(04/07/2011)

Author's Note: Hello, hello, hello! ^o^ I'm back everyone! Ah...teh exams went interesting-ly. XD I saw them and was like, "...ohhhhhh...damn." xDD Just kidding. They were okay. Not terribly easy or horribly hard, but they were okay. Gr...school and their tests! They shall pay one day! XDD lol Anyway. I hope you guys are excited for the time right now. *smirks* Because, guess what?

ITS OFFICIALLY SUMMER~~! ^o^o^o^o^o^~~!

*partying in the background* Oh my gods! I thought I'd never see the day! X'D Summer's finally here! Time for updating, fun in the sun, more updating, watching more anime, updating, hangin' out with friends, and...UPDATING! ^^ Oh my gods, I'm so excited—I feel like I could burst with happiness! ^o^' Finally, a break. ^^'

I hope you guys have an awesome summer. ^^ Hopefully I will be able to get a LOT done these next two months. ^^' I'm determined to get this fanfic going into overdrive. ^^' Thanks so much everyone! It's because of you I wake up every morning to write this fanfic. ^^'' Love you guys! XDD Thank you so much! *sends hugs and cupcakes*

Hope you like this next chapter! ^^

Sarah finds Salex a tough opponent. Though this is only the first duel, Sarah feels a lot of pressure to win. At least after she'll win this duel she'll have two locator cards instead one, which will give her some security. But...will she be able to even win this one? We'll have to find out together. By reading of course. (xD)

Disclaimer of Yu-Gi-Oh!. Fan fiction, and I am getting NO money out of it either. Thanks. ^^

Battle City-New Evil Emerges, Old Friends Reunite Chapter 23

LP: Salex: 4000/Sarah: 3000

"Well?" Salex asked impatiently. It was weird to think she was a fan of the Dueling Legend just before this duel started. Now she's all...ambitious. "What card did you draw? Are you going to play it and, supposedly, turn this duel around? You'll have to think twice...because I don't think you're going to be able to."

I smirked. Gosh. Salex might be a good duelist, from how the duel has played out so far, but she still has a lot to learn. There's more to dueling than gloating about one card's triumph. "Do you really want to know?" I asked with a raised brow. "You'll regret it~"

Salex glared. "No fair. You're using my singing voice."

"Oh, please. Anybody can taunt with a singing voice."

Salex tapped her foot, wondering what my card could be. And if it really could turn things around. "...just make your move..."

I smirked. "Very well." I slid the card I just drew into one of the magic and trap card slots, activating it immediately. "You're Queen is doomed Salex.

"I play the magic card, Dark Core!"

Salex's eyes widened. "No way," she breathed. She shook her head disbelievingly. "There's no way you could have drawn that card! I mean—right when you needed it...—"

I smirked. "That's right!" I said proudly. "This card's effect will get rid the field of your monster!"

Salex just stared at me. Suddenly, she started to laugh. Yami and I watched her carefully. This seemed odd. I thought she was on the ropes... Does she have a way to counter this card?

"Oh my gosh, can you be anymore dense. No offence," said Salex, trying to contain her laughter behind one hand. I quirked an eyebrow at her in confusion. I had no idea what was going on. I had the upper hand!

"Obviously you don't know the card's effect," I said. "By discarding one card from my hand, it let's me remove from play one face-up monster. And you know which one I choose."

Salex smirked; challenge glinted intensely in her midnight blue eyes. "Sure," she said with a shrug. "Go ahead and give it a try."

I looked at her carefully, then I glanced Yami's way. His crimson eyes were directed discreetly towards Salex; narrowed in thought. He found something weird about the situation as well.

I just hope this one move doesn't cost me the duel.

I decided to go with it. Salex might seem cocky, but it could be a bluff as well. And I won't get anywhere just by defending—even though I can't defend with anything at the moment.

A ball of dark black shadows emerged onto my side of the field, electricity striking within it at a constant, scary rhythm. The card's effect was literally in place; a dark vortex ready to swallow my chosen monster from out of the game. I glanced carefully from Salex to her monsters. A thought about how the Banisher was standing right before the Queen made me nervous. It didn't look right.

And the fact that I could only send one monster out of the game scared me even more. Salex has both her Queen and my Banisher, which is equipped to the Queen because of her special ability. I am unsure of the results of the spell card I just activated.

I made the decision. Mostly because it was too late to call my magic card back. With a deep breath, I said, "I choose to remove from play your Allure Queen!"

Just as the dark vortex on my side began to swirl itself around the Queen, at the last second it quickly started swirling around the Banisher. My heart sunk, seeing my monster be encased by my own magic card. The swirling continued and it began to hide my Banisher in its shadowy embrace.

Salex chuckled. "Do you really think it'll be easy?" she asked in an amused tone. My heart sunk even lower when the shadows completely engulfed the Banisher. I heard it scream out before it was officially gone, leaving the duel field without a single trace of its existence.

"Let me make this clear. Your Banisher was a part of my Queen; he wasn't a separate monster. When you activated your magic card to get rid of my Queen, I can automatically sacrifice your taken Banisher to take her place. Pretty ingenious, right?"

