Season 1 Episode 1: The Awakening of the Yami No Game
Yugi Mutou was not like any other boy at his high school. He was shorter than most his age, he also had a crazy hairstyle in the shape of a star with three different colors. He was also seen as a nerd because he loved games more than most. Because of this, he was seen as easy prey for the bullies at his school. But he was just himself. Even though it was the middle of the school year, Yugi had barely made any friends in his second year of high school. Yugi sighed as he walked into the school grounds of Domino High. As he did, he noticed a strange girl who was staring at the building. This caught his interest. He walked up to the girl and saw her gazing at the school. She wore the school uniform for women here, a pink vest and blue mini skirt with a blue bowtie. But she was a strange female.
Her blue crystal eyes shone as she gazed the structure. Her grass green shoulder length hair flown in the soft breeze. Her green hair had two buns and her skin was so fair yet pale. What was weirder, she was the same height as him. "Ano…" Yugi blinked. The girl shook her head as she whispered to herself.
"Bells of Ireland… Corcus… Garlic… White heather…" Yugi blinked as she kept mumbling random objects. She straightened herself up and headed straight into the building, not even knowing Yugi was there. For a while, he stared dumbfounded. But decided to forget about the girl and just head to his own class.
The bell for afternoon break had rung, sending a lot of kids out to play basketball. The boys were very excited, especially since they were letting the girls play. Yugi however, was just at his desk, stacking a bunch of playing cards into a house. He had one left before the house was complete. He was concentrating as he gently started to place it on top.
"Hey Yugi!" A kid called out. Yugi looked up for just a moment when his card tower fell over onto his desk. He looked and sighed in disappointment at the thought of his hard work being foiled. He looked to see the voice of a young kid holding a basketball in his hand as he looked at the small student. "Don't just play by yourself. Why not play basketball with us sometime?" he offered.
"Eh?" Yugi almost jumped at the offer, but then, his enthusiasm left his being as he smiled with one raised brow. "That's alright. The team I join would lose…" He eyed the floor as he tried to hide his embarrassment.
The other student shrugged it off and said it was true, as he told everyone else to go as they headed down the halls. Yugi stayed in the empty classroom as he gathered his cards. It's not that he was being rude or anything. Heck, he was glad someone actually invited him to play a game with them. But Yugi just wasn't the physical kind of guy. He was more the brains kind of kid who thought more about games involving the mind rather than muscle. Yet no kid had ever shown any appreciation of games the way Yugi does. As he finished gathering his cards, he looked saddened.
"I wish I could play a game with everyone sometimes." He wished sadly. "I always bring a lot of games to school too…" Just in case someone wanted to play the games. His face lit up as he eyed his aquamarine backpack hanging on the hook of the desk. "Ah, that's right! What if I finish THAT today!" He declared as he dug into his backpack and took out something. "I've always got it with me. It's my treasure!" He placed a golden mini chest on his desk with hieroglyphics symbols and an egyptian eye. It was an old chest yet it still shone. Yugi looked at the box and he smiled. Just looking at it made him feel better, because this box was his and his only. "In this box, is my treasure, but it's a complete secret." He said to himself. "So, here's the quiz… The treasure in this box is something you can see, but you've never seen before. So! What is it?" Yugi wondered as he took the box in his hands. He placed his top hand on the lid of the box and slowly began to open it. "The answer is…" Yugi did not get to open his box as it was snatched from him by someone. He blinked wondering what happened to his treasure. Who could have taken it? Yugi turned to see the one who held his treasure. A guy who was actual average height by age standards. He had blond fluffy hair and brown eyes that narrowed at the box. He had a bored expression on his face. "Jounouchi-kun." Yugi gasped. How long had he been here? He did not hear him come in. How much did he hear?
"Yugi, why are you talking to yourself?" he wondered as he never took his eyes off of the box. So he was here for a while, to at least hear him talking to himself. "Can see but can't see, saying a bunch of stuff I don't get." He mocked. Yugi quickly got out of his seat.
"Ah! Please return that!" Yugi begged as he tried to get his box from the blond. Jounouchi however only raised his arm up so Yugi was at a height disadvantage. Yugi had to jump to at least attempt at getting his box back. "Return…" Yugi gasped as the other boy tossed the treasure up into the air. Yugi's heart nearly stopped as he thought it would land on the ground and it would be destroyed before he could actually open it. Jounouchi hopped over one of the desks in the classroom and landed on the other side to catch the object just in time. Yugi was relieved that he was kind enough to at least not destroy it.
"Man, timidly treasuring this box…" He sighed. He bounced it in his hand as he looked at Yugi with one hand on his hip. "You know Yugi… That's the part of you that really pisses me off."
Yugi just looked at him in disbelief. Though Jounouchi was enjoying it so much, he formed a smile on his face. "Let me coach you into being more of a man!" He waved the box in Yugi's face for a moment and then brought it back. "Come on, you want this box back right?! If so, then come at me full force!" Yugi hesitated for a moment, knowing that he could never do that. Not just because he was too small or too wimpy, but he didn't like to fight with Jounouchi either. In a tinted flush and eye squint, he shouted at the top of his lungs;
"I… I hate fighting and violence!"
"Gah!" Jounouchi wailed as he plugged his ears with his fingers. "You got no guts, but you've got a loud voice!"
"Ah, just give me that box back." Yugi pleaded, hoping that his words had ceased the roughhousing between him and the other boy.
"Yeah! Stop it Jounouchi." A new voice called. Both guys looked to see another student had entered the classroom. He wore the same school uniform as them, though it was buttoned up. He had brown eyes of a darker shade than Jounouchi and his brown hair was arranged such that a large portion spikes out from the front of his head.
"Oh?! You want something?" Jounouchi mocked at the other guy. "1 year, student president reject…...clean up member Honda-kun."
The brunette tried not to let his anger surface, but he could not contain it for long. "I'm not a clean up member! I'm a beautification club member!" He snarled.
Jounouchi covered his one ear with his free hand as he eyed Honda. "You're voice is loud too!" He complained.
Honda smiled as he crossed his arms. "Oh, it's true, I was not elected as student president, but…" He spoke with passion and confidences as well as ego. "...but I'm reborn as a great man, as a beautification club member…"
While he was rambling on, Jounouchi eyed Yugi in a curious look as he asked him, "By the way, what's in the box?"
"You can look, just don't lose it." Yugi awarned. "It's EXTREMELY important to me." Jounouchi lifted the golden lid to peek inside to see what the fuss was about.
"Listen when a person's talking!" Honda told him. Jounouchi ignored him and only looked at the box. He closed it and had a dull look on his face.
"What? How boring." He sighed. Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed the box from Jounouchi and it was attached to a young girl in her own Domino high school uniform. She had short brown hair just above her shoulders and menacing blue eyes.
"Mazaki!" Jounouchi and Honda gasped at the same time as she marched over to Yugi with the box.
"Anzu!" Yugi smiled as he was happy to see the female. Anzu turned sharply as she stared at the other two boys.
"If it's boring then give it back right away!" She scowled at them. "Also, bullying someone weaker than yourself, you're the boring one!"
Yugi was amazed that Anzu was standing up for him. It made him feel comfortable knowing his childhood friend had come to his rescue. On the other hand, Jounouchi and Honda were a bit timid as she eyed the both of them. "I'm not bullying the weak! I'm making Yugi a man…" Jounouchi defended himself.
"Shut up!" Anzu yelled. Causing the two boys to jump back and a girl who was standing at the door entrance to jump as well. A girl with light periwinkle hair and lavender eyes. She had a yellow bow in her hair as well. Honda saw the girl and he too was surprised by her sudden appearance.
"Miho-chan!"
"Sorry! That wasn't directed to you Miho." Anzu apologized.
