RN: This is the longest chapter I've ever written for this story. Well...have fun!

Disclaimer:

Loki: Robin Nightingale absolutely owns Yu-Gi-Oh!, all of its characters, plots, spin-offs, trading cards and associated franchise...

RN: NO, no, I don't, I don't own any of that stuff! Loki, like we rehearsed!

Loki: If I were real I'd turn you into dust mite for such insolence. Do it yourself, or choose someone else, if you're so desperate. *walks off*

RN: ...Drama Queen!

Loki: *stops*...

ZAP!

RN: Okay, well then...Guess I'm a lizard from now on...In the meantime, read, laugh, cry, and gasp in suspense!

Chapter 11: Transference

Two weeks passed by far quickly than any of them could have thought. Before Yugi knew it, the clone was complete.

The call from Keichi came a week and a half before the beginning of school. Though Yugi had been expecting it, it still made his stomach drop to hear the words, "It's ready."

The days leading up to that call had been busy. Surprisingly busy, considering it was still school vacation. Most of it was spent working at the shop with Grandpa, but the remainder of the time was taken in preparation for the new addition to the Muto family. The Pharaoh's bed was installed in Yugi's room against the opposite wall, and an extra cabinet and chest of drawers was added. It was an interesting adventure was when they realized they would have to purchase a whole new set of clothing for the Pharaoh, and Yugi spent the better part of one weekend at the local mall. It had ended up being something of a gamble, since none of them really knew what size would fit the spirit. With much help from Téa's shopping expertise, however, the situation was neatly resolved, and the Game Shop finally looked to have gained another occupant.

Grandpa at last went to see the clone himself, sometime before the start of school. Only Yugi and the Professor accompanied him. He was cheerful when Keichi arrived, but all throughout the ride to the laboratory he was oddly quiet and unsmiling. When Yugi asked him about it, however, he merely waved dismissively.

"Oh, it's nothing, Yugi, I'm just thinking. Old people do that, you know," he murmured teasingly.

Yugi started to ask him what he was thinking about, but Grandpa merely resumed staring out the window, and the Pharaoh gently suggested they leave him alone.

He hardly seemed impressed with the warehouse. He didn't even appear surprised at the hidden door, nor the underground laboratory.

But when he first laid eyes on the clone, there was no hiding his shock and amazement.

He first stopped dead in his tracks, and his eyes widened and his mouth fell open. Then he took a couple of hesitant steps forward, before running right up to the container.

"Keichi, this is…I can't believe what I'm seeing," Grandpa gaped, circling all around the pod. He returned to Yugi and grasped his arm like a lifeline. "Yugi, if you weren't here with me right now, I'd swear you were in that pod."

"Yeah, weird, isn't it?" Yugi agreed.

The clone had clearly been under a few modifications. It now looked more mature physically, and there was a breathing mask over its face where there had been none before.

Keichi gazes proudly at the clone. "I'm glad you approve, Solomon," he said. "I can honestly say this has been the finest achievement in my career—no, my entire life."

He approached Yugi, pushing up his glasses. "It's only a few days now, Mr. Muto. We've begun feeding the clone oxygen so that the body will be used to it at the time of the transfer—let your friend have an easy time breathing when he first wakes up in it—and building up the muscles so he won't be so weak. You can expect a call from me sometime this week."

"I-I see. Thank you, Professor," Yugi replied. He tried not to let his voice crack. Again, feelings of anxiety were working their way up his throat. It was the feeling he always got before a big duel, or a huge school test.

He swallowed those feelings down and tried not to sound so nervous. "So, um, Professor, I've been meaning to ask. What exactly will I be doing when I…you know…when we…"

"…transfer souls?" the Professor finished kindly. "Actually, I'm very glad you asked. Wait here."

The Professor disappeared around a stack of files. A few minutes later the sound of something being rolled reached Yugi's ears, and Keichi returned pushing what looked like identical pods on a slanted rack.

Yugi had a funny jolt. It was a moment before he realized the pods looked almost exactly like the pods used to trap him, his friends, and the Kaiba brothers in the virtual world game.

