Hi guys! Chapter 2 time! I'm very excited with this beginning section as I've been planning this for a very long time! Be prepared for a familiar face to reappear in this chapter!

*I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I only own my OCs Christine and Meg. If you recognize anything, I don't own it either.*

I opened my eyes to be returned to an Egyptian style palace. The clerestory windows were letting in brilliant light, illuminating the images on the wall. Meg and I were still clutching onto the Millennium Necklace so I figured it worked. I looked over to my best friend to see that her eyes were wide at the surroundings.

"Maker's Breath…" Meg cursed in her way. "This is insane!"

"You're telling me?" I giggled back.

Meg continued to look around her surroundings before voices began to echo from a nearby room. I gestured for us to follow them and Meg did so quietly.

We walked into what seemed to be a greeting room. Servants were milling around, placing food items and two cups on a small table before racing out of the room. Preparing for guests possibly? Meg and I kept quiet as the room cleared and new voices started to walk into the room.

"What do you mean?!" A slightly familiar voice whined.

"I can't do that, Megara." My voice appeared, cajoling the other girl. "I don't have that much influence over the court."

"But you will eventually!"

I heard a sigh and the two girls walked into the room. I immediately recognized myself in my white linen dress and large scarab chest piece. I was giving another girl an annoyed expression as she clung to my arm. The stranger wore a green dress that slightly clung to her frame. Her hair was the same color as Meg's but much longer and tied back into a long braid. She wore a bright smile as she looked up from where she was clinging to my arm.

The face on the stranger's… was Meg's.

"What…?" Meg gasped when the girl walked into the room. "'Stine, what is the meaning of this?"

"I don't know." I replied. "I've never seen this memory before…"

Meg continued to stare at her look alike as they continued into the room and sat down where the servants had placed the food and drinks. My past self picked up a drink and sipped at it gently while Meg's double, Megara, picked up small set of grapes to nibble on.

"Megara…" My past self sighed when the said girl turned on her again. "As I said, I don't have the influence to do all that."

"But you'll get that influence in less than a week." Megara retorted.

"Still…"

Megara gave a huff, popping one of her grapes into her mouth. Meg continued to stare at her. Her voice was hesitant when she finally spoke.

"'Stine…" Meg breathed. "Why does that girl have your face?"

Here's the moment of truth…

"She has my face because she is me." I replied.

Meg turned to give me the expression we equated to 'quit it with the bullshit.' "I'm not lying, Meggie. You heard my voice come out of her mouth."

"But…"

Meg turned back to look at her doppelganger. "How is it even possible? This is… if this is really what I think it is… It's 3000 years ago!"

"I know… I didn't believe it either but the Stele, Meggie! It's the absolute same!"

Meg glanced back at me. "And if you're here… She might be you! This girl may be the origin of your curse! Megara's fate could be the key to finally understanding why!"

Meg didn't have a chance to respond as someone else walked into the room. Megara gave a smile at the person walking in.

"Father!" Megara greeted, jumping to her feet.

"Ah, here you are, Megara." The man gave a soft sigh in relief. "I was worried when I couldn't find you."

"I'm sorry, Father."

Megara's father gave another sigh. He had short brown hair and had grown a beard. He was wearing clothes that looked like remnants I had seen in Mycenean Greek images. The thing that caught my attention the most was the scar on his left cheek. It was the same kind of scar that my father had… The man looked up and caught eyes with my past self and his dark eyes widened. "Oh, this is Iliana!" Megara's face snapped over to my past self. "I can call you that, right?"

"In private, yes." My past self replied with a smile. "In public, you have to go with the other one."

Megara gave a smile but it faded when she turned back to her father. The man continued to stare at my past self and that gave the opportunity for Meg to snap at me.

"Iliana?!" She gasped.

I gave a nod of my head. "Andraste's tits! What?!" I didn't have time to explain further as the man was finally getting words out.

"Wait… Iliana?" He gasped out.

"Yes…" My past self tilted her head curiously. "Is everything all right?"

"Your mother… Your mother was Phoebe?"

"Yes… Why?"

