Hey, thank you so much for all the feedback about the Dark Dememntions movie. I'll see wha I can do to write that story, one way or another.

House keeping. Airi and OCs are mine. Yugioh not. Batousaisgirl16 is an amazing beta.

Enjoy. Again, sorry if this is confusing with all the changes.

Chapter 62

Airi realized her connection was severed as well as Yugi's. It was like when the puzzle had been broken, but multiple looks confirmed it was untouched.

"They've started." a raspy voice came behind them.

Everyone turned to see a figure crawl out of a shadowy corner no one had noticed.

"Bakura?" Tea said.

"That's Bakura." Nasira said. "Is he dangerous?"

"I prefer Ryu, thanks." he coughed.

Joey and Tristan helped support the weekend teen to his feet. He looked horrible. White hair caked with sand and his skin looked tight under the sunburn. He slumped heavily against the other boys.

"What do you mean they've started?" Yugi said. "What happened to Yami?"

Ryu had to swallow a few times before he could speak. "I heard the Spirit of the Ring and someone called the pharaoh talking to each other."

Airi vaguely remembered someone say Yami was a fragment of the Nameless Pharaoh, but she didn't think the real pharaoh was still haunting his tomb.

Ryu continued. "They agreed to play a shadow game where something called the spirit, I guess this Yami you're talking about, would have to relive his memories through an extension of the shadow realm. If the spirit made it though, than my evil spirit would be defeated, but if he lost than some kind of evil will come back."

Nasira paled.

"So Yami is a playing piece in some kind of game?" Tea said. "That's just wrong. How is he supposed to know what to do if he doesn't remember anything?"

"Let's not freak out. Think." Airi tried to make herself calm down as well. "First things first. Ryu is a mess. He needs to get out of here."

"I'm fine" Ryu almost slipped out of Tristan and Joey's grasps.

Yugi went to the doors and held out his puzzle. Nothing happened. The doors stayed closed.

"What's wrong?" Tea asked

"It's not responding to me." Yugi put his hand up to the door, and pulled it back quickly. "Shadow realm. Airi, please tell me I'm wrong."

Airi went up to the door. She didn't have to touch it to realize what was wrong. "Shadow game."

"You mean we're also stuck here until we find out if Yami can pass the tests?" Nasira said.

"Looks like it." Airi started to pray in an attempt to clear her head.

"You can put me down." Ryu said. The boys prop him up against one of the smoother walls.

"There has to be a reason we're still here." Yugi said.

"Evil spirits are jerks?" Tristan said.

Airi stared at the stone carved slab. The pharaoh silhouette looked cold and lifeless. Wherever Yami was, she hoped he was safe.


Yami was going through motions, like he was in a play where he forgot his lines and role. He, along with the Queen and Princess, walked down the corridor flanked by priests and guards. The little girl, whose name Yami had learned, was Kana, ran a head of them, ducking in and out between guards and priests leading the procession. Behind them a slave walked at a respectful distance, spiky black hair tilted forward to hind his face. Yami thought he recognized him from his memories, but he didn't want to make a fool of himself by asking.

"Are you feeling alright?" the queen asked. "You seem tense."

Yami tried to think of an excuse. "I guess I still am not used to these ceremonies."

She cocked an eyebrow. "After six years?"

Yami's eyes widened. Six years being pharaoh? How was he going to pretend he knew what he was doing?

She laughed. "At least I'm not the only one. I still have trouble remembering all the rituals."

"Queen Esset." one of the priests, who Yami realized was wearing the millennium ring, whispered. "Your diadem."

During the walk, the diadem had become askew . She reached up and straightened the head piece. She smiled at the priest and nodded a thanks. She shifted it and turned back to Yami.

"Do I look alright?" she asked.

Yami nodded. "Very beautiful."

Her smile lit up her face. A pang of realization struck Yami. The smile was the complete opposite of Airi's. The dimples were more pronounced and the brown eyes creased at the corners. Different from the way Airi's eyes shone like stars in the light. Yami had to turn away and focus on the stone pillars they passed look forward.

