NOTE: Okies, this chapter is mainly made to check up on some of that Egyptian stuff. I was kindly reminded by gurlhushere13 about the whole ending to Part Two, with the Millennium Necklace ordeal. Thanks! I TOTALLY forgot about that part! Truly, I only remembered the Egyptian part, and started using it for their project. Now, I have more to write about! Yeah!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 23: Remember the Egyptians

"I still can't believe we got stuck with Kaiba for a project," Tea said to Mai, in the lunchroom, poking at her food. She wasn't in the best of moods.

"Yeah, well, we'll just avoid him as much as possible. That Egyptian stuff we're gonna report on ought to do the trick," Mai replied, "Good thinking there."

"Actually, those intentions for the project weren't really to keep him away…" Tea thought aloud, "I had another reason…."

"You mean those vague memories in our heads from…a week ago," Mai inquired.

"Yeah…" Tea replied, slowly. Maybe she could ask Yami soon if he had a clearer memory now. She closed her eyes. All she could remember was a tall, dark, and handsome man…in a priestly outfit…someone resembling Yami…as a pharaoh…three other women…someone limp in her arms…a golden light; then: darkness. She shook her head. If Yami didn't remember, she might even be so curious as to ask Bakura. She shivered at the thought of talking to him. Ryou wasn't really able to keep his yami under control. Who knew what would happen? She didn't want to think about it.

"What memories?" someone suddenly said, sitting down next to Mai.

Mai turned to her left, "Oh, Tristan. You know…that stuff that happened at Kaiba's party? It seemed to have left a few imprints in some of our minds."

"I know whatcha mean," Joey suddenly appeared, and sat down on Mai's other side.

"So, why are ya talkin' 'bout that time?" Joey ate his sandwich…whole.

"We've got a history project to do," Tea replied.

"Oh, that," Tristan took a gulp of soda, "Yeah, Joe, me and that nerd…Jerald or whatever his name is, are doing the…uh…what was it called again, Joey?" Tristan looked down the table.

"Beats me," Joey scratched his head, "Jerald said it was the…Mess…up…pot…amin' empire or something. Sounded more like somethin' I'd do at home with the dishes.

"That's Mesopotamian, Joey," Serenity suddenly appeared, and sighed, sitting next to Tea.

"Yeah, that's it!" Tristan and Joey replied in unison.

"The Sumerians," Tea acknowledged.

"No, the Mesopotamians!" Tristan retorted.

"You numbskulls! They're the same people! Sumerian…Mesopotamian, the words are synonymous!" Tea rebuked.

"Synony-what?" Joey scratched his head.

"Never mind!" Tea took a bite of her sandwich quickly. It was times like these that she sort of wished Seto Kaiba was here: to pummel the information into those two dorkwads' brains.

"Does Yugi have lunch with us, today?" Tea inquired.

"Nope, it's a Monday. He's in AP Pre-History," Serenity replied. It was generally called AP History, however, due to the fact that it mainly centered on Ancient Civilizations (imagine that…Yugi + Ancient civilization), and he was looking to follow in his grandfather's footsteps as an archaeologist or something of that nature, that's what Serenity called it.

"Oh yeah," Tea replied. Drat, she thought, I needed to ask to speak with Yami after school. Oh well, I'll catch him in the halls later.


Yugi sighed. Yami was pestering him again, today. They just had to study Ancient Egypt after that whole affair at Kaiba's party.

"Yugi…did that really happen? Who is this Hatshepsut king? I've never heard of him…. And this Cleopatra character, who in Ra's name was she?" Yugi could mentally see Yami slightly blushing at the hieroglyph of her.

"It a picture, Yami, get over it. It's not like the picture is the real thing, or even a good picture of the real her," Yugi sighed.

"You can always tell what someone looked like by their carving or picture in Egypt, Yugi," Yami replied.

"Sure," Yugi replied.

"Remember that carving back at the museum? A perfect resemblance!" Yami crossed his arms.

"Sure…yeah," Yugi rolled his eyes.

"Class," the teacher's voice interrupted their conversation, "please take out your homework from yesterday. We were studying the gap in the ancient empire that happened about five-thousand years ago. It seems that the records in Egypt came to an abrupt half for about one generation, and then began again. I wanted you to explain how you thought this might be so."

Yugi opened his binder up to where he had stored the sheet of paper, and thought, I didn't guess. I practically knew.

