Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or anything related to it what-so-ever. The only characters in this fic that are truly mine are:

Lady Aurora Phoenix

Lady Natara Fear

Lady Sapphira Star

Dorian "Chaos"

Bryant "Havoc"

Sanura

Zahara

Adais

A/N: This is a fantasy as you can tell. It is part 2 to the Eternal Love fanfic that I ended a little while ago as it was getting to be too long. The story of the Pharaoh and his family is far from over however. His children are still around and they will incorporate themselves in the lives of little Yugi and his friends in one way or another. Fair warning, I am not one for writing out duels so you may not see a lot of them- barely any actually, as the fic is about the events that happened outside the duel arena. There will be some familiar scenes to fans of the show but most of those scenes will have a small twist or two in order for it to fit with the plot being laid out.

I understand many will not agree with a lot of what is written but that is why this is in the fantasy genera and not in just the general one. This is purely a concoction out of my own head and I am just going where the ideas lead me.

Just want to thank my faithful readers and reviewers again for continuing along on this little journey. DDCfreak, Atemu Fangurl, Ishizusan, Pastelblue, Luna Duskand mugen thank you all!

Pastelblue and Ryou: Yes, that was a smart move of his. and don't worry, Ryou... It isn't the kind of fighting you were afraid of. At least I don't thing it is... yet. (blushes) Yeah, Blue... There had to be a moment where they both get a little speachless (grins). Two people in love... took them long enough to act on it (laughs)... Don't kill Bakura just yet. I need him still for the Battle City section of the story (smiles).. There are some evils that even Ryou can't protect Zahara from, and her mother isn't always around. Her powers are no where near strong enough to go up againts the angry force of the evil Marik... (smacks forehead) There I go again with the sneak previews (hangs head and grins)

Luna Dusk: (sighs) I know the first one was sad... You know the saying, it gets worse before it gets better. But I have a happy ending planned. I am glad you liked the first part. Here's to hoping you like this second part as well. (smiles) Thank you for reading!

now for chapter 18

To Face The Darkness Within

"Realm of shadows, in this twilight hour, accept these souls and grant us power." The voices continued their chant in Zahara's head as she tossed and turned in her bed. She kept seeing visions of what looked like the darkened halls of the underground tombs and hidden rooms she and her siblings had been warned about as they grew up. There were hieroglyphics everywhere on the walls. The chanting seemed to get closer and closer as she made her way down the path.

"Must you criticize all my ideas," she heard Tristan hissing at someone. She stayed to the shadows as she crept closer. Her eyes widened as she found Tristan, Téa and Ryou peering around a corner at a bunch of robed figures. Two of the robed figures looked to be preparing for a duel.

"These are the ancient rituals Mother always spoke of!" She realized with a gasp. She was finally seeing something that had been lost long before she was old enough to remember it ever being done. As she got closer to the three spying the ritual as well, she realized they could not see or hear her. It struck her as odd that she had even found this place to begin with. "Is this a dream? A nightmare? Maybe a little of both," she added as she ducked back and the battle began.

"These guys are creeping me out," Ryou told the others as a stone tablet raised from the ground.

"There's a Blue Eye's on that Tablet," Tristan commented to no one in particular. Looking closely, Zahara realized he was right. Ryou shuddered.

"I don't like this, let's get out of here." Zahara realized there was more to his request then he let on. She could almost see the struggle beginning within him.

"But Yami banished the spirit to the Shadow Realm… unless…" Zahara looked around again at the darkness around them. It was very possible this had been a part of the Shadow Realm. If that was the case… "So that was how the spirit came back," she said with a sigh. Téa pointed ahead.

"Look there!" She told them softly. "It's that painting again. Who could she be?" Again? Zahara thought. Apparently, she must have stumbled on to what happened to them during their search. Something dealing with that painting of a beautiful, but frail looking woman. She watched as the other robed figure raised his hand to bring up another tablet.

