Having come all this way, walking across the desert sand in the scorching heat of day, Seto Kaiba wasn't about to let anything stand in the way of his single goal. Paying no heed to his surroundings or the stares of awe and confusion from the bystanders in ancient looking garbs, he continued to stroll towards the palace in the centre of the Egyptian city. The guards that lined the perimeter of the palace parted way to allow the strangely dressed man access to the palace's throne room, some of them pausing for a double take as he looked strikingly similar to someone else they had seen before. Eventually, Seto Kaiba found his way to the throne room, anticipating what was to come between himself and the regal spikey-haired young man sitting on his throne, who wore a pyramid shaped object around his neck.

"I have been expecting you," the royal smiled.

He stood up to meet the man that had broken the barriers between life and death for this encounter.

"Then you know why I am here," Kaiba replied in his usual serious tone, readying the duel disk on his left arm and preparing himself for what was to come. "Atem."

The Egyptian Pharoah Atem, looking very similar to someone from Kaiba's time, also prepared himself. He slotted a golden, yet ancient looking, duel disk complete with a deck of cards onto his left arm and descended the steps of his throne to meet with his challenger.

"I'm here to correct a mistake, since the day you set foot in my duelling arena," Kaiba said.

"Seto Kaiba, after all these years, have your learned nothing?" Atem smiled.

"Oh, I've learned something. Ways and means of defeating you, and this time… I'll succeed."

The Pharaoh stopped several meters from his opponent.

"You're welcome to try, but I promise you, I won't hold back."

Kaiba smiled as he psyched himself up. "That's what I'm counting on."

Both men drew five cards from the tops of their decks as a gust of wind blew across the palace hall, a battlefield soon to be strewn with creatures of unimaginable strength and terror.

"It's time to duel!" both men cried.

With those famous words, there was no going back for either man.

Atem: 4000 LP

Kaiba: 4000 LP

"I'll go first," Kaiba declared.

Using his technological interface, Seto looked sharply at his opening hand and quickly decided on what to start off with.

"I'll start off with Graceful Charity," he said as he selected the card from his interface.

A female angel with a halo atop her head appeared on the field, holding a card in her hand.

"This card lets me draw 3 cards and then discard 2."

Kaiba took three cards from the top of his deck and it didn't take long for Kaiba to decide on what to discard from his hand as he quickly swiped away a couple of high-level monsters from the screen, both monsters he had a feeling he would see sooner or later.

"Now I Normal Summon: The King of Dragons!"

A square of light emanated in front of Kaiba as a humanoid figure emerged from it, adorned with the bones of a dragon and wielding a strange triple necked guitar with each head themed after Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

The King of Dragons – Level 4/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK: 1200

"Now that I have Normal Summoned my King of Dragons, I'll activate his effect," Kaiba reached for another card in his hand. "By discarding my Chaos Space Spell Card, I get to add The Flute of Summoning Dragon from my deck to my hand."

Kaiba's duel disk responded to his declaration as a card slid out from the middle of his deck and enabling him easy access to his new Spell Card. To add to Kaiba's convenience, it also shuffled his deck for him.

"Now, I'll activate The Flute of Summoning Dragon!"

This stirred memories from Atem's duels during Kaiba's Battle City tournament, where he used this combination to summon multiple Blue-Eyes White Dragons from his hand, except that Atem also remembered that this combo was usually played with Lord of Dragons.

"Hold on Kaiba!" the Pharoah interrupted. "Doesn't The Flute of Summoning Dragon only work with Lord of Dragons?"

Kaiba smirked. "You're right, normally it wouldn't work, unless The King of Dragons has an effect that lets it be treated as Lord of Dragons!"

Atem could only watch as The King of Dragons took the dragon styled flute and blew into it, emitting a low-pitched call that only spelled trouble for the Pharaoh as Kaiba selected the two monsters to place on his duel disk's screen.

"I Special Summon: Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon and Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon!"

Two large blue-eyed silver-scaled dragons suddenly appeared beside The King of Dragons, both resembling Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon but subtly different from it. Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon was much slender than its namesake and a had large ring that held its four wings. On the other hand, Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon had a more mechanical look to it with unnatural glowing blue wings and partially resembling Kaiba's own technology, particularly his duel disk.

Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon – Level 8/LIGHT/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 2500

Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon – Level 8/LIGHT/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 2500

"Now that I have Special Summoned both my dragons and I have a Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my graveyard, I'll activate the effect of my Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon," said Kaiba. "I'll add my Chaos Form Ritual Spell Card from my deck to my hand."

As with The Flute of Summoning Dragon, Kaiba's deck responded to his command and pushed out the designated card from his deck.

With no more plays left to make, Kaiba was ready to end his turn, except it wasn't quite the end just yet.

"Before I end my turn, I'll activate the second effect of my Abyss Dragon, allowing me to add my Level-8 Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon from my deck to my hand." This time his deck ejected a blue framed card. "And with that I'll end my turn."

Pharaoh Atem was relieved as it was time for him to make his move and wasted no time in drawing the top card of his deck.

"I Normal Summon Magician's Rod in Attack Mode," the Pharaoh announced.

A familiar ghostly apparition appeared before the Pharaoh, wielding a green magic staff.

Magician's Rod – Level 3/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK: 1600

"By Normal Summoning Magician's Rod, I can activate its effect; allowing me to add Dark Magical Circle from my deck to my hand."

Unlike Kaiba's automated duel disk, Atem had to take out his deck to search for the card himself and then shuffle his deck before returning it to its place.

"Next, I'll activate Dark Magical Circle. This allows me to look at the top 3 cards of my deck and add either the Dark Magician or a Spell or Trap card that mentions it."

Behind Magician's Rod, appeared a green card containing a circle of magical hieroglyphs. As it was a Continuous Spell Card, it didn't vanish after being played.

He picked up the top 3 cards and quickly studied them as to what potential there was with them:

• Magic Formula

• Magician's Salvation

• Polymerization

Polymerization could not be chosen and although Magic Formula was a Dark Magician Spell Card, it wasn't much help either. The only card that reaped any benefit was Magician's Salvation. As he took Magician's Salvation to add to his hand, he returned Magic Formula and Polymerization to the top of his deck in that order.

"Then I'll play the Field Spell, Magician's Salvation."

From Atem's duel disk popped-out a slot that provided space for a card, or rather a type of card that could only be placed there and not in the usual Spell/Trap slots, of which Magician's Salvation was such a card. As Atem set the card into its place the entire hall began to change. The light dimmed and darkened until all that surrounded the combatants was pure dark space with glimmering stars and a giant version of Dark Magical Circle's ring appeared in the centre, containing a dark foreboding vortex.

"By activating Magician's Salvation, this lets me set Eternal Soul from my deck to the field."

Once again, Atem took the appropriate card from his deck before shuffling, perhaps next time he wouldn't draw into either of Magic Formula or Polymerization on his next turn, if there was going to be one. As he set Eternal Soul on the field, a card appeared facedown and revealed nothing but the brown cover that all Duel Monster cards had.

"Now it's time for battle. Magician's Rod, attack Kaiba's King of Dragons!"

The ghostly magician responded to its master's call, raised its staff high into the air as it charged up its magical energies and casted it at Kaiba's monster. The magic attack shattered The King of Dragon's guitar and the man writhed in pain before exploding into smoke and flames. Kaiba shielded himself from the aftermath of his monster's destruction as his Life Points took the first damage of the duel.

Kaiba: 4000 - 3600

"An A for effort," Kaiba remarked. "But you do realize you left your Magician's Rod a sitting duck to the might of my two dragons."

But Atem was not worried and replied with a smile. "That's because I'm far from done Kaiba, for now I play the Quick-Play Spell: Secrets of Dark Magic!"

"Hang on!" Kaiba interrupted. "By activating a card, you also activated my Solid Dragon's effect. By shuffling my Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon from the field back into my deck, I get to Special Summon a familiar face from my deck. Take flight! Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

The pharaoh watched as Kaiba's signature silvery-blue monster emerged. Its radiance briefly lighting the dark space that surrounded the field and it let out a familiar, bellicose roar that Atem had heard every time he came up against it.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon – Level 8/LIGHT/Dragon/Normal/ATK: 3000

Kaiba laughed. "So, Atem, does the sight of one of my most powerful creatures still haunt you here in the afterlife?"

