(peeks head out of hiding) Is it safe yet? (does not see anyone around and continues with chapter) lol… I am going to be running and hiding a LOT as this fic continues… I just know it lol!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or anything related to it what-so-ever. The only characters in this fic that are truly mine are:
Lady Aurora Phoenix, Lady Natara Fear (Cooper), Lady Sapphira Star (Raine), Dorian "Chaos" (Stanson), Bryant "Havoc" (Westbrook), Sanura, Zahara, Adais, Shadow, Panther, Lord Theron (yup… they're back…)
A/N: This is a fantasy as you can tell. It is part 3 to the Eternal Love Series. The story of the Pharaoh and his family is far from over. His children are still around and they will incorporate themselves in the lives of little Yugi and his friends in one way or another. Fair warning, I am not one for writing out duels so you may not see a lot of them- barely any actually, as the fic is about the events that happened outside the duel arena. There will be some familiar scenes to fans of the show but most of those scenes will have a small twist or two in order for it to fit with the plot being laid out.
I understand many will not agree with a lot of what is written but that is why this is in the fantasy genre and not in just the general one. This is purely a concoction out of my own head and I am just going where the ideas lead me.
Just want to thank my faithful readers and reviewers again for continuing along on this little journey. DDCfreak, Atemu Fangurl, Ishizusan, Pastelblue, Lady of Perfection and her Yami- Yami Nefera, Luna Dusk, and mugen thank you all!
There will be more comments at the end as well as an explanation to why this took so long to be put up and replies to the comments left behind at the end of EL2. As for now...
Chapter 1- A New Enemy Revealed
"Well, well, well… It seems as though our Ms. Phoenix has been keeping herself busy since returning above ground." The man arched an eyebrow and stroked his goté. "Shadow, you are certain that she has made contact with the spirit?"
"Yes, Father. She has. They just parted ways this morning as she went on ahead to the airport to meet their son." The older man chuckled.
"She is taking such pains so as not to reveal her identity to him. I wonder what she would do if someone were to threaten that secret." It was Shadow's turn to quirk an eyebrow.
"Forgive my asking, Father, but what does this have to do with the missing creature you seek?"
"Just for fun, my son. Just for fun. She once thought she could destroy me. She took out her whole planet in order to do so. It would be such a shame to see history repeat itself. However, you are right. We need her to lead us to the creature. When the time draws near she will become sensitive to its power, just like her ancestors. In the meantime, keep an eye on her. When the time comes, we shall make our next attack. It has been far too long since she and I met in battle." Shadow sighed. His father was a stubborn man. A man the people of their home planet, Eudora, had known to fear. Lord Theron was the king's brother. He became obsessed with power and control; he would not stop until he had it. He fought for thousands of years. Tens of thousands of years. He had been unstoppable until the chosen group of that time sacrificed themselves to destroy his most powerful creature. The only creature that could have taken them out and left the planet to be his and his alone. Shadow and his brother studied several journals and ancient transcripts of Earth and realized that the creature had fallen there. It was sheer dumb luck they landed on the one planet that would house the creature that would bring about its demise. Shadow stood with a respectful nod and walked out the doors.
"Something wrong, Brother?"
"No, Panther. Nothing is wrong." Shadow did not even look up at the darker form of his brother. He did not have to as he could sense the smirk on that arrogant face. Just then Panther peered harder at his brother.
"I see..." He chuckled. "Father's task is becoming too hard on you. All that watching from the sidelines is just becoming not good enough, isn't it. You are ready for a more hands on approach, maybe?" Shadow gave no warning before his fist connected with Panther's jaw.
"Don't ever question me, brother," he warned him with a sneer. "You may be older than me, but we both know who the more superior one is here." Panther growled his promise of revenge as Shadow walked away. After all, he still had a job to do.
"You are worried about things yet to come instead of worried about now. You always got that way. You would try to prevent things till you realized you just could not do it anymore. This is another one of those times. You cannot stop his destiny. But you can make him happy while he still lives. Do not deny him that. Especially if he will be needed at another time. He may go when his destiny calls, but he has a part of Reno in him. The Powers of the Flaming Wrath. If our war is not over, then the Pharaoh cannot truly die in this turn. Unless..." Lady Fear looked hard at her friend. "Is he killed in this last battle you have seen him in?" Lady Phoenix thought a moment, remembering her visions.
