Illustration: TBA

Hi friends! Happy New Year! I got an overwhelming response requesting an epilogue, so here is what you asked for!

I tried to get one in for Christmas, but I myself got insanely busy during that time and didn't want to spit out a rushed, half-assed mess to conclude this story that I (and linkyiwakura) worked so hard on. I still didn't get to edit this one as much as I hoped to, but I wanted to get something out before the ball drops in my time zone (Pacific Coast Time). Hopefully it's not too bad. I might revise it later, but for now... whee!

P.S. I'm posting this chapter as the ball is dropping in New York! Heh...

Epilogue

Téa never thought that she would be the one in a t-shirt and leggings while everyone else was shivering in their parkas and scarves. The coldest it ever got in Domino City was around 30 degrees, and even that got people gossiping about the impending apocalyptic ice age. But after spending enough time in the subtropical climate of New York City, where the winter months often dropped to single digits (or lower outside the city), even a thin sweatshirt was enough to make her sweat in her own home.

The jetlag was still lingering, but she didn't mind. It wasn't enough to stop her from seizing these days, these wonderful days, that she waited seven long months for.

Arm in arm with her beloved former pharaoh, Téa strolled down the sidewalk into downtown Domino. Many roads were closed off to make room for the New Year's Eve parade scheduled to move through the town that evening, ringing in the new year with small floats and young citizens with champagne and noisemakers. Christmas decorations had been taken down and replaced with a New Year theme, but with the same festive spirit. The saccharine aroma of gingerbread and peppermint treats floated thickly through the air. A student jazz trio from Domino City College was swinging a Leroy Anderson tune for tips in the mall courtyard, attracting a modest crowd.

Nostalgia washed over her as she and Atem walked by the high school, the diner where she used to work, and the arcade where the boys routinely spent their allowances, and one of many stops she and Atem had made on their first 'date' those many years ago, albeit the unorthodox circumstances that led them there. She glanced at Atem, who was gazing wistfully at the front entrance as if recalling the same memory.

"Where it all began," Atem remarked softly.

"Yeah, that was so long ago," added Téa. The dance revolution game seemed to have gotten more popular and had been moved to the front of the arcade by the entrance, though it looked like a newer, updated version. The synthesized dance music the kids were battling on was a remix of a pop song that had just been released a few months ago, as opposed to the more dated song Téa herself had danced to when she faced Johnny Steps in high school.

"You were great that day," said Atem. "Just watching you perform showed me what true passion and confidence really looked like."

Téa smiled adoringly at her companion. "Thank you. It's funny to think about… back then, dancing just seemed like a pipe dream. I had no idea if I was any good, much less good enough to go to school for it."

"And look where you are now," Atem responded, "a third year student at the most prestigious arts school in America. You are the golden example of what hard work and belief in yourself can get you."

She wagged a finger at him. "I haven't gotten there yet. Just another three semesters, and we'll see where all this will lead to."

A plucky girl of about twelve years of age, the unbeaten champion for the past five or so rounds, hopped off the dance platform and confidently approached Téa as she watched. "Wanna play?"

Téa stepped back a pace, not expecting the sudden invitation. "No thanks."

The girl looked crestfallen. "Do you know how to play? I'm really good and can show you how!"

Téa turned to Atem, suppressing a smile. "It's almost not even fair."

He quirked an eyebrow. "I don't think she is going to give up. Perhaps you could humor her."

She giggled behind her hand. "I feel so bad… you're right though."

As predicted, Téa completely blindsided the poor unsuspecting kid with incredibly fast and precise movements, maintaining a perfect score throughout the game. She quickly gained the attention and favor from her audience of tweens. But instead of stalking off in despair like Johnny Steps, her opponent instead seemed to be completely in awe of her.

"Wow, that was amazing!" she squealed, "I didn't know you were an actual dancer!"

Téa laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. "Ha, well, I'm not an 'actual' dancer yet. I'm still a student."

The girl seemed unfazed by Téa's modesty. "But you're so good! When I grow up I want to dance just like you!"

She smiled down warmly at her, seeing much of her younger self in this spirited girl and remembering how excited she had once been to play this very game. "Well, thank you! I know you can do it, if you just put your heart into it, and never give up!"