The man immediately fell into tears. Megara raced to her father's side to help stabilize him. My past self climbed to her feet to try and help but he raised his hand. It took a minute for him to settle but the man was eventually able to stand up on his own. "How do you know my mother's name?" The man gave a watery laugh.

"That requires an introduction."

Megara's father took a deep breath before speaking again. "I am Atreus, son of Demetrios. Your mother and I lived in the same town until the day I helped her and your father elope."

I nearly dropped the Millennium Necklace at the words. He knew my parents?! My past self shared the same expression I did. Meg continued to flip her gaze between the man, Atreus, and myself. "Your mother wrote me letters, telling me about how you were growing." He gave a laugh. "To think she was right yet again."

"Right, father?" Megara asked.

Atreus slid a hand into his robes and pulled out a piece of velum and held it out to my past self.

"This was one of the last letters I received from your mother."

I walked over, opened it, but looked up quickly.

"I… I can't read this…" My past self breathed sadly. "I never learned."

"I'll read it! Sit!" Megara broke in when Iliana looked close to tears.

Megara directed both Iliana and her father to sit down at the small set of chairs and tables. She took the velum and began to read.

Atreus,

I hope this letter finds you well. Adrastus and I have settled into a safe village at last. I won't give you the location just in case my father hears wind of you receiving letters from me. But please give my regards to my younger brother; I miss Hector more than I can say.

Months of travel through the mountains have done me no good. Adrastus makes himself useful amongst the guards and to the elected leader, who has no sons of his own. He has practically adopted him as his heir. No one questions us, probably because I helped save his wife from disease.

I write you this letter because it will probably be one of the last. Not even a month after we settled into the village, I gave birth to my daughter. A vision the day before gave me her name, Iliana. Before you question it, it is a name that exists far ahead of our own time but it means ray of light and my little girl is the very light of my life. But… not too long after she was born, I had another vision. Adrastus and I will not be long for this world after she reaches her sixth birthday. I write this letter to ask that you keep her safe when that time comes. She will be taken and I will not be able to protect her. I cannot say where you will find her but the sun shall be your guide, my friend.

May the gods guide you, Atreus,

Phoebe.

My past self was fighting back tears. Megara settled the velum onto the couch before wrapping me in a tight hug. Meg and I kept quiet, allowing the sounds of Iliana's tears echo in the room.

"I did not mean to make you upset, Iliana…" Megara's father breathed sadly.

My past self shook her head, stopping him from going any further.

"It is not your fault." I comforted him. "It has simply been a long time since I have seen anything about my parents. It overwhelmed me."

Atreus gave an understanding hum. My past self took the velum note from Megara and looked it over. I could see her sliding her fingertips over the letters. Meg used the moment of silence to turn back to me.

"Ok…" Meg breathed to me. "This has to be the craziest thing I have ever seen."

"Do you believe me?"

Meg took a moment of silence to think it over. Her eyes had gone back to Megara for a second before looking to my past self.

"You wouldn't lie about something like this. But that still doesn't address my concern about him having a wife."

The conversation started again before I could address the concern.

"How did you get that scar, sir?" My past self asked, lowering the velum letter.

"Oh, this?" He lifted a hand to the scar on his face. "Your father gave me this."

"Why?"

"You remember your father had a similar scar?"

My past self nodded. "Well, I gave him it." Meg and I moved to sit down so that we could be comfortable to listen. "You see, your mother was not the typical woman. She absolutely hated the traditional roles that women were forced to adhere to. I'm going to say her visions of the future melded her that way; she could see a time and place where women weren't property of fathers, brothers or husbands. She wanted to live that life now, not only see it through her visions. And I, being a son of a powerful politician and her friend, helped her get out of a lot of trouble. I also helped uncover… what her father had planned for her future."

"What was it?"

Atreus took a soft breath. If he was thinking about how to reply, I wasn't sure if I really did want to know.

"Your grandfather wasn't very happy that she inherited her family's gift. He was going to ensure she had an heir but not live much longer than that."

"He was going to kill her?!"

Atreus nodded. Meg and I glanced at each other at that. This was getting really weird. "Then how did mother escape?"

