Angel: Hello! I'm back again!
Y. Ang: (sighs) Yes, and high on sugar I might add.
Angel: (grins happily) SUGAR!
Y. Ang: (sweatdrops) Ummm...Please wait a few minutes...we are having technical difficulties...
--------------------------------------An hour later----------------------------------------
Angel: Sorry about that. Sugar can make me a bit weird.
Y. Ang: A bit is an understatement.
Angel: (glares) What was that?
Y. Ang: Nothing…………………Angel doesn't own YuGiOh!
Angel: We all already know that, otherwise I would have been screaming it out to everyone within a 250 km radius.
Y. Ang: (looks relieved that that will never happen) Roll fic!
Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh or the city names of my game Pharaoh! I do own the game, though! (In a way...)
Lonely Heart In Egypt
Chapter 5 – Re-living the Past
Yami moved quickly through the corridors, Mahaado on his heels as they searched for Crystal and Mana. Although Yami was almost positive that Crystal was in the gardens, Mahaado had insisted that they check the palace. Seconds away from crashing into a group of terrified-looking servants, Yami skidded to a halt. What had he been thinking? Pharaohs had servants for a reason.
"You five."
One of the trembling servants stepped forward, "Yes, my lord?"
"Search the palace for Princess Crystal. If you find her, come and tell me immediately. I will be in the labyrinth."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good."
Yami then sped off in the direction of the gardens, Mahaado following him with a dry smile on his face.
"You know, I'm not so sure that the servants are looking forward to searching for you in the labyrinth that you designed specifically to keep people away from you."
Yami sighed, but didn't break stride. "I doubt she's even in the palace, Mahaado. She doesn't know her way around there yet."
"Point proven, my O Mighty Lord," he said dryly
"Mahaado, shut up."
----------------------------------------------------At the Labyrinth---------------------------------------------------------
Yami panted slightly as he looked around the garden, his eyes searching for the princess. At first glance, she didn't appear to be there. Just when he was about to give up and leave, Mahaado nudged him. Irritated now, he turned to see Mahaado pointing at a specific part of the fountain. Yami's eyes followed his hand to see a glimmer of gold and blue, mostly hidden behind the statue. Yami sighed in relief, and moved towards Crystal, who was mostly hidden from view on the other side of the fountain.
"Crystal?" he asked softly as he approached.
"What?" she replied with a sniff.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Crystal, just to look at you is enough to see that you are upset. Please tell me what's wrong."
Crystal hesitated and sniffed again, an almost angry look crossing her face. "I've always hated the idea of people taking orders from someone higher in society than them," she said at last.
"So you're upset by what your father said?"
"Yes and no. It's because he said the same thing to Mother, and she always taught me to respect my 'inferiors'. Father always said it was pointless, as you would never get anything out of it. It was the one thing they fought about. That argument was the last thing they ever said to each other, because Mother was murdered a few hours later. I was also attacked, but Mana saved me. Whenever he talks about that sort of thing, it reminds me of Mother, and makes me sad," she said sadly, bringing her knees to her chest, and wrapping her arms around them.
"It hurt me so much to see them arguing. They argued more after your mother, the Queen, was killed. However, I didn't always hear the arguments."
"After my mother died?" Yami replied sceptically. "But why would that have affected your family?"
"I don't know. I had this strange feeling this morning, though. I felt as though I already knew you, as if I had been here and seen you before."
Yami was puzzled. "I know, I felt as if I knew you as well."
The two were silent while they thought about it, when suddenly Yami cried out.
"I remember now! Something was blocking my memory, but now it's gone!"
"What do you mean?"
Yami sat down next to her and raised her chin with his hand, "You have been here before! Don't you remember? When we were kids we were the best of friends!"
Crystal looked surprised, but suddenly understanding crept onto her face. "I do remember! But how did I forget? And why?"
Yami was silent as the memories came flooding back. Few of them were good, and the events that surrounded his 12th birthday resulted in his behaviour and reputation as 'the heart with a cold stone heart.' He sighed sadly in remembrance, as these events began with his mother's death...
--------------------------------------------------About 7 years ago------------------------------------------------
When the Queen of Egypt died, Pharaoh and King Isaac had become worried for the lives of Queen Charlotte and Princess Crystal, as they had been close to the Queen. The families often spent a lot of time around each other, as the two Queens had grown up together even though they weren't related. The two Kings had thought it best that the Queen and the Princess should be sent home, as they believed it was safer in Isiria. Although Crystal wanted to stay with her best friend, Prince Yami, she was taken against her will. So that Crystal would leave and that Yami would let her, for even then he had an immensely stubborn streak, Pharaoh decided to cast a spell to make the two forget their friendship. There were other reasons too, but the Pharaoh was the only one that knew those.