Keichi rolled the two pods to the center of the space, then leaned back and popped his back, slightly out of breath. "Ohhh, it's a workout, pushing those things all over the place," he groaned. He laid a now more weary hand on one of the pods. "In terms of what you do, my dear Yugi, it's really very simple. You will simply put the Puzzle in this pod, and the clone will go in the other. The Pharaoh's spirit—."

"Wait, wait. Are you sure I have to take off the Puzzle?" Yugi interrupted. A streak of suspicion flashed through him.

"I promise I won't steal it," the Professor said with a wry grin.

Yugi didn't laugh. The Professor cleared his throat and pushed up his glasses, his grin fading.

"It's to ensure the Pharaoh's soul is put in the clone and not yours," he explained. "If you want to be with him, I completely understand, but believe me when I say this way this is better for both of you."

Yugi looked to the ground, unsure. He was about to state his opposition, when the Pharaoh's voice stopped him.

Do as he says, Yugi.

But we're strongest when we're together! I should be there with—.

No! Yugi abruptly fell silent, shocked. Keichi is right, it's the only way to be sure. Forgive me, Yugi, but I will not allow you to accompany me. Not after last time.

And there, at those last words, came the faintest hint of a great guilt, one that was still locked away in the black caverns, unable to be overcome or vanquished for the many months that followed. It trickled through the link before it was quickly shut off and hidden away.

At that, Yugi backed down. All right, he said. I understand.

The Pharaoh appeared directly in front of him, all signs of remorse absent from his features. He held his old confident smile and determination in his eyes. Don't worry, aibou, he assured. I will be fine.

I know you will.

Yugi opened his eyes, and found the Professor looking at him patiently. "You were having a discussion, I take it?"

"Yeah." Yugi coughed and cleared his throat, which sounded oddly hoarse. "Nothing to worry about. Please, continue, Professor."

"As I was saying, the Pharaoh's soul will pass from the Puzzle through this clear tube here"—he gestured to a tube at the top connecting the two pods—"and enter the clone. I'll monitor the entire process from this panel here"—he now made his way over to a huge desk, completely covered in various buttons, knobs, and switches—"and ensure that the transferal is a smooth and successful one."

"And…and that's it?" Yugi asked, a little faintly.

Professor Keichi spread his hands and nodded once. "That's it," he repeated cheerfully.

"Will it hurt him?"

The question spilled out of his mouth so suddenly Yugi almost didn't realize he had said it. Yet once it was out it felt like the most important question in the world. At it, Grandpa Muto rubbed his back comfortingly.

Professor Keichi frowned, stepping around the panel towards them, taking down his glasses as he did so and placing them in his breast pocket. He bent until he looked Yugi straight in the eye.

"To be completely honest with you, I really don't know," he said softly, sounding genuinely heartfelt. "I wish I could assure you that it will be entirely painless, but nothing like this, to my knowledge, has ever been done before. I assume it won't, since it will be the transferral of the Pharaoh's spirit and nothing else. But I really can't give you any more than that."

Yugi nodded. "I understand, Professor. Thank you for your honesty," he replied truthfully. He had expected the Professor's answer would be something like this; the professor wasn't, after all, anything like Yugi's enemies who had displayed the power of soul transference before.

But he still found himself holding onto the Puzzle protectively throughout the entire trip back, not relaxing until he was back in the safety of his own room.

Later that day, as Yugi was sweeping up the front porch after closing hours, he received another, more unexpected guest.

"Yug!"

Yugi turned around to see none other than Joey making his way up from the street, one hand raised in greeting. For a moment he stood still in surprise, then gave a warm, albeit hesitant, smile in return. "Joey! Uh, haven't seen you in a while."

"Yeah."

Joey had not been seen by any of the group for nearly a week. The only thing that kept them from organizing a search party was a call from Serenity, who had told them Joey had, of all things, gone to visit their mother.

Yugi set the broom against the house and opened the door. "Why don't you come insi—?" he began.

"I'm sorry."

Yugi nearly fell over halting himself midway reaching for the door handle. "What?" he asked dumbly.

"I'm sorry, Yug," Joey repeated in the same quiet, serious tone. "I was stupid for getting' so worked up, and I was a jerk fer actin' the way I did."

