Arkana, Yami Yugi and others in “Unfinished Business”

Looks like we're back to where we started.

Yes, a stalemate. Why don't you unlock us from these shackles and finish this duel with honor.

With honor? And ruin all the fun? Never!

Have it your way. But answer this: Why did you lead me down here, Arkana? And why did you force me into a duel in which the loser's mind gets sent into the Shadow Realm?

I'm just following the orders of my master.

Enough secrets, Arkana! What's going on?!

[takes off his mask, showing his out-of-screen face] Look at my face. [Yami Yugi gasps in surprised shock] Once, I was the greatest illusionist and magician since Harry Houdini himself…

Ladies and gentlemen, the Great Arkana!

[voice-over] My act was the envy of the entire magic world, and I loved every minute of it. I had it all… Money, fame, but most importantly, I had her… my sweet Catherine. We were going to be married until that fateful day. It was a routine escape trick. I'd done it a million times. But as Catherine looked on, something went horribly wrong! I lost my career and my movie star good looks that day. Then I lost Catherine's love! I drove her away, Yugi! I was a broken man. I didn't want her to see me ruined. She stood by me, and I hurt her! By the time I figured that out, it was too late. She was gone! My life was over until I met him… Marik. [puts his mask back on as the flashback ends] He made me an offer: If I could eliminate Yugi Muto for good, he'd help me win back Catherine with the help of his Millenium Rod.

Working for Marik will only lead you to more pain and suffering, Arkana. Marik cares about no one except himself. He'll say and do anything to get what he wants.

It's a cruel, curel world, Yugi. You'll find that out soon enough. There are very few things you can count on. And even fewer people. But I am counting on Marik to bring my Catherine back into my arms. There she is…waiting for me, just like Marik promised. He's a man of honor, Yugi. You shouldn't be so quick to judge people. Give me a minute, darling. I have to destroy Yugi, then we can be together forever. So you see, Yugi, it's nothing personal. [laughs]

You're a fool to trust in him! Instead you should be placing your trust in yourself and in your cards, Arkana. You rely on tricks and illusions to win instead of believing in your deck. And that will be your downfall.

They're just cards, Yugi, and nothing more!

That is your problem! They're not just cards. My heart is in my deck and that's something you'll never understand.

You talk about your faith in the cards, Yugi, but that will be your downfall. I knew you'd depend on your Dark Magician to bail you out, so I built my dueling deck with one purpose: to take your Dark Magician away from you! [thinking] And that dark energy disc will take something even more precious from you… Your mind!