Chapter 37.

I'm amazed I've got this far. thanks guys for all your support and wonderful comments,

Disclaimer: don't own Yu-gi-Oh

Marik seemed to have an intense deck. It was filled with Traps and Magic cards always evading Jounouchi's advances and attacks, damaging his lifepoints and slowly he began to make his way to his true strategy

Summoning the Egyptian God card; the Winged Dragon of Ra.

On Jounouchi's side it wasn't looking good, he had only 50 lifepoints left.

"I'll leave Baby Dragon in defense mode, and end my turn." Jounouchi said.

"You have no chance of winning and yet you keep fighting." "Marik' mused,

"I'll keep fighting until my life hits zero,"

"I admire your spirit."

Jounouchi's brown eyes widened just slightly as the wheels in his head began to spin.

"Yugi, I'm sure you know by now that friendship isn't going to save this duel." Mai said gently

"Perhaps not, but look at his eyes." Yami said, Jounouchi still looked determined in winning.

"Something doesn't feel right." Cat murmured.

"What?" Kim asked,

"Well...it's just that, Marik always seemed to be a hostile enemy, he didn't seem polite and respectful of his opponents. And well...he just said he respected Jounouchi, he controlled him and forced Yami and Jounouchi to duel a very deadly duel. It's just strange." she explained quietly. Kim's eyes flickered to the real Marik still posing as Namu. Marik's eyes were directed at his henchmen smiling in what seemed to be satisfaction.
As descreetly as she could Kim placed a hand on her friends shoulder and leaned in to whisper the following words.

"Cat...keep your eyes focused on this duel but listen to me. I have to tell you something. And if I can't then I need you to tell Yami because I'm being watched."

"My turn! Selket eat Baby Dragon and absorb it's strenght." 'Marik's' Monster was now at 5225 attack points. "Now it's your turn, your last turn."

Jounouchi drew and studied his hand.

"End turn." he said.
Everybody looked let down, it was almost over.

"What?" Cat whispered in alarm.

"That's not Marik." Kim hissed. "I don't know his real name but Marik is Namu." Cat looked over at the boy.

"I-I knew there was something fishy about him."

"Good instincts."

"B-but how did you know?"

"I met him before he introduced himself to you, I've been blackmailed into secrecy Cat, b-but I don't care what happens to me, I can't let him continue with his plan and put you guys at risk or endanger the world anymore."

"Why are you explaining this if you've been threatened?"

"Because...Bakura lost and he's not here, if Yami knows then I think I can handle whatever Marik can throw my way, and besides this guy looks like he's going to beat Jounouchi,"

"What does Bakura have to do with it?"

"Everything."

"What can you show but Can't see?" Jounouchi asked suddenly. Everybody looked up at him confused. "See, when we started I hated your guts, marik brainwashed me and turned me against my friends and I'll never forgive him for that."

"Then go ahead, curse me. But no matter how strong your anger is you cannot defeat me," 'Marik' said

"why didn't I figure this out sooner? Must have been the heat of the battle, see when we began I was filled with hatred, but as the duel went on I realized something; you've fought me fair and square, you're a true duelist. I don't think Marik would have fought me like this. You're not Marik." Jounouchi explained himself.

"An enemy you can show but can't see...but who then?" Yami questioned himself. "Is it the eighth duelist we haven't seen yet?"

the Real Marik narrowed his eyes angrily and noticed that Kim was standing a little closer to Cat. Frustration and nerves filled him. Moving forward he touched Kim's wrist lightly, she jumped slightly and turned to him.

"Namu?" she asked, Marik searched her eyes for a clue that she was leaking out his secret.

"Kim, Why do you think that Jounouchi doesn't think his opponent is Marik?" he asked. "I'm a little lost here."

"I bet you are." Cat thought to herself, she tried to act as normal as she could around Namu-er Marik.

"W-well you see..." Kim began, "It's just as Jounouchi says, it's not Marik's strategy to fight fair," her hand lightly tapped Cat's hip urgently. She took the hint and went to stand near Yami, Marik tried his hardest not to glare venoumously at either of them.

"No one listens to the last words of the loser." 'Marik' shouted indigniantly "Everything ends on this turn, Selket direct attack!"

