SailorStar9: With Chapter 70 uploaded, I present Chapter 71 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 71: Mai vs. Marik

"The lottery for the duelists participating in the third round of the tournament will be held in fifteen minutes." Isono declared.

In Rishid's room...

"How's his condition?" Marik asked the tending doctor.

"There was no severe physical damage done to his body." the doctor replied. "However, he remains unconscious. Most likely, he fell into a coma due to extreme mental shock."

"Bakura's still sleeping after he fell in his duel." Anzu added. "Too many people have been hurt in this tournament."

"But it doesn't make sense." Jonouchi frowned. "I took damage from the God Card just like he did. Why just him..."

"Our clan is of a lonely existence." Marik admitted. "Rishid isn't of our clan's blood, but I've always treated him as a beloved elder brother. Pharaoh," he turned to Yami Yuugi. "I've been going some thinking on my own; perhaps my way of thinking had been wrong. When Shadi appeared before me, announcing your revival, I had automatically blamed you for all of our clan's misfortunes. Ami, she gave me an alternate outlook; maybe our clan's duty ends with me."

"The Tomb Keepers' duty?" Yami Yuugi echoed.

Marik nodded, "It's been our clan's duty for generations to safeguard your memory. The Sun God's stipulation that you must obtain all three God Cards is a necessary requisition for you to regain your memory."

"Isn't it time for the lottery drawing for the third match?" Honda reminded.

In the lottery hall...

"And now, we will decide the match-up for the third round of the tournament." Isono announced.

"The eighth duelist isn't here." Mai looked around.

"Begin." Kaiba ordered.

"Let's begin the lottery for the third round match-up." Mokuba took over.

"Third match, the first duelist is Kujaku Mai." Isono declared. "Kujaku Mai's opponent is Marik Ishtar. Both participants, please report to the Aerial Duel Ring."

Both participants looked at each other and gave an acknowledging nod.

On the Aerial Duel Ring...

"Kujaku Mai vs Marik Ishtar." Isono started the duel. "The third match shall now commence."

"I'll be going first." Mai started. "My turn. I Summon 'Dunames Dark Witch' in Attack Position. My turn is over."

"My turn." Marik took his turn. "My card is 'Revival Jam' in Defense Position. The Magic Card: 'Jam Breeding Machine'. Thanks to this card, a 'Slime Token' will be created on each of my turns."

"My turn." Mai stated. "'Dunames Dark Witch', attack 'Revival Jam'." she ordered. "What?" she gaped when 'Revival Jam' reformed.

"You shouldn't be surprised." Marik chided. "There's a reason why my Monster is called 'Revival Jam'; all you did was activate 'Revival Jam's Regenerative ability. My turn. Magic Card: 'Pot of Greed'. Thanks to 'Pot of Greed's effect, I get to draw two cards. And thanks to 'Jam Breeding Machine', I Special Summon a 'Slime Token'. Furthermore, I set one reverse card."

He needs three sacrifices to Summon Ra. Mai mused. "I won't let you. My turn. Magic Card: 'Harpie's Feather Duster'. Permanent Magic and Traps won't work against me." she took out 'Jam Breeding Machine'. "'Dunames Dark Witch', get rid of that scrawny Monster." she took out 'Slime Token'. "I set another face-down card on the field. My turn is over."

"My turn." Marik took his turn. "I Summon 'Melchid the Four-Face Beast'. I then sacrifice both 'Revival Jam' and 'Melchid the Four-Face Beast' to Summon 'Masked Beast Des Gardius'. Go, Des Gardius, attack 'Dunames Dark Witch'."

"I'm not gonna let you do that." Mai countered. "Trap Card, activate. 'Mirror Wall'. Now your Monster's Attack Power is cut in half. Dunames, pay him back." she took out 'Masked Beast Des Gardius'.

"The moment Des Gardius is destroyed, it's effect instantly activates." Marik explained to the stunned Mai, the Monster's mask was now attached to 'Dunames Dark Witch's face and allowing him to control the Light-attribute Monster. "It is known as the Mask of Remnant. And thus, I shuffle my deck and I gain control of 'Dunames Dark Witch'. Next, allow me to dispose of that Trap of yours. The Magic Card: 'Remove Trap'."

"I'm gonna get serious now." Mai retorted. "I'll show you the power of my Amazoness deck. My turn. I set a card on the board. Then, I Summon 'The Unfriendly Amazon'. 'The Unfriendly Amazon', attack 'Dunames Dark Witch'."

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