Your love will be hopeless for all eternity…your fate is to continue fighting…your true battle begins now.
Those were Ace's last few words before he fell off the edge of the cliff. Mina fell down to her knees and started to cry. "How can I keep fighting when the one I'm fighting for is already gone!?" she cried. Will I never be able to love? She thought to herself. Serena…Bunny I need you! I can't do this! I can't fight without you!
"Mina."
She looked up, startled. Standing behind her was Seto Kaiba, his eyes full of concern.
"What do you want?" she said bitterly, wiping the tears from her eyes.
He didn't say anything, just continued to walk. Mina went after him, curious.
"You never told me what your dream was." He said.
"Does it matter?" she scoffed. "A dream is a dream because it never comes true."
"That's not what you told me."
"Well I was wrong!" she shouted. "When you're born, your fate is already set, and there isn't anything you can do about it."
"So what are you trying to say?"
"That I'm never going to be a star!" she cried. "That I'm going to spend my whole life protecting the princess and I'll never fall in love, or get married, or travel around the world…" at that she started to cry again.
Mina cursed herself for acting like a baby. "Just leave me alone." She mumbled, settling herself onto the floor.
Kaiba sat down beside her. "You know," he started, "I had my doubts for when I started KaibaCorp. I thought I wasn't going to make it."
Mina looked up at this. "So what made you go on?" she sniffed.
"The most important person in my life. Mokuba. He never gave up on me, even when I was against him."
Mina shook her head, confused. "But…what does that have to do with me?"
Seto stared at her, his eyes burning into hers. "Serena. She pushes you forward. If you really want to save her, you've got to get up and do something about it. Crying about it isn't going to bring her back."
She nodded, standing up. "You're right. But…I wasn't there for her. When she dueled Da-…I mean, Black Crow. I should have known what happened."
Kaiba stood up and placed his hands on both her shoulders. Mina looked up at him. "The only person that does," he started, "is gone."
Mina leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. Not Darien…she thought sadly.
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Black Crow was in the forbidden lair, where Master Dove stowed away all of the captured spirits. He was staring at one in particular, Serena's, it's mist as white as the moon, with a golden tint to it.
His memories drifted, back to the duel…
Serena walked into the cave behind the waterfall, unsure of herself. He said he wanted to meet me here, she thought. Maybe he came to apologize. She froze when she saw him, and then broke out into a huge smile.
"Darien!" she yelped, running toward him, about to capture him in an embrace.
But Darien stopped her short, placing his hand up, rejecting her.
"D-darien?" she stuttered, scared. His eyes…they were so cold, not like they usually were, full of light and hope.
"Serena," he said. "it's been a while."
"Darien I'm so glad you came!" She replied, sending all assumptions to the back of her mind.
"I have a favor to ask you." He said quietly, so quietly, that Serena thought she had heard it in her mind.
"Of course…anything for you."
"I want to duel you."
"A…a duel? Is that the only reason you came? To duel me?" Her voice was rising without her even realizing it.
This isn't working…he thought angrily. I need a better approach. He suddenly swept Serena into his arms and murmured, "It'll be fun Buns."
A million thoughts swarmed into Serena's mind. "Okay." She smiled, flushed.
"Get ready," he said, activating his duel disk.
"All set." She said, activating hers.
"Let's duel!"
"You can go first!" he barked.
"Oh…um…okay." Serena drew a card from her deck. "I'll just summon Gemini Elf in attack mode and place one card face down. It's your move Darien."
"Thanks I know." He replied dryly. "Now I'll activate Different Dimension Capsule! This allows me to take any card from my deck and remove it from play."
"Okay…"
"Then it comes back during my second standby phase."
What card did he choose?
"Now," Darien continued, "I'll summon Dark Valkirya! And I'll activate the Spell Card Different Dimension Gate!"
"What's that do?" Serena gasped.
"Here's how it works," he explained, "I remove one monster from my side of the field from play, and remove one monster on your side of the field from play. And as long as this card remains face up on the field, they won't come back."
"Oh no!"
"I'll end my turn." He finished.
Okay. Serena thought. I lost a really strong monster. This is where the heart of the cards thing is supposed to kick in! C'mon…! Serena drew her card. Yes!
