(04/08/11)

Author's Note: Hello again~ x3 How's everyone doing this summer? Is it the Pharaoh or is it getting really hot these days? XDDD lol. Ahem. Anyways...on with the next chapter! XD Hope you guys like it!

Revisions!: I have—FINALLY—rewritten chapter 4 of YuGiOh, Past Repeating: Season 1. It's now called Unknown Mysteries and, hopefully, it makes so much more sense! I thought it described Sarah more as a character. ^^' Check it out if you want! And tell me what you think. Thank you! (So much more sense...I'm actually proud of it too~ x3)

Yami and Sarah have just witnessed Joey's duel with Espa Roba. Now, they're faced with a problem of their own. Magic surrounds every corner and someone decides to challenge the Pharaoh for a spot only he can take beside the Dark Magician. Sarah is forced to hold back, and watch in horror as the duel proceeds, edging closer and closer to darkness.

Disclaimer!: Fanfiction, and I do NOT get any money out of it either. Thanks. ^^

Battle City-New Evil Emerges, Old Friends Reunite Chapter 25

I'm glad Joey let us hang onto his Red-Eyes Black Dragon, said Yugi telepathically to the Pharaoh, as he was looking at the card held in his hand. Now we have Joey's heart in our deck. With Marik and his Rare Hunters after us, we're going to need all the help we can get. I just hope Joey can survive the tournament without it.

Yami nodded. Joey is a great duelist, he said. And he gets better with every duel. He beat Espa without his Red-Eyes.

Yugi agreed. Maybe we need the Red-Eyes to help us fight Marik. We don't even know what he looks like! How will we know where he'll strike next?

We will just have to be careful, and fight back. Sarah and I can do anything well together, so she said.

Yugi smiled thoughtfully at the red haired girl walking next to them. And she's telling the truth, he said. I really do think the two of you were best as a team. It's just a matter of working together like you did 5,000 years ago.

Something caught Yami's eye. It was the way Sarah was walking and hiding her face in her hair. Alright, Aibou, he said. I'll try.

After watching Joey's duel with Espa, Yami and I headed down the metal stairs of the building we were watching it from in search of our own duels. We were glad Joey won, and it brought him closer to being a True Duelist. He beat a very talented duelist, whether Espa had ESP or not. Yami and I were proud. And now, we're all on the same level with the locator cards. We're all closer to the finals.

We ended up walking back to the park, to a part that was secluded to the rest. Our footsteps just aimlessly brought us here, for reasons unknown. Maybe there was a reason, but I was too out-of-my-mind to figure out why.

Espa's bond with his brothers...

...just reminded me of the dead bond between me and my own older brother.

I probably wanted solitude, that's all. I've never gotten used to the fact that my parents were gone, nor that my brother was mind controlled by Gods know how. All I know is that Bakura's the one behind it.

Having my first best friend taken from me...was something I could never handle.

I think...that I just need a good few minutes—or hours—to have a long cry...about everything. I've always kept it in, but something of my defences broke that one day in the museum. And in front of Yami too. I just...couldn't hold in the tears anymore. The reality of our rebirth must have finally hit me, and stress after burden just piled onto my shoulders.

I gripped a nearby lamp post, feeling my eyes begin to hurt from holding back sobs.

Nothing would cure the ache in my heart. My problems will never go away, nor will the memory of those tragic days.

All I've got left is the gang, Yami, and Ishizu. They mean the world to me now.

But one of them...doesn't even remember who I am. He only thinks I am 'supposedly' his friend back from the past to help him.

"Sarah?" called Yami from behind. His voice held concern and I could vaguely feel a hand over my arm. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, unable to form any explanation for him. I myself am very confused on where to go with our rebirth. I even wonder if whether this tournament will really help us or only cause more problems. Gods... I've never been this confused before.

I forced back the depressed feeling and took a deep breath. Slowly, the ache in my heart began to dissolve away, but I knew it'll come back once I let down my guard again.

"Nothing," I managed to say, reassuringly. I wiped my eyes in case of any tears that might have gotten loose, but found only skin. "It's nothing. I was just...thinking."

Yami's vivid crimson eyes held worry, and slight disbelief at my words. He didn't think I was alright. But then, his face showed realization, as if he found the answer just by revisiting his past few minutes of memory.

"You were thinking...about your brother...weren't you?"

The tears rushed at me all at once; I felt some slide down my cheek. Quickly, I made a move to wipe them away. But it was inevitable. Even just talking about him makes me want to cry.

"I was," I said, trying with all my might to force back the tears. It's amazing how I can be determined and sad at the same time. Determined NOT to be sad. "But, I'm fine. I won't break down or anything."

Yami didn't believe me. Hesitant for a moment, he took me under an arm and slowly walked me into the secluded part of the park. Something told me not to turn away from his grip. I felt...secure.

Tall, green trees lined the left and right sides, making it look like a path couples would use for something romantic. Reason being because it was cut off by trees from the noisy part of the park where we were just before Joey's duel. I found the peace and quiet very enticing, and it helped me contain some of my spilling emotions. No one else was at the park. It was only us; a couple of friends taking a stroll.

Yet, one is about to break in half and spill salt water while the other is on the look out for danger as well as trying to help the one who is about to cry.

