Three hours later Yugi and Joey were able to drag themselves into a spare recreation room downstairs near the doctor's office.

"Man Yugi, you never said it'd wipe me out so completely."

"I'm really sorry, Joey I shouldn't have dragged you into that."

"Naw, don't worry about it, Yugi. I told you, that's what friends are for. I'm happy to help; you helped Serenity and you're helping me. I mean none of the knights or other guards are all that friendly. All they knights do is rag on me and the other guards sometimes bark at me."

"Why would they bark at you?"

"I told you they see me simply as the king's pet dog. That's all the king sees me as, so that's sadly all they see me as. You're the first person that has actually wanted to be my friend. Not just treat me like the kings pet."

"You're more than just the kings pet Joey, you'll prove that to them someday!"

"Hey, thanks a lot Yugi. Listen if you ever need my help again don't hesitate to ask. Don't feel bad about it we're friends, I want to help you; I wanted to help you."

"Thank you, Joey. I appreciate it greatly."

"No problem, what do you say after we rest we go out to lunch."

"Sure that'd be great."

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

The next day Seto and a member of the royal council, Arthur, were talking. The council was made up of 5 people jobs that once belonged to the big five. They are called upon when major issues need deciding; like helping to decide if they should go to war or planning strategies if in a war. They were also had their own jobs, taking care of problems relating to specific things. Like water and the forest for one thing. Each member dealt with that problem.

"My king..."

"What is it Arthur?"

"Well sir, I have been having a slight bit of trouble locating anyone who is willing to come and live here to tutor Master Mokuba. Perhaps you should give that Kisara girl more time. She has had only one session with the boy and your brother did go to all the trouble of hiring her."

Seto sighed, "Fine, she can stay but only until you find a suitable replacement."

"But sir..."

"No!" Seto said slamming his fist on his throne.

About that time, Mokuba stopped just outside the door of the throne listening to see if it was safe to knock and enter.

"That woman all but accused me of beating and mistreating Mokuba. Then had the nerve to all but come right out and say that Mokuba was stupid. From what he's told me of his last teacher, which isn't the easiest thing to get him to talk about, she was nice and kind to him. She helped him and worked with him, not yelled and screamed and called him names cause he couldn't do exactly what she wanted because he's not as advanced as he should be. I do want him at the level he should be..."

Mokuba was upset that he wasn't smart enough to be at the level he should be and he didn't even realize he'd started to cry.

"Well that's why this woman would be good my king, your brother thought..."

"Yami barely knew the woman. He met her once. Mokuba is a very smart, very bright kid. He will reach the level he should with the proper guidance. I do not feel this woman can do that. I want him to have what I didn't. When I was a little younger that Mokuba, my father forced me to stop playing games and being a kid and do nothing but study. I don't want that for Mokuba. I want him to be happy and feel free to run and play. I do want him to have an education but I want him to enjoy it as much as he did with his last teacher. He got this far because she was good to him. I know he will reach his potential and even surpass it with the proper influence. I don't think this woman can do that. But as you pointed out it was one session but I warn you I'll try to teach him myself if she hurts him in anyway!"

"With your temper, your majesty it might not be the best thing to try."

"I won't argue on that but I'd rather try than let her destroy his spirit."

Mokuba smiled and wiped away the tears knowing now that his brother thinks he's smart. He knew what he had to do, he had to work hard and make Seto proud of him and get to where he should be. But then he also remembered Seto said he wanted him to be happy. So he felt he could voice his question. So, he lightly knocked on the door.

"Enter." Seto said a little frustrated that he was being interrupted.

Mokuba decided to pretend he didn't hear anything that had been said. "Seto." Mokuba said lightly.

Seto looked over and smiled seeing him. "Hey kiddo, come here."

Mokuba gladly walked over and hugged him. Then he sat down on his lap.

"Now what are you doing? Isn't your friend coming over today?"

Mokuba shook his head no. "He c-called; he's g-got friends coming over. He invited m-me to go over there. Can I big brother, please!"

"I don't know Mokuba."

"Please big brother! I k-know Varon will be bored but please!"

Seto wanted to say no, everything in him screamed NO! Then he looked into the kid's eyes to say it, but it came out, "Yes, you may go."

Mokuba squealed in delight and hugged him super tight! "Thank you, big brother!"

Seto rubbed his back. 'I'm such a push over. But at least he did tell me he was taking Varon with him. I know I can count on him to keep Mokuba safe. I wish they were coming over here because I'm not crazy about letting him out. But I can't keep him locked inside the castle walls forever sadly.'

Seto pulled him up and said, "Be good and be careful. Don't stray to far away where Varon can't see you or you can't call out to him incase of trouble."

"I w-wont big brother I promise."

"Good. But I'm going to be worried about you while you're gone. So, do me a favor; next time, ask your new friends if they will come over here. I'll even get the guards to set up a play area just outside the maze so there'll be more room."

"You m-mean that?"

Seeing the shining look in the kid's eyes Seto couldn't help but feel happy knowing the kid looked up to him so much. Sometimes it was hard to believe this was the same kid he brought home. "Of course I mean it. Now scoot and be careful."

Mokuba got up, hugged him and kissed his cheek. "I w-will big brother, promise."

Then he ran off to find Varon who wasn't exactly thrilled when he heard what they were going to be doing.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Yami meanwhile was having problems of his own.

"Again." Master Dartz said.

Yami tried the new spell Master Dartz had been trying to teach him again. They had been working on the same spell for over an hour.

"Grandfather he's tired you've been working him non-stop for hours. Give the poor man a break."

"If he is to succeed in his task against our enemy he must master everything I am teaching him."

"Even if that means he drops first from exhaustion?"

"Very well you may rest."

"Good, now will you finally tell me who is this enemy?" Yami asked.

"Very well his name is Pandora. He is my son."

"So, your father is the enemy?" Yami asked Krystyn.

"No, Pandora is my great uncle. He has acquired power from many generations. His magic is centuries old."

"It will take all your powers to defeat him."

"Perhaps he should try a vision quest grandfather."

"What's a vision quest?"

"A vision quest is where you must asked the spirits to lend you their power."

"These spirits aren't what you think they are playful and mischievous but very powerful. Once you have combined with them you will be unbeatable."

"Even after the sprits leave you, you will still feel their strength and power."

"The spirits will leave all their strength and power to you and pass on to the other side if they fell you are worthy."

"If however they deem you unworthy of their power they will put you through a hell the likes of which one has never seen."

Yami didn't much like the sound of that.

"Now, that that is out of the way shall we continue?"

Yami sighed and stood up as much as he wanted to say no that he wanted to rest if he hoped to defeat the enemy and change both futures he saw he had to work and train harder!