Ok, I'm getting WAAAAAY too many reviewers that are complimenting me on ideas that were from the manga. Guys, this story is not based off the anime show of Yugioh, NOT EVEN SEASON 0. This is based off the comic book version of Yugioh and believe me, it's waaaaay different from the anime. Someone even thought a few chapters ago that Hanaski was made up. Listen guys, the manga or comic book version of Yugioh came first. I'm sure most of you know that, but I wonder if any of you know that most of this stuff I'm not making up. Even the titles aren't made up! They were the names of the chapters in each volume. Review please!

THIS IS BASED OFF THE MANGA NOT THE ANIME! For those of you that are like "I'm not reading this person's author's note. I mean it's not like it has anything IMPORTANT" lolz Please, please! read my author's notes. I understand most of them from other stories are boring, because they take up the entire page lol. I understand that, but mine aren't like that. They inform important stuff on there or even encouragement. Now let's continue with the story:

Atem and Joey walked to the arcade where they usually played and hung out. It was nice hanging out with Joey, but Atem felt bad for not hanging around with his best friend as often. Not that Atem didn't enjoy being around Hanaski, but he was not someone he knew his whole life. Joey was Atem's childhood friend and that bond was unbreakable. Atem started questioning himself why he kept refusing to tell Joey about Yugi. Atem started feeling guilty for keeping secrets from his best and closest friend in the world.

Despite having issues with telling Joey about Yugi, Atem enjoyed spending time with his best friend. Joey enjoyed it as well. He knew that Atem hadn't spent as much time with him since Atem's friendship with Hanaski. Joey understood that, but he couldn't help, but worry about his friend. The weirdness was becoming more weirder and not only that, but Atem was starting to feel bad for not telling his friend about something. Joey could see there was more than the magic Atem was keeping, but decided not to pressure him.

The boys made it to the arcade where they decided to hang out. There were people there playing games and eating snacks. Atem decided to get his worries off his mind by playing a couple of arcade games. It usually helped him feel a lot better.

"So, which do you wanna play?" Atem asked.

"I don't know," Joey replied. A smirk appeared across his face. "Any game that is easy enough to beat Kai's record."

"Joey," Atem grimed while rolling his eyes. "You've been trying to beat him since day one."

"Yeah, but you were able to beat his record."

"Only because I'm Yu-Gi-Oh," Atem bragged as Joey blinked at the name. "King of Games. Seriously, didn't you pay attention in spelling?"

"Very funny. I'm still gonna beat Kai's record."

"Well, I wish you luck, as usual," Atem smirked as Joey replied one back. "Although, Seto's very hard to beat."

"Wait, Kai is Seto Kaiba?" Joey asked in a glaring manner.

"Duh! Kai Kaiba. You really need to start paying attention."

Atem pushed a quarter into the slot machine in one of the fighting games. He chose his character to be Bruce Lee. He was Atem's favorite kung-fu fighter. Atem had learned some Kung-fu as a young boy, but never really got far. It was enough to learn how to survive on the streets during street fights. Alot of them were very dangerous.

"Hm, how about I become your opponent?" Joey offered before the screen appeared that Atem already had an opponent.

"Looks like someone beat ya to it," Atem smirked as he started playing. He bit his tongue as he pressed buttons and moved the handle on the machine. "WINNER" appeared on the screen. "Sweet! Still hold my score!" The screen of another player challenging him appeared again. "Huh? I guess this guy really wants to kick my ass."

"In his dreams," Joey smirked as he watched his friend push another quarter in and win another game. After Atem won, the screen appeared that the same opponent wanted to play again. "Gee, this guy must really like playing you."

"Ah well. I'm having a ball. I hope this guy doesn't waste my money," Atem said as he put another quarter in the slot. He started playing as Joey let out a yawn.

"I'll get you some soda. What would you like?"

"Get me some coke."

"As you wish," Joey replied before walking to the snacking area.

Atem won another game and a huge smile appeared on his face. He noticed the same opponent he played three times didn't show up. He was relieved he didn't have to waste his quarters to play another round. Still, it was fun while it lasted. Atem got up from his chair to run to another game and see if he could beat Seto's record yet again. It was fun beating the rich guy.

There was a game Yugi wanted to play, so Atem changed into his partner and let him play that game. The game was a speed boat game. Yugi loved those type of games where you get to ride on an actual ride like you're driving the vehicle. He had the best time of his life and was laughing loudly in the process. Atem was hoping that this didn't attract Joey. Not that this was the first weirdness he saw in Atem or Yugi.

After Yugi won the game with the happiest smile on his face, Atem noticed someone coming up behind Yugi. This guy was large and seemed very unhappy. He glared at Yugi with pure hatred.

