The next day Yugi allowed Atem to play the racing console game again until their friends all arrived shortly before lunch time.
"Hey Yug! Ah playing the game I left here ah?" Joey said happily as he made himself comfortable beside him.
"Hey guys. Yes it's very fun. Yugi's been watching me play for a while now. I'll just finish this map and we'll swap back over." Atem said cheerfully.
"Oh buddy! I didn't realise it was you! Sorry." Joey laughed nervously.
"It's fine Joey." Atem giggled.
"How's he doin?" Tristan asked.
"Much better now he's rested. He slept all day so we were up all night again but I think he'll be able to fix his routine soon."
"Thats good. Yeah those work orders are always pretty rough." Tea agreed.
"He tells me it's not the first time he's had to pull all nighters like that."
"Oh dude once he was literally up for like 4 days. He basically slept through handing over the paperwork and talking to his boss. Trust us, 2 days is nothing new." Tea said.
Atem achieved the victory screen and in less than a second from achieving this Yugi stole his body back without warning.
"You guys are going to get me in trouble you know." He sighed as he saved Atem's progress for him.
"Sounds like there's still a bit more you have to tell me." Atem said in mock annoyance as he sat beside them all.
They laughed and relaxed as Yugi brought them tea to enjoy.
"Alright, so Yug. You wanted to talk to us yeah?" Tristan asked.
Yugi looked to Atem, who nodded and waited. He then brought out his journal and placed it in the middle of the coffee table.
"Inside that journal is extremely delicate instructions on how to use the Millenium items to bring a person back to life." He started.
Silence followed: appropriate. He wasn't sure how else to break the ice other than to come out right and say it. When he was satisfied their silence meant they were ready for more he continued.
"I started this journal after I recovered the artifacts. When I put them away is also when I put this away. For 3 years I haven't touched it… until now. I'm absolutely certain I haven't missed anything; anything unaccounted for is unknown to me but I'm certain I have as much covered as I can given the extremely limited knowledge out there."
"Yugi… bringing people back to life?" Tristan asked more in dismay and to confirm than to actually ask.
"Why do you wanna bring someone back to life?" Joey asked.
"You're not thinking of publishing this are you?" Tea asked.
"No. This is staying private. In fact I actually know the spell off by heart so I should be burning this. And I dont want to bring anyone back from the dead… not entirely anyway. Strictly speaking, bringing someone back from the dead is still impossible."
"But you said…"
"I can bring a body back to life using this ritual… but it wont last long without it's soul anchoring it down."
"Okay… so… I'm not following." Joey said slowly.
Tea's eyes lit up as her gaze shifted between Atem and Yugi, realising what he was getting at. Atem smiled to her, indicating she should wait so the boys could catch up.
"There's only one person I would have wanted to use this on but have been unable to until now. Even if I brought back his body, it wouldn't have lasted without his soul." Yugi clarified further.
Thats when they caught on, both looking to Atem and back to Yugi with wide eyes and brimming excitement.
"You're not…"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. I can bring back Atem's body and now that he's here with us, he can return to it too. Using the Millenium items and my knowledge, we can bring him back entirely."
"Dude that's awesome!" Tristan cheered loudly.
"WOOHOO! We'll have our buddy back in the flesh!" Joey jumped for joy, punching the air enthusiastically.
"Wait a minute you guys. I'm excited too but Yugi… is this dangerous?" Tea asked.
"Nothings without it's dangers. But the reward would be worth it." Yugi shrugged.
"Tell them everything Yugi." Atem nagged him.
"I actually need your help with this if I'm to optimise our chances. There's a limited amount of time we can do this before it becomes too complicated and I need everyone on board if this is to succeed. There are two risks: misfire and backfire. Misfire isn't too bad… that will happen if something with the ritual goes wrong or Atem's body rejects him, in which case his soul will still be attached to mine and there's no harm there; I'll just have to figure out what went wrong.
Backfire is if the ritual is interrupted in one way or another and I can't complete it...sort of like short circuiting. If that happens the result will vary depending on where we are in the spell. Atem could remain attached to me or he could attach to his body with no problems at all…. In both of those cases the damage lies with me: I could essentially die or become as good as dead… Alternatively the 3rd option is we could both be destroyed in the process."
"Dude… they're pretty big risks." Joey sat back down, his shoulders hunched in disappointment.
"But low chances of that happening if I have you guys making sure we don't get distracted. The entire process should take 10 minutes… 10 minutes with no interruptions and we should be okay. I've done my research, I've memorised everything I need to do… there's a low chance of a backfire happening. Missfire is way more likely and even then success is a lot higher than that."
"So what do you need us to do?"
"I just need you guys to make sure no one walks in on me. 10 minutes should be easy enough. Hell the actual process itself shouldn't take that long but thats giving room for error."
"What do you need to do?"
"A fair bit but for the ritual itself I need his body, the items, the spell and my blood. After his body is created its a matter of using a different spell to carve a path for him to take back into his body."
"He can't just possess it?" Tristan asked.
