KITG: hello friends. Now just to warn you, I might be a bit evil and angsty…..well more than usual anyway. As this month is a bad month for me. It will be a Year ago on the 15th of October that my mum died. So if anything I dedicate this chapter to her. So it might be one whopper chapter. I also dedicate this to Catti. Who has been with me each step of the way. Catti you have no idea that it is you that keeps me writing this. I always think "oop, better update for Catti" so thanks. (Passes a Dark magician Cookie)

Yugi: thanks KITG's mum and Catti

Yami: yeah. (Bows)

Yami Bakura: (bows)

KITG: (looks twice at Yami Bakura) did he just bow!

Yami: yeah…is he feeling all right?

Bakura: My Yami? You bowed?

Yami Bakura: What? Can't I pay respects now?

KITG: aww thanks 'kura (hugs Yami Bakura)

Yami Bakura: ack, geeez. Get off! (Looks to readers) YOU SAW NOTHING!….or else

Chapter um…I can't remember

Atemu stood facing Seto, he feared for his koi Yugi. But for them all to survive he needed to get back to the Kame Game store. His old home. The lights flickered as the dark tide had the run of the installation. Bits of rock and dust flittered down from the ceiling, they were trying to get in. Here and there family groups huddled, the children crying in fear, rising in volume with each impact, only to filter away to quiet sobs until the next.
Mokuba was comforting the children whose parents hadn't made it this far. The children were always kept close to the inner vault, incase something like this happened. Most of the parents had worked in the observation deck, it stuck out atop the installation, so they had fallen quickly to the dark tide. It had been a shambles, without Dogan to lead the lockdown…so many had fallen. Right now Atemu stood before a hatch that would lead him to the outside. He had summoned Guia the fierce knight, he would ride through the sewer system and get him to the game store.

"You ready Atemu?" Seto asked. Him and Joey were poised ready at the door, ready to open it and close it in the same fluid motion.

"As ready as I'll ever be, look out for Yugi, if you can"

"You don't even need to ask, Yugi is me bud, you know that" Joey replied, looking Atemu straight in the eyes.

"Thanks Jou. Guia. Lets go" The monster kicked his heels into the flanks of his horse, which set off at full gallop through the open door. He heard the clang of it shutting home again as the smooth walls of the sewer flashed past. The hooves splashing in the stagnant water, kicking it up in the darkness, only illuminated by Guia. The monster focusing his power into his Javelin. It glowed in white relief, lighting the way. He held on to the back of the monster, feeling the mounts muscles bunch and release like taught springs as it galloped to its masters will.
Suddenly light, well lighter than the dark met his eyes as they broke to the outside. Guia stopped for a moment to regard the mountain. Atemu could not stop the involuntary gasp, which escaped him. The mountain wasn't there anymore; all he could see was the sickly sheen of the dark tide covering its surface. It was nothing he could describe, such evil, and such force he had never had to encounter before in all his time as pharaoh. He shivered in awe at the fact that Yugi; his koi had stood up to this on his own. He had truly become strong. With a nod Guia set off again, at a greater speed than before, he needed to get there and find this artifact. The landscape shot past in a blur of gray and red rust. Places lost to all description of what they once were. But strangely it seemed clear, fresh. No dark tide here, it had all moved to the mountain.

Finally the Game shop came to view. The old sign hanging off one hinge. Nodding to his monster to wait, he entered his old home. He nearly fell to the floor under the assault of old memories, of living here. He could almost see Ji-chan. Standing behind the counter, cleaning the God cards with that duster. Smiling possessively over them. Walking into the living area, the smell of cooking came to him, though he knew it was all in his minds, but it made him weep nonetheless. Ji-chan cooking his chocolate chip pancakes. He climbed up what remained of the stairs to the second floor. And Yugi had been right. It was untouched, stuck in this moment in time. He walked to Ji-chan's room, a feeling of familiarity. It felt like his old home, like Egypt. Walked into the room, tall over were either Egyptian artifacts, or books about them. He was drawn to the feeling of power. There in the center of the desk was a large gold orb; it pulsed with a power unknown yet familiar to him. He picked it up, warmth in his hands. Upon it there were hieroglyphics. He started to translate them.

Power to the everlasting god Ra,

He will come to a calling heart in time of need,

As the darkness covers the land which he passes his gaze upon.

Find his mercy through the path of sorrow.

What did it mean? Could it be that the Black tide had been know even in his time. It seemed to be an ancient enemy of Ra. How could this help him? Whatever it was he needed to get back. He ran from the shop. As he did so the building began to creek and groan. And as he looked on, his once home, his place of happiness after the darkness of the puzzle. Crumbled to rubble like the rest of Domino city. He shed a tear, one for himself and one for Yugi. The Shop, everything that his koi was, ground to dust like so many others.
He re-mounted Guia's stallion and Guia kicked the beasts flanks headin back to his koi, he only hopped he would be in time….

