The next morning, the doorbell rang before Yugi left for school on the next day. He assumed the visitor was for his grandfather so continued eating breakfast while he answered the door.

"Yugi, it's for you!" Solomon called. "He says he's your senpai."

He rose and headed to the front door, passing his grandfather in the hall, who gave him a smile saying "good luck".

The person who greeted him at the door was Atem Yami. The same guy who pointed a magic staff at him.

"Y-Yami-san?"

Atem nodded in respond. "Do you want to walk to school together?" he asked. "There's something I need to talk to you."

Yugi tensed up. "S-Sure," he replied after a moment, when his voice finally came back to him. After saying goodbye to his grandfather and closing the door behind him.

"Follow me," Atem ordered. He didn't even look at him as he started walking down the sidewalk, but even so Yugi got the feeling that the older boy would have noticed if he didn't obey, so he walked just a few feet behind his upperclassmen.

Until a quarter of their journey, neither of the boy talked anything. The silence between them was wearing on Yugi's nerves. "So, uh..." He was struggling to think of anything to say to him. "Um, Yami-san-"

"Call me Atem."

Yugi's steps faltered for a moment. Just like that, with no warning whatsoever, he wanted him to use his first name?

"Okay, Atem... san." He couldn't bring himself to drop the honorific. Yugi clenched his fists. "Did... you and I meet before we met...?"

Atem remained silent. For several moments Yugi thought he might be ignoring him.

"Why would you ask that?" Oh! He wasn't ignoring him after all! But why did he wait so long to answer?

Yugi's gaze wandered to the row of houses on the other side of the road. "I... had a dream the night before school started." He realized how absurd it sounded out loud but elaborated anyway.

"You were in it. You fought this giant golem-"

Atem stopped mid-step, followed by Yugi not far from him. All at once Yugi became acutely aware of the lack of people and vehicles along in the road. It was like he and Atem were transported into another world. The shadows seemed to stretch longer and darker than elsewhere in the street, giving the sidewalk an eerie atmosphere. Atem had gone almost completely still, his face hidden by the shadows. Yugi's heart hammered in his rib cage.

"Yugi Moto, do you value the life you live? Do you consider your family and friends important to you?"

"O-of course I do!" Where was he getting at with this? Was this some sort of test? "I love my family. And my friends. And I love my life the way it is."

Slowly, Atem turned around. The shadows fell away so Yugi could finally see his face, but even so he couldn't read his eyes under his golden bangs.

"Is that true?"

"Of course it is! Why would I lie?"

Atem studied Yugi's face for a moment, as though searching for some trace of a lie in his expression.

"That's good." The older boy seemed to relax, though only marginally. "In that case, don't try to change anything about yourself. You're fine just the way you are."

And with that he turned his back on him once again and stalked off, leaving a stunned Yugi alone in the sidewalk, wondering exactly what that had been about.

Meanwhile, somewhere far from Yugi's position, two teens were running for their life.

"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! I'm late!" A teen with two shade of brown hair as he ran passed the crowd of people in the street. He skidded through the alleyway for a shortcut, only to crash into some trashcan. "I couldn't believe this!"

Ignoring the awful smell and the hissing alley cat, the boy whose name is Jaden Yuki ran for his life.

"Never again I will stay up until four in the freaking morning to watch tutorial of how to make a pancake helicopter!" he said to himself as he ran faster, dodging the various businessman and vendors. "Especially in the beginning of the school year!"

But his mouth stretched into a grin. "But not to worry! As long I can make to school in ten minutes, I'll be just fine!"

On the other side of the road, a young boy rode his bike. He has black and red spiked hair that points out and upward that shaped like a shrimp, red eyes, and tanned skin. His bike was a bit wobbly, though he managed to steer it back in control.

"This is the last time I'm watching abridged series marathon in school night!" he shouted to himself as he steered his bike through the market alley. Just then he passed a fruit stand, the vendor took out a bucket of water, and threw it right in his face.

"Sorry, boy!" The vendor shouted as the boy passed through. The boy glanced back and showed his grin.

"It's okay, uncle," he shouted back. He looked to the front again, only for his eyes widened. An officer stood in the middle of the road!

