Millennium I

Secrets of the Past

Chapter 7

By Hikari Tsuki Chi

Note- As of 4-25-04, I only have 5 weeks left of school. I won't have a lot of time to update this month, since we have our class trip to New York and a field trip to Annapolis. Plus an anime convention at the community college near my town. As I've said before, I'll have more time to update over the summer. Trust me, things will get more interesting once I get through Battle City and get the Sailor Senshi there.

Chapter 7

Things were pretty quiet that night. Kaiba was busy trying to uncover more about the Sun Dragon of Ra, while everyone else was asleep. Well… almost everyone. Yami Marik and Yami Bakura, with the spirit of the real Marik inside him, were having a Shadow Duel. Yama, having sensed the magick, watched the duel unnoticed, ready to intervene if need be. Bakura had lost the duel, saying that he was the darkness and that he could not be defeated as his body faded, destroyed by the shadows. It was at that point Yami entered, demanding what had happened to Bakura. Men always think that force will solve their problems. They're too stubborn to realize that force can't get you every thing, or that who you are or who you once were can get you those things either. Thought Yama, deciding to make herself known. "Do you really think that power is all you need to achieve your goals?" she questioned to Yami Marik.

The two looked at her in surprise, having not noticed her presence. So this is the sister of the Pharaoh, the spirit of the Millennium Crystal. Thought Yami Marik, having easily guessed her identity.

But to Yami, the appearance of this girl startled him to the core. She looked exactly like him! Well, aside from the gender difference. He noticed a crystal, colored a clear gold, hanging around her neck, engraved with the Eye of the Ages. "Who are you?"

"A yami, such as yourselves."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"You didn't ask for details." Yama smirked, enjoying this immensely.

"Why are you here?"

"To clean up the mess that men leave. Also to enjoy the sideshow of the worry and suspicion."

"What mess?"

"The mess that men always leave behind, leaving women to clean up. That's the way it has been, and the way it will always be. Do you really think that force will get you what you want?"

"It seems to work, and you'll be next, right behind the Pharaoh."

"What makes you think that I won't stop you?"

"Because no one has the power that can defeat the power of the Pharaoh."

"And yet, it was a girl who beat you in a duel and now bears the Sun Dragon of Ra. You don't have nearly the amount of power that you think you have, and the power you do have comes from the Shadows." The hourglass holding Mai's mind appears. Yama waved her hand, the Eye of Ages flashing briefly with the motion. "Face it, in this matter, I hold the cards."

"How were you able to do that!"

"As I said, I hold the cards in this matter, and if the Pharaoh knew how to tap into the full extent of his power, he would be the one in my position."

"Who are you exactly, some one on Marik's side?"

"If I was on his side, I've would've already killed you. As for who I am, let's just say, I'm a friend."

"Well maybe I don't want a friend."

Yama turned, as she left the Shadow Realm for the real world, the orb representing Mai's mind at her side, and smirked. "I didn't say that I was yours."

Once leaving the Shadow Realm, Yama headed towards Mai's room. She replaced Mai's mind in its rightful place. However, Mai would stay unconscious for a while anyways. After doing so, Yama returned to her soul room. / Out seeing the sights/

/./ I sensed Shadow magick up on the dueling field, so I investigated. Yami Marik and Yami Bakura were dueling. Yami came in afterwards, so I messed with their heads, and freed Mai's mind. /./

/ I think I'm a bad influence on you. /

/./ Maybe. But I see why you have so much fun messing with Yugi's head. They can't put anything together, but I think that Yami Marik might have figured out who I was. /./

/ The part where you're the spirit of the Millennium Crystal or the fact that you might be the Pharaoh's sister/

/./ Both, I think. But Yami has no clue. /./

/ It's 'cuz he's Yugi's yami, that's why. /

When Yami had returned to Yugi's room, he appeared in his spirit form, the two of them eager to discuss what had happened. "Who's yami do you think she is? She has to be somebody's."

"I think that she's Serena's." Yami said.

"How so?"