"You think you're all that just because you won another stupid game?" The guy glared, which was obviously jealousy. Yugi turned his head with confusion on his face. "Don't be so happy just because you think you can beat me at some fighting game!" With that, he punched Yugi across the face. He fell off the speed boat ride. A part of his pants tore up from a part of the fabric being stuck on the ride.

Atem gasped before showing an angry glare. He knew this guy was the opponent he was playing against in the fighting game. He was a real sore loser and wasn't taking losing right. The worst part was that Yugi was taking the beating. The punk took Yugi by the collar and punched in the face yet again. Blood was dripping from Yugi's mouth and nose. Tears were leaking from his eyes. The punk then kicked Yugi across the floor and swept out a knife with a devious smirk.

"I'll be taking that pendent right there," the sore loser smirked as he cut the rope holding the puzzle and snatched it from Atem's neck, but not before Yugi immediately changed into Atem. He took his brother's place to give them a chance to reuinite. It was a good thing too or Yugi's soul would be trapped within his brother's body forever. Atem was now more furious than ever. He pulled himself up as he heard Yugi's cry.

"ATEM! HELP MEEEEEEEE!" Yugi cried in tears as he felt his body being dragged by the puzzle. "BROOOOTHER!"

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Atem shouted in anger. "I'm not done with you yet."

"Still here to fight somemore?" The punk smirked as he saw hatred in Atem's eyes.

"Yes!" Atem snarled before gazing at the crowd who was staring at the sight. "Though, I suggest we take our fight somewhere else, so we don't start a commotion."

"Agreed."

The two boys walked out of the arcade, but not before Joey caught a glimpse of his friend walking with some guy who seemed like bad news. Joey was curious and decided to see what was going on between the two. He especially wanted to know why this punk had Atem's puzzle.

Meanwhile, Atem and the punk that beat up Yugi were face to face in an alley by the arcade. Atem 's eyes were narrowed and his opponent held a smirk. He held up two knifes before explaining his intentions.

"I was thinking of making this interesting," the punk smirked as Atem returned one. "We will fight with this knife halfway in our mouths."

"Very well, but I'll be the one to have it. You, on the other hand, won't need it," Atem said as the punk laughed mockingly.

"Very well. Just let me warn you, I'm a master in street fighting."

"Then fighting me won't be a problem, now would it?"

Atem took the knife and placed it inside his mouth. He glanced his eyes over at Yugi who was trembling in fear. Atem wasn't going to lose his brother. He was going to fight, even if it cost his life, to bring Yugi back. The punk took the first punch as Atem dodged it with one swift move. Another fist passed Atem. He wasn't sure how long he was going to dodge his fella. Atem had to save his brother no matter what.

The punk was getting annoyed at missing his target. He decided the best way to handle this guy was to not aim at the face. The punk aimed his fist toward the stomach, but not before Atem blocked the punch with two of his arms. The punk gasped, this guy knew kung-fu.

"So, you know some kung-fu huh?" the punk glared before being kicked in the gut. With that, Atem punched his opponent right across the face as his head knocked against the wall. Atem took the knife from his mouth with a victorious smirk.

"Not much," Atem replied before taking the puzzle from the punk's neck. He took his opponent by the collar and put his lips to the guy's ear. "Don't EVER mess with me again."

Atem placed the millennium puzzle around his neck, and then smirked at the knife in his hand. He decided to keep this as a trophy. Joey was seen around the corner of the alley where Atem fought against that punk.

"What the hell was that?" Joey asked.

"Some sore loser wanted to challenge me to a real fight," Atem smirked, and then glanced at his puzzle. "He's also is a thief at that."

"You were fighting with a knife inside your mouth for that stupid puzzle?" Joey asked in amazement. "I mean... I know it has power and means a lot to you, but is it worth risking your life over?"

"Believe me Joey," Atem smirked before turning to his friend. "It is. It may not seem much, but it's so valuable, it's worth risking my very soul over."

Yugi smiled at that comment, and then gave his brother a tight hug. Atem flinched and glared at his brother since Yugi was hugging in front of Joey. Joey cocked his eyebrows.

"Hey dude. You okay?" Joey asked.

"Yes, I'm... fine," Atem blushed, knowing Joey couldn't see Yugi hugging onto Atem like a life preserver. 'Yugi, get off my ass!'

Yugi released his brother with a smile on his face. Atem walked with his friend Joey back to the arcade. They played games and had a lot of fun. There was still something that was bothering Atem. Something that stuck on the back of his mind. It was Seto. Lately, ever since Mokuba mentioned about a theme park with a tournament called Death-T, Seto had been more intense during his games. This should be normal for Seto... shouldn't it?

"I don't think so," Yugi said. He sighed and stared at the ground. "I think Seto might be having battles with himself."

