Latest Revision: 11/05/14

Author's Note: Welcome to the first chapter of this fanfiction! Now I hope you brought your seatbelts - because this ride will be a bumpy one! This was the first fanfiction I ever started writing - even the first piece of writing I ever worked on! At first it was very sketchy, but I've decided to rewrite all the chapters (or most of them) to make them more interesting and better to read. Thank you so much for choosing this story to read. I hope you like it! =D

~*Sarah Wind, Guardian of the Pharaoh, had been trapped in the Dungeons in the Sky for five millennia, awaiting the time of her arrival. Both she and the Pharaoh are now free—free to save the world from an evil that has threatened to come back. Will friendships really conquer? How will the Guardian and Pharaoh get along when the King has lost his memory? Will the evil be any stronger? Ancient Egypt is their past, but what of their future?*~

Ready for the ride of a lifetime? Let's take a seat and read to find the answers.

Disclaimer of Yu-Gi-Oh!. Fan fiction, and I am getting NO money out of it either. Thanks. ^^

Duelist Kingdom - The Beginning of a New Story - Chapter 1

The sky was cloudless on the day I was resurrected. Rays of sunlight washed over the pyramids and sand filled land. Ruins of the once known Ancient Egypt now stood. There were no crowded markets and the tombs were as silent as though death was still lurking about. A lot has changed after five thousand years, but I hoped that I didn't. I needed to be as strong as I was before if the Pharaoh was to be reborn, and to do that, I needed to remember all of my old skills—both fighting skills and magic skills—hand -to-hand combat, wielding any weapon to my advantage, and summing magical energy to my fingertips. The art of mystics, however, required the consumption of a lot of my energy, and so I always had to be careful. All of these skills were necessary in order for me to help protect the Pharaoh. That was my duty after all.

My name is Sarah Wind. From the moment I finished training in the subject of battle to this day, almost five thousand years later, I am known as the Pharaoh's Guardian. I was given the job after my caretaker, Isis, proposed that I would be the right person for it. She had… a sort of knowledge about these things. She thought I had what it took to be Guardian, a personal warrior, for the Pharaoh of our time. Blood battles were common. The rage for power was almost infinite—it seemed like it would never end. Hence why the Pharaoh's Court gave me the job of being Guardian, after I passed their examinations.

At this moment, my body was finally receiving my long, awaited soul. I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time. That was because my soul was imprisoned in a crystal. The Egyptian Gods kept the crystal until my time to be reborn arrived. The spell was called Dungeon in the Sky. Now, the crystal began to shatter, and without eyes to see, I didn't really know where I was going. But I could assume.

As the little glass pieces of the Dungeon withered away into the wind, my soul fell from the sky and drifted over the ruins and hills of sand before floating over to a little dune and disappearing into it.

It was dark in the ancient caverns of Egypt. The blanket of desert sand looked like little diamonds as they sparkled under the sun, hiding what lay beneath. As my soul made it past the entrance - a long, narrow hall - it flew into a room with cracked, clay walls. There was a sarcophagus sitting in the middle - a simple, rectangular box with no design or engravings.

My soul shifted a bit in the air before continuing its journey through the lid of the case in which my body was stored. It wouldn't be a mummified body at all - but the same body I had from five thousand years ago - exactly how it was back then. It was all because of a spell that preserved it.

The little blob of light lightened up the small space for the first time in millennia. Then it descended, deep into my chest, and locked into my heart.

My eyes slowly opened, and I took my first deep breath while I curiously scanned the area. I was a bit confused as to why it was so dark. Maybe my eyes were still closed. I rose a steady hand and gently touched my fingers to my eyelids. No… they were open. But, why was it so dark? (I was momentarily disoriented. It's been about five thousand years.)

"Mm… could it have been the wrong time?" I asked the air. I was just raising my head, so I could sit up and think, when suddenly—

"... Ow…"

— it hit a slab. I laid back down and rubbed the small bump on my head for a little while, quietly groaning in pain. What in Ra's name was that? Where was I to begin with? It took me a minute, but I finally figured it out after much deliberation, while laying there in the dark by myself.

"Oh, right..." I said with a murmur, realizing that it was the beginning of the prophecy, if I was where I thought I was. "If I have to fulfill the prophecy, I need to start from where I left off. Where was I last time… Oh…" I blinked into the darkness as I came to sudden realization.

