Yami: Last time, Minkabh, Gozoburo, Kaiba, and I continued our chess match, and ended with a final attack!

Chapter 17: Journey Into the West

Minkabh's body flew backwards and landed with a thud. He straightened up. He quickly gathered his wits to fend off his ex-pupil, but realized that everything – the battlefield, the game set, his opponents, and Bes – had disappeared. He turned around to search, and he gasped. His body lay in a charred heap on the non-existent floor of the Shadow Realm.

Minkabh bent over the remains. He examined his smooth, olive-skinned hands and ran them over his smooth face. He was young again! The Pharaoh's curse was broken! His residual self had remained as it was before the queen's spell 3,000 years ago!

But why? Did he block the pharaoh's attack somehow?

The evil wizard cackled. "What does it matter," he said aloud. "I am no longer limited by that decrepit shell! I shall finally assimilate with the Shadows and conquer all three worlds!"

"You have sealed your own fate."

Minkabh froze. He looked wildly around. "Wha…?"

"You promised the Shadows of Set you would defeat the sons of Horus, and they rejected you 3,000 years ago! Now they cry out for your taste!"

"Wha… B-Boy Pharaoh?"

"That's right, Ousho! Your precious Shadows have chosen me to wield their power! And as winner of the Shadow Game, it is I who will decide your fate!"

Minkabh stumbled backwards. "But… But you cannot assimilate with the Shadows! You are tainted! You c-cannot…"

"Understanding the light helps me understand the darkness. I do not allow it to consume me!"

"Where are you?"

"All around you!" Yami's eyes, four times their normal size, glowed red in the darkness, glaring down on Minkabh. "But if you insist, I'll be happy to begin your punishment. PENALTY GAME!"

Minkabh found his arms and legs bound with invisible bonds, stripped of his robes and magic, as if he was to be crucified. Soft chanting floated through the air. Figures of priests in robed garb slowly marched in two rows carrying small oil lamps. Each had hoods covering their faces. They surrounded the prisoner spirit, continuing their chant. An old fear of helplessness was triggered in the depths of Minkabh's soul. He tried to send them away with a spell, but nothing happened. He could no longer feel his aura. He frantically strained against the bonds, attempting in vain to escape.

The head of the ceremony removed his hood. Pharaoh Atem's crimson eyes shone in the darkness under his crown and bangs. Minkabh sensed the monarch's aura burning into him.

"Minkabh, son of Nithavial, you have been charged and found guilty on multiple counts of murder, manipulation, and betrayal. As requested by the gods, I am to strip you of everything that makes you a threat to the sheep of Horus. May Ra have mercy on your soul…" He took out a dagger, and grinned at the frightened reflection of its victim. "…for I sure as hell won't!"

Minkabh struggled. "Ph-Pharaoh!"

"You may proceed," said Atem, nodding to the hooded figures.

The first two approached in perfect unison. They bent down with athames similar to their pharaoh's and cut off Minkabh's feet. 1 Minkabh screamed at the searing pain. The only differences between this act alive and dead was that, dead, there was no blood and he could not die. The next two removed his hands, then his manhood. Each part was placed in jars to be dispersed to all corners of the worlds.

One came forward and sliced open his torso. They slowly removed each of the organs with a rounded spoon, ending with the heart. Two more came to remove his ears, his nose, and then tongue. Another scooped out his eyes.

For several seconds, Minkabh did nothing. He could no longer hear, smell, speak, or see. The absolute darkness of nothing pressed into him. His fear had been realized: He was now utterly useless.

"Welcome to Hell, Ousho!"

Yami awoke to the warmth of the Puzzle's light shining over him. The magic object replenished his strength and his light from its time in the Shadow Realm. The pharaoh could now control both types of magic, dark and light, but such a feat was strenuous in his current form. The energy it took to maintain him after using up so much in battle surpassed most spirits' abilities. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but the sands of Egypt stretching out in a vast yellow-orange ocean before him. The blue sky above was welcoming, as was the golden sun above the mountains in the west. Mentally reaching out for his friends, he touched the Puzzle, and everyone's lifeless bodies became visible.

Yami spread out his hands. Each deserved a reward of their own for their aide, but, again, he could not grant them such in his condition. But life was such a precious gift that he forced himself to rise above them. The love for his people, his comrades, his friends, made any weakness of his spirit irrelevant. It awakened enough magic within his being to breathe life into each of the fifteen bodies. This accomplished, he reverted back to being a normal spirit and fell with a crash into the land of his birth.

One by one, each person awoke. The Ishtals and Ayaats reunited joyously, and embraced each other. Bakura rushed to his hikari's side, berating the other for "not defeating such a pathetic obstacle." Keiko cried over the loss of her father yet again, and Kaiba held her close to silence her. Mokuba stood nearby, pouting that he couldn't show his friends his powers. Yugi shook Anzu, calling her name. She opened her eyes. "Yugi?"

Yugi pressed a finger to her lips. "Before I nearly lose you again..." He replaced his finger with his own lips, pulling her into a passionate kiss.

