And thus the final duel of the Preliminaries is held. If anyone knows the show, you're not going to be surprised by who wins. If you haven't watched the show? I will again remind you to go watch the show before returning to read this fanfic.

Seto Kaiba vs Ishizu Ishtar, and Ishizu can foresee the cards played in this duel... more on that at the end.

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

One more thing: For those that do not know, my general writing style is rewriting canon, changing dialogue to fit my ideas of a story. So if I'm skipping a bunch of dialogue, it's because of who I'm focusing on and how much I want to rattle through the duels themselves, since Dialogue is actually 60 percent of these episodes. I write under the assumption you have seen the show before, so if you haven't, why are you reading this beforehand?

(Chapter Begin)

(Recap)

Marik, after giving Mai plenty of opportunity to summon Ra, took his turn. He summoned Holding Legs, which bounced Gravity Bind back to Mai's hand, before using both it and Holding Arms to pin Mai against the Ancient Tablet of Udjat, which held the Symbol of the Millennium Items. He then began his version of the Ancient Chant to unlock Ra in all it's glory.

Since Ra wasn't overcome with anger, Maria resisted the urge to fall to her knees before Ra this time. But she did bow her head both to look away from Mai and to give reverence to Ra all the same. She did raise her head again once she heard Joey's voice as he jumped onto the Duel Platform in an attempt to help Mai. Maria's eyes widened as Joey managed to get through to Mai, reawakening her memory of him.

'No way,' thought Maria, having never felt so impressed by someone before, 'Joey managed to counter the Rod's Magic again!? Not just for himself, but now for Mai too!? Just how much favor does Joey have with Lord Ra?'

Just then, as Ra fired its Blaze Cannon, Yami jumped up and protected both Joey and Mai from the direct flames. Maria felt her heart clinch, but kept her will strong. She had to remind herself why she was standing next to Seto Kaiba and not up there with her former best friend. She knew he would survive this, but she did pull out a card and stepped forward towards the edge of the dueling ring. She held up the card and, in combination with the Shadow Realm and her own Magical Reserves, she called upon Dian Keto The Cure Master to heal Yami before the Shadows faded. Maria felt the drain, but stood tall, knowing she did right.

Marik glared at her before freezing Joey in place and approached Mai, using his Rod to send her mind to the Shadow Realm. Maria immediately called a Medical team to transport Mai to her room to get her on Life Support, since she technically is unconscious and wouldn't wake up any time soon.

Maria stayed as Yami and friends went with the Medical Team to make sure Mai was looked after. She turned to Seto, who looked back, but said nothing. He had once asked her who she chose, and she answered him. Seto had not said anything because the current events had not yet led Seto and Yami to duel yet. He had been gracious enough to allow Maria to help Yami from time to time, especially since he knew it would lead to a duel between them. So he was patient, planning ahead for his next duel even though the immediate next duel had yet to happen. Soon, the time would come for everyone to know Obelisk up close and personal.

(Recap End)

A Familiar sight was found before Maria as she went into Mai's room, only this time, Mai was on the bed, her Soul in the Shadow Realm. Maria felt terrible. With the Millennium Ring, she could help Mai out, but unfortunately, the Ring was out of her reach for some reason. She left the room to return to the top of the ship, where Kaiba was waiting for his opponent. Minutes later, Yugi and his friends, minus Serenity, showed up shortly before Kaiba's opponent, which was revealed to be Ishizu. Ishizu and Kaiba conversed a bit, revealing the truth about the tournament to Yugi and his friends. Kaiba was steadfast in his denials until Ishizu brought up an unexpected subject.

"Is it not true you hired Maria based on the fact that she was not a fan of Yugi, or rather the Pharaoh?" pointed out Ishizu.

"She was the best fit for the job. Being a fangirl of Yugi's is a disqualification. Most wanted to work for me to get a chance to meet Yugi. That's not a reason to seek employment," replied Kaiba, giving a legitimate answer while dodging the truth of the subject.

"Ishizu, just start the duel already," spoke up Maria, rolling her eyes at the insinuation.

(AN1)

Ishizu said nothing, but complied as the duel started.

Kaiba: 4000

Ishizu: 4000

"Seto, it doesn't matter what she knows. What matters is what you decide to do," advised Maria, as Seto drew his first card.

