Chapter 1 The Road to Yellowstone
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh
Yugi Motou was seated in his childhood bedroom starring diligently at his computer screen as his mind raced. He was in his senior year of college hoping to earn a double major in biology and cinematography. His goal was to one day be able to make video documentaries and work for National Geographic. His grandfather had told him that was quite the pipe dream, but at least with a degree in biology there were a number of other more practical fields he could try to pursue.
The trick was that he had actually, thanks to taking classes in the summer and winter terms every year since freshman year, plus a couple of college classes his senior year in high school, finished the requirements for his biology degree and was only one course shy from completing his cinematography degree. He had of course signed up to take his final class, Senior Seminar, and had worked out a plan with his faculty advisor, Dr. Maximilian Pegasus.
In order to earn his degree in cinematography Yugi needed to create a film which would be aired at the film festival at the end of the semester. His professor, as well as his classmates, would grade his film based on the use of cinematographic elements that had been drilled into their skulls over the last four years. So, based on the advise of his faculty adviser Yugi had essentially taken the semester off and would be using that time to film his final project and edit the film together. Because of Yugi's love of nature Dr. Pegasus thought it would be an excellent idea for Yugi to actually try and make his own nature documentary.
This led to Yugi's current dilemma. Deciding what he wanted to film for the documentary. Once he figured out what he wanted to try and film the could then turn his attention to determining where would be the best place to attempt filming. Which was why he'd spent the last several hours parked in his bedroom scouring the internet for ideas.
"Yugi, you're not scrolling through porn up there? Are you young man?" Grandpa called out from down the stairs.
Yugi winced, no he was not looking through porn online. And if Yugi had to be perfectly honest with himself, between the two of them Solomon Motou was the one more likely to look through porn than Yugi was. "No Grandpa, I'm not. I told you I'm working on school work." Yugi called back out.
"I thought you said all you needed to do was make a film and then you were done. Why don't you just get a few of your friends together and make up a movie of some kind. It'll take you what, a week tops and then you can be done with it." Grandpa called back.
Yugi rolled his eyes. Grandpa, I've probably tried to explain to you a thousand times over the last three and a half years that making a film is a lot more work than just a bunch of guys screwing around with a camera. Yugi thought to himself as he decided to just ignore the old man. Yugi's grandfather had spent his own youth traveling the world while he had worked as an archaeologist excavating sites in the Valley of the Kings, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Tikal in Guatemala, Machu Picchu in Peru just to name a few.
Personally, Yugi thought wanting to become a Documentarian was a far more worthwhile life goal. He would be helping to bring awareness to the world around him about nature and the importance of preserving and protecting the environment.
But now he needed to figure out what he wanted to film. Personally, Yugi thought it would be much better if he didn't go for anything that lived underwater. Yugi himself could doggy paddle and that was about it so, filming underwater or spending any amount of time on a boat more definitely did not appeal to Yugi.
Beside Yugi his cellphone buzzed he glanced down briefly to see it was his best friend Ryou calling him. Much to his grandfather's annoyance both he and Ryou had decided to major in Cinematography together. And like himself Ryou had also managed to take the final semester practically off to work on his own film. Unlike Yugi though, Ryou had no desire to make a documentary. Ryou's dream was to become a director specializing in horror films and had already decided that for his senior project that was exactly what he was going to make his own horror film and had spent the better part of the last week and a half working on drafting a script for his film.
"Hey Ryou, how are you?" Yugi asked as he answered the call.
"I'm doing great Yugi. I think I'm almost done with my screenplay, although I do recognize that it'll need some more work it will at least give me a starting point when I hold auditions for parts and I also need to start scoping out where I want to film this. So, how has your research been going? Have you landed on a topic yet?" Ryou asked.
Yugi groaned, "No, I haven't. And that is so frustrating there are so many things I could spend the semester out observing and here I am wasting my time and energy sitting in my bedroom looking online for film ideas." Yugi whined.
"I don't envy you on that front. This project was easier for me because I get to do what I want to do and I have the freedom to make all the decisions. You, well you'll definitely have quite the challenge on your hands. Not to mention you'll have to deal with the elements while you're out in the woods filming whatever it is you decide you want to film." Ryou replied.
"And do you have any suggestions for me Ryou? You've got to have some sort of an idea of something that I can try and film." Yugi said.
