Wolfie: I still do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. Once again all I own is my oc, my oc's parents, the actions they make during the story, and whatever alterations to the episode plots that I make in order to fit my oc into the story. Now what they say and or did in the episodes may not be as precise as I would like it to be since I'm sort of going off this at the top of my head rather than just copying the episode word for word whilst adding in my oc's so please forgive me if what they say isn't exactly what they said in the Anime. Also anything triggering will be labeled before it initially starts and will be labeled when it ends so that you may skip it if you wish to do so' same thing will happen with the lemons or limes that may or may not happen in this story.
Chapter 2
The walk to the game shop wasn't necessarily long but it was a good twenty minutes before they reached the quaint little shop on the corner. The bell above the shops door rang as the door was opened which announced Yugi, Salem, Joey, Tea, and Tristan's arrival to a short old man. Said man was about Yugi's height, maybe just a tad bit taller but it's hard to tell. With gentle amethyst eyes and a kind smile on his bearded face as he stood there behind a counter that contained many Duel Monsters cards. It was not hard to tell that this man was related to Yugi since the amethyst eyes and wild spiky gray hair gave it away. Despite the fact that said hair was somewhat hidden underneath an orange bandanna that had a strange symbol on the front. Just above the spiky grey bangs that framed his forehead and face in the same way that Yugi's frame his face. Salem couldn't help but look around in awe at all of the games that were inside the shop.
It seemed like there was everything from board games to video games as well as regular decks of cards alongside the Duel Monsters cards. Said cards were inside a glass case rather than out in the open, making it seem like those cards were extremely expensive. As he looked around Yugi had a conversation with his grandfather, explaining who this new boy was alongside the fact that he communicates with sign language. Since he was in some sort of accident that ended with him being injured in a lot of places including his throat if the bandages were anything to go by. Solomon felt his heart go out to Salem in sympathy at the fact that someone so young went through something so horrible. Something that would leave him not only this injured but most likely severely traumatized as well. It warmed his heart to know that his grandson and his friends were trying to help this boy. Doing so by giving him the friendship that he most likely needs at this very moment.
Said boy was oblivious to the fact that he was being looked at with sympathy by the old man. He had found himself migrating over to the left hand part of the glass case/counter. Looking at all of the cards and their vibrant colorful depictions of strange creatures and humanoid figures with a smile on his face since. There was just so much about this game to love. After all it just seemed like innocent fun between friends and friendly if he knew about the games origins there was no way he would believe that the game was once played with real monsters. Played with real things at stake such as the fate of the world. As well as the lives of not only the duelist but their opponent and the people around them that may or may not be witnessing the duel. A very dangerous duel take place between the either very powerful or very weak monster's depending on the ones that they were using at that moment in time.
"Salem, this is my grandfather Solomon Muto. He taught me everything I know about Duel Monsters." Yugi said which pulled Salem's attention to him and away from the Mystical Elf card that he had been looking at.
"Hello Mr. Muto, I'm Salem. Though I guess you already know that thanks to Yugi." Salem signed which got a confused look from everyone aside from Yugi and Solomon.
"No need to be so formal, go ahead and call me Grandpa if you'd like." Solomon said as he continues to have a kind smile on his face.
"Okay." Salem signed, glad that there was yet another kind elderly person who would let him call them whatever he is most comfortable with saying.
"By the looks of how you were staring at that Mystical Elf I'd say we have another Duel Monsters enthusiast in the making thanks to my grandson." Solomon said with a chuckle as Yugi couldn't help but chuckle slightly as well.
"Well Mr. Muto it's hard not to think that Duel Monsters is fun when you're watching Yugi cream Joey in a duel." Tristan said with a grin as he put said male in a headlock.
"Lay off me would ya?! It's not my fault, Yug is just too good to beat." Joey said in defense of himself as he broke himself out of the headlock he was in.
"It's not that I'm too good Joey, it's just that I've been dueling longer than you and have been able to make my deck stronger." Yugi said, not wanting his friend to think that he's a horrible duelist.
"Nevertheless I heard you were in the market to make your own deck. Do you have any idea as to what kind of deck you would like to have?" Solomon asked, causing Salem to blink slightly in confusion.
"Um I honestly don't know, I just learned about the game today." Salem signed his answer, not realizing that he needed to have a certain type of deck in order to play the game. "Any suggestions?" He added as he gave the older man a questioning look.