Kaiba said nothing, but noted what she said as he summoned Vorse Raider and set Crush Card Virus facedown. Ishizu summoned Keldo in defense mode and then played a powerful spell to change things up: Michizure of Doom, sending two cards from each of their hands to the GY and shuffling the remaining cards in their hands for new ones. Kaiba lost Polymerization and Kaiser Glider while Ishizu lost Monster Reborn and Revival Magic. She ended her turn there.

Kaiba drew Shrink and attacked Keldo, destroying it. He then set Shrink facedown, ready to destroy Ishizu's Monsters.

Maria glanced over at Yami who caught her eye. Neither of them said anything, but both knew this duel wasn't going to be straightforward. They turned back to the duel to see Ishizu summon Mudora and added in the Sword of Dogra to give Mudora enough attack points to destroy Vorse Raider.

Kaiba smirked as he activated Shrink and Crush Card Virus which, at the cost of Vorse Raider and some life points, destroyed all of Ishizu's monsters that were 1500 Atk or higher from her field hand and deck.

Kaiba: 4000-2950

"Looks like you lost a lot of power there," commented Kaiba, smirking in arrogance, "Pretty sure you need powerful monsters to win a duel."

"I don't need Powerful Monsters to win this duel," countered Ishizu, "You're going to do that for me. But, until such a time comes, I'll stop your counterattack with Swords of Revealing Light!"

"So let me get this straight, in a duel where you win, you have to stall?" questioned Kaiba, "Not much of a strategy."

"It's not stalling. I am merely playing the cards fate says I play," rebutted Ishizu.

"Oh come off it, Ishizu," groaned Maria, "I'm pretty sure we don't need to hear the word 'fate' a hundred times today, since we basically already have by this point. I would ask that you keep the word 'fate' to yourself for the remainder of this duel."

(AN2)

Ishizu just huffed and set another card facedown before ending her turn. Kaiba drew and summoned Dark Gremlin in defense mode and set a card of his own facedown. Ishizu drew and passed the turn, while Kaiba did the same. They repeated this process two more times with little difference, allowing Kaiba to have Dark Gremlin attack Ishizu directly.

Ishizu: 4000-2400

Kaiba: 2950

Kaiba then moved to his Main Phase 2 and activated Virus Cannon, sending all Spell cards in Ishizu's hand and deck to the GY. Ishizu didn't have any Spell cards in her hand, but she did have a number of Spell cards that were now in the GY. Unfortunately for him, Ishizu had an answer. As Kaiba ended his turn, Ishizu activated Exchange of the Spirit. By paying 1000 LP, Ishizu and Kaiba were forced to switch their decks and the cards in their graveyards. Ishizu gained back all the cards Kaiba forced her to get rid off; however, Kaiba had only sent six cards to the GY, leaving him with those same six cards as his deck.

Ishizu: 2400-1400

Kaiba was stunned. He had no words. Everything he did in this duel had just been flipped back on him by a single card. It didn't matter anymore if he had Obelisk. He had no way to summon it on his own. He wanted to use Obelisk to win against Ishizu and it was next to impossible now. He couldn't believe how much of a disadvantage he had now. His chances of winning were next to nothing.

Maria knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help but use her Magic Sight to see more than what the others could. She immediately felt the drain wear away at her after using it so much in the past couple of hours but she endured as she got a closer look at what was before her. There was a barrier surrounding Kaiba, not one related to the cards being used, as if it was preventing Kaiba from winning the duel. This is the fate Ishizu saw. She shouldn't be able to see this, but it would explain why her reserves were draining her faster now. Turning off her sight, she caught her self and her breath as Kaiba finally regained some form of composure. He set his now six card deck in his deck slot, sending all other cards not in his hand or on the field into the GY as Ishizu took her next turn.

(AN3)

"Things seem to be going as I predicted. Do you believe me now?" smirked Ishizu, taking a bit of personal joy in wrecking Kaiba's day. Sure, she foresaw this duel many times thanks to her Millennium Necklace, but it didn't diminish the satisfaction she felt in the current moment, "You will lose this duel, and Obelisk will be your undoing. I summon Keldo in attack mode. I'll set one card facedown and end my turn."

Seto took a deep breath as Mokuba rushed in, worried for his brother.

