Aurasoul: Hello ladies and gentlemen! Today I shall bring up chapter 6 for Yugioh! Battle City is here and Fire will be having her first duel!

Fire: And who will that be?

Aurasoul: You will find out soon enough! I dont own Yugioh both the show and the card game only my OCs and OC cards except some OC cards that 0713MM found for the duel. so I hope you all enjoy enjoy the story!

Chapter 6

"I still can't believe the whole city is gonna be one big tournament!" The 4 were up on the roof of their school discussing the tournament after the reveal yesterday.

"Lots of tough Duelists are already here too." Anzu added. "I wonder if Karen is gonna enter." Just as she said that, the door swung open. Karen swiftly came out before slamming the door shut, panting heavily.

"Finally lost them….!" She sighed relieved while she pant.

"The crowd?" Jonouchi wondered. "What did they want?"

"Ah the usual. Info, sneaks, playing favorites and favors." Karen sighed as she panted, taking the water bottle Yugi offered giving a thankful smile before she drank from the bottle. "I mean I know I'm Kaibaland's Idol and I'm entering, but seriously! Doesn't mean they should chase me for answers!"

"If they want to enter the tournament, they should just..I dunno, do what me and Yugi did by going to one of the stores that is selling the duel disks." Jonouchi frowned.

"It's not that simple." Karen sighed. "In order for you to even get a Duel Disk, you have to be at least a Rank 5 Duelist or higher. That's the requirement to buy one."

"What rank are you?" Honda asked, surprised.

"7. Yugi is the highest at 8 and Jonouchi made it at 5, according to the database." Karen said, pointing to each one with the water bottle. Jonouchi grinned at that, then frowned.

"Personally, these rankings are Kaiba's biased opinion." Jonouchi groaned.

"Not exactly." Karen said. "The rankings are based on win and loss ratios over tournaments the Duelists have won over their career as Duelists. Along with their decks and rare cards if they have any that are then run by the main computer in the company they are then ranked down from the lowest to highest. But there had been some cases like with Yugi here who had beaten the creator of Duel Monsters Pegasus, gaining the title of Duelist King which resulted in his title of Rank 8." Karen drank more water before noticing the shocked and surprised expressions on her friends' faces.

"What?" She asked with a faint flush.

"You know quite a bit." Yugi noted.

"Well it's part of the job." Karen shrugged, blushing sheepishly.

"That's true." Yugi smiled before he frowned. "But wait, we don't have a locator card yet." As if on cue, the door opened again and Kisara appeared and strided onto the roof before closing it.

"You too?" Karen asked.

"Yes." Kisara groaned.

"They were trying to get the locator cards, weren't they." Karen sighed.

"Yeah." Kisara nodded. "Speaking of the locator cards," She pulls out 3 locator cards and hands 1 locator card to Karen, Yugi, and Jonouchi.

"So we just collect 5 of these then?" Jonouchi asked, as they took their cards.

"That's correct." Kisara confirmed.

"What's your rank?" Yugi asked Kisara curiously.

"It's 8 isn't it?" Karen asked.

"It's actually unknown." Kisara retorted.

"Unknown?" Jonouchi repeated. "How is that possible?"

"Seto?" Karen asked with a sigh.

"Kaiba?! Sounds like something he'd do too!" Jonouchi grunted.

"Well if you dueled her, you wouldn't blame him." Karen said.

"Eh?" Jonouchi questioned. "How strong is she?"

"Strong enough to make the machines in the test room back at Kaiba Corp go haywire." Karen stated. Yugi, Jonouchi, Anzu, and Honda all gaped at that news.

"Really?"

"Ask Fire. She dueled her." Karen said. Yami appeared, looking at Fire, who huffed.

Oh it is. Fire told him.

What exactly happened? Yami questioned. Kaiba has the most advanced technology to date.

Well see here's the thing, the machines went off when she Summoned these 2 monsters called Blue Eyes Ancient Dragon. But it was when she Summoned her ace when they went haywire. Called it Blue Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon. A Fusion monster is a different version of the Original Ultimate. It got so bad that Mokuba had to tell us to stop dueling altogether. Fire explained. Those Blue Eyes of hers... I don't know what it is, but them and herself...there's a hidden power to them.

Hidden power? Yami repeated as he looked at Kisara, who was chatting with the 5.

I think it has something to do with her past life. Fire said. She told us that Ishizu told her she had a past life in Egypt and there were murals of her with Blue-Eyes.

Blue-Eyes? So Kaiba isn't the only one with it then. Yami spoke thoughtfully.

Oh you saw it too? On your date with Anzu? Fire asked with a smirk. Yami rubbed the back of his head awkwardly at that.

I blame Aibou for putting it on me. Yami grumbled.

Oh come on. Just because you're a spirit, doesn't mean you can't have fun. Fire chuckled. Karen let's me take over all the time when I just wanna enjoy life. Take a stroll, do shopping for my Deck, stuff like that.

Well, we kinda did that stuff prior to going to the museum. Yami laughed.

Oh? And got to enjoy yourself? Fire grinned.

Yes. Yami nodded.

Then that's good. Fire smiled. Our lives don't just have to focus on dueling Yami. Even we can enjoy the little things.

That's true. Yami admitted.

So out of curiosity, anything between you and Anzu? Fire grinned.

What? No. Yami replied. Why ask?

Like I said curious. Fire hummed. Suddenly they heard ringing and Karen got out her phone, surprised.

"It's my sister. Give me a sec." Karen said, picking up. "Nee-san what's-? Huh? Wait Nee-san slow down for a sec… Huh? The sun? A mural? Wait what are you talking about? You're talking too fast… You're coming here when? Nee-san you're losing me here. What do you mean hidden mural? Nee-san! Hello?" Karen looked at her phone confused before hanging up.

"Well that was surprising." She remarked.

"Your sister?" Anzu asked.

