Thank you for these characters and their stories, Kazuki Takahashi. Requiescat in pace.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dria

"Alexandria, if you do anything that stupid ever again, I am going to lock you away in your room and make sure you never leave!"

Father found out about the little incident in the warehouse from an unnamed source. He had flown straight over from America, as any worried father might do. He immediately found Yugi's house and barged straight in without bothering to knock and announce himself.

I smiled widely at his entrance, "Papa! You're here!"

I leapt of the couch and jumped into his arms. He crushed me in his arms as he tried to hold in tears.

"Never scare me like that again. Please, if it's the last thing you ever do for me. I was so worried," He choked out.

I merely nodded and buried my head into his neck. His usual cologne clung to his clothes, filling the room with the smell of peppermint. So many childhood memories came back merely from the scent. After our tender little reunion, a fussy moment over rebandaging my leg, and a brief conversation with Yugi and Grandpa, Father and I left the game shop to spend some time together. He told me all about the fascinating meetings he had been to, most of which were apparently so interesting that he fell asleep.

I poked his shoulder when he told me this, "That's my job. You have to pay attention, Mr. CEO."

He innocently replied with his rusty Southern accent, "Someone's got to do your job when you're not around, darlin."

We walked around the shops in downtown Domino, stopping occasionally to take a peek inside. He tried to buy me multiple gifts, but I only agreed on his offer to pay for lunch.

"Please Dria. Isn't there anything a loving father can give to his beautiful daughter?"

I smiled and spun around the lamppost along the side of the road. The smile on my face must have been a stupidly happy one because he raised his eyebrow and chuckled loudly. "I never thought this day would come. My baby girl is in love."

I stopped for a moment as his comment hung in the air, neither confirming nor denying his realization. Before he could open his mouth again, I smiled once more and shrugged helplessly. "You know the feeling. Nothing I can do about it."

He grabbed my hand and twirled me around, "I don't know if I like this, another man in your life. You won't have time for me soon."

I stopped spinning and wrapped my arms around his waist, "I will always make time for you, Papa. You know that. In fact, you said the exact same thing when I first met Seto."

He shrugged as he stroked my head, "I wasn't really counting Seto Kaiba as a man. Nor do I seriously count him as one now."

I snapped my head up, "He's a perfectly respectable man. He may throw huge temper tantrums, but so do you. What is it with males and size?" He laughed loudly at that and gave no response. I knew the answer, of course, but that question still needed to be asked. We continued to walk down the street when an idea came to my mind.

"So, apparently there is a new exhibit at the museum. Would you like to go see it?"

Father had been an avid archaeologist when he was researching my monsters. His enthusiasm, and time for that matter, died very quickly once the game had come out and gained popularity. But, I often caught him lingering in museums whenever we went to them. I even caught him listening to an archaeological lecture online one night.

His face brightened up before he bit his tongue, "We can if you'd like to. It doesn't matter to me. I'll do whatever you feel up to doing."

I playfully narrowed my gaze, knowing that he would like to go almost more than anything. I took his hand and led him through the streets towards the museum, chatting about completely irrelevant things. I noticed him smiling whenever people looked at the two of us and seemed to immediately know that we were father and daughter. I couldn't have asked for a better father.

The museum was nearly empty. Father took off in one direction, promising that it would only take him a second and he would meet me on the second floor. I strolled around, enjoying the silence, when my Pendant started to tremble. I looked down and it had actually risen up off my neck. It began pulling me in the direction of the basement, better known as the restricted section. Something down there was calling to me, and I had to know what it was.

Taking one quick look around to make sure no one was watching, I slipped through the open doors and headed down the dark hallways. My Pendant continued to glow and pull me through the halls. The room I came upon was pretty small. I could see a few artifacts securely placed around the room, as well as some up on the walls. I was about to sneak back out, when the lights came on.

"I've been expecting you, Miss Pegasus, or, if it is not too bold, Queen Alexandria?"

My eyes widened at the other figure in the room.

Kaiba

Why was no one else competent enough to do this work? It was just math, not deciding the fate of the world. I could have made Roland do it, but the last time I did, his tiny mistake turned into a loss of nearly four hundred thousand dollars. Well, not a loss for me, but for some poor sap who tried to climb the business ladder by buying into my company's stock. Not that it was my problem.

I could have asked Dria to do it. Well, no actually I couldn't have. She would have just batted those incredibly long lashes at me and tricked me into doing this work anyway. It was unfair. Sometimes, it seemed like she used my feelings for her against me, and I let her. Why did I let her? I shoved the papers aside and returned to my computer, sighing in defeat. Mokuba sat on the edge of my desk, watching a news report on an Egyptian exhibit at the Domino Museum. "We have to check out the exhibit Seto."

"I don't have time for mummies and pharaohs." Not when I could be spending that time with Dria. I missed our childhood antics more than I thought I would. She was just as alluring then. I should have realized sooner that I was doomed because of her. The phone rang. Half of me wished it was Dria calling.

"You should really pay closer attention to my press conference."

