It was then that he woke up, or at least it felt that way. He opened his eyes as they tried to adjust to the sudden change in light, he could still see a large blob of afterimage burned into his retinas, but beyond that, he didn't recognise where he was. No, he knew where he was, it was his room. He was sitting in front of his desk with a finished Millennium Puzzle within his hands, it was finally whole.
It was then that he realised that everything felt... different.
Not in a bad way. In fact, he felt great.
It was like he had been living under a blanket for his whole life and suddenly it came off revealing a wondrous new world that was contradictorily exactly the way he knew it would be. He simultaneously felt that the room he was in was his own place that he could take refuge in whenever he wanted, and yet it was like seeing a friend's bedroom for the first time. It also seemed that everything was, for lack of a better term, heightened compared to before. The room seemed brighter and clearer, the rustling leaves outside were far more noticeable, beyond the lingering smell of ozone he could detect the faint hint of fresh linen and recently opened packaging. And yet, it was still the same.
It was like he was experiencing everything twice at the same time.
What just happened? they thought.
Just as Yuugi thought that question, he could feel his mind thinking the exact same thought a second time simultaneously.
They blinked.
Hello? Yuugi thought, only... he didn't think it.
Uh... hi? Yuugi actually thought.
Suddenly Yuugi could feel unprompted racing thoughts going through his mind. Flashes of the Millennium Puzzle and its riddle. The power of darkness, the Shadow Games, a wish come true. His wish for a friend.
A friend.
The foreign presence in Yuugi's mind finally concentrated on a single idea. Who am I?
I'm Yuugi! he thought desperately, Mutou Yuugi!
While that is true, it does not... sound quite right. His mind went against Yuugi again and thought of the wish he had made. Am I... Are we...?
We? It then clicked in his head, though he couldn't tell if it was his thought or not. "Did the puzzle do this?" Yuugi asked aloud.
"Yes, that must be it!" The foreign presence said that aloud, only with Yuugi's mouth, but Yuugi could feel wanting to move his lips just before he said it. Just like when something hit you below your kneecap and your leg kicked out with a mind of its own.
They both slapped their right hand over their mouth, in perfect synchronicity.
What's happening? said Yuugi to the other in his mind.
The other responded. I don't know, Yuugi.
They both stayed silent, unfocused images danced through Yuugi's mind.
Are you... another version of myself? Yuugi guessed. Like a split personality or something?
Your other self...?
I mean, you're in my head, aren't you?
It also feels like you are in my head as well though.
Are... Are we sharing the same brain?
...I think that is right.
Well... who are you then?
Memories flashed through their head. Friends at school calling him "Yuugi," teachers calling him "Mutou," and Grandpa calling him his Grandson.
Those are my memories.
Yes... but they are all I can remember. They feel like mine, but they are definitely not mine. I feel different to you in those.
Do you not have memories of your own? Yuugi felt a wave of sympathy for whatever his other self was.
Please do not feel sorry for me, it is not your fault.
Yuugi felt suddenly cheerful, it was as if his other self sent the emotion back to him.
It seems we not only share thoughts and a body but emotions as well.
Yeah, it's weird. But... I think... I think I like it.
I... I think I like this as well...
Do you have a name?
They remembered the same moments of people calling Yuugi's name.
I... do not think I can remember... but it feels... odd.
Yuugi analysed the subtle emotions coming from his other self. You feel like you had one, right.
That is right. A pulse of frustration.
Maybe you're actually the puzzle? Yuugi hypothesised.
No. His other self's feelings of confusion gave way to negation, frustration, and perhaps even hatred.
Oh... I could give you a name. Yuugi's face immediately heated up. I mean, if you wanted me to.
His other self suddenly broke out laughing. Through Yuugi's voice. Only, it was at a lower range than Yuugi normally spoke at. Yet his own embarrassment suddenly turned the low chuckle into a higher giggle. There wasn't any malice behind the laugh, because, in a way, Yuugi was the one who made the chuckle, just as his other self giggled.
"I..." his other self said, I would like that. Thank you, Yuugi.
Anytime! He could feel a wave of affection, and then he began to brainstorm. Even if you're not the puzzle itself, you still came from it right?
You're thinking of naming me something that has to do with it?
Yeah. Maybe an Ancient Egyptian name?
I'm not sure I would like to be called Tutankhamen or... Cleopatra.
Yuugi did a double-take. Are those really the only names we know?
Well, I certainly can't remember, said his other self with a strong hint of humour.
Maybe we could ask Grandpa?