"Those two look like they're dueling," Tristan commented. The second robed figure spoke as the first one's tablet crumbled to the ground.

"You lose," he said. The first one shouted as he disappeared and the three in front of Zahara gasped loud enough to be heard. All the robed figures turned to look at them.

"Oh no!" Ryou gasped as he prepared to flee. The robed figure removed his hood to reveal himself as Pegasus. He gave them all a chilling grin. Tristan seemed unphased by the white haired aristocrat. He stepped forward with a clenched fist.

"Where did that guy go?" he demanded.

"The Shadow Realm," Pegasus answered him simply.

"Oh, the Shadow Realm?" Téa asked, confused. "Not again!" Ryou grew still a moment. Zahara could almost feel the change in him. Using her ability to not be seen in this dream she hurried around them all to see his face from where Pegasus stood. She realized she had been correct. A closer look at Ryou's face saw the cold hard look had replaced the warmth of Ryou's eyes. The spirit had returned. But what he would do, she was not sure. She had to admit, she found herself surprised by his actions.

"This is how the Shadow Games were played thousands of years ago," Pegasus explained to them. Even Zahara found the lessons interesting. She had heard of them, but had never seen how they were played. "These rituals are what released the powers of the Shadow Realm. The powers that released the monsters to play. The loser loses their soul to it, and every soul I trap there increases my powers. You can't imagine the strength of my magic. Only one power eludes me. The power to control Life over Death!" He shrugged. "For that magic I must capture more souls. Souls like yours!" Tristan jumped back and made an attempt to cover Téa.

"He's gonna send us to the Shadow Realm!" he exclaimed.

"Please no!" Téa begged.

"It is your own fault. You can't honestly think I would let you escape after you have learned my secrets, can you?" Pegasus turned his look and Eye on Ryou. "And my dear Bakura, your capture will do more than just strengthen my shadow powers, for I shall also gain control of your Millennium Ring!" Zahara watched as Ryou took a step back in fear. At least at first. She could sense the darkness stirring and knew it would emerge soon. Pegasus laughed as he prepared his attack. Zahara cringed as she heard Téa cry out. Suddenly, the laughter stopped. She looked around to see a shocked look on Pegasus' face.

"What's this!" She turned to follow his gaze and gasped as the Millennium Ring appeared around Ryou's neck. The laughter she heard then, made her blood run cold and all she could do was stare at the change in Ryou as Bakura's spirit made himself known.

"Change of plans, old man," Bakura told him with a smirk.

"This can't be!" Pegasus exclaimed. "I sense a dark soul within your Ring!" The Ring began to glow brightly, matching Pegasus' Eye. Bakura growled as he unleashed the full power of his Ring, causing Tristan and Téa to jump back and shield their eyes.

"You may indeed sense me now, Pegasus, but you won't remember any of this later!" He promised them. The light grew brighter still and Zahara could no longer see. But she heard the dreadful voice as he uttered the command of his Power. "Erase their minds!" The room faded from her vision and she sat upright in bed.

"So that was how he came back," she whispered again. "Oh, Ryou! I should have been there. I should have gone with you." Tears fell from her eyes again as she flopped back down on her bed, her face buried in her pillow. "Please forgive me for not being there, Ryou. I will be there next time. Oh, Ra, please help him. Help me to help him." The sunlight began to pour into her window and she lifted her head, blinking in the light. Her blue eyes red from her tears, which made them even more sensitive than they normally were. Slowly, she stood and made her way to the window, placing her hands on the ledge.

"He erased their minds. They won't remember what happened last night. Does that mean that Ryou won't remember?"

"Remember what?" She jumped at his soft voice at her door. She spun around, her hands instantly going to her hair and lightly brushing her face. She knew her eyes had not had time to calm from her torrent of tears, but she could not do anything about that now. She had to come up with some other reason for her tears. So once again, she found herself lying.

"Nothing, my mind is just overworked, that is all." He looked at her strangely as he rubbed his head, then his chest.