Funny thing emotions...

The Pharaoh led me right into the middle. He held my shoulders and turned me around to face him, only to be met with my hands covering my eyes and mouth. He blinked.

"Er...I don't know how I used to comfort you back in Ancient Egypt," said Yami a little sheepishly. When I didn't say anything, he sighed. "Sarah, please don't cry. You know it...hurts me when I see you tears in your eyes."

For some odd reason, I felt my cheeks burn behind my hands. He's never said anything like that before. Maybe Yugi was giving him pointers. Without a word, I shook my head, still feeling the familiar pain prick my eyes.

I heard another sigh. Yami was wondering what to do next. "Sarah, if you begin to cry...I'll send you to the Shadow Realm."

Now, I could tell Yami was trying to make me feel better; switching emotions around for my well-being. He knows that I know nothing can be done about my brother and my parents. But he also knows that crying is natural when thinking about tragic events.

"You can't send me to the Shadow Realm," I said, though my voice was muffled by my hands. I decided to play Yami's little game, if it was even that. "I need to Guard you, you know that."

"Well, then...can you please remove your hands? I want to be able to see the face of the one Guarding me.

"Most of all, I want to see the face of my friend."

Surprised by his words, I timidly proceeded to detach my hands from my face, showing my slightly tear stained face to Yami. His crimson eyes momentarily widened with shock, but then they looked down at me affectionately.

Wait...affectionately? Just like...how he looked at me after the Battle of the Nile... When I was being taken into medical...

And...he just called me his friend... Could it be...?

That he remembers me?

Yami took my chin into his hand and slowly dabbed at the rivers of salty tears with the sleeve of his blue blazer. It felt just like how it did when my mother used to wipe my tears from my eyes...after I fell and scraped my knee and could not stop crying.

His movements were gentle; like a friend's would be. And there was care in his eyes, momentarily dominating the usual assertiveness and determination.

He looked...like he did 5,000 years ago.

"There," he said triumphantly, releasing his lenient and soft grip on my chin, pulling his sleeve back up. "Now there's the Sarah we know."

That just put a smile on my face. He was only trying to make me feel better. And silently, he was telling me that we'd find Bakura and make him pay. For all the pain he's caused.

Yugi appeared in ghost form beside him, smiling impressively. "Wow, he has magic," he commented, pointing to the Pharaoh.

We blushed.

"What?" he asked.

I smiled again, thankful to have such good friends. "He's teasing you about how you have a way with words and actions," I said, answering Yami's question. "Thank you."

He gave me a smile. "Someone had to remind you that we were fighting this battle together," he said. "I just thought it would be best if I was the one to do it."

Yugi put hand to his heart, dramatically. "Such heart in this group...! I'm so proud."

Yami and I raised an eyebrow at the other. Yugi blushed.

"Er...I mean that you guys are getting closer. I can feel it in my bones."

I blinked. "Do you really think so?" I asked hopefully, trying to keep that emotion in check, but it ended up showing through anyway.

Yami smiled and patted my head. "Yes," he said. "I'm beginning to feel it too. It's a sort of...invisible length of rope tied between us, and it just tightened."

I nodded, somewhat understanding his words. If I thought about it hard enough, I could feel it too. "Hey, you're right," I said with a blink.

Yugi smiled. "Alright, let's go look for some duels. Maybe Marik will send us his Rare Hunters at us soon, so keep your guards up."

Yami and I nodded, just as Yugi disappeared back into the Millennium Puzzle. At the mention of that madman holding a Millennium Item in his hand which enables him to control anyone's mind, our guards shot up times ten, and we held our ground, ready for anything unexpected.

"Right," said Yami with a nod. "We'll keep a lookout."

"Anything he does will be sensed," I said. "Since he uses a Millennium Item. But I still don't know which one can control people..."

Was that thought really bothering me? No. It was Yami's sudden behaviour that changed the atmosphere between us. Instead of being confused around each other, we were almost...comfortable... Like how friends should be around each other.

Does this mean...that he remembers how we were?

I couldn't help it. I wanted to know. So I asked.

"Er...Yami? W-Why did you...um..."

It was so out-of-the-blue, I couldn't form a proper sentence.

But Yami seemed to understand. He met my eyes. "The most important thing I've noted about being friends with someone is to help them up when they're down," he said kindly. "Truthfully, Sarah, I can't bear to see you like this. Don't start crying anymore, alright?"

I felt this sudden warmth crawl into my heart, scattering the void's pieces into invisible corners. His words were so kind, it was like someone I loved from Ancient Egypt was back with me. Yami was beginning to remember. He doesn't completely, but he's starting to.

I smiled at him, truly happy for the first time in a long while. "Alright, Yami," I said. "I...I won't cry anymore. But, I can't promise you."

Yami nodded, understandingly.

It was good to know Yami was beginning to remember. At least we were closer than before. I could also feel our bond begin to grow stronger. But now wasn't the time to start breaking down again. Now that Yami helped me regain balance, it was time I put the time to good use.

It was time...for our duels.

"We need to scour the place for anything suspicious," I said, but more as a suggestion.

Yami scanned the park cautiously. "Could they be here?" he asked. "At this very moment?"

"You never know," I said with a small shrug. "But it doesn't hurt to be careful. This isn't like anything we've dealt with before."

