A/N: Wow, ok. Seriously delay. I'm sorry. I'm now working 2 jobs and taking an online summer class. Biology. Biology is evil. Life sciences are evil. Give me a physical science any day. And I had to go to my cousin's wedding in New York last weekend so I'm worn out.

Basically, free time has been at a premium. I literally sat down and wrote this chapter in one sitting just now. I should have been doing my biology which I haven't started and is due tomorrow at midnight. It's a week's worth of biology that I haven't started and I work 10-5:30 tomorrow. In other words, I'd better get to work on that now.

Last thing, Ma'at is a legitimate Monster. She's not a Divine Beast but she is a Fairy/Effect Monster. She was used by Yuki Judai in YGO GX. She's pretty often and I have a use for her...eventually.

Again, sorry about the delay and enjoy.

Chapter summary: In which Shaadi gets a break, an enemy escapes at the expense of the Dark, a Judgement Game is played, and Set is not okay.

The Judgement of Set

"That's all of them!" Marik called as his Gravekeeper's Heretic tossed the last escapee onto the ground. The Monster gave the person a sharp smack with its staff when they struggled to get back up and run.

"Well then," Ryou said, eyeing the pile of groaning and quivering humans, "let's get them back inside the barrier."

"I can do that," Marik said.

"Before you do that," Bakura said, gesturing for Necrofear to stand watch over the group of terrified captives. He strolled up to the Priest and crossed his arms in dark amusement. "I see you have a Monster that resembles me," he said with a hungry leer. "Should I take that as flattery?"

Marik snorted. "Get over yourself, Thief," he said. "Ryou," he called. "Get Change of Heart ready. We may need her when we enter the barrier. The last thing we need is to be outnumbered by desperate people."

"But that would require controlling another person against their will," Ryou argued, drawing the card anyway.

"I'll take the blame," Bakura said, startling Ryou. "If you don't act fast enough, I will. The Pharaoh will understand the circumstances. Even a Judgement Game couldn't penalize me for defending my yadonoushi."

Ryou sighed and nodded. Marik tightened his grip on his knife and reached out with his Shadows. He could feel Shaadi's tired tug in reply. Interestingly, he could also feel Mai, Honda, and Jounouchi close by too.

"Well, well," he murmured. "It's a regular party in there." He grinned. "Let's crash it."

He grabbed one of the captives nearest him as did the others of his triad and their Monsters and together they stepping through the barrier.

"Took you long enough," was the greeting they got.

"Get off your high horse, Rook," Bakura sneered.

"Hey! Lunatic," Jounouchi called, sending Marik's hackles tingling. "That all of 'em?"

"Yes," Marik growled, dropping his prisoner on the ground unceremoniously. "No thanks to you."

"Stop it with the testosterone!" Mai snapped. "Shaddi's about had it. We have it almost under control in here, but Shaadi's will have to lower the barrier soon and things will probably heat up again when that happens."

"Right," Ryou said. "Change of Heart," he commanded his Spell card which manifested before him as a beautiful young woman with one angelic wing and one demonic wing, "possess anyone who approaches Shaadi. Try not to kill anyone if you can."

He glanced at Hawkgirl weilding her mace and intimidating the people currently kneeling on the ground with their hands on their heads. Mai's Cyber Harpie Lady Sisters hovered near the Thanagaran and Jounouchi's Flame Swordsman and Honda's Cyber Commander.

"I get the feeling we won't be well liked after this," Ryou said softly. "Our first exposure and already we're the 'bad guys.'"

"Are we?" Mai asked, stepping up next to him.

"The media would say yes," Ryou said seriously. "And the media is what the majority of people rely on for their news. I doubt even the Internet would give us a decent defense."

"And the Justice League?" Mai asked, eyeing Green lantern nearby.

"What do you think?"

Mai glanced at the Scribe and sighed in resignation. Then she felt the Field Barrier Spell suddenly falter and turned back to Shaadi. The Adviser's face was scrunched in concentration and several beads of sweat were forming on his brow.

"Shaadi's going to break," she muttered. She quickly did some calculations before turning to Green Lantern in shock. "I'm an idiot," she breathed.

"Well," Bakura said snidely, "you said it. OW!" He glared at the Sorceress while trying his best to avoid rubbing his sore head and damaged ego.