Honda heard Bakura's shouts at Ryou and pulled the ex-tomb robber's hair for giving him grief. Bakura punched back, but tripped and fell over Jonouchi. The three got into a semi-good-natured fight. Grandpa Moto watched them, laughing. Nothing seemed so terrible after the ordeal they all went through.

Nazo woke up by herself and scanned the crowd for Yami. She caught sight of Shadi bending over his fellow spirit. She ran over. Could spirits die, or do they fade away? "Is he…?"

"He will be fine," said Shadi.

She knelt down beside him. "I can see him. How?"

"Your own powers have grown, thanks to the hardships you have faced." He stood up and bowed. "I leave him to you for now, my queen." And he walked towards the rest of the group.

Nazo touched Yami's transparent face. His tan skin felt smooth and cool to the touch. She brushed aside his bangs and marveled at his majestic splendor. His long eyelashes lay against his cheeks, his mouth slightly opened, and his muscles relaxed in peaceful sleep. Even at rest, the pharaoh held a gentle power all his own. "You're so beautiful," she whispered. She lifted his head onto her lap.

Once comfortable, Yami lazily opened his eyes and saw his wife's smiling face. "What an absolute wonder the gods have sent me," he said. [2]

"I love you," she said.

"And I you," he responded.

"You've done so much for me. More than you can imagine. I feel whole now, thanks to you." [3]

He sighed and closed his eyes again. "Glad you're happy, Nazo-sa."

Nazo tried to hold back tears. "But... What happens now?"

"Not sure..." Yami took her hand and kissed it. "But do not worry, Dearest. Let us enjoy this moment together."

She kept his hand in her grasp. "I will."

Minutes of peace crept by, and the sun touched the top of the mountain. As the sky turned from blue to orange, a stream of clouds floated down to the sand. The fog drifted low and flat, as if a river formed beside the group, creating a pathway to the sun.

Everyone stood up, wondering what would happen next. Keiko held Kaiba's hand. "Seto," she whispered. "Look there!"

From the east appeared a ghostly, silver barge with golden sails. The massive size alone frightened the mortals to run away, but only to a short distance. No one could take his or her eyes off its splendor. The passengers seemed to be mostly in white, and their features were impossible to distinguish. The very sands of Egypt parted as it crossed.

"Oh gods," whispered Malik.

"Exactly," whispered Bakura.

"The Manjet-boat," Keiko explained, "is the boat gods sail upon. Ra makes the journey everyday, lighting up the day as the sun."

Nazo helped Yami to his shaking feet. She squeezed his arm encouragingly. "They've come for you, my love," she whispered.

The vessel fast approaching stunned Yami dumb. A deep longing pulled him to a walking pace towards the ship. This quickly turned into an all-out run, and Yami felt wings appear on his back. Four large, red falcon wings with golden tips spread out for flight. He rose from the earth with a light flap of his wings.

Two people waited at the railing, facing Yami as he arrived. One had four golden wings, a grey beard, a white nemes, and gold crown. The woman wore long, green robes, black hair, jeweled headdress, and two white wings. She opened her arms and received Yami gladly, embracing him as he pulled her head to his shoulder. The man placed a hand among his son's spiky tresses. Thousands of years lifted from the young pharaoh's torn and darkened spirit; Yami looked like he had at a more tender age, young and happy.

Anzu's gaze reached Yugi. The ex-prince's face was expressionless as he watched his brother embrace his past parents. Anzu squeezed his hand, and he looked up at her. "Are you alright," she asked.

Yugi closed his eyes and nodded. "It's done," he whispered. His voice quivered from exhaustion and suppressed emotion. "It's done."

Yami tore himself away from his petite mother's arms to look into her sparkling blue eyes. "I missed you so much, Honored Mother. I almost forgot your face," he said.

"You'll have plenty of time to remember her," said Aknamukanon, his beard twitching in a rare smile. "You have been summoned to an audience with Lord Osiris himself, dear boy. He is very pleased with your growth these past few seasons. I am sure you will become a god under him."

Yami turned to see Yugi's reaction out of habit, but remembered that his friends were all down at the base of the ship. "May I say good-bye?"

Aknamukanon glanced at the god at the helm, who nodded. "You may go," he said. "But do not take long."

Yami bowed in thanks. He spread his wings and glided down to his friends gracefully landing in front of them. Nazo stepped forward to meet him. Without words, she held onto him arm. "Thank you all so much for all you have done for me," he said to everyone.

Isis, Karim, and their families all bowed in reverence. "Pharaoh, it was our honor to be your servants," said Isis, then she added, "and your friends."

"You can't just leave," protested Honda. "Just like that!"

"I'm sorry, Honda-kun," said Yami. "But I must. Lord Osiris is not a man I intend to displease."

"Osiris," whispered Mokuba in awe. "That's so great!"

"We'll miss you, Atem-kun," said Ryo.

"Thank you, Ryo-kun." He looked at Bakura. "Don't you dare hurt him, tomb robber!"

Bakura snorted indignantly. "Fine! I'm the one you lecture after I helped your sorry ass transcend to celestial heights! What gratitude!"

Yami shook his head. Talking to him was pointless!

Keiko glomped him, doing her best not to cry. "Ooo, I'm gonna miss you, Atem!"

