his lip. It was hard lying to Yami, but he still looked worn out. Yuugi didn't want to badger him with what he saw until later on. He still had to figure out what it meant, but now it was time for them to go home.
"We better start heading back," Yuugi said.
Yami nodded, his eyes partly lidded from exhaustion. The two of them walked the rest of the way to the game shop in silence. By the time they got back Yami appeared too exhausted to even move. Yuugi made him a quick sandwich for dinner and told him to get some rest, for the next day they had school together.
Yuugi sat quietly on the stool in the main room eating the left over dinner from the previous night. Absentmindedly, he found himself staring at the clock every five minutes. It was all ready eight o'clock and his grandpa still wasn't home. Yuugi could feel the chills from the horror movie creeping up his spine as images flashed unwillingly through his mind. He couldn't go to bed…he wouldn't be able to get to sleep. And when his grandpa came home he'd also be too tired and go to bed and Yuugi knew how much work he had to do during the week. Just as Yuugi debated whether or not to call his grandpa's friends and see where he was at, the door opened and in stepped a tired-looking Sugoroku.
"Grandpa!" Yuugi chirped, feeling some of his fear disappear.
"Hello, Yuugi. Where's Yami?"
"Oh, he was tired so he went to bed."
Sugoroku nodded and covered his mouth as he yawned.
"Speaking of tired, I have a really busy day ahead of me tomorrow, what with sales going on in the shop and the project Arthur gave me. I think I'll go on ahead to bed as well. Make sure to go to bed early, you have school tomorrow," Sugoroku said as he climbed the stairs to his room.
Yuugi's smile faded as the fear came back instantly. When his grandfather was really exhausted it was almost impossible for him to wake up. Slowly, Yuugi put his dishes in the sink and climbed the stairs to his room. Taking a deep breath and trying to push the images of the movie out of his mind, he opened the room to his door, turning on the light. Yuugi got ready for bed quickly and crept underneath his covers, deciding he could leave the light on this once. Just as his head hit the pillow he heard the crackle of thunder. He had completely forgotten that it looked like it was going to storm.
How long has it been going on since I've been up waiting for grandpa? What if it's bad enough to cut the power lines?
Yuugi gulped and quickly went down the stairs to turn on the TV. He listened to the news reporters as they spoke about the storm that would last through the night but be gone by morning. Then he heard what he was dreading, as if his worst fears were coming true.
"The power companies have decided to turn off the power for fear that if the storm cuts the power lines it will cause problems for people cities round…"
No, this isn't happening!
He tried not to think of the part in the movie where the electricity was cut or dimmed. Yuugi quickly ran back up to his room to try and fall asleep before the storm got worse. Just as he got in his bed the lights flickered. Yuugi froze, staring up at his room lights, his heart pounding in his chest. Just then the lights completely turned off, leaving Yuugi in the dark. He could feel the fear building as he saw that his closet door was opened slightly, barely visible in the dark. Yuugi gulped and pulled his legs up to his chest not wanting to think about underneath his bed.
Yuugi sat up in bed, thinking that he could stay awake until he got so exhausted he just fell asleep, but the loud thunder outside his window made him more awake by the minute.
I have to stop this! It was just a movie and movies are not real.
Yuugi's heart felt like it stopped in his chest as he heard the creak of the stairs and groans of the house. A flash of lightning lit up his room and he saw shadows dancing around him, his imagination turning them into shapes that he didn't want to see. Yuugi knew he was old enough to not have nightmares, but he also knew that when he was really scared he couldn't get to sleep. Yuugi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down and get a grip. Something soft brushed against his arm and his eyes widened. He was sure nothing had been touching him a minute ago…
With fast reflexes, Yuugi jumped up from his bed and ran out of his room as quick as lightning. The hallway was just as dark as his room, shadows also dancing on the walls from the lightning flashing in the windows. Yuugi began heading to his grandpa's room and suddenly stopped, remembering how tired his grandpa had been. It would take a miracle to wake him up now. Yuugi trembled slightly, hearing the sounds of the storm outside. Then he spotted the guest room door, slightly ajar. Thinking rashly, Yuugi headed toward it and peeked inside. On the bed lay Yami sprawled out, halfway beneath the sheets. A small amount of moonlight shone through his window lighting up his tanned back. Shadows danced across his skin, even making shapes on the walls but somehow being in Yami's room Yuugi felt comforted.