"I was surprised!" Miho assured as she calmed down a bit. She sighed sadly next. "There so many people that I still haven't had lunch…"
"That's no good! I'll buy it for you right away!" Honda promised her.
"Ah wait! I'm going too!" Jounouchi declared as the two ran down the hallway towards the food. Anzu watched from the classroom as they left Miho in a confused expression.
"Man! Those guys!" Anzu scowled. She went back into the classroom and sat down at a desk next to Yugi and placed her head in her hands. Miho only shrugged and decided to head for the cafeteria where the other two boys were waiting for her. It was just Yugi and Anzu now.
"Impressive," Yugi commented as he looked at Anzu. "They're pretty scared of you, Anzu." Yugi said this as he was glad that he wasn't one of those boys that messed with her.
"If I act soft they'll mess with me." She told him. Yugi blinked and nodded as he understood how she must feel. "Yugi, sometimes you've got to have guts."
Yugi childishly smiled at her and mumbled. "But, Jounouchi-kun isn't that bad a guy…" He defended.
Anzu eyed him. "Saying that about such a guy is why people mock you." Yugi stared at her with a sadden look. He didn't want her to be angry, he just wanted to defend Jounouchi. He didn't think he was doing anything harmful. Maybe teasing Yugi, but it's not like it got out of hand that they hurt him physically. Besides, Yugi was used to this torment. After all, he was always seen as the victim by many in his school. Perhaps that is why he lacked friends. Anzu was quick enough to change the subject as she eyed the box that she gave back to Yugi. "By the way, what is this?" Yugi looked back at the treasure and his chipper mood came back to him.
"Oh right! Anzu, you haven't seen this right? Let me show you my secret." Yugi offered.
"Okay. I'll keep it secret, let me see." Anzu promised as she herself grew anxious wondering what Yugi's special treasure could be. Yugi grabbed the top of the box and lifted it for the two to see the inside. It contained shiny golden pieces that sparkled as if light itself was inside. Anzu's eyes widened as she looked at the luster objects. "It's beautiful!" She commented in excitement. She couldn't help but reach into the treasure box and take out a piece. It was a golden piece in the shape of an L. "Are these parts?" She wondered.
Yugi held up a diamond shaped piece and a boot shaped one as he tried to explain to her. "It's a puzzle. I haven't finished it, so I don't know what it's shape is yet. So, it's something you can see, but can't." This is what he meant by his quiz earlier. How you can see a puzzle but you can not see the shape or image the puzzle will be until you've completed it.
"I see." Anzu noted.
"My house is a game store, so we've got games from various countries. My grandfather got this puzzle from someone many years ago. They found it in an Egyptian ruin, it's a very rare puzzle." Yugi smiled as he held up the box containing the pieces inside.
"Egypt?" Anzu mumbled as images of Egyptian structures and lands popped into their heads.
"Well look, there's all these strange markings carved around the box." Yugi held up the box with the carving side so Anzu could see it. "I'm guessing the meaning of this is written here." Yugi narrowed his face as he became serious for a moment. ""The person who solves this puzzle will have their wish granted."" Yugi then started laughing like an idiot. "Ha ha! Yeah, I said too much!" Yugi stared at Anzu's blank face as his tone died down. "Eh… You must think I'm dumb… I see it in your eyes." Anzu looked at Yugi and she laughed along.
"Ahaha, no way. So, what will you wish for?" she asked him.
"No, no. This much definitely, definitely, definitely is a secret, okay?" Yugi winked. Anzu smiled. She turned to the door of the classroom and noticed someone near the entrance. She tilted her head which got Yugi to look as well. A short figure hid behind the wall as she looked at the scene. Anzu got up from her seat and headed towards the door as she went out to the hall where she met face to face with the other student.
"Hey, what are you doing out here?" Anzu asked. The girl did not look up at her as she stared at the floor. Yugi grew curious as he got out of the seat and walked into the hall to take a look at the girl. "You weren't spying on us were you? Eavesdropping is very rude you know!" Anzu scowled at her. Yugi came out of the classroom and saw the two girls talking. His eyes went wide as he noticed the green haired girl from before. She was looking down at the ground as she tried to avoid eye contact with Anzu. Yugi could guess she must have felt uncomfortable.
"I-I'm sorry…" She whispered softly that it was almost hard for the two to hear her. She held up a plastic bag she had in her hands. "I was just waiting for you two to leave, so I could eat lunch in that classroom." She explained.
"Huh?" Yugi tilted his head at her confession.
"Ah! That's right, we still haven't had lunch yet." Anzu suddenly realized.
"The line must be terrible long at this point." Yugi complained. The green haired girl blinked her big blue eyes at the two. She looked at her lunch and held it up towards the two. Yugi and Anzu stared at it for a moment until they got the idea.
Yugi munched on a red bean bun as he, Anzu and the girl sat around a desk eating the lunch the green haired girl brought with her today. She ate herself a red bean bun like Yugi while Anzu ate a korone.
"I'm sorry I lashed out at you like that." Anzu apologized to the girl as she ate her food.
"I should be the one who is sorry. I invaded on your conversation when I wasn't welcomed." The girl shyly admitted as she bit into her bean bun. "For what it's worth, I think that puzzle is really pretty. I've never seen anything like it." She turned her attention to the golden box as it sat near Yugi.
"Thank you," Yugi smiled. "So, why did you want to eat lunch in here?" he asked as he looked at the girl.
"I didn't feel like having lunch in the cafeteria." She admitted as she nibbled on her bread.
"You're alone here, huh?" Yugi asked.
"Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen you around before. Are you new here?" Anzu wondered.
"I actually just got transferred here today." She admitted. "Into class 1-A, which is why you never saw me until now."
"You must be really smart to have gotten into the A class." Anzu muttered.
"My grades are a bit higher than average, at least that's what the teachers say. My family and I moved here a few weeks ago. You two are the first students I've actually talked to today."
"Could she be anymore depressing?" Anzu mumbled under her breath for only her and Yugi to hear. Yugi had to admit, though her story seemed like a soap opera, it was still sad. She was alone just like he was. At least they hadn't tormented her, yet anyways. She seemed timid and shy but she didn't seem like a bad person.
"Well, it was nice of you to share your lunch with us even though you hardly know us." Yugi laughed. "Do you only eat bread though? Is this a female diet or something?" Yugi asked as he eyed what was left of his bread.
"I don't usually eat a lot on the first days of school. My stomach will get upset and I don't know if I could hold it down throughout the day."
"Being new can make anyone nervous, especially when you don't know anyone." Anzu agreed.
Yugi nodded as he finished off his bean bun. The girl finished hers as well and began to drink her milk. She sipped the straw as the three sat in silence for a few moments. Wondering what either one could say right now. Yugi thought as he looked at the green haired girl as only a few hours ago, she seemed determined to make something of herself here in this school. And yet she had no plan in place. She was an outcast that felt she didn't belong here. Once again, he could relate. She finished her milk and looked back at the two. "Thanks…" She muttered. "For having lunch with me. It was really nice to met you." She blushed as she stood up. "Oh! I just realized, I never knew your names." She suddenly gasped.
"Eh?" Yugi blinked. "Oh! I'm Mutou Yugi. And this is Mazaki Anzu." Yugi introduced the two to the green haired girl.
"I am Seedrian Cosmo. It's nice to met you both." She bowed respectfully. As she straightened herself up, the bell started to ring. Cosmo gasped as she heard it like the others. "I-I should head back to class." Cosmo smiled nervously as she headed out the classroom door with her remaining lunch. As she was almost out, she turned back and smiled one last time. "Um… I hope to see you two again sometime." She flushed as she headed out the door.
"She really is timid, huh?" Anzu asked as Cosmo left the room. Yugi only smiled as he couldn't help but smile as he thought that the green haired girl seemed alright. And he had hoped they would cross paths once again.
