YUGIOH

Eternal Darkness 2

Narr: Vampire fic, continuation of the original Eternal Darkness. This takes place at the end of the Yugioh series. Kaiba is a vampire. Yami tries to find a way to cure Kaiba, while the rest of the group learns about new mysterious murders taking place in Domino. Is Kaiba responsible? Did he take over where the first vampire left off?

Note: Violence, language, AU, rated T, action/adventure. I do not own Yugioh. I also do not own any rights to vampires or mythological creatures. I do not study ancient Egyptian.

Chapter 1.

The battle of past memories was over, and Yami had defeated Bakura and Zork. They now had all the Millennium Items needed to finish Atem's final quest. They stood before Ishizu, Marik, and Odion, as Ishizu explained what they were about to do once they entered the temple.

And Tea was horrified, knowing that this meant Atem may finally be leaving them forever.

"...this is the entrance to ceremonial battle." Ishizu stated. "I hope you are both ready."

"Well..." Yugi said, sounding unsure.

Everyone looked to Yugi, surprised. Joey said. "What's wrong, Yugi? You seemed so determined to battle Atem when we were on the boat."

"I know, but...I think there's something wrong. Atem has not seemed very content on this next step." Yugi replied.

Ishizu blinked, surprised by this. "Oh?"

Yugi then became the Pharaoh, and looked over towards his three guides. "Ishizu...I do not think this is yet the time to end my journey."

"Pharaoh...you have found your name. You must battle to complete your mission and move on to your final destiny. What makes you stay your hand?" Ishizu asked.

Yami replied. "It is what I have seen in the past. In that time, my high priest battled side by side with me. He had given everything for me. I had seen the shadow of Akunadin try to consume him, and his own light save him from the darkness. I left him to be the next Pharaoh before I returned, to continue and shed light upon all our people."

Yami then looked out in the distance, showing the grief on his face. "He is here with me again in the future, now as Kaiba. But, in this time he is forever cursed in darkness. How can I leave...how can I abandon him to this fate? I have the chance to move on and allow my soul to find peace. But the soul of a vampire will never move on, and will be doomed forever. Even if he dies...his soul will not join us, will he?"

Ishizu looked down and shook her head. "No...he will not. But, my Pharaoh...there is nothing you can do for him."

"Nothing?" Yami asked. "It was explained to me in the past that Akunadin had found a way to decipher only a fraction of the book which allowed him to create the Millennium Items. What if that book holds more secrets...perhaps the secret to possibly save Kaiba?"

Joey asked. "You think that's possible?"

Yami then looked down, stating. "This is not an easy decision for me. The last thing I want to do is burden Yugi any more than I have to, by remaining inside him."

'You're not a burden, Pharaoh!' Yugi exclaimed. 'How can you even think that? We'd all miss you if you were gone. You know that, don't you?'

Yami didn't answer. But then, he changed back to Yugi with an equally determined look on his face. "I agree with the Pharaoh. If there's any chance to help Kaiba, then we have to at least try!"

Ishizu looked down and nodded. "I see. Then come with me..."

They all looked surprised, but joined Ishizu and the other two, nonetheless.

They entered the secret underground temple, where it showed the coffer that held spaces for all the Millennium Items, as well as the Eye of Horus upon the wall.

Ishizu turned to the others and said. "Since you both agree on this, you both have the option on refusing the ceremonial battle once you place the Millennium Items into the tablet. If that is done, you will be granted the option that Bakura had been so desperately seeking for."

"And, what is that?" Yugi asked.

"You will be granted one wish." Ishizu stated.

Everyone was shocked by this. Joey said. "No way! You gotta be kidding me!"

"Be warned, it is not a wish like you might expect. This wish the Pharaoh makes can only affect himself." She stated.

Tristan scratched his head. "Uh...what exactly does that mean?"

Marik stepped forward, saying. "That means if a person asked for riches, it would be a wasted wish that did nothing, since that wish is based on the desire of an object. It has to be a wish that would directly affect the Pharaoh."

Tea seemed confused, saying. "If that was the case, then how would that help Bakura?"

Odion stated. "Because he could have wished for ultimate power within himself and have it be granted. He could have asked for immortality, or eternal youth. He could have asked to become a god."

"No way!" Joey spat.

Yugi transformed back to Yami, saying. "I understand."

Ishizu added. "But, be warned. If you take this route instead of the ceremonial battle, you may be giving up your chance to be granted passage to the spirit realm. You may very well be wasting your opportunity."

Yami nodded, saying. "Yes...but for Kaiba, it's worth the risk."

"Are you sure about that?" Joey asked.

Yami turned to Joey, and nodded. "I cannot let Kaiba suffer in that form for all eternity to never be allowed the chance to pass on in peace. Joey...I have to do this."

Joey nodded. "Yeah...I get it."