Yuugi knew he was acting childish, but there were many people older than he was afraid of the dark, especially after watching a horror movie. He shivered and took a step inside the dark room. Yuugi timidly approached the bed and reached a hand toward Yami. His hand hovered above Yami's bare back. Yuugi gulped, not wanting to know what he was like when he was angry. Edging carefully Yuugi let his hand fall closer and closer…
Suddenly, Yuugi's bright violet eyes reflected a golden hue as rays of unknown power covered Yami's body. Yuugi's hand was inches from touching Yami as the Eye of Horus appeared in the center of Yami's back. Yuugi's eyes widened and he slowly took his hand away back to his side. The aura disappeared as quickly as it came, embodying Yuugi in the darkness of the night once again, but this time he wasn't thinking of the movie.
Yuugi brought his hand slowly across again but this time he lay his hand on top of Yami's back. A luminous energy filled the room, shining out of the window probably lighting up more than Yuugi could see. The energy traveled through Yuugi's hand and up through his arm. Yuugi watched with an open mouth as his veins showed through his skin glowing a bright golden yellow as the energy raced through him until he was glowing semi-transparently.
Yuugi stepped away until he was near the door. He looked down at his hands but saw they were normal. His mind was racing as he tried to figure out what this meant. He had touched Yami before and nothing had happened, so why was it happening now? Yuugi's feet treaded softly on the carpet as he left Yami's room, closing the door. He went back into his room and saw the necklace lying on his desk beside his bed. He approached it, studying it carefully but saw no signs that it had reacted to what happened in Yami's room.
Yuugi's eyebrows furrowed as he slowly backed up to close his room door. His sight caught a small ounce of light from the corner of his eyes and he turned, facing the mirror. In the reflection, Yuugi saw his wide eyes and confused expression staring back at him. Yuugi reached up a shaky hand to touch the symbol that was glowing faintly on his own forehead. As he touched it the symbol shimmered and disappeared without a trace. Yuugi stumbled backward, unsure, and after a few moments of staring in the mirror, he got under his covers. Yuugi somehow went straight to sleep without even thinking about the movie.
(And…It's a TWO PART, enjoy!! Candy)
Part 2: Ancient Troubles
At first the sound appeared to be foreign to him. The endless sounds that racked his room came until he reached a hand over and slammed down on the alarm. Yuugi sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes. It took him a moment to realize why he was shutting off his alarm in the first place.
"It's Monday!" Yuugi jumped up from his bed and rushed into Yami's room.
Yami was sprawled out on his mattress, sleeping peacefully. One arm was above his head and the other away from his side. The sheets were only covering part of his body since most where either on the end of the bed or on the floor.
He really doesn't sleep like a pharaoh.
Yuugi chuckled to himself and approached the bed. He reached out a hand to tap Yami but quickly pulled it back, remembering what happened the last time. Deciding there was nothing else to do, Yuugi touched Yami's shoulder and shook him.
"Yami, get up."
Yami mumbled in his sleep but turned over as if he hadn't heard anything. Yuugi's lips came together in a frustrated but amused frown. He shook Yami harder.
"Yami, come on we have to get ready for school."
This time, Yami didn't even move. Yuugi felt it time to go to drastic measures. With care, Yuugi removed an extra pillow from Yami's bed and with one swipe smacked his face with it. Yami immediately sat up right before the pillow touched him and caught it in his hands, breathing heavily as if he had woken up from a nightmare. Yami blinked sleepily but turned his head to see Yuugi smiling innocently at him.
