Author's Note: I apologize for taking much longer than I thought to complete this chapter, so hopefully it was worth the wait.

WARNING: This chapter may contain the most violent scene I've written, so if that makes you uncomfortable, you will want to skip over that scene.

Chapter 6: Attack in the Park

Yami Marik opened the door to his room and entered, as he called back his Lekunga for the time being. With Jean-Claude Magnum, Tristan and Serenity as his new targets, he was eager to carry out his mission on the next night; only thing was, he would need to figure out how to pursue them and slaughter them without being discovered.

Mai was still asleep under the effect of the Dreamer's Sands, her nude body covered by the lush velvet bedspread and cotton sheets. Seeing his Angel of Darkness in her state of slumber earned a small smile on his face, albeit he normally wouldn't be seen smiling in content. Then again, his beloved Mai would be the only thing that would bring him happiness as long as she remained loyal to him by wearing the Black Pendant.

He removed his cloak, cravat, vest and shirt, albeit he left his pants on since he would have to return her home when morning would arrive. At the moment, they had about two hours left and that steamy night of passion was the one night they would never forget.

The moment he held her in his arms, Yami Marik could feel Mai snuggling into his bare chest once more, her hands gently sliding onto his upper arms.

I'm here for you until the sun begins to rise, my Angel of Darkness, he thought of her, stroking her blonde locks gingerly as he felt her breathing silently on his chest.

Five chimes from the grandfather clock awoke Mai from her sleep, and she swiftly rose up from the bed with a gasp of shock, causing her suitor to stir his eyes open. Her violet eyes widened in alarm when she took a glance at the clock; the night would soon become dawn in one hour!

"It's five a.m.!" she cried, quickly redressing herself. "I have to get home before the sun rises!"

"Then allow me to escort you back," Yami Marik said to her, as he put his white shirt and crimson vest back on. He then retied his white cravat and draped his purple cloak onto his shoulders, finally ready to take her back.

Mai took his hand and they entered through the mirror, vanishing in thin air. The night sky was now an early dawn, the morning sun gradually rising up and casting its light upon the city. By the time it completely rose up, Mai had returned to her room and went to sleep, muttering her suitor's name in her slumber.

The afternoon sun was blazing with its radiant rays over the city, and there was not a single cloud in the sky. Albeit it seemed cheerful, Mai was in a not-so-cheerful state as she was staring at the promise ring. Even though she was falling hard for Yami Marik, her guilt was coming back to gnaw at her and she couldn't seem to let go of it, no matter how hard she would try. She didn't want to risk breaking Joey's heart, but if he did find out, he would leave her. It would be the worst moment that could happen to her, and in order to avoid that possibility, she had to prevent him from uncovering her secret affair.

Joey…, she thought of him, her violet eyes gazing deeply into the ruby gemstone that twinkled in the sunlight.

The door peered slightly open, and Aurora peeked through to see her sister, her light green eyes staring at her with a look of deep concern. She was wondering what had happened to her, although Mai would rather brush it off and not tell her of it.

Meanwhile, at the Wheeler residence, a carriage drawn by two horses parked at the front of the door, and Tristan stepped out, dressed in a classic black suit and top hat. He also had a white shirt with a ruffled cravat and a forest green vest. His dress shoes were neatly polished, as they were sparkling in the sun with each step he took.

Once he made it to the front door, Tristan gave it three simple knocks and waited patiently. It wasn't long before it finally opened, and the one who opened it turned out to be Joey.

"Hey, Joey," Tristan said, removing his top hat as a gesture of greeting him. "Is Serenity ready yet?"

"She's almost done," Joey answered him. "She's just adding some final touches to her look before she'll come down. It won't take long."

"I can't wait to see her pretty face. She always dresses so beautifully, and it makes my heart skip a beat every time I look at her!"

"I'm ready to go now, Tristan," a voice said, grabbing the boys' attention.

