It was a beautiful day at Domino High School. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing, heralding the arrival of spring. School was over for the day, and now, only the afternoon practices and activities were left. Yugi Moto, as usual, was hanging out with his loyal friends, Tea Gardner, Joey Wheeler, Ryou Bakura, and Tristran Taylor. Joey and Bakura were happily engaged in a duel with each other, using the same decks they had dueled with in Seto Kaiba's ambitious and wildly successful Battle City Tournament. As a going away present, the wealthy Kaiba had allowed all participants in Battle City to keep their duel disk systems. With the leisure time they had, most of the students had paused in their activities to watch the duel with great interest. As the school of four of the world's greatest duelists, Domino High did not interfere with their activities, and, in fact, encouraged students to duel during their free periods. Even now, a large crowd had gathered to watch Joey duke it out with Bakura.

Joey went first, and drew his cards with the dramatic flourish he was well known for. With the cocky smirk he always displayed in a duel, he said, "Alright, Bakura, I set one card facedown, and summon Alligator Sword, in attack mode!"

With a flurry of light, the hologram projectors scattered around their field formed the Beast card in intricate detail, from its red and black armor, to the silver blade in its green-scaled hand. The monsters stats, at 1500 Attack points and 1200 defense, were average so far as Duel Monsters went, but it was Joey's fondness of trap cards and gambler's luck that made his deck dangerous. "I end my turn, Bakura! Let's see you top that!" Joey taunted in his Brooklyn accent.

Bakura, with his brown eyes and white hair, was often followed around by a cheering "fan club", high school girls whose second fondest wish was to date him. Their fondest wish, however, made him turn several shades of red whenever he thought about it. He evaded his fan club as best he could, but Duel Monsters attracted them like flies to honey. Before he could even draw a card, they'd already swarmed the outsides of the dueling arena, cheering him, jostling with each other for the best position to see him from, even shouting lewd suggestions of what they might do after his victory. With an embarrassed shrug, he pulled a card from his deck, and surveyed the battlefield. With his cool British accent, Bakura calmly said, "I set one card face down as well, and summon Grand Tiki Elder to the field in attack mode."

The shaman monster appeared on Bakura's field, matching Joey's Alligator Sword in attack, but his defense was much lower at 800. The purple and green Fiend gave a sadistic laugh as it appeared, and then hung back, awaiting its master's command.

Bakura coolly looked his hand over once more, trying to decide how best to implement a strategy. Joey had been witness to the defeat his yami had almost handed Yugi at the Battle City finals, so was therefore wary of the Dark Necrofear-Destiny Board combo that had almost clinched the match. Let's see…I have the board out on the field already. I have time, so I'll just end my turn, for now.

Speaking clearly, Bakura ended his turn, and Joey drew from his deck. Awesome! I got Panther Warrior! Now, let's wreck his defenses!

"I summon Panther Warrior to the field! I sacrifice my Alligator Sword, and attack your Grand Tiki Elder!"

Bakura closed his eyes as the purple-furred Panther Warrior, with its impressive 2000 attack power, destroyed his Grand Tiki Elder, causing some minor damage to his lifepoints. Coolly, he drew a new card, then smiled as he saw what it was. He felt the revenants of his yami gloat in the soul room Bakura had granted him. While his yami had often been unnecessarily cruel, he had saved Bakura's life, so simple gratitude demanded Bakura not banish him. Besides, they were developing an actual bond that did not revolve around Yami Bakura's desire to inflict agony. If anything, Bakura realized that his yami had been out to return the suffering he had endured in life to the harsh world that had killed him.

"Alright, Joey. I set two cards face down, and set a monster facedown on the field. I end my turn."

Gloating, Joey drew a new card, and made his move, hastily, as usual. "I summon Gearfried, the Iron Knight! (1800/1600) I attack your facedown monster!"

Bakura smiled. "You've run straight into my Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams (1300/1800). Since it's defense is 1800, that makes it a stalemate between the two. And since you attacked, I get to activate my magic card, Dark Door. You're aware of its effect, of course."

