Disclaimer: All Yu-Gi-Oh characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi. Any make up characters belong to me. I like to thank my friends; Alatáriël Sîrfalas and Melissa (Hikarigirl18) for helping me write this fic.

By Any Other Name
By Yami-Yugi

Chapter 6

"SETO!!!!" Yami shouted once he entred the palace, quite mad.
"Master, there you are! Master? Are you okay?"
"Mana, go to Yugi's house and make sure he stays there."
She looked at him curiously, "Are you alr..."
"Go watch over Yugi."
"Alright Master," Mana said with a concerned nod.
"My Pharaoh, why aren't you dea...I mean, what do need your highness?"
"You can cut out the pleasentries Seto!" Yami spat.
"W-What do you mean, your highness?"
Yami grabbed him by his robes. "It was you! You haired someone to try an kill me and I want to know why?!"
"Why would I, your dear cousin, ever want to do that?"
"Don't play games with me Seto! I ran into your "hunter" and he told me everything."
"That fool!" Yami glared at him. "Alright, I admit it. I hired him to kill you."
"Why Seto?! Why do such a thing to your own flesh and blood?!"
"Because you're weak! A kind, caring person like you could never understand the powers of being Pharaoh! I'd make a way better Pharaoh than you!" Seto exclamied as he yanked Yami's hands off of him.
"Seto, there is more to being Pharaoh than just power!"
"I was beinging to wonder why you never were like your father, he made a better Pharaoh then you."
"You lie! My father was the worst Pharaoh of them all! Have you seen what he had done to our people?!"
"Yes! He's succeeding in his duties! He stroke fear into thier hearts and forced them to obey! He reached the objective of power!" "Not another word Seto! That is blasphemy and I will not hear of it!"
"Oh realy?" Seto said with a snear "This is the holdharted turth, 'your magjuesty'."
"The Gods did not inted for the position of Pharaoh to be used this way! My father abused that power and I will stand to correct it!"
"We'll see about that," Seto said as he walked away.
"Guards, seize my cousin!"
"Like they can hold me."
"Don't you talk to Master that way," spat Mahaado as he held his staff at Seto's heart, while the other guards restrained him.
Seto started laugh. "You think this will end, cousin?" he said as he took out his Millennium Rod, and unsevth the dagger-like blade hidden within, and jabbed it into the chest of one of the guards, sending him into the Shadow Realm. Yami glared and Mahaado stiffened his grip on his staff, brusing Seto's chest, where it was pointed.
Seto glares. "Send this tradior to the dungen, I'll think of his sentance later." Yami said with a growl.
"Yami! Yami, are you here?"
"What in Ra?!"
"Yami, there you are!" Yugi exclaimed glomping him.
"Yugi..."
"Master I'm sorry! I tried to stop him! He...oh."
"It's alright Mana. Yugi what are you doing here? I told you to go home and stay there."
"But I was worried." Yugi said.
"I understand that, but you can't worry about me. You need to worry about your own safety. You mean a lot to me and I wouldn't want to lose a friend like you." Mana could only smile as the two embraced each other. Yami glance over as he saw Seto being taken away by the remaining guards.
"What happened to him?" Yugi asked, his curiousity now focused on what Yami was looking at.
"It's nothing. I've found out the man behind my attempted murder. It's nothing for you to worry about."
"I knew I didn't like him. The way he stared at me..."
"Don't worry about it alright?"
"Okay."
Mana smiled again, then she looked sternly at Yugi. "You are very bad at following orders Young Master," she pouted. Yami couldn't help but laugh at this. Mana smiled too. "You understand that Master and I are just looking out for you, okay?" Mana said ruffling Yugi's hair.
Yugi smiled and squirmed a bit. "I know. Hey, wanna duel? You like you could use some cheering up" Yugi said.
Yami smiled. "Very well, but how about I teach you how do duel in the Shadow Realm this time?" Yami asked.
"Are you sure it's safe to the young master?" Mana asked.
Yami nodded. "I think Yugi is ready now to learn."
"What is the 'Shadow Realm'? I've seen the monster come to life from the cards but..."
"I don't think Young Master can handle it."
"He has a strong will and a strong heart, I believe he can." Yami looked down at Yugi. "You want to try, Yugi?" he asked.
"Um, I suppose so."
"I'm going with you."
"If you wish Mana. Ready Yugi?" Yugi nodded. "Okay then, take my hand." Yugi did and Yami lead them to the room where he played in Shadow Games with Seto. Giant tablets with Duel Monsters on them scattered the room.
"Wow! Those look like the Duel Monsters I played with before."
"They are one in the same, Yugi," Yami said with a gentle smile, intrigued by Yugi's interest.
Yugi saw one of them that looked like Mana. "Isn't that...? You look really cool there."
"Stop it Young Master, you're making me blush." Yami could only laugh as Mana got all flustered as Yugi smiled and made compliments.
"Now..." Yami started, as he gane his composire "before we start I'm going to teach you how summon the monsters from the tabelts."
"You mean you can't just play?"
"No, there is more to it than that. It takes a strong will and a strong soul to tap into the shadow magic and release the monster. Mana can you help me show him?"
"Sure Master. Don't be afraid Young Master. Just follow our lead." Yugi watched as Yami, who let go of Yugi's hand, walked over towards the tabelts and closed his eyes.
"Celctic Guardian, I call upon you aide." An elven warrior flashed to life right before him, the tablet thunking to the ground. Yugi's eyes widened.
Yami nodded at Mana and she nodded back. "Mystical Elf, come help me old friend." A holy, blue skinned elf apperead and began chanting a spell.
Yugi just stared in aw as Yami just smiled before he contuied. "Now..." he started "That's how you summon normal monsters, but to summon the higer level ones you will need to sacrofice your monsters, only when you fell they did their job and treat them with respect."
Yugi nodded along. "I choose to summon Curse of Dragon. He requires one offering. You have served me well Celtic Guardian, I sacrifice you so that I may summon Curse of Dragon."
"I'll do the same. I'm sorry Mystical Elf, I require your lifeforce to summon Magician's Valkyrion." Both the Curse of Dragon and Magician's Valkyrion appeared as the stone tablets for Mystical Elf and Celtic Guardian slammed to the ground.
"Don't it hurt the monsters?" Yugi asked.
"Not if they are used honorably, Young Master."
"Oh I see." Yugi said.
"Those with pure hearts, who want to use the monsters for battle and for good cause, will not harm them in their sacrifice."
"But if they are used for power, like that Baka Priest Seto does..."
"Mana, be careful. You shouldn't talk about your superior like that."
"I know Master, but he doesn't realize he's hurting them."
"I know you mean well, Mana. Some times Seto is just hardheaded like that, like my father was."
"So, uh..." Yugi said, trying to change the subject as he saw Mana's look of pain.
"Anyways," Yami started "Let's contiune, shall we?" After explain to Yugi how to duel in the Shadow Realm Yami believed that Yugi was ready.

