SUMMARY: It's that time of the year and Yugi is up to his impish ways again. Can Atem, being sharp as ever, figure out what his brother is up to before it's too late?

A/N: I don't know how Atem got his own body yet but I will say that this happens after the Ceremonial Duel.

Ch.1 The List & the Plan

It was October; and Halloween is a week away. It's Sunday morning; and Yugi is downstairs in the kitchen making a list, while his brother, Atem, was still asleep.

Or so he thought.

"Yugi?" Atem called from the hallway.

Yugi hastily hid the list in the kitchen drawer, just seconds before his brother came around the hallway. He did not want anyone to know about it.

"Good morning!" Yugi smiled, trying to be innocent.

"Good morning," Atem said, but didn't smiled back. He peered at his brother suspiciously.

"What's wrong?" Yugi asked.

"Why are you up so early?" Atem said finally. Normally, Yugi would wake up late. At 12 o'clock tops. So Atem was always up before Yugi.

"I wanted to make breakfast," Yugi answered.

"It's 9 o'clock."

"So?" Yugi grinned.

Atem still peered at his brother. Finally, he let it slide. "Alright," he said. "What are we having?"

"Pancakes, sausage, and eggs," said Yugi. "Or would you rather prefer French Toast than Pancakes?"

"French Toast is good," Atem nodded.

Within minutes, the teens were enjoying a delightful breakfast. While he was eating, Atem still couldn't get over the feeling that Yugi was planning on something. Why else would he be up so early than usual on the weekends? It couldn't be just for making breakfast. So what is it?

Yugi looked up from his plate at his brother, who was peering back at him. "What?" he asked innocently.

"Why did you wanted to make breakfast so early?" Atem asked, giving Yugi a slight intense look.

Yugi noticed the look; figuring that Atem was on to him. Atem would never use that look, unless he was trying to pry truthful answers out of suspicious people. Yugi has to be calm and natural under Atem's gaze. "No reason," he replied casually as he ate a piece of toast. "I guess I was in the mood for a warm meal for breakfast."

"You was in the mood?" Atem repeated. Then he added, "At this time of the day?"

Yugi shrugged. "Well, yeah." Now Yugi decided that it was his turn to peer at Atem. "Why do you ask?"

Atem looked at Yugi for a minute; then closed his eyes and sighed. "No reason," he answered. 'I guess he wasn't plotting anything,' he thought. "I must be overreacting.'

"You asked me all those questions for no reason?" Yugi asked with one eyebrow raised.

"Well," Atem sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "I just thought that…you were up to something…impish."

Yugi giggled. "Impish," he said.

Atem chuckled. "Well, we both know how devious you can be. Considering that you pulled a fast one on April 1st." He referred to the prank that Yugi pulled on Joey on April Fool's Day.

*Flashback*

Gym class was ending; and the boys were changing back into their uniforms. Yugi came in two minutes earlier than the class so he could set up his prank in his locker. Fortunately for him, he and Joey shared the locker. Now Yugi is standing a few feet behind his friend, watching him opening the booby-trapped locker.

'Get ready,' Yugi thought as he grinned slyly. 'In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...'

"GYAAA!"

A fake snake was catapulted out of the locker and on to Joey's torso; making the blonde teen jump back and trip over a bench that was behind him. Everyone howled with laughter. Yugi was on the ground, gasping for air from laughing so hard. It took Joey awhile to figure out who rigged the locker; when there is only one person who knows the combination to the locker. He spotted Yugi and started chasing him around the locker room. Atem and Tristan grabbed Joey to keep him from catching Yugi. They said that he'll get him back later.

*End of Flashback*

"But in the end, Joey gave me my props instead of getting back," Yugi laughed heartily.

"Yes; and we all didn't believe that you had it in you," Atem agreed as he laughed with his brother.

The two teens laughed at the memory for a while; then Yugi thought of something. "I got it!" he exclaimed.

Atem blinked. "What?"

"We could have a masquerade party."

"A masquerade party?" Atem repeated.

Yugi nodded. "It's a costume party. Everybody dresses up and be anything they want to be. It's even better during Halloween."

Atem thought about the idea. "A costume party, eh?" he smiled. "Why not? Sounds good since it's almost that time of the year."

Yugi nodded. "Yeah. Grandpa and I can take care of the food and decorations. You can take care of the guest."

"Alright," said Atem. "By the way, do you know what you're going to be for Halloween?"

Yugi grinned. "I'm going to be a vampire," he said. "What about you?"

Atem scratched his cheek with one finger. " I don't really know yet," he said.

Yugi continued to smile. "Don't worry," he said. "I can help you there."

"Thanks," said Atem. He finished his breakfast; and told Yugi that he was going to see Joey before leaving the kitchen to get ready.

