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… and all the characters beginning with Lady Aurora Phoenix are copyrighted to me)

A/N: 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.

Please see the A/N at the end of the chapter.

Phoenix Rises, Joey Falls

Everyone took the elevator up to the next level as Marik and Joey were sent on toward the top of the tower in order to begin their duel. Aurora's mind had skimmed ahead and her heart jumped as she realized this duel was not just about shadows and promises. This duel would be a battle of life or death. She closed her eyes in silent prayer for Joey's sake as the elevator slowed to a stop. Roland's voice came across the sound system to announce the beginning of the duel in five minutes time. Sanura nervously nipped at her lower lip and Zahara lounged against the wall of the elevator waiting for the doors to open. Her eyes were dazed and clouded. Aurora could not help but wonder the thoughts going through her daughter's mind. She was distracted however, when the doors opened to a verbal battle between Joey and Seto.

"Did I mention you're gettin' on my nerves?" Joey growled. Marik chuckled as he took his place at the duel podium. Yami had bowed his head.

"Kaiba, you think you have this tournament all figured out. It is a nice goal to work for, as well. But in order for this plot of yours to work as you foresee it, you will first have to get through me," Yami informed him.

"Whatever," Seto scoffed as he turned and made his way to his own spectator spot on the tower. "Let's get on with this. Wheeler has a duel to lose." Joey growled again as he shook his fist.

"I really hate that guy."

"You musn't worry about him, Joey," Aurora told him as they approached. "I don't think I need to remind you of the more important battle up ahead.

"Nah, ya don't have ta remind me, It's the only way to get Mai back and keep my promise ta Yuge." Joey folded his arms in front of his chest and brushed passed them to take his spot opposite Marik in the arena.

"With everyone in place, the first duel of the Battle City Semi-Finals will begin. Marik Ishtar against Joey Wheeler," Sanura announced.

"Hope you're ready, Freakshow. You're goin' down!"

"The Shadows eagerly await your soul," Marik taunted in response. Aurora looked into his eyes and a chill ran through her. This duel was going to be different from the others. This one had more at stake. More than Joey's soul was about to be risked in this duel. But she also knew there would be no sense in talking him out of this chance to face Marik. Joey was strong-willed enough to go up against him knowing the dangers that he faced. She just hoped that strong will would be enough to handle what Marik had planned for him.

"First turn honors belong to Marik," Sanura informed them. Marik cocked his head to the side and gave her a wink.

"As you wish," he sneered at her. She frowned and arched an eyebrow as she turned away and rejoined the others. Marik drew his first card. "Gilgarth, attack mode. I will end my turn after placing one card face down." Joey stood ready after taking his own first card.

"Okay, Nutcase, my turn. I place one card face down and summon Alligator Sword in defense mode." Clouds of darkness began to appear around them then. Aurora grew uneasy and fine tremors began to flow through Zahara's body. "What are you up to, Marik?" Joey demanded.

"Me? I have decided to take this game to the next level. A more advanced level, if you think you can handle that. If not, I guess that's just too bad now, isn't it?" Marik told him with a sly grin.

"Oh come on, not this lame old thing again. You could at least show some originality, Marik," Joey chided. Marik raised his Millennium Rod and Sanura and Aurora took a couple steps back.

"You want originality? So be it, fool. I still find it hard to believe you think you can defeat me to save your friend. She is permanently trapped in the Shadow Realm. Nothing you can do will save her."

"She will be back, Marik, just you watch!"

"You have no idea, little Joey. The weaker she gets, the stronger my powers grow. You won't be able to stop me!" He laughed.

"You're nuts," Joey growled. "Bring it, Marik! I'm ready!"

"Doubtful; do you even have any idea what you are about to experience? This darkness will devastate you."

"Shut up and duel!"

"I would have thought you would have want to know the rules of this particular shadow game," Marik said nonchalantly as he drew his next card. "You already know the loser's soul is sent to the Shadow Realm, but in this game, there is an interesting twist that will come before. I promise you, once you know this, you will wish you never dared to face me."

"You don't scare me, I'm ready, creep."

"Very well then, let the Shadow Game begin." He let out a soft chuckle as a bright pink cord appeared and connected itself to Joey and his monster. Joey's eyes narrowed in thought.

"Hey, wait a minute, what's goin' on here?"

"The stakes are raised with these energy streams, little Joey. Now every time our monsters take a hit, it's energy is drained from us as well."

"But… couldn't that…?" Téa could not bring herself to finish the sentence.

