Snapshots on Human Nature

By: ACE329

Disclaimer: I do NOT NOT NOT own Yu-gi-oh! ©

Summary: Seven sins, seven individuals who are particularly predisposed to a certain one. Who is a victim to wrath? To gluttony? To lust…? Find out. Ficlets.

A/N: Surprise, surprise…the pride sin goes to Atem! In all honesty, this was the hardest one for me to portray…I think I have this biased perception that Atem is a perfect character with no flaws. But deep down, we know that's not true, right? As an fyi, "pride" is considered to be the worst of the seven sins. It is actually combined with vanity, but I didn't want to take on that perspective for the character I chose.

Important! I wanted to clear something up about this fanfiction. The sins I had associated with the characters are supposed to be obvious. I merely wanted to explain why they are that way, to justify their actions. In no way did I want to twist reality so hard that it would be difficult to understand what made sense. Actually, there was an alternative set-up for this story, one where you would have to sort of squint your eyes to understand why a certain sin is prominent in a character. So, if you are curious, here was my secondary list:
Greed- Atem
Gluttony- Yami no Bakura
Envy- Anzu
Lust- Shizuka
Wrath- Seto
Sloth- Yuugi
Pride- Jounouchi

But as you can see, even this set-up still makes sense- if your thought process works similar to how mine does! Maybe if time allows, I will someday write up the alternative version…

Anyway, a special thanks goes out to my readers/reviewers…thank you for reading all seven stories!

Temptation 7: Pride- Atem

Imagine having to choose your death.

Maybe you have the pleasure of choosing between drowning yourself in the Nile or letting someone else do the honors for you, but either way, you will inevitably wind up six feet under.

Or in my case, smothered behind a very, very large tombstone.

Tomorrow may be my last day on this earth.

But bear in mind, nothing is ever definite.

Every action made is like a river that branches off into separate paths. Soon I must duel Yuugi, with the victor determining which path down the river I will take.

One route will lead me straight to the afterlife, of which I have been denied for thousands of years, and the other will continue to confine me in Yuugi's body.

Truth be told, it's a death either way. But the question is, will I be the one to "drown" myself or will my aibou be the one to "do the honors" for me…?

Don't misunderstand me, I care for Yuugi and my friends deeply, but I don't belong in this world anymore. Nor do I belong in Yuugi's body.

Sharing one is not easy.

To be bound by the restrictions associated with such an unusual circumstance- no privacy, secrets or complete free will- that is not living.

I have become restless in Yuugi's body, and I think he realizes it too. I feel he understands that to continue my confinement with him, it's not really much of an existence at all.

On the other side of the spectrum, should Yuugi manage to defeat me in the ceremonial duel, then I will be swept away in the afterlife at last.

But as I have said, I am still a dead man walking, regardless of the outcome.

The truth?

I don't believe an afterlife exists. I have been held prisoner in the Sennen puzzle for many millennia, swallowed in darkness, and I believe my departure will be strikingly similar.

This doesn't concern me though- yet.

My aibou must defeat me first.

Only then will the gateways to my unknown future open.

And the very thought that Yuugi could beat me at my own game…

Well. Let's just say I've seen higher chances.

Such as winning the lottery.

Not longer than an hour ago, I had an interesting conversation with Malik. Seems to me that my possible departure had made him more cheerful. Or at least, he can have a talk with me without a death threat involved.

We were on a ship- my friends and myself included- sailing purposefully towards my awaiting tomb. I was out on deck, preferring the fresh ocean air to the stifling confinement of a cramped room. Yuugi was hidden far away in his soul room, undoubtedly fussing over his duel deck in preparation for our battle.

So that left me alone, swimming in my thoughts and basking in a much appreciated solitude.

I closed my eyes, soothed by the fine mist that sprayed over my face and the gentle rocking of the ship, until-

"So, 'Pharaoh,' you ready for tomorrow?"

My eyes opened, recognizing Malik's sardonic voice immediately. I can't help but notice that whenever he says 'Pharaoh,' there is just a dash of spite in his tone.

I turned to face the Egyptian teen. "Of course. Do you have a prediction?"

"That would be Isis's job." Malik's feline eyes danced with amusement as he cocked his head, speculating.

Arrogant teenager.

Surely I would never be so rude to my superiors…

That is, if I ever had one.

I disregarded my previous thought as I smirked instead. "So tell me, Malik. Why is this duel with Yuugi necessary? It would be a lot easier if we just return the Sennen items and be done with it. After all, my defeat is certainly no guarantee. Perhaps we are just wasting our time here."

An incredulous chuckle emerged from Malik. "In other words, you think that there isn't a chance in hell that Yuugi can defeat you."

Is it that obvious? "Well- yes."

"This isn't a test to see if Yuugi's ready, 'Pharaoh,'" Malik mockingly chastised, "This is to see if you are."

I paused, only a moment, as I blinked back my surprise. "Ready? Of course I am. Wouldn't you agree waiting around for thousands of years is long enough?"

Malik's kohl-rimmed eyes scanned me, calculating. Unlike Yuugi's amethyst eyes, which were kind and gentle, this pair of eyes was piercing. As if he were searching for a flaw, or any sort of imperfection.

