AN: I decided to put up my puzzleshipping picture I drew as the header of this chapter...doesn't necessarily fit into what occurs but thought you'd all like to see it :D I love drawing and had to draw my favourite Yugioh pairing. Hope you like it!

Getting closer now guys!! When I said earlier that it was ending, due to all the overwhelming support halfway through writing this story I came up with two sequel books. So although this book is coming soon to a close, two sequels will be taking its place! More on that in the upcoming last few chapters!!

Chapter 17: Scheming Challenges

The cool desert breeze blew in from the south and chilled their skin. The sun already vanished past the horizon and dusk was upon them. The four of them stood there at the entrance to a run down building towards the outskirts of Cairo with their fists tightly clenched.

"You sure this is the place Kaiba?" Jounouchi asked as Kaiba looked over at him and nodded.

"This is where the signal was last detected before it disappeared." He answered, folding his arms across his chest, "No doubt they are probably underground for the signal to no longer be detectable. If it was destroyed it would've given out a secondary signal meaning it must still be on Pegasus somewhere"

Yugi and Atem both let out an uneasy breath before glancing at each other in unison, both obviously having the exact same thought. Yugi clutched his duel disk before turning to face Jounouchi and Kaiba.

"We need to be prepared for anything." Yugi began, "We may be the four top duelists, but we have never faced these people before and know nothing about their strategy or even their intensions."

"I hope Ryou made it here and is okay..." Jounouchi added as Yugi and Atem both looked concerned.

"Worrying isn't going to help them," Kaiba scolded, "We need to find them and win. That should be your only thoughts Jounouchi."

"Yea...you're right." Jounouchi nodded at Kaiba as Kaiba nodded back. Yugi and Atem glanced at each other before Atem nodded.

"Let's go." Atem instructed.

The four entered the run down building cautiously, Jounouchi and Yugi both having flash lights in their hands that they had gotten from Ishizu's place. Kaiba and Atem pushed the doors open with Jounouchi and Yugi shining the lights behind them.

The place was dark and damp, the concrete of the walls beginning to crumble as if the place wasn't kept up for years. The hallway from the entrance seemed to look like it went on forever as shining the lights down it didn't reach an end at least from the entrance way.

As they started down the hallway there were no rooms or any stairs, just the hallway only wide enough for four people continuing into the darkness. The layout was peculiar and unlike any home they had been in before.

After about ten minutes of walking they reached the end of the hallway with a solid brick wall and no rooms to continue through. The four stopped and looked at each other unsure of where to go from here.

"Not a single door or stairs..." Atem pondered, "And yet the signal led us to this building."

"The whole architecture is weird," Yugi added, "The building looked okay from the outside...pretty wide even with actual doors yet the inside is just one long hallway with no exit?"

"You think maybe...there's a hidden room?" Jounouchi asked as the three looked at him in shocked, "Well...you know, we didn't touch the walls at all. Maybe there's some hidden door you know, to trick anyone snoopin' around...what?"

"That's a good idea Jounouchi!" Yugi exclaimed though the most impressed looking out of the bunch was Kaiba at Jounouchi's suggestion. Jounouchi blushed a bit scratching the back of his head before realizing what that really meant.

"Hey I have good ideas sometimes!" Jounouchi exclaimed as the three chuckled in unison, "Seriously, not cool guys. Not cool."

Jounouchi huffed in frustration before storming back the way they entered running his hands along the upper portion of the walls as he walked. Yugi took the same wall as Jounouchi but ran his hands on the lower portion of the wall as he was a lot shorter than his blonde best friend. Kaiba and Atem decided to do the same on the other wall, Atem taking Yugi's flashlight in the process.

"Jounouchi slow down" Yugi instructed as Jounouchi was quite far ahead of him at this point, "You might miss something."

"Nah I'm checkin' Yug! I just got longer legs then you!" Jounouchi teased as he nearly tripped "Wait a second..."

"What is it Jounouchi?" Atem asked.

"This brick feels...weird" Jounouchi said.

Atem, Kaiba and Yugi looked at each other with concern before lightly jogging ahead to catch up to Jounouchi. Kaiba's eyes went wide as he saw Jounouchi push it before they got close.