The boy steered his bike to avoid crashing at the officer, sending the man to the ground but unharmed.

"Watch it, Tsukumo!" shouted the officer.

The boy whose name is Yuma Tsukumo, first year in Domino High School, only shouted without glancing back again, "I'M SORRY!"

On the way the two boys passed with each other. It was Yuma who noticed his upperclassmen first. "JADEN-SENPAI!"

Jaden turned around and saw the familiar shrimp head. "The school gate closed in five minutes!" shouted the boy again. Jaden jumped to the bike's passenger seat, and with his feet, he helped Yuma to turn his bike to the right, down the hill toward their school.

Just when a certain crab haired boy passed the gate.

"WATCH OUT!" the two boys yelled as the other boy named Yusei Fudo glanced behind him.

"What the-" The upperclassmen managed to avoid the rushing bike, only to landed on his butt.

"What the heck was that?" he asked to himself as he stood up again.

Yuma finally managed to stop his bike with the help from Jaden. The older boy immediately jumped off the bike and rushed toward Yusei.

"Oh my gods, I'm so sorry," he said. "We didn't mean to crash into you."

"It's okay." Yusei flashed him a smile. "You guys didn't actually crash into me."

Yuma after parking his bike ran toward his two upperclassmen. "Though we have to make it up with you."

Yusei shook his head. "You don't need to-"

Jaden raised his hand toward Yusei, silencing the older boy. "Nope," he said. "It's our fault. So we have to do something."

Yuma slammed his palm on to his fist. "We'll treat you at the cafeteria! That's easy enough!"

Jaden grinned. "That's a great idea!"

"Guys you don't need-"

The school bell rang.

"Shoot!" Yuma yelled. "I have to go now! Bye Jaden-senpai! And the other senpai!" He ran into the building.

"I think we should go to," said Yusei, gaining Jaden's attention again.

The younger boy smiled. He held out his hand. "I'm Jaden Yuki, by the way. And that was Yuma Tsukumo."

Yusei presented his own. "Yusei Fudo. A pleasure to know you."

Jaden grinned even wider. "Well," he turned around with a wave. "I'll see you at lunch, Yusei."

Yusei was about to say something, but Jaden already ran inside the building. Sighing to himself, Yusei also jogged toward his class.

School was uneventful until it was finally lunch, while Yuma, Jaden, and Yusei had their lunch in the cafeteria, Yugi Moto and Yue Himidori agreed to spend their time on the roof, away from many ears.

As Yugi took a bite from his hamburger, Yue asked, "Moto-senpai, have you thought about what Kuriboh said?

Kuriboh. The brown fur-ball that Yugi saved from Atem yesterday.

Yugi peered at his lunch. "I've... thought about it."

That was an understatement. Yesterday, Yue invited him to his apartment so they could discuss what transpired in depth. Soon he found himself sipping tea in Yue's living room. As Yue's father worked late hours, it had been just the two of them. Three if one included Kuriboh, though Yugi didn't know what to classify Kuriboh as.

After Kuriboh woke up, and apparently Kuriboh is able to heal itself, Yugi and the fur-ball introduced themselves and Kuriboh explained his role.

Making contracts and granting wishes.

"It's exactly what you think," Kuriboh had said cheerfully. "I can grant you whatever your heart desires. I'll use my magic to bend the universe to your pleasing. But in return, you become a magical boy and protect the world from wraiths!"

When Yugi asked what wraiths are, Yue explained that wraiths are monsters created from curses and try to kill people. The opposite of magical boys who were born from wishes and destroy wraiths before they do harm.

"Himidori-kun..." Yugi fidgeted. "Do... you think I should become a magical boy like you?"

Yue frowned. "Kuriboh mentioned you would be a powerful one if you accepted. I've known Kuriboh for a while and they've never said anything like that. Do you want to be one? Why?"

"Ah, well... It's silly but I thought about what Atem-san told me." He rubbed the back of his neck. "He said that I shouldn't try to change myself. Even though that means I have to be a completely ordinary person. Unlike you two... you and Atem-san... you're both... not ordinary. You're incredible."

Yue put down his chopsticks. "Well, what would you wish for to become a magical boy?"

