Ranko: You know, I was half-tempted to hide for this opening, considering all the death threats I got for killing off Yami…then I realized that it is the last chapter! I'm going to cry!
Yuugi: No! Ranko don't cry.
Yami: Let her cry, she killed me!
Yuugi: You'll get over it.
Ranko: It's just, this has been such an amazing experience writing this story and the whole trilogy and I am so glad that I could share it with all of these wonderful people who have supported throughout this whole ordeal, for God knows what reason.
Yami: Since it is the last chapter, are you going to answer all the reviews?
Yuugi: …
Ranko: As much as I LOVE all of you, I'm afraid not. You want to know why? Because I counted and I got nearly 30 reviews just for chapter 15 alone. I appreciate that number and I am ecstatic that you guys love me (or hate me) that much but I think I would die if I answered all those reviews. So, I love you all and I appreciate all the love and support I get, but not everyone's review will be answered!
CandyFiend: You really enjoyed reading it? Well that's good because I really enjoyed writing it. Thank you for sticking with this story for this long, you're awesome!
hikari no senshi17: (backs away from gun) I cannot give any spoilers away! You will just have to scroll down and read it! It will probably answer all of your questions and I hope that you are satisfied with the answers. But I have to answer one question, there will be no Marik and Malik togetherness. I think I'm done with the death though, my heart can't take much more of it.
Cascade00: You don't have to apologize, deary! It is perfectly okay! I am used to the abnormal and the strange (not to say what you said last review was strange). Ask any questions you want, don't be embarrassed ;)
Guest: No, you did not miss any details. I mean, Suguroku met Yami when he was a kid (read What's in a Name? for more details). Did you just quote I Love Lucy at me? Or was that Mr. Sheffield from The Nanny?
raindropdew: Stop it! You're going to make me start crying again! :'(
Cheshirecat23The: I know, it's sad. I'm sad too :( What am I gonna do when this story is over? …Oh, I know! But I can't tell you yet, you're going to have to wait until the end of the chapter for a special announcement ;) I still love you too and thank you so much for all the support you have given me throughout this whole series.
TheWingedSunDragonofRal13402: I'm not offended, you will be surprise how many death threats I got from what I did last chapter. I think that this chapter will be better though, but that is just my opinion.
Kirya-chan: I'm glad that you followed this story all the way through too. It makes me so happy that you have supported me with this craziness and everything, I am being sincere. Thank you so much for the amazing comment, it is so good to hear from a reader exactly what I want to hear when it comes to the development of this story.
KuroNekoFangirl: Because I evil ;)
IlluminatedWord: Yes, I am very pleased with myself. By the way, I didn't say it would end differently, I said that it wouldn't be the same as The Forbidden Game series. There's a difference! Miyazaki films always cure a broken heart.
lilpopspash: But you see, you reviewed anyway ;) He-he…he? …I'll go lock my doors now.
Ren Hakuryuu: Manga is more important than anything else. Anyway, you may call him Yami since that is what he has been called throughout the entire series. Well, the line to kill me forms to the left.
Great: No one wrote Yami's name. It was a metaphor. "An invisible hand…" no one. It just appeared on the candle whenever Yami learned his real name. Yuugi's dad is dead, just like his mom. They are not coming back.
AmerillaRose: It's all good, nothing new to me. I'm sorry that you felt there wasn't enough build-up, I kind of felt that way too but I was so high off of all the feels that I kind of just pushed that to the back of my mind. No spoilers! Yes, even on the last chapter.
SincereJoyy: Welcome back, just in time too. Anyway, yes, that my goal all along. To take all your feels, mash them into a ball and then kick it around in the dirt. You caught me; I'm a horrible person. Sarcasm ;) Thank you so much for supporting me throughout this crazy journey, you are freaking awesome! Not sarcasm :)
SincerelyChristina: You have always been able to see one step ahead of me and then make me feel all special by complementing me and telling me that I am amazing. You are amazing for following me throughout this. How the hell did you do it? But in all seriousness, you are such a huge supporter and every time I get a review from you, I cry tears of joy inside. I hope that you will continue to support me through other stories that I do.
Ranko: Well, I guess that's it…the last time I'll be answering reviews ever for this story or trilogy. And I think that I am about to cry…Group hug! Because I'm sentimental like that.
Yuugi: Aw!
Yami: Alright, fine.
Ranko: I still can't believe this thing is ending. What am I going to do with myself? Well, one door closes and another opens. Stick around until the last author's note for a special announcement!
Yuugi: And now…
Ranko: Enjoy.
-/-
"Yuugi?" Suguroku called, entering the apartment. He was surprised to see that all of the couches and chairs were pushed to the center of the living room and that there were sleeping bags, pillows and blankets scattered throughout the room on the floor. He raised a quizzical eyebrow at the scene and then shrugged. "Yuugi, are you home?"
