Cairo stands outside of the arcade, immediately taking in her surroundings. People are still filing out of the building, fearing there is an actual fire inside. But Cairo believes the Rare Hunter might have triggered the alarm so he could get away. And so far, he has succeeded in doing so.
"I was foolish to let my guard down," she remarks to herself, still scanning the area. Growling with frustration, she quickly walks down the sidewalk, trying to clear her head in hopes that she will sense the soul. She was so distracted earlier that it caused the soul to fall completely under the radar. As she walks further down the sidewalk, she breathes a heavy sigh.
"One would think I've been free for a while with how rusty I've become at detecting souls," she says. She stops right before the stairs of a large stone building and turns her head. As she stares at the museum, she has the strong urge to go inside. At first she goes up the stairs slowly, then it ascends into a normal pace. In the large windows, she can see the sun behind her beginning to set, bringing an orange hue into the sky.
She places her hand on the door handle, gently bringing it open and going inside. The lobby is large with brown marble floors and green walls. With it being near closing time, the only people that remain are a few employees. None of the exhibits capture her interest initially as she continues to observe, walking past a staircase. But she soon stops, looking over her shoulder to the dimly lit staircase and she cautiously makes her way down, seeing that no one else is around.
What she sees next fills her with surprise. An Ancient Egyptian exhibit. Not only stemming from kings that lived before her and came after, but her lifetime as well. A large stone tablet in the back of the room causes her mouth to go agape and her eyes grow big as she approaches it slowly.
"Dad?" she says, viewing the slab that depicts her own father with what appears to be the Dark Magician hovering above. Then her eyes go over to another figure with a dragon over him. "…and Seto?"
She observes something written in hieroglyphics that reads "Tablet of Lost Memories." And then a cartouche that appears to have been scratched off.
"This must be where his name was at some point," she guesses.
"That is correct," a voice says from behind her.
Turning around, her face drops and she purses her lips together in order to contain a scream. The woman has naturally narrowed blue eyes, black hair that reaches just past her shoulders and a huge resemblance to… "Isis?" Cairo blinks repeatedly. But how is this possible? Did Isis somehow reach this world as well?
"I am Ishizu," the woman says, walking up to her. "I am the Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities here at Domino City Museum."
Still dumbfounded, Cairo points at her. "So…you're not Isis?"
"I must bear a huge resemblence to her if you keep referring to me as such."
"You have no idea…" Cairo mutters before looking back at the tablet.
"I see you have an interest in Ancient Egyptian history…more specifically in this stone tablet that depicts—"
"Priest Seto…" Cairo interrupts to Ishizu's surprise. "…and Pharaoh Atem."
She stares at her briefly before regaining her composure. "I see you've done…extensive research. Not many actually know the name of what used to be a nameless pharaoh until recently." She takes notice of the crown on the girl's head, arching an eyebrow. At first, she thinks it could be some sort of replica. It's clear the girl knows her history and it's possible she's so intrigued that she had a replica crown made. But the more Ishizu studies it, the more questions arise as to who the girl is.
Cairo looks down with thought. She had no idea there was a reincarnation of Isis here in this world. But she guesses it makes sense since there is a reincarnation of Seto and Shimon here as well. Not to mention there's Yugi.
She wonders if there are any more people who are reincarnations of individuals from her past.
"Something tells me you're not from this world," Ishizu guesses, bringing Cairo out of her thoughts. "Who are you?"
"What do you know about the pharaoh?" Cairo questions, wanting to know the extent of Ishizu's knowledge.
Ishizu raises an eyebrow, taken off guard by the question. But nevertheless, she answers. "He was a powerful ruler who saved the world 5,000 years ago by sealing himself and a powerful dark being within the Millennium Puzzle," she explains. "This may sound unbelievable, but he roamed this earth once more when a boy solved the Millennium Puzzle, sending him on a long journey to retrieve his lost memories and to finally rest in the Afterlife."
"It doesn't sound unbelievable at all," Cairo replies. "In fact…he's roaming the Earth as we speak."
Ishizu gasps. "What do you mean by that? That's impossible!" she replies with disbelief. "I saw the pharaoh return to the Afterlife with my own eyes!"
"It is true that he returned to the Afterlife briefly." Previously gazing at the stone tablet, Cairo looks over to Ishizu. "Unfortunately I am the cause for his return here into the world of the living."
"Which leads me back to my initial question. Who are you?"
"I am Cairo. Daughter of Queen Mana and Pharaoh Atem."
Ishizu's mouth goes agape as she takes a step back, her body beginning to tremble as she looks at the girl in front of her with shock. Is this child really the daughter of the pharaoh? "No…that doesn't seem right," Ishizu says, still in denial. "While I have read about the pharaoh's wife, who was a powerful sorcerer that remained loyal to Seto who took up the mantle once the pharaoh died, history has no mention of the pharaoh and queen having a daughter."
