Dissociative Identity Disorder

Doctor Pegasus primly crossed one leg over the other. "Make yourself comfortable, Mister Muto."

The boy inclined his head. He sank gracefully into the armchair. He crossed his arms, stared Pegasus straight in the eyes.

Pegasus thought he knew, but it was always a good idea to check… "To whom am I speaking?"

A blink. "The Pharaoh."

Notes scrawled down the pad in loopy, sensuous pen strokes. Whimsical cartoons danced along the margins.

Rarely does the main personality inherently know of any identity anomalies.

Yugi Muto is a study in exceptions.

"Ah, it is good to see you," Pegasus greeted, though he eyed the boy before him keenly. "I know it is not always the case for you two, but I must ask, what drew you out today?"

Often, the identity anomaly surfaces when the main personality dissociates, when it needs to draw away to cope. Again, Yugi Muto is a study in exceptions.

"The Pharaoh" seemed to become more comfortable; he relaxed back into his chair, leaned on the arm rest a little. His posture loosened. "It's been a while since I've had control of our body. Yugi was feeling guilty." His fingers drummed on his biceps. "He also thought I should speak with you again."

Pegasus nodded, scribbled down a few notes. Sharp eyes watched the motion of the pen.

Often, though one might not consider it 'typical' for this condition, the identities have limited communication. This is often because the other personalities are not conscious if they are not in control of their body. So, some subjects communicate with their other personalities via notes they leave on their person.

Meanwhile, Yugi is generally conscious when 'The Pharaoh' is at the helm, and vice versa.

For this subject, blackouts are a rare occurrence.

"I'm always here if you need someone to talk to," Pegasus reminded. "I understand your bond with Yugi is strong, but it is good to extend your support system to others."

The Pharaoh nodded, rubbed a palm hard on his thigh. "I know. I simply find it hard… I…" He took a deep breath. "I don't belong. I don't belong living Yugi's life for him."

Pegasus tilted his head. "You may be two different identities, but you are not different people. You have always been a part of Yugi. You will always be a part of Yugi. You simply diverged to help cope with the trauma you have been through."

Like most identity anomalies, 'The Pharaoh' arose from a time of great mental strife. Numerous times Yugi has recounted tales of the unbelievable torture he faced at the hands of his classmates.

The experiences profoundly shaped the personality of Yugi's protector identity, The Pharaoh. The world for The Pharaoh is in stark black and white. There is right, and there is wrong. There is no in-between. The very naivety of his ideals contrast against his seemingly mature conduct (versus Yugi's childlike energy). He especially finds disdain in any oppression of any sort. Bigotry or bullying will immediately scratch your name onto his blacklist.

One does not want to be on The Pharaoh's blacklist.

The Pharaoh considered these words quietly.

- Yugi is one of my favorite patients (I know that's unethical, but hear me out), simply because both of his identities are so attentive and willing to listen, to consider everything on such a visceral level -

"You have every right to experience life as Yugi does, simply because you are Yugi." Pegasus leaned his jaw on his knuckles. "In a perfect world, you never would have separated. You would be one whole personality."

A twitch of the lip, a glimpse of a frown. "This world is far from perfect."

Pegasus conceded with an incline of the chin. "That much is glaringly true. This world is not rainbows and daisies and bunnies. It is merciless, it is gritty, it is dirty, and it is tainted. But that is not all it is. There is good in this world. There is much joy to be found here. But, no matter the state of our existence, you cannot shield Yugi forever."

The Pharaoh gulped, nodded.

"You worry about whether or not you belong in Yugi's shoes. You do. But understand, without your part incorporated into the whole, Yugi cannot cope with this world in a healthy manner."

The Pharaoh held his face in his hands. "What happens when Yugi doesn't need me anymore?"

Pegasus resisted the urge to cluck in reprimand. "Yugi will always need you. You are his strength, his courage. If you fear the sudden end to your own existence, know that will never come. The endeavor with treatment like this is to make you whole again. To heal the fray."

"Whole again…" The Pharaoh murmured.

Though I'm not sure I can say Yugi is the most compelling of my D.I.D. patients.

END PART

Or where I give various YGO characters various psychoses for my own amusement.