Halo everyone! I'm sorry for a week delay on this chapter, but I just couldn't write it sooner since I forgot the notebook where I wrote contents of each chapter at the town where I attend the university and it was just Tuesday that I managed to retrieve it. But here we go! Chapter fifteen of my story.

Before we start, here are few AUTHOR NOTES:

- I won't write anymore REAL duels since I'm a lazy bitch, but you'll get a good one for last two chapters. Yes, last two.

- In this chapter I altered rules of actual card "Light and Darkness Dragon" so that it can suit with what's happening in the chapter (cause I can! :P)

- It is proofread, but I still apologize for any mistakes in the texst.

- I don't own neither Sailor Moon nor YuGiOh, they belong to their respective mangakas.

That would be all from me and iI hope you'll enjoy your read!

CLASH

Duels of semifinals were just about to occur in Domino City. Two duels were scheduled for morning and two for afternoon. Eriza's duel was the one of the two that was scheduled for afternoon. It didn't particularly bother her but when she saw who her opponent is, she couldn't help but feel anxious.

- So this is where you'll be dueling Alexia? – asked Yugi who was walking beside black-haired girl. Eriza just nodded, feeling exhausted from Shadow Game that occurred two days before. She did manage to heal Yugi completely, but her own magical energy wasn't enough to heal herself completely. Chibichibi was freaking out whole morning since Eriza couldn't get out of bed due to weakness in her limbs.

Yugi felt incredibly guilty for being the one who was completely fine but Eriza wasn't.

- Are you sure you're okay? We can ask Kaiba to delay duel-

- I already said I'm fine! – Eriza snapped, making Yugi flinch. ChibiChibi appeared on her shoulder right away, scolding her:

Don't behave like that! He's not at fault you're so stubborn!

Now, now, you two. That's enough, Yami's deep voice prevented further argument. When Eriza averted her eyes from two spiky-haired figures, she said silently:

- I'm sorry. I'm fine, I promise. I'm just very anxious about this duel, especially since we had that fight two days ago.

Oh, don't worry, that will just make duel more interesting!

It was Eriza's turn to smack ChibiChibi on the head for that stupid comment which only made Yugi cover his mouth to prevent himself from giggling.

- So where are Amy and Mina? – the pair heard Joey's question behind them. When they turned around, they saw him talking to Raye and Serena, other Scouts and rest of Yugi's gang right behind them.

- They aren't feeling good. It's been two days since they are like that. – Raye said when Serena continued:

- I'm really worried now. They have very high fever, stomachache and they feel weak. Like some virus caught up to them or something…

- Don't be stupid, if it's a virus, all of us would be sick. – Rini commented, receiving death stare from blonde girl. Yet another argument erupted between older and younger, making Tea, Tristan and Lita the ones to calm down the situation while others just rolled their eyes and continued to walk through botanic garden in the centre of Domino City.

Yugi did tell his friends about what happened two days ago. As expected, they were freaked out and afraid for his safety, but Yugi calmed them down by saying his monsters will definitely protect him if anything similar happens in near future. They were still worried and decided to act as his and Eriza's bodyguards along with Sailor Scouts. Since Amy and Mina were sick and outer Scouts except for Hotaru were chosen to take care of them, only Serena, Rini, Hotaru, Raye and Lita were able to protect the pair. Add up Joey, Tristan, Tea and Bakura together with Arika, Shantell and Andoria and you have a little army.

- You're late, shrimp!

Strong and cold voice suddenly called out Eriza. That's when Eriza and everyone else following her noticed they are standing in the middle of big rose garden which was supposedly their dueling arena. Kaiba and his henchmen were already there, ready to watch and judge the duel.

Eriza didn't want to answer Alexia's provocation, but Serena and Arika were the ones who exploded instead.

- How dare you call her that-

- Apologize now-

Both of them were cut off by others, letting Eriza to handle it.

Pink-eyed girl exchanged one last look with Yugi and his spirit protector before changing into her other form, ready to kick some ass.

- Oh, your nose looks much better my dear! – Hikari smiled cheekily. Alexia just shook her head, huffing with cold smirk on her lips. Her nose was still blue on the bridge, but other than that her face was yet again perfect.

- Ready to be destroyed, eh, freak? – Alexia put and turned on her duel disk.

- I could ask you the same thing. – Hikari repeated same action, but with much more exaggeration.