"I wish I could remember what I did last night. My chest and head both hurt like I was hit by a truck." She arched an eyebrow at him for a moment.

So he doesn't remember being at the wrong end of Mother's attack last night. Then that means he really doesn't know, she confirmed to herself. She forced herself to move toward him. Carefully she wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled at him. She wanted to get his mind off the soreness before he began to ask too many questions. "Come on, let's go get something to eat before everyone has to meet for the tournament." That brought the reaction she was hoping for. His aches and pains were forgotten with the promise of a meal. Together they started into the hall. They stopped only when Aurora appeared before them.

"Forgive me, Ryou, but I need to speak with Zahara a moment." He nodded and Zahara stayed behind while he walked in ahead of her.

"What is it, Mother? What more could you possibly say to me to make this worse? I already can't tell him the spirit returned. He was already upset enough with the mere idea of it returning. And if you say 'I told you so' I am going to scream." She knew she was speaking out of turn, but she did not care. She had been through enough over the years and she no longer felt she could take any more. Here was the boy she cared deeply for fighting the hardest struggle of his life and there was very little to absolutely nothing she could do to help, aside from just risking her life by staying by his side.

"Calm down, Zahara. I am not going to come down on you. I understand you had no idea. There was no real way you could have known. It is my fault. I should have prepared you better. I had no idea we would come across the Ring. But I should have. I should have warned you." Aurora placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders before pulling her into a hug when she saw the tears filling her eyes again.

"Mother, I don't know what to do. I made a promise to him that he would not have to face this alone. I can't go back on it. He needs to know he has someone he can turned to. Someone who knows his secret and won't push him away in rejection or fear. Mother…" She could not speak anymore as she fought against her emotions. Aurora pulled back and hushed her daughter.

"It will be alright. You will get through this, and somehow we will help Ryou get through this as well. We do still have watch him around Pegasus and Yugi, though. Bakura's top priority will be to gather the items no matter what. But Ryou still has a part of himself. You can help him maintain that part so he can still survive this fate." She paused a moment as Zahara nodded sadly. "Actually, though, that was not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"It wasn't?" Zahara asked, looking up at her mother.

"No, it wasn't. I saw you do something last night I wanted to ask you about. I watched you heal the wound on Ryou's palm with a kiss. When did you discover the power of healing?"

"The power of…" Zahara looked at her, confused for a moment. "Is that what it was? Something inside me just took over. It was like a need. I felt this extra energy burning to be released."

"That was what it was. Zahara, how long have you been able to do this?" She hung her head.

"That was my first time healing if that is what you're asking. But I have been having strange sensations. And I had a vision last night. A past vision. I saw when Bakura came back."

"When? When did vision happen?"

"Just before the sun rose. It woke me. Mother, it was horrible. I was in what looked like a burial ground. A tomb. Men in robes were dueling with the ancient tablets you told us about. Téa, Tristan, and Ryou were there. But they weren't alone. One of the robed men was Pegasus. He told them his opponent had been sent to the Shadow Realm. That because of what they saw, they would go as well. He couldn't see me. None of them could. It was as if I was taking part in one of their nightmares. And then he told Ryou he would be taking the Millennium Ring as well as his soul. Suddenly Ryou's eyes grew cold. Empty. A sneer was on his face. Pegasus reacted badly to him. He called him, 'a dark soul'. Bakura erased their minds so they would not remember. Ryou has no idea that Bakura is back. He doesn't remember being near your room. Doesn't understand why he is so sore this morning. He has no idea, you sent him flying through your door. Mother, what were you thinking? You could have killed him!" Suddenly, she shoved herself away from her mother.

