Disclaimer: While I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the anime series' original characters, I do own this story and any characters not seen in the series (ex: Taylie Opel, Azura Zurie, Dina Finesse, and Shashi Tira).

A/N: This fan fiction is the sequel to "For the Love of Past and Present" and will have a lot of Marik/Taylie and Malik/Taylie and some Rishid/Shashi. Other pairings will include: Joey/Mai, Tristan/Tea, Yugi/Rebecca, Yami/Rebecca, Yami Bakura/Dina, Bakura/Dina, Seto/Serenity, and Mokuba/Charlotte. For those of you wondering where I got some of these names Taylie (English) Opel (Hindi) means Artistic Jewel and Shashi Tira (Hindi) means Moonlight Arrow…least that's what the sites I went to said. ^_~ Marik=Malik's evil spirit, and Malik=the original Ishtar, 'light'.

Ultramarine Fire

Chapter One: Play With Fire and Get Burned

Written By: Amanda/Artiste/Agent Di

Ten years ago…

The Egyptian marketplace bustled with life as merchants shouted slogans and prices. Each seller attempted to give a better bargain than his neighbor. These merchants relied on the income brought in my selling their goods to the locals, the artifacts hunters, and most of all-the tourists.

One family of tourists strode from stand to stand, admiring the items for sale and wiling away the time before their flight would arrive.

"How much longer mom?" the young raven-haired girl asked as she swung the woman's hand back and forth.

"Not long sweetie," the woman--Myakka--assured her inquisitive daughter.

Her husband glanced down at his watch, holding it at an angle so that it wouldn't catch the glare from the blinding sun. "It's almost four-thirty now Taylie, we'd better be on our way if we're gonna meet our friends at the airport in time."

"And then where are we going?" the youngster sighed.

Myakka chuckled, "Taylie we've told you a dozen times already…to India! Where you were born and where Escribe Ardor and his cast are performing their newest play."

Escribe Ardor was a close friend of the Opels (the family of tourists). He had lived with Briton Opel (Taylie's father) during his college days before introducing him to Myakka during a dress rehearsal. Ardor was as good a matchmaker as he was a playwright. He attended the Opels' wedding as the best man and was looked upon by Briton as an older brother, always looking out for his best interests, and never failing to support his 'family'.

Taylie was considerably excited about the trip. She was finally going to meet her Uncle Ardor. But a weary nine-year-old child could only stand so much activity during one extremely hot day. "Mom will you carry me?"

Myakka knelt down and took her tired angel up into her arms, "It's all right Taylie. You'll have plenty of time for a nap on the plane."

Upon reaching the airport in a none too reliable cab the small family rushed quickly through the doors to meet up with their dear old friend and travel back with him to India.

But once they'd rushed past the double doors, disaster met their eyes. Instead of seeing Escribe Ardor they were greeted by the saddened faces of two of his cast members, Azura Zurie and her husband Marcos Vivalli.

"Briton, Myakka," Azura held her arms open wide as the Opels approached; "it is good to see you again."

"And this must be your little one," Marcos stooped down to greet the droopy eyed girl.

"Yes," Myakka nodded, "this is Taylie. But where's Ardor?"

A pained expression crossed Marcos's face as he stood then glanced up at his dear friends. He hated the cruel twists of fate that seemed to be looming over the cast lately. "My friends, I'm sorry to say that Escribe Ardor is no longer with us."

"What?" Briton couldn't believe his ears, "He left the cast? But why?"

"No," Azura sighed, "he's dead Briton. He passed away last night."

The shock was too much for the Opels as they searched for something to say. "No…" Myakka finally whispered.

"Mom?" Taylie starred up as tears swelled in her mother's grayish-blue eyes.

"We thought we should tell you in person," Azura continued, fighting back her own tears. "Ardor was straining himself, completing his newest play. It became his life's work, writing the perfect love story. You know he was always dedicated to that sort of thing."

"The doctors say he went peacefully Briton, he passed away in his sleep." Marcos patted his friend's shoulder, "At least he finished his play. There's only one copy of the script but we're hoping to perform it someday, as a tribute to his memory."