"In my room, grandpa," a weak voice called back.
Suguroku set his bags on the floor and went down the hall to Yuugi's room. He saw that there were pictures knocked down from the walls as if someone had been searching blindly in the dark for something. Suguroku saw that Yuugi's door was open; he stood in the doorframe. The room was dark, the only light coming from the open skylight.
Yuugi was sitting on his bed, playing with something that looked to be a gold ring.
Suguroku smiled and sat down next to his grandson. "Hey Yuugi, where's Mai?" he asked.
Yuugi shrugged. "I don't know. She separated from us at Hokkaido, said she had some place to be. She said 'I love you' to me and told me to tell you, 'Thank you.'"
Suguroku smiled sadly; so it was finally time.
"Grandpa," Yuugi said firmly. That is what shocked Suguroku the most. Yuugi's voice was not timid or shy. His voice was strong and confident, his shoulders were square and his eyes did not have the same innocence shining in them. Suguroku heard from Mai that they had played The Shadow Game but anything after that he didn't know about. He wondered what could have made this change in Yuugi.
"What is it, my boy?"
"Why didn't you ever tell me who my parents were and what they did?" he asked.
Suguroku sighed; he knew this question coming. "Yuugi, I did that so I could protect you. I thought if you never knew than you would never be a part of that world and be in danger; your parents wanted you to be safe."
Yuugi bit his lower lip; Suguroku noticed that the boy's bottom lip were chapped, as if he had been biting his lip a lot. "It still followed me," Yuugi said, his eyes watering. "It came in the form of an innocent game, or a sparkling ruby…"
Suguroku sighed and patted the boy on the back. "I know, Yuugi, and I apologize. It was unfair to do that to you, but I honestly thought it was for the best."
Yuugi sighed as well and nodded. "I know."
"So…" Suguroku said, "How was it while I was gone? You didn't get into too much trouble did you?"
Yuugi pursed his lips and smiled softly. "Besides what you already know, nothing really. I hung out with some friends and had a good time."
Suguroku knew by the look in Yuugi's eyes that the boy was lying to him. Suguroku thought of the little Shadow Man—Yami—how he had given the boy a name and befriended him. He remembered the look on the little boy's face when he saw him on his dig in Egypt. He looked at peace. Suguroku sighed tiredly; he supposed that he and the boy would share their own secrets for sake of the other.
Mai walked along the sandy beach, watching as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. She knew what would happen when this new day began. She would die. She knew this and she already mentally and emotionally prepared for it. She knew this was coming for a long time.
She had told Yuugi she loved him and told him to give a message to grandpa. She had said her final goodbyes to the only family she had left. That is all that mattered and she was happy that she could leave this world knowing that Yuugi would be safe and free from any danger.
She watched and waited as the sun crept up over the sea and lit up the morning with a strange pale glow. Any moment now, she would disappear into oblivion. The sun rose higher and further away from the sea. Any moment now…
She felt a bubbling feeling in her chest but she refused to let her hopes up. She lifted her shirt and saw that the tattoo on her side was slowly burning away; it reminded her of delicate parchment paper crumbling and burning in a fire. She put a hand to her mouth as she felt her eyes begin to water with tears.
How could this be?
She gasped whenever her Shadow Hunter tattoo reappeared on her side. The tattoo she was born with; the tattoo that she has not seen for so long.
She let out a loud cry of joy; she jumped up in the air and kicked up sand. She laughed hysterically, falling on her back and rolling around in the sand; she felt the texture and smelt the fresh sea water. She jumped to her feet and ran to the sea, still laughing childishly. She splashed around in the salt water, kicking and splashing. She let out a shrieking laugh and fell back, submerging herself in the water.
She broke the surface, smiling brightly. She pushed her golden blonde bangs out of her face and breathed in a gulp of fresh, clean, beautiful air.
"When I am gone, all the pain I have caused everyone will go away."
Mai looked up at the morning sky, smiling contentedly. She always heard people say that one never really truly appreciates something until it is gone. When Yami left, Mai had a lot to think about. When he dissipated into the air, it felt like he was taking a part of her with him.
They did not always get along; however, she must also admit that he became a big part of her life. Seeing that part of her life that has always been there just leave right in front of her eyes made her heart ache.
She and Yami had the same goals, as well. They both wanted to keep Yuugi safe, albeit, they wanted to keep Yuugi safe from the other but that was beside the point.
She floated on her back in the sea and looked up at the sky. Everything felt like it was at peace now. It felt like the universe was back in balance. Everything was right with the world and she could tell there was going to be a happy ending.
"Thank you, Yami."
Yuugi stood uncomfortably amidst the happy families guiding their squealing children and the sound of joyous laughter coming from fast-paced rides. Yuugi's grandfather had suggested that he take Yuugi and all of his friends to Wonderland Park.