"And Marik seems very strong," added Yami. "He can control people's minds. That isn't normal. He's using it to his advantage at any given time; he's not letting a chance slip."

"But who will he send this time?" I asked. "First it was Keith, then some ninjas, and then Joey's predator. Who's next? More cloaked people? Chipmunks? Maybe even clowns—"

Suddenly, a jingle split the quiet. And followed by that, unsteady and very light footsteps from a nearby tree. Our attention immediately went to it, wondering what it was. My eyes narrowed carefully to it, my magics right behind the line and ready to be summoned if necessary at the best possible moment.

No one was here except for me and Yami. Now thinking on it, it was a perfect place to get attacked by Marik's Rare Hunters.

Psh. That coward. He's making other people do his dirty work!

"Who's there?" demanded Yami, his deep voice resonating throughout the park. A silent wind rustled mysteriously through the trees, leaves, our clothes and hair. My Locket glowed at a familiar sense of dark magic.

It was Marik. His magic anyway, but it could be a mind controlled puppet of his.

Then, I remembered the cloaked figure who attacked us the other night. "Are you the one who brought out their sword that night and challenged us?" I asked, slightly angrily. First shadows to hide behind, and now trees. "Show yourself! Don't make me come after you. I know you're one of Marik's Hunter!"

The jingle from tiny bells came again, cutting through the silence like a suspenseful knife.

Until a clown emerged from behind the tree. Whoever was inside the harlequin outfit acted a LOT like a puppet on strong. The face held an innocent smile, like it was a joker simply amusing the King and Queen with it's jester acts for entertaining. But it was so innocent, it was malicious. Tiny bells dangled and jingled from the tip of his hat.

I felt my skin crawl.

"Speak of the devil..." I heard Yami mutter under his breath. This clown was a total shocker. He looked funny and was going to act funny too. All for the wrong reasons.

"I'm afraid you've mistaken me for a friend of mine," said the jester, his smile still intact. While he talked, his lips never moved once. It was all his innocent little smile doing. Nothing. His voice was slick and slightly high pitched, and his movements were as slinky and loose as a puppet's. "Greetings, Yugi and Sarah."

He knows who we are. It's definitely Marik.

Okay, so this wasn't the guy or the girl who attacked Yami and me that night, I wondered thoughtfully, while keeping my glare fixated on the suspect of another Rare Hunter. He's a new guy? How many people does Marik have at his disposal?

"Then who are you?" asked Yami.

"I am of no one's concern," said the jester mysteriously. "My Master, however, is waiting for you in the tent just fifty paces away. You'll see it soon." Just to show us the way, he pointed deeper into the park, where we could just spot a large red and white circus tent near the end. What, was Marik part of the circus? He has such odd ideas for encounters...

I looked Yami's way, finding his eyes already meeting mine. "If Marik wants to finally meet us face to face then why let him wait any longer for what he supposedly deserves?" I said to him.

Yami could tell that just by Marik being mentioned somewhere near, I will want to go find him and rip his head off for ever thinking he 'deserves' the Pharaoh's power. He shares almost the same anger but he wouldn't want to get as violent. And he knows I won't actually do that; it's physically impossible.

But he does know that I'm eager to find him and put him in his place. If this jester speaks the truth, then Marik was leading us straight into his grasp, but we'll turn around and show him. He won't even know what'll hit him until it's too late.

Yami and I came to a silent agreement. "Fine," I said.

"We'll go to your 'Master'," said Yami.

The jester chuckled; its' laugh sending a chill run up my spine. "Then go to the tent," he said. The smile on his face was still innocently evil. All of a sudden, he vanishes behind the tree, and when I rush over to see if he's still there, he was gone.

"Damn," I said, running back to Yami. "It's said; Marik could be in that tent." I looked at him carefully. "Ready to go in? We can settle this once and for all."

Yami nodded, just as much concentration in his eyes and posture as in my mind. "Let's do this," he said. "Keep your guard up and stay close."

We followed the park until we reached the end to find a large red and white stripped tent placed adequately in the middle. There was nothing else around it, and a dark essence was coming from within. I could sense Marik's power. It was strongest here.

With a confident nod sent between us, Yami and I walked in through the opening, only to see the walls covered in colour and a stage set in the middle, with a spot light over it. A Magic Box, just like the card in Duel Monsters, was on the stage, open and with the jester hiding in the shadows of it.

"Hurry up," he beckoned creepily. "My Master's waiting." Then, he vanished as quickly as he had appeared.

I took a deep breath. "He wants us to go into the Magic Box?"

"It sure looks that way," said Yami. "Maybe it'll be like those magic shows and the actual Duel Monsters card; someone goes into the box and walks out through another one."

"...I wonder what Marik's planning. Of course he doesn't want to challenge you in the park. He probably wants us somewhere else; somewhere far away from other eyes."

Yami nodded. "Let's go see what he's up to."

We walked up onto the stage and into the Magic Box, feeling the door close tightly behind us. All we could see was darkness, and all we could feel besides the mysterious cold settling into our bones from wonder, was the other radiating with the body temperatures.

