Ok guys! My excuse this time is that this was supposed to be the last chapter, therefore I didn't want to finish it, and also my dad turned off our internet because we're poor :D Now, I say supposed to be because it originally was, but since I've been typing it, I've come to realize that it was way too long to be just one chapter. Thus! I have decided to split it into two parts! :D This one, naturally, will be the longest. The next chapter... maybe not so much. but hey, you have, officially, one chapter left of this story!

Yugi's POV

He didn't know what he was thinking, screaming at the wall like he was. It was frustrating for him that he wasn't able to leave his own room no matter how much he wanted to.

He had tried exiting through the door, but it wouldn't budge. The window, as well, wouldn't budge either. He had tried kicking, punching, and throwing things at both, but the simple fact was that he wasn't strong enough. It was either he wasn't strong enough, or someone was trying very hard to keep him confined.

From the sudden footsteps making their way up the stairs to his room, he suddenly didn't know what to think.

What was odd from the footsteps, was that he didn't recognize them, which might have been partly why he froze in place, staring at the door. He had grown up with only his grandfather's heavy and slow footsteps with an occasional wheeze here and there. He also knew of Joey, Tristan and Tea's footsteps, hurried an light, and their endless bickering. But, these footsteps, however, were far different. They were slow, almost uncertain, but at the same time it was persistent, keeping at the same steady speed as the person went step by step, climbing all the way to the very top.

Yugi still didn't move, not even when he saw the door handle begin to turn with that slow steadiness he recognized in the footsteps. It was creepy, yet Yugi did nothing to move. Or rather, he couldn't.

He saw the door creak open, and he found himself clutching the Millennium Puzzle, which he had held ever since he went to bed, whispering to it, hoping beyond hope that Yami had been there, listening to him.

The door opened wider, and a figure stepped in, and quickly shut the door behind him. He didn't recognize the person like he thought he might, and he was very confused by who this person was, and what this person wanted.

"You're the one who kept me locked up in here, aren't you?" He guessed randomly. He didn't know, but it didn't hurt to guess.

"...Yes..."

"Why?" he asked.

The man smirked, and for the first time, Yugi was able to analyze the figure's features.

He was dressed in black, shoes and all, and was wearing a cloak of sorts. His head and facial features were mostly covered by the hood attached to the cloak, but any sudden change in his expression would definitely be noticeable.

"To teach you a lesson."

Yugi raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

The man glided into the room further, and proceeded to sit on Yugi's bed.

"I gather that you realize this isn't reality," the man announced.

"I... had my doubts..." Yugi said carefully.

"Have you thought about it? How to leave, I mean? It's really quite simple." The man said.

Yugi raised his brow, "Not especially, no... other than banging on the walls and doors..."

the man chuckled, "I gave you plenty of time to figure it out..."

"Would you tell me if I asked?"

"When I'm done speaking with you, yes; but, first things first, the lesson I was trying to teach you..."

"And what was this lesson?"

"Commandment," the man said simply.

"Commandment?!" Yugi said, What kind of lesson is that!?

"The exact lesson you need to learn."

Yugi fell silent, Did... did he just read my mind?

"In this reality, Yugi, it is possible."

"How?"

"I command it so."

Silence, not even thoughts entered his mind. He was literally pulling a blank.

"You try. You inherited the power, and you need to learn how to use it."

"...Inherited?"

The man growled in frustration, which didn't seem as intimidating as Yugi would have first thought; "Just try it."

"How." Yugi said.

"Command it!" he growled, "Command respect. Command yourself to be able to do something. Command anything you desire. You have the ability to do anything you ever want to through commandment."

Yugi thought for a moment. He didn't know exactly who this person was, and at first he was uncertain at what to think of this man. Though cloaked and masked, there was a soothing touch to his voice.

Should he try it? certainly that's what the man was waiting for him to do... right?

He took a deep breath, "Ok... so... Ok..."

