MMMG: Hey everyone! After another four month wait, VB20 and I are finally updating 'Egyptian Nights'.

VB20: We're sorry it took so long! Life happend.

MMMG: We don't own Yugioh or Disney's Aladdin.

VB20: Or Ella Enchanted. But I do own my OCs' Selene and Marcus.

MMMG: Hope you're ready for a plot twist.

VB20: Here we go! Enjoy!

Leviathan of the Sea: As you can see, life didn't calm down. But we're back with an update!

Killer-Fangirl: -giggles- Oh yeah, Yugi is deninatly a yes-yes for Atem.

BabyNinetails: Yugi always seems to be in some sort of trouble. And easy on the shot gun! We still need Dartz for the story!

LuvlyLadyLexi: Glad you're liking it. We love faves and follows.

Wordsorcereress: We're trying not to tarnish the manly image of Atem. Hope you don't need that psychiatrist. Glad you liked the song, it means we're doing our jobs. Go easy on your cousin Ryou, see needs her space to be creative, but do make sure she drinks her tea.

fakemannequin: Yes, we're continuing. We don't know when our updates will be, this is a co-written story. So it may take several months before a new chapter is posted.

Chapter 10: A Whole New World

That evening, Atem stood on his balcony, sadly looking into the night. Selene and Marcus had left earlier that evening, so he was alone except for Marik and Malik.

Atem found himself not sure of what to make of the new prince who looked like the street boy he had met. Their eyes looked so similar, if not identical. The new prince was sitting in the courtyard with some of his servants, reading. As if he felt Atem's eyes on him, he glanced up. Atem turned and quickly went back inside.

Yugi sighed as he put the scroll aside. It was hard to get close to Atem, especially when the man didn't even want him near. Would the Egyptian lighten up a little, or send him away?

"What am I going to do?" Yugi groaned as he stood up and began pacing. "Atem won't even let me talk to him. I should have known I couldn't pull off this prince wish."

Joey, who was currently in his human form, aka Yugi's personal guard, shrugged as he munched on a banana. Bakura was lounging up in a tree with Ryou.

"Bakura, I need help." Yugi felt a somewhat bitter taste leave his mouth as he admitted that to the ex-thief.

"You're asking me for courting help?" Bakura asked in disbelief as he shook his head and hoped out of the tree. "Okay, here is the deal. If you want to court the prince, you got to be a straight shooter."

"What?" Yugi asked in confusion as Ryou floated down next to him.

"Do I really have to spell it out for you?" Bakura groaned at Yugi's nod. "You have to tell him the truth."

"No!" Yugi yelped as he turned away, wrapping his arms around him. "If Atem found out I was really that street rat he met, he'd laugh at me. Or execute me for lying."

"You're the one who asked me for advice." Bakura pointed out, and then sighed as he walked over to Yugi and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Yugi, in all seriousness, you really ought to just be yourself."

"Maybe that's the last thing I want to be." Yugi mumbled quietly as stepped out of Bakura's grasp with a sigh. "Okay, I'm going to go see him. How do I look?"

"Like a prince." Bakura replied with a shrug.

"Ryou?" Yugi turned to the carpet next to him.

Ryou nodded and flew Yugi up to the balcony where he had last seen the prince. Yugi sincerely hopped with all his heart this wasn't a big mistake.

Inside, Atem lay on his bed, feeling depressed. If felt like the gods were tormenting him by having a prince that looked like his dead savior turn up. Marik and Malik watched Atem, not sure if they should attempt to comfort him, or leave him be.

"Prince Atem?" a voice called from the balcony.

Marik and Malik immediately got in defensive positions in front of the prince, Marik shifting to his tiger form with a growl.

"Who's there?" Atem demanded as he sat up.

"It's Prince Yugi Mouto." Yugi replied as Atem walked to the balcony curtains.

"I do not want to see you." Atem snarled.

"Please your highness." Yugi begged as he took one step closer. "Just give me a chance."

"Leave me alone." Atem ordered as he turned away.

Marik growled and advanced menacingly on the poor boy. Malik was one step behind with his sword drawn and pointed at the new prince. They didn't exactly trust him.

"Whoa!" Yugi squeaked as he found himself on the edge of the balcony. "Down please!"