A few seconds later, a door in front of Yami opened and we stepped out of yet another Magic Box, just like Yami had predicted. Both of us had been calm, taking everything Marik was placing before us, and the quiet air, with slight anxiousness but more of confidence. We were ready to face him, and finish his part of this feud once and for all.

We were now in what looked to be the basement of some building. The lights were off and the concrete walls dropped the temperatures even more. The power of my magics, should we need them, were at my finger tips; the only bit of warm that seemed to be burning me. Even though this room and the thought of Marik being close was chilling me, threatening to make my body shiver. Yami was all control. He wasn't going to let a bit of cold get to him.

We looked around, carefully peeling our eyes for anything out of the ordinary, mostly because anything unordinary would definitely be Marik. Just like the jester in the middle of the park.

"You're right," I sighed, looking at all the bare walls, ceiling, and floor. "Just like the actual card; the Magic Boxes brought us to another spot than our original one."

Yami's narrow eyes were careful, like they always have been since he's been reborn. "Magic seems to be everywhere," he commented. "Is Marik some sort of magician?"

There was a computer sitting on a desk not too far from us, it's brightened screen being the only source of illumination. It turned on instantly and a window popped up displaying our Battle City profiles. First it was mine, showing my Sword of Deception on one side while my picture and name was on the other, and then it was Yugi's, showing his name and picture along with his Dark Magician.

My eyes widened. "What the— The computer just hacked into our info! I thought Kaiba said our private information was safe in his hands!"

Yami's narrow eyes narrowed themselves even more at the screen. "Marik must be good at hacking into computers," he said. "Otherwise, Kaiba was right. He's thoroughly advanced in his technology. But what could Marik want with our Battle City profiles..."

Just then, as if the computer heard Yami's question, it sparked with answer. A buzzing noise filled the room and what was air before us was now the ghost image of a Dark Magician being projected from the computer screen. His robes weren't a rich purple colour anymore, though. Instead, they were a brick red, and the way he crossed his arms told me he was challenging the Pharaoh. Including the smirk on his face.

What?

But that's completely untrue!

Master Mahad's monster...

Certainly the Dark Magician hasn't gone to the dark side?

Whether Duel Monsters is the 'reincarnation' of the Shadow Games or not.

Both Yami and I were surprised. Our eyes held question and shock.

"I've been waiting for you, Yugi," said the Dark Magician, it's form flickering like that of a ghost's. His smirk and glance were steely and cold. "You're not worthy of having me in your deck, so prepare to lose me forever! You're not the only duelist with my power, Yugi, and you're certainly not the best. It's time you met the true master of the Dark Magician! Meet my true Master!"

Yami smirked amusedly, not fazed at all. "Alright, enough of these tricks!" he said.

Suddenly, someone appeared from the shadows, clapping in slight amusement at the Pharaoh figuring out everything was a scheme. This man was tall, wearing a pointy red suit with a red silk top hat and a black and baby blue mask over only his eyes, with a matching dress shirt and bow. His grin was wicked and his eyes deleteriously narrowed. A Duel Disk was on his arm along with a deck in the recognizer.

The mysterious figure laughed. On his Duel Disk was a Dark Magician in defensive mode—the ghost that told Yugi off—while another one was in his hand. He had many of this version of the Dark Magician, two that I see now.

"Welcome, Yugi Muto," he said. His voice was abnormal; slightly high pitched, and I got the feeling that if he laughed too much, I'll lose my ears. "I am the Illusionist known as Arkana. And soon, your favourite card will be dueling for me.

"Only a true master of Illusion deserves to hold a Dark Magician. You will never understand its full potential!"

"What is he talking about?" I murmured to myself. Of course, Yugi deserves the Dark Magician to be in his deck! Why wouldn't he? And... this guy isn't Marik. I think he's another one of his Rare Hunters. Damn it! I thought the jester outside was talking about Marik being his Master! It turns out to be this guy.

Yami's eyes narrowed at the man. "That is enough, Arkana," he said.

The Illusionist smirked. "Sorry, Yugi," he said, stepping even further from out of the shadows. "I know it must be hard to think of your favourite card in another duelist's deck.

"Well, I challenge you to a duel! The winner will take the loser's Dark Magician!"

The Pharaoh smirked and I got the feeling that he was going to go through with this duel. "And I accept," he said. "You must know that when a duelist builds his deck, he chooses his favourites from many different types of cards. But sometimes, a card can choose a duelist. The two are connected and the duelist can tap into the card's true power."

Then, Yami took out his deck from the leather holster around his waist and began to shuffle, all the while looking confidently at Arkana and not on his skillful hands. "Because each is bound by the Heart of the Cards," he said. "And the Dark Magician has chosen me."

Without dropping his gaze, he drew the first card on his deck, and it turned out to be his own Dark Magician. He appeared behind him, just like the holographic image of Arkana's Dark Magician, but his form was smoother and more spirit-like, unlike his counterpart who kept flickering from the projection. He was still clad in his original rich purple robes, like he was supposed to be. Both Magicians matched each other's glare.

"He has never let me down." Yami held up his card. "And I place my complete trust in my Dark Magician."

It was amazing to see the Dark Magician look so loyal to Yami, because it reminded me so much of Master Mahad and his own loyalty. I miss him so much. He was almost like a second father to me. Now, after seeing him in a form I haven't seen so much of before, nor do I want to remember, I feel as though he's back again.