"Yeah, I remember…" Joey muttered. Dark Corridor was an effective card, since it limited the number of monsters Joey could use to attack Bakura to one. "Alright, I end my turn."

Drawing a new card, Bakura heard his yami whisper advice. Weakened to near the point of death, Yami Bakura was no longer able to seize possession of Ryou whenever he wished, and was limited to a secondary role. "I set a new monster face down, and end my turn."

Joey drew, and made his move. "I set one card face down, and attack your facedown card with Gearfried."

"Not with Gearfried, since I activate my trap card, Dark Spirit of Silence."

"What? Oh, no! That trap card makes another monster attack, and the only monster I have is—"

"That's right, your Panther Warrior. Your Gearfried is sacrificed, and my Possessed Painting (1200/1500) is destroyed."

That's two. One more, and he can summon Dark Necrofear against me!

Glancing at his hand, Joey became aware of the fact he had no monsters strong enough to stop Dark Necrofear in combat. Baby Dragon, Lava Battle Guard, Masaki the Legendary Swordsman, Shield and Sword, Axe Raider, and Garoozis. None of them are strong enough to, so I think I'd better just set one in defense mode and end my turn.

Bakura smiled as he drew, and declared quite calmly, "I'm afraid, Joey, that this duel is almost done. I sacrifice my Gross Ghost to bring out my Earl of Demise in attack mode (2000/700). Now, I remove all three Fiends in my Graveyard, and bring out the Dark Necrofear! (2200/2800)." Smiling confidently as the blue-skinned Fiend Queen appeared on the field, Bakura said, "I end my turn."

"Wah! No way! You brought that….that…thing out already!" Quickly, Joey drew, hoping for the best. Awesome! I drew the best card in my deck! Gilford the Lightning!

Joey smirked as he recalled how he had gained the powerful Warrior. Weevil had pleaded on his knees for Joey to trade him the Insect Queen he'd gotten in Battle City by crushing Weevil. In return, Joey had gotten a powerful card that fit into his deck far better.

"Alright, Bakura! This duel is mine! I sacrifice Panther Warrior and Axe Raider to bring out the mighty Gilford the Lightning!"

Axe Raider and Panther Warrior faded from the field, replaced by a tall blue warrior. The monster turned its eyes toward Bakura's monsters, and flicked its arm contemptously. It's stats, at 2800 attack and 1400 defense, left all but a few duel monsters in the dirt. Joey, proud of the great monstrosity, shouted, "Alright, Gilford! Attack and destroy Bakura's Earl of Demise!"

Settling into a lunging position, Gilford leaped across the field, slashing the Earl of Demise in two. Bakura muttered a soft curse when he saw his lifepoints fall even more.

"You're lifepoints are down to 2700. Couple more attacks, and you're done, Bakura!"

"I wouldn't get so over-confident, Joey. This duel has just begun." Suiting actions to words, Bakura drew a new card, and then smiled. "I summon the Dreamsprite in attack mode!"

The flurry of lights created a small, orange-haired fairy this time, hovering near the Dark Necrofear. It's weak stats at 300 attack and 200 defense caught Joey off guard. "Okay, Bakura. You've lost it. I'm gonna end this match right now! Gilford, attack the Dreamsprite!"

The graceful beast moved toward the defenseless fairy, seemingly intent on crushing it out of existence. Bakura, however, shouted, "Activate effect! Switch the target of the attack!"

The harmless fairy hovered in front of the Dark Necrofear, and Gilford attacked, but missed, instead hitting and destroying the Dark Necrofear. Joey's jaw dropped, while Bakura's fan club cheered. Yugi himself was impressed. "That was an expert move. Bakura knew Joey wouldn't be able to resist attacking such a weak monster, so he used the Dreamsprite and its power to alter targets to finally send Dark Necrofear to the Graveyard."

Bakura maintained a confident smile. "Now, Joey, since Dark Necrofear has hit the Graveyard, you know what comes next, don't you?"

