Hello! Nice to see you! I hope I have not kept you waiting too long.
You may have noticed I've given a name for this fic. "Dawn of time"-name came in my mind from the last season of Yugioh "Dawn of Duel", and of Princess Mononoke's English dubbed version where they talked about dawn of time in some point. The whole story's plot line has got something to do with time, so it seemed to fit.
Thanks for two people who reviewed!
The group walked through the town towards the palace. When they reached it and went inside its walls, no matter how much they were wondering what would happen to them, Ed and Al could not help but be in awe for the beauty and magnificence of it. It was huge, made of the most pure and shining marble. The garden around it was filled with flowers, and there were some people working there. A few of them greeted Yuugi, who walked ahead of Ed and Al. He greeted back, smiling and waving a bit.
They then reached two big doors, that opened. Apparently they led to the throne room. It was a large, corridor-like room that also was made out of a ivory-coloured marble. The high ceiling was held by very thoroughly carved pillars, and on the walls there were a lot of hieroglyph writing. At the end of the room there was a throne made out of shining white stone and gold. Around the throne's sides were royal-looking people.
Edward guessed they were something like advisors or something of the Pharaoh. Most of them seemed to be in their middle-twenties, but there were two that seemed to be a little younger too. And one man definitely older, with his white beard. Most of the other people were also men, there was only one woman, seemingly a young and beautiful one. Her eyes were blue, but you weren't able to see her hair, since she covered it with a white hood-like thing. In fact, everyone except for one of the men, and another of those younger ones – a blonde young man with honey brown eyes – had covered their heads with something, neither a hat or something close to a hood. Most of them wore white. Only another of those younger – blue eyed tall man – wore some other colour(except for the golden jewellery they all wore somewhere), the same colour that of his eyes. Everyone of them, except for the both younger-looking, also had, or wore, a strange-looking golden object with a similar eye on each of them, except in one, a key-like thing in a shape of an ankh, that one of the men was holding.
One of those objets was something that looked like a scale. It was held by a muscular man with green eyes and shoulder-length black hair. Another one of those was a necklace that the only woman wore. The third was – to Ed's and Al's horror – put as a replacement to the oldest man's left eye. He was dressed the most humble way, since he wore no jewellery, only a white gown with hood and big sleeves. The last object they saw was held by a tall and built man. It was a ring-like necklace that had spikes hanging of it, and a triangle in the centre of it. He wore around his neck. His eyes were greyish blue. All of them were tanned, since this was Egypt after all.
As they stepped inside the room, the blonde young man hurried to Yuugi, gabbing his shoulders and looking into his eyes with worry('His lover, maybe?' Ed thought).
"Yuugi, where da heck were ya? We looked all ova for ye!" he stated.
"I'm sorry Jou…but no matter how much I try, I can't help but long to see outside. I know it's forbidden, but I still…"
By that time, the man dressed in blue had reached them.
"You should realise that you've caused quite a mess, Yuugi. You could have got hurt and—"
"Hey, fuck off, you!" Ed had opened his(big)mouth "I don't know what's going on here, but I don't like the tone of the voice you're speaking to him!"
"Nii-san…" Al said with a little fright in his voice. The blue-eyed man smirked in a bit of cruel way.
"For your acknowledge for at least for now, boy, I could easily get you executed for that…"
"Seto." The blonde called Jou said sternly, "For your acknowledge, I don't really like that tone of your voice either."
Before the blue-eyed man called Seto had a chance to answer, from the end of the room came a voice.
"Quiet now.", the voice spoke. It was young, male voice that was rich, powerful and deep, yet somehow gentle and empathic. Apparently it belonged to the Pharaoh. His face hid in the shadows, but he apparently was also dressed in white, but he did have some blue in his lower tunic. He wore a lot golden jewellery, and seemed to have a dark violet cape.
"Yuugi, come forth.", he then spoke.
Yuugi walked ahead. While he walked, there was absolutely no other sound except his small echoing steps. As he was almost to the throne, he bent down on his one knee, and put his gaze to the ground in respect.
"Mrwt, why did you do what you did?" The Pharaoh asked, leaving the Elric brothers to wonder what the first word meant.
"Pharaoh, I…no matter what, I still really want to see outside. I want to see the people of the town, see how they work and live…I know you've promised me I can go out sometime, but…when will it be? I'm so stressed now, because they are all around us, I just wanted to see, if I could find out something. I know I did wrong, and I'll accept punishment."
The Pharaoh stood from his throne, and walked over to Yuugi. Ed and Al had to gasp, he looked exactly like Yuugi!
Well, not exactly like him, there was a few differences. The Pharaoh was taller, and more built. His face was thinner and his eyes narrowed, and in different colour. Where Yuugi had amethyst violet eyes, the Pharaoh had ruby crimson. He also had more bangs of golden hair that stuck up with the rest. The tips of the red in his hair were also completely red, not reddish violet like Yuugi's. He was also tanner than him. He gave the image of darker, and cooler, Yuugi.
Ed noticed that the Pharaoh also wore a strange object with an eye on it. He wore it as a necklace, of what resembled an upside-down pyramid.
He then bent down to Yuugi, and put a hand on his shoulder, lifting his head from his chin with his other hand. He looked gently into Yuugi's eyes, and spoke warmly, yet sadly: "I will not punish you, Mrwt, but I want you to understand why I'm not letting you go outside now. It's because it's too dangerous. The Demon Robbers might kidnap you and use you to get me. You could be hurt seriously if they got you. I could never forgive myself if that were to happen. I merely want to make sure you're safe and sound, Yuugi. So please, don't do that again."