Their eyes lit up as Serenity descended the stairs, dressed in a marigold dress with wrapped sleeves gently resting on her shoulders. A golden bow was adorned on the back, and there were panels in the same color neatly lined onto the skirt, and a frilly white petticoat was worn underneath. A simple pair of white gloves were worn on her arms, and around her neck was a golden neck ribbon, to match her dress. Her auburn hair was worn into a braided updo and white ribbons were tied onto the braids, which were worn into low buns.

"Serenity…," Tristan gasped, a pink blush tinting across his face.

"You look amazing, sis!" Joey complimented, grinning excitedly at his sister.

"Thank you," Serenity replied, smiling warmly at her brother. She glanced over at Tristan and curtseyed as she said to him:

"And you look dapper yourself, Tristan."

"Wow! T-Thanks!" Tristan replied, a big grin plastering across his blushing face. In return, he bowed to her as he removed the top hat from his head.

She loves my look! he thought, grinning with glee.

"So, what's your plan for tonight?" Joey asked them. "Dinner? Dancin'? A moonlit walk in da park?"

"We're going to see the Paradox Brothers at the theater," Tristan answered him. "They've just arrived in town for a tour of the country and London is among the cities they're stopping at."

"Wow, dat's awesome! I'll talk to Mai about going to a show someday."

"You'll love it, just as much as your sister and I will," Tristan assumed, sounding optimistic.

A big grin plastered across Joey's face, as the optimism from his friend was contagious to him (in a good way).

"I hope so. Thanks, Tris," he said, sounding just as positive.

"No problem."

"We have to get going now, so we'll see you tonight, big brother!" Serenity said, as she and Tristan headed out the door and into their carriage. They waved goodbye to him before the ride headed out into the street, and Joey knew right away that they would be in for a grand time.

Back at the Valentine residence, the afternoon had turned to dusk, the sky having a fiery hue with golden clouds rolling by as the sun was setting. Mai was dressed in her periwinkle nightgown as she pulled open her drawer and took out her dueling deck, just as instructed by her suitor. Her violet eyes were gazing at the cards stacked on top of one another, organized in a neat fashion.

I wonder what kind of game will we play with our dueling decks? she wondered mentally. He said we're not dueling, so I'm curious to know what we'll be doing instead of a duel.

Just then, the Black Pendant began to emit a purple glow, snapping Mai out of her thinking as she turned toward the silver mirror.

He's here!

Yami Marik emerged through the mirror and into her room, once again without the mask on his face. He would intend to wear it for his mission for the evening nonetheless, to conceal his true identity.

Mai immediately draped her arms around him, whilst holding her deck in her hands. She was pleased to see her secret lover once again, and she was eager about playing the game he told her of the night before.

"I have my deck, as you told me to bring," she said to him, holding up her deck.

"Excellent," he said with a pleased smirk on his face. "Now we can proceed with our little game."

They emerged through the mirror, unaware that Aurora was briefly observing it through the slightly open door.

There she goes, through the mirror again…, she thought. Where could she be going at a time like this?

Mai and Yami Marik were in his room, seated on the bed with their decks beside them. This was the moment of truth: she was ready to play the game rather than the duel she was dreading.

"So, what is our game we'll be playing?" she questioned him.

"Simple," he answered her. "We will each pick one card that represents us, in our eyes."

Mai nodded to him, as she stared down at her deck. She was ready to make her move, whether she would be going first or not. At the same time, she was curious about choosing the cards that would represent both her and her suitor.

"I'll let you go first. Show me the card that represents who you are as a duelist."

That was an easy choice for Mai to make, as she immediately drew out her favorite monster from her deck and flipped it up to him. It was Harpie Lady, and she had always used her in every duel she partook in.

"Harpie Lady," she answered, holding up the card in front of her. "She may float like a butterfly, but in battle she stings like a bee."

Yami Marik was fascinated by her answer, with the way she described her favorite monster.