"Suggestions? Hmm..." Solomon said, trailing off as he hums in thought whilst stroking his beard.
"Maybe the best deck for Salem could be like the one you have Grandpa." Yugi said, deciding to give his grandfather a suggestion since it was taking him quite a bit of time to come up with his own kind of suggestion.
"One like mine? Oh! You mean my strategy deck, very good suggestion Yugi." Solomon said with a smile, praising his grandson for suggesting what was honestly the perfect type of deck for both beginners and experts.
"I'm confused, there are many types of decks and one of them is strategy?" Salem signed his question since no one told him this up until now.
"Yes. In this case a strategy deck is a deck that is flexible in order to combat any deck that you may come across in a dueling situation, and I have the perfect cards to get that deck started for you." Solomon said, explaining what kind of deck it was as he began pulling out certain cards from the case.
Salem watched closely as the cards were placed on the counter before him. They consisted of the monsters Kuriboh, Mystical Elf, Harpie Lady, and surprisingly a Dark Magician card. Since according to what Yugi told him the Dark Magician is one of those monster cards that are really hard to come across. So the fact that Solomon had one and was actually considering having Salem add it to his deck was shocking to say the least. He looks at the purple cladded mage as part of him wondered if he was worthy enough to have such a powerful card on his side. He then looked at the magic cards that were being laid out for him on the counter as well. They consisted of Monster Reborn, Horn of the unicorn, Graceful charity, and Polymerization but when he saw that last one he didn't think it would do him much good. After all he didn't think the few monsters that were laid out for him would be compatible enough to be fused together to make a better monster. The last set of cards to be laid out on the counter were trap cards.
They consisted of Mirror force, Grave Robber, Torrential Tribute, and the last card was Waboku. The silent boy looked at all of the cards which was twelve cards in total which was not enough for a full deck of cards. However it was enough to get him started as he reached into his pocket hoping he had enough money to pay for the cards. Much to Salem's sadness when he pulled out the money from his pocket he noticed he only had 200 yen. That was barely enough to pay for one card let alone all twelve of the cards and his new friends could see just how disheartened he was at that fact. He shoved the small amount of money back into his pocket and slowly pushed the cards back towards Solomon. That way he could put them away as his finger tips lingered a little bit longer on the Dark Magician than on the rest of the cards. He really wanted to get the cards but to do that he'll needed more than 200 yen. Salem could have had more money if he hadn't spent most of it on the bus fair from his house to the school.
It was either that or walk to school and end up being late but that wouldn't sit well with his parents if they found out. After all they already had to drop everything and move because of him so he doesn't want to worry them with things like him being late to school. Or him getting bullied by insecure people who thinks it's funny to pick on someone who is physically smaller and weaker than they are. However before Solomon could put the cards away Yugi scooped them up into one single pile and then held them out to Salem. Which caused said boy to look between the shorter boy and the small portion of what a deck should be in confusion. He doesn't have enough money for all of the cards, he'd be lucky if he could get the Kuriboh card but that'd be about it. Everything else is way out of the range of his limited amount of funds for the day or any other day. His family was nearly broke between paying for his doctor bills and paying the bills for their apartment. So they only had so much money to spare, in fact if he wasn't so injured he would possibly take up a part time job. He can't though according to the school rules being against that sort of thing since jobs do tend to take up time during the week days. As well as time during the weekends depending on the type of job.
"Why are you trying to give them to me? I don't have enough money..." Salem signed his question wanting to know why Yugi was actually giving the cards to him even though the shop would end up losing money because of this.
"Don't worry Salem, we can start you a tab and then you can pay for them when you have enough money. Right Grandpa?" Yugi said as he turned towards Solomon to have him confirm his statement.
"Yes no need to worry, pay whenever you can." Solomon said adding reassurance to what his grandson told the mute boy.
"Just to show how generous Mr. Muto is take a look there at Joey, that boy started a tab months ago and has yet to pay it off!" Tristan said with a grin only for him to get hit upside the head by the blond in question who was pissed that he was used as an example for this situation.
"Just cause I haven't paid it off yet doesn't mean I won't ya dingus!" Joey said as the two boys soon got into an argument that caused Yugi, Tea, and Solomon to sweat drop as if this were a common occurrence.
