Chapter 18: The Sun God's Return The Sun God's Return

A bright light emanating from the Winged Dragon of Ra engulfed Lord Ra, Zia, and eventually the dragon itself. Lord Ra began to crumble, Mahaad stared in shock his mouth agape in awe, as the god began to crumble in front of him. His ears fell off and crumbled to dust, and slowly he started turning into sand. "What is happening?!" Sadie demanded, panic lacing her voice. Yugi narrowed his eyes critically, thinking hard.

Bes grunted in surprise. "This is happening faster than usual, he noted.

Sadie looked at him on shock. "This has happened before?!" She looked completely bewildered as she shook her head.

Bes chuckled at her expression. "Yes, many times. All the gods took their turns guarding the solar barque in the ancient days. The transformation is almost complete. Look," he pointed at Zia.

Carter had been so focused at what had happened to Lord Ra that he hadn't been paying attention to Zia. As the light focused more on Zia, the Dragon turned into a steak of light and shot at Zia, who welcomed it with open arms. She absorbed the energy and Carter noticed the scarab was gone.

Zia flashed Carter a smile. She looked immensely pleased. When she spoke her voice was rich and deep echoing through the Duat. "I see, it is all about balance," she laughed in delight. "I am reborn at last! Carter and Sadie you were right to help me in my quest for rebirth. I am reborn through Zia's compassion. I've forgotten what is like to be young and powerful."

At this Mahaad overcame his initial shock and threw himself to the floor in full prostration. Yugi quickly knelt beside Mahaad as well.

Carter stepped back a little repulsed by Zia addressing herself in third person and speaking like a man. Sadie lowered her vision in the Duat and she saw the image of Lord Ra in Egyptian armor and kilt superimposed on top of Zia in her cream colored robes. He was still old and bald but he was muscular now.

Bes knelt, " My Lord Ra," he greeted. Mahaaes knelt on the other side of Mahaad, while Sobek snapped to attention at the bow. "Ah my little friend. Rise it is good to see you," Ra ruffled Bes' hair. The dwarf god rose. "I knew you would return Lord Ra," Sobek said. "You would eat me for dinner if you thought you could get away with it. Have Horus and Isis been keeping you in line?" Ra asked him. "Yes, my king," he replied uneasily, as he shifted his weight between his feet.

Ra turned to Mahaaes. "Mahaaes, rise my friend. It has certainly been awhile." He waited while the god of war stood.

Ra looked down at Mahaad and Yugi. "And I see your charge Mahaad is here, excellent. We will need his help."

Ra turned to face Yugi. "Now, this is the boy that bears the spirit of the Pharaoh. Rise young prince." Yugi shakily got it his feet.

"You may rise as well priest," Ra said addressing Mahaad. The magician rose and kept his gaze on the ground at his feet. If Yami ever made him feel uncomfortable, Ra was much worse.

"Are we approaching sunrise?" Ra asked. Sobek pointed to the horizon with his long spear. "Yes, my king," he replied. There was light at the end of the tunnel that led out of the Duat. The exit gates were flanked by full sized statues of Ra. The river poured out into the mortal world below, turning into mist as it fell. "Guide us to Giza, Lord Sobek," Ra commanded. The crocodile headed god used his long iron spear to push the boat along.

Carter remained rooted to the spot as he stared at the sun god. Ra regarded him warmly. "Carter I know this must be difficult for you. I assure you Zia's feelings toward you haven't changed.

"One request, please don't kiss him..." Sadie said in an undertone.

Mahaad heard and went as white as a sheet. "Sadie!" He reprimanded sharply. Ra turned to face Mahaad who sank to his knees trembling visibly. "I apologize for her behavior," Mahaad said.

"Arise, magician. I am not going to punish her. She was not raised like you were. If you had said that, you would be rightfully punished," Ra elaborated. Mahaad got to his feet.

Ra shimmered and once again Zia stood in front of them. Carter slumped against the mast. Zia furrowed her brow in concern. "Will you take care of him, Sadie. I think he is in shock," she asked. Sadie went and sat by Carter. Sobek and Mahaaes were on the lookout for demons. Mahaad hovered by Yugi.

After Carter and Sadie talked they rejoined the others at in their vigil. Mahaad looked out across his beloved homeland with a grim expression. To the west carried sand storms while for the first time in living memory the Nile was churning like the cataracts. Yugi reached up as high as he could and rested a hand on Mahaad's shoulder. "We will restore order." Mahaad nodded resolutely. "We will conquer not matter how powerful our foe may be," Mahaad intoned.

The three Pyramids of Giza rose to meet them in the sky. Sobek struck his spear against the deck three times and declared. "Lord Ra has returned! Let his worshippers assemble and his people celebrate!" To Carter's surprise a group of about 20 People gathered and fell prostrate before the solar barque.

"It's the Ishtar clan," Yugi whispered and Mahaad nodded. Their robes whipped in the wind as they rose to their feet once the boat had passed. The air was filled with smoke of fires from the city and the place was deserted both the tourists and their wares were nowhere to be found.

"Apophis has chosen the place for his final battle well. There are no mortals to interfere, except the magicians," Mahaaes noted.

