Legal disclaimer and other info:

First of all I would advise you to at least read War Against Smithy and Shroob Assassins, this story takes place after these two and many characters and events will be discussed during this story, and I won't explain all details of what happened in between the two stories.

This story is based off the game Paper Mario 2: The Thousand-Year Door, so the characters are the characters from the game but then in the real world, sometimes I will use one of my original characters and maybe characters from other Mario RPG games will appear, sometimes I will give characters new names.

A few characters of the Thousand-Year Door will be replaced by characters from the first Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64.

Now for the rules I don't use ban lists and I will use anime or manga only cards, sometimes I will use the anime effect for a card, sometimes I use self made cards details of these cards can be found at the end of a chapter. Now this is taking place after the events of 5D's there will be no Turbo Duels however, Synchro monsters and XYZ monsters will be used but currently no Pendulum monsters that however may change.

Two new rules for the game will be used, for those unfamiliar with these rules, the first turn player can't draw a card and each Duelist may have 1 Field Spell active, some effects will be applied to both players.

I also will sometimes use a Tag-Team Duel there are a few versions of Tag-Team Duels. Each Duelist has their own set of 8000 Life Points and they may not use each others cards and monsters however a card can given to your partner each player has his own Field when 1 Duelist loses the other continues but he gets a turn after each of his opponents.

The second version is that both Duelists share 8000 Life Points they share a Field and thus their monsters and cards.

And sometimes I may use a special kind of Duel but these will be explained when they occur

I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh nor Mario all copyrights goes to the original owners.

Yu-Gi-Oh is owned by Kazuki Takahashi and konami.

Mario is owned by Nintendo.

And myself for the original characters.

Act 1: A Rogueport Welcome.

1. The Box of 'Pandora.'

A couple of months have passed since the invasion of Smithy and the Shroob Assassin assault on New-York.

Now things are quiet for at least a month, but things are stirring in Rogueport. During the final bout against Smithy Sir Grodus and Lord Crump escaped, they were seen heading for Rogue Port, Mallow had scouts there but they said the two were heading to one of the empty islands, they have stayed there since, seems the prediction of Star Heaven was wrong, they thought Grodus wanted to stay in Rogueport for the Thousand-Year Door.

While the Thousand-Year Door was never actually found Star Heaven's calculations might have been wrong.

Anyway media attention is on Rogue Port because they are building a new state-of-the-art prison there, but the funding of that prison is best to be called shady, while I haven't seen Rozalin for a while now she was invited for the opening of said prison.

But things get weirder, Rozalin disappears without a trace and I get mysterious mail from her.

Is Grodus been busy or are the Trinity back to their old tricks again?

Let's find out.

Star Heaven - One day after Dimentio's defeat.

Five Celestians sat at a long table, a beautifully designed chair stood at the head of the table, an imposing woman sat on the chair, she had the typical looks of the Celestians, with her pale skin which seemed to glow a bit, she had two angel-like wings on her back, her hands with the unnatural long fingers laid on her lap the woman wore simple white robes and a crown on her head, her long pointy ears were full of rings, she carefully observed the other four she was Minerva the leader of Star Heaven.

One of the four was an old enemy of Star Heaven his name was Geno, this was not Geno's first time in Star Heaven he had been here before as a prisoner he had seen the inside of a cell for ten years, now he was back in Star Heaven. Geno's transformation to a Celestian has set in but progress was slow, his skin was glowing but it hadn't turned pale yet, Geno's fingers had grown quite a bit, no wings grew from Geno's back yet, but he felt them growing.

Across of Geno sat Merlon this Celestian served Minerva from the beginning. Merlon is noble and one of Mario's friends, he helped Mario and his friends in the struggle against Smithy and afterward against the Trinity, in the end Merlon faced and killed Sir Grodus who was later revived by Dimentio. Merlon took it on himself to bring down Grodus and his X-Naut Army though Minerva didn't want that because Merlon's help was needed to rebuilt Star Heaven.

