Chao- Originally Yugi's game was going to be in one part. The previous chapter was originally going to have Yugi's game, but adding that along with the emotional journey seemed too much. Sometimes it's good to give readers and the writer some breathing room.

Warning: Chapter contains dialogue of emotional abuse and mental torture.

"Talking."

"Thinking."

/Yami and Yugi's mind link./

Chapter 24: Opening the Wound Part I

"I'm ready for what you have." Yugi professed, clinching one fist in front of him.

"Are you really now?" Kichiro smirked. "Are you ready to face someone you haven't heard from in years?"

Yugi refused to play the blame game. He denied pointing out that the man had neglected to engage in visits or give at least phone calls. He also didn't see fault in his folks for keeping him safe.

"My parents did what they did." Yugi replied bravely. "I am who I am because of the people who are around me—my parents, my grandpa, and my friends. They helped shape who I am."

Yami grew impressed with his partner. He could see why destiny had them enlist in their adventures together. Even though he held no memories of his past, he agreed and related to what the teen had stated with heart.

/Yugi,/ he called for advisement. /Although he doesn't possess an Item, we still must be careful. I sense some dark magic./

Yugi looked down at his Puzzle. The reason why he had been thrown into strange games multiple times was because someone wanted to gain hold of it. Shadow Games have been initiated through the other Items, such as the Ring, Eye, and Rod. He was challenged to a game, yet he did not see the black world that would consume the losing soul. He had been brought into a new area, and he had entered through some enchanted gates.

He looked at the man and requested some information, "How exactly is this possible? For us to be in this room?"

"After that little speech you gave, you ask the questions now?"

"I came here for my mom. If I am playing for her and the safety of my friends who came with me, I think I should know a little background."

"Know a little background." Kichiro repeated, his tone openly expressing his disdainful views.

Yugi waited to see if he would receive any disclosures. The hidden scar on his back stung slightly. He had witnessed his uncle act with full rage against a child, yet now the man appeared like one of the many opponents his team had faced: the pleasure of toying with the enemy.

"Do you really think you just forgot?!" Kichiro snarled, earning his own image of unpredictable moves. "That you forgot everything?! This room?! Who I am?! Who your parents are?!"

He pointed his index finger out and shouted, "Your mother and father locked away that memory for you!"

Yugi's eyes enlarged marginally, not knowing how to reply. He couldn't connect how his parents were linked in this predicament. They had only protected him against a lurid fiend.

"You were only having a nightmare."

A strong discomfort assembled itself inside Yugi. He winced in pain and placed one hand on the side of his throbbing head.

/Yugi?/ Yami asked, investigating in the wellbeing of his light.

Yugi had heard that phrase from his mother. He was also given the same words from his father a little before he was admitted to the hospital where he passed away.

"Here," Kichiro insisted, seeing an old spell coming apart. "Let me help you remember."

He chuckled as his magic galvanized.

The burning sensation within the adolescent increased like a sludge hammer slamming against his mind. He clutched his head with both hands and dropped to his knees.

"Yugi!" Joey and Tea shouted. They came down to their own knees to comfort him.

Strange retentions exploded inside the youthful mind. He grunted in pain as his eyes clinched. His head throbbed with his heart beating hard. He spotted in memory the room he was now present in, the thick chain on the ground, the large painting, and odd charms. He remembered the hurtful words and acts he received from his uncle. A scene blasted into his mind: As a child he was in his room playing with his parents' special bear when he was shanghaied from his warm home by a rancorous man.

The remembrances within the teen were so great that even Yami struggled to keep in contact with his partner.

But eventually everything settled like plastic flakes in a snow globe; the last image the teen saw was his parents in the safety of his bedroom. He released his hands from his head as his eyes shot open. His breathing relaxed as did his body.

"Yugi?" Joey called, checking in on his buddy.

Everyone waited in silence for the teen's response.

"You." Yugi stated, looking at his relative. "It was you!"

He stood up and pointed one finger at his enemy as he shouted, "You were always the person Mom and Dad prevented from visiting!"

"And you probably thought you were only having headaches." Kichiro ridiculed with a smirk. He was a tad surprised the teen wasn't sobbing over the loss of his father or coming back to a place where he needed to be rescued.

"I know you have brought me here before." Yugi replied, ignoring the remark. "You kidnapped me and had me play a game! And Mom and Dad had to come get me. I don't know how they erased that memory, but I know it was for protecting me."