Yugi set the broom against the house, then faced Joey directly. "It's fine," he said, after a moment. "I don't blame you for your feelings about Keichi."

"Not about that."

Yugi blinked. "What?" he said again.

"I ain't apologizin' about that. I might've been a jerk, but dat don't mean I feel bad 'bout my motives. You were right; I didn't trust ya ta make that decision alone, and I still don't."

"Oh." Yugi furrowed his eyebrows, not quite sure how to respond. "So, what are you apologizing for?"

He couldn't quite keep the cynicism out of his voice.

Joey clearly caught the tone as well, and growled impatiently. "Ah, don't ya see, Yug? What I'm tryin' ta say is, of course I don't trust ya t'make the decision alone! Nobody should hafta make that decision alone!"

At that, all of Yugi's coldness washed away, and he merely tilted his head, perplexed. "What do you mean?"

Joey sighed. "I'm yer best pal. I've always been lookin' out fer ya. But, come on, Yug!" He sounded indignant. "You of all people should know I'm the one guy who knows when a man's gotta be his own man. So I should also know that when a man can't be his own man, he's gotta be two men. Or maybe three men and a woman. Whatever. What—What're ya laughin' at?"

Yugi couldn't speak at first. It was so like Joey to use that sort of logic. "I'm s-sorry," he managed finally, bent over from mirth. "It's just…you're right." He straightened, wiping tears from his eyes. "You're entirely right. I should have known."

He sighed, his laughter having subsided. "I guess…I was trying to prove something. That I could do these things without…"

"Without the Pharaoh?" Joey finished, one eyebrow raised. When Yugi put on a pained look and didn't answer, he clapped a hand to his forehead. "All right. First of all, nobody expects ya t'have been able ta do these things on yer own. What kinda average person does the things we do, much less get asked by a scientist if dey want a clone of themselves? Second, ya don't gotta prove nuttin', ya hear?" Yugi looked at him in surprise. "Come on, Yug! You were de King of Games before ya even solved the Puzzle! Yer smart and ye see things others don't. Ya don't give yerself enough credit."

Yugi blushed from the praise and cast his eyes along the pavement, apparently too embarrassed to respond.

"And third," Joey smirked, folding his arms across his chest, "why da heck're ya thinkin' ya gotta do stuff on yer own in the first place when ya got me, Tristan and Téa, not ta mention Gramps and da Pharaoh, ta back ya up?"

Yugi whipped his head up. "But…"

"But what? Yug, why're ya even tryin' ta argue? Y'know, what I don't get is why even though we keep tellin' ya dat we're here for you, ya keep pushin' us away!"

"I'm not pushing you away!" Yugi said sharply, then pulled back, a little shocked. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Joey scowled. "Sorry for what? Shoutin' at me? Nah, go ahead, I deserve it! I was a jerk an' an idiot! What were all those lessons fer, huh? But dat ain't what ya should be apologizin' fer."

"I just…I just don't want to have to keep relying on you guys, that's all." Yugi responded, a little frustrated.

Joey resisted the urge to physically knock some sense into his friend. "Yug, we keep tellin' ya, again and again. Ya ain't relyin' on us. We're givin' ya the support, whether ya ask fer it or not! We're yer friends! It's what we do!"

"It's not just that!" Yugi shouted, and Joey actually stepped back from the volume. The little guy could give a hell of a yell if he wanted to…

But now it seemed the dam had broken, and words were gushing forth from Yugi at a rapid pace. "You and Tristan and Téa and the Pharaoh…you're always doing these things for me, going through all this trouble for me, and…and I don't want that to happen anymore. You said it yourself; you give me your support willingly. And it's not that I don't appreciate that, I really do. But you guys always get into danger because you're supporting me. And…I just don't want to see you get hurt anymore."

In the Puzzle, the Pharaoh was suddenly struck with a memory of when he and Yugi had been ambushed on the sidewalk all those months ago. Yugi's feeling of annoyance…It hadn't been directed at the spirit. It had been directed at himself, for the bruises the Pharaoh had received.