"Yuugi?"
"Sorry Yami, that was the only way to get you up. You get to come to school today, remember?"
Yami's eyes widened, "I must've lost more energy than I thought."
Yuugi smiled, "It's okay, you're up now."
Yami slid from the bed clad in only his garment that wrapped around his lower body. He stretched his muscles as he stood up.
"When do we leave?"
"In about an hour. I'll go make breakfast."
Yuugi rushed out of the room and down the stairs. He pulled out some eggs and began to cook a simple meal to eat. Yami came down dressed in the highly valuable outfit they had gotten at a good price. Yuugi smiled as he sat down, picking up a fork, after a lot of practice, and eating his breakfast. Yuugi meanwhile went to his room to slip on the necklace and grabbed lunch money for the two of them.
They left the game shop right on time and headed for Domino High. As they approached the school Yuugi looked at Yami's schedule. Yuugi's eyes brightened immensely and he turned.
"Yami, you have the same classes as I do!" Yuugi exclaimed, pointing to his schedule.
"Of course, Yuugi," Yami smiled softly, "I told my viziers to send a message to your school that I was going to live with you while attending the school so they gave me the same schedule."
"That was clever, Yami," Yuugi smiled. "Um, Yami...?"
Yami turned and looked down at him, "Hm?"
"Just out of curiosity, how did you manage to send them a message from Egypt?" Yuugi asked, tilting his head in curiosity.
Yami smiled, "Well I sent Horus to bring the message of course."
Yuugi's eyes widened considerably as he stared at him unbelievingly.
"You...what?"
"I sent Horus with the message."
Yuugi's mouth opened slightly before he closed it.
"You mean that a rare bird from Egypt...um...flew into the principal's office with a message...?"
Yami nodded, "Yes. Is something wrong Yuugi?"
Yuugi closed his gaping mouth and shook his head.
"No, I uh...they'll probably just assume you're from far, far away," Yuugi smiled.
The two of them made it to the school with plenty of time left over. Yuugi led them through the hallways, Yami stopping every minute or so to look at something, mainly the lockers. Finally, they reached the homeroom and Yuugi stepped inside, followed by Yami. Yuugi told Yami he could sit next to him so he'd feel more comfortable.
As the class settled in, Yuugi spotted his friends and waved to them silently as the teacher approached the front of the classroom.
"Good morning everyone," she smiled. "I have an announcement before class starts. We have an exchange student who is staying for the year. Could you please introduce yourself?"
Yami got up from his seat gracefully and approached the front of the class, his face calm and stoic.
"My name is Yami Amun and I'm honored to be here."
The class clapped enthusiastically as Yami stood there waiting patiently. The teacher too clapped and smiled at him.
"Well, Yami, it's nice to have you in our class. I believe you're staying with Yuugi Mutou, is that right?"
"Yes, I am," Yami answered.
"Well then, I'm sure he'll teach you everything you need to know," the teacher smiled again as he sat down. "Now, we'll begin today with..."
The class was slow with much note-taking but Yami appeared interested. Yuugi glanced sideways at him from time to time to make sure he was understanding things properly. Whenever he had a question he'd lean over and ask Yuugi about it, who would reply quietly. After the class ended, they went on to a different class in which Jou, Honda, Anzu and Bakura were not in. It was an accelerated math course, since he was very good in math. Yami, however, did not understand much of it. Yuugi knew there'd be much tutoring for him to do, but he didn't mind it one bit.
Finally, lunch came around and they went back to their homeroom to eat since the teacher was out. That way they'd have space to talk quietly. Just as Yuugi entered a hand wrapped around him. Yuugi yelped as Jou squeezed him tightly.
"Hey Yug! How come ya didn't tell us you had an exchange student?"
