A/N: I would like to thank the Guest who reviewed my story. I would thank him/her personally but since I cannot… well thank you! :D

Today's review reward contains chocolate cake with nuts!

Last but not least, I think you must know that the duels will not be presented in their entirety since Amane is not all that interested if it is not something important… (and frankly, I simply cannot sit and go through every single duel. I don't have that kind of time or that kind of patience.)

(Edited: 29/07/2014. Special thanks to TTY7.)

I had to admit it. It was rather bizzare.

I inhaled deeply, taking in the smells of the forest.

Ah, smells like freedom.

More like smells like trees, dirt and I think something died close by, a voice in my head interrupted my thoughts.

I scowled and pointedly ignored the voice in my head. Sensing someone's eyes on me, I turned to see the spirit of the Puzzle standing behind me with his arms crossed in front of his chest. I had to admit it, that guy looked cool, no matter the situation. It was kind of a let-down, considering that-

"Wait a minute." I held up my finger taking him in. There was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he waited for me to finish my scrutiny. "Something is not- bloody son of a bitch! When did you get that jacket back!"

I jumped and tried to cover up again, only this time my hands fell on soft wool and a rough material. Looking at myself I found that I was wearing a vest over a white shirt and a pair of jeans- the same as Ryou. Sighing in relief I gave the spirit an apologetic grin. "Sorry about that."

"It's okay, no one got hurt this time."

"You did have it coming." I shot back at him. "But um... sorry. About what I said."

"No, don't." he sighed. "I gave you a promise and I... I didn't keep it. I should have protected you from that."

"You couldn't have known. And it's okay, really. After all you came for me." I smiled, feeling guilty about bringing that up now.

There was an awkward silence for a while, and it would be a lie on my part to say that I wasn't just a bit relieved about the scream that broke it.

"What was that?" I yelled surprised, but the spirit had already dissappeared and the rest of the gang had taken off towards the direction the scream had come from.

We reached a place where a big…machine…thing was, where a blond girl was manhandled by a guy at least four times Joey and Tristan, who were the strongest blokes in the team, who happened to have an uncanny resemblance to that clown from Stephen King's It. Ryou had seen that movie once. I was so scared that I was not able to go near any sort of basin for some time and I am the ghost here. Well, except Bakura, though he would probably be the one to freak the clown out of his hair.

"Mai! Are you okay?" shouted Yugi.

"You are too late." she whispered, causing them all to come to a halt. I, of course, did not notice that, so I fell on Joey. Or I would have fallen on Joey, if I wasn't a bloody ghost. Ghost or no ghost, eating dirt was not among my to-do list for my first day out of the Shadow Realm.

"Too late for what?" asked Tea worried.

"Is dat freak givin' ya a hard time?"

"That's right. Just like Pegasus pays me to do. Find out all the dueling filth on the island and dispose of it."

"Doesn't that make you a garbage man?" mused Tristan, making me chuckle.

"This is no joke!" Mai snapped at Tristan. "He is one of the island's eliminators and if you don't get out of here he is gonna do to you what he did to me!"

"Eliminator? What's that Mai?" asked Yugi.

"It prettty much explains itself you berk." I muttered, rolling my eyes.

The clown grabbed Mai's hand violently and raised it, showing off a crimson glove that was the same as the one Yugi and Joey sported, as I noticed.

"Look! This is what she means, right here. Check out her duelist's glove, not a star chip left!"

A duelist's glove? I blinked for a moment, not quite comprehending what was going on.

"But that would mean she's been disqualified!" exclaimed Tea worriedly.

"You're out Mai?" asked Yugi surprised.

"I am." she confirmed ashamed. "It all happened so fast! The way Panic duels…I just… lost it."

Duels? My mind went back to the Shadow Game with Bakura, where the spirit of the Puzzle and he had played Duel Monsters. Despite the fact that Ryou was more of a role-playing type of person, he was also quite knowledgeable in the card game and he had began to build a deck by the time I... left.

"This isn't right." murmured Tea.

Bloody. Hell. This was about Duel Monsters.

