Adelianna: Hiya everybody! It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry that I haven't updated in like over a month (jeez!), but I wasn't feeling very well, had the occasional bouts of depression, and not to mention the dreaded writer's block, but I finally got around to updating. And thanks ally2-23! If it hadn't been for you, I probably would have queued this story like I was going to do, and it's been real great talking to you on MSN Messenger. I'd also like to thank Yuko (I really appreciate your nice e-mails), arne (thanks so much for your kind words!), aQUA (thanks for your concern), Angelgirl10 (it's been really great talking to you), River-Star2 (thanks for the kind words!), Queen Ali B (thanks for the e-mails and for the encouragement), Crystal Light (thanks so much for your can of Block-B-Gon), Wingweaver Hope (it's been great talking to you on MSN Messenger), person who really likes chocolate (your drawings of Janessa are awesome!), Chantelle (thank you so much for your e-mails!), and Moonbeam Marik's koi 4456 (thanks for the suggestions, and comments!)

A/N: I'd also like to thank:

*firebird25 *Sk8tErGiRl2

*River-Star2 *firefly of hell

*heh *Lilo

*blink182'sbaby *Sailor Taichichi Vegeta

*KawaiiElf *M-Mon & Marc

*Muah *Bakura'sBabe

*Peggi *_________________

*Kuria *Ashley Comet

*Crystal Light *kinichiwa (though I don't appreciate u flaming me)

*Boy Crazy Magician Chick *Niva

*silver swan1 *Black Mistress

*Yuko *lil angel/devil

*ally2-23 *ashley

*Queen Of Yugi Lover *Lady Light

*elvenprincess91 *Winter Fae1

*Maximillion_pegesus *crazyone 14

*Squished Banana *Wingweaver Hope

*Rnij and Mysterious A *Angel Hidden in the Shadows

*Princess *Mei Tsuki Kage

*keikochan *Clairleader

*Nazgirl *Chrysanthemum3

*person who really likes chocolate *Mariks-girl1

*Silver Dragon of the Elements *sweeeet 666

*Card-Master *'Hatter

*Me *Crono101 (I also don't appreciate you flaming me)

*Marikz Angel *Moonbeam Marik's koi4456

*LacrimasArgentum *Silver Tear Drops

*SAJ *Alwayz-Canadian

*Angelgirl10 *Sweet-Chocolate-Angel

*Eevee Goddess of Light *Chantal

*Chantelle *?

*EVIL IS MY NAME MWAHAHAHA *The Poisonwood Bible

*And everyone who reads my story!

Yuko-san: Yup, there really were spiders in my bathtub. Yuck!

Boy Crazy Magician Chick: Thanks! I couldn't wait to see what I do with the duel either. ^^ Thanks for reviewing my bro's fic!

Ashley Comet: Thanks for the comments! If you want, you can publish what you have already written. Goodness knows that I haven't finished writing this fic. Nope. I publish whenever I got a chapter written.

ally2-23 aka Lúthien: Thanks for the comments, and it's been great chatting with you. I love your LOTR story. Go Haldira!


kinichiwa: I'm sorry you feel my story is gay. I noticed you flamed a lot of people a while ago, so don't mind me while I laugh for a bit. Mwa ha ha ha ha *chokes on something* ha ha! Sorry, had to get that out. I hope you have a great day! ^^


Niva: Thanks for the comments, and I really liked your story! ^^


firefly of hell: Weeeell, I don't want Marik to win either. T___T He's so mean! And thanks so much for reading my bro's fic.


Black Mistress: Thanks for your comments! I hope you have fun on your date with Yami Bakura! ^____^


lil angel/devil: Thanks for your review!


Kuria: Thanks for the comments. And Yami, of course Marik got the holographic simulator on internet. Where else would you get high-tech stuff like the microwave? ^______^


silver swan1: Thanks for reading my bro's fic. It means a lot to me.


ashley: Yay! Being suger-high is fun!


Crystal Light: Thanks for the food! I think it helped! ^___~


Lady Light: Thanks for the wonderful review!


Chantelle: I really enjoy your e-mails! Thanks for liking my story so much! ^^


Winter Fae1: Oh my gosh! I am so honored by your review! Thank you so very much! ^___^


crazyone14: Sorry it has been a while until I updated. Thanks for the review!


Angelgirl10: Thank you so much for your review, and it has been awesome swapping e-mails with you! ^_____^ I like your Yu-Gi-Oh stories so very much.


MarikzAngel: I'm a Yu-Gi-Oh addict also! Yahoo! I just love Marik also!


Wingweaver Hope: Thanks a million for all your wonderful reviews. I hope you had fun at your cabin! Sorry about that relative of yours that died. ;__;


Lilo: Thanks for the review. Hmm, another person who wants Janessa to win. I want her to win too!


aQUA: It's good to be technical! Thanks for your review!


