"Dueling tournament?" I said as my mouth was muffled by toothpaste.

Yugi was standing in the doorway of my bathroom as I brushed my teeth. Apparently, after when he left the museum last night, Kaiba's blimp appeared in the sky with him announcing that in one week there will be a dueling tournament. This could be big, if people around the world are able to come to this event then who know what kind of people will be here. Maybe even some old rivals from Duelist Kingdom will be around. When I put down my face cloth I was surprised by the face of the spirit of the millennium puzzle. He had a suspicious look on his face, like he was trying to read my mind. Uh oh, does he remember me from Saturday? Sweat pour down my neck as the tension was building. But I tried to pass by him but then he stopped me and he said:

"I know it was you and Bakura who was at the restaurant."

My body released itself from the guilty tension as I had to admit what I did.

"I'm sorry, it was wrong of me to intrude on your private conversation with Tea…" I confessed with my head down.

"Actually, I'm glad you were there…"

I don't understand, it was not my place to be and yet he's not bothered by the fact I followed him to restaurant? Normally, anyone else would be offended by what I did and maybe not trust me for a long time. But… The spirit was glad I showed up.

"You see, I was wanting to talk to you about my troubles but I didn't want to dump that on you," he said sitting on my bed.

I pulled up the chair at my desk and leaned in my arm, staring at the picture of Ryou and I in the frame. Thinking about how that night went. I feel like after this weekend our relationship has gotten stronger. Remembering it made me smile and sigh. Until the spirit began to speak again.

"So, why were you at the museum Saturday?" He asked.

I blinked back to reality.

"Ryou and I was surrounded by some gang but then we were able to make a break for it. We went to the museum thinking those punk won't try to look for us there," I explained. "Ryou left for the washroom and I found a woman there…"

"Wait, so you met Ishizu, too?" He asked anxiously.

I nodded. He wondered what she told me.

"You're not going to believe me if I told you," I said turning away from looking at my dueling deck.

"At this point I'd believe anything…" The spirit muttered.

I feel bad for this spirit. He has no idea what his duty is in this world, but then no one really knows what we wants to do with our life. But… He's alive, in my cousin's body, which means he can figure out a new meaning to his life and become a better person than his past self. Then I remembered that Ishizu mentioned something about the spirit being ancient pharaoh that once ruled Egypt.

"She told me that…" I don't know if I should tell him.

Please, Abigal, your honesty will be good for him. Black Luster Soldier said to me as I paused.

"Ishizu said that I'm the reincarnation of the Ezalor that served the ancient pharaoh long time ago," I kept myself from looking him in the eyes, afraid that he might laugh at me. But I didn't hear anything from him, just the warm breath from his nose. "Silly, huh?"

The spirit just shook his head and smile then explained to me that he was told that he is the five thousand year old pharaoh that once saved Egypt. This I can believe, someone as valiant and noble like him deserves the title of a king. With this new hint of what his life used to be, I wonder what is to be expect from him in the path of righteousness? My legs stood me up in front of him and I could not help but bow in respects.

"W-what are you doing?" I heard the embarrassment in his voice.

"You're a king right?" I said. "For now on I will address you as Pharaoh and pay my respects when I'm in your presence."

It's only the right then to do. Not acknowledging the presence of a king is not respectful at all. It's only fair that I give him that much, after all, he's done more for me than he could possibly know. The pharaoh has been there with Yugi and I to save Grandpa, I am forever grateful for his kindness. But then, I felt a hand on both my cheeks, Pharaoh cradled my face in his palms to look me in the eyes. To think… I was once his lover five thousand years ago.

"Please, don't treat me any differently than before. It does not feel natural for you do this. I want you to treat me as your equal," he expressed to me, almost pleading for me to obey.

My eyes were gentle while looking into his eyes. I laid both my hands on his, that were still on my face. Our destinies are connected through the past. Maybe it would be foolish of me to treat him this way now. However, I will still respect the same as I always have… As far fetched as all this may seem, the pharaoh is still my friend.

"But I will start referring to you as Pharaoh when you're present," I said. "I always know when it's you or Yugi. So it'll be fitting for me to at least do that much, okay?"

He gave a nod then the glow of the puzzle appeared when Yugi's mind was now present. I stood up and gave my cousin a smile. Black Luster Soldier was looking at me for a moment. There seemed like there was something bothering him. Our eyes met and he sharply looked away from me. I just had to ask…

"Is there something bothering you?"

Yugi looked at me, probably wondering who I was talking to.

"It's just… What you did… Kneeling before the pharaoh. It bothered me," Black Luster Soldier confessed with his arms crossed.

"Why?" I asked.

Yugi then realized I was talking one my monsters.

