AN: Sorry for the late update folks. Here's the newest chappie.
Chapter Four:
Confrontation In The Desert
In the camp sight around the ruins, Pegasus sat examining the findings of his research team.
"It seems that this one tomb is sitting on an entire complex," Pegasus said, "This was more than just an ancient city. Hidden beneath the sands of Egypt is another pyramid!"
"Then, could this be Yami's city?" Tea asked.
"It's possible that we could be sitting on top of a much larger city area than what we first thought," Merik said. "We'll begin moving in heavy construction equipment to start digging out the rest of the complex."
"So then, this could be the battle ground Yugi and I saw on my Duel Tower back in Battle city," Kaiba said. "I wonder who else's tomb we'll find."
"So, what ya gonna do with that sword?" Inu-yasha asked Yugi/Yami. "Don't tell me you think it's just there to look pretty."
"The Conqueror's Sword, and the King's Sword are not mere ornaments," Shadi said, "Take heed to what the Han-you says. For if you choose to go to battle, then it shall be against an enemy just as strong in the Shadow Powers as you are, Pharaoh."
"What the ghost says is true, Yugi," Kaiba said. "If you're going to start acting like a king, you need to start acting like a warrior. This is a hard won country, with a bloody past, as you well know. Look at our turbulent history together. Turbulent battles; losses and victories on both sides."
Yugi/Yami looked at the King's Sword in his hand, and in his mind, he questioned his worthiness to hold it. Yugi Mutou was still only a boy, and Yami still knew very little about his true past.
'Yugi, what do I do?' Yami asked. 'Is this the correct path for the two of us?'
'I don't really know either,' Yugi said. 'This is you're kingdom, Yami. It's not really up to me to decide.'
'But Yugi," Yami said, 'How I can rule without your help? I need you with me, my friend. If it's one thing I've learned on our adventures together, it's that you and I are one.'
"Uh oh," Kagome said, "They're having one of those weird talks again."
"This could go on for quite a while," Tea said.
"Who else is hungry?" Tristan asked. "I could eat a horse."
"Me too," Inu-yasha said, "Hey, Kagome, break out the Ramen."
"Now I'm a servant?" Kagome asked angrily, as she unzipped her pack.
"No way," Shippo said, jumping up on her back, "You're just a good cook."
"The packs are open!!" Kagome shouted.
"WHAT!?!" Inu-yasha demended, looking over her shoulder. "Who's been eating my Ramen!?!!"
"Ow!" Merik said, slapping his face. In his palm, a squashed flea.
"Oh, salutations…" groaned Myoga as he floated to the sandy ground.
"YOU!!" Inu-yasha screamed, storming over. "How did you get here?"
"In Kagome's backpack," Myoga said, popping back into shape.
"Then you ate my Ramen!?" Inu-yasha howled.
"It was a long journey, and I got hungry. And with no decent blood around…"
"I never thought to see you again, parasite." Shadi said.
"Huh? Lord Shadu!" Myoga said. "What a relief to find someone who isn't a reincarnation! It's been nearly a century hasn't it? Then, I've never been good with math…" The flea got sight of the sword, and said, "Oh you've finally found that thing, I see. My my it certainly is dusty, but it would, being stuck in a tomb."
"You knew about all this?" Tristan asked.
"Of course! My father and I were entrusted with all the great secrets of Egypt. Granted, I was barely hatched at the time, but My memory is better than ever."
"Then tell us about the pyramid under the sands," Ishizu said.
"Pyramid? What pyramid?"
"Then you don't even know?" Kagome asked. "Great, the only living thig that was alive back then, and even he doesn't know."
"don't take it like that!" Myoga said.
"The Pyramid was built thousands of years before King Yami's time," Joey,Rafoq said, coming out of his long silence. "He could not have known."
"Then, do you remember, my old friend?" Yugi/Yami asked.
"It is the tomb of Osiris, the first King of Egypt." Joey/Rafiq explained.
"But wait," Pegasus said, "I thought Osiris was a god?"
"To our people, the Pharaohs were gods," Odion said. "So it stands to reason that the first King would also be the first god."
"So then, this was his city," Pegasus said, "Think of all the publicity we'll get when we announce this to the world! Think of it, the tomb of Osiris, opened for the first time!"
"NO!" Yami cried, "It's enough that you've disturbed th tombs of others in this land, but now you would disturb the tombs of the gods? Has the devastation of Anubis taught you nothing?"
"You cannot reason with his kind, My lord," Joey/Rafiq said. "He thinks only of his own gain and self glory."
"Well I think that's a little harsh," Pegasus said.
