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Chapter Ten

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Yugi sighed deeply, his breath coming out in a white puff in front of him. He had wanted to enter the hospital, but Tristan and Kaiba had been in the way. He felt as if he had to make up for what he had done.

He shook his head angrily. No matter how hard he tried to fight it, a corner of his heart ached with guilt over shooting the girl. He wanted to ignore it, but it proved to be useless.

"Maybe you're not completely lost, then."

Yugi sighed again and ignored the voice. He wasn't surprised when he heard it anymore. As much as he despised it, the voice was a part of him, and he couldn't just lock it away somewhere. He raised an eyebrow. Or can I?

He smirked. Maybe there is a way…

He heard gravel stir behind him, and he suddenly remembered Tristan. His grin widened. He had almost forgotten about his old friend. He looked down at the Puzzle. He traced the eye with his forefinger absent-mindedly, humming under his breath.

He looked up again, his eyes locking onto a dark alleyway. He decided to use the alley to conceal his act from prying eyes. Tristan wouldn't be leaving that alleyway. Not on his own, anyway.

Yugi picked up the pace and sprinted toward the darkness. He could hear Tristan trying to keep up with him. He chuckled softly.

When he reached the alley, he walked forward into the dark. He stood with his back to the entrance, eagerly awaiting Tristan's arrival. He didn't have to wait long.

He heard heavy footfalls and strained breathing behind him. Yugi waited for Tristan to catch his breath for a moment before speaking.

"You aren't exactly a master of stealth, are you Tristan?"

There was a short silence behind him. "I never said I was."

Yugi grinned. "You shouldn't have followed me."

He heard Tristan moving closer to him. "Why, are you going to kill me like you tried to kill that girl Kate?"

Yugi's grin faded instantly. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Tristan laughed. "I think I do, Yugi! You shot her in cold blood! What has happened to you? You're pathetic!"

Yugi whirled around to face him. "I'm pathetic? If I recall, you are the one that hangs around friends that don't even acknowledge you half of the time! Your friends don't care about you at all! You're worthless!" Yugi's words dripped with venom.

Tristan gawked at him. He could hardly believe that it was Yugi he was talking to. His eyes lowered to the Millennium Puzzle. Suddenly, Yugi's insults seemed unimportant. "Yugi, where did you get the Puzzle? It was supposed to be gone…forever."

Yugi looked down at it. "In a moment of weakness, I took it to remember him by. But now it's so much more than that. It's the key to my freedom." Yugi looked up at Tristan again and smirked. His eyes bore a deadly warning as he stared at his prey. "Do you want to see how it works? You won't feel a thing, not really…"

Tristan suddenly felt cold. Yugi had control of the Puzzle's power. He stared into Yugi's eyes. "What have you done?" For a moment he didn't know why he had asked that question, but it was obvious that this wouldn't be the first time Yugi had used the power of the Shadows.

Yugi chuckled. "There's fear in your eyes, Tristan. I so hoped I would see that."

Tristan stepped toward him angrily. "What have you done?!" He repeated frantically.

Yugi scowled at him. "It's just like going to sleep…for a very long time."

Tristan stared at him. "You've killed before."

Yugi laughed. The empty sound echoed off the alley walls. "No."

Kaiba reached the alley. He hid behind the wall and peeked around the corner to watch the altercation take place.

Suddenly, a light seemed to come on in Tristan's mind. Realization lit up his eyes, and he glared at Yugi. "It all makes sense now. The news story about that old man, it's all because of you."

Yugi raised an eyebrow amusedly. "How do you figure?"

Tristan stepped even closer. "The owner of a gun shop falls into a coma that no doctor can explain, and suddenly you turn up with the Millennium Puzzle around your neck and a gun? It has to be you!"

Kaiba looked on with wide eyes. Yugi put Kate's grandfather into a coma…that's why she had Yugi's address, she somehow found evidence and wanted to question him…and that's why he shot her.

"Very good, Mr. Taylor. You get a gold star on your homework tonight."

