This is a very angsty fic. Joey meets an unexplainable tragedy and wakes up as a…dog? Like his life couldn't get any worse, he has to get people to know that he's Joey Wheeler, or he's stuck like that for the rest of his life.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh

"Man, what a day!" Joey sighed as he walked slowly towards his apartment, not in any hurry to see his father. 'Cause knowing him, he'd be in a stupor cause of his constant boozing. And Joey didn't want to deal with him at the moment. Especially after he failed his last History test. "Who really needs to know about the Civil War? 'Cause I sure don't." He mumbled. "My old man is gonna have a field day with 'dis one."

He continued to walk, occasionally considering just going to his best friend's house. He always felt more relaxed there, never feeling in danger from his father's violent outbursts. But, because of always coming home late, Joey now had a curfew that had never existed. He never thought his old man would care if he came home late or whatnot.

Outside his apartment Joey tested the door, and found it locked. "Dat's strange." He whispered. Joey rummaged around for the house key that he almost never uses. Usually his father is so drunk when he comes home that even the door is ajar sometimes. A click and the door opened. Joey snuck in quietly, not sure what to expect.

"Joseph Wheeler."

Joey cringed, he knew that when his father used his full name in a manner like that, he was in major trouble. And for the fact that he actually sounded sober. "Yea?" He walked in further, only to see his dad looking at him expectantly.

"I got a call from your principal today." Mr. Wheeler raised an eyebrow. His features showing almost no emotion what-so-ever. "He says that you are dangerously close to failing History. And you got into a fight with Seto Kaiba."

Joey smirked sheepishly, "Well, eh…" He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "You see, Kaiba started it by calling me a dog, and well, one thing led to another. And the History thing, is, well, I don't really have an explanation for 'dat."

Mr. Wheeler's fist slammed down onto the counter, "Dammit Joey! How many times do I have to tell ya? Keep. Yourself. In. Check." He scowled at his son. "I had this problem when you were failing last year; do we actually need to repeat what happened last year?"

Joey had a blank look of confusion on his face, Wait, what happened last year? I think my old man is losin' it. But just go along with it, you don't need to get him mad. "No sir. I promise that I'll do better. I'll get a tutor; Yuge's always willin' to help me out."

Mr. Wheeler advanced on him, something was wrong now. Joey could feel it. "You are such a disappointment to this family Joey. I always knew you were a bad kid, no wonder why your mother left."

That was a low blow to Joey. His father was actually blaming his mother and Serenity's leaving on him? But there were other reasons, one that his father always drank, even while his parents were married. And Joey wasn't a bad kid, he just had family issues at home, and his teachers knew that. They just never acted on it because he asked them not to, only because his father was a violent drunk. It was best to stay out of his way when he was in one of his moods. But instead of Joey keeping his cool, he flared up.

"Wha-! Dad, I'm not the reason why they left. I'm not the one who drank their health away and-!" Joey was cut off by a slap to the face from his father.

"Don't you ever talk to me like that, young man." He growled.

Joey could feel the danger in the air now; his father wasn't sober at all. This was a state of rage that was induced by a drinking binge. He was totally trashed, and it was deceiving that it seemed like he wasn't. Joey could smell the alcohol on his father's breath. He backed away slowly, but his father matched his pace until Joey was backed up against the window. The cold glass reached his skin from within his school jacket. His father grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. His brown eyes seemed to darken with anger.

"Dad, I'm sorry." Joey stammered now, he was trying to calm him down. Joey knew that this was his fault, and that he shouldn't have poked the bear, or so to speak. Joey poked the bear with a very sharp stick, and he was gonna pay for it.

"Sorry ain't good enough anymore. I've had it now, you and your constant fighting. You failing your classes, and stayin' out late ain't acceptable." Mr. Wheeler lifted his son and slammed him against the window, it shattering under the force of the blow. Glass shards flying everywhere, some even cutting Joey's clothes and his skin. He could feel warm liquid on him now. The cool air stung too.

"Dad, really. You don't know what you're doin'." Joey said in desperation now. He looked over his shoulder, if his father let's go. He's gonna have a long fall to the ground, and Joey Wheeler may not bounce back like he does in his fights. This might be the end of me. Just great. "C'mon, let's talk about 'dis."

"NO!" Mr. Wheeler roared. "YOU'RE DONE TALKING!" His face turning a strange shade of green and purple, he looked like he was gonna be sick.

"Put me down, and I can go and get you some medicine." Joey said, he was strangely calm. I guess lookin' the dangers of our adventures in the face does 'dat to ya. "Just put me down." Joey put his hands on his fathers'.

Mr. Wheeler looked tired and sick. He just nodded and placed Joey onto the ground. He swayed and landed face first onto the ground, the same ground that was littered with glass. Joey took a tentative step around him and slipped on some glass. He stumbled back and tried to regain his balance but it didn't work. He started to fall out the window, but Joey grabbed onto the windowsill in time. The broken window glass was cutting into his hands. Blood was dripping down from the window and onto his face.

"Great, just what I need. My dad's passed out on the ground and I'm hanging onto a broken window for my life." Joey said sarcastically. The glass dug in more and he hissed in pain. Joey looked down, trying to judge the distance from where he was at, and seeing if he could survive the fall. There were some bushes right beneath him, if he timed himself just right. He could survive the impact with only some broken bones. "Hey, it's better than dying right?" Joey gripped the side of the apartment building and swung by his one hand to get into the right position. On three. One, two…three! Joey let go and felt the adrenaline pump through his veins as he whistled through the silent air and when he landed, he felt a CRUNCH from bones and he passed out.

Oh no! Man, i can't wait to update this story, although it might not be as often as I like.

Joey: What! Are ya tryin' ta kill me!

IHJW: NO! Why would I do that?

Joey: 'Cause you hate me.

IHJW: Look at my user name. why would I hate you if it is I Heart Joey Wheeler?

Joey:...I have no further comments at this time.

IHJW: Good, now people R&R