all disclaimers apply

Marik called to his fuzzy little friend and tied a note upon the little creature's collar.

"Go now to sister. Give her this message. Succeed and I'll leave you a special treat when all is done." Marik replied in a hushed whisper as he patted his little mongoose and sent it off on its mission.

"Why am I whispering?" Marik spoke to himself with a hushed giggle. "It's gotta be this place. No matter, more intrigue awaits me." he muttered as he continued on with his discoveries and readings.

Elsewhere...

"Yugi, why the sudden urge to 'hang out' this late with us 'ruffians'?" Joey asked as he ruffled his smaller friend's spikey hair. Tristan nodded in agreement.

"You're not a ruffian Joey and I and the spirit just feel a need to unwind."

"The spirit needs to unwind? Since when?"

"Heheh, Joey, he may be the spirit of an ancient king, but in soul, he's no older than us. Stress and strain can get to him too."

"And three thousand years of transparency." Joey joked.

"He heard that Joey." Yugi mock threatened as Joey coughed and changed the subject.

"So, let's get some burgers first, eh Yuge?"

"Last one there is buying!" Yugi yelled as he already had a decent head start. He needed it afterall. In a few strides his taller friends would be upon him.

Though Joey lost, thanks to a shopping cart Tristan tossed in his path, Yugi still bought for all. Once seated, Yugi noticed one among them was missing.

"Where's Tea?"

"She said somethin' about having to practice some dance routine." Joey replied.

"Oh. Ah well. She's not much for wolfing down burgers anyway. I'll call her later." Yugi commented as he took a big bite of his most favorite food.

"Ooooh, Yugi's gotta girlfriend." Joey teased as he nudged his little buddy.

"I DO NOT!" Yugi protested.

"Maybe he doesn't...but maybe the spirit does?" Tristan threw in for good measure.

"I think it's the other way Tris. Ever notice how Tea gawks whenever Yugi...err Yami duels." Joey added.

"Why is it we backstab whatever friend that isn't present?" Yugi asked wishing the subject changed in case Yami was feeling up to a challenge. There was no need to watch his two best buddies get pummeled in some game against the ancient pharaoh who was simply too perfect at any game of any type, period.

"Yami's present...in spirit." Joey joked.

"So that leaves only Tea." Tristan added.

"Would you like me to call Yami out?" Yugi threatened as he was totally unamused by Joey's poor attempts at jokes.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop. I just couldn't resist that opening you left Yuge."

"You can't resist anything woof for brains." Tristan replied with a smirk. Yugi rolled his eyes. Sometimes he wondered why he hung out with these two goofballs.

"You callin' me a dog, monkeyboy?"

"If the shoe fits, oh wait, you chew shoes."

"WHY YOU----"

Yugi found it time to call Yami out. There was no need for all three of them to be kicked out of Yugi's favorite burger joint. The slight glow of the Millenium Puzzle than hung casually near Yugi's stomach caused both Joey and Tristan to cease in mid-action. They knew what Yugi had just done. While they couldn't see Yami, they could tell by Yugi's composure whenever the ancient spirit was in charge of the body. Now was not a time to screw around. The once king did not tolerate hoodlums in his presence and he usually made that known to said hoodlums.

"Sorry Yami...got a bit carried away there."

"Yeah me too."

Yami didn't have to say a single word to reign the two boys back in line. His natural regal presence simply commanded it. Yami eyed the meal Yugi had been eating. Usually when the ancient ruler had command of the body during a meal time, he preferred a more healthy diet. It was better for the body and maximized the body's energy potential. Upon this plate was grease, fat, more grease, and other junk that he couldn't even fathom inputting into the body. It was best the original owner of the body finished his meal of choice.

"While it is a pleasure dining with you two, I think I'll allow Yugi to finish his meal now." Yami said politely as he silently called inwardly and switched places once again.

"Hey, Yugi's back." Joey remarked stupidly.

"Welcome back from your trip." Tristan added for further stupidity.

Yugi rolled his eyes and bit into his juicy burger once again while grabbing a handful of french fries to follow soon after.

Moments later two smaller hoodlums popped into the burger joint. It was Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood.

"Ooooh, c'mon Yugi, we gotta pick on those two. It's too hard to resist!" Joey said as he began drooling at the prospect of getting even for those two's trouble-causing ways.

"I'm not getting involved Joey. You do what you want." Yugi said in a sigh of defeat.

"Thanks Yuge. C'mon Tristan, we got a flea and a skink to chase outta here."

