-1Authors Note: I've decided to make the theme song for this chapter 'Stand my Ground' by Within Temptation because I think the theme of the song fits well with it. Anyway enjoy.

P.S: Sorry for wait, I've had a bit of a writers block, I'm sure new all have but I'm back on track now so expect the Chapter tap back on.

Chapter 11

Mana Chetna Vs Marik Ishtar

"So you and Horus are connected now?" Joey asked as the gang made their way towards the arena on the other side of Kaiba land. Ron had been explaining all about what happened when he summoned Horus Lv 8 and the visit he got from Shadi.

"Yeah…" Ron replied "…and Horus choose me to be the protector of the Pharaoh while he is here…at least, I think that is what the guy said?"

"You mean Shadi?" Yugi asked while still being his Yami self.

"That's the guy. He said that I would have to use Horus to protect you from….whatever it is that's coming your way." He replied.

"You mean OUR way Ron…" Yugi stated causing Ron to look perplexed for a moment "…don't forget Ron you have been chosen by Horus, you're apart of this now Ron, you too Kim" Yugi proclaimed.

Joey then wrapped his arms around the couples neck and stood between them with a big grin on their face. "hehe, that's right guys you one of us now. And we'll stick with ya through everything from here on out, got it?"

The two nodded both wearing a warm smile as they were 'officially' excepted as part of the gang.

"What about me?" Mana asked as she attached her duel disk to her wrist and clipped in the deck.

"You too, Mana…" Tea said with a warm tone as she walked along side her. "…and don't worry we'll all be right here cheering you on. Now go Show Marik how to duel" She finished with a friendly wink as they all came to a fork in the corridor, one would lead to the stands where Yugi and the others were set to watch their friend duel, the other would be taking that friend to the duel of her life.

"Well…" Mana started in a nervous tone of voice. "…he we go"

"You can do it Mana…" Yugi began with a thumbs up "…Just believe in yourself and the heart of the cards and I know you'll do great" Yugi's words as well as the additional support from the others caused her to well up, however she held off any tears and just smiled to her friends. These people who she had just met a couple of days ago had excepted her as one of their closes friends, these were true friends and she was going to help them now.

They parted ways and Mana set off to face her opponent, until she found him, the slim pale skin slender body of the dangerous Shego which was currently being possessed by the evil spirit of Marik. The millennium Symbol glowed intensely on his forehead.

Marik soon noticed his opponent approach him "You have a lot of guts my dear, I would expect that you'd be too scared to even show up" He stated finishing with a small piece of manic laughter.

Mana didn't even look at him, instead she simply walked along side him and kept her vision locked on the arena. "I'm here to show you Marik, that not all people are afraid of you and as long as an evil like yours exists, they'll always be people like Kim, Ron and Yugi to stand and stop you!"

Marik chuckled seductively at Mana's claim "that's funny, the pharaoh tried stopping me at battle city, and evidently he failed! I'm still here and this time I'm going to take more of his friends to the shadows…starting with you!"

Mana had heard enough "Listen Marik I…." But before she had a chance to rip into him, Roland's voice cam over the speakers.

"Attention everyone, welcome to the third duel of the quarter-finals. Let's great straight into it with our next two duellist!"

"It ends here Marik!" Mana stated before setting out. Marik waited a few moments before muttering.

"Yes my dear, it most certainly does!" He then proceeded to follow her onto the arena floor, where they shuffled their decks and walked to either side of the duelling area.

"Let the the games begin" Shouted Roland into his microphone as the crowd cheered in excitement.

"Very well…" Marik began "…you can go first" He said in an arrogant tone as Mana drew her six cards.

(Mana's Turn LP:4000)

"Fine….I'll start by summoning 'Maha Vailo'(atk:1550/def:1400) in attack mode" Just as Mana said these words her card appeared wearing its blue robes and blue wings spread out. "Next I'll set two cards face down and end" The two holographic cards appeared as Marik drew his card, with his ever so seductive grin.

