"Motherfucking shitheads," Sakura growled.

"Let them go," Melhana said softly. "And rest your voice; you're coming down with something. Besides, Yugi looks like he could use a bit of encouragement."

Sakura looked at her and nodded, the scowl still onher face.


'You okay in there Yugi?' Selena linked, but she got no response. She tried a stronger mental nudge, but nothing happened.

'Atem, we're going to need your help to cheer Mr. Emo here up.' Selena linked to Atem.

'I don't know how or why but I have to do something. As for cheering up, you're on your own' Atem replied.

'You're helpful.' Selena replied sourly. 'And pray tell, who here snapped you back to reality when you lost Yugi ten years ago?'

((Selena's not being nice...))

'No one did untill the knights came and released him' he snapped back, 'Or have you forgotten. You tried and failed remember?'

'Oh, I remember.' Selena replied. 'I was starting to wonder if we'd have to wait an eternity for you to get out of emo mode.'


"About time." Max said before shutting off her headset. "Looks like the rest of the Elite Squad has arrived in Japan, finally. The only person we're missing now is Seto Kaiba."

"And from the looks of it, Jonouchi's not too thrilled." Melhana said, pointing with her thumb at said duelist. He glared at her.

'A long time? ONE DAY AND NIGHT YOU %$&#%!' Atem yelled.
*****
"But we do have one lead. Those ones who were hunting them down has claimed Ashleigh for themselves. Because of that Aka's her own self which is usualy strange. Not only that, Yugi's now in this state called Emo and Sakura and Atem are arguing because of it" Mahad said.

"Sounds about right." Melhana said. "And now Jonouchi's griping about Kaiba having qualified for the championships."

"I'd better call in my own brother then," Aoi sighed. "Hope you guys don't mind wearing earplugs all the time."

Just as she was about to dial the number into her phone, she saw something--or someone rather. A transparent someone with a regal stance. That of a king...

Then a vision flooded into her, triggered by the Star's Tauk around her neck.

And ancient king, giving his own life to protect his people...
The same man, in modern clothing sporting a duel disk, summoning Slifer to the field...
Again, the same king in moder clothes dueling someone atop a platau in Death Valley. The Seal or Orechalcos burned upon his brow...
Someone with crazy, tri-color hair whose face was faced away from her. She moved closer, and saw that his eyes were black with the dark magic of the Dark Signers...

"STOP!" Aoi shouted. She was jerked out of her vision to the sight of everyone with their eyes on her. What...what the hell did I just see?


'Alright already! I get it--you're pissed! But we really do need a way to get Yugi out of emo mode.'

"You alright?" Mahad asked.

---

'Like I said, you're on your own for that one. I'm not the type to cheer up people' Atem growed, and like before, his dark side began to grow.

Shit, this isn't good. Selena thought.

"I think so." Aoi said. She could feel the Tauk against her skin was getting warm. Unconciously, her hand felt the spot where it was hidden underneath her coat.

Selena sighed. I hoped I wouldn't have to do this... She said, reaching out to Mahado with her mind.

'We've got a problem here.' She said.

'What is it Selena asked' Mahad said, following after another explosion, but not as big as before.

"That's not good," Jonouchi said.

"Great job stating the obvious, Katsuya-kun!" Melhana replied.


'You don't have to address me as Sakura in mindlink. I am Selena Kuro.' Selena replied. 'But we've got a problem; Atem's dark side is resurfacing.'

'I said your name, not Sakura. And that's not good. If that happen again, Atem will leave Yugi. I just hope that he doesn't join Ashleigh. In the moment, it's best for them to stay seperate, and stay away from the girl. The only one who can free Ashleigh is the one who was there at the time Ashleigh first went haywire' Mahad replied.

'It happened before right? Even if it was a test, the darkness flowed into Yugi's viens so it might happen again' Mahad replied, following after another explosion. The war was begining.

'That's what i was afraid of that,' Selena replied. She turned her attention back to Yugi. 'C'mon, Yugi, you've got to snap out of it or we'll lose both you and Atem! Again, no response. Mustering her strength, she released a mental shout that couldn't go undetected. 'DAMN IT YUGI, WAKE THE HELL UP!!!'


'WAKE THE HELL UP!!!'

Yugi was finally broken out of his reverie by Selena's mental shout. Finally, he was back with reality. 'Did you have to kill my head?' He asked.

'Finally! Yugi, we've got a problem.' Selena said. 'You'll be able to feel this best of all of us, but I got a taste of it when I was talking with Atem; something's woken up the darkness in him. We can't lose him or you!'

It's just like the Orechacos, Yugi thought, then pushed it out of his mind. Now that Selena mentioned it, he could feel the taint in his partner's soul. Bracing himself, Yugi linked with Atem.

'Atem, please calm down.' He said calmly.

Atem gave a glance at Yugi
'Shut up' he said.

'You're both in the same situation so don't give me that bulloks' Atem snapped.
"Melhana, what's going on?" Mahad asked, not knowing the situation.

"His limitation bands are too old Mel. We need to make sure that he's down so I can slip on his new pair. I made sure that the bands control his shadow side as well as his magic" he replied, "but to make sure that happens, he MUST be pinned down first."

Mahad held out two new bands in his hands. They glistened in the sunlight....or what was left of the sunlight. He slid the old ones off and put the new and improved bands on.
"You have to control yourself Atem and these new bands, you be able to" he said. Atem just nodded.

"Yes it is" Mahad replied.
Just then, Aka came though the door.
"Where's my abiou?" she asked.