Hello there! Welcome to my first attempt at writing Fanfiction. I recently got back into Yugioh so I decided on writing down some of the ideas I had, which ended up as this. I do plan on making this a longer story, with this only being a short prologue. The following chapters will most like be three for four times as long, so don't worry about the lack of content.

There's a few things to note, but I will point them out next chapter considering they're not relevant just yet. Something I will point out though is that the entire prologue takes place at the same time as the first part of next chapter will.

Enough talking though. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing this! Hopefully Chapter 1 won't take too long to get done. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I'm in no way associated with anything related to Yugioh.

Leaning over the railing, he couldn't help but smile as he looked over the palace grounds and the city beyond. While it certainly wasn't his kingdom anymore, considering where he was, its beauty still captivated him. How long had it been since he had arrived here? Time wasn't really a thing anymore where he was, but he tried to get a feel for how much time had passed since he had come here. A few years had passed, unless he was mistaken. But, that wasn't a real concern of his right now. A far bigger concern of his was the chance he had been given by The Creator of Light, Horakhty.

"My Pharaoh."

Interrupted in his musings, Atem turned around to face Mahad, one his best friends and most loyal servant. It had taken him quite some time to get used to his memories, many of them including Mahad.

"Mahad, I'm no longer Pharaoh in the Afterlife. Or do I need to keep reminding you of that fact every now and then?" Atem grinned as Mahad flustered a little, before getting to the matter at hand. "What brings you here?"

"I'm sure you remember the spell we were given by The Creator of Light," Mahad started, already arousing Atem's suspicion. "There has been an incident involving that spell."

Dread settled in Atem's stomach as Mahad spoke. The spell had the simple purpose of allowing anyone who used it to return to the modern time permanently, allowing them to live a normal life in that time. Horakhty had given him the spell to give him a second chance at life, after he barely had gotten a normal life.

"What exactly do you mean when you say incident, Mahad?" he wasn't sure he really wanted to know. Of the people in the Afterlife, there weren't that many who could even use it. Besides himself and his High Priests, there wasn't really anyone left, except one person.

"Mana." Mahad said, not needing to say anymore.

Atem suddenly felt a bit shaky, his worst fear having been confirmed. What he and Mana once had was something far beyond his understanding, something akin to what he and Yugi once had. The worst part was though that, even with his memories restored, he still barely remembered how it had been between him and Mana. It hurt a lot not knowing those things.

"I had already decided that I wanted to go, before this, and this only adds up to the need to go," Atem explained, pushing himself away from the railing as he headed towards the interior of the palace. "Mahad, I have no right to demand this of you-"

"I will follow you to the end of the world if needed." he was interrupted, not being given the chance to finish what he had wanted to say.

"Thank you," Atem spoke, hugging his friend, eventually pulling back. "Prepare the spell. I don't want to linger here any longer once I'm ready to leave."

With that he entered the palace, preparing himself for two conversations he would need to have.

"Father!" he called out, having asked a rather large number of servants in order to find his father. He was, like he had, leaning against the railing of one of the many balconies that the palace had.

"Ah, Atem. What brings you to me today?" his father asked, turning around and crossing his arms as he looked at him, a glint of interest in his eyes. "Would it be possible that it has to do with Mana's disappearance?"

"How did you- Yes it has," Atem didn't even bother to ask. "I'm sure you are aware of the spell that I was given to use. I originally decided to think about it, but now I really can't wait to use it any longer."

"I don't see where I fit in this case, seeing how you've made up your mind already," Aknamkanon replies, smiling weakly at his son. "While I would like you to stay longer, I won't be the one stop to you. Waiting 5000 years is something I don't want to do again, though I believe it won't take this long this time."

"Hopefully not," Atem joked, a serious expression overtaking his features. "Could you tell me something about Mana?"

"Ah yes, you still don't fully remember everything. Where should I start though? There's so much I could tell you."