"Lantern!" Mai called. "Shaadi's about had it. Think you can put up a barrier around this place?"

Green Lantern nodded stiffly. "I can do you one better." He raised his ring and a dome of emerald light enclosed only the captives inside.

"It's alright Shaadi," she said, placing a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder startling him out of his trance. "You can let go."

Orange eyes widened in surprise before drooping closed in relief before he slumped to the ground in exhaustion. "Many thanks," he gasped, breathing hard.

"Don't mention it," Mai said, smiling softly squeezing Shaadi's shoulder comfortingly.

A moment later, she stiffened and whirled to the tomb in shock. "What...?"

"It cannot be," Shaadi murmured, eyes huge with horror.

"They're insane!" Marik growled. "Thief! Keep things under control here. I'll be right back!"

"What's going on?" Shayera called to Mai noticing to disturbed behavior of the harpies around her.

"It's Set," Bakura replied, glaring after Marik's retreating back. "And the Pharaoh. They've reunited."

"Set?" Lantern gasped.

"As in their souls have united," Ryou explained. "Both Set's and Atem's."

"Both of them?"

Ryou nodded and gulped. "This... could get bad." He hesitated for only a second. "I'm going too."

"Yadonoushi!"

"My father's in there, 'Kura!"

Bakura groaned. "Stay here Necrofear," he commanded his blue skinned Monster. "I have a few idiots to deal with." Then he vanished.

"'Tem."

Atem smiled at the familiar nickname. "Set," he said with a smile, refusing to turn his back on the enemy. "Late for the fun as usual."

Set sniffed. "You speak nonsense, 'Tem," he said, stepping forward to join the group. "Isis," he called. "Are you well?"

The Priestess winced from her place on the ground but nodded firmly. "My leg is useless but otherwise I'm fine."

Sharp blue eyes that were much older and much more powerful than Kaiba's or Seth's ever could be glanced at J'onn and the Amazoness briefly before settling on Arrow. He nodded to the hooded vigilante which a part of him steadfastly declared his. Then he turned his gaze to the man threatening his cousin.

"It would behoove you to lower your weapon," Set said calmly. "Neither my Pharaoh nor I have been known for our patience."

"Speak for yourself, Set," Atem said with a sly grin.

"Amazing," Mr. Bakura murmured. His eyes gleamed hungrily. "You were a Ka and Ba as well," he said, gazing directly at Atem. "Fascinating."

"Can I shoot him?" Arrow asked.

"Yes."

"No!" Atem said sharply, overpowering his cousin's voice. He sent a tired glare at Set who ignored him. "Unlike some people," he said deliberately returning his gaze to Mr. Bakura significantly, "I do not endorse senseless murder."

"Murder?" Mr. Bakura repeated in incredulously. "Why would I kill him? Either of you?" He smiled. "Why damage a potential investment?"

Atem's eyes narrowed viciously. "You are trying my patience, Mr. Bakura." he warned. "You are already guilty of stealing the soul of my friend. That by itself is a death sentence. Unfortunately for you," he added with a sly smile, "I don't have the luxury of deciding your fate. That honor belongs to others."

"Oh?" Mr. Bakura asked. "And who might these mysterious others be?"

"Me," said Mokuba who appeared between Atem and Set, standing as tall as his small frame would allow.

"You would pit a boy against me?" Mr. Bakura asked in disbelief.

"This boy has the backing of two gods," Mokuba said furiously, holding out two fingers emphatically. "Both want a word with you."

"Gods do not exist, son," Mr. Bakura said gently. "Just people and more powerful people."

"Perhaps they don't exist in your reality," Atem said. "But they do here."

"Ishizu!"

Caught by surprise, the Priestess turned and was immediately smothered by a hug from her frantic brother. "Marik?"

"Are you okay? What happened to your leg?" he demanded, staring at his big sister's bleeding leg. Without waiting for an answer, he pressed his hands against it, applying pressure to slow the bleeding. "Damn. We need a doctor!"

The prone form nearby stirred and Carter lifted his head, looking around in bewilderment. Then he noticed his business partner holding a gun to Set. This was Set. Not Kaiba but Set. And that fool Mr. Bakura was going to shoot him.

