Turning the key into the doorknob of his shop, which also happens to be his home, Grandpa Mutou breathes a sigh of relief as he steps through to go inside. He reaches over to flick on the lights, immediately being greeted by numerous games that he offers at the shop that he owns. Coming in right behind him are Atem and Yugi. At one point in time, they used to call this place home and they would help around the shop after school from time to time.
"It's good to be back home," grandpa says as Atem and Yugi bring in his things, setting it up against a nearby wall. Walking past one of the glass displays, he observes it closely, noticing a light coating of dust. "One would have thought that I've been gone forever."
"Kinda feels like it," Yugi says, rubbing the back of his head with a smile. "I'll go fetch some cleaning supplies." He goes into the kitchen next door, leaving Atem alone with their grandfather.
"And a bottle of water too, please!" his grandfather calls after him before exhaling. He then looks over to Atem, whose mind seems to be elsewhere. "Atem. What's wrong?"
Atem glances up at him, then shakes his head. "It's nothing, really." Even with their long car ride home, he still hasn't gone into too much depth regarding the strange dreams and his brief moments of losing control of the puzzle's ability to induce penalties.
Grandpa nods his head knowingly. Atem has never quite been the one to open up about his issues. And when he does, it is always very vague. But taking a wild guess, grandpa assumes that there is more going on with the puzzle than Atem is letting on.
"You know, when you were given the puzzle years ago, I never thought you would solve it," grandpa begins, standing on the opposite side of Atem with a counter in between them. "I simply believed it was impossible. But you proved me wrong."
"Why me?" Atem asks to which grandpa chuckles to his surprise.
"It was either that or Exodia, remember? And you wanted the challenge of completing something as complex as the puzzle." Seeing Atem lower his eyes, grandpa clears his throat, becoming serious again. "Atem…"
"I was young. I only saw it as a game. It wasn't until after I solved it that you told me what it could really do. And even then, things weren't clear until I experienced it first hand. Summoning the legendary Egyptian gods, as well as its dark abilities."
"I believe the Millennium Puzzle chose you in the end. And I say that because no one had been able to solve it for as long as I can remember. And yet, you did."
"I just wish I was given a heads up to at least know what I was getting myself into."
"To be honest, not only did I think you weren't going to be able to solve it, I also hoped that you wouldn't." Atem's eyes widen, feeling shocked by what his grandfather has just revealed. Grandpa rubs his beard as he looks up. "When I discovered the Millennium Puzzle, there was something written in ancient text that read, 'The one who solves me shall gain the powers and knowledge of darkness…'
Atem shakes his head in disbelief. That much has been apparent through his real life experiences. Starting to feel overwhelmed and confused as to why his grandfather would even offer the puzzle as a gift, he turns his back, placing a hand up to his head.
"Don't look so grim. You, more than anyone else knows that it can be used for good, as you've already done so in the past."
"What if I'm truly not worthy?"
"One cannot have doubt when dealing with ancient and powerful magic. All of that is sure to have a negative effect on the puzzle and how it operates. And if you allow that fear to grow, you may have more bad occurrences."
Atem lets out a half suppressed laugh. "You're beginning to sound like Mana," he says, remembering when she said something similar when she first discovered that his fears may cause a negative outcome with the puzzle. "Next thing you're going to say is that I should confide in her for help, right?"
Grandpa shrugs his shoulders. "It wouldn't hurt. I'm sure sorcerers go through their own rigorous training to keep their abilities in check."
Atem's averts his gaze. "I guess."
"Grandpa, what gave you the idea to give us gifts that were so powerful, yet potentially dangerous?" Yugi asks, walking back into the shop carrying cleaning supplies and a bottle of water.
"You and your brother were always expecting gifts when I got back from my trips. There was one year in which I came home empty handed and I had to get creative. So before you two got home from school, I pulled out my trusted Exodia. And after doing much searching around in my unorganized closet, I came across the Millennium Puzzle—something I discovered when you were babies."
"So you gave us that just for the sake of giving us something?"
"Well uh…" grandpa chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his head.
"He didn't think it through," Yugi mutters, squinting his eyes.
"Not at all," Atem agrees, his right eyebrow twitching.
YGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGO
Pulling out her handheld game, Cairo walks out of the school and begins her journey to her grandfather's shop. After yesterday, she has been playing it really low, especially after some of her classmates witnessed what she did. The last thing she wants is to allow anyone an opportunity to say something out of line or even asking her an endless amount of questions.
