Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or anything dealing with Yu-Gi-Oh.
Guardians of the Gods
Chapter 4
Your Defeat is Really My Defeat
"Why are you-," Ishizu's voice was soft and sounded slightly frightened to him.
"Didn't you say it was not by choice? Because I was destined to do so?" Kaiba's own voice assured her as he slipped the card from her pocket.
"Mr. Kaiba, sir," his secretary repeated once more over the intercom.
He shook himself from his daydream and pressed the button on his desk.
"What?" he cursed himself for sounding so distracted.
"The Board has assembled for your meeting at two o'clock. Do I need to postpone-,"
"No," he said sternly, cutting the woman off. "Are all the proposals completed? Even the one I asked for yesterday?"
"Yes sir, I have them here ready for when you leave your office to go to the meeting."
"Good," Kaiba turned the machine off and rose from his chair to leave his office.
Before he was caught up in his daydream, Kaiba was on the phone with Mokuba. He called his younger brother while he was on his scheduled lunch at school.
"Hey big bro, what's up?"
"How's your last day of school Mokie?" Kaiba said using the endearing nickname for his little brother.
The younger Kaiba huffed on the other end of the line. "I'm not a little kid anymore Seto, I'm going to be getting ready for my high school entrance exams soon. But anyway, why did you call?"
Seto smiled a little and looked down at his desk and scribbled something with his pen. Mokuba was right, he would be thirteen soon, and was already a little prodigy himself. Mokuba managed to skip a couple of grades in school and was already finished with junior high school. He was not a little kid anymore. "We have to discuss the opening date for your amusement park. It will have to be postponed-,"
"I understand Seto, let's do it over pizza. I want to go back to the pizza parlor downtown."
"Agreed," Kaiba chuckled.
"What happened at the museum with that Egyptian woman?"
That question caught Kaiba off-guard. "It doesn't matter. However, I did gain certain knowledge. It is part of the reason why I need to push back opening day."
"You like her, don't you? You didn't come back until one this morning." He waited in anticipation for his older brother's response like he waited for him to return home earlier that morning.
There was silence on the other end of the phone, followed by what Mokuba could have sworn was muttering. "No, Mokuba." But before Kaiba could explain further Mokuba continued to prod his brother.
"She's a very pretty woman Seto, and from what I heard on your COM, I'd say you more than noticed it yourself."
Kaiba brought his the palm of his hand up to his face and inwardly hit his head on his desk. He underestimated his little brother's grasp on electronics. Sure, Mokuba could hack into his school's database and forge a sick note to facilitate his playing hooky. Kaiba caught him more than enough times torrenting various media from the internet. And red flags did pop up in his head when Mokuba reprogrammed his holographics system to show a live representation of a home movie of them when their parents were still alive.
Kaiba knew that Mokuba must have eavesdropped on the entire visit via hack into the COM system he had installed on a chip in the collar of his coat. He dreaded to ask what Mokuba heard.
"What did you hear?"
"Everything. So, you are throwing a tournament huh? That is exciting, can I help?"
The CEO sighed and was grateful his brother didn't go into the other aspects of the meeting he had with the woman from the museum.
"Yes, I was planning on it."
"Oh, and Seto, you should go see her again. Outside the museum somewhere, at least you won't be interrupted. I'll spend the night at Yūgi's when you do so you can have the whole mansion to yourself. And make sure you use protection," Mokuba's grin reached from ear to ear when his brother hesitated.
"Thanks Mokuba, you little voyeur. We should make a trip over to the CIB(7) and let them know how you're becoming an annoying terrorist," he half-teased, half-chastised.
"So now I'm a terrorist huh? At least I'm not the one-,"
"I'll pick you up from school and we'll go to the pizza parlor," Kaiba could not talk fast enough to hang up the phone.
When did Mokuba begin to give him life lessons? And what does he know about protection? Mokuba Kaiba definitely was NOT a little kid anymore.
That was when Kaiba, for the countless time that day, went over the museum meeting in his mind. Her voice, the cards, some crap about destiny…the man Kaiba assumed was a close relative of hers, perhaps her brother. What does it matter if she has a brother? Why am I even thinking about this?
He pulled the blue Egyptian God card from his deck out of his desk. Obelisk the Tormentor, he read in his head. Kaiba's thumb rubbed the surface of the card.
