Game Shop

Ryou Bakura waited for the return of everyone. He was warned about what was going on, but when Jounouchi had his emergency, they all left. He continued to concentrate on the best plans he could to protect what he could.

I suppose I could just be extra nice and ask Jounouchi and Mai politely to leave with me? But is that enough, that might not be enough. The extra beds in the house, it should be a good indicator that everything would be fine. The last one only considered Jounouchi worth sparing. Then, he saw Jounouchi return with his early bundle. Right behind him was Yuugi and Atem. Nobody looked well. Oh. Mai probably didn't make it. It was a miracle the baby seemed to. "You're back."

Jounouchi just gave a slight nod. "This is Mana," he said.

Ryou Bakura came closer to check her out. "She's rather bigger than I thought."

"She had enough power to pull through," Jounouchi said. "She's been fused with her monster."

Oh. "Sorry, Jounouchi."

"Nah, nah. She's still my daughter," Jounouchi said. "Monster or whatever. Although I think I just pimped out my sister to Kaiba."

"Pardon?" Ryou didn't understand.

"Jounouchi asked for help for Shizuka," Yuugi said dully. "Whenever they help, life changing events happen. Quickly."

Ryou Bakura nodded but looked at Atem and Yuugi. "Where's Anzu and Satiah?"

"Gone!" Yuugi broke down as he closed his eyes and started to cry. "He just up and made them disappear."

"He wants to keep the prizes until after we win the game," Atem said a little more calm, but still just as perturbed. "Since the gods do nothing but appease him to play, we have little choice."

"Oh. I'm sorry," Ryou Bakura apologized.

"They never cared about anything else but appeasing him!" Yuugi complained openly to the world. "Now, Anzu is pregnant. So's Satiah, but they aren't having regular babies."

Ryou Bakura could feel Bakura was finally coming around to the surface. "They are pregnant already? Now?"

"Maybe. There is a good chance they could have had them." Atem sounded so much more solemn than usual. "He took them to a gods realm. They are human with light and dark power." Atem was trying hard. His body was shaking, but out of fear or anger, Ryou Bakura couldn't tell.

"And you just let Set wander off with them without doing a damn thing?!" Bakura was awake and back now. "Shameful. You left your own to be devoured by Set!"

"He won't do anything without risking the game!" Atem yelled back at him. "What else can we do? The power we do have overwhelms the Earth and can destroy it. He knows neither Yuugi or I would use it. We have theories about our half pendants, but we don't know for sure. That leaves me nothing to fight him with for now."

"The time will come." Yuugi tried to sound positive. "We can be stronger one day." He looked at the mirror. Anzu had it to the side. All he could see was the sidings of the boat. It was left behind. "One day, we can stop it all."

"Your idiots. Your absolute morons," Bakura offended them more. "Have you no brains? Do you only think with power? Not everyone has power absolute all the time, and when you don't, you use your brain. You know, that thing on top of your shoulders."

"Of course there's more than power, there is strategy!" Yuugi scolded him. "But he just vanished with them. To a place we can't follow."

"Mai died for this advanced game he wanted to play," Jounouchi spoke again. "My daughter was changed forever because of this game. We are playing it."

"Perhaps you don't have to." Set's voice from outside. Atem, and Yuugi rushed outside as fast as they could.

Bakura strolled with Jounouchi. Stupid Pharaoh. If it wasn't for Rider being in this mess, I'd leave him hanging in the breeze!

Set was outside, by himself. No one else was around. No flunkies, no minions, no Anzu and no Masika. There was also no Shizuka, a welcomed relief too. "Things went well," he said to Yugi and Atem. "I propose a draw."

"A draw?" Atem asked. "That's surprising coming from the one who rules the world. What's involved in this draw?"

"I'll go and let the world get it's second chance without a game," Set said, "You basically win. I won't take the dragon or plot to take away Mana. All I want in return? Are the souls and lives involved with the part of Masika."

Yuugi nor Atem spoke, but both of their eyes narrowed.

"Just agree, and you win. No gods game needed. This isn't hard," Set said again. "That's all that matters so much to you, to save the world? So, save your world. Just give me Anzu, Masika, Silhouette and Hikaru. That's all."

