Okay guys, time for a new duel!

Changing up from my previous Gx Fanfic, this is an OG Duel Monsters era fanfic. And honestly, I'm going into this not making heads or tails how long it will last, because the story I'm writing kinda avoids certain duels, so several episodes may be skipped while others extended out. It all depends on how things work out.

This time, a different OC character, but based off of an existing one. So hopefully this will catch your interest.

Disclaimer: RDF1 doesn't own anything in this fic, technically not even the original content.

Alright, let's get started!

(Story Begin)

(Chapter Begin)

The girl looked a bit nervous as she looked left and right at the other applicants, her shoulder length brown hair shifting with her motion. This position wasn't something so easily handed out, especially after what happened to the last person in this position.

"Enter," came a voice through a door near where everyone was sitting.

One of the girls on the other side got up and entered the door, which closed behind her. A few minutes passed when the door opened and the girl exited in tears. Clearly, she was rejected.

"Next," said the same voice, as another girl got up and entered the door, continuing the cycle.

The position she and the other girls here were applying for was the Secretary to the CEO of KaibaCorp, Seto Kaiba himself. While she was nervous, she knew she had an edge. She was getting this job not because of the prestige, or even because it's Seto Kaiba. Well, that was part of it, but not the fame or celebrity status Seto Kaiba held. No, it was a more personal reason she wanted this job, and she'd be darned if her years at university would be wasted.

"Next," came the same voice as before, and the girl noticed she was the last girl in the room, so she rose and entered the doors, which closed behind her, "Name?"

"Maria Mellon Tamashī, Mr. Kaiba," informed Maria, who sat down opposite of Kaiba.

(AN1)

"I've seen your file and you may just be the third most qualified person to fill the position of being my secretary," said Kaiba, "Anything you wish to add to it before I make my decision."

"I didn't apply because of your looks or your position. Heck, the pay is a bonus to my real reason," informed Maria, gaining a bit of determination, "I'm ready to take on the tasks you need me to do and then some. I want to help this company expand and grow, Sir."

"Do you know why I let go of my previous Secretary?" asked Kaiba.

"I heard she was complicit in the Board's attempted takeover of the company, this being the second occurrence," said Maria.

"Oh, and how did you know this is the second occurrence and not the first?" pressed Kaiba, his gaze getting sharper.

"Friend of a Friend was a gossip who worked under Pegasus. She overheard the Board conspiring and couldn't keep it to herself," explained Maria.

"Figures Pegasus couldn't control all of his staff," muttered Kaiba, before resuming, "I can also tell you haven't been completely forthcoming, Ms. Tamashī. If that is all, then this interview is over."

"Do you believe in Magic?" asked Maria, her gaze now gaining ground to match Kaiba, who's glare worsened.

"That drivel," sneered Kaiba, "What, are you part of Yugi's Cheer Squad that missed the boat to Duelist Kingdom or something?"

"I'm no magician, nor am I friends with Yugi's group. No, my magic is that of memories. Memories of an ancestor long ago. I didn't understand it at first, believing them to be fake like your belief in magic, but not only are they real, but because of them, I am no friend of Yugi Moto's."

(AN2)

Kaiba stopped glaring, eyes widening at the declaration. Almost as if she knew Yugi, but her records never indicated anything about interacting with the High School, nor the Game shop ran by Yugi's grandfather, Solomon.

"I see," said Kaiba, quickly recovering, "You're hired."

Maria was a bit surprised. She thought there was more to this.

"Every single one of those harpies praised Yugi like a fangirl whenever he was brought up," explained Kaiba, "You, who would have every reason to support Yugi, have no blinded interest in him. That was the difference I was looking for."

Kaiba held his hand out and Maria shook it. She was now officially the Secretary of Seto Kaiba of KaibaCorp.

Maria got settled quickly and thanks to recent events, there was no shortage of paperwork to get sorted. Maria delve into it with all the skill she acquired over the years: Organizing, approving, rejecting, sorting in order of importance for Kaiba himself to look over. It took several weeks, but Maria managed to clear out the backlog left by the former board and secretary. However, it was one afternoon, Maria working hard to keep up with what was needed for Kaiba when she received a call.

"Ms. Maria Tamashī, I presume," came a female voice over the phone.

"Who's asking?" asked Maria, suddenly suspicious.