- You won't win, I promise you that. I'll crush you just like I did with that dweeb over there.

Hikari could hear Arika murmur something, but she couldn't understand anything since Lita held her hand over girl's mouth.

- I think Sailor Scouts don't agree with you. – Hikari prepared her deck, putting it into the duel disk. When Alexia was about to say something else, Kaiba started talking in equally cold voice:

- That's enough you two, I can't listen to your bickering anymore. Better start the duel or I'll fall asleep.

Alexia just shot him a death stare while Hikari pouted and childishly said:

- Say that to her, she's the one who started it.

This time Hikari was the one who received a death glare from both Alexia and Kaiba but girl didn't seem moved by it at all. Yugi could just look at her with adoration since she was able to stand against those two ice people.

After Kaiba approved the beginning of the duel, life points appeared on each of girl's disks. Hikari then said:

- You first, rich girl.

- With pleasure! I play Amazoness Swords Woman in attack mode. That's all for now.

- Starting off slowly, I see. Fine by me. I play Sailor Mars in attack mode. I'll also put one card face down and attack your Swords Woman. Oh, Mars~! Give her blast from the past!

Raye had to laugh at that melodic order, proudly watching as her own character destroys busty Amazon.

Whole due stretched to whole hour, neither one of girls wanting to give up and constantly keeping their audience in the edge. Scouts, Amazons and other creatures were exchanging their places on the field, spells and traps ruining plans for each of them, prolonging their duel.

Yugi noticed drops of sweat on HIkari's temples, girl breathing heavily while her legs started shaking. Both him and pharaoh were sure she's in pain and still exhausted, but no one could do anything but pray she wins this duel.

Atmosphere was becoming more and more intense by each passing round; it was just a matter of time when one of them will make a mistake.

Serena and other scouts were shouting and cheering loudly for their friends, Tristan, Joey and Bakura joining them from time to time when Hikari would make a really good move while Tea, Shantell and Andoria observed with tense expressions on their faces, hoping Hikari will be the one to take the victory.

Arika was the only one who wasn't looking at girl in white dress but her opponent, Alexia.

- Will you give her a break already? – curly-haired girl muttered quietly, but loud enough for Yugi and Yami to hear. Arika then saw boy is looking at her and she just continued: - It's always been like this, ever since we were kids. These two would constantly try to out win each other.

- So you've known each other that long? – Yugi asked curiously. He remembered some similar comments from time when they just met Eriza and others and ever since both he and Pharaoh were curious about their connection. This was perfect opportunity.

- Since time Eriza's mom was still alive and I lived in her neighborhood which was briefly ten years ago. You could say we were little gang back then, me, Eriza, Alexia and Shantell.

- Alexia lived near you? Isn't she from rich family? – Yami was the one to ask the question this time, but since Arika couldn't see him, Yugi had to repeat the question for him. Arika's look was averting from Hikari towards Alexia then towards Yugi and then again towards Hikari. After few moments she finally said:

- I guess it's better to tell you the whole story then. You're a friend of ours, you deserve to know.

Arika beckoned him to follow her a little further from place where duel was taking place. When they were away about one meter from everyone else, Arika cleared her throat and spoke:

- You know Alexia is three years older than Eriza and me, right? You see, when we met, on accident, both me and Eriza were four years old while Alexia was already seven. We met her during one rainy day as we were returning from park with our mothers. Eriza was the one to notice her hiding in the bushes near my house. When our mothers beckoned her to come out, we saw her knees were bleeding and her white dress was dirty from mud. After my mom bandaged her knees and washed her dress, she told us she would watch us play every day from her big house and that day she wanted to join us but she slipped while sneaking out of the house and hurt her knee. You can say that was the kind of a love at the first sight. Even then, Alexia was very pretty and her blue eyes were very exotic to us. We became friends right away and introduced her to Shantell next day.

Their conversation was stopped for a short period when they heard Alexia managed to summon her Light and Darkness dragon to the field. In one go that dragon destroyed Sailor Pluto and attacked Sailor Moon, leaving Hikari with only 400 life points to continue the duel. There was also a spell called "Poison Apple" that disabled Hikari to attack more than once during her turn. Long story short, she was cornered.

- Damn it, FIGHT ERI! – Arika shouted at the top of her lungs, Yugi joining her:

- You can win this! Just believe in heart of the cards and in Sailor Moon!

