-SY- Okay, now this one I've really had buried for ages. I started writing
this waaaaaay back when I was Gohanz-gal, and it was actually this fic that
got me to change my name to ShadowYami. The original ShadowYami was
actually one of the characters in this story, but I decided I liked her so
much I stole her name.^^ Hehe.Im a dirty name thief!
-Alloran- *pouts* Oi, how come Nebhtari gets to be in this and I don't?
-SY- Because, my dear Ally-kun, I didn't have you when I started this. My only muses were Nebhtari and Ezmaritia.
-Alloran- Oh, fine. *huff*
-SY- Anyway, are you all shocked? Three things uploaded in one week! Im being shockingly productive! Fingers crossed I stay on my roll..* crosses fingers* Well, here it is, please RnR, and please be gentle!
Shadows Of A Dark Past
(Prologue)
Imagine a place...
A place further than anyone could ever travel, and yet no further away than the thickness of a shadow.
A place always felt, never seen by all but a special few, and never known publicly, yet all are aware of it deep in the innermost recesses of their souls.
A place where many impossible things happen- the birthing of dream- creatures, made real, the spawning of nightmare monsters, given shape.
A realm inhabited by the dark and mysterious creatures who dwell always within the darkness.
The Shadow Realm.
Within the night always upon this hidden realm dwells a spirit...a spirit of tremendous power. This ethereal spirit keeps an Ancient Egyptian temple as her domain, the self-same temple she was irrevocably bound to guard so many, many centuries ago. It is known as the Millenium Temple. Within it were kept the seven other Millenium Items- the Rod, the Ring, the Necklace, the Scales, the Key, the Eye and the Puzzle- until their rightful and destined owners came to claim them. Thus, the spirit from the Realm Of Shadow was dispatched as their eternal Guardian, to guard over the Items until their time came. Only when all seven had found their owners would the spirit be allowed to go free, but would forever have her fate entwined with the Temple. Should the Temple ever be destroyed, the spirit would be forced to stay in the Shadow Realm for all eternity, with never a chance to wander the other realms. Yet as long as even a stone from the Temple remained, the spirit would keep her tremendous power and her responsibility to the Items.
Freed from her bondage once the seven Items had returned to their destined owners, the spirit remained a guarding presence, watching over the Items from her realm in the darkness, remaining a shadow. In time, these spirits became known as 'Yamis' and so did the unknown spirit of the Shadow Realm.
The Shadow Yami.
A shadow of a shadow, a shade of the darkness. Her every good quality tainted with the Shadow she ruled, her every evil balanced by the Light of her former self.
A most singular creature.
Singular...and more alone than anything in the universe.
''It has begun.'' a voice spoke, the owner, shrouded in shadows, kneeling on the rough stone before an ancient altar. The altar was indented with the shapes of seven objects, and stained, the speaker noticed uncomfortably, with the rusty hue of old, dried blood. ''Excellent.'' This voice, velvety and soft like fine smoke, came from behind the other, causing the first figure to start in surprise and wheel around hurriedly. ''Mistress, you startled me...'' breathed the first figure, the dim torch-filled light illuminating their form, revealing them to be female, if not entirely human... Sleek ebony fur gleamed in the torchlight, the glow of the flickering flames casting a coppery sheen to the raven form. The same flame-light glinted and danced on the gold ornaments adorning the slim and and shapely form- a golden asp wrapped around her upper left arm, the gold ring in her right ear, the armlets about her wrists, the fine gold band about the base of her gently penduluming tail, and the golden makeup around her eyes. While she stood on two legs, like a human woman, and had clawed fingers rather than animal paws, the anthropomorphic figure had lost none of the deadly beauty of the wild animal she was.
A jackal, to be precise.
The other speaker also materialised from her point in the shadows, stepping into the flickering light. This one was also female, shapely, slender, and with a bronzed glow to her skin. Her hair was raven, as black as the darkest night....on the right side. Split evenly down the center, her hair was divided into two shades. The right was a shining jet, while the left was a most unusual dark violet-indigo. Overall, the girl- for she seemed no older than about eighteen- was considerably pretty, but her beauty was that of a sculpture carved in marble ;cold, lacking any warmth, with no visible trace of compassion. But even this ethereal, icy beauty was usurped by her eyes. Never one colour for more than a few minutes, various hues passed over the irises like chameleonic smoke ; first sky-blue, then rippling to a bright forest-green, then spiralling to a deep violet, then shifting to a soft brown, then all of them whirling together.