Over the edge of the balcony, Ryou was listening in with. Bakura jumped up and landed on his love gently, a grin on his face.

"How's our beau doing?" Bakura asked as he slowly ran his fingers through the fine fibers of his lover.

Ryou made a slashing motion across his neck with one of his tassels. Bakura's grin deepened. Maybe the shrimp needed some more romantic advice.

Despite telling the new prince to go away, Atem couldn't tear his eyes off of him. Maybe if his hair wasn't braided, his eyes were the same, and there also was that cute little bang in the middle of his forehead…

"Uh, okay, take off. Down kitty." Yugi mumbled, his eyes mostly trained on Marik's teeth but occasionally flicked to Malik's sword. "Easy, easy."

"Wait." Atem stepped outside, basically calling off Marik and Malik and telling them to stand behind him. "Do I know you?"

"Uh…" Yugi found himself stuttering.

"You remind me of someone I met in the marketplace." Atem pressed.

"The marketplace?" Yugi repeated dumbly. "I… I don't… think so…"

By the gods, he sounded like such an idiot! Why did he have to get so tonged tied around the prince? All he wanted to do was talk, but it seemed like he couldn't.

"No, I guess not." Atem conceded with a sigh, feeling his hope getting crumbled again.

"Enough about you, shrimp!" Bakura hissed from under the balcony, making Yugi jump until he realized he was the only one who could hear him at the moment. "Talk about him! He's smart, fun, the hair, the eyes. Anything! Pick a feature!"

"Um, Prince Atem?" Yugi cleared his throat softly. "You're very..."

"Handsome, glorious, magnificent, punctual!" Bakura rambled off.

"Punctual!" Yugi blurted out the last thing that stuck in his mind.

"Punctual?" Atem questioned with a frown.

"Sorry." Bakura snickered.

"Wonderful!" Yugi quickly said a tad bit louder.

Atem smiled a tad at the way the boy blushed. Apparently this was one of his first times courting, and he found it to be cute.

"Nice recovery." Bakura admitted reluctantly.

"I'm rich too, you know." Atem smirked as he slowly stepped towards the younger boy.

"I know." Yugi whispered softly as he watched.

"The son of a pharaoh." Atem continued as he came closer.

"I know." Yugi nodded, still transfixed.

"A fine prize for any prince to marry." Atem whispered as he closed the distance and pressed himself against Yugi.

"Uh, right." Yugi mumbled, turning a bright color of red. "Right."

Was Atem trying to seduce him or something? Because it sure was working. Atem was so pressed up against him that his lower half was pushed up against the balcony ledge. Yugi was surprised that there wasn't a fly carpet coming in for a landing all confused because of how red his face felt.

"Maybe, a prince like you." Atem whispered into Yugi's ear, the hot breath making him shudder on contact.

"Me?" Yugi squeaked, strengthening Atem's smirk.

"Just like you." Atem replied, tapping Yugi on the nose before turning angry. "And every other stuffed shirt, swaggering, peacock I've met!"

Atem shoved Yugi away, making the boy nearly fall off the balcony. What had the new prince done to deserve that? Absolutely nothing. But he just wanted to get the boy out of his life so the gods would stop tormenting him.

Yugi blinked in shock as Bakura's hand kept him from falling off. Yugi swore he could he the genie smirk as he chanted, "Mayday! Mayday!"

"Go jump off a balcony!" Atem snapped as he turned and practically ran back towards his chambers.

"What?" Yugi blinked in shock, seeing the confused looks on Marik's and Malik's faces as well. "Should I stop him?"

"I'd recommend not." Malik shook his head solemnly.

"You want me to sting him?" Bakura snickered.

"Buzz off!" Yugi's hissed quietly, thankful that Marik and Malik were looking after the prince and not at him.

"Okay, fine." Bakura raised his hands in mock surrender as he smirked. "But remember, be yourself!"

And with that, Bakura went back into the lamp, which was in a pouch on Yugi's belt. Yugi scowled as he tightened the top of it.

"Yeah right." Yugi grumbled softly, but not soft enough.

"What!?" Atem snapped as he turned back around.

"Uh, you're right." Yugi quickly covered and sighed, feeling very disappointed that Atem wasn't willing to give him an opportunity to get to know him. "You aren't some prize to be won. You should be free to make your own choice."

