Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did, it would still be airing on TV with our favorite spiky haired protagonist. Everything belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

A/N: Hello everyone! It's been a long time since I've written a YGO fanfiction. For you Mokuba Kaiba fans, I think you will be pleased. A good portion of this story is going to be Mokie-centric. Upcoming chapters will reveal more of that.

With the new film Dark Side of Dimensions being released, I've recently gotten back into the series (and YGO's fantastic fanfiction following) and as soon as I saw the new movie I got the idea for this story. This tale essentially takes place at the end of/after DSOD. If you haven't seen the movie….um, mini spoiler alert? But don't worry. The first couple of chapters won't reveal any major plot spoilers. I'll save the heavier material for after the movie's official US DVD release the end of this month.

On a side note, today is June 4th. Happy Birthday Yugi!

And now, onto the story!

Prologue: Celebrations

Cheers erupted in the courtyard of Domino High school as diploma scrolls launched into the air. It was a time for celebration for Yugi and his friends. Finally, their days of school bells and homework, and with it, the constant habit of saving the world, were behind them.

Grandpa Solomon Muto couldn't be prouder as he stood a bit off to the side and watched the teenagers in their glee as they mingled with some of the other members of their class. He knew how difficult the school years had been for Yugi, especially before he had completed the millennium puzzle. His grandson remained a loner, and he could recall the heartbreaking afternoons when Yugi would come home from school sporting various scrapes and bruises along his face; parting favors from the school bullies. But then, came the emergence of the Pharaoh's spirit, and with him came the closest group of friends he had ever seen. Joey, Tristan. Téa, Ryou…that group had been through so much together. Granted, most of their adventures had something, or…everything to do with a trading card game and ancient Egyptian magic…but why dabble with ordinary pastimes?

As time passed on, the crowd of graduates slowly started to thin out. Grandpa checked the time on his watch and turned around. A black limo was pulling up to the gate. Right on time. The elder man grinned and slowly and subtly, made his way to the vehicle as a young boy with messy shoulder length black hair popped out and waved.

"Hi Mr. Muto!"

"Ah, Mokuba! It's good to see you." Grandpa smiled, giving the young boy a small hug. "Is everything ready?"

Mokuba nodded and gave a small grin. "Yup! I just came from the restaurant!" He moved closer and whispered, "Do you think they suspect anything?"

Solomon chuckled, "I don't believe so. I only promised them a celebration after the ceremony. I didn't want to ruin the surprise."

"Awesome!" The child beamed. "Well, I suppose it's time to make my presence known. Watch this!" Mokuba moseyed over to where the gang were huddled and snuck up behind Joey. He shot Grandpa Muto a devious grin and mentally counted to himself. One…two…three…

"RAWR!" suddenly he jumped up and hung off Joey's shoulders.

"NYEHHHH!" Joey jumped in surprise and almost knocked Mokuba off. He reached around and flipped the youth over his shoulder. "What the…. Mokuba?"

"Hey Mokuba!" Yugi greeted, trying to suppress the laugh about to escape from the outburst.

Téa and Ryou giggled amongst themselves as Tristan spoke up. "What brings you here, kid?"

"Ha-ha, hey guys!" Mokuba grinned, and poked Joey in his side. "Hey…c'mon, put me down, Joey! This is an expensive suit, if I get it messed up, Seto will kill me!"

Upon hearing the elder brother's name, Joey quickly flipped Mokuba back onto his feet on solid ground, and looked around nervously. "Kaiba? Where?"

Mokuba laughed and smoothened out his outfit. "Relax, it's just me. I wanted to come and see you guys on the biggest day of your lives!"

"That's very nice of you, Mokuba." Ryou smiled.

"I'm surprised Kaiba even let you come over." Téa said.

"yeah…" Yugi smiled shyly, "I didn't think Kaiba would care about our graduation ceremony."

"Well…. he doesn't…." Mokuba replied, rubbing the back of his neck, and quickly added, "b-but I do! You guys are my friends. And just 'cuz Seto is being a party pooper-as-usual doesn't mean I should be, right?"

Tristan grinned. "Right."

Now it was Grandpa's turn to come forward. "Well, are you kids ready to celebrate your achievement?"