Honestly, Yuugi was surprised they even agree after what happened to them only a week ago.
The pain was still fresh in Yuugi's heart. He could still remember holding Yami's hand as he died. He wished that he could have spent more time with him; he had wasted so much time fighting him when really that was the exact opposite of what Yuugi should have been doing.
Yuugi sighed; he knew he should have gone with his friends on the roller coaster. It wasn't the best thing for him to be alone with his thoughts during this time in his life.
He decided to think of happier thoughts. Everyone's lives seemed to be back in order; to Yuugi, it felt like the universe was back in balance even though his wasn't. He still hadn't seen Mai but he had gotten a letter in the mail from her the other day saying that she was doing great and she was going to start traveling the world.
Bakura was going to get a job in Domino and rent out an apartment for him and Ryou to live in. Malik was going to be living with them since he was always alone at his home. His older step brother was dead and his sister was always at the museum. He felt safer and more comfortable with other people around.
Yuugi chuckled dryly; he remembered whenever Malik was this intimidating upperclassman that always caused trouble and had this tough front up. Now that shield of down and everyone saw who was really underneath; just a little boy who was afraid and alone.
They had all changed during the Games. He didn't realize it at the time, but the three challenges that Yami put them through helped them grow. Yuugi briefly wondered if that was Yami's intention all along. He thought back and then shook his head, smiling. Nope, definitely not.
Honda became more comfortable with himself and came out to his parents. Otogi was happy that they weren't in a secret relationship anymore. Anzu was the biggest supporter of Honda when he was telling his parents. When she gets out of high school, she wants to work as a student therapist for boys and girls who are like Honda and not comfortable in their own skin.
Ryou was much stronger than he was before. He no longer completely relied on Bakura and could stand on his own two feet. The first thing he decorated their new apartment with was Akefia's paper doll from The Shadow Game. Bakura had learned to accept how Ryou felt about the passed Shadow Man but he also knew that Ryou did not have romantic feelings for the Shadow Man.
Seto had admitted his true feelings for Jounouchi. Jounouchi is still unsure of what he feels for Seto in return; he doesn't want to rush into any relationship he hasn't even considered first. Seto says that he will continue to support Jounouchi until he makes a decision. Seto told Jounouchi that the blond will move in with him; he would not take no for an answer and Jounouchi now lives in the Kaiba mansion where he has turned a guest room into his own.
Yuugi sighed; everyone's dreams were coming true but he felt like something was still missing.
He saw the gleam of a gold coin by his feet and picked it up. There was a bow stamped on to one of its sides. He felt his eyes water with tears. He began to walk across the park to the bridge. From any area of the park he could see the glow of Alice's Island on the little island in the middle of the artificial lake.
He passed by the arcade where kids were cheering as they beat each other's high scores. He peaked in and saw that all the old arcade games were gone and it was replaced by those newer, brighter arcade games.
He passed by the fun house and he saw his reflection in the mirror doors. He had definitely changed; he was not the same person who could be stalked by a couple of bullies so easily. His stance was firmer and more stable. His shoulders were squared back and his eyes had a certain wisdom to them.
He knew that he sounded conceited or selfish, but he really wished that Yami was here to compliment him on his beauty and growth like he always used to do.
He heard the programmed singing of, "Twinkle, twinkle little bat. How I wonder what you're at. Up above the world you fly, like a tea tray in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle little bat. How I wonder what you're at," as he passed by the Dormouse's Mine Ride.
Yuugi stopped by the Tunnel of Love and watched as couples boarded the swan boat, leaning into each other lovingly and sailing off into the romantically lit tunnel. He remembered the despair he and his friends felt that day whenever Yami told them all their flaws. He also remembered how brave all of his friends were when it came to conquering their own feelings.
He remembered the vulnerability in Yami's eyes and the confusion as Yuugi stood up to him and reversed his little mind game. He told Yami his true feelings; what he really thought about him. Yuugi had let all of his feelings that had built up since the beginning of the Game out. Yuugi only wished that he had just told Yami that he loved him right then and there and take him into his arms.
Maybe if he had done that then Yami would be standing by his side, still watching him and protecting him the shadows.
Yuugi felt the tears roll down his cheeks as he clutched the golden ring close to his heart.
Yami had released him from his promise, but what Yami didn't realize was that at the end, he didn't want to be released from his promise. In the end he realized he loved Yami and wanted to continue to be connected and bound to him. He didn't want to be free; he wanted to be with Yami.
Yuugi choked on a sob as he stared out past the artificial lake to the little, glowing island. He stood on the edge of the dock, there was no chain-link fence separating him from swimming to the island. Maybe there he would find Yami and then they could be together.
Yuugi felt a fresh wave of tears hit him. It wasn't fair. Why did Yami have to leave him right when he confessed his feelings for him? It is what Yami has always wanted to hear so why would he leave.