Tristan lunged forward and grabbed Yugi by the collar. "A gold star on my homework? This isn't the time for sarcasm, you bastard! What has happened to you? I miss my best friend!"

Yugi snarled at him. "Your best friend is gone, you pathetic worm. But don't worry, you can have the Pharaoh, I'm sure he needs friends right now."

Tristan shook Yugi violently. "How can you just throw your closest friend into the dirt the way you did? He loves you more than anything, and you thrashed him! I've never seen him so weak!"

Yugi gritted his teeth angrily. "He left me! He abandoned me! He left me broken, but now I'm stronger than ever without him pulling me down! He could go to hell for all I care!"

"You don't mean that, Yugi." Atem called out in his mind.

Yugi groaned furiously. "I do! I mean it! Leave me alone!"

Tristan eyed him curiously, as did Kaiba in the distance. "I didn't say anything," Tristan growled, watching him as if he were a mental patient.

Yugi threw his head against Tristan's forcefully. The brunette staggered backward, holding his head with one of his hands. Yugi pushed him against the alley wall and held him there. "Don't look at me like I'm insane!"

Tristan stared deep into his eyes. "I don't know how I can't, you are insane."

Yugi kneed Tristan in the stomach. Tristan doubled over, clutching the area that was hit. Yugi then pulled Tristan's head to his knee in a flash, causing him to fall over completely disoriented.

Kaiba was frozen. He wanted to do something, but for some reason, his feet wouldn't move. Is Yugi going to kill him? No…he couldn't possibly…

Yugi flipped Tristan over onto his back. He knelt beside him and looked down into Tristan's wide eyes with a smirk. He slowly reached out to Tristan's face, tracing the side of his cheek with his forefinger. He chuckled in delight. "Good night, old friend."

Kaiba's eyes locked onto the Millennium Puzzle as it began to glow. He watched in horror as the light left Tristan's eyes and they closed indefinitely.

"NO!"

Yugi looked up in surprise. Kaiba's hands flew to his mouth as he realized that the scream had come from his own lips.

Yugi spotted him and stood. Kaiba sprinted past him and pulled Tristan to his chest. "What have you done?!"

Yugi looked at him, still frozen in shock. How did I not know he was there?

"He's fine."

Kaiba glared at him. "He doesn't look fine! Come to your senses, Yugi! I knew something was wrong with you, but I didn't think you had turned into a complete psychopath!"

Yugi frowned. "I'm not insane."

Kaiba laughed darkly. "Who are you trying to convince, me, or yourself?"

Yugi lunged at him, but Kaiba pulled himself away in time. Kaiba grabbed Tristan's arms and attempted to drag him away, but he was too slow. Yugi had stood up again, and he was walking toward Kaiba with determination in his eyes.

"You will suffer the same fate as Tristan. Don't worry, it won't hurt."

Kaiba looked down at Tristan sadly. If he wanted to get away, he would have to drop Tristan. Kaiba sighed and let go. He quickly turned around and darted away, leaving Yugi and Tristan behind.

That didn't last long. Yugi raced to catch up with him. Kaiba's heart pounded in his chest as he frantically searched for a place to hide. He knew that Yugi was fast, and he wasn't confident that he would be able to keep up their game of cat and mouse for long.

"You're already getting tired, aren't you?"

As Yugi said those words, Kaiba felt his legs beginning to give out on him. His throat began to close up and it became difficult for him to breathe. He felt himself slowing down, and fear crept into his heart. He growled in irritation and surged forward, pushing himself to the limits.

He saw a garbage can on the side of the alleyway and grabbed it. He cast it over his back at Yugi. When he heard the boy yell in surprise, he smiled.

He quickly turned a corner and saw a door. He moved toward it desperately. Maybe if I go in before he catches up and sees me, he will think he has lost me…it's worth a try.

He pushed on the door, sighing in relief when it opened. He slipped inside and closed the door quietly. He blindly ran from it, not able to see a single thing in the darkness of the room. He fell to his knees and attempted to catch his breath.