Well this was going well. Yugi had been playing cat and mouse for the last half an hour. But he needed to do something. Needed to get the Black tide away from all who were left. But how? He found himself in the vehicle garage, when he heard the voice.

"Yugi, I know your there. I can sense you"

"I wondered how long it would take you Dornkirk" Yugi turned to the open garage, There he was, his great build supported by his machine, the black tide oozing from various points. In his hand was that blade. Yugi felt his back begin to burn.

"Think it's time we finisssssh what we started" Dornkirk hissed, the black gunk dripping from his mouth.

"Perhaps your right Dornkirk. I tire of this game. But outside, more room then"

"Yes, more room to cause you Pain" Dornkirk turned, and left garage. Yugi began to follow. But he felt a restraining hand on his arm.

"Yugi, you can't. You'll be killed" the Dark Magician spoke

"I might, but I have to occupy him, Buy Atemu some time, and protect them. He'll be so focused on me. I have a very important job for you three. I need you to find the puzzle and bring it to me"

"We can't leave you!" the Dark Magician girl exclaimed, tears in her eyes.

"You can and must, you can do no more for me but this."

"Then take this my master, may it protect you. A part of each of us." The magician of black chaos lowered his staff, and the others laid theirs atop his. Mist swirled around all three staffs, obscuring them from view. With a flash the mist subsided and in their place was a magnificent sword. Gold, in-laid with red, blue purple and black. Each color symbolizing each magician. The Gold symbolizing the loyalty to Yugi.

"Thank you. Now go" with that Yugi turned from his monsters, the light of a gray day his welcome, he breathed in the air walking to what used to be the plan runway. The grass around now dying at the Dark tides touch. He could plainly see the path of Dornkirk. As he walked the Dark tide around the mountain began to follow. Enclosing them in a circle of midnight, of black so deep you lost yourself in it's nothingness. No reflection, only an unnatural sheen. It gurgled, screamed and beckoned. Trying to make you give in, making you think the pain would all go away if you joined the whole. But Yugi knew it was all a lie. Yugi brought up his blade, tip pointing to his enemy. Dornkirk did the same; in a mockery of etiquette. He had discarded his machine, the human form moving in a grace hidden in the machines. The fight between light and dark was about to reach its moment of truth….

Seto rushed to the main computer as Yami sped through the sewers, the cameras at the exit showing he had made it, all other cameras were down, the black tide obscuring the lenses. With a sigh Seto stepped back from the bank of screens and turned to Joey who stood beside him.
"That's it pup, that's all we can do" he boiled inside. He had always been a man of action. Doing himself, not dictating to others. But now it was up to one of his closest friends. He smiled; he had not always been that, in fact nether of them had. Yugi had been his rival. And Joey, well most of the time he barely acknowledged the mans existence. Now look at them. He tried to think when he feelings had changed. Looking to Mokuba, he knew when. It was shortly after Mokuba had fallen into the coma, Yugi had raised the barrier. But Seto had been told nothing could save his brother. He had sat at Mokuba's beside, tears falling. Yes actually crying. When Yugi and Joey had come in. they had said nothing. Just sat by his side, each placing a hand on a shoulder. Jou had said

"We're here for you bud" and Yugi..Yugi had sworn o find an antidote, no matter what it took. Yes, it was then that he truly realized that they were friends. Yes they had both helped him before, on numerous occasions. Pegasus, Noah. The list continued. But that night they showed him, showed him that they had always liked him for him, not his money. Because that night, he had nothing in the world. The money all gone as the dark tide took the land. But they never left his side.

"You think they'll do it Seto?" Joey asked.

"I do pup, I believe that nothing will stop them two from being together." They sat on the floor, either side of Mokuba. He had begun to doze off, so as they sat down he snuggled into Jou. He smiled.

"Well, what ya know?"

"He's had a long day, woke up from cryo, then having to deal with this."

They looked up as others began to drift off, it was then that Jou realized why, the pounding had stopped.

"Seto…."

"I know." Seto jumped up and went to the screens, he could see out of them now, but he almost wished he couldn't there was Yugi facing Dornkirk. And off to the left, a small movement, was Dogan……

Yugi and Dornkirk circled each other. Then as one they moved towards each other, the dark tide blade hissed through the air. Yugi ducked under the blade, the breeze of the blade as it slashed overhead, making his hear stand on end. The air left in its wake smelt like lightning. Yugi raised his weapon once more and rolled to the right as Dornkirk's blade slammed into the floor beside him. He took a small leap back, clearing some old rusty oil drums, which littered the floor.

