Ma-Chi: -cowers at everyone's feet- I'm sorry guys! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be so late at updating this summer... I was just so occupied with what I was doing! Like Amecon... -sheepish sweatdrop- But look! I've updated much sooner this time! See, see?! -flails arms- I'm being good this time!
Just a few weeks till London Anime Expo! Yay! -giggles- Anyone going? I'm going as Yuki Nagato on the saturday, then the bunny girl version of her on sunday (I hope the weathers not too bad...).
I don't think this game will be as exciting as you all may have wished... but I, well... I dunno. -shrugs- I wrote a fair bit for it, that counted, and the important stuff, so I think it's okay. And, a lot of it sounds like the manga version. Whoops, but nevermind. Anyway, enjoy.
Shoutouts!
ONIX-21: Glad to hear the chappie was okay. I was kinda worried with Atemu's soulroom... but if you say it was okay, then I'm happy with it. -smiles- Enjoy the showdown!
Suma Amoru: I'm sure Yuugi's gonna have LOTS of fun this chappie! -grins-
dragonlady222: The game has begun! Hope you enjoy reading it. It's different to what Yami did in the Manga/Anime.
Nyago: Sorry, I didn't mean to leave it at a cliffy! It just... seemed like a good time to stop it at. -sweatdrops sheepishly-
My new nickname was made by my good friend, who told me when we first met last year at London Anime Expo: Aura: "If that's your name, and you can't stick to one nickname, then I shall make a new one out of your real name. So now it is Ma-Chi!" Me: "But... my nickname is-" Aura: "YOUR NICKNAME IS NOW MA-CHI." I was laughing my ass off at the face she was making! XD
Anyway, enjoy the chappie, Nya-Chan!
yugixyamiyaoilover: Well, your about to find out what his game will be! Enjoy! -grins-
SilverDragon-Purity: -holds on tightly to Yuugi and Yami- But... their my Puzzle Bishies to mess with! -laughs, then hands over copies- But have their clones! Their just as good. -grins- I checked out the story, that was really useful. And the second riddle you gave me – awesome! Thank you! for that, you deserve a plushie too! -hands over Atemu plushie- I would give you my BMG plushie... but I love her too much. XD
-makes shifty eyes- ...Of cause cosplaying would give me the rights. Because, -lifts up index finger- I cosplay a (female) Yuugi really well. Ya see, I got Takahashi-San drunk, making him confused as to why Yuugi was a girl (-laugh-), so he would then sign the rights off to me, but... -blushes in embarrassment- ...I saw the Black Magician Girl come in. So, while I was busy hugging and gushing all over her, the REAL Yuugi came in, with Yami in tow. So I now have a restraining order on me for 1) Trying to steal the rights and 2) for trying to molest poor Mana. -sweatdrops and sighs, then wages finger- So, tell your friend that we are both in the same predicament! XDDD
SRRH: It isn't like Yami's, but has the same sort of rule. But... I guess it wouldn't be called a Shadow Game really. More like a Light Game!...or something. -laughs at how silly that sounds- Anyway, enjoy!
YamiYugi4ever: Hahaha, who saw that one coming? A Game between Shadi and Yuugi? Haha. Yes, poor Atemu has suffered from something real bad in the past, and it's affecting him in some way. Bet you can't wait to see what it is, huh? -grins evilly-
Protecter of the Nameless: -bows at your feet- And I worship you reviewing my story! Haha. Well, I hope this story is awesome for you. :)
Dark Reborn: -shrugs- Actually, no one knows what Yuugi's Ka monster is, same with Yami, who just summoned the Gods or the Black Magician, who was really Mahado, sacrificing himself to be able to protect him. There have been some stories where Kuriboh is Yuugi's Ka, but I feel that doesn't suit him, but Yami instead. Kuriboh is a dark type, after all. Haha.
I picked Marshmellon, because he was Yuugi's first monster he summoned with his deck he created himself. It's also a light type, and it just fits. I know it's not right, but this is how I've done it.
Atemu Yugi Lover34: Don't worry about the short review. Any "good chapter" review is good enough for me! Haha. Yes, something is bothering Atemu, BUT ALL SHALL BE REVEALED IN DUE TIME! Mwaha!
