Marik, Ishizu, Patrick, Seto, Mokuba, Bakura, Yugi, Sam, Jack, Daniel Teal'c
Yes, that's right, I have updated! Took me long enough, don't you think? I've decided that one fic is too much for all the info I want to put in this one, so I'm' gonna do a sequel. Don't worry, Ancient Discovery is far from over.
Previously on Stargate SG:1"Hey, Spacemonkey, I…"
"Don't, Jack, I expected more from you." With that, he headed off in the direction of Yugi, who was currently dueling with Mokuba. Maybe he could talk to them for a while, find out some things the decent way.
Ancient Discovery
Chapter Seven: Into The Shadow Realm
Daniel slowly walked over to where Yugi and Mokuba were dueling. It was only a friendly game, neither of them taking it too seriously. Mokuba was actually winning, if you can believe it. Yugi hadn't even transformed; not that Daniel knew the difference anyway.
"Mind if I join you guys?" Daniel asked.
"Sure go ahead," Yugi said happily. Daniel pulled up a nearby chair and sat to watch the battle.
"So what is this game?" the archaeologist asked.
"It's called Duel Monsters, a card game based on Ancient Egypt," Yugi explained. "There are three types of cards; spell, trap and monster. The aim of the game is to get your opponents life points down to zero before they destroy yours."
"It sounds easy enough."
"It may seem simple, but the rule are quite complex. Mokuba, I think it's your turn."
"I play the Element Magician in attack mode, and defeat your Celtic Guardian," Mokuba said, happily. "You're life points are down to 2100 Yugi, I've got you on the run!"
Yugi smiled. "Not so fast Mokuba! I sacrifice my Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress, to bring forth Gaia, The Fierce Knight! I also lay this card face down. You're Element Magician is finished!"
Mokuba cringed a little knowing his own life points had just taken a plunge, but he recovered quickly. He tried to think what Seto would do in this situation. "My Element Magician might be finished, but I'm not. I play Monster Reborn, which allows me to bring back any monster card, from your graveyard or mine!"
"What? Oh no!"
"That's right. I bring forth, from your own graveyard, the Dark Magician!" Mokuba pulled the card from Yugi's graveyard and slapped it on his side of the field. "And now, Dark Magician, att…"
"Hey, what's this?" Daniel interrupted Mokuba by picking up the card and studying it intently. "Wow, this is interesting! It looks just like the 'gate. And is that a staff weapon? Hey, can I borrow this for a while? Thanks!"
With that, he took off, still holding Yugi's magician. The two children watched his retreating back in a state of shock, wondering what on earth had come over him. Needless to say, they decided to call it a draw and packed up for the night.
Daniel, on the other hand, ran straight into Jack's tent, demanding that he call a team meeting. Sam was already inside, so they only needed to call Teal'c from his watch. SG:1 gathered around Daniel, anxious to see what he had found out from the two boys. Truth be told, they were a little shocked when he presented a card to them.
"What is it?" asked Jack.
"It's called the Dark Magician. It's a card."
"What relevance does this have to our quest?" Teal'c raised an eyebrow at him.
"Oh, right well. This card is from a game known as Duel Monsters. From what I've learned, the game originated in Egypt and has now been made into a card game."
"As interesting as a card game from Egypt sounds, I can't think of why it would interest us." It was Sam who spoke this time.
"Take a close look at this card." He held the item forward for them all to see. "Notice first the outfit of our magician. The many metallic plates it is composed of should give you the first clue."
"Wait, that looks like…"
"That's right Jack, it's an open Horus Guard uniform!" He smiled, feeling very proud of himself. "That's not all," Daniel went on. "If you'll notice what he's holding. It looks like a…"
"Staff weapon," Sam said, cutting him off.
"I wanted to say that!" Daniel crossed his arms as if sulking.
"Well fine, if you don't want to tell us the rest…" Jack started.
"No, wait. In fact I can't believe you didn't see it earlier! Take a close look at the ring behind him."
"It appears to closely resemble the Stargate," Teal'c stated.
"Yes, but the markings around are different. Unless… Yes, look here, it's the Earth symbol!" Sam tore the card out of Daniel's hands and began to examine it more closely.
"Some of these are markings I've seen on other Stargates across the universe. I think we might be onto something."
"This is definitely connected," Jack agreed. "Talk to Yugi, he seems to be the friendliest, and see what you can find out."
"Why Yugi? I mean, I'm sure there might be someone else who'd know about it, maybe even more. What if…" He stopped, realising where this train of thought was taking him. He couldn't act like that in front of Jack, not after he had chewed his CO out for spying on him. The others must have sense what he was feeling because Teal'c raised an eyebrow, Jack smirked and Sam acted as if her shoes were the most interesting things on the planet.
"Well as long as you find out what I need, I don't care who you ask," Jack said. "Until then, how about we all get a little sleep. I do believe I have first watch tonight."
