The Flap Of Butterfly Wings...

The flap of Butterfly wings...

Once upon a time, Hiccup had a best friend and Toothless a mate.

But through his decision to pick Berk and Astrid over them, they lost the girls.

In one world Hiccup and Leandra lived their lives away from each other…yet destiny is a funny thing.

Their first story "To Belong" was just one of endless possibilities and this here is another one.

Will Hiccup and Leandra finally be together?

Or will destiny repeat itself?

Chapter 2: Freedom

The next few days our dragon riders try to coax out the scarred and confused Christa.

She had to be for a long time a thrall, she mislearned what it meant to be free.

What it meant to not be hurt for the singles thing.

Trying to get her to eat or doing something nice for her, was too much for the girl.

She couldn’t handle it.

Hiccup and Leandra were starting to get desperate.

How could they help this traumatized child, if they didn’t have a clue how to even work through such terrible experiences she had to endure? What they had suffered on Berk was a joke against Christa’s life.

At night when they slept, Christa stood often up and sat down out in the cold.

She didn’t understand Hiccup and Leandra at all.

Why were they so nice to her? Treated her like a human being?

She was a thrall and nothing more.

Anybody could do with her what he wished.

That’s when the dragon with the golden eyes would join her, Starchaser was her name and sat beside her without touching.

The dragon only purred to her.

Like she was singing a lullaby to a babe.

Like her father once did, before the Eldians came for their tribe.

This…she could handle.

Since the dragon didn’t talk, didn’t want to do something for her, wanted to take care of her.

Starchaser just sat with her and purred. Expecting nothing in return.

Before the Eldians came she remembered that her village had been raided sometimes by dragons too.

It was tiny raids, but still a hassle for her people. Her father told her to be careful around dragons, that they would kill you given the chance, yet neither Starchaser nor Toothless was hostile.

They were loving towards each other and their riders and respectful around her.

But given what she had lived as a thrall for the Eldians it shouldn’t shock her that dragons were much kinder than humans.

So that’s why she let Starchaser sit with her.

Sometimes for hours long, while the others slept.

Never tried the dragon to touch her.

She was just near her.

A comforting presence that Christa nearly had forgotten what it felt like.

After a month of living with Hiccup and Leandra on the vacant island, Christa touched Starchaser for the first time.

She had seen the day before how Leandra had given her dragon a good scratch and pet session and…something like curiosity came to the surface.

Christa wanted to know how Starchaser felt.

It was scaly and warm…and comforting.

Starchaser just stayed still and let Christa pet her to her heart’s content. The little human girl was scarred like a rabbit, you needed to be careful around her.

Now, when they were alone together Christa always gave Starchaser pets.

First came the purring to show her that she liked the pets.

Then came the leaning on more for more pets.

Then begs for more pets.

Two more weeks passed and Christa could pet Starchaser as Leandra did.

It was an amazing feeling.

She didn’t know that Leandra was standing in the shadow of the entrance of the cavern and saw her petting Starchaser.

Leandra got an idea and hoped it would work.

(*)

The next day Leandra sat on Starchaser’s saddle and petted behind her.

“Come, Christa, let’s take a morning flight.”

Hiccup and Toothless were shocked to see that the little girl still carefully walked up to the girls and actually sat down behind Leandra!

Sure she wasn’t touching the other human but had no problem holding into the saddle or Starchaser.

Smiling happy that the first phase of her plan worked, Leandra gave Starchaser the go-to fly.

So they flew up the sky, high where the clouds were.

Christa was feeling things…she couldn’t describe them.

No wait…it felt a bit like before her tribe was attacked by the Eldians.

Full wonder she touched the clouds.

Is that what Leandra and Hiccup always felt when they rode their dragons?

This feeling…was it freedom?

A tear escaped Christa’s eye.

Was she truly free now?

After the first successful flight together, Leandra took now Christa always with her to her morning flights with Starchaser.

It seemed to do wonders for the girl.

Later when she talked with Hiccup about it, he agreed that Christa probably was just like them.

A dragon rider at heart.

Maybe her own dragon could help her?

(*)

“It’s so crazy, I really hope it works.”, mumbled Hiccup to Toothless.

It was now six months after they had saved Christa and our quartet with their guest flow together over the Barbaric Archipelago.

They were looking for a herd of wild dragons, in the hope, Christa would bond with one, which in turn would her help to fight against her inner demons.

“I see some Deadly Nadders!”, called Leandra back to them and pointed at a clearing. “Should we try?”

“Why not?”

So they made their dragons land near the Nadder herd.

Christa looked at them in question. She didn’t get why the flow till here and were now near wild dragons.

The girl trusted Starchaser and Toothless, but wild dragons were something different.

“Christa, do you wanna see how one befriends a dragon?”, asked Leandra softly.

Oh…!

They wanted to show her how to make friends with a dragon.

This…this sounded nice.

Shyly she nodded.

Hiccup and Leandra smiled at her.

She still was not used to seeing people smiling at her.

“All right, then watch closely how Hiccup will do it.”

With that Hiccup carefully walked up to the Nadders.

The dragons stared at him curiously. A human who didn’t attack them on sight was not the norm.

A blu-ish Nadder was close to him. So Hiccup did what he did with Toothless long ago and waited for the Nadder.

After a few seconds, he felt its snout.

Smiling he petted his new Nadder friend.

Christa was astonished.

Incredible so you made friends with a dragon?

That’s when she saw something shimmering on the side. For the first time in a long time, she got curious and walked up to it.

“See, Christa, that’s how you make a dragon friend!”, told her Leandra smiling. She turned to the girl beside her. “Do you want to try-“

Leandra stopped herself from talking as she saw that Christa wasn’t beside her anymore.

No, she was petting a dragon.

But not a Nadder.

“That’s a Changewing!”, shouted Hiccup in disbelief, what Leandra thought.

The blond-haired girl didn’t even notice that Leandra and Hiccup were freacking out behind her, feeling truly happy after a long time as she petted her new dragon friend.

As she inspected the shimmer it had turned into a big brownish dragon, who had titled his head curiously at her.

When her blue orbs meet the dragon’s yellow one, Christa feels something strange but wonderful.

Like she had found something she had lost.

She had done it like Hiccup.

Touching the dragon gave her even more of a strange and welcoming feeling.

The dragon liked her pets, purring at her.

Could she take the dragon with her?

Yes, she could.

It came gladly with her and Hiccup, Leandra, and their Night Furries.

So Christa flows for the first time in her life a dragon and feels true freedom.

Up in the sky, where the clouds were, she was just a girl with a dragon.

No slave.

No burden.

No coward.

Just a normal girl.

It meant she was really, really free finally.

She wasn’t a thrall anymore.

After Hiccup told her, that her dragon friend was male, she knew what to name him.

Frihet, freedom. 

(*)

Two weeks after Christa tamed Frihet, Leandra, and Hiccup asked her if she wanted to travel with them to Spain.

It was high time for the Night Furries riders to be back on the road, but they wouldn’t leave their new friends behind.

Christa didn’t need long to think about it.

Of course, she would stay with them, follow them.

Her village was no more.

She didn’t have a death wish to return to the Eldians and their mad chieftain Fritz.

There was no place she could go besides into the unknown.

No, she rather stays with her friends. That is what Leandra, Hiccup, and their Night Furries were for her and Frihet.

So two dragon riders became three.

In the early morning, they started their journey to Spain.

Our trio flows for some time above the clouds, thinking nothing bad as Toothless' and Starchaser’s ear plates perk up. Frihet also gets tense, he sensed it too.

The dragons glance over their shoulders to see a disturbance in the blanket of clouds.

A strange and arresting masked warrior rises from the clouds, standing upon something unseen. It's armour and cape flap in the buffeting turbulence.

This warrior eyes the dragon riders, pulling up alongside them.

The teens and the young girl sense the approaching figure in their periphery.

“What in Thor’s name…”, Hiccup trails off as he sees the masked warrior.

Is he dreaming?!

“Is this person flying?”, shrieked Leandra shocked out loud, what he thought.

Little Christa hugs Frihet’s long throat tighter, while her dragon purrs at her in comfort.

The warrior stares blankly at them, tilting his head in curiosity while cutting a menacing silhouette.

Then, just as gradually as he rose, the warrior dips back beneath the clouds, disappearing.

“Okay. No sudden moves!”, tells Hiccup his friends.

Suddenly, the warrior explodes out of the clouds before them, standing atop a large unknown dragon.

They circle the three dragon riders forcing them to tread air. The warrior points a staff toward Hiccup, unnervingly, as he returns to face them.

“Hold on, hold on!”, yells Hiccup.

“We are dragon riders like you, we come in peace!”, adds Leandra.

Christa nods her head rapidly.

Toothless, Starchaser, and Frihet growl in warning.

Suddenly, they're ambushed from behind.

Hiccup, Leandra, and Christa are plucked off of their dragons by other dragons and carried off.

“Toothless!”, screams Hiccup for his dragon, who can’t fly on his own.

Starchaser and Frihet try to reach to falling down Night Furry but get ambushed by other dragons too.

The last what our three dragon riders see is Toothless who falls into the ocean.

(*)

Hiccup shivers in the claws of the dragon, surrounded by the strange flock full of breeds he's never seen. He looks back for Toothless, now long gone.

“HEY! YOU LEFT MY DRAGON BACK THERE!  HE CAN'T FLY ON HIS OWN! HE'LL DROWN!”, growls Hiccup at the masked warrior, who leads the dragon flock.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO STARCHASER AND FRIHET?”, yells Leandra for herself and Christa.

The young girl shivers also in the claws of her dragon kidnapper and has to fight her tears.

First a human prisoner and now a dragon one?

Wasn’t she free?

Why did this happen?

The warrior offers no response to them, seemingly immune to the cold as he leads the dragon flock across the polar night an alien landscape, harsh and foreboding.

Out of the fog looms epic ice formations, jagged, and spiked, like an impregnable fortress.

The young dragon riders would be sure in awe if they weren’t currently worried for their dragons and themselves.

The dragon flock dives into its jagged folds. The wild ride suddenly gives way to multilevel, cavernous chambers made of ice and columns of basalt rock.

It's heavily populated with dragons of all kinds, looming in the shadows.

Leandra, Christa, and Hiccup get dropped in the centre.

Both teens help Christa up, who formally clings to Leandra for protection. The older girl hugs her back, trying her best to comfort her.

Hiccup knows he isn’t built like a warrior, but he would protect the girls as best as he could.

He stands before them calling out into the darkness: “We have to head back for my dragon! Also, give my friends their dragons back. Christa needs Frihet.”

As to prove his point he hears how Christa whimpers, as best as she can with a cut-out tongue.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”, mumbles Leandra to her. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”

A hissing dragon closes in, sniffing, leering, and aggressive.

Hiccup holds his hands up to show he isn’t armed, then puts a handout and looks away.

The warrior watches keenly from the shadows, as the dragon coo curies at Hiccup, before he touches with his snout the hand of the young boy.

Several aggressive dragons close in behind the three dragon riders. Hearing their hisses, Leandra pets Christa on the head and says to her: “Just do what you did with Frihet. You know that dragons are our friends.”

Still, a bit frightened Christa lets go of Leandra and does as the older girl says.

Leandra does the same too.

After a few heartbeats, both girls feel a dragon snout in their hands.

This seems to calm down the other dragons as well.

The warrior tilted his masked head, curious. He dismounts his dragon and approaches Hiccup and the girls.

“Who are you?”, asks Hiccup.

Christa is again hugging Leandra who looks at the warrior in caution.

“You must be a dragon rider like us, why did you kidnap us?”, she wants to know.

He circles them in silence, taking them in.

This boy who is clearly from a Viking village, the tanned girl in a Viking dress but clearly a foreigner, and the little scarred girl in a dress who seems a bit too big for her. Clearly, it belonged to the older girl once and was sewn to fit the younger one.

“Do you even understand what we are saying?”, wondered Hiccup frustrated.

In answer the warrior whirls and hammers his staff.

In response, three large dragons ascend from the depths, carrying Toothless, Starchaser, and Frihet.

Hiccup and Leandra say the name of their dragon relieved, while Christa smiles big.

Toothless is dumped on the ground next to Hiccup, sopping wet. Hiccup rushes to him, petting him reassuringly. Toothless coos in relief.

“It's okay. I'm glad to see you, too, bud. You really had me worried there.”