SofiaDragon: -sighs pathetically- someone FINALLY points out some wrongs of spellings and meanings. The reviews were helpful, thank you, but I had failed English at school... and I am English! LE GASP! -whacks head- So, no matter how many times I will look over my chappie, it will still look crappy, so please bare with me. I will still try my best though! But I'm glad to hear you like my story. -smiles-
Midoriyugi-chan: It's awesome? Yay! Arigato Midori-san! In truth, I never thought I'd a story like this one, but I was snoozing in bed one night, nightdreaming as always about my fav pairing, when the random thought of "what if?" popped up. And that was how the idea appeared. I hope it's working okay!
Hmm... yes, I study a little Ancient Egyptian, but not as much as I would have liked. Most of the translations are from dictionaries on the internet. Anyway, enjoy!
Serami Nefera: We need more powerful Yuugis! A dominate Yuugi is a hot Yuugi is Yami's eyes. -laughs with glee- I have foreseen it! ...In a doujinshi. -giggles sheepishly- Anyway, a chappie for you!
LiLTakarigirl aka Yami Aro: Were the first 9 chappies okay for you? But I'm glad you like the thought of Yuugi being trapped instead.
Angelellbaby: A little, but I mostly used my memory, since I couldn't be bothered to get my manga out half the time. Haha.
yugiyamifangirl: well, I hope you enjoyed those first load of chappies! And I hope you enjoy this one. -smiles-
Disclaimer: I tried to get the rights from Takahashi-San by cosplaying as Yuugi... didn't work, though. -sweatdrops-
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Puzzle Piece 9
"Welcome to my room, where we shall play a little game..."
Shadi stared at the boy in front of him in semi shock. This only made Yuugi grin more.
"Is something wrong?" He asked innocently, tilting his head. The Marshmellon at his feet made a small grow at the older man. "You are the one who came here, are you not? You should show some courage."
This comment made Shadi step forward, into the room of this soul.
He looked around himself, and took in what he saw. Yuugi noticed this, but kept quiet. The room of this soul... it is very different from the first one. He looked from side to side with just his eyes as he walked. The room is of old aged stone with corner pillars and hieroglyphs... it feels cold, damp... a truly old soul of many years, unlike the first room. He stood still when his foot came in contact with something. Shadi looked down, and spotted what looked like a toy. A wooden spinning top, though it looked well used, and slightly broken. An Egyptian toy... and there are more than one toy here. This shows the soul is innocent. Kind, childlike, carefree. And yet... He moved his gaze to the spiked chains that hung on the walls. ...A fear of being trapped, hurt. An innocent yet tortured soul. The room had beams of light coming through what looked like black clouds above them. That is something I have never seen before. It is as if the soul is of light, but an intruding darkness is causing it pain...
"Can you tell me exactly why you are here? And how you got here to begin with?" Yuugi asked, keeping a poker face. "I find it a little rude to be barging into someone's soul uninvited like this."
Shadi's eyes were blank, but he smiled. "I suppose I should, seeing as I am not welcomed. Answering your questions is the least I can do."
Yuugi looked very put off with his blank eyes, but he tried to cover it by crossing his arms, and raising an eyebrow. "Well?"
A smirk. "I posses two items." He took hold of the item hanging around his neck. "I came here using the Millennium Key." He lifted up said item to show the teen. "It gives me the power to enter into one's soulroom. The other, is the Millennium scales." He lifted up the item in his other hand. "This allows me to see the truth of people's hearts by putting them on trial."
"I see..."
"Yes. It is written in the Pert em hru about the story of the Millennium items, going back to ancient Egypt three thousand years ago. The story tells of the items that became, after a certain youth sacrificed himself to save Ancient Egypt. The items were then used by the Pharaoh's court to punish thieves who defiled the tombs of the Pharaohs."
This made Yuugi raise an eyebrow.
"But, what does that have to do with me?"
Shadi's smirk didn't waver. "I came here to discover the secret of the Millennium Puzzle!"
Yuugi's face went pale at the mention of the puzzle. "W-what secret?" The puzzle holds a secret?