The trio helping out a team member couldn't believe the story they heard. Their buddy had been through this situation before, and now Kichiro had Yugi endure the adventure once more.

"Isn't it obvious for the how?" Kichiro jeered.

"I think even if that memory wasn't block, I wouldn't remember since I was too young." Yugi retorted equably.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Joey, Tea, and Yami became astounded with what was being conversed between the two family members. They were impressed with how well the small teen was handling himself. They were glad he was displaying the courage they had always seen in him.

Kichiro understood his sister never told her child about her past life. He posed to the teen, "What would you say if there was more to your parents, Daiki, and me, than what you thought?"

"I'd say that's for my mom to tell me about her and Dad. I think they deserve to have private lives."

Wanting to allow his parents to have their secrecy, Yugi at once realized what he had said.

He looked to the ground in deep thought. He had information about his passed away parent, but not so much for Haru. He wondered why he never asked his mother anything about herself. He always grew surprised hearing news about his father—his hangout places, his strange habits, his quirky personality, his old friendships. She had done plenty for him, such as consenting him to participate in a tournament held at Duelist Kingdom even though one family member appeared to have been stuck in a coma. He knew she was strong in watching over Solomon. He was allowed to break curfew to partake in Battle City. He could even travel to other places outside of Domino.

He had been granted so much freedom, yet he had never sought to ask his mother solely about herself.

Yugi heard his uncle remark, "I guess you can say power runs in both sides of the family."

He glanced up to hear more, giving his full attention.

"Your parents and me." Kichiro continued. "I can even see it in you since you wear that gaudy pendant."

"What are you talking about?" Yugi questioned, his fist clinching since his prized possession had been attacked.

"Don't think a magic user can't pick up what's going on with that pyramid."

"Magic user?"

"You have seen my stuff before. Want another demonstration with me using the peanut gallery?"

"Don't you dare hurt them!"

"I actually have no intention on doing anything to them. That is, so long as they stay out of our way."

Yugi didn't wish to test his uncle on his patients or his supernatural influences. He at once swapped the subject to the important matter. "Is it the Puzzle you want?"

"Fuck no." the man quickly retorted. "I wouldn't want to be tainted with such dark powers and desires."

"That isn't what the Puzzle is!" Yugi shouted, defending his friend and precious item.

"How exactly can you defend that?!" Kichiro roared. "How can you proudly wear something that makes you the guardian of the Shadow Games?!"

Yugi didn't realize how much the man was already familiar with. He knew little anything about his uncle, but the man displayed great knowledge about his vocation.

"I say we're better off without it all!" Kichiro announced fearlessly. "Why have people waste their souls in dark games?!"

Yugi looked at his beloved Puzzle. His eyes then crawled over to his friends. His longtime wish had been granted because of the ancient pieces he had placed together.

"I don't think so!" he at once spat.

Kichiro grew perplexed from the teen's reaction.

"I have a destiny to complete with my friends." he exclaimed confidently.

"I guess I'll need to use my powers to stop you then."

"Stop me? From what? Why?"

"There will always be those who are after this pyramid, creating chaos for the world and innocent people. From what I understand, they can only win by defeating you in a Shadow Game. But if we get rid of you, neither side can achieve that goal. Problem solved."

Yugi became slightly fearful; he pondered if the idea carried any truth. "Did all these crazy stuff happen because of me? If I didn't solve the Puzzle… what would have happened? Would everything have been better if I hadn't? Or if I hadn't exist at all?"

He looked to the ground dismally as his heart raced once more.

Joey permitted his desire for justice to dominate him; he refused to tolerate someone bringing harm to his good friend. He threw on fist into the air and shouted, "So what do you plan to do with my pal here?!"

"That's for him to discover." Kichiro replied. "But he must play his game first."

"Well wait a minute," Tea argued. "Just how did you find all this out? Yugi had entered all these Duel Monsters' tournaments to protect us!"

"Yeah!" Joey agreed, growing suspicious. He took a stance in front of the girl for protection.

"You can be surprised about what you see beyond the eyes." Kichiro explained.

"What do you mean by that?" Yugi questioned, gazing back up. "Just how did you get your power?"

"A life is more valuable than just power itself." the man acknowledged. "But I still believe I got a good deal."

"Are you saying you gave up your life just for power?!" Yugi gasped.

"That seems like such an empty deal." Tea commented in a quiet tone.

