I don't own Yugioh.
Chapter 38
"…hot…hot…hot…"
"You expected it to be cold?" Yami raised an eyebrow at Jou as they stepped out into the hot air of Egypt.
It had taken them quite some time to get there…just about a week and a half. Jou was fine, and Yugi seemed to be doing better as well. He still silently complained about his sore ribs from time to time by grimacing in discomfort, but he was healed and out of the danger zone, as well as rested.
Currently, most of them had shed any sweatshirts or jackets they wore due to the heat. They had also stopped off at Ryou's house to pick up the Millennium Ring.
"Is he really gone?" Ryou looked at the ring for the 100th time.
"Yes," Yami grunted.
"Can I ask you something?" Seto got out of the driver's seat, "Why are we in the middle of nowhere? Now, driving on the sand isn't easy, as you know, but…"
"This is where I thought the base was," Yami frowned, "I thought those were the coordinates I was able to gather…" He paused to think as the others started to shout things at him for maybe being wrong.
Yugi blinked when he noticed that Ryou's ring had begun to glow, and he pointed it out to the taller boy.
Ryou frowned and looked at it, noting that one of the cones on it was pointing ahead a bit and down.
"What does it mean?" Yugi asked.
"I don't know," Ryou shook his head.
The two were oblivious to the arguing behind them as they tried to figure it out.
"Come to think of it," Ryou suddenly stated, "When we first brought it back with us, it started to glow and point towards the Millennium Puzzle Yami wore around his neck. Then it pointed to the Millennium Eye that Seto is holding on to."
"Do you think it's pointing to another Millennium item?" Yugi blinked.
"Possibly, and I'd say, most likely," Ryou nodded. He started to walk in the direction it was pointing.
"H-hey!" Yugi blinked, "Don't wander off…!"
"I can't help it!" Ryou exclaimed, alarmed, "It's pulling me!"
"HEY!" Yugi called to his friends.
They didn't hear him.
"Help!" Ryou called, now a good five feet or so away from them, having to run to keep up.
"Hang on, Ryou!" Yugi gulped. He ran up to Yami and pulled on the boy's black shirt.
Yami blinked and looked down at him. "What, aibou?"
Before Yugi could tell them, they heard an exclamation of surprise come from the direction where Ryou used to be.
"Ryou?!" Yugi shouted, trying to make his way over through the sand, not seeing his friend.
The others followed, having no clue what was going on.
"What's happening?" Anzu asked.
"We were standing around," Yugi sniffled, "And Ryou's ring started to glow, then it started to pull him, and…" he trailed off when he nearly slipped down a hidden tunnel in the sand that Ryou had fallen down.
Yami reached out instinctively and grabbed the back of Yugi's white shirt.
Yugi stumbled back to Yami and gripped onto the other boy's arm, willing the fear of nearly falling away.
"You okay?" Yami asked gently, "Your ribs bothering you?"
Yugi shook his head, "N-no…"
"Ryou!?" Anzu called down the tunnel, "Are you down there?!"
Silence, then a pain-filled voice called back up, "…yes…"
"We have to get down there," Seto swore, looking down, "I can't see a damn thing…"
"No good place for a hand-hold or foot-hold…it's smooth," Jou investigated it a bit.
"And, we can't tie a rope into the ground because we don't know where the sand ends here," Yami sighed.
"Why are all bases underground?" Seto muttered.
Yugi blinked and stood on his own, thinking. It does seem strange that they would use an underground base like where we found Jou, Seto, and jiichan. It seems too obvious. All bad guys use underground bases. And that 'tunnel' looks more like a trap in the sand…
"I don't think that's the base," Yugi stated.
"What?" the others looked at him.
Yugi looked down it, "Ryou! Do you see anything!?"
"…a tunnel…leading to a door…"
"We should go down, too," Yugi pointed out.
Sugoroku paused, "Hmm…I wonder…"
"Wonder what, jiichan?" Yugi blinked.
"There was a man trusted with the Millennium Items that weren't accidentally or purposely scattered," Sugoroku explained, "A guardian of them, as it will. Mysterious man, that guy. Nobody can ever find him if they're looking for him. Me, I've been searching for him for quite some time. And by the sounds of it, so was Isis."
Yugi paused, "Jiichan……did you know Isis?"
At first Sugoroku didn't say anything as everyone looked to him for a response, especially a flabbergasted Honda.
"…that is for another time," Sugoroku said softly, "For now, let us find a way down there."
"It's too narrow for a monster to go down, save Kuribo," Anzu sighed.
Yugi snapped, "I've got an idea!" He pulled out a card, "Catapult Turtle!" He threw the card down, and the giant turtle appeared on the sand.
"Yugi, what are…?" Yami started.
Yugi patted the turtle on the nose, "He can hold the rope in his mouth while we climb down!"
"Great idea, Yug!" Jou grinned.
Honda pulled out the rope and handed it to the turtle, who took it in its mouth.
"Hold on tight, okay?" Yugi whispered to the turtle, who nodded. "I'll go fi…"
Yami walked over to the edge, "I'm going first. Seto, can you bring up the rear?"
Seto nodded.
Yami grabbed onto the rope and started down, then shouted, "Hey, Bakura! Can you see the rope end!?"
"…yes…"
Yami nodded and soon disappeared into the darkness.