Hikari's thumbs up reassured both of them and Arika returned her look on Yugi. He wanted to say that she didn't have to continue with story, but he was cut off when Arika started talking again:

- We girls were inseparable for months onward. We knew Alexia's day schedule and would wait for her in front of hole in the wall she used to sneak out of her mansion. We'd use every free time she had to hang out with her, playing different games and fooling around. Alexia was constantly smiling during that period. I know, it's hard to imagine, but she did and she looked really cute. One day, however, we were found out by her mother who dragged her home and grounded her for whole week. But when Alexia finally came again, she said her mother let her play with them and that she had to act like that because of Alexia's strict and upright father who would definitely oppose to this whole "shenanigan". You see, since she was their only child at the time and Alexia's mother was very fragile, her father pushed her to absolute limits in academic field and social etiquette. Both of her parents were part of nobility and Alexia was expected to carry on the family line. Thankfully, her mother wasn't that strict when it came to her inheriting the family name and money and even though she had to act strict in front of her husband, she was indeed a loving mother. We even spoke to her on one occasion. We literally thought she was a goddess or something like that. – Arika chuckled just remembering that. Yugi smiled at her reaction, trying to imagine all of that happening. Eriza and Alexia being best friends who were constantly together…

Arika's expression suddenly darkened as she muttered:

- But everything started going downhill when-

- I play Moon Cosmic Dream Action! For that I have to discard Spiral Moon Heart Rod but that doesn't matter since this card can equip both Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon, giving them 400 extra attack and defence points.

As two scouts on the field got a power booster, their costumes changed, ribbons on their back becoming longer, sleeves becoming see-through and their skirts colored in different shades of blue and yellow, for Mini Moon red and yellow. Sailor Moon now had 3500 points, 200 more than Alexia's dragon

Since Alexia only had that dragon on the field, it was obvious what's Hikari going to do next.

- Sailor Moon, do me a favor and get rid of that nasty dragon for me, will ya?

Hologram nodded and shouted in its high-pitched voice:

- Moon Tiara Boomerang!

Lightning disc hit dragon directly, slicing through its gut. As huge dragon shattered, Alexia's points dropped on 1800 but she didn't seem concerned in the slightest.

That expression made Arika even more worried since she knew that rich girl has something nasty up her sleeve. While still looking at the field, she continued to talk:

- As I was saying, everything went downhill on a day when Alexia's mom died. You see, Alexia told us she's going to get a little sister and she was euphoric and excited about the day when Victoria will be born. But unfortunately, her mother died while giving birth due to her small frame and fragile body. We heard what happened few days later after Alexia didn't come to play and our families wanted to pay their respects to the grieving husband and two daughters. So we went to their house on a day of the funeral and we could see Alexia really appreciated the fact that we came, but her father threw all of us out of house since "we were just peasants and we didn't deserve to step inside their house with our filthy feet." Even though we haven't understood much of it back then, we were scared of her father. After that Alexia stopped coming to play with us. Our moms tried to explain us what was happening, but deep down we still believed Alexia will come to play with us more.

Yugi didn't know where to look first, on the field or in Arika who was telling the story. By what he heard by now, he realized Alexia and Eriza were very close but what was that fatal moment when they started hating each other?

His flow of thought was sopped as he heard Alexia's cold chuckle:

- I haven't told you this but my dragon has yet another special ability which activates when it's sent to the graveyard. Now when it's there, I can bring back whichever monster I want from my graveyard and you can guess twice who's that going to be.

Hikari's eyes widened at realization when familiar figure emerged from the ground. Helassia was back.

- Since it's my draw, you can bet it'll become harder from here on. Okay, I'll equip my Queen of Hell with Dragon Claws. These give her extra 1000 attack points and those points will increase by every turn she spends on the field by 200 points. Now, attack Sailor Moon and shut this peasant's mouth!

Shouting could be heard from behind Hikari's back, but girl just smiled and said:

- Nice plan, but I guess you forgot about my face down card: Full Moon! This trap card cuts your monster's attack points in half, making it 2000 now which is a lot weaker than Sailor Moon.

As two monsters collided, Sailor Moon easily pushed Hellassia back, but what confused Hikari was the fact that she wasn't destroyed nor did Alexia lose any life points. When smoke cleared up, Hikari could see why. While her monster was carrying out the attack, she activated her own trap called Dream Machine which negated the destruction of monster of her choosing and didn't reduce her life points. Price for that however, was to remove all cards from her graveyard.

