Person...:Sorry this took so long didn't know what to write about. Anyway enjoy.

Disclaimer:Dont' own anything except the stuff and peeps I made up.

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Chapter 6: The Ishtar who Escaped

"I don't think we have enough souls to generate enough darkness." Diken Sayroe sensed the hole's power.

"We must, we cannot fail our master." His brother responded with his eyes wide in fear.

"Why must we follow this 'master'."

"Because brother, when he takes over the world we will be granted power. Plus be thankful that he rose you and I from the dead."

"I should be, but whoever this 'master' is, he sure is a coward to not show himself. Why does he want that woman.ur.?Daine her name isn't it?

"He wants her for himself, but I want her. She possesses power and beauty."

"What should we do about the hole, we're down to sixteen contenders."

"This hole can feed any power. Why not the contenders duel for their lives?"

"That could be possible, but the ones with power can withstand the pull."

"Well we can take away their source of power. Like Yami's puzzle."

Diken grinned, "I think going to go well. We can absorb the power the duel unleashes and consume souls. This may work."

"Oh it will, and with this plan I will also get what I want. Daine and her spirit the queen of Egypt Cleopatra."

"You know Zayroe, I don't think our duelists know about the times before the fall Egypt."

"Well then, motive to duel with everything they've got."

"What about the Yami, he knows everything there is to know, even the priest Kaiba."

"Kaiba wants power, he will always duel, and Yami always wants to save the day, he will also duel."

"This better work Zayroe."

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It was morning and most of the duelists were up and ready to battle. When suddenly they looked at their dueling disks and realized that it told them to meet at Battle City Center. Most thought they had deserved it, but some were confused that after loosing most or all their battles they would qualify.

Just like before, a hole appeared from the ground and came above the Zayroe brothers. "I know some of you may be confused. Asking yourself how could I qualify when I lost most of my battles?" Diken knew why and so did Zorne.

"Because my friends. You are the bravest of all duelists who entered here." The crowd began to mumble in confusion, but Yami and Anzu knew what was going on. "Yes, many had to forfeit or quit the tournament because they are cowards. Or may be they were just smart."

"Nonetheless," Diken began, "some rules have changed. During theses rounds you are not permitted to quit. And in each battle you will play in a Dark hole. It absorbs all power, but there is no guarantee that you won't get hit. For the people who are familiar with the Shadow Games, you won't be caught off guard, for these games are very similar."

"Let's begin to today. Here are the match ups." Then came a big hologram with information about who would duel who. This is what they saw:

Aso vs Bakura

Daine vs Savio

Malik vs Vasal

Yami vs Micheal

J.D. vs Rishid

Jonathan vs Isis

Joseph vs Mai

Seto vs Karen

Some competitors were from America, and India. There were a lot of different races. It would be interesting to see what kind of cards they would play, Yami thought.

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"Vasal, and odd name but that's who I am dueling." Malik squinted his eyes to make sure he was right.

"Good luck brother, and you too Rishid. I'll be going to fight my duel."

"Well meet you in the next round." Malik smiled at Rishid.

"You too, be careful master. There is more at stake in this tournament now."

"Don't worry."

Malik headed over to his arena. His opponent was not there. He decided to wait until he came.

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Five of the eight duels were over and still he hadn't showed up. "Where the hell is he?" Malik frustrated that his foe still hadn't showed up. Isis, Rishid, Yami, Kaiba and even Joey finished their duel, Malik didn't know about the other battles; and here Malik was still waiting for his match. "Sorry I'm late." He looked up and saw a man staring directly at him. He hair similar to his own, "My name is Vasal."

Malik gave him a cold stare, "Let's begin now. I am not in a good mood."

"Sorry, I had many things to do. I had to prepare something to show you."

After Malik drew his fifth card did he ask, "What do you mean?"

"You are Malik Ishtar?"

"Yes."

"I am Vasal Ishtar."

"What?! Are you related to me."

"Oh yes, you've finally figured it out. Now I will begin by playing Goronuka in attack mode. I end my turn." Its attack points were 1600.

"Who are you. Are you trying to mess with my mind?"

"If you win I will tell you."

"How you will just banish in the Dark hole."

"No, like you I have powers. Every Ishtar does. Now duel if you want to know more."

"All right I sacrifice Malchid for this monster, Siram the Swordsman. I destroy you Goronuka."