Ryou was quiet for a moment and Yugi could hear the sound of keys clacking in the background. "Why don't you just go to Yellowstone and film your project there? They have everything from bison to bears, and almost everything in between. Maybe you can decide on what you want to film while you're out there. I mean, I don't think it would be a good idea for you to decide you want to film something and then you go somewhere and you can't even find one." Ryou suggested.
Yugi rolled the idea over in his mind. Ryou did have a fair point. Deciding based on what he was able to see and able to film would be probably a much easier way. He could also always do further research on what he was filming once he had decided on his topic. He didn't need to narrate the film until after he had finished filming anyway so that was yet another plus.
"Okay, I think I can do that. Now all I need to do is get my stuff packed up and drive down to Yellowstone. Thank you so much for the suggestion Ryou. You are a genius." Yugi said.
Ryou chuckled, "Well, we already knew that. But anyway Yugi, I'll let you get back to work. Just promise me that you'll be careful. People have gotten themselves hurt or killed backpacking through Yellowstone." Ryou said.
Yugi nodded, not that Ryou could see, "Don't worry Ryou. I'll be careful, I promise. I'm not the type to take unnecessary risks. And I'll call or text you at least every other day to check in." Yugi said.
Yugi then went to Yellowstone website operated by the national park service to begin researching lodging that would be available. Given that he was going to have to have a place where he could charge his laptop and store his computer equipment a lodge would be preferable to staying at one of the many campgrounds.
Yugi scrolled through the different lodges offered at Yellowstone before deciding that if he was going to do this he might as well go for the old classic and stay at Old Faithful Lodge. Yugi couldn't help but wince as he looked at the prices. Over 300.00 a night. And he would be staying there for weeks. Staying there is going to cost me a freaking mint. Not to mention gas driving almost a thousand miles just to get there. And food. Talk about dropping almost my entire life savings on this trip.
Yugi sighed, it may seem like a ton of money but he really needed to get this film done and Yellowstone was probably one of the best bets he had to be able to find something and film it. Yugi scrolled through available check in dates before he found one that would work for him. And clicked book trying not to wince again as he entered in his account and routing number to pay over 8,000 dollars just for the room. Yugi closed his eyes as he hit the submit button, blinking them open to see that his reservation confirmation was being sent to his email.
Now, that left him a little bit more than a week to get all his stuff together and loaded into his car before he drove over 2000 miles to Yellowstone.
With his decision made and reservation already confirmed Yugi finally decided to venture out of his bedroom and back down into the Game Shop, where his grandfather had parked himself on a rickety stool and was reading the paper.
Solomon glanced up to see his grandson standing there. "Well look who decided to join society. Did you finish wasting your time upstairs?" Solomon asked.
Yugi resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "I wasn't wasting my time Grandpa. But I did decide where I am going to go to film my documentary. I'm going to go to Yellowstone. I've just booked a three week stay at Old Faithful Lodge. I check in next week." Yugi said.
"And you're going to do what precisely? Haul your camera around with you hoping to catch a decent video of a moose?" Grandpa muttered.
Yugi groaned. He really did not want to get into this with his grandfather, just be grandpa refused to see that Yugi was serious about wanting to make this a career did not give him the right to continue to dismiss his dream as a pointless waste of time.
"I don't know what exactly I am going to end up filming. I do have several different options and depending on what I am able to find that will help me to decide where I go from there." Yugi said.
"So your going to what? Hike aimlessly through the woods hoping to find something?" Grandpa challenged.
Yugi locked gazes with his grandfather, his fists clenched tightly at his side, "I guess you could say that yes. After all I'm in reality not going to be wandering around aimlessly, no more than you did when you were younger globetrotting with your archaeology buddies. I will be hiking and filming in the woods because that is where the animals that I will be studying happen to live. Now, if you can't support me in this than that is your choice. I will be doing this with or without your support." Yugi snapped.
For a moment Solomon was silent before his gaze drifted back down to his newspaper, "Kids today." he muttered under his breath.
Yugi took that as his grandfather finally deciding to concede the point and let Yugi make his own decisions without continuing to nag him about it. Yugi nodded once before he headed outside and over to his car. Yugi climbed into his black 2015 Hyundai Elantra that he'd bought with the help of his grandfather when he graduated from high school since Yugi was going to be commuting to and from college almost every single day, Grandpa had said it was only fair that he spend some of the money he was going to be saving on room and board to buy Yugi a vehicle. However, before he decided to make the long drive he figured it would be a good idea to get his oil changed and his car checked over.