"Yeah. She said she's coming back to the City this Saturday or Sunday depending on air travel." Karen replied.

"That's also around the time the Battle City Tournament starts." Yugi realized.

"Yeah I know." Karen blinked. "She said something about a hidden mural of the sun. I didn't catch it. She was talking so fast like she won the lottery or something."

Mural of the sun? Fire questioned, confused.

"What does that mean? Mural of the sun?" Honda asked.

"Don't know. I mean what I can think of when mentioning the sun for Egypt culture is the Sun God Ra." Karen frowned, before she shrugged. "I'll find out when she gets here and you guys get to meet her."

"Well that's good."

"So we finally get to meet the soon to be archaeologist." Anzu smiled.

"Heh yeah I already told her about you guys and she's dying to meet you all no doubt." Karen smiled.

"Thank you again for helping me with my Deck, Yugi."

"It's no trouble Karen." The 2 were in Karen's home, cards over the table as they looked them over. "Pegasus had sent me new cards for my Deck. Probably heard about the tournament so he thought about giving me a boost." Karen chuckled.

"Oh yeah. Pegasus made you the Fire Lotus Deck." Yugi remembered.

"Yeah." Karen nodded, holding Phoenix. "He said that he hoped this Deck would help me come out of my shell more. To help me gain confidence for myself."

"That's good." Yugi nodded, a light smile on his face. Karen smiled before getting a little nervous.

"If it's not too personal to ask… How did you get the confidence, Yugi? I mean to be able to handle so much…" She began rubbing her neck.

"How?" Yugi repeated before rubbing his head with his hand. "Well I didn't gain confidence overnight. Even if that's what Grandpa tells me."

"When did you think you did?" She asked.

"Some time after I completed the Millennium Puzzle." Yugi retorted.

"When you met Yami?" She asked.

"Yeah." Yugi confirmed.

"Heh. I can relate to that." Karen smiled. "When I first met Fire, you know after my first initial shock and fear, I felt like I was seeing a bright flame that shined if that makes any sense."

"That does make sense." Yugi nodded.

"I know they call themselves darkness, but I can see a light to them you know?" She said.

"Yeah." Karen smiled before giving a relieved sigh.

"Thanks for listening to me ramble Yugi." She thanked. "I always try hard not to bother people and well…"

"You're not a bother, Karen." Yugi told her.

"Even when I ramble?" She asked with a small smile.

"Even when you ramble." Yugi laughed.

"Hehe thanks Yugi. You're sweet." She giggled. Yugi blushed lightly at that.

"Eheh… I dunno about that." Yugi retorted.

"Oh come on, I'm being honest. You're sweet, a gentleman like Anzu said, you even walked me home so late. And came to help me with my Deck." She smiled.

"I'm just helping a friend out." Yugi replied, almost sheepishly.

"Well it's still very sweet of you and I'm really grateful. Thank you." She said with a smile.

"You're welcome." Karen noticed the time and gasped.

"Oh wow it's late!" She said, shocked. "Will you be fine going home?" Yugi looked up at the clock, then back at Karen and nodded.

"Yeah, I should be fine." Yugi told her.

"You sure? I'm sure dad won't mind you spending the night." She said, worried.

"I'm sure." Yugi stood up. "Your place isn't that far from mine anyway."

"Ok if you're sure. I'll walk you to the door at least." She said. The two cleaned up the cards before they walked to the front door.

"Have a good night Yugi. And let all of us do our best at Battle City." She smiled.

"Right." Yugi smiled as he opened the front door of Karen's house, then stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

You really like him. Fire hummed, making Karen flushed.

"Not this again." Karen groaned.

Hey if you like the little one, I'm not complaining. Fire smiled.

"I'm not listening to this." Karen shook her head, walking back to the living room.

Karen truly is very kind and pure. Yami remarked, as Yugi walked home. You don't see that very often.

"I guess you're right." Yugi replied. Yami looked to Yugi before having a knowing smile. You like her. He stated.

"Eh?" Yugi blinked. "Of course I like her! As a friend, that is!"

You know that's not what I meant Aibou. Yami smirked.

"Oh yeah? What did you mean?" Yugi almost snapped, but refrained himself.

I mean you really like her. Yami stated nonchalantly. As in something more than a friend. At that, Yugi began to stammer and fiddle with his fingers.

"But me and Karen just met not too long ago!" Yugi retorted.

Long enough for you to have a crush on her. Yami chuckled. Yugi groaned as he opened the door to his house.

"I'm not dealing with this right now." Yugi spoke as he headed up to his room.

But you will sooner or later Aibou. Yami teased.

"Ugh! I'm trying to change into my pajamas!" Yugi snapped back. Yami only put up his hands in mock surrender before disappearing.

"Ok satellite connections are stable, Duel Disk connections online, everything is in order." Karen was checking the computer in the Kaiba Corp lab with Kaiba and Kisara. "Looks like we can get everything underway." Karen smiled.

"Good." Kaiba smiled. "The sooner the better."

"Yeah everyone is already gathering at their locations." Mokuba noted.

"Which means we'll have to do the same." Karen hummed.

"That's right." Kisara nodded.

"Then we better get going." Karen said.

"Man Karen; you're psyched." Mokuba noted.

"More like on edge." Karen admitted with a chuckle. "Though I think it's mainly because Fire has been messing with me saying I have a crush on Yugi." Kaiba glanced at Karen and his lips formed a sly smile.

"Is that right?" Kaiba questioned. Karen looked at Kaiba before frowning.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She questioned.

"Look, if you like that twerp, that's fine." Kaiba retorted. "But please, restrain yourself from doing….what's the word… Oh yes, questionable things with him during the tournament. Understand?" Karen gaped at Kaiba, flushed red while Fire was howling in laughter.

"Excuse me Mr. Seto Kaiba, but I take my work as Idol and Duelist very seriously thank you! Questionable would be on your side of the table!" She snapped.

