Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Pharaoh’s Decision ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter Six:

It wasn't long before the whole palace was talking about the game that would be played tomorrow. Everyone was curious as to who the mystery opponent was and why the pharaoh had chosen a commoner to dual for him.

Joey was excited for his friend, but was also a little nervous. He feared if it was true that someone had plans to make an attempt on the pharaoh's life that Yugi's life would also be in danger. Yami assured Joey that he would do everything in his power to assure Yugi's safety, but that did little to alleviate Joey's concerns. Joey watched Yami training Yugi in the ways of dueling for a while before Yugi insisted that Joey find something a little more fun to do then watch him learning to dual. After some convincing Joey left to explore the grounds, via a guided tour by his new friend Tristan.

` ` ` `

With a guard watching her closely Mai left the room to find a quiet place in the garden to pray. They weren't gone for more then an hour before returning to the room, just as it was starting to grow dark outside. As they approached the room Mai noticed the two guards were no longer standing at the door.

"Where are the guards?" Mai asked. The guard shrugged, looking confused. Worried for her friends Mai hurried to the closed door and threw it open.

Mai's eyes widened at the sight before her. Tea and Pebatama were alone in the room, and Tea was pulling a dagger out of Pebatama's lifeless body. Tea's hands were covered in blood and grinning seemingly totally unaware that Mai was standing there. She stared in shock unable to move. It took her a moment to find her voice. "YOU KILLED HER!"

Tea looked over towards the door a look of fear on her face. "No… I just… I…." She stammered.

"YOU'RE THE REAL KILLER AREN'T YOU?" Mai accused.

"No… it wasn't me… it was Seto… not me." Tea insisted looking panic-stricken.

The guard tried to get past Mai when he heard all the commotion, but before he could do anything Mai rushed towards Tea in a blind rage, determined to get revenge for all the girls Tea murdered while pretending to be their friend. It happened so quickly that nobody had time to see it, Tea produced a second knife from her robe and stabbed it Mai's stomach. Mai's eyes widened in shock and pain. Tea's hand was still on the hilt of the knife, pulling it out as Mai's stumbled backwards. Mai pressed her hands to her stomach, feeling the hot blood rushing over them. She stumbled back a couple more paces before collapsing to the ground. Mai was vaguely aware of the guard rushing forward trying to get the knife from Tea only to meet with a quick and bloody end as Tea moved with lightening quick reflex's cutting the guard's aorta

Tea grinned down at Mai. "You're right. I have been the killer all along and had Seto take the fall for all my crimes. Now I will be the one to marry the pharaoh."

Those were the last words Mai heard before she passed into the afterlife.

The sound of clapping from the doorway interrupted Tea's thought.

"What?" Tea turned and looked and saw Pegasus walking towards her. "Oh, it's you."

"Well done." Pegasus clapped his hands together a final time, a twisted smile on his lips.

"I did what you said. Now I get to marry the pharaoh, right?" Tea said.

"Such a conniving little girl. You'd really do anything to get what you want." Pegasus smiled. "Even murder several people and let someone else take the blame."

"So, when is the wedding?" Tea asked insistently.

Pegasus chuckled. "Quite eager to get married aren't you?"

"The sooner I marry him the sooner I have the power of Egypt." Tea reasoned, standing herself up a little straighter.

"Ah, yes the honeymoon when you plan on poisoning the poor unsuspecting pharaoh." Pegasus said.

"That has been the plan from the start." Tea said with a grin.

A noise from near the doorway suddenly caught their attention.

"What was that?" Tea asked nervously.

They both watched the door for moment seeing two people suddenly run past.

"We were overheard." Pegasus said.

"We have to stop them before they tell anyone." Tea stated as if Pegasus hadn't thought of that.

"You have nothing to worry about." Pegasus said. He turned towards Tea; his millennium eye glowed bright for a moment. When the light faded Tea lay lifeless on the floor, her soul having been ripped violently from her body. "Your foolishness will only cost you your soul." Pegasus turned and left the room, hoping to catch whoever had overheard the conversation.

` ` ` ` `

Tristan and Joey ducked down a dark corridor as they ran from Pegasus, coming to a halt as they found it came to a dead end at a window that over looked the back of the gardens.

Joey looked out the window and swore as he saw it was too long of drop to the ground to even consider jumping. "Now what do we do?"

Tristan thought about it for a brief moment. "I have an idea."

"Well, don't keep it to yourself tell me!" Joey said.

