The Kaiba Corp Helicopter hovered over the imposing, unfinished Domino Stadium. As it landed, Kaiba Seto looked around, confirming that he was the first one to arrive. Little did he know, two men were already there, waiting and observing.
"So, Kaiba Seto, the man holding one of the God Cards, is the first contestant to arrive," Marik observed then looked over to the man standing on his right. "Hey Rishid, you haven't forgotten the promise you made to my father, right?"
"Of course not..." Rishid replied.
"Very good... I'm going to put an end to this cursed inheritance that my family has suffered for the past three thousand years by taking Yugi's life," the Egyptian young man stated.
Marik's clan was closely tied to the Pharaoh's memories. In Ancient Egypt, a man, blinded by darkness came forth. The seven MillenniumItems were then created by the court magicians to seal that darkness away. One of them, the Millennium Puzzle was in the shape of a reverse pyramid, the symbol of darkness. In order to protect that seal, Marik's family suffered massive losses. One of the many things that they were safekeeping was an inscription that read: "An evil power was sealed in darkness along with the spirit of a young Pharaoh. But after thousands of years of slumber, the evil power will rise once again. When that happens, the Pharaoh's soul will awaken. He will wander this world seeking the memories he has lost." Only Marik knew how to unlock these memories and he was determined never to give the Pharaoh the key to his memories. He was set on plunging the Pharaoh back into the darkness, convinced it would be the only way for him and his clan to be free.
Marik and Rishid then left the stadium. Kaiba, sensing a presence in the stands, asked for the lights to be turned on. Once they were on, he didn't see anyone there. He noticed, however, that there were people entering the stadium.
"Big brother, Yugi and the others are here," Mokuba announced to his brother.
As they all entered, the group glanced around.
"So this is the location of the finals?" Yugi questioned.
"Kind of underwhelming if you ask me..." Akia said, trying to get on Kaiba's nerves a little. Otogi and Mai were also showing their disappointment, considering it was an unfinished stadium. Kaiba's employees, Isono and Fuguta, welcomed them and gave Yugi, Akia, Mai, and Jounouchi their I.D. cards which qualified them for the finals.
"Hey, where are the other finalists?" Jounouchi inquired.
"Currently, only Seto-sama and you four have arrived," Fuguta answered.
"So three left..." As Akia was saying that, everyone looked at the entrance. A figure was appearing and getting closer. When Akia saw who it was, her heart skipped a beat. It was the very attractive guy that saved Bakura.
"That's Namu!" Jounouchi exclaimed as he and Anzu ran up to him to greet him and ask if he was alright. He reassured them and expressed how relieved he was that they were also safe. Jounouchi was a bit suspicious however. After all, they had gotten kidnapped by Marik right after meeting Namu. Not only that, but Namu had asked Jounouchi to show him how to duel right before they were attacked. How then, Jounouchi asked himself, did Namu even have a duel disk and was able to qualify in the Battle City Finals, on top of it all? Marik noticed the suspicious look that Jounouchi was giving him. He still had influence on Anzu's mind, so he prompted her to introduce him to everyone else. "Oh yeah! Everyone, this is Namu. He tried to save us when the Ghouls attacked us. Right, Jounouchi?"
"Uh... yeah..." The blond teen replied.
This was enough to distract Jounouchi from his thoughts.
Akia then walked up to them as well and looked into the newcomer's eyes. "Namu, was it?" She reconfirmed, feeling a little suspicious herself. Marik felt his heart beat faster. He knew he would have to interact with Akia again if he were to infiltrate Yugi's friend group, but he really didn't feel prepared for it at all. He was afraid to let anything slip out.
"Yes! And you were...?" Marik asked, to make it seem like he was definitely a different person.
"Oh, yeah, we didn't really see each other for long enough since I had to leave with Bakura. Let me introduce myself again. My name's Akia." Akia extended her hand to Namu, which he took firmly. They were then both silent, feeling the rush of electricity between them, not letting each other's hand go.
"Um... Are you guys going to hold hands forever? Is my little Akia developing a crush or what?" Mai's teasing voice woke them from their stupor and they immediately let go of each other's hands while blushing.
"I-It's not like that, Mai-san!" The red-eyed girl stuttered.
Yugi then walked up next to Akia. "Nice to meet you, Namu. I'm Akia's twin brother, Yugi."
