Yu-Gi-Oh: A Past and Future Pharaoh
Written By: Lady Lunar Phoenix
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One large studio sized building proved to be one of the dueling zones for the Grand Prix. Designed to show off all the time of land cards one could play in the game. On the exterior it showed the vistas from the bottom of the ocean to the depths of space and everything in between. From inside the expanse was set to a timer allowing the space to transform via holograms.
At the moment though, the group was sitting in the audience as Mai dueled. They sat on bleacher seats that were currently 'glowing' with the appearance of a shooting star soaring across space. While the dueling field had the appearance of a mountain region with various avian themed beings and dragons flying about or lounging down far below.
"I wonder what happens if someone has a fear of heights?" Malik commented while looking at the incredible distance between them and the empty space below them.
"That was on the sign," Ryou explained with a meat bun in his hand. "It warns about the heights and the various sights a person can see."
"Oh."
"I can imagine people breaking that rule though," Anzu noted before taking a bite of her bun.
"Yeah, we have barf bags set up in case of emergencies," Mokuba agreed as he looked about the room. Looking for any missing panels, anything that could take form the immersion of the room.
"You know, I have a question," Valon asked thoughtfully as he eyed his meat bun with a curious expression. It was white, and so doughy, but once the batch had arrived three of the kids dove into them with a gusto... Were they really that delicious?
"What is it Valon?" Mokuba asked, earning a small blink from the man. 'Mr.' was disheartening, in that it made him feel old. Being called by his first name by an 11 year old kid on the other hand.
"Well how much power does it take to run something like this?"
"Oh, well its not 'always' going to be open, also there's a number of solar panels on the roof among other things to help sustain power." Mokuba explained before adding, "I can't go into a lot of detail cuz its business. Its not like we're burning all the oil, or electricity from the whole surrounding area." With that he took a chomp of the bun and let his legs take a childish swing of enjoyment from his seat.
"She hasn't seen the new Yugi yet, for a stunt claims she is his future bride, I want this video recorded so I can watch for the rest of my life." Malik noted in his native tongue, leaning slightly towards Ryou because Mahaado understood Egyptian.
"Its going to be a thing yes," Ryou nodded with a faint sigh.
Propelled through the universe, the comet began to approach a familiar blue planet. The tail behind them whipped about and hissed in silence, sparks danced into darkness as it stayed behind while the comet ever moved forward. No air was pushed against them to help with the effect, lessening the chance of some naive or overly hardheaded fool from freaking out.
While feathers filled the air as Mai's Harpy Feather Duster removed the spell cards on the field with an efficient flourish. 'It feels too natural, too clean for her to be brought to us like this. She's carrying the scar of what Malik did to her, and she would benefit from Yugi or Kaiba taking care of her. But Yugi only ascended recently, and I don't think he's trying to manipulate history, so what's the angle? Why bring her in? The woman knows little of our situation, and has nothing that really contribute that I can see. She's just a bystander NPC who might be a quest giver at most. What is she in Yugi's plans?'
Ryou found himself pondering as he took a bite of his bun. For a time he was patient, merely observing the duel going on elevated above them. Confident that Yugi would just hop into his head and explain...
Only for his bun to sprout long floppy ears, the gaping hole from his bite now a splotch of brown for a face as the bun looked up at him...
"Live your own life Ryou. I'm not going to live it for you."
The bunny said in an incredibly pragmatic tone of voice in Ancient Egyptian before the ears melted back into the food source.
"Malik, why would Mai and Valon be brought into this? Yugi wanted me to lead even before he woke to his nature. But I can't see a reason those two would be brought into this. They don't have magic or any ties to Kemet, the most they have is Mai's clear issue with what you did to her last year." Ryou asked in Ancient Egyptian.
It was a serious question, one that caused Malik to go from bite to thoughtful retrospection. He turned to study the blond and pondered her value. She was dueling rings around the magician before her, though there were moments where she stumbled. But that was the nature of the random card draws. Only the Pharaoh could draw exactly what he needed every time by reaching into his deck on a divine level.
"So let us bounce ideas, she has no magic, but she's smart. Mahaado, you're still here yes?" Malik looked about and Mahaado materialized in answer behind the pair sitting on that row. "Alright, so as the closest to Yugi, what type of value do you see the pair having?"
"None..." Mahaado began without an ounce of preamble. "The Pharoah's divine circle is complete. All that is missing is Shada, the Pharaoh's grandfather and His Uncle, yet those roles are already semi filled by the presence of all of you."