"I see your mind," Joey/Rafiq said, "I see the room of your soul. It is painted in black forever mourning a loss you refuse to let go of, and cluttered with frivolities and vanity. You wish to forget your pain with new obsessions, but they only mask it. They do not fill your void. Unless you learn that life and death are interwoven in an ongoing tread, then you will never know happiness or peace." Pegasus opened his mouth to retaliate, but then he closed it again, seeing that it would do no good. There was no arguing with what this young man said.
Joey/Rafiq got up to leave, but first, he bowed to Yugi/Yami, and said, "By your leave, your Splendor," then, he turned to Kagome -who was sitting by a very angry Mai- took her hand, and said, "Till the morrow, my lady." and he entered one of many tents. Inu-yasha stared, his blood boiling.
"Why that! That-!" Mai stammered.
"How dare he!" Inu-yasha growled. "I'll kill him! I'll kill him twice!"
"Inu-yasha, cool it," Kagome said. "He was just being polite."
"I thought this was over a long time ago?" Inu-yasha snarled.
"So did I," Kagome said, "But apparently Joey's other personality still has feelings for me."
"And he avoids me like Plague!" Mai shouted. She got up, and started storming towards the tent that servant had went in, "I'll knock some sense into that creep! No one two times Mai Valentine and gets away with it!"
"Take a number and wait in line," Inu-yasha said, pushing her out of the way, "I won't let some undead butler steal my Kagome!" Then others jumped up and grabbed their two raging friends.
"Inu-yasha, don't blow your top!" Tristan said.
"Jealousy is very unbecoming," Sango warned Mai.
Suddenly, Bakura's Millennium Ring started to glow, and the prongs pointed out inot the empty desert. "Hey guys," Bakura said, "Something weird's going on."
"What's that?" Tea asked as a whirling sand storm appeared in the horizon. It was coming closer and closer at an alarming speed.
"Demons here?" Miroku asked.
"No," Yugi/Yami said, "I know this power."
"The Conqueror," Shadi said. "He brings the other Sword."
"Bring him on," Inu-yasha said, "Nothing can beat my Tetsusuaiga."
"The Conquerors Sowrd is not like any other weapon seen before," Shadi said to the han-you, "It was forged by the gods themselves; only The Pharaoh's sword can stand against it." From behind them, a bright light erupted, and the tent Joey/Rafiq had been in disintegrated. The servant stood in it place, his aura shining.
"Fear not, My Pharaoh," he said, charging ahead, "I will vanquish this foe!"
"No, stop!" Yugi/Yami ordered, but the young man was out of sight. Before anyone what was going on, the other Millennium Items started to glow too, and their bearers broke into a run.
"Serenity?" Tristna called. "Bakura?"
"Kaiba? Shadi? Mai!" Kagome cried. They were all following Joey/Rafiq to unknown battle.
"We have to go after them!" Yugi/Yami said. He ran after their friends, followed by Kagom, Tristan, Inu-yasha, Miroku, Sango, and even Marik, Odion, and Pegasus. Ishizu stayed with little Shippo, to await the outcome.
-------Scene Break--------
Ra'd Amir advanced on a strong wind, conjured by Layla , with his servant in tow. All were nameless thieves and petty thugs. He now saw ahead of him, six figures stood surrounded by a great light.
"Ah, the Pharaohs servants," Ra'd said. "They are no match for my followers. My loyal vassals!" he ordered, "Bring them down!"
Layla, as second in command, lead the five other men towards the six figures before them. They were first stopped by Mai and Serenity.
"A girl child and lowly vassal?" Layla asked, "The Pharaoh chooses poor servants."
"I am more than a Servant," Serenity said, "I am the Priestess of Time and Space. I will banish you from this realm!"
"And I'm The Priestess of the Mind," Mai said, her third Eye glowing, "I see into your heart, and I see that it is cold. You will not win this battle."
"By the power of Ra, Isis, and Set, I shall send you both into the Shadows!" Layla said, raising her hands up high above her head. Between the two palms formed an orb or dark energy and magic, and threw it forward with incomprehensible strength.
"Eye of the Sun!" Mai cried, reaching out her hands, her Eye's power shooting from them.
"Winds of Space!" Serenity called, extending her own hands, empowered by the Necklace. The two powers entwined, and shot through the dark magic, splitting it in two, and vaporizing it. Layla stepped back, her heart beating fast. How could they be so powerful?!
Serenity stared at her, and lifted a hand, and said, "Sands of Time, take this sorceress!" the ground under Layla rumbled, and suddenly, she lifted up, the sands having formed a great hand. The fingers wrapped around her tightly, and then pulled down beneath the shifting sands.
"Master!" she cried as sand poured in over her, "Master! Help MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Then, her cries were muffled, and she had been swallowed up.
The thieves and ruffians that had followed the powerful woman shook with fear. If a child and lose woman could overtake their powerful priestess, then the others would destroy for sure. But they could not turn from the fight, for they feared their Master's wrath even more.