"wait Rishid, he must die...by the hand of Ra." Marik spoke to the man. Selket stopped it's attack as Rishid began to think twice about the idea. "Do it Rishid, it will prove that you are me, your will and heart is strong, even though my voice reaches you I cannot brainwash you, that is proof that you are a Tomb Guardian. If your will and desire is strong enough you can control this counterfeit card and prove to my father that you are his heir as much as I am."

Rishid thought about Mr. Ishtar, who was always so abusive, so cruel towards him because he Rishid did not bear the blood of the clan.

"summon Ra, that will be proof enough for these pathetic fools."

"For my last turn I shall prove that I am the chosen one of Ra." 'Marik' said. Everybody looked shocked at that statement, except Kaiba who looked pretty excited.

"S-so is he the real Marik then and Monkey Boy is just delusional?" Kay asked, Jounouchi glared down at her,

"Hey!" he shouted.

"I give up Selket and half my life to bring forth the almighty Sun Dragon RA!"

The golden casket that had been on the field since the beginning opened and a bright light emitted from it casting it's glow upon everybody, soon afterwards a big golden dragon appeared with glowing red eyes.

"That's the Winged Dragon of Ra?" Jounouchi asked anger at Kay forgotten.

"At last!" Kaiba said gleefully, (yes that's right, he's happy.)

"Whoa, it's huge." Kay remarked.

"There's nothing Jounouchi can do." Yami said sadly, Cat bit her lip and looked behind her to see that Kim was still standing next to Namu, Kim was gazing up at the dragon in awe so Cat didn't know whether she should tell Yami now or just wait?

"Ordinarily to summon a God card you need three sacrifices, but my monster ate three of Jounouchi's cards so I special summoned Ra who has 5225 attack points."

"Well done Rishid, now with Jounouchi's defeat I can focus on Seto Kaiba, why is there a figure that looks much like him on that Ancient Mural? And of course three other people here have a past connected with the two. Marik's eyes flickered down at Kim and he frowned slightly, "she is a valuable part of this mystery so I can't do away with her, but if she's said anything then I must get rid of her until the Spirit of the Millennium ring comes back to take care of her. He smirked cruelly,

"Sun Dragon Ra attack!"

Jounouchi tensed and waited for the attack to come, Cat tapped Yami on the shoulder

"Yami...I have something to tell you." she whispered.

"Not now Cat." Yami replied giving her an apologetic look.

"Yami..it's urgent." she said desperately grabbing onto his arm, Yami looked at her a little surprised.

Marik's arm throbbed, looking down he noticed that his duel disk was letting off a glow, his deck seemed to be throbbing.

"what is this? The real Ra inside my deck is sending out an aura of anger."

"What? It just stopped attacking!" Kay exclaimed

"What do you mean that's not Marik?" Yami asked alarmed, Cat bit her lip worriedly,

"E-exactly that Yami, that must be why the God card isn't responding to his commands."

"What is going on?" Jounouchi asked

"Ra is turning into a black mist." Mai said.

And without warning lightning struck all around the dueling arena, one struck Rishid in the abdomen and he fell to the ground; the fake Rod shattered. Marik's eyes widened and suddenly he felt something overcoming him, he grabbed his head and started to shake violently.

Jounouchi looked perplexed and began to run towards his opponent

"Hey man are you alright?" he yelled, a bolt of lightning struck narrowly missing Jounouchi,

"Jounouchi move!" Shizuka cried, but before Jounouchi could do anything another bolt came and hit him and he too fell to the ground.

"Katsuya!" Shizuka screamed,

"Jounouhchi!" everybody shouted.

Kim turned around and despite Marik's earlier threats towards her she felt concern for him, he didn't look well.

"M-Namu?" she asked.

"K-K-Kim, step back." he said through gritted teeth shaking even more. Kim's eyes widened a little alarmed,

Everybody except for Kaiba and kim had rushed forward to Jounouchi

"Stand back, the duel isn't done yet." Roland told them,

"What? But they're injured."

"They both have lifepoints leftover, whoever stands up first wins."