"My side of the table?" Kaiba repeated. "And how do you figure that?"

"Does a certain maiden ring bells?" Karen scoffed, making Fire shriek in laughter. Kisara's face also flushed red while Kaiba narrowed his eyes.

"What does Kisara have to do with you liking a small fry like Yugi?" Kaiba asked sharply. "As far as I'm concerned, they have nothing to do with one another!"

"Pot have you met kettle?" Karen asked sarcastically, Fire choking on her laughter.

"Why you…!" Kaiba gnashed his teeth as he approached Karen. Before he could do anything else, Kisara stepped in between them.

"Please Seto! No fighting before the tournament!" Kisara told him. "If you 2 want to fight about this, do it in a tournament duel. Alright?" Kaiba glanced at Kisara before sighing in exasperation.

…..Alright fine." Kaiba grunted.

"Already whipped." Karen smirked, before walking off. Fire howled once more in laughter. After Karen walked off, both Kisara and Kaiba glanced at each other as if thinking at the same time "What does she mean by whipped?". Mokuba sweatdropping at the 2 before he sighed, shaking his head.

Fire was leaning heavily on Karen even being as a spirit wheezing from her laughter as Fire walked to the square.

Oh Gods I never laughed so hard haha….! Fire gasped. How long do you think until they realize what you meant?

In 2 minutes after Mokuba explains it to them. Karen thought back, making Fire shriek in laughter again.

"Karen!" Karen looked and smiled happily upon seeing Yugi, waving to her as she walked to him.

"Hey Yugi!" She grinned, reaching him. Yugi smiled before noticing Fire and blinked.

"Is Fire ok?" He asked.

"Oh yeah she's fine. Just had too much fun." Karen scoffed, Fire snickering.

"What do you mean?" Yugi asked. Yami appeared, going next to Fire.

Dare we ask? He asked her.

Hehehe. Oh just that if you ever see Sweet One arguing with Seto you'll enjoy the show. Fire snickered.

Oh? Yami wondered, a smile of his own appearing on his face. And why's that?

Cause it's the one time you get to see the both of them unhinged. Fire grinned.

It might be good for your hikari, but I don't think I'd like to see Kaiba unhinged. Yami laughed.

Trust me, you'll laugh too once you- Fire began before Karen's phone rang. She picked it up.

"Hello-"

"Karen you!" Kaiba's voice shouted before Karen hung up.

Looks like he found out. Fire snickered.

Found out what? Yami inquired.

Oh just something of what my hikari said. Fire laughed.

Now don't be suspenseful. What did she say? Yami found himself snickering.

Just don't say it in front of him or he'll kill you. Fire smirked. Karen said along the lines how a Kaiba is already whipped by a certain Maiden of Blue Eyes.

You mean Kisara? Yami questioned. Soon after saying her name, Yami's lips formed an uncontrollable smile and he began to laugh. Finally. He loves something that isn't himself or his company.

And the most hilarious part: Neither Seto or Kisara knew what Karen meant until no doubt Mokuba had to tell them. Fire laughed.

So Kaiba backed down. Yami chuckled. I know what the word means.

Sadly he didn't till now. Fire snickered.

"You actually said that to Kaiba, Karen?" Yugi gaped at Karen.

"I regret nothing." Karen huffed. "Besides he started it."

"I'm surprised you still have your limbs." Yugi laughed. "If anyone else had said that, I'm certain Kaiba would want their limbs removed."

"Well he and Mokuba like me, so that helps." She grinned. "But he'll be coming after me soon enough."

"Well hopefully he doesn't right away." Yugi told her. Before Karen could answer, they heard a voice calling over.

"Yugi!" They looked to see a blond haired and purple eyed woman smiling as she walked up to the 2.

"Mai!" Yugi smiled.

"It's finally time, Yugi." Mai smiled, before noticing Karen who meeped and flushed. "Oh? A friend of yours? She seems familiar to me."

"Oh! This is Karen, Mai." Yugi spoke, gesturing to Karen as he introduced her.

"H-Hello." Karen nodded.

"Karen… Oh then you're Karen Yamamoto, the Duelist Queen!" Mai smiled. "Let me tell you, you're quite the inspiration to female Duelists." Karen blushed red quickly waving her hands.

"N-No, no. I'm just a person who likes to duel really." She quickly said, flustered.

"Haha. You're just as modest and sweet as they say. You sure are lucky Yugi." Mai chuckled.

"Wh-Whaaaaa…..!" Yugi gaped.

"Wh-wh-what's that supposed to mean?!" Karen shrieked, blushing. Mai actually looked surprised.

"Wait, you 2 aren't a thing? I would've assumed with you know you 2 being the king and queen of Duelists." She said, before grinning. "Aw are you 2 only just getting to know one another?~"

"We-we're just friends! Honest!" Karen squeaked with a blush.

"Mmmhmm… And I'm the Dark Magician Girl." Mai retorted, a light smile on her face.

"It's really not. Tell her Yugi!" Karen begged.

"H-Huh?!" Yugi stammered.

"You 2 are just too adorable.~" Mai giggled.

"Mai!" Yugi and Karen groaned.

Haha! I like this lady already. Fire grinned, her elbow on Yami's shoulder.

Yes. Mai tends to be like that. Yami laughed.

If I remember right, she was in Duelist Kingdom too. That's how you met her? Fire asked curiously.

Yes. Yami confirmed. We also dueled her in the semi-finals.

Oh? Is she good? Fire asked with a grin of excitement.

To my understanding, she is quite good. Yami spoke.

She uses Harpies right? Fire asked. Ooh! She'll be a fun opponent.

Heel! Karen thought to Fire with a hiss.

"W-Well we should all get to our starting points before Seto makes his announcement. It was nice meeting you Mai!"

"Same to you Karen!" Mai waved at the 2 before they each went their separate ways.

Kaiba watched Karen, Mai and Yugi walk off from his location, along with Mokuba and Kisara.