Carter lowered his vision to the Duat. A giant serpent was coiling around the base of the Great pyramid. Its body consisted of red sand and darkness. His eyes reminded Yugi of Yami when he had been possessed by the Oricalcos. The face of the pyramid shook violently as if it were about to topple over. Everything it touched started to decay. The sand was feeding into the body of the snake itself. Fear chaos and pain were radiating from the serpent like ocean waves spreading fear and panic to the citizens of Cairo. Apophis reared his head and struck the earth with blinding speed, leaving a giant crater in the sand where he had struck. He hissed angrily and reared again preparing to strike.

"Look!" Sadie cried. Everyone including the gods followed her pointing finger to a barely visible figure dressed in what appeared to be a leopard skin leotard. The figure fought with unnatural grace and agility, wielding a pair of knives. She twirled and slashed at the serpent holding him at bay alone. A single goddess fought against the incarnation of chaos itself. Mahaad's stomach churned with unease, he hadn't been this nervous for a fight since Zork. Sadie cried out in anguish. "Where is everyone? Bast is alone!"

To her surprise it was Ra who answered her. "The forces of ma'at are waiting for the Pharaoh to lead them. He is their rallying point," he explained.

"Why aren't you leading them then?!" Carter demanded, cutting into the conversation. Ra stared at Carter with a piecing gaze and he shifted uncomfortably, fearing he may have over stepped his bounds.

"I am no coward," Ra said harshly. "I will fight my old enemy as I always have. Mahaaes, Bes, Sobek, come with me." Sobek said nothing but slapped his spear in salute, while Bes looked happier as he cracked his knuckles, and changed into his Speedo.

"What about us, Lord Ra?" Yugi asked.

"We have the shadow, we can help!" Carter said.

The solar barque descended rapidly and rested to the south of the Great Pyramid.

"Carter, Sadie follow the Pharaoh and help the First Nome!" Ra pointed to the Great Sphinx. Smoke rose from the ground in front of Thutmose stela, between the paws.

"The tunnel was forced open! It had been sealed to prevent mortal archaeologists from getting into the First Nome!" Carter shouted. Ra nodded gravely. "The First Nome is on the brink of collapse. The gods and I will hold off Apophis for as long as we can. If you don't help the Nome, Egypt will fall. All the magicians will die."

"Prince!" Mahaad called sharply. He held out his hand and the air shimmered for a moment before it disappeared and revealed a duel disk. Yugi's face lit up. He grabbed it and slid it on his arm. His eyes filled with determination.

Yugi also summoned the crook and he flail. He extended them to the sun god. "These belong to you," he said solemnly. Lord Ra curled Yugi's fingers around them.

"When I said the gods need their Pharaoh, I meant you, both of you and Yami. I will fight chaos but you will assume the throne and lead Egypt. Unite the magicians and gods in my name and come to my aid."

The Millennium Puzzle flashed and Yami merged with his host. They opened their eyes and wore a look of fierce determination. Atem had been Pharaoh and he would rule again. He was the son of Ra, Horus the Avenger.

They inclined their head. "As you wish, Lord Ra." Their voices blended together in perfect harmony.

Mahaad approached them tentatively and they smiled beckoning him forward. "My king, I know you still harbor doubts about your ability to lead and you hide them well. But I know they are there. You have led armies into battle and brought your subjects out alive. You have won the loyalty of your people. You will be victorious. I know you will bring victory yet again."

They smiled fondly at him. "Thank you."

"You can read us well Mahaad. What you say is true. But we also put our trust in the heart of the cards and you are the embodiment of that trust."

Carter looked nervous. "Good luck..." Mahaad watched with a bemused expression as Carter tried to find the words to say good bye to his girlfriend, turned sun god.

Carter changed form. His backpack and clothes melted into his body as he transformed into a falcon. Yugi/Yami looked at him and cocked their head to the side. Sadie followed her brother's lead and changed into a kite bird.

With a squawk they took off. Mahaad changed back to the familiar garb of the Dark Magician and extended his hand toward the bearer of the Millennium Puzzle. Yugi/Yami took his hand at they took off after the birds headed for the Great Sphinx. Ishizu summoned a Curse of Dragon and she and Ryou climbed on its back for the journey to the surface. It wasn't very long. In a minute or so they landed next the entrance to the first Nome. There were black scorch marks around the entrance and it looked like someone had used some TNT on it. Huge blocks of stone had been pulverized. Mahaad's jaw tightened, these rebels were destroying his homeland!

Mahaad set Yugi/Yami down and the others soon landed as well. Carter and Sadie returned to human form and surveyed the damage. "That's quite rude. They should have just knocked," Sadie said and gave a shaky laugh. "They overdid it a bit with the hadi spell," Sadie mused. Mahaad nodded gravely. "Where does this tunnel lead?" Mahaad asked.

"It comes out right across from the Hall of Ages," Carter confirmed. Yugi/Yami held out the crook and flail which were glowing. They also activated their duel disk and inserted their deck in the slot. "Let's go!" They lead the way in the darkness. Mahaad have a curt nod and followed at his king's heels. He waved the other 20 or so magicians from the Ishtar clan forward as well. Carter and Sadie readied their staves and followed suit. Ishizu and Ryou both activated duel disks as well and trailed at the back to provide cover from the rear.

Author's Notes:

I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I won't abandon this story, I have been busy with school as well as writing a different fanfic. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that it was worth the wait. I know not much happened, but the final battle happens soon. Until next time!