NOTE: I'm going to be making make-believe cards up, ok? So don't feel confused. And I also want to thank everyone who has reviewed and left comments.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh!


Athena's POV

Darkness. Burning. Burning. At first, it started out as a small warmth against my right palm. Then, it grew into a great fire. Even though I couldn't see anything but darkness, I could feel the heat and the pain. It seared through my body; hitting every inch of it until my whole entirety was in pain and burning. I opened my mouth and screamed out. I knew no one would hear because there was no one there with me. But still, I screamed. I screamed out both Yugi's and Yami's name; hoping that somehow, someway, they would hear me. The pain was intense. It was as if I was burning to the stake.

Suddenly, in the field of darkness, something appeared. It was a light. It started out small at first, then it grew into a fiery shape. The shape was of a bird. A huge, crimson red winged bird that looked like it was on fire. But that's just silly. Birds don't catch on fire… unless… No, it couldn't be. No one has seen one in thousands of years. It's just a mythological bird. It doesn't exist. But then again, anything can happen.

The bird flapped its fiery wings in front of me; creating a soft breeze around me. The burning feeling was suddenly gone. I looked up at it and tried to say "thank you" but I couldn't find my voice. That was weird. Just a second ago, I could scream and shout. Now, I couldn't speak at all. All of a sudden, I heard a soft, screeching noise. The second I looked at the bird, it flew into my chest. All I could feel after that was warmth. I suddenly knew that a part of the stone slab had come true. I now had the power of the Phoenix.

"Thank you, Phoenix King," I said, finally finding my voice.

"Ana? Are you alright?" asked a familiar voice. It was Yami. There were other voices that called out my name.

Finally finding the strength, I try to open my eyes. It was hard at first. My eyelids felt like they were glued shut. I tried a second time, and it finally worked. I opened my eyes to find everything a little blurry. My vision finally focused and all I saw were two pairs of eyes looking down at me in worry. Crimson met Crimson.


Normal POV

When Athena finally opened her eyes, everyone's worries dissipated and were replaced with relief. She looked around to take in all of her surroundings. She was back at the Game Shop, lying down on the couch. Joey and Tristan were seated, cross-legged, behind the coffee table; faces stuffed with food but their eyes were staring at Athena intently.

Both Yami and Tea were kneeling over her. Athena noted how Yami's hand was on top of Tea's. Probably to comfort each other. She smirked inwardly, then tried to sit up, but failed. All she felt was a sharp pain that started on her right hand then made its way through her body.

"Don't try to get up so suddenly. You're still hurt," Tea warned. She said it like she was a caring sister or worrying mom. Athena smiled at her in response.

"You don't feel anything strange, do you?" Yami asked, still worried.

"No," Athena said, shaking her head. "Aside from the pain emanating from my hand, I don't feel anything strange."

"Did it hurt so much? I mean, we heard you screamin' and you were burnin' up. We didn't know what to do," Joey said.

"Yeah. It was like you were going through a fever while being tortured. It was kinda scary," Tristan added. "Plus, we cleaned up all that blood on the ground… or tried anyways. It was like cleaning up a murder scene."

"Oh, well I'm sorry to have worried everyone," Athena said, "It's just that… when I was unconscious, I think my subconscious mind kicked in. I had a vision or a dream or… no. It felt more real than a vision. I think it was a message or something. Anyways, throughout the time I was unconscious, all I felt was pain. It was more of a burning pain. It was as if I was being lit on fire, and at the same time, being stabbed by knives. It was a pain I've never felt before in my life." Athena stopped to shudder and let everything sink in. She continued and once she was done, everyone was speechless.

Yami was the first one to speak. "Isn't Phoenix King a Duel Monsters Card?" Athena looked at him then nodded. She then proceeded to get her deck out and showed them the card. A seven star creature faced them. It was in the shape of a beautiful bird with fiery wings. It was posed in a graceful position with its wings spread wide with pride.

"Whoa! I never knew that there was a card like this!" Joey said as he got a closer look.

"Yeah! It looks awesome!" Tristan complimented.

"When Cleo and I built our deck together, she showed me this card. She said that the man who gave her my necklace is the same one who gave her this card. When I saw it, I felt some kind of connection to it. It's as if Phoenix King wanted to be with me. With us," Athena said, recalling the moment.

"Do you think that Phoenix King has some connection with what happened to you back there?" Tea asked.

"I'm not sure. I guess that's another thing I have to ask Ishizu about," Athena said, then looked around. "By the way, where's Grandpa?"

"He left on an expedition in Egypt and only left a note," Yami explained. Athena nodded, then sighed and made herself comfortable on the couch.

"I suggest that we should all get some rest and then tomorrow, we go to the Domino Museum." Everyone agreed. Suddenly, the room was engulfed in a gold glow and both Athena and Yami were now Cleo and Yugi.


I want to thank everyone whose left reviews. I'm sorry it took so long.