Hey everyone! Hope you're enjoying the story and make sure to review please (pretty please?) :) Unfortunately, I don't own Yu-gi-oh because if I did, Kaiba would be in every episode (sigh)

Later that night, Kaiba called Mokuba to his office. His little brother had been at headquarters all day helping Serena with the computer and dueling program. Seto had offered to help himself but was shut down.

"Hey big bro" the small boy greeted as he sat himself comfortably on the couch "What did you want to talk about?"

"How's she doing?" he asked. Mokuba looked at his brother. In the past few months, Seto's personality had completely changed...well, not completely. The young CEO spent more time at home these days and wasn't as harsh as he used to be. Even his snide remarks were beginning to lessen in their severity.

He gave his older brother a knowing smile. It was obvious to him that Seto was in love. "She's completely fine. You should have seen her today Seto, she completely obliterated ultimate dragon though…"

"What is it Mokuba?"

" When she commanded the attack that destroyed the dragons, she was torn apart by it almost as if she was destroying a part of her. You know? I could tell she didn't want to do it, but it seemed like she was in this trance that forced her to." Kaiba nodded as he continued listening to his younger brother "Serena may not look like a powerful duelist, but from what I saw today big brother, it's no wonder why she was the youngest world champion. To be honest, it was a little scary to watch her duel."

Before Mokuba could say anything else a news flash filled the television screen. "This just in, world renowned Industrial Illusions president, Maximillian Pegasus, has announced the start of his Destiny's Champion League tournament. While the true start of the competition isn't until the 27th, duelists are already boarding the planes in hopes of scoping out the arena."

Mokuba looked at his brother's reaction as Seto continued to stare at the screen. "Favored to win are top duelists, Yugi Muto, Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler. Also in the mix is mystery duelist Serena Pegasus who was crowned the youngest duel monsters world champion just four years ago. Though she was said to be retired, many are hopeful that the daughter of Maximillian Pegasus will return for this tournament. Many competitors have yet to see her dueling style but she was once the owner of two of Seto Kaiba's Blue Eyes White Dragons."

The screen flashed to a clip of a small girl smiling as her monsters overtook her opponent's dark magician and red eyes black dragon easily in just three turns. Though her features were childlike, Seto recognized Serena immediately and gazed in awe of her skill.

"She was seen earlier today leaving Kaibacorp headquarters. Many have linked the two superior duelists romantically as they have been seen together on many occasions…" Kaiba clicked off the screen. The press had been quiet for a while, but Serena was going to be in for a rude awakening once Pegasus' bribes to the photographers wore off. Already the hype was beginning to build and Kaiba hoped she'd be ready for it.

A few days later...

When Kaiba landed his helicopter on Pegasus' private island, there was no sign of Serena anywhere. However, much to his distaste, Yugi and his pathetic little gang had already gathered around the main square.

Seto took in his surroundings. Unlike duelist kingdom, the island was set up like an ancient town that was surrounded by the sea. At the center was an archaic pyramid like structure which served as the town's center.

Suddenly, the pyramid began to open on all sides and in the center stood Serena and her father. "Welcome duelists to the Destiny's Champion League Tournament. Today, you will put your skills to the test and compete for the championship title. In addition, the winner will receive a cash prize of $2 million dollars and a special one of a kind duel monsters card."

Then Serena began to speak "but there's more" she said with a uncharacteristic smirk " anyone I choose to duel will be in for a sweeter surprise if they can beat me." With this, she flipped the card in her hand to reveal toon world. "So get ready for a competition you've never seen before."

Whispers filled the crowd as they took in this new piece of information. No one had actually seen the toon world card in play except the finalists at Duelist Kingdom, but the rumored power of this card was enough to cause a frenzy.

Immediately dozens of duelists flocked around her, hoping for a match. She declined and instead made her way towards the Kaiba brothers. "Hi guys" she greeted as other duelists were already beginning matches. Mokuba gave her a smile before returning to his computer.

"That was quite the announcement Serena, but how do you know your opponent will take the bait?" She began to walk away from the center as Seto followed. She didn't answer. "Serena?" he questioned again.

"He was only after one thing that night." she answered simply. Seto's fist clenched at her words. "It was you" her voice barely above a whisper. Kaiba stopped in his tracks.

"Did he hurt you because of me?" he asked holding her shoulders.

"It's not your fault. He said you were a bad choice and that I shouldn't be with you." Her tone became stronger as she continued "He'll come for you and when he does, I'm going to be the one to destroy him and show him how wrong he is."

Seto didn't know how to react to this new information. A part of him was concerned and wanted vengeance against this perpetrator. How dare someone hurt an innocent girl out of revenge towards him? But on the other hand, Serena was different since last week-she was harder and calculated every move.

He followed her as she made her way through the arena. He watched her carefully. Something seemed off when Serena started to cough violently. Seto rushed to her side.

Serena looked down to see that her hands were covered in blood. What was happening? She glanced back before it became black.

Serena was drifting in a sea of dark clouds before she realized where she was. A wave of white blond hair hovered over her. "Kisara?" she questioned sleepily "What's going on?" She pushed herself to an upright position.

"We have to hurry" the girl answered "I have to take you to a safe place, then I'll explain everything." Kisara helped her up and whisked her through a dark narrow hallway. They continued through an intricate maze of stairways until Kisara finally stopped.

"What's wrong?" Serena whispered-frightened by the darkness of the ancient hall and Kisara's tone. Kisara didn't answer as she carefully pushed in a few tablets tablets into the wall in an odd pattern. Serena's eyes widened as the walls began to lift around them.

Kisara ushered her into the hidden room as the walls started to descend once more. Before Serena could ask another question, Kisara grabbed her hands and began to chant in a foreign language.

She felt herself become more lucid as her heart began to calm. "The bleeding has stopped" Kisara announced in relief.

"Kisara, I-I don't understand. Why am I here? What bleeding?" she questioned.

"They've come. The darkness hopes to change the hearts of the broken. They desire corruption and Serena...you're falling for their tricks!"

"What are you-" Kisara cut her off.

"The revenge. It's killing you. It wants you to be consumed in it's evil. It wants you to be it's servant."

"You don't understand. If you knew…" she whispered.

Kisara paused before speaking. "Please, Serena. Your plan for vengeance affects many people and the ones you love will become colder in their plans for revenge in order to protect you" she begged.

"No! I've lost everything! All my life, I've had to sacrifice. I've had to be strong. I've had to be perfect. And the one time…the one time, my life finally has a shred of hope, he had to take it away. Don't you see, it's the only thing I can do to get it back. To be the person I was before. She wasn't perfect, in fact, she was messed up, but she was happy for the first time in years. So, I won't listen. I can't!" Serena yelled

"Then, maybe you'll listen to me." Serena spun around to face a familiar set of eyes. "Seto?"

"Not exactly, I am Priest Seto-a former version of your Seto, I suppose" he said with a roll of his eyes "Kisara is right though. Evil is entering the land and is affecting your heart Serena. You're a good person and I know you can't hurt another person."

"You don't know me. You don't know what I'm capable of." she said looking down.

"Serena, look inside." he said as he lifted her head to meet his eyes "You know revenge isn't the answer and if you continue down this path, you'll only hurt yourself and the others around you. Don't you see? It'll be a domino effect because after you reveal your plan, the ones you love will seek an even harsher vengeance against your enemy."

"I just needed to…"

"We know," Kisara said understandingly "but you need to be stronger than your enemies and forgive."

The words echoed in her head as she blinked her eyes open.