"Oh. I," he glanced toward the younger boy and coughed, "haven't decided on any one wish yet."

Yue just grinned and took out a card from his pocket. The card had a picture of the faceless version of Yue in his magical boy outfit. It was also known as Magic Card, which contained their owner's magic powers. As magical boys, the card transformed into some sort of accessories, in Yue's case is his emerald pendant.

"Moto-senpai," Yue's eyes never leave his card. "I don't think you should become a magical boy unless you absolutely need to. It sounds glamorous but it's lonely." His grin turned into a sad smile. "You won't have time to retain friendships... It will impact your family life and school life... and you can't just take a break or retire." His pupils twitched and Yugi felt almost as afraid as he looked. Something that he thought doesn't suit for the sunny younger boy. "It's a lifelong commitment. Even if you regret your wish, you have to continue being a magical boy until you die." Yue rubbed his knuckles against his eyes.

Yugi bit down on his lower lip. "Himidori-kun..."

Yue shook his head and put back his card a moment later, seemingly back to his usual cheery self. "I have an idea - you can come with me on a few wraith hunts. That way, you can see what it's like and we can spend time together. It will be fun having someone with me for once. Unless," he looked down to his shoes, "you don't want to?"

"I'd lo-!" Yugi caught himself. "I mean I would be happy to. You were amazing against those familiars."

Familiars, Kuriboh had informed him at Yue''s apartment, were the wraith's minions. The paper-people from last time had been familiars. They developed into wraiths with time. Wraith also can create whimsical labyrinth called the Shadow Realm, where it and its familiars wander inside. Another difference between them was only wraiths dropped Monster Cards upon dying. Monster Cards cleansed Magic Cards and magical boys needed Monster Cards so they could replenish their magic. That meant facing off against wraiths regularly.

Yet despite all these risks, Yue made a contract with Kuriboh to become one.

Yugi hesitated. "Himidori-kun, you don't have to tell me... but what did you wish for?"

The younger boy stirred his rice with his chopsticks and didn't let his eyes stray from his lunch. "Please don't get mad but... I don't want to think about that now."

Fair enough. A part of Yugi anticipated him not disclosing something so personal. Although disappointed, he couldn't hold it against Yue. If anything he was entitled to be affronted by Yugi's question.

During the last two lessons, Yugi's attention flitted between Jaden's snoring behind him and the doodle in the corner of his notes. When their teacher dismissed the class at the end of the day, he started to gather his things.

Yugi leaned down and started to unzip his bag-

And bit back a startled squawk as he saw what was inside and hurriedly shoved the bag shut. Jaden seemed to notice his odd reaction.

What was that fur-ball doing here!?

"That was very rude, you know!" Kuriboh's squeaky voice echoed in Yugi's head.

"W-What?!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that we can communicate telepathically like this."

"But what about Atem-san?" Yugi projected his thoughts. "What if he attacks you again?"

"Don't worry. He wouldn't dare to attack me in public," Kuriboh insisted. "I can make myself invisible to most people and only exists to magical boys. Even if Atem dare to attack me, he'll be like attacking thin air."

A new voice echoed in Yugi's mind, but this time he recognized it as Yue's. "And we magical boys can also talk to each other with our minds if we want to."

"Oh..." Yugi responded, still taken back by Yue's voice. "Umm... Hi there."

He could hear Yue giggling. "Hello to you to, Moto-senpai. I'll be waiting at the school gate."

"O-okay!" He beamed. Even without being a magical boy, he could hold conversations with his friends in his mind. Not his imagination, but his actual friends.

"Dude," Jaden leaned over Yugi's shoulder who had been leaning under his desk for a weirdly long time. "Are you okay? You had a stomachache or something?"

As fast as he could manage Yugi unzipped his bag, put all his books and writing utensils avoiding Kuriboh, and zipped up the bag again before awkwardly walking out the classroom with a quick, "I'm fine. See you tomorrow!"

While Yugi could still feel odd stares on him from Jaden, he didn't realize that his class mate's brown eyes changed into a pair of golden orbs in just a few seconds.

Meanwhile, Yugi quickly ran toward the school gate where Himidori is waiting just like what he said. Then, together they hit the streets to search for wraiths.

