Disclaimer- I don't own Yu-gi-oh. I own the Ocs, and the made up dueling cards.

Keys:

"Meh" – Talking

'Meh'-Thoughts

--...-- Time transition

Ryuo- Ryuo Bakura

Bakura- Spirit of the Ring

(AN: A place where I decided to comment.)

Thanks to Elusia for reviewing!

AN: More characters come in this chapter! The plot thickens! Which is good, cause I like the parts after I've set up the plot. Much more interesting and better duels ahead! Please review!

Act I: Hymn to Dusk

Chapter 6 Meetings

As Kaiba walked from the park, he seemed drained of his energy, 'What the hell is going on? Dueling never drained me that much before.' He thought. 'And who was Erym, and why the hell did he call me Torment's Child?" As his head clouded with these strange developments, others had the answers he sought.

--Meanwhile, at the Museum—

As the group sat in silence, each absorbing the information Bakura told them, lost in their respective thoughts. Suddenly, Bakura realized a problem. "There is one problem with me contacting Pegasus. We don't know where the hell he is, or how to contact him." He explained.

The other's realized this, and nodded. "Then I guess we can't worry about that now." Yami said, taking on the role of a war commander. "Okay, so how do we do this? Ishizu can use the necklace, and Marik can use the rod?"

But Marik shook his head. "The rod is no longer mine. It originally belonged to the high priest, as in Seto. It doesn't work for me anymore. But my sister is destined to wield the necklace."

"True, but Kaiba probably won't believe us." Yugi pointed out. "Then we must convince him." Marik countered.

"We need to contact Shadi." Yugi said suddenly. Ishizu nodded, and seeing the confusion in the other's faces, she said, "Shadi is the guardian of the Millennium Items. He wields the Millennium Key."

"Wait, that only makes 6 items. The ring, the rod, the necklace, the key, the eye, and the puzzle. What's the third?" Yugi asked.

"The Millennium Scales." Ishizu answered. "Shadi probably knows where it is. We should call him."

"But how? I've only seen him when he feels he is needed." Yugi replied.

"And I feel I am needed now." Shadi said, appearing suddenly. The group jumped at his sudden appearance. He had the Millennium Key around his neck, and a golden item in his hand.

"Shadi!" Ishizu and Yugi cried in unison.

"Hello my Pharaoh. I have come because I felt that I was needed, and that strange powers are at work." Shadi said.

"Shadi, what is that?" Yami asked, looking at the item in his hand.

"This is the Millennium Scales, my Pharaoh. I came here to deliver it him." Shadi answered, looking intently at Marik. (AN: This isn't canon to the show, but this isn't the show.)

"What? Me...but why?" Marik asked, stupefied.

"Because, you are one who is in need of balance, one who is destined to wield this item. I have felt it attract strongly to you." Shadi pointed out, referring the struggle between good and evil inside of Marik. He nodded, and fell silent

"I will aid you as best I can." Shadi went on. "Shadi. Will you fight beside us if I require it?" Yami asked, knowing his authority was the one Shadi answered to.

"Yes, my pharaoh." He responded.

"Wait. Some of the Pharaoh's sorcerers didn't have Millennium items, did they?" Tea asked suddenly.

Shadi looked mystified by this question, but nodded. "These were ones who drew as power from the shadows, like the Pharaoh and the wielder's of the Millennium items. They were not as strong, because they did not have an item as a focus, but could use shadow magic."

"Wait. That is possible?" Bakura asked.

Shadi looked surprised to see the thief there, but said, "It is not unheard of, but the renowned sorcerers used the items. Some did not need the items."

"Could you teach us to use Shadow Magic?" Joey asked, and Tristan, Tea, and even Serenity nodded. Joey looked at his sister and said, "No sis, you don't have to.." But Serenity interrupted. "Joey, I want to fight alongside you." Shadi looked at them for a moment.

"Your loyalty to the Pharaoh is truly remarkable. Yes, if you are determined, I will train you. Come then, we have little time. Ishizu, is there an empty room I can teach them?" Shadi asked.

"Of course, follow me." Ishizu responded. Yami, Yugi, and Marik looked in awe of their loyalty, but Bakura looked skeptic.

"Okay, while they're doing that, we need to get Kaiba here. We need him on our side. He is the High Priest after all." Bakura said, getting them back on task. The other 3 nodded at this, and Yugi volunteered to get him.

--Meanwhile—

"To use Shadow Magic, you must feel into your center first. Find it, and anchor yourself to it." Shadi instructed, and Tea, Tristan, Joey, and Serenity closed their eyes, feeling for their center.

"Your center is your magical essence. Once you have it, begin tapping into it. Draw upon its power. Focus your mind." Each of them concentrated, and one by one, they touched their core. Suddenly Joey had a thought. "Hey, this feels like the heart of the cards!"

Shadi looked at him, and responded, "This Heart of the Cards is you feeling into your essence. Now that you have found it, let us build your strength." And so the training began. They first learned to affect objects. Shadi was impressed with all of them, their determination and knowledge of the heart of the cards helped them, especially Joey. He seemed quite good, probably from accessing his center a lot. After a few hours they seemed tired.

"Ishizu, is it all right if they stay here. They are too tired to go home." Shadi said. Ishizu nodded and said, "Of course."

Joey, Tristan, Serenity, and Joey called their parents to tell them they would be sleeping over at Yugi's house.

--Back to Yugi—

'Man... Why does Kaiba mansion have to be so far away?' Yugi wondered as he walked uptown, towards Kaiba's house. When he reached there, he pushed the button. He heard Mokuba's voice answer. "Yes?"

"Hey Mokuba, it's Yugi." Yugi asked.

"Oh hey Yugi! Come on inside." Mokuba answered.

Once Yugi was inside, he asked Mokuba, "Where's your brother. I need to speak with him." At this, Mokuba seemed worried. "Sorry Yugi, my brother left a couple of hours ago with his duel disk and deck." Mokuba answered.

'Why would he do that?' Yugi wondered. Suddenly, there was a loud knock. As Mokuba cautiously opened the door, he smiled at his big brother. But the smile fell when he noticed his brother staggering and looking beaten up. Yugi regained his wits and asked, "What happened Kaiba?"

Kaiba seemed startled at Yugi's appearance in his home and answered, "None of your business."

"Fine, Kaiba. I need to talk to you." Yugi said determinedly. "Did you have any weird dreams last night?" He asked.

Kaiba started, and his head whipped around at that. "Why?" He asked.

Yugi explained the deal, and at the end, Kaiba stared at him. "No. That's not possible. I'm not some reincarnated High Priest!" He ranted.

"Kaiba, come on. Ishizu showed you those visions. The High Priest looks exactly like you. The Millennium Rod responded to you, showed you visions. Look, just come to Domino Museum tomorrow. Please." Yugi begged. He got up and walked out the door.

AN: Chapter 6 complete. A chapter devoted to building the plot. Sorry if it was a bit boring. Please review!