Atem felt himself blink in confusion. Normally, this was when the fits started. You know, the 'I'm perfect for you, now marry me or else' fits. But this boy, this one who looked like his now deceased rescuer, actually agreed with him?

"I'll go now." Yugi mumbled as he swung his legs over the balcony edge and slid off.

"No!" Atem yelled in horror as he ran forward.

"What?" Yugi asked in confusion as his head poked back up from over the edge. "I thought you wanted me to leave."

"How… how are you doing that?" Atem asked in amazement as he looked over the ledge.

"It's a Magic Carpet." Yugi explained as Ryou took him back up so that he was level with the prince. "His name is Ryou."

"That's amazing." Atem muttered as Ryou 'kissed' his hand.

"Quit showing off." Yugi scowled slightly before smiling. "Okay, you were just being courteous. I get it."

"Way cool." Marik said as he changed back, but neither Yugi nor Atem heard him.

"Do you, uh, you don't want to go for a ride, do you?" Yugi asked, trying hard not to stutter as he offered. "We could get out of the palace, see the world."

"Is it safe?" Atem asked with slight concern.

"Of course, I trust Ryou with my life." Yugi replied, and offered Atem a hand. "Do you trust me?"

"What?" Atem asked, feeling the same he had when the one who rescued him asked that.

"Do you trust me?" Yugi repeated, not realizing his hand was offered the same way it was the first time he had asked that question.

"Yes." Atem replied with a sly grin sliding onto his face as he took Yugi's hand.

Pulling himself up, Atem settled onto Ryou, who zoomed into the sky. The sudden movement knocked Yugi into Atem's lap, making the boy blush.

Atemu looked back to see Marik and Malik waving with grins on their faces. Atem waved back and turned back forward, gasping as the palace wall came closer, his cousin and uncle walking along the top. Ryou sensed this and flew right above High Priest Seto's and Aknadin's jaw dropped expressions.

"Don't worry, I'll bring him back just fine" Yugi called as he waved to them. "I'm just borrowing him for a few hours. Or a day or two. Tops."

Atem laughed at their expression and turned his attention to the city. He had never seen it by nightfall before. Apparently, it was too dangerous. Sensing his excitement, Yugi began to sing softly as the excitement filled him.

Yugi: I can show you the world

Shining, shimmering, splendid.

Tell me dear prince,

Now when did you last let your heart decide?

Ryou flew through the town, letting the two on top enjoy the sights. Reaching a tassel out, Ryou picked a lotus flower out a vase and passed it up to Yugi. Yugi blushed and gave it to Atem, who inhaled the scent before placing it behind Yugi's right ear with a smile.

I can open your eyes

Take you wonder by wonder

Over, sideways, and under

On a magic carpet ride

How Yugi sang was according to how Ryou moved. The carpet even slipped under a bridge over the Nile before zipping completely out of the city and up into the clouds. Atem and Yugi looked back and watched Domino slowly disappear from sight.

A whole new world!

A new fantastic point of view

No one to tell us no

Or where to go

Or say we're only dreaming

Ryou flew in and out of clouds, making Yugi press against Atem for security at times. They both caught small pieces of cloud that quickly left their arms. Atem grinned, feeling really and truly free for the first time in a long while. Soon, he couldn't stop himself from singing too.

Atem: A whole new world

A dazzling place I never knew

But when I'm way up here

It's crystal clear

That now I'm in a whole new world with you!

Circling around a pillar of clouds, Ryou gave it a swirly look before zipping off again, sometimes looping and occasionally putting Yugi and Atem into a free-fall. But he always caught them.

Unbelievable sights

Indescribable feelings

Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling

Through an endless diamond sky

They joined a flock of birds, scaring them since they had never seen flying people before. Leaving the group of birds behind, the zipped down to where a river awaited them in a different country, India.

Atem: A whole new world!

Yugi: So many things are a surprise!

Atem: An hundred thousand things to see

Yugi: Hold your breath! It gets better!

After leaving the river, they flew over mountains and an Asian country before coming to a huge wall, were a couple of workers were laying bricks. The two on the carpet waved, prompting the shocked workers to wave back numbly.

Atem: I'm like a shooting star,

I've come so far

I can't go back to where I used to be!