They both felt a pang of worry strike their stomach.
What do we tell Grandpa!? Yuugi shouted in his mind.
I have no idea. Do we have to say anything?
Maybe not? But what if he notices something?
If he notices anything and he confronts us, then we can explain. Explaining whatever this is right now would only just be confusing.
Right... Yeah... Yeah, you're right.
I know I'm right, he said smugly.
Yuugi snorted. Jerk.
Perhaps. And no, you are not going to name me that.
They both broke into laughter again, a strange amalgamation of Yuugi's old laugh and this new, deeper one. Whatever this situation was with this new person inhabiting his mind, Yuugi could easily say that it was fantastic. His other self agreed whole-heartedly.
No, I'd never give anyone that name. Even if they were a "Jerk," they could change, and be a lot nicer. Then it would be weird to call them Jerk and you'd have to think of a new name all over again.
I would not mind in the slightest if you decided to name me something different afterward.
What about "Tomu?"
The other read Yuugi's thought process. As in short for "friend?" You already call me a friend?
Of course! Yuugi could feel his cheeks heating up again, though he wasn't sure if it came from himself, his other self, or both of them. Yuugi thought that if his other self came from the puzzle, then he must be the manifestation of his wish, a wish of friendship. And this new self was already making him laugh, he could feel instant chemistry between the two of them.
I appreciate the gesture, but what if I did something to make you dislike me?
I... The air suddenly felt thicker than it was before.
I apologise for upsetting you.
No, it's not that. I just... don't think you could do anything to make me not like you.
I have only been here for ten minutes.
It doesn't matter, I just... I just know it. I mean, I can't go disliking someone in my own head, can I?
Embarrassment fused with elation.
I... they shared a large smile. Thank you, Yuugi.
No problem! Though I can tell you're not sure of "Tomu." We'll think of something else.
I liked the idea about something relating to the puzzle but not the puzzle itself.
Hm... If the puzzle can grant wishes... maybe something to do with genies?
The other cringed.
Definitely not then. Okay... The puzzle couldn't be solved for three thousand years and is said to give the person who solves it the powers of darkness... Yami?
Yami... I like that.
Really? I was just spitballing. You like it?
I do. It could be as if I am your evil alter ego, Yami theatrically explained. Destined to rule the world through the powers of gaming.
Yuugi snorted.
I linger within the darkest recesses of your mind, waiting for the right opportunity to take control and commit heinous acts upon our enemies.
They shared a loud and gut-wrenching chuckle. "Yami!" Yuugi struggled to say through peals of laughter. They had both somehow non-verbally and non-thought-verbally decided that the other self would be called the name. It was just perfect.
"Stop!" Yuugi gasped. I can't breathe!
"I- I apologise." Yami managed to respond. I just could not help myself.
Suddenly an image of an enemy appeared in their shared mind's eye.
Ushio.
The laughter quickly faded, only to be drowned by Yuugi's despair. He still had to deal with the one who gave him the bruises on his face, to put together an unseemly amount of money just to be able to go to school safely.
Not alone.
Huh? Then Yuugi noticed Yami's feelings, anger, frustration, protectiveness, and most strongly, confidence.
You don't have to face him alone. I am here to help you.
Yami... But what are we going to do?
Well, with a man like Ushio... he raised Yuugi's hand to his chin and leaned back in his chair. Going to an authority figure will not work. He already has power, and he's respected. The teachers care not, and the police do not have the time to deal with a school bully, even if he has contraband.
So, there's nothing we can do?
Not so. You stood up to him earlier. We can stand up to him again, and this time, we will win.
Yuugi was in awe. Yami, his new other self, a presence given to him by completing the Millennium Puzzle, took the memory which made Yuugi's skin shiver in fear and pinned that fear down with overflowing confidence. It was infectious and intoxicating. He couldn't help but agree with Yami.
Yuugi's face blushed again, but this time it didn't come from him. Uh... You do not have to... think of me that way. You are just as amazing, Yuugi.
Yuugi didn't think his face could get any hotter. What? No. There's no way that can be true.
It is true, Yuugi. You can tell that there is no deception in my words, right? You stood up to Ushio, knowing that it could only end badly.
But I was so scared!
Exactly. That is why it was brave.
Emotions swirled between the two of them. Yuugi's doubt didn't let up, but Yami doggedly drowned it down with his seemingly endless confidence.
Yuugi's fists were clenched... Yami and Yuugi were both clenching them.
Either way, Yami continued. We need to form a plan.
Like for a game.
Just like a game.