"You said that she has a pendant like the puzzle that your grandfather said was the Millennium Crystal. What if the puzzle and ring aren't the only items with spirits? She also knew who I was in the past."

"Are you sure that she's not on Marik's side?"

"All she said was that she was a friend. Though not necessarily mine, but still… she felt… familiar."

"Familiar?"

"It's like you would feel if you were meeting a friend or family member you hadn't seen in a long time. You can't remember them exactly, but they're familiar."

It was at that point Shaadi appeared. "Shaadi! What are you doing here?"

"To pass on information. There was another version of the legend of the Shadow Realm and what happened 5,000 years ago." Truthfully to pass on information that will aid Serena and the spirit of the Millennium Crystal…

"What did happen?"

"The Shadow Realm had grown out of control. All the monsters fought against the Egyptian Gods. It was at that time that Sekhmet was created to combat them. However there wasn't a woman with Shadow Powers left alive that could control her. It was at that time you in the past made the decision to seal the Shadows. To complete the seal, you had to bind your soul to the puzzle."

"What about the woman? She said that she was a yami as well, but of what?"

"I believe that she is the spirit that dwells in the Millennium Crystal. She was your sister in the past, your twin. However, I doubt that she is fully aware of the family ties you two have."

"But she knew I was the Pharaoh."

"That could easily be picked up from listening to Marik. But I'm not sure if the person who bears the Millennium Crystal is even aware of her existence."

"But how come she was able to free Mai's mind from the Shadows when Yami couldn't?"

"I'm not sure. She didn't have Shadow Magic in the past. She was however an aura-reader, someone who could read auras and see them as well as one sees the physical world. She must've awaked when the puzzle was solved. As for why she doesn't remember, despite being in the crystal, the two of had a bond as twins. If one of you died, or bond your soul to an inanimate object, the other would have to follow, or face an existence full of pain, physical and spiritual. I believe that it is because of the bond that she doesn't remember. She doesn't remember because you don't remember."

"So you're saying that when Yami remembers, that she'll remember as well?"

"Must likely."

Yami Yugi looked down, thinking. "Sha-" he started, looking up to find that Shaadi was gone. "Do you think that what Shaadi said was true?"

"I'm not sure Yugi. But it might explain why Marik wasn't able to beat Serena."

"But the real question is if Serena knows."

"She probably doesn't."

"I wouldn't be so sure Yami."

"How so?"

"From all her martial arts training she learned to sense a person's life energy. I think that she's known about you for a while if I know her, but she's waiting for me to tell her right out. If she knows about you, then she knows about the spirit of the Millennium Crystal, which must be that necklace that Grandpa gave her."

"Still… she is hiding something that you don't know about. It's like she's a mix of shadow magic and some other magic. The shadow magic must come from the Crystal, but I'm not sure what the other magic comes from. I think that she was following us on the day of the announcement of Battle City."

Yugi looked miffed. "I wouldn't put it pass her. Two of her favorite pastimes are spying and matchmaking. Ishizu must have given that other Kami-no-Cardo on that day. But why can only she wield it?"

"I don't know Yugi. I don't know."

Serena woke to a knock at the door. Checking her watch, she groaned. Who in their right mind wakes people at 3 AM? Yawning and rubbing her eyes, she opened the door. The people standing outside woke her up immediately. "Ishizu… Shaadi… what are you doing here? Don't you know what time it is?"

"There is something important we must discuss with you."

Sighing, Serena let them in and closed the door. Once she had shut the door, Yama joined them as well. "What is it?"

"The Pharaoh now knows about you, the fact that you're his sister."

"We don't even know if that's for a fact."

"I merely acted like I wasn't sure as well. The Pharaoh was beginning to piece it together, but lacked concrete evidence."

"So you gave him something to think about in context?"

Shaadi didn't answer. He couldn't anyway, seeing as how he wasn't in the room. "Y'know, the way he does that, and how he's so cryptic, you would think that he's related to Pluto." Commented Serena.

"Why are you here, Ishizu?" Questioned Yama.