"I'll get you back for that little stunt Karen…..!" Kaiba muttered angrily to himself.

"Nii-sama no offense, but you did start it." Mokuba deadpanned.

"Yeah." Kisara sweatdropped. "I should hope I don't have to step in between you 2 for a good while now."

"Humph." Kaiba grunted. "Enough about that. I've got a tournament to officially start. Oh and Kisara."

"Yes Seto?" Kisara questioned.

"You may be my 2nd commissioner to make sure everyone follows the rules, but you're also participating in the tournament. I should hope you can juggle both jobs." Kaiba told her.

"Of course I can." Kisara nodded.

"Good." Kaiba smirked. "In that case, you and Mokuba can head out. I'll announce it personally."

"Alright then, I'm off." Mokuba nodded, leaving. Kisara followed Mokuba. After the 2 left, Kaiba turned to the monitor(s) in front of him.

"It's showtime." Kaiba grinned.

"Well Seto sure knows how to make an announcement." Karen hummed, after watching the blimp at her starting point.

It's him so no surprise. Fire replied, before getting serious. So how are we doing this?

"I have to guess the Rare Hunters are connected to the one who has the Millennium Item that controlled Keith. Which could mean that not only is he after the God Cards, but most likely the other Millennium Items." Karen frowned. "Which could mean we might be a target as well, especially with you."

Ok so that means we beat any Rare Hunter that comes our way. Fire said. But it won't be easy.

"You're right, it won't. Whoever this person is, he's clever not to reveal his identity to Yugi that day. He'll no doubt send his men. But he himself will come." Karen said.

Which means we have to reach the final 8 in order to get him. Fire smirked. All the more fun.

"Of course. You see this as fun." Karen sighed. "Well at any rate, we'll need to find an opponent. Unless one comes to us."

"So will I suffice?" Karen grew wide eyed and turned to see Ishizu walking towards her before stopping, wearing a different attire, but her Millennium Necklace still remained. "Ishizu." Karen spoke.

"So Kaiba's tournament has finally started." Ishizu noted.

"Yes it has. Just like you predicted." Karen remarked.

"Correct." Ishizu nodded.

"And so you went and entered." Karen hummed. "Why challenge me? Unless of course there's more than you're letting on."

"For someone so shy and pure, you have a sharp mind." Ishizu smiled.

"Thank Seto. He's a mighty influence." Karen chuckled, before getting serious. "You're still hiding things from us. Which is why I hope you'll tell us once this duel is over."

"I will." Ishizu promised. "But that's only if you can defeat me."

"Fair enough. This is Battle City. And in this battle, we have to duel." Karen said, holding up her wrist. Her Millennium Bracelet glowed brightly with the sun as Fire took over as she flicked her hair back.

"Ok let's get going." Fire smirked.

"So you're the spirit of the Millennium Bracelet." Ishizu hummed.

"Yes that's right. Like the Nameless Pharaoh you no doubt already met, I have no recollection of my past of Ancient Egypt, only my name which I believe ties me to something." Fire said. "My Item, the Millennium Bracelet, was founded with the Millennium Puzzle. Yet no one knows why. But maybe this tournament might be my ticket on finding out."

"That does seem to be the case, yes." Ishizu nodded.

"Yeah. But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun while I do it." Fire grinned. Ishizu stared at Fire for several seconds before closing her eyes.

"The Millennium Necklace predicts that this tournament will become something far worse than fun." Ishizu spoke as she opened her eyes. "The Pharaoh and Yugi have already taken the precautions for what I warned him about. Yet, you don't seem bothered by what I told you and Karen."

"Because I'm not." Fire replied. "We'll struggle, we'll be cornered, and we'll no doubt feel like our backs are against the wall with no way left to win. But," That was when Ishizu looked into Fire's eyes to see a burning flame within her forest green eyes. "We won't allow ourselves to lose our way, nor will we lose others. We shall fight, duel with every ounce of our strength. For that is what being Duelists are all about." She said before she smiled. "Besides, Yami and Yugi are tough together. They'll make it through any situation. The same goes for me and Karen."

Her eyes… Now I see. She may come off as carefree, but hidden within her is a veteran warrior with great loyalty within her to those she deems is worthy of it. She is no fool All the more reason to Duel her and test her strength. Ishizu thought.

"I see you've proven your point." Ishizu spoke.

"Glad I made it clear." Fire replied. "So let's get started."

"Yes." Ishizu nodded as she raised her left arm up and activated her duel disk. "Due to the rules of the Battle City Tournament, we shall ante up our 1 locator card and our rarest card."

"Right." Fire nodded, revealing her 2 cards. "For me that would be my own locator card and my Fire Lotus Blazing Phoenix."

"Oh I know." Ishizu smiled as she revealed her rarest card. "Exchange of the Spirit. If you win, you shall obtain this card." Fire stared at the card for a moment before shaking her head. "You can keep it either way." She said to Ishizu surprised expression. "We only entered this tournament to learn the truth and to lure out the Rare Hunters, not to get any rare cards. That was the agreement me and Karen had. We'll take the locator card and that is all."

"Very well." Ishizu spoke as she put her card back into her Deck and shuffled her Deck.

Fire did the same before inserting her Deck in her Duel Disk. Be careful Fire. With the Millennium Necklace, she's able to see the future. So she can also see what moves we make before we make them. Karen thought to her worried.

I know, but nothing can control our future. Not even a Millennium Item. Fire assured. Karen looked surprised before she smiled and nodded.

"Now let's start!"

"DUEL!"

