A/N: Allow me to declare this as a reboot/rewriting to my previous story, Dark Atemu, which belonged to fellow author and original creator, MidnightEden234, as she granted permission for me to continue and rebuild this story as my own. This remake happened in 2013, but due to my interests focused on other things, I've only updated this story up to three chapters in 2013 and then put up the fourth one a year later. But after that, I just didn't have the inspiration to continue…until now.
At least I hope I have enough. For this plot revolves around a much darker, sinister side of Atem just like in the first chapter of the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga series, but remains that dark side as the ancient pharaoh seeks something far more important to him than what Yugi wants.
WARNING: Updates like this one and so on are likely to go through several reedits, but hopefully minor ones to mix and match both manga and anime (both first and second) series. As well, it's so the story and the characters overall can be improved over time as the plot progresses.
Enjoy.
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Vol. 1, Ep. 1 – Rebirth
This day started like any other day for the students at Domino High School; some classmates studying their butts off, some of them talking during class, teachers lecturing and so on. It was now around noon as the bell rang and the students started going off to play outside or have lunch. One student remained behind to focus on finishing up his pyramid of playing cards with two in his hands, showing it by his tongue sticking out from the corner of his mouth.
This particular student was far different from the others as he very much looked like an adolescent child, but he was really 16 years old, an extremely extravagant hairstyle with multiple layers including long blond crooked, pointy locks for his fringe and the rest features a set of five large sparks and two smaller spikes colored black with a magenta sheen along the edges. This young man was recognized as Yugi Mutou. Just as he was about complete his game, a fellow student called him, distracting him for the moment as his elbow accidentally tapped onto his desk and causes his house of cards to suddenly collapse.
"Aw…" Yugi groans in disappointment.
"Hey, Yugi, don't just play by your lonesome! Why not play basketball with us sometime, huh?" he asks.
"Um…thanks, but I'll have to pass on that offer," Yugi rejects shyly. "The team I join would probably lose anyway…"
The student found that to be true in Yugi's reply and walked out of the classroom, leaving the young boy alone. Yugi sighs in soft depression as he starts putting away his cards. The poor teen felt rather useless that he couldn't play the activities that other kids are in because of his short stature. He does wish he can play with everyone else at some point. He always brings a lot of games to school, too, but it ends up being the same with him alone and playing those games by himself as usual.
Then he remembered something and had an idea to finish something he's been wanting to complete for a long time. Yugi then brings his backpack up onto his lap and takes out a mysterious ancient Egyptian box with the Eye of Anubis on the front. A smile dawned on him as he states to himself that his treasure is within this box, but must keep it a secret.
The riddle is a hint; "it's something that you see, but have never seen before!" He took his time gazing into the object, fascinated by this ancient craft's design and especially the eye itself.
As he looked closer while opening his box, he stopped to notice a bright light suddenly shining into his face and Yugi's eyes slowly began look empty before snapping out of the trance to nurse a recent headache, yelping lightly in pain. He winches as the palm of his right hand covers his forehead to nurse that pain.
Ever since he received this as a gift from his grandfather, he's been getting headaches and a burning sensation on his forehead. This happened every time he stares at the box, even at the slightest glance. Something was telling Yugi that he shouldn't be messing with this item. Something he has kept to himself for years.
But at the same time, something else was saying to him that he must "complete it." This voice Yugi has recognized to sound deep and sinister and spoke in an ancient Egyptian language. Yugi understood as if it was in his own language and he doesn't know why. For years, that voice never left his head and it will remain until Yugi does what it's been telling him to do.
But should he really take that chance? As badly as he wanted to shut that voice up, he feared the consequences that would come to pass. The box has been reeking with an aura of evil and darkness; Yugi could feel it in his hands every time he held it.
"Eight years… Eight years I have tried to solve you, and all I got were headaches and you talking to me in a language I can understand just like that. Just what's so important about 'completing you'…?" Yugi asks aloud, narrowing his eyes as he draws the box closer to his face.
Then in a mere flash, the box was swiped away by a hand. Yugi, confused, blinked before looking up to see his box in the hands of a 16-year-old dirty blonde, who was much taller than Yugi, and wore the same Domino High School uniform as him, but the collared shirt was open to show a white T-shirt under. His hairstyle was sporadic and he had dark brown eyes. This is Jonouchi Katsuya, a personal bully of Yugi Mutou since they first met.
"J-Jonouchi!" spouts a surprised Yugi.
"Hey, Yugi. Why are you talking to yourself?" he queries as he inspected the box from the outside. "More importantly, why are you talking to this box, man?"
"Come on, please give it back!" Yugi stands and leaps to regain his box to no avail.
Jonouchi held it high due to his height advantage and then tossed the box over. Yugi shrieked in fright when Jonouchi hopped over a desk to catch the box from hitting the ground and spilling what was inside.
Relieved, Yugi runs over to Katsuya as he says, "Man, timidly treasuring this box like some little girl as if it means something… That's the part of you that really pisses me off. Not to mention that you talking to this thing like it was your friend or something." Jonouchi scoffs. "It's downright pathetic. But you know what? I'm going to teach you how to be a man, kid!"
"H-Huh?" Yugi blinks, cocking his head.
"You heard me. You want this box back, right? Then come at me with full force! Gimme all ya got!"
Yugi, frowning, yells very loudly, "BUT I HATE FIGHTING! It's completely barbaric!"
Jonouchi covered his ears up in wincing pain, "Aah! Jesus, you may have no guts, but you sure have a loud voice…!"
"S-Sorry, just…just give me back the box, please," Yugi timidly begs.
"Yes, that's enough, Jonouchi! Give Yugi back his box!" shouts another student entering the room.
This young man had brown hair, arranged such that a large portion spikes out from the front of his head. Unlike Jonouchi, his collar was buttoned up to show he was a formal student. His name is Hiroto Honda, who held a scold and folded his arms at Jonouchi.
"Oh! Look who's telling me what to do—one-year student president reject and janitor Hiroto Honda~" Jonouchi says in a mocking manner.
Honda's close his eyes with a twitching left eyebrow, "I'm not a janitor, Jonouchi… I'm a Beautification Club member!"