Yugi… he sighed to himself. A feeling of affectionate pride swelled at the realization, but it was tempered with sorrow. Always so selfless, and as a result you punish yourself so…

Joey, meanwhile, had softened himself. He was silent for a few minutes, but now unfolded his arms and took a step forward. "I get it, man," he said, far more gently than previously. "I really do. And I really appreciate it, dude. Dat's the stuff of honor right there." He slapped Yugi's arm in a friendly manner with a grin, and Yugi gave a grin too. "But ya gotta stop beatin' yerself up over it. It ain't yer fault any of us get hurt. It never has. It's the guys who do dat crap to us who deserve de beatin', not you."

Yugi's brow creased. "But—."

"Look." Joey's tone hardened. "We're yer friends, so we're gonna support ya, no matter what. It's what friends do. The only reason we go on any of these adventures is because of yer destiny, and ya can't help that. It's outta yer control. We get into danger because of yer enemies, and fer all the ones we've had, I got a feelin' there's gonna be more. So the way I see it, you'd be better off havin' some friends on yer side. Even out the odds and all that, y'see?"

When Yugi seemed about to protest, the Pharaoh suddenly surfaced. He is right, Yugi, the spirit intoned.

You agree? Yugi turned to look at the ghostly outline.

The Pharaoh put one transparent hand on his partner's shoulder. I feel the same way you do about our friends, Yugi, but that does not mean we should distance ourselves from them. That will not make them any safer, and it will only hurt all of us.

Yugi bit his lip. It was hard to argue with the Pharaoh's logic. I know. It's just…hard.

It always is, unfortunately, the Pharaoh responded gravely. But at least with our friends, it's a little easier.

Yugi hesitated, then nodded, and the spirit faded away.

"Dat the Pharaoh?" Joey questioned, one curious eyebrow raised. It was always interesting to see Yugi's conversations with the spirit.

"Yeah." The sun was gone now, and the only light came from the darkening sky, the streetlamps, and the light from the shop.

"What did he say?"

"He said…" Yugi grinned. "He agrees with you, and I guess I do to."

Joey scratched his nose in a nonchalant manner while hiding a triumphant grin. "Well, I can sound smart if I want to."

They both laughed, and Yugi picked up the broom. "We've been standing out here for a while. Come in for a bit; Grandpa usually makes tea around this time."

"Nah, I gotta get going. Serenity told you I went to my mom's, right? Well, turns out she's coming to town for a bit, and I gotta set up a place for her to stay."

"All right, then. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya."

Joey went off with a wave, and Yugi retrieved his broom. He finished up his sweeping, far more at peace.

Two days later, the call came.

When Yugi finished talking with Keichi and hung up, a little pit formed in his stomach, one that refused to leave even as he told Grandpa and his friends. It was sudden, but he had scheduled to do the transfer the following afternoon; the Professor suggested, rather urgently, that it was best to be done as soon as possible.

"Not to say that anything will happen, but the closest convenient time is best," Keichi informed him."It's currently in perfect condition, and it's actually harder to keep it in stasis than it is to grow it. Tomorrow would be ideal."

"A-alright, tomorrow it is, then," Yugi said before he could stop himself. But before he could tell the professor to change it, Keichi replied, "Great! I'll start preparing for your arrival. It'll be set up and ready to go by tomorrow afternoon. See you then!" *Click*.

Truthfully, it was very inconvenient, for they only had one weekend before school started again (it was a Wednesday when Keichi called). Nevertheless, they agreed to meet, as before, at the Game Shop before all being driven to the warehouse. It would be a cramped ride; none of the others had a car. Tristan helped by offering to bring his motorcycle, but Keichi's car was still a small one.

That night, midnight came and Yugi was still wide awake in bed. A low tremor thrummed through his veins, and every now and then his stomach gave a little jump, then a clench. He felt his mind would burst at the speed his thoughts were whirling around in his head. He tossed and turned, trying to relax, but it was futile; his mind was hard-set on the following day.

Can't sleep? The outline of the Pharaoh faded into sight at the foot of his bed. He had one leg drawn up and an arm resting at the elbow on the knee, and he gazed at Yugi somewhat amusedly.

Of course not. For some reason, Yugi couldn't help but grin widely. Maybe it was excitement, maybe it was nervousness, but he couldn't stop from smiling. I don't know if I did that a little too quickly or not.