"My turn, draw!" Fire yelled. (Fire's hand: 6 cards. Fire's LP: 4000. Ishizu's hand: 5 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"I Summon Fire Lotus Mercenary in ATK mode!" Appearing was a man with spikish red-brown hair, gray eyes, wearing a sleeveless red tunic, brown pants, brown boots, wielding a sword and bow with a lotus engraved on it. (Fire Lotus Mercenary, Attribute: FIRE, Level: 4, Type: Warrior/Effect, ATK/DEF: 1550/1200. Fire's hand: 5 cards. Fire's LP: 4000. Ishizu's hand: 5 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"I then place 2 cards face-down and end my turn." Fire finished. (Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 4000. Ishizu's hand: 5 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"I draw." Ishizu spoke. (Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 4000. Ishizu's hand: 6 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"Ishizu!" Ishizu looked up to see Kisara striding towards them before she stopped at the sidelines.

"Kisara." Fire remarked.

"I've checked on all the other duels before I found you 2." Kisara began. "They're all following the rules. Mokuba is taking care of the other half of the city."

"That's good." Ishizu spoke. "Now that you're here, you can watch."

"I was going to do that anyway." Kisara laughed.

"Obviously." Fire chuckled.

"I will start my turn by activating the Spell card, Card Destruction. Now we discard our hands and draw the same number of cards." Ishizu discarded her 5 card hand, then drew 5 more cards. "Now you must do the same."

"I only have 3 cards." Fire remarked, as she discarded them. "So I'll draw 3 new ones."

"That's right." Ishizu spoke. "And one of the cards you drew is your Guidance of the Blazing Phoenix." Fire grew wide eyed as she looked at her newly drawn cards and saw Ishizu was right.

You will use that spell card on your next turn. Ishizu thought.

She knew what card we had in our hand. I know I should be used to all this, but this freaky! Karen yelped.

That's the Millennium Necklace for you. Fire thought with a frown.

"I set 1 monster and 2 cards and end my turn." Ishizu concluded. (Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 4000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"My turn draw!" Fire yelled. (Fire's hand: 4 cards. Fire's LP: 4000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"You've drawn Fire Lotus Assassin." Ishizu spoke nonchalantly. Fire grew wide eyed once more seeing the card once again. Seeing she was right.

"And you are right." She noted.

"The Millennium Necklace allows me to see what moves you'll make before you even think of them." Ishizu told her. She paused, then added. "I know your reasoning for entering the tournament, but you do not know mine."

"Ishizu….." Kisara whispered.

"...It's about the leader of the Rare Hunters, right?" Fire asked, to Ishizu's shock.

"Yes, you're right." Ishizu confirmed after regaining her composure.

"Figured as much." Fire spoke. "After you had explained everything to Seto and Karen, I had wondered about something. The God Cards were meant to be in your care, yet somehow someone had managed to steal at least 2 of them while you still had Obelisk. Not only that, but given that you have a Millennium Item just like the leader does. Which you no doubt knew that would mean you know what that Item is and who could've stole it. That person had to be someone you knew closely in order to be able to steal the God Cards and the Millennium Item." Fire looked to Ishizu with a frown. "In other words, the leader is someone close to you in my opinion. A family member." Ishizu stared at Fire in surprise before she closed her eyes and nodded, then reopened them.

"Yes…..you're right. Guardian of the Nameless Pharaoh." Ishizu retorted.

"Guardian?" Fire frowned.

"Yes." Ishizu nodded. "You are known as the Nameless Pharaoh's Guardian from 3000 years ago."

"Wait, you say Guardian. So like a bodyguard or something?" Fire questioned with a frown.

"Close, but not quite." Ishizu told her. "There were several bodyguards for the Pharaohs back in the day of Ancient Egypt. The Nameless Pharaoh was no different. No. When I say Guardian, I mean a close protector. Someone who treasures the Pharaoh deeply. Whether it be to keep his life out of danger, or something else."

"What?" Fire grew wide eyed, shocked.

Now that I think about it, Fire has already became close to Yami. Despite knowing him for a short time. Karen thought, looking at Fire. I wonder if it was subconscious because of her being his Guardian.

"So is that why my Millennium Item was with the Puzzle?" Fire muttered, looking at her bracelet.

"According to Sugoroku Mutou himself, that would be the case." Ishizu replied. Fire looked at her bracelet for a moment before looking up at Ishizu.

"Why are you telling me this now?" She questioned.

"As I've told you and the Nameless Pharaoh during your visits to the museum, you and the Nameless Pharaoh have a job to do within Seto Kaiba's Battle City Tournament." Ishizu spoke. "But you 2 are not the only ones that need to unlock their pasts." She glanced at Kisara, then back at Fire. "To answer your question, I'm telling you this now so I can give you more pieces to this puzzle." Fire looked to Ishizu for a moment before nodding.

"Well I thank you for it since this puzzle is a big and confusing one." She sighed.

"You're welcome." Ishizu smiled before it vanished utmost immediately. "As for your statement earlier…...my younger brother." Fire and Karen both grew wide eyed at this.

"Your… Younger brother?" Fire spoke.

"That's right." Ishizu nodded, sadness within her voice.

"I.. I'm sorry Ishizu." Fire apologized sympathetically.

"It's alright." Ishizu remarked. Fire frowned knowing otherwise.

"Why… Why did he?" She began unsure.

'Because he believes that the Nameless Pharaoh's power should be his." Ishizu answered.

"The power of the Nameless Pharaoh?" Fire frowned.

"That's right." Ishizu confirmed.

As in from the Millennium Puzzle? Karen questioned. Fire only frowned.

"There's much to explain. All the more reason to continue this duel." She said.

"Then please continue your turn." Ishizu told her.

"Right." Fire nodded. "I Summon Fire Lotus Archer!" The Archer elegantly appeared onto the field next to he Mercenary holding up her bow. (Fire Lotus Archer, Attribute: FIRE, Level: 3, Type: Warrior/Effect, ATK/DEF: 1400/1000. Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 4000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"Archer attack her set monster!" Fire yelled, as Archer drew out a flaming arrow and aimed before firing to piercing the set monster. Unfortunately, the monster Fire had attacked was revealed to be Marshmallon.