"It is just like old times," Aurora said softly as Marik summoned Drillago to the field. Drillago was ordered to attack and destroy Joey's Alligator Sword. The group around Aurora all gasped as Joey cried out and fell to one knee, his hand clutching his chest.

"This will be his ultimate test. Just how strong is his will?" Yami murmured beside Aurora. She nodded as Joey struggled to stand once again.

"That wasn't fun," he muttered.

"Ah, but it's just starting. Gilgarth, attack is life points directly!"

"Nice try, hotshot! I reveal Scapegoat!" Four different colored little scapegoats appeared in front of Joey. His yellow colored on took the hit to spare Joey's life points. Marik's eyes widened in shock. "Confused? Not only did they protect my life points, but because they aren't monsters I don't take a shot at my energy when I lose one."

"So there is a brain under that mop of hair after all," Marik smirked as he regained his proud, upright stance. "My turn is done."

"Ready for payback? I sacrifice one scapegoat to allow my Panther Warrior to attack your Gilgarth to give you a zap from your own energy beam." Joey's Panther Warrior surged forward and Marik growled out his cry as he felt the sting of the attack and his own energy level dropped with his monster."That attack was for Mai." Marik stood and grinned again.

"Speaking of your pathetic friend, I would believe her mind is gone by now. Swallowed by the shadows."

"Nice try, but your head games won't be working on me today," Joey informed him with a cold stare.

"So you think," Marik returned as he made his next move. His next card allowed him to pull Joey's Alligator Sword from his graveyard and combine it with his Gilgarth to summon a beast he was certain to be stronger than any other monster on the field. Joey's eyes narrowed again and he thought hard about what Marik may be up to. Marik placed a final card face down and ended his turn. The wind picked up as Joey made his next draw.

"I summon Rocket Warrior in attack mode!"

"Poor move, little Joey. By summoning him in attack mode you summoned my trap card. Now I can summon a monster with four stars or less to the field. And I choose my Plasma Eel. By activating it's special ability, I can attach it to any monster and make it lose five hundred points." Joey cried out again as his Panther Warrior felt the sting of the Eel and began to lose attack strength. Once again, Joey found himself on his knees.

"You have to fight it, Joey!" Yami shouted.

"Come on, man!" Tristan called out.

"Feel the regret in wanting to duel me now?" Marik laughed.

"I… don't think… so, Marik! I … made a… promise!" Joey held his head in his hands as he struggled against the force against him. With a shout, he stomped his foot hard on the arena floor and flew upright with sheer determination and will. Marik watched him in shock.

"He should be begging for mercy, not coming back for more!" He exclaimed.

"Marik! As long as I have something to fight for, you will never keep my down! Now I activate Rocket Warrior's special ability- Invincible mode! My target is your Helpoemer!" It was Marik's turn to cry out again and Zahara could not help but give a small relieved sigh to see him in pain for a change. Immediately following Rocket Warrior's attack, Joey followed up with an attackfrom Panther Warrior which took out Helpoemer and brought another angered shout from Marik's lips as the energy cord linking them was severed. Zahara's happiness was short-lived however when Marik began to laugh. The laughter made her cringe.

"Thank you, little Joey. You have been a great help to me in destroying you. The special ability was activated the moment you sent my beast to the card graveyard. And guess what? It's in your graveyard now."

"Wha-?"

"With it in your graveyard, it takes away one random card from your hand every turn. You know? I think I'm enjoying this duel even more so than I did the duel against your friend. The difference? Your fate will be even worst than her's. Her's is an eternity in the Shadow Realm, but yours include a first class trip into Hell!" Marik's evil laughter echoed through the sky. Aurora and the others watched intently as the duel played back and forth into both duelists favor. Joey seemed to be handling well against the energy attacks. He was shaken but still standing. His main problem was Marik's Coffin Seller which lowered Joey's life points by three hundred for every monster sent to the graveyard.

"Considering many of these monsters Joey has never seen, I am impressed he has managed to hang on this long," Sanura said softly. She frowned when Joey cried out once again. Marik's traps had begun to hurt Joey's chances. Joey took a few moments to gather himself again before attempting his chance at drawing again. Marik laughed when Joey hesitated.

"What's the matter, Little Joey? Have you realized you are no match for me yet? That you should just give in?" Joey scowled at him, blinking suddenly as a wave of dizziness passed over him. "You look like you could use a rest, Little Joey."

"And you could use a haircut, what's your point? Now shut your trap, it's my turn," Joey snapped back as he drew. His frown turned to a smile as he laughed. "And it doesn't get any betta dan dis. The card in my hand will mean the end of your entire strategy." Marik blinked and stood straighter.

