I took a bit of a break from writing, but after going through some of my abandoned drabbles, came up with a new story. There will be a bit of dark humour, a bit of smut and some adult themes and occasional bad language. I will rate it T, but with a warning that it is not really suitable for minors.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or any of the characters, no matter how much I wish I did.

To Save A Soul.

Prologue.

The Long Road Home.

So many words left unspoken, were among the jumbled thoughts to enter Anzu's mind as Atem stepped over the threshold.

She may have even confessed her feelings, had Jonouchi not grabbed her arm and shaken his head.

But then the doors closed, taking him away forever.

What were her feelings worth anyway? She still had Yugi. But the two Yugi's had been an unbeatable team and she had loved them as a unique pair. Between them, they were her dream man.

She was unsure what would happen with Yugi now that Atem was gone. She feared the possibility, that without the Spirit of the Puzzle, he might revert back to being a timid teenager and she did not want to let that happen.

But she had no time to dwell on the future, or her missed opportunities and regrets, because a low rumble beneath her feet alerted her to the fact that they may need to get out of here in a hurry.

The ground suddenly shook violently. Parts of the floor and ceiling were starting to collapse around them. A large pillar holding the ceiling started to crack and buckle. They had to run to avoid being crushed.

The stone slab cracked and started to sink into the ground.

"The Millennium Items?!" She heard Yugi shout.

Jonouchi yelled at him to leave the Puzzle. Luckily, Yugi listened and they all made it out into the bright desert sunlight safely.

She looked at Yugi gazing out across the desert. He was standing strong, but he was facing away from her and she wondered what he was thinking.

Oh, Yugi. She wanted to call out his name, but did not want to break into his private moment of reflection.

They were all in mourning, but were standing stoic in the light of their friend's passing – it was always Atem's destiny, after all.

But how did everyone really feel about it?

::::::::::::

Clenching his fists, Yugi tilted his chin proudly and looked towards where the sun was beginning its journey, high over the Valley of The Kings. He had beaten his close friend, brother and soul mate in a duel. Now he had to prove that sending him away from this world, back to his 'real' family and friends, was the best thing.

Oddly enough, he was feeling calm. He did not fear the future. He was actually ready to embrace whatever adventures might come his way next. Atem had left him with a strong heart and soul – he'd always been strong according to Atem – and he was determined to prove that he was indeed fit to wear the crown as the King of Games, and wield his deck with pride.

If he had any regrets, it was that he and Atem had been so focused on preparing their decks for the Ceremonial Duel that they had not talked to each other about... feelings and stuff. But they were boys and boys didn't really share their feelings with one another.

Still, it would have been nice to tell Atem how good it was to have known him. Growing up, Yugi always wanted a brother and close friend, and in Atem he had found more than that.

Solving the Puzzle and meeting its occupant had come at a time when Yugi was going through a particularly awful patch in his life. He was struggling to fit in at high school, and because of this he was lonely and getting picked on. Atem's methods might have been harsh at times, but he did give Yugi the strength to fight back against his bullies, regain his battered confidence, make friends and even shine above most of his peers.

He would be eternally grateful to the young Pharaoh with whom he shared a bond that spanned three millennia.

Ishizu broke him out of his thoughts. "We should make our way back," she said tentatively, not wishing to intrude on him. "Only, this area will be swarming with tourists soon."

Everyone nodded solemnly. Being here made them feel closer to Atem and they were reluctant to leave. His original tomb was close by. But the place his soul had departed was here, right under their feet.

Yugi scanned the area one last time. The ground collapse had all but swallowed the entrance to the underground temple. This particular temple was not open to the public, but the ruins around the temple were and he wondered what the reaction would be when they realised the temple had vanished.

Turning to Ishizu, he smiled and nodded, "Yeah, you're right."

He was not sure if he was really ready to leave, but knew it was for the best.

The group climbed into the two Range Rovers being driven by Rishid and Marik, and set out along the dusty road, back towards the hustle and bustle of Luxor.

Yugi turned and gave one last look out the rear window and said a silent goodbye.

::::::::::::

Losing was something Atem hated. He would be the first to admit he was a terrible loser. However, Yugi had taught him that losing wasn't necessarily something to be feared. And witnessing Jonouchi's struggles had taught him that losing was often a step on the path to becoming stronger.