"You can do it Young Master. Just do what Master taught you and you'll be fine. I'll be right here. Goes easy on him Master, okay?"
Yami just nodded as he looked over at Yugi. "You ready to start Yugi?" he asked.
He sighed, "As ready as I can be, I suppose."
"You'll do fine,Yugi." Yami said "Let's begain." He close his eyes. "Mystical Elf, I call upon you, defend my life points."
"Alright, um..."
"Don't be afraid Young Master! You can do it!"
Yugi smiled and looked at the stone tablets he had. "Here's one, Giant Soldier of Stone!" Yami just smirked from the otherside of the room.
"I guess that's all I do for now."
"Alright, Young Master and Master each have a defense monster. Eeee! This is so exciting," Mana said to herself.
Yami smirked again. I have to becareful, I taught him all that I know. he thought. "Alright, get ready Yugi. I sacrifice my Mystical Elf to bring out the Summoned Skull. You have served me well my Elf. I now use your lifeforce to summon, Summoned Skull." The Mystical Elf bowed before dissapating, her stone crashing to the ground. The Summoned Skull stone rose up and out came the Summoned Skull himself, ready to strike. Yugi gluped as he looked at Summoned Skull ready to attack.
"Don't worry! You can do it!" Yugi smiled weakly at Mana's encouragement.
"Summon Skull attack the Giant Solider of Stone!" Yugi winced under the power, but quickly recovered. "Your move, Yugi."
"Okay then, I'll um...summon, uh..." he looked frantically around at his stone tablets to see which one was the best choice. Yugi spotted the Man Eater Bug and remembered its special ability. "I've got it now. I summon Man Eater Bug! With it's special ability, I can automatically destroy Summoned Skull!"
"Good choice, Little One."
Yugi smiled pridefully. "I guess it's your move now."
"Alright, I choose to play Kuriboh in defensive mode. Go ahead."
"Okay, I'll sacrifice my Man Eater for Curse of Dragon." Yugi thanked the Man-eating insect as it disspeared and its stone hit the ground. The Curse of Dragon stone rose and the dragon came forth from it.
"Oop...." Kuriboh said, a little bit scared.
"It almost upsets me to hurt something so cute, yet so loyal. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have Curse of Dragon attack."
"Kuriboh, Mulitply now!"
"Whoa!"
"My Kuribohs protect my life points by multiplying into many." Yugi blinks. "Why do you seem so surprised?"
"I didn't know, they could do that. Or, at least I forgot." Yami just smirked.
"Such cute, yet useful creatures," fondeled Mana as a stray one nuzzled her.
"Oop! "
"Hi cutie. Go be a good Kuriboh now," Mana cooed as she patted it on the head and had it go back to its comrades.
"Well, how are you going to penetrate my wall of furry protectors?"
"Easy, by using Gaia, the Fierce Knight! Let my two monsters, combine to be one!" Gaia's stone arose and both him and Curse of Dragon fused together to form Gaia, the Dragon Champion.
"Very well done Little One, you managed a fusion summoning without my teaching it to you first." Yugi just smiled.
Yami smiled back. "Alright, Young Master. Way to go!"
"Okay Gaia, attack now!"
"Good move, but I'm afraid it ends here. Activate Stone Spell, Mirror Force!" Yugi cringed under the blast and it left him a little shaken. Yami walked over to him to see if he was alright. "That was a good duel. It seems you have the potential for the Shadow Realm too. You sure you're alright?"
"I should be fine...whoa!"
"Young Master!" Mana said catching him before he fell.
"Take it easy Yugi. That was your first Shadow Duel. They take a lot of energy out of you at first." Yami looked over at Mana. "Mana," Yami started "Take Yugi home."
"But Master, wouldn't it be faster to have the Healers take care of him here?"
"I suppose so, but we must let his family and friend know that he is here. Take him to my room then."
"Yes Master," Mana replied as she carried Yugi's weak, sleeping form to the Pharaoh's Chambers.

