Welcome to the second longest chapter in the entire story. What's the longest you ask? It's coming up; please look forward to it. We are three chapters away from being done, and OMG I'm so excited!

Also! Today (11/19) is canonically Yami Yugi's birthday; I saw a thing on Twitter about it, so... Happy Birthday to him!

*I do not own Yugioh. I only own Christine, my OC. If you recognize anything, I don't own that either.*

Yami was still really sick of being at this table. He was tired of seeing Bakura's wide grin whenever he made his move. If a shoe was about to drop and destroy what little he had left, he didn't want it.

The intricately created ancient city was utterly crumbled now. Only bits and pieces of the palace remained; he could faintly recognize the little alcove his past self had spent so much time in, but he was probably just seeing things in the ruins. His eyes moved back to Christine's card again, staying there for a fraction of a second, just to be sure it was still there. Even while he was distracted with the battle with Zorc, his eyes flicked to her card every few seconds. The card itself didn't move, but her Ba bar continued to drop centimeters at a time. He assumed she had summoned Joan, and the two were protecting the palace like she'd promised. If he could grip the table, he would have clenched onto it with all of his might, praying that she was okay. He had just looked to see what Bakura would do next when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her bar drop to nothing.

"Christine!" Yami gasped, turning away from his opponent.

Yami snapped to pick up the card, but it faded right as his fingers reached it; her face was the last thing he saw. "No!" He could feel his heart beginning to pound in his ears; it blocked out everything else. He only faintly heard another sound, the sound of crumbling stone; another part of the palace had collapsed. Had she been there…?

"Oooh…" Bakura breathed with a teasing wince of sympathy; his voice was loud as it pierced Yami's ears. "That had to have hurt! Crushed to death by a falling pillar; what a way to go."

Yami found he couldn't breathe; he couldn't look away from where the card had been. She couldn't have been gone... She couldn't! This had to be some kind of sick trick Bakura had pulled on him! If she were dead, the card would have remained! Shouldn't he have placed it in the graveyard like he had for so many others?! Yami gave a loud growl.

How much more of this was he supposed to take?!

Bakura's continued chuckle made the Pharaoh glare at him. "Should I start a rousing tune of 'The Queen is Dead?'" Yami growled again, only making him continue to laugh. He must have been thoroughly amused with his distress. "You must be having a very bad day, Yugi! You lose your friends as they look for your name… You lose your wife as she tries to protect the palace like you asked her to…." Bakura's chuckle swelled again. "You're about to lose this game with absolutely nothing left… How does it feel?" Yami stopped the growl that threatened to escape his throat; he wouldn't let Bakura get under his skin.

"I haven't lost yet."

"And how do you expect to win?! You have no means of finding your true name, and you have no chance of defeating Zorc and his High Priest! You're finished, Yugi!"

Yami nearly snapped again, telling him that he wasn't going to give up when a new voice appeared. The familiarity made everything freeze. It was doubled by the fact that it called out the name only one person called him.

"Yami?!" Christine's voice shouted.

I came to surrounded by darkness. I could tell I was moving my head, moving my hands, but it was like I was utterly blinded. I then moved my arms, lifting my hands to try and feel for anything besides skin. I expected some sort of pain, something to suggest I had been crushed by a few tons of stone, but I felt nothing; there wasn't even a twinge that suggested a bruise. I wasn't immobile, though, so I forced my way through the darkness, carefully taking a few steps at a time for fear that I was going to trip on something. When I didn't, I took braver steps, continuing to push through.

"Mery?" I called. "Hepzefa?"

No response. My heart picked up speed. Where were they? "Kiya?! Khemu?! Sati?!" Still nothing. I fought to catch my breath; my fast-paced breathing was making my head spin. I took even braver steps until I was running.

The darkness only continued. How big was this place? I turned and turned and turned but only found more inky blackness. It wasn't the same as the darkness that had seeped around the blimp and over the tower at the Battle City Finals, but it didn't make me feel much safer.

I stopped running after what felt like a lifetime, quickly catching my breath. Maybe they couldn't hear me anymore… Right! My memories had ended! What if I tried the gang? Perhaps they could hear me! "Yugi?! Jounouchi?!" No answer. Seems that wasn't the case either. Where was I?

My treacherous brain then took the chance to remind me that I had died; I ran headlong into a dangerous situation and met the consequences of my actions. I couldn't think about that long as my brain then showed me the last thing I had seen. I felt tears in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had left them… I died and left them with so much pain… Gods… I let a sob escape my throat, but that was the only sound I let escape. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms to force the pain. Sati was okay. If I had to die so she could live, okay; I accept that.

But…

If the gang or Yami had seen me and my stunt, they would have been pissed. I would have been confronted - if I had survived - for doing something stupid, that I had promised that I wouldn't do that anymore. They would have gone on and on until they were blue in the face. There was one problem: I didn't regret my actions. I did what I thought and knew was right. Would they have been content to let Sati die to ensure I lived? My mouth opened to give a response to the very likely scenario. "I'd have done it again…." Nobody would have liked that answer; I knew that for a fact. I imagine Jounouchi would have huffed and puffed until I took the words back, but I wouldn't have. What would he have done? He'd already risked death to get Yugi out from that blaze… Why would my stunt be so different?! "I'd do it a hundred times over with no regrets." 'Why?' Yugi would ask. 'Isn't your life just as important?' I straightened up, wiping the last of my tears away. "Because it was, and is, the right thing to do."