"Cairo, wait up!" she hears her cousin yell from behind.
Keeping her eyes on the game, Cairo stops until she hears the footsteps of her cousin getting closer and closer until she is right beside her. Then they walk together.
"Are you avoiding me?" Yufi asks. The two of them didn't even walk to school together like they normally do and Cairo had been acting quieter than usual. "Did something happen yesterday?"
Sighing heavily, Cairo reluctantly answers, "I got detention."
Yufi's mouth goes agape. "You got detention? For what?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Seeing as Weevil was the reason she got into trouble to begin with, she would rather not go into detail, fearing it would start another argument between them.
Yufi folds her arms with a small pout on her lips. "Seriously, what has gotten into you? It seems like you're having a hard time fitting in."
Cairo side eyes her. "I'm fitting in just fine, Yufi." Though the gaming group that she is apart of isn't as popular as the dueling club, she still has her own group of friends.
"Then why'd you get detention?"
Cairo grunts in annoyance and she reaches over her shoulder to drop her game into her backpack. "I injured three students who were trying to fight me."
"Are you serious?" Yufi asks before cringing, knowing the outcome probably wasn't pretty. At the age of six, Cairo snagged her mother's spell book, trying to perform different spells to no avail. That is until she came across one that gave her immense strength. Since it was the only spell she was able to do at the time, she practiced it every chance she got, until somehow, it became permanent. A typical human wouldn't be able to cause her any real damage. "Did you get in trouble with your parents?"
"No. Seeing as it wasn't my fault, I was spared punishment. Weevil is the one that dragged me into all that mess."
They cross the street, seeing the game shop belonging to their grandfather just a hundred feet away.
"What's with your obsession with Weevil?" Yufi asks.
Cairo narrows her eyes. What does she mean by 'obsession'? Had Yufi actually listened to her, she'd know that Weevil has been up to no good from the moment they all met.
"This conversation is over," Cairo says, walking ahead of her now. She places her hand on the doorknob of the game shop, but before she can open it, Yufi firmly plants her hand on the door.
"You know, the conversation doesn't end just because you say so."
Cairo gently grabs hold of Yufi's wrist, moving it away with ease before walking inside. To her dismay, both her father and uncle are there along with their great grandfather. She glances back at Yufi who looks rather annoyed, making it a huge possibility that there will be a verbal altercation soon to come, no matter who witnesses it.
They are immediately greeted by their great grandfather's smiling face as he walks up to them while Atem and Yugi stand by a nearby counter. "Well if it isn't my two great grandchildren!" he exclaims, standing in between them and wrapping an arm around them both. The two girls look in opposite directions, avoiding so much as an arm bump as their grandfather pulls them into a group hug.
"How was school you two?" Yugi asks.
"Good…" they simultaneously respond in a dry tone.
Grandpa frowns, releasing them from his embrace. "Well I was certainly expecting a better response from the two of you after we haven't seen each other in awhile. You both look rather gloomy at the moment. Did something happen?"
"I think that question was more aimed at you, Cairo," Yufi says, side eyeing her cousin.
"Seeing as though you're the one with a scowl on your face, I'd say otherwise," Cairo quips, taking Yufi over the edge.
"What was that?!" Yufi completely turns to Cairo who does the same with her arms folded with a stoic expression. "I've had enough of you and your awful moods! Weevil and Rex are my friends!"
Atem's eyes go wide while Yugi takes a step forward to stand in between the two girls. He never disclosed to his brother that Yufi became friends with the children of their rivals. But unbeknownst to Yugi, Atem had his own little run with the one directly responsible for the awful incident years ago.
"I'm sensing a lot of tension here. What's going on?" Yugi asks.
Ignoring him, Cairo responds to Yufi's original statement. "The friendship isn't genuine, Yufi."
"Maybe if you'd stop being so mean…!"
"Have you ever thought that maybe you're the mean one?!" Cairo finally snaps, taking everyone off guard.
"What?!"
"You're so focused on making friends with Weevil and Rex to the point where you've resorted to putting me down!"
"Have not!"
"Does you calling me 'scary' ring any bells? Or have you forgotten?"
