3 Months pass.
Atem breathed in the warm daylight air deeply as he listened to the birds chirping away in the trees nearby, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin and the air as it danced in his hair. Since losing the shop he and Grandpa were given an apartment to share until it could be rebuilt, but he took to spending his days on the river, laying on the grass and letting nature take his mind away. Across the river was the bustling city and not too far inside it were the sounds of construction as the city rebuilt the sky scrapers and apartments that were lost when the sinkhole opened. They had already closed the hole now, with except to a single entrance guarded by military personal as archaeologists and scientists scurried around it like ants to honey. A find of the century they call it; an ancient temple buried beneath Domino City resembling nothing of Japanese culture. Atem wasn't in favour of anyone near the temple, partially fearing for their safety as he knew the dangers of the temple all too well, but also because it was where he last saw Yugi… he wondered if Yugi was ever to come back, if it would be there… and if there were people tearing it apart for their own discovery if it would stop Yugi from being able to come back. But there was nothing he could do about it, and so he laid here, trying desperately to forget.
It was getting more difficult though, as the days went by and the dreams came back stronger than the night before. He dreamt of Yugi's voice, calling to him but not telling him where to go… only calling his name. It was as if he was beckoning him but where does he go? He tried entering the temple, with the guards there it was impossible. He even tried going back to the shop but while it was under construction there was literally nothing there but a vacant plot and some fences.
"Atem!" He heard his friends call then and he got up onto his elbows to see them running down the hill to be with him. At least they were still here, smiling and offering some sanity.
"Hey guys. Whats up?" He asked them.
Joey passed him an envelope as he slid in beside him.
"Whats this?" Atem asked as he skillfully slid in a finger to tear open the paper.
A key fell into his palm, a silver one with blue gem imbedded in it. He knew this key… this was the key that saved Yugi.. but that had been in his mind… did his friends get one made for him?
"We got one too in the mail. You remember it right?" Tea asked.
"Of course. But who sent it?"
"We don't know… but there's something else. Have you been dreaming about him lately? Hearing him call out your name?" Tea asked him. He blinked in surprise… how did she know?
"Y-yes? You too?" He asked slowly.
"All of us. Started about 3 days ago."
"Then we get this in the mail? Bit coincidental don't ya think?" Joey said, obviously leading into something.
"Do you think we're supposed to bring him back… just like we did before?" Atem asked.
"Maybe. Why else would we mysteriously get given these?"
"Yeah but… there's one problem Joey. Where are we supposed to use these keys?" Atem asked him.
Joey grinned proudly and pointed towards the city.
"The Temple?"
"Yep! We're going there tonight when there'll be less people." Tristan said happily.
"We'll sneak in past the guards and check it out." Tea said strongly.
"There's no other option Atem. Where else would these keys lead us to except where they came from?" Joey asked him.
He looked down at his key and knew him to be right. Even if Yugi wasn't there, there might be something they could use this key on to find out.
"Okay. Lets get him back."
That night they met together at a nearby park, dressed in dark clothing to aid in their sneaking. Atem had brought his dia diank just in case they would need it and Joey had brought a full backpack of things just in case they would need that; things like a flashlight, rope, a bluetooth speaker… he went a little overboard but he was strong in his defence saying he was prepared for anything.
As they approached the entrance to the temple they saw 4 guards in total. Two of them stood by the entrance and the other 2 patrolled the peripherals. It was said the only reason there were guards here was because of how dangerous it was to go exploring… underneathe the city was a massive chasm that could come crashing down if the wrong person were to do the wrong thing under there, it could be devastating. But they weren't going to let that get in the way.
How they were going to get passed them though was another story… one they hadn't planned for.
They hid behind a corner, watching their habits and searching for any other way into the temple. Unfortunately the efficiency of the Japanese people made it impregnable from any other way in except here.
"How are we going to get in?" Tea asked.
"You could go distract them?" Tristan suggested cheekily.
She slapped his shoulder and he laughed.
"Guys this is why I brought the speaker… we'll play a little something to get their attention and then sneak in while they're distracted." Joey said cooly.
"Joey… I'm not sure that'll bring all four of them over." Atem told him.
"Then we'll knock out the other 2?" He suggested.
"And alert them that someone might have snuck in?" Tristan said sarcastically.