I looked at the spot where my Banisher was hovering over just a moment ago. "I...just destroyed my own monster," I murmured forlornly, feeling my heart become heavier with guilt. Over the time of Duelist Kingdom, I realized just how close my deck was to my heart. It killed me to have to see my monsters disappear right before my eyes, but I'd rather have them destroyed than at the mercy of someone else's control. No one uses my monsters as their own shields.

"There is, however, some good news for you. My Allure Queen is back to having an attack power of 300. She's vulnerable to almost every attack now."

That was some stress gone. I was wondering how I would be able to withstand any of her attacks. I now just realized that even though I don't have any monsters in my magic card-filled hands I can still survive from her attack.

"I won't be able to summon any monsters this turn," I said. "Instead, I'll play another magic card called Red Medicine. It increases my life points by 500."

LP: Salex: 4000/Sarah: 3500

Salex smirked. "Wonderful," she said. "Absolutely wonderful. I have the Dueling Legend on the ropes."

I glowered. "Don't celebrate for too long. Just wait until my next draw."

"Mm...I don't think there will be a next turn for you." Salex drew her next card and a smirk graced her lips once again. "Oh, yes. Now this is what I'm talking about... Maybe you will be able to have some more turns, but only until I am able to put my strategy into play."

I wonder what she had planned now. She already had me worrying about attacking me directly with her monster. What else?

"But I won't play it just yet. I want to be able to prolong your suffering." Salex then sweat dropped. "I hope I don't sound scary to you,"

I laughed kindheartedly, finding her random comment funny for some reason. "Oh no! It's not scary at all! We're all duelists here; it's cool."

"Alright. Then that makes it okay for me to...attack you directly! Allure Queen, go!"

I gulped just as the Queen summoned a ball of fire and hurled it in my direction. Though it was only holograms, the impact still felt like impact. The fire hit me in the stomach, heating my skin through my clothes. I felt the heat sting my stitched side and the fireball exploded around me, enveloping me in the flames and smoke. As the foggy clouds cleared, I felt myself drained of some energy, as though I really was hit with a fireball. My left side almost decided to cramp up again, but it went back to normal quickly, leaving me to watch my life points go down by 300 points.

LP: Salex 4000/Sarah: 3200

This was looking like a really long duel.

"Sarah, are you alright?" called Yami from his spot on the sidelines. I glanced his way and gave him a wary smile.

"Yeah...just peachy... But—damn! I had no idea Kaiba's Duel Disk was so high tech! I can actually feel myself melting from Salex's attack..."

Salex and the crowd around us laughed at my remark. It did seem funny; even I joined in with a smile. Personally, though, because I came from Ancient Egypt, the advanced technology had to take me by surprise. Yami's all cool about it, but knowing me, I couldn't help it. The monsters looked real and when magic cards are played, I can actually feel the powerful magic inside the digital cards, ready to be activated. Trap cards...they just feel like awesome little surprises to turn the duel around. The dueling atmosphere and everything relevant to the competition was in the air, circling over our heads and around our bodies, stimulating our senses to the fullest, drinking everything in and making us act the same way about the friendly competition. Everybody was kind towards their components, even though their competitive sides showed the most in duels.

But most of all...Kaiba's technology and his invention of the Duel Disks made the game of Duel Monsters into something more. It made the game more alive and exciting.

"Fire is really bad, isn't it, Sarah?" Salex asked me, though when I blinked at her, her eyes held something else. Almost like a mysterious glint; a hinting one. "It can burn you to a crisp or merely act around you tauntingly."

I gazed at her quietly, watching the images my brain was replaying in my head. The time of Yugi's duel with Keith and the time after. Mostly, the moment the fire started and we were trying to free the Millennium Puzzle.

...What was Salex getting at? Is her question really innocent?

Damn it, why can't I take Yugi's advice and not start stressing over the smallest of things? What if Salex is just asking an honest question and I'm over here thinking she's hinting about that day? Though I couldn't help but put my guards up higher, just in case. It was a habit.

"Yeah, fire's dangerous," I replied with slightly narrowed eyes. I'm only being careful. It's not like I don't like the girl or anything. "Especially when...for example...it's everywhere and the people that are trapped within its grasp have nowhere to run."

Salex gazed at me thoughtfully. "You should be a story writer," she said suddenly, making me anime fall. "I mean...you've got dramatic written all over you."

A huge sweat drop was on the side of my head as I smiled sheepishly at Salex. That definitely was only an innocent question. She hasn't hinted anything about the warehouse. "I suppose it's in my blood," I said with a small shrug. "My mother and father used to tell me stories every night and that's how I begin to love dramatic moments. Making them up as I go is so much fun."

Salex laughed. "That's so cool!" she cried. "Gosh...you're such a cool person. It's a shame I couldn't get to know you better."

I shrugged. "We could start now," I suggested. No...I wasn't going to try and press her for answers of any suspicions I might have... I'm merely trying to be a good sport. Though interrogating her doesn't sound like a bad idea... xD

Salex's eyes blinked at me, confused. "In the middle of the duel?"

My sweat drop doubled.

"No, I meant after," I said kindly, with a smile. "We can be enemies in the ring, only for a moment, but then become friends outside the ring. How about it?"