"Quite standing with your mouths open you idiots!" Ra'd Amir shouted. "Destroy them! Now!"
"They won't make it five steps," Kaiba said with confidence. He threw open his cloak, and held his Millennium Rod high over his head. With one hand he wielded the Item, while his other hand erupted in flames.
At that moment,. The others came running up. They couldn't believe the sight! Kaiba was vaporizing the attacker's troops, while Joey/rafiq was battling the enemy head on, fending off the sword with his staff, and Shadi was shielding the girls as they threw mind blasts at the surrounding thugs.
"I never could have wielded such power from those Items," Merik gasped as he and the others watched.
Meanwhile, Bakura crouched behind a sand dune. He wasn't sure of what to do? What had he charged with them? What had possessed him to run head on into the heat of battle?
"I'm no hero," Bakura said, "What am I doing here?"
"Stop your whining," the spirit, Li Zhou, said to him from within the Millennium Ring around his neck. "I don't want to die either, so shut up and let me take over."
"No," Bakura said, "I don't trust you. Give me one reason why." Suddenly, there was a blast of light, and Bakura was blown forward.
"Bakura!" Serenity shouted as she spun around. But Bakura got back up, and stood before them.
"Alright, Li Zhou," Bakura said. "We'll work together."
"Yes," Li Zhou said, "Together this one time." Then, as Li Zhou took control, another squad of underlings came running towards him. Li Zhou turned, and said, "Now you fools you will die." He extended his hands, and sent forth streaks of blinding lightning.
As all this was happening, below, in the skies, Joey/Rafiq was still fending off his adversary's blows.
"Your time has past, Servant," said the dark robed man, "You're Pharaoh's rein is over! Now is the age of my rein! I will rule all of Egypt, and then the World!"
"Never! Yami is the once and future king! I will defend him to death!" He swung his staff forward, but, even the mighty Millennium Staff was not strong enough to withstand the power of the Conqueror's Sword. Ra'd Amir parried, them threw the loyal servant to the desert floor.
"Hey baldy! Try someone who's worth fighting!" Inu-yasha shouted as he leaped into the air, and prepared to cleave through their enemy. But the Conqueror's Sword was great still.
"Ha! Demon or not, you are pathetic! You think a overgrown fang can match the sword of the gods?" With a mighty thrust, Ra'd Amir pierced Inu-yasha's shoulder, sending the han-you's blood spurting. Then, as he was about to draw out the sword from Inu-yasha, and finish him, Kagome nocked a sacred arrow, and fired it straight through Ra'd Amir's right arm. He screamed in pain not only from the piercing wound, but from the holy magic that steeped the arrow.
"Wretched girl!" Ra'd Amir grunted. He shook the Inu-yasha off of his great sword, lifted it with his left arm, and swung, sending a black blast of evil magic, shadow and thunder barreling towards Kagome and all who stood with her.
But then Yami/Yugi stood before them all, in the path of the attack, and lifted up the King's Sword. As the power of the two swords collided, it created a force so strong that it made the winds shift and blow, it turned the night sky to day, and move the sands like water. Then, all was calm.
"WHAT!" Ra'd Amir demanded. "My Sword is all powerful! How could you have stopped it?"
"I wield the Sword of the King," Yami/Yugi declared, "You have trespassed in the realm of my soul, Ra'd Amir," he said, naming his enemy. "And you shall know the wrath of a Pharaoh!" Yami/Yugi prepared to strike the usurper, but as he was drawing back is blade, a whirl wind of sand came blasting up from the ground, and Layla reemerged from her burning prison.
"Isis, Set, Bast, I call upon you! Shield my master, and blind these fools!" her nails grew into long claws, and with them, she struck the ground, enshrouding her and her master in a tornado of sand. In the blink of an eye, they were gone, and those of their raiding party who lived cowered in fear, begging for their leader to return, and for Yami/Yugi's mercy.
The Pharaoh stood before the groveling men , and commanded, "Leave this place at once! Never again touch this sacred ground." With his leave, they ran for their lives, and the heroes came and stood together with their King.
"Forgive me, my Pharaoh," Joey/Rafiq said, "I could not bring him down."
"I do not blame you, old friend," Yami/Yugi said. "You all fought bravely. Even you, Li Zhou."
"Yes," said the spirit, "I have nothing better to do now. Perhaps being a 'good guy' is not so boring. But I prefer to be a thief and scoundrel. Take care of young Bakura here. If you ever want him to be free of me, you need to teach him to be stronger." And in an instant, Li Zhou had retreated back to the Ring, and Bakura fainted.
"Now, my lord, we must-" Joey/Rafiq stopped short. He gasped, and grabbed his chest.
"Friend," Yami/Yugi said, "What's wrong?"