Next to Merlon sat Caedis, a rather brutal member but one of Minerva's most trusted. Caedis did look kind of heart though but a demon slept deep inside of him. Normally Caedis could control that demon but after a near-dead experience against Faust - the one who created the Trinity - his inner demon came out, in the end Caedis faced Faust again the demon Caedis won that Duel and nearly killed Faust he only was stopped by Merlon and Faust got arrested.

And finally next to Geno sat Frogfucius.

Frogfucius looked like a Celestian only he had a halo above his head.

Frogfucius was Mallow's grandpa who got killed by Dimentio.

After his dead Frogfucius' soul passed on to Star Heaven because of his kind and generous heart. Normally when people end up in Star Heaven they live in Starborn Valley only those with a good heart make chance to become a Celestian and join their police force but after a small debate with the others Minerva decided to take him in as one of their leaders.

'There are some things I need to discuss.' Minerva broke the silence.

The other four looked at their leader. 'First topic is Sir Grodus, we know Dimentio revived him, then Sir Grodus with Lord Crump and some X-Naut soldiers escaped fleeing to Rogue Port, Merlon what say you?' Minerva asked.

Merlon looked up. 'Well nobody knows where the entrance to the Thousand-Year Door is, my spies did follow Sir Grodus, they say Sir Grodus stayed in Rogueport for one day then left for one of the uninhabited islands, my spies followed him and he stayed there ever since.' Merlon answered.

'Keep your spies on Sir Grodus I want to know their every move.' Minerva spoke Merlon nodded. 'It shall be done.' He replied.

'Good then the second topic the Trinity, any news on them?' As Minerva asked Geno stood up. 'Yeah I do, I have spoken to Culex he knew quite a bit.' Geno answered. 'Who is this Culex?' Minerva asked. 'Well he had the Millennium Ring and was possessed by the spirit of Bakura but Mario helped Culex and Culex helped us in return.' Geno explained. 'Well in the end when we faced Azrael and Dimentio Culex faced Grave to save Grave's sister.' Geno sat down again as Minerva looked down on him.

'Pandora? Lives?' Minerva sounded worried. 'Yes she lives.' Geno's eyes were bright. 'Geno I didn't forget you love Pandora but you should put her out of your mind for now.' Minerva said. 'I know.' Geno sighted. 'But I have spoken with Culex right before Mario faced Dimentio, Culex told me that Grave escaped with his sister.' Geno said.

Minerva nodded. 'What about Azrael?' She asked. 'Well lady Minerva Azrael escaped.' Geno answered.

Minerva sighted. 'I want our full attention to the Trinity.' Geno stood up again. 'I want to find Grave first he wafers, we can get him to our side and with him Pandora, I want her back.' Geno sounded upset. 'Yes that might be a good idea, but if Grave won't cooperate we may be forced to kill him.' Minerva replied. 'No hair on Pandora's head will be touched!' Geno sounded fierce. 'Geno you have my word.' Minerva said. Geno sat down as Minerva calmed him down.

'Then there is one final thing I want to discuss Synna.' Geno and Frogfucius looked confused as they saw Caedis getting real upset and Merlon got a gleam of anger in his eyes. 'Might we have some explanation?' Frogfucius asked.

'Well.' Minerva sighted. 'Synna was one of us she was one of my most trusted next to Caedis and Merlon, few decades ago there was a small outbreak of Nephilim minor once not big a deal, but they seemed to be pretty organized we send three squads to deal with the Nephilim, but our squads got ambushed, Merlon at that time was the squad leader he figured out that Synna was behind it she gave our secrets to those Nephilim.'

Minerva paused she looked at Merlon. 'Yes I found out Synna betrayed us and I confronted her but she had a squad of fallen Celestians herself in combination with these Nephilim a force to be reckoned with, well in the end she turned her back to the Nephilim as they had outlived their usefulness Synna's fallen squad took out the Nephilim then her squad and our squads started to fight, I fought Synna but she was too strong in the end my squads were crushed only a ten count of them survived she left me near-dead.' Suddenly Caedis interrupted Merlon.