"I'll draw his attention and you sneak out of here and go warn the pharaoh." Tristan said.

"Are you insane? Didn't you see what that freak did? If he catches you…" Tristan cut Joey's rant short.

"I know… but the pharaoh must be warned." Tristan said.

Joey rolled his eyes. "You sound like Yugi."

"This is far more serious then telling the pharaoh that Seto returned to the palace. This truly is a life or death situation." Tristan said.

"It's your death if we follow your plan." Joey mumbled.

"Do you got a better plan?" Tristan asked.

Joey was silent for a moment, and they could hear Pegasus growing closer and knew it would be a matter of moments before they were caught. Finally Joey shook his head.

"Then it's my plan we're using." Tristan inched closer the main hallway. "So get ready to run."

Joey nodded and watched as Tristan ran into the hallway. He listened to the conversation that ensued.

"So, you're the little eavesdropper." Pegasus said.

"I know what you are up to and you won't get away with it." Tristan said. He turned and ran down the corridor, hoping that Pegasus would follow an allow Joey to slip away unseen.

Pegasus growled and ran after Tristan. That was the break Joey was waiting for, he glanced to be sure the way was clear and ran out of his hiding place. He prayed the plan would work though at the same time wished they never had to resort to such a drastic plan.

` ` ` `

Joey never turned back as he ran, reaching the doors that lead into the room where the pharaoh was teaching young Yugi all he needed to know for the upcoming dual. His hands just touched the gold door when Marik stepped out of the shadows with the Millennium rod raised and an evil smile on his lips. Joey found himself frozen in place, unable to move or speak.

A moment later Pegasus came running up, face flushed and short of breath. A look of relief spread across his features when he saw Marik standing there.

"Your carelessness nearly ruined everything." Marik said.

"I don't see what you are so worried about. Even if he told the pharaoh there is nothing dear Yami could've done to stop us." Pegasus said.

"Idiot." Marik snarled. "This is no place to talk about it." He turned and began to walk away, followed closely by Joey who walked like a mindless zombie.

Pegasus chuckled slightly at the forced obedience Marik had gained over Joey and began to follow after them.

They walked in silence until they reached Marik's quarters where they could talk without fear of being overheard by those who were loyal to the pharaoh.

"The powers of the millennium items are simply amazing." Pegasus said. "I always thought they were just symbols of power."

"That's because you are a fool. I have known they held powers since I was young child."

"And just how have you known this for so long? You just recently acquired the rod, so how could you know it had powers?" Pegasus asked, looking highly confused.

Marik grinned slightly. "Because my sister had the millennium necklace and found she could see bits of the future and pieces of the past. Though she chose to keep the secret from the pharaoh and claimed it was her own abilities that allowed her these visions of the future. She only shared this secrets with one other person, me."

"But that's just the necklace? How did you know they all had powers when nobody else knew?"

"If one of the millennium items had power it seemed only reasonable that they all would posses powers. So I began to study more about the origin of the items and the legend behind them. And the more I found out about the more I sought to gain control of all of them."

"All of them?" Pegasus questioned with a laugh. "Isn't that being a little… greedy?"

Marik grinned wickedly. "Not at all. For he who has all seven has the power of the gods."

"And you think everyone is just going to give you their item? Isn't that being a little presumptuous? You only have one item you are far from obtaining all seven."

"I sent a tomb robber to collect the ring from the temple. And though he has not yet returned, as he believes he could possibly wield the power of the ring, I will soon be removing it from his possession." Marik said.

"That would still only be two items." Pegasus pointed out as though Marik didn't realize this.

"No, that would be three." Marik said.

"Are you incapable of counting. The rod and the ring only make two." Pegasus said.

"And the eye makes three." Marik said with an evil grin.

Pegasus's one eye widened slightly. "Are you insane? I am not going to give you my millennium eye."

"Perhaps not willing, but it will be mine." Marik said.

A dark shadow slowly began to fill the room, extinguishing all but the faintest trace of light, as the shadow realm consumed the room.

"Not a chance." Pegasus said. The millennium eye began to glow as he glared at Marik.

