Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or anything related to it what-so-ever. The only characters in this fic that are truly mine are:

Lady Aurora Phoenix, Lady Natara Fear (Cooper), Lady Sapphira Star (Raine), Dorian "Chaos" (Stanson), Bryant "Havoc" (Westbrook), Sanura, Zahara, Adais, Shadow, Panther, Lord Theron (yup… they're back…)

A/N: This is a fantasy as you can tell. It is part 3 to the Eternal Love Series. Fair warning, I am not one for writing out duels so you may not see a lot of them- barely any actually, as the fic is about the events that happened outside the duel arena. There will be some familiar scenes to fans of the show but most of those scenes will have a small twist or two in order for it to fit with the plot being laid out.

I understand many will not agree with a lot of what is written but that is why this is in the fantasy genre and not in just the general one. This is purely a concoction out of my own head and I am just going where the ideas lead me.


Lost Control

Mokuba opened Seto's briefcase revealing a small laptop inside. Sanura took that laptop to plug in her PDA and send out the notice to all the employees of Kaiba Corp. A signal bounced back to her, showing she had the attention of at least on employee.

"Yes, Miss. Hart, I read you, please go forward with your message," a voice came over the communication device in the laptop.

"Gretchen, I need all computer systems to track down the duelist named Joseph Wheeler. This is a direct order from Mr. Seto Kaiba, and must receive top priority at this time."

"Yes, Miss. Hart, right away." Sanura drummed her fingers on her lap as she waited for the response. An odd feeling settled over her and she glanced around. Her sensitive senses were picking up a dark presence near by.

"Mokuba, we have to go now. Stay near by." She closed the briefcase and turned on her communicator. "Gretchen, when you have coordinates, contact me via the communications device at my desk. It will reach me directly. I … I have to get Mr. Mokuba to safety."

"Yes, Miss." Sanura stood and reached out to Mokuba.

"Let me carry the case, please."

"What's wrong, Sanura?" She shook her head.

"I am not sure. All I know is it is not safe here and your brother would have my head if I let anything happen to you." They had just begun to run when her communicator beeped in her ear.

"Miss. Hart?"

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Our computer systems show Mr. Wheeler is at the aquarium in the middle of a duel against a duelist named Mako Tsunami."

"Thank you, Gretchen. Now you may go back to your previous task." She took a deep breath as they went on their way. She stopped only momentarily to switch frequencies on her communicator to reach Seto's communicator on his jacket. "Mr. Kaiba."

"Yes," Seto's tense voice responded.

"Joseph Wheeler's duel disk was just located in sector five, sir."

"Excellent work." There was a click and she realized he had ended the communication.

"Guess he is still angry about you standing up against him back there."

"I try not to, Mokuba. But, there are some things he needs to realize. Some things he must know are more important than a duel."

"I understand, Sanura. I do. He wasn't always this way. He used to smile and have fun." Mokuba's eyes turned sad with memories. "I miss those days. I wish they could come back." Her heart went out to him and she stopped to face him.

"Mokuba, I am not sure when, or even how, but one day, he will remember just what is more important. That side of him will come out again." Mokuba looked down while wiping a tear from his eyes.

"I hope you are right."

So do I, Sanura added to herself as she produced a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at his eyes. "Come on. Let's get going. We better meet up with your brother at the aquarium." He nodded and together they hurried toward the inner section of Battle City.


Aurora raced through the streets using all her senses and powers to track down Yugi's friends and grandfather. She knew she was nearing a general location when her visions became stronger. Slowly she came to a stop at branch in alleys near the street.

"I know you are here somewhere, now where exactly are yo-" her words were cut off as strong arms grabbed her from behind and threw her against the wall causing her to cry out, more from shock than pain.

"So we meet again, Lady Aurora." Her eyes snapped open and she leapt into a defensive crouch.

"Shadow," she hissed. "To what do I owe the dis-honor of this meeting?"

"Well, I see you haven't changed much in all these years. I actually came to extend a courtesy warning for you."

"'Courtesy warning?' Nothing you do is out of courtesy, Shadow, so stop the pleasantries and just tell me what you came to tell me. I haven't the time to mess with you right now." Shadow's grey eyes sparkled with his smirk.

"Now see, that is no way to treat the messenger of an important family related message." Aurora frowned and stood straighter. It was obvious he was not there to fight. Then again, her experience told her he preferred to taunt and torture his opponent's with words. He fought only when he had to and this was not one of those times.