The first thing Yami noticed was that it was considerably cooler, and getting colder as he went down. The strange thing was that he could hear the rush of water as he went even farther. Now, all he could see was darkness, and wondered how he knew he had a grip on the rope. He continued to slowly make his way down, hand over hand, until he saw the outline of someone resting up against the wall down below. The ceiling was low…only Yugi would probably be able to walk it without having to duck. Yami landed, and noticed that it wasn't dusty or dirty, and that it was made of some stones. There was no light, however, in the passage itself. But he could still hear the rush of water from somewhere nearby.
"Bakura?" Yami questioned the figure.
"Yami?" Ryou asked weakly, opening up an eye, "How did…?"
"Nevermind," Yami shook his head, "Are you alright?"
"My leg hurts…real bad. I feel a bit bruised, but other then that, I'm alright."
"You're lucky to be alive," Yami breathed out, "Damn…Seto's the doctor." He could hear the pain in Ryou's voice being closer down to him, and occasionally he heard Ryou take in a swift breath of pain.
"I'm down!" Yami shouted back up, "The next person had better bring a light, because there is none down here!"
"Is Ryou okay?" came the concerned voices of Anzu and Yugi.
"I'm not sure on that until I can actually see more then an outline of him!" Yami shouted back up, "Change the plan! Have Honda bring up the rear, and get Seto and the first aid kit down here now! And a flashlight or something!"
"Okay!" Came Yugi's voice.
Yami sighed and sat next to Ryou, "Rough day?"
Ryou chuckled, which turned into a cough, "Getting there."
Soon, they could see a faint light, and heard it as someone else came down. They soon saw Seto, who landed on the ground with what looked like a flashlight taped to a helmet on his head and a backpack on his back, presumably filled with the first aid equipment.
Yami raised an eyebrow at the device on his head, "You starting a 'failed-fashions' pageant or something, Seto?"
Ryou chuckled.
Seto shook his head, "Very funny. It was the only thing we could come up with on such short notice. Yugi had a flashlight packed, and Honda had a helmet. It was the best thing we could do."
Ryou shook his head. "Duct tape?"
"Yup," Seto grinned, "The universe would fall apart without it."
Yami snorted, trying to hold back his laughter and Ryou laughed out loud.
"Yugi's coming down next," Seto indicated, "But we're running out of room here. I'd say that Honda should wait with Jou and Anzu in the car. There isn't enough room for our entire group here."
Yami nodded and shouted up that message as Seto got to work on Ryou.
Seto shook his head and looked through his bag.
"Well?" Ryou gulped.
"You're ankle may be broken, but you'll live," Seto smiled, then pulled out a splint and bandages, "This will help for now." He started to pull the splint on.
Ryou gave a shout of pain and squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his hands into fists tightly.
There was a soft 'thump' as Yugi joined them.
"Are you alright?" Yugi noticed Ryou's pale face.
"He'll be fine," Seto answered.
Ryou opened his eyes weakly and nodded, then grimaced in pain as Seto continued to wrap it.
"Jiichan's coming down," Yugi stated, "The others already went back to the car to wait."
Yami nodded, "Good."
"You okay, Ryou?" Yugi asked in concern when he saw pain cross his friend's features again.
Ryou nodded, breathing hard, "I'll be fine." He noticed Yugi's breathing was a bit strained, and asked about it.
"Keeping up the energy for the turtle," Yugi smiled, "It has to be there for us to get out, and I can't throw the card that far."
"Then we'd better make it quick," Sugoroku stated, dropping down to the ground, "I don't want you to use all your energy here, Yugi."
Yugi nodded.
"What about Ryou?" Seto pointed.
Ryou tried to get up, but failed, gray faced and sweating. "I think…I hit my head, too…"
"Easy," Seto gave him some water, "Here."
Ryou accepted it gratefully, and drank from it.
"I'll stay here with him," Seto stated, fishing for the Millennium Eye and handing it to Sugoroku, "Here. I don't know what 'mysterious man' you're talking about, but I'd rather this be with you guys then with me for now."
"Are you sure?" Sugoroku asked.
Seto nodded.
Sugoroku accepted the item. "I would like to say that we shouldn't be long, but I haven't seen this man in ages, and he may want to test us, first."
"Test us?" Yugi blinked nervously.
"Let's try not to take long," Yami stated, "Yugi's holding up the turtle fine now, but in ten minutes, I'd rather not push my luck. And if the turtle vanishes, we can't get out of here."
Yugi's eyes went wide, then he bowed his head, "I should have stayed up top…"
"No, Yugi," Sugoroku shook his head, "You especially need to be here."
Yugi wiped his eyes and nodded. He started for the door, "Then let's go."
The two nodded and followed.
Ryou and Seto watched them go until the door closed behind them.
It was quiet for a while.
"Seto…can you tell me what they did to you in that prison cell?" Ryou asked quietly.
Seto shook his head.
"Come on…it's the least you could do," Ryou shook his head, wincing slightly from the movement, "Who was the one who would help you fall back asleep when you woke up from the nightmares?"
Seto sighed, "Fine. But it's not going to be easy, so bear with me."
"I have all day," Ryou joked, indicating his ankle.
Seto gave him a glare, and Ryou obediently shut up.
* * *
The door closed behind them, and they had to shield their eyes from the sudden brightness, then they all gasped.
"This is…unreal!" Yugi blinked, looking around in awe.
"I've heard of an oasis in a desert…but an oasis in a cave?" Yami blinked.
Sugoroku observed quietly, but with fascination.
There were small plants around the area, and in the middle was a large body of water. On the edges was some sand and dirt that had gotten in. There was a waterfall of water that came from seemingly the wall and emptied into the clear, fresh water occasionally.