"But when I came here..." The man continued, ignoring Yuugi's stunned question. "I find not one soulroom, but two. Everyone has different designed rooms, but never two. The other room has the scent of the items, a familiar power sleeping, hidden away, but it is not what I am looking for. It is not the same. But you," He pointed at the teen. "Have the power of the Millennium Items. It comes off you in waves. I shall have that power, and draw it back into my bloodline!"
Yuugi was shaking, all confidence gone. He had the power of the items? Was that why he was drawn to them? Was that why he absorbed the Millennium Eye that day? Was that why he had this magic of summoning monsters? His Bond with Atemu?
...What else could he do? This was so confusing...
"I-I'm sorry." He said to the man. "But your search is in vain. I do not know anything about myself, let alone any secret of the puzzle..."
"But you have the power." Shadi told him again. "By what I can feel, you and the items are the same."
"The same?"
"Yes. Somewhere, is this room, hides the secrets of the puzzle, maybe even a secret of all the items. And I will find it!"
Yuugi calmed down, and sighed. How is this man going to find something, if Yuugi himself didn't know where it is?
...but Yuugi had said about playing a game, right? So, what if he made one out of this little problem of his? Hopefully, this will made Shadi see sense. But, he had to try one last time. He stood up straight, and brought up a look of confidence again. He would not be intimidated by this man! "Well, I'm sorry to inform; but I don't know this secret. Therefore, I will not know of it's location in this room."
"Then I shall find it on my own." Shadi said, not backing down.
He's intruded into my soul and into Atemu's soul. Yuugi thought, frowning. I can't let him go freely.
"Fine." The smaller sighed, crossing his arms. Giving up on recerning with Shadi, Yuugi smirked, going right back to plan A. "As I said earlier; we shall play a game." He lifted an arm... and clicked his fingers.
At that moment, a claw like spiked chain came shooting down from the black clouds, and grabbed hold of Shadi's wrist. He looked up, surprised by it for a second, before it pulled him harshly back up towards the clouds. There, he vanished.
Yuugi had watched with a blank look. He turned, and waited. Suddenly, a stone tablet shot up from the floor, and stood tall, small bits of rock and dust falling off it – a result from having been buried in the ground. Yuugi walked over to it, and brought a hand up to lightly touch it.
"Kuri, kuri, kuri..."
A fond smile came to Yuugi's lips. One of the few creatures that resided within his soul. Sure, he knew Marshmellon was different to the other few, but... this one... this one was special. Why, he didn't know. He just knew.
"You'll help me..." He asked the stone tablet, a soft glow now coming from it. "...Won't you, Winged Kuriboh?"
"Kuri kuri!"
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Shadi stood within the darkness of the black clouds. This was confusing him. A game? Here, within one's soul? The dark coloured man had no idea what sort of game this boy was planning to start, but he was going to win, no matter what it was. He must, for the secret of the items rested within this one boy's soul!
"The rules are simple." Stated a young voice. Shadi turned his gaze, and locked on Yuugi as he walked towards him, a new creature floating next to his head. He had turned to look at the winged furrball, raising his hand and closing his eyes as he muttered something under his breath. In seconds, the one creature became two. Then four. Then eight, and so on. Soon, there looked like there was hundreds of small furry creatures, all around them. Yuugi opened his eyes and looked back at Shadi, confidence flowing within them. "This is a hide-and-seek game. Here, are the many Winged Kuribohs of our game. They, shall all hide."
As soon as Yuugi said this, all but one suddenly flew off in different directions into the darkness. The one remaining started to growl.
"All but one Winged Kuriboh is a trap. You must search and find the real Winged Kuriboh within a maze of light walls, a set of five stair cases leading up to a higher level. You shall start at the bottom, working your way up. You must reach the top. But be careful – if you find one of the Winged Kuriboh's doubles, you shall be set down a level. If a Winged Kuriboh spots you, it will approach you – real or not. If you spot it first, you have the choice of going near it. The higher the level, the less Winged Kuribohs."
"And the point of this game?" Shadi asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yuugi smirked. "The point is – if you find the real Winged Kuriboh, he shall lead you to where the secret lies."
This made Shadi give off a smirk of his own. "I seem to recall you saying you didn't know of any secret."
