Yugi and his friends saved the world but what happens after? How do you move on from having a spirit inside you, a purpose , the evil and everything you been through. Where do you go from here?
Chapter 1 - Graduation
"You are not weak! I'm so proud of you and you truly are the king of games that you no longer need me anymore."
Today was different than any other day for Domino high. It was three years since the world was threatened and saved by a courageous boy and his friends today. Domino high was bussling but not in relation to being saved. In fact, not many people knew how close the world came to ending three years ago and as the years went on more and more who were involved began to forget.
No, today was a special day for the seniors of Domino high, graduation day.
Everyone who was graduating in the school today were wearing their black ceremonial graduation gowns and hats walking amongst the halls proud as peacocks. Some more surprised at their graduation then others but most pleasantly happy with themselves.
Not only were the hallways filled with gown wearing soon to be grads, but their families and loved ones as well. Everyone had their minds on graduating, taking photos and celebrating.
Well, mostly everyone.
Yugi tried his best to walk down the bustling busy corridors, trying really hard not to get shoved around. He wasn't as short as he used to be, but he was still smaller than some people and it made navigating without getting clobbered difficult. If five years of high school has taught Yugi anything, it's how to duck and weave through crowds unnoticed.
He managed to get to the courtyard in the centre of the school where it was a bit more open and less people. Téa insisted that they all meet there after the ceremony but before they head home for photos.
'Guess I'm early' Yugi thought as he looked around for any traces of Téa or anyone else. He couldn't even see his mother and grandpa either who he relayed Téa's message to before they wandered off to visit with some of the other parents they knew.
Yugi let out a sigh of relief, although he didn't want to disappoint Téa he really didn't feel like pictures and had hoped he missed it altogether.
Three years ago today was the day Yugi battled his other half in a duel with the fate of the world behind them. If he lost, his other half would be trapped in this realm for another 5000 years along with the millennium items which would have the potential of falling into evil hands again. If he won though, his other half pharaoh Atemu would end up finally fulfilling his full destiny and disappearing into the afterlife along with the millennium items and Egyptian god cards.
Either way, Yugi had felt it was a lose situation. He'd either risk the world, or lose Atemu forever.
Subconsciously without even realizing it, Yugi went to clutch the millennium puzzle that used to hang around his neck only to realize it wasn't there anymore. He knew it wasn't, it had disappeared years ago along with the others because you see, Yugi won that duel against Atemu. All the items disappeared, the god cards vanished and so did Atemu, or "Yami" as Yugi grew to call him.
"You're not weak."
Yugi could almost hear Atemu's words like it was yesterday, the words he said to him the day he passed on. 'You're wrong Yami…' Yugi thought looked down sadly, 'I told you that day that I would be okay without you…but I…lied…'
It was true. Although telling the pharaoh he'd be just fine without him, Yugi did not believe it in the slightest. He bested his other half in a duel, but it still didn't feel like he was strong.
Since that day, Yugi and his friends went back to Domino from Egypt and tried to get back to their normal lives. Days ran into months, months ran into years and normal life is all Yugi had anymore. He'd play the odd duel monsters game with Joey, studied and did his best to graduate with everyone else. They'd visit Kaiba land much to Joey's dismay and Duke's game shop but it all felt like the days bled into each other for Yugi. He'd smile his usual smile and tell everyone he was alright but inside he felt empty, hollow.
The pharaoh wasn't just a soul that shared his body temporarily; he was his friend and a kindred spirit. They talked a lot within Yugi's dreams, duels and day to day activities while they were together. They'd have fun duel monsters matches within Yugi's mind and discussed the future regularly. Yami always talked about it as if he'd be a part of Yugi's future, offering guidance and hinting at his want to move to Egypt or at least visit for a while. They planned their future together, and without realizing it Yugi and Yami became best friends. Yugi was happy and was looking forward to the future he had with his other half.
