CHAPTER THREE

The four kidnappers just reached the top of the stairs when they heard a blood-curdling scream behind them. They all looked at each other and snickered. While Wolf complimented on their boss's plan and how no matter what they will beat the goody-two shoes downstairs, Bear chucks Yugi at Eagle and Knight and ordered them to tie him up properly.

"BEAR! If he gets harmed in any way, it will be our heads! Remember the boss said there to be no afflicting injuries to befall on the one known as Yugi Muto!" Wolf scowled.

"Oh, the little runt can take it, besides, he didn't even bruise!" As Eagle and Knight finished tying Yugi up – blindfolded and gagged – a helicopter showed up over the mountains and approached the five. "Well, looks like our ride is here!" Bear said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice as he climbed up the rope ladder that was thrown down to them.

"You two head up I'll carry him up to the chopper," Wolf ordered as he walked towards the bound Yugi. The two head up and Wolf just stared back to the entrance to the ancient room expecting someone to run out to stop him nobody was present in the doorway. Wolf grabbed Yugi and hoisted him over his shoulder and when he thought he could carry him comfortably, Yugi started to grunt in pain as he regained his consciousness. Wolf just grabbed the rope and held on to Yugi tightly. As the helicopter began to ascend into the air, Wolf could hear footsteps coming from the stairway.

"YUGI!"

ATEM'S POV:

That seriously hurt and now I have a splitting headache. I slowly lift my head to find myself on a concrete floor and using my remaining strength, I push myself into a sitting position. Looking at my hands, I noticed something different, they're not they're usual sickly pale colour of that of Yugi's skin tone but an even dark tan like I had in my Ancient Egyptian body. Looking down, I noticed as well my clothes have changed into my Pharaoh's outfit. What happened? I looked around and saw all my friends on the ground unconscious. What the..? WAIT! I jumped quickly into a standing position and bolted up the stairs as fast as I can. How could I forget so easily, Yugi, please don't be harmed in any way. I just hope that what happened before was only minutes prior to me waking up and not hours.

As I approached the entrance, I could've sworn I heard the noise of some sort of motor vehicle. As I broke out into the fresh air, blinded momentarily by the sunlight, I looked up to see Yugi being carried away by the one called Wolf.

"YUGI!" I screamed at him trying to get him to wake up but all he did was slightly move. Dammit! I guess I got the attention of Wolf though.

"Well, I guess you really do care for this little one aye?! Remember be at The Three Pyramids by sunset with the Millennium Items or you will never see Yugi again!" Wolf yelled out his warning to me. All I could do was watch as Yugi was carried away by the helicopter unable to move by being tied up as I lost unconsciousness again. I'm still weak, no, Yugi…

BACK DOWNSTAIRS – THIRD PERSON VIEW

Everyone slowly started to regain their consciousness and winced at the headache that they all received from the knock-out gas. They all looked around trying to make sense at what has happened and all at once they remembered everything that happened. Tea began to cry and thought to herself why is it always Yugi that has stuff like that happen to him?

"Guess your great friend the Pharaoh decided to leave," Seto stated so bluntly which caused everyone to turn towards the gate where Atem stood before.

"I don't believe it," Tristan gasped.

"After everything we've been through he leaves Yugi behind like that?" a thick Brooklyn accent spoke out. Solomon Muto was quietly sobbing Yugi's name.

"But how could he?" Tea asked crying.

Yugi…

Atem was slowly regaining his consciousness and pushed himself up. He was sad and devastated that no matter what, someone he cares about is put in danger because of the millennium items. Atem looked up to the sky where he saw the helicopter fly off with Yugi and looked back towards the stairs that are behind him.

"I'm so sorry Yugi," Atem began to cry as he made his way onto his feet, "I promise that I will save you and never allow those criminals who took you to walk freely again."

Atem turned around and slowly making his way back down the stairs to gather up the millennium items and to see if his friends are okay. Thinking back to when Yugi was yelling at him to not alter his decision because of him, Atem rethinks the words that only he saw Yugi mouth. Atem stops abruptly halfway down the staircase closing his eyes trying to prevent the tears to resurface.

"I feel the same way Yugi," Atem said to himself and continued his way down to the ancient room beneath him.

"We have to get Yug back guys!" Joey yelled to everyone who were still crying, everyone except for Kaiba who was a cold as ice with his emotions.

"But how Joey?" Mokuba asked with teary eyes.

"Uh. We'll surprise attack them!"

"Yeah right Wheeler, you don't think that they'll be waiting for you, armed, in case something like that happens?" Kaiba asked with annoyance strained in his voice.

During this, everyone heard footsteps coming down the stairs and they all turned swiftly to the noise preparing themselves from what might happen. The lighting in the room was poorly lit and can only make out major appearances of the figure who stood before them. They all gasped at what they saw believing it to be Yugi. Tea jumped to her feet and ran into the figure crying out Yugi.

"How did you get away from them Yugi? You had us so worried and I'm so sorry but Atem's left us!" Tea pulled away and looked into the figures face and realised who she was hugging wasn't Yugi but, "ATEM!" Tea stood back and thought she was an idiot thinking that that was Yugi. Atem was somehow in his old pharaoh attire with his tanned and muscular body.

"I'm sorry for not being the one you were hoping for Tea," Atem spoke out glumly.

"But how? We thought you left to the afterlife." Tristan asked.

"And why are you dressed like that?" Kaiba asked looking at Atem up and down.

"Sorry guys but there is no time for this, I've got to go save Yugi," Atem stated. "Though, just to answer your question, it seems that the eye gave me back my body but with it, the clothes as well and now I am mortal." Atem moved towards the final resting place for the items glad that they haven't been sealed away otherwise he wouldn't have been able to get Yugi back.

"Excuse me my king, but what do you think you're doing with those?" Ishizu asked with worry clearly evident in her voice.

"I'm obeying they're orders, if I give them the items they'll give me back Yugi," Atem was finishing putting all the items into the bag that Yugi used to carry them, stood up and started to make his exit but was stopped by Odion. "Please step aside Odion."

"My apologies my king but we can't let you sacrifice the protection of the world just to save Yugi," Marik confessed stepping beside Odion.

"JUST TO SAVE YUGI! How dare you say that, he is my greatest and closest friend and you make it sound like that he isn't even important!"

"My apologies my king but we mustn't allow you to leave with the seven items," Ishizu bravely spoke aloud to their ancient king.

"I'm sorry but I can't let Yugi suffer for these items. Now step aside this instant!"

"If we can't reason with you then you leave us with no choice, we'll have to duel. If you win we'll let you pass us with the items but if you lose, the items must never leave this room," Marik grabbed his deck and confronted the pharaoh with his proposition.

"I have no time for this but if this is what it takes to save Yugi then I only have two words to say, Let's Duel!"