/Text/ Spirit to host

/Text/ Host to spirit

Chapter 2: Concerns

The Domino Museum was oddly quiet. Yugi had only been there a handful of times before, and each of those times he had been able to visit the Egyptian exhibits without being disturbed, but he could at least hear something from the other rooms in the building, whether it be children gawking at the displays or employees giving tours.

"I don't think it's ever been this deserted before," said Yugi, looking around. "I think we may be the only ones here."

One of the employees near the entrance looked over. "Sorry, the museum is closed."

Yugi blinked. "It is? Did something happen?"

"Someone broke in last night. They're still cataloging everything to make sure nothing was stolen or damaged, but until then, we're not open to the public right now."

"Oh," Yugi frowned. "I'm sorry. I really came to see Ishizu Ishtar. Is she here?"

The employee nodded. "She's busy with the inventory, but I can page her for you. But when you're finished I have to ask you to leave."

Yugi nodded. "I understand. I'll try not to take up too much of your time." He moved off to the side and looked around the entrance while the museum employee picked up the phone and called for Ishizu. Yugi clutched the bag slung over his shoulder a little tighter, as Yami phased out in front of him.

"I felt it again, Yami."

"Yes, I did too. The Millennium Items are restless, but I can't understand why."

The museum employee looked over to see Yugi off in the corner apparently talking to himself. Shrugging, he went back to work.

Ishizu entered the lobby a few minutes later, a clipboard in her hands. "Ah, Yugi. What brings you here?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, Ishizu. I heard there was a break-in last night. Is everything alright?"

Ishizu paused for a moment, and her eyes flickered to the worker behind the desk before going back to Yugi. "Yes. Come with me, and we'll discuss what's troubling you." She led him back towards the Egyptian exhibits.

"The owners are still looking through the security cameras to see just was triggered the alarms."

"Where did the alarm trigger?" asked Yugi.

"It first triggered in the Greek and Roman wing, but motion sensors had gone off all over the building. So far nothing was taken or damaged, but we haven't finished examining everything," said Ishizu, "Do not fear. The stone tablets about the Pharaoh have not been harmed."

"Can we see it again?" said Yugi. "The last time I was here, the Pharaoh lifted up the God cards and our crisis with Dartz began and it crystallized the tablet!"

"Of course," said Ishizu, and she led him down the steps. "Like I said, the the stone tablet is fine. But the security alert here was not why you came to visit me, am I correct?"

Yugi paused.

"I may not have the Millennium Necklace anymore, but I can still sense something is not quite right. Something powerful has infiltrated the museum, and it's unclear what those responsible were after."

The Millennium Puzzle glowed for a moment and Yami then stood before the stone tablet. "I felt it too. Hopefully your investigation will give you the answers you need. But you're right – that wasn't the reason for our visit." He removed the bag from his shoulder, reached in, and pulled out the Millennium Rod. "Yugi is worried about the Millennium Items, mainly the Millennium Rod. It has been...acting up, as of late. I tried to tap into its power last night, but I was unsuccessful. It seemed as if there was some kind of power that was trying to get out."

Ishizu shook her head, frowning. "That doesn't make any sense. I've never heard of the Millennium Items acting in such a way."

"Marik used to control the Millennium Rod. Has anything odd ever happened to him while he held the item?"

Ishizu sighed. "Unfortunately, Marik and Odion did not spend much time at home after he prematurely inherited that item. The only times I have ever witnessed the Millennium Rod act out against its owner was when…." She trailed off and looked to the ancient tablet, frowning.

Yami followed her gaze. "…when Kaiba was dueling," he said, finishing her thought. "If I am wearing the Millennium Puzzle on that tablet, would you say that Kaiba is holding the Millennium Rod? Perhaps it has been reacting to Kaiba's presence from the Battle City tournament."

"It is true that Seto Kaiba held the Millennium Rod in the past. It's possible that he may be destined to wield it in modern times, but you and I both know he will not accept it."

"It's worth a try," said Yami, "I think he might be more willing to believe in magic now than during the Battle City tournament. A lot has happened since the tournament ended."

"Be that as it may, remember that the Millennium Items test all wielders before granting their power to the user. Kaiba may have used the Millennium Rod 5,000 years ago, but he will still have to go through the trials." Ishizu paused. "I think you can guess what happens to people who fail."