"Oh my gods... I'm in my own crypt!"

After that small moment, I managed to calm myself down long enough to clear things up. When everything came at me in a rush, I thought it would be a good idea if I tried getting out first. I lodged my feet into the bottom corners of the sarcophagus and placed my palms onto the underside of the slab. With all my might, I tried pushing the lid forward, but to no avail. By body was still stiff from sleeping for so long.

"Come on…" I said, gritting my teeth. "Gotta try… harder…"

The slab moved a bit. A second later, it moved some more. I used the last of my strength, making the muscles in my arms pull from the heaviness of the stone slab above me, and pushed it all the way off, knocking it over the side. It landed with a heavy thump, blowing dust in its wake. There was some more darkness entering my eyes instead of light as I finally sat up, glad I wasn't going to hit another wall. I squinted into my surroundings, trying to see as much as I could. There was a small glimmer of sunlight coming from somewhere but I didn't have a clue about its source. With that small amount of light, I was able to see the bronze room around me. I thought it was nice. I knew being the Pharaoh's Guardian was an honour, and maybe I should get somewhat of gold in here, but Isis, my caretaker, knew me better. She knew I wouldn't have liked that. I wasn't considered equal to the Pharaoh. I was his shield... I could never be on the same level.

Pushing that thought to the back of my mind, I tried looking for the exit. I slowly removed myself from the sarcophagus and, without closing the lid, walked to the nearest wall. I thought that maybe I should let myself be known. Running my hands along the wall for guidance, I came to a turn and followed it into the short, narrow hall my soul was flying through earlier. It grew smaller as I reached its end, the sunlight from outside shining through it, piercing the darkness and leaving the doorway aglow.

My heart now pumping a bit faster in excitement - I now know it's working fine - I strode over to the small arch and peeked through it, immediately regretting so because of the light now shooting into my eyes. I shielded them with my arm and now got a view of what I was wearing. It was the clothes I would wear under an armour, kind of like undergarments or something like that.

I was wearing a black, sleeveless linen shirt over black shorts. I know… why black in the middle of Egypt? Aren't I melting? Well, to be honest, not really. I've adapted to these surroundings so I wasn't really bothered by the heat. In fact, it seemed like home. I breathed in the fresh air, the first of many breaths I will hopefully take after being awakened, and sighed contentedly.

"I missed you sun," I smiled, talking to the star above me. Now setting my amber eyes down at the landscape, I found myself on the deep side of a sand dune. I guess this was how my body was kept hidden from intruders. I noticed a small structure of what looked like a temple that was situated a few yards away. It was the only structure I could see. Perhaps I should start there. Glancing back up at the sky once more, I gave the sun a strong salute, then began heading for the building.

I stood before the temple and wondered why it was the only relic left untouched. I think I remember seeing it back in my past. Maybe it was supposed to help with the prophecy? I wouldn't know until I tried going in. So, taking a deep breath, I walked through the stone archway and let myself in.

Scanning over the empty room inside, I was a little confused. I thought there would be someone living here. Why else would this temple still be standing in the middle of all the ruins? There was a well, or what was left of it, just a little ways away from where I was standing. My feet took me right to it and I gazed down, trying to find the end, but finding it to be unsuccessful. It looked like it went on forever. Just like my life if I didn't get an understanding of what to do now.

"You're here," a voice suddenly said from behind me. My body tensed and my shoulders squared. How did I remember this voice so quickly? It sounded familiar… almost like…

I turned around, slowly, and found my scarlet eyes locked onto some ocean blue ones. They looked so familiar… it couldn't be…

"… Isis?" I asked hesitantly, my voice filled with curiosity and confusion, and now it seemed like my eyes would soon fill with tears. How was Isis here? Was she supposed to be resurrected too?

But soon the stranger's eyes saddened and she shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "But I am not your original caretaker. I am her reincarnation."

My heart dropped but it still stayed somewhat at a normal pace. I raced towards the Egyptian-clothed woman and hugged her tightly, trying to feel something similar between my caretaker and her. It couldn't have been a coincidence that they looked the same. There was something familiar… I think it was the way her heart was beating next to my ear.

