The Exiled Prince

"How can we be so sure this boy is truly the one chosen to be the High-King?" asked King Helmsley from the Kingdom of Elleria.

He followed Yami and King Alphonse Gerard Gaston de Ruvon, ruler of the Blue Isles, all throughout the halls of Castle Rassay which was still going through some repairs from the battle many nights ago. Helmsley's question was answered with a loud scoff from King Alphonse

"The boy was adopted by High King Antar and was declared his son," said King Alphonse continuing to follow Yami down the gleaming white halls of the castle.

"That may be so, but the boy is still a bastard!"

"Not anymore he's not," said Yami, turning his head to look at Helmsley, who was still following them. "By royal decree, the baby is now Daveed Wollcroft. Whether or not he chooses to keep the name, Delgado, is up to him in the future."

"And how could you ask such a question?" asked King Alphonse. "The baby has brought to ruin the greatest evil in our lands. I think he is worthy of the Dragon's Heart Crown."

"But he is not of royal blood," Helmsley protested.

"I agree," Antilles said approaching the men. "It is not right. Are you quite certain you want to name the child High-King of Termnnia? What right does he have to bear such a title?"

"That's enough, Antilles," said Yami. "You were always hard on the boy the moment it was declared he was the prince. What reason do you have to hold so much spite against him?"

"He is not worthy enough to be High-King," Antilles snarled.

"At last," said Helmsley. "Someone who sees reason."

"Are you blind? The boy summoned the Divine Beasts," said King Alphonse, tipping his wide-brimmed hat at a beautiful lady paladin guarding the halls of the castle. "It is clearly obvious the child is the one whom they have chosen. When a king is chosen, they have the right to summon the beasts. That is called Divine Right. Only the High Kings of Termnnia can summon them."

"I know what the Divine Right is. But there is nothing to prove he did summon them," said Helmsley.

"The three girls taking care of him stated that they heard the names of all three monsters come out of his lips." King Alphonse said, tipping his hat to a lovely palace maid.

"But the child is of no age to be speaking," said Antilles. "He was practically just born. How do we know these girls are not fabricating this tale?"

"My friends are not liars if that is what you are insinuating, Your Grace," said Yami. "They are very honorable women. They speak the truth."

"This is not the way!" Helmsley demanded. His voice ran across the halls. "Perhaps if we could have a Gathering. Summon all the kings and hold an election, a proper election."

"An election, you say?" King Alphonse said, stopping, and then spinning around to face the Ellerian King. "No, no, Your Highness. I said it once, I'll say it again. The child has vanquished Anubis. Orcs no longer wish to trouble us, for they fear the baby. He has driven evil out from our lands, and he's barely old enough to walk. AND, he summoned all three Divine Beasts at once, obliterating an army of thousands, including a Giant of Belroth. There is a far greater power at work here, Helmsley, and it's something that no mere Gathering can resolve. It is as it stands. The baby is going to be the High King, and that is final."

"I would not continue to protest this any longer, Helmsley," said Yami. "Say you did have your way, and you send your child to summon one of the monsters."

"That's right, they'd be put at risk of the Denial," said King Alphonse.

"You would not want to put your child in danger of a Denial from the beasts, would you?" Yami asked.

"Child?" Helmsley paused to gather his thoughts as Yami and the chubby king walked away. "And what if I were to take him?" He asked, to which Yami and Alphonse stopped and turned around to face him once more. "My wife and I have always wanted a little friend for young Evelyn to play with. I could raise him."

"Get in line," said King Alphonse.

"What do you mean?" asked Helmsley.

"He has a point, my lord," grumbled Antilles. "All of Termnnia wants to have the child."

"I do as well," said King Alphonse. "That I will not deny. I could raise him well and teach him to be a good Duelist and ruler. My family is a good choice as any to take new prince. Eh, Yugi?"

"You?" said Helmsley.