"My name is Ishizu Ishtar and I would like to personally invite you to a Special Exhibition at Domino Museum tonight," informed the now revealed name Ishizu.

"And if I say no?" asked Maria, curious.

"Let's just say you will have an invested interest in this 'Egyptian' Exhibit I brought to Domino City, Ms. Tamashī."

Ishizu hug up after that, leaving a chill down Maria's spine, as a memory from her ancestor surfaced, featuring a woman with a very similar sounding voice.

"Isis?" wondered Maria, "Could Ishizu be your reincarnation?"

(AN3)

It was nearly 8:00pm when Kaiba's Limo pulled up to the Domino Museum. The driver went around to Kaiba's door and opened it.

"Leave the engine running," informed Kaiba, "This won't take long."

"Yes, sir," replied the Driver.

Kaiba walked inside the Museum, seeing Ishizu in front of other staff, ready to play host to him, and whoever else was here. Glancing around the room, he did notice Maria was here. She was wearing a simple, but elegant dress, but her mood was no better than his. In fact, Kaiba was curious if hers was worse than his, and that was saying something.

"Thank you for coming, Seto Kaiba," greeted Ishizu.

"Where are the other guests?" asked Kaiba.

"I said this was a private exhibition, you and your secretary were the only ones invited. It makes conducting business so much easier," replied Ishizu.

A few other employees appeared, reporting that all the doors and windows were locked.

"One minute in, and you're boring me. If you don't tell me what this is all about, I'm leaving now," stated Kaiba, as he turned to leave.

"Seto," said Maria, getting his attention, "You're patience will be worthwhile. Give her a moment."

(AN4)

"Indeed," followed up Ishizu, "I must apologize. Thieves have been attempting to steal these artifacts, and in fact got their hands on a one of a kind treasure just last week. I hope you understand my precaution here. And you will be free to leave at any time you wish, but as Maria said, this will be worth your time."

"Alright then," said Kaiba, "since you seem to 'know what's best for me.'"

Maria rolled her eyes at her boss's statement.

"If you will follow me, please," requested Ishizu as she turned and led the way for the two.

As they were walking, Ishizu brought up a particular topic.

"Kaiba, do you believe in Destiny?" asked Ishizu.

"Does it matter," said Kaiba, already getting tired of her beating around the bush.

"Ancient Egyptians believed that their path in life was predetermined, and that history repeats itself," continued Ishizu, not taking offense to Kaiba's attitude.

"I'm gonna stop you right there, Ishizu," said Maria, "There's only one reason why you'd ask Mr. Kaiba to be here. And that's because it's related to Duel Monsters."

"Well, you would know, wouldn't you... Maria?" smirked Ishizu, "But you are right, I will show I brought you here for, and prove to you a card more powerful than Exodia exists."

You could hear a pin drop from the silence that followed. Ishizu continued without another word, leading the two down some stairs.

"Kaiba, Pegasus may have created the game of Duel Monsters, but in truth he merely recreated the game for modern society," finished Ishizu, turning to them, "Those cards and ink are just a substitute for the original pieces played. Kaiba, behold, the True Origin of Duel Monsters!"

The Dark Room before them lit up, revealing two Stone Slabs with Pictures carved into it. It depicted Duel Monsters. Maria winced at seeing two of the images front and center on one of the Slabs. She steeled herself as the shock finally wore off for Kaiba. She remained quiet as Ishizu explained about his ancient counterpart challenging the Pharaoh for the fate of the World.

'Sadly, that wasn't the whole story. Just a summary of the myriad of events that went down back then,' thought Maria, more memories flashing before her eyes.

Maria waited patiently as Ishizu tried again and again to get Kaiba to believe in the past, and in destiny.

"It was destiny that you and Yugi dueled before, and it's destiny that you will do battle again," explained Ishizu.

"Thanks for the lecture, but I make my own Destiny," countered Kaiba, as he got ready to leave, "And I do what I want."

"Seto," said Maria, in that same voice that got his attention, just like before, "I agree we make our own destinies, but anyone with common sense can predict you and Yugi, or rather the Pharaoh, will face off again in Duel Monsters."

"You have a point Maria, but why do you believe in these fairy tails," said Kaiba.

"Because I was there," said Maria, "Or rather, my previous incarnation was. I bet even you, in all your studies, would have come across some study of reincarnation. Your Previous Incarnation was the Priest Seto. He challenged the Pharaoh for an injustice he saw that he believed the Pharaoh committed. The two of you will duel again, do you wish to try again as you are now, or would you like an advantage?"