With a pang he realized how much he missed Airi. He reached up to adjust the gold collar around his neck and felt something else there under the gold. Looking down he saw it was the small blank pendent Airi had given him in the tomb. He placed it back under his tunic and felt reassured by the slight weight against his skin.

Yami realized they had stopped in front of large doors. Kana had appeared near them again, bouncing up and down in excitement. Gongs and drums began sounding and the doors before them opened. Esset's hand motioned for him to go first and he hoped his sandals wouldn't trip him.

The throne room was full of robed priests in white clad lines. Everyone bowed as they entered and didn't rise until the royal family had reached the far end of the throne room and were seated on their thrones.

Yami look at the priests closest to the thrones, and had another jolt as he recognized more faces. Ishizu was there, and Kaiba. Even Yugi's grandpa was there. How many people was he going to have to relearn names for?

"Are you alright my pharaoh?" the Kaiba looked alike said. "We can postpone the festivities if your majesty is not feeling well."

"That won't be necessary." Yami hoped his voice sounded authoritative. "Please, continue."

Kaiba-face stood and turned to the assembled audience. "On this the 6th year of our pharaoh's rain. Praise be to the gods of Egypt. Let the Festival of the Pharaoh commence."

Music began playing and dancers appeared on the floor. Priests and officials began mingling around the room talking and eating the food brought out by slaves.

Yami tried his best to act what he hoped was acting close to his past self, even if he felt nothing like it. Every time he looked over at Esset and Kana enjoying the festivities he wished he could remember his connection to them. He wished Airi was here.

The festivities gave him a chance to look over the crowd and try to figure some things out. The Ishizu looking girl had the millennium necklace; Kaiba-face had the millennium rod; a buff man with a bob hair cut had the scales; a Shadi lookalike had the key; the priest from earlier with the ring; an older looking man had the eye.

The slave who had been walking behind Yami earlier appeared again to offered the pharaoh and queen a platter of food. Yami tried to eat but couldn't taste a thing. Yet he swallowed it down in case not eating it got the slave in trouble.

Esset motioned for the plate to be put beside the throne. She tried to get her daughter to eat but Kana was too fascinated by the dancers to listen. She kept asking to get closer. Esset finally acquiesced and the girl disappeared.

Esset motioned to the slave. "Geb, watch her."

The slave quickly followed the princess.

"He's wonderful." Esset said. "I'm so glad you rescued him."

"Me too." he wished he could remember.

Yami watched Geb holding up Kana so she could see more of the dancers. The violet eyes were so close to Yugi and Airi's he was sure there was some connection to them.

The Ishizu-look-alike was talking to the holder of the millennium scales. One of the other priests, the one with the millennium ring, watched the two talk from across the room. He was trying to fake indifference, but his eyes clearly showed jealousy.

Turning back to Esset he noticed that she was looking at him. Yami nodded towards the priest with the ring.

"Oh." she said. "I told him not to wait to tell Isis how he felt." then she called to him. "Mahad!"

Startled, Yami hoped he wasn't going to be caught in the middle of more live triangles.

The Mahad priest approached the throne. He towered over the sitting royals. Brown hair poked out from under the headdress as he knelt on one knee before Esset.

"My queen." he said.

"Brother." she chided. "It's a celebration. Drop the formalities."

Brother? Yami glanced between them. There were similarities, but he would never have guessed these two were related. He guessed the eyes were similar in color and shape.

"It's a formal occasion, my queen." Mahad said. "Priests always must be respectful in the presence of royalty."

"At least get off the floor." Esset motioned for him to rise.

Mahad rose standing beside the throne so not to block their view of the hall.

A sudden gold flash came from across the room. Yami turned his head only to see another flash come from near the throne followed by something flying through the air. In a flash, Mahad used his cloak to knocked something out of the air in front of Yami's face. A small wooded projectile clattered to the floor.

"Ata!" Esset screamed. "Are you alright?"