"That explains the rushing water I heard coming down," Yami muttered.
"It's like a real, live biosphere!" Yugi gaped.
"Biosphere?" Yami looked down at the younger boy, "What's that?"
"It's like…a self-contained environment," Yugi tried to explain, "Like growing a bunch of small plants in a plastic container with holes poked in it and water inside. Like a different kind of civilization contained within walls, different to the rest of the environment around it."
Yami frowned, but nodded, "Well, that sure sounds like this."
"Well…shall we go in?" Sugoroku indicated.
"We can't very well go back," Yami indicated where the door was, and they found that it looked just like the rest of the wall now, "Be damned if I knew a way to get that open again without busting it down."
"No moving back," Yugi stated, "Let's go."
They started in, when Yami put a restraining hand on Yugi's shoulder.
Before Yugi could question it, a horrible, ear-splitting howl escaped from somewhere in the foliage.
"I don't like the sound of that…," Sugoroku whispered.
Suddenly, a giant blur streaked out of the area towards them.
"Down!" Yami commanded, and put up a quick barrier as Yugi and Sugoroku dropped to the ground and covered their heads.
Both Yami and the creature went flying in opposite directions. Yami winced and sat up as the creature looked up as well.
"It's a Frenzied Panda," Sugoroku identified the beast.
The Panda growled at them and looked about ready to charge again.
"We should find the exit quickly," Yami whispered, "I don't want to know what else lurks around in here. As in landed, I saw something scurry away. I think it was a Grave Rat."
"Great," Sugoroku shook his head.
The Panda lumbered over, then started to charge.
"Winged Dragon!" Yugi shouted, throwing out the first card that came to mind. It glowed, and the dragon came out and took the Panda down with a blast of fire.
The Panda roared and ran back, jumping in the water and staying there, its head poking from above the surface, watching them as the smell of singed hair came to them.
The Winged Dragon went back to being a card after Yugi thanked it.
"Good call," Sugoroku complimented his grandson.
"Thanks," Yugi panted.
"You alright?" Yami asked in concern.
"I still have to keep up with that turtle," Yugi reminded him, "I can't do high level summons."
"Then let's keep on moving before anything else attacks us," Yami nodded.
"I don't think they're attacking us," Sugoroku frowned, "I think they're just defending their territory. Even as we speak, I know that we are being watched by many different monsters."
"Are they all related to Duel Monsters?" Yami asked.
Sugoroku nodded, "Yes. Which means that the man I told you about is most likely here."
"Is that a good thing…or a bad thing?" Yami asked.
Sugoroku shook his head, "Honestly, I don't know."
"Come on!" Yugi called from an opening in the 'jungle' area, "I found a way through the vegetation! We can take this route!"
The two nodded and hurried over, a bit surprised to see small mammal monsters running by Yugi without doing anything. In fact, they had no more problems as they moved through the jungle.
* * *
"Besides usual torture methods," Seto closed his eyes, "Like whipping, they prodded me with all sorts of strange devices. Things that shocked me, paralyzed me, injured me, and even made me scream."
Ryou's eyes were wide. Seto Kaiba did not seem like the kind of boy to scream.
"They did worse," Seto shook his head, "Especially after I cussed out their guard when Jou got sick. Between them finally getting him something to drink and you and Yugi coming, I got 'rewarded' for my behavior towards them. They took me out and, at first, just did the normal routine. A little bit of burning, some whipping, even beatings. I could barely move after they were done."
Ryou listened, and put a hand on Seto's shoulder when he saw a tear make its way down the boy's face. "You don't have to…"
"They did something much worse then that," Seto whispered, "Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse. And it's not like they had their monster flunkies do their dirty work for them. They were humans, Ryou. Living, breathing people. Human beings the same as any other."
Ryou's eyes widened in shock. That, he didn't expect to hear. He had figured that the monsters did the torture and 'dirty work'.
As if reading his mind, Seto shook his head, "No. It was humans who did all the tortures. And do you know what, Ryou? They enjoyed it. Those sick sons of bitches enjoyed it! Then enjoyed seeing my pain…my friend's pain…Yugi's grandpa's pain. They wanted more of it!" Seto's voice cracked and he broke off.
Ryou gently squeezed Seto's shoulder in a hope to calm the agitated boy down.
Seto nodded in thanks but made no move to wipe the tears away that were streaming down his face.
Ryou waited, not saying anything.
"I don't know how I can face Mokuba again after what they've done," Seto whispered.
"But…"
"The scars will go away," Seto sighed, "I still have some of the marks from when they burned me or cut me up a bit. But they're fading. Most of them will be gone, and the others will be scars. But that's just on the outside, Ryou."
Ryou suddenly realized it, "You took Jou and Sugoroku-san's beatings for them, didn't you?"
Seto was quiet, "I tried to. I took most of it. As much as I could get away with taking. I didn't want to see them hurt, Ryou. Jou's younger then me by two years, and Yugi's grandfather is an old man. He may be in for adventures and archeological digs, but he can't take the kind of abuse he was getting…"
"So you thought that, by taking their beatings for them, you were doing everyone some sort of credit?" Ryou sharply asked.
Seto blinked.
Ryou softened up again, "It was very noble, Seto. But you could have been killed."
Seto smiled slightly, but it was self-mocking, "Thanks for the concern. It's funny. I had no friends until the day that Yugi and Yami showed up at my door after having rescued Mokuba from some thugs."
"Friends are important," Ryou whispered, "I really didn't have many, either. I don't think Yugi did, to my understanding."