Person who really likes chocolate: Thanks a million for your comments and pictures. You're a real artist. ^_______^


LacrimusArgentum: Well, Marik speculates that the reason Janessa was able to pass because she was related to Jared. And thanks for your review. The puppy is doing fine!


Angel Hidden in Shadows: I like the name! Thanks for the review, and comments! I like your story.


Mei Tsuki Kage: Yeah, a lot of people fell for Marik. He's so cute! That's beside the point, though. Thanks for the review!


Squished Banana: *in a trance* Yes Master, I must obey you. Tee hee. Alright, I won't cut chapters in half. This one is especially long.


Clairleader: Thanks for the review! I really appreciate it!


Card-Master: Thanks for reading and reviewing my brother's fic!


Chrysanthemum3: Nice name! Rolls right of the tongue. XD Thanks for the review!


Me: Tee hee hee. Yes, I guess Janessa did kiss (kinda) your man. Ah well, she won't kiss him in this chapter either.


_____________: Thanks for your concern, and review! ^_____^


Mariks-girl1: Thanks for the review! I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while.


Queen Ali B: Thanks for your wonderful review, and for reading my bro's fics. And you shouldn't be discouraged by your story. You have a great writing style.


Sailor Taichichi Vegeta: That's nice that you would do that for your dad. ^___^ Thanks for the review.


sweeeet666: Oh my gosh! I'm honored that you stayed home from Sea World and read my story. Thanks a bunch! I really liked your review!


'Hatter: Hi! Yes, I think I told you all I needed to say on that e-mail I sent to you. Well, thanks for the review! ^^


arne: I really appreciate your reviews and for sticking up for me. *hugs* Thank you so very much!


Crono101: Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Well, people are sensitive, and you must be very inconsiderate not to realize that. Everyone is different. And I'm sorry, but I'm not going to follow what you said, because then I would turn my back on people who need help, and I just won't do that. Anyway, have a great day! ^^


Moonbeam Marik's koi4456: Thanks for the review. I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a month. Those are wonderful suggestions that you have, by the way. Anyway, I hope you have an excellent day! ^^


SilverTearDrops: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! ^^


Alwayz-canadian: Luv your name! *starts to cry* Did you have to remind me about school. XD Anyway, thanks for the awesome reviews!


Sweet-Chocolate-Angel: Yay! Chocolate rules! Thanks for the awesome review! I really appreciate it!



CONTEST WINNER:


Adelianna: Anyway, River-Star2 and I discussed on the phone who won the contest, and we decided on *drum roll*..... Peggi! For the word *takes deep breath* antidisestablishmentarianism. Well, I'll write you an e-mail on what you want to happen in your prize, and then you'll just write back with the answers and River-Star and I will get to work on it. ^^


A/N: I feel bad that I could only choose one winner, and I would write everyone their own separate stories with the characters they want except that I won't have the time, especially with school starting tomorrow. *starts to cry* So, (and because I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while) if you want to be in my story, Desert Rose, fill out the questionnaire I'll have at the end of the chapter. Well, now I need to think of a title for this chapter. *thinks* Oh, and if you want to see a picture of Weiler, my puppy, there's a picture of him in my bio page. Person who really likes chocolate drew some awesome pictures of Janessa, so I'll have them up in my bio in a few days. ^^ Anyway, onto the ridiculously long chapter!




*~*Chapter Eight*~*


~*~Facing the Enemy~*~




The flickering flames along the cold stone walls grasped eerily at the air, chasing away some of the darkness that covered the vast atrium. Rare Hunters along the gray barrier stood silently, their outside appearance solemn under their amethyst hoods as they watched the two duelists in the center of the chamber. Beneath their outward demeanor, though, they were ecstatic, breath quickening to match the pulse of their hearts.

An eery presence filled the chamber, its imposing air driving fear into Janessa's heart. She was standing a few feet across from Marik, on the metallic platform of the immense holographic simulator. Sapphire and silver were its primary colors, the life point counter on the side of the machine flashing the red number of 2,000.

She looked down at the arena, where columns of gleaming dark blue met her emerald eyes, light azure crisscrossing the neon cerulean surface. Little screens showed to her right, two of which held the crimson number of 2000. The teen betted that the other blank screens held the attack and defense numbers of each card played. Placed to her right also was her deck, the dim light shining off the smooth, brown surface.

"Ladies first," mocked Marik, staring at her with laughing amethyst eyes as he drew five cards. "If a person such as yourself can be referred to as a lady."

Janessa glared at the Egyptian boy in front of her. "You're right. Ladies first, Marik. So why don't you make your move?"

Marik just smiled, somehow hooking his golden rod (which reminded Janessa of a bat) onto his amethyst robe. "I will in due time. Though I doubt you have ever played on a holographic simulator previously in your piteous life."

"Of course not," the teen girl snapped, clasping shaking hands together slightly in order to subdue her trembling, Duel Monster cards quivering in her grasp.

