I am so sorry for the delay and hopefully I'll be adding more chapters to this story soon.

Disclaimer: I only own Cassandra

During the thirty minute break imposed by Kaiba to prepare for the next duel, Cassandra wandered around the blimp some more. It was good to know your surroundings at all times, especially with people like Marik aboard. The madness had finally escaped its confines thanks to Odion's loss and it had the same goals as the previous Marik but without his morals, small as they were.

She sighed and wondered where Bakura had gone off too. She knew he wasn't done yet.

"Oof." she sputtered as she walked into someone. She looked up into the eyes of the last person she wanted to see. Or, at least, one of them.

"Watch where you're going." Seto Kaiba growled as he started to walk past her.

"Oh, shut up." she replied without thinking.

Kaiba froze in place and Cassandra did the same. Now what?

"What did you say to me?" he said quietly.

No use denying it. "I said shut up. I'm in a bad mood and I don't really care to cater to yours as well." she said as she bypassed him.

"I'll have you know this is my blimp." he said.

Cassandra put her hands on her hips and turned around. "Yes, you're the king of the castle. Congratulations." she said sarcastically before sauntering away. When she had turned the corner she stopped and leaned against the wall with a sigh. That was almost reminiscent of an argument she had had with her brother.

Cassandra banged her wrist against her forehead. 'Stop it!' she chided herself. 'He's gone okay? History.' she felt the lump building in the back of her throat. "Like me." she said quietly.

She looked up at the ceiling. "Father, why can't you let this go?" she pleaded with no answer.

The next duel to be had was between Marik and Mai Valentine. This duel would prove to be interesting because the real Egyptian God card resided in Marik's deck and wouldn't lash out in anger if played correctly. She was caught between hoping he would and hoping he wouldn't play it right.

Mai started out with Dunames Dark Witch while Marik played his Revival Jam in defense mode and his Jam Breeding Machine.

Just then is when everyone else decided to join them. They were here for Mai but apparently she didn't want them. There was a breach between them, a breach that Mai would do well to hide.

"Do it yourself eh? Those are brave words from someone who has no idea what they're up against." Marik said.

He was right, Marik held all the cards.

Mari attacked with her dark witch but Revival Jam just came back. Marik used his Pot of Greed and then had his Jam Breeding Machine make a slime token. He then laid a face down.

Mai played her Harpy's Feather Duster to get rid of Marik's face down and his Breeding Machine. Her witch then attacked his slime token and dropped his life points down to 2700. Mai played one card face down.

Marik played Melkan (?) the four faced beast and then sacrificed it and revival jam to summon the Masked Beast Des Guardias. With 3300 attack points it was more than Mai's Witch. When Marik attacked though, Mai played Mirror Wall which cut his monster's attack points in half leaving it with 1650. Mai's Dark Witch destroyed his monster knocking Marik's life points down to 2550 but her Dark Witch was caught in Des Guardias' special ability which switched her monster over to his side. Marik then played Remove Trap to get rid of Mirror Wall.

"Okay Marik, you may have gotten a few lucky shots but that's over. Things are about to change." Mai said valiantly.

"Indeed, much more than you know." Marik replied.

"What does that mean? And what's up with that creepy smile Marik's wearing all of a sudden." Joey wondered aloud. "Mai, something's not right."

"I said I don't need your help." Mai said.

"Well, excuse me, then I won't help."

"Let her concentrate and figure this out on her own." Cassandra said from the sidelines. "You should respect her decisions." she missed Joey's irritated look because she was concentrating on Marik. He looked too smug.

"Now listen to me foolish girl. I'm afraid that practice time is over. So I'd like to take this match to the true home of duel monsters, the shadow realm." Marik stated.

"I beg your pardon?" Mai replied confused.

"Let the shadow game begin." Marik said while holding out his millennium rod. The dark fog that enveloped them started from behind Marik and she could feel the shadows wandering around them. Searching, hungering, the gauntlet had been thrown and the game would begin with the loser losing their soul.