Yuugi smiled and laughed nervously, "Well...it just slipped my mind."
"Oh come off it!" Jou urged rubbing Yuugi's head playfully.
"Hey Katsuya leave him alone!" Anzu snapped grabbing him by the ear and pulling him off Yuugi.
"Ey...ouch! That hurts Anzu!"
"Sorry about that my friends can be a bit...um, weird," Anzu smiled toward Yami. "So, you're Yami? My name's Anzu Mazaki."
Yami shook her hand and nodded, "Pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Ryou Bakura," the light-haired boy smiled, shaking his hand next.
"And I'm Honda and this loser here is Katsuya, but we all call him Jou. It sounds better," Honda whispered.
"Ey! I heard dat!" Jou snapped, rolling up his sleeves. "Look who's talking Hiroto!"
Anzu sighed exasperated, "Oh honestly! Can't you two stop fighting even for two minutes!?"
"So Yami, do you play Duel Monsters?" Bakura asked as they all ignored Jou and Honda wrestling each other.
Yami blinked and stole at glance at Yuugi who nodded slightly.
"I haven't had much practice but I do know about it," Yami answered.
Anzu brightened, "Well you've come to the right place, Yuugi's a master at the game! And we all play it for fun."
Yuugi blushed slightly and shook his head, "I'm not that good Anzu, you're exaggerating."
"Yuugi, if you weren't that good how could you defeat two people at their own games, huh?" Anzu crossed her arms.
Bakura smiled, "She's got a point, Yuugi."
"Yeah...he's really...that good," Honda said through the choke hold Jou was currently giving him.
Yami smiled, "I can believe that."
Finally, Jou and Honda joined them, finished with their fighting.
"Actually, it's not just that he has great strategies and cards you know, he has faith in the cards. Especially that uh Dark Magician, right Yug?" Jou commented brightly.
"Dark Magician?" Yami asked surprised, looking down at Yuugi.
Yuugi blinked up at him not understanding why Yami looked so surprised.
"May I see it, Yuugi?"
Yuugi opened up his bag and took out his deck. He shuffled it a couple times and lifted the first card. Just as he expected there was the Dark Magician, as faithful as ever. He handed it over to Yami who stared at it as if he had seen it before. Yuugi wondered what was going through the pharaoh's mind.
"It's a strong card and the strongest monster you have, right Yuugi?" Anzu turned to him.
Yuugi nodded, "Yeah, he's very powerful and I can trust in him."
"He could be more powerful."
The group turned toward Yami who had said it, still staring intently at the card.
"What do you mean?" Yuugi asked.
Yami turned to them, "I mean that I know a pow...card that can make him become stronger and undefeatable."
"Wow, really Yami?" Anzu asked wide-eyed. "You must be pretty good at Duel Monsters too."
Yami smiled slightly, "Not really. I just know the cards."
"Hey, where did Jou go?" Anzu pointed out.
"Oh, he went to buy something to eat," Honda said shaking his head. "He all ready had lunch."
Yuugi smiled and stifled a laugh, "Good thing I all ready bought our lunch. The line's probably really long now."
Yami smiled down at him and nodded. Anzu looked at them perplexed, a soft smile on her face.
Only Yuugi could make close friends that fast.
"I think I'm going to try and find— :
"GUYS!"
They all turned as Jou rushed in, face flushed and sweaty. He stopped when he reached them, panting heavily.
"What's the matter Jou?" Anzu asked worried.
"I was...going to get some lunch and...and," Jou took a deep breath, "there's smoke fillin' da whole cafeteria!"
"What?!" Honda and Bakura gaped.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!...
"The fire alarm!" Anzu shrieked.
Just then the loud speaker blasted through the sirens of the fire alarm.
"Attention students, this is not a drill! Evacuate the school immediately!" the principal shouted.
Yami bent down close to Yuugi.
"Yuugi, what's going on?"
"There's a fire, Yami! We have to get out!" Yuugi exclaimed.