"That was not my intention. Bakura came to me. He threatened you, your safety. My first instinct was to stop him before he could make good on his threat. Ryou is only lucky that Bakura was in control of his body at that time. Or yes, it would have killed him. He knew just what to say to get my reaction. You, your sister, and brother are all I have left of your father. I can't… I won't let anyone harm you. Zahara, you have to believe me, I never would have harmed Ryou. But I do hope you remain wary of him. Please be careful." Zahara regretted the harshness of her tone when she saw tears in her mother's eyes. She had not meant to sound the way she had. She lowered her head.

"I know, Mother. I am sorry for my reaction. I understand you were only trying to protect me. Now please, trust me. I will be okay. Somehow I will keep my promise to both you and Ryou." She paused and brought her hand to her face to wipe away a stray tear. "I have to go, Mother. He will worry. He is already concerned that you do not like him. He is worried I will turn my back on him if you ask me to. I cannot do that."

"I would not think to ask that of you. I understand. Good luck, and be careful. I will see you in the main hall." Zahara nodded and watched her mother walk away before entering the dining hall to join Ryou who was seated with Joey, Tristan, Téa and Mai. Yugi had not appeared. This worried Zahara and she made a mental note to check on him after the meal.

She was not alone in that thought however as they all gathered in front of the door leading to the upper level that over looked the dueling arena. With no sign of their shorter friend, they all agreed to go looking for him. They walked silently down the hall their rooms were in and stopped in front of his door. Téa reached up and lightly tapped on it to announce their presence. They did not wait for an answer. Joey turned the knob and walked in with a smile on his face when he saw Yugi sitting on a couch in his room.

"Hey, Yugi!" Téa called out happily.

"Hey, guy" Yugi said to them. Zahara noted the tired look in his eyes and wondered if he had managed to get any sleep at all after she had left the spirit with her mother . She also saw slight fear and concern in his eyes. He was worried about something. She guessed it had something to do with the duel. She would not have been surprised. With his faith shaken and at least two more duels to face ahead of him before going head to head with Pegasus, that would be enough for anyone to be concerned. Ryou shut the door behind them as they all entered.

"Aren't you ready yet?" Téa asked Yugi. "You're gonna be late." Joey added more salt to the hidden wound.

"And if you're late, he'll disqualify you right outta the tournament." Yugi nodded and there was a flash of golden light as Yami appeared before them. He would be dueling in Yugi's place, but Yugi would be calling the shots. He was bound and determined not to let the spirit get out of control this time. He would not allow the spirit to take any unnecessary risks. Zahara looked at Yami and noticed a sadness in his eyes mixed in with the determination he was feeling.

He is still feeling the guilt over the duel he had against Kaiba! She realized with a start. He knows he is being held back, yet he is still here to help Yugi play. At least Yugi will not be alone in the arena. I just hope Yugi will allow his help. He will need it. She could not help the smile that curved her lips when Yami donned Yugi's school uniform jacket, wearing it as he would have worn a cape or cloak back in his time as Pharaoh.

"Let's go," he told them. The seriousness back in his tone, and a fierce look replacing most the sadness in his eyes. He was ready. He lead the way out of the room and into the hall. Zahara could not help but wonder if this was something that just came natural to him. She also noticed that he had decided to put his arms into the sleeves of the jacket as well, wearing it the way it was supposed to be worn. She wondered if that was Yugi's doing in his mind. She looked ahead to see Mai and Bandit Keith standing at the door to the upper level platform by the time they arrived.

"We will be watching you from here," Tristan told Yami and Joey. "Only duelists are allowed on the duelist platform."

"I'm so proud of you guys!" Téa told them with her brightest smile. Zahara met Yami's eyes and nodded her head with great respect as she flashed a smile of her own to him. She was surprised when he returned the smile. But nodded as well.

"Good luck you two," Ryou offered to them before Yami and Joey split from their group to head toward the dueling platform. The doors were open on the upper level and so the group made sure to find the spot with the best view of the arena. Zahara leaned against the balcony ledge and peered over and down at the arena. She involuntarily sighed as she tried to stifle a yawn and a shiver.