"Jeez, your voice is even worse, man…" says the blonde, picking out his left ear.
"Hmph. It may be true that I'm not elected as the student president, but I am reborn as a great man—as a Beautification Club member!"
As Honda continued praising on and on about "cleansing the school", Jonouchi decides to ignore him and asks Yugi, "Hey, uh…what's in this thing anyway?"
"You can look, but that's it—just give it back when you're done. It's extremely important to me…" Yugi says.
"Hey, aren't you even listening?!" Honda shouts as Jonouchi peeks into the box rather quickly and his expression appeared disappointed.
"Hm. How boring," Jonouchi deadpans as he tosses the box up again, panicking Yugi as he tries to catch it…
…but then a young brunette does so first, startling Jonouchi and Honda and surprising Yugi in joy. She had dark brown hair with a conventional, short hairstyle and cerulean eyes, wearing the standard female Domino High School uniform of a pink coat, a white oxford shirt, a blue tie, and a blue pleated skirt. The hero of Yugi's day was named Anzu Mazaki, a longtime friend of his since elementary school.
"Mazaki!" Jonouchi and Honda exclaims in unison.
"Anzu!" Yugi smiles, relieved his best friend has come to save the day…as usual.
Anzu Mazaki, irritated over this ordeal, returns the box to Yugi and scolds Jonouchi, "If it's 'boring,' then you give it back right away! Besides, bullying weaker something yourself, Katsuya…you're the boring one!"
"H-Hey, take it easy, Mazaki, I was just trying to teach Yugi how to be a man—"
"Cut the crap!"
Both boys flinched as Yugi looks on in awe…and fear, thinking, "Boy, Anzu can sure be scary when she's mad…"
Anzu turns and points to Honda, "And as for you, I thought you were better than this! You're just as boring as Katsuya, Honda; shows you never change."
"Eh?! Hey, don't pin the blame on me as well—I was just scolding Jonouchi to return the box just like you!" Honda explains himself.
"Not much help if you ask me," she says in a dry tone. "Now you owe Yugi an apology right now, Katsuya."
"Uhhh—oh, hey, has it been lunchtime already?! Time flies, ha-ha—GOTTA GO!" Jonouchi replies as he quickly ran out, dragging Honda with him.
"H-Hey!" Anzu chases them out, only to get as far as outside the room as she glares at them running away with a hand resting on her hip. "That coward, Katsuya, I swear…" she turns to Yugi. "You okay?"
"Uh—h-huh? Oh! Yeah! Y-Yeah, I'm okay…" Yugi nods, looking down to the floor afterwards with his box in hand as he now feels pretty crappy over how Anzu is the one to protect him yet again for Lord knows how long. "Just…fine…"
"…Oh, Yugi," Anzu sighs to herself.
"FUCKIN' HELL!" Jonouchi yells, kicking over a trashcan in the school hall. "That bitch really pisses me off!"
"You mean Anzu Mazaki?" Honda asks, quickly cleaning up the trash.
"Oh, no, I mean the Queen of England—YES, Anzu Mazaki, ya jackass!"
"You don't have to get angry at me, man…" Honda picks his ear out from Jonouchi's loud voice.
"Shit… What does she know anyway? Who's the bully?" he mutters before bumping into what felt like a stiff wall.
Jonouchi looks up to see this "wall" as a person—a tall and strong young adult with brown hair and prominent eyebrows. Wrapped around his student uniform was a white strap that spelled out his position: "Hall Monitor." Honda stared in anxiety thanks to Ushio's stature and demeanor.
"What's this I hear about bullying?" he asks.
Jonouchi, acting fearless, replies, "It's nothing, so mind your own damn—MMPH!"
Quickly, Honda slapped a hand over Jonouchi's mouth, preventing him from speaking further as he wanted to save his skin and his friend's. "JUST nothing! I-It's nothing! Really…"
The hall monitor narrows his eyes in suspicion, but carries on as he passes by. "Bullying is no good. I hope you're not involved in that despicable concept."
"O-Of course not, we understand…" chuckles a nervous Honda.
He reminds them that student uniforms are to be properly buttoned, hinting at Jonouchi's loose coat. Honda sheepishly agrees and tells him to have a nice day. The hall monitor grins before leaving out their sight completely. Honda sighs in relief afterwards, finally releasing of Jonouchi, who coughed profusely and pounded his chest.
After gathering his precious oxygen, he yells at Honda, "You ASS, I couldn't breathe!"
"IDIOT! Do you know who you were just talking to?" Honda scolds. Jonouchi blinks, confused, as Honda looks on where Ushio left. "That big guy is the hall monitor of this school, Tetsu Ushio. He makes all the school rules and enforces them—even the teachers are afraid of him to say anything."
"Seriously?" the blonde scoffs, turning to the same direction. "Hah! Can't be that scary. I don't get what he's trying to limit."
"Just shut up and stay out of his way, Jonouchi…" he warns, sighing in agitation.
Back with Anzu and Yugi, the two sat down in their desks alone in the room as the latter acknowledged how Jonouchi and Honda were very scared of her. Not that he can blame them as he gently pokes his index fingers together with a pink hue spread across from cheek to cheek due to being around his longtime crush.
"I have to be for your sake and mine, Yugi. Otherwise, if I act soft, they'll likely take advantage. Lot of the guys here are like that; like for example, I thought the guys were passing the ball to the girls a lot when really, they did it on purpose just so they can peek under their skirts when the girls make the shots! Freaking perverts…!" Anzu growls.
"E-Eh…?" Yugi blushed immensely.
"So I quit and came here, and here we are. Moral of this story for girls like me: never play basketball in a skirt!" she says, then notices Yugi not responding. "Yugi? Yugi, you there?"
"Basketball good…" Yugi says in hypnotized with his face red, likely imagining what could've been if he had been there before snapping out of it. "Oh, s-sorry, didn't mean to space out like that! Heheheh…!" he chuckles nervously.
"…Anyways…from earlier, I may not like the way Jonouchi acts towards you, but he is right; you got to have stand up for yourself at some point," Anzu states.
"Um, but, well…Jonouchi isn't that bad of a guy—he's only trying to help…" Yugi timidly replies.
