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Chapter Three

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Yugi quickly recovered from his state of shock. His distant expression returned, and his friends watched him carefully. "Can I help you?" Yugi asked politely.

Joey frowned. "It's good to see ya Yugue…ya look great…" Joey said nervously.

Yugi smirked. "Really? Do you like what I've done with my hair? I think I have one more blonde streak than before…" Yugi replied sarcastically, running a hand through his hair.

Joey looked uncomfortable. He scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah…er…your hair looks great man…"

Tristan shook his head. "I don't think he meant for you to answer."

Téa frowned. "Yugi…I really missed you…"

Yugi's eyes flew to Téa. A distant corner of his heart leapt at the sight of her, but it was buried so deep down that it didn't affect him. He said nothing; he merely stared at her for the longest time.

Eventually, Téa walked over to Yugi and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "Yugi…" she whispered.

Yugi didn't seem to know how to react. His arms stayed limp at his sides, but that corner of his heart cried out even louder after feeling Téa holding on to him. After a little while, he wrapped his arms around her waist hesitantly. He had forgotten how strong his feelings for her had been. He squeezed his eyes shut tight. No…that's all behind me now.

"Is it?"

Yugi's eyes flew open and he jumped back from Téa. She eyed him in concern, but he paid her no attention. He whirled around to face the voice that had come from behind him, but there was no one there. He stared at the empty space in disdain.

"Yugi…what's wrong?" Téa asked.

Yugi glanced at her over his shoulder, a frown forming on his face. "Nothing's wrong!" He growled.

Téa closed her eyes sadly. "Okay then…"

Yugi's features softened somewhat at the sight of Téa's sadness. In turn, this weakness he felt angered him. I don't need anyone! Especially not her! It holds me back to rely on anyone; it hurts to rely on anyone…

"You're fooling yourself, Yugi."

Yugi groaned in agony and balled his hands up into fists. Every time he heard that voice it hurt just a little more… What is happening to me?! Yugi thought worriedly. He shook his head and turned around to face the confused and concerned stares of his former friends. The concern and pity etched on their faces angered him even further.

"I don't need this right now. Get out." Yugi commanded icily.

"No, you need us right now man. You might not be able to admit it to yourself, but that doesn't change the fact that you need help to get through this," Joey said softly.

"Get through what exactly? What is it I need help with?" Yugi demanded.

Tristan sighed. "We know you miss him Yugi…we all do."

"You know nothing!" Yugi snarled.

Téa looked truly frightened. I've never seen Yugi like this…he's so torn up that he has forgotten himself…she thought, barely containing the tears that threatened to spill over.

Joey stepped forward angrily. "Snap out of it, man! Can't you see what you've become? It has been two freakin' years! I know the Pharaoh was a part of you and all, but you need to move on! This is pathetic!"

All three of them gasped as Yugi lunged at Joey. He pinned the shocked blonde to the wall and glared at him. "I'm free without him! I'm free without all of you! Don't you know why I haven't come looking for you? I don't need you! I don't want you! Leave me the hell alone, you know nothing about me anymore!" Yugi screamed furiously. An emotionless expression replaced his sneer. "You mean nothing to me," he revealed nonchalantly. Joey's eyes glistened with tears that threatened to fall.

"Who are you trying to convince, them, or yourself?" Atem's voice rang out loud and clear. Yugi's grip on Joey's arms tightened in response.

"Stay out of this…" Yugi muttered angrily.

Téa's hurt expression changed into one of confusion. Who is he talking to?

Joey ignored it. He glared at Yugi, who seemed to be lost in his thoughts. "I know you don't mean that, Yugue. Deep down, you're still in there, tryin' to break out. When that day comes, you'll know where to find me." He pushed against Yugi violently, catching him off guard. Joey bolted from the store.

Tristan turned to follow Joey out. "Get better man, I know you have it in you. Don't be like Kaiba. No one should be alone in this world." He exited as well.

Yugi was still staring at the wall he had been holding Joey up against just a moment ago. Despite his calm outward appearance, he was frightened underneath. He's just a figment of my imagination, Yugi thought. He shut his eyes and rested his forehead against the wall.

Atem chuckled. His face appeared in Yugi's mind, an amused expression on his face. "Am I now? It's funny that you're afraid of something that only exists in your own mind."

Suddenly, Yugi felt a hand on his shoulder. He stiffened at the contact and opened his eyes slowly.

"Yugi…I know the boy I knew is still in there somewhere. I caught a glimpse of him, no matter how small it was, when you held me. I don't care how much you deny it; I will fight to have the boy I love back, no matter what it takes." Téa whispered solemnly.

Yugi raised his head. He felt his heart being pulled apart at the seams. Part of him wanted to hold her, but the overwhelming majority wanted nothing more than to be alone. The desire to be alone was suffocating.

Yugi swallowed hard. "Love…?" He asked with uncertainty.

Yugi could feel Atem smiling. "I knew you cared," he declared triumphantly.

