A Past and Future Pharaoh
Written By: Lady Lunar Phoenix
Beta By: Lady Lunar Phoenix
A/N: Some more construction work here but at least I'm done! Yay! And this ends another arch. Which is insanely short compared the next arcs.
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"Forgive me Kaiba, I have wronged you terribly. Ages ago when I told you that we could no longer be friends, I did so only because I had learned of your bloodline. In your veins runs the blood of our kings, our gods. But for the sake of preserving the reign of the Pharaoh that we both cherished I had to make a decision. I knew the Sennen Items were corrupt, I just did not realize that ending our friendship in the manner that I did. That hiding the very nature of your bloodline, would result in the pain that you have suffered for so long," Mahaado's voice was calm, was it as calm the moment he died?
"Rest now, even as I speak Superia and the others return home. As you sealed away their Ka with your divine word, now you unfetter them. We shall return to our beloved Pharaoh's side, our circle is damaged, reduced in numbers, but even so, the Pharaoh has found those who could aid us in this age. Rest, General of our Pharaoh's army, his brother, as he is the sword that cleaves through evil, rest once again. When you awaken you shall once more be the shield that protects this world."
Kaiba's eyes drifted shut, he really hated when Mahaado went on some of his expositions, but what could he do? He was stuck as it was and it was a small price to pay to hear that he hadn't been abandoned. In truth, what Mahaado did made sense given the type of abuse he had been through under his teacher. While Kaiba would have liked to think he would have done things differently, he knew that it was just as likely he would have done the same as Mahaado.
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Around them Superia and the others roused fully, her wings opened for a flight three thousand long years in the waiting, the others were rushing for the door. The High Priests would regain their old abilities now that their Ka's were restored to them. Those abilities would be of great value to the Pharaoh in these slowly darkening times. And yet, even with the restoration of Duos, Mahaado knew that Seto would be the worst off of the group. Seto had been taught the healing arts of magic by Mahaado, but Seto had been so badly hurt ever the years... did the young man even know how to 'use' those magics on their own? Or would he need to be shoved into using it?
But Seto had suffered as well, Isis, Kalim and Shada had been blessed by not having difficult lives. Living their own lives with honor until they were killed protecting the Pharaoh. Where as Set had lived his life believing himself to be an orphan and strove to be a man of honor. Only it seemed that every act that Seto had committed had a backlash that had resulted in more damage. It made sense then he would abandon the old ways even now, when there was so much he was accountable for. What was the point in trying to fix things if everything ended up worse for trying?
He didn't need a spell or to check the window to know that his Pharaoh had arrived. But he looked up all the same, out of respect for the God he worshiped so ardently while holding Seto close. A measure of comfort provided by the physical presence of another. There were no words spoken, not at first at least, with Kaiba resting in his arms the state of his clothes, his appearance they spoke volumes.
The front door was flung open, and Yugi's presence served like a razor slicing through Mahaado's own spells. Not that either he or Seto were striving to maintain it anymore, the reason having passed. The anxious cries from Mokuba as he called for his brother 'were' noticeable as was the faint sound of pounding of feet on stairs. Clearly the Pharaoh and Mokuba were taking the stairs like a race.
With Kuriboh soaring into the room, it became clear who guided the Pharaoh and little Mokuba as the pair appeared. While Mokuba needed only that moment to confirm that his brother was here before he rushed the pair.
"Big Brother!" Mokuba fell upon his older sibling, crying as his anxiety was finally allowed to be released as he tried to make Kaiba wake up. Only Seto was so out of it he was unaware of who was trying to awaken him and was willing Mahaado to make the 'irritation' stop. So Mahaado had to gently push the growing child away.
"Your brother is tired Mokuba, though I realize that you are concerned for his safety I must insist he not be bothered." Mahaado explained, softening his tone since he understood who was bothering Seto.
"He took you from me, how could he do that? Without even a Dark Magician card in his deck?" Yugi asked quietly as he came into the room, settling down onto his knees beside the magician. Mokuba looking up at Mahaado as he wiped away his tears, comforted by having his brother by his side allowed him to finally settle down.
"Thus the power of a god my Pharaoh. Though he denies his very nature, insists that he is merely a modern day mortal, he is still a god. As a god he is privy to all the rights and privileges that it incurs," Mahaado explained patiently, Mokuba grabbing and holding Kaiba's hand.
"So what happened then?" Yugi asked next, his eyes showing his worry and concern over this situation. "We couldn't reach him, I felt you ripped from my control, then Isono called and told us he couldn't reach Kaiba," Yugi explained as he sat there.
"Yeah, we took another one of Big Brother's private jets to get here, Isono picked us up and brought us here. But that still doesn't explain what happened! You both had us so worried!" Mokuba added, wiping the tears from his face. "Who was here? Who hurt Big Brother?"
"I am not entitled to explain that, for that is a personal matter of Kaiba's. However, I can say that this is a very personal matter of his that had to be resolved."