Joey, extremely unhappy, said, "You're gonna activate Dark Sanctuary and the Destiny Board, aren't you?"

Bakura's smile grew. "Right answer, chap! Activate Dark Sanctuary! Activate Destiny Board!"

The first card rose from the ground, enshrouding the area in a hellish nightmare, with eyes and mouths opening, leering at the combatants. The second card then rose, revealing the first of the five letters that spelled Joey's doom. Once all five letters, D-E-A-T-H, were on the field, Bakura would be the automatic winner. Joey had five turns to win the match, or else.

"My turn, old chap. I draw a new card, set it on the field, and switch the Dreamsprite to defense mode. Your move."

Joey glanced apprehensively at the Destiny Board. Once he ended this turn, a new letter would appear, and his loss was only a matter of time. Oh, man. There's no way to stop him. If I attack, his Dark Necrofear will possess Gilford, and cost me half his attack power in lifepoints! Lady luck, don't let me down!

Drawing, hoping for his Giant Trunade, Joey frowned. Ah, nuts. All I have is my Tiny Guardian. Well, I guess I better do something.

"I set one card facedown, and end my turn." Almost as if enunciate the fact his time was running out, the letter E appeared over the field. Joey became even more nervous once he saw it.

Bakura drew a card, and smirked. Good. My Déjà Vu trap. Even if Joey manages to get his Giant Trunade, the Board will remain.

"I set another monster facedown, and set a card facedown on the field, ending my turn."

Joey drew a new card, then frowned when it wasn't the one he needed. Oh, great. Another card that isn't helping. Kunai with Chain would work wonders if it were up against a battle deck. Oh, well.

"I set a monster facedown, and end my turn."

Bakura drew, coolly aware that the new letter was out on the field. The card in his hand, Axe of Despair, would power up any monster he choose by 1000 attack points. For now, it has no practical use. Composedly, he chose to summon his Jinzo #7, and inflicted 500 points of direct damage to Joey's lifepoints, and then to sacrifice his previous facedown monster, the Sinister Serpent.

Joey, desperate, drew a new card, was ecstatic when he saw it was his Graverobber. Yes! I can bust up his Destiny Board just by stealing his Dark Necrofear!

"I set one card facedown, and end my turn."

Bakura, marking the joy on Joey's face, knew it was time to turn up the pressure. "I activate Sinister Serpent's special ability, recovering him from the Graveyard. I now switch Dreamsprite into attack mode, and flip my Man-Eater Bug. I can now destroy one of your monsters, and I choose your facedown monster on the left. After which, I sacrifice Man-Eater to maintain Dark Sanctuary."

The gruesome bug leapt up, descending on Joey's facedown Tiny Guardian, destroying it in a vicious detonation. Joey flinched back from the onslaught, then managed to catch himself. Knowing full well Bakura wanted him to attack, Joey instead smiled. "My turn! And I activate my trap card, Graverobber! And I choose to steal your Dark Necrofear from the Graveyard!"

"And I counter with my Déjà Vu trap card. It reverts everything on the field to the previous turn. Why don't you just give up Joey? You can't stop my combo from going through."

"Joey Wheeler never gives up! I end my turn, Bakura."

The fourth letter reappeared, ominously declaring Joey's impending finish. Bakura drew, then began to laugh. Joey, concerned, demanded, "What? What is it?"

"This is what! I sacrifice my Jinzo #7, and summon the Nightmare General Mephisto! (1800/1700)." The smaller, weaker machine monster sank into a card, and was replaced by an armored knight mounted on a horse, his every essence emanating dark power. "I power him up with my Axe of Despair, and attack your other facedown monster!"

The hellish beast, summoned by sacrifice, and powered up by the magic card, attacked Joey's facedown card, the helpless Baby Dragon. The overpowering Mephisto obliterated the weaker card and, surprisingly, caused an extreme amount of damage to Joey's lifepoints. "What? Why are my lifepoints going down? Baby Dragon was in defense mode!"