"You lie!"

"Unfortunately for you, I am not. Check it out. A handy little card called Question!" Marik's eyes registered shock and confusion. "Dat's right, needle head. Question forces you to guess which of my monsters is at the bottom of my graveyard. Guess right and it is out of the game for good. Guess wrong, however, and I can summon it to the field and start to take control of this duel again." Marik stared hard at Joey from his spot in the arena. A low growl came from his throat. "I'm all ears. The worst that could happen is you guess wrong and I am able to crush ya." Marik's eyes turned thoughtful as he tried to remember.

"Good luck trying to remember, Marik. You can't, because you never saw it. The first monster card in my graveyard was chosen randomly by your Helpoemer. So there is no way you can possibly guess it right." Marik growled again and took a couple of steps back. "Give up? Doesn't matter, time's up and stunned silence was not the answer we were looking for. So guess it's time to show you the going away prize. Time to say hello to Jinzo!"

"No!" Marik shouted as the monster appeared on the field.

"That's right! Welcome Jinzo and good bye trap cards!" Jinzo's eyes began to glow and it was not long before bright pink lasers came from his eyes to destroy all the trap cards Marik had laid out for him.

"Way to go, Joey!" Tristan hollered up to Joey.

"Great work, Joey! Now he has to come up with a new plan!" Yami told him proudly. Marik growled again.

"Just go," he snarled at Joey.

"Aww, wittle Marik is afraid of Jinzo? I wouldn't blame you. He's not the monster you want to be on the other side of. But I'm not done with you yet. I switch my monsters into attack mode to get rid of your remaining one."

"Just successfully take a hit on Marik's life points now, Joey! You can do this!" Yami called out to him as the others cheered. Sanura's ear picked up Mokuba's voice as he spoke to his brother.

"Joey just might win after all."

"I'll only believe that when I see it," Seto responded. Mokuba shrugged and turned back to the duel. Joey sent his remaining two monsters toward Marik for a final assault. It was halted however, when Marik stood with a wicked grin and raised his arm.

"Dark Wall of Wind!" A black swirling sphere surrounded Marik's body, protecting him from the attack and saving his life points.

"No!" Yami shouted in disbelief.

"Always prepared," Aurora murmured. "Great dueling strategy, now if only he wasn't so psychotic…"

"You really think I would allow it to be that easy?" Marik taunted. Joey watched as Marik's Helpoemer took another card from his hand and then felt the attack of his Plasma Eel on the Panther Warrior. Joey screamed out and dropped to his knees. "You were a fool to think you could easily defeat me. Your friend Mai made the same mistake when facing me. And you know very well what happened to her. But don't worry. You will soon join her." Marik drew his next card and grinned. "Stand ready, Little Joey. The next beast I call upon is the strongest one yet. An eight star monster called Lava Golem."

"I think that needle-like hair of yours is affecting your brain," Joey returned. "You can't play a monster that strong without making a sacrifice."

"True and I shall. It allows me to sacrifice two monsters on your side of the field," Marik told him with a smirk.

"What? No way!"

"Ah, but there is a bright side to this, Little Joey. Lava Golem stays on your side of the field." He laughed as Joey's two monsters disappeared and a cage appeared around him. A hot molten monster appeared just behind him, standing over him.

"Hey! What's the deal, Marik?" Joey shouted at his opponent.

"Not pleased with my gift? And here I thought you would have enjoyed a monster with three thousand attack points." Joey looked around.

"It's mine?" Aurora and Yami both looked hard at the monster in Joey's possession. Both had feelings of apprehension at the sight of it.

"It may be Wheeler's, but so are the weakness of that thing," Seto mused.

"What do you mean?" Mokuba asked.

"Just watch."

"Your monster seems to be melting, Little Joey," Marik chided.

"What?"

"With every turn, Lava Golem melts a little more, taking with it your life points," he explained with a twisted smile. "Better news for me, now that Jinzo is back in the graveyard, I can set as many traps as I wish. My turn is done as I place one card face down. You can attack me. Lava Golem's attack strength is more than enough to take me out." Joey's mind had gone away from him for a moment as the heat made him weaker.

"Get me outta dis thing now!" He shouted. Marik laughed again.

"You don't have much of a choice, Little Joey. Attack me if you aren't too scared." Joey hesitated again. "You claim you want to save your friend, well here's your chance. Attack me!" Aurora watched as Joey's eye twitched. Marik was hitting all the right buttons to force Joey's hand.

