I'm back everyone!

I started this one back in January and my plan was to write a few chapters before posting but when life got in the way in the form of a big move, some job-related changes, issues with our new apartment and the nightmare that is adulting it took longer than I expected but I am so happy to be back to regularly writing and sharing this continuation of my Libra and Dark shipping canon divergant to the Yu-Gi-Oh graphic novel series/anime with you all!

I am going to have so much fun with this one!

So without further ado...the sequel to Entering the Dark...Shadows of the Past!

Full summery:

The Perliminaries are over, and the Gods watch as the Battle that will decide the true King will finally be fought.

Still reeling from their last duel, Yami struggled under both the crushing weight of his desinty and the memories of the life-and love-he once had, but will reclaiming what he's lost cost him everything he's gained?

Yugi is more determined than ever to help Yami reclaim his memories but when a handsome stranger sweepts him off his feet and terrible secrets come to light, Yugi fears his choices are no longer his.

Kaiba started Battle City to claim the gods and the title of King, but now covets and even greater prize: The Other Yugi.

With the game set, Bakura's determined to see the Pharoah rise to the glory that will ultimately lead him right where Bakura wants, but when an enemy long thought defeated returns, Bakura will risk everything-even his true identity-to stop them.

Marik enters Battle City incognito determined to win his beloved Yugi's heart and trust once and for all. But the shadows of his own past threaten to consume him and may cost him everything he still has.

And the Beast is hungry and it has waited 3,000 years to claim what it most desires.

Part 2

Chapter 1

Serpent and Shadow

They watched as the Players of the Millenium Battle entered what would soon become their battleground. True to form, the Blue God's keeper arrived first, confidence in every step, completely unaware his unknown rival and his servant had done so hours earlier and that he himself had already failed two of his trials. Already the Underworld God's wrath roared, deafening the Blue Dragon's tears.

Only one more test remained.

The Prince and His Chosen were next, alongside Akira's beloved Master, and others who would play nameless but no less significant roles in the battle to come. The Serpent's Host was not far behind.

Would they be Players? Or Pawns? They did not know.

All the while, the Golden God who bore the flames of Ra roared . Roared and raged a deafening bellow that echoed kings riding into battle and the fall of empires.

And the Red God remained silent–content to protect his Master from behind the lines of Battle, crimson scales slithering protectively about the Prince though his loyalty remained invisible. He would not stay silent for long, They knew, and that would be the next trail for the young Prince.

The final Goddess made no appearance at all, but They felt her presence in every shadow, every flicker of light in a dark corridor, about every corner: always vigilant and every watchful with her serpent's eyes.

They were restless, the gods, angry and uncertain: pawns in this test of Kings, divinity in their own right and yet they held less sway than the Four others watching the scene unfold beneath them.

Powerless to change the hands of Fate.

Unable to interfere with the Threads of Time.

The dice had been cast. Their Ancestors had made their choices. They could do nothing but watch the tapestry history was still weaving in the aftermath of the ancient decision that had now crossed over into the turn of the 20th century and hope their Avatars chose well.

And all They could do was watch.

Watch. And pray.

It had not yet given up.

X X X

They arrived at the Battle City stadium with time to spare. True to form, Kaiba had arrived first. But Yugi, Joey and Mai were nonetheless finalists. Now they waited for the remaining four.

One of whom would be the enemy they had yet to see.

The events of the day hung heavy in the perpetual silence. A swaying pendulum counting down each tick like a final heartbeat. Had it really only been an hour, if that? Yugi didn't know. It felt odd how quickly the trauma of it all had transitioned into laughing and joking in Mai's car. Now here they were.

And the gravity of it settled between them all like a stone. When had it all become so serious? Yugi wondered. He'd known entering this tournament it wouldn't be for fun and rare cards. Now when his beloved Other Self's memories were on the line.