The sun was beginning to set as Yugi headed out the school. He had to stay behind for some rooms he promised to clean with some other students. Since he was short and small, he was able to get to the hard to reach places. Mostly the others just ignored him as they cleaned. They never talked much so Yugi never considered them friends. He only did it to see the sensei's happy. As he headed out to the yard of the school, he noticed a group of buff and tall men were out in the courtyard in the middle of what looked like training.
"1. We serve to protect the rules!" A deep masculine voice called out to the group.
"Serve! Serve! Serve!" The group of men repeated as they punched the air.
"2. We fight to protect justice!" The deep voice called again.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" The group kicked the air this time as they repeated that one word. Yugi stared at the group as he grew nervous. These guys were in charge of making sure the kids followed the rules and if any delinquents were to be spotted, they would beat some sense into them. Literally. He didn't think such a group should actually be needed in a school like this, especially with the students behaving as they did. Still, he wasn't one to judge. At least they weren't bothering him, so he couldn't complain.
'The Public Moral guys?... I'll avoid bothering them…' Yugi thought to himself as he began to walk away.
"Wait a moment you!" That same voice that commended the group called out to Yugi. He stopped in his tracks as he looked to see who it was that call out to him. To his surprise, it was the leader of the Public Moral member, Ushio-san. Not only was he the one who funded the group itself and got the school to make one, but he made all the school rules as well. He was also the strongest of all the members in the Public Moral, which was why so many feared him. He was twice as big and twice as muscular than any other member on that team. He had green spiky hair and slanted, piercing brown eyes and big bushy black eyebrows. He walked up Yugi as he asked a question. "You're Mutou Yugi-kun right?" Ushio asked.
"Yes." Yugi answered. He sounded a bit nervous again as he wondered what the Public Moral guys could want with him. He just hoped it wasn't something serious.
"Actually I wanted to ask you something." Ushio went straight to the point. "You… Have the class students been bullying you?" he asked in a somewhat twisted smile. Yugi made a confused and unpleasant expression.
"Nothing like that's happened to me!" Yugi protested. And it was true, Jounouchi and Honda only picked on him once, most of the students just ignore him, so it's not like he was a victim or anything. Where would he even get such an idea?
"Wait a moment." Ushio was not finished. "A person like you would reply like that." Yugi scrunched up his brows as he was now more displeased by this guys persistence in this issue that wasn't even a thing. "I must properly investigate this." He declared. "You can relax Yugi-kun. From now on, I Ushio, will be your bodyguard."
"Eh?! But I really haven't experienced that. Excuse me!" Yugi turned high heel and ran out of the conversation and school grounds. 'What the heck was that? Weirdo.' Yugi mentally thought. It wasn't just the fact that this guy was butting into something that was not only not his business and that it didn't even exist, but the fact that the way he was putting this was more of a calm tone than a worry tone any adult would have when they find out a student is being picked on. Almost the way a stalker would address to the one they were stalking. Yugi found it creepy. As if he was enjoying this more than he should. Hopefully he would just ignore him and he wouldn't bother him. It seemed to have work before. Besides, no one was bullying him so Ushio should have no one to investigate.
Yugi ignored that event all together as he made his way back home to the gameshop his grandfather owned. At least today's events were over, and he can't say that it wasn't a bad day. He did met that Cosmo girl and he showed Anzu the puzzle he was working on. It seemed like a decent day. Yugi walked up to the door and opened it. "I'm home…" He called out as he entered the shop. His child like smile left his face and in its place was a look of surprise. Yugi blinked as he saw the brown haired female in the store. "Anzu!" He gasped.
"It's been so long since I came over to play." Anzu giggled as she smiled at Yugi. Yugi didn't think Anzu would come over. Sure, she came over when they were younger, but this was the first time since middle and high school that she came over to the game shop. Either way, he was just happy to see her once again.
"You're late Yugi!" An elderly voice called to him. An old man with gray frizzy hair, mustache, and beard appeared before the two. He had the same purple eyes as Yugi, wore a yellow bandana on his head a pale shirt and green suspenders. He walked up to the two as Yugi smiled.
"I'm home Gramps!" Yugi assured.
"By the way Anzu-chan, you've grown so much." Yugi's grandpa noted. "Especially your chest! It's finally 80 cm? Wonderful!" He winked at her which made Anzu feel slightly disturbed. Grandpa turned his attention from Anzu and to his own grandson for a moment. "By the way Yugi, I heard from Anzu-chan." He began. "That puzzle, you still haven't given up on that?"
"Why would I give up?!" Yugi challenged. While it was true that he had been at that puzzle for years and had barely made any progress, he was still determined to solve it. After all, games and puzzles were his hobby. And he couldn't stop a puzzle when he started it. The only way he would be done with it was if he was finished with it. However, his grandpa went on.
"That puzzle is beyond human knowledge, you can't do it." His grandpa was harsh with his words as he bluntly stated. "By the way, there's a lot of history behind it." He added.
"History?" Anzu questioned. Yugi's grandpa turned his eyes towards Anzu which caused her to jump and made Yugi curious, yet confused. So he wanted to know more.
"An excavation team found the Millennium Puzzle…" Yugi's grandpa began the tale. "...They brought the Pharaoh's box from a giant valley. But, everyone in the excavation died mysteriously. The last person left this behind because he wanted to live. When I asked him what it was, he told me, "Yami no Game"." He finished in a mysterious and twisted smile. Anzu backed up a bit as she grew a nervous and scared smile on her face. She had heard from Yugi about the puzzle being found in an excavation, but he did not tell her about the part where all the members died mysteriously.
"Yugi, this puzzle sounds dangerous." She warned him. Yugi however only took out the golden chest from his backpack and stared at the Egyptian artifact.
"Yami no game? What's that? I like it." Yugi spoke in an excited manner.
"Look at the symbols carved in this box." Yugi's grandfather instructed him as he pointed to the carving on the box that Yugi showed Anzu earlier. ""The one who solves me, will recive my dark knowledge and power."" He quoted.
"I see!" Yugi looked serious for a moment as he understood. He then raised the box in the air as he smiled. "So my wish will come true!" He exclaimed. "I'm excited! I'm definitely going to finish it!" He declared. Anzu just turned her head away as if she could not believe even after what he just heard, he is still willing to complete that mysterious and possibly dangerous puzzle despite the warnings. And Yugi's grandpa was looking very enraged all of a sudden.
"Return it! It's a treasure after all!" Grandpa demanded.
"You're only thinking of value! No way!" Yugi protested.
Eventually, night fell across Japan. Many people were asleep at this time as only a few windows glowed with the illumination of lights. Wild dogs barked in the background as Yugi was in his room. At his desk with only the lamp to light his activities. He sat down forcing two pieces of the puzzle he had taken to school today to show Anzu and Cosmo. He separated the two unconnected pieces and glared at them as he was unhappy that they did not fit together. "I think that blocked it…" Yugi muttered as he tried a different piece and tried hooking it together with one of his others. He had been working on this puzzle for hours, after Anzu had left he went straight to his room and started working on it like it was the only thing on his mind. After hearing what his grandpa had told him about how completing the puzzle will make his wish come true, he was even more determined to complete his puzzle so his wish could be granted faster. No matter how long it would take, he wanted to finish his puzzle and get what he always wanted.
Yugi's grandpa peared through the keyhole on the door to Yugi's bedroom. He was going to head off to bed when he saw the light coming through the crack. He looked to see his grandson hard at work on that puzzle of his. "He's still at it? It's been 8 years." Grandpa muttered to himself. "He doesn't give up. Well, he is my grandson." He laughed as he walked away from the bedroom door. He stopped in his tracks as he realized something though. "But… it's said the person who solves that puzzle receives the Yami no Game."