""I've put too much strain on this young body…I need rest…" He closed his eyes, and fell forward. Mai, closest, caught him in her arms.
"Hey! You can clunk out on us now! Rafiq, you jerk! Come back," Mai demanded.
"Who's clunkin' out?" Joey's normal voice asked as his brown opened. He shook his head, and asked, "And who's Rafiq? You aint been steppin' out on me, have you Mai?"
"Joey!" Mai exclaimed happily. "Of course not, you imbecile! Rafiq is the spirit living inside your key! Don't you remember anything from the past week?"
"Oh great," Joey, "You mean I got one of those ghosts livin' inside me, too?"
"Duh," Kagome said. "And he's a lot more charming." "Who just got stabbed in the shoulder!" Inu-yasha screamed at his girlfriend.
"Oh calm down," Kagome said, "That'll heal in a night or two."
"Just explain to me one thing," Joey said, "How the heck did I get into these clothes? I look a Rare Hunter!"
"Nonsense," Tea said. "Rare Hunters don't wear white."
"You are dressed as we are," Ishizu said, bowing (as well as she could with her big belly). "Do you not remember who you are? You are our true leader, of Great Servant of the Pharaoh. His loyal friend and trusted confidant." with that, she, Odion, and Merik all bowed again, this time to Yami/Yugi.
"It was an honor to fight beside you, oh Pharaoh," Merik said.
"Oh, wait,' Joey said, "I think I'm startin' to remember some of that. An nuts, or was I flyin'?" Before anyone could answer, Shippo and Pegasus came running up to them.
"That was the most spectacular thing I have ever seen!" Pegasus exclaimed. "You truly are the Pharaoh of legends. Forgive my ignorance oh great one."
" That was exciting!" Shippo added. "I guess Joey's not so dumb after all."
"Watch it, squirrel boy." Joey said. Then, he turned to Yami/Yugi, and asked, "So, Yuge, what are we doin' out here in the middle of the desert?"
"There was a battle," the Pharaoh replied. "You lead the others back to the camp sight. I wish to be alone." The rest of the company headed back for the camp, leaving Yami/Yugi alone, to stare at the sky. It glowed brightly with the coming sun, it's golden beams stretching forth over the desert, like a sign from the gods that life would continue. That's when Yami saw it.
"Yami?" Yugi asked. "What's wrong? What is it you're looking at?" In the distance, Yugi and Yami saw a great and mighty city. Grand and Beautiful. The Egypt of old. And in center, stood a magnificent palace, where the Pharaohs ruled.
Little Yugi, back in control of his body, turned and ran down the hill, towards the camp, shouting, "Guys! Guys! You won't believe it! Yami had a vision!"
"A vision of what?" Tea asked. Yugi then proceeded to them of the splendor, the majesty of the golden city. Shining like a bright jewel in the desert sands. He told them of spiraling towers, huge obelisks, great highways, and flowing rivers. He told them of marketplaces filled to the brim with people, seeking out the latest technology. A golden age for Egypt. The wealth of the world at it's command. And a thriving civilization dedicated to peace and harmony. They were captivated by the idea. Soon they all had visions of such a world floating in their minds, as clearly as if they'd seen it themselves.
"For such a world to truly exist," Myoga the flea said in awe. "That is a dream for all to have, sire."
"Yugi," Pegasus said, "I would be honored to assist you in building such a paradise. All my wealth and resources at your disposal."
"Such a venture would be costly, but would bring billions and great respect to the one who financed it. Count me in, as long as there's a profit in it."
"How's 'Minister of Technologies' sound?" Yugi asked him.
"It sounds like a title befitting a man of my stature," Kaiba said.
"Wow," Kagome said. "Yugi just might pull it off. He might just become a Pharaoh."
"Feh," Inu-yasha scoffed.
"I must admit," Miroku said, "I admire the boy, and I foresee a great future for him."
"You say that to everyone," Sango said. "But I agree. Yugi would make a splendid ruler. He is truly pure of heart and mind and soul. I wish our lands could gain such a leader that would perhaps unify Japan and bring glory to our nation."
"Oh, don't worry," Kagome said. "I have a feeling that someday it'll happen." she said looking over at Inu-yasha.
"Me?" Inu-yasha said, shocked. "Why me? I'm not pure or any of that junk! Besides, what would I want with a country? I just want my woman, and my Jewel Shards. Then I'll be all powerful.
Kagome just sighed, and said, "Sit boy." FLASH! BAHM! Inu-yaha was eating sand.
--------------------Authoress's Note-----------------
Wow! Sure getting' exciting. You think Yami will really pull of becoming ruler of all Egypt? Sounds like Yami has his own plans for world domination, and poor little Yugi's going along for the ride :) Well, maybe not. We'll see in later chapters. Stay tuned, and please review!
