Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this fic except for my atrocious Mary Sue. Some people have earned cameos in this chapter for being awesome people and sticking by me recently when I've been in a funk. If you want a cameo in the next chapter, just let me know, and give me a description of the character and I'll find a way to stick you in. Also, I am sorry about the overuse of "plush lips", but Silvie-chan and I were reading a badfic where the author used that term frequently, and Silvie-chan said it made her feel as if the girl had carpeted lips, and the image amused me. Read and review!!!

Children screamed and squealed in delight, dragging their hapless parents to as many rides and attractions as they possibly could. The scent of hot dogs, cotton candy, excitement, and cheap beer pervaded the amusement park, nearly overwhelming poor, fragile Amathera. She was clutching at Lulu like a lifeline as if afraid the dark maiden would abandon her in the midst of all this chaos. She also clutched her designer bag just as tightly.

She glanced sideways at her tall companion, admiring the girl's tight denim skirt, flowing peasant blouse, and comfortable sandals. Her black hair was done up in elaborate pigtails, a few wisps falling here and there to caress her milky skin. She was surrounded by a pleasant citrus scent, and seemed to radiate health and happiness. Her plush lips were full and polished red, set in an almost perpetual pout, just asking to be kissed.

Amathera licked her lips and looked away.

Why is my heart beating so fast? She wondered as Lulu guided her over to a game booth, delighting in the way the girl absently stroked the pulse in her wrist. She's a girl! That's…wrong!!! I knew it was wrong with Sally, Jen, Amiko, Maria, and Imari! I'm straight, aren't I? Those nights with Blythe were innocent, right?

Her cheeks flared as Lulu squeezed her hand and shot her a grin, apparently feeling how rapidly her pulse was racing.

…maybe I'm bi, she thought resignedly. At least that is totally "in".

Her eyes fell on one of the prizes and she gasped.

Its surface was smooth and sleek, catching the artificial lights of the park and using it to blast out its greatness. It was long, appeared rather heavy, and was a heart-wrenchingly beautiful cherry red. It gleamed at her enticingly, begging her, pleading her to win it and take it home with her to caress and hug and cuddle up with at night. The very sight of it brought tears to her eyes.

"A rocket launcher!" she cried out in glee, running over to press herself against its glass casing adorned with at least a dozen different locking devices to keep prying hands out. The man working at the booth watched her in amusement.

"No one has ever been able to win that," he pronounced expansively, looking rather pleased at the thought, since he, too, spent hours and hours staring at the wondrous creation.

"What do you have to do to win it?" Lulu asked curiously, a little taken aback by the girl's reaction.

The man shrugged, running a hand through his thinning hair and adjusting his glasses. "All you have to do is defeat the King of Games in a Duel."

Lulu looked blank. "Who and what?"

"Do you mean Duel Monsters?" Amathera asked excitedly, hand dropping down to feel the deck resting in her expensive Prada bag.

He nodded, grinning wickedly. "No one has ever been able to defeat the King of Games."

"Wait a minute," Lulu said, eyes narrowing. "King of Games…I remember that title from some time ago. Doesn't Mutou Yuugi hold that title?"

"Yes. Not even the great Kaiba Seto can defeat him." Amathera straightened and turned away from the case, her gaze determined. "I thought that boy in our class looked familiar. Seto told me all about him when I worked for his company. How did you get him to agree to work for you?"

The man fidgeted, looking uncomfortable. "Uhm…"

"No matter," Amathera declared, striking a pretty pose. "I accept your challenge, and I shall defeat this King of Games, for Seto!"

Lulu shook her head and giggled. This girl is too much.

The man practically shook with glee. "Come then," he said, gesturing expansively to a covered area just behind the booth. The girls exchanged a look and followed.

Seated inside of the covered area was Yami no Yuugi, looking very arrogant and self-assured and wearing more belts and buckles and chains than was healthy. As soon as his wide eyes fell upon Amathera, he jumped to his feet and prostrated himself before her.

"Wife!" he exclaimed happily, going so far as to kiss the ground. "You have finally returned to me!"

Amathera blinked and took several steps back, nearly bumping into a bemused Lulu. "Like, I don't know what you're talking about."

Yami no Yuugi straightened up, tears filling his eyes. "You don't remember!" he wailed, looking as if someone had just ripped his Dark Magician card in half. "No matter! When I finally regain my memories, I am sure you will, too!"

Lulu did not even try to follow his logic.

"Yeah, that's nice," the man said, fidgeting uncomfortably. "She is here to duel you."

Yami no Yuugi's eyes lit up. "A duel, huh?" he asked, suddenly looking very serious. "How strong are your dueling skills?" His voice seemed to have dropped several octaves, and his Millennium Puzzle gleamed in the fake torchlight permeating the small, covered area.

"I've dueled once or twice," Amathera said vaguely, reaching into her purse to touch her Millennium Pocket Watch. It sent a faint thrum of power through her fingers, and feeling reassured, she plucked out her deck.

A pair of crimson eyes watched from the shadows, intrigued by the feel of another Millennium Item.

Yami no Yuugi – who will henceforth be referred to as Yami for the benefit of all the dub-watching morons who think that is his name – nodded as if to himself. "Well then," he said dramatically as he swept back over to his chair, gesturing to the table in front of him. "Let's duel!"

The man giggled in delight and began shouting to the nearby crowd that the duel would soon commence. Within a few short moments, dozens of people crowded around to watch. One girl with short, dark hair and a lollypop stuck in her mouth glared viciously at Yami. Her companion – a slightly younger girl with long dark hair with blonde streaks – noticed the glare and poked her roughly.