And yet the anxiety causing Yugi's heart to race had nothing to do with destiny or fate. Four finalists remained, he knew. One would be the enemy they had not yet seen, Yugi knew but the others…one of them might be the very man who Yugi wanted to meet more than he had ever wanted anything in his entire life.

It took everything Yugi had not to blush at that thought, and he hoped Yami would feel it or question him about it if he did. Was it wrong to think of his crush when so much was at stake? When there was so much to lose? And yet all Yugi could think about was what this unknown Khazamha might look like? What he might be like in person and the terrifying hope that he was indeed the person his love letters portrayed.

Yugi shook his head trying to relieve some of the heat and yet nothing could stop the ache in his heart every time he thought about it, but it wasn't the same ache he felt when he thought he might lose Jounochi and Yami both, it was something different…sharper, something that had the power to break and shatter him to pieces or lift him up high and help him soar–or worse: both .

Subconsciously, Yugi's fingers traced the words My Angel engraved in the bracelet and teased the set of charms: the kanji for Love, a cartouche with his name in hieroglyphics, a flower that resembled a water lily, beloved in hieroglyphs, and most wonderful of all, a beautiful amethyst jeweled heart. He had not taken it off since he'd received it, determined that as he couldn't take the letters and flowers pressed lovingly between book pages, he could at least take this for comfort.

And then the fifth finalist arrived.

Yugi gasped and Yami felt the shock that verberated through his puzzle.

X X X

Bakura savored the reaction his arrival brought.

Like a reverberating shock wave through the Geek Squad and all he had to do was smile, bat Ryou's big eyes and insist he was fine. Did any of them notice the lavender sheen to his eyes? Probably not since all Tea and Jonouchi did was insist he was still wounded and should be in the hospital…which to be fair was valid. He'd done his best to dress that wound he gave Ryou but it was one of his own–it burned him that Marik's magic was the only thing sparing his host pain at this moment.

And burned even worse that he owed that annoying worrywort Jonouchi who would not shut up with the questions and technicalities that he actually owed the moron not one but two debts. Fortunately a tap to his still bleeding arm seemed gross enough to deter the blond for a bit.

Only Yugi was immune to the deception: unease and suspicion radiating off of him in waves, eyes wide with a terrible recognition and a dreadful confusion. Had he seen the slip in Bakura's mask.

Blast, he must have. This one, for all his annoyance, was clever. Too clever. And Bakura wasn't fool enough to underestimate someone in the King's confidence.

And then Bakura felt him.

Like the heat of an ember that had just roared into flame.

Bakura looked out the corner of his eyes and there he was.

Pharaoh stood on Yugi's side, the boy's entire form radiated uneasiness and suspicion and the Spirit reacted accordingly: all fiery eyes and fierce determination. Like a patrolling lioness scrutinizing an enemy waiting for the correct moment to strike.

Could he see Bakura the way Bakura saw him? Or had the idiot kept his word when he promised to shield his inner persona? It did not matter.

Bakura certainly wasn't about to sit on the sidelines.

And then he arrived.

X X X

A young man Yugi did not recognize stepped out of the shadows.

Confidence and control oozed out of his every slender step, reflected in each sharp line of his face, boasted in every curve of his strong hands and powerful muscles. It filled Yugi with a strange sense of unease that made his heart pound.

The hammering worsened as he stepped ever closer.

"Hey I know you!" Jonouchi obliviously swooped to the rescue.

"It's you, the man who helped me!" Ryou bounced graciously bright-eyed.

Even Anzu seemed to recognize him, leaving to stumbled back in confusion along with Honda, Otogi, Mai and Shizuka who had no idea who this handsome stranger was.

Surrounded by his circle of friends, the young man's face transformed. Gone was the domineering mash he'd worn into the stadium and now he sported a handsome, humble smile as he explained to Jonouchi his own admission into the finals, offered a relieved smile seeing Ryou was up and bouncing, and pressed a hand to his chest, and looked almost embarrassed as Anzu introduced him as a friend.