Salem glanced at the two arguing boys before he slowly took the cards from Yugi which caused said boy to look at him. Smiling at the fact that the other boy accepted the cards as the mute boy also handed over his 200 yen to at least pay for one of the cards. A determined look on his face as he was planning on paying for all of the cards sooner rather than later. Taking what could have equaled to more money for the old mans retirement didn't sit well in his stomach. To him that was the equivalent of taking money directly out of the cash the making of his deck didn't exactly stop there as the five teens soon found themselves upstairs in the living quarters above the game shop. Sitting on the floor around the coffee table as the four teens with complete decks as well as extra cards. They gave their silent friend even more cards to help continue to build his deck much to said boy's shock. He thought the generosity would have ended after Solomon was nice enough to let him start a tab so he could pay for all of the cards at his own pace.
In the end he got thirteen more cards consisting of Silent Magician, Panther Warrior, Luster Dragon, and Monster Gate. As well as Chain Destruction, Makiu the magical mist, Time Wizard, Amazoness Chain Master, Spell Binding Circle, Negate Attack, Magician's Valkyrie. And lastly Dark Valkyrie and Ride of the Valkyrie which gave him less than half of the sixty cards that are allowed to be in a deck. Though he was happy that slowly but surely he was on his way to having his very own deck. Unfortunately it was time for everyone to head home but not before they all exchanged number's with Salem. So now they could all keep in touch outside of school for things like help with homework. Though they all agreed that since Salem can't talk just yet that they would just communicate with him via text message. That is until the doctor gives him the okay to use his voice again and his friends optimism was honestly refreshing. But the mute male didn't want to tell them that it is highly unlikely for him to every be able to speak again.
Even if he does regain the ability to speak he will not be at the same level of speech he was at before the accident. After all the doctors painted him a very vivid picture of what may or may not happen. A good portion of his vocal chords were severely damaged and if he is able to speak once he's healed he will not be able to speak for long periods of time. Not without causing his throat severe discomfort and will be more prone to losing his voice than other people would be if he happens to be yelling. Shaking his head at that little flashback of information Salem signed his goodbyes to everyone. Which were translated by Yugi for the three teens that didn't understand sign language, and he then went home. Where he helped his mom make dinner or at least he tried to help but he was to excited about what happened today. He signed what happened and showed her all of the cards he got with a smile on his face that hasn't been there much since the accident.
Mary watched her son excitedly sign his story about what happened today and about how he made some really nice friends. Overjoyed that her son seemed to happy as she saw a spark of his old personality get reignited. Not only from the fact that he was being accepted but also from something as simple as some cards with colorful depictions on them. She looks at each one of them, sort of seeing how her son was already excited about the game despite how little he knows about the game. Nonetheless if he was happy then she was happy as well. This also gave her a new feeling of hope, hope that her son would recover and be okay. With such nice friends as these kids seem to be from what Salem told her then there was no doubt in her mind that he would recover with friends like them on his side. As her husband soon came home and went through the same process as she had with learning about how their sons first day at school went. Which made her husband just as happy for their son and just as hopeful as she was as they all sat down and had dinner together.
8 months later
It had now been eight months since Salem and his family had moved to Domino and so far everything had been going great. When he didn't have his check ups with his doctors he was usually hanging out with his friends either dueling, now that he had an almost complete deck. Or by hanging out with them at the mall, arcade, Burger World, or in/above the game shop. The five teens seemed to have become attached at the hip from how much they have been hanging out with each other. None of their parents or parental guardians seemed to mind it that much since if their kids were happy then they were happy as well. School was going well without much of a hitch aside from one incident when a few guys kept bugging Salem. Trying to get him to actually talk whilst also saying he was probably lying about being hurt just so he could get sympathy from the ladies. But after the ass kicking that Tristan and Joey gave them they backed off and no one else seemed to dare to mess with the boy after that. Which he was glad about since he didn't like having people think he was lying or was hurt just so he could get girls.
Tea, Tristan, and Joey were also able to learn sign language to an extent which made it a lot easier for them to understand their silent friend. Though every now and then they do need a little help understanding certain things which is to be expected. Given the fact that they have only been doing this for eight months while Salem took sign language lessons long before his accident. The same could be said for Yugi when it comes to sign language as well. Yugi and him also grew closer as the eight months passed as they had yet to find out why the puzzle seemed to radiate warmth when they both touched it. But they put that question on the back burner for now since both boys wanted to just focus on growing their friendship before they go looking for answers. Ones that they may or may not want to find in regards to why the puzzle reacted to their touch like that. Salem was sorta pinning for the answer being that maybe the puzzle didn't like him touching it because there seemed to be something magical about. Something that seems to make Yugi change and become a totally different person.
