#2000to2009

[puzzleshipping-library]

Lake Discoveries

Author: shadowrealm818

Rated M • Published 2008 • Completed 2009 • Word count: 75k

Yugi just getting his boat license took his grandfather's boat out on the lake but ran into trouble at one of the islands. He was saved by two mermen that lived in the lake. What will happen when one of the mermen's father, the King of the merpeople, find out? Will Yugi lose his memory or will he keep it? And what happens if comeone foudn out about them and Yugi's parents come for him?

Read on FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4646713/1/3

Admin's notes: sometimes you go looking for old school mermaid fics for mer!May and find not just puzzleshipping but MONARCHSHIPPING and MOBIUMSHIPPING hello. A bit dated in terms of style, but the moments of tenderness and support between the three of them are a treat. heads up for the m!preg (ish?) at the end.

[puzzleshipping-library]

Sight the King

Author: Olesia.Love

Rated M • Published 2007 • Complete • Word count: 127k

After Yuugi wakes up at the scene of a crime with blood on his hands and a voice in his head, there's only one thing he can do: Run.

Read on FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3838953/1/Sight-the-King

Read the uncut version on LJ: https://heartcontainers.livejournal.com/8937.html (pdf)

Admin's notes: I re-read this for the first time in ages and oof it is a willllld ride and I love it. The alignment with season 0 with all the death games and Yugi being Clever AF riddling his way through everything is so expertly done (like, kudos to the author for being a genius with all the different games because I'm just like "welp id die on my first turn"). And the spooky shadow Yami is top notch with Causing Mayhem and Making Bad Decisions. It even dares to expand on Yugi's family and Sugoroku Mutou's wife and the history of the puzzle, and brings everything back around to the beginning in such a satisfying way. But the standout in this whole absolutely immaculate story is the development of the relationship between Yugi and Yami and the sheer intensity and fluidity of their bond. I just love how it's written so so much.

[puzzleshipping-library]

1001 Domino Nights

Author: lucidscreamer

Rated M • Published 2008 (Last Updated 2012) • Word count 64k

Yugi Mutou had never believed in magic or genies... until he solved a mysterious, pyramid-shaped puzzle and Atem appeared. And then, all Yugi wished for was to spend a thousand and one nights (or, y'know, forever) in Atem's arms. Too bad the rest of the universe had other plans for them.

Read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/208927

Admin's notes: this is 100% the fic that revived my current ygo phase. I was off in another fandom, reading a genie!fic and couldn't stop thinking about *this one* that does it so so so well. It is so good to re-read even now, and even though it's incomplete, what is done is just *chef's kiss* perfection. no one does it better. the plot is riveting, the developing relationship between yugi and Atem is believable and satisfying and i'm gonna stop writing so that you can go and read this right now

[puzzleshipping-library]

Sixth Stop

Author: Nicole Silverwolf

Rated G • Published 2002 • Complete • Word count <5k

The journey home from the Duelist Kingdom gives Tristan a chance to catch a glimpse of Yugi's other half.

Read on FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/995520/1/Sixth_Stop

Admins notes: After looking for this for ages, I have finally found it, and am so pleased that it still stands as a quality fic 20 years later. I love this moment where Tristan is the first to really glimpse the spirit as someone separate from Yugi, and witness the trust and tenderness inherent to Yugi and Yami Yugi's dynamic so early in the series. The subtle contrast with Bakura and the Ring I think adds something to Tristan's willingness to accept what he sees rather than dismissing it (what's one more unbelievable thing, after the week they've had?). And the spot-on description of the rest of the friend group, even while sleeping, is the cherry on top and makes this such a solid, enjoyable read.

[puzzleshipping-library]

Gemini

Author: SilverLily aka Blood Moon

Rated G • Published 2003 • Last updated 2004 • Word count 27k

Shadii made a mistake in sending Yami back to be the ruler of the ancient world. Now, with no light in sight and in the midst of an uprising, there is no hope in sight.

Read on FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1496544/1/Gemini

Admin's notes: I admit I haven't gone back to re-read this since I was a wee puzzleshipper, but I *devoured* positively everything written by this author back in the day, and this was one of my first foray's into ancient egypt Yugi-goes-to-Atem fics. A light-hearted story, I loved Atem's immediate interest and devotion to Yugi, and how they went about finding a common means of communication in the face of a language barrier. Another highlight was Set's unrestrained disgust at their shameless PDA. It's fun. Nothing terrible happens. They're perpetually soft about each other. what's not to like.

[puzzleshipping-library]

Yami: Owner's Guide and Maintenence Manual

Author: Lizeth

Rated G • Published 2003 • Complete • Word count 3k

Congratulations! You're now the proud owner of a YAMI. Want to ensure top performance? Running into troubles? Have questions? Check out this handy dandy manual (you won't be disappointed).

Read on FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1552186/1/Yami-Owner-s-Guide-and-Maintenance-Manual

Admin's notes: okay it's not strictly puzzleshipping, but I love an off-beat sort of AU. It's funny and clever and different and spot-on.

[puzzleshipping-library]

The Black Tattoo

Author: TriplePivotTurn

Rated T • Published 2007 • Last updated 2007 • Word count 69k

He didn't know when it came, or where from, but he'd been cursed with a mark on his back. A black tattoo. A new antihero emerges under the alias of The Black Raven, and Yuugi's life had never been more complicated.

Read on FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3511402/1/The-Black-Tattoo

Admin's notes: this author wrote one of my favourite canon-retellings back in the day (Partners of the Heart). when I went looking for that fic I found it had been deleted... but they'd started this very cool AU! This is full of old school shadow magic shenanigans, where Yugi has a mysterious curse/tattoo on his back that comes alive when he's in danger a la Yami. There's peachshipping at the start, but Yami's role as jealous, overbearing, devoted protector complicates things soon enough. There's plenty of struggle as Yami and Yugi learn to cooperate and trust each other, but evolves to that natural equilibrium we know and love.

[puzzleshipping-library]

Kame

Author: Citrus Luver

Rated M • Published 2005 • Complete • Word count 85k

As a Christmas gift, Sugoroku gave Yuugi a beautiful doll that resembled an ancient Pharaoh. Being small and unwillening to fight, Yuugi has always been picked on, his only companion is the pharaoh doll. Till his 16th birthday when his world he turned upside down.

Read on FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2199110/1/Kame

Rec'ers notes: I loved this sappy dramatic retelling of the series back in the day, and it still holds a tender place in my heart. It's uses a lot Yugi tropes you don't see much of anymore; incredibly naive and weak and innocent, but the softness with which he carries his Pharaoh doll and in how Yami watches out for him is heart-warming.