He blinked to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him. Sure enough though, the monster on the card seemed to be moving, pulsating with some sort of energy. Every time Kaiba tilted the card to the light, the large, threatening eyes of the monster shined and glared at its holder.
Kaiba read the card description: "You must Tribute 3 monsters toNormal Summonthis card (you cannot Set this card). TheNormal Summonof this card cannot be negated. When this card isNormal Summoned,Spells,Traps, and Effect Monstereffects cannot be activated. This card cannot be targeted by the effects ofSpells,TrapsorEffect Monsters. If this card isSpecial Summoned, it is sent to theGraveyardduring the End Phase. You canTribute2 monsters to destroy all monsters your opponent controls. This card cannot declare an attack the turn this effect is activated."(8)
"Three tributes. Impervious to all effects? Dear God, this card is unstoppable."
The card continued to throb rhythmically with energy that he had never experienced. Yet, it seemed proverbial to him.
Kaiba could not explain what was happening and attributed what he witnessed to lack of sleep and caffeine overdose. He quickly shoved the card in the middle of his deck and placed it inside his coat. He sat at his desk, his body completely still with his elbows resting on either side of his laptop, his head in his hands.
Ishizu Ishtar, who are you?
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Dusk, Empty Shipping Container, Domino Pier
"It was just a matter of time before you came to me Odion. You swore yourself to me years ago, I knew that no matter what, you would always stand by my side."
"Marik, you know that this is wrong," Odion retorted. "We are tombkeepers, we are supposed to protect the power of the Pharaoh, not use it for our own gain. I pledged myself to you because you are my brother and it is my duty to protect you. Our upbringing and our morals dictate that I try and stop you from executing your plans."
"But that's not why you are here, and that's not what you've come to do. Is it Odion?" The hard, amethyst eyes of a young Egyptian bore into his own. Marik had seated himself in a chair and requested Odion's presence when he came to learn that he had joined the Rare Hunters.
The taller Egyptian put his head down and refrained from answering. His conflicted, inner thoughts reflected in his tense posture.
Marik's father adopted Odion as part of an old tradition to safeguard his would-be male successor. When Ishizu was born, he did not hesitate to watch over her, despite her father's protests. But after Marik was born, Odion began to notice the steady breakdown in the Ishtar family structure. It started when their mother died just days after Marik was born. Their father was harsher than normal.
Odion had witnessed the woman who adopted him tolerate the violence and neglect of the man he called father. But when that treatment transferred to his younger sister Ishizu, Odion did not know what he could do. At the time he was little more than a boy, and could barely endure the beatings he suffered. The only safe thing he could do was race to Ishizu's room after he heard her screams stop and watch the monster he called father retreat to his own quarters.
He remembered how he would hold his little sister in his arms until they both fell asleep. She would cry and tremble as they both rocked themselves into another world far away. Odion feared for little Marik also.
Was the monster beating on the infant as well?
But Ishizu would explain to him that Marik was the loved one, the wanted one. Marik was the firstborn male, he could carry on the monster's name, he would be the one to undergo the tombkeeper initiation and keep their traditions safe. He and Ishizu both were nothing but placeholders.
Backups and protection for Marik.
But Gods forbid anything ever happened to their youngest sibling, for it would bring down the wrath of the merciless monster upon them.
They had spoke of leaving, running away to that far away place they often telepathically transported themselves to in order to escape from the abuse. They had talked about it, Odion knew he had to leave and take Ishizu away. That was before the monster forced Odion to pledge his life to Marik.
Being tied to Marik as his slave shot their chances of escaping to the surface. No one cared if Ishizu and Odion left, but if Marik was out-of-sight for more than a minute, the monster would be on their trail and there would be fatal consequences.
Odion winced when he remembered the time he was beaten within an inch of his life. It only happened once, and it was his punishment for failing to protect Marik.
A snakebite kept Marik in a fever for days, Ishizu and Odion both prayed for Marik's sake and theirs that he would live through the ordeal. But whether Marik lived or not was of no concern to the monster when it came to bringing misery, broken ribs, and a fractured skull down as castigation on Odion.