Suddenly, a light turned on. It was far away, so I wasn't blinded, but it was noticeable enough that it made me look up. Not far from me, a slip of light was peeking through a door like crack. I admit I was hesitant for a long second but decided that I'd rather go into the unknown than stay in this darkness. I stepped towards the light and pushed the door open.

The lit room was one I hadn't seen for a very long time, and it was only in pictures. As I entered, I turned my head back and forth. My eyes flicked over each little detail: from the white crib placed against the far wall, hidden from the window by a curtain, to the farm animals that decorated the wall. I knew this room. "My baby room?" It was! This room had been mine from infancy to the day I left; it had grown and evolved with me over the years. I turned to see that I had come out from the small closet that would eventually hold my coats and what few dresses I owned. The moment I let go of the door, the white-painted fixture swung closed, closing with a soft click. Well, it was a good thing I didn't want to go back there.

Now… why was I here?

There wasn't a chance for me to think that through as voices began to come from the hall. My room was on the second floor of the house and three doors away from the stairs; it was the complete opposite direction from my parent's room. Based on where the voices were coming from, they were approaching from the stairs. I thought about hiding, but the voices were upon me within seconds, so I had no chance. My eyes widened at who walked in the door. "Mom?"

Sure enough, it was my modern mother, the woman who had raised me the second time. I recognized the soft brown hair and brown eyes on her face as well as the pleased smile she wore; she'd apparently just gotten her way. Cradled in her arms was a bundle of white cloth; if I peeked up, I could see a tiny hand inside. Wait a minute… Wait a minute… Was that…?

"Are you sure about this, Jeanette?" A familiar voice asked, making me turn.

It was my modern father. His mustache was full, and its brown shade rather than speckled with gray like the last time I'd seen him. The dark hair on his head was frazzled like he'd been woken suddenly. What time was it? "I mean… I'm not complaining, I mean…." Mom gave him a familiar look, her eyebrow raised.

"Yes." She drawled. "For the fifteenth time, I'm sure."

Dad sighed, lifting his hand to his forehead. "We agreed to do this months ago; we can't turn back now."

"I know… It just… It seems a bit sketchy."

What on earth are they talking about? I flicked my eyes between the two of them. They obviously couldn't see me, so I took the chance to step closer but found my feet pinned to the floor. I tried to pull myself free, but I was trapped.

"For you mortals, yes, it would be very sketchy. But I know a few people who have done exactly this; it's perfectly legal."

"Even for the government?!"

Mom shushed him as the bundle in her arms began to stir, a whine echoing in the quiet home. Dad covered his mouth, stopping any other noises from escaping. After a few seconds, the fussing stopped, and silence reigned once more. Mom pulled the bundle closer before looking back to Dad.

"You're holding all the paperwork. All we have to do is file it, and it'll be like any other adoption."

Dad sighed once more, moving his hand from his mouth into his hair. Mom gave him a pleading look, one I didn't see often. "David, you know we couldn't have left that woman. She only wanted a better life for her daughter." Dad nodded.

"I know."

I tilted my head in confusion. What woman? What on earth were they talking about? I knew now that I wasn't their blood daughter, but how much did they know? What had they been told? "What do we tell her about her mother?" Mom looked back down to the bundle in her arms. She thought for a few minutes before looking back up.

"We'll tell her one day, but, for now, she's ours."

Dad looked hesitant for a minute, but he did nod. Mom smiled at him before moving to settle the bundle into the crib. Dad followed her, leaning over one of the sides while Mom unraveled the bundle. It was hard to see, but the slats were just wide enough that I could see a bit. "Your fingies are so cold, sweetie!" My eyes watered.

It was me…

"She's not sick, is she?"

"No; it's probably just an aspect of her powers that's starting to come through."

I saw Dad give Mom a look.

"How much longer till I have two magical girls in this house?"

Mom chuckled, shaking her head fondly.

"A few more months? A year, maybe?"

Dad sighed, his head dropping. I somehow managed a smile; poor dad.

The image shifted and the room with it. Now, instead of night, it was daytime. The crib was gone, replaced with a small bed covered in stuffed horses. The sounds of shrieks echoed in the hall until the door shot open. In ran six-year-old me, of course, wearing that silly pink sundress; geez, did I live in that thing? On my heels was Dad, head covered with a hood and making funny noises.

"Don't you know? No man can slay me!"

I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped me. I loved this game as a kid. Dad would put on a cloak, and he'd become the Witch King and chase me down as I played Eowyn. I watched as the little me dashed around the room to confuse him then got behind him.

"I am no man!" My squeaky voice called out before bonking him on the leg.

With a theatrical gasp, Dad gasped, fell to his knees, clutching his chest. He then fell to the floor, obviously playing dead. Little me cheered heroically, lifting her imaginary sword in the air. Happy tears joined in on my laughter.

"Will you two quit that?!" Mom shouted from the kitchen.

"No!" Dad shouted back to much hilarity from me and a sigh from mom. "And for that offense, I revive myself!"

