Disclaimer: I don't normally own an anime or manga, but if I did, I'd prefer Yu-gi-oh.
Ch. 3 Memories of the Dead
Yugi's grandfather sat at the dining room table, across from a stranger. He waved cheerily at Yugi as his grandson appeared. "Ah, welcome back, Yugi!" he said. "I was just telling my friend about how you…" He trailed off as he noticed Yugi's odd behavior. "Yugi? What's the matter, my boy?" he asked concernedly.
Yugi didn't hear him. He stared at the stranger in shock, unable to move. Deep in the recesses of his memory, the nightmares he had tried so hard to suppress suddenly resurfaced.
A great dragon, encased in glass, stood frozen between two others. Dark Magician Girl's pleading voice begged him to save the monsters of the Other World as he reached for the gleaming sword…
A blue-green symbol on the man's forehead glowed ominously in the night, and his insanity matched the power in the eyes of Obelisk as it rose threateningly before him, the same symbol imprinted on its crown…
A monstrous black serpent…
A heart-wrenching pain…
The green glow was almost blinding as the light of the Orichalcos closed in around him. His mistake was grievous, he knew that now. But it would soon be remedied. He would be taken, and rightly so…No! His partner was going in his place?…He mustn't!
No, Yugi thought, trembling. Partner? I don't recall this…
Raphael was laughing, his friends were yelling, but he could only hear his own screams as his partner was torn away from him, perhaps forever…
"Yugi!"
Yugi snapped back to the present, and stumbled back, breathing hard. He realized suddenly that his grandfather was in front of him, hands on his shoulders, and was peering anxiously into his face.
"W-what?" Yugi stammered. He noticed for the first time that he was shaking, and immediately struggled to calm himself. He took a deep breath. "Sorry," he said, relieved to find his voice steadier. "I just…I'm tired, that's all."
"Forgive me, but it certainly doesn't seem to be just lack of strength!" the stranger said. He, too, had risen from the table and was looking worriedly at Yugi through his round spectacles. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"
An involuntary shudder ran through Yugi at that, and he nearly froze again. The memories, though fading, were still fresh on his mind, and a few rose up once again.
The reaction had clearly not gone unnoticed, because he was then swiftly led to sit at the table. Yugi protested all the way. "I'm fine, really, Grandpa, it passed," he insisted. "There's nothing wrong with me."
"It didn't look that way, young man!" Grandpa Mutou cried. "You looked like you were going to pass out right on the kitchen floor! Are you sure you're not ill?"
"Yes, Grandpa. I'm sorry for worrying you."
The stranger laid a hand on his grandfather's arm. "It's all right, Solomon. I'm sure the boy's fine, despite whatever happened."
"Well, if you say so..." Grandpa Mutou still looked far from convinced.
Eager to change the subject, Yugi forced a smile. "So, Grandpa, can you tell me who your friend is?"
"Ah, of course, my apologies, Yugi!" Grandpa's demeanor suddenly changed, and all signs of worry vanished. He beamed broadly and went to stand by the stranger. "He is a friend indeed, a colleague of mine out in the field. His name's Taisuke Keichi. I met him a few years ago on an expedition, and we've kept in touch ever since. Keichi, meet my grandson Yugi."
"So, this is the famous Yugi Mutou!" Keichi stood and bowed, and Yugi did the same. "I've heard a lot about you, of course, in the newspapers and such," he said as they sat back down. "The 'King of Games'…you must be very proud, Solomon."
"Oh, indeed, when he's off on an adventure, leaving his poor old grandfather behind!" Grandpa laughed. He went around and set a loving arm around his grandson, and his expression softened to one of fondness. "But also whenever he's around. He's a good lad, my grandson," Grandpa said proudly.
Yugi blushed, embarrassed to be the center of attention. He suddenly realized he was contemplating Keichi's appearance far too closely, and averted his gaze to avoid rudeness.
"Dear boy looks a little nervous to be introduced," Keichi commented warmly. He folded his arms on the table and smiled at Yugi. "Maybe I scared him earlier?" he teased.
"Oh, no, it's not that," Yugi said quickly. He turned to Keichi, and could not help but stare hard at him. "It's just..."
He was most certainly Dartz, and yet he wasn't. For starters, Yugi couldn't remember Dartz ever wearing glasses before. His hair and facial features were the same, but his eyes were brown rather than gold and blue. Perhaps his face was too thin, perhaps his nose was too high…the more Yugi looked, the less he appeared Dartz' copy. His pounding heart began to slow, and he could feel the shock wearing off.