He scrambled to his feet, pressing a hand to the wound in his chest and began making his careful way over to Set. Set was a god. A gun could not kill a god. But that did not mean it would not hurt. Carter could not let Set be hurt. Set had to live.

"Father!"

Carter fumbled with his balance when a streak of white rushed past him almost knocking him over. For his part, even Mr. Bakura seemed surprised by the new voice. He turned around, removing his eyes from his opponents for only a second. But that second was long enough for the others to act.

Wonder Woman looped her lasso around Mr. Bakura's body, pulling the cord taunt so it pinched his skin mercilessly. The sudden pain startled Mr. Bakura, causing him to drop the gun which clattered uselessly to the ground. J'onn used the distraction to rush to Ishizu's side. The vigilante took his chance and aimed his bolt at Mr. Bakura.

"No!" Ryou cried, stepping between Arrow and his father. "Please. He's my Papa!"

Arrow groaned just as a hand appeared on Arrow's bow and forced it down.

"No, Arrow," Atem said fiercely. "Do not stoop to his level."

Arrow glared at Atem but lowered his weapon. Mr. Bakura was currently under Diana's firm control and Carter was not an immediate threat. "Fine," he huffed in pent up frustration.

"She needs medical attention," J'onn called suddenly from his place by the Priestess. "Her wound is deep but not life threatening. Still, it's proximity to an artery concerns me. Would it be safe to take her to the Watchtower?"

"As if I'd let you take her anywhere without me!" Marik snapped.

"Naturally," J'onn replied smoothly.

"Yes," Set said, aiming his gaze at the reincarnation of the woman he once saw as an older sister of sorts. "Be gentle with her. If I find her mishandled in any way-"

"I take full responsibility," the Martian said, taking the injured woman into his arms and standing. Marik stayed close to the alien's side.

"Then make sure she lives," Set commanded.

J'onn nodded. "And Carter?" he added, glancing at the wounded man nearby.

"Leave him," Atem said. "We will deal with him. Should he survive the Penalty Game, we will send him to after you. You have my word."

J'onn hesitated but nodded nonetheless. He tapped his communicator and said aloud, "J'onn to Watchtower. Three for transport for a medical emergency."

"Gotcha," came Flash's reply. "I figured we might get a few so the medical bay's primed and ready. I got your signals. Hang on."

A bright flash temporarily lit the chambers before the more human light returned.

"Set," Carter said. "My lord Set."

"Be silent fool," Set hissed. "I have very little patience as it is. I have even less for you. Atem," he said softer in hieratic, "this body cannot take much more strain. We need to take care of this quickly."

"Understood," Atem replied in kind. In English he said, "Normally, a formal Judgment Game would be cast to judge your guilt and decide a suitable Penalty Game. But seeing as our time is short, I suggest an alternative."

"But-!" Mokuba stopped when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Set who was gazing down at him with an emotion that the youngest Kaiba always associated with Seto.

"You will be judged, but not by us," Atem continued. "You both have trespassed on the souls of this Court to the point even Ra-Horakhty has demanded punishment. Because of that, we cannot declare a fair Penalty." He smirked. "But Ma'at can."

"Who?" Arrow asked.

"Pharaoh!" Ryou pleaded. "He's my Papa. Please. He's just Carter's backer. He's from the Museum back home. He has nothing to do with this!"

"Ryou," Atem said gently, "please stand aside."

"I can't let you do this." Ryou's soft brown eyes watered. "Punish Carter but don't drag my father into this!"

"You don't understand, Ryou," Atem tried again.

"He's the last blood relative I have," the Scribe said. "Please, don't do this."

"Always the loyal son."

Ryou did not have the chance to wonder what his father meant before something sharp pierced his back. He gasped in shock.

"Ryou!" Atem cried, rushing towards his friend in need.

Ryou blinked slowly, and saw the same horror reflected in the eyes of his friends as he knew was written clearly on his own. What happened? Why did it happen? Why would his father-

:Don't you dare die on me now, Ryou!: Bakura commanded in his mind. The next thing he knew, everything was fuzzy and he was watching the world through his eyes but unable to control his body. Bakura had taken control.

