Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi

I hope you enjoy

Chapter Twelve – Farewell for the last time

It only took another two days for the pharaoh to recover. Although his bruise on his face now had a slight yellow tint to it but it still was predominately black. The wound in his arm was healing nicely and Atem was actually quite happy. Despite the huge worry he was carrying about his home, he was quite content. But although everything in the Muto household was all cheery and happy, the dark cloud was descending on them but only the pharaoh knew about it. With every minute that past the pharaoh got twitchier, he had not yet discovered what Yugi was hiding and he was determined to find out the truth. Not that he had directly asked Yugi what was going on. But Atem knew that his time here was running out so he was going to have to be direct.

There was one floor in Atem's plan to be direct. Yugi was at school and Atem was sure that there would not be a tomorrow for him, he had to leave tonight. Atem pushed himself off the sofa and walked downstairs to the game shop. Grandpa was behind the counter looked through today's newspaper.

"Are you off somewhere, Atem?" Grandpa asked.

"Yes, I have to deliver message to Yugi."

"He's at school, can it wait?"

"No."

Grandpa looked at the pharaoh but smiled at him. He didn't say anything to Atem until he had reached the door and was in the process of opening it.

"Do you even know where Yugi's school is?"

Atem didn't turn around but as he walked out the door he said;

"I'll find it."

Grandpa chuckled as the door shut gently. Moving to stand at the window, he watched the pharaoh walk into town. Grandpa sighed, he knew that the pharaoh was leaving soon as he could tell in the way that Atem was reluctant to talk about furture plans or his home. He hoped that Yugi would get over what had happened in the past and let Atem leave knowing that Yugi would be ok.

Yugi and his friends, including Scarlett, walked down the steps at the front of the school to enjoy to sun during their break. There were chatting happily, without a care. Everything was rosy in their gardens. Yugi was happy, that gang were in jail for kidnapping and assault, Atem was at the game shop recovered, so they didn't have to worry about much. As they were sitting under one of the trees, laughing and making fun of Scarlett and Joey, it seemed like nothing could bring suspense. But as Yugi was laughing at a joke Tristan had just told his eyes forced on a figure lurking but the school gates. Yugi frowned and looked at the figure, then realised who it was.

"What's Atem doing here?" Yugi asked.

Everyone stopped laughing and followed Yugi's gaze. Yugi got up and lead the way over to Atem who didn't come closer to them just watched them approach. They drew level with Atem, who did not have a happy expression; it was quite a serious one. Atem looked away for a moment while he shoved his hands into his jeans' pockets. It was clear that Atem was not going to speak first.

"Is everything ok Atem?"

Atem nodded, not say anymore. To the others this was something weird behaviour for Atem but in Atem's mind he was trying to word is request. The others waited for Atem to speak. For Tea, Joey, Tristan and Scarlett they were trying to take in Atem's appearance. The still black bruise and the wound on his arm, which was no longer wrapped in a bandage. Of course, Yugi was used to this so he was watching Atem's expression. He knew that Atem was battling with something. Still struggling to word his request Atem in some ways spoke without thinking.

"I want to know what happened."

Yugi was taken a back and confused, what was that supposed to mean. Apparently this had occurred to Atem as well, as he looked away.

"What do you mean?" Yugi asked, after a few moments of silence.

Finally, Atem made full eye contact with Yugi. The look Yugi received was one told Yugi that it was serious.

"Something happened to you, which called me back and I would like to know what it was."

Yugi opened his mouth but no words came out. He wanted to tell Atem but didn't at the same time.

"I can't tell you here."

"Fine, tell me tonight. Can I make a request?"

Yugi looked at the others, who nodded at him. Yugi looked back at Atem, who again looked like he battling internally. Atem had still not worked out how he should phrase his request but he gave it a shot.

"Can – can you all come after school?"

Yugi was surprised at the hint of sadness in Atem's voice which only Yugi detected. Yugi's sprits fell as he watched Atem look at his feet, he had a bad feeling he knew what was coming. But the others hadn't as they agreed happily. Atem gave a half smile before backing away and telling them that he would see them later. Yugi watched Atem walk away, he was not sure if he was right but if he was then he wasn't sure he was ready. The bell rang as Atem rounded a corner and vanished from sight. They walked back inside where the conversation turned to what Atem wanted.

"I think he wants to say goodbye." Yugi said, slowly.

"What? But he has only been here for about a week." Joey asked.

"But Joey, we all knew he would go back at some point and it seems that the inevitable has come." Tristan said.

All of their happiness had gone but they were all going to come and see Atem after school to wish him well and luck.

Atem walked back the way he had come, his emotions were all over the place. But he knew he was doing the right thing. Although it didn't feel good, but Atem knew that he had to go. The game shop appeared in front of him and Grandpa sweeping outside the shop. Grandpa looked up as Atem drew closer, frowning slightly when he saw Atem's expression.

"Are you ok, Atem?"

Atem nodded, he was not sure what was wrong with him but he was shaking slightly.

"No you're not, come on lets have some hot chocolate that will make you feel better."