Salex's eyes shined immensely. "Oh, really? Would we really? I can't believe it! I'm going to be friends with Sarah Wind!" She jumped around excitedly, holding her hands to her heart.

I looked at her sideways. "Are you seriously a fan?"

Salex grinned. "Of course I am! Of both you and Yugi! You're both really cool duelists. It would be an honour and a thrill of a lifetime if I can become friends with you."

I glanced Yami's way, who was watching the duel with utmost concentration. His crimson eyes met mine, merely holding thought. I had no idea of telling whether or not he found the idea a good one or not. But I could tell one thing for sure; he wants me to be careful.

I've gone over this in my head once before. Yami and I should be careful with who we befriend and give our information to. We've only told the gang about who we actually are and what we are trying to gain from our rebirth. Ishizu is also one to know. Now, Yami and I only have strangers to choose from, and whether or not we should tell anyone all together.

Someone could be undercover for Bakura, and Marik.

In regards to being careful, I came to the steady conclusion that I'll only be careful with everyone. I won't let any information we may have slip. No matter how innocent someone may look.

Including Salex.

But that didn't mean that being friends isn't an option.

I nodded at Yami, merely telling him with the simple gesture that I'll be on my guard. He returned the nod with ease.

"Alrighty then," I said with a smile to Salex. "We can start being friends. Let's get to know each other some time."

Salex looked as though I just made her day. Her blue eyes brightened and a smile graced her lips. I thought she would blow up from excitement. I've never witnessed anyone be a fan of me before.

"Oh my god! This is so cool!" I could practically feel Salex's joy from all the way here. I blushed. "Thank you so much! I promise, I won't let you down!"

I smiled. "Friendships aren't about letting one down or not," I said, though curiosity from her choice of words crept into my heart. For some reason, it was like my brain was telling me to remember them. Promises don't exactly leave my mind. "Friends are...like family to put it into easier terms. Maybe we can make the same kind of bond between us."

Salex's eyes shined. "I'm so glad you're giving me a chance at being your friend though," she said sheepishly. "I mean...I never thought I'd see the day when I can meet both the King of Games and the Dueling Legend—let alone be their friend! Oh my god, it feels like my heart's going to burst..."

I laughed kindheartedly, watching the girl's slightly flushed expression as she waved her hand at her face to try and calm down. "We're just going to have to see even more after this duel," I said, feeling a smirk grace my lips, going back into 'dueling mode'. "Now then, you already called your attack so your turn is almost over. Do you have anything left to play face down?"

Salex glanced down at the face down card she already had placed onto the field. "Nah, nothing else," she said. Then her smirk returned to her face once again. "It's your move. Make it count."

"Oh, I will."

I drew my next card, putting as much Faith as I could into it. I needed a monster. My hand is full of magic cards and if it keeps up this way, I'll lose. With my breath held, I looked at my new card.

Yes!

"Get ready, Salex, because I'm going to bring myself back onto the podium with the face down card I placed face down before!" With a click of a button, and a flourish of my arm for dramatic effect, the face down card I had flipped, showing an illustration of Duel Monsters falling from a portal in the sky. "I play Return from the Different Dimension! By paying half my life points, I can summon back to the field as many of my removed from play monsters that I have."

LP: Salex:4000/Sarah: 1600

As my life points disappeared, my side of the field illuminated into a burst of white light. From within appeared my Banisher of the Radiance, simply radiating with power. "Good to have you back on my side, old buddy," I said with a smile. "Now, though, I'll have to sacrifice him in order to summon a monster that won't stay on the field for only one turn. Come on out, Golden Homunculus!"

The fairy-type monster gave me a reassuring nod before disappearing once more, only to be replaced by another monster. This one was a rock statue, made of what looked like fiery rocks but were really the colour of gold. It stood tall with 1500 attack points.

"I place one card face down for some other time. And now, you know what's coming Salex..."

The emerald haired girl stared at me for a moment, only to comprehend my move, before realizing what was going to happen. "Oh no! My Allure Queen!"

"Will be no more! Now, Golden Homunculus! Attack her Allure Queen!"

With some fire magic of its own, my monster hurled a hot ball of flames directly at Salex's Queen. The Queen was hit successfully, shrieking in horror from being defeated, before she dissolved into the air, leaving a mark on Salex's life points.

LP: Salex: 2800/Sarah: 1600

Salex watched with growing apprehension as her life points dropped. She gritted her teeth from the annoying damage. "That was an awesome comeback," she complimented. "I thought it was too late to counter. My Queen was going to take away all your life points little by little, unless you managed to successfully summon a monster in time and block it. Which, by the way, you did. Congrats."

I gave her a grateful nod. "Thanks," I said. "It wasn't easy, I'll have to admit. There was a time when I thought I could not beat your Queen."

"That's just like you and Yugi," she said. "You guys never give up. That's why I look up to you."

I smiled, touched. "You can do the same," I said. "Don't forget what's in your heart...and then...draw. It works all the time if you keep your Faith in times of low determination."

Salex nodded and smiled. "Thanks. Okay, now, was that your move?"

I nodded. "Yup! Let's see what you got. Are you able to counter my move?"