Yugi shrugged off Téa's hand. "Stop…just stop! Get out of my head!" Yugi yelled in pain.

Téa stared at him incredulously as he sprinted outside. She finally gave into the sadness and covered her tear streaked face with her hands. "Oh Yugi…please…come back…"

Yugi raced down the streets, unsure of where he was going. It didn't matter to him; he knew that running away wouldn't allow him to escape the voice in his head. The wind blew his blonde bangs into his eyes as he continued to run as fast as he possibly could. Eventually he slowed down to a stop and fell to his knees in an empty alleyway. "What's…wrong with…me…" Yugi asked himself between breaths. Tears spilled over as he leaned himself up against a wall. "Why can't you just leave me alone…" he whispered.

"You're a part of me. Didn't you say that to me long ago? Well, I guess this isn't the same. I am you. You're the one keeping me here."

Yugi buried his face in his hands and yelled: "I hate you!"

--

Marik Ishtar tossed and turned in his sleep, sweat streaking down his face. His brow was creased fearfully. Ishizu watched him with immense unease.

Marik stood in the middle of one of the many streets in Domino City. In front of him, two figures were locked in an intense duel. He couldn't see who they were, they were shrouded in the darkness of the night that surrounded them. Suddenly, a creature Marik would recognize anywhere materialized on the field of play: Slifer the Sky Dragon.

Marik gaped at the dragon. "Only one person could possibly have that card…" Marik whispered to himself. "Yugi Mutou…"

Sure enough, Yugi's voice boomed through the night, echoing in Marik's ears: "Slifer! Thunder Force attack!"

A bright light erupted from the beast's mouth, attacking the other figure directly. Marik correctly assumed that this caused the other figure's defeat.

Marik raced to get closer to the event. He ended up at Yugi's side. Yugi didn't seem to sense his presence or maybe he couldn't see him at all. Yugi laughed humorlessly. "So much for 'friendship', right Joey?"

Marik glanced at the other figure. Joey Wheeler looked beaten in every sense of the word.

"Now…the price for your ignorance…" Yugi chuckled darkly.

A bright light caught Marik's eye and he turned to face Yugi once more. He gasped as he saw the Millennium Puzzle around his neck. The gold eye appeared on his forehead as well, signaling his use of the Puzzle's power. He reached his hand out toward Joey, and Marik heard a surprised yell coming from his direction. Marik looked at him just in time to see Joey collapse to his knees and fall to the ground face first.

Marik ran to his side, picking Joey up and shaking him. "Joey! Joey, wake up!" He knew that it was no use. He was very familiar with the dark power of the Millennium Items. He looked up at Yugi. His eyes were no longer the amethyst color he had remembered, but a deep crimson. The glow of the Puzzle faded, as did the symbol on his forehead. Without another word, Yugi turned around and started to walk away.

"Yugi! Come back, look at what you've done!"

"Marik! Marik! Brother, wake up! You're dreaming!"

Ishizu's frantic voice woke Marik from his nightmare. His eyes snapped open and he sat upright. He was breathing heavily.

"Ishizu…it wasn't just a dream…I can feel it. It was something more," Marik said sadly.

Ishizu placed a cool hand on his forehead. "A vision? That's strange…but after all we've experienced in our lives, I wouldn't second guess you for a moment, brother."

"It was about Yugi…he is being consumed by darkness. I don't know how, or why, but it's true."

Ishizu nodded. "What else? You need to tell me everything."

"He was dueling Joey Wheeler, his best friend if you recall. He won. Afterward, he used the power of the Millennium Puzzle to trap his soul inside…" Marik looked down at his legs.

Ishizu sighed in relief. "It must've been just a dream then Marik, there's no possible way Yugi could have the Puzzle. It was lost when the Tablet broke and all of the Items fell into that chasm…"

Marik shook his head. "I saw him remove the Millennium Puzzle from the Tablet before it broke."

Ishizu's eyes narrowed. "Why did you allow him to get away with it? All of the Items should've been lost for good!"

Marik closed his eyes sadly. "I know sister, it is my fault. I couldn't bring myself to take it away from him; he had just lost a part of his very soul…it felt wrong."

Ishizu sighed and nodded. "I suppose I might've done the same thing. I just find it hard to believe that such a kind-hearted kid could possibly be so dark."

Marik looked up at her. "I know. Joey Wheeler was his closest friend…the one person you would think would be able to get through to him." Marik frowned. "I had that vision for a reason, Ishizu. Somehow, we must stop Yugi…we must save him from himself, and save the lives of those he might target in his rage." He breathed deeply and let it out slowly. "We must do for Yugi what Odion did for me during the Battle City Finals."

Ishizu tilted her head to the side. "If Joey couldn't get through to him, how could we?"

Marik looked down again. "We can't. But I know someone who might."

Ishizu grabbed Marik by the shoulders. "No! We worked too hard to end it like this!"

Marik stared at her, his mind made up. "We have no choice, sister. We must resurrect Pharaoh Atem."