"She used the thing that got in her trouble in the first place. She fabricated a vision of a tournament; the winner of said tournament would receive her hand in marriage."

"That does sound like something Mother would do…"

"Our only problem was her father paying off some of the competitors to keep his plan in motion. He couldn't get one though…"

"Father."

"Adrastus and I were the final round of the tournament. I knew she wanted him to win and I only joined to ensure that she got the one she wanted. But when I tried to lose, he responded in kind."

"What?!" I was actually the one to open my mouth this time. "Why?!"

Meg shushed me as Atreus kept going.

"I may have promised him a fair fight. He was very unhappy with me when I started trying to lose. When your mother shouted at us from above, I panicked, flicked my spear and hit your father across the face."

Megara and my past self gasped. "That was Phoebe's reaction. But your father stood there for a moment and I will never forget the words that came out of his mouth then."

"What were they, father?" Megara asked.

"'Ok… I think that's good enough.'" Atreus gave a chuckle then. "He then proceeded to wipe the floor with me. It took a single swipe of his spear and I was on the ground but he looked at me for a moment. He lifted a hand to his wounded cheek, looked back at me, then swiped his spear across my face. 'There, now we match.'"

Both my past self and Megara burst into laughter. "Your father had quite the sense of humor."

"What seems to be going on here?" Another familiar voice asked.

Everyone, including Meg and myself looked up to see the princely version of Yami walk into the room. He looked exactly the same as the vision with Ishizu before Battle City. "Ah, Mereret. You're here." My past self smiled.

"I thought you were busy with your father for another few hours?" My past self asked.

"He let me go so I came to look for you. I see you've met our guests."

I nodded my head. I gestured to Megara then to her father.

"This is Megara and her father, Atreus. He… He knew my parents."

Yami looked up to the man, who bowed his head gently.

"Did he…"

Yami's hand moved to my past self's shoulder and I could see myself relax into the touch. I glanced over to Meg to see that she was staring intently at the scene.

"I must thank you, your highness." Atreus bowed his head again. "I heard that you made a funerary monument to them."

"That was a long time ago."

"But still. It means a lot to me that you would do that. I am sure that wherever they are, Phoebe and Adrastus are at peace."

Yami didn't reply, keeping to moving his hand along my skin. "Phoebe would also be happy that Iliana is happy in her new home."

"You will not try to take her back?"

Atreus shook his head.

"Her home is here and I will not fight that. All I ask is that you make your future wife happy, your highness."

I felt Meg flinch and faintly saw her turning her head towards me. I gave a smile as she continued to stare at me.

The vision faded before I could hear Yami's response but I knew Meg's concerns were all answered for. I finally turned back to Meg, smile still on my face.

"Any more questions?" I teasingly asked.

Meg blinked.

"Apparently not!" She gasped back. "That last statement answered everything!"

I burst into laughter at her wide eyed expression. "Damn, 'stine! You got yourself a looker! Twice!" I kept to laughing for a while when Meg continued to gasp curses. When she was finally calm, she suggested that she needed to sleep on this.

I awoke the next morning to a Meg-less room. I sat up to try and see if she was sitting on the floor with her laptop like she does sometimes. She wasn't there so… maybe she was in the kitchen? I was utterly sweaty, more so than usual after sleeping. With a disgusted groan, I climbed out of bed and went to take a shower.

Meg was in the kitchen and she smiled at me when I walked into the small kitchen. "Morning!"

"Morning."

"You ok?"

I tilted my head. What? Meg blinked at me. "'Stine, you had, like, three nightmares last night, do you not remember?"

"I did?!"

"Yeah! You were so loud, you woke the Pharaoh up!"

I made a loud groan. "By the third one, he was half ready to simply stay in the room with us."

"Oh my god…"

Really?! This was so embarrassing! I didn't remember at all! Meg turned away from whatever she was making on the stove to cross her arms.

"If you don't remember, then it really was traumatic. Dang."

"Sorry to bother, Meggie."

"Nah!"

Meg wrapped me in a tight hug. "It's fine! Whatever it was, it had to have scared you worse than I did." I gave a sigh into my friend's shoulder. I didn't like remembering that day at all. My friend released me once I relaxed. "Wanna help with breakfast?"