"Ha! She was one of my easiest victims yet!" bragged Panic and pushed her hard toward us, almost causing her to fall. Well, well, looks like someone must have a couple of lessons over proper behaviour around a lady. And if I had any say on the matter, a big metal pipe on his head. It was surprising, how many things a metal pipe could accomplish.

"You creep!" shouted Joey and made to attack him. Tristan and Ryou held him back, trying to calm him down. Good thing too, because that clown was sure to turn him into a big, broken pile of flesh. "Move it! There is no excuse for pushing a girl!" he spat angrily, fighting against them.

"Calm down Joey, I know how you feel but that guy is twice your size!" Ryou tried to reason with him.

"I could take him!" he insisted.

"No Joey, fists aren't the answer. Violence won't solve anything. I've dealt with a lot of bullies in my life and I am afraid there is just one way to deal with him." Yugi cut in, anger clear on his face. It was a bit of a surprise to hear him talk since I had forgotten he existed for a second there.

"What do you mean?" asked Joey.

"You have to stand up to them!"

"But Yugi…" Mai started, but Yugi ws in a roll and no one could stop him. It was kind of heartwarming watching him stand up for his friends, although this would probably end with something bloody and broken and it would not belong to Panik.

"Now let's see you try your intimidation tactics against me Panic! I don't scare easy, especially when I am standing up for my friends!"

"So let's duel!"

The spirit of the Puzzle and Panik stepped on the platforms that were attached to the machines and they immediately began to rise till they reached the boards on them. It seemed like quite expensive equipment and I still could not see the point of spending so much money for a children's card game like Duel Monsters. And how did Panic come to possess such technology was beyond me as well.

"Alright Yugi, no prob! Show Panic here how we deal with dogs like him!" shouted Joey encouragingly.

"Yugi huh? It must be my lucky day! Pegasus has promised a generous bounty to the eliminator who defeats you! I wonder… Think he's going to give some extra cash for inflicting bodily harm? Not that I wouldn't do it for free…" Panic shouted exitedly, obviously not opposed to beating a minor to a pulp. Rather enarmored with the idea in all honesty.

The spirit however didn't seem to be all that worried, in fact I would say he was bored. Which was strange, taking into consideration the fact that a guy four or five times his size was openly threatening to beat him up. Instead he answered Panic's threat almost as if he was talking to a child throwing a wobbler.

"You better start thinking of other ways to make money Panic, because after I get done with you... not only will you be out some star chips, but you'll be out of the job."

"Who said I was an eliminator just for the money Yugi? I have made enough cash to have retired long ago! But I won't quit, because there is no better thrill than breaking weak duelists like you! So get ready Yugi! I am about to take you in a world of hurt!"

Oh right. He was not just a freaky clown, he wass a sadistic freaky clown who enjoyed winning in a card game more than anything. I had to wonder though, why was that guy getting paid for this? Wasn't this a Duel Monster's tourney? Why was a blatantly not-so-stable chap allowed to not only compete, but earn money from this?

"I won't be bullied by the likes of you Panik!" the spirit spat defiantly."I play with my heart. That's why I always win against your type!"

"You've never faced my type before! When I am in a match with someone, there is much more than sheer dueling strategy…"

"Huh? Meaning?" asked the spirit obviously taken aback by Panik's latest declaration.

"Panik is ruthless Yugi!" shouted Mai. "He had me totally terrified!"

"That's right and she is not the first either! We eliminators build our career on stalking weak players like her and forcing them to duel us! You see, when you are as good as I am, you learn to appreciate the hunt as much as the duel itself! And now I'm gonna take you down just like I did Mai!" Panik announced, proud of hmself. And why not? I mean, what kind of mother wouldn't want her child to grow up and become just like Panik?

"I see how you work Panik!" the spirit smirked mockingly. "Sneaking up on unsuspecting duelists because you don't have the courage to challenge them face to face!"

"Watch your mouth you insolent cub!"

"True duelists fight with honor and respect, not the underhanded tactics that the likes of you use. And to prove it, I wager all the star chips I have to win back Mai's!" the spirit continued to goad him, his voice loud and brimming with confidence.

Panik gritted his teeth. "It's a deal. If you win, I'll give you all eight of her star chips! The bet makes no difference to me!"

