Author's Notes: Like I said previously, this is the conclusion to Dark Crisis. Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or Nick who belongs to Phoenix727 or DJ and Darien whom belong to DJ Rodriguez. Here's the final chapter.

Chapter 34: Parting Ways: Somewhere I Belong

(When this began)
I had nothing to say
And I'd get lost in the nothingness inside of me
(I was confused)
And I let it all out to find
That I'm not the only person with these things in mind
(Inside of me)
But all the vacancy the words revealed
Is the only real thing that I've got left to feel
(Nothing to lose)
Just stuck
Hollow and alone
And the fault is my own
And the fault is my own

Linkin Park - Somewhere I Belong

The light from the sun shone against the arid and dead land, the chaos caused by the Galactic Dragon. No traces of the beast was left standing, but I could not help wonder how the Guardians would revive their world. I felt as though responsible, and yet, I sensed the Phoenix Dragons might have another ability that could help.

I hung my head low, avoiding the looks of my friends and the Guardians. Ra descended beside me, overlooking the once beautiful Gold City which was left barren.

"Mortal, there is no need to feel shameful for this destruction." A feminine voice said behind me. I turned around as I gazed into green eyes belonging to Stella. "What? Not happy to see me?"

"But weren't you destroyed?" I looked around and found Athena and Vulcan with her.

Stella placed her hand on her temple. "In your eyes, you saw us destroyed but in reality our souls were sacrificed."

"I hope that psycho is gone." Zephyrus said as he and Sonja appeared out of nowhere. They were shocked to see Animus became nearly inhabitable, and the lifeless forms lying about made them feel uncomfortable.

"Seiryu was destroyed along with the Galactic Dragon." I assured.

Stella stared sadly towards the sky as the sun slowly vanished into the horizon. "I hope for the best that Seiryu comes back with good in him."

Joey slightly arched his head in a nervous manner. "Did you say that freak can return?"

"That is our theology," Yukai replied. "We believe in reincarnation, hence our return back from the afterlife to fulfill unfinished business, and as most humans do, we worship certain beings that brought us to this world."

"You mean there are more of you?" Atem questioned.

Yukai stared fearfully at the sky. "These higher beings are no longer in the world of the living…"

All this time, I thought the Guardians were like gods to their people, when there were really higher beings more powerful than the Guardians. I felt as though there might be other Guardians that even they have not known, but a darker feeling enshrouded me. I knew someone out there wanted me dead, and the Guardians might have knowledge to who it was.

"Well, I guess we have to make a fresh start." I heard Jupiter's voice in the distance. The Guardians that went into hiding, along with Serenity, Mokuba, Tristan, Kiki and Mark, approached us with discontent looks on their faces.

"We did the best we could to save your world." Tea said.

"Yes, but it will take us years to rebuild it…" Gaia replied sadly.

Then a thought struck my mind. "Perhaps the Phoenix Dragons have the ability to revive this world!" I exclaimed. The Guardians stared at me like I was crazy.

"Yugi, are you sure they can?" Artemis asked.

"We have to try." I said. I noticed Ra began glowing as were Mesenet and Ammon. "They were the ones who created Animus, so they can revitalize it."

"If you say so, buddy." Joey complied.

"This better work." Kaiba replied.

"It has to." Artemis responded as we held out our hands, reaching out to the Phoenix Dragons.

"Ra, Mesenet, Ammon, activate Revival!" We ordered. The Phoenix Dragons roared as their light extended throughout Animus.

Time seemed to have stopped, then rewind itself as our surroundings changed. The buildings were put back together, plant life was restored as the inhabitants were revived. A sudden burst of light was released by the Phoenix Dragons, and their job was complete.

The Phoenix Dragons remained glowing and then their light became smaller and smaller. The tiny spheres of light floated by us and formed into the shape of cards. I closely observed the image of Ra the Golden Phoenix Dragon. Artemis looked at her card, puzzled as the picture of Mesenet the Silver Phoenix Dragon reflected in the moonlight.