"What's with this fog? This is not part of the game. What have you done Marik?" Mai said frantically.

"Welcome to the realm of shadows." he replied.

"Realm of what? It looks like we just flew into some fog." Duke said.

"This is no ordinary fog. I remember this place." Tea replied.

Cassandra looked over at them. They had been here before? What had the pharaoh been getting himself into while she was gone?

"Mai, this duel must end now, forfeit the match!" the pharaoh called out.

"Yugi, have you completely lost it? I've worked hard for this. It'll take a lot more than some creepy fog to scare me off. So if you'll excuse me, I've got a duel to win."

"Mai!"

"Listen. Yugi, Joey, everyone I appreciate your concerns but my mind's made up and I'm going to stay in this duel." Mai finished.

Mai played her Unfriendly Amazon which took out the Dark Witch that was once hers. Marik's life points dropped to 2350.

"Very good, you've wiped away some of my life points. However, Dark Witch was originally your monster therefore you've wiped away part of your memory as well." Marik said.

"What are you talking about?"

"You see Mai, each monster we play on the field carries with it the memory of a person we hold within our mind. So when a monster is destroyed the memory of a person in your life is destroyed with it." Marik explained.

"There's no way." Mai argued futilely.

Cassandra took this all in. So that was the nature of this game, to lose memories.

"Now let's see which one of your friends will be your first lost memory."

Both Mai and Marik seemed to be watching something. "Not Tea." Mai finally said.

"Yes Tea. And now she'll be banished from your memories."

Mai stared down at Tea. "I don't believe you Marik, you can't do that. It's impossible."

"Impossible? Nothing's impossible in the shadow realm. Why do you think I brought you here my dear? For I'm controlling this kingdom of infinite blackness, and by the time I'm through you'll be a mindless shell all alone in a world full of strangers." Marik said.

"No this can't be!" Mai exclaimed.

Marik was using his item to talk to her in her mind. Seto had once showed it to her when he received the item.

"I can't see her." Mai said grabbing her hair.

"That's right. Now Tea's no more than just a faceless phantom to you."

Cassandra looked away. The shadows were what they were, hungry and dark but it was the cruelty of the people who used this realm that really got to her.

"Try and hang in there Mai! You can do it, we're all here for you!" Tea called out to Mai. Mai replied with a blank stare. "What's wrong? She's not answering me. And what's with that blank stare?"

Cassandra spared a glance for Tea then turned back to the duel.

Marik played a facedown and then Makyura the Destructor. Marik then added the Black Pendant to his monster raising its attack to 2100. Marik attacked but Mai played Amazon Archers which cut his Makyura back to its original 1600 attack points. Her Amazon finished it off and dropped his life points down to 1950. But because of Black Pendant, Mai lost 500 life points.

Makyura's special ability allowed Marik to play the trap card that was in his hand bringing back Makyura with 800 more attack points. With 2400 attack points Makyura was more than enough to destroy Mai's Amazon.

"As she goes so goes your memory of another friend." Marik said.

Mai stared up at the sky in terror. "No Joey! Please don't go!"

"So, how does it feel to have your mind wiped of two dear friends?" Marik asked. "Now say goodbye! Joey's gone forever!" he shouted.

Mai slipped to her knees.

"Mai, you okay? Ground control to Mai, come in. First she ignores Tea and now she's ignoring me?" Joey said.

"She's not ignoring you Joey, this shadow game has made her forget who you are." the pharaoh said.

'Sounds familiar.' Cassandra thought to herself cynically.

"Forget who I am? We'll see about that! Hey, Mai! Look at me! How can you forget a mug like this?" Mai looked up despondently. "Mai, over here! It's Joey Wheeler, duelist extraordinaire?"