He could not remember much of his life underground after that except the day the monster was slain. Odion did not remember how everything had happened. When everything was said and done, the abominable excuse for a parent he once called father laid lifeless on the stone floor of the Ishtar home. Marik stood above him, hands covered in blood. His eyes looked dead and did not quite focus on any one thing around them. Ishizu stopped Odion from grabbing onto Marik just before he delivered the final blow to the monster's head. All three of them were stunned and stood completely still.
That was the day the evil spirit cemented itself deeper into Marik's heart and like a parasite it began to feed on the good that was once in him.
After their ordeal and departure from the home they left behind, Odion and Ishizu both learned that Marik too had been maltreated by their father, perhaps worse than what they had experienced. Along with the physical and mental abuse, Marik suffered through experimental incantations and other unspeakable trials.
All he had left now was his brother and his sister.
More importantly, the pact with his brother.
Odion dropped to his knees and knelt in front of his brother, defeated and overwhelmed with the promise he made him a long time ago. Marik was right, he could not escape his promise. He closed his eyes and silently apologized to his sister, and to the Pharaoh. His sister's voice rang in his ears. You have to help Marik defeat the evil that resides within him. It was born out of hatred and fear of our father, and now that it has tasted blood, it is out for more and will stop at nothing to obtain the Pharaoh's power. Marik is so blinded by the abuse we've all suffered, he doesn't realize what he is allowing this evil spirit to do through him. Odion, please go to him and do whatever it is that he asks you. I know that there is good in him, and you're the only one that can help him overcome and see that. Do not be afraid of the things that must transpire. Many people will be harmed but it is for the greater good. The Pharaoh must return to the Spirit World. No matter what happens to either of us, he must return. Odion shook his head, ashamed of his servitude to an evil entity. He did not want to be responsible for hurting others, but the reason for his presence was to serve and protection his brother.
Even from himself.
"You can't help but to serve me. You are not Ishtar blood, you are not a tombkeeper. You may have lived the life of a tombkeeper, but it is not your destiny. Your providence is by my side. You know that no matter what, your loyalty is to me. It is something you cannot deny, it is in your very nature to serve me. That little place in your heart that wants to do what is right and help my sister is not stronger than the piece of your heart that is mine. Your aspiration to help the Pharaoh is irrelevant, you belong to me," whispered sinisterly.
Odion raised his head to meet the cold, malevolent eyes of his brother.
"Yes, master."
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7:00pm, Area 2 Duel Arena Ice Cream and Pizza Parlor, Downtown Domino City
A waitress approached a booth holding six hungry, eager students. They always met at the parlor every Thursday after school and juku(9). It was the only day they could meet. Due to schedule conflicts and part-time jobs, they rarely saw each other outside of school. Thursday was also the day they would gather to practice duel monsters and catch up. It was their routine, not broken to that day.
The pizza parlor had a retro fifties theme imported straight from America, complete with vintage car booths.
"Hey guys, welcome to the duel arena pizza parlor, will it be the usual today?" the waitress politely asked her most loyal customers. She was wearing a vintage red polka dot full skirt dress and even wore a red wig to mimic the pinup style born of western culture decades ago.
"Nah, Raiki. We need twelve pizzas this time! We're gonna be here a while," a blond-headed male said with a Brooklyn accent.
They were all sitting at a cream-colored 1968 Chevrolet Camero full car booth. The seats were made of black leather and the taillights and horn were wired to a waiting system, letting waiters know when their patrons needed assistance. The menus were placed on a retro gas pump display and customers paid for their order via an old Gilbarco air meter. The restaurant held about seven classic car booths and had numerous glass-top tire tables with leather 1950s style bar stools.
"Joey, you're not putting twelve pizzas on my tab!" a girl spoke up. She playfully grabbed Joey into a chokehold and barred her teeth. "You still owe me from last week!"
"Aight Téa, damn lemme go," Joey said grabbing at his neck. Once Téa released him, he yanked on the collar of his uniform jacket and tried to appear as manly as possible. Then he gave the waitress the cheesiest grin he could produce with this wounded pride.
The rest of the students around the table snickered. They all exchanged glances and shook their heads.
"Bring us twelve pizzas Raiki, and I'll pay for it," Mokuba spoke up. "I think I'm the only one at this table that Joey doesn't owe."
"Joey's good for it," another student spoke up. He anchored an arm around Joey's neck and pulled him in for a nuggie. "Besides, we know he gets paid tomorrow. I'm sure he'll fork over the cash."