Next Starchaser and Frihet get dumped before their riders.

Christa just hugs Frihet tightly, who wraps himself formally around her, while Leandra gives Starchaser a lot of kisses on her head.

“Oh Star, thank the lord, you are okay!”

Her dragon nuzzles her in a way that spells that she is glad that Leandra is okay too.

The warrior rattles his staff at a nearby dragon.

In response, it and the surrounding dragons produce firelight from their throats, spotlighting the three dragon riders and their dragons.

Then he sets down his staff and shield, and approaches Hiccup, cautiously and animal-like.

Toothless snarls and circles Hiccup defensively, but then instantly yields to the stranger's outstretched hand. With a quick, disarming gesture, the warrior lays Toothless down in a state of bliss.

Of course, Starchaser wants to protect her mate, but the same trick works on her too.

Now two blissful Night Furries lay on the ground.

Frihet gets ready to spit his acid, yet one upward gesture from the warrior, and he is a blissed-out dragon too.

Hiccup and the girls are astonished.

The warrior's hand continues toward Hiccup's face. He recoils, but the warrior persists, finding the faint scar on Hiccup's chin, glinting in the firelight.

Their kidnapper gasps and retreats a few steps.

“Hiccup?”, says surprisingly a female voice, shaking with emotions. “Could it be? After all these years? How is this possible?”

“Uh, should I... should I know you?”, asks Hiccup and looks to Leandra and Christa who shrug their shoulders at him.

They haven’t the faintest idea what is going on right now too.

“No. You were only a babe...”, starts the strange woman who slowly removes here mask.

A beautiful woman with green eyes and her auburn hair in three braids was hiding behind it.

Leandra and Christa look from her to Hiccup and back.

These two… look like they could be related!

What?!

The woman’s eyes meet Hiccups, equally wide-eyed and aghast.

“... but a mother never forgets.”, she ends her sentence.

Hiccup stammers, tongue-tied, aghast.

Christa has wide eyes and blinks.

Leandra is the only one who sums up the situation in perfection: “What the heck?!”

(*)

Our three dragon riders run after the woman through tightly winding corridors.

“Hold on! Wait just a minute! Come back here!”, calls Hiccup after her.

“This way. Come.”, is the only answer of the woman.

“You can't just say something like that and run off! You're my mother?! I mean, what the -- do you grasp how INSANE it sounds?!”, he shouts after her. “I have questions!”

“We all have questions. Didn’t you tell me your mother was eaten by a dragon?!”, reminds him, Leandra, holding hands with Christa, so she can keep up with them.

They follow Hiccup’s supposed mom over the difficult terrain. Together and helping each other clamber over a tall rock.

“That’s what everyone told me back home, I mean-“

He is lost for words as he sees where they are now.

A giant ice chamber teeming with ferns, waterfalls, hot springs, and thousands of new dragons.

Even Leandra and Christa stop walking with their chins on the floor.

Neither of the three has seen something that beautiful.

Their dragons join them, curiously looking around.

Hiccup spots his….mother clinging to a basalt overhang, watching him and the girls.

“This is where you've been for 15 years?”

“You believe her!”, whisper-shouts Leandra shocked, and even Christa gives him a look alla are you crazy?

“She looks how my father always described her.”, he gives them one reason. “Also she knows my name. Leandra, you didn’t use my name the whole time we were here with her, so how else should she know it?”

The two girls look at each other and then shrug.

Well, they can’t say anything against it and so long as Hiccup’s mom didn’t hurt them they would accept this.

Crazy as it was.

Hiccup’s mom nods from her perch answering the question of her son.

“You've been rescuing them.”, declares the boy.

She nods again, this time with a smile.

“Unbelievable.”

“I wanna add an uff to it.”, pipes Leandra up.

Christa nods in agreement.

This whole thing got crazier by the minute!

Hiccup’s supposed dead mom wasn’t dead but a dragon rider, like them, and a dragon rescuer.

Wow!

“You're not upset?”, ask him his mother unsure.

“What? No. I don't know. It's a bit much to get my head around, to be frank. It's not every day you find out your mother is some kind of crazy, feral, vigilante dragon lady.”, blabs Hiccup what comes to his mind.

He is still reeling too, okay?

She chuckles, and using her dragon's wing, lowers herself to the ground like a skilled acrobat.

“At least I'm not boring... right?”

“I suppose there is that... one... specific... thing...”

Excited dragons rush up to greet the three dragon riders and their dragons. The humans pet a few, marvelling at the vast dragon utopia before them.

“Maybe it’s time we introduce ourselves.”, says Leandra and grins crookedly at Hiccup’s mom. “It’s not every day you meet the dead mom of your best friend. I’m Leandra Alvarez, it’s nice to meet you…erm…Mrs. Haddock?”

Mrs. Haddock gives her a reassuring smile.

“Please a friend of my son can call me Valka.”

“Valka, okay, noted.”

“And who is the little one?”

Valka crouches down to see into Christa’s eyes, she is approaching her as one would do with a baby dragon.

“That’s Christa…mom.”, tests Hiccup for the first time calling her this. “She is a former thrall, her old master cut out her tongue so she can’t talk.”

 “You poor dear!”, Valka gasps. “No one will hurt you here, I promise.”

Christa gives her a shy smile.

That’s when Frihet snuggles up to Christa like he wants to say just try it and I will acid you back to the stone age.

“Incredible, you three made friends with dragons.”, can’t Valka help herself to say.

She never imagined her son would become a dragon rider. When she thought about him, she hoped he was more like his father. No one should be like her on Berk.

But these three weren’t on Berk.

Valka wonders what the story is behind this.

Asking now wouldn’t be wise, besides she was so curious about the two Night Furries before her.

“Can I... ?”, she asks her son and Leandra for permission, who nods at her.

She pets the two black dragons, who nuzzled her softly.

“Oh, they are beautiful. They may be the last of their kind.”

“Then it’s good that they are mates.”, explains Leandra. “Green eye is Toothless Hiccup male dragon and gold eye is Starchaser my female dragon. And our Changewing friend is Frihet, male too.”

“Night Furrie hatchling I would love to see this.”, gushes Valka, inspecting the talons as Toothless and Starchaser roll onto their backs, nuzzling her.

“And look, he's your age! No wonder you get along so well.”

Hiccup smiles, astounded by Toothless' affection for Valka.

“Our girl here is actually older, seventeen. How old are you Leandra?”

“Sixteen, Valka.”

Leandra gives her dragon a smug look.

“So you are older than me, heh Star.”

Starchaser gives a little huff.

“Toothless your mate is older than you? Do you have a thing for older girls or what?”, jokes Hiccup with his dragon, who huffs also at him.

Meanwhile, Valka checks Toothless teeth. They recede into the gums at her touch.

“And retractable teeth? Ah! How did you manage to—“

“--I found him in the woods. He was shot down and wounded. Starchaser found us a few days later.”

Valka winces and offers a sympathetic nod as she stands to caress a few of her own rescued dragons.

“This Snafflefang lost his leg to one of Drago Bludvist's iron traps.”, she tells the kids, who look at each other in confusion. Who is this Dragog Blood Fist? “This Raincutter had her wing sliced by razor netting. And this poor Hobblegrunt was blinded by a tree snare... then left to die alone and scared. And what of this? Did Drago or his trappers do this, too?”

“Erm…mom…”

“Erm…Valka…”

“Yes, dears?”

“Who is Dragog Blood Fist?”

The older woman blinks at them before she turns white as a sheet.

“You kids don’t know? Drago Bludvist is a madman who captures dragons! He is a vile human being who does anything to get his hands on dragons. I still don’t know why he does it. He doesn’t kill them…he just keeps them in cages.”

“Asshole!”, declares Leandra.

Christa frowns and Hiccup nods in agreement.

“Heh. Well, the crazy thing is...”, starts Hiccup to explain to his mom Toothless condition. “I'm actually the one who shot him down.”

His mother glares, confused.

“Because he wanted to be a Viking.”, adds Leandra. “Turned out he isn’t on and doesn’t want to be one.”

“What did your father think of your Night Fury friend?”

“I will never know… Me and Leandra actually run away from Berk and saved Christa from being hunted down like a pig.”

Valka blinked at the sheepish grins the kids gave her.

“All right, I think we need to sit down and talk. Come with me.”

(*)

The humans and the dragon riders are all around sitting in the cave Valka has turned into a little flat.

Hiccup and Leandra are finishing their tale, Christa drinking a cup of tea Valka had made for her and the older woman listening attentively.

“…And that’s about it. We were on our way to Spain before you snatched us up Mom.”, finishes Hiccup.

Valka can’t help but shake her head and smile bittersweet at him.

“To think you are just like me. You couldn’t kill a dragon. I hoped for you that you were more like your father, no one should get through what I expired on Berk, but hoping was fruitless.”, she signs.

“Valka do you mind telling us your story?”, asks Leandra. “I think it’s only fair.”

Of course, she would and the two teenagers and child listened to Valka’s story of the faithful night that changed her life.

“…It broke my heart to stay away, but I believed you'd be safer if I did.”, she ends and you can clearly see the remorse in her eyes.

If she only had known what her son had to endure without her, that he was like her…she would have snatched him and Leandra up and Christa too.

Hiccup considers his mother’s tale, then raises his eyes to hers, seeing the sting of remorse.

“How did you survive?”

Here she smiles and pets her owl-like dragon.

“Oh, Cloudjumper never meant to harm me. He must've thought I belonged here...come I will show you.”

So they follow her out again to the edge of the raised natural terrace, overlooking the steamy oasis with its flowing hot spring waterfalls.

Half-submerged in the warm lake below, a massive white dragon with pronounced, mammoth-like tusks rests benevolently on the banks, his stately countenance like that of a lion surrounded by his pride.

“Dios mio, it’s huge!”, can’t Leandra help herself.

Hiccup is speechless, while Christa’s chin is on the floor.

“In the home of the great Bewilderbeast.”, continues Valka her sentence from before. “The alpha species. One of very few that still exist. Every nest has its queen, but this is the king of all dragons.”

Dragons land and bow reverentially to the Bewilderbeast. Valka gestures to the spiked ice ceiling that acts as a sweating greenhouse.

“With his icy breath, this graceful giant built our nest. A safe haven for dragons everywhere. He protects us. We all live under his care. And his command.”

“Incredible.”, declares Hiccup, while Leandra and Christa nod in agreement.

They pass an eggshell-littered nursery.

Hatchlings dart out of it, greeting them excitedly and inciting chaos. Toothless, Starchaser, and Frihet are overwhelmed by their manic picking and scratching.

Cloudjumper baulks and sends them scattering.

“All but the babies, of course...”, chuckles Valka, as the hatchlings clamber on top of the Bewilderbeast and play on his massive tusks, despite his authority. “... who listens to no one.”

The Bewilderbeast lets out a frosty snort, sending off the youngsters to spread more mischief.

Now awakened, the Bewilderbeast raises his gargantuan head to take a closer look at the three young dragon riders, coming eyes to massive eye.

Valka bows in his presence, as do Toothless, Starchaser, and Frihet.

“I've lived among them for 15 years, Hiccup, Leandra, and Christa learning their ways, discovering their secrets...”

The gentle giant dragon acknowledges Hiccup and the girls with another icy snort, slicking back Hiccup's hair in a frosty veneer. Icicles are formed on the dresses of the girls.

The older woman laughs.

“He likes you three.”

“Wow.”

“Dios mio.”

Christa smiles just happy.

“You kids must be hungry.”, says Valka to them.

“Uh, yeah. I could eat.”, agrees Hiccup.

“Me too!”, tells also Leandra.

Shyly raising her hand, Christa means she could eat too.

“Good. It's feeding time.”

(*)

Christa is actually Ymir Fritz or as I like to call her more Ymir the founder from Shingeki No Kyojin or Attack on Titan.

My headcanon is that King Fritz, this bitch ass motherfucker cocksucker, gave Christa the name Ymir after Ymir the Norse Giant God since Eldians are based on the Vikings.

Christa is her real name I believe because when Frieda read the story of the devil and Ymir to Historia she called the girl Christa.

It makes sense that the direct descendants of Ymir and King Shit knew the real name of Ymir the founder.

So she will be called by her name Christa and not the slave name Ymir.

I choose the Changewing for Christa as a dragon because I think a dragon who spits acid is really cool and special for our Christa.

