When the clock on the nightstand reached fifteen minutes till midnight, I quietly got myself out of bed. Grabbing my duel disk, which had my deck all set, I tip-toed out of the room. Mai and Anzu were out cold, completely exhausted from today's events. Mai snored loudly, muttering in her sleep on how Kaiba beat her. I admit, I felt really sorry that she lost, but with Obelisk and Blue-Eyes... There was no way, even with Mai's skill. But losing to Kaiba was better than losing to Melvin. At least she wasn't trapped in the Shadow Realm.

But Ishizu is.

My grip on my duel disk tightened as I finally closed the door. I stared at the door for a long moment, sighing heavily. Everything was in place. I had my deck, with Exodia at ready. I had hidden Ishizu and Rishid in that secret room in Ishizu's room from the anime. And in case I didn't make it...I left a hidden note for Atem and Yugi on how to defeat Melvin and Ra. Everyone else was safe, all locked in their rooms and away from that psycho.

It was now or never.

Activating my duel disk, I slowly made my way to the elevator, my heart pounding loudly. Though, when I walked passed Bakura's room, I noticed the door was opened, my shadow being cast into the room. I studied it for a second, wondering why it was like that. Maybe Yugi and the others went to see Ryo earlier and forgot to shut the door?

Not wanting to leave Ryo's unconscious state exposed, I closed the door and then entered the elevator. Once the elevator doors shut, I closed my eyes, feeling the elevator taking me higher and higher up in the blimp. I felt the cold winds consume me as I blindly stepped out of the elevator.

"You're here earlier than I expected."

I reopened my eyes to see Melvin at his place on the duel arena, his purple cape and blonde hair flowing in the wind. He smiled at me wickedly as I stepped up to the arena.

"I don't want to disappoint," I answered coldly. "After all, I am fighting Melvin, Yami Marik. The most satanic of all the Yu-Gi-Oh villains."

"Even more than Yami Bakura?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"Don't you even dare compare yourself to him!"

"And why not?" Melvin questioned, sounding slightly amused. "He and I are so much alike. Both driven by darkness, hatred. A thirst for the Pharaoh's blood. You can't deny it, Roxanne, he is just as bad as me."

"No he's not!" I exclaimed. "Bakura did do horrible things, but he has the right! He's suffered through so much, the world against him all his life. But...he has been led into the wrong direction and he can be saved, just like Marik! For I will save them from the darkness! But you...you are just a fragment of hatred and evil. You are a human demon."

"Or a human replica...of the almighty god Zorc."

I couldn't hold back my loud gasped. What...what did he just say?

Melvin smirked.

"Ah, didn't expect that? Yes, Roxanne, there is more to the Yu-Gi-Oh universe then from your precious anime and manga. Hidden secrets...hidden truths and twists. True, I might not carry a fragment of Zorc's spirit, unlike the Thief King, but I serve him just as well."

His smile grew.

"Oh yes, Roxanne. I'm not supposed to know about the Pharaoh or Bakura's pasts in full detail. Millennium World, as you called it. I'm just to be some warm up 'villain' for the Pharaoh when he fights the true threat. Oh, my friend, how wrong you are! I'm just the beginning of the true enemy of many twists in fate. Or perhaps not...maybe you've already encountered some 'plot twists.' For you are changing fate as well, just with your own presences!"

I felt my face pale and I shook a bit in fear. Melvin gave a mad laugh.

"Let's see if you have what it takes to defeat of a servant of Zorc Necrophades!"

He activated his duel disk.

"And a servant of the Sun God Ra!"

Reluctantly, I activated mine as well.

The shock of what I just learned...any confidence I had of winning had been crushed. I couldn't think straight, Melvin's smile and eyes staring right into me. I just...couldn't focus.

"Roxanne!"

I felt like I was going to faint. That voice...it couldn't be!

My eyes looked down to see Bakura running towards me. He grabbed a hold of my shoulders and shook me violently, looking deeply into my eyes.

"What the fuck are you thinking?!" Bakura shouted. "Have you gone completely mad, Roxanne!? You can't challenge this lunatic!"

"B-Bakura..."

I managed to push him off of me, feeling completely dizzy.