Cassandra watched as Mai continued to stare at the floor. Suddenly she felt familiar magic come alive. The pharaoh was using his Millennium puzzle. Mai grew from despondent to determined in the span of a few minutes. Enough time for the pharaoh to hopefully have broken through the fog.

Cassandra glanced over at Marik. Yep, she was getting the idea he wasn't happy anymore.

Mai played her Amazoness Chainmaster in attack mode and played one card facedown. Marik played Holding Arms. Marik's Holding Arms grabbed Mai's Amazoness Chainmaster in its hold which prevented her from attacking for three turns.

Mai played her spell card Grave Hand which sent one monster to the graveyard. Mai sent her own monster to the grave but before Amazoness Chainmaster went to the grave she was able to take the Winged Dragon from Marik's deck and give it to Mai.

Cassandra inwardly rejoiced at the position her dragon now found itself. She just hoped Mai wouldn't try to play it.

Mai played two cards face down and then Amazoness Fighter in attack mode. Marik tried to attack it with his Makyura but Mai played Amazoness Spellcaster which switched their two attack points so her fighter came out on top. Marik's life points dropped to 1050. Marik played his Card of Last Will though, which allowed him to draw 5 new cards into his hand. Destroying Makyura also activated its special ability allowing Marik to play a trap from his hand. Marik played Nightmare Wheel. Nightmare Wheel would take away 500 life points from Mai each passing turn.

"I was expecting something I couldn't handle." Mai said.

"Pardon?"

"I thought you'd try something like this Marik, so I played this card." Mai revealed her card Dramatic Rescue which allowed her to take back her Amazoness Fighter and play her Cyber Harpy. Mai drew Graceful Charity which gave her Elegant Egotist. Her harpy split into three and gave her enough monsters to sacrifice.

"Oh no." Cassandra whispered. She was planning on playing the Winged Dragon. Unfortunately, she didn't know how.

Mai sacrificed her Harpies to summon the Winged Dragon of Ra. Like it normally would, it appeared in a ball of gold in the middle of the field, awaiting the summons it needed to activate. A card so powerful needed extra security.

"What is that?" Mai asked.

"The Winged Dragon of Ra is locked in that sphere." Marik said.

"But, how can I use it?" Mai asked

Cassandra shook her head sadly. "You can't." she said quietly. Unfortunately, the pharaoh had heard her and looked over to her.

"You knew this would happen?" he demanded.

Cassandra nodded. "Yes. The Winged Dragon is too powerful to be used by just anyone. For that reason a protection was placed upon it and it would only awaken to those who know it."

His eyes narrowed and she sensed his suspicion grow.

"Only those with knowledge of the ancient scriptures can wield the power of Ra." Marik continued.

"Give me a break. You're just jealous that you lost your Egyptian god card to a better duelist and I'm going to use it to knock you out of the finals." Mai said. "Your Winged Dragon answers to me now."

"Then why don't you try reading the ancient test written on the bottom of the card."

"What is that?" Mai asked, looking down at her card.

"That is the ancient chant used to call upon the hidden powers of the Winged Dragon of Ra." Marik said.

"Return the card to your hand Mai." Cassandra called out to her.

"No. Marik's Egyptian god card will be mine." Mai said.

"You can't control it." Cassandra stressed.

"Well why don't you read the chant. It seems you're in need of a lesson in the ancient scriptures my dear." Marik said. "Well, why don't I read the chant and regain control of it?"

Mai remained silent. "Stare at that card all you want, you'll never decipher the ancient words printed upon it. It's written in a special form of hieroglyphic print, used only by high ranking individuals in Egypt and I doubt you fit that category. However, my family does, they guard the pharaoh's tomb." Marik glanced at Kaiba. "I bet Kaiba could read it. In fact, several people on this vessel can trace their history back to ancient Egypt. To a time when sorcerers and kings waged great wars. Back then the power of the shadows was everywhere and the world feared those who controlled it."

"Blah blah blah. I don't need a history lesson to control the actions of my duel monster." Mai snapped.