"Think it through, Joey!" She called out to him. "Don't rush this on his account!"

"She's right, Joey!" Yami agreed. "Stay strong and be careful! Remember his trap."

"Forget them and make your move," Marik challenged.

"Stop it!" Joey shouted back. "Okay, here it goes…" Joey reached for his deck to draw for his turn. He scowled at the card but made up his mind. "Very well then. Let's see what this monster can do."

"Ah, the smartest thing you have said this entire duel," Marik said with a grin.

"Watch it," Joey warned.

"I will make you see, Joey that every path you take will bring you to the same place. The shadows are calling you. You can't win!"

"Don't listen to him, Joey!" Téa called out.

"He's just messin' with ya man!" Tristan added. Joey clenched his fist.

"It's over, Marik!" He shouted from his cage.

"For once we can actually agree on something, Little Joey. Go ahead and attack me. It will be the last thing you do!"

"I'll take my chances. Lava Golem; attack!" Aurora and Yami watched intently as the attack drew nearer to Marik. The others had turned their heads and closed their eyes, unable to let themselves see their friend sacrifice himself in the duel.

"I don't think so Little Joey. I activate the trap card Relieve Monster! Now I can return one of my own monsters to my hand. In doing so, I am able to replace it with a four star monster I am currently holding."

"Like that's going to work," Tristan chided. "He doesn't have any monsters to return to his hand."

"Not so, Tristan." Aurora replied as she nodded to the field.

"Ah, yes," Yami agreed. "The Plasma Eel that is still attached to Joey's Panther Warrior." Tristan turned back to the arena as Aurora nodded again.

"Because Plasma Eel is a four star monster I am recalling it to the field in defense mode as well," Marik explained as the attack struck his monster. Marik's wicked laughter rang out over the sound of Lava Golem's fire. "And Plasma Eel remains safe as it cannot be destroyed in battle thanks to it's special ability!" Joey watched as Marik's Helpoemer reached out from his graveyard and snatched another card from his hand.

"Are you about done?" He snapped at the psycho across from him.

"As soon as Lava Golem melts taking seven hundred life points with it. Yes, Little Joey. This duel is finally coming to a close! Go Machine Duplication!" Marik shouted as his turn began. As they all watched, Marik's Plasma Eel separated into two others, giving Marik three monsters. Each one attached themselves to all of Joey's monsters draining them of points and Joey of more of his energy. Aurora cringed at Joey's shout. Sanura and Zahara closed their eyes and bowed their heads. All of Joey's friends began calling out more words of encouragement to keep him going as he fell to the floor of his cage. He was beginning to really struggle with his strength, and Aurora shook her head. This was only going to get worse.

"Dat all ya got, Marik?" Joey questioned from his spot on the floor of thecage. "It takes more dan dat to keep me down ya frizzy haired freak." Marik placed his hands on his hips one moment with a smirk before placing a card face down.

"Then show me what it takes, Little Joey. I'm waiting. That is, if you can stand to make your next move." Yami's eyes narrowed in anger at Marik, but he knew there was nothing he could do to help his friend except to have faith in Joey's talent and ability. Joey stood and looked down for a moment before suddenly turning to face Yami.

"I made a promise, Yuge. I won't break it now." He turned again to face Marik. "You're dumber than you look if you think I am going to just let you win dis." Joey drew his next card and stared down as he planned out his strategy. A determined look crossed his face. "Watch out, Marik, because here is where things begin to change. I play Graceful Dice. And with it I will be raising the attack points of your Plasma Eel," Joey told him with a grin. Marik glared as he watched the die bounce on the field. It turned to a sneer when the die landed on a six. The strength gained by the roll made Plasma Eel too powerful for his Machine Duplication card, leaving two of Joey's monsters free once again. He then sacrificed all his monsters to call forth his Gilford the Lightning. The warrior gave a mighty shout and drew his sword.

"What a come back, Man!" Duke shouted.

"Oh, yeah!" Tristan added.

"Time to finish this guy off, Joey!" Téa cheered.

If only it would be that easy, Aurora thought. Marik's laughter cut through again.

"What joke did I miss dis time, Marik?" Joey asked.

"You made my Eel more powerful than your Gilford when you chose my card to take the effects of your Graceful Dice. My eel is safe."

"For someone ready to take over the world with a game, he sure doesn't read up on the special effects of the cards very well," Sanura muttered. Zahara smiled slightly beside her and held back the chuckle that had bubbled up inside her.

