Flames to Dust [Discontinued]

Chapter 1: That Faithful Day

It was almost the end of Yugi's senior year of high school. Graduation was approaching very soon. Everything seemed at peace and Yugi was looking forward to graduating. Yugi was standing on the rooftop staring out into the unknown thinking about summer when he was interrupted by a voice.

"Hey Yug! Check this out!" Joey yells.

"What is it Joey?" Yugi replies.

"It's a new duelist tournament and it's going to be held right here in Domino City! I think we should enter! What do you think?" Joey says eagerly.

"That sounds like fun but I have plans to travel over the summer. I would love to do it it's just that I've been planning this trip to go camping in Yosemite in California for a while now. Wouldn't want to miss it for the world." Yugi says.

"I hear ya and I understand. Well maybe another time. I can't wait to see the look on a duelists' face when I beat them." Joey says with smile.

"Hey don't get too ahead of yourself there Joey, remember to just believe in yourself and trust in the heart of the cards. If you do that anything can happen." Yugi says. The school bell rings signaling that lunch was over.

At the end of the day, Yugi and his friends walked outside the school entrance and down the block.

"So do you guys want to do anything tomorrow after school? Maybe see that new action movie with the ninjas?" Tea suggested.

"Sure sounds fun, I should be heading home now though. Can't keep my Grandpa waiting too long, I promised him I would help him at the game shop today." Yugi says.

"See ya tomorrow Yugi!" His friends all say.

As Yugi waits at the sidewalk for the walking signal of the crosswalk, he couldn't help think about Atem at that moment. He's learned to accept that he wasn't with him anymore however, the pain has still lingered. If it wasn't for Atem, he wouldn't be the duelist let alone the person he is today. A part of him wished he could be here just for a brief moment. The crosswalk signal changed and Yugi had barely made his way across the intersection when a car out of nowhere hit him with a full force. Yugi was thrown around four feet from the spot he was at laying lifeless and a pool of blood started forming around him. The accident resulted in a loud booming noise as the car crashed into a street lamp.

"Someone call an ambulance! Please someone help!" A woman yelled.

"Tea! Something happened, look." Tristan said he heard the woman's voice along with the loud noise.

Bakura, Joey, Tea, and Tristan all turned around to see what was happening. A couple of blocks from where they were just a few minutes ago laid a small body with what looked like a purple school uniform and a wrecked car a couple of feet away.

"Guys I don't want to jump to conclusions but isn't that where we met up with Yugi recently. I think..." Joey couldn't finish his sentence.

"You don't think it's him on the ground... No... it can't be" Bakura said tearing up.

They all ran to the crash scene and to their horror it was indeed Yugi who lay limp on on the cement. Joey ran to Yugi's side cradling his head in his lap.

"Noo... no.. no...Yugi please wake up! Yug please say something to me. Come on buddy you gotta wake up for me. Please.. It's Joey.. Wake up..." Joey said. Joey then broke down in tears.

An ambulance then arrived and one of the paramedics asked Joey what had happened.

"I.. I.. I don't know. My friends and I heard a loud noise. We weren't sure what it was and... we just found my buddy Yug here...." Joey cried

"Please help him he's been out for a couple of minutes. I saw the accident. That boy was hit by that car over there when the crosswalk sign said "Walk". The car literally came speeding out of nowhere and I just remember it zooming pass the street hitting him." The woman bystander said.

"We'll take it from here, thank you ma'am. Sir, we are going to need you to let us take your friend onto the stretcher now. He'll be transported to Domino Central Hospital." The paramedic said.

"I'm not leaving, I'm going in that ambulance with Yugi. He's my friend and I'm staying with him." Joey says passionately.

"Joey are you sure you're going to be fine?" Tea asks.

"I'll be okay guys. I'll meet you at the hospital later. You guys should tell his grandpa what happened in the meantime." Joey said

"Alright, we'll see you soon." Tea, Tristan, and Bakura say.

Yugi is carried into the ambulance where he is hooked up to an IV and oxygen mask. Joey holds Yugi's hand and silently cries.

"You're going to be ok, I know you will." Joey says.

"Hey kid, what's your friend's full name?" said the paramedic.

"Yugi Muto" Joey says.

"Isn't he the King of Games? Like the best duelist in Duel Monsters?" the paramedic said in amazement.

"Yup he sure is. He's my best friend. I always have been there by his side when he needed me and he's been there for me." Joey says with tears in his eyes.

About 15 minutes later the ambulance arrives to the main entrance of Domino Central Hospital and Yugi is taken into the emergency room. Joey sits in the waiting room patiently awaiting the news of Yugi's condition. Just then Mr.Muto, Bakura, Tea, and Tristsan walk through the entrance. "Any news of how he's doing Joey" Mr.Muto asks.

Joey just shakes his head no. He didn't feel like talking at the moment.

Half and hour later, a nurse comes to the waiting room and asks if there is anyone to see Yugi. Mr.Muto and Yugi's friends all immediately stand up.

"I can only have two visitors at a time in the room. I hope you can understand" the nurse said.

"You go first Joey, we can wait our turn here." The crew says.

"Are you sure? I mean I was with him in the ambulance and I think it would be fair if one of you guys went now." Joey said.

"We're sure. Don't worry we'll be waiting right here. We'll see him soon." the crew said.

"He's in room 406." the nurse said.

Mr.Muto and Joey take the elevator to the fourth floor eventually making their way down to Yugi's room

As they walk in they see Yugi hooked up to a oxygen mask and to several IV drips. His left shoulder is covered up in bandages and part of his forehead is as well.

"Hi Yugi" Mr.Muto says quietly as he strokes his grandson's hair.

Yugi stirs and opens his eyes only to wince in pain.

"Hi Grandpa, where am I? What.. happened?" Yugi asks groggily.

Before Mr.Muto could answer, Joey interjected.

"You were in an accident, I was with you in the ambulance. I..." Joey said then the doctor walked in interrupting his sentence.

"Pardon me but are you Mr.Muto?" The doctor asks.

"Yes, is everything going to be alright with my grandson?" He asks in a concerned tone.

"He has several broken ribs, a bruised lung, a concussion, severe blood loss, and some fractures on his leg along with bruising on other extremities of his body." He will need surgery for his leg to reset the bone back in place. It's going to be a long recovery for him." The doctor said gravely.

"Why did this have to happen to Yugi. He's done nothing to deserve this. Whoever did this should be sorry." Joey said under his breathe.

"Apparently the driver was pronounced dead at the scene and it appears he was intoxicated. Hold on a second... Are you Joey Wheeler?" the doctor said suddenly.

"Yes, why?" Joey asks.

"Please come with me" the doctor said.