Yu-gi-oh!

*This is a combination of the Japanese and English version of the Duel Monsters anime.

*See, while the Japanese dub is more accurate to the mouth movements and facts and has no irrelevant materials and lines, the English version has more close relationships, with Yami addressing Yugi by his name rather than Partner. (That's the problem with Americanized anime, not accurate enough.)

*For the record, everyone is going to have their English names.

*And as a special treat, I've added an original character or two.

*But before I get to the first episode with Yugi's and Kaiba's duel, I'll go right to the very beginning.

RELAX AND ENJOY!

Duel 001:

Domino High School, Present Day:

DING DONG! DING DONG! The bell rang out, signaling the afternoon break for the students at Domino High. "Come on! Let's play some basketball!" a male student called out to his classmates. Some went out of the classroom, while others stayed behind. One of them was a small boy with a unique spiky hairstyle with a combination of magenta, gold, and black. Along with his stature, his round amethyst eyes made him look more like an elementary school student than a high school one.

He was building a tower of playing cards and was about to complete it, when… "Hey, Yugi!" the student who suggested the basketball game called out. As the small youth was about to answer him, his card tower collapsed.

"Why don't you put away those games and join us?" he asked, spinning the ball in his hand. "What? No, whichever team I'm on, will most certainly lose." Yugi answered shyly. "Oh, that's true! Hey guys! Let's go! The girls can even join!" the student called out as he took off.

Back in the empty classroom, Yugi was gathering up the scattered cards. "I wish I could play with the others." Yugi thought to himself, "I bring all sort of games to play with others, but no one seems interested." Then an idea came across his mind. "I know! Maybe I can finish that today!" he exclaimed.

Yugi reached into his school bag and pulled out a golden box with hieroglyphics carved into it and a golden eye in the center of the front. "This is my treasure!" Yugi exclaimed, "But it's a secret. And there's a quiz; inside is something you can see, but have never seen before. So what is it? The answer is…"

But just before Yugi could open the lid to the golden box, it was snatched out of his hands. Surprised, Yugi looked up and saw a young boy the same age as him with sporadic dirty blonde hair and brown eyes that were drearily examining the box. "Joey!" Yugi exclaimed.

The person in question was Joey Wheeler, a classmate of Yugi's. One wouldn't say that they were friends, seeing as he teased Yugi every chance he got. Though Joey claims he's just trying to toughen Yugi up.

"Yugi, why are you talking to yourself?" Joey asked, "Can see but can't see. That don't make a lick of sense." "Give it back!" Yugi demanded as he tried to get the box out of Joey's grasp. But joey was too tall for Yugi to handle. Then he tosses the chest behind him, and it landed into the hands of another.

This new figure was Joey's pal, Tristan Taylor. He was often his partner in crime. He had brown eyes and brown hair that was arranged into a spike in the front fo his head. "Nice toss, Joe," Tristan stated with a smirk while keeping the box out of Yugi's reach and tossing back to Joey who caught it with ease.

"Geez, treasuring this box like a girl. You know, stuff like that is what really gets under my skin." Joey said to Yugi, "So let me teach you how to be more manly! Come on! You want this box back right? Come at me with full force!" "I HATE FIGHTING AND VIOLENCE!" The small boy screamed at the top of his lungs. "ACK! For a little guy, you sure yell pretty loud!" Joey exclaimed.

"Anyway, just give it back!" Yugi demanded. "What's in that thing by the way?" Tristan asked out loud. "Oh yeah, how's about we take a look?" Joey mused. "Please, just be careful with it! It's ancient and very precious!" Yugi pleaded. Joey opened the lid a crack and immediately closed it with a jaded expression. "What's this? How lame!" he complained.

Then the box was seized out of his grasp by a female student with short brown hair and sapphire blue eyes. "Tea!" Yugi stated with relief. "If it's so lame give it back!" the girl reprimanded, "Also, picking on someone weaker than yourself makes you the lame ones."