"Okay then. Talk," she ordered as she leaned back against the wall with her arms crossed in front of her.

"That's more like it," Shadow grinned at her. "First, it would be in your best interest to be at the finals of this duel."

"You didn't need to tell me that, Shadow. With Marik involved that was an obvious deduction."

"Ah but what you don't realize is that there is so much more to this duel. You see, Marik doesn't want you interfering, so he has set up a special gift for you." Aurora stood up straight again.

"You are the secret partner Marik mentioned!" He waved a finger at her.

"No, that I am not."

"But you know who is." She tilted her head at him in confusion. "So why would you be here telling me this information? That would be sabotage against your own people."

"Like I said; courtesy." Aurora heard enough.

"Forget it. I don't have time for your innuendos. I have to go." She turned to leave when a black shimmering shield appeared in front of her. "Shadow! Enough of your games!"

"You mean, you aren't interested in what has become of your daughter?" Aurora's eyes opened wide at the sight of Zahara laid out on a cot. It looked as though she was sleeping, but to a sorceress, Aurora knew better.

"What. Have. You. Done?" She growled at him, turning a dark gaze in his direction.

"I see I finally have your attention. Marik wants you there but out of the way. He thought by having your daughter he would ensure your cooperation. As for being out of the way, that is another surprise that is due to be revealed in time."

"Where is she, Shadow?"

"She is safe, but you won't see her for awhile." Shadow closed the shield and began to leave. "As for the friends you were seeking, don't bother. They were taken while you and I had this chat." She whirled around with white fire blasting from her fingertips, but it hit nothing but the solid wall that Shadow had once been standing near. He had disappeared in a swirling cloud of black mist.

"Shadow! I know you can hear me! Harm her and you are dead! I will seek you out and take you down personally!" His laughter rang throughout the alley way.

"That sweet Lady Aurora, is a challenge I look forward to."

"Damn you, Shadow," she growled, slamming her fist into a wall. "That is my daughter. She should never have been involved. I should have known they would stoop so low.

"It's okay, Bakura, we are almost there." The name, as well as the soft voice saying it, caught her attention and she stood up straight again. Turning, she saw Solomon struggling with the body of an injured Ryou.

"Do you need help, Solomon?" He looked up, startled. They had only met on two other occasions. The last time, he had tried to ask about her and she had left before he had the chance.

"It's you," he murmured, shifting Ryou's weight again. Ryou was much taller then the elder man and she could see the burden it was becoming on him.

"Here, let me take him." She came closer and lifted one of Ryou's arms to wrap it around her neck. He moaned softly and she saw the bandage on his bicep. "Ryou? What happened to you?" His eyes fluttered open before closing again. He wanted so badly to tell her, but the spirit was making it impossible for him to move his lips.

Speak and you can be sure he will hurt her, Bakura whispered through his mind. That was the last thing Ryou wished so he made himself go limp in order to avoid any questions. Aurora struggled to regain her balance at first. Once he was repositioned, she allowed Solomon to lead her to the clinic.

"How is it you know just where to be?" Aurora cast a glance over at Yugi's grandfather.

"This time was just by chance. I… I was actually in the middle of something else when you passed."

"And the others?"

"I… I have abilities that enable me to do certain things. I receive visions of the future. Or sometimes even the past. They are what bring me where I need to be."

"And in Egypt?" She lowered her head.

"I was charged with protecting the Puzzle in that tomb. When you received it, there was no reason for my family and me to remain in Egypt. We had to follow after the Puzzle eventually. We waited until it was completed. Now that we are here, we must protect Yugi as well as the Puzzle." They were silent as they reached the clinic and checked Ryou into a room. "Have you any idea what happened?"

"No. There was a boy named Namu who found him. He was bringing him here when we all ran into them outside the aquarium."

"You all?"

"Yes, Joey had just won his duel against Mako Tsunami. Téa and Tristan were with us. I had to get moving anyway so I offered to take Ryou on while Namu stayed behind with them."

So that was how he did it, Aurora thought with a grim look on her face. He kept me busy with Shadow and joined in with them for a sneak attack. He has grown quite crafty… She looked over at Solomon. "I must take my leave now. There is somewhere I need to be."

"Yes, go. I will stay with Ryou so there is a familiar face when he wakes." She nodded at him and then left at a rushed pace. Her main objective was to get to the aquarium. Several thoughts went through her mind. There had to have been a better reason as to why Zahara was taken. A reason she had not figured out just yet.

