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Chapter 4

Everyone had decided to go their own way in the meantime of processing over what will happen from now on. Tea went back to dancing school, Duke went back to work on Dungeon Dice Monsters, and Joey and Tristan went home. The Ishtar's decided they needed to stay in town for everyone's part in their chosen paths and so left with everyone else warning them to be more cautious. Atem thought about leaving but noticed Yugi going into one of his "deep in thought" moments. Somehow he still knew after all this time what Yugi must be thinking about and understood with a compassion for him.

"Yugi I know-" Atem began but Yugi held his hand up.

"It's okay Pharaoh, just give me a minute," Yugi said breathing in and out for a few moments, then turned around. Atem could tell he was trying to keep up with the facade, but he thought better. He put a hand on his shoulder.

"Yugi, you don't have to pretend. Please, just be honest with me and tell me what's on your mind." Yugi then looked up at him.

"It's just a lot to take in. I mean, I never thought it was possible for you to be standing right here."

"I understand Yugi I didn't think so either. One thing's for sure is that I'm not going anywhere," Atem said with a smile. Yugi looked relieved and glad.

"Really? You swear?"

"I swear on the sands of Egypt I am staying," Atem smiled. Yugi laughed a little, but then turned a little serious.

"I just have so many questions…"

"I'll help you with that," Atem said sitting down on a bench while Yugi did the same. The memory then came into focus as he retold the story:

"Pharaoh! Pharaoh!" Mana called as she sprinted across the throne room in front of Atem. He was still adjusting to the afterlife after leaving his friends behind a few years ago. Even though he was reunited with his mother, father, and the rest of his old friends, Atem still missed the years he spent with his new ones. As he shook out of the thought he saw Mana's face, who looked very unsure and confused. He stood up and walked over to her.

"Mana what is it?"

"It's the door to the real world. It's been open." Atem wasn't sure he heard right.

"What do you mean the door is open?" It wasn't supposed to.

"I think when you crossed over, something happened on the other side that made the door break away. It looks like it's been that way ever since. What should we do?" Atem had no idea. He thought it wasn't supposed to happen.

"It's too late to do anything Mana," said a familiar face behind Atem, who looked around. It was his father Aknamkanon.

"Father, what do you mean?"

"I have been observing the other side. Spirits have been entering the real world whenever they please, but it's the least of our worries. Since the opening occurred, an unbalance of this nature triggered the return of the Shadow Realm." Atem couldn't believe it.

"Father, Zorc and the Leviathan have been destroyed. How is that possible?"

"That's true my son, but since human spirits can be freed, the same goes for the Shadow Realm. Do you realize what this means?"

"Everything must be stopped. Spirits don't belong on the other side. Unless they have unfinished business…" Atem realized.

"Exactly. I'm afraid that destiny has chosen you once again for everything to go back to normal." Atem understood, but not knowing how to do it was a different question. His father turned to Mana.

"I believe you know what should be done, my dear," he said as he left them alone.

"Pharaoh, are you okay with what I have to do? Do you trust me?" Atem immediately nodded.

"Of course Mana. Do what you have to."

"Then let's hurry," she said as they ran out the door.

"So that means it was never over. This whole time we thought everything was back to normal and it wasn't? Pharaoh, it's not fair when you have to restore balance again when you finally found peace. I thought that's what you wanted," Yugi said.

"It wasn't exactly that I wanted it Yugi. Yes, I wanted to be reunited with my family and old friends but a lot of time has passed since my life in Egypt. My life changed 5,000 years later. Remember when everyone tried to stop me from going through that door?" Yugi nodded.

"At the same time, I wanted to stay too but-"

"You would've stayed trapped for another 5,000 years in the puzzle again. But that was when we thought there was no other way. Now everything's changed."

"Right, and now once again we all have to restore balance to the world," Atem finished.

"Tell me something Atem. How do you really feel about this? Now it's your turn to be honest." The pharaoh looked at Yugi's face with an emotion Yugi couldn't identify.

"I can't explain that directly Yugi, but I can tell you what happened between Mana and I."

The way Mana was running, it felt like time was running out by the way Atem was gasping for air when they finally stopped. As soon as he recovered he stood up and saw Mana standing by what looked like a large opening. He then remembered it was in this very spot where he entered from the real world. Mana then turned to face him.

"I have to tell you something my king. Before I came to you, I went to your father first to inform him of what happened. It was then he told me I had to somehow let you go into the real world to fulfill your duty. He reminded me of a way for you to do that without staying as a spirit anymore and so that's when I came to you."

"But how is that possible Mana? What do you mean about no longer being a spirit?" She stepped closer to him.

"Do you trust me?" She asked again.

"Of course Mana, but I'm still confused."

"Don't worry, I've actually done this before only once but I remember how quite well," She assured him. It was right then that Atem finally understood. He finally got his chance.

"Does that explain to you Yugi, of what I really think about being back again?"

"Wow, I mean that's great! I never thought you were feeling that way." Atem then stood up from the bench they've been sitting on.

"Yes, and now we are able to fight side by side to save the world." Yugi stood up too and nodded in agreement. Then he realized something as he looked at Atem.

"Uh, Pharaoh? You do realize you're still wearing your Egyptian clothes right? Where will you be staying?" Atem looked confused for a second then looked at himself. It was obvious he hadn't thought this through. Then, Yugi had an idea.

"Oh, I know. How about you just remove your jewelry and change later? It'll attract less attention that way. And as for staying somewhere, I happen to share an apartment close to school with Joey. You can stay with us," Yugi said obviously expressing a large shred of hope. Atem's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yugi, you don't have to do that I can ask Ishizu-" Yugi held his hand up.

"You know me better than to think I would mind Phar—I mean Atem." Yugi was still trying to get used to his real name again after calling him Pharaoh for so long. Atem then became convinced giving up.

"Okay, you're absolutely right. Thank you."

"No problem," Yugi said as he looked at his watch, "Oh wow, we've been here longer than I thought! Come on, let's go!"

On their way to Yugi's apartment, Atem couldn't help but reminiscence all that have happened here before he left. It felt good to be able to see it all again, but this time he doesn't feel trapped anymore. He can be his own person now and let Yugi finally be himself. It wasn't long before they stepped out of the car. As they walked inside Yugi called out Joey. When Joey turned up, he looked surprised.

"Hey Atem! Whatcha doin' here?" Yugi then gestured to Atem.

"Joey, meet our new roommate!"