But Atem had often been in a situation where he could not afford to lose. To lose meant the loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

However. the Ceremonial Duel was never about winners or losers. For him, it was about proving himself worthy of his place in the afterlife. While for Yugi, it had been about proving he was a strong enough man to stand on his own.

What would have happened if he had won and Yugi had lost? The Gods might never give him the answer, but it was unlikely it would have been: 'Sorry, you have both failed. Please come back in six weeks and try again.'

When the doors opened, bathing them all in white light and golden brilliance, Atem stepped forward, making sure to keep his back facing his friends.

Sentimental goodbyes were not his forte and if he turned around now he might not want to leave.

For a moment, however, he hesitated.

Part of him was desperately willing him to turn around and run over to thank each of them in turn for helping him. He wanted to give the boys bear hugs, and say thanks, for following him into battle and watching his and Yugi's back.

He wanted to kiss the hand of each Ishtar, for generation after generation of their family's sacrifice; all to protect the secret of the Millennium Items and to await the return of the nameless Pharaoh.

He wanted to confess to Yugi that he loved him like a brother. He felt so indebted to Yugi. How could he repay the young man for letting him take over his body at will, subjecting him to all manner of life threatening situations, all with the aim of fulfilling a destiny that was unknown due to his amnesia.

He could hear them shedding tears and calling out their goodbyes, but still he did not turn around. Instead, he took one step closer to his future.

He could see the smiling faces of his priests and family waiting for him. They were keeping him from faltering. They were beckoning him to walk into the light.

Hearing Anzu calling out made him turn his head briefly. In his peripheral, he caught sight of her stepping forward and he nearly crumbled. He wanted so badly to ran over there and sweep her into his arms. How badly he wished to crush his lips against hers and tell her he loved her.

But Yugi also held feelings for her and he could not break his Aibou's heart by taking her from him.

He took another step forward and raised his right arm. He had no idea why he gave them the thumbs up, but some vague notion that it was the modern way of saying 'I'm okay guys!' told him that it was the thing to do.

He took yet another step and was now over the threshold. His clothing was changing, from his Domino boys uniform, to his favourite choice of comfortable attire.

He could hear the doors creaking as they started to close. It was his last chance to turn around and make a run for it.

Tears pricked his eyes, and he closed his eyes tightly against the brilliant light. A light so bright, he could no longer see his family and priests.

With a loud crash, the doors closed fully. And behind his eyelids it was suddenly dark. Death and decay struck his nostrils, causing him to open his eyes in sudden fear.

This was not the afterlife!

"Where am I?" He gasped. However, deep down, he knew exactly where he was. Why were the Gods doing this? Had they not already put him through enough over the last three thousand odd years?

"You are in the underworld," came the booming, but slightly sarcastic voice of the jackal God, Anubis.

Atem looked up at the imposing figure of Anubis coming towards him. The God walked with a stick, and looked old, tired and rather like he would prefer to be elsewhere.

Even so, he was still formidable.

Atem feigned bravery and straightened himself up to his full height of five feet two. "Anubis! Why am I here and not in the afterlife?"

Anubis grunted and looked down at him. "Think yourself lucky I'm here to guide you, little Pharaoh. If I had my way, I would have joined my fellow Gods in paradise a long time ago. But thanks to Ra's insistence that I wait for you, I'm still stuck here."

Atem was not too sure what he was supposed to say in response. He had the distinct impression that if he were to say the wrong thing, this bad tempered jackal might bite his head off or leave him to traverse the winding, crumbling pathway on his own. Or even worse, push him over the side for the demons to devour. He had been taught that temptation and distraction lay along the path to judgement. Many failed the test – and that was even before the weighing of the heart!

He gave Anubis a wry half smile and a brief nod of the head. "Thank you for your patience."

Anubis huffed. "You are the last of those who worshipped the great Gods. After you have gone, we will be all be redundant and can finally rest." He gestured with his long staff. "Come. We must make haste."

Atem walked forward and nearly stumbled on his first step when the cobble he trod on moved in the loose sandstone. A serpent immediately rose from the loose shale on the side of the path and struck out at him with a forked tongue comprising of two fearsome looking daggers. Thanks to his quick reactions, Atem only just managed to dodge the strike and nearly tumbled backwards onto his bum.

Anubis turned to glare at him and rolled his eyes as if to say 'idiot'.

