Hey guys! I'm back with Chapter 12 (as you can see by the title) Anyways...On with the story!
"Hey Kiba..." Asami said catching the girl's attention.
"Yeah?" It had been about a week since the whole triplets incident and the the two girls were in the school hallway, walking to class.
"Have you noticed that the episodes are out of order?" Kiba stopped and Asami, after a second, stopped as well, turning to face the girl.
"I have." Here Kiba sighed. "I don't know if it's because of us interfering or if it's just a side effect to our very presence."
"But is it entirely bad?" Asami asked as she crossed one arm loosely over her stomach and held her chin with the other, resting her elbow on her crossed arm. "I mean, they might be out of order but they're at least happening right? Besides, maybe this is the payment for us knowing what's going to happen. You know," Asami paused, a grin quickly spreading on her face. "equivalent exchange." Kiba blinked.
"Did-did you just quote FMA?"
"Brotherhood but yeah."
"You do realize that we're in Yu-Gi-Oh, though, right?"
"Just because we're in YGO, it doesn't mean we can't still be fans of other shows."
"Isn't equivalent exchange kinda void here though?" Asami shrugged.
"Beats me."Silence reigned for a second.
"Do you think that FMA is a real world too then?"
"If it is then I wish Ed, Al and all of Amestris the best of luck. They'll definitely need it."
"Speaking of which, Yugi's puzzle was also found in Egypt right?" Kiba and Asami heard Tea ask as they walked into the classroom.
"Y-Yeah. This is the Millennium Puzzle." The boy replied.
"But Yugi, didn't your grandpa say...the people who found that puzzle all died a mysterious death?"
"Eh!? For real, are you cursed or something Yugi?!" Joey exclaimed.
"N-no way!"
"If Yugi was cursed don't you think we'd know?" Kiba defended making hers and Asami's presence known.
"Look! They found a mummy!" Tristan pointed out, showing Joey the picture included in the news article.
"Mu-mummy?!" Joey freaked before gulping and turning away.
"What's wrong? You look pale. Don't tell me you're scared of mummies."
"N-no way!" Asami watched Tristan get a thoughtful look on his face before laughing with an arm up.
"All right! Let's go to the Egyptian excavation display!"
"Then tomorrow on Sunday, let's meet at one o'clock at the museum." Tea planned.
"I'll look forward to it!" Yugi said.
""Muto!" Everyone turned to see a young man in a green suit walking up the stairs towards them. "I'm sorry I haven't kept in contact."
"No, it's the same with me." Grandpa waved off his friends apologies. I'm grateful to you for showing us the exhibit." Grandpa turned to the teens behind him. "Oh, let me introduce everyone. This is Professor Yoshibori."
"Pleased to meet you." The professor said.
"You found the King's grave. What a talented person!" Tristan said with Miho following up with a 'cool!'.
"If I'm not mistaken that person is..." Grandpa said as someone started walking towards them.
"Yes, the sponsor for today's display. He was in charge of the excavation."
"I'm Kanekura. Welcome to my museum." Asami, Kiba and Yugi gasped as they turned to look out into the courtyard. They had all felt someone looking their way, though Asami was the only one looking at the bushes. She narrowed her eyes at them before looking down at Kiba when the girl nudged her arm. Professor Yoshibori spoke up again.
"Muto, you talked about a grandson who solved the Millennium Puzzle?"
"You mentioned him?" Grandpa said.
"Oh, so you're Yugi?"
"So that's the rumored Millennium Puzzle?!" Kanekura said as he rushed to Yugi, and grabbed it, pulling it and Yugi, close to his face to get a better look at it. Both Kiba and Asami tensed up, both of them having the same thought.
'Get your greedy hands off that puzzle!'
"This is amazing! Truly a cultural relic of Egypt."
"Kanekura is a special art dealer, you can trust his eyes." Yugi took the puzzle out of Kanekura's hands and both Kiba and Asami relaxed slightly while inwardly laughing at the look on the man's face.
"Umm...more important, let's hurry and see the mummies." Tristan put in with Miho happily agreeing.
"Yugi, please! Let us display this Millennium Puzzle at this exhibit! Please!"Once again Kiba and Asami tensed. They knew that Kanekura had other motives for wanting the Millennium Puzzle but also knew that for the episode to continue they would have to let Yugi hand over the puzzle.
"Okay, it's only for the day after all."
"O-okay. Thank you Yugi." Kanekura pulled the millennium puzzle off from around Yugi's neck and Kiba scowled while Asami had to fight the urge to punch him and take back the puzzle. Yami's soul resided in the puzzle after all and neither one of them wanted to lose him. "The Egyptian display is grateful as well." With that, they started the tour, though Kiba and Asami didn't really pay attention. They just followed the others around, body tensed and frowns on their faces. Suddenly they felt Joey pushing them to move and snapped at him slightly.
"We can walk on our own just fine Joey!" Kiba said as she and Asami side stepped and then walked on, knowing that, from his reaction, Joey was pushing them away from the mummy.