Two unknown names. Bakura knew what they must mean. Being dragged to a gods realm, and being part gods? There was no human nine month wait. I better act fast. "I have to say, someone who takes a prize that is not theirs to take must be missing a few thousand screws. Do you honestly think the gods will let you get away with that?" Bakura asked. "What kind of a moron are you? As soon as this game is over, all of the gods will go after you for betraying sacred tradition!"

As he figured, Set was confused, and Atem and Yuugi were quiet. The things I do. The things I do! "What? Don't tell me the morons forgot to tell you?" He covered his face. "It's just like Atem, isn't it? A pain in the butt, waiting 'til the last minute to reveal his winning card." Bakura held up his finger to Atem and flipped him off while continuing to speak to Set. "Oh, but I guarantee. Even when you think you've got it all wrapped up, he will always find a way to undo everything and piss everyone off."

Set glanced toward Atem. "What did you do?"

"What else?" Bakura answered for Atem, trying to keep the light on him so that Atem didn't screw it up. "He's a royal greedy bastard! He sees something pretty, and he takes it. That's all Pharaoh's were ever good for, taking whatever they wanted and never thinking about anything but themselves."

"Sounds like Atem," Set tried to glance back at Atem. "What did you do now you snake?"

"Isn't it obvious? He found out a part was married to her from one of her past visions she's been having," Bakura said. "He always takes what's his. He declared her as his property and his wife right there. He did the same thing with the other side, granting it for his other self instead."

"What?!"

Atem and Yuugi were trying hard not to break with a sign of their own confusion.

"Satiah was dead and in his afterlife empire," Bakura finished lightly, yet with a sneer. "Yes, you may rule Earth now, but the Pharaoh of her afterlife will always have supreme rule over her. Feel free to rage now."

"You!" Set glared and pointed at Atem. "You are her Pharaoh?" His hand shook in anger. "Both parts are your wives?!"

Atem didn't hesitate for long, he finally understood it. "Of course they are. She was mine, so I made her mine and Yuugi's after separation too. She is from my kingdom, Set. That means my rule will come before yours with her!" Atem pointed right back. "Now! I demand you return our wives!"

"And slaves ," Bakura added strongly. "Don't just act like she was with you automatically. Utter nonsense. You know that wouldn't happen after knowing you for such a short time. She would never end up with you unless you forced her to be!"

Atem gave a slight nod, then glanced at Yuugi, Sorry, Yuugi, for the way I have to say this. "You had your fun, Set. Now give my property back!"

I get it Atem, as long as they are given back. "Mine too!" Yuugi declared.

"Declare them free!" Set demanded.

"Never." Atem's voice was venomous. Bakura's plan was the only thing giving them a chance.

"Pharaoh's never give up their riches, they'll let people die first," Bakura said none too eloquently.

"Then there won't be a draw, unless you renounce your ownership of them," Set demanded just as strong. Once again, Atem nor Yuugi would cooperate. "Fine then! The gods game will go on, but you can bet when I have control over you? I will make you renounce them, and they will belong to me. Like they were always supposed to."

He disappeared, but then came back with twin cribs made of gold, diapers, and a ton of other baby supplies. "For the short time you're watching them before I win, I will take care of them as I can. For they will be mine ."

Yuugi crept up closer to the gold cribs. "The other two names, Atem."

"I know." Atem joined him next to the empty crib. "I was hoping for an already full grown god." That human side. It may slow things down."

How human would they be? Would they be like human babies with such a fast experience? Were Anzu and Satiah okay? The mirror no longer showed them. Many thoughts should have been in their head and in their conversation, but nothing came. Yuugi just stroked the crib before lying his head on the side of it.

Atem glanced toward the other crib. Soon, there would be two. Bakura's lies are saving them. He wouldn't keep them lies for long, as soon as Set was gone, he would declare it and make them happen. He wouldn't risk Set discovering the truth, or he would be able to take them away again. Bakura's villainous, conniving ways . . . were saving them all. Yuugi.

I don't want to talk, I just want them here. Yuugi made his point clear.