"Playmate for Evelyn my fat ass!" said the plump king. His powdered wig was almost tipping off his head. "You're still mad at Evelyn for turning out a girl and not a son like you wanted. This is not to be a good Samaritan; you're looking to take the child to bring glory to your House, as is everyone else who wants him. And I can't blame them. Think of what there is to gain. The most powerful being in the world in the most powerful position in the world wielding the most powerful monsters in the world. A fine prize for any family. And that family will be mine. To say nothing of the rather, pleasurable maidens who maintain the castle," he added, looking at the palace maids in their ruffled black uniforms.

"We will not bicker here," Yami said holding up his hand to pacify both men, and to tear Alphonse from his creepy lustful gaze which Yami found, disturbing. "There will be a decision over who will take the child; of that, we will have our Gathering. But I warn you if there are any violent disputes and any of the Houses clash; I will take matters into my own hands and the child will go to no one."

"What, you will take him, Yugi?" asked Antilles. "Somehow I have a feeling this is all your doing."

"No," Yami said quickly. "I did not have anything to do with the singing in the sky, the summoning of the Divine Beasts, or the destruction of the Dark Lord Anubis. The powers behind these events are far too great to have been pulled off by a mere politician, or by myself for that matter. As I said, I will take matters into my own hands if I hear war in there. Now let us go. Everyone is here."

"Have your gathering," Antilles said, furiously. "This is a spit on the kings of old. I will not stand idly by and watch as thousands of years of tradition ruined by pure speculation."

"Then, by all means, do something to stop the crowning," Yami said folding his arms. "I'm sure you can explain your feelings to three angry beasts."

"Mark my words, Yugi. That bastard will not be High King." Antilles said. He turned quickly and dashed away, knocking down a flower pot on the gleaming floor that a palace maid worked so hard to clean.

She gasped delicately at the mess.

"You missed a spot," Antilles grumbled, continuing to march down the halls.

The Gathering was a meeting in which all the rulers of Termnnia would meet in the White Rotunda in Castle Rasaay for matters of great importance. If this were a normal situation, they would meet after the death of the High King and hold an election to decide who would be the one to take the throne.

The Divine Beasts were usually quite confident with the results and harmed no one who was chosen by the Gathering to be the High King. They only brought harm to those elected through corruption. But it appears now, they have taken matters into their own hands and have chosen a new ruler without the need for a Gathering.

This meeting was to decide who could keep the child. And the moment Yami saw all the races of the world in the rotunda, he knew it would get hot. Elves and dwarves in the same room always meant shouting and vulgar language. Throughout the meeting, each ruler gave good points as to why their family should have the child, but there was always someone countering their statement.

It was the same thing for hours.

But then the Elven king, Erthond of the Great White Mountains, spoke.

"It is clear that neither person here is worthy to take the child," said he. "None of you have given reasons from the heart. You mainly want the boy for political gains; to grant the glory and power to your houses. Even after all these years, you have shown no sign of maturity. There is a baby just a few towers away from here without a family. Without a home. He will never know the warm embrace of his mother or father. But you all could care less about this. You seek to have him for your own selfish reasons. He must stay with the Elves. We are his only hope."

"YOU!" shouted the Dwarven King, Wolthar Redhammer. "And just what makes you so special that you can have the boy and not us? How do we know this isn't some ruse for you to bolster your kind into taking over? The Diamond Throne is what you pointy-eared rats want. It is what you Elves always lusted for since the mighty Tiberius passed away."

"HERE! HERE!" called the king from Riftgaard. "This could be revenge for losing the Crimson Rebellion."

"That is not true!" shouted Erthond's daughter Taarie. "The Crimson Rebellion has nothing to do with the child. My father speaks the truth. If anyone is to have the baby, it is our people!"

"HAH!" bellowed Wolthar. "The little She-Elf thinks she has the gall to speak with the men!"

"What would a dwarf know of honor or courage?" spat Taarie. "Who was it who fought day in and day out when Anubis sat on his black throne ruling over our lands? I first entered battle on my sixteenth name day, taking back homes from the Orcs, while you dwarves chose to cower in your mountain halls, and you Men did nothing! My people bled, fighting to free us from Anubis. The child should go to us."