"And saying that kind of stuff is why people mock you all the time!" Anzu denotes.
She was right. Yugi knew it himself ever since he was a young boy and he felt like absolute shit because of it. Always so timid, so afraid and so cowardly. He honestly hated that side of him and wished for the courage to stand up for himself. At the same time, he hoped to have true friends, ones who will never turn their back on him no matter what. Those wishes seem to balance each other out; it was just a matter of which mean the most to little Yugi as he stares down at the box.
Anzu notices and felt how she was a bit harsh. She speaks in a gentle voice, "Look, Yugi…I only said that 'cause I really care about you and I only want what's best for you. Okay?"
"No, it's okay. I understand," Yugi gives a sad smile, reassuring his childhood friend.
"Good… By the way, Yugi…what's so important about that box?" the brunette asks, changing the subject and pointing at the container.
"Oh, yeah! Anzu, you haven't seen this until now, right? Well, let me show you my secret," Yugi beams.
"All right, what is it?" she humors him with that question.
With an eager giggle, Yugi opens up the box rather slowly to hold in the suspense. Soon, a golden light shines from the inside, revealing scattered puzzle pieces. Anzu's eyes widen in awe at the sight of it.
"Wow…! It's beautiful, Yugi!" she gasps, picking up one of the pieces. "Are all of these parts of something? They're all scattered and broken up."
"Correct; it's a puzzle! I haven't finished it, so I don't know what its shape is yet. But from what I can tell, it's something you can see, but can't," Yugi explains. "You know that my house is a game store that my family runs, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, you also know how that our store sells unusual games from around the world. Years ago, around the time we got there and lived in it, my grandpa found this way back in the shelf covered with dust and gave it to me as a gift. They say this puzzle is very rare as it was found in Egyptian ruins."
"Egypt, huh?"
"Yeah! Especially when there's all these hieroglyphics carved around this box. I'm guessing the meaning of this is written, 'The person who solves this puzzle will have their wish granted.' Pretty cool, huh? Just like the Dragon Balls!" Yugi laughs in excitement before wondering what Anzu might think. "Eh…you probably think I'm dumb, huh, Anzu? I can see it in your eyes…"
"Oh, not at all," Anzu giggles, finding his antics amusing.
"Thanks… Just that this puzzle is really hard; I've been working on it for eight years and haven't even solved one piece once! Kind of depressing…"
"Don't give up just yet, Yugi. Your heart is in it," Anzu cheers.
"Hm…yeah, you're right! I'll do my best!" Yugi cracks a wide grin.
"So what is it that you wished for, anyway?"
"Ah, no, no, that is much definitely, definitely a secret! I can't say for now, or else my wish won't come true. Okay?"
"Hm-hm, okay, Yugi, I understand," Anzu rests her cheek on her palm, smiling at Yugi.
The multicolored-haired boy smiles back, thinking to himself that despite the burning, headache-inducing pain it secretly causes him, he would not stop until this treasured puzzle is finally complete and his wish is granted.
But little does he know that one piece was missing from the box. And it was revealed in Jonouchi's hand, who showed it to Honda. This piece happens to be the center of it all with the Eye of Anubis just like on Yugi's box.
Honda asks, "What is that?"
"I secretly took this piece from Yugi's treasure box earlier when I peeked. I only got a glance, but it looked like a puzzle. So without this one piece, his 'treasure' ceases to be one," Jonouchi smirks, clenching the piece into his hand.
"Man, you have always been a hopeless guy, to go this low? You really are hopeless!" Honda replies, disapproving this tactic. "How about listening to your conscience for once in your life?"
"Hmph. You just said I was 'hopeless', right? What's the point of listenin' it or you for that matter?" Jonouchi remarks.
"Just return the damn piece before I do it myself," Honda scolds.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Sheesh," the blonde waves him off while walking off to "return" the puzzle piece.
As Honda left him alone, Jonouchi actually walked up to an open window and stared down at the stolen item. He thought deeply about the strange feeling he had from looking into box earlier. He felt that something wasn't right about it at all.
"This thing is weird… When I peeked in, somethin' inside felt really weird and scary. Bet even Yugi know after how I saw him react to the box. Seriously…somethin' is telling me this 'treasure' is totally bad news…" Jonouchi thought before beginning to feel sizzling pain in his hand, seeing it was coming from the piece as he immediately dropped it.
"Gah!" Jonouchi winces, nursing his palm and finding no burn marks, thankfully. Though it didn't help how terrified he felt for a moment. "What the heck…?"
He looks back at the piece, staring at it long enough to see a transparent hallucination of a dark, sinister being smiling at him. He acts quickly to pick up the piece and throws it out the window into the school's pool. Jonouchi has never been that freaked out over something like that in his life before. This was unreal. Supernatural, to say the least! Staring down at the pool as the puzzle piece sinks, he felt this was for the best.
"Shit… I don't know what that was…but I'm glad I got rid of it. Yugi, I don't get why this is a treasure to you. That thing is nothing but a cursed object or somethin'. I'm doing you a favor. If you find out, you'll be angry…but you'll thank me later in the end. Besides, with you acting like a damn child…it pisses me off, anyway."
Jonouchi sighs as he adjusts his coat and walks away from the scene of the crime, where the stolen piece has hit the ground below…and glows a dim golden light.
Hours have passed long enough to reach sunset as Yugi was already on his way home. Though, it wasn't with an eager smile as he thought back to a conversation he recently had before leaving the school…
"Oi! You're Yugi Mutou, right?" a deep voice echoes in Yugi's mind.
[FLASHBACK – Earlier after school…]
"U-Uh, yes, that's me…" Yugi answered to Ushio, who had stood in front of the gate after waiting to meet with him.
"My name is Tetsu Ushio, the school's hall monitor. I want to ask you something. Have there been any class students bullying you lately?" Ushio asked firmly.
"Huh?! Oh, n-no! Nothing like that's ever happened to me!" Yugi replied, sounding defensively, which Ushio noticed.
"Hm…it's obvious someone like you would answer like that. But do not worry, young Yugi; from now on, I, Ushio, will be your bodyguard!" Ushio declares with an assuring, determined grin. "You can count on me!"
