A Past and Future Pharaoh

Written By: Lady Lunar Phoenix

Beta By: Lady Lunar Phoenix

A/N: Figure I'll just use one name for that one character...

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Mahaado was most certainly possessing of a patience that befitted a god; so far he was surviving a plane ride with Mokuba's curiosity at full capacity. Yugi had fallen asleep at one point on the plane only to wake up anxious and worried over Mahaado's presence. After losing his grandpa and mother in the same incident so different than losing the Other Yugi, the loss created an anxiety that he couldn't control. Mahaado was quickly becoming a touch stone of security, the embodiment of his bond to the Other Yugi, or rather the past.

Mahaado was incredibly calm and reassuring, with a great deal of tolerance for this modern age despite having no involvement in it until now. At first Yugi had been amazed at how Mahaado never asked questions about anything, assuming that Mahaado already learned what different things were or called. Until he realized that Mahaado was tricking the staff to perform the tasks via magically projecting Yugi's own voice. Avoiding his lack of understanding through duplicity.

So Yugi had begun to gently teach Mahaado all manners of things in the mansion, starting with the basics like the modern wash room, to kitchen. So it was a shock when Mahaado suddenly disappeared, refusing to manifest no matter how many times Yugi called out. Until Yugi found his little toy tiger Maha setting at the foot of Kaiba's office seat. It was 'literally' the only clue where Mahaado disappeared to before Isono informed them that Kaiba wasn't communicating with anyone.

Even worse was the fact that his control over Mahaado was not absolute, as he'd originally thought. The fact that Mahaado could apparently be taken from him at any time by someone stronger made his feelings of inadequacy return. Despite the fact that in a pair of heeled boots he was taller than Kaiba, he felt small and helpless all over again.

The dreams weren't helping either, despite how young he was, he could see the monsters in the shadows. Not the monsters of the Game, but different monsters, true monsters that went beyond the concept of Ka Beast. They stalked the dark corners of the royal palace in Yugi's dreams, peering out from under tables and around darken corners. A brief conversation with Mahaado had revealed that the use of Ka Beasts came after Yugi's birth, so these strange beings were even more strange to him. The Baby Prince was bound to not be used to strange non humans roaming around the Palace. More over that they actively were avoiding the sun and the light cast from shadows.

Amethyst colored eyes stared out into the ocean without interest, his mind churning with questions of how to get stronger. How could he get strong enough to make sure Mahaado didn't get stolen from him? Yugi sat in a luxury seat that he probably could never afford on his own, gazing out into the world. Maybe if his family hadn't died just over a month ago, maybe if his world hadn't been flipped upside down and inside out. Maybe this would have been an exciting ride, instead...

Finally getting up, he walked back over to Mahaado who was sitting in the aisle seat settling himself on the ground and pressed his head against Mahaado's knee. Childlike true, but at the moment he needed something child like and 'home' like.

"Pharaoh?" Mahaado voiced his surprise and confusion over the touch, he had been siting with his eyes shut. Despite the fact he didn't 'sleep' outside of his Tablet, he was aware of how unnatural it would be to see someone unmoving and unblinking. Thus resuming motion he blinked a bit in surprise before looking down at his ruler. "Is something the matter?"

"Mahaado? What will happen if someone summons you away from me again? What if they use something like the Change of Heart and turn you against me? What will I do then?"

Mokuba turned his head to look at the older teen in surprise at how the elder teen could sound so young and lost with that question. It was something that he understood completely, the fear of abandonment that came when the people who were supposed to be by your side weren't. Hence he stayed quiet, just observing the conversation.

"Pharaoh, do not mistake what Kaiba did as something just anyone can do. He is your cousin, and you trust him, despite how he often acts he does trust you as well. Among your loyal monsters there are none who would resist his control if a situation arose that required our help; just as his monsters would not deny you their aid should you need it."

Yugi knew that Mahaado meant well with what he was saying, but the constant 'Pharaoh' this and 'Loyal Monster' that was upsetting him. Far more then any form of comfort it could give considering his situation. "I'm not the Pharaoh! You're not a monster! I'm just me, just Yugi... Mahaado, can't I just be... can't I be a person to you? I don't want to be on a pedestal, worshiped or exalted. I just want to be me," Yugi's whole being was one of earnest pleading. It was in those eyes that Mahaado saw the little prince that he served so faithfully. Even as the eyes of the prince grew and showed arrogance and pride, at the core there had always been innocence. Now those eyes were filled with tears, and though he could hear Set growling about Mahaado babying the prince, he could not deny his God King. He got out of the seat he had, sitting on the floor as well, so he could hold the teenager in his arms.

Yugi flomped over snuggling against him, with his amethyst eyes closed, Yugi finally began to relax. Yet instinct made Mahaado look up at Mokuba who was watching them both with blunt curiosity. But there was an underlining look of envy and longing in the younger Kaiba, deprived of his elder sibling as he was. Mahaado knew it was now his place, as Kaiba's monster, to look after Mokuba as well. Not to mention the fact that the youngster had never had a positive separation from his brother, even this attempt had gone badly.

Mahaado extended a hand to the child, inviting the young Kaiba to his side as well, which surprised Mokuba. The boy looking embarrassed as he declined with a shake of his head. But in the end the little one was by his side, snuggled up into Yugi's arms while leaning against Mahaado. The Magican could hear Seth chastising him again about being so soft, for letting any young cub lost in a storm find shelter close to him. But what could Mahaado do? That look from the Pharaoh was enough to disable his normal responses to such situations.

"Mahaado? Can you tell us another story?" Mokuba asked from his spot tucked under Yugi's chin.