The girl's eyes widened with delight. "Okay, I can do that!"

The girls high-fived, and the couple exited the arcade, leaving the girl to battle her new challengers with newfound inspiration.

"I believe you just inspired the next generation of Téa Gardener's," Atem whispered, chuckling softly.

Téa nodded, laughing into the winter breeze. "You might be right."

Atem started to take the lead, steering them into a different direction, puzzling Téa. "How about some coffee?" he asked.

Téa quirked an eyebrow. Atem had never been the one to suggest getting beverages. "Coffee? I mean, sure! Domino Coffee Leaf is just a block down that way if that's what you had in mind."

"I did have that in mind, as a matter of fact. That was where we went to get coffee that day you took me to the museum."

She looked at him in wonder. "Oh wow… you remember."

A small smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. "I know I was a bit moody that day, but I was paying more attention than you think."

With foam cups full of hot coffee, the pair sought out the table next to the east window, the same one where they had sat before. They nonverbally shared a nostalgic smile—the last time they sat at this table together, Téa was still on the journey to fully realizing her heart's dream of becoming a dancer. And Atem, the nameless spirit of the Millennium Puzzle at the time, was struggling with his self-induced amnesia and resulting identity crisis. Meanwhile, malevolent rogues hellbent on power and revenge against him were waiting in the wings, scheming to capture and kill him to satisfy centuries-old vendettas against him and his family line that he didn't even know about. He was compelled by destiny, though he had no idea where it was about to take him, or exactly how dangerous the path.

It was a different time, the calm before the storm, and Téa was more than relieved that the world seemed to stabilize since then, and no one was in that magnitude of danger again.

In fact, things were different in many ways since the days preceding Battle City; alongside nostalgia came the less savory homesickness, when everyone was together and helping each other through their toughest trials. She missed Yugi. She missed Joey and Tristan. It seemed now, everyone had moved on, following their own dreams just as she was following hers.

Yugi was going to trade school at the local art institute to become a game designer. Joey moved outside the city, away from his abusive father for good, to be closer to his sister and save up for college. Tristan got a sports scholarship for football at a four-year university a few hours' drive from Domino. Bakura was getting his GE's at Domino City College while slowly but successfully gaining his sanity back with the help of a skilled psychologist and support from his friends. Mai Valentine was spearheading her own growing 'Dueling Dames' initiative to get more women involved in competitive dueling, and was the most popular female promotional model for KaibaCorp's new duel disks. Duke Devlin had gone global with his Dungeon Dice Monsters game and was travelling the world to oversee its expansion, promising to premiere and promote Yugi's first original game release.

And Atem… the most dramatic transformation of all.

First an ancient, powerful, god-wielding pharaoh.

Then a martyr for his country, cutting his young life short for the sake of his people.

Then a lost spirit, prisoner in an ancient golden artifact for thousands of years.

Then a justice-seeking vigilante and dark alter ego for Yugi, in a foreign place in a foreign time, with no name.

Then a man desperately following the dangling carrot that was his true identity and past memories… a dangling carrot that led him through much danger, sacrifice, and growth.

Then a pharaoh once more, sealing the evil forces away for good.

Then a soul departing for the afterlife, with Yugi as the beneficiary of his greatness.

And now, finally, he became who he really was meant to be—a young man seeking an ordinary life, driven by the love for his friends to return to them. To fulfill a new destiny, to finish his story the proper way, to live as a human and experience life and love that he fought for.

Téa felt honored to be a part of it.

It was at that moment that Téa realized that she had been staring blankly at her date for several minutes, brought back from her wandering thoughts by the warmth of Atem's hand covering hers. "Are you alright?" he asked gently.

Téa nodded, smiling to reassure him. "Yes. I was just remembering, that's all."

"We are taking quite a trip down memory lane today," he noted, "and a lot has happened since then. And we will continue to grow as we move ahead."

He reached into his coat, and pulled out a folded manila envelope. Unfolding it, he placed it on the table between them, and pushed it towards Téa.

"I have one more Christmas present for you."