Cassandra stared at the floating orb in the sky. The Winged Dragon was waiting patiently to be summoned. Cassandra knew of the chant that people needed to say in order to control the Winged Dragon. However, they never fully controlled it, they only bartered with it. The chant was a means of asking for help but it has never been refuted.

"I'll ask you again, are you going to say the chant? Or shall I release the Winged Dragon of Ra?" Marik said.

Mai played one card face down and ended her turn.

Marik summoned Holding Legs which sent Mai's face down card back to her hand and summoned the Tablet of Wadjet behind her. Marik sent his Holding Arms and Legs to attack Mai at which point they grabbed her and attached her to the tablet behind her.

"Hey, I can't move! What kind of hologram is this?" Mai shouted. Cassandra bit her lip. Mai's life points dropped to 800.

"Your friends are all gone!" Marik shouted.

"That's a lie." the pharaoh said and his magic welled to the surface.

"I don't need you interfering again. You and I will face each other soon enough and things are beginning to get interesting up here. For it's time to awaken the Winged Dragon of Ra!"

Marik crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry

Transform thyself from orb of light

And bring me victory in this fight.

Envelop the deserts with your glow

And cast your rage upon my foe

Unlock your powers from deep within

So that together we may win.

Appear in this shadow game as I call your name

Winged Dragon of Ra!"

The Winged Dragon released itself from it's cage and appeared behind Marik. The others cowered under the force of the gales from it's wings but Cassandra stood strong. Magic crackled in the air and she could feel what little of hers was left rise to meet it.

"That's enough, leave Mai alone. Your grudge is against me not her." the pharaoh said.

"You didn't think he wouldn't stop to play havoc with your friends along the way did you?" Cassandra asked him. He ignored her.

Marik went off on a tangent about his family and the pharaoh's secret but Cassandra wasn't listening. She was watching the Winged Dragon. Ra was calm, so different from the last time she felt his magic. Just in case, she felt out the other two to find them waiting to be reunited again. The four pieces were all here and yet…so far away from each other.

"My family has waited anxiously for the pharaoh's return, except for me! Serving the ancient pharaoh is a game for fools! Giving up my life just to play servant to a five thousand year old king when all along I hold the key to his great power? I shall become the king!" Marik said.

"Actually, you only have part of it." Cassandra said.

"Says who? An observant nobody who figured out my lesser half's scheme early? Bah! You know nothing." Marik scoffed.

"I know more than you think I do." Cassandra muttered.

"The time has come for this shadow game to be over and for your mind to be trapped in the shadows forever." Marik directed to Mai.

The blond beside the pharaoh suddenly bolted toward the dueling platform. "No Joey!" the pharaoh cried but Joey ignored him. He yelled at the ref and when that didn't work he climbed up on the dueling platform.

"It's over." Mari sighed.

"Well put my dear. You're about to feel the rage of the gods. Winged Dragon, direct attack." Ra started charging his attack.

Joey started to frantically pull on Mai's bindings. The glow from Ra's attack grew brighter. Cassandra glanced at the pharaoh and tensed. He himself was tense and she knew he was going to do something foolish like…no…

The pharaoh vaulted onto the platform with Cassandra right on his heels. She knew he was going to do something like this. The blast reached him before she could and he grimaced in pain.

"Yugi!" Mai and Joey shouted.

"Well isn't that special? It seems I'll get to destroy Yugi even sooner than I thought I would." Marik joked.

"Not quite! Your dark shadow powers will never penetrate me! I will shield everyone from your evil." the pharaoh replied.

Marik chuckled. "I doubt it. Nothing can withstand the unstoppable force of the greatest creature to ever walk the earth, the Winged Dragon of Ra! All three of you are finished!"