Yugi shut his eyes for a moment as he began to drift off. Try as he might he could not keep himself awake, as he grew tired of the brain games he was playing with this puzzle. But he would still not give up. It was just a break for him.
"It might be better if he doesn't finish it." Grandpa Mutou thought to himself as he glanced at the door one last time then walked down the hallway, forgetting about it all.
Yugi was asleep on his desk as the Millennium Puzzle was only halfway completed and was near his fingertips. He had gotten farther than the past eight years but he still had a long way to go. He needed some rest for school and to finish his puzzle. As he doze off however, the puzzle began to glow a golden color that lit the entire room.
The next morning at school, Yugi yawned as he was tried, sitting at his desk. He had worked on the Millennium Puzzle all night last night and didn't get any sleep until the early hours of the morning. He still had some confidence left since he seemed to have gotten farther at solving the three dimensional puzzle than he ever had in the last eight years. But he still had a long way to go before he can complete it. Though he was still determined more than ever knowing that if he did finish the puzzle, his wish would come true. The one wish that he knew would change his whole life. That was all he had left to look forward to. Yugi stretched his arms as he yawned once again. But he would accomplish nothing if he kept up solving the puzzle until the early morning. Instead, he would lose valuable sleep which he needed for school and focusing on solving the puzzle.
Yugi was alone in the classroom as many of the students were taking their afternoon break. He figured he would use this time to get some sleep he lost yesterday. But the last thing he wanted was for people to be worried about him sleeping in class. Imagine getting a note sent to his home saying your son had fallen asleep in class and it could lead to his grandpa questioning him. Yugi was just thankful that his mother wasn't home due to business in another city, otherwise he would be in more trouble than he would with his grandfather. Since he kept his puzzle back at home, after yesterday's events and fearful he might lose it, Yugi had nothing better to do. So, he got up from his seat, and walked out of the classroom and into the halls, to try and find something to do.
'It's hard to believe that spring arrived a few weeks ago.' Yugi noted to himself as he walked through the halls. 'I can't believe that I'm already a tenth grader. Two more years and I'll be done with high school. I wonder what these next few years will be like.' Yugi wondered. As he walked through the halls and thought to himself, he eyed a window that lead to the courtyard of the front schoolyard. That was when he saw her again. 'Seedrian-chan.' Yugi gasped as he eyed Cosmo eating her lunch at one of the benches. Yugi blinked and then walked down the hallway and out the front door. He didn't know why but...he felt like he wanted to see her again. Just to make sure she was doing alright. After all, she was new to this school so he wanted to make sure she was fitting in.
He walked closer to her as he was only a few feet from the bench. He looked at her for a few moments, wondering what he should say. She didn't notice him right away, too busy eating. Yugi took a deep breath and asked in his chipper tone. "Seedrian-chan." Cosmo bite into her bean bun and her eyes grew wide as she heard her surname be called. She looked up with the pastry in her mouth and saw Yugi. "Uh… sorry, are you eating lunch?" what kind of question is that? Isn't it obvious!
Cosmo nodded as she chewed her bread. Yugi looked away for a moment as he scratched his cheek. Why was he acting this way? She was only a girl who was new to the area and very timid and easily sensitive. He needed to approach this gently. He sat down next to Cosmo and watched as she ate her lunch which was just more pastries and a milk carton. "Aren't you going to eat lunch with Mazaki-san?" Cosmo asked Yugi as she finished her bread halfway. Yugi looked at her and blinked. He shook his head as he put on an embarrassed smile.
"O-oh no! A-Anzu-chan and I aren't really friend friends. I-I mean, the two of us have known each other since elementary school but we haven't hung out, really."
"I see…" Cosmo noted. "Uh… so why are you here? I mean, why did you come see me again?" Cosmo asked as she looked at Yugi.
"O-oh… I just wanted to make sure you were settling in to the school." Yugi answered. "And wondering if you've made any friends yet." Cosmo looked down to the ground for a moment, making Yugi curious.
"Mutou-san, do you like this school?"
Yugi seemed surprised she would ask a question like that out of nowhere. But, he did answer her. "It's alright I guess. I don't mind it."
"I think this school would be better if I had someone to share it with." Cosmo suddenly started to say. "Back at my old school, I had lots of friends. But now, we moved here and I barely know anyone. You and Mazaki-san were the first two students I talked to when I came here. I don't know any of my classmates, I don't stand out at all so no one notices me. I don't know this place very well so I don't know what I could do. Everything is changing so fast that I can't keep up with it. But yet I still go on hoping that things will get better." Yugi processed what Cosmo told him. It was clear that not only was Cosmo lonely, she was having trouble adjusting to her new life here. And the fact she had no one to support her only made her feel more forlorn. Cosmo sat there in silence for a minute or two until she looked at Yugi and blinked rapidly. "I-I'm sorry. You hardly know me yet I'm spilling out my life to you. You must not really care anyways."
"N-no. Not at all. I understand how it must feel to be alone." Yugi assured her in his friendly smile. "I'm sorry if these past few events have been stressful for you. I'm sure anyone in your situation would feel the same way. But I'm sure that if you keep going, things will turn out alright. Or at least, something will change."
Cosmo smiled and nodded. "Thank you. For talking to me and being nice to me. It makes me feel a little less alone." Yugi only smiled as well. Even though Cosmo was very timid and quiet, she seemed nice and she reminded Yugi of himself. Yugi wanted to say something else to try and reassure her. But he was interrupted.
"Hey!" A familiar masculine voice called out. Yugi and Cosmo looked to see Ushio-san standing before them with a wicked grin on his face. Cosmo blinked as she never saw him before and Yugi seemed more confused as he was wondering what he wanted from him. More information about his supposed 'bullies'? Ushio eyed Yugi. "Yugi-kun, a moment." Yugi blinked. Did he wanted to show Yugi something? Yugi looked at Cosmo as she stared at the boy. Yugi got up from the bench.
"I'll see you later, Seedrian-chan." Yugi told her as he walked with Ushio away from her. Cosmo only waved goodbye to him as she felt her heart sink. "Ushio-san, why do you want to see me?" Yugi asked as he was being lead away from the school to a different building and being taken behind it. He didn't like this one bit, but he did nothing to protest.
"Come with me, I'm sure you'll be pleased." Ushio assured. Yugi saw what he meant as he gasped in utter shock at what he saw. Leaning against the building were Jounouchi-kun and Honda-kun who had bruises all over their faces. Surrounding them were more of the moral guys as Ushio looked at them. It's clear they have been in this state for a while.
"I-it hurts!" Honda moaned as he leaned against Jounouchi. The blond looked up to see Yugi as he rushed over to them.
"Jounouchi-kun! Honda-kun!" Yugi exclaimed as he rushed over to them. He wanted to help them and make sure they were alright. Yugi was blocked though by Ushio's arm. He looked up to the guy as Ushio did not hide his grin for a moment.
"What do you think, Yugi-kun?" Ushio asked as he extended his arm out towards the two other students.
"What is this?" Yugi asked as his voice cracked.
"I told you, Yugi-kun. I, Ushio, will be your bodyguard." Ushio pointed to himself as he spoke with pride. "That's why we've been punishing these bullies." Ushio explained.
Yugi looked at the beaten up males with a look of utter disbelief. "No… Ushio-san, this is just too horrible!" Yugi protested. He rushed up to the two students and examined them. "Are you okay Jounouchi-kun? Honda-kun?"
"Yugi…" Jounouchi-kun spoke in a dry voice with barely any strength. "Damn you…" He cursed at the small boy. "Are you satisfied?" Jounouchi asked. Even though, despite the abuse, he still had some of his spirit left. Though it was pointed right at Yugi.
Yugi's eyes widened as he heard him. "You're wrong," Yugi protested. "Do you think I'd ask for such a horrible thing?" it was true, even though there were people, such as these guys, that abused Yugi, he would never go as far as to hurt them like this. This would prove nothing to him or the others. He would just make things worse by bringing violence.