The other merely smirked as her response. "Most definitely, if I get the card that I'm looking for this turn." She momentarily closed her before drawing her next card, sending me an essence of Faiths he was putting into her draw.

She reopened her eyes which began to shine in excitement when she saw the card she had just drawn. I braced for impact.

"Oh, cool! It worked!" she cried happily, bouncing around for a while. I smiled at her happiness. "I drew just what I was looking for! Sarah, this is going to be such a tough one for you!"

I blinked. "Why's that?" I asked.

"You'll see. First, I play the card I played faced down a few turns ago. Power Swap!" The hologram of the face down card stood up from its lying position, revealing an illustration of Duel Monster cards disappearing into a dark abyss.

Power Swap? The title was giving me no reassurance.

"You're wondering what this card does. Okay, I'll tell you! With Power Swap, all I have to do is sacrifice half of my life points in order to—wait for it..."

I blinked at the girl again as I watched her grinning face. She seemed so confident. "In order to do what?" I asked. When she didn't answer, most likely from dramatic effect, I couldn't take it any longer. "Are you going to tell me?"

"I'm only savouring my near victory," she replied with a smirk. Does she have a secret thing to scare me half to death and be bubbly all at the same time? Oh my gods... "Now, when I sacrifice half of my life points, I am able to summon any monster from my hand, Graveyard, or deck."

LP: Salex: 1400/Sarah: 1600

My heart nearly stopped. "A-Any card?" I asked with a slight tremble. The thought of having to choose any monster to place onto the field was frightening. Other than her Allure Queen, I wonder what other monsters could be lurking about in Salex's deck.

She can choose any to summon. Without a sacrifice as well!

Salex smirked. "Muahahaha! By the look on your face, I'm guessing that you understand I can summon any powerful monster I please. And you're right. That's it, cower in fear!"

"I never cower." Though the thought was scary I had to be strong. She might get a good lead from this summon, but that doesn't mean that she won the duel. I'm not going to cower and take the hit. I'm going to fight back.

Salex looked through her deck of cards. When she came across a card she wanted, she smirked and brought it into her hand, shuffling the rest of her cards and slipping her deck back into the recognizer.

"You never cower?"

I shook my head, determination running through my blood. "Never," I said. Not even in the face of death.

"You'll begin to cower when you lose your first duel of the tournament!"

Salex placed her monster onto the Duel Disk, sending the magic card she used to the Graveyard and causing the holographic projectors to haywire. Rainbows of colour danced everywhere on her side of the field. What could she be summoning to make her so damned confident?

Could this be the rarest card in her deck? Is that why?

"Introducing a monster from the class of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the Red-Eyes Black Dragon...the one to bring you down, Sarah!"

I gulped. If it's from the same class as Kaiba's monster and Joey's monster, then I might have a chance of losing.

Oh gods...

"I summon the White-Eyes Red Dragon!"

Everyone in the crowd gasped, hearing nothing of this rarity before. I stood there almost paralysed, wondering why I hadn't heard about such a beast before. Yami merely narrowed his cerise eyes even more. I could feel my heart beat quickly.

From the blinding light of the summon, created the moment Salex placed her card onto her Duel Disk, materialized a powerful dragon. Its blood red scales shined under the daylight, while its luminescent eyes were a bright white, made of pure energy. Its tail swished around connected to its lean body; a mix between the Blue-Eyes and Red-Eyes.

What caught me by surprise was the attack points.

2900.

Right between the attack power of Kaiba's monster and Joey's monster.

"Holy...Ra..." I sighed in awe, watching the dragon become. It threw its head back and roared, its majestic voice ringing with power and dare.

"It's pretty rare," commented Salex, enjoying my—what looked to be like—scared expression. She thought I was cowering. "As much rare as a Blue-Eyes White Dragon and a Red-Eyes Black Dragon is. Isn't it pretty powerful?"

I shook my head in disbelief. How can I defeat such a mighty beast?

That's funny...Eric had asked me almost the same question back in Duelist Kingdom, when I was faced against his Triple Threat Dragon in our duel.

"Pretty powerful, huh?"

Hmm...thinking of that blonde baka, I wonder how the tournament's going for him...

"Um...can I take a few minutes to think about whether or not I want to go up against your monster? Please?"

Salex blinked at me—then burst out laughing. "I love your random talking, it's hilarious!"

My eye twitched in annoyance. I wasn't kidding. I actually need time to think about this one.

"You'll need time to think, alright," smirked Salex. "Especially since I'm going to attack your Golden Homunculus. It'll drain out most of your life points."

At the mention of an attack I glanced from my monster to my hand of cards to my opponent to her monster. I gave the dragon a challenging glare. "Gr..."

"I take that as a reason to attack. You have nothing to defend yourself with."

I growled a little bit more.

"Good. Now, before I attack, I am going to play this magic card. It's called Suspension." A digital Duel Monsters card appeared onto the field, looking like more trouble to me. Thank goodness I have my face down card to help me. Once it's flipped, I can get rid of the dragon. Muahaha. I have a plan. "This magic card suspends all trap and magic cards on the field for one turn. Now you can't use your face down card if you wanted to."

"What— Damn! That was my only defence!" Ra! She even figured out a way to stop my trap card! I'm in deep shtick now...

