A Duel to forget

Back in the Tsukumo residence, Kari was sitting in her ergonomic chair, while Bronk, Astral, Shark and Rio Kastle, Anna Kaboom, Cathy Katherine, Kite and Hart Tenjo and Rei Shingetsu were circling around her as they watched her computer screen, as Bronk had told Yuma's closet friends about what had happened to the Number Hunter and Tori after their defeat against 'The King of Games'.

And now there were there to give whatever support they could and see if Yuma and Tori could win against whatever form of evil the Champion Hunter had summoned to fight them.

With the two Duelists, they were taken to another one of the Champion Hunter's Death Zone Stadiums, which looked seemingly normal, for an arena which they were forced to fight in, until the entire stadium was cloaked in clouds of darkness, before Yuma and Tori were shocked when out of the shadows emerged a familiar face, wearing a Battle City brand Duel Disc and a familiar gold colored rod in his right hand.

"Marik!" Yuma called out in shock, in which Tori then commented in a worried tone. "But it can't be. Yugi sent you to the Shadow Realm."

However, Yami Marik only laughed, before he told Yuma and Tori. "I see you've done your homework, but thanks to the Champion Hunter, I was released from the shadows and given a second chance for revenge against the Pharaoh and his friends. Of course in exchange for my freedom, all I had to do was agree to crush whoever the Champion Hunter had arranged to face me and it looks like it's you two."

"Sorry to disappoint ya, Marik, but we're not going to be defeated by the likes of you!" Yuma stated in a determined tone, before he said. "And you're going to send you back to the Shadow Realm, right Tori?"

"Right." Tori replied, as Yuma's confidence had heightened hers, however, Yami Marik only Laughed wickedly and then told them, as he activated his Duel Disc and held his Millennium Rod in their direction. "You fools! By the end of this Duel you will be trapped in the realm of eternal darkness."

It was then Tori activated her Duel Disc and Duel Gazer, while Yuma remained still, which worried Tori, as she thought Yami Marik had gotten into Yuma's head, but what she didn't know was that the Number Hunter was actually thinking about her and was worried as to what kind of dangers Yami Marik had in store for them.

"The shadows hunger for your minds and your souls. Our Shadow Game awaits." Yami Marik stated, before he questioned Yuma in an impatient tone. "So are you going to Duel me or will this be a Duel against one?"

"I never back down for a chance to Duel, but only on one condition. I take any damage from the Shadow Game." Yuma replied.

"What!?" Bronk questioned in disbelief, before he asked. "Is Yuma nuts?"

"No. Yuma's sanity is as it has always been." Astral thought to himself out loud, before he went on. "I feel he wishes only to protect Tori from any harm this Duel may inflict upon her."

"Very well then." Yami Marik replied, before he asked in a wicked tone, as the Millennium Rod shone brightly for a moment, before the light then faded. "But will your mind be able to handle my power?"

"Well, we'll just have to Duel and find out." Yuma replied, as he activated his Duel Disc and Duel Gazer, in which the Number Hunter, Tori and Yami Marik then called out. "Let's Duel!"

Starting Scores:

Yuma: 4000

Tori: 4000

Yami Marik: 8000

"Ladies first, Marik. I Summon Gellenduo in Attack Mode!" (1700/0) Tori announced, as she placed the aforementioned Monster Card on her Duel Disc, before she then said. "And to end my Turn, I play One Card face-down. Your move."

"If that's all you can do then you might as well give up." Yami Marik told Tori in an arrogant tone, before he announced. "I Summon Juragedo in Attack Mode! (1700/1300) and Set two Cards face-down.

"Then that mean's it's my go and I Summon Gogogo Gigas in Defense Mode!" (0/2200) "And to follow that up, I Set three Cards face-down."

"I Sacrifice Juragedo to Summon Legendary Fiend!" (1500/1800) Yami Marik announced, in which back in Heartland City, Hart asked his big brother in a confused tone. "I don't get it, Kite. Why would he Sacrifice a Monster for a Monster with only 1500 Attack Points."

"Because of Legendary Fiend's ability." Kite replied, before he explained. "During each of Marik's Standby Phases, Legendary Fiend's Attack is automatically increased by 700."

