"Thanks for the ride, Mokuba," Morgan said, sticking her head in the open car door.

"No problem, Morgan," Mokuba replied with a smile from within the car. "We'll come get you around 6. That okay?"

Morgan nodded. "That's perfect. See you then." She closed the door and waved goodbye as Roland drove away. Once the black car was out of sight, she turned around and walked towards the Game Shop door.

The moment she walked in, Soloman Mutou greeted her from behind the counter. "You must be Morgan. Go on ahead to the living room; I'm just closing up shop here and will be with you two in a moment," he explained.

Morgan nodded in thanks, then walked behind the counter and into The Mutou residence.

In the living room, Yugi was sitting on the couch, looking over his deck. When he heard Morgan, he looked up and smiled sweetly. "Hey, Morgan."

Said girl sat on the couch next to the spiky-haired youth and glanced at Yugi's cards. "They really enjoy being a part of your deck," she commented with a smile.

"Yeah," Yugi replied, looking down again at the cards laid out across the coffee table. "I always feel the support they give me whenever I duel."

"You've always had a special connection with your cards, even before you met Atem. It's because your heart is pure, perhaps the purest I've ever seen," Morgan stated.

"I knew that from the day he picked up a deck."

Morgan and Yugi turned to see Mr. Mutou at the doorway. With a slightly hunched back, he slowly walked over to the couch, pulled up a chair, and sat across from the two teens.

"It seems that he got it from you," Morgan stated.

Soloman nodded, while Yugi rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

Once again, Morgan told her tale, but unlike the other times, Yugi's grandfather was quite interested to learn that there was another like Kaiba that had a past life in Ancient Egypt. He asked many questions, most of which Morgan happily answered, but a few she was too uncomfortable talking about, which Soloman completely understood.

"But, Yugi," Morgan said when she was done.

Said boy looked at Morgan with confused eyes. "What is it?"

Morgan looked down, her hand in her lap and she clenched and unclenched them. "It's just… well… I haven't told you the complete story."

Mr. Mutou said nothing, just simply watched and listened.

"What do you mean?" Yugi asked.

Still looking down, Morgan replied, "The truth is, I wasn't exactly reborn in this world… Ten years ago, I just… came into existence." When Yugi didn't reply, she continued. "I wasn't reborn like Seto; my spirit wandered for five-thousand years, never able to find peace. I witnessed many things throughout history." Tears fell down her cheeks. "So much violence, too many deaths, and you know the worst part? All the darkness involved was Corridor's doing, and there wasn't a single thing I could do about it."

"But you're here now, right?" Yugi encouraged, placing a hand on Morgan's arm. "And you have to realize that none of the things that happened was your fault."

Morgan gazed at Yugi and nodded, then wiped away her tears. "I need to tell you the story of my city, Embarr. Its history was never recorded, let alone its existence. Perhaps it's for the best, since just knowing what happened there puts you in danger… Embarr was a city that was located just outside the border of the land where The Pharaoh ruled. It was famous for the artists that lived there who made just about anything you could imagine from the beautiful stone, amber, which was quite rare in Egypt at the time. Embarr had a strange amount of natural amber, but no one complained, since it provided plenty of work, from collecting the stone to making and selling the items made form them. Many believed the city was like Paradise, and it was. Along with it having plenty of jobs, it was protected by The Guardians of Embarr. They were much like the Egyptian gods, protecting its people from crime. There were four main guardians and several other lower ranked guardians; each had their own duty, from healer to star reader. The ruler of Embarr, Adom, was a kind man who loved his people just as much as he loved his city. He was also my father."

Yugi and his grandfather gasped, but said nothing.

"My father was loved by the citizens of Embarr. Even if a child came down with sickness, he would personally visit the child and ask the guardians for the power to heal that child. Along with my mother, Dendera, they helped maintain peace and prosperity in Embarr. But they weren't alone; they had help from a master magician, a man named Corridor." Before Yugi could say anything, Morgan held up her hand to stop him. "You have to understand; Corridor was not always an evil force to be reckoned with. He was once kind and just, and would put the needs of his city before his own. He was my father's most loyal servant, and his best friend. Whenever my parents went to visit other cities, Corridor would watch over Embarr. So was the case when they went to visit The Pharaoh and my elder brother was born. Naturally, he was named Chenzira, which means 'born on a journey.' About a year later, I was born. The guardians saw our births as a gift and two new guardians were born to protect and raise me and Chenzira. Embarr was born with the name Cointa and assigned to be my guardian, while her brother, Atsu, was to protect Chenzira. I remember how Corridor would help us train the two fox kits to be proper guardians."