The card that held Ammon the Bronze Phoenix Dragon lied beside Joey and Kaiba. It appeared as though they both owned the card, but I did not think they would compromise well.

"Keep the card." Kaiba said, kneeling down and picking it up. He handed the card to Joey and walked away.

Joey blinked his eyes in confusion. "Why did you -" Before he could finish his question, Kaiba was already talking to Mokuba.

"I wonder why Kaiba gave Ammon to him." I mused.

Artemis nodded. "It's not like him to pass up a rare card."

"You mean this a Duel Monsters card?" I yelled in surprise.

"The cards look just like them." She said, and strolled over to the Guardians.

"Well, I think it's time for us to depart." DJ said as he and Darien approached my friends and I.

Gaia drifted away from her siblings and wandered her way to us. "Can you get back home?" she asked.

"Actually," DJ showed us on his arm a strange-looking device. Jupiter spotted it and rushed to DJ's side.

"What is that?" Jupiter questioned, admiring the device.

"It's my Morpher/Teleporter/Communicator." DJ answered.

"Such technology I have not seen…" Jupiter said, her eyes seemed to glitter brightly at the object.

"DJ has more where that came from." Darien replied. "Back on Monster Island."

"I'm not familiar with that island." Jupiter said, ruminating to herself.

"That's where Godzilla and the other monsters live." DJ explained. Jupiter nodded her head curiously. "They're real."

"Ohhh." She said. "Funny thing about monsters, we have -" Nidoki came over and covered her mouth.

"I hope you are not driveling on about this nonsense you always preach on." Nidoki replied tensely. She shooed Jupiter away from us.

"I guess this is good-bye." I said as I held out my hand to DJ. We shook hands, and then I did the same with Darien.

"I hope we can see each other again!" DJ exclaimed as he activated his device.

Yukai and the other Guardians waved their good-byes to them. "Hey, you're welcome back to our world anytime!" Yukai yelled out to DJ and Darien.

Pluto quivered his eyes irritably. He grabbed Yukai by his shoulder and shook him wildly. "Are you nuts? I don't care if you are the ruler of this world, I will not allow mortals to enter it never again!" The Guardians turned around, nodding their heads in embarrassment.

After DJ and Darien left, I noticed Joey telling Serenity and Tristan about our battle against the Galactic Dragon. His sister was impressed, but Tristan joked about him because Joey and Kaiba would never work together. The two fought as my friends and I laughed at their behavior.

I realized the Guardians dispersed from each other, and I searched around for Artemis. I found no sign of her anywhere, and I panicked. Yukai and Pluto noticed my troubled appearance and came over to me. I needed to ask them if they knew where Artemis went.

"Have you two seen Artemis?" I questioned, my voice trembled because of my fear. The two Guardians glanced at each other before one of them responded.

"Sorry, we haven't." Yukai said.

"I have not seen Luna either." Pluto replied. The other Guardians approached us, a look of despair crossed their faces.

Tea came over and the rest of my friends followed. "Does anyone know where Artemis went?" Tea asked.

My crestfallen gaze surprised her. "We don't know…" I whispered.

"Partner." Atem said. He placed his hand on my shoulder as tears fell from my eyes. "There must be a reason why she left." He faced the Guardians, expecting an answer from them. They all shrugged at us before Gaia came forward.

"Artemis does this to us a lot of times in the past, like she's on some sort of mission." Gaia began. "We don't know when she will return."

"I wonder what she's looking for…" I stared up in to the starry night, the two moons glowed pale white as a figure stood alone upon a cliff nearby the city.

"My little light, where are we going?" Luna asked as she appeared in her spirit form. The person she spoke to did not respond.

The figure continued to stare at the card in her hand. The spirit became upset and turned away. "Luna, you know what I am after." The figure spoke. Her moon amulet glimmered in her face, revealing her bluish-silver eyes, but a devious look appeared on them.

"Artemis, maybe you should have told Yugi." Luna said.

"He wouldn't understand…" Artemis sighed. A soft breeze blew and the two vanished without a trace.