"It's just…Sorry, but you look a lot like someone I met before," he admitted.
Aibou… The Pharaoh's voice suddenly came warningly. Yugi was surprised to hear him, as he'd been silent ever since they entered the house, probably from the same shock as his host.
I know, Pharaoh. But not now.
But Aibou, he's…!
I know, Pharaoh! But not in front of Grandpa, please. We'll have time later tonight.
He felt a flash of frustration as the Pharaoh grudgingly withdrew, and he had to suppress a scowl from working its way onto his face. Without realizing it, he gripped his Millennium Puzzle so hard his knuckles began to turn white.
"My goodness…" Keichi's awed voice broke through his thoughts, and Yugi snapped back to the scientist to find him staring intently at his Puzzle. A little too intently for his liking. He'd seen that look before on numerous occasions, and he instinctively he put a hand to cover it.
Keichi noticed, and broke off his trance with an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, Yugi, but you misunderstand me. Solomon, is that really…?" He trailed off, unable to finish in his eagerness.
"Yes, it is, it very much is, my good friend," Solomon answered, his eyes twinkling. He turned to his grandson. "You don't have to worry, Yugi. I met Keichi on the same expedition I set off on three years ago in Egypt, near the hidden tombs of the Pharaohs. I will tell you now, Keichi already knew all about the Millennium Items and their myths then, and is completely familiar with them now, as well as, I might add," his voice grew quieter, "the soul of the Pharaoh residing inside your Puzzle."
A shocked hum arose from the Puzzle, and Yugi could feel a warning tremor from the Pharaoh. Yugi shot a glance at Keichi, not sure whether to feel relieved or cautious. "He does?" he asked quietly.
"Oh, no need to feel so alarmed, Yugi!" Keichi said kindly. He sat back, with his arms up in a submissive gesture. "I assure you, and I believe your grandfather does as well, that I understand this is a secret of gargantuan proportions. I have no desire or any reason to reveal it."
It all seemed far too sudden. Numb and still half-dazed from shock, Yugi nodded before he could stop himself. Keichi seemed to take this as a sign of trust, and relaxed his arms with a warm smile.
"I had only heard rumors of course, like fantastic stories and such, but Solomon here confirmed it for me," he continued conversationally. "He has told me how many people are after your Puzzle, and I'm sorry for all the trouble you've been through, but just as well they might be, since it's an absolutely priceless artifact! But I merely wish to get a look at it, that's all. Just a close-up encounter with it is honor enough for me."
Yugi hesitated, unsure of whether to believe him. But when his grandfather nodded encouragingly, he smiled brightly and put forth the Puzzle.
Keichi's finger's trembled as he lightly traced the edges of the pyramid, the hieroglyphics on the sides, and finally the great eye in the middle. "I had heard about them many times over, but I've never actually seen one before," he whispered. "Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating."
He looked up, and Yugi could almost sense the question he was about to ask next. He answered before Keichi could ask. "I could ask him. I'm sure he's willing to show himself," he assured the scientist.
Keichi looked surprised, but smiled gratefully. He sat back and waited.
Other me? Yugi asked inwardly. He initially hesitated, unsure of how his dark side would treat Keichi, who held the image of the one that had plagued Yugi's – and indeed, the Pharaoh's – nightmares for several days on end.
Don't worry, I'm fine now, Aibou. The Pharaoh's voice was clear, and when Yugi saw his ghostly image besides him, the dead king's eyes were warm. He doesn't hold any sort of a threat. I will speak with him.
Satisfied, Yugi relinquished his hold on his body to the Pharaoh.
The long-dead king of Egypt opened his eyes as he surfaced once again to the world of the living. "I am surprised to meet yet another person who knows about the Millennium Items under such normal circumstances, Mr. Keichi," the Pharaoh said. "Usually that means trouble. But if Grandpa seems fit to trust you with that knowledge, then I extend my trust in you as well."
The Pharaoh's voice was deep and thoughtful, and held a maturity so unlike that of the boy Keichi was talking to before, it was uncanny. Yugi saw the scientist's amazement of the transformation from beside the Pharaoh, and had to smile.
"That is truly spectacular," Keichi said breathlessly. "So it's true, then? You are the soul of the Nameless Pharaoh from three thousand years ago?"
"I am," the Pharaoh confirmed, and from his answer Yugi saw a tiny glimmer of excitement in Keichi's eyes. A momentary flash – then it was gone.