"You attacked my Marshmallon." Ishizu spoke. "And he's flipped face-up from an attack, you take 1000 damage."

"What?!" Fire gaped. (Fire's LP: 4000 - 1000 = 3000. Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"Ugh… And worst yet, it can't be destroyed in battle." Fire scowled. "I end my turn." (Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"Then it's my turn." Ishizu spoke as she drew a card. (Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 4 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.) Ishizu looked at the card she drew, then grabbed her Marshmallon card and placed it into her GY and set a monster onto her field.

"I Tribute Set a monster and end my turn." Ishizu concluded. (Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

She Tributed her Marshmallon? Which could mean that Set monster might have another defensive ability. Fire thought with a frown.

"My turn draw!" (Fire's hand: 4 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

At any rate, it's best to go on the offensive. Fire thought with a frown. "I activate the Spell card Guidance of the Blazing Phoenix! So I Tribute Archer and Mercenary from my field! And from my Deck blooms and burns all to ashes, Fire Lotus Blazing Phoenix!" Archer and Mercenary burst into flames with scattered lotus petals. From their flames arose the mighty phoenix as it screeched. (Fire Lotus Blazing Phoenix, attribute: FIRE, type: Winged-Beast, ATK/DEF: 2600/2800. Fire's hand: 3 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.) Despite the appearance of Fire Lotus Blazing Phoenix, Ishizu's expression remained stoic.

Just as I predicted. Ishizu thought.

"Your next move will be to Summon another monster so you can get over my defense and attack me directly, right?" Ishizu questioned. Fire twitched, yet didn't bother to deny it.

"Maybe. I Summon Fire Lotus Celtic Maiden!" The Maiden appeared onto the field as the lotus petals fell. (Fire Lotus Celtic Maiden, Attribute: LIGHT, Level: 4, Type: Spellcaster/Effect, ATK/DEF: 1300/1400. Fire's hand: 2 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"Celtic Maiden's effect! When she's Summoned, I can add a Spell card from my Deck to my hand." Fire said, picking out one. "I choose Lotus Treasure."

"Very well." Ishizu retorted.

"Then I activate Lotus Treasure. Which lets me draw 1 card for every Fire Lotus monster on my field." Fire said. "Right now I have 2. So I draw 2 cards." (Fire's hand: 4 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"Now go Phoenix, attack Ishizu's set monster! And thanks to Phoenix's effect, her ATK rises by 600!" Fire yelled, as Phoenix's flames shined while heading for Ishizu's monster. Ishizu watched the attack as it came closer to her monster.

"I activate my Trap!" Ishizu called out. "Tomb's Defense! Now I must send cards from the top of my Deck to the GY equal to the combined Levels of your monsters. The combined total is 12, so I must send the top 12 cards of my Deck to the GY." Ishizu grabbed the top 12 cards of her Deck and sent them to the GY. "In exchange, any FLIP effects it has can be activated, ignoring the condition. In this case, my Guardian Sphinx!" The set monster flipped face-up into ATK mode; revealing a giant sphinx. (Guardian Sphinx, Level 5 EARTH Rock-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1700/2400. Fire's hand: 4 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"Guardian Sphinx effect!" Ishizu thrusted her right hand hand forward. "Upon it being Flip Summoned, it returns all monsters you control to your hand!"

"What?!" Fire gaped. Guardian Sphinx glowed brightly; thus swiping Fire's monsters off her field and their cards back into her hand.

"I believe you'll end your turn from there." Ishizu remarked. Kisara had been silent since her arrival to the duel scene.

The conditions for Ishizu's ultimate card have been met. Kisara thought. Now all she has to do is play it. If it's even on her field. And even if it's not, then she'll just draw it. I want Ishizu to win because of what she explained. But at the same time, I want Karen/Fire to win as well.

Fire. Karen frowned, worried.

"Ugh. I end my turn." Fire frowned. (Fire's hand: 5 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.)

"I draw." Ishizu spoke nonchalantly. (Fire's hand: 5 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 4 cards. Ishizu's LP: 4000.) Ishizu looked at the card she drew, then at Fire's field. "Your set cards are concerning, but I'll have to force you to use them at some point or another."

"All depends if you can." Fire replied.

Her Millennium Necklace no doubt showed her an outcome to this Duel. Which is why I have to twist it and change it myself in order to win.

"I may not have to attack in order to win." Ishizu remarked as she gestured to her 2nd set card. "I activate the Trap that shall ensure my path forward in this tournament! Meaning 1 step closer to saving my younger brother from himself! I activate Exchange of the Spirit! Now by paying 1000 LP, our Decks and GYs are swapped. My GY contains a lot of cards. While yours possesses 5 cards if I'm not mistaken."

"Ugh….!" Fire winced. Ishizu took her 15 cards out of her GY and put her remaining cards in her Deck to the GY.

"That means in 5 turns, you'll lose this duel." Ishizu told Fire. "Which means you have to beat me before that. But considering I can see everything via the Millennium Necklace, your chances are slim. And with only a 5 card Deck now, the pressure is on you." She grabbed her Guardian Sphinx card and placed it face-down on her field. "I use Guardian Sphinx's effect to flip it face-down. Next I set 1 card to end my turn." (Fire's hand: 5 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 3000.) "It's your turn now."

To think she already had that card face-down was careless of me. Fire frowned, looking at her now shortened Deck.

"My turn, draw!" (Fire's hand: 6 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 3000.)

"You've drawn your Guidance of the Blazing Phoenix." Ishizu spoke. "Is that right?" Fire twitched, looking at the card, knowing she was Fire could say anything, Ishizu gestured to her face-down card.

"I activate the Trap card Muko! This sends the card you drew to the GY." Ishizu told her. Fire scowled as she sent her Spell to the GY.