I was tempted to call him Eren, but Frihet-Freedom is better. XD  

Tatakae! XD

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Till next time my loves .3.

The Queen's Gambit: The Story

The most powerful piece in chess is the queen.

When this piece joins the game of Duel Monsters anything will change.

With two dragon sisters, a magician and her descendant, the queen will take her rightful place.

As it should have been.

Chapter 13: A Haunted Cave?

A new day began in the Duelist Kingdom, the last day our heroes could collect the Star Chips they needed to enter Pegasus Castle.

The girls were first up and cleaned themselves as well as they could by the nearby river, while the boys still slept.

Kihana cleaned the face of a grumpy Sadiye, Anzu combed her hair, Maja put some waterproof mascara on and Sehrazat cleaned a dirty stain on her maroon pants.

"Can we wake up the boys?", whined Sadiye, trying to escape Kihana's wet tissue. "It's unfair that they can still sleep."

"Well Sadie-Chan, do want to smell like a boy?", asked Maja.

"No?"

"Then it's good that we woke up."

Sadiye still grumbled, which made the other girls laugh.

When they were fresh enough they returned to their campsite.

Ah, the boys were awake too.

"You're all awake.", greeted Anzu, while the other girls waved.

"Good Morning.", greeted Yugi back.

"So who wants, breakfast?", asked Kihana in the round.

Everybody yelled 'me', which made Kihana laugh.

So the boys washed themselves and Kihana and the girls prepared the breakfast.

Some warm rice and Onigiri Maja had with her.

It was a simple but filling breakfast.

After that, our group of friends started to walk around to find duelists to duel for Sehrazat, Yugi and Jonouchi.

Kihana already had her 10 Star Chips.

Yugi with his 6 needed 4.

Joey had 7 and needed 3.

And Sehrazat had 8, which meant she needed 2.

They could do this before the 48 hours were over to enter the Castle.

"How many duelists are left on the island?", wonders Bakura.

"Ten or so duelists were sent home yesterday.", answered Jonouchi.

"And the Player Killers must have eliminated others.", added Anzu.

"That means out of the 40 participants, about half were eliminated.", said Yugi.

"We still can get our Star Chips.", was Sehrazat sure. "There are still enough people left and I bet they will take more risks, we can win the Star Chips we need in one or two duels."

All nodded in agreement.

It was manageable if they stayed calm and duelled with intelligence.

"But we can't take too long.", reminds Yugi. "The remaining Duelists have to be powerful to have survived the first day."

This made Joey stop in his tracks.

"They're even stronger?"

Kihana put a hand on Joey's shoulder.

"It's okay Joey, you need three, you can win them in one duel."

"Thanks, Hana. However my opponent is, I will defeat them!"

"That's the spirit!", chorused the other three duelists together.

Unknown to our friends they were watched by Bandit Keith lackeys, who searched for duelists to duel.

Seeing Yugi and the famous Amazon Princess of the Nile and the Lady of the Dragons, made them scared, which they told their boss.

Bandit Keith never heard of Yugi, but he knew who Sehrazat and Kihana were.

Number 1 and 2 in Europe.

So it was decided they would go for Joey since he was an amateur.

Poor Joey had no idea what would await him!

(*)

A bit later our heroes were still looking for other duelists.

"I haven't seen any duelist for a while.", pointed Joey out what everyone thought.

"Maybe we walked too deep into the forest.", said Anzu.

"Since there are fewer duelists, finding one is hard work.", found Honda.

The group came to a stop as Joey told them he needed a bathroom break.

So they waited for him.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited a bit more.

Till Sadiye yelled: "What kind of shit is he taken that he isn't back?!"

"Sadiye Kisara Schariq!", gasped Kihana affrondet. "Don't use such words!"

"But she is right Hana-Chan. We have been waiting for a half hour or so.", said Maja also annoyed.

"Maybe he got lost?", wonders Anzu.

"Maybe someone challenged him to a duel.", guessed Yugi the most likely scenario.

"That's a possibility.", agreed Honda. "Joey would love to surprise us by secretly winning some Star Chips."

"Let's split up and search for him.", suggested Bakura.

All nodded.

So they split up in dues, Honda and Bakura, Anzu and Maja, Sehrazat and Yugi and the Schariq sisters.

Every due took a different direction.

Hopefully, they would find Joey soon.

Sadly neither of the Dues found him and they meet up again, looking together now.

It was Anzu who found Joey's wallet with a picture of Shizuka, his little sister, in it.

Honda declared as absentminded as he was, Jonouchi would never lose something so important to him.

Something bad had happened to him!

Since the wallet was found before the entrance of a cave our friends decided to look around there for him.

The cave was already creepy, but as they stumbled over the coffins it got scary.

Kihana formally squeezed the hand of Sadiye, who deadpanned, while Sehrazat hid behind Yugi.

Courise Anzu and Bakura walked over to the coffins.

Maja and Honda warned them to not get close to them, however, it was too late.

The coffins open and the skeletons inside fall on Anzu and Bakura!

Protective Kihana put Sadiye behind her, who looked couriers on, while Sehrazat formally threw herself in Yugi's embrace with a shout.

Honda and Maja helped to get the fake skeletons off of poor Bakura and Anzu.

"Pegasus is playing a prank.", said Honda.

"A sick one!", added Sehrazat from her place in Yugi's arms.

The boy blushed crimson red but hugged her back in comfort.

"It's okay, Sehrazat-Chan, they are surely fake."

After all who needed to calm down, calmed down, they continued their search for Joey.

They ran what seemed like hours, till Honda stopped, asking if anybody was still there.

Besides Bakura, no one was missing. (And Joey of course)

That's when they heard the scream of the white-haired teen.

He had a skeleton on his back!

All got so scared, besides Sadiye who got picked up by her sister and ran away from Bakura, who yelled at them to stop and wait for him.

Somehow Honda managed to get the skeleton away from Bakura, while all the others lay on the floor defeated.

"Don't bring creepy things with you!", scolde the brunette boy.

"I can't move another inch.", whined Anzu.

Maja took her hand in comfort and squeezed.

Only Sadiye was sitting up and looked at all in a deadpan.

"Why are you so scared of some old bones...I mean they aren't even real?", wonders the youngest.

"I think it's the whole atmosphere of this place that gets to us, Sadiye.", explained her sister.

The little girl seemed not happy with that answer but said nothing.

Yugi sat up and said: "On the bright side, we made good progress."

Bakura said sorry for bringing the skeleton to them.

"Yugi, where should we go?", asked him Honda.

They had reached a fork, illuminated by skulls with candles in it.

Anzu sweetdropped and hold Maja's hand tigther.

"This place is getting creepier and creepier."

"Jonouchi can't handle this occult stuff.", said Honda worried.

They all stood up.

"We have to find Jonouchi as quickly as possible.", declared Yugi.

That's when Bakura stepped on a switch on the ground.

Like if they suddenly were in Indiana Jones a giant boulder comes rolling towards them!

All screamed.

"Oh my god, a giant rock!", shouted Sehrazat, as they ran for their life.

"I can't believe it!", shouted also Maja. "It's a rock and it's giant!"

"What kind of crack are you on?!", yelled Sadiye on the back of her sister.

The giant rock...erm...boulder even followed them as they took the left cave, Anzu wondering how this was possible and Honda answering he had no idea.

Poor Bakura stumbled and fell victim to the giant boulder.

They all shouted for him, but it was too late, they had to save themselves.

Sadly they ended up in a Dead End.

That's when Honda got the crazy idea to punch the boulder, everyone yelled it was crazy, yet it worked!

The boulder explodes like a balloon.

Stupified the teens and one child realized it had been a balloon with a speaker inside all the time.

They raced back to poor traumatised for his life Bakura.

Anzu and Kihana looked after the white-haired boy, while Honda and Sehrazat, with Afya anger beside her, swore to make Pegasus pay for this scare!

Finally, they found Jonouchi who was duelling in a Graveyard Duel Ring against a boy who looked like a Zombie himself.

Joey was happy to see them and explained to them how he was practically kidnapped in this cave to duel against the Zombie-Boy.

Two guys stepped in the way of the group, saying how they would not let them interrupt this duel.

They needed to use force.

Bad, bad choice.

For Bandit Keith lackeys.

Honda they may get, but the famous Amazon Princess of the Nile, seemed to have grown taller and hotter and kicked their ass brutally.

The two lay on the ground defeated and you could swerve little birds were flying in circles around their head.

"Jonouchi.", called Afya up to him. "It's your choice are you willing to continue duelling or shall I end this?"

"I need to Sehra...erm Afya! If I win I will have all 10 Star Chips!"

The queen nodded but made the famous I-Got-My-Eyes-On-You pose to Bandit Keith who gritted his teeth.

"But I don't know how.", admitted Joey.

Honda managed to get up and threw Joey Shizuka's photo, reminding him of who he was battling for.

He could and would find a way!

In the end, Joey indeed managed to win thanks to the Spell Card Shield and Sword, which switched the attack and defence points of monsters and since Zombie Monster had no defence points they had no zero attack points and were easily destroyed by Joey Battle Warrior.

Our friends celebrated hard, while Bandit Keith and his lackeys got out of the cave.

It was high time that our heroes left the cave.

They had enough of creepy places for a lifetime.

As they saw finally the cave exit they ran happily towards it only to stop in their tracks as a boulder was shoved before it.

Trapping them!

With all their might they tried to shove it away, yet it was no use.

Oh no!

(*)

"WHY! WON'T! YOU! BREAK!", shouted Afya angrily swinging her Millinium Fragments in its sword form over the boulder.

She made huge scratches sure, but nothing more.

Kihana laid a hand on Afya's shoulder.

"Your Majesty. It's no use. We have to find another way."

Angry Afya switched places back with Sehrazat, while the Hikairi turned the sword back into its Fragment form.

"What now?", she asked into the round.

Suddenly Bakura with his Millinium Ring in his hand walked away.

All followed after him surprised.

What was he doing?

"I think Pegasus's castle is this way.", told the white-haired boy.

"Why?", wondered Anzu.

"If I remember right, the Millennium Ring can sense other Millennium Items.", though Sehrazat out loud.

Bakura nodded.

"Right, follow me."

So they did.

Again it was like they walked for an eternity.

"Bakura, are you sure this is the right way?", broke Joey the silence over their group. "We've been walking for ages and the path is getting narrower."

"The walls look different too. They used to be rough, but not anymore", pointed Anzu out.

"This is definitely man-made.", said Joey.

Yugi told them that it felt like they were walking in a maze.

"Cool.", deadpannend Sadiye. "Has someone red garn?"

"Hopeful no Minotauros awaits us.", shuddered Sehrazat.

"Erm what?"

"Greek Mythology, Jonouchi-Kun.", said Kihana. "The Minotauros was a beast half man half bull who lived in a maze. The red garn was used by the hero Theseus to find his way through the maze."

Anzu groanend and made a facepalm.

"We had learned this in school, Joey and you already forgot?"

"Sorry, that I'm not a history nerd!"

In the meantime, Bakura Millennium Ring formally dragged him towards what he thought was the exit and the others were right behind him.

They reached a room, which looked Chinese and had a Duel Ring with four places!

Out of nowhere two guys with shaved heads dressed in traditional Chinese clothes appeared and gave them a little Kung-Fu show.

All stared in confusion and disbelief at them.

What was that?

The twins stopped with crossed arms, side by side.

One in orange and one in green.

"We are...", they began and made more Kung Fu Poses. "...guardians of the underground dungeon! We are the Labyrinth Brothers."

"Labyrinth Brothers?", repeated Joey. "Is this a Hong Kong action movie?"

Maja leaned down to Sehrazat and whispered: "Still afraid of the Minotauros?"

"I think I take the Minotauros over these freaks.", whispered Sehrazat to her. "They seem crazy."

The orange twin said how it had been a while since travellers got lost inside the labyrinth.

"But it wouldn't be a labyrinth if you didn't get lost.", added the Green Twin.

"Lost ones, you wish to learn the correct path."

"The correct path."

Together they shouted and made again Kung Fu Poses: "In that case...if you want to know the answer...Defeat us in a duel!"

They pointed at the four-man Duel Ring.

At the end of the room were two doors and Green Twin explained that only one would lead them outside. If the Twins were defeated, our heroes got to choose one. But careful if they didn't escape they will wander the labyrinth for eternity.

