"Alright. So recap the plan." Joey said as they stood under shelter in the city square, watching as balls of fire rained from the sky, crashing into buildings, setting trees alight and destroying roads. People ran, screaming for their lives in panic and terror. The only ones remaining calm: Atem and his friends.
"Weren't you listening Wheeler!" Kaiba said in annoyance.
"Enough!" Atem barked at them. "We need to find the Silent Magician. Joey, Kaiba and I will find and distract Bakura. Tea, Tristan and Ishizu will protect Yugi while Marik, Odion, and Mokuba will lure the Magician to Yugi. Once Yugi is whole again we can destroy Bakura for good."
"I don't like the idea of you ordering me and my brother around." Kaiba said.
"If you prefer to stay back while Mokuba joins me to fight Bakura then by all means Kaiba." Atem said snarkily, to which Kaiba hmphed and ignored him.
"I'm putting you all in grave danger. The risks here are exceedingly high. If you would prefer to seek safety then I completely understand and ask you to say so now." Atem continued.
"The danger is very high, but this is for Yugi. He'd do the same for us and we all already owe him for one thing or another. We're with you Pharoah." Marik said strongly. Everyone aside from Kaiba nodded in agreement, standing firm beside him.
"Lets find us a Magician." Joey said happily.
Atem put his hand to his heart and called forth to his most trusted ally and faithful servant: Mahaad, the Dark Magician. In seconds he appeared before them, glowing brightly and kneeling in respect to him.
"My Pharoah. It has been long but I am at your command." He said strongly. Ever the faithful. How he missed him.
"Mahaad. My friend. It has been long. There is little time to explain but I need you to protect my friends in my stead. Bakura has risen, and he has in his command a Magician that is very powerful. My friends need to find this Magician and return him to Yugi. Do not destroy him, but please protect them. Help them lure the Magician back to where he belongs." Atem ordered him.
"As my Pharoah commands, so it is done." He bowed his head.
It didn't take them long to find Bakura as the closer they got to them the more destructive the city became and more vacant of innocents as they had already fled.
They found him laughing as the Silent Magician lay waste to several police cars, tossing them around like juggling balls before throwing them into buildings. They were empty but the destruction didn't seem to amuse the Magician much. He seemed to sense their presence and turned to face them, staring at them deeply. His burning red eyes pierced their souls, robbing them of their heat and courage. Bakura noticed and with such arrogance welcomed them with open arms.
"Well this is magnificent. This Magicians power is simply thrilling. I can see why you favour your magics so much Pharoah. I see you brought yours out to play as well, but so many against one monster is hardly fair… allow me to even the playing field and welcome my own. DIABOUND!" Bakura shouted loudly.
In moments, out of the shadows behind him emerged his great beast. His white scales reflected the fire surrounding him, his wings spread threateningly wide and his long serpent tail curled around Bakura as if protecting him. He was much larger than the Silent Magician and far more terrifying to behold, but as Atem compared the two he somehow felt the Magician was stronger. He didn't even seem to acknowledge Diabounds presence… in fact as he followed the Magicians gaze he noted he was fixed soley on Yugi perched upon Tristans back. This was good… Bakura hadn't noticed the Magician cared not for him and his attention was already drawn to Yugi…
"It's been too long since Diabound has tasted the blood of humans, what say the great Pharoah be the first!" Bakura declared loudly.
"Spread out!" Joey called as Diabound charged a great magical attack.
They ran, seeking cover behind buildings as Diabounds attack smashed the road they once stood on.
"Come now Pharoah, you have your Magician and your expendable pawns. King's shouldn't run, they fight!" Bakura taunted.
"I call upon thee, SLIFER THE SKY DRAGON!" Atem shouted. His strength waned as Slifer materialised through the heavens, drawn to his spirit to fight alongside him. He stood out to face Bakura and noticed the Silent Magician hadn't moved.
"Ah, the Egyptian God Slifer. The Silent Magician will have fun tearing him apart. Silent Magician! You've been itching for a challenge; destroy Slifer! Show the Egyptian Gods who's in charge now!" Bakura commanded.