Little me squeaked then ran, Dad quickly on my heels. I was still laughing, a few tears more escaping my eyes. It'd been so long since I'd even thought about that stupid game.

The room shifted once more into nighttime, but the layout had changed again. It was now the way it had been the last time I'd see it: the plants on their shelves, the extensive collection of books I had amassed, the basket of salves next to my backpack ready for the next day, and the clothes I had put out in case I overslept. Laying in bed, head poking out from the sheets, was me; I had just gone to bed after my ritual. I was just about to question what I was watching when the door opened.

Mom was wearing the same robe she had been when we talked in the living room, peeking her head into the room. When she saw that I was asleep, she gave a soft sigh of relief and walked inside. I watched as she approached the bed, brushed through the freed strands at the top of my head then kissed my forehead.

"Silly. Making me worry like that."

My tears turned sad as I continued to watch. Mom had been so huffy when I came home that late; I didn't think she'd been that worried.

"Sorry, mom." I whispered, but she didn't hear me.

She only stayed for a moment longer before straightening up and closing the door behind her as she left.

After that, things moved quickly. I watched the next morning as I got out of bed, got dressed then dashed out the door after putting my deck in my bag. Once I was out the door, everything froze: the plants stopped shifting about, the sounds of the kitchen stopped, and even the clouds through the window.

I wasn't alone, though. A quick peek told me that someone had appeared. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." Isis breathed from her spot on my bed.

"Were you the one to bring me here?"

Isis nodded her head, her jewelry shifting slightly in the movement.

"Yes. It took a lot of work, but I managed to create this little dimension to protect you until it was time."

She didn't need to explain what 'time' meant. "I'm amazed Meg was able to follow; I imagine someone helped her as well, or it was just the nature of her curse." I stood there amazed for a second.

"You don't know?"

"Surprise, surprise; I don't. Do you think I know everything?"

"You act like it sometimes."

Isis gave a giggle, nodding her head. She didn't seem upset, so I guess she was in a good mood; I'd never seen her in a bad mood now that I was thinking about it. I took a deep breath, thinking about everything I had seen. "Why show me this?"

"I'm not controlling this."

I peeked back at over at Isis, seeing her smile. "Perhaps it is the last vestiges of memory that have to be seen? It's odd that it would go this far, but it does give me the chance to admit that it was me all along. Ooh!" I lifted my eyebrow at her playful squeak, watching her sigh. "No fun."

"Explain first; then fun."

Isis gave a playful smile, nodding her head.

"As you wish. To keep it simple: I snatched you just as the pillar would have killed you. As the rules would technically dictate that you'd die, I… bent them slightly."

"Bent them?"

"You did not technically die, but I had to revert you to a child to make it look like your soul has moved on; it was the only way to keep the powers that be - and my husband - content."

I snorted at the jab at her husband while Isis gave a huff. "He's so cruel; I won't bore you with the details, but I'll let you know that he's never happy even in the face of love!" She huffed again, crossing her arms. "You wouldn't imagine how much work it took just to keep him out of this." The goddess huffed once more. I gave another laugh as she quietly berated her rude husband. As much fun as it was watching this little huffing session, I still had more questions.

"Why?"

"Why?!"

Isis gave me a smile. "I and many of my kin are not cruel. I, too, have been separated from the man I love, and I still am." Her smile brightened. "Let's just say I… have a soft spot for couples separated by death." I lifted my eyebrow, but she only continued to smile. When she still didn't explain herself, I let her off. You win this round, Isis.

"And am I to assume that you also were the cause of me leaving this little dimension?"

Her finger twitched, and the shadow from the alley appeared on the wall. "Hello, you." The shadow waved its hand before fading away. "To think, you've been in a lot more places than in my head." There was a soft laugh, hardly the playful one it had been before.

"I did promise I'd take care of you since Slifer was sealed away."

Now that was a bomb dropped on me. Slifer and Isis? That was a heck of a mixture. I couldn't ask her more as I saw the sad expression covering the goddess' face. My eyes followed hers, seeing that she was looking at the family photo that we'd taken the last time we went to Disney. "You had a beautiful family. I'm sorry for taking it from you." I blinked, narrowing my eyes. Why was she on this?

"Isis… You…"

She sighed, now looking even more upset.

"I've taken many families from you, haven't I? First your children and then this one?"

"Neither of us had a choice for the first one!"

She nodded, her jewelry jingling again.

"True."

That left the second one. Technically, she did take me from my family, but she brought me to another one, a family that cared for me just as much as they had. Yes, I missed them from time to time. Yes, I was still upset that their memory of me was replaced with another. But… I was reminded of something Yami had said. I forced myself to move, walking toward Isis. She looked up as I sat down beside her.

"Let me tell you some wise words I was told from an amnesiac."

Isis snorted a laugh, but she didn't stop me. "Even if they've forgotten you, you remember them, and, because you remember them, they live eternally in your memory." I peeked up at the goddess, still seeing her upset. Knowing I would want some comfort, I took her hand this time, feeling her flinch. "I know they've forgotten me, but I know they loved me, and I'll carry that for the rest of my life. You may have taken them physically from me, but you can't take their love from me." Isis stared at me for a long moment, but, eventually, a smile lifted her face, and she returned the grip on my hand.