"The visions were not exactly clear, but I do not believe he was... killed really. Merely trapped. His spirit was pulled from his body and trapped."
"Then have no fear, Aurora. If he is not killed, he will not go away. Not while our powersflow within him. When he has fulfilled what ever task he must do at this later period of time, all that will be needed is for his spirit to reconnect with his body and he can return to us. To you." Lady Phoenix looked up at her friend. Lady Fear's words repeating themselves in her mind. Her eyes widened as she realized the truth in those words.
"It is true. If he is not killed, he will live. But will he want to?" She frowned again and Lady Fear lightly, but seriously, smacked her arm.
"Quit it! That is too far away to worry about right now. You have a Pharaoh waiting for you in the main hall, my friend. Let us put a smile on his face. Show him the beauty that is you. Show him the love in your heart. You do love him. Or else you would not be so worried about events yet to happen. So tell him. Tell him how you really feel by taking his hand and being his wife. That is what you must do now. That is all you must worry about now."
"Thanks, I think," she smiled at her friend before taking the bouquet Lady Star had returned to the room with. "Well, it is time." Lady Phoenix swallowed hard as they all made their way to the main hall where the music had begun to play for her. "No turning back now. Only forward toward the destiny I must lead," she added to herself.
Aurora's eyes snapped open at the sound of a door opening. Though the memory had faded from her mind for the moment, the words still echoed in her head. There was a destiny she had to lead. She had to carry it through. She had the distinct feeling that she was going to have a hard time managing this time, however. The feeling grew worse as she exited the limousine and spotted two people waiting in the pick up area. A woman wearing a traditional Egyptian gownwith long black hair. A jeweled head piece adorned her head and a gold necklace with the Eye of Horus rested at her neck. She held herself like a noble woman. The man beside her made Aurora's heart grow still. It had been so long since she had seen him. The tri-colored hair and rounded violet eyes. He was taller, like his father, but an exact copy of Yugi.
"It is good to see you again, Adais," she told him softly as they approached. He nodded and went forward to hug her.
"It is good to see you as well, Mother." He stepped back and motioned to the woman beside him. "You remember Ishizu, don't you?" Aurora smiled warmly.
"You were so little the last time I saw you. You really have grown into a remarkable woman, Ishizu."
"Thank you, milady," Ishizu said with a light bow. "It is an honor to be in your presence again."
"Is everything already here for the exhibit?"
"It arrived yesterday from what our contact told us." Adais grabbed Ishizu's suitcase, as well as his own and loaded them into the trunk of the limousine.
"Then the museum it is for us." Aurora ducked back inside the vehicle, followed by Ishizu and then Adais. The ride was spent with the three of them catching up on old times, and memories. Aurora noticed that Adais had avoided mentioning the Spirit of the Puzzle. She could see the questions in his eyes. She only wished she could give him more answers.
The limousine stopped in front on Domino Museum and the door opened. The three drew a small crowd out front as they stepped from the vehicle and made their way up the stairs to the front door. Two of the museum's curators greeted them at the door.
"Miss. Ishtar, on behalf of the Domino Museum, welcome to Japan."
"Thank you, but please let's get down to business." Adais leaned over to Aurora as they walked behind the Egyptian woman.
"As you can see she is very straight forward." Aurora grinned.
"That is a good quality to have." Adais nodded in agreement.
"I must say we were pleasantly surprised to learn you had chosen our town to host your exhibit."
"As long as everything had been transported safely and discreetly, I do not see where there should be any reason as to not holding it here. Now if you'll excuse us, we really must be on our way to see that everything is set up for the exhibition." The curator said nothing more and the three, along with a few Egyptian guards who traveled with Ishizu, made their way farther into the museum. Aurora felt a sudden sense of nausea brought on by déjà vu. The relics around her stabbed memory pains in her heart, but she maintained her cool and collected nature as they passed through room to room, Adais and Ishizu describing and telling about the finds. When they had been uncertain of, Aurora had been able to fill in the gaps for their information screens. There were times her knowledge truly did help her. They had made their way through the exhibit when she passed by a closed door. There was a sudden jolt of energy that made her stop in her tracks.