Atem smiled. "I wondered if it was simply a matter of time before I had to eventually come up against it. Even so, I do not fear your dragon, Kaiba. Not in the world of the living or here in the world beyond."

Finishing his move, Atem held high above his head his Secrets of Dark Magic Quick-Play Spell and Dark Magician Girl, both of whose pictures began to glow.

"I'll continue my move and combine my Magician's Robe with Dark Magician Girl in my hand."

A blonde fair-skinned young woman dressed in light blue and pink magician looking attire appeared on the field, expressing a cheerful and playful demeanour. The ghostly form of Magician's Rod moved beside Dark Magician Girl and slowly began to take form. Its clothing became purple, the hands became fair-skinned and between the hat & torso was now a purple-haired man, a face of pure determination into protecting his master. It was Atem's faithful servant, Dark Magician.

"Behold, The Dark Magicians!"

The Dark Magicians – Level 8/DARK/Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2800

"You do realize that your magicians are still too weak to take on my Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Kaiba bluntly stated.

"Even so, my magicians can still attack your other dragon," Atem pointed at Kaiba's weaker Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon. "Dark Magicians, take down Kaiba's Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon!"

Both magicians diligently followed the command of their master and crossed their rods as they began channelling their mystical energies.

"Are you ready?" asked the purple robed mentor.

"Ready as we'll ever be," replied the perky apprentice.

"Then let's do this!"

Both of them stared at their target and with a cry of "Double Dark Magic Attack!", let off an orb of swirling purple and pink energy that struck Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon square in its chest, roaring in primal pain and rage before exploding into nothing.

Kaiba: 3600 - 3300

"Are you finished?" Kaiba grumbled impatiently.

"Not just yet, Kaiba," Atem replied. "Now I'll move to Main Phase 2 and activate my Book of Secret Arts. This card gives my Dark Magicians an additional 300 Attack and Defense Points."

The Dark Magicians scrolled through the magical tome and quickly assimilated its knowledge, bringing their attack power to 3100, which would be enough to hold off Blue-Eyes White Dragon, for now.

The Dark Magicians – ATK: 3100/DEF: 2600

"But more importantly, since a Spell or Trap card was activated while they are on the field, I get to draw 1 card from my deck."

The pharaoh drew a card from his deck and a quick glance revealed it to be a useful monster, but now was not the time to use it nor could he summon it. And with the remaining cards from his starting hand, there was nothing more that could be done.

"I end my turn," said Atem.

"My turn then," Kaiba drew for the start of his turn.

Kaiba was so focused on the blue framed Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon that he paid little attention to the purple card he just added to his hand.

"I play my Ritual Spell Card, Chaos Form!" A large pentagonal doorway materialized behind Kaiba as he selected the Graveyard on his field's menu. "By banishing the Blue-Eyes White Dragon I discarded with Graceful Charity, I can Ritual Summon this monster!"

Behind the doorway on the other side was an identical Blue-Eyes White Dragon, preparing itself to cross through.

"Behold, as my Blue-Eyes takes on a new form," Kaiba cried jubilantly. "Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon!"

At the announcement of its name, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon stepped through the doorway. Its body looking larger, encrusted with glowing patterns and overall looking a whole lot meaner. Atem stared with awe and horror at this new dark evolution of Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon, for he had never seen this monstrosity before. Even Atem's Dark Magicians looked at it with frustration and fear, for they were no match for it.

Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon – Level 8/DARK/Dragon/Ritual/Effect/ATK: 4000

"You may have summoned your almighty dragon Kaiba," Atem defiantly stated. "But by activating your Ritual Spell Card, my Dark Magicians' effect activates again and allowing me to draw 1 card from my deck."

Like the first time, Atem drew 1 card. Unfortunately, it was neither a Spell nor a Trap Card, meaning he currently had nothing to stop Chaos MAX Dragon's inevitable attack.

"Prepare yourself! As my Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon attacks your Dark Magicians," Kaiba warned. "Maximum Chaos Lightning!"