Cassandra vaulted up and intercepted the beam. The pharaoh lurched as the pain and pressure suddenly stopped and all of them watched as Cassandra stood in the beam of light, her gold hair flying out in all directions with the wind. Her eyes were closed as she savoured the magic of Ra. Through the connection she felt Ra become jubilant at her arrival and started giving out more power. The glow surrounding her intensified.

As Ra's attack faded away everything returned to normal except for the fact that Cassandra's skin glowed golden. Marik almost lost his composure as he stared at her. She knew she had thrown a kink into his plans for chaos.

One brow rose. "Nothing can withstand the force of Ra?" she glanced up at the Winged Dragon and smiled. "I think he just likes me."

"You…?" she turned to the pharaoh, Joey and Mai who were staring at her in awe. The pharaoh glanced at her skin.

"It'll fade." she said.

"The winner of this duel is Marik Ishtar." the ref said as the platform started to lower. The Winged Dragon and the tablet Mai was bound to both disappeared.

Marik strolled over to their side of the field and Cassandra watched him warily. He gave her an angry yet confused look. She shrugged, "Maybe he isn't the only one you should watch out for?" she said, referring to the pharaoh. He glared harder. "Just a thought." she said lightly.

"You are interesting." was all he said.

"You're not." she replied.

Marik glanced at the pharaoh. "I should send you to the shadow realm right now."

"But you won't." Cassandra replied, losing all countenance of levity.

"Relax I still need him." Marik turned back to Cassandra after glancing at Joey. "But you're not so fortunate. I should teach you a lesson about meddling in affairs that don't concern you." Joey froze but Cassandra's magic only flared brighter. "Perhaps this will make you think twice before entering a duel uninvited."

"I'm sorry, was something supposed to happen here?" Cassandra taunted.

Marik snarled but said nothing. She knew he was testing her, trying to find her limits.

"Joey! What did you do to him Marik?" Mai yelled as Marik crouched before her.

Cassandra held out an arm as the pharaoh tried to get closer to them. She met his gaze and shook her head sadly. "She entered the shadow duel with him, this is the price. Even I can't mess with the rules of a shadow game." she said and turned her gaze to Mai. "I'm sorry." she whispered as Mai cried out and collapsed.

"Tell me what you did to her now Marik!" Joey demanded.

"Your friend made a costly mistake by dueling against me and now she's paying the ultimate price." Marik gloated.

"Bottom line: she's in the shadow realm Joey. Her soul…is gone." Cassandra said.

"No! That's it Marik!" Joey said as he raised his fists threateningly. The magic surrounding him seemed to have loosened it's hold.

"Marik, stop this madness now." the pharaoh said.

Marik merely glanced at him before looking back at Cassandra. He gave her an indecipherable look before walking off the platform and toward the elevator. Cassandra glanced at the pharaoh. "Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Good." she replied before walking away.

"Cassandra!" he called and she stopped and faced him. "Who are you?"

She grimaced. "That's a difficult question to answer. When there's time, perhaps I'll explain, but not right now." she glanced toward Seto. "Someone's getting impatient."

She saw his gaze follow to Kaiba before she left for the elevator. She needed time to process what had happened and to assimilate the onslaught of magic that she had absorbed. She knew the pharaoh was becoming more and more suspicious of her but as she had done nothing to earn his wrath, she was flying under the radar…or whatever that saying was…

"You're up." she said as she entered the room she shared with Ishizu. Ishizu gave her a calm once over and gave her a look.

"This is one of those things you don't ask about." Cassandra said as she situated herself in an armchair. Ishizu quietly left the room.

Cassandra closed her eyes and relaxed her body, floating on the currents of magic. Her mind calmed, her senses heightened, she could sense everyone on the ship. She picked out the three Egyptian god cards by heart and found all of them up on the dueling platform. Marik and the pharaoh were watching Kaiba's duel against Ishizu which, according to her, she would win. With the Millennium necklace, Cassandra believed her.

There was no accounting for time while Cassandra was meditating in limbo. Her magic was returning to it's regular levels and she knew the glow in her skin had vanished. She felt when Obelisk graced the field as his magic was released.

