Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or the character, Shadow Phoenix who is used by permission by Phoenix727.

Chapter 12: The Departure of Good Friends

Shadow Phoenix, Artemis and I finally made it back to the mansion, and we awaited for my friends to come out. The rising sun shined in my face, but its light didn't affect me at all. The warm glow seemed cold to me, as was my heart. We hid behind a huge boulder, and kept watched if anyone was to come out.

Artemis looked away from me, but the emptiness within my heart urged me to look out for any suspicious activity she might do. She gazed up at me with worry in her eyes, and then it happened. A vision struck my mind like lightning and I blacked out.

What is this?

I saw before me the land of Egypt, but everything was in total darkness. I looked around and noticed a palace in the distance. Suddenly, I appeared inside the palace and in front of me stood Atem. He wasn't alone. Standing beside him was... Artemis! They both faced their direction to another figure in the chamber.

It couldn't be...

Kaiba's past self confronted the two as he held out his Millennium Rod in a threatening manner. Something was different about him, and I could sense it. Wait, his mind is not in his body! Could it be that Kaiba's past self was sent to the Shadow Realm?

"Priest, I demand to know why you are against us?" Artemis exclaimed.

"My son is no longer inside his body," the demonic voice within the Priest Seto spoke.

"Then who are you?" Atem questioned.

"Isn't it obvious, Pharaoh? Your cousin was taken over by his father, Priest Akunadin." Artemis explained.

"I want my son to become the Pharaoh, and if you don't hand over the title, your precious servant will pay the price!" the unknown voice threatened.

The Priest Seto held out his Millennium Rod directly at Artemis and the golden light shimmered around her, making her scream in pain. Atem watched with anguish in his eyes as the scene blacked out. Reality seemed to have returned to me as I began to pant heavily.

"What happened to that runt?" Shadow Phoenix replied angrily.

"Go figure." Artemis said.

"Why, you little -!" Shadow Phoenix's sentence was stopped by Artemis.

"They're coming out." she whispered.

"Now why are you helping? I thought you were on the good side?" Shadow Phoenix questioned.

"I have my reasons." Artemis answered.

"Ready to see Yugi kill all of his friends?" Shadow Phoenix taunted as he ordered me to go to my friends.

I walked away from our hiding place and descended towards my friends. Artemis couldn't bear to watch, but she suddenly shuddered. Maybe she felt a presence nearby.

"Don't think that I have forgotten about Yugi's shadow powers, my dear little light." Luna's voice said in the wind.

She materialized in front of Shadow Phoenix and Artemis. Luna glared at her other half for a moment, and then turned her direction to me. Artemis seemed disgusted of Luna and turned away. The spirit saw this and strolled her way towards Artemis.

"You know, why don't I take over, and deal with that fool Yukai." Luna smirked evilly. "Perhaps I can finish him off since I was unable to accomplish that task two centuries ago."

"And I should have my revenge on the Pharaoh who always got in my way. With Nick not around, I can finally succeed!" Shadow Phoenix replied.

"Looks like you won't be able to save your darling at all, Artemis!" Luna disappeared inside Artemis's mind as she struggled to keep Luna away.

"Get out of my body!" Artemis screamed. "Atem... Yugi... I have failed..."

Tears streamed from her eyes as Artemis's mind was sealed within her Soul Room. Luna took control and faced Shadow Phoenix. He didn't seem too surprised of the takeover, and they both waited patiently for their prey to come out.

"Atem, tell us. Where were you and how did you get here?" Joey asked as they went out the doors.

"I was at Artemis's temple when Shadow Phoenix and Fenrir ambushed us. How I got here is a mystery to me." Atem answered.

"I can't believe you have a real body." Tea said.

"But what happened to Yugi?" Kaiba questioned.

"He's right over there." Luna replied through Artemis and pointed towards me.

"Something is wrong with Yugi." Atem said. His eyes widened in fear as the Millennium symbol on my forehead glowed. "What have you done to him?"

Yukai and Apollo came out and had surprised looks on their faces. Shadow Phoenix was standing beside Luna and me which caused Tea to quiver with fright.

"I thought we had seen the last of you!" she yelled out.

"Haven't you ever heard that evil never dies." Shadow Phoenix said, grinning.

"Sister, what's wrong with you?" Apollo called out.

"Your sister is no longer in control!" Luna answered.

"How dare you do this to Artemis and Yugi!" Atem cried out. "I'll never forgive you!"

"Let Artemis go!" Yukai demanded.

"Sorry, we have orders to kill you all, and it's time to say your good-byes!" Luna said as she launched her attack with a long fan.

"LOOK OUT!" Lo yelled as he shielded the attack with a barrier.

"My Wind Fan has enough power to eliminate these pesky humans, but you can't protect them for long!"

Yukai drew out his sword and charged his way towards Luna. Luna quickly vanished and reappeared behind him. She struck him with her fan as he collapsed onto the ground. "I rather deal with you myself." Yukai got up and continued his attack.

"Atem, look behind you!" Apollo warned, but Atem was struck by Shadow Phoenix's Millennium Rod.

"Now you have me to deal with, Pharaoh!" Shadow Phoenix exclaimed.

"Why that -!" Joey replied, but I unleashed my shadow powers on him. He fell onto the ground.

"Yugi, wake up!" Tea's eyes were filled with tears. "We're your friends!"

I turned my direction to Tea and sent out a black energy ball at her. Kaiba quickly came to her aid, and dodged the attack. Shadow Phoenix saw this and moved away from Atem.

"Pharaoh!" he called out. Atem glared at Shadow Phoenix, but his face turned to total shock once Shadow Phoenix had his grip on Tristan.

"Let go of me!" Tristan cried weakly.

"What are you up to?" Atem spat out.

"Joey, are you alright?" Mokuba asked as he saw Joey's eyes open.

"Never better." Joey said. He noticed his best friend was choking from Shadow Phoenix's grip. "TRISTAN!"

"Say good-bye to one of your dear friends!" Shadow Phoenix yelled as he lifted the Millennium Rod towards Tristan.

"You monster!" Tea screamed.

The golden light aimed at Tristan and he fell limp in Shadow Phoenix's grasp. Shadow Phoenix threw his body to the ground and smiled viciously. My friends couldn't believe what he had done. I appeared unfazed by the whole event and I watched the battle between Luna and Yukai, but they both seemed to be evenly matched.

"NOOOOO!" Joey yelled out.

"I have to get you all out of here or you're next!" Apollo pleaded.

"Not a chance!" Shadow Phoenix said. "Yugi, take care of them!"

I followed his orders and walked towards them. I approached Tea who didn't move at all. She had tears flowing down her eyes as she gazed up at me. The darkness was compelling me to destroy her.

"Yugi..." Tea sobbed.

"Don't do it, Yugi!" Atem begged, but it failed.

Kill her, a voice in my mind told me.

"I will." I replied as the Millennium symbol glowed brighter. "So long, Tea."

I lifted my hand and my attack sent her mind to the Shadow Realm. Tea's body collapsed beside me and I walked away. I didn't care for her anymore, and neither for the rest of my friends.

The darkness had already claimed my soul, and I did its bidding. What naive friends I had who thought I was kind and innocent. I was no longer the same Yugi they once knew, and now it was time to finish them off, one by one.