"Téa! Téa, are you still there?" She looked up at the sound of Yami's frantic voice. He was white knuckling the receiver of a phone, his eyes wide. "Téa!" Seto sneered beside him.

"I brought you to where they were, now we duel," he told Yami as he hung up the phone. He whipped around to face Seto.

"Now is not the time, Kaiba! My friends are in danger!"

"They aren't the only ones," a tearful voice said. They all turned to see Sanura's face twisted in pain.

"What are you saying?" Seto's eyes widened as she looked up at him.

"I tried to save him. We ran as fast as we could. I fought to keep him, Mr. Kaiba, I'm sorry." Aurora hurried to her daughter who buried her face into her mother's shoulder. Seto opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a strong wind. Sanura pulled back from her mother. They all looked up to see a helicopter. Dangling from it was Mokuba.

"Help me, Seto!" He cried out.

"Mokuba!" Seto reached out for him but missed as Mokuba was pulled back into the helicopter and flown away. "I will get you back, Mokuba!" He turned to Sanura. "The communicator in his watch doubles as a tracking device. Get on the computer and track him." She did not need to be told twice. She raised her hand to her ear piece and contacted the office.

"Gretchen, Jacqueline, Belle? I need you now."

"We await your order, Miss." Jacqueline responded.

"Mr. Mokuba has been taken. Order is top priority. Track his communicator."

"Yes, Miss., right away!" The three voices returned.

"Seto Kaiba and Yugi Motou, so good to see you again." They all spun to see two robed and masked figures.

"We come with a message."

"You must come with us to a special dueling platform. You must defeat us in order to see your friends, and your brother, again." Yami hesitated. Aurora turned to him.

"Do what you need to do. Sanura and I will find them." He nodded to her as he and Seto began to follow the two figures. Sanura and Aurora immediately began their search as the reports came back to where Mokuba was being taken. Aurora was still in shock. In one fell swoop their enemies had closed in, grabbing Joey, Téa, Mokuba, and Zahara. How could I have let this happen? She thought, mentally kicking herself.

"Mother?" They had been searching for nearly an hour when Sanura noticed her mother had stopped running and was looking around. "What is it?"

"I am not sure. I just have a very bad feeling that something terrible is going to happen. And soon."

"Miss. Hart?" Sanura started and raised her hand to her ear piece.

"Yes, Belle?"

"We have located Mokuba over by a warehouse on twenty-fifth near the docks. But he seems to be on the move. And quickly."

"Which direction?" There were a few key strokes heard and then Jacqueline's voice was heard.

"Headed your way, Miss."

"There he is," Aurora said pointing ahead of them. His eyes were wide with fear when he turned forward to see them. Instantly he ran to Sanura who knelt down to accept him.

"Are you all right? Did they hurt you?"

"No, but they still have Téa. She was the one who helped me to escape."

"We will go back for her. Right now we have to get you to your brother so he knows you are safe." Sanura stood. "Gretchen, locate, Mr. Seto Kaiba. Belle, contact the helicopter pilot now. Jacqueline, Keep your computer on Joseph Wheeler's duel deck. We will need it to locate him."

"Yes, Miss." The three said in unison. It was not long after a helicopter was circling over them and a rope ladder was tossed down. All three climbed up and aboard, each receiving headsets as the helicopter took off for its next destination. Aurora and Sanura watched as they neared a tall skyscraper. Four people stood on top of it. At least for a moment. Then the panels beneath two of the people fell beneath their feet, causing them to drop. Aurora saw the purple, black, and blue streaks of light and knew they had just witnessed to end of a Shadow Game. The helicopter descended upon them and Sanura reached over to drop the ladder. Seto climbed up first, and knelt as Mokuba came forward to give him a hug.

"I knew you would get away." Seto told his brother.

"I had help." Mokuba looked over at Yami who was just entering the helicopter.

"What do you mean?" Seto asked.

"Téa. She was the one who helped me escape. But they caught her before she could get out." Seto frowned. The last thing he enjoyed doing was owing anyone any favors. But in this turn, he owed Téa a big one.

"Can you take us back to where you were?" Mokuba nodded. "Then do it." The pilot nodded and turned back in his seat. Aurora surrendered her headset to Seto and sat back in her seat, staring out the window. Yami took a spot next to her. He noticed the worried look in her eyes.

