(Hey guys. SSGSS Ishiko here. Sorry about the long wait, and to those waiting for a Harem King, you won't be waiting much longer. Hopefully I can have it done by tomorrow. Well, here it is guys, the long awaited chapter 10. I ain't spoilin' nothin'. Hope you guys enjoy. And remember to vote on the poll.)

Chapter 10

3 Hours Earlier….

"Where have you been Valon?" asked Yami Marik. "You were gone for quite a while."

"That's none a ya business mate'." Valon replied harshly. "I got my business, you got yours."

"Fair enough…" Marik started. "Except whenever that business involves your plan to throw our duel against little Joey!"

"How...did...you...know!" Valon asked, shocked, and very afraid of what Marik would do to him.

"Heh. All of you fools have forgotten that when that Pharaoh returns, this milleniums wielders of the millenium items get their items back. Which means that I have received the Millenium Rod!" Marik shouted, pulling out the ancient relic.

"That still don't explain how you knew what moi plan was!" Valon said.

"Simple, fool." Marik explained. "I used the Rod to take subtle control of a part of your mind. It was elementary since you were to blinded by your hatred for Joey Wheeler to notice! And now, you no longer have anyway to defend yourself. The Orichalcos won't protect a righteous soul!"

"Mai, Joey, I'm sorry." Valon thought to himself. "My jealousy got us inta this mess in tha first place. Once again, it's up to you Wheeler. Save Mai. And the world!"

With his final breath he could call his own, Valon's mind was once again lost, this time to that shadows. His body, was an empty shell, waiting for Marik's dark orders.

"Now my mind slave," Marik told Valon's hollow body. "Prepare the chopper you came on. We have a certain annoying Harpie to catch, and a Dragon to slay!"

Present time

"Mai…" Joey broke down, barely able to keep himself from sobbing. "I swear, I'm gonna get'cha back. And send dat dark a**hole back to sh*thole of a shadow he came from!"

"Joey, I'm so sorry." Marik said, trying to comfort him. "Me and Odion will do everything we can to help, and I'm sure Yugi will do the same."

"You can be sure the Kaiba brothers will help out too." Mokuba said. "I just made a call to Roland, and you guy's match has been postponed for tomorrow afternoon, so you don't have to stress about it. And Joey, I'm sure Seto will do everything he can to help."

"I know dat Mokuba." Joey said, getting a hold of himself. "And danks. But even with you guys helpin' me out, I can't sit by an wait fa dem'. I gotta save Mai, Now!"

With those words Joey Wheeler ran. He ran as fast as he could to Arena 5, to find, and defeat Marik.

"Joey!" Marik yelled after him.

"Marik…" Odion comforted. "Let him go. We can't stop him. And although he may need our help, he's not going to let us baby him. He can do this Master. Joey Wheeler has shown time and time again that not only is he the best duelist the world has ever seen, but his willpower is one that cannot be broken, only played with. And no one can toy with the mind of Joey Wheeler for long."

"Your right Odion." Marik sighed. "But that doesn't mean we can be there to support him! Lets go guys!" he said, with Odion and Mokuba right behind him as the 3 chased after Joey.

…..

"Marik, ya been toyin' with my mind since the day we met, tryin' ta tear me away from everyone I love and card about. Well not this time!" Joey thought to himself. "This time, I'm takin you down, and sendin' ya back to the shadows, fa good!" But as much as Joey couldn't keep his mind off Marik, it was even harder for him not to think of Mai. He hadn't been there to protect her, and he regretted it. But it was like Valon had said years ago, it was up to him. "If anybody else dueled Marik, even if they won, he'd never set Mai free without getting his revenge on me." he thought. "Well Marik, time fa round 2! And dis time, I'm gonna win!"

….

"Let me go Marik!" Mai screamed. "Just leave us alone! We beat you! You should be gone!"

"We can't always get what we want, can we Mrs. Valentine?" Marik stared at her cruelly. "I know that better than anyone. I will crush little Joey, and when I do, it will be my pleasure to reunite you with him, in the Shadow Realm!"

Mai began to sob, and Marik just laughed.

"You'd better hurry up Wheeler, or little Mai might be making the trip without you!" Marik laughed.

….

Joey finally arrived at Arena 5, at began to make his way to the top of the stadium, where he knew Marik was waiting.

"I'm almost dere' Mai. Hang on!" he shouted.

"She'll have to wait a little longa Wheela!" screamed a familiar voice.

"No. What did he do to you pal!" Joey asked, fearfully.

"He didn't do a thing." Valon replied. "I just reminded myself of why oi came hea! Ta crush you, and take Mai back for meself!"

"Valon, I know that's not you talkin'." Joey said, seeing the blank stare Valon was giving him. "C'mon pal! Ya gotta help me get er' back!"

"No, you gotta help moi." Valon said. "An the only way ta do that, is to lose this duel!"

"Don't do this pal. Don't make me fight ya." Joey said, on the brink of tears, not wanting to fight his friend, and knew he was wasting valuable time.

"Too late Wheela." Valon smiled. "Ya got no choice."

"LETS DUEL!" they both screamed.

(I know its short, and not what you guys were expecting with the hint from last chapter and all, but I thought that this was necessary. It's time for a real fight boys. Again, remember to vote, and make sure to check out my other stories. Hope you guys liked it. I'll try not to take so long next time, you can thank school and sickness for the wait. Read and Review Guys!)