"Understandably so. I didn't exactly have a heroic or noble past like my parents," Cairo says. "The final hours of my life were spent causing destruction to Egypt and ultimately facing off against my father…who had to make the tough decision to finish me off once and for all."
"I am admittedly confused on all of this," Ishizu says, taking another step back. "What business do you have here? And why have you brought the pharaoh back? For revenge?"
"I assure you there is no need to be alarmed by my presence. While my father and I did fight, it was for reasons out of our control…mainly mine," Cairo begins to explain. "The same evil my father went up against 5,000 years ago is the evil that possessed me. And although that same evil still lives within me to his day, I have no intentions on using my abilities to harm innocent people. I only seek to recover the souls that have escaped from the Shadow Realm."
"What?" Ishizu gasps. "The Shadow Realm?"
"I was banished there by the gods after betraying my father and was given the role as soul keeper up until recently. When my father entered into the Afterlife, he freed me as well." Cairo narrows her eyes. "But…unfortunately some of those souls were freed intentionally by a guy named Marik and—"
"Marik?" Ishizu cuts her off. "No…that has to be a mistake."
Cairo raises an eyebrow as Ishizu turns away with a confused expression.
"I'm sorry…but that's just not possible," Ishizu says.
Before Cairo can question her any further, a nearby door opens and out steps someone that makes Cairo's eyes go wide. A man with purple eyes and grey hair that reaches his shoulders reveals himself. He wears khaki pants and a purple hooded crop top. And most importantly, he bears a striking resemblance to Marik aside from the hairstyle.
"Marik!" Ishizu exclaims with surprise. "I didn't know you were here today."
"I was just passing by," he replies before looking down at the child next to her. "And then I heard my name being called."
Cairo studies him silently with her arms crossed over her chest. This isn't making any sense to her. But perhaps this answers her earlier question as to whether there are more reincarnations. This 'Marik' that stands in front of her looks less menacing and his voice is softer than the harsh voice of the Marik she knows.
"Brother, this is Princess Cairo," Ishizu introduces. "She is the daughter of the pharaoh we know."
Marik's eyes go wide. "Say what?"
"He is your brother?" Cairo questions, her gaze now on Ishizu.
"That's right," Marik replies for her. "And I had no idea the pharaoh had a daughter."
Cairo sighs and places a hand up to her forehead, feeling slightly overwhelmed by this reveal. "This is…perplexing…"
"I overheard you saying that I am responsible for freeing souls from the Shadow Realm," Marik says walking up to her. "What do you mean by that exactly?"
Cairo groans before looking over to him, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Do you have a reincarnation as well?"
"What…?"
She glares at him, growing impatient. "Answer me."
Marik stares at her briefly, confused by what she is asking. How would she know about his other self? Unless… "Wait…is he back?" His heart begins to pound, feeling anxious at that possibility.
"I take that as a yes," Cairo assumes.
"But he was banished to the Shadow Realm with the help of the pharaoh!" Ishizu reveals. "How could he have escaped? Let alone be responsible for the souls being released?"
"I will explain. But first…I need you to tell me everything about this…darker Marik." If it's true that her father helped in banishing the dark Marik to the Shadow Realm, then he is definitely not to be trusted. Though she suspected he was untrustworthy from the start with the antics he's pulled so far.
Marik steps forward. "I'll tell you everything you need to know about Yami Marik."
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"Cairo?" Atem calls out, running out of the arcade. He looks through the crowd of people for any signs of her, but to no avail. He can only assume that she went after the soul that he went up against prior to the alarm going off. "Cairo where are you?"
His calls go unanswered.
Yugi and the others join him shortly, looking in all directions as well. "Any sign of her?" Yugi asks.
"I don't see her anywhere!" Téa exclaims with worry.
"Me either," Tristan says, his eyes going from left to right.
Joey scans the crowd until his eyes land on the Rare Hunter running down the street. "But I see a certain someone that's trying to get away!" Joey points out before darting off in his direction.
"Wait Joey!" Téa yells after him.
"Does he ever?" Tristan asks as he runs as well and the others follow.
The Rare Hunter turns a corner into an alley, running through until he feels he is out of sight. Then he hunches over to catch his breath. That was way too close of a call. Not only did the spiky haired guy give him a run for his money, but he knows for sure he wouldn't have been match for the girl either.
"That bastard…" he growls, referring to Marik as he clenches his fist. The boost in power failed him in the end and nearly cost him if not for his quick thinking. "When I see him I'll—"
"Do what exactly?" a voice from behind him asks, causing his heart to drop into his stomach as he whips around to see none other than Marik sporting that signature grin of his.
"M-Marik!" the hunter stammers. "I-I wasn't expecting to see you here!"
"Looks like you've gotten yourself into trouble."