"Hang on Roland, we'll have to cancel this duel!" Kay said stepping forward. Kaiba however grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Continue the duel!" he commanded, Kay whirled around angrily and yanked her arm out of his hand.

"They're both in a serious condition Kaiba! We have to stop this and continue it another time!" she shouted angrily.

"No," Kaiba stated flatly.

"If neither duelist gets up within one minute they'll be disqualified."

"Jounouchi! Wake up!" Yami said worriedly, Kay frowned a little lost in thought as a memory came back to her.

14 year old Kay was just around the corner trying to eavesdrop into her uncle's discussion. Earlier he had told Kay that a guest was coming over for the God cards he had created. Naturally Kay was very curious as to why.

"And you'll keep them safe?" Pegasus asked.

"My millennium necklace has shown me that they will cross each other in the future, but rest assured they will be protected until that time comes." a woman said. Kay couldn't see her uncle's reaction but she heard a click.

"Alright Ms. Ishtar," she heard him agree. The door opened and Pegasus walked out with a young woman who had long dark hair, a off the shoulder crème dress complete and a gold necklace with a strange eye in the center. "Kay!" Pegasus exclaimed upon seeing his neice.

"I'm sorry uncle! I just wanted to know..." Kay apologized.

"It's understandable my dear, but if I wanted you to know I would have had you in there." he looked tired. Kay nodded apologetically,

"That's quite alright Mr. Pegasus." the woman said softly then smiled down at Kay, "I am Ishizu Ishtar, it's a pleasure to meet you," she offered her hand towards Kay who took it.

"Thank you, I am Kay Simms."

"If you two will excuse me." Pegasus said then gave a briefcase to Croquet who followed him down the hallway.

"Ms. Ishtar," Kay began "If you don't mind me asking what are you doing with the cards?"

"I'm going to keep them safe from my brothers." she began

"Your brothers?"

"Yes, Marik and Rishid." she sighed "I had a photo but I'm afraid I left it. Both are wonderful boys just...misguided."

"What are they trying to do? Where are they now?" Kay asked. Ishizu only smiled sadly.

"Ms. Ishtar the helicopter is ready." a employee said.

"Yes of course." Ishizu replied,she turned back to Kay "I hope we meet again Ms. Simms," she smiled and left with the employee.

Kay gasped. She wasn't the only one though, Jounouchi finally stirred and began to stand up.

"And the winner is Katsuya Jounouchi!" Roland shouted. Jounouchi blinked confused.

"Huh?" he asked,

"Jounouchi! You won!" Yami shouted happily, Jounouchi looked down at his beaming friends but then looked over at his opponent, he was still lying on the ground. Running over he picked the man up

"Hey, are you ok?" he asked.

"Jounouchi...I am proud to have fought against you," he said weakly.

"Wh-what is going on? Who are you?"

"My name is of no concern, I am Marik's shadow."

"Shadow?" Yami asked,

"I-I was trying to warn you," Cat mumbled. Kay ran forward to the fallen man and kneeled down.

"Y-you're Rishid aren't you?" she asked, the man blinked in surprised.

"H-how do you know?"

"Ishizu once told me she had two brothers, Marik and Rishid, if you're not Marik then you have to be Rishid."

"Marik! Admit your true identity!" Yami shouted angrily, the real Marik turned to them and smirked evilly,

"Yes, I am Marik." he finally said.

"You little worm!" Jounouchi shouted angrily,

"So Namu lied to us all along?" Anzu asked, Marik chuckled slightly sweat was forming on his brow.

"Namu? He was a disguise to get closer to Yugi." he smirked some more "And I'm not the only one who's lied, one of your dearest friends has been keeping secrets too,"
Kim felt the sudden urge to slap him,

"It's not like she wanted to!" Cat shouted angrily then stepped beside Kim,

"Kim?" everybody exclaimed. Kim glared at Marik then turned to face her friends.

"I'm sorry, b-but I couldn't say anything. If I did then all of you would have been in more danger than you already were." she tried to explain.

Yami blinked then looked at Cat "But Cat? How did you know?" he asked, "You were trying to warn me..."

