"And… it's finally finished," I turned my head back to grin at the group. Slowly crawling away from the beautifully painted chariot. I felt warmth flood my stomach as I looked at the Pharaoh's chariot, the beautiful golds and blues.

"It looks incredible," Téa said.

"Good job team," Joey grinned.

"Yeah, it looks awesome!" Tristan said circling it.

"Don't touch it we need the pain to dry," I panicked as he got a bit too close. I heard a deep chuckle, I turned to see the Pharaoh smiling at me. He walked towards me his hand reaching towards my face, a finger gently rubbed my cheek. Frowning I looked at his hand to see gold paint. I mimicked him, then looked at my own thumb to see some smudged gold.

"Did I get the last of it?" I asked him, he shook his head.

"Uh guys,"

I turned to see the whole group smirking at us. I felt my cheeks warm, and took a step back.

"What?" I tried not to sound defensive.

"Nothin'" Tristan said.

"I can't believe we finished it," Bakura smiled.

"Have you finished all of our costumes Mana?" Téa asked.

"Yes, they are all in my room."

"Do yah think we'll get extra points for finishing early?" Joey said.

"I doubt it," Tristan said. "Besides it's not like we'll need it." Tristan gestured to me, I gave a mock bow.

"Shouldn't we be bowing at you?" Téa said, smirking. Tristan and Joey grinned before they flung themselves to the floor.

"You're not funny get up!" I hissed, my face warming. The Pharaoh chuckled, diverting their attention to him.

"Oh great and powerful Pharaoh, we are honoured to be part of your kingdom."

"Great, well, you're hilarious an all, but people actually used to do that. Get up."

Sniggering they rose to their feet, giving another quick mock bow.

"Yes your majesty the mighty – er what was the wife of a Pharaoh called?" he said looking at me.

"Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you." I said.

"Let's go back to mine and have a celebratory takeaway, my treat." Téa distracted him.

"Free food, I'm in!" Joey said grinning at her.

"Pizza?"

"Why don't we get Egyptian," I smirked.

"That's perfect! And I never tried it before," Joey's grin faltered. "It ain't gunna be snails or dung beetles is it."

"Well for a start Egyptian worshiped Dung beetles." Everyone frowned and looked at me and the Pharaoh.

"Hey, I don't think we did, I think it's later." I said defensively.

"Sounds good," Tristan said amused.

"Maybe, it'll jog some memories." Téa said. "Food can be a great grounder,"

"Yeah, I suppose, it's worth a try."

…

"Hmm this is delicious," Joey said hovelling more food into his mouth.

"The flavours," Tristan said nearly shoving another whole spoonful into his mouth.

"It is pretty yummy," Yugi said smiling at me.

"Yeah, it is good,"

"Are you getting any memories?" Téa asked.

"Not solid ones, just blurs of times and conversations." I closed my eyes trying to focus on any of the murmuring voices in my head. "It's almost like background noise, and mostly female. That would make sense as men and women sat at different sides of the hall when eating."

"Shall we watch a movie," Téa suggested.

"The Mummy!" Joey said.

"We are not watching the Mummy," I said, crossing my arms and scowling at him.

"Well then –"

"Let's watch something non-Egyptian. It's been taking over our lives recently. Let's just get some good old fashioned Disney or something." I suggested.

"You sure,"

"Yeah, come on. We don't expect you guys to live and breathe it." Yugi said. "It's great you are sticking with us and wanting to help. But we are all a team, we have to focus on everyone's needs and problems not just ours."

"Disney it is!" Téa said grabbing the pile of DVDs.

…

"That was fun to just relax for a while wasn't it," Yugi said smiling.

"Yeah, we've been so stressed since Duellist Kingdom. It was nice to unwind and not think of then rate of the world,"

Yugi laughed.

"Yeah!"

The spirit appeared.

"Hey," I smiled at him, he walked over and sat on the bed beside me.

"Did you both have fun at Téa's?" he asked.

"Yeah it was great, you should have came out," Yugi said.

"I was thinking about the Chariot Race, and how it will feel to ride again." He said.

"I wonder if it would jog your memories."

"I doubt it," he frowned. "However, if I enjoyed it then I will enjoy it now. I just wish that my name had been on my Chariot."

"Well," I twiddled my thumbs. "If it helps your real name begins with an A that's all I get out before someone stops me. I realised when I ate one of the dishes."

"Thank you, Mana,"

"We should go to sleep, we still have a couple of exams to finish." Yugi said.

"Yeah, good idea," I smiled. "Focus on the Geography tomorrow morning, then Pe in the afternoon."

"Sounds good," Yugi smiled.