"Alright! Without further adieu, White-Eyes, attack Sarah's Homunculus!"

With its jaw burning with a fireball, Salex's monster hurled it into my monster, shattering it into a million holographic pieces. The blast was so strong and destructive, it sent shock waves everywhere. I almost staggered backwards but held myself steady.

And watched my life points drop.

LP: Salex: 1400/Sarah: 0200

I barely made it out of there.

"200 life points," I murmured. "Fantastic."

Salex bounced up and down, waving her hands and arms around like a bird. "Sweet! I'm so close to beating you! Oh my gosh, wouldn't it be so cool if I did? It's an honour just to be trampled by you but to win—"

"Your hyperness is quite catching," I said with a smirk as she blushed. "And the duel isn't over just yet. I still have a couple hundred life points left."

"They'll be gone soon, too," said Salex. "Just you wait and see. There's no way you'll be able to summon a monster strong enough in one turn to even fend off my dragon! You're toast!" White-Eyes roared in agreement.

I sighed. What if she was right? It did seem impossible for me to summon a strong monster in one turn. One turn. Oh wait! Unless I draw that card...

At the moment, it seemed like the only thing that would help. I needed to draw it...but what if I couldn't? I'll lose.

I sensed Yami's assertive eyes on me and turned to gaze back at him. Throughout the whole duel he's done nothing but stand there, silently cheering me on and helping me. But even though he's right there on the side lines, it seems like he's so far away. Out of my range.

"You know she's wrong," said Yami almost quietly, and yet I can hear him all the way here. Maybe he's not so far away as I thought. "I recall something you used before to defeat a powerful beast. Maybe you can use the same tactic."

"But I don't have the card in my hand..."

"You know what you must do."

Yay. I love pressure. Yugi? Can you come back and yell at me not to keep stress on my shoulders again? I think I need to hear it one more time to remember.

But I knew Yami was right. We've said this over and over; that if we believe in something called Faith and ourselves then we can conquer anything. Why is it that I fall into doubt sometimes?

"Everyone has their doubtful moments, Sarah," said Yami, making me blink. "But you have to remember that victory isn't very far with friends by your side and your belief. Remember this. It's what we've learned from Duelist Kingdom."

I literally felt determination boiling in my bloodstream, sending energy throughout my body. The fingers holding my hand of Duel Monsters cards ceased its slight tremble and were now as steady as a crane. My stance was straighter than before, and my eyes held a familiar feeling. A familiar no-hesitation-here-no-matter-what kind of feeling.

Just because somebody gets a brand new and more powerful monster...that does not mean that I throw in the towel.

That's like saying I don't want to be Guardian.

Something I never want to say.

I took a deep breath to get myself to think straight again. If I don't win this duel, I'm out of the tournament. I can't afford that. "Right," I said to him. Another deep breath and I could feel my heart begin to beat normally, instead of its rapid pace from shock before.

"It's your move," said Salex with a glare. She didn't find my stalling nice. "Make it a good one. Or you're out."

With a nod I hesitantly looked through the cards in my hand. I've got no monsters. And the next card I draw will definitely predict the outcome of the match.

I took a deep breath, placing my fingers onto my deck.

And I drew my next card.

I felt adrenaline rush through me, and my heart beat started to quicken from apprehension.

I opened my eyes, not even realizing that I had closed them.

And found the card that I was looking for.

"Get ready Salex," I said with a confident smirk. "Because this duel is going to come to an end."

"Bring it!"

I slid the magic card I just drew into one of the card slots. "I play the magic card Bright Shine!"

Salex's eyes grew wide. "No! That's the card you used to defeat Eric in Duelist Kingdom!"

I smirked. "That's right. You've been keeping a close eye on my duels, haven't you? Well, it turns out, it's all I need to defeat you too."

"B-But...! I was hoping you wouldn't draw that card!"

"Not good enough." I gave Yami a quick thumbs up before raising my arm over my head, for those wonderful dramatic effects, of course. "Now, with the power of this magic card, I can call forth my ultimate monster; Sword of Deception!"

A blinding ball of white light appeared onto my side of the field, simply radiating with pure energy. Salex's dragon glared at it with much distaste, sensing a powerful presence from within. He had good reason to be frightened, though through his glowing white eyes you couldn't tell.

From within the summoning ball of light stepped a warrior clad in fitting gold and white armour. Her massive sword was held in her hand, shining a bright white. Her long blushed white hair wavered in an invisible breeze, and her whole body glowed a golden light.

"Since you know of the card, you should know of its effects. Not only does this magic card allow me to summon my Sword of Deception from my hand or deck, but it also doubles her attack points! Get ready, because you're about to lose your best monster!"

Salex held her ground. "I won't lose to you this easily! My monster can stand up to your attack!"

"We'll see about that! Ready to find out if it's true or not?"

"Always!"

"Ready? Attack the White-Eyes Red Dragon!"

My warrior gathered her sword into her hands and gripped the handle tightly. The blade glowed a brilliant white which almost matched the glow of Salex's dragon. It roared in challenge, wanting to dare, just like Salex. As soon as the blade was charged with her 4000 point power, she ran forward bring the blade up over her head to slash at the dragon.

