Yugi, Jonouchi, Honda, Anzu, Ryo, and I slowly made our way to Domino Pier. It was the night for us to go to Duelist Kingdom and things were intense.

Even though Sugoroku's soul wasn't trapped in the videotape, Jonouchi's sister, Shizuka, was still an important detail. The day after Pegasus sent Yugi that videotape, Jonouchi got one of his own. His sister told him that she was about to go blind and that there was nothing that could be done about it. Out of desperation, Jonouchi decided to go fight in Duelist Kingdom and get the prize money it offered for Shizuka to get an operation.

He had asked me what was the best way to win the prize money but I kept silent.

"I can't tell you, Jonouchi," I had explained. "If you knew, you may get over confident and fail miserably."

"Since when am I ever over confident?" Jonouchi demanded.

I smirked slightly. "Since, always."

My gaze turned serious.

"Don't worry, Jonouchi. If my visions are correct, you will succeed and Shizuka will be able to see. I promise."

Jonouchi had sighed in relief but he still had a worry look in his eyes.

We then walked towards the ship that would be taking us all the way to Duelist Kingdom. I stared at it amazed.

"That's an impressive ship," Ryo commented. "I've never seen a ship that big before."

I nodded in agreement.

We then all walked towards the huge crowd of people who surrounded the ship, each of them caring Duel Monsters cards in their hands. Jonouchi and Yugi gazed at them.

"I guess they are our rivals," Yugi said.

"I just hope they aren't that tough," Jonouchi muttered.

As we all walked, I looked to see if I could recognize any of the duelists. I saw a faint glimpse of Ryota Kajiki, who was staring at the boat with adoration. Ryuzaki and Haga were in the crowd themselves, a hunger for victory burning in their eyes.

Suddenly, a huge horn blew; making my ears hurt a bit.

I looked up and saw that one of Pegasus agents, known as The Hair Guy from the abridge series, was up at the bridge of the deck. He looked down at us, his hair as pointy as ever.

"Attention duelists!" The Hair Guy announced. "You have been chosen as the best duelists Japan has to offer. All of you have the chance to win the greatest prize my implore has to offer. If you believe you have a chance against Maximillion Pegasus and get the prize money, come aboard this boat to test your strength as a true duelist. Welcome, to Duelist Kingdom!"

Wow, The Hair Guy can make anything sound epic.

Everyone cheered loudly from The Hair Guy's speech. Suddenly, a loud, obnoxious laugh pierced through the cheering. I looked over to see a woman with long blonde hair and violet eyes. She wore a very revealing outfit, making all the boys stare at her.

"It's like a pep rally for little kids!" Mai Kujaku commented, slightly amused. "But I guess, it is mostly little kids here!"

She looked around.

"I haven't seen any real competition yet. So sad..."

Jonouchi, Yugi, and Honda stared at Mai, amazed at her beauty. Anzu glared at her while Ryo just stood there confused. I blinked, not really sure what to think.

Mai turned to Yugi. "Aw, aren't you that Yugi kid that defeated Kaiba?"

Yugi nodded slightly, his face glowing red. Anzu growled softly and Mai studied Yugi.

"I'm still surprised that a little kid like you defeated someone like Kaiba, not to mention putting him in a coma! But I guess you can't always judge someone from how they look."

She smiled.

"I look forward to dueling you, Yugi. The name is Mai Kujaku, by the way."

Mai gave Yugi a winked and then walked towards the boat's entrance.

"...What a woman!" Jonouchi and Honda both said at the same time.

Anzu rolled her eyes and turned to me.

"We need more female friends, don't we, Roxanne?" she commented with a sigh.

I smiled and laughed.

We then made our way to the boat, trying to avoid the crowd as much as possible. Once everyone was on the boat, The Hair Guy showed up again and announced that he would show us to our rooms for the night. It would take all night for us to reach Duelist Kingdom, so we were promised to have luxury rooms to make our stay much more comfortable.