A spike in the shadow magic snapped her concentration. It felt like…the Millennium rod? Why would Marik…?

Unless it wasn't Marik at all.

Seto's magic, which had lain dormant due to his denial, made an appearance. He was awakening. Her brother…was returning.

Cassandra released the breath she had been holding. She knew what could have awakened him. If it wasn't her, because she knew he didn't know who she was, then it was Kisara. The only other being that had ever been close to him.

All of this dueling magic on the blimp was starting to really get to her. Confined to a small space in the air, the magic was being released in increasingly violent waves causing her stomach to roll. This was not going to end well at all.

Cassandra stretched and opened her eyes. Her meditation had gone on long enough that her magic had settled and she felt a bit more like herself. Ishizu would return from her duel soon but she had a feeling her duel wouldn't turn out like she thought it would. The Millennium items were powerful, but when faced with other magic they tended to become obscured. Especially the Millennium necklace. The future isn't set in stone after all.

Cassandra rested from her inner battle by ordering room service and looking out the window like Ishizu was fond of doing. "Attention all duelists and guests, lights out in two minutes." the intercom broke her trance.

As Cassandra readied herself for bed she wondered where Ishizu was. Perhaps she was talking to the pharaoh? She like to confuse people with her Millennium necklace. Then again, it kind of ran in the family.

Cassandra paused from brushing her hair. Marik seemed completely different, taken over by his dark side. However, she had heard from the others that Marik had also taken over others' minds before he was overcome. What if…?

Cassandra walked swiftly out of her room and towards Mai's room. She knew that's where everyone would be. She wanted to inspect the magic in the room, perhaps find out whether Marik's influence extended beyond himself.

As she walked through the halls in the way to Mai's room she came across Tea walking the opposite direction. She was about to say hello when the difference in her aura hit her. Tea wasn't herself.

Cassandra wheeled around. "Stop right there Marik." she said solidly.

Tea froze and turned around. "How did you know?" she asked in a voice that wasn't her own.

Cassandra studied her. Her posture wasn't that of the darker Marik even in shock. It was more, fearful. "Ah, so that's where you've been hiding." she said.

"What?" Tea asked and leaned forward. "How do you know? What do you want?"

He was getting hysterical. Cassandra covered Tea's mouth with her fingers. "Shh, calm down Marik. I'm not here to hurt you. Come with me." she said before grabbing Tea's hand and pulling her along to Ryou Bakura's room.

As Cassandra closed the door she turned on a lamp in order to see clearer. Tea was standing stock still, staring at her.

"I had a feeling you were coming here anyway." she glanced at the prone form on the bed. "You want Bakura's help."

Tea pulled out the Millennium ring from her back pocket. "You haven't answered my questions." she said.

Cassandra sighed. "Marik, I know a lot about magic and souls and the balance between light and dark. The only reason that spirit is out there wandering around in your body is because of some deep-seated evil and magic. That's not going to change until the light balances it out. Now, you can bumble through this like you have been or you can ask for help. I'm willing to help you, are you willing to ask?"

Tea glared. "I want my body back and I'll do whatever it takes to get it. What are you proposing?"

"You've already placed a portion of yourself into that item right?"

"Of course."

"Have you run across Bakura in there yet?"

Tea shook her head. "No. I wasn't sure this was even going to work."

Cassandra braced her hands on both of Tea's shoulders. "Marik, even if it doesn't, we will find a way." she glanced down at the item. "May I see it?"

She looked conflicted. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because I can." Cassandra said. "and because I want to." she gestured to the item. "May I see it?"

Tea looked down at her hand, uncertain. Finally she handed it over. Cassandra searched through the item's magic in order to find Bakura's soul.

Cassandra smiled. "Yeah, he's in there all right. He's just moping because he lost to the pharaoh again. It's a long-standing thing between the two of them." she searched Tea's face. "He will want something in return."

