'Yugi.' I spoke quietly, loath to interrupt him during class but I knew if I had waited to ask when he was alone then I may not get a chance to later.

He was concentrating on a pop quiz, a concept that was still lost on me, but he was happy to spare his concentration to notice me.

'What is it Pharaoh? Is something wrong?' He asked me.

'No, I just wanted to ask quickly if you remembered to bring the Egyptian God Cards?' I asked.

'Yeah of course. Why?'

I shook my head and smiled.

'I was just making sure. I'll leave you to it now.'

'Pharaoh?'

I hesitated and waited patiently.

'We've got this. After class today we're going to the museum. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten.' He assured me. He was so thoughtful …. And also too perceptive for my own good. I couldn't help but giggle as the warmth he shared with me washed through me.

'Thank you, Yugi.' I left him with, returning to mysterious and tiring confines of my soul room.

Ever since beating Marik in duelist Kingdom and receiving all of the Egyptian God cards the repetitive walls and doors and thousands upon thousands of stairs felt more and more tiring to see. I don't think there's a single door I haven't been in, or a set of stairs I haven't climbed.

But soon… soon we'll unlock those memories. My soul will be less confusing, the dark mysterious doors will be lit and alive with the knowledge of my past… soon we'll know my name.

What Yugi is going to do for me is beyond anything anyone could ever ask for and well more than any spirit deserves. I don't know if sacrificing myself all those years ago is what earned me this, is what gifted me with him but if it is … I truly thank the gods for this gift.

But I can't help but wonder… what will happen when I learn these secrets, when I unlock my past? Will I remain inside the puzzle or be set free? If I'm set free will I still be with Yugi or … will I pass on? The sheer thought of saying goodbye made my ghost cold… I don't want to lose him… not after already experiencing that with the Orichalcos… I swear I will NOT put him in any danger. I will forego learning my secrets if it means keeping him safe. My memories, my exhaustingly repetitive soul room… it wasn't worth risking his life.

I am not worth risking his life.

Not someone so light and pure as he is, as giving and generous. He deserves the world and so help me if this quest costs him this.

'Pharoah?' His voice sang gently within my soul room. Searching, calling me. I smiled warmly, gladly leaving my soul room to float beside him outside the puzzle. We were standing by the museum already, Joey, Tristan and Tea accompanying us.

'Hey. You ready?' He asked me.

I hesitated. Suddenly I felt… apprehensive… nervous. Anxiety grew quickly but I kept it chained, far from anywhere Yugi might feel. I looked to him, watching me closely, searching. He knew me so well, all I could do was smile and pray he didn't sense my nerves before I hid them.

'Yes. Thank you.' I said kindly.

He relinquished possession of his body to me and now he floated beside me, barely visible but very much here.

"Hello guys." I said our friends, hitching Yugi's bag over my shoulder comfortably.

"Pharaoh!" They exclaimed happily. I loved they knew now when it was me in control. They had said before that it wasn't too difficult now to tell. Yugi's body went through some minor changes when we switched… something that went unnoticed by us. Apparently I stood taller, Yugi's hair would spike more, his voice would differ in a way that sounded older… something he often wished wasn't a difference. He disliked how his body hadn't matured as quickly as mine did and resented when his friends would point out that difference.

"Thank you for coming with us today." I said gratefully.

"Of course dude! Now, lets go find out about your past!" Joey cheered.

I smiled warmly, feeling my heart swell with comfort and confidence. Whatever happens, I know I have their support.

Climbing the stairs to the museum we paid our way in, using the money Yugi instructed me to use. It wasn't often I was in control when Yugi paid for anything but thankfully he always showed me exactly what to use. This time he told me to use his student ID for a discount… so that was a new experience for me. I wonder if he ever felt excited about using it. I'll have to ask him later.

We made our way to the Egyptian exhibit, viewing various artifacts from various times of Egypt's history until we reached the 'Nameless Pharaoh' exhibit. An exhibit dedicated purely on my reign. It didn't shed any light on my memories, mostly showing common things such as pottery, papyrus I could barely read and every day objects such well preserved Kohl and daggers.