"What do you know?" Tristan huffed. "I'm not bullying! I'm making Yugi into a man!" Joey explained. "Bullying is bullying no matter what one says!" another female student with long blackish-brown hair tied into partial braids and dark purplish blue eyes said as she whacked the two boys across the heads as she walked past them.

This was Satomi Takeuchi, a fellow classmate that Téa met at the opening ceremony and she quickly became good friends with her and Yugi. Especially with their love of games.

"If you two don't have anything better to do then get before I get even more physical with you." She warned cracking her knuckles. "You know, my stomach's growling, so we better get going." Tristan sweatdropped as he dragged Joey along with his escape. "Man, those guys!" Téa huffed. "You can say that again," Satomi said in agreement.

In the Hallway:

"Man those girls really get on my nerves," Joey complained. "Like nagging moms," Tristan stated. "Where do they come off accusing us of bullying?" Joey said. Then the two boys bumped into a figure clearly more massive than the both of them combined.

In front of them was Testu Trudge, the head of the Disciplinary Committee. He was easily over six feet tall in a prompt school uniform with a band saying 'Hall Monitor' on his upper right arm. "What's this I heard about 'bullying?'" he interrogated.

"What is it to you…" Joey started to say, but Tristan quickly covered his mouth. "Nothing at all!" he covered as Joey struggled to speak. "Very well then." Testu acknowledged as he began to walk away but stopped for a second, "By the way, make sure to properly tuck in your shirts." With that, he walked out of sight.

As soon as the bear of a student was out of sight, Joey freed himself from Tristan and took in a deep breath of air. "What was that about?!" he demanded. "Look, That guy is not someone to mess with. Don't get on his bad side." Tristan warned. "Whatever!" Joey scoffed.

Back in the Classroom:

"Thanks a lot, you two," Yugi said in gratitude. "I had some experience with bullies since they used to pick on my little brother a lot. So I know how to deal with them" Satomi explained. "Besides if you act soft, they'll mess with you." Téa added, "You got to have guts!" "But Joey and Tristan aren't that bad…" Yugi stated softly. "That attitude what's makes people pick on you." Satomi deadpanned.

"By the way, what is this?" Téa said, referring to the golden box. "Oh, that's right! You two haven't seen it." Yugi exclaimed, "I'll show you my secret." "Won't tell a soul," Satomi promised.

Yugi opened the lid, and a glittering golden glow was seen. "Wow! It's beautiful!" Téa exclaimed. "Yeah it is, but what is it exactly, they look like tiny parts of something," Satomi observed as she examined a piece that looked like a small jewel.

"That's because this is a puzzle. The Millenium Puzzle to be exact." Yugi explained, "I haven't finished it yet, so I don't know what it looks like. It's something you can see, but yet can't see." "Really…" Téa mused.

"My house is actually a game store, so we get a lot of games from different countries." Yugi continued to explain, "This is actually something my grandpa found when he was still an archeologist. He found it in an Egyptian ruin." "In the words of the immortal Lewis Carroll, 'Curiouser and curiouser," Satomi stated.

"Take a look at the carvings on the side of the box." Yugi added, "I know a little hieroglyphics so I can guess what they say. 'Whoever solves this puzzle will have their heart's deepest desire granted.' Or something like that, you two probably think I'm silly." "No way! It's just so like you." Téa said with a laugh.

"I know a bit about solving puzzles, so I have a suggestion." Satomi added, "Organize the pieces into different piles. Like the ones that look like the edges and put them together and go from there." "I've never thought about that, I'll try it. Thanks!" Yugi said in gratitude, "There's a piece that's not like the rest, one with an eye like the one on the box, that's the one I'm saving for last."

"So what did you wish for?" Téa asked. "No way! I'll never ever, ever tell anyone!" Yugi exclaimed. "Yeah, Tea! Don't you know the old saying that if you tell someone your wish, it won't come true?" Satomi added. "You're right about that!" Téa stated in half embarrassment. With that, threesome shared a light laugh.