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean little Yugi, is that when you duel against Panik, you put much more than your measly star chips on the line! Much more!" he laughed and pressed a buton that was equiped on his board. To everyone's surprise, shackles of all things, came out of the sides of Yugi's side and closed around his ankles, effectively trapping him there, while columns of fire came out of bloody flamethrowers! What the bloody hell was the meaning of this? What bloody nutter equips flamethrowers on Duel Monsters arenas?

Panik let out a maniacal laughter. "What's the matter Yugi? Can't take the heat? Get used to it because you are stuck in for the long ride!"

"Take those off Panic!" shouted Joey enraged- and blatantly worried. I was worried about both Yugi and the spirit now as well. I didn't get what was going on in general, sure, but this thing had to be too much, especially considering that this was all about a children's card game!

"Panic used those on me too…" Mai mumbled under her breath.

I glared at her pissed. All that was happening because of her and yet she couldn't even say something beforehand? Like, I don't know, watch out for the flamethrowers?

"Stay strong Yugi…"murmured Ryou.

I turned to look at him. He had changed so much since the last time I saw him, which I couldn't even know how long ago it was! He seemed a bit taller and his facial characteristics had lost much of their childishness. But what struck me harder, was the haunted, sad look in his eyes. I felt ready to cry, knowing that Bakura, after escaping the Shadow Realm had shown no mercy on him for foiling his plans. And what was worse was that it was my fault. Had I not accepted to help the spirit, Bakura would have won the Game and I would have stayed next to my brother, not forced to go to... that place. And maybe, just maybe, after taking his revenge for whatever reason against the spirit, Bakura would go away and Ryou and I could be happier… And even after the spirit won, Bakura still came back, making Ryou pay for something that was in truth my entire fault. And while Ryou suffered I was thinking only of myself, actually feeling angry at Ryou, like a coward who couldn't even face and accept her own mistakes. What kind of protector, of sister was I?

I chased away these thoughts. I couldn't allow myself to think like that, not now.

The spirit stood tall in front of Panic, not allowing himself to show any signs of being intimidated.

"I can see the fear in your eyes Yugi, see you quivering in your boots!"

"Get a life you psycho!" Tea shouted angrily.

"Forget dis guy Yug, this wasn't in the job description!" added Joey with a hint of fear in his voice.

"Yeah, no joke! Let's get you down from there Yugi, what do you say?" asked Tristan, trying to appear calm, though I could see the anxiety in his eyes and the little bids of sweat on his forehead.

The spirit simply huffed, the smirk never leaving his face ."Are you finished blowing smoke at me panic?"

His friends gasped and I shook my head in exasperation. "You really do deserve what's coming to you chap."

"Yugi!"

"What's he doing?" yelled Joey fearfully.

"It will take much more than cheap pyral technics to make me lose my cool."

Panic laughed, not hiding his amusement, though there was a second of surprise to the spirit's reaction to his "cheap pyral technics" that could probably deep-fry him.

"The last person who had the nerve to talk to me like that...",his expression becoming distorted with anger, "I broke them in half! Now let's duel!"

He drew five cards from his deck and made the first move. "Seeing how the blaze of my fire didn't faze you, let's turn down the lights! My Castle of Dark Illusions will turn this duel into your darkest hour Yugi! Its magic shrouds the field with a veil of shadows!" I tuned out the rest as I watched in awe a castle appearing out of nowhere, a dark aura surrounding it. However that was where my amazement stopped and my eyes bulged out of my head.

Shadows, true Shadows were coming off of this thing. I took a step back, absolute horror filling my head and, although it was impossible, I was almost sure I could listen to my heart pounding in my chest. How could someone like him summon the Shadows here? I felt my head spinning and suddenly I was in the dark, not a shred of light in sight. I began hyperventilating.

Panic laughed, forcibly turning my attention back to the duel, the darkness clearing a bit. "You would be if you knew… The fearsome nightmares within its shape! The blanket of shadows casted over my entire side of the field, making it impossible for you to see the creatures I summon, but leaves your entire side exposed!"