"Are you cold?" Ryou asked her as he came up beside her. She shrugged.

"Not really. More tired than cold. I didn't sleep well last night."

"Any idea why?"

"Seems I inherited my mother's ability to have visions. I had a couple that kept me up last night. But not of the future. The past."

"Remembering what your life had been like back in Egypt?"

Not exactly, she thought. But she nodded her response as a yes to him before turning her tired eyes back on the field.

"I take it the memories weren't good."

"To say the least," she answered truthfully. All talking ended as the doors to the arena opened and Mai, Keith, Joey, and Yami entered the room together. Croquet appeared near one of two chairs placed on another ledge near the arena. This was where Pegasus was to sit and oversee the duels as they proceeded. They wondered who would dare to sit near him.

"And your host, Mr. Maxemillion Pegasus," Croquet announced. Pegasus arrived and stood beside the chairs, his most arrogant look in his eye. Zahara realized he had no idea what happened last night, just like the others. Either that or he had learned to cover fear really well.

"Yugi, Joey, Mai, and Bandit Keith, I welcome all of you to the playoff arena," Pegasus told them as he moved to stand in front of his chair. "Here is where the championship will be decided. Only one of you can be victorious. Only one will win the three million dollar prize. And then that victor will have earned the right to challenge me in the final match." He was interrupted by Tristan and Zahara felt the sudden urge to deck the taller boy to shut him up.

"Well isn't that special," he sneered. "And what does the play off winner get if he defeats you in the duel?" Zahara had to admit, she had been wondering the answer to that herself. Her urge to hit him subsided and she relaxed slightly.

"The victor will be granted one request," Pegasus told him. "Whatever his, or her, heart desires. And if it is within my vast power to do so, their wish shall be granted. The victor will also be declared the undisputed Duel Monsters Champion; Ranked number one in the world." Tristan blinked.

"Number one in the world?" He breathed in disbelief. Mai looked smug down there beside the other duelists.

"That title will be mine," she told them, confidently. Keith grinned as Joey and Yami pretended not to hear her as they focused their attention on more important matters in their minds. Pegasus' face took on his typical amused look.

"Surely any duelist who has come this far realizes that it is the title and not the money that is the real prize here." Keith laughed without humor.

"You're a real comedian," he told the smug host.

"You listen here," Joey shouted over at him. "The money is all I need for my sister's operation!"

"Yes, yes," Pegasus said dismissively. "I am sure some of you have more riding on this than others, isn't that right, Yugi?" Zahara's face matched the glare in Yami's eyes but they were not alone. Aurora appeared just then and stood beside him.

"That's enough Pegasus," she warned him. Zahara arched an eyebrow when it appeared that Pegasus had actually shied away from her mother. Yami was deep in thought and did not respond, though it seemed he had noticed the change in Pegasus as well. Aurora stood and faced the duelists for a moment before bowing her head and taking her seat. Pegasus regained his composure enough to face them again.

"All right, then, let's get this duel started shall we? I wish you good fortune in your endeavor."

"Like they need any thing that comes from you," Aurora muttered with a sly smirk as she noticed his fist clench beside her. Zahara could not mistake the sneaky look in her mother's eye and wished she could have heard what she had said to Pegasus. He seemed to ignore her as he continued.

"Now shuffle your decks and let the games begin!" He took his seat and leaned over to Aurora. "Watch yourself dear, it is unwise to speak to me in that manner." She leaned over to him as well and whispered her response.

"Idle threats, Pegasus. Idle threats." She winked at him, earning a growl before turning her attention toward the arena where Mai and Yami had taken their places as the first match was preparing to take place. Joey and Keith made their way to join the others on the upper level. Well, Keith stayed away from the group and lounged in a couch distance away form them. Joey nearly knocked Téa and Tristan over as he busted between them on the balcony so he could see the duel.