The teenagers looked at the elder man with grins on their faces. "Absolutely!" They said in unison with fists pumped in the air.

"Alright then!" Mokuba cheered, and gestured to the awaiting limo at the curb. "Everyone file in!"

Joey and Tristan's eyes grew at the thought of riding in one of Kaiba's limos. The gang followed Mokuba and Grandpa over to the vehicle. Roland stepped out of the driver's seat and opened the passenger doors for the group to file in. Once the door closed behind them and Roland got back behind the wheel, the limo roared to life and started pulling away from the school.

Yugi looked back at the building as it shrank back with the distance with a sad smile. Another door was closing. He closed his eyed and reflected. He was reminded of the first 'door closing' in his life: when he had to bid adieu to Atem's spirit after the ceremonial duel. That was his first major milestone, acknowledging he had the strength and confidence within himself to be on his own; and now, it would be time for him to build his life for himself, to be his own man. He sighed quietly. It was a lot for him to take in, and parts of him felt both nostalgic and afraid of what was to come. A rough bump in the road shook him from his thoughts as he tuned himself back into the conversation going on.

"…ohohoh, you kids are in for a real treat. "Solomon smiled. "Young Mokuba and I have been planning this little party for a while."

"Where are we going, exactly?" Téa asked.

Solomon smiled, "You'll just have to wait and see. It's someplace I know you kids would love to go."

Ryou blinked. "It seems today is just full of surprises."

Téa took notice that the limo was going towards a different area of the city, certainly not in the direction of the popular Burger World restaurant, which everyone knew was their favorite "hang out spot". Soon, after several more turns and heading towards the bustling downtown, the limo pulled up to a large, upscale restaurant, The Teriyaki Grill.

"Woah! This place is ritzy!" Tristan exclaimed. He and Joey peered out their window. The glass started to fog up from their heavy breathing. And…was that drool coming out of Joey's mouth?

"A little birdie told me that you kids always wanted to try this place." Mr. Muto grinned. "Well, ta-daa!" He waved his arms.

Roland exited the limo and opened the rear door to the sidewalk. The passengers stepped out one by one.

"This is amazing!" Téa said, excited. "I remember my parents trying to come here for one of their anniversaries. This place is always booked solid!"

"Really?" Yugi replied, and then turned to his grandfather and the young Kaiba. "Just how long ago did you reserve our table?"

"Ohohoho…we didn't reserve a table, Yugi. It's a private dining room!" grandpa grinned.

"W-w-what? Grandpa, how did you manage that?" Yugi asked. His voice was a mixture of shock, surprise, and excitement.

Mokuba snickered. "Hey, he partnered up with me. I'm a Kaiba. Nothing is out of our reach"

"Well what are we jus' standing around here for? I'm starved!" Joey smirked and linked his arms with Tristan and Ryou.

Tristan beamed. "Let's get this party started!"

"I suddenly feel under-dressed" Grandpa chuckled as they sat in their private dining room. There were balloons tied to the table centerpieces and a banner hanging from the ceiling that read "congratulations graduates!". The waiters came and took their drink orders and left them alone to browse the menu.

"So, has anyone ever eaten here before?" Ryou asked curiously as he turned the laminated page of his menu. "There are so many choices."

Mokuba smiled. "Seto comes here all the time, between his business lunches or take-out to bring home. KaibaCorp HQ is only a few blocks from here. And I've been here a couple of times. This place is known for their meats."

"mmm…. steak…" Ryou practically growled with delight, then looked up from the pages to see all eyes on him. "…what?"

"eh…not for nuthin'…but you're not being controlled by your evil spirit anymore…right?" Joey asked. "Cuz…you sounded…. evil."

Ryou burst out laughing. "Heavens, no! I'm not evil, just hungry!"

The group chuckled as their wait staff brought their drinks and took their orders.

"I know you've been hearing this almost all day," Grandpa said with a smile, "but I can't be any prouder of you kids. Especially you, Yugi. You have overcome so much during your years in high school. And your graduation speech was not only well written, but inspiring as well."

Yugi smiled. "Thanks, Grandpa."

