AN: Hey there. Hope you're doing well, I know it's been a bit. Tbh, I've been dealing with depression for years and I finally went to my doctor to do something about it so… that's good, and more to the point, I want you guys to know you've been a constant joy in my life for all these years so thank you all a lot! I LOVE YOU. You! Yes, you! I'm sending some positive vibes to you now. XXXXXX

Write this whole chapter listening to Aimer. I'm curious, how many of you duel and which archetypes do you like/use? I still do for fun, not in tournaments or anything. Right now I'm using Gem-Knights, Magispectors, Nordics, and then a hodge podge deck with no extras lol. Just wondering!

This is unrelated but I had a strange YGO dream the other night that I wanted to share. I was this servant in Ancient Egypt and Atem's secret love (so cliché right? But so good lol). So I'm wandering the palace at night because I can't sleep and run into the Pharaoh (Atem's father) and for one, he looked totally different, imagine an edgy blonde evil guy (Count Lucio from Arcana?) and anyway he had a reputation for being cruel. So I just dropped to my knees in a bow, hoping he'd ignore me and keep walking but nope. He just stood there and I could feel him looking at me and somehow he knew Atem and I were a couple and goes, "He calls you 'little princess'… but you're not, are you?" And I'm so shook at this point and I don't respond. Then he orders me into this room and to lock the door behind us and I AM just dreading whatever's about to happen, idk if he's going to torture me or what, but I know it's going to be BAD. So I bolt out and find Atem and I keep telling him that the pharaoh's going to hurt me and such but he won't even look at me or say anything like he's been brainwashed… It was a really helpless situation and that's how it ended. Kind of wish it were a fanfic lol. Anyway, here's some pharaoh content:

Chapter Thirty

Akeno followed Yami, and the devious student, Daisuke Kitsutano, into one of the storage houses on school grounds. It was large enough to store the high school's sports equipment on shelves along the walls as well as stacks of folding chairs and tables and other miscellaneous objects that belonged to the after school clubs. Although the warehouse seemed unintimidating on its own, the mere fact that it was well out of earshot of the main building should anything go wrong made Akeno uneasy. If it weren't for the fact that Yami had suggested it, she might have tried to back out altogether.

He must have something up his sleeve, she thought as Yami held the door open for her. He nodded, giving her an encouraging smile and she felt warmer. I'm sure he knows what he's doing!

Kitsutano adjusted his rectangular glasses with a finger, giving the room a dubious look. "What are we even doing out here, Moto?" he frowned. "I thought you were smarter. I assumed you'd want to go at it in a classroom, where one of the teachers could rescue you and your little dominatrix."

Akeno went red. "What did you call me?!"

Kitsutano snickered at her reaction. "Or maybe it's the other way around," he continued, smirking at Yami. "I've seen those Battle City promos of you in the leather and chains. Kinky."

Akeno balled her fists, turning to Yami. "Are you sure violence isn't the answer right now?" she hissed.

"That's enough, Kitsutano!" Yami growled. "Our agreement was to a game of wits, not trading sly remarks."

"Struck a nerve, eh? Fine. Let's get this over with! The sooner I beat you, the sooner I'll have that prized deck of yours and you too, Hitshii."

Akeno glared. This guy sure likes to talk. And I thought Bakura liked the sound of his own voice!

"So what game were you thinking?" Kitsutano asked. "None of that Duel Monsters crap."

"Fine. We'll try something else, a game of minds," Yami told him. "Something you'd be familiar with… chess."

"Ha, you do know I'm captain of the chess team, don't you?" Kitsutano boasted. "What an idiot!"

Akeno looked nervously at Yami but he seemed confident. He smirked. "We'll be playing a little differently today," he said. "Instead of one match, we'll be playing three."

Kitsutano snorted. "You can't beat me in one match; I'm not wasting my time on another."

"You misunderstand, Kitsutano. I don't expect us to play three consecutive games. My intention to is play all three at once."

One of the long tables was set up, along with three separate chess sets, their pieces all in place. Kitsutano sat on one side, looking unimpressed while Yami sat opposite him, Akeno by his side.

"The rules are standard," Yami explained. "Each player moves one piece per turn, from any board of their choosing." Akeno could see Kitsutano's eyes narrow behind his glasses as Yami continued. "Whoever captures the Kings from two of the three boards, wins. What do you say, Kitsutano? Are you up for the challenge? It's not too late to back out."

"Fat chance," the upperclassman spat. "You're not going to get off that easy."

"Very well."

"White goes first, if you didn't know, so it's my turn!" Kitsutano said, moving a pawn from the center board forward.

"Good luck," Akeno murmured before Yami's move.

Yami gave her a reassuring look. "I won't let you down." He met Kitsutano's pawn at the center of the board with one of his own.

Both of them were hard to read, Akeno noticed, watching carefully as they played. Yami maintained a look of steady concentration but Kitsutano allowed smugness and boredom to creep onto his features. Their first few moves had been done quickly, as if pre-planned, but as control of the middle spaces was taken, there was more hesitation in them both. These moves counted more. This was where mistakes were made and strategies developed.