Back in the Hallway:

Joey opened his palm and revealed a golden piece with an eye on it. "What you got there Joey?" Tristan asked. "I took this when I took a peek in that box of his" Joey explained, "It looked like some kind of puzzle, which means with even one piece and his precious puzzle will never be complete." "Joey…could you be a little more creative?" Tristan asked, unimpressed. "Who asked you?!" Joey snapped. Tristan just sighed in defeat. "Nevermind, I'll see you later!" he said as he left the hall.

After he left the hall, Joey looked at the golden eye in his hand, and then out of the nearby window that shown a view of the school's pool. Without a second thought, he threw the piece out of the window and into the pool water below. "Yugi Muto, treasuring a measly little puzzle. What an ignorant little kid. Really gets under my skin. His treasure, please..." Joey muttered to himself as he walked off as the puzzle piece floated to the bottom of the pool.

After School, in the Courtyard:

Yugi was walking back home, then he saw the disciplinary committee practicing their martial arts. This group was known to be ruthless to those who break the rules. There were even rumors that they resort to dirty tactics and blackmail. Yugi didn't want any trouble, so he decided to sneak away. But no such luck.

"Wait right there!" a voice called out, stopping Yugi in his tracks. "You're Yugi Muto from Class 1B, right?" Trudge asked. "Yes," Yugi answered. "I have a question for you. You haven't by any chance experienced bullying?" "What? No, not at all!" Yugi responded as he tried to leave.

"Now hold on, someone of your character would say something like that." Trudge stated, "Therefore I will be your bodyguard." "What?! No thank you! I'm fine!" Yugi insisted as he ran off. But as he did, Trudge had a wicked smile on his face.

At Kame Game Shop:

When the sun had set, Yugi reached his family game shop, Kame Games. Outside was a middle-aged woman with a brown bob haircut and light purple eyes wearing a simple outfit sweeping the outside of the shop. "Welcome home, Yugi!" she greeted cheerfully. "I'm home, Mom!" he greeted back.

"A friend of yours is inside by the way." She added as her son went into the shop. "A friend?" Yugi mused as he saw who was inside. "Tea!" Yugi exclaimed. "It's been so long since I've last came here, so I figured I would take a trip down memory lane." She explained.

"You're finally home Yugi!" An old man with a gray version of Yugi's hair with a beard and mustache wearing green overalls and an orange bandana said. "I'm home, Grandpa!" Yugi greeted.

"And Tea's here as well, I haven't seen you in years, you have grown up so much! Especially in certain areas." Grandpa Muto exclaimed. Téa backed up from that comment. "He sure hasn't changed." She thought to herself.

"By the way, Yugi, I heard from Tea." Grandpa said, turning serious, "You still haven't given up on that thing?" "Who's given up?" Yugi answered.

"That puzzle is beyond human understanding, you can't do it!" Grandpa tried to reason, "Besides, there's a lot of history behind it." "What kind of history?" Téa asked. Then Grandpa cut a severe glare to her, sending a chill up Tea's spine and a perplexed look on Yugi's.

"They say that the golden box that contains the puzzle belonged to a powerful pharaoh who had it buried in the Valley of the Kings. Everyone on the excavation team I was on, lost their lives trying to get it. I was the only one who survived. The reason for that was because of a mysterious game that the ancient Egyptians used to play. The Shadow Games!" Grandpa explained in a dark tone.

"Yugi, that puzzle is actually sounding dangerous!" Téa stated, concerned. "The Shadow Games. What are those? They sound interesting." Yugi asked. "See the carvings on the box?" Grandpa stated, pointing at the different symbols on the side, "It says, 'Whoever solves me, will receive my dark knowledge and power.'"