"Hurry it up." Darien muttered, "I don't have all day."
What's the matter with him? "I'll summon Familiar Possessed Wynn in Attack Mode!"
This isn't good. Darien thought.
"Now my monster will attack you directly!" Serena yelled.
"Grr…" Darien was left with 2150 Life Points.
"You know I didn't mean that Darien sweetie!" Serena giggled.
"Whatever."
His eyes…Serena thought, they're so cold! Why does he seem…different?
"It's my move!" Darien told her. "I summon my Dark Jeroid in attack mode, and its Special Effect decreases your monster's attack points by 800!"
"Oh no!" Serena gasped.
"Now Dark Jeroid!" Darien yelled, "Attack her Familiar-Possessed – Wynn!"
Serena shielded herself from the attack. She had 3850 Life Points.
"Okay…" she panted, drawing. "I'll just summon my Witch of the Black Forest in Defense Mode and end my turn."
"Ha!" Darien snorted. "You've already lost!" He paused, then added, "Remember the card removed from play by Different Dimension Capsule?"
"What about it?"
"Well that card gets returned to my hand! And now I'll activate it! The Field Spell Card, Skies of Lost Spirits!"
Serena gasped. No! It can't be! Darien is…the enemy?
"D-darien…" she stuttered. "What are you doing with that card?!?"
"I'm here to capture the purest soul of them all," he grinned, "yours Serena!"
"NO!" she cried. That's the same card used to capture Rini's spirit! I can't let this happen!
"Now," he continued, "I'll summon Goblin Black Ops in Attack Mode and equip it with Mist Body and Axe of Despair!"
"Darien, please no…"
"Due to its Special Effect, my Goblin can now attack you directly! Go Goblin Black Ops!"
"Aaahhh!" Serena was down to 1150 Life Points.
"Unfortunately, my Goblin switches to Defense Mode. So I'll place this card face down and end my turn."
What do I do? Serena thought miserably. If I lose, then I can't save Rini…or Darien. But if I win…then Darien will lose his spirit.
"Are you gonna draw today?" Darien asked brusquely.
Serena's hand shook as she drew her card. She cleared her throat. "I-I'll…summon Magical Exemplar in Attack Position. And I'll equip it with Mage Power. I activate Offerings to the Doomed…"
"Oh no!"
"To destroy your Goblin. I'll place a card face down and switch my witch to Attack Mode. Now Magical Exemplar…attack Dark Jeroid!"
"Aaarrggh…" Darien had 150 Life Points left.
Serena felt tears running down her cheeks. This is it, one more attack and he's finished. "Now Witch of the Black Forest…attack Darien's Life Points directly!"
"Not so fast!"
"Huh?!"
"I activate Escape from the Dark Dimension, Special Summoning my Dark Valkirya!"
"I'll end my turn."
If I don't win this duel, Darien thought stubbornly, Master Dove will have my spirit too.
"All right! I draw! I summon my Mystic Tomato in Defense Mode and switch my Dark Valkirya to Defense Position. It's your move."
"Darien why are you doing this?!" Serena cried. "What's gotten into you? What happened?"
"Master Dove opened my eyes to the truth!" Darien barked. "He showed me that there is nothing to live for without the Legendary Phoenix!"
Serena took a step back. The Legendary Phoenix?
"Now if you don't mind," he said, "I'd like to finish this duel so I can complete my mission."
She took a deep breath. I don't know if I can do this. "I'll summon Herald of Creation in Attack Mode. Magical Exemplar attack his Mystic Tomato!"
"You've activated its Special Effect! Once Mystic Tomato is sent to the graveyard as a result of battle, I get to Special Summon 1 Dark Monster with an attack of 1500 or less from my Deck in face-up Attack Position. And I'll choose Armageddon Knight. And with its Special Effect I get to send on Dark monster from my Deck to my Grave."
"Okay. Witch of the Black Forest attack his Dark Valkirya!"
Oh no…Darien thought angrily, if she attacks with her Herald of Creation, I'll lose!
"Serena!" Darien said weakly.
"Darien!" Serena gasped. She was about to run over to him but he stopped her, raising his hand.
"Don't…" he coughed, "you have to finish this duel."