"Well then, I'll go first in order to demonstrate. I'm sure you are familiar with the rules, so why don't we add a twist to the regulations?"

Janessa frowned, her eight-hour red lipstick beginning to fade into a rosy pink. "What sort of twist?"

Marik smirked, remembering what information his computer hackers learned from Industrial Illusions, and Kaiba Corporation. It seemed the two CEO's of those illustrious organizations, Maximillion Pegasus and Seto Kaiba, both were devising new rules together to make the game of Duel Monsters more challenging.

The regulations were scheduled to be distributed in a few months, the new rules no doubt a snare to keep duelists hooked on the renowned game. It would be entertaining to test the prescript on Janessa, as well as add a whole new level of intrigue to Duel Monsters.

"I'm not certain someone as . . . anserine as yourself would understand the concept of the new rules," Marik taunted slightly, "but stranger things have happened. Wouldn't you agree?"

Janessa tightened the grip on her cards in reaction to his words, aching to wipe the disgusting grin off Marik's face. The redhead had no idea what anserine meant, but was sure it didn't compliment her. "Yeah, I . . . concur that stranger things have happened. Like you being born, for instance." Take that! Janessa thought as she gave herself a pat on the back mentally.

Marik began tapping his finger on the cold hard surface of the holographic arena, shaking his head in mock sympathy. "You also need a lesson in tactics and retorts I see."

"You see? I didn't know you could see anything past that swollen ego of yours."

Marik seemed undaunted by Janessa's, what she thought to be, witty comeback. "If I appear prideful, it is for I am confident in my abilities."

Janessa shook her head, red curly hair waving back and forth against her back. "Nah. It's because you're stuck-up, arrogant, and conceited."

Swelling with satisfaction that she had stood up to her hated rival, the teen girl looked out the corners of her emerald eyes, hoping to see one of her father's famous smiles, grinning at her retorts and giving her courage. Instead he had his head lowered, swaying back and forth as Rishid held on tightly to Jared's amethyst-covered arm. Her father, Janessa realized, was broken. Just like a mirror shattered into numerous pieces, each shard of glass depicting various emotions and personalities. It was as if Jared had been lessened by each stroke of the whip against his tanned back, crimson blood streaking the mirror, cutting deeply into the glass until it broke.

Emptiness cloaked her petite form, filling her with despair. Janessa was tired . . . so very tired of all that had happened. Anguishing memories rose like demons, clenching themselves upon her mind. So long the teen had struggled against an uphill battle, and she was just exhausted with everything.

Why am I even doing this? Janessa thought wearily, glancing at Jared. It was her father's fault that he was tangled up with Marik and his band of miscreants. Her father's fault that her family had fought so often. Her father's fault that she lost her friends. Her father's fault that she cried herself to sleep most nights. Everything was Jared's fault!

Though, pondered Janessa, I doubt I can back down now. The emerald-eyed teen wouldn't, however, even if she could. Despite everything Jared had put Janessa through, she cared for his well-being, and–

"Perhaps I am," Marik interrupted the cherry haired girl's thoughts, referring to her last retort. "But that's only because I have reason to be."

Janessa sighed. She could hear the dismaying men in dark lavender robes behind her. Their breaths hissed like snakes, malice radiating from them so thickly that the teen could almost taste it. The gloomy darkness in the atrium seemed to close in around her, enhancing her fears.

Although her father was a few feet away from her, Janessa felt utterly alone. Drawing a deep breath, she met the amethyst eyes of Marik. "Just explain the rules," stated Janessa wearily.

Marik arched an eyebrow at her sudden change of demeanor, going unnoticed under his blonde bangs that fell lightly in front of his eyes. It was as if this weakling girl had given up the courage she had displayed so valiantly whenever she was in his presence.

The strain, the Egyptian decided, must finally be getting to her. It was no wonder that Janessa couldn't hold her own for very long. She was, after all, a weakling female, the inferior and weaker counterparts of males. He regarded her with much curiosity, though. Little Janessa was the first female he had really interacted with, besides his sister.

When Marik was a child, Ishizu was seen as somewhat special. She was the only female to grace them with her presence and was treated delicately by her brothers (for she counted Rishid a sibling), as though she would shatter by the slightest mistreatment. The elder Ishtar, though, was anguished whenever he glanced at his daughter, as Ishizu reminded him of his wife. Most of the time, the Tomb Keeper stayed alone in his study, relying on Rishid to care for the two younger children.

Rishid had known Marik's mother well until his late teen years, promising Mrs. Ishtar on her deathbed that he would always watch out for Marik and Ishizu. He made sure they did their studies, cleaned after his siblings, provided nourishment for his charges, and even played with them when asked.

Marik and Ishizu despised the fact that their father mistreated Rishid, but they were both young and knew the consequences would be sever if they disobeyed the elder Ishtar, so they held their tongues. They looked to Rishid as a brother and older protector, even though their father would loath that idea for he considered the single pony-tailed teen nothing more than a servant. So they kept their bond a secret, Marik and Ishizu making funny faces behind their father's back whenever he called Rishid a servant, laughing at the gall of their slight rebellion.