Yufi opens her mouth to speak, but when she glances up to her father, she sees a disapproving look on his face that makes her fall completely silent. Reluctantly, she looks to her uncle who stands at a distance who now has a look of disappointment and she lowers her eyes in shame. Remembering what Cairo told him about being called names, Atem is astounded that one of the people responsible for that is her own cousin.
Yugi turns to his daughter. "Yufi…is that true?"
Yufi sighs. "Yeah…"
He frowns. "Why? Why would you say that to her?"
"Well I…I just…She hardly ever smiles and our classmates find her to be…scary because of it. At least that's what I always hear."
"So because other people have said it, makes it right for you to say it, too?" Yugi questions.
"But…but I'm not the only one who's called her that!"
"It doesn't matter, Yufi!" Yugi snaps, causing her to jump a little. Her father has hardly been the type to raise his voice. And if his tone isn't enough to show just how upset and disappointed he is at her, the look in his eyes is the icing on the cake. "Just because it's been said by others doesn't mean you should repeat what they've said! It's not right!"
"But she—!"
"She is your cousin!"
"Why are you yelling at me?!" Yufi shouts, beginning to tear up.
"Because bullying is something I will not accept, especially to your own cousin, do you understand?!"
Atem frowns. "Yugi…" It's not everyday that Yugi goes off like this. In fact, between the two of them, Yugi is the more easy going one. "Now apologize."
Yufi reluctantly turns to Cairo, the tears now streaming down her face. Seeing the saddened expression on Cairo's face, she quickly wipes her tears and pokes out her bottom lip stubbornly, refusing to say a word. The amount of shame and embarrassment she is feeling right now is too much. But a huge part of her feels as if her father isn't being fair, seeing it as him taking Cairo's side.
Feeling overcome with a mixture of negative emotions, Yufi shuts her eyes as her body begins to tremble. "This is all your fault!" she yells before running out of the room, leaving Cairo with a shocked and hurt expression.
"Oh dear…" grandpa comments, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his sleeve.
Yugi sighs. "Maybe I went too far." He knows his daughter isn't used to seeing that side of him, but he wanted her to understand how hurtful her words and actions can be.
"Just give her some time. I'm sure she already feels awful for what she's done," grandpa says.
"I'm sorry," Cairo says. "I didn't mean to get her into any trouble. Or for things to escalate like this."
"This isn't your fault, Cairo," Yugi assures his niece, but she isn't having any of it.
She shakes her head. "I wish to go home now," she says with her eyes low, turning away and walking out the door.
"Cairo, hold on!" Atem calls after her, but to no avail as the door closes shut.
"I'm sorry, Atem," Yugi apologizes as his brother walks toward the door. Atem looks over his shoulder. "Please tell Cairo that she shouldn't blame herself in anyway."
"It's going to be alright," Atem says confidently. "I'm certain they'll be back to talking to each other in no time."
"He's right Yugi," grandpa chimes in, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Everything is going to work itself out."
YGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGO
Téa stands by with her arms folded and her finger tapping impatiently as she waits in a local convenience store. She badly wants to go to the mall, seeing today as a perfect opportunity to do so. For once, it seems like there won't be any odd occurrences that will cause either Mana or Kisara to get competitive with each other or turn everything into a game. She looks over to Mai who grabs a beverage out of a nearby cooler and smiles. Maybe Mai is the one to thank for evening out the group.
Mana lazily drags her feet as she tries to get to her designated aisle before passing out. Her stomach growls for what seems like the teeth time today and she it feels as if she hardly has any energy left. When she reaches a certain shelf, her head slowly lifts to the bag of chips she has been feening for. Reaching up, she attempts to grab it, but to no avail. She is too short.
Looking over her shoulder, Mana whines, "Téaaaa," knowing that her taller friend would be able to get the bag of chips with ease.
"What, Mana?" Téa grumbles before her eyes take notice of what Mana is wanting. Téa squints her eyes with disbelief. "Seriously? No."
"Be a good friend!" Mana pouts.
"Really mature, Mana," Kisara says, walking up to her magician friend, causing Mana's eyes to light up with realization that Kisara is also tall. But before Mana can even utter her request, Kisara turns her back. "Don't even think about it."
Mai raises an eyebrow. "Can't you fly? Or even use your powers to get the chips?" she points out.
"Not when I'm starving!" Mana replies dramatically.