"So how do you find a wraith?" Yugi asked.

Yue took out his Magic Card again and Yugi noticed the card was glowing in green light. "Because I've run into it before, I can use my Magic Card to track the magical residue of the wraith we saw yesterday," Yue explained. "But the longer you wait to track a wraith down the colder the trail gets until it fades completely."

"But what if Atem-san already finished that wraith off?" Yugi asked.

"He didn't," Yue assured him. "I can still feel its trail, but it's gotten pretty cold."

"In addition," Kuriboh said, adding to Yue's explanation, "we search for wraiths in places where people are likely to feel despair. Places where car accidents are common, or bridges and tall buildings where people go to commit suicide, or even hospitals and churches. The people in those locations are vulnerable and make for easy targets." The little fur-ball now had a pair of white wings and flying between Yugi and Yue.

The starfish-haired boy nodded. As soon as he did that, the light in Yue's Magic Card flared out.

"Found them!" Yue cried, breaking out into a run. "Come on! This way!"

The two of them ran as fast as they could in the direction of the wraith's trail. Hardly anyone seemed to pay the two teenagers any mind, except when they yelled at them for taking up space on the sidewalk or for bumping into them. Yue didn't bother acknowledging them, but Yugi threw some hurried apologies behind him as they continued their pursuit of the wraith.

Yugi's lungs began to burn and his legs began to ache, but Yue showed no signs of slowing down. Was it because he was a magical boy?

The wraith's trail lead them to a warehouse district. It was mostly empty, and the two students were able to creep through without alerting the homeless people lingering around.

"The Shadow Realm's this way," Yue said as he walked down the space between two storage units. "Be ready."

Yugi swallowed nervously, but nodded. Yue held out his Magic Card and forced the Shadow Realm open.

The inside of the labyrinth was almost exactly the same as Yugi remembered. The toxic green sky, the glowing wall, but now that Yugi managed to take a good look of it, the wall has paint splatters and colorful squiggly line, like a toddler had tried to draw on the wall with crayons. Not long after they had entered, the same paper-people appeared again, but this time, there were paper birds too, soaring from the sky toward them.

"Let the show begins," Yue said, though Yugi felt like he was talking to himself than to him. Yue raised his Magic Card high above his head and shouted, "MAGIC CARD, ACTIVATE!"

The younger boy exploded with color - an almost white tinged with green. The light enveloped his body, so bright Yugi needed to shield his eyes with his arm in order to watch. The almost whiteness enclosing Yue gradually popped out of existence from around his various body parts, rippling and fragmenting to reveal limbs now in magical boy attire.

"Stick close to me, okay, Moto-senpai?" Yue asked with a grin. Before giving him a chance to answer, Yue snapped his fingers and a yo-yo appeared in each of his hand. Without a second thought, he threw his yo-yo-s toward the familiars, starting his battle.

Yue fought like he was a circus performance, like he was born to be on stage. He threw his yo-yo-s toward the paper-people repeatedly. Sometimes he threw his yo-yo-s upward, strings tied around the paper-bird, as he heaved his body upward and kick the familiars below him like a trapeze-acrobat. He jumped, glided, even did a cartwheel to avoid the familiars attacks before throwing his yo-yo-s again.

Yugi wasn't given time to admire Yue as the younger boy took hold of his hand and led him through the Shadow Realms. They sprinted down the labyrinth. With each step, the end brightened until they arrived at a wooden door with an arc window and various stickers. Yue released Yugi hand and caressed the door with gentle fingers.

"When we go in, you must stay back, Moto-senpai," said Yue. Yugi nodded in respond. With that, Yue turned the rusty handle and opened the door to the center of the Shadow Realm.

After they had entered, Yugi closed the door behind him, leaning against it while Yue ventured forward. It was a circular room. A messy circular room. Colorful paint splatters from the wall until the ceiling. Giant bucket of empty paint scattered across the floor, along with used paint brushes. And in the middle of the colorful room, there was the wraith.

A giant open book floating, flapping its cover like a pair of wings, with a pop-up castle on it.

The book suddenly turned its pages repeatedly and finally stopped on a page with a giant blue demon.