"Like hell I'm going to let you kill my Yadonoushi, you Osiris accursed fool!"

Bakura deliberately stepped forward, away from the blade in his back. He knew instinctively it was not fatal, but it was serious and damn it all it hurt. He could feel Ryou watching through their shared eyes in shock, unable to comprehend what happened, but refused to relinquish control. Bakura staggered whirled on his assailant and struck out with his own knife, but was met by nothing.

Unable to stop himself was he rode out his forward momentum, he stumbled tangling his foot in Wonder Woman's now empty lasso and hopped painfully to keep from kissing the ground. He would not allow himself to be humiliated on top of being wounded.

"Where the fuck did he go?" he exclaimed.

"Easy, Bakura." Atem caught the Thief as he staggered. "He vanished."

"He ran like a coward," Set hissed.

"After he tried to kill Ryou!" Bakura snarled viciously.

"He should not have been able to escape my lasso," Wonder Woman said, reeling in her now limp cord. "I've never seen anyone disappear like that before."

"I agree," Arrow said. "It looked like he just pixelated out of existence."

"I'll hunt that bastard down and rip his godforsaken heart out!" Bakura growled, furious.

"And we will help," Atem said. "But right now we have other things to tend to. Diana," he called over his shoulder. "Keep Carter from escaping. Arrow, take Bakura to the Watchtower."

"I won't feel...dizzy or anything?" the vigilante asked warily.

"You won't feel dizzy?" Bakura snarked.

"You will, yes," Atem admitted. "But Bakura needs medical attention and the more humans up there, the easier it will be on all of you."

"Get the Justice League to take the captives outside up there as well," Set added. "The greater number of humans will definitely encourage the Shadows to more readily move up there. It will ease the strain."

Arrow bit his tongue, refusing to argue. They already lost one guilty party. The last thing they needed was to lose both. He sighed heavily in resignation. "Fine. Come on Bakura," he said, taking the Thief's arm on his uninjured side. "They get the others."

"You want me to stay," Diana said. "Why?"

"Because you have kept a calm head throughout this," Atem said. "That is what we need right now. Mokuba," he said, turning to the only other Shadow users remaining in the tomb, "Set, I will need your assistance as well."

"I cannot hold this for more than a few minutes or this body will begin to burn," Set said seriously, earning a sharp glance from the Amazon which he studiously ignored.

Atem nodded and turned to Carter who seemed to have prostrated himself on the stone floor. "I have a feeling we will not be met with must resistance," he said. His violet eyes softened in sadness. "If only it had not come to this," he murmured regretfully. "Set, it is you he has wronged. I leave his judgement up to you."

Set hesitated. "Carter Hall," he said in a voice that was heavy with power but tempered by age and knowledge. "You who once went by the name Katar Hol."

"Yes, yes great one," Carter murmured.

"You were possessed by the Shadows of the Traitor which controlled you and used you as a puppet. We freed you and allowed you to go free." He brows lowered in disappointment. "But then you turned on us, turned on me."

"I would never-!"

"You unearthed my tomb and aided, whether knowingly or not, in the extraction of my soul," Set continued, overtaking the mortal's words. "The Penalty for that crime is death."

"My lord Set!"

"But I now see you were not the true culprit behind what has happened," Set said reluctantly. "Your mind is broken. Perhaps it has been broken since we removed the Shadows influence from you," he added softly. "For that, we take some of the blame. However, you are still guilty of tomb robbery and delusional or not, that is also a crime punishable by death."

"We don't kill," Diana said coldly, remembering the events from a year ago. The image of Akhenadin screaming as the three Egyptian gods Osiris, Ra, and Obelisk tortured and killed him. It had been horrific but quick. She still had no desire to witness such a thing again.

"And I remind you, Diana," Atem said softly, his eyes sad. "We do."

"Game Start," Set said clearly, summoning the Millennium Scales into existence before him. A single ostrich feather rested on the pan on the left while the right pan was empty. "Carter Hall, formerly called Katar Hol, you are charged with tomb robbery and the knowingly aiding in the theft of my soul. These two charges will be judged separately. How do you plead for the first charge?"

Carter climbed to his knees. "I am an archaeologist," he said. "I study ancient cultures and artifacts to learn. How is this wrong?"