Marik remembered as Ishizu grew older, both Rishid and he came to respect her wisdom, and listen to her words. Their sister was the one who made the decisions, and who the small sandy haired child came to depend on for motherly things.

As Marik aged also, his father began to put more burdens on the Egyptian boy. One thing the elder Ishtar couldn't tolerate was fear, and it became a past time for the Tomb Keeper to attempt to drive his son's trepidations away. For as Mr. Ishtar put it, he couldn't have a cowardly boy inherit his legacy. Marik had a phobia of the dark, so his father made certain that when night came, the boy was alone in shadows.

Seven-year-old Marik shivered under the white covers of his bed, gasping for air as he imagined he heard noises around him. Squeezing his violet eyes shut, the boy tried to gain sleep in order to escape his dreaded nightmare. Feeling something put its weight on the twin sized bed, the Egyptian gave a small yell and backed against the wall, the cold stone rubbing brutally through the thin material of his beige robe and blanket.

Yanking the cover away from him in panic, Marik scanned the room, huddled in a small ball on the mattress. Nothing was amiss on the bed, though he could make out shapes in the darkness, figures leering at him and hissing death threats.

Keeping terror filled eyes upon them, he edged toward the door, his back still against the hard rock wall. Fumbling for the thick sheet that covered his otherwise open doorway, Marik raised it and ran out of the room. His father had nailed the blanket over his entryway in order to keep the torches in the hallway from illuminating the boy's room.

Young Marik's bare feet slapped against the stone floor, running in terror lest the monsters chased him. He could feel their presence now, reaching black tentacles out to ensnare him. The gloomy lights from the flames along the stained white walls were just as frightening, for the shadows took shapes and threatened him harm.

Reaching his sister's open bedroom, Marik felt immediately safer. Light from the hallway shone inside the room, chasing away the darkest of shadows. "Sister," the boy whispered, hoping to arouse her. "Ishizu."

The preteen girl rubbed her eyes groggily, and squinted at her brother as she sat up in bed. "Marik?" she asked lethargically, "what are you doing here?" Her cerulean eyes grew wide with curiosity, as a frown played upon her cinnamon colored lips.

Marik looked down at his feet. "I-I couldn't sleep. There were monsters in my room." He looked up at her then, his amethyst eyes pleading. "Could I sleep here, sister? Please."

Ishizu knew her father wouldn't approve, but she cared about her brother too much to reject him. "Of course, Marik." She scooted over, as Marik smiled and ran to her bed, snuggling under the covers as soon as he climbed in. He grinned up at his sister in adoration, listening to her smooth melodic voice. She wore a loose beige gown, her open raven hair coming to stop at mid-back.

As Ishizu glanced down upon the younger boy's joyful face, she felt warmth spread through her. She cared about her brother so very much, and wanted to protect him from all dangers. A twinge occurred inside of her though, as she recalled the Tomb Keeper's initiation was only three years away. She wanted to shield him from the pain of the old traditions, but didn't know how.

Smiling to mask her concern, Ishizu and Marik played shadow puppets with their hands, pretending the apparitions on the walls were Duel Monsters. Falling asleep after hours of laughing and joking around, Rishid carried Marik into his room early in the morning, their father never discovering Marik's midnight escapades that went on for many months.

Back to the present, Marik glanced at the slightly peeved girl in front of him. She had regained some of her furiousness, it seemed, while the Egyptian teen had been reminiscing.

"Are you going to explain the rules, or not?" Janessa demanded.

"Of course, little Jenna," instigated Marik. His mind still held images of his family, and at his sister's face as she realized her brother's intentions of becoming Pharaoh. Ishizu didn't understand that he set out upon his goal for his family, to avenge them. The Tomb Keeper's clan had for to long waited in the dark for the Pharaoh's return, sacrificing so much for the former King.

"The rules are simple," started Marik. "We start of with 4000 life points instead of 2000." The life point counter immediately rose to that crimson number. "There are only a few minor twists in the regulations. First, is that you have to sacrifice one monster on the field before summoning a level five or level six monster. If a monster in your deck is level seven or higher, you must sacrifice two monsters as a tribute." Of course, in order to summon any God card, three monsters must be forfeiture. "Do you comprehend the rules thus far, or shall I put them in more laymen terms?"

Janessa glowered at him. "They're not hard to understand, just like . . . just like your brain!" A rosy pink hue formed on the girl's cheeks as she realized her words. Just like your brain? What kind of comeback is that? The green-eyed girl mentally slapped herself as her obvious embarrassment rapidly increased under Marik's amused scrutiny.

The Egyptian teen chuckled inwardly. The girl embarrassed herself far too often, and it entertained him to no end. He enjoyed seeing her squirm, blushing all the while as she looked up at him with shameful eyes, just as she did when her face was bathed with the sun, resulting in a minor burn.