'Pharaoh...but what will you wish for? Asking for something to cure Kaiba will also be a wasted wish, because that wish has nothing to do with you.' Yugi said in his mind.

Yami replied. 'I know, aibou. But if there is one thing you had taught me over the years...it is to follow my heart. And that is exactly what I will do...my wish will be from the heart.'

Yugi smiled. 'Then I trust whatever your wish will be...it will be a good one.'

'Thank you.'

Yami then placed the Millennium Items into the holders, causing the items to light up. It also caused both Yami and Yugi to separate.

But Yami held his ground, as he stared upon the eye, and stated. "I refuse the Ceremonial Battle."

"As do I." Yugi replied.

The sarcophagus holding the Millennium Items also suddenly lit up upon that claim, and shined it's light upon Yami.

Ishizu said. "Pharaoh...the gods await your wish. You must make it now, or forever lose their blessings."

"I wish to become mortal again, and have a body of my own." Yami answered, surprising everyone...even Yugi.

His hand then rested on the sarcophagus, and the light instantly became blinding, engulfing him in light.

Everyone had to cover their faces to protect their eyes. But when it was finally all over with...there were now two Yugi's, both equally solid. Yugi stood where he was, and Yami was on the ground, naked and seeming to be unconscious.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Pharaoh!" Yugi exclaimed, and squatted down to where he was.

The others came over, save Tea who blushed and looked away.

Ishizu turned to Odion and nodded to him. Odion then approached, removing his robe and wrapping Yami with it.

As he did, the ground began to tremble all around them. Odion then lifted Yami, saying. "Do not be concerned. The power granted to the Pharaoh had merely drained him for the moment. He will be fine. Let us leave here, now."

"What's going on?" Joey asked.

Ishizu said. "The Pharaoh had fulfilled his purpose. The ground is now reclaiming back the Millennium Items to hide them once again from the mortal world. We must hurry!"

Everyone left as the entire mountain collapsed and sunk into the ground. Tea then turned to Ishizu, saying. "So, because of his wish...does that mean the Pharaoh will never get the chance to return to the spirit world?"

Ishizu smiled, saying. "The Pharaoh had chosen wisely. Now that he is mortal again, he will have his chance to naturally rise to the spirit world, after living his life once again."

"Yes." Marik agreed. "Instead of being tested in the duel, his life will be his test."

Tea smiled at that...Yami was not going to leave them. Thanks to Yami's wisdom, he could still be their friend forever, and also die just like any of them.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Ishizu brought everyone to the Egyptian museum, where Marik gave the Pharaoh some of his clothes. He was awake now, and looking as happy as ever.

Yugi beamed. "Well, I think you're going to need a better identity then Pharaoh, for now on."

"But, what should we call him?" Joey asked.

"Well, his name 'is' Atem." Yugi said.

"That would not be wise. The Pharaoh's name is a word of power. It was scratched off long ago for a reason." Ishizu stated.

"I believe Yami Motou would work just fine." Yami said. "It will work as a constant reminder of how I got here."

"Then we could be like brothers! Well...even if we aren't." Yugi said. "I'm sure grampa would love to have you live there with us. Of course, you'd have to also go to school with us. But it'll be great!"

That's when the smile faded from Yami. He looked down, saying. "Yugi...I think I'm going to stay here for awhile...here in Egypt."

"But...why?" Yugi asked.

Yami explained. "I could not allow myself to continue on, knowing that my soul could rest at peace but not Kaiba's. A soul that once lived his past life to serve and protect me...a soul that had during this time become my friend, whether he admitted it or not. I will not abandon him. Now, that I am separated from you, I no longer have to fear burdening you by having to make you travel away from your friends and family."

"But, Yami...I told you that you were never a..." Yugi began, but Yami held his hand up.

"I have no right to live your life, aibou. I have no right to take time from your friends, family, and this life that is yours. Now, I don't have to. But, do not fear...I don't plan on my stay being a permanent one, here. When I have finished with my quest, I promise to come and visit." Yami smiled.

Yugi became all teary eyed and hugged Yami tightly. "I'll miss you, Yami!"

"And I will miss you, aibou. We will see each other again. I promise." Yami stated.

Yugi's friends eventually left where Ishizu, Odion, Marik and Yami remained. They got onto the plane waiting for them, and headed home...back to Domino.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Narr: I know it probably seemed strange that in the beginning of a vampire story, I started off with almost nothing to do with the vampire. But I wanted to bring everyone up to speed to where this story is going. Plot development is important. Don't worry, he should be introduced in the next chapter.

Even though this is an AU fantasy vampire fic, I felt I did the style of this particular story as closest to the style they do the actual Yugioh series. There's a lot more focus on the group in this fic, than I have in most storylines.

Please read and review. I reply to all reviews.