White-Eyes blasted a fireball from its mouth at her, but she was agile and fast. My warrior darted out of the way and jumped up to meet the dragon face to face. Then, with one slash of her sword, she swiped it through the dragon's neck, emitting a white glow from the giant cut. Everyone around me held their breath.

The dragon let out a deafening roar before dissolving into air, leaving Sword of Deception in a waterfall of sparkling digital remains of the dragon.

Salex watched with horror as her best monster was wiped out. She watched on as her life points went down to quite a bit.

LP: Salex: 0300/Sarah: 0200

Salex tried to remain calm. Though her best monster was destroyed, she held onto what hope she had left of winning the duel. Her normally bouncy and playful eyes were now burning with a determination I haven't seen since Eric's duel.

"1100 points in one round..." Salex shook her head, appalled. "How does that happen?"

I smirked. "When you put Bright Shine and White-Eyes Red Dragon together. By the way, your dragon was beautiful."

Salex showed me a smile despite her loss. "Thanks," she said. "Before I break down into tears, let's move on, shall we? I still need to try and beat you."

Again, she's in the hurry. Oh! I started thinking again. "Fine by me," I said, slipping a card into the magic cards slots. "I place one card face down and then hand it back over to you."

Salex drew her next card. But I already saw the shadows fall over her face from her emerald bangs. "Damn..." I heard her whisper. "I...I can only play this one monster in defence mode and then...end my turn. Oh no...I'm doomed."

I blinked. "Is that really all you can play?" I asked curiously. I didn't mean to make her feel bad. It was just a little unexpected. You'd think she'd have a good move ready from all the other ones she's had, but I suppose even good duelists can have a bad hand. And a bad strategy. She was giving up too easily.

The other merely looked up defeatedly at me. "Yes," she murmured sadly. "I wish there was something else in my hand to play...but I couldn't think of anything else other than this."

I thought carefully over this. Once I destroy her defensive monster, I'll be free to attack—that is, if I am able to draw a monster with enough attack points on my next move.

"This is it then, Salex," I said. "The next draw might decide the winner of this duel. Are you ready?"

I watched her take a deep breath. Even if she loses this duel, she'll still have one more locator card giving her a spot in the tournament. Though there was that anchor to hold onto, it would have been cool to take a title. It just wasn't her day. And I could not lose the first duel of the tournament.

Which means, I need to draw a monster next turn in order to win.

"I guess," she said, but her voice wavered slightly. "Alright, your move. Please don't draw a monster..."

As I drew my next card, the whole crowd around us held its breath. Could the Dueling Legend finally be defeated? Or will she hold her crown? This draw would decide just that.

I was determined to win this duel. It's not personal, Salex. It just has to be done. Or two evils will go after the Pharaoh once I'm not able to duel. I can NOT let that happen.

I felt my blood turn hot with anxiety. It was curiosity that wanted me to know the next card. I needed to know what it was; if I can beat Salex or not.

With one more glance towards Yami, I felt the last bit of any doubt rush out of me. It was like all that I needed was to look at him. Then I'd remember my motives. And what has to be done.

I closed my eyes, and drew the card, pouring as much Faith as I could into it. I didn't want to beat Salex because she's an opponent; I told her we can be friends. But I have to win this duel in order to advance to the next round. If I fall out of the tournament, I can only watch Yami's duels and sit back with no dueling; another kind of fight against the evils. But if I don't fall, then I'm with him side by side. In duels and form.

Proudly too.

I opened my eyes to see the card.

A mysterious smile graced my lips.

"It has been fun dueling you, Salex," I said kindly to the emerald haired girl. She had her fingers crossed behind her back, hoping I wouldn't draw what I needed. She looked up and pouted. "Perhaps we will meet again in the duel ring, but for now, this duel's over."

Salex sighed, finding no way out of this, and accepted it. She let her hands fall to her sides. "I'd have to say, that was definitely fun," she said with a smile, despite her knowledge of the loss of duel and locator card. "We're opponents here, so it's normal to have a winner and a loser of the duel."

"But we'll be friends outside of the duels." I gave her another smile. "I'm going to make my move now."

Salex stood in battle stance, fighting the urge to drown in her defeat and in sorrow. "Bring on the cupcakes!" she said.

It was then I noticed her actual way. I mean the way she has all these emotions. Salex is kind and she means well. When she duels, the smirking is only part of her game face. When she's put up with a difficult situation, she won't let it get to her. She's stronger than I had thought. That's why she just yelled out, "Bring on the cupcakes!". I think that was awesome.

I smiled, finding myself giggling silently at her funny remark. "Cupcakes? Oh damn, now I'm in the mood for one!"

Salex and I shared a laugh, just prolonging the duel and preparing to end it on a happier note. She's here for fun, not business like Yami and me. Just because I'm on a stressful mode doesn't mean that the people around me have to suffer for my seriousness. After all, she doesn't know. Salex would wonder why I wasn't having fun or anything. So instead, I'm masking it with something I've picked up from my childhood. My laughter and smile.

"Yum...I had one yesterday," she said with a wink, laughing when my jaw dropped. "It was from the shop just around the next corner. Their cupcakes are really good!"