When Yugi woken up he was in a huge bed, that was not his own. "Wh-where am I?"
"Ah, Young Master. How are you feeling?" Mana asked concerned as she sat on the bed next to him.
"I'm fine now, I guess." Yugi said "So where am I?"
At that moment Yami walked in. "You're in my room, Yugi." said Yami.
"Whoa! I'm in the Pharaoh's bed?" Mana genki smiled.
":giggle: It's no big deal. You were weakened from the duel so, I suggested that you rest."
"Oh I see." Yami just smiled. "So what now?"
"Well, I've told your grandfather and friends where you were, so..."
"Did they want me home?"
"Yes, and I believe it to be for the best. Until I give Seto his sentance, I want to make sure you're safe."
"But, what about you?" Yugi said slowly getting up from the bed.
"Don't worry about me." Yami said "I'll be fine."
"Okay. As long as I can come back to see you," Yugi replied, glomping him.
Yami smiled a bit. "Course," Yami started "I promise."
"Alright, bye then."
"Don't leave without me. You aren't going by yourself Young Master." Mana forcibly took Yugi's hand and took him home herself.
"Thanks Mana, I knew I could count on you."
"You beat, come on now Young Master," Mana said leading Yugi out of the Palace.
Yami smiled a bit as he watch Yugi and Mana leave. Now to deal with Seto. he thinks. Yami walked down to the dungeon in deep thought. But what should I do? he thinks as he walked I'm just so confused. "I could give him the full extent of the law, but he's my own flesh and blood." He sighed heavily. "What should I do?"

Yami arrived at the dungeons, where Seto was not too happy. "You'd put your own flesh and blood in chains like some common criminal!"
"What you did is inexcusable. I'm your cousin Seto."
Seto growls at him. "What are going to do to me now, couisn?"
"The only befitting sentence for you is banishment." Yami said "From here now your title as High Prist will be remove as well as the Millennium Rod and you shall never be alowled within the kingdom again." Seto growled. "If you don't like the circumstances I can make it worse. I don't want to have to." Seto just growled again and, as soon as the chains were removed, he handed Yami his Millenium Rod. Yami took the rod in his hands as his crismon eyes glare at Seto's blue eyes. "You sould have not thought about wanted to kill me or this would never had happen." Yami said.
"I still say I would have made a better Pharaoh."
Yami sighed, "Don't make this harder for yourself. Please just leave and do not return."
Seto just glared for a bit. "Very well 'Pharaoh'." was all he said as he left, as what Yami to believe, never to return again.

Years go by an the Egyptian Empire thrived, Yami soon became well liked in the eyes of his people as he fixed the mess his father had left him. One day, Yugi and the gang decided to come see Yami. They all headed towards the palace. "Hey maybe we can all duel today." Jono said happy as they near the palace.
"Maybe. I'm just glad we can visit. It's been awhile since I saw him. He's been busy lately."
"I know." Tana said "With him fixing up everything his father had done, it been quite hard of any of us to see him."
"Maybe our visit'll cheer 'im up?" asked Jono.
"I hope so." said Honda as they nared the palace gate, two guards stop them.
"You shall not pass." one said.
"What do ya mean?" Jono said piss off "We're here to see Yami."
"Sorry," said another one "the Pharaoh is not seeing anyone at this moment."
"Why I outta...."
"Easy Jono." The guards glared.
"Um excuse me, is there a problem gentle...Young Master! Oh my, how you've grown. Come right on in," said Mana.
"Um Miss Mana, why are you...?"
"These are special friends of the Pharaoh. If you make my Master mad..."
"Sorry about that," one of the guards said, embarassed.
"You should be." Mana said as the guards let the group in.