Ryou and Malik both had to blink at that, though it was interesting to Ryou, "so ok if Mai 'was' to fill a role, what would her, or Valons roles be? What do you think Yugi would want them for in his Divine Circle?"
Mahaado paused, growing thoughtful as he pondered the pair, "easily her lover would be in my role as royal body guard. He has the build for it, and the protective nature. As for her..."
He was quiet as he continued to ponder while the pair were able to acknowledge Valon as a royal guard.
"For a woman, she has no gift of sight, or magic so she could..." He paused for another moment, "clever and quick, perhaps as an adviser? Though I would think more as Shada was during the Pharaoh's time as prince. She is not yet skilled enough to serve as a proper adviser yet." He theorized, 'she did think quickly on her feet to deal with that would be concubine. However; her talents are bent towards duels and mischief...'
"These nikumans are really good," Mokuba noted, wrapping his free hand around Anzu's for reassurance as he watched the duel. "Its sad that Big brother Yugi isn't here... I hope the final duel is fun for him. Since, he probably knows every card that is going to be drawn in his and whoevers' deck."
It was such a casual observation, but it struck Anzu with its realism and simplicity. How 'could' Yugi have fun playing this game anymore? Universal awareness would mean he already knows... "I suppose that's why he's doing this... I guess he wants to give the crown to someone else so the game can continue..."
"Hmm so bow out gracefully," Mokuba suggested before letting go of Anzu so he could have a sip of his lemonade. "I bet Big Brother wants that title, but he can't have it either, can he?"
"Of course he could. His divine strength would only involve itself in duels that have real life stakes," Mahaado answered thoughtfully. "Were innocent people in danger, and there was prayer for their safety. Of course Seto's divine nature would influence his deck, otherwise he duels like any other living mortal."
"Don't tell Kaiba, we don't need him to shake up the stakes of the tournament too much," Malik teased.
"Yugi would go down as a legend as well, undefeated and handing over the crown just to ensure that everyone can continue to strive for that position."
That... felt bittersweet.
A gut punch that came out of nowhere that stole her breath away. "Yugi's saying good bye, isn't he?"
The statement turned everyone's attention to her, save Valon who didn't understand the phrase. But he understood the emotion and he glanced out of the corner of his eye to see the kids as they sat there. Quiet, still, the light cast from the holograms with all their color meant he couldn't really see if they were pale. But the kids looked momentarily stricken by something.
"Something wrong?" he asked before taking a good healthy bite of this nikuman. 'Ok, never thought I would enjoy something odd like this, but its good!'
"Just, wondering what will happen to Yugi once this whole thing with that group is over. All things given," Anzu explained with a pale smile on her face.
"Go on living your lives?" Valon suggested, "You kids don't realize how incredible your situation is, you're just looking on the negative side. You literally have a direct line to the highest power in existence. You can strike up a conversation in the middle of nowhere, and get an answer out of him. While the rest of the world just has to guess what he would say. You 'actually know' so don't feel all sad because he's something above all of us."
He took a bite of the nikuman, before turning more to face them. "You're talking like he's got terminal cancer or something. But the fact is, he's probably bored out of his mind, he's not here because of what he is. But if he did, all you're concerned about is what is he going to do as God. Screw it! Let him do whatever! If he wants to sit down and watch the duel, or movie or whatever then let him! If his friendship means anything to you, than you best treat him as a friend. Instead of some walking wish granting genie. He's a 'person'.
"Really? I can do this?" Yugi asked as he plopped himself down on the seat next to Valon, a smirk on his face of mischief and amusement.
Everyone from Anzu to Bakuras' jaws fell open as Yugi kicked back and put his feet up, while Valon dropped his head in his hand for a moment. He 'had' jumped when Yugi spoke, but he had turned to make a point only to see that shocked expression on everyone's faces.
"Really? That's what I'm talking about, treat him like he's a teenager, I'm sure he appreciates it..."
Yugis' smirk turned rueful as he shrugged, "its mostly my sudden appearance. However Japanese people have layers of social etiquette when they speak." He turned and leaned back comfortably in the chair, "and you're right, for which I appreciate your awareness." He was quiet and observant for a time. As the world blossomed around them as the comet entered the earths' atmosphere around them. Thus the sun illuminated his black leather pants and boots, the dark blue trench coat he was wearing covered his top.
Realistically the only change was that his collar was spiked fully as was his wristbands, but eventually he did turn. "I 'am' still in my suite, I just wanted to prove Valon's point about my ability to be here. You know, the whole 'here there and everywhere' idea." His 'I' was the arrogant one that the Other Yugi and Kaiba used, the prideful one. Mahaado moved readily to sit by his ruler, even if Yugi was God, Mahaado was prepared to protect.