Mana started to cry and Jounouchi came over to bop her up and down lightly. "Yuugi, it'll be okay. Gonna have to trust in this." Yuugi didn't snap out of it. "I know," Jounouchi said softly. "It wasn't even overnight, within less than an hour you just found out you're a dad. You talked about it, sort of planned on it, but now it's here. Hey, trust Jounouchi. I've been there. I didn't get the whole nine months, but I did get a decent warning. Still. It still hit really hard, especially when I saw . . . what he was doing to my Mai."

Yuugi turned toward him. He nodded. "I know. I'm sorry, Jounouchi."

"They are okay Yuugi because Set wants them." Atem's voice was slower, but filled with purpose.

"Even Atem's probably having a slight freak-out over there," Jounouchi said to Yuugi. "I mean obviously he would have kids in Ancient Egypt. Like tons, he was supposed to, for the throne." Jounouchi looked toward Atem. "So does that make it any easier?"

Yuugi looked toward Atem. No. Obviously not. "Why isn't Set back, he's the one with the magic to rush back and forth."

Set arrived in front of him, gripping the crib Yuugi was holding onto. "Why am I not rushing back and forth? They are in the process of being born. It's delicate. They aren't full gods, that's why I took them there, so my future wives will have the best chances." He looked at all of them, and then extra hard at Bakura before glaring at Atem. "I'll bring your property back when it's safe. Unless you really can't wait a few minutes and want them to die?"

"Give them the time they need," Atem said coming closer to Yuugi, "but not a minute more. I want my property rightly returned back."

"So do I," Yuugi said, backing Atem's words. As much as that word did not fit them, it was their lifeline to them. Atem. He could be eavesdropping at any time and we wouldn't know.

I know. When they get back, I will make it official. To ensure their safety.

I don't want to call Anzu property.

You can call her wife if you prefer, Yuugi. I'm sure they are already putting the pieces together.

I wanted to be there for her though.

She knows in her heart you are there, Yuugi. I know she does.

Yuugi checked the mirror again. This time, Anzu's face was right there, panicked. "Anzu?"

"Yuugi!" she called for him. "Yuugi, something terrible happened!"

"It's okay," Yuugi said, trying to calm her down. "I know now too. What's important is to just take it easy."

"That's easy for you to say, you're not here doing this. There are pixie and giant sized gods just staring at me." She bent down her head. "I don't want to be here. How can I do this? Yuugi."

"You have to be there because I've already asked for my wife back," Yuugi said thickly, "so Set has to give you back because you're my wife and property." He watched her expression, but she seemed to understand. "In that condition, it's dangerous though to return." He wanted to say that he didn't want what happened to Mai, to happen to her, but not with Jounouchi so close. Instead? "Anzu, I'm right here, I promise, and when it's all done, you are going to be brought back home. Where you belong."

"Where I belong." Her voice sounded squeezed. "Okay. I know I can do this, Yuugi. It's just birthing a part god, how hard is that?" The joke didn't carry through. "I wish you were here!"

"I wish so too. You're mine, and I should be there." Yuugi wouldn't risk letting up one second. "Atem wishes he could be there for his wife Satiah too."

Anzu looked toward her side and then looked back at the mirror. "Uh? Yes, Master Husband."

That sounds like Satiah is giving her advice. Good. She would know how to act. With that though, Yuugi watched as Atem pulled out his own mirror to Satiah.

He couldn't see a visual. "Masika?"

"Master Husband." She couldn't be seen, but he could hear her voice. "I'm sorry to have lost track of the mirror. It was shameful of me to place it haphazardly to my side. I will make amends for it."

She was a pro. It was sad to know how good she had been at it, but it only made sense. She played that part most of her life. "Forget amends, wife," Atem answered. "How is everything?"

"Anzu is getting used to her new role," she answered. "I am too. It's . . . unsettling. Many terrible changes brewing inside, with wonderful changes too. I can feel something pushing along the stomach, trying to get out. The only thing that keeps it from being nice is that because of its power, I don't know if it will explode and kill or not. It's certainly no way to go."

"Satiah!" Anzu yelled at her.

"I mean, of course it will be a smooth and simple experience," Masika said, changing her tune for Anzu. "Hopefully. I don't know what will happen."

Atem listened until he felt his mirror being swiped away. Bakura took it.

"Rider, what does the grand gods' realm look like over there?" Bakura asked the mirror. "Any better? Any worse?"