"What is down there?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Ishizu blinked at her before going and opening the door.
"I am afraid I do not know, milady." It would have been the truth had she not gone ahead and tapped into the powers of her Millennium Necklace right after speaking. Her eyes fluttered open after a brief moment. "It seems they have chosen to hide the ancient tablet down there."
"You mean…" Aurora did not finish her thought. She brushed passed Ishizu and cautiously made her way down the flight of stairs. She moved as if something was actually pulling her down, her steps not moving as fast as she wished them to. She stopped in front of a display case which held a large stone tablet with carvings on it. The carvings on it made her gasp. The picture was that of Atem and High Priest Set during their final duel. Without thinking she stepped forward to touch the glass. She closed her eyes as she was overcome by a vision of both events past and future.
"Mother!" Adais watched as she pitched forward and he raced to grab her. They both landed on their knees on the ground.
"Is she alright?" Ishizu asked, coming up behind them. Adais lifted his mother's head back to try to see her face.
"She should be. She must have had a vision. She hasn't had one like this in a long time though… Not that I can ever remember." He felt Aurora stir in his arms and shake her head. "Mother? What did you see?"
"Too many things at once," she answered weakly. "Visions of the past with the two in the tablet. Memories of the future, with Seto and Yugi along with Yami."
"You call him Yami?" Ishizu asked.
"He was the master over the dark magic back in his time, it is also a little known name amoung certain people of his time. A name to describe really the time in which he was taken. Marik will only know that name as well. He was never informed of the Pharoah's true name. I precaution I had seen to not long after he was born.Yami must learn his real name on his own…"
"I understand, milady. I shall as well call him by that name then, for I shall be receiving a visit from him in the next day or two. After I have a meeting with Seto Kaiba."
"Why a meeting with him?" Adais looked up at his museum partner.
"Marik will be on his way. King Yami needs to regain his memories and the Egyptian God cards can help him. But he must obtain them in a duel," Ishizu explained.
"I see. You plan to give the elder Kaiba Obelisk so he would wish to gain the other two. In doing so he would hold a tournament hoping the others would appear." Aurora was impressed by the woman. Isis would be proud, she thought. Adais helped her to stand and they moved to the office he would be sharing with Ishizu. "Does Kaori know you are here?"
"I was going to call her as soon as we were settled here. Then I was going to bring her, Solomon, and Yugi dinner."
They spent the rest of their time in the museum preparing Ishizu's opening speech which would be broadcasted later in day. Including her pointed message to have Seto make an appearance at the museum.
"You realize he would not be interested just by a simple broadcast," Aurora pointed out. Ishizu nodded.
"I do. I already have my message planned out for when he receives my phone call as well."
"I always knew you would be a good woman, Ishizu. No one would have ever thought there would be a calculating bone in your body."
"Sometimes she even surprises me," Adais agreed. Ishizu merely looked down at the desk. Something about the compliments from the family of the Pharaoh whose tomb her family had been protecting over the years, made her feel honored, and humbled at the same time. She knew it was an honor to be in their presence. Not everyone could say they met the wife of an ancient Pharaoh, especially the Pharaoh as good as King Yami had been. She only wished her brother had shared the same respect. Little did she know, he would eventually be found on the other side of town stirring up trouble for little Yugi.
"After all I have told you, you can still accept me?" She asked him, still confused. "Why?" He closed his eyes for a brief moment before looking into hers again.
"Is it not obvious, Aurora," he paused for a moment. He knew he was about to take a really big chance with this. His lips were inches from hers. "Aurora, I love you," he whispered as their lips met in a sizzling kiss.