"Darien…"
"Don't worry about me Buns," he smiled, "I'll be okay."
Tears spilled over Serena's eyes and she missed Darien's wicked smile.
All I have to do, she thought, is attack his Armageddon Knight and I win. But can I do that?
As she was about to call her attack she cried out, "I can't! I can't do it Darien!"
"End your turn Buns," Darien said softly, "and I'll take care of it."
"But…how?"
"If we tie…then neither of us loses."
"Okay." She said confidently, "I'll end my turn."
"Fool!" he laughed. "I can't believe you thought Darien was actually speaking to you!"
"What!?" she squeaked. How could I have fallen for that?!
"Now I'll finish you off once and for all!" But before he did anything, he transformed into Tuxedo Mask.
"Tuxedo Mask!"
"Wrong," he corrected, "from now on, you'll see me as Black Crow! Loyal servant of Master Dove!"
"Now," Black Crow continued, "since I have 4 Dark monsters in my Graveyard, I can tribute one Dark monster on the field to the all powerful Darklord Zerato!"
"No!"
"But I'm not done there! By sending one Dark monster from my hand to the Grave, I can destroy all monsters on your side of the field!"
Serena helplessly watched her monsters disintegrate before her very eyes.
"Now Darklord Zerato!" Black Crow screamed, "End this duel and hand her spirit over to me!"
"NOOOO!!!!" In her last few moments, Serena pictured everyone's smiling faces. I'm sorry everyone…I tried. And fell to the ground.
Black Crow watched from afar and then snatched her pure spirit into the jar, then quickly hid in the shadows as he saw someone approaching.
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"Yoo hoo!" Cardinal called out, snapping her fingers in front of Darien's face. "Yo Crow, you in there?"
"What do you think's wrong with him?" Hummingbird asked.
Cardinal shrugged, and then yelped. Crow had crushed her fingers when she had attempted to bring him back again.
"I can hear you." He muttered.
"Well then hurry up!" Cardinal yelled, "Master Dove is wondering where you are!"
"Yeah he needs us!" Blue Jay squealed.
"All right." But before he left, he looked at the jar next to Serena's. To her left was Rini's, and to her right was…Darien's. It was a midnight blue, with a hint of silver mist.
"Pathetic." He mumbled, and then he was gone.
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"I hope Mina's okay." Raye mumbled, worried, opening the blinds a crack.
"I think she'll be fine." Lita assured her.
"But she might run into the enemy!" Amy said.
"Yes," Luna said, "but don't forget, she has Seto Kaiba with her."
"That's right," Artemis agreed, "there's no way she could get into any danger with him around."
Amy and Raye nodded, now calmer.
As if on cue, there was an urgent rap on the door.
"GUYS!!!! We've got trouble!"
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"You're late." Master Dove mumbled.
"Sorry Master." The Aviators said, bowing.
"What do you need us for sir?" Cardinal asked.
He turned away from them, and then stared at the huge mural above him, of the Legendary Phoenix. "We have captured many spirits," he mused, "but we need more."
"I'll be right on it sir." Black Crow said.
"No, not you."
The others looked up, confused.
"I won't be needing you right now. Blue Jay, Cardinal, Parakeet, and Hummingbird. This task requires you four."
Black Crow nodded and left.
"Whatever it is, we'll do it!" Parakeet said.
"Now we'll need the spirits of the Guardian Scouts of the Princess."
"And they are…?"
"Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Mercury!" he barked.
"Oh of course!" they said.
"But how do we do that?" Blue Jay asked. "That Pegasus guy has kept all the duelists inside. There's no way he's going to let anyone out!"
"Then you'll just have to think of something! Now get going! I'm losing my patience with you."
"Yes sir!"
When they were sure they were out of Dove's earshot, they started to whisper.
"How do we lure them out?"
"We have to find someone gullible."
"Someone everyone will go after."
The paused, then all chanted, "Mokuba!"
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Mokuba was in one of the lower rooms, staring out the window, waiting for his older brother to come back. He sighed. Seto where are you?
"I know where your brother is."
"Huh?! Who said that!?" Mokuba gasped.
"Don't be alarmed Mokuba," a soothing voice said, "we're your friends."
"W-what do you want from me?"
