Disclaimer: I don't work own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Nick who belongs to Phoenix727 or DJ and Darien who belong to DJ Rodriguez.

Chapter: 21 Desperate Battle! Painful Memories Part 3

Tea had summoned her Ka, and she was facing Nick alone. Her Magician of Faith and St. Joan were prepared to fight. Nick's Magician of Black Chaos and Invader of Darkness were also summoned. Tea knew she probably wouldn't be able to stand a chance against Nick, but she needed to convince him to come back to the side of light. Her hands began to shake nervously, and her Ka sensed her uneasiness. Nick appeared calm and he waited for Tea to make her first move.

"I almost feel bad for you," Nick replied. Tea stared at him. "Not only have our so-called friends left us to fight, but you're no match for me."

"Nick, try to remember back in Duelist Kingdom," Tea began. "Our friends and I helped you to trust others again because of what Tobias tried to do to you."

"I'm still not persuaded." Nick crossed his arms.

That didn't work, Tea thought. The only thing she could do was fight Nick. Tea had no choice. It was her last option.

"There's no way you can beat me." Nick sneered.

"Nick, I promise to get you back to normal!" Tea cried. "You have to remember the real you!"

Tea and Nick began their attacks. Their battle was a struggle to prevail over the darkness, alike my fight against Artemis.

Meanwhile in a different part of the castle, Seiryu was conjuring the power of the Millennium Puzzle, which held the Galactic Dragon's soul. A dark presence enshrouded the puzzle and the air surrounding it was cold. Seiryu's sword gleamed in the torchlight and his blue eyes glinted a devious glow.

"The time draws near for the Galactic Dragon to be reborn," Seiryu said. "Those foolish Millennium Guardians think they can prevent that from happening."

He knew Stella, Sonja, Zephyrus, Athena and Vulcan were fighting the Millennium Guardians while Artemis bided more time for Seiryu to start the resurrection. If I was not present before it occurred, he would succeed in summoning back the Galactic Dragon. Pluto was unsuccessful when we faced him, but it only delayed the resurrection. Now Seiryu was able to accomplish it without failure.

"Just try to get past us!" Stella replied. "You failed in your mission as Servants of Ra and you have to face the consequences."

"Without Yugi and Artemis, the Bronze Phoenix Dragon cannot defeat the Galactic Dragon, that is, if its Keepers can work together." Sonja explained.

"What is she talkin' about?" Joey questioned.

"Stupid mutt," Kaiba muttered.

"We're going to have a difficult time fighting them!" Pluto growled. "If Wheeler and Kaiba don't work together, Ammon will disappear."

"We can't let that happen!" Yukai agreed. "How are we to fight them?"

"Maybe if you and I fight Stella and Zephyrus, Kaiba and Wheeler can take care of Athena and Vulcan and then have the mortals face Sonja," Pluto contemplated.

"I hope your plan works." Yukai responded.

"Did ya hear that?" Joey asked Kaiba.

"Of course I did, mutt!" Kaiba yelled.

"I think this will be easier than I thought," Stella found herself amused.

"Pluto and Yukai are going to have more in store for them," Sonja replied. "Their memories cannot hide from me!"

"The Final Five appear anxious," Darien said to DJ.

"They do," DJ approved. "Well, we have to fight our hardest to get rid of them, and fast!"

Mercury looked at Pluto and he seemed worried. His gentle blue eyes watched with caution at the Final Five. He must have known something.

"Athena, Vulcan, eliminate those mortals, and leave Pluto and Yukai to us!" Stella ordered.

"Do we have to?" Vulcan complained.

"Do you want Seiryu angry at us again if the mortals manage to get to him?" Athena pointed out.

"Fine!"

The Millennium Guardians had the same troubled looks as Mercury. Pluto and Yukai seemed eager to fight. They had be walking into a trap!

"Poor Pluto, you killed two people that were very important to both Artemis and Yukai, and you kept that buried deep within your mind." Sonja snickered.

"How do you know? You weren't even there when that occurred!" Pluto roared.

"Yukai, I recall that your anger got the best of you and you nearly destroyed our world if Artemis hadn't stopped you." She continued. Both Yukai and Pluto froze.

Zephyrus was hidden in the shadows, awaiting his chance to attack. Joey and Kaiba were having a hard time fighting Athena and Vulcan, but Stella wasn't fairing too good against the combined forces of the Millennium Guardians and my friends.

"The plan is actually working?" Athena said in disbelief. She noticed Yukai and Pluto were still immobilized.