I closed the curtain and got into the pyjamas.

I woke with a gasp, sharp spasms of burning deep pain. I clutched my torso, curling into a ball. What was happening! I cried out as the pain flared up. Then it was over as quickly as it started, bubbling under the surface. I lifted the silk to go to the healers. And screamed.

Blood. There was blood.

Was I going to die. I was bleeding I could see the dried smearing on my thighs.

"What is it?" I heard a woman call, a young woman rushed in her eyes wide in panic. She looked at me, her body untensed.

"Hush, Mana. It's alright," she said, closing the door behind her.

"I'm bleeding! Am I going to die?"

"No child, it a part of growing up. This is you red sun."

"My red sun," I looked down at my bloodied lower body. "I didn't think it would hurt." I said, the surge grew stronger again. I groaned wrapping my arms around myself again.

"Hush," she said softly. "I will get you some linin, and something to ease the pain."

She walked into the bathroom, and I could hear the water and the fire.

Getting out of the bed, I noticed it wasn't just me that was stained.

"The silk!"

"It's alright, I will deal with it while you bath. Clean yourself of, Mana." she walked back into the room. Her eyes still gentle. "You will be fine."

I got up gasping again, then felt a familiar spasm in my midriff. With a groan, I pulled back the cover to see a stain in my pyjamas.

Great. Sometimes I really hated being a woman.

…

The Pharaoh walked out of the bedroom, adoring the clothes so similar to what he wore 5000 years before. I couldn't look away. Warmth flooded my body as a rush of emotions swirled around.

"How do I look?" he asked me.

"You looked wonderful, my Pharaoh." I said putting my left foot forwards and giving a small bow. His warm hand took my own as we walked towards the stairs.

"Wow look at you Yugi, you suit that clobber," he grinned. "Go on son, give us a twirl."

"I'll just go put my clothes on. When did the rest of them say they would be here?"

"Any minute now." Dad said checking his watch.

"Great then we can all get on the bus together," Grandpa said.

"Are you nervous?" Dad asked.

"A little," I said. "But we got this,"

I heard the bell of the shop dig. Grabbing the last of our supplies for the day we headed out to meet our friends.

…

"On your marks, get set, go!"

There was a loud shot, and the racers began.

"Go Yugi!" Joey yelled.

"He ain't Yugi yah nimbrod." Tristan snapped whacking the back of his head.

"I can't shout Pharaoh can I genius!" Joey clutched the back of his head before hitting him back. I turned back to the race ignoring them. The Pharaoh was taking the final turn, he yanked the reigns, turning the horse.

"Yah!"

"Whoa My Prince slow down!" I gasped grabbing onto his side as we raced around the corner.

"Don't worry, Mana I am in complete control." He assured me.

I jumped as a loud roar from the crowd grew. Looked at the finish line to see the Pharaoh smiling towards us. I began to cheer along with my friends.

"Racers," a Judge called out. "Leave your chariot, separate it from your horses. Someone will come and collect them from you then join your team while we deliberate."

The Pharaoh jumped of, stroking the horses as he and a helper removed the two beautiful mares from the chariot. Then strode towards us, my stomach lifted into my throat. My lungs stopped working.

We were in the great throne room of the palace, I was standing beside Mahad. I was in a foul mood, I glared up at him. He chuckled, but did not comment on my scowl.

My head snapped around as I heard another chuckle.

"Surely magic lessons are not that awful, Mana."

The young Prince strode towards me his cloak billowing behind him, as he crossed his father's throne.

"Mana?"

I blinked seeing the Pharaoh before me, his eyes concerned.

"Prince, I mean Pharaoh. Sorry, I was in another time. Literally." I tried to joke, everyone looked at me confused.

"I've had a couple of flashes today. It's a good thing." I said reassuring the group, then gently smacked the Pharoah's arm.

"You drive a chariot like a mad man,"

He laughed at me, wrapping me into a hug, when we willed away I turned to the group.

"We are never letting him drive a car."

They all laughed.

"I'm surprised Pegasus wasn't here to judge." Téa said frowning at the judging panel.

"Yes, I was wondering the same thing," The Pharaoh said.

"Well, he probably knew he'd be pushing his luck. Or maybe he's still recovering from losing the millennium eye." I thought aloud.

"True," Tristan said. The middle judge stood up, and the crowd fell silent.

"Everyone if we could have your attention." He said. "First of all we would like to thank you all for being here today, and helping history come back to life."

I smiled at the Pharaoh, taking his hand in the sea of people. He squeezed it back.

