Update!

Phew, this was hard. I'm sorry it took so long, but there were so really tricky parts in this chapter, plus it's really long. One of my biggest I think, but I hope you'll like anyway :)

I remind you all that some parts may seem confusing because Andrew Lloyd Webber's music wasn't designed for writing or for fanfiction so I apologise for the 'untidiness' of some scenes. This was so fun and hard and frustrating, and I'm both happy and sad that it's over.

I've changed some lyrics and rearranged some songs so that it makes sense and fits my storyline.

IF anyone complains about the character(s) of Phantom or the original parts or the song changes: It's a bloody FANFIC it's not meant to be a carbon copy, it's my imagination, if you don't like it: make you're own.

Rant over! :)

I hate flamers. Please enjoy! I don't own Phantom: It belongs rightly to Andrew Lloyd Webber who is a Genius and God for making Phantom in the first place!

Enjoy!

The criminal growled and seethed away in his attic. Where he was forced to hide; his escape plan six months ago wasn't very successful; it left him stranded in the most forgotten parts of the opera house, and he couldn't sneak out now they were repairing his damage. He stole food and he stank, he hadn't washed in ages, he daren't because it was either stink or get caught and die.

And he preferred to live with the consequences …

However, the good thing about his unintentional prison was that it gave him lots of time to watch the Paige-boy, or Yugi Moto. He groaned slightly as his body heated. That youth was a treasure he had to take, in every meaning of the word …

And tonight there was to be a party, there would be too many people to bother noticing one more, he'd be able to wash, eat, steal a costume and attend. Then perhaps lure that innocent flower away so he could pick it. The criminal chuckled and adjusted his legs again as his fantasies became too involved.

There were things to do if that plan was to succeed …

Two dark figures made their ways down the steps leading to the main hall, their faces hidden by masks and their bodies hidden in black cloaks. They prowled around the room, backing up and looking one way then the other until they bumped into each other.

"Ah!"

"Ugh!"

They exclaimed nervously.

"Lord Pegasus?" one asked, reaching up to remove his skeleton mask.

Pegasus turned around with a relived whoosh of breath "My Lord Dartz!" he cried happily, removing his mask of a ram. They turned and looked at each other and laughed heartily. Pegasus looked around at the other servants just appearing in costume, the decorations and the repaired main hall … it was shaping up splendidly! Pegasus chuckled "Dear, Dartz-y what a splendid party."

Dartz nodded and threw his arms up, revealing his costume of white bones sewn on black "The prologue to a bright new year!" he sang.

Pegasus took a glass of champagne and chuckled "Quite a night, I'm impressed."

"Well one does one's best," Dartz replied.

"Here's to us!" they chorused, clinking glasses.

Dartz nodded "A toast to all the city."

Pegasus took his mask and made it shake its head "Such a pity that the Pharaohs can't be here!" they laughed loudly, but looked around worriedly as soon as they were done. The guests filed in, there were all types!

Monkeys, Eagles, clowns, dancers, princes, princesses, distant queens and kings, jesters, birds, ka monsters, all sorts of weird and wonderful costumes! They mingled and danced and talked, while servants offered drinks and food to the guests.

The hall had been redecorated and plastered, new wood, even the chandelier had been replaced and rebuilt. It was a lot more secured than before, and other old supports had been examined and replaced. They were taking no chances this time. Music blasted from stands of live bands, people threw petals and beads into the air from stands and from chairs, young and old attended and watched the amazing party unfurl around them. Alister had his work cut out.

Some confederate performers were clearing a spot in the hall for a dance, like a flash mob. Soon the music changed, three loud drums sounded and the entire hall burst into song and dance with a pitch and energy that soon drew all attention of the room and shook the bones of all the guests:

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!" The dancers worked in sync, and around the performance area others were ushered away to make this the spectacle. "Masquerade! Every face a different shade. Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you!" they pointed and turned on the spot, making everyone feel involved and mystified. Peering through their masks they haunted the gazes of most guests.

A softer chorus started up "Flash of mauve, Splash of puce, Fool and king, Ghoul and goose, Green and black, Queen and priest, Trace of rouge, Face of beast …"

"Faces!" the singers all shouted, framing their masks with their hands "Take your turn, take a ride, on the merry-go-round, in an inhuman race," a harmony wove through making the hall tremble subtly.

The soft chorus started up again "Eye of gold, Thigh of blue, True is false, Who is who? Curl of lip, Swirl of gown, Ace of hearts, Face of clown …" the dancers turned in a circle facing outwards. "Faces! Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned in the light, in the sound."

Mai and Yugi made their way out of the throng of dancers and laughed "But who can name the face?" they sang solo loudly, as was rehearsed.

"Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds. Masquerade! Take your fill -let the spectacle astound you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads. Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!" the all chorus and dancers ran through the crowds and gathered in another circle area under the live band.

The volume suddenly sank to a whisper, the dancers tip toeing and jerking on certain words like clockwork, causing a huge scene and interesting situation "Masquerade! Seething shadows breathing lies … Masquerade! You can fool any friend whoever knew you!" They gained volume and smoothness again "Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes, Masquerade! Run and hide but a face will still pursue you!" they ran back into the crowds and socialized like nothing had happened while the soloists took over.

Ishizu was dressed as a priestess and held up a glass "What a night."

Malik nodded, dressed like a lion "What a crowd!" he chorused with Ryou, who was dressed as a bird.

"Makes you glad!" Dartz nodded.

"Makes you proud!" Pegasus agreed "All the cremede la creme!"

Teá was dressed as a queen and fanned herself proudly "Watching us watching them!"

Ryou and Malik chorused again "And all our fears are in the past!"

"Six months," Dartz started.

"Of relief!" Ushio the soldier declared.

Teá followed "Of delight!"

"Of Elysian peace!" Dartz and Pegasus sang.

"And we can breathe at last!" Ishizu, Ryou and Malik agreed.

Teá raised her glass "No more notes!"

Ushio complimented her, dressed as a soldier "No more ghosts!"

Ishizu raised an eyebrow "Here's a health!"

"Here's a toast!" Pegasus added "To a prosperous year!"

"To the new chandelier!" Dartz gestured.

Ushio and Teá admired it "And may its splendor never fade!"

Dartz shook his head in amazement "Six months!"

Ryou grabbed Malik "What a joy!"

"What a change!" Malik returned.

"What a blessed release!" the managers sang.

"And what a masquerade!" Ishizu finished, drinking her glass as she spotted Yugi talking with his cousin.

Mai was dressed as a butterfly, Yugi was dressed as a cat, he had a hand held mask with black clothes and white tufts of fur. Mai had a large butterfly mask with a dark pink-purple dress, with a mask that stuck to her head.

Yugi smiled at her and examined the rings on his fingers again "Just think of it, a secret engagement, and me, a future bride …" he smiled, Yami and Atem had given him courtship rings two months ago, but Mai's infrequent visits meant she was only now finding out about it. Yugi blushed and said "Just think of it …" how romantic.

Mai smiled and put a hand on his shoulder "But why so secret, what have you to hide?" she questioned.

Yugi looked scared "You promised me!"

Mai nodded "I did indeed."

Yugi took his hands away and put them behind his back "Then please don't they'll see!" he protested as she made a fuss.

Mai raised her arms in a frustrated gesture "Then let them see! It's just a courtship, not a crime," she said, her suspicions rising as he fidgeted "Yugi what are you afraid of?" she asked, not wanting to demand an explanation and cause a scene.

Yugi smiled apologetically "Let's not argue."

Mai agreed "Let's not argue …"

Yugi took her hands "Please pretend-"

Mai sighed "I can only hope-"

"You/I will understand in time!" the pair chorused. They were suddenly pounced on by several dancers, who whisked them away in a dancing frenzy. Yugi smiled and danced with a man dressed as a star before untangling himself to move back to Mai.

The criminal watched Yugi with a stalker's grace, he watched who he talked to, what he did, how trusting he was … and planned his abduction. The boy, as if sensing bad intentions, looked around and moved over to Ishizu, Ryou and Malik, who talked and stood by him while the dancing went on around them.

Yugi glanced around again, the devil –ironically wearing a devil costume– knew he wouldn't be able to get near him tonight … shame, he looked so delicious as a cat.

Yugi looked for his angels, they would be making an appearance tonight, he was sure. He had a gut feeling so deep he was paranoid that they wouldn't. But, he'd been having weird feelings … like he was being watched, and not by his beloved Pharaohs. He often vanished to see and meet up with them, but they hadn't done more than cuddle in bed, no kisses, or intimacy, they were still convinced they were ugly. Ryou and Malik noticed his odd behavior, but just assumed that his lovers were meeting him somewhere.

A courtship ring, or two, wasn't hard to hide.

The music reached a max and everyone turned to watch the dancers who had reassembled on the stairs, the music was slower and more dramatic, it started in a slow march that the dancers stepped down to. "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade. Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you!"

The singers reached a new pitch and the hall vibrated with excellence, they posed in a wave of hands facing skywards.

"Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads. Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Grinning yellows, spinning reds. Masquerade! Take your fill -let the spectacle astound you!"

On the words 'spectacle astound you' the music changed, it turned ominous and red smoke filled the top of one of the stairs. Everyone was torn between applauding the dancers, and backing away in fear of the two creatures emerging from the smoked doorway.

The dancers screamed and gasped and ran away from their approach.