Chapter Four:
Confrontation In The Desert
In the camp sight around the ruins, Pegasus sat examining the findings of his research team.
"It seems that this one tomb is sitting on an entire complex," Pegasus said, "This was more than just an ancient city. Hidden beneath the sands of Egypt is another pyramid!"
"Then, could this be Yami's city?" Tea asked.
"It's possible that we could be sitting on top of a much larger city area than what we first thought," Merik said. "We'll begin moving in heavy construction equipment to start digging out the rest of the complex."
"So then, this could be the battle ground Yugi and I saw on my Duel Tower back in Battle city," Kaiba said. "I wonder who else's tomb we'll find."
"So, what ya gonna do with that sword?" Inu-yasha asked Yugi/Yami. "Don't tell me you think it's just there to look pretty."
"The Conqueror's Sword, and the King's Sword are not mere ornaments," Shadi said, "Take heed to what the Han-you says. For if you choose to go to battle, then it shall be against an enemy just as strong in the Shadow Powers as you are, Pharaoh."
"What the ghost says is true, Yugi," Kaiba said. "If you're going to start acting like a king, you need to start acting like a warrior. This is a hard won country, with a bloody past, as you well know. Look at our turbulent history together. Turbulent battles; losses and victories on both sides."
Yugi/Yami looked at the King's Sword in his hand, and in his mind, he questioned his worthiness to hold it. Yugi Mutou was still only a boy, and Yami still knew very little about his true past.
'Yugi, what do I do?' Yami asked. 'Is this the correct path for the two of us?'
'I don't really know either,' Yugi said. 'This is you're kingdom, Yami. It's not really up to me to decide.'
'But Yugi," Yami said, 'How I can rule without your help? I need you with me, my friend. If it's one thing I've learned on our adventures together, it's that you and I are one.'
"Uh oh," Kagome said, "They're having one of those weird talks again."
"This could go on for quite a while," Tea said.
"Who else is hungry?" Tristan asked. "I could eat a horse."
"Me too," Inu-yasha said, "Hey, Kagome, break out the Ramen."
"Now I'm a servant?" Kagome asked angrily, as she unzipped her pack.
"No way," Shippo said, jumping up on her back, "You're just a good cook."
"The packs are open!!" Kagome shouted.
"WHAT!?!" Inu-yasha demended, looking over her shoulder. "Who's been eating my Ramen!?!!"
"Ow!" Merik said, slapping his face. In his palm, a squashed flea.
"Oh, salutations…" groaned Myoga as he floated to the sandy ground.
"YOU!!" Inu-yasha screamed, storming over. "How did you get here?"
"In Kagome's backpack," Myoga said, popping back into shape.
"Then you ate my Ramen!?" Inu-yasha howled.
"It was a long journey, and I got hungry. And with no decent blood around…"
"I never thought to see you again, parasite." Shadi said.
"Huh? Lord Shadu!" Myoga said. "What a relief to find someone who isn't a reincarnation! It's been nearly a century hasn't it? Then, I've never been good with math…" The flea got sight of the sword, and said, "Oh you've finally found that thing, I see. My my it certainly is dusty, but it would, being stuck in a tomb."
"You knew about all this?" Tristan asked.
"Of course! My father and I were entrusted with all the great secrets of Egypt. Granted, I was barely hatched at the time, but My memory is better than ever."
"Then tell us about the pyramid under the sands," Ishizu said.
"Pyramid? What pyramid?"
"Then you don't even know?" Kagome asked. "Great, the only living thig that was alive back then, and even he doesn't know."
"don't take it like that!" Myoga said.
"The Pyramid was built thousands of years before King Yami's time," Joey,Rafoq said, coming out of his long silence. "He could not have known."
"Then, do you remember, my old friend?" Yugi/Yami asked.
"It is the tomb of Osiris, the first King of Egypt." Joey/Rafiq explained.
"But wait," Pegasus said, "I thought Osiris was a god?"
"To our people, the Pharaohs were gods," Odion said. "So it stands to reason that the first King would also be the first god."
"So then, this was his city," Pegasus said, "Think of all the publicity we'll get when we announce this to the world! Think of it, the tomb of Osiris, opened for the first time!"
"NO!" Yami cried, "It's enough that you've disturbed th tombs of others in this land, but now you would disturb the tombs of the gods? Has the devastation of Anubis taught you nothing?"
"You cannot reason with his kind, My lord," Joey/Rafiq said. "He thinks only of his own gain and self glory."
"Well I think that's a little harsh," Pegasus said.