The man waited patiently as Yugi thought of what to command. Though, to whom or what was the real question. He rubbed his thumbs over the shiny object in his hands, trying to draw comfort from it.

"Alright," Yugi took a breath, looking at the man. Suddenly feeling more confident in his words than he should, he said, "I command to know who you are!" Shouting it unnecessarily.

Before he could comprehend what was happening, white flashed over his vision. He felt himself falling, but he instead found himself floating down to the ground. He was momentarily confused when he found himself outside his grandfather's game shop. It was new, sparkling almost. The only thing that was missing was the sign that said 'Game Shop.'

Curious, Yugi walked up to the front, and entered. Immediately when he entered, he heard crying.

He noticed the lack of the bell noise, but that seemed pretty minor, because in that moment his grandfather walked in. He looked younger, but a lot more tired. He rubbed his temple, "Why is he awake again?" he grumbled.

As his grandfather made his way down the hallway, Yugi shrinked back, but to his relief, he wasn't seen.

It suddenly hit him that this may be a flashback or something, so he wouldn't be seen...right?

Gaining a little confidence, he followed his grandfather around the corner. Even though the outlay of the house was very different from what he remembered, he knew the general areas.

"Ah, Yugi..." his grandfather murmured, his voice gentle despite his annoyance at being awoken in the late hours of the night.

His grandfather leaned over a crib, and cradled a bundle of blankets, which he immediately recognized as the blankets he had never been able to part with growing up.

It was him, the bundle inside the blankets, It was him as a child.

"Father, you didn't have to get up..." a new voice sounded.

Yugi's grandfather shuffled around, looking at the entrance to the room they had entered around the corner.

"Ah, my son," His grandfather addressed the man; "Don't worry, I figured you guys needed rest."

A smile crept on the man's face, "Thank you for the thought, father, but... I would like some time with my son..."

Grandpa nodded, "I had a feeling..." He handed over the small bundle, and patted him on the back. "I'll be going to bed now, I guess." He murmured as he left.

Yugi stared at the man, now alone, holding him as a baby. His father. This man, kind and soft-hearted, was the very man that left him.

Yugi stood, eyes beginning to water, and looked at the man who had abandoned him as a child.

"Hey..." His father whispered softly. Yugi saw that his baby self quieted instantly through the fits he'd been having.

Seeing his father bouncing him, cradling him, moved him to tears. If his father truly loved him, why did he leave?

"I command-!"

"I'm so sorry..." His father interrupted.

Yugi stopped then, and continued to watch his father.

"I'm sorry..." His father repeated to the infant. "Buddy, it looks like I don't have a lot of time left..." The man began to tear up, but before the flashback could continue on, Yugi felt himself being jerked backwards by... something.

He was pulled into the darkness in less time than it could take for one to blink. Not too much later, he found himself standing in the same spot he'd been before the flashback: facing the mystery man. The mystery man that he now came to recognize in a short time, as his father.

"You weren't meant to hear that," his father said, voice on edge.

"You saw?" Yugi said, surprised.

"No, but I commanded to know what you were seeing. Your eyes were so... blank. It..."

"Scared you," Yugi finished.

"Y-yeah." His father said hesitantly. He removed the hood from his face and took off his black cloak, laying them on Yugi's bedside.

"What did you mean?" Yugi asked as he analyzed his father. He looked the same as in the flashback: bold and fiery violet eyes, the same tri-colored hair, well built...

"That... I don't really want to tell you." His father stated blatantly.

Yugi sighed, then, 'guess it's worth a shot at least...'

"I command to know why you said that." he pushed.

"I was dying, and when I left for work I got stuck in another dimension that stopped time." He blurted. He immediately covered his mouth, and his eyes narrowed with agitation. "You've got it down, it seems. You're quick to catch on," he added.

Yugi's breath quickened slightly, and he began running through scenarios that would explain what his father revealed to him.

"Listen, Yugi," his father began. He walked over to his bed, and patted the space next to him. Yugi walked over and sat down. It felt so surreal, finally meeting his father.