Two figures dressed as princes appeared, they wore black trousers, black suit and over jackets that were tight enough to reveal their shapes yet had tails like capes, their masks were white and the masks had black feathers from the edges, they were half masked to hide their scars.

They slowly made their way down, everyone was quiet and had backed away slightly at their intimidating aura. The two looked around and their eyes rested on Dartz and Pegasus.

Yami smirked "Why so silent my good lords?" he sang eerily "Did you think that we had left you for good?" so far their publicity stunt was working.

Atem chuckled a little "Have you missed us my good lords? We have written you an opera!" he held up a package wrapped in leather and it drew the eyes of all the witnesses. They were drawing publicity back to the opera house by making an appearance, Yugi said how slow business was doing. "Here we bring the finished score; Don Juan triumphant!"

Atem threw it at the managers, Dartz caught it and stared at the gift in surprise. He looked around at the people watching and felt pressured into a response. He opened his mouth to reply but Yami held up a hand. "We advise you to comply, our instructions should be clear."

Atem nodded "Remember there is worst news than a murderer hiding here!"

Pegasus gasped "Wait," he cautioned Dartz, the man looked about ready to throw the score away.

Yami spotted Yugi, held tightly in Mai's protective arms. He beckoned hauntingly. To Mai's worry he obeyed and walked up to them, the young boy looked so delicate compared to the intimidating Pharaohs. They took a hand each and smiled "Sweet angel of mine, you will sing for me!" and they vanished in a burst of red smoke, causing the people to panic and run.

Mai gasped, Yugi stood there one minute, and was gone the next "Yugi!" she shouted, trying to rush her way through to the spot she last saw him. She looked around at the fleeing people and saw Ishizu watching her instead of running, the woman blinked in surprise as the lady stared at her, before turning and calmly making her way out.

Mai glared in suspicion and followed her, shoving through the crowd and throwing her mask away, already people were gossiping and making plans to come see the opera while the others were rejoining the party, convinced it was a staged ploy amongst the chaos.

"Lady Ishizu! Lady Ishizu! Lady Ishizu!" Mai shouted after her.

Ishizu turned around and said coolly "My Lady don't ask me, I know no more than anyone else," and she turned and ran up a hidden flight of stairs, leaning hard on her cane to climb.

Mai followed her, she had good ankles so could easily keep up "That's not true you know something don't you?" she accused.

Ishizu turned and glared furiously "I know nothing!" she looked around and pressed on, now seeming scared "Please My Lady don't ask me! Ask me no secrets and I'll tell you no lies," she tried to deflect.

Mai grabbed her arm "Madame for all our sakes!"

Ishizu froze. She was worried for her cousin, maybe she could join their side? Her conscience and duty battled out for a brief moment until conscience won.

She sighed before taking Mai to a hidden room and shutting the door. "Very well," she agreed, speaking in low notes "It was years ago, when I was a young dancer myself, there was a travelling fair in the city. Magicians, conjurers, prisoners from the Palace and … human oddities …" her face twisted with the words, her anxious pacing never pausing.

"Go on!" Mai encouraged, worried for her brother who was in their grasp.

"And, I will never forget them, two boys my age, locked in a cage," Ishizu confessed, lost in the past.

"In a cage?" Mai gasped.

Ishizu turned to her with a proud smile "They were nobles My Lady, one cast out by his uncle to protect his son's chance at the throne. The other a noble's son cast out for his face. They told me so. Before they were renamed as street rats. But they were so gifted, scholars, architects, magicians," she listed off.

"And composers," Mai realized.

"And inventors too My Lady, they once said that they had built for a lord from Pursier, a maze of mirrors-"

"Who are these men?" Mai interrupted before she could get too side-tracked.

"Two freaks of nature, more monster than man …" Ishizu sang forlornly.

"Deformed?" Mai guessed.

Ishizu nodded "From birth it seemed."

"My gods."

Ishizu smiled slightly "Then they went missing. I helped them escape …" she trailed off.

"Go on!" Mai demanded.

"They never found them, they thought they had died," Ishizu sang again.

"But they didn't die, did they?" Mai pressed.

Ishizu turned to her with a dutiful expression "The world forgot them, but I never can, for in this darkness-"

"And so our Pharaohs these men," Mai realized.

"-they found me once again." A sudden chill in the air made Ishizu look around in fear, no one else could overhear this! Those Pharaohs were the true and rightful heirs! If the wrong person should hear about this they would try to stamp out the bloodline of Egypt and of another noble family!

She looked at Mai and said "I have told you too much My Lady, too much!" She opened the doors and began to run as best she could through the maze of Opera House "You mustn't speak a word to another! There have been too many accidents!"

Mai paled "Accidents?! Lady Ishizu!" she shouted, trying to chase but she got lost. "Accidents?" she questioned when she was alone and then paled once again, thinking of Ishizu's injured ankle …

A soft humming was heard around the corner, a moment later Yugi appeared around the corner. Yugi gasped as he spotted Mai "Mai what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised that she wasn't still in the hall or with the managers.

Mai stared at him then ran at him, flying into a hug. Yugi yelped in shock while Mai just tightly held him, "I thought I'd lost you, how did you get away?" she demanded.

Yugi blinked "Th-they let me go ... it was just a stunt Mai, publicity. They were only trying to help-"

"By kidnapping you?" she huffed, then just took his hand and pulled him along "Come on, let's go."

Dartz stormed into his office and shouted "Ludicrous! Have you seen the score?"

Pegasus read it and agreed angrily "Simply ludicrous!"

"It's the final straw!" Dartz snapped.

"This is lunacy! Well, you know my views."

"Utter lunacy!"

"But we daren't refuse ..." Pegasus worried.

"Not another chandelier," they gasped out together before Pegasus picked up a note.

"Oh Look, my friend, what we have here," he handed the one with his partners name on it to him. Dartz tore it open and read aloud.

"Dear Dartzy, Re our orchestrations: We need another first bassoon. Get a player with tone -and that third trombone has to go! The man could not be deafer, so please preferably one who plays in tune!" his eyes were bulging in rage by the end.

Pegasus picked up on his pause "Dear Pegasus, vis a vis our opera: some chorus-members must be sacked. If you could, find out which has a sense of pitch -wisely, though, we've managed to assign a rather minor role to those who cannot act!"

The door was kicked open and a very angry Ushio and Teá stormed in "Outrage!" she shrieked.

Pegasus groaned "What is it now?"

"This whole affair is an outrage!" Teá shouted.

"Now what's the matter?" Dartz asked wearily.

Teá turned on him "Have you seen the size of my part?" she demanded.

Dartz raised his hands "Miss Teá, listen-"

Ushio interrupted "It's an insult!" he roared.

"Not you as well!" Pegasus whined.

Ushio threw the score at him "Just look at this -it's an insult!"

Pegasus ducked! "Please, understand- My Lord! My Lady!"

Teá stomped her foot "The things I have to do for my art!" she complained.

"If you can call this gibberish art!" Ushio added spitting on the score and wrapping an arm around his smaller singer.

Teá looked smug for a moment, then the door opened. She blinked then cackled "Ah! Here's our little flower!"

Pegasus looked up as Mai and Yugi walked in, holding hands "Ah Sir Moto, quite the topic of the hour!" he greeted warmly. Yugi looked confused until Dartz spoke.

"You have secured the largest role in this 'Don Juan'"

Teá sneered with Ushio "Yugi Moto? He doesn't have the voice!"

Pegasus glared at her to shut up "Miss Teá, please!"

Mai squeezed Yugi's hand "Then I take it you're agreeing?" Yugi looked around with a slight smile.

Teá at once pounced "He's behind this-"

Dartz answered Mai "It appears we have no choice."

Teá jumped up in front of everyone and shouted "He's the one behind this! Yugi Moto!"

Yugi glared "How dare you!"

Teá snapped back "I'm not a fool!"

"You evil woman! How dare you!" Yugi stood up to her.

"You think I'm blind?" Teá sneered.

Yugi crossed his arms "This isn't my fault! I don't have any part in this plot."

Pegasus tried to split them up "My singers, surely ..."

But Dartz was now suspicious too "But how not?" he asked Yugi.

Ushio looked over their shoulders "What does he say?" he asked Teá.

Dartz pressed the scared looking teen "You clearly know them so: how not?"

Teá sniggered "He's backing out!" she gleefully giggled.

Dartz grabbed Yugi's upper arm "You have a duty!"

Yugi pried him loose and meekly said "I will not tell you, duty or not," he vowed, he'd never sell his angels out to the guards or his managers.

Mai hated seeing Yugi harassed and put her arms on his shoulders "Yugi, Yugi, you don't have to, they can't make you," she snarled at the others to make them back off, they wisely did.

The door opened again and Ishizu clumsily bowed and said "Please, my friends: another note." Everyone groaned and others shivered. Ishizu opened it and began to read.

"Fondest greetings to you all! A few instructions just before rehearsal starts …" just as before she trailed off as some other voices began to sing from hidden places.

"Miss Teá must be taught to act, not her normal trick of strutting round the stage." Teá looked outraged and ran to a corner of the room in tears. "Our Don Juan must lose some weight -it's not healthy in a man of Ushio's age." Ushio put a hand on his stomach in shock and patted it worriedly. "And our managers must learn that their place is in an office, not the arts." Pegasus and Dartz spluttered then stormed over to their desk and pretended this wasn't happening.