Yami blinked, still shocked.

"Up there!" Isis pointed to a balcony running along the side of the room.

A figure was running for the exit.

"After him!" Kaiba-face shouted.

Guards and priests ran in different directions to apprehend the intruder. Geb appeared out of the fray carrying Kana up to her parents. Esset took her daughter and held her close, checking her over to make sure she was unharmed. The little girl was unharmed and only seemed confused why the adults were panicking. Geb took a protective stance near Yami. This made Yami smile it was hard to imagine the short stature protecting anyone, but it was impressive how much the youth was dedicated to his duties. The possible similarities between her and the future Muto family was becoming more evident.

The older man looking like grandpa Muto, who's name turned out to be Shinon, picked up the small dart that had been shot at the pharaoh.

He and the holder of the millennium eye studied it.

"It looks poisoned at the tip." the millennium eye flashed. "Yes, definitely poison."

"We've caught the assassin, my pharaoh." the holder of the millennium scales appeared. "shall we take him to the dungeons to be dealt with later?"

"Assassinating the pharaoh is a serious crime. He must have a dark spirit inside him." Kaiba-face said. "He must be dealt with immediately. Bring him forward."

Guards disappeared down the hall.

"Geb," Esset's voice had an hard edge. "Take Kana to her chambers."

"No, I want to watch." Kana said.

"Yes, my queen." Geb picked up the defiant child and the two vanished through a side passage.

Esset sat back against the back of her throne. Yami saw her hands clenching and her ridged posture. She looked like a trapped animal waiting for an opportunity to bolt.

"Do you need to leave?" Yami asked.

Esset shook her head. "I'm the queen. It will look weak if i can't stand a monster extraction."

Even so, she looked pale. Yami wanted to comfort her, but didn't know what would help. He tentatively placed a hand on hers. She smiled and gripped his fingers tightly.

Yami noticed Mahad hovered near the foot of the thrones as if afraid he was not permitted to approach the throne. Yami met his eyes and nodded. Mahad approached the throne and took a protective stance beside the throne. Her brother's presence allowed to relax Esset, a little.

The assassin was brought forward, escorted forward between guards with his hands bound behind him.

The Shadi looking guy, named Shada, approached the assassin and put the Millennium key to his forehead "He has a shadow creature in his mind."

Aknadin, the man with the millennium eye, stepped forward. "We have to extract it." he turned to Yami. "My pharaoh, I request permission to extract the spirit."

Yami glanced between most of the priests, hoping someone would give him a clue. Esset stared at her lap and said nothing. None of the other priest, except Mahad, seemed bothered by the suggestion of extraction. These people probably knew what they were doing.

"Permission granted." Yami said.

A stone slab Yami hadn't realized had been standing between pillars on the far side of the throne room was raised up to a vertical position. It looked like a stone version of a duel monster's card except there was noting carved on the surface.

The millennium eye flashed and black substances spilled out of the assassin's mouth.

"Seth, now." Aknadin stepped aside.

Kaiba-face, Seth, stepped forward and held up the millennium rod.

"Spirit relinquish your hold on your host."

The spirit monster erupted from the prisoner's screaming mouth. Esset's grip threatened to break Yami's finger. The millennium rod flashed gold and Seth sent the monster across the room to the stone tablet. A monster appeared on the surface. The assassin slumped forward. It took a few moment before Yami realized he was just unconscious.

Esset's grip on Yami's hand loosened and she leaned back on her throne.

"He deserved it." Mahad told her. "He was a threat to you and the pharaoh."

"At least it was a dark creature thistime." Esset said softly.


The group of friends stuck in the tomb were getting restless. They'd been able to get more out of Bakura enough to figure out more of the stakes.

"So it's all or nothing?" Joey said. "All Yami or all Evil Bakura get's zapped."

"You have to say it like that." Tea said.

"No point sugar coating." Airi motioned the tablet. "We knew something like this was supposed to happen."

"I don't care if this is how it is supposed to go." Yugi said. "If it's all or nothing, he will need help."