This figure, this cold female, was the Shadow Yami.
''Forgive me for startling you, Nebhtari.'' she spoke, her voice cool and expressionless. Nebhtari bowed formally, her white shift contrasting with the black of her fur, given bronze hints by the firelight. ''It was my fault for not looking, Mistress.'' ''It is of no consequence. Events are in motion?'' ''Like an ox pursued by wild dogs.'' Nebhtari grinned, her sharp ivory fangs gleaming wickedly. ''Then it is time we departed.'' the Shadow Yami's outline seemed to ripple, replacing the simple creamy smock she wore with a long dress of the same colour, floating and elegant but still modest. She kept her golden jewelry where she wore it. Followed closely by her jackaless companion, she took a step forward....
And stood in a silent alleyway within a crowded, modern- day city. ''We really should not do that in this age, Mistress.'' Nebhtari spoke up apologetically. The Shadow Yami glanced behind. ''Why not?'' ''Because common-day mortals find it rather frightening and strange when two figures come out of a solid wall.'' ''Oh, very well.'' the Shadow Yami sighed. Stepping out of the alley, she gazed around her with interest, Nebtari a close step behind. When she entered into the realm they were now occupying, Nebhtari's shape had also changed. Now she resembled nothing more than an unusually graceful, sleek dog- a dog with a definate jackal-like look, but apparently mortals never bothered to notice such things, or if they did, they didn't pass comment. As the Shadow Yami looked up, she saw a store right beside her, the brightly-coloured sign flashing in the sun. The sign declared the shop to be called the ''Turtle Game Shop''.
The Shadow Yami smiled slowly, and moved inside.
At the sound of the door-chimes, the young boy behind the counter quickly swung his legs off from where he had beem using it as a leg-rest and stood up, looking a little sheepish. ''May I help you?'' he asked politely, his wide violet eyes bright wih a friendly light. The Shadow Yami looked at him in incredulous amazement. {The resemblance really is remarkable...} she thought privately. ''Yes, as a matter of fact you could.'' she replied. ''I am looking for a person named...Yugi Mutou?''
''That's me.'' he said, eyeing her carefully. ''Why are you looking for me?'' She half-smiled. ''Merely because I hear you have the best card collections in town in this store.''
''Thats for sure!'' Yugi said proudly. ''My Grandpa and I run the best game shop in town! Were you looking for anything in particular, miss...err...''
{ Name, name...} ''Yamira Alitari.''
''Well, Miss Alitari, was your search for a specific card?'' Yugi asked, his eyes brightening. He always loved talking about his favourite pastime.
''Not really...just a few card to add to my collection. And please, call me Yamira.''
''Okay, Yamira, what kind of card are you looking for? Is your deck themed...Spellcaster, Fairy, Beast, Machine...''
''Egyptian.''
''Wow!'' Yugi was impressed. ''Egyptian-based cards are pretty rare.''
''So I've heard.''
''Yugi?'' this voice was a new one, deep and masculine, deeper than Yugi but the wrong pitch and timbre to be the old man. The tall figure which stepped through the door was an almost miror image of Yugi, except his hair had more spiky blond streaks, he was taller, and his manner was more assertive. More regal. He regarded Yugi fondly, before glancing at Yamira. His eyes widened in shock...he had seen this female before...but where? Why did he feel like he knew her? '' You...who are you?'' he demanded. Yugi shot him a reproving look. ''Yami!'' Yami subsided somewhat, though he still continued to stare at Yamira suspiciously. Yamira gave a light, musical laugh. ''My name is Yamira Alitari...Yami, was it?'' her eyes gleamed with a sudden dark cunning. ''Odd, I would have pictured one with such a noble bearing to have a more noble name...your manner suggests something more suited to a prince, or a king...or maybe a pharoah.''