"You sure your eel is safe?" Joey asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm not dumb enough to attack a stronger monster with a weaker one. It just so happens, Gilford has his sword ready. His special ability allows it to destroy all of your monsters on the field at the time he is summoned."

"Great work, Joey!" Yami called out. "Take him out!"

"This can't be!" Marik shouted as his eel was destroyed. "It's special ability! It can't be destroyed!"

"Does the student need a new lesson book to go with that frizzy hair-do over there?" Joey chided. "Let me play teacher for a moment. The special ability of mine over-rides yours as it was not in battle when it was destroyed. Perhaps next time you won't skip class. Now time for Professor Wheeler to teach you another lesson in Duel Monsters. Gilford, attack his life points directly!"

"Think again, you twit! I reveal my face down card, Nightmare Mirror! My Mirror blocks your attack and saves my life points. But that is not all it does. It returns the attack to the one whose reflection is seen in the mirror. You, Little Joey!"

"Wha-?" Joey's eyes widened in shock as he felt the sting of his warriors attack.

"You lose a thousand life points and all I lose is a card to the graveyard." Aurora's eyes widened at the jolt she felt at the card he pulled. She knew he was placing his god card in the graveyard. Ready to be used another time. "There is no way you can take control away from me. This is after all, a Shadow game, you fool. And I am the one who controls the shadows here!"

"Even so, the master of the Shadow Game can still be defeated," Yami murmured. "Just because he calls the game, does not make him the automatic winner."

"We'll see. I end my turn," Joey said in response to Marik's comment. Marik did not even attempt to conceal his joy at his next drawn card as he began to laugh. Joey rolled his eyes. "Enough wit the laughin' already. It's enough to give a man a headache. Just move on and play your card!"

"You'll regret those words, you insignificant fool, because I am now going to eliminate you once and for all from this duel, this tournament, and this world, with Ra!"

"No!" Came the chorus of cries from Joey's friends behind Aurora.

"This is great, Bro!" Mokuba exclaimed. "Now you can see more of the specialties of Ra." Sanura watched the darkly amused look cross her boss' features.

"Now I activate Monster Reborn!" Marik called out.

"So that is how he planed to do it," Yami breathed.

"But I still don't get it," Duke commented. "It was said that the God cards take on the attack points of the monsters sacrificed to call it forth. Without sacrificing, Ra has no power what-so-ever."

"Don't be so certain," Aurora responded softly. She could feel the stirring in her spirit. The same spirit that she had called upon some three thousand years ago to aide her husband in his battle against the Thief King. She knew this attack would harm more than just Joey, and she could not stop it. Curse you, Pegasus for giving Ra all it's abilities. This one was to be mine, given to the Pharaoh himself to be the only one to use it.

"Now my great beast of the sky, show yourself!" The wind grew fierce and everyone stood on their guard to keep themselves from being pushed back by it's force. "Now for the first of my creature's abilities to be activated. Instant Attack! But that is just the beginning!" A bright fiery light came from Ra's mouth and began to envelope the monster. Yami turned at the sound of a soft cry and saw Aurora doubled over with a pained expression on her face.

"Aurora?" She gasped, her eyes shut tight. The pain in her soul grew immense as she fought it from being ripped from her.

"Someone wanna fill me in here?" Joey asked.

"Ra… It seems to be… transforming," Zahara blinked in shock. Sanura turned to see her mother's struggle and nudged Zahara. She turned and blinked in shock as she tried to figure out what Sanura was motioning about. Cautiously, she approached Aurora who had begun to have the same fiery glow surround her that had covered Ra. "Mother?" Both she and Yami stretched out their hands in an attempt to touch Aurora's shoulders. They flinched and pulled back as Aurora screamed out and fell to her knees and an apparition of a fiery bird rose form her and soared its way to Ra.

"Whoa… what just happened?" Duke asked as they watched the odd scene take place. Marik grinned evilly as he watched Aurora fall.

"Thank you greatly, my Lady. That is most helpful of you." Aurora opened her eyes and white flames danced within them. Her lapis blue eyes looked black in the fire light.

"Marik!" She snapped back. "You know that was not my choice! You will suffer for this!" Yami looked between the woman beside him and Marik in the arena trying to piece together what he had just witnessed, but his surprises were not done yet. As he watched Ra, the great Egyptian god called out to the heavens and it's form changed. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw that Ra's form had become the match for the apparition that had just risen from Aurora.

"Is… is there some sort of connection between you and Ra?" Yami asked her. Aurora was no longer able to speak. His answer came from another female voice as footsteps approached them.