Yuugi frowned, probably from shame. Ed would have felt shame too, if it was to him. In his option, that much shame was worse than any punishment.
"Yes." Yuugi said with a voice that sounded like he was going to cry any moment now.
"Good." The Pharaoh said, smiling a slight gentle smile. He then stood, and turned to look towards where Ed and Al were.
"What are these youngsters blamed of?" He asked, while Yuugi also stood.
One of the guard-men who had come with, answered: "They lied their hands on the Prince, mighty Pharaoh! No one has the right to do that without the permission from the Prince himself!"
"Pharaoh, may I speak?" Yuugi asked then.
"Speak."
"They meant no harm to me. They merely helped me when I was about to be robbed. Besides, they didn't know I was the prince."
"I see." The Pharaoh said, turning to towards the Elrics. The two brothers saw his eyes were warm and soft with gratitude, while a small, yet equally warm smile graced his lips. This made the brothers wonder, what was Yuugi to the Pharaoh, anyway? A brother? A half-brother? Both made sense, they looked a lot alike, and Yuugi was the Prince…
The Pharaoh spoke again: "Let them go! If they saved Yuugi, there is no way I'll punish them in any way. Return to your duties, everyone."
People in the room started walking into different directions, and to the surprise of the Elrics, from the walls, there were many hidden doors that opened while the people reached them. They were also surprised – despite everything they had read that the Pharaoh was considered a living god by the Egyptians – that people seemingly so much older than the Pharaoh, listened to him without any questions. The Pharaoh couldn't be that much older than Edward!
As soon as the room was empty, except for the Elrics, Jou, Seto, Yuugi and the Pharaoh. The two latest approached the rest.
Once they reached them, the Pharaoh smiled to the Elrics, saying: "I thank you for helping Yuugi."
"Naw, that was nothing." Ed insisted.
"Don't say that. Our Yuugi here can be pretty troublesome at times." Jou entered the conversation.
"Hey!" Yuugi said, flushing with annoyance. The Pharaoh chuckled softly at their actions, while Seto gave a face that he'd rather be somewhere else.
The Pharaoh then spoke to the Elric brothers again:
"You're not from around here, are you? I've never seen clothes like that before."
Edward observed the tunics the Egyptians were dressed in and compared them to his own. Egyptians probably even didn't yet know what pants were.
"Yeah, I guess that's true…we've came a very long way. We're looking for something…"
"Like what?" Yuugi asked with interest.
Edward looked up to his brother's "face". Al briefly nodded.
"We're looking for the Philosopher's Stone. We got a hint it might be around here."
"Philosopher's Stone, eh…" The Pharaoh mused thoughtfully. "I've heard the term, but I don't think it's around here. It would probably be in a better acknowledge if it were."
"I see…" Ed said, now sadly. "I guess we need to continue our search, then…" He started to walk towards the exit, with Alphonse following.
"Wait!" Yuugi called after them. "Why are you leaving so soon? It's getting late, and believe me when I say that Egypt is not very safe at nights. Besides, what did you need that Stone for? Maybe there's something we can do for you about that."
"I agree." The Pharaoh said. "As a thank you for your help to Yuugi, and as a apologise for my men, I ask you to at least stay for the night."
"Pharaoh," Seto spoke up. "are you very sure it's wise? They might be spies."
Before Edward had any chance to explode at the blue-eyed man again, Jou spoke up: "Aw, Seto, don't always be such a suspicion with everyone you meet. I seriously don't think they would've helped Yuugi if they worked for The Demon Robbers."
"Katsuya, personally I think you all are too trusting for your own good. We trusted Malik, and look where that got us."
As these words escaped the tall man's lips, there were different reactions in the room. Jou gasped, and then started glaring at Seto warningly. The Pharaoh frowned a bit, but Yuugi was the worst. He faced the ground and both of the Elrics knew this wasn't something that should be mentioned when the amethyst-eyed boy was present.
Jou fast changed the subject:
"So, what was that you were looking for that Stone for? There might be something we can do for you."
"I don't think you can, but…we were looking for a cure."
Now they all looked at the Elrics. Jou's eyes also lit up.
"A cure? Why didn't you say so!" the blonde said, smiling. "What kind of cure? Well, whatever, just come with me."
He grabbed Ed's arm, and dragged him away. Al followed, though confused.
"H-hey, where are you taking me!" Ed said, but Jou didn't stop.
"If you're looking for a cure, I'm the right person to help you. So just come on!"
After some walking through corridors, they reached a door, which Jou opened. The Elric brothers saw they had entered rather large bedroom with a bed, balcony and a study table, as well as a door that led to another room. Jou mentioned the brothers to sit down to the bed, while he himself sat on a chair in front of his study table.
After sitting down, Edward asked again:
"So, why did you take us here? How can you help us?"
"Min' yer manners, lad." Jou said. "If you're looking for a cure, I wonder how you've came to Egypt without knowing about me. I'm Katsuya Jounouchi, the healer of the palace, at your service!"
Phew! I hated writing all that! I hate writing all the boring parts, but they are necessary for this story to work out! But now I'm very satisfied it's done. Is proud of herself
You might find it a bit weird that Jou's the healer…well, that's pretty much the point of the whole thing! I wanted to make him something he usually is not. He's a healer in many of my Egyptian AUs smile
Hee hee, that one scene became a bit like one in The Egyptian . I like that movie.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! We'll have to see when/if the next chapter comes up.