Without darkness there can be no light. So what happens if the darkness disappeared?
Yugi watched as his best friend lost the last of his life, he watched as he sadly smiled. Yugi dropped to the ground in tears; he didn't want Atem to leave. Atem walked over hugging Yugi gently he lifted his eyes to Yugi's and they shared a silent understanding. Atem walked away from him, slowly his modern school uniform dissolved only to be replaced with a white cape with golden adornments, and a small white tunic. As he walked into the light he felt the urge to look back but... he wouldn't have moved on to the afterlife like he was supposed to. He would have stayed with Yugi. But as he passed through the light he had a strange thought.
'If I am the dark, what will happen to my light when I leave?' Atem's eyes open wide and he creates a strangled sound from deep within his throat. 'Without my darkness the light will die!'
Tea screamed as Yugi coughed up blood; it dribbled down his lips in a torrent of crimson. His amethyst eyes showed confusion and then he had the same thought as Atem only reversed. 'If I am the light what happens when my darkness leaves? Without the darkness the light dies.'
His body crumpled against Joey's still frame, Joey screamed Yugi's name over and over again until finally Yugi tensed and then became limp. His friends and once rival watched as a slow smile came upon his lips and the light died from his ever happy eyes. Atem watched in spirit form next to Joey he cried out and his body became solid. Joey jumped cradling Yugi's still warm corpse, and looked at Atem with confused eyes.
"He is the light that creates and relies on the dark. The darkness died, so his light could no longer handle the strain of being the light. This is my fault, if I had not wanted to move on he would still be with you, with us." Atem cried, a single tear trailed down his tanned cheek hitting the stone floor creating a tinkling chime.
A blinding light shined throughout the room. A small form of pale skin, spiky tri-colored hair, and amethyst eyes appeared. He bowed to Atem and smiled sadly. Joey looked at him and cried out in joy, he tried to hug him but Joey passed right through. Again Yugi smiled sadly glancing at each of his friends in turn and then at Atem, again he bowed. Atem stared at him in shock, mouth wide open and crimson eyes trained on his hikari.
"Pharaoh, do you not think that we should be moving on? It is unwise for someone of your importance to be out in the open like this sire." Yugi smiled and offered his silver braceleted hand to the Pharaoh who merely stood agape at what he was seeing.
Atem stared at the "bracelet" around his hikari's wrist, it was a shackle that had been broken as if he had been a slave once... Atem took in a rapid breath. Yugi was like someone he had met a long time ago, a long, long time ago. Atem smiled and grabbed Yugi's hand gently kissing his knuckles. He giggled and whispered a single word,"Yami."
Atem smiled and walked with his Hikari into the light with one last look at his friends. Yugi smiled and waved at them, he held his right hand up in the gesture they had used to form their friendship circle. They smiled tears still in their eyes; they knew Atem would take care of their best friend.