After Yami went into the memory world, everything changed. Yami learned of what happened thousands of years ago where he was from and what he had to do. Not only that but he learned of his real name and how to complete his destiny. It all happened so fast: the battle with Zork, then Yami telling Yugi that he had to duel someone and be truly beaten in order to move on. Yugi didn't want to but didn't want anyone else to send Yami off either. It was all so sudden, and Yami seemed so sure that Yugi went along with whatever his darker half wanted. Yami also requested that Yugi call him by his real name.
Of course when one learns of their real name you'd want to be called it, but Yugi felt it was all so distant and felt cold of Yami. Like he was trying to cause a rift between them so that Yugi would duel him with everything he had.
"I would've still done it with all I had…" Yugi said aloud to no one in particular, his deeper voice quivering a bit at his comment.
"Done what Yugi?" a familiar soft voice said from behind him. Yugi snapped out of his downward gaze to look behind him at the brunette standing behind him.
"Oh, Téa I didn't see you" Yugi stated, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. 'How long was I thinking for?' He thought as she smiled at him.
"Well of course you didn't, I wouldn't be popping out of the ground " She laughed playfully nudging her friend, "Ready to take some photos? I got everyone together by the garden. Thought it'd add a better backdrop then our crummy rundown school"
"Ah, sure, sounds good. The school definitely needs some tlc" Yugi nodded before following Téa towards the garden. As soon as her back was turned to him his usual fake smile turned instantly to a frown. He just couldn't stop thinking about Yami and all he wanted to do was curl up in a ball at home and try and sleep this day away. It seemed to be his solution for everything these days.
"Hey-ya Yug!" Joey waved excitedly as Yugi and Téa approached him and the others. "Maannn can't believe this day has finally come!"
"Especially for you Ehhhh Joey?" Tristan joked punching his best friend in the arm.
"You're lucky I'm in such a good mood Tristan or I'd knock you out!" Joey grinned narrowing his eyes at the taller brunet.
"Ha ha yea…it's been a few years hasn't it?" Yugi asked nodding to the blonde who was on the verge of smacking Tristan back.
"Well we would've graduated sooner if we didn't have to repeat a year.." Téa pouted, "But I'm so glad we all got to do it together!"
"Alright you guys, push in together for some photos!" A shrill voice rang that could come from no one else but Yugi's mother. She was often on business trips or out of the country so very rarily did Yugi's friends ever see her but you could definitely tell her voice out of a crowd.
Joey and Tristan couldn't stop shoving each other so Téa got in the middle of them to separate them. Ryou and Yugi both instinctively went to go in the front of the other three only to remember they weren't all that short anymore.
"Old habits die hard huh?" Ryou asked with a soft smile towards Yugi, his voice deeper than Yugi remembered.
"Yea" Yugi chuckled as he stood on the other side of Joey while Ryou went on the other side of Tristan.
"Come on Duke, you and Serenity as well!" Yugi's mother cooed, wanting everyone in the picture.
"But I'm not graduating yet." Serenity questioned but before she can protest hands pushed her in front of Joey and Téa. Duke stood behind Ryou as he was still taller than the silver haired boy.
"Alright, everyone smiilllleee!" Yugi's mother demanded as he grandfather readied the camera.
"Wait! Seto! Mokuba! Why don't you join us too?" Serenity called to a familiar trench coat wearing billionaire walking with his shorter black haired little brother behind Yugi's mother and grandpa.
"Like I'd take a photo with you chumps" Seto said coldly his gaze focused on Yugi, "There's only one of you geeks I can stand, so there's really no point."
"Leave it to money bags to be afraid of the paparazzi," Joey crossed his arms grinning, "Guess the great Kaiba is scared of something after all!"
"Can it Wheeler, I'm not afraid to get my photo taken, I just have better things to do" Kaiba crossed his arms, his trench coat blowing in the wind.
'Guess Kaiba didn't want to wear the gown' Yugi thought staring at the taller man. Despite their rivalry over the years, Yugi still considered the billionaire a friend though Seto would probably protest to the thought.