Yami grimaced. "I believe I can. But don't worry, Ishizu. I have complete faith in Kaiba – even if he does not."

"I wish you luck then, my Pharaoh. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to find me."

"Thank you, Ishizu. Farewell." Placing the Rod back into his bag, Yami turned and walked back up the stairs towards the museum entrance. Ishizu took a final look at the ancient tablet before returning to her clipboard of items to inspect.

She did not notice one of the museum employees slip out from behind one of the pillars and apparate away.

"I suppose everything you have told me was also told to Voldemort," said Dumbledore. He leaned forward at his desk.

"Yes, Headmaster," said Snape, his disguise having long worn off, "While we do not know for sure if the shadow magic may still exist, from what I was able to hear, there is a reincarnation of the Pharaoh on the stone slab, and his dueling partner has been reincarnated as well. They spoke of something called 'Millennium Items' that seem to be drawn toward certain individuals."

"Hm. I wonder how many of these Millennium Items exist," said Dumbledore.

"I don't know. They spoke of a Millennium Necklace, Puzzle, and a Rod. The boy holding what I assume was the Millennium Rod also wore a pyramid of gold around his neck. They spoke of another who was supposed to wield that item…," Snape paused, "Of course…from what I heard, that individual doesn't seem interesting in using it."

"Very interesting. I wonder if these Millennium Items are the means of channeling the shadow magic if they were depicted on those tablets. Who are these wielders?"

"The one wearing the golden pyramid looked no more than a child if we go by height alone, but he spoke with the aura of someone well beyond those years. His companion was one of the museum caretakers. She called him 'Pharaoh', which I assume to be. I can't say for certain who else they were referring to, just the name 'Seto Kaiba'."

"A child?" Dumbledore mused. "Regardless, if these pharaohs have been reincarnated, Voldemort is sure to target them for the chance of wielding whatever magic they possess. And if they're only children…."

Snape blanched, "Headmaster, you can't seriously be thinking what I think you are."

Dumbledore looked up with a glint in his eye. "If they are at least of age, what better way to protect them than right here at Hogwarts?"

Yugi hesitated in front of the massive skyscraper. I hope this works.

Yami phased out and looked up towards the top of the building. "I have my doubts, but it doesn't hurt to try."

/What if he's not in?/

/Yugi, where else would Kaiba be? It's the middle of the day. You're not having second thoughts about this, are you?/

/Well, no. Not exactly. I want to find out what's going on with the Millennium Rod as much as the next person. It's…it's just that we don't know exactly if the Rod is acting out of evil intentions. What if handing it over to Kaiba turns out to be a mistake? We saw what the Millennium Rod's influence did to Marik!/

/Well, considering that whoever Kaiba may have been in the past used the Millennium Rod, I don't think the Rod has ulterior motives./

Yugi took a deep breath and pushed the front doors open. He walked inside and was almost immediately greeted by one of the receptionists near the front desk.

"Can I help you, Mr. Muto?"

"Can I see Seto Kaiba? It's…important."

The receptionist tapped a few keys at her computer and frowned. "Do you have an appointment? I'm afraid Mr. Kaiba is not having visitors today."

Yugi's shoulders slumped. "This is really important. Is there no way we can see him – or maybe Mokuba?"

The receptionist tapped a few more keys. "Mr. Kaiba is in the middle of a board meeting, but…Mokuba should be arriving from school shortly. If you are alright waiting, I can let you up to his office. He shouldn't be much longer."

Yugi nodded. "That would be great, thanks!" Mokuba has an office? Isn't he…only ten or so?

The receptionist paged for a security guard, and Yugi followed him to the elevator.

/You know, Yugi, this might work out better. If we can get Mokuba on board, it might be easier to convince Kaiba to accept his destiny./

/Let's hope so./

As they ascended the building, Yami could feel the Millennium Rod inside Yugi's bag activate again.

Mokuba's office, it turned out, looked like a combination of a working office and a living room. The desk near the window was littered with papers. Yugi could just make out a laptop poking out from under one of the stacks. Twin desktop monitors were set up off to the side. A set of couches sat across the room facing a TV mounted on the wall with a multitude of game systems.