Yami nodded solemnly.
Just then Honda jumped up, "Quick, follow me, I know a short way out!"
With quick speed, the six of them ran out of the room into the halls. Students were screaming and crowding together as they ran toward the nearest exit.
Yuugi's heart was pounding in his chest as he ran along with his friends. Unfortunately, he was a bit shorter than all of them so his strides were slower. More and more students piled around him as they fought to get out. Yuugi was suddenly pushed by some students trying to get through. Yuugi yelped and tripped, falling against the wall.
Oh no! I've lost my friends!
Yuugi trembled as he stood up watching the crowds of students running and shouting, but saw no sign of Yami or any of his friends. He suddenly looked down at the necklace he was wearing, but remembered that even if he could find a way to tap into Yami's power to get to him, there wouldn't be any power yet because Yami was still regenerating from the previous day. Yuugi quickly tried shoving his way into the crowd but he wasn't strong enough to go against the current of students. He was sure that the students would've helped him if he asked, but there was so much screaming and panicking that no one would be able to hear him even if he shouted.
His shoulders shook violently as fear enveloped him. He didn't even know where the fire was spreading so he didn't know which exits were unusable. Yuugi took deep breaths to keep himself from panicking. He would just wait until the crowd dispersed a bit then follow everyone out. Usually school fires weren't that serious, it was probably just some cooking accident in the kitchen. Yuugi saw that the hallway he was in was still too crowded. Getting up enough courage, he ran in the opposite direction, knowing that he could exit through the gym door. He ran as fast as he could, which was pretty fast for his size. The double doors were at the end of the hallway and he didn't see nor smell any smoke in that direction.
Please don't be locked! Wait...they can't be because Jou had gym last hour so they must be open!
Yuugi excitedly drew nearer and pulled open the door. He ran across the polished wood floor toward the exit on the other side of the gym. The door was opened. It was most likely the gym teacher had exited through it and left it open for students. Yuugi inwardly sighed with relief. He ran even faster, reaching his hand out to push himself through the opening.
As if some force had been standing there, invisible, the doors came suddenly slamming shut just as Yuugi reached it. His eyes widened and he grabbed the knob seeing that it was stuck.
No! Now it's stuck! The wind must've blown it shut.
Yuugi took more deep breaths and just as fast as before he ran toward the other side where he came from.
I'll just go through these doors and down the stairs to the shortcut Honda was talking about. The hallway should be cleared by now. And the cafeteria is on the other side of the building so I'm safe.
With these reassuring thoughts, Yuugi bolted toward the door with renewed energy. He was almost there...
Suddenly, his blood froze as he saw something moving behind the door. Yuugi came to a stop just as he realized what it was. Thick, black smoke was billowing up around the other side of the double doors, as if teasing him to try and escape through that way.
No...It wasn't there before. Fire can't spread that quickly from one side to the other.
"Help me...," Yuugi whispered fearfully as he backed away as the smoke began seeping under the door.
"HELP ME!" Yuugi screamed running toward the locker room.
His only choice was a window inside one of the locker rooms. He was small enough to fit through them and it was on the first floor so he wouldn't hurt himself jumping out. Yuugi ran, sweat trickling down his neck, toward the boys' locker room.
Don't be locked, don't be locked, don't be locked...
Yuugi chanted over and over, finally reaching the door. He stopped and grasped the door knob, pulling it harshly. The door opened with ease. Yuugi sighed with relief.
"Good, it's opening. The smoke can't travel all through the gym and then to the locker room so I'll have enough time to get out through one of the windows," he nodded to reassure himself. He opened the door and stepped inside.
WHOOSH!
"Ahhhh!" Yuugi screamed as he was thrown backward out of the locker room, sliding right back into the gym across the smooth, hard floor.
Shaking slightly, Yuugi pushed himself into a sitting position wincing at the pain in his shoulder and legs. He hadn't seen anyone push him...