"I see your mind," Joey/Rafiq said, "I see the room of your soul. It is painted in black forever mourning a loss you refuse to let go of, and cluttered with frivolities and vanity. You wish to forget your pain with new obsessions, but they only mask it. They do not fill your void. Unless you learn that life and death are interwoven in an ongoing tread, then you will never know happiness or peace." Pegasus opened his mouth to retaliate, but then he closed it again, seeing that it would do no good. There was no arguing with what this young man said.
Joey/Rafiq got up to leave, but first, he bowed to Yugi/Yami, and said, "By your leave, your Splendor," then, he turned to Kagome -who was sitting by a very angry Mai- took her hand, and said, "Till the morrow, my lady." and he entered one of many tents. Inu-yasha stared, his blood boiling.
"Why that! That-!" Mai stammered.
"How dare he!" Inu-yasha growled. "I'll kill him! I'll kill him twice!"
"Inu-yasha, cool it," Kagome said. "He was just being polite."
"I thought this was over a long time ago?" Inu-yasha snarled.
"So did I," Kagome said, "But apparently Joey's other personality still has feelings for me."
"And he avoids me like Plague!" Mai shouted. She got up, and started storming towards the tent that servant had went in, "I'll knock some sense into that creep! No one two times Mai Valentine and gets away with it!"
"Take a number and wait in line," Inu-yasha said, pushing her out of the way, "I won't let some undead butler steal my Kagome!" Then others jumped up and grabbed their two raging friends.
"Inu-yasha, don't blow your top!" Tristan said.
"Jealousy is very unbecoming," Sango warned Mai.
Suddenly, Bakura's Millennium Ring started to glow, and the prongs pointed out inot the empty desert. "Hey guys," Bakura said, "Something weird's going on."
"What's that?" Tea asked as a whirling sand storm appeared in the horizon. It was coming closer and closer at an alarming speed.
"Demons here?" Miroku asked.
"No," Yugi/Yami said, "I know this power."
"The Conqueror," Shadi said. "He brings the other Sword."
"Bring him on," Inu-yasha said, "Nothing can beat my Tetsusuaiga."
"The Conquerors Sowrd is not like any other weapon seen before," Shadi said to the han-you, "It was forged by the gods themselves; only The Pharaoh's sword can stand against it." From behind them, a bright light erupted, and the tent Joey/Rafiq had been in disintegrated. The servant stood in it place, his aura shining.
"Fear not, My Pharaoh," he said, charging ahead, "I will vanquish this foe!"
"No, stop!" Yugi/Yami ordered, but the young man was out of sight. Before anyone what was going on, the other Millennium Items started to glow too, and their bearers broke into a run.
"Serenity?" Tristna called. "Bakura?"
"Kaiba? Shadi? Mai!" Kagome cried. They were all following Joey/Rafiq to unknown battle.
"We have to go after them!" Yugi/Yami said. He ran after their friends, followed by Kagom, Tristan, Inu-yasha, Miroku, Sango, and even Marik, Odion, and Pegasus. Ishizu stayed with little Shippo, to await the outcome.
-------Scene Break--------
Ra'd Amir advanced on a strong wind, conjured by Layla , with his servant in tow. All were nameless thieves and petty thugs. He now saw ahead of him, six figures stood surrounded by a great light.
"Ah, the Pharaohs servants," Ra'd said. "They are no match for my followers. My loyal vassals!" he ordered, "Bring them down!"
Layla, as second in command, lead the five other men towards the six figures before them. They were first stopped by Mai and Serenity.
"A girl child and lowly vassal?" Layla asked, "The Pharaoh chooses poor servants."
"I am more than a Servant," Serenity said, "I am the Priestess of Time and Space. I will banish you from this realm!"
"And I'm The Priestess of the Mind," Mai said, her third Eye glowing, "I see into your heart, and I see that it is cold. You will not win this battle."
"By the power of Ra, Isis, and Set, I shall send you both into the Shadows!" Layla said, raising her hands up high above her head. Between the two palms formed an orb or dark energy and magic, and threw it forward with incomprehensible strength.
"Eye of the Sun!" Mai cried, reaching out her hands, her Eye's power shooting from them.
"Winds of Space!" Serenity called, extending her own hands, empowered by the Necklace. The two powers entwined, and shot through the dark magic, splitting it in two, and vaporizing it. Layla stepped back, her heart beating fast. How could they be so powerful?!
Serenity stared at her, and lifted a hand, and said, "Sands of Time, take this sorceress!" the ground under Layla rumbled, and suddenly, she lifted up, the sands having formed a great hand. The fingers wrapped around her tightly, and then pulled down beneath the shifting sands.
"Master!" she cried as sand poured in over her, "Master! Help MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Then, her cries were muffled, and she had been swallowed up.
The thieves and ruffians that had followed the powerful woman shook with fear. If a child and lose woman could overtake their powerful priestess, then the others would destroy for sure. But they could not turn from the fight, for they feared their Master's wrath even more.