"You're trying to make me describe the environment while I'm trying to deal with all of the emotions surging through me right now? Screw you, Bakura, it's like a Hawaii, what do you want me to say?"

Bakura smiled. "There. That's my muddy ragtag girl." He handed it back to Atem. "She's fine."

"I know how she is, she told me herself." Atem gazed back in the mirror. Still imageless. Why was hers imageless? "After you are done, you will come back."

"Nothing is certain right now, Atem," Masika said, "but I hope you are right."

Next to the Gods Realm

"This is all Set's fault," Anzu complained as she watched more tiny gods flying around her. They weren't in the gods realm, just beside it. Many were there watching, but they couldn't 'interfere'. It was part of the rules, and since they were part of the prize, it apparently extended to them. Set had tried to say he could ask Atem and Yuugi to change their minds, but it wasn't allowed. He would lose the game.

Instead, they were kept right next to it. No god could lend their power, but the natural state of the island gave her a better chance of pulling through, after Set advanced them so far. Although, even though she saw Mai's death by what he did?

His behavior toward them, when isolated away from Yuugi and Atem, had been different. He was caring, and he swore that if he had to quit the game to use the gods realm, he would. They came first.

He had charisma, and his words felt honest, which was probably how the gods trusted him in the first place. But, as much as he sweetly said anything, neither Anzu or Satiah could be swayed.

He killed Mai and thousands of innocent people. Nothing could change that. Anzu looked at her stomach again. She was so huge. Everything felt like a dream, surreal, and way too fast. Please let's just get this over with so I can get back to Yuugi. "Would you stay out of my way?" Her words exploded toward the little gods flying around her. "If you can't help, then just stay out of the way." She had to call it out, Satiah was too honorable to call it out.

"Just breathe, you'll be okay," Satiah said from her side. "Everything will be fine."

Well? It worked a little better than her last speech about her body. "It won't bust through me."

"Honestly, I don't know what to expect," Satiah said. "If it does, know that you will be safe in the afterlife. Something wonderful will be there for you? It it doesn't, then that is so much better."

Satiah really wasn't good with some personal experiences.

"It's okay, Anzu." She heard Yuugi's voice through the mirror, comforting her. "I'm right here. Everything will be okay."

"Yuugi." How she wanted to believe that, but the image of Mai couldn't leave her head. If Yuugi loses me, will he still have the will to keep going on with the game? "Yuugi. I have to tell you something," Anzu said. "If something happens to me, I want you to promise me you'll still do your best to win the gods game."

"Nothing's going to happen to you!" His voice was stricken with worry. "Nothing will happen. You will come home safe and sound, with a part god tagging along with you."

"Promise," Anzu warned him. "Please."

" . . . I promise," he caved. "If anything happens, which it won't, I'll still play the gods game with everything I've got."

Atem's Afterlife

"Man." Honda opened his eyes. He was on some kind of floor. Cold stone. He pulled himself up and looked around. He didn't recognize the place. Around him, was a strange sparkly cloak. The cloak ran kind of small, a little too tight and rode too short. "Weird. What am I doing in this?" He noticed not far though was definitely a throne. "No way." He stood up and started to walk. He wanted to run, but his whole body felt weird. The smaller cloak didn't help either. He walked faster and then did move into running. When he reached the outside, he saw no one.

Everything was empty. "Now this I know." He walked around the empty area. He was around it in the Land of Memories. The puzzle. This couldn't be the Land of Memories anymore though. The puzzle was gone. "This is Atem's afterlife." He stood still and looked at the weird suit around him again.

It didn't look like something that belonged in Atem's time. It looked like something from the modern day. "Have I been stuffed here?" He was in the middle of walking home when buildings started to crumble. Then, he saw some people wearing gold ankhs, and then? Then he woke up there. "Hey!" He shouted out to the emptiness. "Anybody out there at all?" Hmm. There must be someone out there. He started to walk out there. Somewhere. Someone must be out there. "Hey there, nice to see someone."

He approached a lone horse. "Not a human, but this will still work." He got onto it. "Alright. Naked butt bare on a horse. I'm sure that will feel great for awhile. Not. Now though. What am I supposed to do here?"