Ishizu is not making this easy for her. Kisara frowned. And I can't blame her. Both of them want to make it to the quarterfinals. But only one of them can. Ishizu is treating this duel like a test. If Karen/Fire can't win this duel, then it would prove that they're not ready to face the dangers ahead. That's why she is using this strategy. Kisara then clenched her hands into fists. I also need to make it to the quarterfinals in order to get the answers I also seek.

"What will you do, Guardian of the Nameless Pharaoh?" Ishizu questioned. (Fire's hand: 5 cards. Fire's LP: 3000. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 3000.)

Fire frowned deeply. What can I do is the big question. With only 4 cards in my Deck, and her Sphinx on her field; Flip Summon effect ready, there's not much I can do… Fire thought, strained. But if I lose here...! I finally found what I have been looking for ever since I woke up. There's no way I can lose like this….! Karen looked at Fire, worried before she grew wide eyed and looked at the Millennium Bracelet as it softly glowed.

The bracelet, is it…? Is it pulsating? She thought, shocked, looking at Fire.

Think! Fire thought, looking to her hand. There has to be something-! Ishizu looked at the Millennium Bracelet and took notice of its pulsating glow.

What's this? Ishizu thought.

This card… It's one of the cards we got from Pegasus, but was it always there? Fire thought, shocked before glancing at the sun. Heaven's blessing they would say… No it's my own destiny! No, OUR destiny! Fire took the card in her hand.

"I activate the Spell card, Gold Heaven Lotus!" She yelled. Upon the declaration of the card's activation, Ishizu gaped.

"H-How did I not see it?!"

"With this Spell card, I banish it and Fire Lotus Blazing Phoenix from my hand to Special Summon a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck!" Fire yelled. Ishizu regained her composure after hearing that.

"While that may be, Fusion monsters have to wait 1 turn before attacking." Ishizu reminded her. At this Fire, smirked. "Normally yes. But Gold Heaven Lotus has an additional effect. If I use this to Special Summon a specific Fusion monster then by halving my LP, that Fusion monster is able to attack the moment it's Summoned." She smirked. "And lucky for me, I am Summoning that specific monster!" Gold flames burst upon the field, lotus petals swirling around it.

"Graced by the Heavens you invoke your wrath and burn down all that oppose you with your golden flames!" Fire chanted. "Come forth! Level 8! Fire Lotus Heavens Phoenix!" And to burst from the flames was Phoenix as she screeched. Her feathers and flames shimmered in bright gold. (Fire Lotus Heavens Phoenix, Attribute: FIRE, Level: 8, Type: Winged-Beast/Fusion/Effect, ATK/DEF: 2800/2300. Fire's hand: 4 cards. Fire's LP: 1500. Ishizu's hand: 3 cards. Ishizu's LP: 3000.)

What could its effect be? Ishizu thought. Sure she can attack with it, but I won't lose any LP since Guardian Sphinx is in DEF mode. And even if it had some piercing and burn damage, I'll still have LP left. Then again, that's going by its ATK right now. If it has an ATK boosting effect like the Main Deck Phoenix, then my thoughts will be proven right and I'll lose right here.

"Heavens Phoenix's effect activates! When she is Special Summoned from the Extra Deck or GY, I can send a Fire Lotus monster from my hand to the GY and destroy cards on your field, depending on the monster's Level." Fire explained. "I send the Level 3 Fire Lotus Assassin to my GY, so your cards are destroyed. Burn down those that impose you! Flames Judgement!" Phoenix screeched glowing gold before shooting down gold flames at Ishizu's set Guardian Sphinx and face-down card; causing them to burn before being destroyed.

"And now I'm defenseless." Ishizu frowned. "And I don't need my Millennium Necklace to show me that you have a card to boost your monster's ATK."

"My very face-down. Although for sending my Deck to the GY, you made it overkill." Fire smirked. "I activate the Trap card, Mourning Lotus! For every Fire Lotus monster in my GY, all monsters on my field gain 200 ATK!"

"There's 18 monsters in your GY." Ishizu frowned. "Putting your Fusion monster at 6400 ATK."

"Like I said, you made it overkill." Fire chuckled. "Now go Heavens Phoenix! Burning Sun!" Phoenix flew with a screech, burning brightly like the sun before striking at Ishizu. Ishizu staggered backward from the direct attack. Despite this, a smile was on her face. (Ishizu's LP: 3000 - 6400 = 0.)

"It wouldn't have mattered if I made it overkill or not." Ishizu retorted as she tossed her locator card to Fire. "I already knew you'd win from the start." She paused, then added. "That's why I was dueling with everything I had."

Eh? Karen gaped in surprise, while Fire caught the locator card.

"Now I get it. You thought you could try to change the outcome in your favor. While at the same time you were testing me to see if I still had the capabilities to continue as the Guardian despite my current situation." Fire stated.

"Correct." Ishizu nodded.

"Heh. Crafty I'll admit. Gotta respect that." Fire smirked. "So is it safe to say I pass your expectations?"

"Yes you did." Ishizu told her. "As you said earlier, I was testing you. If you couldn't defeat me, then you wouldn't be ready to continue forward to learn the secrets of your past. But since you have defeated me, you're one step closer to finding it."

"How so?" Fire questioned, a hand to her arm.

"You need to make it to the quarterfinals or higher of Kaiba's Battle City tournament to obtain the answers." Ishizu replied.

"Figured it wouldn't be that easy." Fire sighed, before looking to Ishizu. "But then you should know this means me and the Pharaoh will have to deal with your little brother. And unlike our hosts, we're not too kind with enemies."

"All I ask is that you save him from this path of anger, hatred, and envy he has gone down." Ishizu spoke, sadness within her voice. "If he obtains all 3 Egyptian God Cards and the Millennium Puzzle, he'll obtain the Pharaoh's power, putting the whole world in danger." Fire looked at Ishizu for a moment, which worried both Kisara and Karen before she scoffed.

"Darn it. Sweet One is a bad influence on me." Fire muttered. "Fine. We'll do what we can. But if your brother does something real stupid, don't be surprised if I give him a good wack to teach him a lesson."