Arkana looked slightly annoyed at Yami from being outspoken. But then a smirk replaced his growl. "You may think he's chosen you for now," he said slyly. "But don't count on it for too long."

Suddenly, his eyes voluntarily landed on me, and if it was possible, his smirk became even more lethal. "Ah, so you did bring your little red headed friend," he said, regarding me intently. "Master was right...she looks very fast. Defiant even. What say you, Guardian?"

"You think you know so much of me?" I asked him scathingly. "Then tell me! What is it that I seek?"

Arkana looked thoughtful for a moment or two. "Well, it depends. A Magician has powers, many yes, but only some can master all. A certain magic can be used to tell me what someone's thoughts are. But, unfortunately, I don't happen to be interested in that type of magic, so I am unable to recognize what it is you desire."

I glared at him sharply. "Desire? I don't desire anything! All I need is for you to tell me who your 'Master' is. That's right, you've given it away."

Arkana smirked, unfazed. "I have given nothing away," he said. "You already assumed I worked for someone you know about. Why should I mislead you? It'll only send you in the wrong direction."

This guy...was creeping me out. Was he hinting about Marik having something planned for us? I couldn't jump to conclusions, but still...

Something flashed through his eyes. To me, it looked like disgust. Directed to me.

This guy did not like me.

"So, it's true," said Arkana, slightly impressed, looking Yami's way. "The great Yugi Muto never backs down from a challenge. Very impressive. But this room is a little cramped, don't you think? Fortunately, I know of a special duel ring close by. Follow me."

Arkana gestured towards the back of the room where we could spot a set of stairs leading down. Yami and I exchanged glances.

"Well, he challenged you," I said to Yami. "Knowing your reputation quite well, you do not walk away from a challenge, whatever it may be. And..." My last sentence was a whisper. "What if this guy really does work for Marik? Then he's an obstacle in our path to him. You have to take him down before we can go any further."

"Exactly what I had in mind," he said. Then his eyes narrowed in more thought. "Did you see the way he looked at you? It was as if you were...in his way."

I nodded. So I wasn't the only one to see it.

"Be careful," he said. "Marik is unpredictable. He could have something planned for you as well."

I gave him another nod. No one's ever looked at me like that before. Well...maybe Bakura did once or twice when I intersected him 5,000 years ago...but that's about it. Marik knows about me... But I can't find a reason for him to hate me.

If he does.

Most likely he might.

Or it could have been just Arkana.

"Hurry," beckoned the masked man. The wide smirk on his face never faltered. It looked evil. "It's almost curtain time. I have special orders from my superiors to make this a real spectacle."

He talks as if it really was a magic show, and he was the magician performing it.

Yami and I exchanged glances once again before we followed Arkana down the stairs. The set was metal and the closer we got to the bottom, the colder it got. We must be going underground by now.

"What do you mean you have orders from your superiors?" asked Yami, his deep voice resonating off the walls and stairs. He stopped near the middle, defiant for an answer. I fell into step just behind him but to his right.

"Just who is it that you are working for, Arkana?" It couldn't hurt to ask him one more time. He can't say by the time Yugi trashes him that we didn't give him a chance to answer on nice terms.

Arkana's grin seemed sadistic. "Relax and enjoy the show," he said reassuringly. But his voice was far from reassuring. This just proves to us even more that he possibly works for Marik. Bakura has always been the type to work alone, so he can't be behind this.

Until that one time he decided to take my brother so they could work along side each other.

Reasons for it are still unknown to me.

The masked man continued to lead us down the dark and empty stairs. "Forget who's backstage. Just worry about me." He laughed.

His little chuckle scared me. "Deranged showman," I said with a sigh. "Great."

"If he really is working for Marik, then there could be more at stake here then my Dark Magician." Yami met my eye. "Sarah..."

"I know, I know," I said a little defensively. "Be careful. But you don't need to worry about me."

"That's not it." Yami's gaze hardened slightly. "Don't do anything rash."

He meant, "Don't go ninja" on Arkana. Like, bring out Asima and start whacking him with my sword.

I sighed. "Alright," I said with a nod. "My anger's in check, I promise."

When we finally reached the bottom of the stairs, we were now at a wall with only one solid, metal door. A single light bulb lighted the bright red question mark painted on it. The air around it was mysterious, and looked like something out of a haunted circus. A sinister one.

What could this man have planned?

"Tada!" said Arkana, gesturing grandly at the door as if it were some prize. "Beyond that door lies my dueling ring. I had it specially made for this match."

So he was expecting Yugi too? This man was even more mysterious than I thought. He must have something especially planned if he knows about the Pharaoh and the Millennium Puzzle.

He opened the door and stepped into another grand room, this one brightly lit. Dark curtains hung along all four walls. A giant circular ring was in the middle, about a half foot lower than the actual ground. A small, square table was set in the middle. Most of the bad feelings I was getting was coming from this room.

And the tabletop didn't make me any less nervous.

It has the symbol of the Millennium Eye on the centre.

Yami and I looked thoughtfully around, wondering about the backdrop for the duel.

"I'll keep watch," I said to Yami with an encouraging nod. "You go in there and beat Arkana. Good luck."

