Title: Curse in the Heart of the Cards

Author: Eyes_of_Pearl

Rating: G

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing or Yugioh. They belong to their respective owners.

I want to thank you all who have review this story so far and keep reading! I had this all written up on paper but I couldn't type it up for upload because of the blackout. Those unfortunate enough to be a part of it will know what I mean. Anyway, to all you SM/GW fans, be sure to be on lookout for the chapter 2 of 'The Ultimate Sacrifice for Peace'.

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Chapter 2

Nearly every night, it started at about the same dream sequence. The picture of the Millennium Item flashing before him and afterward he found himself in the room covered in hieroglyphics from wall to wall. No matter which way he went, whether left or right, he wounded up in a lavish hall lit by a series of fire pits on either side. A lush crimson velvet carpet led the path down to the royal thrones. The details were never cleared enough for further descriptions but he always knew that the Pharaoh sat upon the royal chair. He sauntered down the carpet and deciphered from among all the distorted details that the pharaoh had jagged haphazardly spiked hair. It was the trademark of the Pharaohs which he first noted in the hieroglyphics. The face was a mosaic of grey colours but this time, his dreams was slightly different.

Normally, he would wake up when the Pharaoh beckoned him but this time, the Pharaoh motioned him with the wave of his hand to a spot, three steps below the throne to the right. He consented and as he stood to the right, another was announced. The giant marble doors of the Palace was pulled open by two servants, each pulling open the great entrance to reveal a figure clad in an ivory robe. The figure took graceful steps toward the throne with a small part of the robe brushing the soft carpet. It was as though a mockery was made of them by delaying the time of the appearance. The Pharaoh seemed to familiar with this new guest for he rose with his arms outstretched to embrace the figure. It was beyond his grounds to step forward unless beckoned so but it allowed him to study the profile of the figure.

It was a woman for the robe hugged many of her curves modestly. The hood of the robe which was embroidered with blue and gold trimmings hid the figure's face and the Pharaoh seemed unaffected by the arrangement. It was unusual for surely any one who had the privilege to have a close contact with the Pharaoh should uncover their face. Finally, as the figure finally turned toward him, he felt himself pulled from the realm of sleep but he caught a glimpse a mass of blond beneath the hood, a shade similar to the Pharaoh's. He caught the faint melodic laughter of a woman that left him with an impression of a gentle evening wind caressing the desert sands.

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"I'm sorry to wake you, Kaiba, but the shutter is just about to dock the landing deck."

Once again, Kaiba had the feeling of yearning, trying to decode the already fading images from his dream. The only that he was certain was the sounds of the clad figure that held such a strong interest in the Pharaoh. The dream had been longer than the previous occasions but it only brought more unanswerable questions. Kaiba only hoped that whatever is in that Millennium Box would contain some of his answers. Though he knew that it was futile to foolishly hope, he was not one who was denied answers when he demanded them. These dreams of Egypt was certainly occupying his mind more than he would admit. The one person who he could ask was Yugi Moto and his spirit of the Puzzle but Kaiba was not one to ask questions especially from Yami.

He thought all this as he followed Quatre out of the shuttle bay, unaware that the younger associate hand gave him a look of concern. Quatre had sensed that Kaiba had been distant and distracted but he also knew that Kaiba would not openly revealed himself. As Quatre stepped off the shuttle, and making brief arrangements with Rashid, he caught the familiar faces of Sally Po, Duo Maxwell and Trowa Barton.

Duo came forward and ruffled the blond's hair. "Thank you for coming, guys," said Quatre. His voice was full of mirth. "I thought that Lady Une was just sending an escort."

"Well Quatre, ol' buddy. We figure that we come and meet you after not seeing your for so long," said the very excited American.

"Actually, the only reason that Duo is here is because we are generous to give Heero and Wufei a break and maybe they won't threaten this American's life," explained Sally Po.

The brown haired nineteen year old pouted his lips and shot his merry cobalt eyes at the older woman. "So Quatre, are you just going to stand there or are you going to introduce us to your friend," said the pilot turning his attention to Quature and flicking his braid.

"Everyone, this is Seto Kaiba, my business partner. He owns Kaiba Corp and he may be of some assistance."