"Seto, what happened!?" asked Mokuba.

"I miscalculated. Something I won't do again," replied Kaiba, trying to stay focused, "Have you completed the translation yet?"

"We're still working on the last line," informed Mokuba, "It won't be long now."

"Now who's stalling... Kaiba," said Ishizu, though people could hear a bit of a teasing tone underneath.

Kaiba grumbled before he drew his card.

"If I'm not mistaken, you just drew Virus Cannon," said Ishizu, to which Kaiba glared a most loathsome glare, "I'll take that silent glare as a yes. Play it, if you dare."

"Oh I DARE ALRIGHT!" exploded Kaiba in anger, he could still win this, but his window was incredibly slim and one misplay would cost him the duel, "I PLAY VIRUS CANNON!"

"And I will negate that with Muko," replied Ishizu calmly as she did just that by activating her facedown.

Muko negated Virus Cannon and it returned to the GY again in quick succession.

"So, do you still doubt the power of my Millennium Necklace?" queried Ishizu, "After all, it has predicted every move so far in this duel."

"It doesn't matter how many times you imagined this duel's end. It's not over until the last card is played!" countered Kaiba, ending his turn, a backup plan forming in his head.

Ishizu drew and summoned Zolga, destroying Dark Gremlin, leaving Kaiba's only option to summon Obelisk is to sacrifice three of Ishizu's monsters and no less. Ishizu followed up with an attack by Keldo before setting a card and ending her turn.

Kaiba: 2950-2850-1350

Seto drew his card, but Ishizu immediately activated another copy of Muko, forcing him to discard it immediately. Seto felt the pressure of the duel getting to him, until he remembered Soul Exchange. He set that card facedown and ended his turn.


Serenity was sitting with Mai, praying that she recover from her duel with Marik when she heard a voice.

"Serenity, Seto needs help," came the voice, "My beloved's reincarnation is denying his true self, obsessed with using Obelisk that he has blinded himself to the bond between us. Please, go to him and remind him who has always been there for him."

"I will," replied Serenity, feeling the presence join with her and she made her way to the elevator. She could only hope to make it in time.


Ishizu drew her final card. She summoned Akido and set her last card facedown, prompting Kaiba to trigger Soul Exchange, summoning Obelisk, leaving Ishizu to end her turn.

Maria frowned. If Kaiba was supposed to lose as Ishizu predicted, then her final card was the one that won it for her. If not, she could have just attacked for game with Zoldo or Keldo, as they each had enough attack to win the game. Something didn't feel right. Kaiba was always obsessed with reclaiming his title as the best duelist in the world, but to tunnel vision on Obelisk so thoroughly felt off to her. She didn't have a problem with it before now, because Seto had a strong deck, but in this situation, using Obelisk felt like a pipe dream that only came true because his opponent allowed it. She didn't have to dwell on it for very long as Kaiba drew his final card, ready to attack with Obelisk for game.

"That time has come. I knew I would defeat you Ishizu, and now I will with the very card you gave me!" called out Kaiba, grinning like a madman, raising his hand, ready to make the declaration to end the duel.

"SETO!" called out an echoing voice... make that two voices.

Everyone turned to see the Elevator opening once more and a fierce looking Serenity with glowing Blue Eyes walked out, the wind of the altitude completing her attention gathering look.

"After all these years of loyalty, you choose now to betray me?" questioned Serenity, her voice still echoing as before, "I'm hurt. Did you forget who was by your side growing up as a duelist? Who's been there for you whenever you needed it?"

Seto's eyes widened as she looked into Serenity's glowing ones. His own eyes started to glow as well when the Millennium Rod shone brightly, much to the confusion and frustration of Marik. Seto couldn't believe what he was seeing. He saw a version of himself kneeling before a stone slab with an image of the Blue Eyes White Dragon on it, a girl dead in his arms. He felt his heart shatter at the image, as if he felt the loss this other version of him did with the girl's death. He realized who's voice he was hearing. It was the girl's. The Girl who meant so much to his past life, and the Dragon that she gave him. His memories from childhood surfaced against his will, showing him more images of the Blue Eyes White Dragon, as he obtained all three copies he used in his deck to this day, and the last betrayal against Blue Eyes when he ripped Solomon's card in half.