Hidden in his soul room, Yami was jolted awake. The suddenness of the jolt found him outside of the puzzle and seated at the edge of Yugi's bed. Yugi blinked and shifted to look at the spirit. This was not the first time a vision had brought them both awake in the middle of the night like this. As hard as Yami tried, he was unable to stop the visions from being seen by Yugi. They had discussed the visions on each occasion with Yami not even one step closer to learning who he truly was or the connection that he felt between Aurora and himself. This last vision told him something he had already felt sure of.
"It was her. Aurora. Zahara's mother. But how can that be, Yami?" Yugi looked down a moment before looking back up at the spirit. Yami had been staring straight ahead with his arms crossed in front of his chest. "That would mean…"
"That she was more than three thousand years old, I know. But it makes sense to me somehow. If I was to put this vision together with the others, it would make a great deal of sense to me. I just am not sure how it all fits together. I remember pieces of a destiny I must face. She is to help me somehow."
"If you can keep focused that is," Yugi grinned up at the spirit. Yami arched an eyebrow at him before closing his eyes and grinning back. The young light was very perceptive. Yami turned and stood near the window as Yugi settled himself back down to go back to sleep.
Aurora, I know there is more to this whole thing than you have told me. I will unlock those hidden memories somehow, someway. And I will face the destiny fate has bestowed upon me.
"Yami?" A sleepy voice called him from his thoughts.
"Yes, Yugi?"
"I hope you know you are not alone in your search. You have me. And you have our friends."
"Thank you, Yugi," Yami responded as Yugi's tired eyes closed once again.
Zahara and Ryou had met for lunch and a stroll through the park. They were still getting used to the relationship they had so recently found themselves in. They gazed into each other's eyes while they ate and held hands as they walked. Nothing but loving words passed their lips in hushed tones when they were close enough to be heard. Ryou had found a Frisbee and they decided to have a little fun in the park. He watched, amazed by her ability, as she seemed to catch each throw with ease. They would throw the Frisbee with all their strength just to continue to test the speed, skill, and agility of the other. However, their game took a new meaning when she suddenly sensed a change in Ryou. She groaned inwardly when she realized she was playing against the evil spirit of the Ring instead.
"I was wondering when you would find your way back out here," She said in a cool voice as she whipped the Frisbee at him.
"Even you knew you couldn't lock my away forever," he returned, his voice as cold as her own. "I told you I would make you pay for that."
"Yeah, well, there are some instances where three can be a crowd. Ryou and I wanted to be alone." She grunted with the effort of her landing as she grasped the Frisbee he sent flying at her.
"I still stand by the idea that I would be better for you."
"You would," she returned icilly. Her arm was getting worn out from the extra stress to her already tiring muscles. Bakura grinned as he realized her strength was quickly weary thin.
"You know, I can think of better ways to spend this energy." She quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Jealous your Hikari got to me first, are you?" Wrong thing to say. She gasped as he suddenly sprang at her, pinning her to the ground with a snarl.
"I could have had you a long time ago if I wanted," he informed her. She suddenly felt the true weight of his words. That night at the castle… she wondered. Was he really in my room that night? Was it really more than a dream? She remembered dreaming that Ryou had been in her room. Had caressed her cheek. Now she had the strong feeling that Bakura had been there in her room that night, not Ryou. She swallowed hard.
"Get. Off. Me." He smiled his wolfish grin before honoring her request much to her surprise. She sat up and looked hard at him. There was something about him she just could not figure out. With a sigh, she stood and straightened her shirt. "I need to be going." She resisted telling him why. She had to work at the club that night, but she felt Bakura did not need to know.
"I see, club detail tonight." She froze. She never told him. Then she shook her head slightly. She had told Ryou earlier. Bakura must have tapped into Ryou's mind to get the information he was seeking. Her thoughts were interrupted again however when she was pushed up against a tree, her hands trapped in his as he trapped her there. "Just because I let you go earlier does not mean I have forgotten what you did to me." She opened her mouth to respond when she suddenly blinked. Even Bakura looked surprised by her reaction.
"Something isn't right," she whispered.
"You mean the fact that I am here with you instead of Ryou." His grin returned. She arched an eyebrow at him.