"Because...Kim told me just a few minutes ago, she said that if she couldn't get the message to you and if Jounouchi lost then to tell you,"

"I see, she really couldn't keep her mouth shut, a pity too," Marik said darkly, Kay narrowed her eyes at him. "So Pharaoh we meet face to face,"

"Master...please, don't release him." Rishid pleaded.

"Now I can finish the job my servants couldn't do, your puzzle and God card will finally be where they belong." his voice seemed to have gotten deeper, Marik grabbed at his head again with one hand.

"Oh no," Rishid moaned "We're all in great danger."

"What do you mean?"

"Beware, Master Marik has a darker side." Rishid warned "And I am unable to contain it anymore. It's too late." then his eyes slipped shut and his body went limp. Marik seized his head with both hands and released a shout to the heavens.

"I'm going to file this in the category of not good." Jounouchi said as everybody watched anxiously.

"I'll have to agree with him." Kristen voiced.

"M-Marik?" Kim asked, Marik chuckled and looked down at her, Kim automatically leaped back "Bloody hell!" she shouted.

Marik's hair had spiked up, his eyes looked even more deadly and dangerous, but one of the notable things was the glowing eye on his forehead.

"I'm finally free again." he smirked cruelly, "Which means I can do things my way. I was restrained for many years by that fool Rishid." his voice was noticiably deeper and much hoarser than Marik's.

"Who are you?" Yami asked,

"I'm the true Marik, and I'm not as kind as the one you know." he introduced himself.

"Oh yeah, brainwashing and posessing people to fight against their friends is just real kind." Kay replied.

"Heh heh, to me, that's showing mercy."

"Uh...do we even want to know?" Kim asked, Marik turned to her still smirking.

"You've got nerve my dear," he chuckled some more "I deserve to be Pharaoh, not you, I will strip you of your powers and claim your millennium puzzle." he directed this last statement towards Yami.

"What's with you people and the millennium items?" Kim yelled throwing her arms up in the air "You all thought I was nuts but you sure give me a run for my money."

"Calm down Kim, we don't want to aggravate him." Cat said anxiously.

"I'll tell you one obvious difference between me and my weaker half."

"The fact that you're ten times more twisted? Or is your appearances?" Kay asked. Marik chose to ignore her,

"He's afraid of the dark, such a childish fear, but I love it." he said it with relish. "And when I'm through with all of you, you shall wander in darkness...forever."

"Hey pal, get a life!" Jounouchi spoke up,

"You fool, thanks to Rishid's failure I now have a life. But there's one thing I'm sure of now, those who are connected to the millennium items can wield the power of the Gods."

"Heh, I don't believe in that." Kaiba said.

"There's an understatement." Kay breathed.

"I'm tired of these fairy tales you all believe in, I control Obelisk the Tormentor because I'm a master duelist."

"Keep telling yourself that," Kay smirked.

"Care to repeat that?" Kaiba snapped at her.

"Do I need to?"

"Kay!" Kristen said "Now really isn't the time."

"Don't try to deny your ancient past." Marik said "You'll find in due time that your role in this game is significant. Why do you think there is an image of you carved on that Ancient Stone?"

"I don't really care." Kaiba replied coldly. Marik's eyes flickered to both Kay and Cat.

"And I can't forget about you two, Khephera and Luna."

"Huh? Sorry buddy but my name is Kay." Cat already understood about Luna but it still caught her off guard.

"I know that you are now Kay, in the past you were a priestess by the name of Khephera. And your role is actually pretty significant." Marik explained calmly "And Luna, dear precious Luna the Pharaoh's biggest weakness."
Both Yami and Cat blushed at that statement. Kim and Kay both smirked at one another,

"I could testify to that." Kim volunteered.

"Shut up Kim." Cat replied. "You don't have solid evidence."

"Leaving me at the museum isn't proof enough?" Kim challenged, "Or how about when I offered to go find you and leave that Rare Hunter to Yami's mercy but Yami saying that I had to be the bait so Yami could rescue you himself? Or that time..."

"Ok Kim, that's enough." Yami said loudly.

"Oh no, Kim do tell us some more juicy things." Kay encouraged. Anzu scowled slightly.

"And you Kim? How can I forget about you?" Marik turned to her,

"I dunno, how can you?" Kim asked crossing her arms over her chest. He smirked darkly at her.