But what we were here for was the Sacred Tablets. The Tablet Ishizu showed us before Battle City depicting my duel with Kaiba. It supposedly held my name had time not worn it away, which was typical.

As we approached it though I felt cold… like a wave washed over us and everything fell silent. All the other patrons of the museum, the soft footfalls of wondering visitors… everything was silent. I stopped, listening, nervous to continue. Our friends noticed I had stopped and looked to me, confused… had they not noticed?

'Do you feel that Pharaoh?' Yugi asked me, floating beside me and looking around curiously as far as the puzzle would allow.

'I do…. But where is it coming from?' I asked. I wasn't asking him, just in general and he understood that.

"Pharoah?" Tea asked me.

"Do you hear that?" I asked.

They listened, waiting until we heard footfalls, slow and confident.

"I thought you might come here. You are so predictable Pharoah."

I knew that voice, that smug laughter, the gruff indignation…

Bakura.

I tensed, feeling Yugi's pocket for our deck just in case we needed it.

'Yami be careful.' Yugi warned me.

"What do you want Bakura?" I asked angrily. Not now. Not right now. We are so close… the tablets are right there. Why now did he have to show himself?

"What do I want? I want a lot of things. I want your puzzle, I want justice, I want destruction… more specifically… yours."

"Get lost Bakura!" Tristan snapped at him.

"Yeah, out of our way man. We've got important business to tend to and your not invited." Joey said.

"Important business involving these?" Bakura asked, gesturing to the tablets behind him.

"Well then, by all means… use them … and set us both free." Bakura said, grinning ear to ear.

"What do you mean?" I asked him. He had suggested in the past that we knew each other, and it was no secret he was older than he looked… possibly as old as I am… but what did he mean by freedom?

"Have you not put it together yet? When you sealed your soul away what did you think you were doing? Destroying the darkness? You can't destroy it. No one can! All you managed to do was seal it… but where? You needed to make sure it remained sealed… but you have no memories… if only you did. So by all means, unlock your secrets." Bakura said, stepping aside to let me through… but I waited… watching. I don't like this… he wanted me to do this… and I wanted to but not if he wanted me to. What could he gain?

'Pharaoh?'

'Yes?'

'I dont like this but what choice do we have? This is the only way we can learn your past.' Yugi said. I agree but… Bakura wanted me to. He suggested that doing so would set him free and if I'm honest… that was the last thing I wanted to do.

"Take a hike Bakura. No one asked you." Joey said.

"Perhaps you need a little encouragement. Let me ask you something; have you noticed anything different about where we are?" Bakura asked.

I hesitated. I did notice it was silent but surely that wasn't all that was different. Not if he was mentioning it.

Bakura laughed low, breaking out into a full blown manic laughter before settling and revealing the Millenium Ring upon his chest.

"Fine… let me spell it out for you." He clicked his fingers and … nothing happened. At all… was that it?

"Ah, hey!" Yugi said beside me…

Yugi… said…

Beside me.

I looked to him, surprised, wide eyed and afraid. Why was he real? How was he real? I couldn't see through him, he was solid… and just as surprised as I was. I looked down to my body… or what should have been his but I was still in control… no Yugi had been floating beside me until a second ago but now he was real… how?

"Yugi!"

"Wait… two Yugi's?"

"No… Yugi and the Pharaoh… they're both here."

"Not entirely. You see we are in the shadow Realm… all I've done is given Yugi a real form while we're here. Which allows me to do this." Bakura said, touching the eye of his Millenium Ring and activating one of its cones. It glowed, lifted and shot a blue beam in Yugi's direction, hitting him square in the chest and sending him flying into glass cabinets. He screamed and grunted, rolling off the display where he recoiled in pain.

"Yugi!" I screamed, running to him and careful not to hurt him more upon reaching him.

"Ow." He croaked as I lifted him onto my lap.

"Are you okay?" I asked him softly. My voice wavered… of course it did. He was hurt… and real.

"I'm fine… but how am I... I mean how are we.. you know here… together." He asked.

"I don't know but it has to be the power of the Shadow Realm." I answered him, helping him to stand and brushing off the glass sticking to him.