"Man, talk about your power hungry nutcase." Joey remarked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"It is true that I had left Earth for some time in order to get them. When I woke up, I was in the hospital having been declared legally dead." Kichiro answered. "But, so what? It's not like you would have gone to the funeral."

"You don't know that!" Yugi snapped.

Everyone in the room studied the teen, seeing him maintain his strong attitude.

"I think Mom would have gone to see her brother." Yugi stated, his palms wide open, placing them to the side of his upper legs. His stance resembled the act of protecting someone. "I would have gone, too. I would be there for emotional support for her. And I know our relationship has been strained between us, but that doesn't mean we can't make amends."

"Your views are all sunshine and glitter, aren't they. Just like your foolish father."

"Don't treat us like children. I can forgive others because it is the right thing to do, but accepting an apology is another thing. But I'm holding back on all that until I see my mom and my friends safe."

Joey, Tea, and Yami applauded the small teen.

Yugi rid himself of his doubt. He had a destiny to complete with his other self, and he had pals to assist him along the way. He may had to face tough opponents and deadly games held in the Shadow Realm, but the journeys were for the better of the world and for his friend to at last know who he is.

"Fine." Kichiro accepted. "We'll just see how long you'll last."

"What am I to do?" Yugi asked, referring to the reason he was brought down to the new room.

"Here's the game," Kichiro explained. He used his traded power to create five small bags. "You will have these little bean bags and toss them into the holes. If you make them, you win."

Yugi placed his hands out seeing the objects come his way. They landed in his palms, and they appeared standard. Taking in his game, he commented, "That seems too easy."

"You're right. I'll go into more details in a moment, but that's why I need you to remove the pendant you have around your neck."

Yugi's eyes widened from the rules. He wondered if his uncle had picked up his other half. Even though he was in control in the past, he needed the reassurance from his friend.

/You can do it, partner./ Yami encouraged.

Yugi shook off his worries understanding his mission. He closed his eyes to calm his beating heart. Placing one hand on the gold pendant and the other on the thick chain, he removed his precious item from his neck. He held the item in front of his chest.

"I guess you won't be needing this anymore." Kichiro exclaimed. Using his given magic, he lifted the Puzzle from Yugi's hand.

"No!" Yugi gasped, fear moving in on his courage.

The Puzzle was tossed to the side, clanking as it rattled against the hard floor.

Yugi at once chased after his prized possession; he had to see that all pieces remained intact. As he raced he didn't spy the chain on the floor lurking like a snake. It struck its victim. The collar latched itself around Yugi's neck. The slack was low, so Yugi stumbled as he choked. He landed on his side and groaned in pain.

He heard a wicked laughter convoyed with footsteps heading in his direction. He unlocked one eye and spotted the man who contributed to his low self-esteem coming towards him. His body ached, and he only allowed a growl to escape his throat.

"Looks like someone took a lower level in being." Kichiro derided. He refused to allow someone with a dark destiny to control him, so he allowed his hurtful words to spill onto the boy at any given moment. "Are you a dog that needs to be tossed out?"

Yugi struggled to stand up but felt he couldn't move swiftly. The insults he heard and the terrible memories he carried lowered his forte.

Before Kichiro could step closer, Joey immediately stood in front of his fallen buddy.

"Back off!" he barked. He stared into the man's fire brick eyes without any hesitation. He had fought against magic before, and he was willing to take punches for a friend; he had done so with yo-yos in the past. Knowing he had a moment's peace, he knelt down to help out a friend.

Yugi didn't feel so great; the vicious cycle had proceeded from his past and entered his present. He viewed his attitude pending and vanishing like waves. He needed stable support. He felt a caring hand on his back. He accepted another warm hand into his grip. He slowly rose with some help.

"Thanks, Joey." he whispered with true gratitude.

"No problem, Yug." Joey replied sincerely. "Like I said, we'll always be there to help. You can trust the word of a duelist!"

"Dueling, what a joke." Kichiro sneered. "From what I understand, it's nothing more but a rip-off of what happened in ancient Egypt."

"Dueling ain't no joke!" Joey shouted in true faith. "It takes skill and heart to win! Yugi will show you that!"

"Thanks, but I'm not in the mood to see this brat play some cards." Kichiro remarked. "He's here to play a different game."

Joey turned his attention to Yugi. He knew his buddy excelled in all genera of games in every category, but the small teen lacked in other areas, such as physical strength.

"I'm fine with that." Yugi replied, knowing he had the emotional and spiritual support of his friends. "I'm ready to face whatever you have set up."