"As for our Yugi Moto" Yugi looked up expectantly, but he didn't smile as he thought his angels were being rather harsh to the others. Mai tightened her grip protectively "No doubt he'll do his best - it's true his voice is good. He knows, though, should he wish to excel he has much still to learn, if Mai will let him return to us, his teachers, his teachers …" the voices trailed off and Ishizu ended the letter as if nothing had happened.

"Your obedient friends ... and Angels ..."

Yugi sighed softly.

Atem and Yami smiled from just out of sight and watched, this next part would be interesting … their costumes were gone and they were wearing their normal attire; lose suites that showed off their chests, tailored jackets and black trousers. They exchanged a small smirk and waited, half masks glowing subtly in the dim light.

Mai raised her head slowly "We have all been blind - and yet the answer is staring us in the face," Everyone looked at her as her thoughts began to form a plan "This could be the chance to ensnare our clever friends ..."

Ishizu looked horrified! Not Their bloodlines!

Yugi stared at Mai and tried to reach out to her, only for Darts to move over to her and block him "We're listening"

"Go on." Pegasus added.

Mai smirked "We shall play their game - perform their work - but remember we hold the ace." She looked at her worried looking cousin "For, if My Cousin sings, they are certain to attend."

Dartz suddenly caught up to her level of thinking "We make certain the doors are barred."

Pegasus added "We make certain our men are there."

Mai nodded "We make certain they're armed." Yugi ran over to Ishizu and gripped her arms, they whispered worriedly and looked back as the three planners came to their conclusion.

The three of them proclaimed loudly: "The curtain falls. Their reign will end!"

Ishizu shouted "Madness!"

Dartz smirked, he liked this idea "I'm not so sure."

Pegasus agreed "Not if it works."

Ishizu and Yugi stepped forwards and argued "This is madness!"

Dartz ignored them "The tide will turn!"

Ishizu put a hand on her head "Monsieur, believe me -there is no way of turning the tide!" she insisted frantically.

Pegasus sneered at her "You stick to ballet!" Ishizu gasped, insulted.

Mai shook her head at Pegasus and appealed to the insulted woman "Then help us!"

Ishizu shook her head "Oh Mai, I can't."

Mai held her hands "Instead of warning us-"

"Help us!" Mai, Dartz and Pegasus said loudly.

Ishizu took her hand away and angrily said "I wish I could," making it sound like they were the ones who needed help.

The three pressed "Don't make excuses!"

"Or could it be that you're on their side?" Mai asked with hands on hips.

Teá leaned forwards "She's their accomplice!"

Ishizu bowed her head "My friends believe me, I intend no ill ... But please believe it's not them who kill!"

Dartz and Pegasus turned away "We say they'll fall and fall they will!"

Teá glared at the desperate looking Yugi and said "He's the one behind this! Yugi! This is a ploy to help, Yugi!"

Ushio leaned over him and Yugi shrank away in fear of the larger man "This is the truth! Yugi Moto!"

Mai came to his rescue "This is their undoing!" she insisted.

The managers stepped up to Yugi's sides and said "If you succeed you free us all -these so called 'angels' have to fall!" Yugi looked horrified.

Mai glared at the ceiling and said "Angels of music, fear my fury -Here is where you fall!"

Ishizu overlapped her "Hear my warning! Fear their fury!"

Teá leered over Yugi "What glory can he hope to gain? It's clear to all: the boy's insane!"

Dartz shook his head "Yugi sings, we'll get our men."

Ushio grabbed his shirt "He is crazy! He is raving!"

Pegasus put a hand on his and agreed with Dartz "If Yugi helps us in this plan."

Mai threatened fiercely "Say your prayers, black angels of death!

Yugi's eyes watered with the noise and pressure and fear for his lovers "Please don't …"

Dartz argued with Ushio and Teá "If Yugi won't, then no-one can."

Ishizu shouted over them all "My Lords, I beg you, do not do this!"

Ushio and Teá screamed "Gran Dio! Che imbroglio!"

The managers argued "This will seal their fate!"

Yugi covered his ears and sank in a corner, wanting to escape and stop this "If you don't stop this, I'll go mad!" he screamed!

So loud everyone else stopped and looked at him, Yugi staggered up and ran crying into Mai's arms.

"Mai, I'm frightened -don't let them do this … Mai, it scares me -don't put them through this ordeal by fire. That murderer, he'll take me, I know. We'll all be parted forever, he won't let me go … What I once used to dream I now dread, if you make me, it won't ever end. I want them to always be there, singing songs in my head, to always be there, singing songs in my head ..." he trailed of in small sobs and little sniffles as his hysteria faded.

Teá voiced everyone's thoughts "He's mad ..." she said softly.

Mai glared at her, he was only scared and confused. She moved him to the chair and sat him down, patting his eyes dry with her hankie "You said yourself they were nothing but human … yet while they live, they will haunt us till we're dead ..."

Yugi shook his head sadly "Twisted every way, what answer can I give? Am I to risk my life, to catch the wrongly blamed? Can I betray the men who once inspired my voice? Do I become your bait? Do I have any choice? You'll kill without a thought, you'll murder all that's good … I know I can't refuse and yet, I wish I could … Oh God - if I agree, what horrors wait for me in this, your ambush opera?" he turned away from everyone and put his heads in his hands.

Mai sighed and moved around to face him again, pulling his hands away from his face she sang softly to him "Yugi, Yugi, don't think that I don't care - but every hope and every prayer rests on you now," she encouraged softly.

Yugi had only one second to think before everyone started shouting at him, saying he had to, telling him to hurt his angels and bring them down. Yugi jumped up and backed away shaking his head "I … I can't!" he shouted, before running out of the office in tears.

Mai jumped up and shouted "Yugi!" but he didn't come back. Mai growled, these so called angels had caused her cousin to change beyond recognition, he had chosen them over her. He was now a different person, at first she thought it was for the better, but now she was sure they were bad.

Mai looked up at the rafters and shouted at the men and angels she was sure were watching and laughing: "So, it is to be war between us! But this time, clever friends, the disaster will be yours!" she threatened before turning to plan their downfall.

Yami and Atem were not there to hear her threats, as soon as Yugi had ran out they followed him through their passages. They got ahead of him and appeared around the next corner he was taking.

Yugi saw them and paused in shock. They came as if by magic, just when he needed them the most. He half-smiled half-sobbed before running into their arms and holding them tight.

The Pharaohs hated seeing Yugi upset. They accepted his desperate embrace and gently tried to sooth him. They exchanged a glance and nodded, pulling their little one into their secret tunnels and moving to a small living space, that looked like a dusty and old fashioned waiting room.

Yami sat down and pulled Yugi into his lap, gently shushing him and caring for him. Atem sat beside them and gently raised Yugi's head with a gentle hand, Yugi looked into his kind and handsome half face and hiccupped sadly when he remembered what the others wanted to do to them. Atem pulled out a handkerchief and carefully dabbed and wiped Yugi's wet cheeks until they were dry, though it took a while because Yugi kept crying.

Yami rubbed his back and murmured sweet nothings to him until he was calmer. "Little one what's wrong?" he asked softly.

Yugi leaned into him "Th-they want me to help catch you, they want to hurt you," he whispered, running a hand over each uncovered half of their faces. They leaned into his touch and Yugi felt a slight calm at their relaxed confidence. They always treated his affection like a gift from heaven.

Atem planted a kiss on Yugi's temple, making Yugi gasp softly as he felt his lips on him for the first time. "Shh, they are not the first to have tried to capture us, and they won't be the last," he kissed away fresh tears, making Yugi shiver at the conflicting touch of warm lips and the cold edge of his mask.

Atem smiled apologetically and Yami chuckled a little. "But this is the first time they've tried to use someone against us," he sighed.

Atem rolled his eyes "Because this is the first time we have loved someone other than each other," he pointed out, making Yugi blush. With his angels saying such things it was hard not to blush.

Yami agreed with a low hum, and gently placed him back on his feet. "Listen little one, go along with it and then tell us what they have planned, that way we'll make a show and stay ahead of things," he explained.

Yugi nodded "Alright … but what if they lie to me, or leave something out?"

Atem chuckled "We have ears everywhere, backstage gossip, Ishizu's tip offs and access to the manager's office. And with you we'll know how to keep you safe and where to be close but hidden," he pointed out, "They won't get the best of us, little one."

Yugi relaxed and nodded "I believe you," he promised, hugging them both in relief "Thank you," he added, they had been very kind to him, it made his heart warm at how kind and gentle they were compared to how beastly their hidden faces looked. Yami and Atem hugged him back gently, but not tightly, if Yugi wanted to pull away he could. But he didn't he never did, he always wanted to be held by them; their warm arms made him feel very safe, like he'd never be found or hurt. He was falling for them … so hard …

Atem kissed Yugi's cheek, it was the most intimate they'd been. He smiled at Yugi "You're welcome our heart, now you'd better run back to bed for rehearsals tomorrow, sing well, we're expecting a lot from you," he promised.

Yugi smiled and began to leave, but Yami caught his hand "Yugi, the intruder is still here, we found his old living space and there's no way he'd have gotten out during the party, don't come looking for us, we'll come to you, we can't bear the thought of you crossing his path," he admitted, his eyes so protective.

Yugi nodded and held his hands "I promise," he whispered before returning to the opera house and going to bed.

The Pharaohs exchanged a glance and Yami said "I'm worried, the intruder seems to appear where Yugi is."

Atem nodded "We should watch him, he won't dare make a move under our eyes."