Seto nodded, "And Jou was about as misunderstood as they came. Everyone feared him because he was a 'tough kid'. But what they did to me, Ryou…I don't know how I can ever tell anyone…"
"That's what we're here for, Seto," Ryou reminded him, "We're all friends now. We'll listen to one another. No matter how far away we actually live from one another."
Seto still hesitated, a tear running down his face.
"Do you think that we'd think any less of you after what you tell me? Or if you decide to tell the others, that they would? Seto, we're not like that. Other people can be that way, but not us. It wasn't your fault, whatever happened down there. And we're not going to turn you away. So tell me…what happened?" Ryou spoke.
Seto looked at the ground, then choked on tears and whispered something.
"What?" Ryou blinked. What he heard next made his blood run cold.
"They took away my innocence."
* * *
"Finally…through…that maze…," Yami panted as they stood at the door at the other side of the room.
Sugoroku wiped at sweat on his forehead, then turned to his grandson, "How are you feeling?"
"A little tired," Yugi smiled, "But okay."
"Let's move on before that turns into you coughing up blood," Yami stated, going up to the door.
Yugi took a deep breath. In reality, he was exhausted. He did a good job of hiding his shaking from the two, but it was only a matter of time until they saw. Sure, he was getting stronger, but he had been holding up the turtle for well over half an hour now. Longer then he'd ever had to hold up a monster. I wonder that, if the monsters were able to get some of their own power back, if they could roam around on their own. And what sealed them into the card in the first place? He was so engrossed with his own thoughts that he didn't hear his name being called until the hand came down gently on his shoulder, startling him.
"Easy, Yugi," Sugoroku smiled, "It's just me. What were you thinking about?"
"Jiichan…why were the monsters sealed into cards?" Yugi asked.
Yami blinked. "Come to think of it…that's a good question."
"I honestly don't know," Sugoroku shook his head, "It didn't happen until I was already on Earth. My guess is that Gaia lost its power somehow."
"So, then, if we give Gaia back its power, things will be back to normal, right?" Yugi smiled hopefully.
"If you call this 'normal'," Yami muttered, then nodded, "I hope so." He walked over to the door and was about to try to open it, when Sugoroku stopped him.
"Wait, Yami!" Sugoroku called, "Something isn't right…you shouldn't touch that door."
Yami drew back, the third eye on his forehead glowing, "You're right…it's rigged."
"Rigged?" Yugi blinked.
"It has a trap on it," Yami restated, "Because I use darkness as my power, I can not open or even touch the door without fatal consequences."
Yugi wrapped his arms around Yami, frightened that if his grandfather hadn't stopped him, Yami could be dead now.
"It's alright, aibou," Yami softened up, rubbing his back, "Thank your grandfather."
"Arigatou, jiichan," Yugi wiped his eyes.
Sugoroku nodded, "Well, it's up to you to open the doors."
Yugi inspected them, "But…there's no handle. And what happens if…?"
"Nothing will happen to you," Yami stated. He let go of Yugi's hand, "Go on."
Yugi looked uncertain.
"I know you're afraid," Sugoroku stated, "But you can do it, Yugi. I don't have enough power left in me for those door to read my power and open up."
Yugi gulped, then took a deep breath and nodded. He put his hand to the door. Instantly, the door started to glow white, and rumbled, then slid in opposite directions at the middle, revealing another passageway leading to another wooden door.
"I did it!" Yugi beamed at the other two.
They smiled and nodded.
Yami then groaned when he looked at the door, "There's MORE!? What kind of nut job was this friend of yours?"
Suddenly, a new voice broke into the three. It was deep, yet quiet. Mysterious and enticing at the same time. One giant enigma, like the white-clothed figure in front of them with dark skin, standing in front of the door.
"This 'nut job' has a name," the mysterious man stepped forward, and peered at them through the cloak. With a wave of his hand, the torches on the walls lit.
Yugi jumped a bit at the open display of magic, and he grabbed Yami's hand while Sugoroku took a protective step closer to the man to put himself somewhat between the man and Yugi.
"You have aged, Motou-san," the man addressed Sugoroku, "I see Earth has taken its toll on you. It has on me, as well. You used to be strong with magic…yet it was not you who opened the doors. Who got in. What happened to your magic, Motou-san?"
"I'm afraid it's all but lost," Sugoroku shook his head.
Yugi noticed that the man was holding something, but he couldn't identify what it was.
Yami seemed to notice it, too, but said nothing, knowing that this was no place for him to start talking.
"I see you are telling the truth," the man nodded.
Yugi gripped Yami's hand a bit tighter, a sign that he was afraid. Yet, he didn't want to truly show it to this strange man and whatever device he was holding. Yugi finally found the nerve to speak when nobody else did.
"Wh-who are you?" Yugi tried to sound as brave as he could, but it came out as a scared tone.
"My name…is Shadi. I am the keeper of the remaining Millennium Items, which you seek, don't you?"
"I think so," Yugi blinked, "Jiichan…?"
"Yes, Shadi. We do," Sugoroku stated.
"How can you tell this man what we're doing?" Yami whispered to Sugoroku, "What if he's with whoever is against us?"
"That device in his hands," Sugoroku whispered in a tone so low that Yugi and Yami had to strain to hear it. "It's called the Millennium Scale. It is an item of justice, and can tell if what a person says is true or if it is false. If you get too many false answers, then your soul's fate is up to the user."
Yugi gulped.