"This amnesiac speaks wise words."

She chuckled for a moment before looking back at me. "Thank you, Christine; I appreciate it." I smiled at her in return. "Now, I believe there is one last trial that needs to be completed. Are you up for it?" I was ready to be done with this! I nodded.

"What do I have to do?"

"Wake up."

Just as she finished talking, the ceiling greeted me. I flew up, gasping for air. My chest hurt slightly; had I been holding my breath? What the-! I snapped my head around, seeing myself now in a large dark room. Where the heck-! My eyes widened at what was next to me. Yugi and the gang were lying in sarcophagi, their chests only faintly moving. They were alive, but… What the heck was going on? I looked down to see I was lying in a sarcophagus as well; someone was so into a role-play that we were getting dragged into it as well. I continued to look around the room, not recognizing it. Were we still in the museum?

"How do you expect to win?!" A familiar voice asked, an evil laugh easily heard in the tone. "You have no means of finding your true name, and you have no chance of defeating Zorc and his High Priest! You're finished, Yugi!"

Bakura? Wait, no, it was Yami Bakura again. I flicked my head about once more, not seeing the crazy spirit. That left really one option. It was coming from above me? I looked up, seeing a large table towering over me. What looked to be hourglasses were slowly filling with sand and debris; my eyes widened when I saw a chunk of glyphs appear against the glass. Was something falling into them? I looked further up, and my heart lifted.

"Yami?!" I called.

My Pharaoh, sitting at one end of the large table, wearing his usual - or well, Yugi's everyday - clothes, froze. Even from down here, I could see his eyes widening then saw his head snap towards me. It broke my heart to see tears in his eyes.

"Mereret?!" He called back.

I wasted no time getting to my feet, climbing out of my sarcophagus, and around the table to get up to Yami. He climbed out of his chair to greet me as I hit the top of the stairs. There were still tears there, but they didn't stream down his cheeks. "You… You're okay?" I nodded.

"Are you?"

Yami nodded and lifted a hand to touch my face. Sadly, it went right through me, and his face darkened. I peeked over, seeing Yugi still in his sarcophagus. It didn't take much thought to figure it out. Since Yugi was in the game world, Yami's spirit was freed for the moment. However, Yugi's body wasn't playing host since they were separated while Yugi was still awake. Quickly making a compromise, I lifted a hand to wrap around my pendant. Yami quickly understood my intent and smiled.

"Turning your back on your opponent." Yami Bakura tsked. "How very unsportsmanlike, Yugi."

Yami's smile faded into a snarl, but he didn't snap back. How long has Yami Bakura been taunting him? He quickly gathered himself but kept his hands clenched tightly. We caught eyes, and I nodded. I was here, and I wasn't leaving. That brought a bit of control back to his face, and he nodded in return, turning back around.

"Rest assured, Bakura," Yami hissed. "I haven't forgotten about you."

Yami Bakura gave an evil chuckle. I wanted to smack it off his face. Yami moved back to his chair, and I followed, sitting precariously on the armrest. I was sad I couldn't lean over onto my Pharaoh, but I kept my face stone solid. Yami Bakura did smile over at me, though.

"Ah, how quaint; the Great Royal Wife is gracing us with her presence. How was your tango with death, Great Lady?"

Yami gave a hiss at the taunt, but I kept my eyes on the spirit controlling my friend.

"Short-lived." I replied. "I'd hardly call it a tango since it didn't even touch me."

Yami Bakura's eye twitched, and I smiled. He had obviously seen what had happened to me, but I had a leg up: I remembered how the thief Bakura died. "How was yours, silly little thief?" He didn't take kindly to the nickname as the smile faded from his face. "You tried and tried, and where did it get you? Overshadowed by an even darker evil." I laughed as a sneer covered his face now. "You gonna tell me I'm wrong?" He didn't speak, looking back to Yami. Ah, what an ego boost after all the annoying things he'd done to me in my memories.

"Let the game continue. We left off as the Pharaoh and his forces were getting overwhelmed by the army of the dead."

Yikes. I joined a right pickle. I peeked down at the diorama Yami had apparently been stuck at this entire time. His side looked like the palace - or well, what was left of it - while Yami Bakura's side was what looked to be the western side of the river, so the Valley of the Kings and… Kul Elna… Okay, I know where everyone is; now, I need to figure out a strategy. I looked back to the diorama at large.

This wasn't a very visual game, was it? Compared to the Monster World diorama from that first game we'd played, this was very bare-bones. It emphasized that the setting was a bit more important than the characters, which were only illustrated through cards placed in front of each player. Yami had, of course, himself, Lady Isis, Shimon, a card that I recognized as the Dark Magician - meaning Mahad -, and even Mana coupled with Dark Magician Girl. All of them had a bar underneath their image that illustrated something, but I didn't understand what. And where were Shada, Kalim, Master Aknadin, and Seto? Wait, Seto was at the palace just before my 'death.' Yami must have lost control of him; he may still be okay! And on the subject of the second lost priest, hadn't Seto said something about Master Aknadin falling to darkness? That explained two, but what about the others?