Meg turned on the tunes and we rocked out for the few minutes as breakfast was being made. It was super crazy because most of the songs in the playlist now were ones that came out after I arrived in Domino. I faintly saw the rest of the gang lured out by the music and laughter and they were definitely laughing at our terrible lip-syncing.

After breakfast, the gang went to take an after-meal siesta. I would have joined them except that Meg asked for help running a couple errands. I was happy to help out, especially since I took a lot of her food in my snack binges. I told Yugi where I was going before walking out the door with Meg.

We barely made it halfway down the street before Meg gave a wild shudder.

"One following you?"

"Yeah… It's been a butt for the past few days. Its mutterings are annoying."

I pulled Meg along, hoping our faster pace would ensure the ghost left Meg alone. We charged along for a minute or two before Meg pulled back, the sign that it worked. I slowed down my pace and we began to walk calmly again.

Most of Meg's errands were near the town square so we headed there. She was sure to quietly point out the entrance to this area's circle. "I've been able to get in a couple times thanks to some help, it's a nice place."

"That's good to hear."

It really was. Meg normally wasn't allowed into the circle at home so someone getting her in warmed my heart.

There were a couple people congregating at the entrance to the building where the circle met. There was something about them that seemed a bit off despite their preppy Californian clothing. Their expressions when they saw me sent shivers down my spine. "Who are they?" I asked gently. Meg glanced over to where they were sitting and rolled her eyes.

"They're the ones that buddy up with the crone in order to get away with stuff. One of them nearly killed a mortal and the crone helped get them out of trouble, making sure it was like nothing had ever happened."

I narrowed my eyes towards the congregation of people. Why did it feel like Meg and I were the only ones that were taught to never hurt mortals? One girl narrowed her eyes in return, crossing her legs so that she could turn and face me as Meg and I continued to walk. "It's probably best to not to mess with them while you're here. This crone is a bit off her rocker, if I say so myself. I'd hate to cause you and the gang any trouble." I turned my eyes away from the girl to smile at Meg.

"Duly noted, Meggie. Will keep my hands to myself."

Meg raised her eyebrow at the statement.

"Whenever you've said that, it's always ended up the opposite."

"Shut up."

Meg burst into laughter and we kept on our way. We hopped into a store to grab a few bags of snacks that would last us the rest of the weekend, bought some pain killers and cold medicine for our trip to Kaiba's tournament. I offered to pay Meg back for the amenities but my friend shook me off.

Our last stop was a little shop that stuck out like a sore thumb but nobody seemed to be paying it any mind. I recognized it as a supply store like the one Kokona worked at in Domino. Meg may not have been allowed her powers but she still was able to go in and buy incenses and other potion ingredients; if they didn't require magic to activate, Meg was in luck in using them. The girl at the register gave a kind wave as Meg and I walked in.

"Hey, Meghan." The girl greeted.

"Hey, Clove." Meg greeted in return. "Slow day?"

"As usual. Who's your friend?"

"This is 'stine. She's visiting from Japan with her friends on their way to some tournament at that newly opened park."

I made sure to give a wave with a soft smile. The girl Clove gave one in return. "Did my order come in?"

"Yeah, just this morning. It's on the table for ya!"

Meg gave a bright squeal as she dashed over to the mentioned table. "Let me know if you need anything, kay?"

"Right." I replied, giving her another smile.

While Meg looked over whatever she ordered, I meandered along the walls to see their stock. It was nearly the same as the one in Domino despite the arrangement being different. I picked up a premade potion, looking over its effects, when a harsh whisper hit my ear.

"For the Crone and Queen…"

I snapped my head around. There was no one standing near me; the closest was an older woman on the other side of the cabinet. She was buried nose deep into a book so I figured it wasn't her. I quickly put the potion back on the shelf and stepped quickly to Meg. "Did you hear that, Meggie?" My friend looked up from her order to give me a confused look.

"Hear what?"

I gave a huff at her. "Really, 'stine, I didn't hear anything. What was it?"

"'For the Crone and Queen…'?"

Meg crossed her arms over her chest, popping her hip to lean on it. "Can we go, Meggie?"