Akeno knew the basics of chess but nothing intricate about major plays and traps to watch out for. Kitsutano knocked one of Yami's black Bishops over with a Knight on the left board.

"Tch. You're a novice at best. Clearly you should stick to the cards games, Moto," Kitsutano snickered. "Oh wait, I guess that'll be difficult without your cards, wouldn't it?"

"Don't count me out just yet," Yami replied evenly.

Akeno wasn't sure if Yami had the upper hand at the moment on any board. He had more pieces removed from play but that might not mean too much in this game. She assumed Kitsutano would be less composed if he were outright losing. It was really just blind faith in the pharaoh that she was running on.

Yami defeated enemies way more powerful than a snotty high school jerk. He should be no match. But…

Akeno frowned, looking at her lap.

I wouldn't last five minutes, would I? All of these dangers… I've always had to rely on someone else to save me. I've even relied on Bakura! And he practically hates my guts!

Akeno clenched the end of her skirt in tight fists.

I know there's nothing wrong with accepting help but if I can't protect myself… or the people I care about… She glared. Then I don't really stand a chance in helping save the world and doing whatever Shadi needs me to do… This changes today.

"Checkmate!"

Akeno froze, watching as Kitsutano's Knight cornered Yami's King on the left board. She stomach went cold. "Ha! Just one more and I win the game!" Kitsutano jeered. He grinned at Akeno. "You don't mind skipping the rest of your classes, right? What about taking a day off tomorrow too?"

For a moment, she froze, fear springing to her heart. And then, it was gone, a calm coming over her.

After everything I've been through, all of the darkness I've faced and will still have to face, and defeat… This game… This person… Akeno studied the haughty look on Kitsutano's face. It doesn't compare... It doesn't even come close.

She smiled. "I'm not really worried."

"Hm? Oh, you're warming up to me, huh? All the ladies do eventually," Kitsutano smirked.

Akeno sighed, crossing her arms and one leg over the other. "Not in your dreams. It's just, when I really think about it… you're just not that important…"

"What?!"

She blinked at him. "That sounded rude… but it's still true. We're only here because you're a bully and a brat who's used to getting his way. It's kind of embarrassing that an upperclassman is this immature..."

"Embarrassing?" he spat. "You're going to pay tenfold for everything you just said, Hitoshii! This doesn't end after tonight."

"It ends now, Kitsutano," Yami interrupted. "Or have you forgotten our game?"

"You're eager to lose, Moto…"

"Don't be so sure. You might want to look again."

Kitsutano's eyes widened as he examined the remaining two boards. "I… My King's in check?!"

It was true— on the middle chess board, Yami's Bishop and Queen prevented the enemy King any moves without being captured. They were now tied, one for one. The final match would decide the winner.

Kitsutano ground his teeth. "You got lucky that I was distracted!"

"On the contrary," Yami said. "You've been in check for the last five turns and failed to notice. I think your victory on the left board made you underestimate me further."

Kitsutano adjusted his glasses, calming himself. "Maybe so, but I assure you, it won't happen again!"

Akeno's face hardened. Even if he doesn't underestimate Yami, he won't win. I just know it!

"You moved your Bishop and left your side unguarded! I got you now, King of Games," Kitsutano taunted, sliding his Queen to take out the Pawn blocking Yami's King. "I'll take out all your pieces if I have to!"

Yami allowed himself to smirk. "You forget, Kitsutano, in chess, every piece has a part to play, and my Rook has a special ability in this position to its King."

"Wait, really?" Akeno asked as Yami's King and Rook swapped places, putting the latter in the path of the opposing Queen.

He nodded. "It's called castling."

Kitsutano glared. "It's called stalling," he said, moving his Queen in position to take the Rook next turn. "You're done for. Your King can't escape!"

"My King doesn't need to escape," Yami said, moving a Pawn one space forward. "Because my Pawn reached your side of the board, it's promoted to a piece of my choice and I choose a Queen! Checkmate!"

Kitsutano slammed his fist on the table, making the pieces jump. "No!"

Yami crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "You should have been more worried about defending your own King instead of attacking mine. Your need to dominate the board and achieve a quick victory was your downfall."

Akeno watched him seethe, slowly rising to his feet. He glared at Yami from over his glasses, and just when Akeno thought he might leap over the table, he laughed.

"You really got me good, Moto," he grinned, rubbing the back of his head.

Akeno furrowed her brows at his change of demeanor. Just a second ago he looked so pissed! There's no way a jerk like him is such a good sport about losing…

Kitsutano came around the table, Yami standing to meet him. "Good game," he grinned, holding out his left hand.

Yami's expression was hard, clearly suspicious too, but nonetheless, shook his hand. It happened all at once. Kitsutano's grip tightened, pulling Yami closer, and his right hand raised, a pocket knife clenched in his fist.

"Yami!"

"I'm not losing to the likes of you!" Kitsutano sneered, bringing the knife down.