(Marik's Turn LP:4000)

"Its my move…and I'll start by summoning 'Makyura the Destroyer'(atk:1600/def:1200) in attack mode, next I'll set one card face down and I'll end my turn"

That move sent a wave of confused looks through the crowd, until Kim finally decided to ask "I don't get it. Why didn't Marik attack? He had the stronger monster"

"Yes that's true Kim…" Yugi began "…but Marik is devious in his duels, and likes to prolong his opponents suffering for his own sick amusement" Yugi gave a look of concern towards Mana who was also confused as to why he didn't attack. "I just hope Mana is mentally prepare for this duel" He finished as Mana drew her card.

(Mana's Turn LP:4000)

"My move…." A huge smile rose on Mana's face as she saw her favourite card grace her hand "…now I'll sacrifice my Maha Vailo in order to summon this 'Dark Magician girl' in attack mode" The eyes of the crowd lit up as the beautiful wizardress appeared on the field performing her cute antics. "Now 'Dark Magician Girl' destroy that thing with Dark Burning Attack!" The young Magician took to the air and blasted a huge bolt off energy towards the one eyed creature, sending it shattering to the graveyard.

However even though Marik had just lost 400 life points his smile continue to hang on the possessed vainy face of Shego. "Thank you my dear, by destroying Makyura you've activated it's special effect, by sending it to the graveyard I can activate any trap card from my hand….and I choose this 'Metal Reflect Slime"

"OH NO!" Yugi yelled at the sight of this monster while the others simply gasped. All except Kim and Ron who look bemused.

"Hey guys…"Ron went on asking "…what's the matter?" as he looked back at the small spiky slime ball that had now appeared on the field from this trap card.

"That is a very power trap card that Marik played against me in the final round of the Battle city tournament and if he fuses it with his 'Revival Jam' it will become invincible.

That news caused Kim and Ron to joining in the shock of this monster. Mana however covered her worry and made it seem like it didn't bother her. "Fine, then I'll end my turn"

(Marik's Turn LP:3600)

"Thank you, I draw…next I'll summon this, my 'Holding Arms'(atk:500/def:0)" suddenly to Mariks word the monster in the shape of a curved golden bar with the millennium eye in the centre and shackles hanging from either side appeared on the field. "It may not look like much, but this card cannot be destroyed for three turns after it is summoned. It also has another special effect…" Marik paused as his monster began to show movement, suddenly the shackles, which were hanging from the monster by chains fired out and cuffed round the Dark Magician Girl's wrists and lifted her into the air, hanging her a few feet above the duel, Mana was not happy.

"What did you do to my Dark Magician Girl!?" She demanded as Marik still wore Shego's sick smile like fashionable accessory.

"It is quite simply my dear. You see as long as 'Holding Arms' is on the field I can select one monster and that chosen creature, can not attack!" He began to chuckle in a calm yet cynical way that creeped though Mana's skin.

"I think I'll simply end my turn at that, you move little girl" His smile continued to creep in the back of Mana's mind as 'Creepy'.

(Mana's Turn LP:4000)

"I draw…" Her eyes lit up as she found her newest monster which she was given by Yugi, her attitude changed after seeing that card and she made her move "…Oh Yeah now you're taking, first I'll play the magic card 'Dark Magician's tome of Black Magic' which will increase my Magician's attack by 300!"

Marik seemed unwavered by this desperate attempt at a strategy, "what was the point!? Your monster still can't attack!" Marik said in a effort to put her off. It failed as Mana simply smiled back at him.

"Well it's simple, because I won't be keeping her on the field for much longer." Marik flinched slightly at this news. "Now I send 'Dark Magician girl' equipped with Magician's tome to the graveyard so that I can summon this…'Sorceress of Black Chaos' in attack mode!" The eyes of her friends lit up as the newest card in Mana's armada appeared on the field in a rain of black fog, twirling her bladed staff around.

"Oh boy…now Marik is in for it. That's the card that did me in" Joey proclaimed as Mana aimed her fist out towards Marik.

"But let's not forget, because Magician's Tome was sent from the field to the graveyard I gain 1000 life points, which if my math is right gives me a total of 5000. Now my sorceress, attack with Black Mage Burst!"