"Believe it or not, you do play a role in this as well."

"Do I?" Kim asked slightly intrigued. He chuckled,

"Of course, fate has brought you five together in one setting, but it won't matter soon, for I will rule the earth and take what is rightfully mine." he let out a maniacal laugh.

"Jerk." Kim muttered "leaving me to ponder my meaning in this."

"Uh, what about his evil scheme to take over the world?" Kristen asked.

"Oh yeah that qualifies."

Marik laughed some more before he spoke his words of departure. "The great God cards will serve me as I rule the earth as the new Pharaoh!"

Everybody had managed to put Rishid back into his room, the doctor admitted that there really wasn't much they could do except let him rest.

"I wonder," Jounouchi mused "Why is it that he didn't get up? He was hell bent on being Marik's shadow til the end and to serve him..."

"It's cuz you're thick skinned." Honda remarked.

"I feel bad for him." Cat said after the doctor left. "He was left all alone,"

"Well what did you expect Marik to do? Send flowers?" Mai asked, "It's times like these when you really need friends." Jounouchi's eyes widened.

"Hey wait, I remember, I stood up because...I had a dream about you guys."

"What?"

"With you guys at my side I know I can overcome anything." Jounouchi smiled kindly at everybody.

"Aw that's so sweet Jounouchi." Kim remarked, Mai smiled softly.

"Kim." Yami said looking at her "I want to know, do you know any more of a plan?" he asked,

"Um. All I know is that Bakura and Marik were going after your puzzle and God card," Kim replied uncomfortably.

"We kind of guessed that." Kay said raising an eyebrow.

"But why did they get you involved?" Yami asked,

"B-because, I overheard them. they didn't want me to tell you and spoil it," she replied quietly "I-I really am sorry Yami,"

"It's not your fault Kim." Cat said gently, "We still love you." Yami frowned slightly, angry at how Marik tried to use one of his friends against him. and if Bakura were awake Yami probably would have a few words to say to him as well. Kim sighed in frustration,

"I still feel guilty." she muttered.

"well don't," Kay said almost forcefully, "There's a change in plans I'm guessing and we need to be ready for whatever comes our way."

"Kay is right, now we should probably head back to the main hall." Honda remarked.

"Yeah the next lottery round will be announced soon." Kay said,

"Hey Jounouchi." Mai stepped forward, Jounouchi turned towards her "I was in that dream too, right?" she asked. Jounouchi looked a little flushed before he smiled

"Of course you weren't, my dream took place in a classroom. Sorry maybe next time, you can play teacher!" he joked then ran off. Both Kim and Anzu looked at one another before marching towards him, Anzu grabbed his ear.

"Why are you so mean? Mai just wanted to feel like she's your friend. Grow up!" she said angrily before tossing Jounouchi towards Kim who punched him on the arm.

"You jerk," she said to him.

"Hey! You two are the ones abusing me." Kim hit his head. "OW!"

"I don't know why guys think they have to act all tough and immature. Gosh boys are such jerks." with that Kim walked away from him too.

"Hey, just because you had bad luck with Bakura and Marik..." Jounouchi began but his eyes went wide when Kim spun around.

"Care to repeat that?" she hissed, her glare was pretty venomous. Jounouchi shook his head then ran past her, Kim frowned after him before letting out a sigh. She started to follow him but on the way she passed by room number 6; pausing briefly she opened the door. Ryou was still sleeping, he didn't seem to have moved.

"Hey," Kim said quietly, she didn't know why though. "Th-the next duel is going to begin shortly, Marik's now even more twisted than before." she gently ran some fingers through his hair, "I really wish you were awake Ryou, I'm sorry that you have to go through with all this." she kneeled down and put an arm around his shoulders lifting him up slightly and hugging him. "Get well soon." she whispered.

so...we knew that Cat has a connection to the past, but Kay and Kim now have important roles...but what are they?

Find out...uh...later. *audience boos and throws things* I actually did consider adding more, but we left on a sweet note and I didn't want to ruin it.
so review and that fun stuff, just so you know the more reviews I get the faster I update.
Til next time!