"The darkness that know possesses my brother's body tried to kill Rishid."

"Nani yo?"

"He's okay, for know. Marik alerted me to the attack, for a part of his spirit still lives in Tea."

"It's because he's taken over her mind at times that he is able to live in Tea's mind. I guess he's counting on Yugi and the Pharaoh to beat 'Yami Marik'."

"I would image so. But what is his plan?" wondered Ishizu.

"He wants to gain the power of the Pharaoh, but to do so, he must beat Yugi and Yami in a duel and take the Millennium Puzzle and the Kami-no-Cardos to get the Pharaoh's power. Why do you think that he attacked Mai and Bakura and sent their mind to the Shadow Realm? He wants to weaken Yugi by hurting the people around him so it would be an easy victory. Bakura was sent to the Shadow Realm because he lost a duel to Yami Marik and Mai was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The only one who has dueled him and not been sent to the Shadows is me."

"That's because you beat him fair and square."

"I think it's more a matter of leverage…"

"How so?"

"I think that he know how I got away from him, and I think that if I tapped into the power I have as Sailor Moon that I could easily beat him, and I think he knows that. "

Ishizu looked surprised. "How did you do that?"

"When he tried to take control of my mind, there must have enough leeway for me to access the magic I only have as Sailor Moon and used it against him. I think I over did it a little." Serena said, looking sheepish and scratching the back of her head.

"What happened?"

"Well…I accidentally knocked every one in the building, including Yama."

Ishizu sweat dropped. "Maybe you'd better learn control."

After that, Ishizu left the room. Yama could easily go back to sleep, but Serena couldn't. Sitting on the window seat, she looked up at the moon, noticing for the first time the double rings around and the blood on the moon. With double rings, it means that anything can happen. Blood on the moon… trouble looms. But what kind of trouble? I know that I'm at least partly safe for Marik's wraith, for he doesn't wish to incur my own wraith. But if things get hairy, will I have to reveal the truth to Yama? That the reason that Marik won't attack and that the leverage is the fact that I'm the Tsuki no Hime? Please, whatever god exists, watch over my friends and myself, for the sake of the world… Serena wound up falling asleep on the window seat, the moon glowing brighter around her, a faint crescent moon glowing in the moonlight. Yami had left Yugi's room to investigate Serena's, and found her like that. He was startled when her eyes opened, noticing that they weren't blue, but red. Her hair also took a darker hue of golden-blonde. "What do you want?" her voice the same as the woman's was back on deck.

"I thought as much. You're Serena's yami."

"You figure that out by yourself, or did Shaadi help?"

"What are your intentions?" easily answering her question with one of his own.

"Wouldn't you like to know? Sorry, but I don't give out information freely. You have to earn it."

"Does Serena know about you?"

"What's it to you?"

"I'm curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat. And if you're done, you can leave. I'm sure that your mou hitori no boku might get worried."

"What are you?"

"I'm a friend, though not necessarily yours."

Seemly satisfied, he left. /./ Baka. /./

/ He's Yugi's yami, after all. /

Yama tossed and turned in her soul room, in the throws of a dream… no… a memory… 'Buildings were collapsing all around her. Monsters from another world, translucent, as if they didn't belong, fighting. Three powerful monsters in the sky, destroying even more buildings. A fourth powerful monster, attacking the three, but failing, for she had no female master who could command her power. Running against the flow of panicking and escaping people, a man, more like a teenager, dressed in royal garments at her side. She herself was wearing clothes only royals would wear. "We must get to the temple! That's the only way for this to end!"

'"You don't have enough power to do so! Even after the sacrifice of the tomb robber and the high priestess of Ma'at!"

'"I do… if I seal my soul in the Shadows to bind the monsters."

'"Isn't there another way!"

'"This is the only way to bind the Shadows."

'"There must be another way to bind the Shadows, there has to be!"

'"This is my decision, Atami Pansara Yugijo'ou, as Pharaoh."

'"You haven't an heir, Atemu Panseru Yugiou, to rule after you!"