"Don't push it Jounouchi!!!" Kaiba yelled but didn't reach Jounouchi in time as Jounouchi pushed the brick in all the way.

"What-WHOA" Jounouchi exclaimed as a small portion of the wall moved down and he tumbled forward unable to catch himself as he fell into the dark room ahead. Kaiba was the faster runner but even by the time he got to where Jounouchi was the wall had closed up again and Jounouchi was gone. Kaiba continually tried to push the same brick but the wall wasn't moving again.

"Jounouchi!!" Yugi yelled banging against the wall beside Kaiba.

"Are you sure you're pressing the right brick?!" Atem asked as Kaiba looked cross over his shoulder at him.

"Yes it's this EXACT one." Kaiba snapped as he continued to push on it a few more times before giving up, "I wish, just once, he would listen to what I say. I should've noticed sooner!"

"Kaiba...it's not your fault" Yugi said sadly, "Jounouchi has always been quick to act..."

"He swore to me he'd stop being so reckless...he has no idea who he worries in the process." Kaiba cursed as Atem and Yugi both looked at each other with a confused expression.

"When...did he say that to you?" Atem asked as Yugi also looked like he was going to ask the same question.

"The last time we-" Kaiba began to explain but caught himself, "The plane."

"But you didn't..." Yugi began as Kaiba ignored him and continued feeling around the wall.

"There has to be another way in, or another way to open this path." Kaiba spoke directing the topic back to the crucial matter at hand.

"We should be careful..." Atem said looking at Yugi with concern, "Let's continue to check this wall and then work our way back to the other that way we won't-"

Atem had noticed as he was in the middle of talking he couldn't see Kaiba anymore and looked down the hallway to see him further down the path frantically searching for another way into the wall.

"Speaking of reckless" Atem rubbed his face in frustration as he ran after Kaiba with Yugi close behind.

Again in a similar situation to Jounouchi, Kaiba pressed a brick and ended up through the wall before Atem and Yugi could get to him as it closed behind him. Atem slammed his hands against the wall as it closed in frustration.

"They're trying to separate us...one by one...I bet both walls are riddled with secret entrances designed to single intruders out" Atem stated as he looked over at Yugi, "We need to be careful partner."

"Let's go slowly, stay only a step in front of each other" Yugi agreed as Atem nodded, instinctively going first so that Yugi was just slightly behind him. They continued along the wall feeling for another brick to give way or anything to move and unlock another door.

Atem almost got back to the entrance before pausing and looking back at Yugi, "Yugi..."

"Yeah...I'm thinking it too" Yugi nodded as they paused and looked behind them. "Did they somehow know we were specifically coming? Both bricks on this wall were Jounouchi and Kaiba's heights...something they could reach...not something we could reach"

"It's a puzzle." Atem agreed, "That means there is one for each of us."

"So by that means our bricks should be against the other wall, something we would be easier to reach...probably closer to this entrance as they probably predicted we'd start at the other end" Yugi nodded, "They set this whole thing up...but why?"

"To get us alone. We're weaker if we're separated" Atem answered; "In ancient times, many places were rigged with traps...even my own tomb if you recall. So that means..."

"This place must've been around in ancient times...and they're using the traps to their advantage" Yugi concluded as Atem nodded.

"Exactly Partner"

"Then...we're going to be separated too." Yugi said looking over at Atem with a concerned look, "I bet the bricks won't even be triggered unless we're a certain distance apart from each other making it impossible for us to go together..."

"Yugi..." Atem began putting his hands on Yugi's shoulders, "You are the king of games. Whatever puzzle awaits you, you will solve it I know it."

"Atem..." Yugi shook his head, "It's not figuring out the puzzle I'm worried about..."

It took a moment before Atem realized, "Ah...I'll be alright."

"I don't like the fact that this guy targeted you..." Yugi said frowning, "He stopped you from entering the afterlife...I...don't want him to hurt you or touch you!!"

Atem's eyes went wide at Yugi's bold words and even Yugi seemed somewhat surprised by his sudden declaration. Atem knelt down so that they were eye level and gave a small smile.

"Partner...we have to play the game as it is intended," Atem began as Yugi narrowed his eyes in frustration, "It's the only way we will hopefully be reunited with the others. Remember, they need to beat us...that I confirmed when I faced the cult member in Domino. As long as we don't allow that to happen, they won't touch us. I trust in you partner, you need to believe in me."

