The Rest of the Story

Yu-Gi-Oh is not mine. I wish it was, but it's not.

It was fading, along with the monotonous beeping of the machinery, but she could still hear them. The children were crying.

"You have to know how good each child is, or they get upset and cry."

"Mrs. Maico?"

Her eyes opened to warm sunlight filtered through gauzy lace curtains, and a familiar face.

"Oh! Hello young man."

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Why yes, yes I do feel much better, actually. But…I thought I heard my grandchildren crying…"

"I'm sure they'll be alright, Mrs. Maico. If you're ready, we should go now."

"I'd love to leave this dreadful hospital, but I doubt those silly doctors will allow-"She suddenly realized they were not in her hospital room. In fact, she was lying in a canopy bed, one that seemed familiar to her. She looked around, spotting a cherry-wood rocker and hope chest that looked so much like-

"This was my room! My room when I was a little girl! Her gaze alighted on a glass-fronted cabinet and the porcelain dolls assembled within. "My dolls! I was going to give them to my granddaughter, but these days children only want the latest video games." She gave him a mischievous look. "And Duel Monster cards of course."

His smirk matched her own. "Well of course they MUST have Duel Monster cards!" His face grew serious again. "Your dolls will be cherished Mrs. Maico, just as they will cherish their memories of you." He held out his hand. "Come into the light Mrs. Maico. Your loved ones who came before are waiting for you."

"My wheelchair…?"

"You won't need it anymore."

She took his hand and rose to her feet, standing straight and tall as she had not done in many years. Together they walked toward a light of indescribable warmth and beauty…

"Something about you seems different Duel King."

"Ah, well I'm no longer the 'Duel King'. I passed the title to Yugi when he defeated me in our last duel."

"To Yugi? I,m afraid I don't understand, aren't you Yugi Mutou?"

"Well, no actually, I was known as 'Yugi' before I regained my memories. And it was Yugi who discovered that my name is really Atem." He sighed, noting the bewildered expression on her face. "It's rather a long story Mrs. Maico. Would you like to hear it?"

"I believe I would like that, young man, I'd like that very much…"

The mourners lingered in small groups after the graveside service. Unnoticed by their parents, three children shyly approached a young man with wild hair and a kind face.

"Did you really duel our grandma, Mr. Mutou?"

"I sure did. Your grandmother was a very sweet lady and a wonderful duelist. Would you like to hear about that duel..?"

The end.