In the rehearsal room Alister and Ishizu were organizing the singers and dancers for first practice, they sat in row according to pitch, dance type and fitness, if you were really fit you could sing and dance at once. Yugi entered the room hesitantly, earning many welcoming smiles and waves and a pair of glares from two former stars.

Teá sneered as he sat in one of the leads chairs, Ishizu speaking softly with him. Ryou and Malik smiled and called across to him from their chorus stands, Yugi smiled and kinda missed gossiping with them … there were drawbacks to being a star it seemed.

Alister hit some keys on a piano and tapped his conducting stick to get everyone's attention "Alright everyone, first rehearsal, it's okay to mess up, but I'll still hate it if it happens. Deep breath." Everyone breathed "Everyone warmed up? Good," he approved as everyone nodded. "And one, two, three …" he played their chord.

"Hide your sword now wounded knight! Your vainglorious gasconnade brought you to your final fight for your pride, high price you've paid!" the group sang unsurely, it sounded a little bad, but there was always going to be a bad first run.

Yugi read off his score "Silken couch and hay-filled barn! Both have been his battlefield," he sang perfectly, earning a nod of approval from Ishizu.

Ushio cleared his throat and began his line "Those who tangle with Don Juan-" everyone winced as he fell flatter than a pancake on the floor.

Alister hit the keys and shouted "No, no, no! Chorus rest please." Everyone relaxed and waited for the sign to continue. Alister looked at the baffled man and said "Don Juan, er Lord Ushio" he accidently called Ushio by his character name "- this is the phrase. 'Those who tangle with Don Juan!' If you please?" he demonstrated the note, playing the piano in time.

Ushio cleared his throat and tried again "Those who tangle with Don Juan!"

Alister sighed "No, no. Nearly - but no. 'Those who tan, tan, tan.'"

Ushio mimicked badly "Those who tangle with Don Juan …"

Teá giggled suddenly "Ah, his way is better. At least he make it sound like music!" she said, making others giggle as well.

Ishizu glared icily "My Lady, would you speak that way in the presence of the composers?" she asked stonily, the other singers shut up at her glare.

Teá scoffed "The composers are not here. And if they were here, I would-"

"Are you certain of that, Miss Teá?" Ishizu interrupted. Teá paled and looked around worriedly, before shrinking into her seat and shutting up for once. She had no desire to be under an object of set again …

Alister glanced around, getting a little paranoid then continued "So, once again Lord Ushio, after seven. Five, six, seven …" he pointed for him to sing.

Ushio gulped loudly then completely ruined his line "Those who tangle with Don Juan."

The chorus started laughing and groaning at his stupidity, chattering loudly and causing lots of chaos. Teá leaped up and shouted at Alister "Ah, piu non posso! What does it matter what notes we sing?" she raged.

Ishizu sighed and tried to restore order, but even the banging of her cane had no effect "Have patience, My Lady," she advised before trying to calm the hyper chorus groups.

But Teá wasn't done "No-one will know if it is right or if it is wrong. Those who tangle with Don Juan!" she sang nasally, making it sound worse than when Ushio tried.

Ushio tested himself again "Those who tan ... tan ... Is this right?" he asked Yugi, leaning over him a bit much with a seductive smirk.

Yugi leaned away disgusted "Not quite, Ushio" he pushed him back slightly "Those who tan ... tan ..." he sang, trying to help as Alister and Ishizu had their hands full.

Out of sight Yami and Atem were sniggering at their first rehearsal, finally Alister got control again "Everyone ... Lord Ushio ... if you please!" he jabbed a finger at him crossly; not even Masquerade had been this bad!

Yami looked at Atem, and his lover nodded "Let's change the pace, shall we?" he suggested. They both raised their hands and caused a few reactions down below with their magician-like talents.

Everyone silenced as Alister yelped and jumped away from the piano … which was playing itself! The piano played the introduction, and everyone realized how it was meant to sound and joined in.

"Poor young dreamer! For the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets you will have to pay the bill - tangled in the winding sheets!"

At the end of the rehearsal Yugi stood alone on the stage, everyone had gone to enjoy themselves, Ryou and Malik came over to get him, but found he was in some kind of trance or day dream. Malik looked at Ryou worriedly and moved to pinch him, but Yugi started to sing.

"In sleep they sang to me, in dreams they came ... that song which calls to me and speaks my name ..." his song sounded so haunted and lonely, it scared them …

"Yugi!" Ryou grabbed his hand and Yugi snapped out of it at once.

"Ah!" Yugi gasped "Oh Ryou, Malik, what are you doing here?"

Malik smiled at him hopelessly "Dreaming again Yugi? Come on, we get the rest of the day off, do you want to come and get a few drinks with us? The bar is open late tonight! Whoo!"

Ryou shook his head "I've volunteered to be the sober one to bring them home, come and enjoy yourself Yugi, you've been so tense and hard-working lately," he suggested.

Yugi thought about it then said "Its midsummer today."

Ryou and Malik at once understood and smiled sympathetically; it was the day his Mother had died. Yugi always went to her resting place on the anniversary of her death, to keep her memory alive.

Ryou hugged Yugi comfortingly "We understand, but next time you're definitely coming with us," he bargained.

Yugi shook his hand with a small giggle "Deal."

Malik began swaggering back into the changing rooms singing at the top of his lungs and sounding drunk already, Ryou sighed, knowing he'd have his hands full tonight. But maybe he could keep Malik from running off with strange men and women once again.

Yugi whispered good luck and a few choice jokes about his singing to Ryou before leaving the Opera Palace out of the back door. He looked up and sang mournfully "Little Heba thought of everything and nothing ... His Mother promised him that she would send him the Angels of Music ... His Mother promised him ... His Mother promised him …"

The devil smirked as the boy went off on his own, he was completely alone, and defenceless. Now's my chance! He thought before dropping out of his window and pulling his cloak over his head.

Atem and Yami watched Yugi leave, he had told them where he was going, so they had no fear. They were sad that Yugi had lost someone so important to him, in their eyes he deserved nothing but happiness. Yami sighed as Yugi glanced back, he'd miss him though he'd only be gone one afternoon. Atem squeezed Yami's shoulder and whispered in his ear softly.

Yami chuckled and pulled his mask off to look at Atem properly "I'm not being possessive," he argued. Atem snorted and kissed him deeply.

"I don't believe you," he said simply, and turned to retreat back to their lakeside home.

Yami sent another longing glance after Yugi, but then stiffened "Atem!" he gasped. Atem rejoined him and they saw a strange man following their little one. For just one second his hood was down … and they knew every face in the opera house: this man was a stranger.

Yami gripped his arm "The intruder!" he hissed.

Atem's eyes widened "He's after Yugi." he realized. They turned and ran to a tunnel so secret they only just remembered it; it lead outside the opera house to the river, only a few minutes' walk to Yugi's Mother's grave.

Yugi walked through a maze of tombs sadly, retracing his steps from last year, and the year before that … and the year before that …

Yugi felt the usual tears well up as he thought of his lovely, beautiful Mother. He rubbed at his large eyes slightly and murmured a soft song into the air, his angels had encouraged him to sing for whatever emotion, and it helped … "You were once my one companion, you were all that mattered," Yugi's breath hitched as he paused, then he continued, this was for his Mother.

"You were once a friend and mother, then my world was shattered," Yugi closed his eyes and tears flowed slowly down his plump cheeks. "Wishing you were somehow here again. Wishing you were somehow near. Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed, Somehow you would be here!" his voice grew and became spell binding once again.

He turned and saw her grave, overgrown with flowers and surrounded by sand blown by the winds and sculptures of the gods of the underworld. Yugi put a hand on her nameplate and sang "Wishing I could hear your voice again, knowing that I never would. Dreaming of you won't help me to do, all that you dreamed I could," he missed her arms, her voice, her lullabies and her aura of safety.

In the background priests rang bells to scare away evil spirits and to welcome the peoples ka's back home "Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental. Seem, for you, the wrong companions. You were warm and gentle," Yugi smiled slightly, remembering her hugs, how warm her house always was, how smiley she always was and how she always laughed. She was so lively, why was this place so cold though she was in it?

Yugi leaned into her tomb and sobbed a little, before taking a deep breath and singing at the top of his lungs "Too many years fighting back tears, why can't the past just die? Wishing you were somehow here again, knowing we must say, Goodbye,"

Yugi placed his hands against the stone "Try to forgive, teach me to live, give me the strength to try!" Yugi turned to the skies and sang his heart out "No more memories, no more silent tears. No more gazing across the wasted years …"

He trailed off and leaned against her nameplate "Help me say, Goodbye," he pleaded slightly "Help me say, Goodbye," his voice rose to such a pitch it was magical. Then he collapsed against her resting place and huddled there, trapped in the past and missing her terribly.

Suddenly a soft voice called out to him "Wandering child so lost, so helpless, yearning for my guidance …"

Yugi raised his head and dried his eyes "Who's there?" he called. The song was a tune of one of his, but the voice … he'd never heard it before.

"Have you forgotten your angel?"

Yugi stood up in confusion, my angel? That wasn't right who was this person? Where were they? What was the big deal, trying to masquerade as his angels? "You're not them, where are you? Come out."

"Very well."

Yugi screamed as a pair of hands covered his face, his eyes and mouth. He kicked and struggled as the man pulled him back behind his Mother's tomb.

The murder chuckled darkly and put a foul smelling scarf over Yugi's face. Yugi scratched at the man's hands, but he wasn't released! Help! He tried to scream, but he couldn't talk, the man's hand blocked all noise apart from a few scared and muffled cries. But suddenly a big heavy sleepy feeling washed over him.

