[ Yu-Gi-Oh: Return to Duelist Kingdom ]
Story By John Heusler

[ Chapter 1: Old Friends Return ]

Yugi Motou was walking home from doing some shopping for his Grandpa one day. A forth of the way home, he runs smack into none other than Raphael himself. Yugi wasn't scared, because he knew Raphael was no longer evil. He looks at Raphael. "Sorry, I guess I wasn't looking where I was going, sorry." Raphael raised his eyebrow. "You ok Pharoah?" Yugi looks at him, thinking why is he calling ME the Pharoah, Atem is gone now, and I miss him alot. Yugi smiles a little, slightly hiding his worry. "Yea, I guess I'm ok, why?" Raphael hands him the bag Yugi dropped, raising his eyebrow yet again. "Well, for one, your Grandpa is lo that he requiresoking very ill, but all the doctors Mai and Valon saw him go to said that the special operation costs more than he has."
Yugi looks real worried now. "Oh no, Grandpa! I don't know what to do..." Raphael looks at him, as if suprised Yugi hadn't realized it yet. "Uh, Pharoah, you do realize that only one person can help you pay for the surgery..." Yugi suddenly looks hopeful. "You're right, Seto Kaiba!! He can help me! Can't he?" Raphael looks taken aback for a moment, then he looks at Yugi. "I was talking about Maximillion Pegasus, he has the money, you just have to earn it, like you did in Duelist Kingdom... But Kaiba might help, if he is done being an arrogant moron..."
Yugi hears somebody yell his name. He turns to see who yelled it. Then he stands still as if he were paralyzed. "Mai? What're you doing here?" Mai smiles, taking off her helmet as Valon dismounts off his motorcycle. "Is that any way to greet an old friend? Yugi starts to stammer, until Mai stops him from apologizing by holding up her hand. "It's ok Yugi, I know you're glad to see me, so, how've you been? Did you figure out the Pharoah's real name?" Yugi starts to remember the loneliness he feels inside without Atem, whom he called another I, since they were very alike. "Yes, and his name is Atem..." Valon has dismounted and joined her by now. "Atem, eh? Sounds peachy, mate. Suddenly all 4 people turn around, facing behind Valon, because a car is speeding straight for them!!

[ to be continued... ]