Marik smirked at this oncoming threat and was ready for it. "Not so fast, I activate the trap 'Nightmare Wheel" The Sorceress was soon caught midway through its attack and dragged over to Mariks side of the field where a huge torture rack in the shape of a wheel and caught in the mouth of a monsters skull awaited to restrain her.

"What the hell did you do to my monster!?" Mana demanded in panic as her trump card was made helpless.

"Simple my dear, my trap card restrains your monster and makes it unable to attack, in addition, at the start of all my turns as long as Nightmare Wheel I on the field you lose 500 points of damage!" That news brought a slight scream into Mana's throat, she was almost too frighten to end her turn. The fear of losing 500 points and letting her friends down was too much. "I'm waiting…." Marik taunted knowing full well she couldn't do anything more but end her turn.

"Fine….I end!" All she could do was bow her head as her best monster lay helpless to Mariks reign.

(Marik's Turn LP:3600)

"I draw, but let's not forget that now you lose 500 life points…" Marik paused as the eyes of his nightmare wheel began to shin then eventually fired a small energy beam out and blasted Mana's duel disk and lowered her life points to 4500. "…now it is time to end this duel" Marik statement brought shock and surprise to the rest of the crowd.

"How can you win so ealry on in the duel it's impossible. Besides my life points are still at 4500 and even though she can't attack I have a monster with 2500 attack on the field!?" Mana's tone was quickly losing patiants with Marik as he continued to taunt her.

"Although that maybe, I have a card that is without peer, a card of pure power, an Egyptian God card!"

"OH NO!" Yugi shouted as the rest let out a slight scream at the very mention of the great card.

"Oh boy, I'm not looking forward to seeing this guy again…" Joey added "…I've had too many close shaves with dis card and I don't want Mana to have to go through this"

"It looks like she doesn't have a choice Joey" Said Ron with an equally concerned tone. Marik then continued to make what he was still claiming was his final move.

"But before I do that I will need a little help, so I'll start by playing this my 'brain control' and I think I will take control of your Sorceress…" Marik allowed for his holographic brain to appear and the arms reach out and grab her strongest monster and drag it to his side of the field, Mana simply watched on in horror as Marik continued to make his move. "…then I activate the magic card 'Monster Reborn' to bring back my 'Makyura the Destroyer' back to the field…" and to everyone's discuss the monster that started Mariks first turn had reappeared back onto the field, however nothing could prepare Mana for what she was about to hear next. "…Oh look, I have 4 monsters on the field however I only need three to summon this!"

"Oh NO!" Mana screamed as she realised that Marik was not kidding about his trump card.

"Oh yes, I sacrifice 'Makura', 'holding arms' and YOUR 'Sorceress of Black Chaos' summon My Egyptian God card…." And with that the three monsters disappeared from the field and from the sky a intense piecing light beamed down and a huge golden sphere appeared in the air.

"That doesn't look too threatening, considering what it is…." Ron stated as he and Kim looked up at the Sphere, them being the only two people how weren't currently terrified of it. "…I mean it looks nothing like it does on the card"

It was Yugi who decided to explain the situation to them not once taking his eyes of Ra. "Not until Marik recites the incantation that is written on the card!" The sound of this news caused Kim and Ron to return their own gaze towards the mighty concealed beast.

"Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry.
Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight…" The crowd watched on in a mix of terror and excitement as Marik respoke these words of old. "…Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe.
Unlock your powers from deep within so that together we may win.
Appear in the Shadow Game as I call your name,
Winged Dragon of Ra!" And with this the clouds parted and the ground shook as the Orb began to slowly open until a pair of shape clawed feet were seen, then the arms and wings and finally the head as it lifted among into the sky and roared with a force that rocked the heavens themselves. It had happened, Marik had summoned 'The Winged Dragon Of Ra (Atk:4600/def:2900).

Mana felt a sick feeling growing in the pit if her stomach, the very presence of this great behemoth of monsters. Not many people had stared into the face of this creature and enjoyed the experience.