The criminal smirked as the boy's struggles began to subside, his body being overwhelmed by the fumes from the rag over his mouth, finally his arms flopped by his sides and his body collapsed. The criminal smirked and nifty tied a piece of black cloth over his eyes before dragging him to a secluded spot …

"Don't take another step!"

The criminal jumped as a powerful voice commanded him to freeze. He looked over his shoulder and saw the two Dark Pharaohs glaring at him through their masks, their capes flapping in the wind and their eyes and dark as thunder.

Yami raised a hand and said "Put him down, now."

The criminal smirked and carelessly dropped the semi-conscious boy to the sandy ground. "There."

Atem growled "You'll pay for hurting him!"

The murder turned around, his face hidden by his hood "But I haven't done anything … yet," he promised darkly.

Yami growled and shouted "We will never let you have him! I would rather see you rot in hell!" Yami punched out a fist and fire erupted.

The criminal gasped and dodged behind a grave before chuckling "Bravo, Pharaohs! Such spirited words!" he clapped mockingly and ran to another position.

Yami and Atem ran to Yugi's side. Atem carefully turned him over softy called his name. Yugi's head raised and lolled, he had been drugged. Atem gently lifted him and held him protectively while Yami looked for the intruder. The man peered around the corner and Yami attacked with the fire trick once again.

The man laughed tauntingly as the three began to run away, back to the secret tunnel and safety "More tricks, my lords? More deception? More violence?" he jaunted "Do you not remember how your own families threw you out to me, where I caged and enslaved your monstrous faces?"

Yami jerked to a stop, the criminal had touched his most angry nerve. He turned and faced the man who was waiting, hooded and taunting. Yami's fists became flames and he snarled "Let's see, you murderer how far you dare go!" and he attacked with his dangerous and fiery tricks.

Atem turned and watched, though he kept backing away with Yugi. He didn't want Yugi in danger by staying, but he didn't want to leave Yami alone by fleeing. He bit his lip and painfully drew back another step.

The criminal dogged the fire and watched as Yami unconsciously approached while he attacked, soon he'd be in striking distance of his knife … "That's right, that's right, Monster keep walking this way!" he laughed.

Atem saw the silver and prepared to shout after him but another voice spoke "You can't win this battle by becoming a killer."

Yami glanced back and saw a half-awake Yugi pleading with his eyes and weak voice to leave and be safe.

The criminal spat at him and taunted some more "I'm here, I'm here, Monster: the angel of death!" Yami glared at him hatefully but took a step back and prepared to run and leave. The hooded man cackled "Come on, come on, Monster. Don't stop, don't stop! Don't go!"

Yami blasted both hands with fire and caused the criminal to dive for cover, it was so unexpected. Atem turned and ran, he grabbed Yami's arm as he passed and they hurriedly made it to safety.

The criminal emerged from the smoke and looked around angrily, they had escaped again! "So be it! Now let it be war upon you all!" he bellowed to the skies.

Yami, Yugi and Atem disappeared into a false tomb and followed the narrow tunnel back home. They resurfaced just behind the mirror in their underground home. Yugi was nearly back to full awareness, but he shivered uncontrollably whenever he thought about what might have happened had his angels not rescued him …

Atem let Yami push open the mirror-door and made his way through to the bedchamber next door. Yugi looked up with large, scared and worried eyes as he was wrapped up in the silk sheets.

Atem smiled reassuringly at him, running a hand through his soft hair gently "You're safe now Yugi, it's alright," he whispered. Yugi smiled slightly and laid down in the small bed, his shaking had started up again.

Atem glanced at the entrance then got up and went back to the main cave to talk to Yami.

Yami was half sulking half dignified as he sat before the organ, he was going to play something, but nothing had come to mind … for once. Atem leaned against the instrument next to him and glared slightly "Now who's being careless?" he challenged.

Yami scowled "At least I'm not hanging from a balcony."

Atem rolled his eyes "No. You're out fighting with a professional slash retired assassin who hurt us as kids," he grabbed Yami's shoulders and turned him to face him. "You think I'd be able to live after you if you died fighting him?" he growled.

Yami blinked in shock, then slumped "I wanted him to hurt like we did … he nearly hurt Yugi, he's going to again," he argued.

Atem nodded "I know. But don't become him, Yami. We're better than he is, Yugi sees our goodness, don't prove him wrong," he begged slightly. There was a moment of silence before Atem smacked the back of Yami's head.

"Ouch!" he hissed "What was that for?" he growled.

Atem glared back "That was for trying to leave me," he growled back before kissing him roughly.

Yugi blushed and retreated back behind the curtain, he had heard them arguing and was a little worried about what was happening. He hadn't expected them to react like that!

He peeked again and saw their masks had been discarded, and the kissing had gentled. Atem's hand was caressing Yami's scars and distortions as they kissed. Yugi wondered how his skin felt, was it as rough and textured as its appearance and colours? Or was it smooth.

He barely noticed the fact he wasn't scared by their faces anymore. He saw Yami return the gesture, then they parted and just smiled … Yugi leaned against the wall dreamily, he could see their emotions as clearly as someone could hear an opera star sing: they loved each other, their argument hadn't torn them apart.

Yugi wouldn't have been able to forgive himself if his carelessness had resulted in their break up.

Yugi disappeared back to the bed and made himself comfortable. He didn't want to leave until morning, he was so safe here, so loved. And it wasn't like anyone would notice he was gone until rehearsals …

Ryou stretched with Malik and the other dancers, Yugi joined in though he didn't have to, he missed being part of a group. Ryou leaned around Malik as they each leaned back whilst holding the beam "Are you nervous? It's the big night." He laughed suddenly, Malik had reached up to tickle his toes. "Malik!"

Malik sniggered "He's not nervous about the audience, I think he's more scared of Odion and Ushio," he said, remembering that they, along with Yugi, were involved in a bit of a 'flirty' scene together, to put it lightly.

Yugi made a face "Trust you guys to bring that up," he muttered as they all sank into the splits. He wondered why Yami and Atem had paired him up with those two, Ushio was a pervert and Odion was awkward as he had a girlfriend … not exactly star material.

The three reached down to grab their toes and Yugi said "No, I'm not nervous, at least Ushio has to behave as Teá'll be in the wings watching," he thought aloud, not really looking forwards to it.

Ryou leaned back into a crab and then each boy carefully, slowly, skillfully slipped back over on their hands, to land in a crouch. "If he tries anything funny just complain to Teá, she'll sort him out," he said, standing up and shaking off the tension.

Malik bounced on his heals a few times then pulled out a costume from the rack "And I want to be there when she does, no sex for a month! How could you treat a star this way? He's just a little sideshow until they get back to the big stars! How could you betray me?" Malik wept, impersonating Teá badly whilst clinging to Ryou's knees.

Yugi giggled while Ryou sarcastically patted his head "There there Prima Donna, now let's get Yugi ready for his show?" he suggested whilst stepping out of Malik's grip.

Malik pouted "What no praise for my acting skills?" he complained as he fetched Yugi's shoes and cute red hood.

Yugi hugged him suddenly "Thanks Malik, I needed that performance, it was her exactly."

Malik hugged Yugi back and then set him on his seat "I know, I'm sooo talented, you think Marik will spot me in the dancing crowd? Maybe I should get singing lessons from the Pharaohs and join you in the big league," he thought whilst tying on Yugi's shoes. They were flexible like Ballet shoes but had the appearance of leather shoes.

Yugi tilted his head "Who's Marik?"

Malik blushed. Ryou laughed "Some guy he ran off with when he was drunk the other week, he managed to escape both me and Ishizu," he commented as he got Yugi's shirt on.

Yugi stood up and let them tie him up at the back "Really? He must have been worth it to face her anger."

Malik licked his lips "Crazy, fetishful, hardcore bastard. But damn was he a good lay. And he was sweet-ish afterwards! I think I've found my match!" Malik was also into strange things, and he didn't like mushy stuff after a round of sex, so this guy was ideal. "Plus he takes a hit and hint very well, I slipped him a backstage pass and he came to visit," he sniggered again.

Ryou shook his head "That's why you were limping …"

Yugi blushed "Wow … good for you Malik, just don't let him beat you up too bad …"

Malik looked at Yugi stupefied "Are you joking? As if I'd be anyone's bitch, and if I was they'd have Ishizu chasing them like Ra's your daylight."

Yugi laughed "That's true. How about you Ryou? Did you find anyone?"

Ryou shook his head "Nope, but I'm not looking for my someone at the moment, maybe another time," he said, pinning Yugi's cape in place. "All done," he cheered.

Yugi was dressed in a white shirt with black lace down the middle and along all the edges, black short shorts with white hems at the bottoms, he wore stockings up to his knees that were stripped red and black which matched his black shoes with red laces. Finally he had a silken red cape with the black lace theme, overall he looked like a cute red riding hood who could also pull off the sexy look too. Yugi admired his costume then shyly hid his really exposed legs "Mmm … I feel exposed," he mumbled.

Malik came back in wearing just a black kilt and a darkly jewelled collar "How do you think we feel?" he demanded, Ryou wore similar. Ryou pouted and covered his chest. Malik looked at Ryou and smirked "You know what the difference between you and me is?" he asked, before posing idiotically "I make this look good."

Ryou and Yugi rolled their eyes and made their way to the stage.

Mahad, the chief of Palace police nodded to each of his men "You understand your instructions?" he questioned.

