A/N: Thanks much to RobinIV Darkforestchick for your reviews. Much appreciated!


"Welcome back to the world of the living, my dear fake pharaoh." The Sovereign laughed. "Not for long of course."

Yami groaned in pain and pushed himself up on is elbows to get his head off the stone floor. "What do you want from me?"

"Only what is rightfully mine. The powers and respect that you stole in the past belonged to me. Now I will reclaim them, along with my family's honor. I hereby challenge you to a Shadow Duel."

Yami painfully stood up. He was still sore from his rough treatment, but was determined not to show it. "I accept. It's the only way to stop your madness."

Sovereign smiled, but there was no humor there, only a promise of pain to be inflicted. "Right this way then." He said, and led him out of his cell into a giant stone hall.

They had only just taken their places when a huge crash was heard through one of the doors which banged open as someone was sent flying through them.

"Pharaoh!" Bakura shouted, running through the doors, just barely dodging the motionless body of the man he had just put out of action. "You have to come with me right now!"

"What is it, Bakura?" Yami growled, still slightly wary of him.

"I don't have much time to explain. We have to get to Asheritu now! I won't let her die again!" he yelled.

"Die… again?" Yami said, confused. At his words, images began to flash across his mind unbidden.

FLASH Dancing with Asheritu. FLASH Teaching her how to duel. FLASH Asheritu riding a camel, laughing and calling out to him – leaving Joey in the dust to struggle with his own. FLASH Asheritu's eyes wide in fear from him. FLASH Asheritu lying in his arms, her life slowly slipping away.

In one moment, he remembered everything. And he understood. He had to stop this – he had to save her! "Where is she?" he called to Bakura.

"This way! Come on!" They turned to see the Sovereign blocking their way.

"Not so fast pretender." He spat. "Have you forgotten our duel? I will not let you take the coward's way out!"

Yami went to respond, but Bakura beat him to it. "Go down this way. She's in a huge chamber. I'll take care of this scum, you go save her. She needs you." he said stepping forward to face the Sovereign, his Millennium Ring glowing and his eyes flashing dangerously.

Yami nodded and ran off. He sped down the long corridor, a knot growing in his guts. He began to think that it would never end and he would just run on forever.

After what seemed an eternity to him, he finally ran through an archway into a huge chamber. In the center he could see a huge tank. "Asheritu?" he called, fearing that he was too late.

"Yami!" she cried, fresh tears of relief mingling with the ones that had already tracked their way down her face.

A guard ran up, desperate to stop him, but he was no match for Yami's shadow magic and got sent on a one-way trip to the Shadow Realm.

Yami pulled the switch that he had seen the guard moving down sharply upwards and watched as the chair came up out of the tank and on to the ground beside it. He then proceeded to remove the straps holding Asheritu. She was still sobbing from the sheer relief she was feeling.

"Shhhhh." He said, stroking her hair gently. "It's okay now." He undid the last of the straps and looked deeply into her eyes. "Are you hurt?"

She swallowed and shook her head. Yami drew her into his arms. She put her head on his shoulder. "I was so afraid." She said softly.

He tightened his hold on her. "Asheritu." He whispered. "I remember."

She drew back from him and looked up at him, searching his eyes hopefully. "Everything?"

He smiled at her just the way he used to. "Everything." He leaned forward, his lips touching hers gently. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his hand moved up to caress her face. The whole world was lost to them for a moment in that kiss.

"Not interrupting anything am I?" Bakura said, laughter in his voice.

They broke apart and turned to him. He was bleeding profusely from a gash on his forehead. Asheritu rushed over. "You're hurt!" she exclaimed.

He shrugged it off. "I'll be fine. All that matters to me is that you're finally safe."

"You speak too soon!" the Sovereign called from the archway. "Fools! I'll destroy you all!"

As one, they all turned and unleashed their magics, banishing him forever to the Shadow realm.

"I can't believe it's truly all over." Asheritu said with a smile.

No sooner had she said that than a massive burst of light enveloped them.


A/N: Over? Not quite. R R!