Amazingly, Atem felt better after having the hot drink. In some ways his world had righted again. He could think clearly again and knew what he needed to do to get home. Grandpa cleared away his mug and then looked at Atem, feeling his gaze on him. Atem looked at Grandpa; a question blossomed in his mind.

"You know what the thing with Yugi is, don't you?"

"Of course, I do. I am his grandfather."

"Then tell me what is it?"

Grandpa sighed.

"It is not my story to tell."

Grandpa left the room. Sighing Atem glanced at the clock, he still had a few hours until Yugi returned home. With the knowledge that he was leaving this world soon, Atem was left with not much do. The time ticked on and on.

As the time got closer for Yugi to return home, Atem got more and more anxious he was about to find out what was wrong with Yugi and putting his plan on how to get the revolutionaries out into action. Grandpa came up from the shop and joined Atem on the sofa. They talked a little, mostly about Yugi but Grandpa did mention the subject of Atem home. But the subject was quickly dropped as Atem refused to talk about his plan. He was worried about whether this plan he had was actually going to work. Soon, Yugi and the others walked into the room. They all had a worried expression on their faces. Yugi, Tea, Tristan and Joey walked over and sat down. But, Scarlett loitered by the door until Joey called her over, she sat next to Joey. Yugi looked sheepishly at Atem waiting for him to speak.

"Yugi, something happened to you. You have forgotten your strength. Am I wrong?"

Yugi looked at the ground, and shock his head.

"You're not wrong."

Yugi recalled his story. It had happened a few months after Atem had first left. He had been duelling more than ever due to fact that everyone wanted to try and defeat him. But this one partial man had been very rude to Yugi; in fact he had been quite violent. Yugi had defeated this man but in response Yugi's deck had been thrown onto the dirty floor and his duel disk had been broken. He had also been beaten up by this guy and told they would meet again. Yugi had stopped duelling for awhile but then had bottled up his emotions rather than talking through it. Grandpa had known about all this but he had not heard Yugi retell this story with such detail about what the man had done. As Yugi finished his story his friends were shocked, Yugi had not told them that. Yugi looked at Atem, who gently smiling at him.

"You have forgotten your strength since that."

"I know! But I can't get it back! I am not strong enough, without you!"

Tears started to flow from Yugi's eyes, he stood and rushed downstairs. Atem followed, finding him standing in the middle of the shop.

"Yugi, you are strong and you don't need me. You just needed reminding about how strong you are."

Yugi turned to face Atem, tears rolling down his face.

"How?"

"You stood up for yourself, your friends and me. You are strong, just believe it."

Yugi tried to stop his tears, but they only flowed slower. They didn't speak but Yugi finally asked something he had been dying to know, as the other came down the stairs.

"You're leaving aren't you?

Atem sighed, sadly.

"Yes Yugi, It is my time to leave this world and return to my home."

"B-but I don't want you to."

"I know you don't but you don't need me. I have taught you and you have taught me."

Yugi shook his head.

"Please! Please don't go!"

Atem just looked at Yugi, the message passed to Yugi. But Yugi was not sure he would be able to deal with it this time. He gulped and looked at Atem.

"Will you come back?"

Atem shock his head.

"I have returned for the last time, I will not be coming back."

At this point Yugi rushed to Atem throwing his arms around him. Yugi didn't care that the others were watching them. His closest friend in the world had returned and now he was leaving again, but this time would be the last. After Atem left that would be it, they would never see him again. Yugi felt himself being pushed gently for Atem. Atem smiled at Yugi before stepping towards the door and opening it. They all watched transfixed as Atem closed his eyes and spoke gentle words, in ancient Egyptian. The eye on the puzzle light up and in the door way a golden light appeared. Atem looked at it before looking at his stunned friends.

"Once I step through there I will be home but first I cannot thank any of you enough for what you have done."

The Pharaoh bowed to them, which was a rare thing. A pharaoh rarely thanked someone by bowing. All of them including Grandpa and Scarlett where crying, everyone but Atem. He was smiling softly at them all. Atem's Egyptian clothes appeared on him, like magic, without his cape or jewels. He raised his hand in a 'farewell' gesture and the other smiled and gave him the thumbs up. Yugi watched, tears racing down his face, as his closest friend turned and walked towards that golden light. Atem walked through the golden light and it changed into a glowing ball of golden light. Yugi ran after it as the golden light zoomed out the game shop rising higher and higher in the sky. Yugi stood in the street and watched that ball of light get smaller and smaller as it rose higher. Yugi smiled as the ball of light got too small for him to see. Atem had gained from him and he had gained from Atem. The wind picked up a little and Yugi could have sworn he heard a whisper which said; Never forget your strength. Yugi smiled at that whisper. Thanks to Atem being here Yugi now felt stronger than he ever had before.

Yugi walked back inside and up to his room. He found the cartouche bearing Atem's name on and hung it round his neck. With the cartouche on he felt even stronger then before Atem had arrived. With the cartouche it was like a piece of Atem was with him, always.

I hope you enjoyed that!

I felt like crying when I was writing about Atem's departure! Now, Atem has to get his throne back with what Yugi has taught him.

So, my question is How do you think Atem will get this throne back?

Please Review and Comment, you views help me make the story better for you guys :)

Thanks for Reading guys, until the next chapter :D