"That's good to know." Kichiro directed, pointing to the large artwork that displayed on the wall. "Here's the playing field."

The painting was removed from the wall and levitated down.

Yugi grew uneasy. He took in his surroundings—the chandelier, the large painting, the chain around his neck that connected to the floor. He knew he had been in this area before. He had been here before! This was the location he was kidnapped to, where his parents had to save him. And it wasn't long after that mission where Hiroshi was sent to the hospital from what Yugi perceived as an illness.

Despite all his darkened past, he needed to remain in the present. He permitted for his enemy to continue.

"There are three holes in this portrait." the man explained. "You need to get those bags into one hole, the one in the angles. Two holes will deduct your points, and those are found in the demons. If you completely miss and a bag doesn't go into any, you lose that as well. If you can get three out of the five bags into the slots, you win."

Yugi grabbed his bean bags and took in his directions, yet many questions lied on his mind.

"Why a game?" he asked suspiciously. "Why are playing one in the first place?"

"Let's just say I'm feeling nostalgic."

Yugi knew his uncle concealed his true motive. But he still needed to abide by the rules to earn his freedom. He needed to save his money and liberate himself from the binds the man had placed on his heart and his physical form.

"And as I said, if you win, then you, your mother, and all your friends are free to go." Kichiro instructed. "The game will begin when you're ready."

Yugi looked ahead. He was in control for this round. He needed to create a different conclusion from his previous experience. He was prepared.

"Game start!" he announced.

He looked at the playing field. The artwork swirled in his mind, mixing the black and white, the angels and demons, making it difficult to concentrate.

Everyone in the room watched and waited.

Tea kept her hands positioned in front of her chest.

"You can do it, Yug." Joey cheered. "Don't let this asshole control your life."

Holding the bag in hand, Yugi needed to gain a feeling. He understood the rules and his goal. He knew his friends were watching him, watching him with eyes of encouragement rather than judgment.

He gave a toss. The bag flew through the air incessant. It smacked against the portrait. He spotted he had four more to go. Although it was not a Shadow Game, Yugi knew his timid attitude around his uncle and the fear for his mother's safety hanging in the background kept him from fully focusing. But he needed to be brave.

He tossed another. It landed in the angel portion. He smiled.

"You made that many." Kichiro noted. "But I doubt you can make all rounds."

Yugi knew he needed to ignore the taunts. They have been distracting him before, in life and in games. He knew they were low tricks opponents employed to distract the player from earning his goal. He needed to perform his best no matter the outcomes. The bag entered a hole found in the demons.

Yugi grunted.

Kichiro smirked.

Yugi clutched his final bags; he had managed to toss one in and was left with only two bags. He couldn't give up. But growing uneasy, he took another glance at the picture. It appeared as though the demons peeled right off the painting. They were! The blacks in different sizes slipped off into reality. They flew in a circle, analyzing him like vultures for dead prey. Yugi watched them in horror; he had no method on escaping them. In an organized and uniformed manner, they swooped down to the teen.

Yugi cried out as he was surrounded, dropping his bags. He positioned his hands in front of his face and knelt down. He trembled. Something like this had happened before.

"I… I don't know if I want to play anymore!"

His heart raced. Tears formed beneath his sealed eyes. Before, he had his parents save him. Now, one parent was gone while the other was in need of being rescued. He had the courage to face his oppressor, but that didn't conclude that he could toss aside teamwork. He became surprised not feeling anything claw at him.

Yugi unlocked one eye. He spotted his friends protecting him. Yami was in his transparent form, and Joey was physically present. They both preserved their hands the teen's slim shoulders.

/Don't worry, Yugi./ Yami assured. /We'll always be here to help you out./

Yugi's heart began to pump with excitement seeing his friends rather than anxiety from the attack.

"You ready, Yug?" Joey asked. "You show him who's boss of your life!"

Yugi swallowed hard and nodded.

Together, the troop stood up. Their strong bond fought through the spinning demons. The illusion disbursed. Standing strongly, they stared at the enemy.

Kichiro failed to find a snide remark to give. He had planned for that trick to work once more. His idea for allowing the teen to experience chaos from wicked magic failed.

"Told ya." Joey chided to their enemy. "Yug's playing with his heart."

He was proud of his buddy for completing this much on his journey. But when he saw his friend in trouble, he refused to only stand by.