I looked around again and saw a pile of cards at the corner of the table with Shada's image on the top one. I quickly understood what the stack was used for when I saw his bar was empty. Since the two spirits were glaring at each other, I bent over to pick up the pile and flip through the cards. If anyone questioned me, I prepared the excuse of 'gathering my bearings.' Shada, Kalim, soldiers… My heart dropped when I reached Mahad near the bottom of the pile. Yami really had been sitting here this whole time; I suddenly wished I could take my Pharaoh's hand and show him my sympathy.

I then got confused. I flipped through the pile again. Priest. Priest. Soldier. Soldier. Soldier. Soldier. Priest. Soldier. Soldier. I flipped through it at least three times by the time I knew that something was missing. If I had been part of this game world, shouldn't I have been one of the cards? And, since I had died, shouldn't I be a card in this graveyard? Yami must have noticed my search as he quietly cleared his throat to get my attention, speaking in a low voice.

"Your card vanished in a poof of smoke." Yami breathed. "It literally happened just now."

Just now? I gave Yami a look, seeing him shrug. "I don't understand either. Bakura explained that when the Ba bar reaches the bottom, the person dies in the game world." I blinked, the words making sense. Isis did say I had died but had it not been in a way that this game would definitively say 'dead'?

"Did mine?"

"Yes."

I really wanted to grip his hand now; it must have felt like I had broken my promise. I glared as Yami Bakura gave a sudden chuckle.

"Your card has left the game because of your untimely demise." Yami Bakura said happily. "And, sadly for you, we won't be having a repeat of our 'Divine Allusion' moment."

Remembered that, did he? And I thought I held long grudges. I forced a happy smile back on my face.

"Ah, did I get under your skin with that?" I taunted. "Poor little thief, getting picked on by a half-elf poet I pulled together in 15 minutes."

All the amusement faded from his face, and he huffed. Thoroughly amused, I kept smiling, placing the graveyard gently back where I had found it. "But enough about me, what's happening next?" Sadly for me, Yami Bakura began to smile again.

"Zorc and his army are just about to lay waste to the Pharaoh!"

My smile faded back into a stone, and I leaned back into the chair. Happily seeing me silenced, Yami Bakura looked back at Yami. "What do you do, Yugi? How do you want to spend your turn?" I flicked my eyes to Yami, seeing his own eyes narrowed at his cards. I wondered what he was thinking about. He then lifted his hand to the bridge of his nose, resting his eyes.

"Any advice, Mereret?" My Pharaoh suddenly asked.

I fully turned toward him, lifting my eyebrow.

"Why are you asking me?" I retorted.

"I've been staring at this table for who knows how long; I'd appreciate an extra pair of eyes."

Okay, that I understood and sympathized with. I just had another problem.

"I don't know the rules."

"Simple. I order them to do something, or, if I don't, they move according to their motivations from 3000 years ago."

Simple and to the point; thank you, Yami. Understanding the gist of the game, I looked back to his cards. I mentally compared each of their Bas and what they could do in this situation until an image appeared in my head. It was of Shimon and his insistence to follow the rest of the priests. I know Shimon was an old man, and he knew that as well, but I didn't think he would have wanted to go if he knew he would have been a loose end. I didn't know what he would have done, but I trusted him. I looked back at Yami.

"Have Shimon act."

Yami pulled his hand away from his nose, his red eyes showing how exhausted he was.

"What?"

"He was insistent about following after the priests, so much so that he asked me if I was okay if he left."

Yami still didn't seem to understand. I huffed. And people said I was dense. "Just have him act; trust me." Yami immediately looked back at Yami Bakura.

"I let Shimon act on his own Motivation."

Yami Bakura hummed, looking to his side of the table.

"And what's an old man going to do against the power of Zorc?"

Yami remained silent for a moment, obviously not sure how to answer. The pile of cards next to him, though, began to flicker with a soft light. He apparently knew what this meant as he quickly pulled the top card and smiled.

"Shimon summons a Ka."

"Ah, of course, he was once the Priest of the Millennium Key, so it knows his power. And what does the old man summon?"

Yami's smile grew as he placed the card on the table. I gave a shriek of excitement when I saw the image.

"Exodia."

I relished seeing Yami Bakura's incredulous expression. Wasn't expecting an old man to pull that, huh? I was suddenly reminded of Grandpa having all five pieces of Exodia; apparently, the monster had a fondness for the old man. "Obviously, Exodia will attack, destroying the Army of the Dead." Yami Bakura growled for a moment, shifting a set of cards off his side of the table before a smile lifted his face again.

"Exodia may be powerful, but he cannot touch Zorc!"

"Let's find out! Exodia attacks Zorc!"

I wished I could see into the game world, but much like last time, I had to simply imagine what was going on. I wanted to see Zorc, whatever he looked like, melting into a dark puddle and begging for mercy. Yami Bakura's smile told me that was far from the case.

"You fool! Zorc is impervious to your paltry attack! He counterattacks with Dark Phenomenon!"

That didn't sound good. And it wasn't since Exodia's and Shimon's Ba bar suddenly dropped to zero.

"No!" I shouted, leaning forward like it would do something.

Yami gave a growl, sadly picking up the cards and placing them into the graveyard. Yami Bakura only laughed at our pain.