"Ardor's done so much for us," Azura hugged Myakka who held her daughter close for comfort, "performing his final play is the least we can do for him."

"Is that the play that you're performing in India then?" Myakka inquired while Taylie struggled on her tiptoes to wipe away her mother's tears.

A trace of a smile appeared on Azura's face as she allowed her gaze to fall upon Taylie, "No, Ardor's final play will have to wait a while."

As further proof that fate was not in the mood to be kind to the little group their flight was cancelled due to technical problems with the plane. The group halfheartedly left the airport and hailed two cabs, they'd have to catch a later flight.

In the second cab Taylie questioned her mother about the couple. "Mom, who are those people who met us instead of Uncle Ardor?"

Myakka gave a faint smile for her daughter's sake, "Marcos and Azura dear, they're longtime members of Ardor's cast."

"Oh," the young Opel remarked, "like you and Dad used to be."

"That's right," Myakka nodded. It seemed like such a long time ago to her now, she and Briton had been players in the cast. Ardor specialized in plays about love; his passion was performance of the somewhat idealistic views of romance (chivalry, devotion, and bonds that transcended time itself). She recalled the final play that Azura and Marcos had mentioned. Ardor had begun writing it long before she and Briton left the group to be married and start a family (acting wasn't the sort of occupation that provided a secure and founded environment for raising children). The play was to be his greatest work, and he'd kept the couple posted on his progress. The last that Myakka had heard, he was selecting members of his cast for the roles. And now, he'd never get to see his masterpiece performed…a tragic ending for such an inspired playwright.

Fortune smiled upon the travelers long enough for them to obtain a temporary dwelling for the remainder of the day. A small house near the end of the Egyptian marketplace was rented to them at a fair enough price.

"Now then," Azura entered the second bedroom where Myakka and Taylie were putting clothes on hangers after unpacking her own items, "why don't we go out for a while and try taking our minds off things?"

"I've been out in the marketplace for most of the day," Myakka sighed, "My skin's been exposed to the sun so long that it's starting to burn."

"Mine's not," Taylie chirped pointing to her tanned arms.

"Well then Miss Taylie," Azura grinned plopping down beside the child, "why don't you head out with Marcos and I and you can show us around the marketplace?"

"Can I Mom?"

"I thought you were tired?" Myakka teased.

"I'm not THAT tired!" Taylie burst out, eager to be back out in the bustling crowd and away from the depressing air that lingered around the small house.

"All right then love," Myakka planted a light kiss on her daughter's forehead, "just keep your sunscreen on and don't exhaust yourself…or poor Azura and Marcos."

"I won't," Taylie promised as she proceeded to drag Azura out the door.

"Where's Taylie?" Briton asked after entering the room with his daughter's backpack.

"She went back to the marketplace with Marcos and Azura." Myakka answered, "Maybe now we can get some rest. This day has been one headache after another."

"I know," a sound of tension escaped Briton as he took a seat beside his wife, "first we roast in the marketplace, then Azura and Marcos show up and tell us Ardor's passed away, and now our flight's been cancelled. What else is going to go wrong today?"

Leaning against her husband's shoulder Myakka let her eyelids droop down, "Briton dear don't press our luck…it hasn't been the best lately."

The other three travelers passed the remainder of the day away shopping, trying to forget their troubles and continue with life as best they could. A short time after the sun had set and the stars dotted the night sky, Marcos and Azura had decided to take the worn out little Opel back home.

"She's certainly got enough energy hasn't she?" Marcos chuckled as he hoisted the now exhausted child onto his back.

"She's a regular livewire." Azura smiled, "I could hardly keep up with her in that crowd."

Taylie was dreaming away while her newfound friends walked the short distance back to the house her parents had rented. The dwelling was simple, recently equipped with running water and electricity but still presenting an ancient Egyptian charm. Taylie liked it, and she hadn't been all that disappointed when their flight had been cancelled. This Egypt, it was a nice place to visit. As wonderful as India must be, she still preferred this hot, somewhat mysterious, desert climate. It just seemed to fit better to her liking.