The pharaoh remembered her as both his beloved friend and game rival in both time eras. Feeling her familiar, bone-crushing hug brought him close to tears. "Take care, Keiko."

Kaiba snorted, refusing to look at his rival. "Kisama… Passing on before we have a chance to settle our score…"

Jonouchi socked Kaiba playfully, tears visible in his brown eyes. "Kaiba! You knew he'd move on when you helped him fight against Minkabh!"

"Regardless," said Kaiba, much softer than before. "He shouldn't have to leave."

"Kaiba's right," exclaimed Anzu, starting to cry. "Atem, you saved the world! Wouldn't you be happier staying here with us? You've become such a good friend to us! Please don't go!" He tried to comfort her, but she grabbed him and held him close. "Please, don't leave us!"

Nazo had stood quietly this entire time at Yami's side. She agreed with Anzu and everyone else. She wanted Yami to stay too, but… "Anzu, we can't be selfish. Yami-sa has to rest." She closed her eyes, trying not to shed her own tears, but they flowed all the same. "We cannot be selfish and rely on him forever. He has been true to all of us. Now we must stand on our own feet and let him get the reward he deserves."

She opened her eyes when she felt Yami's warm lips press against cheek, kissing her tears away. "My beautiful wife," he whispered. "Thank you for your faith. I'll always love you."

Yami purposely saved his good-bye to Yugi last. He turned to look behind Anzu and saw a picture that made his heart melt. His mother, former Queen of Egypt, embodiment of Mother Isis, the woman his brother never had a chance to meet, was tenderly kissing Yugi's forehead. She had to pull him down - they were of equal height - to reach. As she broke the kiss, she caressed Yugi's cheek and whispered something to his face. All Yugi could do was smile in response; his throat couldn't release any words.

The queen turned to Yami and Nazo. "Not much time left," she warned in a deep, soothing voice.

"I know," said Yami.

The queen nodded to Nazo, who blushed and bowed at the approval. Then she spread her wings and flew back to the boat.

"I'll leave you two alone," said Nazo. She gave Yami's arm one final squeeze and backed away from the two brothers.

Yami looked back to Yugi, who continued watching his mother as she landed on the ship. {She's pretty!}

{Yes.}

{She said she's proud of me.}

{Naturally.}

{I thought I'd never get to meet her.}

{Looks like the gods have some sense of kindness.}

Yugi finally turned to Yami. The moment they connected, a deep wave of pain filled their hearts. They shared each other's thoughts of sadness, sorrow, and loss through a mere glance. The younger had given up his identity as Prince Naeem in order to be reborn, and he would never be able to join the gods or his brother. A breeze floated past, and Yami felt the tears flow down his cheeks with no shame. If his aibou had taught him anything, it was that emotions should not be kept hidden. Ironically Yugi's face was dry.

Yugi smiled. {You're the one who's leaving. Say something, dammit!}

Yami gave a light chuckle. {What could I possibly say to you, other than the fact that my gratitude towards you can never be repaid!}

{Me? You've always been my goal! I've done nothing but what you would have done for me, probably without killing yourself!}

{No, Aibou… Your power is strong, because your heart has always been strong.} Yami put his hand on Yugi's shoulder. {And that's the one thing I never forgot. I chose you to be my host because I knew your power is stronger than mine.}

{Thanks for seeing that in me, Mou hitori no boku.}

{No… I am no longer "Another Yugi." There is no other.} [4]

{The ship is waiting for me.}

{Soon you'll be home.}

{Jiichan and the others are waiting for you.}

{Our destinies go in opposite directions.}

{We've both come to trust Destiny so much, so…}

{So I suppose this is what's right.}

Yami's hand squeezed Yugi's worn out jacket. {Yet… It is still painful… to do what's right…}

{That happens a lot.} Yugi put his hand on his brother's forearm. {But I know you'll make one hell of a god!}

Yami looked to the ship and back to Yugi. "Good-bye, Younger Brother."

"Sayonara, Yami-kun." They briefly embraced, before Yami took off to catch the departing ship.

Choirs of souls sang from the ship in merriment. A long lost son of Horus had returned at long last, and he returned as a hero to the whole world! The very sands beneath them cried out in joy! The stars glittered behind them, and the moon shown extra bright. There would be a celebration like no one had seen in nearly two thousand years in the heavens that night, with the King of Games as the honored guest.

His brother, now known only as Yugi Moto, watched longingly from his spot in the desert as the ship sailed out of his reach forever. His eyes, tired from crying and watching and waiting and fighting, turned away after a few moments. His destiny lay away from the crown. Anzu, his grandpa, Jonouchi, and his mother came forward and held him tightly. Yes, this is where his new destiny rested.

Yugi closed his eyes and took in the warmth and comfort of their embrace. In the background, he could softly hear the music ringing…

1 Athame – Holy dagger
2 "What an absolute… sent me." – Atem said this on their wedding night, back in ESoT.
3 "I feel whole now…" – She said she felt like an "incomplete puzzle" in part 1.
4 "No… There is no other." – This is taken from episode 224.

Song - "Into the West" by Anne Lennox, from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King