'I got wind of the situation took another three squads with me, crushed her one fallen squad lost a ten-count good men that day, I faced Synna in the end had to change to my demon form in order to beat her, alas she escaped.' Caedis concluded.

Then Minerva took the word again: 'Years later we heard of a small village adoring some God who needed some brutal rituals when we investigated Synna was living there, the people there winded around her fingers she needed the souls of the people to change her appearance she now has black bat-like wings and horns on her head when Caedis and Merlon arrived there she was already gone.' Minerva explained.

'Why bring this up now?' Geno asked. 'She is back.' Minerva said.

'Small village somewhere in the eastern region of the world was murdered same fashion as the sacrifices had to be killed, a child survived by hiding between the dead bodies he described a devil-like girl matching Synna's description.' Minerva told them.

'So what do we need that information for?' Caedis asked.

'She has been seen in on the island Smithy invaded, we don't know what she wants but I want spies on her.' With these words Minerva concluded the meeting.

Rozalin's ship.

The boat went quietly over the sea, it was nice weather, Rozalin the princess of the island group stood on the deck her face in the wind, she wore a pink dress next to her stood one of her oldest friends Toad, a small man wearing white pants a white shirt and a blue jacket. 'So Rogueport is in view.' Toad said, Rozalin opened her eyes, they saw a U shaped harbor there were some rough-looking guys at work, on the docks, they were moving all sorts of things.

'Toad why are we here again?' Rozalin asked she sounded bored.

'The grand opening of the new prison, the people here are very proud of it, you know there is one guy here you might know, Simon Croco.' Toad said when Rozalin heard that name she looked up. 'Yes I know him, a member of the so-called Spirit Summon Guild, he once stole the Deck of my friend Mallow, that reminds me their leader Faust was captured as well this means only three members are left, I wonder where they are.'

Toad looked at Rozalin. 'Faust? I never heard you say that name, had it something to do with Smithy?' Toad asked, Rozalin shook her head. 'No Faust just showed up in the end, I never saw him though, Merlon told me Star Heaven captured him, he didn't explain what had happened.' She replied. 'You mentioned three other members? Who were they again?' Toad asked. 'Well there is Fawful some mad-scientist, then there is another one we never saw but I was told his name is Popple the Shadow Thief and the one of who we thought was their leader Ruby Mowz.'

Toad gasped as Rozalin said that name. 'Ruby Mowz? You sure?' Toad asked. 'Yes why?' Rozalin replied. 'Well Ruby Mowz lives in Poshley Heights the rich neighborhood of Rogue Port.' Toad said.

'That means she is definitely here, I bet Fawful and Popple are here as well.' Rozalin sounded all fired up. 'You don't think about finding them do you?' Toad sounded worried. 'O you bet I plan to, they are targets of Star Heaven, if I can find them here they can take them in all at the same time, one problem less.'

Then suddenly the captain spoke that they were about to dock.

Rogue Port.

Rozalin looked around her, there was no sign of Toadsworth.

'Princess we should turn back.' A worried voice said.

'Toad not here, nobody recognizes me as the princess, we should be safe here and I really need the fresh air, besides I'm tired of Toadsworth's lectures.' Rozalin replied to her friend.

'Well yeah I see your point.' Toad sighted the two walked into what looked like the town square, it was busy some kind of marked was going on, Rozalin noticed the gallows at the center of the square, a rope was dangling in the wind, Rozalin shrugged and looked the other way. 'Toad what can you tell me of this place?'

'Well.' Toad started, as you can see this is the town square, once a year a huge market is held here, seems we got here at the right time, but you must stay in the town square, if you go to the eastern side of Rogue Port you get in the slums, the entrance to the sewers is there and a lot of beggars and criminals, word is the bandit leader Gus lives there.'