Well…best to get it over with quickly, and all that.

I suppose.

Yugi rolled over lay spread-eagled on his pillow, listening to the clock tick by. Every shadow drew his attention, every sound pricked his ears.

Our last night sharing this body, he murmured. He gave a half-nervous chuckle. I don't know if I should be excited or… I mean, I guess I should be excited. You should be excited!

Excited? What for? The Pharaoh's expression was one of complete indifference.

'What for?' Yugi sat up in amazement. What are you saying? You'll have your own body! After 3000 years of living in the Puzzle, you'll finally get to have your own body again! You'll get to eat and feel and smell and touch—.

I do those things already when you let me take over, the Pharaoh reminded him.

Yeah, but it's not the same! This way you don't have to ask for me to get out of the way to do these things on your own.

The Pharaoh shrugged. I never minded before.

Maybe not, but seriously! Are you telling me you're not even a little bit enthusiastic about all this? I mean, didn't you ever wonder what it would be like to have your own body again?

He waited for an answer, but when none came, he sat up. Pharaoh?

The spirit had turned away, his golden locks shielding his face. Yugi furrowed his brow, then suddenly wondered if he might have offended the dead king in some way.

Pharaoh? he asked again, more tentatively. I-I'm sorry if that was insensitive…

No, don't worry, the Pharaoh said quickly. It's just…mm…

He let out a sigh. I've been in the Puzzle for so long, with no memory of who I was before, that it just seems…natural for me to be as I am. I've been concentrating for so long on my goal of recovering my memories that I never gave any thought as to how I might have been before I was sealed. Things like feeling cold, feeling hungry, smelling the air…I just don't think about them. It's as if I don't need to feel those things, so I simply concentrate on my purpose.

He snorted softly. Even when we were first discussing Keichi's plan, I only thought about having my own body as a means of regaining my memories. I never thought of what else I could do with it…

Not drugs, I hope, Yugi grinned.

The Pharaoh turned around and raised an eyebrow at him.

Yugi threw up his hands. It was a joke, I swear! he said hastily.

The Pharaoh's expression softened, and he chuckled. Now that I think of it, I suppose I am a little excited. I have been meaning to try out that new coffee shop that opened…

What? Why didn't you say anything?

You were always busy with schoolwork and everything else, so I just passed it off as wishful thinking…

Yugi laughed and shook his head. Okay. First thing you'll do is take Téa on a date there.

If the Pharaoh had any weight, he would have surely fallen off the bed in shock. As it was, he merely ended up on his knees on the covers, staring at Yugi with an expression of flustered disbelief. As Yugi laughed out loud, he sputtered, Wha…Yugi! What do you mean a date?! I can't do that!

Still sniggering, Yugi fell back into bed and drew up the covers. Oh, relax. It'll be fun. Just think of it as a day out with friends. Except it's only one friend. And it's more private.

The Pharaoh returned to his previous position and put an exasperated hand to his temple. I swear, you're always tricking me into difficult situations…

A peaceful silence followed, during which the room suddenly became more illuminated. The Pharaoh followed the source to the skylight, where a full moon was perfectly framed by the small window. The Pharaoh gazed at it a bit longer, suddenly looking forward to the next day.

This will truly be a momentous occurrence, he remarked softly.

Something itched in the back of his mind, something off. It ran down his spine and settled in his chest, where it pulsed gently, calling for the Pharaoh's attention. It was something…something said…

'Guess I should be excited or…'

…or what? Moving half-consciously, the Pharaoh turned to his partner. Yugi, what did you mean when you said—?

He stopped in disbelief, for the little gamester was already asleep.

The next day, as promised, Professor Keichi came around four. Though he was polite on the exterior, he was clearly impatient, and apparently under the impression that Yugi was ready to leave as soon as Keichi arrived.

Yugi, however, had called his friends to join him, and had to convince Keichi to wait just a few minutes longer.

"They'll be here soon," Yugi assured him. "They don't live all that far away, and they know how important a day this is."

"Yes, of course," Keichi said politely, though Yugi could see his knuckles whiten around his teacup as he sipped the beverage. There was no doubt he was equally as nervous as the teen.