Yugi sat down on one of the couches and set his bag down next to him.

"I just thought of something," he said.

Yami appeared at his side almost instantly. "What's wrong?"

"We may be going about this the wrong way," Yugi said, looking away from Yami and towards the bag next to him. "Besides that Kaiba doesn't want anything to do with magic, all he and Mokuba know of the Millennium Rod was the trouble it caused at the Battle City tournament."

"I would have hoped that Kaiba would have put that behind him by now," Yami frowned. He looked down the large windows that took up the entire back wall of the office. "Battle City was some time ago." He watched a sleek black car pull around to the side of the building. "But…we will soon find out. I believe Mokuba has arrived."

A few minutes later, Yugi could hear the bell indicating the elevator had stopped. Well…here goes.

The office door opened and Mokuba practically skipped in, with Roland on his heels.

"Hi Yugi!" Mokuba said energetically, "They said you were here waiting for me. I wasn't expecting to see you guys today, 'specially since I just got out of school." He sat down at the opposite couch and dumped his backpack next to him.

"Hey Mokuba," said Yugi. "Is this your office?"

"Kind of," said Mokuba. "I get to help out with game testing and some minor development stuff, but this space is mainly for me to do my schoolwork. I used to do it in Seto's office…but he said it's not a good place for me to focus – especially when he's in one of his moods. Sometimes it's just too loud, or he'll have meetings in there."

"And the video games?"

Mokuba shrugged. "Usually my homework is done well before Seto is done for the day. I get bored easily." He gave Yugi a puzzled look. "So…what brings you here?"

Well," Yugi said awkwardly running a hand through his hair, "We were hoping to see your brother."

"We?"

"Sorry – it's just me. And Yami."

"Well," Mokuba began, "Seto hasn't been in the greatest of moods lately. He hasn't been sleeping well and just recently he's been…I don't know, jumpy, like he's expecting something to pop out at him. I've never seen him this way before. What's this about, anyway?"

"Uh – well, I guess you can say it has to do with the Millennium Items and his relation to the past" said Yugi awkwardly.

Mokuba frowned. "You're referring to that tablet in the museum, aren't you? Ishizu said that you were the modern-day Pharaoh, and that my brother was a priest or sorcerer or something. …Is that really true?"

"What do you believe, Mokuba?"

"I think…after everything that's happened to us lately, it's possible. I mean, I've seen you duel. I know that you're…well…not you when you're up against Seto, even if he doesn't want to admit it. I think he just forces himself to believe you've got a split personality or something that only comes out when you duel. But let's face it. It wasn't just Marik that was going around calling you a Pharaoh. If this was just him, I might have just thought he was crazy."

"So what changed your mind?"

"Dartz," said Mokuba, looking down at his lap, "You know. I don't remember much about having my soul stolen in Duelist Kingdom. I mean, I know it happened only because people say it did. To me though, it kinda just felt like taking a nap without the ability to wake up. I didn't see Seto get his soul stolen because mine was already gone. But I saw Dartz take Seto's soul and stick him on that wall in that temple. I saw it leave his body like something you'd see in one of Bakura's Duel Monsters cards. You were still in the middle of that duel, but I was right next to him when that monster tossed him out of the Seal. Seto was practically dead. And there were a ton of people all over that room that looked like they were from another time. That meant the same thing happened to all of them. He called you – or Yami – Pharaoh also." He then looked back and gave Yugi a small smile. "And besides, I've always thought it was kind of cool, even if Seto didn't."

"Thank you, Mokuba," said Yami, as he took control with a quick glow of the Millennium Puzzle, "for your belief in me."

Mokuba blinked. "You're the Pharaoh, right? I can sort of tell the difference between you two." He snickered, "For one thing, you're taller."

Yami chuckled.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Roland reach into his jacket, remove his phone, and look at it for a moment before slipping it back into his pocket. "Excuse me, Mokuba, sir. There is...a matter downstairs that requires my attention."

Mokuba blinked. "O-okay." He watched Roland slip out the door and heard the ding of the elevator. "I'll let you into Seto's office. He should be out of his meeting soon, though I have got to warn you, usually he's not in a good mood when he gets out of sitting for over two hours with the board of directors."