Téa blinked at the slightly-curled brown folder, furrowing her brow. She gave Atem an inquisitive look, to which Atem responded only by casually sipping his coffee with a small grin on his lips. With shaky fingers, she opened the envelope and pulled out a small packet of papers, three photocopied sheets stapled together at the corner. After turning the papers right-side up to read it, a single line of bold letters at the top grabbed her attention instantly.

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT*
[*standard rental lease agreement pursuant to all existing and current rental laws, landlord-tenant laws, and housing codes of the City of New York]

She looked up, seeking confirmation of what she was reading. Atem simply watched her wordlessly.

"This is a New York address," she said after a minute of silent reading. He nodded, still staying nothing, waiting patiently for her to read further.

"And it says… January 1st. That's tomorrow!"

"Have you wondered why I insisted that we spend the holidays at your parents' house?" Atem finally asked, not waiting for an answer. "If you had come over just once, you would have deduced that I was up to something. In fact, I am already mostly moved in."

Téa's blue eyes snapped wide open. "Already moved in? How?"

"It helps when you maintain a simple lifestyle and don't have a lot to begin with," he answered calmly, "but it was still a challenge to keep all this from you, and it was difficult to be in the same city as you and stay off your radar. Not to mention that I wanted to see you very much."

The gravity of his decision was starting to take root, and her voice trembled. "You're… you're moving to New York?"

Atem's smile grew to a proud wide grin, and confirmed with a single nod. "When the clock strikes midnight tonight, it will be a new year, and I will officially be a resident of New York." His shoulders relaxed slightly; he looked very relieved, no doubt from no longer having to keep this all a secret.

As elated as Téa was, all that could come to her mind was a long list of objections. "But you have a life here… what about Yugi and Mr. Mutuo? How will you work? New York is such a different place from Domino…"

"Yes, it is," he interrupted, "but to answer your question, as an emcee and competitive duelist I often travel for work, so for that, my place of residence is not important. Additionally, shortly after the tournament I emceed in New York City, I was offered a part-time position as a coach and clinician at the Duel Academy, and I accepted upon the condition that they place me at their satellite campus in Brooklyn."

"Oh!" she squeaked, knowing full well the prestige of the Duel Academy institution. "Congratulations, how cool!"

He took her hand once more, squeezing it softly. "Thank you."

Her face fell slightly. "I'm sure Yugi will miss you, though…"

"Yes, but Yugi is a grown man now, in pursuit of his own life goals and aspirations. Of course we will miss each other, but both he and his grandfather understand my decision and have helped me a great deal along the way. It just didn't make sense for me to stay here, when I've wanted to return to your side ever since I left last spring." He looked her in the eye, his violet irises glowing handsomely from the pale overcast light spilling through the window. "This was the first major life decision I've made on my own since returning, and I couldn't be more confident that it is the right one."

Téa simply couldn't speak; her words failed her as she processed the information given to her. The man she loved made a huge sacrifice without her knowledge, just to be with her. She had never felt so whole, so blissfully happy, so important to someone. Her lips trembled and tears welled up in her eyes. "I love you," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"I love you, too." He kissed her hand. His lips were still warm from the coffee. "There's one more thing."

"Huh?"

He averted his eyes momentarily. "If one day you ever find yourself… unsatisfied with your own living situation…"

Téa quietly gasped. "Atem…"

"Only if and when you are comfortable doing so," he quickly added, "but the offer will stay on the table, should you decide to take it."

Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, Téa withdrew her hand from his grasp to wipe her tears, which were now falling freely. "You're the best," she struggled to speak through her choked voice. When her face was clear, her hands descended to hold both of his. "I'm so happy. Thank you. Of course I want to move in with you! My lease is month to month, and I'll have time to move my stuff over in March during spring break. Is that alright?"

Atem nodded. "Of course. I'm looking forward to sharing a home with you." He set aside the papers and envelope, and leaned forward slightly. Téa met his face in the middle for a slow, tender kiss. They parted after a long minute, and Atem reached for her cheek to push away one last stray tear with his thumb.

"Happy New Year, Téa," he said with his most endearing smile.

Téa stroked his face lovingly with her hand, her sapphire eyes sparkling and her heart full of joy. "Happy New Year, Atem."

END

Hope you enjoyed the now completed "A Taste of Apple" story, and Happy New Year, friends!

xo ALG