Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! However, I DO own Marissa, Keline, Symari, and Joseph. Don't take them.

Hey. He's yet another (most likely) weird chapter.

Oh, yeah, I don't know if I've said this already, but I'm skipping the whole "Noah's Arc" thing. It never happened in this fic. :shifty eyes:

Chapter 16------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the blimp landed on Kaiba Corp. Island, the final duels proceeded as they would when one is dealing with the psychopathic embodiment of another's anger, Millennium Magic, and uber-confusing occurrences. Joey and Marik's Anger clashed in a duel, with, unfortunately, Marik turning out as the victor. Joey was trapped in limbo between Earth and the Shadows, his friends worrying for his life. Meanwhile, Yugi – or should I say, Yami – went up in a duel with Kaiba. Anyone can guess who won that fight. At the end Joey awoke – his friends most relieved – and left to find Kaiba and Yugi. After discovering that Yugi had emerged victorious, Joey challenged Kaiba to a duel for third place. Anyone can guess who won that fight as well.

Then, the real challenge began.

While all this was going on, Marissa stayed absent. Keline remained aboard the blimp, locked away in his depression. Now, one would think that he would chose to see what occurred during the duels that went on during his hibernation, but he could tell well enough by the pulsing in his right hand. One would also think that he would want to remain aware of the condition of his father's good side, but he could sense that through their bond. As a result, after the fracas between mind-controlled Téa and Marik's Anger atop the duel tower during Joey and Kaiba's competition, Keline knew exactly what had happened.

He had almost lost his father for good. Hope was draining from everyone, and fast.

"It's time to show you the first of my surprises, Yugi," Marik's Anger announced, as a giant hourglass appeared over his head. Mai sat inside, almost engulfed in sand. "Once this duel is over, she'll be gone forever." He grinned with a maliciousness that matched the ominous dark cloud that surrounded the top of the duel tower.

"I won't let this madness continue!" Yami shouted fiercely, fire burning in his crimson eyes.

As if he had not heard Yami, Marik's Anger continued. "But she's not the only one in danger…" Out of nowhere, Yugi appeared in the darkness above and to the right of Yami, attached to the wall with ring-like strings of black. "If you lose the duel, Yugi will go the Shadow Realm as well."

"Leave Yugi out of this!"

"My weaker half is involved as well." Just as Yugi had done, Marik appeared above the embodiment of his anger. His eyes were closed and his limbs hung limp, as if he was (in the best-case scenario) asleep. "If I lose, the Shadows will take him."

"Hold on, Marik," came a familiar voice. Everyone who was not dueling glanced over to the location of the voice – right by Ishizu. Standing proudly, as she had been there all along, was none other than Marissa Millennium.

"Marissa?" Duke exclaimed in surprise. "When did you get here?" None of them had seen or heard her arrive.

"And where have you been all this time?" demanded Tristan, raising an eyebrow. She turned to look at him sheepishly. He wondered how she could be so calm at a time like this.

"Uh…the mall?" she supplied jokingly, shrugging. Just as Joey was about to ask for the real answer, Marik announced his first attack.

"I summon Vampiric Leech! Direct Attack!"

The duel continued, (A/N: You now basically how it went), with both sides taking and causing damage, while Joey and the others cheered Yugi on; Marissa, Ishizu, and Kaiba stood silently watching.

Much later while the duel was going on, Marik sadly spoke to Odion, who lay in the coma he had been forced into in his bed.

"I'm sorry, Odion," he apologized, after recalling several touching memories. "Good-bye…" Then, he "moved" to Keline, who sat nearby, silently watching as Odion seemingly slept.

"Hey, kid," he said quietly. Keline looked up, but the source was inside his head.

"Father?" he managed to gasp. "Is it really you?"

"Yes, it's me." The boy's hopes seemed to lighten, if only by a little. But what Marik said next crashed them down again. "But not for long. My evil side's power is increasing; I can't stop it. I'm afraid no one can. I'm sorry, Kay, but I'm afraid I have to leave you…"

Keline choked back another sob. His father had not called him by a nickname in a long, long time. "But you can't…" was all he could say.

"Be strong for me," Marik replied. "Promise me that you'll try to be happy without me."

"I-I promise." He could feel a slight smile across Marik's lips.

"Thank you. I'll miss you, my son."