Sweat trickled down, making his eyes sting, the exertion on his leg making itself know. The cast was making him slow. He was having to compensate with the other leg. Yugi swung his blade up to block the next blow, hearing Dornkirk hiss in rage. He obviously thought this would be an easy fight. Dornkirk's blade whirled down. Yugi leaped high, somersaulting over Dornkirk, and thrust his blade down hitting Dornkirk on his shoulder.

"Aargh!" Dornkirk Howled in surprised rage as Yugi's blade struck, purple lightning shot forth to ripple over Dornkirk's black flesh.

"That was a lucky blow Yugi, but the time for games is over." As he said this Yugi saw the form of his Ji-chan walk from the circle of Dark tide. " Time to get re-acquainted with the family." Dornkirk laughed at his sick joke.

" This will not stop me Dornkirk, it is not him. He died that day by your hand. Or did you forget you did it right before my eyes? This does nothing but make my hatred for you grow, and my determination to bring you down stronger" before Dornkirk could reply Yugi moved, plunging his blade in to the form that had once been his only family. As purple lightning traveled over the body, expelling the Dark Tide, Yugi saw for only a brief moment a flash of recognition in those eyes, a smile of thanks. The nothing but dust in the air. "Good bye Ji-chan"

Yugi pushed himself full force to Dornkirk, blade a blur as he attacked and attacked. Dornkirk's face in rage as he tried to parry. Then with a flash of Purple upon glistening black. The dark tide blade went spinning off in the air, leaving Dornkirk defenseless.

"Well, well, well. Yugi. You have learned some knew tricks. But it won't help you." With a smile the pods on the side of his machine opened, firing Rockets at Yugi, he pulled up his blade, Dornkirks laughter ringing in his ears, and waited for the impact…that never came

"Kweee" Yugi looked to see hundreds of Kuribough taking each hit. As always, in dire moments the weakest will protect with all they have. In the confusion Yugi made his move, he plunged his blade into the heart of Dornkirk. He screamed in wounded pain. The dark tide adding its voice.

"I have beat you Dornkirk, and so it ends"

"perhaps…. But then again….you… haven't saved them" his breathing coming in ragged gasps

"What?"

"The..tide…will…finish….what I started….and you…..you will join me" a grin crossed his face. Then Yugi felt the burning in his back become more intense, just before the pain of a blade piercing his flesh. He locked down, to see the dark tide blade protruding from his chest. He jerked as the blade was withdrawn, and turned to his attacker..Dogan.

"Hehehehehe. The voices silent now, leave me alone." He ran into the Dark tide, consumed by it like a stone to the sea. Yugi fell to his knees, feeling the dark tide run from the corner of his mouth. He fell to his side, and there before him was Dogan's military jacket, and inside something gold gleamed. He reached out a shaky hand, already feeling his soul being ripped away to feed a greater entity. The dark tide was without control. It moved now like a cloud of locusts on land, moving one way then the other. But heading inexorably towards the mountain. Yugi drew the jacket towards him and emptied the pocket. And there in its pieces was the millennium puzzle. He looked to it taking a ragged breath.

"Please….help me….I haven't got the time to put you together, please" the pieces glowed in answer, then in a flash the completed puzzle lay before him. He whispered to it once more. "Create…….a barrier….like before. I..I know…I don't have the strength….to crate one. But once back….to my monsters…..use their strength to help you….until Atemu comes back. Thank you Puzzle….for everything" Yugi lay on is back; tying the puzzle around the blade His magicians gave him. He gave one last whisper before his voice was drowned out by the black tide.

"Return to your masters" the Blade shot to the sky and back to the mountain, he looked on as the shield reformed, he knew the monsters could not sustain it indefinitely, but it would be enough.

Be closed his eyes as his soul was dragged out of him, never to pass to the afterlife. One last thought, one last regret. Forgive me my koi, I love you for all time

Atemu felt a part of him die, but he did not relies the fullness of it until he saw the broken form or Yugi. He screamed out, not caring who saw, he knew Yugi's soul had been taken. Devoured. He would never see is koi again. Never feel his lips, the warmth of him in his arms. Tears slid down his face, splashing on the orb…which began to glow…

KITG: Eeeeep. That was long. Hope it ok. I think I really like this chapter. Well let me know. Last chapter after this so be warned. It is coming to a close. But don't worry for those who like my writing. Still have "Pirate king" and "Accepting ones fate" to complete. Don't forget to review : )