A few waves of orange and red flashed over the blank emptiness before Taylie's closed eyes, causing her to wake. Marcos had stopped walking and Azura suddenly let out a horrified scream. Jolting upright Taylie stared straight ahead, her dark and light blue eyes growing wide as they took in the sight of the rented house---consumed in flames!

"Dad! Mom!" Taylie hopped off Marcos's back and ran towards the inferno. Her parents were still inside! They HAD to be!

"TAYLIE NO!" Azura grabbed the child's wrist as she raced past and held her protectively in her arms. "No Taylie, don't! There's nothing you can do!"

"M-Mom!" the tiny girl sobbed with an outstretched hand begging for her parents to emerge unharmed. A desperate hope that somehow her parents, the only family she had left in the world, would survive this terrible treachery. A youth's dire prayer that would go---unanswered.

******

A week later, in India…

Marcos sat at the kitchen table staring down at a plate of untouched food. The world was becoming a cruel and heartless place, the exact opposite of everything he'd naively envisioned it to be. It wasn't enough that his dearest friend in the world Ardor had to be taken from him but now Briton and Myakka were gone too and their killer was still roaming free.

And how must the child be handling all this? he wondered, To lose one's parents-one's only family-at so young an age? And to see them burned alive? What monster could've done such a thing? And why?

To Marcos's knowledge the Opels had had no enemies. They were kind people with a loving nature, good parents, and loyal church goers. So what reason could their murderer have had for their demise? And had the monster intended on killing young Taylie as well? If there was one thing he could be grateful for after all this, it was that he and his wife had taken the girl out of harm's way that day.

Azura's appearance silenced his thoughts. His emotionally drained wife wistfully made her way into the kitchen and sat across from him at the table, burying her face in her hands.

Placing a hand on her arm he tried to draw her into a conversation. "So how is the little one today?"

Reluctantly the dark haired woman uncovered her face to reply, "Taylie's still…distraught over her parents' death. She's not eating again and the poor thing only sleeps after crying all night. What are we going to do Marcos?"

"I don't know," the solemn actor admitted.

The couple hadn't realized the young girl standing in the doorway had overheard their conversation. Brushing some black bangs from her eyes Shashi Tira (a ward of the late Escribe Ardor) turned and silently made her way to the end of the hall and into Ardor's old bedroom, where the last of his belongings were kept.

Once inside she made her way over to the desk and stared for a moment at its middle drawer. The wooden desk was worn with time; over fourteen plays had been written on this very piece of antique furniture. In the center of the flat drawer was a rusted metal keyhole with small scratch marks and chipped gold paint. After a moment's hesitation the young girl pulled out a key (previously hidden behind a picture on the nightstand) and unlocked the drawer.

It's all my fault, the little Opel wept, If it wasn't for me, they wouldn't have died. Why'd I have to go back to the stupid marketplace anyway?

Wiping a hand across her eyes she remained curled up on her bed, her knees tucked beneath her chin, soaked by a waterfall of endless tears of guilt and pain. She'd never forgive herself for not being there for her parents. Somehow, this was all because of her. Her parents were dead now and she didn't even know why.

A soft knock at the door drew a gasp from Taylie. Trying to dry her tears (lest it should be the worried Azura again) she spoke in a tone she hoped wasn't overflowing with sorrow, "Come in."

"Hello Miss Opel," the tan skinned girl cautiously made her way inside the room, "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Shashi?" Taylie had seen the girl only once or twice during her week here. She knew the girl was a native of India who had been taken under the care of an elderly woman in the city and schooled in English and various other subjects. According to Marcos, the elderly woman had been a patron of Ardor and insisted that the girl be placed in his care. She had worried that her age and withdrawn manner would inhibit Shashi's social interaction and leave her alone and broken hearted when the inevitable happened.

Shashi took another step forward revealing the leather-bound book she was clutching. Taylie had the saddest eyes she'd ever seen. Half sapphire, half ice blue eyes looked over at her, stained with tears, full of misery. This was the way the girl had been since Azura and Marcos had brought her to live with the cast. The tragic experience had left Taylie depressed and withdrawn. Shashi sensed that there was still a carefree, lively girl inside that only needed a reason to come out. She could only hope that she held that reason now, in her hands.