A man with his orange hair pulled back into a ponytail and wearing a green button up shirt and brown pants walks into the shop without saying a word. His shoulder bumps into Téa who scoffs. "Excuse me!" she protests, but he keeps on walking toward the register. Catching a glimpse of his face, Téa tilts her head to the side, squinting her eyes. "Where have I seen this man before…?"
As he reaches the register, he pulls out a metal object that causes Téa's eyes to widen with fear. She looks over to her three friends who seem to be oblivious as to what is about to happen.
"How can you even still be hungry after we just ate?" Kisara asks with her hands on her hips.
Mana simply shrugs her shoulders, with her arms full of multiple flavors of chips and her lips pressed firmly together to hold another bag that she can't hold in her grasp.
Kisara sighs and places a hand on her forehead. "Just pay for them already so we can go."
Mana hobbles toward the register, standing behind the man with orange hair. She lightly bounces impatiently, not sure how much longer she will be able to hold onto her snacks. On the opposite side, the man points a knife at the old woman at the register, who trembles with fear.
"Uh…you guys?" Téa whispers, now standing near Mai and Kisara.
"What's up?" Kisara asks before Téa motions up to the register.
The old woman has one hand up and uses her free one to empty cash into the bag the man has set on the counter. Because of his tall size, Mana cannot see what is going on in front of her. All she knows is that her arms are starting to ache from holding onto the bags of chips and if the man doesn't hurry, they'll soon be scattered on the floor.
Mai tilts her head and grunts, calmly beginning to walk up toward the register as Téa gasps.
"Mai, wait! What are you doing?" Téa whispers loudly. She looks to Kisara who looks on with interest. "You're not gonna stop her?" The blue haired woman only stays silent with her arms folded across her chest.
Mana blinks as Mai storms past her and up to the man, who side eyes her. "Beat it," he grumbles. "Unless you wanna get hurt."
"You're holding up the line," Mai says with her eyes narrowed at him.
He eyes her curvaceous figure and grins. "You're a bold woman and I like that. How about when I'm done here, we go grab some grub?"
"You seriously are a pathetic little man."
He growls, suddenly swiping the knife at her and she easily ducks out of the way before jabbing him hard in the stomach. Mana's jaw drops and so does the bag of her chips that she was previously holding in her mouth as she watches Mai land an uppercut. He falls to the floor in a daze and she kicks the knife from his hand.
"Impressive," Kisara compliments.
"Very!" Mana chimes in, stepping over the man and placing the bags on the counter. She slaps the money down and smiles at the old lady who is clearly shaken up. "You alright?"
"Uh…j-just…f-f-f-fine," the lady stammers.
Téa stands in the background, completely dumbfounded by Mai's recent display of strength. Here she thought that Mai was a normal human being, but she just took down a man twice her size. She should have known the odds of Mana's new friend being 'different' were going to be high.
"Tell me, Mai," Kisara starts off, going up to the blonde haired woman who rolls her neck and fluffs out her hair. "Do you have any special abilities?"
"Nope. Just a normal human being that can summon duel monsters," Mai answers.
"So no super strength?" Mana replies, picking up her chips that the lady politely bagged up for her.
"Not at all. I'm just stronger than I look, is all."
"Fascinating," Kisara comments.
"You should come train with us!" Mana offers excitedly.
Téa can feel her heart shatter in that very moment. Once again, she will be left out. Their normal outings will, without a doubt, continue to morph into some sort competition and they'll have moments like these where they want to spar, leaving her out of the picture time and time again.
Looking at herself in a nearby window's reflection, she notices her fists are clenched due to being anxious. Someone just tried to rob the store they are currently in and she is the only one that appears to be flustered. One would think she would be used to it by now, but how could any normal person be used to dangerous situations or near death experiences?
'Unless you're Mai, who seems like she likes to get the adrenaline pumping,' she thinks to herself. 'Maybe…I'm just not cut out for this.'
"Mana told me that you had a training grounds of your own, is that right?" Mai asks Kisara who nods.
"Sure do!"
Hearing the door close, they all stop what they're doing and turn to the entrance of the store, realizing that Téa is gone.
"Téa?" Mana says, looking toward the door with concern.
YGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGO
AN: So now Cairo and Yufi have had their feud, and now things are getting bad between Téa and the others!
The story is really going to progress in the next and upcoming chapters, so stay tuned! Leave a review!