"I'm not so sure Tristan, Joey owes me for a coke I bought him two years ago," a raven-haired boy said. His eyes were emerald and a single dice hung from his ear. He had a tattoo under his left eye and was eying the waitress the whole time. She gave him little smirks here and there, and then slipped a paper under his hand when the rest of the table was preoccupied with laughing at Joey.
"That's enough outta you two! I said I'll pay you back. And Duke I thought we were good. How do you remember a coke from two years ago anyway?" Joey exclaimed.
"I have a spotless memory and I'm good with numbers," the green-eyed student and duelist answered, winking at the waitress.
"So twelve pizzas, four two-liter cokes, two orders of cheesesticks and what else?" Raiki asked blushing when she glanced at Duke.
Téa sighed. "I want a salad please."
"A SALAD?!" came the collective voices of the rest of the boys at the table.
"If you want a salad, you can go to that health food store down the street. We're eating real food over here," Joey exclaimed.
"Well some of us care about the complexion of our skin Mr. Wheeler. Besides, do you guys remember that school pictures are tomorrow?"
The waitress turned to leave the table to put in the orders. Duke gave her bottom a light tap as she walked away. She shooed his hand away and hurried to the kitchen.
The last person at the table remained quiet and continued to watch his friends banter back and forth. He was deep in thought, contemplating his next move. He and Mokuba were playing a duel on the table, passing time before the food arrived.
He had five cards in his hand fanned out before his eyes. A smile crossed his face when he decided on his next play.
"I will place two cards face-down and attack with Archfiend of Gilfer(10)," the young boy looked up at his opponent.
"Not so fast Yūgi, I activate Mirror Force(10). All your monsters go to the graveyard now," Mokuba said, excited to finally have the tables turned. He only had one hundred life points left.
"Wow, good job Mokuba," Yūgi placed his two monsters from his side of the field to the graveyard. "I activate Monster Reborn(10) to bring back King's Knight(10) in attack mode," with that he signaled that he ended his turn. "What are you going to do now? I too have only one hundred life points left."
"It's my turn so I will summon this," Mokuba pulled a card from his hand and placed it face-up. "And attack your King's Knight."
Yūgi looked at Mokuba sincerely and placed his hand on the table. "Well then I'm afraid you've lost the duel."
"How?!" Mokuba said confused.
"You see, your Rude Kaiser(10) has only eighteen hundred attack points."
"Yeah, but your King's Knight only has sixteen hundred attack points."
"Did you take into account my Archfiend of Gilfer?"
"It's in the graveyard Yūgi."
"But it's effect is activated when it is sent to the graveyard. I can treat it as an equip card and boost the attack power of my King's Knight by five hundred, giving him twenty-one hundred attack. You just lost three hundred life points by attacking me with your Rude Kaiser."
Mokuba looked over all the cards and sighed. "You won Yūgi, fair and square. It's difficult to keep all the effects of monsters in your head when you're dueling."
"You dueled well Mokuba. I'm sure you're making your brother proud."
Mokuba looked behind him several tables away at his older brother. He smiled and waved at him.
Kaiba, unable to restrain himself, waived back and smiled a little himself. He wondered how much longer he was going to have to sit through Mokuba's visit with whom he called the 'geek squad'.
Kaiba did not approve of his friendship to Yūgi, especially since he was his arch-rival, but off the playing field Kaiba figured that Mokuba needed friends his own age, and there was not anybody else he could possible trust Mokuba to hang out with.
"I'm getting better every day, it's going to take me a while, but I'm going to be as good as my big brother," Mokuba grinned, putting away his cards.
Joey, at that point, opened his mouth to contest, but Tristan jabbed him hard in the ribs.
Kaiba glanced briefly at the entrance to the parlor to see an individual pull a jacket off her arms. She wore an ankle length dress that exposed her shoulders and collarbones. Her hair was in a loose bun that sat at the back of her head. A gold headband with a green gem sat above her eyes. Kaiba watched her make her way over to the table where his brother sat chatting and playing with the others.
"Do you all mind if I join you?"
Everyone turned to the person now respectfully bowing in front of the table. When she stood up straight, her blue eyes met everyone's gaze.
"Sure, sweet thing. Here's a seat right beside me," Duke spoke up scooting over closer to Tristan. Everyone looked at him with his or her mouths gaping.