Yugi sighed before nodding, "You're right Atem...I do believe in you."

"Then let's beat these people at their own game" Atem smirked as he stood up.

"Right!" Yugi nodded in determination and decided he would go first along the walls to find the trick brick into the room that was designed for him. Sure enough, within a few feet he found the brick and looked over at Atem before entering the room that opened up.

"Go get 'em Yugi!" Atem encouraged as Yugi gave a thumbs up back to him before entering the room just in time for the door to close behind him. Despite being brave for Yugi, Atem couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear in his heart. He didn't like being separated so easily from everyone even though he knew this was part of the puzzle. He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat as a result before narrowing his eyes and returning to his usual confident demeanor.

He continued along the wall finding the brick for him and entered into the black room ready for whatever challenge he'd face next. One thought on his mind, "I'll find you Yugi. All of my friends will be saved."

****Jounouchi's Room****

(all four of the next events happen simultaneously, but I'll separate them as not to bring confusion)

Jounouchi slowly got up off the dirt ground after stumbling into the dark room unexpectedly. He brushed off the dirt off his pants and turned around at the now wall behind him. He banged on it a few times but it didn't budge.

"Man...what the hell?" He exclaimed crossing his arms, "Guys!!! Yug?! Kaiba?! Atem?! Tch...nothin' that figures"

He turned back around and groaned, "Can't see a thing!"

He checked around in his pockets and realized he must've dropped the flashlight when he entered the room. He searched the floor and finally found it. "Aha!"

Just as he found the flash light, purple lights lit up at his feet leading down the hallway in front of him. "Oh come on!! You couldn't have lit that a few seconds ago?!" He groaned, ruffling his own hair before proceeding forward.

He wasn't so dense not to realize this was probably a trap, but what else could he do with no other way to go but forward? He kept his duel disk and his fists clenched just in case.

Jounouchi approached the room to which the purple lights led him too and stopped before the hooded individual in front of him. The room was rather open and lit up with a combination of yellow flames and purple lights around the floor. The hooded individual was standing on a raised rock platform at the far end, a duel disk clearly visible on his arm. Jounouchi wiped the tip of his nose and narrowed his eyes.

"Let me guess...I gotta beat ya to leave this room?!" Jounouchi said as the individual sighed.

"You don't even want to know who I am first?" The deep voice came sounding oddly familiar to Jounouchi but he couldn't place it.

"I've done this before chump." Jounouchi shook his head, "Let's get this started so I can save my friends."

"Save? You honestly think you're saving them?" The deep voice seemed shocked.

"I'm too smart for your head games" Jounouchi said as he readied his duel disk, "Let's get this over with!"

The figure before him removed his hood and caused Jounouchi to instantly tense.

"D-Dad?!!" Jounouchi exclaimed as the man who stood before him was none other than Mr. Jounouchi, Jounouchi's father.

"Katsuya...it's been awhile" His father spoke as Jounouchi shook his head.

"I figured you were off gamblin' and drinkin' all our money away again," Jounouchi sighed, "So instead you joined a cult? Miles better, dad..."

"You mock as if you understand what's going on...but you really don't." His father narrowed his eyes.

"Why don't you enlighten me, dad?!" Jounouchi grumbled, "How you go from a gamblin' alchoholic loser to a cult member"

"Watch your tongue Katsuya!!" His father spat as Jounouchi glared.

"Why? Can't handle the truth?!" Jounouchi grunted, "I'd expect the gamblin' and the drinkin' but this?!"

"You don't even know what THIS is do you?" His father snapped, "You were always stupid Katsuya. So quick to shoot your mouth off before understandin' the situation before you"

"What would you know about me? You're always drunk when you're home and spouting off how life is so hard for you and when you're not home you're spending what little money we have!" Jounouchi stood up tall at that moment, "I'm the one who works, supports us...while you do nothing. I guess I shouldn't put it past ya! How much did they offer ya to do this? Pay off all your debts if you duel your son?"

