Welcome to my first Yu-Gi-Oh story. I recently started rewatching the series, starting with season 5, which spawned this fic as I suddenly found myself shipping Atem/Mana. It's my first attempt at writing a Yu-Gi-Oh fic, and it's been a long while since I've actually written a fanfic, so be gentle with me.

This Fic takes place in a bit of an Alternate Universe, where Atem and Yugi didn't face each other for their final duel yet and are in no rush to. Please keep that in mind.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the occasional OC or two that may appear.

Prologue

Yugi sighed softly as he headed down the busy street, headed for home after a crazy day at school. He was somewhat surprised though, to find himself walking home alone. It wasn't often that he was without the company of Tea, Tristan, and Joey.

"Is everything alright, Yugi?"

Yugi blinked before he turned his head ever so slightly to face the transparent form of Atem who had appeared beside him. Yugi smiled at the spirit of the five-thousand year old Pharaoh, who had become something of a brother to him and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine," He responded. "I'm just not used to having to go home on my own, you know? Usually the gang's all with us, or at the very least Tea is. But they all had other plans today."

"Well, you know, Yugi, you're never truly alone," Atem said with a small smile before he vanished back into the Millennium Puzzle.

Yugi thought for a moment while he walked. That much was true. Atem shared his body and his mind so he really was never fully alone. With a shake of his head, he snapped back to reality just as the bus he needed to take him home pulled up. He payed the fare and walked towards the back of the bus to find himself a seat, when suddenly he heard the Pharaoh gasp and without warning, the Millennium Puzzle started to glow and Atem took over his body.

"What's wrong, Atem?" Yugi asked as the Pharaoh looked around.

"You don't feel it?" Atem asked as he walked slowly along the length of the bus. "There's someone here..."

His eyes fell on a girl who sat in the corner of the bus. Her eyes were covered with sunglasses and her hair stuck out in every direction under the hat she wore, but Atem couldn't help the way his eyes narrowed. Something felt weird about this girl. His suspicions were confirmed when she raised her hand to brush her hair back and on her finger was a ring...

"Her ring's got a Millennium symbol on it!" Yugi gasped. "Who is she...?"

"I don't know," Atem said with a shake of his head, though his eyes were still narrowed at the girl. Suddenly, she smiled and got up as the bus stopped.

"You know, it's not wise to walk around in the sun without a hat, Pharaoh," She said in a low voice as she passed Atem and got off the bus. Atem stood stunned for a moment before he regained himself and dashed off the bus just as the doors were closing.

"Did she just call you Pharaoh? How does she know?"

"Beats me, but if she's got a ring with a Millennium symbol on it..." Atem's voice trailed off as the girl suddenly started running. "Wait!" He called after her as he too began to run. "Please!"

The girl's laugh was somewhat musical, and it reminded Atem of someone instantly. He had to know if it was really her. The girl led him to an alleyway before she finally stopped and turned to face him, "Oh, Pharaoh, is it really you?" She asked as she faced him and pulled down her sunglasses.

Atem's eyes widened as his eyes fell on the girl, "Mana?" He asked, taking a step forward. He couldn't believe that she was truly real. But that one crack about him walking around without a hat... It had to be her.

"Mana, as in the Dark Magician Girl?"

"Actually, my name is Mariah, in this life, but you can still call me Mana," She smiled. She winked at Atem and stepped forward. "I finally found you! I knew my spell wouldn't let me down!" She jumped up and hugged Atem close, "It's taken me forever to perfect that spell..."

"Mana, I don't understand," Atem said with a shake of his head though he hugged her back. Joey, Tristan, and Tea were good friends of his, but they were also Yugi's friends. Mana was from his time and life, and that made her that much more special to him "What are you doing here, in this time?"

"Looking for you, Atem," Mana said, dropping the formalities. She took hold of Atem's hand and looked directly into his violet eyes. "I need your help, Atem. You need to come back with me. Back to Ancient Egypt, your home."

End Prologue

AN: Sorry for a short prologue, but I promise, the coming chapters will be longer. Leave a review if you like. They often motivate me to update faster.