"My name is Ishizu," she said, placing a soothing hand on my head. The tears I was holding fell down my cheeks from complete bliss. It felt so good to feel warmth again after sitting in the cold for thousands of years. I wasn't all alone anymore.

"Ishizu…" I tried saying the name with my own tongue. It seemed exotic, like a rare flower, but I wasn't sure of its meaning. I detached myself from her and bowed my head. "I'm sorry," I said sadly. "I just… you remind me so much of her…"

"I understand," she said. "You miss your original caretaker deeply."

I nodded, still looking at my feet.

"Do not worry," she assured me, and I looked up to see her pointing at her chest. "She is always in your heart, and if you ever need anything… tell me. I will be more than happy to help."

I nodded again. "Thank you."

"Now then," she said. "My name is Ishizu Ishtar. My family and I have been the Pharaoh's tomb keepers, and for the past five millennia, we have been keeping guard of his resting place until his return. Yours as well."

I was speaking to a descendant of Isis' who provided for the Pharaoh and me until we returned. I couldn't believe generations of the same family was taking care of us. I bowed, this time of respect. "I am very grateful, and I speak for the Pharaoh as well. We appreciate the hard work you put into helping us. Thank you."

"We are glad we could help," said Ishizu with a gentle smile.

I looked up at her and smiled as well. Then I frowned, remembering my manners. "I should probably introduce myself as well… but I seemed to have forgotten my name."

Ishizu blinked. "Your soul reconnected to your body only mere moments ago. It will most likely take some time for the connections to your memories. You should be able to remember everything soon. It has been five thousand years, after all. It will take some time in getting used to."

I nodded, a little hesitant. It was such an odd feeling. Here I was, back in the world I loved, but I couldn't help feel a little out of place. There was so much going on and so much to do, but I was disoriented, forgetting important details like my own name. I was sure I knew who I was when I was in the Dungeon, but I seemed to have forgotten everything in such a small journey.

"Sarah," I said suddenly. Then I blinked as Ishizu gazed at me intently. I had no idea where that came from, but promptly after my little outburst, my mind slowly began to fill the many gaps in my memory with a variety of little facts. Perhaps this was what she meant by remembering everything soon. "My name is Sarah…"

Ishizu smiled. "It is very nice to meet you."

Just a little while ago, I felt like I didn't belong, but after remembering my name and who I was and where I came from, I felt like how I used to: ready to serve as a Guardian for the Pharaoh.

"It's nice to meet you too…"

Ishizu guided me over to a large, stone block. We both took a seat next to each other.

"Has it all come back now?"

I slowly nodded. "I believe so," I said. "My name is Sarah Wind… I'm the Guardian of the Pharaoh…" Suddenly I remembered his face and I held my head to keep it from overwhelming everything else. "I… had a past… a family… I think I remember it all now…"

The elder nodded. "I'm glad it took less time than I anticipated. It should mean you will be back to your prime condition in no time."

"I hope so..."

"Do you recall the prophecy?"

I navigated slowly through my mind, trying to find where that information was stored. "Something happened..." I swallowed hard, watching the small movie of that fateful day play in my eyes in rapid little images. My chest tightened uncomfortably. "And… I was told to prepare for the future. No one could solve the Millennium Puzzle… so we had to wait until someone could. We opened an ancient spell book… found a spell that suspended a body until a trigger was released… in this case... my soul would return to my body when the Millennium Puzzle was solved. The evil that was trapped would also be reborn along with the Pharaoh. We couldn't defeat him last time... so we've been given a second chance..."

Ishizu nodded. Her eyes sooned saddened. "However, you do know that there is a slight chance he will not remember anything about himself or his past, yes?"

The tightening in my chest grew even more uncomfortable. Slowly, I nodded. "When the Pharaoh's Royal Court and I had gone over possible remedies and spoke about consequences we happened to come across the fact that perhaps the shock of his soul leaving his body will cause memory loss..."

"There is a larger chance of that happening."

I slowly nodded again. "I know... I just hope he'll be alright..."

Ishizu gave me a gentle pat on the back. "That faith is important. I'm sure that, whatever the outcome turns out to be, the two of you will be able to solve the problems of your world together."

The thought of being by the Pharaoh's side again made me smile. "Thank you."

