Yet again, Yugi Muto found himself in his room, like old times; with cards scattered all around his room, as per usual...
As he built and fine-tuned his deck, once again, a normal routine for Yugi. As he looked around his room at the top of his grandpa’s game shop, he let a hum leave his lips as he questioned who was next when it came to his restructured deck. As his gaze darted to the top of his deck, the sheen of Gold Gadget caught his eye. No, he wasn’t sure if Gold Gadget was going in this one... He shot a gaze to the floor, just in front of where he stood. Dimension Reflector? And the other two cards that made up that entrapping combo that bested Aigami? Maybe. That combo helped him out a fair deal in the end, after all. He had only five cards within it so far -- cards from his booster pack that he opened earlier that day -- so it was anyone’s game on who got in, and who didn’t. Even if they didn’t get in this time, who’s to say Yugi wouldn’t use them in his deck later? He was fine with revisiting old favorites! Speaking of, it had been a while since he last properly included his Silent Swordsman and Magician--
-- but then his brainstorming came to a halt, with a quick glance to the cards on his bed. That place was reserved for the favorites -- the best of the best. However, it was no question of what card his eyes fell onto first, and foremost. The name was embossed with gold, and the holographic illustration shone blue and silver against his vision and the desk lamp that lit the room up just fine in the later, quiet hours when he needed it. He didn’t even have to guess which one it was, as he took the steps forward to reach the card with a chuckle and a heartfelt expression. Once he had reached his bedside, he sat on his knees, grabbing the card between his finger and his thumb before pulling it closer to his face. The card in question was, of course...
Dark Magician. Dark attribute. Level 7.
The ultimate wizard in terms of attack and defense.
Of course, whether or not the Dark Magician’s title as such still held true was debatable these days, but the one thing that would never change... was how much the card meant to Yugi.
A card from his grandpa, the Dark Magician went on to serve Yugi well in many a difficult and impacting duel. Ever since the duel where he was originally given his grandpa’s deck, the spellcaster was there through Duelist Kingdom, Battle City, and so many adventures more.
... He has served him, and a dear, mutual friend of theirs, very well over the years.
“... I’m surprised I haven’t put you back in my deck yet.” Yugi spoke to the card, as he shifted his hand against his bedsheets, making the name and the illustration gleam as it moved. “I don’t think I’ve had a deck without you... Well. Except for...”
Violet eyes slowly moved from the card to the floor, as memories of one of the toughest duels he ever faced resurfaced once again. However, unlike how he reflected on the duel between a Pharaoh and his shadow -- the test to see if one could finally be put to rest, and if one could finally stand on his own... the vessel-no-longer smiled and chuckled at the memories.
His eyes raised back up to the card; the magician standing strong with his staff as always in the art upon it.
“... You know, you were quite a surprise. --Not to say Atem wasn’t -- believe me, he was! I just... didn’t expect you to show up! Not like that, anyway... but then again...”
“You’ve always come to aide him when he needed you. Haven’t you? And now... the two of you have done the same for me.”
He spoke his wishes to the card -- certain that he’d never get an answer, but rather sure at the very least... that his words would be heard.