"Move aside, Yugi!" Ushio warned him as he pushed Yugi aside and focused his attention on the beaten boys. "We are not done with the punishing." Yugi gasped at the thought that even at the state these two were in, the beating was still going to continue. Jounouchi glared at Ushio as if he thought he could handle whatever would come his way now. Until Ushio kicked him in the ribs, causing Jounouchi to cough up some blood as he gasped. Yugi's eyes grew incredibly small as his mouth hung open by such force. This was too much. Jounouchi did not deserve this! He was already too weak from the previous beating to handle anymore. Yugi did the bravest thing he could think of and stepped in between Jounouchi and Ushio. He held his arms wide on either side, trying to block the taller guy from hurting his classmates.
"Stop this now!" Yugi demanded.
"Well well, Yugi-kun. Are you covering for these guys? What a strange guy." Ushio amusingly said. "Here's your chance to dispel any resentment you have. Punch them! Kick them!"
"Do you think… I can do that to my friends?!" Yugi asked.
"Friends?" Jounouchi mumbled.
Ushio laughed as this was too amusing. "What are rare guy! Friends you say? They're bullies that exploited you." Ushio informed him.
"They weren't bullying me," Yugi explained. "Jounouchi-kun just wanted me to be a man." And it was true. They weren't truly hurting him, more like mocking him in a sense. Jounouchi stared at Yugi in amazement. Despite all the abuse he and Honda, mostly he, had given Yugi, this guy was defending him? Jounouchi didn't deserve it, yet here Yugi was, stopping Ushio from pummeling them even more and defending them going as far as calling them friends. Yugi was a strange guy, but he was also merciful as well.
"Man, you're a complete weirdo." Ushio mocked. "Very well. By the way Yugi-kun, it's time for you to pay up. The total cost of my bodyguard frees, is 20,000 yen." (AN about 200 US dollars).
"20,000 yen?!" Yugi gasped as he repeated the amount of money.
"We, the Public Moral need support as well. And if you do not give us the fees, we'll have to keep reminding you that you owe us for our work."
'B-but… I don't have that kind of money.' Yugi thought to himself.
"Well? Shall you pay right now or do you need time to go home with a reminder?" Ushio warned as he raised a fist. Yugi closed his eyes and prepared for what was coming his way.
"Hey!" A new voice interrupted them. Yugi, Ushio, Jounouchi, Honda and the other moral guys turned to see someone new standing a few feet away from them. A female who attended Dominio High like Yugi. She had fair skin and a small cute nose. Her eyes were as round as Yugi's and her pupils were a light shade of lavender. Her hair was silky like and reached all the way to her midback in waves. It was the same color as her eyes as it became whiter the lower her hair got. Her nails were an amethyst shade and were a bit sharp. She had her arms crossed under her breast as wind blew through the area, making her silky hair fly like her blue skirt. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." She smiled in a soft but edgy voice.
"What are you doing here Miss?!" Ushio demanded to know.
"I was taking a pleasant walk until I saw these three boys that seemed to have gotten into trouble. Now I don't know all the rules of this school, but last I checked, bullying is definitely against the policies here."
"I'm afraid you are mistaken, miss. Those two students were the ones bullying Mutou-kun, so my moral guys took it upon ourselves to teach them a lesson." Ushio defended with a cocky smile.
"So, you decided to gang up on two students and give them a taste of their own medicine tenfold? Last I checked, that makes you worse than them. After all, only the bigger person would deal with this in a mature manner."
"You have no idea what you are talking about young lady. You are too weak and valuable to understand how disgusting these teenage boys can be." Ushio defended.
"Oh, so you think because I'm female, I'm at a disadvantage because of my gender and body type? Honestly, you men are all the same thinking that a girl can not be just as strong or smart as you." She sighed. "Though I will admit, not all stereotypes about women are inaccurate. For example, I feel the strong urge to clean this area… of pests like you tough guys."
"You think you, a high school girl, could possible take on one of my men?"
"Well, if I do, I won't charge you." She backed talked him. "However, I want to make this self defense, so I'll let you have the first go. Though I'll give you a chance to back down now."
Ushio scowled as this female was not scared to take on his moral guys. "Very well, go on then!" He ordered his platoon. "But go easy on her!" There were eight men and only one of her. The first two rushed up to the girl, ready to tackle her. Yugi, Jounouchi and Honda gasped as they were fearful to watch. There was no possible way that she could take on these moral guys, especially two at once. Jounouchi and Honda, who were famous to have gotten into fights with others stronger then them, could barely lay a hand on these guys. The two buff guys charged at her, and just as they were about to grab her, she ducked as their arms reached out, slide behind them and charged up her legs as she spun around to kick both of them from behind with both her feet. As she gracefully jumped from their backs and landed on the ground, the two males went flying into the fence, both knocked out from the impact as their faces were imprinted by the fences shape.
The teenagers and moral guys just stared at her, lost for words as to what they've just witness. The girl looked back at the group, flipping her hair as she seemed unaffected by what just happened. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't hurt you two, did I?" Yugi couldn't tell if she was actually mocking them or if she had genuine concern in her voice. Or maybe it was both. Yugi and the other two were too impressed at how this chick had just taken out two guys. Even Jounouchi and Honda looked fairly impressed by how much strength this chick had. Ushio grew mad at her as she was getting on his nerves.
"Alright! You've asked for this now! Go get her!" He demanded of his other six. The members nodded as they blindly rushed in to take out the girl who challenged them all. Even with the number of men high, she was still highly cocky. She jumped up into the air as one of them attempted to grab her once again. She landed on his face as she used her feet to smash his cheek in. She jumped from his face and high spun kick two other moral guys at the same time. Knocking all three down at once.
"You sure you don't want to stop now?" she asked. Ushio cringed his face as he did not want to be defeated. He smirked as one of his remaining men was able to hold the female in an armlock and hold her still.
"This is what happened to those who mess with the public moral guys! I warned you, and now you shall pay the price." The remaining two looked at the lavender girl as they readied their fist. Yugi looked away for a moment, scared that this girl would get hurt. However, he had one eye open as he watched. The female used her back to lift the one holding her arms and flip him to make him take down one of the other two. She dusted off her arms as she looked at the group in triumph. As she finished dusting, the last moral guard was behind her and ready to take her down.
"Look out!" Yugi warned. But she didn't even turn, she only closed her eyes as she raised her fist to the guy's face and smashed his good looks as he had a one hit knock out. Falling to the ground. The girl flipped her hair back as she looked at Ushio and the other teens. The boy students stared in awe as this girl took out eight public moral guys while Jounouchi and Honda could barely take on one at a time. And yet she got out of it without a scratch. There was no way this was a girl, or human for that matter. She crossed her arms under her breast once again as she eyed Ushio.
"Looks like you guys could use a bit more moral before you go around picking fights and sticking your noses in businesses that don't concern you." She smiled and spoke softly. "Now, I'm gonna give you two options. You can either walk away quietly and pretend none of this ever happened. No one has to know about this and I won't bother doing you in like I did your other members. You also have to leave these three boys alone and forget about your fees. Or, I could report you to the school and have you not only lose your program but get you out of a job. Unless you can explain to the board why you beat these two students to an inch of their lives, charged the one who never wanted these two hurt and attempted to beat up a poor female student."
"Ha, you think you're empty threats scare me?! Don't forget that you also fought back, which gives me enough reason to discipline you!" Ushio protested. The female shook her head.
"Actually, if I recall, it was your own men who attempted the first move. And it was under your orders that they tried to hit me. In other words, I had every reason to fight back in self defense." She corrected.
"E-even so…" Ushio tried not to lose himself, but found it more difficult. "You have no proof of what happened here!"