Joey and Kaiba glanced at them as Ammon attacked Vulcan, but missed. They realized Yukai and Pluto were in trouble, and they could not leave Athena and Vulcan alone without them aiding Sonja.

"Pluto and Yukai have to focus or else Sonja will destroy them!" Joey yelled.

"Wheeler, how do you suppose we help them?" Kaiba asked sarcastically.

"Leave that to me!" Mercury said as he came towards them. "Besides, my twin brother has to understand that the past is behind him, and so does Yukai!"

"You sure?" Joey raised an eyebrow.

"Positive!" Mercury walked away and neared Pluto and Yukai. He had a look of determination on his face.

"Oh, look it's Pluto's pathetic excuse of a twin!" Stella remarked. "There's no way you can help him or Yukai!"

Mercury smiled. "Don't count on it! Pluto, Yukai! Listen to me!" The two stared at Mercury. Sonja grunted and stood aside. She shook her head in disappointment. "What you did in the past I know was wrong, but you have to forget about it and move on!" Mercury began. "If Artemis were here, she would say the same. Everyone needs the both of you to get back into reality, and your first task is to take care of Sonja!"

Pluto and Yukai appeared encouraged by Mercury and they both nodded their heads in agreement. The look on their faces startled Sonja.

"What more could happen now?" Stella sighed as her guard was down.

A barrage of roses and a beam of light collided with her and created a mini explosion. The smoke cleared, but she still survived. She noticed DJ and Darien were the cause of the attacks.

"How dare you!" Stella shouted in frustration. "I'm getting myself beaten by mere mortals!"

"Try facing their Ka!" Vulcan yelled. He and Athena were also badly damaged from the attacks deployed by Ammon. The three of them became cornered, and Zephyrus watched on, not bothering to help them.

"Is part of my soul not tainted by the darkness?" he mused to himself. He didn't know Luna was watching him. "I don't understand!"

"Sonja!" Pluto called out. "I know I may be responsible for the actions I did during the Final Battle, but at least I still have my integrity, unlike you!"

"Seiryu will never defeat us as long as we live!" Yukai declared. "Now your fellow allies will fall because of the crimes they have committed, and it's time for us to put our anger to good use!"

Back in the Shadow Realm, Artemis had the upper hand while I struggled in our duel. Her attacks were belated due to the effect of my Swords of Revealing Light, and I had to destroy her Blue-Winged Crown before she could attack and take out the rest of my Lifepoints.

I still had Kuriboh on the field and two cards facedown. I drew a card from my deck and I looked down at my hand. I might have a card to get rid of Artemis's monster.

"For this turn I play the Celtic Guardian (Warrior/ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200) in Defense Mode!" I said out loud. The swordsman appeared on my side of the field. I eyed at the Monster Reborn card and placed it on the Duel Disk. "I activate Monster Reborn and bring back my Summoned Skull (Fiend/ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200) you destroyed earlier."

"I suppose you're going to attack me?" Artemis sighed.

"What else were you expecting? Summoned Skull, attack Artemis's Blue-Winged Crown!" My monster mustered lighting bolts and aimed them directly at Blue-Winged Crown. The bird vanished from the field after it was struck, and Artemis felt the pain her monster received.

Yugi – LP: 1900

Artemis: LP: 3600

"Artemis, please end this duel." I begged.

"I will not!" she argued. "Is your turn over?"

"Yes."

"Now I will…" She began to draw a card.

"Not so fast!" Artemis gave me a puzzled look. "I activate Time Seal which will stop you from drawing a card this turn! Since Solemn Wishes gives you 500 Lifepoints every time you a draw a card, I stopped you from recovering them." I explained.

"Clever," Artemis muttered. She stared closely at her hand and seemed dissatisfied. "I play this monster facedown and end my turn."

This duel was taking too long, and I had to do something to finish it. If not, Seiryu would revive the Galactic Dragon and I would have failed.

I clasped my hand on Yukai's sword, which was wrapped in a cloth and tied to my waist. Artemis's mirror was kept hidden behind her back. Perhaps there might be way to remind Artemis that were still friends. I had to do something before chaos and destruction reigned over the universe!

Author's Notes: I'm starting to get the feeling that this chapter felt a bit random. Does it seem like it? Well, here's the chapter summary:

Time is almost up and Yugi is still in the Shadow Realm! The struggle between enemies has become fierce, and what are Pluto and Yukai planning? No! The Guardians warned the gang about their attack Berserk and whom are they targeting? Artemis seems to be coming back to the light, but Yugi's not the reason. It's Yukai's sword and her mirror. How are these items involved? On the next Dark Crisis – Chapter 22: Desperate Battle! Promises of Long Ago Part 4.