"Yugi, I had a type of disease... It was going to kill me." His father murmured, rubbing the back of Yugi's neck, "But then I got stuck here."

Yugi looked up at his father, "The command thing," he began, "Couldn't you-"

"No. Time here is stopped. If I were to wish myself out time would begin again, and I would surely die..."

"What about us!" Yugi shouted, thinking of his mother and grandfather, "What about me. Couldn't you command-"

"I could," he interrupted again, "But that would mean trapping you here too. That would mean interfering with your life... You would dwell..."

"And what about now?"

"...Yugi, you were in trouble. I had to interfere."

"What do you mean 'in trouble'? I've been in more dangerous situations..."

His father grunted, "No... I don't think so. I'd rather you do it with my help. It's risky, meeting him."

"who's him?"

"I don't know his name, but he's fierce. I myself have not met this man, but I know he's extremely dangerous. That was why he was trapped in the mirror."

"Trapped? You mean, he was put in there?"

His father nodded, "And I've been in contact with the Queen and that little girl... they have more to do with your future than you think; I've asked them to keep a look out, and if anything were to happen, to save you."

Yugi was slammed with sudden realization of what had happened last. He had almost forgotten.

"Kali! she screamed and I passed out..."

"Yes, because the spirit was in the process of trying to free itself by feeding off your energy. You have to learn to control that as well... but for now, I need you to concentrate on what would be most helpful in the moment: your command."

"Ok, but..."

"Yugi, I stepped in when you fell unconscious because Kali had to concentrate fully on keeping the spirit locked in the mirror."

"...Oh..."

"Yes, but besides that Yugi, part of the reason you're here, other than saving you, is to help you. Like I said, the lesson was simple. You were to get out of the room and reach me. That was your goal; you tried, but you didn't try hard enough."

"How could I have known that was what I was supposed to do?" Yugi asked.

"You should have realized by now, or at least began to sense something different... you should have tried to connect the pieces. I gave you more than enough time to at least try something."

Yugi thought for a moment. He had actually thought he was home, so he didn't really begin to worry until he got up and tried to leave his room.

"Yugi, my son, I know it is difficult. A lot has happened the past few weeks, and I know that you still have a lot to figure out. But at least, trust me; let me help you with some of those things." In a smaller voice he added, "Let me, so that I can at least pay off some of the debt I owe you for abandoning you..."

Yugi fell silent. His father didn't look like the type of person to admit things like that, but then again, everyone had their quirks.

Yugi sighed, feeling the beginnings of pity creeping up on him. He didn't want to pity his own father, but he couldn't help it.

"What do you say?" His father spoke up.

Yugi was silent a moment longer, then nodded; "Ok. But... there's a lot that you'll have to know..."

"Command that I know it all." His father suggested; "I would command it, but there are some downsides in my condition..."

"Downsides?"
"My condition... the more demanding the command, the weaker I become."

Yugi paused, albeit briefly, and then nodded in understanding; "Alright then."

"I command that-"

"You don't have to say it every time you want to use your power, you know..." his father interrupted.

Yugi had thought as much, but he didn't want to take the chance and look stupid in front of his father. "Know my life since the day you left. Walk through it quickly." Yugi commanded. He still had to get used to saying things like that, it was quite odd. He was never assertive in his youth.

His father's breath quickened, and his eyes grew wider with every second that passed. It seemed like it was overwhelming him. As soon as it started, however, it quickly stopped. The light in his father's eyes returned, and his gaze swept over him.

"Oh Yugi..." he murmured, and embraced him whole-heartedly.

Yugi instantly felt safe; he had never felt the embrace of his father, only his mother and grandfather. He couldn't ever hug Yami because he was a spirit, but his words were enough.

This was completely different. The strength that surrounded him warmed his heart, and made it swell. He had missed this. He'd seen himself get cradled as a child, but he was never embraced, not like this. It made him happy, though, that his father understood. He'd grown up with his grandfather's advice, never a father's.