"So if we don't win this duel, we can never leave?", summarized Anzu.

"That's extreme.", added Maja.

"This duel will be a special two-on-two match.", told Orange Twin.

"Two duelists, step forward.", invited Green Twin.

"Two-on-Two.", repeated Bakura.

"A tag match.", said Joey surprised.

"Be careful.", warned Honda. "It could be a trap."

Since Kihana and Jonouchi had now 10 Star Chips each it was clear who would duel.

Yugi and Sehrazat nodded at each other.

Their Milliuniums Items shone in gold and Yami and Afya were now in control of the bodies.

Like a gentleman, Yami offers his hand to Afya.

"My queen, it would be my honour to duel with you."

Afya put her hand in Yami's with a smile.

"It is my honour too, my pharaoh."

Both smiled lovingly at each other before Yami led her down the stairs to the Duel Ring.

Afya was on the side of Orange Twin and Yami was on the side of Green Twin.

"Welcome to our Labyrinth Field.", said the brothers together.

Yami had his arms crossed, while Afya studied the field.

It may not look like a Labyrinth right now, but the queen was sure it would change soon.

"Wager your Star Chips.", called Green Twin.

Elegant Afya holds up 2.

"Two for me!"

"I wager four.", said Yami. "That's a total of six Chips."

"Understood.", chorused the brother.

"Let's do this, my dear.", called Yami to his wife.

She winked at him and nodded.

"We will show them the might of the pharaoh and queen!"

"And if we win.", they said together. "We will have 10 Star Chips each and can enter Pegasus Castle!"

"Do your best, you two!", wished them Anzu.

"Beat them so we can get out of here!", shouted Honda.

"Show them why you are the greatest duelists I know!", cheered Jonouchi.

"We believe in you!", assured Kihana.

Maja and Sadiye shouted together: "Yami and Afya, you can win because you are the game queen and king!"

Bakura gave them a thumbs up.

The royal couple nodded at their friends, as the Labrinthy Brothers declared the duel began.

It was game time!

The Queen's Gambit: Season Zero

Sehrazat never believed the ancient magical stories of her family and the Millium Fragment they had kept safe for over 3000 years, was just an amulet.

Nothing more.

This all changes the day when she meets Yugi Muto and his unfinished Millennium Puzzle.

Where was Kihana when she needed her?!

Yugi/OC, Yami/OC

Chapter 2

The next day a very nervous and excited Sehrazat waited for Yugi to pick her up on the crossroad which partet their two homes.

In her sweaty palms, she holds a Bento-Box, wrapped in a cute cloth with little Kuribohs on it.

"I hope he likes it.", mumbled Sehrzat unsure. "I hope he doesn't think I'm weird."

Yesterday evening she had called Kihana, to not only tell her how she found another Milliunium Item (Even THE Puzzle!) but also in regards to Yugi.

Sehrazat was...inexperienced in this kind of feeling.

When your stomach was full of butterflies, your knees so weak and you just want to be close to another person, in any way possible.

Yeah, she realised...she had a crush on Yugi.

Kihana had said this was love at first sight and had cooed at her, saying how grown up Sehrazat was now.

In answer, Sehrazat had mumbled some embarrassed words.

Anyway, Kihana had already a relationship behind her, so she was prepared to help Sehrazat with her love life.

Her best friend told her, she should make Yugi a Bento, like in anime!

It seemed also to be a custom in the normal world here in Japan.

Sehrazat had worried that she would come on too strong, but Kihana said from what she told of Yugi and how he reacted towards her, it would go well.

Sehrazat could only hope.

She doesn't want to miss this chance with Yugi!

Never in her life did she want someone like she wanted Yugi!

It was so crazy!

They only met a day ago and talked a bit, however, the dark blue-haired beauty had a feeling she had known Yugi for an eternity.

Love was really crazy.

Signing she looked at her wristwatch.

Yugi would be here any second.

Under no circumstances she would make a complete idiot out of herself.

She could do it!

SHE COULD DO IT!

"Good Morning, Sehrazat-Chan."

"Gaaah!"

Not expecting Yugi to just pop up during her own pep-talk the poor girl jumped nearly two meters in the air and with love made Bento-Box slipped from her hands!

Before she could cry out in sadness and anger, Yugi caught it.

Puh!

Thank Isis!

"I'm sorry Sehrazat-Chan.", whinend Yugi. Awesome, he scared his crush! Way to go Yugi! "I didn't mean to startle you."

After taking a deep breath to calm herself, the girl answered: "No, no, don't worry Yugi-Kun. I was in thought. It was not your fault."

"If you are sure...I'm again sorry...Here!"

The tri-coloured-haired teen holds the Bento-Box out to her.

"I'm sorry I nearly made you drop your lunch."

Oh, dear Hathor...Sehrazat felt how her ears got hot from embarrassment.

She coughed and shuffled with her feet.

"It's...it's for you..."

"Erm, what Sehrazat-Chan?"

Oh, damn it!

"I-I made this for you!", said Sehrazat loud and clear, feeling her ears burning hotter. "I hope you enjoy it!"

Stupified Yugi looked from this girl goddess to the bento in his hands and then back to her.

An enormous blush formed on his cheeks.

Did...did he hear right?

"Y-You made this for me?!", he stuttered in disbelief.

The beautiful girl just nodded rapidly.

Yugi's brain formally short-circuited.

A girl, a beautiful and kind girl, made him a bento?

Made HIM a Bento?!

What?!

He was...speechless.

This made Sehrazat in turn unsure, seeing Yugi imitating a statue.

"I'm sorry! This was stupid. I will take it back."

"No, please don't!"

Now Sehrazat was looking at Yugi stupified.

Yugi with flaming red cheeks, who was sweating buckets, formally hugged the Bento-Box to himself.

"I was just surprised...I'm really thankful for this Bento-Box. Thank you Sehrazat-Chan!", declared Yugi with a bow.

Relieved the girl said: "Please Yugi-Kun, it was my pleasure you don't have to bow."

"No, I have to. No one ever made me a Bento-Box, I feel honoured."

Both their eyes found each other and suddenly they felt calmer.

Yes, the butterflies were still there, but looking at the other's beautiful, familiar eyes, helped them.

They chuckled and made their way to school.

"Wait...that's Kuriboh on the cloth?! Do you like Duel Monsters, Sehrazat-Chan?!"

"Like it? I adore it! I have my own Deck!"

"No way, me too!"

For the rest of their walk, they talked about Duel Monsters and strategies.

Both of them felt how they grew closer.

It was an amazing feeling.

When they arrived at school, Ushio was waiting for them.

What did he want?

"Yugi-Kun and Sehrazat-Chan, may I have a moment?", asked the big buff guy.

"What do you want us to see, Ushio-San?", wondered Yugi, as they followed him behind the school.

"Just come with me. I bet you two will be delighted."

There were certainly not.

Shocked Yugi and Sehrazat stared at a beat-up Jonouchi and Honda!

Yugi tried to run up to them, while Sehrazat stayed frozen in place scared.

She knew Ushio was bad news.

Where was Kihana?

She needed her best friend!

Ushio stopped Yugi.

"What do you think, Yugi-Kun?"

"What's the meaning of this...?", answered Yugi back with his own question.

"I told you and Sehrazat-Chan. I, Ushio, have become your bodyguard. So I decided to teach these little bullies here a lesson!"

"No way!", shouted Yugi in disbelief. "Ushio-San! This is too much! Are you alright, Jonouchi-Kun?! Honda-Kun?!"

Sehrazat heard how Jonouchi under pain mumbled to Yugi if he was satisfied now and Yugi answered that he never asked for something this cruel.

Then Ushio came between them and showed Yugi away, so he could kick Jonouchi in the stomach.

The only girl whined and started to cry.

This was too much for her.

She wanted to help, but couldn't.

Why was she so such a coward?

Without Kihana she couldn't do anything!

Other than Sehrazat who was paralyzed by her own fears and self-doubts, Yugi courageously stepped before Jonouchi and Honda, spreading his arms.

"Stop this already!", demanded Yugi from Ushio.

"Hey now, Yugi-Kun. Are you protecting them? What a weird guy you are.", stated Ushio. "It's a good chance to pay them back for everything they've done. Punch them! Kick them!"

"There's no way I can do that to my friends!"

Not only was Ushio surprised about this statement, but also Sehrazat and the poor beat-up boys stared in disbelief at Yugi.

Ushio laughed.

"You're a special case, alright...Friends, you call them? These two have been freakin' bullying and using you as an errand boy for a long time, you know!"

"They weren't bullying me...", disagreed Yugi. "Jonouchi-Kun was just teaching me to be a man!"

"God, you're weird, alright. Forget it. By the way, Yugi-Kun and Sehrazat-Chan it's time for you to pay up. My bodyguard fee of 400000 yen!"

What the?!

"400000 Yen?!", gasped Yugi shocked.

With the words, he would wait that they paid him Ushio left them.

Finally, Sehrazat could move again.

"Y-Yugi-Kun, let's help Jonouchi-Kun and Honda-Kun!"

Her crush nodded in agreement, while the two beat-up guys looked at them in disbelief.

The most Jonouchi.

"Why?", he asked. "Why are you helping us?"

"You are my friends."

"I rather have friends than enemies.", added Sehrazat.

Somehow the two short teens managed to help the two taller boys up, so they could walk to the Nurse's Office.

Yugi and Sehrazat wanted to still help them, but Jonouchi said it was okay.

So the two stayed behind and watched them go.

(*)

Later, when they were walking back home, Yugi and Sehrazat talked.

"You can't be serious.", said Yugi and shook his head. "You can't pay Ushio alone."

"Yugi, my family is well I can pay him. I don't want him near us again."

They stopped at their crossroad.

"Sehrazat-Chan, please don't pay him...I will think of something.", promised Yugi.

The girl frowned.

"I will still take the money with me, only just in case."

Since both felt the other wouldn't give up, they waved goodbye to each other and got to their homes.

Sehrazat was doing her homework when she saw Yugi running towards school again.

She got a bad feeling in her stomach.

Ready to follow him, she stopped in her tracks as she felt a pull.

The Milliunuim Fragment...like this, she couldn't help him, this showed today...even if she didn't believe the magic powers behind the Milliunium Items...maybe it could still give her courage.

So she took the teardrop-formed amulet with the eye of Horus out of the box and put it on.

At the same time, Yugi put the final piece of the Millennium Puzzle in it.

And both know no more.

(*)

She had slept for so long, the world was not what it once was, however thanks to the memory of the girl who awoke her she found HIM.

He was standing proudly, the Eye of Horus, shining on his forehead, ready to punish this Ushio who had tormented their young hosts.

"You wouldn't start without me, would you?", she purred.

He greeted her with a sexy smirk.

"I knew I felt a familiar presence. Welcome my queen."

"My Pharaoh."

The Spirit of the Puzzle took her hand and kissed it, while with her free hand, she caressed his cheek.

Both smiled devilishly and proclaimed: "Now...it's time for a game...!"

Suddenly Ushio found himself bonded on a rope, hanging from a water tower.

"What in the hell?!"

He looked up and saw Yugi and Sehrazat standing side by side on the water tower.

But something was strange about them.

Not only did they wear jewellery he never saw, but both were taller and seemed older.

Yugi's hair was wilder, and his eyes were blood red.

Sehrazat hair reached her bottom and she was more curved than before.

However, both had in common the evil sadistic look they sent him.

"Hey Ushio-San.", greeted Yugi.

"The money you're after is right here.", told Sehrazat, holding an envelope up.

"What?! You mean the money?!", asked Ushio. "Then Yugi really didn't need to go through all that! Now hurry yo and give it to me!"

Sehrazat tutted him and with tape fixed the envelope on the highest point of the Water Tower.

"That' wouldn't be fun.", she proclaimed, wrapping her arms around Yugi's shoulders, while Yugi had an arm around her waist and nodded in agreement.

"What did you say?!"

"Well? Feel up to playing a little game with me?", answered him Yugi with a question.

"A game?!"

"But this will be no ordinary game."

Together the pair grinned even more sadistic and declared together: "It's a Shadow Game."

"Ha! Interesting! I, Ushio, have never lost a game in my life! I accept"

"That's our Ushio-San for you.", said Yugi to Sehrazat, kissing her throat.