"Quite standing with your mouths open you idiots!" Ra'd Amir shouted. "Destroy them! Now!"
"They won't make it five steps," Kaiba said with confidence. He threw open his cloak, and held his Millennium Rod high over his head. With one hand he wielded the Item, while his other hand erupted in flames.
At that moment,. The others came running up. They couldn't believe the sight! Kaiba was vaporizing the attacker's troops, while Joey/rafiq was battling the enemy head on, fending off the sword with his staff, and Shadi was shielding the girls as they threw mind blasts at the surrounding thugs.
"I never could have wielded such power from those Items," Merik gasped as he and the others watched.
Meanwhile, Bakura crouched behind a sand dune. He wasn't sure of what to do? What had he charged with them? What had possessed him to run head on into the heat of battle?
"I'm no hero," Bakura said, "What am I doing here?"
"Stop your whining," the spirit, Li Zhou, said to him from within the Millennium Ring around his neck. "I don't want to die either, so shut up and let me take over."
"No," Bakura said, "I don't trust you. Give me one reason why." Suddenly, there was a blast of light, and Bakura was blown forward.
"Bakura!" Serenity shouted as she spun around. But Bakura got back up, and stood before them.
"Alright, Li Zhou," Bakura said. "We'll work together."
"Yes," Li Zhou said, "Together this one time." Then, as Li Zhou took control, another squad of underlings came running towards him. Li Zhou turned, and said, "Now you fools you will die." He extended his hands, and sent forth streaks of blinding lightning.
As all this was happening, below, in the skies, Joey/Rafiq was still fending off his adversary's blows.
"Your time has past, Servant," said the dark robed man, "You're Pharaoh's rein is over! Now is the age of my rein! I will rule all of Egypt, and then the World!"
"Never! Yami is the once and future king! I will defend him to death!" He swung his staff forward, but, even the mighty Millennium Staff was not strong enough to withstand the power of the Conqueror's Sword. Ra'd Amir parried, them threw the loyal servant to the desert floor.
"Hey baldy! Try someone who's worth fighting!" Inu-yasha shouted as he leaped into the air, and prepared to cleave through their enemy. But the Conqueror's Sword was great still.
"Ha! Demon or not, you are pathetic! You think a overgrown fang can match the sword of the gods?" With a mighty thrust, Ra'd Amir pierced Inu-yasha's shoulder, sending the han-you's blood spurting. Then, as he was about to draw out the sword from Inu-yasha, and finish him, Kagome nocked a sacred arrow, and fired it straight through Ra'd Amir's right arm. He screamed in pain not only from the piercing wound, but from the holy magic that steeped the arrow.
"Wretched girl!" Ra'd Amir grunted. He shook the Inu-yasha off of his great sword, lifted it with his left arm, and swung, sending a black blast of evil magic, shadow and thunder barreling towards Kagome and all who stood with her.
But then Yami/Yugi stood before them all, in the path of the attack, and lifted up the King's Sword. As the power of the two swords collided, it created a force so strong that it made the winds shift and blow, it turned the night sky to day, and move the sands like water. Then, all was calm.
"WHAT!" Ra'd Amir demanded. "My Sword is all powerful! How could you have stopped it?"
"I wield the Sword of the King," Yami/Yugi declared, "You have trespassed in the realm of my soul, Ra'd Amir," he said, naming his enemy. "And you shall know the wrath of a Pharaoh!" Yami/Yugi prepared to strike the usurper, but as he was drawing back is blade, a whirl wind of sand came blasting up from the ground, and Layla reemerged from her burning prison.
"Isis, Set, Bast, I call upon you! Shield my master, and blind these fools!" her nails grew into long claws, and with them, she struck the ground, enshrouding her and her master in a tornado of sand. In the blink of an eye, they were gone, and those of their raiding party who lived cowered in fear, begging for their leader to return, and for Yami/Yugi's mercy.
The Pharaoh stood before the groveling men , and commanded, "Leave this place at once! Never again touch this sacred ground." With his leave, they ran for their lives, and the heroes came and stood together with their King.
"Forgive me, my Pharaoh," Joey/Rafiq said, "I could not bring him down."
"I do not blame you, old friend," Yami/Yugi said. "You all fought bravely. Even you, Li Zhou."
"Yes," said the spirit, "I have nothing better to do now. Perhaps being a 'good guy' is not so boring. But I prefer to be a thief and scoundrel. Take care of young Bakura here. If you ever want him to be free of me, you need to teach him to be stronger." And in an instant, Li Zhou had retreated back to the Ring, and Bakura fainted.
"Now, my lord, we must-" Joey/Rafiq stopped short. He gasped, and grabbed his chest.
"Friend," Yami/Yugi said, "What's wrong?"