'I believe that too,' Atem agreed. He was sitting on a table with his fingers tapped on it. 'I knew that we were starting to show some friendship, but I didn't think he'd take it that serious. Does he really believe he shouldn't have any friends?'

"Perhaps. It would explain why he's creating this Death-T thing. It might be a way to make you both enemies instead of friends."

'I'm also bothered about keeping things from Joey.'

"You mean about me?" Yugi asked while sitting on the table with his legs swinging back and forth. "Joey knows the puzzle is magic and he's seen it one too many times. I'm sure he'd believe there was a spirit inside you."

'But I don't know how he will react to it. Not that you're not a great person. You're wonderful, but... he might not see you that way. He might even treat me differently... I... I don't know.'

"You're afraid, aren't you?" Yugi asked. He sighed and held onto his legs that were now on the table.

'I'm afraid for alot of things, Yugi,' Atem admitted with two hands supporting his head and staring at the table.

Joey walked by and noticed his friend down in the dumps. He walked over to Atem and sat in a chair next to him. Atem let out a sigh while biting his bottom lip.

"You okay, man?" Joey asked.

"Have you heard about the new theme park Seto's creating? He's having a tournament called Death-T and invited me to it. I... I'm worried about him," Atem admitted.

"About Kaiba? That jerk is obviously trying to beat you in another game!"

"It's more than that, Joey. Seto holds a record of almost twenty wins."

"Yes, but you have over fifty."

"Joey, this is serious!" Atem glared. He sighed while covering his face with his two hands. His hands then dropped on the table. "I know he doesn't mean so much to you, besides an asshole, but through our games, we've... developed a friendship."

"Say what?"

"Seto is considered my friend. The type I can be an ass to, you know? I think he might be taking this wrong. Seto believes friends only get in the way of business. It was understandable for his thinking since his father was a big time loser."

"Wait, you know about his father?" Joey asked in shock.

"I told you, Joey. Seto and I have developed a friendship," Atem said in a glare. "He comes over to my place sometimes. Most likely to play a game, but during those games we learn more about each other." Joey raised two eyebrows as Atem sighed while tapping his fingers. "Though... he's been more tense lately. Seto is also not talking about anything else, besides defeating me."

"When was the last time he's played a game with you?"

"Yesterday at school. The rest of the days he's been busy with Kaiba Land. I never thought he'd add a Death-T. I guess he's not taking the news of our friendship too well."

"So what? The rich boy makes a friend and can't handle it?"

"I think he can't admit it and doesn't want to," Atem replied. His eyes closed and tightened. "I... I'll have to enter that tournament. But... I might end up... having to use my puzzle's power."

Joey glanced at the puzzle around his friend's neck saying, "you mean that thing? You barely know how to use it."

"It's the only way to help Seto. There's a power I discovered. This has the power of Unity. Using that power, I can go into the core of Seto's mind and crush it. It's called Mind Crush. Once his mind is crushed, he will be searching through his heart and soul to find himself. If Seto's mind is so confused and having to change the way he thinks, the pressure might overwhelm him."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if the pressure overwhelms him too much, Seto will end up having mental disabilities. He's too stubborn and stern to change his mind. Not to mention Seto had a way to carry the weight of his heart without friends. Now that he has one, Seto must learn to balance it. There's so much on his mind."

"I'm sure rich boy can handle a little pressure."

"It's not just a little pressure, Joey!" Atem glared directly at his friend. "Seto has been through alot in his life to lead him where he is right now. Let's just say his dad is as much of a jackass as your old man. At least without the drunkard part."

"Dang!"

"I'm just afraid that I might be the only one that can help my friend. Even if it means using a power I'm unfamiliar with," Atem said while holding his puzzle.

"Whatever happens. I'm right here. Even if you do decide to befriend a jackass," Joey promised as Atem showed a smile.

"Atem," a familiar voice called. Atem turned his head and saw the black-haired kid that he played against only a few days ago.

"Mokuba?" Atem questioned.

"Atem... you once told me that you were ready to face whatever was at Death-T right?"

"Yes?"

"Who the hell is this kid?" Joey asked Atem with suspicion.

"Mokuba, Seto's little brother," Atem introduced as Joey got bug-eyed.

"Kaiba has a brother?"

"Yes!" Mokuba glared at the blond. "If one of you, or both of you, think you can handle Death-T, then I'm sure you'll be ready for this game in particular."

"So basically, you're going to challenge me to one of those death games?" Atem asked with seriousness.

"One that is similar, but not as bad as Death-T," Mokuba replied. A smirk appeared on his face. "You wanna play? You can invite blondie here."

"HEY!" Joey glared, feeling insulted.

"I'm sure Joey's ready. Just tell us what it is," Atem said with confidence and folded arms.

"It's a surprise, but I'll give you a hint," Mokuba smirked. "I took your suggestion about playing Russian Roulette."