She laughed sinfully and showed him a bit away.

"You can later get your prize from me after you defeat him."

With a last cheek kiss to Sehrazat, Yugi jumped down to Ushio, he was tied by the rope as well and put cards in a straight line on the water tower.

The game was simple, they moved up paces by the number of the cards they drew, who reached first Sehrazat, would get the money.

Ushio and Yugi played for a while, till Yugi was nearly beside Sehrazat.

The last draw would proclaim the winner.

Sadly for Ushio, he got the Joker, which was zero points.

He didn't like it one bit and started to move paces without drawing cards anymore.

"Someone is being naughty.", said Sehrazat to Yugi, being back in his embrace.

"If you do that, the consequences will be fierce.", reminded Yugi, gripping Sehrazat's curvy waist tight.

"Shut the hell up, both of you!", shouted Ushio back.

He didn't care anymore for their stupid little game.

He wanted the money!

Ushio reached Yugi and Sehrazat, hitting them, so they fell down together.

"As we thought, it seems you just can't follow rules.", called the two while falling.

"Now fall!", laughed Ushio as he broke the robe.

It seemed like Yugi and Sehrazat fell to their doom.

What did Ushio care?

He had the money!

However, as he opened the envelope he found only a letter with the words 'Cheater' on it.

From under him, Ushio could hear Yugi and Sehrazat calling: "The Door of Darkness has been opened."

Ushio didn't understand how he lost grip, but now he was falling down the water tower.

As he fell, Ushio saw, that Yugi had pierced with his upside-down pyramid the water tower and he and Sehrazat were hanging from it without problems, still in an embrace.

"The Shadow Gamnes bring out a person's true characteristics.", explained Yugi. "You shall be swallowed in darkness by the form of your own greed."

Laughing in triumph Sehrazat and Yugi saw how Ushio was 'eaten' by giant worms.

Of course, it was an illusion, but this scumbag didn't deserve it better.

"My Pharoah, if you don't mind.", began Sehrazat taking her Milliunium Fragment off.

"As you please my queen.", he answered back.

The Milliunuim Fragment turned into a golden whip and Sehrazat swung them both to safety.

"So about my price?", purred Yugi, kissing along her throat.

"My pharaoh you will get it, alright, but we should bring our hosts home."

With a sign, Yugi let go of her.

"Indeed you are right, my queen, let's go."

They took each other hands and walked Yugi and Sehrazat's body to their homes.

"Mmh."

"What is it my pharaoh?"

"We need names...can you remember our names, my dear?"

"Sadly not."

"Then how about Yami for me and...-"

"I will be Afya."

"Sounds perfect."

(*)

The next day Yugi and Sehrazat walked together to school, none the wiser that they now shared bodies with ancient Egyptian spirits.

No, both wore their Milliunim Items happy.

They didn't know what exactly happened, but Ushio wasn't in school anymore.

Smiling Sehrzat looked at how Jonouchi declared himself a friend of Yugi before he ran off and Yugi after him, with the shoe Jonouchi lost.

The young girl couldn't help but giggle, following after them.

Maybe she could be happy in Domino with such friends!

(*)

Meanwhile, in the deeps of the souls of Yugi and Sehrazat, four rooms had formed.

On the left side were two childish, innocent and pure rooms and on the right two dark and mysterious doors with the eye of Horus.

This showed how the Puzzle and Fragment as their host were now connected.

Which was perfect for the two Yami's.

They were in Afya's soul room, a giant Egyptian palace, in her Sleeping Chambers, getting reaccounted with each other.

Naked and spent they lay in each other embrace.

"I missed your warmth.", mumbled Yami into Afya's shoulder kissing it.

Afya, who was buried under him, turned her head so she could kiss him on the mouth.

"We forgot so much...but I'm glad we didn't forget each other."

"I could never forget you.", Yami growled and started to move again.

"You are mine for eternity as I am yours!"

"Ah! Yes, my love!"

Afya let out a soft moan, as she moved with him.

Their physical connection was incredible, they still remember how to pleasure the other.

And they had the whole day to do so.

(*)

In the outside world, Yugi and Sehrazat had no idea why they suddenly felt so hot and bothered.

They couldn't even look each other in the eye.

It was so weird.

From somewhere deep in their minds, both swore to hear amused laughter.

(*)

So I gave the Millium Fragment a new power. It's not a shield anymore, but it can turn in any weapon. Atem's Mother preferred a shield to protect her, but our Yanara was a warrior queen and used the Fragment in any weapon form she knew about. ^^

The Queen's Gambit: The Story

The most powerful piece in chess is the queen.

When this piece joins the game of Duel Monsters anything will change.

With two dragon sisters, a magician and her descendant, the queen will take her rightful place.

As it should have been.

I gave Dark Magician Girl one extra ability or Yami would have lost the duel, so yeah, hope it's okay. ^^

Chapter 11: A Shadow Duel

Afya sat beside Yami, glaring at the evil Spirit of the Millennium Ring.

She still couldn't believe that the faith of her Sehrazat and her friends lay in winning in a children's card game!

What happened to the good old times, when you faced your opponent in a sword fight?

The 21. century was crazy!

It's even crazier how Yami Bakura and her husband just got with the flow.

Ultimately, it is what it is and she had to believe in Yami's duel talents to win the children's souls back.

The first turn had Yami.

"I play Cyber Commander in defence position."

Surprised and shocked the royal couple saw how Honda, dressed as the Cyber Commander, appeared from the card.

"Honda?"

"What's going on?", wondered Honda. "What happened to me?"

The brunette looked around till he turned towards them, shouting the names of their Hikari's.

Of course, he thought Yugi and Sehrazat were currently duelling.

"Everyone's souls are inside their favourite cards?"

"Seems like it.", answered Afya Yami in a worried tone.

This was not good at all.

Yami Bakura laughed.

"You're realizing this too late. It's my turn. I play this card. White Magical Hat! Attack!"

The monster in the card appeared on the duel field too and before anyone could do something White Magical Hat defeated Honda. He vanished in red light.

"Honda!", shouted Yami and Afya.

"Destroyed cards are sent to the graveyard, along with the souls that are trapped inside it.", explained Yami Bakura, like Yami and Afya didn't know this. "The Reaper will soon arrive at the graveyard. If the Reaper takes Cyber Commander away, Honda's physical body will die."

"You sick bastard!", insulted Afya him.

The Spirit of the Millennium Ring just laughed in her face.

"Flattering will get you nowhere little queen."

Afya gritted her teeth, but only Yami holding with his free hand hers, stopped her from attacking the evil spirit.

"A Shadow Game cannot be stopped!", reminds Yami Bakura. "It's your turn. What will you do, pharaoh?"

Yami thought about how he would get Honda back from the Graveyard, he promised this.

But first, he had to take care of White Magical Hat.

The problem was the only card strong enough for this task was Jonouchi Flame Swordsman.

Not having another choice, he summons the card to the field.

Surprised Jonochui as Flame Swordsman appeared on the field and turned to Yami, as he called out to him.

"Is that you, Yugi and Sehra?", he asked the royal couple.

Afya shook her head.

"It's me Afya and this is Yami, the spirit of the Millenium Puzzle former pharaoh and my husband. Yugi and Sehrazat's souls are still in their favourite cards."

The blond blinked slowly and let out a long okay.

"What's going on?", he wondered.

"Stay calm and listen.", began Yami. "Your soul is trapped inside that card, so you've become Flame Swordsman."

"What?!"

"If I don't win this duel, you can't return back to normal. And if you lose in battle, you'll be sent to the graveyard, just like Honda."

"The graveyard?!"

"But I need your help to end this dangerous duel and return everyone to their bodies."

"Leave it to me!", promised Jonouchi. "Don't worry."

"Jonouchi, are you sure you understand the situation we are in?", asked Afya worried.

"This is just a dream anyway. I'll finish this quickly. Who's my opponent?"

He turned back around and saw Yami Bakura.

Shocked he stated what a crazy dream that was, since one of their friends was their enemy.

"That's not Bakura. That's a shadow duelist that took over Bakura's body.", explained Yami.

"A dark spirit and an enemy.", added Afya.

Joey admitted he didn't get what was going on, but he would beat him. He attacks White Magical Hat and sends Yami Bakura monster to the graveyard.

Yami Bakura Lifepoints dropped to 1200.

Now it was his turn.

He placed a card in the defence position face down. Yami and Afya wonder what it could be, but before they could tell to Joey to not to attack it he did.

It turned out to be a Morphing Jar. When it's flipped faceup, all duelist have to send the cards in their hands to the graveyard.

"Luckily, I don't have anyone's soul card in my hand right now.", said Yami.

Afya let out a relieved breath, while Joey said sorry that he was so careless.

Both Duelists took five new cards and Yami nearly had a heart attack.

Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl.

Yugi and Sehrazat's soul cards!

Since it was Yami Bakura's turn he again placed a face-down card in defense position and one face-down in attack position.

All thought the same.

Another Morphing Jar?

It was way too risky to keep Yugi and Sehrazat in Yami's hands.

So he played them.

"I play Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl in attack position!"

Yugi looked adorable as Dark Magician found Afya, while her descendent made a pretty Dark Magician Girl.

Poor Yugi stared lost around and Sehrazat blinked confused.

Next Yami played the spell card Monster Reborn to return Honda to the field.

"Jonouchi, Yugi and Sehrazat?!", shouted Honda surprised. "You too? What's going on?!"

Jonouchi explained: "We've turned into Duel Monsters monsters cards."

"I don't understand why.", admitted Yugi.

Shy Sehrazat touched her Dark Magician outfit.

"I didn't think it would be so tight..."

She felt looks on her and stared at the boys. They all had blushed on their faces and tried not to look at her.

For Yugi it was especially difficult, he could see his crush's long legs on full display, her soft curves and her big cleavage.

The Dark Magician Girl robe left nothing to the imagination.

This made Sehrazat turn only more bashful, her ears burning.

She wasn't used to getting such looks, more importantly from Yugi! People mostly found her just cute and not...sexy.

It was weirdly nice, but only regarding Yugi. She wanted that he felt attracted to her.

Love was crazy.

"Wait a second!", said Honda and turned to Yami and Afya. "Aren't Yugi and Sehrazat up there? How can you be down here too?"

It was Sehrazat who answered: "These are Afya and Yami, you know? Remember how we told you how mine and Yugi Millennium Items hold the soul of a pharaoh and queen? Well, that's them."

"We are also Sehrazat's ancestors.", added Afya.

Smiling Sehrazat waved at Yami.

"It's nice to meet you pops, even in such a situation."

Yami raised an eyebrow and repeated pops, while the others had to stifle a giggle.

"It's nice to meet you finally, Yami.", called Yugi up to his partner. "Thanks for always helping me."

"No problem, Yugi.", gave Yami his Hikari a smile.

Yugi was for him like a younger brother he needed to guide and also protect. It was good they finally met eye to eye.

"Okay, dears, we have a game to win.", remind them Afya.

All nodded.

"Where are Anzu and Kihana?", asked Joey. "If we had Kihana as Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field she would make toast out of Bakura or whoever he is."

"They are still inside the deck. I agree that Kihana would be a big help, but let's try to end this duel before they are played.", suggested Yugi.

"I'm with him.", agreed Sehrazat and Joey and Honda nodded.

"Okay! Let's finish this fast!", declared Joey, ready to battle.

"Wait!", called Yugi and Sehrazat together, stopping him in his tracks.

"It's mine and Sehrazat-Chans turn."

Yugi and Sehrazat looked at each other and nodded.

They put their wands together, declaring a combo attack.

Luck was not on their side, since it was again a Morphing Jar and the Duelists had to discard their cards again and draw five new ones.

Both were sorry, but Joey consoled them since he made the same mistake too.

Yami stared at his card in thought.

He got Anzu and Kihana.

They were safer in the battle field and also with Kihana's power as Blue-Eyes White Dragon they could end the duel!

However, it was Yami Bakura's turn, who again put a card face down in the defence position and activated his other face-down card Just Desserts.

This trap card took 1500 Life Points from Yami, leaving him with only 500.

Worried Afya held her husband by the shoulders, he seemed in pain.

"Yami!"

"I'm okay...don't worry."

Normally since Yami had four monsters on the field he would have lost all his Life Points because Just Desserts took 500 Life Points for each Monster Card, but thankful one of Dark Magician Girl's abilities was, if she was played with a Dark Magician, they counted as one monster for a turn.