"How did you know I was challenging Melvin...?" I asked. "How did you wake up?"

Bakura's eyes darkened, the air around us turning colder. I looked beside him, seeing the faint outline of Marik. My eyes widened.

"...Roxanne," I heard Marik faintly say, like a ghost. "Roxanne, this is a trap! You can't face him!"

"Wh-wh-wh..."

I couldn't speak clearly. Desperation glowed in Ghost Marik's eyes.

"Roxanne, I heard and saw him talk to you about your duel after I let Jonouchi back in control! I saw, faintly, of his plans for the duel. His mind, his soul room...the cards he has planted in his deck. This is not like the show or manga, Roxanne! You are going to get killed if you duel him!"

"I...I don't understand!" I cried, feeling like everything was being thrown at me at once. "What can he have that's possibly worse than Ra?"

"It doesn't matter," Bakura replied. "The point is, you can't duel him!"

"But it is the only way!"

I clutched my fists tightly.

"If I defeat him now, the Pharaoh won't have to! He, along with the others, won't have to suffer!"

"That isn't true!"

Bakura's voice cracked a bit.

"You will be making things worse for us! If you fall, you will empower the Millennium Rod, and the Pharaoh will be stricken by grief knowing his closest friend died to save his skin! He will fall, because he will be blinded by anger when he fights this monster! And..."

Uncontrollable tears fell from his eyes.

"I can't let you die! Marik can't let you die!"

A loud round of applause rang in our ears. Marik, Bakura, and I immediately turned to Melvin, who was watching us like a soap opera.

"Aw, it is so sad to see three once good friends argue like this," Melvin said with mocking sadness. "Two young men begging the woman they love not to sacrifice herself. Truly an epic tale of romance!"

His eyes glowed as Bakura clenched his fists, Marik glared at him, and tears started to form in my eyes.

"Ah...what an impressive love triangle you got yourself into, Roxanne," Melvin continued. "You got a man whose heart is so cold, and a man engulfed in the madness for revenge to fall for you. And now you are tearing them apart, destroying them internally."

He smiled.

"And it would be such a shame to have them watch you die right in front of their eyes! Can they take it that the only woman to ever loved them to leave from their lives forever? And even if you survive...can they take the pain of rejection and watch you be with the other?"

Tears poured down from my eyes. I couldn't think of reply, I couldn't speak, for Melvin's words stabbed me so deeply in the heart.

"That is enough, Melvin."

Marik stepped up to his darker half, anger burning in his eyes.

"Taunt us as much as you like, but we will stop you," he threatened. "I will make you pay for what you have done. From my father's death to breaking my sister. I know you have something special planned for Roxanne, and I won't let it happened!"

Melvin laughed.

"And what do you plan to do about it? Have Bakura fight your battle for you? After all, you are useless without a body!"

"If it means keeping Roxanne safe, then I can sacrifice my pride."

Marik narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not afraid of you!"

Melvin laughed harshly in reply.

"Enough."

Everyone's eyes went straight to me. I chocked back a sob.

"Melvin, if you want me so badly," I finally said, "then so be it. Just...leave Marik and Bakura out of it."

"Roxanne, no!"

Marik and Bakura shouted it at the same time. I turned to face them, a determine gleam in my eyes.

"Just like you, I can't stand to see you two die either. I chose to duel Melvin and I'm going to follow through with it. For, even in death, I will be able to fight back. I will not rest until he is gone."

"Roxanne..."

I wiped a tear off of Bakura's face and smiled gently at him.

"Bakura...I'm sorry for what I've done to you. I'm sorry that I caused you any pain. And I promise...once this is all over, I'll make it up to you."

I kissed his cheek.

"But let me fight my own battles."

Bakura put his hand to where I kissed him, intense emotion flowing through his eyes. I turned to Marik.

"I promised your sister that I would save you from the darkness, from Melvin. And I will keep that promise. For you and your family."

Though I didn't feel anything, I kissed his ghostly cheek too. Without looking back, I went back to my place on the duel arena and activated my duel disk.

"With my love for both of you, I will not lose!"

Melvin smiled.

"Touching. Very touching. But it won't be enough to save you."

He raised his Millennium Rod.