Which meant we all had to sleep on the floor.

As we walked to our 'rooms,' I saw Haga and Ryuzaki approach Yugi.

"You're Yugi Mutou, aren't you?" Haga asked.

"I am," Yugi said. "And you're Insector Haga and Dinosaur Ryuzaki from the tournament."

Ryuzaki nodded. "Yep, that's us."

Yugi smiled. "You guys where really good. It's really cool meeting you guys."

"The pleasure is all mine, Yugi," Haga replied. "You're the one who defeated Kaiba, after all."

Yugi and Haga continued to chat the rest of the way. I kept glancing over at him, wondering what dirty scheme he was up to. I knew Haga was up to no good. He never was.

"What? You've got to be kidding me!"

I jumped a little as I saw Jonouchi argue with one of The Hair Guy's guards.

"Only finalists from the last tournament get their own private rooms," the guard said calmly. "Besides, we don't have enough rooms for everyone to have their own."

"You think they would have chosen a boat with more rooms?" I said, loud enough for him to hear me.

The guard gave me a dark look but continued to watch the area, making sure everything was in order. Haga and Ryuzaki said their goodbyes and went up to their private rooms, since they were finalists.

Finding a good place to camp out, I set my backpack down. I saw that all the duelists where trading their cards, Jonouchi being among them. I would be with them, but I brought only my strongest cards, none I was willing to trade for.

Wanting some fresh air, I step outside and walked towards the front of the ship. I could feel the icy cold wind blow through me as I looked out to the sea. It was a beautiful view. Seeing the stars reflect the black water's surface. It was a sight I never got to see in New York, or in Domino City for that matter.

"It's a nice night, isn't it?"

I turned around to see Ryo. He smiled and walked next to me as he stared at the horizon.

"When I was little and when my father was out on business, he would always send me pictures of his travels. My favorite one was the one he took of the ocean at night. It was the most beautiful landscape I've ever seen. Too good to be real. I've always wanted to go out to sea and see this sight in person. It's just as beautiful as I thought it would be."

I nodded. "I'm happy for you. I've always wanted to go out to sea myself. Go on a cruise and be on the ocean for weeks. Though, my parents could never afford a expensive trip like that."

I smiled slightly as I remembered my younger self begging my parents to go on a Disney Cruise trip.

Ryo and I stood in silence as we watch the waves hit the ship.

"...Roxanne, there's something I want to ask you about the-"

"We can't talk about it now, Ryo," I interrupted. "There's too many people here. Once we get somewhere quieter at Duelist Kingdom, I'll answer any question you have for the Millennium Items."

Hopefully, we won't get that chance.

Ryo looked like he wanted to argue but he only said, "Alright, I understand."

I avoided Ryo's gaze.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Yugi, Jonouchi, and Haga near the edge of the boat. Yugi was showing Haga is Exodia cards, about to give them to him.

Oh crap!

I then quickly moved towards them. Ryo gave me a puzzled look and followed me. Haga held the cards in his hand.

"You know, Yugi," he was saying. "I was thinking long and hard to come up with a strategy to defeat these cards. But I couldn't think of anything."

His eyes darkened.

"Until now."

Haga was about to throw the Exodia cards into the ocean until I grabbed his arm. Yugi and Jonouchi flinched at my action while Haga stared at me shocked.

"I don't think so," I said in a low voice.

I took the cards from Haga's hand. I glared at him.

"Why would you throw these cards into the ocean? Do you have any idea how rare and valuable they are?"

"Of course I do!" Haga exclaimed angrily. "What do you take me for? I am Japan's number one duelist!"

"Oh really? So that's why you were about to throw Exodia into the ocean? Because you knew you couldn't win, am I wrong?"

Haga flinched and stared at me, unable to come up with a reply. Jonouchi then cornered Haga, his fist in his face.

"So, you were going to cheat to win, were you?" Jonouchi questioned. "I'll show you what happens when people cheat my friends!"