"I would rather see Anubis rule Termnnia for another thousand years than to see the little prince get adopted by an ELF!" shouted Wolthar.

And that was the fuel that fed the fire.

Yami rubbed his face as everyone in the rotunda got up from their seats and started yelling at each other. He should have known it would come to this.

"I knew it," he grumbled.

In a matter of weeks, war did break out. It was a violent and bloody conflict that would be referred to as The War of the Infant.

While there were those who wanted to adopt the child, there were some who did not want the baby boy to have the throne. One bloody night, Anubis fanatics attacked every village in Termnnia, slaughtering all the newborn boys of every house they came across in the hopes that at least one of them was the little prince. Yami and Kaiba led a short campaign to stop them. But despite their efforts, day after day assassins were killed in Rassay; all of them were hired to terminate the boy.

Yami could take it no longer. Termnnia needed to recover from Anubis's rule. It needed to rebuild, but the people were fools who chose to drag themselves into another conflict. This would surely bring doom to Termnnia. Yami decided enough was enough.

Too many people have died defending the baby and just as many died fighting to have him. Clearly, the Gathering was not the way to dispute this matter so, as he threatened, he indeed took it upon himself to deal with this issue.

"And just what do you intend to do?" asked Maximillion Pegasus.

He swung his hand in circles, clutching the bottom of his silver goblet to keep the wine crisp and flavorful.

He, Yami, and Seto Kaiba were sitting in a dark room hidden deep within the castle in Rassay. Their only light source was from the azure stained glass windows on the wall surrounding a long stone table big enough to seat twenty people.

Just weeks after the baby saved the city of Rassay, the kingdoms of Termnnia began to violently fight against one another in a bloody civil war that would be called The War of the Infant.

The baby was the key to bringing a family immense power, for he would be in the most powerful position in the world and summon the most powerful monsters in the world. But he had no family. That was the reason for the war. To see who could have him.

Yami found the conflict to be pathetic. So he took matters into his own hands and organized this meeting. After all, it felt like he, Pegasus, and Kaiba were the only ones in the world who used common sense.

"Is he to stay with you?" Pegasus took a sip of his drink. He grinned. "You would make an excellent father, Yugi-boy."

"I would say that I could," Yami answered, rubbing his puzzle "I have talked about it with Tea. We wanted to raise him in my castle in the Blue Mountains. But, I fear having the boy brings great risk to myself and my friends."

"And he sure as hell can't stay with me," Kaiba said, sternly. "I have a kid brother to look after."

"Well, then it's clear you've brought me here to ask if the child can stay with me," Pegasus said with a chuckle. "I'm sorry gentlemen, but I'm afraid I have to decline. I am not fond of the thought of having that bundle of joy running in my halls."

"You have something against the boy, Pegasus?" Yami asked.

"Ooooo," hooted Pegasus, feigning hurt feelings. "Perish the thought, Yugi-Boy. Don't get me wrong I do love the spotlight, and I find little Daveed rather adorable."

He giggled in a creepy manner that caused Kaiba to shudder. "But I'm afraid the attention I'll get with the lad in my house is not the attention I desire. Power-hungry families, assassins, and Orcs are not my forte, Yugi."

"There must be something we can do," said Yami.

"There is one alternative," Kaiba said, getting up from the table and walking towards one of the windows displaying a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. He clicked his tongue and smiled. "Alternative," he muttered looking at the mosaic image of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

"Do you have something to say?" Yami asked.

Kaiba closed his eyes and nodded then placed his hands behind his back. "We could send him through the Gate.

There was a stunned silence.

"Kaiba!" Yami said, almost in a shout. "You don't mean…"

"Oh yes," said Kaiba. "As you know, the Gates are portals made by the Different Dimension mages long ago to find a paradise to escape from Zorc Necrophades when Termnnia was at war with him. The mages discovered a world not too different from ours. They call it Earth."