"There is no turning back now, for the Shadow Game has now begun!"

Black clouds appeared out of the Millennium Rod, surrounding us. A strong forced pushed Bakura and Marik off the arena, forcing them to stay on the sidelines. Bakura tried to resist, using all his strength to get back to me, but it was no use. He ultimately fell to the ground, where Marik stood shocked. I forced myself to keep eye contact with Melvin, trying to keep my emotions under full control. I drew my first hand.

"I'll start the duel off by placing Panther Warrior in defense mode and one card face down," I announced.

Setting my first card on the summoning plate and the giant half man, half panther fighter stood, a hidden card appeared beside him. Melvin smiled and drew a card.

"I, too, place one card face down and summon the monster Drillago to do my bidding."

The golden mechanical monster with drills all over its body appeared with a face down card beside it.

"Turn over."

I narrowed my eyes.

I could tell that Melvin wanted me to attack, he wanted me to foolish slay his monster. But I couldn't just do nothing. If I was going to defeat Melvin, I needed to take risks.

Though one risk could cost me my life.

I slowly drew a card.

"I now summon Luster Dragon in attack mode!"

With a loud roar, a large sapphire covered dragon took form.

"Attack Drillago!" I ordered.

With a breath of fire, Luster Dragon melted away the abomination Drillago. Melvin's life points went down, but he kept his large smile.

"Wow, I didn't think you would have it in you," he commented. "Very impressive, my friend."

I growled in reply. Melvin calmly studied his hand.

"You must be thinking that I'm coming up with a way to summon Ra, aren't you? And though my deck is centered on Ra, I do have one other special monster. One that you may not fully recognize..."

I blinked. Now what was he talking about? I glanced over at Marik, but he remained completely emotionless.

"But, you will see it soon enough."

Melvin placed another monster on the summoning plate. It was the monster, Juragedo, a floating black monster with long arms and fingers. It levitated its way to Panther Warrior, who stood completely still. I smirked.

"Not so fast!"

I revealed my trap card.

"Trap activated, Sandstorm!"

As Juragedo was about to reach Panther Warrior, a huge wall of sand blocked its path. Panther Warrior was safe, and I smiled with full confidence. But it quickly faded away once I saw Melvin's own grin.

"Spell card activated, Trap Jammer," he said. "I'm sorry, Roxanne, but you can't hide from me and your fate."

I gasped as the wall as Sandstorm disappeared and Juragedo continued its attack. Its fingers sliced through Panther Warrior's armor, into his flesh. Panther Warrior growled weakly, his eyes becoming dull as he fell dead. Luckily, I didn't lose any life points, but I could see Bakura and Marik tense up.

And then suddenly, I felt my whole body turn icy cold. The world around me turned black and I lost my vision completely.

W-what's going on!? Is this part of the Shadow Game?

"Ahhhhhhhhh!"

Jonouchi's blood curling screams filled my ears. The smell of blood hit my nostrils and I put my hands over my mouth to keep myself from screaming. I heard what sounded to be like a knife stabbing into someone's flesh, Jonouchi's cries of agony becoming louder and louder. Drops of bright red blood appeared around me, along gory pieces of Jonouchi's body. I felt myself grow sick, I felt complete horror wash over me.

Just as quick as it came, the vision faded away and I was back at the arena. Melvin smiled.

"I can see that the Shadow Game's penalty has affected you greatly. Which I'm glad to see. I assume I don't have to explain it, do I?"

I panted heavily.

Every time I lose a monster, it will be like losing one of my friends.

"Roxanne!"

I glanced over at Marik and Bakura.

"Roxanne, you can't let the shadows overtake you," Marik said calmly. "He is trying to break you; he will do anything to get to your emotions. You can't let him have what he wants."

With my body shaking, I gave a small nod. I couldn't let the darkness overtake me. I had to be strong. I drew a card from my deck.

I couldn't let him win!

For the next few turns, Melvin and I kept a steady pace. The monsters we would draw would be evenly matched, both of us going from defense to offense and back. I lost Feral Imp and Luster Dragon, and I got more visions of my friends being murdered.