He handed it in. The teacher, Mrs. Kazumi, then shuffled through the papers, "Let's see what some of you had to say." Yugi's face fell. He was sure only Mrs. Kazumi would read his paper. If it was read in front of the whole class…he'd be the laughingstock of it forever! He knew he probably wouldn't get a good grade for the paper, which would seem like nonsense to everyone else, but many people who proclaimed the truth often weren't successful.

She read off a few sentences of other papers. Eventually, she came to Yugi's. Her eyes scanned over the paper, and widened.

"Yugi Muto! You don't actually think this, do you? Those artifacts haven't even been thoroughly examined yet! And here you are, blabbering on about magic! How much television do you watch?" Mrs. Kazumi retorted, waving the paper. Yugi sank in his seat, while some kids laughed, or snickered at him.

"But it's true…" Yugi murmured.

"What was that? Speak up, boy!"

"I said, it's true!"

"Yugi, I'm surprised at you! One of our top students in the class, and here is a paper of nonsense! Class does this seem true to you?" And thus, she started to read the short paper aloud.

The last king before this period of lapse was the Pharaoh, Yami. During his reign, magic, and monsters were brought into life, and helped in the destruction of the empire. The battle, though, was mainly a revolt of the high priest, lead by a priest named Set. (He had purposely left off the O in Seto's name, just so that the teacher wouldn't get suspicious of why he was using, what seemed like, Seto Kaiba's name) During the revolt, King Yami was locked away, (he never said, had "died") and by some nature, the revolt died along with him. However, this mass chaos of monsters and magic brought on by the high priest caused the empire great destruction and death, and was therefore gone forever. However, artifacts form this time remained, hidden in the bowels of the earth, in a temple, where they had remained, until this century.

"Honestly, Mr. Muto," Mrs. Kazumi said, as the class laughed, "This is nonsense. Magic, revolts, mass chaos: there was no such thing!"

"How would you know? You weren't there!" Yugi protested.

"Mr. Muto, I don't have to be there to know that this didn't happen!" she tore the paper in two, "I will not even accept such trash. Get a new paper, and a pen, and go out in the hall, until you can give me something reasonable!"

Slowly, poor Yugi trudged out into the hall, and closed the door. He slumped against the wall, and sighed. Never had he been kicked out of class before.

"Yugi, the world just isn't ready for the realism of magic, yet," Yami stated.

"Well, they should be," Yugi retorted, testily.

"Yugi, only a handful of people know about the past, and it's magic. Most people wouldn't even consider believing it. Look at Kaiba. He's got all of the facts in front of him, and he still refuses to believe it all."

"I guess…you're right. But still…he should believe…after what happened a week ago. I mean, I myself don't remember much except…being kept in a dark room. I mean, I got all that information for my paper from you! You said you remembered tid-bits more about your past, but not much," Yugi explained.

"Yes, but that's only because I share a body with you. Had I been long gone, it would have been you remembering these things. At least, I'm pretty sure. I've heard our friends talking about some Egyptian things, and I'm beginning to wonder…."

"Wonder what?"

"If they remember the things I do…or don't."


Tea walked to her next period, after lunch, happening to be Physics. She scanned over the list of criteria that the history teacher had given them for the assignment:

Materials:

A three-fold board

Project: Design a board on the ancient civilization of your choice, and write a report on it.

Board Criteria:

Pictures

Headlines (i.e. the name of your civilization)

Facts

Religious information (list a few deities, etc.)

A legend, myth, or other story of the time (can be something that has been recorded, that has actually happened)

Report:

Explain what is on the board, and give specific information, such as dates, and other important needs. You decide what to put in it. Remember, the overall presentation of your WHOLE project counts as 1/3 of your grade.

Tea sighed, and put the sheet back in her binder. What an amount of work. This would mean that she would definitely have to spend quite a lot of time around Kaiba.

However, now was not the time to think about that. Now, her mind was on finding Yugi. She was heading towards the last class of the day, meaning she either found him now, or had to catch him quickly after school.

Unfortunately for her, Yugi did not have Physics with her. On the other hand, Seto Kaiba did. She sighed. Great, just what I need. More time with him. This day really stunk.

Yugi was at his locker. FINALLY. It was time to go home. He couldn't wait. He felt just like running out of the stupid building, and going home free! That is, until tomorrow. He sighed. Who invented Monday's anyway? They were just like the person who invented homework: unwanted and unappreciated

Yugi turned to go. He power-walked down the hallway. The doors were within sight. He was out of here!

He stepped through the threshold and took in the sunlight. After keeping them locked up in school all day, the kids really enjoyed the pleasure of being outside. He was about to take a step down the sidewalk, when someone called his name, and immediately grabbed his collar, pulling him to the side of the school.