"But I still don't understand. Legendary Fiend is still 200 Attack Points weaker than Gellenduo and can't power itself up on the Turn it's Summoned." Hart pointed out, in which Kite replied. "But knowing about Marik and his tricks, I feel that he has something prepared."

"Reveal face-down Card! Pyro Clock of Destiny!" Yami Marik exclaimed, in which he then explained the power of his Card. "And thanks to my Trap, it moves time forward by one Turn, meaning my Legendary Fiend's Attack now increases by 700 Points!" (1500→2200)

"Now, Legendary Fiend Destroy Gellenduo!" Yami Marik commanded, in which the Fiend Type Monster did as ordered and charged at Tori and her Monster, but it was then Yuma suddenly announced. "Sorry Marik but Tori's Monster isn't going to be Destroyed. From my hand, I activate the ability of Gentlooper!" (1200/1000)

Gentlooper then appeared in Defense Mode beside Gogogo Gigas, before Yuma then explained. "When you Attacked, I was allowed to play this card from my hand and when it is Summoned, nothing else can be Attacked."

It was then Legendary Fiend changed its trajectory, in which Yami Marik's Monster then slashed Gentlooper in half with its claws, before Yuma's Monster was sent to the Graveyard.

"Thanks Yuma." Tori happily said, glad Yuma was looking out for her, but then got worried when the Number Hunter clutched his head and began to groan out in pain. "Yuma?"

It was then Yuma let out a loud cry of pain as an image of Astral appeared before him and then shattered to pieces.

"Yuma!" Tori called out in concern, in which Yami Marik then told Tori. "I warned your little friend about my power and now he's paying the price for underestimating me!"

"What's going on? What did you do to Yuma?" Tori questioned in concern, in which Yami Marik simply replied. "Nothing. This was his own fault."

"What are you talking about?" Tori asked in a confused tone, in which Yami Marik told her. "Whenever you or Yuma lose a Monster or Life Points, Yuma will lose some of his memories."

"What!?" Tori questioned in bewilderment.

"And the more Damage I deliver, the more memories he will lose." Yami Marik announced, before he let out another laugh of pure evil, but his laughter was interrupted when Yuma groaned out. "Don't worry, Tori... I'll be fine..."

"Are you sure?" Tori asked in concern for Yuma's mental well-being, before she told him. "You already took Damage and lost your memories of Astral."

'What's an Astral?' Yuma asked himself, before he shook his head and then replied in a determined tone. "Very sure, Tori."

"Alright then, Yuma." Tori replied, as she knew there was no way she could change Yuma's mind, in which she drew the top Card from the top of her Deck and began her turn.

"I Summon Shining Abyss in Attack Mode!" (1600/1800) Tori announced, before her Field Spell Card slot opened up, in which she then called out. "And now I activate the Field Spell: Luminous Spark!"

It was then a bright light appeared above the three Duelists, which forced Yami Marik to shield his eyes, as Legendary Fiend let out a hissing sound, indicating Yami Marik's Monster didn't like the light, but that was the least of his problems, in which Tori then announced. "Now every Light Monster on the Field gets their Attack Raised by 500 Points!"

"What!?" Yami Marik questioned in awe as Gellenduo and Shining Abyss both benefited from the Field Spell. (1700→2200) (1600→2100)

"But I'm not finished yet. From my hand I activate the Spell Card: United We Stand and I Equip it to Shining Abyss!" Tori announced, as she placed the Spell Card in the second Spell/Trap Card slot of her Duel Disc, in which Shinning Abyss began to glow brightly.

"Now my Fairy Monster gains 800 Attack for every Monster on our side of the Field, bring Shining Abyss up to a total of 4400 Attack!" Tori stated, which shocked Yami Marik, before Tori then commanded. "Shining Abyss, use the combined power of Light and unity to Destroy Legendary Fiend!"

Obeying Tori, Shining Abyss placed its hands together, in which it created a sphere of light energy, which had a dark glowing outline circling it, before the Fairy Monster launched the Attack at Yami Marik's Legendary Fiend, causing the Monster to roar in pain, before it was Destroyed, however, Tori wasn't finished with her Battle Phase.