"Good answer. It's my turn now, and I'll pick a card that represents you in my eyes."

He took his time browsing through his deck, and Mai waited patiently until her eyes witnessed him pulling out a card from the deck. As soon as he held it out in front of her, the card revealed to be Succubus Knight, a five-starred Warrior monster with six arms.

"Succubus Knight?" she questioned, as her eyes gazed into the card's artwork. "Why this monster? Does it have to do with me in any way?"

The Succubus Knight had golden blonde hair cut into a short style, and her eyes were blue just like the sky. She also had a pair of brass horns sticking out of her head, and she was clad in a demonic red suit that had bats on her chest and on her lower body.

Her violet eyes suddenly widened in astonishment when Yami Marik leaned in toward her face, and he gingerly placed his hands on her cheeks as he crooned to her in a voice filled with lust:

"Beautiful, blonde, and seductive, just as you are."

The way he described her brought chills up Mai's spine, and her heart was fluttering like a butterfly as her face was tinted rose pink. She had never been described the same way as the monster before, and she felt that he was vivid regarding the details. She had to show him that he would be correct, and she knew just how to prove it.

She leaned in toward her suitor and her lips locked onto his, her eyes closing as they immersed deeply into their kiss. In response, Yami Marik gently laid Mai down on the bed and his body hovered above her, her slender legs coiling around his waist for dear life…

Upon the warm glow from the candlelight, the flames provided the room with a dimly bright lighting, the melted wax dripping down the candles. As their clothes were on the floor and the cards were left in a scattered pile, the chemistry between Yami Marik and Mai was heating up, their lust for one another blazing like a raging wildfire. Her hands were grasping his back, the pads of her fingers gradually stroking his skin.

He buried his face into the crook of her neck, causing her to throw her head back slightly as she could feel his hot breath onto her porcelain skin.

His passion is burning like mine, she thought of him. He has a ravenous lust for me, and I'm the one satisfying his desire. I'm really falling for this man!

His fingers grasped onto her back as he moved downward to her breasts, and as soon as his lips latched onto her right nipple, Mai threw her head back further and elicited a moan that sounded just as heavenly as a singing angel's soprano voice.

Nine chimes from the grandfather clock were heard by the time Yami Marik had redressed himself. He slipped his golden mask back onto his face, with Mai observing him from the bed. The sheets and bedspread were the only ones concealing her naked body, albeit the Black Pendant had remained on her the entire time.

As he was about to leave, he suddenly paused when he felt Mai's hands clasping onto his right hand and turned to her. She had a look that was reminiscent of a needy puppy following its owner, her eyes glistening as she asked him:

"Are you going to come back to me?"

"I always stay true to my word, so I will return to you before dawn," he answered her.

He held out the Succubus Knight card in front of her, and handed it to her as he added:

"In the meantime, you can hang onto this as a reminder that I'll be here for you."

Mai willingly took the Succubus Knight card from her suitor, albeit her eyes fixated on him entering the mirror. Once he was gone, she gazed downward at the card and held it close to her chest, just beneath the Black Pendant around her neck.

The same description echoed in her mind once more, and she could hear them clearly:

"Beautiful, blonde, and seductive, just as you are."

The Big Ben was chiming throughout the city as the citizens were bustling about as usual. The lights were luminous enough to brighten up the darkened night, which had an overcast sky that was painted navy. Tristan and Serenity were at the theater, having just presented their tickets to gain entry. Her right arm was tucked underneath Tristan's left arm as they were walking down a corridor with a red carpet that would lead them to the auditorium.

"So, are you excited about the show?" he asked her with a big grin.

"Of course!" Serenity answered, beaming with delight. "I can't wait to see what the Paradox Brothers will do on stage!"

"Me too. They're gonna be amazing when you see their moves!"

As they continued onward, the couple were passing by an oval mirror with a brass frame hanging up on the wall. The masked man suddenly appeared in the place of Serenity's reflection, forcing her to pause and release her arm from Tristan. She turned to the mirror and slowly approached it, only to see her own reflection.