They reached the throne room. "Master!" Mana sung, "Young Master and his friends are here to see you."
"The Master is not here at the monet, Mana," said Mahado as he appered behind the throne, he was fixing the drape behind it "And what's with all the yelling?"
"Well," Mana sighed, "the guards wouldn't let Young Master and his friends in."
"Sorry about that everyone. The guards tend to be pushy."
"So where is he?" asked Jono.
"He's been alittle bit slow getting up this morning." Mahado said with a sigh "He stayied up too late making sure some laws that were going to be pass fit his standards."
"Oh."
"He shouldn't be long, you're welcome to wait."
"Oh yes, please do. Ooo, wait here Young Master. I'll bring you all some snacks."
"Okay, sure Mana." Yugi said.
"" Mana skipped away to the kicten.
"(sighes) Some times she's TOO happy." Mahado said "But I still love her." Everyone sweatdropped and smiled.
A yawn fills the room as the thone room doors open again. "By the gods.... Remind me not to stay up late again, Mahado.... Yugi, guys?"
"Hi Yami," Yugi said excitedly. The others wasn't sure if Yugi notice this or what, but what they saw before them was an unaged Yami standing before them, and I do mean unaged. He looked to them like the frist day they meet him.
"Hello Yugi. You've grown much since I last saw you."
Yugi smiled, then took a good look at Yami. "You haven't aged at all," he said jokingly.
"Is it just me, or he hasn't aged?" Jono asked.
Yami sighed sadly, his smile fadeing as he headed to his thone. I knew this day would come someday, but I never thought it would be today. he thought.
"Well, now that you mention it..."
"Not to sound rude, but I agree."
"What do you mean guys?" asked Yugi.
"Don't you see it, Yuge?" Jono started "He don't look a day older since we met him."
Yugi looked hard, then his face fell. "You're right, I hope noting is wrong." He then smiled and went up to Yami's throne to talk to him.
"I know what you all are thinking...." Yami started slowly, sounding a bit sad "You might had notice I haven't aged at all, unlike you all.... And this I can explain. If you can let me..."
They all nodded. "I'm listening," Yugi said as he took Yami's hand.
Yami sighed again. "Very well, but you proberly won't believe me even if I told you..."
"I'll believe you, whatever you say."
Yami sighed, "It happened when I was little. My father was Pharaoh and I'm was still a Prince." Yami started "My father knew he couldn't live forever and he wanted his rule to last for enons. So he had a plain. He took me to the Temple of Ra and asked the gods for a favor. The gods heard him and bestoed a gift to him.... Actully on to me. The gift was to make me immortal, and it worked."
"Whoa!"
"Man, talk about a raw deal. Makin you immortal so yer stuck here rulin."
Teana glared at him, "Tactless!" she whispered.
Yugi smiled solemnly. "I'm sorry Yami. At least everyone likes you now."
Yami noded slowly, he was still sad. "I know," he started "but the bad this is that once you are gone from is world I'll be still stuck here with no friends at all. I was worried that if I had told you when we frist meet, that you won't be my friend any more, Little One."
"I'm sad for you Yami, but I'll still be your friend. I'll always be your friend, no matter what." Yami just smiled sadly. "Hey," Yugi said with a big smile on his face, "Maybe we can reverse it. Or, maybe we can make ourselves immortal too."
Yami slowly shook his head. "Neither would work." he said slowly "My father asked the gods to do this to only me and no other, and a gods' gift can't be reverse either."
Yugi looked very sad and upset for Yami. "Don't worry about it. I accept you for who you are. You'll always be my friend, always."
Yami smiled a sad smile. "Thank you, Little One." he said.
"How could I do anything else? You mean a lot to me."
"Aww," said Teana. Everyone else smiled.
"No matter what happens...." Yami started slowly "I'll will ALWAYS remember our friendship, Little One. That I promise."
"I know you will," Yugi said hugging him.
"Yer makin me cry guys," said Honda. Jono hid his sadness well. Teana genki smiled.
Yami smirked. "Then," he started "How about a game?"
"Alright, I thought you'd never ask."
The rest of the day the group played games, and all was happy for them, incudeing Yami. I wish this would last for ever. Yami thought with a smile.

The End