"Correct," Shadi stated, surprising them, "Are you surprised that I overheard? Motou-san, you really have forgotten much, haven't you? Magic, my friend. The forbidden power because of which I exiled myself from Gaia long before you became the head of the council. I'm surprised you've forgotten me, old friend. We were really close…"
Sugoroku didn't reply to that.
Yugi let go of Yami's hand and stepped forward, spreading out his arms protectively in front of his grandfather as if to shield him from the scolding words, "It's been a while…he shouldn't b-be blamed if h-he forgot a few things…"
Shadi focused on Yugi as if he just noticed him. "What a peculiar boy you are…you were the one who opened the door, weren't you?"
Yugi gulped. Then, remembering what he was told about telling the truth, he nodded.
"Leave the boy alone, Shadi," Sugoroku warned.
"Or you'll what, Motou-san? You have no more powers. If you people want the Millennium Items that I so guard with my very life, then you will have to prove it to me that you have a worthy cause and that you are worthy of receiving the items," Shadi spoke in a quiet, yet warning, tone of voice.
Sugoroku stepped back, bowing his head.
"Now wait just a damn minute," Yami couldn't listen anymore, "Yugi's grandfather may not have enough power to do anything, but I do. I won't let you harm him."
Shadi blinked, looking slightly shocked at the words, "You…use the power of darkness. Yet you stand up and are allied with the power of light…"
"It has nothing to do with allies!" Yami growled, "Yugi is like a little brother to me! He's the closest thing to a family I have! Him and his friends! I love him, and I would go through hell and come back before I let anything happen to him if I can help it!"
"Yami…," Yugi smiled a bit.
Shadi was quiet for a moment, then nodded, "I see. What is your name?"
"Yami."
"That it is," Shadi nodded, then frowned, "Yet it is not."
"What?!" Yami exclaimed. It was then when it hit him. I've thought my name to be 'Yami' since I was sealed into the puzzle. Since Yugi first unlocked it. That was all I knew of my name. But could it be that 'Yami' is not my real name, but just one given to me by the puzzle because I am like the 'dark' side of Yugi? The side that uses darkness powers instead of holy powers?
"Yami? Daijoubu?" Yugi whimpered, taking his brother's hand. "Yami…?"
Yami's eyes were wide, and instead of the usual crimson, they seemed to be more of a crimson mixed with tints of violet. "Is…I don't remember. I don't remember what my name was. I remember everything of the past…events, people, places…monsters…but I can't remember my name. Why?" He fell to his knees and put a hand to his head.
"Yami?!" Yugi exclaimed.
"Who? I don't know who I am anymore," Yami whispered, tears in his eyes.
"Yami…," Yugi whispered, tears of his own flowing down his cheeks. He turned angrily to Shadi, "What did you do?!"
"Merely told the truth," Shadi shrugged.
"He doesn't deserve the pain!" Yugi shouted, enraged, "He doesn't deserve to suffer! Can't you just tell him?! Tell him!"
"I do not know," Shadi shrugged, his voice not breaking its monotone, "Only the one of Shadows knows this."
Sugoroku looked up from where he was comforting Yami, "The 'one of Shadows'?"
Yugi's eyes widened, "Could he mean Isis?"
Shadi blinked, "Either you are very perceptive, or you are just a good guesser. What is your name?"
"My name is…," Yugi paused. What should he say? He grew up with and used the name 'Yugi' and the last name given to him by Shike and Takada. But now he found out that his name was Tenko Motou. What should I say…? He glanced at his grandfather, who only nodded.
"Trust what's in your heart, Yugi," Sugoroku stated.
Yugi nodded, "My name…my name is Tenko Motou. But my adoptive name is Yugi."
Shadi looked down at the scale in his hands and nodded in approval, "So it is. By which name do you go by?"
"Yugi."
"I see," Shadi nodded, then glanced at Sugoroku, "This is Tenko? I wish to speak with him alone."
"Wait a minute…," Sugoroku started.
"I promise I will not harm him," Shadi held up the scale, "It can tell if I am lying as well. As you can see, it's still balanced. I lie to you not. Yugi, come with me through this door. I wish to speak with you."
Yugi glanced at Yami, who was still oblivious to everything, then at his grandfather.
"Go ahead, Yugi," Sugoroku nodded, "If he says he won't hurt you and the Millennium Scale is still balanced, then he won't hurt you."
Yugi gave his grandfather a hug, which Sugoroku returned.
"There, now," Sugoroku whispered, "It'll be alright…"
"Will you take care of Yami?" Yugi asked, wiping his eyes and breaking out of the hug a bit, looking Sugoroku in the eyes.
Sugoroku smiled, "I promise it."
Yugi nodded, then stood up, "I'm ready."
He followed Shadi past the door, and the wooden thing closed behind the two.
* * *
Ryou shook his head, "It's alright, Seto." He didn't know how long the older boy had been silently crying, but Ryou couldn't stand to see anyone in so much pain. He reached over and hugged Seto, surprising the older boy but just made sure to stay close. Ryou shivered a bit from the cold and pain of his injuries. The pain killer was starting to wear off.
"You okay?" Seto asked.
"I should be asking you that," Ryou responded.
Seto chuckled, wiping tears away, "True, that."
Ryou pulled away, smiling.
"What are you so happy about?"
"I got you to laugh."
Seto blinked, then shook his head, a smile on his face, "You remind me of Yugi. The slightest things made him happy. Hell, when I first met him, even though I didn't understand why at the time, just the sight of a real bed made him run around the room and examine everything. He asked if it was real so many times I told him to shut up."