And who can blame him? He said this is his life, Yugi said inwardly.

When Yugi's friends finally did arrive, Keichi immediately ushered them in the car, saying they were late already as it was. They arrived at the warehouse around 5:00, a great deal longer than the last couple of times they had traveled to the warehouse, mainly due to traffic. Because of the shortening day, the sun was already low in the sky, which seemed to worry Keichi greatly; he hardly said a word, but each time he glanced at the setting sun he sped up the car a little, and when he couldn't speed up, he muttered incoherently at the drivers in front of him.

They were hurried into the elevator as soon as their vehicles pulled into the warehouse and the gate behind them closed.

"Keichi, you must slow down," Grandpa Muto said, putting a hand on his friend's arm. "You can't possibly do the procedure like this."

"Yeah, no way I'm lettin' ya mess with my pals if yer too nervous ta operate the controls properly," Joey swore. For once, none of the others reprimanded him for his tone.

Keichi took a deep breath held it for a few seconds, then let it out slowly. "You're right, all of you. I'm sorry. But be assured; Yugi is absolutely safe, I guarantee it."

The elevator doors opened and Keichi once again led them to the back of the room. Instead of the container for the clone, however, the transfer pods were in its place. In one of them, the clone was already lain down, a breathing mask still covering his mouth and nose. He had been clothed in a surgical gown, though Grandpa had brought clothes for the Pharaoh to change into once the procedure was over.

There was another novelty; for the first time that any of them had seen, there was an assistant. In fact, two: a lithe, pretty young woman with half-moon glasses holding a clipboard, her black hair put up in a messy bun, and a large, hulking man who looked like he would be more properly placed in a construction site than a laboratory. They both stood at the control panel and greeted the others with a smile when they arrived, though neither smile looked entirely settling.

"What're those?" Tristan asked, seeing the pods for the first time.

"Transfer pods. It's how the Pharaoh will be put into his new body," Professor Keichi explained quickly. "If you'll excuse me…" He went over to the assistants and started whispering rapidly with them. The man nodded and stomped off to another part of the room, disappearing (despite his height) behind the file cabinets.

Keichi returned to the others, beaming. "Everything's ready, Yugi. If you please…" He gestured to the pods, where the female assistant was opening the empty one.

Swallowing, holding his Puzzle tightly, Yugi stepped over to the pod. He slipped the chain off his neck and held the Puzzle before him.

He took a deep breath. Pharaoh, are you ready?

He felt the affirmation through the link. It will all be fine, Yugi.

Slowly, Yugi placed the Puzzle in the pod. Immediately the assistant began to close it.

"Watch yourself, Yugi!" Keichi drew him back swiftly. The pod closed with a hiss and a click.

Suddenly afraid, Yugi called out, Pharaoh!

I'm still here, Yugi, the Pharaoh said. The voice was fainter because of the distance, but the Pharaoh sounded strong.

"Yamamoto, if you will join me," Keichi said from the panel. The female assistant promptly went to his side. There was a flash of bright lights and the sound of a machine coming on, and the pods thrummed to life.

"Yugi, it's best if you step back," the Professor called.

Yugi hesitated, and looked back. Keichi stared at him expectantly, and motioned for him to move away.

He turned back to the pod. "Will it get in the way of the procedure if I stay here?"

He heard the Professor let out a mediated breath through his nostrils. "No, but—."

"Then I'll stay."

Silence. Then, "Very well. Yamamoto, initiate transfer."

Within the ancient hallways of the Puzzle, the Pharaoh waited.

Though he had roamed these darkened corridors for ages, he found himself gazing all around him, trying to memorize the scene. He took in every brick, every staircase, every door, every crack in the walls and the floors. He imprinted the dusty, damp smell of the ever-icy stone, and the faint echoes, coming from seemingly nowhere, that resounded ceaselessly throughout the halls.

As lonely and unsettling as it was inside his soul room, the Pharaoh had a feeling he would miss it.

"Perhaps I will still be able to access it once I am inside my human body," the Pharaoh murmured to himself. "It is, after all, my own mind."

There was, however, the possibility that this would be the last time he would ever see it.

He could not hear what was going on outside the Puzzle, but from his faint connection with his partner he could tell the process had started. He took a deep breath, steeling himself.