"Correct Pharaoh. You're not as dim as I thought. But do you realise now? If you don't unlock your memories now your friends may pay that price instead."

"Don't you dare threaten my friends!" I snapped at him, feeling the anger within me boil, bubbling beneath my skin.

"Or what? What power do you have against me Pharaoh? Of thats right, it's sealed away!"

"Pharaoh don't listen to him. We don't have to play this game. Lets just go and leave him here." Tea pleaded with me.

"Tea's right. We can unlock your memories some other way." Joey agreed.

"Tick tock, Pharaoh! What will it be?" Bakura sang.

"We can leave. If we leave we won't be in the shadows anymore. You felt it right? When we passed the threshold. When we entered the Shadow Realm." Yugi said pushing himself to a stand.

"Its worth a try." Tea agreed.

Joey began the run to test the theorie only when he reached what should have been the exit he crashed into something invisible, bouncing off it and landing hard on his ass.

"Joey!" Yugi called instinctively, running to join him.

"Ow, what gives?" Joey groaned.

"Did I forget to introduce you? I'd like you to meet Diabound, my trusty companion." Bakura chimed.

Before Yugi and Joey shimmered into existence a tall, monstrous creature. Snake like in appearance with bat like wings, strong muscled arms and a horrifying face, it was all we could all do not to scream. My breath hitched, I refuse to show that it terrified me too… no… It didn't scare me… what scared me was what it could do to my friends.

"Bakura, that's enough! Your grievance is with me, let them pass." I snapped at him.

"What? We're not leaving without you!" Tea snapped at him.

"Teas right. No way man." Tristan agreed, coming to stand beside me.

"There's one way your walking out of this museum with your friends and that's by completing your destiny to unlock your memories Pharoah." Bakura said shrugging. "If you don't...then Diabound may get bored."

I heard Yugi scream then and as quick as lightning spun to see him lifted into the air by a disembodied hand belonging to Diabound. He grasped at his skin, trying to pry himself free but compared to him Diabounds hand was half the size of him and he could barely move as it was. His fingers curled around his legs and his body, as he struggled to push himself out of his grasp.

"Ah! Help me, let me go!" He screamed, his voice choking at the end as the air was squeezed out of him.

"YUGI!" They all screamed. He could barely breathe… if I don't do something now he could die...and I will NOT lose him.

"Bakura! If i agree to use the tablets you will let him go right now."

"Done." He said… much to my surprise. That was easy…

I heard Yugi fall to the floor, choking and writhing, clutching at his stomach and curling to a ball on the tiles. Everyone raced to him but I remained frozen, watching. Was he too injured? Would he be okay? What happens when I do this? Will i disappear? Will I get to say goodbye if I do? What will happen now?

I had too many thoughts, too much uncertainty but if I didn't act now Diabound might attack them all.

"Yugi?" I called to him, hoping that he might look at me. If this it, then please just look at me one last time.

He did, slowly, weakly. He looked right at me with those beautiful lavender eyes of his swirling with confusion, pain and fear. Once he locked with mine though he washed his feelings away and replaced them with strength, courage and bravery. He gave them to me, giving me the determination to do this.

I turned to the Tablets, fished out the Egyptian God cards and stood before them. Beside me Bakura chuckled, waiting expectedly.

I hate how much control he has of this situation but I how, right now, that as long as he threatens them, I will not rest.

I held up the Egyptian Gods to the tablet and immediately the symbol resembling my puzzle glowed a bright white light. It enveloped me, filling me soul through a window in the Puzzle. It felt cold, refreshingly cold and soon my mind was screaming. Images of my past flashed before my eyes like sped up versions of Yugis movies. They played out before me: scenes from my childhood, of my reign. It got so fast, so loud it was nauseating. I fekt my stomach turn, my skin boil, my eyes burn and my head… oh my head! It hurt so much!

I cant…

This is too much!

Oh by the gods… this hurt so much!

Make it stop.

Please, Ra. Osiris!

Yugi!

Make it stop!