A whimper escaped me as the Shadows spread, covering Panic entirely. Fear had settled in my whole body and I wanted to run but couldn't. Nightmares I had experienced flashed before my eyes. There was a very real pain on my hands and looking at them, I found that my hands were in shreds, the thumbs dislocated and the bone showing. I screamed in agony as the blood gushed from them and the sickeningly sweet smell of rotting flowers filled my nostrils. I shut my eyes tight and when I pened them the pain dissapppeared and my hands were back to normal.

"How the darkness preys on your fears, on your mind and you are too scared, too terrified to fight!"

"Please stop it…" I whispered as I took my head in my hands. He laughed again and that was the final blow, what made my insticts kick into survival mode. I turned around and ran away, not truly caring where I was going, getting away from the Shadows was enough…


Once I couldn't run any longer, I sat down and tried to clear my head, which resulted in more sobs. I cried and screamed for what felt like hours on end, unable to stop.

When I finally regained my senses what I had done began to come down on me. Not only had I run away like a coward, I had also abandoned everyone behind me. I sniffed and new tears fell from my eyes, but as far as crying went, I was out for the day. Wiping my face on my sleeve I stood up and tried to sense Ryou's location through our connection. It was weaker than I remebered, which only served in filling me with guilt and shame. However it still did the job and I followed it back to Ryou. It was a long walk, something that gave me enough time to ponder today's events. Panik had somehow managed to bring Shadows on the field- but how? I should have sensed something, at least. No magical energy had come from him but I had seen them. Had he won? Since I could sense him still, it probably meant that he was alright.

No, it means that he is alive. But alive is not alright now, is it?

I quickened my pace, then thought about it for a second and ran as fast as I could.

As I reached the camp, I sighed in relief at the sight of Yugi and Ryou staring at the Millennium Ring, which was pointing towards a castle. I shook my head. I would not question the reason why a castle that looked like it came straight from the Middle Ages was in this place. There were enough things to worry about as it was.

"Can I ask where you were till now Amane?"

I jumped, startled at the sound of the spirit's voice and scowled at him. "I am sorry Mom, it won't happen again."

He chuckled. "I was just curious, that's all."

"Is everyone alright? You defeated Panik, right?"

"A coward with no respect for the Heart of the Cards could never defeat me." he answered reassuringly.

"He was a coward with flamethrowers." I deadpanned.

"Believe me, I noticed." he replied, rolling his eyes at me. "But what matters is that we are all okay now and I really doubt that we will ever hear from him again."

"Did anyone call the police? I really don't think you should risk it like that. The guy was nuts!"

"There will be no need for that. I made sure that he won't hurt anyone ever again."

For a moment there, I did feel relieved to hear it- only to realise that for someone the spirit's size, who was not much taller than Yugi and God knew Yugi looked like he was thirteen at most, was not in a position of making such statements with such certainty.

"You sent him to the Shadow Realm?" I asked coldly.

"No. But I crushed the evil in him. It will take time for him to rebuild himself and see the mistakes he did but it will also make him a better person." His eyes softened. "I would never send there someone who does not deserve it. Not anymore."

He shifted his gaze to the sky, guilt and shame written all over his face. I decided to drop the topic, since it was obvious that, whatever had happened at his past did not make him very proud about himself.

"Where are we anyway? It's pretty obvious we are not in Domino City anymore…"

"We are on Duelist Kingdom, an island that belongs to the creator of Duel Monsters, Maximillion Pegasus."

"And why are we here?"

"He took Grandpa's soul. I must defeat him and take it back. I must save him." he growled, his fists tightening.

I blinked. "Who's Grandpa?"

"Yugi's Grandpa. Pegasus took his soul to force Yugi to compete in his tournament."

"All of this commotion for a card game tournament?" I asked incredulously. "It's a children's card game for God's sake!"

"I am sure it's not about that. There has to be something that Pegasus wants from us. There is no other reason to go to such lengths to ensure that Yugi would come here."

"Oh. Well that makes a lot more sense. But how could that Pegasus-bloke remove a soul from its body? I mean except the obvious way…"

"Pegasus owns anoth-"

The spirit was interrupted by a sudden, extremely loud noise. I looked around and my jaw dropped when I saw that, of all things, a chopper had landed right next to our camp. Seriously, who does that? The spirit vanished and I ran up to Ryou. They all gathered behind Yugi and we waited together for the person inside to appear.