Rozalin shrugged she never had heard of Gus but from the sound of Toad's voice she could make up you wouldn't want to meet him. 'And to the west is the rich part of town, but Don Pianta and his mobster cronies rule there, pay his price and nothing happens to you.'

Again Rozalin shrugged. 'Well lucky for us we are only here for one day, tonight is the grand opening of the new prison.' Toad said but Rozalin was already gone, Toad found her looking at a few stalls.

There were food stalls, stalls that sold clothes, jewelry and all kind of exotic stuff. After a few minutes of strolling around they came to a weird man clad in ragged black robes with a hood covering his head sitting on an old blanket he had a few trinkets on the blanket an old oil lamp, some wooden skulls some necklaces made of bones.

'You girl.' The man suddenly spoke with a creaking voice.

'Me?' Rozalin asked startled. 'Yes you girl, you have a pure heart, I can tell that.' The merchant spoke with low voice. 'Come on.' Toad gritted yanking at Rozalin's arm. 'I have something for you.' The merchant continued as he took a fancy wooden box covered with gold and some gem stones from his blanket. 'What's in it?' Rozalin wondered. 'I honestly don't know, I got this box from a Voodoo mistress, she told me that the thing in the box would make me happy, but only one with a pure heart can open it.'

Rozalin took the box from the merchant. 'Sadly my heart is far from pure.' The merchant said, his voice sounded sad. 'This thing drives me insane for ten years now, every year I wait here on someone pure.' The merchant concluded his story. Rozalin felt the lid she felt it opening. 'Dear girl keep it close.' The merchant said. 'You can have the box free, I hope it makes you happy but I would not be able to live with the fact to know what is in it and knowing I can never have it, I rather live the rest of my life with the question what is in it.

Toad pulled Rozalin away from the merchant, Rozalin lost sight of him from a second when she looked back he and his blanked were gone, Rozalin looked at the box in her hand. 'This place creeps me out.' Toad muttered.

Mario and Luigi's house - New-York

It was a month after the incident with the Shroob Assassins, Mario and Grave had defeated Princess Shroob, after that time it had been quite, Mario spend some time with his brother Luigi making him a better Duelist.

It was night and Mario was twisting and turning in his bed, after the Shroob incident Mario was plagued by nightmares.

Mario stood in front of the church in Central New-York he held an unconscious Rozalin in his hands. The rain slowly subsided and the dark clouds above New-York lifted the full moon shone bright in the sky, suddenly the face of the princess changed into that of the jester Dimentio, Mario's old enemy cackled. Then all of the sudden Dimentio disappeared as did the ground under Mario he fell down into a huge pit after a while it looked like he floated around in the pit there was absolute darkness.

'Darkness invading the world.' A female voice started to chant it almost sounded like singing. 'Darkness invading the world, seeping out of the door. A palace of ancient times, hidden in the ruins of a modern age. Born from the darkness an evil power is imprisoned. The seal will be broken and when the keys combine at the center of time all will answer to the ruler of yore at the Thousand-Year Door.' The voice disappeared.

Mario woke up bathing in sweat, suddenly Luigi called out to his brother.

'Yes Luigi?' Mario mumbled as he stepped out of bed. 'Nightmares again?' Luigi asked. 'Yes same one every single time.' Mario growled.

'Well this will make you happy a letter from Rozalin.' Luigi handed Mario a big envelope it had Rozalin's handwriting but no official seal.

'This one ain't official.' Mario muttered he took a letter opener and quickly slit open the envelope.

Mario took a piece of paper out the envelope he unfolded it revealing a map. 'A map?' Mario said confused. 'Why would she send it?' Luigi in the meantime shook the envelope another paper fell out, Luigi read out the letter. 'Mario, I have not much time I think someone is unto me, I met this weird, dark merchant he gave me a box that only a person with a pure heart could open, I opened that box and found the map I enclosed it in the envelope. It is a weird map but there is something odd going on I think Grodus is behind it, come find me in Rogue Port and stay safe. Rozalin.' Luigi read. 'Luigi pack your stuff we going to Rogue Port tomorrow.'