"Actually, I'm sure the board would be willing to listen to a young and innocent school girl like myself. And I also have three witnesses to prove what went down here as well as proof from two of them. All over their bodies are bruises caused by punches and kicks. It would take a while, but I'm sure they could trace those shoe sizes and knuckle imprints to you and your moral members." The girl explained as Yugi eyed the two. She was right, it could be possible to trace it back to Ushio and the members. It was clear that with all the evidence she had, he would be blamed for this as well as lose his job. He had come too far to let some silly girl get in his way, but he could not do anything to her without making him look worse in front of the school board. He snarled as he walked away casually but Yugi knew that this was not over.
"Well, at least he can admit defeat." The girl noted nonchalantly as she walked up to Yugi and the other two. Yugi turned to see the taller female and blushed slightly as he saw her beauty up close. She placed her hands on her hips as she looked at him. "You alright there?" She asked him. Yugi did not hear her at first as he stood there looking at her figure. He shook his head as he snapped out of his thoughts. He remembered what she had asked him and nodded. "You're friends look like they could use some help though." She noted as she and Yugi turned towards Jounouchi and Honda. They were still banged up pretty rough, but they were able to see the fight that unfolded before them. Jounouchi glared at her.
"Tch! I feel fine. You didn't have to step in!" He warned as he tried to get up, but fumbled back to the ground as his muscles ached in pain. Yugi held Jounouchi to steady him.
"Really? If you really had the fight under control, then you wouldn't be needing any support to keep you up, would you?" she mocked.
"Mutou-san!" Cosmo called out. Yugi and the other three turned to see Cosmo running towards them. She was in front of Yugi as she breathed heavily.
"S-Seedrian-san!" Yugi gasped. "What are you doing here?"
Cosmo looked at him with her sky eyes full of concern. "I-I was worried after Ushio-san took you away… I don't know much about the public moral guys so… I was worried about what they would do. I-I got the courage to try and find you and see if you were alright." She explained. Yugi blinked, he was amazed at how much courage she must have gotten to have tried to find Yugi after being lead by Ushio-san. Though she was very timid and shy, she seemed to have some passion in her if she had a reason to bring it out. Yugi smiled as he nodded, reassuring her that he was fine.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for this girl, Jounouchi-kun, Honda-kun and I would have been in much deeper trouble with Ushio-san." Yugi pointed to the lavender haired girl who kept her smile.
"Starlight," She said. Yugi blinked at the name and Cosmo grew curious. "Starlight Sparkle is my name. Some call me Spark, others call me Star. But just call me Sparkle if you want. It's easier." She assured the group.
"I'm-"
"Mutou Yugi." Sparkle interrupted Yugi as he was about to introduce himself. "I already know your two friends there and you must be Seedrian Cosmo, right?"
"H-hai." Cosmo nodded. "How did you know-"
"I've been at this school long enough to know most of the names of every student. Even the new ones." She looked at Cosmo. "Anyways, you don't have to worry about Ushio-kun. I'm sure he's learned his lesson. But what the heck were you thinking just letting a guy like that drag you around and fight your battles?"
"I-I never asked for him to hurt Jounouchi-kun and Honda-kun!" Yugi protested.
"He seemed to have thought otherwise." Sparkle remarked. "You know, you really shouldn't associate yourself with fellows like Katsuya-kun and Ushio-kun. Those guys just tend to be men who just pick fights to prove themselves."
"Don't you dare think you can compare me to that maniac when you know nothing about my life!" Jounouchi protested.
"Like I said, I've been around long enough to know who you all are." Sparkle repeated as she glared at Jounouchi sternly. "And don't interrupt someone while they are talking." She warned. Then she looked back at Yugi. "All I'm saying, is that you really need to watch out. People like you are easy targets for people like Ushio and Katsuya. I've seen it a lot of times before. If I were you, I wouldn't even bother with the guys like that. They just take advantage of you in the end."
Yugi just couldn't believe how serious Sparkle was being towards him. Did she really care about him or was it just some advice for him on her own half? "Well, classes will be starting soon. You should probably take care of your buddies there and head back." Sparkle advised as she turned around and proceeded to walk away. "Oh, and if you ever find yourself in a jam again, let me know, okay?" she stated as she turned her head for a moment to look back at Yugi. Then walked away.
"Wow… she's really mysterious… and beautiful…" Cosmo noted. Yugi nodded in agreement. In just the two days he's met two strange yet unique females who have just made their way into his life. He didn't know why, but he was glad to have met these two girls. He felt...some nostalgia just thinking about them. Cosmo looked from the girl walking away to Jounouchi and Honda. She gasped as she bent down and looked at the bruised figures. "Ah! Are the two of you alright?!" she asked in deep concern.
"Ha, don't worry, the pain is bearable." Jounouchi assured.
"Speak for yourself." Honda winced in pain.
"The two of you should go to the nurse's office right away." Cosmo instructed. "Mutou-san, can you give me a hand?" she turned towards Yugi and he nodded at her question. Cosmo helped Honda-kun up and supported him while Yugi helped up and supported Jounouchi-kun.
"Come on, we can take ourselves to the infirmary." Jounouchi protested.
"Please stop the tough guy act and just let us help you." Cosmo begged. "Everyone needs help now and then anyways. It only makes us stronger and gives us a reason to keep going." She smiled. Yugi couldn't help but be amazed at how positive Cosmo was being. Only yesterday and a few minutes ago she seemed so quiet and timid and lacked confidence, but now she was being positive and helping out the group. Yugi had to admit, he liked her. But there was this small voice in the back of his head saying that somehow, this peace would not last forever.
Yugi sighed as he was up in his room at his desk working on the Millennium Puzzle once again. After today's events, he had some motivation to continue his puzzle. He had to admit, between the new transfer student and the mysterious tough girl, Yugi couldn't help but like both girls as they were very unique and special. He felt like he and Cosmo were becoming good friends, slowly but surely. And he knew that Sparkle girl must have been at the school for a while. So Yugi was sure to see her again. He really hoped so, because she was fearless and she was very strong. Jounouchi and Honda even thanked Yugi and Cosmo for taking them to the infirmary. Aside from this morning's events with Ushio, Yugi had an exciting day. But as the thoughts of Ushio came into his head, he could not help but remember that Ushio wanted: payment for his job of beating up Yugi's bullies. Even though Yugi did not want to pay Ushio because he didn't want those two to get hurt in the first place, he had a strange and sinking feeling that even though Sparkle took care of Ushio's members, he would still make sure Yugi would pay one way or another.
"What'll I do?" Yugi wondered as he placed a piece of the Millennium Puzzle into the structure he'd come up with. "20,000 yen? I don't have that kind of allowance." Yugi wondered what he could do if Ushio did decide to try anything with him. There was no way he could beat him on his own. Not even Jounouchi and Honda, who were the strongest guys Yugi ever knew, couldn't match him. Maybe Sparkle could help out. She did take out eight of his guys at once. Then again, Yugi did not want to trouble her, especially since he did not know much about her. Even though she said that if he was ever in trouble, she would help him. He should also rule out Cosmo. She was too weak looking and wouldn't last long in a fight anyways. Though he felt bad for excluding them all out, Jounouchi and Honda got hurt because of him and Cosmo had no reason to be part of this just like Sparkle. "What'll I do? What should I do? Am I worrying too much?" Yugi could only ask these questions as he had no idea what his answers were. "Why me…" He looked at his half completed puzzle as if it would give him the answer to his problems. Right, as if a puzzle with supposed mystical powers could solve all his problems. What a joke. He bet it wouldn't even make his one wish come true. "How can I be working on the puzzle at a time like this…" He looked at the puzzle closer, as he saw that it was halfway complete. "Huh?" Yugi blinked. "But I'm doing better than usual." He noted. "Weird… I feel like crap…" He talked as he put together the puzzle at the same time, putting piece by piece. "...I feel like I'm going to solve the puzzle today." He slid a piece of the puzzle into a place. "There… Wow!" He exclaimed as he saw that the pieces were falling into place. "Perhaps… Perhaps…?! Yugi felt his heart racing as he couldn't contain his excitement. Another piece went into the place he wanted without any difficulties. "I did it!" He triumphantly proclaimed. He held up the puzzle to get a good view on the nearly completed africat he had been solving for eight years, and having little to no progress until today. It's as if the events of the past few days had given him reason to solve this puzzle and the will to finally put it together perfectly.