"Just tell me everything," he said, joining his father at the railing. "I don't know what it is, but there's simply something about Mana that I can't describe."

"Something you can't describe, huh," Aknamkanon was quite sure what his son was unable to describe, but saw no need to explain it. "Maybe I can help you triggering your memories of her. Do you remember all the pranks you pulled when you two were younger?"

"We did that? I could see Mana doing that, though I couldn't see me doing that," Atem answered honestly. "I have always been told that I have been too serious at times."

"When you don't have any memories of being less serious I can understand that."

"Before I leave with Mahad I want to hear everything you can remember," Atem said, glancing at his father. "I can just hope I will remember something when I meet Mana again after we are done."

Having finished the conversation with his father, Atem started looking for the other person he wanted to speak with before he and Mahad would leave the Afterlife and return to the present. While he shared a close bond with many people, the person he was looking for was someone he was destined to know, both in his original life and when he and Yugi had been one.

"Pharaoh?" Seto asked, nodding at the approaching Pharaoh. "What brings you here?"

Much to his chagrin, Atem had found Seto out training, pitting his Ka, in this case his Duos, against whoever's Ka he faced.

"I thought I should talk to you," Atem began, looking away shortly. "Before I leave."

"Ah yes, the spell The Creator of Light gave you," Seto noted, wearing an impassive mask as he spoke. "So you will use it?"

"Yes, especially now that Mana decided using it was the right idea." he pointed out, watching Seto's defeated opponent leave them.

Atem knew that Seto wasn't very fond of the idea of him disappearing again, but it was something he simply had to do.

Seto gripped the Millenium Rod slightly harder, speaking not long after. "My Pharaoh. No Atem, while I personally feel different on this matter I do understand why you are doing this."

"Then you also know that I plan on coming back, with Mana, once I've lived my life in the present," Atem said, smiling at his friend. "I promise, as a friend, that I will return here."

"If that's how it is allow me at least to accompany you until you leave." Seto demanded, though not too harshly spoken.

"I would be honored," Atem responded, leading them to their destination, the throne room where Mahad was preparing the spell. "This makes me wonder just how much has changed in the real world."

"Though I haven't kept track of time, I do no feel like a large amount of time has passed," Seto added. "It's impossible that a lot has changed, if going by what you have told us so often"

"I often entertained the thought of you meeting your reincarnated self," it certainly was an interesting idea, seeing those two meet each other. "I'm not sure you would have gotten along that well."

"If you say so." Seto said, stopping as Atem stopped as well. They had reached the throne room. Opening the door, they both entered.

Just short before the throne was Mahad, spellbook in his hand and his eyes closed. In front of him, glowing brightly, was a portal, flickering slightly.

"Mahad!" Atem called out, catching the attention of his friend. "Are we ready to leave?"

Looking up, Mahad locked eyes with Seto, giving him a nod of respect. "Yes."

"This is it then," he spoke, staring at the throne, his focus returning to the portal hovering there. "Seto, I entrust everything to you then, once again."

"You will not be disappointed once you return," Seto replied, bowing as he spoke to his Pharaoh and friend. "Mahad, can I ask you to protect and serve the Pharaoh in my place?"

Atem knew those two had never gotten along particularly well, always having different opinions on things. The only thing they truly got along over was him. In the end both had earned the respect of the other, creating a rivalry similar to what he and Kaiba once had. Without hesitation he turned to Seto, surprising his friend, and hugged him.

"We will meet again, Seto," Atem said, smiling as he stepped before the portal. Not watching, he knew Mahad and Seto had shaken hands as Mahad returned to his side. "Let's go!"

With that they stepped into the portal, quickly disappearing. Atem knew that this would be an experience of its own. He would meet Yugi, Kaiba, Joey and everyone else again. He would, hopefully, find Mana and have her meet everyone as well. This was only the beginning of a new adventure, one where the world didn't need to be saved by him for once.