"No. By creating a path I'd be essentially opening a gate for him to take rather than jumping a fence. His body won't reject him this way and it makes for a cleaner separation of our souls. This protects me as well."
"I see."
"Well our job seems easy." Tea said simply.
"And… Atem… you cool with this too?" Tristan asked.
"I'm concerned for the risks to Yugi's health… he assures me the chances of backfire are low and I believe in his ability to do this. I do want to return to my own body… I have since coming back longed to touch and be present among you all. I'd like to go through with this until this becomes too much of a risk to take." Atem said carefully and clearly. Yugi understood his concern was primarily for his own well-being but Yugi remained convinced that this would work.
"Okay… then I guess we're doing this. Alright! Our buddies gonna be here with us!" Joey cheered.
"What needs to happen Yug? What's the plan?" Tristan asked.
"I've got a phone call to make. I won't be long." Yugi said happily as he stood, slipping his phone out from his pocket smoothly.
"Now?" Atem asked.
"Sooner the better. We only have a limited time, the sooner I can get this sorted the easier everything else will be." Yugi shrugged.
"Who are you calling?" Tea asked but he ignored her and left the room.
"He's calling Pegasus. He said he's got few strings to pull." Atem said, though his voice was reserved with concern.
"Oh yeah Pegasus does owe him a thing or two but this is pretty big. Think he'll make it clean?" Joey asked.
"Not a chance. But Yugi can handle it. More importantly, did he tell you how long he thinks it'll be til you get your body back?"
"He wants to do this before the Nameless King exhibit. Apparently my body is due for arrival on Monday and after that we will have a week before it goes on show."
"Makes sense. I think it's here for a month before it leaves again right?" Tea asked.
"Yes it will be going to the US. He says there's time after the show but it won't be much. If we are going to do this our chances are best before hand."
"Wait… If Yug needs your body to do this, what's going to happen to your body in the sarcophagus? Does he mean to bring that back to life? Cause I mean… doesn't that mean there won't be a body in the coffin?" Tristan asked.
"Hey yeah! What will that mean for the show?" Joey asked.
Atem shrugged. "He said he has some strings to pull regarding that but I'm not sure what that means. I wonder if that has anything to do with Pegasus."
"Pegasus is powerful. He might be able to pull some strings or rig up something to get away with it."
"Yeah but what will it cost Yugi?" Tea asked.
"Hopefully not much." Atem sighed.
"I'm still not sure what's happening. Like I know what's going to happen but what exactly is happening? Like… What's the plan?" Joey asked.
"I think Yugi still needs to iron out details first. I believe his talk with Pegasus will help set a date." Atem shrugged.
"Am I the only one nervous about this!? I mean I'm excited but Pegasus kinda still unnerves me." Tea said.
"I agree. But we can handle dis! I mean we're gonna get our buddy back! We haven't been in his physical presence since we went into his memories! This is gonna be so cool!"
Atem smiled. He shared each of their emotions and agreed wholeheartedly with Teas concerns but he felt a lot more confident with Joeys enthusiasm. He always appreciated his can do attitude.
Yugi came back then looking awfully smug with himself, much to Atems enjoyment. This must have been good news. He could feel his heart begin to quicken upon seeing the sparkle in his eyes and the smile upon his face. Maybe this would actually work.
"So?"
"This is gonna work. Pegasus is going to organise with Mr. Owoi and his men to order a perfect replica of Atems body. Owoi and i will discuss it later, that easy. The replica will be on show while the real body is "put away for its preservation." Just like the Items right now." Yugi said happily.
"A replica?"
"A very realistic one. Unless it's actually tested the public wont know. And Owoi doesn't need to know what I'll actually be doing to Atems body."
"So when will that be ready?" Joey asked.
"Friday. Atems body arrives on Monday. On Saturday I'm going to deliver a crate of some stuff we have here so that we can use it to get Atem out of the Museum without raising suspicion. On Monday when the shipment arrives I'm going to inspect the body in privacy. If i cant avoid people in with me on monday Ill be inspecting in depth on Tuesday. Whichever day I get privacy I'll have Tristan waiting outside the back with a trailer for us to come out. Joey and Tea I'll have you guys as my assistants keeping a lookout. When the ritual is complete, Atem yours going to be well asleep so I'm going to need your help Joey getting him in the crate so we can drive him home."
"Wait… I'll be in one of those wooden crates? From yesterday?" Atem asked nervously.
"Yes… but we'll put something soft in there. You'll be fine." Yugi said quickly.
Joey and Tristan laughed but quickly shut up when Atem glared at them.
"It's a 20 minute drive. Will he be okay in the crate?" Tea asked.
"Yeah we can pull over once we are clear of the Museum and give him air if he needs." Tristan said simply.
"I am sorry for putting you in this situation but this is the safest way to get you out without raising suspicion. I can't go in myself and leave with someone unconscious." Yugi explained to him. Atem sighed, nodding solemnly.
"I understand. I'm just glad I'll be unconscious." Atem smiled half heartedly.