Who was that man? she thought, as she stared deeply into the reflection.

The longer she gazed into the mirror, the mysterious figure reappeared, only this time, he was right behind her as the eye of the Millennium Rod emitted a golden light. A purple mist shrouded the mirror, pulling her into a hypnotic trance as her brown eyes darkened. He removed the extended rod, revealing the dagger as a deep, sinister chuckle echoed throughout.

Just before the blade was at her neck, Serenity suddenly snapped out of the trance when she heard a familiar voice call out to her, causing the masked man to vanish instantly as the mist evaporated.

"Serenity?"

She swiftly turned around to see Tristan, concerned about her being in the odd trance she was briefly in.

"What are you doing, standing around here? The show's about to start."

Realizing that he was right, Serenity headed back to him straight away, and they proceeded onward into open doors that led them into the auditorium. It had red draperies hanging on the white rails of the balconies, a stage with grand red curtains that matched the draperies, and comfy velvet seats that were in the same color.

The room was nearly packed, particularly due to the high popularity of the Paradox Brothers and the city's large population. In spite of that, Tristan and Serenity were lucky to have seats close to the stage, giving them the front view they desired.

The auditorium's lights dimmed, signaling the audience to quiet down. The red curtains rose up, revealing an oriental backdrop with a sign that said: "PARA AND DOX'S GREAT BRITAIN TOUR 1888". It also had portraits of the Paradox Brothers, as well as artworks of two roaring tigers in orange and green.

"Ohh, boy! It's starting!" Tristan whispered, his eyes twinkling like stars as he was shaking with anticipation.

In a puff of smoke, Para and his brother Dox appeared on the stage, bewildering the attendees. They performed remarkable backflips without any flaws, and that earned wows straight from the audience almost instantly.

"We welcome you, London, to our exciting show!" the brothers announced in unison. "We will bestow you with the moves we brilliantly know, so be on your toes and be amazed! Our show will leave you in a never-ending daze!"

Tristan and Serenity were among the audience members applauding their grand entrance, and the sound of the clapping was music to the brothers' ears.

They may be in for an entertaining night, but they wouldn't know what would happen to them after the show would be over…

Concurrently, Jean-Claude was heading out of a bar after a night of drinks and flirting with a wealthy socialite. He took out his gold pocket watch and opened it up, and the time read eight thirty-seven. He was expecting a ride home via a horse-drawn carriage, and it would come to him in approximately three minutes.

My ride should be arriving any minute now…, he thought, as he tapped his foot whilst gazing at the watch.

As the purple fog began to shroud the road, a sinister laughter ricocheted throughout, startling the gentleman dressed in white.

"Who's there!?" he called out, his voice echoing into the misty street.

There was no answer, and Jean-Claude was eager to find out who made that laughter. He scoured the street for any signs of the mysterious person, and so far, there was nothing. The moment he entered an alleyway, Jean-Claude was startled by another wicked laugh and he turned to see the masked man emerging from the shadows.

"I've found you… my next target," he said, sounding dark.

"You…," Jean-Claude gasped. "You're the masked man that the city's so afraid of! I've read every single headline of your killings on the front pages of the newspaper!"

"Jean-Claude Magnum…," the masked man stated, as he approached the gentleman. "The ninja duelist known for his womanizing ways."

"What are you talking about?" Jean-Claude asked, raising an eyebrow. "I never cheated on anyone!"

"You did, with three other women behind the back of your former love: Mai Valentine."

Jean-Claude's jaw dropped in astonishment as a gasp escaped from his mouth, his eyes widening greatly at the truth that was just revealed. He had denied anything before, but no matter how many times he did, the truth would soon come back to haunt him.

How did he know?! he thought, his body trembling. Mai must have told him about it, didn't she?! That bitch… spouting such false lies about me! She may have moved on from me after we broke up, but…. is this killer her new lover?!