"I was perhaps three years old when the trouble started. Corridor had just returned from a journey to a near-by village deep in poverty, but returned with news that the village had been completely abandoned, not a single soul to be found. I had been gifted with the ability to read the inner emotions of others, and when I saw Corridor, there was nothing; no sadness, confusion, or anger, just darkness. One of Atsu's tasks as a Guardian of Embarr was to make sure the light and darkness present in the city was balanced; so like me; he became suspicious. But what was to come neither of us could have imagined. For fifteen long years, Corridor's light slipped away, replaced by shadows. His behavior and actions eventually came to the attention of my father and he dismissed Corridor. Corridor was furious and swore vengeance on my entire family. But nothing could prepare us for what would occur three years later."

[Flashback]

In a bedchamber that was slightly lit only by the illumination of the full moon, Masika was sound asleep on the goose-feathered bed, Embarr curled up beside the bed.

"Cointa," a male telepathic voice called.

Embarr's ears flicked at the sound of her name and she opened her eyes. "Atsu? What's wrong?" She replied telepathically.

"Bring Princess Masika to Master Adom and Lady Dendera's apartment, and don't let anyone see you," the voice answered.

"Is everything alright?" Embarr asked.

"I'll explain later; now hurry."

Embarr sighed and put her front paws on the bed next to Masika's head, then nudged the girl in awakening.

Masika moaned and rubbed one of her eyes as she opened them to look at Embarr. "What's going on?"

Embarr did not reply; instead, she had the half-awake princess climb on her back and quickly but quietly rushed through the halls of the palace, careful not to bump her precious cargo into anything. Morgan was now fully awake, wondering what was was happening at such a late hour. When they came upon the grand apartment, a tannish-brown creature that looked much like Embarr was at the door. This fox, however, was more muscled against Embarr's slim, feminine form.

The creature turned to look at Embarr and Masika with piercing amber eyes. "Did anyone see you?" It asked with the same telepathic voice from before.

Embarr shook her head. "There wasn't a soul in sight, Atsu," she replied.

"That's what I feared." Atsu walked inside, Embarr close behind.

A guard closed the door behind them, then went back to his post.

Masika dismounted from the colt-sized fox and looked around. A woman that looked like an older version of herself was on the bed, trying to calm the two shivering and crying children that were by her side. All three of them were still in their sleeping garments, as if they didn't have time to get changed. The door that led to the joined meeting room on the other side of the room was open and light was coming from the other side.

Worrying about those on the bed the most, she walked over to the bed. The little girl with shoulder-length strawberry-blond hair looked up at Masika and leaped into her arms. The girl started to cry again and Masika rubbed her back. "Shhh, it's alright, Meskhnet. Everything is going to be fine." Looking up at the woman, she asked, "Mother, what's going on?"

Masika's mother did not answer and instead indicated with her head towards the open doorway. "You need to see for yourself. Your father and Chenzira are in there," she simply said.

Masika returned her little sister to their mother and walked into the adjoined room, Embarr at her side. Nothing could have prepared them for what they saw.

An unconscious, small girl with white cupid wings and pale blonde hair was in the arms of Chenzira. She looked severely beaten, with bruises and cuts on her face and along her arms, and her white ceremonial robe was torn and blood-stained.

"Iris," Masika gasped.

Chenzira turned to his sister and walked up to her. He carefully handed over the child to Masika and shook his head. "We don't know what happened. She just appeared at the palace doors and collapsed," he explained.

Tears fell down Masika's eyes. "Who could have done this? Surely no one is crazy enough to attack a Guardian."

"I can think of one."

Atsu appeared at Chenzira's side in an instant, a solemn look on his face at the sight of a hurt fellow Guardian.

Embarr took in a breath of realization "You're not suggesting-" But the sound of an explosion and the ground shaking interrupted her.

[Scene fades to reveal another flashback]

There was a fire blazing. Wooden beams were blackening and collapsing, smoke thick as sheep's wool was in the air, and the sounds of screaming, fire crackling, and swords clashing was heard.

As Masika is dragged by the arm by Chenzira through the half collapsed hallways that once were her home, the smoke caused her eyes to burn and water. She felt short of breath, but when she tried to take in a breath, she only coughed in the gray clouds.

