Kings of the past

Chapter 1

A/N: Welcome to the Sequel to Return of the Kings. If you enjoyed that tale then you should enjoy this one. This takes place approx 7-9 months after the end of the last one. As usual, if you like it, please leave a comment! I love hearing your thoughts and reactions! They keep me going!

The sun blazed hot over the harsh dry dirt as diggers carried wheelbarrows of dead soil and debris, others brushed off and chipped away at old ancient buried structures and more still assisted in odd jobs fitting an archaeological site. Many were thirsty, all were sweating and few sat uncomfortably in the shade examining maps, journals, survey reports and the like beneath the protection of tents.

Maximillion Pegasus was one of them, sipping at a glass of red wine as he listened to his senior researchers prattle on about which location was more likely to have anything of significance.

While they had made some decent headway of discoveries here, they hadn't found what Pegasus was certain would be here and until they find it, they would continue searching, spreading their resources as thin as they had to, so long as they found it.

It was all in the journal he kept in his suit jacket, the one modern thing found in this site 6 months ago by an unsuspecting traveller. He knew not what he had found, but as luck would have it, it could well prove to be one of the most profitable investments Pegasus would have made in recent times. If this journal spoke true then his company would soar, he could revitalise Duel Monsters with a brand new season of cards and once again his name would be the talk of the world as much as Kaiba Corp.

Not to say his company was doing badly, but with Kaiba's rematch against the Pharoah being televised and a sudden demand for anything ancient he needed new ideas. Even Kaiba Corp was revising their amusement parks and their competitions. He needed to stay ahead of his game and helping the archaeological community wasn't a bad venture either.

Not to mention, if he could find something of significance his dear friend Yugi boy would be greatly interested as well... which could spark even more interest for Duel Monsters if the former King of Games is seen making waves.

He sighed and sipped at his wine, swirling it around in his glass lazily. He was excited to get things moving along, but listening to his researchers drolling arguments were getting tiresome; and the heat didn't help at all. He insisted on being here; being cooped up in one of his mansions was making him lethargic and a change of scenery was good for the soul... but even he wished to be inside his jet or at a nearby luxury hotel drinking his wine amongst spa bubbles instead of sweltering out here for naught.

He boredom was soon interrupted however as a commotion was sounding near section 23; a small site of little promise a little ways off from the others. It was chosen as a site of interest soley based off a terrain scan showing dark areas. It wasn't favored among his researchers but Pegasus followed what Yugi had taught him: to believe.

Approaching the site they split apart the frantic group of diggers scrambling to look and in the centre were two men trying to resuscitate another.

"Call a medic!" One supervisor called out as he began to take over for the diggers. Another supervisor began corralling the workers, getting them to spread out and back away. Pegasus watched as the man's chest rose and fell but no life could be forced into him. What he died from was a mystery for now... they weren't overworked and they had plenty of water. It was hot but the men were on regular shifts. He could have been bitten by a snake, a spider or perhaps a scorpion but at first glance there didn't appear to be any creatures nearby or tracks of a snake.

"Mr. Pegasus, sir." One of the diggers said to him, head cast low to his feet and his voice weak with fear.

"What is it?" He asked the man. He winced and recoiled before he moved aside and pointed to a golden dagger half buried in loose sand.