"Kaiba, this is Sally Po, Duo Maxwell and Trowa Barton," Quatre indicating each of them in turn.

Kaiba was as interested at the introductions as what his secretary is having for breakfast, so instead of replying, he made a sound similar to a grunt and scoff. "It's nice that you are reuniting with your friends Winner, but once this merry scene is over, I like to get down to business."

"I will show you the way to the limo. It is waiting to escort us to the Preventers," Trowa intervened for the first since the meeting. Kaiba nodded and followed the auburn haired soldier. The silent intercourse that occur between the two, one emerald eye met ice blue, was not lost to the three onlookers. Still, they had learned from many years of culminated experience that these exchange was elusive to the involved parties. Duo explained as they followed closely, "Geez, Seto Kaiba is a combination of Heero, Trowa and Wufei - grunts, silence and pride."

The limo ride consisted of Duo conversing with Quatre, catching up on old times. Trowa occasionally smirked in his reserve way while listening on. Sally Po was on the phone making arrangements for ETA (estimated time of arrival). Kaiba himself sat with his briefcase on his lap. He had briefly contacted Mokuba for an updated report on Earth and briefly outlined his plans on L1. Afterwards, his thoughts roamed back to his dream or a vision. His trust in the so-call reincarnation is bout the same size as Joey Wheeler and Duo Maxwell's intelligence combined. He ran a frustrating hand through his hair and involuntarily let out a sigh.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Kaiba?"

Kaiba focussed on the questioner, Sally Po who had just gotten off the phone. He realized that the attention was on his answer, so he said defiantly, "No, I'm fine."

It was as though he was annoyed that he had showed such an outward display of him emotions. The others accepted the finality while Sally Po informed them, "I just got off the phone with Wufei, apparently there is a peace conference being held today, so there will be no press to meet our arrival. I personally want this transaction as smooth and quick as possible."

The party from the limo had no trouble as predicted into Preventer's Headquarters. They took the elevator to the floor where the labs were. This time the reunion display was much shorter as Heero and Wufei were hardly conversationalist. Liked with Trowa, Kaiba and the remaining soldiers glared briefly as a sign of acknowledgement.

"We have ran a thorough but extensive analysis on the object in question. There is no evidence that it has any potential danger," reported Wufei.

"Any residue tracing or markings?" asked Quatre.

"No," came a familiar monotonous reply.

"Any foreign emissions?"

"No," replied Heero again.

Trow who left the group momentarily came back with a folder in his hand. He had been running a carbon dating test before going to the shuttle bay. "The results concluded that it came from the era of ancient Egypt, long before any civilisation ever happen in space."

"So be realistic here, Trowa. How can this object be found in the former lunar base?" asked Duo.

Similar thoughts were running through Kaiba's mind. He should at least give Maxwell some credit. Instead of answering, Trow handed Duo with the folder and simply said, "See for yourself."

With Quatre looking over his shoulder, Duo agreed that Trowa's results were affirmative. Quatre concurred as well. Kaiba then said, "Let see this box then. I don't see the reason why we are just standing here."

Sally Po led the way and using her access code to open an adjacent door into a vault-like room. In the center of the lab table was a glass dome encasing the box. It was about the same size of a standard jewellery box. Its golden Millennium symbol bore into the eyes of its viewers almost hypnotizing like the one-eyes cyclops that Ulysses faced on his Odyssey. Sally Po inserted her access card to open the glass cover.

Kaiba then inquired, "so this is perfectly safe?"

"There is no immediate danger," confirmed Wufei.

"Good, then you wouldn't mind me doing this."

Then before anybody could object, Kaiba lifted opened the box and inside they found themselves gazing into the familiar Egyptian symbol. It was simply a card with the Millennium symbol on it. The others were disappointed at the prospects. Kaiba, on the other hand, was not sure what he had uncover as he gingerly took the card out. It was a standard size duelling card with the exception that the cover was gold rather than brown with a black diamond in the back. The cover shimmered in the light. Flipping it over, he was surprised to find it blank except for the familiar character for a magic card on the bottom. 'So it's a magic card, but what are its effects...'

"It is simply a blank and weak card," retorted Wufei.

"How can a simple card be dangerous?" asked Duo. He didn't know what to expect from some playing card.

