Yu-Gi-Oh! Role swap AU prologue: The Millennium Items (A YU-GI-OH! FANFICTION)

The Millennium Ring (Ryou's story) part 1/2

Ryou Bakura had always been interested in his father's adventures, especially when it came to ancient Egypt. As much as he worried for his dad on long trips, he was always excited to hear what he had found. There was no way to tell what he'd find next.

He wasn't the only one who was excited to hear these stories. His friends would always ask what the latest find was. At school, while Yugi and Joey were sat playing Duel Monsters, or Tristan was winding Téa up, Ryou would tell them anything his father had told him about his latest adventure. Though he was extremely shy, this small group of friends boosted Ryou's confidence while at school.

This time was no different. During lunch break, Joey and Yugi sat at a table together and each took out their Duel Monsters decks. Tristan leaned against the desk and laughed. "Sure you know how to play, Joey?"
"C'mon, Tristan, don't act like you do!" Joey snapped back, laughing.
Ryou smiled. He knew neither of them completely understood the game. Not that he did either - he didn't play much. Though he loved watching as others duelled each other.

"Did your dad find anything this time, Ryou?" Téa asked. She stood beside him as they watched Yugi and Joey play.

Ryou began playing with his hair. His ponytail was loose. "Yes, another artefact from Egypt. Dad thinks it's at least 3000 years old." Ryou replied.
"No way it's that old." Tristan said.
"It very well could be. We're not sure yet."

Yugi looked up from the duel. "From Egypt, you said?"
"Yes. He found it outside one of the old tombs."
"What was it anyway?" Joey asked, placing a card down on the play mat.
"A ring. Well.. sort of. It's not jewellery." Ryou explained. "My father looked quite worried when he brought it home. Apparently it was meant to be paired with another item."

Yugi placed his cards down and looked at him. "Hold on. Was the ring made of gold?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Remember the puzzle I'm trying to solve? Grandpa said it was supposed to come with something else. He'd found another item with it, but he left it there because..." Yugi's voice trailed off.
Ryou finished his sentence, his voice low.
"...because he had to get out of there."
Yugi nodded. "Did your dad have to do the same thing?"
Ryou nodded. "He wouldn't tell me why."

The others looked at them. "What are you two talking about?" Téa asked.
"It's a long story. Remember, Grandpa warned me not to solve the puzzle. Maybe this ring has a similar problem." Yugi replied.
"Remind me..." Joey sighed. "WHY are you solving that thing?"

The bell rang. Joey and Yugi began putting their things away while the others grabbed their bags. "Curiosity, I guess." Yugi answered Joey's question.

Ryou nodded. He pulled his bag over his shoulder and glanced back at Yugi as he walked. "Awful curiosity..." he muttered to himself.

After school, the group began walking home together, still talking about the items Yugi and Ryou had. Ryou had decided that he'd look closer at the ring, while Yugi gave himself a challenge to finish the strange puzzle that night. After he split up from the rest and went home, Ryou asked his dad about the ring.
"Are you sure? It could be dangerous." His father told him.

"I only want to have a look. Please. I promise I'll be careful." Ryou glanced at the ring. It hadn't been used in thousands of years. Surely it was safe now. His father reluctantly agreed and handed it to him.

Ryou thanked him and went to his room. He sat on his bed and looked at the ring. The eye in the centre stared back. He thought about what his dad had told him. Was it true?
His dad had told him the story of the ring. It had been used by a powerful sorcerer to keep intruders out of the palace in Egypt. No one understood why, as it was said the young pharaoh he was protecting was evil. Pure evil.

Ryou didn't understand how it was so bad. The sorcerer was simply doing his job. He had no choice. From what he had heard, the ring had been stolen anyway, by a young but powerful thief. It made him wonder... why?

Ryou noticed the rope around the ring. Should he wear it? He was sure it was harmless. He decided to try it on. He thought maybe the ring was still magical, and that he might find out more.
He stood up and placed the ring around his neck. Nothing happened for a few seconds.

Then, the ring began to glow.