Yugi wrapped his arms around his neck, and held on tight. He closed his eyes and breathed in his father's scent. It was still the same, he realized, from when he would get into his mother's room and find his father's clothes still tucked in the drawers. The pictures, too, still hung on his mother's wall, as if a reminder about the pain. But that didn't matter anymore. His father was right here, talking with him, hugging him, teaching him... loving him like a father should.

As much as he wanted the hug to last forever, his father pulled away. His eyes had watered, that much was clear, but even still, he wiped them away without a second thought and returned to his 'serious' face.

"I'm sorry... that you had to go through all of that..." He said; "I'm glad Yami was there for you, though, when I wasn't. And grandfather, and your mother..."

Yugi looked down at the Millennium Item, thumbing over the eye of the puzzle when Yami's name was mentioned.

His father placed his hand over Yugi's, "We'll get him back, don't worry. He isn't gone."

Yugi looked up, eyes sparkling with hope. Somehow, his father's words of reassurance made him have no doubt that Yami was still alive... somewhere at least.

His father stood up, "Let's go, Yugi. I can stand at least a few days longer in real time. Maybe a week, tops; It isn't be that long, but I should be able to help you in that amount of time."

Yugi nodded, "Father, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Why can't I command that Yami come back to me?"

"You figured that part out, didn't you," his father said, a hint of sadness in his voice, "You're a fast learner. The only thing you can't mess with, where your power is concerned, is that of the different worlds. The Living World, and the World of the Dead are only two worlds. There are more, but I cannot tell you which ones. While your power works for realities and present, you cannot mess with the worlds. That would throw the balance off and all the worlds would crumble and we would become absolutely nothing at all." Violet eyes hardened as he spoke, "The only way we could achieve this is through something we call a 'trade'. In order to keep the balance you need a medium that can look into more than one world and do a type of exchange so that you can benefit without setting the worlds off balance."

"So, basically it's like a soul for a soul exchange." Yugi surmised.

"Almost," his father said, "You were close, but the medium exchanges something that has the same value as what you want. For example, you can't just exchange a regular old bum off the street for an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh who's importance to history is astounding."

Yugi nodded slowly, "What about the balance for good and evil? could that be used?"

"In what such way?" his father asked, intrigued by his son's wide perspective.

"Like, If I were to trade someone who was evil, for someone who was good?"

His father thought for a moment, "I'm not entirely sure... but that's definitely a good idea..."

Yugi's heart fluttered at the prospect of his plan falling into place; he became more hopeful by the minute.

"Father..." he said, suddenly having something dawn on him.

"Yes?"

"Couldn't you command your illness to go away?" He asked.

There was another bout of silence that seemed to stretch on forever.

"That's another limitation, Yugi," He said, "This power of commandment... you can't command yourself to do anything. You can't command yourself to forget, to change, to be better... it's just what it is."

"And what about me? Can I command it away?" He asked.

Again, another stretch of silence. "Yugi, I don't think we should really be talking about this right now. We have to figure out what to do for Yami, correct?"

Yugi noticed the sharp edge to his voice, though unintentional, he could tell it was a subject that his father didn't want to discuss.

"You're right, sorry."

"Don't apologize," his father said, "We both got side-tracked, that is all."

Yugi nodded, "So... how do we do it?"

"Well," His father said, leaning his head back on Yugi's bedroom wall. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "First things first. This spirit is called Hakuja no Myojin*, He's a fierce white serpent, god-like creature. Believe me, he's one of the nastiest out there. He makes deals with anyone; an exchange for an exchange. This is one of the reasons why he's the guardian, because of this trait."

Yugi nodded slowly, "But he's also pretty dangerous, too, right?"

"Yes. If you let your guard down for even a second, don't even think that he won't take advantage of that. If you aren't careful, he could very well devour you whole."

A small bolt of fear shot through him. Well, I guess it's a good thing he caught me when he did... If I didn't know any better, I would have easily let my guard down if I got to know him well enough... and that would have been the end of me for sure.