"As if your pitiful little priests and Kas could defeat Zorc! He will cover this world in darkness!"

Yami gave a soft growl before snapping back.

"I will not give up, Bakura!" Yami snapped at his opponent. "I won't let Zorc succeed!"

"With your puny amount of Ba? I'd like to see you try!"

I looked down, seeing how little Ba he did have. I hated to admit it, but it would only take a push to knock him off the edge. I wouldn't say that aloud, though; I had to have faith. We couldn't give up now! Yami gave a growl, picking up another card from his deck.

"I will fight until every inch of my Ba is gone! I call for Mahad, Mana, and Hasan to attack Zorc!"

Yami Bakura chuckled. He was leaning back in his chair like he had just finished a victory lap.

"Zorc casts Zorc Inferno to push away the little flies bugging him. Then, he casts Catastrophe!"

It was only a millisecond before Yami collapsed on himself. I jumped out of my chair, just barely seeing his and Dark Magician's Ba bars touch the bottom before I knelt at his side.

"Yami…" I whimpered.

He was gasping for air, hand clenching his chest. I didn't need magic to know that he was in pain. If I could touch him, I would have tried to use the power of my Ka to heal him, but that wasn't possible. Anzu's cartouche swung all the way to the table and back from the force of his movement. "Yami…" Yami Bakura only kept laughing.

"Zorc wins the battle of memory!"

I stopped my temper from snapping and freezing him to the table. He was in control of my friend's body; I wouldn't hurt him! The spirit must have seen my annoyance as his smile brightened further. "Now, 'Pharaoh,' vanish into endless -!" Yami Bakura suddenly stopped dead. The gasp was enough to make me look up from Yami again. He looked surprised but also shocked. I cursed, now desperately wanting to see what was going on in the game world. But I had someone who could. I looked back at Yami, lowering my voice.

"Can you see what's going on?"

Yami nodded, the movement obviously hurting him. "What's surprised him?" Yami took a deep breath before replying.

"Yugi." He managed.

I understood. Yugi and the gang had shown up! I couldn't stop the relieved smile that lifted my face. They were okay! "Mereret… The game has to go on." I nearly snapped at him to stop talking, to stop hurting himself, but Yami interrupted me. "I need you to control the cards. They are NPCs, but that doesn't mean what they do shouldn't go on the board." I gave him a raised eyebrow, quietly asking if he'd stay still. He nodded, and I quickly shot back up.

Once again, I was acting Pharaoh.

"Is it our turn?"

Yami Bakura gave a hiss, but I kept my face as solid as possible. "Apparently so! Since the gang has arrived, our turn goes to them!" I looked down to the spot of sand that our cards were lying. "Okay, guys, what are you doing?" Dark Magician's Ba bar shot back up to the top; Yugi had summoned him from a deck. The deck beside me then began to glow, and I pulled the top card. The image of Red-Eyes appeared, and I slapped it down onto the table. When no other cards lit up, I figured something was happening. "Now what? Attacking?" They obviously were since they didn't know how powerful Zorc was.

"Zorc counterattacks! Zorc Inferno!" Yami Bakura snapped.

Red-Eyes' bar quickly fell to the bottom, so I moved it out of the way. Dark Magician remained, but no one else seemed to be getting hurt. What was going on?

"Hasan." Yami managed, hoping the simple word was explanation enough.

It only made me confused. Hasan? Who's Hasan? Yami didn't explain, and I ended up shaking it off. Since this Hasan didn't have a card here, he was probably another NPC that Yami Bakura didn't expect and, thus, a friend. The evil spirit was laughing again, making me look at him. What was so funny?

"Perfect! That eyesore is finally out of my game, and you've lost your shield! Zorc's next attack will destroy all of you!"

I gave him a dirty look before looking back to the table. Was there anything I could do? Without seeing in the game world, I felt like I was utterly useless! My heart rate picked up in stress and worry. Oh! I hated this!

"Mereret."

I snapped my eyes away from the sand and back down at Yami. He was slowly pulling himself up, lifting his head to give me a stern look. "Do you remember my name?" I froze.

Did I? I… I admit I hadn't thought about the idea that I would remember now that I had my own memory back. I had been so worried about other things that I'd totally forgotten.

So… Did I remember my Pharaoh's true name?

In short, I did. I remembered sitting in Lady Mereyam's courtyard practicing writing the glyphs out on tiny shards of pottery. I remembered being so proud when I finally got it right. I wanted to say it aloud, not tease him any longer with information he had every right to have, but my mouth wouldn't move. I wasn't allowed to say it. Fine! I'll do the next best thing!

"What are you doing?!"

A twinge of panic made his voice squeak. "It's against the rules for you to give it to him!" As if. I glared at him, my finger's touch slowly spreading ice across the table.

"Try and stop me." I hissed and continued to write.

It was hard to write hieroglyphics with ice as it kept spreading, but I did my best. I could feel my Pharaoh's eyes on my finger, drinking in the glyphs as they appeared. I faintly heard Yami Bakura gasp out some kind of attack, a last desperate attempt to wipe everyone out, but my finger didn't stop. When I finished the last symbol, a soft gasp reached my ears, and I turned. My Pharaoh had picked up his cartouche, and the glyphs of his name were etched there; Yugi and the gang must have given it to him in the game world. He looked up, and it was one of the happiest smiles I'd ever seen on him.