"Sir!" the men shouted at once.

Mahad nodded "When you hear the whistle, take up your positions. I shall then instruct you to secure the doors. It is essential that all doors are properly secured," he pressed, waving them on to their positions. Mahad turned and nodded at the three on the stage.

Pegasus looked to his managing partner and asked "Are we doing the right thing, Dartz?"

"Have you got a better idea?" Dartz challenged while making sure everything was going to plan: for both the show and the ambush.

Mahad turned to Mai and bowed, as she was nobility "My Lady, am I to give the order?

Mai nodded, very business-like to him and said "Give the order." Mahad at once began ordering his men into task positions. Mai looked down into the musicians stands and called "You in the pit - do you have a clear view of this box?" she pointed to the stand of Ra.

The small man with a gun nodded "Yes, Mam."

Mai nodded "Remember, when the time comes, shoot. Only if you have to - but shoot. To kill," she commanded sternly.

The man scratched his blue hair and adjusted his glasses "How will I know, Mam?

Mai glanced around suspiciously then simply said "You'll know."

Pegasus came to her side and put a hand on her shoulder, only for her to slap it off a second later. He winced and asked "My Lady Mai, are you confident that this will work? Will Our Yugi-boy sing?"

Mai smiled sweetly, Yugi had agreed to sing. He had confidently told her once again that the Dark Pharaohs weren't to blame, and that their plan wouldn't work. "Don't worry, Sir Pegasus. Sir Darts?"

"We're in your hands, My lady," Dartz sighed, flapping his hands up once to express his hatred for being kept out of the loop.

Mahad turned to the managers and bowed "My men are now in position, sirs and Mam," he informed, whilst glancing a few times at Ishizu, who had come to watch and warn everyone about their impending performance schedule. She was also a little distracted …

Mai smiled at him "Go ahead, then."

Mahad blew his whistle shrilly then shouted "Are all the doors secure?"

Several doors slammed, followed by the shout of "Secure!" from each of his men.

Just as they were about to move onto phase two, a pair of spooky voices started echoing throughout the opera palace … "We're here: The Pharaohs of the Darkness … We're here: The Pharaohs of the Darkness … We're here ... We're here, we're here!"

Bang!

Everyone jumped as the small blue haired gunman lost his nerve and fired randomly.

Mai recovered fiercely. "Idiot!" she thundered angrily "I said: only when the times comes!" Now their element of surprise was gone!

The blue haired man "But, Lady Mai-" he began to protest.

"No 'buts'!" one of the scary voices shouted, stilling everyone. "For once, Our Miss Lady Mai is right."

There was a chuckle from the second voice before he started an eerie song that echoed around the hall and drew the people into a small mob out of wariness. "Seal our fates tonight - We hate to have to cut the fun short, but the joke's wearing thin. Let the audience in, let our opera begin!"

The curtain opened up on the second half to a feast hall. There was a large table stuffed with foods and wines, all wax but the audience didn't need to know that. Dark tapestries of red, purple, dark green and black, with a golden symbol of a ram in the middle. The dancers made their way on and pretended to be servants to the 'guests' who followed soon after. They were dressed in finery, long dark robes and dresses with extravagant headwear.

The guests mingled until the music struck a cord and everyone began to sing, the dancers rushed to the front, slid to their knees and danced from the waist up. "Here the sire may serve the dam, here the master takes his meat! Here the sacrificial lamb utters one despairing bleat!" the dancers all lay flat as if struck down, then rose hauntingly for the next verse: lead by Teá's soprano highs.

"Poor young dreamer! For the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets, you will have to pay the bill- tangled in the winding sheets!" Everyone suddenly moved to either side of the stage, as if a guard creating a corridor for someone royal. "Serve the meal and serve the maid! Serve the master so that, when tables, plans and maids are laid Don Juan triumphs once again!" Ushio, or Don Juan, and his lover Adien (Odion), walked through the corridor proudly, taking up sword and other objects from the crowd.

Odion sipped his drink then clapped his hands, signalling that all people should leave.

Ushio winked at Teá whilst turned away from the audience, she nodded back at him formally, not happy about this arrangement. Ushio sighed at her continued reluctance and then turned and addressed Malik in his role. "Passarino faithful friend, once again recite the plan."

Malik bowed and sang "Your young guest believes I'm you, I, the master, you the man," he recited, his role as Passarino the faithful servant.

Odion sang next "When you met, you wore my cloak, With my scarf you hid your face."

Ushio took over quickly "He believes he dines with me in her master's borrowed place! Furtively, we'll scoff and quaff, stealing what in truth is mine. When it's late and modesty starts to mellow with the wine!" he chuckled lustily.

Malik jumped up and ran to touch the door as he sang "You come home! I use your voice ... slam the door like crack of doom!"

Odion nodded and continued "We shall say: Come hide with we! Where oh where? Of course, our room," he moved to hide.

Malik laughed like an evil henchman "Poor thing hasn't got a chance," he sang gleefully.

Ushio nodded "Here's my hat, my cloak and sword. Conquest is assured, if I do not forget myself and laugh. Ha ha ha …" he trailed off as both himself and Odion hid behind a curtained doorway.

"Gentlemen."

Odion and Ushio gasped as two voices spoke. They turned and saw Atem and Yami waiting patiently with Ishizu "We will be taking your places for this scene," they threw each man a very generous tip in a bag of money, most likely from their wages.

Ishizu smiled reassuringly "It is all part of the plan. Go and enjoy some wine backstage, if you keep your silence for three days another tip will arrive, but doubled." Ushio and Odion happily switched, though Odion just didn't want to seem like he was cheating on his girlfriend.

Atem and Yami got changed just in time as Yugi's voice started up from the other side of the stage…

"No thoughts within his head but thoughts of joy. No dreams within his heart, but dreams of love!"

Yami and Atem pulled up their hoods and moved through the curtained part of set.

Malik, disguised in his master's items called "Master?" as Yugi came onto the opposite side of the stage and happily sat himself at the feasting table.

As he played with one of the apples Atem sang as Don Juan "Passarino … go away, for the trap is set and waits for his prey!" he ordered, faking Ushio's accent for now, then switching to his own as Malik began to leave.

Yami confidently approached the young boy and sang directly to him for the first time in this scene "You have come here, in pursuit of your deepest urge. In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent ... silent," he reached around Yugi and plucked the apple from his grip, Yugi glanced over his shoulder in surprise, then surprise again as he realized this wasn't Odion, but Yami!

Atem stealthily moved to the opposite side of the table and continued to sing "We have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge," Yugi blushed at once, Atem smirked but didn't stop "In your mind you've already succumbed to we, dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to we." He lifted a wine goblet as he sang and placed it at Yugi's lips. Yugi hesitantly covered his hand and pretended to sip, he closed his eyes and relaxed: this must have all been planned …

Yami removed the goblet as Atem let go and placed it back on the table, whilst sneaking a hand around Yugi's waist "Now you are here with us, no second thoughts: you've decided. Decided."

Mai watched Yugi carefully, he was much better than rehearsals …maybe the audience was making him forget himself? Mahad and the guard were stationed all around the theater, she wasn't going to risk her cousin, so she pulled some strings.

Atem stalked around the table slowly and deliberately as he sang "Past the point of no return, no backward glances." Yami passed a hand over Yugi's face, making him turn his head away in time with the lyrics"The games we played 'til now are at an end," Atem finished, standing just behind them both.

Yami started up as soon as he was done "Past all thought of 'If' or 'When', no use resisting, abandon thought and let the dream descend," he seductively pulled his hand from Yugi's waist over his stomach then leaned him down like a vampire would to his victim. Yugi's arms raised by his head submissively.

Atem plucked Yugi from Yami's grasp and twirled once with him, bridal style "What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us?" Atem gently let Yugi slide down till his feet touched the floor, holding him close and nearly purring the last two lines into his ear. Yugi shivered and yet he still played along.

Yami approached again, slipping around the two of them and resting his hands on Yugi's shoulders "Past the point of no return, the final threshold." His hands gently untied his red cape and dropped it to the floor "What warm unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return-"

Yugi broke from their grips as rehearsed, he moved to an empty part of the stage and looked at the two men unsurely "You have brought me to that moment where words run dry. To that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence." Yami and Atem watched impassively. But then Yugi gracefully wandered back to them, he placed his hands on Yami's biceps "I have come here hardly knowing the reason why, in my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining! Defenseless and silent," he turned and held Atem's hands as he began the next line "And now I am here with you … No second thoughts, I've decided, decided …" he leaned up as if he were going to kiss him, but just paused a few inches away and began the next verse.

"Past the point of no return, no going back now," he walked around them, always keeping one hand in contact and sometimes playfully holding one hand up to spin him like in a waltz. "Our passion play has now at last begun. Past all thought of right or wrong, one final question:" Yugi faced them both and the Pharaohs each raised a hand to Yugi's face "How long should we three wait before we're one?"

Yugi turned his back to them and one moved to hold him against his front while the other stood against his side and wrapped a single hand across his collarbone with the hand resting on his chin "When will the blood begin to race? The sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last-" Yugi turned in their grips and held them both in a tight embrace "-consume us?"

Yami and Atem pushed Yugi back, almost roughly and all three sang at once.

"Past the point of no return, the final threshold! The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn!" Yami swept Yugi around so he was in between the two once again, each man having a hold on his waist and hips "We've passed the point of no return …"

"Halt!"

