"Thanks, guys, you don't know how good your timing was," Yugi said. Serenity who was in the front seat turned to face the group.

"We're glad to help. By the way nice to see you again Atem." She smiled. Tristin then rode up next to the side of the car.

"That's the understatement of the year! It's not just good to see you again! It's great! What is going on?" He yelled. As the group raced to the mountain everything was explained. Yugi tried to help at first, but soon found he was having a hard time formulating words. Everything seemed to tire him out. Even the world seemed to blur around the edges. He let the others explain as his head lolled to the side. It was then Mai rode up next to him.

"You doing ok there, honey?" She asked. Yugi snapped back to attention and smiled at her.

"Doing good. I should be asking how you guys are doing? How is your journeys going?" he asked.

"Fine so far. Past that mountain is this city that looks like it goes on forever. That is where I met up with these knuckleheads. In that city was a duelist torment as a trial. It ended much more violent than I was expecting, but we all made it out fine. We then felt like the next step of our journeys was to follow that line in the sky. Now we are here." She said.

Yugi had seen Mai only a week ago when he went out to dinner with her and Joey. That time had seemed so distant now.

"So, your still alive huh? You always get wrapped up in the craziest things." Tristan chatted. Yugi looked back to him in confusion mixed with sadness.

"I suppose, I'm just sorry you guys didn't get the same chance," Yugi said.

"Don't fret about it Yugi, we all accepted our passing." Serenity said. "I admit, at first I was terrified. What had happened? Where was my brother, my husband? But then I realized, and a peace came over me. I had lived my life and it was over now. A new journey has begun. I don't know how to explain it but by accepting our deaths things became… better. It's actually turning out to be fun believe it or not. Especially now that I found Duke and Tristan." She smiled. Duke turned back to Yugi and grinned.

"Don't worry about us, just focus on living until we can get you to the world of the living. K?" Yugi looked around at the group in awe. He really did have the best group of friends.

The group continued to chat until the mountain stood over them. Soon the gang came to a large cave in the side of the mountain. The Eye of Wdjat was carved above what looked to be a closed doorway. In the door was the six Millennium Items. All in the same formation as they were in the living world before the temple collapsed of course.

"Good, they are still here." Mana breathed as everyone got off their respective vehicles. Atem handed off the Millennium Puzzle to Duke who placed it in its own spot. The group then turned to Yugi who was leaning on Atem. He was looking up at the eye.

"Ok, how are we going to do this Yami?" Yugi asked. Atem eyes widened at being called his old name. He looked to Yugi, but the man was still gazing up at the eye. Atem looked up to the eye to see it was glowing. The light bathed over the two. It was like something clicked in both their brains, the test has begun again. They knew what to do.

"I can stand," Yugi whispered. He pulled away from the pharaoh and shakily walked to one side of the eye. He straightened up and gave a determined look to the group. Atem nodded and walked across from Yugi. The two both pulled up their arms and light surrounded them. Modern duel disks appeared along with two decks.

"The challenge has been decided. They are going to duel using the card game." Mahad uttered to the others in the room.

"Wait, who should win? Atem's already in the afterlife so is the door going to open again if he loses?" Tristan whispered. Mahad shook his head.

"We have no idea."

The two duelists pulled out 5 cards and began.


Joey Wheeler's card rolled its dice. Six, perfect. Gearfried the Iron Knight rushed forward and slashed through his opponent's monster. Its holographic image disappeared in a blast and its owner life points dropped to zero. Joey exhaled as the audience around shouted and clapped. He had won another world championship. Through the crowd, the announcer ran up to him. He handed the microphone to the returning world champion. Joey took the microphone and raised his hands to the crowd.

"I dedicate dese winnins' to the victims of the Zero Reverse! I, like many others, lost people dear to me in dat event. The winnins' of this is going straight to the rebuildin' effort!" The crowd went crazy. Joey watched the thousands of cheering people around him. Another man came up to Joey and handed him a large trophy. Joey shook his hand and waved to the crowd.

Too soon Joey was alone again, back in his hotel room. As he promised he sent off the money immediately to rebuilding Domino city, or New Domino City as people were calling it now. The once large city was now split, half of the land now floating miles away. The remaining city was growing into something different. Joey didn't know what the city was becoming, but he was going to be there every step of the way.

A video call rang on Joey's laptop. He sat down in front of the screen and answered. A brown-haired woman was on the other side.