"Let me pay for this and then we can head back."

I nodded my head, following after my friend to the counter. Clove gave me a concerned expression when I stepped up.

"You ok?" She asked gently. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Meg flinched lightly but she kept the smile on her face; Clove must not have known Meg's curse. I forced myself to give a smile in return.

"Yeah…" I replied hastily. "Just a little spooked."

"This place will do it to ya. The owner tells me that it's been possibly haunted since the Gold Rush. You've may have been one of the lucky ones to hear the spirits."

"Congrats, 'stine." Meg teased softly, but I could hear the soft contempt at Clove's words.

I forced myself to keep the smile on my face, nodding gently to her words. I highly doubted that was the case; I had heard real spirit voices when I hung out with Meg and had the talisman and this voice was nothing like that.

"Oh, yeah! Did you guys hear?"

"Hear what?"

"The queen has returned!"

Meg and I immediately gave a glance at each other. Meg had only known since last night and we were sure the gang didn't leave the house and blabber, they would know better. How on earth did they know… if at all…

"I haven't heard about that…" I breathed.

"It's being kept under wraps so I'm only hearing the rumors coming out of the crone's circle. They apparently did the reveal to the crone, lady and maiden a few weeks ago. I hope she reveals herself to the public soon!"

"Yeah…" Meg gave me another glance before giving Clove a smile. "I hope so too…"

I was grateful to get out of the shop quickly. "Hey 'stine… what the heck was that?"

"I have no idea…" I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. "A reveal weeks ago… I was in Domino then… This makes no sense…"

"I agree with you there. The vision you showed me last night was pretty compelling evidence that you are her…"

"A reveal requires substantial proof. What else could there be to prove… my identity?"

Meg's silence was answer enough. There wasn't much that I didn't already have that someone else could take to prove that they are me.

"Are you thinking the crone's been tricked? It's some kind of imposter with enough influence over her?"

"Maybe…"

I didn't like thinking of that. The crone I had grown up under, although strict, fought to keep our circle a tight-knit community. She went through every avenue to make sure that we were safe before undergoing any change. If this crone has been so easily tricked into believing someone else was the queen of the circle… Things were going to get bad really fast.

I should have kept my mental mouth shut.

As soon as I thought those last few sentences, hands grabbed me from the nearby alley. I gave a soft scream, hearing it muffled by the hand that wrapped around my mouth, and was dragged into the alley.

"'Stine!"

Meg tried to reach for me but I was pulled into a dark void and my friend left my sight.

I was thrown to the floor, laughter ringing above me.

"Well well!" One voice cheered. "The Imposter of our great Queen!"

What….? "Don't fret! The crone will see your proof in time!"

"Your mind won't be the same though!" Another voice laughed.

"It might even be a puddle on the ground!"

Laughter erupted again as the group left the room, the door slamming behind them. I caught my breath to look up and glare at the door. So much for circle hospitality… I gave a quick huff before climbing to my feet. Where the heck was I?

I was in a dark room lit by a single LED light. It was too bright to stare at so I made sure to keep away from it. The only object in the room was a large altar like table. It was bare so I immediately thought of those old movies that were filled with human sacrifices. Yikes…

I turned to the door then and tried to yank it open. It wouldn't even budge. I could hear laughter on the other side and I gave a glare through the metal door. They kept a guard at a door that was locked like they knew I would try to escape. I gave a huff and stomped back into the room and sat on the altar table.

I sat in the dark room for only a little while before someone approached and easily opened the door. Preparing a spell, I readied to defend myself. When I recognized who was there, the spell faded.

"You!" I hissed at the familiar face of Daisuke.

I hadn't seen him since the trip to the beach over a year ago. He hadn't changed much: short brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing applicable clothes for the California heat. In his hands was a tray with a singular cup.

I immediately went to punch him.

"Hey!" He shouted back, ducking from my fist. "This wasn't my idea!"

I went to hit him again but Daisuke finagled out of reach. I gave a growl.

"Why are you here?!"

"Transfer program!"