"Wait, you're actually going to... But you're Yugi's monster! Why are you hiding this when it deals with my Big Brother?" Mokuba's tone was of a stunned child. Ignoring Yugi's softly voiced discipline about calling Mahaado a 'monster'.
"Pharaoh he is correct, I am a monster. But Kaiba still controls me, until he releases me I am his to command, and his will is that I stay silent on these matters. Forgive me Mokuba for I know that it eats away at you not knowing what happened. But you must respect your brother's privacy on these matters."
"Then take him back Yugi, I want to know who did this to my Big Brother!" Mokuba insisted, his childish reactions understandable considering the situation that he had been in: locked out of the hotel, unable to see or reach his brother, and Yugi unable to help at all. For it was the first time the brothers had been separated and to have this happen clearly rattled Mokuba deeply.
"Mokuba! I understand that you're upset, but your brother needs rest. Whatever happened can be dealt with later when he's recovered enough to reveal on his own what happened," Yugi replied his voice firm. There was an authority in his voice that was often not heard except on the dueling field. When Mokuba looked up to start protesting again he gave a sharp, "Mokuba."
Mokuba's eyes widened in surprise at the tone of voice used by Yugi, and he knew that Yugi was right. His brother needed rest and he wasn't going to get it if he had to deal with Mokuba's antics. But it hurt so much, he'd thought he would be able to show that he was growing up, that he could be on his own and not have to worry his brother. Instead his brother now worried him to the degree that he was scared to let the CEO go off on his own again. Heartsick, he let his fingers curl into fists on his knees while he fought his tears and lowered his head.
"Mokuba look at me," Yugi brought the crook of his index finger up and tilted Mokuba's face to look up at him. "I realize this is difficult for you, but at least now we're inside the hotel. No matter what, even if I can't have Mahaado help me, I'll look after the both of you. So let your brother rest, while we think of what we have to do next." The words was spoken with the wisdom and reassurance of a Pharaoh: confident, commanding and expecting to be obeyed without question, as though the Other Yugi had returned from the Field of Reeds. Even as Mokuba buckled down and accepted the authoritative voice.
"But what do we do next? Besides take my Big Brother to the hospital," Mokuba asked looking up at Yugi with the same expectancy that he often gave his brother, that trust that everything was going to be alright so long as he listened and followed instructions properly.
"I don't think we can take him to the hospital, there would be questions, and until he wakes up and lets Mahaado talk, or talks about it himself, there's no way to know what happened. Which then creates a problem when the media finds out, because they would. Clearly magic was used, which the media wouldn't know how to handle, then there's the attack, the repercussions could be serious for Kaiba Corp. So while your brother is down, we have to try our best to look after Kaiba Corp without him."
As calm as Yugi was when he informed the boy of what he was thinking, it didn't stop the look of shock from Mokuba's face. "Run Kaiba Corp without my Big Brother? Yugi, you maybe be a great duelist, but you're nuts!"
Before Yugi could come up with an answer to that remark, Mahaado's voice, rich with mirth unspoken, interrupted them both. "Pharaoh, Mokuba, while I may not discuss what happened here today, I can still lend you my power. Kaiba does not silence my abilities to aid you, merely to discussing what happened in this building."
"Oh, that's right," Mokuba agreed with a slight nod before his calm expression turned curious. "Mahaado? Why are you holding my brother like 'that'?"
"Like 'what'?" Mahaado asked looking down at himself and Kaiba. The teen was in a semi fetal position, curled close to Mahaado. While the magician held the CEO close and rather protectively... There was nothing wrong with this as far as Mahaado could see or understand. "This is a normal way to hold someone is it not? He wished that I not let him go, so I'm doing this."
"That's weird, what's wrong if you let go?" Mokuba asked his voice curious as he sat there, while retrieving Kaiba's hand.
"We... reached a resolution after a three thousand year old misunderstanding," Mahaado answered honestly.
"You were friends back then, if I'm not mistaken... It would be good to restore that friendship, even if it's now with three thousand years difference between the two of you, and if Kaiba is a complete and total jackass, not that I remember how he was before. I only know what you show of the two of us in the palace," Yugi replied with an amused smirk. Yes, Kaiba was most certainly a bastard when motivated.
"Pharaoh, that is no way to talk about your brother..." Mahaado scolded softly, while Mokuba nearly fell out of his hair.
"Brother?" Mokuba asked in shock. "You mean Yugi's like another big brother?"
"No, not exactly, back then his father and Kaiba's father were twin brothers. As such they share the same stream of blood if you will," Mahaado tried to explain his eyes lowered as the language barrier continued to be his bane. It was so much easier when Kaiba only spoke in their native tongue during this ordeal. Though Mahaado had to wonder if Kaiba even knew he had been doing it in the first place.
"So Yugi, you're like my cousin? COOL! Finally a family member besides Big Brother that I don't hate!" Mokuba smiled happily up at Yugi as he spoke.