Marik couldn't tell, though, if the redness of Janessa's face was caused by the sting of the fiery orb, or of her embarrassment.

"The other rules?" Janessa asked, hoping to draw attention away from her abashing retort. She readjusted her navy backpack with one hand, the other one holding five Duel Monster cards. Shadows danced across Marik's face as she awaited an answer, enhancing his mysteriousness.

"You cannot attack in the same turn you polymerized two cards together, and finally, if your opponent has no monsters on the field you can attack them directly. This reduces their life points by the attack power of your monster. Understand?"

Janessa nodded, strategies already forming in her mind. All she had to do was clear the monsters from his side of the field, and attack Marik's life points directly. No problem. No challenge. No worry. Defeating the arrogant Egyptian would be as simple as cuddling a Kuriboh. "Alrighty then Marik. Ya ready?"

"I always am." A narrow smirk stained the ambitious teen's full lips. "I'll begin by drawing one card." Marik drew from his thick brown deck, smiling as he glanced at the monster imprinted on the card. Hmm, Gravekeeper's Guard. Perfect. He added the monster to his hand, next to Magic Jammer. "Now I'll play Gravekeeper's Assailant in attack mode, and place two cards face-down on the field."

Janessa bit her bottom pink lip out of habit as she prepared herself to witness the hologram. To tell the truth, she was slightly intrigued by the concept of the monsters being projected into images. It would be funny if nothing happened, the girl thought wildy.

A second later, though, the air in front of Marik started to shimmer as a figure emerged from nothing. Black robes billowed wildly, cloaking a masked man. Golden wristbands similar to Marik's appeared just above the tanned hands of the assailant, a wickedly curved scimitar grasped by the cloaked man's slender fingers. The monster's attack points equaled 1500, as did its defense.

Behind him, two humongous dueling cards hovered above the light azure surface of the dueling field, placed face down so that Janessa could only guess what they were.

"Your move little Jenna. Don't disappoint me." Marik's amethyst eyes gleamed with delight, the prospect of winning turning the boy giddy with excitement.

Janessa shivered slightly at the sight of the enormous monster. Not more knives, Janessa thought wearily as she glanced at the Assailant's scimitar. She seemed to have bad luck with them. Overcoming her initial shock, the teen girl drew a card also. A nurse with shining white angle wings met her emerald eyes. Numinous Healer. This could help . . .

"I play Gemini Elf in attack mode!" Janessa daintily selected the card of twin gremlins with 1900 attack points and 900 points its defense, and threw it on the neon azure board in front of her, just as she watched Marik do. The card twisted sideways, lying halfway over a pale blue line.

The air in front of Janessa began to gleam also, causing the teen girl to proudly stare at Marik, which rapidly became a look of shock. A woman with blond tresses was partly formed, half of her head missing. A tan arm that wasn't connected to anything hung loosely around her neck, being grabbed by the light-haired Elf's blue clothed hand.

"Um, is that s'pposed to happen?" Janessa watched as Marik lowered his head, sandy blonde hair covering the tanned hand raised to his brow.

"Of course not," the agitated Marik replied. The teen boy brought his head up and glared at her with pale lavender eyes, supporting his weight by placing his tanned hands on the azure board in front of him. "Look at the panel directly opposite of you."

Janessa did, nervously rubbing her fingers together.

"Do you notice the pale blue lines creating a grid congruent of Duel Monster cards?" Marik explained as if conversing with a child. "Place the card sideways in between the lines of the grid farthest away from your measly self if its purpose is defense, if not you pl–"

"I think I get it," snapped Janessa. How was she supposed to know that there had to be a certain way you position the card on the playing board? The girl assumed one would just place it anywhere and a hologram of the monster would be formed.

"Are you certain?" the Egyptian mocked. "Or would you also prefer I teach you to read?"

How dare he?! "It's not my fault that your ignorance caused you to forget explaining this to me! If you can remember anything past five minutes, you'll recall that I never played on one of these things before!"

Marik smirked. "Someone once stated that ignorance is bliss, though I don't have the luxury of being ignorant. If you can recollect anything crucial, perhaps you'll recall my words of advice to you before we left for the city of Al-Quseir? They might of be some use to you now."

Janessa squinted her green eyes, remembering. Something about anger controlling me. The girl mentally laughed. Yeah right. Anger doesn't control me. It's just an emotion. Looking down at the neon azure lines that crisscrossed themselves across the darker sapphire panel, Janessa corrected the position of her card. "Let's just finish this duel," the teen from Japan stated, placing her loose red hair behind one small ear.

"As you wish. It will be your undoing," condescended Marik.