"I'm so sorry, he's the rude one," Téa then raised her fist and mouthed a threat Duke's way.
He simply shrugged his shoulders and cleared the table where the woman sat.
The whole table was silent, unsure of what to say next. Then the woman started to speak.
"My name is Ishizu Ishtar, and it is a pleasure to meet every one of you."
The students returned her greeting and fell silent, waiting again, watching her.
"I came by the table because I recognized Yūgi Mōto," she nodded lightly to Yūgi and continued. "You're the Duelist Kingdom champion, correct?"
"Yes, I am." Yūgi hesitated, stumbling on his words.
"So where are you from girlie?" Duke asked her interrupting the conversation. He could feel Téa's gaze burning a hole in the side of his face.
"I am from Egypt. I've come to Japan on a visit and to safeguard the artifacts I have brought from my homeland. As a matter of fact, I've sat down to invite you all to witness the exhibit I have prepared just for duel monsters enthusiasts."
"Dat all sounds nice, but why would we want to see it?" Joey said.
"I swear, I'm going to kill the both of you. Do I need to remind you of your manners?" Téa all but screamed, frustrated with how Joey and Duke were treating the woman. "I need some female friends," Téa muttered under her breath.
"It's quite alright. I am just extending an invitation. It is not mandatory that you visit. Although, I urge you, Yūgi. You might find it very interesting." She leaned closer to speak directly within his earshot. "Seto Kaiba is going to hold a tournament here in Domino City. It would be wise if you came to the museum and learn what significance you and the Pharaoh play in all of this."
Yūgi held his puzzle in his hands before looking down at it. How does she know about the Pharaoh? How does she know Kaiba is throwing a tournament? Yūgi wondered.
"Kaiba is going to make an announcement in thirty minutes. He is going to introduce the tournament and official rules. Once you have everything you need to participate, come to the exhibit," Ishizu gave him a business card with the address to the museum. Her blue eyes met his lavender ones with a warm smile.
I trust this woman Yūgi. We should go to her exhibit.
It couldn't hurt I guess. Are you sure about this Yami?
I feel like I am supposed to talk to her. Something about her is familiar.
Maybe she can help you with your past. We'll see.
Right when Yūgi finished his silent conversation with the Spirit of the millennium puzzle, the waitress returned with their order. She had two other waiters help her bring it to the table. Joey took four of the pizzas and two of the coke bottles. The remainder was divvied up between the rest of the students.
"Oh no," Mokuba sighed and sank a little into the booth. "Here comes my brother," and braced himself for whatever it was Seto was upset about.
The whole booth fell silent when Kaiba stood up from his table and strode over to theirs.
"What is it rich boy?" Joey was the first to speak.
Kaiba ignored his voice and instead stood with his arms crossed looking at Ishizu and Yūgi.
"Good evening Kaiba, how may I be of assistance?" Ishizu said completely lost as to why Kaiba was standing over her at the table.
Everyone's gaze turned towards the woman who introduced herself as Ishizu. Her eyes were focused on those of the tall brunette.
"Why are you at this table with my brother?"
Joey, Tristan, Téa, Duke, Mokuba, and Yūgi exchanged looks and were shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
"What does it matter to you, Seto Kaiba?" She said his name with as much disdain as she could bring into her stern voice. Her eyebrow raised in anticipation of his response.
Everyone turned to Kaiba.
"My brother is my concern."
Mokuba's hand went to his pants pocket as he felt his cell phone vibrate. It was a text from Yūgi. Mokuba looked up at the duelist who flashed his phone in front of him for a second before it disappeared beneath the table.
What's Kaiba's problem? How does he know her?
Mokuba texted him back discreetly with lightning-quick reflexes. I think she's the one he met at the museum. Idk y he is getting upset. But she's 1-upping him, it never takes him this long to come back.
What happened? Yūgi texted.
Stuff. Mokuba looked up at Yūgi and puckered his lips in a fake kiss, mimicking his older brother.
Yūgi's head cocked to the side in confusion. Then realization spread across his face.
This is too funny. Yūgi responded, a stifled laugh escaped him.
I'll tell u the rest. Seto is going to catch me texting and put 2 & 2 2gether.
"Mokuba get up, we're going home," came Kaiba's strong, irritated voice.
