It was all over.
Yugi fell to his knees, the inevitable tears starting. "Lose-lose situation" was the understatement of the century. He didn't need Atem anymore. But that didn't mean he didn't want him around…and really did the need versus the want have to be mutually exclusive?
Tea's brave façade was about to crack. It must be a profoundly singular experience to be told you will not only lose the love of your life, but that it's what is best for him and you.
Joey and Tristan simply didn't want to think about the next step. The final journey, as they had called it.
Atem smiled, but the smile was grim. He felt all their thoughts with his ever supernatural ability to sense their feelings and though he told himself this is what his destiny was and his fate was finally sealed, it didn't make any of this easier or help it to make sense.
"You think you can just change everyone's lives…and then just leave?"
Atem stopped on the dias. He had not meant for any of this to happen at all. How could he have predicted this turn of events? If he had known the pain he would have put his friends through, let alone the pain he was about to put himself through, he would have done everything in his power to stop it.
One look at Tea…and then he felt it. The heartbreak. The first crack of it resounded in his chest and he felt it ringing in his ears. He was amazed no one else seemed to have noticed…Tea met his gaze and he saw it in her face. The same fissure was forming in her own heart.
Ishizu smiled, a wry smile. As if she had known this moment was coming…as if she had heard that crack and knew now was the time to act.
"Atem…there are a few other choices to be made first."
Atem started, having gotten temporarily lost in the gaze of the girl he knew now he loved eternally. It really did not make sense, the meeting of his soul mate to have her ripped away from him. He turned his gaze to Ishizu, questions in his eyes.
"These friends of yours…they have become part of the very fabric of your soul. This was not part of the original plan…but what is done is done and the fates are not unkind to those with such unwavering loyalty. Indeed, your destiny would never have been fulfilled without this unexplainable bond. You know this.
"If they feel the same as you," here Ishizu gestured to Yugi, Tea, Joey and Tristan who were currently riveted with her words, their eyes full of hope they dared not admit openly, "Then they may join you."
Everyone stared open mouthed at Ishizu now, still fighting the hope that was surging upwards. No use getting so high only to be thrown back to earth as their whole lives seemed to have been when they realized that Atem was leaving.
"I don't…understand…" Yugi whispered.
Ishizu smiled. "Bonds like yours…they cannot be severed lightly. And they should not be except by the choice of those that share them." She looked at them each in turn, light in her eyes. "I and my brother," Marik nodded at her mentioning, "are willing to perform another ritual to ensure you will not be separated again. But we are only able to do so with the Pharaoh's permission." Here she turned to Atem.
"What are the terms?" Atem inquired.
"Those who were not ready to cross over, your four friends, they must be willing to give up their current lives. To go with you. The price is high," here she locked gazes with each person in question, "You must not make this choice lightly. While your bond with Atem is strong, you have other bonds, other people and you must be willing to give them up for now until they are ready to cross over into the world you will enter. But there is purpose to this as well. As spirits of light, along with Atem, you will find plenty of work to be done in this world later."
"This privilege," she continued, "is only extended to those who prove themselves worthy of it. You all have shown courage and compassion beyond the ability of most and therefore are able to have this grace at the Pharaoh's granting."
"Pharaoh, do you wish to extend this grace to your companions?"
Atem was shocked. Was it possible…to be able to have everything he wanted…all at the same time? He looked at the four people who had gotten him through everything, in spite of his occasional idiocy and pride. But would they want to continue with him. It had never really occurred to him that could be possible. He had hurt…all of them…so much. Yugi had nearly lost his soul countless times due to the danger he had put him in. Joey and Tristan and protected him and fought for him far more than they should have. And Tea…he couldn't even begin to imagine how often he had destroyed her heart. The fact she was still there, with tears in her eyes because she was sad to lose him…it was incomprehensible.
Atem cleared his throat. "I…I don't know. I don't know if I want to put this choice on anyone…" he looked around the room, "You all might live to such great things…meet people much better than I am," images of his hurtful actions through the last few years raced through his mind. "I can't ask you all to give that possibility up to be with someone who has caused so much –,"
"Love."
Everyone turned to stare at Tea. She looked at him, her face was unfathomably full of pain and joy, so great at the same time that it was slightly unreal. It reminded Atem of his mother; that sort of look often graced the faces of great queens of nations. The ability to feel to such degrees yet house them in their countenances with such grace made them almost goddess-like.
Tea continued, "Hope, peace, happiness. How could you question yourself so much? Have you learned nothing over the last few years?" Tears finally filled the blue eyes, making her human again.
"We love you. I love you. If you give us this choice, no matter what we decide, that will not change. But do not withhold the choice because you believe you would harm us. You are not capable of harming us…you know that deep down though fear tells you otherwise."
It was Atem's turn to have his tears in his eyes. Always the queen of grace. He smiled at her.
Yugi finally spoke, "Atem, we are willing to make the choice if you grant us the option. We might even surprise you."
Joey and Tristan simply nodded in agreement, still too stunned to speak.
Atem bowed his head for a moment and then turned to look at Ishizu. "Lady Tomb Keeper, I grant you permission to give them this choice."
Ishizu nodded and turned first to Tristan.
"Tristan, what will your choice be?"
Tristan grinned. "I stay with the Pharaoh. No matter what that may mean."
"Joey?"
Joey looked grave. After a small pause, he looked to Duke who appeared to be in a bit of a daze. "I need you to take care of Serenity, Duke."
Duke started for a moment and then smiled and nodded. "I know she would support this choice. I will make sure she is taken care of."
Joey smiled and met Ishizu's gaze. "I also stay with the Pharaoh."
Atem could hardly believe his ears. Love had always been a hard thing for Atem to deal with. In the face of so much of it, he was rendered almost completely senseless.
"Yugi? What is your decision?"
Yugi didn't hesitate for a second. "I also stay with Atem. There is no other choice." He grinned brightly at the man who's emotions were about to overtake him.
The room grew still and everyone seemed to be holding their breath.
"Tea?" whispered Ishizu, "What will you do with this choice?"
Tea lowered her eyes. Atem waited, listening. His heart had stopped completely.
Slowly the girl walked over to Atem. Their eyes locked and the Pharaoh immediately knew her decision. No words were needed to communicate what they both had known for a long time. Nothing could separate souls so closely linked. Yugi smiled happily at the scene, as did Joey and Tristan.
The Pharaoh stooped to kiss his darling's forehead and then encircled her in an embrace. Tears of happiness slipped from the girl's eyes, while Atem's hands brushed them away gently, still cradling her head to his chest.
Ishizu took her brother's hand.
"In the name of the Pharaoh," they murmured together.
The group found themselves in a line, facing the great eye. One by one, first Tristan, then Joey, Yugi and finally Tea gave the Eye their names. It accepted each one and the doors opened.
They all took one step forward and turned back just once to look at those they would leave. Seto allowed just a small smile and waved encouragingly before slinking back behind his natural wall. Mokuba grinned cheerfully at them and called "Goodbye, goodbye!"
Duke winked at Joey and Bakura, last of all smiled gently at them all after calling out his gentle "Farewell."
The light grew brighter. At peace, determined and ready to face the next adventure, together where they belonged, the friends stepped forward into the next world.
The chronicle of their additional adventures, will be recorded here.