Ishizu Ishtar? How did she know I had the press conference on in my office? I was used to Dria just knowing that kind of thing simply because she always knew what I was doing. She was my closet and most trusted friend. We knew each other like a brother and sister would, or at least a brother with a huge crush on his sister would. I turned towards the television.

"I'm personally inviting Seto Kaiba to this evening's private exhibition."

Again, why would I waste my time at some museum when I could take Dria out for dinner tonight? There was a list of different places I'd been wanting to take her to. Even if it held romantic implications for me, I knew she would just see it as a "friendly" date. I did warn her that even if she was in love with Yugi, which I still found hard to believe, I was going to fight for her too.

"Would it help if I said that Miss Pegasus was here? She isn't feeling very well, Mr. Kaiba. You should come check on her."

I nearly dropped the phone. What had this freak done to her? When I tried to question the woman, she just hung up the phone. I slammed the phone back into its cradle and shoved away from my desk. Anyone who threatened my Dria would pay dearly. Mokuba sprinted behind me as I made my way to the car.

The museum looked as boring as I remembered, and that memory was from a passing glance as my car drove by it a few years ago. My driver agreed to keep the car running, so if I needed to, I would be able to grab Dria and get her out. As the doors to the museum opened, the woman, Ishizu Ishtar, stood before me.

"Where is she?"

She smiled lightly as she responded, "Do not worry. This makes conducting business so much easier."

I narrowed my eyes. Dria's safety was so much more important than business. Ishizu led the way through the Egyptian exhibit, babbling on about destiny or something.

"If there's a point to all this?"

I had to admit that I was interested in her special card, the one she claimed was able to defeat Exodia. She continued to babble on about Pegasus, Dria, and their odd addiction to this game. I resisted smiling; every time Dria and I dueled, I could see her true love for this game. She was the reason I loved it so much. That and the fact that I was basically the best at it. I clenched my fist at my moment of weakness. At least I had been until Yugi showed up and stolen everything from me.

"Behold the origin of duel monsters."

The room was completely dark. I saw a figure resembling a person sitting on the floor. When the lights came on, two things shocked me. One was the giant rocks hanging on the walls. The carvings looked almost exactly like duel monster cards. Maybe there was some truth to this nonsense that Dria had been trying to convince me of for years now.

But what shocked me more was the figure on the floor in front of the rock, "Dria."

Her normally emerald eyes were undeniably red, and there was a bright, golden eye on her forehead. She smiled serenely at me, tears streaming down her face. I rushed to her side and placed my hand on her cheek, "Dria!"

She covered my hand with hers and replied, "Everything's alright, Seto. I'm just happy."

Dria

My Pendant started to glow as soon as the woman uttered my name. She smiled widely as she spoke, "The scriptures were right. You are alive."

I chuckled humorlessly, "Last time I checked, my heart was still beating. Alexandria Pegasus is alive everyone!" I had to make sure she was who I thought she was.

She smiled, "Yes, the Great Queen Alexandria, also called Tyche, is alive and has been for at least 5,000 years."

My eyes narrowed dangerously and my power began to rise. She raised her hands in the surrender, "Please allow me to explain."

She was an Ishtar, just as I had suspected. Her family had faithfully carried out my request of guarding the Items, the tomb, and the secret for centuries. Her ancestors had passed on their stories about me, the Pharaoh, and our adventures together. I was a legend in her family. Every female tomb keeper was instructed to follow in my footsteps, which I thought was rather humorous considering the fact my ways were seen as a bit radical back then, at least in certain circles.

I sighed in defeat and gave her a true smile.

"It is an honor to meet you, My Lady." I smiled and briefly hugged her, kissing her cheeks in the process.

"The honor is mine. What have you found?"

She smiled and politely asked me to follow her. We made frequent stops during her little tour because I recognized so many artifacts. I had to laugh at the tears falling down my face as I looked at a piece of pottery that had belonged to Seto's grandson. It was his wine glass, which had once been covered in the gold, silver, and jewels that I had given to him. Time had not been kind to the object, but it still held a special place in my heart, nevertheless.

After having my sentimental moment with a broken piece of pottery, I allowed Ishizu to continue to lead me through this maze. Relics from all throughout the Egyptian Empire adorned the hallways. Statues of Anubis, carvings of beautiful hieroglyphics, everything a nutty Egypt expert like me would foam at the mouth for. I subtly wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, checking to make sure there wasn't anything there.

"Here we are."

The final room was completely dark. When she finally switched the lights on, my body collapsed before the artifact I saw. There, hanging on the wall in front of me, was the carving, the secret to part of the Pharaoh's power. Tears rose to my eyes as the memory of its carving and burial flooded my eyes. My Pharaoh on one side and my Seto on the other. I managed to rise to my feet long enough to stumble over to the rock. I placed my hands over the images, and slid back to the floor weeping. He would know the truth soon.

"Dria!"

Seto's strong arms surrounded me, concern clear in his normally calm voice. I smiled, "Everything's alright, Seto. I'm just happy."