I sensed Artemis's presence, but I failed to catch her leave. I lowered my eyes as I stared at the cliff, and no one was there. Serenity came over to me and decided to ease my pain by embracing me. I took in her warmth as I watched the Guardians gazing up at the stars.

"Yugi, don't feel bad." Serenity replied softly. "Artemis may come back."

"When?" I inquired as she released me.

"Time will be against you." Apollo stated, his eyes hid a glint of deception in them. "My sister may not return as the person you once knew, and remember, the next encounter may be your last." Apollo took his leave along with Orpheus.

The elder brother glanced back at me, his blue eyes held within them hope. Orpheus bid good-bye to the Guardians as he and Apollo departed. They both extended their wings and went on their way.

"Yukai, we'll be going to the Temple of the Sun." Forseti said to his younger brother.

"Forseti and I are going to make sure that it has not been wrecked from the battle." Nidoki responded. I took out the item and held it to her. She pushed my hand back and shook her head. "You may need it in the future." With that, Nidoki and Forseti took their leave.

"But what about the Millennium Items?" Nick asked.

"And have some nut take them?" Pluto looked taken aback, fidgeting with the Millennium Ring nervously.

Yukai sighed deeply before handing the Millennium Rod to me. He swiftly removed the Millennium Ring from around Pluto's neck, his brother yelping at the sudden action. "The Millennium Items are no longer useful to us Guardians. Their powers have been drained from the battle."

"You're right." I complied, touching the Millennium Puzzle in my hands. The item lay cold as its powers no longer resonated. Yukai procceeded to give me the Millennium Ring. "But why are you giving me to me?"

"Never know. It would be safer in mortal hands." Yukai said, looking towards his Guardian siblings who also handed me the Millennium Necklace, Key, Scales and Eye.

"Are we going home, big brother?" Mokuba asked Kaiba. The Guardians heard the younger Kaiba brother and they exchanged looks.

Kaiba crossed his arms, awaiting their answer. "Well, are we free to leave?"

The Guardians nodded to each other once again. Pluto rolled his eyes and stepped forward. His eyes were locked on us. "You do need to get back to your world. I brought you all here, and I will repay my debt to Yugi because he did manage to save Animus before Seiryu ultimately destroyed it." Pluto said.

"And I thought you wanted us to stay." Nick replied. Pluto glared at him. "Is it possible to take me back home?"

"Where exactly do you live?"

"In Adelaide." He answered.

The Guardians gaped with bewilderment on their faces. They probably did not know what Nick was talking about by the look they were giving him. Tea walked up to them, and helped clear the confusion.

"Adelaide is in Australia." Tea replied.

"We seriously need a map." Jupiter responded as her siblings agreed with her.

Nick sighed at the Guardians' lack of world knowledge. He could not believe that intelligent beings such as they did not know about his home country. I thought it was pretty funny that the Guardians might have not all the information they think they know, and it did take my mind off Artemis.

"The great and mighty Guardians are not so smart after all." Nick remarked, shaking his head. The Guardians gave death glares to him, but he was not affected by their looks. "You don't scare me."

Stella became upset and rushed up to him. "Listen here, mortal! You better fear us, or else you want me to hurt you like the last time!" she threatened.

Athena giggled. "You dragged him to Seiryu's castle like a dead animal carcass."

Vulcan joined in. He fell to the ground, lying on his back, and filled with laughter. "That was just priceless!"

"Uh, guys…" Zephyrus warned. He tried to get their attention, but they were not listening.

Tea stammered to them, and yelled, "If I recall, Seiryu was the one who sacrificed you all in the first place!" Stella, Athena and Vulcan were taken aback by her scolding, and they remained silent.

Nick was shocked by Tea's reaction to them. "I think I could have handled them." He said.

"You look like you needed help." Tea countered.

"I'm going to open the warp tunnel if you all do not mind!" Pluto shouted. He was irritable at the Final Five's antics and began concentrating all his strength to open the vortex.