"No, you lecher. Well, that to, but that isn't what is bothering me…" She grew silent, trying to figure out what was calling out to her. Before Bakura could say anything more, someone brushed against him forcing him closer to Zahara who gasped and groaned at the same time. All she wanted was to be free while he chuckled into her neck one last time. She felt the change go through him and Ryou blinked.
"Um, sorry, Zahara," he murmured before turning to see the one who had bumped into them. "Téa! What's wrong?"
"Some creep just stole Yugi's Millennium Puzzle!" Zahara stood up straighter, pushing herself away from the tree.
"Where did he go?" she demanded.
"We aren't sure. We split up to try to find him."
"Don't let us stop you. Go after the creep. We will go and get help!" Ryou promised her. Zahara gave an angry sigh when she felt Ryou's presence slip away once again. "No one shall have the Millennium Puzzle except for me." Bakura growled. "I want its power." She watched as he spun around, the Ring glowing wildly around his neck. "And I shall track it down with my Millennium Ring!"
"Well, I suppose that would be the easiest way to find Yugi now, wouldn't it?" Zahara asked him, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
"I've no need to locate Yugi. Just his Puzzle."
"Funny; You need to actually duel him in order to properly gain the Puzzle. You do remember that, don't you?"
"Quiet, mortal. That Puzzle will be mine." Zahara glared and reached forward and grabbed him, forcing him to face her and making sure her face was as close to his as she dared.
"You know very well, I am no mortal." Her voice was filled with venom and her eyes flashed.
"You are so very lucky I have more important matters to attend to. Otherwise," He grabbed her and pressed her closer against him. "This could have been fun… For me anyway," he told her with a smirk before pushing her aside and taking off down the sidewalk.
"Don't think I will let you get away with that," Zahara muttered, regaining her balance and deciding to follow him. She looked up and realized her best bet was to hit the rooftops of the buildings near by. Swiftly, she made her way toward the back of one building and up the fire escape until she reached the roof. Once there, she made it an easy task to leap from top to top of each building. She only stopped when she found him at the entrance of an alleyway, his Ring pointing ahead. There were arrows posted up along the walls and Bakura was looking hard at them.
"Sorry, Téa, but I can't have you and your sniveling friends interfering with my destiny," he said as he began flipping the arrows to point in several different directions as he went along his way. Zahara was grateful she was following him. At least she would know where to lead Yugi's friends when Bakura had found him.
"Funny thing about destiny," Zahara whispered. "Unless fate has sealed it, Destiny is always changing…" Quietly, she made her way across a few more roof tops as she trailed behind Bakura. She had noticed a strange sensation beginning to twitch inside her head as they drew nearer to an abandoned warehouse building. Bakura was stopped just in front of the door. He looked concerned at first, but then his evil grin reappeared on his face.
"I sense a dark presence from the Shadow Realm here as well as the Millennium Puzzle," he murmured. She had to strain her ears in order to make out his words. "Gaining control of the puzzle may become more interesting than I thought." Hearing his mention of the Shadow Realm, Zahara opened her mind to catch a small feeling of the darkness inside the building. She could almost hear the evil laughter inside.
"Yugi," she whispered. "I know where he is now. I have to bring the others to him." She chanced on more look back to see Bakura enter the building and prayed to the gods that Yugi would be all right while she was gone. Then, she spun around and dashed over the buildings again looking for Yugi's friends. It did not take her long to find them as they were all calling his name in the different alleys. She arrived near them just as Téa hit the ground on her knees calling out for Yugi.
"If you want to help him, follow me." They all turned to see Zahara standing in front of them. "I know where he is. I can take you to him before it's too late." Her eyes widened in shock when a sudden surge of power was felt before just as quickly fading away. There was an empty feeling in its place. What just happened? She wondered. The urgent feeling forced her to spin around and take off down the alley way.
Aurora had been reading over the speech Ishizu was planning again when her eyes suddenly shot open. She gasped and stood up sharply from her seat.
"What is it, Mother?" Adais asked her, standing as well.
"The Puzzle. It's… It's been shattered!" Ishizu and Adais matched Aurora's shocked look.
