"I can't believe what your saying even though you are right before our eyes but if what you say is true then the whole world is in great danger once again and I believe it will be up to you, my Pharoah, to stop him once more." Ishizu said.
"The question is how. Hes got two super strong, super real monsters and the Millenium Items." Joey said
"Not to mention Yugis…" Tea trailed off sadly.
They had him seated on an armchair while Marik examined him closely. His experience with the Millenium Rod has given him a unique perspective and as they talked, recapping them on everything the past few weeks, he searched within Yugi.
"Currently not whole right now." He sighed sadly.
"Can you explain that please?" Atem asked him softly. He had suspected as much but he hoped perhaps Marik would have a clearer understanding.
"Back in your time Pharoah most of the Items were used to separate the darkness from the hearts of people. The Scale to weigh the heart, the Key to unlock the mind and sever the link between the beast and man, the eye to see the creature and finally the Rod to pull it out. Bakura used the Rod to pull the creature out but never severed the link, which means when he pulled out the creature most of what remained of Yugi was pulled out with him. Parts of him remain, but hes empty, like shell fragments of a broken egg." Marik explained.
"Is there any way to get him back?" Joey asked.
"Yes. If you can reunite Yugi with the creature I believe Yugi will be whole again. The trick is getting close enough to do so."
"When his monster… the Silent Magician as Bakura called him, grabbed Yugi he seemed to stare at him for a moment, as if he was searching him." Atem said.
"The Silent Magician was born within Yugi. Essentially he is the dark side of him. It's possible it was curious to see him for the first time." Marik suggested.
"That curiosity may offer your chance to reunite them. If the Silent Magician wishes to return to Yugi then he may betray Bakura to do so. Bakura might control him now but the Silent Magician will always be Yugis monster. For now, he may just be taking advantage of being free." Ishizu suggested.
"So, what. All we need to do is get Yug close enough to that monster without it killing him?" Joey asked.
"And without Bakura killing us?" Tristan added.
"Without the Millenium Items or real monsters of our own?" Tea added as well.
"What about the Egyptian Gods? Pharoah you should still be able to summon them, as you did in the past?" Marik suggested.
"Without a Dia Diankh I'm unable to summon them." Atem said sadly.
"But Bakura wasn't using one to control Silent Magician. How was he managing that?" Tea asked.
"Its possible he's not controlling Silent Magician at all then. He may be unable to summon Diabound as well if thats the case. He might have just set Silent Magician free. This could reinforce the Magician just toying with him." Marik said.
"So thats good right?" Joey asked.
"This could very well work to your advantage. Of course, regardless, this all hinges on how the Silent Magician reacts to Yugi again.
"A….tem…" Yugi squeaked quietly. It was almost inaudible but the sheer surprise that he had made a noise pulled everyone's attention immediately. He made no movement, his eyes still glazed over, but it was certain… he spoke.
Atem moved to him, taking his hand gently and looking into his eyes, trying desperately to get his attention.
"I'm here." He said in a hushed voice, reaching out to him with his heart, hoping beyond anything for a reaction but all he got was the faintest, the slightest twitch of his fingers. None but he noticed, but he felt it… he was trying. What was left of him was trying… so he would to.
"We have to try. He'd go to the ends of the earth for us, we have to do the same." Atem proclaimed strongly. He vowed to him, he would bring him back.
***
"Let them hide. They'll come out sooner or later. In the meantime lets have some fun shall we? Silent Magician! Show me what you can do!" Bakura commanded loudly.
The Silent Magician, previously floating in wait for an order, stared at Bakura. His expression unchanging, cold and disobedient but after a short while when Bakura was becoming impatient, he raised his hand to one of Bakura's men and lifted him from a distance, choking him as his hands clawed at his throat to grasp at the air strangling him. His skin paled, his eyes rolled to the back of his skull and soon as his body began to weaken the Magician tossed him aside, like the lifeless husk it now was. Bakura smirked, stifling his giggles. He was impressed with how cold that was but it worried him why he hesitated. Nevertheless he was pleased, though he wondered what else he could do. He felt a great deal of power from him, that little show was nothing. The Magician was holding back… a lot.