"Now it's your turn Gellenduo. Attack Marik directly!" Tori ordered, in which the pair of Fairies slammed into Yami Marik's chest, causing him to groan out a little from the pain.

"Way to play Tori." Yuma proudly called out.

Current Scores:

Yuma: 4000

Tori: 4000

Yami Marik: 3900

"My move." Yami Marik said, as he drew the top Card from his Deck, before he announced "And now to pay you back, little girl. I first play Mystical Space Typhoon to Destroy your Field Spell. Next, I call forth my Lava Golem!" (3000/2500)

"And in case you didn't know Lava Golem allows me to Sacrifice two Monsters on your side of the Field." Yami Marik explained in a sinister tone, before Lava Golem arose from behind Tori, crushed Gellenduo and Shining Abyss and trapped her in the cage, which was dangling from its chest, which caused Yuma to call out in concern. "Tori!"

"And with that, I'll place one Card face-down and end my turn." Yami Marik said, as he placed a second Card in his second Spell/Trap Card slot.

"I Summon Gogogo Ghost!" (1900/0) Yuma announced as the sword wielding Zombie appeared beside Gogogo Gigas, but it was then Yuma exclaimed. "Next, I Overlay Gogogo Ghost and Gogogo Gigas to build the network and XZ Summon Number 39: Utopia!"

Tori and Yuma's friends back in Heartland City happily watched, while Yami Marik watched in confusion as Gogogo Ghost engulfed by a dark purple light, while Gogogo Gigas was engulfed by a light brown energy before the trails of light twisted around one another, crating a helix-like pattern, before the Number Hunter placed his favorite Number Card on his Duel Disc and exclaimed. "Rise on up, Number 39: Utopia!"

A portal then materialized on the floor where Gogogo Ghost and Gogogo Gigas were combined, and out of two came one, Yuma's favorite Monster, Utopia, in which Yuma then commanded. "Utopia Attack Yami Marik directly with Rising Sun Slash!"

However, as the newly Summoned Monster headed straight for Yami Marik, he only laughed, before he exclaimed. "Time to block your Attack with this! Reveal Trap: Metal Reflect Slime!"

It was then a plasma-based sphere covered in spikes appeared in front of Yami Marik, which left Yuma and the others stunned when Utopia hit it, but was unable to Destroy it.

"Hey, what's going on?" Yuma questioned in confusion.

"What's going on is that my Metal Reflect Slime has 3000 Defense." Yami Marik replied in a sinister tone. "And since your Monster is 500 Attack Points lower than my Monster, you lose Life Points. But that's not the only thing you lose."

It was then Yuma clutched his head in pain again, as more of his memories were erased, in which an image of Cathy appeared before him and then shattered to pieces.

"Yuma!" Tori and Cathy called out in concern, as they watched Yuma weakly get up before he groaned out. "I'll end my Turn..."

But it was then Yami Marik suddenly called out. "Not before I play my Trap Card: Nightmare Wheel!"

It was out of nowhere a torture wheel made of metal and bone restrained Utopia, which caused Yuma to call out to Utopia in concern.

"Your Utopia is now a prisoner of my Nightmare Wheel." Yami Marik stated, before he told Yuma. "Which means he can't Attack or Defend as long as my Trap remains on the Field making Utopia useless."

Current Scores:

Yuma: 3500

Tori: 4000

Yami Marik: 3900

"Now then. It's my move." Yami Marik stated, before he said in an amused and wicked tone. "And with the start of my Turn the Effect of Nightmare Wheel activates meaning you lose 500 Life Points and more memories!"

Yuma then let out a small cry of pain as his Life Points lowered and an image of Rei appeared before him and then shattered to pieces.

"I draw one Card, set it and end my Turn." Yami Marik said simply, as he placed the Card in his third Spell/Trap Card slot.

"That mean's it's your go, Tori." Yuma called out, in which Yami Marik interrupted and told her. "Yes it is. Which means Lava Golem's ability now activates! Melt my Golem and deal 1000 Points of Damage to your owner!"