"Seto Kaiba, sometimes you frighten me," said Pegasus. "Are you suggesting we send the child into this other world? This…Earth?"

"Yes,"

"And where do you intend to send him?" Pegasus asked.

"A few decades ago, a stranger went through a Gate that was accidentally left open by a foolish mage asleep on the job. I found him stumbling through the forest when I was racing High King Antar through the mountains. I would have been the victor, but, our little friend got in the way and forced our race to end. Antar had a liking for the man; he was a soldier who got lost after losing a bloody battle in his world. As much as he liked it here, the soldier wanted to go home. We sent him on his way, but not before Antar, and I taught him a thing or two about Duel Monsters. The High King gave the soldier a box of cards for him to use, promising him that the game would give him eternal fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams, so long as he kept our world a secret. Not like he had much of choice, as he was under pain of death."

"And who was this soldier?" asked Yami.

"Sgt. Jacob Montgomery," Kaiba answered. "United States Marine Corps was where he said he was serving. Antar wasn't kidding when he said the game would bring him fame and fortune. It has grown rather addictive in the other world."

"Be serious, Seto," said Pegasus. "The man is not going to just accept him."

"No," said Kaiba. "I don't think he will. And He is well-known around here, so sending the prince to live with him would be no better than sending him with Yugi. However, my love for Duel Monsters got the best of me. I can't stand to see the game played in such a mediocre way. So, I've sent a few 'assistants' into the world. A large island city was built, in record time may I add," he boasted. "That city has become the central hub in that world for all things Duel Monsters."

"You helped people from another dimension build a city?" said Yami. "Kaiba, that's meddling. That's illegal!"

Kaiba sneered and crossed his arms. "No, I didn't help per-say. I just gave them some loans and the know-how. We could send the prince to live in this city until he's old enough to rule and fend for himself. He'll get his practice in Duel Monsters while he's down there."

"And you are sure the boy will be safe with these people?" Pegasus asked.

"I am positive," said Kaiba. "This city is safe, secluded, well guarded by a private army, and lives and breathes Duel Monsters. It will be the perfect place for him to go until he's ready to take the crown."

"And what are we to do while Prince Daveed is on Earth?" Pegasus asked. "How do we get all these kingdoms and Houses to stop fighting one another?"

"Leave that to me," said Yami. "Right now, Pegasus, you are the High Chancellor of the Royal Council; therefore, we will name you the de-facto ruler of Termnnia until Daveed is old enough to rule. We will also claim the baby is staying with you in your castle in Duelist Kingdom."

"My island getaway isn't exactly hidden from the world," said Pegasus. "But, I know a place we can use as a diversion. Castle Dawnheart, my hidden fortress in the Blue Mountains."

"No one will be looking for him there, correct?" asked Kaiba.

"I can't guarantee that," Pegasus said with another creepy chuckle. "But just getting to the place would make the perfect death trap for any fool looking to do harm to our little hero. The castle is perched high up in the mountains. It is surrounded by an immense valley filled with monsters who have vowed to protect the castle. The fort was built by my forefathers thousands of years ago and held back armies more than a hundred times. Why it even survived a raid by High King Matthias and his onslaught of Blue-Eyes White Dragons during the gruesome White Dragon Wars."

"Then why not keep him there?" asked Yami.

"Don't be a fool, Yugi," said Kaiba. "As strong as this fortress is there are no guarantees he'll be a hundred percent safe. A fort can hold its own against an army, but its walls are still no match for a skilled assassin. The siege of Rassay proved that."

"You are right," Yami said, looking down at the table in defeat.

"Have no fear, Yugi-Boy, just the thought that the boy is nestled deep within the walls of Castle Dawnheart is enough to discourage even the coldest and keenest of killers."

"So be it," said Yami, getting up from the table. "I will tell everyone at once."

"Break it to them gently Yugi," Kaiba said with a smirk. "Those dweebs you call friends have grown rather attached to the prince. I expect quite the show when you tell them the news."