"I'm not giving up on you, father." But the presence had already faded from his mind. Keline crouched over in pain, clutching his right hand. When the pain subsided, at least for a moment, he removed his left hand and stared at the blood covering it. That is, until he heard movement from the bed. His gaze shot over to see Odion sitting up in bed, clearly weak.

"Master Keline," he said in short greeting. "We must save your father, Master Marik." The other present silently nodded, and stood up with Odion. They supported each other as they weakly made their way out of the ship and across the barren land. 'I must save Marik from the wrath of his dark side before it's too late,' thought Odion, glancing up at the smoke-covered tower. Slowly, they reached the elevator and climbed inside. The silence allowed the older to muse on what Marik had said to him. 'It was Master Marik's words that allowed me to awaken…He told me that I was the only one who could control the evil within him. It is my sworn duty to protect him. I must not allow his dark side to prevail, but I alone may not be strong enough.' He glanced over to Keline, who, feeling a gaze upon him, looked back up at Odion.

"Odion?" he asked nervously.

"Yes?"

"Will anyone be able to save him?" He pleaded the world with the look in his normally hardened eyes.

"Someone must be able," answered Odion hopefully. By that time, they had reached the top of the duel tower, signified by the elevator's doors sliding open. They stepped out and proceeded to the last staircase. 'I hope it is not too late. I were to let Marik slip into the Shadows, I would never forgive myself.'

'He doesn't have to die… He doesn't have to die…' Keline repeated to himself, stepping up from the last step, which had drained most of what was left of his energy. Marissa heard – and felt – him coming, so she was able to rush over and catch him before he collapsed onto the floor.

"What are you doing here?" she whispered harshly, masking her worry.

"I had to…at least see the end," he answered pessimistically. Above the far end of the dueling ring, the one eye that was left of Marik widened in surprise, silently asking the same question Marissa had. Then it turned to Odion when the latter called its name.

"Marik! Don't give up!" he called in desperation. The others present gasped at his appearance. "There's still time."

"You're wrong," corrected Marik's Anger. "There's no turning back now!" Odion continued to stumble towards the ring. "We were doing just fine without you. But if you can stay on your feet a few moments longer, you'll be able to witness Marik's triumph over the Pharaoh and demise of my weak side." Caught up, Odion almost fell over. Joey reached out to help him, but Ishizu halted his attempt at aide.

"This is something Odion must do," she told him. "It may be the only way to save Marik."

"Release my Master now!" he ordered, once he had reached the edge of the ring.

"You have come too late," replied the evil essence from his perch atop the Winged Dragon of Ra. "I have taken his body, and the Shadow Realm has almost taken his soul."

"That is not true. We have returned to ensure that Marik's gentle spirit prevails." (We meaning him and Keline.)

"No…" Keline muttered weakly at what his father's Anger said.

The Anger growled. "That's enough!" he shouted, extending the Rod and using its power to push Odion back against the closest wall. However, the latter's inner strength enabled him to stand up once again.

"Marik, fight the evil within!" he urged. "We've conquered your evil side before." He was pushed back again, but forced himself to get up.

"I'm fine," he replied bitterly to Ishizu's attempts to help him to his feet. Again, he turned to Marik. "You have the power to stop your dark side. You are the one who created him, and you can destroy him!" Marik's Anger lifted the Rod once again, but was stopped by a burning sensation in his right eye. Letting the Millennium Item fall from his grasp, he clutched his once-missing right eye, which had now been replaced by the good Marik's.

"Fight him with all your might!" pleaded, for once, Keline.

"People do not live because they are chasing hope," said Odion wisely. "People have hope because they live."

"I've come to far to lose my grip now!" yelled Marik's Anger in return. "I am the true Marik, and I will not be overpowered by my weak side!" It was then he noticed the replacement for his eye.

"Attack now!" came Marik's voice, ordering the Pharaoh to launch his forces. Keline bit his lip in dreadful anticipation. Yami shook his head. "Please, you must attack! I can't hold on much longer – I need your help to banish my dark half. I apologize for everything I've done to you and your friends. As a Tomb Keeper, I was raised to serve the Pharaoh, but I always resented this task, and from my resentment and hatred my dark half was born. However, I'm ready to finally take responsibility for my actions and correct the wrongs I've committed.

"Please, you must attack."

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Yet again, my thanks to Yu-Jyo.