"Oh come on Kaiba, let him stay for a little while. We did nothing wrong," Tristan said trying to convince the older Kaiba that there is no need to spoil Mokuba's fun.
"Listen to him Kaiba. Do not take your anger out on them. You are upset with me," Ishizu stood. "It is not fair to take your brother away from his friends because we have unfinished business."
"I like this girl," Joey whispered, grinning.
Kaiba looked from Ishizu to his brother to the rest of the table. He abruptly walked away towards the exit of the restaurant.
Everyone looked at Ishizu.
"Excuse me," she said. "It was pleasant meeting you all. I hope that in the future we can be friends and interact with one another without such," she paused wanting delicately describe the situation without offending Mokuba. "Interruptions," she pointed in Kaiba's direction and bowed to all the students at the booth and followed after the fuming CEO.
When both of them were out of sight, everyone in the booth looked at each other in confusion.
"What was that about?" Duke said out loud.
"You don't want to know," Mokuba shook his head.
Ishizu caught up with Kaiba who left the parlor and walked to the other side of the dueling arena. He flashed his card to access security clearance on a private balcony overlooking the streets of downtown Domino City.
She managed to catch the door right before it closed in her face. Ishizu stood with the door to her back, watching him lean over the railing. She did not know what to say, or why she even chased after him.
"I've decided that I'm going to throw the tournament," Kaiba started.
"Thank you-," Ishizu said wanting to show her gratitude. Although she already knew that he arranged it the day after their meeting.
"I'm not doing it for you or for that fairytale bullshit you fed me at the museum. I've seen the value of these Egyptian God cards and I intend to obtain them all for myself."
Ishizu approached the railing and stood beside Kaiba, she looked for any hint of sincerity in his voice, but all she saw was a failing attempt at severity. He refused to look in her direction and instead just followed the cars that sped past below.
"Either way Kaiba, I appreciate your efforts. The consequences reach farther than you can imagine," she said softly placing a hand on his arm. She looked compassionately into his eyes wanting to express her gratitude.
Kaiba jerked his arm away at feeling her touch and asked, "Consequences?"
"Yes. Ultimately good will prevail, although," she lowered her eyes. "I'm afraid some very bad things are going to have to happen first."
"I will have this city locked down. I have the best security this side of Japan. Nothing bad is going to happen on my watch," Kaiba turned to face her showing his confidence in the lengths he had taken to arrange the tournament.
"There are forces that money and manpower cannot contend with. There are matters of the heart that cannot be touched merely by brute enforcement," Ishizu placed a hand on his chest, right on top of his heart. "Value the time you spend with those who are dear to you. Value something other than your power, your position, and your money. Those can all be taken away in an instant. Your family, your brother is what is important. Do not forget that these men will stop at nothing to force you to bend to their will."
"How do you know the way these men operate?" This time he did not shy away from her hand and instead challenged her motives by placing an arm around her waist, bringing the dark-haired woman closer.
A slight blush ran across her face as she smiled. "The same way I know that you are late for your announcement," she smiled when she saw his eyes grow wide.
Kaiba looked down at his watch. "Hmph, I make the rules, so I'm never late." And with that he turned to leave.
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The Next Day, Domino City Museum, Ancient Egyptian Exhibit
"I'm glad you decided to act on my invitation my Pharaoh," she bowed respectfully to the Spirit of the millennium puzzle.
"Yūgi's friends just call me Yami. Téa and I wanted to visit your exhibit because we are curious about my past. You see, I don't remember anything about what happened thousands of years ago. I was hoping you could enlighten me."
Ishizu smiled warmly at both of her visitors and led them to the small exhibition room that held two large stone tablets.
"These are the tablets I have recovered from the tomb of the Pharaoh. They depict several key events in his reign. Although, this is what I want you to focus on," Ishizu pointed up to the very top of the tablet. "Those depictions up there describe the three most powerful monsters of ancient Egypt."
"What happened during my reign? Was I a good king?" Yami felt uncomfortable saying 'my' especially since her did not remember a thing about Egypt. He felt embarrassed to ask someone else about the events of his own past life .
"According to the tablet and the visions my millennium necklace provide me," she placed her hand on her item. "You were indeed a good king and your people loved you very much."
"You have a millennium item as well?" Yami asked.