"I'm all for that. Sorry Yugi. It has to be done."

Yugi shooed the two off with a wave of his hand as he casually continued his meal alone. Well, not exactly alone.

//Those two will be the death of you aibou.// Yami chuckled.

/They will be if they get me banned from every burger joint in Japan!/

//Those things aren't good for you anyway.//

/Don't you start too Yami./

//Sorry aibou. I just don't see what you find enticing in those things. Your mother cooks a more healthy hamburger than this place...fresh lettuce, tomatoes, grease drained and strained from the beef...//

/That's why these here taste so good! It's the bad stuff that always tastes so good./

//Perhaps there are some modern concepts I'll never fully comprehend.// Yami replied as he found the debate becoming circular and therefore no need to continue it further.

In moments, after the two annoying little troublemakers were chased out, Joey and Tristan returned and wolfed down more of their now cold meals. Yugi just watched in amazement. Granted these two were once bullies or members of gangs, but still, they behaviors baffled naive, innocent Yugi. Still, fun was fun and the two were always good at keeping Yugi's mind (and perhaps, Yami's) off more serious matters, if only for a short while.

Back in Egypt...

Marik swore yet again as his torches and candles began to wane. He needed more oil and wax, but he'd only brought just so much. He was so absorbed in his work, that he had no idea exactly how long he'd been in the tomb. When he was absorbed in something, he lost all track of time. Hours could be minutes, Days could be hours. It mattered not to him. This was something his sister often ranted and lectured about to him.

Isis followed Nastasi to the place where her brother continued to remain. She cursed inwardly as she snaked through the sand and dirt on her belly. "An occupation for snakes, not one such as I." she muttered as she squeezed out of the final tunnel and into the vast chamber opening. Dimly lit by Marik's torchlight, she scanned the room before seeking out her brother. Nastasi twitched and chittered, urging her forward, but she ignored the little furry creature. She was taken aback by the writings and renderings upon the walls.

When Nastasi returned to Marik, he knew his sister had arrived. Only then did he step away from his readings so he could welcome her to his findings.

"Dear sister, I have found some most interesting facts in this place."

"Is this the tomb of the Nameless Pharaoh's queen?"

"Part of it anyway. But there's a twist to that sister. Come, I have found an ante-chamber and I believe it will blow your mind. It did mine!" Marik continued excitedly as he grabbed his sister's hand and anxiously led her to the newly discovered corridor.

"But how did you find her---"

"All answers in due time sister. I want to show you something first."

Ancient Egypt...

Anhur followed the guards into the Palace without struggle. He took in every corridor, every sculpture, every inch of the palace he passed by and through. It was indeed a magnificant place, fit for a king. Within moments he was escorted into the grand throne room. Ceilings that sprawled to the skies gave the room the open air of grandeur. Beautiful gold laden sculptures guarded the colorful walls. As he drew nearer to the throne where the pharaoh himself sat, he noticed a huge tablet above the throne itself. It depicted two beings and duel creatures. The one being clearly represented the current pharaoh himself, when he was younger and a high priest. His white dragon above him, poised for battle. The other being...could only be that of the pharaoh Atemu. And above him...the Dark Magician. Regardless of what he was now present for, all answers to his past, present, and future were in this very building! And eerily, it felt like home.

He approached and kneeled in courtesy and respect to the pharaoh. It was best to play into the king's hand until more information for being in his presence was released. He would not gaze upon the king nor speak until asked to do so by the pharaoh himself.

He heard the pharaoh stand. His tall, slender, yet built form created an imposing image indeed. "You are Anhur, correct?" the king spoke.

"Yes, my pharaoh."

"I have little time or patience so I will get straight to the reason I called you here. I have heard rumors of a boy in the village who is mastering the art of dueling. Am I correct in my assumption of it being you?"

"Yes, my pharaoh. I am interested in gaming in general and the greatest game of all is dueling in the dark games."

The pharaoh smirked with pride as the dark games were indeed the greatest of all games. "So it seems." Pharaoh Set replied softly as he drew closer to the young man still kneeling before him. Anhur had yet to look at the king. Pharaoh Set kneeled down to the boy's level. From this point, Anhur could see the golden Millenium Puzzle that hung from the king's neck. Suddenly, yet gently a cold, golden shaft lifted his head upward from his chin. Anhur now found his eyes onto the sapphire blues of the king's!