"I will get to them and set them free. That is my promise to them," he told her.

"I have no doubt you will. It won't be easy, but it will be done." She did not look at him. She could not. She was fighting for control. Their daughter was still out there. With Shadow involved, there was no telling even where Zahara was being kept.

"You are worried. But not entirely for my friends. What is wrong?" Yami lightly touched her shoulder to get her attention and she looked down.

"Your friends weren't the only ones taken today," she told him. His eyes widened.

"Who else?"

"Zahara." He took her hand.

"I promise I will help you get her back as well."

"No, not this time. I have to go for her myself. She was taken to lure me in. I have to be where the finals are being held. Then my own battle will begin." She looked up at him then. "You have your own destiny. I have mine. Sometimes they just collide. This is one of those times." He looked deep into her eyes and finally nodded.

"If you need my help, you have it."

"I know. Right now let's just get your friends to safety." They felt the helicopter making its descent and looked ahead of them. All Yami had on his mind was getting his friends out of the warehouse.

"When we land, Mokuba can lead us to the warehouse. We will break in and get my friends to safety."

"Listen, Yugi, I brought here so we will be doing things my way, understand?" Seto told him coldly. "And the first task on my agenda is to track down the third Egyptian god card. After that we'll find your friends." Sanura gasped and stared at him wide-eyed. Mokuba frowned at his brother and Yami and Aurora turned looks of ice in his direction.

I suppose he shows a lot of his grandfather's later personality after all, I wondered about that, Aurora thought carefully as she shielded her mind from Yami. Yami could not hold back his anger.

"Kaiba! Joey, and Téa are in great danger and we must rescue them right away!" Seto smirked as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and crossed one leg over his knee.

"Sorry, Yugi, but it seems you and I have very different priorities. So why don't we split up and fend for ourselves when we land?"

"That would be foolish," Yami returned.

"Maybe to you." Seto's smirk turned into a cold smile. "But I've always worked much better on my own." Sanura raised an eyebrow at this. She knew she had been helping him on more than one project. She opened her mouth to say as much but he turned his cold look on her and she flopped back against her seat and crossed her arms in front her, glaring daggers at him. Aurora muffled her small chuckle behind a cough which brought the glare to her. She quirked an eyebrow in a "bring it on" manner and her daughter turned to stare out the window. "Haven't you realized yet that teamwork just isn't my thing?" Seto asked Yami. "In our duel against Lumas and Umbra, it was me who defeated them with my god card; without much help I might add. So do me a favor and stay out of my way, Yugi, because we're finished."

When did you ever start? Aurora thought before realizing she had not shut down her side of the mental link between Yami and herself. He glanced at her, curious and she turned to face the window as Yami went back to facing Seto.

"I brought you here, but you can take care of the rest by yourself. I've done enough charity work already!" Yami turned away from him. Aurora's eyes softened and she decided to open her mind up to him.

You won't be looking alone. I am here to help you. He glanced over at her. And nodded, showing her got her thought and was grateful for her help. Mokuba frowned out the window and called their attention.

"Hey, I think I see someone on the pier." He paused a moment. "Wait… It kind of looks like Joey!" Sanura double checked her PDA in which Belle had just sent her the coordinates to Joey's duel disk.

"It most likely is as this is where the computer system has tracked him." Yami looked closer.

"It is Joey, but he seems to be all alone." He looked over at Seto. "Kaiba, please listen, we may be heading into a trap."

"Please, Yugi," Seto scoffed at him. "I have heard enough out of you for one day." Yami scowled and prepared to stand as the helicopter made its landing. Aurora leapt down first, followed by the others. Instantly she knew that Yami had been right. This was a trap. Joey gave them a chilling smile as the group stood in front of him.

"Welcome," he said. His voice was strangely distorted and mangled. The sign of Marik's mind control.

"Joey!" Yami called out.

"Not exactly," came the response. "Joey is no longer present. He has … gone away, we shall say." The voice sounded vaguely amused and a cold smile curved his lips once more as Yami blinked and stepped back.

"Marik!"

"That's correct, and if you want your friends back you will listen to me." Mokuba looked confused.

"What's going on? That doesn't sound like Joey," he said, staring as the scene played out in front of them. Seto glared straight ahead.

"It must be one of Marik's tricks," Seto answered.