"I did it!" He told himself once again. "All that's left is to put in the final piece and it's done!" Finally, after all these years, all of Yugi's hard work will pay off. Now that his puzzle was nearly complete, he was sure that his wish would come true. The fact that he was going to complete it must mean that things were looking up for him. Yugi reached one hand into his puzzle box to pick up the last piece that was needed to be put into the center of the puzzle. As he reached inside though, he only felt a hard bottom. Yugi looked over as he was baffled by the fact he felt no other golden objects inside. To his dismay, the box was empty. The single piece to complete his puzzle was gone.
"Not here… The last part…" Yugi mumbled to himself as he lost his self-esteem for a moment. He stood up from his chair as his whole body shook. "No!" He gasped. It was impossible! He did not remember taking out any other pieces of the puzzle nor losing any! Yesterday was his first time bringing it to school and opening it and showing it to...to...school! Of course! When Jounouchi grabbed his puzzle and looked inside, he probably snatched a piece of it and took it who knows where! Yugi never thought Jounouchi would do such an awful thing, but at this point there was no other logical solution. There was only one thing left to do!
Yugi ran all the way from his house towards the school. Knowing that his last piece must be there, he had to get it in order to finish his puzzle. He was sure that he could find it eventually. Even if he had to search the whole school. He would not leave until he found that one last piece. It was all he had left to finally make his dream come true. He told his grandpa that he had forgotten something at his school and was going back to pick it up. He let him go as long as he got back before dark. Yugi didn't make any promises, but would try. So he ran down the street towards Domino High school. 'Without that part, the puzzle is incomplete! My wish won't come true!' Yugi told himself mentally as he ran faster. 'Please! Be at school!' He prayed as he entered the gates. He would locate his piece and then leave. That was all he had to do and nothing more and nothing less. Upon entering the school grounds, he was immediately greeted by the last person he wanted to see.
"Yo, Yugi-kun." Ushio greeted Yugi in his cold voice. Yugi backed up a bit as the familiar moral guard stood there, in the center of the schoolyard and icily staring at Yugi.
"Ushio-san." Yugi mumbled under his breath but Ushio heard him. His hands in his pockets as he looked so expressionless.
"You brought the bodyguard fee right? About time." Ushio praised in his subtle tone.
"No!" Yugi protested. "I just forgot something at school and came to pick it up!" Yugi explained. He did not care to get involved with Ushio-san. All he wanted was to get the piece to his puzzle and leave. Yet he knew it would not be that easy. "Anyways, I can't…"
"Hmmm, then I guess you're going to need some education." Ushio threatened as he stared at Yugi. Yugi gasped as his whole form shook. He was trapped. Ushio was going to teach him the meaning of pain just like he did with Honda and Jounouchi. Sparkle was not here to protect him now. He was all alone and forced to take it all in without any resistance.
Yugi was kicked against the wall behind the school. Ushio had finished his 'lesson' with Yugi as he did not want to get into too much trouble. He nearly dodged a bullet with that Sparkle girl, and he wanted to make sure that he did not have any more proof of his actions. Yugi fell to the ground as his whole body hurt from the beating. He could now understand how Jounouchi and Honda must have felt after they were beaten by Ushio. At least it was only him Yugi was dealing with and not his whole squad. Otherwise, he may not even be alive right now. But the pain was unbearable and he felt like he couldn't walk.
"That's enough for today. Tomorrow we'll show the fruits of your "education"." Ushio instructed as he began to walk away from Yugi. Yugi wanted nothing more than to crawl away and hide. He wanted to get away, but he was glad it was over. For now at least. He knew that Ushio would be back and give him a beating twice as hard as he had just received. And worse yet, Ushio will continue to do so until Yugi pays up.
"Hey!" A familiar voice called out. Yugi could barely hear as he felt his eardrums ringing out.
"What? The bullies are back?." Ushio replied. Yugi could make out the word 'bullies'. He did not know who they were until one of them tried to get Yugi some help.
"Yugi!" He called out in a familiar tone. "Hey! Hang on!" Yugi could finally recognized the voice belonged to Jounouchi. Why was he here? Was Honda with him? Yugi had his eyes closed and he was too weak from the pain to see. For some unknown reason, he talked to himself.
"I…" Yugi quietly mumbled to himself. "I… asked the puzzle… for some true friends." That was his wish. Yugi was always alone when he entered middle and high school. All he wanted was to find someone who could play a game with him and talk with him and laugh and share with him. He had hoped that by completing the puzzle he could gain some actual friends. Yugi could feel something being pressed into his palm and having his fist closed around it. Jounouchi was giving him something.
"Ushio-san! Up till now, I've respected you… But… I can't just let this stand!" The other voice, whom Yugi assumed was Honda, declared.
"Oh! You think 2 on 1 is going to make you win?" Ushio mocked. Yugi heard screams and punching and kicking. He did not know who was punching who or who was taking the blows from someone else, all he knew was that the three of them, Jounouchi, Honda and Ushio were fighting. As the fight raged on, Yugi thought to himself as it distracted him from the pain.
'I… I made a wish on the puzzle… I told it I wanted true friends. Someone who will never betray me… A true friend who will always be there for me… No matter what…'
"This is what happens to those who defy me! Remember this!" Ushio laughed as he walked away. Yugi was able to lift his head up to see his two "friends" on the ground, unconscious as they had more bruises than they gotten earlier that day.
"Jounouchi-kun! Honda-kun!" Yugi tried to scream but his voice cracked. He laid there, broken, not knowing what to do. "Ah… I can't wake them up." He realized his voice was not enough to get them up, and he was too weak to head over there to shake them awake as well. His body hurt and though he gained some strength back, he could not use it expect to move himself a bit. "If only if I…" Yugi looked in the palm of his clenched hand and saw there was a golden puzzle piece with an eye. "This…" He gasped as he looked at the familiar golden piece and then to his puzzle, which he had brought with him so he could complete it. The shape where the final piece should go looked like the piece he had. He knew right away that this must indeed be the last piece of his puzzle. The one he was looking for. At least he could finally solve it,. His and the other two's pain would not go in vain. He slowly and steadily placed the last piece inside the one space and with that, the puzzle was complete. As the final piece was put into place, the puzzle started to glow a golden color. Yugi blinked as gasped as he saw the object light up. He could feel the warm glow illuminating his body. He felt stronger...he felt smarter...he felt more confident...but it wasn't him. A beam of light shone into the sky and the wind blew leaves. Ushio noticed this sudden change in atmosphere and he did not like it.
"Now… It's game time." A new voice called out. Ushio turned around to see who it was that called to him. When he did, the next thing he knew he was standing on top of a sphere roof, dangling from a rope. He screamed as he held onto the line.
"What the hell is going on?!" He demanded to know as he wondered what had happened and how he got here. He looked up to see a strange shadow figure that was a bit familiar but yet looked different. It wasn't until the glow from the Millennium Puzzle that showed the colors of the form. Yugi stood up there. "Bastard! Yugi!" Ushio cursed. But this Yugi looked a lot different. No, this Yugi who wore his leather outfit with confidence, his hair looked the same as Yugi's but it has some yellow lightning strands as well and his eyes were a mix of crimson and amethyst. And it had a twisted and evil look in them. The other Yugi grinned at the tough guy dangling from the rope.