"That means…" Adais began.
"Yugi is in trouble," Aurora finished.
"Brother! No, Marik what are you doing?" Ishizu hung her head briefly. "Go Adais. Be with your son. He will need you." He nodded and turned to leave, Aurora was right behind him, cell phone in her hand as she called for the limousine to meet them out front.
"We're coming, Yugi," she promised as they both ducked into the vehicle. She only hoped it was not too late.
"Is that smoke?" Tristan pointed out as they followed Zahara.
"A fire!" Joey exclaimed as they reached the building.
"Téa, you go and call 9-1-1. Joey and I will go and see if Yugi is still inside," Tristan told her. He and Joey charged forward and Zahara looked around. She could still sense Bakura nearby. She took advantage of the fact that the boys were busy to slip around back and catch him trying to get away. She narrowed her eyes and growled as she raced toward him. He cursed several Egyptian curses as she flew into him, sending him harshly to the ground.
Ryou will forgive me later, she told herself as she rolled on top of him and pinned him to the ground. "I see you don't have the Puzzle, yet you have left Yugi in there to die in that fire?" Shock turned to violent anger as he shoved her backward, sending her back onto the ground. The tables turned and she found herself pinned beneath him.
"You should really learn to pick your battles better," he snarled at her. She bit back her painful cry as he ground her wrists into the ground.
"You left him in there to die, Bakura!" She hissed in return. "That is low even for you."
"What are you talking about?
"Like you can't smell the fire burning just behind you." He looked back and suddenly covered her as an explosion sounded within the burning building. "You are lucky that was because of the explosion…" She was stopped in mid thought as she felt him nip at her neck. He shouted as she placed a hand in between them and pressed it to his chest, forcing him backward. "Get it through that thick skull of yours, Bakura, I don't want you. Ryou is the one I want and nothing you say or do will change that."
"You say that now. But one day, you will see. You will join me."
"Never!" He laughed at her and returned to the Ring. Ryou stared up at her from the ground and rubbed his head.
"This is getting out of control," he told her softly.
"It will remain that way until he either has all the Items or is destroyed."
"I am beginning to wonder if he can be destroyed."
"He can, and one day I will find a way. Come on. I hear sirens. Let's get around front and check on Yugi and the others." He nodded and allowed her to help him off the ground. They ran around the front in time to see Tristan carrying Yugi as he and Joey burst through the burning doorway.
"Yugi!" Téa shouted as she met them. Zahara noticed the empty feeling inside her seemed to be filled again and she looked to see Yugi clutching the Millennium Puzzle in his hands even in his unconscious state.
My father has met a true guardian in Yugi. He would give up his life to see to it that Yami could still be around to fulfill his destiny. The sign of our blood-line that is for sure, she thought with a grateful smile. She could tell that Yugi would be alright. But looking back into the flames, she was certain this was only the beginning.
"This is Aurora Hart."
"Mother? You probably already know this, but there has been a problem." Aurora sighed on her end of the cell phone.
"Adais and I are on the way to the hospital now."
"Adais will be here, too?"
"Yes, we were in the museum when I sensed the Puzzle being destroyed. We will be inside in just a moment." The door opened and the two stepped out of the vehicle and immediately made their way to the front desk.
"May I help you?"
"I am here to see Yugi Motou," Adais answered. The receptionist tapped some numbers on the computer keyboard and looked up at the screen.
"Yes, he is in room one fifteen. Straight down and to the left."
"Thank you." They quickly made their way down the hall stopping just outside the door as they heard voices.
"Well, the Millennium Puzzle is now safe and sound."
"So are you, Yug," a voice with an accent told him.
"Yeah, how could I ever thank you guys for saving my life back there?" Yugi asked his friends. "You put yourselves in danger to be sure that I would be ok. You're the greatest friends a guy ever had."
"That's what friends are for," came the accented voice.
"Yeah, it's a good thing I spotted him," another male voice added.
"And what about me? Thanks to my brilliant idea we were able to pry the Puzzle off that wall." The other guy laughed.