"Why, we just want to take you to you brother. He's been very worried about you."
"Please!" Mokuba cried, "Please take me to him!"
"Follow us. Oh, and don't tell anyone."
Without a moment's hesitation, Mokuba jumped out of the window and followed the girls, the ones he'll soon find out to be…the Aviators.
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"What is it Joey?" Amy asked, opening the door.
"Mokuba!" he shouted. "He's missing!"
"Missing!?" the others gasped.
"Are you sure about that?" Artemis asked, "Maybe he's with Kaiba."
"How can he be," Kaiba answered, "when I'm right here!"
"Okay, let's not panic." Lita said.
"Yeah," Mina agreed, stepping from behind Kaiba, "you guys check the inside of the castle, we'll look outside."
"But…" Kaiba started.
"There's no time to waste!" she cried, running outside before anyone else could say another word.
"Wait up Mina!" Amy shouted, the other girls running after her.
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"That wasn't very nice of you Mina," Luna panted after they all caught up with her, "you shouldn't have run off like that."
"I know." She said quietly. "Let's split up! If you see anything suspicious just shout!"
"Right!"
Mina and Artemis started to run, furiously trying to find any signs of Mokuba.
"So…" Artemis panted, "what…were you and Kaiba…talking about?"
"Artemis!" she scolded.
"Wait!" Artemis stopped.
"What? What is it?!"
"Do you hear that?"
"Hear what???"
"….laughter."
"Huh?" Mina strained to listen better. Then she heard it also. "GUYS!" she shouted, "I THINK WE'VE FOUND MOKUBA!!!"
She turned to Artemis. "Hopefully they heard that. Now c'mon, let's go!"
Now they were sprinting even faster until they stopped dead in their tracks. There he was Mokuba, jumping up and down, while there were four other girls around him, throwing something back and forth.
"What is he doing?" Artemis shouted, "playing Monkey in the Middle!?"
"Hey!" Mina yelled at the Aviators, "What do you think you're doing picking on a little kid like that!?"
"Mina!" Mokuba smiled.
"We're just having a little fun." Hummingbird snorted.
"Little maggots! Give that back to him!" she snatched whatever it was they were holding. A Duel Monsters card? She thought skeptically. Then she noticed that it was a necklace. She opened it up then gasped. Inside of it was a picture. A picture of Kaiba when he was younger. Aww, she thought, he looks so happy.
"Here you go Mokuba," she said softly.
"Thanks Mina!"
"All right!" Raye said. "We're here!"
"What's going on?" Lita asked.
"Is everyone okay?" Luna and Amy asked.
"Oh this is just too perfect!" Cardinal cackled.
"I never thought it would be this easy!" Blue Jay giggled.
"Yeah," Parakeet said, capturing Mokuba in an iron grasp, "you fell right into our trap!"
The girls gasped.
"Let him go!" Mina shouted.
"What do you creeps want!?" Ray asked.
"We want a duel." Hummingbird said.
"So we can capture your spirits." Cardinal finished.
"If you don't duel us…" Blue Jay started, "then you can just kiss your little friend goodbye!"
No! Mokuba! "All right!" Mina sighed, "If we duel you will you let him go?"
"That's more like it." Parakeet released Mokuba.
"Mokuba, run!" Amy yelled.
"Luna, Artemis," Ray told them, "you go with him."
"Right!" they nodded.
"So what's this going to be?" Amy asked. "Four on four?"
"We thought very carefully about this," Cardinal explained, "Master Dove chose who our opponents will be. I duel the Scout whose guarded by the planet Mars!"
"And I duel the scout of Love and Beauty, Sailor Venus!" Hummingbird said.
"I get to duel Princess Mercury!" Blue Jay squealed.
"And I'm going to duel you Lita!"
Amy, Mina, Ray and Lita, backed up until they were standing shoulder to shoulder, creating a small square in the middle of them.
"You ready for this?" Lita asked.
"Um…let me think." Raye paused. "No."
"Just think," Mina said eagerly, "if we defeat them, we can save all the others!"
"That's a big IF Mina," Amy sighed.
"It's that kind of optimistic," Hummingbird laughed, "that will be your downfall!"
"LET'S DUEL!" they shouted.