Ryou chuckled slightly, then winced.
"Pain killer wearing off?" Seto asked, "Here, let me see your ankle."
Ryou moved it so Seto could examine it again, "Are you alright now, Seto?"
Seto nodded slowly, "Yea…for some reason, I feel better telling someone. I suppose it will be easier when I tell the others. I still don't know how I'll tell Mokuba…"
"You don't have to," Ryou shook his head.
"He's my brother…he deserves to know…," Seto whispered.
"There are some things that are best left untold until he gets older," Ryou shook his head and spoke again, "If you want to protect him, then don't tell him. He won't know either way. I'll keep my mouth shut about it unless you give me permission to talk about it. And I'm sure the others are the same way."
Seto nodded, pulling on a new splint to Ryou's ankle, "You're right…"
Ryou winced again.
"You in pain?" Seto asked.
"A little," Ryou admitted, "But it's alright." He shivered from the cold. Unlike Seto, he couldn't move around to keep warm.
Seto found the emergency blanket in the bag and unfolded it, then draped it around Ryou.
"Thanks," Ryou said sleepily.
Seto shook his head, "Don't worry about it."
Ryou nodded, and they continued their wait for the others.
* * *
Sugoroku steadied the teen in his arms, "Y…I mean…pull yourself together. We'll find out what your name really is. When we free Isis."
Yami blinked on tears, letting a few slip down his cheeks. Before, when he helped Yugi when the boy went through his 'who am I' phase, he just tried to help…he didn't really relate to it. Now he understood just how deep and profound the pain was. He was practically in shock. He didn't hear anybody, nor see anything. He didn't know where he was or what he was doing. The only thing he could think about was trying to figure out what his name was.
"Yugi went on ahead," Sugoroku whispered, "He'll be alright, though. Please, don't beat yourself up for something beyond your control. You helped to seal the powers of dark chaos, getting yourself sealed as well. Maybe one of the repercussions was also the loss of your name until otherwise found."
Yami looked up, hearing Sugoroku for the first time. "Repercussions…?"
"You must be strong," Sugoroku whispered, "Yugi needs you. He needs an older brother to talk to, to rely on. Please. Just bear with being called 'Yami' for a while. We will get to Gaia. Yugi won't give up on that. You mustn't, either."
Yami blinked and looked at the man, then nodded, "You're right…you're right. Yugi didn't give up. At times, even when I thought he might or when they got really bad, he kept on fighting."
"Do you know what Yugi is fighting for?" Sugoroku asked in the same, quiet tone.
"The same thing everyone does. For what they believe in," Yami responded.
Sugoroku nodded, "Do you know who Yugi believes in? His friends, and his family. And, slowly but surely, he is learning to believe in himself. You can do it, too. He isn't sure quite who he is yet, and neither are you. You have even more in common now. Look at it from all angles, not just one."
Yami blinked, and suddenly realized how this old man got to be the leader of a council. He is wise beyond his years, much like Yugi is. Sensitive yet strong and brave. He understands the entire picture, and looks at things from all angles. If only there were more people like that in this world…
* * *
Yugi followed the other man until they got to an office. Shadi signaled him to sit in one of the chairs, so Yugi did so. Shadi sat across from him.
Yugi looked up, a bit nervous. But with his family right outside, he wasn't as afraid as he would normally be.
"You know what will happen if your answer is not truthful," Shadi walked over to the desk and sat down, placing the scale down as he did so and picking up another object that looked sort of like…
"The symbol on Reborn the Monster?" Yugi blinked.
"Close," Shadi grinned, "I'm sure that's where the card got its symbol from, though it has nothing to do with what this object does. The symbol itself is called the Ankh. This is also a Millennium Item."
"What does it do?" Yugi asked, shifting nervously in the too-large chair.
"You will soon find out," Shadi replied, looking at Yugi again, but this time, through the Ankh. He blinked, then put it down, "I see…very well. I will hear you out."
Yugi had felt somewhat tingly when the Millennium Ankh was pointed at him, but didn't know what just happened.
As if he heard, Shadi answered, "It reads into someone's personality. In other words, I can see your true character."
Yugi blinked, not really understanding.
"It helps me to decide what kind of person sits before me," Shadi placed the Millennium Ankh back on his desk amongst other ancient artifacts. "I used to be a judge. A powerful one, back on Gaia. But as my magic became too strong for me to handle it, I fled, fearing that I would judge someone unfairly. Then, I was asked to hold onto these Millennium Items. I believe they were given to me for a reason. To return to Gaia. But as you know, the portal is sealed."
Yugi nodded.
Shadi picked up the scale again.
"But if you know it's sealed, wouldn't you know what we want?" Yugi frowned.
"Facts are much different then motives," Shadi responded.
Yugi blinked.
"You want to go to Gaia, is that correct?" Shadi sat in the chair at the desk, getting right down to business.
Yugi frowned, then nodded, "Yes." He could feel his energy drain a bit more as he kept the turtle out of the card.
"Then tell me…what is it you seek?" Shadi asked.
Yugi opened his mouth, only to pause at it. He closed his mouth and frowned. What are we after? This started out as a simple 'rescue jiichan' mission. Everything's been happening so fast, I haven't had time to actually think about what it is I really want. I guess…I want to know who I am…I don't know why jiichan and Yami want to go to Gaia. Yami probably wants to find out who he is. But we need Isis for that. Yet, everyone else seems to want to go. Maybe it's just adventure…
"Although I am normally patient," Shadi looked up, "I can sense that you don't have as much time as you are taking."