"Tell me, you bastard…," Jean-Claude snarled lowly at him. "Are you Mai's new boyfriend?! If so, I'll come for her and punish her for telling that lie about me cheating on her!"

A dark smile formed across the masked man's face, and his body shuddered as he broke into a malicious laughter that ricocheted throughout the foggy street, angering Jean-Claude.

"What do you think is so funny?!"

"It is you who will be punished," the masked man warned him, aiming the Millennium Rod at him. "You will regret threatening Mai, because she suffered from a broken heart due to your disloyalty!"

The Millennium Rod's eye began to flash a golden light, and soon, Jean-Claude's body was surrounded by a yellow aura and an instant, he was slammed against the wall. His arms and legs had spread outward by force, to his horror.

"I-I can't move!" he cried, struggling to break free from the magical force.

"You are immovable, thanks to the power of my Millennium Item," the masked man said, as he approached the paralyzed man in the alley. He leaned in toward him and warned him in a coldhearted tone of voice:

"One who has committed the sin of infidelity will be considered a sinner for life, and for that reason, you are one, Jean-Claude Magnum."

All Jean-Claude could do was tremble in horror as his eyes fixated on the dagger being pulled out and the blade was aimed at his throat. And these words from the masked man would be the final words he would hear:

"Therefore, I will sentence you to an eternity in the shadows, as punishment for committing the sin."

Jean-Claude attempted to scream, only to do so just before the dagger pierced his throat. Blood was gushing out and pouring down his body, painting his posh white suit and shirt in vermillion. Gurgled gags could be heard from Jean-Claude, and that earned a wicked smile from the spiked sandy blonde killer. He swiftly pulled the dagger out, releasing Jean-Claude from the force of the Millennium Rod as his body collapsed onto the cobblestone road and a card soon fell out of his blazer's pocket. A pool of blood oozed from underneath the freshly new corpse as he took his final breath, and just when it was about to touch the card, the masked man picked it up from the ground and examined it. It was Lady Ninja Yae, a three-star Wind monster with the ability to send opponents' spells and traps back to their hands.

"This one will make a good trophy for me to present to Mai," he said, a smirk plastering on his face. "Though, there shall be one more thing for me to leave on this corpse."

He aimed the dagger at Jean-Claude's back and carved a large X-shaped scar onto it, ruining Jean-Claude's best suit for good as the scar began to draw blood.

With his first task for the night finally completed, the masked man stashed the dagger back into the rod, and he walked away from Jean-Claude's body as he then added:

"Now… to find my next two targets."

Two hours later, Tristan and Serenity exited the theater, having just enjoyed the Paradox Brothers' spectacular performance. The sky was clearing up, revealing stars and a half moon.

"Wow! That was an awesome show!" Tristan exclaimed, his eyes twinkling like stars. "I loved their martial arts moves, and I would like to learn how to do their kicks!"

"Maybe you can see them again at their next show, Tristan," Serenity assumed. "Even Joey would like to know the moves too."

"I'll have to check the dates and talk to Joey about going," he said to her. "Maybe he'll be up for another show in Greenwich. It's a little further from the city, since it's a part of the Paradox Brothers' tour of England. He's gonna love them when he sees them in person!"

"I'm sure he will!"

Tristan spotted the entrance to the park and he immediately thought of an idea: a romantic evening stroll through there, to see the lake.

"Hey, Serenity. Want to walk through the park? It should be a shortcut that would lead us to Joey's house. I can even show you the lake."

"Sure. I don't mind exploring the park for a little while, but I don't want to be out too long. Joey would be worried about me."

"Don't worry. We won't take too long. A short walk is all we need, that's all."

He grasped onto Serenity's hand and they entered through the gate and into the empty park. Unbeknownst to them, the masked man was spying on them whist being concealed inside a tree from above. He drew out a card and in an instant, Makyura the Destructor was summoned.

