Yay! The first episode is finally up! I am so sorry it took me so darn long to get this up; I know, it's probably a little annoying. Stupid writer's block! And I know my summary probably isn't all that impressive. Well, anyway, I hope you guys like and leave me a review. Thanks!

I promise the second episode won't take as long!

This first episode is partially just transitions of the gang getting home, as the title of the episode says, and also Yugi's hard time getting over Atem's parting with them. It also introduces two of my original characters, one of which will be appearing throughout the episodes; (if you check out my profile, you will know who it is.)

Now, on with the story!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Season 6

Episode 225- The Journey Home

Yugi slouched over the railing and watched as the ocean water splashed up against the ship. A sequence of memories were flashing through his mind and his heart sunk lower into sadness. He noticed an odd sensation that was as if a weight had been lifted off his chest; well, literally in this case, now that he no longer had the Millenium Puzzle around his neck. He heard the faint sound of footsteps coming from behind him; he turned and saw Téa looking at him hesitantly.

"Hey Téa," Yugi said softly.

Téa walked up to lean against the railing next to Yugi. "Are you feeling okay?"

Yugi's eyes lowered again and he shook his head lightly.

Téa stretched out her hand to him, but froze, unsure of how he would react. She hesitated for a moment, then rested it on his arm in comfort. Yugi looked over at her blankly. Once again, his mysterious side was driving her crazy; if only she could tell what he was thinking. She knew perfectly well that he had as much on his mind as she did. After a moment's awkward silence passed, Yugi turned away from her, letting her arm fall back to her side.

"I'm sorry I don't feel like myself right now Téa; I know you of all people would understand how I'm feeling." He had his back to her, as if he didn't dare look her in the eyes.

Téa smiled a little. "Yes, I understand you perfectly Yugi. I don't blame you for feeling so sad. Atem was a wonderful man, and he changed all of our lives, especially yours."

Still not turning to look at Téa, Yugi couldn't help but allow a small thankful smile curl upon his lips. "Thank you Téa. I'm glad I have a true friend like you."

Téa's smile widened slightly and her eyes shimmered. She waited a moment before she spoke again. "Yugi, you know that we're all sad about Atem leaving, but it is for the best after all..."

"I know, and I'm glad he's free; I'm just gonna need some time to get used to it, that's all." He turned halfway toward her, his eyes meeting hers for the first time that night. "To be honest, I really just feel the need to be alone for a little while."

Téa's smile faded. "Yugi-"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound rude; I guess I just need some alone time to let it all sink in," and with that, he walked back inside the ship.

He really has a lot on his mind, Téa thought to herself. Well, he'll feel better in time. She looked out at the endless water ahead. At least, I hope so, for his sake. Only a couple hours till they would reach shore, and then they could finally fly back home.

Yugi's legs were hanging off the edge of his bed as he was lying there, thinking about the past events. It was amazing how much Atem had changed everyone's lives, and now that he was gone, Yugi wasn't sure how long it would take for him to get over it. His deck sat there by his head, and he turned his head to look at it. Tears started to well in his eyes, but he blinked them away.

"Yug? Everything alright buddy?" Yugi felt himself being shaken out of his thoughts. It took him a second to refocus and remember where he was. They were still in the plane, and Joey was here sitting next to him with a concerned look on his face.

"Oh, sorry Joey. Everything's fine."

"Yugi, I know your sad, and I totally understand." Yugi looked back out the window. Joey frowned. "Really, I do man."

Yugi smiled, but didn't look at his best friend. "Thanks Joey; I just need time to get over it."

"I know, Téa told me about last night on the ship; she said that you were really upset, and you wouldn't really talk to her."

Yugi's smile disappeared and he looked down at his feet. "She probably hates me right now."

Joey's face broke into slight shock. "What? Why do you say that?"

"Well, it is my fault that Atem is gone since I beat him."

Joey's frown came back. "Yug, she just feels bad because she knows how upset you are. We all miss Atem, but it won't bring him back, so we just gotta get used to it. Besides, it's like I told him before he left, he's still with us in our hearts. The impact he had on so many lives, that will never change, even if he's gone."

Yugi looked back at Joey and smiled. "You know Joey, you're absolutely right."

"Well, here we are, home sweet home," Tristan exclaimed, stretching as they unloaded from the plane. "And who would have thought that everything would be over this fast?"

Yugi turned to the Ishtar siblings. "So, now that your duties are over, what are you going to do?"

Ishizu smiled. "Now that all is well and the world has been saved, we are permanently moving to Domino City."

The gang looked surprised. "No way, seriously?" Téa asked.

Ishizu nodded.

"Our duty to guard the Pharaoh's tomb is complete, and now we can start a whole new life," Marik said, "just like we wanted to in our childhood."

Odion turned to Ishizu. "That reminds me; Marik and I have a surprise for you sister."

Ishizu looked at him confusedly. "A surprise? What do you mean brother Odion?"

He smiled. "Well, actually, it's supposed to be here any minute now."

"Yugi, I have something to say to you."

Yugi looked up and saw Kaiba standing in front of him with the usual frown spread across his mouth. "What do you want Kaiba?"

Kaiba's frown grew even more visible. "I wanted to congratulate you on your victory over the Pharaoh. It's like you heard me say yesterday: You really are the king of games."

That last statement left Yugi rather speechless. "Wow, uh, thanks Kaiba."

"But don't think that means that I won't keep asking you for another rematch. I won't rest until that title is mine again."

"As long as you don't bring that Pyramid of Light on me again I think I can live with that."