Yami shrugged, "It's alright, Mokuba. I think I can handle it. This wouldn't be the first time your brother has been angry with me."

Mokuba opened the door for him. "Are you going to make my brother angry with you?"

Yami chuckled awkwardly, and grabbed the bag off the couch. He could feel the Rod trying to activate yet again. "Oh, I guarantee it."

Seto stepped off of the elevator and winced as each clack of his shoes against the floor tiles felt like a hammer pounding into his skull. Meeting with the board of directors had gone about as well as he expected – only mildly terrible. He was looking forward to nothing more than finishing up his stack of paperwork, and maybe – just maybe – he would be able to leave at a somewhat reasonable hour. The constant headaches and severe lack of sleep were making him (as Mokuba continued to point out) extra irritable. For once, he wanted nothing more than to skip out on the rest of his day, go straight home, and bury himself in bed to try and sleep off his pains.

Unfortunately, he had made only two steps into his office and knew right off the bat that he would probably not be leaving work early, and his headache was just about to get worse.

"Hello, Kaiba."

Seto paused upon hearing his rival's voice. "Yugi."

"Hey, Seto."

"Mokuba it seems someone has found a loophole in my instructions. When I don't want to be disturbed, that does not mean that someone can see you knowing you'll let them in to see me."

"I know, Seto, but Yugi said it was important!"

Seto sank down in his chair behind the desk and sighed. "Mokuba –"

"And Yugi never comes here…."

"That's enough, Mokuba," said Seto, grimacing. He massaged his forehead with one hand. "Just…what is it, Yugi? I'm hardly in the mood." He closed his eyes for a moment against the brightness of the office lights.

Yami reached into his bag and grabbed the Millennium Rod. He could feel it trying to escape out of his grasp. "I have a feeling that your ailments may not be natural, Kaiba. Yugi has been feeling off and –"

"Stop right there, Yugi." Seto held up his hand. "Before you start spewing about magic, or whatever the nonsense-of-the-day is, let me make this quite clear – I don't want to hear it. I've been in meetings with utter incompetence all day, and haven't slept in over five. If you're trying to tell me that my head is pounding because of some story about fate, then you might as well leave right now."

Yami stood up and walked up to the desk. He pulled the Millennium Rod out of his bag and carefully placed it down beside the laptop. "I think this is the cause of your discomfort…and if the tablet in the museum is anything to go by…"

Seto glared at the hunk of gold sitting on his desk before finally bringing his eyes up to meet Yami's.

"And how is this supposed to help me?" Seto snapped. "Are you going to cure my lack of sleep by knocking me over the head with it? Look, you want to believe you were some Pharaoh in an old fairytale? Fine. But I don't. I won't let something that might have happened 5,000 years ago shape my future."

Yami crossed his arms across his chest. "Kaiba, after all that has happened to us, you can't keep refusing to believe your relationship to the past. Are you going to continue to deny your involvement in Ancient Egypt after being shown part of our battle during Battle City? Or how about how the Millennium Rod responded to your actions during the finals and Marik had nothing to do with it."

"So he claims," Seto scoffed, "I wouldn't take his word seriously, considering his split personality tried to kill us all. Nor would I really take the word of his sister, who spoke of destiny and the future and couldn't predict her own embarrassing defeat."

"Kaiba –"

"Listen to me carefully, Yugi. I don't want it. If you're trying to find someone in your buddy circle to drop that on, go chase after Wheeler or Bakura. Someone who actually believes in that nonsense. I want nothing…to do…"

Seto slowly trailed off, returning his gaze to the Millennium Rod on the desk. It was now glowing, and if not for the laptop partially blocking its progression, it would have rolled all the way across the desk to rest against his hands. "Now what is it doing?"

"I believe it's been responding to you. It's been doing this on and off for the last couple of days, and almost nonstop since we've entered the building today. If I had to guess, I would say that since Battle City, it has been trying to find you."