I heard everything I've ever heard in my life screaming at me but above that was a laughter. A cocky, smug, arrogant laughter I hated with a my being. It rang loudly until everything spun.

The sounds became distant, like an echo in a dream. They faded, like fabric over a speaker. The light dimmed like a cloud over the sun and soon the pain ebbed, like a moment in time lost.

I felt tired, even as I lay here on these tiles. The cold, stone… marble? Tiles. I could sleep here… but sleeping on the floor was not acceptable for a Pharaoh… Shimon would have my head, crown or not.

Shimon… I wonder where he is.

Long gone.

I felt hands upon me shoulders, roughly turning me onto my back. Who? How dare they touch their Pharaoh while he rests?!

Anger rose within me but as it did and I saw bright blue eyes looking down at me, hazel eyes above here, I relaxed. My friends… of course. I was their friend, not their Pharaoh.

"Pharaoh?" Tea asked me. Her voice was quiet… why was she whispering? Was it night time? Could we wake someone? If it was night… why was I on tiles? Where was Yugi? He's normally in control of his body at this time.

I searched for him, reaching out inside the puzzle but found… nothing. Not just nothing… He wasnt there… at all. His soul room was gone… mine inaccessible… There was nothing. No labyrinth, no musty hall ways, no booby traps, no doors or accursed stairs… I couldn't access it. There was nothing their to access.

I felt my anxiety rising, the fear of losing him again, of being alone… again. When Yugi lost his soul to the Orichalcos this is what it felt like… just like this. I'm alone… where is Yugi?!

"Yugi… where is he?" I asked only my tongue felt strange, moving in ways I wasn't familiar with. My voice was hoarse.. I was thirsty. So thirsty. That didn't matter.

Tea gave me a strange look. Her concern immediately replaced with shock and utter confusion. That's not good. Why didn't she know? Was he supposed to he with me? Where was he?

I pushed myself up, Joey helped me and I turned to him. If Tea wouldn't answer me then he would.

"Yugi! What happened?" I asked him.

He blinked, looked to Tea and then back at me.

"Yugi's fine dude but what are you saying?" He asked me.

"What do you mean what am I saying? Where is he?"

And why does my tongue feel strange?

I saw him now, Yugi. He came over, kneeling before me with wide eyes and hesitant hands. He was afraid to touch me but that's okay. He was here, safe. We're separated… of course we are. Bakura did this… we're in the Shadow Realm still… I hadn't tried to access the puzzle until now so … wait. Puzzle… he's wearing it. It's around his neck…

I looked down to my chest only to see a golden chest piece, white linen, a golden waist band and … tanned skin. Tanned… not like Yugis… because this wasn't Yugis body… I'm not in Yugis body… this is… mine…?

I felt my chest rising quicker, my heart rate racing uncontrollably and I began to feel sick. I couldn't breathe… what is happening?

Bakura…

What did he do? This had to be a trick of the Shadow Realm. What is this?

I turned to where I thought Bakura might be only to see no one there. He was gone… long gone. Joey, Tristan, Tea and Yugi were my obly companions here, still in the Museum.

"What happened?" I croaked, looking to Yugi for answers. He looked confused though...why was he confused. Why won't they answer me? I'm just as confused…

"Yugi talk to me." I demanded. I know I sound afraid, I know I sound desperate… but I am. Why won't they answer me!?

"Yami I dont-"

Yami?

Why was he calling me Yami? My name is Ate-

…

….

…

Atem.

That's my name. When did I learn my name? Why did it feel so natural to me now? As if I'd never forgotten it? Why did it feel like they should know… of course they don't.

Wait….what did Yugi just say?

He can't understand me? Am I not talking English?

I took his hands in mine, desperate for him to look into my eyes. I needed him to understand me. I needed to understand him. We aren't connected anymore, but I know he can understand me. He has to.

"Yugi… please. Talk to me." I said slowly, trying very carefully to speak slowly, to speak to his heart and not just to him. Please. I have a million questions but I need you to understand me.

He looked at me, staring, searching…. Understanding. He blinked finally, finally! And took my hands in his.

"Your speaking Egyptian. We cant understand you. Nod if you understand us."