Following that Yugi figured it would be a good idea to stock up on basic supplies and it also wouldn't hurt to get himself a decent pair of hiking boots. So much to do and so little time. Yugi thought to himself. But, he decided to just get right down to it.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Time seemed to fly by and before Yugi knew it the day had arrived for him to begin his 31 hour long drive. It was a little bit after midnight as Yugi closed the trunk of his car and climbed into the car and turned on his GPS. His plan was to drive about sixteen hours and make it about half way to Yellowstone but with construction, car accidents and traffic in general Yugi had no idea how long he'd actually be on the road for.
He pulled out onto the empty streets of Domino and headed down main street to get on the highway. It would almost a whole month before he came back home to do some major editing on his film and all the narration.
Yugi was both excited and nervous about his trip. A part of this was literally a dream come true for Yugi, he was actually going to be able to do what he'd always dreamed about and make a documentary. He still didn't have a topic in mind yet, but he was going to trust in Ryou's advice and make his decision once he had left the confines of civilization behind and was deep in the heart of one of mother natures greatest masterpieces.
Twelve hours later Yugi literally wanted to pull his hair out. It was almost one pm and he was currently trying to drive through Chicago. And it was absolutely nuts. Eight lanes of traffic going almost eighty miles per hour. And talk about traffic, boy was there a ton of traffic. How do people do this? Yugi thought to himself as he slammed on his horn, and his breaks to keep from rear-ending another vehicle that decided to cut him off without any warning.
Have these people never heard of a freaking signal? Yugi thought to himself as he continued to try and make his way through Chicago. His goal tonight was to try and make it to Des Moines, Iowa which was where he had booked himself a hotel. However, if he was still alive and sane by the time he arrived at his first official pit stop remained to be seen.
Yugi pulled his car into a rest area once he had finally gotten out of Chicago. He put his car in park and for a moment just rested his head against the steering wheel as he willed himself to relax. That had been hell, literally that had been hell. Yugi was not looking forward to having to drive back through that mess when he headed back home.
Once Yugi felt that he was somewhat calm he stepped out of his car to stretch his legs and grab a bite to eat. If he didn't still have a few hours worth of driving still ahead of him Yugi would have said what he'd just gone through more than warranted a stiff drink.
Yugi pulled out his cellphone as he took a seat on one of the wooden benches outside the McDonalds at the rest area. He dialed Ryou's number before he put the phone to his ear. It rang twice before Ryou picked up.
"Hello?"
Yugi smiled, "Hey Ryou, just wanted to let you know I've officially made it through Chicago. I'm at a rest area right now taking a bit of a break before I have another four or five hour drive ahead of me to make it to Des Moines. Then I'll be able to crash for the night before I decide to tackle the rest of my drive tomorrow." Yugi said.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that you made it through Chicago. How are you feeling?" Ryou asked.
Yugi sighed. How was he feeling indeed? "Exhausted Ryou. The best word I can think of right now is absolutely exhausted." Yugi said.
Ryou chuckled, "Yeah. I bet. Try and get some decent sleep tonight at the hotel." Ryou said.
Yugi chuckled as well, "No worries about that. I'll be zonked as soon as my head touched the pillow." Yugi replied.
Ryou just laughed. "Alright, well I won't hold you up any longer Yugi. I know you probably want to get back on the road." Ryou said.
Yugi sighed, "Yeah, I probably shouldn't stay here too long. I still have quite the long drive ahead of me. I'll text you when I get to the hotel tonight." Yugi said.
"Sounds good Yugi. Drive safe." Ryou said.
Yugi nodded, "Don't worry Ryou. I will." Yugi replied. Yugi then hung up the phone before reluctantly getting to his feet and heading into McDonald's. He might as well get a move on. He still had quite the drive ahead of him.
It was almost eight o'clock when Yugi finally stumbled into his hotel room that night. Yugi could honestly not even tell you what the room even looked like. There was only one thing that mattered to him at this moment and that was the amazing bed in the middle of the room. Yugi flopped down onto that heavenly mattress still fully clothed. He managed to remind himself to text Ryou and Grandpa to let them know he'd made it to Des Moine before he was out like a light.