Atsu was at the front and Embarr covered the rear, both fighting off the Shadow Creatures that tried to stop them with teeth, claws, and magic. Chenzira held a sword at the ready in case one managed to get pass their guards and a bow and quiver of arrows were slung over Masika's shoulder.

"This is pointless," Chenzira yelled over the chaos, coughing as he did so. "Atsu, turn right here!"

His guardian did so and they entered a vacant room. Atsu then quickly went to the door and placed a protective barrier over it with the help of Embarr.

"That barrier won't hold for long," Chenzira stated. He released and looked at his sister then the balcony that led outside. A red glow could be seen and smoke was rising into the night sky, blocking out the stars and turning the beautiful full moon blood-red. The city was most likely in chaos.

"Chenzira?" Masika said is a soft, scared voice.

He didn't answer and instead turned to Embarr. "Cointa."

Embarr looked up. "Yes, My Prince?"

"Take Masika and get out of here," he simply said, but with a tone that held great authority.

"No! I'm not leaving you!" Masika argued.

"This is not up for debate, Masika," Chenzira remarked, trying to keep his dignified posture in control. He placed his hands on her shoulders and added, "I'm not asking you to abandon our family; I'm asking you to escape now so you can live to fight another day."

Tears welled up and streamed from Masika's eyes. She understood that her brother was right, for which she hated. Left with no option, she wrapped her arms around Chenzira's neck and sobbed in his shoulder.

Chenzira made a sad smile and let his little sister cry, petting her long, dark-brown hair.

[Flashback end.]

"Embarr and I managed to escape the city, and as we watched the city crumble to the ground, we found out who was responsible," Morgan stated.

Yugi didn't have to think, he knew. "Corridor."

Morgan nodded. "Now you know the truth, and for the sake of my family, please keep the history of Embarr alive." She turned to Soloman and added, "I know you are good friends with many archeologists, so if you could-"

"Say no more," Soloman interrupted. "From what you've told me, Embarr will soon be brought into the open."

"Thank you." Morgan bowed her head and let out a sigh, as though a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders. "There's just one last thing."

A look of confusion fell upon Yugi and his grandfather's face.

Morgan looked up at Yugi. "In order to stop Corridor, Seto must accept this as well. It has come to the part where I must take matters into my own hands and do something risky. But, Yugi, when I do so, you will know, and it may come to the point where you will need to help him. And if you do, please try to save Corridor, because he's not just my teacher… he's my uncle."

Later that night…

More silent than a mouse, Morgan snuck into Kaiba's bedroom. The curtains were pulled back, letting in the glorious light of the full Moon. The room was simple, with a king-sized bed and dresser with a large mirror, nothing more. It took quite a bit of restraint for Morgan not to laugh at how simple Kaiba kept things.

On the king-sized bed, Kaiba was fast asleep. He appeared quite peaceful, considering he wasn't having another visit from his past self. He was on his left side, his hands halfway under his head and halfway under the simple white pillows. He made very little noise, only the rise and fall of his chest indicating that he was still breathing. He seemed quite innocent while he slept.

Morgan silently walked over to the left side of the bed, appearing as though she floated due to her long white nightgown twirling around her feet as she did so.

As if by reaction, Seto's transparent form appeared beside her. "How are you going to make him remember our shared past?" He questioned.

Morgan sighed and in a small flash of light, she appeared in her past form, Masika. "There's a way, but I need his full cooperation in order for it to work," she replied.

As the two talked, Kaiba's eyes flickered and slowly opened. When he saw Masika and the supposed "past self," he bolted up in his bed. "What the hell is going on!?"

"Be quiet or you'll wake up the entire mansion," Masika hissed. She turned to Seto and added, "Now I see why you were having a hard time; he's so thick-headed."

"I can hear you," Kaiba huffed. "I must be dreaming," he added, crossing his arms across his chest."

Masika looked at Seto, who merely shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"Some help you are," Masika commented, but obviously with some sarcasm. She turned back to Kaiba. "I need your help, Seto."

"If you're gonna try to convince me that that freak in the robe is me in a past life, you can forget it," Kaiba retorted.

Anger welled up in Masika. She clenched her left hand into a fist and lifted her other hand. Seto simply closed his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest as the sound hand connecting to skin echoed in the air.

"You can be so stubborn," Masika nearly yelled, tears flowing from her eyes.