The wind blew hard, and the black tunnel appeared out of thin air, swirling in its clockwise direction. Electrical bolts churned inside of it, as the wind continued to blow harshly. Nick walked towards it, but Tea grabbed his hand.

"What is it?" Nick asked.

"I want to go with you." Tea responded, her brown hair waved about in the severe breeze. She grasped tightly on his arm, acting like she never wanted to let go.

Nick turned to my friends and I, as I shook my head. I knew Tea loved him, and maybe she should be Nick, considering he did die before their relationship barely blossomed. Nick smiled as he signaled the Guardians that Tea was coming with him. Tea quickly came over to us, tears streamed from her eyes.

"I'll be seeing you all soon." Tea said.

"Just be careful." Joey replied.

"I will."

Serenity came up to her and had a few things to say to Tea as well. "You will come back to Japan, right?"

"You guys can never keep me away for a long time." Tea answered. She faced me and hugged.

"Bye, Tea." I said.

Tea embraced Atem, too, and walked back to Nick. He waved to us his farewell before the two left on their own. The tunnel closed and now it was time for my friends and I to go back home.

"Ready?" Pluto asked, he gave us a meek smile.

I turned back to take another look at Animus. I knew I would miss this place, all the memories of it would be kept within my mind, and maybe I would return someday. If the Guardians never entered my life, I would have not found out my true destiny, my real purpose for living. The card that contained Ra shined a beautiful golden light as it beamed in my face, feeling its warmth and purity.

Pluto prepared to muster all of his powers to conjure another warp tunnel. The vortex appeared as the surroundings dissolved all around us. The Guardians moved out of our way as we walked towards the tunnel.

"Is there a chance we will be seeing you all again?" Atem asked.

"We have some business to attend to, but we are unsure how long it will take." Yukai responded.

"Hey, don't forget us!" Kiki chastised. She ran to us and embraced Mokuba. The young boy blushed when she kissed him on the cheek. "Bye, Mokie." She went back to Mark and waved good-bye.

We each leaped into the warp tunnel, but I remained behind. I stared back at the Guardians, wondering what would happen to them when we were gone. Yukai and Pluto would definitely begin to fight one another again, and I wondered when Artemis would come back. She left without saying anything to me, but I knew we would meet once more in the future.

I jumped into the portal as it finally sealed itself. The inner walls of the black vortex felt like they were closing in on me, but I managed to reach the other side.

I landed on my back, and my eyes were shut. I slowly opened them as sunlight gleamed in my face. My friends made it out safely, and we were back at Domino Park, the place where our off-world adventure began. There was not many people within the park, so no one noticed how a group of teens appeared through a wormhole coming from another world.

"Partner!" Atem called out. He came to my side, helping me stand up. His violet eyes shined in the sunlight. "I guess we are back home."

"I hope those Guardians didn't play a trick on us, and take us to another place!" Joey yelled out.

"Joey, we must be home." Serenity said, glancing at our surroundings.

I realized Kaiba and Mokuba were departing on their own, but I caught up to them. "Where are you going?" I asked curiously.

"I have a company to run." Kaiba snorted. Business as usual to him. He reached the exit of the park, then stopped. His cobalt eyes stared directly at Joey. "Wheeler, speak a word about our partnership, and I'll have your head for doing so. Now, if you excuse me." With the sweep of his trench coat, he continued walking.

"Bye!" Mokuba cried out as he ran after his brother.

"Those two remind me of Pluto and Mercury." Atem mused.

I arched my head to face him. "I was thinking more of the lines of Yukai and Pluto." I bickered.

Atem laughed. "I think Yukai and Pluto should be compared with Joey and Kaiba."

"Perhaps…" I took out my deck and placed Ra the Golden Phoenix Dragon with my other cards.

Joey yawned as if not sleeping the whole time we were in Animus. He wiped the drowsiness from his eyes, and then they widened as he saw Tristan chatting to Serenity. "Why you -!" He ran over to his friend and wrestled him away from Serenity. "How many times must I do this?"

"Hey, chill!" Tristan yelled. He tried to free himself from Joey's wrath, but it was no use.