It was then Lava Golem's right hand began to melt and poured boiling hot lava around Tori, who shielded herself, before she then groaned out as 1000 of her Life Points were lost, in Which Yuma fell to his knees and cried out again, as an image of Bronk, Shark and Kari appeared before him and then shattered to pieces, indicating he had just forgotten who they were, which concerned Tori, their friends and only amused Yami Marik.

"I'll play one Card face-down and end my Turn." Tori said, as she placed the aforementioned Card in her first Spell/Trap Card slot.

'I'm sorry Yuma.' Tori thought to herself solemnly, as Yami Marik's turn began, in which Nightmare Wheel activated again and drained 500 more Life Points from Yuma and caused him to clutch his head again, as an image of Kazuma and Mira Tsukumo appeared for a brief moment, only to shatter, as his parents were erased from Yuma's mind.

"It's all over. You're done!" Yami Marik exclaimed, in which Yuma asked in weak tone. "How do you figure...?"

"Simple, I've just draw the Card I need to crush you both!" Yami Marik replied in a dark tone, before he announced. "But first, I activate the Spell Card: The Pillager."

"With The Pillager, I can Look at one of your hand, take one Card and use it as my own." Yami Marik explained, before he pointed at Yuma and said. "And I choose you."

Yuma let out a frustrated groan, before he and Yami Marik walked up to each other, in which Yami Marik then expected Yuma's Cards and smiled, before he said, as he placed his right hand on Yuma's Comeback! Spell Card. "I choose this one."

It was then Yami Marik and Yuma moved back to their sides of the Field, in which Yami Marik then continued his Turn.

"I now activate my newly acquired Comeback! Spell Card to return my Lava Golem back to my side of the Field." Yami Marik said, in which Tori was freed from Lava Golem's cage as it moved over to Yami Marik's side of the Field.

"Next I play the Spell Card: Monster Reborn, and with its power I revive my Juragedo." Yami Marik told Yuma and Tori as Juragedo returned from the Graveyard.

"And to complete my combo, I reveal my Trap Card: Zoma the Spirit! And just like my Metal Reflect Slime, it counts as both a Trap and a Monster." (1800/500)

"Now, prepare for your doom as I sacrifice Juragedo, Lava Golem and Zoma to Summon the Winged Dragon of Ra!" Yami Marik exclaimed, which shocked everyone as all three Monsters were surrounded by a powerful whirlwind as they then vanished into the clouds, in which a golden light emerged out of the clouds, which looked like a massive golden sphere.

"What is it?" Kari asked in a perplexed and worried tone, but she got her answer when Yami Marik yelled out to Yuma and Tori in a maniacal tone. "Behold! The mightiest of all creatures! The great Winged Dragon of Ra!"

"And now you two shall be the first to feel its wrath! Right now, Ra is sealed in that sphere of light and can't attack or defend me in its current state unless I release with an ancient chant only known those that can read the text on my Egyptian God Card! However, I shall read the text and release its power!" Yami Marik explained, before he then chanted out. "Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry. Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight. Unlock your powers from deep within so that together we may win. Appear now in this Shadow Game as I call your name: Winged Dragon of Ra!"

It was then Marik let out another maniacal laugh as the Winged Dragon of Ra transformed to its true form and let out a loud roar from all the power that surged within it. (6500/3300)

"Behold my great beast and all its power!" Yami Marik exclaimed, before he declared. "But before I unleash the power of my creature, I activate my Trap Card: Raigeki Break!"

"Now, by Discarding one Card from my hand to the Graveyard I can Destroy any Card on the Field." Yami Marik explained, before he yelled out. "And I choose to Destroy your face-down Card!"

It was then a bolt of red lightning shot from the Raigeki Break Trap Card and Destroyed Tori face-down, leaving her Defenseless, as her face-down was Enchanted Javelin and Utopia was still trapped in the Nightmare Wheel.

Yami Marik then laughed evilly again, before he exclaimed. "Nothing can save you now, girl! Winged Dragon of Ra Attack her with Blaze Cannon Blast!"

