Chapter 2

The Shadows

Joey looked out the window in Yugi's house as he watched Duke Tristan and the others that were there during Yugi and Atem's duel walk to the game shop. He still couldn't believe what Yugi had told him after he hung up with Marik and he still couldn't believe that Atem was Yugi's brother, or that Alumos was as Yugi thought, Atem.

But the moment Marik saw Alumos he confirmed it. When the tomb keeper saw Alumos he stopped dead in his tracks. The moment Marik Ishizu and Odion arrived and saw the look in Yugi's eyes Joey knew it was true. The boy he had met in the old Battle City was indeed their friend Atem. That however confused Joey even more. How could Alumos be Atem? They watched him walk through the door of light.

Marik watched Yugi and the others as they came inside and couldn't believe that it had started again. The legend was starting to come true. Though he didn't tell all of the legend to Yugi on the phone but there was a problem with the shadows. They weren't gone like they had thought they were. But what truly amazed him was when he told Yugi what was going on Yugi said that he already knew and explained about the dreams that he had been having.

"Ever since the New Year I've been having them." said Yugi "So I knew it was bad."

"But I don't understand why if Alumos is the Pharaoh what he's doing here?" asked Marik

"I don't know. Hopefully we can get his memory back and he can tell us." said Yugi

"I hope so Yugi." said Marik "I hope so."

'Me too and I hope he's something more.'

Later that night Yugi was washing up the plates that he, Joey and Alumos had used for dinner. As he washed them he thought back to the final duel between him and Atem and how he didn't want to lose his brother again, when there was a bright6 light in the room. Turning around Yugi wasn't surprised when he saw the Egyptian god of light Horakhty.

"My Lady." said Yugi bowing down

"At least you have respect Akanlumos." and Yugi froze when she said his ancient name. "Yes I sensed the power of Radiant the last time we met."

"Then if you knew why…?"

"Because I foolishly thought that the shadows were gone. But there was the one that started the battle to finish." said the god. "And so the other gods sent Atem back to you."

"But if Alumos is Atem then why take his memory?" asked Yugi

"Because he has to find his own was in this world. You see the last time he was here Atem leaned on you, his brother. Now however he must learn to stand on his own without your power. He needs to regain his own old power."

"I don't assume you mean his power as the Pharaoh, do you?"

"No I do not. I mean his power as your twin brother."

"Thank you Horakhty." said Yugi and the god left.

Sighing Yugi walked over to his phone and called Marik again. He was glad again that the former tomb keeper had come to town. "Hey Marik, can you guys come back down here? We've got a big problem."

'Sure we'll be down there in about five.' said Marik over the phone and Yugi thanked him. Then he hung up and walked over to his box that held the deck he and his brother made together.

Yugi picked up the box and blew the dust off the box. Then he opened the lid and took out his old deck. He had not used that deck since his duel with Atem, however now that the shadows had returned to the world it was time to bring his friends together again. I just wish the battle would end for good. said the voice of Mahado, Atem's closest servant and best friend who was also the spirit of the Dark Magician. None of his friends knew about it except for Joey but after the duel Mahado came to him and told him that he would always be there if he need him.

Laughing Yugi turned to the Magician "Yes I do as well, Mahado. Do you know what's going on?"

With Atem? Yeah.

"Good then let's go get my brother back." said Yugi and Mahado changed his form to the alias he used in the modern world, Ashton.

"Then the battle has truly begun again?" asked a figure from the doorway.

Turning to the door Ashton and Yugi saw the three mages of Radiant Malik Shizu and Odin standing there. Yugi nodded and told them what happened right before he called Marik.

"Then it's time. We'll get the remainder of Aros's guard." said Malik

"Very well." said Akanlumos and the three magicians

"Akanlumos let's go." said Ashton

"Right." and the two went to Alumos's room to introduce the new 'employee' to him

"So you're starting here?" asked Alumos

"Yeah I needed a job and Yugi graciously offered me one and a place to stay."

"Great. Ashton right?"

"Yeah." said Ashton

"I think we're going to be good friends." said Alumos and Yugi smiled. He knew that if he brought his brother's best friend here they just might get his memory back sooner that they had hopped.

'Little does Alumos know is that he and Ashton are already good friends.' thought Yugi 'This just might work.' Then he thought about the fact that though he knew where his brother's guard was he had no idea where his was except for Joey. Then he felt his hope disappear again.