The occupants of the room watched as shimmering light enveloped the aliquot monster on the playing field. The Elf's blonde hair grew longer, as pale skin stained with amethyst tattoos completed the rest of her face. A light blue attire cloaked her dainty torso, as gloves of the same color formed on her pale limbs. The tanned arm around the Gremlin's neck grew as it attached to a body of a dark-skinned woman with sleek red tresses. Green slashes marked the crimson haired hob's tanned face and full lips, as a tight lavender dress fitted her slender form.

Janessa eyed the two face down cards on Marik's side of the field. They were probably traps meant to harm her monsters. She had no way of disabling them at the moment, and she didn't want to risk her Gemini Elves.

"And that ends my turn," Janessa announced, turning hate filled eyes toward Marik.

Foolish girl. She left her monster completely vulnerable. "I reveal my face down card, Infinite Cards. It allows me to draw as many cards as I desire." The magic card flipped face up, allowing Janessa to see hands beneath cards that seemed to hover in midair. "I now draw," Marik stated, doing just that. His lavender eyes perused the cards he had in hand, before plucking one card and placing it face down on the field.

"I play a monster card face down, and play two more magic or trap cards face down on the field as well. That concludes my turn." Three giant Duel Monster cards materialized on the holographic arena, one in front of the others.

He's luring me into a trap. I just know it, Janessa contemplated. "I discard Magical Abyss to the Graveyard which allows me to draw until I come across a magic card." She discarded the magic card to the cemetery, and drew from her deck. The first card the girl came across was the magic card Mystical Space Typhoon. Perfect. Would have rather drawn Giant Trunade, but at least it's better than nothing.

"I place two magic or trap cards face down on the field, and then place Fairy of Darkness in attack mode," Janessa announced proudly, positioning the cards on the azure neon panel in front of her. An elegant woman cloaked in dark light made her appearance, with white wings matching the color of her hair, as black eyes gleamed eerily on her pale face. The Sprite's attack points equaled 1700, whereas her defense points were 700 digits lower than her offense.

"And now I will attack your Gravekeeper's Assailant with . . . Fairy of Darkness, and your face down monster with Gemini Elf." That way I'll have the stronger of my two monsters attacking the face down card in case it has a strong defense. Janessa wondered fleetingly how to get the monsters to attack, but the female monsters rushed at Marik's beast without the girl having to do anything. It must be voice activated, or something.

Fairy of Darkness flew high in the air, white wings beating rhythmically as it formed a dark energy ball to fling at her prey. The darker twin of the Gemini Elves bounded across the playing field, retractable claws outstretched as her red hair bounced about her.

"Have you forgotten my face down cards? Necrovalley, come forth!" A blinding flash of light caused Janessa to cover her emerald eyes, as the card rose and shone of a valley, filling the arena with ancient pyramids rising in the distance with the setting red sun behind them.

"As long as this card remains face-up on the field, all effects of Magic, Trap, and/or Effect monster cards that involves graveyards are negated and neither player can retrieve cards in the Graveyard from play," Marik began, smirk growing larger.

Janessa snorted. "That still won't save your monsters." Gemini Elf clawed the face down card to emphasize her master's words with curved nails, causing the card to flip over.

"Really?" Marik asked, jutting his head toward the Sprite. "Then why isn't your monster's attack working?"

Janessa's eyes grew large as her Gemini Elves gave a piercing screech that rang through the vast atrium, chipping a morsel of the girl's confidence away. The twin Sprites suddenly vanished from the field, leaving a shimmering afterimage. "What happened?!" Janessa exclaimed, a sinking feeling beginning to form in the pit of her stomach.

"By attacking my monster you activated its special ability. When my Gravekeeper's Guard card is flipped, it allows me to select one monster on my opponent's side of the field and return it to the owner's hand," the cocky boy explained.

Marik's face was hidden from the teen girls view as a monster was formed on the now valley and pyramid arena. An overweight man with long, amethyst robes billowing down on either side of his tanned stomach stood proudly, a silver staff clutched in his hand. The male's bald head gleamed like a beacon in the dim lighting, gold bands cuffed on his wrists.

Janessa grimaced. She could still attack his Gravekeeper's Assailant, though, with its measly 1500 attack points. Scanning the sky with emerald eyes, she found that her fairy was awaiting her command. "Fairy of Darkness, attack Gravekeeper's Assailant with Black Energy!" The white-haired maiden flew high in the shadow-covered air, firing her beam at Marik's beast.

Marik didn't look worried at all. "Did I forget to mention that Necrovalley also increases the attack and defense of all monsters that include 'Gravekeeper' in its card name by 500 points?"

"What?!" screeched Janessa, watching as her monster's blast rebounded from Gravekeeper's Assailant, its attack and defense points now equaling 2000, and engulf her Fairy. With a feminine scream, her monster was dissolved in blinding light.

"I believe that brings your life points down to 3700, if I'm not mistaken." And indeed, the red life point counter on Janessa's dueling platform decreased 300 points.