"Téa!" Joey smiled, doing his best to hide his beer cans and trash. "How's Hollywood treating ya?"

The movie star smiled back. "I saw your duel. It was amazing!" She smiled. "Another world championship under your belt."

"Thanks, and I just saw your new movie too. Love it." Joey lied. It wasn't that he wasn't proud of his friend's movie and dancing career. He just could never stay awake during such fluffy love stories. Especially as of late, he just didn't like to go out anymore.

"Really? What dance number did you like the most?" Téa asked.

"Uhh, yeah, the one in the middle of the movie. The big one with the water." Joey quickly said. Téa laughed.

"My new movie wasn't a musical Joey. There was no dancing in this one." She grinned. Joey rubbed the back of his head and gave an embarrassed laugh.

"Well, I must have confused it with one of your other hits. Dere's just too many to remember." Joey joked. Téa then craned her neck to try and looked behind Joey. "What are you lookin' for Téa? You're in a video chat so cranin' your neck is not gonna show you anymore then you can already see." Joey stated. Téa returned an embarrassed smile.

"While I was kind of expecting you to be at a big party or something. Are you at least celebrating with someone?" Téa asked. All she could see behind her friends was an empty and unkempt room.

Joey leaned back in his chair and looked up at the high ceiling. "Nyeh, I didn't feel like doin' dat dis time. Maybe I'm getting' a little too old for partyin' like dat." Joey said.

"Now don't go saying that or else you're going to make me feel old." She said. The two laughed and slowly quieted down. It was silent between the two for a few seconds.

"It was really good, what you did with the winnings." She said. "I'm actually going back to Domino soon, to volunteer."

"Oh really? Maybe I should go with you. I'm sure Rebecca and the kids would be happy to see us." An awkward quiet. Then,

"Have they found him yet?"

"No, the game shop was found on dat satellite island, but nothing new was found," Joey said. Briefly, the image of Yugi, then Mai smiling flashed through his mind. An image he imagined a little too often. He looked away from the camera. He had something in his eye and he didn't want Téa to worry about a small speck.

"We have to get over there," Joey stated.

"I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll meet you at the old museum, k?"

"Agreed. See if you can bring your paparazzi with ya, maybe dey'll volunteer too." Joey smiled. Before the two could hang up another video call came through. At the same time, on both computers. The two looked at each other in confusion. Joey shrugged and answered the call.


Yugi pulled his hand up to block the strong wind blowing in his face. When it finally slowed down Yugi looked up to see Slifer the Sky Dragon bearing down on him.

'So Atem still had those cards.' Yugi looked across to see Atem's resolute face. Yugi remembered the last time they were facing each other like this. The test to see if Yugi really was ready to let the pharaoh go. He had proven himself then, even when he doubted if he could do it.

The world once again began to spin. Yugi closed his eyes and rubbed his head. The pain was starting to disappear, but it was being replaced with sudden weakness. It took all of Yugi's energy to stay standing. He had to focus on something else. He looked down at his deck.

The card deck that was summoned for this battle was not his new deck. It was his old deck he had used the first ceremonial battle. It took a bit to remember all the ins and outs of it, but soon he was dueling like he never changed his deck.

His Valkyrion the Magna Warrior stood defiantly in front of the god, but the monster soon fell to the god's blast. Yugi sighed and drew his card. What should he do? Not just this turn, what should he do about this battle? If he won then would anything change? If he lost would everything, they had worked towards disappear? No, one battle would not rewind all the growth he and Atem have gone through. He was more confident, more independent then he had ever been as a teen. Atem was much gentler, much less prideful. They didn't need each other for balance like they did back then. This battle wasn't about that.

The world was becoming fuzzier and fuzzier. Yugi activated Pot of Greed and drew two more cards.


Bakura slowly walked up the velveted hallway. He looked around at the expensive vases and painting along the walls. Beside him was Mokuba in a well-fitting suit. Bakura tugged at his own sweater. He should have picked out some better clothes. He was seeing an old colleague so it shouldn't matter what he wore, but this place would make anyone feel inadequate. Maybe that was the point?

The two stopped in front of a pair of office doors. Bakura looked to the tall man beside him. Mokuba had grown like a weed in his teen years. He was taller than Seto at this point. Mokuba gestured for him to open the door. Bakura quickly put up his arms and shook his head. He again gestured more forcefully.