By some miracle the second day of driving was better than the first had been, although scenary wise driving through the plains were pretty boring. The terrain was just flat and open and left a lot to be desired. But Yugi didn't mind that, he was going to be arriving at Yellowstone soon and he could not wait until he got there.
He had downloaded a map of the park on his phone but he still planned on picking up a hardcopy map once he arrived at the park. Especially if he was going to be hiking having a physical map could only be helpful. You couldn't count on always having cellphone reception while you're out in the middle of the woods.
It was almost 7pm by the time Yugi arrived in Yellowstone and he was literally bouncing in his seat he was so excited. He was officially here. He was going to shoot his documentary. Yugi drove through the park entrance and headed to Old Faithful Lodge, so named because the lodge was built right beside the geyser known as Old Faithful, so named because it erupted every 35-120 minutes.
Yugi climbed out of his car and grabbed his bags before he began to head into Old Faithful Lodge. Yugi stumbled slightly in his haste to get into the lodge and would have taken a header had someone not caught him before he fell.
"Be careful. Don't want you to end up breaking your neck." The stranger said, his voice a smooth baritone.
Yugi glanced up, smiling sheepishly to lock gazes with the alluring ruby red eyes of a man who could almost be his twin. That is, if Yugi had delicious caramel skin color, angular facial features, grew a good four inches and developed some more muscle. But other than that they could be twins. The hair was what gave that impression, although this mans hair was pressed flat underneath the hat he was wearing. Now that Yugi took a second to take in the man's full appearance Yugi recognized the uniform to be for one of the park rangers that worked in Yellowstone.
"Thanks for that." Yugi replied sheepishly.
The park ranger nodded, "No problem. Although, if you don't mind my saying so this is a lot of stuff for someone to be hauling around just for a vacation." The park ranger commented.
Yugi shook his head, "I'm actually not here on a vacation. I'm actually going to be here for the next three weeks working on a documentary I'm shooting for school." Yugi declared.
"A documentary huh? Interesting. Can I ask which animal or animals you are intending to do a documentary on? Maybe I could give you some idea of where you'd be able to get some good shots of them?" The park ranger said.
Yugi grinned, "That would be absolutely amazing. Although, as far as a topic, I haven't fully landed on one quite yet. I was more concerned with being able to find what I wanted to film first. I mean, black bears, brown bears, wolves, elk, bison. You name it Yellowstone has it." Yugi said.
The park ranger chuckled, "That it does. I'll tell you what. Tomorrow happens to be my day off. How about I take you on a bit of a hike tomorrow and point out some spots you might want to go to film depending on what you decide you want to film. Try and land on a topic tonight. I can almost guarantee that whatever it is you want to film I can lead you to where you can find them. I've worked in this park for going on ten years. I'd like to think I know my way around pretty well." The park ranger said.
Yugi grinned, "That would be absolutely amazing Ranger..." Yugi trailed off, hoping to at least get this helpful man's name.
"Atemu. My name is Atemu Iiniiwa." Atemu introduced himself.
"Pleasure to meet you Ranger Iiniiwa. I'm Yugi Motou." Yugi replied, holding out his hand to shake Atemu's.
Atemu nodded, "But first things first, why don't I give you a hand with getting this stuff inside. And I'll meet you out here first thing tomorrow morning." Atemu said.
Yugi grinned, "That would be absolutely amazing. Thank you so much Ranger Iiniiwa. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Atemu just chuckled, "No offense meant kid, but I don't want to hear about you wandering around all by your lonesome and find out you stumbled into a geyser. Yellowstone is a beautiful place but it can also be very dangerous if you don't know where you're going. Which is why I'm going to help you find what you looking for safely." Atemu said.
Yugi nodded, "And I really appreciate that Ranger Iiniiwa." Yugi said.
Atemu just nodded before he picked up some of Yugi's dropped luggage and led the way into the Lodge. Yugi walked into the lodge behind Atemu only to freeze as he took in the gorgeous interior. For some reason the rustic giant sized style log cabin didn't seem nearly as breathtaking online as it did in person. The inn appeared to be about four stories tall with a massive stone structure in the center which contained four fireplaces. I am going to have to take some pictures of this and text them to Ryou. Grandpa too. Yugi thought to himself.
"Pretty impressive huh? And just think it was built back in the 1920s." Atemu said, making Yugi jump.