Kaiba seemed to almost smile, or was it more of a smirk? "Who knows, it just might happen to be in my deck sometime."

Yugi smirked back at him. "Well, don't freak out on me if I do end up beating you again."

"Well, the next time we do finally duel again, it will be an honorable one."

A wave of shock swept over Yugi. He had never hear Kaiba say something like that to him. Wow, that was unexpected, he thought. He allowed a smile to release from his lips. "Thanks. It'll be definitely be on honor dueling you again too."

"Sister," Marik spoke up to Ishizu, "I believe I see your surprise."

"I wish you would tell me what this surprise is," Ishizu said with a smile.

Odion pointed "It's over there."

Everyone followed his direction. Ishizu's eyes filled with shock and surprise as she saw what was in front of her. Right there, was a man in a white button-up shirt and black pants; he had a huge smile on his face. A young girl that looked about sixteen or seventeen was with him; she was wearing a white tank top with a black cardigan over it along with a pair of blue jeans. She had a pair of purple Converse on her feet. She also carried a large smile.

The entire gang turned to watch Ishizu's reaction; she seemed speechless. Everyone waited; a moment passed before she managed to let out the words: "Arthur? Lilly? It's really you!" She rushed to them; the man called Arthur met her halfway with a strong embrace.

"Hello my darling," he said, "I have missed you."

"And I have missed you as well." Tears began falling down Ishizu's face. They released from their embrace and Ishizu looked at the girl behind Arthur. "Lilly; my sweet Lilly..."

The teenage girl's smile became almost too big for her face as they stared at each other. "Mother!" she shouted excitedly as she ran to meet her. She practically attacked Ishizu with a hug as she giggled in pure joy.

"Lilly, my daughter, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you again!".

"I'm happy to see you too mother. I have missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, but now we are together again at last." She smiled as her daughter nodded in agreement. "But what are you two doing here?"

"Uncle Marik and Uncle Odion called us a few days ago and said that you would be returning to Egypt for a few days, but you would come back today," Lilly explained.

It took a moment for Ishizu to remember that the others were still watching the scene. She turned to them.

"Everyone, this is my husband Arthur and my daughter Lilly. They left when Marik's evil spirit became too dangerous."

"And now that we're all back together, we can start a whole new life," Arthur said with a smile. "We can finally be a family again."

There was a loud rumbling noise. Tristan turned his head and gave Joey a funny look; Joey looked down at his stomach and grinned sheepishly.

"Hey, what time is it? I'm starving!"

Tristan looked at a nearby clock. "Almost two o'clock."

"Man, it's way past noon, and we haven't even eaten lunch!"

Solomon reached up to put a hand on Joey's shoulder. "We'll get lunch as soon as we get back to Domino City."

Joey groaned impatiently.

"Relax Joey, we'll get food before you know it," Tristan reassured him.

Joey's eyes widened and his lip curled; it was hard to tell whether he was smiling or panicking. "Well, let's get out of here as soon as possible!" He grabbed Tristan by the collar of his jacket and the two sped ahead, Joey slamming into Yugi's arm in the process.

"Ow! Joey! Watch it!" The force of the collision caused Yugi to drop his bag to the floor. He rubbed his arm as he gave Joey's disappearing figure an irritated wince.

"Well, I guess we should follow them, shouldn't we?" Bakura suggested.

Ishizu nodded and smiled at her husband and daughter. "Yes, I suppose we should."

Most of the gang began tracing Joey and Tristan's steps. Téa stopped in her tracks. She turned back to Yugi. "You coming?"

"Yeah, just a sec," he replied, still rubbing his injured arm. "You go ahead; I'll catch up."

"OK," Téa said. "Don't fall too far behind." And with that, she continued to follow the rest of the gang.

Yugi sighed and waited for the pain is his arm to subside a little bit more. After a few seconds, he reached down to grab his bag, but another hand had already grabbed it. He looked up and met with a pair of deep dark-brown eyes that he didn't recognize. He straightened up and discovered that these eyes belonged to Lilly. Their eyes locked. Yugi noticed now that Lilly was quite a pretty girl. The sun was shining through a nearby window, causing her black hair to shimmer and her eyes to almost glow. She smiled at him, still holding his bag. Yugi's gaze remained frozen on her for a few moments before he snapped out of it.

"Uh, thanks," he said, almost in a stutter.

"Hey, it's really no problem. You really seem to have a lot of weight on your shoulders."

"I...uh..."

"You must be Yugi Muto."

"Oh, uh, yeah, that's me."

"My mother has told me a lot about you. She said that if it weren't for you, Uncle Marik wouldn't be here right now."

"Well, yeah, I guess, uh, thanks."

"Please, we're the ones who should be thanking you!"

Yugi could feel his face starting to heat up.

"It was no big deal..."

Lilly reached up and grabbed his arm. (Luckily, Yugi had grown a lot in the past few years, so she was a good inch shorter than him.)

"You know, you don't have to always be so modest. You know it's true, that you're a hero, and you're the king of games," she reassured him. "And you gotta admit, that's pretty cool."

Now Yugi's face was burning red. He didn't really know what to say. "I...uh..."

"I'm Lilly by the way, Lilly Ishtar."

She reached a hand out to him with a smile. He shook it timidly and tried to smile. "Nice to meet you Lilly."

"Nice to meet you too. Well, we should go; we're falling behind the others."

"Oh, yeah."

And with that, they left together.

To Be Continued...

So, what did you guys think of my first story? It is awesome or what? Yeah, I know it was kinda short. The next episode will probably be a bit longer, but at least I finally got this one up! :)

Leave me a review? I would absolutely appreciate it.