Good luck finding one with me.

"I think the real question is, will you allow someone to beat you? Not just anyone, your partner, who I know you feel is your weaker half."

Malik swiftly cut me off when I opened my mouth in protest. "Sugarcoating the truth will get you nowhere, 'Pharaoh.' So ask yourself this: are you ready to relinquish your throne as the King of Games?"

I really despised how the teen threw around my title as an insult. If it weren't for my unfaltering composure I would have smacked him across the face months ago.

But I graced him with a smile instead. "Are you suggesting I should let Yuugi win without a fight?"

Malik scoffed at this, shaking his head. "Your time in this world is not over until you have truly lost, after giving your best. The final condition to this is that you have to completely accept defeat. It may be easy for you to win, but what about losing…?"

Malik shot me a meaningful look before he turned to go. "And by the way…arrogance is like a poison that can corrupt your mind. Soon you'll put yourself on such a high pedestal that you will eventually forget how to get back down."

A cryptic smile quirked the corners of Malik's mouth before he began to walk away. "Until tomorrow, 'Pharaoh.'"

I watched him leave with a tinge of annoyance.

Yes, I should have definitely smacked him.

He should consider eating his own words…the pompous hypocrite.

Clearly he misinterpreted my confidence for arrogance. I only believe I will win tomorrow because I have the certainty to back up my abilities. And did Yuugi have that?

Most likely not.

How many times has he relied on me to finish off a duel when things became too complicated? I was always there to 'clean up' the mess, make everything better.

…………..

Perhaps there is some truth in what Malik said.

And thus, my star attribute became my strongest vice.

Presently, I am still pondering Malik's words and occasionally admiring the breathtaking scenery surrounding the ship. I am getting closer and closer to my destination, as myriads of palm trees and landmarks grow larger with each passing second.

Despite Egypt's natural beauty, I am sure my home back in ancient times was much more endearing. Before the corruption of the modern world, before the creation of the Sennen items-

"Mou hitori no boku."

I glance up, breaking out of my reverie. Yuugi is standing beside me, his spirit form contrasting with the dark of the night.

His face looks troubled. I can tell by the way his forehead creases and the subtle frown that forms on his lips whenever in deep thought.

"What's the matter, Aibou?" I watch as Yuugi turns to face the ocean instead of looking at me.

"About tomorrow-"

"What, worried already? If I were you, I would be excited…you might have a body all to yourself by tomorrow night!" I tease as I offer my other half a lighthearted smile.

"Don't joke around like that! This isn't funny…not even close. I don't want you to go," Yuugi asserts as his grip on the deck's railing tightens.

But I feign ignorance as I give a rather stiff shrug of the shoulders. "So then lose."

Yuugi flinches before he glances at me with a hurt expression. "That's not how it's supposed to work, and you know it." After examining my stoic expression, Yuugi finally wheels over to face me directly. "Do you want to leave?"

I can't explain why, but for some twisted reason I find Yuugi's question funny. "Say, Aibou, let's just focus on having you defeat me first, all right? I won't go easy on you tomorrow- that I can promise."

Yuugi looks as if I had just tried to shove him off the ship.

"You don't think I can do it, do you?" he finally whispers in disbelief. His eyes, always the window to his soul, waver in sadness. Primarily hurt.

Honestly no, I don't think Yuugi stands much of a chance against me. But I would never tell him that…

"Aibou, don't be absurd. I have all the faith in you in the world. Just believe in yourself-"

"Stop it!" Yuugi yells, interrupting me. "I don't want to hear your lies. Just admit it- you don't think anyone can defeat you, isn't that right?"

I vaguely remember Malik pointing out my penchant towards "sugarcoating the truth."

"Now listen Aibou, I would never-"

"Mou hitori no boku- no, Atem," Yuugi enunciates, correcting himself. Suddenly his face smoothes over into a mask, gathering his composure. His eyes are now shining with resolution. "I will not go easy on you either. Tomorrow I'll fight my hardest- not because I want you to leave but because it's what's right. I don't care what you think…don't underestimate me."

Yuugi's determined eyes meet up with mine for a fleeting moment before he retreats back into his soul room.

And then all falls silent, except for the occasional moaning of the wind.

An inexplicable smile sketches on my lips.

Silly Aibou.

Although it may be true he has become considerably stronger since the day I first met him, I still don't believe he stands much of a chance.

It is not yet time for the pupil to surpass the master.

Again, I will admit that Malik said something right- I may not be ready to surrender my 'Game King' title.

At least not just yet.

I want to always be the best.

And so, knowing that I will be the one to emerge from the duel victorious tomorrow, I look about my surroundings with a sense of yearning.

It appears I won't be returning to my old home in Egypt after all. Who knows how long it'll be when I can finally reunite with my awaiting friends in the afterlife.

Seeing no purpose in lingering any longer, I allow Yuugi control over his body once more.

I'll give him the chance to continue arranging and rearranging his deck while I rest peacefully in the depths of my puzzle.

Let Aibou fret over the outcome of our duel.

I however, will not.

I already know.

I always know.