"I assume you had a plan before walking into all of this." His father guessed.

Yugi nodded, "If it was a 'soul for a soul' exchange, I have 3 to take care of..."

"Yes, Oni- the one that was pulled out of you, Mira's other spirit, and Sora's other spirit..."

Yugi nodded again, "I was hoping that I could exchange 1 or all of them for Yami..."

His father pondered this for a moment, "That's not a bad plan. But do you have a back up just in case?"

Yugi blinked, "Well, I guess I have the power of Commandment... but I'd like to know more about what I can do with it first."

"Understandable," his father remarked, "And the power of Commandment is limited, like I said, but where God-figures are concerned... that may be a little tricky."

"Well, It's worth a shot!" Yugi declared. He jumped off the bed, and turned to his father.

"Let's get out of here and meet-!"

"You don't want to learn more first before jumping there?" His father interrupted yet again.

"Well... yeah... but I guess what I was technically asking was 'Is there anything else important that I need to know?'"

"Ah," his father nodded, "Well... for one, you can't use your power for self-gain. You can't undo something unless someone else has the same power. You also can't command them to do it; that's another rule. You can't interfere with someone's will. You could try and command them, but they have to be at least willing to comply, otherwise it won't work." He paused and raised a finger to his chin, deep in thought. "You can't command something that would cause the various worlds to be out of balance," he added.

"What about realities? dimensions?"

"Right," his father nodded, "Those are tricky... if you want to manipulate it, you have to be really specific, detailed, and accurate."

"Anything else?" Yugi listened carefully.

His father rubbed his eyes, "To be honest with you, I don't know the extent of this Commandment power; I've never really needed to explore it. You, though, you could go far. You could test this power to it's limits..." His voice almost sounded hopeful; encouraging, almost.

Yugi laughed, "Well that's one thing to look forward too, I guess."

His father smiled, and then stood up. "Well in any case, let's get this over with." he said, "I think it's about high time we speak with Hakuja no Myojin, get Yami back, and get you two back into your own time."

Yugi nodded, "Ok... but... how do we get out of here?"

"Command, Yugi. Command we go back to the room you were in next to the mirror."

"Right," Yugi nodded, then he took a deep breath. With his father's cautious words for dimensions, he spoke with a soft but firm voice. "We aren't in this reality. We're back in the future, where Mira, Sora, Ia, and all the others are. The big, golden mirror is laying on the floor. The carpet is a light grey color, and the walls are white... the room, the bedroom, is Sora's..."

Yugi, through his words, gripped his father's hand. He honestly didn't mean to, but he was afraid of losing him again. His father responded, though, squeezing his hand reassuringly as he went into description.

Before their very eyes, the room that was Yugi's rippled, slowly the room he'd been thinking of appeared, and his eyes lit up.

Instead of coming back to the room empty, he had come back to friends.

Izumi, Oren, Ia, Mikki, Shiro, Mia, Kali...they were there. He had no doubt that Mira and Sora were still in the back room, but that didn't matter. He'd save them soon.

"Oh good! I was so worried about whether you reached him or not!" Kali exclaimed with a squeak.

Izumi smiled, arm wrapped around Oren, and nodded towards them; Oren did the same. Mikki and Shiro smiled and hugged each other. Mia smiled too, "We were all worried about you; for once Queen Izumi and King Oren were not able to tell your fate when you left the dimension." she said, voice high-pitched as always.

"Well, if it hadn't been for my father, I probably wouldn't even be here at all." Yugi said, looking next to him, and up at his face. There was a faint smile on his face; "There were some things you had to learn, Yugi, before you could face Hakuja no Myojin himself. I was the only one who could teach you how to use your power."

Yugi nodded slowly, "I guess that makes sense... you said it was an inherited trait?"

His father nodded, "Yes... on my side of the family... your mother doesn't know... but I guess I supposed she would find out eventually from grandfather..."