Kaiba heard the door creak open, and he held his breath. He heard faint footsteps on the hard, stone floor. He then winced as Yugi's laughter echoed throughout the room.

"I know you're in here, Kaiba."

Kaiba said nothing. He held his breath and stood completely still, hoping that Yugi was just bluffing.

"Don't worry, I've decided not to harm you. But do me a favor and deliver a message to my partner, will you?"

Kaiba closed his eyes and sighed. "What is the message?" He called out shakily.

Yugi chuckled. "He will be alone in the end, just like me."

Kaiba's eyes snapped open as he heard the footsteps again. He reprimanded himself for giving away his position, but he soon relaxed when he heard the door open and close again.

He sat in the dark for a while, trying to comprehend everything that had occurred. Tristan was gone somehow, and it had something to do with the Millennium Puzzle. He allowed his face to fall into his hands as he stood. His breathing was easier now, but he was shaking all over. After another brief moment of silent contemplation, he walked toward the exit to collect Tristan.

--

"Atem? Pharaoh?"

Atem blinked. He had zoned out again. He seemed to be doing that a lot as of late.

"Yes? I apologize."

Joey shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Uh…Yugi's grandfather is here…but Tristan is just gone. He isn't where Téa said he was, and Yugi's grandpa hasn't seen him."

Atem frowned and nodded. "Where is Solomon?"

Joey jerked his head in the direction of a short old man frantically checking his pockets. Atem sighed and stood, slowly approaching the man.

"Grandpa."

Solomon looked up at him in surprise. "Oh, Yugi! You're alright! What did you want to tell me, and why are we here?"

Atem looked pained. "Gra- I mean…Solomon. I'm not Yugi, and Yugi is not alright."

Solomon frowned for a moment before realization settled in. "You're…my boy, you're the Pharaoh…"

Atem closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes. I came here to help him…but I seem to have made it worse."

Solomon eyed him skeptically. "Worse? How did it get worse?"

Atem's eyes opened again. "Yugi…Yugi shot someone."

Solomon gawked at him. "No…no! You can't be serious! My Yugi would never do such a thing!"

Atem averted his eyes from Solomon. "I'm afraid he has…we found her on the floor of the game shop."

Solomon nodded. "Yes…I thought Yugi had just spilled something…it was…it was blood…" The old man began to sob, and the sight tore Atem's heart in two.

"I'm so sorry gra- Solomon, I really am…"

"Don't apologize to me! It's your fault! My Yugi was sweet, and innocent, and…and…and he was a child at heart! You broke him! You ruined his life!"

Atem stiffened. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he thought about Solomon's words. "You're right…it is my fault."

Joey stepped in angrily. "No, it's not his fa-"

Joey stopped midsentence. He froze as he saw two men stumble into the hospital, and only one of them was conscious.

Atem looked up at Joey curiously. "Joey…what's wrong?"

Joey pointed in the direction of the two men. Atem's eyes followed, and his knees nearly buckled at the sight in front of him.

"Tristan…"

Kaiba's hair was a mess and there was dirt on his white shirt. He was distressed and was obviously having difficulty supporting Tristan. Joey ran to his side and helped him pull Tristan in further.

Atem stared at Tristan in shock. His eyes were closed and he seemed to have a large bruise on his head.

"TRISTAN!"

Atem didn't even turn to look at the source of the scream. Téa threw herself at the unconscious brunette, shaking him desperately. "Tristan, look at me…open your eyes and look at me, damn it!"

Atem's eyes slowly made their way to Kaiba's. Seto was staring at him as well, as if he were waiting for something. "What…what happened…" Atem whispered hoarsely.

Kaiba grimaced. "Yugi appeared out of nowhere and Tristan followed him…so I followed Tristan. They went into an alleyway, and when I caught up, they were fighting. Yugi started talking to himself, and Tristan accused him of being insane… obviously things got physical…and as hard as it may be to believe, Yugi had the upper hand." He paused and looked over at Tristan, who was now in Joey's arms as nurses tried to pry them apart. He sighed at the sight, feeling an immense amount of empathy toward Joey.