"I see." Yugi mused, "That means…MY WISH REALLY WILL COME TRUE! THAT'S IT! I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO FINISH IT!" Téa sweatdropped at the enthusiasm of her friend, and his grandfather just shook with frustration and concern. "RETURN IT, YUGI! IT'S-A PRICELESS ARTIFACT AFTER ALL!" Grandpa snapped trying to take the box away. "YOU'RE JUST THINKING ABOUT THE VALUE! NO WAY!" Yugi argued. Luckily, Mrs. Muto came in and broke up the fight.

Later that Night:

Yugi was in his room in his light blue pajamas. At his desk, he took Satomi's advice and organized the different pieces into different piles and even created notes about them to help keep track of his process. Right now, he was tinkering with two parts, but they didn't fit. "No, I think they just block each other." Yugi thought out loud and continued working, writing notes along the way.

Outside the door to his room, Grandpa Muto spied on his grandson through the crack in the door. "He's still at it, even though it has been eight years? So stubborn, he really is my grandson." The elderly man thought to himself, "but the person who solves the puzzle inherits the shadow games. So it might be for the best if he never finishes that thing." With that, he walked back downstairs.

Back in the bedroom, Yugi had nodded and fallen asleep at his desk. At his hands, the puzzle had started to take form. Even though pieces were missing, it was starting to look like a golden pyramid. Then, the small pyramid began to glow a mysterious golden aura, almost as if something was beginning to awaken from a long, long deep sleep.

The Next Day, at School

Yugi was heading to the school when he heard various grunts and moans from the side of the school. Curious, he headed to the source of the sounds. When he turned a corner, he was horrified by the sight before him.

Joey and Tristan were hunched up on the ground, covered in cuts and bruises. "Ouch!" Tristan stated. Joey just struggled to stand up again but failed. "Joey! Tristan!" Yugi shouted as he ran up to the two boys only to be blocked by two members of the Disciplinary Committee.

"Well, if it isn't, little Yugi, just in time to see me wipe the floor with these bullies." Trudge stated. "What are you doing to them? Get back and leave them alone!" Yugi yelled. "I told you, I am your bodyguard, and so I've punished these bullies for you," Trudge stated with no remorse.

"No…No way!" Yugi exclaimed as he went to the two injured boys, "Are you alright, Joey, Tristan?" "Yugi, you little jerk!" Joey spat at him, "I can't believe you would stoop so low." "You're wrong! I would never ever ask anyone to do this sort of thing! I told you I hate fighting and violence!" Yugi tried to explain, hurt that Joey would even consider such a thing.

"Move, Yugi! We aren't done yet! Say your prayers, you scum!" Trudge said as he pushed Yugi aside and kicked Joey in the stomach. Without thinking, Yugi stepped in front of him and held out his arms to protect the injured boys. "Stop it right now!" Yugi shouted. Little did anyone know, they were drawing in a crowd, including Téa and Satomi.

"Who's going to stop me, a little squirt like you?" Trudge asked, "I don't think so, you better just step aside. Or better yet, this will be the perfect opportunity to get back at these guys, so you should punch these guys also." Needless to say, Yugi was repulsed by the suggestion. "No way! How can I do such a thing?" he argued, "And I won't let any more harm come to them, these guys are my friends!" this statement shocked the two girls in the audience and most specifically Joey.

"What a naïve guy! These weaklings were bullies that exploited you." Trudge added. "They weren't bullying me, Joey was just trying to toughen me up," Yugi explained, which shocked Joey even more.

"What a strange guy." Trudge mused, "Very well, but you owe me. Your bodyguard fee amounts to 100,000 yen." "WHAT 100,000 YEN?!" Yugi exclaimed in shock, then he gave his head a good shake and stood his ground as best he could, "NO WAY! I WON'T DO IT!"

Then Trudge gave a shrug and laughed. "Very well, tough guy! I'll give you some of the same, as you just went to the front of the line!" he said as he punched then kicked and then punched Yugi again. And just as Trudge was about to give him another punch, someone grabbed him by the arm and tossed over him their shoulder. The defender was Satomi.