"This is no ordinary duelling card." snapped Kaiba as he pulled out his duelling desk. "It may pose no danger now but on the duelling arena, it could mean an entirely different playing field because there is no indication as to its powers."

He paused for a moment as he compared the deck in his hand and the card that they had just uncovered. "I'm going to bring this back to Kaiba Corp on Earth to study it myself."

"No," came the monotonous objection.

The two most stubborn and determined people with the coldest blue yes met each other in a starring contest. Neither wanted to lose and failure was not in their limited vocabulary. A frigid silence descended upon the room and Duo wore that he felt the room temperature dropped at least five degrees. Finally, Quatre always the peacekeeper and referee was brave enough to break the silence to save Duo from turning into an icicle. "That's no problem, Kaiba. Certainly, we have done more than our share to try to decrypt this. With the thorough checkings, I doubt it would pose any danger."

Both Heero and Kaiba reluctantly turned toward Quatre. They knew that the blond was acting on the best interest of all involved, when he also put in, "I'm going to accompany Kaiba to Earth. If any danger arises, I'm sure that I have the necessary skills and training to minimize the threat and could swiftly contact Preventers."

The soldiers knew what their comrade was implying - the use of the Gundam Pilots - and Kaiba had no real concerns with Quatre coming along. Sally Po who was always silent when needed, coughed slightly to remind them of her presence, said, "Well, if everything is settled, I don't see why we have to stay any longer. Mr. Kaiba, I could easily arranged for the object to be transported."

"No, I have brought my briefcase along. It is platinum plated and light weight, so I'm sure it would be sufficient enough."

"We can take the shuttle to Earth. I'm sure Rashid will be waiting for us." Kaiba made a silent retreat the box placed securely in his briefcase.

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Somehow, Kaiba ordered the limo to stop at the museum on the way back to Kaiba Crop after they had landed on Earth. It was near closing but Kaiba felt that some of his answers would be found there. Perhaps, Isesu (sp?) was still there and could reveal the past with the use of her Millennium necklace. However, she disappeared without a trace and the Egyptian Exhibit was donated, perhaps to serve a greater purpose.

Quatre naturally thought that it was an ideal place to stop. Perhaps an archeologist will know the origins of this Egyptian relic. Kaiba did not stop to wait for his younger partner to follow as he led the way down to the basement where he seen the stone tablet of the duel between the Priest and Pharaoh. Once again, he found himself starring before it, drawn by the Blue Eyes and the Dark Magician. Whether Quatre noticed the resemblance between the hieroglyphic to the man beside him, it was left to speculation. However, the blond did notice the Millennium Symbol on the object around the Pharaoh's neck.

"I see you have been hypnotized by our Egyptian Exhibit," said a voice from behind.

Both men took a defensive stance and found themselves before a blue-haired woman. She was of average height, wearing glasses and a lab-coat-like tunic. "I'm sure to have scared you, but it is understandable because those who have taken an interest in Egyptian Civilization have always been fascinated by this particular piece," she indicated to the tablet that they were previously looking at.

"Why is that?" asked Quatrex, "Miss..."

"Oh, my name is Dr. Amy Mizuno. The story of these artifacts is certainly not my place to tell, I'm much more specialized in Roman Mythology - Mercury - and other deities. Our Egyptian expert is Dr. Serena Tsukino. Only hearing the story from her will do it justice. I myself have not have the pleasure of hearing the full history of this remnants."

"Oh Amy, you are too kind ..." said a blissful voice form behind. There stood before them was Dr. Serena Tsukino. She had long blond hair tied in the most unusual style with two buns on her head. Her sparkling azure eyes teased their confusion.

"May I introduce gentlemen, Dr. Serena Tsukino, our Egyptian expert."

"Dr. Tsukino, it is a pleasure. I am Quatre Rebaba Winner," the blond said and turning to his left, he said, "this is Seto Kaiba."

"I know all about you both and especially you, Mr. Kaiba."

"What do you mean by that?" Kaiba's face flushed and his voice stuttered slightly.

The doctor merely said cryptically, "Oh, more that you ever know." With that, a melodious giggle escaped her lips like the caress of a gentle zephyr.

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End of the Chapter 2

Pls r/r. Again, be sure to look out for the next chap of 'The Ultimate Sacrifice for Peace'.