"You can say that," Natara answered. "Aurora was the carrier for the Egyptian Ka beast of the Firebird Phoenix. In a battle against an enemy, she willingly gave this spirit to the Pharaoh to strengthen Ra's attack." Natara looked down at her friend. "It hurt her this time because of the special ability of the card. It ripped the spirit of the Phoenix from her instead of allowing her to give it. She fought it; and now she suffers from it." She knelt down beside her friend and wrappedher arms around her. Aurora closed her eyes and gave into the embrace as darkness overcame her.

"Will she be alright?"

"She will be, in time…"

"Just in case, I think I will go fetch Dorian," Zahara told them. Natara nodded and Zahara hurried away.

"We will see she gets rest, Pharaoh," Natara assured him and motioned back to the duel.

"It's such a shame the great Lady Aurora will be unable to see Ra's true form, courtesy of our lady, as it makes it's first attack in more than three thousand years," Marik taunted.

"What are ya talkin' about, Marik?" Joey asked.

"My great beast has taken the form of Egyptian god Phoenix. This form makes him unstoppable!"

"Just gives me one more reason to make it mine," Seto commented. Sanura scowled, but kept her back to him. It was obvious her earlier words to him had made no impression on him at all.

The flames of Egyptian God Phoenix flickered in Yami's crimson eyes as he watched it await it's order. There were several thoughts that filled his mind as he thought over what had just happened. His heart beat stronger when he turned to looks at Aurora lying motionless in her friend's arms. It seemed he learned more and more every time a duel was played. More about Aurora which led to learning more about himself.

She said this was forced from her. That she didn't want to give this power to Ra. How could it still manage to take the power from her after all these years? And how could something so powerful live within her? Many other thoughts raced through his mind, but he had to step back from them as Marik ordered his attack on Joey. The firebird reared it's head then surged forward. Yami stood staring in awe over the greatness of the creature.

"Now time for another of Ra's hidden abilities to be known. Say goodbye to your Gilford as my beast automatically destroys him in this form."

"Even so, because it doesn't have any attack points I don't lose any life points," Joey pointed out.

"That should be the least of your worries, Little Joey. Once your monster is gone you will be drained of all your strength, becoming the perfect offering for the Shadows. And now my great Phoenix! Rise and take your prey!" Natara looked down as Aurora's body shuddered in her arms. Even unconscious, she could still be affected by the orders given to Ra. To her, it was as if she were carrying out the orders herself. Lost in the darkness, she had no way to stop Ra's attack either. Ra's scream cut through the darkness as he struck. Joey's shouts mingled with that of the monster and the ship was bathed in the light of fire.

"Fight it, Joey!" Yami encouraged his friend. "You are strong enough to do this! I have faith in you, my friend!"

"Joey!" Téa cried out.

"We gotta stop this duel, Seto!" Mokuba pleaded. "Marik's crossed the line. Joey will be hurt!" Seto shook his head.

"Wheeler knew what he was getting in to. If he couldn't handle it, he should never have joined the tournament." They watched on as Joey fell once more.

"Return to me my beast- your task is now complete!" Marik ordered. "Now it is time for the Shadow Realm to consume your mind and your soul. Heh, at least your friend Mai will no longer be alone." Marik's laughter died as the smoke cleared and he saw that Joey had managed to get back to his feet. He was slouched over and breathing heavy, but somehow he had managed to suffer through the fiery attack. "This can't be! No one has been able to ever withstand the fury of an Egyptian god monster!"

"I can't believe he's standing," Duke marveled.

"Joey! Hang in there, man! You're almost there!" Tristan called out.

"No! You can't be standing! That should have finished you!" Marik carried on with his rant.

"In. Your. Dreams. Marik!" Joey gasped out. The fierce determination in his eyes beat anything the others had ever seen. Marik had underestimated Joey's will to carry on. His will to keep his promise to both Yami and Mai. His will to make sure Marik had paid for what he had done. "Time ta. Put an end. To Marik's evil. For good." Marik reared back several steps and his teeth clenched tightly together as realization struck him. He was wide open to an attack he could not stop if Joey pulled any kind of monster card for his turn.

"This can't be! If he attacks I lose the duel and my Egyptian god card!" Ra faded behind him as the Monster Reborn card would only allow Ra to return for one turn. The flaming spirit soared up into the air before plunging back into Aurora's body. She jumped as if struck by lightning but her eyes remained closed. Yami watched her for a moment before returning his attention to Joey's last move of the duel.

"This is awesome!" Tristan exclaimed. "Joey beat Marik at his own game!"