Yugi and Atem laughed as they left china and headed west again, coming across a heard of wild horses. Yugi stretched out flat and petted one of the foals as he and Atem kept singing.

Yugi: A whole new world!

Atem: Every turn a surprise

Yugi: With new horizons to pursue

Atem: Every moment gets better

Leaving the heard behinds, they entered Greece and flew threw an apple orchard.

Both: I'll chase them anywhere

There's time to spare

Let me share this whole new world with you

Yugi picked an apple from a tree and shyly offered it to Atem. Atem accepted the apple with a knowing look. He was sure that it was the one who had rescued him.

Yugi: A whole new world

Atem: A whole new world

Yugi: That's where we'll be

Atem: That's where we'll be

Ryou skimmed over a lake. Yugi stretched out flat again, his hand lightly touching the surface before he rolled onto this back to gaze up at Atem. Atem smiled in return and he guided Yugi into a sitting position his lap.

Yugi: A thrilling change

Atem: A wondrous place

Both: For you and me!

The two cuddled together as Ryou hovered along the lake, the full moon casting its reflection. Eventually, they found themselves back in china, watching the fireworks burst from a rooftop at a Chinese New Year celebration.

"It feels so magical." Atem spoke softly as he and Yugi watched, Ryou hanging nearby.

"Yeah." Yugi whispered back feeling slightly drowsy.

"It's a shame Joey had to miss this." Atem said slowly as he glanced at the apple still in his hand, deciding to burst the bubble.

"My guard?" Yugi questioned sleepily. "Nah. He hates fireworks. He doesn't really like flying either."

Atem sighed as he decided the best option was to be upfront about the matter. So he turned the sleepy eyed boy to him, looking him square in the eye, and had to stop himself from chuckling at the cuteness Yugi presented.

"Yugi, you are the boy I met at market." Atem said firmly, his anger building slightly. "Why did you lie to me?"

"Atem, I'm sorry." Yugi's eyes widened once he realized how upset Atem was, and started scooting away.

"Did you think I was stupid?" Atem demanded with a hiss as he followed. "That I wouldn't figure it out?"

"No!" Yugi flinched at the intense anger. "I mean, I hoped you wouldn't. No, that's not what I meant."

"Who are you?" Atem asked gently, but still firm. "Tell me the truth."

"The truth?" Yugi mumbled and looked at Ryou, who waved him on, giving up hope. "The truth... the truth is... I'm not really a prince. I am that boy you met."

"But how?" Atem questioned as he pulled Yugi into his arms. "I was told you were dead. That you had been executed."

"An old man in the dungeons showed me a secret exit in return for my help getting him to the Cave of Wonders." Yugi replied at the prince's flabbergasted expression. "Yes, it does exist. Inside the cave, I found a genie who can grant me three wishes. I've only used one, and that was to become a prince. That way, we could get married."

"Why didn't you just tell me?" Atem sighed into Yugi's hair.

"You wouldn't let me close today." Yugi giggled softly as he curled into Atem's warmth.

"Ah, right." Atem shook his head at his stupidity. "Silly me."

"But you know now." Yugi sighed. "Are you going to tell?"

"No." Atem responded. "I'm okay with keeping this a secret. I'm rather fond of the results if I do."

"Okay." Yugi smiled as he dosed off against Atem's chest, listening to the man's rhythmic heartbeat.

Later that evening, or early morning. Atem and Yugi returned to the palace. Ryou made some stairs for Atem to climb down, before lowering Yugi to just below the balcony.

"Good night, my little prince." Atem smiled down at the boy.

"Sleep well, my handsome prince." Yugi replied, his eyes shining in happiness.

Atem and Yugi slowly leaned towards each other, just like the first time they had met. Atemu could vanilla sugar and roses coming from Yugi. Yugi inhaled the cinnamon and myrrh blend of Atem. Very gently, they brushed their lips together.

Atem noted Yugi's lips were soft and smooth, just like how the boy's skin felt against his fingers. Yugi enjoyed the firmness that Atem pressed onto him, showing he was strong and tender at the same time.

Slowly, they pulled away. Atem gave Yugi one more chaste kiss before slowly walking away. Just before he entered his room, Atem turned and looked at Yugi with a sincere smile. Brushing the curtain aside, Atem move into his chambers feeling content for the first time in a long while.