With a nod, I was greeted by a glimmer. I looked down at her hands to see what it was when my heart nearly stopped in its tracks. In her palm was a heart-shaped locket with the Eye of Ra in its centre. A golden chain graced Ishizu's fingers as she held it up for me to see. It almost looked foreign to me, after all this time…

"How did…"

Ishizu showed the smallest hints of a smile. "This is yours, I presume?"

Slowly, mesmerized by the oddly familiar object in her hand, I grasped the golden chain and held the locket up against the sunlight to get a better look. The gold shone under the rays of light and the locket glowed in my hands. I felt its familiar power course through my fingers and my slow mind began to race. All the knowledge of the ancient past flooded my memory and I felt my body grow stronger. It was as though the locket revitalized my body to its previous stature, the one of energy and fast reflexes that I had before I was sealed away. After being reborn, I had felt nothing but fatigue. Now it was as though I had woken up from a dream. I became as confident as I was before.

Ishizu's full smile emerged from hiding. "The colour is returning to your eyes," she said gently.

I looked up at her and returned her smile. "Thank you…"

She helped clasp the chain behind my neck, and as the locket itself rested upon my collarbone, I felt the warmth from it spreading to the rest of my body. Having it around my neck once more gave me reassurance that I still had some power within me to help the Pharaoh. Although the glow died down, it was still warm.

"I have heard that in some cases familiar objects assist in memory loss," said Ishizu. "It has been five millennia since you have walked in your own body and your mind must be trying its best to wake up. As soon as you held your Millennium Locket, a familiar object, your mind began regaining memories that were linked to it which in turn were linked to other memories. Most of it should be back but… others…"

I turned to Ishizu, looking at her with questionable eyes. "Will I not remember certain things…?"

Ishizu looked down. "This is simply a hunch, but… I believe that there may be a few memories you will regain once you and the Pharaoh are reunited. You may remember them at the same time."

I felt my knees weaken. "So… once I feel like I'm forgetting something… I will know that the Pharaoh really has lost his memory…"

Ishizu nodded.

It hurt. Something inside my chest hurt. At least I knew my body was responding, but… knowing that the Pharaoh could lose his memory was slowly destroying me. The years we spent together becoming good friends would be forgotten. He wouldn't even remember who I was. How would I approach him once we saw each other again? How would I explain that we were friends - close friends even?

I couldn't. It wouldn't feel the same.

Once again, I felt the same pain I felt when I lost my family - that heart wrenching emotion of sadness that became so volatile it burned through my heart. I could feel my chest growing hot.

I felt Ishizu's hand on mine and felt my chest heave, taking a deep breath. Perhaps my mind was telling my body to keep calm. There was a chance of that happening, and even if it happened, I shouldn't give up. As much chance as there was for the Pharaoh to lose his memory, there was just as much chance in us becoming close friends again.

The burning within my chest slowly disappeared and my lungs filled with air. I felt the same determination seep through my skin as from five millennia ago. No matter what the situation became, I couldn't lose focus of our mission. Fate had reasons for what it chooses. It was simply our duty to find out why.

"I am his Guardian…" I said quietly. "I cannot let him down. We must defeat the evil we have been reborn to defeat. Perhaps I can build a new friendship between us."

I felt Ishizu's hand rubbing my back. "I realize how tough it must be," she said kindly. "You know in your heart that you and the Pharaoh were not only King and Guardian but also friends. Although he may not remember you quickly, it might take his mind some time before he realizes who you really are. You seem to have a positive attitude about the situation so I hope I can count on you to do your duty as Guardian."

I gave her a solid nod. "Yes."

"Good. When you and the Pharaoh work together, you are a strong team. I have heard many stories and legends that were passed down from generation to generation in my family. They spoke of the bravery the two of you had throughout your years. No matter how terrible situations had become, you two found a way to be strong. You are both fighters, and I know that no matter what happens in this new life, you will both solve the problems of your world together."

There was a drop of water on my cheek that I felt only after Ishizu had spoken. Realizing it was a tear that had escaped, I wiped it away and looked down. Her words gave me courage. I gave her a quiet nod.

"You've… heard stories?"

Ishizu nodded. "Indeed," she replied. "We were told all about the individuals of whom we were supposed to watch over. Surely you were there when the Court planned it all out?"