When the door opened, a distinctly familiar guy jumped out of the helicopter. He was tall, with brown hair and a long, blue trench coat that, with a closer look, seemed to defy gravity. He scanned the gang with cold blue eyes that eventually settled for a tree behind us.

"It's Kaiba!" Tea exclaimed with surprise, her blue eyes widening.

"What is he doing here?" asked Joey, clearly not amused to see him.

"I don't know. But he looks like he means business…" murmured Tristan, taking a step back. Now, I could understand the surprise that someone jumping out of a helicopter may cause, but the look on Tristan's eyes was once more to the anxious side.

Yugi went closer to the new bloke and after a bit of talking handed over a deck of Duel Monster cards.

"That snobby little…" growled Joey, who had blatantly heard something I had not, since he stomped over to Kaiba and grabbed him from his coat collar. "Hey, listen tough guy! I can understand you wanting to get your little bother back ya know, but don't go thinkin that you are the only one here with a noble cause, 'cause we all here have something worth fighting for! So if you want a piece of Pegasus get in line or deal with me! That's right hotshot, I ain't scared of ya!"

KAiba looked significantly less than intimidated and a lot less amused with Joey.

"Nice grip. Let me show you mine."

He gripped Joey's hand hard enough that he cringed in pain. With strength quite surprising for someone as scrawny as he was, he flipped Joey over, landing him on his back, all the while looking like he would fall asleep.

Yugi quickly kneeled next to Joey.

"Joey can you hear me? Are you alright?" he shook him with worry.

"That was uncalled for!" shouted Ryou. "Check his pulse Yugi!"

I gave Ryou an incredulous look. Joey's life could not be in danger from falling down, even if it was a hard fall. However he did look like he would stay down for a while longer. To everyone's and especially Kaiba's surprise though, Joey stood up and glared at Kaiba with rage.

"Do you really think I'm gonna let you and this little tournament delay me from finding Pegasus?" asked Kaiba annoyed.

If there was one thing I had learned today was that this Pegasus guy had no friends.

"Forget Pegasus! Now ya got me to deal with so bust out your cards and let's get it on!"

I couldn't believe that bloke. Sure, it took a lot to stand up after being hit like he had been, let alone after what we all had been through tonight. But to actually go looking for trouble like that... it sure took some leak in his brain. Maybe the fall was to blame.

"Forget it. Why don't you go look for an opponent you can actually beat. Like an infant. Or a monkey."

Rolling my eyes at their infantile behaviour, I decided that watching the two of them insult each other like five year-olds was simply not interesting enough to keep me around. I walked past them and took a sit under a nearby tree, trying to clear my head a bit and make sense out of the day's events.

I was lost in my thoughts, when a strong light came out of the ground, right in front of Joey and the others. I quickly abandoned my position and took a closer look. Just as I reached Ryou's gathered friends though, something came out of the light and I screamed. Because right there in front of me, staring down at Joey like it was ready for a full course meal, stood a giant cow dressed in bulky armor. In its right hand it held a massive axe and I'm pretty sure he wanted to mince Joey with it. My jaw fell open at the sight and I moved towards Ryou, in case Joey was not enough for the armored cow.

"No way! That's a hologram?" asked Yugi in awe.

A hologram? I blinked in confusion and stared closely at the monster, noticing for the first time that it stood above a... spinning top?

"A hologram of unsurpassable realism! It breaths, it snarls, my new dueling disk technology even simulates its odor!" Kaiba bragged.

As understanding finally downed on me, I slapped my forehead in desperation. Were those teenaged boys really solving their differences through Duel Monsters? This was nuts!

"You are tellin me. That thing really stinks! Good thing it won't be around for much longer!"

Joey placed a card on his… Dueling Disk and summoned his own monster, which was almost instantly creamed by Kaiba's. Kaiba was undeniably better than Joey and he won without breaking a sweat. By the end of the duel, I was amazed by the extreme quality of the holograms but I was also curious about a feeling that appeared only for a second or two, when Kaiba summoned his Blue Eyes White Dragon. I was almost positive that I felt someone there. It was gone so fast though that it could've been nothing more than my imagination.