Haga gave him a frighten look. But before Jonouchi could punch him, Atem blocked his hand from reaching Haga.

"Easy, Jonouchi," Atem said calmly. "I think there is an easier way to handle this."

Jonouchi gave Atem a puzzled look, now realizing that it wasn't Yugi. He did as he asked and let Atem handle Haga. Haga was confused as well by Yugi's change in personality.

"Why don't we settle this like professionals, Haga," Atem explained. "When Duelist Kingdom begins, you and I will duel. Winner stays on the island and gets Exodia the other leaves in shame and humiliation. What do you say to that?"

Haga growled, shifting his glasses.

"Very well. I can't say no to a challenge like that."

He turned his greedy gaze to me.

"But who will hold onto the Exodia cards until then?"

"Roxanne will," Atem answered, "if she doesn't mind."

I nodded in reply.

Atem smirked and let Haga go. He then stormed away furiously, glaring at us as he left.

Atem laughed malevolently.

"This should be an entertaining duel. I'm actually looking forward to it."

He turned to me.

"Thanks, Roxanne. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't intervene."

I smiled. "It was nothing. Couldn't let my best friend lose his most powerful card."

I looked down at Exodia.

"I'll put this with my deck so it will be safe."

I then walked back to where my backpack was and put Exodia with my other cards.

Early the next morning, the ship landed at Duelist Kingdom. The island was as huge as it looked in the manga, ranging as far as I could see. Pegasus's castle could be seen as it stood on a high cliff, looking like an old castle from Europe. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen in my entire life!

The Hair Guy instructed all of us to go to Pegasus's Castle for an important announcement. As we walked over there, I kept an eye out for Haga. I couldn't see him in the huge crowd of people, but I knew I needed to keep my guard up. Who knows what kind of stunt that insect loving freak could pull.

When we arrived outside of the castle, two guards were up at the balcony.

"We will now explain the rules of Duelist Kingdom! Mr. Pegasus, if you would do the honors..."

The guards stepped back and Pegasus came up to the balcony. Everyone gasped in amazement, some even cheering. I saw Atem glare at Pegasus suspiciously.

"Welcome everyone!" Pegasus said to the crowd. "Welcome to Duelist Kingdom! Before we start this fabulous tournament, let me explain the rules."

He then lifted a glove into the air.

"Everyone participating should have gotten this glove, along with two star chips. You may put the glove on your left hand and put your star chips in two of the ten holders."

Everyone did as Pegasus instructed.

"These star chips represent your rank as a duelist. Each time you duel, you must bet at least one star chip. To reach the finals, you must collect ten star chips. Lose all of your star chips, and you will be taken off the island. The tournament will last for forty-eight hours. Dueling begins in one hour. I wish you all luck."

Pegasus's eyes darted towards Atem before he disappeared into the castle.

Everyone then parted ways, each wanting to find their way around the island. Atem, Jonouchi, Anzu, Honda, Ryo, and I stood where we were, looking for any signs of Inserctor Haga. Haga soon walked up to us, his eyes gleaming under his glasses.

"Well Yugi, I hope you are prepared to defeat me without our relying on Exodia," he sneered. "Because I'm about to destroy you!"

Atem narrowed his eyes. "We will see, Haga. We will see."

Haga flinched a tiny bit at Atem's dark look.

"Yes, we will see. Since we have an hour of time to kill, that gives us time to prepare. Once it is time to duel, meet me in the forest and we will have our duel. Does that sound fair to you, Yugi?"

Atem nodded in reply.

Haga smirked and then left towards the forest.

"So, what are we doing now?" Honda asked.

"Jonouchi and I train," Atem answered. "It would be nice to have some practice before a big duel."

"I agree on that," Jonouchi added. "I really needs some last minute training..."

After an hour had passed, Atem led us through the forest in search for Insector Haga. Atem walked faster than the rest of us, obviously anxious to get this over with.