"But if I take one more hit, I'll lose.", admitted the pharaoh to his worried wife and friends. "If I lose, everyone will die."

He had no choice, he needed to play Anzu and Kihana and let Kihana end the duel.

"I play one card face down and play the Blue Eye White Dragon Kihana in attack position!"

Now Yami Bakura gritted his teeth.

Not the damned Blue Eyes!

Anzu crawled as Magician of Faith out of her card, greeting everyone, while Kihana as Blue Eyes White Dragon, flowed over them.

"Guys are you cosplaying'?", asked Kihana and looked down on herself. "How the heck did I turn into a dragon?!"

"Bakuras has an evil spirit in his Milliumium Ring who put our souls in our favourite cards.", explained Sehrazat, as she and the boys tried to hide Anzu from the evil Spirit. "It's like out of a fever dream!"

"Why are there two Yugi's and two Sehrazat's?", asked Anzu before she remembered. "Oh wait, are this the pharaoh and queen?"

"You remember it?", shouted Joey and Honda in disbelief.

"I just get there is a cool Yugi and a regular Yugi.", added the blond.

Poor Yugi fell down anime-style why Sehrazat shouted a rude to Joey.

Since Yugi wanted to show he could be cool he attacked the hidden enemy on Bakura's side.

Big Mistake.

Not only didn't lose Yami Bakura any Life Points but Yugi was also paralyzed for the next turn and couldn't attack.

Sehrazat wrapped an arm around Yugi's shoulders to keep him upright and he leaned heavy on her, shaking from the pain.

Yami Bakura played Man-Eating Bug face down. Joey asked Sehrazat what the card did and she explained if it turned up, it would destroy one of them.

Even with Kihana on their side, when she attacked, they would win but lose a friend, so Yami told Kihana to do nothing for now.

They were now in a pickle.

Yami had a Trap Card Horn of the Heaven, which could destroy Men-Eater Bug, but it needed a monster sacrifice too.

In the end, Joey heroically sacrifices himself for his friends, which makes Anzu activated with her tear her Magician of Faith special ability. Yami can get a spell card back from his Graveyard and he chooses Monster Reborn to bring Joey back!

"You should all have been buried in the graveyard by now.", said Yami Bakura annoyed.

"Their friendship creates miracles. Always.", shoots Yami back.

"Friendship? Don't make me laugh. I'll show you that your buddy-buddy games can't last forever."

The evil Spirit plays Lady of Faith in attack position and shows all the real Bakura favourite card.

The Spell Card Change of Hearts!

Laughing Yami Bakura tells them how he will use it to turn Kihana against them since they want to win with her power.

But a miracle happens again.

Not only is the real Bakura Soul in the Spell Card, but he also takes control of the Lady of Faith and declares they should attack him.

Of course, it would mean death for Bakura yet he shouts he rather die than be the slave of an evil spirit.

So Yami uses the power of the Millennium Puzzle to switch Bakura with Yami Bakura, putting the evil Spirit in the Lady of Faith's body.

Now Kihana attacks and destroys the evil spirit, sending him to the graveyard!

The Shadow Duel was over and won.

(*)

Back in the real world Sehrazat and Yugi stand with Bakura.

"Are you okay, Bakura?", ask Yugi.

"Yes. Thank you."

"Out of curiosity how come you have a Millium Item Bakura-San?", wondered Sehrazat.

"My father is an archaeologist and travels around the world.", explains the white-haired boy. "When he went to Egypt, he bought me this Millennium Ring and a card as souvenirs. The man who sold the Ring and the card to my father was from the Shadow Realm."

Sehrazat crosses her arms in thought.

"With yours are now four Millennium Items out in the world. That's half of them. I don't like this."

They couldn't talk more as they heard how the others woke up.

"I feel like I've had the longest dream.", yawn Honda.

"Yeah. With a scary dark version of Bakura.", added Joey.

That's when Bakura stepped to them with a friendly smile, making the boys shout in fright and embrace each other.

They immediately let go of each other, which made all laugh.

"Come to think of it, weren't there also two Yugis and Sehrazats?", mussed Anzu out loud. "Was it really just a dream?"

"Guys why are you screaming around?", they heard Maja's voice.

Sleepy the girl stepped out of the tent Sadiye and Mokuba behind her yawning cutely.

"Did we wake you up, we are sorry.", told them Kihana.

All gave them their sorry's too.

That's when they heard a loud female scream they knew!

"That sounded like-!", began Joey.

"Let's go!", shouted Yugi.

The group of ten ran toward the direction of the scream as fast as they could!

The Queen's Gambit: The Story

The most powerful piece in chess is the queen.

When this piece joins the game of Duel Monsters anything will change.

With two dragon sisters, a magician and her descendant, the queen will take her rightful place.

As it should have been.

Chapter 8: Mokuba

Our young heroes were currently walking along a forest path of the Duelist Kingdom, sharing with each other the duels their other friends hadn't seen.

Currently, Yugi retold his Duel against Ryota Kajiki, who had been third in the Japanese Championship, and his underwater monsters.

Sehrazat's group listened in excitedly and asked questions.

After Yugi ended his tale Jonouchi said: "Ryota Kajiki is a hard guy to hate."

"Well, he did give you fish!", reminds Sadiye, holding hands with her big sister Kihana.

"I still can't believe you didn't think of bringing food to the island.", tutted Kihanan gently, which made Yugi's group all look sheepish.

"And I can't believe this is not butter."

All stared at Maja, all beside Sehrazat who nodded in understanding.

"Is it time to spout cryptic nonsense Maja-Chan?"

The brunette with the long wild spikes nodded happily, which made all sweatdrop.

"All duelists came here with their own hopes and dreams.", tried Anzu to steer their conversation back to something normal.

She liked Maja but experienced for the first time this side of her was a bit strange, Anzu won't lie.

"Yeah.", agreed Yugi. "They have their own problems, just like us."

"Problems...", repeated Jonouchi and thought about his dear sister Shizuka. "You're right."

That's when they all heard a cry for help. Surprised they looked around.

In the distance they saw the lackey of Pegasus with the really pointy hair, having a boy in a chokehold who screamed for help.

They all run up to them.

"Hold it right there!", shouted Honda.

Hair-Guy Lackey stopped and turned around, still with the boy in a chokehold.

Again the boy asked for help and courageous Honda Judo threw the Hair-Guy over his shoulder, freeing the boy in the pink shirt.

Long Honda couldn't celebrate his victory, because Hair-Guy got up again and kicked him in the face.

Poor Honda fell down defeated and Hair-Guy grapped again the boy in the pink shirt.

While Kihana, Maja and Anzu helped Honda up and checked for injuries, Jonouchi commanded Hair-Guy: "Stop it! You won't get away with this!"

"What's your problem?!", added Sehrazat ready to let Afya take over to beat Hair-Guys ass.

"There's no need for violence.", called Yugi.

Joey and Sehrazat looked at him surprised and the girl tried to control her Yami who was ready to slaughter Hair-Guy.

"It's for your own good that you don't interfere.", told Hair-Guy turning around with the boy in his arms and showing them his empty Dueling Glove. "This guy lost all his Star Chips."

The boy cried out: "You're wrong! My Star Chips and cards were stolen from me!"

"It doesn't matter. If you lose all your Star Chips, you're deported from this island."

With this and the words those are the rules and he should give up, Hair-Guy walked with his "prisoner" away.

"Guy's we can't let this poor kid be kicked out!", said Sehrazat.

"Truth, if his cards and Star Chips were stolen it is unfair.", agreed Kihana.

The others also nodded in agreement and so they ran after Hair-Guy.

They reached him by a little port, where he threw his prisoner with the other duelists who lost in a tiny rowing boat.

"What did the person who stole your Star Chips look like?", wanted Yugi to know from the boy in the pink shirt.

"I didn't see his face because he covered it with a bandanna.", explained the boy. "He suddenly challenged me to a duel."

"Was it at the Duel Ring in the grasslands?"

"Yeah. When I placed my Star Chips and my deck on the table, he stole them and ran off!"

"We'll find that thief, so just wait!"

Hair-Guy informed them all how the boat departed in 30 minutes. That was their time limit.

"We'll find the thief.", promised Anzu.

"You will get your Star Chips back in no time.", assured Kihana.

"Just be patient!", added Maja.

"We'll find him and teach him a lesson!", growled Honda, hitting with one fist his open palm.

With Afya in their shared minds, who called for bloodshed, Sehrazat nodded rapidly.

"Yeah! For a duelist, Star Chips are the same as his own life!", said Joey. "I won't forgive anyone who steals those Star Chips!"

"Is this not a bit too dramatic?", mumbled Sadiye to herself.

The only real ones who were in a life-or-death situation were Aunty Amira and Yugi's grandpa...oh and Joey needed the money for his sister's eye operation.

Maybe that was a Duelist thing?

Sadiye also played Duel Monsters, but she wasn't as obsessed with it as Sehra, Nee-Chan and Yugi and Joey.

The boy in the pink shirt said thank you to them and Joey, of course, had to make a joke saying he would take as a reward for catching the thief half of his Star Chips.

All sweatdropped and stared unimpressed at him.

After this, they made their way to the Duel Ring where the theft had happened.

Honda asked Jonouchi what this reward nonsense was, however, Joey laughed, confirming he was only joking.

The blonde wondered then, why they returned to this Duel Ring and how they should catch a thief without a clue.

Now, Yugi explained that he only knows how criminals always return to the place of the crime.

"That's so smart, Yugi-Kun!", praised Sehrazat and sat down beside him on the ground.

Yugi laughed shyly and blushed red, one because of her compliment and two because they were so close.

He could smell her nice perfume.

Lotus blossom if he wasn't wrong.

The others also sit down on the ground.

They didn't even need to wait long as suddenly a short masked boy with a wool hat and a bandana on his face sprung out from the bushes.

"I found you, Yugi!", he shouted...in a voice Sadiye know.

Confused the youngest in the group blinked.

Huh?

Where did she hear this voice before?

"He must be the one we're looking for!", said Joey, as all jumped back up from the ground. "I'll beat him up!"

"No! Don't use violence!", shouted Anzu and Kihana together.

Bandana-Boy growled Yugi's name and Joey and Honda growled back he should give back the Star Chips he had stolen!

"Wait.", stopped them Yugi, before really fist were swinging. "I think he's here for me."

Suprised all looked at him.

Yugi turnend to the boy.

"Do you want to duel me?"

The Bandana-Boy nodded.

Okay, so a children's cards game shall clear the situation, alright.

Only poor Sehrazat rubbed her temple because Afya still demanded blood.

Sometimes she forgot how her loving Gran-Gran could be a bloodthirsty Warrior-Queen.

While Yugi and Bandana-Boy took each their place on the Duel Ring, Honda promised he would make the thief pay if he tried to steal Yugi Star Chips.

Joey agreed and how they wouldn't let him escape.

As the voice of reason came Kihana: "Guys, there has to be a reason why he wants to battle Yugi so much. Let's watch the Duel, maybe we will find out."

In one second Yugi was there and then...not anymore.

Since Sehrazat and her friends saw Yami for the first time they all gaped and even blushed or got bashful.

The pharaoh was hot!

Only Sehrazat just looked neutral.

Meh, she liked Yugi better.

Also, the pharaoh was her 3000-times Grandfather so, ew, no!

However, she couldn't help but tease Afya a bit.

"Gran-Gran, Pops is hot. You have good taste."

Afya just flicked her forehead.

"Not now child of mine, also I'm pretty sure we had an arranged marriage, you know, like it was used in the old times."

"I see how you are practically undressing Pops with your eyes...don't lie!"

"I pledge the Fifth!"

"Gran-Gran!"

Meanwhile, the others noted how the boy didn't have a Duel Glove, so he was definitely the thief. Then they wonder why Yugi would duel him if they only had such a short time to return the Star Chips.

It was Anzu who pointed out that maybe Yugi knew who the boy was!

Yami and Bandana-Boy wagerd 5 Star Chips and began their duel.

The first turn was Bandana-Boy.

"I play Man-Eating Plant in attack position."

Man-Eating Plant: ATK 800/ DEF 600

Yami countered with Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress.

Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress: ATK 1400/DEF 1200

Bandana-Boys monster was destroyed and his Life Points dropped to 1400.