"Yes!" Yugi felt the words escaped his lips in a throw of ecstasy.

Yugi sighed dreamily in contentment as he fell back against the luxurious carpet, a cool gentle breeze caressing his ivory skin. Tonight had n absolutely perfect in every way. Atem believed him and accepted the truth. Ryou floated along the breeze free and easily, as they both floated back to the ground.

"For the first time in my life, things honestly are starting to go right." Yugi sighed.

The young street rat turned prince gazed up with a dreamy look in his eyes, right up at Atemu's balcony. That was before four sets of hands grabbed his hands, arms, ankles and legs.

"What the- Joey! Joey!" he cried, before a white cloth was tied around his mouth.

Staring down at him were the same guards that had chased and mocked him while he was still living on the streets. The grins on each of their faces were both sickening and evil at the same time. He also saw that Joey was hanging inside what appeared to be a net from a trees, he looked absolutely terrified.

"Hold him," Kemo, one of the guards cackled as shackles were placed upon Yugi's feet and ankles as well as his hands tied behind his back.

Another one of the guards took a hold of Ryou and tied him around the trunk of a tree into a giant knot so that he wouldn't escape. Dartz slowly emerged from the shadows, his mismatched eyes glittering with satisfaction and glee.

"I'm afraid you've worn out your so called welcome Prince No-no." Dartz scoffed before turning on his heel and walking away. "Make sure he is never seen or heard from again."

Yugi snarled underneath his breath, trying to get free but a guard suddenly hit him upon the head and he immediately blacked out. They carried him to a cliff overlooking the vast glittering ocean. Laughing amongst themselves, they dumped the poor prince into the ocean.

Yugi managed to come to his senses before he hit the water and held his breath. Splashing down, Yugi struggled to get free. But looking down, he realized his feet were tied to a giant rock. The rock suddenly hit the ocean floor, and the lamp, which had been placed in a bag on his crimson belt, bounced off.

Yugi lost conscious once again and the lamp, unsettled by his movement, rolled down and rubbed against his hands. It began to shake and Bakura suddenly appeared in the water, with a bath brush, rubber Diabound, and a shower cap upon his white hair. Since he was a genie, he didn't have to worry about breathing underwater.

"Never fails." Bakura grumbled, "Get in the tub, and the lamp get a rub."

Bakura huffed while scrubbing his tan back, squeezing the monster. He turned around to see Yugi floating beside him, his once bright purple eyes closed.

"Yugi! Yug!" Bakura started shouting at the boy. "Snap out of it you bloody idiot! You can't cheat on this one. I can't help you unless you make a wish! You have to say, 'Bakura I want you to save my life.' Got it? Come one pipsqueak!"

The genie grabbed the youth by his shoulders, shaking him, and making his head move up and down.

"I'll take that as yes." Bakura said before he turned into a submarine. "Wooga! Wooga! Up we go!"

Upon the surface of the water, a giant wave emerged blasting them out of the cold sea and unto the cliff. Yugi opened his amethyst eyes, coughing up the seawater in his lungs. Bakura wacked his back, encouraging more seawater to spill out.

"Don't you ever scare me like that," Bakura scolded, kneeling beside him.

"Bakura… I-uh, I-uh." Yugi couldn't think of way to say it, so he just gave the Egyptian genie a hug. "Thanks Bakura."

"Oh Yug, I'm getting kind of fond of ya shrimp." Bakura shrugged as he used his magic to make some horses for them to ride back on. "Not that I want to pick out curtains or anything. And you won't tell anyone about this."

"Deal." Yugi giggled.

"Good." Bakura nodded as they nudged their horses into action. "Now, let's get you back to the palace so you can snag yourself a hot prince with, in your opinion, a sexy body!"

"Bakura!" Yugi moaned as his face heated up again.

Some things never change.

VB20: End of chapter! I'm sure most of you spotted the plot twist of Yugi telling Atem the truth.

MMMG: Hope you liked it! How may chapters are left?

VB20: According to your outline, three. But it can easily be bumped to four.

MMMG: Think we can get it done in less than a year?

VB20: I reckon so.

MMMG: Reviews are desperatly needed!

Both: Just as a reminder, thie is a co-written story, so it will take longer to post. We don't know when the next update will be, so please don't ask.