Chapter 0.5: Introduction
In the spirit world of ancient Egypt, we see Atem and his childhood friend Mana (pronounced: MON-A) walking inside the palace walls. Ever since her dear friend returned to the Spirit World, he wasn't the same as she remembered him, not counting the time-controlling Shadow Game Yami Bakura came up with when Atem acted strange because he [at the time] had no memory of her. 5000 years ago, Atem had to wipe his own memories clean so he (and no one else) could figure out how to unlock the evil magic he locked within the Millennium Items. Of course, Yugi managed too cause it was his destiny to reawaken them, along with Atem's spirit. "Are you ok, Atem? Your thinking about them again?" She asked. During Yami Bakura's Shadow Game, she could see Atem's friends and was the ONLY one of Atem's "game pieces" that could. History was also slightly modified in the process of that game, so she able to remember them.
"Hmm? Oh, I'm... I'm alright. Just... thinking" he answered. "You didn't answer my question" she said, making a playful pouty-face. Sighing, Atem confessed. "Yes, Mana. I can't help it... Joey, Téa, Tristan... and Yugi. I'm happy to be at rest once again, but I only wish that..." he would have stated that he would love to see them just one more time, but he felt a pain in his head and grabbed it, sinking to his knees. Mana called his name in worry, kneeling down next to him and...
SHINE!
The symbol of Wdjat, otherwise known as the Millennium Symbol that Millennium Items have, appeared on Atem's head! Which should be impossible, he no longer has the Millennium Puzzle around his neck! It was left behind in the Real World in the Millennium Stone, where the items were conceived. "W-What's... happening...?" Atem asked, then a flash of light appeared before his eyes!
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...
...
Opening his eyes, he sees an all-too familiar room. 5 people were sitting around it, 2 of them were playing Duel Monsters... Atem could not believe what he was seeing! It was his friends, all of them in Yugi's room! He tried moving, but it was like his legs were stuck in place, he was able to move his upper body though. He heard every word they said, making him chuckle cause Joey lost again and gave his usual reaction, Tristan taunted him, Joey turned on him, Téa remarked the "female friends" thing, Bakura just watched and Yugi... was sad. Hearing the words come out of Yugi's mouth, Atem was moved to tears. HE missed them all too!
The door opened, Grandpa Muto walked in and left behind a case... something about Duel Links? An app? What was that? Oh, a KabiaCorp game? Heh, somethings never change... WHOA! Getting your BODY sucked into a game was new! Atem felt a dark presence behind it, but would worry about that later! Yugi needed him! He tried moving his legs, but it was like they were 2 lugs of bricks, they wouldn't budge! "YUGI! YUGIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" Cried Atem, it was all he could do when light flashed before him again.
Opening his eyes again and breathing like he almost drowned, Atem gasped. What just happened? Why? How? "Atem, your forehead, it..." Mana said, not believing it herself. She just pulled out a handheld mirror (AN: Real quick, there's still plenty we don't know about Ancient Egyptians, to this day! Wouldn't surprise me if they made the 1st mirrors) and showed Atem's reflection. The eye was still glowing on his head before fading away seconds later. "I don't understand... the Millennium Puzzle isn't with me or Yugi..." said the Pharaoh. "Maybe... I don't know, its magic is still with you?" Asked Mana, not sure either but gave her own theory.
"That is half-correct" said a voice and in a third flash, a man in a turban appeared. "SHADI! What are you doing here?" Asked Atem. "What you are feeling is not just the bond with your puzzle... but your bond with the boy" said Shadi. "Do you know whats happening? Shadi, PLEASE! YUGI'S IN DANGER!" Said Atem, but Shadi was still calm. "Not yet... he isn't, but he... and the whole world... will be once again" Shadi explained. In truth, Shadi was a spirit known as Hasan, but his body was destroyed by Zorc during his first rampage 5000 years ago. He later became the guardian of the Millennium Items to find the "Chosen Ones" of said items to prepare for Zorc's eventual return. "I'm sure you've already seen whats happened, due to your bond with the boy... this Duel Links is a game developed by Seto Kabia, but there's something inside that even he has no knowledge of..." the guardian explained.
"I don't care about the game, Yugi's in trouble, I have to help him!" Said Atem, not wanting to hear anymore saving-the-world stuff. He will still do it, of course; that's just who he is... guess he got his wish for: waiting for the next bad guy. Hearing this, Mana gasped. She just got her best friend back, now he was leaving her again?! "But you can't, you just got here and..." she began. She felt guilty cause she had gotten friendly with Yugi and the others' while they were in the Memory World with her... but still, she finally got her friend back after 5000 years of waiting! "Mana... I HAVE too. Yugi... he helped me... helped me save the world and everyone in it when I was too weak the first time. When I had no idea what to do, he would always be behind me... and gave me the strength to fight! I owe him my life for what he did... I can't abandon him... I WON'T!" Said Atem, making a fist.
"But its impossible! No one can leave, we all tried when you sealed Zorc away" Mana said. "There is a possible way... but its never been done before. Atem, you've been bonded with the Millennium Puzzle for 5000 years... just as long as me with my Millennium Key. If the puzzle is completed and somewhere in the world of the living, perhaps... I can send you there, but..." Shadi explained, but paused. "What's the catch?" Asked Atem, used to some types of magic having additional costs. "Leaving the Spirit World defies the laws of nature... even if you successful... you may never be able to return, and will be trapped forever..." said the spirit.
After a few moments of silence, Atem gave his answer. "I don't care, I need to help him... I MUST! And if there is another great evil, I owe him for helping me with mine... send me to him, Shadi... please" He said, adamantly. Mana was upset, but understood. When Atem made up his mind, it rarely changes. That's how it was with Mahad, their childhood friend. He continues to serve Atem AND Yugi as the Dark Magician, a powerful monster in his own right. Atem saved Mahad's life when a snake bit him by sucking out the poison, something that the future Pharaoh didn't NEED to do. Using his mysterious powers, Shadi was able to make the Pharaoh disappear. To where... all Atem saw was allot of blue circuitry and a giant orb in the distance. *Yugi... I'm coming...*