Stupid jerk! I had no time to play Mystical Space Typhoon, and now I have no monster cards to protect me. "Alright, I lay one magic or trap card down on the field." Stop Attack will help me win against him, Janessa thought as she placed the card on the board and watched it take shape on the arena. "And now I use Fairy of Darkness effect too special summon one card from my hand to the field in defense mode. I play Gemini Elf, but I can't attack on the same turn it's summoned, so I guess it's your turn then," Janessa frigidly stated, tone of voice as cold as ice as she placed one card on the azure panel, Gemini Elf immediately forming.

"I'm so fortunate that you can keep count." Marik raised a blonde eyebrow as the girl quivered apparently in rage. The Egyptian boy drew a card, and it was revealed to be Tri-Horned Dragon. Another fine card. "I flip my Gravekeeper's Guard face down again, and play Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier in attack mode."

Out of the shimmering light that danced across the walls of the large room for a few seconds, another man robed in lavender appeared, clutching a gigantic spear covered in circular gold rings. Its attack equaled 1500, its defense 500 points lower than the male's offense.

Marik smiled cruelly. "I now turn over Horde of Scarabs, which allows me to flip one card per turn." The indicated card dissolved into Scarabs, their scratching sounds filling Janessa's ears as they crawled across the arena floor. Janessa shivered involuntarily as she watched them skitter. She hated bugs with a passion.

"Can your microscopic mind contemplate what card I will flip with my Scarabs?" Marik questioned, his amethyst eyes narrowing. "I turn over Gravekeeper's Guard and use its special effect to return a card to your hand." Marik knew that he could easily destroy Janessa now by returning her Gemini Elves to her and attacking her life points directly, but he wanted to finish her off with Slifer, so sweet victory would undoubtably have to wait. "I will return the magic or trap card you just played back to your hand."

Much to Janessa's shock, her Stop Attack card dissolved from the field. No, I needed that card. The girl twirled a red lock of hair angrily, biting her lower rosy lip.

"Say goodbye to your female elves," Marik taunted. "Gravekeeper's Assailant, destroy Gemini Elf with your quick slash scimitar attack!"

"Not so fast," Janessa countered. "I play Mystical Space Typhoon which will destroy your Necrovalley lowering your Assailant's attack points." A swirling mass of water filled the arena, roaring towards Marik's card.

"I negate your attack by playing Magic Jammer," stated Marik quickly, the holographic card on the field transforming into a purple substance that absorbed the teen girl's typhoon. "Of course, I'll need to discard a card from my hand, but that's no loss." The Egyptian placed Tri-Horned Dragon in the graveyard, strategy already formed. "Now Assailant, continue your attack."

The two twins screamed as their aggressor sliced them with his blade, sending them to the graveyard. "And now," said Marik smugly. "Attack her life points directly."

Janessa watched with narrowing pupils as Gravekeeper's Guard and Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier rushed towards her, weapons held high over head. Panic seized the teen's petite form as they brought their jagged weapons down upon her. Janessa cried out in shock and anguish as electricity from the duel system coursed through her, sending her a few feet back. Waves of pain washed through her, burning wherever they touched. Bracing against the cool metal bars with lightly tanned hands, Janessa panted in agony.

Marik's smile widened as he gazed upon her, lavender eyes mocking the girl. "I believe I also forgot to mention that I had the simulator modified, so that whenever your life points are directly attacked, a short burst of electricity will shock you as the consequence."

Janessa continued to gulp huge quantities of air. Her wound throbbed beneath her short white sleeve, her green silk pants sticking to her legs as did her bare feet to the metal floor. Wincing as she picked up her legs, she walked the few steps back to the sapphire panel. "We'll see . . . how you like it . . . when you lose," she gasped. Usually Janessa wouldn't make claims of her winning a duel, but she needed a retort against him.

"I doubt we'll ever find out, little Jenna. Meanwhile, let's assess your damage. I believe that's 3,500 points you lost, which leaves you with 200 life points left."

Janessa closed her eyes and tried to calm her shaking body. Opening them, she flipped over a magic card she had laid down on the field. "Not if I play Numinous Healer. It adds 1000 points to my life points." The life point counter rose to the crimson number of 1200 as a nurse with angel wings and short blonde hair materialized for a second, sprinkling gleaming white dust on Janessa.

"Well, well, well. You only are delaying the inevitable, Jenna. It's your turn now. Choose your cards wisely."

The girl in question snorted. "Don't worry. I will." Janessa drew a card, light returning to her dull green eyes. "I play Raigeki!" Immediately, a yellow lightning bolt obliterated every monster on Marik's side of the field. Ah ha! Take that, ya jerk! "I now play Soul Wanderer in attack mode, and demolish your life points directly!"

A glow of satisfaction filled Janessa's being, warming her against the cold cast by the gloomy underground abode. A maiden with long silver tresses and sparkling gold eyes appeared, chanting in a foreign tongue. A pure white dress clothed her dainty form, her pale face almost matching the color of her garb. The spirit's attack points reached the number 1900, whereas her defense equaled 500.