"Now my dear, bow down in fear of this almighty creature!" In response to Mana's taughting Mana dropped to her knees.

"No!" She began yelling, "I've failed…I've failed my friends and now there is nothing I can do….I've lost!"

Mana could feel the tears roll down her face as she had been unsuccessful in stopping this tyrant, however a familiar voice from the stands called other to her. "MANA…." When Mana looked in the direction of the voice it was non other the Ron "….get up Mana, get up and face this like a true duellist!" Ron's tone was firm but full of confidents.

"But I've lost…!" She shouted back as Ra primed itself for attack.

"That doesn't matter Mana, you did the best you could and played some of your best moves against Marik, please don't beat yourself up about it you did everything you could and we all know that and we'll still be here to support you afterwards. Now stand and face this duel to the very end, cause it ain't over till you life points reach 0!"

These words brought warm tears of joy to Mana's face as she slowly stood back up, much to Marik's surprise. "What!? Why aren't you breaking down in fear?" He asked only to find Mana wipe her tears away and throw him a smirk of confidents.

"Simple, Marik….I have friends and even though I've lost this duel my friends will always stick by me. That's something you can never understand, so go ahead and attack because no matter what…I'LL ALWAYS STAND MY GROUND!" Mana's words annoyed Marik and caused vains to pop around the beautiful face of Shego.

"That doesn't change the fact that you have LOST!" Mana looked up as Ra opened its mouth and formed a huge ball of energy and aimed it directly towards her. NOW RA ATTACK HER LIFE POINTS AND END THIS DUEL!!" And with that Ra fired a few fire balls down impacting Mana knocking her back to the ground and her life points to 0.

"And there you have it folks…." Roland began as the holograms vanished from the field. "…the winner is Marik Ishtar!" The crowd began to cheer after seeing the great Ra, however when Yugi and the others saw Marik approach Mana they felt a sick feeling envelope the pit of their stomach.

"Now my dear, you probably wondering why I didn't make this a shadow game?" He waited for Mana to lift her head back up to look her in the eyes. "Well it is very simple, I didn't think your soul was worthy to be cast into the darkness, however you really tested my patiants so maybe a should send you into the next realm!" With that he aimed his Millennium Rod towards her and the eye began to glow. "Now prepare for a long stay in the next life!"

However before anything else could happen it was time for Kim and Ron to step into their hero mode which had been long missed. Out of nowhere Kim swung down on her grappling hook hairdryer (which she always had in case of emergencies like this) and scooped up Mana out of Mariks line of fire, and at the very moment Ron landed in front of Marik and roundhouse kicked the Rod from his grasp and using that same momentum knocked Marik back a few steps.

Kim landed a with Mana on the other side of the arena where she was soon reunited with Yugi and the others, however any reunion was short lived was they along with the rest of the crowd turned their attention to the two now occupy the stage, the two who were now set to duel in the semi-finals Marik and Ron. Almost out of nowhere thunder clouds formed and an eerie atmosphere begun to consume to air.

Just then the Pharaoh heard little Yugi speak to him from within the puzzle. "Pharaoh, do you feel that. Ever since Ron stepped into that arena with Marik something has…changed"

"I agree…" He thought back as the lightning began to strike around Kaiba land. "…there is more to these two meeting then a simple tournament".

The current tension now holding in the Arena could be cut with a hot blade as these now future opponents loomed across from one another.

Although Ron recognised the slim body of Shego, the sick twisted smile did not belong to her. Ron didn't find that little essence of cute that he thought Shego had in the right light, however it was when Marik spoke Ron knew he wasn't talking to his girlfriends arch foe. "So…You're the one who I will be duelling next?" Marik said while searching his deck until he found Ra and pulled it out clipping the rest back into his disk. "You may as well give up now because I have my Egyptian God and you don't stand a chance" Marik hoped his words would scar a wound of fear within Ron but was surprised when he saw Ron smile and search through his own deck.

"Hey, I have a card that looks kinda familiar to that…" Marik huffed at this news, surely there was no card on par with Ra. Marik soon gasped in pure shock as he saw before him Ron's greatest creature. "…say hello to Horus The Black Flame Dragon Lv 8!"