Yugi nodded, "You know, then?"
Shadi nodded, "About your turtle outside? I'm well aware of what goes on inside and out."
"Then…can you heal my friend's injuries?" Yugi asked hopefully.
"Unfortunately," Shadi shook his head, "I was not one who specialized in healing. However, I think that you can do that."
"Me?!" Yugi squeaked.
"Yes," Shadi nodded, "If you are truly a Holy Spellcaster, as the legends say."
Yugi groaned, "The prophecy…?"
"How did you hear of it?" Shadi frowned, his eyes narrowing, "You, from my understanding, have been living on Earth for nine out of your ten years."
"Wow, you could tell that by your magic?" Yugi blinked.
"That, the Millennium Items, and Motou-san," Shadi nodded, "But how did you hear of the prophecy?"
"I don't know," Yugi shook his head, "I…I just remember it from somewhere. I was really little. And there were people talking, and someone talked about a darkness threatening the worlds. I don't remember much of where I was or what the place was."
Shadi nodded, a glance at the scale telling him that it was the truth, "I see. Now, I repeat my earlier question. Why do you wish to go to Gaia?"
"I guess…," Yugi looked down, then up, "I want to know exactly who I am. How I got my powers. I want to see the place where I was born, and where my grandpa lived his whole life except for the time spent on Earth. I also want to find out…what happened to Gaia, and why it lost its power so much that the monsters had to become cards and rely on outside powers to be summoned. And…I also…want to know if my real parents are still alive. I want to meet them." Yugi quickly wiped his eyes with his arm, afraid of what Shadi's reaction would be.
Shadi, satisfied with the answer, nodded, "There is no shame in loving your family. Even a family you have never met. You can feel their emotions through your memories of them, can't you? Their love and joy. You know you love them, and they love you."
Yugi nodded, "I can…I can feel it…"
Shadi nodded, "Why do you want the Millennium Items? You know that, if I were to give away the Millennium Ankh and the Millennium Scale that I would be unable to use my magic through them to see if a person is really telling the truth?"
"I know," Yugi nodded, "But, according to jiichan, we need them to open up a portal to Gaia. Without them, we can't go." A sudden thought hit him, "But…if they were created to seal Gaia, then why are they called 'millennium' items…?"
"They were created to seal off Gaia long ago," Shadi responded, "Millennia's ago. Your grandfather and I weren't even around when they were created. Their purpose was to aid the people in their magical abilities. But some became too powerful, and abused the items and the monsters with their powers by either taking it out on other people or even the monsters. There was a clash of powers, then. Some tried to stop them. Others fought against them."
"Like Yami," Yugi's eyes went wide, "Yami said that he tried to stop them."
Shadi inclined his head, "I heard your friend was fighting on your side despite the fact that he has the powers of darkness. Can he really help you?"
"He saved my life," Yugi whispered, "More then once."
Shadi didn't have to glance at the scale to know that the boy was telling the truth. Just the emotion-filled sound of Yugi's voice and the gratefulness in his eyes were enough.
Silence filled the room. The scale hadn't once tipped in favor of falseness, and Shadi was considering that.
Yugi fidgeted uncertainly and nervously, afraid of the final verdict.
After a while, Shadi spoke, "Very well, then. I agree to hand over the Millennium Items I own to you."
Yugi blew out a breath in relief, then smiled brightly, "Thank you."
Shadi nodded and handed over the Ankh, then the scale in a bag that fit each one.
Yugi accepted them carefully.
"One more thing," Shadi warned, "I sensed the presence of Millennium Items with you. What ones do you already have?"
"The Eye, the Puzzle, and the Ring," Yugi counted on his fingers, "We're hoping to get the Pendant when we help save Isis from some strange chaos group."
Shadi sat back in his chair, a thoughtful look crossing his features.
"Is something wrong?" Yugi blinked.
"I know of all the Millennium Items, and what they do," Shadi spoke after a while, "And I must say, I am a bit alarmed that the most powerful of them is not in your possession, nor Isis's."
Yugi started, "The most…powerful?" What threw him off was the eerily calm tone Shadi was speaking in.
"Yes," Shadi nodded, "You see, when used with holy or dark magic, a Millennium Item has a special power. The Millennium Ring can remove souls from the bodies of their holders. To counter it, the Millennium Puzzle that you wear can put them back. The Millennium Eye can read a person's mind. The Millennium Scale tells whether or not the person is telling the truth, and the Millennium Ankh judges someone's personality. The Millennium Pendant is powerful, and can see into the future that can only be altered by another Millennium Item."
Yugi's mouth was dropped open, and he finally found his voice, "A…and that isn't powerful…?!"
"No, they are very powerful when somebody with holy or dark powers uses them in any way," Shadi corrected.
"Then what about…?" Yugi frowned.
"The most powerful one is the Millennium Rod," Shadi shook his head grimly, "It was cast onto Earth long ago after an evil soul was sealed inside of it in hopes that it would never be found. But the council then never anticipated the prospect of some from Gaia being banished."
"So…this seventh item was basically forgotten when they were banished?" Yugi questioned.
Shadi was silently shocked at the boy's perceptiveness, but nodded, "Yes, Yugi. That's exactly right. The leaders of the council forgot that they had sealed away this item. Or, if they did remember, I suppose they thought that they hid it so well that it would never be found."
Yugi nodded, then felt a cough well up in his chest. He pushed the urge down, knowing that his energy was waning.