"Hey, Roxanne," Anzu said to me as we walked. "Do you know who will win this duel?"

I nodded.

Even though Exodia wasn't thrown into the ocean, Atem should still be able to defeat Haga like he did in the manga.

"You shouldn't have any problems. A few tough situations, but nothing you can't handle."

"How about me?" Jonouchi asked. "How well will I do in my first duel?"

I smiled. "That...you'll find out for yourself. But I will say that it isn't too far away."

Jonouchi glared at me, frustrated that I wouldn't tell him more. It was slightly amusing to see Jonouchi angry over stupid things and then be over it in the next five seconds.

We finally found the Duel Box where Haga was waiting. Without a word, both Atem and Haga took their seats in the Duel Box. Jonouchi, Ryo, Anzu, Honda, and I stood outside the arena, trying to get a good look at the action.

"Are you ready to face defeat, Yugi?" Haga demanded, over confidence in his voice. "Once I defeat you, the others will be a breeze!"

"Then prove it to me," Atem replied with a smirk. "I don't have all day, you know."

Haga growled and they shuffled their decks. Once they had five cards in their hands, Haga summoned his first monster, Killer Bee. Atem summoned Mammoth Graveyard and attacked Killer Bee. Since the both had the same attack points, one thousand two hundred, they should have destroyed themselves.

But Killer Bee was able to kill Mammoth Graveyard. Haga smiled proudly as he explained the new battle field rules, that certain monsters get certain field bonuses depending where they are. But Atem didn't even flinch.

In fact, he was laughing.

Haga gave a puzzled look. "W-what's so funny? Your monster is dead!"

Atem chuckled. "Take a good look at your own monster, Haga."

Haga blinked and gasped as he saw his monster's body melted away. He looked down at the board and saw that not only did his monster get a power boost from the forest landscape, but Atem's did as well by the small wasteland landscape.

Atem smiled. "Now, what were you saying about destroying me?"

Haga ignored him and placed his next monster, Hercules Beetle. Atem summoned Feral Imp, with the spell card Horn of the Unicorn. They fought, but even though Feral Imp had more attack points, it was killed by Hercules Beetle. Atem gave a look of concern but still remained fairly calm.

Everyone else was starting to get worried, looking at me for support. I kept my face as emotionless as possible, in case Haga saw anything suspicious.

"It's all right guys," I whispered softly. "Yugi will be alright."

For the next few minutes, Haga summoned bug monster after bug monster, as he was trying to raise an army. Atem kept putting monsters in defense mode, but Haga would kill them with ease. Atem then put a card face down on the field and summoned the Dark Magician in defense mode.

Haga's eyes grew wide as he knew that was one of Yugi's best cards. He called his Basic Insect with laser cannon armor to attack him.

Haga laughed manically. "Death to the Dark Magician!"

Basic Insect readied his laser and fired.

Atem smiled and chuckled softly.

"W-what is wrong with you?" Haga demanded taken aback.

"Do you remember the card I had face down?" Atem asked. "I assume a 'champion titled player' would have put it in consideration."

Haga gasped as the card was revealed to be Mirror Wall. Basic Insect's attacked back fired and all of Haga's monsters were destroyed.

"No! My insect army!" Haga cried.

Atem laughed darkly.

"You must have won that tournament by dumb luck. Maybe, just maybe, the weakest player on this island..."

He pointed dramatically at him.

"...Is you, Haga!"

"You'll regret saying those words, Yugi!" Haga exclaimed, fury rising in his voice. "I'll send you straight to hell when I'm done with you!"

He drew his next card and smiled.

"I summon Larva Moth in defense mode and place one card face down!"

Atem stared at the face down card and then played Monster Recovery. The Dark Magician returned to Atem's deck and he placed Kuriboh in his place to activate the trap card. Kuriboh was destroyed, but Haga didn't seem care.

He then played his triumph card, the Cocoon of Evolution.

