Final Hours

Chapter One

Yu-Gi-Oh is not mine. It is the wonderful creation of Kazuki Takahashi.

"I am a duelist… I've made a decision to fight… I must keep silent…"

Mutou Yugi, Duel 60: The Rite of the Duel. Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium World Volume 7

The room of his soul was growing cold, its light pale and washed out. He sat on a dusty stone floor, empty of the toys that once littered the room. It was fitting, of course - the time had come to leave childhood behind. It was time to put the toys away. Time to show his strength to the world.

There was still so much he wanted to say to his other - no, to Atem. And he knew those things could not be said, because if they were, this duel might never come. Hard as it was to let his friend move on, he could not bear the thought of keeping him forever trapped in his heart. He only hoped when it was over, there would be time to say goodbye…

He was relieved and not at all surprised when he felt another presence approaching the room. Somehow, he knew this one would come to him, somehow always appearing when the need was greatest. At least he wouldn't be alone with his aching heart. And he would have a chance to explain another painful decision. Much as he wished it otherwise, no man (or monster) could serve two masters.

This time, there was no blinding light to announce the other's arrival, only weary footfalls that halted before his dejected form.

"I am here, little master. I felt your heart call out to mine."

"I wanted to keep you." He said, his eyes downcast. "You were always my favorite, even before Grandpa gave me his deck. I always wanted to be powerful like you, like HIM! But this…This isn't like Doma, where he had to fight without me, where he had to fight himself. Now he has to fight me, and I saw - I saw in his memories how close you are to him. How you gave your life for him, then came back from death to protect him! You've always supported him, just as my friends support me, just as HE always supported me. I won't take you from him now.

And I think it's time for me to move on as well, to truly be my own self. When I dueled the Ring Spirit, I had to do it on my own. I had to find my own strategies, build the deck that suited me! And it worked! I was able to save my friends, find his name. Little Yugi, the kid who always had to be protected." He smiled, a smile that was sad and tired all at once. "I guess I'll always be 'little', but I think I've grown up a bit.

I'll always be grateful to you, and I hope in the future I'll have a 'Dark Magician' in my deck again. But, I know you're much more than a powerful monster. I saw that when we dueled Pandora. I -I think when he moves on to the spirit world, you are meant to go with him. I hope you won't forget me. I know I'll never forget you. And I hope you're not mad at me for fighting Atem. Kaiba doesn't understand. I think he wants to spare me the pain of being the one who sends him to the spirit world. And, I' know' he wanted one more chance to beat Atem! But I knew, ever since Battle City, that it was 'my duty' to help recover the Pharaoh's memories so he could move on. I can't hold back. I HAVE to win to fulfill that duty! And I hope you don't hold back because of me. Come at me with all your power, because when we duel tomorrow, he will need you more than he's ever needed you before!"

It was done. Somehow, he had held himself together and said what he so desperately needed to say. Emotionally exhausted, he stood up and gazed into the eyes of the monster who was the centerpiece of their deck, the monster who represented "both" of them.

He had prepared himself for the other's doubt, disappointment, maybe even anger. What he saw, what nearly overwhelmed him, was trust, compassion…love.

"You are sure of your victory, Little Master? Will you take up his sword and put an end to it?"

"I am sure. I know I have to do this. I'm sorry, but I will win. I MUST win!"

" Truly, you have the heart of a warrior. I am honored to have served you, Mutou Yugi. And I will always be your friend, as will my pharaoh, in this life and the next."

Dark Magician stepped forward and made a deep formal bow to his former master. Then, he knelt, almost as if going into defense mode. He set his staff to one side and held out his arms. After a long moment, Yugi threw himself into the proffered comfort, his heartbroken sobs echoing in the room of his soul.