"Watch out!" Kuriboh yelled from some distance away.

The pop-up demon arm moved in a speed of light. It curled its fat fingers around Yugi's body. He squirmed, feet lifting from the ground.

Yue sprinted toward the book which Yugi realized was the wraith. "Let him go!" Yue leaped into the air and tossed his yo-yo at the demon's hand.

The room bellowed. The pop-up demon splayed out its fingers, freeing Yugi. Yue darted to Yugi and caught him in his arms, bolting into an empty space. Yue set him down and sprinted toward the book once again.

The book flipped its pages again, this time it landed on a pop-up picture of a red dragon. Without any warning, the dragon shot out from the book toward Yue in fast speed. By the time Yue looked up, it already slammed its head on him, sending him crashing to the colorful wall.

"Himidori-kun!" shouted Yugi, gaining the dragon's attention. Trembling, Yugi looked at the dragon which slowly flew toward him. Once again, Yugi stuck in his place, didn't know what he can do to help his friend.

"Yugi, hurry and make a wish!" shouted Kuriboh. Yugi frightfully turned toward the Kuriboh who shouted, "You'll have the power to help Yue!"

A wish?

That's right.

Kuriboh can grant any wish. In exchange, he'll become a magical boy.

He can save Yue.

"Decide what you want!" Kuriboh shouted again. "Hurry!"

What to wish…

The dragon is coming closer.

Yugi screwed his eyes shut and took a deep breath.

"Aww, save your wish, Moto-senpai."

No words came out of Yugi's mouth. Both he and Kuriboh looked up. Though when Yugi opened his eyes, he's staring at the red dragon's opened mouth. But it seems to unable to shut it. That's when Yugi noticed there were strings that pulled back the dragon's upper mouth, nearly tore the dragon's head in half.

And those strings came from Yue's yo-yos and the owner stood up tall on the ground with a smirk on his face.

"I can't embarrassed myself in front of my senpai, can I?" the tomato haired boy said, giving his yo-yos one final pull, finally ripped that dragon in half so easy just like tearing up a paper.

The wraith seemed fluttering in panic. It flew higher, pages flipping rapidly. Until it turned around, page with a head of a golden eagle opened, aiming toward Yue. Its mouth suddenly filled with electric light, like charging for a lightning bolt attack. Though, Yue didn't look scared, compare to Yugi who was still trembling.

Yue took out his coat.

The eagle's head shot out a ball of electric light.

"Himidori-kun! Look out!" shouted Yugi in panic.

But Yue just flashed him a grin and flipped his coat like a tennis racket, sending the electric ball straight back toward the book. The eagle head let out an inhuman scream as electricity coursed between its pages.

Yue threw both yo-yos high in the sky and swung himself upward. All of a sudden a giant swing like double-headed axe appear from the sky in upside down position, so the handle is up. Yue fell from the sky and landed on the axe, holding the handle with one arm. With a grin, Yue pulled himself backward, along with the axe, then pulled the axe, shouting, "PENDULUM SWING!"

The axe swung toward the pop-up book, cutting it in half. Pages floated down toward the ground as Yue descended. The axe disappeared in confetti explosion. In its places, two yo-yos fell down from the sky and were caught in Yue's hand. With a huge smile, the smaller boy bowed down toward Yugi, after that spectacular performance.

As the papers cleared, the room seemed to melt before Yugi's eyes until the two students and a furry hairball were in the warehouse district once again. Yue's costumes disappeared in a burst of light and he was left standing in his normal clothes.

"That... That was incredible!" Yugi said, unable to curb the smile straining his cheeks. "You're amazing, Himidori-kun!"

"It was nothing." Yue's cheeks colored while scratching his un-itchy head. He then bent down and picked something up off of the ground. It was a card with a picture of the book with the pop-up castle.

"See this?" asked Yue as he showed the new card to Yugi, who answered him with a nod. "This is called a Monster Card." In his other hand, he took out his Magic Card but Yugi noticed that the picture a bit foggy, like it was trying to stay in sight. "You see how my Magic Card looks a little darker compared to how it was at the start of the fight?"