"Very true." a voice came behind them.

Shadi appeared behind them. Nasira eyes widened and she bowed. Airi and Yugi relaxed at the site of the familiar spirit.

"Wait, I know you." Tristan said. "You saved me and Joey from falling off the blimp at Battle city."

"Can we trust him?" Joey said.

"You're not dead." Tea pointed out.

"It's alright. He's the keepers of the millennium items." Nasira said.

"Wait, how did he get in here?" Tea looked at the still closed door.

"He's dead." Airi said.

Most of the group turned pale and backed away.

"Can we help Yami?" Yugi attempted to bring the focus back to the back to the main issue.

"The process is already in motion." Shadi said. "There is no way to stop the duel."

"I don't want to stop it." Yugi said. "How do I get in the game and help him?"

"Entering a shadow game will be dangerous." Shadi said.

"That's not fair." Airi said. "We're here to finally finish things once and for all and we get a hand like this!"

"The situation may be different, but it was not foreseen. I am here to help the pharaoh complete his task."

"He's not here. He's already in the past."

"Not the past, a version of the past. Think of it as a game. Winner takes all." Shadi said.

"So Bakura was right?" Tristan said.

Eye closed, Ryu managed an 'I told you so' smile.

"You mean Yami has to relive his past memories to finish off Bakura?" Yugi clarified.

"Wait." Joey said. "You knew what was gonna happen and you didn't stop him?"

"I have no control of what happens.

Joey lunged for Shadi, but fell through him onto the floor.

"Why aren't you more solid?" Yugi said.

"Not all spirits are the same."

"So, tellme." Airi said. "Can you let us out or get us into the game?"


"Excellent job." Aknadin said to Seth. "Your powers are increasing."

"We're done here." Seth told the guards holding the unconscious assassin. "Take him to the dungeon until he recovers."

As the prisoner was dragged away Seth approached the throne and dropped on one knee.

"I apologize, my pharaoh." he said. "I should have been able to detect intruders."

"No harm was done." Yami wanted to laugh at the image of someone looking like Kaiba asking for his forgiveness.

Seth rose. "I purpose security measures be increased."

"Security is my responsibility." Mahad said.

"Yet, an intruder almost reached the pharaoh." Seth said.

Yami frowned. Even in the past, this version of Kaiba had an infuriating way of getting on his nerves.

"Mahad, I charge you with increasing security." Yami said.

"Thank you, pharaoh." Mahad bowed.

Seth and a few of the priests looked skeptical, but no one questioned an order from the pharaoh. Glancing at Esset, he saw she was beaming. Pride rose in his chest. At least someone thought it was a good idea.

"Priest Seth." Esset said. "The pharaoh and I wish you to have the new monster tablet."

Seth bowed. "I am honored. Thank you, my queen." he turned to the slaves by the giant tablet. "Take the tablet to my tablet sanctuary."

"Continue the festivities." Aknadin announced to the hall.

"Wait." Mahad said

"Are you going to be a sore looser?" Seth said.

Mahad ignored him, and the millennium ring began to glow. "Evil is approaching."

The words were barely out when there was a commotion outside the doors.

"Pharaoh, stay back." Karim, the millennium scales holder said. The priests made a protective barrier between the pharaoh and queen and the door.

The doors opened and bodies of guards flew into the room. After them rode in a horse with another familiar figure.

"Bakura." Yami growled.

This Bakura was in a long red robe with gold draped around him and more gold in a bag. Behind the horse was a dragging a large gold box behind it.

Yami stood, taking a step to put himself in front of Esset. "What do you want?"

"Am I disturbing the party?" the reined in his horse a few feet away from the wall of priests. "A party and you don't invite Akefia, the king of thieves? Shameful pharaoh, shameful."

Yami and Esset looked at each other. Was this man simply crazy?

Akefia slid off his horse, his bag of treasure making a resilient crashing sound against the stone floor that echoed through the room. "Sorry I'm late for your coronation."