"You can't defeat my monster using stolen cards.", lectured Yami. "Because your heart doesn't dwell inside stolen cards."

"Yugi, I don't believe in your 'heart of the cards'! Cards aren't about the heart! Cards are about power!", shouted the thief back.

"Like I thought, you're Mokuba, Seto Kaiba's younger brother.", revealed Yami.

Angry the thief took off his disguise.

It was really Mokuba Kaiba.

"Mokuba-San?", shouted Sadiye. "What are you doing here?"

"You know him?", asked Anzu.

Sadiye nodded.

"We go to the same school and class. He sits on the bench before me."

"Sadiye-San, my brother vanished because Yugi hurt his pride.", answered Mokuba his classmate, before he turned back to Yami. "It's your fault that Pegasus is now trying to take over Kaiba Corporation!"

"What? Pegasus?", asked Yami, while the others also looked worried at Mokuba.

This didn't sound good at all.

Mokuba explained how Pegasus spread the news of how Yami defeated Seto Kaiba worldwide. Since then, Kaiba Corporation has lost the trust of its investors and business has plummeted. Pegasus had just waited for this moment. He talked in private with The Big Five, Kaiba Corps Board, telling them to transfer all their chares to him. Only like this, they could save the company. The Big Five agreed under the conditions that Pegasus would defeat Yugi in a duel. Of course, Pegasus agreed, saying how easy this would be.

But since Mokuba had the key to the Storage Facility, where all the important documents were, Pegasus kidnapped him to the Duelist Kingdom as his prisoner, before he could flee.

"Yugi, it's all your fault!", accused Mokuba.

"I understand the situation, but that's no excuse for stealing other people's cards.", told Yami.

"Be quiet! I play this next!"

Krokodilus appeard on the field.

Krokodilus: ATK 1100/ DEF 1200

"Go, Krokodilus!"

The monster attacked Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress, but was of course defeated by the more powerful monster.

"It's pointless to keep duelling.", said Yami. "This game isn't so simple that you can win with stolen cards."

Jonouchi agreed: "That's right! Stealing Star Chips for revenge is the worst!"

"You're wrong! You have the wrong idea! I have to protect Kaiba Corporation in my brother's place!", shouted Mokuba back.

It's then that Anzu realized if Mokuba managed to get Yugi Star Chips, this would disqualify him, meaning Yugi technically never lost a duel.

"What do you mean?", wondered Honda.

"You don't understand?", asked Joey.

"Do you?"

"Well, no. What do you mean?"

"She means: If Yugi doesn't lose in a duel, Pegasus's agreement with The Big Five is void.", answered Kihana.

All beside Anzu made an oh sound.

They got it now.

"I see.", mumbled Yami, before he saw that Mokuba wasn't anymore on his Dueling Platform. "Mokuba!"

As it turns out Mokuba climbed Yami Duel Station and managed to grab Star Chips, leaving him with only three, before the younger Kaibe started to run off.

However, he was stopped, by Sadiye who stood in his way with her arms open.

"Sadiye-San! Let me pass!"

"No, Mokuba-San, what you doing is wrong!"

"It's the only way!"

Before he could just run around her Kihana, Maja and Sehrazat blocked his way too.

"Mokuba-Chan.", began Kihana. "Please there is another way, just listen."

Under the ice blue eyes of Sadiye's older sister, Mokuba felt he looked at Seto's beloved Blue-Eyes White Dragon, which made him stop in his tracks.

Sehrazat took over: "You have to trust Yugi. If he beats Pegasus, nothing will happen to Kaiba Corp."

Maja and Sadiye nodded in agreement.

"Kaibe is suffering right now.", called Yami. "But that's so he can learn about the heart of the cards. He's fighting to win his pride back. Kaiba will return when he learns about the heart of the cards. Are you willing to abandon your brother and the trust in Kaiba Corporation?"

"But...But what should I do?"

"Like Kihana and Sehrazat said...I promise to defeat Pegasus. If you want to know what Kaiba is struggling with...If you want to understand the heart of the cards, give that boy back his deck and his Star Chips."

The younger Kaiba thought for a second and looked at his classmate and her sister. Again his eyes found Kihana, who nodded at him.

He really had a feeling he was interacting with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon...it was strange but nice.

Mokuba turnend back to Yami.

"I undertsnad. I trust you, Yugi."

"The boat is leaving in three minutes!", reminds Anzu.

"Let's don't waste time!", shouted Sehrazat.

They all ran as fast as they could back to the little port.

Sadly the boat was already leaving!

They meet Hair-Guy at the port who smugly said: "The losers' boat already left."

"But they shouldn't have left for another minute!", disagreed Anzu.

"That's unfair!", shouted Sehrzat with balled fists.

"I don't care.", said Hair-Guy.

Joey accused Hair-Guy of tricking them, which all our friends agreed on.

Mokuba holds out his hand with the Star Chips to Hair-Guy.

"I'll return these Star Chips, so call the boat back."

Hair-Guy just slapped the Star-Chips from his hand and they fell into the ocean.

Oh no!

"Some of this were Yugi's!", exclaimed Sehrazat.

Feeling guilty Mokuba said sorry to Yugi.

"If you have your Star Chips stolen, then you're a disgrace as a duelist.", mocked Hair-Guy. "That alone is enough to disqualify you."

Then he gripped Mokuba.

All shouted shocked.

"Unhead, Mokuba-Chan!", growled Kihana, while Sehrazat felt, beside her own, Afya's anger.

In one second both switched places.

Before anyone could realise what happened, Afya and Kihana stormed the Hair-Guy, Afya punched him hard in the face and Kihana took Mokuba from him.

With the boy in her arms, Kihana ran back to the group and they all huddled protective around him.

Afya had her feet on Hair-Guys back to keep him down.

"Don't move or you will regret it.", the once queen of all Egypt hissed.

"You bitch...!"

"Insults won't get you far."

To demonstrate it Afya stomped Hair-Guy harder into the ground.

All were fascinated by that and Yami was immensely proud.

His queen was truly a strong woman.

A real Warrior-Queen.

...It was so hot!

Hair-Guy realized how he was in a pickle and decided to change his tactic.

"Alright, alright, the boy stays with you but...The only way to gain Star Chips is through duels."

"What do you mean by that exactly?", growled Afya, pressing her foot harder into his back.

"If I see right Yugi has still three Star Chips left.", began Hair-Guy. "I don't duel but in an hour I will find an opponent for him, so he can stay on the island."

"And what is the catch?"

"That you let me go."

Afya hummed and turnend to Yami.

"What do you say?"

"Any funny business and Afya will throw you in the ocean.", said Yami seriously.

"No funny business I swear!"

"Alright, Afya let him go."

"No you guys should go with Mokuba away, I will catch up to you and tell you the details from this guy. I don't trust him not to try to grap Mokuba again. Kihana protect him!"

"Of course, your Majesty, it's not even a question."

So the group without Afya walked away and when she was sure they were far enough, slowly she lifted her foot from Hair-Guys back.

He stood up, shaking and gasping for air, but told her where this duel for Yugi/Yami would be.

In an hour at the grasslands, where they had duel Mokuba.

Afya gave Hair-Guy a last look which screamed murder, which made the man shake and then caught up to her friends.

(*)

An hour later our group of nine now returned to the Duel Ring.

Kihana held hands with Mokuba and Sadiye, Maja and Anzu stood protective beside Mokuba, Maja ready to unleash magic in case something went wrong, while Joey and Honda stood before them and before them were Yami and Afya leading.

"We should be careful.", whispered Afya to Yami, she didn't want to worry the others. "I bet with you Pegasus henchman has a surprise in store."

"We will be careful and keep one eye on Mokuba."

"Kihana is strong and Maja has some surprises up her sleeve."

"Care to tell me?"

"The magic we use isn't the only one."

This made Yami blink for a second surprised before he gave Afya a smile.

"How you and Kihana saved Mokuba and you kept the henchman in place was incredible."

Bashful Afya put a bit of her long blue hair behind her ear.

"It was nothing. I couldn't watch a child being kidnapped!"

"Of course, but you reacted the fastest of us. You are a true warrior."

"Well...I might be your queen but I won't disagree how I'm a warrior too."

Both smiled flirtatiously at each other.

They couldn't before all flirt as they normally would.

First, it was their private affair and second, they didn't want to give the others second-hand embarrassment.

Hair-Guy already waited for them.

Yami came straight to the point: "Who's my opponent?"

"He's already here. Look!"

All let out surprised shouts.

"Kaiba?"

"Nii-Sama!"

Kaiba laughed.

"Yugi, I'll get my revenge!"

The Queen's Gambit: The Story

The most powerful piece in chess is the queen.

When this piece joins the game of Duel Monsters anything will change.

With two dragon sisters, a magician and her descendant, the queen will take her rightful place.

As it should have been.

Author Note: Here it is after nearly two years the newest chapter of this story! It is an Episode with its own duels. Since I suck at writing duels I found a solution which makes it easy for me. I hope you will still enjoy this story even without big duels. Also, I use it from now on the Japanese dub since it's way better than the 4Kids dub. I highly recommend reading the past chapters, because I corrected them and deleted or added new things. Shout out to all who didn't give up on my story, we are back and better than ever! So Enjoy!

Chapter 7: Getting more Star Chips

"So...how it's going on your side Anzu-Chan?", asked Maja happily into the Walkie-Talkie, while in the background Sehrazat aka. Afya was demolishing her current duel victim with her Dark Magician Girl.

"Well, Maja-Chan, Jonouchi has two Starchips, while Yugi has five!", told her Anzu cheerfully.

Then the Schariq Sisters shouted in celebration, meaning Sehrazat /Afya won.

Good!

Awesome!

"Hear that Anzu-Chan?", mussed Maja. "This means Sehra-Chan won and now has five Star Chips too."

The other girl giggled and Maja couldn't help but sign dreamy.

Anzu had a pretty laugh.

"What about Kihana-Chan?"

"Hana-Chan has six."

"Do you think we should meet up, Maja-Chan?"

"I will ask the others, but I think it's time we meet up again."

Both said bye to each other before Maja jogged back up to her friends.

Sehrazat was again in control of her body and put her new Star Chips on her Dueling Glove.

"Maja-Nee!", was Sadiye who took note of her first. "What did Anzu-San said?"

"Yugi has like Sehra five Star Chips and Jonouchi now two. You are in the lead Hana-Chan."

Kihana just rolled her eyes playful. It was a competition, but not under friends.

For now.

"Can we meet up again with the others?", asked Sehrazat in the round.

"Is someone missing their crush.", teased Maja, making Sehrazat bashful and the Schariq Sisters giggle quietly.

"You are one to talk Maja-Chan!", shouted Sehrazat grinning back. "I even heard from the Duel Platform how you were signing dreamily because of Anzu."

Now it was Maja's turn to be bashful.

"You both are hopeless.", stated Sadiye laughing.

Maja and Sehrazat deadpanned at the little black-haired girl.

"Let's forget your Lovelifes for a second.", began the white-haired beauty Kihana. "I think we can meet up with the guys. We made all good progress."

This made her little sister frown.

"Joey has only TWO.", she reminded them.

"The day is still young.", disagreed the holder of the Milliunuim Fragment. "Jonouchi-Kun will get soon more Star Chips."

"If you say so, Sehra-Nee."

"Then it's decided, I will give Anzu-Chan a call!"

After a bit of frustrating where-the-heck-are-you-guys, the girls managed to meet up with Yugi's group.

All were happy to see each other.

Strange how they grow so close after this short time.

Maja took Anzu by the arm, both talking about how glad they were to see each other again...and maybe Maja flirted a bit, which made Anzu blush.

Jonouchi and Honda talked with Kihana congratulating her on her six Star Chips, while trying to hit on her, but the white-haired beauty just ignored the flirts.

Sadiye held the hand of her big sister and mouthed at them "pathetic", which of course made the boys blush embarrassed.

"Yugi-Kun.", greeted Sehrazat the boy softly. "Congrats on your five Star Chips."

"You too, Sehrazat-Chan.", he talked just as softly back to her. "It was without a question you would win."

This made Sehrazat giggle shy and batting her eyelashes at Yugi, who of course turned red, yet couldn't help to smile tenderly at her.

Unknown to them their two Spirits were watching this exchange.

Gods, these two were adorable.