"...you kids...you're the problem," His father shook his head, "If you and your sister were never born...things wouldn't be this way. Your mother was fine with me before you kids came along...but all of a sudden I can't drink around the kids, I can't spend our money, bleh...and then she took off, taking only ONE of ya with her. What a woman, protests my actions yet leaves one of her kids with me,"

"You shut up about mom!" Jounouchi gripped his fists he almost had enough, "When you have kids...people you care about who depend on you, you step up and support them! Because YOUR life isn't just YOURS anymore! You could never get that could you? All you care about is yourself... well, mom left me with you hoping you'd change even a little! That you'd step up and take care of me LIKE A FATHER SHOULD. But did ya? No! I TOOK CARE OF YOU! Quit blamin' your problems on everybody else...it's your own damn fault!"

"Did your little friends teach you that? Oh about the so called meaning of life and all that crap? You changed when you met that pointy haired kid...grew soft, and even more stupid then before." His father spat again reading his duel disk.

"You're right dad, I did change..." Jounouchi nodded, "I found people who depended on me, who cared about me...who I'd do anything for. Thanks to Yugi and Atem, I made so many friends...even made close friends with unlikely people like Kaiba...ones I never thought would give me the time of day. That's what it means to grow up, what mom was tryin' teach ya! You're the stupid one...and I'm tired of taking care of your broke ass! So if you want to stand in the way of me helpin' my friends, well, dad, I won't back down!"

"It took me a week to learn this game...a week and yet I can remember you whining it was SO hard. Heh. You want to fight your old man? Fine. I'm not goin' to stop ya...figured you'd run away after seein' me but I guess you're even more stupid then I thought. Once I beat you at your stupid game, all my debts will be paid and I'm moving away...you can stay here with your lame friends and try and make a living scraping off the bottom to feed yourself...while I live it big!" His father chuckled, activating his own duel disk.

"You really don't understand this game, I feel sorry for you..." Jounouchi breathed before looking determined, "I learned the real way, the true way to play. And thanks...now my conscious is clear...I was never plannin' on stayin' with you anymore anyway! I got an offer...and well, felt a little sorry for ya...but not anymore. I'm going to take that offer when this is all over dad! You're going to lose, and I'm movin' away from your BROKE ASS!"

****Kaiba's Room****

Kaiba took a moment to regain his composure. He was able to still communicate with Mokuba by wireless signal but Mokuba couldn't pin point his whereabouts or any details about where he was. He sighed knowing that already but thought he'd try none the less.

The ground lit up with purple lights showing him the way forward down the hallway. He smirked and crossed his arms as he calmly followed the path before him.

As he approached a room, the purple lights lit up around it while there were torches along the wall illuminating the room. His eyes were shocked when he recognized who was before him.

"Mai?" He questioned before frowning, "Let me guess...you already beat the cultist I was probably going to face? I can take care of myself."

"I'm sorry..." She apologized as she readied her duel disk, "...but I have to stop you from continuing."

"Mai..." Kaiba continued to frown, "What are you doing?"

"Ensuring, that I'll no longer be alone..." She stated boldly.

"Are you seriously challenging me?" Kaiba asked as he also readied his duel disk, "You realize you are absolutely no match for me."

"My parents died when I was young...and-" She began but Kaiba grunted to interrupt.

"I don't care about your sob story." Kaiba narrowed his eyes, "You turned against us, you lied...that I can't stand for no matter the reason."

"YOU'RE TAKING HIM AWAY FROM ME!" She snapped catching Kaiba off guard as tears welled up in her eyes, "If you had just...backed off...why...WHY HIM?! He's all I had left..."

"Are you telling me... out of all the people close to you that you gained over the years, that you still think you only had ONE friend?" Kaiba shook his head, "Pathetic. You don't deserve the friends you have if you think that."

Mai blinked and looked down shaking at first before regaining her composure, "When I was taken...my soul gone, he was the only one determined to save me...When I was blinded by the darkness...he stood out and helped me...then, I ask him to move in with me and he tells me he has another offer? And that he only sees me as just a friend?! What am I...supposed to think...feel..."

"Yugi fought for you." Kaiba stated, "That idiot Atem, fought for you."

"Yugi and Atem...their hearts...well, its evident they only have room for each other." Mai stated as Kaiba looked a little shocked before regaining his usual composure.

"...this isn't about friendship. It's about..." Kaiba glared, "Are you nuts?! You think I'm taking him away...for that?!"