The others nodded their agreement and slowly filed out of their leader's tent. Daniel walked over to Yugi, who was still sitting in the open area, to return the card. The young man barely noticed Daniel walking over, preferring instead to study the texts in front of him.
"Thanks for letting me borrow this," Daniel said.
Yugi looked up at him now, different somehow. Older, perhaps, as if the few minutes between his duel with Mokuba and now had ripped the innocence from his gaze. "Think nothing of it. May I ask why you were so interested?"
"Well, it is a fascinating card. I thought the outfit and the symbols on the ring were quite striking."
"Yes, I can agree. But there is more to it than that. You and your friends didn't come here by chance, you were searching for something." He paused for a moment, studying the card in his hand. He ran his fingers over the slightly raised letters of the name; traced the stars. "I too have seen this ring before."
"Wait, what do you mean 'I too'?"
"You recognize it. I can tell that much by your face." He sighed. "This ring has haunted my dreams. I can never get close enough to touch it."
"Could you tell me anything else about this card?"
He smiled. "It would be best for you to see it in action. But not tonight. Tomorrow I will show you it's true power."
They didn't say goodnight or any of the usual things customary to a departure. They both simply felt the need to leave, that it was time they wrapped up that meeting. For some reason, Daniel felt closer to Yugi that night, as if part of him had been released. He knew, then, that if they were ever going to solve this mystery they would need the boy's help. His and the other strangers in the area.
He was in the desert again. The glare of the sun made sweat break out all over his body, the sand whipped across his skin. This was far too real to be just a dream. In the distance, closer than it had been before, stood the large metal ring. This time it was busier. He could see people this time; slaves moving about the ring in service to a demonic power.
There in the distance was a site he had never believed he would ever see. Flying towards him was the Winged Dragon of Ra. It's wings spread and fire shooting from the mouth of the beast; though there was something different about it. He looked sideways at the dragon, and it occurred to him. Without the sun blocking his vision, with the sweat out of his eyes, he saw it for what it was. A ship.
A giant spaceship in the shape of a dragon, another behind it shaped like a pyramid. These were the things he had used as cards. He watched in horror as a man stepped out of the ship. No, that wasn't a man, only a boy; a mere child. He saw the eyes of the boy flash bright orange, and watched as men dressed as snakes and carrying staffs followed him from his ship.
One of the slaves stood in the way of the young man for a second too long. The snake guard in front of the procession lowered his staff and fired. The man shook on the floor as if stuck by electricity; two more strikes and he disappeared. Yugi recoiled from the site, It looked so similar to the move he had himself used with his Dark Magician.
Shadi's voice cut through the din and the echoing of Yugi's own thoughts.
"Do not be afraid, young Pharaoh. This is only the beginning."
"Why, Shadi? What is it you want to tell me?"
"In time, Pharaoh, you shall know all the secrets. Be patient. I still have much to show you."
Yugi sat up straight, blinking to adjust to the dark of his tent. He shivered slightly at the cold of the desert and tried to recollect his thoughts.
Yami, did you see that?
I did, Yugi. It was not like the other dreams. I feel as if I am slowly being pulled towards something.
I know what you mean. This is just making me want to talk to those four strangers more, I want to know what they do.
It is wise to want to accumulate knowledge, but will you be happy with where that knowledge will take you?
I don't think that matters anymore. I do know this, if we combine our knowledge, we should be able to fill in a lot of the blanks.
I agree. We shall talk to them tomorrow. Daniel appears to be the most intelligent, he will probably prove the most useful. Until then, try to sleep.
Yes.
Yugi closed his eyes, but only for a second. He could hear a noise outside. Soft footsteps were coming closer and closer to him. Without knowing why he pulled on his duel disk and slipped out of his tent to greet whoever it was. When he saw Bakura coming closer, he hesitated, but Yami wasted no time in taking over.
"Bakura. Little late for a midnight stroll is it not?"
"Hello, Pharaoh. I didn't think anyone would be awake. It is, after all, past midnight."
Yami recognized that voice. It was the one that had haunted Bakura for so many years, the spirit inside his ring. "So you have returned, dark one; but not for long. One day I will find a way to banish you for good."
"That day is not today, Pharaoh. Nor will it ever occur. You cannot banish me. Your past forbids it, as does your very nature."
"We shall see."
"Yes, Pharaoh, we certainly shall." The change in him was almost instantaneous. He closed his eyes and focused on the energy of the ring around his neck. Yami saw the millennium item glow, felt the pull of dark energy, and he knew at once what he was planning.
"Not here, Bakura! This is not the place!"
"You don't think so? But it is not this place that we shall duel."
Yami found himself standing in the ring he had come to know as the Shadow World. He was going to have another Shadow Duel with Bakura, another quest to win the life of the boy trapped inside his own body.
"Why have you brought me here, thief? What is it you wish to gain?"
"Must you ask that question? I will obtain the power of that puzzle, you can be assured."