According to Tea when the puzzle was activated Yugi seemed to get taller and more mature looking. Then he defended her against a mugger that had tricked her into coming to an abandoned warehouse by leaving a note for her in her locker. The note said it was a dance studio for her that Yugi had gotten her. That was an interesting little tidbit of information to say the least but he didn't want to think too much into it. After all she did say she also fell and hit her head when the man tossed her aside in order to deal with Yugi. So really for all she knew she could have been imagining things due to the hit to her head. Therefore she didn't really see Yugi transform into a taller more mature version of himself in order to protect her from the man that had tricked her. Then said man attempted to mug her all in the span of a few hours. Ontop of everything else Salem has also been learning to play Duel Monster's the right way thanks to Solomon. Whom was doing it in exchange for some help around the shop on the weekends, he would've taught the young boy to duel for free.
But the help in the shop was Salem's suggestion because even after he paid off his tab he doesn't want to just take up what may be valuable time for the elder Muto. Said man honestly couldn't refuse because not only was he getting to show another youth the ropes of dueling. He was also getting some much needed help around the shop. Though despite the fact that said boy was still recovering he never did let the old man do any of the heavy lifting. With him it might just irritate some of his injuries but with Solomon, as well as with any other elderly person that is close to or above his age. There was always the risk of him throwing out his back and needing to go to the hospital by trying to do the heavy lifting around the shop. Back to the present day at hand though, they were all at school as a small group had gathered around a small table during free period. They watched a simple duel play out between Salem and Joey, the blond was in the lead for the moment. That is until the still mute boy played a combination of Harpie Lady, Cyber Shield, and Rose Whip which allowed the blue skinned female with talons and wing like arms to attack. Not only destroying Joey's monsters but also decimated his remaining life points as well as he groans at the fact that he lost a duel again.
"Man, how is it that you keep beating me Salem? Just when I think I have your deck figured out you always have a new monster or a new spell or a new trap that you've never played." Joey said with a frown as he watched Salem clean up his deck and then put it away in a deck holder before putting that in his back pack.
"Well I guess it's cause Solomon let's me exchange some of my cards for better cards whenever he gets new ones in stock. Plus he's also been teaching me how to duel, Yugi's helping out with that as well." Salem signed his answer as he looks at his friend with a smile on his face.
"That's cool but so not fair at the same time. Your decks a total power house! I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to beat Yug in a duel." Joey said as he watched Salem's shoulder's shake slightly as he silently laughs at that statement before shaking his head no.
"No I don't think I'll ever be able to beat Yugi in a duel, I'm pretty sure he's too powerful to beat." Salem signed and at that Yugi couldn't help but laugh slightly and then shake his head no as well.
"It's not that I'm too powerful Salem, I've just been dueling longer than you and Joey and have had the chance to get more better cards than you two have." Yugi said as he watched Salem nod in understanding.
"Man this totally blows, at this rate I'm never gonna be able to win a duel if both Salem and Tea can already totally destroy me in a duel and their both new at this just like me." Joey said as he throws back his head in an over dramatic way as he sighs.
"Well Joey you know your always welcome to come by she shop and get more cards, infact we could even go there after school." Yugi said as he looked at his friends wondering if they all liked that suggestion.
"Sure that'd be great." Joey said with a smile as Tea and Tristan also voiced their agreement that it'd be fun whilst Salem signed that he'd enjoy going to the shop again.
"Great! And hey maybe I can get him to show us this super rare card he has." Yugi said which not only peeked the interest of all of his friends but also the interests of a brunette by the name of Seto Kaiba who was sitting a few desks away reading a book.
'Rare card? Could he possibly be talking about the rare card I've been searching for?' Seto thought to himself as he looked at the five friends out of the corner of his eye, planning on following them after school to see if his suspicions are correct or not.
