Disclaimer: nope… don't own Yugioh… how sad that there are so many of us who write this ever day, or at least every week. Ah, well…
Author's note: Last official chap to just close things up.

Aqua girl 007: Thanks for pointing that out, but I'm just trying to give it some closure.

xMocha: my answer to your question: no, there will be no love triangle! I hate love triangles XP haha sorry to disappoint you.

Fan person: You are welcome! I agree haha. Thanks for the review!

Sinares: Thanks! X) I'm glad I can be an effective writer haha. Thanks for reviewing/reading my Author's note ;) And yes, I like sleep haha! Hahah I love Pepsi XD

-Well, that's about it. Here's the last chap!

Now what?

The problems started only a week later.

"My King!" Shada cried in alarm, running in to the throne room. "The people—they're panicked!"

Everyone turned to him, and Atem stood, frowning, "Over what?"

"I—they—it—" he struggled to find a way, swallowing, his face pale. He pointed back the way he had come and Atem rose to follow him, the Guardians and Shimon at his tail as they rushed to the gate and up the to the battlements.

There was a mob of people out front, and they all began shouting at once as they saw him. Atem held out his hand for silence, "Hold your tongue! What is going on?" he roared. There was a short discussion between the people below and then one man stepped forward.

He called up, "My Pharaoh! We have a problem!"

The man in question conversed with Mahad, whose face paled with every word. He thanked the man, shaking his hand and dipping his head, and addressed the people: "Do not panic! We will work on the problem! Please, remember that all souls return here," he assured them, "Do not be alarmed."

Common sense reasserted itself and the people all nodded, bowing to the Pharaoh above and turning away, conversing quietly. Mahad returned inside, meeting the Pharaoh and the others inside the gates.

He took a deep breath and rubbed his temples: "We have a problem, Pharaoh."

Atem raised his eyebrows incredulously. "I gathered that, Mahad," he said shortly, "but what is the problem?"

"I am not sure," Mahad said uncertainly.

Atem sighed in exasperation and hurried off to the throne room. The Guardians and Shimon realized a moment too late that he was walking away and scrambled to follow him. Mana took off after him like a bullet, with Mahad shortly behind and the others after.

Shimon was the last one, hurrying after them and complaining: "Slow down! Short legs!"

Atem stopped abruptly at the throne and turned to face them, remaining on his feet with arms folded. "Explain, Mahad," he ordered, "All this indistinct babbling and vague words of a problem are becoming annoying."

Mahad bowed in apology. "Forgive me, my king," he said, "I was in shock. I am not sure how to phrase it."

Atem simply raised his eyebrows and gestured for him to go ahead. Mahad complied.

"The people say that spirits are disappearing," he said, "They walk into a vale of sorts and disappear."

Atem's heart skipped a beat. "What?" he gasped, dropping his arms and stepping forward.

Mahad nodded, all the blood gone from his face, "That was my reaction. I do not know what to make of it."

Atem closed his eyes. "What can we do?"

Mahad shook his head, "I do not know. We do not know enough to act upon anything yet."

Atem's head was turning. The wheels in his head had suddenly come to a standstill. "Then there I is nothing we can do," he said quietly. "Not yet, anyway."

"What do we tell the people, Pharaoh?" Seto asked, his blue eyes determined.

The Pharaoh stared across the room into space, his eyes far away as he tried to form a reasonable message to give his people. Mana stepped forward, up beside him, and took his hand. Atem met her eyes and after a moment of understanding passed between them, he grasped her hand tightly, intertwining their fingers.

"Tell them not to worry," he said, "You told them all souls return here, I believe?" he addressed Mahad now, who nodded. "Tell them the problem is being investigated. If any other issues arise, they are to send a messenger to the palace immediately."

Mahad nodded and he and Seto bowed before hurrying from the room.

"The rest of you," Atem said, catching Isis's concerned gaze, "Keep your guard up."

Well, that's it. I know it's not the sense of closure you wanted, but I'll give you a preview of THE RETURN OF THE PHARAOH, briefly next. Then tomorrow, THE RETURN OF THE PHARAOH, chapter one, will be posted!

Thanks for reading! Love you all ^x^

-Anevay