"That suite is nice, I swear after meeting Mai, I've been to so many nice hotels..." Valon remarked. "I swear I'm scared to touch stuff half the time," he added before taking a bite of the bun.
"It is a change, but you're adapting well," Yugi pointed out with a faint shrug. "Especially since different countries can have different ideas about how a hotel, or home is designed."
"Yeah, are Japanese homes as small as I heard?" Valon asked, for which Yugi actually chuckled.
"Kind of, for us. I live with Seto and Mokuba, and they live an western style mansion so I don't have any issues. Even living in my grandfathers' shop isn't difficult because I was always short. Now," Yugi gave a faint shrug. "It depends on various factors," he explained. "Bathrooms are different, the toilet does 'not' share the same room as the bathtub in Japan. Regardless of hotels or apartments, that remains consistent, though again, not in Kaiba mansion. Also you'll expected to wash 'outside' the tub, and soak to relax 'in' the tub."
"Seriously?" Valon's heart sank as he heard that. He began trying to imagine how that would work when Mokuba spoke up.
"Yep, there is a little stool that you can sit on, you wash your body, followed by using the shower head to rinse. Then when you're all clean you go soak in the tub!"
"There's a spiritual cleansing element to it, you wash off the grime and negative thoughts then soak to relax and restore the positive," Ryou added with a nod.
Yugi bit back the urge to lean over and whisper 'I'll warp your bathroom to how you're used to'. Wasn't easy, even had to resist the urge to say it mentally in Valon's head. But if he was coming to Japan... "You can bathe with Mai!"
Anzu doubled over as she choked on her drink, Ryou was choking on his nikuman as Malik pounded his back while Mokuba beat on Anzu's. Leaving Valon to shake his head as he leaned back as far as he could go so Yugi could help beat on Anzus' back as well.
Mokuba looked up at Yugi, his lips quirked into a half smile, "I think its fine we've bathed together, but I'm getting the sneaking suspicion that its not what you're really 'suggesting'. Big brother Yugi."
Anzu's choking got worse, while Yugi politely faded from view leaving Valon free to look after the kids. He cast his gaze helplessly towards Malik hoping to find out what the pair had just said only to see a pair of natural blond eyebrows start wiggling. 'I'm sitting with a bunch of children... well that Ryou kid has the air of a man older than me, but...'
"I get the joke," one of the spirits, the farmer in fact, announced rather proud of himself.
"We're so proud of you. Remember to give us... how did it get put on the television? A 'play by play' when it happens," his merchant friend deadpanned.
"Gladly look at her!" The farmer replied, turning to admire Mai's incredible legs, the amount of cleavage she was actually showing was lost due to the angle of the seats. But there was nothing on her that was a disappointment...
"Unless the next card play turns things around, I do believe Lady Mai has won this duel."
'Thank you Mahaado,' Ryou thought to himself as he latched on to that news in an effort to stop choking. His vision was distorted by tears, the holograms had finished with the sky and lands and now plunged them into the ocean. Just perfect for his situation as the world became this dark and darkening, shade of blue wavering light as his tears refused to stop. His throat was inflamed and his lungs were protesting while Malik continued to pat his back. Though dear HATHOR someone needed to stop the spirits from their appreciation of Mai's assets! Please!
Unnerving how quiet and discreet Mahaado could be, especially given the chance to see first hand his version of 'playing' left Malik a little shaken. Pharaohs through out history were just human, more associated as the most elevated of high priests who spoke to the Gods directly. In some cases opting to present themselves 'as' descended from those deities to solidify their claims to the throne.
Magicians were the same thing, Pandora had no real 'magic', nor Mai facing a true wielder of the art. 'Yet here I am sitting while an honest to all the gods dead magician who can still use magic to interact with the living world...'
As Ryou finally regained his lung control and stopped coughing Malik leaned back in his seat and let his gaze go back to the duel. His brain, on the other hand, was starting to try and ponder their current enemies.
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Turtle Game Shop was no longer physical there.
Crews came in and removed the remains of the shop, leaving only this corner shaped slab of concrete on the ground and the brick walls of the neighboring buildings. Trash bins were tucked against the building in their well remembered spot yet now. Now they looked meek against their brick walls, shy even when nothing stood to block their presence from the general public.
He stood there admiring his handiwork as his eyes traced the visible damage to those brick walls. Impressive that bomb.