Here's the next chapter. I loved that people found the Kangaroo Jack reference hilarious as much as I did rofl. Anyways, this should be the last of the ceremonial battle, but not the last chapter. I was also surprised that the last chapter also made at least two people cry. I haven't even gotten to the teary part yet! Anyways, review please!

Yugi spun the barrel, after Atem placed a bullet inside the slot, and heard it spin around and around, the nozzle of the gun pointed to his head directly. His hand was shaking and was almost into tears as the barrel stopped and Yugi pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. That was a mark for Atem and non for Yugi for round 5. Yugi felt fearful, then looked at his brother with saddened eyes.

"Y-You can volunteer me, if you want to," Yugi said hoarsely.

Atem shook his head and replied, "that is your call Yugi, not mine." He spun the barrel, pointed the gun at the wall, and pulled the trigger. Nothing came out. He handed it to Yugi, who put the nozzle to his head and spun the barrel. There was no bang, yet again. Neither of the boys had marks for round 6. "I'm sorry this is hard for you."

"I don't wanna leave, brother! I know Ryou is willing to leave, but I can't! We've been through too much together and you've inspired me! I know I'm supposed to be the strong and brave Pharaoh, but I'm only human! I'm not a god and I'm not even Pharaoh anymore! I'm just HUMAN with thoughts, emotions, and friends I've grown so close to! I don't want to leave my happy world!" Yugi cried out, bursting into tears and falling on his knees, his hands covering his face.

Atem walked to Yugi and held him with gentle arms. Yugi didn't want to let go of this embrace, burying his face in his brother's shoulder, tears falling onto his tank top. Atem didn't want Yugi to go either, but had to stay strong. Yugi was right, he was only human and a fragile one at that. Yugi grew close to Atem before he even realized it.

"Why did you choose me?" Atem asked quietly as Yugi peeked his face, wiping his tears. "Why, among every person you could've chosen of this time period to carry your soul, did you choose me as your vessel?"

"B-Because... you were everything I wanted to be," Yugi admitted, still in tears, as Atem rose two eyebrows in surprise. "You had been through tough hardships and trails, people have tortured and beaten you, but... but you fought back. You looked at them in the eye and fought back. You made friends with those, who didn't deserve it, and pitied them."

"I could because YOU inspired me to! You gave me the ability to change, to pity those I could not, to become a better friend to those I could never understand before! That was you, Yugi!" Atem said, remembering his wish on the puzzle, his fingers tightening his grip. "I never pitied anyone before I met you, Yugi. All I cared about was what I wanted and my own problems. I wanted to understand others, but didn't know I could... that I could use my own problems to understand others, to know that I've been through worst or the same shit they're going through. I may not be able to have it worse than some or most, but I can use my shit to try."

"B-Brother."

"I shut people out of my life before I met you. I didn't think anyone could relate to me, except maybe Joey. I never opened up to my own mother until I met you. Thinking back, it was me that didn't understand her and I should've known better than to think I could ever have a worse life than her, when she's been in this world longer than me and has faced shit herself. I know now that I can understand people and there are those that have always understood me. We're human Yugi and we're not perfect, but we're also human to where we have the ability to show kindness and love. I never knew I could do that until I met you."

Yugi looked into Atem's eyes, which seemed to almost water, but trying to prevent themselves. Yugi placed his hand on Atem's face and whispered, "you've always had that before you knew me." Atem stared at Yugi dumbfoundedly. "As a boy you had that ability. I watched you show kindness and love to Joey and Serenity, who were both from a broken home and let them into your life. When Joey was living with his father, you were willing to suffer with him just to be with him. You may not realize it, but your suffering was also a sacrifice. The scars you hold were the scars you carry from protecting your friend."

Uka heard everything Yugi had stated to Atem. She knew in her heart this was true. She still remembered when her son called her while she was at the hospital with her father-in-law. Atem was participating in the Death T tournament during the time. He had admitted to her that his virginity was taken from him at ten years old. She still remembered when Atem came home from his sleepover with Joey, the little innocent boy left Atem and left a scar behind that could never be healed. Joey was able to fill in the gaps of what happened that day.

Joey's father came home drunk during Atem's sleepover. Joey and Atem threw all the beer cans and bottles, even ones that were hidden, away into the dump. When Joey's father arrived drunk from the bar and discovered this, he yelled and screamed Joey's name and went after him, about to pound the poor boy. Then, Atem stood out and lied that he poured out the beer cans and bottles and not Joey. His father then picked Atem up by his neck, choked him, then dragged him into the bedroom with the door locked and Joey heard Atem screaming, crying, along with alot of banging and glass breaking. Atem finally came out and ran to Joey's room with the door locked, but the sight was dreadful. Atem was naked and blood covered half of his body and his butt was ripped open. Joey had to cover it with his shirt and Atem took a shower the next day to clean the blood off.