"Cause the speaker wont do that already." Tea said, matching his unimpressed tone.
"Guys… look." Atem said to them, gesturing towards the guards. They stopped their bickering and saw a faded light winking into existance before the guards.
"Is that Yugi?" Joey asked.
It looked like it was just light, so it might not have been him, but whatever it was shone brightly and then faded and as it did the guards collapsed to the ground.
They waited for a minute watching as the light flickered in a consistent pattern, as if signalling their safety.
"Lets go. We won't get a better chance." Atem said and lead them out from the corner and towards the light.
As they got closer a figure appeared within the light, a girl… they knew her.. Maria… or maybe it was Macaria, they were so similar.
She smiled and lead them into the temple safely, temporarily putting to sleep any guards within and guiding them swiftly through to the temple where they saw yet another white ghost, the other sister.
Both of them smiled upon seeing them.
"Maria.. Macaria… it's good to see you." Atem said. He was unsure about Macaria but for now he couldn't tell them apart… and she looked a lot happier and nicer now so perhaps she had changed.
They didn't speak, only nodding their head in recognition.
"Are you the ones that gave us these keys?" Tea asked them, showing them her pink jewelled key.
They nodded proudly.
"How is Yugi?" Atem asked them, his voice almost catching in his throat.
They smiled again and lead them through the temple.
They followed closely behind them until they reached a grand hall… the same grand hall they had said their goodbyes to him. Inside though was a large blue crystal, glowing ever so slightly to light the room an ominous shade of purity.
The girls hovered beside the crystal and presented it to them like a prize.
"Is he inside?" Atem asked.
The key Atem owned now grew hot in his pocket and as he drew it he saw the blue gem glowing brightly. It burned his hands as he held it and he let go only it didn't fall, instead it flew towards the crystal and buried itself inside.
Joeys, Tristans and Tea's did the same, each glowing their own colour and each racing towards it. Once they had all embedded themselves into it, the girls bowed in gratitude and faded as the crystals glow grew brighter and brighter until they could not see anymore.
The wind picked up around them, blowing their clothes and air, licking at their skin with a fresh chill until they heard the shatter. They looked to see the light fading and as it was they saw Yugi slowly falling to the stone floor beneath him.
Atem heart froze as he watched him touch the ground, still in the same clothes as he had been 3 months ago, only cleaner, not bruised or scratched at all… he looked healthy and alive and so here.
"Yugi…" His friends whispered as they too shared his awe.
Yugi forrowed his brow and blinked several times until the shine returned in them and he saw his friends standing before him, frozen like statues, jaws agape and eyes wide. He smiled at them and waved as if no time at all had passed since he last saw them.
"Hey guys." He said happily.
"YUGI!" They screamed in joy and ran to him. Joey was the first to reach him, picking him up and spinning him around in the air before bringing him down to be cuddled by Tea and Tristan.
"Don't ever do that again!" Tristan commanded through tears.
"You had us worried Yugi, we thought you might not come back!" Tea cried.
"I knew he'd be back, all along. Never doubted you Yug!" Joey said proudly though he too was crying.
"How long has it been?" Yugi asked them.
"3 months Yugi." Atem said. He stood behind them, not wanting to interrupt but wanting desperately to hold him again too. Tea and Tristan let him go and stepped aside so Atem could have his turn with him. They knew how much Atem had missed him, perhaps more than they did, but not by much.
"Sorry I took so long." Yugi said to him.
Atem smiled and took his hands, examining his skin carefully. He was relieved he wasn't burning any more, nor did he show any signs that he had been. He was completely unscathed.
"I'm just happy you're back." Atem said to him.
Yugi smiled and leaned in to kiss him, this time slipping his hands out from Atems and taking Atems head in his hands, just as Atem had done so many times to him.
His heart blossomed wildly and no longer could he hold back his tears of sheer joy to have him back in this world. He held Yugi close and let the world fade away, for now they were together and they could be for the rest of their days.
"Okay you two… get a room." Joey said as he, Tea and Tristan passed them to lead the way back out of the temple.
They broke their kiss, resting their foreheads on one anothers and giggled.
"Gladly." Yugi said cheekily under his breath so only Atem could hear him. Atem blushed and smiled, taking Yugi's hand in his and together they walked back out to go home.