"Because… It's not fitting for a person like you. People should be bowing to you…" He said, still refusing to make eye contact with me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded. But Black Luster Soldier did not say anymore. "Black Luster Soldier! Answer me! Black Luster Soldier!"

He disappeared from my sight and I hung my head with a sigh. That was strange for him. Why would he be concerned about how I act towards other or how people should be acting towards me? This just raised more questions about what I am to do with my life. But I did not have time for that when Yugi reminded me that it was time for school.

During lunch break all of the gang decided to hang out on the roof. While I was sat down, Ryou was next to me, eating the lunch that I packed for him… That's right, I actually packed a lunch for the both of us to eat. Luckily, he was appreciative and really enjoyed my cooking. I laid my head on his shoulder for a moment, showing my affection towards him. His lips pressed firmly on my forehead then I took a bite of my chicken, tomato, and cheese sandwich. Joey mentioned that his sister's operation is going to tomorrow, so the money he got from Yugi was going to a good cause. Then Yugi spoke about his trip to the museum two days ago. According to Ishizu, there's a great evil coming to the battle city tournament and it's up to the five thousand year old pharaoh to stop the one who seeks to wreck havoc on the world. Yugi never told me this… If Yugi has to enter the tournament in order to protect the world from danger, then I must join as well ...To protect Yugi and the pharaoh.

After school all of us, except Ryou. went down to the shopping district. Ryou had to meet his father at the airport. So, we looked around for the appropriate store to go to register for the tournament. Eventually, we found it and Joey was really hyped up to get his own duel disk system. I had to admit that all this excited as got me looking forward to this tournament. If anything, all this experience will be something to tell the grandkids.

"Hello," said the clerk, he seemed to be organizing the shelf as we walked in.

"Hi, we'd like to register for the Battle City tournament," Yugi replied.

Yugi asked to register first and his ranking was the highest, five stars, which meant that he qualified for the tournament. Then Joey try to put his name in, however, because of Kaiba's lack of respect for Joey, his ranking was much too low to qualify. Joey was barking at Tristan about Seto, considering that he's came second place in Duelist Kingdom, Seto would not put his ranking high enough to be qualified for the tournament. I observed the clerk eyeball something on the screen and then told Joey that it all was just a computer error and that he actually had four stars. That seemed a little suspicious to me, I would believe that Seto just did not want to Joey to join the tournament, considering how annoyed Seto gets just being in the same room as my blonde friend.

"I'd like to register, as well," I piped up.

"Are you sure about this, Abigal?" Yugi was concerned. "This tournament is going to be much tougher than Duelist Kingdom."

"Even though you're right about it being tough, I can't sit back and do nothing. You have a destiny to fulfill, just like I do…" I winked at him.

Yugi beamed knowing that I am willing to stand with him in the face of danger. This tournament could have more answers for all of us. I just hope I know what I'm getting myself into. Then I turned my attention back to the clerk who waiting for me.

"So, what's your name?" He asked.

"Abigal Lungfur," I answered.

The clerk typed my name in the computer and I have about three stars, which is the minimum requirement to have in order to register. I had to take a look at it for myself. The picture taken could be a little better but I noticed that my rarest card was on the screen, which happens to be my Black Luster Soldier. He is the rarest card I've ever played in duels, so it would make sense. The clerk then gave me my own duel disk and told me that everything I need to know is in the book, which is in the box. When we stepped outside I instantly took the disk out to get a better look at it. I had to admit that it was a bit heavy but I'll get used to it. I felt like I had a weapon on my arm but it was still awesome.

Black Luster Soldier smiled at me as his invisible body strolled with me while I went for a walk in the park. There was a small breeze starting to pick when I heard a whisper in the trees. This reminded me of the time when Black Luster Soldier revealed himself to me in the Duelist Kingdom. So, I followed the voice to a store with a card in the window. I looked at Black Luster Soldier who just seemed to grin when he realized who this card is. Then I heard the whispers again… They were speaking my name.

"Are you… Calling for me?" I asked the card from the other side of the window glass.

There was no more talking but I ended up going into the store, when I took another glance the card, I recognized it. This was the same warrior that stood by Black Luster Soldier in my dream, when I stepped in the door of dragons. Now I'm able to know the name of this warrior: The Creator Incarnate. Very interesting, I must say that these cards have a way of finding me. It all must have something to do with my role in this tournament. And with me being able to hear the voices of my monsters, make me wonder how strong my powers are getting.

After paying for the card and stepping out in the streets again, I decided to making a detour. I wanted to go see Ryou and this path should lead me to his apartment building. But before I knew it, I was surrounded by men wearing black robes. Where have I seen these robes before?

"Can I help you?" I demanded, my words laced with sarcasm.

"We have spotted our prey. Your Black Luster Soldier will be ours," said the tall mysterious hooded man.