Youmi's first encounter with Marik made her change the impression she had of him from the original storyline. She accepted Marik's invitation to watch a duel together and followed him into a small hut by the port. Inside, a television had already been set up for remote broadcasting—on the screen, the scene of Slifer the Sky Dragon blocking Yugi Muto's path was unfolding.
Marik pulled out the Millennium Rod from who knows where, and the Millennium Eye mark appeared on his forehead. He said, "To strengthen your faith in us Rare Hunters, please watch this duel that I am controlling remotely."
"Ah, then let me see how you Rare Hunters duel~" Youmi replied, taking a makeup compact from her shoulder bag and touching up the area around her dark circles before turning her gaze to the screen.
In one of Domino City's riverside areas—
The puppet under Marik's control stood in front of Yugi's other self in a strange pose.
"Good morning, Yugi the vessel. You, the strongest Duelist who defeated Pegasus, are now leisurely strolling around here… don't you think that's careless? Ah, forgive me. The one negotiating with you right now isn't this mime actor, but me—the leader of the Rare Hunters, Marik."
The puppet raised a hand and pointed to the glowing Millennium Eye symbol on its forehead. "If I frightened you, I apologize once again. Just like the spirit within you, I am also one who holds a Millennium Item, and I am currently controlling this body remotely."
Yugi, who had only been talking with Yami Yugi by the riverbank, caught on to Marik's key words. "Vessel? What are you talking about… And Rare Hunters? Aren't they that criminal group that hunts rare cards?"
Before he could ask further, the Millennium Puzzle hanging from his chest suddenly shone brightly, switching his personality to Yami Yugi.
"So it's you, Marik, who has summoned me to duel. And that thief who hurt Yugi before—Bandit Keith—was also under your control, wasn't he?!" Yami Yugi extended his finger in anger, pointing at Marik.
Unfortunately, no matter how intimidating he tried to be, the mime's body showed no emotional reaction. "Hahahaha, that's right. However, that was nothing more than a greeting. My true goal is to find you—the nameless Pharaoh's soul hidden within this vessel—and exact my revenge!"
"Revenge? Revenge for what? I don't recall ever crossing paths with you."
"That's only what you think. We are the descendants of the Gravekeeper tribe, who for three thousand years have been forced to live in darkness. Our clan resides deep within Egypt, bound to guard the secrets of the long-lost Pharaoh, forbidden even to contact the outside world."
As the mime spoke with Marik's voice in an unnatural way, Marik beside Youmi also began explaining, supplementing the lore she had long since forgotten. "Our tribe exists like shadows without form, their only purpose to guard the Necrovalley and the Millennium Items, sacrificing themselves over and over to this sorrowful destiny."
Marik's tone grew increasingly impassioned as he continued. "And this wretched fate could only end once the memories were entrusted to the Pharaoh's soul—whenever he might return to the living world. My father perished for this cause. And where, you may ask, does that Pharaoh's soul reside—"
"It's me, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Though you've lost the memories of your past life and forgotten your name, the Egyptian God Cards recognize the existence of the Pharaoh, and the completed Millennium Puzzle that made Yugi Muto its vessel proves your identity.
"Nameless Pharaoh, you are the one I must take revenge upon!" The Marik in the hut gripped the Millennium Rod tighter, veins bulging from the strain. "And now begins the first battle of my revenge! You have no right to refuse, Pharaoh. My subordinates have already locked onto your family and friends. If you try to run from this duel, what do you think will happen to them?"
"Marik, you dare!?" Upon hearing that his most precious people were in danger, Yami Yugi's anger flared as he revealed his Duel Disk. "Your revenge is against me, isn't it? Then come after me alone! Leave Joey and the others out of this!"
"That depends on your cooperation. I'll be honest… the puppet's Deck contains one of the Egyptian God Cards, Slifer the Sky Dragon. There's no way you can win against me.
"Rest assured, I won't use any underhanded tricks during this duel. Simply face me with all your might, and be defeated under the might of the God Card!" Marik let out a sinister chuckle and, before Yami Yugi could respond, drew six cards. "My turn, draw! The God Card isn't in my hand yet… it seems you'll live for two more turns."
Turn 1.
"You speak of a fair duel, yet you use such tricks," Yami Yugi scoffed, unimpressed by Marik's theatrics. He finished drawing his opening hand and focused intently on observing Marik's moves.
Youmi couldn't see the puppet's hand cards, of course, but from the smug expression on Marik's face—like victory was already his—she could tell his starting hand must be strong.
"I activate the Continuous Spell Cards Card of Safe Return and Infinite Cards! The effect of Card of Safe Return lets me draw three cards from my Deck each time a Monster is Special Summoned from the Graveyard. And Infinite Cards removes our hand size limit!" Marik declared, playing both Spells in quick succession—the key components of his infinite-hand Slifer strategy.
"Normally, a Duelist must discard down to six cards at the end of the turn, but with this on the field, there's no limit! Under these conditions, let's duel at full force!"
Though it seemed like he was creating a duel where both sides could play freely, Yami Yugi wasn't so easily fooled. He immediately pointed out Marik's true aim. "So that's your reason… you need a massive hand to match the power of your so-called God Card, don't you?"
"As expected from the Duel King who defeated Pegasus, your insight is impressive. But what good will that do you? I Set one Monster in Defense Position, then activate the Spell Card Double Summon! This allows me to Normal Summon once more this turn. I Set another Monster and a Spell or Trap, then end my turn."
Marik praised Yami Yugi's sharpness with his words, yet strengthened his defense all the same before declaring, "Now then, Nameless Pharaoh, before the descent of the God Card, enjoy your final turn!"
After saying that, Marik turned toward Youmi, who was watching intently, and said with a grin, "Please, Miss Youmi, watch closely—my grand act of vengeance begins now."
...
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