"Yes, there are seven as you are aware of, I hold the necklace. I know other people who bare the remaining items." Ishizu turned back to the tablet. "Here is a notorious battle the Pharaoh fought. His opponent should look familiar to you. Seto Kaiba is a direct reincarnation of the rival the Pharaoh fought in this battle."
Yami nodded his head. "I see the monsters verify your speculation. What was here?" Yami pointed to a part of the tablet that was chipped away.
"The victor of this battle was here, the name has been scratched out. Your name as well, my Pharaoh, is unknown. Every place where your name should be, has been chiseled away. There is a purpose as to why all the names are gone from this tablet. I am sorry to say that I do not know why, nor what names should be carved here," Ishizu noticed Yami's eyes darken a little at her inability to tell him his name. She empathized with the spirit and continued to focus his mind elsewhere.
"Tell me more about the powerful monsters at the top."
"Those are the Egyptian Gods, Slifer the Sky Dragon, Obelisk the Tormentor, and the Winged Dragon of Ra. Pegasus harnessed the power of these monsters by trapping their souls in duel monsters cards with his millennium eye. When he realized that he could not control the use of these cards he gave them to me for safekeeping. But someone has stolen two of the cards. That is why Kaiba is throwing a tournament. There is a group who call themselves the rare hunters. They stole from me Slifer and Ra. They will do anything to obtain the third card."
"Where is the third card?"
"I gave it to Seto Kaiba," Ishizu bluntly said.
"Why would you give it to Kaiba? Excuse me for saying so, but that did not seem like a bright thing to do. You know he will never return your card? He cares only about being in power."
"I am not worried about Kaiba returning the card to me, I have foreseen that all the cards will be returned to their rightful place."
"So why do you need me?"
"The path you are on now, my Pharaoh, to find your identity and retrieve your memories is the same path to finding these powerful cards. If you obtain Slifer, Obelisk and Ra you will have the key to unlocking your past."
"Very well."
"Might I say I'm impressed that you are taking this in stride very well."
"It is fine, I am willing to accept whatever it is that I must do to gain my memories back."
"May I see your item? Is it all right that I hold it in my hands? You do not have to take it off, I just wish to see what memories I can unlock for you now."
Yami held up his puzzle off his chest and offered it to Ishizu. He looked at Téa who had been completely silent the whole time. "Is everything okay Téa?"
"I'm just fine Yami, I don't want to interrupt, you get all the information you need. I want you to concentrate so that you can remember all of this."
He nodded as the chain jingled when Ishizu took it in her hands.
Nothing happened in the first few seconds. Ishizu thought that the Pharaoh's memory was wiped completely, but then her own item began to glow. She met Yami's gaze as he looked questioningly at her.
She felt her necklace take her to another time.
When she opened her eyes, she was staring at a maze of corridors, stairs and doors.
"Ishizu!" came a voice behind her.
She turned quickly on her heels to see Yūgi. "Hello Yūgi."
"What are you doing here?" he asked perplexed.
"Honestly, I'm not sure, I wanted to search the Pharaoh's millennium puzzle for any remaining lost memories he had stored.
"Well, if they are anywhere, they are here. This is his soulroom."
"You do not mind being here?"
"Not at all, when Yami needs to handle something, I end up studying here most of the time. And uh, don't tell the Pharaoh this, but there are some pretty interesting rooms here."
"Oh," Ishizu laughed lightly, dropping the subject quickly. "Come with me," she invited the small duelist along hooking an arm around his. "You know this place better than I do."
Yūgi smiled and walked with her.
"What are you looking for?" Yūgi looked up at the Egyptian woman.
"Anything that might be from the Pharaoh's past. It should make itself known because another millennium item is acting on the puzzle. My necklace," she said when Yūgi looked confused.
They only walked several steps before they heard a voice.
I have summoned both of you for one distinct purpose. You are not to discuss this with anyone other than your Pharaoh and yourselves.
Both Yūgi and Ishizu stared at each other unsure of what to say.
"You mean like that?" Yūgi asked eagerly.
"Exactly," she said patting his hand. "Let us go through that door," Ishizu pointed to a door several feet away from them. "That is where the voice came from."
They stopped before turning the handle to the door when they noticed a lock.
"Ishizu, it looks like this door is specific to the person who has the millennium necklace. Look there, it's the outline of your item."