Marik raised the rod, the top of the rod glowing brightly as he held it out in front of himself. A beam of golden light shot out from the center of the eye on each of the millennium items. The beams connected with a loud crackling noise and a brilliant flash of light. Both men struggled for dominance in the battle of power, the beams remaining equal for several long moments. Beads of sweat began to form on Pegasus's brow as he struggled to keep focused. Marik appeared unaffected, standing his ground without showing the slightest sign of fatigue. Suddenly, Pegasus felt a searing pain in his side, and from the corner of his good eye he could see Joey standing there with a bloody dagger. The distraction was enough for Pegasus to lose focus, the beam from his eye vanished and the light from the rod struck him. Pegasus screamed in pain as the golden light from the rod consumed him. Pegasus felt like there was a fire deep within him leaving him as though he was being burned from the inside out. Pegasus dropped to the ground, screaming and withering in pain as the fire within burned, and what felt like claws tore at his soul. Then a moment later he went still, his good eyes still open with a glassy empty stare. His soul forever trapped within the millennium eye.

Marik laughed as he walked over to Pegasus's lifeless body, the shadow realm fading with each step he took. "You were a fool to think you could defeat me. My powers exceed even that of the pharaoh." He bent down beside Pegasus and took the dagger from Joey and cut the millennium eye out of the socket. He stood up and tossed the millennium eye up and caught it again with a laugh. "I told you it would be mine." He said before pocketing it. He turned his attention to Joey. "Well, my little mind controlled slave I have something else for you to do for me." Marik said before laughing insanely.

` ` ` `

With Marik in control of his body Joey walked along the corridors until he reached the door to Isis's chambers. Joey raised his hand and knocked twice on the door. A moment later Isis answered the door. Before she could speak a word Joey raised the dagger and plunged it into Isis's left shoulder.

Isis's eyes widened in shock and pain as stumbled backwards. Her fingers trembled as she raised them to the wound and felt her warm blood. "Why?"

When Joey spoke his voice was not his own, but Marik's. "Because my dear sister you have something that I want."

Isis's eyes widened even further. "Brother?" Cold laughter answered her question. "But… how?"

"The power of the millennium rod. A power that fool Seto was too weak to even know existed. And now I seek to control an even greater power."

"You will not succeed." Isis said in a firm and confident tone.

"You are far too weak to be able to stop me."

"I never should have agreed to help you obtain the rod." Isis said sadly.

"But, you did. You helped me from the very start. You knew of my plans and sought to help me obtain my goal."

"I did not know that you intended to use the rod for nefarious purposes." Isis said.

"Because you are a fool. You were too blind by the love for your brother to see the truth. Even as you helped to eliminate Seto from the picture, planting doubts in the pharaoh's mind about his lover, you thought it was for the best for the good of Egypt."

Isis shook her head, allowing her tears to flow down her cheeks. "I believed in you."

"You would have believed anything that I told you. I made you believe that I was the one truly destined to wield the rod. While in truth I am destined to obtain all seven items and use the power of the gods to control the world."

"No! You will not succeed!" She began to raise her hands towards the millennium necklace, with intent on using it against Joey.

"Farewell, sister."

Joey lunged forward and before Isis could evoke any of the millennium necklace's power and drove the dagger through Isis's heart. The strike of the blade instantly killed her and sealing a part of her soul within the millennium necklace. Joey knelt down beside her fallen body and undid the clasp of the millennium necklace and placed it in his pocket before pulling the dagger out. He stood up slowly, sheathing the dagger, and walking away from her dead body, returning to Marik's chambers to give the millennium necklace to him.

```

Joey was almost back to Marik's chambers when Yugi came rushing over to him. "Joey! Joey! Wait up!"

Joey stopped walking and turned to look at Yugi. "What?" he asked crossly.

"I've been trying to catch up to for a while." Yugi said panting slightly. "I've got so much to tell you."

"I don't have time to listen to your nonsense."

Yugi blinked. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked as he looked at his friend with concern.

"I feel fine."

"You look funny. And your voice sounds all... funny." Yugi said.

"I feel fine."

Yugi looked like he was about to object but shrugged it off. "Did you hear there's been more murders? All those girls are dead and they found Pegasus dead as well. That Seto guy is on a real killing spree, you should be careful. Wicked and gleeful laughter emanated from Joey's mouth, making Yugi's eyes wide in surprise. "What's so funny about people being murdered?"

"I just think it's all rather amusing."

"Amusing? Joey are you sure you're feeling alright?" Yugi asked looking truly concerned.

"I told you I feel fine. Now leave me be." Joey pushed Yugi out of the way and took off at a run down the hall leaving Yugi staring after him.

````

Joey knelt in front of Marik with the millennium necklace on his outstretched palms offered up to Marik.