"Eh?! I swear, there's nothing going on! T-Thank you, anyway, but I must get going. Please excuse me…" Yugi bows to him and runs off, unaware of Ushio's dirty grin.
[Present time…]
"Man, what a weirdo…" Yugi mutters, opening the door to his house/game shop. "Grandpa, I'm ho—! Oh… Hey! Anzu!"
Anzu turns to greet Yugi with a smile, "It's been a long time since I came over to play." She playfully winks at Yugi.
"Yugi, you're late! What took you so long, boy?" asks Yugi's grandfather, Sugoroku Mutou, as he sets down a box full of new games for him to sale.
"Yeah, sorry about that, Grandpa. I got caught up in a few things," Yugi rubs the back of his head.
"No, it's all right, my boy. Anzu had already told me. Still haven't given up on that, I see?"
"Why would I, anyway?"
"Well, that puzzle is beyond human knowledge and I'm afraid you can't do it. It also has a lot of unsanitary rumors and history behind it," Sugoroku replies.
"What do you mean?" Anzu asks.
"You see, the box Yugi holds contains a very special item known as the Millennium Puzzle, which was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century. A team of British archaeologists took it out of a pharaoh's crypt in the Valley of the Kings," Sugoroku explains. "However, afterward all those in the time died of mysterious deaths… The last person left this behind because he wanted to live, but also met an unfortunate end as well; his last words had to do with this dark concept called…'The Shadow Games'…"
Anzu could feel the chills going down her spine from how eerie this whole thing sounds as Yugi asks, "The 'Shadow Games'? Sounds cool… What's that?"
"All I can answer is read the hieroglyphs carved into your box, Yugi," Sugoroku points to said symbols. "It reads, 'The one who solves me, will receive my dark knowledge and power.' It's obvious this is surely some type of treasure that grants what the solver wants, but likely with a hefty price."
"I…I see…" Yugi says, appearing scared as he stares at the box.
"Yugi…" Anzu squats to Yugi's height, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I understand you're frightened, but maybe it's best—"
"So my wish will come true, then!" Yugi shouts excitedly, holding up the box in optimistic joy. Although, Anzu and his grandfather can't say the same for themselves. "I'm so fired up! I'm definitely going to finish it no matter what!"
As Anzu face-palms and sighs, an irritated Sugoroku tries to apprehend the box away from Yugi as they get into a cloud fight, "You fool! You have to return it! It's a treasure after all!"
"No, you're only thinking about the value of it! Let go! This is a future memento of you!"
"I'm not dead yet!"
[Later that night…]
Yugi sits wide awake at his desk in his pajamas as he continues to try and put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Dark knowledge and power or a doomed fate be damned, Yugi was determined to make his wish come true. He didn't care how much longer it would take for him to do so. Especially just to shut that voice up for good.
Outside of his room, his grandfather peeks through the keyhole and sees Yugi still working. It's only been eight years since he started putting the pieces together and it's amazing to him that [Yugi] hasn't given up at all.
"Hm, that's my Yugi for ya," Sugoroku chuckles to himself, then loses his smile as he remembers what the hieroglyphs read.
Anyone who solves the puzzle will have dark knowledge and power, especially receiving the deadly Shadow Game. He hopes that it might best if Yugi shouldn't complete the puzzle at all. He wouldn't want his grandson to suffer from whatever he may wish for ends up backfiring on him. However, as he left, Yugi fell asleep and the puzzle is seen to be halfway finished. Yugi is actually that close to solving the item!
The next morning, Yugi arrives at Domino High, a face full of grogginess after staying up almost all night. Nevertheless, he was still eager on how close he is to finishing his treasure and making his wish reality. However, on the way in, Ushio calls to him. He says that he has something to show Yugi and believe the boy will be very pleased to see.
Ushio eventually leads Yugi to back and the boy sees two fellow students with bruises and wounds. They were instantly recognized as Jonouchi and Honda, much to the shock and horror of Yugi. They sit and lie together in agony from the beating they had received, obviously from the hall monitor himself.
"What do you think?" the hall monitor asks for an opinion, smirking at his work.
"W-What is this, Ushio-san?!" Yugi asks in disbelief.
"I told you, Yugi. I, Ushio, will be your bodyguard. And as such, I decided to perform my duty by teaching these bullies a lesson a lesson. One they will never forget!"
"No… No, Ushio-san, this isn't what I wanted to happen! I never agreed to this at all!" Yugi yells before running to the injured boys to check on them. "Guys! Are you okay…?! Please answer…!"
"Ngh…Yugi…ya little bastard… Are you satisfied? You feel like a 'man' now for pulling off this bullshit…?" Jonouchi growls in pain.
"What?! No! Please, believe me, I'd never ask for such a horrible thing to you guys! Do you really think…?"
"Out of the way, Yugi!" Ushio shoves Yugi aside. "I'm not done with them just yet."
With a smug grin, Ushio lands a stiff boot to the chest of Jonouchi, forcing the air right out of his lungs and giving him a hard time to breathe. As he collapses, Yugi stood by with a horrified look. Tears were close to falling and his legs trembling in fear…before his hands turned into fists. He couldn't take the sight of this anymore and stands right in-between Jonouchi and Ushio with his arms spread out. Yugi actually found the courage within himself to stand up for Jonouchi, the same guy who bullied Yugi to no end while trying to 'teach' him on how to 'be a man', and prevent Ushio from continuing the onslaught.
"That's enough, Ushio-san! No more, please!" Yugi begs.
"Oh? Well, well, Yugi…are you protecting these guys?" Ushio asks with a raised brow, still grinning. "You're a strange kid, but you know what? I'll give you this chance to dispel all the resentment you have for them. Punch! Kick! Release all the hatred and frustration into them right now!"
"Never! I won't do such a horrible thing—these guys are my friends!"
Jonouchi, as much as he is in pain, gasps lightly, not believing what Yugi actually said. "F…Friends…? Is he serious…?"
"Friends, you say?" Ushio chuckles, as if scoffing. "Are you serious? These bullies exploited you, almost every day for that matter!"
"They weren't bullying me! They… Jonouchi just wanted me to be a man…and Honda had nothing to do with any of this. That's all…" Yugi utters.
