The Pharaoh's return

Chapter 9: Preparing To Save The Lost

The picture is obviously just to go with the title of being lost, and the song has no particular place that it fits in just play it as you read through the chapter for effect. This will probably be a shorter chapter than the last since there wont be as much drama in it as there was in the last chapter. Anyway thank you for all the support on this story so far it really gives me inspiration to continue writing, hope you all enjoy! ~Author-Chan

Everyone was once again gathered in the living room of the game shop this time, Yugi was being hugged by Mai as he cried the blonde haired woman was hurt to see her little friend so broken, everyone was. They had succeeded in rescuing him they were happy he was safe but... how could anyone show the emotion of being happy when it was Yami that had paid the ultimate price of losing his soul? They rescued one to lose another and now they really had no idea what to do, even Shadi was sitting on the couch clueless of how to save the Pharaoh's soul and return it to his body.

Solomon was up in Yami's room caring for the soulless male, the was laid in his bed and Solomon would give him water and liquid food every few hours to keep his body alive and working after all his heart was still beating and he was still breathing but with no soul he was as much as dead.

''There has to be something we can do, that guy is a hard headed, stubborn ass Pharaoh and gave himself to save Yugi that proves his love for him, we didn't give up on Yugi we can't give up on Yami either'' Seto said looking around everyone his normally cold blue eyes fraught with worry and the need to help.

''We don't want to give up on him and we don't plan on doing so hun but can you tell us where Bakura took Yami's soul and how we are supposed to get it back without losing another of us?'' Mai asked as she continued stroking Yugi's hair to try and calm him a little more it had been working but it was a very slow process. The gold shine of the millennium puzzle hung safely around Yugi's neck he didn't want Yami to bare the burden of wearing it when he wasn't even conscious, it was then that a familiar voice echoed through the quiet room.

''We heard what happened...We want to try and help if we can'' Yugi and everyone look up to the Ishtar siblings, Yugi pulled away from Mai and ran over to hug Marik and Ishizu who hugged him back tightly. ''I'm so sorry about what happened Yugi, Bakura must get taken down but I can promise you that Ishizu and I will help you all try to locate the Pharaoh with everything that it takes but we will need to ask your help as well Shadi'' Marik said looking to him, Shadi nodded and moved over to them then they proceeded to Yami's room to try and work their magic.

''I just hope those three will be able to figure something out, but with the three of them and the combined powers of the millennium necklace, rod and key they should be able to crack something right?'' Ryou asked looking to everyone who all nodded, Ryou placed a hand on his chest and sighed. ''If only Bakura didn't take the millennium ring from me I might have been able to do something more to help'' Ryou sighed but Yugi shook his head and walked over hugging his best friend,

''don't say that Ryou just you being here and willing to help us find him is already being helpful enough. Thank you for not just walking away'' Yugi said into his shoulder. Ryou smiled and hugged him back,

''I would never be able to do that to you both Yugi'' Ryou whispered just as he said this the puzzle around Yugi's neck and the other items that had been collected minus the millennium ring that was still with Bakura, all began glowing. ''Yugi look its not just your puzzle the millennium eye and scale are shining as well I wonder if those three managed to figure something out'' he said looking to the three golden items glowing softly. Just then Shadi, Ishizu and Marik all walked out of the room and their items were also glowing just as the others were.

''Bakura has sent the Pharaoh's soul to the shadow realm, there is a way to retrieve it but it will be dangerous'' Marik said looking to them, Yugi's eyes widened and ran over to them

''the shadow realm?! but why and how they didn't even enter a shadow dual!'' Yugi shouted with disbelief etched onto his tear stained face. He was no longer crying however he did  have a rough day so it was understandable that he didn't really have anymore tears to spill and only felt anger towards the darkness that was once inhabiting the millennium puzzle. Bakura had ruined his day of fun and relaxation with Yami and their friends by kidnapping and threatening to kill him and now he had sent his love's soul to the shadow realm for Ra knows why.... You can bet Yugi was pissed and he was going to take Bakura down!

''We do not know why he could have wanted to send him there if what he wanted was his soul. Our best guess is that maybe he wanted to get rid of the Pharaoh so that he couldn't foil anymore plans he has yet we can feel him within the shadow realm too. As if he is keeping an eye on him'' Shadi said as he looked to Yugi and around all the others with a worried look on his face,

''tell me how I can save him please!'' Yugi shouted no longer wanting to just stand on the side and allow himself to be rescued. This time he was going to be the one to rescue Yami and no one not even Bakura was going to stop him. Seeing the fire in the younger boys eyes gave Ishizu confidence and nodded to her brother and Shadi who nodded back.

''Very well we can open a portal to the shadow realm with the 6 items that we have collected, and allow you in but you will have to be very well prepared to face the harshness of that realm. It is made of nothing but darkness and for someone of your pureness it will be difficult, you remember back when you faced Pegasus in the shadow dual? It will be much rose than that and this time you won't have the Pharaoh to carry you through. Once you find him you will need to open another portal back however.... to achieve that you will need all 7 millennium items'' Ishizu said.

''Wait a second there hun are you saying in order to get himself and Yami back safely Yugi will need to find and challenge Bakura to a shadow dual in order to claim the millennium ring and get them out?'' Mai asked standing up and walking over to them, to her question Ishizu nodded then looked to Yugi, as if asking if he was sure he wanted to be the one to do this.

''I have to be the one to do this, if it was my soul that was in there Yami would do the same and help me... He has saved me so many times for the many years that we have known one another and if I have to face Bakura in a shadow dual then I will do it and I will beat him'' Yugi said as he walked over and picked up the millennium scale and eye then followed Ishizu, Marik and Shadi up to Yami's room where he had to fight himself from breaking down. ''Don't worry Yami I'm on my way I will see you soon my love'' Yugi whispered pressing a soft kiss to Yami's lips then held up the eye and scale as all 6 items started to glow much brighter and a portal into darkness appeared before them.

Yugi piled all off the items minus his puzzle that remained around his neck into a back pack then smiled to all his friends and walked through the portal... He didn't know what would await him on the other side but what he did know was that Yami was there... and so was Bakura.