Yami stiffened, and he glared at Yamira with deep suspicion, before he averted his gaze and muttering something quietly to Yugi, he went back upstairs. Yamira chuckled in wry amusement. ''Is he always that...tempestuous?'' ''He's not normally that rude. I can't think whats come over him.'' Yugi replied, glancing back the way Yami went. ''Perhaps our business could be conducted at a better time...would tomorrow morning be alright?'' ''Yeah, sure...'' Yugi said, still looking puzzled by Yami's uncharacteristic behaviour. ''Then I will depart until tomorrow. Goodbye, Yugi, and give my regards to Yami, would you?'' ''Okay...''
Outside the store, Yamira laughed to herself quietly. ''I thought I would have more difficulty with him than that...but that was far easier than I thought.'' she said, her eyes glinting. Beside her, the canine form of Nebhtari looked up at her, her own ice-blue eyes filled with silent amusement. Yamira chuckled a final time. ''Until tomorrow, Yami and Yugi...'' She stepped back into the alley from where she had earlier emerged, and momentarily re-emerged outside a hotel. Making arrangements for a room was easily done, and barely minutes later she stood inside her luxurious suite with an odd smile curving her lips. ''One found, two more to go.'' Beside her, Nebhtari grinned a wicked canine grin. Yamira glanced at her. ''Now, it will not be long before the events come together...very like the Puzzle itself. You say the other two are also here, in this city?''
//Yes, Mistress.//
''Good. Once I find the others, the rest will take care of itself, and I will not need to do much more. What are their names?''
//The tomb-robber of the Ring currently has a similar form, like Yami and Yugi, to a boy named Ryou Bakura.//
''Good. And White Lightning...how appropriate.'' she commented.
//The other bears the resemblance of a male named Malik Ishtar.//
''Excellent.'' a lazy grin spread across Yamira's face. ''Yugi, Ryou, and Malik. I can hardly wait for our 'reunion'. ''
//You are sure they will concede?//
''Everyone does, sooner or later.''
//Then we will find them tomorrow?// Nebhtari looked eager.
''Tomorrow.''
Tomorrow their worlds would be turned upside down.
And not one of them would ever be quite the same again....
-SY- So how was it? Feedback craved, so just follow Alloran and Nebhtari's pointing and hit that little button which says 'Submit Review'..and I apologise for the crappy formatting! I don't know how to format stuff properly yet! FORGIVE ME!!!
-Alloran- *cheerfully pokes 'Submit Review' button*
-Nebhtari- *sighs and points*
-Alloran- *pouts* Oi, how come Nebhtari gets to be in this and I don't?
-SY- Because, my dear Ally-kun, I didn't have you when I started this. My only muses were Nebhtari and Ezmaritia.
-Alloran- Oh, fine. *huff*
-SY- Anyway, are you all shocked? Three things uploaded in one week! Im being shockingly productive! Fingers crossed I stay on my roll..* crosses fingers* Well, here it is, please RnR, and please be gentle!
Shadows Of A Dark Past
(Prologue)
Imagine a place...
A place further than anyone could ever travel, and yet no further away than the thickness of a shadow.
A place always felt, never seen by all but a special few, and never known publicly, yet all are aware of it deep in the innermost recesses of their souls.
A place where many impossible things happen- the birthing of dream- creatures, made real, the spawning of nightmare monsters, given shape.
A realm inhabited by the dark and mysterious creatures who dwell always within the darkness.
The Shadow Realm.
Within the night always upon this hidden realm dwells a spirit...a spirit of tremendous power. This ethereal spirit keeps an Ancient Egyptian temple as her domain, the self-same temple she was irrevocably bound to guard so many, many centuries ago. It is known as the Millenium Temple. Within it were kept the seven other Millenium Items- the Rod, the Ring, the Necklace, the Scales, the Key, the Eye and the Puzzle- until their rightful and destined owners came to claim them. Thus, the spirit from the Realm Of Shadow was dispatched as their eternal Guardian, to guard over the Items until their time came. Only when all seven had found their owners would the spirit be allowed to go free, but would forever have her fate entwined with the Temple. Should the Temple ever be destroyed, the spirit would be forced to stay in the Shadow Realm for all eternity, with never a chance to wander the other realms. Yet as long as even a stone from the Temple remained, the spirit would keep her tremendous power and her responsibility to the Items.
Freed from her bondage once the seven Items had returned to their destined owners, the spirit remained a guarding presence, watching over the Items from her realm in the darkness, remaining a shadow. In time, these spirits became known as 'Yamis' and so did the unknown spirit of the Shadow Realm.