"You're all heart, Kaiba," Yami said, walking out of the room.

When the midnight hour struck, Yami rallied up his friends and proceeded by horse into the empty fields outside of Rassay's giant walls. Pegasus was at the entrance of the city, holding a bundle in his arms, that was merely nothing more than a mess of blankets served to fool the people he had the prince in his arms. He rode away as the citizens sadly bid farewell. The city was rank with sadness. Sobbing could be heard throughout the streets that night.

Meanwhile, a Machine-Type monster called Gatekeeper was waiting for Yami and the others, standing in front of two massive pillars. Ever since the incident with the Mage asleep on the job, it was the duty of these machines to guard the Gates.

When Yami and his friends arrived, Gatekeeper took a key-shaped weapon from its back and pointed it at the pillars. A vortex of multi-colored light swirled in between the pillars. Powerful gusts of winds shook the grass around it, and rocks shivered trying to stay their ground.

Joey gulped and made a strange, abnormal face only an Eldori could make.

The Gatekeeper bowed to signal the all-clear, and the companions rode into the Gate.

Mai and Tristan vomited into the ground.

Joey heaved and Yami coughed trying to hold down his dinner.

Serenity threw up in her mouth and swallowed it to keep her bile from spilling on the baby who just let out a burp.

Their horses swayed left and right as if drunk.

When the companions were healed of their brief sickness, they found themselves under a starry sky and in a forest of palm trees.

It did not take long for Yami to spot the orphanage Tristan and Duke found when they scouted the city earlier. The sand muffled their horse's hooves as they rode through the palm trees. They could hear the soft sound of waves crashing on the shore in the distance.

Serenity held the baby close to her breast and rocked him gently. She found it surreal that she was in another world. It felt so much like theirs. She gave a sigh.

"At least the stars look the same," she said sadly. Remembering when she took the baby to the very top of Castle Rassay where they would stare at the constellations for hours.

A cool tropical breeze graced their faces. There was a road of asphalt before them, so Yami decided it was best to dismount.

"Think anybody will see us?" asked Serenity.

"If ya keep yapping, they will," said Joey.

"Be nice to your sister, Joey," said Mai.

"Here it is," said Yami. He stopped in front of the orphanage.

The others could not believe how large and comfortable it was. The lights were on, and they could hear the sound of children laughing and singing from within. Yami and his friends got off their horses and walked across the street one by one.

Tristan was about to cross, but Duke grabbed him by the hood of his cloak and pulled him back when a bright light illuminated the darkness.

It was a car.

Thankfully the driver didn't see them and continued on its way. When the coast was clear, they crossed the road and into the grounds of the orphanage. The children could be seen huddling around the fire with the owner, who was singing Old McDonalds Farm while playing his guitar. He was dressed in overalls and a straw hat.

"Looks like a cozy place," said Mai, gently removing her hood.

Serenity's face creased into a scowl. "An orphanage is no place for a prince."

"Exactly," said Duke. "That's why it's the perfect place to put him. No one will ever think to find him here."

Yami nodded in agreement, then he walked to Serenity.

"It's time," Yami whispered.

Serenity nuzzled the baby's forehead and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then she put him in a basket. Yami saw a tear roll down her cheek and land on the baby's head. The baby began to coo and stir in the basket. Serenity rocked gently until he settled down.

"Must he really go?"

"Serenity, don't start!" snapped Yami.

"But I love him so much."

"Serenity please, someone will see us," said Joey.

"Just five more minutes." she wept.

Yami smiled.

"Ten."

"Thank you."

And so they gathered around the baby one last time. They kissed him, hugged him, and took turns holding him. They offered well wishes until it was time to finally say goodbye.

Serenity gave the baby one final kiss, nuzzled his head, and sniffed his hair. She put him in the basket and handed him to Yami.

"Goodbye," she said, giving the baby to Yami.

Yami took the basket and walked to a rose bush where he set the baby under it so no other person could see him.