Seth stepped forward holding out the millennium rod. "You dare enter the palace. You dare approach the pharaoh."

The Bakura-look-alike sneered. "I don't obey your laws. Hand over your items. I have payment." he tossed a sack of treasure on the floor. "And I have great credentials. I came here with an honored guest." he detached the ropes for the horse, who instantly retreated to a safe distance. The box he'd been towing was human shaped, like some kind of coffin. No, Yami realized it was sarcophagus. All the priests looked horrified.. Yami didn't know what was the problem.

"It's your father." He heard Esset gasp

Yami stared at the decorated box. That was his father's mummy?

Akefia rested his foot on the box. "Miss your father, pharaoh? It's been what, five years?"

"You've gone too far, thief." Seth raised his rod again. "You will be judged by the millennium items for your crimes."

"You're weak magic will not contain me." Akefia said.

"His darkness is imaginable." Karim held up his scales which rocked back and forth.

Shada held up the millennium key. "Reveal the monster inside." the key lit up and Shada staggered back. "His monster is powerful and complete darkness. It will never be contained in a tablet."

"Want to see it up close." Akefia raised his arm, where he had something that looked like a duel-disk.

"Where did you get a diadankh?" Seth demanded.

"My new friend." Akefia motioned to the coffin.

"Robber!" Shinon was almost near tears. "You disgrace the memory of pharaoh Aknamkanon."

Akefia wasn't listening. Black clouds swirled around him and behind him emerged a frightful creature shaped like a winged demon with claws and fangs and the lower half of his body shaped like a writhing snake.

"Pharaoh." Akefia said. "Meet the creature of your demise.


"You insist on entering a Shadow game?" Shadi said

"Yes." Airi said. "Yugi and I."

"Us too." Tea said.

"What?" Yugi said.

"Oh, don't act surprised." Joey said. "You know we're coming with you."

"It will be a strain on your life force to enter a shadow game unsummoned. Do you wish to proceed?"

Everyone except Ryu and Nasira nodded. At the other's look, Nasira sat next to Ryu.

"I wont be of much use in a shadow game." she said. "besides, Mr. Ryu shouldn't have to wait alone."

Ryu gave her a grateful smile.

"Those willing to risk the shadow game, stand together." Shadi instructed.

The group stood together in a circle. Shadi asked Yugi to give him the millennium puzzle.

"Are you already intimidated by my monster?" Akefia taunted. "Wise. Very wise to tremble before my Diabound."

"Only item holders are permitted to summon spirit monsters." Seth raised his diadankh. A dragon like creature appeared behind him. "Garestgolath, attack Diabound!"

"Duel monsters!" Yami's random cry was lost in the clash of monsters tearing into each other. The early version the game was much more violent and life points were legitimately a person's life. During the fight between monsters the observers realized Akifia had summoned another monster. The other monster was quickly destroyed by another monster summoned by Akefia, Saged Falcon

"That's one of the pharaoh's monsters!" Mahad said.

"Akefia, don't summon monsters you can't control." Isis said. "You risk your own life."

"I am completely in control." Akefia said. "thanks to your tyrant pharaoh, I have all of his monsters at my disposal."

"You dare disrespect the dead." Shinon shouted.

"I disrespect no one." Akefia spat on the floor. "Your precious pharaoh was a murder."

"He . . . what?" Yami said.

"Lies." Aknadin said. "My brother ended the war between the spirits when he created the millennium items."

Yami's head pounded with information. Brothers? His father made the items. Esset appeared at his side, hands reassuringly gripping on his shoulder. He was glad she did because he might have tipped over with the shock.

"We are here to uphold peace." Seth said. "With the items we are controlling the peace."

"You believe those lies?" Akefia laughed. "You never heard of the city of Kul Elna"

Yami heard Esset gasp and her grip tightened.

"What you speak is treason." Aknadin said. "You know nothing. That village is destroyed, buried."

"Buried. Make sure all the dust is settled before you leave a grave, old man. Have you ever gone back old man? You need to, great power is at your disposal."