Lulu reached out and gave Amathera's shoulder a squeeze. "You kick his butt, all right?"

Amathera blushed and nodded shyly, taking a seat across from Yami. They shuffled each other's decks, and then drew five cards.

"I'll go first," Amathera said quietly, gathering all of her scant wits about her. For some reason, she felt that this duel was very important for more than just winning that delicious rocket launcher. Or maybe it was the fact that so many people were watching. Maybe Tidus is watching right now!!!! I can't lose! "Draw!"

She looked at her hand. Not bad. D. D. Trainer (100/2000); Trap Hole; Feral Imp (1300/1400); Card Destruction; Drop Off; Illusory Gentleman (1500/1600).

"I place one card face down," she said, setting Trap Hole. "And I play D. D. Trainer in defense mode. End turn."

"Draw!" Yami examined his deck, face schooled to stillness. He seemed completely absorbed in the duel. "I place one card face down and play Celtic Guardian (1400/1200) in attack mode. End turn."

Amathera eyed his face down card warily. "Draw!" she exclaimed, breaking into a grin when she drew Cross Sacrifice. She set Drop Off and Cross Sacrifice face down and played Illusory Gentleman in attack mode.

"Illusory Gentleman, attack Celtic Guardian!" she exclaimed and smirked in satisfaction as Yami's life points decreased.

Yami: 3900

Amathera: 4000

"End turn," she said smugly. She knew that if Seto were watching, he would have been pleased that she had drawn first blood already. She practically squirmed in her seat with pleasure, her heart racing; she had to play well, since Lulu was watching.

"Kick his butt!" the lollypop girl cried out, waving her sticky treat in the air for emphasis. She opened her mouth to spout out more negative comments about the ancient Pharaoh but her companion smacked her soundly on the back of the head.

"Hush up, Silvie!" the younger girl said, eyes narrowed. "I'm trying to watch!"

Silvie pouted and stuck the candy back in her mouth.

"Draw!" Yami set a card and played Neo the Magic Swordsman (1700/1000) in attack mode. He then equipped the monster with the Book of Secret Arts, raising his attack power to 2000. Amathera watched in despair as her Illusory Gentleman was destroyed, remembering her face down Trap Hole too late.

Yami: 3900

Amathera: 3500

When he announced his turn end, Amathera drew again, nibbling on her lower lip; she hadn't gotten the card she needed yet. She eyed his monster – she had nothing on hand with which to fight it – and instead played Feral Imp in attack mode. A few of the watchers groaned at her mistake; she was dueling like a total newbie.

"My turn," Yami said wickedly, his frighteningly shiny eyes gleaming with evil intent. "You will know the pain of a punishment game once this is over and done with." And I will teach you how enjoyable pain is, my dear, as well as flowers and bunnies and aibou's lasagna.

"Punishment game?" she asked cluelessly, blinking her eyes prettily.

Yami just laughed. "Draw!" He looked pleased. "I play Giant Soldier of Stone (1300/2000) in defense and activate my magic card, Dian Keto the Cure Master! Now, Neo the Magic Swordsman! Attack her Feral Imp! End turn."

Yami: 4900

Amathera: 2800

"Damn, he really is good," one of the onlookers exclaimed, her eyes bright as she clutched at a sand-blonde Egyptian boy. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and noticed how intently he was watching the duel. She giggled half to herself and squeezed his waist, resting her head against his arm and turning her gaze back to the duelists.

Amathera felt about ready to cry as she drew her next card. When she caught sight of it, however, she immediately cheered. She would definitely impress Lulu now.

"I activate my spell card!" she exclaimed, flipping over one of her face down cards. "Cross sacrifice!"

"What?!" Yami exclaimed, jaw dropping.

"Yes!" the Egyptian boy hissed under his breath. "Summon something good and destroy him so that I can be Pharaoh! Then we can marry and rule the world, Jessica!" He threw back his head and laughed maniacally, though no one seemed to notice.

"I sacrifice both of your monsters to play this!" She slapped her trump card down onto the table. "Come forth, my Blue Eyes White Dragon (3000/2500)!"

"Blue Eyes White Dragon?!" Yami looked stunned. "But…there are only four of those in the world…"

"Seto gave me this one when I left Kaiba Corp.," Amathera said, tears filling her eyes at the memory of the sad parting. "He told me that this way, a part of him would always be with me, and one day I would use it well and make him proud."

Silvie gawked; this girl had worked for Kaiba Corp.?

"Seto…GAVE you that card?" Yami asked, vocalizing the question on everyone's lips. The fact that this girl apparently had Kaiba wrapped around her finger turned him on. She is definitely my ancient Egyptian Queen, there is no doubt about it! But how do I get her to remember our past?

"Tribute monsters cannot attack on the turn they are summoned, so I end my turn." She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her pert breasts, smirking cutely. She thought back to the day she had parted from Seto and he had given her his most prized card, and tears began to trickle down her cheeks, causing the crowd to sympathize with her situation, even though she had the superior monster on the field and was obviously much prettier and sparklier than her opponent, though he had more interesting hair.

Silvie smacked her forehead. "Oi."

A tall, dark-skinned girl pushed her way through the crowed and stared, gasping. "Amathera, is that you?!"

Amathera looked up, her gaze falling upon the girl. She was clad entirely in tight black leather, wearing stiletto heels and carrying a whip at her side. Her hair was done up in a high ponytail.

Amathera felt her heart flutter in shock.

"Blythe?!" she exclaimed, a hand covering her heaving bosom. She glanced at Lulu, who stood, arms folded, glaring at the newcomer.

Of all the times for her to show up… Amathera felt her head hit the table, and this time, she really did cry.