I gave her a playful glare, added to it was a teasing smile. "You shall give me the name of that shop after this duel, okay?"

Salex nodded, grinning. "Sure thing."

She knew I had to do what I know I have to do, and can not prolong it any further. "I'm glad I went up against you," she said. "It was an honour."

I nodded. "Likewise. Now then, I summon a monster from my hand; Different Dimension Assailant."

In a curtain of white light appeared another warrior, this one clad in a sea salt ice cream kind of colour. (Buahaha...you shall know why in the world I made that comparison in the notes. xD) She held her determined posture, which matched mine.

"Brace yourself. Sword of Deception, attack Salex's face down card!"

The warrior turned her sword to let it glint impressively from the morning light. Then she swung it over her head and around, making it look like a baton. She used the leverage given to slice through Salex's defence monster. With 4000 attack points, the Mystical Elf was easily defeated. Salex gulped.

"And now...Assailant! Attack Salex directly and end this duel!"

The other flipped forward and striked just before Salex. My opponent watched with slight disappointment as her life points dropped to zero.

LP: Salex: 0000/Sarah: 0200

I exhaled a comfortable sigh, knowing that now I had two locator cards instead of one. Not only was I one step closer to our answers with Yami and I on the same page, but now I had a tally for a second chance. Not that I want to think of it that way and slack in coming duels just because I have a "Second Chance card" I can use. It gave me a a kind of base for this tournament.

The crowd around us cheered and clapped at the well played duel. It was definitely intense at some parts and no one had expected us to do anything more. We gave our all and fought honourably. It's what matters. The better duelist won today.

I glanced Yami's way, sending him a smile. I couldn't have done it without his support. The Pharaoh returned the small gesture and nodded, understanding my gratitude. I had honestly almost lost hope when I began thinking of all the negative points of this loss. They weighed me down and made it seem impossible for me to win. But Yami showed me that I couldn't do that.

One step closer now. To finding everything we need to know in order to defeat Bakura.

And now Marik.

I wonder what they're both scheming at the moment.

Salex and I met up in the middle of our used to be duel field, once the projectors were turned off and put back into the Duel Disks. We shook each other's hands, talking about the duel.

"That was some card you played," I said, referring to the White-Eyes Red Dragon. "I almost thought I couldn't beat it. It just looked so powerful."

"And shiny," said Salex.

I blinked. "How'd you—oh, right. You know me well."

We shared a short laugh, finding my obvious nature amusing. Yami walked away from the sidelines and up to me, nodding in Salex's direction.

"Well done, Salex," he said. "You were closer to beating Sarah than Eric was. There were so many moments where Sarah was stumped from what you played that I have lost count."

Yami and Salex smiled, finding my teasing also amusing. I felt my face grow hot.

"Yeah, well...um...gah. Oh well. A duel isn't a duel without people stumping over it now and then, now is it?"

Salex smiled good-naturedly. "You've got a good point. And you weren't the only one who was caught up. The moment I saw your Sword of Deception being summoned to the field, I was like, "...damn.""

"I'm glad you didn't give up at the end though," I said. "Instead of sulking, you kept your chin up high. That's something to look up to."

Salex blushed. "Aw, thank you." Then it looked like she remembered something, because once she realized she immediately began looking through her card sheathe for the locator card. She also brought out a Duel Monsters card and handed both of them to me.

"Now, this is the locator card you won and the rare card for the ante rule. Congrats, Sarah."

I smiled, taking them into my hands. "Thanks, Salex." I flipped the Duel Monsters card over to find the White-Eyes Red Dragon card, the one Salex had used as her last offensive monster. I frowned upon seeing it. "I don't like this ante rule..."

Salex blinked at me. "Why?"

"Because it makes us stake our rarest cards. Duelists treasure all their cards the same, whether they are common ones or rare ones. I'm sure you liked this card, Salex. I don't want to take it from you."

"Oh, Sarah. Your thougtfullness is coming into play here," she said playfully, finding nothing sad about the situation. "Sure it's a card I don't want to let go of, but it's the rules of the tournament. I don't want to be held against my will by one of Kaiba's security guards just because you wouldn't take the card. Brr...it sends shivers down my spine already."

We shared a quiet giggle, finding the scene pretty funny to think about. A chibi scene where Salex is held upside down by one of Kaiba's security guards, trying to shake the rare card from her pockets as she cried out waterfalls of tears. I could find myself imagining a chibi Kaiba too, laughing in triumph. XD

"But...do I have to?"

"Yes, now take it." Salex curled my fingers over the card. "And don't worry about it. Besides, next we meet, it'll be a whole different story. I might win it back."

I smiled at her encouragement. "Alright. I'm only taking it because you said it's okay. Otherwise...I could hide it into your deck and you'll never know."

Salex laughed. "Oh man, I'm going to miss you. My friend is probably waiting for me back at the coffee shop as we speak."

"Right," I nodded sadly, thinking it was too early for her to leave. We've only just met and had a decent talk. "We'll see each other soon, though, right? I mean, just as friends? I don't think I can handle another duel from you."