Joey was on his knees, obviously not going through the happiest moment of his life. And the fact that Kaiba was making a joke out of his defeat, made me furious. I had no idea who this Kaiba bloke thought he was, but to me he sounded like a spoiled brat that could use a spanking. And not the good kind of spanking either. Tea, Tristan and Ryou made a beeline for Joey, as Yugi stared dumbfounded at his friend.

"It's okay kiddo." Tea consoled him in a sweet voice.

"I'd say my Duel Disk system has proven quite effective. Not only did its stunning realism forced Joey into complete and utter submission, but just look at him! He's moping like a frightened dog with his tail between his legs. Which is exactly how I intent to leave Pegasus."

"But… this is Joey!" murmured Yugi.

"Yeah you jerk! Did you have to take his confidence away with his dragon?" Tea shouted furiously. We had all seen how easily he defeated Joey; there was no need for him to rub it in the poor guy's face. I watched as Kaiba kindly explained why we all were a bunch of moronic losers that he would crush on his way to Pegasus and then walked away, forgeting his chopper behind. Ah, what a pit that no one could fly a helicopter. Surely his face would be worth a lot when he'd come back for it and find it gone in thin air. Smiling at the picture, I left the others to their own dvices and went back to my tree.


A few hours after Kaiba's departure and when everyoe went to sleep, the spirit of the Puzzle appeared next to Yugi's sleeping form. Taking a sit next to the fire the other had set up, he motioned for me to come closer.

"I am not a dog you know." I muttered with a pout but positioned myself opposite him anyway.

"Never said you are." he replies with a smirk.

For a while, he did nothing but answer my many questions, with his duel with Panik being my main concern. I felt so stupid for allowing myself to show so much weakness, especially after learning that these machines they had dueled on were in fact Duel Arenas and all the creatures that appeared on it were nothing but holograms, like those from Kaiba's Dueling Disks. He also explained to me about Joey and the need to raise the necessary money for his sister's eye operation, as well as the events that led to Yugi competing to this tourney. Eventually I ran out of questions and, after a few moments of silence he stood up and walked back to Yugi.

Sheer terror washed over me in the prospect of being alone again. But what should I do? I couldn't ask the spirit to stay with me, he surely was tired from the whole ordeal and I doubted that he wanted to spend the night in my delightful company. At the same time however I dreaded the moment I would have t stay here all alone with my thoughts. I was torn between playing it cool and not say a thing, allowing him some much needed rest, or finding an excuse to keep him awake with me. Part of myself was disgusted wth my even considering such a thing, acting like a child that couldn't sleep without its teddy bear.

In the end logic prevailed and I tried to keep a straight face as I wished him goodnight. But I suppose that my straight face wasn't so straight after all since, after giving me a look, his eyes softened.

"Do you want me to stay with you?"

"No, of course not. What gave you that idea? I don't mind being alone! In fact, alone is my second name! That's right; you are talking to Amane Alone Bakura. See? I like alone! Alone is great, exquisite, bloody amazing!"

Good Lord, I just can't shut up when I am scared. Also, Amane Alone Bakura? Really brain?

He chuckled and sat across me. "I think that I'll stay right here tonight."

I felt so relieved that it kind of surprised me, but I was not about to admit that. I huffed and crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"Yeah, but not because of me. I totally don't mind being alone."

"Of course." he replied gently.

I gazed at the stars for a while, saying nothing, right before understanding downed on me.

"Spirit?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"What's your name? I really doubt it's "spirit"." I tried to joke- only to miserably fail.

He said nothing; he just turned his head to the direction of the forest.

"I don't know." he whispered finally, so quietly that I almost missed it.

"What do you mean you don't know? You don't have one?" I asked confused.

"I mean I don't know. I don't remember anything from my past. My memories begin the day Yugi solved the Puzzle and awakened me."

A blatant sign to change the topic. I should probably write a book about "How to make People Uncomfortable Around You". It would end up a best-seller too.

"So… how... um... how do you like the weather?"

This was gonna be a long night.