"You are right, Kaiba," Aurora told him softly. "His worst one yet." She watched as Yami rushed forward.

"Listen to me, Joey! I know you are in there!" Joey's mangled voice laughed.

"It's pointless. He can't hear you. Now, you listen, Yugi. Now we play by my rules! I will release these pathetic friends of yours as soon as I get what I want from you. And since I want your Puzzle and Egyptian God Card, there is only one way to do this. You and I are going to duel!"

"You're insane, Marik!"

"Oh but it gets better, Yugi. Once you lose, your friends are mine forever!"

"No! Release Joey from your control, Marik!" Yami ordered. Mokuba leaned forward.

"What's going on?"

"Marik was able to turn Joey against Yugi," Aurora answered.

"And now Wheeler wants to duel. This should be interesting to say the very least," Seto mused.

"But why?" Mokuba asked.

"If he is really fighting for Marik, then he may be holding the third Egyptian god card."

"Not likely," Aurora said softly. "The card left is too powerful for just anyone to use in their deck. Joey has some strength, but he comes no where close to what is needed for Ra." Seto gave her a sidelong look that she did not even care to grace with a look of her own. Her attention was set only on Joey and Yami.

"Joey, please, I know you can hear me. Your mind has been taken under the control of Marik. The same Marik you vowed to help me crush. You must break free. Do you understand? Think, please, Joey! You have got to remember your promise to me! The promise you made when you gave me your Red Eyes Black Dragon." He paused waiting for Joey's reaction. There was none. The soulless eyes stared back at him. "When Marik could not defeat me in a duel he decided to turn you against me, in order to win my Puzzle and my Egyptian god card, but it is my promise to you that I will set you free. His power is nothing compared to the strength you and I have with our friendship. Please," Yami took another step forward, a desperate pleading note in his voice. "Joey, say something!" Joey turned his back and began to walk away. "Joey!"

"You'll never set him free, unless you follow me, Yugi," Joey's head turned back with an evil smirk, and the mangled smirk was still there.

"Joey, wait!" Something pulled Yami back in his shock. This would be a true test for him. There was too great a possibility that he could be walking into a trap. On the other hand, if he did not follow, Joey and Téa could be lost to him forever. Yami looked up at the retreating back of his friend. Aurora gasped as another dark presence came from behind them. She whirled around as Téa's mangled voice called out.

"Yugi! You had better do as I say!" Yami spun around to see her.

"Oh, no! Téa!"

"This may not be too much of a surprise to you, but like your friend Joey, Téa is under my control," the voice in her body proclaimed.

"Marik, leave her alone, now!" Yami demanded.

"You no longer have any right to make demands over me, Pharaoh. Not while I have complete control over your friends." Yami scowled.

"But she has done nothing to you!"

"Your point? I have succeeded in turning your greatest friends into your greatest enemies, thus leaving you completely at my mercy. If I were merciful, that is." Téa body walked briskly passed Yami and continued in the direction Joey had left for.

"Téa! Please come back!" There was no longer any reason or doubt to his hesitation. He charged after her and soon found himself in a newly set up arena. Docks were pieced together at the pier in the square form of an arena. An anchor was suspended in the middle, hanging above the open water.

"Welcome to my duel arena. Look around you, Yugi. Should you accept you will be dueling against your friend in a duel like you have never experienced before. For this duel will be for the highest stakes imaginable." Yami took his place opposite Joey and looked over his shoulder to Téa's mindless body.

"Alright, I accept," he told her. "If this is the only way to save my friends." She held up a pair of shackles.

"Fine, then now it is time you both tried these on for size." It took only a few moments before the shackles were attached to one leg on each Yami and Joey. "These shackles are attached to a chain, which is fastened to an anchor above you," the mangled voice explained. "You have thirty seconds after a player's life points reach zero and then the ankle will drop into the sea." Joey's evil smirk returned and Marik chose to speak through him.

"Now look down." Yami cast his glance downward. "The small box you see there is your life point counter. But it also holds the locator card and key needed to release yourself from the chains. But remember, you will only have thirty seconds before the anchor dropped." As Marik spoke through Joey, Aurora let her eyes follow Téa as she walked away.

"So you are telling me the loser is dragged to the bottom of the ocean while the winner remains free? But what if I win? Will you set my friends free?"