"You plead innocent then."

"I stole nothing," Carter confirmed.

"You have been heard," Set said. "How do you plead to the second charge?"

"I had no knowledge of that," Carter said swiftly. "I swear."

Set nodded. "You have been heard. I will now ask you three questions per charge. Your punishment will be decided based on the Scales weighed by the feather of Ma'at. If, by the end of the questioning, the pan with the feather is on the bottom, you will be found innocent of that charge. If the empty pan is on the bottom, you will be found guilty and Penalized. Am I understood?"

"Yes, my lord Set," Carter said solemnly, bowing his head.

Set grimaced but said nothing. "For the first charge of tomb robbery, I begin my questions. Did you unearth this tomb with the intent of entering and taking what was inside?"

"Not taking, no," Carter replied. "I wanted to send them to a professional who could study them."

The empty pan clicked downward and Carter blinked in surprise.

"My second question: did you ask permission before entering this tomb?"

"Ask permission?" Carter asked in confusion. "From whom?"

"Yes or no."

"Why would I ask permission to enter a place that has long been abandoned?" Carter asked, bewildered by the question.

The empty clicked again and Carter's mouth dropped open.

"What?" he breathed. "But it's a tomb! The only person I could've asked for permission was you but you were...well, Set was dead."

"My third question: did you remove anything from this tomb?"

"Of course we did," Carter said. "Several artifacts were uncovered and are being prepped for shipping to museums."

The pan clicked a third time and Set sighed. "You have been found guilty of the charge of tomb robbery."

"What?!"

"Now for the second charge," Set continued, watching the Scales balance evenly once more. "That of knowingly aiding my the theft of my soul."

"I am not guilty of anything!" Carter exclaimed.

"Careful, Set," Atem warned, noticing beads of sweat beginning to form on Set's forehead. "Hurry if you can."

"Did you know your actions would result in the theft of my soul?" Set asked, focusing his concentration on finishing the Judgement Game.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Carter said. "A soul can't be stolen by opening a tomb."

"Yes or no."

"It's not a yes or no question," Carter countered. "Something like that just doesn't happen."

The empty pan clicked downwards.

"This isn't fair! I did everything for you, Set!" Carter exclaimed. "It was all for you. Can't you see? The academic community will finally acknowledge your existence. You won't be hated or mistreated, relegated to the position of the enemy. They will respect you."

Set pressed his lips together and remained silent.

"You won't be the enemy," Carter said gently. "You'll be honored, respected. They'll know you were pharaoh of great power and wisdom. They will study you, worship you."

"I have no desire to be worshipped," Set said softly.

"Nii-sama," Mokuba murmured.

That word whispered so tenderly jolted Set back to the situation at hand. "Did you want my soul?" he asked.

"What would I have done with it?" Carter asked. "I would've liked to see it though," he added thoughtfully.

The empty pan clicked once more.

"Why are you doing this?" Carter pleaded. "I live for you. Everything I've done has been for you."

Set's brow furrowed deeper.

"You should be treated with respect," Carter insisted. "The Set I knew was honorable and sad. He knew what it meant to lose a loved one. He understood the pain and despair that came with such a loss."

Set's chin lowered though his eyes remained steadily gazing at Carter, listening closely to his words.

"You aren't evil," Carter said. "I know that. You know that. So they should know it too. You should not have to be a martyr. You should be proud to call yourself Set. You should not have to hide your name and existence for fear of retribution from those ignorant snots who think they know everything about you. We have a word for that in this day and age. It's called bullying."

Set's eyes dropped.

"Set," Atem whispered, reaching out to touch his cousin but Set flinched away. It hurt more deeply than he thought it would. How could he have not seen how deeply the modern world's perspective of Set had been hurting him?

"My last question," Set said, his voice soft as if its power had dissolved. "If you were given the choice," he began, trailing away as he tried to think of a question. "If you were given the choice," he said again, lifting his head meet Carter's gaze, "to take my soul or leave it as it was, would take it?"

"Set," Atem gasped. "That is not a question to be asked."

"Nii-sama," Mokuba breathed, taking Set's hand. If he had to, he would separate Set's soul before he had to the chance to loose him again.

"This is getting out of hand," Diana muttered, frustrated at the Shadows that refused to allow her to intervene.