"My name!" He gasped, tears teeming at his eyes.

I smiled in return, watching as he got to his feet to stare down Yami Bakura. "How the tables have turned, Bakura!" Yami Bakura looked petrified; his eyes were bugging out of his skull.

"Zorc's attack continues unabated…!" Yami Bakura shrieked.

"My name is Nefruankhre Atem!"

Yami Bakura's eyes bugged even further. I took the chance to look down at the cards, seeing that none of the Ba's had changed. Was Zorc's attack deflected or something? Or was it simply because my Pharaoh got his name back. The deck of cards started to light up again. "Because my name has been restored, I am allowed to summon all three Egyptian Gods!" Atem peeked at me. "Will you do the honors?" I smiled and pulled the top three cards, plopping them down onto the board. The moment their images appeared, I could feel their power. "And in the name of the King, I unite the gods into the Creator God of Light, Horakhty!" I didn't have to touch any cards this time as the three vanished, and one took its place. "Zorc, Lord of Shadow, I banish you from this world!" He called an attack, and it was all over.

Yami Bakura screamed so loudly my ears started to ring. I lifted my hands to cradle them, but the sound still echoed in my ear drums. I watched as he clawed at himself over his jacket and shirt in pain until he ripped the Millennium Ring off, breaking its rope, and threw it into the sand. The impact made the two cards there fly up and off the table. The moment it was off, I saw Bakura's kind face return for a moment before he fainted. I flinched, wanting to go and help, but I stayed still just in case the game wasn't over.

We stood in silence for a long moment before Atem took a loud breath then another. "Well, that was exciting." I snorted.

"You can say that again." I retorted.

Atem chuckled before we were lost in silence again. Was it really all over? It seemed… rather anti-climactic… I blamed not being able to see into the game world. After another moment of silence, I saw Atem peek over at me and I returned movement. "What?"

"Will you say it? Please?"

It was almost desperate the way he said it. Dammit, he's so cute. I sighed, giving in.

"Hi, Atem. Long time, no see."

My Pharaoh's smile burst even brighter. Hearing his name must have been one of his greatest joys. Sadly, it had to fade.

"There's still something I have to do."

I nodded. Seto and Master Aknadin were still unaccounted for. "Yugi and the others are coming back." I nodded again.

"Okay. I sent Seto with Shetan; knowing my horse, he stayed nearby, so if you can find him…."

Atem nodded. "Be careful." My Pharaoh smiled again.

"I will. I'll be back, and, this time, I mean it."

I smiled, nodding again. I knew he would be okay. After a blink, he was gone. I was only allowed to be sad for a second when gasps hit my ears from down below. I walked over to the other side of the chair and smiled. The gang was all sitting up and gasping for air. I could hear Jounouchi huffing and puffing about why he was lying in a sarcophagus. No one looked up until I called.

"Yo! Sleep well?"

Everyone froze and snapped their heads up at me. I smiled again, waving my hand. "You guys sure know how to make an entrance." Yugi started running first, the others on his heels. I giggled, walking around the chair to greet them. The moment Yugi was close enough, he wrapped his arms around me, hiding his face in my shoulder. Based on the shaking of his shoulders, he was crying, so I wrapped my arms around him in return. "Hi, Yugi. Are you okay?" He nodded, not trusting his voice, and tightened his grip on me. Since he needed the comfort, I returned the pressure. I then peeked up at the others. "Hey."

"Hey, your highness!" Jounouchi cheered.

I would have whacked him for the tease, but I kept my hands on Yugi. You win this round, Jounouchi.

"How long have you been here for?" Honda asked.

"Not too long." I replied. "I woke up in one of those sarcophagi just like you."

I then looked at Anzu; she looked close to tears. I tried to soothe her with a smile. "What's with the tears?" Anzu hiccupped.

"You died…" She warbled.

The smile faltered for a moment. So they knew… No use hiding it then. I nodded.

"What happened?" Jounouchi asked, voice soft.

I tightened my grip on Yugi, trying to give myself confidence. After a deep breath, I spoke gently.

"I did what I thought was right." I replied.

I saw the tell-tale sign of Jounouchi beginning his lecture and sighed. "Let me finish." No one spoke. "Those kids saw me as their mom; I was not going to abandon them when they needed me most." I narrowed my eyes at Jounouchi in particular. "So huff and puff all you like, I would do it again; I've already done it twice." Jounouchi and Honda still looked mad, but they didn't begin to berate me; Anzu only wiped at her tears, and Yugi continued to hold me. When it still didn't start after a minute, I considered it a victory but didn't revel in it. "So you guys found his name?"

"Most bullshit experience I've ever been through." Yugi muttered into my shoulder, making me laugh.

"What happened?"

I was regaled with the tale of how they traversed my Pharaoh's tomb, getting around the trap at the front, then Yugi having to duel Yami Bakura. I was proud of him for doing it by himself and smiled as he finally pulled away from me. They then told me about how they managed to escape despite the tomb crumbling around them. I agreed with Yugi; it was bullshit.

Just after Jounouchi told me about them flying to Atem's aid, the Pharaoh returned to Yugi's body. We all erupted in cheers, crying out his name. Atem's smile was bright with relief.