"Are you telling me...you haven't developed feelings for him?" Mai asked as Kaiba seemed to get even more infuriated.

"You really are stupid, and I've had enough...if you're going to be an idiot and stand in my way, then you will fall" Kaiba stated, "But I do feel sorry for you...I wouldn't be so stupid to throw everything away for an idiot theory. What did they promise you? They could MAKE him love you? You really are a moron if you believe that."

"No...they would bring my parents back" She stated. Kaiba sighed deeply.

"You really are a fool." Kaiba started drawing his cards, "This time, you really will lose everyone"

****Yugi's Room****

Yugi walked through the door with determination. As it closed behind him he took a step and stopped to have a breath. He closed his eyes and focused on his goals and that he was going to save everyone. Just then the floor lit up with purple lights pointing the way forward down the brick covered hallway. Without hesitation, Yugi pressed forward and into the room it led him too.

He stopped, looking around the room to see the torches on the wall and no exit. His eyes focused on the one standing before him and he smiled.

"You're okay." Yugi said with a sigh of relief, "I am so glad you're okay...We were worried."

Yugi went to approach but he put his hand up, "Yugi...I...please...don't."

"But...Ryou..." Yugi said with concern, "What's wrong...?"

"Yugi..." He shook his silver hair and looked into Yugi's eyes, "You...were always...there for me. Thank you...you really don't know how much I'll cherish that..."

"Ryou...you're worrying me...don't talk like that" Yugi half smiled, "Come on, let's find a way out of here and find the others..."

"Yugi...I need to duel you." Ryou stated firmly, "Please...just...duel me. Give me a chance to fight for what I want."

"Ryou...why?" Yugi asked, "Everyone's in danger...we need to find them, we can duel after can't we?"

"I need to duel you. If I win..." Ryou swallowed hard before nodding, "I can be whole again."

"Whole..?" Yugi asked.

"Yugi...you've been whole since Atem came back...the minute he stepped back into your life, you were happy again after being miserable for months since his death." Ryou stated, "I saw that...and I finally, I finally got it...what I've been missing."

"Ryou..." Yugi looked shocked, "You don't mean..."

"I need him back Yugi. The spirit of the ring...I need him...back." Ryou shut his eyes tightly, "I can't be whole...without him."

"Yes you can..." Yugi stated as Ryou shook his head, "I...look"

"Atem made you whole again right?" Ryou questioned as Yugi hesitated he grew cross, "Right?!"

"Yes...Ryou...but it's..." Yugi bit his lip but shook his head and looked at Ryou truthfully, "...I love him Ryou. Letting him go...letting him leave...is the biggest mistake I've ever made."

Ryou looked slightly shocked before smiling, "Then you know how I feel. Yugi...don't go easy on me. Fight me with all you have...If I win, I can have him back..."

"I have too Ryou...because I have people to save too...someone I love that I need to protect" Yugi's eyes weld up with tears.

"Me too," Ryou nodded as he readied his duel disk his own eyes tearing up, "I'm sorry Yugi..."

"He hurt...killed...so many people..." Yugi shook his head shutting his eyes tightly in protest, "Ryou...why risk everything for him?"

"Atem...killed people too." Ryou stated making Yugi's eyes snap open, "...You can't help who you care about."

Yugi looked down for a moment before regaining his composure and readying his own duel disk, "I won't hold back. I just got him back...I won't lose him again!"

****Atem's Room****

Atem heard the wall shut behind him and continued forward. He had to get to the bottom of this and save everyone. He walked proudly forward, his fists clenched and duel disk ready for anything. As he proceeded forward the path lit up the rest of the way for him with purple lights along the floor. He paused for a moment recognizing the lights as the same hue as in his dream.

He continued forward following them, his eyes narrowed in determination as he knew he was getting close now. He entered the room ahead that was not only lit along the ground with the same purple lights but also lit from torches along the walls. A complete circular room with no visible exits that he could see which concerned him.

In the center of the room he smiled at who stood before him.

"You're okay..." Atem sighed in relief as he approached him, "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I know you're smart enough to figure it out...former pharaoh..." Marik sighed, "Please don't pretend."

Atem sighed, "Why Marik? Everyone was worried about you...where's your sister, and Rishid?"

"They're not with you?" Marik questioned as Atem narrowed his eyes.