(AN5)

This got Kaiba's attention.

"I said there was a power greater than Exodia, Kaiba," said Ishizu, "and that power is right under your nose. Look at the top of the Tablet. Behold the Three Egyptian Gods: Obelisk the Tormentor, Slifer the Sky Dragon, and the Winged Dragon of Ra!"

"Okay, let's say that it's true, why didn't Pegasus use them in Duelist Kingdom?" asked Kaiba.

"Because he wasn't worthy," spoke Maria, getting Ishizu's attention as well as Kaiba's, "Only a select worthy few may wield the Power of the Gods. Pegasus was barely worthy of completing their card creation, there was no way he was worthy of actually using them in a duel."

"That explains it. Pegasus entrusted the God Cards to me, which I separated and buried in secret locations," remarked Ishizu, as she continued her explanation, "Unfortunately as I said before, thieves have made off with one of a kind treasures. The Egyptian God Cards were stolen."

"By who?" demanded Kaiba.

"By the Rare Hunters," said Ishizu, "They deal in rare cards on the black market, only keeping the strongest cards for themselves. Kaiba, if you were to start a Tournament, you would attract the greatest duelists the world over."

"Setting Bait for a Trap," realized Kaiba, "These Rare Hunters won't resist the rare cards the Duelists have, and they'll bring the God Cards with them."

"There is one more thing I wish to give you," said Ishizu, pulling out a blue card.

"It's Obelisk the Tormentor!" exclaimed Kaiba, "I thought they were stolen."

"I managed to retrieve this one in time. I will allow you to borrow it for the Tournament, after which, you will return it to me," explained Ishizu.

"If you really know who I am, I wouldn't have a reason to return it to you," quipped Kaiba.

"I have foreseen it. You will return the card to me, Seto Kaiba," glared Ishizu.

"Mr. Kaiba, I do believe that is all you are required here for. If you like me to come into the office after this, I will be there shortly."

"No, it can wait until Tomorrow, Maria. I trust you have your own ride home?" responded Kaiba.

"I do. I will see you in the morning, Sir," finished Maria, as Seto left the Museum, then she turned to Ishizu, "Reincarnation lets me have a clearer perspective on the events Five Thousand Years ago."

"Five Thousand Years ago, you were the Pharaoh's Best Friend," said Ishizu, "What changed?"

"The Pharaoh did. And before you ask, I won't give his name. He has to earn that right after what happened," growled Maria.

"Very well then, I will see you at the Tournament, Maria," relented Ishizu.

"Destiny is a funny thing," said Maria as she approached the stairs before turning back, "It can be changed if one doesn't expect the unexpected. Good Night, Ishizu."

(AN6)

With that, Maria made her leave of the Museum back to her home. There was much to talk about with Seto in the morning.

(Chapter End)

And there you go. A brand new story involving the original YuGiOh show. As you can see, I skipped over the absolute mess that was the first season. The "Field Power Bonus," the "Toon immunities," the "elemental immunities," the traps played as spells, the spells played as traps, Monsters as spells; the list just goes on and on.

Alright, on to Author Notes...

AN1: Each Part of her Name has a purpose. Can you figure out each part and purpose?

AN2: To the public, Yugi looks like himself, and also Yami. He goes by Yugi either way, so that's why she refers to him as Yugi.

AN3: This reference is mainly for those who have already watched the whole series, and know who I'm talking about. I will be doing this off and on throughout the fic.

AN4: Maria usually stays professional and calls him Mr. Kaiba. However, there are times where she will call him Seto, with good reason.

AN5: A bit of extra exposition, but hopefully it's not overbearing enough since it's part of the plot of the story itself.

AN6: Epic Foreshadowing... for those already in the know.

To anyone who hasn't seen the show yet, I would HIGHLY, EXTREMELY SO, recommend watching the original series. The First Season is on Netflix, but all five seasons are available somewhere on the internet. If you have any questions, I'm sure people will help you find the series to watch. Reading this story works better knowing the context of which I am writing about. This idea has been stuck in my head for over a year and it needed to be let out.

For those reading my other stories, I am working on them. I just tend to have other things take priority. I also forget at times. I AM HUMAN, okay! Until next time...

Later,

RDF1