"Well," Shadi stood up, "Enough talk. My main purpose of telling you this is to warn you of the Rod's power. It can control minds. Non-magic users can easily be manipulated if a magic user is in possession of it. Do not take its power lightly."
Yugi gulped and nodded, "But…not all my friends can use magic…what can I do?"
"That," Shadi shook his head, "Is something you'll have to figure out for yourself."
Yugi was about to ask for more help, then realized that the mysterious man had already helped him in many ways. He stood up and bowed, "Thank you for your help, Shadi-san."
Shadi smiled slightly and nodded, the smile already off his face as he went for the door, opening it, "Come. Your family and friends are waiting, and I can feel your decrease in energy."
Yugi nodded, and walked through the door.
* * *
Yami embraced the boy as soon as he came through the door after Yugi briefly showed the items to them.
Shadi talked to Sugoroku in low tones for a few minutes as Yami apologized to Yugi for not helping.
Yugi shook his head, "It's alright…"
"Let's get out of here," Yami stated, noticing that Yugi was shaking. //Your power is going.//
/I know…/
Yami gripped Yugi's hand, "Hey, Jiisan!"
Yugi was a bit surprised to hear Yami call his grandpa 'grandfather' as well.
Yami didn't even realize he was doing it. It just felt…natural.
"We should go!" Yami called.
Sugoroku nodded, then thanked Shadi once more. They all walked back through a secret passage that bypassed the jungle oasis.
* * *
Seto and Ryou were surprised, to put it mildly, when the wall near them slid open and Yugi, Yami, and Sugoroku stepped through. The wall closed after them.
"You guys okay?" Seto stood up, going over to them.
"We're fine," Sugoroku stated, "And we got the items. I, and hopefully Yugi, will explain when we get up. Right now, we have to get out so Yugi can get the turtle back. His energy is all but spent."
Seto glanced at the younger boy, who swayed a bit on his feet. "Right. I'll climb up first with Ryou. I have some extra rope in the emergency kit. We talked about it for a while. I'll carry him on my back."
"Can you do that?" Yami asked, "Do you want help?"
"I can do it," Seto shook his head, "I'm stronger then I look, you know."
"Okay…just be careful," Yami nodded.
"I think that the rest of us should go first," Sugoroku stated, "So we can see our way up."
Seto blinked at the dying flashlight, then grinned and nodded, "Forgot about that. Go ahead."
Sugoroku started up, surprising them when he climbed up the wall without as much difficulty as any other old man would have.
"Go," Yami told Yugi, "Can you climb it with how you're feeling?"
Yugi nodded and shakily took hold of the rope, letting a wave of dizziness pass him. He found that there were some small footholds, and that's what his grandfather had used to get up. Slowly, he started up as well, struggling to get to the top. About halfway up, he could feel the tug as Yami started up, but he couldn't go any farther. He felt weakened.
//What's wrong?//
/…I can't…/
//Yes you can. You're almost there. I'm right behind you. Come on.//
Yugi gritted his teeth and continued to pull himself up. When he reached the top, two pairs of hands helped him out, and he realized that Jou and Honda were standing by. The two pulled him out as Sugoroku helped Yami out.
Yugi sunk to the sand, coughing a bit. Blood ran down the corner of his mouth and he put a hand over his mouth and blood dripped between his fingers.
Yami put a hand on Yugi's shoulder. //You can do it. Just a little more.//
Yugi coughed again, breathing hard.
Sugoroku gently rubbed his grandson's back.
Soon, Honda and Jou were helping Seto and Ryou out.
"Let's get back in the car," Sugoroku indicated, "We should take Ryou to the hospital…"
The turtle disappeared after they got the rope, and Yugi weakly put it back with his deck.
They headed back to the limo, and Ryou winced again from his ankle. He coughed, and shivered in the heat as Sugoroku turned on the air conditioner.
"We have to hurry," Seto stated, placing a hand to Ryou's forehead, "He's developing a fever." He put his hand down.
Yugi was slouched over on the seat, staring at the ground and suppressing a cough here and there. Yami sat next to him and was about to say something, when Yugi got up and went to Ryou.
"I think…," Yugi whispered, "…I can help. I don't know how…but Shadi-san said that I could heal your injury. So I'll give it a try." He put a hand over Ryou's bad ankle, and subconsciously, gripped his mother's pendant. He sent a silent plea to anyone to help him find what to do, and before he knew it, his hand felt warm. He somehow knew that he was supposed to transfer the warmth to Ryou's ankle, and did so.
The others watched, amazed. Yugi's hand was glowing white, and it was spreading onto Ryou's ankle, enveloping it. Soon, it died down.
Yugi groaned and coughed, then weakly slumped to the floor, catching himself before he hit.
Yami and Anzu helped him back onto the seat.
Seto had unwrapped Ryou's bandage and was shocked to see the ankle back to normal.
"Does it hurt anymore?" Seto asked the surprised boy.
Ryou shook his head in amazement, "No…it doesn't hurt at all. Thank you, Yugi. Are you alright?"
Yugi nodded, curling up into a fetal position on the seat, coughing a bit from the loss of energy from using the summon for over an hour and then using a healing power he didn't know he had.
Yami draped a blanket over him, and held him, letting Yugi rest his head on Yami's lap.
Yugi was asleep in seconds.
Meanwhile, Seto got Ryou a blanket, and Ryou lay back on the seat, also resting from the incident and his now-dropping fever.
"I don't know what happened just now…but I like it," Anzu whispered.
The others agreed.
"Definitely," Seto nodded.
TO BE CONTINUED…