"You will have to find Joey under the sea first," Marik told him. Aurora watched as Téa made her way to a throne-like set up. Silently she sat down on the set up and almost instantly her wrists were strapped down to the arms of the seat. "And don't think I have forgotten about Téa. I will tell you about her roll in this shortly. But just in case you had any plans of refusing to duel, you had better think again. If at the end of sixty minutes there is no winner determined, the anchor will automatically drop, sending you both into the sea!"

"You won't get away with any of this Marik!" A snarl came from Aurora's side and she noticed an angry look on Seto's face. There was a short bark of laughter.

"Lady Aurora! Seto Kaiba! Don't think you two are merely just here to watch." Strong arms wrapped around Aurora's and pinned her tightly against an unknown assailant.

"Gah!" She shouted briefly as she struggled. A low growl came from her throat and her eyes flashed white for an instant.

"Aurora!" Yami called out.

"I'm fine, Yami. Just worry about them. I will take care of these guys. Since they are of my own kind," she reassured him as she shoved backward with all her strength sending both she and her assailant into an alleyway to give her more room to fight.

"Now that she is occupied and is no threat to stepping in, Seto Kaiba, as soon as I finish with these two, my sights are set on your Egyptian god card!" Téa's mangled voice informed him. Mokuba turned to his brother.

"All right I have heard enough, this duel is getting far out of hand!" he told his brother. Seto was staring straight ahead with his shocked eyes. "Seto! You have to put a stop to it before someone gets hurt!" He looked down. "And I am afraid he will try something like that on us next." Sanura touched Mokuba's shoulder. She echoed his worry. The look on Seto's face was enough to scare even her.

"As head of the Battle City Tournament, I demand that this duel cease right now!" Seto shouted out. Marik laughed through Téa's lips again.

"Sorry, but this duel will continue onward as I have planned. And speaking of which, the final piece is now in place." A crane appeared holding a shipment container over Téa's head. One of Marik's Rare Hunters was sitting behind the controls.

"What is the meaning of this, Marik?" Yami demanded.

"I'm afraid that anchor won't be the only thing being dropped today," Marik told him. "This is a precaution to see that no one interferes. So don't even try to stop this duel. If you do, the container above will fall on my head." There was a small smirk. "You wouldn't put poor Téa in danger, now would you?" Mokuba and Seto spun toward the crane. The Rare Hunter lifted his hand to reveal a hand held control.

"Take one more step and I press the button releasing the crate," the hunter told them. Seto took a step back.

"There is no way for me to stop this duel!" he realized with a start. Seto Kaiba, CEO of his own company, able to hire and fire on a whim, a man others feared, had lost control of his own tournament.

"Good to see you finally understand, Kaiba. Being we are all experts here, we all know the rules, everything is in place, so let's get on with this duel, shall we?" Téa's held forward and she gasped.

"Téa!" Yami shouted out to her. She looked around, completely lost to what had just happened.

"Where am I? Wait, why am I strapped here? What's going on?" Téa's voice had regained its soft tone and was no longer mangled. Joey, however, was not so lucky. The twisted tone was still evident as he drew Yami's attention back to him,

"One last thing, Yugi. The god card is off limits do you understand?"

"I wasn't planning on using it against Joey anyway," Yami responded as he unclasped his duel belt. He unsnapped the clasp and removed one card from inside. He removed Slifer from his deck and replaced it with the card he had pulled from his case. Then he placed the god card in the case and tossed it to the side, out of reach.

"Now that all that is out of the way, I think it is finally time to start this duel." Sanura looked around. Her mother had still not returned from her surprised attack. She was hoping her mother had been able to disband her attacker and be able to return to the duel. But without any sign of the battle, she could not help but worry.


"You can't keep me away forever," Aurora growled as she broke free of her attacker and turned to face him, her hands hitting his chest and forcing him back against a wall. Silver eyes looked up at her as the man clutched his chest. He quirked and eyebrow at her and smirked.

"Nice to see you haven't lost your touch after all these years," the man purred. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I should have known you would be stalking around, Panther. You must have been Marik's silent partner as I know your brother isn't." Panther gave a bored shrug.

"He has grown soft over the years. I have been waiting far too long to let this opportunity pass for long. Now…" He stood up straight and drew a dagger. "Shall we dance?"

"Sorry, my dance card is full," She returned, leaping into the air and coming down straight on him. A silver staff with a rose shaped tip appeared in her hand and she leveled it horizontally to crash against his dagger. He growled with the effort of defending against her attack. "Where is she Panther?"