The hunter gulps, attempting to put on a brave face. "Y-Yes. I was doubled teamed by that one duelist and that girl you told me about!" he explains. "But I was able to get away!"
Marik's grin turns into a look of disgust, causing the hunter to flinch.
"L-Look…whatever you did to me didn't work," the hunter says, walking up a few steps. "I need more! That girl is strong and I think I barely scratched the surface as to what she can really do! If I could have more power then I know I can beat her!"
"And why should I do that?" Marik questions, aiming his hand at him. "You ran like a coward."
"Now hold on!"
"I'm sure you barely lasted a minute against her."
"I can make it up to you, I promise!" the hunter says, trying to plead his case and prolog his time in this world. "I could even be a spy! Find out her weakness!"
Marik ponders that for a moment before smirking. "You are right that I need to find her weakness…"
The hunter smirks anxiously. "So…what do you say? I can get started right away!"
"…but I won't be needing your services any longer." Marik's hand glows and he abruptly grabs the hunter by the shirt, pressing his palm into his chest that causes the hunter to scream.
In another area nearby, Atem stops in his tracks after hearing the sound of someone screaming. "Did you hear that?" he asks the others.
"Yeah, it almost sounded like that Rare Hunter!" Yugi replies, staying on alert.
"You think Cairo may have sent him back to the Shadow Realm just now?" Téa asks.
"Only one way to find out," Atem replies as he runs in the direction of the scream, cutting a corner into an alleyway. What he and the others see next is almost enough to make their own souls leave their bodies. First, Atem is filled with an immense amount of shock of the person standing several feet in front of them. A portal closes in front of the grey, spiky haired individual, who is oblivious of their presence at the moment.
Then comes the anger. Not only from Atem, but from Joey as well. All of the memories seem to come flooding back all at once. For Atem and Yugi, they remember when Marik possessed their friends minds that left them in a near death situation. Then the high stakes duel they had at Battle City, with the Shadow Realm hovering around them, waiting to enshroud its next victim in darkness forever.
Joey's fists clench so tightly that one of his palms begin to trickle with blood. But that pales in comparison to the amount of pain Marik inflicted on him and those near and dear to him. Joey had attempted to save his close friend Mai by staring in the face of danger, even as her memory of him faded due to the Shadow duel. She was sent to the Shadow Realm after she lost and he vowed to defeat Marik once and for all.
And it would have happened, if he could have managed to summon a card that would ensure his victory. But his own energy quickly withered away and he was unsuccessful, leaving him unconscious. And although the pharaoh and Yugi ultimately defeated Marik, seeing him standing there only reopens old wounds.
"MARIK!" Atem yells angrily.
Hearing his name called and recognizing the voice behind him, Marik slowly turns around to face a familiar pharaoh and his friends who all glare at him with a mixture of vexed emotions.
Marik smirks. "Is that any way to greet an old friend?" he asks teasingly, knowing they are far from that. He knows the pain and anguish he inflicted on all of them. And seeing that it still bothers them to this day, pleases him to no end.
"What are you doing here?" Yugi asks defensively.
"Now, honestly. Is that really any of your concern?" Marik shrugs.
"He's got one more time to make a witty response and I'm pummeling him!" Joey snaps.
"I'm right there with ya pal," Tristan chimes in, edging forward.
"Tell me Joey. How is that female doing? I believe her name was Mai?" Marik asks.
"Don't you dare say her name!" Joey yells.
Marik snickers. "I wouldn't be surprised if she were still traumatized. She practically cried out for help every single day she was being swallowed up by the shadows." He begins to laugh at the thought of it, only sending Joey into a fit of rage.
"You BASTARD!" Joey screams at the top of his lungs, rushing past Atem and the others with his fist pulled back, preparing to land the hardest punch on the evil man grinning in front of him.
That is until Cairo jumps down from the roof of a building that towers above them, raising her palm to block Joey's punch to everyone's shock.
"It's Cairo!" Téa points out.
"Cairo!" Atem calls out to her, running up a few feet, standing just behind Joey. Is she protecting Marik?
"Get out of the way!" Joey yells, still trying to press forward to no avail. Cairo is much too strong and isn't even breaking a sweat to block him.
"Don't protect him!" Tristan tells her, pointing at Marik. "He's one of the bad guys!"
"Stand down Joey," Cairo says, staring calmly into his furious eyes.
"You have no idea what the man behind you has put all of us through!" Joey responds.
"Your feelings are very much valid. And while I may never know the extent of the pain he has caused, I cannot allow you to do this."
"Explain yourself, Cairo," her father says, not quite understanding her intentions.
"Spoken like a true partner," Marik comments, sending shockwaves through everyone.