"Mephisto's power allows him to hurt your lifepoints, even if your monsters are in defense mode. That pretty much evens up the match," Bakura noted, watching Joey's lifepoints drop to 2400. "Since you suffered damage to your lifepoints, his secondary effect is now activated. You are forced to discard one card at random from your hand." Not even looking, Joey complied, sending a random card into the Graveyard. "Now, I end my turn. There's only a single letter left. This is your last turn, Joey."

"I know, I know…" Drawing from his deck, Joey blinked. Roulette Spider! This could either win it for me, or lose it!

"I activate this magic card! Roulette Spider!"

Joey's magic card appeared on the field. Roulette Spider attached itself to Bakura's Mephisto, spinning it around and around. "Alright, Bakura! Tell it when to stop! And then, it will attack either a monster, one of us, or nothing at all."

The old Ryou Bakura would have panicked at such an all or nothing move. The new one, who co-existed with his yami, simply smiled. His Yami whispered in an amused voice, It almost seems like he expects to win. But let's show him the luck of a thief, shall we?

Yes, let's.

"Mephisto! Stop, and attack!"

Slowly, the roulette began to stop. And when it finally ceased moving, it was aimed directly at Joey, bypassing his Gilford. The powerful Fiend lunged at him, destroying his last remaining lifepoints.

"Ah, man! That was my last hope!"

"It was a valiant final effort, Joey. But you knew what you were going up against when you challenged my Occult deck."

Yugi appeared, with Tea and Tristran right behind. "Bakura, if I were you, I'd start running."

Bakura appeared puzzled, then horrified. He took a glance behind him, muttered a startled exclamation, and then sprinted. "Later, guys! I'll see you at the usual place!"

Right behind him, a mob of schoolgirls was chasing him down. Tristran laughed. "Talk about luck! Hey, Joey, what do you think? Do they catch him and rip his clothes off, or do they catch him and leave him without a dueling deck?"

"Ten bucks says they rip his clothes off!"

Before Tristran could make a response, a new voice intruded on the conversation. "I'd wager that Ryou would be vaguely annoyed that you're betting over his fate. Though, in a way, it'd be his own fault."

Everyone looked at the newcomer with some surprise. The new transfer student, Alex Macedon, had arrived only last week, but was already very popular. Coming from Greece, he was their National Champion at Duel Monsters. Thus far, he'd declined all challenges to a duel; it was rumored, however, that he ran a powerful Magician deck. Oddly enough, many people were reminded of Kaiba when they looked at Alex. Although he was of a similar height to Kaiba, that was were the similarities ended. Black-eyed and black-haired, Alex was friendly and sociable, the antithesis of Seto, though Yugi was certain that the same cruel ruthlessness that Seto displayed could manifest itself at any time in anyone. Yugi had invited Alex into their social circle, and he'd been most grateful. Though his good looks gave him every reason to be conceited, Alex managed himself with a calm reserve and humility.

"So, how long do you think until we see Bakura again, Alex?" Tristran asked.

Alex smirked. He and Bakura had become good friends, but he knew better than to even think of saving him from a horde of women running purely on hormones. "I'd say he's running for at least another hour. If they catch him before then, though, I think that you'll owe Joey some money."

Everyone laughed, then Yugi led the way out of school. The "usual place" was Bakura's veiled reference to the game shop Yugi's grandfather owned. It wasn't uncommon for Bakura to need some "therapy" after he had outrun his psychotic fan club, and a game of Duel Monsters or even just hanging out with his friends usually managed to calm him down. Withdrawing into himself, Yugi smiled as he listened to the banter of his friends.

"I'm telling ya, Tristran, I had him right where I wanted him! He just got lucky, that's all!"

"Sure, Joey. Whatever you say. Even though Bakura played you like an ocarina the whole match through."

"Ocarina?! I'll show you ocarina!"

"Down, Joey!" Alex quickly grabbed Joey before he started pounding his best friend. "If you have to salve your ego, look at it this way. Bakura beat you now, after Battle City, where you made it all the way to the semi-finals! And Tristran can't duel to save his life, so you shouldn't be too mad at him."