"Before the duel begins, the duelists must show me their entry cards," Croquet informed them. Yami and Mai nodded and produced their cards. Mai held out the Glory of the King's Hand while Yami showed his Glory of the King's Opposite Hand. "Both cards qualify and the duel shall now begin." As they prepared to duel, a small struggle had begun on the balcony as Tristan and Téa recovered from Joey's intrusion between them.

"Hey!" Tristan shouted.

"What's with you, Joey?" Ryou asked, giving him an odd look. Zahara just shook and hung her head before sighing and crossing her arms over her chest and looking down.

"What?" Joey shrugged. "I just want da best view of da action," he told them. "Go Yuge! Wipe her out, man!" Joey cheered down at his friend. Zahara noticed that Yami seemed to not be paying attention to anything being said around him. His eyes gave away the inner struggle he was facing. Fear had slipped into those crimson eyes as well. She wondered just what was going through his mind. Her powers were no where near fine tuned enough to peer into another's mind and see what they were thinking though. So she did not even bother to try. Instead she just sighed and watched as the game began.

Turning her attention to Mai, she realized the woman was also deep in thought. Yami drew his first hand and stood ready to begin.

"Here I come, Hot Shot!" Mai shouted over to Yami. He looked up at her, ready.

"Right!" The duel began and everyone's eyes were glued to the arena. Mai drew her first card and looked hard at it. Yami chuckled at her, causing her to look up at him. "If you're planning to play honorably, you can't try your psychic act on me, like you tried on Joey." Mai smiled.

"Uh-uh, no tricks this time, Yugi," she promised. "I'm not all smoke and mirrors. I don't need my tricks to duel with the best of them." With that she made her first move: Harpy Lady in attack mode. Zahara frowned.

"She always uses that opening move," Tristan commented.

"Nothin' to worry about. Yugi knows what's comin'. He has seen Mai's Harpy Lady in action like a billion times already. It's nothin' new to him by now," Joey told him. Mai placed a second card face down and ended her turn. Yami drew and called Gaia the Fierce Knight to the field to attack Harpy Lady. Zahara's eyes widened when she noticed the smirk on Mai's face. She started forward to say something, but kept her mouth shut upon realizing the warning would be too late. Gaia attacked only to the attacked reflected back at him by her Mirror Wall. The Knight was drained to half its power. With Yami's turn done, Mai equipped her Harpy Lady with her Cyber Shield. With the new armor, Harpy Lady attacked Gaia, destroying him.

"He's gone!" Yami gasped in shock. Zahara closed her eyes. She opened them again to see Aurora watching the duel with her chin rested on her hand. She did not seem bored, but she did not seem to be impressed with the duel either. Looking closer, she realized her mother was not even paying attention to the duel. She was watching Yami. Boredom was not in her eyes. Concern was, as well as confusion. Zahara closed her eyes again, trying to focus on him. That was when she sensed the struggle again. Yami and Yugi were still fighting each other. Yami begging for Yugi to trust him and Yugi stubbornly refusing. She had concentrated so much on the sensations that she had missed the couple of plays. She was thrown back into the game when Mai challenged Yami's worthiness as an opponent.

"Are you saying I'm not worthy?" he asked her.

"Not today, your body may be here in this arena, but your head and your heart have split for parts unknown. It's actually a real let down, Yugi." Yami growled his response. Frustrated with the knowledge that she was right and there was little he could do about it with Yugi holding him back.

"You're questioning my fighting spirit as well?"

"Bingo," she told him. Zahara noticed the smug look was gone from the older woman's face. "Seems to be you still have yet to recover from the lose Kaiba dealt you in your last duel." Yami stood back, stunned. "Get over it, Yugi. I want to battle someone at his best. I am your opponent now. I am not here to duel someone afraid of his own shadow. If you don't straighten up, I will be taking you out of this tournament." Yami straightened but Zahara could tell he was still reeling form the shock of Mai's words.

