Shadow Game or Millennium Battle?

With the power to see the future, Xatu led her master and friends to the spot where the Millennium Items were hiding. They had actually been scattered all over the ruins of Kul Elna. Looking around, Mana found the Scale, Ring, and Eye, Joseph found the Rod, Puzzle, and Key and Isis got back her Millennium Necklace. There was no time to celebrate. All of their friends were waiting for them. So they gathered the Millennium Items and returned to the kingdom. "We're not too late, girls," Joseph tells them. "Zorc hasn't made it past the palace gates yet."

Isis told Joseph to land Flygon in the middle of the city. She had an idea on how to keep Zorc occupied so her friends could escape. She gets down and raises her arm to summon a blue Winged Dragon known as the Guardian of the Fortress. "I'll deal with Zorc. The both of you get the Millennium Items to the pharaoh and queen."

"But wait," said Mana.

"We will not leave you," Joseph told her. "You can't face him alone."

"Mana, Joseph, if the pharaoh and queen don't get these Items, all hope will be lost. You must go now."

They understood, but they were still against the idea of her standing up to Zorc alone. "Yeah, but-"

Isis interrupts Mana and tells her, "This is not up for debate." She eases her voice and tells her friends gratefully, "I appreciate your loyalty and courage, but right now, you two have an important task to complete and time is running out. The fate of the world is at stake and as warriors of Millennia, your place is with the royal family."

Joseph saw that there was no point in trying to change Isis' mind considering she was making more sense. He tells his Flygon to protect Isis as he gets down. "Let's go, Mana. If Mahad were here, he'd want us to do the same thing."

Mana gasps and tears start to fill her eyes. Together, she and Joseph race through the streets and hurry back to the rest of their friends. They also tell Isis their prayers for her as they run.

Watching them run off, Isis whispers her thanks and asks for help from the Great Goddess one more time. As if her request has been heard, Isis feels her strength being restored and her Winged Dragon also growing in strength.

Sensing Isis tapping into her own Millennium powers, Zorc puts his attention on her. "Foolish mortals, your Millennium Items are powerless against me." Spiria and Xatu get in front of Zorc to block his vision and prevent him from defending himself. After that, Flygon and the Winged Dragon charge right into Zorc to attack him. Growing impatient of their efforts, Zorc tells Isis the same thing he told Max and condemns her to the Shadow Realm by attacking her Guardian of the Fortress.

I am truly sorry for failing you, my king and queen, Isis wonders as she falls. For now, I shall join the others in the Realm of Shadows. Flygon tries to catch her, but her entire body is engulfed by the shadows. All he sees left of her are her tears and he instead catches the Millennium Necklace. Even Spiria releases her own tears as she flies away like a spirit going to the Heavens. With her compainion gone, she could no longer exist in this realm.

Joseph and Mana make it to the gate and meet Shimon. They had all witnessed the fall of their friend, but tried not to give up hope. "Mana, Joseph," Shimon was saying, "Isis may have been condemned to the Shadow Realm just like Max, Freya, and Kisara, but there is a way to rescue all of our friends."

Mana sobs and asks, "But how?"

"By defeating Zorc," he answers. He takes the sack from Joseph's hand and takes the Millennium Key. Knowing what they're about to ask him, he tells them, "I'm buying us more time. Before Shada, I was the guardian of the Millennium Key. It is time I asked for help from the Great Goddess once more."

Joseph was afraid Shimon was going to step in and fight. He didn't want to go through the same thing Mana did and lose his master. He already lost his first love the same way Mana lost hers. But as worried as he was about losing his master, Joseph knew there would be no point in trying to change Shimon's mind. He even told himself to keep the faith that Zorc would be defeated and everybody would be set free. "Please be careful, Master," Joseph begged.

"Thank you, my boy," said Shimon. "I'll do what I must, now take these Items to the pharaoh and queen."

Joseph nods and takes back the sack. "We will." Then, as if on cue, Flygon returns and decides to carry him and Mana to the royals. Joseph climbs on and he takes the reins as Mana climbs up after him. "Let's go, Flygon!" The giant dragonfly-like beast lets out a mighty squak and flies away.

Shimon holds up the Millennium Key and prays, "Please lend this old man your power one last time, Great Goddess Millennia." Then the Key starts shining. Shimon lifts it higher and uses it to summon a mighty creature said to have defeated many armies in a single night. Five stone tablets emerge from the ground, each one bearing the shape of a different part of the beast's body like a puzzle. "Now I call upon the defender of Egypt: Exodia!" Each of the tablets light up and and complete the puzzle, revealing a mighty warrior in shackles.

"Exodia, had it not been for you, old friend, Egypt would have surely fallen by the hands of its enemies," said Shimon. "Due to your incredible strength, I sealed you within five stone tabets vowing never to release you again. Now I lift that seal." Hearing Shimon's words, Exodia breaks free from his shackles and stands before Zorc.

The Dark One, however, is not intimidated. "Exodia, how do you expect to overpower me? You draw your strength from the life force of a single human. My power is derived from the very darkness itself."