Honda, Anzu…

Each one was more terrifying then the last, more bloody and gory. They only thing that was keeping me sane was Bakura and Marik calming me down and encouraging me to go on. That gave me the strength to summon Luster Dragon Two and destroy his Granadora. I thought I had cornered him, until Melvin made a devilish smirk.

"I think I've drawn out this duel long enough."

I blinked.

"I think it is time to show you the card that will destroy you," he explained, his voice growing with eagerness.

Oh shit, he was going to summon Ra!

Melvin laughed.

"Though before I do, I should go into detail on what monster and its effects are first."

I raised an eyebrow.

"…But I already know how Ra works…"

"What made you think I was wasting Ra's power on you?" Melvin demanded. "Did you not listen to me at the beginning?"

He sighed.

"But no matter. Watch as I sacrifice these two monsters."

Playing a card, which I guessed was a ritual card, the two monsters Melvin had on the field became surrounded with black clouds. It ate away their bodies, taking their souls as they decayed into nothingness. In their place, the darkness began to take shape. It formed a giant, pure black king cobra, its blood red eyes glaring into me. My eyes widened.

What…what kind of monster is that?

Melvin smiled.

"Meet your demise, Roxanne! This magnificent monster is known as Shadow's Serpent, or its Egyptian name from mythology, Akhekh. Though not exactly like its mythology counterpart, it still represents the same thing. A creature darkness."

Shadow's Serpent let out a loud hiss.

"And now my previous monsters' attack points get transferred into Shadow's Serpent's," Melvin continued. "So from Lord Poison's one thousand five hundred and Makyura the Destructor's one thousand six hundred, Shadow's Serpent's attack and defense points are three thousand one hundred."

I gasped, making Melvin give a bloodthirsty grin.

"Shadow's Serpent attack Luster Dragon Two!"

Merging into the darkness, Shadow's Serpent disappeared. Luster Dragon Two looked around confused, wondering where its opponent was. I felt my legs shake as Shadow's Serpent reappeared behind Luster Dragon Two, its body much bigger than before. Wrapping itself around the all mighty dragon, Shadow's Serpent crushed Luster Dragon Two's ribs and sank its teeth into its neck. Luster Dragon Two's emerald body turned black, its life being sucked away. After a long, painful death, Luster Dragon Two's body faded away and Shadow's Serpent returned to Melvin's side of the field.

And as my life points went down, I had a vision of Yugi getting chopped into tiny pieces. That one I could not help but scream, crying out as I begged Melvin to stop the torture.

I fell to my knees as the vision faded away and I heard Melvin's laughter and Bakura and Marik's voices. All three of them said something to me, to each other, but their words merged together and I couldn't bear to look at them. Bakura's voice was full of rage, Marik's full of grief and worry, and Melvin's full of twisted glee.

"...Do you give up, Roxanne?" I heard Melvin ask me. "Do you want me to end your suffering and just kill you now? You look so pitiful down there; it makes me feel almost sorry for you."

He smiled.

"They key word, 'almost!'"

"Don't talk to her like that!" Bakura snapped.

Melvin smiled at him.

"Aw, you don't find this entertaining, Thief King?" he asked in a seemingly mocking tone. "I bet if it was anyone else, you would be finding it just as amusing as I do. But, then again, I'm not soft like you if I see a pretty girl."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Or my lighter half."

Bakura growled in reply, his eyes flaring with rage while Marik just kept his eyes on me.

I panted heavily and drew a card. And my heart cringed when I saw the card I drew.

"I-I play Magician's Valkyria in defense mode!" I shouted.

Magician's Valkyria, the monster Pegasus gave me, appeared right in front of me, her long dark hair blowing in the wind. She looked down at me, a protective gleam in her eyes. Melvin chuckled.

"What a weak monster to put in your defense! You really must have given up!"

"D-don't say that about Magician's Valkyria!" I exclaimed with a glare. "No monster is weak. I believe in my deck, I believe that it won't let me down!"

Melvin rolled his eyes, looking like I had just lost my mind.

"Believe all you want. The more you resist, the more joy I will feel when I destroy you."

He pointed at Magician's Valkyria.

"Shadow's Serpent, take her into the darkness!"

