I laughed skipping on the side of the fountain in the courtyard of the palace, the Prince walking slightly behind me in amusement, he looked around fifteen, his blue cloak billowing in the hot wind.
"So what do you want to do today," I said, stopping so he could catch up with me.
"I was thinking me could play –"
"Why don't we disguise ourselves and go to the market. We haven't been in ages, and the festival is tonight. It would be so much fun!"
"I don't know," he frowned. "It could be dangerous,"
"See if Mahad will come." I said. "Or someone, I don't mind, I just feel cooped up. Don't you?"
He smiled at me.
"I will ask father if we can go to the festival." He smirked, I jumped down and hugged him.
"You are the best!"
He chucked, his voice deep, but not as deep as I know it would become.
"Why don't we play Senet"
"You always beat me,"
"I'll teach you some strategies so you can beat Mahad." He smirked. I grinned, grabbing his hand and rushing towards the palace.
The rumble of over a thousand students roared around the hot hall. An assemble of teacher scattered around the room. The Headmaster, Deputy-Headmaster and Mr Bradley at the centre.
We were sat second row to the back. Mr Bradley stepped towards the podium and gestured for us all to be silence, the roar turned to a quiet buzz then silence.
"Hello everyone."
"Hello Mr Bradley," everyone recited back.
"Today's assembly is to share an opportunity for you all. Thanks to the honour that had been place on Domino City. We will be the first city to have the newest discovery from Egypt in its museum by the end of the school year. It is because of this remarkable fortune blessed on our humble city there is a state wide competition. Participant will work as a team to replicate Egyptian chariots, clothing."
A loud murmur filled the room.
"You can see where this is going." Mr Bradley smirked. "Now winning the race is only a part of the competition. You will be judged for best costume and chariot authenticity also. The prize is a scholarship to the college for all the winners including fees, accommodation, meal plan, college supplies. All given generously by Mr Pegasus, the creator of duel monsters."
We all looked at each other.
"Pegasus," Yugi gasped, his eye flickered to the left. Was the Pharaoh there?
"This can't be a conscience."
"I say we enter win and get all the money we can out of that dirt bag," Joey said giving us a thumbs up.
"I mean I can't afford college, with this we could all go." Tristan said.
"He's done that for us, I mean he knows we are the most likely to win," I whisper trying to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
"But why, it's not like he cared before." Tristan said.
"He did everything he was love; he was blinded by his goal. I think he realises how wrong he was." Téa said.
"Still doesn't excuse what he did, Téa," Joey muttered, crossing his arms.
"I am not saying it does. I am just saying that may be why he is doing this."
"So shall we go enter? I mean it'll be great for Mana to get her memories back too." Yugi said scuffing his shoe against the floor.
"Yeah, come on before the line gets too long," Joey said, grinning as he eyed the growing line to get to the signup sheet. "College here I come!"
"You know; you still have to be bright enough to get in Joey." Tristan smirked putting his hands into his front pockets. Joey raced up to him his face inches from Tristan's.
"What was that wise guy?" Joey snapped.
"I'm just saying this just covers the fee. You still have to get the grades to get there."
"You think I'm not smart enough! That it huh!" he had started yelling now.
"Joey!" I hissed. "He's just trying to wind you up. Come on." I hooked my arm in his dragging him away from Tristan. "Let's get in the line." The rest followed as I pulled Joey along with me.
"Ok guys the camera is on but there is no sound so we can talk." I said moving my face away from the lens, and playing with the microphone.
"Good idea, or they'd put us in white jackets." Tristan added.
"Awesome," Joey said.
"Good thinking, Mana." Yugi added.
"So where would you guys want to go. If we win?" Bakura said as he and Joey carried in a long plank of wood.
Joey scoffed.
"When we win Bakura? Com'on man, we got a relic right here." He gestured his hand to me.
"Just answer the question, Joey," Téa sighed.
"The most expensive one I can get into. With Pegasus picking up the bill."
Téa sighed.
"Well you know I want to go to the dance academy in New York, how about you guys?"
"I think I would like to go to Chicago," Tristan said.
"I'm not sure," Yugi said. "How about you Mana?"
"Me. Huh I dunno, maybe Portland it's meant to be beautiful, Oregon looks a really cool state. And maybe a study abroad, it's sound like Pegasus would pay for that too so…"
"That sounds incredible! Where would you go?" Bakura asked.
"I dunno, maybe Egypt… It's not what I remember though… App state in North Carolina is meant to be pretty cool, and I wouldn't be that far from Grandpa if I went there,"
"Winning this will change our futures," Tristan said.
"Yeah, no massive debt, think of the money we could save up." Joey said.
"Shall we start now, might as well," Bakura said.
Several hours later they had gone over the planning and the times that the group could meet to build their chariot, they left the school. When the we got back to the store in time to help Grandpa close and tidy, excusing myself as it was almost done.
Taking a deep breath, I opened up the chest again, pulling out the dress.
Knock. Knock.
I jumped.
"Come in," I said still holding the dress up against me.
The curtain pulled back, and Grandpa – closely followed by Yugi – walked in.
"Hi," I said putting the dress back down. Grandpa smiled at me and picked it back up.
"So you opened up the chest again. You started learning any spells?"
I nodded.
"I have learnt how to turn things different colours," I said, taking the beautiful staff and pointing it at the walls. I closed my eyes and concentrated. The gasps indicated it worked, I opened my eyes to see the walls had turned a deep ocean blue.
