Background: Atem has returned to the afterlife. Yugi has tried to live normally. Jack has been slowly going mad since his adventures with Yusei and the gang has ended. Dark Magician has escaped the shadow realm and now lives with Yugi trying to help him in anyway dealing with the loss of Atem. Seto has started a new project. Bakura has returned and lives with Ryuo but things haven't been quite right…
Jack ran a hand through his hair as he stared out the window. He knew that he was going insane, slowly, but getting there. He didn't care anymore. Yusei has been trying to help him stay sane but he seemed to make it worst. Since, whenever he left to get food or just to get out of the house Jack felt himself going deeper into the darkness of insanity.
There was a sound of dripping behind him. Jack turned toward it to see a small vial had been dumped and was dripping out. Jack tilted his head at it and looked at some of the other items laying out, "Interesting…"
…
Yusei rushed home. He was out later than he wanted to and he just remembered that he left a bottle of chemicals that Crow had asked him to dispose of out. There was a crash of thunder right before it started down pouring. Yusei cussed under his breath, regretting not bringing his bike. It'd be faster and he wouldn't be soaked.
Another crash of thunder sounded as Yusei turned down onto his street and ran to his house. He took out the key and unlocked the door. He was greeted by a foul smell. Yusei covered his nose and mouth before going further into the house.
It was silent with no sign of Jack anywhere. This was really worrying Yusei. He looked through the whole place until it was just the basement left.
As careful as he could Yusei made his way down the stairs. There was a crash. But not of thunder this time. No, the sound of glass. Yusei dashed the last way down the stairs to see Jack picking up pieces of glass out of his palms, "Jack!" Yusei ran over as the taller looked up at him, "What happened?" He looked around, "What is all of this stuff?" There was glass jars fill with different colored fluids, some even glowing.
Jack got the last of the glass from his hands, both leaving slash marks on his palms, "Do you like it? I found some chemicals and mixed them." His voice had a large hint of insanity.
Yusei looked back to Jack. He had a huge smile and his eyes filled with madness, if Yusei really looked he would see the red taking over Jack's violet eyes, "Jack…Maybe you should get to bed…Your…chemicals…will be here for you tomorrow."
Jack looked at his jars before looking back at Yusei, "Yes…Sleep…" He seemed out of it, completely. Jack walked past Yusei and up the stairs. Yusei looked at the jars before following Jack.
…
Ryou sat in his living room watching an old show on Egypt that Yugi's grandfather was speaking in. He was just starting to talk about finding the Millennium Puzzle. On the screen Solomon, looking much younger than he does now, held up the gold box and told about the story of the ancient Pharaoh that had once owned it.
The young Britt's fingers brushed over his own Millennium Ring before quickly changing the channe. Bakura was still touchy at the Pharaoh being mentioned. Just as the channel was changed Bakura walked into the room. The once spirit looked at Ryou, who was looking at him, then to the TV, "What are you watching?"
Ryou looked back at the screen, "Uhm…" A purple unicorn with pink stripes in her bangs galloped across the screen, "My…Little Pony?"
Bakura raised an eyebrow, "Right…" He reached for the remote, "Let's find something more interesting…" Just as he was about to pick up the remote his arm snapped, causing him to slap Ryou across the face.
Ryou gasped, everything seemed to be in slow motion as he fell from his seat to the floor. He fell, supporting his upper body on his forearms. Bakura drew his arm back and looked at his hand as if his fingers had just turned to snakes, "B-Bakura?" Ryou looked up at his darker half.
Bakura looked at Ryou then back to his hand, "N-Not again…It's after you too!" The once spirit turned and dashed from the house.
…
Yugi sniffled as he looked at the Millennium Puzzle in his hands. It once held a great person. A person that was close to him, dear to him. A person whom he loved. Small tear drops began to fall onto the golden eye as Yugi couldn't take it any longer.
"Yugi…Why do you have that out again? It only brings sadness," the small boy looked to his door way to see a tall man with blue eyes and purple hair that came down to his shoulders. He had on blue jeans with a tight violet shirt that had lighter violet swirls on the shoulders, the Dark Magician.
Yugi sniffled again, "I-I know Mahad…I-It's just…" He looked back at the puzzle, "I miss him s-so much…"
The magician sighed and sat next to Yugi, taking the puzzle from him, "I know…I miss Atem too…" He waved his hand over the puzzle and it disappeared to a new hiding place that Yugi would most likely later find.
Yugi leaned into Mahad, wishing for it to be Atem, "I-I wish there was a way we could bring him back…"
Mahad rubbed his arm in a comforting gesture, "So do I…But you know that bringing him back uses evil magic…It'd have horrifying consequences." Yugi nodded, not trusting his voice. Mahad stood and helped Yugi to his feet, "Come on…Your grandfather just got a new game in. Maybe we can invite Joey over and try it."
"B-But it's so late…And it's about to storm…" Yugi looked at the clouds outside his window.
The magician sighed, "Then maybe just we can play it. How does that sound?"
Yugi looked at the Magician for a moment before nodding and following him down the stairs to see a game board already set up. Maybe a nice easy game will help keep Atem out of his mind…