Afya wanted to pinch both their cheeks, while Yami wanted to help Yugi with Sehrazat.

However, both Spirit saw how the other was out of their Milliumim Item.

Smiling flirtatious Afya waved Yami over to her.

He was at her side in a second.

"Eager, are we?", purred Afya.

Wordless Yami took one of her hands and gave it a sweet kiss.

This made Afya gasp.

She felt herself getting hot by the touch of his lips on her skin.

"To be in your lovely presence again is worth it to make a fool out of myself.", purred now Yami back.

Afya giggled, a sound Yami already adored and gripped him by his jacket collar.

"You are a charmer."

"Only because you are so damn charming, beautiful Afya."

Bashful, yet still with a flirtatious smile, Afya leaned over and gave him a cheek kiss.

Yami swore his skin was burning!

The fire of desire in him who had slept so long roared to life.

Afya felt quite the same.

Both stared into each other eyes, seeing the same desire and lust for the other in them.

By Ra, it was insane.

Yes, they were married once.

However, neither could remember it or the other.

It was unique to feel already so attracted to each other.

Mmh...maybe their minds forgot...but not their hearts.

Sadly they couldn't go further, since both felt the tug of their respective Millennium Item.

Yugi, Sehrazat and their friends were moving again.

This meant they had to return to their Millennium Items. They were called back in it.

With a last smile for the other, they each return to their Spirit Chambers.

Of course not knowing they had interrupted a moment between their Yami's Yugi and Sehrazat walked and talked with their friends.

They were doing good with their hunt for the Star Chips.

Sure Joey only had two, however, this would probably change soon.

"There you are, Faizan!", growled a male voice behind the group.

All turned around and-

"Paulo Ramirez!", shouted Sehrazat and Kihana together.

This Paulo was a tanned boy with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a simple red jacket over a white T-shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.

"Ah, so you do remember me you hoe's!"

All the girls gasped affronted and the guys got angry on behalf of their female friends.

"Yo, what's your problem man?!", shouted Joey, waving his fist around. "You don't talk to girls like that and no one talks to my friends this way!"

"Oh shut up blondie! It doesn't concern you!"

"Since you insult our friends it does!", adds Honda, seeming ready to knock the light out of Paulo.

At the same moment, Paulo rolled his eyes.

"Got yourself some bodyguards or what Faizan?", he asked Sehrzat directly, ignoring Joey and Honda's shouts for his head.

Feeling Afya's presence beside her, which gave her courage, Sehrazat stepped forward.

"Ramirez, what do you want?", she hissed. "You are Europe Champion now, you won!"

This angered Paulo: "I won only because you and Schariq moved to Japan. Everywhere I go, all tell me how you are the true Europe Champion and I'm just a fraud! But this ends now!"

"How so?"

"I challenge you to a duel! I will beat you and prove I'm the true European Champion. Your win in the finals was just luck."

What now happened made Yugi's group think they were hallucinating...from one moment to another Sehrzat seemed to grow, gain more womanly curves and even her hair reached her bottom.

What was even crazier, her friends didn't seem to care for Sehrazat's sudden chance, even when Sehrazat spoke in a more mature voice: "Very well, Ramirez. I will duel you and do us all a favour to kick you out of this tournament."

Gleeful Ramirez led Sehrazat to the next Dueling Station, where both got ready to duel.

"Is it just me...", mumbled Anzu. "Or is Sehrazat suddenly...different?"

"Nah, Anzu, you are right, something is up. She looks kinda older and hotter now.", agreed Joey.

"Kinda like when Yugi duels.", pointed Honda out.

The Schariq Sister and Maja held their breath, curious if their new friends would see more similarities and maybe finally ask Yugi what's up with him when he duels...yet nothing.

They just accepted it and stared at the Duel Station.

All three girls facepalmed hard.

Sadiye was the first to end the facepalm and her red eyes fell on Yugi.

Huh?

Interesting.

Yugi was staring and staring at Afya and holding his Milliunim Puzzle.

Other than his friends Yugi had "felt" how a moment Sehrazat was there and now...there was this woman in her body?

It made no sense, yet it did.

Didn't...didn't he feel like this too, when he dueled?

Like there was someone older and wiser than him in his body, helping him?

When the duel ended, he needed to talk with Sehrazat!

He needed answers.

After shuffling their decks both opponents were ready.

The price was three Starchips, which meant if Afya won her and Sehrazat would have 8 Star Chips and Ramirez would get kicked out of the tournament.

He was so obsessed with his revenge, that he barged all his Star Chips.

So sure he would win.

Well, Afya would gladly show him the door, no one calls her children hoes!

The duel started well for Afya she had a strong defence with her Amazoness and was making Shish Kebab out of Ramirez Warrior Monsters.

Unknown to all, Ramirez planned for this.

When it seemed he was done for he used a rare spell card which destroyed all of Afya's Monsters and left her with merely a few Life Points.

All her friends gasped.

"Oh no, Sehrazat!", shouted Anzu for her new friend.

"That bastard tricked her into summoning all these Monsters to destroy them with one shot!", spat Joey angrily.

"Guy's calm down.", called Kihanan, having a serene expression on her face. "Afya and Sehrazat aren't done for."

Yugi and his friends blinked confused.

"Afya, who is Afya?"

It was Sadiye who answered with a little smirk.

"The Spirit of the Milliuim Fragment and Sehrazat Ancestor. Afya is cool, she is like a mom to all of us."

"And when Sehra and Afya battle together.", began Maja grinning. "No one stands a chance...look at Afya."

Indeed Yugi's group did and Sehrazat or Afya just looked with a regale expression down on Ramirez.

She didn't seem troubled at all.

"Why are you looking at me like that!", growled Ramirez, spit flying from his mouth. "You are done for Faizan, the chance that you draw a Monster to defeat my Gem-Knight Crystal is zero!"

Gem-Knight Crystal: ATK 2450/DEF 1950

From Afya came just a tiny laugh.

"You were so fixed on your revenge that you didn't look at the card I placed my last turn."

Shocked Ramirez checked.

Indeed there was a card face down!

Oh no, what was it?!

"And other than you I believe in my cards, I know they will answer my call."

Elegant she drew the card which would make her win or lose the game.

Anyone stopped breathing.

Afya looked at the card, a smile on her face.

"I summon...The Dark Magician Girl!"

"Dark Magician Girl?!", repeated, not only Ramirez but also Anzu, Jonouchi and Honda surprised.

Yugi gasped also quite shocked.

The Dark Magician Girl appeared on the playing field with sparkles twirling around before she posed protectively before Afya and sent Ramirez a challenging look.

Dark Magician Girl: ATK 2000/DEF 1700

"You didn't have her in your deck before.", reminded Ramirez. "But she is still too weak to beat my Gem-Knight Crystal..."

He trailed off, seeing the calm expression on Afya's face and remembered...!

"Your face down card?!"

The once Queen of Egypt flipped it up.

"It's the magic card Magic Formula which raises the attack points of my Dark Magician Girl to 2700!"

Dark Magician Girl: ATK 2700/DEF 1700

Gem-Knight Crystal: ATK 2450/DEF 1950

"And now my dear Dark Magician Girl, let's finish this! Dark Burning Attack!"

The Dark Magician Girl twirled her staff and sent her magic attack at Ramirez's monster, destroying it and leaving him with zero life points!

His loud wail could be heard from miles.

"I never thought there was a female Dark Magician.", gasped Anzu. "And she is so pretty."

Somehow this made Maja feel shy...she wonders why?

"Some say who has a Dark Magician and another a Dark Magician Girl are Soul Mates since both cards are the strongest as a pair.", told Kihana the little legend around these cards, which she know because of her grandparents.

"Oh really...?", sing-song Joey and Honda together, both wiggling their eyebrows at the blushing Yugi.

"Oh does Yugi-San have a Dark Magician?", asked Sadiye excited.

Jonouchi and Honda nodded and now Sadiye was grinning also, while Kihana's shock amused he had, Maja still thought about what Anzu said about the Dark Magician Girl and why she reacted to it and Anzu realized...that Maja and the Duel Monster card looked quite alike.

Huh?

More time to think about it Anzu didn't get because Sehrazat or Afya walked up to them.

"Your Majesty.", greeted her Kihana. "As always an amazing duel."

"Where is the slimeball?", asked Maja.

"Took off after he threw his Star Chips down.", explained Afya. "What a pitiful man."

Then Afya walked up to Yugi and smiled down at him.

Now no one could avoid the truth.

Sehrazat was tinier than Yugi, now she was taller.

So...this was really somebody else in her body!

"Yugi Muto.", said Afya and gave him a kind smile. "It's nice to meet you my boy and of course, you Anzu, Jonouchi and Honda."

"Are you really a spirit, like Sadiye-Chan said?", asked Anzu astonished, while Joey mumbled something about crazy ghost mumbo-jumbo.

"I was once a great Queen of Egypt, now I have lived in the Milliunm Fragment for a good 3000 years. Sehrazat is my descendant, my flesh and blood, we share her body."

Yugi and his friends let out surprised gasps.

Afya just smiled regal at them.

"Yugi, if you ever have a question just ask me...I know quite a bit of the Milliunm Item and about your puzzle."

And with that Afya and Sehrazat changed places.

Sehrazat grinned at her flabbergasted new friends: "So do you like my Gran-Gran?"

(*)

A while later we find our big friend group in a meadow where they have taken a break.

They had a lot of discussion.

"What you told us...", hummed Anzu with a finger on her chin. "It sounds like a folktale."

"I'm surprised Sehra's family could keep the Millium Fragment safe for 3000 years, that's amazing.", shares Honda his thoughts.

Yugi had a thoughtful look on his face as he gripped his puzzle.

"I admit... sometimes it's like I hear another voice in my head or feel another presence beside mine...but to think that Afya's husband's soul is in the puzzle is just..."

"Crazy?", chorused everyone.

The short duelist nodded.

"Yugi-Kun, don't worry about this now.", assured him Sehrazat. "I had weeks to get used to Afya...I'm sure you will find a way to talk to the pharaoh when you are ready. And if you ever need help, you can ask Gran-Gran."

Relieved Yugi nodded.

He really needed time to understand all this.

Also, he was a bit scared to meet his lodger. Not because he thought the pharaoh might be evil, not if he always helped him, just...it made all that the girls told him true.

How Pegasus tournament and saving Grandpa's soul was just a tiny problem against saving the whole world from destruction.

One problem at a time.

"Alright guys!", jumped Jonouchi up from the ground and raised his fist in the air. "We still have work to do, for now, let's get this Star Chips, so we can enter the castle!"

Kihana nodded.

"Jonouchi is right, let us concentrate on the things we can do and not on the things that might happen."

All agreed and so the group started walking again.

(*)

"I still can't believe it!", whisper-shouted Sehrazat to Kihana. "Mimi Kawaii! THE Mimi Kawaii, my favourite idol is here and she doesn't want to duel me!"

After our friends left the meadow they stumbled over Idol Mimi Kawaii with her two bodyguards.

Apparently, her management wanted Mimi to be a duelist too, since Duel Monster was so in trend right now.

Good publicity, you know?

But Sehrzat didn't care for this she had asked for an autograph and Mimi had given her one!

Aaaah!

Then Mimi actually challenged Joey to a duel.

This had made Sehrazat sad.

Since Mimi was so beautiful Joey got distracted so easily by her flirts that he made one mistake after another, which made all facepalm and Anzu declaring him a horny horndog.

However, Joye got back into the game as it showed how Mimi had no real idea what she was doing.

She merely had cuteys monsters in her deck and tried with her flirts to distract her opponents.

Not a good strategy for long, when you face someone who fought for his sister.

So in the end Joey won and earned three Star Chips.

Mimi apologized for her tricks...she actually didn't want to participate in the tournament and only got in thanks to her manager.

Singing was her passion, not Duel Monsters.

Sehrazat told her she should follow her passion and not be the puppet of her management.

It showed she didn't like Duel Monsters, it only would anger her fanbase if she pretended to be someone she wasn't.

For this not only Sehrazat got a thank you from Mimi, but also a hug.

She nearly fainted!

The idol and the bodyguards left them and our friends were again in eight.

Together they looked at their gloves.

Sehrazat had 8 Star Chips.

Kihana six.

And Joey and Yugi five each.

It was going good for them.

So they decide to find some more people to duel.

The day was still young after all.

Next