Author's Note:
Okay first off, I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! in any way shape or form, nor do I own Kaiba Corp. just for you to know. Don't ask why I added that... I really can't think of anything other than my undenying obsession of Kaiba. Anyway, I DO own my characters Sapphire, Aquilus, the strange fog guy and Slade... and some of their cards are ones in which I made up as well. Which means... ::glares suspiciously:: you can not steal them without fatal consequences of which I do not know of. ::returns to her happy-innocent-smile state:: Well that now said, I hope you enjoy the story.

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Chapter 1: (Title That I Have Not Figured Out Yet Goes Here)

The day was drawing to an end, the dimming light chilling the land and the air heavy with fog. It was no condition to stay without shelter but even this could not stop the raging duel that took place.

"King Fog, attack Sand Stone!" came the command of a boy from one side of the dueling arena.

At the other end of the field towered a hideous monster amongst the broken earth, appearing like a jumble of rocks piled randomly together in the shape of a creature and somehow given life. Large, vine-like tentacles whipped around it as it drew back a clawed hand of stone, preparing for attack.

A wicked laughter cackled and from within the fog came a bizzare shadowy formation. It's two swords shone with a misty light as they slashed at the rocky creature to obliterate it into dust as if it were never even there.

The duelist behind the defeated creature stood petrified in shock. "What kind of cheat is this!" He cried "King Fog's attack is too weak to even come close to defeating my Sand Stone!"

"Wrong you are." Replied the boy cooly. "The fog which surrounds you is home to my favorite monster. I hope you like it, because it gives King Fog a good boost on his advantage."

The other duelist gritted his teeth with frustration as he drew a card for his turn and the duel continued. Neither of them gave the slightest awareness that they were being watched... by two silver eyes glowing in the darkness of the forest. Aquilus watched them from the shadows, taking in every aspect of the duel. The monsters that seemed to magically appear on the field, how the monsters obliterated as they were defeated, the strange numbers that appeared and sometimes changed, the determination on the faces of the duelists, those weird sheets of paper they were handling and that powerful way they seemed to possess a certain control over these creatures.

Aquilus decided he had seen enough of this and melted out of the shadows. He took the form of a large black crow, the feathers of his head spiked into a dark crown and his silver eyes still piercing as he perched on a shadowy branch. A small light glowed softly on his forehead, Aquilus could sense it was in the shape of a complete circle... the moon would be full tonight.

As the sun vanished into the dark of night Aquilus took flight deeper into the forest. The mist was clearing but still lingered. As he reached his destination: a small grassy clearing encircled by trees, he swooped down and swerved off to perch on a low branch in wait. After a while, he sensed something stir in the air.

A gentle glistening breeze swept through the forest, stirring the mist and breaking the silence into a song of rustling leaves. The breeze gathered in the middle of the clearing, twirling into a glittering whirlwind as a flash of light sparked from within, taking the shape of a teenage girl. The light solidified as the wind calmed and the remaining sparkles drifted to a vanishing glitter as there stood Sapphire, her long brown hair and shimmering purple robes swaying in the ceasing breeze. Her eyes slowly opened, a mysterious violet in shine.

"Have you found it?" She asked, her voice soft and gentle.

Aquilus closed his eyes, shaking his head. "I have not..." His words came out as a darkly echoing voice. Opening his eyes again he continued "but Sapphire, there's something really strange about this place. Have you noticed?"

Sapphire blinked with wonder. "All I have noticed are campfires and an unusually high number of people around here and a castle on that hill way back there." She said referring behind her "but nothing real strange."

"You haven't seen the monsters?" Asked Aquilus.

"The monsters?"

"Yes, they play this unusual sort of game on weird platforms by summoning monsters... and they collect and use these strange sort of stiff sheets of paper." replied Aquilus while using his wing to idly scratch his head feathers.

"Really?" asked Sapphire actually quite lost.

"Yes" answered Aquilus with a stern glare "I don't think this place is safe"

"Why not?"

"Some of those monsters, they just seem so dangerous."

Sapphire looked taken aback. She was surprised to hear that from someone she knew to never be afraid of anything, or at least never admitted to it.

"But you've dealt with monsters your whole life. They're everywhere. Especially in the Necrolands, the very place you grew up."

"In the Necrolands" replied Aquilus "I knew well everything of it's creatures and magic. But here... it's different. There's too much we don't know. Sapphire, I don't even think this is the right place."

"What do you mean."

"The artifacts we're searching for should be in a pyramid, a desert. This is an island... not even close. It's possible for something to shift in the portals, and send us to unintended places. Such is what I believe has happened... and don't try to open another one back, it wont work. I've already tried."

Sapphire just stood with a rather blank look, it took a while to absorb all this. When she did, she sighed plaintively.

"Well seeming we're stuck here, I suppose we might as well get used to it and figure out this place until we find a way back."

"Agreed." Said Aquilus. "But don't talk to anyone yet, for tonight. In the morning I have a plan."