"Who the he-" Yugi started.

"Yugi, quit that. It's Tea," she answered, covering his mouth, for reasons unknown, "I've been trying to catch you all day."

"Why?" Tea finally uncovered his mouth.

"I uh…need to talk to Yami for a few minutes. Could I?"

Yugi looked a little confused, but heeded no further questions, "Sure…. But, afterwards, can I …talk to you…about something?" Yugi went a tad red in the face.

"Yeah, sure," Tea smiled, and responded. Instead of melting from the sight, Yugi quickly called on Yami to change spirits with him. When Yami was safely in control of Yugi's body, that's when the innocent boy melted.

Yami smirked, and shook his head to clear the sight away.

"What is it that you wished to converse with me, about, Tea?" Yami inquired.

"You know, why don't we walk and talk? I hate standing around. Besides, this might take a whole, but I'm not sure," Tea grabbed his wrist and started pulling him away. Yami shrugged, but followed.


Seto walked out the front doors to the school. Finally, he thought, I'm out of this godforsaken rat hole. He was just in time to see Tea dragging Yami across the yard. His jaw hardened, and a stream of jealousy ran through him.

How he hated Yugi Muto. He had everything Seto Kaiba didn't. The shrimp had taken everything away from him: his title and reputation; his Egyptian god Card; in some cases, his sanity; and now: his girl. Well, okay, technically, she wasn't his girl, but it was the same thing. Seto loved her, and they had had something six years ago. And he was sure that somewhere, deep inside of Tea Gardner, she still had, at least, the tiniest inkling of feelings for the CEO.

Seto ground his foot into the pavement. He had wanted to kill himself after it had actually sunk in those many years ago, that Tea wasn't coming back. He really could have committed suicide. And if it wasn't for Mokuba (back then)…then he just might have. But he didn't have those thoughts anymore.

Little did he know that it was someone else…very close to him…that was going to, and possibly now, have those thoughts beginning to come.


Once the two were around the edge of the fence, Tea let go of Yami's arm. Then, they started walking, letting their feet guide them wherever.

"You know, this reminds me of that day…right before Battle City," Tea smiled at him.

"Yes, it does. But, is that what you wanted to talk about?" Yami inquired, puzzled, slightly (forgive the pun).

"Oh, no! I meant to ask…" she trailed off, trying to figure out a way to word it, "That night…at Kaiba's party," she scrunched her face up in disgust, "what happened, exactly. Do you know?"

"Happened?" Yami inquired further. Though, he had a pretty good idea of what this might be about.

"Didn't something pertaining to…Egypt happen?" Tea asked.

"Yes, I believe so. Our other friends also seem to have questions about that," Yami replied.

"Yeah, well, I was wondering a few things. For example…do you remember any of it clearly? I guess what I'm trying to say is…do you remember any more than you did before then?"

Yami didn't answer immediately. They had stopped in the park. He sat down on a bench, and spaced out, trying to think up what to say. Tea sat next to him, waiting.

Finally, he answered, "I…I remember some things…but yet, there are still so many blurs, and gaps. And nothing is quite clear. However, I do remember the feelings of great emotion," he answered slowly.

"Emotion?" Tea pressed on.

"Yes…anger…sadness…happiness…pain…nothing," he ended surprisingly.

"Excuse me?" Tea inquired. "Nothing?"

"Yes…nothing. It's like…I just blacked out, or something. There's a gap there. Because, after that…happiness comes back. And then…" a tidal wave of shadow passed over his face, "Darkness…sadness…anger…jealousy…grief…sorrow…everything. It felt as if…the whole world had crashed down at my feet, and I couldn't repair it."

"But then…that turns the question into…repair what?" Tea replied. Yami looked up at her. He stared right into her, as it seemed, giving the impression that he wanted to ponder more on what she was asking.

He suddenly stood and began to pace. That really was the question, wasn't it? What had happened to make him so miserable? To also create emotions of hate, as well. Hate for someone…he seemed to have loved…like a relative…or a…. His head shot up. In his viewpoint, he saw the infamous Kaiba Corp. building, standing tall and erect in the center of downtown Domino. His eyes widened. Kaiba….

Like a brother….

Tea saw his reactions; his face and emotions changing to and fro. What was going on in his head?

"Yami?" Tea stood up, and put a hand on his shoulder. He didn't seem to regard it. He was lost in his thoughts.