I didn't think.

I nodded. Relieved but also scared. I knew their words … but mine were Egyptian.

That's why my tongue felt weird… I was using my tongue. I needed to use theirs.

Okay… think. Think.

Their words.

"Is … this better?" I asked, feeling my lips move to their syllables, my tongue roll to form their words.

His eyes turned bright and a smile lit his face. I did it. I spoke English. He understood.

"Yes that's better." He said happily. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, that was easier right now.

"Afraid… con… confused." That was difficult to say but he nodded. Good… this was good. "Bakura?" I asked with ease. At least names were easier to say in both languages.

"He took off after that light disappeared. When it did you were on the ground, writhing, screaming.. like you were in pain. You sure your okay dude?" Tristan asked.

I nodded again only I was too lost in thought. He took off… did he get his body back too? Was he free now too as I was…

I blinked, my breath hitched.

I looked at Yugi, looked at the puzzle around his neck and hesitated to touch it. I was free.

I'm not inside it anymore. I have my memories at my finger tips and I was not sent to the after life… I'm free.

"Do you want this back?" Yugi asked, moving quickly to take it off. I touched his hand and he stopped, frozen, waiting. I gave him a smile to relax him and shook my head no. He lowered his hands, still confused though.

"You keep it." I told him, concentrating hard on his language.

He smiled softly and I felt my own lips pull at the corners to a smile as well… I've always loved his smile and now I could see it with my own eyes, and feel it with my own heart.

"Guys… Bakura. We should probably go find him." Tea said.

Yugi blinked and looked behind him, clearly torn between finding Bakura and helping me. I agreed with Tea though, as strange as I felt we needed to find Bakura.

I moved to stand, pushing against my knees. My legs wobbled, clearly unused to supporting my new weight but thankfully with some help from Tristan and Joey I was able to stand. I felt so tall though, so light and yet somehow so heavy at the same time. I had weight now… this was incredible!

"You okay man?" Joey asked.

I nodded, smiling … smiling so widely I must have looked ridiculous but I couldn't help it… this was incredible. I'm alive! Really alive!

"Okay bud, nice and slow." Tristan said. He held my arm gently, not to keep me up but to steady me if I fell. It was a little embarrassing but to be honest I accepted the help.

We walked out of the Egyptian Wing and with no trouble at all found the entrance. Joey had taken off ahead and as we passed through the glass doors I felt my heart pound against my chest at the sight before us. The bright orange clouds of a late afternoon was beautiful. Faintly, stars sparkled through them, signalling night was near and it was so beautiful. I've seen sunsets before, watched the sun rise with Yugi during his sleepless nights, I've stargazed more nights than I can count whenever I found myself unable to rest… but now that I looked at the sky for myself… it was stunning. I don't know why everything felt so new … but I loved it. I didn't realise how much I appreciated sights like this.

"Look there!" Joey pointed.

I followed his gaze to a man standing atop of a car, laughing maniacally. I knew him as Bakura but his body was different. Tanned skin, linen skirt, red robe ... crazily messy silver blonde hair …

"Thats the guy that ran passed us." Joey continued.

"He looks Egyptian too… right?" Tea asked.

"It is… That is Bakura." I said, careful with my words. This would take time to get used to.

"What?" Yugi asked me.

"Wait… if that's Bakura… and you have your own body back… then what about our Bakura?" Tea asked.

"I didn't see him inside." Tristan said.

"We have to … stop him." I said.

He turned to us then, noticing we were here now. He was true to my memory, even down to the scar across his face… it made my new blood boil looking at him, remembering everything he did to my people, what I had to sacrifice to seal away his damned monster … only to have him free again before us, seemingly strong and ready to threaten everything I hold dear again.

"Isn't that better Pharaoh? Do you remember now? How you sealed us away all those years ago? Where you sealed Zorc?" He asked.

I glared at him, holding my tongue, reeling in my anger… because I did know. I sealed him within the puzzle alongside my own soul… I gave everything to banish him … and now he was free. I could do it again… if I take the puzzle from Yugi I could seal him again… but that would mean relinquishing my memories… again. I'd lose Yugi for good. Even if he brought me back out there was no guarantee I would remember anything we've been through, who I would become.

