SailorStar9: With Chapter 96 uploaded, I present Chapter 97 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 97: Semifinal, Jonouchi vs. Marik

"So, this is the final duel arena?" Jonouchi stepped off his gondola. "Kind of dreary."

"Jonouchi, we'll fight in the finals." Yami Yuugi approached the taller blond. "So you have to win."

"Don't you worry." Jonouchi assured. "I'm gonna take Marik's God Card and then use it to keep our promise and fight you, Yuugi."

"You're not even worthy of touching God, Jonouchi." Kaiba scoffed. "I hereby declare, you will be killed instantly by Marik. Neither of you know the true power of Marik's God Card. The 'Winged Dragon of Ra' has special abilities so terrifying they surpass mortal thought."

"Kaiba, are you saying that you know what Ra's special abilities are?" Yami Yuugi asked.

"I've almost decoded it." Kaiba admitted. "Yuugi, even you don't have a chance against Marik's Ra deck. Ra's ability far surpasses the powers of my Obelisk and your Slifer. In order for me to come up with a complete strategy to defeat him, I need to watch Marik fight one more time. Jonouchi, you're suitable enough to be used as my bait to draw out Marik. Yuugi, if you had fought Marik in the semi-finals, there is a chance he could have gotten his hands on the Slifer Card. If that had happened, I would have had to face two God Cards."

"Kaiba, there's one problem with your plan." Yami Yuugi pointed out. "Your opponent in the semi-finals will be me, remember?"

"Our fated duel..." Kaiba walked off. "I'm looking forward to it, Yuugi."

On the dueling arena...

"The Battle City's semi-finals will now commence." Isono declared. "For the first duel, we have Marik Ishtar and challenging him, Katsuya Jonouchi. Begin the duel."

"I'll go first." Marik took the first turn. "I Summon 'Gil Garth' in Attack Mode. I'll then place a Card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn." Jonouchi took his turn. "I set a reverse Card and then I Summon 'Alligator's Sword' in Defense Mode. Turn over."

"My turn." Marik drew a Card. "I Summon 'Drillago' in Attack Mode." he then had 'Drillago' take out 'Alligator's Sword'. "Go 'Gil Garth', direct attack Jonouchi."

"Like hell I'll let you do that." Jonouchi countered. "Reverse Card, open. 'Scapegoat'." he grinned, 'Gil Garth' taking out one 'Sheep Token'.

"Turn end." Marik ended his turn.

"My turn." Jonouchi took his turn. "I Summon 'Panther Warrior' in Attack Mode. I sacrifice one of my 'Scapegoats'; attack 'Gil Garth'."

"You're not half bad, Jonouchi." Marik praised.

"Turn end." Jonouchi ended his turn.

"My turn." Marik drew a Card. "I'll start by activating a Magic Card from my hand. 'Card of Last Will'. This Card is triggered whenever I Tribute Summon a Monster on the field. By removing a Monster from each of our graveyards, I am able to Summon a High-Level Monster without Tribute. I sacrifice 'Gil Garth' and your 'Alligator's Sword' in order to Summon 'Helpoemer'. The Monsters used as tribute for this Monster are removed and can never be used in this duel again. I then place two Cards face-down on the field and end my turn."

"My turn." Jonouchi took his turn. "I Summon 'Rocket Warrior' in Attack Mode."

"I activate my Trap Card at this very moment." Marik played his Card. "'Hidden Soldiers'. This Trap activates when your opponent Summons a Monster. It lets me Special Summon any Four-Star or lower Monster from my hand. I Summon 'Plasma Eel'. I'll then activate its Special Power. 'Plasma Eel', equip yourself on 'Panther Warrior'. 'Plasma Eel's Effect reduces the Attack Power of the Monster it Equips by 500 points at the end of my opponent's turn."

"I activate 'Rocket Warrior's special ability." Jonouchi countered. "Attack 'Helpoemer'. Also, I sacrifice a 'Scapegoat'. Attack 'Panther Warrior'." the resultant attack took out 'Helpoemer'.

"I may have underestimated you." Marik admitted. "I activate 'Helpoemer's Special Power; it activates the moment it is sent to the graveyard while he is in Attack Mode. On every turn, after each Battle Phase, 'Helpoemer' forces you to randomly discard a Card from your hand to the graveyard."

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