Doing as ordered, the Winged Dragon of Ra fired a massive blast of fire right at Tori, who cried out in pain and fell to her knees as her Life Points hit 0, but fortunately for her, since Yami Marik had agreed to Yuma's conditions, she was spared from the Shadow Realm, but unfortunately it was then Yuma screamed out in agony from the intense amount of Life Points Tori had lost, before he fell to his knees and lost consciousness.

"Yuma!" Tori screamed out in a concerned tone, in which Yami Marik chucked darkly and then told her. "There's no point in calling out to your friend. After all the Damage he took victory is mine now!"

However, it was then Yuma let out a groan of pain as he slowly got to his feet, in which Yami Marik thought to himself in bewilderment. 'What!? He's still able to fight? Impossible!'

"You better listen, pal. I may not know who you are, how I got here or even my own name, but there are two things I'll never forget." The amnesia stricken Yuma stated in a determined tone, before he told the unknown Duelist. "The first is what is most important to my heart and that is Tori. And the second is how to Duel."

Yuma: 3000

Tori: 0

Yami Marik: 3900

"Which is why I now activate my Trap Card: Trap Reborn!" The Duelist announced, in which his opponent questioned "Trap Reborn?"

"Yep. And with the power of trap Reborn I can select any Trap in your Graveyard and use it as my own." The Duelist with the unknown name replied, before he announced, before he Discard one Card from his hand to the Graveyard. "And the Trap I choose is Raigeki Break, which I'll use to Destroy your Nightmare Wheel and free my Utopia!"

It was then red lightning struck the Nightmare Wheel, freeing Utopia, however, the Duelist's enemy only laughed before he told him. "You may've freed your Monster, but he is still no match for an Egyptian God!"

But it was then Tori's love smiled slyly and replied, with the same amount of slyness. "Not after I play this. I reveal my face-down Spell: Numbers Impact!"

"Now since I have a Number Monster with 1000 Attack Points less than your Monster, I can then copy that Monster's Attack!" The amnesia stricken teen stated, which shocked Yami Marik as Utopia's Attack rose from 2500 to 6500.

"And now Utopia will Attack!" Utopia's owner commanded, in which Utopia then charged at the Winged Dragon of Ra, however, the unknown villain seemed unfazed.

'That fool doesn't know what he's up against. Once both Monsters are Destroyed, I'll use Premature Burial to revive my Winged Dragon of Ra and finish him off once and foe all.'

But it was then the teen who couldn't remember his own name told his Dueling opponent. "If you think you have a chance to win, you've got another thing coming. I remove one Overlay unit to stop my Utopia's Attack. But I'm not finished. "I Now activate my final face-down Card, which will win the Duel. The Spell Card: Double or Nothing!"

"Now with the power of Double or Nothing Utopia is allowed to Attack again and his Attack power is doubled!" (6500→13000)

"13000 Attack Points!" Yami Marik called out in disbelief, before the amnesia stricken teen replied. "That's right. Now, go Utopia and finish this Duel with Rising Sun Slash!"

Doing as told, Utopia charged at the Winged Dragon of Ra with all his might, in which he then slashed right through the Egyptian God's chest, causing it to roar out in pain before it exploded and obtained Utopia's owner's victory.

Yuma: 3000

Tori: 0

Yami Marik: 0

"This cannot be! I lost. I lost, how could I lose with an Egyptian God Card!?" Yami Marik questioned, before he looked down and was horrified to see parts of his body slowly fading away, in which he cried out, before his entire being faded away. "No. Not a prisoner of the Shadow Realm again! Aaaaaaagh!"

After Yami Marik was forcefully returned to the Shadow Realm, Tori ran over to Yuma and said in a proud tone. "Yuma, you did it!"

"Yeah, I took down an Egyptian God Card." Yuma replied in a proud tone. "And beat that Marik jerk."

"Wait, you remember who Marik is?" Tori asked curiously, in which a puzzled expression appeared on Yuma's face before he questioned. "Uh, Tori did you hit your head or something, I always knew who he was."

It was then Tori smiled warmly at Yuma and wrapped her arms around him in a loving embrace as it seemed with Yami Marik's defeat, Yuma's memories had returned, though ironically he had forgotten he had lost his memories in the first place.

But it was then all of Yuma and Tori's friends could only watch as the pair were enveloped by dark red energy and left the arena.