"Thanks, guys." Yugi whispered with appreciation.

"Is the brat ready to go back to the game?" Kichiro asked, overcoming his initial shock.

"Why you…" Joey growled, having enough of the invectives.

"In a bit." Yugi replied. "I just have—"

"Yug!" Joey called out.

The small teen looked at his companion startled.

"You shouldn't reply to that insult!" Joey birched with heart. "That isn't your name! That isn't who you are! You're not some snot nose kid! You're the King of Games!"

Yugi stared at the tall teen, his large eyes meeting with soft brown.

/Joey's right!/ Yami encouraged. /You are Yugi Muto! We were brought together for a reason! You can finish this game because of your strong spirit!/

"Trust me, Yug." Joey stated with heart. "You don't want this kind of shit bringing you down. I wasn't because I had you and everyone else."

Yugi spotted truth and empathy within the blonde teen. He had been called names by classmates before, and now he had others pat his back for his accomplishments, both the minor and great ones. He nodded. He accepted the bags the blonde handed him.

"Well," Kichiro interrupted. "Are you ready to play once more, bra—"

"That's not who I am!" Yugi yelled courageously. He turned to his uncle and shouted with backbone, "My name's Yugi!"

The room fell silent once more. Three faces glowed with delight while one held pride.

Kichiro neglected to find something to throw at the teen while the group of adolescents continued to root for their buddy.

"But I do have something else to say before I continued." Yugi interjected, speaking his mind without fear. "I've seen this painting before. It's been in my dreams, and I know you've had it before. You just used the same trick like you did years ago… Why are we using this as a playing field?"

"I do have a bit of taste in art. Just like how I feel so bad for those artists who work on the designs for those pathetic trading cards."

Yugi grunted.

"I do like this piece. You can see the great balance in design. And there's also the angels and demons found within. And there's size. No matter how large or small these two creatures become within the circle, it's all even between them, just like the good and evil found in the world. But I intend to change that."

Joey, always one who disliked mind games, shouted, "Change what and how?"

"Yugi will soon find out." Kichiro replied. He may have uttered the young adult's true name, but his voice soaked in ridicule. He was prepared to return to his game, and he became displeased with the intervention.

"Leave the arena now," he ordered. "Or you shall pay a price."

Joey looked at his buddy. He wasn't afraid of the threat, and he hated taking orders from anyone. To him, the only opinions that mattered came from his friends.

"It's ok." Yugi insisted. "I got this."

He watch as Joey nodded and walked to the end. He never wanted anyone hurt because of him. He looked at Yami.

/Do you trust me?/ he asked his other half.

The spirit returned to the side of the Puzzle but remained in his transparent state.

Kichiro at once summoned a barrier. A clear shine encased a portion of the room, trapping him, Yugi, and the Puzzle.

"There," he smirked. "No more interferences from your so called friends."

Yugi spotted Joey and Tea on the other side. He looked at the Puzzle that remained within the arena. Although a barrier was blocking them, they remained present.

"They are my friends." he corrected confidently.

Ready to play, he tossed another bag at the spinning portrait, and it landed at the bottom of the angel hole. He waited, seeing if the rotation would allow the bag to drop into the hole or fall forward. The bag slipped inside, earning him a point. The expression of confidence grew. He had a hold of two bags for him and two against.

The group praised him on his triumph.

"He just needs one more to win!" Tea cheered.

"Games are his specialty!" Joey gleefully stated.

/You can do it, Yugi!/ Yami encouraged.

Kichiro, arms crossed over his chest, watched in anticipation.

Yugi was down to his final bag with it deciding the outcome for him and those he cared about. He had faced plenty to prepare himself for this event. He may have borne through the pains of abuse, but he had the encouragement of his friends. He followed to heart what his father had always advised him.

"I will win this because I'm brave and I enjoy games."

To be continued…

Chao- Had to be sure anything dealing with this villain would be explained—the painting, his evil plot, his revised magical powers. Seriously, that destiny Yugi is given can SO be misinterpreted. Or can it?

YChao- You need to leave your room sometime and get this thing called fresh air.

Chao- Anyway, watching the anime where Yugi dueled against Bakura towards the end of the series really helped get the perspective for his courage.

Yugi- So are we gonna get to the part where I win yet?

YChao- And who gave you permission to win?

Yugi- Obviously you since I got the power to stand up for myself! Not to mention I'm facing someone even you hate.

Chao- Obviously, then, your adventure won't be that easy!