Atem scowled and righted his posture. Maybe he should take more care. This path was old and crumbling, making it even more dangerous than he had imagined it would be.

He reached the first gate, and his next task was to successfully remember the spell he had been taught as a child. It took him a few moments to search for such long forgotten memories, but thankfully, Anubis prompted him with a hint – the God was not so bad after all.

The hint worked and Atem found himself reciting the spell as if it was only yesterday, and not three thousand years ago that he had learned it.

He wondered how this place must have looked thousands of years ago with an endless stream of souls making their way along this path, all in the hope they would reach the Hall of Osiris and be deemed worthy. He imagined that Anubis would not guide them all personally, as he was being lead now.

After a minor encounter with a fire breathing dragon, he reached the second gate and quickly passed through.

He was getting used to this now and when a ravenous five headed reptilian abomination appeared, he had been expecting it and nearly burst out laughing.

"This is not one of your games," Anubis grumbled. But Atem could see a slight hint of amusement on the face of the jackal god.

Having passed successfully through all seven gates, Atem now found himself standing in the Hall of Osiris. He had thought all forty two judges would be here to greet him, but apart from deep russet stone walls covered in brightly panted murals of the lesser gods, it was empty.

However, as he approached the alter, he could hear whispering and feel pressure on his heart as the spirits of those gods searched his soul for his deeds.

"He's pure..." he heard one hiss. "Great sacrifice..." he heard another.

The feather of Ma'at floated down and landed on the scale. Before him, Ammit chomped her teeth and drooled hungrily.

He wondered about Bakura's fate. The man had committed such evil crimes, but who could blame him when his life had been so tragic and his mind had been poisoned by Zorc.

He imagined offering himself up to Ammit if it meant that his enemy could be given a chance of peace and happiness.

"Do not burden yourself with his fate Atem. Bakura will be given his reward." Was that the voice of Osiris he was hearing? His eyes widened slightly at the knowledge they could sense and hear all of his thoughts and deeds; past and present.

Atem felt a pain in his chest as if his heart were being removed from him. The scales trembled slightly when the bloody, pulsing muscle, that only a few moments ago was beating inside his chest, was placed on the scale opposite the feather.

He was relieved when the feather dipped to show that his heart weighed lighter than the feather.

"You pass the test and may proceed to your paradise." With that statement, Ammit's eyes and jaws closed, and she sunk away into the darkness, only to be replaced by a golden light.

A silver gondola appeared and Atem prepared to step aboard, knowing that before him lay paradise.

But before he had the chance to move, he heard a voice that he never thought he would hear again.

"Aren't you going to offer me a ride?"

"Bakura!" Atem gasped and stared between the thief and Anubis.

"And ME!" Another soul he hoped never to see again stepped out of the void.

"Marik's Yami! But how? I thought you were destroyed."

"Wrong Pharaoh! I AM the darkness. Therefore, the darkness cannot destroy me."

"So, what are they doing here Anubis?" Atem was starting to panic now. He hoped to the Gods that he wasn't expected to babysit these two evil bastards.

Anubis let out a rather irritated sigh. "They have been stuck here with me. Osiris thought it best that you should be the one to decide their fate. I tried to argue, but..." he shrugged. "They were driving me to despair with their endless bickering, so I put them in stasis until you arrived."

"What will you do, Pharaoh?" Bakura smirked, showing off his large incisors. "Feed us to Ammit or invite us into paradise with you?"

Atem folded his arms. "Ammit will probably choke on you," he smirked.

"I knew you would see sense," Marik's Yami grinned and threw an arm around Atem's shoulders. "By the way, I have decided my name is Kek. Maybe we can even be friends?"

Atem shoved his arm off. "I doubt it." He glared between the two men. Neither had been given the best start in life. Bakura's family had been brutally butchered before his young eyes and he had then been coerced by Zorc. Yami Marik, or Kek as he now called himself, had been a scapegoat for Marik's inability to deal with his responsibility as a Tomb Keeper – a responsibility that was cruel.

He thought about what Yugi might say to him were they still together. Yugi would want to show them compassion. He would want to give them a chance.

Atem was more of a realist. These two were dangerous – or had been. Was there even a possibility that they could find some light inside themselves and redeem themselves? Deep in his heart, Atem knew the answer. Even if there was only a small glimmer of hope, they deserved a chance.