The woman's chanting grew louder as yellow symbols swirled about her, and coming together with a mighty roar, rushed at Marik. The spell it him point blank, earning a groan to hiss from his full lips as neon cerulean electricity covered his amethyst robed body for a moment.

"How does that feel, Marik?" Janessa taunted, watching his life points lower to 2100.

The boy just smirked, wiping his lip with the back of the hand holding his cards. "Not as bad as you will feel when you lose to me."

Janessa snorted again. "That won't happen."

"I assure you it will," countered Marik, drawing a card. "Your turn is over, but the game has only just begun. I play Gravekeeper's Spy in attack mode!" A teenage girl appeared on the field, long black robe billowing about her matching the color of her hair, which was currently tied up into a loose ponytail with a red band. Her face was deeply tanned, the spy's dark eyes shimmering mysteriously.

Janessa saw on her cerulean panel that the girl's attack points stood at 1200, her defense reaching 2000. I want that card, Janessa thought as she saw the spy glance around the arena, steady eyes sizing up Soul Wanderer. The redhead had to roll her emerald eyes at another Gravekeeper card being played, though. It seemed Marik specialized in them for some reason.

"I now play Rite of Spirit, which allows me to select one card from my graveyard with the name 'Gravekeeper' in its title and summon it to the field," the Egyptian smugly stated.

"You can't," interrupted Janessa. "All effects of Magic, Trap, and/or Effect monster cards that involve graveyards are negated and neither player can retrieve cards in the Graveyard from play because of your Necrovalley card."

Marik tsk-tsked. "Rite of Spirit is not affected by Necrovalley, and now I use it to bring back Gravekeeper's Guard face down on the field." Anubis materialized in midair, three cloaked men worshiping the Egyptian god. They transformed into a brown face down Duel Monster card, light with no apparent source gleaming off the smooth surface. "For my next brilliant move," Marik continued, "I use Gravekeeper's Spy special ability to summon another Gravekeeper card with an attack of 1500 or less from my deck onto the field."

The Egyptian boy grasped his deck and searched through it until he found the monster he desired. Marik then shuffled his deck, the smooth sound oddly reassuring Janessa. "Now I summon another Gravekeeper's Assailant onto the field, boosting the forces of my monsters. If your slow comprehended mind hasn't forgotten, Horde of Scarabs is still in play, allowing me to flip over Gravekeeper's Guard which admits me to return your Soul Wanderer back to your hand."

Janessa gasped as a monster of hers was again removed from play, leaving Janessa wide open to a direct attack by all his monsters. Oh no, Janessa thought in panic, helplessness filling her being. She had no way to stop his attack . . . no way to stop her slavery to him.

Silent tears began streaming a smooth river down her red cheeks, as she awaited her fate.



*~*



IF YOU WANT TO BE IN "DESERT ROSE", INCLUDE YOUR ANSWERS IN A REVIEW.



Description: Color of eyes, hair length, skin color, hair color, etc...


Height:


What you want to wear:


What you want your name to be:


Your personality:


Gender:


Age:



Adelianna: I think that's it, though you can add more if you want. I won't include people for a few chapters. I hope that's okay. I think I have it figured out on what part to include people in my story. Hope it works. *crosses fingers* Until next time, ja ne!


A/N: Almost forgot. During the next several weeks be VERY cautious about opening or launching any e-mails that refer to the World Trade Center or 9/11 in any way, regardless of who sent it. PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, "WTC" STANDS FOR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. REALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL OPEN IT RIGHT AWAY, THINKING IT'S A STORY RELATING TO 9/11! BIGGGG TROUBLE !!!! DO NOT OPEN "WTC Survivor" It is a virus that will erase your whole "C" drive.

A/N: I received this in the mail today:

STATEMENT AT A FOOTBALL GAME

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football
game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal,
Jody McLoud. I thought it was worth sharing with the world and hope you
will forward it to all your friends. It shows clearly just how far this
country has gone in the wrong direction.





"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games,
to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer
is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I
can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it
"an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and
calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an
unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended,
no problem.

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in
activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and
call it "ecology."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict
people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded"
and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and to ask Him to bless
this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is
violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except God and
His Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to
abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do
otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I
suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need
to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is
Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.

"However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God and ask Him,
in the name of Jesus, to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As
far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one
another and began to pray.

They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at
the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United
States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under God."

Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are
given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise God
that His remnant remains!

Celebrate Jesus in 2003!

Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of Me before men, then I will be ashamed of
you before My Father."

If you are not ashamed, pass this on, but only if you mean it.

Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me
functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing, but with
Him, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

This is the simplest test . . . if you Love God, and are not ashamed of all
the marvelous things He has done for you, feel free to pass it on!!!

A/N: Also, dawn-mist.org is having a fanfiction contest if anyone is interested.

Everyone have a great day!!!!