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

Enjoy!

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Chapter Fourteen – Prayers from the People

It was only the morning after the Pharaoh had gone down with the illness and there was already a report of two people having already been taken by it, leaving their families heartbroken and lost. This had a huge impact on the atmosphere which stretched from the town into the palace. Any traveller coming into the town would be able to feel this atmosphere at once. The worry, the panic and the sadness it was too overwhelming to be missed. The children no longer played in the streets while their families chatted to others. Instead, any children were found to be making small towers of stones to amuse themselves, not far from their homes.

Along with the small amount of children, a few men wondered around looking lost. Not that they knew not where they were, it was that this illness had infected their loved ones making them wander through the streets desperate for some kind of help. Although the healers were doing all they could but nothing seemed to work. There was still once chance it was within the palace, but there was no guarantee that it would work. All the people could do was pray for their loved ones.

It was not any easier for the people inside the Palace. Usually the Palace was full of light and happiness flowing through the air making all the occupants happy. Now there was only sadness and worry. The people inside moved around slowly and there were no smiles. They were all too worried about the Pharaoh, whom was still very sick.

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Joey, Tristan and Tea walked towards the Pharaoh's room, the Guardians had told them that they were to stay with the Pharaoh. It had been hard to leave the Pharaoh the night before, he had still been sleeping but they were so worried about him that they thought that he might not make it through the night. But, they had been reassured by a healer, who had seen the Pharaoh that morning, that he was still sleeping but definitely still with them.

They reached the Pharaoh's room pausing and looking at each other. They had asked Yugi to come with them but he had still refused, saying that he still needed to help Isis and the Pharaoh's personal healer. Tristan led the way, grasping the door handle and pushing it open. As they walked over the threshold they found a empty bed, the covers having been pushed roughly aside.

"Where is he?" Tea asked worriedly.

Joey moved further into the room, staring around. The other two stared around but it was Joey who found him.

"Atem!" He called, before rushing out onto the balcony.

Tea and Tristan followed expecting the worst but instead they saw Joey standing next to Atem, his hand on the Pharaoh's back, looking at him intently. The Pharaoh was gripping the edge of the balcony wall, his knuckles white from how hard he was holding on, breathing heavily and sweat trickling down his forehead. Tristan stood on Atem's other side, just in case, while Tea just stood behind them.

"You should be resting, buddy." Tristan said.

The Pharaoh shook his head slowly.

"I can't. They need me." He replied, through deep breaths.

"Who's they?" Tea asked softly.

Atem made no answer just continued to breathe deeply but he was staring down at something. The three of them followed is gaze, the town. When the Pharaoh said 'They need me' he had meant the people in the town.

"The only thing you can do is get yourself better, pal." Joey soothed, seeing the distress in Atem's eyes.

The Pharaoh was so desperate to help his people, they needed him and so did Yugi. He did not have the time to just lie around; he had to do something for them. The Pharaoh was about to say more but the fatigue that he had been ignoring for some time now finally caught up with him, his legs gave way but Joey caught him before he hit the floor.

"Come on, you need rest." Joey stated, firmly.

It was no longer a request and Atem was in no position to be stubborn but that did not mean that he had stopped caring for his people, he still wanted to help them.

"If I cannot, then you must." The Pharaoh said

"What do you mean?" Tristan asked, helping support the Pharaoh.

"Go into the town. Help my people... please"

They nodded; the Pharaoh then allowed the two boys to help him back to his bed. They promised Atem that they would go into the town. Atem smiled weakly, before he drifted to sleep. Tea was quietly hugging herself; Joey placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You ok, Tea?"

She drew her eyes away from the Pharaoh.

"Yes, I just.. well it is a lot to deal with, for Atem I mean."

"He's strong he'll pull through." Joey stated.

She nodded before they left them room. They were going to follow Atem's request, this meant they would have to talk to the Guardians. So, they set off in the direction of the Throne Room. They weren't sure whether the Guardians would be in there but they had to try.

Luckily, for Joey, Tristan and Tea they found the Guardians in there. They approached slowly as the Guardians were in conversation with the Healer. Shimon turned to the strangers who were approaching, the healer having finished what he was saying.

"Why are you not with my Pharaoh?"

"He wants us to go into the town, to help the people." The blond boy said.

The Guardians thought for a moment, before Priest Seto spoke up.

"Even though our King has been taken by this illness, we must respect his wishes. Do you agree Master Shimon?"

"Yes, we must respect his wish. Isis you go with one of the healers." Shimon instructed, "Take the four visitors as well."

Isis nodded and hurried away, the three strangers ran after her. Shimon sighed; it was like the Pharaoh to think of his people before himself. He had always been that way. Shimon closed his eyes, sending a silent prayer, for their king.

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Outside the Palace there were still a few people hanging around the gates. Their eyes then caught movement; a small group of people were heading out of the Palace, they were carrying something. The group moved closer and eventually out of the gates. The people standing around the gates immediately bombarded them with questions and pleas. Isis did her best to try to answer but more people had noticed the group and joined in. It was overwhelming but somehow Isis managed to call for quiet.

"Please, my brother is taken with this disease! Please help me!" A girl called.

"We have been working on a type of remedy this healer has it," Isis replied, indicating the healer to her left, "He will give all families some of it."

There was movement as people in the crowd moved closer to the healer, who was pulling small coloured jars out of a bag he had. Isis looked at the rest of the crowd; they still wore expression of worry and anxiety.

"Is it true? Has our King been taken by this terrible illness as well." A man said.

Isis sighed, glancing at the ground momentarily.

"Yes, our King has this illness as well. But he has not given up on you! He was the one who sent us out here."

There were cries of 'Pharaoh!' as a sign of respect and support for their ill king. Isis smiled as an old women came close to her.

"I'll put the pharaoh in my prayers."

Isis smiled, sweetly at her. Others began to say the same things; the people of Egypt were going to pray for their King.

Yugi had been standing silently, his mental battle had been continuing boldly. But the final straw came when the people began calling out about praying for the Pharaoh. Yugi felt an enormous wave of guilt sweep over him. He turned to his friends, who looked at him enquiringly.

"I can't stand this guys, I need to see Atem! Atem needs me!"

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I hope you enjoyed that!

Yugi? Is that you?

If Atem seemed a little out of character what can I say.. well I think we can excuse that he is ill after all!

Please review/comment/ask a question/ any constructive criticism?

I hope to see you next week, it was a kind of stroke of luck that I got this out to you guys but I am happy I did.

Thanks for reading, until next week… I hope. :)

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