It was late but sleep wasn't coming to neither kings this night. Too much weight was held on their shoulders. Everything was riding on Bakura's defeat, and if Atem couldn't defeat him…

He would have to take a desperate measure to ensure the safety over everyone.

Yugi had his own battle go inside his own battle going his head. Seto was really Atem's cousin which was really awesome, seeing now he still had family here, but that also gave them a dilemma. What of Aknadin? Could he really be trusted after everything that's been done? Did mana really cast her detect spell correctly? What if Bakura's still there?

…That couldn't be right, because she detected something inside Yugi. Why he was sick. It really wasn't physically possible… but both him and Atem pulled the gods into this, and they could make anything possible. Hell, one bonded with him as his eternal protector.

He sits up in bed. He didn't want to think about this, not right now. He needed an escape, even for a minute… and it was laying right next to him.

He leans over and kisses the sleeping, tan king.

He needed to get away from these thoughts. From that heavy burden in his mind, the reason for all this doubt.

The thought of losing his one and only. His King of Egypt.

Yugi smiles as he feels himself being flipped on his back and sees his lover above him. Atem was going to give him the escape he needed in the pale moonlight.

He could tell Atem had the same worries as Yugi did, and he needed to get away as well.

~XxX~

A few hours of nightfall still linger as both males stand out the balcony, looking in the direction of the disappearing moon. Both held worried yet determined eyes as they stood next to one another without a word.

"Mana is coming with us." Yugi speaks matter of factly. "Her spells have increased dramatically. We could use her to protect us."

Atem nodded. "Since Mahad has left this world, she has studied harder and learned much faster. Almost up to his level. She's a valued asset and I think it's best to make her a full mage after today."

Yugi looks to the floor, nervous. If Atem was so sure of her skill as a mage, then her magic spell wasn't wrong. What she found was true which worried him to no end.

Like always, Atem picked up on the silence and the worry look his lover had. "Something on your mind, Yugi?"

"Actually… There is." Yugi looks behind him to make sure no one was listening. Just to be extra careful, he pulls the Pharaoh down a little to his level to whisper something in his ear.

Atem wasn't expecting this news.

"Does anyone know?"

Yugi shakes his head. "No. Only Mana and she promised not to say anything."

Atem knew this was blessing but also a problem. No matter what, they had to keep this as a secret for now. If the gods had a role in this, no harm would come to his Yugi. This made his decision easier. "You still need to come with us tomorrow. You possess a god and to leave you here, that will only raise suspicion."

Yugi looked up to Atem, smiling. "I was hoping you were thinking the same as I was."

~XxX~

Break of dawn which meant it was time to set out. However, all eyes fell on Yugi, who didn't exactly look well, and Atem noticed all the watchful eyes.

Atem, decided to turn and around and face his Yugi, tilting his chin up to look into his eyes and sealing their lips in a gentle kiss. He then turns to his people as Yugi climbs the horse, ready to ride with the Pharaoh. "Alright. Let's go. We end this today."

~XxX~

It was a blessing that the decision was to bring Yugi, his inner light protected them from the roaming dark spirit that wish to do harm to them. They wouldn't even dare go near him for they would end burning at such a close encounter.

Yugi kept them all safe

When they walked into the underground tomb, it wasn't what they were expecting. He just sat upon the stone, indifferent. He just sat there, and laughed. Like a mad man, which left Yugi and the Pharaoh sweat drop, but not to take chances, each person summoned their own personal protector.

Isis Summoned her Spiria.

Karim summoned his Curse Of Dragons.

Aknadin summoned his Dark Ushebti.

Shada summoned his Two Headed Jackal Warrior.

Seto called forth the spirit of his fallen love, the Blue Eyes White Dragon.

Atem called forth his fallen magician Mahad, who now took the form of dark magician.

Mana called for a very powerful monster she was able to conger up from hard work, she called it dark magician girl. Yugi smiled at her monster.

They shared a lot of the same features.

Yugi stood behind the six guardians along with Shimon. Where neither him or Shimon held an item to protect themselves and help make their own energy grow.

They had a hell of a defense. However, no one was letting that get to their heads, after all, his DiaBound was here somewhere and it's a creature of Shadow, so it was hiding.

Atem wanted out in the open, so he called his attack first.

"You're not leaving here Bakura! Zorc won't return!" He sends his magician to attack. "I can promise that."

~XxX~

Each priest had fallen to Bakura's DiaBound, and their energy was gone. Their bodies were still here but their minds were stuck in the Shadow Realm. Hell, Shimon even took the key from Shada, after he had fallen, to call upon his own monster, sealed into five stones because it was so powerful.

It was useless. With five of the items already extracted and placed into the stone, Diabound was growing stronger as Zorc was ready to release.

Shimon's monster, Exodia The Forbidden One, had fallen to DiaBound and Zorc. He was weak but managed to enter through the ring.

This left one item to gain in order to allow Zorc enter this world in his truest form.

This left the last line of defense, Atem and Yugi, and their respected god monsters.

Atem narrows his eyes, things weren't looking great. Diabound was stronger than their respected monsters, thanks to the field boost they had here. All the dark spirits that roamed here, it was growing darker and bigger. Atem knew this monster would be able to wipe out Slyfer without an issue and that would leave Yugi drained and have him in the Shadows.

Yugi knew that as well, which was why he had his monster guard the Pharaoh. The people could live without him, but not the true king.

"Yugi, recall your monster."

That command surprised him. That would leave him open and Ra would have a pretty direct hit. "That's a stupid call Pharaoh. No offense intended."

"Trust me. I know what needs to be done."

Yugi nods and recalls his red dragon.

If Zorc is forced from this world, in any way possible, those who were trapped in the Shadows would be set free. Fighting wasn't the answer, not now, not here.

"This end here, no matter what the cost." He lunged for the thief and grabs the ring from the stone and shoves it against the boy's chest. "In my name, I seal you away, and with Zorc's soul, in the millennium Ring!"

The ring starts to glow, and Bakura knew what it meant. The thief smirks wide as he grabs the puzzle. Making it glow brightly. "I'm not going alone!"

Atem only smirks. "I wasn't planning on it."

Then, both men fall over, lifeless.

Yugi felt relieve to see Bakura's monsters were gone, the darkness over the land was gone, and priests that were lost to the Shadow realm were back as well. There was still the matter of the two fallen males.

Yugi takes the king into his arms, and shakes him gently. He wasn't waking up.

He looked to the puzzle and something told him to take it. He put it around his neck. His eye went wide as he could see his lover inside, speaking to him.

"You… sealed yourself in here!?" He starts to tear up. "Why?"

"It was the only way." Atem eyes glaze over in guilt. "I need you to do me one last thing. Take the puzzle and smash it. I left directions for you with Shimon and I promise, one day, I will return to finish what I started."

And Yugi followed through with the Pharaoh's last wish. Removes the puzzle from his neck, and slams it hard against the stone floor, eyes flooding with tears.

~XxX~

No happy endings come in the past. All events must be as they were. The whole point of this was to be a prequel to my other story Yu-Gi-Oh! Bond Of The Hearts. You can read this without reading that one but it helps to understand why Yugi is part of the Pharaoh's past.

Remember to please review I like seeing what you guys have to say. Thanks.