It was true that Exodia's power came from the energy of the human who summoned him, but Shimon was given power from the Great Goddess Millennia, fueling him with the pure of light. The way the battle was going, both beasts seemed evenly matched. But Shimon's power was limited and he would soon become exhausted; thus weakening Exodia. The Dark One knew just as much and would easily defeat the Forbidden One. Not even Exodia's mighty assault could defeat Zorc. Taking in little damage, Zorc took down Exodia, finally draining the rest of Shimon's power and sending his spirit to the Shadow Realm.

Watching what happened as he was flying away, Joseph was devastated. Once again, he was starting to feel broken inside. First it was his fiancé, then it was the child he hoped to adopt, and now it was his teacher. He couldn't take any more pain. He wanted to turn around and go back to avenge his loved ones, but thought twice before doing it. After witnessing Zorc's destructive power, Joseph knew he would't have a chance.

Finally, he and Mana rejoin the rest of their friends. "Pharaoh and Queen," Mana called, "we brought back the Millennium Items."

"Isis and Master Shimon surrendered their spirits to the shadows so we could bring them to you," Joseph sobbed.

"I promise you their actions will not be in vain and they will return," said Atem. He takes the Millennium Puzzle and calls for Millennia to lend him her strength. His Puzzle starts glowing and his energy is finally restored. The same thing happens to Seto once he takes his Millennium Rod.

Bakura takes the Millennium Ring and places it around his neck. If Max saved herself and would return someday, then he would have to do the same thing if he hoped to return and finally fulfill Cobalt's wishes. "Children of Millennia," he tells the royals, "you must retreat and regroup. Take care of each other and build up your forces."

Seto and Joseph still couldn't believe that Bakura was suddenly going to help them. Mystery, on the other hand, was worried. "But if we do that-,"

"Go," interrupted Bakura, "and leave Zorc to me. I know I may not be able to control him, but I can hold him off to buy you some time." Bakura didn't normally care if anything happened to Mystery or the others, but he knew that Max was counting on them to defeat Zorc. In the end, Bakura was only doing it because he wanted to rescue her and whether he liked it or not, he had to put his faith in Mystery and her friends. He also knew Max would never forgive him if he sold the royals to the Dark One either. "Hurry, Mystery!"

The queen nods and decides to call back her soldiers. "When Max returns, I shall tell her of your courage, Bakura."

He looks back and tells her, "I shall tell her myself."

The members of Council Rock and many other beasts of legend decide to join Bakura and protect him in Mystery's place. "We shall defend our home and our friends," said Virizion. "All of you protect each other."

Mystery knew that not even Magical Creatures of legend would have a chance against Zorc, but she still prayed for their safety and wished them good luck.

Jirachi had enough of being afraid and decided it was time to act like a real prince. With the royal humans retreating to the palace, the royal beasts and their comrades decided to take over the battle. "My brothers and sisters, the time has come for us to help our royal friends and defend Egypt in the name of the Great Goddess Millennia."

Zorc finds Jirachi's antics to be childish and amusing. "You call yourself a prince, but you are no more than an insect. Monsters siding with humans have no place in this world or the Realm of Shadows. You insolent creatures have bonded with humans for so long, you have abandoned your pride and grown weak."

"You are a trespasser, Zorc, and it is time we removed you!" Jirachi yells. Gathering his courage and strength, he uses his Psychic attack. The rest of the beasts of legend join in and use their own attacks. The Swords of Justice each use Sacred Sword, Reshiram launches his Fusion Flare, Zekrom launches his Fusion Bolt, Cresselia uses her Psycho Cut, and the noble dogs use their Thunder, Fire, and Ice Fangs. Soon they are joined in with the help of other legendary beasts. Since this is a battle that decides the fate of the world, many different monsters and people of different nations are all involved.

Inside the palace and on the balcony, Seto and Mana began using their magical powers to restore everybody's strength. Now that Mystery recovered, she could fight again, but Mana kept insisting that she needed rest. Watching the battle, Atem saw that all the beasts of legend were holding their own very well, but how long would it last? Unable to stand by any longer, Atem decided to return to the battle. He couldn't abandon his friends and surrendering was not an option. Realizing that, Seto and Joseph join Atem.

Although everybody had been healed, there was no time to rest or relax. The queen kept telling Mana so as she tried moving around. And although the princess was back where she belonged, she would never truly be safe as long as Zorc would continue his rampage. Mystery unfolds her wings, but groans in pain once again before she takes off.

"You need to rest," Mana said again. "You wounds from your fight with Max haven't completely healed yet."

"That matters not," Mystery protested, "My husband is out there and I cannot afford to lose him." Besides, I am not long for this world. She had to keep that last statement to herself because she knew it was so. Mystery knew that her final hour was drawing near and there was no point in trying to save herself. Right now, all that mattered to her was saving all of her friends and loved ones and stopping Zorc once and for all.

Before she flies away, Mystery takes her child and performs a spell to bring out the Millennium Star. With her final hour drawing near, the queen knew she would be down to her last resort. If using the power of the Millennium Star gave Zorc his strength, then perhaps using it could defeat him. After placing the Star in her own heart, Mystery tells Mana to take care of Emily and finally returns to the battle. Mana didn't want to disobey Mystery, but she didn't want to leave her friends to suffer either. And knowing Dark Magician Girl doesn't have a chance, she couldn't risk summoning her. But perhaps there was a way for her to help her friends and protect the princess.