"Haha, okay." She smiled and we shook hands one last time, before turning away with a wave. "Bye Yugi! Sarah! I'll meet you guys later. We can start our friendship after! My buddy's going to kill me if I'm late. Oh, and by the way! The shop's name is Japan's Top Sweets! Hope you enjoy!"

With a laugh I yelled out my thanks. I smiled and waved after her. "Good bye!" We said in unison. She smiled in return and ran up the sidewalk, her long emerald flowing hair the last thing we see before she disappeared into the dispersed crowd of people.

I sighed, thinking too much excitement in this tournament might end up killing me instead of Bakura.

Yami looked at me carefully, as if watching the stress mode come on all over again after Salex's leave. "Sarah, Yugi said to be careful," he said.

I held my head. "I know, but this tournament is riding on so much. I thought I wouldn't win that duel. And if I didn't..." I decided to drop it. I did not need anymore to think about. "Thank you for helping me."

I can't believe I just said that to the Pharaoh. But...I suppose he can help all his subjects too, right?

Yami showed me the smallest of smiles, but it was much better than his usual set line. "You simply needed reminding is all," he said. "You were so stressed over the possibility of a loss that you almost did. You almost looked as worse as I did before that day you and I went out."

At the last two words I somehow found myself blushing. I have no idea. Went out? That almost sounds like a date. But I know that wasn't what he meant. He actually met as in we went outside to hang around.

"I know, it was shameful," I said, hanging my head. "I shouldn't have given up so fast. Or nearly given up, I mean. But...so much to think about."

"Now you know how I feel," he said. "I can't help thinking about my past. With no memories of anything...my mind feels like a labyrinth of never ending questions and pathways."

"I get what you mean." I looked up to meet his gaze, but he was staring ahead with that thoughtful look he always has. I think his eyes are normally narrowed, only mirroring the determination he holds in his heart. It was it's a part of him; a part of his soul. Bringing brought up as the Pharaoh's son and soon-to-be-Pharaoh, I can understand why. His eyes are almost the same as his father's.

"After being released from the Dungeon, I thought it would be easy to help you defeat the evil that will come back, because I had all the memories that you weren't likely to have. I could help you solve anything. But...I think I just became another problem. Here you still are without any memories..."

Yami stopped me before I could keep going. "Sarah, don't say such things," he said. "The future is unpredictable. The Court, Isis, and you did the best you could to be prepared, but Fate can switch things around or add in details we couldn't be ready for. You thought you could help give me the memories, but now you realized that there's more to it. Just because I don't have any memories right now, that doesn't mean that we should give up. Whether someone gives up or not changes the way they live."

I blinked, momentarily thrown into a spell from the Pharaoh's words. They made so much sense it was unbelievable. "Wow...I actually get it," I said, finding it a surprise. I thought through the stress I wouldn't be able to think straight. But his words were so natural it made sense.

"Well...I didn't say I was giving up either," I said. "It's just...everything going on..."

Yami lightly touched my arm. "Didn't Yugi say to let it go?" he asked, raising a brow. "Take it easy, you're stressing over this more then me."

"...It was how I was brought up, so deal with it."

Yami chuckled and ruffled my hair. Something he had picked up from Joey. "You know it's true. I'm sure...I'm sure no one else would want you stressed over this. We will get through this. The tournament only started, after all."

I sighed, thinking he was right. If I start dreading over things now, then there will be so little I can do. "Okay, but I won't drop my guard. I refuse."

"Your guard is fine, but just be careful."

It was odd how this friend protectiveness thing is. Now the Pharaoh is telling me to be careful.

With one more sigh escaping from my lips, we began walking aimlessly down another sidewalk, away from all the dueling action and right where the park began to open up. I pocketed the locator card and Duel Monsters card I won from Salex into my thigh sheathe. "I will. But that doesn't mean that you end up being in the same position. You should take your own advice."

Yami smiled, glad I was almost back to normal. Even I couldn't hold back the smile wanting to break out. "I have reason to," he said. "You don't."

I stared at the ground moving beneath us as we kept walking. "We'll find a way to show you your memories. I promise. We won't get anything done without them and you know it."

"This tournament will help," he said with assertive eyes. "I know it will. We have to keep going."

Author's Note: Bah...what a weird ending. :P I'm terribly sorry if you didn't like it. ^^' But I still hope you liked some of the chapter. Thank you so much for reading everyone! ^^

Important News: Oh man, summer only just started and I already have plans. -.- Annoying, I know. XD I'm going to Calgary to visit my cousins for ten days. Only. I know, it's still a lot but my sister was insisting we'd stay there longer. O_O I was like...no. XD So from July 9th to 19th, I'm gone. But when I come back, you can expect chapters! ^o^ Oh yeah. lol. I'm really sorry I have to leave, but I miss my OTHER cousins. . That's a lot of cousins... xDDD Eenyways, if this is the last chapter I can put up before going, then I wish you a happy beginning of summer! ^^ And I'll see you guys after the 19th. See ya! ^^

Ooooo~ Salex seems nice. ^^;

lol. BY THE WAY: The whole reason I compared sea salt ice cream to the Assailant is because I just had the craving to run after Kingdom Hearts all of a sudden. Because I finished the second game just yesterday. XD It was such a beautiful ending~ x3

I'm sorry for any grammatical errors. ^^'