"Very good. But show me something more. Raise this city to its former glory! Make this Kingdom fit for me as it's ruler!" He commanded.
The Silent Magician narrowed his eyes, twitching his clawed hand over his face in what appeared to be a flash of irritation before he threw a small ball of black fire towards him. It missed with ease… it was not meant to hit him. It was a warning shot or perhaps a message. He was the Silent Magician after all and he had to open his mouth. Perhaps creation was not in this Magicians bag of tricks.
"Fine. Then show me what you can do. You have enormous power, show it to me!"
The Silent Magician cast a large ball of black fire towards the roof then, breaking it with ease. Debris crumbled to the floor, unsettling the sand and dust but as it settled they noticed the light had changed. Through the new sky roof The Magician had created they noticed the sun was blacked out. The ball of black fire had smothered it, creating an eclipse across Egypt. The world was darkened immediately, with nothing but a ring of light around the black orb. The Silent Magician was unphased, returning to his natural waiting stance… he had created a total Solar Eclipse in his name and he showed no fatigue, no drain in his power… this was more like it.
Bakura laughed maniacally to the darkened heavens above. Not even Ra could stop him now. Not with the Magician at his command. The world would burn in righteous black fire and the Pharoah would crumble beneath his heel, just like his precious Palace.
The sky turned red as the black sun cast its shadow across the sands of Egypt. People across the city of Cairo all stopped to gaze in awe at the phenomenon, getting their phones out to record it and hurrying along to get home or indoors.
Atem and the others did the same, watching the sky darken in nervous anticipation. Unlike the people of Egypt they knew exactly what was happening.
Bakura.
Whatever It was he's done, he's doing to prove his power. Atem had to admit he was nervous. He didnt know if they could stop Bakura this time. He had the advantage of two monsters while they did not. They also had an almost empty shell of Yugi to care for and protect while Bakura could use the Millenium Items and Yugis monster without losing anything.
It looked grim. But when Atem looked to Yugi he was filled with strength. He would do all he could to protect his friends but he would give even his life to destroy Bakura and bring Yugi back. If he were to fall then he would at least be bringing Bakura down with him. He was certain of this.
"My Pharoah." Ishizu sang behind him. Her voice was as soothing and kind as it always was, even now with such uncertainty hanging over them.
In her arms though she carried something wrapped in a white linen cloth and she was presenting it to him like it was perhaps her child.
"What is this?" He asked gently.
"Yugi asked us to protect this among with a number of your personal items he didnt want on display or in any one elses hands. He entrusted us with this so that it could never be used again. However, Marik, Odion and I believe that if anyone should have this, it should be you my Pharoah." She said, removing the cloth to reveal his Dia Diankh. Its gold shined brightly even after all these years. They had protected it and kept it pristine for him… even Yugi… he never thought he would see this again. His heart soared, renewed with new hope. If he could use this to summon the Egyptian Gods, even the Dark Magician… Mahaad… then maybe they stood a chance after all.
Yugi… you even thought of this.
"Thank you, Ishizu. Thank you and your family for keeping this safe and honoring Yugis wishes. Thank you for everything." Atem said gratefully as he graciously accepted it into his hands. It felt powerful, like raw energy encarnate… He could do this. No… They could do this.
It activated upon wrist, the light of the eye glowing with his energy as it synced with his spirit. It was exhilarating to say the least to feel it's weight again and be reconnected to the Egyptian Gods and his own monsters bonded to him.
They felt as he did: that balance was disrupted and they would make it right. Bakura would pay and Yugi will be returned. This time for sure he would end Bakura so he could never again rise and threaten the world.
"You are ready my Pharoah. We will aid in any way we can, you need only ask." Ishizu said, bowing her head deeply in respect. He felt it unnecessary for her to bow but he knew it was her way to show respect, so he offered her a bow in return as thanks and together they left the balcony to find the others.