Hey all. Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. I know some of the earlier chapters are a bit short, but the further in, the chapters get very long. If anyone has questions, or wants to just comment, feel free to review. I'm more than happy to answer any burning questions. By the way, if everyone hadn't noticed, the past did deviate from the show a bit. More on the past is revealed later though, for a few chapters are even written to just go into it. Well, for now, enjoy the chapters, and as I say, feel free to ask me about the story if you want, or to just comment. Hehe, I enjoy good and bad criticism.

Chapter 17

In the dinning hall that night, Illidan sat talking to Yugi and his friends, along with Marie of course. Joey was complaining to everyone about his bad luck in the tournament so far.

"Man, I can't win a duel if I wanted to. This sucks! I need some serious injection of good luck!" cried out Joey.

Smiling, Mai then grabbed Joey in a head lock and started giving him a noogie and said "I wouldn't be complaining about it Joey. I haven't won yet either, and neither has Bakura or Bandit Keith, but Keith's just a loser anyways. Honey, you need to calm down!"

The others all laughed at Joey's predicament, but he allowed it. Finally, he did start to struggle and escaped Mai's grasp. He then proceeded to straighten his hair back out, to a semi normal look.

After a few more hours of talking, everyone finally decided to go back to their rooms. As Yugi was about to leave, Illidan asked him to stay so they could talk. Yugi nodded that he would. After kissing Marie good night, Illidan then walked over to where Yugi sat.

After sitting down, Illidan looked at Yugi and said "Yugi, I've got to ask you something."

Smiling, Yugi said "What Illidan?"

Sitting there, trying desperately to think of what to say, Illidan became lost in his thoughts. "Gee, what do I say? Do I just come out and say 'Hey, are you Yami?' That would sound so dumb. But I don't know what else to really say."

Sighing, Illidan finally said "Yugi, does your Millennium Puzzle have powers?"

Yugi just looked at Illidan with an odd stare, unsure of what to say. In his mind, he was lost in thought as well. "If I told Illidan, then would it matter?" he thought to himself.

At last, Yugi replied "You could say Illidan."

Satisfied with that answer, Illidan then asked "Ok, this might be another dumb question, but do you house the spirit of the pharaoh known as Yami?"

Yugi now was unsure of what to make of this new question. Curiously, he asked Illidan "How do you know about Yami?"

Smiling slightly, Illidan replied "We met long ago, and I hope he still knows me."

Mentally communicating to Yami, Yugi asked "Yami, do you know him?"

Looking carefully at Illidan, Yami finally said "He looks familiar, but I'm not sure. My memories are incomplete still, so I'm unsure."

Mentally nodding, Yugi replied "True. Should I tell him about you? It could be dangerous."

After a moment, Yami responded, "I don't sense any danger with him, nor do I sense any evil. No, let's have him explain himself first."

Seeing that most likely Yami and Yugi were mentally talking, Illidan said "In case you're wondering how I know about Yami, I'll tell you. You see, me and him were once best friends five millennia ago in ancient Egypt. Also, we were brother in laws by marriage."

Shocked at what he'd just heard, Yugi said "What do you mean you two were brother in laws and best friends? You're not five millennia old, are you? Or do you house the spirit of someone from that time, or do you have a Millennium Item, or do you…"

Smiling at Yugi's constant rambling and attempt to reason this situation out, Illidan calmly then raised his hands up to his chest and slightly concentrated. The Millennium Key then appeared around his neck.

Shocked once again, Yugi blurted out "The Millennium Key!"

Lightly chuckling, Illidan replied "Yes, it is the Millennium Key. I was it's original owner five millennia ago."

Still shocked, Yugi asked "But how? Shadi is the owner of that item! He always has been, and he said he's had it for five millennia!"

Smiling, Illidan calmly replied "True, he did possess it for five millennia, but only because I asked him to keep it for me till I was reincarnated. And he did his job, and confronted me a day before we left for the tournament. There he dueled me and when I won, I received the Millennium Key. Once receiving the Millennium Key, my memories of the past have been reawakened, and I'm remembering more and more of the past each day. He also told me that this tournament was really Gozaburo's way of unlocking the power of the Millennium Crown."

Nodding, Yugi said "I see."