"Miss Opel, I've brought you a gift from Ardor." the emerald eyed girl held out the book.

Taylie gave a look of puzzlement that was almost comical despite the current mood. "How can Ardor give me a gift? He's de-"

With a trace of a smile Shashi shook her head as Taylie accepted the book. "It is his final play Miss Opel. He finished writing and casting it before he died. All that is left is for it to be preformed."

Taylie examined the book. A navy leather cover etched with letters of gold shadowed by ruby red. It was as beautiful as the heart of the man who wrote it, exactly as she pictured something owned by Ardor to look. "When will it be preformed?"

"Oh not anytime soon I imagine." Shashi answered stifling a laugh.

"What?" Taylie cocked her head to the side, "I don't see what's so funny."

"Maybe you should open it. Ardor wrote down the parts and who would play them on the first page." the second girl replied.

Doing so Taylie spotted the page and list of characters. Skimming down the list she found she could only place faces with a few of the names there. It was no doubt a play made entirely for Ardor's own cast. Taylie noted that the people she did know were assigned characters whose brief descriptions matched their own personalities. Even Shashi was given a role. Then she spotted something that made her jaw drop and-for an instant-she forget about her grief and marveled at the book in her lap. "Escribe Ardor put my name here?!"

"That's right." Shashi nodded.

"But---why? I've never even met him before!"

Taking the astonished child's hand Shashi pulled her towards the door and out into the hall, "Come with me, I want to show you something."

Entering the room at the end of the hallway Shashi left Taylie in the center of the bedroom while she turned on a lamp. Shashi motioned for her newfound friend to come over to the nightstand. "See," she pointed to the picture, "that's you as a baby. Your parents sent the picture to Ardor not long after you were born. When I came to live here, he showed it to me and told me that he was working on the greatest romance play of his career. He was going to write a love story for the ages and he was going to cast all of us in it…even you."

"But why would he do that?" Taylie inquired.

"Because he and the Opels were like family. They've always been there for each other and when you came along he was thrilled that he finally had a niece." Shashi explained, "Taylie, he already adored you before he ever met you. That's the kind of person Ardor was, he cared for all of us like his own family. And that's why he gave you the lead role. He knew he could count on you to perform the play the way it was meant to be performed."

"But I'm only nine." Taylie protested.

"And I'm barely twelve." Shashi replied, "That's why Azura and Marcos are waiting to perform the last play. They want us to be old enough to act in it. Just like Ardor intended. It's his legacy, his last gift to all of us."

"And this script?" Taylie motioned to hand back the book.

"It's yours!" Shashi announced happily. "Azura wasn't going to give it to you yet because she thinks you're too depressed. But I'm giving it to you now because I want to remind you that we love you, all of us. So please don't be sad, Ardor and your parents…they left behind their memories and keepsakes so you'd remember how much they love you. You'll never be alone, even death can't take away that love."

"And Ardor taught you all of this." Taylie guessed. A nod from Shashi confirmed her assumption. The young Opel took a moment to study the book. "All right then, I'll keep Ardor's last play safe and maybe one day we'll finally perform it and pay him back for all he's done."

"See," Shashi smiled, "you can't keep that promise if you stay locked up in your room all the time. You'll have to come out and get to know the cast. We're all a family now Taylie."

Looking up the nine-year-old returned the smile, "You called me 'Taylie', not 'Miss Opel'."

Shashi blushed, "Sorry."

"It's okay." Taylie placed the book on the nightstand and hugged her older friend tightly, "Like you said, we're family now. And that makes us like cousins…or sisters!"

From the doorway the previously stressed actress leaned against the frame and watched the scene with a hopeful grin. Her husband had one arm propped above her and the other wrapped lightly around her waist, "It's about time something went right around here."

"Yes," Azura sighed with relief, "I think those two needed each other."

******

Domino City, the mysterious present…

A fist was furiously slammed down upon a table in a ship hidden by the docks. "Curse that pharaoh, little Yugi, AND this wretched town!!"