Mia cleared her throat, "Guys... Hakuja no Myojin... I think it's time we faced him, if you're ready Yugi..." A breath and a tremor, "It's time that Yami came back to where he belonged... and the spirits that long tormented my good friends Sora and Mira to be put back from whence they came."

There was a moment of silence. It seemed that everyone was taking their time in accepting this. Yugi was the first to speak up.

"Alright. Let's get this thing moving." He let go of his father's hand, which he had just now realized he'd still been holding, and made his way over to the mirror.

"Be safe, Yugi." Mikki said, gripping her brother's hand. "There isn't much we can do on this side of the mirror, and whoever enters will be in great danger..."

"I think I'll be ok," Yugi remarked.

"We'll be ok," his father said, walking up to stand next to him; he placed a soft but firm hand on Yugi's shoulder.

Yugi had realized even before he said it, that his father was going to come with him. He had said, after all, that he was going to help; If Mikki and the others said that there was nothing they could do to help from this side of the mirror, then there was no doubt in his mind that his father had plans to follow him. He honestly didn't mind that idea, either; to be completely honest with himself, he was scared to go by himself, and needed someones company. Normally, he would have had to brave it half on his own, but knowing that Yami was there helped. He didn't have that now, Yami was stuck somewhere else. With the company of his father, he felt safe. He would, however, do everything in his power to keep his father safe and out of harms way, if it ever came down to it.

He faced the mirror; with the last few wishes of luck from his friends, he looked down. He didn't know how this was all supposed to work. How were they supposed to even get to Hakuja no Myojin?

A reassuring hand on his shoulder reminded him. Commandment. That was how he was going to get there.

"We're not here," he murmured, "My father and I are in the mirror; we're getting ready to talk to Hakuja no Myojin. We're right in front of him."

Ripples.

Instead of another room, however, the space he and his father occupied was grey in color. Storm clouds, almost. He looked around cautiously, remembering what his father told him about keeping his guard up. His father, whom was standing next to him, was also looking around. Even though Yugi had commanded that they were in front of Hakuja no Myojin, he remembered a mentioned rule. He wasn't allowed to manipulate one's body or mind without their consent. If they were elsewhere, and wished to remain there, he couldn't take them away. He had said before that they were to be inside the mirror, but if Hakuja no Myojin wished to not reveal himself, the entrance would have to suffice.

"Hakuja no Myojin," Yugi said boldly. His father looked at him briefly, but then decided not to speak, and to look around instead.

There was no movement. There wasn't even a shadow or any type of noise to signal that he'd been heard.

"I came here because I need your help!" Yugi shouted. He was quickly losing his patience; he knew that his father would stay alert for him, so he wasn't too worried. He kept his guard up just in case, though.

"Hakuja no Myojin, I want Yami back!" he screamed. He knew that

Hakuja no Myojin had the answers he was looking for, and he sure knew that he was able to get Yami. He couldn't wait any longer; every second Yami was away from Yugi, the more likely it seemed, in his head, that he was going to lose Yami forever. He needed the old spirit beside him; he meant more to Yugi than he had first realized, it seemed...

"Calm," a deep voice instructed. Immediately Yugi felt calmness flow through his being, and he began to relax. He didn't understand why at first, but then he realized that it was Hakuja no Myojin who had told him to calm down... wait. He was here.

"Hakuja no Myojin," Yugi said again, this time with a calm and controlled voice he didn't remember ever acquiring.

"Yes," the voice said.

A dark shadow appeared then, and slowly it began to get lighter and lighter. With each second that passed, Yugi could make out more parts of Hakuja no Myojin. Soon, about ten seconds had passed, and he could make out a figure dressed all in black; he wore no hood. One of his eyes were green, and the other one was red. The hood that draped on his back should have covered his head; he was a dreadful sight. He was rather old looking, but the power emanating from just his appearance was astonishing. He could think of no other person he would be more terrified of.

Yugi took a step forward cautiously, almost uncertainly. His father placed a hand on his shoulder, as if to stop him from getting any closer.