Akeno shrieked as the pharaoh barely caught Kitsutano's wrist in time to stop his attack. Yami gritted his teeth, Kitsutano having both the strength and height advantage.

"Stop this now!" Yami demanded, eyes wide in alarm.

Kitsutano kept grinning down at him. "Scared, Moto? You should be!"

"Hey, creep!" Akeno shouted, suddenly behind Kitsutano. "I'd say this is checkmate!" She let out a growl, hitting him in the back with one of the folding chairs.

"Gah!"

Akeno watched as he hit the floor, more stunned than hurt. She still gripped the chair, rushing to stand by Yami. "What were you saying before…?" she panted, "That violence wasn't the answer…?"

He smiled, regaining his composure. "Thank you. That was quick thinking."

Akeno shrugged, returning the smile. "What're friends for…?" The thought made her feel warm. For a moment.

"You bitch…" Kitsutano ground out, getting to his feet. Finally, his cool demeanor had cracked and he fumed, watching them, his neatly combed hair now hanging in his eyes. "I was going to let you both off easy. Now, you'll be lucky if you make it to the hospital!"

Akeno raised the chair, defensively, ready to use it should Kitsutano lunge at them. Yami stepped in front of her.

"Wh-what are you doing?" she asked, scared that he was open again to be attacked.

"I'll handle it from here," he said, looking at Kitsutano with an anger she hadn't seen in him before. She stepped back unconsciously, chair still raised between them. "You've lost, Kitsutano," Yami said gravely. "And now you must face the penalty."

Her heart skipped a beat. Penalty…? T-the pharaoh wouldn't actually hurt someone, would he…?

Kitsutano scoffed, "You're a real glutton for punishment, eh?"

Yami was unaffected by his taunting. "You're selfish and motivated only by your need to control and abuse others. You've let your pride and cruelty pollute your mind, making you a sorry excuse for a person."

"Don't you lecture me, Moto!"

The Millennium Puzzle began to glow a brilliant white, causing both Akeno and Kitsutano to shield their eyes. "Yami?" she questioned, suddenly reminded that he too was an ancient spirit. What's he doing?! Is he sending him to the Shadow Realm? Are all of these spirits like Bakura…? Do they all have a darkness in them?!

"Until you've shed such things, Kitsutano, you only dishonor yourself and waste your potential…" Yami told him. "Allow me to aid you in opening your mind!"

There was a blinding flash of golden light and the sound of Kitsutano's strangled cry as he collapsed at the pharaoh's feet. And then suddenly, the light faded and the room was back to normal. Everything was still. There was a beat of silence that followed, Akeno feeling very wary of being alone with the pharaoh now, even if he hadn't given her any reason before to fear him.

I... don't actually know him, do I? Or what he's capable of...

Yami turned to her, pausing at seeing her tense. He blinked, clearly taken aback by her response. "Akeno?"

She was still gripping the chair tightly. "What… did you do to him…?" she said quietly.

"I freed his mind of shadows, for the moment," he said evenly. "He will hopefully be able to start anew after this."

The tension eased from Akeno and she lowered the chair to the floor. "You mean you didn't… He isn't…" she trailed off, suddenly guilty for thinking the pharaoh capable of behaving like Bakura.

Yami looked to the ground, understanding her unspoken words. "I see."

"Sorry, I just…"

He shook his head, giving her a small smile. "I should be the one to apologize. I hadn't considered how you might react to the use of magic. After being in the Spirit of the Ring's company for so long, it's no wonder you thought the worst." The Eye of Horus gleamed on the Puzzle. "I'll let Yugi take over from here."

"Wait!" Akeno shouted, startling Yami from his soul transfer. He looked at her in surprise.

Akeno stared at him, eyes shining. "I never got to thank you…" she said, feeling lame.

Yami smiled, looking relieved. "There's no need. What're friends for?" he said, mimicking her words from earlier. He winked.

Akeno felt a surge of warmth inside her and found herself wrapping her arms around Yami's middle. "I… still feel like a 'thank you' is in order," she joked, pulling back once she realized what she'd done. "Oh! Y-Yugi?! What… what happened…?"

Yugi gave her a sheepish grin. "I think you caught the pharaoh off guard," he said, scratching the back of his head.

"Oh, geez," Akeno groaned, hiding her face. "I didn't mean to make him uncomfortable or anything…"

"You didn't," Yugi assured, looking amused at the situation. "I think he was blushing actually."

This caused Akeno's face to go red. He was...?

Kitsutano began to shift and moan, indicating that he was starting to come to. The pair watched him, nervously.

"Let's get out of here," Akeno suggested.

Yugi nodded. "Why don't we find Ryou? He must be wondering where you are."

"Ryou?"

"Yeah. I'm sure he's noticed you're missing and is probably worried."

Oh, god! I almost forgot that Ryou's supposed to be my boyfriend! A-and here I am throwing myself at the pharaoh—I hope he doesn't read too much into it!

Akeno sweat-dropped, smiling. "Yeah, good idea."