A servant in shrouds stepped forward. "Master Marik, please try not to overexert yourself, you know that your dark side is only growing stronger and-"

"Rishid if I want your advice I'll rip it from you with my Millennium Rod!" the platinum blond Egyptian spat, "And STOP calling me Marik! My name is Malik, Malik Ishtar!"

"But sir, you threatened just yesterday that if anyone were to refer to you as Malik again you would banish their soul into the pits of the Shadow Realm." Rishid responded with a hint of confusion.

"What?" was this mindless fool making it all up? No…Rishid would never be able to fabricate such a potentially fatal tale. "I am losing control then? Marik wants my body so that he can rain chaos down upon a lifeless world. And he's not too far from his goal if he can subdue me without my knowing."

A pained look crossed Rishid's face, Malik was practically his brother. His family had adopted him and for as long as he could remember Rishid had worked night and day to guard Malik and be accepted as part of his clan. "Do not worry Master Malik; I will do my best to see to it that Marik does not seize control of you again."

Malik glanced up at his faithful servant; half of Rishid's face bore hieroglyphics that seemingly helped suppress the evil within Malik. But he could feel his heart grow colder with each passing day. He could feel but a minute fraction of the bond he'd held so strongly with his older brother back in Egypt before the tomb keeper's initiation. And the bond between himself and Ishsyzu, his own sister, was dimming to the point where he would contemplate making her the next victim of his Millennium Rod.

"I've got to do something Rishid," Malik realized, "If I don't act soon Marik will take over my mind and vessel completely and it'll be his revenge exacted upon the pharaoh instead of mine!"

"Yes Master Malik," Rishid agreed, "perhaps we should seek council from your sister?"

"Ishsyzu?" Malik snapped, "NEVER! She wants to stop me from becoming pharaoh Rishid, I can't trust her!"

"But she is your sister Master," Rishid reminded him. "She only wants to help you and stopping Marik from gaining control over you would be helping you."

With a frustrated growl Malik conceded. "All right then, first thing in the morning you and I are going to pay a little visit to my dear sister."

Rishid let out a mental sigh, You used to consider her our sister. Now he truly felt unworthy of being part of the Ishtar clan.

A laugh from deep within the chambers of Malik's mind jolted him from his seat as Rishid and his other mind slaves left the room. "Marik?" he gave way to a moment of panic.

That's right you fool, it's me! Marik's voice sounded more sinister than ever now. He was definitely gaining power.

Malik noted the strength in his tone, I see your powers are increasing again Marik. Tell me, just how many souls have you sent to the Shadow Realm of which I'm not aware?

You'd be surprised. came the insanely boastful answer.

Try me. Malik challenged.

Oh don't worry, Marik chuckled, you'll know the exact number soon enough…when I send your soul to join them!

Malik's eyes grew wide for a moment before a grimace appeared on his face, You've made this threat before Marik. I know if you had that sort of power, or the nerve, you'd have done it by now.

Until now I've actually needed your pathetic existence in this world to keep me alive. But once I've gained enough power I'll be able to seize complete control of this body and send you into an eternal nightmare the likes of which you've never dared to imagine!!

Malik's face burned with fury, And just when will YOU ever possess such power?!

A dark chuckle answered him, Soon my dimwitted lackey…very soon.

That did it, rising from his chair so fast that it knocked the piece of furniture across the room he stormed out into the hall and went to find Rishid. Forget waiting until tomorrow, he wanted his answers now!

******

Ishsyzu awoke from her dream with a terrible start. Holding her head in her hands she tried to compose herself as the glow from her Millennium Necklace faded. She had experienced another vision during her sleep. And it was related to the third power, a new member of the Queen's Court, the possessor of ultramarine fire!

"Oh that poor girl," the Egyptian woman whispered to herself, "what a horrible travesty."

Then her Necklace emitted another glow and she received a vision of her brothers, Malik and Rishid, they were coming to pay her an unexpected visit---or so they thought.