As soon as Atem was gone, Yugi pulled the list out of the drawer and continued writing. The list had all the names of his friends and family. You might consider it as a hit list.

Grandpa

Tea

Joey

Tristan

Atem

Each one is set from "easy to hard". Grandpa is easy because Yugi can get him at almost any day. Tea is harder than Grandpa because she would catch right before she sets off the prank.

Joey is harder than Tea. Even though he can be clueless; Joey will try to avoid the prank than ignore it. But he is easy to convince though. Tristan is harder than Joey because he will be watching his back to make sure no one pranks him. Yugi will have to set up a fake trap in order for the real one to work.

As for Atem; he's the hardest of them all, and for three good reasons. First: his keen instincts; he'll know something is up instantly like he did with the list. Second: Atem knows Yugi almost too well; he knows almost everything that Yugi does. And it's all thanks to the bond that they formed when Yugi solved the Millennium Puzzle. Last: Atem is not so easy to scare; it's like nothing can faze him.

Yugi pondered on that third reason until he thought about Atem's weakness. 'That would seem heartless,' Yugi thought. 'But if I want to get him, I may want to go easy on him.' He corrected himself. "A BIT easy on him." Then he thought about something else; and grinned impishly with delight. "And what better time and place to do this than at the party on Halloween," he chuckled.

Then he heard footsteps; his impish smile vanished and his laugh dissolved. He hid the list back in the drawer just seconds before he saw Atem come around the corner, fully dressed. Yugi looked at the clock and saw that it was only 9:23.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked. Atem nodded.

"I thought I would go to the Arcade a little early and meet Joey there. Of course, you're welcome to join us," he insisted. Yugi smiled.

"I'll join you later," he said. Atem nodded. He bade his brother goodbye, headed straight to the door, grabbed his key, and left.

As soon he was sure that Atem was gone, Yugi jumped on the computer and clicked on the internet. He browsed on the web until he found what he was looking for.

Thirty minutes later at the Arcade…

"Awesome! A costume party!" exclaimed Joey Wheeler. Atem had told Joey about the party. They are now playing a game of pool.

"So I guess that you are attending to the party?" Atem assumed.

"Oh, I'll be 'dere alright; you can count on that!" Joey grinned. "Ha ha ha! And I already know what I'm gonna be!"

"And what's that, a werewolf?"

"Oh, a wise guy, eh?" Joey grabbed Atem in a headlock and gave him a noogie. Both teens laughed.

"I was just joking, Joey," Atem said as he struggled to free himself out of Joey's grip.

"Alright," Joey relented as he released Atem. "By da way, is it okay if Serenity can come?" he asked. "She's gonna be here on Friday."

Atem smiled. "Of course," he said. "I don't see why not."

A voice rang out. "If Serenity is gonna be there, then you can count on me to join the party too."

The boys turned to see that the voice belong to their friend, Tristan Taylor, as he was heading towards them.

"Tristan," Joey groaned. "I should've known you'll be 'dere if Serenity is gonna be 'dere."

"Well, what can you say?" Atem grinned mischievously. "Knowing Tristan, he probably has a way to finally impress your sister."

Joey glared at his friend as Tristan blushed deeply. "Aww, shut up, man!" Tristan scold sheepishly. "Besides, I still would've come to this party even if she isn't gonna be there. What kind of party is it, anyway?" he asked.

"It's a masquerade party," Atem chuckled.

"Yeah; just don't get any funny ideas around my sista'," Joey threatened as he kept his glare on Tristan.

Tristan wave his hand carelessly at his friend. "Don't worry, man," he said. "It's not like I'm gonna bite."

"I know you won't," said Joey. Then he added slyly, "cause I'll knock ya' teeth out if ya' do."

"What you say, Wheeler?" Tristan said angrily.

"You heard me, Taylor!" Joey growled back.

"It's too early for this, guys," Atem said firmly. And by his voice, the two teens stop bickering to each other.

"Alright," Joey said to Atem. "I'll be good; but only for you and Serenity."

"Good," said Atem. Then he hit the 8-ball, making it fall into the hole. "Game Over, Joey," Atem smirked.

Joey groaned. "You never loose, do ya?"

Meanwhile, Yugi is in his room, preparing himself for the party and his victims. About an hour ago, Yugi left to the party store to get everything he needed; from his costume to the supplies for his pranks. Now he's getting everything ready. All he needs to worry about is Atem's keen instincts. He doesn't want his brother to know that he's one of the victims or what he is up to for that matter.

"Yugi?" said Atem's voice. Atem had returned from the Arcade; and Yugi hastened to hide all of his supplies from his brother.