"Hmph, if that's how you want to go, then so bet it. Oh, and by the way, little Yugi…it's time for you to pay up," Ushio says. "Your total for my bodyguard fees…is 200,000 yen."
"What?! 200,000 yen?!" Yugi repeats in confusion.
"Heh-heh…for that amount of money, you can take out your anger on those bullies of yours. I think that's a good deal. C'mon, you know that…"
"…Well, screw your deal!" Yugi suddenly shouts. "You don't get to touch these two anymore, so if you're going to hurt someone, HIT ME INSTEAD!"
As Jonouchi lightly gasps again, Ushio picks up Yugi, "I thought you were strange, but it turns out you're a crazy little boy…and I normally hate picking on people…but if that's what you want…I'll show you when happens people don't pay up!"
Then Ushio nails a right hook across Yugi's face, knocking him into a straight knee to the gut midair as Yugi falls hard on the ground almost unconscious.
"That's all I can give you as a preview for now. Best you have the money ready next time we meet…otherwise, we're gonna have a major problem, boy," Ushio grins before leaving while cackling.
Yugi remains on the ground, thinking to himself, "Ngh…that damn Ushio… He's the worst of the worst! …But there's nothing I can do… He's so big and powerful. I couldn't touch him in a hundred years… Is giving him the money all I can do now…? Crap…what am I gonna do…?!"
The boy clenches his head, panicking on the inside with tears slowly shedding over how could all of this actually happen and how he's ever going to make up the money for it. During so, Jonouchi stared at Yugi and pondered over his words and how Yugi actually tried to protect him despite of the crap he put the kid through.
"…Friends, huh…?" Jonouchi thought.
Now around sunset, Yugi sits in his room counting whatever money he had in his jar. With only 1,600 yen and still trying to solve the puzzle, he thinks how he is going to pay Ushio for the unneeded punishment he laid out Jonouchi and Honda with. How in the world was Yugi going to get 200,000 yen? He doesn't even have that kind of allowance!"
"What should I do, what should I do?!" Yugi panics, clenching his head that hits the table with the puzzle beside him. "Ugh…and how can I be working on the puzzle at a time like this?! I mean…I am doing better than usual, but still… I guess I just can't think; trying to solve the puzzle seems to be helping so far. Somehow, though, it's easier than usual…and I feel like today…today is the day. The day I complete this puzzle…"
As Yugi continues putting it all together, he thought back to how he found enough courage to stand up against Ushio's corrupted ways and prevent any further injuries to Jonouchi and Honda. Then, he actually was able to slide one on without a problem. With an appearance of disbelief, he tries another piece…and that one fits as well! With enough confidence and enthusiasm, Yugi holds the nearly complete item in his hands with one last piece missing from the center.
"I did it! All that's left is the center and I'm done!" Yugi cheers. "YAHOO!"
He raises the item in premature celebration as it glows gold without him noticing. He takes a look inside the empty space at the center, which starts speaking to him in a hushed tone. Confused, he looks closer to hear better, but his eyes slowly turn hollow. His room begins to disintegrate into total blackness as all that was left is Yugi sitting at his desk with the item in hand.
Soon, the hushed voice progresses into an echoing dark and loud one, uttering: "Aiktimal…laghza… Masirun… Aiktimal…laghza… Masirun… Aiktimal…laghza… Masirun…"
And then Yugi repeats in the same language, "Aiktimal…laghza… Masirun…!"
Eventually, he snaps out of the trance and flinches at the sight of the item, quickly dropping it on the desk. He pants heavily in his seat and grabs his head afterwards, feeling the migraine as a long groan escapes his lips.
"You gotta be kidding…" Yugi says in his mind. "I am so close to completing the puzzle and this still happens to me, but even worse than before! …No…it doesn't matter… I have to complete this puzzle. It's my—!"
"…Destiny…" Yugi utters in a soft voice, confused by how he even knows that. Ignoring that for now, Yugi then says, "Just one more piece…"
He reaches into the box…but only to feel nothing. Confused, his hand keeps searching around before noticing that the box really was empty. He then desperately searches all over the room and NOTHING. No last puzzle piece to be found in his now incredibly messy room. It was unbelievable to the poor boy. All the hard work, the patience he had to endure, the pain he gave himself for eight years in solving this condemned puzzle and it was all for nothing!
"DAMN IT! SO CLOSE!" Yugi exclaims, holding his head in moaning agony as tears shed for a second time on this day. "EIGHT YEARS… Eight freaking years…all for nothing…?! Without that piece…I can never solve the puzzle…I CAN NEVER GET MY WISH! Damn it…damn it all…!
"…
"…No…wait! Maybe it isn't for nothing! Calm down, Yugi; have faith… Remember where you think you left it behind— …The school! It's gotta be there! Oh, God, please let that puzzle be at the school…!"
Yugi immediately packed up his backpack with only the box and the puzzle inside it, running out of the shop Kame Game shop and making a beeline for Domino High.
And speaking of Domino High, back at the faculty, Jonouchi and Honda were starting to back home to recover from Ushio's attack, which the latter was talking about along with his disbelief how Yugi actually tried to protect them both in spite of Jonouchi harassing Yugi. As Honda was lecturing him, Jonouchi thinks over what Yugi said about he and Honda were his friends and he wouldn't allow them to get hurt any further.
"I won't do such a horrible thing—these guys are my friends!" Yugi's voice echoed in Jonouchi's head.
"Yugi…after all I put you through…why would you go so far to protect us? You could've just stood back and do nothing, so you wouldn't get hurt…but you go ahead and do this…" Jonouchi reflects.
Then he comes to a complete stop. He sensed another presence before looking down towards a pool he happens to stand next to. He remembered that this was the exact place where he threw the final puzzle piece into the water, thinking back to Yugi's words again.
Now his conscience was telling him he needed to pay Yugi back for his actions by returning that piece. But he still remembered how it burned his hand before, so it was difficult for him to decide. If he doesn't get it back, he'll feel like crap for the rest of his days. If he does return it, he fears that when Yugi completes puzzle, it'll just grow into nothing but bad news. Cursing to himself, he balls his hands into fists and hopes this decision doesn't bite him in the ass.