"Can't duel to save my life?! Hey, who's side are you on, anyway?!"

"Well, I haven't seen you duel, so I can't exactly give you a positive endorsement, now can I?"

"I'll show you! I challenge Tea to a match!"

"Me?! Why me? Why don't you duel Joey?"

"Whasa matta, Tristran? Can't take on the guy who was second place at Duelist Kingdom, and fourth place at Battle City?" Joey taunted.

"When we get to the game shop, Joey, I'm gonna whip you!"

"You and what army? Oh, maybe you're gonna whip me with a Skull Servant! Maybe I should play you by Duelist Kingdom rules to make you feel better, since Battle City rules are probably too much for ya!"

"Joey Wheeler! You are so dead…!"

"Ah, Yugi!"

A deep, booming voice interrupted the argument. Yugi smiled as he greeted his grandfather. "Hey, Grandpa! Anything for me today?"

Solomon Moto was an older version of Yugi. His hair held together by an orange bandanna, the violet eyes he shared with Yugi sparkled with joy at seeing his prodigy grandson. Yugi's violently spiky hair was almost identical to Solomon's, save for the fact Yugi's was black with colored edges, while Solomon's was gray.

"Why, yes there is. There's also something for Joey, Bakura, and Alex here. They're letters that were all delivered here this morning, after you all left. What's it for, I wonder…?"

"Well, let's find out." Taking the envelopes from his grandfather, he handed them out to each person in turn, and pocketed Bakura's for when he finally arrived. Tearing it open, Yugi unraveled the paper and read aloud. "'Greetings to everyone who receives this invitation. KaibaCorp is holding a new tournament for the elite duelists of the world. This tournament will be held in Greece, where archaeological efforts by Miss Isis Ishtar have revealed what appears to be an ancient arena for an older form of Duel Monsters. This tournament, the Battle of Legends, will be held in Athens and its immediate environs. All duelists will use my state of the art duel disks, and the same rules as Battle City will apply. Are you up to the challenge?' Hey, this is from Kaiba!"

"So, that sleaze ball wants another chance to declare himself number one! When is he gonna learn?"

"Be nice, Joey. I wouldn't have won against Marik at Battle City if it hadn't been for his God Card."

Joey fell silent as he remembered the awesome onslaught they had all been witness to on the blimp and at the Tower. The three God Cards, the ultimate weapons, had left them all in awe. Obelisk the Tormentor, "whose descent shall be heralded by burning winds and twisted land. And with the coming of this horror, those who draw breath shall know the true meaning of eternal slumber."

Slifer the Sky Dragon, "the heavens twist, and thunder roars, signaling the coming of this ancient creature, and the dawn of true power".

And the greatest of them all, The Winged Dragon of Ra, who caused "spirits to sing of a powerful creature that rules over all that is divine."

Yugi had successfully won all three of the God cards. Shortly afterward, he had inserted them into his Millennium Puzzle, and fallen into a coma. A week later, he had awaken with new wisdom and no small amount of fear. He had scattered the three Gods, returning Obelisk to Kaiba, and entrusting Ra to the Gravekeeper family of Odion, Marik, and Isis Ishtar. Slifer he had kept for himself, since he had realized that the best protection for the ultimate weapons was to scatter them around the world to the protection of the best duelists in the world.

I need to speak to you, Yugi.

Yugi carefully glanced away from his friends, who were beginning to discuss Kaiba's reasons for starting another tournament. Joey was loudly and aggressively condemning Kaiba and his motives, while Alex seemed more inclined to argue a wait and see approach. He gestured for everyone to precede him into the shop, and unobtrusively stepped away. When he was certain he was alone, he said, "Yes? What is it, Yami?"

His yami, his guardian and friend, materialized. Yami Yugi looked identical to Yugi, except older and more self-assured. His face, elegant and cool, usually wore a friendly countenance around Yugi, but this time, he seemed worried. His words, carefully measured and decided upon, communicated his dread easily to Yugi. I do not feel it would be wise of us to go to Kaiba's new tournament.