"You don't understand, Mai. It isn't about Kaiba at all!" Pegasus' laughter brought all eyes to him. Aurora sat up in her cheer to look at him out of the corner of her eye. A warning glance that Zahara knew all too well. Pegasus heeded the warning and kept his thoughts to himself.

"Whatever it is, get over it," Mai went on when it was obvious Pegasus was not about to go on. "This duel is mine."

"Sorry, but I can't let you win, Mai."

"Let me win? Hon, keep playing the way you are and there won't be a single thing you can do to stop me. I promised you an honorable duel and I thought you would give me the same. So what is it, Yugi? Are you going to come back to the game, or are you going to just give up on me?" Tristan growled up on the balcony.

"She's even more obnoxious when she's winning," he commented in an annoyed tone.

"Don't listen to her, pal!" Joey shouted down. Téa was lost in thought. She gasped when Zahara actually voiced her thoughts allowed.

"She is trying to help him, not hurt him," she told them softly. She did not look over while she spoke. She kept her gaze on the arena.

"What do you mean, Zahara?" Ryou asked her.

"You will see." Yami looked up at Mai, his frustration clearly evident on his face.

"Believe me, Mai, I am giving all I can." Zahara nodded. Yugi still won't let him play to his max potential. Come on, Yugi. Trust in him. You have to. "I promise you Mai, I am not about to lose this duel. Now, your move." He offered a smile to try to prove he was really ready, but Zahara felt the hesitation in his spirit.

Mai took her turn to only sweep his face down trap card away with her Harpy's Feather Duster. Yami scowled as he realized his Spellbinding Circle would not be of used to him anymore after that move. "I just may teach you a few things about the game before it is all over," she told him. Again, Zahara watched Yami with all the concentration she had as she sensed the struggle beginning again.

Yugi, please, don't continue to hold him back, she whispered with her mind. She was not sure if she could be heard. She knew that Bakura could read her thoughts, and that at least Yami could sense them. She did not want to over step her boundaries. So she did not push too hard. A slight suggestion she did not think would hurt. She sensed a small ripple of shock, and she stepped back.

"What is it?" Ryou asked, as he placed a hand on her arm. She shook her head.

"Just wishing I could help. But Yugi really has to learn this lesson. If he doesn't learn it soon, the duel will be over." He nodded in agreement. Their attention returned to the duel with Mai's next question.

"Just why are you dueling, Yugi?" Zahara frowned. What kind of question is that at a time like this?

"I'm dueling for my grandpa, Mai," he responded in a dark voice. Joey took Mai's attention up to him in the balcony.

"He isn't just dueling for himself, Mai. And neither am I. Some people actually have other people and more important reasons to duel!"

"That's what you say, but something tells me your motives could possibly not be entirely unselfish."

"You saying we are more like you? I think I can do that." Zahara groaned inwardly and sighed as Joey went on with his impression of Mai during their first duel. She heard a few snickers, so she gathered at least some of them thought it was humorous, but she just was not in the mood for humor. Joey had been so caught up in his impression and emotional outburst of anger at Mai that he lost his balance and began to fall over the edge. Ryou and Tristan grabbed him, yanking him back over the edge while Téa lit into him.

"Will you control yourself?" Mai watched them silently for a moment. As did Yami. His eyes were narrowed in thought as he pondered the meaning behind Mai's words. He covered his thinking by staring back down at his cards. He ended the spat between Mai and Joey by making his turn, calling the Dark Magician in defense mode. He ended his turn and Mai drew her next card. Her play rocked Yami's body with shock again as the Dark Magician stood from his defense position, switching to attack. She explained that her Shadow of Eyes draws men into battle. He was no longer going to be able to place his monsters into defense mode either. Her next card eliminated his mirror Force trap card as well leaving his Magician open to her next attack.