The Shadow Yami.
A shadow of a shadow, a shade of the darkness. Her every good quality tainted with the Shadow she ruled, her every evil balanced by the Light of her former self.
A most singular creature.
Singular...and more alone than anything in the universe.
''It has begun.'' a voice spoke, the owner, shrouded in shadows, kneeling on the rough stone before an ancient altar. The altar was indented with the shapes of seven objects, and stained, the speaker noticed uncomfortably, with the rusty hue of old, dried blood. ''Excellent.'' This voice, velvety and soft like fine smoke, came from behind the other, causing the first figure to start in surprise and wheel around hurriedly. ''Mistress, you startled me...'' breathed the first figure, the dim torch-filled light illuminating their form, revealing them to be female, if not entirely human... Sleek ebony fur gleamed in the torchlight, the glow of the flickering flames casting a coppery sheen to the raven form. The same flame-light glinted and danced on the gold ornaments adorning the slim and and shapely form- a golden asp wrapped around her upper left arm, the gold ring in her right ear, the armlets about her wrists, the fine gold band about the base of her gently penduluming tail, and the golden makeup around her eyes. While she stood on two legs, like a human woman, and had clawed fingers rather than animal paws, the anthropomorphic figure had lost none of the deadly beauty of the wild animal she was.
A jackal, to be precise.
The other speaker also materialised from her point in the shadows, stepping into the flickering light. This one was also female, shapely, slender, and with a bronzed glow to her skin. Her hair was raven, as black as the darkest night....on the right side. Split evenly down the center, her hair was divided into two shades. The right was a shining jet, while the left was a most unusual dark violet-indigo. Overall, the girl- for she seemed no older than about eighteen- was considerably pretty, but her beauty was that of a sculpture carved in marble ;cold, lacking any warmth, with no visible trace of compassion. But even this ethereal, icy beauty was usurped by her eyes. Never one colour for more than a few minutes, various hues passed over the irises like chameleonic smoke ; first sky-blue, then rippling to a bright forest-green, then spiralling to a deep violet, then shifting to a soft brown, then all of them whirling together.
This figure, this cold female, was the Shadow Yami.
''Forgive me for startling you, Nebhtari.'' she spoke, her voice cool and expressionless. Nebhtari bowed formally, her white shift contrasting with the black of her fur, given bronze hints by the firelight. ''It was my fault for not looking, Mistress.'' ''It is of no consequence. Events are in motion?'' ''Like an ox pursued by wild dogs.'' Nebhtari grinned, her sharp ivory fangs gleaming wickedly. ''Then it is time we departed.'' the Shadow Yami's outline seemed to ripple, replacing the simple creamy smock she wore with a long dress of the same colour, floating and elegant but still modest. She kept her golden jewelry where she wore it. Followed closely by her jackaless companion, she took a step forward....
And stood in a silent alleyway within a crowded, modern- day city. ''We really should not do that in this age, Mistress.'' Nebhtari spoke up apologetically. The Shadow Yami glanced behind. ''Why not?'' ''Because common-day mortals find it rather frightening and strange when two figures come out of a solid wall.'' ''Oh, very well.'' the Shadow Yami sighed. Stepping out of the alley, she gazed around her with interest, Nebtari a close step behind. When she entered into the realm they were now occupying, Nebhtari's shape had also changed. Now she resembled nothing more than an unusually graceful, sleek dog- a dog with a definate jackal-like look, but apparently mortals never bothered to notice such things, or if they did, they didn't pass comment. As the Shadow Yami looked up, she saw a store right beside her, the brightly-coloured sign flashing in the sun. The sign declared the shop to be called the ''Turtle Game Shop''.
The Shadow Yami smiled slowly, and moved inside.
At the sound of the door-chimes, the young boy behind the counter quickly swung his legs off from where he had beem using it as a leg-rest and stood up, looking a little sheepish. ''May I help you?'' he asked politely, his wide violet eyes bright wih a friendly light. The Shadow Yami looked at him in incredulous amazement. {The resemblance really is remarkable...} she thought privately. ''Yes, as a matter of fact you could.'' she replied. ''I am looking for a person named...Yugi Mutou?''