Atem stepped closer to Kaiba. "Please…go on."

Kaiba looked at him again. "Yugi had the Millennium Puzzle."

Atem's eyes fell to the floor, for he knew what happened next. There was no other explanation: Yugi had stolen Tristan's soul and sealed it within the Puzzle. How had it come to this? How had Yugi fallen into such complete darkness?

Atem felt as if he were drowning. Air seemed to get caught in his throat as he tried to breathe. All sounds seemed to be heard from miles away. He could feel himself losing his grip on reality as Kaiba spoke his next words: "He gave…message…tell you…'You…alone…like me…'" Kaiba's words seem to only come through to him in muffled pieces, but Atem was able to put them together well enough.

Atem stumbled backward. Everything became extremely hazy. All of the colors seemed to fade and he couldn't distinguish one thing from another. Though his eyes were open, he couldn't see. Everything seemed to be a vast gray mass in his vision. Nothing seemed to exist except for his own thoughts, and only one thought seemed to resonate clearly in his mind: I already am alone without you, aibou.

Atem struggled for words. Yugi had used the Shadows to seal Tristan's soul in the Puzzle…Yugi was evil. He had to stop him…but how? How could he possibly go up against his partner, his other half? He couldn't…this was the one thing he knew he couldn't do.

He tried to speak, but he found that he was unable to. Atem faintly felt arms wrapping around him as if he had collapsed. He didn't know what else was going on, nor did he care. All he could see was Yugi. He frantically tried to come up with ideas to save his friend, but it seemed to be too late. Is Yugi beyond saving?

"Atem! ATEM! Snap out of it, buddy! ATEM!"

Joey shook the Pharaoh, but he didn't respond at all. His eyes didn't move, he didn't even seem to hear Joey's pleas.

Kaiba stared down at Atem. "I guess he finally had enough…it was too much for him to handle."

As nurses hurriedly carted Tristan away, Téa ran around frantically. "Doctor! I need a doctor over here!"

The same doctor that had operated on Kate hastened over to them. "What's going on?"

Téa pointed at Atem shakily. "I don't know! He just…stopped responding. It's like he's not even here."

The doctor frowned and knelt in front of Atem. He shined a flashlight in each of Atem's eyes, pursing his lips when he noticed no response in either of them.

"I'm not a psychiatrist, but I believe he has gone into a catatonic state, meaning he has a severe lack of motor skills and won't respond to external stimuli. Usually it is caused by a pre-existing mental condition, but there are times when severe stress and depression can result in catatonia. There isn't much we can do for him…but hopefully it won't be a permanent condition. We can admit him in the psychiatric ward…"

Kaiba stepped forward. "That won't be necessary, doctor. Thank you for your help."

The doctor looked at him. "Ah yes, the fiancée. She is out of surgery, you know. I was very surprised to see that her loving future husband was nowhere to be found when she came through."

Kaiba frowned. "Are you saying that I don't love her?"

Joey looked up at him. "Are you saying that you do?"

Kaiba's frown deepened. "Look, your job isn't to be a relationship counselor, it is to save lives. Now stop wasting your time and get to it!"

The doctor raised an eyebrow and left without another word. Joey continued to stare at Kaiba, but the CEO didn't pay him any attention. He looked over at Atem, who was staring blankly at his own lap. Kaiba frowned. He had never seen Atem in such a weak condition…and it thoroughly disturbed him. He wished that he could help him, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to.

Kaiba turned to address Joey and Téa. "Look, without Yugi, you two are the only ones that can bring him out of this. I'm counting on you."

Joey frowned. "Where are you going?"

Kaiba turned his back on them. "It's time for me to make amends."

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I hope you guys like this chapter! Atem's catatonic state is going to be interesting, I promise. I'm hoping to write the next chapter soon, but I want to give you a little insight: Marik and Ishizu didn't just show up for that one chapter. I felt like readers might think that was a totally out there, barely connected to the main plot, chapter. In fact, I felt like that for a while, so maybe it was just me. Anyway, review please!