Yami gave me a determined glance. "Right," he said. I stood off to the the side, leaning casually against the wall behind Yami with my arms crossed. I could only watch the duel with set eyes now. The door shut behind us.

Arkana sneered. "It will be better if you stayed out of the way, indeed," he said menacingly. "Just for the record, I have no intention of knowing what either of your places are in my superiors' plans. All I know for sure, is that after I win against you, Yugi, your Dark Magician will belong to me."

"You can dream about it," I spat back. This man's attitude was beginning to get on my nerves. The duel hasn't even begun yet and he's already acting like he won. "But Yugi is a strong duelist. And when he's next to his Dark Magician, there's nothing that can stand in their way. Not even you."

Arkana almost looked amused. What, he didn't think so? Of course he didn't. Who am I kidding.

"Hm... My boss has also warned me of your smart-mouthed little Guardian. Whatever that means," he said haughtily. "What is it, an alias of some sort? Either way, he seems incredibly interested in both you and Yugi.

"And as a suggestion, he's told me how to cope with you."

My eyes met the Pharaoh's for some reason, as if drawn to them. He looked back at me, slightly worried.

"How, exactly, did he tell you to cope?" asked Yami carefully, his glare set meaningfully onto the masked man. This does not sound good.

"You'll notice that we're completely alone," droned Arkana, completely ignoring Yami's question. "There are no screaming fans and no cameras. Yes! It's the perfect setting for a private performance with so much on the line."

Both Yami and Arkana faced each other at the table in the middle of the ring and brought out their decks, all the while, Yami sending Arkana narrowed glances while Arkana sent Yami a cocky grin.

"We'll duel according to Battle City Tournament rules," said the masked man. "But thanks to our location, not even Kaiba knows we're here. Now, let's shuffle our decks and let the show begin, shall we?"

What? Not even Kaiba will know where we are? Even with his advanced technology? Marik must not want anyone interfering with his scheme. And, I remember Kaiba telling everyone, that the Duel Disks had some sort of tracking chip in them to show him where we are.

Now he won't know?

A disadvantage. For instance, if we needed help of some sort, no one would know where we were.

But then, I remembered my cell phone. I highly doubt Marik knows I have one, otherwise he would have already taken it somehow. Since it's still in my pocket, I know Yami and I have a way to communicate with someone if we needed to. Hopefully the signal isn't blocked down here.

And he still hasn't said anything about Marik giving Arkana a way to "cope" with me... He's delaying the inevitable answer.

Yami and Arkana began to shuffle their own decks. Yami regarded the other with cautious narrow eyes. I guess being a creepy magician makes others uneasy. I wouldn't blame him. "I'm watching you," said Yami. "Don't try any sleight of hand, Arkana."

Arkana smirked. "Card tricks are strictly for amateurs, Yugi Muto," he said defensively.

"Just to be sure, I'll cut your deck."

"Of course," said Arkana.

Both duelists placed their decks onto the table and grabbed the other's deck into their hands. Before, when Arkana was shuffling his deck, his movements were rough and strange, while Yami's hands were firm so as not to drop his cards, and gentle so as not to harm them.

Something about Arkana was unsettling. This man did not appreciate Duel Monsters the way Yami and I do. There was no passion in his eyes. Just a thirst for victory.

"You know," started Arkana, when he was through cutting Yami's deck. "There is an old saying among high rollers and card sharks; 'Always trust your opponents, but only after you've cut their deck.'."

Yami cut Arkana's cards as well, dividing it into three then putting the smaller piles back together but in different order.

"Hm," smirked Yami. "Here's another; 'Never trust a masked man.'."

Arkana didn't seem fazed by his answer. "I'm offended," he said, when the two returned the decks to the other. "Besides, you and I are a lot alike. We both play to win. Of course in this duel performance, you'll find there's an extra downside to losing."

"You are nothing like Yugi," I said scathingly. "You duel only for pride and rarity in your cards. Yugi duels for heart and reason."

Arkana waved it off with his hands. "I'm sure he does," he said dismissively. "But in this duel, he'll need to set his eye on the prize, or else he will regret it for the rest of his life. He's going to be losing a lot more than his pride once he loses this duel."

"What makes you so sure he's going to lose?" I asked him. "What makes you say he's not going to win?"

"And what do you mean by me losing a lot more than the duel?" asked Yami next. "There's a catch. What is it, Arkana?"

The masked duelist smirked once again. Actually, it never fell. He always has it on. Exactly...as if he's already won the duel.

"The catch?" he said. "Why, a lot more than you can comprehend.

"Remember how I said we're alone? With no normal magic show noises like the audience cheering after a good trick or the click of cameras for the good and fun memories? Well, I was off about one thing. We aren't completely alone.

"Your Guardian is still here.

"So, along with the cameras and people missing, the noise is missing too.

"And most importantly..."

Arkana drew something from within a hidden pocket in his funny red suit. Whatever it was shone underneath the lamps hanging on the ceiling and walls, glinting suggestively. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. Yami glared.

It was then I saw it. Them, actually. Five kunai that looked frighteningly familiar to me.

My eyes widened, and chilling shock ran through my spine.

It was the same kunai used against me during that fight.

Yami even noticed, for his eyes also widened. He remembered them all too well, as well. His gaze flew from Arkana to me.