"You made it back!" He cheered.

"You bet!" Honda replied.

I then felt the hand on my hip, and I lifted my eyebrow. My eyes flicked over to my Pharaoh. Atem looked pleased as punch with the contact. Jounouchi noticed it immediately as he gave a bright teasing smile.

"Yugi's been hugging her for the past 10 minutes!" Jounouchi teased. "One would think you'd be sick of it!"

"Nah!" Atem retorted. "I have been stuck at this fucking table for the last I don't know how long!"

I burst into laughter at the swear. "And then, she finally gets here, and every time I try to touch her, I go right through her!" The rest of the gang was laughing now, probably even Yugi. "So! I'm finally going to hug my wife and not have to explain a thing!" True to his word, he immediately tugged me into a hug and plopped his head right at my shoulder. I was still laughing, but I wrapped him up in return. "How are you, Mereret?"

"I'm good." I playfully replied, much to the gang's amusement. "How are you?"

"Tired."

"I believe it."

I was hugged for a few seconds longer before I was released. We then looked over to see Bakura still collapsed on his side of the table. Oops! I'd totally forgotten about him! We all glanced at each other before dashing over to him. I stood the closest, pressing my fingers to his pulse. Anzu let me use her watch to count, and I gave a sigh of relief. "Just unconscious; he's fine." There were more sighs after that.

"Hey…" Jounouchi breathed.

I turned to see him holding the Millennium Ring out to Yami. "I think you'd better hang onto this thing!" Yami took it with a nod. I gave the golden item a glare; I hoped I never had to see it in this lifetime again.

"Look at this mummy!" Anzu marveled, and I turned again. "The poor thing is split in half!"

This was the first I'd seen the mummy since I woke up, and I was sad to have instantly recognized it. While Jounouchi was flinching away from it, I stepped towards it, staring into the face that I once knew. Sure enough, his weathered and partially mummified face was split in half as if with a sharp ax.

"Master Aknadin." I breathed.

"You knew him?"

I nodded, keeping my eyes on the mummy.

"Technically, this is my uncle-in-law."

Anzu only made a soft squeak before looking back at the mummy. I still wished I knew what had happened. Maybe Atem would explain it to me later. I only looked away after my Pharaoh took my hand and pulled me away. We then walked back towards the other side of the table; Bakura was lifted onto Jounouchi's back to carry him home.

"The city…" Jounouchi commented, looking back over the diorama. "The temples… It's just a pile of rubble now. I can't believe we were in this world."

"It was rather lifelike, wasn't it?"

Jounouchi nodded his agreement.

"Look!" Honda gasped, pointing to the ruined palace. "That's where the palace was!"

I wished I could have smiled, but I couldn't. Seeing my childhood stomping grounds reduced to rubble wasn't something I enjoyed seeing. I pulled my eyes away, locking them on Atem as he picked up the Millennium Puzzle from where it had fallen into the sand. He quietly pulled it on before tugging at my hand again.

We eventually found our way back into the Museum proper. It was a bit confusing, but we eventually found it through a secret passage labeled 'Employees Only.' Atem made a quick pit-stop to grab Yugi's backpack, which had been lying undisturbed next to the stone tablet. As we walked, I felt a kiss on my cheek. I peeked over to see Atem smiling again.

"I love you." Atem whispered, making me smile.

"I love you too." I whispered back.

I then became concerned. I flicked my head about, making sure no one was watching us, before leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Could Bakura hear all our conversations? I mean… Frankly, I'm only really concerned about one in particular…." Atem chuckled but shook his head.

"Thankfully, no. Those were all in my head; he couldn't hear them."

"Thank you, God!"

I got another chuckle and another kiss on the cheek. Based on Anzu's bright smile, she saw the whole thing. I petulantly stuck my tongue out at her, making her smile even brighter. Something then caught her eye, and she spoke up.

"Hey, Christine?" She called.

"Hmm?"

"Now that we know… what we know… what does that mean?"

Huh? She jabbed with her thumb at something over her shoulder, and I followed it, seeing the large stele with my name on it. I smiled, giving her a laugh.

"It's my name."

"Yeah? But what is it?"

She was so egging me on. I peeked over at Atem, seeing him smiling as well. He bumped his hip against mine, a quiet word saying it was acceptable to speak. Fine, I'll indulge her.

"My name is Nefertari, the beloved of Atem."

Anzu smiled again, but I wasn't done. "But I am also Iliana and Christine Wilson. All three names are allowed." Her smile grew even more, and she nodded.

It felt so good to say my names. Now that I had them back, I never wanted to forget them again.

But now… Things were on the fast track to the end. One I truly did not want.

This was the worst chapter in terms of actually writing it. I literally wrestled with it like it was a bear.

Yami Bakura: Then why'd you do it?

The original plan was to have her rejoin the gang in the game world but then I remembered that Christine was at the table during Monster World. 'What a brilliant idea! Have her go sit with Yami at the table! It's a nice call back!' *Sighs* I now know why Takahashi kept most of it in the game world; it's far more exciting there!

Yami Bakura: Hey, you did something different.

*Sigh* Yeah, I did; still a pain to write.