"Enough." Mahad said. "your slander is treason and you shall pay. Guardians, summon your monsters!"

All the priests raised their diadankh, monsters appeared behind them. Karim, Bastet; Shada, Zelua; Aknadin. Gladius; Seth, Battle Ox; Mahad, Illusion Magician. Yami's eyes widened when he saw Mahad's monster. An early version of Dark Magician?

"Magician, attack Saged Falcon." Mahad sent his monster at the second monster and destroyed the monster.

"You go for the weaker monster?" Akefia said. "You need to do better than that." he sent his Diabound to destroy three monsters. Karim, Shada, and Aknadin were throne across the room towards the throne. Esset stepped towards them.

"Stay back, your majesties." Karim said. "Keep back."

Yami pulled Esset back towards the throne, but they didn't get far before a shock wave shook the floor and shook them to the ground. Yami pushed himself up. All the priest were on the ground and the only monster standing was Diabound. Yami helped Mahad sit up, the priest was bleeding from above his for head where it was clipped on the steps.

"Really, that is all your people can do pharaoh?" Akefia laughed. "One more attack and this will be rubble." he pointed directly at the throne. "All of you will meet your old pharaoh. Diabound, attack!"

The monster lunged for them.

"Esset!" Mahad screamed. "Get back!"

Esset was suddenly in front of the Yami and the priests. Green light erupted in the space between the huddled priests and the Diabound. The monster hit the wall of light and bounced back, shaking his head in shock. Yami squinted and he was able to make out a familiar blue elf standing in front of Esset.

"Attack." Akefia screamed. "It's just another monster. Take it down."

Daibound swiped again and again. With each thrust, Esset would jerk as if an electric shock was shot through her.

Another swipe and the shield was gone. The Diabound pounced on the Mystical Elf and ripped his claws into her. With the shield gone, she had no protection. A moment later she was gone.

Esset crumpled to the floor.


Airi fell to her knees, arms wrapped around her middle in an attempt to contain the pain ripping into her chest. It felt like something was breaking her ribs and pulling them out. Shouts erupted around her as the others crowded around her.

"Airi!" Yugi knelt beside her. "What's the matter?"

She couldn't respond. She had to make herself breath. She'd survived attacks from shadow games before she could do it again.


The commotion in the tomb was loud enough for the spirits on the other side of the stone tablet to hear.

"What have you done." the Nameless Pharaoh Demanded across the table.

"You said don't touch the host. You said nothing about his sister."

"What purpose does that serve?"

"You haven't seen his sister. Very pretty. You're spirit is in love with her. One of my moves was to connect the shadow version of your queen to the host's sister." his grinned grew. "And we know how it ends for her."


Yami knelt next to Esset. She lay curled up in fedal position, eyes screwed shut. She was alive, but she was clearly in pain. Her hand reached out and grasped Yami's hand. For a split second he could see Airi, hunched over in pain. Fear filled him. Were these two connected? This was the past. It couldn't be connected to Airi. Memories of Battle City made his fear grow. Was this a game? How could that be?

"Sister." Mahad knelt next to the pharaoh, tentitavly pulling his sister close to him.

Seeing the two of them together reminded him of Yugi and Airi. Anger filled Yami. Game or no game, he had to beat this evil.

He stood and flicked his wrist out of habit of having a duel-disk. Thankfully his diadiankh slid out of the gold cuff on his arm.

He faced Bakura. He raised the diadankh in the heir. Unsure of which monsters he had, he summoned one of his most powerful monsters.

"I summon the Egyptian God Obelisk the Tormenter!"

The priests gasped. He vaguely heard them say something about that was impossible.

Apparently they were wrong.

Clouds appeared around the throne room and he found himself surrounded. In the shadows he saw the colossal and intimidating form of Obelisk.

"Attack." Akefia and Yami shouted

Both monsters collided, shaking the palace down to the foundation.

A/N: Hope you're enjoying this as much as i am. Please review. Thanks and God Bless.