"I guess things are back to normal." Atem sweat dropped.

I sighed. "There's no doubt about it…"

"What's wrong?" Atem looked down on me as he noticed my anguish.

"Artemis…" I whispered. I stared down at my hands, remembering the times I'd been with her. Especially that night, but it was like she knew what was going to happen, more or less she predicted it.

"Be patient." Atem said. "Whenever we are confronting trouble, she may appear to help out. That is her rule, and one day, we may face the greatest challenge we have ever encountered."

Later that night, Atem and I returned home. We left behind a worried Grandpa, and he was thankful we were fine. He did want to know where I was the entire time though, even as he was taken aback from Atem showing up alive and well in a body of his own. We both explained to him the details of our adventures in Animus, and he almost couldn't believe that the universe was so close to ending.

Luckily, Atem was given the spare bedroom inside the Kame Game Shop, and we all slept soundly, not worrying about any psychos that want to try and take over the world, for once… I was unable to sleep at all, I walked out of bed and looked at my bedroom window.

The stars were out as the moon was entering its waning phase, just like I seen in Animus. I felted as though I missed seeing the world; the natural beauty it held and the unforgettable times spent there. I knew the Guardians were capable of taking care of their world, but I sensed all was not right between them. Maybe I was just imagining it, or could it be real?

Another thing that troubled me was Artemis. I hoped wherever she was, she would be safe from danger. Luna said she was guided by the light of the moon, and her disappearance could be caused by a certain mission she had been carrying out for centuries.

I also hoped whatever was out there was not after me, and if it involved the Guardians, they were sure to appear. I wondered what lied beyond my future, and if Ra be needed for the next battle. I believed the defeat of the Galactic Dragon was the first step to awakening this evil I sensed, and the dark war was just beginning.

Author's Notes: Dark Crisis has now ended. So I leave you all with the summary for Struggle of Chaos, there is some information regarding the Phoenix Dragons cards, that I have created myself.

Ra the Golden Phoenix Dragon:
Type: Dragon
Attribute: Divine
ATK? DEF?
Increase this monster's attack and defense points by 600 for each Light-attributed monster on the field or graveyard.

Sacrifice 1000 Lifepoints to bring this monster back from the graveyard.

Mesenet the Silver Phoenix Dragon:
Type: Dragon
Attribute: Divine
ATK? DEF?
If you play Spell cards on your side of the field, increase this monster's attack points by 500.

If God Phoenix is on the field, fuse both of these monsters to form Hathor the Silver Phoenix.

Ammon the Bronze Phoenix Dragon
Type: Dragon
Attribute: Divine
ATK? DEF?
If this monster is in play, summon up to four Dragon-type monsters from deck or hand and place them on the field.

Increase this monster's attack and defense points by 500 for each Dragon-type monster on the field or graveyard.

The summary for Struggle of Chaos:

Six years after the dark war, Yugi's life seems to have returned to normal until he begins to lose contact with the Guardians. Bizarre monsters appear all over Domino, and not even the Ka can stop them. A vision reveals to Yugi that an old foe of the Guardians has returned, and is more powerful than the last time the Guardians fought it. He is shocked when he sees three creatures in his vision that are known as Beasts of Chaos. The trip back to America is not easy as three mysterious beings try to kill Yugi and his friends, and nearly succeed. New Guardians appear and they have not come alone as the Holy Guardians, deceased beings sent by the Guardian of the Afterlife, have finally decided to join in on the fight. It's up to Yugi to figure out who is this former enemy of the Guardians is, and can he prevent the history of the Final Battle from being repeated?

That's all from me, and there will be a change affecting the sequel. I decided that Yugi's point of view will not be used for Struggle of Chaos because I've been finding it difficult writing in first person when switching to other character narratives. I would like to thank those who have reviewed, Phoenix727, DJ Rodriguez and DBZ Warrior1. I appreciate the support you have given me, especially to Phoenix727 and DJ Rodriguez for allowing me to use their characters. Well, I hope you all await the sequel, and I wish you all good luck to your stories.