Rogue Port - Evening.

Toad has urged Rozalin to go back, she had to post an envelope so Toad contacted the royal guard to say they were okay, now the royal guard had guessed this had happened and they had told Toadsworth the princess and Toad had their approval.

Meanwhile Rozalin returned as Toad was watching how a group of men were breaking down the market a lot of people were watching and passing by, then suddenly the air became cold, people started stopped with what they were doing. 'This cold, it's unnatural.' Toad muttered.

Suddenly they heard a man yelling everyone turned around, a muscular dock worker stood there with a metal bar in his hands, across him stood the merchant who had given Rozalin the box.

'Step aside fool.' The merchant said. 'My business is with the girl.' The merchant pointed at Rozalin. 'Ya won get to the lass, mister.' The dockworker said, the muscular man took an offensive position with the the iron bar held high. 'No defense, easy to block.' The merchant observed he stretched his hand a sword with bones as a hilt appeared in his hand, the knob of the sword was a skull, the merchant swung his sword a few times.

'So ya can do magic tricks? Ya won scare me!' The dockworker howled as he lunged forward the merchant swiftly stepped aside avoiding the dockworker's attack then the merchant made a quick movement the dockworker started to bleed the sword of the merchant stuck through his chest, slowly the merchant removed the sword the dockworker slumped forward to the ground.

Toad looked away as the merchant slammed his sword through the dockworker's neck.

'Anyone else?' The merchant then asked as he casted his sword aside where it disappeared. 'That was not needed!' Rozalin suddenly yelled. 'Anyone could see he was no match! Why not incapacitate him! There was certainly no need for killing!'

Suddenly the merchant took a Duel Disk from under his cloak, Rozalin reacted by activating her own.

Then suddenly Toad stepped in front of Rozalin spreading his arms. 'I won't let you.' He whispered. 'I WON'T LET YOU HURT HER!' Toad activated his Duel Disk.

(Toad: 8000) - (?: 8000)

'I shall start.' Toad stated he drew five cards. 'New rules state the turn one player cannot draw a card, but my hand is worthless so I activate Card Destruction!' The Spell card briefly appeared in front of Toad the Merchant shrugged as he discarded five cards and drew five new ones, Toad did the same only he drew four cards.

'Next I shall set a monster facedown and end my turn.' Toad stated, a horizontal card appeared in front of him.

The merchant slowly drew his card. 'You see this card?' The merchant asked, he held a card above his head a shadow image of the card appeared. 'This is my Skull Conductor, when I discard it I can summon two monsters from my hand with an attack of exactly 2000.' The merchant explained.

The man took two cards from his hand. 'I summon two Burning Skull Heads in attack position.' Left and right of the merchant two skulls with red glowing eyes appeared, the two skulls clattered their jaws then flames erupted around them. (1000 ATK x2)

'When a Burning Skull Head is special summoned from my hand it does 1000 points of damage to my opponent's Life Points.' The merchant explained, the two skulls started to circle around Toad then crashed into him, Toad howled as his skin showed slight burn marks.

(Toad: 6000) - (?: 8000)

'Burn marks?' Toad seemed frightened. 'Toad please retreat this one clearly possesses dark powers.' Rozalin said. 'No princess you should be the one to run.' Toad replied, his eyes kept fixated on the merchant. 'Toad why do you do this, I know you've trained and got a much better Deck but this is way over your head.' Rozalin thought.

'You should listen to the girl.' The merchant smirked he took another card from his hand. 'I sacrifice my two Burning Skull Heads.' He stated the two monsters erupted in a bonfire. 'I summon from my hand Skull Flame!' From the bonfire a skeleton appeared it wore purple robes and a red cape the head of the skeleton was covered by flaming hair. (2600 ATK)

'Skull Flame kill his mystery monster.' The merchant commanded, Skull Flame created a ball of fire in its hands a small skeleton creature cloaked by purple robes appeared on Toad's side it protected itself with a scythe. (200 DEF)

'Hm? A Spirit Reaper?' The merchant muttered. 'Can't do much now, so I end my turn.'

