Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! is the original work of Kazuki Takahashi. Only this fan fiction is mine.

Chapter 1 THE DARK GAME

'I've heard a rumor that he has some powerful connection, although no one has ever confirmed the story,' Mai was telling the others.

The gang was waiting by the pier on a moonless, dark night. Being the most influential teens in Domino City, there have been a lot of guys and girls wanting to be included in this very exclusive group. Many have tried, but failed. And many more are still hoping that they too could be a part of the group someday. This is one of those days, when someone actually had the gall to ask to be included in the gang. It was this person that is currently the topic of their discussions.

'Who the hell would ever believe such crap? Haven't we known that dog all our lives? There was only him and his old man and now he lives all alone,' Seto reiterated. 'Beside, who is this supposedly connection of his?'

'It was said to be the creator of the duel cards, Pegasus.'

'Now that is so not true. My business associate is related to that mongrel? I should have known or at least heard something about it by now,' came Seto's incredulous reply.

To say that Seto was incredulous is an understatement. Of course it was not his habit to delve into someone else's private affairs but even that kind of information should have leaked out by this time, especially if it involves Maximillian Pegasus. It was true that his private life have been kept in secret so far, but anything or anyone that has a remote connection to his name has been sniffed out by the press by now. The media would have hounded even Seto a long time ago if Pegasus hadn't put a stop to it. After all, no one would dare anger Pegasus. Even if his fortune could only rival that of Kaiba's, his wealth was what they called 'old money' and is tantamount to royalty in the business world. To think that a pathetic mongrel like Joey Wheeler is connected to Pegasus is absolutely impossible.

'It's definitely a bogus story. That Joey is just one of those losers roaming here in Domino City. He is also buddies with that bully Tristan Taylor. Where in Ra's name is he? I want to send him to the shadow realm already for making me wait,' said a sullen Ryou, whose hand is holding onto his millennium necklace every now and then.

'Calm down, Ryou, or you might scare the little puppy away,' cajoled Yugi. He knows how hard it would be to stop Ryou once he pointed that necklace to some unfortunate soul.

'I guess that is why the kids are cursing us when we pass by,' Malik snickered. 'They were unlucky enough to play with you in the shadow realm.'

'Look who's talking,' Ryou snarled. 'And you would think that they have heard enough to stay away but no, they just keep coming back. Che! I guess he isn't coming.'

'Don't get your hopes up. I am here,' Joey Wheeler approached the waiting teens. He is wearing his usual jeans and green jacket, which the gang eyed critically.

Seto asked Joey, 'you wanted to be part of the gang? Do you really understand what you are asking of us?'

'Of course I do. Isn't this meeting's what it's all about?' Joey replied. 'I already know the various ways that you guys do to test everyone who wanted to join.'

'How nice,' was Ryou's sarcastic reply. 'Well, I'll be your opponent tonight. What do you say we make the duel more exciting by playing it in the shadow realm?'

'Ryou,' Seto warned but turned a surprised look at Joey when the other boy said, 'I don't have any problems with that. I will still whip your ass.'

'Oh, you are so going to regret that,' Ryou whispered to himself. The gleam in his eyes reminded the others that Joey would never forget this night for the rest of his life. Indeed, Seto thought, the mongrel's worst nightmare is tame as compared to Ryou's brand of play in the shadow realm. He just hopes that the Wheeler boy would be lucky enough to be alive once this duel is over.

'Let's Duel!'

-continue chapter 2-

Author's Notes: I wish to correct that Mai shall also be 17 in this ficcie, I realized that she is supposed to be older than the rest of the gang but here she will only be as old as Seto. Please remember that this fan fiction is rated due to some sensitive issues in later chapters. I have a new format (if you could call it that) for this story, disclaimer will be placed on top, and my notes (and everything else) will be placed here.

Don't forget to send me your views, comments or violent reactions (not too harsh please!) Anyway, I would like to thank Seren147 and kikoken for their reviews in the prologue of this story. Not much was revealed in that chapter, or in this one, but I do hope that you will continue on reading this. As I said, might be uber-slow in update 'coz I really have a hard time doing angst.