Disclaminer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, but the ideas and original characters are my creation. Also the character Shadow Phoenix does not belong to me, but I have permission to use him by Phoenix727, and those who may have not read his work should because I like them a lot.
Chapter 8: An Old Enemy Returns!
I couldn't believe my eyes as I gazed up at Atem. He was no longer in spirit form, but in a real body. Artemis eyed me for a moment before walking up to me. Atem was wearing Egyptian clothing and he also donned a violet cape. He stared at me with confused, crimson eyes, and it seemed perfectly clear he knew what was going on.
"I guess I got to tell you that I have a special ability that enables me to bring spirits back into real bodies." Artemis replied.
"At least, you don't bring them evil! Pluto has sort of the same ability, but as I just mentioned. Yes, the souls do come back evil." Luna appeared.
"Then why doesn't Artemis use her gift on you?" Atem questioned.
Artemis and Luna nodded their heads. Maybe Artemis can't do it, but how could it work on Atem? "Luna is cursed, and so am I." Artemis spoke. "I didn't tell you the aftermath of the Final Battle..."
"Then what happened?" I asked.
Artemis suddenly materialized a small, circular mirror in her hands. The silver frame and sapphires surrounding it glinted in the sunlight. Artemis didn't seem pleased about it. "This mirror has the power to steal souls, and with it, I can restore my energy. Before, it wasn't used for this task, but when the Guardians disappeared... something terrible happened to me and Luna." Artemis explained.
"You mean Luna has always been with you, but how come I haven't notice a change when you were protecting me back in Egypt?" Atem responded.
"Let's say that possessing bodies is now a hobby of mine. If that damn spell hadn't burned Artemis's old body, we wouldn't have to possess bodies to this very day!" Luna cried.
"What do you mean by a spell?" Atem said.
Artemis sighed in discontent. She took out from under her robes the silver crescent moon pendant she always wore. It shined in rainbow colors in the sunlight as she toyed with it. "The enemy we fought during the Final Battle was nearly impossible to defeat. In the end, it was decided that we should cast a very powerful spell to seal him away," Her eyes cast a faraway look. "Unfortunately I was the only one who could perform the ritual and as a result... my body burned due to all the power I had to use."
"So you suffered all these years, having to endure possessing other people's bodies." Atem deducted.
"Pretty much." Luna muttered. "To answer your question from before, Artemis and I did know each other, and we decided that we needed to get away for a while. You know, personal things. That mirror Artemis is holding was just a tool to look beyond what our eyes don't see."
Atem then decided to change the subject. "I thank you for restoring my body, but what is now Yugi's purpose? He was my vessel."
Atem's right. What will I do now? I'm not much of help, and I guess I have to give Atem back the Millennium Puzzle. I looked at the puzzle as it gleamed in the rays of sun and I walked over to Atem.
"I think you should have back the puzzle, it belonged to you." I said sadly. Luna, Artemis and Atem gasped.
Meanwhile, Pluto was in his chamber, waiting for someone. Fenrir peered over at the shadows as a being appeared. His face was hidden in shadow, and Pluto was the first to speak.
"Do you know why I have brought you back from the Shadow Realm?" Pluto asked.
"If you want me to take care of that runt Yugi, I'll see what I can do." the being's voice sounded familiar. "I wonder if I can still control him, but I need the Millennium Rod to do just that."
"Master," Fenrir replied. "Isn't the Millennium Rod now in Yugi's possession. Surely, Artemis has already taken it with her."
"You see, Fenrir, I already have it." Pluto smiled evilly. He held the golden rod in his hands and it flashed in the torchlight. "I went back to the Mortal World before I opened the portal to lure Artemis and her wretched mortal friends in Animus."
"I'm quite impressed. Yet, how come you want me to get the Millennium Puzzle." the being replied. "Have you not the strength to capture that boy?"
"Shadow Phoenix, is it?" Pluto called out. "You do remember when your light half, Nick, was brought back to the world of the living, and once again foiled your plans in taking control of the world, don't you?"
"How did you know?" Shadow Phoenix growled.
"I have my sources." Pluto simply said. "Allow me to tell you who brought him back."
"Go on."
"Artemis, or should I say her alter ego, Luna, gave Nick some of her powers to help him out."
"That girl will pay!"
"Now I want you and Fenrir to go to Silver City, and ascend Full Moon Mountain. There you will encounter Artemis and Yugi." Pluto ordered. "Do whatever you please to the hikaris, but I want that puzzle!"
"And what do I get in return?" Shadow Phoenix asked.
"I plan to destroy those humans in the Mortal World, but you canenslave them if it pleases you." Pluto answered. "Here, take the rod and get me that puzzle!" Pluto handed Shadow Phoenix the Millennium Rod as he and Fenrir blended with the shadows. Pluto grinned malevolently and he vanished into the shadows. "It's time to deal with my little brother, Yukai. He will pay for ruining my plans long enough!"
My friends were astonished once they saw Ash transform into Yukai. They couldn't run away, knowing that he has enough power to kill them. Yukai drew back his sword into its sheath before walking out of the mansion. The rain stopped as sunlight peered over the horizon.
"You know dat Yugi is not here, so you can't take his puzzle!" Joey yelled.
"What makes you think that?" Yukai stared bemused.
"Artemis warned us about two threats that would come to steal the puzzle!" Tea answered.
"You really believe her?" Yukai said. "She must have misconstrued her vision because I'm no threat at all. I'm here to stop Pluto's plan."
"Then who could she be talking about?" Kaiba asked.
"I don't know, but we must be on our guard." Yukai faced his direction to the rising sun. "We need to stick together, like I was with Artemis centuries before. Hopefully, Yugi is not under Luna's mind control because Artemis wouldn't dare do that."
"WHAT?" everyone yelled out.
Back at Artemis's castle, everyone was shocked by my decision. I took off my puzzle and handed it to Atem.
"It was yours after all." I whispered.
"Actually, it was mine to begin with." Artemis replied. "Pluto, Yukai, Nidoki, Orpheus, Apollo, Forseti and myself originally owned this items, but we realized we weren't safe with them, and we sealed their power inside the Book of Millennium Magic."
"But Atem deserves to have it." I argued.
"No, Yugi." Atem replied and he handed back the puzzle. "Fate has chosen you to have it, and Artemis believes it too."
"Even if Atem has a body. I did it because to protect you and Atem. I will never have Pluto obtain the great power concealed within the puzzle." Artemis explained. "The puzzle represents unity, and without it, who knows what could happen."
"Why Artemis, I didn't know you have so much to say about the puzzle." Luna said. "That's what I get for being the dark half."
Unbeknownst to us, Shadow Phoenix and Fenrir were on their way to Artemis's castle at this very moment. The battle for the Millennium Puzzle was only just beginning.
Author's Notes: This is mainly information to keep track of the Guardians who have showed up so far.
Nidoki: She was the original owner of the Millennium Necklace and she is Yukai's older sister.
Orpheus: He use to own the Millennium Key. He is Artemis's older brother.
Apollo: He originally owned the Millennium Eye and he is Artemis's twin brother.
Forseti: He owned the Millennium Scales and he is the older brother of Yukai.
Yukai: Owner of the Millennium Rod. He is the youngest of all the Guardians and he was Artemis's childhood friend.
Artemis: She was the owner of the Millennium Puzzle and is also the youngest of all the Guardians alongside Yukai.
Pluto: Owner of the Millennium Ring. He is the eldest of all the Guardians.