Uka finally understood why the boys never told her what happened during that sleepover. They knew if she ever knew, at that particular day, what happened, she would've tortured and killed Joey's father and would've got herself arrested. Uka wished she could've prevented that day from happening, tell Atem he was not allowed to have a sleepover with Joey. Though, it was as Yugi said, that suffering was a sacrifice. If not Atem, it would've been Joey. Because of Atem, Joey had someone to cry over, to share his pain with, to feel what he felt. Sometimes love means willing to take the hit before the other person does. This was what Yugi saw in Atem, a coal black heart created from the kindness and love he bestowed on others.

Atem smiled, and then held Yugi tightly in his arms before saying, "then you have the ability to leave your old family and move on to create a new one." Yugi sniffed, from all the crying, and widened his eyes. "You had a family before you met me." Yugi remembered his ancient family: Mana, Mahad, his father, Seth, Shimon, Shada, Isis, Joseph, Damon, Karim, and Kisara. It was hard to let go of them as well. "What made you decide to move on?"

"I-I don't know. I guess it was the hope of seeing them again after defeating Zorc," Yugi said, as Atem took him by the shoulders and looked at him directly in the eye.

"Then, don't you think you'll see me again as well? I won't be gone for 3000 years. I will grow up, raise a family, get a job, have a life, retire, then die from old age, cancer, murder, or whatever. Then, we can reunite and I know when I'm on my death bed, you will be the first thing I will look forward to. Even those that separate will eventually meet again in the distant future somewhere. If you hold onto that hope, I know we will be together again and spend as much time together as we want, this time in separate bodies."

Yugi knew Atem was right. They would meet again when Atem's time in this world was up and it was time for him to crossover as well. He might be cremated, but his soul will rest in the Underworld and that is where they would meet. Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem and kissed both his cheeks before hugging him tightly.

"You'll always have a place in my heart," Atem promised, then kissed Yugi on his head.

"So will you!" Yugi said, holding a confident smile. He stood up and spun the barrel as hard as he could. The barrel kept spinning and spinning until it came to a stop. The trigger was pulled and a loud bang was heard, making everyone jump and gasp. Yugi turned to dust in an instant, leaving only his spiritual soul behind. The Eye of Horus from the door to the Underworld glowed with bright brilliance as it slowly made a huge round portal that shined a brilliant white and yellow light.

"Whoa!" Everyone responded as they saw a spirited figure arrive from that world. They all gasped together, seeing Yugi's father Pharaoh Aknamkanon in the flesh.

"You have done well, son," Aknamkanon said as Yugi ran to his father and gave him a big hug.

"I missed you so much!" Yugi cried.

"Thank you for everything. I wish there was something I can do to repay all of you," Aknamkanon thanked everyone.

"I-It's fine... um... Pharaoh sir. I just want Yugi to have a life and a future," Atem said.

"I know and I'm sure there were other reasons you led Yugi here, but I still owe you my gratitude. I never thought I'd see my flesh and blood again. I never meant for him to go through all of this pain and suffering. I feel it is fair to offer at least one thing in return, so I decided to give you this..." Aknamkanon replied, stepping aside for several spirits to arrive, making everyone gasp in pure horror.

The first to arrive was Damon, which made Joey smile and run up to him, giving him a bear hug. Damon laughed, hugging Joey back and saying, "this is the first time we've met face to face. You have done good Joseph and I'm proud of you. You even are an older sibling yourself." Joey looked at Serenity, who just smiled and waved, greeting Damon for the first time.

Two other spirits arrived, which made Ryan pale and frozen. One was an older woman with straight and elegant white hair, a fair face, and a simple blouse and pants. Beside her was a small young five-year-old girl with white hair and beautiful baby blue eyes. Ryan almost couldn't catch his breath, that was his mother and little sister, who passed away long ago from a car accident. It was questioned why his little sister was the same age as she originally was when she died those years ago, then guessed that spirits appear at the age and maturity that they died.

"Ry-Ry, is that you?" the little girl asked in a British accent as she ran from her mother and hugged Ryan from the waist. He knelt down and held his little sister in his arms.

"It's okay Amane, I'm right here," Ryan said in English.

"What kind of accent is that?" Ryan's mother teased before hugging her son.

"Mother."

"Tristan sweety pie!" A voice from a brown-haired woman cried out with an older woman with short black hair and hazel eyes beside her. Tristan burst into tears before hugging both women.

"Mom, I'm so sorry for everything I ever said to you! I love you so much!" Tristan cried.

"I know, sweety. I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did. Your father was no good, but that was no reason for me to waste my life in drugs and leave you and your sister to fend for yourselves. I'm proud of you for taking care of your sister and my grandson," Tristan's Mom replied.

"And... I hope you forgive me for committing suicide. I was a selfish coward and now I'm having to pay for everything!" Tristan's Aunt said with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Aunt Grace!" Tristan cried, hugging his aunt tightly.

