Author's Notes: I was shocked when I first heard the tragic news. It was because of this anime/manga that I got into reading and writing fanfics. I am well aware this series took off because of its battle/tournament arcs that could easily be sold for profit. But it was the characters and the idea of various games that I fell in love with this series. I watched all of the Duel Monsters 4Kids dubbed anime, and I read most of the manga (I have yet to read the final English volume lol). And, honestly, I didn't mind some of the filler arcs. Except the Oricalcos one! That one was dumb! I'm hoping to end my fanfic writing career with the same series that started it all. So because of the tragic news, I wrote this piece. Enjoy!
Summary: [Post series] The remains of friends and their story told through Duel Monster cards. One shot.
Disclaimer: RubinaLadybug does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of its property. Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and plot belong to Kazuki Takahashi (R.I.P.)
Cards and Friendships
A teen with tri-color hair smiled. A set of cards were lay flat on his desk in his bedroom. These weren't a traditional set of cards that held the Spades, Diamonds, Clovers, and Hearts. These were ones where the featured images were on top and the descriptions were on the bottom. The illustrations on top told a story. The words at the bottom gave a meaning. The cards were used for a specific game: Duel Monsters. The players were called Wizards, and their cards were placed for a battle between monsters and magic. It was a game that exploded in the world.
The specific cards on the desk were not intended to for a deck. The rules for the game required strategies. To keep your opponent guessing as you chipped away their life points. The small teen took his time gathering what was in front of him. These cards were in no particular order. They held special memories.
First on his far left were The Flame Swordsman and Baby Dragon. They showed the duality of his tough but caring friend. Joey Wheeler always displayed his strength in both his muscles and his heart. The flame of his spirit had never extinguished. The small teen once had The Time Wizard. But he gave that card to a new owner. It seemed to have served the former street punk well.
Next to the first pairing were The Cyber Commander and Super Roboyarou. These two monsters were as robust as another former delinquent from the small teen's class. Though they weren't rare cards, the small teen appreciated them. Tristan Taylor gave his support whenever he could. For someone who had little experience playing the strategic game, he had found some monsters he connected with.
Going along the line were Magician of Faith and Dark Magician Girl. The small teen felt his heart beat a little faster. He had known Téa Gardner the longest. She always looked out for him when he would sit at his desk and play games by himself. She passionately cheered for her friends as they dueled. The two Spell Caster types were for someone who never gave up hope, always relying on the power of friendship.
Further down to the right of his desk, the small teen also added The Change of Heart, Harpy Lady, Goddess with the Third Eye, and Strike Ninja. Some of his opponents became his friends. Even with his own trials of the Millennium Ring, Ryou Bakura was a trustworthy ally. Mai Valentine utilized her alluring charm to outwit her opponents on the dueling field. But she, too, was looking for genuine companions. Serenity Wheeler only wanted to cheer on her big brother. She accepted the challenge in front of her and dueled her best. Duke Devlin was another student interested in games. Being the creator of Dungeon Dice Monsters, his fantastic strategies and ability to play Duel Monsters made him another great ally.
Even after his grand adventure in Egypt, the small teen was still reaching out to a few others. He already made a bond with the younger Kaiba brother. The older one was aloof but one not to mess with. The small teen knew everyone had a burden to carry. But having a friendly hand could be a great help in a time of darkness.
As time went on, the small teen made his own strength. Above the listed cards were another set. There were new friends he came across all on his own: Toy Soldier, Marshmallon, Gandora, and The Silent Magician. He knew how much they represented him changing. They served him well.
At the bottom of his sets was one lone card: Dark Magician. It was a loyal monster. He trusted the purple wizard in his duels, from Duelist Kingdom, to Battle City, to his time in Egypt. Although the Spell Caster type served another master, the small teen knew he could rely on the monster's spectacular strength.
Out of habit, the small teen reached for something that wasn't there around his torso. The Millennium Puzzle was gone. He had spent eight years trying to put it together. Legend had that it would grant the one who could solve it a wish. His large, violet eyes gazed out the window. He wasn't interested in the powers to control the shadows. He had a purer wish in his heart: He wished for true friends. Friends who would stand by him. He could stand by them. And he seemed to have received it. It was something he could see, but he just couldn't see what it is. His heart hurt thinking about one particular friends, one whom he shared his soul with.
Taking a breath in and out, he smiled. The pictures of the cards sparkled from the sunlight. All Yugi Muto could do was be grateful for the all the wonderful memories and the true friends he had.
The End