(AN4)

"Who are you, Seto, to let things such as fate dictate your actions. You changed your fate before, and you can do so again," finished Serenity, as the glow and echo faded alongside her hair return settling. She gave him a long look, "Seto, you know what you must do to win."

Yami and his friends were stunned by this revelation. Yami also figured out there was only one Monster who would reach out to Seto Kaiba in a situation like this. When the Millennium Rod shone, he had a vision of the tablet for a moment before it disappeared. If he was going to duel Kaiba, then Kaiba would win this duel. It seemed like fate was contradicting itself and needed correction.

Seto, for his part, took another look at his hand and the God Card he summoned. He had a clarity he couldn't remember having since the tournament began. Yes, Obelisk was an Egyptian God and incredibly powerful, but his heart wasn't with Obelisk. His heart belonged elsewhere and if he was going to duel Yugi, he couldn't ignore his heart any longer.

"Ishizu, it's time fate learned not to defy itself," said Seto, pointing a finger right at Ishizu's Millennium Necklace, "This duel has just taken a turn you couldn't predict!"

Ishizu was shocked. Fate showed her how the duel was going to end. But this... this was fate being changed, being defied. Her one answer to Obelisk was about to be sidestepped.

"I play Silent Doom to revive Gadget Soldier," declared Seto, before selecting the next card in his hand, the monster than never left it this entire duel, "Now I sacrifice Obelisk the Tormentor and Gadget Soldier to Summon The One, The Only, BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!"

As Obelisk and Gadget Soldier faded, Blue Eyes White Dragon appeared and took her side next to Seto, proud of him for summoning her. Seto then had Blue Eyes win the duel with White Lightning, reducing Ishizu's Life Points to Zero.

Ishizu: 1400-0

Kaiba: 1350

"The Duel is over. Seto Kaiba is the winner!" declared the announcer as the platform started to lower once more.

Maria walked over to follow behind Seto and Mokuba as they made their way back down into the ship, but stopped for moment next to Ishizu, "A thought just occurred to me. You told Kaiba he was to duel the Pharaoh in this Tournament. But... You also predicted Kaiba would lose to you. How did the Millennium Necklace not see that as a contradiction?"

Ishizu just smiled, as she did after accepting Blue Eyes changing Seto's fate, "Because was I blinded by hubris, relying too much on my item and not on my own decisions. I could have won that duel in multiple ways, but blinded by what the Necklace showed me, I couldn't see how Kaiba winning would mean his rematch with the Pharaoh."

Maria smiled back and gave a nod of acceptance, before continuing with the Kaiba brothers down below, where the translation program was still finishing up.

(AN5)

(Chapter End)

I decided to trim this duel down mainly because the last duel annoyed me to no end to type down. But, the next duel will definitely have a twist or two.

Alright, on to Author Notes...

AN1: He's not lying either. Kaiba hears enough praise about Yugi without having a secretary gush about him too. Though given the explanation in Chapter 1, that also applies.

AN2: Don't get me wrong, I love Ishizu. But she reminds me of Neji during the Chuunin Exams in the Naruto Anime, and I presume the Manga as well.

AN3: Maria has used it in every duel so far. And duels aren't the two-fight minutes in the real world. Sometimes it takes several minutes, especially with all the dialogue and long turns and the turn numbers. So a couple of hours fits. She's gonna be tired. Hopefully something doesn't come along and delay their trip to the tower, otherwise...?

AN4: This is a scene that focused on during my initial idea of writing a fanfic like this. It may not be wholly accurate to what I originally envisioned, but it's close enough. Sorry if reads like a cliché or something.

AN5: I'm surprised this wasn't talked about more. Ishizu said that Kaiba would duel Yugi again, in reference to the Battle City Tournament, but then showed up and was like 'your fated to lose to me'. That... is contradicted and counterintuitive to what Ishizu was saying fate showed her. Even if you would argue that Kaiba and Yugi could have dueled at another time, it wouldn't have given Yugi Obelisk to win against Marik. Thank you Blue Eyes, for showing us that Fate is fickle and can contradict itself.

Okay guys, you should understand by now that I am highly motivated to writing this over my other fanfics. Still, I'm not leaving them alone. The new chapters have been started, and I will do my best to continue/finish them to upload. All I ask for in return is patience.

So, until then...

Later,

RDF1