Would it hurt? Would it be quick? Would he see it coming? Once again, he was walking into a situation blind, where everything could go wrong. Though, he had to say with a grin, for all the times where his soul was on the line, this was the first time where he was willingly presenting his soul to be taken.

These thoughts were inviting trepidation, and he brushed those thoughts away. He gasped as a wave of excitement suddenly swelled and crashed over him, and he couldn't help but twitch his mouth into a smile. He was getting his own body. What would it be like? Like inhabiting Yugi's body, he supposed, but without sharing it, a body that was unquestionably, entirely his…

He supposed he would sleep, for the first time…ever. Sleeping in the Puzzle was not like sleeping in real life. While Yugi slept or was in control of his body, the Pharaoh merely resided in the Puzzle, resting, gathering his strength, dealing with his thoughts. Much like mediation, the Pharaoh never truly slept, but rather…turned off. And he didn't dream. Yugi had told him about dreaming. As he had once been alive before, the Pharaoh knew what it was to dream just as much as everyone else. But when he slept, he merely returned to his soul room, to continue his never-ending search for clues within his maze-like mind.

The Pharaoh snapped out of his musing with a start. He mustn't lose focus…it was a moment before he realized he was still waiting. What was happening out there?

But just as he was about to return to the real world and ask his partner, a strange tug occurred in the pit of his stomach, just above the naval.

He put a hand to the spot, trying to place it, but before he could properly understand the feeling it came again, stronger this time. The room was getting brighter, though there was nothing to illuminate it. He was starting to feel weightless and the sensations of the room were starting to fade, one by one.

No, no, wait! I can't…

The light began to dim, and he could feel the weightlessness start to disappear. But as it did so the tugging sensation grew more painful, and he nearly doubled over.

"Don't resist," he hissed through clenched teeth. "Don't fight, don't fight…"

He forced himself to relax, bit by bit. But a part of him still fought, fighting to stay, not wanting to be dragged away.

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, making his body become used to the weightlessness. The light began to brighten again, so intense it was painful even through his eyelids. His breathing grew faster, but he couldn't even hear that as every sense became muffled. It was getting much harder to stop himself from fighting now.

Please, please, let it be done with quickly…

He cried out as he was suddenly jerked forward, and the Puzzle disappeared. Every shred of essence, every fiber of his being, was melted into one single stream of consciousness. He could not sense, he could not think, he simply…was. And he knew.

He was out of the Puzzle now…for a moment he floated, aimless, exposed, vulnerable. But it didn't last long as, like debris in a river, he was caught in a flow and something pulled him along. He flowed into another, smaller space, where the tug suddenly sped him up. He went faster than he thought possible, so that he thought he might be ripped into nothingness, but it was over in an instant, and he slowed dramatically to a float again.

But not for long…Now he was being gently guided. He couldn't tell what it was, didn't know, didn't care. All he knew was that it felt safe. He allowed himself to be taken into it, this unfamiliar, safe object. It was a place for his being to reside. A new home.

As he entered his new home, his consciousness faded, and he knew no more.

RN: *perches on log* There, see! I did what I said! I finally got to the soul transfer! I think I've earned some good reviews now! Do tell me what you think. No, not just what you thought; what you felt, how you reacted, any problems that you might have had. It's much more of a reward to myself as an author. It's really not that much effort. So...please?

Please?

...Oh, all right, I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. *clears throat* Loki, if you would be so kind?

Loki: I most certainly will not.

RN: If you will be so seductive, then?

Loki: ...If you will point me to the part of the chapter where I make my exit...

RN: All right, fine, I'll say it! I humbly plead of you, Lord of Mischief, God of fire, that you convince my readers to leave me adequate reviews that are worthy of my writing.

Loki: *sniff* Won't take very much to do that...

RN: *with gritted teeth* Very humbly, Lord Loki...

Loki: Oh, do stop groveling. And your tail's getting dirty. I address you, the worthless mortals who have made it to the bottom of this page. Give my subject here a review worth reading, one that is more than one sentence and has at least one description of how you may have felt. Otherwise you will wake up the next morning to find that all of your toilet paper has disappeared.