"That's very impressive," Grandpa chortled. "Saves us painting the place again. Doesn't it."
Yugi and I laughed.
"I'm going to head to the pool." I said. "It seems like it has been forever."
"That's probably a good idea, let you think things through." Grandpa smiled.
I nodded, grabbing a swimming costume from the draw and stuffing it in my bag.
The cool feeling as the water swirled around me, bubbles as I pushed off the side of the wall. Everything had changed since I had last been in here. I knew about my other life, I know magic was real, I knew there was a spirit living inside my brother.
I tucked for a tumble-turn before pushing back off. We were going to have a lot more to deal with then trying to get into college. The fate of the world was on our shoulders, it sounded crazy, yet a part of me seemed so calm about it. Maybe the part of me that lives 5000 years ago. I was desperate to regain my old memories, but what would I find? How far did the Pharaoh and I go all that time ago? Egypt was a lot more hedonic then some eras. Had we already been married? So many questions that I wasn't one hundred percent sure I wanted to know. I pushed off the wall again. Could we actually do it? Could we actually save the world, like we did then?...
"Yugi, Grandpa, Dad. I'm back." I said removing the woolly hat from my head and freeing my hair from the wet bun, I grabbed a shirt from the radiator and wrapped it up.
"Yugi and your Grandpa are playing duel monsters." Dad's voice responded, I turned to see him gesturing to take my bag.
"Good swim?"
"Yeah, helped clear my head a bit," I smiled.
"I'm glad, this year is pretty stressful for you guys, with your classes and this competition."
"Yeah," I said. That wasn't even the most stressful part, I thought, going to watch them play.
Mr Bradley glanced at the clock.
"Well five minutes' lefts. I hope that was interesting enough for you." He said. I'll say I got over ten pages' worth of notes to try and help jog my memory. My left hand permanently over my mouth to prevent memories from spilling out.
"A quick story on the legend of Shadi."
I snapped my head round to look at a wide eyed Yugi, who was staring straight back at me. As Mr Bradley spoke again, I turned back to face him. Mouth covered and pen at the ready.
"Now Shadi's legend relates to that of the nameless Pharaoh, and the millennium items. Shadi is a god who has come to earth in a human form. The legend states that he is guarding the millennium items and is in charge of who wields these powerful objects. He aided the nameless Pharaoh in defeating true evil and saving the world. Now, of course, we take this Pharaoh saving the world. Metaphorically. He saved Egypt's world and culture. Now tomorrow you will be given your assigned chariot and will begin to work on your projects."
The bell shrieked through the classroom, signalling school was over.
"Remember to make time arrangements with everyone in your group, and if the completion gets too much. No one will judge you for dropping out." He called over the bustle of screeching chairs and murmurs of excitement.
Yugi and I headed back to the shop to help Grandpa before retiring to bed.
The cool breeze of the dessert made the sand dance below us. I could feel warm muscular arms around my waist, and I was leaning into their owner.
"It's nice when we get to be alone like this," I said turning in his arms. The older Prince smiled and squeezed my torso. His forehead leaned against mine before his deep voice filled the silent desert.
"I cherish every moment in your presence,"
"Wow my Prince what an honour," I whip, he chuckles, shaking his head slightly. Holding my face in his hands.
"What am I going to do with you, Mana?" he murmurs his face closer still.
"I can think of a few things," I whisper leaning into his lips. His grip on my waist tightens as his hand cups the nape of my neck. I put my arms around his neck. Our bodies so close. He moves us to the rail, the bottom of my back pressed against it. Our lips passionately crashing against each other…
The only sound was my panting I as I shot upright. My heart pounding fiercely in my chest. I touched my lips as I could almost feel his, my waist lingering with his warm strong arms. My face burned as I realised I wished it would happen again.
"Mana are you all right?" I heard Yugi's concerned voice.
"Yes," I gasped. "It was just a dream."
"An Egypt one? Can I come in?"
Oh shit. My heart was still racing, my cheeks red.
"Sure," my voice cracked.
"What happened you looked –"
"Uh it was nothing, it was just the prince and I in a chariot." I said trying to calm my heart.
"Where you running from someone?"
"No just, er... hanging out." I said my cheeks glowing.
"Oh ok," Yugi said. "You'll have to tell us more about it, what were you guys talking about?" he was so oblivious.
"Oh er… you know fate of the world, all that dramatic stuff."
"Why are you so nervous?"
"It can be very disorientating," I defended myself. "Waking up recalling a past life."
"You're red, are you feeling ok Mana?" Yugi said looking at my burning cheeks.
"Yes I'm fine, I just… it's a little disorientating,"
"He wants to talk to you about it," Yugi said concern still in his eyes.
"Uh, I'm still pretty tired. Can it wait?" I said quickly my heart racing.
"Uh sure… you sure you're ok?"
"Yeah. It was just a surprise that was all." I said avoiding looking anywhere but Yugi encase I made some weird invisible eye contact with the spirit.
"Well goodnight," Yugi said unsure, pulling the curtain back. I flumped back down on my bed. The dream and the pharaoh's body still ghosting my own. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
My heart still thumping in my chest. I didn't know how many more of those kind of dreams I could deal with.
Hi sorry this is so late again, my computer completely crashed. It's fixed now 'touch wood'. From now on every three weeks will be the update. So they next one is the 22nd of Dec. This way you guys always know when, and with other fanfics I am working on (hence the longer gap span). If real life gets less busy I will change my upgrading schedule. Thanks for being patient with me, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.