"The Dark Magician never stood a chance with that combo attack," Zahara whispered. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Come on. You are better than this. I know you could have seen that coming if you were playing you best. Three hundred life points are all you have left. You have to turn this around!" She had kept her voice soft enough that she hoped no one would hear. She did not realize that someone was able to hear her every thought, and her every whispered word. So intent on the duel, she never saw the smirk that passed Ryou's lips before returning back to normal. She did catch him rubbing his chest slightly out of the corner of her eye. "Ryou?"

"Huh?" He looked over and then down at her gaze where she was watching his hand pass over the tenderness of his chest.

"Still sore?"

"A little. Still wish I knew what happened." He sighed and dropped his hand. She said nothing as she turned back to the match. Yami was showing signs of his strain. The tension was beginning to get to him. She began to wonder if he would be able to make it through or if he would crack under the pressure of the match.

Aurora watched Yami just as hard as Zahara had been. Her thoughts distracted by the laughter Pegasus had at the duelist's expense. She arched her eyebrow at him and repositioned herself in her chair. She knew Pegasus' thoughts about Yugi and the Puzzle. She could sense the pleasure he was getting out of this. It made her want to do something, anything to teach him a small lesson. Unfortunately, she could not think of anything at the moment. So she returned her gaze to the field where an odd look crossed over Yami's face. Mai had been talking about the lesson she had learned from her loss against Joey. She admitted she had relied on her tricks because she was afraid to face things. Afraid to face herself as a duelist and more. Her lesson was to face what she was fearing, deal with it and move forward. Not to let it hold her back anymore. Her words were what Yugi needed to hear. Yami's eyes reflected that.

"You've really changed, Mai," Yami told her with admiration in his voice. Mai looked up at Joey.

"Do you know how you made it all the way to the final round of this tournament?"

"I made it because I have my friends here cheering me on and telling me I can go all the way!" Joey boasted proudly.

"That's very true, they have always been there for you. But you also managed to look inside yourself and have the guts to own up to what you found in there. You faced your demons and dealt with them. You never let them control you. You became stronger because of that. That's the lesson we all need to learn. You taught me to face the fears I had. Not to ignore them and hope they went away." Yami looked down at his duelist panel, lost in his head again. Her words hitting him to the very core of his soul. Mai gave him another hard look. "So, Yugi. Are you ready to face your demons? Or will you continue to hide away from them?"

Aurora continued to watch him carefully. Willing him to heed Mai's words. She knew that Mai had been secretly trying to help him since the duel started. She had to admit, she admired the blonde's ways and her words. She had once thought Mai to be nothing more than a selfish, arrogant woman who was out for no one but herself. From parts of duels she had seen Mai in, the woman had actually almost said as much. But her choice of words that morning were very elegantly spoken. Now the choice was up to Yugi. He had to be the one to see the words for what they were worth. He had to face his spirit in his mind and come to terms with what had happened in the past. Then and only then, could they move forward and complete the fate bestowed upon them. Eventually a smile appeared on Yami's face.

"Thank you, Mai for reminding me that a true duelist has to face his problems. This time, I will no longer be holding back." Aurora sat up with a sigh and a grin. The look on his face told her that this time he spoke the truth. The battle she had been sensing seemed to have come to an end. Yami and Yugi were ready to face this challenge together.

"Pegasus, be ready to see a change in the tides. This duel is far from over. And he is far from beaten." She heard his frustrated moan as his lips turned to a frown.

"Must you ruin all my fun?" She giggled softly.

"But of course, my day wouldn't be complete unless I have ruined at least one of your plans." Her smile faded and she turned to face him. "I told you, you would regret this. You refused to listen. Now you will see a taste of just what Yugi can do with that Puzzle. So I hope you're paying attention, Pegasus. Close attention."

"Believe me, Ms. Hart, I shall be."

Well, that is for the beginning of that duel... the next one will continue it. As well begin to open up a few new ideas to the story... There is one character that hasn't been spoken about too often since arriving on Duelist Kingdon... Can't leave characters hanging in nothingness now can we ? (grins) Hope you guys liked! Will get started on the next chapter shortly.