"What type of story would you like Mokuba?" Mahaado asked dutifully, looking down at the pair curled up to him.

Yugi and Mokuba shared a look, born out of curiosity as they wondered what exactly to ask for. They knew nothing about the past save when Yugi was older; the dark history that brought about Yugi's death. But after a brief time of thinking Yugi finally spoke up, "When did Kaiba meet the other high priests in training? Were you there to show us?"

"Yeah! Great idea Yugi, that would be awesome!" Mokuba pitched in, looking up at Mahaado with excitement in his eyes.

"Ahh that time, well yes I was there," Mahaado replied, a smile on his lips that memory was one of good humor. "We didn't spend all our time together in the Palace; the priests in training stayed in the temples dedicated to their own masters, learning. Most of the time they went unseen, but it would be ill conceived an idea to never allow the prince to bond at all to his future priests..."

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"So why are you're still here, unlike the others," Set asked as he walked by Mahaado's side, down the hall of the Palace.

"The Master declared that someone of my power should be confined to the palace. That if something drastic were to happen he could tap into my power to aid in the protection of the Royal family," Mahaado explained calmly.

Far too calmly for Set's tastes as he turned towards the magician in training and gave a flat stare. "You're an extra mule for the High Magician if he runs out of strength."

"Must you insinuate that everything I do is likened to animals?" Mahaado asked exasperated at the tone in Set's voice. "Why must you try to make me feel ashamed of my rank and status?"

"Because he brings shame to your rank and status!" Set retorted heatedly, "You are in a position of prestige and here you are acting like a lowly beast because of some jealous bas-"

Mahaado clamped his hand over Set's mouth, his eyes wide with alarm. "Guard your tongue Seth! Do you have any idea of what he would do to me if he heard someone slander his proud name in my defense?"

"The same as when he discovered that you taught me the healing magics he denied you to learn," the tone in Set's voice was of someone haunted. The hand he had raised to free his mouth from the mage's hand stilled, while he gave Mahaado a hooded look.

"Exactly, so please do not encourage his wrath to fall upon me so soon by speaking of him rudely," Mahaado stated, with a frown on his lips. He was only out of bed and walking because of Set healing his fresh wounds. Granted Set was no master Magician himself, in fact his magics seemed bound by his feelings, but he could get the job done. Something that they both found as important as said master was a whip happy priest.

Set grumbled something under his breath, but backed up from the mage in training, recollecting himself. Set smiled faintly finally, a private smile with a hint of pride that was a mystery to the mage in training. But regardless, he was no longer saying anything that would get the Master Magician's wrath called upon Mahaado. So the pair continued their walk down the hallway so they could meet the other high priests in training.

"We may not see all of them, I have been informed that Minkabh has been stricken with the fever," Mahaado informed Set as they walked before falling into that companionable silence. There was no need for idle chatter between the pair, they reached a pair of doors that proved to be the ones to the garden. The sun was bright, making the grass and plants sparkle like emeralds and diamonds.

"Ah if it isn't the Prince's Maha!" A boisterous voice called out pleasantly from somewhere in the garden.

"At least you learned your lesson from the last time," Mahaado replied, giving that area of the garden a stern look.

"Ahh Isis told us that the prince was not with you, but she said it would still be a bad idea..." A dark haired boy appeared, looking about the pair's age. "Oh, so that's why, made a friend or has the prince found someone else who is 'pwetty'?"

"That one is Kalim, the girl is Isis and the one in the back reading is Shada," Mahaado explained before he walked further into the group.

"I'm not 'pwetty'! Not to the Prince or anyone else," Set called back studying the other members of this small group.

"Pretty vain, pretty arrogant, pretty self absorbed, but attractive? Not that much," Mahaado agreed, walking further in to join the group. "This is Set, the Prince met him while investigating the market place. Since Set was nice enough to look after him there, the Prince decided that he should come and live in the palace."

"Hello Set, get used to us, you'll see us more then you realize," Isis called out enigmatically.

"Isis is the apprentice of the High Seeress, with a gift for... Don't say it Seth, I know that look, so just stop right there..." Mahaado held his head in his hands as he tried to stop what he knew Set was prone to doing.

"What? Is it forbidden to speak my mind? It's not like I was going to say anything 'bad'," Set replied, faking an air of innocence in his tone that both knew to be a lie.

"I'm perfectly aware of your view of destiny and fate Set. But since that won't stop you from saying it, I will say that some people find comfort in knowing what to expect around the corner," Isis replied with an air of calm practicality.

"I hate her already," Set grumbled for Mahaado's ears alone.

"Seth!"

"Don't worry Mahaado, he's going to have to get used to me after all. When he takes on the duties that makes him one of us," Isis recalled with a mischievous smirk on her lips.

"What? Do you foresee Lord Akunadin's death Isis?" Mahaado asked as he walked over to her his head tilted to the side. Set following, ever distrustful of the idea of a seer's vision, but Isis didn't look happy at the question.

"No, not him..."

"But everyone else is here, well save Minkabh..." Shada had escaped his scroll to walk over.

"He... he won't beat the fever..." Kalim elaborated, his eyes lowered in sadness.

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"Wait... I don't understand, how does someone die from just a fever?" Mokuba asked, his eyes curious as he looked up at Mahaado.

"The fever was an illness that was prone to taking people's lives. In this day and age I suppose it would be hard to believe that a simple illness could be so dangerous but..." Mahaado shrugged as he sat there with a dark bushy head tucked under his chin.

"My chin," and promptly Yugi tickled Mokuba from the spot and took it over.

"No, mine..."

"Mine..."

How odd that after three thousand long years, nothing had changed.