"Well, if I do this-" He brought his hands close together so that the Monster Card and Magic Card were nearly touching. Yugi watched in amazement as tiny black wisps flew out of Yue's Magic Card and into the Monster Card. "-it clears right up!"

"Whoa."

"It's pretty important," Yue added. "If you don't clean your Magic Card regularly you won't have much magic to fight with."

And all of a sudden he threw the card.

Yugi eyes widened when someone in the shadow caught the card.

"It can be used for once more," Yue said to the person with a smile. "I'll let you use it."

The person slowly walked out from the shadow. Yugi's eyes widened. He felt Kuriboh pressed itself behind his legs, like trying to hide itself.

"Atem Yami-senpai."

"Atem-san…" Yugi whispered. Why is he here? The wraith has already been taken down, what else does he want?

"Or you don't like sharing?" Despite Yue's cheerful voice, he does sounded like he was threatening the older boy.

"This is your reward," Atem said coldly. "It's up to you to use it." He threw back the card, in which Yue caught it with a frown.

"Fine." Yue pouted. "If that's your choice."

With that Atem turned around and walked away from them. Yugi didn't realized he was holding his breath until he sighed with relieve.

"He's a mysterious boy, isn't he?" commented Kuriboh as he flew between Yugi and Yue. Yugi just let out a nervous laugh while Yue crossed his arms in front of his chest while still pouting.

"I still think it's better if we can work together," he muttered more to himself, but Yugi couldn't help but to agree with his statement.

Yue stretched his arms. "But other than that, this show was a success, ladies and gentlemen!" He's back to his cheery self again. The turned toward Yugi with a mischievous smile. "Hey, Moto-senpai."

"Yes?"

"If you did make a wish back then, what would you wish for?"

Yugi paused. He never thought about that. The only thing in his mind was to protect Yue. He did his best to fight the wraith, to protect the people from wraiths. His bright smile no matter how dangerous and deadly the wraith was. It was amazing. And Yugi wants to protect that smile.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to." Yue looked up to Yue who smiled warmly at him. "As long as you're by my side, Moto-senpai, I feel like we can do anything."

The corner of Yugi's lips raised.

Even though it was hard for him to decide what to wish for, he'll always be there for Yue.

And one day, when he finally know his wish, he'll be like Yue. To protect the people that he love.

He's sure that he'll be happy.

"I think I'm starting to get an idea. I'm not sure though..."

"You'll never get anywhere by being indecisive," Kuriboh scolded. "I can't grant a wish unless you know what you wanna wish for!"

Yugi giggled. "I know. I am thinking about it. I promise, I'll let you know as soon as I have a wish."

Yue smiled at him while Kuriboh let out a 'kuri~' sound.

Though, without them knowing, when nighttime finally arrived, in a small apartment in the outer district of Domino City, a boy was busy playing online game on his computer when something on his table flickered in light blue spark.

His green eyes glanced toward the item. It was a card. But it wasn't glowing anymore.

Confused, but he shrugged it off, the boy returned to his game.

DISCLAIMER:

- Yu-Gi-Oh! owned by Kazuki Takahashi

- Puella Magi Madoka Magica owned by Shaft

- Cover picture owned by Pixiv Id 1579210

The third chapter is up! YAY!

I hope the battle doesn't look so weird. I'm not really that good in describing things.

So many things happened in this chapter: Yuma first appearance! (Don't worry. Be patient for Yusaku, okay?) Jaden and Yusei first meeting (I ship them)! Yue and Yugi's first wraith hunt! Yami and Yugi's moment (I ship them too)! And can anybody guess who is the last person?

Oh, and the scene with Jaden and Yuma running late were inspired by the scene from Dark Side of Dimension and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Abridged Series by XTHEDARKONE and SHADYVOX.

Want to know a fun fact? I was tempted to write "dodolalalala" every time Kuriboh speak. That's one annoying Kuriboh.

Also, about this chapter wraith: Originally, this wraith was supposed to be 'Change of Heart', Bakura's card, but since I want it to have some relation with the familiar in the last chapter, I changed it into a pop-up book based on 'Toon World', Pegasus' card, with the three god cards as it's minions. Though... I don't think a pop-up book is a game... maybe an entertainment for the younger age, eh?

On the last note, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

To be continue...