"Well, then, I must say, it is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty." Keichi gave a deep, reverent bow. Solomon chuckled.
A blush tinged the Pharaoh's cheeks. "Please, simply call me Pharaoh. It's how everybody else distinguishes the two of us, anyways."
Keichi's head rose back up quickly, and he stared wondrously at the Pharaoh. "Amazing, simply amazing," he murmured. He sat up slowly. "A three thousand year old soul, fully conscious and self-sustaining, maintaining absolute and complete control over a willing vessel…"
The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "I admit I've never heard it described quite that way before…"
Keichi suddenly grinned brightly at that. "Oh, but that's my specialty, Pharaoh! I have been quite fascinated in the subject of souls for many years, and it has been the basis of my scientific study ever since college. In fact, it was what led to my participation in that expedition as well as the rumors about the secrets of the Millennium Puzzle."
He leaned in closer, now obviously very excited, and the Pharaoh leaned in as well to oblige him. "It is my belief that the soul is not just an abstract idea, as many see it, but an actual ethereal object, and perhaps its power has everything to do with the function of living beings. My theory is that the living body is simply a chamber for the soul to be housed in; of course, the soul can be contained within any object, but it survives best in a living, willing vessel. This is so clearly demonstrated by your soul, Pharaoh, if I may speak of you so bluntly, that it is definite proof my theory is correct!"
The Pharaoh tilted his head, unsure of whether to be pleased or offended. "I assume, then, we have arrived at the nature of your visit," he said good-naturedly, and smiled to show no offense.
Keichi, despite the Pharaoh's good will, was still flustered. He leaned back quickly, as if realizing his rude manner, and hastily waved his hands in defense. "Oh, no, please don't misunderstand me, a great deal of my presence here lies within my comradeship with Solomon, as well as a genuine curiosity in the Millennium Items. I did not come here solely to talk about your soul, although," his voice lowered apologetically, "I must admit, it is one of the primary topics I'd like to discuss with you."
The Pharaoh thought for a moment. "I can understand your interest, but…"
"Oh, you don't have to worry about a thing, my dear boy," Solomon put in cheerfully. "Keichi-san is a dear colleague, and his studies are actually very fascinating. Besides, I don't think I'd invite him into my house if I thought his sole purpose was to steal away your soul, now would I?" He laughed heartily at the last comment, and Keichi chuckled along with him. The Pharaoh smiled, but truthfully he wasn't put entirely at ease by Grandpa Mutou's joke.
"No, indeed, although you're actually not far off from my intentions," Keichi said mysteriously.
The Pharaoh's smile faded. "Oh? And what are your intentions?" he asked, a little more suspiciously than he meant to.
Keichi didn't seem bothered this time, so wrapped up was he in his excitement over his studies. "Ever since I heard about the soul living inside the puzzle belonging to Solomon's grandson, I've been developing this project of mine. With your permission, of course, I would like your participation in it."
The Pharaoh sat stock still, unsure of whether to be intrigued or more wary. He glanced at his Grandpa, who was still sitting, watching them. The old man looked content, and not the least bit worried.
The least we can do is hear him out. Yugi's voice came beside him, though there was a trace of caution present in his tone.
The Pharaoh gave a tiny nod, and Yugi disappeared out of sight again. He turned his attention to Professor Keichi. "What sort of project is this?"
RN: And now for more...Dancing Yusuke!
Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da...Gather 'round ye lads and lasses, I'll set ye for a while, and harken to me mournful tale about the Emerald Isle. Let's all raise our glasses high to friends and family gone, and lift our voices in Another Irish Drinkin' Song...
Mokuba: Hey! You can't steal Lanipator's stuff!
RN: Is it stealing if I do it only because I admire the dude?
Mokuba: Yes!
RN: Then I'll play this! *whips out spell card* Disclaimer! This allows me to use any catchy lines and scenes I want as long as I say I don't own it. And I'll play it on the Dancing Yusuke!
Mokuba: Fine...But I'd better see at least one of these on every page, or I'm copyright-ing it!
A/N: This is where you come in, people. As fancy as I've been, I'm running out on ideas, and I'm pulling them out at the last minute. I've already got Bakura on my tail, and I don't need the FanFiction police along as well, not when I'm on my first story! I welcome any and all ideas for disclaimers, see chapter 1 for my guidelines, and if you want anything special put down here as well, just say.
Please R&R.