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Yami felt guilty that he could nothing to save his opponent from the hole. It seemed that his Egyptian power had no effect. He walked over to his friends duel.

Joey closed his eyes, What can I do? If I destroy her monster she will loose. Then, "Urg," she will go to the Dark sole thing. "C'mon Joey, just do it." Mai was prepared to loose.

"Mai, forgive me." He did it, he attacked her Harpie.

"It's okay. I came in this thinking that I was worthy enough to duel, but I guess I was wrong. I don't think I'll compete anymore after this duel."

"Mai don't say that, Red eyes STO…!" It was too late. Mai's lifepoints were now 0 and she slowly faded into the Dark hole. Joey slammed his fist on the floor has he knelt down in guilt. "It should've been me."

"Joey, I know how you feel. We will stop the Sayroe brothers."

"Why, what's going on Yugi?" He told everything he knew to his friend.

"What Malik a pharaoh. This is going to be a lot of trouble. I bet if someone tells him he's gonna go crazy again."

"May be we should talk to Isis." Both of them ran around to look for her. They found her walking towards her brother's duel, along with Rishid.

"Isis we have to ask you something."

"What is it, your highness?"

"It's about Malik. Someone told me about him being a pharaoh."

"That can't be possible. I only know you as the pharaoh."

"Me too, but it seems I was the last. Malik was the first."

"I don't know what you speak off Yugi, but I am going to my brother's match." She and Rishid turned their backs and headed there.

"We should go too Yugi."

"Your right Joey."

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"I summon the Winged Dragon of Ra." Malik managed to summon his god monster

Vasal didn't flinch, "I switch my monsters to defense."

"You can't just summon monster in defense. You will loose eventually." Malik peeked at the card he drew. " I destroy your monster and I play this magic card. It allows me to have one more Battle Phase. I attack directly." Though he lost, Vasal seemed glad.

"You have proven yourself, but you have a lot to learn Pharaoh."

"Pharaoh, what are you saying?" Malik then remembered, Daine said something about the pharaohs of Egypt and mentioned 'Ishtar'. "I am the first pharaoh aren't I?

"Yes you are and I have to show you something." Vasal removed his robes that he wore. Malik was a little uncomfortable when he did this.

"What are you doing?"

"Just like you have the secrets of the last pharaoh's past in your back. I have yours in mine." He looked at his back. It had a drawing of Ra in the center and seems that it was collecting power. In the right was a drawing that looked something like the rod. Not sennen rod though. Then he read the text in his mind, For when he returns shall he finally find love and release the true powers of the ancient staff. Then only shall Ra spread its wings of peace and the perfect balance of Darkness and Light shall be achieved.

"I don't understand, how could you be an Ishtar. Did you escape?"

"No I was set free. Before the fall Egypt did the last pharaoh ordered servants to slaughter the Ishtar who carried the secret of the first king. His parents set him free and asked him to keep in promise. To continue this ritual, until came the time where he would be reborn, until you would be reborn."

"Me, what do you mean?"

"Don't' you understand? Many Ishtars, who were forced to be scared with the secret, had hated the tradition. Why should you be any different and be granted a spirit? The first pharaoh also had evil within him, but was able to hold it."

"Wait, I don't have an evil side anymore. Also, isn't the first pharaoh's tomb lie in the South? I loved in the North."

"You are right. But you did not enjoy your position, as king for you wanted someone you loved beside you. Not a wife that was chosen for you. So you abdicated your position. There was no civilization in South then and you wanted isolation. Your wife didn't want to leave her beloved land, so she took the throne. Then you took your son, your staff and some of your loyal ministries to the South. Together you created an underground dwelling in there. When your sister heard of this she quickly came to assist you. She envisioned the future and told you to start a ritual. She told him what message to have scared on his son's back."

"You mean I started this horrible ritual."

"Yes, though you resented it then, your sister said that when you were born again that you would repay by suffering the same."

"How did my sister then have the power to predict, the tauk was created millenniums later."

"It came naturally to her. She was considered a witch because of her powers."

"This is crazy."

"You will understand as you get closer and closer to finding your companion. But first you must acquire peace within yourself. If the balance of Light and Dark is equal within you, it will spread. I hope you understand. You and I will meet again. Good duel my king."

"Wait, the Romans, what have they got to do with all of this?"

"I don't have knowledge of the Great War, which is for the queen to reveal…" Then he walked away.