Well... what's in our inventory?
We have the puzzle, and the handful of money we could scavenge.
Wait, does the puzzle have any powers?
Shadow Games... Those words seemed to bounce around in their head.
Is it familiar?
I... believe so. I think... I think I know how to play one.
A declaration of playing a Shadow Game, showing the true hearts of the players, the punishment for cheating, the Penalty Game.
Penalty game? Yuugi echoed.
A magical punishment. It is meant to teach the loser a lesson to become a better person.
You don't remember why you know all this, don't you?
I do not. I am, however, sure we can put this to our advantage. Perhaps if we win a Shadow Game against Ushio, the Penalty Game can teach him to be a better person?
Then he'll ignore us! And Jounouchi and Honda too!
Yet the question is, what game do we play, and how do we convince him to play?
Well... he wants money, but we don't have enough to convince him of anything. He wants two hundred thousand.
Perhaps we can find something else of value?
Well... the puzzle probably costs a lot. Can we offer that?
I like that idea, but... What would happen if we became separated from it? Would I disappear? What if Ushio dismantled it?
"No!" Yuugi stood up harshly, hands smacked onto his desk, and his chair collapsed behind him. You're not going anywhere, Yami! You're my friend!
Yami was taken aback, and then he smiled. Thank you, Yuugi.
Yuugi took the smile and widened it. Anytime, Yami. They turned around to pick up the chair.
Yuugi? In their peripheral vision, Yami called to attention a white envelope sticking out of their bag. They instead inspected Yuugi's bag for the sixth time that night.
When did that get there?
Perhaps Grandpa put it there?
The envelope was unsigned, but Yuugi opened it anyway. Yuugi wondered about the ease of his movement despite another person simultaneously controlling his movements. It honestly felt like it always did when he walked, but he could just feel the intent to move from Yami while it happened. However, that line of thought was abandoned from Yuugi and Yami's mind in favour of the envelope. Inside there was a stack of bills, ¥400000 in total.
What? I never told him about needing money!
That is odd. Perhaps he heard it from someone else?
But who would tell Grandpa I needed money? The only people who know are me, you, Jounouchi, Honda and Ushio.
Could it be that it was Jounouchi or Honda who found the last puzzle piece and told Grandpa about the debt?
No, that doesn't sound right... they're not nice enough for that. If they wanted to give it back, they would have done it at school. Right?
Yami's almost silent unformed thoughts were telling enough. Either way, he said. We have something to offer Ushio.
But, it's Grandpa's money... We can't just take it or give it away.
He put it there because you need it, why not use it?
It just... It makes me feel bad.
I know... I can feel it too.
Yuugi and Yami walked their shared body back to the desk vague thoughts rolling between them, overshadowed by the guilt of taking so much from Grandpa. The chair creaked as they sat down. They had the money, and an ancient mystical artifact, but no plan.
If only, said Yuugi. If only there were some way to not lose any money and get Ushio to ignore us.
What if we designed the game so we didn't lose any money?
The Shadow Game? How could we do that?
We need a way to force Ushio to cheat, and then he will face the Penalty Game.
You can't force someone to cheat, can you?
The Shadow Game shows the true nature of a person's heart. So, if we understand Ushio's heart, we can manipulate it.
Well... He's greedy, selfish and willing to threaten people with a knife. Even if it's not all that nice, his heart is pretty simple.
If we could design a game that contradicts two aspects of his nature, he will have to cheat.
Being greedy and selfish aren't that different from each other.
Not entirely so. Greed is the want for more power, in this case, money, and selfishness is the overabundance of self-worth.
So, a game where getting more money means he could hurt himself?
His knife!
Suddenly an image formed into both their heads. A hand palm down on a desk, with a stack of bills on top of it, with a knife poised right above it. Their heartbeat drummed hard against their chest.
That's dangerous! Yuugi tried to explain, but as he said it, he could feel the scene play out in Yami's mind. They would play it safe, and then when the piles of bills became smaller, Ushio's contradiction of the heart would show itself. His greed would tense his arm to stab too hard, but his selfishness would recognise it and prevent himself from stabbing. Ushio would be forced to cheat.
Yuugi, I promise. No one will get hurt, and Ushio will face the Penalty Game. He will be a better man at the end of it.
Yami's confidence flooded Yuugi. He couldn't see the game going any other way, it was perfect. I... I believe you. We can convince him to play by offering more than he asked for, and then we win.
Yami smirked. So, partner, are we ready to play?
Yuugi nodded. Yeah... Let's play!