The three jumped as a man dressed as a medieval soldier stepped onto the stage- this wasn't rehearsed!

Yugi stepped out of their hold in confusion, Atem and Yami tensed to run if it was a trap.

But the soldier, with a scarf over his face, moved forwards and sang at Yugi "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Lead me, save me from my solitude. Say you'll want me with you here beside you, anywhere you go let me go too," he was right before Yugi now, Yugi raised a hand to his shoulder as the soldier took his other hand "Yugi that's all I ask of-"

Yugi pulled his scarf off.

"No!" the soldier shouted, his jail-wanted tattoo exposed for all to see. He was Timaeus: the most wanted murderer, rapist, and overall criminal in all of Egypt!

Yugi screamed in horror, backing away quickly, but the man just turned him around and held a knife to his throat.

"Yugi!" Atem and Yami moved to help but the murderer slipped a hangman's lasso over Yugi's head and held it tightly: he'd be strangled if anyone or thing touched either of them.

Mai stood up and screamed "Guards!" as the man punched the two 'actors' aside and ran off with her cousin being dragged by his may-be-death-weapon!

Atem and Yami leapt up and began to run after him, but the criminal laughed and a large part of the ceiling fell from the roof down towards the stage. Atem saw it and skidded to a halt. "Yami!" he shouted, tackling him out of the way. They landed with only a bit of splint and rubble hitting them.

Everyone looked and saw that the stone had fallen through the stage, splinters and timber was left on the floor. The audience began to panic and run wildly, screaming and shouting.

Yugi whimpered in fear as he was forced to walk through secret halls. He glanced back at the wreckage and gasped "The stage …" Timaeus raised an eyebrow and simply pulled him onwards, Yugi choked and followed obediently as his lead-like torture weapon tightened at his resistance.

The stage was soon flooded with guards, they helped up the two actors who had dodged the falling stones but as they did so their hoods fell back. Everyone screamed again as the two Dark Pharaohs stood before them.

Mahad moved to arrest them but someone ran in front of him. "Stop!"

Ishizu stumbled on her bad ankle as she ran to protect the two masked men, they caught her as she stumbled "Ishizu! Don't you'll only hurt yourself," They protested, knowing that her leg wasn't meant to be treated roughly.

Ishizu stood up stubbornly then turned to the soldiers and managers and said "These are not the killer you're searching for! That Timaeus was the man who caused all the death and accidents, he's come back here time after time to try and kill these two men before you, these men of royal blood I might add, and now he's run off with an innocent just because you were all too blind to see the truth and believe me!" she declared.

Mai ran through the crowd "Where is Yugi?" she demanded, taking Ishizu's hands. "Please, say you can help him!"

Ishizu shook her head "I have no clue, but these two men know every spot of this opera palace, they can rescue him. For he is their lover," she assured her.

Mai gasped, looking at the two restrained men "You are his courters?" she asked, hardly believing it.

Atem half smirked "He calls us his angels."

Mai saw their worry and love and fear for her cousin, and she also knew that they were the best chance at rescuing him. "Free them, they're not the ones we want," she marched up to them and smacked the guards holding them prisoner "I'm trusting you two, but remember: you make one wrong move and I'll have you back in chains," she threatened. Then pushed at them "Now go and find my cousin, bring him back" she begged.

Atem and Yami nodded "We will Lady Mai," they promised.

Ishizu put a hand on Yami's shoulder "My Pharaohs, remember: keep your hand at the level of your eyes."

Malik and Ryou appeared just behind her "Like this," they demonstrated, having been taught that from their first days here. Whenever they were alone and heard a funny noise, or when they were just nervous, they would raise their hands. All the dancers did it, Ishizu told them that it would keep them safe.

Atem looked confused "But why?"

Ishizu held her neck "The Punjab lasso, it's the only way to be caught and get out alive," she told them, then pushed "Now go! Hurry or you will be too late!" she begged.

Ryou and Malik wanted so badly to follow them, but Ishizu did not allow it. She knew how dangerous that man could be from experience. Her hurt ankle twinged at the memory of his knife through it as she tried to protect her younger dancers from the murderer …

Timaeus pulled Yugi into his old living space above the opera house, where the old chandelier used to hang. Inside were old works, old wood, and a bath of old water which caught things from a leak in the ceiling.

Yugi gasped as the man pulled the lasso off of his head then threw him down to the floor. Yugi landed and lay there, coughing a little as he breathed properly for the first time since the rope was put on him. The criminal slowly approached, his boots making a haunting tapping noise on the stone floor.

Yugi turned to him fearfully and scrambled backwards on the floor. Timaeus might have been handsome once, but he had a scar over his eye that scared Yugi more than the Pharaohs deformed faces ever could. His forehead and cheeks were tattooed with capital Palace Prisoner status, anyone who killed him would be a hero, he was so evil only death would stop him.

Timaeus pulled off his scarf as he neared. Yugi gasped out "Have you gorged yourself at last, in your lust for blood? Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?" he trembled at the thought and whimpered as the man angered.

"That fate, which condemns me to wallow in blood has also denied me the joys of the flesh!" Yugi half screamed as the man grabbed his ankle! Timaeus looked amused, but then went off into a small daydream as to why he was this way "Their face - the infection which poisoned my life!"

Yugi looked up as he backed off a little. Timaeus touched his tattoos and scowled, talking about Yami and Atem "Their face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing. A mask, their first unfeeling scraps of clothing. My mercy was the wrong fate! I should have killed those things of hate, now an eternity of this across my face!" he jabbed a hand at his tattoos. He had been the man hired to kill Yami and Atem as children, but instead he pitied them and just held them captive to earn money.

When they escaped he reported back, saying they might as well be dead in the desert, he was arrested by their families to protect their own images. Then he was given this tattoo, and his escapes and crimes increased …

He snapped out of his dream and pulled out a knife, Yugi cringed back against the wall in fear. Timaeus smirked "You're so cute when you're afraid," he grabbed Yugi's leg and trailed the knife up his thigh to try and cut off his clothes.

Yugi started to shout, but a hand was there to cut him off. Timaeus smirked and then said "Wait! I think, my dear, we have some guests!" he turned and looked at the entrance and, sure enough, two men stood there, worried and angry.

Yugi sat up and shouted "Angels!"

Atem and Yami looked at Yugi and were relieved to see him alive and unhurt, but worried when they saw the position he was in: if that man had dared to touch him they would tear him to shreds without a second thought!

Yugi looked at them pleadingly, scared so much he nearly cried at the sight of familiar and loving faces.

Timaeus saw their silent exchange and laughed insanely. He stood in-between them and said "Sirs, this is indeed an unparalleled delight!" he bowed mockingly "I had rather hoped that you would come." Timaeus snatched Yugi's neck and pulled him to his feet by his grip there. Yugi choked and gasped under his grip.

Yami jerked forwards "No!"

Timaeus raised a hand to stop them warningly "And now my wish comes true - you have truly made my night."

Atem growled, but he daren't attack with Yugi so close! "Free him! Do what you like only free him! Have you no pity?" he demanded.

Timaeus only laughed at their antics, he glanced at Yugi and drawled "Your lovers make a passionate plea."

Yugi gasped and called out "Angels, it's useless!" he choked at the end as the man tightened his grip to shut him up.

Yami moved forwards half a step "We love him! Does that mean nothing? We love him! Show some compassion!"

Timaeus saw red and roared "Your compassion did this to me!"

Yami saw Yugi gasp for air and threw down his fire weapons and begged once more as Atem did the same "Yugi, Yugi. Let us see him!" he shouted.

Timaeus growled, but saw that they were unarmed and that they were at his mercy … he threw Yugi at his feet and muttered "Be my guests, sirs ..."

The Pharaohs wasted no time and ran to Yugi's side. Yugi reached up and clung to them, crying a little in hysteria, pressing his face into their bodies to block out the situation. Yami saw his torn clothing and held him close, rocking him and whispering gently. Atem rubbed his back and kissed his tears, also murmuring comfortingly.

Timaeus watched them, amused and scornfully until he had seen enough. He pulled down two hidden ropes and approached stealthily "Monsters, I bid you welcome! Did you think that I soon harm him?" he asked mockingly, the two Pharaoh's glaring out of their masks. Timaeus stood directly behind them "Why should I make him pay for the sins which are yours!" he snagged a lasso around each of the Pharaoh's necks.

They yelled in surprise then in fear as they were tightened.

"Angels no!" Yugi screamed in horror as Timaeus pulled them backwards and tightened the ropes, it looked like they were about to be hung! They struggled but they couldn't get their fingers under the rope to pull it off! He stood up and tried to help only to be kicked in the chest and sent flying back to the floor.

Timaeus cackled evilly "Order your fine horses now! Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now - except perhaps Yugi" Atem and Yami were teetering on tip toes to keep breathing when Timaeus looked back at Yugi and grabbed his arms "Sell your heart and soul to me - Buy their freedom with your body! Refuse me, and you send your lovers to their deaths! This is the choice - This is the point of no return!" he declared, pushing Yugi backwards so that he could see what little choice he had.

The doorway was wide open, but if he ran he'd sacrifice Yami and Atem …

Yugi bowed his head and then glared at the murderer "The tears I might have shed for your dark fate grow cold, and turn to tears of hate!" he shouted.

Yami closed his eyes and grunted in pain as the rope began to cut into him "Yugi, forgive us please forgive us ... we did it all for you, and all for nothing-" he sang, Atem joining in as they tried to persuade Yugi to run and save himself.