"Look! Yugi's puzzle is on display over here!" Joey pointed out. Asami and Kiba both cheered up a bit at that before narrowing their eyes in a glare when they saw Kanekura standing in front of it with his potential buyer. They watched Kanekura lead the other man away and continued to glare at their backs before turning their attention back to the others when Tea mentioned taking a picture. The two girls sat down in front of the puzzle, on the ground while Joey and Yugi stood on Kiba's side and Miho and Tristan stood on the side Asami was on. Asami grinned, the tension in her body relaxing as she looked at the camera. Kiba, like her brother, held up a peace sign as she smiled, relaxing against the display case. When the picture was taken, they all decided to head back out to the front. They said goodbye to Professor Yoshibori when the man had to leave before deciding to split up since Yugi wanted to wait till closing so he could get his puzzle back.
"I guess this is where we split up then." Tea said and everyone started to leave as they said their goodbyes.
"I'll stay with you Yugi, to keep you company." Kiba told the boy when he looked over at her and Asami, who were still standing behind him. Asami gave him an apologetic smile.
"I'd like to stay but I need to do some stuff for my brother." The boy nodded giving her a smile to show he didn't hold it against her. Asami gave him a goodbye wave and turned to Kiba. "Let me know what happens." She added to the blackette in a whisper before taking her leave.
"Alright, it's about time to get the puzzle back." Yugi said standing up. Kiba stood up as well, stretching her arms above her head.
"Hey, Yugi, how about we split up? That way we can find the puzzle faster. We'll meet up here in half an hour, okay?" Yugi nodded and they split up. Kiba looked around the corridor she choose and wondered where Shadi, who no doubt had the puzzle, could be. She spotted a figure and paused in mid step. Speak of the devil. Shadi was walking down the corridor, heading her way and like in the show, he had the millennium puzzle in his hand.
"Yugi's millennium puzzle." She found herself saying.
"You know the one who solved this?"
"Yeah, my brother Yugi did." She replied cautiously. "But why do you have his puzzle?" Before Kiba could react, the millennium key was suddenly pressed against her forehead and Kiba knew no more.
Shadi looked around. The bright and well light room he found himself in was large with two of the walls being made of thick glass and the other two walls having wall length mirrors. The floor was that of a grand ballroom's. There was a ballroom chandler hanging in the center, and there were orchestra instruments floating along the back along with frames scattered here and there, floating around the room. One frame held a picture of a couple, the male had messy black hair and green eyes while the woman had brown hair and blue eyes. The frame they were in was one of family love but looked a bit frayed from the edges. There was another family frame next to it, holding the picture of an old man and the boy he had seen earlier. This frame looked much newer then the first. The only reason for this that Shadi could think of was that this girl had found a new family after loosing her first one. Next to those was a picture of a girl. The girl had long brown hair, dark blue eyes and was in a frame that showed she was this girl's best friend. Next was another friend frame but this one had a group of teens in it. One was blond, two were brunettes and the last was a purplette. He looked around a bit more before a small chest in a darker corner of the room, caught his eye. The chest had the same mark as his millennium items on the lid but there were heavy chains around it. Shadi looked down at the lock and frowned. The lock, instead of having a key hole, had the slot of a medium sized sphere. He put a hand on the chains to try and open it but as soon as he did he suddenly found himself being forced out of the girl's soul room.
"Kiba!" Shadi looked up and saw the boy from earlier. He was looking down at the black haired girl, who was currently unconscious on the ground. He stood from his kneeling position and stared at the boy as he rushed to the girl. "Kiba are you alright? Kiba! What did you do to her?" The boy noticed the millennium puzzle in his hand and gasped. "My puzzle!"
'It's said the one who solves the millennium puzzle possess the power of darkness. The same power as my family. If so, then this boy also...I must make sure...does this boy have this power?' Shadi thought. 'Now with this Millennium Key I can peep into the boy's soul room.' Shadi appeared in a hallway with two doors, one opened and the other closed.
"In this boy's soul is two rooms. One room is scattered with toys and pure. It is without wicked thought. And in the other room..." Shadi turned and opened the door. He looked in and gasped. There, half hidden in shadows, was Yami with his hands in his pockets.
"So someone's come to visit my room?"
'This is...the boy from before?' Shadi thought. 'No. He seems completely different.'
"Who are you?" Yami asked.
'I have in the past visited various people's soul rooms. Normally one soul has one room. However...This boy has another room. Repressing, cold, almost like the tomb of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.'
"I don't know what power you used to visit my room...but you will tell me why you came here."
"I am a visiting is only good manners that I answer your question. I have come to learn the secret of your Millennium Puzzle's power."
"So you know of the Millennium Puzzle's existence?"
"The Millennium Puzzle is a dark Millennium Item. Since Ancient Egypt, for three thousand years, it's been in the King's grave. I heard the ancient pharaoh used it to reveal and judge criminals. I know this from the ancient Belem."
"So you're here using the power of one of those Millennium Items?"