Kaiba had his hand on his reddening cheek, his blue eyes wide in shock. The only other person to hit him was Gozaburo, but that's what had made him stronger in the end. He also had known Morgan since they were little kids and he never expected such ferocity from her.

"Can't you at least tell me why you refuse to accept or even believe that you had a past life in Ancient Egypt?" Masika continued.

Kaiba let his hand drop to his side and huffed once more. "Please; you people need to realize that something like that can't really happen."

"That's not true! It's all got to do with your damn pride!" Masika argued.

That hit a chord in Kaiba.

Masika's face was becoming red and tears dripped from her chin onto the carpet floor. "What happened to the boy I knew and loved ten years ago, who cared more about the safety of his little brother than his own? Who refused to give up when there was no chance you and Mokuba could be adopted together? What did you do with my Seto!?" She could no longer hold herself up and collapsed to her knees, sobbing in her hands.

Seto kneeled beside Masika and tried to comfort her.

Kaiba just watched in shock, realizing how right Morgan was.

/

"The time has come! Rise from your slumber, my servants, and bring chaos upon this world!"

Screeches, howls, and moans echoed in the darkness, heading towards the small hole of light that led to The Spirit World.

/

Yugi bolted upright in his bed, his body covered in sweat. "It's happening," he said in between gasps. He leaped from his bed, threw on his clothes, grabbed his Duel Disk, and hustled down the stairs. When he reached the store front, however, a voice stopped him.

"Yugi?"

Said boy turned to see his grandpa, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I'm sorry, Grandpa, but something's happening and I have to check on Morgan." He bolted out the door without another word.

/

A wave of negative energy was felt in the air, causing both Seto and Masika to shiver and gasp.

"He's finally made his move," Masika said with a horrified voice.

"The Spirit World in is danger, but…" Seto looked down.

Masika looked at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Go. Atem and the others need you more than I. Besides, in a way, you're still protecting me."

Seto looked at Kaiba, knowing what she meant but still unconvinced. He sighed and nodded nonetheless and faded away.

Once Seto was gone, Masika turned to Kaiba. "I need your help, Seto, but in order to do so, I need your full cooperation."

For the first time in his life, Seto was speechless and only nodded.

Masika smiled and got to her feet. She held out her hands, palms up, and said, "Give me your hands." When Kaiba did so, she added, "I'm going to unlock your memories. You'll feel pain but try to bear it out." Her hands began to glow an amber-gold.

"Masika, don't do this!"

Said girl and Kaiba turned to see the transparent form of Embarr.

"We don't have any other options, Embarr," Masika argued, the light getting brighter.

"But your body may not be able to take the strong amount of magic," Embarr insisted.

"That's a risk I'll have to take." Without another word, Masika leaned forward and met Kaiba's lips with hers, causing the light to explode.

It wasn't hard to figure that Kaiba was quite shocked at the sudden kiss, but he didn't have time to react. He felt like his brain was being thrown around in a blender set frappe. He felt like screaming, but Masika's lips remained on his the entire time, surprisingly bringing some comfort. He was caught between complete agony and pure bliss as flashes of images scrolled through his mind at the speed of light, yet he managed to see every single instance; his rise to power in KaibaCorp, his childhood in the orphanage, then his life as Pharaoh in Egypt after the departure of Atem, his service as a member of the royal court, and finally, his childhood in Embarr, playing with its princess and trusted guardian.

The experience only lasted a few seconds, but when Kaiba felt Masika pull away and his vision returned to his bedroom, he felt as though he gained several years in age, like five millennia to be precise. However, he also had never felt so free. He understood it all now and actually believed it. He felt at peace, but when he looked at Masika, it quickly shattered into a million pieces.

Masika had collapsed to the ground, eyes closed and barely breathing as she returned to her present form as Morgan, the egyptian-style dress giving way to her white nightgown. Her skin was pale and only getting worse.

Kaiba quickly got out of his bed and picked up Morgan bridal-style; she was burning up fast.

Just then, Mokuba came into the room. "Seto, something's going on outsi-" he stopped in mid-sentence when he saw Morgan unconscious in his brother's arms. "What happened!?"

"Go get the doctor!" Seto ordered.

Mokuba ran out without another word.

Seto sighed and delicately placed Morgan on his bed. She didn't make a sound or even move. As he watched her protectively, he sensed something. Now that his past life memories had been unlocked, he could feel dark energy that seemed to resonate from just outside the mansion gates.

What have I gotten myself into?