Honda noticed he hasn't paid attention and turns around to see his friend plunging in the water all of a sudden!
"Eh?! Jonouchi, what are you—!" Honda yells.
–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–
Meanwhile, outside the school, Yugi ran towards the entrance, desperate to find that last piece and hope it was there in order to make his wish come true. Unfortunately…
"Yugi, you brought my bodyguard fee already?" Ushio appeared out of the blue with a devious grin, as if he was waiting for Yugi to receive his money. "That was quick…"
"Gah!" Yugi yelps, stopping at his tracks. "Uh…n-no, I just…forgot something at school and came to pick up, so I…I can't…"
"Hm…that's too bad. Then I guess you're going to need some 'education' yet again, little Yugi," Ushio sneers as Yugi gulps.
–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–
Back at the pool, Jonouchi pops up with the piece in hand and a smirk on his face in success. Now all he has to do is find Yugi and hand it over to him…until his thoughts were interrupted by a towel landing on his head.
"As a member of the Beautification Club, I often handle unsanitary things. By the way, you owe me a new towel," Honda states with a smirk.
"Eh?! Buy it yourself, ya cheap ass! I don't owe you jack!" Jonouchi angrily shouts, much to Honda's amusement.
Then Honda glances to his right, seeing Ushio walking with an uneasy Yugi behind him. Jonouchi keeps yelling for his attention, but stopped when he saw how his expression changed.
"Yo, Honda, what's up?" he asks.
"Ushio…" Honda glares.
–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–
Behind the school, Ushio eventually finished "educating" Yugi, who was kicked against the wall and collapsed in pain. He held his gut, trying so hard to prevent tears from shedding a third time today. It's hard to do so when one is as weak and defenseless as Yugi himself.
"And that's your second lesson for tonight. Hope you have the money ready next time we meet, too," Ushio sneers, turning away to leave.
"HEY! USHIO!" Jonouchi shouts, bringing Ushio to look back to find him and Honda running into the scene.
"Ah, it's the bullies…" Ushio utters, still derisive.
Jonouchi kneels beside Yugi and says, "Yugi! Hey, you all right?! C'mon, say something!"
"I…I just wanted…some true friends…" whimpers Yugi, whose tears eventually broke through from the corners of his eyes.
"Yugi…" Jonouchi softly calls, taking Yugi's open hand to put the piece on and closes it. "…You better hope I don't regret this, you stupid thing…"
"Ushio! Up until now, I've respected you. I really thought you were better than this. But after today, you're nothing but a corrupted bastard! It is unforgivable!" Honda states with a heavy glare.
Ushio scoffs, "Hmph, do you both really believe that two-on-one is going to help you come out the victors? Didn't help you two last time."
"Then let's find out THIS TIME!" Jonouchi exclaimed.
Jonouchi and Honda both yelled as they ran to fight Ushio, who obviously had the upper hand. In spite of this, they continued to fight on with all the strength they have left. All for Yugi as a way to return the favor from earlier. Speaking of Yugi, he lies still on the ground, alone in his thoughts.
"I…I made a wish on the puzzle… I told it that I wanted someone who will never betray me… I wanted true friends—friends I can count on…! Friends who can count on me…no matter what! Ngh…am I so selfish for wanting that…?! Of course I am…look at what's happening to Jonouchi and Honda…they're getting more hurt than ever…all because of me… All because I'm too weak and pathetic to even fight back…!"
After finally laying out both students, Ushio acts as the last man standing without a single scratch on him as he boasts that this is what happens when anyone tries crossing him. He walks away from the scene, laughing victoriously and arrogantly.
Yugi, weakened, sees his fellow students knocked out cold, "N-No…! Jonouchi! Honda!"
He tries to move towards them, but with how badly hurt he is after receiving a violent, physical chastisement from the corrupted Public Moral leader, he couldn't move of an inch. Never have he felt so useless until now.
"I…I can't get up… I can't wake them up…! How pathetic am I? If only I…I was…!"
"…
"…
"…Yugi…"
The boy gasps, hearing that deep voice all of a sudden. He weakly looked around for the person around the area, but as soon as he heard his name called again, he looks to his clenched fist and opens it to find the final piece.
"It's…my missing puzzle piece…and it's…talking to me?" Yugi asks himself quietly. "No…it's been talking to me…this whole time…only now, it's speaking my language…!"
"Yugi…you must complete the Millennium Puzzle…" echoes the deep voice. "It is and always has been…your DESTINY…"
Yugi's eyes widen in shock, remembering the exact three words this item has been saying to him all these years. Now he truly understood it, hearing them in perfect English (or Japanese, whichever the reader prefers).
"'Complete…puzzle… Destiny…'" Yugi repeats in a murmur. "…Yes…you're right…"
He turns to the incomplete Millennium Item that has been out of the backpack for quite some time. He was so close. He had the literal final piece of the puzzle to complete eight years of solving…but what would be worth for it? For so long, he always had a feeling there would be a terrible price to completing it… What if his grandfather was right about the puzzle?
All he wanted was a true friend that would count on him and vice versa, so he believed in himself and the puzzle enough to slip the last piece in. He smiles lightly at its completion…but then an evil laugh echoes through the area and Yugi loses that smile immediately with a chill crawling up his spine. The puzzle's eye then shines brightly and shoots a glowing golden beam into Yugi's forehead, unable to move. The beam keeps locked on Yugi with the same burning sensation he's felt for years as he silently groans in agony.
"AGH…T-THE PAIN…! Is…this my fate…for solving the puzzle…?!" Yugi deliberates.
"I can't believe it…I'm free…" the deep, sinister voice cackled. "FINALLY… After over three thousand years…I'm FINALLY FREE!"
"W-What…?! Oh, no… What have I done…?!" Yugi whines in his thoughts.
As Ushio was close to exiting the school grounds, he stops to feel a chill down his spine and sees how the leaves are circling him. Curious, he looks around to wonder what was going on. He then takes a look up on top of the gate to see a familiar silhouette sitting on top of the school's gate.
"Huh? Hey, who do you think you are?! Get down from there before I report you!" Ushio commands.