"The Millennium items." she nodded.

"Specifically yours for now."

Tea looked away. "He can have it. I don't want it any more." she sighed. "Not after this."

Cassandra handed the item back and gestured to Ryou. "Go ahead."

Tea placed the item onto Ryou's bedside and Cassandra felt the magic flare before Bakura opened his eyes.

"Evening." Cassandra greeted.

Bakura rolled his eyes. "I don't want anything to do with it." he said before he rolled over.

"Come on Bakura, it's a good deal." Cassandra said.

"No."

"What if you could get to duel another dark side?"

"No."

"…What if you had a chance at the Millennium rod?"

Bakura rolled back over. "I'm listening."

Cassandra shook her head. "Of course you are."

"Do you two know each other?" Marik asked through Tea.

"Yes"

"No"

"Bakura."

"…yes"

Cassandra sighed and pushed a strand of hair from her eyes. Marik alternated staring between the two of them and Bakura looked away.

"Okay, let's start over." she gestured to Tea. "This is the good side of Marik inhabiting Tea for a short time because the evil one took over his body. If you help us get his body back he'll give you the Millennium rod."

Bakura watched her. "I thought you didn't want me to have the Millennium items."

"That's only two of seven."

"Three."

"Three? What other one do you have?" she asked.

"The eye."

Cassandra shook her head. "Anyway, will you do this for us?"

Bakura glanced over at Tea and then back at Cassandra. "What's in it for you?"

"Peace of mind." she smirked.

"Were you two dating before?" Marik piped in from the side. "Because you act like it."

"No!" they both shouted.

Bakura glared and Cassandra sighed. "We just have things in common. Like being one of the only ones on this ship who were actually there the first time this happened." she glanced at Bakura. "But on opposite sides."

Tea pointed at her. "That's how you know so much. You are a spirit too! You're ancient!"

"I look pretty good for my age don't I?" she smiled. "And no, I'm not a spirit. This is my body. I was locked in that tablet your sister carts around everywhere until the pharaoh decided to make a return appearance."

"Look, I have other things to do so can we just go?" Bakura snarked.

She glared. "Fine. First, Marik, since you're inside the Millennium ring, you don't need Tea anymore. Transfer the rest of your soul from her into the item."

"What if this doesn't work?"

"It will work." Bakura said.

"Besides, as long as you don't put your Millennium item on the line then the other you can't touch it. Even if you do lose, I'll look after the item." Cassandra said.

Marik sighed, "Fine." he said before Tea collapsed and Bakura flinched. Marik appeared as a spirit beside him.

Cassandra smirked at Bakura. "Feels weird doesn't it? To be on the receiving end of another soul pushing it's way into your space. I wonder how Ryou feels."

"I don't know and I don't care."

"Seriously, you two never dated?"

Cassandra looked to Marik. "The other you will probably be after Odion so you should head to his room and cut him off before he does something." she looked back at Bakura. "I'll meet you upstairs." she said before she headed for the door. "Oh, and, the offer still stands." she said as she left.

Cassandra traveled in the elevator in silence. Bakura was still the same pigheaded man she knew five thousand years ago. The only reason Bakura was really agreeing to this was because he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even if he was sent to the shadow realm he'd be back soon enough anyway because of his master. If he won he could add another Millennium item to his cache.

On another note, Marik never really knew what he was fighting for anyway. Even the darker side has the same notions about the "pharaoh's power" that his lighter side has. However, because of her job, nothing about her was written and so the story of the pharaoh's power was made up. The pharaoh's power isn't in the cards, it's in his name.

The elevator dinged as it reached the top floor and she stepped out onto the chill platform. She would be mediating this match just in case.

Dark versus dark, this would be an interesting match to see.

Yeah, I stopped before the duel. Bad me. It seemed like a good place to stop in order to keep the flow of things.

Anyway, review please.