"Why Yami? Marik and Kaiba don't hate us anymore! We're just another rival to them, now."

Yes, but that's not what I meant. You were with me when I…we explored the secrets of my Millennium Puzzle. One of the secrets I did not share with you was the tale of lost Atlantis.

"Atlantis? But that's just a myth!"

The same way the Shadow Realm and the summoning of beasts from another world is a myth?

Yugi winced at the mild rebuke. "Alright, but I don't understand why Atlantis would matter to you. I mean, what would make it so important?"

The simple fact, young hikari, that it is the fault of the Pharaoh's father that Atlantis sank beneath the seas!

Yami and Yugi both looked toward where the place where the voice had come from. Bakura stood alone, with the Millennium Ring around his neck. He was simply Ryou, but Yugi and Yami both perceived a second persona near him, hanging back in the shadows. A presence both had encountered within the Millennium Puzzle, and that both thought had died.

You! But you can't be here! Marik banished you to the Shadow Realm!

Partially right, but mostly misinformed. Before I was forcibly removed from the world of the living, I left behind two pieces of myself. One in my hikari here, and the other inside your Millennium Puzzle. I may have lost most of my shadow powers, but I am oddly content with my current existence. I suppose you'll proclaim some nonsense about my being a threat to all life and all that now?

Yugi watched Ryou lean against a wall, quietly, and realized that this matter did not truly involve them. Both the Pharaoh and the former Graverobber had to deal with each other with a minimal amount of interference from their hikari. He followed Ryou's example, silently watching their yamis go at it.

You have no right to be here, thief! You lost your right to exist in this plane when you lost the Shadow Game against Marik's darkness!

Am I speaking with the Pharaoh, or am I speaking with the Master of the Dark Magician?

Yugi felt Yami pause at the question. It appeared to be a simple query, but felt more like an accusation than anything else. When Yami spoke, it was with great hesitance. I know not your name, stranger. Even after so many millennia, I do not know who you are, nor why you killed my servant, nor why you robbed my father's tomb. Who are you?

I am a mere Graverobber. In a life long past, I was called…Bakura.

Ryou was startled at this. How could his yami, who had been so callous and despising toward him, ever allow himself to accept his surname?

Apparently, Bakura detected his puzzlement. Truly, a pity to discover how much knowledge this modern world has lost. I would have had untold difficulty co-existing with the soul of a person in a body not of my bloodline. And the Pharaoh over there, as much as he would like to claim otherwise, has the same susceptibility. Marik was an exception to this rule. He had split personalities, and one side managed to dominate. In any case, Pharaoh Yami, I robbed your father's tomb in revenge and desperation. I wished to defile his tomb to avenge my home village, which he destroyed on his way to annihilate Atlantis. And I needed to feed my young wife, so it was a necessity as well as revenge. Your servant got in my way after I had stolen half of the valuables, and I bested him on his chosen field of battle, a Shadow Game, seizing the Millennium Ring I now wear. He was dying, so he fused with his monster, which became the Dark Magician you hold mastery over. Once he was beaten, even as a monster, his apprentice managed to seal me within the tomb. I starved to death, and swore undying revenge. Is that answer enough for you?

A long, uncomfortable silence ensued, where Yami seemed lost in thought, and Bakura glared coldly. Finally, Yami said, Too much has happened between us to ever forgive. But for the sake of our two young wards, can you wait to attempt your vengeance?

Yugi and Ryou both heard Bakura laugh. It had none of the pleasant overtures of glee, and seemed to contain a malice that lived in the space between them. For their sake, and their sake alone, Bakura agreed.

"Yugi!"