Arkana smirked so venomously, my whole body wanted to shake. But I held my ground enough to withstand it. I got the terrible feeling that he was going to be playing darts with kunai.

"Most importantly, this duel ring will also be Guardian free soon!"

The masked lunatic threw back his arm with the five kunai still in hand, and in a split second, sent them jet streaming towards me at an incredible speed. For a magician who loves spells and traps, he was also agile.

I didn't let any valuable time escape. With a flick of my wrist, I caused the air to form a solid shield around my body, like the shield I encased Yugi and the Millennium Puzzle in at the warehouse. It held—until the fastest kunai Arkana sent at me hit it with such velocity it blew it to bits with no problem. Even if that one shattered to the floor from loss of speed from the impact, there were still four very sharp ones coming at me.

There was no time for me to bring up another shield. The attack was so fast and unexpected my former shield had no chance against that kunai.

At least to cover my face, I threw up my arms, blocking them from my eyes. The second fastest kunai lodged itself into the back of my left arm, causing me to cry out and accidentally bend them down in pain. Although my face was exposed, the last three kunai missed that mark. Two pinned the shoulders of my white-t-shirt into the wall behind me with such force, I was sent backwards into it. The very last kunai hit the wall right by my head, telling me it was very close.

"Sarah!" cried Yami, who watched the one second scene with anxiety and concern. When he saw me breathing and putting up a fight against the pain, he relaxed only the slightest bit. Then his emotion turned into anger.

"What is the meaning of this, Arkana?" he yelled to the masked man. Arkana chuckled atrociously, enjoying his torture.

"What does it look like?" he said. "I'm keeping her at the sidelines. I don't want your Guardian interfering with this duel once it becomes ugly to look at. She's so protective of you and everything..."

"What's going to be so ugly about it?" I asked him with clenched teeth, from holding back pain and anger.

Arkana smirked. "The stakes," he said. "Once you know what they are...your bones will be shaking as well as your whole body!"

Suddenly, the duel ring began to shift. The square table that was in the middle now began to sink into the floor. The floor beneath Yami and Arkana started to move back until the back of their legs were just by the edge—only to lock their legs into place with shackles that emerged from the sides of the ring. The shackles were thick and could only open with a key. Yami glared harshly at them with grinded teeth.

My eyes widened, and I instantly forgot about the incredible pain shooting through my arm. "Yugi!" I pulled on the kunai that were keeping me pinned to the wall. With haste, I tried and tried, so I could get to the Pharaoh and Yugi and get them out of this situation they didn't sign up for...only to realize how far deep the kunai were in the wall. The black handle was all I could see. Instead, I tried pulling myself free. Even if my shirt would rip, at least I could get to the Pharaoh.

"Nah-ah-ah!" said Arkana, waving his finger at me. "That's the beauty of these lovely kunai; you can't move! The spell cast onto them makes it impossible for you to escape. I agree, it's the best way to contend with a meddlesome Guardian like you."

I saw a dark purple haze around the handle of the kunai. Arkana was right. They were charmed. There was no way out. I slumped back against the wall, wincing at the pain in my arm. Blood trickled out of the wound, the kunai still lodged in place. It felt white-hot and searing, like a dagger. I hope it wasn't implanted in a bone or artery. But then again, even if it was, I wouldn't have been able to move it. At least the inside of my arm was alright. But the pain...

...it felt a lot like the dagger that Rare Hunter slashed me with.

I saw Yami look my way, concern in his eyes, along with anger at Arkana.

"D-Damn it..."

"Arkana!" shouted Yami, glaring daggers of steel at the crazy man. "What kind of a sick and twisted game are we playing? Let Sarah go! It's me you're challenging!"

Arkana laughed, and like I thought before, it's going to hurt my ears soon. "Relax," he said. "We're both locked in. Which means neither of us can escape. And as for Sarah... Like I said before; she'll be in the way if I don't deal with her properly."

I tried ripping myself from the kunai grip again but the spell was powerful. Marik must have known a lot more than how to steal the Pharaoh's power.

"Yugi, forget about it," I said, wincing again at the pain. I'm afraid of taking out the kunai, in case it would cause serious bleeding that I could not handle. "If this guy wants to play a dangerous game, then so be it! You can still win."

Yami looked at me unsurely. He was wondering about my situation. Enough of this 'friend protectiveness' thing going on with the guys...!

"But Sarah, Arkana still doesn't have the right to restrain you like this," he said. I shook my head, telling him silently that if this was Marik's will, then there was no way out of it.

"My superiors really don't like you," Arkana said to me. Again, what could I have done to make this so? "Secretly, I think they want you dead. But for now, they told me to simply keep you at bay. While Yugi and I battle for our lives."

"What?" I shouted, feeling my heart suddenly started racing with dread. "What do you mean you're going to battle for your lives? You are not going to lay a finger on him, do you understand?"

Arkana frowned at me, though it was impossible to believe since he was smirking the whole entire time. "I wish he said something about your mouth and how to keep it closed," he said. "You're annoying, and you're going to ruin all my fun."

"Arkana," said Yami. His voice was low and dangerous. "Answer her question."