''That's me.'' he said, eyeing her carefully. ''Why are you looking for me?'' She half-smiled. ''Merely because I hear you have the best card collections in town in this store.''
''Thats for sure!'' Yugi said proudly. ''My Grandpa and I run the best game shop in town! Were you looking for anything in particular, miss...err...''
{ Name, name...} ''Yamira Alitari.''
''Well, Miss Alitari, was your search for a specific card?'' Yugi asked, his eyes brightening. He always loved talking about his favourite pastime.
''Not really...just a few card to add to my collection. And please, call me Yamira.''
''Okay, Yamira, what kind of card are you looking for? Is your deck themed...Spellcaster, Fairy, Beast, Machine...''
''Egyptian.''
''Wow!'' Yugi was impressed. ''Egyptian-based cards are pretty rare.''
''So I've heard.''
''Yugi?'' this voice was a new one, deep and masculine, deeper than Yugi but the wrong pitch and timbre to be the old man. The tall figure which stepped through the door was an almost miror image of Yugi, except his hair had more spiky blond streaks, he was taller, and his manner was more assertive. More regal. He regarded Yugi fondly, before glancing at Yamira. His eyes widened in shock...he had seen this female before...but where? Why did he feel like he knew her? '' You...who are you?'' he demanded. Yugi shot him a reproving look. ''Yami!'' Yami subsided somewhat, though he still continued to stare at Yamira suspiciously. Yamira gave a light, musical laugh. ''My name is Yamira Alitari...Yami, was it?'' her eyes gleamed with a sudden dark cunning. ''Odd, I would have pictured one with such a noble bearing to have a more noble name...your manner suggests something more suited to a prince, or a king...or maybe a pharoah.''
Yami stiffened, and he glared at Yamira with deep suspicion, before he averted his gaze and muttering something quietly to Yugi, he went back upstairs. Yamira chuckled in wry amusement. ''Is he always that...tempestuous?'' ''He's not normally that rude. I can't think whats come over him.'' Yugi replied, glancing back the way Yami went. ''Perhaps our business could be conducted at a better time...would tomorrow morning be alright?'' ''Yeah, sure...'' Yugi said, still looking puzzled by Yami's uncharacteristic behaviour. ''Then I will depart until tomorrow. Goodbye, Yugi, and give my regards to Yami, would you?'' ''Okay...''
Outside the store, Yamira laughed to herself quietly. ''I thought I would have more difficulty with him than that...but that was far easier than I thought.'' she said, her eyes glinting. Beside her, the canine form of Nebhtari looked up at her, her own ice-blue eyes filled with silent amusement. Yamira chuckled a final time. ''Until tomorrow, Yami and Yugi...'' She stepped back into the alley from where she had earlier emerged, and momentarily re-emerged outside a hotel. Making arrangements for a room was easily done, and barely minutes later she stood inside her luxurious suite with an odd smile curving her lips. ''One found, two more to go.'' Beside her, Nebhtari grinned a wicked canine grin. Yamira glanced at her. ''Now, it will not be long before the events come together...very like the Puzzle itself. You say the other two are also here, in this city?''
//Yes, Mistress.//
''Good. Once I find the others, the rest will take care of itself, and I will not need to do much more. What are their names?''
//The tomb-robber of the Ring currently has a similar form, like Yami and Yugi, to a boy named Ryou Bakura.//
''Good. And White Lightning...how appropriate.'' she commented.
//The other bears the resemblance of a male named Malik Ishtar.//
''Excellent.'' a lazy grin spread across Yamira's face. ''Yugi, Ryou, and Malik. I can hardly wait for our 'reunion'. ''
//You are sure they will concede?//
''Everyone does, sooner or later.''
//Then we will find them tomorrow?// Nebhtari looked eager.
''Tomorrow.''
Tomorrow their worlds would be turned upside down.
And not one of them would ever be quite the same again....
-SY- So how was it? Feedback craved, so just follow Alloran and Nebhtari's pointing and hit that little button which says 'Submit Review'..and I apologise for the crappy formatting! I don't know how to format stuff properly yet! FORGIVE ME!!!
-Alloran- *cheerfully pokes 'Submit Review' button*
-Nebhtari- *sighs and points*