Kaiba, Kaiba, Kaiba? Why was his image ringing a bell? His mind was opened to the memories. Suddenly, the High Priest Seto stood in his head. His brother…. But why was anger and hatred directed towards him? What had he done? It couldn't have been the revolt…. No, Yami assured himself. The revolt was the effect of Seto's anger. What was the cause, though, of Yami's?

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, and felt something smooth and cool, in one of them. He fingered it, trying to finger out what it was, before he brought it out. He lifted his hand and the object out of his pocket. It was:

"The Millennium Necklace?" Yami asked nobody in particular.

"Is something wrong, Yami?" Tea inquired. Yami didn't answer. He stared at the object, a realization beginning to dawn on his face. Could he possibly use the necklace to help him? Or…wait. Something was coming. A shadow…a figure…a woman's figure…the Necklace…a light…sorrow and anguish. He suddenly turned to Tea and looked her square in the eye. He didn't need the Necklace to find out why. He needed Tea….

"Tea…" Yami started.

"Yes?" she inquired, slightly confused.

"…Put this on," Yami ordered.

"Excuse me?" Tea was taken aback. But Yami was already fastening it onto her. Once he had tied it on, he stood back. Nothing was happening.

"Yami, what are you doing?" Yugi inquired, mentally.

"Just wait," he replied back.

"Do you feel any different?" Yami interrogated Tea.

"Sort of…not really…am I supposed to?" Tea asked, fingering the necklace. "What did you want me to do?"

Yami sighed, "Um…look into your mind."

"What?"

"I said, look into your mind."

"How's that going to help?

"Just do it."

"Fine," Tea closed her eyes, and exhaled.


Tea appeared in the corridor of her mind. She looked to the left. There stood a door, ajar. She peeked in. Plenty of fun things littered the ground. She sighed, and turned around.

"What is Yami trying to do?" Tea asked herself. AS if in a n answer, a door suddenly appeared in front of her. It had an Egyptian eye symbol on the front of it. Curious, Tea put a hand on the door. She twisted the knob and opened it.

A bright, golden light emitted from the room, and Tea had to cover her eyes. She opened them just the slightest amount, and saw someone lying on the floor. She looked…exactly like Tea. The only difference she saw was in the hair. IT was a bit more auburn than her own, and the front of her hair was a tad longer than the rest. Otherwise, she was dressed exactly the same way as her. However, Tea had the impression that she wasn't supposed to be like that.

But the figure wasn't moving from the ground. Tea ran over and kneeled beside her. She picked up her head, and supported her. She shook her shoulders slightly.

"Excuse me…wake up…wake up!" The Tea look alike stirred, and strived to open her eyes.


Teana's eyes focused on the room she was in. Everything was blurry. She sat up. Whew. It felt like she had been sleeping forever! Thousands of years! Like a genie, or something. She looked around, and suddenly came face to face with a girl looking almost exactly like her.

She spotted a few differences, but the main thing she noticed was the clothes. Egypt had never had anything like that.

"W-Where am I? Who are you?" she sputtered out.

"You're…in my mind?" Tea even questioned herself, "and I'm Tea…Tea Gardner. You are?"

"Teana. My name is Teana. Tell me, do you know what I'm doing here? Last I knew…I was…in the palace."

"In the palace?" Tea inquired. She decided not to make any more of a notion of it. She held out her hand, "It's nice to meet you." Teana looked at it, strangely. Tea's eyes narrowed slightly. Then, she got the picture. "Oh! Here, just take my hand," she took Teana's" and move it up and down. It's called a handshake."

"I see," Teana eyed it. As their hands shook, a light engulfed them. It was a white light this time. Teana disappeared.


Tea fell to the sidewalk. Yami caught her just in time.

"Tea? Tea! Are you alright? Tea, answer me! Wake up!" Yami shook her.

She slowly opened her eyes, "W-Where am I now?" She stood up, and looked around. On seeing Yami, she gasped.

"K-K-King Y-Yami!"

"Teana? Is…that you?" Yami slowly inquired. Hoping, just hoping….

"Yes!" Teana hugged him tightly, "It's me! Oh, it feels like it's been so long!"

You don't know how long, Yami thought.

"Yami, what's going on?" Yugi inquired, from their interlocked minds. Yami didn't hear him. Instead, he pulled away from Teana, but then, slowly, took her back, and pressed his lips against hers once more.


Aww…isn't that a sweet ending? But what twist am I going to throw in? Why have a good seemingly "TeaxYugi" kiss, when no one's there to watch? Or is someone there? Dun, dun, dun! You'll just have to wait...and find out! Next time, on FFL! Now, though, you can REVIEW, PLEASE!