"I don't." Yuugi said, his smirk never wavering. "But the monsters of my heart do." Yuugi crossed his arms. "This game is to decide our fates. You win, and you get your secret and power. Lose, and you leave."
"Very well." Said Shadi, accepting the game and rules. "But I must warn you... the power of the Millennium Key allows me to completely wipe a person's soul. Making them my mindless servant."
"You are willing to cheat with this ability?" Yuugi asked, alarmed. If Shadi even thought of laying one finger to change one strand of hair on Atemu's head...
He was calmed when the other shook his head. "No. Not this time."
This time? What did that mean? Yuugi shook his head of the thought. He had more important things to deal with right now.
It stayed silent in the darkness, a few "Kuri"s being sounded as the remaining Winged Kuriboh flew off into the darkness, Shadi watching it. Once Yuugi was sure it was gone, taking that as the queue for Shadi having watched it being classed as ready, spoke. "Game start."
The invisible ground shook, catching Shadi off guard. Walls of bright light shot up all around him, creating hallways that went here and there. Once all was done, it truly seemed like a brightly lit maze.
Shadi stood there silently, deciding his first move. He had the choice to go three ways; to his right, to his left, or straight on. Yuugi was just a little ways from him, arms crossed and leaning against one of the walls.
"What's wrong?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "Nothing will happen if you just stand there. You must take a step."
Which Shadi did, straight on. With the bright walls, shadi could now see where he was going. He went left and right, straight on and around a corner. He walked silently, sensing that Yuugi was following him just as quietly. This went on till they reached the next level. Nothing else seemed different, until Shadi came across a Winged Kuriboh. It hadn't spotted him, but he decided to approach it anyway.
The Winged Kuriboh turned round, and saw him. It blinked, narrowed it's eyes and growled. This, shadi took as a wrong Kuriboh. In seconds, it glowed and exploded, causing smoke to form around him. It came suddenly, but shadi felt the floor vanish under him, and he fell down hard onto the ground he had just recently left. The man grunted, and slowly stood back up. There, he spotted Yuugi standing in front of him. How he got there, he didn't know.
"Did I happen to mention that, there is a time limit in this game?" Yuugi asked, smirking. "As the time wears on, the walls dim. If the maze becomes completely filled with darkness, the game ends, claiming me the winner." His form flickered, and vanished. "I shall be waiting at the top."
Shadi stood there, and gritted his teeth. There is more to this boy than meets the eye...
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The Winged Kuriboh exploded, and Shadi fell down to the level he was last on. He was getting pretty hurt from this constant falling, and it was getting harder for him to get back up the more it happened. And because of this, he was starting to lose track of what level he was on. He looked up to where the hole was in the ceiling, though it was starting to seal up. That was the sixteenth trap winged Kuriboh he came across. At one point, he was doing really well, having gone up many levels without a trap Kuriboh exploding on him. But now, he kept running into them – and was having trouble staying out of the furball's line of sight.
Shadi sighed as he got up again. If he kept this up, he wouldn't even make it half way – and the walls were starting to dim, slowing his limited time. The Egyptian would have used his items to lead the way, to win this game, but for some reason they just wouldn't work here. Does it have something to do with the same power residing within this soul?
What level was he on again? Losing track wasn't good – what if a Winged Kuriboh exploded on him on the bottom level? Would he get lost in the boys soul forever?
He walked up another set of stairs, taking a look at the walls. They had dimmed again, he realized. He was running out of time.
"Kuri kuri!"
Shadi stopped in mid step along the hallway. A Winged Kuriboh had spotted him. Was he going down a level again? But this one... this one wasn't exploding on him. Could this be the real one? It turned away, and started to fly off. This meant it was either not interested in him, or was the real Winged Kuriboh. Shadi chose the later and followed after it, hoping to be close to winning this game.
It had seemed that the two had walked on for ages, the walls dimming down more. It was starting to get hard to see, Shadi noted, as he walked down the maze. The Kuriboh gave no sign weather he was closer to the secret of not, just kept flying on. Shadi then suddenly wondered if this itself was a trap, his thought in moments being mirrored as the kuriboh stopped and turned, glaring at him with a growl. This made Shadi raise an eyebrow.
But then, before the Egyptian could make a comment, it glowed, and exploded on him.