"Right, all he needs is a monster with more attack points than Marik's life points," Duke agreed.

"Yeah and then Joey's in the final round of the tournament!" Téa added excitedly. But Yami knew it would not be that easy. Joey still had to find the strength to call that last monster. And then order the attack.

"Sweet!" Mokuba jumped up and cheered. Seto's eyes were wide with shock.

"How on earth did he withstand Ra's attack? He never should have!"

"That would be why Marik is flipping out up there," Sanura commented dryly without turning back to look at Seto.

"Now's the time, my friend! End his madness now by making your final move!" Yami shouted up to Joey. Joey did not look anywhere but at the ground as he drew his next card. Without a word, he placed the card he pulled face up in attack mode on his duel disk.

"What card was that?" Tristan asked.

"Alright," Joey gasped out. "I summon Gearfried, the Iron Knight!"

"No!" Marik shouted as he stepped back again.

"Hurry and call your attack Joey!" Yami called out.

"I…" Joey swayed and the sound of more footsteps could be heard.

"Joey, no!" Serenity could be heard crying out. Yami glanced at her and saw that Zahara and Dorian had come with her. Dorian hurried to Aurora's side to check on her and Zahara stood behind Serenity, a hand on her shoulder to stop her from interfering. They all watched as Joey gasped out again and fell forward, his strength gone, his eyes closed. Not even a muscle twitching in effort. Gearfried faded from sight.

"Joey!" Yami shouted.

"Get up! Get up!" Tristan continued, his fear clearly evident in his voice. Serenity held a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide and filled with tears.

"Someone get a doctor, now!" Duke ordered.

"I don't think so," Seto returned coldly. "This duel is still one. Wheeler has thirty seconds to get up!" Yami was beyond fed up with Seto's attitude and careless regard for the safety of others. First Ryou, then Mai, and now Joey. He did not like the look of Joey lying there unmoving. He could not even see the faint motion of breathing.

"Kaiba! This is no time for rules! Joey. Needs. Help!" Marik's laughter sounded nervous at first as he watched Joey laying on the ground. It grew more confident when it was apparent that Joey would not be getting back up this time.

"Wrong! Nothing can save your pathetic friend now."

"Pathetic? Marik! He just took on Ra and managed to stay on his feet longer than anyone else could ever have!" Sanura pointed out angrily. He cast a sneering look in her direction which she met head on with a determined one of her own. She was bound and determined to make him remember how close he came to losing everything to someone even Seto claimed to be nothing more than an amateur.

Everyone waited tensely as the seconds were counted down. Roland raised his arm and declared Marik to be the victor. Instantly everyone stormed the dueling platform and surrounded Joey. Mokuba reached them just as Dorian did and let his hand pass in front of Joey's face feeling for breath. Dorian placed a hand on Joey's neck to feel for a pulse.

"He's not breathing!" Mokuba exclaimed.

"And his pulse… it is too faint to feel as well." Serenity cried out and spun into Zahara's arms. Zahara held the girl silently as she stared down at Joey's angelic face. He seemed almostpeaceful.

"This duel took more effort than it should have," Marik muttered as he leaned against the edge of the platform. Sanura's face curled in disgust as she watched him gag from the stress of the duel.

"No need to ask if you are proud of what you have done. I know the answer to that one," she scoffed. He sneered at her before standing upright again and trying to regain his composure. Orders were given to ready the medical wing of the aircraft and Sanura happened to glance up at Seto. He had not said much since the end of the duel. She could tell he was shocked at the announcement of the possibility that Joey had been killed during the duel. It was something he had not been prepared for. As she looked closer, she could see an almost grim respect there for the man he affectionately called "mutt".

"You asshole, Joey! This isn't funny, wake up!" Tristan shouted as he shook his friend. When there had been no response, Tristan brought his fist back intending to punch Joey out of frustration.

"Hey, man, cool it!" Duke called out to him stopping the fist from making contact. "He's in a bad state right now. Punching him won't make it any easier for him to come back"

"Damnit!" Tristan growled changing direction and punching the ground beneath them instead. He looked up at Marik. "Damn you, Marik! Damn you to hell!"

"I've been there, it's a rather lovely place," Marik taunted. Tristan growled and started to jump up.

"Lemme at 'im! Let me rip his fuckin' head off!" Duke and Dorian both lunged at him, knocking Tristan hard to the ground.

"Believe me, pal, going after him will only leave you in a worse state then your friend," Dorian reasoned with him.