Atem finally reached the room that he shares with Yugi. He opens the door to find his brother casually sitting on his bed, reading a book.

Yugi looked up to see Atem, standing in the doorway. He smiled at his brother as he put his book away. "Hey," he said to Atem.

"Hello," said Atem. "I have seen Joey and Tristan today and informed them about the party. They will be able to come."

Yugi grinned ear to ear. "That's great!" he exclaimed. "I'm glad that they'll be able to make it."

Atem nodded. "And Joey is going to bring his, Serenity. She will arrive on Friday."

"Great!" said Yugi. "The more people, the better."

"Yes," said Atem as he sat on his own bed. "By the way," he peered at Yugi. "What have you been doing during my absence?"

Yugi looked at his brother. 'He's still suspicious of me,' he thought. He leaned back on his pillow, put his arms behind his head, crossed his legs, and smirked. "Just getting the things we need for the party," he replied, trying his best to be casual. "I've already talked to Grandpa about it."

Atem, still not convinced, nodded. "Alright. Did you get your costume?" he asked.

Yugi nodded. "Yup; it's in the closet. Which reminds me…" He got up from his bed. "Ready to get yours?"

Thirty minutes later, the boys were at the party store, searching for a costume for Atem. From zombies to gunmen, none of them seems to suit him. Finally, Atem had found the perfect costume; he was going as the Red Rose Duelist. The costume was all black; sort of the gothic-type with the silver belt buckles on the shirt. It came with strap-bracelets, a black cape with the inside made of silk and is red as a rose, and a Red Rose cover for Atem's duel disk.

Finally, the boys came home from a busy morning. They were greeted by their Grandfather, who was in the kitchen.

"Ahh! You're back!" the elderly man said heartily. "I was just about to make lunch. We're having fried chicken and mac & cheese."

"Would you like for me to help you, Grandfather?" Atem asked. Apparently, Atem has been trying to learn how to cook. The last time he tried to cook something, it was pancakes; and it didn't taste all too good to Yugi's liking. The pancakes weren't completely cooked; in other words: they were still runny. So whenever he asked or was asked to help with the cooking(which was almost all the time), he'll be able to learn and be able to succeed.

The elderly man chuckled. "It's alright, my boy," he assured. " I can handle it. Now you boys go and clean yourselves up. I'll let you know when lunch is ready."

The boys went up stairs to the bathroom to wash up (individually of course). Then they went into their room and waited to be called down for lunch.

"So, what do you think Grandfather is going to be for Halloween?" Atem asked his brother.

Yugi thought about it for a moment. " Probably something that lets him wear a suit," he said. "When I was little, he and my grandmother dressed up as Bonnie & Clyde. Then a few years after that, he went as the Riddler off of Batman."

"I see," said Atem.

"I just hope that he doesn't go as the Joker," Yugi cringed. "He may have the suit, but the make-up…" He shuddered at the thought. Atem laughed at his brother's antics.

"Boys, lunch is ready!" called Grandpa. The boys left their room to join the elderly man for lunch.

As they were eating, the subject of the masquerade party was brought up. "I'm sure you boys have invited all your friends to the party," said Grandpa.

"So far, only Joey and Tristan knows about it," said Atem. "Joey is going to bring his sister, and I planned to call Tea and tell her about it."

Yugi nodded. "And we've already got our costumes ready," he added. Then he peered at his Grandfather. "By the way, who are you going as?" he asked.

"I'm going as the Legendary Gambler," Grandpa said heartily as he clenched his fist.

Yugi smiled, pleased. "That's great," he said. Inwardly, he sighed with relief. 'Good,' he thought. 'He's not gonna be the Joker.' Atem grinned, knowing what Yugi was thinking.

"So what about you two?" said Grandpa. "What are guys gonna be for Halloween?"

"I'm gonna be a vampire," said Yugi.

"And I will be the Red Rose Duelist," Atem stated.

"Interesting," said Grandpa.

After lunch, the men got started on their assignments. Atem called Tea to inform her about the party. Grandpa and Yugi got the supplies for the party; such as the food, decorations, and music. Yugi had gotten busy on setting up his pranks.

After Atem hanged up the phone, Yugi pick it and started dialing a number. Atem gave his brother a curious look. "Who are you calling?" he asked.

Yugi smiled at his brother. "A special guest," he answered cheerfully. Atem looked at him before he left.

Hours later, the boys were getting ready for bed after a busy day.

"We still have a few people we need to invite," Yugi said as he climbed into bed.

"You mean Ryou and Duke?" Atem said as he too got into his bed.

"Yeah. We gotta tell them as soon as we see them at school tomorrow."

"Right. Goodnight, Yugi."

"Goodnight, Big Bro." Yugi clapped his hands and the lights went out.