"Very well. I will not waste anytime in banishing you to this place."
"Your confidence shall be your undoing."
Daniel yawned a little, bored already from his watch. He couldn't even remember why they kept this up, after all nothing had happened since they arrived. It was really just a way for Jack to think he still had control of this "mission".
He studied the item he had bought the day before. It was small, round, and had the Eye of Ra on its base. When he looked closer he noticed it wasn't solid. There were places where he could see gaps. The dot in the centre of the eye especially. It looked almost like… almost like a button. He moved his finger to the button, wondering what would happen if he pressed it.
A loud bang could be heard from the distance. He felt something shake as if the whole Earth wanted to rip itself apart. Maybe Jack was right; maybe they did need to keep watch. He dropped the device into his pocket and ran off in the direction of the sound, forgetting to wake up the rest of the team, although how they slept through this was a mystery to him.
In the clearing stood Yugi. He had what Daniel had come to know as his 'mature face' on; the way he looked whenever he was being serious. Opposite him was the white-haired English boy. Both were wearing strange devices on their arms.
But something was wrong. They glared at each other with contempt, utter loathing. The English boy, Bakura was his name, Daniel thought, had another of those strange 'Millennium Items' around his neck. This one was a ring with spikes hanging from it like a dream catcher. Daniel couldn't quite make out what was said, so he moved a little closer.
"Not here, Bakura! This is not the place!"
"You don't think so? But it is not this place that we shall duel."
Daniel saw a dark cloud surround the ring, and then Bakura himself. Slowly it spread, overtaking all in its wake. Without knowing why, Daniel ran forward until he was within the strange fog. It wasn't long before it surrounded him, blotting out the campsite and even the stars. He felt his energy draining, making him weaker.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to regain his composure. It was no use. He felt himself falling into a slumber as deep as the Red Sea.
"Why, Pharaoh, I believe we have a guest. How is it, you think, that this human has managed to interfere with our duel?"
"What!" Yami looked over and saw Daniel, lying on the ground asleep. "But how did he manage to make it here?"
"It only makes our battle more interesting. After all, it's not every day that you risk your life for the sake of a mortal."
"What do you mean? What are you planning to do to him?"
"Me? You accuse me?" He laughed menacingly. "I will do nothing. But you will." With a flick of his hand the unconscious Daniel floated up until he was behind Yami. He stayed there, bound by the arms and legs by some unspoken foe.
"Do you see now? Every time you lose life points, the life force of this human will diminish. Fight well, Pharaoh, for his death is in your hands."
When Daniel woke up he felt worse than he had before he passed out. His head pounded and his eyes blurred. He could vaguely see a shape in front of him; a boy… Yugi, it was Yugi. There were monsters, bright coloured and loud. He could even smell them.
After a while his vision cleared, as did his head, although the pounding wouldn't leave. He found he could not move his arms; some unknown force bound them. His legs had suffered the same fate. He still had the use of his head, but he didn't think that would help him much. Yugi turned to face him. This time he could definitely see a change in him.
He was taller, there was no doubt, and stood confidently. His eyes had changed shade and his skin darkened. Even his hair was different with less of it in front of his face. All in all, he looked a lot older than he had before. Daniel knew for sure, this was not the same person.
"Who… who are you?"
"I have been called by many names, Pharaoh, Yu-Gi-Oh, Yami. Use whichever you wish." The Egyptian frowned at him. "It would have been better for you to have slept. The pain will be greater now. I'll do my best to give you my life-force, but I must think also of Yugi."
As if on cue the boy appeared, hovering beside the Pharaoh. He smiled briefly at Daniel before turning to his companion.
"Don't worry about me so much. I've been in the Shadow Realm before. It's Daniel we should look out for."
"If you girls are finished I have something I'd like to do," Bakura called from the other side of the field. "Like continuing this pathetic duel!"
"As you wish. Yugi, take care of Daniel."
"Of course Yami." Yugi disappeared once again and Yami turned to face his rival.
"I now reveal my face down card. Dark Magician, come forth!" The Egyptian looked over his shoulder at the Egyptologist. "You wanted to know more about the card, now you can see it in action. Dark Magician attack! Obliterate!"
The magician lowered his staff and shot out with both that and his hand. A dark purple light surrounded him before warping colour and defeating the monster on Bakura's side of the field. Bakura clutched his chest briefly as his life drained further away. It was the last thing Daniel saw before passing out again.
Ok, so another chapter FINALLY posted. I know this was a very serious chap, I'll try to incorporate a lot more humour in the next. I needed this though, so it's a bridging chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it! Who can guess what Ishizu is going to do to scare Mokuba? He was the one who started the game, so he really deserves payback! grins evilly.
And, yeah, the reason I don't have a proper duel written in here is because… well… I can't write one. I don't have enough knowledge of the cards and their attacks to create a believable battle. You'll get the result in the next chap, but not how the battle was actually fought.