"I won't be surprised." Ishizu remarked before frowning again. "Just don't banish him to the Shadow Realm. If you do that, there'll be major problems."

"Then no worries. I don't do that, not my style." Fire smirked. "Now tell me all you know about him, his Millennium Item, and his accomplices. Cause I know for a fact there was no way he could've taken those cards unless he had someone with him." Ishizu closed her eyes, then opened them again.

"My brother is the one that guards the Nameless Pharaoh's tomb until he can return. Or if you'd prefer, Tombkeeper. As for his name, it is Marik." She paused, then continued. "HIs Millennium Item is the Millennium Rod. His accomplices are the Rare Hunters. Hence they're in the Battle City Tournament. To help him obtain Obelisk the Tormentor; the 3rd and final Egyptian God Card he needs. Once he has all 3, he'll focus his attention on Yugi so he can obtain the Millennium Puzzle." She sighed. "Aside from what I've just told you, his closest accomplice is our adopted elder brother Rishid."

"An adopted older brother, huh?" Fire frowned. "That would explain how he was able to manage to get away with 2 God Cards and the Millennium Item. He had an accomplice from the inside with him. Do you have any idea why your adopted elder brother is helping Marik?"

"Rishid was ordered to be Marik's protector by our father." Ishizu replied. "Rishid knows what Marik is doing is wrong, but Rishid is the only one that can keep Marik in check. For he has a far more wicked side within himself that only Rishid can contain. Should Rishid fall, Marik's wicked side will awaken. And by fall, I mean get knocked out cold."

"Wicked side? Like a dark half?" Fire questioned.

"Yes." Ishizu confirmed sadly. "For it was Marik's hatred and envy of the Pharaoh, along with him resenting his job as a Tombkeeper, that created this wicked side."

"Why does Marik hate him anyway? Yami is a spirit sealed in the puzzle for thousands of years." Fire frowned. "What did he do to earn this hatred?"

"Because Marik believes that he should be Pharaoh and not Yami." Ishizu answered. "He holds the key to the Pharaoh's power on his back, written in ancient Egyptian text." Fire grew wide eyed at this while Karen paled.

No way… I read about these kinds of things but… Karen began, shocked.

"It's engraved on his back?" Fire questioned.

"It's part of the Tombkeeper's Initiation." Ishizu replied.

"No offense, but that is completely messed up." Fire winced.

"My father had to go through the same thing when he was 11, and so did his Father, and so on." Ishizu retorted. "Someone in the past after the Pharaoh sealed himself away to stop the dark force back then started the tradition. And so it has continued since then."

"Even so. To do that to another and at a young age." Fire frowned, before shaking her head. "Messed up either way. Even so, we'll still stop him."

"That is all I can ask." Ishizu nodded, a light smile on her face. Fire looked at Ishizu and can clearly see not an intimidating Duelist, but a sister worried for her siblings before she waved her hand.

"Don't thank me yet. At least not until we manage it." She said, rubbing her neck. "Karen I'm going." The bracelet glowed before Karen returned to control with a light smile before facing Ishizu.

"I'm sorry about her, she's rough, but she means well." She smiled apologetically.

"I know Karen." Ishizu told her. "It's alright."

"Sorry to interrupt." Kisara stepped towards them. "But just wanting to let you know that I'm heading out to find an opponent for myself. Got to balance my job as commissioner and as a participant of this tournament, after all."

"Then I say the best of luck to you, Blue-Eyes Maiden." Ishizu told her. "You, like the Pharaoh and his Guardian, have your own secrets to uncover."

"And um...it has something to do with Seto as well, right?" Karen asked curiously.

"Kisara's secrets?" Ishizu questioned before nodding. "Yes it does."

Oh Seto is gonna take a whole lot of convincing. Karen thought with a sweatdrop, before frowning.

"But if we reach the finals, we'll truly learn about their pasts? Yami and Fire, even Kisara's?"

"Yes." Ishizu confirmed. "But it won't be easy for you, Yami, and Kisara."

"Luckily for us, we're prepared for that." Karen smiled.

"That's right." Kisara nodded, a smile of her own on her face.

"Well I better go find my own opponents now." Karen replied, about to go, but stopped. "Oh Ishizu. By the way, you're familiar with Ancient Egypt murals, right?"

"I am." Ishizu nodded.

"Then do you know this mural called Mural of the Sun?" Karen asked. Ishizu grew wide eyed for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, though not enough. It is likely Fire's mural, but I cannot say for certain. The ones who watch over it do not let many see it." She explained. "How did you hear that name?"

"My older sister Tsubasa Yamamoto. She's a college student in Egypt studying to be an Archeologist and she called me some time ago about it." Karen explained. "Although she didn't tell me much before saying she would be coming home today or tomorrow."

"Are you saying she saw it?" Ishizu questioned.

"I don't know really. She was talking so fast I couldn't catch up." Karen admitted with a frown. "Do you really think it's Fire's mural?"

"It's possible." Ishizu remarked.

"I see. Thank you for telling me." Karen thanked with a nod, before glancing at Fire who spoke to her softly, making her look confused but sighed. "And Fire wants to know. Did you tell Yami-or well the Pharaoh, about her being the Guardian?"

"I did when he and Anzu visited the museum." Ishizu told her. "Which was after you and Kaiba's visit to the museum." Karen glanced at Fire, who sighed before she gave a nod and bow.

"Thank you again. We best be off now." She said. With that, Karen waved to Kisara before rushing off. Kisara watched Karen run off. She glanced at Ishizu, then strided off in her own direction.

My role is at an end here. But hopefully my wish will be passed on to them. Ishizu thought. Marik, Rishid…

Aurasoul: I hope you all enjoyed the Duel between Ishizu and Fire! So next time it'll be Kisara dueling which I hope you enjoy so until then everyone please read and review!