Yami and Bakura both faded from view, returning to the concealment of their Soul Rooms. Yugi turned toward the voice, and Ryou mimicked his yami in fading into the shadows of the Gameshop. Tea appeared around the corner, looking concerned. Yugi couldn't help but blush as soon as he saw her. Yugi was well aware of the fact he had a crush on her, and had one ever since they were little children. He sometimes panicked, wondering often whether she reciprocated the feeling, or at least if she knew. Her smile when she saw him confirmed neither of the two musings.

"There you are! Joey and Tristran are about ready to start. Why don't you come in and watch? Tristran just got a few boosters from your grandpa, and he says that the cards inside are good enough to beat Joey with."

"Sorry, Tea. I'll go in and see them go at it."

Yugi felt embarrassed, since Tea often engaged in the protective big sister act. He was about to protest this, when Bakura stopped him from doing so. "A Duel? And I wasn't invited? I feel so unloved now…"

Tea looked startled as soon as she saw Ryou. "Bakura! There you are! I'm sorry, I didn't even see you there! We didn't think you'd be back for a while!"

Bakura gestured toward himself. His sweater was missing, his jeans were dirty, and his shirt was slightly torn. Dryly, he said, "I almost wasn't back. I'm just grateful that my duel disk and deck are still in one piece. Kaiba would have taken a piece out of my hide for scratching his precious machine."

"Oh, yeah! Bakura, this arrived here for you. It's an invitation from Kaiba for a tournament in Greece."

Yugi spoke while he reached into his pocket, and took out the envelope. He handed it to Ryou, and felt the jolt of hostility from both Yami and Bakura as they came so near to each other. His confused blink was met by Ryou's knowing smirk, and quickly, Yugi chose to resume speaking. "Do you think we'll be able to make it? Kaiba has to know it'd be hard for us to get there."

"Not hard at all! My father is going on a dig to Egypt soon, and Greece is on his way. He can drop us off in Greece with a clear conscience."

"That's great! I'll ask my grandpa about it, and then we can all go!"

They spoke casually, knowing full well that Yami and Bakura would protest vigorously at the idea of spending so many hours so near to each other, but Yugi figured that it would encourage them to do some bonding, rather than ignoring. They entered the Gameshop and went upstairs to Yugi's home, where Tristan and Joey were sitting at the table, commencing the duel, with Alex leaning against the counter, resting a hand on the portable deck protector he always had on, watching them with great interest.

Tristran had the first move. He studied his hand hard, then said, "Okay, Joey, I'm gonna go easy on ya. I'll summon Gagagigo in attack mode! It's stats at 1850 attack are better than most of the monsters in your deck! I'll end my turn."

Joey didn't even blink as he drew a new card. "Ok, Tristan. I summon the Swordsman of Landstar in attack mode(500/1200)! I set two cards face down, and end my turn."

"Ha! You set yourself up, Joey! I attack with Gagagigo!"

"No way, pal. I activate Sword and Shield! And you know what that does?"

"Ugh, it switches attack and defense values! And Gagagigo only has 1000 defense!"

"That's right! Bye-bye Gagagigo and 200 lifepoints!"

Yugi detected that Yami felt restless, and sensed the same feeling coming from Bakura. Quietly, he requested that Yami create a special bubble, and invite Ryou and Bakura into it. When Yami demanded to know why, Yugi sent the thought, "Because they have a right to know. And we need to at least pretend to pay attention."

Once they were within the shadow bubble, he turned to Yami and asked, "Alright, Yami, Bakura. What happened? Why did Atlantis sink beneath the waves?"

With a long-suffering sigh, Yami began. "It's a long story…"

Bakura impertinently interrupted with, "And it always is. You begin, and I'll fill in the blank spots you neglect."

Giving the former thief an icy glance, Yami spoke. "Long ago, when the pyramids were still young, there existed a force so powerful that it threatened to destroy the world. This power, the three Shadow Gods, was not consolidated in one land. It was scattered in three great kingdoms. Egypt, overlord of Ra. Greece, master of Obelisk. And finally, Atlantis, ruler of Slifer. The Shadow Games had long since spread to these lands, and the ensuing rush for power convinced my father to seize the Shadow Powers from them. His role begins there…."