When it came to the rare card Salem sort of knew about it since he had seen a small brown leather box hidden behind the card stand in the display case. Only when he was cleaning the cases glass though and when he asked about it Solomon told him that it was a special card that is not for sale and cannot be traded for. As well as how a friend gave it to him, and since Salem wanted to be polite he didn't try to pry for anymore details after that. He had just kept on working since he was satisfied with the answer that had been given to him. Once school ended the group went to the game shop where they found Solomon behind the counter doing something. He stopped when he heard the shop bell ringing, giving his grandson and the four teens behind him a kind smile. He always enjoyed it when the kids took time out of their busy days to come to his humble little shop either to get more cards. Or to go upstairs to collect Yugi for a fun little activity that they had planned with his grandson prior to coming to the shop to collect him. The small group, led by Yugi, approached the counter with a purpose since they all were excited at the idea of seeing this rare card that Solomon supposedly has. Though Joey and Salem were much more excited than Tea and Tristan because those two weren't as intensely into the game as those two have become. Despite the fact that they haven't been playing the game for very long.
"Grandpa I'm home." Yugi said as they got closer to the counter.
"And I see you've brought your friends along with you." Solomon said as he continues to give the teens a kind smile.
"Hey Grandpa can you show my friends your super rare card?" Yugi asked as Solomon blinked slightly at the question.
"Rare card? You mean my special card? Hmm..." Solomon said as he looked off to the side, humming in thought as he cups his chin.
"Please please!" Yugi said as he presses his palms together infront of his face in the begging position.
"Pretty please!" Joey said whilst giving a bow towards Solomon all whilst Tea, Tristan, and Salem were silent.
"Hmm... Ha ha! How can I refuse? You kids are in for a treat, I don't take this card out too often. Ready? Here it is." Solomon said as he brought out a box that was only familiar to him and Salem, pulling out the card and showing it to the group of teens. "The Blue Eyes White Dragon, so rare, so powerful, I never let it leave my hands." He continued to say as everyone but Tristan stared at the beautiful white dragon depicted on the card in awe.
Tristan plucked the card from Solomon's grasp and stared at it with a raised eyebrow, "Hmm. Doesn't look all that special to me." Tristan said as everyone looked at him with sweat drops on their heads whilst Solomon gaped at him in shock before snatching his card back from the tallest of the group of teens.
"Aah! This card is priceless. There are only four of them in the whole world." Solomon said with tears welling up in his eyes as he cradles the card close to his face and out of Tristan's arm length so he can't take it away again.
"Speaking of priceless, I'm ready to trade." Joey said with a grin at the fact that he got to see a rare card and is about to get some better cards all in the span of one day.
"Not for this card!" Solomon said as he turned to hide the card from Joey now as well as from Tristan.
"Huh? Nah I don't mean for that card, I mean show me some other cool cards to get me started. Like you did with Salem." Joey said as he looks down at all of the cards that were inside the glass case/counter.
Though before Joey could even begin to get those kinds of cards from Solomon they all heard the shop bell ring as the door opens. Solomon puts his card back in its velvet lined box whilst looking at the person that was behind the group of teens. Causing them all to turn around to see who had also come into the game shop. Joey, Yugi, Tristan, and Tea were shocked at who they saw standing in the door way whilst Salem was just confused. The person who had opened the door was none other than Seto Kaiba, teenage CEO of Kaiba Corp. He stood there stilling his school uniform just like the rest of them as he had a metal brief case in one hand. His other hand kept the door wide open which let in all the cold air from the outside inside into the shop. Since Salem was still relatively new to Domino City he doesn't know very much about Seto Kaiba or about Kaiba Corp. All he knows is that Kaiba Corp is a gaming company that specializes in anything electronic or digital. Also that it's almost as successful as Industrial Illusions, the company that created Duel Monsters. The other's were blissfully unaware of it but Salem could see it right away that the tall brunette was not here for some friendly business with the elder of the Muto house hold.
In fact it seemed like he was willing to do anything to get what he wants even if it may end with someone getting hurt or with someone ending up in the hospital. That already made the silent boy feel really on edge with the young CEO. No one ever has good intentions when they give off that vibe that their willing to hurt someone. Just for the sake of getting what they want in order to move on with the rest of their day. The question on his mind was this, why was someone like Kaiba here in a small game shop. Though for a moment his dark purplish blue eyes drifted over to the still open box that safely held the Blue Eyes White Dragon as his eyes widened in realization. Did Kaiba overhear Yugi talking about Solomon having a rare card? Then came here to see if he could pressure the older male into giving up a card that seemed so precious to the game shop owner? Salem then glanced back at Yugi and his friends as well as at Solomon hoping that his assumptions are wrong and that no one will get hurt over a simple card. Even if it is one out of the only four that exist in the entire world, after all a card shouldn't be worth the risk of endangering another person's life.
TBC.