"Yo! Ushio-san." He called out in a confident voice that was deeper and more manlier. "I've got what you want right here."
"What?! You got the money?" Ushio asked excitedly. "So you brought it after all." He laughed. "Then I wouldn't have needed to put you through that." Which was a bit of a lie. "So hurry and hand it over!" He barked.
"It'd be boring just handing it over." The other Yugi told him
"What?!" Ushio questioned as he lost his patience.
"How about it? Have a little game with me." The other Yugi proposed.
"Game?!" Ushio seemed confused now. Just what was Yugi playing at? And what was the sudden new attitude?
"But it's no ordinary game… It's a Yami no Game!" He informed him.
"Ha! Interesting!" Ushio mocked. "I, Ushio, have never lost at any game! I accept!"
"Very well then, Ushio-san." The other Yugi commented. "Let us begin." He jumped off the top of the roof and as he fell, he placed a deck of cards on the roof and as he slide, the cards laid themselves out. He too was attached to a rope and as he went down, Ushio went up. Soon, the two of them were at the same level. The other Yugi looked at Ushio while he kept his grin. "The rules are simple. Flip over these cards and the person goes up by the value on the card… The other goes down." Yugi and Ushio looked up to see a pillar that was holding the ropes connecting them in place. "The person who makes it to the top wins the prize." He instructed.
"Alright! Then I'll start this!" Ushio said with confidence as he picked the card closest to him and flipped it over. "10 of Diamonds!" He declared as he laughed. "Well, Yugi, better prepare yourself." Ushio then counted the steps to take based off of the card and as he counted up, Yugi went down. He stopped at ten. Yugi then drew a card.
"I've got a 10." Yugi told Ushio.
"No way!" Ushio exclaimed as he went down while Yugi went up.
Ushio drew a different card. "2 of spades! I'll catch up to you!" He climbed two steps which made him and the other Yugi neck and neck.
"We can't have that now…" Yugi snickered as he drew a new card. "Queen of Spades."
"Again?!" Ushio gasped. How was he getting such good cards?! Was he this lucky? Or did he rige something? This process continued on and off again.
"3 of Diamonds!" Ushio exclaimed.
"9 of Hearts!" The other Yugi proudly showed.
"6 of Clubs!"
"Jack of Spades!"
Eventually, Ushio was almost at the bottom of the roof as Yugi was only one step away from victory. "What's the matter Ushio-san? Giving up already?" the other Yugi mocked. "I'm 1 step away from the top."
"Shut up!" Ushio warned. "The next card I pick will turn this around!" He was so sure of himself as he picked up the card and flipped it over. His face paled as he saw what the card was. "J-joker…"
"Too bad Ushio-san. Joker is a miss. My turn."
"What?! Don't screw with me!" Ushio exclaimed as he tossed the joker aside. "You fixed this from the beginning!"
The other Yugi grabbed the top card on the roof, looked at it and flipped it over for Ushio to see. "Ace of Diamonds. Victory is mine." He declared.
"Shut up!" Ushio threatened. He began climbing the roof, heading towards the top.
"Breaking the rules? If you do that, you'll face something terrible." The other Yugi warned Ushio.
"Quiet!" Ushio exclaimed as he attempted to punch Yugi. He dodged in time and fell from the roof.
"I knew you couldn't obey the rules."
"Die!" Ushio demanded as he cut the rope and watched as Yugi fell into the water. He laughed knowing that even though he didn't win, he still got what he wanted. "I did it!" He exclaimed as he opened the locked box inside the pillar and took out his stash. Only to find out his stash was another deck of cards. "What is this?! Some sick joke?!" He exclaimed.
The other Yugi looked out with his malicious eyes as a third golden eye appeared on his forehead. "The Door of Darkness has been opened." He declared in his twisted voice.
"The door or what?" Ushio demanded to know what was going on. The pillar holding him up suddenly lost its posting and it fell, causing Ushio to go with it. He screamed as he fell from the roof and was heading into the water. As he fell, he could see Yugi who was hanging onto the wall with his Millennium puzzle, which was keeping him in place.
"The Yami no Game shows a person's true character." He explained as he watched Ushio fall. "You will be swallowed in your own greed."
"What?!" Ushio wanted to know what that meant, only Yugi knew. He knew Ushio probably thought he would only fall into the water and get wet. But it wasn't until three eel like monsters came from the water with rows of pointy teeth that Ushio began to scream once again. The other Yugi smirked as his job was done. Ushio would never bother him nor his friends again. With that, the other Yugi walked away.
'Do not worry Yugi,' The other Yugi mentally in a calm tone held onto his newly made Millennium Puzzle. 'You will not have to worry about Ushio-san anymore. Or any other problems in the near future.'
"Hey, have you heard the news?" one girl among a group of three female students mumbled amongst themselves the next morning at school.
"About Ushio-san?" the second of the group asked. "They say that his public moral guards found him outside the school early that morning. He was curled up in a ball and crying."
"He was in such a shock he was hospitalized!" The third girl added.
"I wonder what happened to that guy?" the first one wondered. Yugi listened to these conversation as he walked down the hallway towards his first class of the day. He did not know what had happened to Ushio-san, for he barely remembered much after he placed the last piece inside the Millennium Puzzle. The next thing he knew, he was back at home in his bed with his wounds attended to. Yugi thought that it was all just a bad dream at first. Until he could feel his bruises and he saw the puzzle was finally completed. He realized that it must have been real. Though he could not understand what happened to Ushio-san, he was glad of two things. The first was that with Ushio-san gone, he and the others won't be getting hurt anymore. And at least he won't have to pay Ushio now. The second and the most important reason was that he held his completed puzzle in his hands, which was tied to a brown string to keep it around his neck.
"This will be my treasure from now on." Yugi giggled as he held the puzzle in his fingers. After eight long years and some beatings, he finally completed the puzzle and wore it proudly. He turned around a corner to head to his next class. But he was blocked as he heard a familiar voice.
"Yo Yugi." The small teen looked up to see Jounouchi-kun leaning against the frame. He waved at the other student and Yugi took it as a genuine greeting.
"Jounouchi-kun! Good morning!" Yugi greeted back. Jounouchi crossed his arms as he looked at Yugi with a smile upon his bandaged face. "How are your wounds?"
"Heh, they're healing. It's not the worst pain I've felt." The blond assured. "I'm following your example, I brought my treasure today." Yugi seemed surprised yet pleased. It seems as if yesterday's actions lead Jounouchi to change a bit. "Want to see?" Jounouchi asked. Yugi nodded, actually curious to see what kind of thing someone like Jounouchi would treasure. "Heh heh, too bad!" Jounouchi laughed. "My treasure…...You can see it but you cannot, so I can't show it to you!" Jounouchi sheepishly smiled.
"You can see it but you can't?" Yugi questioned. It was the same quiz he gave himself when he was solving the Millennium Puzzle. But what else could possible be relatable to that? Yugi wondered.
"It's "friendship"." Jounouchi answered as he looked at Yugi with a kind smile. "We can see it in each other…...But you can't see courage itself, right?" Yugi smiled as he got a bit teary eyed. Jounouchi...he had just offered Yugi a friendship request. He really had changed after these past few events. Yugi nodded as he agreed.
"Yeah!" Yugi smiled as he flustered a bit. He could see Jounouchi seemed uncomfortable with this situation as well as he tried to change the matter.
Jounouchi turned around and said: "So… Class is starting! Let's go!" He took off in such a rush, one of his shoes fell off. Yugi grabbed it from the floor and looked at the running blond.
"Jounouchi-kun, you dropped your shoe!" Yugi waved the shoe as he followed Jounouchi to class. Despite the awkward moment and running, Yugi liked the fact that his wish came true.