At the sound of Kaiba's command, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon roared into action as it charged its mouth and plates with both light & dark energies and blasted both Dark Magicians with everything it had. Loud and painful screams came from both magicians as they were overcome by the ferocity of the dragon's attack and Atem shielded himself from the blinding explosion and hurricane-like gust of the battle as his life points took a tumble.

Atem: 4000 - 3100

Kaiba smiled at the outcome of the battle and prospect of victory, for there was another thing he needed to help secure the win.

"Since a card on the field was destroyed by battle or card effect and I have a Blue-Eyes White Dragon on my field, I can Special Summon the other card I discarded with Graceful Charity," Kaiba began selecting a card from his Graveyard's list. "My Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon!"

At Kaiba's behest, yet another dragon appeared on the field to add to Kaiba's army of blue-eyed dragons. Except that this one, while looking like a Blue-Eyes White Dragon in appearance, was more mechanical and to Atem resembled a special aircraft that Kaiba piloted in the world of the living, yet it was classified as a Dragon-Type monster rather than the expected Machine-Type.

Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon – Level 8/LIGHT/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 3000

"Impressive," Atem complimented "But I am far from finished."

The smoke from his Dark Magicians' destruction began to clear and out of the veil were two glowing silhouettes: one purple, one pink.

"When The Dark Magicians are destroyed by battle or card effect, I can Special Summon both Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl from my deck and graveyard. Come forth my Magicians!"

The silhouettes took form and became Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl, only this time they were separate entities. Both took a kneeling posture to indicate they were in a defensive position and used different stats as such. Neither of them had a hope of holding off either the Blue-Eyes White Dragon or Jet Dragon, but at least they could guard their master's Life Points even if it cost them their lives.

Dark Magician – Level 7/DARK/Spellcaster/Normal/DEF: 2100

Dark Magician Girl – Level 6/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect/DEF: 1700

"And having summoned my Dark Magician to the field, my Dark Magical Circle activates its effect," Atem continued. "Allowing me to target and banish one card you control."

Kaiba grumbled as not only was his chance at victory delayed with the advent of Atem's magicians, but now one of his dragons was about to be banished from the duel, well one of two.

"If you were thinking of banishing my Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon, I'm afraid that won't be possible," Kaiba stated. "For my dragon has protection against both your targeting and destruction effects. Practically, it's invincible!"

The new fact disrupted Atem's plan at getting rid of Kaiba's Chaos MAX Dragon and now he had to settle for something else. Both the remaining targets were fearsome in their own right, except that Atem had only ever seen one of them in action. He had no idea what to expect from the Jet Dragon and felt that getting rid of it now without knowing what it was capable of would be more dangerous for later on than facing any of its effects here and now. He made up his mind.

"In that case, I'll use my Dark Magical Circle's effect to banish your Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the duel," said Atem.

On cue, the magical card began to glow, and Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon roared in anger as it began to dissolve out of existence. Now there were only two dragons for the Pharaoh to deal with.

"Fine," Kaiba sighed. "But I can still attack with my other dragon. Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon, attack and destroy Dark Magician Girl! White Lightning Barrage!"

Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon took to the sky, flying high into the nightly field until neither player nor monster could see it. A moment later, it reversed direction and began nosediving towards the young female spellcaster. To her horror and Dark Magician's disgust, it fired a barrage of missiles and laser beams towards the girl.

"Now that my Jet Dragon has engaged in battle, I'll activate its effect," Kaiba interrupted, before the excessive firepower had reached its target. "I'll return your face-down Eternal Soul back to your hand."

"So that's what it does?" Atem thought to himself. There was no use in activating Eternal Soul as there would be no benefit for him and could only watch Dark Magician Girl wail as Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon's firepower found its mark, leaving only her smouldering light blue hat and wand on the floor that quickly dissolved into nothing. Atem and his faithful servant Dark Magician looked back in rage at Kaiba's dragons.

Kaiba laughed. "One down, one more to go. And to top it off, I'll set one card face-down and end my turn."

Now there was another potential obstacle for the Pharaoh, a face-down card that was undoubtedly a trap he thought to himself with great certainty. And with a hand of monsters too weak to take-on either dragon, a trap that was too slow to use and only his Dark Magician on the field, Atem could only hope that the next card he pulled would help turn this duel around.