"Now who's being a bully?" She exclaimed as she dusted herself off and placed her fists on her hips. "Yugi! Are you okay?" Téa asked as she kneeled down to his side to check on him. "Yeah, I'm okay," Yugi answered weakly.

"Let me ask you one thing, Yugi. Did you ask Trudge to be your bodyguard and do this?" Satomi asked. "OF COURSE NOT! I HAD CLEARLY TOLD HIM 'NO THANK YOU'!" Yugi exclaimed. "In that case, you don't own him a single coin." She said as she turned to Trudge, "Since Yugi had never hired you to be his bodyguard, there is no need whatsoever for the fee. So take your 'discipline techniques and GET!" then Trudge was starting to get a treacherous look on his face. Fortunately, a teacher came by and broke up the fight.

That Evening, at Kame Games:

The whole thing was a mess, those involved were sent to the principal's office. After explaining their sides of the story, the principal had the injured treated in the nurse's office and had them sent home. Which was suitable for Yugi, since he couldn't face the day with the aches and pains he was feeling. So he figured, he should work on the puzzle.

He worked on the puzzle late into the night, using the notes he wrote along the way. Today felt different, he felt like he was actually going to finish the puzzle today. He was so absorbed with the puzzle, Yugi didn't notice a little brown puffball with green limbs hiding behind his bed as well as shadows floating around the room and a fierce storm brewing outside.

"What you can see, but have never seen. That's a puzzle." Yugi thought to himself, "You may be able to see it, but since it hasn't been completed yet, you have no clue on what it will look like. Geez! I'm so close too!" In frustration, Yugi scratched his head and ruffled his hair.

After settling down a bit, Yugi resumed his work. He took another look at the notes, then at some of the pieces, and after looking at a particular part, an idea came to him. "Oh! Now I get it!" he exclaimed and continued working.

Bit by bit, the puzzle was starting to come together. Pretty soon, one side was completed. "Hey, alright! It's a perfect fit!" Yugi exclaimed, "So, then this one should fit too! And maybe this one next."

Before he knew it, the Millenium puzzle took the form of an upside down pyramid and was one piece away from being complete. "Yeah, it's done! Just one more to go!" he exclaimed, barely containing his excitement, "Once I put in the last piece, it'll be complete! I've almost solved the Millenium Puzzle!"

"Whoever assembles me, shall be bestowed upon the wisdom and powers of the dark huh?" Yugi mused, "I'm about to finish the puzzle that Grandpa told will make my wishes come true. He's sure going to be surprised when he sees I've figured this puzzle all by myself."

He reached into the golden box, only to feel nothing. Horror started to set in as Yugi realized that the last piece, the goldeneye, was not in the box. He was so close, and it just had to be now he has a part missing.

For the next ten minutes, Yugi turned his room upside down to find that eyepiece, but to no avail. Then there was a knock on the door. It opened and revealed Grandpa Muto. "Yugi, I hate to interrupt, but…" he started to say, but then, he saw the mess, "What happened in here?"

Feeling defeated, Yugi sighed. "I'm sorry, Grandpa, I lost one of the pieces of the puzzle, and I was trying to find it," he admitted. "Oh! Is that all? I got it right here." Grandpa said as he held out a familiar goldeneye. "What? How?" Yugi exclaimed, "A tall blonde fella came over earlier and gave me this, said you dropped it," Grandpa said as he handed the puzzle piece to the shocked boy, "Just be careful with it and put this room back together." "Thanks, Grandpa!" Yugi said. And with that, Grandpa left his grandson to his business.

Excitement returned to his face as Yugi went back to his desk and held up the eye piece and the puzzle. "The last piece. This is it! And this makes the Millenium Puzzle complete!" Yugi said as he put the last piece in, then he immediately stood up and held the precious artifact in the air, "AWESOME! I DID IT! IT'S ALL FINISHED! THE MILLENIUM PUZZLE'S COMPLETE!"