My brother fears for his freedom lest the evil spirit within him break free of his mental barriers and Rishid's shield of protection to seize full control. Ishsyzu thought sadly, But I am not the one who can help him now. Oh my poor brother, I do love you and wish to help yet destiny has chosen another to guide you through this. I'm afraid all Rishid and I can do is have faith in this new individual and pray for your sanity.

Not long after this last vision Malik and Rishid were at her door. Her attendants allowed them to pass after Ishsyzu informed them that her family was always welcome in her home.

"Ishsyzu," Malik scoffed as he entered her living room, "what, no hug for your little brother?"

"I would be happy to do so," Ishsyzu sighed remorsefully, "if I could be certain that you would not stab me in the back."

Malik's eyes narrowed on his sibling, "That was a cheap shot sister. You know me better than that."

"I used to." she corrected sorrowfully.

"You could again if you would open your eyes and see that our family has been hiding in the dark awaiting a pharaoh for millennia when all we had to do was take control of our own destinies and crown a new King of Games."

"It has become clear that we choose to follow different paths dear brother," Ishsyzu answered, "Mine is to serve the Pharaoh Yami and yours…has lead you to be controlled yourself."

"And just what makes you think that I'm being controlled?" Malik hissed.

"You refuse to serve the rightful pharaoh therefore you are forced to serve the evil Marik." Ishsyzu countered.

"ENOUGH!" Malik barked, "I didn't come here for one of your useless lectures, I came here for advice on how to rid myself of this evil madman for good!"

"Then I am afraid that you have wasted your time," Ishsyzu turned away and pretended to be leaving the room.

"SISTER!" Malik was not giving up so easily, not after Marik's little threat back on the boat. "I know you will help me, you must! Like it or not I am your own flesh and blood. We are family and you cannot go back in time and change that."

"True," Ishsyzu conceded, "you used to be my little brother, innocent and full of life and generosity. But the power of the Millennium Rod has corrupted you and made you cold and unfeeling. I am afraid that you are beyond my reach…and our older brother's as well."

Rishid flinched at this and shifted his gaze to the ground. He really didn't feel as though he belonged in this room at all. He certainly was not about to enter the conversation. These people, they were not interested in conversing with the likes of him. He was not worthy of partaking in their lives, their destinies. That had become painfully obvious to him over the years.

But Ishsyzu felt differently, "Rishid, I know you mean well by protecting our brother but you cannot deny that what Malik is doing is wrong. You of all people know the importance of our role in the Pharaoh's return."

Rishid continued to watch the floor, "I shall stand by Master Malik's side for as long as he will allow me to do so. I will do all that I can to protect him, even from the growing evil within himself."

"Then I wish you both luck in defeating Marik," Ishsyzu sighed, "but remember my young brother," Malik shifted his gaze to her as she addressed him warily, "Marik is a part of who you are. Just like all of the others who possess a darker half, you must learn to coexist, to take control of your own vessel without destroying yourself in the process. If you are to remain sane and free your kind heart, you must maintain an equal balance of good and evil. Without that internal balance, even when it manifests itself as another being, you cannot hope to live a peaceful life."

"I don't care if it destroys me in the end anymore!" Malik shouted, "Just as long as I'm rid of this pest and manage to live long enough to get my revenge upon the pharaoh!!!"

Rishid's gaze was drawn upwards at Malik's outburst and he and Ishsyzu exchanged worried glances.

Sighing the woman led the two guests to the door and left her younger brother with these parting words, "Malik, I am not the one who can help you now. But someone will come to Domino soon and this person will be powerful and compassionate…they will help you my brother. Please be patient, for your own sake."

With a huff Malik left with Rishid following along behind him. Ishsyzu closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for her brother. It is in Fate's hands now. Destiny has chosen another to save my brother. May she come to us quickly, I fear the Malik is rapidly running out of time…

*And so goes the first chapter of "Ultramarine Fire". I know there were two LONG flashbacks in there but I felt they were important to the story. Like I said before, the Ishtars play a very important role in this fanfic. I hope everyone has enjoyed this chapter, I'll try and post again when I can. Reviews are encouraged.*