"I have come to ask you a favor." Yugi began, once again surprising himself with the lack of a tremor in his voice.

"Oh?" The man said, his voice alarmingly deep; "What is this favor you wish of me?"

Yugi swallowed the lump that rose in his throat, "My counterpart-"

"Which." The man interrupted.

Yugi thought a moment. "The Pharaoh."

"hmm, continue."

Apparently this spirit wasn't wasting any time.

"I wish him back." He said, "I know you have the power to return him to me."

Hakuja no Myojin flicked his gaze from Yugi, to his father, and back again. "And let me guess the rest," he said; "You wish him back, and if I require it so, you have souls to give up... or rather, spirits. And this 'other you'... yes, he has become quite a nuisance to you, hasn't he? You wish me to lock him up as well. Or put him to use-"

"That's enough," Yugi's father said, rather forcefully. "I hate mind readers. All they do is boast that they know something when really, they had to cheat to find out."

Yugi glanced at his father in surprise. Sure, once Hakuja no Myojin started rambling on, Yugi could fathom a guess that Hakuja no Myojin had that type of power... but to say something like that, the way his father just did... that was a risk. A risk he didn't think his father would take.

Hakuja no Myojin sighed, "That's understandable. If I were you, I'd hate people like that too." He advanced towards them both, "Now, though, focusing on other matters..." He turned towards Yugi, "Do you trust me?" He asked.

Yugi blinked, "...Trust you?"

He laughed, "If I am to fulfill your wish, you must trust me, and I must trust you."

Yugi blinked, then flipped his gaze to his father, nervously. Just the look in his father's eyes told him to not trust him. But he couldn't help it. Something told him that it was ok to trust him.

"Alright-"

"Yugi." His father interrupted, "No."

Yugi shook his head, but stepped towards Hakuja no Myojin. "I have to do this."

"No, you don't." His father urged, "There must be another way-"

"But we don't know that way, do we?" Yugi asked.

His father looked away, "...No... but we can find it toge-"

"No. We're here, and I'm not going to back down. As far as I know, this is the only way, and if I were to back out now only to go back in later... it would have been a waste of time. Time that we don't have. Yami is in danger as we speak, and who knows what would happen in the small span of uncertainty? Yami could be hanging in the balance now."

"How very true that is," Hakuja no Myojin said slyly.

Yugi's gaze flashed towards the man. "You do know then, where he is? How to get him back?"

He sighed, an old sounding sigh- one that seemed so unlike him to give in this important moment. In a quick, graceful flick of his hand, his hood was flung back, and his facial features suddenly appeared. His face was pale, slender looking. He had long, white hair that cascaded down his back, and piercing, snake-like green eyes. His appearance was stunningly handsome, though the intimidation shown more clearly.

He sat on the ground, his black cloak still seeming to cover him up. The more Yugi looked at him, the more he felt like he was talking to a floating head, rather than a Serpent God.

"I am old," he began, "I know much, as I have been on this earth for a long, long time. I look younger than I am, though, that is probably due to my will and void that I am surrounded by. Much like the void your father was trapped in, actually."

Yugi and his father exchanged glances. Hakuja no Myojin's demeanor had changed- that much they both sensed right away. He no longer felt provocative and aggressive- it was more like he was calm and relaxed. Still though, Yugi could feel his father's suspicion. As much as Yugi felt he should be suspicious of this God, he knew he couldn't. It didn't feel right. Maybe he should go with his gut feeling- the one that said that this God was not going to hurt them or manipulate them.

"Your friend," the Serpent God went on, "He is in trouble, yes. I would be lying if I said that I could not get him back."

"Then can't you?" Yugi pleaded, "He's in trouble, and-"

"And what?" Hakuja no Myojin said, "That's the bare fact. Yes, he's in trouble. Yes, I can do something about it, so what, pray tell, would you add?"