Toad quickly drew his card. 'I summon Sangan in attack mode.' He stated a three-eyed furry Fiend with green arms and legs appeared next to the Spirit Reaper. (1000 ATK) 'Attack Skull Flame!' Toad commanded, Sangan charged forward but got blown away by a fireball half-way.

(Toad: 4400) - (?: 8000)

'Now I can move a card from my Deck to my hand. Toad took a card from his Deck his eyes gleamed.

'Your turn mystery man.' Toad said.

'I use the effect of my Skull Flame instead of drawing a card I take one Flaming Skull Head from my Graveyard.' The merchant took the card from his Graveyard. 'Then I use Skull Flame's effect to special summon that Burning Skull Head.' The floating skull appeared next to Skull Flame. (1000 ATK)

'And since it is special summoned you know what that means!' The merchant shouted, the flaming skull crashed into Toad leaving another burn mark.

(Toad: 3400) - (?: 8000)

Toad was swaying on his legs. 'Toad please run!' Rozalin howled.

'Not now, I nearly have him!' Toad started to sweat it felt like a fever, the merchant's eyes narrowed after he heard Toad saying that. 'So it is what I thought, I'd like to see you draw that card.' said the merchant Toad drew his card. 'No need for drawing it, I have Monster Reborn!' Toad yelled he played the card the holy ankh appeared and Sangan appeared under it. (1000 ATK)

'Sangan attack that Burning Skull Head!' The two monsters crashed into each other they both fell to the ground and scattered.

'The puzzle is complete.' Toad softly said, sweat was pouring from his face, he had a hard time focusing his hand trembled as he took the card from his Deck. A pentagram appeared behind Toad, Toad started to place five cards on his Duel Disk then a creature started to appear, it was chained up, the people who were watching the Duel gasped and started to mumble as they recognized Exodia.

'Exodia...' Toad started then his breath stocked it looked like he couldn't place the fifth card, his voice went silent then he slumped over. 'TOAD!' Rozalin howled she ran up to him.

'Nearly... got him... Rozalin... run...' The seal disappeared again, Spirit Reaper also disappeared, Rozalin held Toad in her arms.

'His life is weak, he was no match for a Shadow Game.' The merchant played a card, a Spell card briefly appeared Rozalin saw it was Ego Boost, the attack power of Skull Flame rose to 3600.

'Scorch him Skull Flame! Attack!' The merchant yelled.

Then suddenly a fierce-looking woman appeared, she wore a purple bikini top and bottom, a purple headgear and purple gloves, her hair was red and stuck to all sides, she defended Rozalin and Toad with her sword. (1500 ATK) A huge fireball obliterated the woman. 'That was my Amazoness Swords Woman, since you destroyed her you take the damage.' Rozalin said, her voice sounded cold, Rozalin stood in front of the unconscious toad with his Duel Disk in her hands, a piece of Swords Woman's sword hit the merchant in his chest.

(Rozalin: 3400) - (?: 5900)

'Attacking a defenseless person, I won't let you have him.' Rozalin's voice trembled but not of fear. People from the crowd were bending over Toad others formed a wall between her and the merchant. 'Run.' A man said. 'We hold him here and deal with your friend.' Another one said, Rozalin hesitated but a third man pushed her away, Rozalin started to run.

After running for several minutes Rozalin entered an alley, it ended in a dead end, Rozalin cursed when she turned around the merchant stood across her, his bloodied sword in his hand.

'Where is the box?' He then asked.

Rozalin was dumbstruck. 'I want what is in the box.' He said in a demanding tone. 'I don't have it.' Rozalin replied. 'I send it away to a friend.' She said. 'That is too bad, in that case I want you to come with me.' Rozalin took a few steps back when she literally stood with her back against the wall.