The Silent Magician remained still though, ignoring his orders. He didn't even glance at Slifer, he fixed completely on Yugi's direction.
Out of nowhere a ball of black energy shot passed him though, momentarily catching his attention. Mahaad floated near Yugi… he missed on purpose, trying to make him move.
When he did not budge Mahaad tried again, aiming closer to him and taunting him with his fingers, smirking arrogantly, daring him to attack.
The Silent Magician held the ball Mahaad had thrown with ease in his hand, as if holding a volleyball before he threw it back at him. Mahaad blocked the attack with his staff but even Atem felt the sting in his heart… that was the strength of Mahaads attack… he didn't want to know what the strength of the Silent Magicians was.
"I told you to attack Slifer not the Magician!" Bakura shouted.
Continuing his ignorance of Bakura the Silent Magician disappeared, only to reappear before Mahaad and with his sword he moved to strike, only Mahaad blocked the sword with his staff.
"My Pharoah!" Mahaad called for guidance.
"He must reunite with Yugi!" Atem shouted to him.
"Reunite with him? The Silent Magician belongs to me now. There is nothing that husk can do even with the return of his creature." Bakura shouted.
Mahaad summoned forth his own magic to push the Silent Magician away before daringly he took Yugi from Tristan's back and held him before him, threatening to kill him with his staff.
To each of their surprise the Silent Magician held off his attack, staring at Yugi with such ferocity and anger they thought he might attack him instead.
Atem watched, surprised Mahaad would hold Yugi hostage but he trusted him… he knew they needed the Magician to look at Yugi again, not them.
"Fine then! Silent Magician, destroy what remains of your host, he who locked you up for so long. You wanted him dead, now seize your chance and do as I command! Rob him of his last breath!" Bakura commanded.
The Silent Magician raised his hand, pushing Mahaad and the others to the ground violently but leaving Yugi to float limply before him. His hand clawed around his throat, lifting him up above him but he wasn't malicious… he was curious.
They had no idea if he was going to kill Yugi or fuse with him but they all watched in deathly silence.
Atems heart was beating in his throat… if he killed Yugi now it would be all over. He'd have no strength left, no will to carry on… his life would be forfeit and Yugi's fate would be his fault. Please… please return to him. He prayed.
"What are you waiting for! Destroy him!" Bakura shouted angrily.
Marik was right… The Silent Magician isn't under Bakura's control at all… any commands he's followed to this point has been at his own discretion.
"If you will not obey my command then move aside for someone who will. Diabound! Devour them! Annihilate them all!"
"Slifer! Defend the Silent Magician!" Atem ordered quickly and in seconds Slifer had flown in to intercept the attack. Atem winced from the blow but the Silent Magician was safe and Slifer held off Diabound with ease as they roared together, tossing and tackling as they took their fight to the skies.
"LOOK!" Tea shouted.
To their excitement the Silent Magician touched his forehead to Yugi's and a bright light erupted between them, enveloping them whole and blinding them all. The dark gray clouds above them parted and the rain of fire ceased. Slifer and Diabound could be seen continuing their brawl but before them a silhouette of a man stood as the light faded.
Yugi stood, eyes closed and hands limp beside him. Gravity began to take him and as his knees gave way and began to fall forward a hand stopped him, pushing against his chest to keep him standing. Beside him the Silent Magician, poised and guarding Yugi against Bakura, his red eyes now fixed soley on him.
Yugi winced and cracked open his eyes, finding his own strength to stand without his aid. He looked around briefly, examining the debris, the burning buildings and lastly the Silent Magician before him.
"Yugi!" Atem called to him, his voice cracking with hope and relief.
He responded, turning to him and bright lavender eyes found his. He was back! He could cry, he was so happy.
"ALRIGHT YUG!" His friends cheered loudly as they all approached him.
"Hi guys… Looks like I've missed quite a lot." He said bashfully.