Yugi's friends waited patiently as he closed his eyes and a soft glow emanated from the golden pendant around his neck. They didn't really understand how the puzzle or their friend's connection to the spirit inside it worked but, at this point, it took a lot to surprise them. Anzu nibbled on her lunch and slapped Jounouchi's hand away when he reached for what little was left of Yugi's.

It wasn't long at all before a brighter flash of light from the puzzle heralded the change in control and the pharaoh opened his eyes and greeted his friends with a small tired smile.

Atem almost laughed out loud at his friend's enthusiastic response to his appearance. They all started talking at once the moment he opened his eyes. That being the case, he didn't understand a word any of them said but their concern was obvious and he was touched.

"I am fine" he assured them "just a little tired."

"So...did it work?" Was Anzu's hesitant question "I mean-what we did-did it restore all of your lost memories?" She was fidgeting a little bit in her nervousness but visibly relaxed at his answering smile.

"Yes" he answered "thank you so much for your help, I really couldn't have done it without all of you."

Jounouchi threw an arm around his neck and leaned onto him in his usual playful manner."Naw, don't mention it, we are always there for ya."

Honda spoke up next "So, as far as what happened in the memory world. How similar was it to what actually happened three-thousand years ago? Besides, well, you know…" he trailed off at the end wondering just how difficult it would actually be to put his own foot in his mouth. He hadn't really thought much of the expression before. Atem thankfully took it in stride.

"You mean besides not dying at the end?" Atem asked with a good natured smile. His friends all flinched at the word "die." "It's alright." He assured them. The fact that he was, in fact, dead was something he had known for a long time. It was actually something he was glad to find out in the first place. It meant that at some point he had been human. For a while, back in the beginning of all this, he had worried that he was just some construct of the magic within the millennium puzzle. He wasn't sure why but the concept bothered him. Being a human, albeit a dead one, was infinitely better.

The former Pharaoh was about to answer Honda's question but was cut off by the loud ringing of the school bell signaling the end of their lunch period. The group of teenagers visibly deflated.

"Awww c'mon" grumbled Jounouchi "We haven't gotten to talk about anything! I wanna know more about you now that you can tell us"

"Jounouchi!" Anzu scolded. The other Yugi had never really been one to speak a lot or volunteer information about what was going on inside his head. His past might be a really touchy subject. Her friend cut her off though before she could defend him more.

"Don't worry." He said easily "we can talk later. You can ask whatever you want."

"Really?" Anzu asked. She had to admit she was curious too. "Are you sure you're comfortable with that?"

"Well I can't guarantee I'll answer everything. But you guys risked a lot to help me recover my memories. It only seems fair that you should know a bit of what's in them." He gave a small laugh and Anzu couldn't help noticing something different about him now. He just seemed so much more relaxed and open than he had been every time she had seen him before. How could it have not occurred to her before now that regaining his lost memories may have an impact on his personality. So much of the way she acted was influenced by the way she grew up and the memories she had. It only made sense.

These thoughts and others made it hard for Anzu to concentrate as they packed up their things and headed back to class. They were finally going to find out more about the other Yugi-no-Atem. She was determined to use that name now that they knew what it was. She could hardly sit still through the second half of the day. It was a good thing that it was Friday and her impatience could be taken for excitement for the upcoming weekend.

In terms of focus, Yugi wasn't doing much better. He had been so nervous about unlocking his other's memories because somehow he knew that would mean having to say goodbye to him. He still didn't feel ready to say goodbye but he couldn't get the image of that room out of his head. Atem's true soul room. Thinking back on the maze that it used to be, cold foreboding stone passages, impossible staircases and doors that couldn't be reached, there was always a feeling of sadness and hopelessness to it. But after visiting the room as it was now? Yugi just couldn't bring himself to feel sorry. Atem's true room was warm and comfortable. Yes, there was a bit of sadness to it, a kind of mild homesickness, but all in all the overwhelming feeling he got from that room was just that his closest friend was loved.

He thought back to the faces in the pictures on the table. There were people there that hadn't seen Atem in a long time, people that cared about him deeply. Didn't they deserve to be with him now after all this time? It still made him a bit sad but he understood a lot more now. He would help Atem find rest no matter what it took.

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: I decided to post this story because out of everything else I am working on it is the most "complete." However, that is only because I am not sure where it is going. So I decided to have a little fun with it. I can't be the only one frustrated with never learning anything about Atem so I am going to let readers direct the story from here on out. In a review or message let me know either 1. What do you want to know about Atem and his past? 2. What do you think the gang would want to know? And/or 3. What do you think would really surprise the gang about Atem that you would like to see them learn? Any other feedback, questions, requests or suggestions are also welcome. If/when I get enough inspiration to continue with this I will. I hope this will make it more fun for everyone involved rather than this story just sitting on a shelf waiting for me forever.

I will always try to keep this story as true to history, canon, and character as possible.