Noticing the rope around the loop of the puzzle, Yugi decided to wear it like a necklace. Lightning clapped, startling the youth as the power went out. But Yugi just shrugged it off and held the puzzle to his heart. "O, Millenium Puzzle, please grant my wish. I want a friend. A best friend with bonds strong enough to link both of our hearts together…" he whispered in his most sincere voice.

Not knowing it, Yugi's grandfather had come to check on his grandson through a crack in the door. "Who would have guessed that he'd actually complete it…" Grandpa mused, "But whoever completes the Millenium Puzzle becomes the Ruler of Darkness. I may have unloaded a heavy fate on my grandson's shoulders." With that, he left the hallway, not noticing a layer of mist on the floor.

Then the puzzle started to glow. "Did my wish reach you?" Yugi asked. Then suddenly, the glow became brighter. "Hey! What gives?" Yugi asked out loud, suddenly getting a bad feeling.

Then with a great force, bursts of dark auras came from within the eye of the puzzle and then took the form of several various monsters. Despite the fear shaking his heart, Yugi instantly recognized them, they were monsters from the Duel Monsters Card game that he loves so much.

He heard a squeak from below and saw the little puffball from before. It was Kuriboh! But instead of the innocent, meek little creature he came to know and love, he was like a savage beast baring his fangs and pouncing on Yugi!

But then, the Millenium Puzzle grew even brighter than before. It surrounded Yugi as if taking over him and making him stronger. The boy had no choice, but to close his eyes and fade into the light.

A moment, later, Yugi stood with a golden eye glowing on his forehead. And when he opened his eyes, he had a different air about him, as if he was a different person. In fact, it was most possibly true.

He was taller, with sharper eyes with a slight red tint, and an overall more confident and commanding presence. The monsters paused for a moment at the youth's sudden transformation, but then resumed their assault.

Then the new Yugi grabbed hold of the Millenium Puzzle and commanded in a deep, commanding voice. "SHADOW CREATURES, BE GONE! I COMMAND YOU! RETURN FROM THE DARK REALM FROM WHENCE YOU CAME DARK DEMONS!" Yet another bright light filled the room, and the monsters vanished as if they were never there.

Once the light subsided, the Yugi from before stood alone in the room again. He looked around the room, wondering what he was doing just now. He'd lost his train of thought for a moment like nothing had happened. He couldn't even remember the monsters he saw.

The Next Day at School:

"Did you hear? Trudge beat up some kids and even tried to blackmail someone under the pretense of it being a bodyguard's fee and got expelled for it!" a random female gossiped to her friends. "WHAT?!" They exclaimed. "Yeah, and now the Disciplinary Committee is suspended until further notice, and the teachers will handle things until then." She explained further.

As the group of girls continued to gossip, a familiar spiky head walked by with an upside down golden pyramid in his hands, wearing it like a necklace. "At last, my treasure is complete!" Yugi mused with pride.

"Yo!" a voice came from around the corner. "Joey!" Yugi exclaimed. "I want to apologize Yugi, I've been acting like a real jerk." The blonde teen said. "Oh! Were you acting?" Yugi teased. Joey gave a light laugh.

"I guess I deserved that one! If you ask me, I guess me and Tristan may have underestimated you." he said, surprising Yugi, "You know, Yugi, you're a tougher guy than I ever gave you credit for, maybe we should hang out more often." A bright smile appeared on Yugi's face, filled with hope.

"By the way, I've decided that I too should have a treasure," Joey announced. "Really? Let me see!" Yugi exclaimed in excitement. Joey gave a chuckle. "Sorry, but my treasure is also something that is seen and yet unseen." Joey explained, giving Yugi another confused look, "Just like friendship, we can see each other, but we can't see our friendship!"

Small tears welled in the corners of Yugi's eyes as he nodded in agreement. With all said and done, the two boys walked to the classroom. The puzzle did work for Yugi for he had found a friend. Little did he know, that he gained so much more. Much more…