Pharaoh Set looked the young man over. There was something about his eyes that reminded him of days gone by. He then ran a hand through Anhur's hair, looking carefully at some of the unique strands that were now lining the boy's hair. Spikey points defied the king's touch and continued to stand upward or outward proudly.

"You remind me a lot of my cousin, the late Pharaoh Atemu, boy. Do you know who he was?" Pharaoh Set whispered.

"I know of him your highness, from the tales and stories told in the village." Anhur replied vaguely. He wasn't sure what the king was reaching for, but it was best kept out of grasp. Anhur would not give any more information than necessary. He also didn't want the king to know that he was educated beyond his status of peasant. He could read, write, and do many other things that mere peasants weren't really supposed to know or do.

"I see. Have you heard from these tales in the village, something about a jackal that roams it by night and preys upon my men and my name?" Pharaoh Set continued, a hint of venom touching upon his words.

"A jackal? I do not know of--"

"Are you aware of the penalty of lying boy?" the king interrupted. "You know punishment for a liar is to never speak again for he has no tongue."

"Yes my pharaoh." Anhur replied nervously. In truth, he wasn't nervous. He didn't fear the king whatsoever. But, he had to play the king's game...for now as his own hand wasn't quite ready yet. He needed a trump card...and it hadn't revealed itself just yet.

"You will tell me or my guards if you do hear of this jackal correct?"

"Yes my pharaoh."

"Go then. If I hear your dueling skills are becoming something worth my while, perhaps a duel someday?" Pharaoh Set replied as he removed the Millenium Rod from the boy's chin and allowed the boy's head to drop from his view once again.

"Thank you my pharaoh."

"Be out with you then." the king said as he stood and returned to his place upon the throne. The guards then grabbed young Anhur and escorted him out of the throne room and the palace. He was let free once outside of the palace walls.

Once a certain distance away from the palace, Anhur turned and glaced back upon it. "You will get your duel one day king and you will learn what defeat feels like." Anhur muttered. As he turned to enter the street towards home, he smacked into another boy who bore a cloak of blood red color. The boy was only a few years younger than himself but already stood the same height as Anhur. Clearly this boy had at least one parent who was rather tall. His deep blue eyes shimmered in the firelight.

"You may have duped my father, but I am not so easily fooled...JACKAL." the boy hissed, his voice cracking slightly as manhood was just starting to take hold of the boy. "What's the matter, didn't think another could master the art of disguise and deceit as well as you? I know who you are. I know who you think you are. You will not best me...EVER! The throne is mine to claim after my father and I will not let some bastard whelp stand in my way." the boy threatened in a low hushed tone. He too, did not wish to make a scene and be found out.

"I am more legit than you will ever be, prince. But, I have no quarrel with you. If you wish to make it so, then so be it, but I warn you, do not meddle in the affairs of something beyond your grasp."

"Bold words from a mere...peasant. I could throw you in prison merely for disliking your face. You know that don't you?"

"Then you would be a coward, prince...unable to fight his own battles and having to take the easy way out just to win."

"No, I will wait. I will master the gods and watch in amusement as you feel the true power of my family."

"Not even your father has mastered all three gods prince. Only the god, Obelisk answers to his hail...and his White Dragon. Why is that prince? If the stories are true, Pharaoh Atemu mastered them all. And not only that, he fused the three gods into one mighty form. Why has your so-called family failed to accomplish the same?"

"There has not been a need worthy of such fool."

"Yes, there has. Many innocent people died in the outlying villages when the outer borders collapsed to invaders from the north and west. Why didn't the gods protect our people? Not even his White Dragon could save all. Where were the gods prince? Answer that."

"BAH! I do not have time for you any longer! But, know this, I know who you are. I will not bother the king with such trivial matters though. I will take care of street rats such as yourself on my own and prove to my father that I am capable of becoming the next pharaoh of this kingdom."

"You can try prince. You can try." Anhur replied with a half bow as he spun and disappeared into the shadows, leaving a sputtering prince in his wake. In truth, Anhur was slightly bothered by the prince knowing so much so soon. If he couldn't master his game and plans soon, all could unravel before even being entwined. WIth a new fork in the fray, he had to work quicker and get information sooner.

Anhur returned home and was welcomed by his relieved step-parents. He assured them that nothing was wrong and that the king was only seeking information about some villager. But, his stepmom knew better. Something in Anhur's eyes told her that all was not well and things were going to get worse before better. Perhaps this was Anhur's destiny however. She could not stand in the way.

to be continued...