Yuugi took the gold coin in one hand and threw it as far as he could out to the lake. He heard it sploosh in the water and then create a ripple affect.
He wiped away the tears but when he did, more came than before. He began to sob but his cries were drowned out by the sounds of Wonderland Park.
He felt someone put a hand on his shoulder and he jumped in surprise; he didn't even hear anyone come up to him.
"Hey, are you okay? Why are you crying?" a man asked. Yuugi's eyes widened; that voice sounded so familiar. Only one person in the world had a baritone voice like that.
He whipped his head up and stared through bleary eyes into a pair of crimson eyes that have always been in his dreams, good or bad. Those eyes he thought he would never see again and the eyes that he could never really describe because they were so unique. No association to the color red could justify his eyes.
Yuugi gaped and wiped his tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand.
Yuugi saw a spark of recognition light up in the back of this man's eyes for a moment—like a flickering flame—and then it was gone. He finally shook himself out of it. "I am sorry, it is rude to stare but I can't shake the feeling that I've met you somewhere before." The man furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "My name is Atemu Ishigami, by the way."
Yuugi tried to hide a gasp as he felt another sting of tears hit the back of his eyes. This was him; this was his Yami. He was not dressed in steampunk fashion as Yuugi normally saw him but this was his Yami. He may not remember him but Yuugi would change that.
Yuugi saw the fading remnants of what looked like a tattoo of a thorn bracelet on his wrist. Yuugi felt pure happiness over whelm him. He took Atemu's hand and shook it, squeezing it tightly; he wouldn't let him go again. They had lost each other thousands of years ago and then Yami found him again. Then Yuugi lost his love again right when he realized his feelings, right when he thought there was going to be a happily ever after. But now they have found their way back to each other again.
"No, I don't think we have met before. My name is Yuugi Motou."
Atemu smiled. "Oh, your name means 'Game' in Japanese, right?"
Yuugi smiled back. "Do you like games?"
Atemu nodded. "Yes, I love games."
Yuugi felt a surge of confidence that this was Yami standing in front of him and it nearly made him cry again. "We should play a game sometime," Yuugi suggested.
"Sounds great, how about tomorrow?" Atemu asked as he began to scribble down his cell phone number for Yuugi to call him.
"Sure, how about at nine?"
There was that small flame of recognition that flickered in Atemu's eyes again
The two turned their backs on the artificial, dark lake and walked away. They walked towards the bright glow of the theme park. They walked, hand-in-hand, away from the dark and unknown danger and together walked towards the bright, warm light.
Yuugi realized why Yami has always been so attracted to the light; it was so bright and comforting. There was no danger of the unknown in the light, he felt sure and pleasant. Yuugi looked back and over his shoulder, seeing the dark, eerie lake behind him. He smiled and waved goodbye, as if it was an old friend. He was leaving behind the darkness that haunted him and stalked him, and begin a newer and brighter future. Now that he has found Yami, or Atemu, again, he would strive to be his best.
Light and darkness are separate from each other. But light cannot exist without darkness and darkness cannot exist without light. As light is to dark, they will always be a part of each other and will never separate.
-/-
Ranko: Do y'all still want to kill me? I'm pretty sure the end of this story is taking a huge chunk of my heart with it.
Yuugi: Oh…that was so beautiful.
Yami: You did good Ranko.
Ranko: Thank you, but on a serious note, I couldn't have done anything like this without you guys and I thank you for it. I love all of my reviewers, followers, and people who have favorited me. I mean it when I say that if it wasn't for your continued support, this story would not have lasted. Thank you :')
Yuugi: And now for the special announcement.
Ranko: PLEASE READ! I have an idea, something I have had since Ready or Not, with the thought, "What if The Shadow Game was a movie?" So I will be making a spinoff fic of what The Shadow Game would have been like behind the scenes if it were a movie. I hope that you will like it and I will post a notice on this story when it is out.
Yami: Ranko twin hopes that it will be out by July 27th.
Ranko: One final goodbye before I go. I seriously just want to say that it has been a blast to do this trilogy and I am so happy I have had such a wonderful group of people to share it with. Thank you all so much for always being there and I am saying that to every single one of you who are reading this. This story has made me laugh, cry, scream, and stay up late at night out of fear. But that is just the beauty of it all. So, again, thank you. Thank you for making me smile every day, thank you for giving me my confidence back.
Yuugi: Goodbye everyone, we'll hopefully see you in our other stories.
Ranko: I know this sounds cheesy but if you take anything from this story, I hope that it tells you not to be afraid of whatever is in the dark. If any of you are ever scared late at night, just imagine Yami is there and watching over you ;) To sum it all up in one phrase—the story, this whole long tangent— "All I refuse and thee I chuse." I love you all.