"Where is whom?" he smirked back. She shouted with her fury and struck back hard. First she shoved him back then took a swipe at him with her staff, creating a slash on his upper arm. He sneered and grabbed his arm.

"Where is my daughter?"

"She is watching the duel." He shouted again as she leveled her staff at him allowing a shimmering beam of light from the crystal hidden within the folds of the rose shaped tip to streak at and around him, electrifying him in an instant.

"One more chance Panther. Where. Is. Zahara?"

"I'll take my chances." He growled and raced forward, teeth bared and dagger ready. "You will not find her here!"


Zahara moaned softly and her eyes fluttered open. Stiffly she moved her head from side to side, trying to see anything familiar. She could smell the salty sea air, and by the motion of the room she was in, she could tell she had to have been on a boat of some kind.

"Are you sure she is here?" A deep voice asked. There was no apparent answer but the voice spoke again. "Good. I will let Master Marik know, then." There was a soft click and Zahara realized the man had been on a phone. She opened her mouth to speak but her voice came out cracked and dry from an extended period of not speaking. Slowly she stood and made her way to what looked like an open door.

Why would they leave this door open? She wondered. Trying to pass through she received her answer. A brilliant shock met her and forced her back a few steps and to her knees. A barrier had been placed on the door. So that's why, she answered herself ruefully. A robed figure began to pass by when he glanced in and found her on the floor gazing down at her hands. Sensing eyes on her, she looked up sharply, her lapis eyes meeting his emerald ones.

"You are awake so soon? Master Marik did not think you would." She swallowed hard and opened her mouth to speak again.

"From the… looks of… that barrier… I would say… he betted … on it." She was amazed at how much effort it took her to say her scornful comment.

"You are weak?"

"Gee, sweet Ra, whatever gave you that impression?" She coughed but was glad to be able to spit the remark out that time without a pause. He arched an eyebrow at her.

"I remember you from the temple. You were sweeter back then." Her eyes grew cold.

"Sweetness turns to poison when faced with the betrayal of someone I should be able to trust with my life. You were with the Ishtar Tomb Keepers. I remember you now. They called you… Odion. You say you remember me. But have you any idea who I am?"

"I do. You are the daughter of the Pharaoh."

"And you are in direct violation of the codes of your people. To protect the tomb and in part of that duty, you have been charge with the protection of his family as well. Yet you kidnap me?"

"I serve Master Marik now. Until he says otherwise, your Father must remain dead to me."

"Traitor!" Zahara shouted at him standing and rushing toward him, forgetting the barrier as her anger fueled her attack. She cried out as another shock of electricity struck her and forced her harder against a far wall. She breathed heavily and fell to her knees. "You will suffer for this, Odion." He said nothing as he turned away. She slowly crept toward the door to watch him as he approached the boy she recognized as Marik.

Master Marik, I have just received word that Wheeler's sister has just arrived in Battle City," He informed his master with a deep bow. Marik turned to face him.

"Did you say his sister?" An evil smile curved Marik's lips. "She would be a nice addition to my game. See to it she is brought to me immediately." Odion bowed his head.

"Yes, Master." Odion stood and began to pass by Zahara again.

"Don't do this Odion. You have always been good to the Ishtar family and its traditions. You know what he is asking of you is wrong. Please, don't do this." He glanced at her.

"I have to, Princess." She blinked. It had been a long time since she had been called Princess in such a respected manner. A part of her began to think that there was more to Odion's reasoning then he was saying. "I have to protect him. This is the only way to do so."

"Odion?" Zahara's voice became soft.

"If I could let you go, I would, Princess. Please forgive me that I cannot." She lowered her head and sighed. She wanted to be free. She feared for so many lives. She worried about what had become of Ryou and hoped Bakura had not done anything they would all soon regret. But this was her destiny for now. She was woman enough to face it.

"I do, Odion. I forgive you. Now go before he grows suspicious."

"Yes, Princess," Odion said with a bow before leaving. She watched him go, tears filling her eyes as she wondered what was happening to her friends and family.

"Yugi, no!" Her head snapped up and she looked around.

"Téa?" Turning she made her way to the small window in her room. A bright orange light shielded anything from her eyes.

"Joey belongs to me now, Pharaoh," she heard Marik saying from just outside her room. "So destroy your former friend, now, my mind puppet."

"Marik! Let him go!"