'"You're my heir, that's what Father told me on his deathbed. If anything happened to me, you were to rule in my place."

'"And Mother told me on her deathbed that if anything happened to you, I would soon follow you!"

'"This is my decision. This is the only way to save our kingdom, and the world!"

'They soon reached the temple. Standing before the altar, he began the ritual. "To the Shadows I bind my soul, by my blood. By these words seal my soul to this item, and seal the monsters of the Shadow Realm forever!"

'Gold light filled the chamber. She narrowed her eyes against the light, raising her arm to shield them even more. When the light faded, she saw him panting for breath. "It is done."

'"Yugi!" she exclaimed, dropping the formal title of Pharaoh for the first time since he took the throne. He was 'dying' and going to a fate worse than death, the fate the tomb robber was condemned to and the fate the high priestess of Sekhmet chose.

'"Sha-shat-shatt-er the puz-puzzle, an-d pl-pla-ce my bod-y wi-with the oth-oth-others. Good-bye, sister." With those words said, the light left his eyes, and his body fell to the floor. She caught him before he hit the floor, and knew, even without her special sight, that he was dead. Her brother was gone.

'Shifting his body for a better hold, she pushed the secret button disguised amongst the carving, revealing a stairs going down. With tears streaming down her face, she carried the body of her brother to the hidden room within the temple. She laid his body on one of the two empty platforms left in the room, the others already holding a body, the bodies of the ones her brother trusted the most. The High Priest, the high priest of Anubis, the seer, the judger, the mind reader, the captain of the high guard, the high priestess of Ma'at, and the tomb robber, here only because of the high priestess' intervention, for he was the one she had loved. She whispered the ancient spells that preserved the body from decay, so that they may once more live again.

'"Shaadi," she said turning to the man who had appeared, "once I have sealed my soul to the Shadows, to the crystal, shatter the puzzle, and guard the items. Chose from the surviving guards and their families the ones who will guard this tomb until his return. This is the last order I give you, as your princess, and my last request, as your friend."

'"Are you sure you want to do this?"

'"I have no choice. My brother and I have a bond, and when he dies, I will follow. He sealed his soul to the Shadows, and I have no other choice but to follow."

'She sat down on the last remaining platform, and said the same words her brother had spoken. "To the Shadows I bind my soul, by my blood. By these words seal my soul to this item, and seal the monsters to the Shadow Realm forever!"

'The same gold light once again filled the room. "Ke-ke-keep the it-ite-ms s-sa-saf-safe." Were her last words, as the light faded from her own eyes. Black infringed on her vision, and she felt her eyelids close, her body falling back, hitting cold stone. The last thing she heard before she was surrounded by smothering black was the sound of gold shattering. The puzzle…it's shattered… was the last conscious thought she had before being surrounded by shadow…

Yama gasped as she woke up. Glancing around, she half expected to see destroyed buildings or the hidden room or even the temple. But all she saw was her soul room. Well, the part of it that was closest to the door that lead to her hikari's soul room, farthest from the maze that was her mind. What was that? She thought, feeling her hikari going through the motions of preparing for the semi-finals. A dream… no… a memory… but of what? Of the past? But why am I having these dreams now? I don't have time to put up with these head games. I have to help Serena in the finals! With that, she pushed the dream from her mind, and contracted only on the day ahead. After all, it was a new day, and the past was the past.

Unknown to her, Yami had the same dream. The thing that kept him from dwelling on it was the fact that he forgot the dream when he woke up.

The puzzle's desire to protect the pharaoh makes it harder for him to remember. The stage is set for the hardest battle that he and his hikari had ever faced. But before the actors can take their roles, there must be an intermission that will reveal the history of one of the actors before the play can continue. But the intermission could determine the fate of all the actors, not just one…

Sooo… whatcha think? I suddenly had a burst of artistic thought, so that's why it's out sooner than expected. They should be out faster, maybe averaging about two weeks in the future, because I already know the basic direction of where I want to go. It's what I do when I get bored in class or can't sleep at night. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! I really would like support here! Even feel free to offer suggestions!