His smirk reappeared, more creepier than ever. "See, there's an extra twist," he said. "We're not just playing for what's inside our decks, we're also playing for what's inside our minds! I told you, Yugi! You were going to be staking up much more than just your Dark Magician!"

Suddenly, two glowing disks appeared from secret compartments in the dueling ring. They were set into the sides of the ring, burning a bright blue colour—and they looked sinister. And yet for some reason...I can feel the powers of the Shadow Realm from them.

Was Arkana planning to cut the Pharaoh up into bits and pieces as well?

My mind was in a whirl and the pain in my arm did not make the situation any more helpful.

"What are they, Arkana?" asked Yami with narrowed eyes. He knew they must be dangerous. His crimson eyes held a different sort of angry. That of incredible depth and conviction.

"It's a dark energy disk, Yugi," said Arkana slyly. "And I wouldn't get too close if I were you. One touch and your mind's banished to the Shadow Realm!"

Say...what?

"Don't worry, Yugi, I'll explain the rules to you before you lose. See the numbers written above the energy disks?"

Now that I can see them, my heart became even more heavier by the second. This man was willing to give up his sanity—or what's left of it—to the Shadows, all for a chance to beat Yami.

"Ah. Those are life points," said Yami. "The closer the number gets to zero, the closer the disks get to us."

"Precisely. And then you can say hello to the Shadow Realm! Alright. Now look down between your feet. You'll see each of us has a key box."

A small box with the number 4000 on the top appeared in between both duelists feet.

"A key box?"

"Yes," said Arkana. "And inside is a key to unlock the shackles around your legs. Your box displays your opponent's life points and will only open if you win the duel. Only then can you save yourself!"

"And what about Sarah?" asked Yami through narrowed eyes. "I want her free."

Arkana waved it off with his hand. "She can be freed as well I suppose," he said. "But as long as you win the duel. I don't know why you keep her around though. She seems like such a pest."

An anime anger mark throbbed on the side of my head. "Do you want to see how much of a pest I can be?" I asked him through clenched teeth.

"You can't do anything!" laughed Arkana. "If you haven't noticed, you're a little 'pinned up' at the moment."

Freaking smart ass...

"Watch it!" I said. "I can set something on you!"

"I'm sure you could."

I glared at him. "You know what? I already promised someone I wouldn't do anything rash. But that doesn't mean that when something needs to be done I won't do it. So you'd better be careful what you do, Arkana. You aren't going to like my angry side."

Yami glanced my way over his shoulder. I gave him an apologetic shrug.

"Hm... There's some sort of connection between you two that I can't exactly place..."

"Do you not understand, Arkana?" said Yami. "Well, of course you don't. All you must care about is mastering your magic tricks."

Arkana glared; a good look for him. "Remember, Yugi. You're in a very tight spot. And the only way out is to win! And I am not beat easily. The lower your life points get each time, the closer the energy disk will get to you!"

"You're insane," said Yami.

"Think of the key box as a hope chest, really," said Arkana with another smirk. "Because that key is your only hope."

This man was crazy. We haven't ever seen this kind of a game where the stakes were so high. Doubt could run through anyone's mind, of whether or not to really play or walk away while there's still a chance. But, Yami was determined. He wasn't going to let someone do this to him. And he's already accepted the duel. There was no turning back.

"What kind of person would toy with someone's mind?" asked Yami with a shake of his head. It really was shameful. Do they not have anything better to do in life? "Are you some kind of demented madman?"

Arkana smirked. "No. I'm a man who's undefeated."

"Not for long, Arkana! You've met your match, so get ready! It's time for us to duel!"

The holographic projectors that were already installed into the duel ring brightened up into a rainbow of colours at his words. "The spotlight's on us!" said Arkana as if he's been wanting to say that for a while. "It's show time!"

Yami drew his first hand. "Then draw your cards!" he said.

"As you wish, Yugi!" Arkana smirked, also drawing his first hand. The life point counters were set and the duel began.

One will reign victorious, even though this was such a dangerous game.

Life was at stake here.

I couldn't believe what was happening.

Right when the Pharaoh needed help...I was held back by a spell.

But though I couldn't Guard him properly at the moment, I can still cheer him on.

"You can do this Yugi! So what if this guy looks funny? You can still beat him easily!"

Yami gave me a smile over his shoulder and nodded.

"I'll give you nightmares," said Yami, glaring at Arkana. "Play with a True Duelist!"

And it was on.

Author's Note: Holy cannolli~ Bahahaha. What a fast update! ~o~ lol. XDD And I have Princess de la Luna to thank. x3 They gave me a good, but very sharp, deadline; three chapters in a week! ~o~ The third one's a special one; muahaha, you'll know about it soon. ;D Princess de la Luna and I have a surprise for you guys. XDD

Well! I'm pretty proud of myself, because this was the fastest update I've ever done in a long time. . ^^' lol. I hope you guys liked it! Please tell me what you thought of it! Reviews are always so very much appreciated! They send my heart soaring so high~ x3

This is my absolute FAVOURITE episode in season 2, because I find the whole 'life-and-death' situation quite attractive. And since it's got Yami in it... -blush- Well, you know. XD
His last line is from the Japanese version. I think it's pretty darn sexy. ;D

Thanks so much for reading everyone! ^^ Take care, until the next chapter! X3

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