"We would also like to thank the main financier of this event Maxamillion Pegasus, who we have been informed was not well enough to attend the day's festivities. As you all know, the prize on the line today is a full scholarship including accommodation fees and meal plans for the full team of those who win this tournament."

Everyone cheered, the greying man smiled.

"Second place, shall receive their Freshman and Sophomore year's tuitions completely paid for, and half their accommodation costs covered for those two years."

We all cheered and clapped again.

"Third place, shall receive the first two year's accommodation paid for."

The crowd cheered again. I had to hand it to Pegasus, he was going to help a lot of people, not just us.

"Everyone else shall receive five hundred dollars of participation."

We all clapped and cheered again.

"My hands hurt from clapping," Joey said through his teeth, I laughed, but continued to clap.

"In Third Place is the Walking Egyptians, from Atlanta."

I saw the students three groups down begin to cheer, and hug each other.

"Next is Cleopatra's Army, from Boston."

A group of girls opposite us began to cheer and hug each other.

"Finally, our winners are…"

I crossed my fingers. I felt a warm hand dislodge my left hand and hold it tight.

"The Aiding the Nameless Pharaoh's right here from the Richman area, congratulations to everyone. To collect your prizes would you all come to the tables at the front of the arena and give your group name and the individual number you were assigned. Thank you for coming everyone and have a safe trip home."

"We did it! We're going to college!" Tristan yelled, he and Joey grabbed us all into a group hug as we laughed and yelled at each other.

"New York here I come!" Téa laughed, her face lit up with one of the biggest smiles I had ever seen.

"Sorry to interrupt." We turned to see one of the judges had taken the microphone. He had a darker complexion then the rest, his grey and white tufty hair was high and fluffy on his head. He was bundled up in several layers. I realised he was probably the Egyptologist who had come along to help spectate. "I would like to speak to the clear winners."

We looked slightly nervous at each other.

"He'll just want to congratulate us for our authenticity." Bakura said nervously.

"Yeah, probably," Tristan said.

We made our way over to the judges table

"Congratulations, to all of you. I have watched over your footage very impressed. Your techniques are flawless. I see this young lady was in charge of most of that." He smiled at me. "What is your name child?"

"Mana," I said. He blinked, then chuckled.

"Very funny dear, but what –"

"Er Professor that is actually her name."

"What a fun coincidence," he smiled, "Even your appearance, why if I didn't know any better." He winked. "I gather you know of the prophecy in your research?"

We looked at each other, the Pharaoh gave a small nod.

"Actually Professor, the prophecy is real. I am Mana, and this is the Pharaoh." I glanced at him. "That is the actual puzzle which my brother Yugi solved. We have entered the Shadow Realm and I am regaining my memories… Only not fast enough. Can I – we –" I gestured to the Pharaoh again. "Pick your brain about our past?"

He looked between us in amusement, I took out my miniaturised staff and enlarged it, then I closed my eyes and focused on the Professor's hand. He gasped opened his palm to see a beetle made of gold.

"B-But I I, this isn't… How?"

"Er you broke the world's top Egyptologist." Téa said.

"Professor?" I touched his arm, he shook his head, and his eyes widened.

He put his felt foot forward, and dropped onto his right knee.

"That really isn't necessary," the Pharaoh said.

"I have so many questions, can I interview you?" he said excitedly.

"I only remember that I was Pharaoh,"

"Shows how big his ego was huh?" I smirked at him.

"And you? Are the legends true, once you reenter –"

"Yeah, I don't have many memories at the moment, though some childhood flickers mostly."

"Fascinating," he said his glasses falling sideways.

"Perhaps we should get coffee tomorrow, are you still in town?" I asked aware his face was beginning to shine.

"I will change my flights, of course. An honour –"

"We thank you for helping us," The Pharaoh smiled, I could hear the amusement in his voice.

"Guys your families coming," Joey said.

"Yugi's father does not know of all of this –"

The Professor nodded, fixing his spectacles, as Dad and Grandpa rushed over.

"Congratulations," Grandpa said, pulling us in for a hug.

"You did great, well done Yugi, I didn't know you could ride like that," Dad ruffled the Pharaoh's hair.

"I channelled my inner Pharaoh," he said, Joey snorted, Tristan elbowed him.

"Come on, let's go home." Dad said. "We'll go out, my treat."

"Sounds good to me!" Joey grinned.

"Joey!" we all yelled.

"What?" he cried clutching his arm as Téa hit him. I laughed, life couldn't get much better.

Hi guys sorry it's late. I am in the process of moving into my first big girl house I am moving out of home so it's all a bit mad, and abroad. Go big or go home . I will be aiming to update every three weeks as planned from now on.