"So… Monday or Tuesday then, right? Todays Wednesday… I don't suppose you mean this friday is when the replica will be ready?" Tristan asked.
"Yes this Friday. Pegasus is having it made here in the city. It will be delivered to the Museum where I will inspect it myself with Mr. Owoi. When Atem's body arrives we will replace it with the replica. I will have as much time as I want to myself to ensure that Atem's real body is safe and pristine.. Thats our highest chance." Yugi explained.
"Wow… so soon." Tea said quietly, almost inaudibly.
"So what now?" Atem asked.
"I won't get the items out until Sunday. Mr. Owoi won't be in the museum on the weekend and I'd like to have them on me for as little as possible. I'll have as much time as I like after this is done to return them without Mr. Owoi knowing I've even taken them out of storage. They won't be on show afterall. Essentially what we're doing with your body is what we have done already to the items."
"This is so cool! It's actually happening!" Tristan cheered with Joey, jumping up and down energetically.
"Hey Yugi, what will the state of Atem's body be? I mean when you bring it back, is he going to be weak? He hasn't eaten in 3000 years." Tea asked.
"His body will be as it was a few days before it passed. He's going to be exhausted, likely feel a bit a stiff in places for not having moved in so long and eventually when he wakes I'd be surprised if he wasn't starving but otherwise he should be healthy. Not mal-nourished or anything severe, probably in desperate need of a drink." Yugi shrugged.
"Will I be in wraps?" Atem asked.
"...probably. Your body would have been mummified so we're going to need to cut you free so you can breathe before putting you in the crate. You're also probably going to need clothes of your own. You can wear mine but I actually think you've got a bigger frame than I do." Yugi said with his finger to his chin as he thought.
"Oh we can go clothes shopping!" Tea said excitedly. She sounded almost more excited about that than anything else so far. "I can't wait to help you pick out your own style! Between Egyptian clothing and Yugi's love of leather you haven't really been able to explore whatelse would suit you!"
Atem looked to Yugi for help but he was giving Tea and unamused expression before he shook his head in actual amusement.
"I'll need money… I'll need an actual identiy won't I? I won't be a citizen of this country. As far as the worlds concerned I'd have just appeared."
"I can talk to Bec about that." Yugi shrugged it off nonchalantly.
"She works in the American government though Yug, not the Japanese." Tristan pointed out.
"She's got connections."
"Seems like you have this all sorted out huh Yug." Joey said happily and proudly, to which Yugi beamed with confidence.
"I've been playing with this idea for years. I never thought I'd actually get to go through with it though."
"Is that how you knew Pegasus would be able to help?" Tristan asked.
"Whats the catch by the way?" Joey asked.
"Yes and he hasn't decided yet. He's holding me to a favor. He doesn't know Atem is back, so far he believes my concern for his body's safety. If he knew Atem would be coming back I would be owing him a LOT for this."
"Way to dupe the man Yug." Joey said, impressed. Atem shared his impression; he didn't realise how dubious his partner could be, or how well thought out his plan was. He'd thought of everything so far. He was so proud of him and couldn't wait to hold him for real.
"So what can we do today?" Tea asked.
"At the moment nothing. I've got a call I can make to arrange a delivery to the museum but that can be done later."
"Yugi… what about Leon?" Joey asked suddenly. His tone was serious and took him by surprise. Atem had mentioned having 3 weeks left earlier but his concern until now had been getting his work done and body back… If he was honest he hadn't given Leon a lot of thought.
"There's not much i can do about him right now. I don't know where he is, what power he has or what it is I'm supposed to discover next month. I could look into what he was doing before he returned if you like but right now my priorities are elsewhere." Yugi said, glancing to Atem and back.
"Yeah I just hope he doesn't strike before we go through with this." Joey said.
"What if he does?" Tea asked.
"We deal with it as it comes. Leon is a variable I can't account for. He's too unpredictable. Truth be told, he would be the biggest reason I need you guys to make sure we don't get disturbed. He can attack me all he likes after we secure Atems life."
"I'm not fond of that notion." Atem said sternly.
"Within reason." Yugi corrected for his satisfaction.
"Okay. Stay vigilant people. We can do this!" Tristan said confidently, switching the mood back to excited.
"Right! There's nothing we can't accomplish together!" Joey joined in.
"This is going to be so great! We should have a party when this succeeds!" Tea said happily.
Yugi looked to Atem who smiled warmly to him. They shared their enthusiasm, eager for the day to come that he would walk on his own among them.
Grandpa came around the corner then wearing his sneakers and pocketing his wallet while twirling his keys around his finger.
"Ready to go Yugi?" He asked pleasantly.
"...to go?" Yugi asked, confused.
Atem giggled to himself as his friends stood to leave too. What was happening?
"You've got a doctor's appointment Yugi. Its been just over a week since your surgery." Atem said.
"It has?!" Yugi asked.
"Yep. It's cool. Seems we can't do much more damage around here until Friday. So let us know how you go and if you need anything okay?" Joey said happily as he messed Yugis hair up as they passed.