"Aw come on big brother, we may never see these guys again!" Mokuba said enthusiastically who was closer in height to his big brother then he ever was. Mokuba ran over and stood in front of Téa and Tristan as he still wasn't quite as tall as everyone else.
"Hurry up I want to get these photos done already!" Yugi's mother snapped as she shoved Kaiba to stand on the other side of Duke. "One more time, Smillleeee!"
With a few flashes and snaps of the camera, the photos were taken. Some where Joey was making faces at Kaiba, somewhere both Tristan and Duke were staring at Serenity and finally one good photo of everyone smiling. Well, everyone except Seto that is.
After Solomon Motou finished taking the photos, Seto quickly left the others while once again his little brother running behind him to catch up.
At least the smile in this photo for Yugi was genuine, as he was looking forward to heading home and being done with this day.
"So we're official high school graduates now!" Joey said enthusiastically, "We should celebrate this day!"
"That's a great idea Joey" Téa chirped, "Let's go out for dinner together!"
"I like that idea, could I come even though I didn't graduate?" Serenity asked.
"Of course you can" Téa nodded.
Yugi sighed deeply. "Ya…should be fun…" He said half heartedly, not looking forward to stretching the day out.
"Aw Yug show some spirit" Tristan said noticing Yugi's look of disapproval, "This day should be something special. Marking the day we all graduated high school because who knows if Joey's ever going to graduate again"
"Watch it jerk" Joey snapped at his best friend. Yugi frowned at Tristan's response. 'It already is a special day' he thought angrily.
"Well if you guys are going to go out, Solomon and I will head home then. Going to get these pictures on the computer asap so that we can get them developed!" Yugi's mother said excitedly, "You kids have fun!"
"Thanks Ms. Motou we will!" Téa said, waving goodbye.
"See you at home hon" Yugi's mother said to Yugi before leaving with Solomon. Tristan cleared his throat to continue his train of thought from before.
"I'm only saying, this day is just a regular old day…why shouldn't we mark it as something special? Maybe every year do this. Make it tradition" Tristan said but before he continued he heard a growl come from Yugi.
"This day IS already important!" Yugi snapped, his deep tone laced with venom a very rare occurrence for the otherwise timid boy.
"Whoa Yug, what's wrong?" Joey asked, "I know Tristan's a dummy sometimes but why you getting mad?"
"Do none of you remember at all?!" Yugi snapped again, "Have you all just forgotten? Moved on with your lives like nothing happened today?"
Ryou's eyes went wide realizing before everyone else what Yugi was talking about. Before he could answer though or tell the others Yugi continued.
"You guys have your fun day…I guess it's easier for you guys to forget…" Yugi said turning away from his friends with tears welling up in his eyes, "But I…I can't..It still hurts…!"
"Hey Yug wait!" Joey tried to stop the still shorter boy but he turned and ran out of the courtyard surprisingly quickly. "What on earth's gotten into him?"
"I don't know but he's been looking down all day" Téa thought out loud, "I wonder if he's just not decided on his college yet or not."
"Guys" Ryou finally spoke up seeing a pause in the conversation, "Three years ago today is when Atemu's soul was freed to the afterlife"
Everyone's eyes snapped wide and everyone gasped almost in unison.
"OH! Geez…with everything going on today, I completely forgot" Joey said, feeling extremely down about not remembering.
Téa frowned, she had been so busy lately getting things ready to move to America to study dance she completely forgot about what happened three years ago. 'The day I lost him…' she thought, her heart still hurting from losing one of the guys she loved with all her heart.
"No wonder Yugi got upset…" Tristan said, "I feel like an idiot."
The gang exchanged sad glances with each other realizing how horrible they must've sounded to Yugi. Of course this day was already special, Atemu meant the world to them too. How could they forget their dear friend so easily when it's only been a few years?
End of Chapter 1. Please Read/Review and any critiques/edits let me know so I can update them!