What is going on? Was this whole fire alarm thing just a prank?
"Who's there?" Yuugi called out, struggling to his feet.
No one answered.
Just as Yuugi began walking toward the locker rooms again to try opening them, a huge blast shook the whole gym, causing Yuugi to yelp as he was thrown down again. It was a moment before Yuugi realized he was sweating, but not because he had been running. A sudden flush of heat came over him and he blinked as tears came down his cheeks. His eyes were watering because they were stinging. Yuugi's head snapped up as something overcame his senses. A familiar smell drifted around him and he turned to see something that made his heart stop.
The double doors leading out the gym had burst open it looked, because they were hanging off their hinges. But the doorway was far from clear. Smoke was coming in thick bellows, flowing into the gym. Yuugi's eyes widened terrified. He ran quickly toward the locker rooms.
"Ahhhhh!" Yuugi screamed as flames suddenly burst in front of him, preventing him from escaping.
He hadn't even seen where they came from. They licked the floor as Yuugi began backing up.
"HELP ME!" Yuugi screamed, his eyes watering from tears and from the smoke.
He ran again toward the gym exit but found the door swimming in red hot flames. Yuugi's terrified, wide eyes looked around to see that he was surrounded by fire on all sides. There was no way out. Yuugi whimpered, the fear building inside him. Unconsciously, he clutched the necklace closer to his chest.
"This isn't real...I know fire couldn't spread that fast...No, this isn't happening. SOMEONE HELP ME!" Yuugi's sense of reason slipped as panic enveloped him.
He screamed and shouted to no avail. His voice soon became hoarse and he began choking on the smoke. Just as he stopped coughing he realized the fire was caving in closer to him.
"YAMI!" Yuugi shouted, tears dripping from his eyes.
"...Pharaoh..."
Yuugi suddenly choked as he turned around. He could've sworn he had heard another voice nearby.
"Who's there? Can you help me?"
"...nTr aA..." (1)
The sound almost appeared to be laughing, but it didn't even sound like words. Yuugi suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He wheeled around and to his horror saw flames rising higher than possible. They started to take on a shape, growing a bright red. This time, Yuugi was sure he heard a voice speak, but what the voice was saying was beyond him. He wasn't even sure it was real.
"sA nsw..." (2)
Yuugi screamed loudly terrified as the flames wrapped around his body, pulling him off the floor. Surprisingly, it didn't feel like fire.
"What do you want?" Yuugi shouted, frightened that the flame was some kind of evil magic or that he was hallucinating.
"sA nsw!"
The voice hissed and like it was being commanded, the flames surrounded Yuugi in a huge ball of flame, scorching his body. Yuugi screamed as the pain flooded through his whole body, a pain like no other. His muscles felt like they were ripping and his skin as if burning off. Tears were streaming down his face as he screamed and cried at once. He could hear the voice whisper more incoherent words.
The room started to disappear, the floor and walls turning black. Suddenly, Yuugi felt heavier as the darkness filled the whole gym. He could no longer see anything, but he could still hear the hissing. Yuugi looked down at his body to make sure he hadn't really been burned. He almost screamed as he saw that his body didn't look scorched but he was disappearing...becoming transparent!
He looked up to see something dark speeding toward him. Just as it hit him he felt something warm and pleasant flow through him. The dark, slimy substance encircled him, covering his mouth so he couldn't scream. He felt something burn into his back, trying to scream as the pain flooded his nerves. More tears dripped from his face and disappeared in the darkness. Yuugi tried to scream for help, but all he could hear was laughter echoing around him. The blinding pain took his breath away and he could feel his body becoming numb. The dark hole engulfed him as his innocent, tear-filled eyes closed shut.
TO BE CONTINUED...
nTr aA (in ancient Egyptian means "great God" or "great Pharaoh")
2) sA nsw (in ancient Egyptian means "son of the king")