Tea saw her mother stepping from the portal and she immediately ran to her and embraced her, shedding tears. Seto's stoic expression began changing when he noticed two other people appearing from the portal. It couldn't be! No, it just couldn't! That beautiful blond hair and calm blue eyes, that smile Seto only saw in Mokuba. The other had brown hair that matched his own, those bright blue eyes that seemed cold at times, the stoic expression Seto found on his own. They were his real parents. The two spirits walked to Seto, whose mouth gaped slightly as he looked ahead to see his father was his own size in stature.

"Seto, son, how is Mokuba doing?" Seto's father asked.

Seto cleared his throat, holding in his emotions, before replying, "he's positively well and fed. I'm sorry he can't be here. Someone has to run Kaiba Corporation."

"That is good. You're a true man, Seto. I know I can't be there for you and Mokuba like a good father should, but I am glad you could rise from the ashes without your mother and I's guidance. You prove more of yourself than I could ever hope for. Do me a favor and don't change that," Seto's Dad advised as Seto nodded, then his mother embraced him joyfully as he hugged his mother back. His father, then looked to Atem's direction. "I also heard you took care of my son Mokuba, while Seto was in the hospital."

"Uh... yeah. Seto being in the hospital was also my fault and I couldn't protect Mokuba forever-" Atem said, feeling awkward about the situation during the time.

"Which is more than Destiny and I could do on our own, especially our relatives. As for how Seto got into the hospital, let us not speak of it. I don't need to know the details."

"Sure. Your welcome," Atem replied as Seto's father smiled and gave a nod. He was indeed Seto's real father, though more stern than Seto was.

"KO!" Uka squealed, almost frozen in fear, as Atem looked and saw a tall man with slightly spiked black hair and hint of gold in his bangs, violet eyes, but a very calm expression.

"D-D-D-D..." Atem stuttered before gently being embraced by this man, his eyes watering.

"Shhhhh, there there. Dry up those tears," Ko said in a gentle voice as Atem wiped his tears.

"It's just been s-s-so long. I-I don't even remember your face... or at least I didn't... I-I-I completely forgot your voice, face, everything."

"But you knew it was me. Have you been doing what your mother says?"

"I am trying, but... I hadn't been for so many years... I did things I always knew you'd kill me for."

"Let me give you a hint. There isn't one thing you've done that your mother and I haven't done worse. You can ask her, it's true." Ko winked and Uka couldn't help, but chuckle as Atem looked at his father in surprise. "And yes, I probably would've sent you straight to hell and back first thing when you pulled the kind of shit on your mother and grandfather, but... I digress. You did good and... ten times better than I did at your age."

"I suppose."

"I never managed a company in my life and never could, I have too many police records for that. Don't kick yourself in the ass too hard, just enough to get your act together. Think you can do that, Atem?"

"I will. I didn't know you cussed, let alone was arrested."

"That's because you only knew me at toddler age. I promise you, if not for that accident, you would've seen a very interesting side to me."

"Cool."

"ATEM MOTO!" Uka rebuked, then shook her head with a sigh.

"I love you, son. You take good care of your mother and my future daughter-in-law. She's a beauty, by the way," Ko said, patting Atem on the shoulder.

"Hell yeah she is!" Atem agreed.

"You both are too much!" Uka said, smiling and shaking her head before her husband embraced her with a soft kiss on her lips. "I missed you."

"You too, darling. Though, you know I'm not going to be jealous if you found yourself a new husband. Seriously, there are others in the Underworld with multiple husbands and wives."

"Not you too!"

"Atem is almost going to college and you still haven't found a proper husband to take care of you? You know, I want you to be happy. I don't want you to spend all your time alone with nobody but my dead old father and my son giving you trouble, especially since Atem is going to probably leave home in a few years."

"You're impossible! You BOTH are impossible!" Uka said as Atem and his father laughed together.

Hanaski felt jealous. He didn't have any deceased family member he knew. He was happy that everyone else was happy and decided that was all that mattered. Suddenly, a tiny person flew around him that appeared the size of a little baby doll in a Dollhouse. The voice of this small baby echoed as Hanaski stared at it with curiosity.

"Who are you?" Hanaski asked, as the small baby giggled, entering into his shirt and making him laugh. "That tickles!"

"Baba!" The little baby cried.

"A-Are you... my miscarried sibling or something?"

"Baba!"

"It is your identical twin brother you never knew or remember. He died from physical mutation. You had survived, while he never made it. I thought it would be fair for you to see him. He still remembers you and has been wanting to see you again," Aknamkanon explained as Hanaski's eyes widened, feeling so many emotions hit him as his little tiny brother peeked from his shirt, then snuggled itself next to Hanaski's neck.

"What's his name?" Hanaski asked.

"Aniki Tomoya."

"Hi Aniki," Hanaski greeted in a coo voice as Aniki held onto his brother with two glittering eyes.

"Ana da baba," the baby babbled.

"I love you too," Hanaski whispered, gently stroking the little baby's cheek that felt so small, soft, and innocent. He couldn't hold back the tears in his eyes, to know that he could've had a twin brother to play with, then he would no longer feel alone.