'Not without a fight.' She growled she showed the still active Duel Disk.

'Surrender would have been easier.' The merchant said as he finally removed his hood, revealing a young pale-skinned face, white hair and red eyes, he wore a bone collar and had bones in his pointy ears.

'You.' Rozalin gasped. 'You're Grave.' She said.

'I am, now come you have no hope of beating me.' Grave said.

'Not after you killed a man and my friend Toad and I don't know how many people who stood in the crowd!' Rozalin howled.

'That dock worker I 'killed' was a Celestian spy, one of Merlon's men, I gave him merely a flesh wound. As for your friend he should be fine with a good night rest and I used a spell to knock that crowd aside, I might have gave one of two a cut but these were no serious wounds.' Grave explained.

'Like you can talk your way out of it, don't think so I'm gonna take you down!' Rozalin shouted.

(Rozalin: 3400) - (Grave: 5900)

'My turn.' The princess said she drew her card, the attack of Skull Flame returned back to 2600. 'I use my Monster Reborn!' Rozalin shouted, the holy ankh appeared a second time Amazoness Swords Woman appeared under it. (1500 ATK) 'Then I use my Spell card Amazoness Spellcaster to swap the attack of our monsters!' Rozalin said, a Spell card appeared in front of her, Amazoness Swords Woman flexed her muscles as her attack rose to 2600, the attack of Skull Flame dropped to 1500.

'Swords Woman attack Skull Flame!' Swords Woman heaved her sword then leaped forward chopping off the head of Skull Flame.

(Rozalin: 3400) - (Grave: 4800)

'I must thank you for destroying my Skull Flame because now I Banish it.' Grave took the card from his Graveyard he put it away. 'I summon Supersonic Skull Flame!' A huge monster leaped over Grave it was a centaur the bottom part was that of a horse covered with bones the top was Skull Flame. (2600 ATK)

'Then I use the effect of Supersonic Skull Flame, once per turn I can deal 400 points of damage to my opponent for each Skull Flame I have in my Graveyard, since I discarded one thanks to that Card Destruction I have three.' The three skulls appeared around Speed King Skull Flame the monster pointed at Rozalin and the three skulls hit her against her shoulders and in her stomach, Rozalin felt the dark powers of a Shadow Game yet she didn't flinch.

(Rozalin: 2200) - (Grave: 4800)

'Time I shall end this.' Grave said. 'I use Dark Hole!' The Spell card appeared on the Field a rift opened above Rozalin and Grave, Supersonic Skull Flame and Amazoness Swords Woman were sucked up by the rift.

'Since my Supersonic Skull Flame is destroyed I can summon the regular Skull Flame from my Graveyard and before you asked I discarded one with Card Destruction.' Grave crossed his arms the robe-wearing skeleton appeared. (2600 ATK) 'Finish it with a direct attack!' Grave yelled, a fireball hit Rozalin square in the stomach she bended over.

(Rozalin: 0) - (Grave: 4800)

Grave looked at the Life Point counter on his Duel Disk. 'You nearly got me on half health, not many people can do that, many cannot even touch me once.' Grave deactivated his Duel Disk, Skull Flame disappeared.

'Now you come with me.' Grave's eyes started to glow.

'Not in a million years!' Rozalin howled she drew a small sword from under her dress.

'You know that is illegal right.' Grave pointed out.

'You know kidnapping is even more illegal and since this is a kidnapping my sword is used for self defense.' Rozalin replied.

Grave opened his hand and his scythe appeared in it.

Rozalin charged at Grave but the Trinity member stepped aside and let Rozalin tumble with the stick of his scythe Rozalin fell to the ground she dropped her sword, then she felt Grave's eyes prying on her, she lost consciousness.

Unknown location - unknown time.

Rozalin slowly opened her eyes she tried to move her arms and legs to her own surprise she wasn't tied up Rozalin feared at what she would see she slowly turned her head, she was startled as a girl looked at her.

