Hey everyone, I'm back with yet another awesome chapter. :D Huzzah! I think that this must be my longest story too so far. I am determined to finish it too, before my holidays end.

Anyways, Read on and hopefully you shall be satisfied. Sorry if it seems a bit blegh but I really suck at dialogue. :P

Atem: No kidding.

Me: GET BACK IN THE CLOSET COOKIE THIEF!

Ahem. Anyways I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh in any way shape or form. Much to mine own disappointment...

King Aristotle had left the palace only hours before to ready his ship. Micah was packing her things with a heavy heart. Atem was brooding in his chambers where his best friend Mana, and the High Priest, Seth sat trying to convince him of his folly.

Micah stood before the Pharoah, her eyes downcast. A servant was whispering into his ear fiercely and had been for quite some time. "MAKE HIM COME DOWN!" Bellowed the Pharoah who was now a rosy red.

Micah jumped back, slightly startled. The Pharoah cleared his throat and turned to her. "I'm afraid that Atem is currently being held hostage by various activities that require his attention. I'm sorry my dear."

Micah kept her face straight, her eyes trained on the Pharoah's face. "It is alright Pharoah. I understand." The eyes that turned away from him though were pained, and as she mounted her horse the Pharoah couldn't help but shake his head slightly. Astride another horse sat the Millenium guardian and keeper of the Millenium Ring, Master Magician Mahad. Pharoah Aknamkanon beckoned him over, and when the High Priest was close enough, whispered to him. "Keep a careful eye on her. It's rumoured that Bakura has been sighted."

Mahad bowed to his Pharoah and called out to the men to fall out. Princess Micah rode in the middle of it, her hand half-heartedly raised to farewell the Pharoah and the palace.

Unbeknownst to her though, a certain tri-coloured haired teen stood sullenly on his balcony, watching them disappear over the dunes. Mana and Seth were watching him cautiously, Mana with her spellbook in her hands on the bed and Seth standing, fingering the Millenium Rod. Atem turned away silently from the balcony and walked to his friends. He ran his hands repeatedly throughout his hair, pacing frantically. Mahad watched this with a raised eyebrow. "She puts her heart on a platter for you. Asks you a simple question. And how do you respond?" Seth shook his head as Mana approached the prince with her eyes wide, pretending to be the hopeful princess. ""What else is there?" I mean, honestly my prince, that's not exactly heartening."

"You should write a papyrus scroll: How to offend women in Five hieroglyphs or less." Mana piped in, Seth glaring at her and Atem simply nodding along absentmindedly, his mind fixed on Micah's devastated eyes.

Meanwhile, a fair distance away from the palace, the princess was riding along silently by Mahad. All I wanted was for him to love me for being me. Was that so much to ask? She thought sadly as a lone tear trickled down her cheek. Her mind was far away from the Magician's inane chatter and small talk, so when the guards stopped, she was startled into reality. She looked around confused. The guards had gone silent, their weapons in their hands as their uneasy eyes scanned the horizon. She looked over at the Master Magician, hoping for some reassurance but was unnerved to see him tensed, poised for battle. His hand was twitching over the Millenium Ring.

She moved her horse further forward, in time to see bodies flying as something, she couldn't see what, barrelled towards her. She sat, petrified, until Mahad realised what was happening. He spun his horse around and bellowed at her. "RIDE! RIDE TO THE PALACE!" He waved frantically at her just as a terrible dark shape flew out of the sands, dismembering guards. Micah's horse reared, flinging the princess off and Mahad called his Kaa, attempting to protect her.

"Foolish Mahad. This could be solved so much more simply if you'd just give me the princess." Micah groaned in pain, pressing her hand to her head. She lifted herself up on her arms, her eyes warily taking in her surrounds. The bodies of the valiant guards who had strove to protect her were scattered in the sand. Mahad stood with his Kaa, the Illusion Magician, breathing heavily as he faced against a white haired man who was grinning evilly. Micah edged away from the scene in front of her. She remembered Mahad's words, but her horse was dead, killed by the same thing that had killed the guards. Suddenly an almighty scream of pain made her snap her head around and she stared in horror as Mahad disappeared into his Kaa. Which then vanished in the dust, leaving her at the mercy of this psychopath. She shot up to her feet, and raised her hands in the fighting stance that had scared Atem so many years ago. She didn't notice her bracelet slipping from her wrist, falling to the sand as she flung herself at Bakura.

But to no avail Something, big, dark and evil grabbed her from behind, ignoring her panicked screams and flew away with her, the cackling white haired thief known as Bakura following behind them. No one realised that Mahad was still there, weakened from the battle and lying on the ground, a silent witness to the act.

Isis burst into the prince's room, her eyes filled with fear. "Prince Atem!" She cried as she stumbled into the room, exhaustion evident in her face. Seth steadied her as she swayed slightly, and Atem paused in his pacing to look cautiously at Isis. She took a deep breath, and started to tell them what had happened. Mahad and Micah being ambushed by Bakura, Mahad fusing with his Kaa.

Before she had even finished her story, Atem had flown out of the door, terrified for Micah's wellbeing. Seth had raced out of the room after him, intent on his safety. Isis stood at the balcony, praying silently to the gods that they would arrive in time.

Atem's POV

I raced through the desert sands, unaware of my horse, conscious only of the need to find Micah and Mahad. I knew that I'd been an absolute idiot last night to her, but I needed to tell her how I really felt. I could only hope that I'd have the chance to tell her.

I could tell we'd arrived when I saw the bodies strewn haphazardly around. My eyes frantically searched the wreckage for any sign of Micah and Mahad as I slid off of my horse. I could hear Seth doing the same. Suddenly I heard a groan. I raced over to the sound, where I uncovered Mahad's face. But what confused me was the strange attire that he was wearing.

He looked like his Illusion magician, he was wearing the same purple robes as him. Behind me I heard Seth gasp slightly. "You fused your Kaa and your Baa together. But why?"

"I-It was the only way I could attempt to stop such a great Kaa." Mahad winced slightly. "I failed though. My Prince, I am ashamed."

I looked at him, fear showing in my eyes. "Where's Micah, Mahad?" I asked, my voice even as I tried to hide my growing worry. "Mahad where is she?" My voice became panicky as his body started shimmering. Then he spoke. His eyes looked at me, sadly, his voice faint. I had to lean over him in order to catch the faint whisper that escaped him as he disappeared.

"Gone."

I was in shock. Mahad was gone, sent to that place that injured Kaa go, and the girl that I had loved had vanished into the desert. I stood up, tears streaming down my face. A glint of silver caught my eye and I walked slowly towards it, praying that it was a sign.

Micah's bracelet. I picked it up and fingered it, my heart heavy. "Micah." I whispered as my tears dripped into the sand. My shoulders shook as I slumped to my knees, Seth supporting me. He sat next to me, waiting for the emotion to pass.

I wiped my eyes of my tears, turned to Seth and nodded. Together, we turned towards our horses, to inform the Pharoah, my father, that the Princess Micah of kingdom of Athens, Greece, had disappeared.

I'll find you Micah. Whatever it takes. I'll find you.

SO! Sorry again about this chapter, but it's supposed to be more of an interlude then anything else, explaining Atem's real feelings and introducing our main antagonist.

I'll explain Bakura's part in this story next chapter.

Please Review though because I'm really not sure how I'm going story-wise.

Mahad: You practically killed me off!

Me: Shush Mahad. Hehe...