In those few seconds, Shadi had ended up holding onto the edge as he dangled over the darkness. This puzzled him. Where was he in the maze to make him end up in this predicament?
"I really didn't like how you just intruded into our souls like this." Spoke a voice, sounding upset, and a little angry. "And just to find power, too. But, I do believe that that isn't the only reason for your coming here."
Shadi looked surprised, even though his eyes still looked dull and lifeless. There, stood the one who started this game, the real Winged Kuriboh floating right next to him, silently watching.
"...You are right."
Yuugi bent down and grabbed hold of Shadi's hand, helping the man out of the hole, and safely back in the maze. Shadi looked out of breath, but stood back up anyway, towering over Yuugi, yet not seeming intimidating anymore.
"It is true that I am on the search for the secret and power of the Millennium Items. But... there is a reason behind that." The maze walls darkened and vanished, leaving them back in Yuugi's soulroom. Shadi turned, and headed towards the aged-old door. "I shall leave, since I have lost this game."
"I will be seeing you again." Yuugi stated, knowing he was right.
"Yes. There is something I must do, someone else to judge." He stopped for a second at the door, moving his head a little. "...My name is Shadi, by the way. So, until we meet again..."
And with that, walked out of the room and into the darkness of the hallway.
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Atemu blinked, and looked around himself. ...What the hell just happened? The man from before... who had his puzzle, was gone. said item was around his neck, glittering in the lighting. Why did everything go blank?
"Até!"
"ACK!"
The teen fell to the floor from the force of Yuugi's glomp tackle. In seconds, the smaller was babberling and checking him over, as if fearing he was hurt in some way. Well, what did he expect? He just tackled him to the floor!
"I'm fine Yuugi. Why so worried?"
Yuugi's eyes bared into his for a moment, before he sighed. "Our souls were broken into by a man with two items. He was... searching for something, but I sent him way." His eyes turned more worried. "Are you sure your alright?"
"Yuugi, breath." Atemu said, bringing a hand up to rub his check lightly, in a attempt to calm the smaller. Yuugi's eyes closed, as they normally do when Atemu does this, and sighed contently. "I'm fine, really. I feel no different than I did a few moments ago. Well, I feel a little confused, but that's beside the point." He grinned at that.
Yuugi opened his eyes and grinned back.
Atemu, still on the floor with Yuugi on top of him, slowly lost the grin from his face. He had just noticed how close Yuugi's own was to his, who was now blinking cutely at him. Yuugi tilted his head slightly, asking him something... but Atemu couldn't hear the words. All he saw was his mouth moving and that tongue flickering up and down. This made the taller teen groan.
"Y-Yuugi..." He moaned, lightly pushing at him, trying to get him off without offending him. "...Mind if I get up now?"
"Oh! Sorry..."
Yuugi quickly stood up and held a hand out, helping Atemu to stand. The two stood in the now silent museum, just looking at each other. Atemu felt weird, his stomach doing flip flops and and his throat becoming dry.
Why do I feel this way? The moment Yuugi looked at me like that...
Said teen was tilting his head again. "Uh, Até?"
He closed his eyes and rubbed his face. "We better get on home. Grandpa must be worried about us, and they'll lock us in if we're not careful."
Yuugi nodded, watching Atemu turn and start to head in a direction. He took a few steps forward himself, and reached out for Atemu's hand. The taller looked down, surprised, when Yuugi caught his hand and latched on, but then just smiled. He squeezed Yuugi's hand, before continuing to guild them both out of the closing museum.
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Ma-Chi: -looks at the chapter... then looks at it again- ...Ra, I hate the ending of the chappie. It just seems too... rushed to me! Gah... -groans- I dunno, I might go back and edit, but then again – I may not be bothered to in the end. So, to make up for it, the next chappie is gonna be long and puzzle filled fluff! ...Or, was that the chapter after that? -looks through fanfic folder- ...I think it's kinda both. But the next two chappies will make you all happy! ...hopefully. Well, I should be updating in the next two weeks or so. So, see ya then!
Remember to review guys! I'll update a little faster. All comments and advice welcomed! No really, they'd help...
Sorry for any spellings and grammer mistakes.