"Eh?" Marik turned to look down the hall of the boat to see Zahara glaring at him. "Awake so soon? No matter, you will get to see me take down your father then."

"You won't do it, Marik. He will stop you!"

"You royals seem to all be the same. You never shut. Up." His attention was taken back to the duel when a powerful surge swept over them. "What's this? No! I wanted to duel the Pharaoh, not this runt!"

"Why should it matter? You aren't the one dueling anyway."

"Keep quiet!" Marik scowled. "The spineless coward switched places with Yugi to protect himself." He looked up at the ceiling of the warehouse they were in. "You cheat!"

"Marik! When will you learn? He is not a coward! He is not running to protect himself. You are using Yugi's friend against him. Yugi wants to be the one to save his friend. There is a power here even greater than your Millennium Rod, Marik. Their friendship will break your hold, you just wait and see!"

"Silence!" Marik raised the Rod and she ducked out of the way before the light from it could touch her.

"Okay," she muttered. "The guy holds the one thing that can hurt you and you continue to taunt him." She smacked her self in the face in frustration as she bit back another cutting remark. She looked up again when she heard his laughter.

"Maybe this could work after all. Defeating Yugi will be much easier than defeating the Pharaoh." He paused. "Yes, this will me a much better way to destroy the Pharaoh."

"Be strong, Father," Zahara whispered her prayer. "Be strong, Yugi. You can both make it through this."


"Show me your pitiful cards," Joey's distorted voice demanded as he approached Yugi. Sanura watched silently. Yugi had just played the magic card Exchange. This allowed Joey to take one card from his hand. Seto frowned and even Sanura was confused. This was such a difficult and trying duel that one wrong move would find Yugi at the bottom of the sea. Sanura looked around.

There has to be something I can do. But what? She wondered.

"Now which card should I take?" His thoughts were interrupted and Joey's voice could be heard crying out by something he saw in Yugi's hand. "My… Red … Eyes!" Yugi let a small smile curve his lips. Apparently he had a plan, and it was working just as he had hoped. Marik's power regained control again.

"Playing that Exchange card was a big mistake, little Yugi."

"Well, pick your card, Marik." Yugi kept his voice soft, his eyes downcast. Joey stared hard at the cards being shown to him. "You can have any card you want, including the Red Eyes Black Dragon." Joey's hand reached shakily toward the cards. He hesitated for a moment as his hand trembled even more.

"Your friend is long gone, Yugi. So I will be taking your Red Eyes Black Dragon." Yugi frowned for a moment and fought the deep sigh threatening to take him. Sanura could only take it as a sign of a struggle. Yugi suddenly looked over at Joey and saw that his friend was struggling with the card his fingers were touching.

"Can't. Take. Red Eyes." He gasped out weakly. He brought his other hand to his head, showing the obvious struggle he was having with Marik. "No! I just… Can't! Not that card! Yugi … needs… it…" Joey finally tore his hand away from the cards and Yugi's face brightened with a smile.

"All right, you didn't take it!" His voice carried a cheerful tone. Joey did not answer. "Joey?" His friend looked up at him with dark eyes.

"No, I told you, your friend has gone away. And I am here to defeat you with my rare magic cards so I won't even need your Red Eyes!"

"That's what you think, Marik. Now I get to pick one of your cards, Joey" Yugi reached forward to the cards in Joey's hand.

"I said Joey is gone," Marik insisted as Yugi made his pick.

"You can try to deny it all you want, but I know Joey is still in there somewhere. I will set my best friend free!" Joey stopped in mid step on his way back to his spot in the arena.

"You are fooling yourself."

"No, I don't think I am," Yugi insisted. "It is the reason why you didn't take my Red Eyes. The real reason. Joey is still in there fighting you for control once again. He gave me that Red Eyes the day he made his promise to help e defeat you, Marik!"

"That's enough!" Joey still had his back to Yugi.

"Admit it! As soon as he saw that card, the real Joey came out."

"You have no idea what you are talking about." Joey turned back to face Yugi. "I'm controlling his mind!"

"Not for much longer," Yugi promised.


Well, because of the new rule being passed around I am sorry I cannot respond to my reviewers as I used to. But I do want to thank my faithful readers and reviewers again for continuing along on this little journey. DDCfreak, Atemu Fangurl, Ishizusan, Pastelblue, Lady of Perfection and her Yami- Yami Nefera, Luna Dusk, Marik 360, and mugen thank you all!