A rose bush, Serenity's lips trembled. That's where I met your mother. She sobbed then began to weep, burying her face in her hands.

"Serenity, Serenity, it's okay," said Téa putting her arm around Serenity. "We'll see him again." Téa patted Serenity's back. "Rose and Gabriel would greatly thank you for taking care of their baby."

"Yugi let's go before it becomes harder for us to leave," said Tristan who was fighting back tears.

"I agree." Duke. "Damn, I'm going to miss that kid."

They were all leaving, but Yami stayed, watching the baby.

"Yugi are you coming?" Téa asked.

"You go on ahead I'll catch up."

"Okay, I'll tell the Gatekeeper to hold on."

Téa rode away into the woods.

When the coast was clear, Yami took three cards out of his pocket, and he stared at them. They were the three powerful monsters the baby summoned the night of the attack. Slifer the Sky Dragon, Obelisk the Tormentor, and The Winged Dragon of Ra.

They were children of Horakhty, and they could only be summoned by the Lord of Termnnia.

Their summoning the night the Orcs raided Rassay sealed the baby's fate as High King. Just before dying Antar adopted the baby boy and declared him the new heir to the throne.

Many weren't sure the Divine Beasts would come to the aid of the boy since he wasn't really of the High King's bloodline, but the baby called their names despite being too young to speak, and they flew down from the sky and destroyed an army of Orcs with one strike.

They came at their master's call. That was proof enough to the people that he was indeed the new Lord of Termnnia.

"When the time comes..." Yami said holding the cards above the baby. "...they will be yours again." The cards lifted out of Yami's hand, and they flew into the sky disappearing into small slots of golden light. Yami knelt down and kissed the baby's forehead then he put a letter on the baby's chest as well as a package from Serenity.

Yet...little did he know he was being watched.

"How clever of you," sneered Bakura hiding in the shadows of the trees near a lamp post. "So, Yugi. You seek to hide the child here in the other world. Did you honestly believe whisking him to another dimension would keep him safe? You are such a naïve fool, Yugi. There is nowhere you can put the child that can keep him from me. But, I must say. An orphanage? Is that the best you can do? No, no, no. This will not do at all."

Bakura sniggered quietly and slowly descended into the woods gone from sight.

Meanwhile, Yami looked around, and gently kicked the baby's basket. The baby cried louder than he anticipated so he quickly ran for cover and turned his horse invisible with a snap of his fingers. He peered from behind a tree. The lights began to turn on inside, and figures could be seen running downstairs. The owners of the home came storming out.

"What is that?" asked the man in the farmer's outfit, no doubt the owner of the orphanage.

His wife came out and spotted the baby crying in her rose bush. She gasped. Her silky robe flapped behind her like wings as she dashed for the infant.

"Oh, you poor little thing!" she said, sympathetically. She took the baby out of the rose bush.

"Hey! Hello! Hello! Is anyone out there?" shouted the man.

His wife quickly made the baby stop crying. "Don't worry sweetheart we'll care for you." The woman tapped the baby's nose.

"What's with his eye?" asked the man. "Why is it glowing like that?"

Damn! Yami gasped. He forgot about the eye. This was a dimension where magic or monsters existed. A plain world, so to speak. But even though the child had an unusual eye, it did not affect the pair's feelings for him.

"Well," the woman said inspecting the eye. "Isn't that odd? It's bizarre, no doubt, but I see no trouble bringing him in. What do you say, dear?"

"Well, honey, this is your birthday after all. All right, bring him in before he catches a cold or something. It looks like you're stuck with us little guy."

"Yes!" Yami whispered.

The mission was a success.

"Goodnight, and good luck to you, little one. I will see you again soon." He said as a big tear rolled down his cheek.

Yami could feel his heart tie into a knot when he saw the boy in the woman's arms enter the house. His eyes were glued to him as if he did everything in his power to see the baby one last time. When the door closed and the baby was safe inside, Yami got back onto his horse and disappeared back to Termnnia.