"The power of the dark Millennium Key. This is the key to people's soul rooms. By looking in the room, I can learn all about the person. Disposition, potential ability, complex. And I also possess the dark Millennium Scales. It is an item that measures the weight of sin for those being judged. However I do not know the power of the Millennium much power does it's completed form have?"
"So you entered my mind to find that answer?"
"Seeing this room, I can tell there is great power within it. I want to ascertain that fact. And if we need that power, my family will be taking it."
"Your family?" Shadi nodded. "The puzzle's power is indeed in my room. But I can't tell you that easily. You get it? It's game time."
"Alright."
"If you win, I will tell you the secret of the Millennium Puzzle. The rule is easy. Somewhere in this mind is my true room. Can you find it?" Shadi laughed.
"I forgot to mention I had special abilities. Once I enter someone's room, I can freely manipulate it. Of course I can destroy someone's personality too." Yami blinked. "I accept this game. And I will find your true room!" This time Yami laughed.
"Well will it really be that easy?But this is a much more dangerous game then you think." The room around them suddenly changed making Shadi gasp and look up. There were suddenly multiple staircases and doors spread all around.
"Th-this is...a maze!"
"What's wrong? It won't begin unless you move."
"The doors appear to be countless. But one of them is the true room!" Shadi made his way up one of the many staircases and stopped at a door. "I'll start with this door."He entered but looked up, hearing a noise, only to have to quickly back up when he saw a large rock falling down. Yami spoke up, bringing Shadi's attention to him as he stood through one of the walls.
"I suppose you realize by now. The road to the true room will be a most steep one. Good luck." With that said he disappeared.
"A trap." Shadi said to himself. He shook himself off before continuing.
'The true room...' He opened another door. 'Is this it?!' At once water started to spurt out from it and knocked him back.
"Do you think these traps will bewilder me?!" He shouted out. He continued on to another door. "Is this it?!" He opened it and fire suddenly shot out at him making him cry out. On fire, he ran back and fell down the stairs, the fire going out as he did so. "An illusion?" He muttered as he pushed himself up slightly. He closed his eyes to try and gather his thoughts.
'Open the ears. I must use all my nerves to find the mark.' He got up and continued walking without opening his eyes. 'This boy's mind has obstructions to keep out intruders like me. Despite what I want to know. The mystery of the Millennium Puzzle's power.' He stopped walking and opened his eyes to find himself face to face with a door that looked much like the entrance to the boy's soul room.
"Is this it?" He opened the door and inside of it, found Yami sitting on a throne like chair.
"Yo."
"So this is it? So I've finally reached the real room?" Shadi took a few steps in but stopped when Yami let out a small 'hump'. He gasped as he felt the ground beneath him begin to crumble away.
'No! This is also a trap!' He began to fall but managed to grab onto the ledge.
"If I fall into this deep darkness...I'll never leave this boy's mind!" Yami walked over to stand at the edge of the ledge to look down at him.
"This is the end." Yami bent down and offered Shadi his hand. "It's okay. This hand is not a trap." Shadi hesitated for just a second before reaching up and grabbing the offered hand. He let himself be pulled up and once he was out, Yami backed away slightly.
"I can't believe that in this mind, the other boy saved me. I am indebted to you."
"Peeping into the soul rooms of people is a poor hobby."
"This game...I suppose I have lost?"
"No...perhaps this is the beginning." Shadi stood and walked to the door before pausing.
"Farewell." He continued on out, letting himself return to reality.
"Hey..." Yugi said as he looked at the man that was on his knees, sweating. He was weary about him since he still didn't know if he had a hand in Kiba's unconsciousness but he was-as Kiba would say- too kind for his own good, and was worried there was something wrong with the man.
'I entered his soul to test this boy...but I was the one who was tested.'
"Are you okay? You look really pale." Yugi said. If it turned out the man had only come across his sister after she was already unconscious, this man was the only person he could ask for more details. "You haven't moved this whole time."
"Oh. I am okay." Shadi said looking up. "Let me return this to you." He held out the Millennium Puzzle and Yugi took it.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I am indebted to you after all."
"Debt? Did I lend you something?"
"I meant to the other you." Yugi blinked.
"The other me? What are you talking about?"
'This boy doesn't realize he has a hidden personality. When the front and back become one...the true power of the Millennium Puzzle will awaken.'
"Hey...are you really okay?"
"Boy...what is your name?" Shadi asked ignoring his question.
"I'm Yugi not 'boy'; it's Yugi!" The boy replied a little angry that he was called 'boy', He wasn't that short.
"Yugi. There are still things I must do in this country." Shadi walked away slightly before pausing. "But when all the judgments are over. I will meet you again, I think."
"Huh?" The boy questioned.
"My name is Shadi. This is the first time I have told my name to a stranger." With that he started to walk away again.
'I must know for certain that boy's power.' He thought. Yugi was about to call him back but a soft groan caught his attention and he looked down to see Kiba stirring.
"Kiba!" He exclaimed as the girl sat up with one hand to her head.
"Wha-what happened?" She asked.
And that's a wrap! Remember comments are always appreciated. Till next time. Jah Ne! ^-^/)