The queen rejoins her friends in the fight against Zorc. Looking around, she saw that many of the monsters had been turned to stone after Zorc's attack. Magical Creatures were different from humans and Shadow Creatures and suffered different fates. Their souls would be captured and their bodies would be turned into stone. Mystery finds Jirachi and picks him up.

The little prince groans and weakly opens his eyes. "I'm sorry, Queen Mystery," he wheezed. "I tried." He tries to hold on, but he collapses. He doesn't turn to stone, he just loses consciousness.

Mystery couldn't stand it. Her first and closest friend along with all of her other friends and mentors had fallen victim to the darkness. Unable to contain her pain, she cries and holds Jirachi close to her chest.

Zorc is amused with Mystery's weakness. "It seems the mighty heiress of Millennia has realized what a weak mortal she is. This is what happens when monsters get too close to humans. Eventually, every creature must serve the Dark Lord. And every human must surrender to the darkness." He launches another shadow attack for Mystery. Atem puts his arms around his wife to hold and protect her like he did when they were small. Diabound steps in and blocks the attack. Atem and Mystery open their eyes and are surprised to see Bakura protecting them.

Bakura looks back and smiles at them. "Max is counting on you to save her. I can't let Zorc crush you."

Mystery's eyes widen. She couldn't help but feel that everything she thought about Bakura was right; that he had a heart and something worth fighting for. She knew he loved Max, but she also had a feeling that his protecting the royals was about so much more.

Unable to take much more, Diabound is engulfed by Zorc's attack and Bakura cries out in pain. Feeling like his heart is being squeezed, Bakura places his hand against his chest. "This way," he groans, falling back, "I'll be with Max."

Mystery breaks free and catches Bakura in his arms. "Bakura!" she cries. She gets on her knees and holds him close to her. "Bakura, are you all right?"

Bakura stops groaning and tries to smile. "Don't worry, Mystery. I can't be gotten rid of that easily. You know how we children of Cobalt are. Whatever attacks are thrown at us, we keep coming back. I assure you, you haven't seen the last of me."

"Will you do the same thing Max did to save herself," the queen was asking, "and seal your spirit?"

"That's why I took the Millennium Ring," Bakura said in answer. "So don't worry. I'll be back. Just take down Zorc."

Mystery couldn't forget the pain Bakura caused her and all that he had put her though, but she still couldn't help but feel for him. She never wanted to fight him, let alone hurt him. She even said she wouldn't forgive herself if her victory meant his sacrifice. But if defeating Zorc would bring everybody back, including Bakura, then the fight would begin again and never end. But now wasn't the time for her to be tortured by her feelings. She was grateful to Bakura for his help and sad to see him go. "Thank you," she whispered, "for saving me."

Bakura weakly chuckles, "Why am I not surprised to see you act this way?" He groans once again. Seeing that he's unable to sit up and support himself, Mystery keeps holding his back. She also squeezes his hand and gasps his name. Bakura holds her hand and says, "That's enough. There's nothing you can do for me."

"Are you sure," asked the queen.

Bakura groans and smiles one more time. "I have to go, Mystery. Max is… waiting for me. And I… want to be with her… as soon as I can be. Farewell, Children of Millennia." After that, his body is engulfed by the shadows, leaving behind the Millennium Ring.

Mystery starts crying once again as she places her hands over her eyes. "I was right," she tells herself as she sobs. "He really was just like all of us. Though he did a lot of terrible things, in the end, he was fighting for someone he cared about."

Seto and Joseph weren't surprised to see the queen react this way. After all, she had a big heart and was very forgiving. They couldn't forgive Bakura for all he had put them through, but after seeing him protect the pharaoh and queen, they had a feeling that Mystery was right. No one, not even Cobalt's children and followers deserve that kind of fate.

Zorc laughs once again. "We now stand face-to-face in the ultimate battle. And just as it always has since the beginning of time, darkness will prevail over light."

Atem takes a few steps closer towards Zorc and his amulet starts glowing. "You're wrong," he protests. "There is no darkness without light."

"Look around you," Zorc growled. "Darkness continues to surround the kingdom Millennia proudly called her home. It will surround the entire world. The universe was nothing but a vast wasteland of darkness and it always will be. Just as there are only few sparks of light in the universe, Millennia's light is no more than a flicker waiting to be put out."

Atem continued to stand up to Zorc. "Millennia's light lives inside all of us. As long as we believe in her, that light will shine through."

Listening to Atem's words, Mystery knew right away that she had to do her part. Millennia's light had always been watching over and protecting her. Now it was her turn to fight and protect that light. Her spirit was still weak, but she wouldn't let that stand in her way. She gets on her feet and moves closer to her husband. "Zorc, as the Children of Millennia, we face you not alone, but with the strength of all who have given so much to help us restore peace. And in the name of the Great Goddess Millennia, we shall prevail!"