"Yeah, brilliant. Let's stick the pole in the hole and pull." Aurora recognized her daughter's soft laughter mixed in with the others. She grinned at Adais as they listened to the scuffle playing out in the room.
"Knock it off, you guys," Yugi told them in an effort to bring the peace back into the room. "Or I won't share my hospital food with you."
"You know, in many ways he is a lot like his grandfather," Aurora told her son wistfully.
"Is he?" Adais asked her.
"Yes, he is. Very much so. Always trying to keep the peace. Never giving up, no matter what. And willing to risk it all to help a friend in need." She looked around the corner of the door to see Yugi sitting up in his bed clutching the Millennium Puzzle and watching his friends wrestle around. At the promise of food however, they spun around to look as innocent as they possibly could.
"We'll be good, Yug," Joey promised.
"I'm just glad that we are all together," Yugi said softly, turning to look down at the Puzzle again.
"That's right, friends till da end." Aurora pulled back slightly as Téa stood and headed toward the door. She nodded at the teen but received merely a cold glance as they passed each other.
"What did you do to her?" Adais whispered.
"I didn't do anything," Aurora answered with a smirk. "It was what Yami almost did to me. She seems to think she should be with him. Hates it that he and I appear so close."
"You are tormenting her," Adais teased.
"I am not… exactly," she returned with a soft laugh as they continued into the room. Zahara saw them and stood up sharply from her place by the wall. Her sudden movement brought all eyes to the door.
" Aurora?" Yugi asked before realizing his father stood behind her. "Dad? I didn't know you were back in town." Adais moved toward the bed and hugged his son. Aurora sighed as she watched them together. He really was a great father. His job just kept him away for far too long at a time.
"Yes, Yugi. I am here to help with the Egyptian exhibit to be shown at the museum. In fact, I was there when your friend, Zahara called Ms. Hart to tell her what had happened. She gave me a ride here." Aurora was surprised at how easily the lie passed from her sons lips. She hated it, but knew it would be necessary.
At least for now, she thought. "Yugi, do you feel up to telling what happened?" she asked aloud.
"Yeah, what was Bandit Keith doing in there with you?" Tristan added. Yugi sighed as he began to describe everything he could remember. Keith stealing the Puzzle to lure him into a duel, watching Keith go mad as he insisted there was someone in his head making him do things he did not want to do. The strange voice coming from Keith's lips.
"It was strange watching him, actually. He acted as though he was like a puppet. That someone else had actually been making him do the things he was doing. At one point he asked me what I was doing in that warehouse. Like he didn't believe I was really there and he was dueling me. Then he ran up and shattered the Puzzle. He was about to come after me when Bakura came out of no where and knocked him off the dueling arena and onto the ground where he was out cold," Yugi told them.
"You said Bakura did that?" Zahara asked.
"Yes, he did. Then he helped me to find all the pieces of the puzzle so I could put it together." Yugi looked around. "Where is Bakura anyway?" Zahara gave a half-smile.
"He was being treated for smoke inhalation when I left him. He said he was going to head down to the cafeteria after. The medics didn't believe we came from behind the building and wanted to be sure we weren't in danger. I found him behind the building not long after the fire started. He didn't even know the building was burning."
"Are you sure?" Aurora gave her daughter a searching look.
"Yes, Mother, I am sure." The room tensed between the two women for a moment before calming and getting back to Yugi.
"I am just glad you are all right, son." Adais gave him another hug. "And I see you finally got this old thing of your grandfather's together." Aurora coughed to hide her soft laughter. That remark held two meanings to it that only her family could understand. She caught him looking at her out of the corner of his eyes as he smirked. Yugi looked back and forth between them, trying to figure out the inside joke.
"Yeah, isn't it great!"
"It is."
"Dad? How long are you staying this time?" The room grew silent as Adais hung his head. Joey snatched Yugi's sandwich and Tristan grabbed the jello from Yugi's dinner tray as they left the room to join Téa in the hall. Zahara left as well, headed to the lower level to find Ryou. Aurora coughed softly and also left the two alone.