"Yo, Ushio…" the silhouette retorts as the shadows fade due to the golden glow to reveal his face.
Ushio's eyes widen, as if he recognizes this person, "What in the world…!"
In the depths of darkness, a groan echoes as Yugi sits up and all he can see was absolute nothingness. He appeared so confused and scared with how his eyes are seeing just pitch black. Though, he eventually finds a small vision of what's occurring before his own eyes with Ushio staring in shock.
"What…what's happening…? I've never seen Ushio like that…" Yugi blinks.
"I happened to you, Yugi…" the darkness answers in a loud echo.
Young Mutou flinched and yelped in reaction to that voice starling him. He looked around the blackness to find where it came from until a door appeared right in front of him from nowhere. The door itself was painted light green, nothing more childish than that. Yugi's eyes see further that he's begun to see more light and color now, turning around to a room full of toys and games. His eyes glimmer with a childlike innocence, astounded to see all the items from his childhood here with him again.
"Am I dead? This must be Heaven if I am…" Yugi says aloud, picking up an NES controller with a nostalgic smile.
But an ominous feeling started to grow. Yugi believed it wasn't too far from him, so he turned and found at the upper corner was painted black and crimson red close to the door. The multicolored-haired teen drops the controller, completely frightened over this whole thing.
"Okay… Not Heaven, then. Just…what is this place?" he asks himself, or more specifically, the voice.
"This is the room of your very soul," it answers.
"What? I…I don't understand…"
"It's simple. This is a soul room; it'an area existing within the individual's mind that contains items reflecting on their personality," the voice explains. "From the way your soul room appears, it is filled with games and toys, a display of innocence—showing that you're quite naïve and childlike with such a kind soul… However, as you can see by the corrupted colors of red and black…they represent your painful memories of hatred and vengeance that you secretly bear against the ones who've wronged you."
"Whoa, wait, wait… Hatred? Vengeance? No way… I-I'm not that type of person!"
"No, you aren't…but another side of you does. A side you never knew existed… Seems I'm learning a lot about you today," the deep voice chortles.
"J-Just tell me what you want!" Yugi demands, obviously still terrified.
"All in due time, boy. Now please, settle down and I'll explain one question at time…"
Yugi takes a few deep breaths, slowly soothing himself and letting the voice explain further.
"That's what I like to see… So to put it straightforward, this room represents your soul filled with innocence, yet with a hint of corruption aided by secret hatred. Thankfully for you, it doesn't seem like these memories are that strong enough to grow, so you should have no worries…for now."
"Okay… Now answer this…where does that door lead to?" Yugi points. "Does it lead me out of here?"
"No soul room should have a door, unless it leads to something."
"That something being…?" he drifts off his question for the voice to answer himself.
"Well…to tell you the truth, this very room of yours happens to be right across from another…"
"So…my soul is now connected to yours."
"You catch up well; yes, that's right. Your very mind and soul are now connected to mine…and my mind and soul are now connected to yours. You've set me free after completing the Millennium Puzzle, and now, we are forever tied. If you wish to know more, please…step out…and visit me. I'll be waiting."
"…Somehow, I don't think I look forward to it…" Yugi mumbles.
Yugi exits his room and the light in his room shines on a neighboring door. The difference between Yugi's door and the voice's door is the former really depicts Yugi's innocent, childlike personality from the yellow and pink diamond-shaped patterned floor to the toys and games to the wall that's built like Tetris.
Across his soul room, what he saw was much more disturbing. The door was made of iron metal, the Eye of Anubis right above and at the center staring towards Yugi. It didn't help either that the door and brick walls had throbbing veins on the surface. It was almost like it's alive.
Yugi examines the vile-looking soul door long enough before asking, "S-So…again, your soul is connected to mine…? Just like that after completing the puzzle?"
"Correct. Truth be told, not only we are one by what you desire, but your anger and hatred induced by those who have crossed you in the past. The way you watched young Jonouchi and Honda take a beating just added to it all. It seems that I—no, we…will have to thank them eventually. Jonouchi, especially. He is the one who brought me together with you after realizing his mistake. I never thought I'd be completed after that piece was thrown into the water. He certainly hoped he didn't regret giving that piece back to you, heheheh…"
"Jonouchi? …Oh, it all makes sense now. He must've taken it from my box when Honda and I didn't notice…and…yet he gave it back…" Yugi ponders, smilingly lightly in gratefulness before shaking his head to glare up in the shadows. "Hey! Let's get something straight—you will not harm Jonouchi or anyone else! Even if I can't fight my own battles, I don't want you to hurt anybody!"
"Calm yourself, Yugi. As we are one, your friends will be my friends. Your body will be my body. Our minds and souls are linked and we will soon think as one…but only if you agree to it by entering this door I reside within and meet me in person… What's it going to be, Yugi?"
Yugi's heart began to beat at a rapid pace, thinking heavily over this decision. During so, his thoughts races through various voices and visionary thoughts such as Ushio's laughter along with other people who have picked on him in the past. He could feel their boots crush against his ribs, their knuckles making harsh contact with his face and remembering the aftermath of him as a sobbing child covered in bruises…with no one to comfort him.
Before Yugi knew what was going on, his hand was holding the handle to the second soul room. A long pause occurs until he sighs and slowly opens the door. He walks inside, seeing the walls were all pitch black as he closed the door…
…then two candles lit up, followed by another two and another and another. These candles being lit revealed that the room appeared to be something of an ancient Egyptian themed area with old tablets featuring different types of monsters neatly lined up against the walls and a metallic, Egyptian-like throne at the very center of the room.
"Welcome, Yugi Mutou…" the voice greets.
Yugi jumps a bit from the booming voice, but tries to maintain his composure, albeit gulping lightly, and steps forward.
"Mysterious voice…please tell me…who are you?"
"…My loyal servants and allies from my past life referred to me as 'Pharaoh'. But that was a long time ago and things have changed since. So that is no longer the case in century, you may simply call me…
"…
"…Atem," the voice appeared in physical form behind Yugi, who jumped and fell onto his backside.
"Agh! Ow… C'mon, was that ness…?" Yugi's question drifts off as he looks in stunned silence, seeing the person in front of him…is an older version of himself.