"For a common mongrel you certainly have proven useful." Marik chuckled as he took the millennium necklace from Joey's hands. "Most useful indeed."

`````

Yami was standing by the window and looking out over the gardens when he heard the door open. He turned to see who was there and surprised to see Yugi standing there. "I thought you were going to spend time with your friend."

"I was going to, but he was acting all strange and then took off running away from me." Yugi said in a sad voice.

"Acting strange?" Yami asked.

"His voice sounded funny and he looked different some how. And then when I told him about all the girls and Pegasus having been murdered by Seto…"

"Seto did not kill them." Yami practically growled as the narrowed his eyes at the youth.

Yugi blinked, slightly taken aback by the pharaoh's sudden harsh tone. "Well... that they have all been murdered. He chuckled and said it was amusing."

"And that is what you consider strange behavior for your friend?"

Yugi nodded. "He would never say something like that. I just don't know what's wrong with him."

Menna rushed into the room before Yami had a chance to say anything else. "Pharaoh… we have discovered two more dead bodies."

Yami paled slightly at the thought of even more death within the palace walls, knowing the real killer was running free and that Seto was being blamed for each of the deaths. "Who has been killed this time?"

"The news bringer, Tristan Sirenput was found dead in a hallway near the room where all the girls had been." Menna said.

"Tristan… Joey and I met him. When I left to come back here before they were together." Yugi said quietly. "Maybe Joey saw something and that's why he's acting all strange."

"Where is your friend Joey?" Menna asked. "I would like to ask him some questions."

"I don't know." Yugi said.

Menna raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

"Who is the other that you found murdered?" Yami asked.

"Isis Inarus." Menna said sadly. "And just as with Pegasus her Millennium item had been stolen."

Yugi wanted to point out that Seto had been trying to obtain the other millennium item at the temple so he could've killed Pegasus and Isis to take theirs. But not wanting to make the pharaoh angry with him again he made a different suggestion. "What about that tomb robber? He took the ring. Maybe he killed them and stole their items."

"If he exists." Menna said.

"What do you mean if he exists? Of course he exists Joey and me saw him in the temple." Yugi said.

"You and your friend also appeared here followed by all this trouble. Perhaps you are in league with the murderer." Menna said.

"I believe that Yugi and his friend are innocent." Yami said firmly.

"Just like you believed Seto was innocent?" Menna questioned.

"Do not question me." Yami said angrily. "You delivered the news you came to deliver so now be gone and solve this crime."

Menna bowed his head. "Very well, Pharaoh." He said before exiting the room.

````

During the dark of the night Bakura used the power of the millennium ring to sneak into the palace. He hurried along the dark corridors wondering what treasures to steal. He turned and corner and almost ran into Marik. Joey stood a few feet behind Marik his eyes blank and sightless.

"Well my little treacherous tomb robber I am surprised to see you here." Marik said.

"The deal is off." Bakura said, grabbing the ring with one hand.

"I assumed as much." Marik chuckled. "Though I have another proposition for you. One that would give you even more power and wealth then one simple millennium item ever could?"

Bakura grinned wickedly. "You have my full attention."

"Once I obtain all seven items I will be able to perform a ritual. One strong enough to imbue us both with the power of the gods."

"And why is that you would be willing to share this great power with me?" Bakura asked skeptically.

"Because, tomb robber, you make a very powerful ally. And together we could do most wondrous things."

Bakura thought about what Marik was saying. He knew that Marik could easily double cross him, but if that happened he would be prepared with a little double cross himself. "Very well. You have a deal."

Marik grinned. "Now here is what you must do for me…" Marik explained the plan to Bakura then sent him away with Joey.

` ` ` `

With the power of the millennium ring and Joey being controlled by the power of the millennium rod it was easy for Bakura and Joey to go unnoticed as they snuck into the pharaoh's chamber. Yami's slumber was not peaceful, though it was a deep sleep making the pharaoh unaware of the intruders in his room. Even in his slumber the millennium puzzle still hung around the young pharaoh's neck.

Bakura stood back, toying with the millennium ring, and evil smile on his face as he watched Joey approach Yami's sleeping form. `This is far too easy. That Marik must be weak if he cannot do this on his own. Which mean it will be that much easier for me to over power him later.'

Joey slowly reached out and grasped the millennium puzzle with both of his hands. The instant his hands touched the puzzle he felt a jolt of energy surge through his body. His eyes cleared and he blinked a couple of times. "Wh…what's going on?"