- Looks like your plan didn't work, my dear Eriza. I guess I'll just have to finish you off in next round. – Alexia said with cheeky smirk on her lips.

- There won't be next round! – Hikari said with confidence, but in that moment her head felt dizzy and thank God Joey was the closest one to catch her when she started falling backwards.

- Wooow there, Eri! I got ya!

Hikari could just nod in response, trying to regain her balance. Even though ChibiChibi was in charge of the body, loss of energy still affected her. Scouts and Yugi's gang soon grouped around poor girl. When Arika and Yugi were about to do the same thing, Kaiba proclaimed with cold but strong voice:

- If she can't continue the duel, Alexia Roxelani is the winner. If she doesn't pull herself together in five minutes, she'll be disqualified.

- How can you say that, Kaiba?! Can't you see poor girl doesn't feel good! – Tea shouted with angry expression on her face.

- None of my business. – Kaiba said shortly.

- I'm fine, guys. Thank you. Now to kick some ass. – Hikari said with a smirk as Joey helped her to get back on her feet.

Arika sighed with relief, thanking for ChibiChibi's presence.

- You don't have to continue if you don't want to. This situation is specific. – Yugi said with concerned expression, but Arika just shook her head.

- It would be stupid to leave it off here, wouldn't it? – curly-haired girl giggled with Yugi and Yami doing the same, remembering Eriza saying similar think when she talked about Haku few days ago.

- As I was saying, we still strongly believed Alexia will come and play with us again. We waited for months, every day going towards the place where we usually picked her up but she was never there. Until one day in April. Almost four months after the funeral, our dear friend was back. She was delighted to see us again and in Eriza's house she explained us everything. Her father was pushing her even harder while she barely was able to see her little sister Victoria since nannies and nurses took care of her. She talked about the baby a lot and rambled about how cute she was. But then the worst happened. Only an hour after she sneaked out of the mansion and came to visit us, her father stormed in Eriza's house and slapped Alexia across the face for disobeying him. I, together with Eriza and Shantell, got really scared since her nose started bleeding and Eriza's mother attacked old man Roxelani for treating his daughter that way, but he just ignored us all and took Alexia away. Only month after that Eriza's mom was diagnosed with a lung cancer and died in just two months time. During the time she was struggling with her illness, I had to move away with my family and that was last time I saw both Eriza and Alexia. Just recently Eriza told me that she met Alexia once again when she was ten years old and attended banquet her father was invited to. Then thirteen year old Alexia didn't even recognize her and acted very cold towards her. When Eriza lost her cool and yelled at her for not recognizing her, she accidentally spilled juice over her expensive dress. Alexia then slapped her, her eyes reminding Eriza of her fathers'. Five years after that Alexia's father suffered a stroke and died, making Alexia successor of his company. That's all I know. I'm sure the upbringing of old man Roxelani caused Alexia to become such a bitch, but I still can't forgive her for behaving like this. And if anyone could awake a little sympathy in that walking glacer, that's-

- …that's Eriza. – Yugi finished instead of her with a tender smile on his face. It was true. If all this what Arika told him was truth, Yugi was sure she could melt ice around Alexia's wounded heart. Both girls had a lot of hardships and if there were no grudges between them boy was sure they would be best of friends.

This whole situation reminded him of his situation with Kaiba. He considered young CEO his friend even though Kaiba didn't like the idea in the slightest. Of course, they didn't have bond like Alexia and Eriza, but situation was still amazingly similar. And even though Kaiba still acted cold and rude most of the time, he at least stopped denying Yugi's help when needed.

Yugi's flow of thought was stopped by Hikari calling out the name of the card she just drew from her deck:

- I play Earth's blessing which allows me to draw four new cards. – after taking just one look at her new cards, wide smirk appeared on girl's face. – As I said, there won't be next turn. You're going down, Lexy!

Alexia frowned at that nickname, summoning unwanted memories to her mind. Hikari noticed that action, but decided to ignore it as she was continuing with her game:

- First, I'll equip both Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon with Moon Kaleidoscope which adds them 400 attack and defence points. Next, I'll also equip Mini Moon with Crystal Bell which allows her to summon her dear friend, Pegasus.

Rini's attention was instantly drawn to the field when she heard familiar bell sound her holographic counterpart played. Soon enough beautiful white Pegasus appeared on the field, his mane shining with silver and his horn with gold.