Yugi blinked hard. This person looked almost exactly like him! The only difference between Yugi and Atem were the golden streaks in his hair, the look in his eyes and his total appearance; Atem's hair was longer and wilder, and had three golden streaks following the longer points of his hair while he had the ankh symbol on the sleeves of his forearms, and his eyes were more pointed than Yugi's and had a kind of angry death glare that came naturally in pure bloody crimson red. He was taller and more menacing than Yugi altogether. Atem examines Yugi from head to toe and [Yugi] did the same to him.
The boy eventually asks softly as he stands up, "Why do you look so much like me…?"
Atem gave him no answer. He only continued to stare at his innocent self. So did Yugi, examining his ominous counterpart. Atem made the first move, reaching his hand out to the schoolboy, who took a step back, much to Atem's annoyance.
"I'm not going to eat you, child…" he snarls.
Yugi remained in his spot, lightly gulping as he watched Atem slowly grab the pyramid-shaped puzzle around his neck. He asked him what he was doing, but there was a long silence in no reply. Atem was still holding the entity and slowly turning it to one side in order to examine it.
"Atem…!" Yugi calls.
Almost immediately, Atem turned his attention to Yugi, who gasps lightly, "…You haven't got a clue how long it's been since I've heard my own name from someone else…or how long it has been since I've seen this puzzle in complete form. It really must've been your destiny all along… Yugi, you were meant to set me free… And yet, you appear petrified. Why?"
"Why wouldn't I be? I'm talking to a 3,000-year-old spirit who's been living in my puzzle, and is now inside of my head…" Yugi retorts.
"Hm…fair enough reason." Atem lets go of the puzzle. "Listen…we have to work together, Yugi. I can't wear the puzzle because it's not my body we're in, but you can't use its power because you don't know how. …Not yet, anyway," Atem firmly states.
Yugi looks down at the Millennium Puzzle and quotes, "'The one who solves me, will receive my dark knowledge and power'… Isn't that what the chest said?"
"Yes," Atem nods. "Of course, you made a wish into our puzzle. A true friend, you hoped for. One who will never betray you. One who you want to trust in. And then, there's the fact you wished to become strong so you can protect your loved ones. …If I'm not mistaken." Yugi shakes his head. "Well…I'm no genie, but I will be the one to grant what you've earned for eight long years."
"And the catch is receiving that dark power and such, obviously."
"From the look on your face, you're hoping it's not the case. Sorry to break it to you, but it is. You may not like it, but it's the only way," Atem closes his eyes as he folds his arms and circles Yugi. "If you really want your wishes to come true, you must set me free inside you. Let me live within your soul. Let me take over whenever you feel like you can't fight your own battles. Let me teach you all I know from the time I've spent in this puzzle. And most importantly," he stops in front of the boy, opening his eyes to make direct contact, "allow us to become one… You do that…and you will earn the right to become the person you wish to be for your sake and others."
"…I understand," Yugi agrees without hesitation. "My friends, my body, my mind and my soul…"
"…are my friends, my body, my mind and my soul," Atem finishes.
"Okay, then… Guess since that's all said and done…might as well seal the deal here," Yugi holds out his hand.
Atem nods, taking Yugi's hand to seal the deal while a golden bright light shines from their handshake, "Indeed. You've made the right decision, Yugi Mutou."
"…I hope I did…" Yugi murmurs as soon as everything was consumed to the light.
The following morning, Yugi arrived at Domino High with a long yawn, passing by a group of students he doesn't notice surrounding a hypnotized Ushio covering himself in leaves and garbage that he believes to be money. Seems Atem's punishment gave him a "happy ending" for the likes of him. Anyway, Yugi walks through the hall with a wide smile on his face and a completed Millennium Puzzle in his hands.
"My treasure…" Yugi giggles over, then comes across Jonouchi, whose face is covered up in bandages.
"Yo, Yugi," Jonouchi greets.
"Oh, Jonouchi, good morning!" Yugi replies. "Surprised to see you greet me… How are you?"
"Eh, this is nothing; happens all the time… Hey, guess what? I'm following your example; I brought my own treasure today. Wanna see it?" he asked, Yugi replying with an eager nod. "Ha, too bad! Here's a hint though. My treasure…is something you can show, but can't."
"Huh? 'Something you can show, but can't'?" Yugi parroted in confusion.
"Yeah. Give up? C'mon, kid…you've shown it to me on what we have; it's called 'friendship'!" Jonouchi gives the answer. "We can see it in each other, but you can't see friendship itself. Ya get it?"
Yugi blinks twice to this surprise. But now he understood what Jonouchi meant and nods with a wide smile, believing one of his wishes have come true. Looks likes Atem held his end, after all. But then Jonouchi turned away, hiding an embarrassed blush.
"Why am I spouting all these cheesy lines?!" the blond thought.
"A-Anyway, class is starting! See ya around!" Jonouchi runs off as shoe pops off.
"Ah!" Yugi grabs it and chases after his newfound friend. "Wait, wait! Jonouchi, you forgot your shoe! Hey!"
Meanwhile, within the Millennium Puzzle resides Atem. He sits in his soul room on his throne, left ankle resting over his right leg and his left elbow resting on the throne's arm and tilted head on his knuckles. The time he sat there, he overheard the whole conversation between his host and Jonouchi.
"Interesting riddle, Jonouchi… Not bad for a monkey like yourself. But I'm afraid Yugi will soon come to an understanding of what I have in store for him. I promised him friendship and the strength he, oh, so desperately needed…and I'll hold up my end of the bargain for as long as he accepts the darkness in his heart. There's no other way. It's time for him to release his inner demons against those who've wronged him and you are NO exception. Yugi may not realize this, but when it comes down to it, power is all you ever need to get by in life.
"But until then, I'll have my fun taking over this boy's body whenever I please and use it for my own desires. I have a lot to get used to the 21st century after all. A lot to get used to…once I inhabit this body as my own. Hmhmhm…oh, little Yugi…you have no idea what you've released to this world. I hope you don't regret solving my puzzle~"
Atem cracks a wicked grin, chuckling to himself with the shadows consuming him and only his eyes left before they disappeared…
To be continued…