Like before, the dark snake disappeared and reappeared behind Magician's Valkyria. However, Magician's Valkyria was more prepared than Luster Dragon Two, as she whacked Shadow's Serpent in the head with her staff. The serpent hissed, furry in its eyes. Magician's Valkyria narrowed her eyes and cast a spell at the monster. Melvin, Bakura, Marik, and my eyes widened, all of us shocked at what was happening. Shadow's Serpent glanced over at me, and tried to aim its attack at me. But Magician's Valkyria would stand between us, shielding me and making Shadow's Serpent fall back. Shadow's Serpent hissed and tried to strike over and over again. And Magician's Valkyria would block it again and again.

Suddenly, Shadow's Serpent used its tail to violently hit Magician's Valkyria's heels. It was strong enough for her to fall in the ground, dropping her staff, her only defense. Shadow's Serpent twisted itself around her body and then looked at her in the eyes. It then sank its teeth into her neck, venom entering her bloodstream.

"Magician's Valkyria!" I screamed with horror.

Her body turned black, her eyes going to the back of her skull, but yet Magician's Valkyria refused to scream. She eventually faded into nothing and I had another vision.

A vision of Atem, whose eyes were on me, getting his head chopped off and his blood spilling on me.

"No!"

I cried at the top of my lungs, the torture being too much. I couldn't handle it. I would gladly die if it meant I would no longer have to see my precious friends being murdered!

"Roxanne!"

"No!"

"Aha ha ha ha!"

Melvin's laugh rang in my ears. Tears ran down my eyes.

"…No…I can't lose!"

I forced myself to stand up, using all of my strength. I drew a card, shaking uncontrollably.

"What, you're still standing?!" Melvin exclaimed, shocked. "Even after seeing your precious pharaoh…"

"Shut up!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

Hatred burned in my eyes as I glared down at Melvin.

"You are not going to destroy me! I will not let you win! I will not let you murder us all! I will kill you!"

I placed five cards on my summoning plate.

"For in my hand I have the five pieces of Exodia!"

In all his glory, Exodia broke his chains and stood before us. My most powerful monster, my last hope, clutched his fists and glared at Melvin and Shadow's Serpent. Bakura and Marik smiled, relief glowing in their eyes. Melvin's face paled a little and I smirked weakly.

"Any final words, hell spawn?!" I asked.

Melvin stared at Exodia for a long moment.

Slowly, a smile came across his face and he laughed at the top of his lungs. I blinked, completely disturbed. Bakura shook with anger.

"What's so bloody funny?" he demanded.

Marik's face paled. Melvin got in control of his laughing fit.

"Ah, this is too much!" he said, panting. "For Exodia is the perfect monster for Shadow's Serpent to make the final kill!"

My face paled.

"B-but that's impossible!" I exclaimed. "Exodia is invincible!"

"Aside from the Egyptian God cards, yes," Melvin explained. "And Shadow's Serpent is a servant of the gods. Or…more like the servant of Zorc! Watch, as Shadow's Serpent's special ability is revealed!"

Like when it was summoned, Shadow's Serpent's body started to turn into thick black clouds. Slowly, it started to reform. And into the mirrored image of Exodia, or more like Exodia Necross, with a black body and glowing red eyes. Melvin laughed again, the Exodias glaring at each other and my eyes wide with shock.

"It's all over, Roxanne!" Melvin cried at the top of his lungs. "This is the final around! Exodia VS Exodia…or Shadow's Serpents mirror image of it! It has been a blast, but all good things must come to an end."

Exodia and Shadow's Serpent's Exodia charged at each other, tackling each with violent kicks and punches. But, somehow, Shadow's Serpent's Exodia was a bit stronger and was able to do more damage. Shadow's Serpent's Exodia then puts its arm around Exodia's neck, making it snap and killing him instantly.

"No!"

When Exodia fell, the shadows surrounded me and I saw all the bloody, dead bodies of my friends. Their blood was on my hands, because of my failure. And then, in the back, were two more corpses floating in midair. A faint flicker of light hit their faces.

And they were the faces of Marik and Bakura, being hanged.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, my whole world going black as Melvin's mad laugh rang in my ears. I would have gone into a coma, or even had died, if my conscious didn't get transfer to the piece of my soul that was in the Millennium Ring.