Mentally, he then said to Yami "Maybe you should talk to him. He seems to be telling the truth, at least I hope."

Yami then replied "Alright, I'll talk to him. Maybe talking with him will help reawaken some of my memories."

Yugi then stood up and cried out "Yu-gi-oh!" Suddenly, the Millennium Puzzle glowed and Yugi was enveloped in a blinding light. The light momentarily blinded Illidan, and when Illidan could see again, he noticed Yugi looked different. He was taller and his hair was spikier than before. Now his eyes were a deeper shade of purple as well.

Remembering the person he had seen in his visions that had been called Yami, Illidan now realized that this was the true pharaoh. Humbly, Illidan then got down on one knee and slightly bowed to Yami. Yami stood there for a moment, just staring at Illidan in disbelief when something deep in his memory was reawakened, allowing him to remember a few things about Illidan.

Sighing, Yami said "Do you still have to bow to me after I've told you a million times to stop!"

Chuckling, Illidan stayed where he was. At last, Yami finally said "Arise, you know you don't have to bow to me ever."

Smiling, Illidan stood and said "My pharaoh, my friend, my brother, it's been so long since we've seen one another."

Nodding, Yami replied "Yes, it has Illidan. But are you the true reincarnation of Illidan Stormrage from five millennia ago?"

Illidan then nodded, saying "I am truly his reincarnation. I remember that it was prophesied that we would all return one day in one form or another. Also, I am slowly regaining my memories of the past. I've recovered a good bit of them, but I'm still trying to recover them all. They're still locked away within my mind, but the Millennium Key is slowly revealing each memory to me.

Yami nodded and replied "I see. Some of my memories have just reawakened too, mostly about you. I wonder why though. From what I understand, I erased my own memories back in ancient times."

Smiling, Illidan said "Could be due that we were such good friends in ancient times, not to mention we were brother in laws."

Nodding again, Yami responded with "That would explain why my memories have been released due to seeing you again."

Sighing, Yami said "It has been so long Illidan."

Yami then walked over to Illidan and they shook hands and gave one another a hug. Both laughed, and then started talking about current events. After a while, Illidan decided it was time to get down to business.

Calmly asking, Illidan said "Yami, do you know about the Millennium Necklace's prophesies on this tournament?"

Shaking his head, Yami replied "No, I don't. Tell me about them."

Slowly, Illidan said "From what I understand that Shadi told me, the owner of the Millennium Necklace…"

Yami quickly cut him off, saying "You mean Ishizu?"

Shrugging, Illidan said "I guess, seeing how I didn't know who had the item. Anyways, from what he said, that item holder has gazed into the future five times. Twice she saw me dueling Gozaburo. The other three times she saw Marie, Marik, and you."

Frowning, Yami asked "Why Marie?"

Sighing due to the fact that he kind of knew, Illidan said "I'm not entirely sure. From what I can remember, she was there in ancient Egypt with us. Me and her were in love in the past as well, so that maybe why."

Then continuing, Illidan said "Anyways, one of the four of us are to save the world. The only thing is, she has no idea who will win."

Both Illidan and Yami sighed at this, for not knowing if either were the true ones to fight Gozaburo was hard to think about.

Finally, Yami said "At least we know one thing. More than likely, it's up to the four of us to win this tournament."

Suddenly, the loud speakers buzzed to life as one of the guards said "Duelists, it is time to return to your rooms for the night."

Sighing, Illidan said "Well Yami, I guess it's time we went to our rooms. My original idea was to sneak out of my room with the use of my Millennium Key to go meet you, but I decided not to since we were able to meet tonight."

Curiously asking, Yami said "You have control over your item already?"

Nodding, Illidan replied with "Yeah, I learned while getting ready for the boat ride here. It was fun to say the least."

Smiling, Yami said "I bet it was. We'd better go though. I'll see you tomorrow Illidan."

Nodding, Illidan then started to turn to leave, but decided to annoy Yami one last time. He then bowed once again in front of Yami.

Irritated, Yami cried out "Illidan, STOP THAT!"

Laughing, Illidan got up and said "Couldn't resist. Good luck, my old friend."

Illidan then left for his room, leaving a slightly steamed Yami. After a moment, Yami finally chuckled to himself and made his way to his own room.