Which Yugi answered by tousling Mokuba's hair teasingly before reassigning his attention on Mahaado. "What can be done to hide the fact that Kaiba's been laid up like this?"
"I can wake him, for brief periods so he can sign forms and such that are required for his position. If Pharaoh can summon a Dream Sprite, it can enter his dreams and bring what is needed of him to read or study. That way he's not being forced to wake up and think, he'll have already decided his answer... As for a reason as to why he can not come to work, I guess it would depend on how the whole," he paused to gesture around him patiently before resuming, "place should be handled. If he does or does not wish to say anything negative about the place in question, he could say he had taken ill, the food was not good, so on," Mahaado explained patiently trying to talk around the words he didn't know, while getting his point across.
"I see, that does sound doable, though at the rate we're missing school and he's missing work and school, it's sounding like we'll be sharing a class with you eventually Mokuba," Yugi grinned as he spoke, thinking on just how much they would be missing due to this stunt. Or at least Kaiba would be missing; then again he only went to 'school' to keep the government off his case about being so young and raising Mokuba.
Kuriboh, who had been hovering patiently over everyone, finally began to descend down, landing on Mokuba's head. Making Yugi chuckle as the size of Mokuba's already bushy hair became even more exaggerated. Yugi smiled before turning his attention back to Mahaado, "At the very least tell us if what was going on has finally come to an end."
Mahaado nodded in answer, while Mokuba got up, "Well Big Brother's stay is supposed to end today, so I'll get Isono and we'll start packing up the bedroom that Big Brother was using."
The child turned and left the room while Yugi turned his attention back on Mahaado. "Before we were able to get into the hotel, we got a call from Isis, Ryou and Malik are onto some lead about Pandora, regarding what's been going on, so I'm going to have to ask you some questions."
"Of course Pharaoh, I will do my best to provide you with the answers you seek," Mahaado replied, as he waited for the first question.
"When we first met, you told us that you woke up on your own and came directly to me. However; the Ishtars said they spoke with a woman named Catherine, the one that Pandora had been fixated on. She said you were there and were the reason she escaped, not that she knew who you were per say. Until her children showed her how you look when we duel in tournaments. How is that you were awake then and yet..." he didn't want to say that Mahaado outright lied to him. But it was an important question that needed to be asked. A part of him feared upsetting Mahaado, after 3,000 years of loyal service such a thing seemed trivial.
"My..." he cut himself off as he began to pronounce an Egyptian word before correcting himself. "I myself reside in my tablet, the numerous cards serve as windows that I can look out of. However; if someone bonds with their card of me, the Card will manifest its own soul, its own Dark Magician if you will. Normally this would mean that the Dark Magician was someone elses', only Pandora damaged his cards out of maliciousness. They wished not to be summoned despite being aware and so I took up the role for the sake of the lady. As we both know the state of mind that the duelist in question is normally in."
Yugi felt another wave of anger towards Pandora, where before there would have been some mercy regarding the man's clear lack of sanity. This went beyond that, from what Isis had reported to him, the fact that the man still had not learned earned his anger. Having been given the power of the real Dark Magician, only to turn around and kidnap his former lover? Threaten to murder her family? "Catherine is the one who freed you?"
"Yes, she became my new master, but she was kind to me, wishing only to return to her family. Then she transferred the book that was used to call me from my Tablet to Isis, while I used my window to you to manifest."
"That book, do you know where it came from? How someone was able to create a book that called the soul of a Ka from it's Tablet to the living world?" Yugi asked quietly, watching, as Mahaado suddenly looked unhappy, even conflicted.
"A thousand pardons Pharaoh, but I am forbidden from that topic by your father. He bade me never to talk of that book."
"'That book'?" Yugi asked, his head tilting a bit to the side.
"Yes, 'the Book'."
Yugi felt as though the fist of a giant suddenly grabbed his heart and held it still. Made all the worse by the fact that Mahaado would not look at him. "They said that the book is blank, that there's nothing on any of the pages that isn't written by a person. What 'is' that book Mahaado?"
"You know of that book, you met the evil that is contained and you shall one day remember those terrible days. It just has not fully revealed itself yet..." Mahaado replied miserably, his head down in grief that he was making his cherished Pharaoh upset with this information.
"Mahaado look at me," Yugi ordered to which the magician obeyed, lifting his head up to look at the ruler he gave his life for three thousand years ago. Suddenly, in that moment Yugi was afraid like never before. If those dark days were returning... But how could they? It took the lives of 99 evil people to create the Sennen Items, there was no way to mass kill that number...right? He tore the headdress that Mahaado was wearing off the magician's head. Pulling the startled man into his arms as he clung to his cherished magician. His fingers played with soft hair the color of cinnamon, the same hair he used to pull on when he was a baby. Frozen forever at the age of seventeen summers, it made Yugi wish he was still that little baby. That someone else would be take up the mantle and deal with these matters.
The demon could 'not' be allowed to return to the living world!