Yugi looked at his feet. The black of his shoes blending in with the darkness that surrounded them, and the silver easily stood out as round dots from his stance. "I would only add that he's very important to me... and that if I can't get him back I don't know what I'd do..." he said. This was the honest truth. He honestly didn't know what else he would do if he could never get Yami back. As of now, he was needed now more than ever. Yugi still wasn't that brave on his own- he often times sought out Yami for help. He pitied Yami, if anything, for having been stuck with him. He was pitiful, really. He had nothing going for him. He had no friends until the spirit came... and wasn't it because of the powers of the Millennium Item that allowed him to have friends such as Joey, Tristan, and Tea? it was his wish, and it was granted. It didn't matter though, because without Yami he was still nothing. He wasn't good at anything without Yami. Yami made him important. Yami made him feel special. If anything, Yugi felt he owed Yami so much more than what he had been giving him. In small ways, Yugi tried his best every day to make it up to him, for all the trouble he was put through, while Yugi continued struggle.

"Now, I appreciate your thoughts on Yami and why he's so important to you, but even still, you are your own person, are you not? Yami can help you with certain things, sure, but isn't it you who ultimately does it? I believe Yami just helps you find it within yourself to do it. He brings out your inner strength with encouragement." The Serpent God interrupted.

Yugi gaped at him; he should have expected that he could mind-read. After all, he is a God, and they are in his realm...

Hakuja no Myojin chuckled, "Well... almost. While I can do that, I think you'll find that sometimes it isn't really necessary. Sometimes... people just think aloud."

Yugi blinked rapidly, and felt his cheeks heat up. He didn't mean for anyone to hear that... especially his father. How disappointed he must be, because of that.

"Yugi," The god went on, "Come a little closer, would you?"

Yugi hesitated for a moment. There was no hint of any evil in his voice- merely softness and care... but he was a god. Gods could easily deceive. He looked sideways, at his father. He hadn't said a word since the Serpent God sat down; He remained ridged and stone-eyed. He didn't look at Yugi; his eyes were solely trained on Hakuja no Myojin.

Hakuja no Myojin beckoned to him, with a finger. Yugi felt himself take a step closer to the god; it was unintentional, but at the same time, Yugi didn't stop himself. He felt it was right, he felt that he could breathe a little easier with every step he took towards him.

A hand flew to his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "Don't do it, Yugi." His father whispered hoarsely. "Don't do it."

"Yugi," Hakuja no Myojin began, "I think it would be in your best interest to stand over here for now..."

Yugi's father shook his head, "I won't let you take him away. Not him."

As the exchange between God and Father ensued, Yugi felt himself become confused. His mind felt suddenly dizzy with numbness. He felt that he couldn't pick up his feet if he tried. He looked away from both figures, and into the darkness that surrounded him. He needed to zone out. He needed to think. He felt he couldn't do that if he remained standing here. His mind was fogging over, and the only thought he could really think was escape. He needed to get out of here, but he didn't know how.

"Come, Yugi, we are leaving." His father said, abruptly.

Yugi raised a brow in confusion. He hadn't registered what he said; all he heard echoing in his small mind was to try to find a way to clear his head. To step out into chilling air and feel the breeze enter his body and rejuvenate his spirit. His lungs felt dirty. He needed to expel that dirt.

He closed his eyes, ready for a collapse, but he felt a body against his. He had his eyes closed. He didn't know who it was- he could only assume it was his father rescuing him from this dank place. He gladly let whomever it was that was against him, pick him up and carry him away.

So~ How was the first part? Good? Bad? comment! :D Don't worry, the other puzzling pieces will come into play for the next part! Also, I would very much appreciate your thoughts on a sequel chapter. It'll be just one chapter... but I already have a few ideas running through my mind, and I wouldn't mind your input on if I should do it or not... but I guess that really depends on part two, doesn't it? XD And you never know, it may give me another Idea for a story :3

anyway, Thank you all for reading! I really appreciate your patience as this fic was being made, and I am amazed by how far we've come.

PART TWO WILL BE OUT IN ABOUT A WEEK OR SO! :D