Yugi faced the two Pharaohs and sang "How can I say goodbye my dear friends? We had such hopes, how can those hopes just shatter?" Yugi buried his face in his hands.

Timaeus taunted icily "Too late for turning back, too late for prayers and useless pity!"

Yami and Atem didn't give up "Say you'll love and our lives are over-"

"All hope of cries for help; no point in fighting!" Timaeus shouted over them.

Then all three joined in singing to Yugi "For either way you choose, he has to win/you cannot win!" Yugi looked at them all despairingly, tears flooding his face.

Timaeus took both Yami and Atem's ropes in his hands and faced Yugi threateningly "So, do you end your days with me, or do you send them to their grave?" on 'grave' he yanked and strangled the two helpless men.

Atem choked but managed to spit out "Why make him lie to you, to save us?" the murderer only rolled his eyes: why would he want love?

Yugi wept "Angels of Music-"

Timaeus advanced on him "Past the point of no return-"

"For pity's sake, Yugi, say no!-" Yami and Atem called out to him.

Yugi looked up at them "-who deserves this?-"

"-the final threshold-" Timaeus continued, grabbing Yugi's upper arm.

"-Don't throw your life away for our sakes!" the Pharaoh's begged.

Yugi looked at the man who was holding his arm "-Why can't you choose mercy?"

"Their lives are now the prize which you must earn!" Timaeus pressed.

Yami and Atem found tears in their eyes "We fought so hard to free you ..."

"My Angels of Music," Yugi reached out, only for Timaeus to stop him.

"-You've passed the point of no return." Timaeus finished.

Yugi wrenched his arm out of his grip and glared angrily, and partly fearfully up at the criminal "You deceived me. I gave my mind blindly!" he shouted, panting, with tears dripping from his cheeks.

Timaeus raised an eyebrow "Blindly?" he questioned then just glared, his single eye burning a hole in Yugi's courage. He reached out and pulled Yugi up off the floor and into his face "You try my patience … make your choice!" he commanded, dropping the youth back to the floor.

Yugi lay there, staring at nothing as he thought of what to do, how to escape, how to save his angels … was there any other way than to just give in? He'd probably just hurt them anyway, but he's hate himself if he didn't suffer with them …

Yugi slumped as he came to a decision.

Timaeus watched impassive, yet amused as Yugi picked himself up, still not meeting anyone's eyes.

Yugi walked slowly over to Timaeus and put his hands on his waist.

Timaeus smirked, while Yami and Atem watched, helpless and horrified. The murderer gently patted Yugi's head and pulled him into his side "Good boy, now let's go somewhere more private shall we?" acting the part of a kind lover, when he clearly anything but.

Yugi just silently cried.

Yami growled "Yugi please don't'!"

Timaeus rolled his eyes "He made his choice, a bleeding heart like him would always offer himself before another." He patted Yugi's head again and turned to lead him away …

There was a flash of silver.

Timaeus cried out and slowly collapsed. Leaving Yugi standing alone, solemn and holding Timaeus's hidden knife. He's stabbed him in the back, quite literally, as the man had been distracted.

Yugi looked down at the hurt man shakily stepped away, his hand holding the knife shook violently and he dropped it as he backed away. Putting his hands over his face and gasping, crying out wordlessly in denial, before running away from his and to his angels.

Yugi ran over to his angels and slackened the ropes that held them near death's arms. Atem fell to his knees and coughed and panted loudly as he breathed in much needed air. Yami was similar, only Yugi caught him and lowered him, and nearly falling to pieces as they all hit the floor.

Atem leaned over and pulled them all into a comforting hug.

They were saved.

Timaeus growled and limped up, his stab wound was deep, but not fatal. "You little bitch!" he roared at Yugi, picking up his knife and charging.

Atem and Yami glared and quickly picked up their flame weapons, then fired.

Timaeus yelled in horror as he was aflame, he staggered backwards and fell onto the old chandelier spot. The damaged wood crumbled under his weight and the murderer found himself falling through the ceiling and down into the seats far below. He screamed …

Then there was silence.

Atem and Yami picked themselves and Yugi up and slowly made their way to the hole in the floor. Yugi glanced and saw the man still partly burning and quite obviously dead, he turned away into Atem's shoulder.

Atem held him back, staring solemnly down at his would be killer and long-time tormenter. Yami did the same and then sighed and turned away, Atem glanced at him then carefully lead Yugi away as the guards and managers approached the fallen.

The three survivors slowly wandered down the secret tunnels back to the main hall where everyone was gathered and was either; slightly panicked, partly confused or extremely worried.

Yugi had stopped crying and was just silently resigned. As were his lovers. But when they approached the main corridors they held back.

Yugi looked at
them in confusion "W-what's wrong?" he whispered, his voice hoarse from crying and his eyes still slightly red.

The Pharaohs glanced hesitantly at the lighter corridor and then reluctantly stepped back into the shadows "You go on," Yami murmured, as they continued to retreat.

Atem took his hand "We … can't go back there. We belong here, in the shadows," he touched Yami's face gently "Where no one can see us."

Yugi blinked and then determinedly walked up to them and cupped their unmasks face "That shouldn't matter, you saved me. You rescued me before, and now he can't hurt anyone ever again, you're heroes," Yugi insisted.

Yugi smiled as their arms wound around him, and giggled silently as their lips simultaneously kissed his cheeks. Atem sighed sadly "Yugi … angel, can you really stay with us? With people who look like us?" he questioned, looking away and down sadly.

Yami pulled Yugi into a hug "Can you bare to be seen with us? Look what we did to our families, to that man, to Ishizu, to you!" he squeezed slightly and then let Yugi go. He took Atem's hand and whispered "This is what we do to people. This is what this," he touched his mask, but he meant under the mask "does to those we're close to …"

Yugi shook his head and touched his mask "This haunted face holds no horror for me now," he sang softly, making the two look up in surprise "It's through strangers eyes, that the true distortion lies," he finished, placing his hand over their held ones.

Atem flipped his hand to hold Yugi's and ran a finger over Yugi's ring. The youth saw the two men, once so confident and proud, they were so unsure now. Yugi didn't care what they looked like, but they did, they also wondered what it would do for Yugi's looks if he was seen with them …

Yugi hated that they felt that way, and he knew that there was only one way to prove to them once and for all that this was what he wanted. "Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known?" he sang softly, Yami and Atem bowed their heads and didn't answer. Yugi reached up and removed Yami's mask gently "God give me courage to show you," he took off Atem's mask as well "You are not alone." And he kissed him.

Atem gasped and took a step back in shock, but Yugi didn't let go of his neck. Atem's wide eyes slowly fluttered closed and his hands moved to Yugi's back, holding him while their lips moved together. Yugi's hands moved up to feel Atem's face, his fingers felt every line and pane, every scar and deformed twist …

When they parted, Atem's eyes were peaceful and he seemed to glow with contentment.

Yugi smiled and turned to Yami, who knew what was coming and took the little one into his arms in anticipation. Yugi kissed him too, feeling his face's flaws. But they weren't flaws anymore: they were perfect, they both were beautiful.

Yugi broke the kiss, panting and smiling at his two lovers. They were panting too, deliriously happy and on top of the world. Yugi was still in the circle of Yami's arms, and his smile widened as Atem's arms slid around him too. Yugi smiled, leaning into them both and sighing "I love you both, so much."

Yami and Atem smiled, their masks discarded on the floor, not fearing another's views of them. Yugi looked up at them with a sweet, cute an innocent smile.

Yami chuckled and Atem planted a quick peck to his forehead. They glanced at each other and sang "Masquerade paper faces on parade. Masquerade hide your face so the world will never find you," their lullaby wasn't true anymore. They looked down at their little one and sang "Yugi, we love you," ending the song by leaning their heads against Yugi's.

Yugi sighed, relaxed and simply stood there, enjoying their holds …

Finally Yugi stepped out and took both of their hands, then took a step backwards towards the light, pulling at them lightly "Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime."

"Say the word and I will follow you …" the Pharaohs continued, letting Yugi lead them closer to the lightened corridor.

"Share each day with me, each night, each morning …" Yugi encouraged, stopping an inch from the shadowy edge.

Yami and Atem looked over their shoulders at the dark, then simply picked up their masks and finished "You alone can make our song take flight," the two mysterious figures passed from the shadows and into the light and loudly declared "It's over now, the music of the night!"

Everyone turned to the sound of the large doors opening. Yugi stood there with the Dark Pharaohs on each side of him, holding his hands. Their masks were off, but held in their other hands. The cast murmured at their scarred faces, finally knowing why they were masked.

Mai and Ishizu, Malik and Ryou all moved forwards and hugged Yugi, the boy broke away from the Pharaohs to hold them all. They were so happy that Yugi was safe.

Atem and Yami replaced their masks, to keep the others from becoming scared, just a quick glance of their faces was enough. They knew now, that was all that mattered. They nodded at Pegasus, Dartz, Mahad and Alister before Ishizu hobbled over and hugged them, thankful to them and happy for them.

Yugi smiled at them from the arms of friends and family. They returned the smile and then smiled again as Yugi returned to them. The sun passed over the horizons of the windows and everyone felt the lighter future as clearly as seeing it …

Now you can guess what happens next! Maybe tell me in your review, but I think everything turns out fine. I'm stopping it there, no one is allowed to complain. I may have something added in the 100 theme challenge ... but apart from that: this is the END!

Thank you!