Joey and Tristan exchanged glances before bursting into tears. "Tissues…. we need tissues….." as they remembered Yugi's parting message to his fellow seniors. The idea of going their own ways in the future was a big deal for them, and while they were excited for their new freedom, they were also hesitant to take such big steps.

Ryou reached beside him to pat Tristan's back, "It'll be alright, guys. We will always have each other, no matter where we are."

Téa nodded in agreement. "Bakura's right. Our bonds of friendship will always keep us together.

Mokuba scooted forward in his chair and spoke up, "So, what are your plans now?" before he could continue, he was briefly interrupted by Roland, who had approached the table and knelt beside the young Kaiba.

"pardon the interruption, Mister Mokuba," he said quietly, "but it's time for me to meet Master Kaiba at Headquarters."

"Already? Mokuba looked at the time on his smartphone and blinked. "Wow, it's later than I thought. Go ahead, Roland."

Roland nodded and returned to his feet, nodding to the group before quickly leaving the dining room.

Yugi had watched the exchange. "Something wrong, Mokuba?"

"No-no, Roland just needs to get back to HQ. Don't worry, he'll be back. So anyway, what are your big plans? Inquiring minds wanna know!"

"Well," Téa began. "I was accepted into a dance program abroad. I leave for New York in two weeks." She smiled fondly. "It's always been my dream to become a professional dancer, ever since I was a little girl. This dance program is one of the best in America, and I was lucky enough to get a small scholarship to go."

Mokuba's eyes widened like saucer. "Woah. That's awesome! Congrats, Téa! You'll have to let us know what New York is like. I've never been there before! And your performances. I wanna see one!"

She giggled. "I'll be happy to send you pictures and updates."

"What about you, Bakura?"

Ryou took a sip of his soda. "Well, my father wants me to help out a bit at the Domino museum part time to earn some money. I hope to go to college to study archeology. My father used to be a treasure hunter, you see… so I suppose in a way he passed down to me a liking for different types of artifacts," he broke into a small smirk, "though I think I'll prefer to find ones that aren't inhabited by dark spirits!"

"A boy after my own heart!" Solomon beamed, "I may have some of my old Egyptology books around the house, if you would need help with your academics, Bakura. Archeology is a wonderful field of study!"

"You guys have it made so far." Tristan sighed and slumped his shoulders a bit. "I already know my dad plans on having me work in his auto factory. He's a bit short on labor force right now. I can't afford to really go to college and my folks aren't planning on financing it. They want me to come up with a plan for my future before they even let me consider taking any classes whatsoever."

"It'll be alright, Tristan." Yugi said, trying to be encouraging. "You can use your time at the factory to save up money and stay inspired. Who knows, maybe you can open your own business someday! Just follow your passions."

Tristan gave a small smile in return. "Thanks, Yug. You always know what to say. I guess I just have to stay positive."

"Yeah!" Joey grinned, whipping his arm around Tristan's shoulders. "And when you make it big in the business world, you'll give us all rides in your fancy limo and become Rich Boy's newest business rival!"

Mokuba hid a snicker behind his hand. "My brother is really competitive, as you already know. Not just in Duel Monsters, but in business, too. There's a reason why KaibaCorp is always on top. Our closest competition, Schroeder Corp is still way out of our league. But Seto only has one rival in his life. And that's Yugi."

"I'm honored to hold such a pedestal position." Yugi smiled. Though I know…it's really the Pharaoh…

"Speakin' of dueling rivals…" Joey began as the waiters returned to the table with their meals, " I plan on becoming a professional duelist. A champion, just like Yugi. There won't be anyone who will stop my way to the top!"

"Except my brother." Mokuba smirked. "No one has ever defeated him." He paused, and quickly added, "Well, besides Yugi."

"Hey, I almost beat him in Battle City…"

"Joey, he creamed you." Tristan laughed, popping some potatoes in his mouth.

"…shaddup."