Kaiba

Ishizu chose to torture me with visions of the past, or at least what she believed to be visions of the past. I couldn't deny how real or familiar they seemed. Something about them was wrong, but I couldn't figure out what. The sorcerer was every bit like me, or was I every bit like him? But I couldn't be compared to him! I was Seto Kaiba and only Seto Kaiba. As the final vision came, Blue Eyes appeared in front of the sorcerer. It looked like he was about to win when a dainty figure rose from her position next to the Pharaoh's throne. I gasped as I looked closer, recognizing characteristics I had seen for years. Then, the vision ended.

"History is destined to repeat itself," Ishizu stated ominously.

I scoffed at her. A destiny to play card games for all eternity? As fantastic as that sounded, I didn't believe in destiny. Ishizu continued to babble on about these Egyptian gods and the game itself. I heard everything she said, but Dria was distracting me. She was trying to get Ishizu's attention; there was something she didn't want me to know.

"What did they do with the cards?"

"Miss Dria gave them to me."

She had known of their existence, and she hadn't bothered to tell me. I briefly glared at her for the sudden revelation. I saw her head drop a little in response, and I realized I couldn't stay mad at her. There were things that I didn't tell her from time to time. Yet somehow, she always managed to weasel these secrets out of me.

"Take this card."

Obelisk the Tormentor? Did she really just hand me this card?

"You will return the card."

I would never return it. Instead, I would find all three Egyptian cards and become the number one duelist again. Then, not even Dria would be able to beat me. I gently pulled Dria to her feet and led her out of the museum.

"Thank you, Ishizu," she whispered as we left.

Dria

Father called me later that night. Ishizu had found him in the museum and told him what had occurred. He promised to come and visit within the next few days, but if two of those cards had been stolen, he would have to return to Los Angeles quickly and be creative if news reached the press. I promised him that I would find out how the cards were stolen and where they currently were, if I could. I also guaranteed that I would be careful, which was the only reason why he felt comfortable leaving without me.

Seto dropped me off at Yugi's house, at my request. I kissed his cheek before hopping out of the car and dashing inside. He seemed stunned by the sudden affection, but it warmed my heart to see a timid smile light up his face. Then, of course, it was gone like it had never been there. After greeting Grandpa, I headed up to Yugi's room.

"But who is he?"

I quietly opened the door and slipped inside. Pharaoh and Yugi were talking. I smiled softly when I saw the spirit of the Pharaoh among the living once more. I honestly couldn't thank Yugi enough for solving the Puzzle. Pharaoh's sunset eyes caught mine as Yugi leapt off the bed to greet me.

Pharaoh smiled widely, "Hello Dria."

I stepped forward and returned Yugi's hug. I winked at the Pharaoh and motioned for them to continue. I found my place on the bed and leaned against the headboard. The two were discussing the man who had brainwashed Bandit Keith into stealing the Puzzle. My fists clenched as I thought of who it could have been. I tried to come up with other suspects, but only one name kept coming back to me: Ishtar. Ishizu must have a sibling, likely a brother. That had to be the answer. He must have resented the Pharaoh for some reason. So, he stole the god cards and hoped to use them to defeat the Pharaoh, or at least demand his freedom from the tomb keeping bondage.

"We can defeat this evil together."

"How do I know I won't lose you?"

I chuckled a little at Yugi's comment. I opened one eye and looked at their confused and almost insulted faces.

"Yugi, Yami and I will be right by your side the entire way. With the two of us behind you, you can't possibly lose." I rose from my spot and covered his hands, which held the Puzzle, with mine. The Pharaoh followed my lead, placing his hands over mine, "We believe in you."

Those words did the trick. Yugi smiled widely and engulfed me in a second hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck, stroking his spiky, tri-colored hair softly. After a few moments, he released me, yawning slightly. I kissed his forehead and told him to sleep. He tiredly nodded and turned towards the bed. I turned towards the rest of his room, which was currently in disarray.

A sudden pair of arms wrapped around my waist again. These arms I had memorized. I leaned back against his firm chest, feeling the steady drumming of his heart. "Thank you for helping me."

I hummed in reply and turned into his neck. We stood there for several moments, just enjoying our time alone. When my yawn broke the spell, he swooped me up into his arms and deposited me onto the bed. I pulled him down with me and snuggled into his warm chest. His gentle smile graced me with its presence as I placed a few kisses on his neck. He pulled my chin up and trapped me in his entrancing eyes. His return kiss was so tender that I could have sworn I heard angels singing behind me. We parted after a few moments and returned to our earlier position.

This was where our relationship had turned. Even though he couldn't remember our past, he was still willing to act on the feelings he trusted to be real in his own heart. If I ever felt like I was pushing him into a trap, he would immediately tamper with my concerns by using those lips of his. His following remark would be something along the lines of, "I'd rather be trapped than without you," which was ridiculous and soothing at the same time.

His arms were wrapped tightly across my back, returning to their old job of protecting me. I began to hum our favorite tune from our childhood. I could feel the tense muscles in his chest relaxing as I hummed. With my song and his heartbeat, we fell asleep together.