Atem looks to Marik with disbelief, then to his daughter. "Don't make me repeat myself," he says sternly to Cairo, beginning to lose his composure. None of this is making sense to him. How is Marik back? What was the cause of the scream? And why is Cairo protecting him?
"Dad please…this isn't easy for me either…" Cairo replies, averting her gaze.
"So it's true then," Marik says, walking up to stand beside her. "You never told me you had a daughter, pharaoh. Though now with you two standing here, I do see the resemblance." He cackles.
"Marik…" Atem growls.
"But how?" Yugi asks. "You were banished for good!"
"This was who I was talking about," Cairo tells them. "He's the one who took my place as a soul keeper. And he's the cause of the souls being released."
"What?!" everyone replies simultaneously while Marik only shrugs his shoulders.
"We were brought back here because Marik released the souls from the Shadow Realm and the gods wanted me to help him retrieve them. So…here we are."
"But you can't work with him!" Téa pleads. "He's evil!"
"Téa is right," Yugi agrees. "He can't trusted."
"I have spoken to his other self," Cairo tells them, which even surprises Yami Marik. "And he has informed me of the truth of what this man has done. However, I have no choice but to obey the gods."
Joey huffs. "This is unbelievable! You're truly going to work with the likes of him?! Who's to say that he'll actually do his job?"
"On the contrary…I have actually managed to capture the soul you let get away," Marik reveals, causing Cairo to cut her eyes at him. "I dare not upset the gods for not doing my duties."
"Lies…" Atem says. "Knowing you, I'd say you have no intentions of capturing all of the souls. And I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't coming up with a plan to turn against Cairo and get your revenge on Yugi and I."
"Any revenge would be a bonus. However, those are not my intentions," Marik says. "It would be pointless anyway. It's not like you two have the ability to send me back to the Shadow Realm. As far as I'm concerned, you're no threat to me."
Atem narrows his eyes. 'But Cairo is,' he thinks to himself. 'And I must ensure she's safe from whatever he's planning.'
"This was fun," Marik says sarcastically. "But I really must continue on with my duties."
"We're not letting you go anywhere!" Joey yells, still angered by his mere presence. He stands in Marik's way with his fists balled up, ready for round two. "If you think we're gonna let someone as dangerous you roam this earth…"
Marik outstretches his hand to Joey, putting everyone on guard.
"Don't you dare!" Atem warns Marik, taking a step forward and readying his diadhank.
"I grow tired of you," Marik says to Joey. "Move or be banished."
Cairo retaliates by stretching out her glowing hand as well, aiming it Marik as her eyes begin to glow.
Marik grins. "What's this…?"
"You do not have the authority to send active souls such as his to the Shadow Realm," Cairo tells him, narrowing her eyes more. "Furthermore, this is your first and last warning for you to not raise your hand to my friends."
"Or what?"
"My patience with you has reached its limit. Tread lightly."
Marik snickers before aiming his hand at her now, activating a strong force in an attempt to push her back. Instead, she stands unaffected, the only things moving on her body being her hair and clothing. Marik's gasps lightly, seeing his own abilities have no effect on her. But his previous move is enough to get Cairo to retaliate and she shoots a magical blast at him, sending him flying into a brick wall.
She shoots another one, but he manages to barely scramble away with new wounds on his body. He sees a large green garbage bin and uses that same force he used earlier to sending it flying at her. Cairo snaps her fingers and the container explodes in mid air, causing everyone to shield their faces.
A sharp pain shoots through Marik, bringing him to his knees and he growls inwardly.
"Have I made myself clear?" Cairo asks, now towering over him with a hand on her hip. "Focus on the souls you have released and I shall assist you as the gods have commanded."
"You…brat…" Marik huffs, trying to catch his breath.
Cairo turns her back and begins walking away, having made her point. He is no match for her. And he knows it. But that doesn't mean she won't stay on guard still. Yugi, Téa, Joey and Tristan follow her while Atem stays behind, glaring down at Marik who wipes the blood off his lip, leaning up against a nearby brick wall.
"Heh…you've done a fine job in raising that twerp," Marik says sarcastically. "Although she appears to be more ruthless than you. Are you sure she's to be trusted?"
"I know what you're planning."
"Oh really?"
"And it won't work. Cairo is much too powerful for you to defeat. So think twice before you do something foolish," Atem says before turning away. "Because she isn't the only one you should be worrying about."
Marik chuckles as the pharaoh makes his way down the alley. "Whatever you say…your highness…" As much as he would hate to admit it, clearly any attempts to defeat Cairo on his own will be futile. He will have to get more creative. Everyone has a weakness. Even the most powerful beings.
And he will do whatever he needs to find hers. Even if it means enlisting the help of other souls.
His eyes slowly gaze up at the various sized silhouettes standing on the roof above and he grins mischievously.
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AN: And so the pharaoh and Yami Marik finally meet! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Leave a review and let me know what you think! See you next time!