"Relax, Joey." Grandpa smiled. "With every tournament, every duel, you grow stronger. Not only in your strategies, but in your confidence as a duelist! Just think about how you started, back in Duelist Kingdom. And throughout Battle City, you faced some stiff competition! Just think. Weevil Underwood, Espa Roba, Mako Tsunami and even Marik Ishtar, you stood up to them well, and even faced down an Egyptian God Card! Being the one who taught you everything about this game, I couldn't be prouder! You've progressed so far, just like my grandson. And you've never stopped believing in the heart of the cards! That will take you as far as you dream to go. Just remember never to look on a defeat as a step backwards, but as a learning experience!"

"Thanks, Gramps!"

Mokuba swallowed his bite and smiled. "Hey, I'll come to your matches and watch you duel!" His eyes became shifted. "But don't expect me to outwardly cheer like the rest of your friends. If my big brother finds out I'm rooting for you, I'll never hear the end of it." He gasped. "He might disown me!"

Mokuba noticed the stares directed at him. "…that was a joke?"

Ryou calmed down. "Hey, knowing Kaiba's hatred with Joey, you never know."

The group paused in their conversation to dig into their meals. Taking Mokuba's earlier suggestion, steak was the popular choice on the table tonight. Joey and Tristan, as expected, annihilated their plates well before everyone else, with the former eyeing up some of Yugi's discarded green vegetables. Yugi noticed, and scraped the pieces onto a side plate and pushed them across the table, to the blonde's delight. Tristan's jaw dropped, and turned to his other side, to Téa. She was eating much slower, and some of her glazed carrots were left.

She shot him the evil eye. "Don't even think about it."

"Here, Tristan. You can have my broccoli salad if you're still hungry." Mokuba said as he pushed a small bowl over to him. "Seto always makes me eat veggies. But, since he's not here…" he gave a wide grin.

Grandpa Muto gave a slight chuckle and shook his head, "Mokuba, your brother means well. Those vegetables are important to help you grow."

"Yeah." Joey grinned. "Bein' tall has its perks. You want to actually grow a few inches, don'tcha?"

Mokuba laughed and leaned back in his chair. "Maybe someday. But not today!" He pushed his finished plate aside and started eying up the dessert menu. "Another mini perk of Seto not here. Desserts…here I come!"

The black limousine moved up the drive to the front steps of the Kaiba mansion. This was the final stop for the evening. The sun had completely set and the moon was shining through the thin clouds of the night sky. As soon as Roland opened the passenger door, the young Kaiba bound up the stairs and inside the residence.

"SETO!"

"… In here, Mokuba." The muffled voice came from his brother's home office. Mokuba turned right and stopped at the double doors, partially ajar. He popped his head in. The wall-mount television was on and set to the evening news. Seto himself sat behind his desk. His laptop was surprisingly closed, and most of the wood surface was covered in diagrams and blueprint schematics. A pencil was in the CEO's hand, twirling idly in his right hand as he stared at the mess before him, deep in thought.

"Whatcha' workin' on, big bro?" Mokuba asked as he excitedly approached the desk. He took notice of some sort of pod-like device his brother was trying to draw out before Seto's hands moved the images out of view.

"Oh…nothing much. Nothing for you to worry over." He stacked up the papers and put them in a drawer. When he glanced up and saw his brother, his eyes narrowed. "How much chocolate did you eat?"

"Just a piece of cake, I swear! I even shared some with Téa, so I didn't even have the whole thing!"

"Téa? Oh…right. The geek squad. So…how was dinner?"

"Fun!" Mokuba smiled, plopping onto the sofa in front of the desk. "It was so nice being able to hang out with the gang when we weren't in some type of danger!" He laughed. "I had no idea Joey and Tristan could eat so much…"

"hmmph." Seto replied, rolling his eyes. "I am more surprised that mutt was even allowed to graduate in the first place." He shook his head and smirked. "But I suppose every dog has to pass obedience school eventually."

Mokuba sighed. "Seto…" he turned to briefly glance at the television before continuing. "You don't give him enough credit. Or any of them for that matter. This was a big deal for all of them. And soon they'll all be doing their own thing and going their separate ways."

"Those geeks breaking up?" He asked incredulously. "That'll be the day."

"it's true, Seto! Everyone seems really excited." Well…except maybe Tristan… " And I'm really excited for them, just as I am for us, with our new Duel Disk, and…whatever your new designs are gonna be. I have a feeling it'll be another big hit. For once, all our futures look really bright!"