"Nice to meet you, too. So many strong people are gathered here. I don't know if I'll stand a chance in these finals." Namu shook Yugi's hand and joked to lighten the mood and to get them to trust him more. Akia didn't take her eyes off him this whole time. Maybe Mai was right, and she just had a crush on him. As she was thinking that, she heard steps coming from the entrance. The person she saw got her and everyone else surprised.
"Ryou!" The black-haired young woman yelled out her friend's name.
Bakura came in staggering slightly. Akia, not waiting for anyone, ran up to him and held his non-injured arm.
"Akia-chan, I'm glad you made it!" He said as he gave her his sweetest smile. The Spirit of the Ring had gotten better at masquerading as his host.
"Why are you here?! You should be in the hospital!" Akia exclaimed in worry.
Yugi, Jounouchi, Anzu, and Honda joined them as well. They were just as baffled that Bakura was there.
"Grandpa told me on the phone that you were in critical condition!" Yugi mentioned.
"Y-Yeah..." Bakura confirmed.
"We should take him back to the hospital," Honda stated.
Yugi then noticed the duel disk attached to Bakura's injured arm. "That duel disk..."
"Of course it's so that I can participate in the Finals," the white-haired young man innocently said.
"What?!" Everyone exclaimed. Bakura removed his arm from Akia's grip and took out his Puzzle cards to show them. The Evil Spirit then, seeing Marik looking from far, put away the puzzle cards and grabbed Akia by the waist, pulling her closer to him. She immediately blushed at the sudden contact. This also distracted everyone from prying much more into why his host was there.
"R-Ryou...!" Akia exclaimed.
"Are you guys finally dating?" Jounouchi asked them eagerly.
Marik frowned at the sight. He really disliked seeing any man, let alone Bakura, touch Akia in such a manner.
"I mean... I'd like it if we were," the Spirit of the Ring replied, perfectly imitating his host's mannerisms.
Akia let out a small gasp and her face became all shades of red.
"So bold...!" Honda blurted out.
"Did you just confess in front of us?" Anzu squealed.
Everyone started teasing Bakura and Akia.
"I wish I had your courage, Bakura-kun..." Yugi glanced at Anzu discreetly. Mai, Shizuka and Otogi joined up with them, enjoying the scene that was unfolding.
"Way to go, man. Go get her!" Otogi cheered.
"So romantic...!" Shizuka sighed dreamily.
"Well, well, Akia-chan, you've been just getting all the men today," Mai teased.
"M-Mai-san...!" Akia, feeling overwhelmed with all the attention, got out of Bakura's grip, looked the other way, and took a deep breath to calm herself. Just then, another person came in that nobody was expecting.
"Ishizu-san!" The red-eyed girl exclaimed. Looking at her, Akia noticed that she did not have a duel disk, which meant she was not here as a finalist. She greeted them and they greeted her back. Akia then decided to go to her and talk. "Are you here to watch the finals?"
"My Millennium Necklace showed me that there was a role that I must fulfill in these finals," Ishizu explained.
"You're always so cryptic," Akia chuckled.
Ishizu let out a small smile and then looked at Marik. She knew he was masquerading as Namu to infiltrate Yugi's friend group. No matter how much she wanted to warn them, she did not want to risk angering him which would lead his other personality to surface.
Kaiba was standing behind, observing the finalists that have arrived.
"Only one left. It must be Marik." As the young CEO said that, the last finalist entered in the purple hooded cloak that all the Ghouls wore.
"Rishid...?" The black-haired girl uttered. It then dawned on Akia what was happening. Marik had sent Rishid in his stead. Rishid entered and joined the finalists.
"Are you Marik?" Kaiba asked.
"Yes, it is I," Rishid answered.
When Akia heard this, she was about to go and confront him, but Ishizu held her arm, keeping her from going. "Please, do not say anything about his identity... It might put Marik in danger."
"What do you mean...?" Akia inquired.
"Trust me, I beg you. I only want my brother to be stopped and to be safe..." The sincerity in Ishizu's voice convinced Akia not to tell anyone about Rishid not being Marik. It left her really conflicted though. She looked at Namu once more. She wasn't sure about anything anymore, but Namu did not leave her indifferent and she wondered if maybe there was the slightest chance that he was Marik. His voice was very similar to Marik's when she was blindfolded. She wanted to ask him, but Ishizu's warning rang in her ears. What danger would Marik be in?