"Your targets are these two, down there," he instructed them. "Attack them, while I prepare myself for a surprise attack."

Makyura complied, and he immediately moved forward with the speed of a ninja in the night, ready to carry out his task. That would give his master the chance to prepare for his assault, as he disappeared instantly.

Tristan and Serenity suddenly paused and turned to see the monster heading straight toward them, his claws sharp as saw blades.

"Look out!" Tristan cried, caching Serenity in his arms as they ducked underneath the blades.

They were able to evade the attack, albeit Makyura's blades tore the hem of Serenity's dress to shreds, exposing her white heels. A long slash mark formed onto the skin of her lower right leg, and blood began to cascade down from it and onto her shoe.

"Are you alright?" Tristan asked her, deeply concerned about her as he eyed on her wound.

"I'm okay. Thanks for saving me," she answered him. "Though what just attacked us ruined my dress… and I've been cut."

"Don't worry. We'll get out of here as soon as possible so I can take you home to your brother. He's probably getting worried about us right now."

Serenity nodded to him in agreement; however, as soon as they stood up and started running, Makyura charged at them once more, swiftly slashing the back of Serenity's dress with his blades. Everything soon went into slow motion, the ribbons unraveling her flowing auburn locks and the young girl crying in pain as a result of the attack. It was a horrifying sight for Tristan, his eyes widening in alarm and his protective instincts soon kicked in. He caught her in his arms again and they rolled across the ground, crashing into a bench.

As they groaned in pain, Tristan noticed the blood from Serenity's wound onto the sleeve of his tuxedo, leaving him in a state of dismay.

"D'oh! That was my best suit!" he grimaced with a sigh.

As soon as they finally recovered, Makyura swiftly headed toward them and Tristan immediately hovered above Serenity, intending to use his body as a shield from the impending assault. Makyura's sharp blades slashed the gentleman in the back, earning a cry of pain from him.

"No! Tristan!" Serenity cried, her hazel brown eyes widening in horror.

Tristan struggled to stay standing, due to how unbearable the wounds were becoming. Still, he had to keep his promise to Joey and he wouldn't let Serenity die at the hands of the incoming threat!

"Don't worry about me," he said to her. "I'll hold him off, while you run away."

"But I can't leave you here! You'll get killed!"

"I said, don't worry about me! I'l be fine, dealing with this creepy monster!"

As Tristan kept evading Makyura's blades, Serenity started to run away from the fight, gasping frantically. Tristan spotted a branch lying on the ground and held it up in front of himself as if it were a shield, only for it to be instantly sliced in half by Makyura's blades.

Serenity suddenly paused and spun around to see the masked man emerging from some nearby bushes, charging directly toward her with a sinister laugh.

It can't be…! she thought, her irises widening in growing terror.

He immediately grabbed hold of her, slamming her against a tree as she emitted a scream that was strident enough to grab Tristan's attention.

"Serenity!" he cried, only to scream once again as Makyura slashed his chest.

His body collapsed onto the ground, and Tristan groaned as he could feel the pain intensifying from having just been cut. Before he could react, Makyura swiftly slashed his back again, making him scream one more time.

"Oh, God! No! Not my beloved Tristan!" Serenity cried, tears about to form in her eyes.

The masked man pulled out the dagger from the extended rod and aimed it at her chest, making her tremble in trepidation as she was unable to move.

"Shall I dissect you and tear out your heart?" he asked her, sounding sinister.

The thought of her being dismembered and her heart being removed left her in a horrified state, and all she could do was whimper as he gradually moved it closer to her chest.

The sight of Serenity at the hands of the killer was the last scene Tristan would ever witness, his brown eyes were burning with fury as he snarled at him:

"Get away from her… you creep…"

"Tristan! Run, while you still can!" Serenity cried.