Atemu chuckled, "I didn't mean to startle you Little One, I just figured you would want to get checked in first. Believe me, the lodge isn't going anywhere." Atemu said.
Yugi nodded, "Right. Sorry to hold you up." Yugi said.
Atemu shrugged, "No problem at all. Now, check in is right over here." Atemu said as he turned and led Yugi right over to an open counter.
"Welcome to the Old Faithful Lodge. Checking in?" A woman with shoulder length blonde hair greeted.
Atemu smiled, "Hey Mai, this kid is Yugi. From what he tells me he's an inspiring documentarian here to shoot a nature documentary. He'll be around the park quite a bit over the next, I'm guessing few weeks, so please make him feel at home." Atemu said.
Mai smiled brightly, "Well, you know making our guests feel at home is sort of my job Atemu. Just like yours is to keep the park guests from getting themselves into trouble." Mai replied.
Atemu chuckled, "That it is Mai. That it is." Atemu replied.
Mai just shook her head in apparent fondness as she typed Yugi's name into the computer. "Reservation under a Yugi Motou? For the next three weeks?" Mai clarified.
Yugi nodded, "Yes, that's me."
Mai nodded before she reached down and grabbed a key card which she handed to Yugi, "You'll be in room 431 up on the fourth floor. Do you need to have one of our concierges help bring your luggage up for you?" Mai asked.
Atemu shook his head, "Nah, between the two of us we should be able to get everything up to the kids room." Atemu said.
Mai chuckled, "What a gentleman you are Atemu. I bet Yami loves that." Mai said.
Atemu chuckled, "There is quite a lot Yami loves about me Mai. Regardless, I've got to get this kid up to his room. I'll be meeting him here tomorrow morning around eight." Atemu said.
Mai grinned, "But I bet Yami would not like you giving up one of your days off." Mai teased.
Atemu rolled his eyes, "That would be between Yami and myself. Now, are you done pestering me? After I get this kid up to his room I still have another hour before I'm done for the day myself." Atemu said.
Mai nodded, "Yes, I'm done. Oh, and before I forget. There is free Wifi here at the lodge. The password information is located on your check in paperwork." Mai said.
"Great. Thank you very much Mai. I'll probably be seeing you around." Yugi said as he grabbed some of his luggage off the floor, with Atemu picking up the rest.
"And I know I'll be seeing you around Mai. I can't seem to avoid you despite my best efforts." Atemu said, his tone light and teasing. It was clear he and Mai had known each other for quite awhile and were good friends.
Atemu led the way up to the top floor and over to Yugi's room where Yugi swiped his key card to unlock the door. The room was pretty simple consisting of a bed, a table and a bathroom and that was about it. But, given the fact all Yugi planned to do was sleep here and charge his phone and computer it would certainly do the job.
Atemu set down Yugi's bags just inside the door, "Now, I'll see you down in the lobby tomorrow morning at eight. And depending on what you've decided you want to film will depend on where in the park I take you. Until then have a good night." Atemu said.
Yugi smiled, "You too Ranger Iiniiwa. And thank you again so much for you help." Yugi said.
Atemu shrugged, "No problem kid." Atemu said before he turned and headed out of the room and back down the stairs, no doubt returning to his post outside the lodge. Yugi opened up his bag that contained his laptop and set it up on the table, quickly logging into the free wifi using the password information Mai had mentioned to him.
Now, what do I want to do a documentary on? Yugi mused as he pulled up the list of animal species native to Yellowstone, he paused briefly when he came across the section on Gray wolves.
Gray Wolves: Once a feared predator in Yellowstone, gray wolves were eliminated from the area by the 1970s. From 1995 to 1996 thirty one gray wolves were reintroduced to the park and their population has grown to more than 400 throughout the greater Yellowstone region. Yugi read.
Talk about quite the come back story. That would make an amazing topic for his documentary taking a look at Gray wolves more than 20 years after they had been reintroduced to the park. Once Yugi had decided on what he wanted to film he powered off his laptop before digging out his pajamas. Today had been another very long day and he needed to get a good nights rest before he met up with Ranger Iiniiwa in the morning.
Yugi climbed into bed, pulling out his phone to quickly send Ryou and Grandpa a text message letting them both know that he had safely arrived in Yellowstone before eh turned out the light and closed his eyes. He could not wait until tomorrow.