"Don't pretend with me either," Atem stated, "They have been missing along with you for awhile now"

"What...Why?!" Marik snapped as Atem second guessed his conclusion, "That means...no...Atem! Why didn't you stop them?!"

"They were gone when we realized..." Atem sighed, "Marik...they have your sister and your step brother..."

"No...they promised...they promised they'd be okay..." Marik grit his teeth, "I should've...no...I can't lose them too..."

"Hey...it'll be okay...let's get out of here and find them together," Atem said softly as Marik gripped his head.

"NO!" Marik snapped, "If you proceed they will be hurt..."

"Marik...what's going on?" Atem asked as Marik regained his composure.

"Atem...we have to duel. If I allow you to proceed forward then I risk their safety...and everyone's." Marik readied his duel disk, "I will beat you...then my father will come back, my conscious finally cleared...and I will safe everyone. You have my word, Atem. I promise I'll save everyone just back down"

"Marik... I can't. There's something darker going on here...I can't just ignore it" Atem stated, "It is my responsibility."

"You have...no idea..." Marik shook his head, "I have been investigating this since you came back...Atem, you have to stay out of this...everyone's lives could be risked! You HAVE to stay back!"

"Marik...you need to tell me what's going on..." Atem said calmly, "Thist cultist...how did he stop me from entering the after life? And the tomb...why is it connected with the millennium items...Marik, you know what's going on, tell me!"

"If you tell him Marik, your siblings are dead..." came a dark voice that echoed the room.

"You swore you wouldn't touch them!!!" Marik snapped as the voice snickered.

"I haven't....yet." The voice stated, "I figured you might do too much talking...so I brought along...colateroal. Remember Marik, if you beat the former pharaoh...your father will be alive again, and I'll let your siblings go."

Marik gritted his teeth as Atem clenched his fists.

"Show yourself coward! Stop having people fight your battles for you and face me yourself!" Atem snapped as the voice snickered again.

"Oh...in due time former pharaoh...unless of course Marik wins and then...well you'll wish you hadn't gotten everyone who you love involved" the voice threatened.

"What..." Atem growled, "Don't you DARE hurt my friends!!"

"Only if you manage to beat Marik will I spare them...for now. They have all fallen into their traps...and they all have lost, except for you" The voice chuckled, "Face Marik and win...removing Marik's only hope to redeem himself...or lose, and lose everyone else. Choice is yours pharaoh...who matters more? Marik, or your other friends?"

"You leave them alone!" Atem scolded, " Enough with this game, let them all go RIGHT now. And fight me yourself!! I won't fight Marik"

"Then everyone else...is mine." The voice laughed, "Especially your former host...oh...how he will play a role in all of this. Too bad he won't live afterwards, but sacrifices have to be made..."

Atem's eyes went wide before he shouted, "If you touch ONE hair on Yugi's head...!"

"There it is! That commanding Pharaoh tone...yes sir! I won't harm Yugi, yet, if you beat Marik...choice is yours Pharaoh, time to make it...bye bye!!"

"Damn him..." Marik grunted, "I should've taken Ishizu and Rishid with me..."

"Marik..." Atem glared, "I can't let you win. If there's a chance..."

"I know Atem..." Marik nodded, "And you know why I need to fight...I'm sorry...for not telling you everything when you came back...or being able to tell you know...but I have to do this."

Atem readied his duel disk, "Then don't hold back Marik."

"I won't Atem." Marik said readying his duel disk, "I'll make sure he doesn't harm Yugi and the others...I promise. You have my word"

"You're not going to win Marik..." Atem stated, "...but I will save everyone! I will end this!!"

Chapter 17 end.

AN: Wow what a long chapter! Conclusion to the matches will be revealed next chapter as well as big plot points. The next one will jump around a bit, and will offer some insight into people's actions as well! Just about there now!

Reminding all of you who have stuck with me, continue to read or newly here that there will be two sequel books to this and maybe even more depending on momentum. I also have another story that is extremely AU "Captive of Darkness" if anyone is looking for more of a relationship style story. Please continue to comment, share, favourite, critique, etc!! I'd love to hear it and it drives me forward!!

I really appreciate all of you! You really have kept me going and I've really felt a lot of support since joining Wattpad. I love the community here!