"This can't be," Yami murmured as he stared down at Joey. "He can't be dead. He can't be dying. That isn't what the games were to be used for." Zahara looked over at Yami and wondered if he had begun to remember something from his past.

"There were several who believed they were, Pharaoh," she told him sadly. "The royal family however attempted to keep them purely for the protection of the city." He shook his head.

"Poor, pathetic fools," Marik spat out. "Now that Little Joey is dead and out of the tournament, no one stands in my way of claiming the ultimate power that should have belonged to me all along."

"It's a lie!" Yami shouted, standing and turning on his darker rival. "It is a lie! Joey is not dead just yet!"

"Ah, but he will be dead soon, Pharaoh," Marik boldly countered. "And then world domination will be mine!"

"That's enough, Marik! When will all this madness come to an end?"

"When your great power belongs to me!" Marik laughed as he started passed them all. Even Seto gave a scorned look at the blonde Egyptian as he passed.

"Marik!" Seto called out, stopping Marik mid-laugh and bringing cold, violet eyes in his direction.

"Hmm?"

"You seem to be forgetting that you will be dueling against me in the final round. And I intend to win." Marik looked back over his shoulder at the CEO.

"Is that really so?"

"Yes," Seto told him with a bow of his head. "Wheeler's duel against you was not lost to me. You revealed too much during this battle. Because of you and Wheeler, I was able to see Ra's third, hidden, special power. And because of that, I know I have just the card that can destroy it."

"If you are so sure than I look forward to seeing you try."

"I will. First I will defeat Yugi and take his Slifer; then I will be the one to crush you and take control of Ra." Marik laughed at him as he began to walk away again.

"Ahh, Kaiba. You have everything figured out, don't you, fool? Perhaps you should be concentrating on making it through the next round first. We all know Yugi has been a stick in your side from the beginning. You have never and will never defeat him. However, it will be nice to see you squirm under the pressure once again." A medical team passed by Marik on their way to Joey and Dorian went back to lift Aurora into his arms. Yami looked at his two fallen friends. One in critical condition and the other healing as he watched on.

"Quickly get him onto the stretcher and get him downstairs," Mokuba ordered. Marik laughed.

"It's all a waste of time. He will never wake from the darkness he has fallen into." He paused in front of Dorian and reached out to flick stray hairs away from Aurora's face. "The great ones can fall after all. That is always nice to know."

"Back off, Marik," Dorian growled at him. Natara stepped up beside him and took on a defensive position. Zahara looked up coldly from where she sat holding Joey's sister. Yami felt a cold wash of fury crash through his heart and a growl came from his throat as well. Something about the sight of Marik being so close to her had sickened him. He heard Aurora give a soft moan as she attempted to open her eyes. Sanura stepped up then and reach passed Dorian to place a hand on her arm.

"Hush, Mother. You need your rest to gather your strength again." Aurora put up no fight as she lapsed back into the darkness. The stretcher raced passed them and Zahara helped Serenity to stand and follow them. Marik laughed and left the others alone as he, too, left the tower. Dorian turned back to give a nod at Yami before they left him. But the final conversation was not lost to his ears.

"Victory will be mine, Yugi."

"Right now, that does not matter. Joey needs me. I promise once I am certain he is alright, I will be back to deal with you, Kaiba."

"One hour, Yugi; be here or forfeit," Seto told him as Yami walked away, following Dorian and the others down the stairs, to the elevator, and toward the aircraft.

"Don't worry, I will be there," Yami murmured as he watched Joey being hooked up to the different monitors in his room. "I will be there, defeat you, and crush Marik once and for all. Too many people have been hurt. I'll not let Marik hurt anyone else."

I want to thank my faithful readers and reviewers again for continuing along on this little journey. DDCfreak, Atemu Fangurl, Ishizu-san, Pastelblue, Change of Heart Twins, Luna Dusk, Marik 360, and ASJ thank you all!

I am sorry it has been so long since my last update. As many of my loyal readers are aware of, I have had to make a severe cut in my computer time as of late which makes updating regularly difficult. So with that said I am hoping to make up for the great waits by giving much longer chapters. Covering more details when and where I can, opening up stories they were mentioned but never elaborated on, and delving more into the family of the Pharaoh and memories they have been with holding. It will be difficult at times to fit everything in, but I am hoping to make it all run smoothly. Yes, as you can see, Eternal Love 3 is quickly coming to a close. The movie will be the basis for the first part of EL 4 and then we will slide into Doma from there. I do hope you continue this journey with the YGO crew and me.

Regards,

-LadyPhoenix99