"No! I promised Joey… that I would protect you, for his sake!" he protested, as he was finally able to get up on his feet. He could feel the blood dripping onto his hand, as he was clutching onto his chest. In spite of his condition, Tristan was determined to protect his woman until the end, even if it meant putting his own life in danger.

That fool…, the masked man thought, observing him. He may have survived Makyura's attack, but he's naive challenging me without a single card to play. He won't last for long…

He could see the fire burning in Tristan's eyes, as the brown-haired charged at him with a mighty battle cry. He rammed into the masked man, causing him to drop the dagger and allowing Serenity to escape.

She was thankful to have been spared by her beloved, albeit that would mean he had to sacrifice himself in order to shield her from the threat. She hid behind a tree from nearby, peering to see the fight between Tristan and the killer, hoping that he would make it out alive.

Please, be careful, Tristan, she thought of him with worried eyes.

Tristan threw a series of punches that the masked man easily evaded, and he ducked underneath another punch from Tristan as he grabbed hold of the dagger and aimed it at his shoulder.

"You will regret making me drop my prized possession," he warned him, sounding dark as he pierced it into Tristan's left shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain. He then gave a karate chop to the neck, knocking him out cold as his body collapsed onto the ground.

"Tristan! No!" Serenity cried, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

Having just sensed her, the masked man glanced at her with a sinister smile forming on his face as he said to her darkly:

"You're next."

Realizing that he was right, Serenity immediately fled, frantically gasping as she was sprinting across the path in the park. Unbeknownst to her, the masked man drew another monster card and out came Bowganian.

The one-eyed machine monster carefully aimed his crossbow at the female and it soon fired, its arrow swiftly flying from there and heading toward her. It lodged into her left leg, causing her to trip and fall onto the path.

Serenity could feel the pain intensifying from the arrow, blood dripping from the freshly formed wound on her leg. It had physically immobilized her, thus preventing her from making her much-needed escape.

As soon as she looked back, she was suddenly knocked unconscious by the masked man. He had done the exact same thing to Tristan before, and now with them both out cold, he was finally ready to carry out one last thing before he would return to Mai.

"Now that they're out of the way, I shall leave a special surprise for the entire city. Rather, make that two."

He snatched her body by her hair, dragging her across the path and heading straight back to Tristan's body. As soon as he tossed her aside, he pulled out his dagger once more and held out two additional cards. Two Holding Arms emerged from the cards, clamping their handcuffs like crab claws as they hovered around their master.

"My pair of Holding Arms, seize them both," he ordered them.

The Holding Arms complied, clamping onto Tristan and Serenity's wrists and hovered them over to two trees in front of their master.

Yami Marik approached Serenity first, as he said, sounding dark once more:

"Now… to carry out my final task for the night…"

The moment he aimed his dagger at Serenity's abdomen, he pierced the blade into it, and his wicked laughter rang throughout the city, scaring away some birds.

At the Wheeler household, Joey was gazing out the window from his living room, worried about his sister and Tristan.

It's not like them to be out dis late, he thought. Where could they have gone, after seeing da Paradox Brothers?

And back at the masked man's bedroom, Mai was sound asleep on the bed, the Succubus Knight card beside her when she was suddenly awoke by the sound of the grandfather clock chiming twelve times. It had struck midnight, and she had been waiting four hours for her suitor's return. She hurried to redress herself immediately, to make herself look presentable to him.

By the time she was done, Mai turned to see the masked man emerge through the mirror, to her relief.

"You've come back to me, as promised," she said.

"Indeed I have…," Yami Marik answered her, as he removed his mask, "…and I've done a favor for you."

"What did you do?"

"Remember your former lover, Jean-Claude Magnum?"

Her eyes widened in astonishment as she recalled admitting to him of her ex-boyfriend the night before. He had tricked her into giving away the information, and she didn't realize that until just now.

Yami Marik held up Jean-Claude's Lady Ninja Yae card in front of Mai, further increasing her shock as he added:

"Well, I eliminated him for you, so you won't have to deal with him any longer."