The strange girl looked at bit like Grave, she had the same pale skin and red eyes, also her hair was white it was longer than Grave's hair and tied in a ponytail, she had several golden chains hanging down her cheeks they were tied in her hair, in her ears she wore small skulls in her ears the clothes of the girl consisted of a white top a black leather miniskirt, black boots and a white knee-high sock on her right leg she also seemed to wear white leggings with the right leg cut off and on her left arm she wore a white arm-length glove, on her right hand she wore a black fingerless glove.

The girl smiled as she saw Rozalin was startled her smile had something serene, something you really didn't expect from how the girl looked.

When Rozalin tried to sit the girl helped her up at this time Rozalin noticed she wore a black, sleeveless, leather jacket the jacket was decorated with several belts and a white skull as zipper, Rozalin knew it belonged to the girl. 'Your body was cold.' The girl suddenly spoke her voice sounded gentle.

Rozalin took off the jacket and gave it back to the girl who quickly put it on, suddenly the girl hugged Rozalin, the princess wanted to protest but she felt the girl mend it to comfort her, Rozalin let her.

Then suddenly the door opened. 'It is real bad Pandora.' A familiar voice said, Rozalin opened her eyes she saw Grave, Grave stopped talking when he saw Rozalin awake.

'So you're Grave's sister?' Rozalin said, Pandora wanted to let Rozalin go but the princess actually held her. 'I've heard Culex saved you, but I never saw you, never could imagine you were this kind, I mean you and your brother are different.' Rozalin lashed out at Grave, the demon looked at the ground. 'I'm sorry okay, you're lucky you are here.' Grave spat.

Rozalin softened up. 'You really mean it? But why? Why kidnap me?' Rozalin asked.

'Well ever since Faust was captured and Dimentio died the Shadow Queen took Dimentio's place, she was unable to fight because she was sealed the rules of the curse state that a member who is incapable join he or she can temporarily be replaced, then if one other Trinity member dies and the incapable one is capable again he or she can retake his or her original place.' Grave explained.

'So you went back from two to three.' Rozalin confirmed for herself.

'Yes now the Shadow Queen is still trapped in the Palace of Shadows, she want out and so she hired Sir Grodus to do her bidding as Sir Grodus did to Smithy, so in order words Sir Grodus became a puppet of the Trinity just as I am, big difference is Grodus want to do this and I don't but I have no choice.' Grave took a chair and sat down. 'Azrael also want to see the Shadow Queen free, for some reason she needs you Rozalin.' Grave said.

'So you trick me with a box with a map in it, you must have known I would send it to Mario.' Grave nodded. 'I counted on that yes, Sir Grodus needs that map, I didn't knew what was in the box but I knew he wanted it so I wanted it in Mario's hands, only to stall some time.' Grave looked away. 'I work against the Trinity at the moment, you know Rozalin Sir Grodus wanted Azrael to get you, so yeah you must be glad I got you, I protect you as far as I can Rozalin, and I have Pandora to protect you as well, my sister even took a liking to you.' Grave stood up.

Next time:

We won't follow Mario's journey to Rogueport because nothing simply happens during that journey. Instead we follow a new character, which I keep a secret for now, but if I say she comes in contact Lord Crump some of you might guess who I mean. 'X-Naut Assault' coming soon.

One small thing I need to explain on this Duel, I have taken a few liberties here. First thing is when Toad summons Exodia, at that time he held all five pieces in his hand, the seal which kept Exodia started to appear, but Toad would have won the Duel if he placed all cards on his Duel Disk, since he couldn't place the fifth card and succumbed to Grave's Shadow Game Exodia officially didn't appear.

Second thing is the way Grave called out the attack to finish Toad off, officially it wasn't Grave's turn yet, so Rozalin could also break the rules by butting in and blocking the attack, since she kept Toad's Duel Disk during her run she continued with Toad's Life Points when Grave caught up to her.