When the puzzle activated it pulled Yami from his slumber. He grabbed the intruder's wrist even before he opened his eyes. He was surprised when he opened his eyes and found himself staring into the face of Yugi's best friend. Even though he had only met the mad briefly he recognized him instantly. "What are you doing here?" Yami demanded.

"I…I… I don't know." Joey stammered.

"We have come for the millennium puzzle." Bakura said as he stepped out of the shadows and approached the bed.

"You will not be obtaining it." Yami said firmly.

"You're wrong, Pharaoh." He held up the millennium ring laughing evilly as it began to glow, his hair billowing in an unseen wind.

"Tomb robber." Yami growled.

"Very good, Pharaoh." Bakura chuckled as the wind died out. His eyes gleamed wickedly for a moment then everything was plunged in darkness.

A scream pierced through the darkness then all went silent. As the light slowly returned to the room only Joey and Yami remained. The millennium puzzle was still in its rightful place around Yami's neck. And Yami still held on to Joey's wrist with a firm grasp.

"Tell me what you were doing in my chambers attempting to steal the millennium puzzle." Yami ordered.

"I don't know. The last thing I remember…" Joey thought about it for a moment. "I don't know what the last thing I remember is."

The door was suddenly thrown open and the captain of the guards burst into the room, followed closely by two guards. "Pharaoh, we heard a scream…" Menna pulled to a sudden stop and looked at Joey and then Yami. Seeing the dagger sheathed at Joey's side Menna assumed the worse. He drew his sword and rushed forward.

"Wait." Yami ordered, but it was too late to stop Menna's attack.

The sword plunged through Joey's stomach. Joey's eyes widened and he looked down at the wound in shock watching the blood spill from his body as the sword was removed. He blinked a couple of times before slumping over, dead, and falling across Yami's bed.

"Are you alright, Pharaoh?" Menna asked worriedly.

"I am perfectly fine and was in no danger." Yami responded crossly.

"We heard a scream." Menna said.

"It was not me who screamed." Yami said. He glanced at the dead body that lay not only across his bed but across his legs as well. "You murderer an innocent man."

"He… he snuck in here and the only way to by pass the guards would have been through your window… which was thought to be impossible feat." Menna stammered slightly as he spoke, his voice trembling. "He had a dagger…"

"His behavior made me believe he was being controlled by someone. Though now that he is dead we shall never know who was truly behind this attack." Yami shifted out from under the dead weight of Joey's body. "Unless you find the tomb robber that was also in here before you rushed in. The same one who stole the millennium ring."

"The story of the tomb robber was true?" Menna asked.

"Yes. He was the one after the millennium puzzle." Yami said.

"I will have the castle searched." Menna said.

"A wise idea." Yami said. "Now, take his body away. And no one is to whisper a word of his death to his friend Yugi. I will tell him personally."

"Yes, Pharaoh." Menna motioned to the two guards to retrieve the body.

They rushed forward and quickly took the Joey's dead body out of the room. Joey's blood still stained his sheets and it was all that Yami could look at.

"I am sorry, Pharaoh. I truly thought your life was in danger." Menna bowed his head.

"It did appear that way. Though always remember that appearances can be deceiving."

"I will keep that in mind in the future." Menna said. "Shall I send someone in to clean up this mess?"

Yami nodded, and his eyes fixated on the sight of the blood. Even though he hadn't really known Joey, he knew that Joey had been Yugi's best friend, and since he had been starting to consider Yugi a friend Joey's death saddened him. Though that was not what was truly upsetting him about the sight of the blood. It was how quickly the life had been taken that upset him. One moment he had been speaking to Joey the next moment Joey was dead. He couldn't help but think it could've been anyone in the room with him… even Seto, and Menna would not have paused in killing him any more then he did before taking Joey's life. Yami shook his head to clear of the image of it being Seto's dead body draped across his bed instead of Joey and climbed out of the bed. He dressed and moved over to the window, looking out and wondering how it was possible for the two men to have entered his room. He jumped slightly and spun around when he heard the door open. Two young maids entered the room, one carrying a pail of water and one carrying clean silk sheets. Both bowed their heads to the Pharaoh.

"We did not mean to startle you, Pharaoh." The girl carrying the water said.

Yami just gave a small nodded but said nothing. He turned and looked back into the night. There had been so much death lately and he wondered if this is what the warnings had been about and prayed to the gods that the killings would stop before anyone else died. Though a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach told him there was still the danger of many more deaths to come along with the dawn of the new day.