Ron's smile shot daggers through Mariks stomach as he saw the monster of which he had heard of in ancient txt of old, "I…is that…no! Not Horus….how? How did you attain that card? It was to my understanding that Pegasus never made Horus into a card since he never knew of the great monsters power!"

Marik's panicked tone was followed by Ron's smug chuckle "Well Marik I think you need to get yourself some new sources because Pegasus didn't make these cards, they came to me…" Ron paused to note Marik's reaction "Horus has chosen me to be one with it and I won't let you reign of insanity continue to the final round. When you and me duel…YOU'RE GOING DOWN!" That threat caused a huge lightning bolt to crash down dangerously close to the arena.

Marik closed his eyes and looked away from his soon to be opponent. "So, you're the one that Horus choose?" Ron became confused, why was Marik speaking as if he already knew about this? "How amusing, in all my time of hearing about the old ways of the tomb keeper clan I always knew about the great protector of the Pharaoh choosing a pure souled human to protect him from a threat which he had already been defeated, but I never imagined…that threat would be ME!" His last words shook the very foundations of the park, Ron never once breaking his glare. "But I think that you should be less concerned with me and more concerned about you little girlfriend over there Ron…" Ron snapped out if his gaze of hatred and looked over towards Kim, by now the crowd had left for a break leaving Yugi, Kim, Mana and the others to watch on from the stands. "…that's right Ron, it appears you have history with my host because I've acquired all her memories and I know all to well about your relationship and it would be ashamed if anything were to happen to her in her duel against Shadow!"

"Marik if you…" Ron was about to tear Marik a new one until he was interrupted.

"Save you idol threats buffoon and wait for OUR duel, I guarantee you that Kimmie's loss to Shadow will have you sooo distracted, it will be easy pickings for me, and as soon as you're out the way I'll reclaim what should have been mine back at battle city. The Millennium Puzzle and the last remaining Egyptian God card!" Marik then broke out in some manic laughter before making his way to the exit where Shadow soon joined him and the two made their way out of the arena and where Shadow would take a few minutes to prepare for his duel with the teen hero.

Ron made his way back to the group where he was first met by a hug from Kim, all the drama that had passed between Marik and Ron no one had noticed that the strange storm had ended.

"You ok Ron?" Kim asked still keeping her arms around Ron's neck as he rested his hands on her hips.

"I'm fine, but Kim I want you to promise me you'll win this duel…" Ron's statement was almost a plea to Kim that she had to win this duel. "…we know that Shadow kid has Obelisk and I want you to be extra careful around it, you got that?"

Kim answered Ron's question with a light kiss on the lips "I will Ron I'll beat him, besides I had a great teacher remember?" Her warm smile caused Ron to return one back to her. They then returned their attention back to Mana who had been a little woozy from her experience but seemed fine now. "You ok Mana?" Kim asked as they all reunited.

"Yeah I'm fine but…." Mana's eyes began to glaze but she held back any tears "….I'm sorry I couldn't beat him" She was soon responded to by the arms of her friends resting on her shoulders.

"Don't worry about it Mana…" Yugi began "…Marik is an incredibly deviant duellist and we were asking too much of you to beat all by yourself.

"But you weren't by yourself Mana…" Joey added "…we were here for you all the way, and we always will be"

"That's right" Said Tea and Tristan in unison.

"Yeah it's no big Mana…." Said Kim with her usual friendly nature "…you did your best and you played some awesome moves don't beat yourself up about it Ron will get him for you"

Ron gave Mana a smile and a nod "You better believe I will, Marik is going down!"

Hearing all this Mana couldn't help but let a few tears escape from the ducts of her eyes, these friends were still here for her even after she had lost they didn't care, their only concern was her safety and that was the sign of true friends. She quickly dried her tears away and returned to her happy go lucky self. "Now then Kim, how about we take a look at that deck and see what we can do"

Kim's eyes lit up and she gave her friend a nod as the all returned to the locker where Kim would prepare to take on the Egyptian God card 'Obelisk The Tormentor'.