"No, no you do it. He'll be in a better mood if he sees you first." Bakura quickly whispered.

"Whenever I bring up this subject he always gets in a bad mood. It won't matter who he sees first!"

"Then you won't mind opening the door!"

"Can I help you?" The two froze. They slowly turned to see Seto Kaiba looking down at them from the opened door.

"Oh, big bro! Ho-how are you doing?" Mokuba said as Bakura smiled innocently beside him. Kaiba studied the two. His face showing no emotions. Both Bakura's and Mokuba's smiles fell under the scrutinizing eyes of Kaiba. Finally, the CEO stepped away from the door.

"You only call me that now when you want something. Spit it out and make it quick. I just finished buying the Truesdale Brothers company." Kaiba stated as he walked back into his office. The two looked at each other with hope as they raced into the room. Kaiba had been trying to buy that company for a while. Maybe this would put him in a good enough mood.

"So, bro, let me just preface this by saying I didn't tell Bakura. He figured it out on his own." Mokuba began.

"I know you went to the afterlife after the Diva incident." Bakura blurted out. Mokuba cringed but Kaiba showed no change in emotion. He simply sat down at his desk.

"Err, yes, and we were wondering if you could tell us more?" Mokuba said. Kaiba remained silent, he was resting his chin on his interlocked hands. Minutes passed in silences. Not being able to stand the quiet anymore, Bakura stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"I understand if you can't speak about it specifically. What I'm most interested in is, well… Nearly all writings on the afterlife say that those that leave it alive have to lose something-"

"What has brought upon this sudden interest? Is this for your radio show?" Kaiba finally said. Him suddenly voicing something made Bakura jump.

"I-I don't have a radio show. I run an RPG Podcast. That's not my point! Ever since I've had the Millennium Ring, I've had more of a connection with the hereafter. Even after the Bandit King left me. Heck, I've even helped the Bandit King get a chance at being reborn. Minus Zorc of course!" Bakura quickly said. Kaiba remained unfazed. "Anyways, I know you had to have lost something. I was wondering what it was or at least an idea of it. So, I know what the Bandit king will have lost if he is reborn." Bakura ended.

Kaiba looked over him then sighed. "He won't lose anything. He was already dead so there would be nothing for them to take." Kaiba said.

"Them?" Mokuba asked.

"I believe the pharaoh called them the Higher... Whoever runs things there." Kaiba waved away the question.

"Still I would like to know, just in case," Bakura said. Mokuba was surprised at the forced behind Bakura's voice. He had never heard him speak above a whisper in a normal situation, let alone in front of his brother.

Kaiba leaned back in his chair. Bakura could almost see the gears turning in his head. Finally, he stood up and limped over to stand in front of the two.

"What do you see?" He asked. The two looked to each other in confusion then back to Kaiba.

"Uh, you bro," Mokuba said.

"Now imagine me standing here eighteen years ago, what would be different?"

"Umm, you have a limp now?"

"Exactly. I got it when I first landed in the afterlife. I landed on my leg wrong." Kaiba stated. A ringing came from his computer, Kaiba nodded to the two and returned to his desk.

"That's it? You were worrying for nothing Bakura. The punishment wasn't that bad." Mokuba said. Bakura was not convinced. No way it was that lenient.

"Mokuba, they updated the system again. How do you answer a video call?" Kaiba asked. Mokuba happily went over to help. That was when it hit Bakura. The only difference between Kaiba now and Kaiba then was a limp. There was no change.


Atem watched as Yugi set two face downs. This duel had been going on for an hour now. One never quite getting the upper hand over the other. While Yugi was still standing, he would stumble every so often. It was getting more common with every turn.

"I summon…I summon Marshmallon in defense mode." Yugi breathed. While his field was filled with monsters and Atem only had his Buster Blader, Yugi couldn't attack thanks to Swords of Revealing Light. It was the thing currently saving Atem but now he was regretting playing it. It was dragging out this battle.

"I end my turn." Yugi groaned. The light around his monsters disappeared. Atem drew his card and looked back to his partner. Yugi must have seen his worried face because he smiled.

"Don't go easy on me now. Remember you have to fight me with all your power!" Yugi yelled. Suddenly Yugi pitched forward. The others began to move to catch him but he stopped himself. "I got it." He huffed. He was on his knees now.