No… if I needed to I knew how to but for now there must be another way to defeat him.

"Bakura! Tell us where our friend is!" Yugi demanded of him. It sent chills through my skin whenever he used that voice. It made him feel strong and I know for a fact that he secretly enjoyed it.

"Ryo is inside. I've no further use for him now that I have my own body back. But he is the last thing you should be worried about little Yugi." Bakura said darkly. There was something in his voice I didn't like, something sneaky as if we were missing something.

Suddenly then he disappeared, shimmering out of sight as if cloaked by shadow… of course!

"He can use Diabound's ability to hide in the shadows. Be careful." I said strongly, pronouncing every syllable carefully.

We heard laughter all around us, as if was circling but we heard no footsteps, felt no rushing wind…. Where is he?

"Bakura so help me if you hurt any one of my friends!" I yelled in my own tongue, my mouth forming the words and my tongue shaping to them much easier now.

The laughter grew louder and suddenly I felt the air shift beside us. We had a split second to react, to separate and push away from one another before a clawed hand tried to grab at us.

My legs were still adjusting and I fell to the ground, the rough concrete threatening to scrape the palms of my hands but everyone else was alright… thank the gods.

"Pharaoh!" Yugi called to me, reaching for me but had to stop before Diabound showing himself before him.

I couldn't see the malice in Bakura's eyes or the expression upon Diabound but the terror in Yugi's was apparent. My instinct told me to get up and run to him but my legs… why were my legs so weak and he could move freely?

"Yugi!" I shouted, desperately as if my call could save him.

He ducked from Diabounds swing, jumping backwards to create space between them.

"What do you want, Bakura?" He shouted angrily.

"I told you all already, weren't you listening? I want destruction… the Pharaoh's destruction…. And now that we're no longer trapped inside the Puzzle I've no need for you. You possess the Millenium Puzzle, and if I'm not mistaken you possess two others as well: the Millenium Rod and the Millenium Necklace…"

The rod and necklace that the Ishtars gave us in Kaiba's tournament… but they weren't here… we didn't need to bring them so we left them in Yugi's room… so he wanted Yugi's puzzle then?

"You are not landing a hand on them so long as I can help it, least of all my our Puzzle." Yugi said strongly. Our puzzle… my heart twinged… he still believes it's ours…

"Oh I think you can't. I'm aware you don't keep them on your person… you keep them at home… at the Kame Game shop…. Alone…. Save for your grandfather. How much of a fight do you think he can put up against me do you think?"

"Don't you dare touch him!" Yugi shouted at him, daring to step towards him, fists balled. There was an urgency in Yugi's voice I rarely heard but I know why… Solomon was at home and if Bakura went there with Diabound… he was cold enough to hurt him.

He laughed darkly and evaporated again.

"Bakura!?" Yugi shouted, his voice cracking from the pitch.

"I'll be back for your Puzzle Yugi…" Bakura's voice sang on the air and then there was nothing. No air shifted, no aura of his presence could be felt… he was gone.

To the Game shop… but my legs won't allow me to run… I can barely stand on my own.

"What do we do now? Where did he go?" Tea asked.

"I need to get home, I have to protect grandpa but -" Yugi told them. He glanced at me but quickly looked off in the direction of home. I hated that I was holding him back. I always thought being within his body held him back in some ways but now that I had my own I felt more like a tether to him than before.

"Yugi go on ahead. I'll catch up but I'm only going to slow you down." I said, willing myself up slowly and shakily. I refused help this time… I need to get stronger.

"But…"

"I'll be fine. Joey go with him." I said to reinforce my point. He seemed to accept it then, offering me a thank you as a smile.

"Thank you! Please look after him!" He called as he took off, jumping down the stairs recklessly. Joey followed him quickly and soon they were racing down the road, swiftly fading into the increasingly dark shadows.

"Pharaoh, do you need a hand down the stairs?" Tea asked.

"I'll be fine, but someone should go inside and look for Ryo. He should still be inside and may need our help." I said.