Larva Moth was turned into a white, silky cocoon. Atem narrowed his eyes and played Gaia the Fierce Knight. Gaia attacked the cocoon, but no damage was done.

Haga laughed. "The Cocoon of Evolution is too powerful for your monsters to crack! There is no way you can defeat it!"

Atem blinked. "Oh really? Then what do you say to this."

He played Curse of Dragon with the spell card Burning Land. With Curse of Dragon's fire attacks and the spell card's power boost, it was able to destroy all of the forest, making Cocoon of Evolution's status to be normal.

Haga's eyes widen.

"Now, Gaia, attack!" Atem shouted.

Gaia charged at the cocoon and destroyed it.

But a monster was able to survive.

It was the Great Moth, now lifting itself high into the air.

Haga chuckled.

"Even if you were able to stop the evolution, you still don't have a powerful monster to destroy it!"

"True, but I was expecting that."

"What?"

"I play Polymerization to combine Gaia the Fierce Knight and Cruse of Dragon to become Gaia the Dragon Champion!"

Gaia leaped off his horse and landed on top of Curse of Dragon. Gaia charged at the Great Moth. But before he could attack, the Great Moth's special ability came into play. It poisons all monsters, making Gaia weak and lose attack points.

Though on Atem's next turn, he quickly played Magic Mist, which got rid all of the poison. Gaia attacked the Great Moth, but to everyone's dismay, Gaia was killed by the Great Moth's strength. The overgrown moth was unharmed.

Haga laughed so loudly it could have been heard all over the island.

But it quickly faded away as Atem summoned his triumph card, the Summoned Skull.

No one spoke as everyone knew what this meant.

"Summoned Skull, attack!"

The demon of lighting created electricity with his hands and threw his power at the Great Moth. With the water left behind from Magic Mist, the attack did double damage and gave the great beast a quick and painful death.

Haga stared blankly at Atem, as if the thought of losing hadn't quiet sunk in yet.

Everyone, including myself, cheered loudly for Atem.

Atem then approached Haga and whispered something softly into his ear. Haga's eyes grew wide, but he said nothing. Atem took his two star chips and put them on his glove. He came out of the duel box and joined us.

"Wow, Yugi, that was amazing!" Jonouchi exclaimed. "For a second there, I thought you were done for!"

Atem smiled. "It was a tough match, no doubt about that. But Haga still has a few things to learn."

He glanced back at Haga, who was still sitting at the duel box.

I looked back at Haga as we left the forest. What did Atem say that made him frozen like that?

"Hey, Pharaoh," I whispered to Atem when no one was paying attention. "What did you say to Haga?"

"I just told him the truth," Atem answered.

"The truth about what?"

"That he is nothing but a weak little leech that will do whatever it takes to be on top. That he is a sad little boy who thinks he can be tough with strong cards in a children's card game. A low life, basically."

I blinked surprised at Atem's coldness.

"Don't you think that is a little harsh?"

"No, not really," Atem replied. "I was just telling him what he needed to know."

"Well, yes, but it could have been said in a nicer way. Everyone has feelings, you know. Even the darkest of people."

I glanced over at Ryo at that last sentence.

Atem gave me a puzzled look but said nothing else.

Just then, I remembered the Exodia cards.

"Next time we stop, I'll get Exodia out of my backpack," I said. "Though, I don't think you really need them. You are a strong duelist without Exodia's help."

"I think you are right, that's why I want you to keep them."

I stopped walking. Did I hear him right?

"What? You want me to keep Exodia?" I questioned shocked.

Atem smiled and nodded.

"Like you said, I don't need them anymore. Do with them whatever you like. I hope you don't mind me giving them to you though."

I stared at Atem, too shocked to say anything.

Atem chuckled a bit and then went to join the others.

I walked a little behind, deep within my own thoughts.

Wow, Exodia.

Mine.

I never thought I would own him. I've always wanted to own him, along with the other millions of rare cards. I smiled to myself as I walked faster to join the others.

Duelist Kingdom is going to be awesome.