Anyway, the spell caused the two young royals to fall asleep, and when they awoke, they would forget. Crystal was taken home while she slept, and when she awoke at home, she forgot all about the palace and about Yami. Yami had somehow known, when he awoke, that his father had caused him to forget something important, and became cold and reclusive towards basically everybody.
Sadly, all the trouble was for nothing, as Queen Charlotte was murdered after about a year had passed. Shortly after her death, Crystal was also attacked, but she was saved by Mana: the guardian that she had been given as a friend after being taken from Yami. Although Crystal didn't know at the time, Yami met Mahaado at around the same date.
The Pharaoh was distraught at the damage caused by his own foolishness to his son, the Queens and Princess Crystal, so he killed himself in a war. For he was the one who had caused the deaths of the Queens. You see, he knew what was going to happen, and acted against the threat. However, it all went terribly wrong. But the two young royals would be unaware of Pharaoh's discovery until it was almost too late.
------------------------------------------------Present Day---------------------------------------------
Yami sighed sadly at the memories. He had barely known his mother, but it still hurt to remember her lying there, dead. He couldn't even imagine what Crystal had gone through. She had been very close with her mother, and Queens Charlotte's death must have devastated her.
"I'm sorry to bring up those bad memories, Yami," the Princess said quietly.
Yami jumped at the voice, but put his arm around her, "You shouldn't be. It's not your fault, and I should be sorry for reminding you of your mother's death. You and your mother were very close."
Crystal smiled, regardless of her tear-filled eyes, "Mana and Father were the only things that kept me going. I knew I had to be strong for my dad, because his last conversation with Mum was an argument."
"That would have hurt."
"It seemed to destroy him from the inside. Yami?"
Yami sensed she was trying to change the conversation, and was grateful. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for your coronation. I was ill that day, I believe because I hadn't visited the temple of Isis for about a month."
"It's OK that you didn't come. But why would not visiting a temple make you sick?" he asked curiously.
Crystal lifted her chin proudly, despite her tear-filled eyes. "The Royal Family of Isiria is believed to be the descendents of Isis, Goddess of Creation (1). That's one reason why I have so many talents in magic. Therefore, Royal Family members are to worship her often to ask for her protection and blessings, as she is the patron goddess of our city. Perhaps I angered her by not visiting the temple, I don't know. I don't pretend to understand the gods."
"I never knew that about your family before. I apologize for asking a question about your family's personal history."
"That's alright. I'm just glad that the illness only lasted about a week. Who knows what state I could be in now?"
"Well, I'm just glad you're here now." Yami replied, pulling her into a warm hug.
"As am I. And this time, if I leave, I'm coming back." She said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Yami smiled at the contact, "You'd better. I haven't just found the most beautiful woman in the world to lose you again," he said gently. Crystal flushed at the comment, but said nothing.
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Yami smiled to himself as he got ready. The nobles that lived nearby were leaving after dinner, and they were expecting a formal reception. Yami wasn't happy about the dinner - he was happy about the fact that Crystal was going to be there. He was sure that she would make the dinner bearable. Fortunately for Yami, he was able to wear something a little more comfortable for this dinner. He didn't have to wear half as much jewellery or make-up; only the gold chest plate was really necessary. After dressing he decided to go see if Crystal was ready, so that they could go down to dinner together.
He moved to Crystal's room and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Yami. Are you ready yet, or do you want me to go to dinner without you?"
Yami was answered with silence as the door opened. Yami couldn't help himself, he gasped. Crystal stood there uncertainly in a beautiful, long-sleeved lavender dress with a gold sash around her waist. The little make-up she wore consisted of pale pink lipstick, and pale-blue eye shadow.
"If you wait a few minutes, I'll be ready. I only have to put on my earrings and necklace."
Yami followed her inside, as she walked over to her dressing table. She sat down and put on the dangling amethyst and diamond earrings before she spoke again.
"Yami, could you please clip my necklace together? Mana normally does it, but she went down to the gardens to visit with Mahaado."
Yami chuckled. "So that's where he went!"
Crystal laughed. "Yes. Now could you please clip my necklace?"
Yami nodded and Crystal swept her hair to one side, giving Yami the ends of the diamond choker. He then gently placed the choker around her slender neck, fastening the delicate clasp.
"Where did you get this necklace? It truly reflects your beauty."
Crystal smiled at the compliment, letting her hair fall back down to her waist. "Mother gave it to me for my 12th birthday, which was a month before she was murdered."
"I'm sorry I reminded you again."
"It's alright. Nearly everything reminds me of Mother anyway."
"Well, shall we go to dinner now?" he asked, extending his arm to her.
She grinned and took his offered arm, "Yes, we shall."
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1: OK, according to my book, Isis is much more than that. She is queen of the gods, Egyptian mother goddess and the great mother goddess of the universe, mother of all, lady of plants, beasts, joy, gladness, and the new year, maker of the sunrise, goddess of love, protection, beauty…………Yeah, you get the picture!
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C YA! Angel