Author's Note: This one's from Silver Huntress

After: Joey

No more pharaoh. No more psychos tryin' to take over the world. No more magic. No more edge of your seat adventure. I should feel happy for the guy. I should be relieved that things can go back to normal, for real. But I'm not. I miss him. I miss the uncertainty of whether we would be able to save the world. I even miss the spooky creepy weirdness that was magic. Now it's the normal life for us. Yep, just sittin' pretty on the success of the past… I'M LOOSING MY MIND HERE!!! I never thought I'd say this but I want some nut-job to come at us with a crazy scheme involving some crazy powerful magic to take over the planet. Because with so many weirdos running around for so long I've gotten used to the whole hero bit. And besides if he's needed the pharaoh will probably come back.

Ahh quit kidding yourself man. I tell myself. He'll never be back. He's resting; the guy could use a vacation after 5,000 years. Everyone has a chance to relax and all I can do is wonder how long it will take for me to go completely insane. I've taken to looking for trouble in the dark alleys of Domino; I've sharpened my skills on the thugs and morons who are dumb enough to underestimate me. I can't even enjoy it. Because I'm waiting for Yugi to tell me I shouldn't do it. Instead he stares off into space and nods as I tell him of my latest victory.

Yugi, come back. Ever since Atem left you act like you've died. You've been like my conscience for years and I need to hear you say, "I don't think that's a good idea, Joey." Why, Pharaoh? Did you know the mess you'd be leavin' behind when you left? If you did and I find out, I swear I'll find a way to come after you and yell at you for a few years.

I can see that Yugi and Tea are really suffering but both of them don't try to talk about it. Hell, I think even Kaiba misses the guy although the mutt comments are keeping me from being very sympathetic.

On my way to school, I turn down a street, in the opposite direction of Domino High. I haven't skipped school since Yugi and I became friends. Okay, not since Hirutani tried to hook me back into the gang. The point is I'm ditching and I don't know why. I feel lost; there isn't anyone to keep me from going back. Yugi doesn't care about anything anymore and I doubt anyone else will notice I'm gone. Tristan might unless he found a new skirt to chase. He seems less affected then anyone.

As I walk down the alley the sound of running footsteps reaches my ears I begin to turn but am slammed against a sidewall before I can react.

"What the hell are you doing, man?"

I look at my attacker in shock as the question is asked. Familiar brown eyes stare at me intensely. It's Tristan. For some reason I'm in a foul mood at being found out so I bite back, "What's it matter to you?" I try to shove him off, but the guy barely stumbles.

"It matters to me because you're being a moron and you're going to get yourself killed," he answers.

"Like anyone would notice? Maybe once I get killed I can get some answers from the dumbass who left us!" I bellow, giving him another shove. Again, it has no real effect. But my words do. Shock fills Tristan's features to be instantly replaced by fury. He slams my back into the wall again to drive his point home.

"So you're just giving up and forgetting him, then?"

"I'm not forgetting anything!"

"Bull, man!" He takes a breath to calm down but his tone is no less dangerous. "What was the point of him being here at all if you're going to forget everything he showed us?"

I slam my fist in his gut and pin him to the wall, instead. I pull back my fist to hit him again but his low chuckle stops me.

"You're just the same as you were back then, Joey. Just a bully. If Atem could see you now he'd be ashamed. If Yugi were here right now he'd be ashamed. I'm ashamed, man. After everything you're just going to go back? You're just going to be some back streets good-for-nothing punk?"

I mentally step back and examine myself. Oh God, he's right. I am turning my back on them. I'm turning my back on my friends. No more. I release Tristan from my hold and take a few steps back. "I'm sorry man," I whisper. What more can I say? He nods. Wordlessly we begin to walk to school. Something makes me pause. I look up into the bright blue sky.

"Tris?" I call.

"Yeah?" he stops too and I know he's looking at me even if I haven't taken my gaze from the sky.

"Do you think he can see us?" I finally turn my gaze back to my bud. He glances at the sky as well a frown crosses his features.

"I don't know."

"Hmmm," I look up to the heavens once again. "Well if you can, Atem, I'm really sorry you had to watch that, man."

Tristan looks skyward as well, "Yeah," I hear him murmur, "me too." We stand there for a few moments then it feels as if the sun shone a little brighter and the air around us grew a little warmer. Then it passes and leaves us staring at each other.

"Do you think…?" he asks. I grin and nod. He grins as well. With that we race toward school realizing we're going to be late. My heart is a little lighter. He didn't leave us as alone as I thought….

"Hey Joey! Did you finish the algebra homework?"

I almost have a heart attack. "WE HAD ALEGEBRA?"

"Nah, I just wanted to see your face," he laughs.

"GAHHH! TRISTAN! GET BACK HERE!"

He just laughs again and runs a little faster. I can feel that slight warmth again and I know he's smiling and shaking his head, just like he used to.