Transfer program? "It was an exchange! Someone from this circle went to mine while I came here! I'm not following you around!" I lowered my fist but kept my glare. "I'd like to not be on the end of your powers again. I learned my lesson last time."

"Somehow I don't believe you."

"Wasn't expecting that you would."

I was surprised that Daisuke kept a wide berth from me. He kept his eyes on the tray in his hands. My eyes moved to the cup on it. I couldn't see what was inside but the smell… I nearly gagged.

"What's that?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Something the crone ordered me to force you to drink."

I narrowed my eyes again. The crone? "She's a master of tearing minds apart. This is just her way in."

What was up with this crone? Even Meg had said that she was off her rocker slightly. Then what Clove said about the queen…

"So the whisper in town… Of the queen returning."

"I don't know what you heard but some people here, they're convinced."

I gave a harsh sigh. This was just peachy. "Though…. This morning a new rumor started. Is it really true? About you?" I looked back up to him. "Are you…. Are you really her?" My hand moved to the charm around my neck. The gold was cold to the touch. I gave a faint nod of my head. "Good god… And I was stupid enough to get you angry." That made me laugh.

"I had no strength back then."

"Still… You bruised a couple ribs with that freezer."

I gave a nervous chuckle at the damage I had done to him in our duel.

"Sorry about that."

Daisuke gave a shrug. "Do they really think that this person is her?"

"Not everybody. A lot of us aren't convinced in the slightest; details don't match up. The 'reveal', if you can call it that, was done behind closed doors. Nobody knew, outside of the main leadership and those annoying tweens who hang onto the crone, what was going on."

I gave a sigh. "Only the lady and crone are the big believers. I apparently don't see what they do; I find her a complete bitch."

"What about the maiden?"

"She's been practically alienated for questioning it. Rumor has it, the crone was going to give her this next after she's done with you."

I took a deep breath. Ok… So someone really was trying to impersonate me. My attention was brought back to Daisuke when he put the tray down on the small altar like piece and spoke again. "But you're really her! You might be able to rally the rest of this circle to go against the crone!"

"No." I shook my head hard. "I have no hard evidence. A show of my powers only gets me so far."

"Yeah, but your charm!"

I reached up to it again. "People will see that! They might realize that they are being lied to!" I shook my head again.

"If the crone is smart, she'll have a talking point against anything. Call me a liar for even suggesting the thought."

I gave a soft sigh. "She also has those teens; she can remove all dissent rather easily with a simple gossip session." Daisuke gave a sigh when he realized that he wasn't going to get anywhere. There was no way I was going to be able to get out of this room and out of the circle without being caught. Even with Daisuke's abilities helping me, someone was bound to see me; I still had to get out of the city. I had no choice but to follow along with what the crone had planned. "Is there any way for my friends to get in? What about Meg?"

"Peters?" He knew Meg? "She's had a hard time getting in – the lady is super conservative about those with curses – but I've snuck in her a couple times."

He knew Meg… He was the one to get her in…

I snapped my head towards Daisuke before I grabbed his arm, wrapping my hand around his elbow. He flinched but didn't pull away as he quickly he recognized what I was doing.

"I want you to promise me something."

Daisuke nodded immediately. "I want you to get my friends inside. You do that and I forgive you for what you did that day." Daisuke nodded again, returning the grip on my own arm. I felt the spell lock and I released his arm. "Good…"

I turned towards the tray and lifted up the cup. Inside was a bubbling black liquid potion. Being this close, the smell was absolutely rancid. I took a deep breath. I had faith in everybody. They'd come to get me. "Bottom's up." I 'cheerfully' said before taking the black potion like a shot.

The sludge hit my throat making me nearly gag. I had to swallow it and happily gave a cough as it slid down my throat. Daisuke tried to help me but I pushed him away. "Remember your promise…." I managed to say. I could see faintly Daisuke nod his head and race out of the room. I gave another cough before collapsing onto the table.

Please… get my friends here in time….

Everything went black.

Oooooh... I'm so excited!

Bakura: Have you finally looked up from that silly game?

Robyn glares at Bakura and goes to lift her hands again.

Bakura: Don't you dare!

Robyn: Try me!

Marik: Fear the Deer!