"I will be staying as long as the exhibit stays here at the museum, which could be a little while. There are more artifacts due to arrive and Miss. Ishtar cannot stay here the entire time the show makes its run."
"Awesome!" Yugi threw his arms around his father's neck and hugged him tightly. "I'm glad you're here. Mom seems to think I am going crazy since I put together the Puzzle, though I can't be sure she isn't entirely wrong about that." Adais smiled.
"Some strange things have been happening, I take it?"
"That's putting it mildly. It's as if everyone wants it no matter what happens as they try to get it. First Pegasus and now this guy controlling Keith. It's kind of scary." Adais patted Yugi's shoulder.
"I know you will be okay. Whatever is happening, you are strong enough to make it through. And you know you are not alone."
"That's right. I have my friends here with me."
"And you have the Puzzle and everything it can give you as well." Yugi gave him a confused look.
"You know about what's inside the puzzle?"
"You forget I can read the hieroglyphics better than your grandpa. He probably didn't even tell you everything on the box that held the pieces. I know about the legend of an Egyptian Pharaoh who was sealed within his Millennium Puzzle in order to protect the world. I also know that he was fated to be released when his power would be needed again. But only one person would be chosen to put the pieces together and bring him out." He looked down at the Puzzle in Yugi's hands. "It is obvious that you were chosen. So if it was true then you have the Pharaoh's spirit near by to help you." Yugi was excited at the fact he finally had someone other than his friends to discuss this with and he knew this time he would not be getting any strange looks from anyone.
"You're right, Dad. There has been a spirit that I have noticed since I put it together. Together, we took down Pegasus. He has been trying to figure out who he is though and why he was sealed inside the Puzzle. Do you know why, Dad?" Adais shook his head.
"Sorry, son, but I haven't been able to uncover anything about the why except that it was to protect the world. Though I would love to one day find out." He knew it was not entirely a lie. Just a slight exaggeration of the truth. "But I do know that if he has indeed been freed than he is grateful to you and will be there to protect you and guide you as best he can." Yugi stared down at the Puzzle and nodded.
"I believe you, Dad," he whispered. Adais stood.
"Now, I will go and see what kind of paperwork I need to figure out and we can see about getting you home to your mother and grandpa."
"That's be great! I can't wait to get out of here."
Yami had been standing outside his soul room as Yugi talked to his father. He watched the man through his hikari's eyes. Something about him intrigued him and peaked his curiosity. He had to admit that was mostly due to the fact that all three of them seemed to have the same hair style. He found that rather odd.
Perhaps we are related in some way, he wondered. He listened as Yugi asked his father about the spirit within the Puzzle. The answer did not do much for his memory, but it was a small start. He now was certain about his connection to Egypt. He just wished he knew more. Silently, he opened the door to his soul room and entered it. The loss of his connection to Yugi due to the strength of the Shadow Magic that had filled that building had weakened him and he was in a great need of rest. He would be of no real use to Yugi as his guardian until he had received that rest. He knew Yugi would be fine in the presence of the man he called his father. So with a click of the door, Yami slipped into the darkness of his room.
ok, my explanation- My internet connection has been screwy for the last 3 days and I have had a hard time getting online to post this. I may actually have to have the modem replaced. The good news I almost have chapter 2 done as well and if my connection stays up I should be able to post that today as well. For the delay I am really sorry. Now for the review comments from chapter 23 of EL2: Returning Spirits
Pastelblue: I am glad you didn't think the last chapter was crappy. I guess I just didn't like the strength of it as much as the last chapter to the first part of this series. Battle City is going to be interesting for me to write as there are only certain instances that can be told by the OC's in this series. The Finals will become more interesting though. And thanks for the 5 second warning (grins), sadly I never learn my lesson (gulps), there will be more (hangs head).
Lady of Perfection and Yami Nefera: I am glad you loved it. and that you seemed to like the pairings that stemmed out of that last chapter- though I did have to go into hiding for a bit (grins). I am back and ready to stir up more trouble (laughs).
Luna Dusk: I am glad you liked it. And don't worry, take your time. It will be here (smiles).
And now I must go and get chapter 2 ready for posting... see you all later!