""I've put too much strain on this young body…I need rest…" He closed his eyes, and fell forward. Mai, closest, caught him in her arms.
"Hey! You can clunk out on us now! Rafiq, you jerk! Come back," Mai demanded.
"Who's clunkin' out?" Joey's normal voice asked as his brown opened. He shook his head, and asked, "And who's Rafiq? You aint been steppin' out on me, have you Mai?"
"Joey!" Mai exclaimed happily. "Of course not, you imbecile! Rafiq is the spirit living inside your key! Don't you remember anything from the past week?"
"Oh great," Joey, "You mean I got one of those ghosts livin' inside me, too?"
"Duh," Kagome said. "And he's a lot more charming." "Who just got stabbed in the shoulder!" Inu-yasha screamed at his girlfriend.
"Oh calm down," Kagome said, "That'll heal in a night or two."
"Just explain to me one thing," Joey said, "How the heck did I get into these clothes? I look a Rare Hunter!"
"Nonsense," Tea said. "Rare Hunters don't wear white."
"You are dressed as we are," Ishizu said, bowing (as well as she could with her big belly). "Do you not remember who you are? You are our true leader, of Great Servant of the Pharaoh. His loyal friend and trusted confidant." with that, she, Odion, and Merik all bowed again, this time to Yami/Yugi.
"It was an honor to fight beside you, oh Pharaoh," Merik said.
"Oh, wait,' Joey said, "I think I'm startin' to remember some of that. An nuts, or was I flyin'?" Before anyone could answer, Shippo and Pegasus came running up to them.
"That was the most spectacular thing I have ever seen!" Pegasus exclaimed. "You truly are the Pharaoh of legends. Forgive my ignorance oh great one."
" That was exciting!" Shippo added. "I guess Joey's not so dumb after all."
"Watch it, squirrel boy." Joey said. Then, he turned to Yami/Yugi, and asked, "So, Yuge, what are we doin' out here in the middle of the desert?"
"There was a battle," the Pharaoh replied. "You lead the others back to the camp sight. I wish to be alone." The rest of the company headed back for the camp, leaving Yami/Yugi alone, to stare at the sky. It glowed brightly with the coming sun, it's golden beams stretching forth over the desert, like a sign from the gods that life would continue. That's when Yami saw it.
"Yami?" Yugi asked. "What's wrong? What is it you're looking at?" In the distance, Yugi and Yami saw a great and mighty city. Grand and Beautiful. The Egypt of old. And in center, stood a magnificent palace, where the Pharaohs ruled.
Little Yugi, back in control of his body, turned and ran down the hill, towards the camp, shouting, "Guys! Guys! You won't believe it! Yami had a vision!"
"A vision of what?" Tea asked. Yugi then proceeded to them of the splendor, the majesty of the golden city. Shining like a bright jewel in the desert sands. He told them of spiraling towers, huge obelisks, great highways, and flowing rivers. He told them of marketplaces filled to the brim with people, seeking out the latest technology. A golden age for Egypt. The wealth of the world at it's command. And a thriving civilization dedicated to peace and harmony. They were captivated by the idea. Soon they all had visions of such a world floating in their minds, as clearly as if they'd seen it themselves.
"For such a world to truly exist," Myoga the flea said in awe. "That is a dream for all to have, sire."
"Yugi," Pegasus said, "I would be honored to assist you in building such a paradise. All my wealth and resources at your disposal."
"Such a venture would be costly, but would bring billions and great respect to the one who financed it. Count me in, as long as there's a profit in it."
"How's 'Minister of Technologies' sound?" Yugi asked him.
"It sounds like a title befitting a man of my stature," Kaiba said.
"Wow," Kagome said. "Yugi just might pull it off. He might just become a Pharaoh."
"Feh," Inu-yasha scoffed.
"I must admit," Miroku said, "I admire the boy, and I foresee a great future for him."
"You say that to everyone," Sango said. "But I agree. Yugi would make a splendid ruler. He is truly pure of heart and mind and soul. I wish our lands could gain such a leader that would perhaps unify Japan and bring glory to our nation."
"Oh, don't worry," Kagome said. "I have a feeling that someday it'll happen." she said looking over at Inu-yasha.
"Me?" Inu-yasha said, shocked. "Why me? I'm not pure or any of that junk! Besides, what would I want with a country? I just want my woman, and my Jewel Shards. Then I'll be all powerful.
Kagome just sighed, and said, "Sit boy." FLASH! BAHM! Inu-yaha was eating sand.
--------------------Authoress's Note-----------------
Wow! Sure getting' exciting. You think Yami will really pull of becoming ruler of all Egypt? Sounds like Yami has his own plans for world domination, and poor little Yugi's going along for the ride :) Well, maybe not. We'll see in later chapters. Stay tuned, and please review!