Carter, however, just smiled and got carefully to his feet. "If it meant saving you? Then yes," he said. "In a heartbeat."

Set swallowed as the Scales clinked, not wanting to see the result. He took a deep breath and forced his gaze to the Scales and was relieved to see the empty pan was a single notch above the feather of Ma'at. That meant, Carter did not know about the plan to steal his soul. But it also meant there was a chance he suspected.

Either way, because the empty pan was above the one holding Ma'at's feather, it meant Carter could not be penalized for that crime. However, the crime of tomb robbery had to be punished. He could feel, somewhere deep in his mind, a desire to throttle this man to death for what he had inadvertently put him through and knew those thoughts came from his soul. But he also felt regret and no small desire to experience what Carter dreamed of.

To be a hero instead of the villain. The be a friend instead of an enemy. The be respected and honored instead of hated and reviled. He hated how the mythologies had changed him, twisted him into a facsimile of evil. In most myths, he was either another part of or the same as Apep, the snake of the Orichalcos that destroyed Atlantis he had slain millennia ago. It was hard to find any myth where he was good.

Even the Egyptians who lived during the dynastic age of ancient Egypt had quickly reviled him. Some had even defaced his monuments, struck his name from recordings, and hunted down his beloved sha to extinction. All because they hated and fear him. Him. What had he ever done to make them hate him so? Where had he gone wrong?

Atem.

He was not evil.

Ki-sa-ra.

So why was he?

Atem left him. Now, even Ki-sa-ra was gone. He could no longer feel her presence in his Deck. She too had abandoned him. He was alone.

"You have been found guilty of the crime of tomb robbery," Set intoned vacantly. "But of the crime of the theft of my soul, you are found innocent. I take some of the blame for the tomb robbery. It is likely the forced removal of the Shadows that once possessed you may have damaged your mind and soul. For that, I apologize." He bowed. "Instead of death," he said, "I offer you-"

"It's alright."

Startled, Set lifted his head. Carter was smiling at him gently. Gently. At him.

"I'll take the death penalty," Carter said. "But I want you to know, I'm not mad at you. You are doing what you believe to be right. I've committed a crime, I must suffer the consequences. But understand this, Set, I don't hate you. Nor do I fear you. I remember you."

"Then," Set said, "your life is mine."

He extended his hand as if the grab something and a small, pinprick of white light blossomed from Carter's chest and darted into Set's hand. Diana wondered what the light was, then Carter's body collapsed, his skin pasty pale and his lips blue, and she knew. That small light was Carter's soul.

It fluttered in Set's hand as he pulled it towards him, pressing his lips to his cupped fingers. He whispered something she could not make out and the light vanished.

"Set," Atem breathed. "Cousin-"

"Separate me, Keeper," Set said sternly.

Mokuba stiffened. "Wha- oh. Okay."

"Set, wait," Atem insisted, taking Set's hand in his. "What just happened? That was not a question that should be asked. We need to talk about this."

"No," Set said. "We don't."

Mokuba hesitated, caught between agreeing with Atem and wanting his brother back. Then he noticed the water lining Set's downturned eyes. He knew his big brother well enough to know what Set wanted. So he reached out with his Shadows, latched onto Set's soul, and pulled. He tried to keep it from hurting but he still heard Set whimper.

Then his ears were gull of gasping and he knew his brother was back. "Nii-sama!" he cried, hugging Seto's legs cutting off any debates that might have started and giving his big brother a chance to pull himself together.

Atem felt depression weigh on his soul. He knew about the mythologies. But he did not think much of them. Apparently, Set had and they bothered him. He sighed and reluctantly allowed his soul to split.

When Yugi opened his eyes, he was blinking away tears. He remembered everything. Judging from the melancholy he felt emanating from Yami's soul room, so did the Pharaoh. They had no idea Set, and thus Kaiba and Seth, were so bothered by the mythologies. Although, he thought glancing back at Wonder Woman, he probably should know. When the Justice League had learned that Kaiba was Set reborn, they had been anything but welcoming. In fact, they had been downright distrustful and vindictive.

He should not be surprised by this. But he was and he felt like he had betrayed a friend. It was a horrible feeling.