"I know I was there… when we asked for a family to watch over our tombs until our return… but I can't seem to recall any of the preparations we've made…"

"Perhaps those memories will show up soon. As I have said before, your mind is still getting used to your body. Some memories will take their time in returning."

A small sigh escaped my lips. "... At least I will now know what the Pharaoh must be feeling…"

"Sarah…"

He must be feeling as confused as I was feeling empty. There were many holes in my memory. I could recall my childhood, my family, how I became the Guardian, and the years I've spent with the Pharaoh, but I couldn't remember some of the preparations we've made and details of the evil we had locked away. I hope Ishizu was right…. I hope our memories returned soon.

"You're right… I have to be strong…"

"You will do well. Just be yourself."

I nodded.

"There are others things I need to discuss with you as well. My family watched over not only your tombs but two Millennium Items as well."

As soon as I looked up at her, I noticed her hand by her neck. The Millennium Necklace rested upon her collarbone. It shone just as it did when Isis wore it all those years ago, and I found my breath caught in my throat.

"I remember that part…" I said, gazing upon the Item. "We gave the Millennium Necklace to your family to watch over…

"But what was the second Item?"

"After the end of his reign, Priest Seto gave us his Millennium Rod. He didn't want the Millennium Items falling into anyone's hands ever again."

Priest Seto… Regardless of his stern appearance, he was always caring, deep down.

"I see… I hope they haven't caused much trouble…"

Ishizu took a moment before shaking her head. "No… it's alright. Our strength comes from our ancestors. We watched over the Items as we have watched over your tombs: with utmost care."

"Thank you very much… I get the feeling that no matter how much we might think this is our fight, our destiny, the Pharaoh and I won't be able to get very far without the help of our friends. I hope you know we appreciate everything you're doing for us."

"That isn't all."

"..."

Ishizu smiled, recognizing the gratitude and saying a quiet "You're welcome". "I am meant to be your caretaker in this world, Sarah. You will need a figure you can go back to, and that figure will be me."

I gazed at Ishizu as though I had met Isis all over again. Just like Isis, Ishizu was willing to take me in when I had no one else to go to.

I found my arms around her again, hugging her tightly. She rested her hand on my head. I realized that I wasn't a complete adult yet. I still required a loving touch to remind me that I wasn't alone. I was so thankful that I could cry. She has helped us so much, I could never thank her enough.

"Thank you… so very much…"

"You will never be alone, Sarah. Know that you can always come to me whenever you need anything, alright?"

I nodded. "Alright…"

"Good." Ishizu smiled.

"The Pharaoh is waiting."

I should have jumped up at the thought of having to do my duty as Guardian but I couldn't bring myself to it all of a sudden. I felt quite weary as though I had carried a large weight up a flight of stairs. Trying to get up, I found that I used the block we were sitting on as support. Ishizu noticed.

"You should try to get used to the world first," she suggested. "If you cannot help yourself, then you will not be fit to help the Pharaoh."

I nodded. "I'll just… think over there…" Slowly, I made my way to the one stair that was in front of the broken down temple and took a seat. It overlooked the sand dunes and setting sun. The wonderful breeze washed over my body, cooling it and cleansing my lungs as I breathed it in. I leaned my back against a broken wall and felt my eyelids grow heavy. I was going to take a nap first thing? Perhaps later on Ishizu will give me the details about the Pharaoh's whereabouts.

He must really be waiting.

But I needed to take in the world. My body had to get used to breathing first. I had to learn how to walk again before I could run to the Pharaoh's side.

I couldn't believe it. I was back in the world. It just seemed so surreal that the time had finally come after being trapped for five thousand years.

Author's Note: I feel so much more confident with this chapter now! I know me changing things around is getting a little confusing, but if you're a reader from before I made this change, you found this stuff out later on in the series as you kept reading, and for readers who have just begun this journey, you found out earlier than most. The story and plot will always be the same - the only thing I might ever change are either grammatical errors or the order in which I put everything (and I'm pretty sure this is the last time I will do the second point). I won't add something new in previous chapters because that just won't be fair. I hope you liked the beginning! Personally, this made a lot more sense than the previous first chapter. This one was a lot slower, it didn't veer off course, and Sarah didn't leave so quickly and unnaturally. I hope you agree! Reviews are appreciated! Again, thank you very much!

~xyugiohluvrx