- I'll use his special ability to destroy card "Dragon Claws" and your Helassia won't have any more power boosts.

As huge claws disappeared, Alexia still kept the smirk on her face:

- You still can't finish me off, dear. Have you forgotten about Poison Apple? You can't attack me twice in one turn.

- Woopsie, I guess I haven't told you this: Moon Kaleidoscope has a power to destroy one spell or trap per turn. Guess which one I'll destroy this turn?

Alexia now had enraged expression on her face, not forgiving herself for not paying more attention during this last phase of duel. She'll lose indeed.

- Sailor Moon, destroy Helassia with your Kaleidoscope!

- Moon…Gorgeous…Meditation! – Scout leader shouted in her high-pitched voice as she watched Queen of Hell disappearing under the blow of her weapon. Alexia's points decreased from 1800 to 900, but that didn't matter since Mini Moon and Pegasus still haven't attacked.

- Time for you two lovelies, finish this duel and make me proud! – Hikari gave out final order with a giggle.

This time Alexia didn't shout, she didn't show any emotion on her face, she just stood there and waited for attack from little girl that was flying towards her on a white Pegasus. If anything, this was majestic and gorgeous loss, Alexia had to admit that.

The moment Alexia's points hit zero, Hikari allowed her knees to give in and she sat on the ground, catching her breath as sweat continued rolling down her temples and cheeks.

- Hikari, hold onto me! We'll bring you home! – Lita was the closest to exhausted girl and Hikari had enough strength to climb onto brunette's back.

- Do you need any help? – Joey asked with concerned expression when Raye said:

- You guys take care of her deck and disc, we'll come and pick it up later today.

As everyone was given an assignment they didn't even notice Alexia storming towards Hikari and Lita.

- I guess you really are good at this, I'll admit that. But don't think you're better than me only because you have beaten me twice.

- Miss Roxelani, this really isn't the time-

- You shut your mouth. I'm talking to Eriza. – Alexia cut off Lita who looked at the girl with darkened eyes. If she wasn't holding Hikari on her back, she would punch that filthy mouth of hers. That's when Arika finally went on rampage:

- Will you give her a break a little bit, huh?! Can't you see she's exhausted! Leave her alone for today at least!

Alexia shot her a dark look that send shivers down Arika's spine, making he shut up for few seconds.

- What is it, you second class duelist? Can't you let me congratulate to my favorite opponent?

Alexia exactly knows how to tick off Arika and she uses it massively, Yami commented as he appeared next to Yugi, younger boy just nodding and looking at the whole scene with disapproval, ready to jump in to help if needed. That's when he heard Kaiba speaking:

- I have to admit, watching these two bickering is quite amusing.

Yugi shot him a dark look but Kaiba didn't seem that bothered by that, he just chuckled instead. That's when Yami said:

Yugi, it's here again.

But before Yugi could ask what he is talking about, he saw panicked faces of Lita, Raye, Serena, Rini and Hotaru.

- EVERYONE, STEP BACK! –Raye suddenly shouted, pushing off Tea and Bakura while Serena did the same thing with Tristan and Joey, Rini with Shantell and Hotaru with Andoria. Yugi felt the same urge and run forward, pushing Arika away.

In that moment a huge ball of light embraced all in near radius around Yugi and Eriza, that being Raye, Lita, Rini, Serena, Alexia and Kaiba. Not this again…

- I see that Hei had already thought you how to behave in this situation so there won't be much things I have to do after all.

Yugi froze when he heard familiar malicious voice and Kaiba's comment confirmed what the younger feared the most:

- Bakura?! What the hell are you doing here?!

- Good thing you haven't forgotten me.

Yugi wasn't able to get up on his feet, he suddenly became weak and he was barely catching his breath. Why Shadow Realm again…

Yet another shadow game was about to occur, but with much bigger stakes than before…

Sorry for cutting chapter like this, but I just couldn't write it as I wanted this time. Plus, I'm not feeling very well today so please forgive my poor bum.

I'll probably publish next chapter on the said date, maybe even day before since July 13th is my birthday and I'd like to celebrate it knowing I did something productive day before.

Thank you very much for reading my story, I hope you liked it and yes, I promise to concentrate more on actual Sailor Moon and YuGiOh characters from this point onward.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

~*H.E.*~