SailorStar9: With Chapter 68 uploaded, I present Chapter 69 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Disclaimer: I own nothing expect the Safiastra and Ami's dueling deck.

Chapter 69: Summon the Winged God Dragon of Ra

"'Mystical Beast Serket' is only a Demigod who protects the true God within the temple." Rishid explained. "Because Serket was Summoned using a Ritual Magic Card, it cannot attack this turn. Therefore, my turn shall now end."

"I'm gonna take a bet here." Jonouchi remarked. "My turn. All my Monsters go to Defense Mode. And my turn's over."

"Then, it's my turn." Rishid took his turn. "Here I come, Jonouchi. I attack you with 'Mystical Beast Serket'. Your target is 'Jinzo'."

Said scorpion Demigod grabbed 'Jinzo' and started devouring it.

"I know it's an unpleasant sight to behold." Rishid admitted. "But that is Serket's Special Ability, which is now activated. Serket takes enemies inside itself and adds half of their Attack Points to its own."

"My turn." Jonouchi took his turn. "No good." he frowned. "I couldn't do a thing this turn. Turn end."

"My turn." Rishid took his turn. "Serket attacks. Our next sacrifice shall be the 'Insect Queen'."

On cue, 'Mystical Beast Serket' ate 'Insect Queen'.

"'Insect Queen' has been defeated." Rishid declared. "It now absorbs her Attack Power."

"My turn." Jonouchi took his turn.

"Jonouchi, give up your hopes of defeating me." Rishid advised.

"I switch my 'The Legendary Fisherman' into Defense Mode and end my turn." Jonouchi played his turn.

"Despite this situation, you actually plan on dueling?" Rishid was puzzled.

"That' insulting, Marik." Jonouchi retorted. "It may be useless to continue fighting, but I have something I have to accomplish. So, I'll fight on until my Life is 0."

"I respect your spirit." Rishid was impressed. "My turn. Attack, Serket. Devour 'The Legendary Fisherman'. Now grow, 'Mystical Beast Serket'. Now Jonouchi, it's your turn. Your last one, that is."

"There's nothing I can do." Jonouchi admitted. "Turn over. 'What you can see, but can't see'." he repeated Yami Yuugi's quote. "I got a funny feeling. A little while ago, I reached the point where I was resigned to losing. And just when winning or losing didn't matter, it's like I saw something I couldn't see before. Why didn't I figure it out sooner? Must have been in the heat of battle: Marik brainwashed me. He forced me to fight my friend in a duel to the death: a pointless battle that only hurt our hearts. I can't forgive the bastard who set up that duel and forced us to fight."

"Then, go ahead and curse me." Rishid spoke. "But a match is different. That anger is not enough to defeat me."

"That's not what I'm trying to say." Jonouchi retorted. "When this duel started, I really hated your guts. But I've lost that hatred now and I tried to remember how terrible it felt when that bastard took over my mind and implanted his memory. But you didn't use any cheap tricks and fought me fair and square. I may lose to you, but while fighting against you in this duel, it became one of the best I've had. You're the real deal: you're a true duelist. I may not know your reasons,, but I do know one thing. You aren't the guy who did that before. You aren't Marik."

On the sidelines...

"Impossible." Kaiba was stunned. "He's not Marik? He's not the wielder of God?"

Just as I thought. Yami Yuugi confirmed. His strategies are much different than the ones I faced before. And more importantly, I don't feel a shred of Power of Darkness from him. An enemy you can see, but can't see. He's somewhere else.

"Then, where's the real Marik?" Mai asked.

Could it be...? Yami Yuugi realized.

On the Aerial Duel Ring...

"What utter bullshit." Rishid snapped, producing his replicate Millennium Rod. "This Millennium Rod is proof that I am Marik. This duel shall continue as I have foreseen and no one listens to the words of a loser. My turn. Finish him off, 'Mystical Beast Serket'. Direct attack Jonouchi."

Wait, Rishid, don't attack him. Marik ordered Rishid mentally. Kill Jonouchi by the hands of the God Card. In order for our plan to work, you must prove you are the wielder of a God Card. You are Marik, Rishid. Summon Ra from within the ark of the temple. Use the counterfeit God Card.

SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.