The uncertainty twisting Yugi's stomach relaxed a bit and a series of odd calculations filled his mind. He did seem to be on friendly terms with Ryou and Jonouchi though Jonouchi looked at bit uneasy himself, but surely if Anzu said he was a friend he couldn't be all bad, right?

So then why was his heart still pounding? What was this strangeness flushing his face.

The young man's eyes fell directly on him and Yugi swallowed an 'eep' of surprise and forced himself not to jump. He had pretty eyes.

Then, ignoring Jonouchi completely, the young man walked right up to Yugi, gracing him with the full visage of his appearance and held out his hand in greeting. "Excuse me, you're Yugi Mouto, aren't you?" He introduced himself, in a rich, rolling alto whose heavy accent, like the stunning richness of his mocha brown skin, spoke of desert sands and Egyptian sunsets.

"Y-Yes," Yugi nodded and accepted the hand. His rapid heartbeat moved even faster. Struggling to meet the man's gaze, Yugi tried to speak but the stranger beat him to it.

"It's nice to meet you." He had such a kind voice. "My name's Namu, and…well.." there was a hestiance to the tone, like the faintest hint of embarrassment. "I hope you won't think less of me, but I'm a huge admirer of yours, not just as a Duelist though, your skills are very impressive, but I've heard a lot about you as a person and, if you don't think it's too forward of me, I really would like to get to know you better…"

Heat rose in Yugi's cheeks at the compliments and it took all his will to keep his voice steady.

"I must admit," he continued. "You are much cuter in person."

Yugi shot up, met the stranger's…Namu's…eyes and felt his heart stop.

He was the most beautiful man Yugi had ever seen.

X X X

Marik thought his heart was going to burst. With a herculean effort and no small miracle of his will he'd managed to keep his calm, collect facade, the mask of friend, but now faced with the reality that was Yugi's presence, it took everything in him not to melt.

His arrival had been met with more skepticism than he would've wished–he hadn't failed to notice the suspicion on Jonouchi's face though he understood it well–and was eternally grateful he'd taken the Ring spirit's advice and formed attachments with Yugi's comrades in advance. It embittered him that the Spirit's Host had had to sweep to his rescue but the walls had opened and Anzu's confirmation had sealed the deal. In Yugi's eyes, now, he was a friend to be trusted, and that gave Marik the opening he needed to earn his trust–and his love for real.

In truth he hadn't wanted to use the piece of control he'd left in Anzu, but was grateful it was still intact. Especially since he and the Ring spirit were–at best–brothers-in-arms but ones that would have no trouble double-crossing the other if the opportunity arose. He could brainwash the outer persona into feeling no pain, but the actual soul was kept under lock and key by the Spirit himself. Malik could almost admire such protection if it weren't obvious the Spirit's intentions were for the Pharaoh and nothing more. Though what those intentions were, Marik could care less. If the Ring spirit wanted the parasitic traitor he could have his corpse once Marik was one with him.

But none of that matter now.

"Oh…um…thank you. It's…um…nice to meet you too…Namu?"

Oh, of all the times Marik had heard that voice from a far or through the ears of his puppets it had been beautiful, but hearing it now, the sweet, low, husky mellow that was Yugi's voice coupled with a chime-like squeak as it rose with a mixture of embarrassment and delight, Marik almost died .

The flattered embarrassment pinkening those delectable peach-cream cheeks, the sudden pitch of delight in his voice, the way those huge beautiful eyes sparkled like amethysts and did nothing to mask his expressions: By Mut and all her followers, Yugi was everything Marik ever imagined and more. It was taking all of Marik's mental fortitude to stay calm.

"The pleasure is all mine," Marik smiled, fighting down his own blush and trying not to gush over how adorable Yugi was when he blushed.

A bewildered sort of smile overcame Yugi's face. "Have we…met? You sound so familiar?"

The train of Marik's brain derailed with an explosive crash that sent his heart skyrocketing right up his throat and then plummeted back down into the acid pit of his gut and only the years spent perfecting his public persona kept the panic from taking over Marik's face.