"Yugi." Atem breathed.

"I'm fine Atem. I just have the same problem as I had before. I don't know if I should win or not." Yugi yelled. Atem had the same question too, but he decided to throw everything he had into this fight, he could do nothing less.

"It is strange to be fighting you like this again. Though, we are not fighting for our independents this time." Atem called back as he looked through his cards. He needed to keep Yugi conscious and the pharaoh hoped a conversation would help.

"True, I'm sure we have proved ourselves many times in these eighteen years apart," Yugi mumbled. He tried to get back on his feet but found he couldn't do it. He sighed as he fully rested on the ground. "But you know what? I never stopped wanting you back with me. I suppose everyone does when a loved one leaves." Atem kept reading his cards over and over again. His brain was not registering the printed words. He had to hurry. Why couldn't he read this?!

"It wasn't because I needed you as I did as a teen. I just missed you." Yugi nearly whispered. He was now holding his head and swaying. Atem looked up at the round eyes of his dearest friend.

"Me too." Was all he could say. He had felt that exact same thing many times over. But now wasn't the time for that, he had a kingdom to rule, Yugi had a family to get back too. Their partnership was over.

A strange look spread over Yugi, a combination of realization and fear.

"I guess that means we failed the battle huh?" Yugi whispered. Atem noticed his hand start to move towards his deck. Yugi was going to surrender.

"No! Yugi listen to me. As you said we have proven our independents many times over!" Atem shouted, "That's not what this is even about! We have to get you in the world of the living! Remember?!"

The two's eyes met and Atem froze. Yugi gave one last smile and placed his hand on the deck and collapsed. The others gasped as the monsters disappeared. Atem pretty much threw himself to Yugi's side.

"Yugi, Atem!" Serenity screamed as the Eye of Wdjat shot a bright beam that covered the whole room in white.

No sound, no flash of light, just white.


Marik Ishtar closed his suitcase and looked to his sister.

"I have to go. The city needs as much help as they can get." He said. He did his best not to look into his worried sister's eyes.

"But the city is still mostly destroyed," Ishizu begged as Marik passed her.

"It's been ten months since the Zero Reverse. I trust Kaiba when he says it's safe." Odion was waiting outside with the motorbikes. They were both going to volunteer in New Domino along with Yugi's friends.

"I'll make sure nothing happens to him," Odion reassured to his sister. She sighed and went back inside the house. The two suddenly heard the ping for a video call. Odion looked at his watch. They had time before the plane left. The two walked back inside to see if it was for them. They turned to see Ishizu had answered the call.

"Who is it?" Marik asked. Ishizu held her hand over her mouth and stared at the screen. The two brothers raced to the computer. After staring for many silent seconds, the three siblings looked to each other to make sure they all saw the same thing. There on the other side of the call was an Egyptian teen with tri-colored, spiky hair.

"A-A-Atem?!" Marik managed to stammer out. The teen nodded and waited for the torrent of questions to begin. He didn't have to wait long as all three siblings started yelling into the microphone. It got so loud that the speaker on Atem's side screeched.

"Please wait a moment!" Atem yelled as he covered his ears. The siblings quieted down and gawked at the what should be dead pharaoh. "Please, we need your help. We are at the Shrine of the Millennium Stone. You three are the closest so I had Diva call you first." The three saw a new hand come from outside the camera and wave.

"Wha-at? How?" Marik asked.

"I can explain that later. For now, please call Yugi's family and friends. We are getting him to a hospital as we speak. He's alive and in Egypt." It was then that the three noticed that Atem seemed to be in a truck, bouncing along the road.

"Ok, but what about-?" Atem closed off the call. He didn't think he could get them to do what he asked for any faster than not answering their questions.


Atem looked around the small truck. It was only big enough for four people. Diva and Sera were in front with Atem and a sleeping Yugi in the back.

Diva took back his phone. He and the other living students of Shadi had been protecting the Millennium Items ever since KaibaCorp left the site. One day the eye on the wall suddenly started glowing and two figures appeared out of the light. Diva recognized one, but not the other.

"So, how did you get here again?" Sera asked. Atem kept his eyes on Yugi, making sure the bobbing of the truck didn't hurt him too badly.

"We failed our test. We were not ready to be separated." Atem quickly said. That wasn't the whole truth but it was the most that Atem cared for right now. Yugi was alive. He was alive.