"So what, it's a lost puppy trying to find its way home?" Seto rolled his eyes and stood up. "I don't need some hunk of gold to forge my path in this life Yugi. Everything I've accomplished I've done without someone whispering in my ear that it was some kind of fate. There is no such thing. You can't let some old relic rule your life, and if you do, you're just wasting your time. I make my own destiny, and nothing you do or say is going to change that." With only his desire to get the Rod out of his sight, and with no thought to his next action, he snatched it off the desk and held it out to Yami, who, in that moment could see just how exhausted the elder teen was. "Spare me any more of your talk of Egypt, destiny, fate, all of it. I'm tired, Yugi. Just take this with you, and go. Please."

Yami sighed and began to reach for the Millennium Rod, and immediately froze. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Mokuba come to stand next to him, but his eyes were glued on the Item in his rival's hand – or, more precisely – that it was starting to smoke.

"What the –" Seto tried to drop it back onto the desk, but it would not let itself go. He grabbed his wrist with his free hand as the Millennium Rod began to burn his palm. "What is it doing to me!?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"I…I don't know," said Yami, wide-eyed. "I've never seen a Millennium Item do this!"

"Seto, your hand!" Mokuba cried.

Seto winced and staggered back against the front of his desk. The blasted thing was burning itself into his skin and there wasn't a damn thing he could do to get it off of him. He tried to pry it out with his other hand, but stopped as it also began to burn as soon as it made contact with the old artifact. The Millennium Rod began to glow once again, and a blinding light filled the office. The pounding in his head exploded in intensity as some of the same ancient memory flashes he saw during his tournament flew before his eyes before everything suddenly went dark.

Yami and Mokuba shielded their eyes from the brightness, and when it faded, Seto was unresponsive on the office floor, with the Millennium Rod firmly clenched in his blistering, bleeding hand.

Ryou Bakura looked up from the book he was reading as he felt the golden ring against his chest begin to activate. Ever since the Battle City tournament, he had slowly become more alert of the soul residing in his Millennium Ring. At least now, if the evil spirit took control of his body, he was much more aware of what was going on; and when the spirit relinquished that control back to him, he no longer had to guess where he was or how he got there. Thank goodness for that, as it saved him from having to answer some exceptionally awkward questions from strangers on the street. Aside from knowing that the spirit (who, of course, was also named Bakura) had a longtime grudge against Yugi – or, at least, the spirit in the Millennium Puzzle – he really didn't understand why he was so bent on retrieving the seven Millennium Items. Especially when – aside from the Ring and Eye – he seemed to have no luck in acquiring them.

When he brought this up to the Dark Bakura, the spirit had scoffed and said he was setting up for the long-term game. …Whatever that meant.

Today though, he was looking forward to the quiet. Yugi and his other friends had returned home from America after dealing with some strange magic called the Orichalcos, and for once, Ryou was glad he had missed that action. While he was not conscious for most of it, being injured, hospitalized, and then stuck in the Shadow Realm for most of the Battle City tournament was plenty enough crazy for him.

It seemed his other half didn't share those thoughts, however. Crazy seemed to follow him all the time.

/Is something wrong, Thief?/

/I've felt something odd from within the Millennium Ring./ Yami Bakura phased out to stand next to his host's armchair.

"Something bad?"

"I can't be sure. From what I can tell…a Millennium Item has changed hands, and has activated."

"How can that be?" Ryou looked down at the Ring against his shirt. "Yugi wouldn't give up the Millennium Puzzle, and we have the Ring and the Eye. Marik and Ishizu Ishtar gave their items away already, didn't they?"

"The Pharaoh has those now. But they haven't activated. The necklace did briefly for him once, but supposedly it hadn't since. And we both know that fool Shadi won't part with his."

Ryou turned back to his book. "Are you sure you're not over-reacting? Maybe it was nothing."

Yami Bakura sneered. "When it comes to the Millennium Items, host, it is never nothing. Go find your shoes. We're going on a little field trip. If a Millennium Item has a new owner, it may now be easier to acquire."

Ryou sighed.

"Unless, of course, you'd like me to take over…"

Ryou did not miss the threat in that offer. Marking his page, he slipped on his sneakers and headed for the door. "You're not going to stab me again, are you?"

The spirit laughed. "Ring, point us in the direction of the Millennium Puzzle. If anyone is involved in this, it's going to be the Pharaoh."

As Ryou watched the Millennium Ring glow and begin to point towards the center of the city, he realized that Bakura never truly answered his question.