"I'm sure I would've remembered meeting someone so extraordinary if we had," Marik complimented, meaning every word. Not a technical lie, as he had only "met" Yugi through the eyes and voice of his dolls, but surely this was different.

This was personal. Face to Face. Real. Like having spent a lifetime speaking to another on the phone and then seeing them face to face for the first time. And it was all the more magical and romantic because of it.

The answer seemed to satisfy Yugi who nodded, looked down and then blushed deeper at their still interlocked hands. "Sorry," he said, retracting his hand and distracted himself by brushing back a stray blond forelock.

Dear Lord, how by how all the Gods was such strong, spirited and magnificent individual who embodied the very presence of a Queen so precious? The shyness coupled with the sheer innocence of the flirting made Marik's heart gush and all he wanted to do was take that soft, pink hand in his again and kiss it. Then his knuckles. Then the back of his hand. Then all the way up to those soft lotus petal lips then scoop him up and carry him away from all this darkness and drudgery and spoil him rotten with kisses and treasures and happiness and he would do it all, Marik swore it.

He would do it all once the Pharaoh was defeated and separated from his precious angel and Marik held the Three God cards and the power and title of King in his hands. Then and only then would he make this one his Queen.

His eyes fell to the demonic object hanging deceptively innocent and arrogant around Yugi's neck and with a herculean control restrained his hatred and the overwhelming desire to rip it off Yugi's neck and smash it to pieces.

An angry gold glow flickered from its eye, a flash of furious fire like a possessive lover who'd just detected a rival.

Marik swallowed his disgust and returned his attention to the sweet Angel still red-faced and smiling "Not at all," he poured his affection into his smile and delighted when Yugi's eyes sparkled, his smile lighting up the darkness like a beautiful beacon of hope and love. "In fact," feeling bold, he leaned a little closer relishing in the fact that their height difference put Yugi's blushing face level with his chest and all he had to do was lean over to whisper in his ear. "I quite enjoyed it."

Yugi's entire faced suffused with color but before Marik could savor it, the damn Ring Host shot between them eager to show Yugi the golden Ring, or more specifically the golden prong pointed towards the shadowed entryway.

As everyone else turned to the newcomer, no one, not even Yugi saw the smile slit Marik's face as Rishad entered the arena, playing the assigned part of a villain, perfectly.

X X X

Yami felt the sudden rush of fire and feeling that spiked through Yugi's part of their mind like a sudden wave of arousal that left his heart pounding, his blood singing and his whole body suffused with heat.

What in the name of all the Gods was going on here?

Was Yugi hurt? Was he in danger? Was he…aroused?

Now it was Yami's turn to conjure up a wave of heat.

Impulsively, he summoned the Puzzle's eye–and felt the ground drop from beneath his feet.

A stranger held Yugi's hand. A handsome stranger was holding Yugi's hand. Was talking to Yugi. Was smiling at Yugi. Was making heat rise within Yugi!

A wild, ferocious fury swept through him rising up like an explosion from a single ember that galvanized all of Yami's protective instincts to life with a righteous vengeance that obliterated everything else.

Yami did not know who this "stranger" was, but he would be damned if he let some stranger toy with his aibou's heart.

He didn't notice the amused snicker coming from the shadows.

X X X

Somewhere deep in the recesses of the Millenium Rod, the beast swaggered it way out of the Darkness, turned to Karim who had not moved from his seated position before the Rod's eye, and flashed a sinister smile, teeth flashes in absolute triumph.

"It has finally begun."

This one was SO much fun to write and I hope the very much anticipated first meeting was everything you all wanted: it certainly was for me!

I'm going to have so much fun writing this series but be advised, we will be digging much deeper into some of the darker aspects of the series in this one, including a look at a lot of the characters pasts and experiences with childhood trauma, so PLEASE pay attention to the warnings that appear at the top of the pages.

I'm warning you now, it's gonna get intense!