"So it is Yūgi, good eye." She hesitated a little before taking her necklace off, not sure if displacing the artifact would drop the connection between the two items and remove her from the soulroom. She held the necklace up to the lock.
The door clicked.
Ishizu quickly returned her item to her neck and led Yūgi into the unlocked room.
Immediately they both saw Yami sitting on a throne made of gold. There were two armed guards standing beside him. His body was clad in clothing similar to the Pharaohs Yūgi saw in his history textbooks. He held a scepter in his left hand and adorned a heavy headdress.
Knelt before him were two people.
"Yes, my Pharaoh," they both said in unison.
"Ishizu," Yūgi tugged on the sleeve of her dress. "That is you and Kaiba. I don't understand. What is going on? You guys look so young, like you're teenagers."
"I'm not sure, but let us watch what happens, maybe we can find out."
"The Gods have chosen through me, new hosts to house their souls. Isis," the Pharaoh turned to the person kneeling on his right. "Your whole life has been dedicated to serving the Gods. But now you have the power and soul of one at your disposal. The Gods have chosen you because you are the most trustworthy of all the priestesses in my court. I know that you will not abuse this power and protect the soul of our deity with your life."
"Yes, my Pharaoh," the woman said with a voice identical to that of Ishizu's.
"The God that has chosen you is the Saint Dragon, the God of Osiris," the Pharaoh said in a thundering voice.
The woman kept her eyes down and bowed lower to the Pharaoh.
"Rise Isis. We are equals now. Set," the Pharaoh pointed to the man kneeling on his left. "I cannot believe a God has chosen you," he chuckled. "Regardless, I cannot deny the Gods what they wish. You are not a priest. You have not been tutored in the ways of accepting and catering to our deities. But you will learn," the Pharaoh paused. "Isis will instruct you."
The woman restrained herself from opening her mouth and refuting. She instead looked away from the other two men.
"You are to be home to the soul of the God Warrior of the Obelisk. I do not question the Gods, but be aware of the consequences of disobeying and displeasing them. I urge you with haste. This duty I place upon the both of you is a priority higher than that of serving me. We are all equals now. I am host to the Dragon God of the Sun. We are the three points of the pyramid that make up the creation of light. Earth," he pointed to Isis. "Water," he pointed to Set. "And Fire. Set stand."
The man rose and looked at the woman who avoided his gaze.
"We must stay in tune with each other in order to create the sides of this pyramid. Should Egypt ever need defense from a great evil, we are her last resort," the Pharaoh raised his arms, putting his scepter in the air.
"So let it be written, so let it be done."
Sorry it took me so long to post this chapter. But in my defense, just look at it! It's freaking long! I'll try not to do that again in the future!
Author's Note: Um, so wow Kaiba and Ishizu really have the unmistakable attraction to each other. Damn characters can't keep their hands off each other. I can't even put them in the same dream sequence without something happening. I swear it wasn't supposed to be like this ALL the freaking time. *sighs* oh well, they're going to do whatever it is they want, and it seems that includes not being caught more than a foot apart from each other. It's MY plan and MY story, but apparently I can't be in control of it…sad face. This isn't even like Kaiba, what the hell *smh*
Author's Note: Don't worry I will not put annotations for every duel that is in this story. This is simply for those of you who do not follow this anime and have no idea what a duel, the cards, or the rules are. In the future, for specific cards, especially in *spoiler alert* Ishizu and Kaiba's duel and subsequent interactions with monsters, I want to make sure that you all, as readers, know exactly what the monster, etc. looks like.
Thank you to everyone who has read and left reviews. It really helps to have feedback on this story. And with support from the community, hopefully this will not be my last story. I really wish to branch out and write more, but without the opinions of the readers, I would not know what to do.
Next, Chapter 5: Whatever You Do, I Can Do It Too. Moreover, I Will Do It Better.
(7)The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) is the closest thing that Japan has to the American FBI. It is a branch of the National Polic Agency (NPA) that handles investigating national and international cases. They also gather statistics on crime in Japan.
(8)On every Yu-Gi-Oh card there is a description on how the card can be used during a duel. I will introduce many card descriptions in this story (although not in the same way depicted here).
(9) Juku is Japanese cram school. Most high school students and some junior high school students will pay to attend juku in order to improve regular school performance and prepare for entrance exams.
(10)Google it.
